Thank You.

Thank you. Thank you for your support and encouragement through these past several months. Thank you for asking, for praying, for sending good thoughts. Thank you for sharing in my joys and for being concerned for my joints. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving children in a country half way around the world.

The marathon has come and gone again, and I find myself in an awkward and kind of lazy mood. With the season officially over, I am in quite an evaluative state. I give thanks for how much Frankie and I were able to raise: $3,125… more than I had hoped and expected. It’s such an amazing experience when you realize that people do care. That people do want to give, people want to support, and people want to make a difference. (As an entire group, we have raised well over $700,000 to help build clean water wells. We are still hoping to make it to $1 Million.) For the past two years I have been able to beat my body (quite literally) and provide a venue and reason for people to donate money to help build clean water wells in impoverished communities in Zambia and Kenya…it’s been amazing.

My experience running this marathon—the second time around, was quite different. In preparation for the run there wasn’t as much fear for the unknown or the doubt of finishing looming over me. Because I was running with my brother, Frankie, there was even more excitement; knowing that I was sharing this marathon with him was special. I will be honest; if he hadn’t run with me this time around, I question whether I would have kept running. At mile 2, I rolled my ankle when I stepped into a pot hole; by mile 6, I had sharp pains shooting down from my right hip to my ankle; by mile 14, my lower back muscles tightened and caused so much pain I couldn’t keep a comfortable running form; by mile 16, I wanted to stop.

What seemed so natural to me before: to run…became very unnatural, very painful, and very disappointing. But in the end, as the soreness in all my muscles have slowly subsided, I take a look at my TWV running singlet and know that I did something great. For myself; for Team World Vision; for the two girls that Sean and I sponsor, Mersi and Samira; and for other children just like them in communities in Kenya. With clean water wells, children can go to school instead of spending their days searching for water that isn’t even clean. With clean water wells, children don’t need to get sick from drinking dirty and diseased water. With clean water wells, children don’t need to die from completely preventable sicknesses. See what WV did in Quacha Birra, Ethiopia in 2000. This is how your donations helped last year in Musele, Zambia. Think of what your funds will do this year in communities in Kenya!

So, here I go again. I am committing to one more. One more year of fundraising, one more year of strength training, one more year of running, one more year of beating my body and making it my slave. Believe me when I say that I have more reservations this time, my body feels the toll of all the training that I’ve done these past two years. Although the muscle soreness has slowly vanished, the pains in my joints are ALL still there. But I can’t stop now. Next year’s fundraising goal: $5,000. 26.2 for Team World Vision; for social justice; for peace; for hope; for love; for LIFE.

Almost There

With 3 days till Marathon day, 2 more training miles tomorrow, and $342 left to raise, I’m getting nervous. The forecast is showing high of 45, possibility of snow…morning temperatures are supposed to be at 28 degrees.  Well, this makes things interesting. Considering I have not trained my long distance runs in this kind of weather and more importantly, what am I supposed to wear?

Last’s years worries were the complete opposite! I guess, it’s better that it’s going to be cold and not hot, but… SNOW? REALLY?

Last night was my last PT session before the marathon; I have been working with these girls for the past several months. They have seen me at my best and at my worst.  I went in thinking all I wanted were massages, but now I know “massages” are really torture sessions with lots of bruising, scraping of hidden scar tissues, under-the-breath cursing, and some crying.  But, I’m walking away with a better posture, a looser IT-band, a stronger butt, and new friends that have miracle hands.  I’m not 100% fixed, who knows if I will ever be, but I feel stronger and am optimistic for this run.  I know that without these new friends and especially my PT, Erin, I very literally would not be in this place today.  There were several barriers to getting here; my hip, my hamstrings, my knee, my quads. For a while it seemed like every joint and muscle was taking its turn in hating me.  Don’t get me wrong, the pain is still there.  But I’ve learned that my red foam roller is my best friend, active stretching can help realign my knee cap, taping my knee in place works pretty well to keep my knee cap in its track, and that stabbing knee pain I’ve been experiencing for the past several years means I need to take a break and see my PT.  I have my final session the day after the marathon. I was promised a good rub-down and stretching session… YES. I guess it takes a marathon for them to be gentle.

