I Have to Half and it's Contagious!

If you would have told me 3 years ago that running is contagious, I would have laughed. And I mean laughed long and hard. I HATED running. Yes...it's true. Complete DISLIKE. But a friend of mine talked me into running with her (thank you Shayna!)...and soon afterwards I was actually enjoying it. I joined a gym...found a running partner who taught me SO much about running (thanks Jen!)...and finished two 5ks, an 8k, and a 1/2 marathon within my first 9 months of running (or rather...hurling myself forward by putting one foot in front of the other...lol).

Fast forward 2 years later and I've come a VERY long way! I've run several more races including several 5ks, 8ks, and 10ks, a total of 8 half marathons, 3 Have 2 Halfs (details on those later), a full marathon, and 1 sprint triathlon. I attribute this all to the contagiousness of running! Yes, it sounds crazy...but I am addicted. Even on days that I hate my run, I can't imagine not doing it. I've even placed in my age group or on a team in some races and I have a slew of 1/2 marathon medals. One of the reasons I love that distance is that you get a medal once you cross the finish line whether you are first, last, or somewhere in  between. Those shiny medals distract me.

Me, Analisa, and Ryanne, the 
ladies behind the H2H
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

So, back to the purpose of this post. Last year I joined a running club for military spouses called Stroller Warriors(TM). Admittedly, I am pretty much a strollerless warrior...since I rarely run with my children...but the group welcomed me with or without my stroller. This spring (early summer actually) two of the group's leaders came  up with the idea that they wanted to run a 1/2 marathon every month for a year. Yes. 13.1 miles once a month for a whole year. It was then that the Stroller Warrior have to Half was born.

The purpose of the H2H series is to provide a safe, familiar, supportive, and fun environment in which to run 13.1 miles while supporting a specific charity. If you complete the full 13.1 you are eligible for a Stroller Warriors H2H medal which you can buy at cost for $5.75. Then, with a minimum donation of $10.00 you receive a lapel pin from the selected charity to add to your super cool medal. There are no additional fees, the club and organizers do not make any money from the race...all proceeds go directly to charity. How amazing is that??? 

Some of us in our cool new SW medals after the Semper
Fi Fund race!
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

The series started in June. There were just under 30 racers who ran to support wounded and fallen warriors for the Semper Fi fund. We had at least 1 first time half marathoner run the race along with 2 ladies who ran beside her every step of the way to support her all the way to the finish. It was AMAZING to be there to see those ladies cross the finish line!

Liz and Me at the water station.
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

The second race in the series raised money for another SW and her efforts to raise money for the MCM. We supported Liz by running for Cure Epilepsy and her daughter Maddie. It was SO hot but once again...motivated by the finishers of the first H2H several ladies who had never ran a 1/2 marathon before took the plunge! There were also planned water stations with volunteers cheering us on with hydration and iced towels! I was lucky to be able to run with Liz who left Camp Lejune to move to Raleigh this summer. The heat was brutal but the company was great!


So...FINALLY on to the 3rd H2H in the series. I am humbled to say that this race was to support ME and my efforts to raise money for the Organization for Autism Research. I worked with the awesome race director at OAR and she provided me with medals, lapel pins, literature, race shirts, and tee shirts. Now, if you race at all...you know BLING and SWAG is very important to runners. And the H2H series is no different! People were excited about the medals and the opportunity to give back to such an amazing charity! Every day the race number climbed up a few. People were so excited (hence I was SO excited!). We had SO many newbies run this race...and a total of 54 participants overall. Everyday another Stroller Warrior was donating on my fundraising page or telling me how excited they were to run t his race. It was CRAZY and AMAZING and GREAT all at the same time. 

My OAR shirt.
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

On the day of the race I got there bright and early. Race signup and announcements commenced in the dark, but I could see the donation bucket quickly filling up. All I could say during announcements was "Thank You!" I was overcome by the generosity of the ladies in this group! Everyone was so excited for the race and for me and how much money we could raise for OAR. It was not an easy 13.1...but it was worth every step! My family was at the end to great me as I crossed the finish line and I was able to see friends and new half marathoners cross as well. It was amazing to run with such great partners and friends for something that is so near and dear to me. 


Stroller Warriors and  the H2H for Dara helped me raise MORE THAN my initial fundraising goal for the Marine Corp Marathon...now these ladies are still donating and helping me triple...maybe quadruple my goals! In addition to this amazing race and the donations that just keep coming in on my fundraising page the members of SW Camp Pendleton hosted a play date and 13.1 mile run (Thanks Patty, Mia, and Sarah!) where they collected donations and several other members have volunteered to help me by making a bib and medal holder to raffle off (thanks Nicole!) and donated proceeds from their own personal business sales (thanks Kelly!). 

I am so thankful to EVERYONE running partners, friends, colleagues, and family who have supported me during the past few years and during this adventure of MCM fundraising. You are all special and generous and THAT is CONTAGIOUS!!!

To donate please visit my donation page at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/deanahavens/2012mcm.

OAR Bling and Swag!

Which way do we go?
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

Morning sign up.
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

 

Race support staff: Megan, Elizabeth, and Steph
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

Crystal finishing her first 1/2 marathon!
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

Carl and Dara
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

Race tat
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

Beth's water station sign.
Photo taken by Elizabeth Harlow.

Special thanks to Elizabeth Harlow for capturing these photos. And thanks again to all the racers and Stroller Warriors who volunteered to participate in this even as runners or support staff!!! I wish I had room to post pictures of each and every one of you!