12/31/09 Last Post of the Year/Decade!

Ten years ago many were afraid of 2000 New Year's, thinking the world will end. Well, it's about to be 2010, and we have had many struggles and achievements, but the world is still here, and we are going into the new year with great enthusiasm and Running For Ryan has been blessed by so many.

It's a beautiful day in Austin, TX and I look forward to a 10-12 mile run before festivities start for 1-1-10.

For me, this truly will be a new year in which a lot of positive changes will take place!

These businesses got the ball rolling in 2009 for Running For Ryan for the Wounded Warrior Project:

BBVA Compass Bank

Dynova Labs

Sente Mortgage

J-Conn Roofing

Highway Technologies

Conley Sports

Rogue Running

Notre Dame Club of Austin

And to all the individual donors, media specialist (Joey), and everyone else who has helped kept this cause alive and the funds coming in as we honor Ryan's memory and give our servicemen and women as much support as possible.HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! BLESS ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM AS WE RAISE OUR GLASSES TO YOU AND TOAST IN THANKS!

Running and Life in General 12/30/09

(Gary Sinise and the LT. Dan Band, Ft. Hood, May, 2009, great show)


Running and Life in General, that's what I decided to call this blog when I woke up that one day in late August and decided to try my first marathon. So, tonight, I don't have much running to talk about, other than my hands and knees are healing from the crash on Town Lake, and I had a decent run tonight. So, instead, I feel like chatting about life.


I just watched a great movie, called "500 Days of Summer", and there's a quote towards the end of the movie that has decent meaning to it: "I woke up one day and I knew what I was never sure of with you." Happened to me 3 years ago.


Can you relate to this? Running has allowed me to process so many thoughts that normally would stir around in my head and keep me restless at night. But going into 2010, a new beginning has really started inside of me. Death, divorce, single parenting, moving from state to state, Lupus, self-doubt, and wondering about the future have become manageable? Each day I step into a run, a sense of calmness engulfs me, and I feel like my brother is actually a part of me at very specific times in my run...especially when I run over a bridge and look out at the water, or see the sun gleaming on the buildings in downtown Austin.


Once again, I don't what gave me the courage to start this challenge. But the only answer I have is love. My brother reached out to me in my dreams, and now others have reached out to me and I sincerely appreciate the help from everyone. It's been a great week of donations. There are some businesses I would like to thank as we approach 2010. These businesses got the ball rolling in 2009 for Running For Ryan for the Wounded Warrior Project:
BBVA Compass Bank


Dynova Labs


Sente Mortgage


J Conn Roofing


Highway Technologies


Conley Sports


Rogue Running


Notre Dame Club of Austin

And to all the individual donors, media specialist (Joey), and everyone else who has helped kept this cause alive and the funds coming in as we honor Ryan's memory and give our servicemen and women as much support as possible.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! BLESS ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM AS WE RAISE OUR GLASSES TO YOU AND TOAST IN THANKS!

12/28/09 Great Day...even with the crash...ouch!

(Hit a large rock on the trail, and kissed the gravel)

It's a little of a gory pic, but proof that it's not wise to run around Town Lake at night without a light. I was running the fastest tempo run since I began training, knocking 7 minutes off my 7 mile time, in the zone...about a half mile to go...and I felt the rock that was stuck in the ground and slammed on the gravel so hard I thought I broke both arms. Luckily, I was able to get up after a minute and finish the run with a little agony, but swift pace. Well, swift for me.:)

Last Saturday, I completed a 19 mile run, without feeling to great afterward...the nausea from low sugar levels near the 17 mile mark made me feel dizzy and pretty weak, but I finished, and than started feeling major sinus congestion Sunday evening, into Monday morning. However, I have to say that this spray I discovered, SINUS BUSTER, is the best natural nose spray I have ever used. Anytime I feel a little sinus cold coming on, I use this, and I am usually clear in a day.

I had a great Christmas. Max loves his new bike, and all in all, it was a smooth day. Sunday I went out , yeah for Max's dad being back from deployment, and enjoyed drinks and conversation and happy to get out as a single parent for once in a long time:) Starting to get to know more people in Austin and it's beginning to feel more and more like a permanent home.

THE BEST NEWS OF THE DAY: We are receiving a very generous donation from Compass Bank. This donation will put us near $3,800...nearing the half-way point. With 47 days left to go, it's getting super exciting, and I am really enjoying running....though I must admit, the 19 mile run was brutal!

But, it's so worth it, because we are going to get these heroes the $10,000!