So, as I am mentally preparing for this run, please consider joining in Team World Vision’s efforts in raising funds to build clean water wells in communities in Kenya.  A little goes a LOOOONG way: www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman.

Three Hundred and Forty-Four

This is my road to the Chicago Marathon.  With just one week left, I have put in 344 miles; 58 hours and 35 minutes.  There’s no turning back; there’s no more time left for second guesses.  Come October 11, 2009 at 7:30am, the gun will be shot and Frankie and I will make our way through 26.2 miles of gorgeous Chicago.  Even though this is my second time around, my nerves are a bit wired and I can’t stop thinking about just finishing. 

There is just one disappointment: the thought of putting so many miles and so many hours into this and it will all be finished in just seven days.  It’s not that I’m not looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday mornings, giving my knees and hips a break from the constant pounding, walking up and down stairs at a normal pace, changing my diet to a somewhat normal consumption of carbs… BELIEVE me. I’m ready. But, knowing and experiencing all that I have in just these short couple of months, I am torn between wanting to be done and continuing the training…

As time is just flying by, I am getting closer and closer to meeting my goal of raising $3,000 for Team World Vision.  As of this moment, I have received an overwhelming support of $2,375—which makes me just $625 short of my goal.  Thank you SO much for all who constantly support me; whether that is through monetary donations, constant encouragement, prayer, patience, and/or love.  I TRULY have gained much through this experience and I DEFINIELY feel the love.  Please know that as I use up every last source of energy; as I run my body into submission; as I feel the burn in my knees and hips; as I cross that finish line; and as that medal gets placed around my sweaty and spent neck, YOU were a part of it all.  It is only through the partnership and commitment from my supporters that allows these 26.2 miles extend beyond all boundaries and reach the poorest of the poor.  Through your generous donations this year, your dollars will be used in communities in Kenya to help build clean water wells.  Communities like Mutomo, Kenya, where children and families walk over 8 miles a day in search for water (and the water they find is usually contaminated). 

This is why I run.  26.2 miles for Africa; for Mersi; for social justice; for peace; for love; for LIFE.  

www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman

Mersi.

Just less than a month to go and I will be running 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago.  It’s hard to believe that another year has passed and that I will be doing this for the second time. Training has been challenging this season; I have run the gamut of feeling happy and fulfilled to frustrated and hopeless.  I’ve set several personal records throughout these last few months but I’ve also limped through several runs, cried from the pain and exhaustion, and have had thoughts of wanting to get hit by a car (I know, SO DRAMATIC!) just so I could legitimately stop.

But in the end, I’m glad I’m doing this again. I’m thankful that I CAN do it again. And I’m determined to make it to that finish line with a smile on my face, with my World Vision shirt with Mersi’s name on my back, and with the knowledge that I have worked and trained my body to carry me through those 26.2 miles for something BIGGER than myself.

Sometimes staying motivated is hard.  Especially at 5am when the alarm goes off and all I want to do is go back to sleep.  I don’t quite know what makes me get out of bed each morning (maybe my guilty conscience), but I do it.  Sean and I have talks on slowing down, sleeping in, and taking it easy. But honestly, I feel like if all I have to do is get up a little earlier in the morning, put in those miles, raise some funds, so a child– like my Mersi can get some clean water, why not?

If you know me, you know that I am not only a social worker by profession, but a social worker by nature.  A social worker for life, for love, for peace, and for social justice.  Running this marathon for Team World Vision fits with me.  Who I am. Who I strive to be.  So, consider taking part in my love for the marginalized, for the oppressed, for the forgotten.  Take those steps with me as I cross that finish line on October 11.

www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman

peace. love. social justice.

Oh, running… how I can hate you one weekend and then love you the next. Last Saturday, I set out to run 15 miles, made 14 miles and almost passed out. This past weekend, I ran 16 miles at my fastest pace for a long run…ever, and it felt beautiful…like I was made to run.

I decided to push myself this year. I joined a pace group that is faster than what I am used to; I am keeping up on my interval, tempo and long runs; I am doing 2 hours of physical therapy 2 nights a week… I have set a time goal for myself this year and I am going to reach it.

