2010 - what a year!

This year has been amazing for me and my family! I have done a ton of personal growth, fitness growth....all around a success!

I finished out the 2010 run log today. I am so happy I was able to run today, the last day of 2010 with my best friends and Sole Sisters!

Last loop around Burke Lake of 2010

Sam and I have both had a ton of firsts this year! He did his first Sprint Triathlon, he lost a TON of weight (in the range of 70 pounds!), he got his first cool road bike, he joined a triathlon team (Team Fexy), and he uber supported me through all my firsts too.

This year I ran my first 1/2 marathon, my first 10 miler, my first away from home girls only race weekend, my first marathon, my first Sprint Triathlon, placed 3rd in my age in a 5k, joined a Triathlon team (Team Fexy), and started this blog.

Wow. That's a year! My kids are happy, healthy, and awesome. My girlfriends are constant support and love. Sam is amazing. Family is great.

How are we going to make 2011 even better? You'll just have to wait and see......

Merry Christmas to me!

I ended up winning a gift card to Sport Authority and two Nathan's Intensity packs! I'm pretty excited about that...hopefully one pack for me and one for Sam (we'll have to see if it fits his super huge Mr. Incredible style back).

Nathan's Intensity Pack

CycleOps Trainer

The best part about the whole thing? I ordered it last night from Sports Authority and they are still guaranteeing shipping by Christmas or it's free! Whooooooo Hoooooo! So I used the $100 gift card on the trainer plus there was a discount code for 10% off the whole purchase. Merry Christmas to me!

Anyone else scoring some awesome gifts this Christmas?

Time to wait..........

Just waiting it out

Well, tis the season to "wait it out". Sam and I have been planning our 2011 race schedule - most of which I posted in the Calendar section of the blog.

I really am feeling the need for my first race to get here so I have more motivation. I've been doing ok, but without a race looming over me - it's just too easy to go 50% or not at all. I've been doing alot of strength training and biking....throwing some yoga in there too.

So for now I'm just waiting it out....race season will be here before I know it!

I need to play the lottery!

I haven't posted much lately. I'm not going to lie - I haven't done much lately. I've been biking, strength training, walking, and doing yoga. I haven't been running much as a break to myself. Since the marathon I needed to change up the activities so I don't burn out. I am obsessed with running and want to keep it that way!

Sam and I have set up our 2011 race calendar - with some wiggle room. I'm all set to run the Nation's 1/2 Marathon in March. That will start my season off. Sam has even said he'll run a 1/2 marathon with me in June! That will be his first - it's a wine 1/2 marathon. They had me at wine. 5K or a full marathon - they had me at wine. We have a race scheduled for almost every month, which is how I like to train. Always something in my sights.

So, the lottery. In the last few months I have won a t-shirt, pair of running shoes, pair of running socks, Polar water bottle, marathon DVD, and now.......from Nathan's.......$100 to sports authority and 2 hydration packs! I.Am.Excited! I never win anything and now all this!?

I feel like it's for all the time, energy, $ I've put into running this year. Getting a little something back. Hopefully I'll be posting more as I get into some more training. Figured no one wanted to hear about my incline treadmill walk or my ass
hurting after
spin class.

Sam did put up pictures of all my races so far. The plan is to put the collages up the stairwell on the main level. He's got a few pics in there, but I'm winning with the amount of race pics. It's alot of fun to look at them all, especially the very first one I did. Mason is a baby and I look SO young! A year makes such a huge difference!

Taking a sick day....boooooo

The stomach bug/cold is running through my school. I'm hoping I just have the cold, but I came home early today. Yuck. I do not like being sick! I always seem to get it on a Friday or weekend too - never good when you have a 3 and 2 year old.

Tomorrow am is pancakes with Santa at the firehouse. I must be better for that!

My nutrition plan is going really well. I'm continuing to maintain and loose consistently! I haven't gone up at all on the scale. I can't remember the last time that happened.

