Giveaway Revealed...prize 1, 2, 3, and 4

Okay, so as you know, I am throwing together a giveaway to correspond with my last ditch fundraising efforts for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America through Team Challenge. On June 27th, I will be running my 2nd half marathon in Boston. I am super excited but time is running out to donate my money and if I can't raise enough, I can't go. So, in typical Berryfine fashion I'm winging it and throwing together a super awesome prize pack of which I will slowly reveal as this week continues. Be sure to go back to the original post to enter the contest and see the details.

Anyway...

Prize 1- Well, this morning I had a shit start to my day. I couldn't make myself get out of bed for 10 minutes. This is a particularly annoying issue on a Tuesday or Thursday as I like to get a 30 minute run in before Cassandra the Devil comes at me (want to know what I did today, hit up a basketball court and try some moving pushups- one time to halfcourt and back. That was just to start). Anyway, after delaying the inevitable in my ridiculously comfortable bed I finally got it together. But just when I thought I might actually squeeze the 30 minutes in...My BODYGLIDE went missing. Therefore, I'll be tossing a BodyGlide into the prize pack. I can't say enough good things about the shit- especially after gobbing on vaseline as a poor substitute. So HURRAY BodyGlide!

Prizes 2, 3 and 4- In a fit of desperation, I emailed my endurance manager, the INCREDIBLE Angel Whitworth, and said HELP! I explained to her my dilemma and the decision to hastily throw together a giveaway and she said she'd love to help! Therefore, you can show your love for CCFA and Team Challenge and rock an awesome waterbottle (I run with mine constantly), a sweet t-shirt and assorted goodies that she's yet to bestow upon me. 1.4 Million Americans suffer from Crohn's and Colitis and you can spread the word just by sporting the goods :)

Also, I mentioned I would tell you about my honored teammates. I'm going to start with the one closest to me and work my way out from there. The inspiration behind my decision to join Team Challenge is my Daddy. I am most definitely a Daddy's Girl ( has listened to me whine and moan about some stuff I doubt he could care less about, helped take me in after college and headed to NYC, drove all my stuff back to Atlanta when I failed in NYC and just is generally pretty awesome). I doubt I would have ever developed an interest in running if it weren't for him.

My strongest high school memory involves a track meet at Greater Atlanta Christian School. I was 15 and running in the finals of the 400. And my dad flew into town and got to see me run it. I did my best time (admittedly not the best time in the world but MY best time) and I think 50% of it was knowing he was there because I have never matched that time since and he hasn't been to one since! But that memory has been replaced by an even better memory. You see, when I was a kid my dad suffered in silence. Back then (oh so long ago in the 90s) not much was known about Colitis and it took a while to determine that is what he had. There was not much they could do and nothing seemed to help. So they decided to take out his colon. Not only is colitis painful to the point of preventing people from living their lives but it can also lead to colon cancer. He has a scar spanning is torso (chest to just below his belly) and had a lovely bag collecting pee when he first came home.

So when a pamphlet came in the mail in Jan 09 I decided I had to do it for him- to show him I saw what he went through and to thank him for being a parent throughout that ordeal. I don't imagine it was easy for him having to balance weekends with his two children and a disease he couldn't seem to combat. Anyway, in July of last year I flew to California and ran the Wine Country 1/2marathon from Napa to Sonoma. I barely trained because I lack discipline and I was already nervous. After spending the night before the race meeting honored teammates and other runners I was wiped out...until I got off the bus at my hotel and saw my Daddy standing there. He flew from New Jersey to watch me run for him. It was a total shock to me and I admit even now telling the story makes me cry. He has been my biggest supporter and fundraiser- emailing everyone he knows and collecting money to donate in his name so his company will match. I absolutely would not be where I am in any aspect of my life (or this race) without him.

It is for him that I run my 1/2 marathons.

Research is crucial to finding a cure for Crohn's and Colitis. And funding is necessary to make that happen. Therefore, people like me make a huge effort to do what we can to get the word out and beg people like you to do what you can. Donations are always awesome and taken with a HUGE smile no matter the amount (this little girl at the gym handed me $.50 the other day for it!). But even just spreading the word helps a ton! So thank you to everyone who has donated or mentioned to their friends my journey :) More prizes and stories of strength and courage from my honored teammates are to come!