Breaking Mews: Alyse Runs a Marathon! #FurReal
Welcome and thanks for checking out my fundraising page for the 2019 Chicago Marathon! I appreciate any donation you are able to make - big or small! Thanks for supporting the animals of The Anti-Cruelty Society and me!
Why I'm Running For The Anti-Cruelty Society:
I have always been an animal lover. Not all pets are as lucky as Buster, Lucy, Addi and Zena which is why The Anti-Cruelty Society is so important. Animals don’t have a voice and they can't help themselves so I'm running for all the kitties, puppies and other animals at The Anti-Cruelty Society to have the chance at love and a good home.
About The Anti-Cruelty Society:
In 1899, Rose Fay Thomas, wife of Chicago Symphony Orchestra founder Theodore Thomas, established The Anti-Cruelty Society and forever changed the landscape of animal welfare throughout the Chicago region. Since that time, the Society has endured as Chicago's oldest and largest open admission animal welfare organization, one that provides a wide breadth of programs that save the lives of thousands of animals each year. A certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the recipient of a four-star Charity Navigator rating, The Anti-Cruelty Society’s mission is to build a community of caring by helping pets and educating people.
All animals are welcome at the Society every day of the year. We never turn an animal away from our doors. Ever. And once an animal is admitted, they can stay as long as it takes to find their forever home. However, the care that we provide to animals in need is only possible through the friendship and support of our community.
My Running Story:
I started running in May 2012 after being inspired by my mom's efforts at the 2011 Turkey Trot. It was a wet, snowy run and she was out there kicking butt - I was standing on the sidelines. I remember my first time going on a run and having no idea what I was doing! I could barely run a mile! However, I was determined and that summer I made it my mission to be able to run around Lake Arlington without stopping (Lake Arlington is 1.8 miles around).
My first 5k was the 2012 Turkey Trot, in which I paid homage to my Mom's efforts the year before and put all my hard work over the summer to the test. I can't remember my finish time or how well I did but I know it was the greatest feeling to finish the race. That day, my Mom gave me a pillow that said “When was the last time you did something for the first time". It’s something I look at every day and is a great reminder to keep pushing myself to try new things.
Fast forward a few 5ks to 2016. I decided to try out a 10k and promised my mom that I would do the Turkey Trot 10k as her birthday present. The first time I ran four miles was so hard! Lots of self-motivated training helped me finish my first 10k in 1:04! It was after that race, I began to fall in love with running...
In October 2017, I began training for my first half marathon - the Chi Town Half Marathon in April 2018. This race was tough to train for, especially alone. There were many long runs on the treadmill due to a snowy winter and many tears were shed towards the end of my training. Race day was 14 degrees and I was battling IT band issues. Despite my challenges, I finished the race in 2:25.
After the half marathon, I wanted to give up on running. I was emotionally and physically exhausted - and then I found Busse Woods Running Club and fell in love with running all over again. Thanks to my Mom, who encouraged me to look for a running club, I found a group that supported and encouraged me to keep going and it's completely changed my outlook on running.
I never thought I would ever run a marathon - "it's just not for me". However, after months of training with my running club, a couple more half marathons and a lot of encouragement, I decided to move forward with running the Chicago Marathon in October 2019. I can and I will.
Running is a privilege, not a right. I am humbled to be on this journey and so excited to support The Anti-Cruelty Society along the way. :)
Thanks for visiting! -Alyse
If you think this page contains objectionable content, please inform the system administrator.