What is Hope Express?

So much more to come in a little bit!

PSU Thon, Hope Express Join Forces - Video - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley

Hope Express Helps Raise Thousands for Four Diamonds Fund

All Packed!

While Hope Express doesn't begin for another 48 hours (HOPE EXPRESS IS IN 48 HOURS!!!), I am all packed and as ready as I can be to go! Ryan is picking me up from work tomorrow and we are headed straight to Penn State, with a slight detour to Akron to pick up fellow Extreme Runner, Allie. On Thursday (after hopefully a wonderful and longggg night's sleep), we'll head out to Harrisburg and eventually to the start line at Hershey Medical!

Right now, the weather is looking pretty good, with just some rain on Thursday. Hopefully it won't be more than some drizzling, especially since there are SO many exciting things going on at the first few handoffs around the start/Hershey/Harrisburg. Otherwise, we're looking at 40's and sunny on Friday. I have certainly packed (or attempted to pack) for anything mother nature may throw my way.

So what goes into packing for such an event?

• Three complete running outfits (with some options!) and two pairs of sneakers
• Between-runs uniform of leggings, track pants, and several layers on top to help keep warm/help regulate the radical changes in body temperature
• SNACKS! - Peanut butter and jelly, gu's, bananas, and granola bars
• Letters of love and encouragement from family and friends
• Foam roller!
• A lot of faith :O)

FOUR DAYS!

In four days, we will run for the kids. For all the nerves I was feeling last week, I'm not feeling twice as much excitement and just plain 'ol excitement - I can't wait!!

Today's final long run was through a bunch of new places, since I went running while waiting for my oil to get changed. It was a pretty excuse to check out some new places, all of which looked AWESOME with a beautiful covering of snow. That being said, a few of the parks (and a nature center!) that I ran through gave me an extra kick in the butt as I had to work extra hard to not slip and fall on the snowy paths.

HUGE thank you to the lovely Amanda Emmerling for such a thoughtful note/pre-HE package, which included directional socks (!) and wild shorts, in honor of the running tights Hope Express has graced me with (pictures of them next week!). The socks rocked and I loved them when I tested them out the other night. I'm sad that the shorts will not be able to bring them along this weekend...I guess two years of spring weather in February would be getting a little greedy :O). THANK YOU HANSELL!

Love ya Lizzie

"How does that go? ... All I really need to know I learned by running a marathon! I learned long term goal planning, time management and what is meant by delayed gratification. I learned about my body, how to eat healthy and get enough rest. I learned anger management (in the late miles), how to deal with success and how to deal with failure. I learned who I was and who I could be. Yes, somewhat cliché, but running a marathon will change your life forever, I suggest you move it up on the bucket list if you haven't already." - Randy Step, from Ann Arbor's Running Store, Running Fit

I am far from interested in running a full marathon, but still. When I received this in my inbox this morning, it really stayed with me. I had a mini-epiphany while talking to Amy tonight. As excited as I am for Hope Express (IN A WEEK!!!), I have definitely had a badddd case of nerves this week. As we were talking, I realized why: When I started running, I loved that it was all about me (!). It wasn't about anyone else's expectations or judgements of me. None of that has mattered or has even been relevant. All my successes are in comparison to where I was and where I've gone. All my struggles has been practice with dealing with letting myself down and realizing that we learn and move on. Everything has felt like an accomplishment when I think about this whole journey, about where I was running/mentally when I started and the impact it's had on my life. With running, it's all relevant to me. With Hope Express, I have the incredible honor of being part of a team of amazing runners, and, even better, amazing people...and that's scary. Without realizing it, I've felt pressure to be better than I am (or better than I think I am..or better than anything anyone can ever be...as in if I ran a marathon a day, I'd still question if it were enough). Instead of feeling like I might let myself down, I know I have a team of 7 other people (+ the whole HE family, my entire support system, the families at HMC fighting day in and day out) counting on me. It feels like it's a lot of pressure...but then again, it's a hell of a lot of hearts behind me.

