It's Official...

I'm running the National Half Marathon on March 26th, 2011; I'm already registered! It will be my 33rd birthday-- and it just so happens that 33 is my lucky number. I will be running for the Back on My Feet charity, and I can't think of a more fitting charity for my birthday run. Back on My Feet strives to help homeless men and women feel the benefits of running-- benefits I have gained myself through running-- and also provides job training, educational opportunities, and housing assistance.

Running has given so much to me. Through running, I have recognized my strength. Through running, I recognized I have no limits. I've found confidence, health, and most importantly for me, inner peace. I used to have anxiety attacks on a regular basis, to the point that for almost an entire year, I couldn't keep food down. I would get so nervous and upset (and not know over what) that I would throw up. Medication solved this anxiety issue, but the attacks were always present as soon as I went off medication. Since I started running almost 3 years ago, I haven't needed medication and I've only had a small hand full of attacks. And truthfully, the attacks were prompted by situations that might send anyone into a panic. With running, I've learned that when I'm anxious, confused, or need to sort through a problem, a long run is my quiet spot to catch my breath, regroup, think, and come up with a plan. I've also found that the running community is one of the most embracing groups of people I've ever met. Even though I'm not a fast runner, I've always felt welcomed by all runners-- included the fastest. I love feeling like I'm part of something.

I like that Back on My Feet provides these same opportunities to people who need to recognize their confidence, strength, and inner peace the most. So for my birthday this year, in lieu of presents for me, I'm asking my family to make a donation on my behalf to Back on My Feet, which will certainly be a gift to someone who needs it more than me.

If you'd like to make a donation, please check out my Back on My Feet donation page HERE. And no pressure... I know it's the holiday season. And I have until March 26 to keep pestering you. :)

Now it's time to get serious again about training. Yippee!

Married (or at least engaged) to running

Today was my first run with my Garmin Forerunner 310XT. It was my Christmas present, but my husband gave it to me early, probably because I kept coming up with lists of reasons for why I should have it now rather than Christmas Day. After being with me for so long, my husband is almost immune to all my rhetorical strategies, but I am a firm believer in never giving up. So if my persuasive skills don't work, my perseverance will (although I have to admit that usually doesn't work either. My hubby has amazing willpower.)

My favorite attempt at persuading him (but I'm not sure this is what convinced him even though it was the last thing I said)... This Garmin is as special to me as my engagement ring. Not being able to use it is like getting engaged and not being able to tell anyone. And I'm sure he remembers me telling everyone the night he asked me to marry him. I told people walking past me on the street, our waiter, people sitting near us at a restaurant, I called and left messages with virtually all the people I knew. I might have even called people I didn't know... I couldn't stop talking about it.

So when hubby turned to me at 6:38 p.m. last night and said he wanted me to be able to use my Garmin, it was like him getting down on one knee all over again! And today, when I strapped my sweet 310XT to my wrist, I felt my heart begin to race. Too bad I didn't have the heart rate monitor on... I felt such excitement to start running.

And that's when I realized it. I have a whole new level of commitment to running now. After purchasing a 310XT, there's no turning back. This is the moment I have decided to spend my life with running (I mean when else would anyone spend this kind of money?). Running and I have been an item for 2 1/2 years. We certainly have made it through some tough times-- injuries, doubts, training setbacks. But those tough times are all made better by the truly good times-- crossing finish lines at races, setting a PR, making new friends, realizing my strengths. And through it all, we've stuck together. I know I can't live without running now; I'm a total crazed mess when I can't run.

On my first run today, I started to get completely overwhelmed. Oddly enough, just like when I got engaged to my husband, a moment of panic set in (it was a small moment with my hubby though). I was constantly looking at my pace, which was slower than I normally run. More panic (I wasn't taking the hills I was running or my little injuries that needed some time to warm up into consideration). But after a few miles (and a few deep breaths), I got into my groove and started to feel a bit more at ease.

After my first run, and the wealth of information about said run available to me know, I'm really looking forward to building a running life with my Garmin Forerunner 310XT.

