NYC

So, yesterday I ran a half marathon in Brooklyn. On my other blog, you will be able to read all about the half marathon and the expo. But, since I feel like I have neglected this blog, and it is supposed to be about life outside of running, I thought it would be appropriate to post the pictures from Friday as I walked around Manhattan killing time waiting for my friend to meet me on the train platform. So, the Port Authority is on 42nd street and 9th Avenue. I think I have been to Manhattan only a handful of times, the latest time was about a year ago (possibly longer now) and my husband's cousin gave us a walking tour. This time, it was just me, and some text messages from a friend telling me what to see. So, I left Port Authority and headed down 42nd Street. I found this little restaurant called Al Fresco, and I think I had the best fresh salad ever! After I ate there, I posted something along the lines of sheer panic. A friend of mine, Mary, practically held my hand via texts offering great places to see . But, first, I stopped at Sephora! I <3 a="" although="" an="" and="" as="" became="" burn="" eventually="" got="" help.="" helped="" here="" hour="" i="" me="" nbsp="" of="" one="" outgoing="" p="" place="" t="" that="" the="" then="" they="" time.="" tourist.="" weren="">

I didn't know there was an M & M world, but I had to check it out...

 In M&M world, I saw this....

 Inside, it smelled DELICIOUS!! I couldn't inhale enough of the chocolate smell...

 Then I went back out and took one last photo of 1 Times Square...

It was a beautiful Friday, it was the beginning of a great night. Don't forget to check out my other blog to learn about the awesomeness that followed.

Speechless...

There are no words to describe the events of yesterday. It leads me to hug my daughter a little tighter, and endlessly thank those supports and strangers who are at every running event. We run for us, and they cheer for us. Sounds a little selfish. So, today, I pray for them...

I pray for Boston, I pray for the families of the deceased and those of the injured. I pray for the medical staff and for the police officers to be able to do what is best for the rest of us. These tragic events bring even more emotion into my half marathon in 11 days. I will now also be running for Boston!

Back in the swing...

This week I changed things up around here. Mon, since I had off, I went for a swim. It was nice on my joints, and man, while I thought I was in shape, I realized how not in swimming shape I am. I am looking forward to next Monday when I can swim again. But, I also went to the gym. I did Kacie's arm workout. Man, it kicked my butt. I didn't realize how weak my arms were.  I did know, I just was hoping that it wasn't that bad.  It will be nice to add things to my cross training. So, that is how my week started. I think I will have to look into buying some dumbbells for home, so that on the days I cannot go to the gym I can still get the arm workout in.  I am looking forward to doing it again.  Yesterday, with the downpours of rain, heat and humidity, I didn't get to run.

 It's ok, though, I am currently doing a Sept Ab Challenge on Facebook. It's not too late to join! Today, was a different story. I went to work again early, and as usual, I woke up to do my abs. Took M to my parents, and then went to work. I got off of work at 6, came home, had dinner, and at like 730 I took M with me for a run. We looked for "her moon" her "blue bye bye" and many other things. It was a good distraction on the run. I was determined to run 3 miles, and I did it! It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't easy, but I got it done. I am so surprised with how hard, yet rewarding it is to push her in a stroller, but I wouldn't trade these moments with her for anything.
I have realized many things since I started running, some of these won't be a surprise to you, some might. Some might even give you a better understanding of who I am.
1- Childhood obesity is out of control! Why are there so many children out there who would rather play video games than go outside?!?
2- Have you ever noticed our portion sizes?!? Who needs to eat a meal that is bigger than the plate it is served on?!?
3- Eating healthy is expensive! No wonder people eat unhealthy, it's cheaper!
4- I have realized that I am an emotional/boredom eater. When I am at work, I eat only what I pack, but as soon as I get home, and I get sad, or bored, I eat. I am working on this, but now that I wrote it down, at least I am acknowledging it.
5- I don't know how to cook. So, if you have any recipes for healthy eats, send them my way!

Well, I better go, it's almost 1030. 6 am will get here quickly, and I need to get to sleep. Before that, I want to take some pictures for the app Poshmark, hopefully to sell some of the clothes that don't fit me anymore.

Finally, Welcome to the new SPA sisters! Welcome to the family, we are sure you will love it here!
Have a great night!

