Text Message Updates on Race Day

Walking through Copley on the way to work today, they had the stands all set up and the port-a-potties all lined up on Boylston... I'm not sure I'm ready for this, but ready or not, it's here!

For those of you interested in following my progress throughout the marathon on Monday, here is a link explaining how to setup the text message alerts using my bib number.


My Bib number is: 22379

If you sign up for the alerts, you'll get updates when I'm at the following checkpoints:

Starting line
10K
Half-Marathon
30K
Finish

I just signed up using the text message option and it was super easy.

Here's a map of the course: http://www.bostonmarathon.org/images/BostonMarathon/CourseMap.gif

If you are going to be cheering along the way, let me know so I can look out for you! I may need a reason to stop for a minute :o)

Lots of liver lover!
Meredith


PS - I'm still $133 away from the minimum fundraising amount. Feel free to pass the links below on to anyone you know who may be interested in donating!

Is this really happening??

Knock on wood, I've never had an injury before a race. These last two weeks have been a bit tough though. My calves are either super tight, or there some type of tendonitis going on... and it's pretty scary considering race day is less than a month away now.

This training got pretty serious after an 18 mile run, and ever since then I've been getting more and more nervous about how I'm going to complete 26 miles.

This week we are supposed to do 21 miles and then leave the last two weekends for tapering before race weekend. There is no way 21 miles are going to be done by these legs right now... So I'll be doing what I can to avoid being hurt on race day.

It's incredibly disappointing, sad and frustrating to know that I'm not going to be able to do the distance I need before the race. I know race day is going to be bad enough, but I thought I would at least be prepared. So now I'm just going to do whatever I can to keep the training going and get myself across that finish line.

I know that no matter how much pain I'm in, it is nothing compared to the pain of liver disease. This is what keeps me running now and what will keep me running on race day once I've passed the 18 mile mark and every step is excruciating (at least that is what I'm anticipating!).

The donations have been a huge motivator as well. As of now I'm $333 dollars from the minimum fundraising amount! The generosity of friends, family and acquaintances has been overwhelming, and I appreciate every single cent that everyone is donating. It means so much to have this much support behind me during this experience.

If you want to donate and help me get to the Boston Marathon, now is the time. Just click here!


THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME!!!

Lots of Liver Love,
Meredith

7 Weeks Left...

And I'm only $600 away from the bare minimum to run the marathon!

Last week's fundraiser was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who showed up and/or supported the event. $824 was raised and $412 was sent to both the ALF and the American Red Cross this week. It was so much fun I may want to do another one soon :)

As I get closer to meeting the minimum fundraising requirement, and I receive donations from friends and family, the reality of running 26.2 miles is starting to hit me. But, with every donation that I get my training gets a bit easier since I don't want to let anyone down.

The training has been a little rough the past couple of weeks. I was sick for a good week, and missed a 15 mile run, so this weekend's 16 mile run is definitely going to be a challenge. Some more donations would definitely make it easier!!

There's just a few weeks left, so if you're planning on donating, now is a great time... Click here to donate now.

Lots of liver love,
Meredith

17 (Very Fun) Miles

Each year the ALF holds it's Liver Love 17 Mile Run, which is the last 17 miles of the marathon. This event is probably one of the funnest running events I've experienced... everyone dresses up in fun pink and red costumes for Valentines day and really has a good time with their costumes.

Heather and I wore our pink boas, pinned some red heart to ourselves, put ribbons in our hair and stuck heart shaped stickers on our faces... yes kinda of silly, but that's what it was all about!

This run was special for two reasons:

1 - I never imagined I would run 17 miles in my life

2 - Nicola, my inspiration for running 26.2 miles, was manning a water stop at mile 6, along with her twin Caroline.

After seeing Caroline and Nicola, the 17 miles really didn't seem so terrible. Sure, the hills were definitely more than we bargained for - Heather and I both agreed that we take back everything nice we ever said about heartbreak hill - but overall the run was not nearly as miserable as I originally imagined.

Definitely not saying I am looking forward to the 21 miler in March, but after doing 17 I think I might actually be able to finish 26.2 miles... maybe.

Now that the training is well underway, so is the fundraising.... The AFL/Red Cross Haiti Relief Fundraiser is set for this coming Monday, and we have LOTS of prizes.

