Longest run of my life…for now!

I ran 17 miles last Saturday! I can hardly believe it! It was really hard and I was in pain during and after the run. However, seeing the gate at the end of our run never felt so good. It was the most beautiful gate I have ever seen. Hahaha! I ran with 2 girls this week and we kept a pretty good pace together. We only stopped to use the bathroom once and fill up on fluids. I have to say the Gatorade they had at the water stop was terrible. It was pink and as Sarah said it tasted like laundry detergent. I think I'm going to bring more of my own Gatorade from now on and just fill up with water at the stops. It was nice running and chatting but running for over 3 hours means you can run out of things to talk about. We tried really hard to keep the conversations going to pass the time. In the end we all made it and were really proud of our accomplishment! Wow 17 miles is amazing. Until you have done it you can't really understand but trust me its crazy!

 

Tomorrow we are running 20 miles. That is exciting and scary all at the same time. My body has done 17 so what is 3 more miles right! I am hoping for a really good run. I think it will mentally prepare me for the full 26.2. I am also craving the excitement that will come with race day! Only 3 more weeks to go!

 

My quote for this weekend's run is going to be from Isaiah 40:31. I love the way the Message Bible reads this particular verse. "But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind."

 

I'm almost to my goal but you can help me reach it and surpass it. Please help me by making a tax deductible donation at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/shamrock10/ashaff
Thanks for helping find a cure for blood cancers!

 

Winter Weather Woes

Oh the Hills

Okay so I'm a little behind again on the blog. Last week I ran 5 miles with Melissa on Tuesday. Then I ran with Hayley and Brett on Thursday. It felt good to get out and run a different trail with them. The only not fun part was the hills. There were a lot of them. Most of them were hard but not too bad. Then at Glebe road there are 2 massive hills back to back. I thought I was going to die getting to the top of them. Then it was a matter of getting my breathing under control to continue the run. I was so impressed with myself that I kept going. I also realized that a burger and fries before a 5 mile run is not the best idea. I probably didn't give myself enough time to digest before we ran because I was trying my best not to throw up! However, I made it to the end with no problem and was glad to have it behind me! It was a challenge but so worth it!

 

A True Runner

If I ever doubted whether or not I was a real runner, Saturday's run proved I am.  I mean who would run 14 miles on a snowy morning if they didn't have to. A handful of us got up early Saturday morning and headed out to the Mt. Vernon trail. We started at mile 0 and those of us training for the marathon ran out to mile 7 and back. At first it was just a couple of flurries but then it started coming down pretty good. By the time we got back to our cars there was probably 2 inches on the ground. During that run I had 2 servings of shotblocks and one serving of Chomps (I think they are called). I drank most of my water and Gatorade (the purple kind) and what was left froze in the bottom. This was my first real experience with things freezing. That includes my eyelashes and eyebrows. I had to wipe my face to keep the snow from sticking but my hands were wet so it didn't help very much. The windbreaker I was wearing collected a lot of snow and froze to me so I was wiping that off too. I was glad I had an extra hood on the windbreaker that morning because I needed all the help I could get to block the snow. I ran probably 11 or 12 miles with Sarah and a few other people. It was so good to have someone to run with and motivate me along. I tend to find the strength to go so much further. Towards the end we all ended up at different paces so I ran the last few miles on my own…praying my way up the hills! The night before I had a few pieces of pizza and for breakfast I had toast and a banana. I think that I had a good amount of food because I felt energized and good about the run. That is until the last mile when most of it was up hill and the last section felt like it was straight up. I did end up walking some of the up hill. I think overall I ran 13.5 miles and walked the other .5 off and on. I was so pumped by the end. That is a personal record in distance for me. I finished in about 2 hrs and 50 mins. which I was happy with considering the snow and hills! At the end Maggie had made cupcakes for my birthday so I shared them with some teammates. They were so amazing! I have such amazing teammates!

 

The picture is just one I found online of the Potomac River frozen over. It wasn't this visible on Saturday…a lot more gray and heavy snow but you get the idea. I wasn't able to get pictures that day but it really was beautiful. At one point I saw a bunch of geese or ducks huddled together in the river. Everyone was feeling the winter weather that morning. It is amazing how God shows us his beauty. Running as really allowed me to see more of that and also given me time to just talk to him. It has been a growing experience for me physically, mentally, and spiritually. I never thought of it before but it feels like running has given me the opportunity to put Luke 2:52 into practice, "Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man."

 

Down Week

This week is what I'm calling a down week. I have not been able or really motivated to get all of my runs in. I am glad that I got a couple short runs in so that I can maintain. However, I am looking forward to a really good/challenging run. They are calling for 16 to 24 inches of snow for us this weekend and we got some snow Tuesday night so that has interfered with our running schedule. The coaches changed our Saturday long run to Sunday, which I can't do, but I will be surprised if they actually get to run with all of the snow. Now it's just a matter of figuring out when to run 16 miles this week! This winter has really been a challenge for us to train in but we are hoping it will prepare us for a great run during the race! Bring on the good spring weather…I am over the snow!

