My new favorite shoes came in the mail today!
Maybe not what you expected?
These shoes are the most amazing ones I own, and here’s why.
-They never let me down.
-They take all my stress away.
-They are going to help me run 26.2 miles and raise $10,000 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Yep, that’s right.
I’ve decided that too much of my life over the past year and a half has been about me. All this attention and press and media, and for what? Clothes. Yes, I love them. Yes, fashion is a very valid part of my life. But it’s time to turn some of this attention towards something with a different kind of impact on the world.
I’ve always said that I wanted my company to have a purpose past fashion, and I’ve chosen the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for my first project because it’s something that has directly affected my family in the past. When my friend Ellen told me about the marathon she’d signed up for with the Society’s Team in Training to fundraise, I realized it was the perfect fit.
That said, I’m honestly a bit nervous about this. That’s a looottt of miles and a loooottt of money. I’ve been a runner for years, but what if I can’t do it? And now people know I’m trying and are watching! Ahhhk! Granted I’ve been in situations that have shown me I’m capable of more than I’d thought, but this is a totally different realm. Clearly, I’m going to need your help and support!
So open up your wallets, your money clips, the roll of cash in the back of your underwear drawer, and let’s give! You can make your donation here:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/paris10/cwhitfield
In addition, I will be donating 5% of all online sales to the cause between now and April.
I know there are a lot of you out there reading! Give a little, give a lot…whatever you can do will make a difference.
Happily Yours,
CH
PS- Tell your friends! …and maybe think of me on Saturday mornings when I’m running 10 miles at 8:00am in the freezing cold and you’re cozy in bed.
Good luck CH! I’m training to oneday run the NYC marathon. Let me know how your training comes along!
Carol,
First off, I want to applaud you for stepping up to the plate and running with Team In Training. Your sneakers (brand and color) are the same exact pair of running sneakers (brand AND color) I wore for the 2009 Walt Disney World Half Marathon (my first TNT event). I am currently a TNT Mentor for the Central NY Chapter’s winter team and training for the 2010 Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I was originally training to run the full, but a leg injury slowed me down and I’m going to run the half again. Living in Central NY, I can completly sympathize with the “joy” of running in frigid temperatures. My mom is battling Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and the disease has affected other friends in my life. So, I just want to thank you for fighting the good fight! If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to google John “The Penguin” Bingham. He is the national spokesperson for Team In Training and has a column in Runner’s World Magazine. He is a joy to read and a true inspiration to runners at all levels.
Wishing you the best of luck!
Renee Marchak
Syracuse, NY
PS- Rebecca Ferguson forwarded your blog onto me, knowing that I am a member of the TNT family.
Trust me, sister, you can do it, especially if you’ve been a runner before. Do the training and it will be fine. I did the marathon after doing the training and before I started the training, I hadn’t run more than a mile in my life. I’m a total wimp and I did it. In my pace group there was a 93 year old man who was on his 4th marathon. There was a woman who had just gone through chemo for breast cancer. There were people who had had knee surgery and back surgery. It made me realize what a wuss I was in my mind (which is the REAL obstacle in the marathon) and it kept me going. Having a pace group really helps, too. It pushes you to keep going.
You can TOTALLY do it. It will be awesome.
If I get this job I’m up for, I’ll be happy to donate…keep reminding us….
Oh, and I used the same shoes! Brooks is awesome.
Good luck! You are running for a great cause, and I wish you the best.
It’s wonderful that you are working towards a particular cause. I myself have been thinking recently about having a cause (in the future) to work for, and it’s inspiring to see someone I admire doing so. You’ll do great on the marathon.
On an unrelated topic, I think your webpage’s server is acting a bit weird today… It took mi like 10 full minutes to load the main page, and then the blog (no exaggeration).
Carol Hannah,
Adored you on Project Runway! I was rooting for you to win but I am so happy to see that you are in NY and living your dream! Awesome.
If you are interested in another cause, though running is probably not required
, please check out Nuru International. It is an awesome grassroots organization looking to end extreme poverty. They are currently “on the ground” in Kuria, Kenya and plan on putting more teams in a few other countries. Nuru is gaining awareness but definitely needs more.
Juliana
Hello, Carol Hannah
I’m a fan from China! I’ve just finished watching this season’s Project Runway and really adore your design!
Your web is also so adorable. love it^__^
mianmian
Shanghai,China
I knew there was a reason I just loved watching you on Project Runway…I mean besides your lovely, pretty dresses of course-your heart! It is so great to read that someone as talented as you are is also humble + appreciative. I admire your determination and your desire to give back.
I’m cheering for you once again,
{ Lindsey }
greatfullday.blogspot.com
P.S. I did a post about your lovely etsy shops on my blog today.
another brooks fan! good luck with the marathon training – mornings can be killer but the best time to get in a run. I love your work!
Hi Carol-Hannah!
It is so cool that you are participating with TNT to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!!! I have helped lots of women make their TNT goal over the past year. I make a necklace that says RUN LIKE A GIRL just for TNT members. If you want some help making your goal just let me know! You can see the necklace at this link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38044763
Your blog is beautiful! Just like your dresses!!!
Hi Carol Hannah!
I was a big fan of yours on PR. I’m a big fan of your collection on etsy & your blog. So imagine my happiness when I see your post about Team In Training. I trained for a marathon in 2007 with TNT. I ran the San Diego Rock n’ Roll half-marathon that year while 4 months pregnant, and I’m nothing remotely close to a superwoman. So if I can do it you definitely can. The feeling you get while in the middle of your race, looking around at all those other purple TNT jerseys, with all their reasons for running & fundraising written all over their backs… it’s something indescribable. I was in tears while on the course (not just because of the hormones) because you feel all this strength from their sorrows – the people they’ve lost to blood cancers, and all those things that brought them to this race right alongside you. It really brings life into perspective.
Congratulations on making this choice to do something very big to help others. You won’t be disappointed in your TNT experience. It’s an amazing group to be a part of!
Run Sole Sister Run!!