Not So Scary

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm not a huge fan of this holiday because I am petrified of people in masks, but I love this time of year because of candy corn!! I don't remember being this way when I was little but some where along the way, I developed this fear of masks and LOVE of candy corn (especially Brachs caramel candy corn...mmmm!). But enough about being scared...one thing that isn't so scary is my 22 mile run tomorrow! I am so pumped up and excited for this that I'm worried I won't be able to sleep tonight. We're meeting at 6:30am to start and I'm hoping to run the entire thing non stop (like I did on my last 20 mile run). Since this is my last long run before the taper, I'm testing my marathon clothes, shoes, gels, etc. one last time.

TIaRT

This week's TIaRT topic is to choose your running super power. Obviously, I would love the super power to be insanely fast, blowing by my fellow runners with ease and looking incredible while I'm doing it. But, I've already been blessed with a Super Power and you may think it's funny, but it's snot. :-)

My nose runs so much when I run in the cold, it drives me crazy. And since we can't run with tissues (because they always end up as wet balls of mush), I have to wipe my nose with my gloves or sleeve. Then after a run, my nose is torn up and chapped and it hurts like hell. Thank goodness for Aquaphor.

I think I missed the target of this week's TIaRT, but whatever...I hit 500 miles today since I started tracking my miles on August 3, 2008!! AND the Phillies won the World Series!!

Go Figure

The week before the taper starts I'm feeling great with the running. I'm already bummed I'm going to have to cut back over the next few weeks. I'll do it because I have to, but I'm not happy about it. Poor Andy...this should be interesting.

I guess the taper is coming at a good time though because we may have found a potential house. Since this snuck up on us, we need to cover some more ground quickly to see what else is out there before we make a final decision. Neither one of us are interested in being house poor and want the freedom to do whatever we want (travel, entertain, shop, RUN RACES ALL OVER THE PLACE!) without a lot of home maintenance. To my surprise, we found a really nice townhouse at a great price, in a nice development. There are some things we'd like to change before we moved in, but that's fine with us. Then it's just the way we want it! It's a little stressful because this should be it for a long time (finally!! No more moving!!) but it's also exciting...our first HOME together!!

It's Been A Good Year

I turned 32 today. Not really a fan of birthdays and getting older, but as I was running this morning I thought about the past year and how good it was. When I think back to this time last year, I really was a different person. So much has changed for me and I really like where I'm at in life. Sometimes I feel like I'm getting a late start with stuff, but hey, better late than never!!

And I'd like to thank the Phillies for playing the 5th (and hopefully final) World Series game on my birthday. What a great birthday present it will be when they win it tonight!!

One Week To Go

One more week until the taper begins. I remember when I decided to run the marathon the training seemed so scary with the 20 and 22 mile runs ahead of me. I could not picture myself running these distances and didn't really believe it would actually happen. Geez, I was so proud of myself when I finished my first 14 mile run!! Look where I'm at now...I've conquered several 20 milers and can actually say I'm looking forward to my 22 mile run this Saturday. The training has really made me realize that I love the long runs. I have all intentions of keeping up with them after the marathon, but maybe not to this intensity and frequency so I have some sort of social life.

LET'S GO PHILLIES!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!

I did it! I just ordered the personal training certification study materials. I decided to go with an ACE certification as that seemed to fit my goals and background the best. If, at a later time, I feel I'm going to go places with this, I may consider obtaining another certification (one that is heavier anatomy). Anyway, I am SO happy I did it. Now there's no turning back, especially since I'm putting it out here for everyone to see. I'm not sure when I'll take the exam but I'm hoping to get started with the study process as soon as I'm done with the marathon in November. Hopefully house hunting won't take up too much of my time and I'll be able to take the exam by summer. Here's hoping...

I'm expecting a huge wait list so sign up now for your first session!!

WOO HOO!!

Well, ooookay

Since I do not want to let my loyal followers down, I'll give a little background regarding my last post. So, there is an individual, who shall remain nameless, who I am not friends with, but know through some overlapping social circles. While I am not friends with this person, I always try to smile and be cordial when I see them because our paths do cross from time to time. Aside from these random occurrences, I never think of this person and could not really care less about them. Anyway, I also happen to know that this person is HIGHLY competitive and on several occasions has even made comments regarding me being a runner. When these comments have been made, they were made in a shocking tone as if to say, "YOU are a runner??." If I was a beotch and wanted to stoop to their level, I could reply, "Why, yes, I am. And may I point out that I am also faster than you?" But I would never do that because if my PDR and Broad Street times didn't prove that point enough, my run on Tuesday night sure did!

But in all honesty, I feel sort of sad for this person for many reasons which I won't get into. And while their comments have upset me in the past, now I'm laughing because all it's going to do from now on is make me run faster!

MMM...mushrooms!