Do Something Different

Today, is Labor Day. It gives me a day off of work. (Yess!) That makes this week a short work week (double yes!) Anyway, I don't usually have a routine, on days off M and I just hang out, but today, with the hubs having off, I decided to spice up my workout. I joined my cousin Chris and his Master's team at Lehigh and swam. I didn't realize how out of swimming shape I was. I thought that with running, I would be able to just get in the pool and be able to "fly." Boy, was I wrong. I did do the best I could, and Chris helped adapt the practice for me, so hopefully, I didn't disgrace him too much. I know his time is precious, and I really did try, but man, my arms, were they/are they sore. I actually relied on my legs a lot for swimming, which I didn't use to do, and I think they were able to keep up. Hopefully I will be able to swim more often.  It was a good change of pace for my joints. I did 1400 yards (250 yards short of a mile) but hey, not too bad for my first day back in who knows when.   I also realized that I don't think I have been in a pool since Nov of last year, maybe once since then, but I also realized the changes in my body. I had one race suit, that I think I had since Sep of last year. One I got it,  I was in denial about how big I really was. Anyway, I remember when I first put on my suit back then, it was barely fitting me. Today, I put it on with some room. Actually, it was big and I need to get a smaller one. Maybe that is what it took to put things into perspective. I guess because I look at myself everyday I don't notice the changes as much. Maybe I should, no I will, focus on the positive things that I have noticed. Maybe I am not a size 8, I don't know if I ever will be, but, last summer I was in an XXL, yesterday, I bought a dress that was a medium! Being a size 8 doesn't necessarily make me healthier, being fit makes me healthier. I am excited and stoked to see the additional changes my body will undergo with my continued clean eating, and fitness challenges.

So, to celebrate Labor Day, I am going to hang out with my daughter (I did labor for 21 hours!!) and enjoy the gifts that God gives me everyday.  Have a great day, and celebrate a shortened work week!!

Sunday Funday!

So, yesterday was a crazy busy day! It started off with a 8 mile run and then breakfast with my running friends. After breakfast, I had to shower quickly and then get ready for a bridal shower. The bride was definitely surprised, and the shower kinda awkward. Anyway, I was only there briefly I had the opportunity to help my mom with getting my dad to the airport so he could go visit my sister J. After getting him on his way, we went to my Uncle "Quack's" house for a Labor Day party. It was nice to hang out with family. One of the bad things that I have noticed with eating healthier, is that while at said picnic, other than corn on the cob and chicken, nothing else there even peaked my interest, including the deserts.  It was a little disappointing, but a huge success in the willpower department. We came home and just hung out. Well, I did housework and ran to get some groceries, once M was in bed. My husband was in bed by 700 last night.

This morning, I woke up and ran 6 miles with some of my running friends again. This time at Jacobsburg State Park. It is beautiful there, but my legs were sore, and I was hoping that after a mile they would loosen up. But they did not :( Then I had a brief period of mental fatigue and all I wanted to do was walk away from it all. But, no worries, my good friend Bob (I hope I can call him a good friend) talked me through what I was feeling and found the good things and the things I should be proud of in this run. So, I finished the run, and finally, I am feeling proud of running 2 tough runs back to back. Maybe one day I will be a marathoner or and ultra runner, in the meantime, I am going to enjoy the journey to my next half marathon.

Since it's a holiday weekend, I don't have to worry about the weekend ending too quickly. I get to skip Monday by staying home ;)

Have a great Sunday!

It's the end of the month!!

Wow, can you believe that August is over already?!?! Where has the summer gone? This weekend is a long weekend for most of us, me included. Tomorrow is going to be a super busy day, but before I get into that, I want to recap about a little challenge that I participated in.  Somehow I found this challenge on facebook where the challenge was to do at least 50 crunches or twists everyday for a month. I signed up to do it, and I followed through. I actually enjoy the fact that I work up a sweat while doing the ab circuit that I was doing.  In 31 short days, here are the results...

 

 

While I know that the changes aren't drastic, they are there. I am going to keep doing the ab circuit this month, I am just going to step it up a notch. If the changes are appearing after 1 short month, I am excited to see what the changes will continue to look like down the road :) OK, enough about the ego boost...