CHRISTMAS EVE

(photo above, last pic I took with brother at his wedding)

It's Christmas Eve and Max went to bed so early! At 6:30pm, he told me he wanted to go to bed because Santa was on his way. I was ready for hot chocolate and a Christmas movie, but he wouldn't have it, so he's sleeping and I am thinking of Ryan. As soon as Max fell asleep, I began thinking of my family. Parents in Michigan, brothers in Arizona, sister in New York, sister in Europe, and brother in S. Korea, and me...in Austin. Thank goodness for Skype and Facebook chat, and good old fashioned talks on the phone, but it feels especially emotional for me this time around. The day I took on the challenge to do a marathon, I have thought about him constantly for the past several weeks. I think my divorce, which occurred simultaneously with his death trumped over mourning for my brother, and so now I mourn him daily, but mostly as a deep inspiration to complete something I never thought achievable in my wildest dreams. I talk, think and dream about my brother more now than in 2007 when he left us. So, I strongly believe he is sending me a message to take care of myself, manage this Lupus thing, forgive, and has introduced me to some great people in the running community just by inspiring me to run. Running has been like a happy drug, easing my daily stress. My favorite part of a run is when I just want to stop, even before my desired distance is finished and just walk and call it a day...BUT when I just look a head, and ignore those urges, I often run quicker, and end up more satisfied because I didn't quit. I have had 3 dreams now where I am being cheered on to the finish..the 1st was Ryan, which is why I started the challenge, the second, one was wounded veterans, waiting in a huge group, cheering on all the runners in the race, and recently I had one of a friend who just joined the running team, and once met my Ryan. So, these encouraging dreams are flowing into my daily runs, and hopefully get me to that finish line. It's quiet on Christmas Eve, with my family here and there but not in Texas. But I cannot wait for Max to wake up to his first bike...one that he can ride while I run.:) Spending the day with my ex and his family...no Jerry Springer moments, I promise:)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF OUR TROOPS. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO ENJOY THESE HOLIDAYS BECAUSE OF YOU!!! LOTS OF LOVE FROM ME TO YOU!!!

Hello SENTE!

Great news over the weekend...Sente Mortgage (Texas) has volunteered to team up with us with a 10-12 person team. They are going to try and raise $500 a piece. I am so happy, because I spoke with two of the team members already and they are both pumped up to get this money raised for such a great cause.

I had a pretty good 18 mile run on Sat. It was good until about mile 17. Toward the end I felt like throwing up, but finished off the last mile. There wasn't any Gatorade on the trail and so I was hurting for a little sugar towards the end of the run.

Tomorrow, I will announce the winner of the Runner Gift Basket. A lucky donor will receive a free entry into the Austin Marathon as well as a $100 to Rogue Running Equipment on 5th and San Marcos St., Austin.

It's been a very positive few days, lots of good energy streaming through the air and I look forward to working with all the new team members and having a lot of fun along the way!

THANKS FOR DONATING!

Over $2,000, hooray! I will have a current count of checks shortly, to know what we can add to this amount already.

PLEASE REMEMBER: IF PAYING BY CHECK/MONEY ORDER

MAKE PAYABLE TO: Wounded Warrior Project

MAIL TO:
Running For Ryan

c/o Sarah Shay

P.O. Box 300766

Austin, TX 78703

I need to document mail donations before sending them in. Thanks!

We are entering the 2 month mark before race day, February 14, 2010. How sweet would it be to give our vets this $10,000 by Valentine's Day:)

While we enjoy the Christmas Holiday, think of our servicemen and women overseas, and wish the best for their families awaiting their safe return. I am happy to announce Max's dad will be back for Christmas this year, as his deployment has ended and he's back in Austin, hopefully by tomorrow!

GREAT RUNNER GIFT BASKET-FOR ONE LUCKY DONOR . The basket includes the following:

(1) Free entry to the Full or Half Marathon…$125 for 2010 OR 2011
(2) Rogue Running gift certificate…$100
(3) Two marathon tees…~$50
(4) Marathon logo eco-friendly bottle…$20
(5) Marathon bands CD
(6) Three pairs of socks
(7) Hydra Pouch (running bottle)
(8) Several gels, drink, bars
(9) Sun block
(10) Chap stick w/ SPF
(11) And more!

Those who donate $10 or more from 12/8/09-12/20/09 will have a chance to randomly receive this package. Your name will be entered into a drawing for every $10 donation. So, if you donate $20, your name is entered twice, and so on...I will contact the lucky recipient on Monday, December 21, 2009

WHERE TO DONATE?-ROUGE RUNNING in Austin, on 5th and San Marcos St.(Thanks for the Support!)You may donate with a check or cash at this location. You may also view the actual basket at this location
-ON LINE Just click on the donation link on this page, click on (Sarah Shay), and make a donation. Then, email me at runningforryan@gmail.com and send me your contact information.-

BY MAILChecks made to:

Wounded Warrior Project

Mail to:Running For Ryan

c/o Sarah ShayP.O. Box 300766

Austin, TX 78701

Any checks received by 12/20/09 by mail will also be entered into receive the gift basket.Thanks For Your Support!Email runningforryan@gmail.com with any questions.

