Sometimes getting there is half the battle

5:00 hasn't surt this bad in a while...actually by the time I hit snooze 2 times it was 5:10, but I still did not want to get up. I didn't have anyone to meet this morning, was planning on running on the treadmill and completed my first track workout last night...all factors weighing in AGAINST me getting out of bed. But I did it! It was a little tough for the first mile, but I found a rhythm and ran 6.5. Not bad for a morning when I didn't even want to get up to pee. The run wasn't bad and even better, it's over. The rest of the day is mine.

Oh, and the track workout yesterday...my first time doing a speed workout this year. I was definitely winded but not bad...I think I maintained the same pace as I was running last year around this time, which hopefully means that with some work I can improve. Anyway, another positive note in my training. Keep 'em coming!

The streak...

So, it's been about 2 weeks and I have had a row of several really good runs. It's great, but makes me worry when this streak will end. Most recently was my long run on Saturday. I was planning on running 12 miles. I was convinced by the friends I was running with to stretch it to 13. Then as I was finishing mile 13, I felt good and added one more mile for a 14 mile run. Sick, right? Like 13 isn't long enough?! But it was that good of a day! I'll take it while it comes as I'm sure I'll have plenty of rough days ahead to even it all out. But for now I'm psyched to be running and feeling good. I received my marathon registration confirmation today as well, so it's real and I'm going to be ready. On the fundraising side, I'm just shy of $1000 right now. Hoping to make a surge this week though :) Cross your fingers that the streak continues!

A great week

So following my 6.5 mile run on Wednesday, I had a great 9 mile run Thursday night and another strong run on Saturday. I ran 13 miles on Saturday and felt really strong. I'm excited to be back and running with confidence. The marathon is officially 12 weeks from today and I am ready to get serious about training and fundraising. If you haven't already, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association on my behalf!

So far so good...

It's been a little over 2 weeks since my last post and since then there's been both progress fundraising and running. I reached a long training run of just under 11 miles (10.75 according to the GPS) on Saturday for my longest run since Sept. However, I am more excited of the run I had this morning. While it was only about 6.5 miles, it was the first time yet I have felt really good running. I wasn't winded , sore or thinking of my healing (or healed) foot. I just ran. And it was great. I definitely needed that one.

On the fundraising side, I have begun chipping away at my $10,000 goal. As I am writing this, I have raised $655. Thanks to everyone who has made a donation so far. Someone asked me recently why I set my goal so high. Well, I've been volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association for the last 3 years and have seen some of the important services and resources they provide those affected by Alzheimer's Disease and their families. It's a pretty amazing organization. I set my goal at $10,000 because I want to make a contribution and if I can, I hope to be able to raise even more than this. If you haven't visited my fundraising page yet, please take a look. I think if I raise $2000 by the end of the month I get some free shoe laces or something, so help me out!

Finally Getting Started!

Happy New Year! I'm a little late getting things started this year, but yet again I will be training for the Boston Marathon with the Alzheimer's Association Run for the Memory training team. As in the last 2 years, I will be running again in honor of my grandfather, Felix Iovino, who passed away in 2005 from Alzheimer's Disease. This year I will also be running in honor of my grandmother, Frances Iovino, his caretaker and one of my most favorite people ever, who recently passed away in December.

Part of my delay this year was an injury that had me sidelined for almost 3 months this fall. A stress fracture that occurred in my foot while training for the NYC Marathon this summer had me on a spin bike, in the pool, on a yoga mat - everywhere but on the roads running - for most of September, October and November. I was a little hesitant to begin asking for donations while I was unsure if I would be able to train this winter. However, after starting a slow comeback around Thanksgiving, I have finally started running moderate distances without any pain. This weekend I completed my first 10 miles run - my longest distance since Sept 14! With that, I can finally say with confidence that I am excited to begin my training for the 112th Boston Marathon.

What I am a little less confident about is my fundraising! I set my goal at $10,000 this year. It's a bit intimidating, but I kind of like the challenge. So, to start, check out my online fundraising page to make a donation! The link is posted to the right or click here: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=256529&lis=0&kntae256529=FC5ACD96B0F54786A3BDE5D9FD8F929E&supId=102464564
I'll update this page regularly, so check in from time to time to see how things are going!