tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50227822323500328562024-03-13T17:35:22.712-05:00Running for RyanMy name is Kellyn Shuck Gowen, and I am running the Boston Marathon 2012 with the Hoyt Foundation in honor of my brother, Ryan Shuck, because he's awesome.Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-28291237526210485512014-04-11T14:35:00.001-05:002014-04-11T14:35:30.486-05:00A Donation From The Ryan Shuck Foundation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At my brother's wake, I met a man named Eddie.</div>
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He of course offered his condolences, and we shared a hug.</div>
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But just minutes after meeting, he told me he wanted to start a foundation for Ryan.</div>
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A 5k in September, which was just 4 months away.</div>
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I thought it was a great idea,</div>
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but I never thought that it would be as big as it was.</div>
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It was a great turnout. </div>
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Tons of businesses donated sponsorships.</div>
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People from all walks of life came to volunteer.</div>
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Friends from afar participated in their own cities as ghost runners.</div>
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And even larger amount of people came out to run or walk. </div>
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It was tough dedicating energy to this right after Ryan passed.</div>
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Now I see it was for the best, and now almost a year and several events later,</div>
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The Ryan Shuck Foundation is strong, </div>
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and it continues to work its way to helping the disabled community.</div>
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If we can't have Ryan here with us,</div>
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it takes a little sting away knowing that we can do good in his name.</div>
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I know he's proud of that.</div>
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I am so pleased to announce that the proceeds from the first annual Running for Ryan 5k are being handed over to me to take to Boston as the Hoyts make their last run together.</div>
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A whopping $7,000.</div>
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I am so proud and I am so grateful. </div>
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As a part of Team Hoyt, I agreed to raise $5,000.</div>
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I felt that I needed to raise that on my own without this donation as a crutch.</div>
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I raised $5,202 as of this morning. This puts me at $12,202.</div>
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Holy. Cow.</div>
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Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to the Ryan Shuck Foundation as well as the Hoyt Foundation. It is truly a blessing to be affiliated with these incredible organizations and being a part in the betterment of disabled peoples lives. </div>
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Together we can make a change!</div>
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<img alt="www.ryanshuckfoundation.org.png" src="webkit-fake-url://98C5D4DF-0E6C-470B-B970-F46469CAB1FF/www.ryanshuckfoundation.org.png" title="" /></div>
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Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-68471101441039931192014-04-03T12:07:00.001-05:002014-04-03T12:07:22.528-05:00Ain't No Party Like A Bib-Making Party....'Cause a bib-making party don't stop. <div><br></div><div>Seriously. It hasn't stopped. </div><div><br></div><div>Until now.</div><div><br></div><div>I repeat. </div><div><br></div><div>The bib-making party has stopped so that I can prepare the Bahstan Pahty. </div><div><br></div><div>Bib-making will resume on Sunday, amigos. Thank you for understanding.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5kPdQz_IXE-Eu-r2w4GQKBbioEQ1gkPD5_iCDmTy-gukMC6plMq0davTrLYUbtNrgBiXTxns4oT_OGsoHtnQw2_KCENYVfim1klSLgaLoEYpdlqR4-Pav8MR6CNZWnHgMUtkQePLDiRu/s640/blogger-image-815758917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5kPdQz_IXE-Eu-r2w4GQKBbioEQ1gkPD5_iCDmTy-gukMC6plMq0davTrLYUbtNrgBiXTxns4oT_OGsoHtnQw2_KCENYVfim1klSLgaLoEYpdlqR4-Pav8MR6CNZWnHgMUtkQePLDiRu/s640/blogger-image-815758917.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-7040130522231619652014-03-28T15:48:00.001-05:002014-03-28T15:53:07.418-05:00Apron Lady, Meet Bib Lady.I'm less than four weeks from my fundraising deadline<div>With nearly $1500 left to raise.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was hoping not to have to whip out the ole sewing machine,</span></div><div><div>but desperate times call for desperate measures, amigos.</div><div><br></div><div>Just kidding. I'm actually really excited to do this. </div><div><br></div><div>However, after my 2012 stint with selling aprons, </div><div>I thought for sure that I would never do this again. </div><div>And it wasn't that I didn't love doing it,</div><div>It's just that once you make 175 aprons in a row, </div><div>You tend to want to vomit every time you see an apron.</div><div><br></div><div>But, bibs?!</div><div>Totally different story. </div><div>Everyone loves babes!</div><div>Let's crank out a thousand of these puppies, people.</div><div>Seriously though, how about 150 so I can meet my goal?</div></div><div><br></div><div>So, all of the aprons are 100% cotton, machine washable, and totally adorable.</div><div><br></div><div>You have options: traditional or totally hipster kerchief.</div><div><br></div><div>Traditional:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeF3Mls-sSbX9vWDvV-Ecf1vCYxwwOH5O5c-GoRXQieLvqJzavFrnKS3qonHxJ7kTHUIZOBuTtzdfdh9gsY8wMX9t0lywPyezp0JWELS-UvFl09z4i9hyDUsHsM7648Vz7KKpW2vJgoMY/s640/blogger-image-331667686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeF3Mls-sSbX9vWDvV-Ecf1vCYxwwOH5O5c-GoRXQieLvqJzavFrnKS3qonHxJ7kTHUIZOBuTtzdfdh9gsY8wMX9t0lywPyezp0JWELS-UvFl09z4i9hyDUsHsM7648Vz7KKpW2vJgoMY/s640/blogger-image-331667686.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Totally Hipster Kerchief:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V2FelCNi_rWZ7eVmmcJ6unUK97deW_KfqdJQ9Clm1StAEa7j_nq_CmfU_UJ7TaXP4irmDWL7mOftVY45hnFxDGWcLVbKMrMyS-cC9UPIGCnRW28vjObvP-ridlQQmynjvkJYWIbRL5ka/s640/blogger-image--1415317148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V2FelCNi_rWZ7eVmmcJ6unUK97deW_KfqdJQ9Clm1StAEa7j_nq_CmfU_UJ7TaXP4irmDWL7mOftVY45hnFxDGWcLVbKMrMyS-cC9UPIGCnRW28vjObvP-ridlQQmynjvkJYWIbRL5ka/s640/blogger-image--1415317148.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Moooore options: Fabric (below)</div><div>Some fabric is limited based on what I have, </div><div>and I'll do my best to remove the photos of the fabric that becomes discontinued.</div><div><br></div><div>Pricing:</div><div>1 bib: $12</div><div>2 bibs: $16</div><div>3 bibs $20</div><div><br></div><div>Add $2 for shipping</div><div><br></div><div>Email me at kellyn.gowen@gmail.com with your order.</div><div><br></div><div>You can PayPal me the money. </div><div>Or, if you're uncomfortable with that, you can snail mail me a check.</div><div>100% will go to the Hoyt Foundation, well, except the shipping money.</div><div><br></div><div>I'll take the money from my PayPal account and donate in your name.</div><div>Sound good? </div><div><br></div><div>Great. </div><div>Now, let's totally destroy my kitchen with tiny little pieces of fabric and string. </div><div>Woohoo!</div><div><br></div><div>Here are your fabric options:</div><div><br></div><div>Leopard:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXxYCHfXkIGqF-k-sUVpgrqVrS8OUgN6h5gKHeejHndWxmvFu0kLQrkMeWB2Buf4RRqb-5gBbkEmhkIrs2LVe-SJr6k-CD0sWJx0cEWu_zqWFD4JY2O6o2Nhusoqp8KhELJ7gcpFcEC2J/s640/blogger-image--387487952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXxYCHfXkIGqF-k-sUVpgrqVrS8OUgN6h5gKHeejHndWxmvFu0kLQrkMeWB2Buf4RRqb-5gBbkEmhkIrs2LVe-SJr6k-CD0sWJx0cEWu_zqWFD4JY2O6o2Nhusoqp8KhELJ7gcpFcEC2J/s640/blogger-image--387487952.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Teal Striped:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM4KsU0ig6gHKCsyBVEUamoGqO4oD0oP-JxM92FYyVakBO5hspwc7O2BXOViMIvEI_Eas40yySGampsLyWN7NC3iurWif7BUe7f7wVN320j4wwWbgGkeZcs4aeVGXcWzz1jNb3Bc5dQQJ/s640/blogger-image-1817880159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM4KsU0ig6gHKCsyBVEUamoGqO4oD0oP-JxM92FYyVakBO5hspwc7O2BXOViMIvEI_Eas40yySGampsLyWN7NC3iurWif7BUe7f7wVN320j4wwWbgGkeZcs4aeVGXcWzz1jNb3Bc5dQQJ/s640/blogger-image-1817880159.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Leaves:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2uTu3SSv1gMRzIOfuIHMtTYH6wvVgdQqgwUJYuFtKnqeW3WtuRBGc1L2_EaDMbYndFkRkSIGg14GA_RdsbgS38t_Wi0Kt4XjHa26XnkN8W13ztq-2IcG_0c04VNh-bbZvLCO4BCjcoZ-/s640/blogger-image--524592859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2uTu3SSv1gMRzIOfuIHMtTYH6wvVgdQqgwUJYuFtKnqeW3WtuRBGc1L2_EaDMbYndFkRkSIGg14GA_RdsbgS38t_Wi0Kt4XjHa26XnkN8W13ztq-2IcG_0c04VNh-bbZvLCO4BCjcoZ-/s640/blogger-image--524592859.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div>Fleur de lis:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJBsuu4eRr2jpNS52khqEqnMIOhhyphenhyphenQ2rP2Aam32QBDbhMZNw3x1Nu6DCaGeOzUsQ6gXG0_6VO_AVlgVzA-Xvx1jb-aTGQK1pXRwLXSKmWzRFf4MYTOR2sZ0WJO-T7TRMcSl48gPTphqo/s640/blogger-image--1888205459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJBsuu4eRr2jpNS52khqEqnMIOhhyphenhyphenQ2rP2Aam32QBDbhMZNw3x1Nu6DCaGeOzUsQ6gXG0_6VO_AVlgVzA-Xvx1jb-aTGQK1pXRwLXSKmWzRFf4MYTOR2sZ0WJO-T7TRMcSl48gPTphqo/s640/blogger-image--1888205459.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Brown Flower:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTVv9eBVRNtRLU_hyzaK3WuzyzlFcd02XyS3roDRf4yQayzNchO8y_fiTmOn3cdkWXc84IJ1C-RBDUYm6kkdlGp7FMMSGbaUD6olzNfVypSxE8IIxCu0u2PC11R3PY_jQc1NW5_tUmGwO/s640/blogger-image--1735452641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTVv9eBVRNtRLU_hyzaK3WuzyzlFcd02XyS3roDRf4yQayzNchO8y_fiTmOn3cdkWXc84IJ1C-RBDUYm6kkdlGp7FMMSGbaUD6olzNfVypSxE8IIxCu0u2PC11R3PY_jQc1NW5_tUmGwO/s640/blogger-image--1735452641.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wild Flower:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUupmIrzkkBMskPoRgmrHru8byhF-KlB4jSYFXxYxRWUrIETlucNnlGkHaVDnWks3HQ00TrHEMTow2LoypROmHXXGP1P6nHTir9l0bsjlhVy4ANIFRQItNTZWDTpb1TT1F9YfaEgJVNmq/s640/blogger-image-1605121217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUupmIrzkkBMskPoRgmrHru8byhF-KlB4jSYFXxYxRWUrIETlucNnlGkHaVDnWks3HQ00TrHEMTow2LoypROmHXXGP1P6nHTir9l0bsjlhVy4ANIFRQItNTZWDTpb1TT1F9YfaEgJVNmq/s640/blogger-image-1605121217.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Elephant:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig__OT1VPu7RGIaWs-CptzhSvAP6okVd_2ebGheWn8QM3prmn9h0I19BQ8w9cX_KYJpsCLlF9lcA3UI3_lnNN3O2pilgk3o_f1Nj7xbjZphpGiIBSNzLM8QamljDfQAjIo3YesBuHVvhNg/s640/blogger-image-1397764297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig__OT1VPu7RGIaWs-CptzhSvAP6okVd_2ebGheWn8QM3prmn9h0I19BQ8w9cX_KYJpsCLlF9lcA3UI3_lnNN3O2pilgk3o_f1Nj7xbjZphpGiIBSNzLM8QamljDfQAjIo3YesBuHVvhNg/s640/blogger-image-1397764297.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Roboto:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNgnzaXgJqmLUtwSSqvs6rsU1ym93pXPAz1f0k6FoP7aYdRZZBp_eltPJfzE3R3406zasseWhyphenhyphen_Hv1ItC5mHGf2O3H5AhG4qe7Z6rji0Vw8FcFn0dGfnhxX9jqEFXprR2UVIOEcUr9Mzv/s640/blogger-image-1094171775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNgnzaXgJqmLUtwSSqvs6rsU1ym93pXPAz1f0k6FoP7aYdRZZBp_eltPJfzE3R3406zasseWhyphenhyphen_Hv1ItC5mHGf2O3H5AhG4qe7Z6rji0Vw8FcFn0dGfnhxX9jqEFXprR2UVIOEcUr9Mzv/s640/blogger-image-1094171775.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yellow Stripe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8QkqxZfM5aU6IoOTbtDMxCCky07nZLLizwiAIRkl7o3NANiMN62SuidsM_67q3ic03GB6GyZZC0PrC54GqpABemkKbP5KaRhTKjCZPARaf3nmQ1MAocIak_ZAni1HGSr1rdLaOojvl-G/s640/blogger-image-1653373851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8QkqxZfM5aU6IoOTbtDMxCCky07nZLLizwiAIRkl7o3NANiMN62SuidsM_67q3ic03GB6GyZZC0PrC54GqpABemkKbP5KaRhTKjCZPARaf3nmQ1MAocIak_ZAni1HGSr1rdLaOojvl-G/s640/blogger-image-1653373851.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Birds:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_RkjG2qKLjuNgKJkr5JHaFAQE47izpOmE6QgK48Z0kD4RQHqcNImatIAske-G_tom06feIkJvxwgPMozS1XSGybjBru3Pwluou5i8JxWExaJrBunQzy0OT04k8_BJEesBQV_YYN02Ux7/s640/blogger-image--1929023803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_RkjG2qKLjuNgKJkr5JHaFAQE47izpOmE6QgK48Z0kD4RQHqcNImatIAske-G_tom06feIkJvxwgPMozS1XSGybjBru3Pwluou5i8JxWExaJrBunQzy0OT04k8_BJEesBQV_YYN02Ux7/s640/blogger-image--1929023803.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Asian:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCU3Jr7l1bw6rXgm4TdUfBru7B0UW820iGOJBh-9TqOBHw5WNmb_GqkNXuOZ_TVFqtTfmRQVQQetxkGBvJAMc_gLI98C9ODUS18fvPmcGwvMoxVHNub5AamP_pTCif-oiTnquZ-jt02Sr/s640/blogger-image-859535658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCU3Jr7l1bw6rXgm4TdUfBru7B0UW820iGOJBh-9TqOBHw5WNmb_GqkNXuOZ_TVFqtTfmRQVQQetxkGBvJAMc_gLI98C9ODUS18fvPmcGwvMoxVHNub5AamP_pTCif-oiTnquZ-jt02Sr/s640/blogger-image-859535658.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Searsucker:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXQYwkWYTEnP1idl2BXwAXKQ9JaUPAgb2ARunvX-mAwHJRAMVeJO0z1Nl7CuLwoOnR2IhXwQu3aosgJ-9fja104eC40120Xdw_zB_dpBEzdKcWCEHoEgYink5DUTqup2hr6-Ch9I0bGJv/s640/blogger-image-638961601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXQYwkWYTEnP1idl2BXwAXKQ9JaUPAgb2ARunvX-mAwHJRAMVeJO0z1Nl7CuLwoOnR2IhXwQu3aosgJ-9fja104eC40120Xdw_zB_dpBEzdKcWCEHoEgYink5DUTqup2hr6-Ch9I0bGJv/s640/blogger-image-638961601.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Green Maze:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAiABZ3syZM6Ygrjl3VOywu62RP_lk4HoraZlpm31Ox30QnM-IvNaA-5-ZXoF5OhTZQokfQMMN4FqVi7MZdcxwg3snGQIn-CEHis-M213QwbdDeD9GWZaPLFp22jwQKW-wvDIdYukw9j7/s640/blogger-image--991756734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAiABZ3syZM6Ygrjl3VOywu62RP_lk4HoraZlpm31Ox30QnM-IvNaA-5-ZXoF5OhTZQokfQMMN4FqVi7MZdcxwg3snGQIn-CEHis-M213QwbdDeD9GWZaPLFp22jwQKW-wvDIdYukw9j7/s640/blogger-image--991756734.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mustache:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC5vzSvlKLK1OGYrspos8txEDJ2itV0u1gBQO-JyT8FJNJLDl6VcxqHvgfo9fileL6kW0N36-Nc13_QnsmZeTz3gdvZ_C5WqiPhUi5YuGWeBr3IPZWNN4vsJR5nWK04F6ffBZ7TURrQsk/s640/blogger-image--1563541157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC5vzSvlKLK1OGYrspos8txEDJ2itV0u1gBQO-JyT8FJNJLDl6VcxqHvgfo9fileL6kW0N36-Nc13_QnsmZeTz3gdvZ_C5WqiPhUi5YuGWeBr3IPZWNN4vsJR5nWK04F6ffBZ7TURrQsk/s640/blogger-image--1563541157.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Green Stripe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiXmj-r1P-mwvZE9HpBzLN80H35ReYY3qc9KQTVApic3pHJbMcCN-9nzLWxuFSUB_GAI2-Zf1HliUBHXcL8XZapfeTqkJ8jjQSgdHlB4RLqOI1hcLQEai6OOykl1hlg9o80l_iD8x-2WA/s640/blogger-image-973040927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiXmj-r1P-mwvZE9HpBzLN80H35ReYY3qc9KQTVApic3pHJbMcCN-9nzLWxuFSUB_GAI2-Zf1HliUBHXcL8XZapfeTqkJ8jjQSgdHlB4RLqOI1hcLQEai6OOykl1hlg9o80l_iD8x-2WA/s640/blogger-image-973040927.