Oh, and we got the boys a xbox 360 for xmas - of course it's hooked up right now so that my husband can "make sure it works right". I'll have to keep track of who plays it more.

Success on the "don't eat so damn much" diet

I went to see a sports nutritionist on Nov 16th to see why I gained 10 pounds during marathon training (NONE of it muscle). I met her at a Ladies Night at a local running store and found out that her office is 1.04 miles from my work! Score! I went on her website and the first thing I read was "Training for a marathon or triathlon?" Why, yes, yes I am!

So our first meeting went really well. She had me keep a 3 day food journal and we talked about my activity level, etc. She did my body fat and it was 32%! Eeeek! Anything over 30 is bad, she is going to help me get it to 25%. Then BMI, which was 27 and should be 25. Not too bad there. She said she thinks I need to tweak my diet and my exercise and then I should see results.

I went back the next week and she gave me a report of how the weight loss will work and everything. She has me on 1450 calories a day to loose 1 pound per week. Sounds slow, but I want this to last....so I'm game. She also gave me a meal plan using food I already eat and have on hand. That was really nice!

So, I'm 3 weeks into the plan, which included thanksgiving, and I'm down 2 pounds! I'm pretty happy to be down, not up after thanksgiving....I don't feel hungry - except when I'm supposed too. I have great energy and feel so motivated to get this weight thing on track! It really doesn't take much more than 10 minutes to plan out the days meals - which of course was my worry.

Oh, and Sam and I picked or first Ironman distance .......Beach to Battleship! 2012!

Turkey Trot with the trots.......yep. that happened.

That's right. I ran my first turkey trot, with the family and everything. Mom, sister, brother...we were all there. The weather was awesome - no wind, no rain. What was there too much off? My stomach issues! I went before I left the house - nothing new for a pre race morning there. I went at my mom's house - starting to get worried. Went at the porta potty - oh no. Actually had to stop at a spectator's house at mile 2 and use their bathroom! UGH! Who does that?!



















I finished the 5k in 30:31 - that includes the pit stop. Not too bad for almost pooping my pants for 2 miles, then stopping to use a strangers bathroom, then going on about my business. I bet that family did NOT expect that to happen to them on turkey morning. Oops!

It was so much fun though and a great course! We will definitely make it a family tradition!

First race of 2011 on the books

I decided I needed to register for a 2011 race before I have a panic attack. I need something on the books to work towards - and the Tri's I want to do aren't open for registration yet.

I registered for The Nation's Marathon (the 1/2) in March. It was my 1st evern 1/2 marathon, just last year, and my PR so far. I ran it in 2:11:44. I've done 2 more since then and was slower with each one (WTF!?) So I'm looking to PR here again. Now I have Team Fexy for training, a bunch of them are running it, I am going to a sports nutritionist tomorrow (yeah!), and I have experience. That all counts towards a PR right?

I did get some new laces. LOVE.THEM. I may never tie my shoes again! I was skeptical that they would stay on and be comfy - but they totally are!

So I'm feeling more calm since registering for a race. whew...needed that. I'm doing a turkey trott with my mom, sister, and brother on thanksgiving morning - really looking to PR there. I would LOVE that. I haven't run a 5k race since July 2nd.....to only run 3.1? After training for MCM, that sounds like heaven!

My husband is starting some rigorous training and food managment tomorrow. Tuesday start? Random? Nope, calculated. He is going to the redskins vs eagles game tonight! Lucky dog! So, he wanted one last binge of bar food before he starts a cleaner meal plan.

I'm nervous about my nutritionist/dietician meeting tomorrow. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I'm really hoping she will say "here's where you are going wrong" "here' s how to fix it". I just can't seem to get any weight off, who gains 10 pounds marathon training? Me. it. sucks.

Wish me luck!

RACING WITH BABES: Run Naked Giveaway ...

RACING WITH BABES: Run Naked Giveaway ...

