We Gladly Return To Your Regularly Scheduled Programming

There has been a momentary pause in my training, but I’m glad to report that this morning I resumed!

In case you were on the edge of your seats wondering: Monday nights Nutrition Test:88, LaSalle’s Pre Entrance Exam: Above the Required score!

There was no set pass/ fail really for LaSalle’s Nursing Entrance Exam but they said anything above a 100, with a 40 in each category (Math, Science, & Verbal). I got a 118! Turns out I am horrible at Science, I got the lowest acceptable grade (40) but my Math skills brought it up (94). And Verbal well not my favorite, but I got an okay grade I spose (>purposely spelled wrong for my geeky humor).

Now that I can breathe a sigh of relief temporarily, I got back to the streets this morning for a run. I ran 5miles and it was such a glorious morning. It was like discovery day. The River Rink is now up at Penn’s Landing (see below) and also Occupy Philly moved from City Hall (also see below- I played with the pics to make them more aesthetically pleasing. And also so I can play with my Instagram app on my Iphone).

Practice is at Kelly Drive this Saturday which I will be attending. The Team is up to 8 miles for the Disney Half and 20 miles for the Full. I have been thinking about possibly dropping to run the Half instead of the Full. The truth is my knee is still bothering me and I am worried about messing it up more before the 24 hr race, which I am sure will not be kind to it.

Just something I am praying on currently. I am hoping to run tomorrow morning too, I think I need to venture out more for different pics. Maybe I will run to west Philly and capture the city on the way back…Hmm…

I am absolutely enjoying the holiday season coming on. I love the lights and decorations! And it is neat because now is the time that a little more of town each day will start to become decorated. I took a picture of Christmas Village the other day, because I was shocked it was in Love Park but Occupy Philly was still in Dilworth Plaza. My first thought was ‘the skateboarders must be pissed they can’t skate at Love Park.’ Then when I was walking down South St I saw about 30-40 skateboarders come by..ripple effect.

I hope everyone is enjoying the transition into the Holidays. I am a weirdo but I would much rather run in the cold then the heat. There is just nothing better than a hot shower after an icy cold run, some soup, and a 3-7 hour nap….ahhh

River Rink

UnOccuppied

Christmas Village in Love Park

More of this morning's run

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." ~Oprah



I Knew I Forgot One

The past few days did not go as planned with my running. Today was actually my first run since Sunday. I did 3.5 miles. I feel ok. I looked down at my shoe and remembered there's a hole in my right one and really should get a new pair. I like the Brooks I have now but I also liked my old Asics. I think the Brooks have more padding but essentially they are the same shoes. I started to think if I felt a difference since getting them in June... I did start having the knee issue in July, however that probably had more to do with the 61mile run and not so much the shoes.

I found myself tired after 3 miles today.I was using my Nike + and the lady said I was at a 9:40 mile, which probably was a little fast for me. Tomorrow I decided to skip the Team practice and go for a 6-7 mile run on my own. Next week I will join back up with the Winter Team and just modify my training. They will be up to 20 next week but I know it's too soon for me to do that.

I was reading Sabrina's Blog (20in24 woman winner) the other day and her training is nuts! She was talking about her running and 3days in a row she ran over 15miles. People amaze me!

I am excited about July, because right now: Maggie, Matt, Evelyn, Lauren, and Mark are all signed up for Lone Rangers!! Registration hasn't even been open a full week yet and we already got a team of people! We are gonna have one sick set up this year!

Things for me to do this week: Buy New Shoes, Run, and the schoolwork.

I have a test for Nutrition Monday Night and an all day Nursing Pre Entrance Exam for Lasalle on Tuesday. My brain loves when I run because it gets a break, I need to remember that. Healthy body and healthy mind are the key things I need.

Here is a pic of my right shoe, I didn't notice the whole on the inside.

And here is a beautiful pic of the sunset last night from the walk home from work, because it's nice to be reminded how gorgeous life is.

The mobile blogger messes up the arrangement of pics, sorry about that

Photo Finish

Alright Alright, I know…The pics below I took on my cell of the computer…They are copyrighted so obviously they have to have words on them so people do not reuse them. I am thinking I might actually buy one this year though, so I wanted to take a couple of my favorites and share.