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Global:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eD3eHZNQxXVx7FI_ku82Z4FAifbHCgWSjSvvBAg5_JC439QU_cBySk5P-2-WXRoZ68xnN9Qf5_2o35XXnbOOmiWCt2j0bwrqIJHrvTcjbRbAG-D3-b_d4SLtpbFUw97PCwJ9SnFKFh3V/s640/blogger-image-2046654580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eD3eHZNQxXVx7FI_ku82Z4FAifbHCgWSjSvvBAg5_JC439QU_cBySk5P-2-WXRoZ68xnN9Qf5_2o35XXnbOOmiWCt2j0bwrqIJHrvTcjbRbAG-D3-b_d4SLtpbFUw97PCwJ9SnFKFh3V/s640/blogger-image-2046654580.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Russian Dolls:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R8ysQZbZvmkj-kriSySdnOvAjruj4SG44UehPlszyq8pn7jy4fB6WOq0UTZxQNSUA07-5TzET9b65hbF8MJXQv2fsQ2mYF6T6kZdwesU9y-EqZ03yNA6HyPIeRJOhyphenhyphenTfyATvzSGCM69k/s640/blogger-image--1444129273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R8ysQZbZvmkj-kriSySdnOvAjruj4SG44UehPlszyq8pn7jy4fB6WOq0UTZxQNSUA07-5TzET9b65hbF8MJXQv2fsQ2mYF6T6kZdwesU9y-EqZ03yNA6HyPIeRJOhyphenhyphenTfyATvzSGCM69k/s640/blogger-image--1444129273.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pin Dolls:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjoTLwOKub8hTufOGe5jOEpnCXxk1bSHoSl90cqGzXkqiExXe4fhNmOSYmkqr-3uf2mQIn055EnmWqkEkXFR6DT-qL2c9lPeMsHEcuEmmVbLJaZUJJqR0ppbrOwuDLHmk6y7UylLRErH2/s640/blogger-image--672581244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjoTLwOKub8hTufOGe5jOEpnCXxk1bSHoSl90cqGzXkqiExXe4fhNmOSYmkqr-3uf2mQIn055EnmWqkEkXFR6DT-qL2c9lPeMsHEcuEmmVbLJaZUJJqR0ppbrOwuDLHmk6y7UylLRErH2/s640/blogger-image--672581244.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mod Flower:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgN4_1MK1ACcCfxhhPnv47ACSEygGNogdB_XGhIAlLN8g6_mzvtBpvkU9r5d33bqjbawbXCMWYCuOjjh1DixHikJsNtqP9wp1Xfk88U7MqsZmpyjDqT3_X3JzwOg10UD-y1baZ7y07W2t/s640/blogger-image-865424098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgN4_1MK1ACcCfxhhPnv47ACSEygGNogdB_XGhIAlLN8g6_mzvtBpvkU9r5d33bqjbawbXCMWYCuOjjh1DixHikJsNtqP9wp1Xfk88U7MqsZmpyjDqT3_X3JzwOg10UD-y1baZ7y07W2t/s640/blogger-image-865424098.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Quartrefoil:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmoQ6oaPCB3AyAVBKtdua2zEvT7ejaQv4bd7H0OguCus50pO-iaLEdAFVqeLnHg6ug2SxxKs7Uv3I4A1C9n_wub1rvS2cqy2R69cJpmkzWZD9FDU-LCUPmm0_KrakGDl0v4i8Fqd8AWKJ/s640/blogger-image--1032118906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmoQ6oaPCB3AyAVBKtdua2zEvT7ejaQv4bd7H0OguCus50pO-iaLEdAFVqeLnHg6ug2SxxKs7Uv3I4A1C9n_wub1rvS2cqy2R69cJpmkzWZD9FDU-LCUPmm0_KrakGDl0v4i8Fqd8AWKJ/s640/blogger-image--1032118906.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-15670066998175835532014-03-19T12:02:00.000-05:002014-03-19T12:02:18.572-05:00Get Here, Already!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't think I'm like most runners.<br />
I only enjoy running up until a certain point.<br />
The addiction? Not here.<br />
Most of my running friends are planning another marathon right now.<br />
Me?<br />
I'm counting down the days until its over.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I love it. I really, really do.<br />
The idea of crossing the Boston finish line brings me to tears.<br />
But it's at this point in training where I am just dunzo.<br />
I'm through dedicating 8-10 hours of my week running and stretching.<br />
I'm tired of wearing running clothes all the time.<br />
I'm just ready to take the 30-day post-marathon break.<br />
<br />
I may be particularly whinny because I also think I've messed up my Achilles Tendon.<br />
I've never had a running injury. Never.<br />
Runner's Knee. Been there. Iced that.<br />
Sore neck. It happens. Take a long, hot shower.<br />
<br />
But never an injury.<br />
<br />
This past long run, my Achilles Tendon began aching around mile 13.<br />
By mile 15 I had to stop and stretch, which was really hard because I was right by my house.<br />
I wanted to just stop, but getting to 18 miles was a HUGE goal of mine.<br />
Coincidentally, I checked by phone to find a message from my Dad.<br />
That man is my biggest cheerleader, and it was at that point that I knew I had to finish.<br />
<br />
The last three miles weren't pretty.<br />
In fact, they were sort of pitiful.<br />
I was able to maintain my sub 10-minute miles, but there was limping involved.<br />
I'm also positive that my face looked like this:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck007/962316e4-3604-434e-b492-728cf7d0092c-280x421.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 962316e4-3604-434e-b492-728cf7d0092c-280x421.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck007/962316e4-3604-434e-b492-728cf7d0092c-280x421.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Which is very similar to this:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck007/unnamed-5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck007/unnamed-5.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Of ALL photos from the 2012 Boston Marathon,<br />
my dear father bought two 8x10s of that photo.<br />
One he gave me framed for Christmas.<br />
The other is hanging in his high school classroom,<br />
where he can point and say, "Look at my daughter! Isn't she just stunning?!"<br />
<br />
I really just want Boston to be here already.<br />
Not because I want all the hype over with,<br />
but I'm an instant gratification type of gal.<br />
I want to taste the glory already.<br />
<br />
Please send healing vibes over to this silly Achilles.<br />
Also, if you can speed up time, that would be greatly appreciated.<br />
Aaaaand, of course, if you are interested in donating, you will be the coolest.</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-81132212457455274462014-02-26T13:24:00.002-06:002014-02-26T13:24:57.062-06:00Why I Run<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
It occurred to me today on my run</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that some people may not really know why I joined Team Hoyt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure, they may have heard about my brother passing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and known this race is in his honor,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I wanted to explain how it is so much more than that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I joined Team Hoyt in 2011 because I grew up with a brother with a disability. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was my every day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I certainly don't mean that in a bad way; in fact, just the opposite. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Growing up with a brother with a disability meant that I was given the advantage of learning that we all have our differences, our own special obstacles, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and regardless of what they are, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we all deserve kindness and respect.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/1385168_10100773855918720_527557022_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1385168_10100773855918720_527557022_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/1385168_10100773855918720_527557022_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People with disabilities have come a long way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is mostly thanks to the fight of so many of their family members. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My brother, for instance, escaped having to go to a special school. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His mind worked just fine, and so my parents fought for him to be in public school with us. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dick Hoyt and his wife were told to put Rick in an institution. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead of staring at four gray walls, he's now seen the world. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The point of me running this race,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and doing so right after having a baby,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is to spark attention.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But don't be confused in that I want the attention for myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I dont' want the attention on my brother passing either.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This attention is to hopefully direct you to the world of disability awareness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inclusion. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A world where these people feel accepted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This inclusion brings comfort, confidence and prosperity.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I saw this in my brother. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He grew up in a world where he was treated no differently by his family and peers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know this world is possible, and so I run to bring this possibility to other people's lives. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I run for Ryan; to celebrate his incredible existence.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/IMG_3934.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_3934.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/IMG_3934.jpg" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I run for the Hoyts; to celebrate their fight for disability awareness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/Team-Hoyt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Team-Hoyt.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/Team-Hoyt.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wish every day that I could visit these courageous people and be a part of that difference. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I am raising my own family, and so I leave it in the hands of the Hoyt Foundation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They work so hard to make sure that so many lives are touched and brightened. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You too can be a part of it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To make a donation to the Hoyt Foundation, please click <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-79893254478822641912014-02-19T12:43:00.001-06:002014-02-19T12:57:36.402-06:00Feeling Good<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of the greatest feelings in the world is the feeling of accomplishment. </div>
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I'm not sure what it is about this week, </div>
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but it has given me high hopes that this crazy path I chose to go down</div>
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is actually going to happen, and in good fashion.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When I was pregnant, the idea of juggling two kids, training and fundraising seemed doable.</div>
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Then I was all of a sudden juggling two kids, training and fundraising,</div>
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and I honestly felt that I wasn't going to be able to pull it off. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Dollars weren't coming in like they did the first time around. </div>
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People didn't seem as interested. </div>
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My body was out of shape.</div>
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My head was tired.</div>
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I was trying to work out an impossible schedule. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But somehow, and like most things generally do,</div>
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everything worked itself out. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I started training smarter and exercising my core instead of just my legs. </div>
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That turned two miles of slow jogging and walking </div>
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to running long distances in sub 10-minute miles. </div>
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This gave me a stronger body and a clearer mind,</div>
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and I believe that played a huge role in boosting my confidence in fundraising.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now I am hoping to organize a fabulous fundraiser with a local company here in Memphis.</div>
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My fingers are crossed, but with how great things have been going, </div>
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I imagine that everything is going to fall into place as it should. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today we enjoyed a beautiful run in 60 degree weather.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-4-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-4-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-4-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Special thanks to my sidekick girlfriend for keeping me entertained on the road.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I find myself in this great happy place,</div>
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I hope that my teammates and anyone reading this finds theirs. </div>
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Cheers, friends!</div>
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(And cheers to you, too, Ryan)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If you need help finding your happy place, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I think you can find it <b><a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-86133455247581098702014-02-13T12:28:00.004-06:002014-02-13T12:36:28.501-06:00Best Run Ever.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The best part about having a terrible run,</div>
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is that it's most likely followed by a fantastic one. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Today I woke up to the sun shining,</div>
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not a cloud in the sky, </div>
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35 degree weather,</div>
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and the ambition to take on my long run a little early. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I didn't want to compromise my Valentine's night. </div>
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I have a date with a bottle of wine and Congressman Underwood. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/house_of_cards2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo house_of_cards2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/house_of_cards2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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My husband will likely be around too. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't take long runs lightly. </div>
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I like to eat a good meal the night before. </div>
