Crazy or Determined? One Girl's Quest into Run

Arizona Warrior Dash 2012

2012-05-10T12:41:00.002-07:00

So this Warrior Dash report is a couple weeks overdue – sorry about that!

This year we didn’t get creative with a team costume (kinda hard when all your teammates are boys and can’t be bothered with dressing up.) In the end we decided on “Team Wal-Mart” – as that’s who outfitted us.

So this year was much warmer than last year – I’d say a good 10 degrees or so. We had an 11am wave start time, so it wasn’t unbearable yet but still freaking warm.

Tom & I did the dash last year, but this was Ben & Joey’s first time. I was glad they switched up the obstacles – I only recognized 2 or 3, the rest were new. And a little more challenging! Several pull yourself up & over, climb back down, etc.

I am probably one of the clumsiest people on the planet, but out of the four of us I was the only one who didn’t fall! I thought for sure I would biff it on the tight-rope obstacle. (Two ropes – one you stood on & one you held onto above your head, had to tight-rope across a big mud pit.)

Towards the end of the race, Joey left us in the dust. Tom, Ben & I were way too hot (and out of shape) to push it any further than a walk/run scenario. At the last obstacle before the fire jumping & final mud pit, there was probably the most dangerous obstacle they had there.

There was a pit that was filled with water (a life saver in those temps) and then you had to crawl over the wall and slide down. However, there was nothing to break your fall when you slid down. So Tom comes barreling down the slide, hits the ground which forces him to whip his head back – right onto the wooden slide. Might have given himself a concussion, who knows.

Anyways, it was still fun & I will definitely do it again next year! Hopefully with a better costume.

Why, hello there.

2012-04-24T20:56:00.002-07:00

I don't know why it is so hard for me to blog these days, but wow. I have really dropped the ball!

So, here's what's happened in my life since we last spoke:

I ran the Firefly Run two weeks ago. It was a lot of fun! We had a freak cold front and the race was at night - so it was quite chilly. I was expecting to do quite poorly, seeing as I haven't been running regularly lately. But I ended up only finishing a couple minutes slower than my PR, so that was kinda cool!

Last week, a couple of co-workers & I decided to hike Camelback Mountain. I was a little weary because I've never done Camelback before and hear it's pretty tough. We did the Cholla Trail - and can I point out that on that page it says " Everyone who hikes Camelback for the first time reports that it was more difficult than they expected."

Uh, foreshadowing.

I greatly underestimated this hike. I had no idea that we'd basically be climbing uphill the entire time. My body was not prepared for this kind of beating! After several stops, we were almost to the Saddle part. I asked my friends to stop again so I could catch my breath. And then I started getting over heated. And my vision started going.

And when this happens, I faint.

I didn't want to alarm my friends, so I said I just needed to sit down on the rock for a minute. The scariest part was I could not get a full breath. I would breathe in and my breath would just stop half way - it's about this time I start convincing myself I'm going to die.

I slid down to sit on the ground & my friend Matus realized I was not doing so hot. (My vision is still blacking out at this point.) He told me to take off my hat and that helped cool me down.

After about 5 minutes I returned to the land of the living and told them we needed to head back down instead of up. :) Moral of the story: I'm never doing Camelback Mountain again. Ha.

Warrior Dash is this Saturday! I promise I will do a recap afterwards.
Oh, and I got a new job!! I am VERY excited. That's one of the big reasons I have been away from the blog the past month - this was a long process!

Let's talk weight-lifting

2012-03-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Oh hey, remember how last year I got the death sickness and was out of commission for like two weeks? And how I said that I never get sick and it was so bizarre? Guess who is recovering from bronchitis....this girl.

Ugh.

I'm starting to think the state of Arizona hates my immune system! It's all out of whack. Needless to say, I have taken a break from working out due to wanting to die every single day. But I think I am finally almost over it and slowly working my way back to the gym.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I bought the book The New Rules of Lifting for Women. I had seen it around a few of the blogs and it sounded like something I wanted to try. Weight lifting is completely brand new to me. Sure I do a machine or two in the gym, but I've never had a routine or quite frankly really never knew what exactly to do.

