Treadmill Pace Conversions.

I was looking around the web and I found this handy dandy site:

http://www.hillrunner.com/training/tmillchart.php

This site tells you how fast or the saw I go, slow in terms of your incline and speed on the treadmill.

I have never seen this before and thought it was super cool and a very handy tip!!!

Enjoy Guys:)

Running Goals for 2012

Some of you may know that I have had a rough few months but slowly they are getting better.

2011 had a lot of ups and down.  Many great memories and many memories I wish I didn't have to have.

I am determined to make 2012 a better year.  A year about me and making myself happy.  A year to reach goals.

A few weeks back when I was getting back on my feet from heartache, I made a set of goals I wanted to reach in 2012.  They are really life goals.

I state them for everyone to see.  As I think about them, I am not sure how attainable they are, they may need to be adjusted as time goes on but it is a starting off point.

So, for all my "loyal readers" a.k.a myself here they are:

I would love to be 123 pounds...which isn't too far off :) Finally!!

I want to run a 5k in 28 minutes

I want to run a Half Marathon in 2:17

I want to run a Full in 4:30  (I will happily settle for a 5 hours marathon though)

I will certainly go into more detail of these goals and if they are attainable and how I may possible reach them this year, or the years in the future.

What goals do you have for 2012?  How are you going to reach them?

A Year in Review

Year In Review

So, I have never done a year in review but was looking at a few blogs and I likes what B.O.B had to say so I may have borrowed her format :)

Thanks!

F.Y.I. I just started running in 2010 so my years have run together.  I sometimes forget what happened when.  That is probably not a good thing for a 20 something year old..

Best race experience?
I didn't do much racing in 2011 but I think my best race was Rock N Roll Savannah.  I may have been disappointed and hated it, but the experience was great.  I worked so hard to complete my first marathon so this is a race I will never forget.  I raised money for Team in Training, my cousin came up to cheer me on and support me and I watched my friend, Nicole complete her first Team in Training journey.

Best run?
I think my best run was a 14 miler I did over at flatwoods park with the Team.  I ran part of it with Jessica who was training for San Fransisco.  It was my longest run to date and I beat my Half marathon time, or the time It would have been for my half.  I also felt amazing after that accomplishment. :) Woohoo

Best new piece of gear?
My brooks Ravenna 2 sneakers!! I have the worlds most sensitive feet so they were a life saver!  I got them on sale at the Gasparilla expo!!! WIN!! I even asked for another pair for hanukkah:)

Best piece of running advice you received? 

That may have been from 2010, Woops, but I am going to state is anyway.

"You're not in it to win it, go out there and enjoy yourself"- Coach Pete



Most inspirational runner? 
There are so many people I have met in the last year I do not know who I can choose.  

There are a handful of bloggers that I follow who I am completely amazed by! So my mot inspirational runner; you, my reader and my fellow bloggers and teammates because you inspire me to get out there and keep on going.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? 
This has been a great year with completing my first marathon and being a captain for Team in Training.  I hope to inspire.  I have shaves a minute or so off my 5k time, and as of my last half, 30 seconds off my Half time!!

Only more goals to come :)

Things are going to be hard, time is going to bog you down, but do what you love.  It is the only way you are going to come out on top.  Make time for yourself (Something I need to remember

What's your year looked like? Feel free to leave your responses in the comments too if you don't want to blog them.

Maybe this will help

i have been going back and forth deciding if I want an iPad or not. I finally broke down and purchased one. with this purchase, I hope this will help with my frequency of blogging.

happy blogging everyone and once I am back in town my training WILL be kicked up a notch!!

I have already made pretty unrealistic but hopefully attainable goals for 2012 which I will share with you all soon.

keep on running,

G$

Another Happy Teacher Moment

So.  I am not really sure how to describe my teaching experience thus far.
There have been MANY ups and downs this year as it is my first year and this is a learning experience.
I could write a book with the amount of referrals I wrote this week alone.  E-mail me for details :) as I would not (most likely) post that for others to see!

But today I had a happy teacher moment.

I have a bunch of students who sit there with this look on their face.  They do not want to do anything.  It doesn't matter what I try, or how many times I ask them to do something they do not do it.
but today...I had a student who volunteered to read...TWICE!!!

I was so excited!

Course maps! Rock N Roll St. Pete

Course maps make me to excited.  It means that a race is really happening.
I like to envision the course and this is a course I have actually ran some of it.

You can find the course map to Rock N Roll St. Pete right here!

I would post the actual picture, but I do not know how to print screen or save it on a Mac.

