TCS NYC Marathon Lottery Results

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I didn’t win, but I’m still going.

What do I mean, you ask?

Well, as luck would have it, my husband got in on his first try–just like in Chicago–and I didn’t. If you remember, I ran Chicago through charity raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. I was nervous, scared, and intimidated by having to raise money (and a lot of it) but I had such an amazing experience that it helped me decide to run for charity again, this time for NYC.

I won’t be running for Team RMHC though as I’ve elected to run for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Sadly, we do have a connection with cancer, as a close family member is currently fighting; yet, Coach V’s fighting words of “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!” is a motto that so many of us can relate to, whether we have an affiliation with cancer or not.

If you’re not familiar with who Coach Valvano is, he was a NCAA basketball coach for NC State in the 80’s and led his team to a surprising championship win in 1983. They were the underdogs that season and game after game proved their championship worthiness to the very end. They never gave up.

Then in 1992, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the short time he had left to live, unbeknownst at the time, he did so much to help with cancer research creating the Foundation knowing it probably wouldn’t benefit him, but that didn’t make him lose hope. His hope was that foundation would help others and it has, many, many years after his death. He never gave up.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I saw an ESPN 30 for 30 special on Coach V and his NC State team. It was incredibly moving and my husband and I still watch from time to time. In the documentary is his Arthur Ashe acceptance speech at the first ever ESPY’s. If you have a few extra minutes, please take the time to view it. It really captures Coach V’s spirit.

Running for charity is scary in many ways. First, the New York City Marathon itself is kinda scary–it’s the biggest marathon. It’s huge! I’ve run some big races–Chicago, Marine Corps–but NYC is bigger than both!

Second, the charity amount I have to raise is twice that of Chicago. But I feel like Coach V’s words ring through in so many ways besides fighting a terrible disease like cancer. In so many aspects of life, we have to overcome obstacles or challenge ourselves and never, ever give up. That’s what I plan to do–in training for New York, in raising money to run New York, and in crossing that finish line in New York.

I hope you consider helping me with this important cause. Your donation, of any amount, will help me run a dream marathon, and most importantly, help keep dreams alive for others.

You can donate here:

Helly Runs For Team V

–Have you ever run a race through charity?

–Do you know who Jimmy V is or heard his speech before?

–Have you been to New York? I went when I was 10 and don’t remember a thing, lol! It will be my husband’s first time though 😀

Chicago Marathon Fundraising Update: Team RMHC

Happy Hump Day!!

What day is it???

What day is it???

We are THREE months away from 26.2 in Chicago!!! This training cycle has gone by so fast, faster than the previous three I’ve done. I’m already in week 5!

If you remember a couple of months back when I made the decision to run Chicago for charity, there were a few things that worried me.

Well, one thing.

Would I be able to raise enough money?

I seriously underestimated my running family’s ability to come through when I need them. I’M OVER HALFWAY!!!!

It was over a year ago when I started this blog, not sure of what my purpose was or if anyone would even read it. But people do read it (thank you!) and I’ve become pretty good friends with some (you know who you are!).

Thank you so much ❤ :

Kimberly @BlackDogRunsDisney
Colby @It’sAMarathonANDASprint
Charissa@CharissaRunning
Sara @LifeBetweenTheMiles
Hailey @StridingStrong
Mar @MarOnTheRun
Amber @PBandPRs

With the exception of Hailey (she lives in Arizona), I haven’t met any of these wonderful people! But even though we’ve never spoke face to face, the internet bond is strong let me tell you. (Check out their pages when you get a chance!)

My online running family and my “real life” running family have combined to make up the majority of what I’ve raised so far! I’m seriously overwhelmed with the love and support of the running community. Completely overwhelmed. You guys are awesome.

Between your donations, your support on this blog, your encouragement on social media, this has been the most fun I’ve had preparing for a marathon–and I’m barely in week 5!! 😀

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! ❤ , helly

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If you’d like to contribute to Team RMHC, click here –> #helphelly

–Have you met any bloggers you follow?

Running for Charity–Chicago Marathon Here I Come!!!

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So I didn’t get in.

And at first I was super bummed and quite honestly, sour grapes about the whole situation. It seemed that everyone I knew had gotten in–even my husband!! (This will be his first marathon 🙂 )

And then I started thinking.

Well, I could go and cheer my husband on for his first (knowing that I’d be back someday because I have to run Chicago) or he could decline and both of us try again next year….OR I could run for charity! Something I’ve been wanting to and planning on doing someday soon anyway 😀

After talking about it with my husband, we decided yes, this was the race and year for me to run for a charity. I knew I wanted to run for something important to me and there’s nothing more important to me than my kids. That was the focus point in choosing a charity–how can I help children. So I started looking at the list and it wasn’t long before I came across….

The Ronald McDonald House Charity

How perfect is that??

If you’ve been a reader for a while, then you know that I have a thing, an unhealthy thing, I know, for McDonald’s. Me and Ron are seriously BFFs.

Helly + Ron = <3

Helly + Ron = ❤

On a more serious note, I’ve mentioned before how I’ve been dedicating my miles for quite some time to a little boy who has an immune deficiency as part of the I Run 4 Program. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of charities specific to what he lives with. His parents often use a Ronald McDonald House when taking him or his brothers for doctor visits (in fact, they’re at one right now) and that’s a huge reason I chose this charity. It not only helps children, but parents as well. And sometimes we forget that they need help too

But I’m not going to lie–there are a few things that worry me.

Well, one thing.

I won’t make the fundraising amount.

And even though that is something that scares me, there are other things that make running for charity so appealing to me.

1.) It adds to the challenge. I mean, training for and then running 26.2 miles is already a difficult task and adding having to fundraise money ups the stress level for sure. But I’m up for the challenge. I feel like with each donation, I’ll be adding to my race’s purpose. I’ll be running for my charity but I’ll also be running for each person who contributed to my journey to get to Chicago. It’ll be fun. I can do hard things, right? 🙂

2.) It’ll be more than me. I think for me, running brings me a lot of self satisfaction. Like, I totally do it to make myself feel better, be healthier, be happy-all for me, me, me. Running for charity will mean that the race isn’t all about me, me, me but for others. For the kids who will benefit from my fundraising, for the parents who will forever be grateful for my help, for the people who donated–it will definitely be about them, not Helly.

3.) Motivation. I’ve talked about how bummed I was not being able to run Phoenix Marathon. I felt like I was so ready to nail that sub 4:30 I’ve been coveting for a while. I think adding running for charity to my training will motivate me to really push myself towards that goal in Chicago. I’m going to be pushing myself to raise money for my charity and not let those kids down and I will be putting that same effort in training for the big race and not let myself down.

4.) I’ll be part of a team. The kids that I’ll be running for will be my team. The people who will be fundraising with me will be my team (Hi Maxfitgirl!). All the people who contribute to my charity will be my team. I’m going to be surrounded by sooo much support. How freaking cool is that?

5.) A race day like no other. When I get to Chicago, having met my goal, I’ll already feel like a winner. Seriously. ❤

I hope everyone has a good weekend!! If you’d like to help get me to ChiTown,
click here for donation info. #helphelly begins NOW 😀

#TeamRMHC

#TeamRMHC

Thanks to the DC Trifecta ladies Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia for hosting the Friday Five Link up! You guys are awesome!

–Have you every ran a race for charity?