Two days in a ROW...Holy Moly! OK I didn't bring any work with me to work (school work to the work that pays the bills) because I needed to take a break.. from carrying my book bag around everywhere. I am not a graceful presence in the summer by any means and the book bag makes me have sweat marks even if it's like 70 degrees, so 90...forget about it! So I have been surfing the net and writing to friends, so why not write here too?
I ran 3 miles last night outside in the dark. well, its never really that dark when you live in the city...actually its not dark on the route I chose to run at night in the city. I ditched the headphones and just ran. It felt good, I felt like I was running faster then usual but I forgot to check the time when I left, I probably was about a ten minute mile like usual. I am switching the days off this week, because I want to meet up with some people after work without having to run, shower, change and it be 8 oclock. But I have thought about running today and not like "Uggg I have to run" But like "where should I run? Oh wait tomorrow, not today" Not sure what has happened to me mentally but I sure hope it stays.
"To reach a port, we must sail—Sail, not tie at anchor—Sail, not drift." ~Franklin Roosevelt
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Week Two...Going Strong
Friday I ran the farthest since the Marathon- 10 miles!!! I went from my house down the Locust Path to the 2 mile mark right before the St. Joe’s boathouse and back. Even though it wasn’t as crazy hot as it has been, I still brought my own water bottle. I drank 3 bottles of water during the run, which is probably more than I should have but I felt good. I walked some of that too and it took about 2 hours which I was figuring it would. It is harder to schedule the walking when I don’t have the treadmill telling me the exact time and distance. I do have a Nike plus, I actually have two and Maggie gave me the watch too. But I have been too lazy to take the time to configure the sensors. I usually map out the longer runs before hand and map out the shorter ones afterwards on Maymyrun.com It’s nice to live in a city grid…blocks and squares to map. Yeah I was surprised that I wasn’t hurting or anything after the ten. I went to see John Mayer about an hour after I ran. I took the train to Camden and then was standing the whole show. By the time I got back to the city I felt like my legs were on fire. Not sore though, if that makes sense but like they had done their job for the day.
The next morning, Saturday, I got up and ran 2 miles. It was good to just get the blood flowing. It’s weird and I don’t want to jinx this feeling but I missed running on my days off this week. Sunday I was even thinking about going for an evening run but I convinced myself I needed workout clothes for the rest of the week. I have been pretty strapped with cash lately so I am mainly doing laundry once a week, I have to plan ahead.
Last night I went to the gym after class and ran 6 miles. I was listening to Pandora on my Phone..
Evanescence was the station of the evening. I hate that they always have ABC on and you don’t have an individual TV at Ballys. I think PSC spoiled me a bit. The Bachelor or Bachelorette was on and I can’t even watch that. Last week I saw some of it when I was there and it was like a reunion of all the guys that didn’t win and well it’s just ridiculous, the whole concept of that show. I mean I don’t think, at least for me that I would be able to A fall in love in 6 weeks, B especially when there are multiple choices, and C want to get married by the end. They are all actors! Come on Lady, you are kind of asking to be cheated on or have your money taken.. But that is why I am not on TV, thank God. So anyway, I did walk for 60 seconds every mile- mile and a half last night and I finished in 58 minutes! This means I had under a ten minute mile, even with the walking! That is great! I think I am getting faster. On Saturday, my short run, my mom showed up early to my apartment and was waiting for me so I think I was at about an 8 minute mile running home.. That never happens. I saw my reflection in the Kimmel Center doors and I was like “Holy Crap I am flying” ha it looked like I knew what I was doing :) The training is going well right now, it is only day 8 but I feel really good about it. I think it helps A LOT to know that Ashley and Maggie are training too and I think Colleen and Francesca, I gotta touch base with them too. Get some pointers from everyone. Even though running is an individual sport, I need to know there are other’s where I am. I make up my own team in my mind lol even though I am not always with them it still keeps me going.
“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” ~Unknown
Not sure whether I have used this in a previous post but I am too lazy to check. If I have any religious leaders you’ve probably forgot by now too, so here it is. Tonight is 3 miles, outside and tomorrow will be some Strength and Conditioning.. Feeling good today feelings very good :)
The next morning, Saturday, I got up and ran 2 miles. It was good to just get the blood flowing. It’s weird and I don’t want to jinx this feeling but I missed running on my days off this week. Sunday I was even thinking about going for an evening run but I convinced myself I needed workout clothes for the rest of the week. I have been pretty strapped with cash lately so I am mainly doing laundry once a week, I have to plan ahead.
Last night I went to the gym after class and ran 6 miles. I was listening to Pandora on my Phone..
Evanescence was the station of the evening. I hate that they always have ABC on and you don’t have an individual TV at Ballys. I think PSC spoiled me a bit. The Bachelor or Bachelorette was on and I can’t even watch that. Last week I saw some of it when I was there and it was like a reunion of all the guys that didn’t win and well it’s just ridiculous, the whole concept of that show. I mean I don’t think, at least for me that I would be able to A fall in love in 6 weeks, B especially when there are multiple choices, and C want to get married by the end. They are all actors! Come on Lady, you are kind of asking to be cheated on or have your money taken.. But that is why I am not on TV, thank God. So anyway, I did walk for 60 seconds every mile- mile and a half last night and I finished in 58 minutes! This means I had under a ten minute mile, even with the walking! That is great! I think I am getting faster. On Saturday, my short run, my mom showed up early to my apartment and was waiting for me so I think I was at about an 8 minute mile running home.. That never happens. I saw my reflection in the Kimmel Center doors and I was like “Holy Crap I am flying” ha it looked like I knew what I was doing :) The training is going well right now, it is only day 8 but I feel really good about it. I think it helps A LOT to know that Ashley and Maggie are training too and I think Colleen and Francesca, I gotta touch base with them too. Get some pointers from everyone. Even though running is an individual sport, I need to know there are other’s where I am. I make up my own team in my mind lol even though I am not always with them it still keeps me going.
“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” ~Unknown
Not sure whether I have used this in a previous post but I am too lazy to check. If I have any religious leaders you’ve probably forgot by now too, so here it is. Tonight is 3 miles, outside and tomorrow will be some Strength and Conditioning.. Feeling good today feelings very good :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day Two and Going Strong
Last night I decided to run outside. On my walk home Monday night I saw a handful of runners out past 9 so I figured I wouldn’t be the only one. Plus there is just something nice about being able to actually run and not have to stay in one place on a treadmill. I went down the Ben Franklin Parkway then turned around and came back on 22nd street. I think it is going to be a lot of fun running the Distance run. With the flags on the parkway lining both sides of the street and the people cheering you on, it’s going to be a lot of fun. This will be the longest race that I’ve done in Philly. I did the Broad St Run two years ago and I did Back on My Feet’s 20 in 24 (8.4 miles) in July of 08. Both of those races were a lot of fun because I had a sense of where I was and that’s comforting.
I did 4.5 miles last night. I had no idea how far it was until this morning when I mapped it out online. I thought it would be around 5, so I wasn’t too far off. I was supposed to run 3 yesterday and 6 on Monday but I was only able to do 4.5 on Monday so I made up the difference last night. Tonight is conditioning or strength training. I think I am going to check out Franklin Field tonight. I have never gone inside. I used to park in the parking lot behind the field a couple years ago…Each morning I would walk around the side and think how cool it would be to go in. Well apparently anyone can go in, as long as there is not something else going on. I have to do pushups, lunges and things like that tonight so I may just go to the gym. I figure I will make up my mind by 5:25. Wednesday is the only day that I can go after work, because I do not have class.
I am sleepy today.. Ok time for some motivation:
Ohh here’s a good one for summer
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people." -Bill Bowerman
I did 4.5 miles last night. I had no idea how far it was until this morning when I mapped it out online. I thought it would be around 5, so I wasn’t too far off. I was supposed to run 3 yesterday and 6 on Monday but I was only able to do 4.5 on Monday so I made up the difference last night. Tonight is conditioning or strength training. I think I am going to check out Franklin Field tonight. I have never gone inside. I used to park in the parking lot behind the field a couple years ago…Each morning I would walk around the side and think how cool it would be to go in. Well apparently anyone can go in, as long as there is not something else going on. I have to do pushups, lunges and things like that tonight so I may just go to the gym. I figure I will make up my mind by 5:25. Wednesday is the only day that I can go after work, because I do not have class.
I am sleepy today.. Ok time for some motivation:
Ohh here’s a good one for summer
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people." -Bill Bowerman
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Training Schedule 8 Weeks and Counting
OK I made an awesome document with a table and then I came on here and it got messed up. I dont have the patience right now to fix it. Thanks to Maggie :) this is my schedule for the next 8 weeks.
