Yes, I am still doing this!

It has been far too long since I have posted - time has flown by, and I am only one week away from tapering!  We are only 24 days out from the race. 

Work has taken me on travels across the country, literally, in the last two months.  I have only spent 4 nights in my DC apartment since August, BUT I have trained in some of the most amazing cities in the country!



Charlotte, NC: 6 "short" training runs ranging from 4-8 miles.  2 long runs 10 & 15 miles.
I found this beautiful park, the Sugar Creek Park, just 2 miles from my hotel - which made it easy to log both shorter and longer distances while taking in the lovely scenery.

Then, my feet GREW!  #noonetoldmethiswouldhappen. I had to buy shoes in a size I wont even post on here.  One full size larger than what I normally wear which is monstrous enough as is.  Apparently when logging such long distances, your arches temporarily collapse or stretch out, causing your feet to elongate.  TMI?  Anyway, I got these sick new PURPLE kicks and was ready to hit the trails...caw caw!!







Up next, San Francisco!  My first time to the West Coast for a quick 4 day work trip.  I was able to get in 4 & 7 mile weekday runs (with a pit stop in front of Alcatraz) and a long 12 miler along the bay!  Wasn't thrilled with the new kicks, but I'm getting used to them.  Ordered a new pair of the Asics I started training in and will switch back to those this weekend.

Last, but not least - the Big Apple!  For my longest run, thus far - on a Saturday morning before needing to be at work at 9am.  I set the alarm for 4:45am and did a whopping 18 miles in 2:40:00.  I ran down the West Side Highway down to Battery Park (Freedom Towers are beautiful at 6am) and back up to Central Park for a (hilly) final 3 miles.  Completing 18 was a big accomplishment for me - and I think I am ready for this race!  I figure if you can do 18 you can do 20, and if you can do 20, you can do 26!






I completed 14 miles on the NCR trail in Maryland this past weekend and cannot believe that  my FINAL long training run is coming up THIS weekend!  20 miles and then taper time!

I just booked a hotel nearby in Alexandria for the night before the race - which I was debating doing.  I wasn't sure if I would need the comfort of my own bed the night before race day, but my apartment is over an hour away, there is no close parking by the starting line, and the suggest arriving 2 hours before the start time, which is 7:55am!!!  Since we all know there us not much that despise more than public transportation and early mornings, I figure nixing those two things from the equation before this beast is nothing short of a good thing.

An one last update, although certainly not least.  Thanks to all of YOU - I have surpassed my fundraising goal for The National MS Society and raised $2,211!!  It's still not too late to donate - so check out the page if you haven't already and if you have, I cannot express my gratitude!

Until taper time...