tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483064075387892102024-03-05T21:46:42.815-08:00This Mom's going to give it a tri!I am a mom of 3, approaching my mid-30s, and trying to stay fit!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-8156294221548660582013-07-26T07:30:00.000-07:002013-07-26T07:30:20.718-07:00Week 2 of Insanity + Tri = big steps for me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week I conquered another huge fear I had......riding my bike on open roads. I have ridden my bike many times in this little area where my tri group meets that is a loop on a road but there are rarely any cars and it is literally around a circle about 3 miles. Last week I did it over and over again to get to 10 miles.<br />
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But thanks to my friend Jen who encouraged me to do a course that runs from a local lake out to a little country town and back, I experienced a true "road ride." Jen is a newer biker on her road bike, and she said she was nervous as well. We had our extremely talented friend Annah lead us on this course. Annah is a true athlete and is doing a sprint tri on Saturday, so this was more like a relaxing ride for her.<br />
I appreciated so much that she would show us this course so we can do it another time. It has rolling hills that I need to practice on because my triathlon in September is supposedly very hilly.<br />
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I survived and it wasn't too bad! Jen and I are hoping to do it again next week without our leader.<br />
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This week I incorporated two sessions of Insanity into my training again:<br />
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Monday: Plyometric Cardio Circuit Insanity + 3.5 miles running<br />
Tuesday: 4 miles running<br />
Wednesday: 3.6 miles running<br />
Thursday: 10.2 miles bike road race<br />
Friday: Cardio Power and Resistance Insanity<br />
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I still need to do a swim in the lake or pool this weekend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-75445293123290295102013-07-22T06:26:00.002-07:002013-07-22T06:26:35.761-07:00"Mom, is that your gym teacher?" AKA Insanity + Triathlon training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I decided to try to incorporate some Insanity into my already Insane triathlon training. I am doing a triathlon in September. It is difficult, especially with the kids home in the summertime to get my bike and swim workouts in. I knew Insanity I could do while the kids were at home. I just wanted to see what all the hype was about and hopefully tone up a little.<br />
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Shaun T. is someone I love and hate at the same time. I am not going to lie; it is very difficult!<br />
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I found some training plans online that incorporated two days of Insanity with running. So I just adapted and decided to do two days for now until the triathlon is over and decide if I will add another day to my week.<br />
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This was last week for me:<br />
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Monday: 4 mile run + 4 lengths of open water swimming at the lake with my good friend Rebecca (a little under a 1/2 mile)<br />
Tuesday: 3.5 mile run + Fit Test of Insanity<br />
Wednesday: 3 mile run + Insane Abs (Insanity)<br />
Thursday: 3.5 mile run with my good friends Kim and Melissa<br />
Friday: 30 min swim in the pool<br />
Saturday: 10.6 mile bike ride (which was my longest bike ride in a year-great for my confidence)<br />
Sunday: 50 min yoga at my good friend Dana's house-she just graduated from yoga training on Saturday and had friends over to do a session with her and have dinner<br />
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Today I ran 3.5 miles and did the Plyometric Cardio Circuit. As I did this, my 4 year old rode around me in his Cozy Coupe in the living room and asked me if that was the same gym his soccer was in and if Shaun T. was my gym teacher.<br />
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Insanity Gym</div>
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I look forward to incorporating this twice a week into my workout and hopefully see some results!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-72969879134377855242013-07-15T15:11:00.000-07:002013-07-15T15:11:14.754-07:005K PR........way behind posting!!My husband's Rotary club sponsored the 2nd annual Service Above Self 5K in May. It went very smooth this year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nj6Qgkbvz3KXH2_9kcS3sa8KeYr9rrwQe8DKt9SvJ3M5yMn5ax8zVlgqbRpCZGOSheZdjsPfzmxd-hEXZ5FW7yZHI6pVaIbKZCD400uqGvbPLIs7M4oGZP1z2JCHMgOkoJtDN6kjc0Q/s1600/DSC06632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nj6Qgkbvz3KXH2_9kcS3sa8KeYr9rrwQe8DKt9SvJ3M5yMn5ax8zVlgqbRpCZGOSheZdjsPfzmxd-hEXZ5FW7yZHI6pVaIbKZCD400uqGvbPLIs7M4oGZP1z2JCHMgOkoJtDN6kjc0Q/s320/DSC06632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Registration was very smooth! Look at the long line!</div>
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My husband, the race director, is below with another Rotary member,</div>
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I was torn about whether to run or not because I was organizing the Kids' Race. Finally the day before, I decided I would do the 5K. My friends and I arrived and got lined up and ready to go!</div>
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The horn blew and Melanie (green shirt below) and I got into a groove running along about an 8:40 pace or so. The race ends up a bit shy of 3.1 at about 2.9 miles but we finished at 25:43 (8:18 pace for 3.1 but we were a tad slower than that because of distance). I was very happy with our finish. The weather was perfect!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZuwSDVBdKgYmsUl-6d9ubKldMme1IFnBjxjzxcyrVtZCfNF67mSGpA2nyJC0kvMMGApQC97xhmFcpEvVQcu-_rroVgHlQ8QYR62x0J_mRcTHjKXCOvegCRi6Bwds-PACrdKGuLU2qvM/s1600/383560_10201094525956073_1089848626_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZuwSDVBdKgYmsUl-6d9ubKldMme1IFnBjxjzxcyrVtZCfNF67mSGpA2nyJC0kvMMGApQC97xhmFcpEvVQcu-_rroVgHlQ8QYR62x0J_mRcTHjKXCOvegCRi6Bwds-PACrdKGuLU2qvM/s320/383560_10201094525956073_1089848626_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Aaaand.....I finished 3rd in my age group! Two of my other friends with their 1st place medals!</div>
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On May 5th, I ran my 6th half marathon! If someone told me 5 years ago, I would have ran 6 half marathons in 4 years, I would have told them they were crazy. This was my 4th experience with the Pittsburgh Marathon. In 2010, we did the relay and I did the half marathon in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Next year I will get a gift for 5 years from the Pittsburgh Marathon!</div>
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My husband had been golfing for 6 days and got home very late Friday night. On Saturday, we went to our oldest's baseball game and met my mother-in-law there so she could keep the kids overnight. We went to the Expo and got our packets. My husband did the Relay with some friends of ours so he was running 5.8 miles. We tried some samples of <a href="http://www.honeystinger.com/">Honey Stinger </a>waffles and bought some honey and vanilla flavored. These are my new favorite pre-workout food! Yummy!</div>
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We checked into our hotel that we stayed at downtown last year as well. We went to <a href="http://www.thesonomagrille.com/">Sonoma Grill</a> for dinner. I wish I could have had some wine! Their wine list is very extensive. I got some pasta, and it was amazing! Great food there!</div>
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We got ready for bed at 7:30PM and rented Guilt Trip with Seth Rogan and Barbara Streissand. It was pretty funny! I was asleep by 9:30PM!</div>
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We got up about 5:15AM and got ready to head downstairs to walk just a few blocks to the starting line. My husband was in Corral D so we had to split up there because I was in Corral C. This was the first race I had ever done where I didn't know anyone around me! I felt a little lonely as people chatted and hugged. But once the gun went off and Ryan Clark from the Steelers announced for us to go, I was ready! I had planned to stay around 9:15-9:20 pace. I really wanted to be 2:05 since last year I was 2:06.</div>
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I was doing great. The first mile I knew I went out too fast when it was 8:17 pace. I slowed down a little to stay around 9:20 or so. </div>
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My splits were:</div>
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Mile 1: 8:17</div>
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Mile 2: 9:28</div>
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Mile 3: 9:21</div>
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Mile 4: 9:10</div>
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Mile 5: 9:04</div>
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Mile 6: 9:17</div>
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Mile 7: 9:24</div>
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Mile 8: 9:25</div>
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Mile 9: 9:31</div>
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And this is where I started to fall apart! Coming down Carson street there was an incline which was not fun. It seemed to go on forever. I got my Gatorade and ate 2 Shot Blocks, hoping that this would give me the extra fuel for the next few miles!</div>