I am running for Team World Vision-for what it stands for, what it does, who it helps and where it reaches. I’m breaking down my own barriers of laziness, physical boundaries and selfishness in hopes to raise funds for TWV. To inspire. And to spark a revolution of peace, love, and social justice.

I was made to run this race. I was made to fight injustice. To stand up for those that are oppressed, poor, disenfranchised. To believe that any positive change is good. To love those that are ugly to the world. And to offer peace and acceptance to the rejected. This is why I run.

Please consider donating to TWV.

half way there

With a great 13 mile run under our belts, I think we’re well on our way to completing those 26. You know, at the start of every training season, no matter what you’re training for; the miles always seem so daunting.  But, with some hard work, early mornings, sore joints and muscles, you suddenly realize that just weeks later, you’re almost there! It’s such a great feeling!

As you know, I’ve been dealing with some knee issues since last year’s training, and this year gained some hip issues… B U T – with my new insurance, I’ve been able to go see a doctor for it! YAY! I now know what I have, and what I can do to (crossing fingers) correct the issue.

I had my first session with my PT yesterday and wow, was it painful! What I learned: my running form sucks, I have no hip or butt muscles, foam rollers aren’t foamy, and I’ve been wearing the wrong shoes all these miles (no thanks to FF!).  So after learning and doing some targeted exercises (that kicked my A), I left with HOMEWORK! I’m pretty excited to get this going and fix my knees… maybe this won’t be my last marathon after all.

Please continue praying, sending good thoughts, and whatever else it is that you already do that encourages me so much.  Take a look at my fundraising site too!  www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman

16 more weeks to go…

16 more weeks. Sounds like it’s so far away, but I know that the marathon will be creeping its way to me soon! This past Saturday’s run was B R U T A L. Our team runs are starting at 8am for now and changing to 7am after the half marathon in August (who knows why). So what should have been an easy 6 mile run turned out to be horrendous… I guess it didn’t help that my group was running at a faster pace than expected, that, coupled with the blazing sun and humidity did NOT mix well with my body. After the run, Frankie and I immediately jumped into the lake to cool off… running gear and all. It was a fantastic way to cool off!

At one point in the—what should have been short and easy run, I turned to Frankie who was making it look so easy and said, “why the freak am I doing this to myself again????”! His answer: “For Mersi.” For several years now, I have been sponsoring a child through World Vision, her name is Mersi and her family struggles to afford living even the simple life. She is the face to the issue of poverty, her family is the reason why World Vision exists, and their day to day struggles are the reasons why I am running. So in the end, it’s not about me, it’s about the issues. About 68% of Zambians live below the international poverty line. That’s less than $1 a day. And while we are here, yes, in a time of economic decline, budget cuts and unemployment, it’s not even comparable. I can’t even begin comprehending what it would be like to live in a community where children and families are forced to live without the most basic life necessities. I don’t mean to use this to guilt people into taking action. It’s not about guilt, it’s about compassion, love, and justice. Please consider joining me and Frankie in our Run for Life. Visit our site: www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman.

8 miles…take 2

Two weekends ago, what started out as an 8 mile run turned out to be a very painful 4.  Frankie (my brother) and I were out on a beautiful Saturday morning.  What began as a great pre-training run turned as we both were experiencing some intense pain in our knees, his IT band(ish area), my right hip and back.  So, frustrated and kinda cold, we walked back 4 miles to our starting point.

Yesterday, we set out to try those 8 miles again and we were able to run right through them with minimal pain (in comparison to the week before)!  Frankie and I just recently started training together on the weekends.  He signed up for the Chicago Marathon just a few months ago and it has been SO much fun getting to share this with him.

For those of you that know us, you know that we share a pretty close relationship now, but it hasn’t always been this way.  We have definitely gotten closer as we’ve grown older.  Both Frankie and I are a bit competitive in our nature and so I secretly think that part of him signed up for the marathon just to show that if his dumb sister could do it, he could do it too…and better.  Which is just fine with me, because I know that he totally can.  And this way, we get to share in the experience of running for Team World Vision.

