It's Almost Time!

Tomorrow I leave for New York City.

I'm excited. I'm scared. I'm excited. I'm freaking out!

I admitted last night that this was the scariest thing I was going to do. Forget running Dopey in January, I am freaking out about 1 race! ("It's a televised event! It makes sense you're scared!" Words from a friend.)

Wednesday night we had our team dinner. It was Maggiano's in Boston. It was really good. I got to hear a little bit more about the NYC Marathon and talk about Disney!

I am packed to go.

I have my pick up info, my charity band to get into the area on Staten Island, my singlet.

I'm as ready as I'll ever be. 

Now I need the rest of me to understand that too.

2 days from now I will be running through one of the best cities in the world!

While relaxing last night on Facebook, I saw a post from the Devil's Chase 6.66 Miler that caught my eye. I was going to sign up for this race this year, but for no reason at all I didn't sign up. Next years race is being held ON HALLOWEEN! They had a special price until midnight tonight tonight (Halloween) to pay $30 for the entry. Of course I signed up, but an even crazier sign up happened when Carrick signed up! He has one year to start running. I'm so excited for him! Looks like we'll be spending another Halloween up in Salem!

Meanwhile for the rest of 2014 I still have to sign up for a Thanksgiving Day run. I'm looking at one in Hingham or maybe I'll just end up in Plymouth again! Not 100% sure still, but I need to figure it out and then get Nate moving. (And also convince him that he will not die during a 3 mile run!)

I did get my cousin to sign up for a 5k in December in Newburyport. (I have to convince her that she'll be fine too. What is with the people I know!?!) The event is called Ladies Night Out. Throughout the year there are a few of these runs on the North Shore and in New Hampshire. This is a ladies only run and a few of my team mates from TNT will also be there. We're going to have fun and I said she could have my wine. (Not drinking will let you give that away!)

I have a few last minute things to do before leaving tomorrow, but I'm going to enjoy my Halloween. It is my favorite holiday after all!

It's just a bunch of hocus pocus!

NYC Marathon Training Week 16

This week had some big wins in it. Let's take a look.

Monday: Tufts Health Plan 10k for Women

Tuesday: 3 mile walk

Wednesday: 5 mile walk 45 minutes of yoga

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3 mile walk

Saturday: 3 mile walk

Sunday: Cause 4 Paws 5k, 1.02 mile walk

I wrote about how I PR'd on Monday in last weeks recap so I'll leave it out of this recap. I am still super excited about that. I took the week easy after running the half followed by the 10k. I do not have time for injuries now. Plus I was doing my last race before the marathon on Sunday.

The Cause 4 Paws 5k is in it's 6th year and benefits the Quincy Animal Shelter.

This is where my second 5k took place (also my first one outside of Disney) back in 2011. I was so excited to have done the run in 34:47! That was my 5k PR until I ran it last year in 2013. I did the run in 31:47! My ultimate goal for a 5k is sub-30 minutes. (Someday I will get it there!) Yesterday ended up being colder than it has been lately and crazy windy. Nate also had the day off so he was coming to "cheer me on" (I think he was really coming to look at all the cute dogs that were there!) Our friend Christopher also came and signed up when we got to the parking lot where the race started. (The same Christopher who ran Boston last year after qualifying!) We also met up with our friends, Lindsay and Greg. (Greg came in 2nd this year!) I ran with Christopher for almost a mile and a half before telling him to go on his way. My first mile was 9:09 and I was dying! He is so much faster than I am. My second mile came in at 9:57 which was still faster than normal for me. (Could I really meet a sub-30 5k today!?!) My right shin started to hurt, but I was also getting a side stitch on my right side. I could push through it I kept telling myself. At one point close to the end I felt my side and had to stop and walk. I did beat my PR and wasn't expecting to do as well as I did.

I'm also 70% of the way to hit my goal for the NYC Marathon! If you can help please do so here!

Week 15 Recap and Questionnaire

Week 15 has come and gone and it was great! 

