I’m in my third week of training, but officially my 1^st (week) according to Coach George and my training schedule.  I felt really good this week – and strong.  My Boston marathon goal is a bit aggressive, but I think it’s attainable with the right training, rest and coaching.  Honestly, I can’t wait for April 16, 2012!

Total Mileage: 39

Monday {rest day} – mini yoga session on the beach

Tuesday {Iwo Jima hill workout} – this workout is NO JOKE.  6 x 400m-ish hills, with a slight recovery (flat) and quick feet (down hill).  This is a 7-8 mile workout, including warm-up and cool-down.  I felt really strong.  I’d prefer to run with the morning group, but had to run with the evening group due to work travel (which was also a great group of runners and a couple Boston trainers).

Wednesday {4-6 miles, easy} – I ran 5 miles and felt really good.  The workout included lots of hills on Military Road {for those in the DC area, you know that these are great for Boston training}

Thursday {rest day} – Bikram Yoga? Oh, how I love thee!  Yoga is such great cross-training for runners and I can’t imagine my life without it.

Friday {tempo on the track} – 1×3 mile, 2 lap recovery, 1x1mile.  Tempo runs kinda scare me – mostly because I’m not sure what I’m capable of (I rarely do tempo runs): Do I run really fast and die at the end? Do I run really slow and pick it up at the end?  All things considered (my third tempo run in my life), I felt good.  3 miles in 20: 03 (6:41 pace) and 1 mile in 6:07. 

Saturday (6-8 miles} – I had a work event at Fleet Feet DC and decided to use this as a fun opportunity to run 7 miles.  I met a lot of really great people – who are really excited about running!

Sunday {10-12 miles} – Do you remember my amazing friend, Annie, who single-handedly coached me through my 1^st marathon and {eventual} Boston debut?!  Well, we ran 11 miles together today.  The weather was awesome, we had a great run and it was really fun to catch-up with one of my best friends.  11 miles in 1:30:45 (8:15 pace)

 Week #1 – the 1^st week of 2012 – thanks for a great week! {1 down, 14 to go!}

What are you training for in 2012?

2011 was an awesome year, complete with a lot of races travel, love & fun!  And while I’m sad it’s over, I’m really looking forward to what {2012} has in store! 

• Traveled to New Zealand with BJ.  We spent 19 days over both the South & North Islands – we hiked a glacier, ran up a mountain, went boating through the Doubtful Sound, biked through vineyards, dined on great food & wine, and relaxed.  It was such a cool trip – New Zealand is an amazing country and if you are thinking about going, I highly recommend the trip.
• Ran my 1^st marathon and qualified for Boston.  Had the most amazing support crew a girl could dream of: my mom, BJ, Annie, Allison, Jared, Julianne, Erika (and her dog, Tucker), Kathy, Matt & Julie
• Celebrated one year of marriage to my favorite (and very supportive) husband in the world, BJ
• Selected to run on Nuun’s Hood to Coast team (and ran HTC) – one of the coolest experiences of my life
• Became a certified running coach, USATF
• Ran a 10 Miler PR at the Army 10 Miler – my favorite race of the year – in 1:08:39 (6:51 pace)
• Took at part-time job (in addition to my full time-job) as Director of Volunteers for the Dominion Trail Mix – a 3 part festival & race dedicated to the W&OD trail
• Ran a 5k PR  -placed 3rd Overall Female – in 19:11 (6:10 pace)
• Became a certified personal trainer
• Landed my DREAM JOB with Brooks Running, as a Tech Rep in the Mid-Atlantic region
• Spent a lot of quality time (and wine) with family and friends
• Committed to Bikram Yoga
• (Finally) Joined Capital Area Runners & Coach George….
• And, started training for Boston Marathon (April 16, 2012 – I’m coming for you)

2011, thanks for a GREAT year.  Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012 (I’m guessing a lot of running, wine, travel & good times)

What made your 2011 wonderful?

Cheers!