Here are the details:

Where: The Junction, South Boston
When: Monday, Feb 22nd at 7:30pm
More: Cover is $5 at the door and will get you 5 raffle tickets. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 (2 tix), $10 (6 tix), $20 (15 tix), $30 (25 tix) or $50 (50 tix). You will be able to put raffle tickets towards the prizes of your choice to increase your chance at getting what you want most!

Prizes to be raffled off include:

- 2 Red Sox Tickets with a VIP tour of Fenway PLUS the opportunity to watch Batting Practice from the field.
- Celtics Tickets
- Gold's Gym Membership
- $50 Gift Card to Franklin Cafe
- $25 Gift Card to Boston Beer Garden
- $25 Gift Card to B.Y.O.D.
- SweetCakes Cupcakes
- Starbucks gift basket
- And More!


Can't wait to see everyone there!!


Lots of Liver Love,
Meredith

11 Miles & Donations Rolling In

Ran 11 miles on Sunday afternoon - all - by - myself!!! Who knew I was capable of such a thing??

Weather was great, did a run from Southie all the way to Back Bay, around the Charles, through Beacon Hill/North End and back to Southie... And get this - I was comfortable the whole way. Really amazes me how quickly I've gone from running for fun/to stay in shape to hard core. Just proves we can all do anything we put our mind to :o)

Next feat - 14.5 to 16 miles... It WILL be done.

Fundraising is going well... I'm loving the random donors. Makes me realize how much support I really have in all of this. I think of everyone that has donated during my runs and I am absolutely positive they will all be with me in spirit as I cross the finish line in April. The day can't come soon enough!

To raise even more money for not only the important ALF, but also for Haiti relief, I am full force into planning a fundraising event at The Junction in South Boston, for one night in February. I've gotten a few great donations in the last 24 hours - a 3 month membership to Gold's Gym(!!), cupcakes by SweetCakes, gift cards and more!!

I'm heading to The Junction tonight to plan out details, including a date for the event... I'll keep everyone posted.

If you have anything you can donate (from your company, friends, etc.) please let me know ASAP! I'll include it in all marketing I do for the event.

As always, lots of liver love!!
Meredith

merecarlson@hotmail.com

Ps - if you want to donate money now and help me hit my $800 by Feb 8th, visit my fundraising page!!

1st Hill Run

Planned to run 7 miles last night, until getting an email from the RFR team saying that the run was supposed to be 9 miles of Newton hills!!

Expecting the worst, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the hills are not nearly as terrible as what we originally feared. Of course we hadn't done 17 miles before the hills, but it was still encouraging just to know the infamous Heartbreak Hill isn't as dreadful as it is made out to be... (I guess I'll find out on race day how terrible it really can be though!)

On a different note, I'm starting to look for items for a Haiti / ALF fundraising event to be held in the next month. I'm looking for donations for raffles and/or a silent auction... If anyone has anything to donate - anything from tickets, gift baskets, massages, etc. - please email me at merecarlson@hotmail.com!

To donate to my training now and make the training a little bit easier for the next 3 months, visit my fundraising page!

ALF and Haiti Relief... Looking for Donations!

It's been awhile since the last post... Since that post there has been one big accomplishment - meeting the first fundraising minimum of $500, and exceeding it by $100! I wasn't so sure I was going to make it, but with the help of a few great supporters it was done.

The bad news now, is that I am still $4,400 away from my goal of $5,000! I've been brainstorming different things that I can do to raise this money, but since there is so much devastation in Haiti right now I find it difficult to ask for money to send me to the marathon, and raise money for liver disease.



To combine efforts and raise money for the American Liver Foundation, while also raising funds to assist in the recovery and rebuilding of Haiti, I am going to be holding an event that will raise money for both the American Red Cross and the American Liver Foundation... Why not raise money for two great causes at once?!

Now I just need to get started getting donations of food, raffle prizes and a few other items! The next two weeks should be interesting as I start to plan a fun and meaningful event :) (Oh, and also keep up with the running!)

I'll update the blog with details on the event and prizes/donations that I am getting... If anyone wants to donate a prize, like sports tickets, concert tickets, autographed goodies, food, ski passes, or even something more creative, please email me at merecarlson@hotmail.com.

If you want to donate directly to support my marathon, just visit http://go.liverfoundation.org/goto/meredithcarlson. Even just $5 is a big help!!


Lots of liver love,
Meredith