Thanks to Some Wonderful Companies!

Here we go....so much has happened since I have last blogged!  I want to start with a shout out to some amazing companies!  On March 1, a guy I graduated with and his wife were killed in a car accident.  They were traveling back to their hometown.  In the car with them were their 3 children (ages 12, 9, and 3) and two dogs.  The three children and one of the dogs survived.  This story just tugs at my heart.  It is one of my biggest fears as a parent.  Two people taken from this Earth way too soon.  The support from the community has been amazing.  This upcoming weekend there is a raffle benefit at a local hockey game and un April there is another benefit.  The running group that I am in is donating a basket to be raffled off at the April benefit.  We reached out to some companies for help and I can't believe the support that we have received! My love for these companies has grown even more!  So far our gift basket will include 4 tubes of Nuun and a Nuun pint glass, $30 Road ID gift card, $60 gift certificate from Aspaeris Pivot Shorts, a Running Skirt, shirt, compression socks and bag from Running Skirts, 6Bic Bands, 2 Sparkly Soul headbands, Running Warehouse sweatshirt, hat and socks, 2 pairs of PRO Compression socks, 1 SPIbelt and a box of mint chocolate Clif Bars.  These companies have been amazing and will always be supported by me!!!  If you know of any other ideas to add or companies that might be able to help please let me know! The raffle takes place on April 20.  If you can help in anyway a trust fund has been set up for the boys.  Thanks!

Lake Effect 1/2 Marathon RR

    
       This past weekend my step-son's hockey team had Sectionals for hockey at SUNY Morrisville.  SUNY Morrisville is located in the middle of nowhere about 40 minutes from Syracuse.  The team had group discount for the Courtyard Marriott in Carrier Circle.  Naturally, when he has a tournament out of town I look for a race.  Well, it worked out that the Lake Effect 1/2 marathon was taking place the same weekend.  I registered early because I read that it would sell out quick!  I have not been very consistent in my training lately- I have been a cold weather wimp.  I had done a 9, 10, and an 11 miler is preparation but not very many weekly miles. 
       Packet pickup was at the Fleet Feet Running store in Syracuse.  It was a quick pick up and I was able to pick up a new Oiselle t-shirt.  I also picked up some Margarita Shot Blocks.  After that we headed to our hotel, let the kids swim and then headed to dinner.   We met up with my aunt, cousin, and her daughter at Ruby Tuesdays.  Then headed to my step-sons hockey game.  They won the game 14-1 and made it to the championship round.  One more win and they would get a berth to the state tournament. 

      The race had a late start Sunday morning.  10am.  Probably the only time that I wished for an early start as my step-son's game started at 12pm.  My mom and I  got to the race at 9:45 and headed straight to the bathroom and start.  I was on the line for about a minute before the gun went off.  I really wanted to be sub 1:55.  The course was out and back x 2 The first three miles were great 7:55, 8:14, 8:19,  we turned around shortly after 3 miles.  The way back brought us back to the start and little loop that brought us past the finish line 2 times.  These three miles were 8:21, 8:30, 8:25.  We headed back the way we started but this time the wind had picked up.  I couldn't believe how hard it was to run into the wind!  These miles were 8:41,9:06,9:01,9:37 (walked through a water station and had a margarita shot block which was frozen)  we had turned around and finished the previous mile.  Once I got through aid station and the wind wasn't in my face  we headed back to the finish 8:38, 8:56,  8:51 and the last .23 8:26 pace.  It was tough running by the finish line so many times and not being able to finish until the fourth time :)  Overall I was pleased with the 1:54:36 for the 13.1 which is 8:46 pace.  I have a goal to break 1:40 in the 1/2 this spring and this race made it feel doable because I didn't train well.  I loved the medals they gave!

         Afterwards my mom and I headed to Chipotle for reward meal :) After that we headed to hockey where my step-sons team won in triple overtime to advance to championship game and qualify for states.  They ended up losing in the championship game but the season just got two weeks longer!

 This weekend I met up with some Lady Warriors to for the Virtual half marathon/5k for Sandy Hook Elementary School.  We all met at 10am.  I started out with a nice 6 miles with another Warrior and then she headed back.  I am nowhere near 1/2 marathon shape so I ended up with 11.1 miles at about a 9:30 pace.  It was hard to get traction because of the snow and it was cold! It was so great to get some double digit miles in.  I haven't done that since the Harrisburg Marathon in November. 

