Did you say Virtual Races?

I’m pretty excited to announce that tonight began my fall race season!! (Sound the trumpets!!) What started out as just two races this fall (The Philadelphia Rock n Roll Half Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon) has quickly turned into 8. Ooohhhh boy, Im pumped and a little crazy.

My races are a mixture of road races and virtual races. I know you're thinking "what is a virtual race?!?" Well let me explain. In my IRun4 group and all over the internet, organizations host Virtual Races in which you sign up, pay the registration fee(usually very cheap) and you're then shipped your medal in the mail. These virtual races are all done on 'Honor System' that you went out yourself and ran/walked a 5k, 10k, half marathon or full marathon depending on what you sign up for. Virtual races are one of my favorite aspects about the IRun4 group because with every registration you get TWO medals...one for you and one for your buddy. At road races you need to email race directors telling them about IRun4 and your buddy in hopes they will give you a second medal (because I'll be honest, I want to keep mine to remember the accomplishment). But with these virtual races it isnt a worry. We do the runs and capture the final product with a post to our buddies. So. much. fun. and very rewarding. I can't wait to run my first one next month!!!

Tonight I ran with my Special Olympics athletes in the Legs for Lindsey 5k at Evansburg State Park. The course was amazing and so pretty to run in the woods along the Skippack Creek.

What's Next? Liam and I have a race every month now through November.
September: Nick Jones Memorial Race Half Marathon (virtual race) and the Philadelphia Rock n Roll Half Marathon
October: Runners World Festival Hat Trick where I will run the 5k, 10k and half marathon all in one weekend (3 medals, 3 separate races, holy cow! so pumped) and the I Scream, You Scream Half Marathon (virtual race)
November: PHILADELPHIA MARATHON!!!

Is anyone else running these races? How about virtual races? Have you ever ran one before?

Motivation Monday VI

Hello, Monday! You are here again! I don’t know about the rest of you but I am ready to get this week underway. I’m keeping today’s short and sweet but I think this image is pretty self-explanatory.  Punch today in the face. And punch Tuesday and Wednesday and EVERY DAY! Own every day friends.

Last Week Recap
I'm going to be honest -- I owned last week. I got in all of my training runs, played two soccer games (almost before tweaking my knee in our second game) and I had a great time at my first Special Olympics practice. SO was really great and the athletes are so much fun!

This Week's Goals
With another busy week ahead and working 10 days straight, I need to focus. Sleep when I can, work out when I can get it in my schedule and don't make excuses. I have my first 5k race for Liam on Wednesday which I'm super excited for, Ill be there with the SO group!

Have a great week friends! Does anyone else have any goals or great plans?

Everyone - Meet Liam!

So many of you have been asking me about Liam and I thought it was only fair for him to have an “About Me” blog post. So everyone, please meet Liam from Kerry, Ireland! (Told by his wonderful mother, Pam!)


• Liam is 3 years old and he is the youngest of 4 boys (Shane 15, Conor 10 and Ryan 4)
• Liam starts mainstream preschool this September and he is very excited about it.
• Liam's favourite colour is blue and he loves Batman, Superman and anything superhero ! He has little figures that he plays with non-stop everyday !!!
• Liam uses a walker to get around and he is amazing in it! He plays football, hide and seek and skateboarding in the kitchen with his brothers!
• Liam loves baths and splashing :-)
• Liam was born with a rare genetic metabolic disorder called Glutaric Aciduria Type 1. This means Liam can't break down parts of protein and it builds up as an acid and attacks the brain. Liam is always at risk from this and at times of illness that risk increases. In our house illness is always very stressful. Liam has an NG tube that we can put down at home for nutrition. But Liam always eats mashed foods throughout the day and does not use a feeding tube thankfully.
• Liam has Cerebral Palsy Level 4, Dystonia, Hypotonia, Hypertonia and Epilepsy. Liam is cognitively very bright and has no issues. All of Liam's issues are to do with motor skills therefore he can't talk either.
• Saying all that, nothing stops Liam from being the most amazing inspirational tough little cookie I ever met. He pushes himself and works hard every single day. He smiles and laughs all the time.
• He loves cuddles, stories and teddy bear picnics.
• He is amazing at letting us know what he wants without talking and using sign language.
• He is a bright, beautiful, bubbly, happy, little man and we always look forward to what the future holds because we know it will be amazing <3

Want to keep in touch with Liam’s story and his progress? Click here to follow his Facebook page!