the difference a couple days can make

It's amazing in all walks of life how different things can become over the period of just a couple days.  The last picture I shared with you was the lake thawing.  Two days later on my next run the lake was entirely melted and alive.

Everything is new once again.  Sometimes we (I) become so caught up in things that we (I) lose sight of the fact that in a couple days some of these things won't matter any more, will no longer be a problem and/or will have solved themselves.

Christian came home late Wednesday night, so great to have him home again.  To confirm, he never took pictures like I showed in the last post.  He said that Holland from above was just brown and green. :)

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thawing

It's officially spring.  The days are a bit sunnier and the weather is no longer below zero 24 hours a day. :) I went for my first run in the forest in ages and came up on the lake - gorgeous view.  It's melting, hooray!  Winter is going away - thank god!!

In general I'm trying to be in a better mood these days, or maybe the stars are aligned and putting me in a better mood.  I'm slowly getting out of my winter funk and finding a new, fresh perspective on life here in Denmark. There are some things that need to change and I am ready to tackle it all. :)

Christian has been gone for about a week by now in Holland for work.  Hoping he comes back later this week, I miss him!  Speaking of Holland and spring... it's tulip season!  Wonder if the hubby is taking aerial photos like these...

(Image from dailymail.co.uk)(Image from www.jackpesik.nl)

(image from glueblogstar.blogspot.com)

(image from floresdelsol.blogspot.com)Hope everyone had a good weekend!

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hey there, remember me?

I actually have gone a little crazy.  My life is a whirlwind trying to get ready to move.  

The race. First of all THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER for all of your generous donations to The BCRF - it was such an inspiration and truly touching.  In the end I raised a whopping $1600 in one month for the cause.  Awesome awesome awesome.

The race was difficult for me this year, more so than last year mostly due to the heat and humidity.  I had to take it a little slower but I only finished 3.5 mins slower than last year - not awful.  Of course you know this is a disappointment to me and I'm still not over it, haha.  I'm in better physical condition this year but for a multitude of reasons I couldn't quite pick up the pace. Grrrrr.

Anyway it's done.  Next big race on the agenda is the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sept 12th with the hubby.  Yep, that is our 1 year anniversary date.  We'll be running 13.1 miles and then going home to eat frozen wedding cake!  (He hates me)

Moving. Well it's all coming along, and SWIFTLY at that.  I am realizing that even what I consider not to be a lot of "stuff" - it's A LOT OF STUFF. Holy Cow!  Let's all join my campaign to Christian that he needs to buy me all new clothes over there instead.  :P

Job. It's a WIP.  I have some contract work with my current company/role to keep me busy for a month or so and a couple things in motion for a full time placement with Experian EMEA so fingers crossed these "approvals" happen and I'll be fully and gainfully employed by end of June.

Celebrating. I LOVE MY LIFE.  I have the best friends and family a girl could ever ask for.  Not a dull moment around here these days.  I need to work out extra hard just to minify damage to my body from alcohol and dinners out.  Wouldn't swap it for the world, though.

This weekend. GET READY FOR THE GAGA BAR CRAWL aka THE JMAs (Jill's Moving Awards).  Gail has done a fantastic job planning and gathering all my loved ones for this fantastic event.  I have super amazing friends flying in from all over the country.  This is going to be epic.  How are you going to get your JMA? 

Christian.  Firstly, I love him.  He gets in TOMORROW.  He has to help me with all my "stuff" as mentioned previously.  But can't wait to plant some big kisses on his face, I've missed him so much!

That is the update - as you can tell I have a bit of excitement running through my veins.

Countdown:

1 Day til Chr gets here
3 Days til the best going away party ever
7 Days left of work at QAS Boston
7 Days til we go home to see the fam
11 Days til we SHIP OUT!

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tips for hot weather running

I've done some research on hot weather running.  Mostly for my benefit but thought it useful to share!

The forecast for Sunday in Philadelphia keeps getting hotter – up to nearly 90 degrees at the moment.  

Broad Street Run might be Broad Street Collapse for me, I’m getting nervous.  I haven’t ran in hot weather in almost a years time.  I don’t know how my body is going to react.

From my research here are the takeaways:

• Stay hydrated! (most obvious) – you’ll need to drink water before, during and after your run.  Some even recommend a sports drink prior or during a run in the heat to keep electrolytes and sodium levels up.  I heart the Gatorade tables on a race route – after 5 or 6 miles it really helps me more than water, mental or not.
• Avoid the sun if possible – if there is shade on your route, use it.
• Wear light colored, light weight, wicking material – cotton will soak up sweat and build up body heat. Check out my “I just wanna run” tank from Lulu Lemon I’ll be sporting, I love it!
• Slow down – awesome, not what I wanted to hear but it is sensible. If you start too fast off the bat, after 30-40 minutes when you’re truly ‘heated up’ for any run, it will be that much harder to cool down your body.
• "Pour water on yourself" – love this suggestion from Jeff Galloway.
• Gear - sun screen (sweatproof), a hat if you can fathom it (I can't), sunglasses (lightweight)

I think my strategy for Broad Street Collapse will be to run with a water bottle in hand rather than rely on water stops.  I will NOT be wearing one of those belts with water containers on it - those things look DEATHLY UNCOMFORTABLE and would drive me insaneeee.  Not to mention, they're hideous.  

I’ll use the water cups at the stops to pour on myself, haha. I will, however, drink Gatorade when it’s offered.  

I need to work on my outfit – I have the tank but I’m not sure about the bottoms.  I’ve been running in capri running legging things for months, I don’t know that I have a pair of shorts I feel comfortable running 10 miles in.  Hmm, I think I will consult KC and her Lulu knowledge.  I’m liking these at the moment.

Pray for me!!  I think I’m back to hoping that I "finish" rather than striving for a time.  We’ll see.  Maybe I’m just over reacting and I’ll be fine (likely story).

Run run run!

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running for a cure!

I am absolutely so touched by everyone that has donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) as part of my competing in the Broad Street Run. Wow! You are all beautiful, generous people!

So far I've raised $250 which is just about half my goal. However, I think I have the opportunity to massively beat this target with the fundraising I'm doing at work. I am so glad I decided to fundraise; even if it is awkward asking people for money, it's going to a much greater good.

Visit my fundraising page to see why I chose to run for the BCRF as well as donate - any small bit helps!

I feel pretty well prepared for the race but I almost feel like I'm jinxing it by saying that. This year, thanks to Kelly the master trainer, I have incorporated interval sprints and hills into my training which has made me a more agile runner. I feel stronger and faster, anyway.

If you're thinking of running a race sometime soon or at any point in the future - I recommend following "Active.com" on Facebook or just regularly visiting their site.  They always have some great articles about training.

A couple of favorites recently: 27 Ways to Run Better Every Day | Training Runs for Building Race Speeds 

Hoping my cousin Mat still runs the race, he is undertrained but in boy terms this just means he'll be fine if he paces with me. Mat Ward get on it.

My super fit aunt (Angela) and a few of her super fit friends are running but I'll most likely be eating their dust.

Must get a good running mix together. Taking all suggestions!!!

Broad Street I'm coming for you. Please don't rain. :)

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