Another Race Season Gone

In 8 days, another running race season will be in the books. Where in the world did the time go?

When I look back at my race season last year, it was full of monumental achievements, with personal records set, and determination to better my overall health. My drive, passion and commitment to running pushed over into 2015 finding the most perfect running group and making a goal for myself of running 15 race in 2015.

Long story short -- 15 races did not happen in 2015 AND I fell off the healthy bandwagon PRETTY
fast. After a tough half marathon in February and heartbreak of not PRing in it, my motivation fell. (As many of your read in my blog post, it's linked below) I think this happened for a reason because running in 2015 became for another reason....to help others.

While I may have not ran 15 races this year, I did compete in 8 events, one being very monumental for me, my first triathlon. This year I participated in the Be Amazo 10k, Quakertown Rotaty 10-Miler, Love Run Half Marathon, Brooklyn Half Marathon, Sandy Hook Triathlon, Runners World 5k, Philadelphia Rock n Roll Half Marathon on Halloween, and the PennSuburban Chamber 5k in December. I opted to sit out the Broad Street Run this year and with cash being tight, I had to strategically create my race calendar.

But despite all of the races and all of the miles, this year meant so much more to me. I made tons of new friends, rekindled a friendship with one, and I had the ability to watch and HELP a few fellow runners have a successful running year.

To my RUN Club-ers - I can not thank you enough for welcoming me into such an amazing, supportive and hysterical group of individuals. I wrote my first blog post about The Club on December 18 and I can say I'm still just as obsessed with you all now as I was that first day. This group has taught me that each and every one of us is an amazing and talented runner, and with the support of each other, we can accomplish ANYTHING! It doesn't matter your pace or your preferred distance, there is ALWAYS someone willing to run along side you. When injury comes our way, we have DOZENS of friends giving their support, prayers and motivation to keep our heads up when we're in a dark place. I love you all! Xo

To my dear friend Janice, I can not thank you enough for introducing me to the wonderful world of Triathlons. Our friendship dates back to second grade and here we are today, being a dynamic duo yet again despite several years of loosing touch. Your support, advice and friendship is something I cherish, and I can't thank you enough for opening my eyes to new possibilities and new adventures. You've made me realize I CAN do anything I put my mind to, and you helped me overcome my fear of getting eaten by a shark during the swim portion. :) I can't wait to Stroke It, Ride It, Pound It with you in 2016 -- watch out bitches, here we come!

Monica, I can not express into words how proud I am of you and all you have accomplished so far this year. I know you've told me many times how grateful you are that I introduced you to the RUN Club, but I'm grateful I've gained you as a friend. I hope you dont have me for yelling at you to "don't

stop running, do it for Jake!". I've been so honored to run by your side and help you train for some big races on your 2015 race schedule. Congrats! YOU need to be proud of yourself! Just like we are all proud of you.

Last and certainly not least, my dearest Taylor -- we are nearly a week away from your FIRST HALF MARATHON! What started out as a shot in the dark ask for 4 family remembers to run this race with me, you are the only one who stuck with it. Being able to run beside you, train you and witness all of your hardwork makes me fall more and more in love with you. Your determination and drive is something I've always cherished about you and it is great to witness it first hand. This half isn't even about me, it's about you! I can't wait to watch you cross that finish line and see that medal around your neck. I am so proud of you, my heart could burst.

My first Triathlon

It’s been 116 days since my last race.

Part of me feels like it has been forever. Four months have passed by and tonight I pack my bags for a new race and new journey…my first triathlon! I’m scared. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m emotional!

Now don’t get too excited, I’m not competing in an Ironman, but I am competing in a Sprint Triathlon. Triathlon’s come in four types: sprint which is roughly 16 miles, Olympic which is roughly 40 miles, half Ironman which is 70.3 miles, and Ironman which is 140.6 miles.

This weekend I’m heading to Sandy Hook, New Jersey for the Iron Girl on Sunday which aspires to bring women of all ages together as a community by offering a supportive, energetic and empowering environment for females pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. (WOO HOO!) My girlfriend Janice is an Iron Girl Ambassador and has been bugging me for quite some time to do a Tri/Iron Girl with her. This year I finally caved in. A race full of inspirational women – heck yeah, I love it!

For my race this weekend I will have to swim 1/3 mile in the bay, bike 15 miles and run 3.1 miles. When it comes to being on land, I’m comfortable on the bike and running portion. However, it is the water where I put in a lot of work and focused most on. My apartment is luckily right by Whites Road Pool so I would run to the pool, jump in, swim my distance, jump out and run home. As a resident is was only $4 a pop after 5 p.m. and Wednesday I could go for $2 (half price day!! Holla!)

Just like any other race, whether it is a 5k, 10k, Ironman, whatever … you always have to start somewhere. And that is what I’m doing. I’m going to New Jersey this weekend with butterflies in my stomach and a new obstacle I can say I faced and tackled. I have a goal time in mind, but I’m not trying to worry about that. I’m going to have fun with thousands of women, especially the 7 ladies who will be my Stroke It, Ride It, Pound It teammates.

Despite some leg issues recently I’m going to hunker down and enter beast mode and get this race DONE! Lots of ice, stretching, foam rolling and water over the next 48 hours. I can’t wait to be an Iron Girl! I’ll be sure to fill everyone in on how it goes. And I can't wait to force Taylor rub my calves post race. #BoyfriendProblems

Broad Street: Sitting This Year Out

"...lottery for the Blue Cross Broad Street Run lottery ends Friday night at 11:59PM. We see 

that you were a past registrant for the Blue Cross Broad Street Run, but we don't seem to see your registration for the 2015 race."

This email funneled through my email last Wednesday. My finger was THIS close to registering, but I'm sorry to inform you Broad Street Run, I'm sitting this year out.

Insert runners guilt here.

I've had a GREAT four year run with the Broad Street Run, last year being my absolute favorite by LUCK, but for now I think I'm going to put this race on the back burner for a little while.

There is lots to love about the Broad Street Run: the course is amazing, running through YOUR city is a bit magical, the crowds are encouraging from start to finish, the bling is awesome, there are plenty of water stations, there are plenty of photo opps, the expo is always a fun time, and you usually ALWAYS run into a fellow runner you know!

But there is also lots I DON'T love, which is why I'm sitting out this year: The race is a little too big. With nearly 40,000 runners it's tight, from start to finish. There is some spacing after mile 3, but the final kick is tight and it's hard to pass anyone. Maybe last year because I was a bit faster, I thought the whole course was congested. With that many runners there is also a back up on the subway to get to the start and don't get me started about the line for the porta potties. It doesn't really matter where you start on race day, but for the last two years I haven't been able to start in my proper corral because I've been stuck in a bathroom line or I was barely getting off the subway in time even though I gave myself ample time to get to the start line (I'm very anal about getting to races with PLENTY of time.)

In my Fifteen in 2015 challenge I have for myself, I'm encouraging myself to try out new races and states - so sitting this one out is okay with me. The way I look at it is that I am giving someone else the opportunity to run one of Philadelphia's greatest and fastest races.

Broad Street, you were good to me, damn good to me. I can't wait to come back in the future - I hope you'll have me back. Good luck to all 2015 participants who get selected in this year's lottery. I know you will all do amazing!!!