Moving Location

Okay, so after a lot of twiddling around I've decided to buy orangesqueaky.com and build myself a proper blog.

I'll be backlogging posts that I've enjoyed the most and will be re-directing, as appropriate.

Kisses.

Happy Valenine's Day

I've never actually been a fan of Valentine's Day. Not in the romantic lovey-dovey, kissy-kissy sense, anyways.

For me, when you love someone, whether it is family or friend or girlfriend or boyfriend or husband or wife or legalized same-sex partner, you shouldn't wait for one day to show it. You should try to show a little every day and do special things for no other reason than you want to. Not because you are forced to.

So I guess, for me Valentine's Day is just this little reminder that I should be nicer to those I love and do a bit more to show it. If I were in the US, perhaps I would kick of this resolve and purchase Valentine's candy on February 15th at anywhere from 50 - 75% off. Nothing says "I love you" than a 3 pound chocolate bar from the Chocolate Bar that says "I love you." But, nothing says "I love you a whole lot more than I would've on Valentine's Day" than three 3 pound chocolate bars from the Chocolate Bar plus a side of those chocolate rock things that are really good.

I love you all in bulk. Happy Valentine's Day.

Manic-Depressive England

I've run two half marathons in England.

My first, the OFFICIAL London Marathon half-marathon at Silverstone, consisted of me freezing to death, being pelted by ice (twice) and climbing... beaten... back onto a bus with the smallest medal I've ever owned and a t-shirt three times larger than I am.

My second, the Sony Run to the Beat, got temperatures close to my homeland of Texas and got me a men's shaving set as a thank you gift.

Apparently, I need to be taller and male.

I actually have nothing against running in England. I have nothing against the odd swag (the Silverstone Half Marathon was the only time I saw men lining up in queues to go to the bathroom and women zooming in and out of the loos.) I can go a lot further when the temperature isn't close to boiling eggs. But for some odd, odd reason when it comes to the actual race day I've experienced the most extremes in climate.

Yes, yes, I know - I'm on an island. But this is an island that can't decide. It was cold but mild this morning, then suddenly, a snow blizzard, then suddenly ... sun. It's like riding some wild weather roller coaster that I never chose to be a part of.

Times like these I miss home with it's consistent HOT setting. But then again, I'd have nothing to blog about, now would I?

Properly Planning a Perfectly Proportionate... Fundraiser

So I've babbled on and on about hosting all sorts of events. But what I've never done is tell you the best way to go about planning. Here's the skinny:

Your event should never cost more than 10% of what you think you can fundraise.
Read this twice: YOUR EVENT SHOULD NEVER COST MORE THAN 10% OF WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN FUNDRAISE. If you plan to spend £100, then you should shoot to raise £1,000. Even if your not concerned about what you spend, you'll find yourself rather disappointed if that £500 you spent on salmon cakes only equaled £100 in donations.

Have a list of guests. Invite them. Invite them again. Call and remind them to come.
Send invites. Email them. Call them. To have a good event you just need a bit of persistence. Don't harass, plan. Let people know a month or two out, then send an invite, then call or email to see if they are coming (if they haven't said yes or no.) Sometimes contacting them will bring a donation or two more even if they can't attend but want to support you.

Stay away from the drippy or messy foods.
Really, you need to be focusing on your guests not scrubbing the carpet. Ideas are:

• Cheese + Crackers + Fruit
• Pre-Packaged, Pre-Cooked items you can pop on a nice plate or in a stove
• Self-Contained themes like: Pasta Party, Pizza, Taco Bowls, or and evening of Desserts

This may not apply in dinner party situations but to reduce your clean-up, it may do best as a course. Speaking of which:

Get paper, plastic, or rent your dishes (there are places that will take them back dirty - really).
Again, focus on your guests not the mess. You can find high-end things that can hit the recycle bin without you crying over them. Alternatively, there are party stores that will provide all sorts of pretty things at a reasonable rental cost. Or you can ditch the plates altogether and get yourself some nice serving items.

Have a donation bowl, tin, or something right where they walk in.
This is for your charity, and you should be proud of it. Wandering around after people have had a few glasses of wine for money may work against you, so just have people "check-in" and drop their donation right at the door. (PS - See if your charity will send along balloons, stickers, or little give-aways like badges or pens. It makes it look a bit more professional.)

Be sure that you gather everyone to thank them and give a donation pitch.
They've come for you and your cause. Make sure you take a moment to stand up and tell them how much it means for them to be supporting you and your charity.

Have fun.
This isn't supposed to be stressful. So pick and plan an event that you can handle and enjoy!

Target. Diversify. Cultivate.

If there is one thing I hate, it's asking the ether to donate.

"But," you say, "I have 542,371 followers on Twitter! If everyone donated £1.00 to my cause I would have £542,371.00!"

And it would work, if you were an uber-celebrity or you had a major amount of media behind you.

Chances are you don't have close personal relationships with 542,371 people. Chances are even further that if you got a hold of 542,371 email addresses and sent them an impassioned plea for them you would be seen as... wait for it... wait for it... a SPAMMER.

So chunk the idea that volume = instant goal. What you need is a targeted plan that covers a variety of ideas and cultivates your donors.

And by cultivation I mean "builds a relationship." You're not selling wrenches, you're promoting a cause that you have an emotional attachment to and are actively doing something for.

Let's play pretend!

You've sat down like a good girl/boy and made out your list of potential donors. It looks like this:
1. The affluent group (affluent in my world can give £50 or more).
2. Your work colleagues who you see almost every day.
3. Your friends who you gather with on Fridays.
4. Your friends from overseas.
5. Your Facebook/Twitter friends.

To throw marketing/sales speak - These are your target audiences. You need to sit down and think of ways in which to reach them. Ideas can be as such:

1. Affluent: Wine tasting at your home/Asking in person/Taking a group to dinner.
2. Work colleagues: Bake sale/Raffle/Asking in person
3. Friends: Spare change/Pasta party/Give up a beer for your cause
4. Overseas Friends: Email/Blog/Video/Call everyone over a set period
5. Facebook/Twitter: Donation Posts/Videos/Blogs/Fan Group

Once you pick your ideas and set them into motion there is a futher, final step: CULTIVATION. Reality is not everyone is going to pick up on your cause and throw money at you. You need to build relationships and seek engagement. Sometimes people can only provide moral support, and that is just fine, so long as you treat every single person you approach with respect and kindness. They are doing something for you, so always show appreciation - if it's £1.00 up to £1,000.00. Trust me, it makes good personal and good business sense.