Check out this great give-away!

http://runningdivamom.blogspot.com

DC Rainmaker: November Forerunner 210 Giveaway

DC Rainmaker: November Forerunner 210 Giveaway

Step 1 in road bike

Well, I got my new bike shoes. You may remember I ate shit last time I tried them - to the point where I freaked out and returned them. I got a pair at Bonzai, where Mason also took a nap on the floor (weird).
That kid was passed out! I did also get some cool shoes - that hopefully I can clip out of without killing myself. I think I'm going to practice on the bike trainer during the winter months. Wish me luck!

Now What?

So, MCM is done. I trained a long time for that marathon. It was great. Totally worth it. Don't regret one minute of training or race day. But.....

NOW WHAT?

I am having a hard time getting motivation back. I need a race, I think a TRI, but no matter what I sign up for it wont be for a while. I don't NEED to be training for anything right this second. I DO need to be strength training and keeping up my fitness. Ugh.



I did go to a Ladie's Night at Pacers in Fairfax. I got this shirt....pretty awesome and SUPER proud to wear it!

Marine Corp Marathon Race Recap

Well, I'm a marathoner! I still can't believe it! It was awesome. It was painful. It was inspiring. I was the craziest and the most amazing thing I've ever done. Wow!

The morning started early. I got up at 4:30 and got ready. Alyson was picking me up at 5 so we could get on the metro at 5:30. We bought out metro passes the day before, they were saying 30,000 people were racing with 200,000 spectators! That's alot of people!

I did some pre race posing (very important)














We got to the race course around 6:10. TONS of time to walk around, get oriented and figure it all out. We walked, warmed up, got ready, fueled up, and did the ever-needed porta potty stop. At 8am sharp the gun went off and the 10K and the Marathon started.


Alyson and I stayed together for the first 15ish miles. We didn't stop once. We saw everything. Amputees, wheelchairs, handcycles, cancer survivors, old, young (youngest is an 8th grader from my school!) It was great. The weather was amazing, the spectators were great....couldn't ask for more.

At mile 15 Alyson and I seperated. She was able to pick up her speed and I was slowing a bit. I waved her on and we did our own thing. I did not run with music. It was very peaceful. My friend Marah found me at Mile 15ish. She jumped and screamed and we hugged. It was GREAT to see her. At mile 19ish JimJim found me (Nick and Alyson's dad). That was a hard hug to recover from. I cried a bit while running and re-grouped. At mile 20 Marah caught me again (at the bridge) and ran with me for a minute or so. That was really nice to have! I called Megan at mile 21 - needed to hear her voice. I called my husband at mile 24, 25, and 26. He told me they were right in front of the finish line, at the top of the hill (what!? A HILL?) I powered up the hill to see my kids, my mom, my husband, and my inlaws screaming their heads off! Totally worth it!



I did have some tummy troubles at mile 16. Miles 16-26.2 were a walk jog. I was totally fine with that. I needed to finish. I loved every painful minute of it. I got emotional a few times thinking about how hard I've worked, my family, my friends, etc. It was great. So many amazing people around me - amputees, wheelchairs, just married groups, military........

I will do it again. Probably this one next year. It was just plain awesome!

My time was not what I thought it would be, but I don't care. 5:49:28 is the longest I've ever gone! 26.2 is the longest I've ever gone! I finished. I am a Marathoner. I feel unstopable!

Marine Corp Marathon Finisher!

Wahoo! I did it! I finished my first marathon! 5:49:28. Hurt like hell, did not regret one second of it. I will write more later today. My pictures are not cooperating for uploading. Grrr

Tick Tock - 4 days till MCM!

Our race shirts came in! They are awesome - I can't say enough about them....brought a tear to my eye. We had the kids model them - very cute.

