Track runs have always been my favorite.

I love the burst of speed, recovery, burst of speed, recovery – hard to breathe, catch your breath, hard to breathe – you get the picture. Plus, when you do your cool down it feels super easy after all the sprinting!

Anyways, when my friend, Abby (from Liver Life Challenge!), asked if I wanted to go for a run I was all for it. I mean, the Cleveland 10k is less than 3 weeks away!

But then when she asked if I wanted to meet at the high school track I was excited! Until she mentioned running the bleachers. Then I wasn’t as excited. Hehe.

I felt strong tonight. And I enjoyed running again! Running and I reunited tonight…………..and it never felt so good.

Do prefer track workouts or long runs??

p.s. The Cleveland Half and Full Marathons are nearing capacity! Register now to avoid sold out events!

Like I mentioned yesterday, when I’m coaching I’m not running for myself. I’m there for the people on my Team who need me. We get a lot of new runners because it is a charity program, and some of them have never done a 5k, let alone a half or full marathon!

So the race isn’t about me. However I feel doesn’t matter. If I’m hurting, cramping, chaffing, blistering, you name it, it doesn’t matter. I just suck it up and deal with it. And I’m happy to do it!

But sometimes it hurts.

During the half marathon on Saturday I got some of the worst blisters I’ve had in my life. Both my pinky toes were gross. The humidity had me sweating like a crazy person early in the race so I’m guessing my wet socks caused the blisters. But you’d never know it in these pictures:

Plus, my feet felt chaffed. I can’t explain it any better than that. The bottoms of them were KILLING me.

And I still had a full marathon to run on Sunday!

So I tried to spend the rest of Saturday vertical. Which was easy considering the weather was beautiful and our pool was 2 steps away from our room.

Despite my aching feet, it was a perfect way to spend the afternoon!

And Sunday morning I bandaged my toes the best I knew how and sucked it up. It was my first time coaching a full marathon and I knew it was going to be a long day!

But with the excitement of running Disney and being distracted by helping the runners, I never even thought about my feet.

Until afterwards. When I wanted to chop them off.

And then I saw this:

In addition to the blisters and chaffing, I got some sort of heat rash on my feet and up to my knees (at least I’m guessing that it was heat rash? It went away by Wednesday.)!

Yuck. So not pretty.

But, you know what, I survived. And, God willing, I’ll do it again.

Glutton for punishment? Maybe. Love my job? Definitely.

Have you ever had to “fake it til you make it”?

What a weekend it was, guys!

It’s taken me this long to find the words to express my feelings about the races last weekend.

It was amazing, inspiring, HOT, fun, and EXHAUSTING.

half marathoners

full marathoners

But TOTALLY WORTH IT.

As a coach, I take a lot of responsibility in the outcome of everyone’s race. I don’t really care how fast everyone runs, I just want them to be have a good time and be happy with their race.

But, guys, these people BLEW ME AWAY.

If you didn’t hear, it was 82 degrees, humid, and sunny on both race days! Not ideal. And it definitely kicked some of the runner’s asses. But they never let that stop them.

They ran, they walked, some may have cried, but they kept moving until they reached the finish line.

It was AWESOME.

I’ve never been so proud while coaching.

During training I sometimes asked myself why I always make these huge commitments.

But then race weekend reminds me why.

The friends I’ve made and then watching them achieve their goals makes every hour, every mile, every blister, and every heat rash, worth it. (more on the blisters and heat rash tomorrow)

If you ever get a chance to run with a team, DO IT. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Have you ever run with a Team?

It is what it is.

The training runs have been completed.

Last long run, yes!

The jersey’s have been decorated/blinged/bedazzled.

The bags have been packed.

(and in record time – pray I didn’t forget anything)

The only thing left to do now is run Disney and then celebrate!

I definitely plan on having more than a few cocktails Sunday night after a weekend of running mile after mile after mile.

Enjoy the next few days – I’ll see you on the flip side (hopefully with a shiny new wand from Harry Potter World!).

I can’t complain. Life is good. But, damn, I feel like I’m in a fog right now. I can’t seem to focus.

Let me try to explain:

I made a million paper ring chains for our Candyland Christmas theme:

But not all of them are hung yet. Some are still hanging on the windows, where I put them to get them out of the way for the time being.

I’m running the Goofy Challenge (!!!) with the Liver Life Foundation in less than 5 weeks and I can’t get my running mojo back. I’m just not loving it as much as I usually do. Part of it is that I’m still scared about my foot problem, but I think I’m using that as an excuse, too.

After a little scolding from my friend, Michelle, about my skin care routine, I started taking better care of my skin. I was washing my face every night, removing my makeup, and using old lady cream religiously. But then I got lazy and pretty much just stopped. I’m so tired some nights I barely change out of my work clothes before face planting in bed (and then waking up with raccoon eyes!).

I still haven’t read this issue of People that I bought in OCTOBER:

I think I’m just scared to read this, though, because then it means that he’s really married.

I just can’t seem to focus on any one thing and get it done. This is so unlike me. I’m usually so focused and “in the zone” with whatever it may be. I’m not sure what my deal is.

But I’m hoping that my 2 and a half day work week this week helps snap me out of it. Those days are going to be used to get caught up on everything I haven’t been doing!

Do you start things and not finish them? Or are you a “finish what I start” immediately kind of person?