For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has been one of my favorite holidays.  It’s the one day, every year, that everyone is thankful – even for the little, tiny things in life.  As I’ve gotten older (and married), I don’ t always get to spend the day with my family – but this year, I am surround by my family and I couldn’t be more thankful.  Today I am thankful for:

• My wonderful family – mom, dad, Lindsey & Katie  {They love me no matter what… I love them more than they will ever know}
• My extremely supportive & loving husband, BJ {I can’t imagine my life with out him}
• My dream job {I’ve never been so happy to go to work in my life}
• My God {He loves me & forgives me. no questions asked}
• My legs {I can run & skip & walk & jump.  But, mostly, running}
• My family home  {Home. Florida. Sun. Beach. This place rocks}
• My friends  {I don’t know how I got so lucky but I have the best friends a girl could ask for}
• The sun & warm weather {The FL sun beats VA anyday.  For example, I just took a nap out by the pool}
• Traditions {I love making our “signature Thanksgiving stuffing” with my sisters & playing baci ball out by the pool}
• Thanksgiving Day {A delicious meal, served with good wine, family/friends & laughs}

What are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo, Melody

Hi Friends – I apologize for the delay in announcing the Team Sparkle skirt {winner} – it’s been a crazy week.

The winner of the Team Sparkle skirt is:

Jess @ Pace of Me
{this makes me really excited because I just met Jess for the 1st time – in real life – last week.  She is amazing and beautiful and will really rock the Sparkle skirt}

Jess – please email your skirt color/size to willrunformagaritas@gmail.com

Thanks to ALL who entered the Team Sparkle giveaway – and a HUGE thanks to Team Sparkle for hosting!

Didn’t Win?  Don’t worry – I’m hosting an Endorphin Warrior giveaway next week!

I always pack running clothes when I travel.  My trip to Denver, earlier this week, was no exception.

The following conversations and events may or may not make you laugh – but let’s just say, I did not get very lucky in the Mile High city.

October 17, 2011

Time: 3:45pm
Location: Hotel Lobby, check-in

Me: Is there a running path or trail close to the hotel, that is safe to run on?
Front Desk #1:  Yes (hands me a running map), there are 2 options and the card has detailed directions on the back.
Front Desk #2: (interjects)  On Tuesday mornings the hotel offers a running club at 6am.
Me: Oh, that’s great.  So, tomorrow morning at 6am?  Rain or shine?
FD #2: Yes.

Time: 8:00pm 
Location: Welcome Reception
Scene: generic conversation with approximately 6 out of 30 panel attendees)

Me: Any interest in running tomorrow morning?
Panel Attendee: No!
M: Are you sure?
PA: Yes.  I do not like running.

Time 9:30pm
Location: Hotel Lobby

Me: Okay, so I just want to confirm that the running group is tomorrow morning at 6am.
Front Desk: Yes, that is correct.
M: And, we just meet in the lobby.
FD: Yes (and points to the exact location where the group meets)
M: Thanks – have a great night.

October 18, 2011

Time: 5:54am
Location: Hotel Lobby
Scene: I am the only fool person in the lobby in running clothes.  I wait for 7 minutes before approaching the front desk.  I brace myself for bad news.

Me: Hi, where is the running group?
Front Desk: It’s canceled this morning.
M: WHY?
FD: The general manager called and said it was too cold to run.
M: Too COLD?!
FD: Yes, I apologize
M: (internal thoughts & processing for one minute – too cold?! It’s mid-October, in Denver.  What did you think it would be?!)
M: okay, well is it safe to run at this time of hour?
FD: I would wait until it gets a little more light out.

Time: 6:02 – 6:45am
Location: Hotel Room, bed
Scene: I am fully dressed in running clothes, waiting for the sun to peak out.  Complete darkness. Unsuccessful.

Time: 6:55am
Location: Hotel Gym
Scene: I jump rope and lift weights for 27 minutes.  I am about to finish my workout with abs, when I see a sign….

Sign: Outdoor Track, open sunrise to sunset, weather permitting
11 Laps = 1 mile

Me: (internal thoughts) WTF?! There’s an outdoor track that NO ONE wanted to tell me about?! 

Time: 7:02am
Location: Hotel Roof
Scene:  I am running around in circles, with a smile on my face (clearly very happy to be running)

Time: 8:30am
Location: Panel Meeting

Panel Attendee: Were you running on the hotel roof this morning?

Awesome! 

Maybe my trip wasn’t so unsuccessful after all…

Don’t forget to enter my Team Sparkle skirt giveaway {HERE}