We're running the Rock-n-Roll Half!!

I'm super excited. Running 10 miles was a challenge, and with the heat even more so. I'm putting my all into training for this and I'm excited to run the ING Rock-n-Roll half marathon in September here in Philadelphia. It's funny how I never thought I would run 10 miles, and now I'm registered for 13.1!! Jeremy is registered for this one too~ I'm excited to do it together. He hurt his foot during the training for Broad St which really set him back, plus it was difficult to train while he was in Michigan for work-then we didn't have anyone to watch Gabriel on race day so he bowed out and let me run it.

This one we have a bunch of friends registered for it too, so hopefully we'll get to run it in a big group to make it even more fun. There are bands playing at every mile marker and it's just an overall Rock-n-Roll atmosphere~ I'm super excited!!

Well, back to training, I'm hoping to really increase my endurance over this training program and hopefully the weather will cooperate for this race! I'll update every so often on how our training goes, and of course there will be tons of pic's from race day!!

IBC Broad St 10 miler.... I did it!!

Well, I trained for it, and I DID IT!!

It's a famous race out here, very popular with first timers. It's straight and pretty much flat and for that reason people come from all over to run the Independence Blue Cross Broad St 10 miler. It was something I thought would be challenging but I had no idea what it was really going to be like because I've never ran 10 miles before. (even in training I never ran more than 6 miles at a time) But I never could have anticipated how hard the weather would make it.

It was in the high eighties by the time the race started. (in the low to mid 90's by the time I finished) I was in the last corral (I wasn't sure how long it was going to take me, so I chose a 15 min. mile time to keep me towards the very back- just in case) But this actually made it so I had to stand there and wait in the baking sun while all the other corrals started the race. For 30 minutes- ugh! People were falling down and passing out along the way- it was a trip!! There were a couple times where I was thinking what the H*LL did I get myself into?!?

Anyway, I told everyone my goal was to finish... but personally I really wanted to beat that ridiculous 15 minute per mile time that I told them I would need to finish. Considering the heat I'm surprised that I did- but I did!! Don't get me wrong- I wasn't fast by any means and I did walk parts of the race, especially the water stations and through the fire hydrants that sprayed us with water to cool off.

But I finished in 2:20, basically 14 minute miles.

Not great - but I met both my goals... I finished and I got less than the 15 minute miles.

Watch out Broad St- I'll do much better next year!!!

Phillies Fun Night!!

It was a gorgeous night- nice and warm and packed with FUN!!
The Phillie Fanatic!Shane Victorino #8!!Home Run!!There was lots of excitement! People getting engaged!!

A guy ran out on the field and it took them quite a while to catch him! The best part was for a minute nobody was going after him yet, and he was just standing in the infield and shook hands with one of the players... (I missed that pic) but then... the chase was on!!!

dude, finally busted!! there were a lot of homers in this game, we got lucky - The Phillies won 10 to 8

Kim and Martin- Kim is one of the math teachers I work with (Martins her hubby!)

a night out on CHOP

My friend Shani works at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) and invited me to a dinner to honor one of the surgical practices. It was semi-formal and down in Philly. We got "Doll"ed up and had a great time. Thanks so much Shani for having me as your guest! It was great fun!
on the way down to Philly, that's the Art Museum over on the left.a little bit of the Philly skyline! Me and my gal pal Shani enjoying our girl's night out!

Board Games Philly Style.....

Right across from the court house is this park with giant board game pieces. It's fun to go over there and take silly pictures!! Cassie & Jordan Chris & Jeremy
Jordan playing twister on the giant domino!! Cassie taking the Chess piece for a spin!
OUCH!! Gettin' burned by the Monopoly Iron piece! (LOL!)

LOVE: Philly Style

Cassie, getting her pose on!

Dad & Mom sharing some LOVE!!

Chris & Jess
Jeremy & Kari

Nuff said!
Jeremy, Gabe, & Kari

Jordan flexin' some muscle!! LOL!!

Anderson's Visit PART 2

More photo's from the Anderson's visit this summer...

This little guy followed us everywhere just waiting for Gabe to drop something for him to eat!!

Gabe and Daddy!

(poor kids get to have there pictures taken when we put funny stuff on them! PaPa's hat!!)

Mommy's sunglasses...

Jeremy & his Dad.

Chris & Jessica (with baby in belly!)

Mom & Dad, Chris & Jess

Jordan & Jeremy

Cassie posing in the "nook's" at the Court House.

Cassie with the Flugelhorn player who was playing in the "tunnel" at the Courty House.

Gal's Night Out...

So, Last night I had a "Girl's Night Out" with my Philly gal pal Shani-

WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

This is right before we left the house to head down into the city Breaking it loose at Continental, a Steven Starr Restaurant at 2nd & Market in Philadelphia.

http://www.continentalmartinibar.com/

Oh Yeah, that's a LEMON DROP!!!The restaurant was really cute it had Olive lights above the tables in the initial dining area and these really cute tables, etc, we were in one of the back dining areas, a little more quiet, nice for conversation. Shani is holding a carrot cake dessert, so cute!! A cute picture with the lights of the other bars/restaurants behind Shani Ditto- there I am, feeling very little pain after a few LEMON DROPS!

As I said Continental is a Steven Starr restaurant, I actually think I am going to try all of his Philly restaurants, he has a couple in NY and AC (Atlantic City- just in case!!)

http://www.starr-restaurant.com/

Another shot of the outside of Continental- SOOOOOOO FUN!!!
I had a GREAT time and I'm excited to try more of Steven Starr's restaurants, they all have these really cool theme/menu's very sheik!

http://www.starr-restaurant.com/

My friend Shani is actually having her birthday party right across the street at the Bleu Martini...