Herkie for Hoyt!

I just went on what was supposed to be my pre-half marathon longish weekday run.

Yeah, supposed.

Today in lovely New Orleans it is 80 degrees,

with 75% humidity,

and 25 mph winds.

That's not all.

I also forgot my knee brace.

It doesn't end, my friends.

Everyone and their father wanted to cut their lawn in this summer-like weather.

So on top of the stinging of sweat,

I also had blades of grass darting at my eye balls.

So I did a halfer. 

BUT the wonderful part of this grassy excursion

is that I had time to get really pumped about this upcoming weekend's half marathon.

This weekend is the Rock 'N Roll Mardi Gras race.

The most over-priced race in the city.

You can tell it's not a New Orleans-based race because they only give you 2 drink tickets.

BUT it's really fun, and I'll be unveiling a super fun surprise for it on Friday.

THE POINT OF THIS POST:

I've always been jealous of people's really awesome race shots.

And the trick to getting a super awesome race photo just happens to be my specialty:

Stage It.

So, my really awesome followers:

If I get 20 or more $13 donations for the 13 miles I run on Sunday,

I promise to whip out my old school cheerleading moves

and jump across that finish line:

Herkie Style.

I cannot make any promises as to what it will look like,

but I solemnly swear that I will pick up my 8:23 mile paced-legs 

and release my inner cheerleader.

It may be a double Herkie.

So, who's with me?! 

I need 20 of ya's to:

1) Give up that greasy meal you were going to eat out

2) Downgrade your wine

3) Have drinks on the patio instead of out

4) Pass the chip and dip aisle

5) Not fill up your tank

and instead give those $13 big ones to the Hoyt Foundation.

Herkie-Jump for Hoyt!
Go to my Crowdrise Page to donate now!

Join us at Beef's!

What do you get when you mix: 

Wings

Beer

and Shucks?

A shuckin' good time. 

That's what!

Mix in a little Hoyt

(ok, they'll be there in spirit)

and we have got a party!

Come support the Hoyt Foundation 

as we work together to better the lives of disabled youth!

15% of your food and drink ticket orders go to the Hoyt Foundation!

Come hang out with me and this kid:

Who knows, 

maybe even our favorite amigo will show:

So come eat some wings, drink some beer, say hello to me

and make a big difference! 

March 7, 2012

Beef O Brady's

8810 Himes Avenue

Tampa, FL

ALL DAY!!

(but we'll be rockin' and rollin' in the evening)

Come, or I'll come get you:

(I know, very intimidating)

Thanks to Beef's, my family's second home for many moons!

Fundraiser!!

You know,

I originally thought that after I decided to retire the apron-making

that I would have some time for rest.

But then I realized that I am Kellyn Gowen,

and I will only stop freaking the flip out when I'm dead.

I've had some difficulty balancing the many shades of Kellyn recently.

I have changed shifts at work.

I am slowly and sadly accepting the fact that I am moving in 3 months.

I am trying to recuperate from 2 weeks of Mardi Gras.

I am actively trying not to go insane from planning a toddler's birthday party.

This is just my personal life.

Aside from that:

I am feeding my body what seems like endless carbs to fuel 15+ milers

and paying really big grocery bills to support this.

I am coming to terms with my new running shoes that are badass, but sinfully fugly.

(Yes, fugly)

Preparing my mind for a PR half marathon in 10 days. (1:50:00)

(fingers crossed)

Planning a fundraiser that I know will be great, but fear it will flop.

Punching numbers together to ensure I have enough to even stay in Boston.

Punching numbers together to ensure I have enough money to drink in Boston.

Punching numbers together to ensure I have enough to buy Boston paraphernalia:

- Obnoxious 26.2 sticker for the whip

- Boston Marathon jacket, that I'm sure is entirely overpriced.

- Sam Adam 26.2 brew in honor of the race

Meanwhile, I'm trying to keep my cool because I like to convince people that I'm "laid back"

(somewhere, my husband is snickering at that comment)

It's all sorts of intense in the noggin. 

