half marathon recap. (finally)

oh yeah. I have a blog.

;)


It's been a while.  May was one helluva month, and that's me putting it mildly. I am going to to post a few times today to catch myself up on the life that I just lived and experienced since the last time I posted.

We'll start with Marathon Day.

Let me say this -- I finished!  I crossed the finish line. I did walk a lot of the race, but I expected to walk since my training went down the tubes in March and April.  *shrugs* whatev, I did it ;)

This was a poster at the Expo -- I thought it was cool.

Those were my reasons to run :) 

So this is the room that my husband and I stayed in the night before the race, and below you'll see what my view was when I woke up in the morning.  That's Heinz Hall (where we had breakfast) and the Starting Line. 

This  ^^^  is what I planned to wear. This ----->
is what I wore. Well, I actually wore green compression socks instead of the pink sleeves, but it's basically the same get-up.

 The starting line is really really far away from here -- it took me about 25 minutes to even reach the start!

I took a picture of  this woman before the 5k mark and I really was worried that I wouldn't be able to manage 13.1 miles.  I saw my husband a little past this point and he promised to keep up with me on the course (he was riding his bike along the way and I kept finding his smiling and supportive face when I needed to see it) and he said that I could do it, even if I chose to just walk. And I did it, he was right. 

I snapped the jagoff sign somewhere in the South Side and tweeted it out because I thought it was hilarious and quintessentially Pittsburgh. It found it's way from twitter to this blog  JoggingJeans tweeted it here. All of this is quite fun. 

I like shadow pictures ;) 

Am I there yet? Okay, yet? Now? Perhaps, now?

Back at my charity booth, I got a quick massage and hung out with the girls who work at Women's Choice, then ran back to the hotel with 10 minutes to spare before check out to grab a shower before heading to lunch. 

I am again a Runner (er, well, walker?) of Steel :D

 

Me and the darling husband. Dude, he cycled a whole lot that morning. 

He was a busy guy chasing me around. Also, port a potties for the win  ;)

That's my race day recap. It was an awesome experience and can't wait for 2014. Maybe I'll actually train well and run the full!

Blessings! and Joy!

nicole mArie

goal reached. 3 days to go :)

I am using an email as double duty again -- I send this "email" to you, my blog readers, too. Thank you for your support! 

Hi, All! 

I humbly and proudly want to announce that I have, in fact, reached my goal of $2620! I've raised $2622.  Woo! I want to thank each of my 33 monetary supporters and all of my prayer supporters!! You did this. I am blessed that you are my family and friends. Really blessed. Really thankful. Really grateful for you.

If you still want to make a donation, just follow this link :D 28 more dollars will allow for our money to fund WCN centers for a full 10 days. Totally cool!!!

Race day fun stuff: If you'd like, you can sign up to receive my split times via text. If we are friends on facebookor twitter my times will be posted there, too.

 http://pittsburghmarathon.com/spectators  

Don't expect to see fast numbers though -- I am perfectly aware and at peace with the fact that my body won't carry me fast this year, and that I will not run the entire 13.1 miles. Months ago, I made a commitment to race for brave and courageous women and their families, and I will absolutely do this on Sunday.  I will remember them.  I will just do it slowly as I will probably walk a good deal ;)  My one and only goal is to finish in 3 hours. 

I'll wrap up here by asking you to please keep the 30,000 runners racing on Saturday and Sunday close in thought and prayer.  Remember that when you want to cuss about traffic patterns on Sunday that us crazyrunner folk really are SO GRATEFUL to the City of Pittsburgh for opening the streets for us, and that we are, in fact, sorry that you might be inconvienced.  Here's a link to the road closure map that might help you out ;)

Gosh, I really am so grateful for you. I really am humbled that you are my people.

I wish you so much joy and many blessings! 

My love to you,

nicole mArie

donate: http://www.crowdrise.com/teamwomenschoicenetwork/fundraiser/nicolepost

*waves* Hi! Running Update! Hello :D

So, Hi! 