Vintage Ryan Pic , just because

The last time I physically saw my brother was in August of 2007, about a month after his wedding. Max and I and my brother Nate went up to Flagstaff to stay for a weekend before I headed out east with Max. They had a cute little house on a hill and Abdi was in one room and another runner was in the other guest room, so I slept on an extra mattress in Ryan and Alica's room. That's how cool they were. Come stay, and you and Max can share our room. When we settled down for the night, we just chatted and made fun of each other for awhile and it was like a sleepover. I remember thinking, how cool Alica was to have Max and I crash with her and Ryan and share stories from the past.

The next morning, before we took off for a long road trip, we hugged, and he jokingly said, "See you in 2 years." I little joke we have in the family because we all live so far apart. But I never saw him again after that.

However, since his passing, I feel him around all the time, especially last night and today. Every few months, I break down and watch videos of him. I couldn't do it often in the beginning because it was odd to believe he was just an image on the screen now, and not physically here. Last night I listened to music my brother Case made for him and looked at a bunch of photos, and it was hard to fall asleep. It started with an email from a college teammate of my brother Case. Andrew wrote me about running with Case in college and meeting Ryan at one of their races. Then, Andrew suggested he may have some people interested in joining the cause (waiting for that to be confirmed), as well as bringing up Notre Dame, where Ryan graduated. Can't I reach out to someone there, and find out what they can do to help? Well, what a great idea, I thought. The pic on the website under the ABOUT information was actually taken at a Notre Dame party with Ryan, me, and 3 other siblings. One of my favorite pics, because it was hard to ever be in the same place and time with so many of us.:)

I had this conversation with Andrew last night, and then this morning I get an email from a ND graduate who lives in Austin. He tells me he's going to forward the fundraising information on to the Alumni Director, and I freaked out, because I hadn't contacted anyone yet. It was like Ryan was listening to my phone conversation last night, and helped get the ball rolling. I would love to have Notre Dame lend a giving hand and help bring in donations. So, I hope to here from you!

Running is going good this week. Love the cool weather, and actually looking forward to another 18 mile run on the weekend! Yah, can't believe I just said that, but it gets addicting!

Have to sleep! DONT FORGET ABOUT BASKET GIVE AWAY!

GREAT RUNNER GIFT BASKET-FOR ONE LUCKY DONORThe basket includes the following:(1) Free entry to the Full or Half Marathon…$125 for 2010 OR 2011

(2) Rogue Running gift certificate…$100

(3) Two marathon tees…~$50

(4) Marathon logo eco-friendly bottle…$20

(5) Marathon bands CD

(6) Three pairs of socks

(7) Hydra Pouch (running bottle)

(8) Several gels, drink, bars

(9) Sun block

(10) Chap stick w/ SPF

(11) And more!

Those who donate $10 or more from 12/8/09-12/20/09 will have a chance to randomly receive this package. Your name will be entered into a drawing for every $10 donation. So, if you donate $20, your name is entered twice, and so on...I will contact the lucky recipient on Monday, December 21, 2009

WHERE TO DONATE?-ROUGE RUNNING in Austin, on 5th and San Marcos St.(Thanks for the Support!)You may donate with a check or cash at this locationYou may also view the actual basket at this location

-ON LINEJust click on the donation link on this page, click on (Sarah Shay), and make a donation. Then, email me at runningforryan@gmail.com and send me your contact information.-

BY MAILChecks made to:Wounded Warrior ProjectMail to:Running For Ryanc/o Sarah ShayP.O. Box 300766Austin, TX 78701Any checks received by 12/20/09 by mail will also be entered into receive the gift basket.Thanks For Your Support!Email runningforryan@gmail.com with any questions.

18 Miles and Give Away-One week left

Saturday I had a great run in, considering it was 18 miles. The longest I have ever ran at one time in my life so far. It felt really good until about mile 16, I wanted to quick so badly, but got in a mental zone, and completed the full run in almost exactly 3 hrs. (3:00.46)

I had a crazy dream about tornadoes the morning of the run, which left me a little uneasy, because I had a dream about a tornado ripping through my childhood home the day Ryan passed away. So, thankfully nothing out of the ordinary happened on Sat.

Sunday morning however, Max woke up with non-stop vomiting. Poor little guy. He's holding down liquids now, but feverish. So, probably staying home with him tomorrow morning as he recovers from the bug he caught.

So, I stayed at home all day and cleaned the puke, and baked Christmas cookies, wrap some gifts, did some laundry, and made some fresh bruchetta and some pretty good chicken with garlic pasta as he cuddled on the sofa and watched a bunch of holiday movies...sucking on pediolyte pops.

I have a couple of new team members, Andrew, and Joey, hooray! Have to mail out a bunch of letters again this week for the fundraiser, and continue to spread the word. Pretty tired from the run and got Max snuggling next to me so going to end this for now. Goodnight!

