Cupcake Sale Preparations and Update

Here's the Order form for our upcoming "Cupcake Sale".  We hope you'll be needing some yummy homemade cupcakes for your Valentine or yourself.  You should be able to right click and print it.  If that doesn't work for you, email me and I will email you an attachment.  Or just email me your order with the details. 

As for the update, today was a cold early morning run.  I ended up at 13 mile and then treated myself to a hot coffee and walked a mile home as my cooldown.  I wonder if I could add that mile in as mileage for the week;).  Just joking.  It felt great though.  Cary does have alot of hills.  We hit our highest elevation at mile 6, but laughted that we were on the Cary version of Mt. Everest.  Not really, but it did feel like that.  So after a 45 minute shower to thaw our all body parts (it wasn't that lon, but I would have like it to be), we are catching up then off to the NHL All-Star Skills Competition!  I am so excited.  This is certainly a once in a lifetime night for me.  Hope you are having a great night and an even better weekend!

And don't forget to order your cupcakes!

Finding a Mantra

So I am under 300 days until the NYC Marathon and over $700 raised.  Still have alot to go, but I am staying confident.  The cupcake sale is coming up, so if you are local (if not feel free to move down here;)) please consider buying some for your valentine(s).  Thank you Aimee L for ordering already!  Also, February 14th is my hair donation day.  I have only had one offer.  The hair is going, so I'd love to donate it in your name. 

Okay enough of that business.  I have read several aritcles lately about having a mantra.  Not as easy as I'd hoped.  I did see a funny one during the OBX Half-marathon in November that Joe actually had put on my RoadID.  It was "Make pain your B**ch".  There were friends of a runner cheering her on at mile 11.  Pretty funny.  I am kind of a modest person though, so I have a hard time having a confident mantra.  I was raised that there is a fine line between confident and cocky, so it's a little difficult for me.  The pathetic part is that the mantra is all in your head.  You don't scream it while you are running.  So I guess that goes to my character that even in my mind I am considerate to others.  Weird huh! 

I saw another one that kind of goes back to some earlier posts.  It was "Define YOURSELF."  It's Deena Kastor's mantra (She won the 2005 Chicago Marathon and was the first American to win a marathon since 1994.).  So still no mantra.  What about "Run Strong.  Feel Power."  Not quite perfect.  Needs work.  Well, I'm open to suggestions. 

In the meantime, this weekend is 12 miles.  Bring it on!  That's not a bad mantra.  I am starting to wish I lived in a flat town;).  Oh and it's NHL All-Star Weekend in Raleigh!!  That's my other passion!  HOCKEY!  Happy weekend!

Strong is the New Skinny

So my awesome friend Skip picked me up this shirt from a Crossfit gym in SC.  I love it!!!  But I actually take it in two different ways.  First, the obvious physically fit way.  I do believe you need to be stronger and the skinny part will follow eventually.  Now that obviously eliminates the overindulging side of food ;).  However, you need to do weight training and other strength things to sustain the skinny.  Now there are those people out there that don't have to worry about either.  Yeah...I am not one of them.  I count my calories as I've already mentioned and do alot of weight training.  I am getting stronger.  I do feel that the second way I look at this short is more important though.

So the second way is in your mind.  Yes, I feel that skinny is in the eye of the beholder.  I am skinnier than I was two years ago, but I was also skinnier in High School.  I was certainly not fitter though.  Back to the mind side of it though.  I think you will be strong if you have confidence in yourself.  That means to not give up.  I am not talking about being cocky.  Being modest is an important quality in my book.  I believe there are good days and bad days with everybody, but to feel strong no matter what makes you fitter mentally! 

So I am putting alot more emphasis into my strength.  Yes, both my physical and my mental.  However, I am certainly working harder on my mental side.  I want to be a stronger person and continue to have confidence and faith in myself.  I want to continue to have the strength to compete with myself and become fitter!  How strong are you?   

No More Nails

Since I/we need to raise alot more money, I was trying to figure out some ways to donate myself.  The actual cost of the New York trip is enough of sticker shock for anyone.  Let alone bringing four kids with you.  We already cut out Starbucks a long time ago, so I thought and thought.  And I came up with a solution. 

When I was younger I had acrylic nails and this past summer I decided to have them put on again.  I don't know why, well I guess I felt like I looked alot neater especially my nails.  I did like them.  I don't spend alot of money on myself.  I get my hair cut at Great Clips ($6.99 with a coupon) and I don't smoke or really drink.  Well, unless there's a redneck party ;).  So it was something special for me and it was quiet time alone too.  However, with trying to raise $5300, I realized it was kind of unjustified.  So I am now putting my $40 per month into my savings account, so we can donate it in one lump-sum.  The reason we are doing that is to get a company match from Joes work also.  I will have about $400 by October and then double that to $800 with company match.  Not bad right?

I just ask that you don't look at my nails.  Just teasing.  I will say I did a stupid thing though.  I ripped them off myself.  My fingers are so sore right now.  I saved more money though.  I am going to cheat a little.  I will squeeze in one pedicure at a cheap salon before May and flip flop season. 