It seems to be that the last time I wrote to you all about running was the middle of February right after I ran 12 miles. Holy cow. So much has happened. 

Let's see:

I managed to do 14 miles two weeks after the 12 which is the farthest that I've ever gone.  I was exuberant when the run was over and so very excited to have accomplished it! Woo!

I  did something to my hip though during, I think, the 12 miler, that has caused some problems and pain during (and after) all of my runs since... so much so, that a few weeks ago I set out to run 11 and only managed 9.78 (only with a good amount of walking), and decided to rest up a bit after that. bummer.

What else? My grandfather was in the hospital all month (and still is there and could use thoughts and prayers), sickness descended upon our house -- on everyone for what felt like f o r e v e r  but was only a week-ish), my husband was away for four days, little girl turned two (!!!) and then I made a difficult decision to not run the full marathon. sigh. 

I've found myself really far behind in the training schedule (It really was a crazy March!). To try and catch up now would be foolish, as it would probably lead me to an injury. I'm not as strong as I was last year at this time, and I don't want to permanently hurt myself.  I need to get stronger, I need to change my approach, and I need to start training earlier for 26.2 miles than I did this year. I am disappointed and sad, but I know this decision is for my health and sanity. Oh, I will run the Pittsburgh full one day, it's just not going to be this year. I am all in next year :) 

Enough about me.  Let's talk about my charity, Women's Choice Network, which is really the point of all  of this! 

I've raised, with your most generous help, $1,386!  Yay, you!!!  *dance party for you* (seriously, I just chair danced for you)

This leaves me to raise $1,234 in only 31 days!  If you've thought about donating, but haven't done so yet, please do! 

If you were able to donate last year, I thank you for your kindness and generosity, and I ask that you consider donating again this year, to help me reach my goal of $2,620!  

- - -

Fun fact: It takes $275 to fund the centers a day. With $2,620, we can fund the centers for 9.5 days! Cool beans, huh? (We're at 5 days now with $1,386!)

- - -

SoOo, to close: As much as my journey has been about me tackling the difficulties of training for a full marathon, it has ALWAYS been -- even more so -- about my charity, Women's Choice Network.  Don't think for a moment, that a shorter race means that I am less dedicated to reaching my goal, or doing what I set out to do.  I am, in fact, more determined than ever. WCN is a great organization that empowers women and supports women through difficulty, gives them hope, and treats them with love, respect, and compassion.  You and me? Let's be instruments of this beautiful work. Please donate today! Right now. This moment! Do it! You know you wanna! :) :D

Blessings! And so much Joy!

nicole mArie

donate: http://www.crowdrise.com/teamwomenschoicenetwork/fundraiser/nicolepost

a list. colored.

I have a lot of little things that may or may not be enough for a blog post, so I am just going to write about a whole bunch of stuff and call it a list. I won't number it, I'm going to color it ;)

<list>

BLUE: Marathon training took a backseat to other stuff in my life recently. Yesterday was the first day that I ran/worked out in 7 days. My grandfather had heart surgery and then he had a stroke, and it's just been messy.  Prayers and good thoughts for him and the rest of the family would be really wonderful.

MAGENTA: I've fallen in love with Redbull. Seriously. I've been drinking my husband's Redbull and it's awesome. Aldi sells "red thunder" which, for the price (2.99 for 4 cans), is equivalent  but Redbull has more bubbles.  I'm a carbonation kind of girl.

PURPLE: I've almost finished the canvas painting that I mentioned in this post.
<------ This is what it looks like so far. When it's complete, I'll post it :)


YELLOW: This conversation actually happened:
M: these guys are going to walk on water (gesturing to his toy superheroes)

Me: well, actually, Jesus is the only guy who has ever walked on water.
M: what?
Me: Jesus, he's the only one who's ever walked on water.
M: wow! awesome. so cool.