 

"Life is a journey, a marathon.  It begins.  It ends.  We all finish the line.  There will be no losers.  Each of us benefiting from the richness of the journey.  Sometimes, benefiting from the journey of others." 

 

Excerpt from Janice Stahl in the booklet titled  What Team In Training Means to Me

I'm excited to say I am running my first endurance event with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Please help me reach my personal goal of $2,000 by making a tax deductible donation at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/shamrock10/ashaff
Thanks for helping find a cure for blood cancers!

A Surprise That Melted My Heart

Oh wow! Words can not even begin to describe how grateful I am for such wonderful friends and family. I was going out for a surprise night out with Katie and Jordan to celebrate the big 2-5! Yes, I turned 25 yesterday and I have actually come to terms with it. It is just a number and I am truly enjoying my life! Anyways back to the big events. They picked me up from the metro and started driving south. They told me we were going to a restaurant reserved for special occasions so I just went along for the ride. After going south past Woodbridge I started to wonder. Where in the world were we going…just for dinner! Well we ended up at the Melting Pot in Fredericksburg. Lucky for them I didn't think about there being one closer to where we live! It was funny because I told Chris at lunch that I didn't know where we were going and he asked me where I would want it to be. I told him I would like a Japanese Steak House or Fondue (the Melting Pot). I was very happy when our reservations where for fondue! We went inside and Katie and I went straight to the bathroom while Jordan was being seated. As we came out of the bathroom the host told us to turn around to go to our table. I slid into the booth and who came in beside me??? MY MOM AND DAD!!! They drove up to Fredericksburg to meet us for dinner. I truly haven't been that surprised in a long time…I'll be honest it brought a few tears to my eyes! I had a wonderful time talking, opening presents, and eating amazing food! I will brag on the spinach and artichoke cheese fondue and the bananas dipped in milk chocolate. I did enjoy the rest of the meal but those two were to die for! After dinner we had a little photo op and then headed our separate ways. I had such an amazing time and wouldn't trade these people for the world. I love you guys!

 

We turn not older with years, but newer every day.

- Emily Dickinson

 

I'm excited to say I am running my first endurance event with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Please help me reach my personal goal of $2,000 by making a tax deductible donation at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/shamrock10/ashaff.
Thanks for helping find a cure for blood cancers!

Runners High and Birthday Week!

Tonight I ran 5 miles with Melissa near her house. I like running that part of town because it mixes things up a little. There are a few hills that make us work hard but we definitely enjoy the down hill! This was a great run for us. Last Saturday I was not feeling the runners high but tonight it was back. I love it when I can get out and really enjoy running!

I don’t mean to toot my own horn but…Tomorrow is my Birthday! I haven’t been my normal super excited self about birthdays this year and I think it’s because I am turning the big 25. I never thought it would be a big deal for me but I’ve been thinking about all that I have done the past 25 years and all that I still want to do. God has truly blessed me with 25 beautiful years of life and I hope he continues to bless me with many more. I am so grateful for my family and friends and how amazing they have been over the years.

A Day of Learning

Saturday we had our long run on the W&OD trail in Vienna. Our mileage went down to 8 this week for a recovery run. It was kind of nice to have a shorter run but the run itself was very challenging for me. I think a lot of factors added to the difficulty. The first thing I was aware of was my food intake the day before and morning of the run. The night before our run I had grilled chicken, a sweet potato, side Caesar salad, and some bread. That was not enough carbs to get me going the next morning. For breakfast I had a bowl of cereal and a piece of toast…again not enough to energize me. The run was a little rough but I pushed through the first half. Then I ate some shot blocks but I wasn't feeling much better. I was struggling with my breathing some and my nose was all stopped up. That part wasn't fun but I made it to the end. I was pretty upset with the way I ran on Saturday but reminded myself that next week will be better. We go up to 14 miles so it will be a huge challenge but I'm determined! J

 

My day began to improve after the run. I went to lunch with Katie and Jordan. We went to the mall and got Chick-fil-A. I love that place! After we ate Katie and I stopped by New York & Co. I was excited to see the sale sign in the window. The store was closing so everything was under $5. I got two shirts for $2 each…that was so exciting!

 

After my great clothing splurge I raced off to the metro to head into the city. I met Julie, one of my dearest friends, at Ebenezer's for a little coffee and catching up. Ebenezer's was pretty full that Saturday afternoon so we went outside to chat and eventually walked up to Union Station when it got chilly. Julie is getting married this summer so we had a lot of fun things to talk about. We hung out for a couple of hours and then I headed back.

