just say no

I made a foolish bet with a friend on Thanksgiving.  I bet against the Packers and for the Lions - being from Michigan, I want to see Detroit do well!  The wager was this:  If the Packers lost, my friend (who hates running) would have to run 5miles.  If the Lions lost, I would have to drink a liter of Mountain Dew (I don't drink soda). 

Unfortunately for me, the Lions lost.  My time to honor my commitment to drinking rocket fuel (aka Mountain Dew) came on Sunday morning.  Just as I was preparing to teach middle schoolers and high schoolers about developing a good reputation and character lessons from the book of Ruth.  Let that be a lesson to them:  don't bet against an undefeated team, especially when the team you're rooting for hasn't won a Thanksgiving Day game in quite some time.

I didn't have a problem with the drink (beside the fact that there are only about three pronounceable ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and yellow #5), the problem came after the drink had been polished off; chugstyle in front of 5-6 middle school boys who now undoubtedly have much more respect for me.

I was sitting in the worship service and felt my heart start to beat with gusto...not necessarily fast, but just intensely.  Like I could feel every beat through my whole body.  Then my extremities started to feel funny:  my feet got tingly, my fingers were going numb.  And then it was like an assault on my stomach.  Nothing pretty happens from there.  My friend said this was all in my head, but believe me, when you don't ever drink stuff like that, that stuff will attack you.  And nothing good ever comes from an attack.

It hit me when I emerged from the fog that takes place after such a large consumption of sugar:  no wonder there is an obesity epidemic in America!  There's this haze that settled over me when I started to crash.  I didn't want to do anything but lie on the couch.  I cared about nothing but what episode of 30 Rock I'd watch next.  I didn't feel like running.  I didn't feel like cleaning, or folding my laundry.  I just wanted to sit on my bum and shut down. 

Which is why I only ran one mile yesterday.  I felt horrible all day and there was no way I was even attempting a long run.  And I vow to never drink Mountain Dew ever again.  To any bets involving the stuff, I will just say, No Thank You!

the streak continues...

It's now day 7 of the running streak.  In the past six days I have run a total of 23 miles.  Here's the breakdown for those keeping track:

Monday - 5.08
Tuesday - 4.33
Wednesday - 2.16 (I really didn't want to run this day.  I even came here to see if I told you I'd be starting on Monday or on Thursday...)
Thursday - 5 (Feaster Five Road Race!)
Friday - 4.2
Saturday - 2.35
Sunday - TBD

I'm hoping to get a long run in today.  I think getting a leg up in my long runs during pre training will make actual training (beginning in January) much easier!  Speaking of training for Boston...

I am so thankful to everyone who's already donated to the Respite Center!!  If you haven't, please consider doing so by clicking on the helpful little link to the right.  The Respite gets the majority of it's funding from it's runners during the Boston Marathon.  And the center cannot function without your help. Please consider giving.  No amount is too big or too small.

how you can help

WOW.  It seems that I got your attention...  Yesterday, I had the most visitors to my blog, ever.  Thanks for all of the encouragement and kind words about getting a number to run Boston!  I'm so thankful that I have a ton of support.  It really does mean a lot!

Now for the big ask:  Would you not only support my training efforts, but my fundraising efforts as well?  I am running for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, a place that offers families some time off from the emotional and physical care needed by their children.  See more info about the Respite Center below:

The mission of the Center is to create a home away from home for children and adults with disabilities, a place that offers parents time off from the emotional and physical care needed by their children. Sharon Lisnow and Mary McQueeney, special education teachers, began working toward fulfilling the dream of The Respite Center. In 1994 they were given a parcel of land where they built a 6000 square foot home. Due to the generosity of the community, businesses, foundations and individuals who shared their dream, the home opened in 1997 free of debt. Sharon’s son, Michael, who was born 16 weeks premature, weighing just one pound, is the inspiration for the Center. Michael’s premature birth caused him to have cerebral palsy and left him blind. Michael lived for ten wonderful, yet difficult years. He died one year shy of the opening of the center.

