Final Countdown

It's time to start the final countdown to the Marine Corps Marathon.  In 8 days I will run 26.2 miles through VA and DC.  Today I'm excited, though I know the nerves will start to kick in soon.  I feel ready for the race.  I followed the training plan, have taken good care of myself and will spend the next week focusing on getting lots of quality rest, hydrating and start carb loading a few days before the race.


I had my last long training run today with the Annapolis Striders.  We ran 10 miles along Greenbury Point Rd to a dirt road (East Rd) which took us under the towers you see across from the Naval Academy.  It was a route we had never done before and running on a dirt road was a little nerve racking because I was afraid I was going to roll my ankle on a rock.  The beauty of the route calmed me (of course today I decided not to run with my phone so I have no pictures) - we ran along the water and saw the sun raise. I may actually get up early every few Saturday's to run this route.  After 17 weeks it seems very odd and sad to think I will not be getting up Saturday mornings at 4:40AM to meet up with the group.  I'm actually going to miss it (comments like this make me start to question my sanity).


A special thank you to Megan who has run with me every Saturday and has supported me through the heavy legs, cramps and mental blocks.  Also to Susan, one of our coaches, who has provided great suggestions and encouraged me when I hit the wall in the middle of the hard part of training.  Both of you have made this a very special and enjoyable experience.  Thank You!


Be sure to check back often this week.  I'm hoping with the extra time on my hands from not having large amounts of miles to run I will be able to post each day.  The MCM is offering runners the ability to post their times every 10K (6ish miles) on their Facebook pages, so on race day everyone will be able to "follow me" along the course.

Its not to late to made a tax-deductible donation to the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure.  I have now raised $2,050.00 so. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

Matt, Cheryl & Yuengling 

Jenn, Randy & Aiden Smith

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Leslie Family

The Harris Family

The Hannon Family

The Donnelly Family

2 weeks from today

Two week from today I will complete the Marine Corps Marathon.  It is unbelievable that it is so close, yet I still have so much to plan.  The next two weeks are light in turns of running in order to give my legs time to rest and recover from the over 520 miles I have put on them training.  However now I must start planning the few days leading up to the race - nutrition, hydration, picking up my bib (and walking around the huge expo looking for deals), when to get to the hotel, the pasta dinner with the Susan G Komen Marathon for the Cure team and what time should I attempt to go to bed.  Lets not forget I also need to plan the morning of.  I'm not going to let this all stress me out and focus on one day at a time.

Today I exceeded my second fundraising goal of $2,000.00.  I have now raised $2,025.00.  That doesn't mean if you wanted to donate it is too late.  I will be collecting donation up to the day of the race on my personal page. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

Matt, Cheryl & Yuengling 

Jenn, Randy & Aiden Smith

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Leslie Family

The Harris Family

The Hannon Family

The Donnelly Family

Fun Weekend

We had such a fun weekend.  After an exhausting 16.5 miles run Saturday morning we headed to Greenstreet Gardens Fall Festival with the Lively family.   This is our third year going together to kick off fall. The best way to show the fun is with pictures.

The girls take a ride on the cow train

Ian enjoys the corn pit

Corn angles - a yearly tradition

A little jumping around

The hay maze

The girls leading the way through the big corn maze

Trying to find the perfect little pumpkin

Aren't they just the cutest? 

The Lively family

A family photo to end the day

After over two hours of fun (and walking around) we headed home.  My legs were exhausted so I started popping the Ibuprofen.  We enjoyed homemade tamales for dinner (James is such a great cook) and a little ice cream for dessert.  At 8:30 I was fast asleep on the couch - apparently snoring.


Sunday started with pancakes and then a trip to the gym.  I did a few miles on the elliptical to keep some of the pounding off my legs.  Then a few errands and we were off to my sister in-laws for the kids to meet their cousin Aiden!  Paige was happy as could be and couldn't wait to hold him.  Ian said a quick hello and then was off and running around the house.  We were able to get this one photo of them all together:

These three are going to be trouble!

 And of course I'm going to throw in a picture of me with Aiden:

He is SO CUTE!

It really was a great weekend.  I love having these special moments with my family. 

3rd & FINAL 20 Mile Run

Yesterday I completed my 3^rd and final 20 mile training run.  I feel I have everything worked out (when to take in fluids and gels).  I'm feeling strong and tired all at the same time with a positive outlook on finishing the MCM in under 5 hours.  For the next four weeks I begin to taper off on my mileage while trying to increase my speed and stay injury free.

Here is how yesterday went:

      Weather was 45-55 degrees during the time of my run with cloudy skies, a breeze and a bit of drizzle to start.

      I got up at 4:45AM and was out the door at 5:45AM 

      Arrived in Eastport at 6:30AM and started the first leg of my run

      Ran 4.3 miles in 45 minutes ending at Quite Waters Park

      Tried to keep warm while I waited for the start of the Annapolis Run for Shelter Half Marathon which benefited the Light House Shelter 

      Completed 13.1 miles in 2:18:50 which is 2 minutes faster than my first half in June…keeping in mind I actually completed 13.1 miles total before mile 9 if you include my first leg

      After the half I did a bit of stretching, ate half of banana and then headed back to my car which was 2.8 miles back to Eastport.  On my run back a gentleman, who also ran the half marathon biked by me and asked, "Wasn't the 13.1 enough for you?"  I told him I was training for the MCM and needed the extra miles, but to answer his question, "Yes the 13.1 miles would have been enough for me!"

      I finished 20.19 miles in 3:37:07 (not including the stops between legs of the run).  I am thrilled with this time and felt as thought I had enough energy to keep going

      By the time I got home I was stiff, exhausted and chilled.  I spent the day on the coach watching football and napping…the perfect way to spend a Sunday

14 out of 64 Half Marathon runners

As the days tick down to the MCM (27 days from today) I am excited and anxious.  I'm proud of what I have accomplished and look forward to seeing all of my training pay off…even if that means walking part of it since the real goal is to cross the finish line.

I continue to raise money and awareness for the fight against Breast Cancer.  I've raised $1,790.00 and need your help to reach my goal of $2,000.00.  Please make a tax-deductible donation to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure by clicking here.  Your donation will go to fund research for finding a cure and improving the lives of those living with Breast Cancer.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

Matt, Cheryl & Yuengling 

Jenn, Randy and Aiden Smith

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Leslie Family

The Harris Family

The Hannon Family