Loop the Lake, 2009!

How about the 6th Annual Loop-the-Lake Run? Don Hunter and I are ready for our 6th year!!

Our fun, unofficial event is really an example of a grass roots organization. In 2004, we had about 7 runners come out and brave the cold on New Year's Eve. Last year we had over 120 courageous participants hitting White Rock Lake.

Through this event, over the last three years, participants have donated more than $7,000 to benefit local children who are fighting childhood obesity. More specifically, we donate to Marathon Kids - They work with local schools in the Dallas metro community to offer a free, innovative, celebratory fitness and nutrition program. http://www.marathonkids.org

What's new this year?

• Don and I have taken this grass roots event to the next level by creating a foundation. Dallas Loop-the-Lake Foundation, Inc. is a Texas non-profit organization!
• We can now accept donations online at www.active.com/donate/DallasLoopTheLake
• Don was invited by Marathon Kids to join their Board of Directors (way to go, Don!)
  

This is truly an exciting time and I am delighted to have so many of you ready to support us. Here are details for our run.

Date: Thursday, December 31, 2009

Time: 7:00 AM (It's New Year's Eve - You can be a little late for work)

Location: White Rock Lake - Bath House

Distance: That's totally up to you. Some will do a loop (9.5 miles) and others will do less.

3 Ways to Donate: 1. Bring cash to the event, 2. Bring a check payable to Dallas Loop-the-Lake Foundation, or 3. Donate on-line at www.active.com/donate/DallasLoopTheLake

Our Goal: $6,000 We're really stretching our goal this year. Proceeds will go to Marathon Kids.

For any donation of $30 or more, you'll receive a souvenir commemorating the event. Please sign-up at http://www.loopthelake.org Please indicate your t-shirt size in the Name field.

As always, you don't have to donate to run and you don't have to run to donate. Just join us and have fun.

December - time for a new year!

Can't believe it's already December!! Where has the year gone?!

I'm actually glad it's almost over. This year has not been the best for running, although it was nice to sleep in many summer Saturday mornings and to go out late(r) on Friday nights due to not training!! I think that because of my back injury, I have a new found appreciation for not only my back but for my entire body! It's the only one you have...so take care of it!

The past few weeks, I was able to train enough to run the White Rock Half Marathon this past Sunday. The great news is that my back didn't hurt during the run...and I ran a 1:50! That was my goal, so I'm happy with that time. I have also decided to run the 2010 Boston Marathon. This will more than likely be my last marathon (assuming I can get through training) but I felt like I needed to do it one more time...and it's BOSTON! I'm excited to train differently - running 2-3 days a week, incorporating more Pilate's and spin classes and weights.

One sad note from the past year is that my sister died in October - actually, the two month mark is today, December 16th, 2009. She always gave me a hard time for running marathons and thought I was crazy (which most of us marathoners are), but she was proud of me. I was always proud of how well she kept herself in shape in the midst of having two kids. I can only hope I will do the same one day! I gave Clark, my nephew, a t-shirt last year for Christmas that said "one day I will run like my Auntie". I hope that's true! Now I have two nephews to train in the future!!