4 Weeks Down...

...14 more weeks to go. I felt like I was getting through the weeks really quick, but 14 weeks is still a lot of weeks. I've started 5 weeks today and feel better about it. Last week wasn't really great. I was feeling sick on and off most of the week and missed my long run. I know these things can happen, but it's still hard to not beat myself up over. I'm trying to be positive. This week will be better and longer (more on that later).

Let's take a look at last week:

Monday: 2.71 miles

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Sequence 1 of the Tracy Anderson Method

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3.03 miles, 5 minute yoga, & .5 mile walk

Saturday: Rest (Sick all day)

Sunday: 3 mile walk

I'm hoping that this week I'll be feeling much better. So far today seems good. I got out for my run and finished with some yoga. 

This week will be a little more challenging. I signed up for a race that I'm not fully trained for, but then again I've never been fully trained for anything I feel like. So on Sunday morning I will be driving up to Rockport, MA for the Yukan Run TripleThreat Half Marathon Challenge! The races start at 9 am. Yes I said races. This is how the morning will look:

9 am: 1 mile

9:20 am: 5k

10:15 am: Half Marathon

Extra for running all 3 races!

If you do all 3 you are completing the TripleThreat Challenge. Of course I signed up for that. (I'm losing my mind!) Regardless of which race/races you do you receive a tech-race shirt. If you complete the half marathon you also receive a medal. Of course if you complete all 3 you receive a beach cooler as well. I'm excited to go to the North Shore to run. I don't usually go anywhere north of Boston. I've never been to this area either so I'll be using this experience as a sightseeing time as well.

The following weekend I will be going south to Narragansett, RI to run. (I've never been to this part of Rhode Island either. I must be going for the ocean views!) I'll be running in the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic. This is a 5 mile run which will also include ocean views for part of the race. You do receive a tech-race shirt and a medal for finishing the race.

Not only am I excited for seeing new places that are pretty close to home, but I'm also excited that I've reached 30% of my fundraising goal so far! I've set a new goal of reach 50% by September 6th. I know there's been a lot of stories going around right now about children who are sick. As someone who has seen these people first hand at Children's Hospital, my heart breaks even more for them. 

CJ's first opening day!

I know that most people who are in my life today know CJ as a happy kid who is always running around. And that is how we see him now too. My family also remembers him being in the hospital. It is awful to think this is how we spent months, but CJ is stronger because of it. (No really, wait until he hits you or throws something at you.) We have pictures that we don't really show people hidden way on the computer. I hate that anyone has to go through this. I know that it is hard to think about good things that happen to us sometimes, but we should all try. It can be something small even. (Like that woman who held the door for you.) 

I'm running for every single child and every single family who has to go through hard times with their children. I may not be a mother, but I do feel for you. If you can donate any amount to the hospital please do so here: Nicole's Fundraising Page.

Week Three of Marathon Training Complete!

I've finished week 3 of 18 of my marathon training. This week seemed a little harder for me to get through than the previous two weeks. I've been feeling worn down lately so every workout felt like a chore. Even though the week felt like a chore, I did do a lot.

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2.07 miles

Wednesday: XT (20 minute yoga with 3 lb weights)

Thursday: 3.11 miles

Friday: XT (walking)

Saturday: XT (walking & dancing)

Sunday: 4 miles

I'm trying to do weight training at least once a week, but just couldn't get into it this week. I did get in my 3 planned runs though. 

On Friday I went on a whale watch with my mom, aunt, and cousins. (This is the summer of whale watches apparently.) The whales were close to our boat which was nice to see. I got to see 2 seals for the first time on a whale watch this time around too! I would have tried to take a picture, but it would just look like a dot in the ocean if anything at all.

On Saturday I finally got to see Justin Timberlake. The tickets were originally for the show in November, but was one of the shows that were postponed. It took 8 months, but we finally got to see him! The wait was worth it too. He played his hits and some of his newer material off The 20/20 Experience. He also did a couple of covers which was great. No one can say that he isn't a great entertainer. (It's okay if pop music isn't your thing.) If you do you must be an ass. 

We really did have excellent seats.

I'm still at $1,000 towards my fundraising. Every cent goes directly to Children's Hospital. If you would like to donate you can do so here. I may have a special connection to the hospital with my nephew, but I'm running this marathon for any and all children who need this hospital.