This book has a TON of information. TON. And after you read it, you are super pumped to get started! However, there is one ~~tiny~~ big thing that has been eating away at me...

INTIMIDATION.

Oh wait. You mean I actually have to go to the gym and try this exercises....in front of people? With equipment I really have no idea how to use? Because let's be serious y'all...some of these moves are just designed to make you look awkward.

I'm trying to find the courage to start this program because I think it really will be something new & beneficial. Anyone else out there that has done this? Or tips on how to make me not drop a weight on myself or completely look like a spaz?

Shoes!

2012-03-09T08:51:00.003-07:00

So here is probably one of the most asked question from a runner: What type of shoes do you run in?

I currently run in Saucony Kinvaras:

I like them well enough. I like having a light shoe and I've never had a problem with heel strike, so this is a good fit for me. I tend to run more on the balls of my feel than anything. However, it do tend to get blisters on the inside of my feet while wearing the Kinvaras. Maybe these shoes are not wide enough or I just have crappy feet. Or both.

So it's about that time for me to pick up another pair of shoes. The Kinvara now has a Kinvara2, which I'm contemplating. But I'm also thinking about trying a pair of Newtons:

Any of you guys tried this shoe before?? It's almost twice as expensive as the Kinvaras, that's why I'm a little hesitant.

Or, alternatively, which shoe is your go-to?

The gym dilemma

2012-03-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

So, I feel pretty guilty going to the gym when it's been so nice outside. I would much rather run outside then hop on the dreadmill, but then I start thinking "Well, you're paying for this membership. You better use it!"

This will happen to me one day. I just know it.

So you guys that have gym memberships: how do you find a good balance between the two? And what's your routine at the gym? I'm too much of a weanie to ask one of the trainers for recommendations, so that's why I'm coming to you. :)

Also - did i mention I turned 30 last month? Yeah, I didn't. Because it depresses me. (No offense to any one) but 30 just sounds so OLD! I did manage to stop feeling sorry for myself long enough to go out with a bunch of friends that night for karaoke. I was a 90s rap superstar that evening!

Oops.

2012-02-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

It's been about a month since I blogged last. Why? Because I am having epic writer's block.

And I haven't really been running.

Just a mile or two here and there, but certainly not blog-worthy content.

I've slipped into a bit of a funk again - this always happens after I complete a race. But I am being proactive and have signed up for two races coming up pretty quick:

Firefly Run - 4.14.12
Warrior Dash - 4.28.12

I'm excited about both of these! Firefly sounds really fun - a 5k at night & you get to wear as many glow-sticks/glowing objects as possible!

And I have some friends doing the Warrior Dash for the first time, so that's going to be a fun experience too. Already thinking of costume ideas...

So, I hope to start back up my blogging! And getting back to reading all your wonderful blogs!

Color Run!

2012-01-30T08:36:00.002-07:00

A new post...I know that's a rarity around here lately! Thanks to those who tagged me in their posts - I hope to get around to filling those out. :)

Anyways, this past weekend I did the first-ever (in Phoenix) Color Run! It was a freaking blast - definitely recommend it if it comes to your city! My only complaint is that I wish they would have had the race start in waves (there were 6,000 of us!) because it got quite congested at times. I'm sure they will make that improvement for next year.

This was our team "We Color Outside the Lines." Nice & clean to start off. :)

Since it was so crowded, this was the only part of our team that managed to stay together through the race. This was after two color stations.

And here we are at the finish - color everywhere! (Except for Joey who had already had his color blown off by a leaf blower - seriously.)

This was the after party - every 15 minutes people would throw color in the air.

Next to Warrior Dash, this was one of the most fun races I have done. And i use "race" very loosely, as it wasn't timed and was just for fun. But that definitely made the 3 miles go by fast!

