a favorite day

For the past 15yrs, one of my favorite days of the year is a "holiday" I never knew existed before moving to the northeast. That's because it isn't a thing outside Massachusetts. Patriot's Day - the day Paul Revere warned "the British are coming, the British are coming!"

Lexington and Concord go all out with re-enactments VERY early in the morning and further celebrations throughout the day. Boston and the surrounding area celebrate with a marathon. Not just a marathon, but The Marathon.

In years past, I've attended and watched runners cross that famous finish line. I've cheered from my own home as racers (elites and average, everyday runners) slogged through the difficult miles. And in 2012, I got the chance to be one of those runners.

I will tell you - everything they say about this race is true. It's not just hype, it's all for real. There is no other marathon like it. And after the tragedy in 2013, there may be even more reverence and excitement and pride at this race.

If I'm being 100% honest, I would like to run this again someday...

For now, I'm focused on what's next: Shipyard Maine Coast Half Marathon on May 14th. I ran the full back in 2014 and absolutely loved it - so I'm excited to be participating in the half in just a few weeks.

And I'm not just running for myself. I'm running in support of women suffering from fistula to get the care and help they need - surgery, aftercare, and emotional support. I'm running specifically with Hope for our Sisters, an organization founded and run by my friend, Brooke.

It costs about $600 for a woman to receive a surgery to repair the damage to her body - and that's how much I'd like to raise. Would you consider a donation? Every little bit helps.

Here's my personal fundraising page.

Thank you!

running for hope

A couple of years ago, I ran the Maine Coast Marathon. I loved this small race and the mostly coast-lined course. I've never run the same marathon twice so I didn't think I'd ever get back to this course... Recently though a friend of mine asked if I'd like to run the (newly named) Shipyard Maine Coast Half Marathon with her and a few other friends in support of a great ministry. I'm always looking to run with friends - and I love being able to support causes I believe in - so obviously I said yes!

So on May 14th, I'll be heading back up to the beautiful Maine coast to run/race my very favorite distance: 13.1mi. I can't wait to tackle this course again with some running buddies!

Like I mentioned above, I'll be running for Hope For Our Sisters and would love to raise at least $500. Here's a little about what HFOS does:

We advocate for women and girls suffering from fistula by sharing their stories and raising support for the effective treatment and prevention of this hope-destroying condition. We partner with doctors, foundations, and others committed to caring for these women and girls and bringing an end to fistula. Our goal is for hope to be renewed in each woman and girl’s heart.

Take a moment to find out more about Hope For Our Sisters, and consider donating via my fundraising page here!

Thanks for your support!

i defer

This spring has been full of good weeks and not-so-good weeks. In regards to training, the not-so-good weeks outweigh the good ones. I've been battling sicknesses, over-tiredness, and busyness. It's led to a less than stellar training cycle.

Last night (while trying to fall asleep in between coughing fits), I realized that I am not going to make it to the starting line of Vermont City as prepared as I want to be when attempting the marathon distance. So I made the call today to defer my registration to next spring.

It's a hard decision to come to, but I think it's for the best. I want to feel strong when I toe that starting line, not like I've limped toward it. I'm going to settle on making it to the starting line of a few half marathons instead. Which, let's be honest...13.1mi is the most fun distance for a race.

Anyway, just for fun, here are some pics from some of the good training weeks:

rain + wind = a fun, wet run

wakefield is beautiful in springtime.

happily completed 9 miles!

insanity workouts kick my butt!

day twenty three

On day eleven, I went to my local YMCA to use up the second of three guest passes. I went in for a total body sculpt class and it was awesome. It didn't feel super tough, but I knew I was getting a good workout. And I love being in a class with other people - helps me try just *that* much harder. We did a lot of squats and lunges, plenty of arm work, and focused on abs during the last 10min of the class. It really made me seriously consider signing up...still thinking that over, though. At the end of class, the instructor casually mentioned that zumba was up next in that room, and I love zumba! So, I stayed and did that too. So much fun, but man, I was beat by the end of it.