Monday: 2 mile walk
Tuesday: 4.64 mile walk in Salem
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 6.73 mile walk in Boston
Friday: 4 mile walk
Saturday: 4 mile walk
Sunday: BAA Half and 5 mile walk

I took a couple of vacation days last week so that I could relax. I guess going to Salem and Boston was "relaxing" (or at least for me it is!) Carrick's brother lives in Salem so got to see him and his family while also sightseeing. I enjoy the history of Salem so it's fun to walk around. We visited the Witch House and the Salem Wax Museum. 

Everyone should go to the Samantha statue!

On Thursday I went into Boston with Nate. We went to the aquarium and to the Museum of Fine Arts. We like to go to the aquarium and see the animals. It's always fun and one of the first things we did together. 

Have you ever seen a sea dragon? 

There's a new Goya exhibit that is open at the MFA that I was looking forward to seeing so we went there afterwards. It was really good. It was really large and well put together. 

The Hollywood Glamour exhibit

On Sunday I participated in the BAA Half. This was the third and final race in the Distance Medley. Nate came with me to spectate the race and after we parted ways I bumped into Danielle. Danielle ran the Nike Women's Half DC with me last year. She's preparing for a marathon in a couple weeks so we ran together. I introduced her to the run/walk method. It was great running with someone. It made the race go by fast. My right knee started to give me some issues, but I finished. I finished in 2:43 exactly. 

Distance Medley Finisher!

Between the half and walking to the train and back to Nate's apartment we logged about an extra 5 miles! I ran the Tufts Health Plan 10k for Women today to help gain a few extra miles for my last long run before the NYC Marathon. This was a wonderful race! I've always heard about this race, but never had a chance to do it until this year. It was well organized with plenty of activities for all. My knee was feeling better, but I didn't want to push my body after yesterday so I just did what I could. I kept to my intervals and just went with it. The course was part of the Run to Remember course so I was comfortable. The best part was crossing the finish line with Joan Benoit Samuelson at the end to congratulate all the finishers. (If you don't know who Joan is you should go here and check her out.)  I finished in 1:09:40, a 2:06 PR! There may have been a tear or two at the end. I would do this run again and suggest it to anyone and everyone (even men!)

View of Boston across the Charles River.

Nice fall foliage!

I usually spend one day a week reading all the running blogs I follow. I saw this post on Happy Fit Mama earlier today and thought it might be fun to fill this out too. 

1. What are you wearing? Yoga pants and a green long sleeve shirt.

2. Ever been in love? Yes

3. Ever had a terrible breakup? Yeah

4. How tall are you? 5’5″

5. How much do you weigh? I'm not 100% sure lately. Last time I looked I wasn't exactly too happy.

6. Any tattoos? I have quiet a few. Both of my feet are tattooed, both my ankles, my leg, my knee (where my running tattoo resides!), my finger, the back of my neck, a few on my hips, two on my back, my shoulder, and both my sides. (I tend to forget at least one or two of them. So I could be missing something now.)

7. Any piercings? My ears are pierced, my belly button (for about 12-13 years. Whoa!), and my nose twice.

8. OTP (one true pair, favorite fictional couple)? Haley and Nathan on One Tree Hill.

9. Favorite show? Buffy for sure.

10. Favorite bands? I can't choose favorite music. I never could. It changes by the minute.

11. Something you miss? Warmth. I'm currently under 3 blankets.

12. Favorite song? This is up there with favorite band. I do love "Vogue" by Madonna though!

13. How old are you? 27

14. Zodiac sign? Gemini

15. Quality you look for in a partner? Understanding.

16. Favorite Quote? "Be brave. Live."-Buffy

17. Favorite actor? Oh boy…Hmm. I'm not even sure.

18. Favorite color? Black. 

19. Loud music or soft? I good in between. It also depends on what I'm doing.

20. Where do you go when you’re sad? I tend to stay in bed.

21. How long does it take you to shower? I try to keep it to 10-15 minutes, but when I'm cold I refuse to leave.

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Usually a few minutes. I'm pretty low key.