New Year's Day RR

      December  was a nice easy relaxing training month.  It wasn't meant to be, but bronchitis and some quad pain sent it that way.  I ran a total of 50 miles for the month.  I usually run between 120-150.  I did absolutely no speed work minus one race at the beginning of the month.  I emotionally needed a break after not being selected for the Oiselle team, Cleveland Blogger or Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon.  I was feeling down about running in general.

      I figured new year new start. I ran the New Year's Day 5k (which was really 3.4 miles).  This was formally the Cookie and Hat 5k.  I missed the fun theme of the race but it was still a good time.  I wasn't sure how it would go and had a goal to run around 8 min. miles. I figured it would be a good speed workout back.  Once I started I felt pretty good and ended up doing the first mile in 7:20.   It was cold but not too bad.  My second mile was 7:30 and my third was 8:00.  The final .4 was at 7:51 pace.  I ended up finishing with a 26:02 (7:39 pace).  I was third in my age group.  I didn't stay for the awards because of my kids being home and I didn't want to be away too long.  They ended up mailing me my award which was a 2013 training log. 


     Overall, I was very pleased and I am looking forward to many positive things for 2013.

My Brother Survived a Heart Attack

       2 weeks ago today I received a phone call from my mother.  My brother was on his way to the ER by ambulance.  He thought he was having a heart attack.  My brother is 32 years old. 40 minutes later a second phone call came.  It was definitely a heart attack.  He had a 99% block in his main artery.  They put a stint in and he was going to be okay.  He is very lucky that he recognized the symptoms of his heart attack.  My brother lives in Chicago.  It was a very helpless feeling being so far away when he was going through something so big.  My first reaction was to go running.  Running is my go to when things are going wrong.  It was one of those runs where the miles flew by.  The thoughts of my wonderful brother and all the great memories that we gave shared.

 
 

          My brother and I weren't always close.  We were too much alike as kids. Always vying for attention.  As we grew older, we grew closer.  When I went away to college, I realized how much each of my siblings meant to me.  At this point, my siblings became more than my brothers and sister but my friends.  As the years went by I learned that 3 of the people who would always be there for me were my 2 brothers and my sister.  Danny and I hung out a lot.  I lived in an upstairs apartment and Danny lived downstairs with my grandma.  We were able to spend a lot of time together.  Danny then headed of to Fredonia.  I was able to go and visit several times and had a blast with him every time!  When Danny moved back home we continued to hang out.  It seemed that I was able to go out or do something with him every weekend! 

     Eventually, I got married and he was even my maid of honor (at the small ceremony) when we got married in front of our family and friends he was one of the groomsmen.    He is the godfather to my youngest child.  Danny lived with us for a little while and he was able to develop a relationship with my kids.  Danny is such a great uncle to all his nieces and nephews.  He has had some struggles and made the decision to move to Chicago.  This was a big move for him.  The only person he knew was one of our cousins.  He had no job.  He made it work and found a job and met an amazing group of friends.  This isn't surprising though.  Everyone who meets him  loves him.  We went out to Chicago this summer to visit him and I was so happy to see him so happy.  He was in a good place. 

 

       Since his heart attack, I have realized how quickly things can change.  I have talked to him almost every day since and Skype him much more frequently.  I am so thankful that things turned out the way they did.  I am so proud of Danny.  He has made so many life changes in the past two weeks.  I am sure it is hard but he is fighter.  He looked death in the face and won!  I am so thankful that he is my brother and my kid's Uncle.  He is a great brother, brother in-law, son, Uncle, and friend.  I just hope he knows how much we all love him!

2012 Run Survey

I Saw this on another blog and thought it was great idea!

Best Race Experience
I would have to say my best race experience of 2012 was the Rock-n-Roll Chicago 1/2 marathon or the Wineglass 1/2 marathon.  The RnR Chicago was my second slowest 1/2 marathon, 2:02:02 (out of 14) but it was my first "race" back after dealing with plantar fasciitis. It was my longest run since my time off.  It was such a fun experience! I loved every step of that run.  I guess when you are injured and you can run again you appreciate ate it that much more!  Plus, I loved running Chicago! What an amazing city! 

mom and I after 2012 RnR Chicago

Wineglass 1/2 Marathon was a comeback run of sorts.  The two previous 1/2 marathons I didn't break 2 hours.  I went out as an easy training run but felt so great at the miles went by so fast!  It was one of those great races and I finished with a 1:47:02.  I love the Wineglass course and since it is a local race I will definitely be hitting it up in 2013!

Finish of 2012 Wineglass 1/2

I also loved running a 5k with my daughter!  She is 5 and loved that she wanted to run!  We had a lot of fun.  I also ran a mile race with her earlier in the fall and she ran a sub 10!

