Spookiest. Run. Ever.

So what did Tessa and I do on our hot Friday night in NYC? Well... we went for our belated tempo run. We had to do 7 miles which was exactly the distance to and from Roosevelt Island including a loop of the island. It was perfect... I have exactly one week left in my sabbatical in Manhattan before I return to my boyfriend and all of my stuff in Ohio... and I have never been to that island before despite the lure of a nice running path and a super cool tram to Manhattan.

We ran past the super cool lighthouse on the northern tip. And then back down to the southern tip... where the path stops and doesn't go to the very edge because of a metal fence. That fence had a gated door that was open tonight. And the allure of a brightly-lit super spooky abandoned insane asylum on the other side. Now under renovation and always lit at night, it actually goes by the name of the Renwick Ruins or the Smallpox Hospital. Tessa said she had never gone to see it because its too scary. I was pretty freaked out too but thought we should at least walk up and get a closer peek. So we did... not too close but just close enough to be spooked about the asylum ghosts that may be haunting at dark on a Friday night. But we survived... and then we had to suffer the achy run back.

Here's some more about Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins from a favorite podcast of mine about NYC history, the Bowery Boys... so interesting:

The almost fairytale Gothic structure was designed by James Renwick -- most notable for St Patrick's Cathedral, Grace Church, and the Smithsonian Institute in D.C. -- as the location of a hospital for smallpox patients. It was built in 1856 using labor from the neighboring lunatic asylum.

Roosevelt's relative isolation made it an ideal spot for a smallpox hospital, and the rooms were soon filled with hundreds of patients, many of them poor immigrants too distrusting of our country's immunization practices, or Union soldiers shipped here to recover from the illness. Within twenty years, the New York Board of Health took over the building and made into a nurses residences and school maintained by City Hospital. That too was then abandoned when City Hospital was transferred off of Roosevelt to Queens.

Luckily the deteriorating structure was saved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in the 60s and has only been preserved to the extent that its structure is maintained. It remains beautifully spooky to this day and a testament to the notion that not every inch of New York real estate need be functional.

Rendezvous with Mr. President

So, the lovely reporter to the right of Mr. President in the ethereal soft focus, is my darling big sister Jessica. The only way this could be cooler is if she were giving him the bunny ears or making one of her signature awesome faces.

There is only one photo of her (in my eyes at least) that trumps this and that's the spontaneous moment of excitement that was captured on Mr. Clooney's face when she mentioned that she had a lovely single younger sister he should meet.

Photo by White House Photographer Pete Souza

One Extra Random Fact About Me . . .

This other random fact about me was a suggestion from my older sister. It didn't make the original list but because of her pointing it out, I purposely did not have this happen even once in my entire list. Apparently, she says that I use the word "FABULOUS" constantly (and I confess that it is indeed true). Of course, she uses the word "CREEP" constantly so at least she gives me proof that it could be worse. Ha.

Thanks, creep!

2 out of 3 Wehrman girls mentioned in this news article

Yea . . . I was working and didn't see squat. And I don't work for a newspaper. So there wasn't much to mention about me.

Published in the Dayton Daily News . . .

Urbana native witnessed plane crash
By Jennie Szink
Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2009

Urbana native Tessa Wehrman was sitting next to a window on the 33rd floor of a building in New York City when she heard the worst words a New Yorker can hear.

"Someone goes, 'Oh my God is that a plane?'" Wehrman said.

Turning around to look outside, Wehrman watched as a US Airways jetliner crashed into the Hudson River about 3:30 p.m. Thursday. She and her coworkers at Nickelodeon saw the plane "smoothly" cut through the frigid water and waited to see if passengers would exit.

"We said 'It can't be a water plane,' and at that moment we saw the side doors open and (the passengers) were standing on the wings," Wehrman said. "We first thought, 'Where is a boat, where is a boat?' "

The river's current carried the plane about 10 blocks before ferry boats reached it, she said. The boats carried the plane's 155 passengers and crew to shore to meet the many ambulances that lined the banks.

"It's good to hear everyone's safe for the most part," said Wehrman, the sister of Dayton Daily News Washington correspondent Jessica Wehrman.

Wehrman said her office was "pretty crazed" and her coworkers were glued to the TV since seeing the falling plane out their windows. She has lived in the city for two-and-a-half years and sympathizes with the alarm the reported accident set off in the city.

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists crashed hijacked jetliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, causing them to collapse. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attack.

"It's not something you want to see in New York," Wehrman said. "It's still very sensitive for everyone, even if you haven't lived there."