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Mile 10: 9:51</div>
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Through the South Side, I felt like I could not run any faster. I was getting so tired and was hitting the wall.</div>
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Mile 11: 9:44</div>
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I started to move a bit faster but I knew what was coming for me......</div>
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Mile 12: 10:37</div>
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I lost so much time here! Once I went over the Birmingham Bridge, I knew that the dreaded hill at Duquense was coming. First was a little hill then around the corner and the big on looked at me right in the eyes. I had to walk a little on this hill. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it was going to come out of my chest. I never had this feeling before. I think the anxiety of the hill, and the fact that I was getting excited because I thought I could be 2:02 or 2:03 just all hit me at once. I got up the hill and tried to make up some speed in the 13th mile. </div>
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Mile 13: 9:41</div>
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As I came into town and could hear the crowd cheering, two things happened. #1-I saw a man on the ground to my left with paramedics around him. I was distraught with worry. #2-To my left came the winner of the full marathon. It was sensory overload for me.</div>
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I crossed the finish with a crowd cheering so loud for the winner of the full with a 2:05 finish. A PR for me!</div>
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Later that afternoon, I saw on the news that <a href="http://www.wtae.com/news/local/allegheny/pittsburgh-half-marathon-runner-passes-away/-/10927008/20023522/-/crl13bz/-/index.html">23 year old Kyle Johnson died</a>. He was the young man I saw on my left. I wondered if I had ran next to him at any point. What happened? The news said it must have been a heart condition. It was such a sad moment.</div>
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I enjoyed my 6th Pittsburgh marathon. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't stay at my goal pace and let that darn Duquense hill get me again. But I will do it again next year........I have to get my 5 year gift right??</div>
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I can't begin to express the sadness as a runner, as a mother, as a human being, as an American for those who were hurt and passed away as a result of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.</div>
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As a runner, I feel the pain, feel like I was there so many times running a race......waiting for friends or my husband at the end of the race. Feeling the excitement as I crossed the finish line.....feeling just as excited for my friends and family as they cross the finish line. </div>
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As a mother, my heart aches at the thought of losing one of my children. Three young lives were lost on Monday. Family and friends are devastated. Seeing little eight year old Martin Richard's face as he wore a Boston Bruins jersey tugged at my heart thinking of my oldest son who just turned 9. Thinking of how my son is about the same age and loves hockey as well.</div>
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As a human being and American, I wonder why someone has chose to perform such a horrible act of violence and evil at one of our country's greatest road races. I cannot understand, and I never will, why these events happen.</div>
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Will I be worried when I cross the finish line at the Pittsburgh half marathon in a few weeks? Maybe. Maybe I will just be so tired from running for 2 hours straight, I will just be looking for my husband's handsome face at the finish. Maybe I will have a bit of worry at the back of my mind. But I can guarantee that I will think of the victims as I cross that finish line and say a prayer for them.</div>
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I will not let this hold me back or change my life. The evil will not win. There is so much good in our world, and I see it every day. I see the smiles in my children's faces. I see the joy of something as simple as getting a hot dog at the hot dog card making my son's entire day exciting. I see my oldest son excited about baseball and getting a new helmet. I see my precious daughter making others smile and laugh when they are sad. I see the beauty of love and forgiveness in my parents who are best friends now after a divorce many, many moons ago. I see my husband spending hours and hours for months working on planning a 5K that raised thousands of dollars for veterans last year. I see fireman and emergency personnel helping people and risking their lives and not getting paid a penny for it. There is good in this world, and it surrounds us every day. Look around and see some today; let it comfort us all in this time of sadness.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-16183513183732602652013-04-10T12:35:00.001-07:002013-04-10T12:37:38.124-07:00Trucking along to Pittsburgh half marathon.....again!As I approach running my 6th half marathon, I still am enjoying running as much as I ever did! This winter has been rough. Very cold and snowy.<br />
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But now that I have become part of a little women's running circle, my Saturday morning long runs in the freezing cold have been actually.........fun!</div>
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In December, right before Christmas, most of us got to meet up for a "Christmas run" and breakfast at a great little cafe in Greensburg, <a href="http://Sun Dawg Cafe">Sun Dawg Cafe</a>. </div>
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Usually every Saturday or, at times, Sunday, a few of us are able to get in our "long" runs. There are times that I am running with some girls that aren't doing the half, and doing the relay, but they will still get in 5-6 miles with me, and I can finish the last few with my iPod for help. </div>
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There was one Saturday that Melissa and I ran where it was snowing sheets of snow and we felt like total bada** mothers running through it. One morning, Kelli, Chrissy, and I ran when it was 5 degrees when we started. Kelli's black hair looked like a witch's hair after because of the ice frozen in it. My eyelashes looked like Lady Gaga. One morning, Rebecca and I ran and started at 8 degrees, when we finished our 5 miles, it was 7 degrees. So we were hard core ladies this winter!<br />
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Finally the weather has gotten better, and I got to do my first run in SHORTS Monday!!<br />
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Two weeks ago, my entire family got sick, and I am still coping with a cough when I am running. I am hoping for the half marathon that I can beat last year's time of 2:06, even if it is just by a minute!<br />
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Four weeks to go!!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-51429462189204642592013-03-07T10:29:00.000-08:002013-03-07T10:29:14.992-08:00Reflections....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A little less than a year ago as I was pulling in my driveway, my mom pulled in my driveway behind me. It wasn't a surprise because she stops by often. She walked in the garage and said, "I have cancer." I felt like someone punched me in the chest. My mom, my rock, my best friend......what happens now?<br />
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She told me it was endometrial and we needed to meet with an oncologist in Pittsburgh as soon as possible. I held it together and we said our goodbyes. I went inside and called my husband and my best friend in Charlotte. I was so worried.<br />
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The next week, I arranged for a babysitter to attend the first appointment with her oncologist. His name was Dr. Price and he was wonderful. He helped reassure some of the worries that we had. Her hysterectomy would be in 2 weeks. They may have to take out the lymph nodes depending on if the cancer was already coming through the lining of her uterus.<br />
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I didn't sleep much the next few weeks. I had trouble doing anything without thinking about the cancer and if my beloved mother was going to be okay.<br />
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On a Wednesday morning in May, I picked up my mom about 5am and we headed to Pittsburgh to the hospital. I stayed with her until they were to take her for surgery about 6:30am and I headed to the waiting room all alone. They said they would call every 1.5 hours on the waiting room phone once the surgery started.<br />
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I had my iPad and some tests to check for the English class I was teaching at the local community college. I watched a few Desperate Housewives episodes I was behind on. I talked to another family that was sitting by me for a while. Their mom was also in surgery and the dad and two sisters and the one grandchild was there. They were very nice and concerned about my mom as well. The doctor told me that the surgery would take 4-7 hours depending on if they needed to take the lymph nodes.<br />
