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 :)

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

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

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

Huge Success :)

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE BENEFIT LAST NIGHT!!

WE RAISED $2,200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night was awesome! We had a great turn out and a lot of fun. If you would have told me I would be getting paid $70 to sing Aretha Franklin's 'Respect,' on stage I probably would have laughed in your face. But indeed I did it. We had two very competitive rounds of the Number game, a Chinese Auction, and a 50/50 Raffle. The food was ALL DONATED!!! as well as the HALL and my Aunt D and Geri even donated their tips from bar tending!! The 50/50 money was even donated back, which was amazing. It was $124!!! Thanks Eric.

I wanted to individually thank people last night but I know how I am and I would have probably forgotten to say some one's name. I may even now, but I do want to thank some people. Everyone who made food: Barbara Stahl donated all of the roast beef!! SO amazing!! My dad, my mom, Aunt Diane, Aunt Mary Esther, Aunt Rosemary, Aunt Bonnie, Lynne, Karen, Beth, Erin, and everyone else who made the food, donated baskets, helped setup, and clean up. All the food was delicious!!! Aunt D for the hall, it looked amazing!!! Ashley for working the door the entire night!!! Julie, Rachel, and Tam for setting up, running errands with me all day and selling tickets. Megan for DJing. Everyone and everything was great!

So with the money raised last night and the donations still left to be added to the website, I only need : $973 to meet my goal!!!

I have a couple more weeks and once I finalize the next fundraising event/idea I will post it. My mom has some pics from last night that I will add as soon as she emails me them.


Training: Yesterday morning I ran with the Team in Valley Forge. This was my first practice there and the team's second or third. I ran 10 miles. Valley Forge is A LOT different than running in Center City. HILLS! It was tough. My body was feeling it by the end. About 2 miles into the run we ran right by 10 deer. They were only 20 feet away from me and they weren't scared off. Just standing there, eating. It was so peaceful. I ran by myself, because there was no one who had a similar pace to me. I had no headphones, so it was just me and my mind. Taming my mind on a long run can be like taming a wild horse. I have to let the negative thoughts float right out without holding the thought in. Thankfully I get practice with letting thoughts go when I meditate, but no one is perfect. Sometimes the thoughts linger longer than comfortable but I got through it. The last three miles I had to think about each step, "Stay in this, just this step, loosen up, relax.." I have to train my mind to stay in the run and not think about tomorrow's run or next week, when it will be even Farther.. Anyway I find it best when I talk to myself like I am encouraging someone else who is running. Like every 5 or 10 minutes just telling myself I'm doing a good job. Volunteering with Back on My feet helped me to implement this thinking when I run by myself. I used to run with other women and it was inspiring to see them run their whole run and I know how good it feels to have some one vocally supporting you. It may seem silly that I do that, but it has been working so far. It's just the simple tactic of changing negative to positive. For example if I used to have the thought "Come on you gotta do this, just 4 more miles, you HAVE to do this, Don't STOP RUNNING, don't SLOW DOWN." It would make me drag and feel not so good about myself. But if I change those thoughts to something more positive like, "You are doing awesome! You have come so far. You feel great! Enjoy this moment, Feel this Run! Great JOB!" I would feel better about that moment.
It is so easy to miss your run by thinking about it being over. So I have to practice remembering how to enjoy every minute, every step, and every mile while I am in it.
I took today off and plan on running after work tomorrow. There is a nutrition clinic this Tuesday that I am going to try to make. I am interested to find out more about how I should be eating while training. Especially when it gets closer to the marathon. I don't want anything weighing me down and making me feel sluggish come crunch time.

OK time for me to get some rest. Thank you all again for everything last night. It was a Huge Success and a wonderful reminder how blessed I am to have such supportive family and friends. Oh and all those who could not make it, you were absolutely missed, especially Patrick and Sean. I love you guys and can't wait to visit :)

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. "~ Lou Holtz

T minus 4 days!!!

I always think of Garfield when I think of Lasagna...Not sure that will ever change :)

4 DAYS until the BENEFIT!!!!

I was so stoked over running 10 miles that I forgot to post about this Saturday!!! OK, big things are happening. We are all pulling together to have roast beef, vegetable lasagna, regular meat lovers lasagna, string bean casserole, salad, and DESSERTS galore. I am so excited!! And if you've talked to me over the past week or so I have told you I am. My Aunt Doris has worked her magic and the VFW is being DONATED for the whole night!!! That is so awesome!! The majority of the food and drinks are being donated too and I really believe that I will reach my goal on Saturday. I have been trying not to stress too much about the money because I know that it will work out if it is supposed to. But I will be so INCREDIBLY happy and relieved if I meet my goal. That will give me the next 3 months to solely worry about training.

