It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything. I swear I’m not trying to ghost you. I’m still trying to figure out how to successfully juggle #allthethings. But admittedly, I’ve been missing blogging lately. Like a lot. I just have to make sure it doesn’t feel like a chore and that I actually want to be here for the right reasons. Hopefully I can get myself back into a groove and stay up to date with my little slice of the interweb. When life gets busy it seems like blogging is always the first to go.
Here’s what’s been going on in my life:
When Life Gets Busy
1. I started coaching track!
I’ve been a little hush-hush on this because for a few months I wasn’t even sure I had the job. But lo and behold, I do. Indoor season started in January and I officially signed my contract a couple weeks ago. So now it’s legit. I’m a high school track coach. This has been a goal of mine for a while now and I’m excited to see how it unfolds!
I’ll be coaching jumps — high jump and long jump. Track is so fascinating and it’s the exact opposite of long, slow distance that I’ve been preaching to my adult runners for so long. Instead of training bodies for endurance, now I’m training for explosiveness. It’s vastly different and yet so similar. Outdoor season starts next week and I’m super excited to start working with my jumpers!

With friend and fellow ‘grammer, Adam, at an indoor meet.
2. My husband and I planned a huge fundraiser.
I’ve always been good at planning. Parties, get-togethers, nights out — all the things. When my son was a baby I was the organizer of a playgroup and I took my event planning seriously! Halloween parties, playdates, Easter egg hunts, potlucks, recipe swaps, mom’s nights… I planned as many things as I could. It’s my sweet spot in life. The biggest event we had was roughly 30 families.
But this event — the one I planned with my husband — was the biggest one I’ve planned yet. And I definitely didn’t do it alone! We were nominated to plan an annual fundraiser for our school’s boosters program. Last year the theme was Casino Night and after doing some research and finding the right info, it was a success! We all had such a fantastic time! It was such a success the members voted to have it again. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them decide to make the most out of these low wagering bonuses, that can be found at paybyphonebillcasino.uk in the meantime. There is nothing like brushing up on your skills before the big event, (whilst winning some money at the same time). My husband and I worked with members to secure sponsors and raffle donors, and then with the venue for food, beverage, and all the other fun logistics like the photography for the event, if we were in New York I could have hired olgatopchii.com for it, who knows what the future holds! It was a lot of fun and planning is definitely my forte. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t relieved it was over and in the past. Event planning is exhausting, but it’s all worth it when you see everyone having fun and donating. Casino nights really do seem to bring people to the event, and they also seem to bring out the competitive side in people. It seems that quite a lot of people are pretty good with casino games, perhaps they’ve had quite a lot of experience. I was first introduced to the world of gambling when my parents used to play the lottery, hoping to win millions! I vividly remember them playing every Friday evening and the whole Friday was planned around the lottery numbers being drawn. They did win a few times, although it wasn’t millions. I sometimes even use sites like 188 lo to to play the lottery and relive my childhood. Now, I understand what all of the fun is about… Perhaps that’s why I enjoy playing casino games as I’ve always been surrounded by some sort of gaming.
All in all the event was a success. The attendees (parents, teachers, and administrators) loved the slideshow I made highlighting our student-athletes, the food was delicious, I curated a fun playlist for a targeted audience, and the raffle prizes were a hit! Will I do it again next year? Definitely but in a whole new context. (Spoiler alert: there will be a race.)
3. What am I training for?
If you follow me on social (most notably Instagram), you’ve probably noticed my mileage is increasing quite a bit. So much so that you’re probably wondering if I’m training for another marathon. The truth of the matter is I’m not sure yet. I want to but I’m not sure if I’ll have the time or energy. Once outdoor track season starts, we have practice Monday through Friday with meets both during the week (late nights) and on the weekends. My plan is to increase my mileage as if I’m training for the full Cleveland Marathon and if I make it, awesome. And if it starts to become too much, I’ll dial it back and focus on the half instead. I’m also targeting the 20 Mile Drop in April but again, if it becomes too much, I’ll take it down a notch.
Check out my recap of the 2017 20 Mile Drop. What a race that was!

Long run with my BRF!