Now the drama. So, I picked up the shirts. 4 shirts for marathon runners, 1 10k race shirt, 5 kids shirts, and 1 shirt for my mom (super supporter!). I got home, unpacked the box, and started to put them in piles of where they belong. I quickly realized I was 1 marathon race shirt short! I went out to the car - it must have fallen out. Nope. Not there. I went to my room, opened up my t-shirt drawer and my race shirt was still in there! I NEVER BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP! I instantly wanted to pass out and throw up at the same time. I called the shop and explained that I'm an idiot. They told me to bring my shirt over ASAP and they would handle it. Whew! Crisis averted!

We will all have race shirts (even my husband wants one now!). I'm going to make tie dye shirts for my kids to wear under them - they are obsessed. It's pouring rain today, but the forecast for Sunday is nice, 62 degrees and sunny. Gotta love it!

I'm supposed to have my first track workout with Team Fexy tonight. Not sure how that's going to work with all this rain. Yuck! I'm hoping it clears out and dries up. I have a babysitter and everything! I can't let that go to waste.

Then and Now

The before picture is from after having baby #2 (April 2008). I gained ALOT of weight. I was pretty miserable (notice the horrible grey outfit and lack of smile). The after picture is from about a month ago (Notice RLAM shirt, huge smile, and race bibs in the background).

Recently I was having some weight issues that are steadily getting better (down 9ish pounds in about a month!). Who gains weight training for a marathon? I do. It sucked. BUT looking at these pics side by side makes me proud. Seeing all I've accomplished makes me happy. Not living in sweatpants makes me jump for joy.

This week was week 2 of my taper for MCM. Week one was painful. Lots of self-doubt and a cold. This week? AWESOME! I followed the plan TO THE LETTER. 20 min run = 20 min run. 3 mile run - i did not take one step over 3 miles. It's nice to have some extra time on my hands and not feel stressed or rushed to get runs and workouts in. I have really enjoyed the process of training for this marathon, really didn't know what was going to happen.

The plan is to get my packet next Friday and meet up with some friends. I'm praying that Skirt Sports does not run out of camo skirts - I MUST WEAR ONE! We are going out for dinner that night. Saturday night, night before the race, I will slumberparty with Alyson (BF) and maybe others that are running. We are having shirts made - gotta call on those today - and I have a shirt for after all picked out! I haven't even tried it on yet, don't want to jinx it.

Last long run is this weekend. A measly 8 miles. That's like a sneeze compared to the numbers we've been putting in lately. I never thought I would look forward to an 8 mile run. I'm pretty sure I have issues, maybe even a sickness. I love it though. Running makes me so happy and I'm a sucker for a goody bag and bling.

My husband and I went to a HH with a Tri team on wed. Lots of fun, great group of people. I might do a training run with them on Sunday (lots of them doing MCM). I'm on the hunt for my next race, pretty sure I'll do the Jingle All the Way 10k and then in my sites? A TRI. WAHOOOOOOOOOO!

Sammy singing Baby Got Back

Here is my 3 year old jammin out to "baby got back". He cracks me up. He is also a lady gaga fan

Death by jogging stroller

So I'm getting over the flu/cold/something. I am also in tapper mode - which makes it even worse. Mentally I'm freaking out about the marathon (am I ready?) and physically I haven't been feeling great. Yesterday I felt much better and decided to go for a run. For some reason I dusted off the double jogging stroller and loaded the boys in. They were SO excited to go running. The picked some books and we got settled.

I was going to do 3 miles, easy/breezy. Did you know that pushing two kids in a jogging stroller is HELL? My arms were burning, they kept yelling "faster mommy", and my arms were burning. I ended up doing 2.4 miles, which easily counts as 10 miles. I really think 20 miles was easier. Whew!





Sam joined us on his bike. He just started a new blog (www.fatguyinalittlesuit.blogspot.com), which is hilarious. Makes me feel horribly lame and not funny at all. He rode hard, doubled back, rode next to us slowly, then went out for another sprint. It was a nice family affair. We stopped at his parents house for dinner and then jogged everyone home.















