September 4, 2013

The GIANT Race 2013

On month ago, on August 4, 2013, I celebrated my last day of being 27 by running the GIANT RACE.  This race is associated with the SF Giants and benefits Project Open Hand, an organization that provides healthy meals for the sick and elderly in the SF bay area. 

I ran the race last year in 37:29.  I was happy with the time, but wanted to beat it.  Last year I did not do any fundraising.  This year I set my goal at $500.

I started training and fundraising for the race in June.  I started training by running intervals - one minute at a run, one minute at a very slow walk.  I started fundraising by setting up my fundraising page.

I increased my training by running intervals every other day.  I increased the run pace, increased the walk pace, and increased the total time spent.  I increased my fundraising efforts by sending out an email to family and friends encouraging them to run with me or to donate on my fundraising page.

As my time dropped, my donations went on the rise.  But then I hit a bit of an obstacle.  My hip started hurting from the impact of running, so I temporarily had to switch to the elliptical, running on the treadmill only once a week.  I maintained my time, but was unable to decrease it.  Similarly, my fundraising stalled, so it was time for one last email as a reminder before the race.

Just a few days before the race, something relaxed in my hip and I was able to run again.  I also got several more donations, bringing me to a total of $525 raised, beating my goal!

On the day of the race, I was joined by 5 friends in running.  Oddly enough, each represented a different time period in my life - childhood, high school, college, law school, and post law school.  It was very cool to see my life represented in one group of people supporting me and encouraging me.

I ran the race using the interval technique and beat last year's time by 16 seconds!  Not as much as I wanted to shave off, but I beat last year, and that was the goal.

After the race we hung out on the field, got to explore the dugout, and took pictures with the 2 World Series trophies.

 Our Feet on the Field!  :)

In the Dugout! 

TROPHIES!!

Running this race and raising money for a good cause was a great way to start the last day of being 27!

Living everyday, supporting good causes!


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