13.1 in memory of my Dad...

In 13 hours (check out the irony of the timing), I will be running 13.1 miles in memory and honor of my Dad.  In case you've forgotten why I run or what he looked like, let me remind you with some of my favorite pics of him.  The first one is on the front of the shirt I'll be wearing tomorrow.  The second one is from the winter (he always grew a beard in the winter).

Monday (9/19) would have been his 68th birthday. We'll be sending our balloons to heaven as we do every year.

Love you and miss you dad...please give the courage and strength to get through these miles tomorrow.  Wish you could be there to high 5 me at the finish...

My Fourth Father's day without him...

Today is a hard day.  I will try to stay upbeat and happy for my husband (I don't want to be a downer on his special day) and for the kids.  

My Dad was strong, humble, quiet, smart, and loving.  He taught me how to fish, how to drive, and constantly reinforced key qualities like respect and discipline.  My parents inspired a work ethic in me that continues to be a driving force in my life.  Neither my Mom or Dad went to college.  They wanted better for their two girls and instilled values and morals in both of us that serve us well.  My sister earned her Ph.D. and I have a Masters degree and two undergraduate degrees. Both my sister and I graduated summa cum laude.

My Dad loved coffee, country music, camping, hunting, fishing, crosswords, and most of all, his family.  I will forever treasure all of our wonderful family memories.  He was a wonderful Pop Pop to my kids.

If he only knew that I started a whole company in his honor and memory.  Talk about leaving a legacy...

Lighting my candle in celebration and remembrance...

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!

6.3 miles on a crisp morning with no wind. Delightful!

What a great run this morning...the weather was perfect!  Upper 30s and not a bit of wind.  I ran most of the run with a larger group from Fleet Feet and then broke off with another woman.  We wanted to go a bit further as we are both training for upcoming 10-milers in April.

Today was the kind of run that reminds me why I go out there and run.  I started running because of my Dad.  Read about it here, here and here She lost her father to cancer, too.  Our stories were quite similar...young dads (hers 66, mine 64), both battled about 3 months, both got just one round of chemo. 

I still miss my Dad every day.  And I keep on running for him.

Free to Breathe TOMORROW!!

The Philadelphia Free To Breathe 5k is tomorrow!  This is how my whole running career began!  With a simple google of "walks for lung cancer".  Who knew it would turn me into a runner??  This race will be my second year on the planning committee and running it.  Last year I was recovering from bronchitis and got a 31:33.  Not bad for a sickie.  I hope to come in somewhere in the 28s tomorrow. 


A lot of people say their life changes after they lose a loved one.  For me, that would be a huge understatement.  My Dad has motivated and inspired me so many times since he's passed.  I've created a product as a result of his passing.  I'm pursuing a dream in bringing this product to the market to help folks celebrate and remember their loved ones.  I've become a runner whose completed two 1/2 marathons.  Every run provides a quiet time to reflect on my wonderful memories of my Dad.

Life is short.  Seize each day and make a difference. 

One Word....REDEMPTION!

2:13:32.  12 minutes quicker than my previous half on 9/19/10. And, I even fell on the trail part of the course.

I couldn't be more proud of myself.  Full race recap (including the fall) coming soon...for now, I'm going to sit in the hot tub.


All for my Dad who is smiling down on me today.  He continues to inspire, lead, and motivate!

I'm done.

I finished my last training run today. Next time I will be running is when I cross the starting mat (about 8:15 or so) on Sunday morning....9/19.  The day my Dad would have turned 67.

This one is all for my Dad...He fought his cancer with such bravery and courage.  It's only fitting that I do my longest race on his birthday in memory and in honor of him!!  Two years ago, I couldn't run a mile.  Running never even crossed my mind.  After losing him, it became my alone time, my comfort, my solace, and my escape. 

Love you and miss you, Dad!  Watch for some balloons headed your way after I cross that finish line!

My new favorite accessory!

One of the running blogs I read featured a giveaway of a gift certificate to a store that makes jewelry. She has several lines of runner's jewelry.  I fell in love with many pieces, but limited myself to one purchase.   I chose a piece that would symbolize my commitment to running while honoring my Dad. The picture did not come out the way I wanted it to (time for a new camera)?  I promise you the piece is absolutely gorgeous!

