Hello friends! Today marked the passing into the $5000 territory! I’m more than half way there to $10,000 - dare I dream that big!?
Again, my most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has visited, donated, linked, and bought me a beer.
I am hoping to re-vamp this site to make it prettier and more user friendly with some new fun features, so be on the look out for that and feel free to email me and bust my ass (or chops) if it is not happening fast enough.
Before I sign off for the day, let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited this site, offered me words of encouragement, and donated. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by your kindness and generosity. And this is just the beginning!
As of this afternoon you have helped me raise $1741.00!!
Does that deserve a “holy crap” or what?!
Thank you. This is an such an important cause - not only because it has affected my mother and family, but because of all the other wonderful families and friends out there dealing with the shock, struggle and devastation caused by this aggressive cancer. Over 30,000 Americans get Pancreatic Cancer each year. I have spent the past 26 years of my life taking the health of my family for granted. I never expected someone close to me to be affected by this disease - I had barely even HEARD of Pancreatic Cancer before this all happened. It is time to change that. Thank you for helping me raise money to make a change, and thank you for helping me find the courage to raise my voice about this disease.
I have my first endurance run tomorrow! I’m already inspired to go there and kick some ass thanks to your support.
Be well!
You may be curious how I make the magic happen out there on the pavement. Let’s just say, I’m a MAJ Gear-head. Like woah. I’m rockin some FANCY stuff! Look out!
Sneakers: Some Asics I bought early this spring. They are white, with red stripe-y things and lots of dirt left over from a muddy hike in Maine. They cost me what I thought to be a lot of money ($130), but are so cushy and comfy it has been worth it.
Running Shorts: I alternate between two pairs. One is newer (bought with the sneaks) and are black Nike running shorts with white stripes. The other pair is from 1979 and are bright blue. They make my legs look like popsicle sticks. It’s a wonder I’m not jumped along the Hudson River, I’m that hot in these shorts.
Sports Bra: The most important part of my outfit! I bought 5 sports bras in 2001 for my trip to Nepal. I am still using them. Thanks Adidas!
Shirt: Currently not wearing one because it is balls hot out, but when I do I have one Patagonia Airius Tank that is miraculous. It also smells AMAZING. When I wear this shirt with the blue shirts, my hotness is unstopable!
Socks: I mix it up. I think most of my socks are from high school, some are cotton (bad I know, working on it); though I do have some nice Patagonia Lightweight Socks.
Hat: I wear this awesome, super lightweight Patagonia baseball hat. It holds all my wispy hairs back. It makes me look ridiculous. I loves it!
Watch: I am rocking a Nike sportswatch from the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival that Anthony got out there this past March. Thank you Comedians and Rich people! Time-telling is hilarious!
Tunes: My clunky old i-pod (photo, 30 gig). I have no fancy thing that straps it to my arm. I shall get this. I secretly like Jessica Simpson’s new song, “Public Affair”.
Sunglasses: I bought a pair of Smith Sliders back in the day because everyone else had them. They are so tiny and light that they now come in very handy.
Sunscreen: I need some. It would be horribly ironic to pick up skin cancer while training for this race. Or, hilarious?
Eh, probably not.
Many people I know are superb athletes. I have a large circle of family and friends who ski race, marathon, dance for hours on end, ride their bikes through woods and on roads for miles and miles…you get the point. Lots of really awesome leg muscles.
My dear friend Tyler recently ran his first half marathon with no training (aside from being a sporty guy) – and the farthest he had run prior to the race was 6 miles.
Then there is me.
While out for a run recently I flashbacked to one of the most traumatic moments of my life - this stupid “Field Day” every 4th and 5th grader in my town had to compete in each Spring. All 6 of the elementary schools went up against each other in relay races, 300 yard dashes, and for the very braze and fit (the popular kids) – the 1 mile run.
