January has been crazy so far! We in the midwest started out the month with temps in some places even lower than -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, it’s enough to make me wonder why I even live in Wisconsin! But then, I remember I have some of the best docs out there and that winter isn’t all bad.
I started off the new year getting my racing jersey for the Arthritis National Research Foundation. In case you haven’t heard, I’ll be running a 5k on May 3rd in order to help raise money for this wonderful organization! Feeling generous? Donate here!
I was a little worried about how this whole 5k training would go, so I snagged the Zombies! 5k app for like $2. It’s amazing and I’m considering downloading their other running app once I’m through the 8 weeks of 5k training so I can keep it going. The app helps a ton, to the point where I went over 2.5 miles in just over 40 minutes non-stop on the elliptical at the gym. I seriously couldn’t believe it, so I had to document it (DUH).
My goal is to do these workouts 3 days a week, but we want to be more active as a couple, so T and I bought snowshoes today! They’re super fun and a great workout.
On the advocacy front, I have a lot of exciting things coming up. I was nominated for a couple of Wego Health Activism awards (thank you, you sneaky people – I love you!), and am excited to see how that will pan out. It really is an honor just to be nominated – and to be judging one of the categories as well! It should be a fantastic time 🙂
I recently joined Seth’s 50 State Network from the Global Healthy Living Foundation and Creaky Joints. Seth is actually the dude in charge over at CJ, in case you’re wondering. Advocacy Joe, who recently began regularly blogging for CJ, is really doing a great job of getting people involved in trying to affect legislation and really raise awareness about arthritic diseases. I’m incredibly excited for the things we have coming up this year, and for the push this network I know will give me to get my story and those of others out there. Joe recently wrote a piece I just love – and that fact that I’m part of it might have something to do with it, but I’ll just let you judge for yourself.
I’m very excited for the youth panel I’m doing with my local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation at the end of February on the transition to adulthood. My reading is going… Well, I have like 5 books to read still. I should probably get cracking on that…
I also got some AMAZING news earlier this week – I’m headed to DC in March to be a part of the Arthritis Foundation’s Advocacy Summit! I’ll be staying a few blocks away from the White House (AHHH!) and will have some downtime while I’m there on my lonesome. If you’d like to meet up, or have something fun and touristy you think I just HAVE to do, let me know!
What are some things you would like to see happen on the activism front?