I'm not totally set on her name yet (I definitely feel my 310XT is female. And besides, I think my hubby would feel less threatened with me spending my life with another woman (in addition to him, of course)). I was thinking along the lines of a pet name, something like Cupcake. Thoughts? Have you named your Garmin? If so, what's it's name and how'd you get it?

So Excited!!!

So this is a short post, but I had to share this. My husband is the best... I know, I've said it before, but he just keeps doing things to totally blow my mind! My hubby gave me my gift early- a Garmin Forerunner 310XT. I get to use it for the rest of my races this year! Yippee!

Sears Runner's Wish List Catalog

This is inspired by Baby Weight My Ass' post about the Sears Wish List Catalog. And I now firmly believe there should be a catalog for runners full of pages of toys, gadgets, and gear that will make me dream of sugar plums. And just like when I was little, I surely would peruse each page, careful not to miss any possible treasure.

And I would dog ear all the pages that contained the goods I felt I truly deserved for being a good girl all year.

And I would leave the catalog right where my hubby could find it (on his side of the bed? Or maybe on top of his laptop? Oh, I know! Inside his favorite magazine (a silly little allusion to my favorite holiday movie...)! Or I guess I could just post it on my blog which I know he reads...) so he'd know exactly what to get me.

And because my husband loves me so much, he'd understand my secret wish list code- stars next to the items I wanted and hearts surrounding those items I had always dreamed of having.

And so here's my Running Catalog Wish List.

Star- A new running skirt from RunningSkirts. Something girly and fun... maybe the cheetah print? But I'll trust your judgement, honey.

Star- A pony tail hat for running from Bondi Bands. My ears are super cold lately.

Star-I guess I could use some more Cliff Bloks in my stocking. I really like Black Cherry (with a shot of caffine. I need that extra boost).

Heart- Garmin 310XT. I. MUST. HAVE. THIS.

Heart- I really need a new pair of running tights. I love that these are slightly boot cut and look somewhat fashionable (at least compared with my skin tight tapered running tights-- not the most flattering fit for a curvy girl...) I like these No Chill pants from Moving Comfort. And along with the next item, I'd look so super cute!

Heart- This adorable half zip from Athleta. Gush!

Heart- The most amazing shoes ever. The Asics Gel Noosa Tri 6. I have no idea if this shoe would work for me, but I want it. Bad.

So happy Black Friday all. May all your running wish list dreams come true.

And I should be honest... my husband is sending me out to buy my X-mas present today-- a Garmin 310XT! See why I heart him so much!

Turkey Trot 5K Race Recap

Okay, so this will have to be a fast one... I have exactly 20 minutes before I need to get back into the kitchen to work on my appetizer for dinner. At least I'm not making the entire dinner this year!

So this morning was the Annual YMCA 5K Turkey Trot in Towson. My plan was to attempt to finish in 31 minutes or less so I could use this race to qualify for the National Half Marathon. My fastest ever 5K race was 32:56. That's a lot to shave off in 3 miles.

I woke up at 6 to hear rain pounding on our sky light. But I thought, "Hey, I've woke up to rain on a race day before. No need to worry. 1: it's just a 5K. And 2: Lots of times the rain stops before the start. And sure enough, once I got into my car, the rain stopped; well, for a little while, anyway. When I got to Towson, the rain started up again. I thought, "No big deal; I've run in rain before."

I spotted Katye of Long Legs on the Loose with her family. To make it to 31 minutes, I thought I'd keep up with Katye for as long as possible. I figured with her speed, if I could cut it with her for at least a mile, I'd get a lot closer to my goal (look, she's not called Long Legs on the Loose for nothing! This girl if FAST, especially for a penguin like me). She's such a sweet bubble of positive energy. She always makes me feel like an amazing runner. And I really LOVED starting with her and her family.

So long story short... Well, I didn't qualify today. In fact, I had one of my worst 5K times ever (with the exception of the race run in 100 degree temps). But I am totally and completely cool with this. In fact, I'm pretty happy with how I did today.

