One week and counting...

The countdown has officially begun. We are one week out from race day.  This weekend they put up the marathon route signs.  This one is coincidentally a block away from my new apartment.  I think it will be around mile 8 or 9 as I'm running by this.

So excited!!

Big thank you's to Stacy, Lauren, and Brad and Suzanne for their generous donations this week!!!  I've now raised $1,105 towards my goal - THANK YOU to everyone who has donated! Spread the word:

www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson

Still here!

So you probably thought I dropped off the face of the earth.  Okay so maybe not really but maybe you just thought I gave up and stopped training.  Neither are technically the case.  I've been working like crazy which combined with no internet at home (I just moved) makes it very hard to blog.  

Big updates in my world are...

...I think I might have a stress fracture.  In my shin.

Yep.  Sucks.  I haven't been able to run for almost two weeks.  I had an x-ray yesterday and should find out results tomorrow.  

Don't get discouraged though, I am DETERMINED to run. If it is anything other than a stress fracture, you better bet I'll be out there.  

Stay tuned for updates - I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime let's keep up the "fund" part of "fund-racing" - donate! 

www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson

Here's a picture to make you happy - Nelson checking out the view from the new apartment:

Back in Brooklyn Part II

Donate here: www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson

Yesterday I did my longest run yet.  20 miles baby!!!  

The first 18 were actually pretty amazing. The last two sucked. A lot. I stopped for a stoplight around mile 19 and when the light turned I accidentally let out an audible groan just trying to pick up my foot. It felt like lead.

I ran the whole way without music and it was awesome. It was the most beautiful day ever and I really enjoyed it. I think I'm going to run the actual race without headphones.

It's amazing how much you see when you run for over three hours. I ran from Fort Greene to Prospect Park and around the park and then back to Fort Greene to drop Nelson off (he ran the first six miles with me). Then I headed to the Manhattan Bridge, ran over it, into Chinatown, over to the Brooklyn Bridge, over that bridge back into Brooklyn. Then I ran down the Promenade, up into Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens, over the Gowanus canal to Park Slope, back into and around the park, then back through Park Slope and back to Fort Greene. Whew, I got tired just typing that. I saw a pigeon hit by a bike, a bride on the Brooklyn Bridge, three raccoons crossing the street, and a whole lot more that I now cannot remember. Here is my approximate route:  

I ate pretty much a double breakfast yesterday so I was okay hunger-wise on the run until the last few miles when I got really hungry. But that's because I only brought one energy packet (Raspberry flavored Hammer Gel which I totally thought would be disgusting but it was also delicious) because I left my others in Atlanta by accident.  

I'm having some kind of intense left shin pain but I think it'll be okay. I iced it last night and this morning. Hoping it's nothing serious.

I feel like I'm going to be ready!!!  Yippeeee!!  Don't forget to donate!  www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson 

BIG thank you to Emily and Lindsay for their super generous donations!!!  Love you both!  I'm up to $975!  Almost one third of the way there!!

Running through Prospect Park

More of the park

Nelson after six miles

Running up the bridge

Sunset over the tip of Manhattan

Brooklyn Bridge

View of Manhattan from the promenade in Brooklyn

The Gowanus Canal at sunset

Out with friends after

Back in Brooklyn Part I

So last week I moved back to Brooklyn. Unfortunately, I didn't move straight into an apartment and all my stuff is in storage but my amazing friends Emily and Maria have been super generous in letting me stay at their place until I officially have my apartment.

It's been so great being back in Brooklyn.  This past week I got up early and ran 5 miles through Prospect Park before work on Wednesday and Thursday. Both amazing runs. 

I heart Brooklyn.

Running up the hill in Prospect Park

Grand Army Plaza

Atlanta distractions

So for those of you who know me (which I'm assuming is most of you), you may know that last week was one of the most hectic weeks EVER in my life. I mean, it's been a pretty hectic month, but last week sort of took the cake. But it's over, thank goodness...I moved, pretty much completed my internship, and found an apartment (today!). Granted, I am still trying to learn to be good at my new job, still trying to learn how to run really far without dying, and still trying to learn how to just be a happy well adjusted adult in general (cheesy but so true), but I consider last week a relative success.  