Turkey Sandwiches

As I'm about to head to the bus to DC for Thanksgiving, my sister Tessa who is my travel buddy decided to be adorable and offer to pick up dinner. I asked her what she was thinking about getting and her answer:

TESSA: Maybe a turkey sandwich and some chips.
ME: *long pause* um. . . really?
TESSA: Yea! There's a great deli across the street.
ME: Are you being serious?
TESSA: YEAA!! I LOOVE turkey sandwiches.
ME: On the day before Thanksgiving?
TESSA: *longer pause* oh . . . I didn't even think about that.

Then she proceeded to try to convince me to go turkey sandwich anyhow.
A for effort. C- for the actual concept.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Wowsers. Its a whirlwind over here. So much to blog about! But I will space it out a little. . . maybe another post tonight. I do promise to be better about the blogging frequency now that my life is starting to settle and take shape.

But BIG news! I have reached my fund-raising goal for the marathon! $2,503.40 is going to an amazing charity that is a very big part of my family's (in particular my sister Tessa's) life. Thank you so much to everyone. Its funny because so many people who donated said I'm an "inspiration" which, if you remember, is the most amazing and touching compliment to me. It is you folks who are inspiring for opening your wallets in such tough economic times to help out me, and more importantly, these amazing disabled athletes and generous volunteers. I can't imagine that the marathon could possibly be any more fulfilling and incredible as the fundraising.

Also, I was actually blogged about by someone else! There's an article about my fundraising/blogging escapades on the firstgiving blog and the online fundraising blog! SO COOL!!!

So again, thank you so much. I couldn't have done this without my amazing friends and family! I'll be thinking of each and everyone of you in the 4-5 hours it takes for me to kick this beast's a** on Sunday!!!

Achilles Track Club Fundraising!!! NYC Marathon!!!

Well, I've raised an obscene amount of money and I have 23 days to go before the big marathon. And thank you so much for those who have donated. But I still have a little ways to go before I get that bib number for November 2nd (or else they take the remaining balance out of my much-abused credit card. and with a super sick cat, moving to NYC, and being unemployed these last two months . . . that's one helluva ouch!).

The Achilles Track Club sponsors and supports people with all kinds of disabilities, such as visual impairment, stroke, cerebral palsy, parapalegia, arthritis, amputation, multiple sclerosis, cystic fybrosis, cancer, and many others. This includes everyone from children with disabilities to wounded war veterans. In addition to fundraising efforts to support these inspiring athletes, they also pair runners in their chapters with disabilities to assist their training. . . my sister Tessa is actually running the last half of the race with an epileptic woman. How amazing and inspiring is that? I am so excited to start volunteering with her in New York on Saturday mornings . . . so that I can continue to make an incredible difference in these determined and inspiring athletes' lives. And so they can make a difference in mine.

No donation is too small. I realize we're all tightening our belts but if you think you can't afford it, just donate $10 and skip two Starbucks lattes next week. No amount is too small. And its not so much to show me support in my marathon race, but much more to help these amazing people that fight the odds to accomplishment amazing feats even with major disabilities or war injuries.

Read some of the amazing stories at: www.achillestrackclub.org/
And please please please donate whatever you can here: http://www.firstgiving.com/melissawehrman

Much love...
Melissa
NYC Marathon November 2, 2008

A Crash Course in Triathlons

Literally. . . so Life List #2 "Complete a triathlon" checked off this weekend. Barely.

My sister Tessa schlepped her bike on Bolt Bus this past weekend from NYC (it actually worked pretty well, she just locked it to one of the bars in the baggage bins so it wouldn't toss around. Of course, then the bus driver said, "Oh, if I had known you had a bike we could have put it on the bike rack in the back." Nice, the Bolt Bus customer service folks failed to mention this but now at least we know!).

So Saturday morning. . . a lovely cool day, we left in our Honda Element zipcar at 6:30 am for Douglas, MA. We didn't get there without a lot of drama. AS I got on 90, I noticed a weird light on the dashboard and a very loud sound when I got around 70mph. Called zipcar team and they referenced the car's manual and said it seems like one of my tires was low. Pulled over at the next gas station, and sure enough the back tire was REALLY low. Had to go buy a tire gauge and fill er up. It didn't even register at 10lb pressure when I measured it. So after about 15-20 minutes we had it up to 40 and were good to go. Thank God Tessa was there to help run back and forth from the store there or it would have easily taken me 40 minutes.