Tech savvy people, please come to my rescue!

Where do you write your training schedule down?

I started looking at training plans after another runner, Mary had a blog about finding the right training plans.

I have looked at a bunch and haven't really decided on one.  I printed some out and gasp over how fast I am supposed to run..

That reminds me I need to get my butt in gear.

My question for all my loyal readers (myself) is..

Where do you write your training schedule down?
Where do you post it?
Where do you keep it?
How do you stay organized and on task/track?

Thanks guys

Wordless Wednesday

This is all mine :)

Worst Blogger Award

I am the worst blogger ever!!
I have been out of town every weekend and can't seem to catch up!
I really need to work on this.. Now if I was only to get to this site at work..hmm

So let me apologize for my late/ non existent posts!

How do you get your posts done?

Marathon Recap II- The day before the Race!

Ok. So I do not even remember where I left off, but I am pretty sure I left of on Thursday before the race.

I am going to write about the Friday then you can have the actual race recap.. Or what I can remember as I have blocked most of it out.

Dana and I woke up Friday.  I went to get some free breakfast from the hotel.  I did not like what they had so we showered and got ready to hit the road on our way to the Race Weekend hotel where all the Team in Training participants stayed.  We stayed at the Marriot Riverfront.  We check in, looked at our hotel, put some stuff away and got on our way to begin looking at the city.

Before I get any further, let me please rant about our hotel.

It was right on the water and right at the start line.  That was about the only thing I liked about that hotel.  As I begin my rant, please remember that this hotel was packed with TNT participants.  We had a room that overlooked the atrium.  There was a pool in the middle and we shared a balcony with a suite.  Ok. That isn't too bad we thought.  Oh we were wrong.  They need to have soundproof glass doors because we were above the bar and we heard everything going on.  Next door was a suite, with a bunch on people.  They were not quiet.  And thinking that it was a race weekend, don't you think they would go to bed early? or not wake up the morning after the race anytime after 6:30? NOPE!  It was horrendous!  We did not sleep all weekend, we were exhausted.. yes. I will stop there for my hotel rant.  I am a sleeper, I need my sleep but I have to have perfect sleeping conditions.

Ok. so we checked in and then bought tickets for the trolley around town.  That was a waste of money as the whole city is waling distance and they were cheaper everywhere else.  I learned my lesson.  But I do guess it was nice to see this by Trolley on day one instead of walking around.  We got off the Trolley where we can go shopping.  It was so cold and windy and there was no sun.  We stopped to buy Dana a hat.  We found a bar for food, Shipwrecked.  The food was good.  Nothing too special but we were hungry and cold.  We then searched for a candy store. We stumbled upon a cake shop and shared a cupcake.  We went back on the Trolley to finish the tour after we ate our way around Savannah.  By this time, the traffic was starting to pick up and it took us way to long to get back to the hotel.  I then got ready for the Inspiration dinner.

The inspiration dinner is always Inspirational.  Make sure you attend one if you can:)

We ate, talked and were inspired by speakers, patients, and survivors.  I do not really know what to say but WOW :)

We took pictures and it was final preparations for race day and it was off to bed.  Yes, I slept:)

Again, I am a sleeper and was not really nervous for the race.  I knew no matter how long it took me, I WAS FINISHING:)

Apparently my pictures of the Trolley and Savannah are somewhere else..WOOPS.. I will post more soon :)

Marathon weekend..Leading up to race day

Yes, I know.  This is the post ya'll have been waiting for.  See my use of "Ya'll".  I have become a little more southern after visiting the beautiful Savannah, GA.  

Where to begin?

Wednesday night I picked my amazing cousin up from the airport.  She came with me to keep me sane, feed me candy and make me laugh.  All things we do best.  That evening I picked out a dress to wear to her brother, my cousin Justin's wedding.  She is a savior for bringing me clothes that are to small on her.  She is another story on her workout frenzy.  Another inspiring athlete.  Eventually after some talking we went to bed, or tried to at least.  I am not a good sleeper, so sleeping in the same bed as someone is not my strong suit.  It took us a while to get to bed and once we did, we did not sleep very well.

Thursday morning we were up pretty early and we hit the road.  After getting coffee and gas we were on the road at about 10:00 am with an estimated arrival time of 4..Without stopping:)

By 12 we were hungry!!! so we stopped in Hawthorne, Florida at a lovely place which was filled with Jesus love and Cows.  As we were leaving, Dana managed to meet an older man who offered to cut her hair.   Please see below.