Week Two Check-In

Week 2 of marathon training has finished. I feel like I've been training a lot more than 2 weeks, but maybe because I was running a race up until 1 week before training started. This is how this week looked:

Monday: XT (walking)

Tuesday: 1.54 miles

Wednesday: XT (walked in Boston)

Thursday: 2.03 miles

Friday: 30 minutes of yoga

Saturday: 3.1 miles & 10 minutes of yoga

Sunday: XT (walk along the beach)

On Wednesday I went on a whale watch with my boyfriend. We saw a ton of whales and had a beautiful day in Boston. We also went to the New England Aquarium before walked a little bit in Boston.

 It was a great day off.

On Sunday I took a walk in Falmouth with him again. It was a nice beach walk while the sun was starting to go down.

One of the beautiful views you can find down the Cape.

I've officially hit the $1,000 mark on my fundraising this week too. To donate to this wonderful hospital you can do so here. Remember no donation is too small.

NYC Marathon Check-In

I can be bad at talking about my training. Okay, I'm awful at it. Maybe it's time for some accountability here! Plus I'm barely talking about how I'm running the NYC Marathon.

I've always thought about how awesome it would be to run this marathon. Most people strive to run Boston, not me. (Yeah I know, but you're from there.) I can't wait to see the city in a whole new way. I'm currently at 28% to my goal. You can always donate and help kids get better.

CJ is much better at taking pictures now.

My training for NYC and for the Dopey Challenge started last week. The hospital has a training schedule that I'm following for right now. I'm following the beginner plan. I've only done one marathon before and don't want to push myself further than necessary. I have enough problems without hurting myself by going to hard. Here's how my training looked for the last week:

Monday: Rest day. (I ran 1.18 miles the day before.

Some XT with walking and dancing at a concert.)

Tuesday: XT (walking, stairs, dancing)

Wednesday: Rest day.

Thursday: 1.52 miles

Friday: XT (workout DVD)

Saturday: 2.02 miles

Sunday: XT (walking on the waterfront in Plymouth)

The mileage isn't super high (yet). I've also been working everyday so there's always other things that I'm doing. I actually haven't felt overwhelmed by this training plan. Usually I feel like I can't do it or that I don't have time, but 1 mile isn't bad and can be done in a short amount of time. I know that I'll have to do back to back long runs sooner or later, but the runDisney training plan for Dopey begins the back to back runs starting on Week 12 (the week of September 15). There are 3 weeks that I'll need to add back to back long runs during my NYC Marathon training and I'm okay with that. 

Let's see how next week looks when I check in again!

A Concert and a Run

Saturday night I went to the House of Blues to see Phantogram with a few friends. I have never seen them before and was pretty excited to see them. They were amazing. I'm glad I got to go and hang out with some friends outside of work.

On Sunday morning I was back in Boston for the B.A.A. 10k. Heading into the run I had the plan of doing better than the 10k 2 weeks ago. Little did I know things would change. As soon as I got in the parking garage I knew I was going to be sick. I tried to find a bathroom, but I couldn't. Then it was too late. I sent a text to my friend Kevin saying I didn't think I was going to be running that day. I knew that if I could just clean up that I could run, but I didn't think that was going to be an option. I wasn't upset that I was going to have my first Did Not Start (DNS), but more that I was missing my second of three races with the B.A.A. I actually found a bathroom and cleaned up. I walked back to my car disappointed, but ended up finding something else that I could wear in my trunk. (Guess it's good that I haven't donated those clothes still.) I changed and ended up at the starting line. At the 5k mark I saw a proposal. (Why at the 5k? You knew that photographer was there?) It was warm. There were plenty of water stops along the way so that helped. All the volunteers along the course were awesome. Then I was at the finish. After I finished Kevin came up to me, made fun of my outfit, and walked with me to get my shirt. 

This may have been quite the morning for me, but I finished. In October I will go on to run the half and requirements for the Distance Medley. I also did PR for my 10k. I didn't do it by much or got the time I went in planning on, but I finished. Sometimes you have to change your goals. For me sometimes I need to remember that I just want to finish.

Lazy Lobster Race

Today I ran in the Lazy Lobster 10-Mile race in Wareham. I had this weekend off from work, so I was searching on Active for something to do this weekend. I mean who wouldn't sign up for something called the Lazy Lobster. There were 2 options, 5-mile or 10-mile. I said I'd do the 5-mile after running all of last weekend and having the B.A.A. 10k next week. Then I saw the medal for the 10-mile and suddenly I was signed up for the 10-mile.

