Race Announcement: Victoria Soto

On February 9th, I will be running the YMCA Sweet Heart Run in Stratford, CT for Victoria Soto.  Stratford, CT is Victoria's home town and I thought that it would be appropriate to honor the heroic teacher by racing for her there.

Please feel free to join me there to run or walk.

Love-
Lindsay

1,000 Miles for Chase

Over the weekend, I was honored to meet Kevin Bresnahan, who is a close family friend of the Kowalski family.  They lost their son Chase on December 14th.  Kevin has an amazing initiative going where he is pledging to run 1000 miles in Chase's honor.  He and I met during my run for Charlotte Bacon and while he was logging miles toward his goal for Chase. It was immediately obvious that Kevin has a huge heart and wants so badly to relieve the family's pain in what ever way that he can.  Kevin even asked for me to let him know when I would be running for Chase so that he could join me that day.  It feels amazing to have all of these different efforts coming together for a similar goal. 

Please visit Kevin's site and support him in any way that you can.
http://10004chase.blogspot.com

Race Reflections: Charlotte Bacon's Race

The race was only yesterday and I've been putting off writing this blog entry.  Something kind of amazing happened and I've been going back and forth on whether or not I should share it here.  It's the kind of thing that I'm sure will draw some eye rolls, but this blog is acting a a therapeutic tool for me as well, and I need to write down everything that I experience on this journey or else I'm not utilizing it in the best way possible.  So guess what.  You get to hear it :)

The day started out cold again.  12 degrees to be exact.  I met up with a few friends at the race, we warmed up, got in line and the race began.  About a half mile into the run, my eyes unfocused for what would have been a split second.  And in that millisecond, I had this "vision", I really don't know what to call it.  It was a flash.  But whatever it was, I saw a little girl holding my hand. 

It sounds insane to say it.  It could have very easily been my emotions of the day and what I was trying to do taking over, but I don't really care.  It made my heart feel lighter and I ran harder.  I ran 5 miles at a pace of 10 minutes each mile.  10 minute miles to the second almost.  I had my gall bladder removed from my body last week.  The nurses laughed at me when I told them I had a race to do on the 27th.  They told me it would never happen.  The fact that I was not only able to be there that day, but able to run each leg of that race at the pace that I did makes me believe that I had a little help. 

So, whatever it was, I'm going to choose to believe that Charlotte was saying hi to me yesterday.  And it felt amazing.

Here is Charlotte Bacon, the second beautiful angel that I have now run for:

And a few pictures from my race yesterday- the rest you can view on the facebook page "26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook"

Race Reflection: Catherine V Hubbard's Race

On Saturday, I unexpectedly kicked off 26 in 2013.  Sunday was slated to be my first race, but early Friday evening I heard about a race on Saturday that was being put on with all proceeds going to benefit the Sandy Hook Family Fund.  How could I say no to that?  So, Catherine and I got ready to race and kick off this "project"  a little bit earlier than I expected.

It felt great.  Even though the temperature was less than desirable, the spirit amongst the people running was warm and loving.  They were all there for Newtown.  For the people we lost.  The fact that so many would come out in freezing cold temperatures in a show of love and support was so touching.  And I was amazed at how many people approached me, after recognizing the logo on my t-shirt, and wanted to talk to me about 26 in 2013.  Their words of encouragement meant so much to me. 

I'm so glad that 26 in 2013 is finally underway.  It feels so great to have it be a reality rather than something that I'm just planning and talking about in theory.  It's real now and I'm finally doing something to put my feelings into action. 

I looked at a picture of Catherine before I left my house Saturday morning and studied her beautiful face.  I spoke a few words to her in my mind before the starting horn sounded for the race.  And I kept her image in my mind through out the run.  I thought of her when I felt tired and forced myself to push through. 

Here is Catherine V Hubbard.  The angel that I ran for:

Here are a few photo's  of my race this weekend.  You can view the complete photo album on my facebook page, "26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook".

Race Announcement: Catherine V Hubbard

Completely last minute, but I just heard that there is a 5k race taking place in Milford tomorrow morning that is specifically being put on to support the Sandy Hook Support Fund and I can't miss it.  Tomorrow will now be 26 in 2013's official kick off date.

I will be running to honor Catherine V Hubbard, age 6.

Sunday's 5 mile run to honor Charlotte Bacon will still take place.


Love-
Lindsay

Medical Clearance- Bring it on!