*Fun Fact* Playing with your hair means you are horny... Who would have though.

Example One

Example Two.

After we got back on the road we stopped about two hours later for another bathroom break and of course a Publix break.  What road trip would be complete without a trip to Publix?  Yup.. I do not know.

We bought plenty of candy, used the restrooms, and purchased a banana or two. 

Off to Savannah we went.. 

We decided our best plan was to head to packet pick up first.  We did.  It was a good choice.  We picked up our stuff and this is where the real photo shoot began.  Most pictures are on my cousins camera.  We got my number, tshirt and goody bag.  We went by the official race gear because I was on a budget and headed toward the real goodies.  Free samples, other race registrations and fun nick knacks.  There was one race I wanted to sign up for.  I held off till after my run to make sure I did not injure myself.  I will share that race with ya'll once I sign up for it.  It may be a little goofy of me to even think about it.  I left there full but purchased nada, nothing, zilch.  This was very disappointing as I wanted new sneakers, compression sleeves. running shirts with funny sayings.  The items I wanted were endless.  We finally came to the end and decided it was time to go check into hotel #1.  We did so.  Met up with Nicole and her mom.  You may remember Nicole.  She is who I dragged into Team in training with me this season.

At the hotel, I ate cookies, rested and then it was time for dinner.  At this time, Dana and I were exhausted so we decided to fins another Publix to get subs, Tea and candy for dinner.  Classic.  We were in bed by 10.  Good night World

Monday Inspiration

I found this video on a friends facebook.

I decided to take a look

I cried

I am inspired

I hope you are too..Enjoy

Calling all stalkers

First off, the name of this post came from the all inspiring KC!

It is that time!!  I have been counting down this day since May.  I start my journey to Savannah, GA tomorrow.  It is marathon time!!

I am going to keep this post very short as I have a list of things I must accomplish before I pick my cousin up at the airport in 2 hours.

If you would like to track me.. or stalk..or love on me.. Please visit the following link to get all of my updates.  This will also provide entertainment as I get slower through the race.

This will also be able to tell you if I actually make it to the finish line or I pass out before hand.  ( I WILL NOT!!)

The race does not begin until 7:30 but I am in the 19th corral which means I am not really starting till around 8:30.. and me being up since 5..this will be interesting!!! That also means I will be missing lunch!!!! in anticipation of finishing around 2:30

Follow this link to stalk away!!
https://www.competitorwireless.com/
I am bib # 19063

Marathon Training: Long Run: 13 Miles

So, This post may be a little late and I am going to keep it very short..

Last week I had a 13 miler.  It's Taper Time guys!!

It was down at Ballast point, so I did my friday night routine, got up Saturday ready to Rock N Roll.

It was very nice and was very relaxed after having Friday off :)

So.. It was time to start going and it was dark (6am) and FREEZING for us Floridians!! It was about 55 degrees when we started.  I had no idea what I should be wearing.  Pants, Capris, shorts, Tshirt, Tank, long sleeves?  I was a deer caught in headlights so I brought a change of clothes if I needed.  I wound up wearing a Tshirt, shorts and a long sleeve over..I didn't start to warm up till mile 9 when I was headed back in the direct sun.

It was a very nice run minus the wind..Boy was it windy along Bayshore.

I wasn't really watching my pace, I didn't really care.. and when I did look about halfway though I was shocked.  Mostly because I looked at my pace the night before from my first 4 miler.  I was right under 13 minute miles, which most people walk faster than me.

So I was determined to keep up a good pace.  And when I say good, it is all relative to the person.  I was never a runner and just got back into running in June, so it has been 5 months I have been running fairly consistently.

At mile 9ish I was rocking an 11:18 pace

It got a little slower after that as it began to warm up, I had to go against the wind, and I did not realize that the wind can really affect you.

SOOOO... I finished up my 13 nice and strong.

Team In Training has a nice potluck waiting for my fat butt.  I ate some pretzels and drank some water then went back out to bring in Nicole.  We finished the last half mile together.  We started out first day of training doing 2 miles and we finished with a lot more.

We took our picture, talked a bit and when on with our day.

Nicole and I :)

Well, I am not going to go into my crazy weekend of weird events.  But I am wishing you all a happy weekend and happy halloween

Now here is my question for you.. 

How long did it take you to get reach your ideal pace? or

 Start to see a difference in your time?

Thankful Thursday

1.  This video gives me hope.
It has made me cry, laugh and smile.
Today, I share it with you.
May you find everlasting love
(Oh..and this is a dream proposal..for all of you out there who want to marry me..wink wink)

guess what I am doing right now!