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They called once about 10:30 and said they would call again in 1.5 hours. It then became 1PM. I had to go to the bathroom, and I was starving, but since I was alone, I was afraid to leave the room. It was torture waiting there all alone. Finally Dr. Price called and said he would be in the waiting room to talk to me. I was so scared.<br />
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He came and took me in a room and told me he did take the lymph nodes because it was 30% out of the lining but not to worry. That's why the surgery took so long. He said that she would be out of recovery soon and for me to go get some lunch downstairs. I called my dad, then my husband, to tell them and got some lunch. I can't even remember eating my pizza.<br />
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The waiting room phone was for me again. My mom's recovery nurse was saying that my mom woke up and was worried nobody was going to be able to get my kids off the bus. My mother had just gone through major surgery and woke up, worried about her grandkids! This is a pure example of how selfless my mother has been all her life, putting her kids and grandkids before herself. I told the nurse that my husband was getting them.<br />
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I finally got to go to my mom's room to see her. She looked terrible. She was in so much pain. My sister got there about 3:30PM and we sat with my mom. Finally about 4:30PM, I left to head home after being gone since 5AM. I remember it was pouring. A typical May rain where it just won't stop. It was just symbolic of the tears I shed as I drove home. I was so worried about my mom all alone in the hospital. I was praying she was going to be okay. Thank god for my babysitter, my husband, and my friend Chrissy for keeping my littlest one all afternoon for me.<br />
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I'm not sure how I slept but I did. I got up the next morning, dropped off my little one at my friend Rachel's house, and headed to Pittsburgh to get my mom to bring her home since they were ready to release her.<br />
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She was in so much pain. I was so worried that they were going to be sending her home already!<br />
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We got through the next several weeks slowly. My sister had to give her a shot every day for 14 days to prevent a blood clot in her lungs. I went to her house at least once every day. I would bring the kids in small increments because she would tire out so easily.<br />
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In June, my mom began a few radiation treatments that had no serious side effects.<br />
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In October, my mom had a clear 6 month appointment! Her first milestone in this battle against cancer!<br />
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Her next appointment is in April, and I know it will be a great 1 year cancer free appointment!<br />
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This ordeal was traumatic, exhausting, but taught me about what a fighter my mom is and what a determined woman she is. I am so blessed to have a healthy mother who is in my life and happy to have been there for her to get her healthy again so we have her for many years to come.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-30770408011914124392012-09-04T13:28:00.000-07:002012-09-04T13:28:27.737-07:00Ready or not.....here we come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Saturday will be a fun day! I am doing a half marathon with a few of my friends who are racing their first half marathon race!</div>
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Melissa-I met her in 2009 after we both had just had our babies (my third, her second). Her oldest and my daughter were in gymnastics together. We hit it off quick and became fast friends. Last year, Melissa lost over 80 pounds running and has done a few 5K races and 10K races. She decided in May to do this flat trail half marathon.</div>
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Kim-I pledged my sorority with Kim in 1997. Kim has had 2 boys and manages to work full time as a guidance counselor while running and doing an occasional 5K. She decided this summer to do this half marathon with us as well!</div>
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Another one of our friends from college, Melanie, just decided to run this race a few weeks ago as well. She has 2 daughters and her husband works long hours, so she has had trouble juggling the training schedule.</div>
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All 3 of my friends will do great!</div>
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I told Melissa I would run with her the whole time. We plan to stay at a 10:30 pace so we can finish between 2:15-2:20. </div>
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I am treating this as a training run since I am doing another half marathon in October with my husband.</div>
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We are just keeping our eye on the forecast. We have had very hot weather this summer and hope that it is in the 50s or 60s!</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-331069969720094972012-08-05T09:06:00.001-07:002012-08-05T09:09:12.044-07:00Pittsburgh Triathlon Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm loving the pictures that were available today on the website! :)</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-72295153466534024062012-08-04T10:10:00.002-07:002012-08-04T10:10:32.935-07:00Loooong run and fall goals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was definitely the group I ran with today! We went out planning to run 10 miles, which we succeeded in doing, but it was so hot and humid!<br />
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Melissa, Anne, and I planned to run 10 miles. Anne is doing the Rock and Roll Philly half in September. I met a girl, Sharon, on <a href="http://anothermotherrunner.com/">Run Like a Mother: The book</a>'s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnotherMotherRunner">Facebook page</a>. She saw my post and saw I was friends with her sister on Facebook. Sharon's nephew was on the same hockey team as my son last year. Sharon lives in San Diego and was visiting her sister for 2 weeks and wanted someone to run with. So she joined us for about 6 of our 10 miles.<br />
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It was a rough run. It was almost 80 degrees and very humid. Our average pace was super-slow for Anne and I 10:38/mile. We were happy just to get the 10 miles in.<br />
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My friend, Melissa, is running her first half Sept 8th and I am running it with her. I am treating it as a training run because I am doing a half October 20th and that will be more for a race to improve my time. Melissa has come so far. She has lost about 80 lbs in the past 2 years and has been running and doing power pump. Her progress is amazing! I want to run this with her because sometimes those last few miles are so hard and it is nice to have someone to finish it with!<br />
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My Fall Goals:<br />
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Sept 8-Half marathon with Melissa<br />
Sept 30-Great Race 10K<br />
October 20-Half marathon with my husband (although he is faster!)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-35079259132347857592012-07-30T20:38:00.001-07:002012-07-30T20:38:36.183-07:00Mixed Emotions!If I would have written this on Saturday after the Pittsburgh Triathlon, it would have been pretty depressing and disgruntled. Now, two days later, I am feeling more positive. Reading this quote also helped:<br />
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At 3:09am, thunder woke me up. My alarm was supposed to go off at 3:11am. So I decided to get up and shower to wake me up. By 3:55am we were on the road and ready to head to Pittsburgh. We picked up my friend Jen on the way so her husband and son didn't have to get up so early and could make it down to Pittsburgh to see her finish.<br />
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We got our transition areas ready.<br />
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Tim's first transition area is ready!</div>
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My area is ready!</div>
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We were all ready to go. Tim got in the Allegheny River at 6:45 am. My wave didn't start till 7am. Our coach, Sue, reminded us several times to start out slow.</div>
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Jen and I before the race</div>
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Tim and I are ready!</div>
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I watched Tim get in the river and he was off with all the others with orange caps.</div>
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At 7am, my group was off. I felt good and swam at a slow and steady pace. I ended up way to the right of the buoys, which ended up on my left, and had to cut back. I finished my swim around 17 minutes, which I thought I would be. I am not a very fast swimmer but I swam the entire time and didn't have to turn onto my back.</div>
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I got to transition and quickly got on my bike, which always gives me anxiety.</div>
