Wow!

Wow, do I have amazing support for this marathon or what? My awe-inspiring friend Tricia (she just ran the Marine Corps Marathon last weekend!) just sent me the sign she'll be holding on Sunday. I'll be looking out for her around 96th.

This sign is just one small part of the support she has offered me throughout my training. We ran together over the summer and conquered the intense heat & humidity, practiced some Bikram yoga (great for our breathing), and she gave me great fundraising tips for my half marathon and full marathon goals.

Can't wait to see her on Sunday!

It's All Coming Together

The NYC marathon is 10 days away and my outfit is coming together. I have a trip planned to the DCA Thrift Story on Saturday to buy my throw-away clothes. I'm still waiting on a shipment from Under Armour, and I'm obsessively checking the weather so I can get a temperature range for next Sunday.

I am thrilled with the piece of my race outfit that I received today from my kindergarten class. A race hat with "Trained by Tom, Believe in Yourself" on it. I think I probably beamed as much as in this picture when I tried it on in front of the class today.

A big thank you to the Holland family and Miss Novotnik's kindergarten class for the support and encouragement!

Running to the Golden Gate

When anyone asked what I was doing for Labor Day this year, I joked that I was going to San Francisco for dinner. Although that wasn't too far from the truth, I did manage to fit in a lot more during my weekend trip. Prior to my trip, I was hoping to run over the Golden Gate Bridge for bridge practice and also because I had never crossed it on foot. I didn't make it over the bridge, but I did get to run to it, and ran a total of 13.5 miles.

Running in San Francisco was very different from the conditions I've experienced in Connecticut. It was still dark when I started running and for the majority of the run, it was cold, windy, and really foggy. I loved it. It was easy to breathe, the temperature was comfortable, and I seemed to be one of the first runners out that morning. It was almost as if I had the streets to myself.

The run to the bridge was beautiful. I ran along the water to avoid any major hills and took my time and walked around for a little while once I got to the bridge. The run was slightly more difficult on my way back, but just as I started to lose steam, I saw someone walking around with their Team in Training jacket on. Instant inspiration! While it helped to see a TNT participant/mentor/coach, I was even more excited when I ran past Fort Mason and saw swimmers coming in from Alcatraz. Talk about inspiration, their morning was definitely more difficult than mine! I stopped at the finish line of the swim momentarily to marvel at the swimmers' accomplishment.

My run continued on the Embarcadero, past the Ferry Building, and eventually back to Union Square. After such a great run, what could make this morning better? A Mission burrito and Philz coffee.

Bummer

This is not a good week for running. I'm back from Rhode Island, back in school, and Hurricane Irene isn't making things any easier. I haven't done any of my runs this week and it's Thursday and I just got word that the half marathon I was supposed to do on Sunday is cancelled. To top it off, the YMCA is closed for summer renovations. I'm hoping that I'll get up earlier enough tomorrow to get in at least 4 miles. 6 would be preferable.

Running in Rhode Island

First, I need to say that I shattered a personal record today. Up until today, a half marathon was my longest run and I had only done 13 mile runs twice in races. Today I did a 14-mile training run and I felt fantastic. I know that the mileage is going to go up from here, and I'm still 12 miles short of a marathon, but I'm pretty darn proud.

I didn't snap this photo on my run this morning, but this is the view I've had all week from our house. This week has been full of this amazing view, incredible food, and really great runs. In addition to a lot of rest and relaxation, I was able to completely stick to my training schedule for the first time all summer. This week left me in a great position to start a new school year. If I can adhere to my training schedule like I did this week, I'll feel more than ready for November 6th.

Running in Rhode Island has been wonderful. The roads are flat (no rolling hills here!), the sea air is refreshing, and the scenery keeps my mind occupied. Although I missed running with Team in Training this week, this was a great running-filled vacation.

Bridge Practice

A week ago today, I was so happy to train in the city, especially since it was a NYC Summer Streets Saturday. I wasn't so psyched about catching the 5:30AM train, but that's something I'm going to have to get used to. TNT meets at 8AM on Saturday mornings and the 6:30 train doesn't get me in to the city quite early enough. So 5:30 it is.

Not only was I excited about Summer Streets (when they close Park Avenue for people to exercise), but I got to try out bridges. Our run started with the Brooklyn Bridge, followed by the Manhattan Bridge, and ended with an out and back up Park and back to the World Financial Center. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, the views from the bridges were breathtaking, and I was so enthralled with the city, 12.5 miles just flew by. I've been having trouble with my long runs for the past couple months and this one seemed to be a turning point for me. Ever since that run in the city my runs have felt amazing. I'm feeling strong and ready to tackle the last 11 or so weeks of training.

The above photo is a view from the Manhattan Bridge. My friend and running buddy, Paige, took it during her visit to a Brooklyn Flea market. We must have just missed each other on the bridge. I was glad she had her camera to capture what a spectacular day it was.

New Threads

My brother and sister were home in CT visiting for their birthdays a couple of weeks ago. We had our friends (who I should really just call family), the Mitchells, over to celebrate my siblings' birthdays, and they so generously brought gifts for all three of us. My birthday was in February, but they still had a gift for me. So nice! Not only was it unnecessary, it was a perfect present. A new running shirt. My running wardrobe has more than doubled in the last year, and for good reason.

I was so happy to show off my new shirt on a run the very next day. While most of my shirts are reminders of races I've run, this shirt will make me think of the Mitchells, and all the amazing support I have for my first marathon.