Marathon training officially starts today and so I just wanted to share with you what I wrote last year when I was approached by Team World Vision to share my reasons for running.  You can check it out here: MY STORY.  Please also check out our donation site at www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman.  Think about supporting both my brother and I in our efforts to raise funds for children and families in Zambia.

marathon time!

I’m healthier. Stronger. Wiser.  More experienced the second time around. I’m more excited than nervous, more optimistic than afraid to run this year’s Chicago Marathon.  It’s true; I’m choosing to put my body through another grueling summer. I’m choosing to sweat, pound, wake up at the crack of dawn, chug gallons of water and Gatorade, throw back packets of gel, sit in ice baths.  I’m choosing to “beat my body and make it my slave”.  I’m running for Team World Vision (TWV). I’m choosing hope instead of despair, faith instead of doubt, LIFE instead of death.  Join me.

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, I will be hitting the pavement and running the Chicago Marathon with TWV for the second time.  World Vision works to tackle the ROOT causes of POVERTY by working with children, families, and their communities to provide things like clean water, health care, nutritious food, education, and economic opportunities.   Running with TWV for Chicago Marathon 2008 was an incredible experience.  As I pressed on and crossed that finish line, through a whirlwind of emotions and physical pain, I received that medal and knew that I had accomplished something incredible.  That medal came with support, complete and utter joy, pain, and tears.  That physical accomplishment came with knowing the global impact my communities of supporters were making.  The global impact that I was making.  This is why I’m doing it again.

With your support, I was able to raise over $2,000 for TWV in 2008.  That money was used to help build clean water wells in Zambia.  This year I am setting a goal of $3,000.  So please, sleep on it, think about it, and choose to join me on this journey.

Donate: www.firstgiving.com/alicewightman

the start of a new chapter…

At the end of this week, I will be leaving my current position and organization and stepping in a new (and welcomed) direction.  This switch has officially been in the makings for the past few months.  After a number of interviews and weeks of waiting, I was offered a newly created position at an organization in the city.  (Where I did my MSW internship… yay!) I am both so excited and a bit nervous for this new endeavor.  My official title will be: Homeless Services Coordinator.  I will have to elaborate on what I will be doing, once I start doing it…

As my final week as an Adoption Social Worker is coming to an end, I have found myself reflecting on what I have done this past year and a half.  Even though adoption work is not for me, as I have learned, it is a beautiful thing when a successful family is united, created. I definitely have grown a lot from the experience.  Some of it has been good, some bad.  All life experiences are learning opportunities, and I think I’ve learned a lot about myself, the adoption world, global poverty, parenting, and in general, people.

I’ve noticed in this past year and a half that when people have asked what my occupation is, I get “awwws” and “oooos” when I say adoption work.  I’m not gonna lie, it kind of irritates me.  I didn’t go into social work for a cutesy, cushy, tiny toes, squeezable, bright and sunny kind of job.  I’ve learned that although ultimately I am bringing a child into a family, I’m working mainly with families…who have the means, education, and status to adopt.  And that’s all good stuff, just not exactly what I want to do in my life.

I guess in the end, my main beef with adoption is the fact that children are being adopted internationally everyday… when they may not necessarily need to be adopted.  I can’t bare to think about the amount of children (who are not orphans) that have been removed from the only life, country, environment they know because 1. their families don’t have enough money to provide for them, 2. their families think America will be a “better” place for them, 3. baby buying/kidnapping issues, and 4. supply and demand.  I realize these are the gritty issues about adoption, maybe you’ve never thought of it, maybe you don’t want to think about it… but, I can’t help BUT think about it.  Am I saying that all international adoptions are bad? NOT AT ALL.  I just think that as human beings from a country that has so much, (that throws away food all the time, that lets groceries rot in our fridge because we forget about it, that complains about not having anything to eat,) we should perhaps be assisting parents in other countries keep their families united, instead of fighting to “get” one of their kids.

I don’t know what this all means for me (and Sean), especially since we are extremely interested in adopting in the future.  How do we go about it morally, responsibly, and compassionately? How do we make sure that the child we are adopting has no other viable options of growing up in their country of origin? How can we be assured that the child we adopt is truly an orphan?