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The first 6 miles were pretty much a steady incline upward. I was very slow, as I expected but I didn't realize how tough it would get by mile 5. The last 6 miles were downhill which scared me as well. Once I was going 14 mph, I would get so nervous, I would brake. I saw a woman crash because a guy passed her on her right and I stopped to be sure she was okay. She was just shaken up. So I went on my way. I need to learn to go fast and not be so scared. Once I passed 1 hour on the bike, I knew my goal of coming in under 2 hours was crushed. I ended up 1 hour 10 min on the bike!</div>
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I saw Tim as I made it in to the transition area. He already had his medal. I pretty much wanted to start crying then because I knew I was really behind, even though he started 15 min before me. I got my baseball cap and was off. My run went well. I only stopped once for Gatorade since I really never stopped to drink anything. My 5K was about 29 min.</div>
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I crossed the finish line at 2 hours and 20 seconds. </div>
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I was pretty disappointed with my time. Especially when I looked online at the scores and I was last in the age group I was placed in. Even though I am 34, I was in the 35-39 group because I will be 35 this year. If I was in the 30-34 age group, there were a few women that would have finished after me.</div>
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I was happy to have my triathlon group, The Mighty Tri Girls and Total Chaos, cheering for me as I finished my 5K. They are such a supportive group and our coach, Sue, is just so amazing.</div>
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My husband was 1 hour 25 minutes. He did amazing. I was so proud of him!</div>
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So back to the original quote that "....slow progress is progress." I have to remember 15 months ago, I could not ride a bike. I was still meeting Sue behind the Sheraton for her to hold on to my seat and run beside me, holding me up. I barely knew how to do a swim stroke or breathe correctly while swimming. I have come so far in the past 15 months, plus I have 3 children and work part-time. </div>
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So I will not quit, although Saturday afternoon, I said I wanted to quit doing triathlons. </div>
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I will keep working hard to get better on the bike and get faster swimming.</div>
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I hope to do another all-women triathlon next summer. I really enjoyed the atmosphere much better than the triathlon with men involved. It was much more supportive and friendly.</div>
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Progress.......I have come so far.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-41616928352976712972012-06-23T08:23:00.004-07:002012-06-23T08:23:56.320-07:00Post-vacation struggle....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went on vacation last week. I gained 2 pounds (I thought it would be more with all the pina coladas at the pool. They are loaded with calories but so good). My husband gained more but he won't tell me how much. I ran twice while we were at the beach. One day I ran/walked with my oldest for about 15 min then ran about 1.5 miles myself on the beach after I took him back to the room. The other time I ran 3 miles on the treadmill because my husband saw a bobcat going into the vegetation on the beach near our room. He didn't want me running on the beach with the risk of getting attacked by a bobcat!<br />
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So after our amazing vacation, we are home and trying to get back on track with my training schedule.<br />
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Upcoming-I have the Pittsburgh Triathlon at the end of July and a half marathon in Pittsburgh in early September. I am running the one in September with my friend Melissa. It will be her first half marathon!<br />
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I am trying to do one open water swim per week, one bike ride, and whatever running that our triathlon coach, Sue, tells us to do. Usually 3 runs including one brick (bike and run).<br />
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I got the 2 pounds back down by cramming in exercise Wed-Sat this week!<br />
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Wed-3 mile run, abs in the morning and swim/run brick with my triathlon group in the evening<br />
Thurs-Body Pump!<br />
Fri-3 mile run and abs<br />
Sat-7.5 mile bike ride<br />
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So now I can be happy my weight is back down and enjoy the weekend........<br />
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Vacation 2012</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-12259836053466519662012-06-05T19:21:00.000-07:002012-06-05T19:21:53.526-07:00An Unexpected PR!The Memorial Race my husband was the race director for ended up a great success! At least 300 runners and walkers took place to raise money for the veterans.<br />
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Besides it being a success for the charity they were donating to, it was a personal success.<br />
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I did not go into the race with any major goals once I saw that the temperature was supposed to reach 90 degrees that day. I was hoping to finish under 28 since I never had for a 5K, but had hit around 27:50 in previous longer races. My mind was playing a mental game with me!<br />
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I got there early, met up with some friends from college with some photos, and was ready to start!<br />
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Sorority sisters :)</div>
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It was about 78 degrees at the start, but I was convinced I wanted to stay about 8:50 for the first 1.5 miles because a hill came about mile 2. So I did and didn't pay much attention the last mile and crossed at 26:27 on my Garmin and 26:38 officially. I started my Garmin at the starting mat, not at the horn but I think the timing service started our times at the horn. </div>
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Anyway I was pleasantly surprised and as my husband announced the awards.....</div>
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he even sounded a bit surprised when he said "In 3rd place for 30-34, my wife!"</div>
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So a great race put on by my husband and his Rotary club and a PR and a 3rd place award for me!! :)</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-89388055102558916982012-05-16T05:28:00.003-07:002012-05-16T05:28:43.129-07:00What's up next for summer?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now that the runner's high has left and I ended up getting some strange virus the past entire weekend with a fever between 101-102, swollen glands, sore throat, and now an odd rash on my face and my back and abdomen, I hope to be healed soon and move on!! I am on Prednisone and Ammox now. I missed my Saturday and Monday workout which I hate doing because I feel like I can hear myself gaining weight!<br />
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I am back on track and went to hot vinyasa yoga yesterday which was AMAZING as usual and got a great swim in this morning.<br />
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Next up........Memorial Day 5K, 5 mile race in June, and the Pittsburgh Tri in July. I am also going to do a half marathon in September with a friend who is doing her first half. I am also hoping to do the Great Race 10K in September as well in Pittsburgh.<br />
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It is odd to switch up my schedule after training for the half marathon for 12 weeks. Now to add in more swimming (which I have been trying to do once a week pretty much all through the winter) and to get back on my bike! I hope to go to Body Pump one morning a week and do yoga one morning a week and scale back one of my running days to concentrate on my weaknesses-swimming and biking.<br />
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Two weeks of school left for the kids and I won't have to rush home from the gym to help my husband get the lunches in the book bags and get them on the bus. No more packing lunches every night, no more homework every night.<br />
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Bring it on summer!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-43965282786152120092012-05-11T10:59:00.000-07:002012-05-11T10:59:34.384-07:00Runner of Steel!We are now 3rd time finishers of the Pittsburgh Marathon! In 2010, we did the relay, and the past two years we did the half marathon.<div>
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It all started after I had our 3rd baby and I needed to lose my baby weight and I got my husband and his brothers on board to do the relay. We needed a 5th member and I asked one of my closest friends, Anne, if she would be our 5th. Since then, we have spent a majority of our Saturday mornings running together. After the chaos of the relay, we all decided to the half marathon from now on.</div>
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My husband and I decided to stay overnight this year and went down Saturday afternoon to Pittsburgh.</div>
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When we checked it, it was a pleasant surprise to find that we were upgraded to a king suite for no charge! </div>