 

Tomorrow, I am running 8 miles. 8 miles. OK, there I said it. I am not dreading it anymore. No, I was never dreading it, more scared about it. Since I went to physical therapy for my IT Band, I haven't had any "pain" running. Now that I am stepping up the mileage, I am nervous to find out what will happen. But, I will take it slow and steady, and finish the 8 miles, with a smile. After running tomorrow I have a wedding shower to attend. I am looking forward to it, there is something about celebrating some one's love that makes everyone smile. After the shower, is a Picnic at my uncle's house. Hopefully, the weather will allow for some swimming because besides M loving the water, I am sure my joints will appreciate the water.

 

I am not sure if anything is in the works for Sunday, but I am sure it will involve me hanging out with my mom. She's kinda awesome! Monday of course is labor day and a day off of work, again will probably consist of hanging out with my mom.

 

Anyway, I hope August was special for you, and that you are hanging on to the summer like we are.  While I am ready for the fall, I am wanting time to slow down, I don't want my sweet little girl to grow up too fast.

Happy Friday!

Workout Wednesday

I never ever thought I would ever admit it, but I have to admit it. Today, my friend Bob met me with at Lafayette's stadium. I haven't done these beasts for over a month, and I missed it! Me, missed running stadium steps. What is wrong with me?!? Bob is more than a friend, he is kinda like my coach, although we push each other through the steps. Our goals for the steps is to do 10 reps, 5 full and 5 half, and between the reps either push ups or crunches. Today, we did 11!! Bob, I know I said that it felt like the halfway steps got easier, I found this and thought it was more appropriate...

So, while you are dreaming about making a goat out of limberger cheese, I am constructing ways to keep you motivated for your marathon training.
Thank you pinterest for this...

Just know that when you finish...

In the meantime, I will see you next week for more of our

 

 

Hope you had a great workout today, I know I did!

 

Trusty Tuesdays

I have no idea while my post is titled that, I  am not very good at naming the blog posts. I just let things flow from my brain, sometimes filtered, sometimes not. Sometimes things just came up. Like today. Err um this morning.  I woke up, did my awesome ab workout (did I just say that?!?) and then wanted to run. But, Joe wasn't home from work yet and M was still sleeping so I didn't. I went to work and then came home. The sunset was beautiful so I hoped that the night was going to be a good one to run. I packed up M and we headed out.  I love these twilight runs with her, she chatters on about finding her moon, looking for woof-woofs, and blue bye-byes, and all the fun little things that come out of her mouth. She likes it when I go fast, and whenever I stop to catch my breath she always says "uh-oh." She cracks me up. She doesn't like it when I ask her if she wants to go for a walk with me, but as soon as I ask her if she wants to run with me, her face lights up.  I even busted out the headlight, which by the way is uncomfortable and hard to do. Maybe I need a new headlight?!? Anyone out in the blogiverse, have any suggestions? I have to admit I wish running with the jogging stroller was getting easier, although I have only been doing it for not even 3 weeks.  It does count as a good cross-training right?!?

Anyway, I wanted to put into this writing so that I can remind myself of what I want to achieve....
MY FITNESS BUCKET LIST
1- I want to run a marathon. A FULL Marathon. But, I don't want it to be just any marathon, I want it to be flat, particularly by the beach, with some of my BCR friends, no family, there cheering me on.
2- I want to run an ultra. Nothing like Decker, but something fun and new and exciting. I guess anything over 13.1 miles will be new and exciting.
3- I want to do a chocolate run in Canada. This particular race. Not necessarily May of next year, it depends on finances and vacation time at work, but it looks tempting. I would love to take my running internationally :)
4- I want to do a triathlon
5- I want to conquer 10 full reps of the stairs at Lafayette
Those are the first 5 things that popped off the top of me head. I reserve the right to add to the list. I hope one day I can look back and be like wow, what kind of kid wrote those?!? LOL!

Anyway, speaking of steps, tomorrow is my day off and I have a date with Bob and those killer steps at Lafayette.  That is after hopefully spending all day with M, well I will be spending all day with her, to visit a daycare, lunch with some friends, hopefully seeing my cousin's baby, then finishing the day off with the steps and some where in there a trip to the gym. I think I am going to need a day off to recover from my day off. But anyway I get to spend time with M is time well spent. I love all of these adventures that we go on, I am excited to see what tomorrow brings. Until then!

Hope you had a sweat-tastic Tuesday!

