Marathon Update

We ran 12 miles yesterday! That is almost a half marathon (which was our original goal before we decided to go crazy and sign up for the full marathon).

Also, since training has started, I have ran 110 miles.

Fundraising is going well, I am sooo close to $1500.

Thank you to everyone who has donated.. it is great knowing that I have this much support!

I've been featured...really?!?

So, apparently when you are an incredibly neglectful blogger, you get to be featured on other websites! I got an email this morning letting me know that Creme de la Mode has mentioned my blog during their 'Chicago Week.' I haven't had much time to look at it yet but the website seems pretty cool. Thanks to the Creme girls!

Marathon Update

Whenever I used to go for a run, I wore all black and tried to not draw attention to myself. I've never felt like I was actually part of the running world. I was one of those out of shape girls that would run a few times over the course of two weeks then give up. I didn't have the special running clothes, sweatbands, nice shoes, or ipod strapped to my arm. I wore sweats, carried my ipod and never got the hang of where to put the cord and the earphones were always falling out, I carried my keys to get back into my house because normal sweats don't have convenient pockets for such things, oh, and I probably looked like I was going to fall over at any moment.

I have finally started to feel like I get to be considered a runner. I have not one but two different complete running outfits, bright white and green new shoes, and best of all, I think I look pretty good out there. My normal run is a loop around a few blocks that I mapped out and is exactly 3 miles. Secretly, I love when there is construction going on during my running or someone is waiting for the bus. I like to pass them three times and think that they are paying attention to me and thinking, 'wow, she's been running for awhile now'. And yes, I know they aren't thinking that, they don't care about me, but I like the thought of it... belonging to this weird, bizarre world of runners and thinking that people notice.

Well, all hope I had of ever becoming one of those girls that I am down right jealous of, the ones running in just a sports bra and spandex (which I always make fun of but c'mon, would love to have that body) went crashing to a halt today. Why? Don't worry I didn't get injured, I bought this: A double water bottle belt with a little pouch for energy gels (don't get me started on energy gels). This is completely necessary for my training and the marathon. I only have to wear it on Sundays when I go on my long runs. But this is not cool. This definitely does not fit into the image of one of those girls that I have always been jealous of. I felt like I had to whine. Thank you.

Running update: We ran 7 miles today. That is 1hour and 27 minutes straight of running! Next week, 8 miles!

Fundraising update: Yesterday was the first day that I haven't had a panic attack when thinking about this $1500. I consider that progress.

Gardening

I thought I would show off Jim's garden. He used old cat litter buckets on our back porch. I was not happy with this look so he built a wood enclosure that is much more attractive. We have 4 tomato plants, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, thyme, cilantro, basil, and parsley. This is how much the garden has grown in just a few weeks. He had to take the cilantro and parsley out and plant them in their own containers because they were getting too big. One thing I love about having a bunch of cats is that you run into cute situations every time you turn a corner or enter a room. I especially love when I find one or more of my cats doing something cute with my favorite member of the house (Jim). This is Buehrle and Fuzzy taking a little nap on Jim after his hard day of gardening

Marathon Update

I am not doing all this running and money raising alone. Meet Liz, my partner in marathon crime. Every Sunday we go running at Foster Ave. Beach and almost every Sunday we go to Tweet, a restaurant nearby for breakfast. It is really hard to not order the veggie biscuits and gravy every time I go, they are sooo good. Running related update: we ran 6 miles this past Sunday, plan to run 7 miles this coming Sunday and as of today I have ran (drum roll) 51 miles total in training!

Fundraising is off to a slow start. Big thanks to Rita, Jim, Theresa, and Lys! I hope you know how much I appreciate your help. (ps, if you have donated and I'm not aware of it yet, it takes 3-10 days for me to be notified that I have a new donation. So thank you in advance!)

Marathon Update

So as you all remember, I am training for the Chicago Marathon. I have decided to post once a week updating everyone on marathon progress. Here is my training schedule:

I run twice a week by myself for 30-45 minutes and every Sunday morning I meet all the other trainees at 7am at Foster Avenue Beach for our long run. We started at 3 miles, then 4, this week, we ran 5 miles. This program trains us to run for longer distances, not speed. So we are put into pace groups so that we don't run too fast and possibly get injured. I am in the 13-minute mile group. So... today, 5 miles = 65 minutes! I ran today for over an hour straight! Whoo-whoo.

Also, I still need donations. I haven't raised $1500 yet, not even close. All of the proceeds of our fundraising goes to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Please click here if you would like to donate.

In Loving Memory

Chili, our beautiful two and half month old squirrel passed away Thursday night. Her three moms, Kat, Liz, and I, along with her many aunts will miss her very much. I will never forget our little squirrel and will always be appreciative to Kat and Liz for letting me share in this amazing experience. Chili is buried in Kat's backyard and she plans to plant a tree over her in her memory. I think that is a perfect place for her to be.