The finish- Im never sure it I am suppose to hold up one finger or just my arms

Falls Bridge

Look at that finish- I think I got 6 cms off the ground on that stride- straight sprint

Coach Tara- making me laugh- This is my favorite one- less than a mile to the finish

Post Marathon Blues

I have a whole other entry typed up about training schedules and how I think Ultra marathon trainings are nuts, but then another Idea struck me. After Maggie and I ran Nashville (well then I ran Jersey) she told me that it is common if I go through a small depression. That a lot of runner’s experience a mood fall after the marathon, because they spent so much time preparing and then the race is over. I have not fully experienced the Post Marathon Blues in the past but I think I do remember after my first (NJ) I felt a little empty after. Since then I have pretty much had my next race lined up and so I was able to focus on the next thing. After the race in July I thought about the Philly Marathon (and even the Rock N Roll Half which I did in September). I have Disney in 7 weeks, which I am stoked about! And then the 20 in 24, but there is a 26 week break between Disney and July… I also have 4 nights of school headed my way come Spring, so I do not want to sign up for something and not be able to train properly, however I like to have the countdowns (obviously---> look to the right).


Maggie was texting me Sunday night with an Ultra marathon she is doing in March but I have no interest in that (sounds like a trail run), plus that weekend I am not available to. There are a couple people doing the Half Marathon in DC on St Patrick’s Day and there is also the Shamrock Half and Full in VA Beach St. Patty’s Day. That would give me an excuse to go visit my friend Tam who I haven’t seen since she moved after her wedding in May! Originally I had planned (over 6 months ago) to think about the San Diego Marathon, because my friend Colleen moved there a few months ago…that is in June… Decisions, Decisions… I can always run Broad St in May (But my mind is like 10 miles?) I know, when did my brain get so cocky? I think all the training runs, made me think 10 is a short run…

So right now I have:
Jan-Disney Full
March-?
May-?
June-?
July- 20 in 24…

Now I am getting a little bummed thinking about that Gap. But I also have to remember my school work will be plentiful and work has been getting busier… Wait, why did I start writing this? Oh let’s go to science…or other blogs and internet articles who have elaborated on the issue. Some people have compared training for a marathon to pregnancy and labor…and the post marathon blues to the equivalent of post partum depression…Extreme? Maybe, but maybe not…

I found several articles online on how to AVOID the Post Marathon Blues and so far I think I have done that.. Here are two..

Tips on the Post Marathon Blues

Schmung- The state of being depressed after completing your goal. AKA 'PMB'
OK so it is 3 days after the marathon, I am going to go for a nice calm jog after work. I have to pick up my contacts downtown anyway so it will be working as transportation as well. And I am getting picked up a little after 7 so I will avoid the temptation to just mosey around town. It’s weird how in the mornings it is so hard to get out the door but once I do I wish I had all morning instead of 45 mins- an hour. I will run no more than 3 miles…

I'll leave you with these words of wisdom....
“Marathoning is just another form of insanity.”
~ John J. Kelly (winner of the 1952 Boston Marathon)


Agreed... But who is normal anyway?

Crazy town

And I'm officially registered for 20in24! July 14& 15 2012, only fitting I spend the last two days of 27 the way I spent the first two right? My goal is 75 miles..which means, we got a lot of training ahead folks!

Newest Addition

I think it's time to buy a medal rack... This is borderline showing off, I'm aware...but I'm also still gaining full function in my left leg so let me boast a little..I promise to not brag for at least 5 posts after this one..

Philly Marathon: 26.2 Mission Complete

Ohhhh my Gosh!! I finished in 5hrs 23minutes!!!! Woohoo!! My pace was awesome until Around mile 16.. I had the best half time ever with a 2:25 (best before was 2:29 in 2009).

I ran the whole first mile and the adrenaline was incredible. I was in the last corral and most of the runners around me were sticking with their paces of 11-14min miles. It was pretty hard to weave through people until we hit Delaware Ave or Columbus Blvd(I still interchangeably use the two names because I can't remember which is right now).