Get Down and Dirty

I just got down and dirty. How, I did my 26th day of my AB challenge and since I stepped up the bar with the type I am doing I get really sweaty. I AM NOT complaining! I love that I am sweaty, makes me think I am actually working, which makes me feel great! Maybe just maybe in a year I will actually like my body. I know my plan for next month's ab challenge and I am excited to see the results. More so after next month, but I guess if I look at how far I have come, I cannot complain. (although I do, just to myself). I need to start finding the good in how far I have come.

 

 

Looking at this picture should put things into perspective, but it doesn't. Well, it does, but it also makes me want more. I need to step it up. No more backing down, no more excuses.

I put so much pressure on myself in the gym, and in what I eat, and then the weekend comes and I let it go. I need to put my finger on it. I think I have, and now I need to overcome, I will overcome

I will overcome. I just need to forgive myself when I make a poor choice, instead of throwing it all away.

 

Saturday I ran 7 miles. 7 pain free absolutely beautiful miles. I am so thankful everyday for what Breakfast Club Runners have given me. Friends that I never knew would understand my need to run, and my silliness. Next week I will be celebrating my runniversary. I think that on Labor Day, I will head to Plainfield Township's running trail to where it all started and run there again. It will be an emotional run, but a run that I deserve.  At breakfast on Saturday I was talking with Roger, Chris and Kim about what changes I have seen in my body since running. I think the biggest thing that I can say that the BCR gets is not that I am running because I am getting chased, but I am running from what I once was, and chancing down who knows what. Who that girl was almost a year ago. She sometimes rears her ugly head, on a day like today when I wasn't really active, but most days, she is in check. Those long runs remind me of where I came from, how much of a struggle running once was. How even just pushing M around is only 1/2 of the weight I lost in that year.  While the number on the scale may not be changing, it doesn't mean that I am not losing weight, it just means that I am getting more muscle. (I hope anyway).

 

I blog, not for the accolades. I blog to show the real me. The down and dirty me. The reasons I do what I do. The everyday struggles that I have. This is the real me.  Don't get me wrong, I love running, I love getting fit. I love that people come to me to help them get healthier, but I also have my moments where I ask myself why. Well...it has to stop. I need to believe in myself. I KNOW I can do it and that I will do it. My mom even "yelled" at me today when I made a comment about my pudge today. She reminded me to look at where I came from.

Feb 2010, before I got pregnant

April 2012

And to see where I have grown.

 

I will continue to get down and dirty. I will continue to embrace the struggles that will make me a better, healthier me. I will do it! I might whine and complain, but I know I will definitely need your support.



Catch up!

I really feel like I need to play catch up sometimes. Today, was an unplanned trip to the beach. By unplanned I am saying that last night at 9 pm we left for the beach. We got there at a little before midnight, til we unwound and was able to get M to go back to sleep it was probably close to 1 am. We were back up at 6 and she was ready to go! She was awake all day until we put her in her car seat at 4pm to leave. She passed out before we even left the driveway and slept until we stopped to eat. She really is a good passenger, and all this traveling is making me excited about her upcoming first plane ride! Anyway,  I wanted to reflect on something that I have been thinking about since yesterday...
So, Joe now works 11p-730am. My routine here has to be adapted in order to still continue with the gym and well life in general. Anyway, yesterday was a run day. So, without hesitation I figured out how to adapt my schedule to still achieve my run. Well, I busted out this handy dandy thing. I have to say that I naively thought that it couldn't be that hard if I see people racing all the time pushing their strollers.Well, after 3 miles, I looked like this...

This was only 3 miles! I am glad that I was able to run while pushing M, and at the same time I have gained a lot of respect for those moms/dads who run pushing their children in the jogging strollers. They make it look VERY easy! I am currently training for a half marathon, so I know I really can't afford to not run. So, now I am trying to figure out how to be creative to get my workouts in. This week I have figured out how to still get my runs in, get my daughter out there with me, since I thank her every day for everything.  Well, this is where I put things into perspective. My daughter is approximately 28 pounds. I started getting teary eyed when I reflected on how hard running was for me not just 28# ago, but also 57# ago. I still get teary eyed thinking about that.

Anyway, I had no plans to run today (I lie!) I packed to run, but didn't know if I was going to feel like running. I slept on the floor last night and felt a little sore from yesterday so I set out to run a mile. I ran 3 instead. There is something said to go set out to run 1 mile and run 3.

