Life can change in an instant

I got a text the other day that no one ever wants to get..."I can't talk about it right now but wanted to let you know my dad passed away this morning"...it was from my best friend...my oldest friend...my maid of honor...my daughter's god mother.  Growing up my dad wasn't around a lot but her's gladly filled that void.  You could count on him to be out running in all sorts of weather (probably my first memory of a runner).  We would laugh and always question..why is your dad wearing such short shorts?  Doesn't he know it is raining/snowing/hot/cold outside?  He was there to pick us up from school and drop us off...although there was that one rainy morning in 6th grade where he waved to me, apparently oblivious to the fact that it was raining and I was walking to school and a ride would have been nice :)  He was there to constantly remind you of your childhood nickname and use it even on your wedding day.  He was more than a soccer coach racking up red cards, more than a basketball coach, more than a friend's dad.  He was one of the closest things I had to a dad and a brain aneurysm took that all away.  I positive is that as an organ donor he was able to save 7 other lives.
It has been too painful to go for a run, although I did take the munchkin to Hollywood Studios tonight to escape reality for a bit.  Lo and behold a rainbow appeared over the hat...rainbows have a funny way about them...appearing when you need them most to let you know that is everything will be ok.  I'll miss you forever Mr. Conroy...I'll be there for Aindrea and John as best I can.

Weekly Round Up

What a stressful week...it was an EOR week with a bonus test.  But I passed both my tests and all my graded tests of PA school are complete...if anyone else was counting it was somewhere around 111 tests since June 1, 2011.  10 weeks to go!!!  Job interviews are slowly coming in so keep your fingers crossed!!!

The training this week was a little sparse...mainly because of studying and the weather.  We have entered humidity and storm season here in central Florida.  If you haven't been to Florida in the summer, you are almost guaranteed an evening rain or thunderstorm.

On Tuesday, however, I had my fastest 3 miles...maintained an 11:03 pace.  The goal pace was 12:30 so  I was very happy with that!  I did the first mile with Harley, the middle mile by myself, and the last mile with Davidson.  Ty and Addie rode their bikes to cheer me on.
Wednesday was a study break run at Disney's boardwalk with the girls, Ty and Rob.  Again it was a faster than expected 4 miles and got done as the thunder was getting closer.  I wanted to stay for Wednesday run drinks but a surgery test and PA cumulative test was looming in my future.
Thursday's run was cancelled due to previously mentioned cumulative test and Ty's car dying causing unnecessary stress.
Today's run was HOT and HUMID!!!  Things learned today: 1) eat breakfast 2) it is still hot at 5:30am 3) nothing beats the sunrise over the boardwalk and the EPCOT ball, 4) pushing a stroller with a 45 lb kid in it is no fun in the heat.  Anyways I cut an 8 mile run down to 5.3 because it wasn't worth it to me to struggle through it this early in the training season and risk illness/injury.  Ty rushed over to the gas station to get me some gatorade and something to eat.  Then of course we celebrated Father's Day with everyone at....you guessed it....PANERA!  I still had very little appetite thanks to heat exhaustion but enjoyed my side of bacon.  Oh yeah...and even with pushing the stroller I was under my 12:30 pace goal!

Here is the training plan for the week (it is tentative for now because Ty is away until Wednesday so Tuesday's run may be postponed)
Monday: Rest/Possibly Abs
Tuesday: 4 miles easy at 12:28 (hmm....I'm guessing it will be around 11:30 unless I have the stroller)
Wednesday: Rest/Possibly Abs (Ty comes home!!!!!)
Thursday: 4 miles, including 2x1600 in 10:12 with 800m recovery
Friday: Rest/Swim
Saturday: Swim/Bike
Sunday: 9 miles at 12:28

74 days until Disney's Dumbo Dare Challenge

109 days until Disney's Tower of Terror 10 miler

139 days until ING NYC Marathon

Awesome Week!!!

I have so much to update on I don't know where to start!!  This week wasn't a very good running week...actually it was a zero mileage running week, but sometimes that is what its needed.  In big news...I will be running the NEW YORK MARATHON!!!!  I entered the lottery on a whim and actually got picked so we are going to the Big Apple in November!!  I'm possibly more excited for this than running Dumbo Challenge in August.  I have big expectations for myself in New York.  Training starts June 17 so feel free to follow me running to New York!  My goal is to be 5lbs lighter and do a 5 hour marathon..EEK!!!  My previous marathon goals have been to finish not really with a time goal.  This is the first one I am going into that I want to really really rock and push myself and see what I can do.  If you have any recommendations for training plans please let me know!!  And if you have been to NY, ran NY, or have any other suggestions for NY please let me know!  Ty's brother and his wife live in Queens so we will be staying with them but we are so excited to be going!  I haven't even closed the window for the ING New York Marathon website :)

Here is the weekly training plan for those following at home:

Sunday (Today) - 4 miles with Kat and 30 day shred (already completed)

Monday - 30 day shred

Tuesday - 4 miles with Della 30 day shred

Wednesday - NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!!!  5k @Fit2Run-Florida Mall and 30 day shred

Thursday - 4 miles with Della and 30 day shred

Friday - 30 day shred

Saturday - 6.5 miles 30 day shred

Sunday - 10 miles 30 day shred

Cast your votes for where Saturday and Sundays run should be...pick a fun route or hotel at Walt Disney World!!