6 Days Away!!

It is almost here!!

I ran 5 miserable miles this morning and let me tell you why it was miserable. My right hip is killing me. Yesterday I sat through a whole college soccer game on a cold, hard, metal bleacher and I think that's what did it.

I need to call my chiropractor first thing in the morning to see if I can get in for a emergency appointment. I think with that and resting a few days I should be OK for the weekend...

I HOPE!!

rest up girl, rest up!!

The Countdown - 8 Days!

8 days from now I will be leaving for Balitmore to spend the weekend. Friday will consist of having a fun day at The Aquarium. Graydon is so excited for this weekend as well as myself. Friday night we are meeting up with some friends from here who also will be running the marathon. A nice Italian restaurant will be our choice of pickings although I will only be having buttered pasta for my carb-load dinner. Saturday morning the marathon starts at 8:00AM and Todd will be giving live feeds on Facebook. If you would like to know how I am doing throughout the morning and you have a Facebook account, just add me as a friend, or just sign up for a FB account and the same.
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I am so excited and nervous altogether. It is a HUGE feet for me and I have trained my heart out. I'm ready! On another note, I am running this race to honor one person in particular who has inspired me to run this race. Her name is Trish O'Neill and right around the time of me deciding to start running, she was battling for her life. You see, she was diagnosed with Leukemia last year and by February this year, needed a liver transplant. By the good graces she was able to receive a new liver and a new lease on life and I am proud to say she is living a happy and healthy. This marathon is dedicated to her and her charity DONATE LIFE!
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DONATE LIFE is a non-profit organization which offers patients a new chance at healthy, productive, normal life and returns them back to their families, friends and communities. You have the power to change someones world by being a donor. Please consider signing the back of your license and also informing your families about your decision to become a donor...IT MATTERS!!!
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If you could please spare $1, $2, $5 or more to really help turn this marathon into a great fund raising event for me...I would greatly appreciate it. 100% of all proceeds will be given to DONATE LIFE! For more information on this organization, please see www.cdtny.org or www.donatelife.net. Please use the button to your right of this page to make a donation. Also, please email me your address if I don't have it already for a post race information.
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THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS....

Brrr.....

Wow have I been neglectful with this blog and my other blog, Thistle Farm Arts.

It has been so hard to manage life with training for a marathon. Between work, pottery, family, sports and fitting running in there, I am surprised I have made it this far in my training!

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The little time clock to the right....is that right??? 9 days!!! Wow, makes my heart speed up slightly. I am ready though. All these months of getting up at the crack of dawn, (well really before the crack of dawn...more like in the pitch black of the night) and running my legs off, have taken me to this point.

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I'M READY!!!

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So on that note, I must go get ready for a very cold run this morning at 5:45AM. It is 41 degrees out...time to pull out all the warmer running clothes.

So after this post I promise I will catch you all up on my running life, but for now I leave you with

run girl, RUN!!!

Sundays Run

Today was another long one...16 miles!! The weather was perfect...cool and sunny, a typical fall day which by the way I LOVE!!!

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Run was good, my feet started bothering me at about 14 miles. They didn't hurt just a little uncomfortable, sort of like tired. Well duh!! After 14 miles I'm sure they are going to be tired.

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One bad thing thing though...well two actually.

My stomach I think just can't handle the gu. After 3 of them the rolling of the stomach started and after a few minutes it passed. But right now it feels a little yucky!!

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Needless to say, next Sunday is 18, the following is 20 and then 10, 5 and then the BIG DAY!!!

Yipes, it is right around the corner...

So HAPPY!!

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I finished my 14 mile run today and I feel GREAT!!! It was a new run today with new sights and very rolly hills. I know I need to get the hills in because mile 16-20 of the marathon is all uphill!!! Ugh!! But I had a great companion (my chiropractor who use to ride serious roadraces)during the whole thing (he biked) who carried my gu and water. Funny thing is he told me that he has never biked so slowly before in his life. By the 1/2 way mark he said out loud "this is regoddamndiculous"!!! I laughed the whole rest of the way - 7 miles!! Sometimes out loud which made him laugh because he knew what I was thinking!

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I can't believe how much up in mileage I am doing, I really never thought that I would make it this far especially be plagued by injuries. But this much is true...I am loving it!!

run girl, run

Women's Distance Running Festival

Tuesday night was a local 5K race at Ostiningo Park for the Women's Distance Festival. This year marks the 25th anniversary and I was happy to participate in the event. The day was a long one for me, work, heat and humidity and trying to eat right during the day. There was 133 participants and I was happy with my time and place. I came in 63rd and I shaved over 1-1/2 minutes off my previous 5K time.

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I knew I was in for a good race by looking around and seeing all the female runners. There were some from area high school cross country teams and even the local college x-county team. There were very young girls as well as some older than me. There were a couple of power houses too! We lined up on the starting line and I get the i-pod all ready with a great start song. The person said go and believe me we went...fast. A little too fast for my first mile! I typically take about 2 miles into a run to actually get my groove so when we passed the 1 mile marker and he yelled out the time of 7:16 I was in shock. I really didn't think my body could go that fast anymore. I then slowed a bit during the 2-3 miles and finished like a champ. Up a hill to the finish line I passed 2 people (maybe 3 I can't remember). I was so happy when it was over although I did feel like I could run another 6 miles without a problem.

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That's the thing about running distance...once you start running past 10 miles your body just wants to continue when you run the short distances.

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But today I feel guilt...I was suppose to run this morning but I opted not too. My legs are kind of sore from Tuesday nights run as well as my abdomen. I think I might have strained a muscle on the left side. So today I will rest up and tomorrow hit the road for 7 miles. This weekend is a long run of 14 miles and this time I will be taking a friend along on the journey. He will be riding his bike along the way carrying my gu and drinks!! Thanks friend!!

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so for now I leave you with

rest girl, rest!

Feeling Good!!

Has it really been this long since I blogged about running? I guess time and family and running have really taken over my life.

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This much is true...I feel great!!

I am up to 12 miles and this weekend will be 14. My running partner has gone on vacation, darn her :), but today I headed out with an i-pod full of great music and did an 8 mile run in really good time. I have noticed that I am eating more and sleeping more. I was a little worried about what I have been consuming lately...but in all I feel like I am getting the adequate amount of food and I have been really careful of what I eat the night before I run. Carbs and protein for me and on top of all that I did weigh myself this morning and in 2-1/2 weeks I have dropped about 8-1/2 pounds. Holy crow!! I did a double take when I saw the number pop up. Although I am not running to loose weight the plus is an advantage.

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So far I have done a race in Montrose on the 4th of July, another one at the end of July and that one I actually came in 3rd in my age category. I walked by the awards table before the race and thought to myself that i would never get one of those. Surprise I did!!! And to boot, my kid came in 1st in the kids run. He was pretty pleased with himself as I was!!

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So now I am just trying to run every other day...the knee feels great (knock on wood) and Tuesday night I will be competing in another race all women! Then on to September 12th for a 1/2 marathon in Liverpool, New York.

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I promise to write more when I do run, maybe a couple of pics to add!

So for now...

run girl, run!!!