So, here is to all of the little things that we do that everyday that amazes us. Here are to all the little milestones we meet. Hopefully together we will all achieve our own greatness and all feel more comfortable in our skin. I hope we give 100% in all we do, if we don't care for ourselves, who will. I have a destination wedding and a trip to Florida next year, the Game is on suckers! I am stepping it up so that I know I will feel comfortable at the destination wedding. I know it's not about me, but I also want to feel comfortable in whatever I wear and be proud of how far I have gone. There is no turning back, I am not the same person I was when I began the journey a year ago, and I am excited to see who I will become in the next year.

 

 

I chose to be the best Michele I can be. If that means I look like a fool doing crunches on the beach, then be it. At least I know I am doing everything I can to widdle away the middle! A stronger core will help my self-esteem as well as my running. See, it is a win win situation.

 

Happy Wednesday!

It definitely happened at the zoo

Today I ran a 10K at the LV Zoo. This weekend was my planned 6 mile run, I just changed up the day of the week. Anyway, with knowing that today was coming, Sat was an earned day off. So, before I went to bed, I went through my ritual of laying out what I was going to wear the next day.

This morning, I woke up at 530, and felt not well rested. I knew it was going to be a long day, but I also knew I was ready for it. I have already completed a half marathon, what's 6.2 miles. Well, let me tell you something about this race. I really felt like it was really well organized and there was an awesome crowd. The course marshalls were awesome with directing the 5Ks and the 10Ks onto the right path. Now...I know I do steps, but apparently I need to do some hill work. Especially with the half marathon coming up, I really need to step the hills up a notch. We entered our first major hill at mile 2, and we hit the peak at mile 3. Down the hill we went and then we hit another hill at mile 3.5 and that went on until mile 4. I would also like to point out, that I am not really sure if anyone ran up that first hill. It was NEVER ENDING!! Anyway, I went into the race hoping to do it in 1 hr and 6 minutes, and even with the hills, I managed to do 1 hr 10 minutes (unofficially). My favorite part of the race, getting to Ford the Creek by foot. That was at like mile 5. At that point, I met up with a boyfriend and girlfriend pair who had a great pace. I was trying to make up time but I was way too spent from the hills. (I really respect my friends who did Quadzilla and if anyone wants to drag me along to run hills, please take me) Anyway, I stayed with their pace and even encouraged the girlfriend on to keep going strong. We hit mile 5.5 and the boyfriend and I started to pull a little bit away. I kept trying to encourage the girlfriend on, but at this point my legs felt great although tired. At mile 6 we entered the zoo and were teased by all of the finish line stuff. We still had to run around the zoo in order to cross the finish line. The boyfriend was a little bit ahead of me and he signaled that the finish line was in view. I cranked it on and finished hard and even ended up passing him when it really matter most. I wish I would have turned it on a little sooner, but now I know how great my legs can feel! At the end of the race, I ran into a girl named Rachel (I really hope that is her name) I had met her the week before at one of the Breakfast Club Runners trails and it was nice seeing her again. She asked me if I heard her husband as I was finishing to which I said no. She said he was shouting that he knew me. Me? Really? Wow? Thanks.

After the race, we were able to enjoy the zoo before it opened. We had taken M earlier in the year and she just wasn't really into it. Well, that all changed this time...

To us, this is a Zebra to M it was a neigh neigh (horse)

 She loved this owl. She was able to say owl, and she kept talking to it and talking to it and talking to it.

 Here, she is pretending to be an otter...I promise, she is enjoying this, she is saying "cheese"

 Here, she is being a Penguin, although she was really trying to find them...

We think this Ostrich was trying to peck his way out of the cage, but no worries, he didn't get very far.

While I wasn't happy with my time, I was happy that I was able to run pain-free and to help me know that the steps are paying off, but that I need to incorporate hills into my training. I am hoping that my bike is up and running soon, so that I can also add that to my training schedule. Will I run this race again, quite possibly, but I will make sure that I am more prepared for all of those hills!

Hope you had a great Sunday!