So about that half marathon I was going to do in March - yeah, not going to happen. I slacked off and haven't been training. I've been going to the gym (!) but haven't been doing any long runs and don't feel prepared at all. Plus, it sold out before I could sign up.

C'est la vie!

My next race is the Warrior Dash at the end of April - need to start training for the obstacles. ;)

2012

2012-01-09T14:47:00.004-07:00

Ok, I'm a horrible blogger. But honestly, life just hasn't been too exciting lately & it's left me with nothing to blog about!

So, about that half marathon Tom & I were going to do in March....oops. I haven't been training. Well, correction. I have been working out and running, but I haven't been following a training plan like in the past. So I really think it's going to be a last minute decision if we run it or not.

Tom & I did go out for a 4 mile run on Saturday and it went really, really well! Maybe my time at the gym has paid off because we were running 12 minute miles without a problem!

Anyone in the Arlington, VA area? Because I command you to do this race!! I wish they would do something like that here in Phoenix!

Love The Run You're With 5k

Date: Sunday, February 12, 2012

Location: Pentagon Row, Arlington, VA

Start Time: 9:00AM

Distance: 5K

Grab your loved one, a friend, or even a stranger for the area's favorite Valentine's Day 5K! Now in our third year, this sell-out event boasts a fun Valentine's theme, great individual and team prizes, and a fabulous post-race party (Karaoke anyone?) you've come to expect from Pacers Events.

2012 Runner Premium

This year, we will be handing out commemorative blankets (see right) as our runner premium.

A great way to snuggle with your honey (or friends) this Valentines Day!

Wear your heart on your sleeve (or your chest)!

In the spirit of the holiday, registrants will select one of three categories:

Co-Dependent (registrant is in a relationship)
Stupid Cupid (registrant is single)
Love ‘em or Leave ‘em (well . . it’s complicated)
Individuals not stating their status will be assigned to the relationship category.

Runners will receive red (co-dependent), green (stupid cupid), or yellow (love 'em or leave 'em) bibs based on their category.

Oh, hai.

2011-12-25T18:44:00.003-07:00

Greetings from Virginia!

Can I just tell you that I have been here since Friday and not put on "real" clothes (aka not pajamas) since I've been here? It's glorious.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas - my dad was extra spoiled since his birthday is today also.

I decided after inhaling 9,576,422 extra calories since being here, I needed to go for a run. And my pops rode his bike beside me, which made me feel a little bit like Rocky Balboa.

"It's not ovah!"

But I was really glad he went with me, because I was too embarrassed to wuss out and walk so I made sure to run the whole way. :)

Maybe I'll do it again tomorrow.

....or continue eating the cheeseball, spinach dip, cookies, cherry cheesecake, etc.

Merry Christmas!!!

Beer is good for carbo-loading.

2011-12-19T08:54:00.002-07:00

So Friday afternoon we had our work holiday party. It was nice to get out of the office early and see all the white elephant gifts. (I still maintain the gift i bought was the best - a Waist Trimmer from the 99 cent store.)

After stuffing my face with half a quesadilla, a meatball, carrots & ranch and two Bud Lights, i figured a run would not be happening. But the weather was sooo nice (finally!) that i talked myself into it.

And it was a great run! Maybe I'm on to something with this beer & quesadilla mix... :)

I also managed to go to the gym yesterday to log 4 miles and do some weight training. The couple of runs I've done on the treadmill have been less than stellar; i guess I'm used to the asphalt now. (But i do like having the TV right there on the 'mill - genius.)

I'm sure the majority of us prefer the road to the treadmill, but do you find the treadmill a bit more challenging when you haven't used it lately?

I leave Friday to see my family in Virginia!! Hoping for no snowstorms this year. :)

Tom & I exchanged gifts already - we can never wait for the actually holiday. Imagine my surprise when i was presented with a pretty blue box!!! This is my first piece of Tiffany's jewelry...he did good. :D

Oh, I have a blog?