GREAT RUNNER GIFT BASKET-FOR ONE LUCKY DONOR
The basket includes the following:
(1) Free entry to the Full or Half Marathon…$125 for 2010 OR 2011
(2) Rogue Running gift certificate…$100
(3) Two marathon tees…~$50
(4) Marathon logo eco-friendly bottle…$20
(5) Marathon bands CD
(6) Three pairs of sock
s(7) Hydra Pouch (running bottle)
(8) Several gels, drink, bars
(9) Sun block
(10) Chap stick w/ SPF
(11) And more!
Those who donate $10 or more from 12/8/09-12/20/09 will have a chance to randomly receive this package. Your name will be entered into a drawing for every $10 donation. So, if you donate $20, your name is entered twice, and so on...
I will contact the lucky recipient on Monday, December 21, 2009
WHERE TO DONATE?
-ROUGE RUNNING in Austin, on 5th and San Marcos St.(Thanks for the Support!)
You may donate with a check or cash at this location
You may also view the actual basket at this location
-ON LINE
Just click on the donation link on this page, click on (Sarah Shay), and make a donation. Then, email me at runningforryan@gmail.com and send me your contact information.
-BY MAIL
Checks made to:
Wounded Warrior Project
Mail to:
Running For Ryan
c/o Sarah Shay
P.O. Box 300766
Austin, TX 78701
Any checks received by 12/20/09 by mail will also be entered into receive the gift basket.
Thanks For Your Support!
Email runningforryan@gmail.com with any questions.

Gift Basket Give Away

Hi there again. Whew did another 17 mile run on Sunday, but definitely need to invest in some running gear that is not going to rip my skin open.

It's been busy, but good as we had a party last week that brought in about $500 so far for a quick meet and greet with snacks and drinks, thanks to Conley Sports.

GREAT RUNNER GIFT BASKET-FOR ONE LUCKY DONOR

The basket includes the following:

(1) Free entry to the Full or Half Marathon…$125 for 2010 OR 2011

(2) Rogue Running gift certificate…$100

(3) Two marathon tees…~$50

(4) Marathon logo eco-friendly bottle…$20

(5) Marathon bands CD

(6) Three pairs of sock

s(7) Hydra Pouch (running bottle)

(8) Several gels, drink, bars

(9) Sun block

(10) Chap stick w/ SPF

(11) And more!

Those who donate $10 or more from 12/8/09-12/20/09 will have a chance to randomly receive this package. Your name will be entered into a drawing for every $10 donation. So, if you donate $20, your name is entered twice, and so on...

I will contact the lucky recipient on Monday, December 21, 2009

WHERE TO DONATE?

-ROUGE RUNNING in Austin, on 5th and San Marcos St.(Thanks for the Support!)

You may donate with a check or cash at this location

You may also view the actual basket at this location

-ON LINE

Just click on the donation link on this page, click on (Sarah Shay), and make a donation. Then, email me at runningforryan@gmail.com and send me your contact information.

-BY MAIL

Checks made to:

Wounded Warrior Project

Mail to:

Running For Ryan

c/o Sarah Shay

P.O. Box 300766

Austin, TX 78701

Any checks received by 12/20/09 by mail will also be entered into receive the gift basket.

Thanks For Your Support!

Email runningforryan@gmail.com with any questions.

Liberating Run in the Rain

Dreary, cold, rainy, and almost decided not to run today. But...I did, and it was so liberating to be alone on the trail, air so cool, I never felt tired the entire time. Got a 5 mile run in and though I got rained on, I had this dry-fit long sleeved shirt on my brother Ryan gave me about 5-6 years ago when he ran for Nike. It's still my favorite shirt to wear in the cold, and it got me through most of the run. I passed a total of 9 other runners braving the weather today, and the only spoiler was running through a 12 inches of water about 5 minutes for the finish (burrrrr).

Thinking so much about getting donations in lately. Not going to lie, I am having anxiety issues about meeting the goal lately. I haven't had a new donation in several days. I know I will have my peaks and valleys, but I only have 2 1/2 months to raise $9,000 more dollars! I came up with an idea while running, so going to implement that tomorrow when I send out more letters.

My 17 mile run went smoothly last Sunday, though the last 2 miles were really tough. I am going to do another 17 mile run this weekend. My recovery time is getting shorter, so I guess that means I am getting more used to the milage.:)

I miss my brother more than usual today, because I cried a little bit when running today because I had his shirt on, and Man in the Mirror came on my Ipod, and it made me emotional. Then, the Fray came on, then Chances Are by Five For Fighting, and John Mayer's , Say. I was in the mood for this type of music, but had to switch up in the last part of my run to clear my head...and finished off with some Guns N Roses and JayZ:)