So remember: Target. Diversify. Cultivate. Sticking to one thing (or hoping for one big one) won't get you to your goal. Sticking to your cause will.

Illness caught me.

So on Sunday I got up.
I went to the computer and planned out a 6.5 mile running route.
This running route was designed to take me back by my house "just in case."
I climbed upstairs.
Set out my running gear.
I look at the bed.
"Geez, I'm tired."
I climbed back into bed.
I woke up at 4PM.

Sometimes you can outrun the illness, sometimes it catches you. I got quite a bit of sleep yesterday and the bike into work didn't feel so awful.

We'll try running in tomorrow.
If that doesn't work, we'll try walking.

Set backs are set backs but they still suck.

4 miles.

Today I ran this many: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3458286

The whole time I was much more thirsty than normal. But it was good to be out, I didn't have to wear all my winter gear, and I didn't feel like dying the moment I got home.

I hope this is my only set back as I move forward. Really do.

How you representing?

So if you want to think of fundraising from a purely business perspective you should think in two terms:

1. Donations.
2. Exposure.

For those England fundraising types, you've probably gotten packets that give you several very good ways to do #1. Many of them will also give you #2, except you may stand there and think, "Why on EARTH do I need to do something to expose this charity?"

Simple. Because exposure brings awareness and awareness brings more awareness and ... more donations.

"But..." you reply, "this is a well known charity. This shouldn't be hard to raise money for."

That's where you are wrong.

When you commit to fundraising it is always good to commit to some level of exposure as well. A business wouldn't open a shop without a sign. A dentist wouldn't set up practice and then not tell anyone where they are. That is why you'll see charities with commercials, posters, and cheerleaders at the race.

People need to know the charity exists in order to support (or seek support) from it. You probably wouldn't have known about your charity without a personal experience, a friend who got help from it, a campaign on television or in the news that touched you, or even an advertisement seeking runners. Exposure is important and as vital as any donations you get.

So...

1. Wear your t-shirt or running jersey whenever you can. I wear my t-shirt for the National Autistic Society on Friday, and my jersey on my long runs.
2. Carry a few informational pamphlets and your collection tin wherever you go. It will remind you to talk about your charity and maybe get you some support.
3. Let local media outlets know what you are doing. Many radio stations and charities have Twitter accounts and don't mind retweeting people looking for donations. News groups will sometimes do profile pieces on people doing charity work of all kinds.
   
4. Blog. (Um, duh.) Tweet. (Double duh.) and Fan your group on Facebook. (TRIPLE duh.) Heck, add a support ribbon to your avatar.

There a many great ways to show support for your charity and help elevate awareness. My best feeling has come not from the donations (though it feels spectacular) but from a woman who saw me running in my jersey during a practice run. As I jogged by she caught my eye and said, "Thank you."

It's just a reminder that despite my own goal, there is a bigger cause out there.

Withdrawal.

I haven't run since Sunday.

SUNDAY.

I haven't run.

It's turning me crazy.

Well, there's a lot of things that contribute to my crazy, but I would like to highlight one of those: My current lack of running.

I'm sick. Straight up. Had a fever yesterday and everything. Today, I'm on cold meds but feeling antsy. Nothing today made me very happy. I am not myself without my running shoes. Just not. It's part of me and who I am and I hate, hate, hate being sick.

As if to taunt me there are about 20x more runners around. Yes, I know, we've got half marathons and marathons coming. Lots of people in England run. As this is an island, this means we can't spread out - so I see them everywhere. I half expected them to run through my office, chatting about wick-away and if they were wearing enough spandex.

My bright side is that I did get to do a mental dump today on work tasks with a colleague. This, at least, relieved me somewhat. But I feel it. That itch, that ache. That odd need to just go out and sprint for no reason other than I can.

But it won't do me any good if it means I get worse. So I will sit and simmer, and hope I can direct the negative feelings I have about not running into something - anything - positive.

Head full of cotton.

My head is full of cotton.
My throat is full of it too.
Because of this cotton existence,
I can't put on my running shoes.

Can't put on my left one.
Nor can I lace my right.
Can't go running in England's gloom.
Or the cold of night.

I guess I could be let down.
I'm wearing a sweatshirt that is blue.
My head is full of cotton.
Can't put on my running shoes.

Big monies asking.

So now that VMGiving is passing me around to super great people who are working for their charities, I thought now and again I'll post some of my old fundraising tips up for people to use.

I'll jump into it: It is HARD to ask for big money.

It is easy to break it down, and so that is what people do. But to hit (and exceed - nothing like good excess for fundraising) you have to go out, be humble, and ask for some dough.

A few blogs back I talked about making up a Fundraising Pool. This is where you look through everyone you know, list them, and think about what area of donation they fall into. If you are lucky and you have a few successful friends they would fall into your category called Major Donors. These are people you ask with utmost care, ones that you should take the time to tailor your ask to.

Time to think.

Are they a person who will give so long as you ask?
Many good friends and business colleagues are like this. If you approach, be passionate and honest, they will often back you up. All you have to do is approach, open your mouth, and try. If you are nervous find someone willing to play act with you so you don't feel as if you are jumping straight into cold water.

Are they someone you'd like to do something for?
If you find yourself stuck on straight asking, why not think of an event to center around your friend or friends? Hold an exclusive dinner where you cook a big feast, or uncork some special wine for a night and ask a suggested donation amount. Sometimes it loosens you up a bit and makes it easier to ask for bigger bucks.

Are they someone who can help promote your cause?
Sometimes it is more than money, these people can be the bringers of smaller donations that really add up. Business owners may put a collection tin out front and make a big deal out of your efforts. Others might join in to sponsor your running shirt, giving advertising dollars to a worthy cause. Still more may help you with smaller events like raffles and bake sales.

Remember: Don't be afraid. Be creative, flexible, and confident.

A little ahead, a little behind.

There is a sore throat thing going around work. So I'm sitting here mildly medicated and a bit irritated as - of course - this interferes with my marathon training.