Thanks for the nice comments on yesterday’s post. It helped eased the guilt I’m still feeling about leaving the gym and people that I’ve grown to love so much over the last few years. It wasn’t an easy decision, that’s for sure.

Anyways, here are some things that I’m totally loving on right now:

Maybooks:

Love, love, love these! I bought a calendar one and plain, lined paper one, but I like the notebook style one best. I use it to log my daily workouts – it’s functional AND cute.

Pair:

(source)

Coolest app for couples, friends, siblings, etc. It’s just for you and one other person. You can text, draw, print a map of where you are, etc – and it only goes to that one person. Genius. It’s perfect for personal information, dirty pics, quick messages, you get the idea.

My early Saturday morning Team runs:

I have some die hard marathoners this season and they like to meet EARLY to get in and get done. Last Saturday we met at 6am! And, sure it wasn’t fun to wake up at 5am on a Saturday morning, but it was fantastic to be done running and eating breakfast by 9am. I like it. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day!

Pumpkin pancakes:

I usually make pancakes from scratch. But this Trader Joe’s mix is worth it – the flavors are spot on – and I always add my favorite protein powder to the mix so they turn out even fluffier (plus have the extra protein)! Fluffy pancakes are the jam.

Bruno Mars:

(source)

Ugh, I have such a crush. And watching him in that Pandora skit on Saturday Night Live was too much ( which I looked and looked to find a link, but no dice). His new album comes out on December 11th…………..and it’s already on my calendar.

What are you loving right now???

I haven’t talked much about coaching the Cleveland division of the Liver Life Challenge, but training has been in full effect. We’ve been training since before the Chicago Marathon and have come a long way since that very first team run.

Our first team run – before and after.

Last weekend about half the team signed up to run the Halloween Run for Justice 5 Miler.

Hehe, John looks awesome.

A majority of the participants had ever even run 5 miles before – so this was no joke! Plus, it was cold, it was rainy, and it was WINDY. So this was not an easy race for anyone, veterans or newbies.

But it was an AWESOME race. I can’t even tell you how proud I was. All I asked is that they didn’t walk and finished strong (with their heart). And I can say with 100% certainty that this is what they did. When I came around the corner to the finish line with the last of the team it warmed my heart to see everyone waiting at the finish line cheering us on. They were cold and wet and thirsty (and most likely shivering from being in wet clothes!), but they were there cheering their faces off supporting the rest of the team. Truly awesome.

Someone randomly asked me this week “What inspires you?” and I answered immediately with “my LLC Team”.

I am so honored to be a part of this team this season. I’m proud to be their coach and to be a part of something that is going to be amazing come January in Disney.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this Team, guys. I can’t wait to see where you go from here!

What inspires you??

For the first time in probably forever, I’m speechless.

I don’t really have much to say.

I’ve been so busy catching up from the 5 days we were in Chicago that there hasn’t been much going on. Just the regular, boring, “I’m a soccer mom” kinda stuff.

I took a break from my Nike Pegasus last week and enjoyed the downtime. I came home from work and just chilled with my family. It was pretty awesome.

But I’m starting to get antsy. It’s time to get back at it. I ran 10 miles with my Team on Saturday morning, but other than that I haven’t spent any time in my beloved Lulu clothes. It’s time to get sweaty again. It’s been weird not having to wash my hair every day!

Life is good right now. I’m just trying to figure out my direction. What I want to do next. You know, what I want to be when I grow up.

I can’t remember when I was a kid what I thought I wanted to be when I grew up. Do you remember??

And it’s for a great cause.

I’m doing it again.

I’m the running coach for the American Liver Foundation’s Liver Life Challenge!

What is the Liver Life Challenge?
It is an endurance training team that helps participants achieve their own fitness goals, while raising funds for the American Liver Foundation.

What race is the Cleveland Team training for?
2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend!!! Team members can choose to participate in the half or full marathon, or the Goofy Challenge (completing both the half AND full marathons). Runners and walkers are both welcome at the race and our team is inclusive of participants at all experience levels.
Race weekend is January 11-13, 2013
Team runs kick off on Saturday, September 22nd, but sign up now to start fundraising!

What does the program include?
Personalized Coaching (that’s me!) – I’ll help you create a training program suitable to your own personal needs, whether you’re an experienced runner or have never walked a mile!
Team Trainings – Every Saturday morning at 7:30am starting on September 22nd
Team Meetings – Everything from proper attire and nutrition to fundraising tips
Logistics – Once you’ve committed to arching the fundraising goal of $3,400, the organization provides your airfare, accommodations, race registration, team gear, and most meals during race weekend
Make a Difference – Feel the exhilaration of crossing the finish line knowing you’ve helped the American Liver Foundation in the fight against liver disease

There is nothing more rewarding than helping others attain their goals. I am looking forward to meeting new people, making new friends, and watching teammates exceed their expectations!

For more information, you can contact me directly at mile26andmore@yahoo.com.

Or you can contact the organization’s Campaign Manager:

• Katrina Marshall
• kmarshall@liverfoundation.org
• 646-737-9426
• www.liverfoundation.org/disneymarathon

Katrina is a friend of mine and fantastic at what she does. She’ll help you reach that fundraising goal and I’ll help you reach the finish line.

We’re all in this together…………and running Disney, one of THE BEST races around!!!