Alexandra Stanley

Alex Takes on CHM: 13.1 Miles Closer to Saving Sight
  • My Goal:
  • $4,000
  • Raised So Far:
  • $4,235
  • # of Donations:
  • 80
$4235 of $4000 goal

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY, DAD!

Update #4  •   Posted 2684 day(s) ago

My family is in town for Thanksgiving and to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday. We had a great celebration last night, honoring this cool dude and his knack for cracking corny jokes at the most inopportune moments. He is loving, kind, and goofy, and for that we are so grateful!

It was also pretty noticeable that my dad's vision has decreased even more since I last saw him. He has now lost nearly all his central vision in his right eye, so he has to cover it or try to keep it closed when reading. One of my dad's greatest joys in life is reading, mainly books about maritime history or classic cars, and he is never without a pile of books on his bedside table. As a result of this further vision loss, he's been accepted into a natural history study in Miami, so that others can learn from my dad's experience. I hope this research improves outcomes for those diagnosed with CHM and eventually finds a cure.

Please support my Dad and Team CHM by making a donation in honor of his 70th birthday. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!  

I leave you with a quote from the birthday boy: "I don't feel a day over 35!" 

So, the race is tomorrow...!

Update #3  •   Posted 2931 day(s) ago

Tomorrow is the big day! The race starts at 9:10am PT. I'm pretty excited but also slightly nervous.

I've had a super fun day with my dad and Brent. We went for a long walk this morning, ate some bagels and pho, and checked out an art gallery/classic car showroom in Oakland. It's been just enough of a diversion to keep me from thinking too much about the race tomorrow. I'm proud that my dad is here to support me. Watching him navigate bumpy Oakland sidewalks with his cane reminds me why I'm doing this race.

Thank you to each one of you for your support during the last few months. Your kind words of encouragement have helped me believe that I can truly run this half marathon. Every dollar you have contributed has helped save the sight of so many. xo, Alex.

 

Less than 2 weeks to go! (And, I'm in awe of your support!)

Update #2  •   Posted 2940 day(s) ago

Hello, everyone,

Thank you so much for the overwhelming support. I have surpassed my goal not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!!! I should have known not to underestimate our family and friends. My dad and I are truly in awe.

This photo was taken on a picture perfect Saturday two weeks ago. My friends (and running buddies) Sarah and Genevieve accompanied me on an 11 mile run. We ran along the Emeryville/Berkeley/Albany coast, looking out at the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge as we trudged along. It was a glorious day made even better by a giant, fancy turkey sub, hipster-y salad, and delicious cookie afterwards.

Over the last few weeks, I have been doing some shorter weekday runs, since weekend soccer has started again. I'll admit I'm a little nervous to do the full 13.1 miles so soon, but I'm banking on the cheering crowd, smiling Oakland faces, and Brent and my dad's support to get me through.

My dad will be heading to Oakland in just about a week. Can't wait! Better get started on cleaning the house...

THANK YOU :) xo

5 weeks to go! Thoughts on long runs and that voice inside my head...

Update #1  •   Posted 2964 day(s) ago

To my friends and family,

Thank you so much for your overwhelming support! I can't tell you how much my dad and I appreciate your kind words and thoughtful donations... AND, my dad has decided to fly to Oakland to support me on race day!  He will be hanging out with my husband, Brent, and I KNOW it will give me such a boost to see them on the sideline.

Please check out the photos below, which represent how excited I was (INITIALLY) to go on my long run this past Friday.  After 9.5 long miles, I can safely say that I remember why I have always struggled with long-distance running.  There's this voice inside my head that likes to say, "How about just walking for a little bit?", "Remember that ACL and meniscus surgery from 3 years ago? Your knee's kinda hurting right now...", and "You know you're a much better soccer player than runner..." Telling that voice to back off is harder than just getting my feet to move one in front of the other.  Right around mile 8, I put my head down and started repeating, "I can do this!" in sync with the cadence of my steps, doing my best to ignore the other, more familiar voice.  I finished that run, made it home (very slowly), and smiled at my husband.  I made it paso a paso, "step by step" as my tattoo says.

Thank you again for everything.  Your support is not only helping my dad and his fellow CHM-ers but also me!  I'm close to achieving a goal I never thought I could reach.  xo, Alex