I was lamenting at elevensies the passing of the half marathon as my hard race. I was wistful, almost teary-eyed, at the thought of running ONLY 13.1 miles. Oh the joy of getting my first Duck from Disney all those years ago....

But then...it hit me. I'm ahead a bit on my training! So with this knee needing a bit of RNR and my throat, I've decided that this weekend I celebrate the halvsies once again. Yes, the joyful, relaxing halvsie. Best to put my mental mindset on something that is now a light and frothy, a refreshing little multi-mile joggy.

Sometimes it is good to be a little ahead so you can be a little behind. It helps at the times like this that happen in every persons race journey where marshmellow clouds float through your head because it is mildly stuffy. Yep, I think I'll hold slightly on that 17-miler.

Please sponsor. Thank you. Fluffels.

Brief Devation.

I'm not using Conn's for appliance service anymore.

I do not expect people in the US in normal US jobs doing normal US things to have a US citizen call them and say, "Hey, I'm renting out my place and the dryer is broken. I need someone to fix it, but they need to call/email/smoke signal me back so I can pay for it. I AM NOT LOCATED IN THE US. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY MY US ACCENT. I SAY BIN NOW INSTEAD OF TRASH CAN."

9 times out of 10 they don't get it. Here, I get the confusion when US people call UK phone numbers and get US people answering them. It's weird. It takes a bit of explaining. But when you try and try and try and try to tell US people you are NOT in the US, they somehow, some way, don't believe you.

So Conn's put me on hold forever and a day (HELLO? I AM PAYING FOR THIS CALL!), and not only that, they don't even know what is wrong with the dryer. They just complained that no one was there to pay the bill. And when I call them, trying, PLEADING to pay a bill they seem confused.

"You have a US accent, why are you calling from England?"

"Because I am US born and raised. I've lived here a little over a year. Sometimes I say shed-ual instead of schedule but not always, though Lord knows I won't call a toilet a ur-i-null. Can I please pay a bill for a dryer which is located on 100% God Bless American soil?"

"Why are you paying for a dryer in the US?"

"Because, oddly enough, I own a place there which I rent and thereby must fix things on occasion."

"Oh. This is with an American card, right?"

grumble...cuss under breath....

I try to think that my fellow Americans have an international mindset. But sometimes I don't think they see outside of their cubical.

Sigh.

Recognition and Lots More Running.

So, yay, VMGiving is Retweeting me! I may even get a bit of recognition in their fundraising blog! How cool is that?

It's nice to get a little bit of recognition now and again. People can scoff all they want at people tweeting and facebooking away about the miles they run, but we do it for a reason. Running, unlike many sports, isn't team enabled. Your competitor is always you. Yes, I know, people run in groups and for charities, but in the end it's your time. Not your team's time, not your charities time.

Your time.

So that's why loads of people don't run. It's hard, it's monotonous, and it's you against you. Someone is always BOUND to be faster, put in a better PR, and finish looking glorious instead of like they've been run over.

Thus, we runner's go for our little solo happy achievements and use tools to find encouragement to continue to race ourselves. I ran 14.65 miles yesterday through surprisingly good winter weather for England. I tweeted it. Sometimes when I tweet people tweet back "Good going!" or the ever-present English, "Well done!" And I smile and feel good about myself. I'm not out to make people feel bad because they aren't running (I am, matter of fact, a surprisingly terrible runner) but so that people know:

Yes, I'm actually training for a marathon. I'm taking it seriously. I'm raising funds. And my knee feels stiff.

Okay, so the last one might count as TMI *but* I'd rather people know I'm human and not super-human. Though, I think if I became super-human I'd really want to tweet about that.

Moving on.

I did make it through my run yesterday, but with a lovely and surprising stiffness showing up at about the point where my brain said, "Um. So hey and stuff. Did you know you've never actually ran this far?" It's in the knee that got injured in my only car accident - in which my own car hit me. (I was outside of it, swear.) Did I cry? No. I'm still actively working on researching ways to cope with this. It doesn't hurt that much, but I don't want to make it worse. So a rethinking is happening.

In related news I can say that Oxford has AMAZING canal and river walks. Now that the water has gone down I spent quite a lot of my jogging near the river. Peaceful and people happy to move out of your way (unlike running near the shops). I'm trying to see if I can create a run in which 90% of it is out on these paths. Definitely gets me distracted from the fact that I'm running this insane amount of distance.

So this week is going to be a lot of reflection on my current status so I can work on improving. I'm also going to hit the Virgin Money Giving forum and try to motivate people to raise for what they believe in. I encourage anyone who has any ideas to get on as well.

Peace out.

Goal raising and my FARTHEST DISTANCE EVER!

Okay, so I raised my goal.

After being asked to share with VMGiving I realized I needed to. You don't just spend a good chunk of the morning breaking down achieving doable fundraising goals and think, "Yep, and here I am, so super proud of my over-achievement!" Virgin was founded by a guy who doesn't believe in limits, so I had to raise mine.

P.S. - I really like the Virgin Money Giving site. If you are charity raising your life is much, much easier. Back in the days of dinosaurs and green screen mobiles a person spent a huge chunk of time tending to their donors and swearing they wouldn't pass out credit card information.

Anyways.

14.65 miles. That is what is on the register for today. I believe I ran 14.10, in a (now defunct?) Nike+ Half Marathon. The goal of this half, so I was told, was to take your Nike+ out and in 24 hours (which is lovely) run 13.1 miles or more. Seeing as when this happened I was in my final months of living in Houston I decided to run a huge area near my home. I found out that it was hot, carrying enough water/gel without people at rest stops is hard, people build directly into public sidewalks (Hooray for running through shrubs!) , and much of the damage from Hurricane Ike was still around. But I finished and I turned in my time and I never got my tshirt or keychain as I was promised.

Ever.

So I have that run on memory, but nothing further, and sadly, nothing better.

Until now, that is. Glorious Oxford with its glorious sidewalks and trails and bike paths! (And, of course, stupid Oxford with its far to easy to access outdoor running!)

In short, there isn't an excuse.

I did well on my last long run, and even though it wasn't tasty, the ROCTANE will be with me again. I really didn't hurt very much after wards with that in play, so out it will trot again. (Along with nummy chocolate and mint chocolate GU!)

