Mantra Monday

Happy New Years Eve!

Becky sent me today's words for the week after a talk we had yesterday.  And its so fitting for tonight in so many ways.  The last year was a doozy for many reasons.  Hell - the last three years have brought along some kick-me-in-the-ass challenges I never saw coming.  I feel very ready to welcome a new year.  Not because I am eager to leave 2012 behind.  But because for the first time in a long time, I feel very excited about what 2013 holds.

So while there are still some uncertainties hanging out there, and while I see some big struggles lying ahead in the next year, I'm crazy excited for them.  Because for the very first time, do feel strong, fearless, and wise.

Source

Friday Five - Road Trip Edition

By the time you read this, I will be back in my trusty Civic and headed home to the RVA - with my mom and brother in tow.  I am excited for them to finally see my house, to get a tour of my hometown v.2.0., and to finally make some progress on my guest room/home office.  But my week on the road brought many a good memory.  Here are five standouts.

Loyola Family Christmas

Prepping mashed potatoes with my Nana's vintage peeler

Christmas in Connecticut

I've always been less 90210 and more 06023

 Snowball fight at the Wood N Tap

Local Business Round-Up - December

In the event that someone out there in blog-land hasn't figured it out yet, those of us behind the Massey Challenge have some serious love for RVA's local businesses.  Many of them have supported us and our mission for years, but 2013 has been a whole new animal - with businesses coming out in droves to lend a hand in making this a year to remember and to show some love for our local cancer center.

So isnt it only fair that we love on them right back?

Of course it is.

This is the first of what will become a monthly round-up of the businesses around RVA that have joined us in the fight against cancer.

 

Health Diagnostic Laboratory has once again taken a huge step in putting cancer on the run, signing on to be the title sponsor for the Challenge for a second year in 2013.  These folks can help put you on track to a healthier future and we're crazy lucky that they've made their home in RVA.

You all know why I have such love for these guys.  C Street, The Remnants, Party Perfect, Dixie Donuts, and NyCom, Inc. joined forces not only to help me celebrate 10 years in remission, but to kick off the 2013 Massey Challenge and raise more than $6,000 in a single night! 

Joe's Inn, Carytown Sweet Frog, Grove Avenue Cafe Caturra, and the Byrd Theatre have all held events in the last two months that brought RVA together and raised money for the Massey Challenge. 

And don't forget to hit up the RVANews online store to get your RVA Fights Cancer stickers. 

Be sure to love on these local businesses with your patronage, and while youre there, thank them for the life saving work they help support.  Maybe even give someone there a hug.  Im a big proponent of hugs.

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Know a local business that wants to help put cancer on the run?  Drop me a line and Lauren and I will get them involved!

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Check it - My little bro gave me a fancy thermometer and twitter feed in my sidebar.  Help make the mercury rise and make your last-minute 2012 donations today!  And follow me on Twitter for up-to-the minute deets on what the Challenge is up to.

Its Boxing Day!

And do you know what that means?

Registration is now open for the 2013 Ukrops Monument Avenue 10k!!

Check out the course map:

Register now to beat the upcoming price increases by heading here.  You can also learn tons about the race at Sportsbackers' website here.

And if you need extra motivation train, consider joining one of the YMCA 10k training teams.

They are a really fun way to get ready for the big day and Massey Challenge reps will be out running with you on Saturdays to keep you motivated to fight cancer while you train.  Win-win!  Go here to learn more about this amazing program.  Its one of my favorite parts of the 10k.  Admittedly I have about 50 favorite parts of the 10k.

The race will sell out folks, so hurry hurry!  Get registered for one of RVA's best events today!

Running Streak Rehash - Week 6

Merry Christmas!!!

As predicted, the last seven days have been tricky when it comes to getting these miles in.  There have been miles packed in before a long drive, miles slogged through with a hangover, miles run with a belly full of mini-wieners, and miles run in the snow.  But in the end, the streak continues as I ran straight through week six, and day 40.

Week Six

Day 36 Wednesday December 19, 2012 - 1.14 miles
Day 37 Thursday December 20, 2012 - 1.01 miles
Day 38 Friday, December 21, 2012 - 1.08 miles
Day 39 Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 1.13 miles
Day 40 Sunday, December 23, 2012 - 1.13 miles
Day 41 Monday, December 24, 2012 - 4.00 miles
Day 42 Tuesday December 25, 2012 - 1.28 miles

             Week Total:10.77 miles

And I have to say, with views like this:

 and company like this:

keeping the streak going in Connecticut hasn't been half bad.

Mantra Monday

Happy holidays from Connecticut!  Its been a very spiritually, emotionally, and mentally fulfilling Advent season over here and I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas tomorrow and putting some of my plans for 2013 into effect.  Wishing you all a happy, healthy season, and some quiet time to reflect on what the last year has brought and what is to come in the year ahead.  

