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Another RTR win March 17, 2014

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising, Pretty.
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After my last experience with Rent the Runway, I couldn’t wait for my next opportunity to get dressed up and go out on the town.  Luckily, husband decided that we should go to the DC Brewer’s Ball (to benefit cystic fibrosis research/awareness) – yay, I needed some cocktail attire!

I ordered two dresses again, which turned out to be a great idea because the primary frock (the one I had in two sizes) just wasn’t what I was hoping for – it was very “fussy.”  My second dress was absolutely perfect for me AND the event.

IMG_0646 IMG_0643

The shape of the dress allowed me to feel comfortable while still flattering my best assets – my legs!  The dress is short (more like a mini, depending on your height), but it looked FAB with heels.  The tiered look created some visual interest, and the neutral shades allowed me to add some fun bling (which I also rented) and not look overdone.

It is so incredible to know that I will never have to buy evening wear ever again.  🙂

Failure to launch January 21, 2014

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising, Races, Running.
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You may have noticed that the Nike Women’s Half Marathon is no longer on my “Upcoming Races” list.  I originally signed up with Team In Training to do both the Rock & Roll USA Marathon and Nike as fundraising events.  But since Jason and I have had a lot more trouble raising the funds for RNR than we anticipated, I concluded that it just isn’t realistic to raise the additional funds that would allow me to do Nike.  Even though I definitely think it’s the right decision, I am bummed, especially since the lottery period has ended so I don’t have another way to sign up for the race.

We have never had this much trouble fundraising before.  We have done TONS of events with TNT, raising thousands and thousands of dollars for a cause that is very important to us.  I haven’t quite put my finger on what has been different this time around, but I have some theories, and I suspect it’s a combination of a couple of factors.

We will certainly be adjusting our approach going forward, but for now, we are still looking forward to RNR.  Our training hasn’t been perfect, but we are hoping to still be ready for the full marathon.  If things don’t work out, we’ll definitely still do the half.

Since Nike is off the table, does anyone have suggestions for good half marathons in the April-May timeframe?  Also, has anyone planned to do a marathon but switched to the half at the last minute?  If so, why?  Were you disappointed?

New challenges November 8, 2013

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising, Races, Running.
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You may have noticed that there are some new races in my “Upcoming Races” widget.  Not only am I running the Veterans Day 10K this weekend (on a whim, a girlfriend suggested the race and I decided to jump on board), but I am also signed up for both the Rock & Roll USA Marathon – yes, the full – and the Nike Women’s Half Marathon.

As much as hubby and I wanted London to be our 2014 marathon (I figure I’m up for one full every two years), his work situation has made international travel pretty unlikely for the next year or two.  Also, we were really missing being involved with Team In Training, so we decided to register for whatever local race they were planning for Spring ’14.  Bing, bang, boom – that’s how we wound up committing to the RnR race.  I decided to tack on the Nike half as an extra challenge (to avoid the usual post-marathon exercise slump).

Obviously, since we are training with TNT, we are also fundraising!  I need to raise $3,200 for my two races, so here is my fundraising page:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/rnrusa14/bettyrh

Please stay tuned for training updates, fundraising events, and other super-fun marathon goodness.  🙂

What is everyone else’s race calendar looking like?

Catching up April 9, 2010

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising.
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It’s never a good idea to “cram” and try to “catch up” on missed workouts, but hey, I can catch up on missed blog posts, right?

I absolutely cannot believe we’re a week into April.  I feel like this tri season is just flying by.  Training is going slow and steady, but I’m confident that I’ll pick up the pace and be good to go for all three (!!!) of my races this summer.  The first one up is the DC Tri, which is in just over two months – EEK!

Running is probably the component I’ve been the most consistent with in terms of training, simply because it’s the easiest to sneak in.  I did have a good ride at Harbins last weekend (20 miles), and I hope to do 30+ miles at Cartersville tomorrow.  I also hope to practice reaching for my water bottle, as I have yet to master drinking on the bike.  In terms of swimming, I feel pretty strong in the water these days, but my coach says that I’m overrotating and moving my head too much when I breathe, so I need to practice being a little more still and controlled.

In terms of fundraising, I’ve stopped for the tri season and moved my focus solely onto Chicago.  I tried to host a cooking class, where I was going to demo healthy dishes and give out goodies and recipe cards, but there was pratically NO interest (I think that was mostly due to the fact that I live far away from most folks).  So, I’ve changed my strategy and am going to sell homemade jams and baked goods – and I already have a confirmed order for one of my key lime pies!

I’m also selling Bondi Bands again, and I have lots and lots of different styles and colors to choose from.  They are GREAT wicking headbands, especially in the hot summer months.  I’m offering them for $10 each or three for $25, with all of the proceeds, of course, going to my Chicago fundraising.  If you’re interested in buying some bands, or if you have a hankering for some of my home cookin’ (haha), shoot me a message and I’ll happily discuss an appropriate donation.  🙂

How’s everyone else’s training going?  Hope you all enjoy the gorgeous weather this weekend!

New link January 12, 2010

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising.
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In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a new link on the ol’ blog roll.  It’s my Team In Training fundraising page!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/watertri10/bthurber

Feel free to check it out, make a donation, and enjoy the hilarious and humiliating training stories that will inevitably appear (though they will likely be cross-posted on this site as well)!

I am a mentor this season, so I have some flexibility and options in terms of fundraising.  However, any money I raise is a step toward finding a cure for blood cancers – and we can all agree that CANCER SUCKS.

More to come…I was at the gym at 4:45 this morning, so it’s safe to say that I’m slowly getting back into the groove.

WOOT!!! April 22, 2009

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising.
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I just surpassed my fundraising minimum!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has donated.  I know times are tough, so the support of my friends and family–in addition to some folks I’ve never even met–is even more meaningful.

I’m not going to stop fundraising, since every additional dollar I raise will help find a cure for blood cancers.  I am just really proud of myself for reaching this milestone, so I figured I’d scream it to the rafters!  I’ve been fundraising for various cancer groups for about ten years–since my own cancer diagnosis in late 1999–but this was the largest amount I was ever asked to generate.

Hopefully this euphoria will propel me in the pool tonight.  I could use a great swim to go along with this great news!

Fundraising News April 15, 2009

Posted by bettyjoan in Fundraising.
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The BondiBands are in, folks!  If you’re not familiar with the product, here’s the website: http://www.bondiband.com/.  Basically, they’re really amazing wicking headbands–they don’t dig into your skull, they keep the hair and sweat out of your eyes, they’re thin enough to wear under a bike helmet, and they’re cute to boot!  I tried them for the first time during the ING Half Marathon, and I didn’t have to readjust it or fiddle with my hair at all while I was racing.

I have them in a bunch of colors and designs, and I also have the following sayings available:

  • Team In Training
    Team In Training: Girls Try Harder
    I Bike So I Can Eat
    I Run So I Can Eat
    Cancer Sucks (a personal fave)
    TRI
    Triathlete: Failure Is Not An Option
    Eat My Bubbles!
    Will Run For Wine

Prices are $8 for one, $15 for two, and $20 for three.  I have to pay for the base cost of the bands, but all of the other proceeds will go directly to my LLS fundraising pot.  If you’re interested in purchasing any bands, just leave a comment on this post with your contact info (email is fine), and I’ll get in touch about the details.

Thanks for your support!