So if you see me in these next few hours (I'll be wearing my jersey!) give me a shout or jump on and donate to my cause.

See you on the other side o' the bloggy.

The Pyramid

So I was asked by VMGiving (follow them) that if I had any fundraising tips I should pass them on.

Get the opportunity for an extra bit of promotion for the National Autistic Society and help others? No problem.

I actually spent three years in grassroots fundraising for local candidates in Houston, Texas. (If you think charity fundraising is hard try politics!) Every year we would go through a training day of understanding how to break apart a fundraising goal and achieve it.

All fundraising starts with a goal. The goal for me is to run a marathon, and in doing so raise £1,250.00 for the National Autistic Society. £1,250.00 is a lot of money to me, almost an entire months salary. I've also got a time limit - my marathon is March 21st. So I've got seven weeks. Plus I've got to train.

Does this sound familiar?

Wanting to do two things very badly - run a marathon AND bring attention and funds to a personal cause - can cause a mental breakdown on one or both sides of your goal. This is why you should, right now, get a sheet of paper out and a pencil. Draw this:

This is your fundraising pyramid. It is designed for you to see your goal not as a large and daunting challenge, but as a means to an end.

Time to think.

• Who are the kind of people you can ask for support? Friends? Family? Colleagues? Wealthy socialite pals? Who are they? List them out on the paper. If you run out of room go to another sheet, but list them out. These people are what we call a Fundraising Pool. They are the people who will determine the most and least amount of donations you can feasibly achieve.

• Find the person you think can afford the most to donate, and the persons (plural!) you think can afford the least to donate. Be realistic and put yourselves in their shoes. During our training we would often role play to try to understand what it would be like to be them. That way you can set your range.

For example:
I have a business friend who has known about my running for years. He's really supportive and has run a marathon himself. I feel confident I can ask him to donate £100.00 to my cause. On the flip side I have a ton of friends getting their college degrees. They don't have lots of money but I bet if I ask, they'll give up a pint or two for my cause. I could collect £5.00 from them, no problem.

So draw in your pyramid:
The top is now the highest goal you wish to get in donations, the bottom is what you hope to collect as your smallest donations. Because the £5.00 is on the bottom, and makes up the majority of what you hope to get, this is called your Fundraising Base.

Now think about your middle. Can you:

• Collect £5 a week from some friends leading up to your marathon?
• Get larger sponsorships like £1.00/mile = £26.20 or even higher?
• Hold a bake sale, a raffle, or sell off old furniture or equipment?
• Ask your company if they will match your fundraising goals, contribute, or help promote you?
  
• Have a house party - where you make spaghetti and garlic bread (a la carbo loading) for all your friends for a suggested donation?
• Bag groceries or help out in local businesses for tips to your cause?

A mixture of these can mean in my world anywhere from £10 - 50 in extra donations (plus some change to boot). So draw:

Now that you've gotten your amounts down you can start to break the weeks leading up to your marathon with achievable goals. Here are mine:

• Hold a weekly baking raffle at £1/ticket. But ... I let people know that if they sponsor me for £20.00 online, I will give them a coupon to have cookies baked for them whenever they ask plus 20 chances to win more baked goods! (This has worked well for me.)
  
• My company lets me keep my collection tin out whenever I'm at work, plus they are letting me sell old chairs and desks we no longer use to directly fund the National Autistic Society. (See my largest donor - My awesome friends & colleagues)
  
• I had a few business associates and friends that have no problem in giving large donations of £50 - 100. Thankfully many of them have done endurance races, so they know what I'm going through!
  
• A week before my marathon I'm having a pasta party for £5/each. My desert is a much-loved brownie recipe and I'll have more baked goods to give away. Overall a cheap night out for most of my friends.

Through a weekly no-fuss event (raffle), asking and keeping my collection tin at hand, and a pre-marathon spaghetti party I feel I can reach my goal and not feel overwhelmed by everything else. I'm not focused on the £1,250.00 - but the £1 that are often £5 in raffle tickets, the occasional desk or chair sale, and those individuals who step up and give £20 because they love my brownies and cookies.

They often say that when you train you should break up your mileage and build to your goal. The same is true for fundraising. Be flexible, creative, and play to your strengths. Don't let a big number or big mileage get you down. Break it down and make it doable.

I totally was not expecting this.

I reached my goal.

I started less than a month ago and *poof*

I reached my goal.

Now, of course, the good fundraiser in me would say: "Well, then, Cristin, doesn't that mean you should RAISE your goal?"

And I think, "Well, yeah, but...."

But. (It's the greatest and most terrible word ever.)

There are others I know running equal challenges. People who, just like me, drag their sorry butts into stretchy material and hoof it to and from work and on odysseys around their towns. All for their chosen cause.

Not that I'm saying I could do with any more donations. Or argue that getting those donations help diagnose, support, and champion people who live with autism. Nor that those donations have already helped at LEAST 62 people. I could happily support another 62 more.

I'm just saying.

Regardless, and to make good on my little bit of jealousy over a kid who did something amazing I'm going to see if I can't interview a few people who are also running and raising. Maybe you'll like them and support them. Maybe you will support us both. Maybe, just maybe, it will only be about me.

I reached my goal.

Well, one of them.

Now I've got to make good on the other - finish the marathon.

Gotta run.

Holy cow! I'm going to run 100 miles ... this month!

So I thought to total up my mileage this morning and it came up at 85+ miles. It's stunning, really, to think of running THAT FAR in a very short period of time. When I started training for my very first half marathon I was thrilled for a 5 mile week. It's a bit different now.

When you make the choice to start running every mile is hard. My first ever training consisted of buying enough different types of running shoes to recycle the rubber into a play park's jogging track. I thought I broke my leg, twisted my calf, or cut off my foot a dozen times (and probably had every bit of my legs scanned at the doctors). I purchased and lost a half dozen of those Nike+ things, and I would stand at the copy machine doing leg balancing exercises because I was so terrified of not having core strength to even go through a 10K.

Now, if it isn't a 10K I have to think about wanting to run it. I cope with 5Ks. My hero, Jill, won't even think about it unless it starts at 6 miles. My 3 mile run-commute to work? Whatever! My only brief annoyance is if I venture out during bus pick-up/drop-off time I have to walk a lot in the city centre. (My life is more important than my marathon training.)

