I'm as ready as I'll be.....

Now I just need to relax and enjoy the ride! Easier said than done!

I'm totally in my head now and I need to stop freaking out!! Everytime I think about it I either tear up or start to feel ill. Seriously, I need to let it go and have faith that I will finish just fine and I'll probably make a lot of friends out there on the course! I can't wait to meet my fellow 5hr+ marathoners!

I'm still doing my 5am workouts and some after work classes at the gym, but running has been minimal. I'll go out tomorrow for about 13 and then a few short runs this week before I head to NYC.

I can't believe that at this time next week I'll be tucked away in my hotel in Brooklyn working on that best night of sleep before the big event. Just wild....

Thank You!!

I am just so excited that 3 of my cousins are joining me in NYC! It was such a surprise when they told me they'd be there. And, my cousin Jeniene sent me a surprise treat that arrived on my front steps yesterday....a super fun and helpful new sport watch called a TECH 4O Accelerator watch. Love it!!

Thank you so much! I can't wait to wear it! Watch out NYC....here I come!

Love ya!

A Race Like No Other

I'm getting ready for my final long long run of training and ramping up my excitement by reading "A Race Like No Other" by Liz Robbins. What a brilliant book! I love being able to visualize all the excitement of the NYC Marathon! It gives such a detailed account of the day and the sights along every mile of the course.

I'm still finding it hard to believe that I am only 14 days and a wake up away from running in NYC! It feels a bit like a dream that I am actually going to do this!

YIKES....

I'm starting to feel a chest cold brewing!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Took today off from all exercise and I'm heading to bed soon after loading up on Vitamin C and some healthy eats. Ugh.....really, a chest cold after all this work! That is absolutely not happening! I'm making sure I'm bundled at all times for now and cutting down on my dairy intake.

Any thoughts on how to stay absolutely healthy for the next 18 days??

If you're slow, are you still considered a runner?

YES!! In my books, if you go out there and do it, no matter your speed, you are a runner. I might have a biased opinion because I'm a slow runner, but seriously, if you put in the energy and the training, shouldn't you get the same label as someone who is faster?

I started thinking about this when I learned that the Today Show's Al Roker will be running the NYC Marathon. Fantastic!! Kudos to you Al for taking on the challenge of a marathon after all you've been through with your weight. My mom had the same surgery as Mr. Roker, so I have first hand knowledge of what he experienced and the work he had to put in to make a permanent life change. I applaud him!!

I'm super duper excited because he is listed as running at a 13:00 min/mile pace. I have been averaging between 11:30-12:30 (depending on the hills) so maybe we'll run into each other on the course! How cool would that be....running in NYC with Al Roker! I'm planning to have my camera with me so if I do see Al, you better believe I'll be taking a picture!

Now, after reading the article announcing his entrance into the marathon, I read the comments and found some that said in no uncertain terms that he was not a runner and should consider himself a fast walker at best. Really? I'm pretty sure he has been training just as hard as the next guy to assure a finish on Nov. 7th. I have friends who are far faster than me and I joke with them about saving me some water at the end or maybe a banana so I don't miss out on post race food/drink! These people have never acted as if I was a poser because I call myself a runner.

Running is one of those sports that simply amazes me. I mean, think about it.....in what other sport can a world record holding marathoner and a 13 min miler share the same stage? It is truly special. In what other sport do you find the stories of life and survival and the shear will to cross a finish line that is 26.2 miles away? I'm a lover of all kinds of sports, so don't take this as me saying that running is superior to other sporting events. I'm just saying, not every Joe who tosses a football in the backyard is going to be in the NFL, but anyone who has the determination and desire, can run....no matter what distance.

20 miles!!!

It took me a while, but I have my 20! It was tough at times, but not that bad. My feet are hurting a bit still, but not too bad. I did LOTS of hills....to the point where I thought I might cry if I had to go up another hill!! Seriously, what was I thinking? I think I did about 10 miles of hills. Ugh! Surprisingly, my legs don't feel too bad right now. Just my feet are bugging me.

I used 1 gu pack and 1 powergel during my run. I've made a plan that every 7 miles during the marathon I'll down a gu/powergel. So today, I took a gu at 7 and the powergel at 14. I also used chomps and had my water pack with water and a container of gatorade. Before I headed out this morning, I had a bowl of cereal and a banana....clearly not enough before a 20 mile run. I definitely felt myself get to the hunger point during the run.

When I got home, I had another banana, a tuna sandwich, and a protein shake. I'm now getting hungry again, so I'm thinking about what I want for dinner! Wegman's has these fantastic $6 dinners where you get to pick an entree and 2 sides. It's healthy fresh food and delish!! Love my Wegman's! My fav dinner is coconut crusted tilapia w/mango salsa. Holy yum!!

I'm pretty tired right now, but just started feeling that way. I can't believe I did the longest run of my life today! Kinda excited for NYC now! It's gonna hurt, but I know I can do it!!

Official Handbook has arrived!!

Yay!! It arrived in the mail today and made my stomach flip flop!

25 days!!!

NYC....Here I Come!

I'm super excited ...... I just found out 3 of my cousins are making the trip to NYC to see me run AND one of them is volunteering! How awesome!! They totally rock!

Lorna, I look forward to seeing your smiling face at mile 17! Love ya!

Perfect Running Weather!

I had a fantastic 10.2 mile run yesterday! The weather couldn't be more perfect for running! I'm getting there, still can't believe NYC is coming up so fast. It just seems unbelievable....it seems like just yesterday I registered for the lottery in the hopes of running! Now, i'm 27 days away from my first marathon!

I did a super duper easy 2 today and I'm gearing up for my first 20 miler tomorrow! Love 3 day weekends! I've got my GU ready to go, my course mapped out, the Garmin charged, and my ipod loaded. I'm as ready as can be!

OMG.....

28 DAYS!!!! Yikes!!

Better head out for my 10 miles! :)

Yep, starting to freak out now.......

Holy Hills....

Well, I didn't do a particularly long run today....around 7 miles.....but it was ALL HILLS!!! Seriously....I had planned a longer run, but decided to turn to the left instead of right after a mile and ended up doing non stop up and down hills for the next 4 miles. Right would have taken me on my normal pretty flat run. I'm glad I turned left because WOW did it feel good to push up those hills and cruise the downs!