I ran into Coach Glen 2miles in and he ran with me for a bit. By then I had started my 2:1 run:walk and he told me to stick with my plan. I think he sensed I was really excited and just reminded me there were about 24miles left to run.

We ran to Washington and came back on Front St to South. The signs were great! I wish I took pics of them. One said 'you trained longer for this than Kim Kardashian's Marriage' and another said 'keep running, you don't want to Occupy Arch St' there were also a few about chaffing and being turned on by it..ouch!

I saw a friend at 7th and Chestnut and another at 12th, luckily I was able to say hi to both. The first 7-8 miles were great! I wasn't thinking really about anything. I ran into coach Tara, and she ran with me until the Chestnut St Bridge. I had my watch timing me but tried to only look at my pace every other mile. It was roughly 11mins which I was aiming for.

We hit West Philly and the hill people talked about. I was starting to get a little tired but the downhill hurt more. My knee started to hurt around mile 9 and I just prayed for an empty mind. I saw Coach Laurie when I was headed down to West River. Once we hit West River I felt myself slow a little. We split up at the Half, so the Full Marathoners went left to head to Manayunk and the Half people went right to their finish. I was still feeling pretty good by then and when I looked at my watch I was like, no way! 2:25? That's great!

After I hit mile 14 my brain showed up to throw a monkey wrench in things. There were no negative 'you can't do this' thoughts but the constant:
      'ok where is Mile 15? I ran 14, so that leaves 12 miles left..less than half, I'm more than half way there.. Where is the next water stop? How long has it been since I had a Gu? Has it been two minutes yet? (look at watch) oh man where is mile 15?'
Those constant thoughts would kill me, with 12 miles left.

At Mile 16 I saw the 3:30 pace group to my right, they were at mile 24, and I realized Caroline must be near them. About a mile or so later I did see her and was so happy, she looked great and she was on pace to finish around 4hrs (and she did,exactly 4hr and 5s, so awesome!).

A little after that, Maggie and Annuka rode by on their bikes Screaming! I got goosebumps when I saw them and was so excited again to be doing this.

The stretch before Falls Bridge was slightly abandoned and so my brain was thinking, 'I will occupy this time and space', and I had a bit of an inner battle. I typically do in long runs, have that inner dialogue of the racing thoughts vs the prayers and comfort of knowing it'll be okay. Once we hit the light before Falls Bridge there was loud music and a sea of people and I thought 'Hell yeah Manayunk!' and I said that about 40times as I crossed Falls bridge for another turn around 'Hell yeah Manayunk!'

Then my mind was like 'where the F is mile 18? For the love of God!' and then it was there. There was an empty stretch again until Main Street, where I saw a Bucks County Coach, who I forgot her name. I was hurting and my pace had dropped significantly. I was still running at my 2minute beep but it was a turtle trot now and there was no question I was having issues.

She asked me if I was ok, and I said yea I'm just tired. I wasn't in a social mood but I was still glad to not be alone right then. I told her I was a run/walker and she said she swears by the Galloway method. It shaved 13 minutes off of her marathon time, that was comforting.

The next water stop had run out of cups and I was slightly angry. They had water jugs though and the volunteers were pouring it in our mouths to make sure our lips didn't touch. It took me a minute to coordinate with my volunteer because I wasn't capable of just letting her pour at that moment, but after a minute I was able to get a gulp and was on my way. The Coach told me mile 20 was up ahead and she was sure they had cups..

I got excited when I saw tables set up and red solo cups but that ended up being a beer stop which was a let down. I hit a hill going into the main strip and Coach Ross saw me coming. He came gliding over all smiles. The coaches amaze me because by the end of the day they run more than a marathon but never stop being happy and supportive, God Bless them. He was a chatterbox and again asked how I was but told him I'd rather not talk about it. So he asked if I wanted to talk about Mathematics instead, I looked at him like he was crazy but he did get me to smile.

At the top of the hill my legs were on fire, I can't remember the last time they burned so fiercely. I got to mile 20 and the water stop which did have cups!

