My year in running

I started my journey really last November, but it was my joining Team in Training for the spring season in January that really changed my life. I was introduced to running using intervals and life took off from there including my first triathlon experience. I know the roads & hills of Central Park as well as the Hudson Greenway. I have run across bridges including GW, Brooklyn & Randalls' Island and run on islands... Manhattan, Randalls Island, Roosevelt Island, in Walt Disney World and lots of other fun places while traveling... San Diego, Denver, Sacramento and more. I have run in a tutu and wings, all bundled up for winter and super early and in a lot less for summer. I ran 5 half marathons, 2-10ks, 1-5k, 1-4 milers and completed one sprint triathlon. Some races were faster and some were slower. Some were in the heat and humidity and some were nice and chilly. All had amazing moments and tough ones.

• Fastest half marathon: Boston BAA 2:50:17
• Most challenging (TIE): Chanukkah Half - "running" into the wind for half a race is killer & Iron Girl - I finished but just barely
• Coolest route: Wine & Dine Half at Disney World - ran through Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios with the Christmas lights and Epcot
• Most Historical: New York Mini 10K - all women for more than 40 years

Here is a recap of my major events for the year:

I also want to thank everyone who has helped me on my journey: from my first pace leader Jessica to my amazing coaches Barb, Ellen and Christine plus so many more coaches & training partners: Wendy, Laura, Kit, Sara, Maria, Terri, Rachel, Sarah (sorry to those I did not list) from Team in Training; from all who have cheered me on both in person, Jonathan (who flew to MCO from SAN just to cheer on his sister at her first half marathon), Corie (the best sign maker ever who also got up at long before the crack of dawn to drive me to my first triathlon & came to Disney for fun and cheering) & Mark (who drove up to see me in my first triathlon) to all those who have cheered me on virtually not just for races but also for training runs; also to my amazing online running groups (PP and MRTT) - many ladies whom I have now met in person and who are wonderful people and new friends and who I got to run with in different locals: Andrea, Dorie, Rosie, Amanda, Judi, Nancy, Sarah, Beth and more I am forgetting right now.

Next up... my goals for 2014! What are your goals?

Running in my Tutu

The saying goes nothing new on race day and with my first half marathon... the Disney Princess just 11 days away, it was time to try out the tutu.

This was my project on the snowy cold evening of Saturday past. My pretty purple and sparkly glitter pink tulle... there is pink glitter everywhere!! I want to give a shout out to Rookie for the easy no-sew tutu directions... found here

I am ready to race, but although have tried the outfit leggings and t-shirt at the gym... not in the tutu. 

My brother Jonathan said go for it... wear it on the subway too. You live in NYC and no one will say a thing. Well of course I still needed to sew on the snap so I did not wear it out, I did wear it home... leaving a trail of pink glitter behind! Who knew how much fun it would be to wear to TNT group training. It was :) and I fit right in with the Mardi Gras costume wearing folks too!

Here I am post run... thankfully I will not be wearing polar fleece at the race in Orlando... static cling.

Please consider supporting my efforts to fundraise for continued cancer research and support through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as I continue my training post Disney for the Nike Women's Half Marathon on their behalf. It is the thought not the amount that I will treasure. 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nikewhlf13/dvorageller