Every little bit will help at this point.  I hope you can squeeze even $5 out of your budgets to help Team For Kids and us out!  Thanks for even just reading my blog.  I appreciate it.  Happy Weekend!

Last Week of Track-out

So I haven't written since Sunday...sorry.  It hasn't been that exciting here.  The girls are finishing up three additional weeks of vacation after New Years (we have year-round schools here in NC for some).  I've been woorking out with my usual schedule.  Although my trainer, kicked my rear yesterday with her TRX bands.  Awesome workout though.  Ran this morning outside.  I can't tell you enough how much better it is running outside than inside.  However, I am becoming alot more accustomed to the treadmill.  The treadmill is so much easier to do speedwork and even hills because you have more control over how many and when.  I love having stuff to look at while I run though and the treadmill offer nothing more than people watching and reading.  Yes, I have figured out how to read on the treadmill.  You would think that a person who has Vertigo sometimes and thus can't ride the Tea Cups at Disney would not be able to.  However, I've learned and as long as I have decent music and a no-brainer book I can easily read while I run. 

So this weekend, will be an 11-miler as we get closer to a girls weekend at Myrtle Beach.  Iwas invited by some lovely ladies to run the Myrtle Beach Half-Marathon with them(some of them are doing the full...not me..not yet anywa;)).  I'm looking forward to running my first race without Joe.  He is certainly my motivator.  Although, during the OBX half he wans't happy that I kept stopping to take pictures because we were running such a great pace.  I was having fun though and it was so pretty.  But I am looking forward to finding my own voice that says "You can do it." 

Have a great rest of the week and great weekend.  Enjoy whatever that may bring.  Maybe running;)!

Philosophical Weekend Run

This weekends run was slated as a 10 miler, but ended up 10.5.  We added the last bad hill for good measure.  Not really just wanted to get home.  Sunday is Anthony's 13th Birthday and we didn't want to run on his big day.  So our run had to be super early on Saturday morning...545am was our start time.  We started early also because Anthony had a Future City Competition at NC State with the Future Engineers for 2011 Engineers Week. Side note:  He won $200 for his school for "Best Recycling Plan and Use of Recycled Materials". 

With all that said, on my run yesterday I really did alot of thinking.  Having Anthony turning 13 has made me look at a couple of things.  First, how old I am.  Second, at the job we are doing.  Let me start by saying we are super proud of the young man has become.  I heard a quote once that said "We are not raising children, we are raising adults.  As parents, we started out putting our kids into everything we wanted them to do.  That didn't last long because we realized it wasnt making them happy plus it was costing us alot.  We have since focussed on what they want to do.  Most of the time they just want to play outside with their friends.  It's an intereting lesson too. There are so many adults that still do things because others do them.  They don't do things with their own goals, just to beat others.  They do things to be better than others or only because others are doing them.  It's not friendly competition either.  It's actually pretty sad.  We are raising our children like we live our lives.  We are raising them to do activities they enjoy and set realistic, yet challenging goals for themselves.

So if you start running.  Don't worry so much about others and their goals.  Do it for yourself.  Do what you are comfortable with.  Also do what you enjoy.  I can't say I enjoy getting up so early, but I do enjoy the running now.  I enjoy the companionship of running with people I enjoy also.  I am not out running to beat my running partners.  I am out to enjoy my run and their company.  I am in this ultimately for myself.  

Have a great weekend!

Almost Haircut Time

So for one of our February fundraisers we, well I, have decided to donate my hair to "Locks of Love".  I have done this before.  About 2 1/2 years ago, after having Sophia I donated 12 inches of my hair.  This time it should be about the same amount.  However, I'm hoping to donate it in someone elses name this time.  How, you are probably wondering, well I'll tell you.  Whomever offers the largest donation for my hair, will be the one I donate it for.  So start your offers please. 

I will tell you I do not look great with short hair.  I have no idea what style either.  People from OLMA (my high school) will remember that I had long hair then too.  I never really know what to do with it.  Short hair certainly was alot of work last time I cut it.  I am hoping that I can find a style that will be easier.  Either way I am committed to donating my hair.  I just hope this inspires someone to donate money to Team for Kids.

Let me tell you more about "Lock of Love" to convince you.  Here is a little about them from their website:
"Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers."  Sounds wonderful doesnt it?  It is.  (Visit http://www.locksoflove.org/ for more information.)

So in a way this is a charity helping a charity.  Not bad.  Win win I would say.  So the count down begins.  I am cutting my hair one month from today.  So that would be Valentine's Day!  So give a little love and get a little love...by that I mean offer to donate the largest amount for my hair(and actually do so) and I will give a little love in your name on Valentine's Day.  I will post pictures if you are not close, so you know I am definately doing it. 

Please send your bids/donation amounts to me via email, fb or even post here.  I will go by the time stamp and let everyone know how wonderful you are.  As with all the donations, I/we are super grateful!  Like I said earlier I hope this will inspire someone to donate huge to Team for Kids and Locks of Love!!!  Thanks!

