2013 Wrap Up

Miles in 2013: 1038.44
Days Until Dopey: 9!

As 2013 wraps up I thought I'd take a look back at my year in running.  As I lay here resting some sore legs I can't help but be proud of how much I've accomplished.

I started running in 2011.  That year I ran 4 5k's and one half marathon.  I logged 339.73 miles.

In 2012 I ran 4 5k's, 1 10k, a 2 mile race, 2 10 mile races, 7 half marathons, and one marathon.  I logged 883.25 miles.

In 2013 I raised the bar.  I ran 7 5k's, a 2 mile race, a 5 mile race, 2 10k's, 2 15k's, a 10 miler, 11 half marathons, and 3 marathons!  I PRed at every race distance this year (some of them more than once!)  I took AN HOUR off my marathon time.  I raised almost $4,000 for the Pink Agenda as part of my NYC Marathon run.  I logged 1038.44 miles.

2013 was a great year for me and running.  I can't complain.  Is every race my fastest?  Uh no.  But I have made great friends, had a ton of fun, and was able to travel to Louisville, Anaheim, Cherokee, and NYC.

2014 holds a lot of promise too.  I'll be kicking it off with the Dopey, which is a 5k, 10k, half marathon and a full marathon.  4 days and 48.6 miles.  Then I'll take a short rest before the spring half marathon season kicks off.  I'm signed up for 7 half marathons in the spring.  I'll be "resting" from marathon training and just focusing on the half and speeding up.  Our group will be changing our intervals and increasing our speed and stamina.  Spring will be topped off with the Nike DC Women's Half Marathon.  The fall will have me hopefully training for the Chicago Marathon and as always, the Space Coast Half Marathon as a PR goal race.  I look forward to hopefully logging more miles and more PRs than I have this year.  I know I'll have fun on the road with my group and will be able to share in everyone's success!

Now it's back to tapering and resting before the Dopey Challenge in a week and half! 

The 2013 ING NYC Marathon

Miles in 2013: 915

Days until the Dopey Challenge: 63

So it’s a few days after the 2013 ING NYC Marathon and I finally have a chance to stop and reflect.  After a series of delayed flights, long lines, and long taxi rides Leah, Jen, and I made it into Manhattan on Friday afternoon.  Because I’m a worry wart and completely neurotic we headed straight to the expo after dropping our stuff at the hotel.  The expo was a little overwhelming at first, but after bag and ID checks the process was surprisingly easy!  I was glad to see that all the information on my bib was correct which I was worried about since my MYNYRR account had a glitch and showed me as having checked baggage when I wanted no baggage and early exit.  I’m pretty sure I told the man who gave me my bib that I loved him because I was so relieved to not have to stand in a line to try and get that fixed.  We tried not to spend too much time at the expo and bought a few race souvenirs but I was holding out for Niketown and Tiffany & Co. for the good stuff!

We headed back to the Garment District / Times Square Area where we were staying to get dinner and sightsee.  Dinner at the Westway Diner was so good! We strolled around Times Square and walked down near Macy’s and the Empire State Building before heading to bed.

Saturday we got up for a full day of sightseeing (I KNOW, I KNOW I should take it easy the day before a marathon but I’m in NYC!!!)  We took a dry run from Times Square to Grand Central so Jen could see what she needed to do solo the next day.  From there we walked up Madison Avenue and shopped all of the local tents that were popping up.  We cut over to 5^th Avenue and checked out a bunch of place along 5^th.  I lit a candle for Mrs. Heffernan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  We stepped into Trump Tower to marvel at all the gold.  Then to my two vices.  Only in NYC are Tiffany and Co. and Niketown next door to each other.  My wallet can’t handle the excitement!  Leah and I may have purchased quite a bit at both locations!

From there we went up through Central Park to the Boathouse and Alice and Wonderland before cutting over to near the marathon finish.  I accidentally had us coming out of the park right at Strawberry Fields so I snapped a quick photo.  Then it was off to lunch at Ray’s Pizza!  Thank God I was running while I was there because I sure was eating!