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The Friday Five

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.  I scoop up Tim after work today to head for a weekend with Loren and Ryan celebrating Loyola Family Christmas.  There will be wine, and cookies, and Santa, and cookies, and wine.  Then Sunday its an early start to make my way up to Connecticut where, to quote the beloved Clark Griswold, "when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney . . . he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse" thanks to the festivities my little brother and I have up our sleeves.

But before I head off into that winter wonderland, lets take a look back on some of my favorite moments from the last week.

Rekindling a long-time love affair

Gorgeous artwork makes it hard to say no

Should I be concerned that this is what made my biological clock finally start ticking?

  Fancy meeting you here, old lover

 Of all the jokes I've heard with my maiden name, this one was actually new to me

 

Next time you hear from me, it will be from New England.  Safe and happy travels to everyone joining me on the road. 

 

And if you're still catching up on your Christmas shopping, a donation in someone's name or honor is always a great way to go.  You know the drill - just click the button up there.

Team Spotlight - Chris’ Caribbean Crazies

I've said it before and I'll say it again (okay - probably at least 50 more times before April 13) - one of the most cherished aspects of the Massey Challenge for me is the people that it brings into my life.  Friendships seems to take on a deeper meaning much more quickly when you are brought together by something like cancer, and learn about one of another person's most difficult experiences right from the start.

So last year, when I met Worth and Josie Bugg at the Team Captain Rally at Home Team Grill, I probably should have just accepted the fact that less than a year later I would love them both dearly.

Worth and Josie are husband and wife and just being around them you can tell how ridiculously in love they are.  Worth knows he's come close to being hidden from my Facebook news feed thanks to his gushing over his beautiful bride.  If you ever needed convincing that soulmates exist - spend a happy hour with these two.  Hell - just spend a happy 15 minutes with them.

Sadly, just days after Worth and Josie married, Josie's dad, Chris Hanners, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile duct.  He fought hard against the disease, but passed away a few years ago.  Last year, Worth decided to form Chris' Caribbean Crazies to raise money for the Massey Challenge and to honor Chris' spirit. 

Last Sunday, Worth and Josie brought us all together to remember Chris, celebrate the holidays, and add a bit more laughter to our lives - which I've learned is something Chris would have totally wanted.   

Worth arranged for a showing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at Richmond's legendary Byrd Theater.  How can you not feel festive here?

The Crazies were out in full force, luring folks in to support Massey.  They did a great job, bringing in $650!!

 The super cute couple:

 And my super cute dates:

In taking on the Challenge, Worth and Josie have blessed Massey with incredible support and me with their amazing friendship.  The quote that headlines the Crazies' Facebook page is probably one of the best summations of what the Challenge is all about:

This is definitely a team that cares a bunch.

Want to learn more about Chris' Caribbean Crazies and reason they accept the Challenge?  You can read their Story of Hope here. 

Running Streak Rehash - Week 5

I remember being a wee little lass and complaining to my mom about how the days were SO LONG.  Now it seems like they fly by and I'm constantly reporting on another week gone by and the runs I squeezed in.

I'm totally proud that this week included both a 5 miler and a 4 miler.  Plus a stair workout.  I know these aren't long distances for lots of runners, but for me they are.  And I felt really good after the 5!

Day 29 Wednesday December 12, 2012 - 1.05 miles
Day 30 Thursday December 13, 2012 - 5.01 miles
Day 31 Friday, December 14, 2012 - 1.13 miles
Day 32 Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 1.06 miles
Day 33 Sunday, December 16, 2012 - 2.38 miles
Day 34 Monday, December 17, 2012 - 4.00 miles
Day 35 Tuesday December 18, 2012 - 1.43 miles*
            
             Week Total: 16.06
                *This run was actually probably longer, since it included 19 minutes of stair running that my GPS
                  couldn't figure out what to do with.

Next week is going to be challenging with a drive to Connecticut, a weekend with old friends, and highs in the low 30s to contend with.  But I have Tyler and Cara on call to accompany me on runs, and I am pretty sure Cara's house is about a mile from my moms, so I can get a mile or so logged in running to her for wine when I need a break from the family festivities!  If all goes well, by New Years Day I will be less than 100 days away from this Streak's end. 

Unless I try to finish Runners World's Year-Long Streak.  I cant promise it hasn't crossed my mind.  #girlwhodoesntknowwhentostop

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In early fall, Lauren and I sat down with the awesome folks over at RVANews to talk about getting them involved in the 2013 Challenge.

The folks over there are bananas creative and seem to constantly be finding ways to put our city on the map.  Or on beer glasses.  Or tote bags.  (You can check out their online store for some last-minute Christmas gifts here).

And, as anyone living in the RVA knows, they've also managed to plaster most of our cars with one of their RVA stickers in the last year.  Whether you're a Ram or a Spider or just love the city, they've made a sticker for you.