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I concentrate on hydration. </div>
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I ensure that I have food and drink for recovery. </div>
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I have my clothes laid out.</div>
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iPod charged.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Running purely on Cabernet Sauvignon is probably not a smart idea. </div>
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<br /></div>
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SO, today was the day. </div>
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It started off perfectly chilly,</div>
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and by mile 3 I was taking off my wind breaker. </div>
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By mile 5 off came the long-sleeve. </div>
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I was running in a tank top. </div>
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In February. </div>
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It SNOWED yesterday. </div>
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It was magical.</div>
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I even noticed that my arms were looking more like arms and not marshmallows.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Dozens of neighbors were out walking their dogs and pushing their babies.</div>
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Smiles and waves.</div>
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Even the mail people were happy and smiling. </div>
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I even got a little hoot from the lawn man.</div>
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Everyone was being so friendly. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I thought to myself, "This may be the best run there ever was!"</div>
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That's when I noticed that my nursing pads were sticking out of my top. </div>
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The word <b>embarrassment</b> doesn't even begin to cover how I felt. </div>
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No wonder everyone was so giddy. </div>
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Luckily enough, I remedied this issue before I ran into my husband's best friend.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But other than that small, weird hiccup,</div>
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I had a seriously beautiful run.</div>
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10 miles are in the bank for the day. </div>
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24 for the week. </div>
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Boston in 67 days!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-3-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-3-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-3-1.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-52056789272984908952014-02-10T13:16:00.002-06:002014-02-10T13:19:45.922-06:00A Bad Run<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Every runner knows that you have good running days and bad running days.</div>
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My long run this Saturday was a bad one. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm not sure what made it bad??</div>
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Perhaps the beef stew the night before was a little too hearty.</div>
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Maybe it was the blanket of snow that gave me a scare.</div>
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Or it could have just been that I didn't want to run because I didn't want to run.</div>
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<br /></div>
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All I know is that I did everything to back out. </div>
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I texted my Dad about the weather, hoping he would say to sit it out. </div>
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Instead he gave me a "You can do it!" text right back.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I messaged my northern teammates.</div>
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I have no clue why I expected sympathy from them. </div>
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About 80% of my team runs in mounds of snow daily. </div>
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One of them even posted sweat icicles hanging from his face after his run.</div>
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My most favorite teammate Jen rocked one hell of a shiner thanks to ice.</div>
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Another went to the ER to stitch up his forehead from his slippery run.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Part of being on an inspirational team includes plenty of inspiring teammates.</div>
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I got flooded with Yes You Can! messages. </div>
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And really, yes I could. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So off I went. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The beginning was tough. </div>
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I was probably being over cautious of the road conditions. </div>
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I mean, let's be honest, 1 inch of snow doesn't really wreak havoc. </div>
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But I was taking my time. Watching every step. </div>
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Convincing myself that every wet patch I saw was ice.</div>
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After about 4 miles, I felt a little more comfortable, and it was actually quite peaceful. </div>
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Well, until I realized that my loop wasn't long enough.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In retrospect, I think that changing my course half way through was a bad idea.</div>
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I'm a creature of habit. I like running loops. </div>
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I know where I'm at. I know how far I have left. </div>
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It gives me something to look forward to and thus, something to push for. </div>
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So when I thought I was at mile 8 of 13, and my GPS told me otherwise, I was pissed.</div>
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I had to improvise a couple miles, which threw me off balance mentally. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I never walked. I never stopped. </div>
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I finished, but absolutely, positively felt every dern mile of that run. </div>
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I was so tense that my neck hurt. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/1044345_10100916329909700_472331605_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1044345_10100916329909700_472331605_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/1044345_10100916329909700_472331605_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Post-run photo. Quite literally could not smile. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A terrible photo. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">And truth be told, I took like 15, and this was the best one.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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My recovery wasn't any better. </div>
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Maybe it was the leftover beef stew? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I really want to blame the stew.</span></div>
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Who knows, but I could hardly walk up the stairs afterwards. </div>
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To get down, I went step by step on my rear. </div>
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Getting into bed, you'd think I was a crotchety old man. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I did everything right. </div>
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I put the weekday runs in. </div>
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I went to boot camp. </div>
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I drank lots of water. Even electrolyte water.</div>
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It was just a bad run. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But as my Dad said in reply to my whining that this run was worse than birthing a baby, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Had to be done. It's 'good' pain."</div>
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<br /></div>
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The good news is that it's a new week! </div>
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and better yet, it's a recovery week.</div>
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This weekend, I only have to run 10 miles,</div>
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which mind-blowingly sounds like a breeze to me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
177 miles logged in so far.</div>
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283 more to go before the big 26.2.</div>
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11 weeks until I take on Boston!</div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-81416680064333862472014-01-31T10:45:00.000-06:002014-01-31T10:45:48.118-06:00What Team Hoyt Is All About<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Team Hoyt is not the simple math of Dick and Rick plus a few charity runners.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's so much more than that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's bringing disability awareness to life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's giving hope and spirit to those who need it most.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's about Rick Hoyt participating in thousands of races.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's about Ryan Shuck being the Mayor of Soho. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So when Kathy, Team Hoyt's office manager, sent us this incredible article,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew I had to share. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet Lucy, who will become the newest member of Team Hoyt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the age of 64, our friend knows nothing of her biological family.</div>
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She has developmental delays. She cannot speak.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But boy does she have heart. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She spent her first 30 years in an institution,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but now lives in Rehabilitative Resources, Inc., </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which is one source of where a generous amount of Hoyt Foundation dollars go to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She could be mad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She could be spiteful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But instead she is kind. She is hopeful. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She dedicates her time to others, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially sick children.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And her dream? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To run with Team Hoyt. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're making her dreams come true.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Lucy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This my team.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is why I run.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 33px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
Birthday gift to self: Pay it forward</h1>
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<b>SHARING IN SOUTHBRIDGE</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Picture" border="0" src="http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=WT&Date=20140131&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=301319826&Ref=AR&Profile=1116&MaxW=740" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><b>By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">SOUTHBRIDGE — No more than 4 feet tall, Lucille "Lucy" Lambert, through small gestures of kindness, celebrated her 64th birthday doing for others in what has become her hometown.<br /><br />Inside the house where she lives with her roommates are bright paintings adorned with positive sayings.<br /><br />And while some might pass them by without a second thought, the four roommates who have lived here together for almost a decade take the words seriously; their mottos seemingly "pay it forward" and "everyone can do something."<br /><br />Lucy has developmental delays, she doesn't speak but uses some sign language. Her walk is awkward and her diet limited by the cleft pallet she was born with. She is tiny, shopping in the children's department for clothing to fit her very petite frame. She spent most of the first 30 years of her life at Wrentham State Hospital, but she can't share any memories, good or bad, of her early days. She knows nothing of her biological family.<br /><br />When she turned 64 on Wednesday, she could have marked her birthday by going out with friends or relaxing at home, but true to the spirit of her "family," she got up and went out to do something for others.<br /><br />Rehabilitative Resources Inc. Assistant Program Manager Victoria Amaral accompanied Lucy on what turned into a busy day of giving. They stopped at the bank, where Lucy withdrew money from her savings account, and then they shopped for coloring books, which they took to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge so sick children might have something to occupy their time.<br /><br />Even though hospitals, especially the ones made of brick, frighten Lucy, she managed to gather her strength and go inside to present the gifts, Ms. Amaral said.<br /><br />Lucy not only loves children, she also loves animals, so during a stop at Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield she dropped off towels that are used for the cats and dogs.<br /><br />Program Manager Malerie Germain said Lucy is well known in Southbridge, where she frequents Dunkin' Donuts — dipping Munchkins in her beloved coffee.<br /><br />She stops in at a local deli where the soups are something she can easily eat. She attends services at Central Baptist Church and bakes for church functions.<br /><br />In honor of her birthday, Lucy also penned thank-you notes to the people who provide her with services such as bringing her mail and taking away the trash. She also sent a card to a church member who is sick.<br /><br />And there were plates of cookies for the police officer and firefighters along with coffee for her friends at Santander Bank.