Saying Goodbye to Someone I've Never Met.

When I signed up for the IRun4 program, I remember thinking how awesome it would be, how I was going to have a great relationship with my buddy, they would inspire me to do better.  I was going to exchange gifts with them, post a lot of my workouts for them and get to know them. 

That happened.

It has been so great to get to know my "coach" and her family.  They are an amazing, inspiring and loving family.  I got to know them through Facebook and we really connected.  Her sweet smile was infectious and I really truly enjoyed the relationship we had built through the program.

I received a message before Christmas that there were some health issues going on with my buddy.  She was having seizures and something was just off with her.  They decided to do MRIs and scans to find out what was going on.

The outcome and diagnosis was heartbreaking.  Her brain was deteriorating.  She was not going to live a long life.  The doctors didn't know how much time she had but they knew that there wasn't anything they could do for her to change the course of her future.

I sort of panicked.   Here I was getting to know this family and forming a true friendship with this little girl and she was going to die?!  I was going to have to deal with the death of this new, beloved friend.  I really didn't know how I was supposed to react.

This morning, my sweet friend and coach, Eleri, passed away.  She was six years old.  She loved horses, music and had a wonderful smile.  She leaves behind a loving family that changed her life when they adopted her into their loving home and saved her from the life she knew.

My life is forever changed by Eleri.  She will always hold a special place in my heart and I will always remember her.  I will continue to dedicate my miles to her and virtually make my way to her in New Mexico with my cool app that I downloaded. I will always share this experience with her.  I can't help but smile knowing that she is truly free now from all pain, all physical restrictions and from fighting.

Godspeed to you Eleri, thank you for changing my life for the better just by being in it. 

Half Marathon training in full swing (again)

I saw the graphic on Facebook and I nearly had a panic attack.  Only 100 days until the Pittsburgh Marathon weekend....which means I need to get my butt in gear for training for the half marathon. 

I have decided that I am going to take on a new approach to my training though.  Along with the obvious training runs that I have to do, I am doing as much cross training as I can to help strengthen my core and legs.  I think that it will make a huge difference to how I run and my endurance.

I've taken up yoga, Body Pump, 21 Day Fix workouts and spin classes.  I will do other things to cross train along the way but those are the main ones. 

I went on a 5.60 mile run today in the cold and snow.  It was not easy at all.  It was probably my hardest run ever and I didn't have music to help distract me or get me into a nice rhythm.  I think that may have been the biggest factor.

I got the run in though and I joined the local running store's group run to get it in. I liked it and I am hoping to go again next week when they will have a Saucony rep there so we can try their shoe while we run and see if we like them! 

This is me during my run and the scenery, with my final run results up top.  My time was certainly not the best but that's okay.  The mileage is more important to me than the time. 

Another Year Gone, Another Year Ahead

Yesterday was my birthday.  I am officially 36 years old and I am loving it.  I don't worry much about age and adding the years up.  I feel much younger than I am and when I say my age, the number always sounds weird to me, like it isn't really true.

I felt good yesterday even though I had to work both jobs and had a good amount of running around to do.

The last year of my life had been full of ups and downs.  Many more than I can even count.  I had some really bad times when I wasn't sure where my life was heading and I had some really great times when I felt on top of the world.  That is how life works though, right? 

I look forward to a year full of awesome possibilities and reaching for my dreams.  I look forward to creating new memories with my loved ones and starting new adventures. 

I came home from work a little grumpy because it was a long day but my husband and kids surprised me with cards and  a cookie cake.  It was very much appreciated.  They lit candles and sang to me too.  I really loved it.

36 isn't so bad so far............

My birthday morning selfie turned out great, if I do say so myself! ;)

Off to a great start

Well, I am back from my hiatus and really to get rolling for a successful, happy, full of fun 2015!

I have been busier than ever but I want to get back to some fun and one of the best things for me was getting my thoughts and feelings out on my blog so I'm back! 

I will say that 2015 has gotten off to a great start and I am so happy with where this year is heading.

I have spent the past couple of months focusing on things that matter to me, first and foremost, my marriage. We weren't really on the rocks or headed for divorce or anything but we needed to focus more on us.  We started by making sure that we went on a date every week.  So, every Friday or Saturday, we go out for dinner and a few drinks.  Nothing fancy but it's necessary. Chuck always says to me that "before the kids and our jobs, it was us."  That has become my motto for our marriage, we need to remember that we are the foundation of our family and having that time to bond and focus on each other is absolutely a priority.  Even if it means 2-3 hours together, the outcome has been great.  We are laughing more, we are remembering what we love about each other and it's something to look forward to every week.  There's nothing better than knowing I get my best friend all to myself every week!

We have been trying to make sure that we are keeping the kids grounded...not in the punishment sense. We want to know that in a society where kids are spoiled, ungrateful and mouthy, we are not allowing it from our kids.  It isn't always easy since they are surrounded by kids that are given everything they could want and get them simply by telling their parents to get it for them.  We weren't raised that way and our kids aren't being raised that way.  We work hard for everything we have...our kids will as well.  In the process, we are trying to spend time as a family.  We are watching movies, sitting around talking and just hanging out together. We want our kids to know that we are here for them.  That they can talk to us and trust us.  It's not easy raising teenagers!!

Personal goals.  I have a lot of them.  Some of them are easily attainable, as long as I focus on the goal.  Most are things I need to put my best effort into and I plan on checking in on my goals every month to check my progress.  Here are a few of them: run 2 half marathons, be a better wife, mom, sister, daughter and friend, build my business, make my goal weight, tone and firm muscles, go on a family vacation and a weekend away with Chuck.  I have also come to realize that some goals are going to depend on my reaching other goals. 

I have already run one race this year and I bettered my time for that particular race.  My goal is to do at least one race every month and I need to finish my race calendar and work on registering for them.

I am excited for where 2015 will take me, my family and everyone else.  I am hopeful that this will be a great year.