Adventure Run & Summer Practice!

We were a small yet spirited group that ventured out for our first summer practice!  A BIG hooray to Rod MacLean, Jeannie McLam, and Cathy Grondal for getting out to exercise and have some FUN!  And boy was it fun!  The Mill Creek Adventure Run included a scavenger hunt going to businesses to retreive tickets for prize drawings, bean bag tosses and basketball shots! And a root beer and beer garden at the end for a good carbo load!

Thursday come prepared to walk or run, and for those brave enough take a swim in the lake at the end! The water has been feeling warm!!! Let's meet at 6:30pm since its staying light out later!  I will have healthy snacks waiting!

GO BEADS!!!

See you soon! :-)

Zombie's Girls & Kick Off Summer Training! Read all about it!

Zombie Girls Go Wild!!!

The call of the ZOMBIES was too much for several of our team mates to resist! I'm sure you recognize most of those crazed faces!  A shout out to Tamy Bagan, Hope Soley, Jen MacLean, Jeannie McLam, Michelle Heinemann, and our event photographer and supporter Julee Cunningham! We are all part of a very colorful bi-monthly book club!  If you're into books and fun, let me know and I will fill you in on this lively group!

Summer Training Kick-Off!

This is the week - - the wonderful week to come back and gear up for another BFE Races, summer event!  This event is a seven week training blitz and we start this Thursday June 21st!  Our first training will begin in Mill Creek for their "Monthly Adventure Run".  Let's plan to meet at Run 26 to gather and registration.  Please let me know if you will be there so that I can watch for you! The particulars are below:



Here's How It Works:

The run is similar to an urban adventure scavenger hunt, and the rules are simple:

• 5:30 – 5:45 is registration. Plan on arriving at this time to sign in.
• At 6pm 1 large map is shown that have a dozen or so checkpoints on them. This map entails downtown Mill Creek and the Town Center.
• Participants will be given an hour to hit as many checkpoints as possible by using their notes or cell phone photo taken when the map is revealed.
• When you arrive at each checkpoint you will be given a raffle ticket good for prizes from our sponsors at the end of the race. How you get there is up to you, but the more raffle tickets you collect the more chances you have of winning prizes at the raffle drawing!
• PLUS!!! BEER GARDEN AND MUSIC AFTERWARDS. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT A LOCAL CHARITY!

Cost: FREE!

Start: Run 26, Mill Creek
Try to hit as many checkpoints as you can, but remember that the raffle drawing starts at 7:00pm whether you are there or not!
Be sure to bring a watch, good navigational skills, and great attitude

Doesn't that sound like a TON of fun???  Again please RSVP, that way we will look for you at the event!  Hope to see MANY of you!  I challenge each of you to bring a friend to join in the fun, get in shape, and meet the wonderful team!

Find Joy!!!

GO BEADS!!!!

CPK Event & Upcoming Mud Race!!!

California Pizza Kitchen Dinner!  What a BLAST!

It was so much fun seeing all of you that could make it at the CPK FUNdraiser! It was a joyful reunion connecting with all of you!  Cody the manager at CPK said she would honor the 20% donation all the way through the long weekend for BEADS!  For those of you that couldn't make it, stop in, receive great service and eat good food for a cause. Cody also threw in a 20 person table and is donating the proceeds from that table as well!  So whoever can rally and support CPK for their kindness and get a bit more of a donation for BEADS that would be AWESOME!!!

Thanks to everyone that supported the event!  Lori & Victor Navarro, Donna Vande Kieft, Bill Goodwin, Loren & Noel Jackson, Lorraine & Michael Cunningham, Erica Wolf, Rod MacLean, JR & Mary Wahl and Sam Wahl.  And Ame & Matt Parman picked up pizza's for take out!!!  In the next two or three weeks we will find out how much our donation came to!  What a simple way to raise a few dollars and have a ton of fun!

Announcing the Summer Mud Run!!! 

Mark your calendar for June 21st, truly a significant day for many reasons . . . its summer solstice, Mill Creek's Urban Adventure Run/Walk, Rod & Jen's sixteenth Anniversary AND our first practice for the upcoming mud run on August 4th.  Thought it would be FUN to launch our first practice by participating in Mill Creek Urban Adventure Run/Walk event sponsored by Run 26, and celebrating our 16th with ALL of you!!!  Below are the particulars:

How It Works:

The run is similar to an urban adventure scavenger hunt, and the rules are simple:

• 5:30 – 5:45 is registration. Plan on arriving at this time to sign in.
• At 6pm 1 large map is shown that have a dozen or so checkpoints on them. This map entails downtown Mill Creek and the Town Center.
• Participants will be given an hour to hit as many checkpoints as possible by using their notes or cell phone photo taken when the map is revealed.
• When you arrive at each checkpoint you will be given a raffle ticket good for prizes from our sponsors at the end of the race. How you get there is up to you, but the more raffle tickets you collect the more chances you have of winning prizes at the raffle drawing!
• PLUS!!! BEER GARDEN AND MUSIC AFTERWARDS. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT A LOCAL CHARITY!

