For the Love of Liz!

Last Saturday, there was a really great event that took place in Minneapolis. A 5k to support widowed families! I could not attend due to a prior engagement, but I was thinking about it all day!

There is a blog that I read, http://www.mattlogelin.com/ . I have read this blog since the spring of my senior year, Spring ’08. It is a blog written by Matt Logelin, and he writes about his experiences and daily happenings since becoming a father and widow all within the span of 24 hours. His wife Liz passed away the day after their daughter was born and since then, he has invited all of us readers into his life. He writes with so much honesty and intensity that one moment you can be bawling your eyes out and the next you are laughing your ass off. Oh, and he loves to use the word fuck…rightfully so as there have been some moments he has experienced that just are summed up great with a good *f* bomb!

After his wife’s passing, he decided to start a 5k around her birthday to help other individuals who have been widowed themselves. And while he lives in LA, he comes back to his home state of MN to host the 5k. Every year it just seems to get bigger and bigger. This year being the third year, second “official” year, I wanted to participate but ended up being busy…that and I have a selfish desire! More about that in a second!

Anyways, the importance here is the donation to widowed families, and we can all donate by visiting http://thelizlogelinfoundation.org/ . I plan to donate this weekend since even though I could not do the race or gala, I still want to support this great cause, and I encourage you to do the same! You will feel great while doing something amazing for someone else!

But now onto my selfish ambitions with this selfless organization. Yes I was busy during the 5k, but I also wanted to run this 5k has a true runner again. I want to train and be prepared and know that I am running for a good cause. But I am sooooooo not in shape and soooooooo would have sucked wind! Last year, before my wedding, I ran the Ovarian Cancer 5k with my sister, but I had not trained, I was winded, and it was not that fun. Yes I was proud of myself for running for a good cause, but I wanted to feel strong and good after the event, not run down and embarrassed. But being a runner in high school, I want to get back into the swing of things and really race with a purpose, in this case, a dual purpose! So I am starting my training for the Liz Logelin Foundation 5k (let’s hope they have one next year!!). Let’s title this adventure; Getting my ass in shape for the Liz Logelin Foundation 5k!

Here are my before pictures:
This is after a workout so please dismiss the sweat stains! Go start though, eh?

And hey, while we're at it, let me know if you want to join me on this journey and race next year! I know you have it in you!

Stats:

Currently run: 1-2 miles, 1 mile in around 12 minutes

Goal for the next month: 2 miles non-stop