Hoping to Run for a Cause

HAPPY FRIDAY Friends 😀

I don’t know about you, but this week actually FLEW by for me. Maybe because I have been pretty busy at work- definitely a GOOD thing. I would much rather be super busy than be absolutely bored out of my mind.

We don’t really have any plans this weekend- just to lay out at the pool, of course. 🙂 Thankfully we will be missing Tropical Storm Emily. (I think it’s still a tropical storm..?) I always get a littler nervous around hurricane season, especially living in Florida. The past couple of years have been pretty low key thankfully!!

Ok guys, I have some stuff to share with you..and I do NOT want to be a ‘negative nelly’ but it’s something that has really been bothering me lately.

So you all know that I have Crohn’s disease, but I never really talk about how bad it is on here. Of course I say I might have a bad day here & there..but I don’t go into detail. I don’t like to dwell on it, and like I said, I don’t want to be classified as a ‘negative nelly.’

The thing that has been bothering me the most though is that I’m not able to run as much. Guys, I LOVE running. I will never be able to ‘break up’ with running. It really means so much to me & has always been a huge part of my life.

I’ve said it before, but I really developed my LOVE for running in high school when I was on the cross country & track team for my entire high school career. Not only did I LOVE it, but I developed a HUGE passion for it. During those 4 years of high school my LIFE was running. I even told my high school boyfriend when we first started dating that ‘running came first.’ (<–I was a joy, huh?! 😉 )

When I went to college (GO UCF!!) I didn’t have as much of a love for it..and kind of took some time off from running every day. I still ran, just not as much. I also was SUPER busy with school..working 3 different jobs (by choice) & of course those other activities that college students get into. 😉 (Oh YOU KNOW what I mean!!)

^and I have NO idea why that white box is there. GRR! I tried to remove it, but it wouldn’t go away.


I’m SURE you have some of those memories too..or maybe you are creating those memories right now! 🙂

Anyways, with all of my issues with Crohn’s lately, I have not been able to run as much. Yes, I can run for a little while at a time, which I am VERY thankful for. BUT I have to run on a treadmill because I need to be near a bathroom..if ya know what I mean. I don’t always need to USE the bathroom, but I must have it near by..just in case. It’s kind of a sense of security too.

The other part of the disease that really sucks is the lack of energy that you always seem to have. It’s due to the loss of iron and other vitamins & minerals that your body is supposed to absorb, but with Crohn’s your body has a really hard time absorbing ANYTHING. I do take an iron supplement every day, as well as a pre natal vitamin. (No, I’m not taking pre natals because I’m pregnant, my doctor just told me that they are better for women my age in general.) I think it has helped, but it’s really hard to tell.

I do keep up with my workouts (as you can see in my ‘daily workouts’ tab) and thankfully I am really self motivated to workout…but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have days where I wish I was still in bed, rather than at the gym.

But the whole not being able to run thing has REALLY gotten me down. Running was my way to get rid of stress, or just to have time to really THINK about things. It’s amazing the things that you think of while out on a run. I LOVE that. I MISS that.

The other thing is that I’m signed up to run in about 3 half marathons & full marathons in a couple of months. The first one is the Crohn’s & Colitis sponsored marathon in LAS VEGAS!!

I signed up a few months ago to run it with Team Challenge & I have my first meeting later this month. I could NOT be more excited about it..not only will I be able to run the LAS VEGAS STRIP AT NIGHT, but it’s also for a cause that’s obviously so near & dear to my heart- the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. That was the whole reason that I wanted to run the race in the first place.

I also have another marathon- (or half…depending on what I decide)- the Melbourne marathon that is February 4th, 2012.

I have heard this marathon is a really good one to run- it’s one where there are music groups at every couple of miles. And it’s on the beach….I LOVE running on the beach, I always tend to get better times. Kind of crazy because I know a lot of people don’t run as well because of the resistance the sand gives…but I love it!

The next one is February 12th in Jacksonville. (my hometown 🙂 ) It is the 26.2 with Donna- finish breast cancer.

As you know breast cancer is also VERY close to my heart. Being BRCA positive makes breast cancer research even more important to me and my future.

I love running for a cause, especially causes that mean so much to mean. I just really hope that I am able to run these races, despite my Crohn’s issues. Things have not been good lately, BUT I am seeing some improvements with the new medication that I started a few weeks ago. So my fingers are crossed that it continues to do its thing! 🙂 I am also going back to the chiropractor today to get the results of my X-rays & to talk to her about different herbs & supplements that she suggest I take to help with the Crohn’s. I’m really hoping that she can help me get off all medication eventually! That would be ideal.

Well I’m off to get ready for work! Knowing it’s Friday makes this day ALREADY great 😉 Have a wonderful day!

Questions for ya:
1. Do you have any races coming up?
2. What is your favorite length for a race? (5k, 10k, half, full marathon, etc.)
3. Did you watch Jersey Shore?? What did you think?

PS: I am SO SO SO glad that Brendon is out of Big Brother! I CANNOT stand Rachel & Brendon.

Posted by Holly at Holly on the Run on August 5, 2011

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