Nov. 14, 2009
Location: The Bottom Line HQ in Jamaica Plain, MA
Welcome to TEAM GO FAR!! Thank you for visiting my website to learn about the charity and share in my journey to the finish line. I hope that humor and humble pie will help me get through the training.
This afternoon was the kick off meeting for TEAM GO FAR at the Bottom Line headquarters. I got to meet most of members and heard the inspirational stories from Bottom Line students. The students that are a part of Bottom Line overcame obstacles that I never thought were possible for a 16-17 year old.
I hope that this blog inspires you to support me
I represent Jeanine Harushingingo, North High School Class of 2010
Jeanine grew up on a refugee camp in Tanzania. Originally from Burundi, she fled her country with her family at age 3 when war broke out. Jeanine spent 12 years living on the refugee camp in crowded quarters with insufficient food.
Women in her country are offered little opportunity to pursue an education, and her parents originally told her that she could not go to school. Jeanine began secretly attending school and eventually stood up for her education and convinced her parents to support her.
Jeanine came to the United States less than 3 years ago no knowing any English and has since become the main support for her family who live with her in Worcester. Settling in the states has been difficult for them: Jeanine's mom was sick and they often struggle to pay bills and rent. Jeanine was able to manage the household, work her way into North High School from a school for new immigrants, learn English, and earn a 3.8 GPA in honors classes. Now in her senior year, she is determined to go to college and study international relations so she can return home and help people in Africa. She plans to apply to Clark University, UMass Dartmouth, Wheaton College, among others.
I run for her and for all the students that dream of graduating college and leading a successful life!
Day 1 Marathon Training
Nov. 15, 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD
I kick off my training in the heart of Baltimore; home of the Ravens, Edgar Allen Poe and crab cakes. Instead of running in the dark, I played it safe by running on the Tremont Hotel treadmill rocking out to System of a Down, checking myself out in the mirror, and lifting weights.
Got my running gear organized for my morning run.
Day 2 Marathon Training
Nov. 16, 2009
Location: Baltimore, MD, N. Charles Street
Ran about 2-miles in mid-town Baltimore. Running through Baltimore was challenging, I am not very good at hills…and I found a lot of hills. I was probably more panting more while walking up steep hills than actually running...a sad preview for what will play out on the ominous Heartbreak Hill. All that will change as I continue to bust my butt to ensure I don't look like a tired mess clawing my way up the series of hills on the 4-mile stretch in the Boston Marathon. It felt good getting back into running after being plagued with Plantar Fasciitis for most of the year. I just hope it doesn't flare up like a bad case of acne during my training. Knock on wood.
Baltimore at 7am
I want to use this forum to explain the medal system.
MEDAL SYSTEM:
The medallions will have your name “engraved” on it when you donate a certain amount to the charity. YOU will be a part of my team, share in the experience and help me reach the finish line as the high school and college students from Bottom Line will be reaching their own personal finish lines.
Bronze Medalist: $10.00 Sends a care package to a college student during midterms
Silver Medalist: $26.00 ($1.00 for every mile from Hopkinton to Boston!)
Gold Medalist: $50.00-$75.00 Supports our counselors visiting students at remote colleges
“Black American Express Medal”: $100.00-sky is the limit!
Christmas/Birthday Goal: Raise $2,500 by Dec. 25, 2009, help me make that happen! Click on this picture below to donate online today!
Thank you for your support!
Day 3 Marathon Training
Nov. 16, 2009
Location: University of VA, Charlottesville, VA
I woke up at 6:00 am to run before I started my day. When I left my hotel, it was pitch black out and yearned to get that extra hour to sleep in, but I was excited to explore the charming college town. I ran around UVA's campus and probably took more photos than actually run. The brisk fall morning allowed me to wear shorts and I accomplished a decent 3 mile run to feel proud. Strong like bull!
The Lawn, UVA at dawn
Virginia is beautiful!
Nov. 21, 2009
Location: Boston, MA
4-mile training run with the Bottom Line!
This morning was full of firsts: 1st time training with Team Go Far, 1st time wearing my new "running shoes," making sure I did 180 steps a minute, and getting my 1st parking ticket! I had a re-occuring nightmare that I always have the night before a morning race-I missed my alarm. In my dream, missing my alarm followed a series of expletives and would usually unfold all the missed opportunities that came with having slept in late. Luckily, my brain made me wake up in a panic a minute before my alarm would go off. After getting to the meeting in Boston's Revolutionary Fitness gym, we set off for what was a tough 4-mile run along the Esplanade. The Esplanade was my old stomping grounds, I spent countless mornings, afternoons and nights running along the river, yet, this particular morning made it feel so foreign. My legs felt like concrete blocks. It felt like I never went for a run in my life and just did a half marathon. Hope it was morning jitters or dehydration.
Boylston Street-the triumphant end of the Boston Marathon. As I was walking down the street, I tried to envision the thousands of people that will pack the sidewalks cheering on the runners.
The early morning drive into Boston.
Bottom Line is part of a coalition of other charities training for the Boston Marathon.
Greg Johnson, Executive Director, will be running for the non-profit!
Our inspiring coach, Rick Muhr.
Action shots!
Katie Weinmann-Boston Marathon finisher 2008 for BottomLine! She served us at the water stop-Thanks Katie!
Nov. 23-25, 2009
Location: Metrowest YMCA, Framingham, MA
I'm just trying to get in as much exercise as possible so I can gorge to astronomical extremes this coming weekend. What the gym entails in the last couple of days: Weights. Crunches until I cry. run. erg. bike. Stairmaster. Arc Trainer. Stretch.
Nov. 25, 2009
Location: Barrington, RI
Checked out East Bay YMCA and got a 4 mile run in and kept up with the weight lifting!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Location: East Bay Bike Path, Barrington, RI
Got in a morning run before the gluttonous Thanksgiving festivities. Morning run at 8:15am, 4 miles consisted of running from Barrington to Warren. Weather conditions were perfect for running: cool, brisk, and overcast. Bring on the turkey! And BHS kicked Mount Hope's butt! I am grateful for my supporters who are pushing me to do my best. Thank you to the Speaker family for having me be a apart of their Thanksgiving. I am grateful for Bobby Speaker to be by my side through this journey. :-*
Running in silence on the bike path.
Running over the new bridge that connects Barrington to Warren-exciting times.
Black Friday Nov. 27, 2009
Woke up at 3:10 am for the kick off of the longest shopping day of the year...and I didn't buy a thing. My body is sore, my stomach still full of turkey and tryptophan running through my veins, all I want to do is sleep. Why must I torture myself? I'm taking a day off.
Nov. 28, 2009
Location: Borington, RI
Bobby, Mario and I set off to do an easy 5 mile run, and I ended up doing close to 6 and Mario did 7.5 miles. I felt like I could keep going, but should follow the training schedule to avoid getting injured. The day was blustery and we were running into the wind. Every turn around the corner, the wind was all up in our face, we couldn't avoid it! Although it was tough, we conquered it! My run finished with sprinting up rather steep hill to Bobby's house...I thought all the blood vessels in my eyes popped it was so tough. Now, I must nosh on some left overs.
Click on this picture to donate online:
