When did this happen?

When did I become a runner? Today I ran 9 miles to prep myself for the Hot Chocolate 15K next weekend. It was suppose to be an 8 mile day but something inside of me said push it to 9. Ok and by something I mean my pride, my pride told me that I had to know I could run those miles before I got to race day and my dad was standing waiting at the finish line for me to cross it. I had to know that my body could handle the amount of stress that I was going to ask it to go through with several thousand of my closest friends.

Today's run was a 3.00 mile run with a 0.50 mile walk a 3.00 mile run with a 0.50 mile walk and a 2 mile run. to it breaks down like this mile 1-3 run, 3-3.5 walk, 3.5-6.5 run, 6.5-7.00 walk, 7.00-9.00 run. Lets be honest I have a big problem with having to walk in my runs, but I am starting to understand that they are a good way to build to the final mile. I am learning that my body needs some time to catch up to what I am asking it to do. So though I keep adding miles I am walking about a mile in every run, however the next run I run the full distance from the week prior. Walking=not bad I just have to remember that while out on the road.

It is now time to do homework and plan my week around my runs and leaving town on Sunday. Sunday after the race I go on a week long vacation for Thanksgiving to see my family and my other half!

-Felicia

6 Mile Run Dedications

Today I ran 6 miles thanks to my wonderful friend Stephanie. I have been having a hard time staying motivated and last night she offered to run "with" me. She lives in New York City and I live in Ohio so we are making it work this week by promising to do the miles on the day we set. The other thing she did for me was suggesting I dedicate every mile of today's and Sunday's run to someone or something that holds a place in my heart or life. So I want to share my list with you.

Today I ran for:
Mile 1: Stephanie
Mile 2: My cousin Tiffany who has depression
Mile 3: My Aunt Terri who was diagnosed with breast cancer
Mile 4: My cousin Mandy who was diagnosed with MS a few years ago
Mile 5: My grandmother who had a stroke last year
Mile 6: My grandfather who had a heart attack while I was in Ithaca

Sunday I will run for:
Mile 1: Stephanie
Mile 2: My Aunt Kathy who has fibromyalgia
Mile 3: Matthew Wilson a friend of mine who recovered from 2 strokes at the age of 21
Mile 4: Kyle Pott the boyfriend the man who supports my running habit even though he hates 
             running he runs with me
Mile 5: Chase Otto my nephew who is allergic to everything
Mile 6: My cousin Ryan who is over weight and needs some guidance
Mile 7: My Dad the man who has supported me forever
Mile 8: My cousin Steven who has CP 

All of these people as Stephanie says are getting healthier by proxy. I love all of these people more than the sun, moon, or stars. They are amazing people who deserve my dedication and respect. I run for them when I get discouraged and frustrated.

On a different note the hardest part of my run is the walk back to the office following said run. Today I ran 3 miles inside on the track and was so bored I grabbed my cold weather running gear and headed outside where I did the last 3 miles on the river trail.

-Felicia 

Funadraiser/Giveaway from runlikagrl.com

Today's post was suppose to be about the 6 mile run of the day, however I want to talk about something else.

Megan over at http://runlikeagrl.com/ is having a fundraiser/giveaway for the victims of Hurricane Sandy in Staten Island. Instead of trying to recap it for you I have pasted the part of the post below. I feel what she is doing is amazing and will help so many people! If you have the many please donate to the cause and help.

Fundraiser for Staten Island Hurricane Sandy Recovery + Giveaway!

 

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Here’s what you can win (there will be MULTIPLE winners! Yay!):

Chobani
Build your own case of Chobani (12 pack). This is some amazing yogurt, and its healthy.

Sparkly Soul
One thick and one thin headband. These headbands really stay put during running and working out. Plus they are bright and fun. A must have if you love running and glitter!

Road ID
Two winners will each get a $35 eGift card. These amazing wrist bands help keep athletes safe on the road, you can personalize them and include your personal information for ID in the event of an emergency. GREAT product!

Pro Compression
A pair of compression socks. I can’t say enough how much I believe in compression, and these socks are at the top of my list of compression products. They are comfortable and effective, plus they have fun colors!

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts
A pair of compression shorts. This company is amazing, caring, and has been a great friend to me. Plus their shorts are truly fantastic. They make a huge difference in running performance and in my recovery after long runs.

Nuun
Four pack of Nuun and a Nuun waterbottle. This great product has been helping keep me hydrated for as long as I can remember. These tablets flavor your water and provide much needed electrolytes. Plus, its tasty!

Hydrapack
A Gel-Bot waterbottle. This is one amazing waterbottle. You can squeeze an energy gel into a middle compartment and fill the bottle up with water. Adjusting the nozzle allows you to access either one when you need it!

Gu Energy
Mix of gel products. Energy products are crucial for athletes, and Gu is one of the best. They have gels of various flavors and styles to suit your needs for quick fuel on the go! Great company.

Injinji
3 pairs of performance toe socks. If you run, you know how important socks are. These moisture wicking socks are designed to manage moisture and provide comfort with a design that protects your toes!

Megan’s Prize
I will also be creating a box of various items to be sent to one winner. It will be a collection different products with some great goodies that I love!

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I want to thank each and every one of these sponsors from the bottom of my heart. I truly believe in these products and recommend that even if you don’t win, check them out! Lets go support them!

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How to enter:

• Visit my fundraising page to donate to the Staten Island Hurricane Recovery Fund by clicking here (please read Important Information section!).
• Quickly register for entry into the giveaway by clicking here.
  