Feelings, nothing more than feelings

     Last week, an awesome thing happened to me. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and I think that when this thing happened last week,  it was what I needed at the time. The awesome thing was that these awesome ladies over at FitApproach, Jamie and Alyse thought I had what it takes to be a SweatPink Ambassador. I talked about it in my post on Monday, it means that I get to encourage other women to put themselves first and help them reach a healthy goal, whatever that healthy goal is. It is also an opportunity for us Ambassadors to get together and know that there is a group of ladies joined together with something common to continually encourage each other in achieving our goal, no matter what fitness goal that is. Because of this awesome title, I will be going to Bryant Park and we are doing a meet-up of all local SweatPink Ambassadors. I am excited. I have read blogs of some of these women, and they seem awesome. I cannot wait to continue to learn from them and continue to help others achieve whatever fitness goals they have.
   I never considered myself one who would be inspiring others. I sometimes I have doubts in my own mind, that I am doing the right thing. That I AM a runner. On Saturdays, I usually run with a group of friends known as Breakfast Club Runners. If anyone is in the area and wants to run with a group of awesome runners (all abilities, all speeds, all various mileage) please look us up on Facebook and join the fun! Our location changes week to week, and it is always posted by Thursday where we are going. I promise, you won't be disappointed.  The best part of it all, we go to BREAKFAST as a group together!! Even if you aren't local, I recommend that you try to find a running club in your area.  I wish I would have known about this club before I ran my first 5K last November.  Looking back, and moving forward, I recommend to people to run with a group of people for a number of reasons.

1. You will get used to running with someone other than yourself
2. You will get used to running with people faster and slower than yourself
3. You will get used to running with people who are running at you in the same space that you are running
4. You will meet a lot of other runners and these runners can teach you things that they have learned that will help your running.

I always tell people to try it.  Even if they wait until the month before their race, it is important to get used to running with other people.  My first race, I hadn't met BCR yet. I remember standing in the pack of runners almost ready to cry.  I was invading other people's space, they were invading mine. The gun went off and I had to dodge people, go around slower runners, stuff like that, all kinds of stuff that was foreign to me.  I had to learn how to pace myself (I SO TOTALLY BLEW THIS ONE!!) I did not enjoy the experience as I wish I would have. Now, knowing what I do now, I really stress running with others before your race.
  Yesterday, I was asked to pace someone. ME!?!?! I pace my good friend Stef as she is now a running addict, but by pacing her, I am pushing myself, and making me a stronger runner.  I am kinda slower right now than I was in April because I am coming back from an IT Band injury and never thought I would pace an experienced runner from this group and I did just that. I was flattered and humbled all at the same time. I guess my hard work is paying off! Because of pacing, I was able to go the distance I had originally wanted, and didn't let myself settle for a comfort distance. I got to learn more about this person, and I made sure he (HI Frank!) wasn't pushing himself so he can get back to racing.  I know he misses it, and we miss having him at the races.  Later in the day, I received a text from a very good friend of mine.  She is not a runner at all. She will be the first to admit it.  However, last weekend she did the Spartan race, and while she would be the first to admit that she wasn't prepared, she was determined to finish it. AND she did!! She texted me and asked me to help her get ready for a half marathon in 6 weeks.  I texted back saying that I really didn't think that was a good goal.  I told her that it took me 12 weeks to prepare for my half marathon, and that I was already running before I started training.  So I told her that we should pick one in Oct or Nov and that I would try to get her ready for that.  I then also told her that in the meantime we will start doing other races, starting with 5Ks, and build up the races before the half.  I think that it is very important to set realistic goals, and if you don't run at all, going from nothing to 13.1 miles is hard, not impossible, hard, but that doing it in 6 weeks might mean failure.  I do not believe in letting my friends do things that are not realistic.  If I allow that, what kind of friend am I? I am supposed to support them and help them, wouldn't I be doing the opposite of just that if I had let her sign up for a half marathon with inadequate time to train?!?! What did I hope she gained from our conversation...

1. Dream big, but dream realistically.  If you dream you want to do a half marathon, let's do it, but let's make sure we have enough time so that you don't injure yourself
2. Don't rush the process. Rome wasn't built in a day, you can't expect to become a runner overnight.  Good things come to those who wait.
3. Enjoy every moment.  If you don't enjoy what you are doing, you won't do it.  If you don't enjoy running, there is no way you will do it for 3.1 miles, let alone 13.1.
4. Friendship brings people together.  Being some one's friend is awesome. Having them come to you for help is very humbling, but you also sometimes have to be their brain.  Dreams clog their thinking (in a good way) so sometimes you have to take their enthusiasm and just portray it a different way.
5. Don't tell them they cannot do something. Tell them they can, just not to expect instant results. (See #2).