Week 1
July 26
6 miles
July 27
3 miles
July 28
Strength/
Conditioning
July 29
Off
July 30
10 miles
July 31
3 miles
August 1
Off
Week 2
August 2
6 miles
August 3
3 miles
August 4
Strength/
Conditioning
August 5
Off
August 6
12 miles
August 7
2 miles
August 8
Off
Week 3
August 9
6 miles
August 10
3 miles
August 11
Strength/
Conditioning
August 12
Off
August 13
13 miles
August 14
3 miles
August 15
Off
Week 4
August 16
8 miles
August 17
3 miles
August 18
Strength/
Conditioning
August 19
Off
August 20
10 miles
August 21
2 miles
August 22
Off
Week 5
August 23
8 miles
August 24
3 miles
August 25
Strength/
Conditioning
August 26
Off
August 27
15 miles
August 28
2 miles
August 29
Off
Week 6
August 30
8 miles
August 31
4 miles
September 1
Strength/
Conditioning
Sept 2
Off
Sept 3
10 miles
Sept 4
3 miles
Sept 5
Off
Week 7
Sept 6
6 miles
Sept 7
4 miles
Sept 8
Strength/
Conditioning
Sept 9
Off
Sept 10
8 miles
Sept 11
3 miles
Sept 12
Off
Week 8
Sept 13
4 miles
Sept 14
3 miles
Sept 15
Strength/
Conditioning
Sept 16
2 miles
Sept 17
Off
Sept 18
Off
Sept 19
RACE
DAY
Week 1
July 26
6 miles
July 27
3 miles
July 28
Strength/
Conditioning
July 29
Off
July 30
10 miles
July 31
3 miles
August 1
Off
Week 2
August 2
6 miles
August 3
3 miles
August 4
Strength/
Conditioning
August 5
Off
August 6
12 miles
August 7
2 miles
August 8
Off
Week 3
August 9
6 miles
August 10
3 miles
August 11
Strength/
Conditioning
August 12
Off
August 13
13 miles
August 14
3 miles
August 15
Off
Week 4
August 16
8 miles
August 17
3 miles
August 18
Strength/
Conditioning
August 19
Off
August 20
10 miles
August 21
2 miles
August 22
Off
Week 5
August 23
8 miles
August 24
3 miles
August 25
Strength/
Conditioning
August 26
Off
August 27
15 miles
August 28
2 miles
August 29
Off
Week 6
August 30
8 miles
August 31
4 miles
September 1
Strength/
Conditioning
Sept 2
Off
Sept 3
10 miles
Sept 4
3 miles
Sept 5
Off
Week 7
Sept 6
6 miles
Sept 7
4 miles
Sept 8
Strength/
Conditioning
Sept 9
Off
Sept 10
8 miles
Sept 11
3 miles
Sept 12
Off
Week 8
Sept 13
4 miles
Sept 14
3 miles
Sept 15
Strength/
Conditioning
Sept 16
2 miles
Sept 17
Off
Sept 18
Off
Sept 19
RACE
DAY
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Back on the Saddle
Good Morning Blog Peoples!!! I decided to keep my blog, one because I like the name, and two I feel like it holds me accountable to something else. I am not currently raising money for Team in Training, but I am signed up to do the Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 19, 2010. I printed out a schedule fully anticipating following it, and I am technically on Week 3 and have only ran twice, so I will be taking another alternative.
Last night I ran 4.2 miles (Says my Iphone GPS). I ran/walked I should say but def ran the majority. Last week, Monday or Tuesday I ran about 3.5 miles which was the farthest at that point that I have run since the Marathon, over 2 months ago!!
Not that I am trying to make excuses but since the last entry, I have passed an Anatomy & Physiology class.. Ok I was planning on that sentence having a lot more accomplishments in it but if you have ever taken a summer class then you know just how much time and work that was. I was in lecture and lab 3 nights a week (lecture-3 and lab-2). This summer session I have Psychology which does not have a lab so I will be done class by 8pm and therefore, NO EXCUSES!!
Running makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. Even though I am not always in a race or even if no one was watching, I get a sense of victory after every run.
Yesterday after I ran 3.5 miles I start telling myself “just walk, no worries, you did great” which is a good thought to have but I know that I wanted and was fully capable of running a little farther. So then my mind broke it down; “This is just how far you have to run today. Just for today run a little farther before walking.” And that helped.
I tend to always think about the big picture even when I am in training mode. Like when I run three miles, instead of getting the automatic sense of accomplishment I get a little fearful thinking that on September 19 I will run ten more miles after that three mile run. I have to constantly remind my mind that it is all in the preparation. Plus, like I wrote before; the announcer in Nashville said it best when he said “You have trained and can absolutely run this race, now think of it as your victory lap, because you have already won” Or something along those lines.
So this entry is a start to holding myself a little more reliable and just to get the positive/negative thoughts out there so they don’t waste as much time up in my brain. And now an inspiration quote to carry us through the day:
“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” -Japanese Proverb
Last night I ran 4.2 miles (Says my Iphone GPS). I ran/walked I should say but def ran the majority. Last week, Monday or Tuesday I ran about 3.5 miles which was the farthest at that point that I have run since the Marathon, over 2 months ago!!
Not that I am trying to make excuses but since the last entry, I have passed an Anatomy & Physiology class.. Ok I was planning on that sentence having a lot more accomplishments in it but if you have ever taken a summer class then you know just how much time and work that was. I was in lecture and lab 3 nights a week (lecture-3 and lab-2). This summer session I have Psychology which does not have a lab so I will be done class by 8pm and therefore, NO EXCUSES!!
Running makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. Even though I am not always in a race or even if no one was watching, I get a sense of victory after every run.
Yesterday after I ran 3.5 miles I start telling myself “just walk, no worries, you did great” which is a good thought to have but I know that I wanted and was fully capable of running a little farther. So then my mind broke it down; “This is just how far you have to run today. Just for today run a little farther before walking.” And that helped.
I tend to always think about the big picture even when I am in training mode. Like when I run three miles, instead of getting the automatic sense of accomplishment I get a little fearful thinking that on September 19 I will run ten more miles after that three mile run. I have to constantly remind my mind that it is all in the preparation. Plus, like I wrote before; the announcer in Nashville said it best when he said “You have trained and can absolutely run this race, now think of it as your victory lap, because you have already won” Or something along those lines.
So this entry is a start to holding myself a little more reliable and just to get the positive/negative thoughts out there so they don’t waste as much time up in my brain. And now an inspiration quote to carry us through the day:
“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” -Japanese Proverb
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Photos!!!!!
The first couple are from Nashville
And then NJ...
Mile 22...
Wohooooo!!! We did it!!!
Ouch...it was a HOT one
And then NJ...
Mile 22...
Wohooooo!!! We did it!!!
Ouch...it was a HOT one
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
It was a HOT one!!!!
But I finished the Marathon!!!!! It was 92 degrees, sunny, and OH MY did it seem like eternity. But I got there. I should say, we got there, because without the Team in Training coaches, and Alissa I would not have had a very good time. I know, the average person hears..26.2 miles, 6 hrs, 92 degrees and they think 'Why on earth?" But for the marathon runner...it's different. After the race, my mom looked at everyone limping and some barely walking, myself included and she asked "why do these people do this to themselves? I just don't get it" Maybe we are crazy...but hey WE are marathon runners!!! ahhh I'm a marathon runner!! haha
The strangest thing happened, the hours leading up to the start, I wasn't nervous. I have gotten nervous for every single race I have ever done: 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons...And this day, the biggest race of all, I was calm..
Saturday Night I arrived in Long Branch, NJ. I had never heard of the town and so was not sure what to expect. It was the shore, just not the shore I am used to. The hotel where the expo was, was also the start and finish. It was nice, right on the boardwalk.
The Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon had about 10,000 runners which was a little different than Nashville's 30,000. The expo was a lot smaller, but I still was able to get what I needed.I got a hot pink belt, so I could fit my Gu in. I was only able to carry one pack in my shorts and that was not enough. Then I wandered around and found some headbands. They were cloth, so I figured it would be good to dunk in water and put it back on during the race. I bought a purple one with 26.2 written on it. I was hesitant because I didn't want to jinx myself. I mean what if something crazy were to happen and I were only able to finish half again? But I knew that even if I didn't run the 26.2 on May 2...I would some day. So I got it..
The strangest thing happened, the hours leading up to the start, I wasn't nervous. I have gotten nervous for every single race I have ever done: 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons...And this day, the biggest race of all, I was calm..
Saturday Night I arrived in Long Branch, NJ. I had never heard of the town and so was not sure what to expect. It was the shore, just not the shore I am used to. The hotel where the expo was, was also the start and finish. It was nice, right on the boardwalk.
The Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon had about 10,000 runners which was a little different than Nashville's 30,000. The expo was a lot smaller, but I still was able to get what I needed.I got a hot pink belt, so I could fit my Gu in. I was only able to carry one pack in my shorts and that was not enough. Then I wandered around and found some headbands. They were cloth, so I figured it would be good to dunk in water and put it back on during the race. I bought a purple one with 26.2 written on it. I was hesitant because I didn't want to jinx myself. I mean what if something crazy were to happen and I were only able to finish half again? But I knew that even if I didn't run the 26.2 on May 2...I would some day. So I got it..
I stuck with the PowerGel (3) and some sports beans. I am not a huge fan of the Gu so I brought two gels with me and some beans to mix it up. I knew I would be drinking the Gatorade too so I would be getting the calories I needed. The beans taste just like Jelly Beans, but they have caffeine so its like a cracked out Jelly Belly :p
I get so frustrated adding pictures on here, so I will add the race ones next as a separate entry.
When I met up with the team later on, I got all the same chills back from the week before. Decorating the Jerseys and just feeling the excitement with everyone in the room, it was great.
I saw Alissa there and I got so excited! She had given me a ride home from one of the Team functions a few months back but I hadn't seen her many times since. I had a feeling we were around the same pace though.
My roommate this time, was Magee.. Not Maggie, Magee (Ma- G- EE). Her name is Margaret and she was pretty excited! She was running the half marathon. We stayed up for awhile talking about what made us join Team in Training and who we were running for. I told her about my mom and she shared with me about her family. She was running for her brother who passed away with Leukemia at a very young age. She had a picture of him that she laminated and pinned to her back. Another one of the most rewarding things this experience has brought was being able to talk with people about their experiences with cancer and how they have been affected by the disease. In Nashville, one of the runners was running for her roommate who has leukemia and another person was running to remember their college roommate who also had leukemia. One of the runners that was in Nashville with me and came back for round 2, Beth, had 37 people she was running for. She made something to keep with her during the run. It was made out of hair ties and ribbons. Each mile she dedicated to one or two patients so she would know who she was running for the entire time.
May 2, 2010 The Starting Line... 9Am
They had us line up near the pace team we were aiming for. I was right next to the 5 hour pacer, who was dressed in a full suit. It was his 34th year running the New Jersey Marathon and I believe, his 34th in a full suit! Did I mention it was 92 degrees?!