After a quick rest at the hotel we headed down to the 9/11 Memorial which was absolutely beautiful.  From there we headed to Chinatown on a mission to buy some handbags!  I swear we covered 2 miles going back and forth following our purse guides to what we were looking for.  After a shopping binge Leah and I got half hour foot massages (which were by the way AMAZING) before we headed to dinner.

My favorite restaurant in the city is Forlini’s which is on Baxter right off of Canal Street.  Jason and I stumbled on it during our honeymoon and I make it a point to go there every time I’m in the city.  Michelle and Grace were coming to meet us after the Rutgers game and were running a little but it felt so cozy sitting there in what happened to be the same booth Jason and I had on our honeymoon.  We stayed for a few hours relaxing and talking.  We took a quick subway ride back to our hotel and got some baked goods at a nearby sweet shop before trying to turn in for the night.

Leah and I must’ve driven Jen crazy getting all our race stuff ready.  We are both a little OCD and a little crazy, checking all of our race stuff a million times to make sure we had everything we needed for the next morning.  Convinced that everything was there we all went to bed.  Notice I said to bed not to sleep?  I swear I maybe slept for 2 hours on and off that night.  I was way too excited to sleep.  Leah and I were even texting across the room because we didn’t want to wake Jen up!

RACE MORNING!  Oh my God it was finally here!  Leah and I got up and ready to leave for the race.  After quadruple checking that yes, we really did have everything we headed to the subway.  Holy cow it was cold out!  We caught the 1 train down to the Ferry terminal for a very crowed ride.  Arriving at the Ferry terminal it was packed with runners!  I got stopped by a cop with a bomb dog who wanted to sniff the seat cushions I was carrying to sit on in the runner’s village.  When I was cleared to go we hurried and just barely caught the 6:15 Ferry.  We found a bunch of our Marathonfest friends on the top deck of the Ferry and took lots of photos enjoying the view of the Verrazano Bridge we would be crossing in a few hours.  Upon arriving to Staten Island we hopped on a bus to the start villages.  There were so many people there.  After locating the porto-potties we made ourselves a nice little area to camp out in (nice until one of the police horses took a big dump 2 feet away from us causing us to relocate our area).  It really was surprisingly relaxing sitting there in our 4,000 layers of mismatched clothing waiting for our turn to head to the corrals.  We watched the elites and Waves 1 and 2 take off.  Then it was our turn to head to the staging area.  Not long later we were off to Frank Sinatra singing “NY, NY.”

Amanda, Leah, and I started the race together and contrary to what Dennis will say I tried to take it really easy and conservatively in those first few miles.  Even still as we kept going through Brooklyn and checking our mile splits we were way ahead of pace, but things felt pretty easy.  I loved seeing all the neighborhoods and spectators out along the course.  I think my favorite part of the race was right at the halfway point when we were crossing the bridge from Brooklyn to Queens, I looked to the left and there in the Manhattan skyline was my favorite building, the Chrysler Building.  After a quick photo shoot we kept going.  Queens was still at a quick pace that felt pretty easy until…. The Queensboro Bridge.  Man, that was not fun.  Between the lack of things to look at, the lack of spectators, and my need to pee, made that stretch particularly difficult.  Luckily, as soon as we hit First Avenue there were porto-potties with no line!  Our stretch on First Avenue was going really well, and for most of it we were on pace with the 5:00 pace team.

  

Then as were started near the Bronx things started to get a little ugly.  Our pace slowed a little and we switched to 1:1’s to try and keep running, it was too early to start a death march.  As we left the Bronx and headed back into Manhattan I was happy to see the billboard with runner messages.  I wish the one Jason had put in for me had come up on the screen, because I think it would’ve given me a second wind!  5^th Avenue was rough.  There is no other way to describe it.  I was so thankful that at mile 23 Jen was waiting for me.  I didn’t expect to see her at all until the end maybe.  Come to find out she was also at mile 18 but looked down for a minute as we ran past (remember we were moving pretty fast still at that point) and she missed us!  After a quick hug and the comment that we “still have a *&$^ing 5k left” we kept going.  Leah and I tried hard to keep running some sort of interval as we continued down 5^th Avenue.  It got a little tougher in Central Park but we kept plugging through.  As we hit Central Park South I tried to do some quick math in my head.  I knew our original lofty goal of 5:15 was unattainable, but I knew if we pushed it just a little bit harder that we could come in right under 5:30.  I know it’s crazy, but I would’ve been so bummer if we finished with just a little over that mark.  I made Leah run a little more than she wanted to at the time and remember trying to equate the distance left in laps around the track.  As we saw the finish line we gave it one final push and I finished with a 5:29:26!  That meant a 14 minute PR for me!

