4 1/2 weeks to go!

I enjoyed another momentous run on Saturday (Feb. 14th)! I completed 18.75 miles in 3hrs:11mins! I actually ran out of daylight and time on Thursday to run my 6 or 7 miles, but in the end I think it gave me enough stored up energy to run for so long on Saturday. I find myself quite amused to glance at the various looks I receive from drivers as they pass. They would be worse, I guess if they knew how far I was running that day. I probably do look rediculous though with my headphones, water bottle in hand, and a plastic baggie with some sort of high carb food (peanut M&Ms and crackers this week) safty-pinned to my pants. Infortunately, my warm, winter running tights are not equipped with a much-needed pocket. I had to laugh this Saturday when I was passed twice by a very kind, black bumper van-driving, older gentleman who was as enthusiastic about running as I was and showed his support by waving and honking his horn. Support such as this is always greatly appreciated! Speaking of support, my sponsors have donated $1950 for Bridge of Hope LCC!!

If you haven't visited Bridge of Hope LCC's website yet, I encourage you to read their "stories" part of the website at www.bridgeofhopelcc.org/stories.htm to see how Bridge of Hope and mentoring churches give mothers and their children just the help and support they need.

Thanks and take care!

Loving the warm weather!

Saturday was the best running day I've had in a long time! I miscalculated my route so I was only able to reach 15.2 miles instead of the 16 I had hoped, but the run went very well. The weather was perfect: 46 degrees with the sun shining and a nice cool breeze. I had my dad drop me off way out in the country, so I enjoyed flat, untraveled, scenic roads to run on. My total mileage this week reached 30 miles and $1600 has been raised for Bridge of Hope of Lancaster and Chester Counties! Only 6 weeks to go!
This run was definitely needed to rejuvinate my mind and body. I've heard many people talk about "the wall" you hit during your marathon race, but I also believe there is a training "wall" you can hit a few weeks before your big race. It happened to me while training for my half marathon last summer. It's the point in your training where your body starts to ache more than usual, you have several dissatisfying runs in a row, and you begin to worry your body won't be able to make it through the race. I was starting to worry after Thursday's run where my feet ached the entire 6 miles. So I was overjoyed when I felt very good on Saturday. This weather is definitely a mood lifter!
Today I'm scheduled for a 7 mile run, Wednesday I'll run 4.5 miles, Thursday will be a 6 mile run and then Saturday will be a 19 mile run! I hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for your support!
Here is my route from Saturday.

Update...

Wow! The time has flown by and it's time for an update! So far, I have raised $1,450 for Bridge of Hope LCC! Thank you so much! These two weeks have been pretty busy for me and he weather has been all over the place: freezing cold and windy, then freezing rain, then warmer weather, and now more snow... I will run in almost all weather conditions except in pouring rain when the temps are in the 30s. That's just asking for trouble (and a cold). I would have to say that running in these icy conditions has been a challenge, but I haven't fallen yet and I would like to keep it that way!

My training schedule called for a long run this past Saturday, but I really should have ran on Sunday, which was a beautiful day! I still was able to run 12.5 miles, so I shouldn't complain. Tomorrow I am scheduled to run for 60 mins (about 6.5 miles) and have Friday off. Then on Saturday my goal is to run 16 miles, which will be the farthest I have ever ran at one time. Right now they are predicting a temp of 46 degrees so I am preparing for a good run. Until next post, take care and avoid the ice! :-)

www.bridgeofhopelcc.org

Back in the game...

So after a short bout of something like the stomach flu on Monday, I did a 3.4 mile test run tonight with minimal discomfort and am ready to do a 6 mile run tomorrow. I'm so glad whatever I had didn't stick around! I'm on my 8th week of training with no intention of turning back. Tomorrow's forcast shows a high of 38 degrees! Right now anything above freezing is cause for celebration! I'm praying for no more 12 degree days!!

Other good news: $1,100.00 raised for Bridge of Hope LCC so far!! Thanks so much to those who have pledged! You guys are definitely keeping my going.

Here is the address to the map of this past Saturday's route I took encompasing almost all of "downtown" New Holland and some back country roads. Last week I saw a great blue herron on this route, which made my day. I think he moved on this week since the creek he was in is now frozen solid!
http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/pa/new-holland/263512945889

(you'll have to copy and paste it into your web browser and it may take a little while to load)

Hello!

If you're reading this you've decided to support my running in the National Marathon in Washington D.C. on March 21st by giving to a wonderful local organization: Bridge of Hope of Lancaster and Chester Counties. Thank you so much for your support! Without your encouragement this challenging race would be so much more difficult. And without Bridge of Hope and its dedicated mentoring teams, many mothers and their children would be homeless without hope of supporting themselves and their children.
My goal is to raise $5,000 from now until March 29th. Every dollar raised will go directly to Bridge of Hope of Lancaster and Chester Counties and I encourage you to visit their website to learn more about this great organization: www.bridgeofhopelcc.org and view their "Donation" tab to learn how to donate. This amount is a step of faith, just as I require faith to keep running each day.
I will regularly post on this site and let you know how my training is going and how close we are to our goal. This week I ran 23.7 miles in the coldest weather I have ever ran in! Knowing that I am running for so much more than myself definitely is keeping me going. Again, thank you for support! You are making a difference in many lives!