Cost: Free!
Start: Run 26, Mill Creek
Try to hit as many checkpoints as you can, but remember that the raffle drawing starts at 7:00pm whether you are there or not!
Be sure to bring a watch, good navigational skills, and great attitude



We will get to exercise, see each other, AND maybe win some COOL prizes!!! 

So far we have commitments for the Mud Run from Lorraine Cunningham, Rod MacLean, Erica Wolf, Donna Vande Kieft, Bill Goodwin, Jeannie McLam, JR & Mary Wahl and Lori Navarro!  If I left someone out or added you in without a commitment, my apology!

Here is the link to the Dirty Dash on August 4th!  The great part of the event is we all start together as a team and help each other through the mud and fun!  ALL fitness levels are welcome.

http://www.thedirtydash.com/races/seattle

The Dirty Dash is giving BEADS a generous 20% off the race fees!  So the fee to participate will be $40, and the fundraising commitment to BEADS is $100. 

Invite your friends, co-workers, and family to join the team so they can get in shape, meet new people, and help a good cause!  And let me know if your in, so I can start creating the team list!  GO BEADS!!!

Thanks everyone!!!

Find Joy!!!

Jen :-)



Our Donation!!! CPK FUNdraiser! 10K Opportunity!

Hello Team,

Must say I've missed all of you!  It was the first Thursday in sixteen weeks, (that we were in town) that we didn't have practice and a BIG pot of soup!  What an amazing sixteen weeks, and honor it was to watch each of you improve and grow in your fitness!

Our California Pizza Kitchen fundraiser is coming up Wednesday May 23 & Thursday May 24th.  What a FUN way for us all to get together again.  The Northgate CPK is graciously donating 20% of all food and beverages, when anyone brings in the flier below for dine in or take out for the entire two days!  In order for this FUNdraiser to work we all need to post this on our Facebook pages, print them up and hand them out to everyone we know, invite friends and family to dine. I figured Thursday May 24th at 6pm would be a great evening for all of us to get together, share food, and have our dining go to BEADS!  Bring your spouses, kids, and friends and lets once again celebrate! I also thought we could wear our jerseys and make an impact - - if customers ask about us, CPK will donate their check to BEADS!!!

The FUNdraising has been totalled!  We have a check . . . drum roll please, for $12,300.00 being sent to BEADS!  I hope each one of you know what an impact your hard work will make.  Just in case you missed Debby Rooney's letter to all of us I've copied it here!  Our donation will actually help open the high school EARLY!!!  Love it team!!!

Jambo FUNdracers,

Jen is so right when she says you rocked!!  And I am overjoyed with your success. 

As you know we are building a high school to provide a quality education for  our girls.  Your efforts will enable BEADS to build a classroom that will be named in your honor.  AMAZING!! Your donations will allow us to open in January 2013, the beginning of the next school year. Most of our girls are the first girl in their family to complete elementary school and now they will have the opportunity to receive a quality high school education.

In the USA,  parents move to the best school district available or send their children to private schools.  This is not an option in Kenya and the government high schools are very mediocre.  The Kenyan curriculum does not include any critical thinking skills, interactive or student centered teaching, Kenyan geography, and wildlife (which is  never mentioned in the curriculum). There are no libraries like ours that feature literature. Just to mention a few issues in the Kenyan schools that our high school will remedy. 

Our school will provide a quality education and we are now working on enhancing the curriculum and teaching methods.  Some of the first girls sponsored by BEADS for Education have graduated from college as teachers and will be among the BEADS high school teaching staff!  WOW!

OUR girls will become leaders of their families, communities and hopefully the nation.

I hope that you will come to Kenya one day and see the impact your efforts have made.

 

THANK YOU AGAIN and AGAIN,

Debby

 

Yesterday I spoke with JR Wahl and he said he loved the race, and is continuing his workouts!  I'd love to continue this team thing how about you???  I'm thinking a 10K August 4th in Arlington! Thought we could start training June 28th.  There will be a twist - - our workouts will include MANY forms of cross training!  Each week we will do different forms of training. (Canoeing, swimming, hiking, strength training, etc.) Yet most of all we will have TONS of fun!  It will be FUNdracing light, as it will be a $100 commitment to BEADS and the race is only $20.  Can't wait to see who is up for a new challenge and more fun and friendship!

 



WOW -- We ROCKED it!!!

A photo recap of our race day!!!  GO BEADS!!!

JR Hitting his Stride!

Loren, Sarah, Michelle!

Ben & Daniel in their Kenyan Clothing

Beautiful sign and artwork by Lori Navarro!

Karen Samuel

Michelle & Hope run like "puffs of wind"!!!

My two mom's and Jeannie! What a beautiful trio!

Why does everyone stand at a party?

Look at all those happy faces!!!

Satisfied SMILES!  Carol, Cathy, and Lori you al did great!

We were so lucky to have Julee's photography skills, Mitzi's voice, and Tamy leading the way on the 10k!

Hopeful and Honey! Okay he has a name, Eric!

Love this darling shot of Karen!

Two Handsome Men and a Dog!  That could be a good book title!

