13.1forFinley

It’s GO TIME guys. 

Since I was exhausted/recovering from the most fun (and worst flight home) weekend I’ve had in a long time, it’s not WEDNESDAY and I haven’t ran yet this week. Let’s be real, the last time I went on a real run was Thursday before leaving for DC.

So, tonight is the night. I didn’t get to sleep until well after midnight last night, so when my 545 alarm went off, it was promptly turned off where I slept until 730 and got to work at 945AM...whoops!

So, tonight when I get home from working my second job (around 730PM), I’ll run 3 miles  {on the treadmill...ugh}. This is the plan above I am using, slightly abbreviated/manipulated since I’m starting on a Wednesday... my good friend Jessi is running with me and we have decided the most important thing I do is finish AND raise the money. So, if you haven’t already donated, please do so- every dollar counts! I’m working on my campaign email to send to my office this weekend and will likely send that early next week. HOPEFULLY that will help get me closer to my new goal of $4,000. 

Last night when I got into the car after my PHR class I checked my gmail and saw that I had reached my fundraising goal. I burst into tears and felt a huge sigh of relief.  The sweet parents of the children I keep on Monday’s donated to get me to (and 1% over) my goal. 

BUT I AM NOT DONE. So thank you to all of you who donated...from my dad’s old coworker, to one of my younger brother’s friends, to old friends, people I would barely consider friends, new friends and everyone in between: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. 

Every dollar helps, y’all. EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR will help provide resources, support and encouragement for kids like Finley and parents like my brother and sister in law (and my parents too) who were given this incredible opportunity to raise this sweet boy and others like him. We all have obstacles in our lives that we have to overcome or live with or both, and I am so proud of my family for doing just that. I’m especially proud to be an aunt to Finley, his 2 brothers, 1 sister and cousin. I often wonder what God has “called me to do” with my life and He constantly shows me that I was made for THIS season of my life. THIS season of being an aunt to these children. I was made to laugh with them, sneak them snacks and love on them as much as I can until they’re too old/embarrassed by that. 

So if you’re reading this, and wondering why I am still asking for money even though I met my goal, it’s because I raised my goal, from $2,500 to $4,000. I’ve got a few more weeks to meet this goal which TBH is MORE important than the time I cross the finish line (and likely collapse). 

So, if you’re reading this and know me, or my family, or a friend of mine (ORRR even if you DON’T know me or maybe don’t even like me) I am urging you to donate to this cause. Even $5 will help drastically help my sweet Finn. 

I’ll leave you guys with one more thing: I messaged a girl I used to work with who had donated thanking her for her donation. TBH, we were never super close and I was incredibly touched by her donation. She replied and said “those kiddos are lucky to have you as their aunt”. 

I would title this one: how to run outside when you’re not properly dressed for the temp, you’ve got a sinus infection and it’s about to rain. I ran 2 point something miles today. I only know that Bc my running friend Jessi texted it to me. She tracks my exercise from my Apple Watch (yes it’s worth the money). In the first few steps of my run, I made eye contact with a lady running w her dog. She made a Chrissy Tiegen face to me: One which I completely understand. I took yesterday off, and since I’m walking the rest of the run I planned here. Y’all this is hard. Imma be honest: I think I may hate running. I’m lucky today I’m working offsite and don’t have to be there until 11 so I could sleep u til 7, and then come out here to Shelley Lake and win. So Saturday will be the first time I attempt a long run outside. I’m sure 5-6 miles outside is far different from on a treadmill by I’m gonna do it. And give it all I’ve got. Until then, I’m making this face about running:

It’s appropriate that this is the first Super Bowl in years I am not watching with my family and this commercial comes on. I thought I wasn’t going to cry tonight until the episode of This Is Us after the Super Bowl. This commercial really got me guys, because this is the reality of the odds. Finley may not be bound for an Olympic gold medal (or maybe he is) but he’s already a winner in my heart. Let’s celebrate one another’s differences, regardless of our accomplishments. 