So.. This is on scheduled post..that means, As this is posting.. I am getting observed!!!

Woohoo

Will let you know that that goes Thursday or Friday!

Happy Teacher

Do you know what makes this teacher happy?

This may sound cheesy but, It's seeing parents and kids playing outside together!  I don't care that it is in the parking lot of my apartment complex.  All that matters are these kids have their parents love and attention..

Now if all my students had parents like that.

Marathon Training: Long Run: 20 Miles

Yes, you heard that right.. 20 miles! I did it and I can still walk.  Well, sort of :)


As per my Friday routine, I carbed up and hydrated throughout the day.  It was a very crazy friday at school as I had to call the Assistant Principal to my room, my kids were off the wall and the stress of observations and the end of the marking period is certainly getting to me.  (I have an observation Thursday and was just told I had another one the following week.. as in I just got an e-mail a few minutes ago).  With that, I need to prepare lessons for the three days I will not be at school while I am running my little heart out in Savannah.


So, Friday when I got home I made some delicious brown rice pasts, watched T.V, packed my bag for the morning ( I forgot all forms of ID, Money, Credit Card, etc. this time) made my peanut butter sandwich, charged my ipod and Garmin, made sure I had clean clothes, set my alarm and it was off to bed for me.  With all that was going on I had a little bit of trouble trying to sleep, but I made it to bed by 10 and was up at 4:30 for a 5:30 start time.


As oppose to my last long run when I was supposed to do 18 miles, this time I was mentally there!! I was ready to get these miles done! I knew I could do it, I also knew it was all downhill from here:) 


As always, I ate my sandwich in the car, hydrated, got all ready and met with Lyle before the rest of the TEAM got thee since I was doing slightly more miles.  Lyle and I ran and chatted for about 3.5 miles outside the park then I did 1.5 outside before heading inside for bathroom stop #1.  It was just a few minutes before 7 and I got to the potty right before a line started to form.. BINGO:)


6 miles were down without a problem, I was keeping a decent pace and I was not dwelling on it, I didn't care how long it took me.  I figured it may take me about 5 hours.  


At mile 7 my pinky toe started to hurt and get irritated so at the mile 8 water stop I took my shoe off and found nothing.  It felt as there was a rock in it or something.  I was very concerned at this point but kept on trucking..Then onto the mile 10 water stop! I was feeling fine, I couldn't believe how far I came.  At mile 10 I felt as i could go on forever and decided to take a power gel thingy.  I knew there was a bathroom about 2.5 miles away incase it upset my stomach.. Yup.. I am pretty sure these things go right through me, but luckily, I had to potty, but did not get sick like after the GU.  


So, potty break #2 done!! and 13 miles down after the walk back from the bathroom.  I ran a little more around Flatwoods and I was like damn, now I have to pee.  But didn't think it would require another bathroom stop.  I only had 7 more miles to go.. The work ONLY.. Yes, that is a whole other blog post I keep meaning to write.  So I am running along, and running along and then I realize how bad I have to go to the bathroom, I kept looking for placed to run into the woods and go, but it is so swampy I would never make it over.  I got to mile marker 16 and it was so hard to drink water because I knew how bad I had to go.  It hurt to walk, it hurt to run.  I was pretty sure I was going to have pee come down my leg soon.  I tried to go into the woods and the first time I went about two feet and had prickly things in my shoes and socks and could not venture in anymore.  So back to running I went, practically holding myself.  Then I saw another muddy spot so I went it, made it in and went, but wow, the mosquito's were attacking.  I did my business and made it out with about 20 bites, but I was able to continue on.  


After potty break number 3 I was only about 1.5 miles away from mile marker 18 and I was still going strong.  My pace would slow and speed up, which it quite normal for me.  I saw KC a few times, waved and finally figured out who she was out there:) ( You should check out her blog because she is extremely inspirational and I learned about her through John and Jen)


Mile 18 water stop I saw a few runner and bikers, was chatting with some people and then it was ready to start again.  My body could hardly move at this point but I knew I still had it in me.  This was the longest I had run to date.  I walked the first .30 for mile 19 and then saw Lyle, I walked to him, we chatted then we began running.  Ugh, then we came upon the dam bridge and still managed to get over that.  We ran the rest of the way and made it to the end.  I hate you mile 20 and I hated mile 7 because I always find the first and last mile in the park is the longest, just the way the road doesn't curve and looks as if it goes on forever!! 


I did it, it took me 4:29:27 without counting my numerous bathroom breaks.