They played "Born to Run" by The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen...Of course they did, it was the NEW JERSEY marathon!
As we got piled in and started to move, I closed my eyes and just remembered what led up to that moment. The night I went to the orientation at the Crowne Plaza and signed up to do this, FREAKING OUT in my mind at the thought of 26.2 miles.. to the training runs in Valley Forge in the snow with the frozen Gatorade.. Hearing the mission moments before the team runs about how research truly is saving lives and about those who it was too late but it doesn't have to be for the next person.. The blisters.. Sore muscles... and sense of victory I felt as I ran 14, 16, 18, then 20 miles! and I thanked God for carrying me up to this starting line.. As a tear started to form I opened my eyes and asked Him to carry me another 26.2 and I was on my way...
Alissa was exactly what I needed..She helped me to keep a pace, instead of letting my adrenaline speed me up then having to walk. We had about a 12 min mile, which I was happy with.. As the course went away from the beach..the heat started to climb. We went through mostly residential areas, which ended up being the best thing. The people who lived on this course were absolutely amazing!!!! They had their hoses out and sprinklers set up and as the day progressed, they started to set up their own water stops. Maybe I didn't notice them the first loop but the second loop they were what kept me going. The water stops were about 2 miles apart which was about 24-26 minutes for us. We hit every hose (or I should say every hose hit us, we just got in their stream), Gatorade, and Water stop the entire time.
One house had a little boy, spraying us as we ran by. A runner behind me said, "You think that kid is going to get in trouble tomorrow, because now he thinks it's okay to spray everyone that walks by." haha
There were signs in the middle of the street with motivational quotes that helped a lot.
By Mile 12, Alissa and I were planning our next marathon. As we headed back to the boardwalk to go to Loop 2, most of the runners were finishing up. There were at least 4 times the people running the Half. My parents, Aunt, and Paul were the best fans. Alissa's parents and Boyfriend were awesome too. They went from Mile 9...to Mile 13...Back to mile 22...and the finish. They had a cooler of Ice water and rags to refresh us. As the day crept on...the heat picked up.
In Nashville, I was so worried about my time (because I was trying to qualify to finish in time to run the whole) that I wasn't able to enjoy each mile, each step for what it was. The night before this race, I prayed that I would be able to stay in each step...And it truly worked!!! I spent little to no time trying to figure out the projected finish time. I did try to see how long each mile took, but the mile that was already done..the mile I would not have to see again!
Mile 18 was the first time that we took a walk break..we walked while we got water and stopped to see our families but up til 18 we ran most of the way. We ran/walked til Mile 22 and then walked the majority of the end. It is so crazy how my muscles felt DRASTICALLY different from run to walk then back to run. At mile 24 I asked Alissa about that second marathon and we both laughed...but we decided if we do another it will be somewhere like Antarctica..
She kept telling me to run ahead if I wanted to, but she had gotten me through the first 23 miles and I wasn't going to cross that finish line like I had run that marathon by myself. We crossed it together and the pic turned out pretty good. When I saw the informational video, the night I signed up for Team in Training..it showed people crossing the finish line together and hugging and crying.. And I was able to experience that true team feeling. The coaches were amazing too, they kept popping up right when we needed them and I know now that I was in the race I was supposed to be in. After all is said and done, I wouldn't change a thing :)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I changed the blog in honor of my last week! This is it folks!! I was thinking, on my run yesterday, how after I signed up for Nashville I had some down thoughts. A few weeks after choosing to go to Nashville over Jersey, I saw Maggie run the Philly Marathon. Standing with her family and other friends, I secretly wished that I had signed up for something closer to home. I wanted to feel what she was feeling, and at the time did not think I would. So as my training continued I just thought about how much support I had been getting with everything and the real final race, I'd have all of the ones I cared about in my mind and heart. Which really was my fancy dance around the self pity that my family and friends wouldn't get to see me, Waaaah :*(
Then Maggie signed up to run Nashville too... Then My brothers booked a flight...Then my parents showed up 12 hrs before the race to surprise me... then the weather came..
I was so angry that I had planned out April 24, since November 16 and now it was all ruined! How can this happen? So yesterday on my run, I realized...I had secretly wished to run somewhere close to home and now I AM!!!
I got my new itinerary today from Amanda and I got the same chills I did two weeks ago when I got my first marathon stuff. You see I get a do over. An immediate, do over. I know my brothers will not be able to make it this weekend, but they were there last weekend and I will be talking to them up to the start and right from the finish. My parents who I was convinced would not be able to see me finish (until they surprised me) will be there when I cross the finish line. And whether or not many of my other friends or family make it. I'm running in JERSEY ya'll! (I kinda like Ya'll and may be implementing it from time to time *WARNING*) I am a born and raised Jersey girl and it really only seems fit to run this marathon on home turf. I got to see the sights of Nashville and Tallahassee with my half marathons, but I am starting to think this all worked out in my favor.
I wish that I could just instantly produce a video montage of the past 5 months. The beginning when I was pumped but unsure. The middle when I went farther and farther each week then I ever have before. The last few weeks when I was filled with fear and doubt. Last weekend when I ran with a smile on my face for 11 miles. To right now when I am still nervous and a little worried but so grateful I will be able to finish! I know that I can, and I am going to have fun doing it.
What I learned from my test run last week: Bring my own GU, possibly my own water (still debating), wear a watch (that way I know), Leave it all on the course, HAVE FUN and enjoy that extra LONG victory lap of the past 5 months of training!!!
Here is the link to the pics from Nashville. And I must say they came out pretty well ;)
http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event_entry.py?event=Sports%2FRRUS%2F2010%2FCountry+Music+Nashville+Marathon+and+Half&new_search=1&match=19329
(Not sure if that will come up as a link, so just copy and paste it in the Address bar if not)
Long Branch New Jersey ~ THE NEW JERSEY MARATHON
Will be starting at 9am on Sunday May 2, 2010
Team in Training has hooked it up so I am rooming with someone ( I have yet to meet) on Saturday night and get to relive the morning of with the team.
All of the spectator details are on the marathons website
http://www.njmarathon.org/index.html
Ok I hope to see you out there kids.. and if not say a prayer the tornadoes steer clear of the Jersey Shore on Sunday :) GO TEAM!
Then Maggie signed up to run Nashville too... Then My brothers booked a flight...Then my parents showed up 12 hrs before the race to surprise me... then the weather came..
I was so angry that I had planned out April 24, since November 16 and now it was all ruined! How can this happen? So yesterday on my run, I realized...I had secretly wished to run somewhere close to home and now I AM!!!
I got my new itinerary today from Amanda and I got the same chills I did two weeks ago when I got my first marathon stuff. You see I get a do over. An immediate, do over. I know my brothers will not be able to make it this weekend, but they were there last weekend and I will be talking to them up to the start and right from the finish. My parents who I was convinced would not be able to see me finish (until they surprised me) will be there when I cross the finish line. And whether or not many of my other friends or family make it. I'm running in JERSEY ya'll! (I kinda like Ya'll and may be implementing it from time to time *WARNING*) I am a born and raised Jersey girl and it really only seems fit to run this marathon on home turf. I got to see the sights of Nashville and Tallahassee with my half marathons, but I am starting to think this all worked out in my favor.
I wish that I could just instantly produce a video montage of the past 5 months. The beginning when I was pumped but unsure. The middle when I went farther and farther each week then I ever have before. The last few weeks when I was filled with fear and doubt. Last weekend when I ran with a smile on my face for 11 miles. To right now when I am still nervous and a little worried but so grateful I will be able to finish! I know that I can, and I am going to have fun doing it.
What I learned from my test run last week: Bring my own GU, possibly my own water (still debating), wear a watch (that way I know), Leave it all on the course, HAVE FUN and enjoy that extra LONG victory lap of the past 5 months of training!!!
Here is the link to the pics from Nashville. And I must say they came out pretty well ;)
http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event_entry.py?event=Sports%2FRRUS%2F2010%2FCountry+Music+Nashville+Marathon+and+Half&new_search=1&match=19329
(Not sure if that will come up as a link, so just copy and paste it in the Address bar if not)
Long Branch New Jersey ~ THE NEW JERSEY MARATHON
Will be starting at 9am on Sunday May 2, 2010
Team in Training has hooked it up so I am rooming with someone ( I have yet to meet) on Saturday night and get to relive the morning of with the team.
All of the spectator details are on the marathons website
http://www.njmarathon.org/index.html
Ok I hope to see you out there kids.. and if not say a prayer the tornadoes steer clear of the Jersey Shore on Sunday :) GO TEAM!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Just a Little Bit Longer
Looks like my journey is going to be just a little bit longer. With severe weather warnings rolling in this morning the race officials changed the finish time from 7hrs to 4.5.. If you were not on the pace to finish in 4.5hts by mile 11, you were told to finish the Half.. We got word of the new rule yesterday afternoon and I wanted to cry when I heard this. I told my brothers what I had just heard on the radio about tge time restrictions and they told me it would be okay. Last night at our team meeting, our leader offered us a chance to run a full marathon next weekend if we were not allowed to finish today. The race is on Longbranch, NJ on Sunday. So it looks like my journey will be for eigth more days. I'm Comfortable with the 2:30 it took for me to run my half.. My goal is five hours for the full so I am right on pace.. I found out later that a lot of the runners were not allowed to finish so it actually worked out I only ran 13 and not like 20, because I think I would be more hesitant to run 26.2 next weekend.
On to this amazing weekend!!! I spent all day with my brothers walking around Nashville. We had our matching TNT shirts on for the inspirational dinner. When I walked in I burst into tears, because my mom and my dad were sitting there waiting for me!! They had planned the trip over a month ago and it was a surprise! I was sooo shocked and happy, words can't express the warmth I felt throw through me when I saw my whole family sitting at a table in Nashville, together. I was so surprised, one obviously because they were really there and I thought they didn't have enough money to come..but two, they are so bad at secrets!! Seriously all of them are like tge worst secret keepers, just like me, guess it's in the genes.