Best Run
This would have to be a day that I ran while my daughter was at dance.  All my easy runs were hovering around 9:00-9:10 pace and they felt like a struggle.  I had been on the comeback from injury and my body was just not wanting to get with it.  I had been on the comeback for two months and my runs weren't "clicking".  Well, this particular day, I headed out for 7 miles.  I felt awesome!  Miles just started flying by.  I ended with 7 miles at 8:24 pace and felt like I could of run forever.  My easy pace seem to dramatically drop.  Muscle memory?

Best New Piece of Gear
This would have to be Hoka One One running sneakers!  These sneakers have saved my running!  After dealing with Plantar Fasciitis for 1 1/2 years in and out of the boot and trying many different sneakers.  I have been running pain free since I made the switch!  I truly love these sneakers! 

They may look like moon shoes but they are heaven on my feet!

I also have fallen in love with Oiselle Running Clothes.  The Lesley tights are an instant favorite as are the Stripey shirt, Runfinity scarf, t-shirts, Distance Shorts and the Trials Hoodie! Can't wait to add more to my collection in 2013!

Best Piece of Running Advice Received
Enjoy the run!  My mom told me if it I am not having fun and enjoying than I shouldn't be doing it.  I know that some runs are going to be harder than others.  But I run because I love it and have put that back into my daily training!

Most Inspirational Runners
First, I would I have to say my mom.  She may not be the fastest one out there but she gets out there and gives it her all.  This year my mom committed to run for Team Livestrong and raise money for cancer research in memory of a high school friend of mine, Dana Carr.  Dana was an amazing person with an amazing attitude about life.  Dana was dealt some tough cards.  He was hit by a motorcycle while training on his bike and left paralyzed.  Dana was later diagnosed with cancer for a second time.  As hard as Dana fought he passed in December 2009.  My mom was running NYC in his memory.  Unfortunately she didn't get the chance but she will in 2013.

Second, would be my friend "sole sister", Kelli.  Kelli has become such a fast runner through so much hard work and dedication.  Kelli always has an encouraging word for me when I am feeling down about my running.  I am truly lucky to have her as a friend!

Grill pic after a day of shopping in Ithaca instead NYC marathon

How was your 2012?  Did you achieve your goals?  Best of Luck and Happy 2013!

Holly Jolly 5k RR

Holiday Attire

We headed up to Orchard Park Saturday morning. It was a noon start for the 5k and we got to the packet pick-up at Runner's Roost at 10:20. My mom and I picked up our numbers and looked around a little bit. We had some time before we had to be at the starting line, so we headed to Marshall's. I found a pair of orange (Texas Longhorn orange) Nike Tempo shorts for $12.00. My son also picked out a pair of socks for me to run in. I had red and white striped ones with me (as did everyone else) and he liked the black with presents and red faux fur. Yes, new socks and a cotton shirt for a race.....

mom and me

My husband dropped my mom and I off at the start and I did a mile warm- up ~8:45/mi. I headed in to a construction zone to use the port-o-potty because there was no other bathrooms. Lined up at 11:50 and then gun went off at 12:00. I am not really in 5k shape and wasn't sure how this race would go. I sure did positive split the heck out of this race though!!!!

Mile 1 6:46 Started with an uphill and then down and flat and little up. It was definitely a rolling course! At the end of this mile my left hip flexor/Quad/above inner knee decided to quit working. I am not sure what the heck was going on. I have had problems with the hip flexor but this covered more area of my left leg. I felt like I couldn't lift the left leg.
Mile 2 7:43 By time I hit 1.5 was hoping to hold sub 8 pace because my leg was not cooperating. It was so weird! about 1.6 miles you turn so you can see the people behind you. I also could count the girls ahead of me and I was 5th female. I just wanted to hold on. I felt great except the darn leg! I kept trying to go faster and it was like I couldn't no matter how hard I wanted to because of the leg.
Mile 3 8:12- At this point, I just wanted to finish. We came out of development and headed up. The last 600m were uphill. I got through it! It wasn't pretty but I was pleased with the overall considering how much trouble my hip/leg gave me
.12 :55 (7:33 pace)- As I was finishing uphill the announcer announced that I had the best skirt, socks, and shirt and then best costume (made me show everyone in the awards ceremony)

23:37 I was 2nd in my age group and 7th female.

having to show everyone my "costume"

Medal and Number

from result board

It was a great race with Awards in The Well (bar)! They were quick with the results too!

Today, my hip is still tight and my lower quad/upper calf are sore. But was able to do an easy RUNch.

Have you or are you doing any holiday runs?
Do you like dressing up for races?