Like I had a choice. ©Lazy Lobster Race

Yesterday I went down to Wareham to get my bib. After a quick and easy pick up I met up with my friend Mary for dinner and movie. (What a lovely date night!) We saw The Fault in Our Stars. I just finished the book recently, so I knew what to expect during the movie. I also knew it was going to be sad and there may or may not be tears. I can't say there weren't tears, but there was not complete breakdown crying like a teenager had behind us. (But really, what?) You should go see the movie. Or read the book. Or both!

Anyways, back to the run! I arrived almost at the start time. (I should have gotten water last night, but I always put things off until last minute.) We ran throughout Wareham and a little bit through Marion. (I never knew where Marion was until today!) I saw horses and dogs and cranberry bogs. More cranberry bogs than anything else. On the 10-mile course there were 4 water stops. The last 2 stops also had Gatorade which I gladly sipped on. I felt like the course went by pretty quickly. I finished in 1:51:25 (by Nike+. I'm still waiting for the official times to be posted). I got my medal (and a shot glass), grabbed a snack and some Cran-Grape juice (thanks Ocean Spray!).

This is Louie the Lazy Lobster.
I think he's scary.

I would do this run again. They also have a virtual option so if you're not in the area you can still participate and get a medal!

Runner's World Heartbreak HIll Half & Festival

This past weekend I participated in the Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival as a Hat Trick participant. This meant that I was running a 5k and a 10k on Saturday then a half on Sunday. I was worried about how I would hold up doing back to back races, but I knew I could only do my best. This weekend was hot too.

On Friday I went to pick up my bib for the weekend. It was not super crowded which made for a quick and easy pickup process. While I was there I also signed up for the Zooma Half in Cape Cod. I've been going back and forth with it for a little while so I decided why not sign up now! It will be good training for my marathons too so it works.

On Saturday my friend Carrick picked me up and off we went into Boston. He's amazing for getting up super early on his day off to hang out in the heat while I run. We met up with my friend Kevin there, wished each other luck, then we were off. I knew I didn't want to push the 5k and was on track for a PR. By mile 2 I was feeling the heat. I pushed through and finished. I got back to my friends, ate a little bit, and was back in the corral for the 10k pretty quickly.

Kev & I before heading to the 10k.

The 10k went down Heartbreak Hill, then back up it. I can't imagine doing that at mile 20! I did get to see Shalane Flanagan on the opposite side of the street. She was shouting how good we were all doing and smiles the entire time. My knee started hurting about half way through. (This is seeming more common and more irritating every time.) I knew I needed ice at the finish. I saw Carrick right outside of BC before the finish. I sprinted to the finish. My friend Kevin couldn't believe that was me. My justification was I needed ice and that made it go by faster.










After the 10k Carrick and I hung around to watch people gather for the dog run then I went to a seminar. It was good to hear from different women about running.

After the seminar I went back to the Expo to meet Shalane Flanagan. She was autographing cards or whatever you brought with you. It was nice to just be able to say hi and be in the company of greatness.

Dream!

We left BC and grabbed some lunch. Next thing I knew I was in bed and resting for the next morning. The alarm went off too early the next morning. I got up gathered my stuff and left for BC for the half. My lovely boyfriend got up super early and drove after working late the night before. It was more crowded than the the previous day. I got really nervous before running. Sometimes I'm not nervous at all (i.e. Saturday) and other times I want to be sick over my nerves (i.e. Sunday). Luckily the nerves wore off quickly. I wasn't sure how my knee would be, but luckily it didn't. I got to see Shalane again running on the second half of the course (while I was still on the first half). She was shouting over to us again. The heat was rough and I was really feeling it by the end. There was a guy spraying us with his hose which we all loved. Actually one runner told him she loved him for it. We all needed that. All the volunteers were awesome along the course. I somehow missed the mile 11 marker (this happens a lot to me. I'm not sure why.) I knew mile 12 was Heartbreak Hill. If you look at my splits you can tell I just crumbled from the heat. I was getting texts of encouragement and I knew I needed to pick up the pace. I got over the finish line with Bart Yasso yelling my name. 

I've run a lot. I need water!

I did a lot better than I thought I would do. My body felt a lot better than I thought. I felt good the next day even! 

Hat Trick Finisher.

I can't imagine ending my 26th year any other way. I would definitely put myself through this again. Hopefully I will next year!