Now the silent car ride to the airport made more sense. My dad came to my apartment and drove me to the airport. What I didn't know was that, then he drove home to pick up my mon just to come right back to the airport.. They were in Nashville for over 24 hrs before I even knew it. I have felt so much love this weekend it is amazing. Even if my parents really weren't going to be able to make it, they have shown me so much support the past few months and I know I truly am grateful. Above and beyond doesn't even begin to explain these 4 <3
unfortunately my brothers will not be able to see me finish my first full marathon, but my parents will :) I'm coming to realize that the whole training, the past 5 months, is just as much a part of my first marathon as the final shebang. They have all been present; whether physically or emotionally my whole journey and so have so many of my friends.
This morning before the race began, they wished us good luck by saying "this is your reward to all of your hard work. Just enjoy, your victory lap" and that is such am awesome way to look at it.
So the story continues.. I'm gonna kick up my heels and do some country line dancin y'all.. Yeehaw
On to this amazing weekend!!! I spent all day with my brothers walking around Nashville. We had our matching TNT shirts on for the inspirational dinner. When I walked in I burst into tears, because my mom and my dad were sitting there waiting for me!! They had planned the trip over a month ago and it was a surprise! I was sooo shocked and happy, words can't express the warmth I felt throw through me when I saw my whole family sitting at a table in Nashville, together. I was so surprised, one obviously because they were really there and I thought they didn't have enough money to come..but two, they are so bad at secrets!! Seriously all of them are like tge worst secret keepers, just like me, guess it's in the genes.
Now the silent car ride to the airport made more sense. My dad came to my apartment and drove me to the airport. What I didn't know was that, then he drove home to pick up my mon just to come right back to the airport.. They were in Nashville for over 24 hrs before I even knew it. I have felt so much love this weekend it is amazing. Even if my parents really weren't going to be able to make it, they have shown me so much support the past few months and I know I truly am grateful. Above and beyond doesn't even begin to explain these 4 <3
unfortunately my brothers will not be able to see me finish my first full marathon, but my parents will :) I'm coming to realize that the whole training, the past 5 months, is just as much a part of my first marathon as the final shebang. They have all been present; whether physically or emotionally my whole journey and so have so many of my friends.
This morning before the race began, they wished us good luck by saying "this is your reward to all of your hard work. Just enjoy, your victory lap" and that is such am awesome way to look at it.
So the story continues.. I'm gonna kick up my heels and do some country line dancin y'all.. Yeehaw
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Leavin on a Jet Plane...
It's Finally Here!!!
I leave tomorrow!!! for Nashville, TN! Holy Crap!!! It's here!!! We leave @ 10:30am tomorrow. My brothers will be flying in tomorrow Night and Jana will be driving from TX. Maggie and her Cousin are driving down from Philly and leaving tonight, but they will be getting there around the same time as us I think. Oh man!!! I am nervous about the run. I am more nervous because the forecast is 76 and Thunderstorms but I know it will be okay. I plan on taking TONS of pictures!!! So keep checking.... This story is far from over :)
I leave tomorrow!!! for Nashville, TN! Holy Crap!!! It's here!!! We leave @ 10:30am tomorrow. My brothers will be flying in tomorrow Night and Jana will be driving from TX. Maggie and her Cousin are driving down from Philly and leaving tonight, but they will be getting there around the same time as us I think. Oh man!!! I am nervous about the run. I am more nervous because the forecast is 76 and Thunderstorms but I know it will be okay. I plan on taking TONS of pictures!!! So keep checking.... This story is far from over :)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Random Pics from Around Town
The trees are blooming :)
Frank
The Lakes at FDR
Kelly Drive at Dusk
Market St
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Got My Groove Back
Well slightly...My past two runs have felt pretty awesome. My mind is like 3 weeks early on the attack… But my attitude shut it down this morning : ) The raffle we held at work raised $215 for me and for the winner. Yesterday the winner came in and she donated $100 of her winnings back to me! So we made $315 from one week of a 50/50 raffle at work! Pretty awesome. Now there is $237.40 standing between me and that finish line, oh yeah and 26.2 miles!
This Sunday will be my last and longest long run, 22 miles. Some training schedules stop at 20 but we, we are going two more! Which I am pretty glad about actually. Hopefully I will feel that way while I am running it. I am glad because I think that if your body has run that far before the initial race it may be a little less likely to get pissed at you.
I want to thank my friends for bearing with me the last week. I have been a bit of a downer, Negative Nancy if you will. But you guys have lifted me back to where I need to be. When I complained and was super negative, you just made it easier for me to grasp the big picture. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself and I don’t want this to be that kind of an experience. I want this to be fun! And for that to happen I have to allow myself to get out of the way and let my body do what it has been waiting to do for 5 months!
I am so lucky to have people in my life who care enough to tell me to cut the crap… as lovingly as possible of course. Half the time when I called them I was hoping for them to tell me it was okay but thankfully they are not a fan of Negative Nancy and I am glad to report she is no longer here : )
I have still not added the pictures I took from my various excursions around town, but I promise I will add them before the marathon. I am kind of sad to leave the blog in a month… Maybe I will change it to something cool and hip… haha
Once I figure that out. Or maybe it can be a sports blog.. But being a girl it would most likely just end up being pictures of the Phillies with captions like “adorable” hahaha I will sleep on it. Not to say women can not be sports bloggers, because they can. They are just as good, if not better than men… (That statement was so Ashley didn’t kill me when she read this lol).
I feel fantastic today.. I have a few things going on the next couple weeks which are going to make the time go by even faster before the marathon. Nashville! Man I have never been there but when the travel guide, lady called with her Southern accent I got excited! I have a feeling I am going to end up just staring at the natives when they talk. Accents are so cool, I kind of wish I had one. So one more long run, a baby shower, and a wedding and I’m in Nashville! Oh yeah and a Phillies ring ceremony game ;) April is going to be fun! Did I mention it’s going to be 90 degrees today? Yeah it is April 7 right? Just checkin.. At least I am getting some practice with the heat before headin down south!!
This Sunday will be my last and longest long run, 22 miles. Some training schedules stop at 20 but we, we are going two more! Which I am pretty glad about actually. Hopefully I will feel that way while I am running it. I am glad because I think that if your body has run that far before the initial race it may be a little less likely to get pissed at you.
I want to thank my friends for bearing with me the last week. I have been a bit of a downer, Negative Nancy if you will. But you guys have lifted me back to where I need to be. When I complained and was super negative, you just made it easier for me to grasp the big picture. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself and I don’t want this to be that kind of an experience. I want this to be fun! And for that to happen I have to allow myself to get out of the way and let my body do what it has been waiting to do for 5 months!
I am so lucky to have people in my life who care enough to tell me to cut the crap… as lovingly as possible of course. Half the time when I called them I was hoping for them to tell me it was okay but thankfully they are not a fan of Negative Nancy and I am glad to report she is no longer here : )
I have still not added the pictures I took from my various excursions around town, but I promise I will add them before the marathon. I am kind of sad to leave the blog in a month… Maybe I will change it to something cool and hip… haha
Once I figure that out. Or maybe it can be a sports blog.. But being a girl it would most likely just end up being pictures of the Phillies with captions like “adorable” hahaha I will sleep on it. Not to say women can not be sports bloggers, because they can. They are just as good, if not better than men… (That statement was so Ashley didn’t kill me when she read this lol).
I feel fantastic today.. I have a few things going on the next couple weeks which are going to make the time go by even faster before the marathon. Nashville! Man I have never been there but when the travel guide, lady called with her Southern accent I got excited! I have a feeling I am going to end up just staring at the natives when they talk. Accents are so cool, I kind of wish I had one. So one more long run, a baby shower, and a wedding and I’m in Nashville! Oh yeah and a Phillies ring ceremony game ;) April is going to be fun! Did I mention it’s going to be 90 degrees today? Yeah it is April 7 right? Just checkin.. At least I am getting some practice with the heat before headin down south!!
Friday, April 2, 2010
3 Weeks!!!!!!!!!!!
I know it has been a long time since I have updated and I apologize. The past few weeks, life has been busy. The enthusiasm and motivation I felt in the past few months began to dwindle and instead of continuing to update and let you know where I am, I just neglected doing this.
3 weeks from tomorrow I will be running 26.2 miles! I am nervous and my thoughts have been all over the place.
I have never participated in an individual focused sport. Meaning I have always been a part of a team. When I was younger, I never understood running because there was no ball or goal. Just finish or if you are real good, beat every one else. But that has never been the case for me. Even though I am on Team in Training, I will be running this race as Katie Chance, 25 yr old female from Philadelphia. Today I realized that running is competing with yourself. My whole life I have always run because I was told to. If I walked at practice a whistle blew and a coach told me to pick it up and jog. Walking was not an option. I haven't been to a team run in a few weeks and when I have been running the long runs, I have been taking more walk breaks. I'm even hesitant to write this next sentence. Going back to the team runs scares me now because I know I will be slower than I was a month ago. I know that I will finish this marathon and that is the goal, but I am already getting worried that I will walk most of it. Finishing a marathon is finishing a marathon no matter which way you look at it, but my mind is telling me I HAVE TO RUN..It's like the whistle is being blown in my mind. The past few runs I have been waiting for them to be over and not able to enjoy the run. But when I did my 20 miles on Sunday last week and I was walking, I enjoyed every step.
Am I saying I am going to give up on running and walk from here on out? No. But I am saying that I noticed I enjoyed the miles I walked significantly more than the miles I jogged. I know my mind is all over the place and I have 3 weeks until I need to really worry, but this is where I'm at. I talked to a friend the other day about the guilt I felt because of my lack of motivation and she put it back into perspective. She told me to focus and remember the real reason I am doing this. TO think about the people that I am raising money for. She said that I have been doing selfless things and in another month I will have plenty of time to spend on myself. She was absolutely right. Essentially it would be selfish for me to get in my own way of what I Have been training for the past 5 months. Am I nervous? Absolutely. But knowing that I have the support of so many people really does help me realize that I can...no I will do this. I have to take my training one run at a time, even one step at a time for the next 21 days...
