Hello There

I've been a little out of the loop lately. Seems to happen a lot.

First things first,

The B.A.A. 5k is on Saturday! This will be my first time doing this race and I'm really excited. I have a couple of friends who are also running this. One of whom is running the Marathon on Monday!

Yesterday was a year since last year's Marathon and the awful events that happened. I ran the last stage of the One Run for Boston 2 on Sunday to show support for everyone who was effected by those events and the city of Boston as a whole. I did get a little teary eyed during the run, but I'm happy I was part of such a great relay.

Next Monday I will be at the Marathon to cheer on everyone who is running. I've been asked if I'm nervous to go in or told they don't understand why I'm going in, but I will go support my friends and fellow runners. I can't wait to see my friend cross the finish line!

 Some of my TNT teammates are holding a virtual 5k to help them raise money for LLS. They are running the Marathon and set up this run up to help show support to LLS as well as the city of Boston. If you want to sign up you can do so here. It's $26.20 that is well worth it.

Next week I'll also head to DC to participate in the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I was able to participate in the inaugural run last year as a part of TNT. I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back and see more of DC.





I also signed up for the Boston's Run to Remember Half Marathon during Memorial Day weekend. This half is to remember fallen law enforcement. I've always heard good things about this run.

This Week Is Another Beginning

Today starts my week of training for the Nike Women's Half DC. I've run twice since the Cause 4 Paws 5k. I took time off to heal my knee. I must say that when I ran yesterday I felt happy. It was good to get out for a little while. I'm looking forward to running DC again.

2013 Inaugural NWH DC! 

This week also starts a new eCourse I signed up for last minute. It's be Brené Brown called The Gifts of Imperfection. She has written a book. I'm not sure what will come of this course, but I'm going to give it my all.

Week 1

Today was my nephew's 4th birthday party. It was superhero themed.

Besides seeing everyone's posts about the Disney Marathon (and being jealous as fuck) it made me remember that I was there 4 years ago participating in my very first 5k. I was laughed at when I said I was going to do a 5k. Look at me now!

My bud Travis! He finished his 1st marathon today!

This week is bringing along change. I'm ready.

Happy New Year!

It's a new year.

It seems like we just did this for 2013. Now it's 2014. This year went by quick.

I'd like to go on about what I want to do this year and all of that, but mostly I want to live today. Not worry about tomorrow or about yesterday.

So what I should have posted yesterday is this:

2013 was quite the year.

Cue the recap!!!!!

January
I finished a marathon. Holy shit! That was one of the craziest things I've ever done. I'm not saying I was the fastest. I'm not saying I was the slowest. I'm saying I'm a finisher.

Everyone loves a Dole Whip!!!!!

I officially began my season with Team in Training.

February
Nothing is fully sticking out to me. Maybe it was a slow month? I can share this video one more time with you though!

This is funny.

March
I made my goal of raising $2,900 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I could not have been happier & a little less stressed.

April
Such a lovely month led to such a tragedy. A tragedy led to support.

April also held my first non-Disney half marathon, the Nike Women Half. It was an emotional race. It was an amazing race.

May
I took some time off. I tried to just live. I stepped foot back on the streets that changed so many peoples lives forever for the first time.

June
I turned 26. I turned 26 thinking I was changing. I think. Maybe I wasn't. Maybe I'm the same I was my entire life. I'm not sure. I did spend a little time with some really lovely people though.

Climbing to the top of the Bunker Hill monument with Rob

Add caption

July
There was a 3rd of July party.

There was a wedding.

There were also some new friends made. These are the best friends I've had.

August
Spartan Race!

Muddy & Gorgeous! 

Finishers!

My first trip to the West Coast also happened this year.

Godney

C2C Challenge Complete!

September

I ran my very first Disneyland Half Marathon. It was different than Disney World, but still an amazing experience.

I also ran my 5th & 6th half marathons.

October

I got to participate in the B.A.A. Half Marathon and my only 2 nighttime runs. Then I ran my very last race for the year. The Cause 4 Paws in Quincy helps the Quincy Animal Shelter. My friend has even adopted his cats from there.

"Who's Nadine? Could she get it?"

November

A lovely month of not running. Rest can help immensely! There was also turkey. 

Thanksgiving Day Sleepover

December

Holiday was crazy in the retail world. 

I got to experience some amazing moments with my friends. From giving Nate a wonderful birthday present. Shared a present exchange with some crazy amazing friends. Spent Christmas Eve with some friends for dinner. Also learned one of my oldest friends is expecting a baby this summer. 

Hey 2014 what do you have for me?

Guess What...

I have been accepted to participate in the Nike Women's Half DC!

I ran this race in April with Team in Training. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend my free time fundraising again this year, so I entered the random draw to let fate decide. I got my email on Monday night. I must say I am really excited. I didn't tell anyone that I had entered. I didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't get in. Now I can tell everyone!

I now have a goal for the spring of 2014!

I Left For DC. I Returned From DC.

I went to DC.

I made it!!!! I got to Logan before dawn & was in DC before 8 am. I met my teammates & we ventured off to run.

Hello DC!