Now it's Taper Time!!!


My legs are sore today.  I knew when I finished yesterday I was going to finish 26.2


The little pinky toe I though had a rock in it actually was a blister which actually hindered my walking yesterday!

Right over the bridge.. About to begin mile 7 :)

20 days till RNR Savannah!!

Wordless Wednesday

It's time to be rescued.  Someone please throw me a life vest!

Sunday Rain

This weekend was a Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur.  For this holiday, it includes a 25 hour fast.  That means NO water or food or anything!!!  That being said, I had to skip my Saturday run.  My coach, Teresa, was nice enough to get me out of bed for a Sunday run.  I had no clue how much I was going to run.  I planned on at least 11 and see from there how I felt.

Saturday came and went and boy was I hungry.  I was getting a little nervous for Sunday because I was unable to hydrate and get any nutrition in until dinner at Yummy Grillsmith.  I went there with my Amazing Roomie, Brittany, who has been AMAZING the last two weeks with all that has been going on in my crazy, hectic, not very fun life.  I may have also received a text from Teresa saying that we may have rain, we will run in the rain but not lightening.  I was sort of hoping for lightening.  Yes, pathetic, I know!

Well, 6 a.m on Sunday came, I texted Teresa, and we were on for our run.  It was 7 a.m at Flatwoods and we were off!! it was only drizzling and we were feeling good with out steady pace.  Then mile 4 came.  Yup, the sky decided this was the time for the rain to really come down.  The rain did not stop until..well, it's still raining!  We were drenched.  I hope my ipod still works as it stopped working come mile 7.

It was great to run in the rain.  My body started to not want to keep going at mile 9.  We kept pushing.  I am taking some of it up to not being fueled from the night before.  We finished strong as we did not stop till out watch said 11 miles, we were NOT stopping at 10.95..NO WAY!!! we ran to the stop signs a few times ;)

Thanks Teresa for getting me up because if you did not, I would have slept and just got in a few miles on Monday!! Thanks for being a great coach and once of these days I will be as fast as you!

I then had to run errands, or that was my intention, but doing that in the rain, then carrying groceries in the rain did not sound great.

Post run.  Not very cute, but we were done and drenched!

Ask me how many miles I ran this weekend?

Well, as you are aware, Saturday mornings I do my long runs.   I prep and mentally prepare all week, and this weekend I was ready to conquer 20 miles!!

My bags were packed, I was hydrated, all carbed up and in bed by 8:30..Things were looking good for me.  I was mentally in the game this week!

..I was still up at 10:30 and my mind was racing, I went from being all excited about running my long run to panicking about everything else.  It was a sleepless night, I know I had to watch Eric run his first half marathon at Disney the following night, I was overwhelmed and felt sick to my stomach at that point.  I had been having chest pains that week, which I take it up to anxiety, but that is my self diagnosis.

I knew if I would have gone to my run, I would not have mentally been there, it would have turned out no good.

Therefore, can you guess how many miles I ran?

ZERO

And I am incredibly disappointed in myself.  I needed a mental health day, I needed a day to get things done, and that of course did not happen, running around getting things ready for Disney.

After two crazy weeks, I was physically, mentally and emotionally drained.  Today I am doing better.  I got out Monday and Tuesday evening for some runs:)  I am back on track.  I promised myself I have to get it into gear since I cannot run on Saturday due to the holiday..

Now if my back would only stop hurting to get in my scheduled 7 miler this evening.. there is always tomorrow morning:)

Wordless Wednesday

This is how I feel right now..

Monday Blues

I've got the monday blues after the weekend I had.  I am not ready for the week to start.

Besides falling up the stairs, this was one of the worst weekends I had in a while.

Because of that, I am thankful for the family and friends who are there for me.

For the family members that will drop what they are doing to make sure they can drive for 3 days to join me in Savannah, GA without even hesitating.

Marathon Training: Long Run: 15 miles

This week came and gone very quickly and before I knew it, it was Saturday...

Friday after work we found out about schedule changes for teachers.  I went to Grillsmith for a quick dinner of breadsticks, water, pasta and grilled chicken.  Came home, got ready for Saturday's run and went to bed.

Saturday we met at Flatwoods park for Jessica's 20 miler.  I had no clue what I was running.  I had every intention of running 16-18 miles, but was told I was only doing 14.  It's funny that I use the word only, and that I asked for more miles.  What have I become?  A running machine? I think not.

