Caring for Crohn's & UC

Running for a Cure

February 20, 2013 at 1:07 pm Rebecca K. 1 comment

For the past several years, I’ve heard amazing stories about people participating in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America‘s Team Challenge half marathon program. For those who don’t know, Team Challenge is a half marathon training and fundraising program. Team Challenge participants “train with professional coaches and like-minded teammates for a rewarding and exciting 13.1 mile endurance event at one of our great destination races while raising vital funds for research into these diseases. Funds raised help make new treatments possible and fuel the search for cures.”

I’ve never run a day in my life. In fact, until recently the thought of running made me laugh. I mean, I get winded walking uphill (which is not a good thing and not something I am proud of), so the idea of running long distances seems impossible to me.

For the past few years, I’ve done a lot of fundraising for CCFA’s Take Steps Be Heard for Crohn’s and Colitis Walk. In fact, last year my husband was the local honored hero and we raised around $6,000! As much as I enjoyed the walk, it felt a little too easy for me. Watching Dan fight Crohn’s every day and seeing myself be lazy no longer feels right. That’s why I decided this year to take part in Team Challenge.

Me (on the left) with my family at Take Steps 2010

I will be training for 16 weeks with other participants in Connecticut for the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon on June 1. I know it will not be easy- in fact, I expect it will probably be the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done. But I’m pretty excited about it- excited to push myself outside of my comfort zone and excited to do something that helps the 1.4 million Americans with IBD.

Starting to train earlier this month

I am trying to raise $5,000 for the race, $2200 over the minimum that I need to raise. This is just a working goal- I am going to raise as much as possible. If you are interested in helping me reach my goal, you can donate online here.

I will be posting updates on my training on the blog over the next several months as well as photos from the race.

If you are interested in learning more about Team Challenge, visit www.ccteamchallenge.org. You can find your local team using this map.

Entry filed under: Advocates, Team Challenge. Tags: CCFA, crohn's, crohn's disease, Crohn's Sucks, Half Marathon, ibd, inflammatory bowel disease, Running, Team Challenge, uc, ulcerative colitis.