Oh and a little disclaimer...I am not writing this blog concentrating on my grammer and punctuation, so if I make mistakes please excuse them:).  Have a great weekend!

Winter Running

Today is a day I just cannot wait for spring.  I can't imagine how people in Alaska and New York even run year-round outside.  The temperature this morning was a wopping 18 degrees with the windchill.  I know that seems warm to some of my Yankee friends, but my blood has just thinned out.  It certainly doesn't help my motivation when it's 5am and time to get out of bed.  Yes, there are three days a week I get up that early to run.  It is not easy.  Especially when I keep thinking I am going to be sleep deprived and someone in my house is going to get sick.  Then I will be even more sleep deprived.  Can you tell I value my sleep?

I will tell you, however, that after I run, no matter how short, long, good or bad...I feel so much better having gotten my cold rear our of bed.  The hardest ones are the weekend long runs.  They are torture on a treadmil.  Yes, I am fortunate enough to have a gym membership.  Without it I would have slept in three more days this week ;).  So this weekend our long run is @10 miles and will be early and cold and outside.  I am not looking forward to parts of it.  The cold and the early....not my favorites.  However, I am looking forward to great conversation and the feeling afterwards. 

Brrrr...off to turn the heat up.

What we do

I promise we will not let you down.  We are running the marathon and are going to do it right.  Our only goal is to run the entire race.  We are not about being the fastest.  We are about what running has done for us both physicaly and spiritually.  It's an amazing feeling when you can go from barely running for 1 minute to being able to run 14 miles.  Just finishing any race is such an amazing feeling.  I can still remember when a 5K seemed impossible.  Now I am on a journey to 26.2. 

So I thought I'd tell you about how what our workout weeks are like.  Obviously, different things work for different people.  We do alot of consulting with people that have done this for years.  We are still learning so much.  We do not want to get hurt though.  So we work very hard, but within our limitations.  My, Melissa, current plan is Mondays are weight training (with my guru Tara) and Core class, Tuesdays are running(usually not more than @5 right now), Wednesdays are training and cycling, Thursdays are running(usually 5-6 miles) and weight training, Fridays are cycling and core, Saturdays or Sundays are long run days (8-14 miles right now with the other day as a rest day).  So you can see I keep myself pretty busy.  Joes schedule is similar, but he does more weight training and incorporates more core everyday(which I should do). 

In the midst of all of this, I am still working on the diet part.  We both count our calories pretty religiously using http://www.livestrong.com/ (it's free and I have the program on my phone too).  The hard part is our busy lives with kids and work.  I still am not very good at planning meals.  However, I just got a subscription to "Cooking Light" and am trying to plan my meals from that because it has portion and calorie counts right in it.  I'll keep you posted on how long that lasts because once it warms up we are outside so much and it gets harder to plan. 

So I guess that's it for now.  School is cancelled here today(the girls were tracked out anyway) because of ice, but we made ourselves get up early and get to the gym.  The roads are slippery, but if you drive slow they are okay.  We didn't have far to go though.  Stay warm and enjoy your day!

Beginning our Journey

We would like to start by telling you a little about us and how we have gotten to this point.  Joe and I met at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.  Joe participated in the ROTC program there and I was an Accounting Major.  When we both graduated Joe became an officer in the military.  We married about two years after Joe graduated and traveled alot with the military.  However, Joe was injured and medical boarded out of the military.  We settled in North Carolina (Joe is originally from NJ and Melissa is originally from NY). 

Joe has always been extremely active.  I, Melissa, have struggled with it.  To continue to be a stay-at-home mom I acquired a children's fitness business in 2003.  I have always wanted to provide fitness activities for young children.  Especially after reading an article in The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding "the significance of establishing a physically active lifestyle during the pediatric years; this is best achieved by exposing children to the enjoyment of physical exercise early.  This strategy is based on the concept that health outcomes may relate more to the persistence of exercise throughout life rather than its quantity during the pediatric years."

Being busy parents of four children we both stuggled with eating well and fitting in proper exercise.   The journey so far has been a bit overwhelming, but we are getting there.  When our youngest daughter, Sophia now 2, turned three months we joined a gym and started running because that was the only thing that seemed to work. 

We completed our first Half-Marathon in Cary, NC in May 2010.  We made our official decision to both run the NYC Marathon and to go big and fundraise as well on Thanksgiving weekend.  It was a time to be very thankful for what we have and what we are capable of and to give back in a big way. 

We have set up our fundraising site and are starting this blog too.  We want people to be able to keep up with our progress both through fundraising as well as the actual race preparation.

We have already made out hotel reservations.  That alone was shell shock and I (Melissa) grew up in NY.  Rest asured that not one penny raised will go towards our trip.  All of those expenses are completely on us.

We are truly excited to begin this journey and hope to inspire many of you to pursue your own personal goals despite how big they seem.  Please check back frequently to keep abreast of our training progress, fundraising status and events!

A quote to think about..."The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." - John Bingham