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We went to the Expo and each bought a shirt......mostly because we didn't get our race shirts. They were all out of Small and Medium Women and Large Men. They gave out the wrong shirts to the volunteers the prior day. We should be getting them in the mail in 4-6 weeks! We were disappointed that we didn't get our shirts.</div>
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After the expo, we decided to eat at The Original Fish Market for dinner. They had an all-you-can eat pasta bar. We were up to our room by 7PM to rent a movie ($17.99 for a movie?!) which was actually very good-Safe House with Ryan Reynolds and Denzel. I was asleep by 9:30PM.</div>
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Our alarm went off at 5:30am. We walked down to the starting line at 6:45am. It was so nice to sleep in. The past years we had to leave our house around 4am to head to town before they starting shutting the streets down.</div>
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I was getting texts left and right from family and friends. Anne was running in Corral B which I was assigned to as well. But Anne was hoping to break 2 hours and I knew I wasn't ready to do 9 minute miles for 13 miles, so I told my other friend Chrissy that I would run with her. Chrissy's PR was 2:11 and she was hoping to finish about 2:05. My goal for this race was also 2:05, although my PR was 2:07, anything less than that would be fine with me.</div>
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I wasn't able to meet up with Anne. I found Chrissy and wished Tim good luck. </div>
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Chrissy and I were all ready to go after hearing the great <a href="http://www.steelers.com/team/roster/Ryan-Clark/cf65ed11-5ecb-4e40-9341-ff499509537d">Ryan Clark</a> cheer us on and tell us to start!</div>
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Chrissy and I-ready for 13.1</div>
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Mile 1-6</div>
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We headed through town and through the Strip District, which smelled sooooo good! I just wanted to eat at all my favorite places down there. We were doing really well. We felt great and were staying around a 9:16 mile the whole time. We got water at mile 4, and I was really feeling like we could do a 2:05 or even less!</div>
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At mile 6, Chrissy said she needed a breather and told me to go ahead. I felt so bad, but I kept going and was ready to head to the West End Village.</div>
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When I crossed the 6 mile mark, I was at 57 minutes! I was feeling good about my pace.</div>
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Mile 7-8</div>
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I headed through the West End Village. The crowd support there is AMAZING!</div>
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I still was feeling great at this point.</div>
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Mile 8-10</div>
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Heading down Carson Street, it got very hot! It had to be about 8:45 am at this point. It was probably about 75 degrees by now and the sun was beating down. There was no shade here. I ate 2 Chomps and stopped to drink some Gatorade and walked through that water stop.</div>
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As we got into the root of the South Side, it was super hot and I wasn't feeling great. My hip and right knee were in some pain. I stopped to stretch my quad, which did help.</div>
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We split off from the full marathoners and headed over the Birmingham Bridge. I was feeling very bad at this point and kept telling myself, just 2 more miles!!</div>
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Mile 11-12</div>
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Then I saw the hill......there was a long hill with a slow grade that never seemed to end. I had to walk a little up this hill, as did most of the people around me. There was absolutely no shade here. It was probably 80 degrees by now-no clouds in sight!!</div>
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The downhill was nice. I was now hitting around a 9 min mile to make up for what I lost. I was praying I could come in under 2:07 at this point.</div>
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Mile 13-13.1</div>
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I was trying to run as fast as I could. People were SPRINTING past me. I was about an 8:50-9:16 pace at this point but felt as if I was slowly jogging. The crowd support here was great.</div>
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As I crossed the finish line, so did the winner of the full marathon! I could hear Ryan Clark announcing the winner. My official time was 2:06:59. I squeaked in one second under 2:07!!</div>
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Tim and I</div>
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I saw my husband ahead. He waited for me so we could get our finisher photo together. He finished 1:52. He was a little disappointed. He wanted to finish 1:45 but I can't even imagine getting either of those times!!</div>
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Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom</div>
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We got to see Tim's wonderful aunt and uncle who were passing out chips. It was so great to see family volunteering! There would not be a race without the volunteers! The food at the finish line was organized much better this year. There was plenty of water, bananas, Eat and Park Smiley cookies, fruit, chips, bagels, etc. They told me Anne finished a few minutes ahead of me. I was hoping she broke 2 hours.</div>
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Much to her sadness, Anne finished at 2:03! She said we should have run together since it was only a 3 minute difference!</div>
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Anne and I</div>
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Tim's oldest brother, Ben, improved his time from 2:30 to 2:12. He has lost almost 50 lbs since January with Weight Watchers. Tim's youngest brother came in about 3 hours. Tim's cousin, Sam, did his first half-marathon and finished about 2:45. (his parents were the ones passing out the chips)</div>
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Despite the heat, we had a great weekend and really enjoyed ourselves and were happy with our times. </div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-89282209984001619772012-04-26T07:26:00.001-07:002012-04-26T07:26:52.573-07:00Ready or not-here I come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAw8XItAOpRUa1HbS-hYlff5Hk96O22DDBkFegJdI2jSmUa-1qEQdFXwYdfT2ATXXItPVRqPDofUuwzdBpuyj6RHKuvcr0xjfGnclB9Zl_7MXX5S0Lj9U20V288FA8DeWAjX0-Yu0SBo/s1600/562411_377157545637842_286626948024236_1325467_1688591060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAw8XItAOpRUa1HbS-hYlff5Hk96O22DDBkFegJdI2jSmUa-1qEQdFXwYdfT2ATXXItPVRqPDofUuwzdBpuyj6RHKuvcr0xjfGnclB9Zl_7MXX5S0Lj9U20V288FA8DeWAjX0-Yu0SBo/s320/562411_377157545637842_286626948024236_1325467_1688591060_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are ten days remaining until I complete my 4th half marathon! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three years ago, when I was pregnant with my third child, I never thought I could run around the block, let alone, run four half marathons! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I ran one season of track when I was in 8th or 9th grade and pretty much hated it. My mom made me finish out the season because she never let me quit any activity that I had already started. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But now I don't know where I would be without running and my running/triathlon/exercise friends! It is so nice to have friends who also like getting fit. It's fun to run on a Saturday morning with a group of ladies and see several people throughout town and on the trail running as well and everyone is training for the same race or races. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So as I get ready to run the City of Bridges for the 3rd time, I am thankful that I made a life change to get fit. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No matter what happens next weekend (although I would be very happy coming in under 2 hours and 7 min which I did last fall), I will be happy and thankful to be running the Pittsburgh Marathon with so many old and new friends all around me!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-56736876344548637982012-03-13T07:09:00.011-07:002012-03-13T07:59:29.735-07:00RIP My beautiful Jules<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Juliana Addie Night</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Jules"</div><div style="text-align: center;">January 28, 2002-March 4, 2012</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6mUF6FFeSXCK4g07tB5SZPwK-tBGZ5Sg_ZwEN9HrTKeQXaKi8VPiS2JXJOlJSlB9ESKhMPM4pGlcWX6vTpqW3_58GApj4l9r9FW9aN1nohkJYNlhTVWLcaid0DrtMg89hmfkTgs2WOg/s1600/IMAG0130.