That's not to say that my legs still don't hurt (especially in cold weather - ugh!), that I sometimes don't have the mental will to do it, or that I've poorly planned for how long I'll be gone. I often tell people it's my first 3 miles that I have to spend convincing myself to run the extra 10 or 20 or whatever. Because after you've gone ahead and gone that far, you might as well keep going.

Not to mention that people keep giving me money. That guilts me into running for sure.

And so this month I'll manage 100 of those miles. Quite the accomplishment for me.

Yay me.

Support Charlie, Support Locally.

I'm having one of those days.

A day where you see something like this and you feel a bit, I dunno, jealous. I mean, really, this is something cool. Another positive outcome in social media.

But the little whiny kid inside me screams, "I wanna raise close to a quarter million pounds for autism! I'm gonna go so way like big farther than that boy! A whole 21.2 miles more! With my feet!"

When 9/11 hit I was in fundraising. After the towers fell and all those tragedies unfolded, people gave and gave in droves. It was beautiful to watch, unless you were part of charities that did not directly impact 9/11 and their survivors. I remember phone banking to countless people telling me, "No. Sorry. I gave to the victims of 9/11." I was crushed. Felt like a girl dumped for a cooler and more trendy charity. Seriously.

There is a saying, "Think locally, act globally." Globally, this is a no-brainer. This is horrible, they need help, and not a single person should feel bad because of their donation to a kid on a bike or a collection group on the street.

The other is to realize that proactive giving can help avoid other tragedies that can be right in your backyard. Giving to organizations who mobilize for causes you believe in, where you can see results, makes you feel more connected with the people around you.

When I chose my charity I realized I wanted to raise for something that impacted me immediately. I know what every dollar does, and what every cent means. I know what the reactions will be to better support, care, and diagnosis of this diverse condition people struggle daily to understand.

So I challenge you this: Support Charlie. Seriously, do it. Then do something locally. Something that gets you up and going like my charity does.

Think globally, act locally.

12.71 baby!

This is one of those videos you keep around as a damn good reason never to give up.

Today I ran my 12.71 miles. I wasn't fast, as once I hit Port Meadow (which is amazing to run through btw) I found myself pretty much plodding up and down short rolling hills in muck. Granted, one must expect that surprises are all part of the running experience, though I didn't think wading shoe deep through a bit of stream to get to a running trail would be one of them.

This run I tried Roctane - this new GU gel that is supposed to be somewhat similar to Powerthirst by they way they label it. It is, according to the box, "[An] advanced formula [which] amplifies GU's original Energy Gel recipe and adds new ingredients to boost your chances of success."

It comes in a flavor called Blueberry Pomegranate and tastes like a blueberry thing with coffee grounds mixed in. Very gritty. However, when I hit my major hill (always scheduled for the end because that is where sadistic running planners place them anyways) my calves didn't scream in agony. So even though I wasn't thrilled with the gritty part, I couldn't complain about my legs.

I also decided to wear my jersey, which was also the decision of various other people out training today. I saw MacMillan Cancer Support and one for the British Heart Foundation. Most people looked at me and nodded, and one lady said thank you. Being that Oxford is a young town with people running all over the place, I will take this as a positive step forward in support from the local townspeople.

So after this the really hard part starts - the 14, 17, and 20. Mileage I've never done before. Am I worried? Yes. But hey, I better be dying of something really good now in order to even consider quitting.

Lookie! Jersey!

It came! It came! My running jersey showed up a few days ago with its letters and I just ironed them on tonight. I briefly considered wearing it everywhere like a kid with the coolest new shoes, but then I was reminded that it is cold, this is a thin overlay, and it would look really strange over a pea coat.

Tomorrow is 12 miles. The last "easy" run for me, though I can say I've done 14. After this we venture into unknown territory. Miles I've never run before, and a continued straining of how to run them all in a town which, now that I've had to plan runs of this magnitude, seems a heck of a lot smaller.

Thankfully it's not entirely like Houston, where you are forced to a park or a roadway (though props to the city for hosting warm-up runs for their marathon). But because this town is so pedestrian friendly it's hard to plan a route that won't, at some point, intersect a major shopping/tourist area.

Nonetheless, no race I've ever been to has been clear sailing with no crowds, back-ups, or odd bottlenecks. So, really, I'm just training for the inevitable.

In my wicked awesome purple NAS jersey. Represent!

Plan A, Plan B

I have to thank Matthew for this. He was the first one to suggest I contact the US Embassy and see if I can apply for an emergency passport because of the length of time the UK could potentially take to process my visa.

Today the official word came back: I can get a short term passport so I do not lose my application for visa renewal. It is a legitimate reason.

This means: I CAN RUN ROME!

Granted, it could all go straight down the toilet, but the one thing it taught me is I have an amazing support structure. Colleagues and friends told me that, if needed, they would go stand on a corner and give me water and gel. You never know, I might very well still need that.

So I have 2 miles tomorrow and 12 on Sunday. And when I go out I go out knowing:

1. I can run anywhere and still make a difference.
2. It's good to have friends who take a moment to give you a Plan A, and a Plan B.

The only downside to this is I have a massive tin of cookies and not a soul was seen at the pub this evening. So, no formal celebration as of yet. So while I'm bursting to be all giddy this will be a happy little night of telly and sleep.

Oh well. Gotta remain positive.

Eh, forget it. I'm positive.

There is a friend of mine from college who decided in his youth to be an optimist. I think I read that in a Facebook survey and it's stuck with me. Because, knowing him, he 100% lived up to his decision. I've never really come across someone who has just remained so upbeat.

Today, I couldn't help but think about choice.

This visa thing could be a bad thing. I could throw my hands up and blame the world. But, that's not productive.

So I will work to get around it. I will ask every person every question under the sun. I will not give up the chance of going. I will do everything to conform and jump through every hoop placed in front of me.

And if I still can't go, then I will run here. I will run the First Annual Cristin Oxford Marathon. It will be called the Cristin Oxford as I am the only entry, and therefore I win and get to name the marathon whatever I want. And because there is ZERO overhead, I can just promote the National Autistic Society.