Love running with this girl!
4. Kids Run the Nation is starting soon!
I’ve been working on a spring session of Kids Run the Nation. I’m really excited as this session will take on an entirely different form than previous sessions. Usually we meet after school and have a very limited amount of time to cram a lot of information (and running!) in. This time around we’re targeting a real race (the Cleveland Marathon 5K) and we’re meeting on the weekends which will give us much more flexibility overall. It’s going to be a ton of fun!
5. And finally… my first 50K!!!!
The most important piece of information in this entire post is this: I officially signed up for my first 50K!!!! I’m so freaking excited!!! I’ll share all the nitty gritty next week. But for now, join me when I say: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I’m in!!
As you can see, I’ve been super busy lately. But I’ve missed the interaction with my readers and my friends. I hope I can maintain regular blogging lately because I truly value this community. But if I drop off again, at least now you know why and I’ll definitely be back. Hey, this is what happens when life gets busy!
xo
Let’s talk!
Bring me up to speed: what are three impactful things that have happened in your life in the last two months?
Come run with me in May!! Sign up for any Cleveland Marathon race distance or challenge and save 10%! Use code RF2019 at checkout!
I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness.
27 Comments
Welcome back! You have definitely been super busy over the past few months. Congratulation on all of the new and exciting things that you have on your plate.
You signed up for your first 50K?! That’s amazing!
Thank you! Itβs been super busy but fun.
Yes to 50k! Wanna join? ?
Congrats and good luck!
Thank you, Patrick!!
Congrats on the fundraiser success! Coaching track sounds awesome. I think I would love to do that. Good luck on your first 50k. I did one last year and loved it. I felt it was easier than a road marathon!
This 50K is on roads so it’ll probably feel the same, just longer! Haha.
Thank you! The fundraiser was definitely fun but I’m glad to have time to focus on other things now. π
Welcome back. We’ve missed you! Boy, you have been busy.
Here’s my 3 -only one is good.
1. an injury threatening 3 half marathons and a 15k
2. signing up for my first full marathon – NYCM
3. my brother-in-law is dying from small cell lung cancer (caused by smoking)
I’ve missed you, too!!!
1. I saw you were injured on IG! Are you healing up?
2. YASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! I’m so freaking excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. I’m so sorry to hear this π Hugs to you and your family, and especially to him. <3
AHHHH!!! 50ks are the BEST! I’ve done 3 now and had my eye on the MCM50k… still might do it if certain things align (if it’s still open that is). So many fun things on your plate.
It sold out in 45 minutes but you can transfer in if someone is giving up their bib!!
Wow! good luck with the 50k!!!
Thanks, Chris!
You have been super busy with amazing accomplishments! Congrats on the coaching position — that is awesome! And yay on the successful fundraising event. I know that took so much hard work. I’ve been following you on FB, but am glad to hear more from you here. π
Thank you! I’m really excited to be coaching. Hopefully it’s not too exhausting! π
What a fun cake! Congrats to the both of you for putting that together, I’m sure it was a lot of hard work. How exciting your first 50k. I do find that the ultras are more fun because you are really not doing it for time but rather to just experience it and people seem so friendly along the course awhile, not so much competition as other races.
Thanks! I was just talking with someone about how much less pressure a 50K will be for me. I had big marathon PR plans last year. I need to just run for the love of running. π
Impractical, you ask? 15 (count ’em, 15!) runs on the treadmill. Winter desperately needs to end (or at least play a bit nicer). And your 50K!!!!! That is so exciting π #oorah
I’m so excited! And even more excited that you’ve got a guaranteed entry. π π π
first of all SQUEEEEEEEEEE! 50K!!! super excited for you!!
you are so busy but clearly doing what you love to do! congrats on the coaching gig and on your successful casino night!
three things: working on busting my 5 and 10K PR’s before the 25th of March, started pilates which is super challenging but determined to make not only the mindset switch (not cardio, don’t have to sweat to “feel” like I’m doing something) but also learn as much as possible and really made a “core” change in my body (see what I did there? haha) and the third…well, it’s not happened yet but my foot surgery is the 25th of March and I’m determined to do all the things to recover well and come back even stronger when I can start training again for the Chicago Marathon (fingers crossed, end of May/June I can start running again).
Yes SQUEEEEEE!!! Thank you for being just as excited as I am!! π π π
I know you’re looking forward to and equally dreading surgery but I definitely think you’re going to come back stronger for it. Good luck crushing those PRs!!!
Welcome back, I have definitely missed reading your posts, but I love your social posts on IG and FB so I have been keeping up!! So psyched about your 50k…WOOHOO!!!
Thank you!! I’m so excited!!
I’ve missed interacting with everyone so I’m glad to be back. I hope I can keep it up. π
Yay – nice to have you back! Love reading about all the good stuff you’ve got going on!! And the MCM 50K – awesome!!!
Thank you!!! I’m still sad you won’t be there. We’ll just have to plan another race together. π
So much great stuff going on! The Cleaveland Marathon should be great! Also, congrats on starting to coach track! that is very cool.
Thanks! I’m super excited. π
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