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6mUF6FFeSXCK4g07tB5SZPwK-tBGZ5Sg_ZwEN9HrTKeQXaKi8VPiS2JXJOlJSlB9ESKhMPM4pGlcWX6vTpqW3_58GApj4l9r9FW9aN1nohkJYNlhTVWLcaid0DrtMg89hmfkTgs2WOg/s320/IMAG0130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719384109156060082" /></a>Last Sunday, March 4, 2012, our little Jules lost her battle with kidney failure. In December, we were told that it could be a few weeks to a few years. We didn't get any ultrasounds to see the damage. Our vet did not recommend it since there is no cure. We changed her food and added some medication to try to stabilize her numbers. But her last week, she began refusing all food. She would eat bacon for a day or two, then quit. She would eat macaroni and cheese for one meal and refuse it the next. Her final weekend, she stopped eating altogether. My husband was away at the State Racquetball Tournament and wanted to come home Saturday night but I told him to stay-there was nothing more he could do for her being here. She would drink water the last weekend and then throw up the water. She couldn't keep anything down.<div><br /></div><div>My husband ended up becoming the State Champion of his division that he entered and rushed home from State College after the tournament. My mom and I had given Jules some fluid under the skin (kind of like an IV of fluid) three times that weekend. I wanted her to stay alive until my husband got back. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the time Sunday night rolled around, Jules was just laying and her eyes were drooping and she looked like she was so tired, she couldn't keep them open. She hadn't eaten in over a day and couldn't even hold down water. Thank god my mom and I gave her the fluids through the IV to keep her alive so my husband could see her again and be there for the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>When my husband got home, she wagged her tail and lifted her head at his voice. That was the most energy I saw from her that day. When he looked at her, he knew that we had to have her put to sleep. We couldn't watch her suffer anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div>We told the kids to say goodbye to her in case she didn't do well at the vet. We didn't want to tell them that she was being put to sleep. We didn't want them to blame us for her death. My mom came over to watch the kids.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPTobfeN91tw6Ft5jBlDUQO10J4cUJ_-5grG8yKVJCbdEzanbzxejZy5MgiHFDTHXx1BF3HwPFVKzTwLsMd2cI3xnqQyFCvorSH1vKqqY59r7FQ0qCWy0ja9g7UKCarcnwupepc-AVDs/s320/DSC04731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719390053515662626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Jules last day with us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">My husband and I drove to an emergency vet. We called ahead of time because I didn't want them to try to talk us into trying any other means. We had tried everything already and it wasn't working. I couldn't watch my first baby suffer any more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I told my husband I wanted us to be with her until the end. I didn't want her to be alone during this time. We stayed with her until the very end. When her eyes finally closed, she looked like she was at peace finally. She hadn't been sleeping very soundly the last two days because she would get sick so often. I saw her face as she looked ten years ago. I kissed her nose one last time and hugged her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a hard few days for me. It was very difficult to tell my children. The older two still ask a lot of questions but they don't seem so sad anymore about it. I still get very sad at times like when everyone is sleeping and it is very quiet, she was usually with me. But I am feeling much better and know now that we made the right decision.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I will always miss Jules. I picked up her ashes yesterday and we are burying them under her favorite tree that she used to lay under.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of all I am so thankful for the wonderful ten years that she gave me and our family. She was the most wonderful dog that I ever could have hoped for......and more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBnowpxB2gZrNWHwWUjy3TFWl0yJhMAJdrB_WHr_VfbUdrpVATEK8CLaAhgmn6eTQZhA5G1K2Kg13dTl3zxO2fX_yCwv1NRKDulFpgZJz8UHDndR3Y01X4EIkJebZ5NDkUVcgc0sOlmM/s320/IMAG0175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719392581031242226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSoI9_3-EHd7PrBRf1Ir-sXlVuKmMKvgLS4ASrn3cRFWdq275aHhA6oT32mqcJTXqVPiPsAW2cS1NkfYhXGirF9e9w4JuoK3MH6aS2FfihXz2svOBY6Zi1cL8yM5CSCsASXHNYAp9kFs/s320/Julesnew.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719392759211587266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 312px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NPaicm1JnGbcfFOVIzBW6CZBqod8Tgom_LHJYRFP843uamffQltsFHVYviW2mGjIFdXDb4jCDYN7fC0TtzutC-bo8J-oqpSvAupeGLvk0K_xKvBzkUFHTwiQzspXhiwsmVc1lDBBmHM/s320/PrestonJules.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719393022760314066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgnhkE9hIYdjIDoa5E-ZfIOfhv_szys4ENDe9wcNCQwVhgok13LQUQztwnLqwOM_Dr9-PYCv7WbIwFso6EN0qeG5eEHOiQisncd4i6tKI4VCds9CKiQHzB83sCvoJVa-z5Rg6mlQ_sYw/s320/IMAG0147.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719393705428909426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWY1dCdQWxD_479MFNb2Tl1ppDX28Qpil062J_B8lHSXjsHnMcFhoeAk1YcVmz8RtKhyphenhyphenGjBerC93yiPp8GjPX3P9hYa92OOg1_LnevRa30ry_Sfv8axsQbtwin_WO9JT6qoeRR4cXDKrw/s320/IMAG0412.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719393512127641954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg530krs2GqzwPPwiK_UlyiTLpY3qL5TAbwFyap63XIPma3txCJvTN7_vsZEW4ak2KDafJDoGpqLSGLuQNs6FBtBV0Vbyufb0lrOA1lCVfJi_6sGnRTLnr-gBOoQEqxWXdwbnUsVbJi2RA/s320/IMAG0373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719393866127687378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvTneJ2rM4WSPw-N7KJIfBYUTYf4D4plFXqiqJiMqoeMrhTYtVv4XxhBTgR_mxVrNjy8rcy-CKxXKDiqQ8WW5bCy3md9TVeMAdunMAAkJo4328jj1UiBXIjrHMoeemkeW8Fq2TTy97Pg/s320/julespres.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719394934224034322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-63798634892502085992012-01-30T06:06:00.000-08:002012-02-10T13:51:34.763-08:00The Good Life<div style="text-align: center;">"Oh this has gotta be the good life. This has gotta be the good life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This could really be a good life, good life."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't think it is a coincidence that I heard this song on the radio several times this weekend. I am feeling very blessed. I'm not sure if it is the fact that I have been going to hot yoga on a routine once a week and carrying over the positive aspects into my daily life. Or maybe I am just looking at 2012 with a positive outlook.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had such a great weekend. Friday night, the older two children had friends ride the bus home after school and had such a great afternoon/evening with their friends. Saturday, I got a 5 mile run in on the treadmill early in the morning as I watched Glee on the iPad (why haven't I watched Glee before?! It is brilliant!) We went to Pittsburgh for my son's first hockey game of the weekend, in which they only lost 1 out of the 3 games they played. Then we ate lunch at the original Atria's in Mt. Lebanon and decided on a whim to go to the <a href="http://www.pittsburghkids.org/">Children's Museum of Pittsburgh</a>. We had an amazing time. It was perfect for all ages.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday was the second hockey game of the weekend, and the team was unstoppable winning all 5 games. My son got an amazing goal in the 4th game. The team only allowed 4 goals in all 5 games and had about 20 goals but we lost track since they don't keep an official score in the 8 and under groups. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All three of my kids amaze me every day. Oh yes they do drive me nuts at times, and I get frustrated but I absolutely love all 3 of my kids and the ages they are at right now! I wish I could just suspend time!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So for now I have been trying to look at all my experiences with a positive spin.........and it has been working so far! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-33738171717684880742012-01-10T06:32:00.000-08:002012-01-10T06:44:00.181-08:00New year, new gadgets!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5_XMTOFX1tn5chQuypKTUtRZgucIHTsTOe7jT3ADqHYethuLhUo4RE8jz4N7zNbK-LcbzVNQZJGdr6LqIKrJXTk7FMNy0sGWPz7T3i8Z45Q4ATu4PuiDv86N-DcNRxOI4Qm1D6M3LUw/s1600/293339_10150387252674672_692909671_8092081_1511301425_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5_XMTOFX1tn5chQuypKTUtRZgucIHTsTOe7jT3ADqHYethuLhUo4RE8jz4N7zNbK-LcbzVNQZJGdr6LqIKrJXTk7FMNy0sGWPz7T3i8Z45Q4ATu4PuiDv86N-DcNRxOI4Qm1D6M3LUw/s320/293339_10150387252674672_692909671_8092081_1511301425_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696013924947911682" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>I'm so excited about using my new gadgets this year. It is always so hard to get up when it is still dark outside and so cold. The new gadgets really help with my motivation here in January.</b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>My loving husband got me a Garmin 305 for Xmas!! I love it. I only have gotten to run outside with it about 5 times since Christmas because it has been cold and snowy the days I planned to go outside and when I run during the week, it is still dark outside so I go on the treadmill.</b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>I also bought myself a lap counter for swimming. I totally lose track of what I am doing when I am swimming and don't remember how many laps I have swam. My triathlon coach suggested getting a lap counter.</b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>It is a little stop watch that goes around my finger so every lap my thumb just hits my finger and it counts my laps!