Team Challenge--it's on!

This morning was the first official Team DC run. 99 days til Vegas, baby! What a great group of folks--all ages, shapes, sizes, levels--but all motivated toward a fantastic goal.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is the only non-profit in North America dedicated to raising funds for research into and support of these diseases. I'm so happy to be part of a great team of folks who will work toward our 13.1 mile goal, together! I'll need your help, dear readers, to reach my fund raising goal. No amount is too small, and it's all tax-deductible. Bonus! If you can donate, please do: http://www.active.com/donate/lv10dcvirginia/LVMLeary

So, down to the real run details--we did a 40-minute session in Alexandria. I feel great, and my running intervals are getting longer. Hurrah. The 7am wake-up on a Saturday will take a bit of getting used to, BUT--it's so worth it!

It's getting official...

My first CCFA Team Challenge run is this Saturday! I'm excited and nervous, since I have no idea how I will match up with the others. I just have to go at my own pace and keep following the training schedule, and I think I should be fine... right?

Got back from vacation last night and went for a great run today. I feel a little creaky, since I've been doing mostly walking in the past week and a half (if that--I mean, it was vacation!) I did surprisingly well today and I'm happy to be back on track and back on my familiar running paths.

I have a new song that's putting pep in my step: Ridin' Solo by Jason Derulo. Yes, I am a slave to poppy music on my iPod. But just TRY not speeding up when you hear that one. I dare you. 

Also cool: there was a deer hanging out a few feet from the path today. Didn't even run away when I jogged past. Gotta love running in a national park!

Did I mention the fundraising? Hint, hint.... http://www.active.com/donate/lv10dcvirginia/LVMLeary

I'll be posting more now that I'm back--so get excited!

Mountains, Lakes, and fundraising.

Have I mentioned yet how much I love vacation? Because, well, I do. It's hot up here in New England, but nowhere near as oppressive as my dear mid-Atlantic DC. Great opportunity to get in more frequent runs.

I just returned from a visit to my old summer camp in New Hampshire--and was able to head out running every other day, coupled with some yoga, swimming, and general merriment. I don't hate it.

View from the Rock. Yeah, I mean, I did a little relaxing too...

What's more: I've started the fundraising push! Check out my donation site: http://www.active.com/donate/lv10dcvirginia/LVMLeary and please consider donating today. Those of you who are following this here blog know that I'm doing this for a reason, and I'm looking forward to exceeding my fundraising goal and kicking butt in Vegas for CCFA.

Thanks for your support!

Vacation, all I ever wanted.

So, I'm on vacation. And it's in New England. Can you say, incredible running weather? 70's-80's, breezy, sunny, perfect. Plus, there's a beautiful stretch of beach on which to run. In fact, drumroll please...

I ran my first consecutive mile since high school, today.

Yes, that seems like very little to some of you fancy runners out there. But it's a big deal for moi... and seems like the first barrier to break down on the way to Vegas!

So, golf clap for me, basically. Going to hope to build on this and keep going, onward and upward!!