Fundraising
I am still a little less than $400 short!! If you have been thinking about donating but have not been able to yet, please do it soon. Monday they will be billing my credit card. I will still have time to make the money back but it will be out of my pocket, come Monday. Thank you to everyone who has donated and those who continue to support me everyday :)
3 weeks from tomorrow I will be running 26.2 miles! I am nervous and my thoughts have been all over the place.
I have never participated in an individual focused sport. Meaning I have always been a part of a team. When I was younger, I never understood running because there was no ball or goal. Just finish or if you are real good, beat every one else. But that has never been the case for me. Even though I am on Team in Training, I will be running this race as Katie Chance, 25 yr old female from Philadelphia. Today I realized that running is competing with yourself. My whole life I have always run because I was told to. If I walked at practice a whistle blew and a coach told me to pick it up and jog. Walking was not an option. I haven't been to a team run in a few weeks and when I have been running the long runs, I have been taking more walk breaks. I'm even hesitant to write this next sentence. Going back to the team runs scares me now because I know I will be slower than I was a month ago. I know that I will finish this marathon and that is the goal, but I am already getting worried that I will walk most of it. Finishing a marathon is finishing a marathon no matter which way you look at it, but my mind is telling me I HAVE TO RUN..It's like the whistle is being blown in my mind. The past few runs I have been waiting for them to be over and not able to enjoy the run. But when I did my 20 miles on Sunday last week and I was walking, I enjoyed every step.
Am I saying I am going to give up on running and walk from here on out? No. But I am saying that I noticed I enjoyed the miles I walked significantly more than the miles I jogged. I know my mind is all over the place and I have 3 weeks until I need to really worry, but this is where I'm at. I talked to a friend the other day about the guilt I felt because of my lack of motivation and she put it back into perspective. She told me to focus and remember the real reason I am doing this. TO think about the people that I am raising money for. She said that I have been doing selfless things and in another month I will have plenty of time to spend on myself. She was absolutely right. Essentially it would be selfish for me to get in my own way of what I Have been training for the past 5 months. Am I nervous? Absolutely. But knowing that I have the support of so many people really does help me realize that I can...no I will do this. I have to take my training one run at a time, even one step at a time for the next 21 days...
Fundraising
I am still a little less than $400 short!! If you have been thinking about donating but have not been able to yet, please do it soon. Monday they will be billing my credit card. I will still have time to make the money back but it will be out of my pocket, come Monday. Thank you to everyone who has donated and those who continue to support me everyday :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Here Comes the Sun
Oh My it has been way too long! I am sorry I haven’t written in two weeks! So much has happened!!! Let’s start off with the 18 miles I did on Sunday!!!! Ok I was struggling, and I took mini walk breaks, but I did it! 4 hours.. but it got done.
I went to Florida on Thursday to visit my brothers and I was looking forward to the sun! Atlanta Airport is kind of like the Bermuda triangle for travelers with connecting flights. It’s like you know you are going to get there but you have no idea, when you are getting out. I guess it is more like the Hotel California. Anyway, I got to ATL at 1:20pm on Thursday afternoon. I left at 11:15pm going to a different destination than was originally planned. The weather was bad and after hours and hours of postponing, my flight to Melbourne was cancelled. So I waited with the rest of the terminal to be rescheduled. The next flight was Saturday at 8:35am. And because the cancellation was due to the weather the airline offered nothing as far as hotels or car rentals went. They suggested to me that I get a car…Yeah ok. I heard a man behind me in line that got on a flight to Orlando that night so I asked to be sent to Orlando. I got lucky, I guess you could say that, with the 9:30pm flight to Orlando. Which if you look above, did not leave until 11:15pm. My brothers drove the hour to come get me and by the time we got back to Melbourne it was nearly 3am!!! 12 hrs after I was supposed to be there!!
So I slept in and then got my luggage at the Melbourne airport on Friday. We packed the car up and headed to Clearwater to see the Phils.
Saturday morning, my brother Sean and I, went for a run. We were staying at my Aunt Bonnie’s trailer which is exactly 2 miles from the stadium. We decided to run to the stadium and back. When we got there, fans were already around. The team was practicing on the field and the gates had not opened yet. I took advantage of the photo op, and will add those pictures soon.
The Phillies won!!!! It was a great game and perfect weather. 67 and Sunny. I got an uneven Irish tan (Farmer’s burn). Sunday, I didn’t get out on the road until 1:30.
Last weekend I had to do 10-12 and I decided to run on my own. I went down South Philly to the ballpark and FDR, to run around the lake. It reminded me of my runs last year. I got some pics, which I will also add soon. It was nice running down Broad St again but I hate the traffic lights. I did buy a water bottle I can run with this weekend. After not having water a few weeks ago I made a decision never to let that happen again.
It’s funny because when I first started training I was worried about a little water giving me a cramp. And now I drink at least one bottle of water for my long runs. I drank a LOT of fluid on Sunday. Water, Gatorade, and I had two gel packs. I like could not get enough.
It is most definitely the home stretch. This week’s long run goes back to 10-12 again and then 20 next week!! It is going to be here before we know it! I am still short with fundraising though!! I need a little more than $600. This isn’t just a goal I made up though, I have to reach it. And I do not have the money personally to cover the difference. I do have great people in my life who have offered to lend it to me if it comes to that but I am hoping that people will make some last minute donations so I can sleep easy. I honestly did not think I could ever raise as much as I have but I just listened to the others who have done it before. They said if I trained and I plugged it, everything would fall into place. 600 is not as bad as it could be. If every one of my Facebook friends gave a dollar, I’d be 200 over my goal! A lot of my friends and family already have donated which is amazing, THANK YOU ALL But I still have that final stretch to make it in time. If you know of anyone who might be interested in donating to this cause, please please send them the link to my page. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Finally the sun is out and I think I see Spring a Comin!!! I am so excited about this. No More freezing cold runs (actually I shouldn't jinx myself). Now I need to train myself to run in the heat!
I went to Florida on Thursday to visit my brothers and I was looking forward to the sun! Atlanta Airport is kind of like the Bermuda triangle for travelers with connecting flights. It’s like you know you are going to get there but you have no idea, when you are getting out. I guess it is more like the Hotel California. Anyway, I got to ATL at 1:20pm on Thursday afternoon. I left at 11:15pm going to a different destination than was originally planned. The weather was bad and after hours and hours of postponing, my flight to Melbourne was cancelled. So I waited with the rest of the terminal to be rescheduled. The next flight was Saturday at 8:35am. And because the cancellation was due to the weather the airline offered nothing as far as hotels or car rentals went. They suggested to me that I get a car…Yeah ok. I heard a man behind me in line that got on a flight to Orlando that night so I asked to be sent to Orlando. I got lucky, I guess you could say that, with the 9:30pm flight to Orlando. Which if you look above, did not leave until 11:15pm. My brothers drove the hour to come get me and by the time we got back to Melbourne it was nearly 3am!!! 12 hrs after I was supposed to be there!!
So I slept in and then got my luggage at the Melbourne airport on Friday. We packed the car up and headed to Clearwater to see the Phils.
Saturday morning, my brother Sean and I, went for a run. We were staying at my Aunt Bonnie’s trailer which is exactly 2 miles from the stadium. We decided to run to the stadium and back. When we got there, fans were already around. The team was practicing on the field and the gates had not opened yet. I took advantage of the photo op, and will add those pictures soon.
The Phillies won!!!! It was a great game and perfect weather. 67 and Sunny. I got an uneven Irish tan (Farmer’s burn). Sunday, I didn’t get out on the road until 1:30.
Last weekend I had to do 10-12 and I decided to run on my own. I went down South Philly to the ballpark and FDR, to run around the lake. It reminded me of my runs last year. I got some pics, which I will also add soon. It was nice running down Broad St again but I hate the traffic lights. I did buy a water bottle I can run with this weekend. After not having water a few weeks ago I made a decision never to let that happen again.
It’s funny because when I first started training I was worried about a little water giving me a cramp. And now I drink at least one bottle of water for my long runs. I drank a LOT of fluid on Sunday. Water, Gatorade, and I had two gel packs. I like could not get enough.
It is most definitely the home stretch. This week’s long run goes back to 10-12 again and then 20 next week!! It is going to be here before we know it! I am still short with fundraising though!! I need a little more than $600. This isn’t just a goal I made up though, I have to reach it. And I do not have the money personally to cover the difference. I do have great people in my life who have offered to lend it to me if it comes to that but I am hoping that people will make some last minute donations so I can sleep easy. I honestly did not think I could ever raise as much as I have but I just listened to the others who have done it before. They said if I trained and I plugged it, everything would fall into place. 600 is not as bad as it could be. If every one of my Facebook friends gave a dollar, I’d be 200 over my goal! A lot of my friends and family already have donated which is amazing, THANK YOU ALL But I still have that final stretch to make it in time. If you know of anyone who might be interested in donating to this cause, please please send them the link to my page. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Finally the sun is out and I think I see Spring a Comin!!! I am so excited about this. No More freezing cold runs (actually I shouldn't jinx myself). Now I need to train myself to run in the heat!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Mind Over Matter
It no longer is about if you can or cant, but if you will or won't.