And the biggest reason why I am okay with what would normally be considered a begin to sob bad time: I kept up with Katye for a whole mile. And I kept her in my sight up until about 1.25 miles into the race. When I was finally brave enough to look at our pace, we were running a 8:30 mile. Just so you know how much of a big deal this is for me, the fastest I've ever been on race day is 10:30. After that 1.25 miles, I just couldn't cut it and ended up slowing down, eventually walking with a cramp in my side. But I started back up eventually, just no where near as fast as the start.

And the second reason I'm feeling pretty good about this race: Not only did it rain the entire run, it also sleeted. Yes, I ran with sleet slapping me in the face. I just had to laugh. This was a tough race; it was seriously hilly, blisteringly cold, and raining and sleeting the entire time. The rain did stop, however, just in time for me to get in my car and turn on the heat. Too funny!

So today, I ran a 37:00 minute 5K, but I'm cool with that. I get to eat that pecan pie I've been drooling about for two days, and even better, I realized I am capable of being fast. Even though I could only do it for 1.25 miles today, with a little extra training (and maybe slowing down just a tad), I can make it to the running time of my dreams, which will hopefully be a reality in time to qualify for the National Half Marathon!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

PS: I am so very thankful for my little family. My little guy joined my husband and I in bed this morning. What a lovely way to wake up, to absolute and unconditional love.

Dante's Infernal Guide to Running

I'm a total dork and absolutely love Dante's Inferno. And I love teaching it even more-- call it torturing children if you may, but my kids always end up loving the Inferno. This year, I assigned them to create their own guide through whatever "hell" they choose and to use Gustave Dore's illustrations. I made a model for them called "Mrs. Jones's Infernal Guide to Distance Running". I'm including it for you viewing pleasure... (one of my favorites from my students- the Infernal Guide to Surviving Your English Teacher-- too funny!)

So here's the Infernal Guide to Distance Running. Enjoy!

Waking up early in the morning to get a run in before work can sometimes be Hell.

Running hills with a jogging stroller and a 35 pound toddler can seem particularly difficult, but all hills that go up, must eventually go down.

Running in inclement weather can sometimes be a struggle. Support from a running group can help you finish.

Never run from stray dogs. Unless you want a little adrenaline rush. A dog nipping at your heels is a sure way to PR.

Watch out for the wildlife when running on nature trails. It is not uncommon for deer, fox, or other such animals to jump out, or even worse, for a skunk to make its presence known. And for those running in grass, snakes may be underfoot.

Running in the sweltering heat of summer can be particularly dangerous and can seem to make your blood boil. Be sure to stay hydrated. (Just in case you don't get the joke (if it really is one, this is the river of boiling blood- my students LOVE this Canto in Inferno.)

For races with thousands of runners, it can sometimes take an eternity to cross the start. Be patient.

Watch out for those who might crash at the finish line of a long distance race. You don’t want to trip over them. No need to hurt your ankle.

Near the end of your race, it may seem as if your legs might fall off. No matter what happens, get to the finish line; crawl if you have to. You trained too hard to not finish for any reason.

Just what I needed...

with my BFF at a wedding this summer

I drove to just outside Philly this weekend to spend some time with my best friend, Marianne, who has known me since I was 13. I have had almost 20 years of friendship with her. No one knows me the way she does, and I am so thankful for this weekend with her.

Only Marianne would buy tickets for me to the Cleopatra exhibit at the Franklin Institute... and go with me (unlike my hubby, lol) because she knows I'm the only person in the world who would "dork out to Cleopatra" like her. And I absolutely adore her even more for not making total fun of me when I got a little too excited before we walked through the entrance to the exhibit. I was acting as if I was really going to meet Cleopatra. In my defense, it was a very dramatic entryway, and I am prone to being swept up in the moment. (If you're a history dork like me, go see this exhibit before it leaves in early January! If you're going to the race in Philly next weekend, it'd be a great activity.)

Only Marianne would encourage and inspire me to dance with total abandon in a bar where we were the only patrons. I guess the DJ felt like we should get the full experience and turned on the disco ball just for us...

And only Marianne would encourage me to invoke my inner rock star and sing Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" while attempting to dance like Tina at karaoke. And then when I didn't sound so rock star (or dance so Tina), only Marianne would convince me I danced and sang like a pro.

Spending time with my best girlfriend was better than any mood boosting medicine on the market... just what I needed.