Last Run of 2014!

On Saturday, 12.13.14, I went up to Newburyport, MA to participate in the Ladies Night Out Run, Wine, and Chocolate Event. Danielle had mentioned this race to me at the BAA Half and got me interested. Somehow I talked my cousin into signing up for the run as well and from the moment she picked me up she was saying she hated me. As we got closer to Newburyport we noticed that it looked dark. The weather wasn't showing anything, but it started to snow. (Like big flakes of snow!) I wasn't too worried (I did hear something about hate again though).

We arrived in Newburyport and easily found a spot to park right near the start/finish line. Bib pick-up was inside Nicholson Hall. This was also where the after party took place. We got to stay inside and use a real bathroom and stay warm until the start. Just before 3 pm we were ushered outside for the run. We had been told that the race would be un-timed, but there would be a clock at the start/finish. I remember the clock showing :30 when we crossed the start. My cousin and I stayed with Danielle the entire run. My ankle gave out on me right after we crossed the start line, but I could keep going. While running I could tell that I've been lazy. (Nothing like your body reminded you what you'd like to forget.) My calves tightened up, but felt better as I kept going. My ankle did start to hurt a little, but I could deal with it. We crossed the finish line somewhere between 33 and 34 minutes. I can't remember the finish time to save my life, but I did look. After you crossed the finish line you received a red carnation (unless you were the first one to finish than you received roses). Once you got back inside Nicholson Hall you received a wine glass with a piece of chocolate. The party felt really crowded, even though the only people that were allowed in were the participants. We stayed for just a minute and didn't indulge in the wine or appetizers or even the chocolate fountain afterwards. I had a Christmas party to go to in Plymouth so we made our way back to the South Shore. Would I do this run again? I would, but only with someone else.

What else is going on? Besides working and the holiday, not too much. Preparing for Disney and the Dopey Challenge. Starting to build my race schedule for next year!

I signed up tonight for the Black Cat 10M & 20M. I'll be doing the 10 miler. If I was doing a spring marathon than the 20 miler may have worked, but 10 miles is enough! The run benefits the Allie's Scholarship Fund. Allie had gotten killed crossing the street at the age of 15. You can read more about the scholarship by clicking the link.







There is another race that I always wanted to take part in. It seemed fun and different. There were rumors that the race was over in 2014. Then it appeared on a list for 2015. The rumors started that 2015 would be the final year of the race. Sadly the race will not happen after 2015. I am super excited to say that I will be taking part in the final running of the Expedition Everest Challenge!

This is a night run in the Animal Kingdom park in Disney World. Animal Kingdom closes early so to be there at night is really cool. Not only is this a 5k, but also a scavenger hunt and an obstacle course! After you hunt for the yeti on the course you are let into a post-race party! I will be running this as a team with my friend Carrick. Might as well visit Disney for the first time and do the last running of this great race! This is the race that usually is open to register until almost race day. This year was different though. In just over an hour the race sold out! 

I'm excited to see what 2015 has in store for me!

Happy Black Friday?

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I had a pretty low key day and was in bed early to get to work early this morning for Black Friday. (The good thing about getting in early is leaving early!) The day wasn't awful.

I haven't really done too much since the marathon a few weeks ago so I was excited to do the Hingham Turkey Trot yesterday. It was a nice route that started at Hingham High School and went into Wompatuck State Park before heading back to the school. I felt in the zone and was fine just taking my time. It wasn't my fastest 5k, but it wasn't my slowest either. I really enjoyed ending the run on the track and then walking around it before exciting. I would do this race in the future for sure. (I'd show some pictures, but I didn't take any! I just enjoyed my time running.)

I signed up for a run in Salem. On March 21 I will be running the Nutty Irish 5k Cocoa Run. There will be hot chocolate (in flavors) at the end. If you are over 21 you can also add liquor into your cocoa. For pre-registering you receiving texting gloves. You also have the option to get a souvenir mug as well. I'm excited to spend more time around Massachusetts running in the upcoming year.

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!

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!