I have been officially cleared by my surgeon to run this weekend.  Bring it on 5 freezing cold miles! 

Race Announcement: Daniel Barden

On February 3rd, I will be running the "Run for Refugees" 5k out of New Haven, CT for Daniel Barden. 

If you walk or run, please feel free to join me that morning to honor Daniel.
http://www.jbsports.com/?page_id=169

Medical and Opening Race Update

Quick note on my medical situation:

I wanted to follow up on this blog because I have received numerous notes from people asking to run along side me on the 27th and I want to make sure that people know where my head is at when it comes to my capabilities that day.  I had my abdominal surgery this past Wednesday.  Everything went smoothly and I am healing up well.  As of right now I am feeling extremely confident that I will be able to, at the very least, walk the 5 mile course.  As long as I experience no unforeseen complications, I am planning on kicking off 26 in 2013 on the 27th.  My doctors appointment to be cleared for physical activity is this coming Thursday and I will know for certain that day.  Nothing like cutting it close, right? 

Thank you all for the very sweet notes and well wishes.  I appreciate them all so very much!  Now back to focusing on task at hand- running for remembrance. 

Love- Lindsay

Bedtime

I honestly can't envision a time in my life from this point going forward that I wont think of those 20 babies when I put my son to bed each night.  Their faces float through my mind as I read his story, tuck in his blankets and while I rub his back.  I have this small hope that they are in some way, listening in as I read.  That they can hear me mentally telling them goodnight along side my baby.  I hope that they can hear all of the millions of people that are thinking of them each day and night.  I know I'm not alone in doing this. 

I just miss them.  And I didn't even know them. 

26 is Just Too Many.

Today, the shirts arrived.  The one's that my amazing friends leaped into action to create for me. 

As I pulled into my driveway and saw the box sitting on my front stoop, I actually yelped and got really excited. I rushed to the front door from my car, grabbed the box and brought it inside.  I sat down on the kitchen floor, ripped it open and stared into a very large box- filled to the brim with t-shirts.

And then I started to cry.

I pulled out 26 individually wrapped t-shirts.  26 separate reminders of 26 different lives that we, as a nation, lost on December 14th.  26 beautiful souls that had so much more to do on this Earth. 

As I pulled each shirt out of the box, I found myself talking to the person that each one bore the name of.  I'm not going to tell you what we talked about.  That's between us.  But I couldn't help myself.  I had so much to say to them. 

I haven't had a physical reminder of just how many 26 really is since the night we all individually lit 26 candles on Christmas Eve as a community. 

26 is just too many.  And my heart hurts today at the reminder.

Love-
Lindsay

 

 

 

Minor Hitch In My Giddy-Up

So as of this morning, I am scheduled to have my gallbladder removed next Wednesday.  I've been having issues for about a year now, but the pain has intensified and my doctors are concerned that if they don't do it now I will require a much larger surgery in a month or two. 

The recovery time is short for a surgery like this and I am hoping that I will be feeling ok by the 27th to at least walk the course for Charlotte Bacon.  I will play it by ear and see how I am feeling.  If I need more healing time, I will do a "rain date" of Sunday February 3rd.  There is a "Run for Refugees" out of New Haven, CT.  My doctors are confident that I will be 100% in time for that.  They aren't as optimistic about the 27th. But every body is different, so we will see.

I'm glad this is happening now and not in the middle of everything.  Starting in February, my weekends are pretty much packed with back to back races, so I would miss more than just one and it would throw my whole schedule for a loop.  I'm going to choose to look at this bump in the road as though I'm getting a tune up before hitting the pavement for the year.

I will keep you all posted on everything as I know more. 

Love-
Lindsay

How to Keep Up with 26 in 2013

There are a few ways that you can keep up with me through out the year, without having to slip on a pair of sneakers and come for a jog :)  Figured I would list them here:

• This blog.  Obviously.  You can sign up to be alerted of updates to the blog by entering your email address into the box located here   --------------------------------------------------------->
• I created a page on Facebook.  If you search 26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook in the Facebook search bar, it should come right up for you.  If it doesn't, please let me know and I can help you find it.
• I created a Twitter account @26in2013. But I'm not going to lie to you on that one and say it's going to be brimming over with fantastic information because I'm a twitter newbie and am just learning how to navigate that system.  I'm working on it though. 
• I also created a separate email address that you can reach me at if you don't want to leave a comment out for the world to see.  That email address is 26in2013@gmail.com.