2011-12-14T12:30:00.001-07:00

Sorry I've been so quiet lately...it's the holidays, things are busy, it's still cold in Phoenix, blah blah. My posting will probably be sporadic until after the New Year, but I'll still be around!

I got a 7 day pass for a gym last night, since I knew I wouldn't be getting out to run in this crappy weather. I've definitely lost some stamina since taking a couple weeks of running, as evidenced by the 3 mile treadmill run. :P

I just need it to quit raining/being cold so I can get back into the swing of things! Anyone else struggling to run?

These guys are hardcore.

I am a WIMP.

2011-12-07T10:30:00.001-07:00

You guys. I don't like cold weather. Part of the reason I moved to Arizona.

And this past week, it has been cooooold. (for Arizona.)

Which has led to me not running. Because I'm a wimp.

Part is due to not having winter running gear and (the biggest) part is that I hate being cold.

So basically, i don't have anything to blog about because I haven't been running!

BUT - it's supposed to be warming up at the end of the week. And uh, I kinda have a half marathon to train for so I need to get my butt in gear.

I'm back to Vegas this weekend....just for Friday night. We'll see if the black jack tables are as kind to me this trip as last!

Pic from this weekend's Ugly Christmas Sweater bar crawl!

Proud.

2011-12-01T10:35:00.001-07:00

It's not much, but it's something.

The past two days I had a horrible headache - the kind that was a constant dull ache and makes you want to throw up. Tuesday night it was all I could do to just lay on the couch. But last night I felt a tad bit better and contemplated a run.

Normally, I would have talked myself out of it. But something has happened: the past few runs I have felt strong. I've found myself craving the turnover of my feet on the pavement and the rhythmic breathing.

So I strapped on the Sauconys and went for a run. A pretty decent three miler - when I was worried I'd barely be able to make it one mile.

I like it when this happens. :)

Brain dump Tuesday

2011-11-29T08:40:00.001-07:00

A look into my life the last week...

Vegas was awesome! Good company and good times. Plus, I won $115 at the blackjack tables one night!
I'm actually going back to Vegas in two weeks for Tom's company holiday party. (um, right?!) We are staying at the Cosmopolitan....suuuuuper excited.
Running has been going pretty well - I've just done a few 3 milers here & there. "Official" training starts this week. Not looking forward to those early Saturday mornings again. :P
High of 79 today. This is the type of winter I can get on board with. (However, it's only supposed to be 57 by Sunday. Boo.)
I have a wild desire to get a cat. I think the pups would love it. :) But Tom says it's a no-go. Bah humbug.

Sorry for the randomness...hope to get back to 'regular' posts soon!

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T08:13:00.001-07:00

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will be celebrating it the traditional way.....by going to Las Vegas. Yup, it's true. Tom & I will be meeting a friend and his parents there for the long weekend. Nothing says Thanksgiving like Caesar's Palace Buffet and black jack! :)

Next week will start the "official" training for the next half marathon. I've been doing 3-4 milers here and there, but it's time to pick the mileage back up. Half of me is excited, the other half is dreading it. C'est la vie!

I leave you with a video of (one of) the things I am most thankful for: my doggie Spencer. I taught him to "play dead". Enjoy. ;)

PS. I am thankful for my other pup Kenzi, too!

Three Things Thursday

2011-11-17T08:32:00.001-07:00

One. I did something last night that I haven't done in close to a year: ran a solid 3 miles without a walk break! This past training cycle, I stuck to my intervals - so I was quite surprised when I went for my run last night that my legs actually wanted to run.

Two. The silly thing about this: I was only 30 or so seconds faster than when I use my intervals. Meh, I was hoping for a better pace but I guess I just need to throw in some speedwork.

Three. Ok, I'm a little (kinda a lot) embarrassed to admit what I'm doing tonight. I'll give you a hint:

These silly, silly books/movies are a (very) guilty pleasure of mine. So when a friend said she had two tickets to an advanced screening, I had to jump at the opportunity. Laugh at me all you want, I totally give you permission!

