Baby, We Were Born to Run!!!

Run a half marathon. - Check.

Well, I did it!  Last week at this time I was a bit apprehensive about the whole event.  Now, I'm so excited and proud of myself for finishing that I've been researching other half marathons.

It was such a great run!  A little warmer this expected but I made it through...  Each Pittsburgh neighborhood was so welcoming with throngs of spectators, cheer teams and bands.  It helped take my mind off the heat, pain and realization that I still had six, eight or 10 miles left.

Thanks to Amy for encouraging me to run and participating with me. Thanks to my fabulous boyfriend for taking Amy and I downtown at the crack of dawn, cheering me through the finish line and treating me to lunch.  Thanks to Amanda, Barb and Meg who also came to cheer me on. 

Three days later I'm still running on adrenaline and waiting till I'm able to run again.  The blisters, sore muscles and exhaustion are slowly dissipating.  It was so worth it!

Congratulations to all the other runner!  It was an amazing race!

Happy Graduation, Boog!

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I'm not one for shout-outs in my blog but this one is necessary because my little sister is graduating from college tomorrow.

CONGRATULATIONS BOOG and the entire Class of 2012 at University of Mount Union!!!

I'm not one to express my feelings either in person or in my blog but I can honestly say I am very proud of my sister.  I may kid a lot but she has worked really hard to earn her degree.

So, it wouldn't be a graduation post without some advice for the graduate:

* Don't fret that you don't have a job the day of graduation.  These things take time.  Believe me.  The perfect job will come and you will be glad you waited.

* Dream big!  Anything is possible!  I never would have imagined that I would have a Master's the day I graduated from La Roche College.

* Accept failure.  It may happen but it makes you stronger.  I've had my share and it hasn't been easy but in the end I think I am a better person.

* Make the time to keep in touch and see college friends.  These are the friends that became family.  Unlike high school, these friends will be your forever friends.  Start your own beach weekend!

* Live life to the fullest.  This is a bittersweet time but it will get better.  Make the most of your twenties.  It will be over before you know it.  Work hard but play harder!  Live without regret!

* Learn the alma mater and fight song.  It's sad that your sister who didn't even graduate from Mount Union knows them off by heart.

 I love you Boog and will always be here for you!!



1 Day. 10 Hours. 36 Minutes. 31 Seconds.

As the Pittsburgh Marathon weekend commences I am overcome with a range of emotions...

...fear, worry, excitement, hope.

I've trained since January.  I've bored all of you with my posts about training.  I survived my long run and all of my short runs leading up to that and this weekend.  There is really nothing else I can do now except rest and hydrate.

This race is one of the goals I would like to check off my five year plan.  A marathon is also on my five year plan but the ending of that five years is fast approaching, so that may need to be added to my bucket list.  I CAN DO THIS! I am ready for 13.1!

So...

...for the next 32 hours, I am determined to prepare myself physically and mentally for this challenge.  I know I'm not fast.  My goal is not to win.  My goal is to finish.  With future races, I will have room for improvement in the time category.  Here's to 13.1 miles of Pittsburgh!

Good luck to all my fellow runners!