Day thirteen, I logged 4mi - I think it was a loop around the lake, but I'm not entirely sure. I didn't write down in my log where I ran so quite possibly it may have been at the gym? Who knows. The important piece here is that it's done. Right? Right.


Days fourteen through twenty one are the lost days. I lost my mojo, momentum, and any kind of motivation. I spent the frigid-est, windiest winter weekend we've had on the cape, holed up in an old house with a bunch of friends. There was NO way I was going to run in negative temps, never mind the windchill. I have nothing to prove to myself or anyone else. :) And then I came down with a head cold. I treated myself with lots of sleep and plenty of rest.


It worked. The cold is gone, and I'm back on track! Day twenty two (yesterday), I picked back up on the training schedule with a whopping 8mi. I was working at REI all day with customers coming in raving about the sunshine and 60deg temps, by the time my shift was up I couldn't wait to get out and get my miles in. Felt so good to log a nice log run, never mind that most of it was in the dark...

And a few more dark miles were put in the books tonight! A little bit chillier than last night, but still in the 40's (and still in a pair of capris). I took my phone along, which I never do, to show you that Lake Quannapowitt is just as pretty at night as it is during the day. I love running here!

So, I think I've got some mojo, momentum, and motivation back and I'm looking forward to some seriously good workouts this week. Stay tuned...

day ten

Just when I was hoping winter was over and we would squeak out without much snow... We've had two snow storms in the last few days. I don't mind the snow so much but I don't love the treadmill. And when you HAVE to get runs in, sometimes that's the only way to do it!

I needed to get my long run in and didn't have a chance to do that this weekend. Saturday and Sunday were full - I worked at REI both days. I had planned to take some personal time from work this am to finally get my 6mi in, however it worked out that my office closed for the day today. Wahoo!

It was either get up early (after staying up late to watch the Superbowl) and run before the storm hits, or suck it up and run at the gym. I chose sleeping in and running at the gym. :)

So, before the storm got too bad, I headed off to Planet Fitness and hopped on a treadmill. I put on some good tunes and zoned in. And truth be told, it wasn't that bad. I ran 6.28mi in 60min. And now I don't feel too bad about being lazy the rest of the day!

Remember in the last post, I said I was going to hit the gym for 4-5mi on the treadmill? Yeah, well, I did (just over 4mi) and this picture is why. This was on my way home from the gym, along the lake. Lots of snow, lots of wind. It sure is pretty, but I don't have any desire to run in it! 

Here's the recap since the last post:

Day Seven: 4.1mi 

Day Eight: (does 8hrs working retail count as training?)

Day Nine: (how about working 6hrs + 2hrs of volunteering with 50 kids?)

Day Ten: 6.28mi

day seven

As of very early this morning, I've lived in the Boston area for 15 years! Time really flies when you're really having fun. I have loved living here (most of the time) and have built some amazing relationships. I'm close to two of my favorite things: beaches and mountains. There are lots of areas to run, bike, walk, etc. Moving here was one of the hardest and very best things I've ever done. And I'm so happy to still be here. I can't say I'll be here for 15 more years - but who knows?!

Here's a quick recap of the past few days of workouts:

Day Three: at home balance ball workout + 20min of yoga

Day Four: rest (and a 15hr work day)

Day Five: Tae Bo workout (found it on youtube - Billy Blanks has aged a bit...)

Day Six: 45 min kickboxing class (see pic) that kicked my butt and helped me get out a little aggression! ;) A friend teaches it and she was a great instructor. The first class is free, if any one out there wants to join me sometime. It's so fun to try new things.

Day Seven: I'll be heading to the gym for a treadmill workout tonight. Hopefully getting in 4-5mi, getting ready for a "long" run this weekend.

day two

Two posts in two days?! Don't get used to it... I ran up into Reading today, skipping the typical around the lake loop. Gave me a different view and some elevation changes, too. The lake is pretty flat so to get any sort of hills into my training, I have to get creative with my routes.

What's notable about today? The weather. Sunny and 50+ degrees in January...um, yes please and thank you very much. Couldn't have asked for a better day two training run. 3.75mi locked in!