My mind was in full gear with the 'where's the mile mark? Just keep trying to run, it'll be ok. Why the hell do I keep signing up for these?' thoughts. The run from Falls Bridge to Boathouse row has never been longer. I think miles 22-25 were the longest and absolutely dropped my pace. Coach Tara caught me again at mile 25, she asked how I was and I to her I'd tell her after the finish.

Even though my knee was killing me I didn't want to vocalize it because I knew mentally I would focus more on the pain. We passed the mentors again at mile 25.5 and they were going crazy, it was awesome! They are so great, with their costumes and cowbells. My parents were right near them too and I only saw them for a minute but didn't stop. My mom was trying to get a pic with her phone but by the time we saw each other I was already passed them. Had I been farther away from the finish I would have stopped to say hi, but I just wanted to finish. Tara ran me to the final curve and told me I was going to finish under 5:25..I got tears in my eyes, and almost lost it.

I didn't experience every emotion like I usually do on long runs, until Mile 25 and I really wanted to cry. I was so happy that I was going to finish and when I saw the mentors then my parents back to back I got overwhelmed with love and accomplishment. I am an ugly crier though and couldn't smile at the same time so I told myelf to pull it together so I could have a nice finisher photo.

I turned the final stretch and I felt like a rockstar, I finished strong and when I looked down at my watch and it said 5:23 I couldn't believe it! I was so incredibly happy!

I took off of work today to sleep and recuperate. Yesterday was a perfect day for a run. Unfortunately two men, a 21yr old and a 40yr old had heart attacks and died yesterday. It is very tragic and I am definitely keeping their friends and families in my prayers. Thankfully I am only suffering from knee discomfort and aches throughout but they will be gone in the next few days.

Maggie was texting me last night asking if I wanted to run an Ultra marathon in March and Providence in May..I told her I'll think about it, maybe once my legs start functioning again and I forget about the pain.

I just want to thank all of you for your support through my training and yesterday! I am so luck to have friends and family who are always cheering me on.. I may not be winning Olympic medals but I sure do feel like a star!

Mom, Dad, and Me afterwards, I am a very lucky runner :)

Donna, Rachel, and I at the start

Beautiful Sunrise

Classic Philly shot, some trash in the background and all

Alissa and I, round 2

One Last Post Pre Race

Alright... 10 hrs to go...
My Aunt D, mom, dad, and Patrick made it to the dinner tonight.
One of the speeches mentioned that there are 3 types of people in this world:
People who wonder how things happen
People who watch things happen
And people who make things happen

We chose the 3rd.. Oh and Derrick was the honored hero. I think I blogged about my run with him, amazing story. He spoke very well and I got to meet his wife! Such an inspiration, to have had lymphoma in 2003 and a heart transplant 10 months ago and run a half marathon tomorrow. Freaking incredible is what he is! As I get in my PJs and get nestled down.. I'm going to pack my bag and make sure the bib and all else is in order.

And PS we are about to break 1,000 page views!!!! ( I bet I am at least 300-400 of those but heck a view is a view and we are breaking a grand baby!)


Good Luck to Caroline, Evelyn, Matt, Suzanne, Rachel, Donna, Alissa, Bonnie, and everyone else tomorrow!! Kick some butt, drink water, and have 'The Best Tome of Your Life' you earned it!

The decorating has begun!! My nails are now purple.. I picked up these pink sleeves yesterday at the expo and I am just starting with the jersey decorating :) this time tomorrow I will be more than halfway done!! I saw Caroline this morning and she said Bart Yasso from Runners World had just ran by with a group of about 200 runners, all getting their last Diddy in before the show..
So..... E x c I t e d! ! ! ! !

I choked, I took one picture, mid stride... I didn't see a balloon archway :/ but the parkway is closed already and the barricades are up! Bed by 9:30 tonight and up at 6, so I can man the Disney Team's water stop! The good news it's only at Kelly Drive... The bad news is the parkway is already closed wth.. That's what cops are for though right? To easily explain my best option to get to my destination without copping (pun intended) a total attitude? Yep we will see how that goes.

