today!

Wow! To this date, You all have successfully helped raise $200.00 for Citymeals-on-Wheels! You = Wonderful.

The community thanks you.

A mashed potato started long time ago...

Well, it's sunday. So, that means I'm up early and I'm bored. Except i forget that extreme boredom with me tends to morph into fantastic, albeit latent, productivity. While I didn't run, per se, I participated in an alternate form of exercise, most notably: bicycling! The premier form of transportation in Brooklyn. I contacted some people via craigslist about a room for rent and decided to finally pump some air in the ol' bike tires and take her out for a spin (the spin being this apartment). It took about an hour to get there, but i cycled around the west side of Prospect Park looping in and out of the middle of the Park where all the action was taking place. I think I'll run here for the next 20 weeks. Why? Because everyone is having the time of their lives. I saw kids playing stick ball! I'm not kidding - stick ball! I imagine they were probably being handed fresh hot dogs with perfectly proportioned condiments dripping off the buns as they slid into Home Plate. And then they all went out for ice cream afterwards....ok, whatever, you get the point - this place was Pleasantville and I was digging it. Long story short, the room was about the size of my bed and absent of closet space. I may not have found a new place to live, but I found a great route to run.

If that wasn't painfully picturesque enough, I got caught in the rain on my bike while riding home. It was thundering. And lightening. And there was a rainbow.



music for the day: lots of April March, The Coasters & Broadcast...Oh! and the Breeders. Duh. It's summer!

in honor of...oh what's that word?

would you like your heart warmed?

why can't stride give ME money to dance around the world? At any rate, this makes me want to run.


oh! "Hope"

I wish...

that I was doing THIS instead.

pre-training

So, I am hoping that by the end of this whole experience (training) I have accrued enough motivational support to push me through the actual marathon. Finding time to run is becoming increasingly difficult as the initial shock and excitement has dwindled down to about 20% excitement, leaving 80% of my emotions at the mercy of fear and procrastination. And I mean, let's face it, I am the world's best procrastinator. So let this be my first (not so subtle) push towards coercing you into read our blog (when you have a chance) and post comments (to help us). It really will make a world of difference.

Many people have been asking me, "So how is training going?!?!" And, yes, with THAT much enthusiasm (I love it). Allow me to answer: it's going....not so bad. I can now officially run more than 10 minutes without wanting to die! Oh, I'm sorry, is that pathetic? Well, I suppose now is a better time than ever to confess the following: I have had little to no interest in athleticism and personal growth through exercise since high school. Admitting that was painful...

But it's true. Not to mention, running totally bores me. I'm not used to competitive, physical activity that doesn't require my hands and a ball. But I must say, it's much easier than I thought to push yourself past that point when you are running and you simply cannot go any further. I suppose kids are calling it "endurance" these days. Well, I gots-me-some. I'm bubbling over with perseverance! I still am trying to synchronize the body/mind disconnect, but I imagine that will take a lot of time. If you check in, I'll keep you updated...

At any rate, I am running anywhere between 30-45 minutes 5 days a week. The most solid advice I have adhered to thus far has been: "Don't worry about the rugged training of it all quite yet. For now, you must become a runner!" I have, (graeme), and I kind of like it.

p.s. I bought real running shoes for the first time. I went to a store and was forced to run on a treadmill while watching a CG version of my feet moving in front of me. I tried hard to like the Saucony's (as they have been my brand since middle school), but they just didn't work for me. So, after trying on numerous pairs of shoes (including different models of each brand), I settled with Asics: Gel-Cumulus 10. Now with a gender-specific fit! It's my most controlling sneaker yet.

I must say, there is nothing better than feeling the wind through the sweet, sweet mesh that encases my toes while I run.

-Kelli

2 quick notes:

1) I would love some advice from those of you who are runners

2) If you comment on nothing else throughout this adventure, please @ least send me suggestions for musicology. I have a brand new ipod shuffle and desperately need suggestions for long runs. Help.

Our Request

June 2, 2008

Dear Family and Friends:

While working for various non-profits over the past 3 years I have grown familiar with, and fond of, fundraising on behalf of others. Therefore, it is surprising how difficult it is for me to seek charity for personal endeavors. As a result, please allow me the pleasure of informality from this point forward.

I was recently introduced to the miserable concept of marathon running. While taking a leisurely stroll down my block last November, I was nearly trampled by a horde of fit silhouettes in revealing, shiny outfits. “That’s odd,” I thought. “What could possibly compel someone to do THAT!?” Imagine my surprise when a friend suggested that I participate with her in such an activity. Against my better judgment, I reluctantly agreed to run the 2008 NYC Marathon—hoping she would forget the whole thing in a few months. As it turns out, my friend has a fantastic memory and a long history of marathon training.

Ultimately, seeking the completion of my very own marathon is motivated by unwavering stubbornness and a desire to serve the community through personal venture. My father, a smoker for thirty-five years and a diabetic for eight, has joined me in this journey of unthinkable feats. While I train for the marathon during the next five months, my father, Scott Peterman, will slowly, but surely, quit smoking cigarettes.

The purpose of this letter is two-fold. First, my father and I are reaching out to you for your encouragement and support. We will graciously accept the following in large doses: phone calls, hugs, letters, advice, stories of personal achievement, kind and motivating words, check-ups, and packs of Nicorette gum. My father and I have set up this blog (for all you internet savvy folks) in order to keep each other accountable and so that you may track our progress. If you are ever bored, curious, or would like to write on our comments board please visit our site!

There is another catch (we are so full of surprises): I will be running for the Marathon Charity Program with Citymeals-on-Wheels. What this means is that I have a built in support system of other runners who will be training together as well as raising funds for this amazing non-profit organization. Of the many organizations that have teemed up with NYRR (New York Road Runners) to allow runners to give back to the community, I felt most drawn to Citymeals. Not only do they provide isolated NYC elderly the necessities of food and personable interaction, they also ensure that 100% of the donated money they receive is used exclusively in the preparation and delivery of said meals. Most importantly, as a result of the current economy and subsequent rising cost of food and gas, Citymeals is struggling. I feel honored to be supporting them and running on their behalf.

I know that this endeavor will be easier with the support of friends and family. Moreover, I trust that there are those who will wish to participate. In such a case, I kindly request your support and cordially invite you to be a part of this journey. Our set fundraising goal is to donate $2,500 on October 26, one week prior to the Marathon (and my mother's birthday)! I will surely appreciate the free support (hugs, etc.) and any amount of change you can spare. Whether you donate $0.01 per mile, $1.00 per mile, $5.00 per mile or more, it will go directly to Citymeals-on-Wheels and to individuals in need. Please know that every little bit helps, and my father and I will be just as pleased if you donate the time to encourage us.

Thank you for being in our lives,

Kelli and Scott

*To donate, please click on the link to the side of this page. It will lead you to my personal page on the Citymeals-on-Wheels site where you may donate safely and securely.

*If you are paying with a check, please send all donations to:
Kelli Peterman
545 Myrtle Avenue, Apt 3F
Brooklyn, NY 11205   

OR:

If you are sending a check and would like a Thank You letter from Citymeals-on-Wheels, which will serve as a tax receipt, please send your donation to:

Citymeals-on-Wheels

Attn: Sarah Kravitz

355 Lexington Avenue, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10017

Please send a letter along with the check stating that the check is to be put towards Kelli Peterman's fundraising goal for the NYC Marathon.  Also, please put my name on the note section of your check.