Friday, January 30, 2009

Away From Blog

I am at grad school in Saratoga Springs through Saturday. I will not be back to the blog till Super Bowl Sunday! Gotta make my pick! I guess I'll keep going against the steelers! Go Arizona!

See you all in a couple days!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Nature Has No Mercy/ A Snow Day Thank You

“Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway.” -Maya Angelou

Nature Has No Mercy

I thought that above quote made me laugh. It reminds me of this Boston Marathon training. Mother nature could care less that I have to run 5 days a week and cross train 2 days a week. I feel sorry for the Chris Mason's of the world that are putting in heavy mileage in this nasty weather. I have been putting in 40+ miles run per week and that's felt like running 80 miles each week. You just have to be smarter than the elements. Dress in layers and send mother nature a greeting card that you aren't staying inside today. Send her a postcard on the way stating that she isn't going to stop you with her icy wrath. At least not for one more day!

Four Day Cross Training & Rest

Coaches are giving me a little break this week because my body is getting some major fatigue. When you start running at my age and not in high school, you do get tired. Funny thing is I am running faster but muscle recovery isn't coming around like it should. So today is a cross training day and some yoga! Tomorrow I have to leave for 3 days of grad school in Saratoga Springs so I am getting rest days on those days because of classes! I think next time I pick a grad school where I can go to a warmer climate.

A Special Thank You on a Snow Day

A want to thank the Maneri Family for their donation to Miles for Miracles this morning. With each thought, email or donation it makes each run warmer knowing all proceeds are going to help severely ill children. Thank You guys for your support! All the best in 2009!

Miles for Miracles Update

Once we get the grant check from Wal-Mart we will be around the $1600 barrier. Over half way to the goal of $3000 raised. I will have photos posted on the site once the grant pictures are done. I want to thank everyone that has stood behind me on this project. It means a lot to us. For future updates fo to the site at http://www.therun4life.org

Don't let mother nature beat you, Keep on running!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Good Luck to My Friends On New Workout Plans

"Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness." ~Edward Stanley

Good Luck to My Friends

I want to wish the best of luck to my friends on their new workout plans. Many of you have discussed with me your goals in 2009! Well honestly You can do it! Dream...Believe...Achieve...

New 5k Event Coming to the Area

I have been working with Chris Major of Majorpalooza and the US Track and Field Association. We will be bringing a new 5k event to the area at Cayuga Community College. It will be held on May 24th at 10am. I will let everyone know when registration will open sometime next week! We will be holding the first 5k meeting on February 10th at 5:30pm at Ancient Order of Hibernians. Email me for directions if need be.

Today's Workout

Today's scheduled workout on Miles for Miracles is the ladder workout. Warm-Up 1 mile and then sprints for 400,600,800,1200 and 1600 meters. When you reach the 1600 plateau then you start back down 1600 all the way back too 400. This way the most tiring workout I have ever done. Rest intervals in between are at my discretion so I tried to keep them short if any at all. The over all time for the 6 miles was just a bit over 41 minutes. I got really tired the last 2 miles. Tomorrow will be an easy run before I leave for grad school in Saratoga for a couple days.

Tipp Hill Shamrock Run

I am looking for interested people who want to get a bunch of us together and do the Tipp Hill Shamrock 4 Mile run on March 7th. It is a great event and Irish bands play along the whole course with a post party to follow. I would like to have a team of at least 4 or 5 of us and make up some t-shirts with some St. Patty's slogan on them. Let me know if anyone is interested.

Go to http://www.tipphillrun.com for details.

Until Tomorrow, Keep on Running!

Monday, January 26, 2009

You Can Control Your Attitude

“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” -Brian Tracey


You Can Control Your Attitude

I will be the first to tell you that things don't always go our way. Our children were born ill, we did what we had to do. Today things aren't well with us in the economy we do what we have to do! Today my body was so beat up from Saturday's 15 miler I started to doubt myself. Then I said, "You do what you have to do!" Keep your chin up and your attitude positive. I am getting tired of logging onto facebook and reading, "OMG it's Monday, I'll never make it!" You will make it. Life is not a curse but a blessing.

PLEASE...Every day is a blessing. Take a little time someday and walk in someone's shoes. Walk in the shoes of the Saurini family right now. There little boy needing surgery less than 2 weeks away in Boston Children's Hospital. Monday is not a curse it is a blessing. I am not religious by any means but, "Pretend like everyday is Friday!" I know it's easier said than done but if you keep your attitude positive, Monday isn't so bad and ends much sooner! I know who am I to tell you right? I understand and I get it but don't waste my time with the Monday Blues! Bring something to the tables that we can use and make tomorrow here a better place! If your complaining to me about a hangover (you know who you are) Save it for someone else! Today my positive attitude got me through training and working towards a run for cancer victims and survivors. Only 3 more hours till I see the kids...Hoo-ray!

Today's Miles for Miracles Training

The training today was 6.2 miles of hills easy. Basically a 10k and I was right on pace. The hills and the 2 degree windchill took the life out of me but I kept my head up and realized why I am doing this. That there are children out there that need our help. I feel like each mile run is one step closer to saving a child's life. In a time very soon, we will cross that finishline together!