This morning was not as enjoyable. For some reason my alarm was not set, didn't go off, and my 6am wake up call was a 6:50 "mommy? i'm awake". OH NO! I had to throw on some clothes, throw the boys lunch together, throw my lunch together, and then figure out some breakfast for me - on the go of course. I came up with pumpkin puree, banana, greek yogurt, pumpkin pie spice, and skim milk. Yum-o! I loved it! I cannot get enough of this pumpkin stuff lately. There's a blog I LOVE that I'm getting recipes and ideas from. www.katheats.com It's amazing. Her oatmeal tribute makes me drool.



I'm still feeling better today, which is great. Less than 2 weeks until the Marathon. I got a flu shot today, I'm going to the grocery store for a few things, need to do a 20 minute (what! that's it?!) run and then some strength training. Feeling good!

My husbands new blog!

Just in case you want to check out his blog.....here it is! I get a shout out in the 1st paragraph! Cool!

www.fatguyinalittlesuit.blogspot.com

Just another manic monday........

Weekend was great. We had 4 parties in 2 days! Saturday was a baby shower that we brought the boys to. We weren't sure how that was going to work out, but we got there and they had hired a babysitter to watch all the kids! It. was. awesome. After that we went to a Korean friends 1st bday, which has some customs and beautiful clothes associated with it. Sunday we went to church, our neighbors 6th bday, took naps, then went to another 1st bday. The boys were great all weekend!

I am finally starting to feel better (other than all the wine I drank last night). 2 weeks until my first marathon! It hasn't really sunk in yet. We did plan to have a girl sleepover the night before. I'm taking off of work the friday before to get my packet, hang out at the Expo, and really take it all in.

Sam (husband) is starting his Olympic TRI training today. He's hitting the pool after he drops the boys at daycare and before he goes to the office. I'm slightly jealous. I feel like I've been running forever. I did get a bike ride in yesterday. It was great - and FREEZING!

The boys have soccer today at 3:30 and I need to get a couple miles in. Nothing big, since I'm in taper mode. Tapering is weird. I feel like a slacker or like I'm cheating. It's nice to have some extra time on my hands though.

There is a new blog I'm obsessed with. www.katheats.com. I LOVE it. I had one of her recipes this am. Pumpkin Smoothie. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. I used a couple of her recipes and they haven't disapointed yet.

PS. I'm SLIGHTLY obsessed with tri's right now! We are going to a tri happy hour wednesday and look at the loot I picked up at Amazon!

The cough that wouldn't die....and screwed up my runs!

I have not run since Sunday! I did 20 miles Sunday and crossfit and core work on Monday. Then the cough that wont die hit me. I had the cough a little bit before my 20 miler, but nothing too bad. Now it's awful! I feel fine, until a coughing fit comes.....then I cough so hard that my tummy hurts and my head hurts! UGH!

Marine Corp Marathon is just over 2 weeks away. The 1st week of tapering and I take it to the extreme of "no miles". I'm not totally freaking out, but I am not feeling this cough anymore. Any tips on how to tame a cough?

I'm going to try and do a nice easy outdoor jog today, see how it goes. Hopefully I'm building some serious abs with this cough. :) I know I can do this marathon since I did 20 (I'll crawl 6.2 if I have to).....but I don't want to be sick. Everything I've read and heard about tapering says it messes with you - you feel sick, injured, unprepared........crap!

Sorry for the vent........

HAPPY FRIDAY! on a positive note I get a mommy happy hour tonight.

20 mile run done! Taper city for me!

Wahoo! 20 mile run done! We did 10 miles out and 10 miles back.....took us 3:49! Felt much better physically than 18 did - but of course that mental aspect was there.

We started at 6am. Pretty much pitch black dark out. We did not really think about that part. Alyson spooked a deer as she attempted to squat in the woods, many chipmunks scared us, and a few wild noises that we never determined what they were. At mile 9 we stopped at 7-11 and refilled our water and used the potty.