Jim & Scott truly rocking it!!!

This is who "spawned" me! Isn't she cute holding her grand dog?

Rick on the BONGO'S!  Yeah, baby!!!

Struts Cunningham!  Rocking it!!!

Flame On sponsors Lora & Darryl Thomas and the momma!

The Thursday Night Girls - - Spoiling me rotten! Thanks Michelle, Jeannie, Hope, Pat, Donna, Lori, and Lorraine!

Pat bringing it home!

The "pink" Nike's got me in!

Before the race frivolities!

Tanya & Jen our Associated Behavioral Health sponsors!

Donna going strong at the end of the half marathon!

GO BEADS!!!

Aren't these pictures great???  What a day full of accomplishments and JOY!!!  We all finished our races, no injuries, and had a FABULOUS Victory Party!  Thanks to ALL of you for your dedication, friendship, and fundraising! 

IMPORTANT Race Day Information!

Hi Team,

Thursday is our LAST official practice before race day!  WOW - - these last four months have been an amazing adventure!  New friendships, getting in shape, and most of all raising money and awareness for a phenomenal cause BEADS for Education!

We need you at practice this week! We have LOTS to cover about race day, logistics, and our team party! Plus we have another fun surprise awaiting you all! Let's test run your jersey's this Thursday and make for a darling photo op.

On Saturday we will have your race packets available for pick up after 5pm at our house. Since we are running as a group the race organizers asked that we pick them up all at once and distribute. If we are gone, I will leave them out on our front porch, otherwise knock and we'll get them to you. Call or email me if you need other arrangements. I'd prefer to not bring them to the race, as it may be hard to hook up and get them to you.

Again, our address is:
3805 Shelby Road
Lynnwood, WA. 98087

Please, Please, Please RSVP and let me know if you will be coming to our "Victory Party" AND if you're bringing a guest. Remember, that we ask for $15 to offset your guests meal. We have SO many fun things planned I hope you will do everything possible to come celebrate all your accomplishments!

We were so fortunate today, Tammy from BROOKS Outlet donated a gift certificate for a pair of running shoes that we will put in for a raffle drawing at the "Victory Party"!   We  have several thoughtful gifts to raffle . . . original painting, jewelry, etc. 

It has been such an honor getting to know each of you and a total privilidge to be your coach.  I cannot thank you enough for sharing your time, kindness, and resources for such a good cause!

GO BEADS!!!!

Find Joy!

Jen :-)

Couldn't Be Happier!!!

What a total joy it was to see all of you that made it to practice while we were in Arizona for a family wedding! I absolutely LOVE this darling picture of some of our team!!! A BIG thank you to Jeannie McLam and Lorraine Cunningham for leading the practice - - and a shout out to Pat Hamburg, Mary Wahl, JR "Alphabet" Wahl, Donna Vande Kieft, Lori Navarro, and Erica Wolf for coming to practice and sharing your spirit! Rod and I truly missed being there with all of you, as you were sweating and running free, we were packed like sardines in an airplane.

For those of you that were unable to come to practice - - the team jerseys have arrived and the feedback has been great! Stop by on Thursday and pick up your jersey and special gift from Debby Rooney of BEADS for Education. I'd like all of you to have your jersey before race day to wear and wash, so you won't have any unwanted chaffing. No worries if you can't stay for practice, just drop in and say hello!!! If Thursday doesn't work, contact me and we will work it out so I can get it to you. For those far away I will get them in the mail to you! (Sarah & Brian) The shirt is pictured below! Great color - - super comfy!!!

Team, it is so exciting we have about $12,000.00 raised - - we are so close to our stretch goal of $15,000.00. Its so close, we can almost taste it!!! Speaking of tasting it . . . I have one last fundraiser that I think will push us toward the goal! Its actually FUN and oh so easy! The delicious restaurant "California Pizza Kitchen" has offered us a fundraising opportunity. For two nights they will donate 20% to BEADS for Education for all meal tickets that we generate. AND if other restaurant patrons want to join in they will also add those tickets to our totals! Isn't that totally generous???

This will mean all of us handing out fliers to friends, sending out emails, posting on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc. announcing these FUN evenings out!!! What a great way to have dinner out with friends. Rod and I plan to be there on both nights - - we'd like all of you to join us and wear your gorgeous teal jerseys and stir up some fun! The dates are yet to be determined and will most like be a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. I'm planning this for May as an "after" party for all of us to connect again!

Another BIG event our "VICTORY PARTY"!!! You will NOT want to miss this festive occasion! We will start the party at 5pm on April 29th after the race! EVERY single one of you is invited - - yes, even those of you that practiced on your own. This party is for ALL of you!!! If you'd like to bring a spouse or friend we are asking for $15 to cover their meals and spirits! There will be many surprises and lots of recognition. Please RSVP and if you are bringing a guest. You have all shared your time, talent, and funds to help others - - let's celebrate that!!!

Thanks to Lori Navarro and Julie Norman for reaching their $300 fundraising committment! Way to go you two!!!

Hope to see MANY of you tomorrow!!!

GO BEADS!!!