We got started around 5:30 for out outside the park run of 6 miles.  Boy was it muddy.  I was slipping and sliding all over the place, and not to mention how dark it was.  I was not a fan of the outside park for 6 miles.  3 is O.K.  Jessica and I used Home Depot as a bathroom break talked about my fears for race day then made our way to the park.

Once inside the park, I was on to tackle 8 more miles.  I started talking to PJ and Jim who are training for the Disneyworld Marathon.  They were nice enough to run with me, but once we got to the bridge it was ALL down stream from there.  The bridge it flooded very often and we have to take the bridge over, but this time it was beyond flooded.  We had to take our shoes and socks off to cross.  I am not a fan of this one bit.  I am weird.  I will not go to a water park without water shoes (hence me not ever going).  I have no problem walking outside barefoot, but too many peoples feet are yucky.  We had to do the same thing on the way back.  It felt nice and cool, it was a lot of fun to see everyone else do it.

The flooding was much worse than this, as it filled up the bridge.  We had to derobe to get over.

Miles 8-12 flew by talking to new people.  Mile 13-14 was great talking to Lyle and Cindy about teaching, Savannah, etc.  It made the miles fly by.  I as feeling well that I went back to look for Jessica and Teresa.  Jessica was still flying at mile 19.5 when I ran her in for her last half, being her personal assistant with her gadgets,( thats where I got my extra mile in) then Teresa came in and we were off to Panera Bread.

I am not going to lie, after Panera I went to Michaels then had to drive through Dunkin Donuts for a Pumpkin Muffin...Delish

Saturday Morning was great:)

Three Things Thursday: A thankful weekend

This week I am thankful for:

1. As a University of South Florida Alumni..GO BULLS!! Football is back!!  That means friends, beer and always a good time

2. With the above, I am thankful for Girls Nights!! This weekend, after 15 miles a bunch of us got together at the local drinking establishment for some football.  It was great to make time to see those who I do not have the opportunity to see very often.  This is an old picture as I forgot to take pictures this weekend.

Yet, only three of the girls pictured above I went out with, those girls, we always have each other's back.  

3.  Lastly, I am thankful for adult beverages.  That stands alone:) and usually without saying.  

T.V Tuesday

Ahh, Fall T.V has begun!

Not that I watch T.V anyway.  If I do, it is on the weekends watching the food channel, or watching Jersey Shore DVRed while I lesson plan or grade papers.  But now it's time for my favorite shows to be back on.  I am not sure when I am going to have the chance to watch T.V because as I am writing this post all I am thinking about is going to bed, but knowing The biggest loser and Glee will be on tonight, and which one do I watch?  Yup..while I have 146 "letter's to hero's" to proof read and edit, they sit in my bag that I brought upstairs even though I did not get home till 7:30ish.  And this is only Tuesday night.  Luckily I do not even know what is on T.V except for Thursday Grey's, Private Practice and Jersey shore!


What T.V shows are on your must watch list?

Marathon Training: Long Run: 15 miles

This weekend was a 14 mile run at flatwoods park.  With that being said, Friday was a crazy day to say the least.  I did not leave work till 6:30 and still can't even imagine how many additional hours I will spend grading this week.  When I got home I made dinner, packed my bag for Saturday morning, made my bread and peanut butter for breakfast, made my smoothie and stuck it in the Freezer, picked out my clothes and was ready for bed!  Yes, I am lame, and I know it!  Friday one of my friends, Heather, came into town so I stayed up late to say hello when her and my roommate came back from dinner.  By late I mean I said hello, chatted for a few minutes and was back in bed by 8:40ish.

Saturday mornings alway come too quickly, it was 5:05 before I knew it.  It was up to the bathroom to get washed, dressed, hair pinned back, glided up, get my smoothie and into the car I was.  In the car came my breakfast of sandwich thins and peanut butter, water, and a Cliff GU- Strawberry flavored with caffeine.  I am not a fan of the GU's or anything that I need to run long distances, but I know I have to start trying them, and therefore I did.

Flatwoods Sunrise

It was 6:22 before we started running, and right before we got started, my Garmin beeped telling me low battery.  GREAT! and I have Polar in my gym bag for the gym which I went to get, then remembered I brought my gym bag upstairs the night before.

Deer at mile 4..First mile inside the park

We were off, 3 miles outside the park then 11 inside..Yes that equals 14 miles, you are correct, but the title of this post is 15..hmm.. I will get to that part shortly..Keep reading.

