A New Experience & a BIG disappointment...

On Saturday I had the opportunity to volunteer at Lancaster City YMCA's Race Against Racism.

My responsibilities included helping to set up the starting line & the finish line as well as clipping timing chips off of people's shoes.

I'm really enjoying getting to see all that it takes to put on a race. However, clipping timing chips, is not an easy job.

It's not easy if your scissors aren't sharp. It's not easy if the people made their chips too tight. It's not easy to avoid all the bodily fluids folks have lost at the finish line. But this experience made me even more thankful to all those who work so hard to put on these races.

What's the big disappointment you may ask? I volunteered at this race specifically so that I could be at the finish line for my good friend Stace's first race. The disappointment... I didn't see her once that day.

I didn't realize there would be over 3,000 folks participating so I didn't think about picking a place to meet up with her. And unfortunately she didn't have her phone with her. I'm glad though we'll both be running at a race together this weekend, the Turkey Hill Classic.

I was super excited though that my friend Julie found me after the race. Julie will be at this week's race with us too. The weather should be great. I can't wait.

A Lesson Learned...

On Tuesday after work I had a lousy run. Last week I ran several times. All of those runs were in the 5-6 mile range so when this Tuesday's 3 1/2 mile run went so poorly of course I wondered what was wrong.

So I wracked my my brain for what might have gone wrong. I came up with some good ideas...

1. I didn't eat anything before my run?

2. I didn't eat enough for lunch?

3. I didn't drink much water that day?

Yes, all good reasons for a lousy run.

So I went out yesterday after work to test my theories. I ate before I went out, a half a sandwich and something to drink. I had a better lunch and I drank more water throughout the day.

As it turns out I went 6 1/2 miles yesterday without any trouble.

Hmm. Reminds me I need to be more careful about drinking water and my diet. How about you??

What would I do without podcasts?

So I had a great afternoon run today. It's the longest one I've done in awhile and though it was no where near the longest run I've ever done it felt terrific to be out. I was out for a little over an hour and I'm so glad I had time to get out there today. There was a breeze, sunshine on the way home and temps of about 55.

But I think the thing that made it really enjoyable was what I was listening to. I'm telling you, I do not think I would be where I am today without running podcasts. I listen to several hours of running podcasts every week and I have learned so much. To give back just a little I'd like to begin sharing with you some of the stuff I listen to and what I think of it.

Today it was two of my new favorites, Running to Disney and Two Fit Chicks & a Microphone. I am already a big fan of Gordon (Running to Disney) and Carla & Shauna (Two Fit Chicks). Today I listened to Gordon in Episode 10 and the "Chicks" in Episode 2.

I don't know about you all but I really like to listen to podcasts in order. I enjoy hearing all their stories and really get to know the hosts.

Gordon is so really down to earth, he's down in Alabama, he's a professor and easy to listen to. I typically don't typically prefer the "run cast" type of podcast, but I think Gordon is inspiring. You should check him out. He's been podcasting a couple years I believe so there are plenty of episodes to listen to.

As a a female who runs, podcasts done by women are always a real treat. Carla & Shauna are a little newer to podcasting, although they are accomplished in their fields, Carla is a personal trainer and Shauna an author. The Chicks will be discussing a different fitness theme every episode. Today's theme was running. This episode as especially helpful to me. They interviewed Julia Jones, who I was unfamiliar with, but learned a ton from. She's run all over the world and trains hundreds of ladies to run in Italy. I look forward to learning more about what she does. She gave some great ideas in the podcast and will continue to serve as a "running expert" of sorts for the "Chicks". I look forward to hearing from her again. I also look forward to hearing about Carla's marathon training journey, especially as I'd like to run my own marathon someday.

These are just two of many great podcasts out there. I encourage you to check out http://www.runningpodcasts.org/.

I hope to share more with you in the future as well as insights I gleen from articles, books and life experience.

I love to hear from you and welcome any feedback you might have.

A Tales of Two IKEAs

So I found out Thursday that there are 2 IKEA stores in the greater Philadelphia area. And I'm really glad I did. Let me explain why.

I tagged along with my coworker Kris to IKEA to pick up some furniture for some rooms at work. It ended up being good for her that I came as we had many carts and boxes to load and maneuver. Thankfully they did all fit in the car, but for a few moments we weren't sure if they would.

As it turns out the first IKEA in Conshohocken (the only IKEA I knew about) didn't have everything we needed and since my friend thought originally we were going to the Penn's Landing (downtown) IKEA we headed there next. And that's when the unexpected really began. I knew I'd have a great time with my friend but I didn't expect to find inspiration and motivation along the way.

As we headed into the city, I couldn't believe how excited I was. I saw 30th Street Station where we always arrive. I saw the path along the water my husband and I had walked on two falls prior. And the Art Museum where Kris and I started and ended our first half marathon last September, the ING Distance Run, now the Rock & Roll Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon. We drove by the water and reminisced about miles 11 through 13. She was a great encouragement to me.

I didn't know we'd see any of that that day and it was such a treat. And it doesn't stop there.

We also got to have lunch and out of this world chocolate milkshakes at Chik-fil-A and a quick grocery stop at  Trader Joe's. These are two of my favorite places that we don't have near us in Lancaster County, PA.

The icing on the cake was driving through the city on Broad Street, where I had run my first distance run, the Broad Street Run in 2009.

Seeing all these familiar sights, now forever associated in my mind with running, just made me want to get out there and run. I can hardly wait to do another race in Philly. It's a great city for running and holds a lot of firsts for me. I highly recommend you check it out.

I miss the open road...

It's been a long, snowy winter in South Central PA. The first week in February brought 2 big storms. And even though March came in light a lamb and went out like a lamb, tax season has taken a toll on this busy accountant. Between helping my family with their taxes and an intense season at my full time job, I haven't been out on the open road nearly as much as I'd like. There were even nights I had to blow off exercising altogether. And I learned something this winter. I do not like running on the treadmill at the gym. Now I know why people call it the "dreadmill". So here's to a much improved spring and lots of time out there on the open road. I'm hoping too to let you know about my workouts and my running adventures this spring. I hope you'll join me and I'd love your comments and feedback.

Here goes...some firsts...

Well, here goes nothing. It's my first post.

This past Saturday I went to the first race I didn't compete in since last summer.

It was a good experience but it was different. Did I miss running? Yes!

Three good friends were running their first half marathon and I was so glad I could be there.

It was also the first time I volunteered at a race.

I'm so thankful to the amazing volunteers that have been there to help at all my races, from my first race Ben & Tim Day in Hershey, PA to my first long distance run The Broad Street Run in Philly one thing is certain, we couldn't do it without the volunteers.

I found the volunteer experience this past weekend though to be a bit different that what I've experienced in the past. The Garden Spot Village Marathon & Half Marathon benefits Garden Spot Village, a retirement community deep in the heart of Lancaster County. The fine ladies I worked with, just past the finish line, were significantly older than me, the majority of the volunteers were residents there. Like mother hens walking folks to first aid and making sure they were okay, they doted on every runner that would let them. While in my opinion most of the runners were fine, I chuckled at their compassionate and nurturing nature. I don't know what the runners thought, but all in all I think everyone had a good time.

It's my understanding the the Garden Spot Village Marathon is the only Marathon happening in Lancaster County at present. Last year they had around 300 runners and this year nearly 1,100. If you're in the area you might want to check it out next year.

So I guess that's it for my first post. Let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you.