Rest in Peace Meggan Janota

30. October 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: inspiration, running · Tags: , , , , , ,

I’m deeply saddened to share some heartbreaking news.

Last year I was part of Dicks Sporting Goods Every Runner Has a Reason Campaign. I got to meet so many inspirational runners. One of those runners, Meggan Janota, passed away this morning. She had been battling cancer for quite a few years.

I’m just so sad. Such a beautiful, young woman with her whole life ahead of her. (Meggan is # 3972 in the photo below).

Every Runner Has a Reason photo shoot (a faux marathon)

Every Runner Has a Reason photo shoot (a faux marathon)

I remember feeling terrible that I had to literally give her the sweaty white shirt off my back because they needed her to wear it for a different shot. I remember not even knowing she was sick or in the middle of treatment at first. But most of all I remember sitting around in between takes just sharing laughs with a bunch of runners who understood me and understood how amazing running is.

You’ve probably seen my video but here’s Meggan’s video. Please watch. Please take a minute to say a little prayer for her family as they start their lives without her. And please take a minute to be grateful for this day that wasn’t guaranteed. As cliche as it sounds each day truly is a gift.

I’m probably going to head out in a few for a run. Just a short one. A few miles for Meggan. It just seems like the perfect way to remember her today.

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Yesterday I decided to run a 5k distance in my neighborhood and “push it”!

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Not necessarily “all out” but I focused on getting out of my comfort zone. I am running my first official timed 5k on Saturday and I have no idea how to pace myself! I’m a fish out of water with short runs. I ended up keeping a 9:31/mile pace. I know I’m probably capable of keeping a 9:15 pace. So I’m just going to leave my goal at breaking 30 minutes. Let’s see what happens.

I am off from work today so I took the doodle for a nice walk in the crunchy, colorful Autumn leaves.

Red Autumn leaves

Red Autumn leaves

And then stopped off at the vet clinic to get a 6 month supply of his heartworm and flea and tick preventative meds. Of course he started shaking when we pulled into the parking lot. Poor doodle. He must have thought he was going in.

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Tonight I’m meeting my “wolf pack” for dinner for a little birthday celebration. And in the next few days I have some exciting news to share! I’ll keep you in suspense for now.

Now go have a great day and make it count! 

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The Tunnel to Towers 5K because you can never be too emotional

29. September 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: 9/11, running · Tags: , , , ,

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

After the jam packed day I had yesterday, I’ll admit it was rough getting up early this morning. But in the long run well worth it. Today was just one more emotionally rewarding day. (I promise I’ll be funny again soon!)

A while back I mentioned in this post that I had signed up for the Tunnel to Towers 5K and the reasons why I wanted to run it. Well, I’m happy to report that my missions have all been completed.

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In memory of James “Vinny” LaGuardia

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into the tunnel • outta the tunnel • freedom tower • remembering the 343

1. Ran my first official 5k distance (after 3 marathons and close to 20 half marathons and a bunch of 10ks, 5 milers and 4 milers)

2. Tackled my fear of tunnels by running through one which was actually not as scary as I thought. I think it helped that there were so many people cheering. I didn’t dilly dally though. I ran pretty hard to get to the other end as soon as I could. I got a shot entering the tunnel and exiting the tunnel but didn’t take any IN the tunnel. FAIL! Also, take a look at our beautiful freedom tower and the amazing firemen all lined up for what felt like forever holding banners of the 343 that perished that day and giving us all high fives as we exited the tunnel. So amazing! I actually was running FAST because of the excitement of it all. I’m more tired today than yesterday after running 18

3. Got my picture taken with firemen!

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Sally, Lisa and Elvia-photo courtesy of JD • Sally with Firemen-photo courtesy of Elvia • Sally finishes-photo courtesy of Elvia • Sally and Elvia all fuhklempt when they played God Bless the USA-photo courtesy of JD

4. And the most important mission—running to honor my friend’s dad who was killed last month so tragically. I talked about it in this post and this post. His name was James “Vinny” LaGuardia. And he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was a hero to his family and so it felt fitting to acknowledge him today.

From the pre-run performances of God Bless the USA and the Star Spangled Banner, to the sights of so many firemen running in their uniforms, reading all of the messages on the back of peoples shirts remembering loved ones, to my personal thoughts of my friend and her dad’s recent passing and my friend Lisa running in memory of her friend who was killed in Afghanistan, it was quite emotional.

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photo courtesy of Lisa

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As Frank Sinatra’s “New York New York” played…photo courtesy of JD

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Lisa ran for Dario Lorenzetti, a friend killed in Afghanistan. photo courtesy of JD

Many tears streamed down my cheek. Meanwhile I have to admit when I got dressed this morning I was giddy that I was ONLY running 3 miles. I even put on some eye makeup and didn’t wear a hat or visor so that I might actually look like a girl in my pictures for once. Well, I learned my lesson. I cried away the makeup and it was quite stuffy in the tunnel and I think I sweat MORE than  I do during a marathon. =)

My friend happened to catch me on TV. If you want to take a look go to this link and scroll down to the second video. I’ll wave to the camera at about 1:50. But it takes so long for the page to load you can just pretend and lie to me. It’s not that big a deal.

And now it’s almost 6pm on Sunday and I’m DOG TIRED! Heck the DOG is DOG TIRED too!
Apparently taking a nap outside on my driveway seemed like a good idea.

dog tired

dog tired

Appropriately enough I found this quote in my Facebook newsfeed today:

I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom. —Thomas Carlyle

Well, it’s off to get some cleaning done and clear my head and ice my tired achy legs after covering over 21 miles of running and about 5 miles of walking this weekend.

Question: What songs make you cry? Have you ever been so tired you just laid down right where you were even if it was a cold concrete driveway?

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Tunnel 2 Towers 5K and One Lucky Labradoodle

05. September 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: fundraising, labradoodle, running, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

So funny thing…..I’ve been participating in road races of all distances since 2006 EXCEPT for 5k! That’s right! After 40+ scored events, I have yet to do a 5k! There have been 4 milers, 5 milers, 8ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons but somehow I missed what’s usually the first distance.

Anyway, that will all change on September 29th. I’m officially signed up for the Tunnel 2 Towers 5K.

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My friend Lisa lives right near the start and has been doing this for a few years now. I’ve usually backed out because I’m not such a fan of tunnels. But this year she coaxed me into it. I figured it was time to face some silly phobias head on before turning the big 40 next month.

As I filled out the online registration there were a few optional sections. You could donate money to the organization that runs the event and you could also run in honor of someone. I mentioned back in this post about my friend Gina’s dad who was killed recently. Ordinarily if given an option to run in honor of someone I usually put my husband’s name in. But this run is about heroes. It’s to honor and remember the heroes of 9/11 that sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. I just felt my friend’s dad was the perfect person to honor for this run. Because he was HER hero.

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As she turns 40 this week, it’s my small gift. (she might even run it with me which would be so awesome. Maybe if everyone left encouraging comments below it would help her decide to do it!). If you want to donate you can do so here.

After 5 days straight of running I gave myself 2 days off which gave me the extra time in the mornings to take the doodle for some outdoor fun time. (I’ll get back to running later today actually with a 7 mile tempo). Duncan enjoyed a walk in the woods and some sprints on the soccer field. I enjoyed my coffee!

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my love (coffee) and my dog. lol!

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soccer field sprint

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i like the mystical magical forest!

Hope everyone’s week is moving along nicely.

Questions: What was your first race? 5K? 10K? Marathon? Did you follow a plan or just sign up and run? Who is your hero? 

 

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