I might totally regret this....

2011-11-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

...but, i've decided to sign up for the Phoenix Half Marathon on March 3, 2012!

My friend Gerry suggested it - I can't find too much information about it other than it's supposed to be a flat and fast course. Works for me.

AND - Tom agreed to do it with me!

I still can't decide if I've totally lost my mind by signing up for another half so quickly, but what the hell. At least I'm not starting from scratch this time.

Here we go again...

The Big Question

2011-11-10T10:06:00.001-07:00

So, I'm now faced with a question most runners ponder after a race:

"Now what?"

Do I become lazy again and let my running fall to the wayside, or train for another race?

I really want to keep up the running habit I've created - but I find I need to be training for something, otherwise it's easier to talk myself out of.

December is pretty much a wash race-wise. The couple of races I want to to do, I will be out of town for. (One year I WILL run the 12 k's of Christmas!)

I signed up for The Color Run at the end of January - check out the website, it's a pretty cool concept!

But I need something "bigger" - I think I will train/do the Lost Dutchman this year. Hell, maybe this can be the half marathon I can talk Tom into. We will see. :)

What does your race schedule look like for the upcoming year? Do you think I should just focus on 5k/10k races for a while?

And my only decent picture from the course on Sunday (ie far enough away that you can't see my thunder thighs)

Race Recap! Women's Half Marathon

2011-11-07T09:41:00.003-07:00

Where to begin??

If you've been with me since this summer, you knew that this race was to be my "redemption race" from my crappy performance at last year's PF Chang's Half Marathon.

I felt confident in my training but knew things can always go awry on race day, so I was scared. Like, really scared.

I woke up at 5am, cursed the early morning, and started getting ready. I've been watching the Biggest Loser this season and have a slight (major) crush on the new trainer Dolvett.

Hello, gorgeous.

So I decided to write his catchphrase on my arm for an extra boost:

No, I didn't consume a Dos Equis before the race.

I managed to drag Tom out of bed, take my picture, and we were off.

Hi puppies! And hello pear shaped body. :P

Let me tell you, it is soooooooooo nice to have someone drop you off at the race as opposed to driving yourself or taking the shuttle. Thanks, Tom!! :)

Having only run Rock & Roll series Half Marathons before, I really liked that this was a smaller race. Comparison: 30-something corrals at the PF Chang's race, five corrals at this race.

I didn't have to wait long before we were off. My plan was to run to the first mile and a half and then work in my intervals. (.25 walk, .75 run)
Mile 1: 12:20
Mile 2: 12:47
Mile 3: 13:10
Mile 4: 13:21

I was feeling goooood the first four miles. I didn't start my intervals until mile 3 and was happy that the first two miles gave me some cushion time wise. I was supposed to see Tom at mile 3, but he didn't make it in time.

Mile 4: 13:21
Mile 5: 13:12
Mile 6: 12:31
Mile 7: 12:52
Mile 8: 13:24

What the heck was I doing mile 6 & 7? Flying (for me), evidently. I believe mile 6 had a downhill portion & I remember thinking "oh hell yes" and just took off. Definitely helped my time! Up until mile 8, I was feeling really good and knew I had the sub 3 as long as I didn't bonk the last few miles.

Mile 9: 13:40
Mile 10: 14:14
Mile 11: 13:34
Mile 12: 14:26

Ok, here's where it started to get tough. (obviously) Here's my only (two) complaints about the race: the course starting at mile 8. Once you got to mile 8, you were passing runners that were on mile 11. (it was a loop portion) It was inspiring to see them running towards the finish, but also a little disheartening because you knew you weren't quite there yet.

I wouldn't be lying if I said the thought crossed my head to just hop over with those runners.

And then the hills. The. Hills. They weren't major, but for God's sake. Who puts hills in the last miles of a race?! You can see on mile 10 where I was not having it. And mile 12. I tried chanting "Hard Work. Dedication." and it helped for oh, 15 seconds. And then I let out a string of expletives.

