Friday, October 19, 2012

It's getting closer.....


It’s always a good day when I get to start it by addressing an envelope to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to send off a few more checks we have received to be calculated into our total. 
I’ve started this blog entry a few times and kinda never actually got past the first part…..  I’m not really an “emotional” person…  I would rather be demanding, assertive, and push for progress.  As dad always would remind us…”There’s no crying in baseball”….  So avoid the emotional “crap” and get to it J  (If any of you know me you can probably hear my voice tone as to how I say that) J
It has been a little bit of a longer journey this I estimated as I forgot the time/dedication it takes to “get that run in” everyday around having hectic schedules.  However, that was one of the main reasons so much of this factors into why I’m doing this as well.  There isn’t a day goes by my dad (and SO MANY others I’ve met through this) doesn’t suffer from this disease.  Their life is altered every single day and they don’t have an option for it not to be. 
There have been so many of you that have stepped in to send a donation, send a note, and truly be involved in some way or another that I cannot express to you how much it means to me and I know the rest of the family.  It has been so re-assuring and thoughtful to hear from some that it’s been awhile since having the opportunity and it’s made “all this” so much better.   

This week has been full of excitement….activities, laughs, and news…I’m not sure where to start without making this a novel.
So…Tuesday we had a work cookout that I started last year with the Chamber persuading (depending on who they were I may have possibly threatened them to do this) J….but we design/decorate/carve pumpkins to be silent auctioned off at our cookout where we keep the money through the auction to sponsor children at Christmas time on behalf of our Chamber…here was my pumpkin J

 
I’m assuming that will be what I crave as soon as these 26.2 miles are over…possibly relevant to that size J
Also on Tuesday I received the exciting news when I got an E-mail from the race department that I was chosen to be the representative runner from the State of West Virginia during their parade of nations event hosted on Friday.  They have representatives from every state as was as countries etc.  Now the question…. What do I wear to represent WV?....  It will be in the evening of Friday so that should be pretty exciting J 
You can read a little bit about it here:  http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/parade_of_nations.htm

Wednesday was run/prep for the event on Thursday…..   But to my surprise that day I received an E-mail from Team Fox….and they highlighted our story on their Team Fox Blog!!  You can read it here:
Team Fox Blog Article 

Last night Thursday was our Chili Dinner hosted by Wyngate Senior Living….and what a fun night! J  We had a great turnout and I was rather impressed by some of the dance moves from the residents J  Several wore Team Spangler T-shirts, there were impressive silent auction items, the chili was fantastic, and the music kept everyone movin’ (Special Thanks to Party Time DJ Services/Jeremy Casto). 
Some of Our Silent Auction Items
Larry Ice (who organizes the Parkinson’s support group my dad attended) spoke along with my sister about Parkinson’s facts.  I gave a speech highlighting our family’s story with this and some fun facts about the NYC marathon. 
Chatting with Larry's mom who helped get the "Golden Girls" together to help us sporting a Team Spangler Shirt :)
Still finalizing a few of the silent auction items….over $600 was raised…with another additional $100+ coming in from the silent auction items after pickup!  How great is that!!!!  We are SOOOO close to $6000 (offically on the fundraising website) right now and with some pending donations... I'll surprise you all to how close we actually are :)  If we can make our event on Wednesday a BIG success we may surprise everyone with our $10,000 goal!  So please invite anyone and everyone who can come on Wednesday :)

In case you need it, as I've gotten a few requests for the direct link lately...here it is:
Team Spangler for Team Fox Website
And just to top off the day a little bit more….. Nutter Farm United Methodist Church had taken up a surprise collection for this….and donated $405!  
So….words cannot truly express just how much all of this has meant to all of us and will continue to as we face each day. 
An in case anyone is counting…..15 days….

Monday, October 15, 2012

Birthday Milestones....

Well… I’m 30…. Ok..There I admitted it (I’ve been reminded daily since) J (My birthday was Saturday….so a bit of a milestone at least for me…I tend to be one of those people who try to reassure myself about it just being a number but reflect if I’ve accomplished the things I’d hoped to by certain ages).  I don’t recommend that if you’re someone who wants to change the world as you will never be “satisfied” with wherever you are at any point in time (just from experience) J  now let’s get back to this…

I had a long run day Saturday…we had spent the night in Morgantown as Brock had a meeting Saturday morning…so while Brock was at his meeting I was celebrating my birthday by running J…we were lucky as our hotel was about 5 steps from a trail.  It was a GREAT fall day and running next to the Monongahela River was about as nice as can be.  They had recommended treating Saturday as if you would race day (running attire, food etc).  If Saturday’s weather is what we get for race day, there won’t be one complaint from me!  It definitely was a GREAT fall day, however I fear November 4th will be a bit colder J

View from the Hotel....Thank goodness for the trail location!
 
Yesterday’s run..I extended it a little bit to play with the training log, as this week is a bit crazy schedule wise for me with work and a Team Spangler Fundraiser.  I was grumpy at my shoes a bit….breaking in new shoes is always aggravating!  I think I stopped 3 times to adjust my socks and shift the shoes around somewhat.  Sometimes I want to throw shoes around and stomp on them prior to runs to break them in.  Either I’m crazy or that’s normal…either or someone will understand I’m sure J
Orange Shoes for Team Fox :)
Today Marks 19 days away…..YIKES….   I’ve got 2 more Sunday Runs…and the 3rd Sunday will be race day.  Race Day along with 42,000 other people.  I’m so glad I came home one day and said “You know…I think I’m gonna run the NYC Marathon for Team Fox”… who doesn’t say that to themselves?  I underestimated the training it would take along with the everyday life schedules….and I under estimated how far out of shape I started from where I remembered being back in my avid running days.  I also laugh a little bit at my 2-3 hour run days reflecting on when I use to think 45 minutes or even an hour was an entire day of running toughness.  I have said it before, and I will continue to say it...this however has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.  The people I have met along the way...as many refer to as "Team Fox Family"...have been amazing and it seems every day that I have needed a little push myself, someone has shared their story...and it inspired me there is still so much more to be done.

We are still pushing our last little bit to give a little more…. This Thursday is the Chili Dinner Fundraiser to be held at Wyngate Senior Living.  We would LOVE to see you there! 

 
Scrapbooking Crop is on schedule to be hosted on October 20th.  We are looking forward to a day of hanging out and catching up on some projects. 

Details: (This event is being hosted by my cousin Carrie Ford)

Saturday, October 20, 2012
9am - 7pm
Southeast Activity building, 50th Street & MacCorkle Ave. Kanawha City

Cost is only $30.00 with proceeds going to Team Spangler / TEAM FOX

We will have cropping, food, fun, door prizes, silent auction and raffles all to help raise money for this great cause. 

To register, or if you have any questions, please contact Carrie at: cropcarrie@gmail.com

Tickets are also on sale for the Parkersburg Country Club Event to be hosted on October 24th.  The flyer for that event is located on a post a few prior to this.  Please Email me if you’d like to pre-purchase tickets or interested in additional information regarding sponsorship of the event. We have several things scheduled and would LOVE a BIG Turnout! MissySpangler22@yahoo.com

We are creeping up closer to our goal of $10,000 and excited to make it happen!  Thanks for keeping up with all this, and as the days sneak a little closer be prepared to deal with a little bit of craziness J 
Now....I have to get back to telling people I'm 25 and finish up some of these projects piling up! :)