Revolution Run 5k

4th of July turned out to be way more humid than I expected! I’m glad we ran at 9 and no later. I would have preferred to run at 7:00 seeing as how it was already 81 degrees when the race started! I got to run with my fancy new IPhone and turned on my GPS tracker which was good seeing as how the course wasn’t really well marked with mile markers! We started uphill and I made the choice that even if it was slow I was going to run up the hill so I didn’t lose momentum. There were some people who did the walk/run but I just can’t do that, it’s all or nothing with me. It was tough because the water stop wasn’t until mile 2 and the water was REALLY warm, almost hot! YUCK! I took a chug and literally wanted to spit it back up. I ended up slowing WAY down for ½ mile and at that point was just waiting for the downhill to come. I did get lapped by the girl who was leading the 10K run, good for her! There weren’t a lot of people along the route like the Hollis one, but I did just enjoy the time with myself. I also had no one to pace really. My miles were up and down. 11:45 mile 1 14:50 mile 2 and 12:50 mile 3 so I averaged about a 13 minute mile. When I was coming into Holman Stadium this very nice probably 70 year old man ran with me for like 50 feet, he was very sweet! It was kinda cool to run into the stadium while there weren’t a lot of people there they were cheering and they announced you coming in. There was no one with me so I got the spotlight to myself! I finished in 42:02 and was VERY proud of myself for the conditions we ran in and the fact is was my second 5K and this one was definitely a rolling hills course. I got my medal and downed some Gatorade (oh warm water please be gone) and a banana and watched some of the other runners come in.

I went to the bathroom before I left and that’s when I noticed my foot. I had gotten new running shoes the previous week and had worn them a few times but I ran in my old running shoes. My poor shoe was all bloody, apparently I had a small blister from my new shoes and not noticing it I ran without anything over it. Therefore somewhere along the way I busted heel open funny part is I didn’t feel it. So I stopped by the EMTs for a band aid and they cleaned me all up and sent me on my way. Not gonna lie it killed the next 2 days! Curt Shilling has the bloody sock, well I have the bloody shoe!

I went home, showered and headed up to Boston to hang out with Kelly and cause a ruckus in Southie! There was a buffet of alcohol, weird pub people, ring pops and of course fireworks! It was awesome to see them in person and the view we had was awesome. You could see the entire city from Monument Hill and all the other displays (some albeit illegal still cool!)
Up next is the Cigna 5K in Manchester in August. My company sponsors all the runner from here so it’s FREE! It’s very hot this week so I may do some sprints but that’s about it! Kelly and I will do some hiking this next weekend so I’ll still be getting my cardio in! Next week’s blog could be bananas! HAHAHA!

Daily Mantra: There is only one thing that can guarantee our failure and that’s if we quit!

Warrior Dash Wrap up

Can I just say how much my stomach hurt after the dash? Only because we were laughing SO hard throughout the whole thing. It was a horrible day weather wise, it was thundering and lightening when we got there and didn’t know if we would be able to go. We ended up running in the 9:00 heat (we were scheduled at 8:30). We made sure to put ourselves at the back of the pack and I can only imagine what our little tutu butts looked like running up the hill! One we got into the woods we actually couldn’t feel much of the rain so that was nice, only we kept sinking in the mud and slipping. It was like one big slip and slide the whole way. We did all the obstacles, including the 12 foot wall! Best part was in the course they had photographers and we actually posed for pictures, clearly we weren’t doing this for time! In the end we lost our tutus due to the mud but they made the whole thing more fun! We finished with a time of 1:13 minutes but there are no cool finish line pictures since a huge team finished in front of use and blocked our view! We collected our medals, tried to wash off in the horrible water fans (ended up rinsing off in a puddle!) and got our free beer!
There was a good band playing when we first finished, McAlister Drive, and unfortunately a not so good band when we were eating lunch. Just my opinion but I know what I like and they weren’t it. On a cheesy note, someone did get married on stage. In the time it took Kelly and I to go get a beer they were married and gone. To each his own! We’ll be back to do it next year for sure, the more the merrier and the costumes will be bigger and better to!
So this weekend it’s back to the running world. I got an awesome new pair of Nike+ (I can sync with my iPhone SUPER COOL) and I’m running a 5K on July 4th in the morning. I can’t think of a better way to start the day! Then maybe go bum around the city and catch the fireworks in Boston.
Here’s my schedule of what is coming up…
7/4- Revolution Run 5K
8/11- Cigna 5K
8/21- Run for the Fallen 12 mile (no I’m not running the whole thing but I want to be there!)
8/28-Tavern to Tavern 5K
9/17-Celebrate Pink 5K- with Angela!
9/24-Urban Dare Race- with Lam
10/8- Renegade Playground Challenge- same premises as the Warrior Dash only sounds better!

Daily mantra: Whether you think you can or you can’t you’re right!

Post Race Wrap Up!