Luckily, I look cool on the outside.

Not.

BUT

The fundraiser IS going to be fabulous.

Come one, come all,

We will be kickin' it at Beef O' Brady's on Himes in Tampa

March 7, 2012

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You can give us a head's up that you're coming by RSVPing HERE

Door Prizes will include:

Spa Package from Touch Aveda Salon and Spa

Bella Petrella Sauce Basket

2012 Indy 500 Tickets

Ladies Accessories

There are also a few hopefuls:

Yankees Paraphernalia

Liquor and Spirits

I will additionally have my world famous aprons for sale,

along with some adorable baby hats.

ALSO - We have a cake being donated from the most amazing cake-maker ever:

Elise's Pieces 

If you all have not seen her creations yet,

consider coming just for this. 

If you have anything you would like to donate, please let me know!

This is how it works:

You can come into the restaurant at any time of the day to eat and drink.

15% of your ticket will go to the Hoyt Foundation!

I will be there, probably chasing my unruly monster child.

Anyone can sign up for the silent auction.

I will place a minimum bid and the bidding will go on all day.

Evening time should be the social event.

Come see the Shuck's in action during our trifecta of fun:

Wings, beer and friends. 

I will announce the winners of the door prizes at the end of the evening.

You do not have to be present for the name drawing.

And hopefully,

all of this combined will create one solid last effort to raise money and awareness.

So join us in the most delicious fundraiser ever! 

Who knows, maybe I'll even buy you a drink.

Speaking of which,

I would LOVE to get a chance to meet everyone before I debo out of Tampa.

I will be having happy hour cocktails at SoHo Tavern on Thursday night.

SoHo Tavern has been so incredible to me in my efforts,

and we should return the love and drink lots of their cold beer.

This will be the 1-month countdown to the big race.

Join me as I celebrate those who race the daily life marathons,

as I prepare to run one for them. 

Bad Run Days

So, much like most of us wake up on certain days

and cannot seem to lay our hair properly

or pick out the right outfit,

runners have days where they just can't get a good run.

Well, at least this is the assumption I made after I unsuccessfully ran 7 miles.

I mean, I ran 10 miles this past weekend,

12 the weekend before that,

and I couldn't seem to get 7 done today?

Not even 5?

But 3?!

I can't even explain how this feels.

It's incredibly discouraging. 

First, the second guesses:

"But my first mile felt so good..."

"I ate an energy-filled lunch, didn't I?..."

Then, the guilt...

"I didn't drink enough water"

"It's my stupid shoes that I need to replace, but have no money for..."

"Is the bottle of wine I had for Valentine's day really that powerful?"
"Stupid Mardi Gras! Why am I not 18 anymore?!"

But the fact of the matter is,

there's probably not really an exact reason.

Can't a mother runner have an off day?

A day to just stop her run because her body is saying, "Pu-LEASE stop, mama!"

So I did.

I stopped. 

I felt bad about it, 

and immediately explained my reasoning to my neighbor who probably did not care.

But I needed to be heard. 

THIS ISN'T MY FAULT!

I swear I'm not a failure! 

I know, I know I didn't have time for yesterday's run either,

but c'mon! 

I'm only one woman,

and Whitney Houston died this week, for gourd's sake!

But you know what Whitney would have said?

She would have said,

"I'm every woman, it's all in me."
or she would have told me that crack is whack.

So now I am signing off and doing crunches and squats. 

Maybe even a few wall chair sit thingys.

Whit Whit would be so proud.

Baby Hats!

So a very good family friend was incredibly kind

and donated a TON of baby hats to sell for this cause.

These are totally cute,

and totally give me a baby itch with all their itty-bitty cuteness!

SO, if you have a little nugget

or if you know someone with a little nugget

OR if you know of anyone who has a little nugget on the way,

can I say that this would be a fabulous gift for them?!

Who'da'thought that we could make an impression on these little ones so early?

Here they are! All are $15, plus $2 for shipping.
email me at kellyn.gowen@gmail.com or facebook me.
Only accepted PayPal transactions.

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