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..