PINK: While at storytime yesterday my daughter found it appropriate to say, loudly, "Put me down right now" more than one time. Seriously? Have I mentioned that she is very independent and sassy?  Well, she is. And no, I didn't bow to her statement. but yes, when I did put her down, she found 3 stuffed puppy dogs that she claimed as her own and carried them around until I had to pry them out of her tiny arms.

ORANGE: I am finding inspiration to move forward in my "creative arts" sort of business-sort of blog-sort of etsy shop-sort of life-living. I've been part of a "Right Brain Business Plan Summit" the last two weeks and it's been amazing. I've gotten a whole lot of great ideas from fantastic speakers who are actually living their creative lives in so many beautiful ways. I'm energized and excited for what's coming in my own creative life-living.

GREEN: and this just arrived in my mail! literally, just arrived.

I won the little canvas in the front, and then it came in that fantastically decorated envelope! Thank you, Amy!  You can find her at RubyMoonArt! :D

Happy Friday, Everyone! 

blessings! and joy!

nicole mArie

RED: OH! Also, I am still fundraising! I humbly ask if you are so inclined to consider donating to me for Women's Choice Network!  Let's empower these women!  Click the widget in the side bar ---> or simply click right here!

</list>

Surprise Package :D

On Friday afternoon, I ran a few errands with my littles and when we arrived home I noticed a box on my front stoop.  I assumed that my husband probably had ordered [insert random computer part here], and that it wouldn't be for me.  Well, it was definitely not a computer part.  The return address was from the Pittsburgh Marathon which totally piqued my curiosity as I was not expecting to receive anything from the organization at all.

These are my goodies! (pretend like you don't see the papers on the floor under the table)

It's called the "Ultimate Race Package" that I somehow won or something?  I am still not sure how it came to me that I was a "winner"... Maybe I got in on a FB or Twitter contest... idk but dude, that asics backpack is totally awesome and legit.  The Steel City Road Runners Club winter hat is great, too. Best part?  VIP status on race day.  That's right!  As a VIP I get private bathrooms (woo!), pre and post race food, VIP seating for race-watching (which, I think, will mean nothing for me as I'll be one of the last people to cross the finish line, but the thought of it is cool) and other stuff that you can read in the letter below.  

I am super excited.  It was a great moment for me on Friday because I wasn't having the most wondrous day, and to come home to such an awesome box of goodness was terrific.  

Hmm... Did I post that I ran 12 miles last week and 8 this week?  Yeah, I did. :)  

hehehehe, for those of you who didn't get my fundraising email, this is what I wrote about my 12 miles:

I ran it slowly, but it was 12.(03) miles just the same. Yes!!! When I reached 10 miles, I shouted and jumped and shouted again (and continued to sing out loud). When I reached 11 miles, I was louder and jumped higher (still singing), and when I hit 12(.03) I smiled, shrieked, and practically collapsed on the spot and began to stretch.  The picture attached is me immediately after I sat down to stretch.  I So earned a beer (and ibuprofen) that night ;)

<----picture mentioned in email.  I can't believe I sent out an email with "pic" in it.  *shudder* whoops.






My 8 miles were uneventful  (by the by, it is SO nice that my training program builds in short.long runs here and there). I got my miles in at the gym while watching Ironman 2 :) in our cinema room. Yeah, it was an awesome morning.

Hmm... that's all that's "new" on the running front.  I've got 60 minutes of running to get in this evening that I am looking forward to doing.  I am this close (you know, just a pinch) away from raising half of my overall goal. That is so darn awesome. The joy I feel about this makes me want to run and run and run more and more!

blessings! and joy!
nicole mArie

#4, #7, #8, #9 of my 29 faces in 2013

# 4 is four faces.four feelings.

#7 is hombRAY created by my husband, worn (and picture taken) by me

 #8 happened after I took a painting one of my kids made and drew/wrote on it.  I was pleased with how she turned out.  I like this one a lot.

