A bike fairytale

Once upon a time there was a girl named Amanda who lived in downtown Baltimore. She was a happy lady who loved riding her mint-condition cherry red 1970's Schwinn Traveler III bicycle throughout the city (especially when her roommate Anne would ride along with her on a Schwinn beach cruiser had had a baller basket and bell on it.)

That bike meant a lot to Amanda because it was her mom's bike and she loved that she was given a part of history and giving it a new life again.

One night in November, a Baltimore hoodrat decided to jump over the backyard wall and STEAL Amanda's bike AND Anne's bike from their property.

Their roommate Tristan must sleep like a freight train because she did not hear the hoodrat(s) at all in the back yard despite having her window face the backyard.

Amanda noticed the bikes were missing, called the police and checked to see if they were being sold on Craigslist... all of that effort and the bikes was never seen again.

Here is Amanda with her old bike

Still bitter to this day, Amanda decided that she would start looking at bikes again because while training for her marathon she will need to do some cross training. (what better way then biking!!)

Her cool boss, Aixa, told her about a group called "freecycle"- people who offer items to other individuals FOR FREE.

Amanda thought joining the group can't hurt and maybe she'll be able to find a bike for free on there because a journalist's paycheck won't cut it for a nice bike.

Amanda joined the group and sent out an email saying she was looking for a bike, how her's was stolen..blah blah...she got no response.

Despite feeling down, she tried again one more time. Luckily this time God sent an angel to Amanda and his name was Dennis.

Last night Amanda traveled to Telford to meet Dennis and this bike he was willing to give to her.

Not knowing what to expect, Amanda was hoping for the best and happy to take it in for any repairs it needed. A free bike is a free bike. Shush Amanda!

Pulling up to the house, there he was....a beautiful 1970's Schwinn World Traveler...almost exactly like her old one but in Loyola green.

She knew it was fate and Dennis was an angel sent from above. The bike was in great condition, minimal damage, all orginal parts. Amanda is planning on taking it to Bike Works in Harleysville this evening and getting any repairs it needs.

She shook Dennis' hand and he waived good-bye to the bike saying "Bye baby!"

In his honor, Amanda named her new bike "Dennis" because without him she would be bikeless and hopeless. 

Monday with Mama

Today I decided to hit the streets of downtown Lansdale early in the morning (did I mention I ran in my baller new yellow tank from North Wales Running Co. I've been saving to wear. I bought this color so cars can really see me/not run me over, plus it has a great cut to it!!)

Today is  Mama Monday aka my Mom and I will be spending the day together because I have off work and she took off, so I wanted to make sure I got out early giving us the whole day.

So I traveled down Valley Forge Road, over to Main Street, downDerstine, right on Broad St., up Whites Road, and back to Valley Forge.

I ran by work and wonder if Nona or Aixa saw me out their windows. (picture is blurry, sorry)

After being an absolute bum this past week it was a decent run. I've been mentally psyching myself out because I know that in less than two weeks the real training begins.  I'm excited. I'm crapping my pants. I'm doubting myself. I'm trying to prove myself wrong. This journey has been a whirlwind of emotions and the real test hasn't event began yet.

But fret I will not because I'm about to have a great day with Shelley :)

2nd place is the 1st loser...but is it?

The current marathon themed book I am reading right now had a quote in it that is really sticking with me on this journey. The quote was as follows:

“In a marathon, except at the elite level, you don’t beat others, as you might in a mile or a 100-meter dash. Instead, you achieve a personal victory. If others finish in front of or behind you, it is only that their personal victories are more or less than yours.” - Hal Higdon

My entire life has been a competitive atmosphere... I've been playing sports since I was five and "winning" or "first place" has always been the priority. You want that trophie, that medal, that championship title.

But, for once in my life I am now at the mindset where it is ok if I’m not the greatest, or the fastest, or the best.  This quote really nailed it on the head.

As long as I accomplish MY personal goal, which I am going to say is running the entire thing/finishing without quitting/beating Oprah’s time, then that means I won. While people pass me on my marathon I just need to say to myself “it’s their personal victory....not mine.”

See you on the streets!

Gatsby is my alarm clock

For those of you who have not met Gatsby or even knew I had a dog, here is Gatsby! He's an 8-month-old Yorkie Poodle Mix and the love of my life. :)

Not only does Gatsby bring me love and joy every single day, but he is my own personal alarm clock. The life of sleeping in has been thrown right out the window because usually between 5-5:30 a.m. Gatsby wiggles on my bed, stretches out, jumps off the bed and then scratches the heck out of my door informing me he needs to go out. That scratch is my alarm clock. I have not set an alarm in months because I know he will be my wake up call....I depend on him, he depends on me.