We got there in plenty of time to set up our equipment in the transition stations but barely got our stretching on. The triathlon was organized by firm-racing which was so great with customer service (I had to reschedule twice and they were totally fine with it. . . thanks, Wendy!). The park was absolutely gorgeous. A very serene lake and beautiful wooded surroundings.

Tess was in the 20-24 age group (our ages were marked on the back of our calves. Hey thanks, organizers). I was in the 30-34 age group.

Oh, an even more fascinating note, the Hoyt team was competing. Rick is the father of Dick Hoyt a man who was born with brain damage and is parapalegic. They compete in the Boston Marathon and many others every year. Rick Hoyt is now in the 65-69 age group and still kicking ass. Rick pulls his son in a raft through the swim and pushes him in a carriage for both the bike and the run. Amazing. They compete in the 15-hour Hawaiian Ironman triathlon as well! This was I think they're 956th or something triathlon/race overall and the Boston Marathon 2009 will be they're 1000th! Such an inspiration. They are up for the Versus Toughest Athlete Competition . . . vote for them and learn more here.

The swim portion was tough. Only 1/4 mile, I still kinda freaked I think because of the crowds. I did the backstroke for a while because the freestyle was exhausting for me and ended up way off course. I'm like a bad shopping cart. But I quickly recovered and made it (although I couldn't seem to do my bilateral breathing so I literally kept my head above water. . . I'm a wuss). I finished in 10:38 and Tessa kicked a** at 9:21.

Then off to the 11-mile bike portion with a very confusing transition for us newbies. We got started off and quickly realized we were in for a treat because the hills were INSANE!!! At a very sharp turn at mile 4, I hit a patch of gravel going too fast and took a pretty crazy spill. Off my bike in the way of another biker, rolled off and into the other lane. Thankfully there were police officers (and an ambulance waiting. . . reassuring!) and the one cop jumped between me and a cargo van that was approaching the stop sign and luckily going slow enough to stop in time. FREAKED OUT! So I got back on the bike and continued in a bit of pain as I noticed my scraped up shin swelling up. So through the last 7 miles (and that turn which we had to repeat in loop 2), I took it a lot more cautious and it definitely slowed me down. Thankfully Tessa was a few bikers ahead of me when I crashed because she had no idea. She would have totally freaked out and stopped too. So I finished the bike portion in 46:30 (pretty good considering) and Tess again kicked bootie at 45:24. Awesome job, Tess! I knew she would do well since last week she did a 36-mile tandem ride through New York with the Achilles Club. She's hardcore.

Then we put the bikes back and headed off to the run. Moron Melissa kept her dumb biking gloves on but they were good sweat wipers since the humidity was kicking in. Again, VERY HILLY. It was only 3 miles but they were tough. I finished in a pretty good (for having already pushed myself for the past hour) 30:19 and Tessa did 31:30.

And then we finished! HOORAH!!! Tessa's final time was 1:29:49 and she was 4th in her age group. One away from an award! Next time, Tess. I finished a bit behind her at 1:30:24 sadly 13th in my age group (which happened to be second to last only in front of a girl who got disqualified). No worries. It was my first time, I took a nasty fall and the next person ahead of me was only 1:30:08. Again. . . next time. I'm so proud of Tessa! And also of course myself . . . I think it could have possibly been tougher than the marathon last year!

And lastly (I apologize for such a long blog post), we made it to the part we had been looking forward to all week — Friendly's for lunch! Yummy greasy food of chicken fingers, fries, burgers, and onion rings and the piece de resistance: conehead sundaes. The light of my childhood. And then we finally headed back to Boston for showers and naps. MMMMMM.

Good day. Quite sore today but we both feel like we'd do it again. Although I think this may be my last marathon (unless I train with a friend), I think my goal is at least one half-marathon and one triathlon for each of the next few years. Tessa and I both think we can shave some serious time if we train a bit harder. I was definitely not prepared for the swim or the bike! We're still pretty much badasses though. :)

(more pics to come as we hammed it up for the photographers with the triathlon organizers quite a bit).

My Sick Cat and My Worried Niece

My 18-year-old cat Midnight is not faring well lately folks. Hopefully you will not be getting any other updates and that she'll just start feeling better.

In the meantime, I thought I would exchange how awesome my 4-year-old niece Madeline is.

On my phone call today, I asked Madeline if she would pray for Midnight before she went to bed.

She said "No. I don't pray before bed. I pray when I'm in church with my Mom because that's where all that praying stuff happens."