#9  this is  me.  This is a self-portrait that I took today immediately after my 12 mile run.  I am hot and sweaty and gross and in a whole lot of pain, but gosh, I was (and still am) elated that I managed to run 12 today!  Woo!!!! 

Okay, now I'm only behind 2 days... I'll catch up this week.  

blessings! and joy!

nicole mArie

good morning, pink sky. good morning, pittsburgh. it's a good day for a run.



I took this earlier today... around 7:00 am, I think.

:)  



blessings! and Joy!
nicole marie

a gift of love.

Hi, All! 

I'm currently at $422 and think it would be nifty to hit $500 today! Are you willing and able to help me out? 

Your donation is a gift of love. Love begets love, and these mamas and babies need our love, and our respect, and our compassion. Help me, help them? 

You can use the widget to the right of this post ------> 

or click on this link. 

Much love from me to you.
Blessings! and Joy!
nicole marie

on this journey, you are here. too.

Two nights ago I asked facebook to find me a gym buddy ;)  While I didn't find a gym/running buddy (near enough to me), I found people who wanted to help (or be that gym/running buddy if they lived closer).  My friends offered help via skype or texting or via a wake-up call in the morning.  I know the coolest people and I am so.glad. for my friends.

Simply because of this encouragement (and a text message at 4:30, and my daughter waking me up at 5:40 looking for milk --which we did have, by the by), I found myself up and out of bed yesterday at 5:45.  I was at the gym by 6:10 and got a 5k in. Woot!  I even hit the chapel for quiet time with Jesus after the run. Woot!

This weekend, well tomorrow, I am scheduled for a 7 miler and I am a little nervous about it.  Okay, a lot nervous.  I didn't start my training plan on time, and it had been a while since I ran more than a couple of miles, so my long run last week was hard. It was difficult, just as it should have been for a person who hadn't put in the work for it. sigh. But I'm in this.  I'm going to keep working my training plan for 26.2 miles. I'm going to keep moving forward, even if I do it really really slowly ;)

What I have on my side:
I am running for wonderful, beautiful, and brave women and their families.
I am accountable to my organization, WCN, and to the people who are donating to my charity.
I have the advantage of knowing what it feels like to run Pittsburgh (okay, some of Pittsburgh) because I ran the half  last year. I already know what it feels like to cross the finish line.

Thank you, friends, for offering your encouragement.  Thank you, friends, for being excited for me when I posted to facebook, "5k and jesus before 8am. Woot!" Thank you, friends, for journeying with me. This sort of support is incredibly motivating for me.  It helps me. You help me, you makes a difference :)

Thank you to those of you who have donated, or who are thinking of donating.  Women's Choice Network is a fantastic organization, and the women who need their help need our help. You are instrumental in family preservation, you are instrumental in educating these women so they can care for their littles, you are instrumental in getting real help for real women in a life-affirming and empowering ways.  Please help me rock this fundraising so that WCN can rock their good work :)

I'll let you know how the run goes tomorrow!

Blessings! and Joy!
nicole mArie

Today. Just this:

blessings. and Joy!

nIcole mArie

A reason to run (and train!) :)

(For those of you who have already viewed this as an email, sorry for the duplication.  It took a long time to write out, so I'm getting the mileage out of all.these.words.)

Hi, Everyone :)  

First, Merry Christmas to you, on this, the 12th day of Christmas!  Also, a Happy New Year, too! 

I'm trying to get all of my ducks in a row so that I can start training today.  (I like that it's 1.3.13 ;)) An email/blog is my last "duck", I think.  Woot! 