<br /><br />While the firefighters were out on a call, Lucy left the cookies, which they found and appreciated, a dispatcher said.<br /><br />"They were very good and they were really enjoyed," she said.<br /><br />Lucy shares the home, run by Rehabilitative Resources Inc., with two other women and one man.<br /><br />They take part in local activities, visit Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary and have art classes on Tuesday nights. Lucy especially enjoys entertaining and during the warmer months can usually be found sunning herself on the porch. She attends a day program during the week.<br /><br />She uses a Kindle set up with programs to help her cognitive abilities and rides an adapted tricycle to keep her knees in shape.<br /><br />Someday she hopes to get a tricycle she can use outside.<br /><br />Recently, Lucy took part in some road races and is hoping to join Team Hoyt where she could be paired with a runner who would push her in a specialized wheelchair and they'd work as a team.<br /><br />One of her roommates bakes dog treats for the shelter, and they are working on a plan to help local veterans.<br /><br />While the four have always done good deeds, they ramped up their efforts after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when folks were being asked to "pay it forward," in memory of those slain.<br /><br />After some brainstorming about ways Lucy could help others on her birthday, she and the staff decided on her day of giving. She didn't completely forgo a party, though.<br /><br />She celebrated with neighbors, some of the home's seven staff members and friends Tuesday night, Ms. Germain said.<br /><br />The reaction of those on the receiving end of Lucy's generosity were surprised and appreciative, Ms. Amaral said.<br /><br />"A little act of kindness goes a long way," Ms. Germain said.<br /><br /><em class="i">Contact Kim Ring at <a href="mailto:kring@telegram.com" style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none;">kring@telegram.com</a>. Follow her o</em></span></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-69594599830841673952014-01-29T14:27:00.000-06:002014-01-29T14:27:18.741-06:00Change of Plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Life is full of surprises. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some are good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some are bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some include not having a job after your maternity leave. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Say what?!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's true. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's complicated. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it happened.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is not a bad thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, what mother doesn't want to spend all day with her new baby, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is not a good thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Um, money ring a bell?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, it's a new twist in my life, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and hell if I'm not going to make lemonade out of lemons.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On second thought, let's make that a Lemon Drop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SO, one of the drawbacks to not returning to work is that I will have to complete nearly all of my training runs with my pint-sized sidekick. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But on the upside, I can now go to the 5:45pm Boot Camp class and not wake up at 4:30am for the 5:30 class.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On the subject of training with my sidekick, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm getting further into my training, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which means that the runs are getting longer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and she's not getting any lighter. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had someone comment to me the other day, "Isn't running with a stroller easier?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The short answer is "No."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My answer is "You see that hill over there? Here is my stroller with the 30 lb carseat strapped to it, and a 10 lb baby in it. Now, go run up that hill while keeping your body upright. Then try running back down that hill at a steady pace. Oh yeah, you should do that about 10 more times. Aaaand I'm pretty sure I forgot to pump the tires. Then you tell me."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Upside to stroller training? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My arms got pretty chubbytastic whilst pregnant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this will quickly eliminate that issue.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The days also seem to not be getting any warmer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, the problem used to be that it took longer to get the babe bundled up than the actual run took. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On what has become a "typical" 30-degree day,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my wardrobe includes running tights, long sleeve, windbreaker, scarf for breathing, two ear warmers, and gloves.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For my friend: footie flannel jammies, fleece baby bunting, hat, and four blankets strategically placed in stroller so that no wind touches skin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-1-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-1-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-1-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-2-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-2-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-2-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that runs are getting longer, the time isn't much of a concern. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HOWEVER, you have a newborn baby possibly exposed to the cold longer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is where this bad boy came into play:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has just occurred to me that I likely look like a homeless person with all that plastic,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but at least my little friend is warm and unscathed from the frosty elements.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So you see, there are some changes... but last I checked, change is good. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Change is also challenging, and boy do I enjoy a challenge. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So much so that I ran my 6-miler today in record stroller-pushing time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nice try, world. Nothing's going to hold me back. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BOSTON IN 82 DAYS!</div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-34772566421626983312014-01-23T09:48:00.001-06:002014-01-23T09:55:52.192-06:00Ryan's Eulogy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today, just over 8 months later, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we will finally be laying Ryan to rest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was extremely humbled to be the one to give the eulogy at his funeral, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and while it was tough to write and ever harder to read,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it still gives me comfort to re-read it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lot of people who couldn't be at the funeral asked for me to share it, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I thought today to be the appropriate day to do just that. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>When something unexpected like this happens, I imagine most
people think of the should-a, could-a, would’as. And I no doubt found myself
doing the same thing when I found out about Ryan. </em></span></div>
<em><br /></em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>‘I should not have pestered him on the way to school in the mornings.‘</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>‘I could have been more supportive of his beliefs.’</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>‘I should have never said anything about how he finished
only half of his beverages every time.’</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>But the fact of the matter is that I was his sister, and he
was my brother. We pinched and hit. He chased me with spit bubbles, and I made
fun of him when he used to wear four watches on one arm. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know anything was
different with Ryan until I was much older. It’s the reason that when I started
crawling, I chose to do so with one arm and one leg. It’s the reason that I
challenged him to WWF wrestling matches. We didn’t treat him as a little boy
who was wounded in an accident at a young age. He was just our brother, and our
family didn’t see him any differently that. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>When we rode bikes to school, he scooted right beside us.
When us girls were cheerleading, he kept the team stats. We tortured him by
making him wear makeup, and he always hid the chocolate donuts from us in the
kitchen cabinets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all packed in the
car like Griswald’s and traveled from sea to sea. He was just one of the Shuck
kids.</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>It wasn’t until his high school graduation that I realized
just how special Ryan was. Those ceremonies are dreadful for any kid, but when
his name was called, the thousands of people that were in the ceremony hall all
stood in one swoop to honor him in a standing ovation. I was overwhelmed. I had
been in the presence of someone so truly spectacular my whole life. How did I
miss this? So I started to pay more attention. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Ryan’s strength is something that I
don’t think any of us will ever know. We can all lift weights, and run and
dance, but his feats were beyond anything we could fathom. </em></span><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>He not only learned to play video games with one hand, but
he was the best. No one could beat him. He even learned to play with the
Nintendo play pad, which sometimes required both hands and feet. And he still
somehow managed to beat our scores.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>With a few minor additions to a vehicle, he learned to
drive. He even coordinated his own carpool, taking me and my friends to school
every day. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>He stunned us all when he said he wanted to live at the
college dorms at University of Tampa. He was the only one of us kids who didn’t
find his way back to my parents’ house after college. He went on to rent, and
then to own his own condo. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>From there,
our shy brother somehow became the Mayor of Soho. He was so active and so proud
of his community. Every time I was in town to visit, he would take me on a walk
to his favorite spots. On our journey, everyone, and I mean everyone, would
shout, “Hey Ryan!” And I would ask, “Who was that?” and after he cackled his
most contagious laugh, he would reply, “I have no idea.”</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>We seemed to rotate Daily Eats and The Deck – both places I
swear he single-handedly kept in business. Once we had loaded up on burgers, fries
or pizza (Ryan’s Holy trinity of food), we would head over to MacDinton’s, The
Dubliner, or SoHo Tavern, where he would famously only drink half of his Coors Light
before opening a fresh one. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>During Happy Hour, he’d also defeat the system by visiting
every beer station and hiding all of the beer bottles in his scooter basket. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He truly
had no fear. His fearlessness gave him the strength to voice his opinions,
something he probably didn’t have much of growing up in a house with mostly
women. His rants and comments were bold, and often very publicly voiced on Facebook. And when
we’d say something to him about it, he would just shrug and cackle. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His views
were a most admirable quality about him. He saw life in a different way than
all of us, and my most favorite memory of Ryan will forever be how he was able
to capture that on camera. He saw beyond a person, place or thing. He saw
beauty and emotion, and was able to portray that with one photograph. Perhaps
that was the best part of not being able to move quickly. He was able to truly
sit back and enjoy the show. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And enjoy
he did. Ryan was rarely seen without a smile on his face. It was infectious,
and this is why I assume is he was so popular in his community. He challenged
people to realize that having differences didn’t mean being so different. That
challenges are only what you make of them. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>I don’t think he had any idea of
the effect on people. It is positively the reason that I grew up and didn’t
feel the need to judge anyone. The reason that I have friends of all shapes,
sizes and colors. The reason that my children will grow up to be the same way.
The reason my son from the moment he was mobile, would crawl and jump onto
Ryan’s lap. He didn’t see a disability of any kind; he saw a loving uncle, who
just had some sweet wheels and a horn.</em></span><br />
<em>
</em><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>That mindset alone brought on a
huge shock to Ryan when I did the run for him last year. He gave me his
blessing to publicize his life story to the world. And truthfully, I don’t
think he was prepared for the overwhelming response that came our way. In the
beginning he felt pitied, and he went months without speaking to me. But I knew
I had to continue on because no one pitied him in the least; that race and that
fundraiser was about overcoming obstacles, and Ryan was the king of them all. I
may have run the miles, but it was he who lapped me several times over in the
marathon of life. </em></span><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Team Hoyt’s slogan is “Yes You Can,” but Ryan’s is “Yes He
Did.”</em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>And that’s how we should leave today. Ryan’s life was
incredibly short, but not one moment went by that wasn’t fulfilled. What takes
some of us a lifetime to achieve, he was able to do in 31 years – and that
should be celebrated. He taught us all so much in that short time, and now it
is our duty to keep his spirit alive. We must be strong and never second guess
our strength. We must be kind and put differences aside so that we may learn
from one another. We should act spontaneously and go places we never thought we
could go. We should never give up and always continue to challenge ourselves. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>We should wipe away our tears because Ryan would think that
this was lame. I’m sure we’re all getting a few grunts right now from wherever he is.