• Tweet, text, blog, facebook about the fundraiser so we can raise as much money as possible for Staten Island! This is not mandatory, of course, but appreciated :)
• Come back on 11/26/2012 to see if you are one of the lucky winners!

Important Information:

• You can donate without entering into the giveaway if you’d like. Every bit helps!
• Minimum donations are $10 for entry into the giveaway. Number of entries per person are as follows:
  $10: 1 entry
  $15: 2 entries
  $20: 3 entries
  $25: 4 entries
  Donations $30+ will earn 5 entries (plus a virtual hug for being so awesome!!)
• Multiple winners will be randomly chosen and prizes randomly distributed to each winner. Unfortunately, you cannot request to enter for a specific item/product, it all goes into one pool of entries.
• All proceeds will be donated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, to be distributed directly to the Staten Island community for recovery.
• Donations to my personal fundraising page and giveaway entries will be accepted until 11/25. Winners will be announced here on my blog on 11/26 and contacted via email!
• Remember, you are awesome for getting involved and helping a great cause!!!

Thanks Everyone I will try and post about my run later in the day

London Take Down

It seems like since I found out I might be going to London and not running the Disney half I have fallen off the band wagon of good running and healthy eating. More so the healthy eating! It started hardcore on Friday when I had that really awesome dinner party. I can't seem to get back into the swing of things in the food department. I mean lets be honest I have had ice cream three times this week and it is only Tuesday. PROBLEM!!!! I am starting to think that the mind game and determination is slipping away because I might not be able to run the race I want. (Stupid thought I know) I realize I should have the thought that I can run any race I want and finishing this training process will be a great accomplishment even if I don't get to run. My friend Stephanie said it best after the canceled the NYC marathon "Running the marathon was the single biggest accomplishment I have ever achieved. No doubt about it. That day, despite the crazy injuries, blood, sweat, tears, cold, exhaust, and PAIN, is among the top five days of my life. But when I got off the course that day, I remember thinking: it's the training I'll remember. The long runs, the playlists, the thirst quenching water after mile 4, the gu

packets, the bloody toe nails, the pain so sharp I couldn't walk the next day. Running on Amsterdam avenue along the traffic, feeling unstoppable. Raising money and awareness on behalf of Fred's Team, pushing myself beyond and then beyond the beyond. Walking the last two miles of my first seventeen mile run, and then doing it again the next weekend and FINISHING what I STARTED. As they say, the race is just a happy pay off for all the training. So, congratulations runners. You've done it already."

 

Let's be honest that statement is true the work goes into the training and the race is a pretty medal (though I do like shinny things) I need to get my butt back in gear there is a 15k to run on the 18th of this month that I have raised the funds for Ronald McDonald House, have put in the time and miles on the road. It the last push in these two weeks leading up to the race why give up now that would be stupid on my part and letting down the people who support me and me. I am not sure what happened in this post but I found a surge of pride while writing it. Tomorrow I will be running 4-5 miles depending on how it feels (I hope outside if it isn't to cold) any words of advice or encouragement are always welcome and I thank you for them. 

Thanks for listening and helping me find my surge! I hope you have found yours! 

-Felicia

November Goals!

This weekend I made a decision to live my old life style. I ate terribly and didn't work out except for on Friday. I skipped my Sunday 7 mile run because my body it's self is feeling tired and fatigued. I run the 15K in 2 weeks from today I am feeling that with a few days rest from running and work (but still have school) I will be more than ready to break out 8 miles next weekend and 9 the following for the race. I have been learning this past month as the miles are getting higher that I have to listen to my body in order to keep from getting injured. I love running and eating healthy, but sometimes I have to take a step into the past and do all the wrong things to recenter myself.

Goals for November:
       1) Run a 15K
       2) Do core work 3 or 4 times a week
       3) Try something new in a workout
       4) Try a new food

I think even with Thanksgiving all of these goals are easily reachable. The hardest one for me is going to be getting up early a few more days a week to do the core workouts. However I think that core could be done during the evening while watching crummy television.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!


-Felicia

Friday night.

Well today I did it! I ran 5 miles in less than an hour! Ok 59 mins and 4 secs isn't much below an hour but hey for me it is super exciting! Even though it was nice enough outside to run out there I chose to run the track still. I have been trying to fight off getting a cold, and my right foot has been bugging me, so I thought it would be a good idea to run on a surface that would not change. And well I was right my foot feels just fine today though I still have a runny nose. Tomorrow I am scheduled to run 7 miles yikes!

So on top of having a really great run yesterday I had some people over for dinner. I had put this 4lb pork roast in my crock pot to eat for dinner all by myself and realized that was silly I would never eat it before it went bad. I invited 3 friends over for dinner and everyone brought a side or dessert. i provided the meat, ad everyone else brought garlic mashed potatoes, rice krispy treats, chocolate chip cookies, and beer. Yes I know not the healthiest meal, but it was good home cooked friend food and time.

Tomorrow I will write the November goals post...I know I know I am behind. 

That was my Friday how was yours? Any good plans for the weekend?

-Felicia 

Lesson for the day

It's late so this will be short. Today I learned that on running days I can only have one cup of caffeine and it should be tea not flavored coffee. I ran 2.5 miles walked .5 miles and then lost my cookies in the trash can on the track. Yep that's right in front of all these people I learned a very valuable lesson! This run was suppose to be 4 miles and it turned into 3. I guess I will be a mile short and a lesson learned this week. Friday is a 5 mile day!!!!

Sleep well all!

-Felicia