Later Jessica reports another conversation with Maddy (she had no idea about my conversation with her earlier):
Maddy: Mommy, you look nice. Are you going to church?
Jessica: No, I'm going to dinner.
Maddy: Is church open today?
Jessica: Probably.
Maddy: Can we go later?
Jessica (clueless) Um, no, because you'll be in bed when I come home. How about Sunday?
Maddy: No. I have to go tonight so I can pray for Midnight.

TOO CUTE!

I May be Belated but She's Still 33 Years of Fabulous!

Luckily, my sister Jessica is a very patient girl. Sorry I'm so crazy late!

I have so many memories of my last 30 years (her 33) with my older sister Jessica. She was the ultimate in childhood playmates. Flying kites, playing hide-n-seek in the corn, trying to trek to the "monster tree" at the other end of the neighbors field, playing in the woods, fun with Barbies (along with our Strawberry Shortcakes and Michael Jackson dolls), and coloring the drywall in our colorful playroom... and so many more tales that I could probably write hundreds of blog posts on!

Shockingly, I actually don't remember us fighting too much at all as kids. We had to be united in the middle of nowhere USA. And she was so patient with my shadowing her every step.

Then we entered the teenage years and, in high school, she flourished. She was the most talented in chorus, she loved playing tennis, and she got great grades. Guess what I did in high school... exactly the same damn things! I guess I continued to shadow her. What can I say? She inspired me to achieve what she had and I know I may not have set my goals so high if she hadn't paved the way.

Additionally, even as a young child, she had such an infatuation with reading and writing. That was the one area where, although I was always pretty good with those same disciplines, I did not want to shadow her. I knew her talents weren't something you could easily learn or try really hard to achieve... not that she didn't work her ass off through high school and college and beyond of course... but it came so naturally and brilliant to her that I had to watch at a distance in awe.

And now so many years later, she is a very talented writer in DC surviving in a field (newspaper journalism) that is sadly a dying industry. And although obviously the future is rocky, she perseveres where many have not.

She is married to an incredible man who is such a great addition to our wacky family (happy belated to you too Bill). As soon as I met him I knew he was the one. We met at a New Years party and bonded over magnetic poetry (which just got more and more interesting as the alcohol flowed). He was a riot and just as hilarious and fun as Jessica. And even more importantly, she adored him and he was able to recognize the many amazing characterics that I also adore her for. Its gotta be so tough for any man to compete with the bond between my sisters and I, not to mention simply keep up with Jessica's wit and sass, but Bill has proved he can handle all three of us (unless we're wielding paintball guns).

Lastly, she's additionally an inspiration as a mother. I obviously had a great one as my own inspiration, and Jessica reinforces it. Her personality throughout her life has been one of watchfulness and mothering both to myself and to our younger sister. So to be the mom of her two incredible children, let alone a phenomenal one at that, is not a stretch of the imagination nor a surprise. Even more amazing, is that at merely 4, her daughter Madeline reminds me SO much of Jessica. The way Madeline takes care of her younger brother Eli, is so Jessica as a big sister to me. Maddy will be a great mother, an amazing sister, a gorgeous sassy wit, and a smart and talented whatever-she-decides-to-be-someday.

Happy belated birthday, Jessica. I love you and I'm still inspired by you to this day.

I Have the World's Best Sisters, FYI

Just a little new bulletin. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not honored and thankful to have two of the best sisters any one could ever dream of.

And although the whole middle child complex has definitely had its way with me, I am so thankful to have both an older and a younger sister. I love them exactly the same obviously but have such different relationships with both.

Whether we are sharing drinks together, chasing Maddy + Eli together, running a race together, sending ridiculous cards (Jessica's usually make me laugh so hard I cry, and Tessa's usually are just so sappy and sweet that I cry as well!)... I know that they are the two best soulmates I will ever have in my life... maybe some lucky guy will come in third someday. ;)

Just wanted to let cyberspace know how damn lucky I am.

Nike NYC Half Marathon completed!

So yesterday I finished my FOURTH half-marathon (hell, if you count last years full marathon as two... then SIXTH!). That in and of itself shocks that hairy-heck out of me... I was never really "athletic" and still feel awkward describing myself as such. And less than two years ago, I had never run further than two miles! Added to the fact that I'm not a natural runner (I'm quite slow and I seem to "break" easily with a bevy of injuries) and I'm very grateful I finished this race at all.