When the Respite Center opened we served only four children. This last year we were able to provide over 120,000 hours of respite care (a 23% increase) and build additions on two of our four group homes. This allowed us to increase our capacity. We continue to run an organization free of debt. Our goal is to continue to increase respite and support services for families trying to survive the challenges of raising a child with disabilities. Family support is one of many items that have suffered large state budget cuts. Requests for our help have never been greater.  


Look to the right and you will see an easy way to donate, and what your donations will be used for!  All donations go directly to the care of the children, each dollar you donate will benefit a family directly.  Please help me raise money for this amazing organization!

I'll be updating you on the fundraising, the training, the ups and downs of it all.  I hope you'll come along with me and join in my journey!  Thanks again for all the encouragement, excitement and support!!

challenges: accepted

It should come as no surprise to any of you loyal readers that I enjoy reading Runner's World online.  There are tons of articles with tips, hints, recipes, etc.  There's a hilarious (usually) blog that I read every day by Mark Remy; whom I met at the Runner's World Boston party:

Kirsten, me and my favorite RW blogger

While skimming through some articles the other day I came across a streaking challenge...it's probably NOT what you're thinking.  Gross.  The challenge is this:  Run at least one mile, everyday, Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, even if it's just one mile.  I wasn't sure I would accept this challenge...there's a lot of laundry involved.  But the thought of accepting and accomplishing the challenge is what pushed me over the edge.  I do love a good challenge!  :)

Here in this blog, I'd love for you dear readers to be my accountability.  I will post each day (or every other day...) the mileage I've run.  And instead of waiting until Thursday to begin, I figured why not start on Monday?  So yesterday I ran 5.08mi with my roommate.  Let the streaking begin!!!

Aaaaaaaaaand, one last bit of challenge news:  This morning I found out that I WILL BE RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON IN APRIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is exciting and terrifying and crazy news!  I'll be running for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center and raising money for them.  You'll find out more about how you can be a part of my journey to Hopkinton soon.  For now, let's just let the news that I'll be running Boston sink in...

three days off

With good reason, I'll be taking three days off from running this weekend:  I'm going to visit my dear friends in NYC!  I haven't been able to get down there since January and in that time they have moved and had another baby.  It's high time I get my tail down there to visit. :)

So in order to make the most of our time and the ability to pack lightly, I will not be bringing my runners or running gear.  I'll take a quick break and be back on schedule bright and early Monday morning.

This weekend will include various things like Crumbs Bake Shop, Stumptown Coffee, the New York Public Library, Washington Square Park, The Meatball Shop, the Taqueria Downtown and more.  It will also include playing with three of the cutest kids I know: lots of reading books, tickles and hugs and kisses. 

And since I'll be off all weekend, I'm heading out for a quick 5miler at lunch!  Total mileage for the week:  21.5.  Not bad.

i'm getting older, too

Sunday was a fabulous day!  And so were the days leading up to it.  I turned 32 years old and celebrated with amazing friends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I ate way too much and enjoyed some really amazing desserts.  Really amazing. 

Saturday was also the day that I needed to finish up my running goal for the week:  32miles for 32 years.  I headed out for a long run with my roommate.  I mapped out my Melrose loop and made sure I could get 10mi or so out of it.  It was a gorgeous day for a run!  Sunny, 50, light breeze.  When I got back home and plugged my run into my running log (dailymile.com), turns out I had run a total of 36.44mi for the week!  More than 4mi over my goal.  Hooray! 