I think that's about it.  Hope to see you around!

-Lindsay

Unexpected Gifts

A woman that I have never had the pleasure of meeting before read about 26 in 2013 and was inspired to write the following poem.  I had to share it here. 

Thank you Kathy from Twenty Six Seeds of Love for Newtown.  I am truly touched by this kindness.  I will carry your words with me as I run.


Run Free for Newtown

One run for each lost soul,
Remembrance is your goal,
You play an important role,
Now you must run free.

Your heart is now open,
To relieve what is broken,
Kind words have been spoken,
Now you must run free.

Feel the love and keep your pace,
We're behind you, in every race,
We give you thanks for your good grace,
Now you must run free.

When you're tired, increase your speed,
Feel the strength of your good deed,
26 Angels will help you succeed,
Now you must run free.

And as you cross each finish line,
The distance you've run will cross your mind,
You gave your heart, you gave your time,
Now you must run free.

Each life lost, each beautiful face,
Will be remembered at every race,
We all give Newtown a big embrace,
And hope you all run free....

Good luck Lindsay & Newtown- much love to you all ♥♥♥

A Few Things Before We Get Started

Putting yourself out there for something like this isn't really an easy decision.  You never know how people are going to respond and you get nervous that the whole project will fail miserably.  So, it took me a long time to get up the courage to put this idea out there for the world to see.  But a small group of close friends gave me the final push that I needed to throw it out there and take a leap of faith that people will respond.  And I am so glad that they did.

The outpouring of support- monetarily and emotionally- in such a short amount of time, has been unbelievable.  I am humbled by the response that this has gotten and it makes me wish that my first race were tomorrow instead of two weeks away.  I am just so incredibly thankful for the support system I have in place.  It will carry me through this experience.

Before everything kicks off officially, I need to recognize a few people that have been instrumental in my preparation and readiness.  I have been blessed to have some amazing people in my life that once they heard about my plan, quickly stepped up and wanted to do anything that they could to help me get it off the ground.  That fantastic "26 in 2013" chalk board style header that you see up there at the top of my blog was designed by my beautiful friend Christie Crofford.  Who, upon hearing of my final decision to move forward, immediately asked if she could create something special for me to use as a logo in order to give the project its own special look and feel.  When she showed me the final look she came up with, this entire thing just felt so real.

And then there are my unbelievably sweet and generous friends Katie Hanvelt and her sister Megan Ott.  Who jumped into action the second my plan came to life and immediately asked if they could create the t-shirts that I would wear for each event.  In less than two days, they designed and sent 26 racing tees on their way from Wisconsin to Connecticut.  And then refused to take a dime from me to help offset the costs.  I'll be running in style and will be honoring each loved one appropriately due to their kindness. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.  I will never be able to say thank you enough.

Love-

Lindsay

Donation Page Link

A few people have reached out to me to let me know that the donation information is not available to them because they are viewing this blog from their phone.  (The link is on the right hand navigation column on the full site.)  Here is the direct link to donate if you need it.  Thank you all for bringing this problem to my attention.

http://www.crowdrise.com/26in2013forSandyHook/fundraiser/lindsayknauf

Race Number One Is Booked.

On January 27, I will be running for Charlotte Bacon. 

Event Info:
Gerry McCluskey Memorial Winter Wonderland 5 Miler
600 Orange Ave
Milford, CT

I'm Running.

I'm running because I don't know what else to do.  There aren't enough volunteer events on the planet that I can sign up for to help fill in this hole in my heart.  I'm not close enough to any of the families that I can go and hug them tight, make them a lasagna or be there as a shoulder to cry on.  I don't have the words to make it all better, no one does. 

But I know how to run. 

I can run and people can support me in that endeavour and together we can provide the only type of support that we can from a distance.  Monetary support that will ensure that these families wont need to be in debt for funeral costs.  Money that will go to pay for on going therapy sessions that will be needed by so many.  Money that will assist in the building of proper memorials so that those 26 amazing and precious souls are never forgotten. 

I am going to run 26 different events in 2013.  One for each victim of the December 14th tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school.  I will honor one victim per event and bear their name on a shirt so that all those around me will be reminded of their name.  And I will detail my journey here.

It's a lofty goal, but with your support and encouragement, I think I can do it.  I have to...for them.  It's all I can think to do.  I've got to contribute in some way.  And I'm starting here.

Thank you for visiting my page and sharing in my goal. 

-Lindsay