Additionally, my sister Tessa and I woke up at 4:30 and left at 5am to get to the race starting line by 6:15am. When we left, it was thunderstorming and disgusting. Around the start of the race, the rain subsided but the humidity remained. According to the race's website, the average temperature was a decent 70° but the average humidity was 90%. I'm not shocked by that high level of humidity because it literally felt like I was running through soup (don't ask how I would know that).

There are only two things I dislike about the NYC half after running it now twice: 1. the 7.5mile beginning through Central Park is very narrow and with 15,000 runners, its either constant zig-zagging or just going slower than your usual pace. Last year I was in a higher corral and I really feel that that resulted in a better time. 2. Both years they said there would be multiple "misting stations" to help with the heat... again, I didn't even see one. Oh well...

Besides that, the race was great... the Central Park portion is just so beautiful that it shockingly goes so fast. The Times Square portion is also quite amazing. The West Side Highway, while slightly boring and unshaded, always has lots of fans and great bands. I had the lucky privilege of my friend Steve joining me to finish the last mile and a half and although I originally feared that I would be annoyed by any peptalk at that point, it really was a saving grace. I was slowing up a lot (see my chart below) because of a blister and just general exhaustion and if it weren't for his encouragement and enthusiasm, I know I would have slowed up even more and possibly even walked for a bit.

So I finished in 2:11:05 (10:00 even pace). In between my 2:10 or 2:15 goal which was great. A little over two minutes slower than last year's race but I assumed it would be even more than that so I'm happy. Tessa finished immediately after me and I was able to find her surprisingly easily! She was definitely hurting a bit because of some health problems she was having earlier in the week, but she looked great and was so psyched to finish.

Then the three of us, with Tessa's good friends Dani and Jenny all headed to a phenomenal (although sweaty for Tessa + me) brunch at Friend of a Farmer in Union Square. So yummy... and by the end of the meal, I was fading and ready for a hot shower and a long nap.

What a great weekend... makes me really want to live in NYC even more! Congratulations to Tessa and all the other runners!

Off to NYC

Well I've been frantic all week with an insane work schedule so now I am rushing off to NYC feeling a bit ill-prepared (both with the packing and mentally for the race). Let's hope the next few days I can rest and get excited for Sunday morning at 7am when I start the Nike NYC Half Marathon. Last year I did 2:08:59 which is pretty good for a slow runner like myself. This year (although I do have an eventual goal to break 2 hours), my goal is about 2:10 or even 2:15 I'd also be happy for... especially given the heat and chance of thunderstorms.

If you're interested, NYRR website has a link where you can get my updates emailed to you... I'm bib number 13996 and Tessa is 13997.

My sister Tessa is also a bit nervous but I'm sure it will be fine and a lot of fun for us both!

More Countdowns...

OK, the braces countdown is a very big one in my life right now... but let's change the most recent post so it is now about FUN countdowns!

10 days until the NYC Half Marathon (hope my foot starts cooperating and that a miracle happens and I can beat my 2 hour goal).

Exactly one month (31 days) until the Wild Dog Triathlon in Rhode Island. I'm even more excited about my very first triathlon because now my sister Tessa will be joining me!

108 days until the NYC Marathon. I simply cannot wait for this one!

Belated Birthday Love to My Favorite Little Sister

So my little sister Tessa turned 24 on Saturday (would have posted then but they didn't have wi-fi in the hot air balloon and she was getting drunk with mom and dad at the Country Concert that day anyhow... (yes, I'm serious)).

So just wanted to take a little minute to wish her a happy birthday and hope that her 24th will be her best year yet.

I have to confess, I was really pissed off at her when she was born. See, Sandy Hoying got to stand up in front of my Kindergarten class to announce the arrival of her new baby sister. But Tessa, the little brat, had to be born during the summer... so I never got the chance to stand in front of everyone and have my moment in the spotlight.

Over the next few years, I learned to take a back seat to her spotlight anyhow... see, she just HAPPENED to be the cutest damn kid ever. Seriously though... I think she is in the Guiness Book for that. Damn her again. But it was okay. I eventually got my revenge tormenting her by forcing her to eat cat food and star in my crappy homemade music videos to songs ranging from "Pretty Woman" to "I'm Too Sexy".

Then she grew up... and happened to become little miss popular. Seriously though, she has a knack for having deep friendships and meaningful bonds with everyone... no matter how old or young. She's just one of those people that everyone gravitates towards and adores the second they meet her. She also happens to be one of the funniest people I know so that doesn't hurt either.

