13.1 and 69

What's a half marathon and 69 flight stair climb between friends!?

Well, its sore muscles is what it is. This past weekend, in addition to being auctioned off, I ran the Mercer Island Half Marathon in the morning and then did the Big Climb up Columbia Tower in the afternoon and I have to say, I felt like a bad ass.

The half marathon was great, despite a rainy start. I was wearing my brand new Club Fat Ass shirt, yes, its an actual club, on the back of which said, "I may be a Fat Ass, but I am in front of you!" I heard snickers and laughter behind me the entire race. And, it actually made me faster, I felt like I had to be in front of people and then not let them pass me. Consequently I matched my personal best for the half marathon, even after stopping and helping this poor woman who was cramping bad (after I stopped and then walked with her for a bit she then proceeded to take off and finish way ahead of me). I kept on telling myself to take it easy, to leave some in me for the climb, but, just couldn't manage that. I have never been a very patient runner and this was no exception.

My friend and I went out for a quick breakfast to refuel, back home for a shower and a wardrobe change. Off to Downtown.

Lining up with the other people in my time slot, I was getting nervous, how were my legs going to handle this. I had already pushed myself mere hours earlier. Was I going to make it? Would I take forever? I felt the need to tell someone of my plight, which just made me feel like a total ass kicker. I mean, really, who runs a half marathon and then races up a tower in one day? Me!!

I actually passed some people on the way up, that's how good I felt. And despite my efforts that morning I managed to finish only one minute slower than I did it last year, 16 minutes for 69 flights, not bad, especially considering that I stopped once again to help someone who was hunched over in a corner on floor 53.

The best was getting to the top (which brought back wonderful memories of the Firefighter climb) and seeing Mercer Island, knowing that I had run all the way around that island and then was seeing it from way up above.

Yeah, I was sore the next day, I am not superwoman after all!

A Whore for Charity

I am officially a whore for charity. I was auctioned off as part of a bachelor and bachelorette auction this past weekend to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I was petrified that I was not going to get a single bid, so, I really made an effort, wore a dress, makeup and even high heels. Yes, that is right, this tomboy wore a dress and heels. I was chatting with someone who had been to one of these things before and told me that the highest money maker was a woman who handed out cupcakes. I bought cupcakes. I mean, I did not want to go home and spend the night crying cause nobody wanted me.

The auction began with a quick hop up on stage for all the bachelors and bachelorettes where we were introduced to the crowd, which was only friends at that point. There were 11 bachelorettes and 9 bachelors, that's a lot of competition!

The evening then proceeded with a lot of aggressive mingling. As soon as a potential bidder walked into the bar they would practically be swarmed with us whores trying to convince them they wanted to bid on us. I did not discriminate, I tried men, women, old, young, friends, other bachelors, even took to the streets at one point.

I got three bids! But, the last bid was from a creepy old guy who had bid on a bunch of other people as well. It was starting to get desperate. I needed someone to outbid this guy. I did not want to go kayaking and dinner with a creepy old guy! Help! In walks in this guy, intriguing because we had seen and chatted with him on the street. We started to chat, clearly he was interested and clearly I was interested in him. We were flirting, all the while I am convinced he would be the one to save me so I invested my remaining 15 minutes chatting with him. Under normal circumstances we would have most likely exchanged phone numbers but I told him that he would not be getting my number unless he bid.

After the final countdown, bidding was closing in mere moments this guy had still not bid on me. I was in a panic, I was going to have to go on a date with creepy old guy. Bummer, I would have liked to go out with this other guy, but not if he is not going to support a great cause, too bad buddy!

So, I am going out with creepy old guy, I am hoping he just donates the money and doesn't really call me. Keep your fingers crossed.

But, meanwhile I bid on one of the other bachelors who was adorable and nervous he wasn't going to get any bids. I bid on him early just to get him started, sure I was going to be outbid. Turns out not and now I 'have to' go out to dinner at Salty's with him, bummer!

So, I guess the evening was not a total disaster like I thought it might be. My ego in check, walking out with a hot date and making some money for a great cause.

Get sold as a bachelorette for a good cause, check!

Firefighters are a girl's best friend

You have never really lived unless you have had the sweat of 1500 firefighters all over you! I was in heaven today, volunteering at the Scotts Firefighter's Climb to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an organization near and dear to my heart.

I was stationed at the top of the Columbia Tower, floor 73. My sole task was to disrobe firefighters when they reached the top. Yes, that's right, disrobe hot, sweaty firefighters!

These men and women were amazing, I really have no idea how they do it. They climbed all those flights in full gear, masks, tanks, boots, jackets, the whole nine yards. Once they reached the top they were greeted by cheers from a line of volunteers. One firefighter cadet to turn off and take off their ringing and hissing tanks, and one civilian volunteer to disrobe them, take their helmets, gloves, masks, jackets...to make sure they cooled down as fast as possible. Each firefighter was paired with one volunteer to make sure they were ok, had water and to take all their gear and deposit them in the resting area which was packed with half naked firefighters all the time! Was I in heaven? I think so! I could not get the smile off my face. Once you were done with one firefighter you went back and got a new one.

What a job!

Plus I had the added benefit of the amazing view from 73 floors up.

At the end of the day I had helped a ton of people, all their reactions so different. Some wanted all the help they could get, some wanted to do it all themselves, some almost passed out, some didn't look like they had done anything, some were mean and wanted to get out of there, some were so nice and chatty, some had I Pods, some were so focused on stopping their timers, some just wanted to see the view, one almost threw up, one had to get down on all fours to prevent passing out....So interesting. But, all were sweaty and I smelled like 1500 firefighters at the end of the day. Let me tell you, that's a good smell!

Next, I do the civilian version of the climb, The Big Climb in a couple of weeks, but in tshirt and shorts, the only gear my watch. I will be thinking about these awesome people today doing it in 50 pounds of gear. I know I will feel like a wimp.