The second I start feeling bad for myself, this is what appears...

So the minute I start to feel down and out about training and bitching commences, this is the email that magically hit my inbox.   You, the Kids of St. Jude, are the reason why I continue to run every week and take every step, one after another.  Thank you, St. Jude, for giving me a reason to run and continuing to run.  St. Jude Heroes run for a reason

"If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon." – Women's marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer Dear St. Jude Hero, When you complete a marathon, half marathon or 5K for the children of St. Jude, you cross the finish line for a higher cause: Raising money for the research and treatment of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Don't let your motivation run down.   Recharge your inspiration by watching this video about 7–year–old Anthony Lawrence, who bravely fights ependymoma with the help of St. Jude. St. Jude patient Anthony Lawrence (age 7, ependymoma)

My body hates me.

My whole body HURTS.  Every last little bit of it.  Marathon training is finally starting to take its toll on me physically, which is bleeding into my mental state.  I'm not becoming an angry, mean person, just tired.  Really freakin tired.  Ugh.  13 miles got done yesterday and it was almost the death of me.  2 hours 26 min.  In the heat and humidity of Philadelphia in the summer.  I do have to say though, running down Kelly Drive and by the Delaware River was quite nice for its scenary.  And the Philadelphia Art Museum is just Cool.  I wanted to run up the stairs like Rocky but didn't have time before the torrential downpours started.  Next time!  And there will be a next time now that I know how to get there, where to park, and where to run.  :)

Okay but really, I hurt. And I think I'm coming down with a sinus infection because my body hates me and so my immune system is just quitting.  Sleep.  I need more sleep.  I will work on that.  In the meantime, I'm popping some Aleve and Pseudofed, eating soup for lunch, and drinking lots of hot water with lemon.

Happy Monday!

Running is Getting Better.

A running update finally!  Okay, so running has been going great!  I've been feeling like my fitness levels have been increasing and running is not as painful or awful as it was before.  In other words, I don't hate every step I take.  This is good progress for me.  I find that I have periods where I start to get in the groove and I just feel like I am coasting.  On longer runs this typically happens between 4 and 7 miles.  And my 3 mile runs are becoming much much easier.  I even ran on Monday without music and it wasn't a problem.  

With all of these great things said though, I have a 12 miler on Friday morning.  I'm scared.  I'm scared about over-heating, feeling like crap, and wanting to die.  I will be in pain afterward and probably in bed early on Friday night.  It's for the Kids of St. Jude though!  

Speaking of them, planning for the charity date auction is coming along.  I met with the ladies who work at the DC chapter of St. Jude on Friday.  They are being very helpful and informative and providing us with some St. Jude schwag.  Yay!  Next, I need to hear back from the events coordinator at the bar where this will be held and Friday I may start going from one restaurant to the next in hopes that they will donate gift certificates.  So probably the first really big important week in my training in terms of mileage and fundraising... wish me luck!  [Or as they say in Italian, augurimi la fortuna!]

And I almost forgot... see pics below from this weekend after my long run.  My weight on the scale is holding steady, but my body fat percent is falling while my muscle percent is creeping up!  And my clothes fit better!  Yay!  Go me!  [Please note: The long photos are taken with skinny mirrors, so it's a bit of an optical illusion.  I'm not that tall or skinny - hahah.  But I'll take it!]  

love love.  ~Mel

Day 3: 3 miles

I woke up this morning to a clean and tidy room and a beautiful, cool summer DC morning.  After fumbling a bit with my sleek, new handheld waterbottle (I say handheld but what I really mean is that sucker is strapped to my hand and there ain't no comin' off unless I make it...I digress).  My ipod was dead but the weather surely made up for that.  It's truly summer as the mornings are getting brigher earlier and there were a number of people out running their little hearts out on the mall (the National Mall, that is).  All in all, a great start to the morning.  Hoping it sets the tone for the rest of the day! 

Here are some photos I took a month or so back (with my iphone so please excuse the not so professionalish of them) when doing my usual morning run so that you can understand why I love it here.  Enjoy beautiful DC!

Day 1 of Marathon Training!

Today, I woke up and had a determination...to become a marathon runner. 

(This is where my Italian stubborness can be used for good, not evil...ha.)

For those of you who don't already know, I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon a while back.  It is on October 30, 2011. My roommate did it last year.  I was inspired by her dedication and will power.  Additionally, I always wanted to do this - be a marathoner, that is! I've done some half marathons but they don't come close to a full marathon!

A full marathon separates the men from the boys... 

So this morning I made some vows to myself, that I thought I would share with the world:

I will train and train properly. 
I will dedicate myself to this program of running, yoga, healthy eating, and rest. 
I will track my progress via this blog. 
I will post photos sporadically (as I hope to tone up my not so lovely spots).
I will become the athlete that I have always admired and wanted to be. 

So in my effort to "own it" and be honest with myself and the world, I am going to track my weight and measurements, in addition to my runs and how I am feeling via this blog.  Additionally, some encouragement along this journey is welcomed and very much encouraged - it's going to be a long 4-5 months of training and I am going to need all of the support I can get.  So thank you in advance!!!

I love, love, love food as well, so don't be surprised if I post about my meals.  I try my best to eat healthful, organic, yummy meals and snacks.  I recently changed my diet to low carb, high protein.  Once my weekly mileage starts to increase, I will increase my carb intake. 

I'm excited and determined!  So here goes nothin...

Day 1: June 12, 2011

6.2 mile

(Note: It was 95+ degrees out, so about 5 running and the remaining intermittent walking.) 

140.4 lbs. 29% body fat

I don't have my measurements today, but will post them later this week.

Although I don't have measurements today, I do have photos!!
(Thanks to my wonderful, inspiring, and encouraging roommate.  She's the best!)

These were taken after my run this morning. 



“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

And this is the exact reason why I chose to not only run a marathon, but pick one that forced me to train all summer.  Running in the heat scares the bejesus out of me.

So here goes nothin...

Training commences in just a few short weeks. 

Marine Corps Marathon 2011

Bring it.