I am very humbled by the support I am getting from my family and friends, and now by the support I am giving them. I never thought I would be one for them to come too for running guidance, and now as a SweatPink Ambassador I believe I will be able to help many others. I needed this "title" if you will. It put the wind back in my sail.  It helped me get rid of the cobwebs of doubt that built up from 6 weeks of not being able to run.  It has helped me love running again, and hopefully, I will be able to help others start running and love running like I do.  If you need any help, know someone who you think would love running or just want me to run a race with you, you know you can always count on me!

copied from Pintrest

Happy Running!

What's a girl to do?!?!

Never thought I would have this dilemma, and I think it is kind of awesome to actually have it. How can a dilemma be cool, well, when the dilemma comes to which 1/2 marathon to race I think it's kinda funny that I have so many options.  This is where my dilemma begins...I am already committed to the Runner's World Half Marathon in mid-Oct, ok, no dilemma there. I was thinking about running the Lehigh Valley Via 1/2 Marathon in early Sept, but yesterday at therapy, the Physical Therapist Intern told me about an awesome race in OCNJ the last Sunday in Sept.  That would give me 2 weeks to recover for my next 1/2, which I know is doable, I just don't know if I am physically able to do it. But, that would be an awesome quest for me.  What that also means is I might pass on doing a triathlon this summer (because of the 2 1/2s in within 2 weeks) but add more 5ks and 10ks into the mix. While my life will still go on even if I don't do the 2 1/2 marathons, I don't want to wonder could I either.
Oh, yeah therapy...my physical therapist told me to run 7 miles this weekend...yahoo! It feels so good to be told to just run 7 miles.  So, here's to healing, and 7 miles pain free, and trying to figure out what my plan of running will be.

Happy Thursday!

1/2 marathon recap continued

As I got onto the track, my feet felt like crap, but oh, how wonderful that track felt. I wanted to sprint, but Sarah told me I didn't have to rush it. To enjoy it, this was my victory lap! But, when I got to that last turn, onto the final home stretch, I turned it on. Full speed ahead. I think I even passed some racers and I honestly did not have any juice left in the tank. I was handed my finisher's medal and then draped with a silver blanket. That was it. The end. Sarah hugged me, and hugged me and hugged me. I had done it. Even better, going into the race my original goal was to finish it, but I also set a time goal of 2 and a half hours. I did better than that! I finished unofficially at 2:28:15. And I couldn't be happier!

As we made our way out of the very crowded finish line, Sarah gave me a bottle of water and then we walked over to the baggage claim so that I could get my belongings. Then we had to walk up an even bigger hill to get to the food. This is my first complaint...the food lines were too long. There should have been food lines for runners, and food lines for spectators. All the research that I have read says that as runners we should eat within 60 minutes of finishing a long run. How can that be done if the lines are never ending. Gripe done. Anyway, I had to say goodbye to Sarah so she could head back to Philly, and then I reuinted with my BCR friends.  Eventually, I did get food, and it was good, even though it was vegan. The black bean brownies were awesome! The sausage made from beans were so good, I didn't realize they weren't real sausage at first. The oranges were good but the cups of water were really gross.

Anyway, when all was said and done we had to walk down what felt like 100000 steps and then return to our cars. Walking to my friend's car for the return to the fair grounds where my ride had parked I almost got hit by a security van. Who would have thought that it wouldn't have been the race that almost killed me, but crossing the street.

All in all it was a good day. Now, to rest and start planning my next 1 or 2.