• The 13.1 in the bronze circle indicates the distance of the half marathon I will run.  

• "In Memory of My Dad" is the two lines of text in the silver rectangle.  This is pretty self explanatory.  I started running to get ready for a 5K fundraiser race for lung cancer.  I lost my Dad to lung cancer in April 2008.  I've been running ever since.  My father was so brave and courageous in his battle that I thought it would be fitting to do something (like running) that would take me out of my comfort zone. 

• 9/19/10 is the date of the half marathon (Philly Rock-N-Roll Half) that I will run.  September 19 was my Dad's birthday.  He would have been 67 this year.  I will run a half marathon in memory and honor and tribute to him.  When I cross the finish line, I'll be sending some balloons up to heaven!  The date of the race couldn't have been more perfect!

If you want to check out some of Jackie's creations, go to www.thesilvermaple.com.   She does incredible work and her pictures are clear (she must have a nice camera)!

For those who are local, My family and I will be hosting a fund raiser dinner at Jack Creek Steakhouse in Allentown on 9/19.  If you are interested in joining us, please leave a comment and I'll email you the invitation.  You need to invitation to get in!  Jack Creek is donating a portion of their sales that evening to Team Charlie's Angels.  Their steak won best Filet on Regis & Kelly's Ultimate Hometown Grill Off contest!  www.jackcreeksteakhouse.com

Check out our team progress at www.freetobreathe.org, Philadelphia event, Team Charlie's Angels!

Weekly Recap!

This was my first week of the 14-week 1/2 Marathon Training program. My week looked liked this:

Monday-off
Tuesday-2.1 miles, 20 minutes
Wednesday-3.0 miles, 28 minutes
Thursday-30 minutes on bike, 5 sets of 1-minute planks
Friday-off
Saturday-4.3 miles, 41 minutes
Sunday-4.3 miles, 43 minutes, 5 sets of 1-minute planks

I hope everyone has a Happy Father's Day.  I surely will be thinking of and missing my Dad today.

Still missing and loving him.

Two years ago today, I lost my Dad.  He was an incredible Father, Husband, Pop Pop and Friend.  I have so many wonderful memories that I hold onto... 

• Taking a bath in Aveeno when I had the chicken pocks in kindergarten (I refused to do it for my Mom and would only do it for him).
• Whenever I was sick, he would make me the best poached eggs.
• When I was in 4th grade, I hit a tree with our snowmobile.  He wasn't the least bit upset that I crashed it...he just wanted to get me to to the hospital to get my arm casted.  He never once said anything about my driving or complained about the damage I had done.
• Building a mousetrap car with him for a 7th grade project (wonder where that is??).  We were both so proud of our car and that it went 36 feet (enough for an A).
• Teaching me how to drive (and the fact that when he took me for the drivers test he knew the cop...it was an old Army buddy!!  Can you say PASSED?!).  Buying my first car together...Loved that Red Chevy Cavalier!
• Walking me down the aisle, dancing to butterfly kisses....
• The weeks of maternity leave we spent together....we did so much with those kids!!  Gymboree and out to lunch, Cabela's, the zoo, parks and playgrounds, etc.  I couldn't have survived those weeks without him. 
• So many home projects...far too many to list.  What stands out most was his patience.  I swore I would never do crown molding or any kind of trim work again.  He was so patient up and down the ladder until it was absolutely perfect.  Yup, that's my Dad...a true perfectionist in anything he put his mind too.  If you walk through our house, you'll find him in every room...either something he built, painted, fixed, hung or even just a favorite picture. 

I miss you, Dad. I love you, Dad...more than you could ever know. Thanks for 33 wonderful years with you.  I hope know that you live on in me and the kids.  I can only hope to leave the legacy that you have left.  I can only hope to have the grace, dignity, and courage you had when it is my time.  You are truly "a hero to this little girl".  Watch for some balloons headed your way tonight...

With that, I am wiping away the tears now and getting on with my day.  We will be having mountain pies over a fire for dinner tonight.  My Dad loved mountain pies and camp fires.  Oh yeah, Boston Cream donuts for dessert, too!