We usually fall back asleep for a little bit before I need to get up for work, but lately because I have been running in the morning I take him out, get changed and hit the streets.

Because he is a dog he probably doesn't realize it, but I am grateful he has me up and moving that early. I am not a morning person (ask my Mom) and would rather be in bed, but for some reason things really clicked today and I'm so thankful he is there in my life (for both waking up but of course the companionship he gives me day in and day out.)

Today we were up at 5:15 a.m.....we got back in the house, my bed looked so comfy, but I pushed through and told myself I was going on a run, no excuse to "sleep only 15 more minutes."

I had a decent run and like usual, this is what I come home to....a sleeping puppy....at least one of us gets to sleep in anymore :)

Headed to Giant, but not for food

With the hopes of going on an early run, I couldn't get my butt out of bed and with a mid-morning commitment, I was forced to go later in the day. I hit the streets today around noon and I decided to mix up my run a bit.

Like every Sunday my mom was headed to Giant to go grocery shopping (which I usually accompany here) but today I came up with the idea that I will run to Giant while she is shopping.

So my five mile run to Giant was a hot one. I went a bit outside my comfort zone and ran along some pretty busy streets, especially during that time of day.

For the most part all the drivers "shared the road" with me. I would like to give a big thanks to the Towamencin police officer who REALLY shared the road. I appreciate it brother.

During Second Friday in North Wales on Friday evening I went to the North Wales Running Company and bought this water bottle I've been eying up for a while. It fits right in your palm and very comfy. I was refueling like crazy on the run. IT WAS HOT!!!

So I met Shelley at the store, we finished up the trip and headed home. Looks like this trip might have to happen again sometime. :)

See you on the streeetttssss!!!!

The early bird gets the worm

So this week I've had a great break-through with my running. After what seemed like a month slump I've realized that my best running comes in the morning (which I knew but I LOVE SLEEP! who doesn't?!?). I got up early to run all this week and they have all been great. (plus I got a massage on Monday night and D.D. really worked my calves...soooo needed.)

While I'm pumped that my running has been going well, getting up to run before work royally sucks. I was holding off as long as possible to not do morning runs (was going to wait till the hardcore training begins in July), but after having such poor performances I couldn't stand it any longer.

There are some great points to running early:
1. I've been beating the heat!!! running in 85 degrees is better than 100 degrees
2. My body is actually really use to running early because that is when we use to run fitness in college
3. I'm not a big eater before I run so I just get up, get changed and jump out the door
4. The traffic is not bad at all

If any of you runners out there are reading this and want to hit the streets early let me know!

PS- give my cousin's blog a read....her last post really was emotional for me and I'm sure for her as well....It is probably my favorite post of hers to date. http://thereckessrunner.blogspot.com/

Feel The Beat

A key component for my running game is MUSIC. If I do not have music, I can mentally not run. I physically can not pick up my legs...I get completely psyched out because I can hear how heavy I am breathing and I lose all focus. Does anyone else ever have this problem?

I think it is so interesting how music triggers something in my mind to get my body moving. For me personally, it is key to have a playlist on my ipod that contains a lot of upbeat, techno thumpin, fist pumpin jams that I wear at full max on my headphones (yes I know that is not safe nor healthy for my ears, but it’s how I roll.)

Luckily every race I have ever run in it has allowed me to wear headphones (the Broad Street Run didn’t but considering I’m not an elite runner they didn’t throw me out, thank you Broad Street committee.) I am so happy I can wear them during the marathon in Disney. During my half marathon last December my music literally saved my life because it was a race with hardly any spectators and majority of the time I was by myself.

I will say the biggest challenge is keeping a good fresh playlist. I listen to the SAME SONGS almost every single day and I am at the point where I need some help. So this is why I’m reaching out to you.

I’m looking for 20 new songs to make a playlist and I am going to take them all off of comments on my blog or my Facebook. This will prove to me if people are ACTUALLY READING my blog or if I'm wasting my time. I’m letting you own my ears people, so take full advantage.
See you on the street!



HAPPY NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!

HAPPY NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!

Good morning friends! I just want to wish everyone a happy national running day! Grab a friend this afternoon/after work and go for a run or even a walk. It can be for 5, 10, 15 or 60 minutes, JUST GET OUT THERE TODAY!

According to the weather it's going to be a hot one yet again, so be sure to hydrate during the day and bring a water with you on your run.

I would love to run with someone this afternoon or try out a new route. I look forward to hearing your suggesting!

See you on the road!