mind Boggling

There are many things that baffle my mind. For starters, why in the world did I join a gym right next to Burger King? Not only can I see it directly out the window while I am doing squats, but I can also smell the burgers when I leave to go to my car and while I am walking in. Not a good situation. Temptation city if you ask me. Next, on my list of mind boggling items is how pregnant women always seem to beat everyone at races. Its a no fail situation. If your pregnant, you are all business and will inevitably beat more people then you should and make everyone feel terrible about their performance. Its remarkable actually, running for two. Commendable really, but still baffles my mind. If you are running sub 8 minute miles 6-8 months along, you my friend, are a beast. Lastly, Slade Smiley baffles my mind. For those of you who follow Real Housewives of Orange County, I don't mean Gretchen's boyfriend. "Slade" is a made up name given to a local runner who Hans and I run into ( literally) at EVERY race we run. He happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to the OC Slade hence the name. This weekend he reared his ugly head in the city right on boat house row! It never fails, where we are, Slade is. He was flailing his arms and cheering us on this time! Slade is normally stretching his hammies and giving dirty looks to the novice runners around the North Penn area. He is without saying, a nemesis to many. Seeing him made us crack up laughing. I am beginning to think hes my stalker. Tomorrow going for 5, hoping I don't pass any pregnant competitors or Slade at 5 am. I know I wont pass Burger King, cause its about 10 miles from my house. haha

Midnight Madness 8 miler

last night, my friends and I headed to Philly for a midnight 8 miler race. Its apart of the 20 in 24 series which hosts runners for the entire weekend running in teams and Lone Ranger runs to see how many miles can be run in 24 hours. The series supports the homeless in an effort to get them back on their feet. With glow sticks and tutus we hit Boathouse Row and did an 8 mile loop. Although the weather was nice, it got hot towards the end. While we ran in one direction, the other 24 hour teams ran the opposite way on the path. As we ran we cheered each other on and it was nice to have the support. If it weren't for all the tutu compliments, I would have ripped it off and thrown it in the woods at mile 4. I cant tell you how much love I got for wearing it. " Oh my God, Oh my God, Look out girl in a tutu coming through" or my favorite " Look out, the ballet is coming to Philly nobody even told me, you go ballerina!" Everyone loves a tutu, mainly middle aged men and the occasional bum by the river fishing. Hey, I take whatever compliments I can get! Much love for Philadelphia. xo

Swaggalicious Birthday/ Heat Wave

 

This past weekend I celebrated my birthday with my wonderful friends and family. I was showered with amazing running swag. I cant wait to start using it all! I am very proud to report that this weekend is finally the midnight 8 miler and my girls and I have some sick outfits ready. I bought a killer hot pink tutu and a hello kitty tank top. I have a bottle of glow in the dark puff paint and some fab glow bracelets from my best friends. We are ready to glow, uh I mean go. Because of the heat warning and my sleepiness I overslept this morning for my 5 miler. Instead of resting tomorrow I will be running bright and early. Shout out to my amazing cousin Amanda who was up this morning like the beast that she is braving the heat. You go girl. xo

8 miler outfit 

** Due to the 8 miler this week is a modified marathon training schedule week for me but make no mistake friends. We have 26 weeks to go until 26.2 miles are upon us!!!**

No Turning Back. T Minus 2 Days.

Tomorrow is a special day for me because I am turning the big 28. Today I went shopping with my cousin Amanda and we shared running stories, aches and injury updates as well as pure excitement for the training ahead of us. I started thinking about my birthday. When I look back next year I will be able to say that when I was 27 I started running. When I turned 28 I completed a marathon. Its amazing how much you can accomplish in a year. My dream for 28 is to train like Ive never trained before, keep the faith alive and make it to the finish line. As with all things, there will be a constant ebb and flow to the running. Highs that are remarkable and lows that make you want to reconsider why in the world you would ever want to do anything for 26.2 miles. Tomorrow I plan on running in the morning, and going with the flow. Not sure how many miles that will be, but I will be out there. It will be the last run before training starts. No turning back. If you see me, show some love or drive slow next to me with some sweet treats. It is after all, my birthday. 

Things I Know For Sure

Oprah always has a segment in her magazine that talks about things she knows for sure. Today, I would like to recap my run giving you things I know for sure.


 I know for sure that 6 am is early and running at 6 am in the Summer is not for the weak. I also know for sure that I ran over a dead racoon on Koeffel road this morning. Let me reassure you the smell was enough to almost knock my sneakers of my feet and the body parts and teeth were enough to wake me up.  I know for sure that around mile 4 I almost got hit by a car. I also know that there are 3 houses on School Road that have swimming pools. There might be 4, but the fence on that house was too high to climb and I didnt have the time. I know that I spotted a horribly ugly purple elephant lawn ornament right at the exact time that my favorite punjabi song came on. I know for sure now that white noise is that voice inside you telling you that you are tired, you cant make it, you want to walk. I also know that you can squash that voice when you hear it and keep going. Lastly, I know for sure that I ran 7 miles this morning and that earlier in the week I was afraid that I couldn't. I RAN 7 MILES. It feels good.  I know I will be able to run 26.2, FOR SURE. 

Happy 4th of July

Luisa, Jackie and Jackie before the pickle.

Happy 4th of July to everyone! I hope everybody is enjoying their weekend. On Saturday Luisa, Jackie and I participated in the Pickle in the Villa Race in Media. It was a great trail run and the hills were killer. Lately, I've been in a bit of a running funk and even at times have been walking while running because I am just too tired to keep going. On Saturday, I finished the race last. Thats right, dead last. I wasnt upset about finishing last, although it is a fear of mine. Well I guess, it was a fear. I had fun while I was running and thats all I really care about. It was my fault my head wasnt in it and I let myself get lazy. I even told the girls, if Hans was there he wouldnt have let that happen. Sometimes I need someone telling me to move it to stay in the game. Running as it would seem is a bit of a mental exercise. Anyway, time is a ticking and the marathon training is on the horizon. I got a pep talk from my cousin and I am ready to move forward. On a happier note, Jackie and Luisa did great and I think they are both excited to do another race. Let me tell you, if you can run that 5 mile trail a 5k on a fast flat course is a breeze! Enjoy the weekend. Look for me on the streets with my water bottle fanny pack this week :) 

** I almost forgot! I have to tell you about the totally sick prizes at the race! JU won a huge jar of pickles for being the most confused pickler! Luisa won a Bon Jovi cassette tape! Luckily, I scored a $15.00 gift certificate to Road ID. Look for luisa's next blog. Word on the street is she took video feed while running! Cant wait to see it **

Pickle Queen

Lord of the Pickle handing out prizes that he found at a garage sale. Hence the Bon Jovi Cassette!

Do what you can when you can.

For some reason, I never seem to remember how much I hate running in the heat. So this morning, I was less than eager to start my run at 10am but hey, I wanted to sleep in. By the time I finished I was overheating and almost passing out. From now on its night running or early morning for me. The heat gets me every time and let me tell you, oatmeal isn't enough to keep you going more then 4 miles in 80+degree heat! Excited for the pickle run tomorrow with the girls! 


*Oh my gosh, almost forgot, I wore my water bottle fanny pack today! I cannot stress how practical it is. Albeit sick, its a good accessory for the heat! I only filled 2 bottles but wished I had filled all 4. Next time, Gadget. Next time.