Almost there...

First, thank you to everyone for all of your support and comments...they make my day!!!

I did my last run today before my half on Sunday. I feel strong and ready...can't wait!

I have some AMAZING friends, who know me so well! My friend Beth, who I know from back in my high school days, is also a runner. We only get to talk running now, since we live on opposite sides of the country. I got this package from her and it made my day! It is a Runner Girl magnet and Swedish Fish, my favorites!! Beth has run several half marathons and has her first full marathon coming up in June...Go Beth!

Then, tonight my friend Michelle dropped off a gift bag for me and inside were some great magazines and all my favorite pre-long run foods: pb, kit-kat, capri sun and my mid-run snack, fruit flats. Michelle is so unbelievably sweet and thoughtful, and she knows me so well!

I picked up this shirt for myself the other day. I can't seem to help myself when it comes to the Nike shirts that say something cute. :)

I am prepping my iPod for the race. What is your favorite song to run or work-out to????

Happy Birthday Missy Miss!

Well, I am officially old...my daughter turned 7 a few weeks back. Instead of having a party with her friends, this year she chose a weekend trip to New York City to go to the American Girl store.

It was a BLAST!! The hotel we stayed in was only a few blocks from American Girl and Times Square. We went shopping at American Girl and also had afternoon tea there, which was delicious and such fun! We also had her doll's hair done and ears pierced while we were then.

We did a lot of walking around. My husband and I grew up in NYC and Long Island, but my kids have only lived out here in the country. They love visiting NYC. Our hotel had a revolving door, which completely entertained the kids.

Here are some pics from out trip!

I completely LOVE cupcakes. I have had cupcakes from Crumbs once before and they were delicious! I was thrilled to learn our hotel was only a few doors down from a Crumbs. We got a mini-cupcake sampler, which was a great way to try a lot of the flavors.

Here is MissyMiss and her doll at tea. They brought a little doll chair to the table and her doll even got her own cup and saucer. Bubby found a little boy doll that we got for him, which he calls "American Girl boy doll".

It was such a fun and memorable trip!

I love you guys!

First of all, thank you so very much to everyone who commented on my last blog post. I appreciate the advice and encouragement so very much...you guys rock!!

I did 12 miles on Saturday and felt great! That will be my longest run before the half on May 2. My plan for this weekend is 8 miles.

I am still undecided as to whether or not to wear the fuel belt. If it is going to be hot, I will, since I like Gatorade during runs on hot days. If it is not hot, I plan to just wear a Nathan gel-holder belt I just got. It is big enough to hold my fruit flats and keys.

I am now up to 85 followers...wow! Judging by my hit counter there are a lot more people visiting my blog than there are people who leave comments. I would love it if anyone reading this post could leave me a quick comment with something interesting about yourself...what state do you live in? Are you a runner?? What is your favorite color? Anything! Especially if you have a blog...I would love to know so I can visit!

HM Advice

I have less than 3 weeks to my first half marathon. I am starting to get nervous! I have 12 miles scheduled this weekend and then I will start my taper.

Anyone have any pieces of advice for a first timer???

Also..I have thought of wearing my hydration belt so I don't have to rely on the water stops. I also like to drink gatorade when it is hot. Do other people wear them for a half or would I look like a weirdo??

Here are some pics from my b-day. My kids decorated my cake and each picked me out presents. I slept in late (10 am!), had breakfast in bed, went out shopping on my own with some b-day $, out to dinner with hubby and kids and then cake and presents. It was an AWESOME day!

Reviews

Today I ran the longest run in my life...11 miles! It was unseasonably warm here and I was tired, but I did it!!! When I was 16 I wussed out of a 7 mile run because I thought I could never make it. Now...it is just days from my 32nd birthday and I am happy to report that my 32-year-old self is kicking my 16-year-old self's butt!

I tried my Recovery socks for the first time after the run and my legs feel great...much less achy than after my 10 miler 2 weeks ago. My husband has been teasing me about my knee-high fuschia socks all day, but I don't care...they feel great!

I also just finished Yasso's book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had thought it would be more about training. It is actually only a little about training and a lot about his life. That man is AMAZING!!! I really loved reading about his races, his struggles and his triumphs. He is very honest in the book, but also does not come off as the least bit cocky, despite his amazing achievements. I give it 2 thumbs up!

My birthday is Sunday I love being a mom having a birthday. My husband took me 3-year-old son out to buy me a present and when they got home he ran in the door and yelled "I got you an apron!!" So much for the surprise! (I actually LOVE aprons, so it is perfect for me.) Then, I had my daughter out shopping at my favorite store, LOFT, the other night and she came over to me and said "Can I please have $29.50 so I can buy you your birthday present???" There is not much at that store I don't like, so I forked over the money. Then she told me that "I want it to be a surprise, but I can tell you it is some kind of earrings." It does my heart good to see how excited my kids get about picking out presents for me. Can't wait to open my presents!

Etiquette

When I run outside, I run on a paved trail. When the weather is nice, as it has been lately, it can get crowded. I don't really mind the crowds, as long as everyone is courteous.
But...lately there are far too many times when people are not courteous. Here are a few examples from runs this week.
1. I had just started out when I felt my foot kick something...it was DOG POOP!! Right in the middle of the path! And my shoes were brand new! NOT a good way to start a run!
2. When I ran yesterday I took my daughter with me and she rode her bike as I ran. She is only 6, but is very good at following the rules of a shared path. She was riding a bit ahead of me and was about to pass a man, on the left, who was walking a dog. Just as she is about to pass, the man see a person with a dog coming from the other direction and decides to cross to the other side without checking over his shoulder to see if anyone is passing him. My daughter swerved just in time to miss hitting the leash. The man didn't even seem to care until I yelled something at him...I was annoyed!! I yelled "Dude...my kid is trying to pass!!" Nothing awful...but I think he got the idea.
3. I was running along tonight having a great run when 2 girls come up from behind me and pass...one on each side of me with barely an inch to spare! WTF!!! They were around 18...old enough to know that is rude. It is not even like it is a race! I was really annoyed until I caught up with them at the 1 mile mark and they were WALKING!!! Is it awful of me that it made me smile to see them walking and then pass them?? I wouldn't have even thought twice about them walking, except I was already mad about how they chose to pass.

So....what do other people do about shared paths and rude people?? I usually say something when it is warranted. Unfortunately my 3-year-old son is with me a lot and has seemed to catch on. There was a lady in front of us the other day (who was not being rude at all) and he yelled out "Out of our way lady!!!' I was mortified!!!