So I DID IT! I ran (and yes I ran the ENTIRE WAY!) my first 5K race last Thursday! 37:07 was my final time and my pace was a 12 minute mile (I actually ended up cutting about a minute off my mile training time.) I started out at the back of the pack on purpose as to not get caught up in the crowd and run faster than I knew I could. I checked my time at 1 mile and I was running too fast to keep the pace the entire time, so I made and adjustment and at mile 2 I was back on pace to what I knew I could finish. I wish there were words to describe how I felt around mile 2.5 and when I was done. They call it runner’s high but I felt so much more than that! The journey that I have been on the last 12 weeks (and 16 weeks if you could my health journey too) has taught me so much about myself. There’s nothing I can’t do, which means there’s nothing YOU can’t do! Although I always knew I was a pretty kick ass person, I wasn’t always a very happy kick ass person and now I feel like the pieces are all falling together. But I didn’t do it on my own; I had an awesome support system along the way, so without further adieu I will now turn this into my very own Oscar Thank You speech! (What? It’s MY blog!)
Thank you to the most awesome health coach there is. You helped me start on this journey and I seriously do not know where I would be if I wouldn’t have made the call to you. I’m thankful everyday for your health wisdom and your no excuses attitude! I’m such a Rockstar!
My friend Kennedy has been my running inspiration from the beginning. She was the original Rockstar and I’m so proud of her! She just ran a ½ marathon and rocked it out! Anyone who can run for 2 ½ hours is awesome! I can’t wait to watch her cross the line at the Boston Marathon next year! I was so happy to see Karen at the finish line, she stood in the mostly cold and wet for ½ hour to watch me for 60 seconds! Thank you! And thanks for the pink champagne!

Kelly drove all the way from Southie just to have dinner and drinks with little old me! Ok so I guess I’ll thank Dave for Kelly (since I usually do that anyway!). So glad you’re my HLP!
I would have never made it to the finish line without Melissa, who is constantly pushing me to the limit of running. She’s knows I have it in me and I’m glad she’s there to make sure I don’t slack off. She’d be proud to know I went for a 3 mile run Sunday and I’m going to keep going, because there are more roads to run!
In the beginning I didn’t run fast (hell I still don’t!) or very far for that matter, but Matthew ran next to me and kept telling me I could do it. There were times he ran in front of me and I cursed his name because I didn’t think I’d get there. Well I am now and I’m waiting for the run when he gets to follow ME! All those times I yelled I hate you at that, know it was quite the opposite, mostly because you didn’t let me quit!

And to anyone who has ever said they are proud of me, good job, way to go and all those others nice statements, THANK YOU! Words are a very powerful thing and I’m glad to know I surround myself with pretty awesome positive people. Oh and thanks to DMB, David Cook, Black Eyed Peas, Darius Rucker and Jack Johnson, who got me from one end of the race to the other!

Next up Warrior Dash. Billed as the craziest fricken day of your life, it’s a 3.02 mile obstacle course in Amesbury, MA on Saturday, June 25th. Kelly, Deanna and I are going to run it (ok well run at times!) complete with costumes. If it’s going to be a crazy day might as well do it up right! This weekend we’re working on them and really I can’t wait to wear them which is probably the funniest part of the whole thing!
Such a busy summer! Work, school, running, living life! More surprises coming soon!

Daily Mantra: “Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.”

Time Flies....

Holy crap I’m running my first 5K race in 3 days. I’m pretty sure this journey only started 12 weeks ago and now look at me all running 3.1 miles and stuff! I’ve got nerves for sure, but I think that’s where the adrenaline kicks in to keep you going. Oh it’s going to be 96 freaking degrees on Thursday!! WHAT?! Which means it’ll still be like 92 when I run. I will be sweating for sure, but it’s important to hydrate and I be doing that all day. Today is my off day, I did a BRUTAL crossfit yesterday morning and I am still feeling it today. But I guess that’s kinda the point. I’ll get up early tomorrow and run a quick mile or 2 and then Wednesday probably do some sprints in the wicked heat just to torture myself, cause THAT’S fun right? Should I survive (and I’m giving myself a 100% chance of actual survival) it will be one more thing checked off my list. Then on to the Warrior Dash (which we must get to making tutus for!). I really have no desire to do any long races, but I guess we’ll have to see down the road! I have some good music on my I-pod. For me it’s more mental since it helps to pass the time, it starts with the Black Eyed Peas and ends with Lady Gaga, good times! Happy running people!

Daily Mantra: There isn't anything you CAN'T do ~ me

Run Erin Run!