We saw tons of bike groups and running groups today. Even a few we knew! We did make one new friend - can't remember name. He is from Russia and training for his first Ironman (SO jealous!). He ran with us for a few miles and we talked and asked him questions about training. He was very nice. His first Ironman is in November in Cozumel.

Now we are in taper mode. Feels so nice that we have 12 miles next weekend and then 8 miles and then the race! I am more excited and ready for this Marine Corp Marathon than I thought. We also signed up for the Pacers VIP tent! It's right on the start/finish line and they are promising a champagne toast!

Ladies Night! and I won new shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still can't believe it! I went to Ladies Night at Potomac River Runners last night from 7-9. They promised Whole Foods Catering, wine, beer, water, sales, giveaways, goody bags.....why wouldn't I go? It was GREAT!

The goody bag is a reusable Brooks tote and the shirt is a Potomac River Runner dry fit shirt. I walked around bought some GU Rocktane, a TRI magnet, and a fuel belt bag. I drank some wine, walked around some more.....then it was time for the raffle.

You had to be there to win so alot of people were out just because they had left. SCORE for me! They gave away some shirts, some bags, some mineral bath soak (supposed to be like an ice bath - i'm totally intrigued)......and shoes. I. won. the.shoes!

Brand new Brooks Ghost 3 lime green shoes! I have not worn brooks before, they are pretty comfy. I still feel like I stole them :)

Here's all my loot:

Where did you start? Where are you now?

This has been one of those weeks where I've needed to remind myself how far I have come. Not sure why that happens....but it does. So here it is:

Started running: April 2009
First Race: 5K

Last race I did: 1/2 Marathon and a Sprint Triathlon

Where did you start? How long have you been writing down miles, buying new shoes, growing your t-shirt collection? Where are you now?

I have a few more bibs to add to the wall - but I do love to look at how hard I have worked and how far I have come. Good reminder for those days when even 3 miles seems like torture!

Giant Acorn Sprint Tri - Race Results

Ok - the post before this one is the pictures. Why can't I figure out how to get pictures and text lately?! Grrrr....

I'm Tri-Obsessed! This was WAY TOO MUCH FUN! I kicked my husbands butt too! Yeah! Here's my #'s:

750 m swim: 22:57
T1:3:17 (huge area to cover)

Bike 12.2 miles: 47:05 (fastest I've ever gone...but got a penatly :( )
T2: 2:23

5K: 28:18
Total: 1:44 and some change I think

I know I'm in great shape thanks to marathon training - but I felt like I could have done the Olympic distance Sunday! The water was warm (yeah!) and I had my mom and my two sons there cheering. It was great to do a race with Sam (hubby). He was not as in shape as he wanted to be, but he'll get there.

I can't wait to do it again! I'm still in a little shock that I did it.........WOW!!!!! Can't wait to see the professional pics. Thanks for all the good thoughts for the race!

Giant Acorn Sprint Tri - Pictures

Wait? that's THIS sunday? my 1st sprint tri is here!

It's here! My first Sprint Tri is here! I'm excited, nervous, anxious, scared.......but super pumped to get it going! My husband and his best friend are doing it too, it's their 2nd. I want to beat them SO bad! I have to be careful as the marathon is at the end of Oct, can't be injuired for that.

We've had rain like CRAZY here lately. I had to do a dreadmill run yesterday. It was BORING! Took everything for me to run 4 miles - was supposed to do 6. Oh well, I can't dwell on 2 less than what I'm supposed to do.

Back to the Tri. It's supposed to be super flat and a heated lake. Pretty fancy. I am so excited! I've talked alot of smack to my husband :) hopefully that doesn't back fire.

Any tips to help me kick some butt?

I ran 18 miles....in a row!

First of all, can't get the pics to cooperate. That's me in the ice bath, us at the end, us at the beinging, and me showing off the race attire. I'm really happy with everything I picked. I'm SUPER happy with the compression sleeves. LOVE THEM!