And lastly, we should drink copious amount of Coors Light, but immediately toss
when the Rockie’s lose their blue. </em></span></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Thank you all for coming. Your love, support and friendship
to Ryan will always mean the world to us. </em></span><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck006/RyanPhoto.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo RyanPhoto.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck006/RyanPhoto.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">Donate to the Hoyt Foundation</a></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-47624670939728564872014-01-06T09:17:00.003-06:002014-01-06T09:17:52.490-06:00New Training Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you know what temperature it was at 5:15 this morning?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was cold. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously cold. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At 5:15 this morning I was out the door to make in time for my first day back at boot camp.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you're wondering, "Does Kellyn have a black eye?" The answer is "No. That is the kiss of parenthood,")</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know some of you up north think that that's warm at this point. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But that is cold as a mother in Memphis. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway, this is all part of my new training plan. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After a lot of thought, I reached out to Sgt. Tony about coming back to his boot camp class. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My run training has been going well, but I don't want to push my luck.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every good runner knows that good running doesn't come from running alone. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cross training is essential to safe running, improving time, and in my case, bouncing back from having a baby and running a marathon 5 months after. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few days of strength and core training mixed with a few running days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No brainer, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, that's where the five year old and newborn come into the mix. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was not going to be easy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At. All.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I actually was supposed to go last Friday, but honest to god, could not get out of bed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here goes my Boot Camp morning schedule:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4:30am - Wake newborn and nurse</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5am - Put newborn in bed with Husband and hope she continues to sleep. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Get dressed. Start car - it's cold outside.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5:15am - Hop in car and drive to Boot Camp</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5:30am - Boot Camp starts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6:30am - Boot Camp ends. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6:38am - Get home. Pump milk. Drink water like it's going out of style</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7am - Grab baby out of bed so husband can get a little bit more sleep. Wake 5 year old. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7:15am - Serve breakfast to toddler. Hop in shower.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7:30am - Get dressed. Cover up eye bags and apply makeup.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7:45am - Eat my own breakfast while making lunches. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8am - Nurse newborn again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8:15 - Bark at 5 year old to brush teeth, feed fish, grab stuff for school.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8:25 - Out the door for school.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is 4 hours of non-stop business. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And some people will not have opened one eye. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But that's simply what it's going to take to get this done, and done well. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So no, it won't be easy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Early rising. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rushing here and there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Doing jumping jacks with nursing tatas. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Seriously, the most miserable thing I've ever done.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not lounging with my kid in the morning. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But it's going to be worth the hassle when I cross the finish line on Boyslton St. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It will be worth people learning more about people with disabilities.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It will be worth helping those people with disabilities. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wouldn't be doing this at all without the incentive of this great team and their message. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not joking. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean, I enjoy running and working out, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I also enjoy lounging on my couch cuddled with my kids and drinking coffee.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This team. This race. This cause.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They really do mean the world to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Knowing that this is making my brother happy wherever he is. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's the icing on the cake. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may be crazy, but I'm making a difference. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To donate to the Hoyt Foundation: <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">Click Here</a></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-89999535780573403232013-12-30T11:00:00.004-06:002013-12-30T13:28:55.489-06:00Goodbye, 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
You know how people can recall any year when referring to a certain situation?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like, remember when Lucy broke her arm? It was 1974, and I got my first car....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or, It was 1967 and we took our first vacation to the Grand Canyon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
???</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not me. It's impressive that I remember the year of my birth. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think that it's because my mind doesn't see things in black and white. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More like colors and shapes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of that changed in 2013. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I experienced with my brother's passing was very black and white. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The phone call. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The conversation with my dad. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The flight home. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The wake. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The funeral. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It plays through my mind like a broken record, which surprisingly hasn't stopped playing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dont' get my wrong. There were incredible moments in 2013, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was awarded Top 40 Under 40 in Memphis. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ran like a champ 7 months into my pregnancy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I birthed a baby the exact way that I wanted to. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I watched my toddler bloom into an incredibly imaginative boy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of these are noteworthy, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but chances are I won't remember that they happened in 2013. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(And don't think that my child's birth counts - I mix up Gray's birth year AND day all the time. Not kidding.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My personality is fueled with optimism, and I know it will get it back. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2014 is going to be my year. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A year dedicated to the betterment of the lives around me, which will in turn better my own. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2014 will be a year of dedication.</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure how or why I haven't been able to fundraise quite like I did two years ago, but I will dedicate myself to finding the remedy. Disability awareness is so important to me, and I'll see to it that people become aware and join me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2014 will be a year of motivation. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't think of any more motivating event than that of training for a marathon. The amount of people who have called my running an inspiration to begin themselves is overwhelming. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love it and hope I can reach more people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2014 will be a year of loving. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is there anything more contagious?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2014 will be a year of celebrating my brother's life, and not mourning it. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each mile I run will absolutely involve thinking about him and the life he lived. But from now on, the focus will be how I can take the lessons I learned from him on strength and persistence and pass them onto others. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes, 2014 will be a good year. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/299242_234610449926357_320955017_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 299242_234610449926357_320955017_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/299242_234610449926357_320955017_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">Click Here to Donate!</a></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I promise it will make you feel like a million bucks.)</div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-63773530511935365552013-12-15T11:28:00.000-06:002013-12-15T11:31:03.525-06:00Training With A Newborn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Training with a newborn has been... um... challenging.<br />
<br />
Just like doing anything with an infant, there are times where I feel like a super woman.<br />
<br />
Like when my child is super awesome during an adult event and everyone is all "Wow, you have such a good baby!" and I'm like, "Yeah, it's because I totally know what I'm doing and could write a book."<br />
<br />
And then there's moments where I feel like a totally incompetent loser of a mom.<br />
<br />
Like when we're leaving said adult event and my infant is screaming unconsolably while we have to walk by what seems like thousands of people to get to the car. And meanwhile your other kid wets his pants and you need to find a bathroom without him seeing that Santa is seriously right. next. to. the. bathroom. And then you realize that your infant has lost her socks, and it's 30 degrees, and the blanket you had to bring because it's the cutest just doesn't cover as much as it should.<br />
<br />
Those moments I'm like, "Yeah, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing."<br />
<br />
(<b>pop</b>.... that was me opening a bottle of wine.)<br />
<br />
My training has been similar to this.<br />
<br />
There have been ups, like when I was only 5-weeks postpartum and did 5 miles at a 13-minute pace in "feels like" 8 degree icy weather. I felt like a champion.<br />
<br />
Then there are moments when you're supposed to be speed walking 3 miles and this happens:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-3.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And then you find yourself pulling over and nervously nursing your baby in front of a total strangers house on their sidewalk. And your Run Keeper is still talking you, "Average Pace: 15 minutes...." "Average Pace: 18 minutes..." "Average Pace: 20 minutes."<br />
<br />
And while I really want to scream at my phone and the talking exercise app and kick said neighbors garbage can, I knew that wouldn't do any good.<br />
<br />
Because just like parenting, sometimes you just need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and re-evaluate. So, we made lemonade out of lemons:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-5.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Cuteness alert:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And our next training walks were a success:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo unnamed-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/unnamed-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
My Run Keeper now congratulates me on my daily PRs.<br />
<br />
So, yes, just as everyone and their mother warned me about when I said I was going to train for a marathon just weeks after having a baby, training with a newborn is challenging. It's hard. But as my husband reminds me frequently, I knew it wasn't going to be easy.<br />
<br />
And really, I don't do anything that is convenient or easy, which is why I found myself at that adult party half naked nursing my child on a balcony because I had to wear a tight dress that zipped up the back. It was far cuter than the dresses that buttoned down the front.<br />
<br />
But it's all good, because how else would I learn new things?<br />
<br />
The next challenge on the list: speeding up and teaching my body to totally run again. I only have four months to figure it out... oh yeah, and raise $4,025. I can handle the milage, but your donation would be incredibly appreciated! Click <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">HERE</a> to donate to my crowdrise page!<br />
<br />
Boston Marathon Countdown: 127 days. </div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-70583147270169392722013-11-25T10:45:00.001-06:002013-11-25T10:45:55.561-06:00It's Go Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The fundraising page is up,<br />
the training plans have been drafted,<br />
the baby has been birthed...<br />
and now it's time to get serious.<br />
<br />
It took me a second to get things together for several reasons:<br />
<br />
<b>I was exhausted after the Running4Ryan 5k,</b> and not from walking 3.1 miles. After Ryan passed and it was discussed that the race would be just months after, I thought it would be a great way to process everything. It certainly made for positive thinking; however, once the event was over, it became even more of a reality that my brother and friend was gone.<br />
<br />
I'm still trying to figure out what happened, why it happened, and how on earth one goes on making peace with a situation like this. I thank everyone for your participation in the event, and please excuse my absence in showing my thankfulness. All the Shucks truly appreciate it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/1236058_10151893162402094_1011402172_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1236058_10151893162402094_1011402172_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/1236058_10151893162402094_1011402172_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/547277_10151909679997094_416719247_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 547277_10151909679997094_416719247_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/547277_10151909679997094_416719247_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/Running%20for%20Ryan/1176154_10151806645213911_1799630788_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1176154_10151806645213911_1799630788_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/Running%20for%20Ryan/1176154_10151806645213911_1799630788_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>I was pregnant.</b> Maybe it was working 50+ hours a week, or maybe it was truly pregnancy brain, but the last few months of my pregnancy were like I was living on another planet. I couldn't remember anything. I could hardly keep up with meals for my family, let alone setting up a fundraising page and actively trying to raise dollars and spread awareness.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck003/1377124_10100758629168250_597822674_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1377124_10100758629168250_597822674_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck003/1377124_10100758629168250_597822674_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>I was birthing a baby. </b>Nellie Ruth knew that I would likely need those extra three weeks of training, and surprised us on November 4th. She was quick and relativiely painless, and I thank her for being ahead of schedule. (<span style="font-size: x-small;">She gets that from me.) </span>I also promised myself that I would dedicate a few weeks after her arrival to only her and no Team Hoyt or Running for Ryan. We have had a lovely few weeks of snuggles and obsessing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck004/1461128_10100791848536370_407092817_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1461128_10100791848536370_407092817_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck004/1461128_10100791848536370_407092817_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck004/1454910_10100797252112560_506548134_n.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 1454910_10100797252112560_506548134_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck004/1454910_10100797252112560_506548134_n.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
But now I'm back and ready to blow my teammates out of the water in the fundraising department. I got second place last time and was honored. But let's be honest, who wants second when there's first?<br />
<br />
This year is going to be different for several reasons:<br />
<br />
<b>I am not training quite as long</b>, and apparently running after birth is like completely starting over again. I have started training, in that I am officially removing myself from the couch for an hour a day and walking. I am not in the business of injuring myself, so baby steps will be taken, and taken seriously. I will start running again when I feel that I can. If this means I walk from the 26.2 from Hopkington to Bolyston, so be it.<br />
<br />
<b>I will not be making aprons for personal fundraising.</b> I have no clue where the energy came from to make and send 175 aprons two years ago while training, fundraising and working 40 hour weeks. Luckily for The Gowens, we are now both employed and can afford the trip this year. However, I may be making a few things to sell for the foundation. Stay tuned...<br />
<br />
<b>This year will be incredibly emotional for me. </b>Not that it wasn't before - if you remember, quite a few of my runs involved me practicing breathing through sobs. Running is powerful, and running for an inspirational team is extra powerful, but running for an inspirational team with a deceased brother on my mind is bound to stir up some serious emotions. Not to mention that I'll likely be sleep deprived.<br />
<br />
Here's what's <i>not</i> going to change:<br />
<br />
I am going to fundraise like crazy for something that I absolutely believe in.<br />
<br />
So many of you have already helped so much by either making a donation to Shriners in lieu of flowers for Ryan's funeral, making the trip to support our family, participating in some capacity for the Running for Ryan 5k, or simply sending thoughts and prayers.<br />
<br />
Trust me when I say that I am so appreciative.<br />
<br />
If you wish to extend your charity, <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/TH2014BM/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">click this link. </a><br />
All of these funds will go to the Hoyt Foundation and will additionally put me in the running for first place trophy...<br />
both of which are awesome.<br />
<br />
Let's do it for Ryan.<br />
Let's do it for the Hoyts.<br />
Together we can truly make a difference. </div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-44711750350278766052013-10-21T14:02:00.000-05:002013-10-21T14:02:38.237-05:006 Months To Go... And Still Pregnant.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The 118th Boston Marathon is in exactly 6 months. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's 181 days. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My current training plan includes the following:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Leg Lifts</b> - I occasionally lift my legs from the floor onto a pillow onto my coffee table.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Scissor Kicks </b>- I must perform said move to get out of bed, off the couch, out of a chair, etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sprints</b> - Every 45 minutes I move very quickly to the ladies room.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Runs at Midnight</b> - or rather, midnight runs to my pantry for mini powdered donuts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Squats</b> - Any sitting requires a low seat with knees facing outward. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a tough workout, and it involves a lot of grunting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a relatively small person carrying around a 30-pound melon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not that I'm some sort of special case, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but this is a lot of harder than it looks:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck002/download1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo download1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck002/download1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So my training is not exactly Hal Higdon approved, but I'm 9 months pregnant. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a dream of running up until the day I delivered, but that ship has sailed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I felt bad about it for about 2 seconds. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which brings me to a few frequently asked questions:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Q: Are you seriously running the Boston Marathon this year?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A: Yes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Q: (more like statement): But, you're pregnant.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A: Interesting fact; pregnancy is not a permanent condition. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Q: Won't you have a newborn baby?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A: Yes. I'll likely strap said child to my back during training runs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(silence)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just kidding - I have a jogging stroller with awesome new fabric and a weather cover. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Q: Are you going to have enough time to train?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A: Um, I have no idea. I hope so. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Q: But aren't you worried about your uterus exploding?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A: Not really. I feel I have a strong uterus. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Q: Don't newborn babies take up a lot of time?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A: Yes. So do husbands, four-year-olds, jobs... We'll be busy. Are you not busy?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope this clears up a lot of confusion. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bottom line: I have no idea how this will turn out. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My goals include:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birth baby</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Begin walking soon after birthing baby</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eventually begin jogging</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At some point begin running</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Feel comfortable enough to start training</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run Boston Marathon. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That may or may not happen as planned. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I'm totally OK with that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few things to keep in mind:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I really like lists these days, as I have severe pregnancy brain and it's the only way I communicate)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not addicted to running like most runners. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have run this race before.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am running this race for my brother, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so if I have to walk it and finish well past the time that they actually close down the course, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be completely satisfied with that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my race, and I'm really excited about it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm also really excited to have this baby,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and finding a way to balance the two, plus a husband and four-year-old,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well, it's just going to have to be Team Gowen's newest challenge. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're tough people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks again to everyone for their support the past 5 months. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is going to be one hell of an emotional roller coaster for me personally,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but per usual, I'm ready to take on what I feel will be another great learning experience. </div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-27322201705580250582013-08-07T14:11:00.001-05:002013-08-07T14:13:11.820-05:00Running for Ryan 5k<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