No weenie wagons or balloon bitches or corrals. I could probably talk people into standing outside with cups of water every few miles and I do know a paramedic.

So it's Rome or it's home grown. I'm still running. Thanks, Chris, for letting me know I have a choice.

My world collapsing.

As of right now, in this very moment, I will not be running the Rome Marathon.

This is not due to injury. This is not due to money. It is due to my visa.

The UK Border Agency has decided to implement biometrics. What that is is even more information that you submit, in person, to prove you are who you are. Because of this, my visa application time has gone from 4-6 weeks to 12 weeks or more.

If I start the process but ask for my passport back, my application is canceled. I can't travel anywhere outside of the UK until it comes back. Period.

I'm hoping for a miracle. I've raised over £800.00 for the National Autistic Society and have been training endlessly for March 21st.

I've already promised myself that no matter where I am I will run a marathon on March 21st regardless. I could find London's map and just run on the sidewalks. I could go to Edinburgh and map out something with my best friend.

But I really, really had my heart set on Rome. Really did.

This hurts a lot.

Lead legs.

Today I had lead legs.

It didn't help the bike path was flooded and I had to run extra in order to get to and from work.

I try to coach myself, "This is what mile 20 will be! And I'll be so happy because I've trained so hard that I only have lead legs!"

Nonetheless, my legs are lead. They feel detached from my body and are stubborn every time I try to move them.

I can't let the lead legs travel up and give me lead brain.

Can't, can't, can't.

A glorious 10 miles, a total lack of sleep.

I think my running thing is totally working against me. Yesterday I ran (almost) 10 miles (stupid wrong turn) and I felt great.

- Great stride
- Great water/gel intake
- Great

I even went BACK into the center of town to drop of things for a consultant who is staying with us for the next bit. I walked around (meaning I did 10 miles... technically), read, stayed up to my normal bedtime.

I was thinking - I am totally rocking this endurance thing.

Until 4AM.

That's when I woke up. *bing* Just like that. I tried everything I could think of to go back to sleep, but nothing worked. The alarm went off. I got up.

Today I've had a record 3 teas with extra sugar, and through my amazing psychic mind control powers had two donuts delivered to my desk. (Seriously, this is why you should run - mind control powers. You will give the NAS sponsorship.) Granted, this completely negates all my calories burned yesterday but it meant that come 5:30 PM I wasn't asleep at my desk.

Now, if only I can translate lack of sleep to sleep for amazing running powers. And more donuts. And sponsorships.

Team Orange Squeaky: NOW OFFICIAL

I love Adobe Illustrator. No joke. I would marry the program if I were another program. We'd have little Pantone color children. It would be a romance of 72 point font.

The first time I ever ran a half marathon I made shirts. We were Team Last Place (motto: We suck at this so you don't have to). Back then, when mobile phones had green screens, you had to search out tshirt shops willing to run very small batches. At the time I had contacts, and black and red shirts were printed out for all those who cheered the quartet of us on.

Things have changed since then. Now you can have a custom shirt in under a half hour if you so choose. So, for this run, I've created the following designs:

We'll have Finley leaping for his most favorite toy on front and the team on the back. If I get my act together, we'll even print out the sponsors.







You like?

32 Reasons, 62 Impacts

Right now:

1. I have made a training plan. A real one.
I am using the "Oh ma GAWD I so totally like don't have time to train for a marathon" guide and the aptly named "Beginner's Marathon Training Plan" from the NAS. Special thanks to hero Jill for helping me to think this all the way through.

2. Found out my bestie and his wife will be, at worst, at the finish line of said marathon.
And they've never, ever, ever been to the most awesomest city ever. Which means that I need to follow said training plan combo thingy above so that I can take them around to everything cool and super in Rome.

3. Nearly hit my fundraising goal two weeks after starting it.
Thanks to GMC (not the car company) for teaching me all about grassroots fundraising and finding passionate and creative ways to reach out to people.

Which means that as of right now...

• I've funded 50 people in a gardening program for adults.
• Helped professionals assess 2 children with autism
• Given 10 people access to the Autism Helpline.

And that means the big #4:
I've gotten the support of over 32 individuals who believe in my cause and believe I can finish that marathon, whose training program is planned, who will have two people there for me who have never been to Rome, who have both supported the National Autistic Society

Which means that even though it will be me on that course getting a medal, we've impacted 62 lives no matter the outcome.

As they would say in England, "WELL DONE!"

Busy.

Today I...

Ranthreemilessortedthroughmailtrainedawebeditorthoughtaboutwebprocessfoundoutmybestestfriendandwifecouldcome oRomechangedatablelegranthreemilesbakedmuffinsandbrowniesformybakesaleandchattedwithfriendtomakesurewecandothisonthecheapwhichmakessenseandthenItookabathandwrotethisblogandnowIamgoingtobed.

Motivation. Sometimes you make yourself so busy, it comes naturally.

I'm up to £573.20 now. Who's with me?

Little Changes.

Obligatory push for sponsorship. You know you can donate a £1, right? It's the little things that matter.

My Mommy taught me that. Wrap a present with a nicer bow, remember how someone takes their coffee, randomly send a card to a friend.

It's the little things.

When people want to change they want to change, BIG. BIG RISK. BIG REWARD! Right? Sometimes, but really, I'd give it a lower percentage (10%). The only way to make the permanent change is to tweak bits.

Remove a sugar from your coffee, walk to the grocer once a week, always say thank you... Little things you can implement in your life that can make a big impact over time. Right now I'm out jogging through snow. I'm not setting land speed records, but I've committed to my slow increase in mileage come hell or frozen fluffy water. I've not signed up for an ultra or tried to race down icy slopes. Slow and steady. Be the tortoise. It took me 6 years to feel ready for a marathon, no need to rush and injure myself.

On the same note, I know I'm reaching the hard part of the fundraising. So I've got to remember, little things.

For the Twitterfolk.

I am being sponsored by people I, by all accounts, don't even know.

I am receiving encouragement, praise, retweets, everything from a silly little social community where I only know them by their handles and the 140 character updates.

Somewhere it was written that 2010 is the Decade of Change and Hope. Times when we stop living in fear and start working as a community regardless of where were currently reside. And while I believe firmly that we need to work to balance the technological community with the actual community, I also believe that the technological community is more real and alive then some people I see walking down the street everyday.

