Happy New Year

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year

Starting tomorrow it is another chance at a fresh start. A new 2009 will be here and so will a new years resolution. Many I know make them and then a month later tell me why they can't keep up with it. It's all about dedication to yourself! Let 2009 be a new and improved year for you and your families! I want to wish you all a happy and safe new year! The kids and I got many movies, games and other exciting things to make it through the night. My kids can never make it past 9pm so we are going to give it a try and make it to the ball drop tonight! Looks like an afternoon nap is in order! Happy New Year!


Training Days

Yesterday I didn't post my workout. Not that it really matters but for my records anyways it was a 6 x 800 meter at 5k pace. Each interval had 1:45 break in between. One mile warm-up and cool-down in the workout as well! Today's Training is a rest day! Woo-Hoo!!!!

Even though it's cold outside, keep on running!

Happy Expectations/ A Letter from a Boston Runner!

"If you paint in your mind a picture of bright and happy expectations, you put yourself into a condition conducive to your goal." -Norman Vincent Peale

Happy Expectations

Each day I set out to find a quote that speaks to me and apply it to how I see things for that day. It could be a life goal or training goal. When I was picked to run Boston I was the most excited I have been in years. I was more excited to have the opportunity to run for sick children. My group has created three marathons to children's hospitals in central NY in the last two years. Each time we set out with happy expectations. I have been receiving many emails. Many saying the same thing? How and why do you keep doing this stuff in today's economy? I say simply this: I do not look at the economy of today to be an excuse for my action. I hear many people weekly who are well off even say well, "I can't do anything because of the economy?" Had I had that attitude I wouldn't be where I am today. Granted I have no life savings but I have a life filled with purpose. To answer the how part, that is easy too. You get up each day and don't make an excuse. You dream your self doing something, your believe that you can do it, and you go out and achieve that goal! It's really that simple! Our communities need us to rise up and fix them! Now onto a happy email I received from a fellow Boston Children's runner!

A Letter From A Boston Children's Runner

"Hi, I am on the Miles for Miracles team for my second year. I ran last year and again will be running this year for a patient from Schenectady NY. I grew up near Utica NY, but I am living in Buffalo, NY now and currently but have family out your way. I just wanted to say how amazing your story is and how moving it is to see people that find strength and inner peace from places we might overlook in our every day lives. You and your family are truly an inspiration. Thank you for reminding me how important life is. Take care and good luck with training."

God Bless--

Renee
________________________________________________
It is letters like this that make you forget all about money. All about the negative masses in the world and make you realize that there are many good people out there just like us! This email made my day! Thank you Renee for the kind words!

Until Tomorrow! Keep your head up and your feet on the ground! Keep on running!

Training Day #15 Hill Run/ Thanks Andy!

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." -Booker T. Washington

Climbing Obstacles

The above quote for today is very true. I can say that in life I have overcome many obstacles and I do not mind saying so. I let alcoholism beat me for a number of years until I fought back. Then my wonderful children came into my life and then they had obstacles. I felt like I was fighting the battle along side them. Yesterday Andy Mattison from News 10 asked me a question? How did you overcome everything? As I sat there in the chair in my kitchen, I almost didn't have an answer. Like I said, "I just did it." I look back now and all the obstacles have made us stronger and wiser. I almost can't even figure out how we made it through. We took it baby steps and one day at a time. So in that regard I feel like a success. I have beat an illness! My children also beat theirs. In November of 2007 when we were in a car accident, we could have thrown in the towel. We did hang our heads for a bit but a little over a year later it is amazing of how we overcame yet again! I hope that when you reach an obstacle, you will step on it and jump right over it! You have more inner power than you think!

Today's Training

The training for today is a 5 mile hill run at a slow pace. I added in four hills in the course that I designed out this morning. One being Melrose road hill. I did the 5 miles in 41:17! A little bit slow but I will take it! It was a great cool day to run!

Thanks Andy

I want to thank Andy Mattison and News 10 again for coming out to the house yesterday! It was a nice piece. My son looks hypnotized at the end there staring in the camera. It made me laugh at the end. Thanks again for sharing our story! Thank You!

For those who haven't seen Andy's Story go to:

http://news10now.com/Video/video_pop.aspx?vids=82616&sid=1001&rid=1013

Everyone have a great day! Keep on Running!

Day #14-- Health & Wellness /News 10 tonight!

"Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed, but the least envied." -Charles Caleb

Health & Wellness

I think the quote above is very true. The majority of people in the world envy you if you have money. Though I have learned that no one envies the runner. The runners that logs in 30-100 miles per week. Through the wet, snow and ice. I don't blame them one bit. One person I talked to last week said that you have to be crazy to run that much. I countered with I think most Americans would have to be crazy to sit on the couch 30-100 hours a week! Calculate the couch time and think about it. You will be surprised at what you find per week! Get out and exercise! It's your life! Do something with it! Make every moment of everyday count! Each second is precious time wasted!