Tom catching me at mile 10. I'm making a gun motion towards my head.

Mile 13: 14:06

I could have given more in mile 12 and 13, but I was pretty toast at this point. And I knew I had my sub 3 regardless. Tom caught up with me again at the end of mile 12 and was worried because he saw the time clock which said four minutes until 3 hours. "You only have 4 minutes!! Go!!!" I told him I didn't start quite at 7am, so I was ok. But it was cute he was so concerned. :)

Running towards (my) victory.

I was SO toast crossing that finish line. I gave it pretty much everything I had out there and was so, so excited that I met my goal. Ya'll, that's a 9 minute PR from my first half marathon and a 14 minute PR from the disastrous half last year!!

Bib	FName	LName	State	Age	Sex	ChipTime	Overall	SexPl	DivPl
5302	MELISSA	MCMULLIN	AZ	29	F	2:54:49	2736	2684	353

So, I'm still riding high today. I'm sore (because I'm a doofus and didn't stretch properly afterwards) but it's just a reminder of what I did yesterday. So I'll take it. :)

Oh, but: just to swell my head back down to normal size, I shut my thumb in the door later that night. I'm an idiot.

I told Tom he's doing the next one with me.

Big honkin' medal and post race tradition: Mexican food & Dos Equis.

Thank you, THANK YOU for all your support and kind words. <3 <3 <3

Women's Half Marathon - A Quickie

2011-11-06T11:52:00.001-07:00

Well, as I'm sure you know, today i ran the Women's Half Marathon race. My goal was to finish in under 3 hours. After 5 months of hard, consistent training, I present you with:

Eeee!! Not sure the "official" time yet, but this is good enough for me. :)

Back tomorrow with a full recap!

Freakout Friday

2011-11-04T08:34:00.001-07:00

Allow me to freakout in bullet points:

My pulled thigh muscle is still bugging me. It's fine when I'm running, but when walk it flares up. And uh, considering walking is part of my plan for Sunday, I'm a little (maybe a lot) nervous.
Frankly, my legs are pissed off. My 3 miler last night was decent, but my legs felt tight and tired. They are totally over this running ish.
I have no idea what I'm going to wear Sunday. Weather calls for a high of 68, which is pretty sweet. I'd like to wear this shirt again:

But I also wore it to the last half marathon which, frankly, I'd rather forget happened. I'm a little superstitious and I don't want this shirt to bring bad karma!

It's times like this that I wish I had more (any) self confidence. Normal people would be excited and proud of the training - which I totally should be too. Instead, my mind is full of doubt. In the words of Drop Dead Fred, "BE GONE, EVIL ONE!"

In GOOD news, I will be going to the Expo tonight and get to meet Betty Bliss!!

Seriously?

2011-11-02T10:23:00.007-07:00

Oh, hello pulled/strained muscle in my thigh. What a lovely time for you to decide to show up!

$%#@!*

Last night's run sucked. I hobbled and cursed life.

Suck it, Wednesday.

Ready or not...

2011-10-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I did my last "long" training run Saturday morning - 8.5 miles. And thankfully it was a good 8.5 miles. I'm pretty sure I couldn't have handled another crappy run....especially since the race is Sunday.

Yup, Sunday.

Kinda surprised it's already here. And let me say this: I am never training again during the summer. (Ha)

I'm still worried about making my time goal...hell, i'd be happy with 2:59:59. But I'll give it all I've got and know that I did the best training I could do...(well, probably should have thrown some speedwork in there. Meh.)

Six days and counting.

One last picture of my best Halloween costume ever.

"I just run because I love it"

2011-10-27T09:51:00.006-07:00

Not sure if you guys happened across this article on msnbc.com today, but if not: here's your feel-good moment for Thursday!

