it's been a while

Is anyone still here? This place feels cold and empty, I will try my best to bring some life back into this room.

Since last year's Flying Pig Marathon I have been 'hooked' to running. It's my drug, I guess you could say. I just enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I have my days/weeks/months where it's the last thing I want to do...but then I'm right back in action.

Since moving out to the Pacific NW, I have trained for and run Portland's 'Run Like Hell' Halloween half marathon last October. It was a fun, short little jaunt through downtown, then up through some hills that allowed me to look out over Oregon's beautiful countryside. It was absolutely breath-taking.

Brooke, as always, was a joy to see out on the course! He would pop his head up in the most random places, always a surprise. We enjoyed some beer and music afterwards before visiting with a good friend of Brooke's from college, Josh.
(check out Finding-Nowhere for pics)

Current News:
I just got done registering for Whidbey Island's Half Marathon. It is April 13th of this year. The course looks fun and interesting, with some beautiful views along the way. I guess that's all I'm about...the views. And not dying.

Check back frequently...I'll try to keep this place fresh.

Thanks for visiting. And, as always, thanks for the support...it means the world.

thank you!!

All:

Thank you all for your support through your thoughts, phone calls, emails and prayers! They helped so much!

a huge THANK YOU goes out to my family for being there to support me, encourage me, and cheer me on throughout the race course. I looked forward to your signs and smiling faces!

Brooke, I could not have done any of this without you! Thank you for your patience the past 6 months while I trained for this event. You understood why I couldn't stay up late friday nights, and you welcomed me home each saturday morning after my long runs. Thank you for your constant prayers, your encouraging words, but most of all...thank you for believing in me. If not for you...I could not have done any of this. You are the best husband in the world!

Lastly, thank you to everyone who contributed to my fundraising! As you can see, I raised $357 over my goal...with YOUR help! the entire southern ohio chapter of Team in Training raised almost $400,000!!...all going toward finding a cure for blood related cancers. THANK YOU!

Marathon Day!

running
sunday: 26.2 MILES!!

I DID IT!! I finished the race! It was an amazing experience, and a pure miracle that my groin did not flare up. Isaiah 40:31 was the verse that kept me going strong. I finished in 5h 37m 45s, a little weary at the end, but I finished the race, and I am so thankful. The end was very hard, not only because I was worn out, but because I lost my running partner around mile 16 or so...we split and had to run the end on our own. But we both finished...great job, Nicole!

fundraising
raised: $1757
to go: $0
goal: $1400

week twenty four

running
sunday: rest
monday: rest
tuesday: rest
wednesday: Physical Therapy
thursday: rest
friday: rest
saturday: rest

*note* brooke joined me on wednesday for a short run, but we didn't go very far...my groin flared up again. I was getting a little nervous since the race is on Sunday! Rest is all I can do right now.

fundraising
raised: $1757
to go: $0
goal: $1400

week twenty three

running
sunday: 1/2 mile....injured
monday: rest
tuesday: rest
wednesday: 20 min. bike; 20 min. elliptical; weights
thursday: off
friday: off
saturday: off

*note* i went out to try at 16 miler on sunday but it hurt too bad. I will completely rest myself for at least a week! the marathon is next sunday, may 6th...i need to be ready! I'm taking it real easy and preparing myself. it is more mental than physical at this point since my training has been so far off schedule. it's 99.9% mental! I can do it!

fundraising
raised: $1747
to go: $0
goal: $1400

week twenty two

running
sunday: off
monday: injured
tuesday: physical therapy
wednesday: off/injured
thursday: 30 min. bike; weights
friday: off
saturday: off

*note* my 16 miler must have messed me up somehow. it is painful to run...but i'm not giving up!

fundraising
raised: $1622
to go: $0
goal: $1400

week twenty one

running
sunday: 5.0 miles
monday: physical therapy
tuesday: 8.0 miles
wednesday: physical therapy; 30 min bike; weights
thursday: 6.0 miles
friday: off
saturday: 16 miles

*note* well i'm back in the swing of things! it was a hard run on saturday, but i'm pushing through the pain, and ready to do this marathon in THREE WEEKS!

fundraising
raised: $1597
to go: $0
goal: $1400