I say we really are ALMOST there! To think back so many months ago to when we were tossing around the idea of doing a half marathon together, but had NONE written in stone. When we did decide we would do one, I think it was October. ALL these months we have been running and training, eating and sleeping, working and taking care of our families. It's 11 days away! We have our LAST long run on Friday- The run in Central Park. The 11 mile run- which we be our longest run yet.
It hit me last night as I looked at my calendar, my heart dropped. I think my heart is heavy for so many reasons. One being that all this training and running and brought me close to two incredible people. One which you ALL hear me talk about ALL the time- Raha. She has become such a big part of my life. A true friend to me. We have such a great time training and although we may complain about our miles, deep inside we both LOVE it! I LOVE how it's brought us together. Shannon is another incredible woman and mother of three GORGEOUS little girls who look like they belong in California on the beach! Shannon is super sweet, so beautiful and so much fun! I couldn't think of two other women I would want to share this HUGE experience with!
I can only HOPE that I have been inspirational, motivational and a positive force in their lives as well. I am so emotional right now and it's because all though I come across like I am strong tough and I can conquer everything thrown my way, I still second guess my self at times and I too get scared and worried I can't do what I set out to do. I am so proud of myself right now. I am beyond ecstatic that I have come this far and my runs have been so great. NOT once, did I have a run planned that I said: 'Nah, I don't feel like it today, I'm going to skip it". NOT ONCE. Not only have I trained my ass off for this day, BUT I raised so much money for an INCREDIBLE CAUSE! I am running for the
B*Cured Foundation. This foundation helps to raise money to find a cure for BRAIN CANCER. Some of the stories I hear about people who have known someone or their own loved ones who have suffered and dies from Brain Cancer- KILLS me! Breaks my heart!
So to be able to partake in a sport that is MEANINGFUL, a sport that raises money for a CURE, a sport that brought me close to some really incredible women......THAT'S PRETTY FREAKIN' AWESOME!
Raha and I did our 5 mile run today. We didn't do it to see if we could beat our time, or see how fast we could finish, it's was more about running and allowing our legs to do their thing. It was hard because of all the running we ALREADY did since Saturday- but all in all, today wasn't so bad. We are so excited to do a practice run on Friday! It's going to be interesting to see if we sike ourselves out, or end up having an incredible run- Al I know is that I am SOOOO looking forward to doing NOTHING tomorrow- ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
XOXO Have a GREAT NIGHT!
PS>DO something you have never done, something that scares the crap out of you, I promise, once you do it- You WILL feel EMPOWERED, STRONGER and MORE accomplished!
Well, it's the run I have been waiting to do all week! This is our PRACTICE run today! Our LAST long run before the BIG day! AHHHHH! So excited to get there.......... ...And I am back! Raha and I decided on driving into the city (which was the BEST idea YET!)this way once we were done, we could hop in the car and shoot home. It was about 43 degrees, and while we both thought is was freaking FREEZING out, we were both sweating by the first mile. We both had on our running pants (LULU) of course and a long sleeve. I had on two sports bras, a long sleeve and a super thin LULU Jacket- Rahah had a North Face pull over. we dropped our stuff at her office and figured we would RUN to Central Park (Columbus Circle). The run would be a mile. The loop in Central Park is 6.1 miles, so right there we killed 7.1 miles. The whole time I was dreading HEARTBREAK HILL (at mile 3). When we got close Raha gave me the heads up, and all I was thinking: "It's do or die here, and If I DO IT, then the hard part is over". I just kept my mind on all the beauty this park holds. It's a whole other world. Surrounded by so many paths, people and trees, I didn't know where to look first! I was trying to take it all in. At one point during the run, I happened to look up at a bunch of naked trees, that had a back drop of a bunch of buildings and the sun peeking through the buildings- I just smiled to myself and thought about was an amazing experience this is for me. I was LOVING every second of Central park. When we conquered Heartbreak Hill, another hill was creeping up right after. The second hill was harder than the first. PS. We conquered Heartbreak Hill in 4 minutes- Pretty impressive for my first time- I think anyway! Another hill was upon us, and I guess because the first hill was a challenge, the second hill (even SMALLER) was MORE challenging. Talking to myself, I just kept saying;”One step at a time.” We jumped out of the park where we started at Columbus Circle, and dodges cars, people, fire hydrants and more. I think because of all the traffic around us, it slowed us down, but we managed. 
THEN without fail, THE DREADED STITCH was back! AT mile 8, I started to feel it slightly but with diaphragm breathing and inhaling through my nose and blowing out of my mouth, I was able to keep it under control- that it until mile 9, where I would say every 6 minutes, I had to stop, dig my knuckles into my side, breathe deep and start up again. This went on until mile 10. The last mile I wasn’t stopping NO MATTER WHAT! I wanted to just finish! I also hate when I am running with other people and they have to stop because of me. 
Running down the West Side Highway is really beautiful. I remember the run I did with my friend Denise two summers ago. The piers, the parks, the natural reserves, I really can’t wait until the Spring to just drive down, park my car and run along the water, but to also get back to Central Park. I FORGOT how much there was to do there! Once we finished, we walked across the street after high fiving each other, and hopped in a cab. OMG! Between the STINKY ASS CAB DRIVER, my allergies starting to flair up, we HAD TO GET OUT! With only a few blocks to go, I felt my face blowing up second my second. My nose was burning, and my eyes were so itchy- I was having an allergy attack. We got to Raha’s office, grabbed some money and went into DUKE’S for the BEST Vegan Carrot soup ever, a coconut water, a Lara bar and a Claritin D! I popped that bad boy, but NO RELIEF. I was so bad, I was almost crying…..This was BY FAR the worst attack ever. I called my DR. and long story short, NO ONE had any appointments until LATE next week. I am screwed! Went home, used 1/2 a roll of toilet paper, took some Thera Flu and went to bed. This morning (Saturday), I called off bootcamp and my sessions, I needed to sleep. Blew my nose and now it’s bloody. Dr. on Monday. 
I will end this post by saying the run was INCREDIBLE, and I FEEL READY to do it next week. Running the course was DEFINITELY the best thing to do before the big day! I know what to expect. I am definitely looking forward to tapering down as is Raha! 