Today was the hardest and longest run of my life! When we pulled into the Valley Forge park, it started snowing. There is still a lot of snow on the ground out there so we weren't able to run our usual route. Instead we ran up and back the 'service road' twice. Oh the HILLS!! The snow kept up for the first two hours of the run. I stayed with the group of girls I always seem to start off with, for the first 9 miles or so. Then I ran solo. By the time I did the loop twice, and just had that stinking service road left, my body was in pain. My right calf was hurting after about 4 miles but by the time I hit 13 both legs seemed pretty pissed at me. You know what though? I finished! I ran 16 miles this morning in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
This week has probably been my best week training. I had two 7 mile runs that both went smoothly. I started walking a minute after every 2 miles, and it is helping. Today I did not know the mileage exactly but I did the minute walk a few times. The last three miles I walked a little more though because the hills were just monstrous at the time. But I was not getting angry with myself that I had to walk. That is some progress. Different people have told me different things about when the mental wall comes in a marathon. I have heard mile 16, mile 20, and everywhere in between. I think mine is 11. I dropped back a good amount at the 11th mile, but mentally I tried to stay optimistic. As far as the physical wall, I would say mile 15 or 16. I have never been so tired as I was today. I came home, showered, and napped for 2 hours.
Like I said, this week was the best training. I got the runs done and was able to enjoy them instead of hoping they were done. Bed early tonight for sure. I know that I will be able to do the marathon now. I know I will. Only a few more weeks and less than a handful of long runs until the big day. My brothers and friend Jana are coming to Nashville and I am so excited to know that people I love will be there at the finish line. I am starting to get more and more excited :)
Today was the hardest and longest run of my life! When we pulled into the Valley Forge park, it started snowing. There is still a lot of snow on the ground out there so we weren't able to run our usual route. Instead we ran up and back the 'service road' twice. Oh the HILLS!! The snow kept up for the first two hours of the run. I stayed with the group of girls I always seem to start off with, for the first 9 miles or so. Then I ran solo. By the time I did the loop twice, and just had that stinking service road left, my body was in pain. My right calf was hurting after about 4 miles but by the time I hit 13 both legs seemed pretty pissed at me. You know what though? I finished! I ran 16 miles this morning in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
This week has probably been my best week training. I had two 7 mile runs that both went smoothly. I started walking a minute after every 2 miles, and it is helping. Today I did not know the mileage exactly but I did the minute walk a few times. The last three miles I walked a little more though because the hills were just monstrous at the time. But I was not getting angry with myself that I had to walk. That is some progress. Different people have told me different things about when the mental wall comes in a marathon. I have heard mile 16, mile 20, and everywhere in between. I think mine is 11. I dropped back a good amount at the 11th mile, but mentally I tried to stay optimistic. As far as the physical wall, I would say mile 15 or 16. I have never been so tired as I was today. I came home, showered, and napped for 2 hours.
Like I said, this week was the best training. I got the runs done and was able to enjoy them instead of hoping they were done. Bed early tonight for sure. I know that I will be able to do the marathon now. I know I will. Only a few more weeks and less than a handful of long runs until the big day. My brothers and friend Jana are coming to Nashville and I am so excited to know that people I love will be there at the finish line. I am starting to get more and more excited :)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Attitude of Gratitude
"I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the last part with your heart." ~Mike Fanelli
Yesterday I went for a 12 mile run. I ran on my own because I didn't get a ride to Valley Forge. This past week I have been able to relate with the quote above. The first two miles are like OK but nothing great and then I get my groove and I'm ok. Yesterday I ran up Kelly Drive to Falls Bridge. What I wasn't taking into consideration was that for the past several weeks I have been running with the Team for my long runs. After 4 or 5 miles I have grown accustomed to having a water stop and started to work in a Gu pack after about 7 miles or an hour of running. Yesterday I had nothing. When I got to Falls Bridge, I started salivating like Pavlov's dogs. Just seeing the bridge and where the water stop is usually set up made me want water SO bad. I hit 7 miles at the bridge, because I started at my house, and headed back. I stayed on the East side because I am more familiar with it and did not have to run the whole loop to reach my miles.
I was 3.5 miles away from Lloyd Hall and any drinkable water. Every runner that ran by me with gatorade or water, I envisioned taking it from them and chugging it! I am not sure what exactly I was thinking going out for a 2 hour run with nothing to drink or eat, but never again will I make that mistake. About 2 miles from Lloyd Hall I started staring at the snow, it was looking pretty good. The irony of the situation was that I was running next to the River the entire time! I finally made it to Lloyd Hall and drank some water from the sink in the bathroom. The water fountains aren't on right now because I think the pipes are frozen.Anyway, I was at 10.5 when I got to Lloyd Hall. I finished out my 12 miles, by running to CVS on 19th and Chestnut so I could buy a water and powerbar.
I ran with my Iphone so I could listen to music. I think I need a new cover though because my palm was black by the end. Yesterday was the thirstiest I have ever been running, I am glad we got that out of the way. I was even considering wearing one of those belts the hardcore runners wear. I have to figure out what is going to annoy me the least, the belt and mini bottles swishing around or holding a bottle and having that swish around. I was voicing my dilemma to a friend of mine and he just reiterated that the water situation, just like the running, is mental. If I allow it to annoy and frustrate me, it will. I remember being in High School and running with my Cd player/Walkman, which is like enormous compared to the Ipod Nano. But I made it work, because I had no other option. There was a time when I wore the headphones that connected on top, not the individual ear buds, and the plastic would clang against my earring. That annoyed me so much I wanted to break the headphones. Eventually, I got the ear buds and my serenity back. A similar situation happened when I was wearing my cross necklace, but then I just tucked it into my sports bra when I ran. The point of all of these annoyances, is that I got through it. It is not the end of the world and I will get used to the swishing or the belt if I have to.
Friday I went for a run that was supposed to be 6 miles but I had no tracker with me and ended up running 7.5. It was a very slow run and by the third mile I just didn't want to be running anymore. By the 5th I was smiling and in my groove again.I wasn't sure how to start this blog, so I figured a quote could get the ball running. These little snippets of wisdom and motivation help me when my brain hits the wall. Knowing that it is all mental and only a tiny bit physical still does not keep my mind from straying to negative thoughts at times. It's good that I have little sayings and reminders to turn the negative around. I am sure I have written on here before the huge difference having an attitude of gratitude makes, in every area of my life. When I feel sluggish and like the miles are not going anywhere, just taking a minute to be grateful that I have two working legs and the physical health to even be considering running a marathon, makes me feel better. So what if I have a sluggish mile or two, as long as I stay good to myself, I'll get there.
Friday's run I lowered the music every two miles to check in physically and just acknowledge and compliment myself on where I was right then. It's hard for me not to think about the miles and worry about how many more to go. But when I am in an ideal head space, I am enjoying the mile I am in and just floating through it. I think that I have to have some bad runs, everyone does I think. But just like in life, I think it is just so I can be truly aware and grateful of the good runs I have. Just to keep me in check from taking anything for granted. Just like there are good days and bad days. Eventually you learn to break it down even more, so you have good parts of days and bad parts. Learning to identify the good within the whole stems from gratitude too. With running I think it's like having a good mile or a not so good mile (I don't want to say bad because a mile completed, can't be a bad one right?) Anyway what I am getting at, is that training is hard when I make it hard. Yes it takes dedication to stick to the schedule and get the runs in. And it takes some work to keep my mind in line, but the reward to it all will be well worth it.
Kelly Statue
At the 7th Mile
Falls Bridge
Yesterday I went for a 12 mile run. I ran on my own because I didn't get a ride to Valley Forge. This past week I have been able to relate with the quote above. The first two miles are like OK but nothing great and then I get my groove and I'm ok. Yesterday I ran up Kelly Drive to Falls Bridge. What I wasn't taking into consideration was that for the past several weeks I have been running with the Team for my long runs. After 4 or 5 miles I have grown accustomed to having a water stop and started to work in a Gu pack after about 7 miles or an hour of running. Yesterday I had nothing. When I got to Falls Bridge, I started salivating like Pavlov's dogs. Just seeing the bridge and where the water stop is usually set up made me want water SO bad. I hit 7 miles at the bridge, because I started at my house, and headed back. I stayed on the East side because I am more familiar with it and did not have to run the whole loop to reach my miles.
I was 3.5 miles away from Lloyd Hall and any drinkable water. Every runner that ran by me with gatorade or water, I envisioned taking it from them and chugging it! I am not sure what exactly I was thinking going out for a 2 hour run with nothing to drink or eat, but never again will I make that mistake. About 2 miles from Lloyd Hall I started staring at the snow, it was looking pretty good. The irony of the situation was that I was running next to the River the entire time! I finally made it to Lloyd Hall and drank some water from the sink in the bathroom. The water fountains aren't on right now because I think the pipes are frozen.Anyway, I was at 10.5 when I got to Lloyd Hall. I finished out my 12 miles, by running to CVS on 19th and Chestnut so I could buy a water and powerbar.
I ran with my Iphone so I could listen to music. I think I need a new cover though because my palm was black by the end. Yesterday was the thirstiest I have ever been running, I am glad we got that out of the way. I was even considering wearing one of those belts the hardcore runners wear. I have to figure out what is going to annoy me the least, the belt and mini bottles swishing around or holding a bottle and having that swish around. I was voicing my dilemma to a friend of mine and he just reiterated that the water situation, just like the running, is mental. If I allow it to annoy and frustrate me, it will. I remember being in High School and running with my Cd player/Walkman, which is like enormous compared to the Ipod Nano. But I made it work, because I had no other option. There was a time when I wore the headphones that connected on top, not the individual ear buds, and the plastic would clang against my earring. That annoyed me so much I wanted to break the headphones. Eventually, I got the ear buds and my serenity back. A similar situation happened when I was wearing my cross necklace, but then I just tucked it into my sports bra when I ran. The point of all of these annoyances, is that I got through it. It is not the end of the world and I will get used to the swishing or the belt if I have to.