I quickly became friendly with Vicki & we stuck together for the rest of the day on Saturday. We went to get our bib numbers & went to the expo. I met my roommate, Lauren, at the expo. I may have been in the middle of getting what little hair I have done. (I'm ridiculous.)

Joan Benoit Samuelson & Shalane Flanagan

Vicki & I ventured off to meet her friends. We did some sightseeing along the way.

That night we had our inspiration dinner. It was here that we learned that for the Nike Women's Half DC TNT raised $6 million! The Massachusetts Chapter raised $150,000 alone. Whoa!

After the dinner, we took a trip to CVS. Lauren & I tried to sleep, but barely did. We were up super early & met up with the rest of the team to head down to the start of the half. I ended up moving a corral up (Shhh! Don't tell Nike!). The start was smooth & quick. I'm used to waiting an hour to finally get moving at Disney. I ran my first 3 miles slower than I wanted. I told myself to enjoy it & use miles 10-13 to really push myself.

Coach Laura & I pre-run

The team

At mile 8, my knee tried to tell me to fuck myself. I responded with a "Fuck you knee!" I just kept thinking that there is ice at the hotel. Hell I almost died a week ago! Coach Laura ran with me a little right before mile 10 & told me not to let my knee get the best of me.

It was pretty humid out so mile 12 felt like the longest mile ever. Especially because you see the finish at the beginning of mile 12. What a cruel joke!

I crossed that finish line at 2:36:15! That's amazing thinking last year I did the Disney Half in 3:21:55. Plus we got a pretty Tiffany's necklace that I wear on most days now.

ROTC passing out the necklaces

A Few More Days...

...till we invade DC!

Okay not invade, but arrive in.

We just got word we are so close to our team goal that it's crazy. We were all asked to raise $25 more to help reach the goal by Friday. MB was awesome enough to donate $40 today. I never would have imagined I could raise as much as I have. Everyone has been amazing. Running has changed since last week, but for the better.

Updates to come.

27 Days To Go!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. I did a lot of time doing nothing. It was nice & much needed. During dinner at my sister's apartment I got two emails that I was waiting for. The emails that said I reached my fundraising goal! Nate & Carrick both donated a few months ago in honor of someone. To get donations from the both of them again meant the world. I can now focus on running!!! I ran 5 miles today. I really have to focus & get down to business.

The countdown to DC is on!

Two Weeks...

So I'm in my final two weeks of fundraising. It's stressing me out. I'm trying to stay positive about it though. I'm 78% to my goal. I've raised more money then I thought I ever could. That's positive!

I haven't been running still. I did hot yoga today. It was crazy good. I'm tired though, so running isn't happening today. I need warmer weather. I have no desire to go out & be cold.

I don't have to much to say. I feel like I should be saying a lot though.

If you'd like to help me reach my goal, please donate directly through the following link

Nicole's Fundraising Page

Fundraising & Other Things

I kind of disappeared. Then I showed up for a minute. Then I hid again. I'm getting silly!

An update of my TNT fundraising & training.

Let's start with the fundraising. I'm 72% to the goal! This is awesome. I have a little over a month to raise the rest. I have a Thirty-One Bags party coming up. If you have never heard of this before, they sell bags (surprise!) & storage solutions. My sister had a party last year & uses one of her bags for a diaper bag. It's the first one that didn't break on her. (What is she putting in there!!!!) If anyone would like to order anything & have 20% of the profits go to TNT please use the following link!

Thirty-One Bags Fundraiser

You can also donate directly to my fundraising efforts here:

Nicole's Fundraising Page

No donation is too small!!!

I guess we can discuss my physical training...or lack of. Between the storms bringing the snow, how disgustingly cold it has been, and work I don't have it in me. Since I got back from Disney I think I've ran/walked a total of 6 miles. (Remember I've been back for over a month and a half.) It's discouraging. I'm feeling crappy about it. I wish my heart would tell me otherwise. (Or when it's above 20 degrees I wasn't working.)

What do you do when you're just not feeling it?

It's Offical!

Something Exciting To Share!

With kick-off just around the corner for my season with TNT, we are starting to get emails about different things. When I saw the email at work, I didn't have too much time to read it so I just read it within the last 30 minutes. It is nice to read little check-ins from different people every now and then. One of the major things I noticed in the list was a little mention of the top 3 fundraisers. With the help of you all I am number 2! As of this afternoon I hit $1,373 with the help of Phil! We are $102 from hitting the half way mark! I'd love to reach that by New Year's Day!

This is a first! I've never been in the top 3!

We also got to meet our honored hero! The honored hero is who the team will run for as a whole. I'm excited to share that with you all. Her name is Tracy. She's 27. That's just 2 years older than me & she is going through more than anyone ever should. She will be spending her New Year's getting transplants, while the rest of us are already hating our resolutions. You can check out her story below.

Tracy

Remember there is still time to donate & have a tax deduction for this year. Any amount can help people like Tracy. If you can't think of what to get someone for Christmas, donating to a charity in their honor is a great idea! If you would like to donate directly to me you can do so through this link:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ma/nikewhlf13/nnew5066