The Power of Do-Gooding

I learned one valuable lesson this week,

and I can tell you that as I mother, 

I did not enjoy the lesson one bit.

Apparently I am not Super Woman.

I repeat: I am not Super Woman.

Does this mean that I will ever not try to defy gravity, speed and time,

throw a birthday party, make 20 aprons, run a half marathon and host a fundraiser?

All. In. One. Week?

No, 

much to my husband's disappointment,

I will probably attempt to do some other outrageous event planning in the near future,

in which I will I obsess and go slightly insane over.

But, now that I look back on everything,

It was totally worth it.

Super powers or not.

Event #1 - Plan Toddler Birthday Party

I spent months planning, pinning and budgeting Gray's Cat in the Hat birthday party.

Pots, candy holders, gummy bears, mason jars, individual hats, pinwheels, cake, recipes, icing, cupcakes, stickers, shirts, and decorations. 

This wasn't going to be some thrown-together shindig.

And I will plan this extravagant of a fiesta again, oh yes.

However, I will not ever ever ever spend 12 hours baking a cake 

on my feet

the day before a race.

A cake that stood tall and proud on my counter,

only to completely flop over in my refrigerator.

Destroyed.

I sat in front of that refrigerator motionless until my husband finally did something about it.

I'm not even sure what I was thinking. 

Oh yes. That I was the spawn of supernatural mothering.

But before the race even arrived I had yet another event...

Event #2 - Make a Running Shirt

Why did I have to make a shirt?

Because the lovely company, who will remain nameless,

was apparently too busy "skipping and whistling" on Oak Street to follow through.

Thanks a lot, pals.

I only promised 6 sponsors that I would run with their logos on.

And even though I'm not huge corporation who would really bring them a ton of business,

I took a hell of a lot of pride in the work I put forth to get those sponsors.

On the bright side,

unsaid company never would have been able to pull off this gem:

Event #3: Mardi Gras Half Marathon

So I woke up on race day 

(off 4.5 hours of sleep due to a wild goose chase to find a knee brace 

since mine was discovered MIA at 10:30 pm)

laced my shoes,

threw on my proud homemade shirt

(which I learned iron-ons do not work on running shirts - sorry sponsors, I tried),

attempted to eat

(my house reeked of chicken livers - thanks, husband),

gulped a Gatorade,

and was out the door to attempt a PR.

(This is me in my bathroom where I spent the whole morning due to the chicken liver devastation)

And that blue head wrap?
That's a thank you to all of you:




Every person who donated,
bought and apron,
shared my blog,
gave me a shout out,
sponsored my run,
or just gave me a high-five
is on that bandana.

So I had my supporting do-rag.

I had my Gu Chomps.

I had my iPod.

I had my ladies.

And within 5 miles I was completely exhausted. 

It took every ounce of my energy to convince my mind to let me finish

and to push my body across that finish line.

I did not make my goal,

but I did PR with an official time of 1:54:35.

I suppose shaving 6 minutes off my second race was a bit ambitious.

BUT, I did promise, 

(yet another ambitious move)

that I would herkie across the finish line if enough people donated $13.

They didn't.

Actually, I didn't come close to my goal,

but I did one badass herkie for the people who did.

Actually two.

Apparently the photographers were unprepared for the amazingness that was the herkie

(Thanks to Sandi, Uncle John and Aunt Susie, Mom and Dad, Nikki and Nick, Mark and Val, Joe and Dana)

Event #5: The Party

From there, it was on to Gray's 3rd birthday party.

I was pooped.

And worse: we didn't know there was a festival next door.

So I was sore, tired and dehydrated

and stuck in traffic - late to my own child's birthday party. 

A party that was left to my husband to decorate.

You can imagine my panic.

But I got there,

and it was a glorious event. 

And that cake that made me sit on my kitchen floor and cry over?

I got my hands dirty (in icing, not dirt people), flopped it back together,

and gave it its rightful debut.

The kids didn't seem to mind one bit.

Especially not this guy:

Monday I spent somewhat recuperating from the longest weekend in my life.

I planned on doing the same on Tuesday.

After all, I had planned the upcoming fundraiser well in advance to allow myself rest.

Wrong.

Event #6: Make Aprons

Someone noted that they wanted aprons.

I thought I had retired from aprons.

A day before I would have rather sold my soul then to make another.

But I needed the money. 

I sort of want a Boston Marathon jacket as my bragging right.

There's also a certain 26.2 sticker that I'm tackily contemplating buying for my future car.

So I sat and sewed. 

And sewed. 

I sewed until I only had 10 minutes to spend with my husband before we split for 10 days.

Bed.

Wake.

Bye husband.

Board plane.

Land.

Hi Mom.

Straight to fundraiser.

Set up fundraiser.

Go to Walgreens to pick up replacement snuggie because Gray forgot his.

Take bath in sink - aka - do a little wipe down and spritz with perfume.

Load up car.

Strap on apron.

Event # 7: FUNDRAISE

It was a HUGE success. 

I really had absolutely no idea what would come of it.

Would I make $100? $1,000? 10 million dollars?

People didn't RSVP.

People RSVPed who didn't even show.