This Field Day was the bane of my un-athletic, tall and awkward existence. In the weeks before hand, we had to compete against our classmates in each area of competition to determine our placement on Field Day. For some reason I ended up running the 300-yard dash, and after I was done trailing all my other classmates in my Keds and neon Jam Pants, I dashed myself into the bathroom and threw up in a trashcan.
It was from that moment on that I decided I was un-athletic, horrible at sports, and would never participate in them again. I was placed in the Bean Bag Relay.
In high school I fulfilled my athletic requirements by managing Varsity teams and by taking gym class – hell, I even managed to FAIL gym my junior year by never going. Throughout college I watched all my other friends sweat their days away from my couch. The most strenuous thing I mustered was to drive from my house to the Dining Center 5 blocks away.
When I did try to exercise I put a lot of pressure on my self to go fast, hard and long. I would get angry when I couldn’t just head on out and run 3 miles immediately. I would remedy this frustration at the Baked Potato Bar at dinner.
About 4 ½ years ago, upon moving to New York, I began a consistent yoga practice, which continues to this day. I learned to stop judging my body with anger and frustration, and instead for the first time discovered what it felt like to be okay in the place where I was. To live in that space and be okay with it.
A year and a half ago I began to run, very slowly, on the treadmill at my gym. I didn’t set any goals; I just did it until I didn’t want to do it anymore. That summer I started running outside. I slowly built up a little bit of stamina and strength. Miles and minutes began to add up. I lost a few pounds. I got some muscles, something I thought would be foreign to my body forever. I felt better.
Running 13.1 miles is a big-ass deal for me. I’ve never done ANYTHING this physically exertive in my life. I smoked from high school through college and beyond (don’t worry – not anymore). But I’m excited to do it, and for the first time I know I CAN do it.
In my training book Marathoning For Mortals, the authors write, “We mortals all have the potential to become athletes.”
I finally believe this.
Look to the right! It’s a donation link!
My friends have kindly helped me set up a Donation link to PayPal so that people can start donating. All funds raised will go directly to Pancreatic Cancer Research at Mass General Hospital.
I hope to have tax deductible donations set up sometime next week. Until then, if you want to donate through PayPal, click the link to the right!
There is no donation too small. Feel free to donate a dollar - or if you see me around, throw some pennies my way! Everything helps - and it’s going to a GREAT CAUSE.
Thank you for your support in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer!
Hello and thanks for visiting my site!
My name is Kate and I am a comedian and writer from Massachusetts currently based in New York City. Here is a picture of me taken prior to eating a lobster roll in Maine:
Now that that’s settled, let me tell you why I am here…
My sassy, awesome, and beautiful mom Martha, age 55, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on June 14, 2006. Her diagnosis is Stage IV with metastases on the liver, which roughly translates into “THIS SUCKS BIG TIME“.
The shock of her diagnosis left me feeling helpless and lost. I wanted to do something, but had no idea where to even begin.
I began researching the possibilty of running a half-marathon in San Diego in August to raise money for Pancan.org, a pancreatic cancer action network, but then realized:
So I thought, why not do it on my own? I could raise money, donate to the place I want it to go too, and run a race that my mom, family and friends could feasibly come see.
Thus RUNNING FOR MY MOM was born.
I have decided to run the Maine Half-Marathon in lovely Portland, Maine on October 1, 2006. This race is in a state very dear to my heart as it is home to my Alma Mater, and is close to home so I can round up the family troops to cheer me on.
I hope to raise $3000 by October 1, and will be donating all money raised toward Pancreatic Cancer Research at Mass General Hospital in Boston. Pancreatic cancer is one the most underfunded cancers in America, yet every year over 30,000 people die from the disease. WE NEED YOUR HELP - even a dollar is a huge contribution!
Click here to make a donation via PayPal!
I hope to offer tax deductible donations as soon as possible. As I am doing this on my own, I am learning as I go - so if anyone cares to offer any guidance or information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please check this site for regular updates on my running progress, information about Pancreatic Cancer, and general rambling and nonsense.
I can be reached at runningformymomATgmail.com
Thank you!
- Kate
