Latest News from FiftyTwo4Mom

My trip to Ada, Ohio and the campus of Ohio Northern University was one of the hardest trips to date, and yet one of the most rewarding.  It was during my freshman year at ONU that I found out my mom lost sight in her second eye, rendering her completely blind for a period.  My time at Ohio Northern was highlighted by time on the Swim Team and Radio and TV stations.  All of which were relived as the event was covered by ONU Channel 3 and WONB 94.9 radio.  I also met up with one of the swimmers who was on the team with me back in ’98-’99.  It was not surprising that either of use could remember the other since I had only spent one year on the team as a diver, but it was still cool to see him at the race with his wife. 

Zeta Tau Alpha put on a great race, benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer research and was gracious enough to let me pass out information and talk to people about my cause as well.  I met lots of great people at this race, who braved the wind and cold to come out and run.  It was great to run around ONU’s campus one more time and see all the changes that have occurred since I left campus over 11 years ago, and while I didn’t run the 5k very fast, I still enjoyed my race here.  I was also interviewed by the school paper for an article that should help to get our cause out to even more people. 

I am taking some time off to do some fundraising back in Michigan and begin to organize a few races for the cause, but will be looking forward to getting back on the road ASAP.  For more pictures on this weeks trip please check out: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43843&id=172123116132894

After leaving Charlotte, I was feeling a little home sick and ready to get off the road.  I won’t lie and act as if that traveling like this is the easiest thing in the world to do.  As exciting and fun as this can be it can be even more lonely and draining.  It’s great to meet new people, but sometimes it’s difficult to be away from the familiarity of family and friends.  Staying with Nicole and Joe, from the Michigan State University Tampa Alumni Association, really turned around my experience in St. Petersburg.  From day one when Joe grilled us up chicken, to the note that Nicole left me with directions on where to run by the bay, I really felt as if I was at home.  I had the opportunity to do a lot of really cool things while in St. Petersburg/Tampa, including going to a parade, where I met Ms. Florida, attending practice for the Honda Grand Prix, and seeing a dolphin while out on the bay. 

While out on the town, I found lots of great little restaurants and local businesses who were interested in helping out with the cause as well.  Thanks to Café Alma, Keller Williams Reality, Paddy Burke’s, and all the MSU Tampa Bay Alumni members for their support of FiftyTwo4Mom.  The week was a huge success, and during the Sweet 16 game at Wings Gone Wild, we raised over $300 from the raffle we did.  Not only did we get all the MSU alum to donate, but there were also many Ohio State and Tennessee alumni who purchased raffle tickets as well.  I was even able to connect with an old friend from Michigan, who recently moved to the Tampa area and was at the game.

My race was on Saturday, and it was a perfect morning to run.  The weather was great and even though it was an early race, with a 7am start, Ybor City looked like something out of a storybook.  The cobblestone streets and old brick buildings were a perfect setting for a run.  The “Race for Sight” was sponsored by the Lion’s Eye Foundation, and was a great fit with our cause.  The most inspiring part of the race was the group of kids, all with visual impairments, who ran in the race as well.  Their heart and determination was so uplifting and really puts into greater perspective what I am doing.  I wish that I could have had the opportunity to speak with each of them and to tell their story, however, because of their age I was not permitted to do so.  I had the most fun on this run, and ran well, 22:15, placing 34^th out of almost 300 runners.  I am glad that this was the largest “race for sight” to date and hope that this race continues to grow in years to come.  As for FiftyTwo4Mom it is off to Michigan to head up a few fundraisers then onto Ohio on April 17^th for another race.  This time I get to visit my first college, Ohio Northern University, in Ada.

To see more pictures from sunny Florida, visit our facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43842&id=172123116132894