In a conversation about Tina Fey's amazing Bossy Pants last night, we got to talked about the fact that despite all of her fame, success, and incredible sense of humor, Fey still rips on herself throughout the whole book. We talked about how it might just be her shtick (since that's how Liz is...and in my mind/real life, they are the same person), but we still wondered if she believed that. Despite ALL she has done and accomplished, all the lives she has impacted and all the laughs she's imparted, sometimes it's natural to question yourself. I'm watching 30 Rock right now and as we speak, mid-blog, as though it was fate, Liz just said, "I AM an inspiration!"

As if I needed another reason to love you LL...I mean TF...

Super Bowl Squares

While it pained me to abandon it, I decided to forgo the annual Bachelor Pool for a possibly more popular alternative fundraiser - a Super Bowl Squares Pool! No one loves the magic of Monday nights more than me, but I wanted to be able to involve more people. But yes, I am still watching regularly and yes, you can feel free to email/text me weekly about your big insights regarding Ben's quest for love.

Anyway, I am THRILLED at how incredibly well the Squares went. The grid filled up so fast that I decided to take a risk and open up a second one, which, thanks to Kyle Garis, is filled as well as of Noon today! The two grids raised a total of $500 FOR THE KIDS! I couldn't be prouder of all of YOU - thank you!

Another awesome thing about this fundraiser was that it was all profit, since I received some very generous donations from Panera, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Cheesecake Factory, to name a few. When I decided to open up a second grid, I decided to pay out for any additional prizes I needed. The cost of that is more than worth it to me.

THANK YOU again to everyone. Have fun and good luck!

My very own Vanna White

That Girl

Yesterday featured runs 2 and 3 of a "Hope Express simulation," if you will. Running 2x in one day is not something that I would otherwise ever be doing, but it honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be (in terms of the obvious at least - mentally; getting ready to run twice; running in the AM, but still not having it "done"). Here are snapshots "of" each:

Before heading out on Thursday afternoon:

After Friday morning's run at the gym:

25 hours later - finally done!

Anyway, I decided to wait for Ryan to get home before leaving for my run afternoon run, hoping he would join me. We had both had long weeks and I knew he was feeling particularly worn out/stressed, but I was incredibly insistent (and slightly guilting...) about the fact that going for a run would make him feel better and would help to alleviate some of those feelings. I realized a little too late (after he was dressed, stretched, and sighing heavily at me as we walked out the door) that I was becoming that girl.

Running twice a day? Imposing my beliefs onto others? When I talk to people about my running as of a lately (which I did a few times when we were out last night), I've begun to see myself as this person, and more importantly, runner, that I don't really identify myself with. I've liked the idea of being just a regular person who started running and has really grown to love it. I've recently had three close friends commit to half marathons and when Lani told me (darn off the record or I'd have the exact quote for proof!) that I inspired her to sign up for the San Diego Half in June with TNT, I was ecstatic. I don't think it's self-centered or "all about me!" to say, but I feel so good when friends say things like that, when they see how doubtful I was about being able to do it (a half, running regularly, etc), but that I've been able to do it, something ANYONE can if they make a plan and stick to it. I am thrilled to share my warm fuzzies from running with others and I love talking shop with friends who are seeking this thrill of accomplishment , but I need to know my audience. If I want to avoid being labeled as something I don't think I am, I need to watch the way I present my story and be certain to kindly include others in my activities, instead of talking from my pedestal and making everyone drink the gatorade.

Be the Groundhog you wish to see the in the world

Today, Phil predicted we will have six more weeks of winter. I have certainly feared that February (through May?) will feature the winter weather we have yet to see thus far this season, but lately I'm thinking MAYBE we can squeeze by with this one. It was 40 degrees today and awesome for running. It was great...but a little while later when I went out for a walk, it was really cold. It made me realize that I can enjoy an extra long season of warm weather/spring comes extra early for runners!

And on that note, I somehow can get a two week extended forecast through Accuweather. According to this reliable source, TWO WEEKS from today when Hope Express takes off, we're looking at mid-50's (and some rain), but I will take it! TAKE THAT PHIL!