Yes, people call it silly, a place of publishing TMI ... but it's also a place where thoughtful, talented people can actually make little waves and ripples towards some more positive love in this world.

So here's to the Twitterfolk, the Tweeps, the ones who give me peeps. This big old round thing called Earth is much better because of you.

Today my hero is Jill

Jill was the person I blame for getting me into running.

She was the foxy chick who, while we wandered around picking up cones at my first 5K (we were late... really late) said in passing, "Oh, me and my brother are going to run the Disney Half Marathon."

After we stumbled across the finish line (and they immediately pulled up all traces of it) my calves were burning. I was dehydrated, hot, and thought... I want to run a half marathon. Yeah, sure, why not?

So a few days later I checked the Disney Half Marathon site. They had just decided, that day, to take on more registrants. I registered. Then I spent the rest of the day tormenting my co-workers with the occasional scream of, "Holy &^%$! I signed up to run 13.1 miles!"

That January, I finished (in tears) my first, my slowest, half marathon. Then I signed up again, and again. Jill and her brother were getting good and thought they'd go for the marathon. After pleading with security we stood out in Animal Kingdom waving signs as they ran - delirious and arm and arm, towards the last few miles and their first Mickey medal.

And while I stayed happily in half marathon land they have since gone on to run not one, not two, but THREE Goofy Challenges. That is, the half marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday. 39.3 miles.

This past weekend was the third. They had to run extra to ensure they got to compete as the weather completely hindered Disney's normal plans and nearly kept them out of starting.

So I really can't complain about my training. Cannot moan about weather or how my legs hurt. Because there are people out there who have, since the moment I thought to sign up to run my first race, driven even harder to excellence.

So this running blog is for Jill. My hero.

Don't forget if you read, sponsor me. And you can blame Jill, who got me hooked and made me think big.

Either I'm hard core, or hard headed.

If every one of the people who follow me on Facebook and Twitter were to sponsor me for £2/each I would make £600.00 for the National Autistic Society. Seriously. I love the crowd, man.

My specialty has never been high end fundraising. I remember, back when I had to do the major donor training, I shook and shook when having to call every number. (Yes, cold call major donor fundraising - woo!) It was the most nerve wracking, emotionally scary thing I've ever done.

They even had people sitting around to watch you as you made the calls. Seriously.

But give me the many for a few and I'm a happy bunny. I like the idea of groups getting together to carry a person through. When I was out today, freezing, realizing that the snow was slowing me down, I went through every name of every person who has encouraged me. Mentors, friends, family, all of them. Even though I posted my worst time for 10 miles, I ran the majority of it because I couldn't let a single one of them down.

So call me hard core, or hard headed. But there is a lot of people who are supporting this venture, so I have to give them the biggest return possible.

Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to pass out.

I've figured out all Dan Brown novels.

1. There's this guy, right? Or this girl, it doesn't matter. What matters is they are super smart and well located in this really obscure field of something like pretzel physics. They are also emotional islands where no one ever, ever, ever loved them except one person. But they are dead, or they shafted them hardcore.

2. There is this government conspiracy, or there is this big organization that is being covered up by the government. And they've concocted a plan which is anywhere from 2 months to 3,000 years in the making.

3. For some reason, this plan would totally have kicked butt save for the fact that this solo individual existed.

4. Oh, and his/her trusty sidekick (if more than one kill off others).

5. Oh, and that member of the opposite sex that is so totally hot and stirring that love member that hasn't been used. This person just so happens to understand the light speed of salt as it refracts off the pretzels that the government has used in a conspiracy to dupe the people into believing cheese is a dairy product.

6. Somewhere along the line the main character decides they need to involve a:
a. Stupidly rich person who has dedicated their lives to pretzels.
b. Unbelievably well connected individual who hold the keys to the gates of heaven or a missile.
c. Someone who pretty much has a massive ego complex and unlimited credit.

7. That individual has some sort of axe to grind.

8. There is a secondary axe grinding figure who is set up to look as though their axe is bigger... and...

8. That individual may also have some sort of connection with an individual who is a straight-up trained killer. This trained killer may or may not have trained killer friends.

9. Now that you have main character, trusty sidekick, sexy person, eccentric person, secondary eccentric, a conspiracy, and a trained killer, you start your story.

10. Everything is true. Seriously, look it up in wikipedia.

11. The main character should be close to death multiple times. One of those times needs to involve tight, enclosed spaces and water. This is because this person fears tight, enclosed spaces and water and never in a MILLION YEARS get near them. Except for that one time, with the sexy person.

12. If it were not for the trusty sidekick and/or sexy person, they would've died. Mercifully, they recall obscure facts in intense pressure situations and on very little sleep.

13. The bad eccentric person (aka one with trained killer friends) likes to encrypt their voice when they talk to their trained killer friends. Or send notes. Or maybe kittens with actions to kill lovingly glued to their tails.

14. Somewhere along the line one of the eccentric people has to die, but ARE THEY DEAD?

15. When the bad person is revealed they sit down and tell them everything about themselves, their history, history of the plot, how the plot was way foolproof, what temp they like their steak at....

16. But just before the trained killer or the bad eccentric person kills them (usually the trained killer does something stupid like shoot daisies instead of bullets)...

17. The main character solves the puzzle/calls the military/wins Publisher Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.

18. The trusty sidekick is given a smack on the rear and sent packing.

19. Then they have naughty fun time with the sexy person.

The end.

Snow, snow, slow go...

It snowed a foot in Oxford (or 15cm or something but that means nothing to this US Ex-Pat). This means my running has turned into trudging in snow boots through snow which has, most recently, taken on the color and consistency of my home town beach.

I know that even though I'm not running (and I feel this pang of sadness every time I see a runner in proper trail shoes jog by) I am working the calves and still doing the miles. I figure if, come Saturday, it's still like this I will sock up and trudge my 10 miles in my boots.

I have to. Can't let my sponsors (or me) down, after all.

I think this is what they call "doing things for a higher cause."

In humble appreciation, Happy Birthday to me.

I have the best colleagues, friends, family, and Twitterpeople in the world.

Today I got chocolate, hugs, sponsorships, phone calls, texts, and IMs from all over the place.