I enjoy running flatwoods a lot, for me, knowing there are water stations every 2 miles, gives me the motivation to keep going because I can stop shortly for a mini break.  The people there are so friendly, and stop and talk to you, and tell you to "keep going" or "you're looking good", and the scenery is beautiful, especially watching the sunrise.  I always see a familiar face.  This week was Andrea, who I trained with last year with TNT, and this year she is training for Chicago.

And then the bad part happened. (And NO, it is not this picture which was bad)

Hot air balloons welcoming us to a fabulous 15 mile run.

If you are grossed out easily, please stop reading.  

My stomach decided it should start cramping up around mile 7.75 and hurt so bad I had to stop and walk.  I knew I had to go potty.  I knew I was approaching the back entrance shortly and someone told me it was about .5 miles away from the water, it was .6, but I made it there quickly.  I didn't know if I should run or walk, and I made it just in time.  I was scared I was going to have to call my coach and have her pick me up at the back entrance.  I didn't think I could move, crouched over in pain.  But when I was done, I was a few pounds lighter, and there was nothing left in me:)  I was back to hydrating and on my way, or so I thought.  I ran about a mile or so, and started cramping again.  I was just painful.  I was upset because as much as I wanted to run, my tummy did not want me to:(

That whole scenario added another mile to my run.

At mile 11, Teresa and Grace were waiting for me.  And unfortunately for all of us, it took us much longer than I wanted it to, we had to walk about 3.5 of the 4 miles because of my stupid tum tum.

Anyway, I felt good afterwards, it still took me under 4 hours, my Garmin did not die until mile 13ish, and we had Panera for breakfast.

I still am unsure what caused the tummy issues, I have always had stomach problems, I do not know if everything just wanted to come out then, eating breakfast or eating a GU?

Thoughts?  Ideas?

Anyway, that was my run, I had a great day seeing friends

It's the climb

Thank you, Miley Cyrus for this post.

For all of you who do not know me, I am such a teeny bopper.  And yes, I have Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus on my Ipod.

Today, I managed to actually get up at 5am for a 5 mile run on the treadmill.  I have never been to my "new" gym, L.A. fitness in the mornings yet, and wanted to give that a try.  I also knew I had to work late today and who knew if I was going to make it to a run this afternoon, so 5am it was.

As I was running along, The Climb by Miley Cyrus came on! And this song is one of my favorites.  You can here the song here.  But the lyrics really got me thinking about this whole Marathon craziness and this explains it perfectly.
"Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb"

It doesn't matter how long it takes me to finish.  If it takes me 4 hours (I wish) or 6 hours, you know what?  I am going to cross that finish line, even if I need to crawl.

It's not what waiting on the other side (well sort of..)  Who cares about a medal?  OK yes we do!!  But it's the journey that got me to that finish line.  The fundraising, the training, the long hours, the friends I have made, the people I have inspired, the people who inspire me.  It's the ups and downs through the whole process.  It's what's getting me to the finish line.  

I say you finish reading the song.  Whether you like it or not, I always find it inpirational and go the extra mile:)

How does it describe something you do?  I can keep on going for every line, but I am sure you won't read it, so here is the lyrics

The Climb lyrics
Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/miley-cyrus-lyrics/the-climb-lyrics.html ]

Marathon Training: Long Run: 17 miles: Getting your head in the game

Getting your head into the game I found to be the most important part of training for a marathon, or anything for that matter.

I am currently training for my first full marathon.  I will be headed to Savannah, GA for the Rock N Roll Series with Team in Training.

My goal: Completion.  I have no time goal set, even though I would like to finish in under 6 hours.  I laugh thinking about how many hours I will be running and how many meals I would normally eat in that time period.. Yup, I like to eat:)

After last week's (AMAZING) 14 miler I was so scared and dreading 18 miles.  But I got up at 4am and headed towards Bayshore Blvfd. for a 5:30am start.  For all you non Floridians, it's hot down here.

My biggest mistake this week was talking myself out of it!  I did not want to be there for the run, I was hoping the weather would cancel the run.  It I would have talked myself into running, I believe it would have made life a lot easier.  Getting your head into the game is something I have to learn to do, think positively.  That is my goal:)

On Friday night I packed my bags, even made breakfast (I managed to eat half of it, as I am not a morning eater but apparently I need to learn to fuel 'cause I will hit the wall early).  I walked out the door and saw it was raining, boy was I annoyed.  I passed some lightening on my drive, hydrated as well.  When I got to Bayshore it was NOT raining.