I don’t really have an update, except that I am almost at 50% of my fundraising goal, thanks to extended family who recently donated close to 500$. It’s not too late to donate, and I hope you do! 

Happy Sunday, everyone! 

Hey everyone!

Happy Sunday! I got my butt in gear. 

If on the off chance you’re reading this and your name is Jessi, I have a confession. Today was my first outside run (more about that later) and I’m so sorry in advance that you signed up to run this with me. 

So, this is what I’ve been up to since the last time I posted. First of all, my best friend married her hearts mate over a beautiful weekend in Durango Colorado and man did we do it up big. Their wedding was anything but traditional and man did I appreciate that. To my Dunn’s- I love y’all and am so thankful for your support in every aspect of my life <3 

The weather in NC has been insane. I was snowed in for 2 days and missed 2.5 days of work which meant I worked allllll day yesterday. Oh well.

Now onto the important stuff: I got running shoes! I went to Fleet Feet in N Raleigh one day on my lunch break and it was an awesome experience. The guy who helped fit me for my shoes was so friendly and encouraging. I highly recommend going there if you need new shoes. I’ve got inserts in my running shoes so all my arch pain is gone. 

So, I found a 12-week training program on Pinterest which showed me that training for a half is not all running. (PTL!) So I’ve been kind of following that. Thankfully, my apartment complex has a really nice gym that has a really good treadmill with a fan and a TV, so it has been bearable. I’ve also gotten to do some “living room” workouts through the SworkIT app (also, highly recommended by me) 

Today, for the first time in 2018, I ran outside. When I say ran, I really mean I ran as much as I could for as long as I could and then walked when I needed to. I did though (pats self on back) run all the hills on this particular course. As of right now, I’ve got a 11.5 minute mile pace (WOOF, right?) but am hopeful to cut that by a minute and finish the half under 3 hours. Fingers crossed. 

Someone looks comfy, huh? Well, Finley your aunt has been doing a lot of that as well- staying comfortable. I have GOT to get my butt in gear. I may have picked the worst possible time to get insanely busy and train for a half marathon. 

My lame excuse for why I haven’t started training yet is that when I first posted this, I was traveling for work and did not have the chance to run (tennis shoes at home). My travel back home was a complete nightmare and really messed up my sleep schedule. By the time I got back and settled, it was time to pack for Christmas. I spent so much quality time with my family over Christmas, it was awesome. 

I’m leaving for Colorado on the 4th for my best friends wedding, and get back on the 7th right before midnight. I promise I’ll start training that Monday! 

Together, we have contributed $700 to The Lucky Fin Project. I’m so proud of us and excited to see where the next 4 months can lead us. 

How cool is this, guys? The founder of LFP is sending me some apparel to train in. The power of social media is real!!

On another note: I am traveling for work right now and forgot tennis shoes (on purpose, it is freezing here) so my official training will start tomorrow when I am back home. Thanks to all who have donated so far. 

If you know me, you know I love my nephews more than most anything in the world. God made me their aunt and it's my favorite calling in my life.  Two years ago, my family welcomed Finley James, 6 days before Christmas. I could go on and on about my love for him (and my whole family) but that is not what this site is for. 

Finley was born with Symbrachydactyly.  Symbrachydactyly is a congenital abnormality, characterized by limb anomalies consisting of brachydactyly, cutaneous syndactyly and global hypoplasia of the hand or foot. In many cases, bones will be missing from the fingers and some fingers or toes may be missing altogether. 

On April 7th, 2018 I'm running the Rock and Roll half marathon in downtown Raleigh and I'm doing it for Finley, and kids all over the world who are similar to Finley. I'm asking for your help by donating to my run- any amount helps. The money I raise will go directly to the Lucky Fin Project (merely a coincidence- although I think I'm the lucky one to have my Finn).

The Lucky Fin Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to raise awareness and celebrate children and individuals born with symbrachydactyly or other limb differences. You can learn more by clicking on the link, reading up and/or asking me.