Feels like the first time...

Today was great! It was amazing to be surrounded by hundreds if people who are in the running spirit! I loved being around everyone and seeing who has why sneaker and what is the new style or new gadget to have. Everyone today had the same reason to run this morning... To kick cancer's A$$!

Even though I have ran before, today felt something for the first time I have not felt in a long time. The feeling of having a goal and running without stopping. Yes, I did have the wind and snow against me but that was not going to stop me.

Buzzer goes off and BAM! I am off running and setting my own pace. I almost cried because I was not sure if I'd ever be back on a race course. I'm running and I finally set a pace and stick with it. There were many points I wanted to just stop and walk but I kept telling myself I could because I wanted to cross the finish line on a strong foot. I had the running app keep track of time and milage so I know for next time what I needed to beat.

Right at one hour I cross the finish line and just start smiling. I can't control it and I'm just happy to have crossed the finish line!

So here is a cheer to more races and more crossing with finish line on a positive foot ;-)

It's all about preparation

Well, tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for... My first race in four months. This past month I've been running and training to get back to where I left off. I am more than excited to be with hundreds of people and hear the blower ring to start running. The best part is that this race is for cancer! So to everyone who has survived and to everyone who has list someone, I am running for them!

Happy Saturday!
- SparkleRunner

On my way to something new!

So I've finally made a dent in my training plan. I've stuck to more runs in a week than I did a year ago... THANK GOSH!

Tomorrow I am going to be running for the last time in January and I am going to make it a good one! I feel that I can finally run with a steady pace and keep my stride almost to a perfect step. One thing that I've done was look at all my past race photos and look at the way I land on my feet. The first thing I noticed was that I landed flat foot and not on my top part of the foot. Well, that was the main problem and now that I focused on landing I now feel a difference.

Another positive outlook on this New Year, New Me is that I'm running more hills. Out of all my goals that I listed before, I forgot to add that I want to run now hills and build up the strength for a Heartbreak Hill Run in April. I hope to run the HBH Mile race in under 10 minutes.

Lastly, I would really like to make this year of races fun! If you are interested in joining or even cheering me on, I would love for you to come out in support! Let me know!

SparkleRunner

A lot at once!

So, today was the day I've been waiting for. 10am was the official time to register for the Boston Athletic Association Medley Series. It was only open to the first 2,500 people and included an entry to the 5k, 10k and Half Marathon. So from 9:45am to 10am I kept refreshing the registration link to see if it was finally open for registration. You would think I was trying to win a billion dollars! Well, I did it and got my entry email! So exciting! I could now relax and get back to work.

Well, I've been looking to start a running journal. Do I buy a "running journal" or do I create one myself? After work, I decided to mosey into Marathon Sports on Boylston just to take a peek to see if they have any in stock and if so, what does a running journal look like??? I found them in the self near the check out and liked the layout so much I decided to buy it. On my way out I ended up talking to one of the guys who leads the Wednesday night runs and he asked me to join them next week. It was so nice to walk into a place where they invite you to events.

All in all, I look forward to next week and cannot wait to start logging those hard earned miles!

Feels like the first time...

Today I ran all hills. I feel like a ran for the first time like I did in 2011 on Thanksgiving morning in Easton. I did not train or run before but I jumped into a 5 mile race. I completed it in under an hour but hey... I FINISHED. I am feeling it now but I look forward to future races with hills. The feeling I get when finishing a run is nothing but excitement. I feel like I just ran for hours but it was only 30 minutes. Tomorrow, I plan to run the same course again.

What makes me run even though there are times I want to just fall down and die?? Is it the part of completing a run? Is it completing a run knowing I did not just give up? I feel it has a lot to do with both of those but also makes me feel great and want to challenge myself more. I have had a lot of people tell me how to train for races and I have always listened to what they have to say but I always tend to curve it and make a training schedule that fits my life and my style.

Now that I am looking into the future and starting to plan different races, I want to know who is willing to join me and/or support me on this journey?

Lets try this again...

Ok, so I definitely slacked last year with updating my blog and did not keep my promise like I did to really stick with it. Well, I will try it again but add more meaning.

Goals for 2013:
1. Loose 25lbs by June
2. Find a place to live
3. Run 13 half marathons
4. Increase sales for my cake business

I figure I can work with these and then go from there. So I feel like I need to make this my year! New Year...New Me!

Oh and here are my new running shoes :-)

Chills and Goosebumps.

In a million years, I would never picture myself placing first in a race. I know this for a fact because I am not built to run. Running is sport you ask yourself.. "Why do I do this to myself?" I know it is not a fun sport and you can do a lot of damage, but there is something about it that makes you feel great after you finish. I think that it is a sense of accomplishment. Maybe it is because I am not built like a runner and I am trying to accomplish something that I feel is a challenge? Whatever the case may be, it is addictive and I love it!

As time goes on, the 5k runs feel like they are shorter in shorter, but in actuality, I am improving my endurance by running faster and faster. At the Norton High School Run, I placed first in my age division (19-29) and had a time of 32:56. I was able to take off two whole minutes off my average 5k time and now my average pace per mile is 10:50. Even though it is a best record for me, hearing my name announced as the first place women's 19-29 age division was very exciting. At the end of the race, I walked over to a teacher who I had in high school and talked with her. We talked about how I improved my time and it was a nice race that was planned to raise money for the high school. I told her how I started running races and would love to run the Providence, Rock and Roll Half Marathon. She said that ever since high school, I always had to "go big or go home." Everything I took part in would have to be big. I had to agree with her. Any production or event I was in charge of, had to be big. I always wanted to leave a taste in peoples mouth about my accomplishments or events.

So now what? Do I continue to run 5ks? Yes and no. I used to only do 5ks, but now I am stepping it up and running 5 miles and 10ks. Last week, I ran the 5 mile Boston Run to Remember for the Boston Police Department. There were over 9,000 runners. Standing in front of the Seaport Hotel and Convention Center, there was a sense of togetherness that was shared with all the runners. Everyone was pumped and excited for this run. As always, I get in the back to I can see what the whole crowd of runners look like. When the horn went off and the front began to take off and the back was slowly jogging, I took a picture of the Boston Skyline with all 9,000 runners. Throughout the run, people were standing and watching and cheering us on. I felt like I was running the Boston Marathon because everyone was so excited! I ran from Boston, through Cambridge and ended up back in Boston. As I turned the corner to the last third of a mile, everyone was cheering me on. It was such a great feeling and my urge to sprint kicked in. I bolted and sprinted to the finish line. I remember some gentleman yelling, "Keep it up! You are almost there!! Run! You got this!!!" Hearing him yell those words of encouragement, made me push harder and harder.

View from back as the Boston Run to Remember. Love seeing the view of Boston