The post finish was the toughest part for me.  We got our medals and took some photos and I should’ve put my jacket, gloves, and ear warming headband back on then, but didn’t.  We got our Mylar finisher blankets and started the seemingly never ended trek to those sweet finisher ponchos you were to receive if you selected the no baggage option.  I swear we walked forever, somehow during that time the sunset and it got REALLY cold.  After what seemed like almost an hour a very wonderful stranger wrapped me in my poncho and Velcroed me in.  I told her I loved her (gee only the second stranger I said that too that weekend!).  Leah and I sat on the first bench we could find to try and collect ourselves.  I managed to get my jacket on under the Mylar and under the poncho and when I went to put my gloves on I realized that my cuticles were bleeding from the wind and cold, gross.  While we sat there Jen called to say she was one block west and one block south of us and we should come to her.  That walk took what also seemed like an eternity.  Jen told me to raise my hand so she could pick me out of the sea of orange ponchos, at that point I was just too tired and too cold so I told her no.  I feel bad that she had to try and deal with the two of us in the state we were in.  She is a saint for getting us on the right subway and to our hotel that night.  After a very long shower (which may have required Jen to cut a hair tie out of my hair) and a trip to the Irish pub next door I felt much better.

Monday morning Leah left crazy early to head back to Florida leaving the day for me and Jen to roam the city together.  We made our plan of attack to get to all of the places we wanted to hit before we left Manhattan.  First stop bagels.  Then to the Magnolia Bakery to pick up half a dozen cupcakes to bring home.  We took some photos at Rockefeller Center and then went to the Carnegie Deli.  Jason always asks me to bring him home an order of bacon from there, being such a great wife I brought him two!  I also picked up a corned beef sandwich to eat at the airport later that afternoon.  When we got off at the next subway stop I realized we were right at the end of the marathon course and asked Jen if we could go towards the finish line.  I had on my race shirt and had my medal in my purse so we stopped to snap a photo of me at mile 26, walking the extra .2 miles to the actual finish didn’t seem like fun.  We left the park and headed back to Tiffany and Co. because going once on the trip just isn’t enough!  Jen decided to do something for herself and get her first piece of Tiffany’s jewelry to celebrate her one year cancer free anniversary!  I can’t think of a better way to commemorate that occasion (except for a tattoo!).  We headed back to the hotel to wait for our shuttle to take us to LaGuardia and eventually back to Florida.

I am so thankful to have had this experience.  It truly was an amazing and once in a lifetime experience!  In the end I was able to raise $3,825 for The Pink Agenda!  I appreciate the support everyone has shown me and Jen over the past year and a half.

Stay tuned for more running adventures I have a lot (too many probably) of races on the horizon!

NYC Here We Come!

Miles in 2013: 889
Days until NYC Marathon:7!

OMG a week from now I will be double, triple, and quadruple checking that all my stuff is ready for the next morning.  A week from tomorrow Leah and I (along with 40,00+ of our closest friends) will be headed to Staten Island to the start of the New York City Marathon.  This day seemed so far away almost a year and a half ago when I decided to set the goal to run the NYC Marathon and fundraise for my spot.  Now here it is a week away and I'm so excited I could scream!  You may not believe that this tattooed free spirit is actually quite the worrier and planner so it's safe to say that between Leah and I, we have read every blog about the NYC Marathon as well as every word on the ING NYC Marathon official page, oh and the handbook that I got in the mail today.  My suitcase is already packed, and I am READY to go!  This morning we did our last weekend run before the race.  It was a 10 mile pace run and we hit it almost spot on.  In talking to our coach she suggested setting a tier of goals for this marathon.  NYC is a difficult course.  It's crowded, hilly, the crowd support makes you go too fast, then you crash.  I've read it all.

