Ode to a Partner in Crime

Tina Louise Schaal and I fell in love freshman year of college when she moved into the dorm room next to me....and her parents eventually forced her to stay in it when they went back home to Idaho. There are many, many things I could say about her, but I am dedicating this post to her in honor of her commitment to run a half-marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival for the American Cancer Society! How exciting!!!! I can only hope we can squeeze in some runs together this summer, and, of course, the stretching before/after (a favorite pastime of mine).

In addition to simultaneously tackling the goal of running 13.1 miles, we have a lot of other things in common. The following quote was written by Tina, but I really couldn't have said it better myself:

"I find that this is easier when I bribe myself with food. Like 'Tina, if you do a five mile run you can pick up Chinese food on the way back.'" - T.Lo Schaal

Congratulations Tina and good luck!!!

Realization

I have been thinking this thought for a few weeks now, and some people near and dear to me have most likely already figured it out, but it's time I accept the sad reality that somewhere along the road, I became a morning person. The thought makes me sick and frustrated actually at times....waking up early on Saturdays is getting old, but hopefully a summer of sleeping in and being lazy with fix this.

Nevertheless, I share this because this morning, after a late night of roses and point tallying (see below!), I decided I would snooze my alarm and skip out on my AM run....although I couldn't fall back to sleep! I was up for good! This is ugh, because it just supports my above hypothesis, but actually good, because I stuck to my plan and ran! Bachelorette Monday nights and AM runs on Tuesdays seem like a bad set of bookends to a shorter night of sleep, but luckily not for TOO much longer....!!!

I'm SO excited about the pool and thankful to all my friends and family (and friends of family and friends) who are participating! Here are the results for week 1!

Weekend Run

When I started my training, I decided that my weekends will be reserved for my longer, more ambitious runs. Yesterday morning, before leaving for a wonderful and relaxing day/night in Center City, I decided to run 4 miles! While I can't declare it officially, it's pretty close to the longest run I've had to date (as in...all my life). Not only that, but it also nicely encompassed the most hills I've probably ever run in one shot as well. Completely accidentally, yet that didn't help to ease the pain (mentally and physically). I'm proud to say I was able to stick it all out, but it was ROUGH! Instead of doing a "there and back" run, I had found a way to loop it around (thank you mapmyrun.com, and ran the second half on a road I've never run on. Next time, I will be sure to tackle the unknown FIRST! I think next weekend I will aim for the same distance, without so much of the ughhhhhh factor, meaning a new course with fewer hills/slopes/slight inclines.

Countdown begins!

I haven't run yet today (but I know I must once I post my plan here....), but I wanted to shout out the pool again, which begins on MONDAY! I have a growing list of participants, but want more! The details are below. For those who are participating, I need a list of 15 before Monday night. Please email me at darian.leib@gmail.com. Lucky for us, ABC has hilariously enough posted this on their website:

In case you can't see it well, it's a "cheat sheet," complete with space to jot down your notes during class...I mean, the show. Cracks me up! Remember, it's for a good cause, so join and peer pressure your friends into joining as well. Also, results will most likely to be updated here, so if you'd prefer to go by a pseudonym to protect your identity/reputation, speak quickly...

Will you accept this rose?!

Enjoy watching ridiculous TV and would love an excuse to continue doing so? As a fundraiser for my race, and, of course, for the Hole in the Wall Camps, I am organizing a 50/50 Bachelorette pool. 50% of the money will help send a deserving child to camp and the other 50% will go to the ultimate bachelorette know-it-all!

Here's all you need to know:

-Entry fee is a mere $10.
-Each week, you will need to email me a list of the men you think will be given roses and passed to the next round. I will notify you each week of how many men you will need to select, in no particular order. This email must be received by showtime on Monday night (which I believe is 9pm!).
-There will be a total of 30 potential points per person each week. The number of points will be divided among the number of bachelors receiving roses...i.e. 15 men will receive roses the first week, so each correct prediction will earn you 2 points.
-Following each episode, I will email out updated standings.
-I'm not positive finding love on television is the best idea, but I like watching other people do it.

REMEMBER, this is for a fabulous cause, so don't be shy! Invite your friends who are suckers for love....and quality television. Email me (darian.leib@gmail.com) or post your desire to participate so I know who is participating. I will email out a reminder/more details prior to Monday night's premiere.

"Make bets on my future for charity!" - Ali

back at it!

After Tuesday's SPLAT, I decided to skip out on running Thursday to give my bruised knee a little time to return to its normal color. I must admit, I missed running! And as I knew would happen, it was a little difficult to get up and at it today (routine was broken!). Nevertheless, I went for a short run and it was good! Back on schedule! Also, I must quickly note a correction to an earlier post. I didn't see the Phanatic statue at the Art Museum last weekend because...there isn't one!

On another note, Gina sent me this quote last week, from former Flyers player Bobby Clarke. Friday's game should be a beautiful reminder to never give up hope, and to keep on believing...whether it's couch potato committing to a half-marathon or a group of halloween-colors clad gentlemen who may or may not have all their teeth.

"I like running because it's a challenge. If you run hard, there's
the pain - and you've got to work your way through the pain. You
know, lately it seems all you hear is? Don't overdo it' and? Don't
push yourself.' Well, I think that's a lot of bull. If you push the
human body, it will respond."
- Bob Clarke

Signed, Sealed, Delivered..to the mailbox.

Despite my recent injury setback, I spent today walking quickly to the post office (en route to the car to take me to the supermarket, but those are minor details) to mail my paperwork into Team Hole in the Wall! While training for my half-marathon, I will be fundraising for the Hole in the Wall Camps. The Hole in the Wall Camps make up the largest family of camps for child with life-threatening diseases. In 2007, I spent a week volunteering at The Painted Turtle in California. My week at the Painted Turtle was eye opening - honestly much too big for this quick post, but I will share soon! This summer, I have the incredible chance to spend a week at the original Hole in the Wall camp, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut. I'm super pumped, especially since the BIG EVENT will be lurking around the corner by then! I have set the goal of raising $2,500 for the Hole in the Wall Camps, which will cover the cost of one child to be sent to camp for a week. Of course, all donations, no matter the size, are appreciated. Learn more about my fundraising, and stay tuned - competitive activity in the name of the cause is on its way....who doesn't love healthy competition in the name of philanthropy?

I have casually considered running an event such as this some time now, but it is honestly this cause that makes me able to believe I can pull it off. In 2007, Tina and I danced in Penn State's Dance MaraTHON, a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping, NO KIDDING! dance marathon. How? Because there are people who need that. There are some people that consider that their Disney! When I was at Painted Turtle, I remember thinking how it really felt like anything was possible. It felt like there were no rules, no limits, that anything was possible. And it had it....the campers were so often given limits and told "no" - they deserve a place made completely and incredibly that revolves around them.

I should be back to my running sched this weekend, and I am actually looking forward to it!


(it was really sunny....)