Waiting for Spring!

So it's April. And it's 30 degrees outside. And it's April.

So where's Spring?

Who knows! What I do know, is this crazy weather that can't make up its mind is driving me into hibernation with one cold after another. It's finally at the point where my doctor has put me on a bunch of meds and ordered me to rest for the ENTIRE WEEKEND.

I guess this is a good thing. More rest means a happier, healthier me, means better runs and training, means better half marathon this summer.

But it's spring.

I'm supposed to be out running 7 miles on heartbreak hill tomorrow celebrating the beautiful weather and the sunshine, getting to know my teammates, and gearing up for "Marathon Monday" here in Boston. But instead I'll be hibernating at home, "resting", and waiting for whatever this sickness is that I have to go away.

I guess it could be worse, a lot worse, and I shouldn't be complaining. I'm just so excited to be part of Team Challenge this year, and finally feeling motivated to do my regular runs, and really just want to be out there running. But, running last weekend and all this week when I was still sick is probably what stopped me from getting better already.

So, I'll give this another few days, let my body recuperate, and next week I'll be out pounding the pavement once again for a cure. I want to wish all my teammates good luck at training tomorrow. I'll be with them there in spirit while they climb heartbreak hill.

In the meantime, I'll work on my fundraising and see if I can't get closer to my goal. I'm 44% there already! Help me hit the $2k mark this week and win the prize for most number of donations by making your own donation at bit.ly/ashleyruns.

Let's kick IBD in the butt!
ashley

Let's Kick IBD's Ass!

Last week I hosted my first Punk Rock CCFA Benefit fundraising concert at O'Brien's Pub in Allston. We had a huge crowd to see some great musicians perform. My friend Patrick Simas opened with some earth-shattering acoustic punk, followed by personal favorites The Digs, smoothed by the crooning melodies of The Hideout, and headlined by local legends Zip-Tie Handcuffs.

Folks donated $5-10 at the door, and had the opportunity to be entered into a door prize raffle for an AmEx gift card for every $10 they donated to the cause.

What took me by surprise was that not only did the bands playing just want to play a show, but they were enthusiastically supportive of the cause. All participating musicians donated merch, with which we were able to entice concert-goers for additional cash donations. They all also spotlighted our donations table during their sets to encourage their own fans to give to the cause.

Altogether, we had a kick-ass night, raising over $300 for the cause, spreading the word about IBD and the CCFA to 40+ enthusiastic Bostonians, and, of course, losing our voices from screaming lyrics and cheering on a great cause.

This concert was actually only the first of a series that I'll be hosting all over the greater Boston area this year to raise money and awareness for the CCFA. I only hope that the next show is equally successful!

Thanks to everyone that came out to kick IBD's ass!

Boston strong,
ashley

Event banner for the Punk Rock CCFA Benefit concert.