I did it! I still can't believe it! 18 miles done, I was terrified, and I did it! Of course, with the help of Alyson. We ran 18 miles and we've been friends for 18 years. She's awesome, we are running for her brother nick (www.firstgiving.com/novachicksrunfornick) and she pushed me through the last mile BIG TIME.

We met at 7:30 and ran the W and OD trail. We ran 9 out and 9 back. Pretty easy peasy, not more than 4 hills and there was a 7-11 at mile 9 where we went to the bathroom and refilled our water. I did have to make about 3 pit stops in the woods to pee. I think the fuel belt was pushing on my bladder.

We started out in the rain. It rained most of the time. That makes us more bad ass right? No blisters, but super soggy feet. No pains, but my right knee felt like jell-o.......so I walk/ran the last mile. Alyson got very Jillian (biggest looser) on me - which I LOVE.

Finishing 18 miles is amazing. Checking it off my training plan is amazing. Knowing that I can run 18 miles means I can finish the marathon, even if I walk after 18. I am so happy, proud, emotional.....

I got Mcdonald's hot chocolate and went home. My husband bought me flowers for doing 18 miles (too sweet) and I got in an ice bath. That. was. cold. I took a rest/nap when my 2 year old napped. I feel great - tired - but great! We actually hit 1/2 marathon time 7 minutes after our 1/2 marathon race time! That's crazy! I feel so ready for this marathon I can't believe I have to wait 5 weeks.

PS. I have a triathlon on sunday. In total denial about it. It's my first one. EEK!

Rough and Tough

Mason decided that he wanted to be a ninja, so what better way to get your gear? That's right, painters tape. Fabulous idea until we took it off......pulled out some hairs. Ouch!

Sammy decided Mr. Incredible was more his style. He asked what his super powers were and I told him "being strong". He wasn't super happy about that "that's it?" but he had fun and no ripped hair when he took it off.

I am not feeling like a superhero or a ninja today. I think I have what half my school has - some bug that makes you feel crappy. I have teachers guilt, so I'm here plugging away. I have decided that I will go home at lunch and sleep this off - hopefully.

The biggest relief I've had today is that I have off on my training schedule. Whew! I ran my plan totally this week! Even in the 90+degrees yesterday. What was that!? I forgot my fuel belt, my run had zero shade, and it was HOT HOT HOT. I did 5 miles, slowly, but I did it. It was a good mental toughness day for me.

This weekend is my 18 mile run. Supposed to be 71 degrees Sunday when we run. I could not be more happy about that. I have 2 days to kick this nasty feeling and then it's go time. I'm sticking to soups, water, and tea today. Hoping this is a 24 bug and I'll be good as new tomorrow.

What does everyone have planned for the weekend?

Nervous Tummy.....

I'm getting closer and closer to that marathon. The first one. The scary one. The crazy one. The pressure is on - mostly from myself. I'm terrified I wont finish. A giant blister will sideline me, some body part will fall off.....you know, the usual.

I have my longest run ever this weekend. I'm supposed to do 18. I'm terrified. I get nervous tummy (aka. nervous poo) just thinking about it. What if I can't do it? Does that mean that I can't run the marathon? I've never been so unsure of anything!

I want to try compression socks. I want to get new shoes. I want to survive this. AHHH!!! My husband is being so supportive. It almost makes it worse. He is so confident in me, I need to get some of that!

So, what about your first? Were you scared shitless? That would actually be great if that happened...no porta potty stops :) How did you get over it? Just do that runs and get it done? I guess I just need some words of wisdom from people that have done it. I'm pretty sure I must have felt this way with my 1st half marathon.........

Cancer Sucks!

My best friends brother (Sole Sister - Alyson), Nick, has been battling Neurblastoma Cancer for 5 years. Right now he's at Sloan Kettering in New York receiving treatment. It sucks. Cancer Sucks! He's 20 years old, that sucks too! He has chosen HOPE .....you just can't argue with that.