The Final Countdown (Ba da do do...Ba da do do do)

Arrested Development has branded me with the image of Gob at his magic show, every time I hear 'The Final Countdown' I was going to title yesterday's post with that but I knew that I would need to update at LEAST at least one more time! Also, thanks people for reading, I think we may break 1,000 page views by Monday! The most ever viewed post was the one after 20 in 24 so I am hoping to have the same effect with this marathon. Let's Get Ready!!!!

I am going to the Expo right from work tonight. Going to hop the El down to the Convention Center. I always get weird, because I love to take pictures but I still feel like such a tourist. But WHO CARES? There is one thing I will never get sick of, and that is balloon arches into entranceways... That's right, they fascinate me. I like balloons, alright, I love balloons, and when I see them all together and I get to walk through, I feel so fancy.

This morning I went for my last run before the race. I wanted to take pics and kind of forced some sunrise shots, this is the Vietnam Memorial on Front and Spruce St.

I am going to take pics tonight of the EXPO no matter how insecure I get!

The Countdown is On……………..

You Tube I Tube, We all Tube

I really can’t remember the last time I was so excited for something. I mean I was pumped for 20 in 24, absolutely, but this is a different excitement.

I have a goal, 5:30.. I mean the ultimate goal is to finish, but I do want to beat my time and I know I can. The fact is I was hesitant to set a goal because I do not want to be upset if I don’t make it. I have trained up til now and I know that I am ready, however, a lot can happen in 26.2 miles. Plus if I say 545 or 530 and get 525? It will be fantastic! Going off of my longer runs (best so far would be the 18miles at 3:36) I think it is attainable. But again the goal is to show up, run, smile, and get my medal and foil cape at the end.

They have the tracking set up on the webpage, so if you want to get updates sent to your phone on my progress or any other runner, you can go to

http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/for-family-friends-and-fans

I remember doing that for Maggie two years ago. It was pretty on track and cool to know where she was. As if the Blogs and continuous FB updates are not enough, I want to also be carried around in your pockets with GPS updates ;) Only for the race though, other than that it is called stalking… which I make it very easy anyway through the vices listed above.
I have been debating on how extreme I would like to look. I would like to spray my hair purple and possible some heavy crazy makeup…however I am not 100% sold yet..I am going to stop in Rite Aid tomorrow night and browse the expo to see if anything strikes my fancy. I do need to get a t-shirt for under my race bib…something simple I think since the bib is purple. I decided against the tights under the skirt and am just going with the skirt. It’s gonna be chilly in the morning! But I know that I will warm up.

I didn’t take any pictures this morning when I ran. I went for 3 miles, down Chestnut and back up Walnut. They are filming a movie around 9th and Chestnut, and having tents and trailers taking over the parking lot there. I didn’t see anything good, although I heard Bradley Cooper, Robert Deniro, and Chris Tucker are in whatever they are filming. I did have my brush the world’s sexiest man last year outside Barnes and Noble at Rittenhouse.. no words were exchanged but I may have imagined a head nod. The pic woulda just been tents with sidewalls, so I refrained.

I am planning on running tomorrow morning with Rachel, so maybe there will be a pretty sunrise. I don’t want to go too far maybe 3 miles, but it is 2 miles to get to the water (and the prettiest shots) which makes it an automatic 4mile + run… We shall see what happens.

I think part of the reason I am so excited for this is because it is coming at a really good time. I did my presentation for one class last week and turned in my big project for the other class on Monday. I have 3 tests in the 2 classes combined, left in the semester! What better way to relax than run this marathon! The last two days my brain has felt so good.. I am going to study tonight when I get home for a little while but there is not too much stress right now.

I have 9 days after the marathon to solely focus on studying for LaSalle’s Pre Entrance exam. So my mind…is on the marathon right now!

