It's Wednesday

People seem irritated today. Like sorry? I can't solve the world's problems. I will work on that.

Someone told me to blog about something yesterday. I wish I remembered what it was about.

It's gorgeous out. Some say "hot" I say "crank the heat!"

CJ is back at the hospital. He is causing a ruckus there. 

I signed up for the B.A.A. Half Marathon today. It sold out in 12 minutes. Good thing I was ready at 10:00 am on the dot. 

I don't really have anything more to say. 

It's National Running Day

Hey!

Go run. 

It's National Running Day!

Think of people who can't run. Or didn't get a chance to finish a race recently. 

Get off your ass!

I did 3 miles today. What's your excuse?

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.

Things Are Different Today

Yesterday.

Yesterday happened. It doesn't seem real.

Going into Boston to cheer on friends & remember the moment I decided to run 4 years ago. That was the plan. It started out that way. I was checking my updates on my friends. I was so proud of them. Seeing Christopher finish was amazing! Not only was I there when he got notified he got in, but I got to see him cross the finish line. Looking at my friends & saying "Today is the perfect day for running. It's sunny, but there's a nice breeze. Not too cold. Not too warm." Things changed shortly after that.

Meeting up with a couple other people & not wanting to wait 2 hours for a table meant we went to a bar. I left to meet up with Christopher & give him a cupcake I got him. I walked back down the route to the bar & talked to my mom. Being in the bar for about 3 minutes & hearing 2 booms was crazy. I mean as much as you tell me it was something else, deep down we all knew what it really was. People were running & crying.

Being away from the news with the exception of the Internet was probably good. Seeing the first video footage made my friend & I say "Holy shit! We were right there! That's where we yelled & cheered for Christopher!"

It was until today that it felt partially real. It still doesn't feel completely real.

Thankfully everyone I know is safe. That's not the case for everyone. What if I had stayed & talked to Christopher for another few minutes? What if MB didn't buy me a drink? I know I would have been standing at the finish line waiting for Kevin to finish. I would have been hurt. I wouldn't have the opportunity to go & run today. Run for everyone yesterday. For the people who never will again. I didn't run for my today. I ran for the people who got hurt. The people who died. The people who went into the danger, not away from it.

I don't know how to fully feel. I don't know what tomorrow will be like. Or what it will be like running in a race again. What I do know is that we will be okay. That we will get through this. That you can't break a runner. We overcome breaking every step we take.

Be thankful today. Forget the petty shit we all worry about. Be thankful for living. For being healthy. Get off the phone /computer/etc & go outside. Be thankful you can do that. Even if it is just for a moment.

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