Last year, as many of you know, I ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon and raised money for Women's Choice Network.  I never would have managed to cross the finish line without your kind words, encouragement, and prayers.  I never would have been able to raise more than $2,700 without your help.  We did these remarkable things together. *high five for you and your generosity* I am still humbled by the 13.1 miles and the total funds raised.  I am hoping that we can work together again this year :)

What's different: 

I am going to train for the FULL marathon.  All 26.2 miles. Yes, really. A few years ago I woke up one morning and thought that it would be cool to finish a marathon. (What?!) This year seems to be the year to do it. The littles are less little, and I have a better understanding of what is expected of me while I'm training and preparing.  I do want to be completely honest and real with you, my friends and family -- my partners in this.  I am nervous and freaking out.  I know that I have the ability to make this happen. I just have to put in the work. Do the work. Live the process.  Love the process.  See and be the someone beautiful -- or the someone crazy (it depends on your view point) -- that happens when the race is over. I hope that by telling you this, by throwing myself into a place where others know what I need to do, by being accountable to your donations, that I'll dig in deep. in deeper. and run. and run. and run. 

I'll be blogging again about my journey. (See!  What did I tell you? Blogging now :P) The blog is a bit easier to find this time around.  Just go to nicolemariearts.com.  Bookmark it, or pin it, or something it ;), and you'll be able to read about the good days, the bad days, and about the crazy days ;)  I offer pieces of my messy.beautiful life in words for you here. 

My fundraising page is here:  www.crowdrise.com/teamwomenschoicenetwork/fundraiser/nicolepost   

or here: crowdrise.com and search for "nicole post".  My personal page will pop up and you can donate :)

In the middle of February  I get to "check-in" with WCN and let them know how fundraising is going -- I'd love to give them a big, fat, fantastic number.  If you are willing and able, please consider donating.  I absolutely appreciate your generosity and kindness, and know that they will, too. :)  

You were an important part of my journey last year, and I thank you for that.  If you weren't able to journey with me last year, or if we are new friends this year, I hope that you will  chose to journey with me :)  

Blessings! and Joy!

nIcole mArie

Marathon Day in Pictures

Hello, All!

I did it!  I completed my first 1/2 :)  Woo!  I am still trying to process what happened on Sunday -- what I made happen on Sunday -- so there won't be many words on this post, those will come later in the week.  I just wanted to share with you the photos that I snapped quickly during my run.

My love to you.
Blessings!  and JOy!
nicole mArie

At the Expo :)

The above image was made out of all of the names of participants.  I found my name!

I simply liked these shirts :)  

 swag :)

Max took this of me at some point? 

 My heart rate monitor, my army bracelet to remind me of the soldiers that I know, living and deceased, Lightening McQueen to remind me to be confident. "I am speed.  Faster than fast, quicker than quick!" Oh, and my pace tattoo to help me gauge my performance.

 Walking over the Fort Pitt Bridge to Point State Park

 Walking under the bridge in PSP

 Finding out way to the starting corrals

 Walking toward the start...

 We are still walking toward the start, but we see it now!

 16th Street Bridge

 9th Street Bridge

 West End Bridge

 Blurry Incline Picture for the littles

Two of my favorite signs that I was able to take a picture of. These were in South Side.

 I saw the yinz guy right before the finish line, too, he recognized me and gave me a wave. 

Birmingham Bridge!

  How beautiful is this shot of the city?!  I was pleasantly surprised.  Total Luck. WTG cell phone!

 So google tracks told me that I hit 13 miles right here.  Right where it said 12 miles.  

It said I made it there in 2:24min and some sort of seconds.  hmmm.

My body was so mad at me in this moment... but I was so proud to have done what I did!  Woo!!!

 I got to add my name to the the wall after the race, a la the photo at the top were it was printed on the poster thingy :)

My friend, Dave, ran too.  It was his first 1/2.  He finished about 10 minutes ahead of me.  

Dude, we did it! 

 Standing in front of our charity booth :)  Runners for Women's Choice Network!

 Yes, I changed out of my sweaty clothes in the port-a-potty.  Thank you, lady of FB, who reminded her friend to bring extra clothes!  You are my hero!  Oh, and thank goodness for the giant sized one!

I started in the blue section in the back, and the start was the golden square at the top.  It took us 20 minutes to reach the start!

I met a perogie outside of PNC Park on our way to the car. nbd.