What do you get when you mix together a restaurant manager, bartender, lawyer, web designer, and a dad?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently a whole flipping non-profit organization and a 5k race. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Ryan Shuck Foundation and Running 4 Ryan 5k came together nicely,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it wasn't without total dedication and determination from a great group of people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I met Eddie Kabbage at the SoHo Tavern on the night of Ryan's wake.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was working down the street and took time from his break to come over and speak with me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was short. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was beyond sweet. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It ended with me telling my parents that there was to be a 5k in Ryan's name. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A whole 5k? By September? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do these people know what they're getting themselves into?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are they really serious?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did you say by September?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These were all questions that were immediately discussed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And fortunately for us, they were immediately answered. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like, days later.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
YES.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A big fat, undeniable YES.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Members of Ryan's community.</div>
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Friends from the neighborhood.</div>
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Bartenders from his favorite watering holes.</div>
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Sisters.</div>
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Parents.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We were all on board this crazy train. </div>
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It meant too much to all of us to let a moment like it pass us by. </div>
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We were all hurt by Ryan's loss, </div>
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and it seriously stung to get planning so quickly,</div>
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but we knew how turning it into something positive would have longer, more positive effects than grief.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And now it's here. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Countless hours have been spent fine-tuning what we believe will be a fun, honorable day for Ryan. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are the main points:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>If you live here in town, you can register <a href="http://www.theryanshuckfoundation.org/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trust me, you do not have to be a runner to participate in a 5k. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, I will be waddling a butterball of a baby whilst pushing the 45-lb sand bag that is my four-year-old, so you really have no excuse.</div>
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It's 3.1 miles. Which is essentially like walking both stories of the International Plaza twice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Seriously, I just Googled that.)</div>
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Run. Race. Walk. Skip. Shuffle. </div>
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There's bound to be a lot of people willing to make the trot with you.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>OK, so you're registered. Now what?</b></div>
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Get a team together. Family. Friends. Co-workers. The guy/gal you needed an excuse to talk to.</div>
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What harm can come from literally walking in the park for a good cause? </div>
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Not to mention that there is a free buffet and Coors Light at MacDinton's afterwards.</div>
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Teams have no limit to the number of persons, and the goal is to raise as much money as you can.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>OK, OK, you live in town, but 5ks aren't your thing.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I respect that. Running, let alone in September, isn't for everyone. </div>
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But we need <a href="http://www.theryanshuckfoundation.org/volunteer" target="_blank">volunteers</a>! </div>
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Photographers. Hydration Station. Cheerleaders. Race Goodie Bag Stuffers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is a lot of opportunity to pitch in.</div>
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That's how this all came together, after all. Teamwork.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>You will not be town, but wish you could be here.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No sweat. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Literally.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, you can totally participate by way of <a href="http://www.theryanshuckfoundation.org/sponsorship" target="_blank">sponsorship </a>or donation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sponsorships are pretty pricey, but most definitely have their perks for your business.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Donations are so important, no matter the size. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I raised money for the Boston Marathon, I was equally as pumped to see $10 as I was $1,000.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fundraising, every penny really does count.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Donations can be mailed in to the foundation - click <a href="http://www.theryanshuckfoundation.org/contact-us" target="_blank">here </a>for that address.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Dalai Lama says that if you think positively going into something,</div>
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that there's no way to finish it without finding some level of satisfaction and success.</div>
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And who could argue with this face?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/KellynShuck001/images.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo images.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/KellynShuck001/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So think about how you can contribute.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run. Walk. Stroll.</div>
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Skip Starbucks for a few days and throw down a Jackson.</div>
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Hand water out to thirsty runners on a hot September day in Florida.</div>
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Talk to your boss about sponsorship.</div>
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Lead a team that will walk away with a trophy on race day.</div>
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Pop out your fold-out chair in Al Lopez Park and cheer on the runners on race day.</div>
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Share details on Facebook or whatever media outlet you fancy.</div>
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Join us at MacDinton's to toast SoHo's incredibly missed Mayor.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The hardest step is the first, people.</span></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-88063191082331900562013-08-01T13:10:00.003-05:002013-08-02T12:14:30.927-05:00Running for Ryan Returns <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Prelude:</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>I promise this to be the last post that reflects sad emotions; however, some things just have to be said.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Writing this blog post has been a most dreaded, yet highly anticipated task for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The past two months have filled my life with more confusion and feelings unknown, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that I was actually looking forward to writing them down to help myself understand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ryan passed away unexpectedly on May 12th. Mother's Day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What's strange is that the day itself seems so distant, so fuzzy, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">except the moment that evening I found out the news.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's all extremely clear, and it's painful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe it's due to movies and television, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or perhaps because I am one to love drama,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but I've actually pictured how I would react to the news of a death.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And it was nothing like I'd pictured. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's actually not at all how I imagined.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In fact, I remember telling my husband that night how badly I wanted it all to be over. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As if after the funeral it would all just disappear and I could carry on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But that was not the case at all. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Instead, I think about it every day. It's even inescapable in dreams. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And if there is a moment in which I find myself carrying on, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I find myself in a pool of guilt. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Which I realize is just as acceptable a feeling as it is ridiculous.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There was one moment when I was driving home from a particularly hard day at work. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Windows were down. Music was up. I was breathing sighs of relief.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that alone had me questioning how I could possibly enjoy a moment like that.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or the moment I was on a boat on Lake Michigan watching fireworks,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and couldn't help but feel completely saddened that I got to see something so spectacular.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure these feelings will come and go for months. Years. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure every scooter that passes me on the street will make me stop and look again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure I'll still get upset when someone complains about turning another year older </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when they should really be grateful. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure every time my son asks when Uncle Ryan is coming back down from the clouds</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it will completely break my heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm absolutely sure that I will never forget who my brother was and what he meant to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm not positive what I believe as far as where Ryan is now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But I do believe that in some way or another, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we are still connected. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whether he is perched on a cloud and looking down on us,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or reincarnated into some other body,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or perhaps some energy in the atmosphere,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I feel certain that he approves of me taking his passing as a lesson in my life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A gift that teaches me and those around me to appreciate what we have here on earth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To not complain. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To take care of our bodies and minds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To be kind and help others.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To take advantage of every single breath we are given.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See the world. Feel loved. Experience life fully. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To not "live every day like it's your last,"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but rather, just live every day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ryan's passing will always be painful and confusing to me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Really, I was always confused as to why he had to struggle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I remember telling my grandma when I was young that I wanted to switch lives with Ryan. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And her reply didn't come back to me until the day of Ryan's funeral.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She said,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>"Kellyn, that is a nice thought, but you don't want that. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>You were meant to be you. And Ryan was meant to be Ryan. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>You both are special in your own ways."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She was right. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We both were meant to impact the world differently.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ryan was Ryan. And he's absolutely irreplaceable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And in light of the song playing,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">perhaps he was a King, and I'm a Lionheart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He left behind a strong message, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and I'll see to it that that message is heard.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Luckily, I'm not alone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ryan's friends and half of SoHo approached my family right after Ryan's passing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Together we formed The Ryan Shuck Foundation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A foundation in which we will actively honor and pay respect to Ryan's life,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and in doing that, help those who share similar struggles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You see, I think Ryan left this life and went onto the next because he was ready. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He had experienced what takes most people nearly a century to do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He understood his struggles. He understood himself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He also understood that you live this life only once, and he lived it well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">His favorite song in high school was Bon Jovi's "It's My Life."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He would pull into the garage, park for (I'm not kidding) an hour,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and listen to it on repeat. Seriously, over and over.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It drove me and Nikki crazy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In fact, it was the first laugh we shared when I got to Tampa for Ryan's funeral.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, the lyrics read:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It's my life. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It's now or never. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I ain't gonna live forever.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>I just want live while I'm alive.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>It's my life.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe Ryan knew that he wasn't going to live to be 85.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Regardless, he understood and embraced the life he had been given.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Ryan Shuck Foundation will be for those who aren't as fortunate as Ryan.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For people with physical disabilities who need help finding the spirit that Ryan possessed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To embrace life and live it fully.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To feel confident in thriving in the world.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Running for Ryan is still very much alive,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and I cannot express how proud that makes me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ryan had quite an impact while on earth, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">but to know he will continue to shake the planet makes me speechless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(well, clearly not all that speechless.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>September 8th will be the first annual </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Running for Ryan 5k in Tampa, FL.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year's proceeds will go to the Hoyt Foundation, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of which Ryan and I felt very connected to. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 5k website will be up this week to register, but here's the jist of it:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1) Register to run </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2) Gather other registrants and create a team</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3) Find sponsors and gather donations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4) Run race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5) Get a super prize for fundraising the most cheddar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6) Drinks buckets of Coors Light at MacDinton's afterwards</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And we thought that we wouldn't see Ryan again... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/user/KellynShuck/media/NEW%204/ry.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ry.jpg" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/ry.jpg" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-77800679963343620642012-04-18T14:54:00.000-05:002012-04-18T14:54:58.492-05:00Running the Boston Marathon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">It wasn't until I was on the plane ride home with my sleeping child in the seat next to me</div><div style="text-align: center;">that I finally got the chance to think about the weekend that I was departing from.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The 50 new faces who shared their gut-wrenchingly heartfelt stories</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the immediate connection I made with each of them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The way my heart hiccuped when I noticed that Rick Hoyt had slipped into the room</div><div style="text-align: center;">and knowing that I was about to meet my hero.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The moment I was swept up by 3-time Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig</div><div style="text-align: center;">and knowing how lucky I was to not only have her as a coach, but as a friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And finally, hearing my brother tell me the night before my race that he was proud of me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wept like a child.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But perhaps the most exciting part of it all,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and what should come as no surprise at all,</div><div style="text-align: center;">was the 26.2 from Hopkington to Boston.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In what would be revealed as record-setting heat,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the hottest city in America on that day,</div><div style="text-align: center;">on one of the most challenging courses in the world:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Team Hoyt lined up to make our victory lap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweat. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Good god, lots of sweat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tears. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In my case, uncontrollable sobs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pain. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A jammed toe, two funky knees and cramps.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dizziness. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hydration took on a new definition.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nausea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Flooding your body with water, gatorade and Gu mixed in with 90-degree weather = gross.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fear.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Watching people fall to the ground, rushed by ambulance and unconscious is frightful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Question.</div><div style="text-align: center;">About 4,000 registered runners deferred this year's race.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But never ever once did I think about quitting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the day I dreamt about for 6 months straight.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The moment I had been waiting for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was my victory lap</div><div style="text-align: center;">to celebrate the $10,275 I raised for the Hoyt Foundation,</div><div style="text-align: center;">to remember the 175 aprons I made to pay for my hotel room and plane tickets,</div><div style="text-align: center;">to honor my brother on the 29th anniversary of his accident,</div><div style="text-align: center;">to make my family and friends proud,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and to fulfill my heart to an extent that I didn't know was possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next to childbirth, this was the most difficult and painful thing I've ever endured,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and yet, so incredibly enjoyable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first 13 miles were hard. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I had my running partner, Jenny, with me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We pushed each other, reminded each other to hydrate.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I checked on her torn glutes, and she made sure my knees were holding up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But high noon hits hard when on shadeless asphalt,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and running turned to jogging, </div><div style="text-align: center;">jogging turned to awkward fast-steps,</div><div style="text-align: center;">fast-steps turned to walking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had our occasional burst of wind.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Teddy Bruschi.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Boston College.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Running into teammates.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But nothing would give us as much determination </div><div style="text-align: center;">as when we actually found Dick and Rick on the course. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Although slowed down to a walking pace,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they were in an extreme mindset. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We followed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then more teammates found us and joined.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before we knew it, there was a strong group of 10 of us,</div><div style="text-align: center;">giving Dick and Rick their much deserved space,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but backing them up like an army.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For 6 miles, we walked (in my case limped)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and watched as our heroes marched on to their 30th Boston finish.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But they weren't just our heroes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the entire crowd was moved, </div><div style="text-align: center;">or oftentimes were waiting just to see them pass.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew how much they meant to me, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but didn't entirely comprehend how much they meant to the community until that hike.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These two are what the Boston Marathon stands for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Determination. Perseverance. Inspiration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We made all made our final hike up to Boylston,</div><div style="text-align: center;">most of us at that point plagued with cramps, exhaustion and pain,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then something amazing happened.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The other runners parted, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and without a soul 100 yards in front of behind of us,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we all flew down Boylston to the finish. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Together as Team Hoyt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=523820_3802446739244_1219612592_3743316_1140452479_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/523820_3802446739244_1219612592_3743316_1140452479_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The crowds went wild. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I crossed the finish line with Dick and Rick Hoyt on their 30th Boston Marathon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a moment that I will never forget and will cherish forever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Running the Boston Marathon with Team Hoyt was not a chapter in my life,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was a stepping stone to a new life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will run in my Team singlet in every race I run.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This will be my last blog post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until October 2012...when I start training for Boston 2013 as a Team Hoyt entrant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The weekend in pictures:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-12133951.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-12133951.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5259.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5259.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5260.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5260.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5261.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5261.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5262.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5262.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5268.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5268.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5270.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5270.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5271.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5271.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5284.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5284.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5291.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5291.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5292.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5292.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5295.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5295.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5299.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5299.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5331.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5331.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5335.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5335.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16050958-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16050958-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16052620-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16052620-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16052744-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16052744-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16071641-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16071641-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16074250-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16074250-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16075112-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16075112-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16075307-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16075307-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16102214-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16102214-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=2012-04-16102231-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/2012-04-16102231-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5354.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5354.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5354.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5354.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5355.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5355.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5359.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5359.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/?action=view&current=IMG_5361.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/NEW%204/IMG_5361.jpg" /></a></div></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-10799471558981782742012-04-11T16:51:00.000-05:002012-04-11T16:51:36.401-05:00Meet the "Mayor" of SoHo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">In some very recent and exciting news,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan was featured in his neighborhood's newspaper,</div><div style="text-align: center;">South Tampa Community News.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After practically begging the world of Facebook to scan me a copy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally got my Dad to snag one while in the 'hood today</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I just read it for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so very proud of this article. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan is a big staple in his community,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I couldn't have been more pleased with the community's appreciation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The publisher of this paper was Bill Sharpe, </div><div style="text-align: center;">also known as SoHo Bill.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I say <i>was</i> because Bill died very tragically the day this article was released.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bill was a great friend of Ryan's,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he told me how much he loved Ryan as a friend when I spoke to him just 3 months ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to take a minute of this post to tell you all of this</div><div style="text-align: center;">because Bill Sharpe is also responible for giving the homeless of Tampa employment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please pick up a copy of Tampa Epoch when you see it on the side of the road.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll not only be helping the homeless earn an honest living,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but also honoring someone who gave character and devotion to the city. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Bill, for being such a good friend to Ryan and to Tampa Bay.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You will be missed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ladies and gentlemen,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the article:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=SouthTampaCommunityNews.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/SouthTampaCommunityNews.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=SouthTampaCommunityNews2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/SouthTampaCommunityNews2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Meet Ryan - The "Mayor" of SoHo</span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">by Amy Lassiter</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When I walked into MacDinton's to meet with Ryan Shuck recently, I knew instantly that I had met a new friend. His kind eyes and infectious smile greeted me, and as we ordered our drink and went to our table, every one there stopped to say hello. Later, Ryan boasted that he has checked into MacDinton's 44 times in two months on his favorite application called "Foursquare." With so many "check-ins" at his favorite establishment and so many greetings sent his way, it didn't take me long to understand why Ryan has been crowned "The Mayor" of SoHo; he is a friend to all.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In addition to socializing, Ryan enjoys tech gadgets, is an avid sports fan, dabbles in a bit of sales, works out twice a week, and spends time volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Amazing feats for this 30 year old who 28 years ago, when he was 18 months old, was in an automobile accident with his parents. Left with a permanent disability, Ryan endured nearly 30 surgeries and spent a good amount of his formative high school years in a body cast.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Not to be deterred, Ryan did his best to stay as involved as he could in sports. He went to every football and basketball game and became the basketball stats recorder. He played in a challenger baseball league, learned to drive with one hand and one foot, graduated high school and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree from University of Tampa in Sports Management.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ryan's sister, Kellyn Gowen, recently wrote to tell us that she will be running this April's 116th Boston Marathon with Team Hoyt in honor of her brother. Team Hoyt is father/son team - Dick (72) has pushed his son Rick (50) in more than 1,000 races over the past 30 years. Rick is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy and Ryan has a similar diagnosis. According to Kellyn, "Ryan has overcome incredible obstacles, and he is my hero. This race just so happens to coincide with the 29th anniversary of his accident."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"This is a really important cause to me, and even though my brother has been rather bashful during this whole fundraising campaign, I want him to know how much he has inspired others, including myself. My main goal of the run is the raise awareness for the disabled children, so that they can have the greatest of opportunities in their sometimes-restricting lives. I think that they should have the incredible opportunities and encouragement that my brother was fortunate enough to have. I additionally want able-bodied people to have a greater understanding of these conditions and to perhaps show a little more compassion."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When I asked Ryan what he thought about his sister's endeavor he confided that he is a bit embarrassed about the publicity directed towards him, but that he is "extremely proud" of Kellyn. He is looking forward to traveling to Boston for the first time with some family members, to seeing Kellyn cross the finish line, and to attending a Red Sox and Rays baseball game.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">To support Ryan and Kellyn and donate to the Team Hoyt marathon team, visit: www.crowdrise.com/runningforryan</span></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-76794358871693081772012-04-02T11:02:00.000-05:002012-04-02T11:02:00.383-05:00Happy Happy.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Last night, my husband, his friend, Gray and I were driving home from a concert,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Avett Brothers and Jimmy Buffett)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">and we turned on Mumford & Sons.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gray announced that it was "his favorite,"</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kyle played "the car drum," which happened to be the door outside the car window,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and his friend and I sang.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a great moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">During our performance, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help but think about how happy I was at that exact moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Volume up. Windows down. Singing loudly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And maybe it was that the image of vest-wearing, banjo players making me grin,</div><div style="text-align: center;">or perhaps we were still euphoric from dancing under fireworks,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I like to think that at this point in my life,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and with all the hard work with fundraising and running,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that I was just happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As the two-week countdown begins to the final run in Boston,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sat this morning and thought back to the previous 5 months.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The way my stomach dropped when I hit "send" to apply for Team Hoyt.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The tears that burst from my eyes when I received my acceptance letter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The butterflies in my stomach when I called to tell Ryan.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How husband and I had to use our credit card to buy celebratory beers that night.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Realizing that I have absolutely no money to even get to Boston.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Realizing that fundraising itself is a full-time job.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plugging in my sewing machine for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Teaching myself to make an apron, and following that by making 147.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Huffing and puffing through 2-milers, to finishing 20 with ease.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The hurt I felt when I discovered that my brother was slightly embarrassed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The motivation it took to keep going. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The bond that my father and I formed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The togetherness of all people who knew my family and then those who didn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The power I felt when I finally raised enough money to pay for my trip.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The friendships I've made with my teammates.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The hours I spent on the road instead of playing with my child.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And perhaps the greatest moment was realizing that it was <u>me</u> who was meant to do this.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Years ago, my mother told me that I came about </div><div style="text-align: center;">because she and my father wanted to bring some light into the family after what happened.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But let's face it, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't exactly deliver that ray of sunshine every day during my youth.</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I like to think now more than ever,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that this is the light that they were hoping for.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This experience has not been easy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">in fact, on many occasions I wanted to quit.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But through every pain in my knee, </div><div style="text-align: center;">during every awful run that I cursed,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and every pang of guilt that I felt not spending with my son,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I learned that this light that I had to share was worth it all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is through this whole experience that I feel my life as of right now is complete.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that makes me happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, to Ryan:</div><div style="text-align: center;">You gave me the inspiration that I needed to make others aware.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This whole campaign was not about bringing attention to you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but rather giving it to those who need it in your honor.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It warms my heart to know that through my efforts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that other children will know that with perseverance, </div><div style="text-align: center;">that they, too, can accomplish whatever they want in life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To Mom and Dad:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Neither of you ever gave up in creating equal rights for Ryan,</div><div style="text-align: center;">while also keeping each of your children in mind.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for teaching these incredible values to our family.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know you are proud,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I'm happy to take over the torch that's been burning for 29 years now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To all of you:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you so very much for contributing to this cause,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and inevitably for your contribution to me and my family's hope and happiness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank for you for the words of encouragement, support and kind words.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On April 16th, the anniversary of my brother's accident,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will finish the Boston Marathon in honor of Ryan,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it will most certainly not end the race for awareness and equality.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you all again!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a snapshot of this weekend's Parrotheads:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4871.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4871.jpg" /></a></div></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-29012956314591922632012-03-27T14:02:00.001-05:002012-03-27T14:06:30.794-05:00Hopping to Hopkington<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">Hello friends! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Long time, no post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my defense, I've been running 20-milers up in here...</div><div style="text-align: center;">it leaves little room or desire to do anything other than treat myself to cheese fries and beer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that sadly leaves writing blogs in the little-desire department.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I'm back and glad to report that I did make it 20 miles in Dallas,</div><div style="text-align: center;">regardless of infinite traffic, construction and hills. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spring is here!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that means Easter is, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Easter means different things to different people:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some see it as a religious celebration...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some perhaps are just happy that Lent is over...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Others are pleased that they have an excuse to eat Reese's Easter Eggs all day...</div><div style="text-align: center;">For my mother, it was a day to start spring cleaning</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(which I once protested and locked myself in my room to wholly celebrate Easter with my basket alone)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">And for many of my friends, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it's going to be a super fun holiday playing Easter Bunny for their sweet little chicks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can think of no other way to celebrate Easter,</div><div style="text-align: center;">than to make all those sweet chicks something to dye those eggs in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Aprons, of course!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4773.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4773.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the little chickens:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4756.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4756.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4757.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4757.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Plenty of fabric for these... $10)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the Mother Hens:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4761.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4761.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Only two of these left! $15)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have selected fabric left, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so if you would like an apron get your order in quickly!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Email: kellyn.gowen@gmail.com</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am currently only doing half aprons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Child - $10</div><div style="text-align: center;">Regular Half - $15</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cinched Waist Half - $20 (my favorite)<br />
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So help me hop to Hopkington, folks!<br />