I was reminded today of how rich I am to have so many talented, brilliant, beautiful, and bold people in my life.

I will keep running because of each and every one of you.

You know who you are.

x

The Matter Over Mind.

So I did my 8 miles.

Yay.

My feet feel a bit rough and my knee was doing the same thing it did during the Sony Half Marathon - briefly tried to take my legs elsewhere. Oh, and I had a tummy cramp for the first two miles and I think I threw up a little in my mouth three or four times and I can still taste the Gu (Mint Chocolate) I used at mile four. Which is fine, but I keep thinking I should be making a proper dinner.

And yet, I'm still happy I went out and did this.

Distance running is mental. There are steps:

1. Convince yourself you are going to run "a really, really, really, long way." And that it will be "super awesome wicked fun." For instance, when I ask people to sponsor me I tell them "I'm going on a 26.2 mile scenic tour of Rome for the National Autistic Society in under 6 hours."

2. Delude the rest of your body into cooperating. This may take some work. You do this through this thing called "consistency." Consistency is when you nudge your body out the door in whatever horrible weather England throws at you regularly. Not whenever you feel like it, but a lot of times. Eventually, the body agrees... but it will most likely pitch a few fits.

3. Combine your brain and rest of body together in one big happy, rainbow-filled existence. And when one or the other gives out you continue motion (walking, hopping, crawling) and result to "Little Engine That Could" - you think you can you think you can you think you can...

What your end game is is the Runner's High. I read somewhere at some point (on Wikipedia or something) that this high is equal to a good dose of heroine. This is why you find running addicts. It's one of the few addictions that people support, to an end. I mean, yes, I own a Fuel Belt and dayglo running leggings... but I can't quote my finish times of the last few races and God help me on splits and farklets. Seriously.

Today it was the Runner's Zen - which I refer to it as, anyway. Not the sparkler shooting joy but the peace of knowing I've done my goal for the day. To me, it takes breaking something down and edging forward to get anywhere, and knowing I can cross 8 miles off the list makes 10 seem, well, doable.

I think I can I think I can I think I can... anyway...

Real Revolutions I Want to See this Decade.

1. Self-cleaning dishes.
Seriously. I'm sick of doing them.

2. Laundry that teleports from dryer to drawer.
More often then not I will get a burst of cleaning activity where I explode into scrubbing. Without fail I will complete everything except getting that last load upstairs. Teleportation can fix this.

3. Wick-away EVERYTHING.
I dig my wick-away running gear. It breathes, it moves, and I look good in it. Why can't everything be wick-away? No more sweat marks! It will be fantastic.

4. Hover-trainers so we can have anti-gravity races.
You know how they griped about the new swimsuits that made water leap away from them? Why not attempt this with gravity and shoes? And then, so as to define the sports of running and hover-running, create multi-tiered races on land and in the sky. It would be beautiful...

5. A balance between electronic and actual communication.
Serious one here - I feel sometimes like I don't have real friends, I have electronic ones. Now, being where I am in relation to the mass proportion of my family it is to be understood. However, there are times I want to sit in a pub or around a kitchen and giggle at ideas like hover-races in person. I hope I, and the growing world, figures out how to balance it.

6. The return of break-dancing.
Electric boogaloo is such a great balance of words.

7. Anti-diet dieting.
I would also like to refer to this as activity. I would like to see the world take on activity, preferably positive kind. You will not sit on butt and lose weight. Sorry.

8. Jetpacks.
Have you seen the proposed flying restrictions? I think we need to switch to personal flight transportation.

9. People giving up on this war mess and just getting on with it.
Because living in fear isn't fun no matter who or where you are.

10. Hugs.
Hugs are the most wonderful thing in the world. They should be explored and given often. We are people, afterall. All of us with our jetpacks and teleportation dreams. And no matter who you are you need to let others know they are special. So try to give at least one out a day.

The Rest Day.

It's 1:54 PM. I've been up since about 12:00 PM. After briefly reviewing my New Year's post I realize there isn't much I can do to get rid of it... as I posted it to everything thinking it was incredible.

Don't drink and blog.

Today is my rest day. I get Monday and Friday off from running. When you read the 6.2 billion training plans (all of which contradict each other) one thing they don't argue about is rest. You need it. You need your muscles to go, "Hooray! Thank you for letting me knit myself back together and get super strong!"

So, besides the healing of my shame from last post, today will be spent in various stages of slippers and socks, resting - reading - cleaning - and overall attempting not to leave the house.

And, other than those who have decided "Today is the day I (action verb)..." I would like to say:

ppppppppppppppffffffffffffffffffffffffffffttttttttt (including hand gestures)

But, in a desperate bid to also be a bit inspirational I will also say this:

New Year's has this tendency for people to think "New Beginning." In fact, I'm certain that one of the reasons New Year's became such a big deal is because people have the chance - as a group - to start over fresh. What most don't realize is, you can start fresh on any day ... all you have to do is stick to it. So if you are making a change, or committing to a challenge, or promising to sponsor me (shameless yes) you have to realize:

Every day is New Year's.

Every day you get up and want to do something more, better, faster, you have to face it eyes open. If you are a marathoner in training like me, you have to put one foot in front of the other - and also remember to put the feet up. It's a balance, it's hard. It's super easy to fall back.

Don't.

If you have to pop a confetti cannon, cover yourself in glitter, or make a toast every night (with something nonalcoholic or that will be a really bad habit) - do it. Don't make any excuses.

Don't place something arbitrary in your way.

These people don't: Achilles International

So, while I'm slumming it in my jammies today, if you are starting something ... GO! DO! START! BE! DREAM! Anything is possible.

4 AM?

I think the latest I've stayed up is 6 AM or so a few years back and that was pushing it. I vaguely remember red wine, a jacuzzi, and a colleague who never slurred when drunk but slurred and I knew we'd been up too late. I put him to bed in his swim trunks.

So you know, I need food to stay up this late. I've had a lot of food. Thank you Michelle.

Happy 2010 everyone. I've done 12 miles today, 6 running. I'm tired. But I'm getting it. I hope that in this next decade I don't let anything pass me by. Actually, I hope in 2010 and 11 and 12 and so on that I just embrace change. Change is hard.

I probably won't remember posting this as I have had one bottle of champagne.