And now they've made one for us!

And with $5.00 from the sale of each sticker going to support the Massey Challenge, picking one up means you aren't just showing your love for RVA and the cancer fighting work being done here, but you're also helping to keep that work going.  This sticker is a limited edition, so snap yours up here before they're all gone!

Thanks for the support RVANews!  We love you!  Mwah!

Why I Run

Confession time here, folks.  I am not a good cancer survivor.  I'm an even worse BRCA1 carrier.  I couldn't tell you what fruits or vegetables make up the dirty dozen.  I reuse disposable plastic bottles.  I don't sleep enough.  I drink far too much.  I don't do self exams.  Line me up against all the other women in the world who are trying to reduce their cancer risk, and I assure you I'd be woefully inadequate.

(This is something I'm pretty okay with - I'll fill you in on why as the new year approaches). 

I'm headed home for the holidays on Friday and there are three things I can guarantee will happen.  1 - I will locate the hidden stash of Ho Hos in my moms house and go to town.  2 - Paula will order something with "gobs and gobs of molten lava cheese."  3 - Jan will ask me why I run.

Me - I'm going for a run.
Jan - Why?
Me - What do you mean why?
Jan - Why do runners run?  I have never seen a happy looking runner. Stay home with me and eat this cheesecake.

He's right.  I probably dont look happy while I run.  I'm slow.  And the first mile always, ALWAYS, sucks for me.  But after that first mile, I tend to settle in and enjoy lots of things about my runs.  Here's my

All-Time-Top-11 Reasons Why I Run 

(Yes, its 11. Stop picking on my list)

11. I love the view of my neighborhood from my sneakers.  And of all the other old 'hoods I run through both at home and when I travel.  I never fail to notice something I would have missed in the car.

(crazy old sign-post marking the street where I grew up)

10. Because my happiest places are outside.  Running gets me out there when my career keeps me from places like this for too long:

9. I like to think my long runs give me extra stamina when I end up on a stage.  Which happens more often than you might believe.

(Rocking out with the Remnants)

8. Running gives me a space to think through my cases away from my desk.  And if I can get through an oral argument during mile 3, I'm usually confident it'll be cake standing still in a courtroom.

7. Ill admit it - I run because I like to drink beer.

(And someone put an amazeballs brewery essentially in my backyard)

6. And because I like to drink wine.

(Acacia - October 2012)

5. I also run because Tim really likes to cook.  And I really like to eat.  And Tim really likes to use butter.

(Bacon-Wrapped-Turkey?  Yes, please)

4. I am one hell of a sensitive girl, and running helps me to process and let go in ways I probably otherwise wouldnt.

3. I have some crazy- athletic friends.  Running lets me feel like I almost have enough cred to hang out (and sort of keep up) with them

(Although maybe I shouldn't worry about that, since we're all good at acting like idiots)

2. Because for a year, I couldnt.  In the months leading up to my Hodgkin's diagnosis, my endurance was quickly ripped away.  And during chemo and radiation I was lucky to make it through a stroll in the market.  Every time I run today, whether for a mile or a 10K (I swear someday Ill run longer than that!) I remember the time when I couldn't run and I am so.damn.grateful.

1. Because it puts distance between me and cancer.  Its the one thing I know I'm doing to tell cancer to back the fuck off.  In my mind, each mile increases the space between us.  And while I dont generally advocate running way from problems, a second cancer diagnosis is one problem I'm happy to high-tail it away from. 

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Don't forget to make your last minute 2012 donations!  Its easy - just hit that button up there.  Every dollar helps us move even closer to eradicating this crazy disease.

Mantra Monday

True to form, this weekend brought folks out to celebrate Massey, and the holiday season, at Chris Hanners Movie Day.  More to come on that later this week, along with the much-anticipated round of of RVA businesses who have already lent tremendous support to the Challenge, and a look ahead to ways you can plan to come out to support us in 2013.

In the meantime, some words to inspire the week ahead.

source

The Friday Five

Its been one of those weeks, and while Christmas is typically my very favorite time of the year, I'm just not feeling it yet.  But thats not to say that the week wasn't full of some fabulous moments that served as reminders that even when life isn't going exactly the way we might wish, its still full of blessings. 

The marriage of two of my favorites - bacon and flowcharts.

Helping my Richmond family deck the halls.

Running by this dude on MacArthur has made me smile every day.

Alpaca festival.  Enough said.

Being introduced to my new favorite tea by my favorite local barrista.  Who knew toasted rice could make green tea even more magical?

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I suspect my holiday cheer will kick in full-throttle Sunday, when the Byrd theater is showing Christmas Vacation to support VCU Massey Cancer Center and honor my buddy Worth's father-in-law.  Doors open at 1pm, and tix are only $5.00.  So don a dickey, empty your shitter, finalize your jam-of-the-month club subscriptions, and come get festive with us Sunday afternoon!