So in our talk we set 3 goals:

1: Perfect Race = 5:15 finish (over an hour PR for Leah and almost 30 minutes for me - ok maybe not totally realistic)
2: Pretty Good Race = 5:30 finish (close to an hour for Leah and almost 15 minutes for me)
3: Still a Good Race = 5:40 finish (40 minutes for Leah and 3 minutes for me)
4: Ok I know I said 3 but Leah and I added one today - Finish strong running and not doing the "death march"

I also received my race shirt this morning!  It's pretty cute and fits like a glove.  I'm so happy to be representing The Pink Agenda and Team TPA.  I'm not sure if NYC is ready for us, but I can't wait to land in LGA, pick up Jen and get this weekend of celebration started!  Thank you to everyone who helped me get to this point, it's been a journey and I'm so glad that I could share it with you!

NYC we are ready for you!

Proud to be on Team TPA!

 

A good luck note from The Pink Agenda Founder!

 

Race for the Cure!

Miles in 2013: 805
Days until the NYC Marathon: 27

This year's Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure was a lot different than last year's!  Last year Jen was still in treatment and I was a little bit of an emotional wreck.  It was also nice and cool last year, and that was not the case in Central Florida today!  According to my Garmin at race start it was 73 degrees, sunny, and 94% humidity.  Basically not my kind of racing weather.  Our original plan had been to run fast enough to break 30 minutes for the first time ever.  It took me all of about 2 minutes of the race to realize that was not happening for me that day!  I couldn't breathe and swore I was having an asthma attack - not good since my inhaler was in my car in my driveway.  I muscled through and pushed as hard as could and still came up with a 30 second PR so I was proud I was able to do well for all the survivors in my life.  I really do enjoy the races at UCF since I feel like I spent so many great years of my life there!

PR - I've had a PR at this race every year!

The new theme this year was "Do you tutu?"and we were more than happy to join in!  Leah and I got to the race early to pick up our packets and then sat in her car whipping up a few tutus for the race.  Michelle met up with us and we all walked around checking out vendor tents.  I think we all looked adorable in our Adidas Breast Cancer shirts and our tutus!

We sure do!

Pinktober

Miles in 2013: 805
Days until the NYC Marathon: 27

There hasn't even been a week of October yet and I've already gone to two Breast Cancer events and worn pink everyday at work!  Tuesday I challenged my students to wear pink and I'd say about 65% of all my students did!  I told them a little about Jen and why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important to me.  Some of my girls made me a super cute Breast Cancer cheer bow to wear this month, and another got me a cute bracelet.  Here's a look at my pink outfits this past week.

October 1 - Tuesday

October 2 - Wednesday

 

October 3 - Thursday

October 4 - Friday

 

 

Tuesday was also Ladies Night at Track Shack, our local running store.  It's a fun pink evening with shopping, food, beverages, and friends.  I was asked to model some of the store's wares and I think I picked some great outfits! A few items I modeled may have found their way home with me because I liked them so much I had to purchase them!  Many of the girls from our training program were there and it was a great night which raised a nice chunk of change for Florida Hospital's Breast Care Fund.

 

Outfit #1 - Adidas Breast Cancer Line

Outfit #2 - New Balance (also a Breast Cancer shirt)

Me and Leah

One of my favorite survivors, Donna and I

 

Upcoming Breast Cancer Events

Miles in 2013: 733.2
Days Until the NYC Marathon: 50

October is just around the corner and with that comes all the of Breast Cancer Awareness Events.  To kick off the month I am modeling at Track Shack's annual Ladies' Night event.  Then is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at UCF.  I am also working on an art project reworking a lawn flamingo to go up for auction to benefit a local charity, Libby's Legacy.  I'm about half way done with her and I'm quite pleased with the way she's turning out!