 

I love spending time with good friends!

 

"A faithful friend is the medicine of life."

~ Apocrypha

A Lasting Difference!

Today I read a quote that I really liked especially during this season in my life so I thought I would share it with you all!

 

"The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." ~ William James

 

I will be honest, at first I wasn't sure who William James was but thanks to Google I found his biography and more quotes. I couldn't resist posting a few more of the ones I liked most!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James

 

"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."

 

"Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives."

 

"Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact."

 

"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."

 

Be inspired and go out and make a lasting difference!

 

 

REMINDER! COME OUT TO FRONT PAGE TOMORROW FOR HAPPY HOUR!

 

 

HAPPY TO CURE BLOOD CANCERS

HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER

 

 

WHERE: THE FRONT PAGE IN ARLINGTON

http://www.frontpagearlington.com/

4201 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, VA 22203

(703) 248-9990

 

WHEN: THURSDAY JANUARY 21, 2010

 

 

TIME: 5:00PM-8:00PM.

 

 

HOW IT WORKS:

Buy a wristband for $10 and get drink and food specials from

5:00 PM -8:00 PM. Specials include: $3 drafts, $2.75 rail drinks, $3.25

glasses of house wine, $2 miller lites, 1/2 price appetizers and 1/2

price hamburgers!!!

 

 

WHY: Proceeds from wristband sales go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

 

 

Please tell your family and friends to come out and be HAPPY TO CURE BLOOD CANCERS with us!!!

 

Please help me reach my personal goal of $2,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by making a tax deductible donation at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/shamrock10/ashaff

Thanks for helping find a cure for blood cancers!

 

Longer than before!

So I am a little slow getting this updated but better late than never!

 

On Saturday we all met as a team at 4 Mile Run in Arlington to do our long run. All the full marathoners ran 12 miles. At the beginning we ran with Hayley and Brett for a little ways. It is fun running with other people on the team and getting to know them a little better. I was so determined to have a successful run and I am pleased to say that it went extremely well! For me this was the best trail we have been on so far. I loved the wooded area with the stream along the path. It was like a little escape in the middle of the city. It was nice to hear the birds and the stream flowing rather than 12 miles of traffic. I am not exactly sure where this trail took us but we did end up going under 395 and into Shirlington a little bit. Then we went back and took the W&OD trail up and back. We were running along side 66 but I'm not exactly sure where we were. That was probably the loudest part of the run.

 

 

Melissa and I both tried new energy boosters. Melissa tried the jelly beans and she loved them. She said they tasted good and gave her energy without messing with her stomach. That is always a good sign. The only bad part was that they got hard since it was so cold. I think I might have to try them one time to see what I think. I tried orange shot blocks and loved them! They had an extra boost of caffeine that got me going and they tasted great! I also liked that they gave me a distraction for a little bit since they took a little while to chew up. The only problem with them is they are bigger and a little harder to carry on the run. I did wear my fuel belt again and it went a lot better. I guess I am getting used to it now…lets hope!

 

 

This weekend I went home. I love going home and visiting my family! It's amazing the feeling you get when you're around people you love! I had a great time hanging out with Wes, Lindsey, my cousins and their friends. We ate some good food at Quaker Steak and then went back to Wes and Lindsey's for the Colts game. I am and always will be a devoted Steelers fan! However, since they are out of the running I'm cheering for the Colts to win the super bowl. Just keeping it in the family!

 

 

Sunday I enjoyed some time with my parents and then played Rummikub with them and my uncle and cousin. I loved the game the first round but then I started to lose and it wasn't so fun anymore. I didn't totally lose so it ended up okay. After the game we went over to Wes and Lindsey's to hang out with them for the football game. They made this dip that was to die for! I don't even know what was in it but I loved it. We had a great time with a crowd of family and friends!

 

 

Monday morning I woke up earlier than I had expected. Somehow I convinced my dad to go with me on my run. We went up to Newport News Park so I could run and my dad could ride his bike. I was excited about getting in a good run and trying a different trail. That is until we actually got going. I felt like I was truly training for a marathon. The path is nice most of the time but we both forgot that we had a down pour of rain the night before so the trail was flooded in a lot of spots. It's about a 5 mile trail but we didn't go the whole way around since there was so much water. We did about 3 miles in 36 minutes so I was glad that I at least got out there and did something. It was a challenge running in the mud and ankle deep water but definitely worth it. After cleaning up from my run, I went with my sister to the mall for a little shopping trip. It was fun hanging out with her shopping and talking for a bit. Then mom made her famous lasagna for a big family dinner. Everyone enjoyed some yummy food and then it was time for me to head back to the DC area. I had an amazing time at home but now it's back to the real world!

 

 

Help me raise money to cure blood cancer:  http://pages.teamintraining.org/nca/shamrock10/ashaff