Until tomorrow keep your chin up
Your attitude positive and
Keep on running......

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Overcoming the Hurdles/ Today I Dedicate to my Brother

"I've been motivated by overcoming challenge and overcoming the hurdles and obstacles that face me. There still is plenty out there to get motivated by." -Andre Agassi

Overcoming the Hurdles

I know that I have spoken with many of you of late and you feel that you have plenty of hurdles in front of you. I have plenty of hurdles myself but I control what I can control. I work hard to beat the rest and pray for a little luck. I think everyday can be a special day. Everyday I look for an inspiring quote or I dedicate my run or my day to someone. It makes it more meaningful. Everyday can be special. What kind of life is it if you only look ahead to Friday each week? Many think its funny I feel this way because they have forgotten how precious life is or even that they can make a difference at all. I think of my Brother and all the hurdles he had to jump. Today I dedicate this day to him!

Today I Dedicate to My Brother

Dear Kyle,

I hope someday you can read this letter and understand what I mean. I know you have always been different and many people in the community gave you a hard time. It is a shame those did to you what they did. They did not see how special you were right from the get go. You have been dealing with your autism for 18 years now. Kudos to you for all your hard work! I remember the big smile you had when you were only 2 years old. You never let anything get in the way and you always had a good time. Yeah you went after our sisters with a couple flicks to the head but hey those girls deserved it at times? I learned a lot from you last year when I spent nearly everyday with you. I learned that no matter how hard things get or what you have to deal with, you always stand up and keep on going. Granted many times I had to bribe you with a Diet Coke and a pretzel but hey whatever works right? I just want to say thank you for being my brother. You are the best little brother anyone can have. Though weighing in around 205 lbs, you aren't so little anymore. I look ahead to the spring when we can get back out there and shoot some hoops! Maybe this year will be the year you dunk! I wouldn't be shocked with how far you've come!

So buddy I'll see you in a couple hours. I may not be able to afford a Diet Coke and a pretzel today but we will always have one thing in common? GO S.U.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your Brother Vin

Saturday, January 24, 2009

A Miracle Fiber Called Courage

"Human beings are made up of flesh and blood, and a miracle fiber called courage." -George Patton

A Miracle Fiber Called Courage

Today I truly felt like it was a battle between courage and well lack of brains at times. Today I had to run 15 miles and I am not sure why but it felt much harder out there than last week. I ran from my house, to the lake and out east lake road to Honeysuckle, then back up Oakridge Rd, back into the city with a last loop around the college to home. It felt like war out there to me. I lost feeling in my wrists and hands with 1 mile to go and I really just kicked it in and gave it everything I had. The winds were a huge factor today and most likely the reason I am so winded. Though here I am less than an hour after my 15 mile run eating lunch and getting ready to play with the kids! Thank you all for the lifting of my spirit you have been giving me out there. Without you all I would be nothing! Today I truly felt like I had a miracle fiber called courage.

Miles for Miracle Update- Week 6 in the Books!

Today concludes Miles for Miracles week #6. So far together we have all raised $1467. The Wal-Mart check still hasn't been credited as well as another. It takes 7-10 days for checks to show on the site. My goal is to run 1000 miles by the Boston Marathon time as well. So far after week six, I am at 215 miles run and the big mileage weeks are starting to kick in! I want to thank you all for your support!

You can go to http://www.therun4life.org and click on the donate link to see who is donated!

Whether it's raining or snowing
Keep those feet a going!
Keep on running!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Becoming Your Destiny

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
-Dennis Waitley


Becoming Your Destiny

I had many conversations with people yesterday about their futures. I do not know it all by any means but I believe in the principle of getting back up when you fall. I remember the horrible feelings of our car accident in Nov 30, 2007. I had 3 months where I quit running and gave up on everything and everyone. It accomplished nothing. I learned a new outlook from that devastating experience. I learned that if I was going to do any good in this community it wouldn't be from sitting on the couch and feeling sorry for myself. My outlook changed quickly again when I looked at my two small children. Realizing that I can not lead by example by doing nothing. So in a brief moment of time, I stood up, and took off running. So far even with small set backs I haven't turned back yet. I am not perfect by any means but I do know that we can't get to any one destination by standing in one place! We all have a destiny out there and it is up to us to go claim it!

Colleen Miles Article in The Citizen Today

I was very excited to see an article by Mrs. Colleen Miles in today's Citizen newspaper. Mrs. Miles is Braeden's kindergarten teacher. Thank you for all you do Mrs. Miles! Here is a snippet of the article. "Teachers at Herman Avenue Elementary School are in the early stages of implementing “The Daily 5” - a learning structure and classroom management framework that encourage student literacy independence."

To read the rest go to http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2009/01/23/lake_life/lakelife02.txt

Today's Miles for Miracles Training

Today's run is 6 miles easy. Nothing fancy just running 6 stress free and easy miles. I ran them again at an 8 minute mile pace like instructed. It was a wonderful day to be out there and felt really warm. Of course when your used to running in -13 to 0 weather anything feels warm!

Go get your destiny, and keep on running!

..M..O..T..I..V..A..T..E.......Y..O..U..R..S..E..L..F..


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