Now that she's out of college and a bit more settled into her life, she still does such amazing things with it. She volunteers weekly with the Achilles Track Club (which has inspired me to get involved with them too), she has an amazing job at Nickelodeon that she's phenomenal at, she's living in one of the hardest cities to start out in (NYC), and despite her ups and downs with with her health, its never made her hesitate from training for and conquering marathons and triathlons. She never uses it as an excuse and it just drives her even more. If it wasn't for her running despite that it wasn't so easy at times, I would have never even thought I could do it too. I think of her so much when I go on my runs and now that we share this running habit, we've gotten so much closer because of it.

She's such an inspiration in all aspects to me... both in her strong friendships and giving nature to her determination in everything she sets her mind too.

I love you so much, Tessa... and, even though I've tormented you throughout the years, I really am so grateful that you are in my life and one of my two best friends.

As you would say when you were just a little kid: "Hugs, kisses, and pinches on the butt."

POW-MIA Run for Freedom with the Achilles Track Club

Sunday I was able to enjoy a very foggy, very humid 5-mile run with the NYC Achilles Track Club. Stewart (who runs the NYC Club) and Matt (a visually-impaired runner) and wheelchair-runner Peter (Iraq veteran) all came from New York to run the POW-MIA Run for Freedom in Dorchester/South Boston. Even better, they brought along my sister Tessa! Hoorah!

Tessa and I started along with Matt and Stewart (Peter obviously started earlier in the wheelchair division using a super sleek handcrank that the ATC had brought up for him). At the first mile mark, we were seriously panting (while Matt and Stewart looked like they were off for a leisurely stroll)... when I check our time at that mile, I realized it was 8:30! About a minute or slightly more under my traditional pace. Add the humidity and the mass amount of champagne and sun from the polo match the day before and it was definitely not easy. I pushed Tess the first few miles and she definitely had to push me the last few. Some jerk had put bricks in my shoes for the last half mile! But Tessa (who beat me by a second!) and I ran pretty good times with a pace of 9:21. I'll need to pick it up for the NY half-marathon in a few weeks if I want to beat 2 hours! But I'm happy with 5-mile PR (personal record for you non-runners)... although I think the PR may be because I've never actually ran a 5-mile race. ;)

Afterwards, they had Sapporo beer on tap and hot dogs! Much better than the usual bagels and bananas! I also met/recruited Mark from the latest season of The Biggest Loser. He ran wicked fast while pushing his son in a stroller — very impressive. When I mentioned that I was trying to organize a Boston Achilles Track Club, he was really excited and said his brother and him would love to help. He was sooo nice, friendly, and down-to-earth. I also met another friendly guy named Chris who was the other participant in the wheelchair-division and recruited him for the Boston Achilles Track Club too! He was using a very worn-down handcrank so I'm hoping (as is he) that once we get this group up and running, we can work on getting the Boston team a better one that he can use.

All-in-all, the race was so much fun (albeit harder than normal) and it was so great to meet part of the Achilles Track Club team. Today, I get to remember the great day fondly as I ice the hell out of my "posterior shin splints" (I'm calling today to get an appointment for custom orthotics -- damn my flat feet).

Achilles Track Club coming to Boston

I'm so excited... this weekend my sister Tessa is coming to town with some of the members of the Achilles Track Club from NYC. I'm going to join them in the POW-MIA Race/Walk for Freedom so I can get a glimpse of the program and prep myself for setting up a Boston club (efforts will start a little more in July when my life is slightly less insane). I want to reach out to local groups of disabled and wounded veterans and such first because I think finding the volunteers will be easy through Boston Cares, Niketown Wednesday night crew, BostonFit, other running groups, and just general craigslist postings and active.com / coolrunning.com ads.

My fundraising efforts for this group are also going pretty well and I'm 30% to my goal because of some serious generous donations! Thanks to all! And any of you readers out there who haven't donated, we appreciate any amount — no contribution is too small. Thanks in advance... the support from my friends and family has been truly touching.

Look for a post how the race goes goes!

My Sister's New Baby

Congratulations to Tessa who finally bought herself a super cool road bike. She is also planning to compete in a triathlon (now that we've both conquered a marathon last year). Its so pretty and I must confess I'm a bit jealous not just of the peacock blue but also that I had bought a hybrid when, let's be honest, I'll never need anything even remotely mountain bike-y. Oh well... pretty sweet bike though, eh? Now she has to name it... and pray that she doesn't have any spills similar to when she was run/walking a month ago and broke her arm!

Also, she's coming to town this weekend to run a race with an Achilles Track Club member. Can't wait to meet some of the crew from this awesome organization!