Join me in the fight

I am officially declaring war on wind in New Jersey.

As I am a proponent of wind energy, you might be thinking this is absurd of me. Wind = energy. But, in my case, the case of my 8-mile run this morning, the wind does the opposite. It zaps my energy.

In my war on wind, I will create a sub-committee to concentrate on helping those affected wind. Another sub-committee will concentrate on creating new technologies that can shield us runners from the wind in an almost tunnel-like shield that will let the wind touch everything, but us.

I am not sure of the exact averages, but I would venture to say every single day in March has been windy.

Folks, get your wind-breakers, bust out the windmills, sign up for a wind energy program and let's get to know our enemy. Let's fight wind!

Thoughtful People Rule, part two

I had some unexpected wrenches thrown at me late in the day yesterday, and left work feeling frazzled and beat up. This morning, after a brilliant ( fast!) 3 mile run with my neighbor, (Hi Tricia!) I came in to my office to find this.


My co-worker felt bad for the rough patch yesterday afternoon, knew I loved Peeps and brought me matching flowers! She didn't need to do it. I am used to bumps in the road at work, but I thought this was so thoughtful and nice of her. What a great way to start a busy day.

How can I be so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my work and personal life? I feel so lucky!

My longest run was the most fun!

I got a chance to run with a fellow Runner's World forumite over the weekend, and it was awesome. We met for a 7 mile run through part of the 1/2 marathon course.

7 miles came and went like no time had passed at all. We chatted through the whole thing and pushed each other up the hills ( with words, not arms ). It was a great run and the longest run to date!

I did another 5 miles this morning and the knee... the "popping" knee is a little bit achy. I don't know if it is an injury in my head or my knee, but I am getting it checked out to be on the safe side.

I am running this 1/2 coming up though, so if it is a knee injury, I hope they can shoot me up with something until those 13 miles are out of the way!

4 miles- magically delicious

Clif notes: Run 4 Luck! 4-mile race! Lancaster, PA. 38:30!! Whoo hoo!

Get up. 6 AM. Hit snooze. Mom yells to wake me up. I’m 31 and the last time Mom has yelled for me to wake, I was probably 18 years old. So I get up.

Mom, Dad and me pile into the car. They’re driving me to the Lancaster Run 4 Luck 4 miler and we are picking up my brother along the way. I talked him into running the race with me, and when I ask him if he’s ready my very fit brother says. ”I guess. I’ve been running for 2 weeks.”

I’ve been running since November.

300 pre-registered and Mom and Dad are proudly supporting their kids in the warm up. I insist they take some photos now because after the race, I will look exceptionally scary and sweaty. I am right.




We line up. iPods? Check. Nike Plus? Check. Go.

Mile one split. 9 minutes.

Gosh, this is rather hilly.

Mile two. 18 minutes.

Wow, this is even hillier than before. And, wow, there’s another. Great.

Mile three. 28 minutes.

I really need to start practicing on hills

Oh wait, that’s the end!

Time, 38:30.



And my brother, who has been running for 2 weeks? About 5 minutes faster than me.
Ahh… youth.

To top off an already great day, Dad made a stop at Cabela's. This was my first time there… and oh, did I have fun.

Here I am fighting a polar bear!


Thanks for reading!

Pop goes my kne--- wait... what WAS that?

Is it possible to hear a loud pop in your knee followed by a dull pain and really have it be nothing?
I don't know, but while teaching spin class the other night, on a hilly climb, standing up.. it popped... then it hurt.. .a little.

Was it a "pop" was it a "crack" ?? I don't know.

Earlier that morning I ran 4.5 miles at about 9:48 minute/ mile pace... I felt awesome. After the pop incident at spin class, I iced it... and it felt okay. Wednesday, I went for a fast 3 mile run ( 27 minutes!!) and it felt okay... but then it felt a little achy.

Today it feels normal.

I am not sure if it is all in my head, but it is awfully close to the 1/2 and I might be oversensitive when it comes to possible injuries.

This Weekend I have a 4 mile run with my brother. a Run for Luck race. And hopefully, getting in 7 over the 1/2 course .

Hopefully that "pop" was nothing more than another little quirck of me.

Thoughtful people rule.

I hope Alanna doesn't mind me sharing this... but everyone needs to know how awesome a friend she is!

My friend, Alanna, is running the 1/2 marathon with me. Or should I say, I am running behind her in the 1/2 marathon. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be running it at all.

When I was thinking about signing up for the 13.1 miles, I was himming and hawwing about it and she said " Just think of all the great mixes you will be able to make for your iPod while training!" I was pretty much sold.

She sent me this awesome book to inspire me on my training journey. It made me laugh out loud and Alanna could have written it herself - it was totally in the tone of her voice.

A few weeks ago, she sent me this great, inspirational card that played music to encourage me and today, I got this in the mail....


along with this:




Yes, it is a super cute RUNNING SKIRT!

In true, Alanna fashion, she knows how to hit my fashion spot to continue to give me new reasons to run. The skirt fits perfectly, and it looks great.

So I get this right before a 6 miler and I was near tears. Alanna is one of the most, if not the most sincere, thoughtful people I know. Both me and my hubby were amazed and I was smiling ear to ear on my 6 mile run this morning.

Thank you, Alanna! You made my day!

So long, mom hair..Hello sub 10 minute miles!

I got a new hair cut. I like it. It is short and no, it is not pink.



But I think it still passes for a trendy cut.






In running news, I had a GREAT 4 miler the other morning and when I completed it and looked down at my Nike plus... it told me something very special...

Average pace: 9:59 per mile.

Technically its sub 10 minute miles... only by 1 second, but I'll take it!

6 miles down...134 to go...

until the Lehigh Valley 1/2!

It was a perfect run. I dressed so well... perfect for the weather. I also took some cash to get a drink along the way at the Wawa on my way.

MIL was so cute. She called my husband after I was home and said," I saw E running. I called her on her cell phone and she didn't pick up."

Funny thing is if I had my phone on me, I probably would have picked it up.

And, since I haven't posted any great photos lately, here is a totally non-running related photo of my dog I dressed up to look like a European immigrant circa 1860.