I escaped from the week by heading to Atlanta for my cousin's wedding (yes, another cousin got married in Atlanta...). The rehearsal dinner and the wedding were beautiful. It was wonderful to see all of my family for the second time in a month (for the record: that NEVER happens). It was so nice to just relax and not have any responsibilities for a few days.  

My brothers

Me and Granddad - handsome ole devil that he is...

Me and my daddy

Parents

However, relax I did....


My mileage this weekend reached a whopping five miles.  Are you impressed yet?  


It gets worse.  I actually set out on Sunday afternoon to do a 20 mile run.  I made it two miles in 85 degree heat with a k-i-l-l-e-r hangover (should I admit that on a blog?) before I admitted defeat and resigned myself to the fact that if I continued running, I would surely throw up.  Yep.  Marathon training don't of the week: attend your cousin's wedding and thoroughly enjoy yourself. 

But, I did have a great 3 mile run along the Chattahoochee river Monday morning before I left. I'll refrain from playing Alan Jackson again.  But for the record, I love that song.  And that music video.  

In really exciting and awesome updates - I've raised $895!  Huge thank you's are in order for Rhian and Matt, Nick and Sarah, and the Knaebel family who all donated this week!  I couldn't do this without you all!  


Help me reach $1,000 this week!  I'm almost one-third of the way there!  Donate here: www.crowdrise.com/ashleypatterson
  

I should be packing

So even though it's the title of this post, I just want to reiterate that I should be packing. I'm moving on Thursday.  And for the record, I haven't started packing. But instead I'm writing a blog post. I feel as though this should warrant a donation, right? I'm that dedicated to keeping everyone updated on my progress.

I ran 18 miles on Sunday. Yep, 18. Truth be told, I kinda wanted to puke afterwards. Not because it was that hard (I mean, it was hard but after a while it just gets normal to still be running). But what I've realized is that I am absolutely awful at fueling my body. I was so hungry when I finished that I was nauseous. I ate egg whites with cheese on a whole wheat rice cake before my run. During my run I had a mint chocolate Gu (YUM...mint chocolate 'cake batter' in my belly...). But by mile 14 my tummy was growling, I had no more Gu yet I had 4 miles to go. When I finished I was so hungry I actually felt sick. But then even after I ate I felt sick. Very strange. I obviously need some advice about how to eat before, during, and after long runs. Thoughts?

The run itself was pretty good overall but the last few miles were admittedly a little tough.  I can't really believe in a months time I'll be about to run a full marathon!  I'm going to need some serious support on the sidelines...(cough hint cough)

You see so much along the way during an 18 mile run. I kept reminding myself to remember everything but of course I forgot most of it. I ran through an Indian celebration (for people from India, not Native Americans), I saw some Statue of Liberty mimes, I ran through someones wedding (oops), I accidentally ran through an International Chinese Culinary Competition (so random), I found a cool free kayaking place, and much more. All in a day's run : )

Statue of Liberty people

I can't remember if this was the cool kayaking spot...

Indian festival by a pirate ship

A big HUGE thank you goes out to Bill and Frances for their amazing donation this week. Thanks to your support and the support of everyone else who has donated, I've raised $800 dollars for WITNESS.  THANK YOU!!

So much to do, so little time!

This week has been c-r-a-z-y! I've barely had time to think/breathe/eat let alone run. I'm moving in a couple days, finishing up an internship, starting a new job, etc. etc. etc. Whew. I managed to squeeze in about a mile in the pouring rain on Friday morning and a three mile run on Saturday morning. Pretty impressive, huh?  

Running under the Williamsburg Bridge

Me and the dog

Today I'm supposed to run 18 miles. I'm umm...a little nervous : ) I'll let you know how it goes!

In awesome updates, big thank you's are in order for Andrew, Elliot, and Mom and Dad! You guys are the absolute best and I couldn't do this without you!!  THANK YOU!


I've raised $600! That's one fifth of the way there! Woohooo!!!