Or I'll send this tag team to get you...<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-20093435.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-20093435.jpg" /></a></div></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-28029603741003170642012-03-16T09:00:00.000-05:002012-03-16T09:00:08.763-05:001 Month Countdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">In exactly 1 month and 1 hour,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will be in Athlete's Village lining up with my corral to run the biggest race of my life, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and more than likely concentrating on not wetting my compression pants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What's so incredible to me</div><div style="text-align: center;">is that it will be the biggest race of everyone else's life as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So all of these walks of life who are all running for different reasons,</div><div style="text-align: center;">will be cuddled up under some tent or lined up at some porta-potty,</div><div style="text-align: center;">sharing the exact same chill as everyone else:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm about to run a marathon.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So this will be my first,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the person next to me may be on their 20th,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but running 26.2 miles isn't exactly natural.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We will all be pushing our bodies to unnatural and powerful limits.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whether someone's pace is 6 minutes or 15 minutes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we all have the common goal of finishing, and finishing well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At that point we put the 400+ miles it took to get to this point in our back pockets</div><div style="text-align: center;">and give this incredible trot our best. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We'll set out past the start</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we won't stop pushing our bodies and minds until the finish. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't tell you how excited/nervous/scared I am.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I can tell you how proud I am to have gotten to this point.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few months ago I could hardly run 3 miles without huffing and puffing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wouldn't even look ahead in my training because it would scare me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow, I set out for a 20-miler,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I'm excited about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">20 miles is the furthest I'm set to go in my training.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So this means that if I can do it, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hal Higdon thinks I'm ready to run a marathon. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And to me,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that is huge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So Hal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will make you proud tomorrow,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and most importantly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll make <i>me</i> proud.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">May the luck of the Irish be with me tomorrow! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Regardless, I know how I'll be celebrating:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=Holidays_St_Patrick_s_Day_Green_beer_015347_.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/Holidays_St_Patrick_s_Day_Green_beer_015347_.jpg" /></a></div></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-31606195297545931322012-03-12T21:53:00.001-05:002012-03-13T08:12:24.943-05:00The Power of Do-Gooding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">I learned one valuable lesson this week,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I can tell you that as I mother, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I did not enjoy the lesson one bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently I am not Super Woman.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I repeat: I am <u>not</u> Super Woman.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Does this mean that I will ever not try to defy gravity, speed and time,</div><div style="text-align: center;">throw a birthday party, make 20 aprons, run a half marathon and host a fundraiser?</div><div style="text-align: center;">All. In. One. Week?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">No, </div><div style="text-align: center;">much to my husband's disappointment,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will probably attempt to do some other outrageous event planning in the near future,</div><div style="text-align: center;">in which I will I obsess and go slightly insane over.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, now that I look back on everything,</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was totally worth it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Super powers or not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Event #1 - Plan Toddler Birthday Party</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I spent months planning, pinning and budgeting Gray's Cat in the Hat birthday party.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pots, candy holders, gummy bears, mason jars, individual hats, pinwheels, cake, recipes, icing, cupcakes, stickers, shirts, and decorations. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This wasn't going to be some thrown-together shindig.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I will plan this extravagant of a fiesta again, oh yes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I will not ever<i> ever <b>ever </b></i>spend 12 hours baking a cake </div><div style="text-align: center;">on my feet</div><div style="text-align: center;">the day before a race.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-03192833-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-03192833-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A cake that stood tall and proud on my counter,</div><div style="text-align: center;">only to completely flop over in my refrigerator.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Destroyed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sat in front of that refrigerator motionless until my husband finally did something about it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not even sure what I was thinking. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh yes. That I was the spawn of supernatural mothering.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But before the race even arrived I had yet another event...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Event #2 - Make a Running Shirt</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Why did I have to make a shirt?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because the lovely company, who will remain nameless,</div><div style="text-align: center;">was apparently too busy "skipping and whistling" on Oak Street to follow through.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks a lot, pals.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I only promised 6 sponsors that I would run with their logos on.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And even though I'm not huge corporation who would really bring them a ton of business,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I took a hell of a lot of pride in the work I put forth to get those sponsors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On the bright side,</div><div style="text-align: center;">unsaid company never would have been able to pull off this gem:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-02080204-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-02080204-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Event #3: Mardi Gras Half Marathon</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I woke up on race day </div><div style="text-align: center;">(off 4.5 hours of sleep due to a wild goose chase to find a knee brace </div><div style="text-align: center;">since mine was discovered MIA at 10:30 pm)</div><div style="text-align: center;">laced my shoes,</div><div style="text-align: center;">threw on my proud homemade shirt</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which I learned iron-ons do not work on running shirts - sorry sponsors, I tried),</div><div style="text-align: center;">attempted to eat</div><div style="text-align: center;">(my house reeked of chicken livers - thanks, husband),</div><div style="text-align: center;">gulped a Gatorade,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and was out the door to attempt a PR.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-04055357.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-04055357.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(This is me in my bathroom where I spent the whole morning due to the chicken liver devastation)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
And that blue head wrap?<br />
That's a thank you to all of you:<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-03085324.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-03085324.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-03085340.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-03085340.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Every person who donated,<br />
bought and apron,<br />
shared my blog,<br />
gave me a shout out,<br />
sponsored my run,<br />
or just gave me a high-five<br />
is on that bandana.<br />
<br />
So I had my supporting do-rag.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had my Gu Chomps.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had my iPod.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had my ladies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-04063203.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-04063203.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And within 5 miles I was completely exhausted. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It took every ounce of my energy to convince my mind to let me finish</div><div style="text-align: center;">and to push my body across that finish line.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did not make my goal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I did PR with an official time of 1:54:35.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I suppose shaving 6 minutes off my second race was a bit ambitious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">BUT, I did promise, </div><div style="text-align: center;">(yet another ambitious move)</div><div style="text-align: center;">that I would herkie across the finish line if enough people donated $13.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They didn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Actually, I didn't come close to my goal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I did one badass herkie for the people who did.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Actually two.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently the photographers were unprepared for the amazingness that was the herkie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=Picture5.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/Picture5.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=Picture6.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/Picture6.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Thanks to Sandi, Uncle John and Aunt Susie, Mom and Dad, Nikki and Nick, Mark and Val, Joe and Dana)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=2012-03-04091540-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/2012-03-04091540-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Event #5: The Party</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From there, it was on to Gray's 3rd birthday party.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was pooped.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And worse: we didn't know there was a festival next door.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I was sore, tired and dehydrated</div><div style="text-align: center;">and stuck in traffic - late to my own child's birthday party. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A party that was left to my husband to decorate.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can imagine my panic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I got there,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it was a glorious event. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And that cake that made me sit on my kitchen floor and cry over?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got my hands dirty (in icing, not dirt people), flopped it back together,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and gave it its rightful debut.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids didn't seem to mind one bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4512.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4512.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Especially not this guy:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4473.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4473.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Monday I spent somewhat recuperating from the longest weekend in my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I planned on doing the same on Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">After all, I had planned the upcoming fundraiser well in advance to allow myself rest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wrong.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Event #6: Make Aprons</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone noted that they wanted aprons.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought I had retired from aprons.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A day before I would have rather sold my soul then to make another.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I needed the money. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I sort of want a Boston Marathon jacket as my bragging right.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's also a certain 26.2 sticker that I'm tackily contemplating buying for my future car.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I sat and sewed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And sewed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I sewed until I only had 10 minutes to spend with my husband before we split for 10 days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wake.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bye husband.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Board plane.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Land.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hi Mom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Straight to fundraiser.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Set up fundraiser.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go to Walgreens to pick up replacement snuggie because Gray forgot his.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take bath in sink - aka - do a little wipe down and spritz with perfume.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Load up car.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Strap on apron.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Event # 7: FUNDRAISE</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=FxCam_1331157533415.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/FxCam_1331157533415.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a HUGE success. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I really had absolutely no idea what would come of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I make $100? $1,000? 10 million dollars?</div><div style="text-align: center;">People didn't RSVP.</div><div style="text-align: center;">People RSVPed who didn't even show.</div><div style="text-align: center;">People came who I never would have expected.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The expected came and continued to blow my mind with their support.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was the most fascinating point in my charity efforts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">All of my hard work really was paying off.</div><div style="text-align: center;">People responded, and responded well.</div><div style="text-align: center;">People wandered in and were contagiously wanting to help.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They wanted the story. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The background.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My training tales.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And most importantly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they wanted to help.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4559.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4559.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4560.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4560.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4561.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4561.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4562.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4562.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4563.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4563.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4564.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4564.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4565.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4565.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4566.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4566.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4568.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4568.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4643.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4643.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4588.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4588.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4587.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4587.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4578.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4578.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4569.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4569.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4574.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4574.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=IMG_4575.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/IMG_4575.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was just what I needed to start the 1-month countdown to Boston.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't need to beat 4 hours,</div><div style="text-align: center;">or constantly worry about hills.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm running this marathon for something bigger than a pace or finishing time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to take this opportunity to thank my brother for constantly being an inspiration.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank the Hoyts for accepting me to this team and allowing me this opportunity.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank my friends who have cheered me on thus far.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank my family, who knows just why I am doing this, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and thus are my biggest supporters.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank my husband for being incredibly patient and encouraging,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and not complaining of my new sweaty and often unsexy activity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And thanks to You for reading this.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you feel that someone else would enjoy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">please share.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a love in this adventure that I hope everyone can experience in their own time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Doing good to others will not give you super powers,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it will give you a powerful sense of accomplishment and satisfy the soul.</div></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022782232350032856.post-35657337270303486502012-02-29T15:46:00.001-06:002012-02-29T15:50:35.718-06:00Herkie for Hoyt!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;">I just went on what was supposed to be my pre-half marathon longish weekday run.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, supposed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today in lovely New Orleans it is 80 degrees,</div><div style="text-align: center;">with 75% humidity,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 25 mph winds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's not all.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also forgot my knee brace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It doesn't end, my friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone and their father wanted to cut their lawn in this summer-like weather.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So on top of the stinging of sweat,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also had blades of grass darting at my eye balls.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=grass.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/grass.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I did a halfer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">BUT the wonderful part of this grassy excursion</div><div style="text-align: center;">is that I had time to get really pumped about this upcoming weekend's half marathon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This weekend is the Rock 'N Roll Mardi Gras race.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The most over-priced race in the city.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can tell it's not a New Orleans-based race because they only give you 2 drink tickets.</div><div style="text-align: center;">BUT it's really fun, and I'll be unveiling a super fun surprise for it on Friday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE POINT OF THIS POST:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've always been jealous of people's really awesome race shots.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the trick to getting a super awesome race photo just happens to be my specialty:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stage It.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, my really awesome followers:</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I get <b>20</b> or more <b>$13</b> donations for the 13 miles I run on Sunday,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I promise to whip out my old school cheerleading moves</div><div style="text-align: center;">and jump across that finish line:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/?action=view&current=herkie-51.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/KellynShuck/New%203/herkie-51.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Herkie Style.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot make any promises as to what it will look like,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I solemnly swear that I will pick up my 8:23 mile paced-legs </div><div style="text-align: center;">and release my inner cheerleader.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It may be a double Herkie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, who's with me?! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I need 20 of ya's to:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1) Give up that greasy meal you were going to eat out</div><div style="text-align: center;">2) Downgrade your wine</div><div style="text-align: center;">3) Have drinks on the patio instead of out</div><div style="text-align: center;">4) Pass the chip and dip aisle</div><div style="text-align: center;">5) Not fill up your tank</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and instead give those $13 big ones to the Hoyt Foundation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Herkie-Jump for Hoyt!</span><br />
Go to my <a href="http://www.crowdrise.com/HoytFoundation2012BostonMarath/fundraiser/RunningforRyan" target="_blank">Crowdrise Page</a> to donate now!</div></div>Kellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15468045905954333618noreply@blogger.com0