We Ran for Christchurch!!

This weekend was the worldwide, virtual Run for Christchurch. Here we are in our red and black showing the love for the families impacted by the tragic earthquake in New Zealand a couple of weeks ago. It goes without saying that our thoughts and prayers are also with our brothers and sisters in Japan at this time...

Janie, Travis and family ran a 5K in Bootleg Canyon, NV!!

Scott ran the Celebrate Life Half Marathon in NY!!

Sharon ran a 10K in FL!!

Emily ran for Christchurch in Tampa, FL!!

Mike ran his first half marathon in New Port Richey, FL!! Video (Here!)

I ran 3 miles on Saturday night bringing my total miles for the week above 15 for the first time!

And our little Madison did her first ever run :)

Thank you so much for your awesome spirit and participation!!

Mike's First Half Marathon!

Here's my tribute to my Mike to celebrate his big accomplishment. Not only did he finish his first Half but in under 2 hours (1:51:08) and placed third in his category!

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!

Running Blogs

There are about a trillion running blogs. Whether you're just starting out and planning on breaking into a steady walk soon or training for your next ultra, there are blogs aplentiful just for you and I have a bunch of faves that I read every day! I've added a page at the top of this page, 'Blogs and Stuff I Love,' with a link to a ton of blogs all in one place so that you can check some of them out for yourself. Anyway, I found this article while I was poking around the 'blogosphere' and thought it was pretty hilarious. I should warn you though - if you're grossed out by bodily functions (or have just eaten) you may want to just go about your day. For the rest of us, check out this article published by the Houston Press (Five of the Most Disgusting Marathon Pictures Ever!) and don't say I didn't warn you...

Run for Christchurch - virtual race!

I'm running for Christchurch - and you can too!

Here are the details on this worldwide, virtual event! Click here!

As you may know, New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, was devastated by a 6.3 earthquake at lunchtime on Tuesday, 22 February 2011. There have been at least 166 fatalities and days later many people are still missing.

New Zealanders from Christchurch and people around the world want to know how they can help, and the answer’s short. With money. But we all want to feel like we’re doing more than just typing our credit card numbers into a box and clicking submit. So we thought we’d go for a run. Wearing red and black, to show the people of Canterbury we love them. And we’d like you to join us for a virtual run. Wherever you are.

If you’d like to participate, just follow these easy steps:

* Donate to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Fund for as little as $5 here at our fundraising page

* Follow us on twitter!

* Email us run4chch@gmail.com
* Tell the world you’re in. Share the love on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, whatever.
* On the 12th or 13th of March, put your red and black on, and hit the streets, or the pavements, or the trails, or wherever it is that you run.
* Send us a link to your race report, and we’ll post it on the website.
We’re hoping to get 100 runners, so please share this with everyone you know!
Thanks,
The Run for Christchurch Team

Another she-ro...:)

Wow, another of my friends completed their first half marathon! Here's Loren North's inspirational story!...

What inspired you to do a Half Marathon? My friend has talked me into doing the full marathon with her held in Las Vegas every December, so I figured I would try out a 1/2 first to see if I could make it.
What Training Plan did you choose? There was one available for the half marathon that I was completing so I used their plan which in retrospect was pretty aggressive, but I made it.
What kept you motivated? I am used to working out every day so I knew I had to complete my runs to get my workouts in.
What obstacles/hurdles did you encounter during training? I was overwhelmed by anything more than 5 miles in the beginning. Once you break 5 miles, you can see yourself running 8 then 10 etc. Also, I got sick within 2 weeks of the race and missed about 4 or 5 days of training which I was really worried about but in the end I don't think it mattered.
How was the race itself? The race was actually harder than I thought it would be because it was predominantly uphill. However, I kept at it and because it was in a beautiful part of North Scottsdale, I tried to take the time to look around me and take in the surroundings and sunrise.
How do you feel now? I feel great, my calves are sore but that's it.
What is the single best piece of advice you can give? It helps to have friends who are runners or have been through a marathon/half-marathon before, because sometimes I felt like I had no idea what I was doing, but having people to talk to helps. Also, you can always walk if you have to during the race! That was a constant reminder from one of my friends. Also- FYI- the books I am using to train for the marathon are: Marathoning for Mortals by John Bingham and The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer (has a training plan included) by Whitsett et al.

CONGRATULATIONS LOREN!!

Feeling inspired by my she-ros...

Three of my girlfriends just ran their first half marathon at the weekend! I am so completely inspired and proud to know them that I wanted to share their stories with you...

Starting out with the legendary Kathleen Powers!...

"My inspiration for running this was that I had talked some friends into doing other races with me and I guess I owed them this one. I trained by doing my normal running and then adding a couple of extra miles when I had a little extra time. The furthest I ever got was 9.5 miles. When I hit 7 miles during the race I felt great and thought that finishing was going to be easy but then I hit a wall at mile 9 and took a few longer water breaks. My attention span was also about done and I ran out of things to think about and realized how bad my legs and feet were hurting. It was a great feeling when I crossed the finish line and called my husband to let him know that I had beaten my goal time (and that of a friend of ours who was giving me a hard time). I wasn't too sore afterwards. I need to get back out on the road because I had already signed up for a 10k in 2 weeks and a sprint tri in June."

And then there's the adorable Catherine "Tink" Pacifici :)...

"I was inspired to do a 1/2 because it seemed like the perfect goal: achievable but impossible at the same time! I used the "add-a-mile-a-week" plan! I faced sore knees continuously and then general laziness, both of which I conquered. One with massage therapy and exercises and the other with sheer will. The race itself was the most schizophrenic experience of my life. One part of me said, "Quit! You'll never finish!" and the other said, "Come on! just 5 more miles!" The latter won. Funny, it was the mile markers and the sheer emotion that I felt every time I passed one. As I hit double digits (10) it hit that I was going to finish and buy my 13.1 sticker for my car! I got completely choked up at mile 12, like crying. By the time I crossed the finish line, I just hugged the guy handing out waters. One of the most proud, painful moments of my life. Now I am SORE! Proud. Amazed. 16 months ago I had never even run a mile without walking. And now 13.1 are under my belt!!! I want to go for speed and work on my 10K. I will do another 1/2, but for now will just savor the glory of the Princess!"

And finally my precious niece-to-be Kayz Harold!...

"I decided 2 do it as my friend at the running club wanted support to do it as she is doing the London marathon!! At first I said no way I never thought I could do it....but then I thought yes I can do this!! Training was going well and consisted of 6ish miles twice a week which I was going 2 increase until the 1/2!! Then beautiful England gave us a bad winter with lots if snow and I got flu!! I was then unfit and told myself 2 give up trying!! I went back to the club and was very disappointed in my lack of fitness...but the 2 partners would not let me give in....so I pushed hard and in roughly 6 weeks got most of my fitness back! The furthest I ran before was about 10.5 miles. During the race I felt great...atmosphere was amazing...good weather...but then after 6 miles of running head on into the wind I was getting tired....then 8 miles hit n I was mentally and physically struggling!! I was given a Carbs gel which I felt helped but not sure if was just a mental push!! At 10 miles I wanted to stop, my legs were seizing up..but I was not giving in now...3.2 more miles left!!! And I did it...., I did walk bits but I ran over the line and the emotions ran wild!! I cried!! Then I was handed my medal and I was over the moon!!! The first thing I said was never again...but after 30 mins recovery I was left feeling sad that it was all over and wondering when I can do it again!!! Crazy!!!! 2 days later and my legs are still killing me!! I also raised 110 pounds for the charity go 4 it...they help provide specialist equipment to get disabled people up to the age of 26 into sports...some even go to those in the Paralympics London 2012!! When the sponsor pack came in the post that gave me a good push x"

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!!!!!!