#RuweRuns

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Wild Friday night…knocked out the 16 miler! 3 hours of "me time" on the snowy Chicago lakefront! I had the path all to myself and it was quite peaceful! Apparently I’m the only one crazy enough to run on a snowy Friday night! I loved it though!

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SoulCycle Charity Ride March 5

https://www.classy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=66546

My Friend and I are hosting a SoulCycle Charity Ride on behalf of the Children’s Tumor Foundation.  100% of the Proceeds will go towards our fundraising efforts for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.  The ride will take place at the Loop Studio at 2pm.  Bikes can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soulcycle-charity-ride-benefiting-childrens-tumor-foundation-tickets-21173103322

If you can’t attend you can still support us by donating to our fundraising page: https://www.classy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=66546

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Winter Running Is Surprisingly The Best

I’m surprisingly loving the winter training.  I find I’m faster, stronger, and feel like a badass battling the Chicago winter!  The views aren’t bad either

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Seattle Running Community Is A Friendly Bunch

I had the pleasure of traveling to Seattle for work this past week.  I really enjoyed my morning run along the waterfront.  I discovered Seattle runners are friendly as I received high-fives and smiles running past my fellow runners.  

[ruweruns-blog]

Best Part of Marathon Training = Recovery Boot Time With Friends

An hour of compression boots works wonders post long run!  I love spending my post long run afternoons at Edge Athlete Lounge in Chicago

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Scenic Shots from Nicaragua Morning Runs

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Chasing My Shadow

Morning Run in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

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How it began...

I’ve never considered myself a runner, in fact I've disliked running. When I had to do mile challenges in school and volleyball conditioning I would bitch and moan about it. A mile seemed like a hard feat to overcome.  Volleyball was my sport of choice because it involved the least amount of running during game play. Now here we are and I am getting ready to train for my 4th marathon.  

What changed might you ask…well, after college I moved to Chicago and started to ease into fitness. As I did, I began to notice some positive physical and mental changes. Later that year, I remember witnessing my first marathon. The city was full of spirit and support leading up to the marathon. I felt inspired and motivated. I never thought I could complete running 26.2 miles, but I suddenly wanted to cross that finish line and be a marathoner. I battle many inner demons, and constantly second guess myself! After developing a fitness routine, I decided 2006 was my year - I was going to battle my internal demons and prove to myself I could do it!! I signed up for my first half marathon in the spring and then signed up for the Chicago Marathon in October.  I was going to become a runner!

I found a training group and began building mileage. I was starting to enjoy this running thing. Suddenly I was conquering something I had never done and it wasn't so bad, I was starting to catch that so called runner's high. . The first time I ran 10 miles nonstop I felt on top of the world and was so proud of myself...I still remember that day and run clearly! I sent my family a cheesy email about my accomplishment in my euphoric state.  I then knew that I could do this, I could become a runner!  

May rolled around, and I completed my first half marathon. My training fell off a bit in the midst of a cross country move, but in October I returned to Chicago and completed my first marathon.  I was slightly disappointed with my time marathon time, but I crossed the finish line! I took a bit of a hiatus from running, but knew I would be back and do better. Over the course of the next 6 years I ran a few half marathons but couldn’t quite commit to the full.  In 2012, living in Chicago again, I felt inspired to complete the Chicago marathon once more. As soon as I crossed that finish line, I called my mom and told her I’m never running another marathon again.  It was tough, and I was still disappointed with my time.  

Fast forward to this past year… I just completed my third marathon.  What changed might you ask?  Well after a shitty dating situation, and a friend’s nudge I decided that 2015 was the year of me, the summer of me!!  I was going to commit and join a training group and do this race right.  I dove into the challenge this time with a stronger focus on bettering myself, I was going to find my self through the process.  I actually followed through with my training group and incorporated more cross training, having discovered Soul-Cycle spin classes.  With past races I was so focused on the running I would get burnt out, but Soul-Cycle helped me switch it up, working different muscles while helping me build endurance, plus it was a really fun class, with a positive environment/community.  I completed my 3rd marathon in October of 2015 setting a Personal Record for myself! I ended that race with that same euphoric/on top of the world feeling I had that first 10 mile run. It was the strongest I have ever felt. For the first time when crossing that finish line I wanted more!  While I sat in Grant Park post race, enjoying that well deserved beer and water, I talked of considering London or New York Marathon next.  

Well, 2 days ago a friend of mine told me she was going to do London and asked if I wanted to join.  Knowing that the race is in April, I knew I had to make a quick decision and figured this would be my best opportunity to do it.  London marathon is one of the world majors and a relatively flat course so it has been of interest to me.  Plus I love to travel!  I knew I couldn’t pass up this opportunity! So we both joined a team to support the Children’s Tumor Foundation and begin race preparations. This seemed like a great cause to support and dedicate my 26.2 miles. I feel grateful that I am healthy and able to challenge myself to 26.2 miles.  Knowing that I’ll be fundraising to participate in his marathon will bring a different meaning to this race, it will be bigger than just challenging myself, but every step in my training and race day will be dedicated to helping those battling with NF.  Hopefully through my support and the support of friends and family, treatments can be developed to help battle NF, and others can one day challenge themselves as I have been fortunate enough to.  

I guess I am a runner now…

I look forward to using this as a forum to share my running journey with you.  I thank all my friends and family for their support and encouragement along the way.  

#runLDN #SFandBRrunLDN2016 #ENDNF