1/2 Marathon Race recap

Well this is it. The day after. The day after reaching one of my biggest running goals to date. I am not dead, so to me that is a huge success. Here is my race recap of the St Luke's Half Marathon. I arrived at Jennie's house at 6:20 and waited for Bob to arrive. We were all going together, which helped settle my nerves a little bit because I didn't have to worry about driving after the race, nor did I have to worry about where to Park. After finding parking (I think they need to do a better job with the parking, IMHO) we walked to William Allen High School. We arrived there at 7ish and there were already lines for the port-a-potties, and all of the available in school bathrooms had lines. (Glad I went before we got there). Anyway, we walked into the gym and met up with the rest of the BCRs and talked and got pep talks and what not. At this point I think I was still in disbelief that I was getting ready to run a half marathon. Anyway, a little after 7 I think, I met up with Sarah who was going to pace me to complete this half. I won the opportunity to run with Sarah as a part of her 12x12 project. Anyway, it was at this moment, that it hit me. That I was going to be running and completing a half marathon! By 745 they had the 5K runners moving to their starting positions and by 750 they were getting us ready to run. It was a gorgeous day! I couldn't have asked for nicer weather. The sun was shining, there was not a cloud in the sky, it was maybe 45 degrees at this point. As we were walking onto Linden St, the sights, the people, the energy was amazing! I just tried to absorb every moment of it. It was at this time when I said, I guess I can't say my first half anymore,  unless I am talking about this one. As it was getting close to go time, everyone was getting charged up. Then it was go! Because I am so short, I couldn't see the Start sign...as we moved closer I saw huge of a sign it really was. The people in front of me were hitting it, kind of like the play like a champion today sign that ND football players hit as they leave the locker room. I didn't do that. I was too focused on hitting start on my Garmin. I told Sarah that I didn't get my garmin to start right away, she told me not to worry about that, that she would take care of that. Once we got out of the shade by the high school, we began our run in the sun. People lined up on both sides of the street, with signs...cheering everyone on. We got to the stadium where we would end our race, and the 5K racers were finishing. The drums that they had right by the stadium was AWESOME!!! The hill, not so much :( Anyway, not going to worry about that anyway. This was the first time I was EVER running without music, but I didn't want to miss out on the energy, the emotions, the whole half marathon experience. I am glad I did not have my music. Having a live band every mile was awesome, and since none of the music was the same, it really motivated you to enjoy the moment. I remember Chris running past me and motivating me by telling me "you're not last! There are a lot of people behind you" Of course, he was only telling me this because I had told him that was one of my fears, finishing last.

 I don't remember seeing a mile marker before mile 3, but I knew we were at mile 4 by the pain my IT band was giving me. I didn't care! I knew I had trained for this, and a little pain is nothing compared to the utter disappointment if I didn't finish the race. A little before mile 6, give or take at Yocco's hot dogs I saw Bob's friendly face and made sure to give him a high 5! A mile 6 the soles of my feet started to hurt, just like they did for the 10K, but I knew I could push through it. At 7 miles I knew that this was the furthest I had ever raced and started to feel proud. At mile 8 I got teary eyed because it hit me that I was going to finish.  The hills were starting to bother me more and more, so I did have to walk some of them. Not proud of it, but not finishing was not an option! I don't think I even looked at my Garmin until mile 11, there was no need. I probably could have run without it, but it's my security blanket. Anyway, mile 12.5, I started to get teary eyed again because I KNEW I was going to finish it. At this point, I didn't care what my time was, I just wanted to finish it. I never saw the Garmin Pacer the entire race, but again, I didn't need them I had Sarah, but whatevs. As we were on the home stretch, I heard those drums, and I got pumped up. But alas, one MORE FREAKIN HILL! How cruel can you be. Slowly I dredged up that last hill, and onto the track.

I will save the rest of this for a blog for tomorrow....

The day has finally arrived..

This is my last post before my FIRST HALF MARATHON!! I won't ever be able to say "first half marathon" again, unless I am talking about today. So far, I this experience has evoked every emotion possible, some emotions I didn't even know existed. We went to the expo yesterday to get bib,

 and I thought it was too much of an assembly line-all along the outside of the expo, so you get to walk through it, but not experience it. We decided to go back through the expo, and I thought that there was A LOT of stuff crammed into a little space. If you wanted to shop, you practically had to hold your breath. Well, I did manage to get some things that I needed, like The Stick (like a foam roller but better) and then these bad boys...

These are Newton's they are minimalistic shoes (still learning about them) but they were so comfortable and I was in the market for another running shoe, so I will be working on breaking them in...

All in all, we were at the expo for about an hour. I was disappointed that they offered free samples of soda, but not water, and I later learned that I missed a table of a local shop that sells fresh dried fruits and nuts...hmmm. When we came home, I put my bib on my race shirt...

 And then I relaxed. Well, I tried I should say. I think I have gone through every emotion imaginable at this point in the day, and I still had to go to a pasta party (not the one I paid for because I thought 7pm for dinner was way too late). Anyway, later I met with my 12x12 partner, Sarah and then I came home and went to bed.
Leads me to today...

I KNOW I AM READY..Bring it!!!