</b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b>I was so excited to use it this morning at the pool. I realized I need to get in the pool more often though because the time I swam for a 1/2 mile was a lot slower than last fall!</b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-42099278773127885212012-01-06T06:52:00.000-08:002012-01-06T07:02:24.982-08:00Holidays are over!!I'm glad to say the holidays are over. <div><br /></div><div>I love the magic of Christmas. I really do. I love thinking of new places for our Elf to go (most of the time). I love Christmas shopping. I love seeing the magic in my children's eyes. I love counting down the days with the kids. But it is stressful and we had a pretty crazy December.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, at the end of December an elderly woman went through a red light to t-bone my car in my driver's side. Then she proceeding to back up, wait for the light to turn green, and leave the scene of the accident. Thank god her husband has a conscience and he made her turn herself in an hour later at city hall. She also then lied to her insurance company and said my light was red and hers was green. Thank god for the man in the Coke truck behind her who chased her through town after she hit me until he couldn't keep up and for the woman who stopped and gave me her phone number as a witness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next, my daughter ended up with a virus called Henoch-Schonstein Purpura. Her immune system malfunctioned and attacked her blood vessels and her ankles swelled and she got a horrible rash and swelling on her legs. She couldn't walk for almost 2 days. Thank god she is okay now and just has to get weekly urine tests for a few months to be sure her kidneys weren't affected.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh and then my husband was hit by another idiot. She was trying to turn left while not using the turning lane that my husband was in. He was not very happy, especially since his car is brand new.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our final blow was our 9 year old lab Jules had been getting skinny and acting funny. I took her to the vet last week and she is starting to have kidney failure. We switched her food to Purina Kidney Function and changed her entire diet and she has some medications to take. This week she seems like a different dog and is acting like her old self again! She has a re-check on the bloodwork next week but I am very optimistic we still will have a few more years with our little girl!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, although I am usually very positive and have a smile on my face most of the time, the last few weeks have been trying.</div><div><br /></div><div>2012 is here and I am ready for positive things again!!</div><div><br /></div><div>My daughter is now a Girl Scout, my son's hockey team is doing well and he loves it, Tim and I are training for the Pittsburgh half marathon, and our baby is starting to grow up and talk more and (hopefully) get potty trained!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Smile on my face and I'm ready for positive things!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-30587145452720199882012-01-04T07:03:00.001-08:002012-01-04T07:23:23.578-08:00New for 2012<div style="text-align: center;">2012</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I haven't blogged for months! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since my last blog, I have done a half marathon in October and got a PR, The Great Race 10K in September and got a PR, and a 5K on Thanksgiving.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>September 2011-Great Race 10K</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I knew I would PR this 10K. My last one was 1 hour 3 minutes in 50+ mph winds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My husband and I ran this together (well not actually together). There were 14,000 people in this one. It was awesome. Mostly downhill, a few hills at beginning and one around mile 5.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finished in 58:20 and was happy with the result.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>October 15, 2011-Buffalo Creek Half Marathon</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hurt my ankle about a week prior so I only ran maybe 2 miles before this half marathon. I had no idea how it was going to go. It was on a gorgeous trail that was pretty much flat with only one hill about mile 12. I felt great until about 8 miles. I was thinking I would finish around 2 hours 2 minutes by then! Then my knee and ankle hurt so much! I had to walk at some points and felt like quitting because I was in so much pain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I ended up finishing at 2 hours 7 minutes, still a PR but was in so much pain. As soon as I saw my husband (who had a PR with 1 hour 49 minutes) I just had tears in my eyes from my pain!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't run for about 10 days after. I knew I was going to do the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving but wasn't sure how it would go.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I ended up getting sick a week before the Turkey Trot and wasn't sure how I would do with "Heart Attack Hill" which is in the 3rd mile of the 5k. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My friend Chrissy and I ran the course the Saturday before Thanksgiving and finished in 31 minutes. I coughed the whole way up the hill. I wasn't sure how it would go on Thursday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Turkey Trot 2011 5k</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I went out fast (for me!) about a 8:30 mile. I was about 17 minutes at mile 2. So I knew I could finish under 30 minutes even if I walked the last mile! I did start to walk up the hill and Chrissy came behind me and gave me a friendly punch in the back to remind me that I was almost done. That was enough to get me to run the rest of the course!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finished at 28:10, although I thought it would be about 27:58 or so since I started a little farther back before I ran over the starting pad. Some other friends, including my husband, thought the time listed online was from the gun going off, not from when our chips went over the pad. Oh well!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-34368186830680644732011-09-22T11:47:00.001-07:002011-09-22T12:00:33.384-07:00Training<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am about halfway through my half marathon training that is October 15th. I trained with my running partner, Anne, until recently. She did her half marathon last weekend <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/">Rock and Roll Philly</a>. She PRed and was 2 hours 36 seconds. We ran together in May and were 2 hours 10 seconds so I am hoping that I follow her lead and finish around 2 hours in October.</div><div><br /></div><div>But since Anne was away last weekend, I ran my 10 mile run with some moms I met from my daughter's preschool last year. I felt a little bit like I was cheating on Anne. I brought my Ipod, but none of these moms run with Ipods. I didn't know what route we would be doing and we basically just did 4 down a trail and 4 back then our last 2 miles around the track where we started. Anne and I always hydrate about halfway through but the new group doesn't drink anything during their runs. It was fun to talk to and run with new people, and they were pretty fast (for me) so I was glad to run with them. We ended up 10 miles at a 9:38 pace. I am going to run my 12 mile training run with them too, but I need to find a hydration/fuel belt before next week!!</div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend my husband and I are running a 10K. I am excited because my last 10K was during a wind/rainstorm with 50+ MPH winds that actually took siding off houses. I finished 1 hour 3 minutes which is much slower than my normal pace for even a half marathon! </div><div><br /></div><div>So I am looking for improvement this weekend.........and for my husband to beat me!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0svLoX8T2NWWtXB-gbbFaswgHzvgQeCjI7ki8xiAtUQBuNgg32K82ZX0QuUOHYUJHQOpl0jxmiN0Zi9vcHjtArh6PIVdEPUG2VbnpN8MPsi5f1P0kf-HLaX_7zZ02_KjMvDegnFQg9Yo/s1600/Motivation-Quotes+running.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0svLoX8T2NWWtXB-gbbFaswgHzvgQeCjI7ki8xiAtUQBuNgg32K82ZX0QuUOHYUJHQOpl0jxmiN0Zi9vcHjtArh6PIVdEPUG2VbnpN8MPsi5f1P0kf-HLaX_7zZ02_KjMvDegnFQg9Yo/s320/Motivation-Quotes+running.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655258110912073826" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-5159783458176184422011-08-30T06:25:00.000-07:002011-08-31T06:40:40.093-07:00I did it!!<div>
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<br /><div align="center">I did it! I completed my first triathlon!!</div>
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<br /><div align="left">After he got back, we headed over to registration. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Edwards">Sally Edwards</a>, a legendary triathlete, and Maggie Sullivan, who is the director of Trek's Women Triathlon series, gave our group (Mighty Tri Girls) a private "pep" talk. I picked up my numbers, chip, and race packet, bought myself a nice 1/4 zip pullover that said Trek Women's Triathlon Series and had everything I needed. I was very overwhelmed because when I do a running race, I just pick up my race packet and have a number and chip and that's it. With the triathlon, I had a number for my helmet, for my bike, for my spibelt, etc. I got a navy blue swim cap to determine the "wave" of swimmers I was in according to my age group.
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<br /><div align="left">My family had a nice relaxing afternoon at the pool and a small dinner. I headed over to a short Mighty Tri Girl meeting to get some last minute advice from Sue.
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<br /><div align="left">We were in bed by 8:30PM because I had an early wake up! At 4am, my alarm went off. I got ready (without waking my family) and headed to the lobby to get "numbered."
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<br />I rode with 2 members of my team, Jen and Theresa, over to the lake. We arrived at 5am. It was pitch black. Thank god for Jana and her "miner's cap" that had a light. I set up my transition area, got my tires pumped, and was ready.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">We still had some time and it was freezing. The wind from the lake made it a cold 55 degrees. I sat in a car wrapped in a blanket until about 6:15am. Then I did some last minute things and got my wetsuit on.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">The start was delayed so about 7:23am, my wave was about to begin. It was very choppy water, but a vert warm 70 degrees. I got a noseful of water at one point and had to doggy paddle a bit. There were "angels" set up in the water, which were ladies with noodles if anyone needed to take a break and rest. I was determined not to use one. I made it the full 1/2 mile with no help and ran out and up the steps to the transition area!</div>
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<br /><div align="left">I was ready for the part that was my biggest fear.......the bike! After just learning how to ride a bike 7 months ago, I doubted myself many times. I got on the bike with confidence and began my 12 mile ride. It was very flat and windy the first several miles. There were a few hills at the end, which made me realize that I have to get some more leg strength.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">I rode my bike back into the transition area and could hear Sue's voice cheering me on! I saw her smiling face and was so proud of myself. I heard her say, "This is your time to shine! Go get 'em!" on my way to begin my run. </div>
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<br /><div align="left">The support of all the women was amazing. I knew I was in the bottom portion of finishers because of my slow bike time, but the women I passed coming back into finish all had smiles, high fives, and encouraging words for me! Seeing all of the members of my team (there were about 30 Mighty Tri Girls there) cheering me on was such a great feeling.</div>
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<br /><div align="left">I am so thankful for my husband for being so supportive and encouraging. My mom and dad were so helpful with encouraging words and emails as well. My mom and husband helped by watching the kids while I trained. All of my friends and family were so wonderful in supporting my goal.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-22723186416556803412011-08-24T20:34:00.000-07:002011-08-24T20:42:46.566-07:00Taper.....<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdg87J9PXadFqUST2qyL_-nqE5Ot_4gNC_5wV79aRaYcn7GtIsxBZLf5ze0V_jLaA6Um4pi41kRmhWJcZ1M4EWi6d1e2ANVULz5fdoSlq89HC5t3yuDW7WKgpj78iz45hsco1pH4tFa8/s1600/saying+if+you+could+not+fail.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 318px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644632654412686850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdg87J9PXadFqUST2qyL_-nqE5Ot_4gNC_5wV79aRaYcn7GtIsxBZLf5ze0V_jLaA6Um4pi41kRmhWJcZ1M4EWi6d1e2ANVULz5fdoSlq89HC5t3yuDW7WKgpj78iz45hsco1pH4tFa8/s320/saying+if+you+could+not+fail.bmp" /></a></p>
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<br />As I approach my triathlon this weekend, I have been reflecting on my training and my life. With school starting for my kids next week, I always get emotional because I will miss them during the day. I know they are getting bored and are ready to go, although they do not realize it. So with the emotions high from the kids leaving, my daughter starting kindergarten, and my triathlon approaching, I have been a little emotional this week.
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<br />Tapering always makes me a little anxious as well. I usually run at least four times a week and my coach said only two short 20 min runs this week. I did that Monday and Tuesday and I am getting very antsy! I am going to fit in one more swim and I did a 45 min bike ride at the beginning of the week. I will hit everything that Sue told us to do for the week by tomorrow........now I just wait for the triathlon!!
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<br />I looked up my swim start time and it is 7:08am.
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<br />I do not think I will be able to sleep the night before!!
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-448306407538789210.post-1304187119118269552011-08-19T07:10:00.000-07:002011-08-19T07:21:17.519-07:00If someone told me....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYTFkdCGD4fdEVLCqplzLYbHal5UwAQE3m33JptmjWG4YR5e_TZ5KJeu_dpWicH-MDniUx4dbMBqdUfYpCGvGPVSy61cA2423eu8qEikmX_2IJG-hLxbXizpogT-qvA2e1Ou7vlVylh8/s1600/running+i+did+it.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 233px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642569511866924450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYTFkdCGD4fdEVLCqplzLYbHal5UwAQE3m33JptmjWG4YR5e_TZ5KJeu_dpWicH-MDniUx4dbMBqdUfYpCGvGPVSy61cA2423eu8qEikmX_2IJG-hLxbXizpogT-qvA2e1Ou7vlVylh8/s320/running+i+did+it.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div>I started training for this triathlon in February on one cold afternoon. I walked into the YMCA with my bathing suit under my clothes, shuffling through the snow in my Uggs. There was a small group of us looking at each other nervously. We made our way to the pool where we were welcomed by Sue's smile, which made me feel a little more relaxed, seeing her familiar face and hearing her crack a few funny jokes.</div>
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<br /><div>We began our triathlon training that day by learning how to do the swim stroke. Little did I know, on this day seven months ago, I would be hooked.</div>
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<br /><div>Little did I know, I would be waking up at 5am to drive down to the YMCA and do lap after lap in the pool and be home before 6:30am with a full workout in.</div>
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<br /><div>And the least likely of it all, that I would be riding a bike up and down the trail. After never being able to ride a bike, I never thought I could do it.</div>
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<br /><div>But with the encouragement of my coach, Sue, and many other people in my life, I was able to do it and now am getting ready to do my first triathlon in about a week!</div>
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<br /><div>I am as ready as I am going to be and I am so glad I never gave up. I had doubts. I had days that I thought it was just crazy to think I could learn how to ride a bike when I was 33 years old. I thought, why didn't I just stick with running? No matter what my finishing time is next week, I am glad I did it. I taught my children that you can do anything, no matter how old you are. I taught myself not to fear anything. </div>
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