I'm Special.

For the month of December, and December only, I am the featured runner for my Marathon team - American Liver Foundation Run for Research. (Shameless plug - sponsor me! Use the link to the right PLEASE!)

To check out the 'Spotlight' story, click here

Whoops!

No, I haven't forgotten about my lovely blog that no one reads. I've just been excessively busy. Running. Christmas parties. Hangovers from said Christmas parties. Work. It all manages to get in the way of my available time to blog.

So, what have I been doing? Running. A lot. While in A LOT of pain. First it was shin splints, which I think I've kicked. Now, I've got this awful pain on the inside of my lower left leg. It almost feels like a big massive bruise. Like I've been kicked with a soccer cleat - because I've felt that more than once! Brian, our team coach, says to keep running (shorter but more frequent runs) and push through the pain, and it should go away. Well, if its not gone by the New Year, I'm off to PT!

Oh, wow! Its been that long. I forgot to mention, our team long runs started on December 6th. So, what's that, like 3 weeks ago? The first one, we had to do either 6/8/10 miles. I chose 6 because well, I'm a wimp. It was overwhelming how many people were there and running and all training for the Marathon. I felt like a loser to be honest. For one, I didn't really know anyone and wasn't off running around saying hi and hugging people. Secondly, I'm realizing that I don't run near as fast as I thought I did. Or when I do, I end up dragging ass for the last half of my run. Note to self - pace myself! Anyway, 6 miles went okay. Not fantastic, but I finished, and went home and did nothing the rest of the day. Did I mention I was hungover from one of 3 Christmas parties I had that weekend? No? Well, I was hungover!

The following Saturday, the 13th. We had to run 8/10/12 miles. Oh dear god I kept thinking. No way. I'm not ready. My body hates me right now. But, I from the week before I learned to pace myself. I ran through excruciating pain and ended up running 9 miles. I ran 9 freakin miles! I've never ran 9 miles straight, not once in my life. So maybe, just maybe this Marathon thing won't be so bad, right? (Stop laughing!) Running in the cold has honestly become my new favorite thing to do! It sucks for the first 5 mins, but boy oh boy, once I'm warmed up it feels great.

Well. Holidays are here. And good god I can't stop eating. Good thing I run 4-6 times a week! How on earth am I going to fit in my runs over the holidays? I'm going to be back to square one come January first. Whatever it takes right? I think I best be throwing out all my ice cream etc come January first too. I don't know if I'm getting fat, or gaining muscle, or both? My jeans don't fit like they used to, thats for sure! Maybe its because I actually have an ass now...

For now, Happy Holidays! Actually no, MERRY CHRISTMAS. I don't give a shit about that politically correct crap. I celebrate Christmas, so Merry Christmas! If I have time to write over the holidays, I will. Otherwise, Happy New Year! (Yeah, because sooo many people are anxiously awaiting my next post... HA HA)

Gobble Gobble

In honor of Thanksgiving, i'd just like to give thanks for my two legs and feet. Without them I couldn't have run this today!

Gobble Gobble

Guess not having anything to do or anywhere to go does have its benefits! While everyone else is expanding their waistlines today, I'm running mine off :D

I think I can, I think I can

So after a very busy week, and minimal running I was feeling kind of defeated and kind of nervous about doing a long run today. Buuuuuuut, I did it. The little engine that could. 6.10 miles, according to GMap. Went from my house to Deer Island, did the loop and back home. In just under an hour. Legs are a little Jell-O like but shin splints are pretty much non-existent, so hopefully I've gotten rid of them for good! It was/is a beautiful day for running - a cool 55 degrees and sunny. Was out in shorts and a t-shirt and may even have gotten a little bit of sun on my face :D Was feeling really good after the first 2 miles. When I hit the south point at Deer Island, its nothing but ocean vistas and all I could do was put my arms out like a bird... it was amazing! Then, I rounded the corner and it hit me. That smell. That Deer Island smell. Did I mention Deer Island is a waste water treatment plant???

I ran Friday with Maddie, just a quick 2.5 miles. I think I'll use her for my speed training since she doesn't seem to comprehend the point is to run with me and not away from me. She's a quick one, I'll say that. Just sucks when she decides to stop to poop without warning, not sure what hurts more, my arm or her neck when that happens....

So now that I'm feeling like training is in full swing for me, I really hope to capitalize on it, and really run with it (no pun intended). Have I mentioned how hungry I am? When I was training for Reach the Beach I ate... a lot. Looks like I'll be eating twice what I usually do...healthy food of course! Well, its Sunday and that means football and the Pats are on at 1pm so I better jet... GO PATS!

Mind Over Matter!

Well, in less than 6 months I will be running my first marathon ever. The Boston Marathon at that! One of the most prestigious marathons in the world, and I get to run it! How exciting, and how overwhelming a physical task I have ahead of me. I thought Reach the Beach was physically demanding with all those hills, but that was only 15.5 miles over the span of 24 hours. This, this is 26.2 miles, all at once.. and heartbreak hill! Can't wait...

Those of you who are just getting up to speed with my goings on, I have taken on the completely insane task of running the Boston Marathon. I will be running with Run for Research, a charity team that supports the American Liver Foundation. Naturally, I will be running in honor of my father, Lorne. In February of 2000 he had a successful liver translplant after 11 years of battling Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. I am very proud to be able to run in his honor, and very humbled that I will have him at the finish line! Its because of those who ran before me and supported the Liver Foundation, that I am able to have my father with me today. Please, use the link to the right, to support me in my efforts!

And so it begins. Training. Running. Running and more running. I will say, I have acquired a love for the runners high. Its a euphoria that I can not explain! The RFR team had our kick off party, at a bar no less, just a few weeks ago. October 20th to be exact. Exactly 6 months to the day before the Marathon! It was fun. Great to meet veterans and virgins like myself. Whether the vets are there to intentionally scare us virgins, I don't know, but they did a damn good job when describing our group runs, in snowstorms! Can't wait.....

Ran 4.5 miles last night. It sucked. Not gonna lie. Every step hurt for some reason. Good days and bad right? But I pushed through it. Mind over matter I kept saying. Kept up a decent 9:45/mile pace, which to me, is good! I've been dreading the winter and cold weather knowing I'm going to have to run no matter what this year. I sucked it up this past weekend a bought a pair of running tights. Yep, spandex baby! Never thought I'd see the day where I would walk out of my home with just spandex on, but screw it, they kept me warm! Best $30 I've spent yet!

With a busy week ahead of me, I'm going to really have to schedule my runs. And may even be running at the ass crack of dawn this week... Anyone else want to come for a 4am run?

Til next post folks. Oh, and Happy Election Day! Get out and vote, because I can't... yet.

UPDATE: For those inquiring minds, wondering about the title. Running has become the greatest stress relief I have ever found - aside from bubble wrap of course! It allows me to clear my head, and just focus, one step, one breath, one mile at a time! :D