I Challenge You.......

I challenge you……

I need some help….what’s new right?..... 

I want to truly take advantage of April being Parkinson’s Awareness month….  I feel like I want to slip on my headphones like I use to before a game….a race…click on some crazy fast pace music to round up the motivation and get the blood flowing…. (I think quickly followed though with me was the urge to want to throw up because my nerves would spike….but we’ll leave that part out for this) J  Should I insert a little Rock Theme music here to help get you ready to want to help or can you just play the tune yourself in your head and create the urge to do something?

Ok…just in case you aren’t good at imagining things…..Rocky Theme Music  (Click on the link)

We’ve discussed this many times, but Parkinson’s is a bit of a hidden disease.  Many who have it don’t really know how to talk about, many may live in a quiet world of confusion because they don’t really know where to turn for guidance, help, advice etc. Many “early signs” of Parkinson’s aren't that noticeable so they think it’s ok to hide it for awhile and just “get by”.  I think with us living in a more rural area the diagnoses and cases of Parkinson’s are spread out more…. so the larger cities have that opportunity of support groups or opportunities to seek out for help with the disease a little more with “numbers”.  Many may just need a little info to know they have somewhere to turn to.  This is what I need some help with from you….. Many may work in an office setting, retail location, restaurant, or even have a social media opportunity to help us. 

What if you could just take one day….Just ONE DAY…..and do something just for Parkinson’s Awareness (With the excuse it's Parkinson's Awareness Month)….just to present a connection with Parkinson’s….you know my dad…you know me…you may know someone else.  BUT…… the people I have discovered through this journey who said “I didn’t know anyone else who knew about Parkinson’s so I didn’t know where to turn”….. All because I’ve opened up about it, I’ve talked about it; I’ve made myself visible in the world of Parkinson’s.  That’s what I want us to get out of this….is someone knowing someone else who needs this….needs a reason to fight this…..needs a shoulder to lean on…..needs another Parkinson’s patient to ask questions to…..

                      Needs a reason to NOT GIVE UP….. I’ve met 2 people who said “There isn’t anything I can do….I’ve got Parkinson’s and that’s that”….. You know one of the biggest “side components” of Parkinson’s is depression?..... It’s so easy to be consumed by “what’s coming” it turns into depression….. We’ve been told by so many nurses/doctors etc.  “You’re so lucky your dad is who he is…his sense of humor….his spirit…..so many people turn slightly hateful, bitter, and depressed”….. You know….. I know I’m lucky….very lucky.

If you’re asking….”But what can I do”….. Ohhhhh I love that question! J 

                Here are some suggestions…..but also please know you can Email me personally to help you pull something together, that’s what I LOVE to do, I Just need to know you want to do it :) My email address is: MissySpangler22@Yahoo.com for anyone who has questions!

·         Host a “Wear Orange Day” for Team Fox…..welcome anyone to wear an article of clothing etc that is orange….donate $1-5 to do so for that day(Something totally easy…but that helps a little bit)  It raises money, it gives you a little opportunity to do a mini explanation of Parkinson’s.

·         Have a morning where people donate a cup of coffee mini donation (Even just $1)…the concept is to give them a reason to do SOMETHING towards the cause.  Have a little 5 minute “coffee break” to explain about things

·         Bring a Brown Bag Lunch Day…donate the $5 you would have maybe spent on lunch maybe going out somewhere

·         If you work in a Restaurant Style Setting……Pick a Day/Week where something associated somehow with Parkinson’s (Orange Cupcakes etc) that So much of something Goes towards the restaurants donation towards our Project….I can help provide you with media/information to have available as well

·         Take up Pennies for Parkinson’s or loose change…..have a little sign with info… include a way for anyone needing/wanting information we can have them contact  

***Something as simple as posting it on your Facebook or twitter pages!

Well…see you get the idea…. I’ve got 1000 more of those ideas so if you want….. Pull together your co-workers and make something happen….. Every $1 TRULY makes a difference.

If you host something you can go directly to our Team Fox Website and submit the donation (list your business name or however you’d like)…. And it’s Tax Deductible (Don’t act like it isn’t 2012 tax season deadline so it’s crossing your mind for this tax year) J

 Team Fox Donation Page for Missy

So…. My question is who is up for the challenge?.....  We don’t call ourselves “Team Spangler” for nothing…..    

****I will also Challenge you.....to Challenge someone else****

 
P.S…..I’ll blog more about this later…but Mom and I are heading to NYC on Friday for the Team Fox MVP Dinner we got invited to with other Team Fox Goers…… and I REALLY want to put in a word we are continuing to make big things happen here!!! 

We’re crossing the border to Vancouver ….

We’re crossing the border to Vancouver ….  That's right Team Spangler is going International :) 

I'm embarassed to admit, but there has been lots going on…and I’ve been TERRIBLE at keeping the blog up….I keep telling myself I want “time” to make a great post, and then I get sidetracked with another project.  Since Vancouver is less than 100 days away I better get back to being more “blogger friendly” and mile runner focused J

So, in case you didn’t know yet…..I’ve officially signed up for the Vancouver Marathon!!!  It’s outside my “comfort zone” of being ready (Training obsession), familiar with the area, etc….but I’ve already got a passport, a friend who lives there, Team Fox involved, so I’m ready to go! (It's also listed as a top 10 Destination Marathon by Forbes)  I am wanting to challenge us this year to be “Coast to Coast”…..so I’ll be running Vancouver in May….and updates later on NYC In November…I’ll be on the Pacific Ocean and then make my way to the Atlantic J 

So dad, we’ll be coast to coast for you this year J  (Just not running ALL the miles in-between…may have to have some help with an airplane)

I have been trying to get the training back under control, it’s been so hit and miss with this weather and I’ve gotta find a way to be more determined to “get er done” (to throw in a little country slang there).  I hate a treadmill with a passion, but I suppose it’s necessary sometimes.  I somewhat have a fear of falling off the treadmill while running, I just have such a hard time focusing on keeping on the belt, I get sidetracked extremely easy…and how can I multi-task while running on a moving belt I’m afraid to fall of?  I also always feel I’m on mile 10 I’m so board when I’ve barely reached 1 mile point.

The Vancouver Marathon is set for May 5^th so we are 96 days out….it seems "far away", but I’m already scared of the 26.2 miles J  I lost a little bit of training ground after the NYC marathon after getting sick, so I’ve been working on feeling that comfort zone of miles again. 

If somehow I come up missing during the race, I’m pretty certain there is a big possibility you can find me enjoying the views from the race route maybe sitting on a bench in the park.  If you want to entertain yourself a little bit (or become a little jealous…well jealous minus the 26.2 miles it will include)….Here is part of the race route that runs along the Pacific Ocean through Stanley Park….

 

Here is the course of the marathon winding through Vancouver.

 

Here is the Video Blurb from the official Vancouver Marathon Site …..

 

 (If that link doesn't work embedded...here is the direct link BMO Vancouver Marathon 2012 ) 

Now after typing this I feel the need to leave work and go for a run…..I hope this weather sticks out for today.  Keep checking the blog for more updates and stories….I’ve got a lot to catch you up on and a lot to share!  I’ll be sharing info soon of joining the “official” Team Spangler team through Team Fox I registered us for this year.  Also….if anyone wanted to make a donation via the Vancouver Team Fox project here is that website:

Missy Spangler Team Fox Vancouver Marathon Page
(If that doesnt' work the direct link is  http://www2.michaeljfox.org/goto/missyspangler
(Just click on the link)
 

I can’t tell you how excited I am for all the Team Spangler things to come this year!