And of course, there is never a dull moment with a sassy 4 year old in the house. After reading the Velveteen Rabbit this week, Ella has decided to LOVE her bunnies so much that they become real..she literally sang and loved on them until 10 pm one night. She truly believes that this will happen- and well, who am I to squash her dreams.
I did finally get an update on the projected Winter Weather thanks to Kelli and the Woolly Worm. All I remember is a lot of talk about snow and extremely cold temperatures. I am really hoping that is projection does not come to be; however, Kris said he would lay me out a nice area to run laps around the house!
Training is moving along nicely- I ran around 33 miles this week and am feeling strong. I am still excited and loving the training, although I have to admit that I was worn down by Friday..not so much from the running as the other life activities (2 nights out of the house in 1 week is unheard of :) ). I actually got in bed and fell asleep before Ella one night this week- and as most of you all know, she goes to bed fairly early! My favorite part of the week was when Kris asked me if I had weighed myself recently to which I responded, no, why- do I look extra skinny or extra not skinny? (of course he was getting the skeptical eye until he clarified) I assured him I was the same and got on the scale to prove it.....we decided I may have to give up my nightly cereal snack if I wanted the scale to budge and I assured him that I was just fine where it was! I heart my cereal snack!
Introducing the Running Crew: Part I-
I have greatly appreciated my company on some of my runs! While it may sound crazy, there is nothing like an early morning run for catch-up time with great friends. It literally is the only time we have some weeks to talk and check in with each other. Plus, it makes the time go by superfast when you are running with others..there is Steph (aka "The Entertainer") and Tracey and Liza (Speedsters). Tracey and Liza make me forget that we are doing speedwork and we chat and laugh the whole time. Definitely worth getting out the door for, even in the dark and cold! Plus, it gives us an opportunity to plan some exciting adventures for the future! I haven't seen Teresa this week, she must be starting her half ironman training!
I thought it would be fun to introduce some of my friends who run with me on my training runs and people who have graciously agreed to crew or run with me during the race. I will introduce a few people throughout the next few weeks/months....they do not appear in any order (mostly I am doing those that I have pictures of so far :)!
I have recruited a few of my pacers for the race thus far. Kris will run one lap with me and one lap with Steph. I am not sure which lap he will run with me, but we both decided it should NOT be the last lap. I have heard that this could end in divorce! While Kris is no stranger to pain and suffering :) (He is an Ironman, multiple time marathon finisher, including a 2010 Boston finisher, and a Leadville 100 mile mountain bike finisher), and is a great motivator, we have to still like each other when the race is over! He will be there for the whole race, so when I see him at the finish line I will be super excited!
Kris running the roads and trails- he's ready to pace :)
Rob Moscato has agreed to be "The Closer." He will run lap 8, the final 12.5 miles with me. Rob is a 2 time Ironman and multiple time Marathon finisher, including a 2010 Boston finish, so he has an idea of what it means to push through the pain (and delirium). By the way, congrats to Rob on an awesome NY marathon! Rob is also the most positive person I have ever met....and he will forgive me if I say not so nice things to him when he makes me keep moving forward! He also, would never let me quit, despite what promises I make to him at the time :)
Rob, Steph, Val, and KO after Chicago 2009! Rob qualified for Boston here and he and Kris ran Boston in April 2010!
Tracey Dranttel and Liza Kiger have agreed to pace for a lap as well! I think we will all 3 run together if possible because they will keep me entertained and laughing...that way I can just listen and occasionally respond. Plus, they have been running with me for some training runs and will be prepared for my possible grumpiness! And I am sure Liza will make up some mind distracting game, like, "what's your favorite....."
Val, Tracey, and Liza after a Thursday morning Steady State run! We are still smiling :)
Teresa, Liza, and Val after an early morning run...note, it is still dark outside :)
KO is surely to be there running with me and/or Steph at some point! She was my roommate in college and has been a steady running partner for several years. She passed on the ultra for now because she is going to run tobacco road marathon in march and qualify for Boston!
Kelli Laudate is Crew Chief. Momma Kelli will be perfect for this job :) She is by far the most organized person I know....so I am sure to be taken care of :) And while you can't see from the picture below, she will be 7 months pregnant in April!
Kelli and me at the NC State Football game on Saturday! She was practicing her crew chief skills! We had chili, corn muffins, dessert, hot apple cider and more!
Kris, Mark, Tim, Steph (hiding), and KO after a cold and wet Saturday morning run or bike ride....warming up with some coffee and breakfast!
There are multiple other pacers, training partners, and crew members that I will introduce in coming blogs :) Thanks to everyone for your support and willingness to help- even though some of you think I am crazy! Stay Tuned for Introducing the Running Crew: Part II.
Next week is a down week, and I am looking forward to that!
And the Picture of the Week:
Jamey (Mr. Crew Chief) with his nice facial hair growth for MOVEMBER (http://us.movember.com/)!
In the immortal words of Right Said Fred, "I'm too sexy for my Mo, too sexy for my Mo, too sexy fo sho!!!"
ReplyDeleteI love the bios on everyone and am glad to see you're crushing your training plan!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to sign Kris's DVD.... :-)