I ran 4 miles last night at the gym. My legs are sore but the kind of sore they used to feel when I was playing sports. Usually the first couple weeks of conditioning for a sport. The quads are burning a little and I forget until I bend down to pick something up and I look like a 85 yr old woman about to throw her back out. haha I'm jk, well sort of. My legs do hurt but a little pain never hurt anyone. I started new hours at work last week so I am going to be running at night from now on. I am glad I got that gym membership now. I don't want to run mainly on the treadmill but My membership is only for the next month and I am going to run outside at least three times a week. I don't really hate the treadmill anymore, because it is warm inside and I like TV. But I think my mind has a much better chance of checking out on me and wanting to quit when I am on the treadmill. Outside you have so many options as to where you can run. Like when I take a nice scenic route it's just a lot more enjoyable and I barely even realize I am running for the mileage. Inside I just stare at those bright red numbers and at times it's like waiting for water to boil. At least it hasn't come to the point where I think the numbers are standing still. When it comes to that I will know that's my cue to bundle up and hit the street.

The Benefit is at 34 Chestnut St, Berlin NJ 08009.. The VFW..It's right near Our Lady of Mt. Carmel school/church (there is actually another name now and I can't remember what it is)

If you want to bring anything, as I said above, Desserts galore. I have a handful of people bringing desserts right now and obviously there is no such thing as too many sweets..Just shoot me an email or give me a call and let me know what you're bringing.

"Joy is a heart full and a mind purified by gratitude."

~Marietta McCarty

I again want to thank everyone who has donated and who is planning on coming this Saturday. I am really excited and so Grateful to be able to be a part of this.

What a Week!

I took these pics on my run tonight. This is about the 1 mile marker on the path at Kelly Drive, just about Sunset.

OK so I have to admit that I have been feeling guilty about this past week and it has kept me from updating. But then...today happened :)

I went up to Massachusetts last week to visit some friends. I left on New Years Day and came back on Jan 6. And in just 6 short days, my running slacked hard. Thursday Night, New Years Ever 2010...I rang it in with a couple friends, running a 5 K at the Art Museum at the stroke of 12. It was freezing and Wet and I loved it. I got 29:30, which is good for me. Under a ten minute mile :) Since my latest eye adventures, I have been rocking the glasses which was pretty annoying with the rain. But luckily it was on the path that I have run multiple times so I didn't really NEED to see clearly. There was a DJ at the boathouse where they had registration and snacks. We hung out for a little bit but then headed home. After walking a few minutes we decided against the cab. I got home around 2am and my hands have never been so cold. When I got into the shower they felt ten degrees hotter than the water. I am pretty sure you aren't supposed to put hot water on freezing skin, but thankfully nothing catastrophic occurred.

Friday we shipped up to Boston. I ran Saturday morning at the hotel gym, which was gorgeous by the way. They had fancy lockers that were opened with a magnetic key. I could have stayed there, in the locker room, for days. But anyway, I ran 4 miles on Saturday while I watched High Fidelity on the TV. Sunday I took off and spent the day sight seeing. The aquarium is awesome. Anyway back to training. Sunday night I stayed at my friend from college's house in Salem, MA. She was going to her gym on Monday morning and said I could tag along. We went to Planet Fitness and I hit the treadmill once again, this time for my long run. I ran 7 miles. Mentally I checked out at 5.5 miles and struggled through the last 1.5 miles. The treadmill only allowed you to set the time at 60 minutes so I had to stop and restart the machine to get the last mile. Of course when I was finished and cooling down I knew I could have run another mile, had my mind stayed in it. Tuesday I intentionally took off. After my run Monday my pinky toe started to hurt a little but it was just the usual uncomfortable feeling. My feet have been getting tore up but nothing crucial. Wednesday I flew home and just went to bed without running. This is why I feel guilty, Friday I woke up and was willing to run. I wanted to. When I got out of bed, my left foot was not happy. The heel that had been acting up the past two weeks, I could tell was going to be trouble. I didn't know that my pinky toe would be why I would be limping by the end of the day. My toe got grosser and grosser as the day went on and I did not want to do anything while at work, but I did have one of the triage nurses bandage it up for me.

After being a baby all Friday night, limping around and complaining. I came home and went to sleep. Saturday the team met to run 9 miles. I did not think I would be able to run half that and so I didn't go. I feel horrible for not just showing up but I was babying my foot and I didn't want to stand there and not be able to run with every one else.

When I was getting ready in the morning on Saturday I re bandaged my foot and well, it's gross but I just drained the problem. I mean all runners deal with this but I cringe just thinking about it. Don't worry I won't post the pics of my foot, but I did take a pic. After walking on it a little I decided to go for a jog in the afternoon. I just wanted to get out there, so I had no goal in mind and just went. It was a slow go with just under a 12 min mile but I ran for an hour, 5.2 miles.

I was relieved when I came home and my toe was still there :o

Today I was feeling good and I went out again just hoping to knock out a few miles. Then I decided to do my long run I missed yesterday. I ran 10 miles today!!!!!!!!!

This is the longest that I have run since last January!!! I am so pumped. Again I had about an 11 min mile, but who cares?! I ran for an hour and 49 mins. I went through West Philly and then up the path at the Art Museum and just around town, it was great!!

I can't explain the guilt I felt the past few days, but the joy I feel right now having run 10 miles and not once during that time did a negative thought come in mind, that I couldn't do it. That is the real victory.

Life is too short to not be honest. I was so worried about being looked down upon for missing a few days running, but I'd much rather tell the truth and deal with the possible 'upsets' of people, than live a lie.