I have been having some problems with the videos I add, so just check this link out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0gxOH2OTn0&feature=related

I have been posting videos all week but I think this is top 3 for sure. I like the ones that show the runner training too, and the ending is cool. Good Stuff You Tube. It is making me want to take some footage myself, we will see what happens. Every time a camera hits me I become the most awkward person alive. It started 27 years ago on a hot summer’s morn…No Im just kidding I couldn’t have been this awkward the entire time. But yes actually let me find some proof of this…watch this video, I am not the one talking although I had been a volunteer with the program they are talking about…When they interviewed me I didn’t know where to look so my eyes were bouncing around the camera persons head like the greatest game of ping pong was happening back there..and at the end…Locked eyes and grimaced. Go figure they used the girl who knew very little about the program, the camera liked her…such is life lol jk

My awkward 12 seconds of silent fame 

41 seconds in…and I give a head nod at 52 seconds in agreement, why yes it was a hot one..
Ah ha proof of the awkward…

Ok enough of googling videos, time for class! Ill update tomorrow or Saturday, keep this amped up!!!!

Fun Fact

This is Officially the most I have ever blogged in one Month since starting in 2009! Woohoo! And also, the page has been viewed almost 900 times!!!! Maybe we can break 1,000 by 2012!

Here is an Inspirational video from the Chicago Marathon. I totally cried just now. I know I'm a baby, but it's a good kind of cry!



"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."
~John Hanc

Why We Run

Yesterday morning before our run, we had a little more than just the Mission Moment. Our Fall Coach told us that there are two points in every marathon that most runners talk about having. The moments when you think that you will not finish or you contemplate not going on. He asked us to take a minute to think about why we signed up for the Team. Who are we running for? Those we are running in Honor and in Memory of. Then after a silence to make sure we all had in our minds our reason, he asked us to think of another moment.


He said that in the past 6 months, no one has had a perfect training season. There were days when you laid in bed and did not want to get out and run. The days when your knee or ankle were hurting but you still laced up and got through those miles. The times when we showed up and were thinking ‘Why on earth did I sign up for this?’ He asked for another minute so we could think of an exact moment of our own that we fought through. He said that when we hit our first ‘screw you (or F you) moment’ (which it is often referred to as) in the marathon on Sunday, to think about why we are running.

Brian, our Fall coach, is a hero himself, so he said that he always thinks about when he was going through Chemotherapy. He said nothing was harder for him than that daily struggle and the other heroes (the people we are all running and raising money for) have that battle every day, so one day for the few hours it takes for him to finish is not that bad. Then for the second moment we have, in our struggle to the finish, we need to think about the past 6 months. Our whole spring, summer, and fall we have been preparing for this one day, this one race, and it would be Stupid to think we couldn’t finish something we have been practicing for all this time.

I wrote last week, my reasons for why I joined the Team. I remember getting emotional in Nashville and again in NJ at the Inspiration Dinner the night before the Marathon. They play a slideshow of pictures (that teammates submit) of people we are running in Memory and in Honor of. I am getting teary eyed just thinking about it. Cancer knows no demographic; children, elders, twenty some-things, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, all shapes and sizes are affected by it. Afterwards they have a Hero speak about their battle and how LLS has helped them to get through (Medical expenses, if they are a part of a research study, etc) this time. Sometimes it is someone who is in remission and sometimes it is someone who is not as lucky. They do this so we continue to remember our reasons.

At the end of the dinner we meet with our team to decorate our race jerseys in the hotel lobby. Some people have printed out pictures of the people they are running for, while others make ribbons for them with their names and glue them to their jerseys. I had I think 6 or so white ribbons when I ran before. There were a few patients while I was working in the Cancer Center that were not doing very well and I wanted to remember the fight that they were having. There were two people in particular that I saw right before I went to Nashville and was told that they only had a few days left. The week between Nashville and NJ, both men passed away. It was really sad but I remember praying for them and in a way feeling relieved that they were finally out of their pain. I have been thinking about who I will make ribbons in Honor and in Memory of this year.