Friday I went for a run that was supposed to be 6 miles but I had no tracker with me and ended up running 7.5. It was a very slow run and by the third mile I just didn't want to be running anymore. By the 5th I was smiling and in my groove again.I wasn't sure how to start this blog, so I figured a quote could get the ball running. These little snippets of wisdom and motivation help me when my brain hits the wall. Knowing that it is all mental and only a tiny bit physical still does not keep my mind from straying to negative thoughts at times. It's good that I have little sayings and reminders to turn the negative around. I am sure I have written on here before the huge difference having an attitude of gratitude makes, in every area of my life. When I feel sluggish and like the miles are not going anywhere, just taking a minute to be grateful that I have two working legs and the physical health to even be considering running a marathon, makes me feel better. So what if I have a sluggish mile or two, as long as I stay good to myself, I'll get there.
Friday's run I lowered the music every two miles to check in physically and just acknowledge and compliment myself on where I was right then. It's hard for me not to think about the miles and worry about how many more to go. But when I am in an ideal head space, I am enjoying the mile I am in and just floating through it. I think that I have to have some bad runs, everyone does I think. But just like in life, I think it is just so I can be truly aware and grateful of the good runs I have. Just to keep me in check from taking anything for granted. Just like there are good days and bad days. Eventually you learn to break it down even more, so you have good parts of days and bad parts. Learning to identify the good within the whole stems from gratitude too. With running I think it's like having a good mile or a not so good mile (I don't want to say bad because a mile completed, can't be a bad one right?) Anyway what I am getting at, is that training is hard when I make it hard. Yes it takes dedication to stick to the schedule and get the runs in. And it takes some work to keep my mind in line, but the reward to it all will be well worth it.
Kelly Statue
At the 7th Mile
Falls BridgeTuesday, February 16, 2010
Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
This is a popular poem that I am 95% sure that the author is Anonymous (some sites have a name but I don't know who to believe). The first time I came across this poem I was going through a difficult time, about 4 years ago. I had never seen it before. I wandered into a Religious store, near the church in my town. It was right next to a Green Cross with silver lining. On the top of the cross a silver sign dangled and it said 'Don't Quit.' I walked out of the store, with the cross and poem (I paid, don't worry). About 6 months later I was with some people and a friend of mine read this poem and said that he loved it because it reminded him of his dad, who he had just recently lost. I am always amazed how the same words on the same paper can strike people so differently, it really is a beautiful thing.
I was feeling down on myself yesterday because I have to change my running schedule slightly this week. Life happens and it doesn't always go as planned, yet I still get a little thrown off when it doesn't. Last night I left work a little late, couldn't catch the train (too many people), the bus never came, and I was running late to where I had to be. It wasn't the end of the world, but I was frustrated I couldn't go home and have the rest of the night fall in order the way I had planned it in my mind. Thankfully a friend of mine was able to point out that God really is the only one with the plan and that God probably thought it was funny I had one yesterday...
I had to laugh, because seriously if my biggest issue is finding enough time in the day to do all the things that I have an opportunity to be a part of, not really seeing the issue here. When you break down any 'problem' and get down to the core, you can always find gratitude. At the end of the day, I had eaten, I had a place to lay my head, and I had clean clothes and running water... The bare necessities were met but my mini tantrum made it a little hard for me to see that at first...
My favorite line in the poem;
"success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint in the clouds of doubt"
That is awesome. Like choosing to say silver tint instead of lining, because a lot of the time it's hard to see or find the positive. Every failure is just a lesson we needed to learn before we get the success we are striving for. This 'Anonymous' was one deep cookie. So my message today is to just keep going. Feeling guilty about something I have no control over or can not change, really will get me no where. I'm choosing to look up positive things today so by 6 when I hit the gym, I'll be filled with motivation and gratitude.
Even though it's easy to complain, like most of America, about sitting behind a desk for 8-10 hours a day most of the week, when you see people come in with smiles on their faces because they are grateful to have another day here, it is so hard to think you have it bad. Yesterday there was a patient who came in and he looks amazing! When I started working here, almost a year ago, I used to see this person and my heart just dropped every time he came in. He is young, and he was in a wheelchair sometimes because the treatment made it hard for him to walk. Yesterday he walked in with a smile from ear to ear. His face was filled with color and honestly it is the type of situation that can only be described as a walking miracle. I haven't seen him in a few months and it was just so amazing. Anyway, I just thought I'd share that on here. To physically see for yourself a person beat cancer, really is one of the most amazing things I think I will see in my lifetime. The courage and strength of the patients and their families and friends who are there with them every step of the way, truly is love in action.
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
This is a popular poem that I am 95% sure that the author is Anonymous (some sites have a name but I don't know who to believe). The first time I came across this poem I was going through a difficult time, about 4 years ago. I had never seen it before. I wandered into a Religious store, near the church in my town. It was right next to a Green Cross with silver lining. On the top of the cross a silver sign dangled and it said 'Don't Quit.' I walked out of the store, with the cross and poem (I paid, don't worry). About 6 months later I was with some people and a friend of mine read this poem and said that he loved it because it reminded him of his dad, who he had just recently lost. I am always amazed how the same words on the same paper can strike people so differently, it really is a beautiful thing.
I was feeling down on myself yesterday because I have to change my running schedule slightly this week. Life happens and it doesn't always go as planned, yet I still get a little thrown off when it doesn't. Last night I left work a little late, couldn't catch the train (too many people), the bus never came, and I was running late to where I had to be. It wasn't the end of the world, but I was frustrated I couldn't go home and have the rest of the night fall in order the way I had planned it in my mind. Thankfully a friend of mine was able to point out that God really is the only one with the plan and that God probably thought it was funny I had one yesterday...
I had to laugh, because seriously if my biggest issue is finding enough time in the day to do all the things that I have an opportunity to be a part of, not really seeing the issue here. When you break down any 'problem' and get down to the core, you can always find gratitude. At the end of the day, I had eaten, I had a place to lay my head, and I had clean clothes and running water... The bare necessities were met but my mini tantrum made it a little hard for me to see that at first...
My favorite line in the poem;
"success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint in the clouds of doubt"
That is awesome. Like choosing to say silver tint instead of lining, because a lot of the time it's hard to see or find the positive. Every failure is just a lesson we needed to learn before we get the success we are striving for. This 'Anonymous' was one deep cookie. So my message today is to just keep going. Feeling guilty about something I have no control over or can not change, really will get me no where. I'm choosing to look up positive things today so by 6 when I hit the gym, I'll be filled with motivation and gratitude.
Even though it's easy to complain, like most of America, about sitting behind a desk for 8-10 hours a day most of the week, when you see people come in with smiles on their faces because they are grateful to have another day here, it is so hard to think you have it bad. Yesterday there was a patient who came in and he looks amazing! When I started working here, almost a year ago, I used to see this person and my heart just dropped every time he came in. He is young, and he was in a wheelchair sometimes because the treatment made it hard for him to walk. Yesterday he walked in with a smile from ear to ear. His face was filled with color and honestly it is the type of situation that can only be described as a walking miracle. I haven't seen him in a few months and it was just so amazing. Anyway, I just thought I'd share that on here. To physically see for yourself a person beat cancer, really is one of the most amazing things I think I will see in my lifetime. The courage and strength of the patients and their families and friends who are there with them every step of the way, truly is love in action.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Just Keeps Getting Better
Yesterday I ran the farthest I have ever run in my life, 14 miles!! And from here on out, every week will be the farthest I have ever run. It's amazing that a year ago I was in Tallahassee getting ready to run my first half marathon. After I was finished I was convinced that was the farthest I would have ever run. Honestly at that moment I didn't have any interest in running even that far again. But now, here I am running that far just on a training run!! Not to say that I didn't take a two hour nap after I got home, because I did. But it was different. Yesterday I went out and had fun and by the end of the night I wasn't in pain or even thinking how that was all I did yesterday. It was just the beginning of the day. And you know what? I am feeling that runner's high. The endorphins are like on steroids or something and I feel like each run, it's just going to get better. I know that the pain will come and after awhile ( I think it's mile 11 for me) it becomes ALL mental, but I have faith now. I ran more than half a marathon yesterday!! My friend told me I had the runner's glow :) It's awesome! And I am pumped to keep going!!
I still need to set a date to have a spaghetti dinner, I am trying to find a place close by, but I will post as soon as it's set. Thing's are happening :)
“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.”
Oh Happy Valentine's Day :)
I still need to set a date to have a spaghetti dinner, I am trying to find a place close by, but I will post as soon as it's set. Thing's are happening :)
“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.”
Oh Happy Valentine's Day :)
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Calm Before the Storm
I went for a run early this evening, around town. It was the calm before the storm. My motivation was capturing some of the sights on my phone:
Brotherly Love <3 href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSodVVqwjg72RodExL9AtOc-ADLiK_JLabGNyuQVQimAdAlrKWVU1d53nmhVkhQ6azHna792HkeBty7L0NZ47CoO0-uxAeOW8fVF-MuII2hMeUyawX5K11MztICTbloGP1bT65WCfgJ8lh/s1600-h/south+st.bmp">
I love the statues on the South Street Bridge and for the longest time I never realized they were there.
I am feeling great. Today, yesterday, and Wednesday I ran about 5 miles. Inside yesterday and outside Wednesday and Today. It really hasn't been too cold. Sunday though... Let's just say I hope the plows hit Kelly Drive first :)
City Hall at the Days End
Brotherly Love <3 href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSodVVqwjg72RodExL9AtOc-ADLiK_JLabGNyuQVQimAdAlrKWVU1d53nmhVkhQ6azHna792HkeBty7L0NZ47CoO0-uxAeOW8fVF-MuII2hMeUyawX5K11MztICTbloGP1bT65WCfgJ8lh/s1600-h/south+st.bmp">
I love the statues on the South Street Bridge and for the longest time I never realized they were there.
I am feeling great. Today, yesterday, and Wednesday I ran about 5 miles. Inside yesterday and outside Wednesday and Today. It really hasn't been too cold. Sunday though... Let's just say I hope the plows hit Kelly Drive first :)
Monday, February 1, 2010
On Top of the World
Yes that is frozen Gatorade from Saturday Morning's practice. Actually I guess it is more of a slush but regardless it was FFFFreezzzzinnnnGGGGG!!!!
