Chicago 13.1 Race Goals

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I can't believe I'm a runner.  I know that people say (including me yesterday) that if you log the miles you're a runner.  So, I suppose I'm a runner.  It seems like such a foreign concept after only having started to run less than a year ago.  Regardless, tomorrow I will take on my third half marathon with the fabulous Team Challenge.  So today I am thinking about my goals for the race.  I usually rank them as A (best), B (good), and C (acceptable) goals.

A:  Finish in 2 hours and 10 minutes (cutting over 18 minutes off my Oshkosh half time)
B:  Finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes (you can do the math)
C:  Finish in 2 hours and 25 minutes (see above)

Coach Barbara and I before the half in Vegas
(cause this photo never gets old!)

In addition to the above goals I also want to meet lots of other Team Challenge participants and have as much fun as possible.  However, there is also a serious note to why I run.  I raise money and awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).  As a Crohn's patient this cause is near and dear to my heart and while my disease is mostly in remission (knock on wood) I have a dear friend, Ali, who is currently battling a very severe flare which has left her bed/couch ridden, in terrible scream inducing pain, and unable to leave her apartment for months.

While I want to set a new PR and have a fabulous race what I really want is to find a cure for this freaking disease!  I'd love to not have to inject myself with medication every other week or have the "pleasure" of having colonoscopies every year.  I hate having to worry about seeing people when they are sick because the medication I take leave me immunosuppressed.  I dread the anxiety that I get when my abdomen starts to hurt or I start to run a fever for fear that I'll end up in the hospital, again.  I want my friends (and me) to be able to live their lives without having to be within spitting distance of the nearest bathroom.

I have asked a thousand times but if you haven't already donated (or even if you have and want to give more) please consider donating to Team Challenge.  It doesn't have to be a big donation because every single dollar adds up.  I am more thankful than you will ever know that you have helped me raise over $5800 for CCFA during my training for Las Vegas and Chicago.  You touch my heart and while I will be thinking of Ali while I run the half marathon tomorrow I hope you know that each person who donated and helped me get to the starting line will also be on my mind.