The Liebster Award

Kim nominated me for a Liebster Award, which is a fun way for bloggers to to get to know each other. I am sort of loving all the blog-love lately. Hopefully next week I’ll have more running news to share, but for now, on to the questions from Kim!

1. If you could travel back in time, when/where would you go? – Maybe to the 1940’s to see the Rockford Peaches in action (from my favorite movie)
   

   dirt in the skirt

2. What’s your biggest fear? – Probably fire, and also I am not that good that heights or flying in my older age.
3. Who is your “person”? – My sister.
   

   roo roo

4. What’s your biggest pet peeve? – So many but the biggest is when ppl put those large bows on little baby heads. You know the ones that are on a headband? They kill me.
5. Favorite beverage? – Non-alcoholic, iced coffee. Alcoholic, champagne!
   

   bubbles

6. What’s your favorite holiday? – 4th of July. It’s my Christmas. I love being on the beach and watching fireworks.
7. Are you a dog or cat person? – Neither, really, but if I had to pick, dog person. RIP Blue Dog Hudson.
8. Would you rather be able to only whisper or only yell for the rest of your life? (I love this one..) – HA…Ummm, whispering sounds more convenient!
9. What’s one thing that you do just for you? – Working out (either CrossFit or running). It’s my competitive outlet, my “alone” time in the mornings, and I am a monster to deal with when I haven’t worked out in a few days.
10. Who/what can always make you smile? – My girls, of course!
    

    ellie + emily

    Thanks, Kim!

13 Runner Questions

My first blogger quiz!  I loved reading Kim’s answers, and I hope that mine are even a little bit interesting to you!

What is your best run ever – My B.R.E. was definitely the Chicago Marathon in 2006. I had just finished my last chemo treatment in February 2006, and I finished 26.2 miles 6 months later. At the time, it was the best day of my life, and I’ll never forget how the tears stung my eyes as I crossed the finish line. Goosebumps. I was BACK.

Chicago Marathon 2006 (that’s me in the front in the purple)

3 words that describe my running – Competitive, sweaty, and musical (always have my headphones on).

 What is your go-to running outfit?  – Mizuno Wave Rider 17, lululemon socks (they will change your life), lululemon Inspire Crops, a lululemon CRB, and junk brand headband.

Run: Swiftly Turtleneck, lulu crops

What is your one quirky running habit? – I have to end my runs on exactly XX:00 on my Garmin so if I’m pretty close, I’ll do laps in my driveway until I hit an exact mile.

Do you prefer morning, midday, or evening runs? – Always have been, always will be a morning runner

I won’t run outside when it’s… – Over 80 degrees. Ever. I’m sorry. I don’t do well in heat.

What is your worst injury – and how did you get over it? – When I was in college, I had really bad stress fractures from playing field hockey. Since I’ve started doing CrossFit and doing long distance runs, I LUCKILY haven’t been injured. KNOCK ON ALL THE WOOD!

My personal best half marathon or marathon is – 2014 NYC Half-Marathon. My goal was to go sub-2 hours, and I got 1:54. I was in the best running shape of my life in March.

1:54 for 13.1

My next race is – NYRR Bronx Ten-Miler on Sept 28. I don’t do a lot of summer races, because we are away so many weekends.

My running goal for 2014 – Sub-5:00 hour marathon, if I am accepted on a team for the NYC Marathon. If not, run sub-1:50 for BAA Boston Half Marathon in October. I would need to shave 4 mins off my PR for this, but it’s a goal!

What GPS do you use? – Garmin Forerunner 10 (in lime green!)

How do you stay motivated in the summer? – Sign up for fall races so that I’ll have things to train for.

What is your favorite post run treat? – beer!

beer.

NYC Marathon Training – Week 1

Since my decision to just start training last week was made, here is a re-cap of how I did in Week 1. Lots of room for improvement, like, oh, I don’t know…running!

Monday – Week started off on the right foot with an excruciating CrossFit516 WOD.

ripped. hands.

Tuesday – Ran 5K in the morning.

Wednesday – Travel day to Boston.

Thursday – CrossFit Variance WOD

CrossFit Variance

Friday – We traveled to Highlands, NC for a wedding, so I did a hotel WOD.
7 rounds:
7 Burpees
7 Squats

Saturday – A lot of this in Asheville, NC…..

Lexington Ave Brewing

Sunday – Travel back to Boston

Total Week 1 Mileage – 3.1!

Oops. I’m just getting going, and so far this week, I already have double that in the books.

I’m just getting this thing started!

I Should Probably Get Back In Running Shape.

This past week I applied to run as part of Team MR8 in the New York City Marathon. The team was created in remembrance of Martin Richard, the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon Bombings. The charity honors Martin’s message of peace by investing in education, athletics and community. When I didn’t gain entrance to the New York City Marathon by the lottery system, there were (and still are) a few other charities I could have joined to get a number. Nothing felt personal to me though, and I didn’t want to raise money solely because I want to run 26.2 miles. It didn’t seem genuine. When I heard the news that Team MR8 (who had a HUGE prescence at Boston this year) was still looking for 8 runners to represent, I jumped at the opportunity to apply. It would be an honor to be part of a Boston-based team, and wear the MR8 jersey on November 2nd, and carry on Martin’s name. I find out in two weeks if I am one of the eight, which doesn’t give me much time to seriously get into training!

Since I MIGHT be running 26.2 in November, I should probably start my next training cycle. May, June and July — you guys were good to me. It’s time to get to work again though. Today I hit 4.5 miles and felt pretty good, despite the heat. It definitely felt cooler at the onset of the run, and when I finished I think it was almost 80 degrees. I don’t do well in the heat. Straight into the kiddie pool! PS – those Lululemon shorts are my FAVORITE running shorts.

 

Johnston Country Club

Today I also finished a little project that I’ve had on the backburner since Boston. I framed our bibs, and the background is made from the heat cape that is handed out at the finish line. I have one that I made from the Chicago Marathon in 2006, too.

FInishers!

Week 1 of Marathon Training, let’s go!