23. Ever been in a physical fight? Not really.

24. Turn on? That look that makes you feel wanted.

25. Turn off? Smoking.

26. The reason I started blogging? I wanted to talk about my running and my fundraising with Team in Training.

27. Fear? Spiders.

28. Last thing that made you cry? That 10k PR!

29. Last time you said you loved someone? Probably sometime this morning.

30. Meaning behind the name of your blog? My Life on the Lam sounded too mobster.

31. Last book you read? #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso. 

32. The book you’re currently reading? I'm trying to finishing The Shining by Stephen King and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

33. Last show you watched? I'm currently watching Gotham.

34. Last person you talked to? Nate

35. The relationship between you and the person you last texted? My friend Chris who is also a co-worker.

36. Favorite food? Ice cream and french fries.

37. Place you want to visit? Everywhere. I want to see the world!

38. Last place you were? I was at work for a few minutes. For a trip, I was in Disney World.

39. Do you have a crush? I tend to like Nate a lot.

40. Last time you kissed someone? About an hour ago.

41. Last time you were insulted? The other day.

42. Favorite flavor of sweet? I love sweet things. Like all of them. 

43. What instruments do you play? Flute

44. Favorite piece of jewelry? I have a key necklace I'm pretty fond of.

45. Last sport you played? That's a joke. I run. That's what I do.

46. Last song you sang? I think it was "Break Free" by Ariana Grande. 

47. Favorite chat up line? I'm pretty shy, so I don't really chat people up.

48. Have you ever used it? Uh….the quiet thing works.

49. Last time you hung out with anyone? Right now. We're watching Gotham.

50. Who should answer these questions next? Anyone and everyone!

Training Update Week 14

With just under a month away I'm feeling nervous for the marathon. I'm feeling like I'm letting myself down or something. I do not like the marathon distance. It is a job on it's own and it doesn't pay me so it takes the backseat. I want to love it, but I just don't. It actually makes me dislike running. As I say this, I know that I will finish this marathon. I actually read earlier today that May ran the NYC Marathon in 2011. I saw her finish time was just under 7 hours, like 6:59. Now my Disney Marathon was 6:50:03. So I know that I can do it. This will be a test, but I know that I'll be okay. I'm not promising my training has been great, but I'm doing what I can. That's the best that I can do. So let's look at last week.

Monday: 4.69 miles walk/hike in the White Mountains

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 4.51 miles on treadmill, 15 minute stretching

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 4.64 miles

Sunday: Upper body work

On Monday I went up to New Hampshire with my friend Carrick to Flume Gorge. We've never been so it was a good adventure for the both of us. We had a good time up in New Hampshire. I would run up the hills which he did not approve of, but I always waited at the top. (I'm pretty sure after this picture was taken I ran back up to the trail.)

A covered bridge!

On Saturday I had a fundraising event so I didn't really go out to run. I relaxed before hand and walked a little bit. (Hey, going to Target counts as walking right?) My sister sells Thirty-One bags and so we held a fundraiser. If you'd like to order anything you can by clicking the link above. It will direct you into my party. You can start Christmas shopping early while helping kids in need!

My upper body workout consisted of what you may ask? I spent my entire shift at work getting shipments ready. Yes 8 full hours of moving boxes here to there and back over here. It's a lot I promise. If I didn't take a lunch break, I probably would have been there for 9 hours prepping for Monday. 

I've done a few things this week that are fun, but I'll talk about it next week!

Until then, I'm anxiously awaiting the BAA Half. This is my third race for the Distance Medley. I can hope for a PR, but I'm okay just finishing. That will always be my number goal for any distance I run, finishing. 

I'm coming back for round 2!

I ran this race last year at 2:33:21, maybe I'll do a little better this year? Who knows. Finishing is staying #1.

After this half I have a 5k coming up on October 19th, the Cause 4 Paws 5k!

This will be the 3rd time doing this 5k. It's a nice run with a bitch of a hill in the middle. I just have to remember, what goes up must come down! This 5k currently holds my 5k PR. I want to break 30 minutes so bad, but I'm not expecting it right now. Someday it will happen, it is not the time. 

With the NYC Marathon coming up quickly (like 24 days), remember why I'm running! If you could donate any amount you can do so here!