Blind teen keeps on running, thanks to guide dog

Sami Stoner, who is legally blind, logs mile after cross-country mile with dog Chloe at her side

By Lisa A. Flam

TODAY.com contributor

Sami Stoner is running proof that adversity doesn’t have to keep you from the finish line.

A legally blind 16-year-old runner, Sami is traversing cross-country courses this season with her new guide dog, Chloe, and is believed to be the first high school athlete in her home state of Ohio to compete with an animal.

“I don’t run for time or place or anything, I just run because I love it, and I’m glad I can share my love of running with Chloe now,” says Sami, a junior at Lexington High School who’s on the junior varsity cross country team. “I love having Chloe. She’s helped me so much.”

Now in her fourth year running cross country, Sami won a waiver from the state high school athletic association that allows her to compete with a dog. The golden retriever puppy, who guides Sami through the crowded hallways at school, also takes her safely through the running trails of Ohio.

“She watches out for roots and she tries to pick the clearest path for me,” Sami says cheerfully. “The ways she moves, I can feel it in her harness, so she has little ways to signal which way to go and what to do.”

At the starting line, Sami and Chloe stay back 20 to 30 seconds so Chloe doesn’t get spiked by another runner, but they’re usually passing other competitors by the first mile on the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course. Sami is ineligible to score, and she must avoid finish-line chutes if they’re deemed too narrow, said Dale Gabor, the director of cross country and track and field for the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

“She gives a lot of hope to other kids,” said Gabor, who approved Sami's waiver and believes she's the first scholastic athlete in Ohio to compete with an animal.

Running with just some peripheral vision is scary, Sami says. But Chloe is highly focused, which has helped Sami feel secure enough to improve her personal record to 29:53.

“There is still a little element of being terrified you’re going to fall flat on your face,” Sami says. “She’s given me a lot more confidence in my running.”

Her dad, too, is wary when Sami, the youngest of his three girls, starts a race.

“It’s an amazing, scary thing to see her take off and all you can do it pray that everybody comes back safely. This is my baby,” says Keith Stoner. “She’s not necessarily up there collecting a medal at end of the race, but in our heart she does win them all.”

Sami began running cross-country in eighth grade, and by the end of that school year, her vision deteriorated and she became legally blind. She was found to have the untreatable Stargardt disease, which is similar to sight-robbing macular degeneration that affects older adults.

In high school, she worried she wouldn’t be able to compete, but teamed up with a friend, Hannah Ticoras, who ran alongside her as a guide.

“All I wanted to do was run, and running with Hannah gave me that opportunity,” says Sami.

But Hannah graduated at the end of Sami’s sophomore year, again putting Sami’s competitive future in limbo. Her mobility teacher thought she’d be a good candidate for a guide dog, and after a month of training over the summer, the Stoner family welcomed Chloe home in August.

Sami is grateful she’s still a part of the team she loves so dearly.

“I just hope people learn that just because you have a disability or some kind of disadvantage that it’s not the end of the world,” says Sami, who has a 4.0 grade point average this year. “You can still do stuff, you just have to find a way of doing it.”

Lisa A. Flam is a news and lifestyles reporter based in New York. Original article here.

The Good & Bad

2011-10-24T09:45:00.002-07:00

First off, the good.

Behold, my best Halloween costume ever:

Jareth, from Labyrinth!

Favorite childhood movie.

Please tell me you all have seen Labyrinth. If not, go to Netflix & watch it on Instant Watch. Like, now.

The Halloween party on Saturday was super fun. Everyone that attends takes the costumes pretty seriously, so it was awesome to see what people came up with. I have three (!) parties this Saturday, so Jareth will be making another appearance. :)

And the bad:

My 10 miler sucked. I think I am getting burnt out. I no longer look forward to my long runs & totally just give up halfway through. If i pull this shit in two weeks, there's no way I'll make my sub3. Sigh.

Odd as it sounds, I think my training plan was too long. I'm just ready to get this over with. One week from this Sunday...

What are you guys going to be for Halloween??