Sunrise Along Bayshore

It was time to begin my longest run to date.  It was a rough morning.  I think I talked myself out of it all week, that I wasn't going to be able to finish and how much it would hurt.  Well it did hurt, and I did finish (well, 17.1 miles) .  By mile 8.5 I was done for, I wanted to stop, I didn't want to keep going.  Luckily, it was out and back so I had no choice.  At mile 11.5 I ran into Jessica again and she got me through the next mile, and actually pretty quickly.  We ran over a bridge and on the way back the operator told us they were opening, it would be a while before we can get back over.  It was perfect as we were just headed back.  After mile 14 I walked and jogged and walked and jogged.  At mile 15 my coach Teresa found me and we jogged and walked back. 4 hours later we were finally done.

Getting ready for a weekend of Rememberence

I was so happy to be done!! Not because I accomplished my longest run, but because my body didn't want to go any further.  When it was nap time later that day, I kept waking up because my toes hurt so bad and to be touched by the sheet.

Here are some pictures snapped by other teammates that I "borrowed".

Steel beams from the World Trace Center

Happy Running.

Remembering today

Today is 9.11.11.  Ten years ago there was a terrorist attack on the United States.  An attack the country affected by all.  Today we remember what happened. I remember at how lucky I am and we are as a country.

Here is part of my story.

I was born and raised in New York, I was in Staten Island at the time. I was in Chemistry class and Dr. Goldberg quickly walked outside the classroom to talk to another teacher. He walked back in and told us one of the World Trade Center Buildings was hit by a plane.  We continued our lesson, I thought nothing of this.  I actually thought it was a joke.  During lunch, I heard someone talk about this and in my head I thought she was crazy for believing this.  Luckily I didn't open my big mouth and set her straight.  In 7th period, my music teacher, Mrs. Currie, told us there was a terrorist attack on the city and the Twin Towers.  She began to cry, the class began to cry.  There was no judging, we were all vulnerable.  My next biggest concern was getting home.  I took the bus home and was scared that during my mile walk home, I would somehow be attached.  I didn't know what to think. Once I got home I turned the TV on, there were no shows on because towers were down, the only thing playing was Live footage of what was happening in NYC.  Cell phone lines were down, people were not able to get in touch with their family.  My dad was supposed to be at a job site that morning at the World Trace Center, he luckily had to go for a blood test and missed it.  A business partner went in his place.  Since phones were down, no one knew if he survived or not for over 24 hours.  He did, he was able to get in there early and finish right before the first plane struck.  I had a good friend at the time, Brittany whose cousin was a firefighter.  He never made it home.  Friends and neighbors were firefighters and rushed to the scene.  It did not matter if they were sick or injured.  There was no question, one was not asked to go, it was all on for weeks.  The city and state and country was in a state of turmoil.  That is my story.

This is a picture from my run this Saturday.  Preparing for a Walk for Freedom.

I am lucky enough to had the opportunity to teach my students, on Friday, about the hero's of 9/11.  I didn't want to dwell on the "bad" but the every day heros who happened to be there and were able to help strangers.

40% of families never got to say goodbye, because 40% of the people were never found.  That is what the news just told me as I am watching the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremonies.

I am not a crier, I am not an emotional person, but this is one of the only times I get emotional, whether hearing or seeing the events.  I am surprised I made it through class, although I did not make it through homeroom and the TV production show.

(Future)Memorial Freedom Tower

What are you doing to remember September 11, 2001?

On a happier note, Happy Birthday to my kitty cats, Amos and Andy!!! The big 1-4!!!

My first post :)

How original am I, I name my first post, "My first post"!  Yup, that is me..Real Original.

Well, as the title states, this is my first and I do not really know how to begin it.  My friends call me G-Money, my family calls me Goosey, and my students call me Ms. H.  This is not my first blog, I started one a little over a year ago to document my training for my first half marathon.  You can find that here.  That was too complicated to keep up, so I hope to keep this one going.
I am currently a first year teacher as well as a first time marathoner.  I am training with Team In Training to complete Rock N Roll Savannah on November 5, 2011.  I was never a runner but one year my New Years Resolution was to run a 5k, I did that and figured, what was next.  Next came the half marathon and I completed 3 Halves and figured, mine as well go for a full.  And that is where I am now, training for my first FULL MARATHON.. Let me remind you, I was NEVER a runner!

I start this blog the night before I am supposed will run 18 miles.  This will be my longest run EVER.  I am nervous as I am busy hydrating and carbo loading!.  I have to mentally be ready, and that is the hardest part.  So many blogs have inspired me to start a blog and keep going.  I hope to inspire someone, whether is be to run a little longer, further are start journaling their runs!

Happy running and I can't wait to hear all of your feedback:)