People came who I never would have expected.

The expected came and continued to blow my mind with their support.

It was the most fascinating point in my charity efforts.

All of my hard work really was paying off.

People responded, and responded well.

People wandered in and were contagiously wanting to help.

They wanted the story. 

The background.

My training tales.

And most importantly,

they wanted to help.

This was just what I needed to start the 1-month countdown to Boston.

I don't need to beat 4 hours,

or constantly worry about hills.

I'm running this marathon for something bigger than a pace or finishing time.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my brother for constantly being an inspiration.

I want to thank the Hoyts for accepting me to this team and allowing me this opportunity.

I want to thank my friends who have cheered me on thus far.

I want to thank my family, who knows just why I am doing this, 

and thus are my biggest supporters.

I want to thank my husband for being incredibly patient and encouraging,

and not complaining of my new sweaty and often unsexy activity.

And thanks to You for reading this.

If you feel that someone else would enjoy,

please share.

There's a love in this adventure that I hope everyone can experience in their own time.

Doing good to others will not give you super powers,

but it will give you a powerful sense of accomplishment and satisfy the soul.

Herkie for Hoyt!

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

Yeah, supposed.

Today in lovely New Orleans it is 80 degrees,

with 75% humidity,

and 25 mph winds.

That's not all.

I also forgot my knee brace.

It doesn't end, my friends.

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

So on top of the stinging of sweat,

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

So I did a halfer. 

BUT the wonderful part of this grassy excursion

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

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

The most over-priced race in the city.

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

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

THE POINT OF THIS POST:

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

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

Stage It.

So, my really awesome followers:

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

I promise to whip out my old school cheerleading moves

and jump across that finish line:

Herkie Style.

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

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

and release my inner cheerleader.

It may be a double Herkie.

So, who's with me?! 

I need 20 of ya's to:

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

2) Downgrade your wine

3) Have drinks on the patio instead of out

4) Pass the chip and dip aisle

5) Not fill up your tank

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

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

Join us at Beef's!

What do you get when you mix: 

Wings

Beer

and Shucks?

A shuckin' good time. 

That's what!

Mix in a little Hoyt

(ok, they'll be there in spirit)

and we have got a party!

Come support the Hoyt Foundation 

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

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

Come hang out with me and this kid:

Who knows, 

maybe even our favorite amigo will show:

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

and make a big difference! 

March 7, 2012

Beef O Brady's

8810 Himes Avenue

Tampa, FL

ALL DAY!!

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

Come, or I'll come get you:

(I know, very intimidating)

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

Fundraiser!!

You know,

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

that I would have some time for rest.

But then I realized that I am Kellyn Gowen,

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

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

I have changed shifts at work.

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

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

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

This is just my personal life.

Aside from that:

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

and paying really big grocery bills to support this.

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

(Yes, fugly)

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

(fingers crossed)

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

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

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

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

- Obnoxious 26.2 sticker for the whip

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

- Sam Adam 26.2 brew in honor of the race

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

(somewhere, my husband is snickering at that comment)

It's all sorts of intense in the noggin. 

Luckily, I look cool on the outside.

Not.

BUT

The fundraiser IS going to be fabulous.

Come one, come all,

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

March 7, 2012

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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

Door Prizes will include:

Spa Package from Touch Aveda Salon and Spa

Bella Petrella Sauce Basket

2012 Indy 500 Tickets

Ladies Accessories

There are also a few hopefuls:

Yankees Paraphernalia

Liquor and Spirits

I will additionally have my world famous aprons for sale,

along with some adorable baby hats.

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

Elise's Pieces 

If you all have not seen her creations yet,

consider coming just for this. 

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

This is how it works:

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

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

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

Anyone can sign up for the silent auction.

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

Evening time should be the social event.

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

Wings, beer and friends. 

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

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

And hopefully,

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

So join us in the most delicious fundraiser ever! 

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

Speaking of which,

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

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

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

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

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

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

as I prepare to run one for them. 

Bad Run Days

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

and cannot seem to lay our hair properly

or pick out the right outfit,

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

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

I mean, I ran 10 miles this past weekend,

12 the weekend before that,

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

Not even 5?

But 3?!

I can't even explain how this feels.

It's incredibly discouraging. 

First, the second guesses:

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

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

Then, the guilt...

"I didn't drink enough water"

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

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

But the fact of the matter is,

there's probably not really an exact reason.

Can't a mother runner have an off day?

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

So I did.

I stopped. 

I felt bad about it, 

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

But I needed to be heard. 

THIS ISN'T MY FAULT!

I swear I'm not a failure! 

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

but c'mon! 

I'm only one woman,

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

But you know what Whitney would have said?

She would have said,

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

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

Maybe even a few wall chair sit thingys.

Whit Whit would be so proud.

Baby Hats!

So a very good family friend was incredibly kind

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

These are totally cute,

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

SO, if you have a little nugget

or if you know someone with a little nugget

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

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

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

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

#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

#5:

#6:

#7:

#8:

#9:

#10:

#11:

#12:

#13:

#14:

#15:

#16:

#17:

#18:

#19:

#20:

#21:

#22:

#23:

#24: