3 years ago today ... I lost my dad.

Some might say it was the hardest day of my life. I disagree. I think the day we found out he had Stage IV lung cancer was harder. I think the day we picked his casket was harder. I think seeing my kids and talking to them about how they will never see their beloved Pop Pop again was harder.  I think hugging and thanking the hundreds of people that came through the line at the viewing was harder. I think sitting through his funeral and feeling like he was robbed of so much life was harder.

Today may mark the day of his actual death. But in reality, I think the aftermath hurt more than the actual day.  It's been 3 whole years and I can still be reduced to tears at the simplest of things that remind me of him.

I went to the gravesite with my Mom and Sister this morning. We released our balloons to heaven as we always do. We went to lunch and then I went on a slow run. Oddly, my stomach heart and I had heart burn. This has never happened to me on a run before. Perhaps my heart was hurting for a reason.



PS: To those that read this blog that knew my Dad, please do me a favor. Play one these songs for him today: "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly & Kenny or "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. I played them both during my ride to my mom's this morning. I think the Dance is such a fitting tribute to him. Islands in the Stream was one of his favorite songs.  Oh yeah, have a cup of coffee, too!

My poor neglected blog...

Where the heck have I been?  Let me summarize:

Birthday party for my son (turned 7)...limo ride to Citizens bank ball park and a private tour for the birthday party.  Before you start thinking I won the lottery, the limo ride was a generous gift from his friend's father who happened to have a limo for the weekend.  Touring the ballpark is actually a very reasonable party if you opt for the group rates.

Easter...cooking for the masses, out of town guests for the whole weekend

This week...lots and lots of work.  It's been crazy busy at work since Mid-March. 

Also, I'm prepping and organizing a neighborhood yard sale on Saturday.  Let's cross our fingers that we have nice weather, a good turn out, and make some money!

I feel like I cannot keep my head above water.  This schedule is insanity.  Needless to say, running (and everything else in my life) has been on the back burner.  I did manage to get a 10 miler in on Easter Sunday so that I could eat more Easter candy! 

What to do???

Runners...I need your help.

For the last 5 weekends in a row, I've run 10 miles.  My marathon training plan doesn't start until July and it assumes you can run 8 miles comfortably.  What should I do from now until July?

I don't want to lose my base and endurance?  If I keep ramping my milelage up, will I risk injury?

A slow 10 miler yesterday

Last week...10 miles=1:39:57
This week...10 miles=1:55:45

What a difference a week makes. 

I ran 10 with my friend Jeff yesterday.  I think I was slower for several reasons:

• We talked the whole time (which clearly slows me down). 
• We did some trails which also slow me down due to rocks.  You might remember, I'm known for falling. 
• We also stopped for traffic (don't get that on a closed race course) and this run had some hills.
• Finally, wind.  Strong wind. 

Am I making excuses...you betcha.  I still enjoyed my 10 miles even though it wasn't the wonderful PR I had last weekend.  The bonus is that today I can come down steps without grabbing on to the railing for dear life. 

Boston Excitement!

Did I get you with that title?  No, I am not running Boston.  All the other running blogs are talking about it, so why shouldn't I join in.

I will never be able to run fast enough to qualify for the elusive Boston! I am, however, really excited for all the blogs I read who are going to Boston.

Knock 'em dead ladies.  Can't wait to read your race reports. 


Good Luck Beth, Keri, and Denise!!

Still Sore!

Official race results have been posted and confirmed my finish time of 1:39:57. WOO HOO!

I'm still sore today...it's the quads that are the worst; coming down steps is particularly hard.  I ran three 10 milers to prepare for Sunday and my best time was a 1:45.  I guess the soreness is to be expected.

I took yesterday completely off and will ride the recumbant bike today.  I need to get these tired legs moving!

The running gods (or my Dad) were smiling upon me today!

Today was just one of those days were everything came together perfectly.  I was well trained and well rested.  The 10 mile course was pancake flat.  The weather was 52 degrees and overcast. 

My goal was to shave 10 minutes off my last 10 mile race which meant a goal time of 1:41.  My "secret" goal that I only told my hubby about was 1:40.  I would be proud to come in averaging under a 10 minute mile for all 10 miles. 

I felt strong at the start.  Of the splits I can remember:

Mile 1:  9:17
Mile 2:  18:40
Mile 3:  28:56
Mile 4:  38:??
Mile 5:  48:25 (saw the clock and when running past the chute for the 5 mile finishers)
Mile 6 - 8:  off in never never land daydreaming about a hot shower and talking to myself about how I am going to hit my goal.
Mile 9:  1:30 exactly
Mile 10:  1:39:57 (or 58...not sure on exact final time)  A NEW PR!

I am smiling from ear to ear.  I am so proud of myself.  To run all 10 miles under a 10 minute mile on average is quite a feat for me! 

 I can't wait to check out the professional pics.  I saw a lot of photographers on the course and tried to smile nicely for them!

10 mile race tomorrow!

We had a great night in last night. The dreary, rainy night weather made it even better to get into our PJs and spend family night in!  I made an ultra healthy dinner...Salmon over spring mix topped with cucumber dill dressing!

After dinner, we played Mario Kart, wii Fit, wii Sports, and wii Play.  It was really nice to just hang with the family.  Today we got up went out to breakfast, picked up my race bib for tomorrow, ordered JAL's Phillies cake for his 7th birthday, and took ARL to a voice lesson. 

Tomorrow at 9am I'll be racing in the Hatfield Five and Dime Race.  It's a 5 mile course that you can run twice if you want.  Since I didn't get into the Broad Street Run, this is my spring 10 miler!  My goal is simple (but actually quite hard)....shave 10 minutes off last year's Broad Street run.  That puts my goal at a 1:41. 

Wish me luck!

Finally Friday!

It's finally Friday!  I had a ridiculously long work week where I was out of the house late for work every single night.  I got home at 9:15 last night.  My hubby told me the kids really miss me and were asking why I had to work so much.  That made me feel really good and sad at the same time. 

One of the great parts of my job is it's flexibility.  So today, I'm working from home.  I need this day of being at home just to catch up on all my emails and projects.  I'm not leaving the house today.  I'll be in my favorite Danskin yoga pants all day.  I may wait until noon to shower. 

I put the kids on alert that tonight is our night.  No friends...just the 4 of us.  After dinner, we'll get in our PJs and do whatever they want.  They picked playing board games and wii.  And, lots of fun snacks (guess who requested this)!  I am so looking forward to my family night.

1,000 miles (tracked)!

Since I've started tracking my runs (running with my Nike+ chip), I've run 1,000 miles! I hit the mark today!  I began running with the chip on May 27, 2009.  I started running in April of 2009.  Of course, there were days I ran where I didn't wear it because I ran with friends, days my ipod wasn't charged, days I forget to calibrate it, etc.  But you get the general idea.

The stats:

233 runs
179 hours, 25 minutes
104,894 calories

10.2 on this beautiful Sunday!

Thank god for friends.  I totally did not want to run today.  We went to church this morning and saw ALR acolyte.  She did great.  As soon as we got home, I spent the next hour rationalizing why I didn't want to do my long run.  I ate lunch and promptly placed my butt on the couch to watch trash on television. 

I finally motivated myself to go out and do just 6 miles.  I had originally planned on 11 today.  Don't forget...I'm racing 10 miles next weekend.  I did 6 miles in 1 hour 23 seconds (just 24 seconds slower than my goal).  I blame the strong head winds. 

As I was coming back, I ran into my friend Lisa heading out for 4.  Why not join her and get my 10 in?  I had 2 shot blocks, a quick gulp of water, and off we went.  The stats:

10.2 miles
1 hour 45 minutes
1,016 calories burned

After the run, she came over with a bottle of chard.  I made huge taco salads with avocado, tomato, chick peas, and ground turkey with taco seasoning.  It was the perfect post run dinner.  We then polished off the rest of the drunken goat cheese from whole foods and the bottle of wine.  My kind of night...good food, good wine, good friendship.
 
Happy weekend!