All in all, it was an awesome weekend; and one in which I felt very loved and appreciated.  On Sunday my phone was blowing up with all the Facebook posts and text messages from friends and family.  I just love my birthday for that very reason.  :)

Over the past 3yrs or so, I've really come to terms with getting older.  In my teens I wanted to get older so I could do the fun stuff (drive, vote, not have to listen to my parents, etc.) and I figured that when you were older life would just be better.  In my twenties, I was freaked out about it because my life was not on the track I thought it should be on and the older I got, the more off track I was!  Now in my thirties, I've realized that I don't have to be on a certain track, the fun stuff isn't always so fun and that I don't necessarily need to have such control over the direction of my life but instead be open to wherever God is leading me.  I also struggled a lot with liking myself...I was too ugly, too stupid, too fat, too fill-in-the-blank.  I've come to realize over time that I'm pretty cool and I like myself very much!  I'm not ugly, I'm made in the image of the King!  I'm not stupid, I use big words and read lots of books!  :)  I'm not fat, I am strong and have a tremendous amount of endurance and determination! 

So while I am getting older, I'm also getting more comfortable with who I am and with what I am.  And that's a pretty cool gift. 

love/hate

I was thinking today about all the things I have a Love/Hate relationship with.  There are many.  Below are a few.

Market Basket Grocery Store - Love that it is SO cheap!  Hate that it is ALWAYS a mad house.

Ice Cream - Mmmmm, I love ice cream!  I hate that it's so bad for me.

Biggest Loser - Love the transformational stories, the trainers, the challenges.  (I know that I am in no way a candidate for the show, but that is definitely one reality show I want to be on...)  Hate that it makes me feel like I don't work out enough.

Starbucks Coffee - Pumpkin Spice Lattes, need I say more?  Hate the cost, and if you sit in a Starbucks for long enough, your clothes take on the smell and others will know where you've been.  

Self Checkout - Love that I don't have to make small talk with anyone (I know, I'm a horrible person.) But I hate it when it freaks out and tells you to remove all items from the scanning area!

Going to the movies - Maybe I'm weird, but I love the previews and I love seeing things on the big screen.  I hate the uncomfortable chairs - and I hate paying so much for something I can see from Redbox in the comfort of my own home for just $1. 

The Wind - I love it when the wind is at my back on a run and it pushes me to go faster.  I hate it when it's blowing at 20mph into my face.  (Welcome to my morning run earlier!)

And that's just a few.  What are some of your love/hate relationships? 

small races, morning runs and birthdays are so fun

I have run races that are HUGE (45,000 - Chicago) and races that are smaller (400 - Run for All Ages) but this past Saturday was the smallest I've ever run.  And it was also a ton of fun. 

On Saturday morning 60 people gathered at a small church in South Hamilton for the inaugural Freedom 5K.  It was super chilly, a little breezy and a bit cloudy.  But we were all there for a great cause:  Route One Ministries.  It was a fun course, not perfectly flat but not challenging either.  There was lots of raffle prizes, yummy goodies at the finish and great tshirts.  Well done, Route One, well done.  I can't wait for next year!

Good luck finding me in the picture below!  :)

Freedom 5K runners/walkers

Another recent rediscovery of something fun:  Morning Runs.  I've mentioned before on this blog that I am not necessarily functional until I've had that first cup of coffee.  However, my roommate mentioned she'd like to run more and would get up every Mon, Wed, Fri and run with me if I was willing.  How could I say no to a consistent running buddy?!  So every M, W, F we get up at 5:30 (okay, 5:45...5:50!) and head out in the dark, cold neighborhood.  It's gotten to the point where I enjoy it so much, I'm getting up on Tues and Thurs and running that early by myself.  It gets it out of the way, sets a tone to my day of being productive and active.  I'd like to say that it's so nice and peaceful at that time of day...but quite honestly, it's not!  Sure the lake is still and there's not many other runners/walkers out and about, but there is already a lot of car traffic.  Just today, I knew it was going to be a rough ride in to work because I could see the highway backed up already...at 630am!  Oh, it's also very VERY cool (every morning!) to see the sunrise.  I am never not amazed with nature and the splendor of it (even when it's a freak Nor'easter in October).

Oh, one more thing:  Sunday is my birthday!  :)  In honor of turning 32 (I know you're surprised...you thought I was turning 25), I plan to run 32 miles this week.  It doesn't sound like much...but when I'm not really training for anything there really isn't a reason to run quite so many.  But I'm already at 16 for the week so just 16 more to go!