There was a patient from the Cancer Center who passed away at the end of October. I saw a girl I used to work with the day he passed and she let me know. He was a Philadelphia Fire fighter and used to come in every 2 weeks for treatment. He was always so happy when he came, with his girlfriend. They always brought food and cakes, definitely spoiled us. He had been coming the entire time I worked there, every other week. I think a lot about the patients that I do not get to see anymore, because I have switched jobs. Every time that I do run into someone from there it is usually them letting me know who has passed. My heart aches every time, especially when it is someone who had a recurrence. There is a younger guy who I was told is not doing well. I lost my friend, Ellen to Lung Cancer in March this past year too. Like I said, I run for any cancer, just under LLS. It doesn’t really matter who I put on my shirt, as long as I pray for those people and keep them in the front of my mind, that is what matters.

Yesterday morning, one of the coaches shared about a friend of hers who passed away this past week and another mentor asked for us to take a group picture that we can send to a guy who has recently found out his cancer is back. He is a member of the Team and she wanted to make sure he knows we are all thinking of him.

I am still really excited! Only 6 days left!! Yesterday we ran 11 miles and as you can see in the pics below, it was a gorgeous morning! There were deer literally frolicking in front of us, the trees were shades of autumn, and the feeling of success lingered with everyone there. I get gushy just thinking about it. I am that person that will just start crying because this life, as complicated and hectic as it may seem to be, can be so purely beautiful all in the same moment.

On a non cancer related note, a friend of mine is in the hospital after she fell on Thursday night and hurt her leg. I think she fractured or pulled something, but she is having surgery this afternoon to have a screw placed in her knee. I received a text on Friday with her hospital room number and she is staying on the floor that I work on! I went to visit her Friday afternoon and she had a smile, ear to ear. She was glowing! She said that so many people had come to say hi to her and she was so happy. I got a chance to sneak in and wish her luck this morning before I clocked in and she had that same smile on her face. She told me a nurse prayed with her last night and asked me to send one up for her. I am not really sure how that related to my running or LLS but I think it is more of the beauty you can find in other people’s gratitude, when you get out of yourself enough to notice it.

This was a long entry but apparently I had a lot to say! To everyone that is running on Sunday, GOOD LUCK! I am sure I will update at least one more time before the race but in case I forget to wish it then. Every one of us has already accomplished so much by getting to the point we are right now. We really just have the fun part left :)

Oooooo aaaaaaaa Pretty

And here are some pictures from this morning, slightly tweaked for aesthetic reasons (and because I love my phone app).

One Last Dance Before The Show

These are a couple of the pictures I took today at Valley Forge, untouched. It was a gorgeous morning for a run. I picked up my racing bib (purple jersey), ran 11 miles, and left with less than one week til the starting line! I can't believe it is here! I am totally pumped and absolutely ready for this!

Early Bird

Friday morning I ran the river path for 4 miles total. I am getting more and more excited!

Back to The Bridge....Ooops

That’s right folks, I woke up before 6 am two days in a row! This morning I did not map out my route and I accidentally ran 8 miles…before work! I don’t think I have run that far on a weekday morning before. It was completely unintentional but Man I feel good! And that will be my second to last longest run. Sunday is 10 miles and it will all be downhill from there…promise.

Yesterday and today I ran with people, because (see below) I am incapable of waking up for the most part unless I know someone is waiting for me. Both people I ran with had the same reaction after our second or third walk break…’You got faster.’ I ran with both of them over the summer and even last spring when I was not fully on the walk/run wagon…I was the slow trotter, but now I am the walk/runner (I will think of a more clever nickname for this).

It was so foggy this morning, it actually was slightly eerie. To be on the bridge and not be able to see the top of it, then look out to the River and not see more than 2 feet. Crazy, but actually pretty neat. My friend, Amy ran by with her dog. It was the first time I have seen her running since she moved to Philly a few weeks ago. She runs with a group every Thursday morning, I would like to check that out sometime.

I was pre occupied today with some homework. I have my first oral presentation since….I can’t even tell you maybe 6 years. It’s only 5 minutes but I wanted to make sure I semi understood it. Tomorrow I am ‘planning’ on waking early again and get 3-5 miles in. I set my watch and my phone alarm last night and strangely I was raring to go…well I was conscious when it beeped.

It had been way too long since I have run the bridge…I think I will have to make that trek at least once a month. It’s kinda too pretty not to. Even though these pics don’t show it..



"There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open." ~Nike