I'm also so excited to say that Leah is also fundraising for a Breast Cancer Charity, Think Pink Rocks!, and running the NYC Marathon with me!  It going to be so nice to celebrate Jen's cancer free anniversary in NYC and have someone to run all those miles with!  As part of her fundraising she is hosting a virtual race with a really awesome NYC themed Breast Cancer Medal.  Check it out and sign up!

 

 

Until then I am impatiently waiting for the day we land in NYC!



September Update and Just a Few Races

Miles in 2013: 733.2
Days Until the NYC Marathon: 50!

Today we had another 20 mile training run for NYC.  Unlike the last time we attempted to run this long, today's run was miserable!  We had planned on a 23 mile route, but by about 15 or 16 miles we were beyond miserable so Leah and I turned around and stomped our way back to a 19.5 mile finish.  In the heat and humidity it still seemed like a good effort.  Later, I was glad to see all of my fellow running friends' posts and they all sounded just as miserable.  Hopefully Fall and some cooler temps will roll into Central Florida before our last 24 mile training run.

A few weekends ago I traveled with a fantastic group of friends to Disneyland to participate in the inaugural Dumbo Double Dare, which is a 10k and a Half Marathon over the weekend.  We had a blast playing in the parks.  The original goal had been to run the 10k as an easy warm up and then try and run an amazing time in the half marathon.  After we got to California and realized that it was just as hot and humid as Florida, Dennis and I changed our plan.  I listened to him (don't tell him that it worked) and ran negative splits both days.  Dennis loves to slow me down at the beginning, and never remembers that somewhere deep inside of me I store a reservoir of energy for a final kick at the end of the race.  The 10k day I felt miserable until mile 5.75 when I looked over and realized that I was passing JOEY FATONE!  Although Dennis didn't know who it was, he now curses his name because I took off determined to finish in front of him.  He was super nice and even took a sweaty finish line photo with me.  The half day we ran according to the negative split plan, and because the final miles happen so much later than the previous day, both of us were feeling it.  But true to form at mile 11 as we entered back into the parks I kicked in my second wind and pushed Dennis hard for those last 2 miles.  Although it wasn't the time we had originally hope for, it was better than we anticipated and was in my top 5 Half Marathon finishes.  I also picked up 4 pretty stellar medals, and I think the Dumbo medal may be my favorite ever!

Finish line pic with Joey Fatone

3 minute 10k PR

 

Dennis and I with the weekend's bling

 

 

Besides the NYC Marathon, I have several other race in the next 50 days!  Next weekend a bunch of us are doing the Miracle Miles 15k, then a Susan Komen Race for the Cure, the UCF 5 and 2 miler Distance Dare, the Cherokee Harvest Half, a few virtual races, and I'll also be volunteering at a water stop at the Tower of Terror 10 Miler.  Just a little bit busy for the next month and a half, maybe all those events will help me pass the time until we arrive in the Big Apple!

 

August Virtual Races

Miles in 2013: 656
Days until NYC: 67

August in Central Florida is typically way too hot to have races longer than a 5k and even those are miserable.  Unfortunately, I still have some really long runs to complete as part of my NYC training.  Virtual races become a very motivating training tool.  The first of my two August Virtual races sponsored by Jost Running was a 5k with a really fun hot dog medal.  I used it to push me to do another set of 800's during our track workout one day.

 

 

 

I had a 20 mile training run this weekend. 20 miles in this heat and humidity is NO FUN.  Luckily for me I checked my mailbox on my way out to run and was greeted with the hot dog 5k medal and the cool spinner baseball half marathon medal!  I took that as my cue to run the 20 really well to earn my half marathon medal.  Of the 5-8 20 plus mile runs I've done I hate to admit that Sunday's was the best I've run.  After the run I tossed on my hard earned medal, it felt really great to be able to reward myself with some sparkly bling at the end!  Both the hot dog and the baseball medals were really well done!  I love sparkly medals and these both had a lot of shimmer to them.  The half marathon baseball medal was perfect size, sparkle, and a spinner!  I am really looking forward to seeing the September "Soaring" medals.

 

 



Medals and a sweet card

Hot and Sweaty but look at that medal! It's huge!

 

Not too shabby for it being 8,752 degrees outside!