This weekend was incredible!!! Saturday morning, we gathered around at Valley Forge in the 19 degree weather for one common goal. To run! It was a big crowd this week because the Summer Team had their first training. I felt bad for them because I don't know how I would have felt if my first practice was hills and slushy Gatorade. I was running late, because I stayed the night in Jersey at my mom's. I woke up around 6am so that I could have enough time to go back to my apartment, change, and grab the re commitment paperwork (It was due yesterday). I pulled into the parking lot about 8:05 and saw the Mass of people. I was able to sign in and get the route from someone before we took off. It was similar to the run we did two weeks ago, except when we ran two miles one way on the path and turned around..We ran another mile out and back from the split in the path. I kind of dropped back from the group in front of me around the second mile. But I brought my headphones because I was planning on running solo. This guy, Kurt, dropped back with me. He waited for me in the end last week too. I could tell that he can run faster but he was just being a good team mate. A couple weeks ago, I over heard him talking about how he just ran the Disney Marathon. So I assumed he was one of the coaches, because who the heck would be out running 10 miles two weeks after they finished a marathon? I asked him how long he has been a coach and he told me he wasn't. He's a Hero.
Looking at him I would have never thought, but then I found out it was 20 years ago. He had lymphoma and went through 3 years of treatment. He said that his body responded really well to the treatment and thankfully he was able to make a recovery. He started explaining that the longer you go, the smaller your chances. Since it has been 20 years he has the same odds as getting cancer as anyone else now. He's run 8 MARATHONS!!! That's amazing!! I wanted to ask him why he hasn't shared a mission moment at practice yet but maybe they are waiting til closer to the race.
The Mission moment last Saturday, Oh my Gosh it was so sad but inspiring. The one girl, who is running the Paris Marathon, began running with TNT because her Uncle had passed away from a blood cancer. While she was training for one of her marathons ( I can't remember how many she has done) Her father was diagnosed with the same blood cancer that her uncle had. The weekend of her marathon (It was in California and she is from Pittsburgh I think..I may have some of the details jumbled..Anyway a LONG distance) her father got worse and went into the hospital. She debated running but her mom encouraged her to go run, For her dad. And she did. Her mom was able to bring a computer into the hospital so that the dad could see her daughter cross the finish line. (He had never been able to see her finish one) And so they watched their daughter, finishing her marathon in California, right in Pittsburgh. The daughter moved home for a year to take care of her father and he passed away in September of last year ('08). She keeps running in honor of her father and her uncle. I think she said that her mom has run at least one race too, which is just absolutely amazing. As she was talking about the money being raised, she said that there were more options for her dad when he was diagnosed than there were for her uncle. Each year, the research goes farther and they really are getting closer to a cure. The fact that She was able to share all of that with us and continue to fund raise and run, I literally don't have words for the strength and inspiration she has within her. I saw her this week running and I smiled and just got more inspiration just when I needed it. I saw her around 8 miles and it was an automatic reminder as to why I was there.
Once I passed the 10 mile mark I had to calm myself down. I was only 1 mile from running the farthest I have ever ran, not in a race. I was so Happy! And I wasn't in pain at all!! Like I said I had dropped back but I never lost sight of the group in front of me and there were some runners behind me too. I looked at my phone to check the time between mile 5 and 10 and I was at a 10 min pace!!! It was incredible!!! When I finished I was glowing I'm sure.. The ride home I had the heat blaring on my face but I just couldn't get warm.
I was going to drive home to my mom's right from Valley Forge but I started to Shiver before I got to Philly so I decided to go to my apartment, shower and get warm before heading back to Jersey. I have never been so happy for a Hot shower! Because I was so cold I straightened my hair, so the weather forced me to look half presentable lol. My mom and I went to Geets Diner when I finally got back to Jersey and I was floating the rest of the day. Of course, the snow started...
On my drive to my mom's some flakes started to fall and I was SO glad it waited until then.
"We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” ~Sonia Johnson
Friday, January 29, 2010
HOME STRETCH
$813 to go!!!!!!!
Wow we are getting so close!!!! Under the $1,000 mark!!! I am turning in my re commitment paper work tomorrow morning at the team run, which means, this is really going to happen guys!!
I just finished putting through all of the donations from the benefit. It took longer than I thought because my bank thought someone stole my credit card. They locked it last week after the 30th donation went through. That would be one kind hearted thief to donated all of his/her stolen money the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society haha. Only a short update today but definitely something worth writing about. Thank you all for helping make this happen. The LLS Team in Training passed their $1 Billion mark in fundraising last month!! And we are all apart of that :)
Wow we are getting so close!!!! Under the $1,000 mark!!! I am turning in my re commitment paper work tomorrow morning at the team run, which means, this is really going to happen guys!!
I just finished putting through all of the donations from the benefit. It took longer than I thought because my bank thought someone stole my credit card. They locked it last week after the 30th donation went through. That would be one kind hearted thief to donated all of his/her stolen money the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society haha. Only a short update today but definitely something worth writing about. Thank you all for helping make this happen. The LLS Team in Training passed their $1 Billion mark in fundraising last month!! And we are all apart of that :)
Monday, January 25, 2010
New Kicks
Check out the new kicks!! I got them last week. Okay yes they are almost identical to my old shoes, but hey if it ain't broke..Training is going along. I ran ten miles again with the team yesterday morning at Kelly Drive. I stayed with Caitlin for the first 8 miles and I think we were faster than a ten minute pace because I was like exhausted the last two miles. Big things happened yesterday:
1. It was the first time that I have run the loop since the 20 in 24 race last July ('08). When I ran it the last time it was 95 degrees out and I was just not having a good running day. My brother, Sean, and my dad were working the first water stop which was 2 miles in and I was already walking when I got there. Mentally I was not in it, that hot summer morning. Since that day I have kind of had a fear of Kelly Drive. I have dreaded running it. With Team in Training and with the 5K I did on New Year's I ran it, but only on the boathouse row side... Anyway it was clear that my mental block was melting away. We ran from Lloyd Hall up to Ridge Ave, then back and across Falls Bridge and finished the loop. When I ran a year and a half ago we did it in reverse, so it was a different view. I remember doing the Aids Walk in High School and that was the only other time (making 3 times total) I have run (walked) the loop. Being a runner in Philadelphia, that's pretty rare. But I did it, and I didn't walk. Although the last two miles were a slow trot, I pushed through it.
2. I drank Gatorade and had a Gel pack for the first time while running. I have been nervous about drinking anything other than water. I have had past experiences with drinking water and getting cramps. But after hearing our coach on Tuesday Night it became clear that I HAVE to eat and drink when I run this. I took a gel pack, Chocolate, at the water stop about 6 miles in, a little less than 6 I think.. It didn't taste that bad at all. Caitlin grabbed a twizzler and I had to giggle because here I am worried about some Gatorade (I mixed it with water, just in case) and people can actually eat candy and still run..
So even though I had to drop back from the group in the end of the run, it was still a big day. My time was better than last week, but I am not exactly sure how much better because I don't know what time we started. I am thinking it took about an hour and 40 to an hour and 45 mins to finish. Considering the Broad Street run two years ago took me two hours to run, I am pretty satisfied.
All in All it was a good week.
This is a longer than usual quote, but it's just that good:
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
~Calvin Coolidge
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Pictures from the Benefit
I'm not really sure what's going on with the spacing in this post. I apologize for the extra scrolling you'll have to do closer to the bottom. There are worse tragedies lol.
The Hall looked beautiful!! I had some awesome help decorationg :) The balloons look excellent.
Warm and Cozy
Aunt D holding down the fort.
Aunt D and Geri have been selling these hearts since Thanksgiving. I think the winner, says "Remember when Katie was In a Training bra?" Very funny Neal :p
Aunt Diane and my Mom in the kitchen. The food was awesome and yes
The Hall looked beautiful!! I had some awesome help decorationg :) The balloons look excellent.
Warm and Cozy
Aunt D holding down the fort.
Aunt D and Geri have been selling these hearts since Thanksgiving. I think the winner, says "Remember when Katie was In a Training bra?" Very funny Neal :p
Aunt Diane and my Mom in the kitchen. The food was awesome and yes
my mom is in the kitchen Uncle Joe lol.
First round of the Numbers game. If I could do it again I woulda wore Jeans.
It was cool to have both sides of the family playing. Aunt Diane and Danny were doing some trash talking. Dee Dee and Beth are counting off.
Megan turned the mic up on me, at least I felt like she did. I'm singing Aretha Franklin's "Respect" $70 to sing one song..Not too shabby
Brian came up to help me. He is one heck of a dancer.
For the Championship: Round 2 of the Number game..Dee Dee vs. Alec
Robbie is getting the crowd going
And the Winner is: DEE DEE Wohooo Go Girls!!!! Sorry Alec better luck next year
Uncle Joe Delaney and Michael
Danny and Aunt Lourdes
Aunt Diane (Delaney) Pilone
Aunt Peggy and Aunt Lourdes
First round of the Numbers game. If I could do it again I woulda wore Jeans.
It was cool to have both sides of the family playing. Aunt Diane and Danny were doing some trash talking. Dee Dee and Beth are counting off.
Megan turned the mic up on me, at least I felt like she did. I'm singing Aretha Franklin's "Respect" $70 to sing one song..Not too shabby
Brian came up to help me. He is one heck of a dancer.
For the Championship: Round 2 of the Number game..Dee Dee vs. Alec
Robbie is getting the crowd going
And the Winner is: DEE DEE Wohooo Go Girls!!!! Sorry Alec better luck next year
Uncle Joe Delaney and Michael
Danny and Aunt Lourdes
Aunt Diane (Delaney) Pilone
Aunt Peggy and Aunt Lourdes
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