Today's Training

Today's training is 60 minutes of cross training or rest. I am going to add in some calisthenics from the Wii fit today. Something a little different. Next week I will start the bike. Week #2 is history! Only 18 more weeks to go!

News 10 Now Story

News 10 Now is graciously going to cover TheRun4Life story. I would like to take the time and thank them for coming out! For those interested keep checking their website at:

http://news10now.com/

Enjoy your Sunday everyone! Keep on running!

Training Day 13....Bonking on the run/ Thanking a Friend

"Pain dies quickly, and lets her weary prisoners go; the fiercest agonies have shortest reign." -William C. Bryant

Bonking on the Long Run

The simplest terms I can put it in are that your body runs out of gas. I knew I was risking it even though I had plenty of electrolytes and carbs into my body hours ahead of the run. Around mile seven, I just ran outta gas. I knew playing Wii Fit with Bachman till 2am would add to my soreness. Add in a couple drinks for the holidays and I was tired. For those who want to know more about bonking there is some good info at:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-301--6263-0,00.html

Today's Training- 11 Miles Easy

Today's Training was the Long Run like before mentioned. My target mileage was 11 miles. A nice city to lake run out scenic Owasco Lake. This was my slowest run to date but one that I learned from. I finished the 11 miles in 1:37:11. Which is a 8:50 pace, yuk! At least now it's in the books and I can enjoy my Sunday tomorrow with the kids!

Thank You Mandy

Mandy I want to thank you for your phone call today from Massachusetts. Letting me know that you guys have called a meeting to back me in my run for Boston. It is much appreciated. I think many think that I am getting something out of this which I am not. All proceeds go to a 501c3 children's hospital. Thank you so much for your support!

News 10 Coverage

I received an email about news 10 covering Therun4life.org story. They are coming out to my house tomorrow morning at 10am! I'll let you know when the story airs. This will be the last news story I am doing before Boston. Its just taking a lot out of me and not raising much for the cause! Thanks again everyone!

Until We Meet Again, Keep On Running!
<blockquote><a href="http://www.quotecosmos.com/quotes/29004/view">Pain dies quickly, and lets her weary prisoners go; the fiercest agonies have shortest reign..</a></blockquote><br /> <a href="http://www.quotecosmos.com/authors/1088/William_C._Bryant">Bryant, William C.</a><br /> Quote from <a href="http://quotecosmos.com">Quote Cosmos</a>

The Runners 12 Days of Christmas

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."
Harlan Miller

If runners had a 12 days of Christmas it would look like this...

On 1st first day of Christmas Santa gave to me 1 pair of running shoes!
On the 2nd day of Christmas Santa gave to me 2 pairs of stretchy gloves
On the 3rd day of Christmas Santa gave to me 3 miles of tempo run!
On the 4th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 4 safety pins to clip on race numbers!!
On the 5th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 5 EASY MILES!!!
On the 6th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 6 miles of Fartlek...
On the 7th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 7 miles of hill repeats
On the 8th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 8 x 600 meter sprints!
On the 9th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 9 bottles of gatorade/powerade!
On the 10th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 10 nagging injuries/pains
On the 11th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 11 miles of a long run!
On the 12th day of Christmas Santa gave to me 12 x 400 meter sprints...

And a partridge in a pair tree.....ahahhaa Sorry I was bored!

Today's Training

No rest for the weary today. Today's training called for a 1 mile warm-up, 3 mile tempo run and 1 mile cool-down! Warm-up and cool-down miles were at the target 8 minute miles. The tempo run of 3 miles was run at a 6:51 pace, which is too fast for tempo for this week but I just wanted to get home! Got too much to do today! I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!

Keep on running!

Training Day 10 Christmas Eve "Running Around"

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

Christmas Eve "Running Around"

Christmas Eve is here and you know what that means? Running around like a chicken with your head cut off all day long. The kids were up early and after breakfast and baths we headed up into the Christmas Eve shopping world. Normally I am always done early but I had been so run down with school and running that I forgot a couple things. I started out at one place, then another and after an hour, about 5 stores. My 30 minute trip ended up taking 2 hours. I became so aggravated form all the running around. I realized that this day is almost like living on another planet. People cut you off, run through stops signs and hit your children with shopping carts. When did mass commercialism over take "good will towards man?" Anyways we survived and all the last minute shopping is done. Thankfully so!

Today's "Running Around"

I moved training days around this week because I do not like running on Christmas. I attribute it to all of the Christmas days where I would have to work 6am-3pm. Now I want nothing associated with work on Christmas day! Today's run is 5 miles easy! Nothing special. At the normal 8 minute easy miles, it looks like another easy 40 minute run! N

Merry Christmas To All my friends, family and supporters! Thank you so much and I hope you get Christmas miracles under the tree!