Alyson convinced me that the Marine Corp Marathon was within reach for us and "why don't we run for Nick?" How can you say "no" to that? I didn't. We are signed up. We will run it for Nick.

We started a website to accept donations that will go straight to a parent group that donates it all for research. Our race donation website is on my blog now. The parent website is www.bandofparents.org. Having 2 kids of my own it's hard to talk about small children having cancer, but that's life for so many. Too sad!

We have getting shirts made too! This is such a cool distraction from thinking about "MCM" constantly! I'll tell you, I'm pretty nervous. I know they whole run I will be thinking of Nick. No way I cannot finish. Nick is not quitting and I wont either! This is the logo we want for the shirt. Alyson drew it up. We want the background in white with black outlines and the runner to stay black. Anyone know how to get it into computer format? That's the last piece to our puzzle of getting this off the ground. Thanks guys!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

There it is folks......my official Marine Corp Marathon - you are crazy - transfer form. Yeah! Thanks to the woman that transferred it to me. She's injured - sucks - and I'm into pain apparently......great combo!

I've taken a few days off of running to get my foot pain under control. Stupid non-supportive work shoes! It's better everyday, but still alittle sore. I've been doing Cross Fit, core work, and biking. That should help. I really lacked the strength for the last 1/2 marathon.


My Sole Sister, Alyson, and I are creating a website and shirts to wear/sell during our race. Her brother has been battling Neuroblastoma for 5 years and her mom helped start Band of Parents for support. We are going to raise money for Neuroblastoma cancer research and hopefully sell a bunch of shirts for our fans and supporters. How cool would it be to see people at the finish line wearing the same shirts as us? I'm pretty sure I will need a wagon/wheel chair to get to the car though.

My sister started to work on a logo for the shirt and website, so hopefully we'll have something up soon!

RACING WITH BABES: Race Day Memories Giveaway ...

What a fantastic idea! Can't wait to order some!

RACING WITH BABES: Race Day Memories Giveaway ...

I AM TOTALLY NUTS!

I decided that I'm halfway through the training for it, so I'm doing it. I'm going to run the Marine Corp Marathon! EEEK! I'm pretty nervous and terrified. I am being encouraged by my best friend, Alyson (sole sister).....so at least I'll have her there with me. We train together on most long runs, so that's good.

Am I nuts? I want this so bad, but holy cow! 26.2!? Crazy, right? Runners are nuts!

Va Beach Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon report

Here we are. The Sole Sisters! We left Fairfax, VA at 6am on Saturday after a slumber party. We had some wine, I gave some goody bags, and we ate flourless chocolate cake. YUM! We hit the road and never looked back. There was no traffic. The weather was GORGEOUS (take that Earl!)We got to Va Beach and went straight to the convention center, got out race packets/t-shirts, and headed to the hotel. We stayed at the Cavalier and had the best ocean view!

There were tons of dolphins out playing and lots of cute surfers too! Red flags were up so we went and laid out on the beach and just took it all in. The weather was perfect, nice breeze and not too hot. Can't ask for much more than that.

We decided on seafood for dinner. We carbed up the night before, but we all agreed a beer or two wouldn't hurt.

We got back to the hotel, set alarms and requested our wake up call and drifted off to sleep.

My race outfit was all brand new - never been worn. I was SOOOOO excited! I did get a little chaffing from the tank top seams - but it's almost gone already. I did see one other woman in the same skirt....but that's ok. We did decide after seeing all the people in teams and groups dressed the same that next time we will wear matching outfits. They just looked so good!

We all finished in 2:22:00 or less! I was the only veteran 1/2 marathon runner. It was SO fun to have my best friends do so well and LOVE it! We have already decided on the next group 1/2.....Nashville County 1/2 Marathon. I'm so excited. It's in April...not too far away!

The medals were great. We got popcicless at the end (love it!) and of course our beer. I really like that part. Sitting on the beach drinking a beer after running hard for over 2 hours, always feels nice.

TOTALLY FORGOT TO PUT MY TIME! 2:19:28