Boston Marathon...

When you hear "marathon" alot of people automatically think of the famous Boston Marathon. April 15th, I was excited to see the live feed's from the race and the crowd. 

As everyone knows, two bombs went off by the finish line leaving a few dead and many wounded. 

As a runner, I'm HORRIFIED. I couldn't imagine training, qualifying, and running the Boston Marathon and an attack happening. 

I'm going to keep my thoughts to myself, but this is just a "Im thinking of those hurt, and their families". 

Today, April 16, was a run for Boston day. I couldn't be more proud to be a runner.

(From the Boston Athletic Association website)

"Statement from Thomas Grilk, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association, Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) extends its deepest sympathies to all those who were affected by Monday's tragic events. Those who lost their lives and were injured are in our thoughts and prayers.

It is a sad day for the City of Boston, for the running community, and for all those who were here to enjoy the 117th running of the Boston Marathon. What was intended to be a day of joy and celebration quickly became a day in which running a marathon was of little importance.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of the B.A.A. medical personnel and volunteers and the City of Boston's first responders who reacted so courageously to help save lives. Special thanks to the loyal Boston Marathon community - over 8500 volunteers, 1000 medical personnel, the organizing committee, and hundreds of thousands along the race route - who make the experience what it is for all our runners, who are hurting today.

We would like to thank the countless people from around the world who have reached out to support us over the last 24 hours.

We are cooperating with the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and all federal law enforcement officials in the investigation and the effort to bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice, so we are limited in what information we can provide.

Boston is strong. Boston is resilient. Boston is our home. And Boston has made us enormously proud in the past 24 hours. The Boston Marathon is a deeply held tradition - an integral part of the fabric and history of our community. We are committed to continuing that tradition with the running of the 118th Boston Marathon in 2014."

http://www.baa.org/

Cooper River Bridge Run 10k

I GOT OVER IT!!

On Valentine's day, I registered myself for the Cooper River Bridge Run 10k in Charleston. I have always had a love for the city, and I had heard ALOT about this race. I have a friend down there that let me crash (saved money on a hotel, woo!) - and race day was AWESOME.

The day before at the expo went smoothly. Great parking, very organized. I got a bag, a shirt, ect and bought another girls-t so I could actually wear a shirt and not look like I'm ALWAYS going to the gym. I also bought my first running belt! Hooray! It's perfect, small, and doesnt move at all when I run.

It was really, really chilly in the morning on race day, so I dressed in layers and brought a bag (there was a bag check right at my corral.) I was standing in line to get on the bus to go to the start from downtown and there were a few ladies behind me I ended up talking to. They were from Charlotte too and kind of adopted me for the rest of the trip! They were so sweet and so much fun. When the sun finally came up it started to warm up a little. We all gathered in the same corral and as soon as it was getting close to start time I finally started getting over the chilly-weather and got excited. We exchanged numbers and decided to meet up at the finish line.

My last 10k time was 1:05min and I really wanted to have a better time this race. (Always trying to improve!) The gun went off, and I took off - the first mile and a half was kinda rough. I got to zig zag through the crowd of people to try and keep a pace. Around mile 3 a group of Marines in full uniform were next to me and I decided they were going to be my pace-makers. I stayed with them the rest of the race and finished with a time of 1:01min! 

Going over the bridge was so beautiful - so many people too! I highly recommend running this race next year!

**There is also a Bridge Run App that is REALLY REALLY HELPFUL!!** 

Check out the Bridge Run's website! http://www.bridgerun.com/

Officially registered for my first FULL MARATHON!

My best friend Stefanie lives in NYC now, and we've been talking about the Marine Corp Marathon for a while....well, registration day came and I am now officially registered for my first full marathon !!

I have a lot of planning, training, and food planning to do asap. But I'm incredibly excited to run for such a great cause :)

Check out the website !! http://www.marinemarathon.com/

Spartan Sprint

Shane & I had registered for the Spartan Sprint back in August 2012 on a Livingsocial deal.

It was 35 degrees, raining, and miserable. If it had been 40 degree's warmer, it would have been fantastic. But it was brutal. Not fun-kinda brutal. I'll be waiting til it warms up to ever do a mud run again.

I saw this awesome medal / hanger/ thingy at the Expo in Disney and HAD to get it. I'm in love :)

Disney Princess Half Marathon !!!

So, I've got some MAJOR catching up to do. I've been drowning trying to re-adjust to post-graduation life, home life, a relationship gone bad, and feeling over all awful.

BUT - this it where I'll start.

At 17 I was told I would never run again and was given a huge leg brace. I found a physical therapist that saved my life - this is for all the doctors that told me no, that didnt care to help. This is for Todd, my PT, that helped me learn how to walk again, get rid of my limp, and now running again. I just finished my 2nd Half-Marathon in 4 months having rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. If I can do it, anyone can.

Saturday, my brother Nolan & I ran the Mickey & Minnie 5k! I dressed up as Belle and he wore a shirt that said "Why are all of these princesses chasing me?!" - Everyone LOVED it! The course through Epcot was great. He really seemed to enjoy himself which made me really happy.

I didn't train for the Princess Half like I wanted to, and should have. I had a lot of personal issues going on at the time. I decided to go down and still run the race. I had been waiting a really long time to run this particular race. I decided to dress up as Rapunzel from Tangled. It was quick & easy and I loved it.

Disney ofcourse was fantastic. I'm thankful my family came down to meet me. I was nervous about how I'd run but as soon as my alarm clock went off at 4:00am I got REALLY excited. My mom helped me braid my hair and I got to the buses just in time to head to the start. I've never seen so many people!! It was insane. So much music, so many costumes, so much fun and excitement.

After mile 2, I was already feeling my legs get tired (uh oh.) But after taking a few pictures with the girl from Bugs Life and the princes, I felt a little better. I was looking more and more forward to getting to the castle as the sun came up. It was PERFECT running weather. Overcast & cool (so glad!)

Mile 10 I got a little exhausted, but kept pushing. This race was for ME. I needed this and it made me happy. :)

Lots of pictures, enjoy! If you're ever dressing up for a race definitely check out pinterest! :D