I used to ask people why they ran, mostly because I didn't run and had no desire to run but now I get it! I ran a 5K on Sunday! Not only did I run a 5K, I finished it and did it in 39 minutes. I’m pretty damn proud of myself! My goal was to run my first 5K on June 9th, I killed that goal! Melissa came over to run with me since I missed crossfit on Saturday. She told me we were going to run as far as I wanted to run and she’d tell me after how far we ran and such. She has a very cool runner’s watch that I SO want! My phone is just not cutting it anymore! So we ran and I have to admit that about ½ way through the run I noticed I was actually happy, yep I got runner’s high! 10 weeks ago running 60 seconds felt like death was imminent! When the run was over, turns out I ran 3.1 miles in 39 minutes which is a 13 minute mile. Apparently I’m one of the most evenly paced runners too. So on June 9th, I will run my first “official” 5K and I’m sure I’ll still have the adrenaline rush but the fear has washed away. I’m more excited than anything! Then 2 weeks later it’s the Warrior Dash, costumes are still in the works! Hey we’re girls we change our minds every 2 minutes!

I’m starting on the path to help people get healthy and fit as well. I guess when you have an awesome health coach and a super supportive group of people the sky’s the limit! So once I get started and you’re ready to take that step, call me! I’m proof hard work, a great attitude and a good health coach will help you succeed!

Daily Mantra: "When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible."

Less than a month...

29 days people! Ironically I signed up for the 5K 29 days ago, too bad 29 has no significance to me. Well it is the age I keep telling myself I am!!Yesterday I did almost 2 miles in 24 minutes. I just couldn’t push myself any harder and walked the last 4 or so minutes. It’ll come; I just have to be patient! Not always my forte! The pollen has been terrible lately so I’m sure I’m inhaling a good amount which is hurting my breathing…I’ve been logging my running as I decided I wanted to run 100 miles this year (not in a row people, get serious!) and in April I ran 9.6 miles and so far in May I’ve already run 4.7 miles, so I’m well on my way. I did couch to 5K till the 20 minute run and now I just run on my own, but it really was what got it started for me. And I have to give a shout out to Kennedy Elsey, she’s been a huge cheerleader for me too. She’s running her 1st ½ marathon on June 4th and I know she’s gonna kick ass! Someone asked me what my motivation is to run, I don’t know really depends on the day. Someone usually pisses me off on a daily basis so that gets me to run or just to clear my head but mostly people piss me off and I imagine chasing them. Hey it works! I can’t wait until Angela comes to visit in September; we’re going to do the Celebrate Pink 5K in Portsmouth! I really have to start going through my clothes. I have about 4 piles going, donating and giving to people but I need to get them boxed up and outta my place! My closet does seem very empty and sad, but it’ll get filled again soon! I’d rather be filling it with smaller clothes anyway! So when I do reach my end goal, I’m going buy a ridiculously expensive pair of fancy pants jeans as my reward. Ya know like Diesel, Seven, True Religion something like that! In case you were wondering, True Religion run from about $200-$400, but I literally worked my butt off and that’s what I want!

Daily Mantra: "If you want to reach a goal, you must 'see the reaching' in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal”

Let them be little…

No running blog today…Ok well maybe a little! This week my goal is to get up to 2 miles! I’m close just not quite there yet! 36 days!

So I went to PA this past weekend to go celebrate 16 amazing years of friendship with my bestest friend in the whole wide world! What I realized when I was there is my nieces aren’t so little anymore. I was helping Haydn study for her math and spelling test and it was then I got to see just how smart she is. We were having so much fun practicing math problems we almost missed American Idol!! So much for the days of Disney Playhouse and sleep at 7…Best quote of the night was Hannah all torn up over Jacob NOT going home (DON’T EVEN GET US STARTED!) Clearly he should have been kicked off on the fact that his pants and shirt did not match the night before (this according to the all knowing Hannah!) So anyway we’re headed up to bed and Hannah says “I know why he didn’t get kicked off his family must have voted for him 2 times!” told ya she was smart! Funny how they still say funny things as they get older but in other context.

Don’t think Haydn didn’t have her moment either. Saturday we were talking about when Hannah went to Dasales University for Earth Day and how she wants to go there now and study Science (ah I knew she’d love the ONE subject I loathe!). I asked Haydn where she was going to go to college and she says where mommy went, so we were immediately excited and said Alverina? No mom where you went on the field trip. Desales Universarary and in the next breath she says and I’m going to major in CHEERLEADING! She then proceeded to go into a cheer/dance. She’s going to drive some very lucky boy nuts someday!
Speaking of love, the Royal Wedding, watch it with a 7 and 9 year old. You will hear such loving terms as..”What the heck was she thinking when she put those horns on ?” (Princess Beatrice) or “Why are there trees in the church, who decorated it?” Or my favorite, after they saw the second kiss…”why did he kiss her AGAIN?” I passed on that one and said it was for ratings!

However, if you are ever longing for childhood, sleep in a bed made for a 9 year old..I somehow got kicked out of the bed I was sleeping in and I must have looked like a giant in Hannah’s bed! What we do for kids!

Daily Mantra: Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Grown up Daily Mantra: Don’t let anyone steal your dream, it’s your dream not theirs!