Hi Friends-

In just under a month, I will be running the SunTrust National Marathon (my second year running this one!) and also raising money once again to support my absolute FAVORITE charitable organization, Back on My Feet.

This year it is even more personal and meaningful to me, as Back on My Feet is about to (finally!) launch its NYC chapter.

I cannot wait to become more involved in the organization once again and directly support the community here in the city I call home.

Back on My Feet has been doing amazing work over the past few years with the homeless communities in cities across the country - you can read about the amazing work they are doing here: www.backonmyfeet.org

This organization instills a sense of community, hope and discipline among people who are looking for a second chance.

Today, I ask two things of you:

1) Please consider donating to my fundraising efforts. Every little bits helps!  From providing a pair of running shoes to running clothes to job placement and training, every dollar you donate will go DIRECTLY to changing someone’s life.

http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFDCSTRNRUSA2012/RTrump

2) If you cannot donate now (or have already donated and want to do even more becuase youa re a rock star) please share this link on your facebook/twitter/linkedin/tumblr/myspace (just kidding, no one has myspace anymore) and spread the word!

http://www.active.com/donate/BOMFDCSTRNRUSA2012/RTrump

Thank you in advance for your support!  

Knowing that I am doing this for a good cause is what gets me up on the weekends to go on those long training runs! This will be my fourth marathon on my way to running 10 full marathons by my 30th birthday in January, so help me get through the pain and soreness by supporting this worthy cause!

(Source: rustydotcom)

chicagobusiness:

Chicago Marathon record breaker: Runners were quick off the mark this year, as registration for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon sold out in a record six days.

Are you (or someone you know) running the Chicago Marathon this year?

MOTHERF(*#$^@(&#!!

I WAS GOING TO REGISTER TODAY!

Credit: Brian Gudas Photography / Flickr

It’s that time of year again!

I officially kicked off my marathon training for 2012 over the past weekend, and today I’m officially kicking off my fundraising efforts!

For my first marathon this year I will once again be raising money for Back on My Feet - an awesome organization that helps the homeless literally get “back on their feet” through running and community building.

Who is going to help me kick off by donating today?

PS - it also makes a great belated birthday present for me! :)

i did it.

i can’t really say it felt good (despite what i said on dailymile). it hurt. i am SO out of shape.

but, it DID feel good to actually get out of bed and run this morning. and hopefully it was just what i needed to get my ass in gear and start officially training.

big thanks to kimbaland for keeping me honest! (and way to go on your run this am too!)

… with a rest night!

yes, probably not the best way to kick off my training, but I needed to get my life in order before embarking upon my ridiculous journey over the next year.

so tonight i went grocery shopping and stocked up on my go-to training meals (so much pasta and chicken breasts) - and also made on last (yeah right, i cheat all the time!) decadent meal of steak au pouvre!

i also cleaned up my apartment and did a few other things that have been on my “list” for a while now so that i can free up my time.

launching into this whole year of marathons is just as much about being prepared mentally as it is physically.

also - i told myself i would run tonight - so since i totally made up this lame excuse of a rest night when i told myself i would run, i’m going to run in the morning (NO EXCUSES!)

my view of the marathon yesterday - mountains of mylar!

i am so glad i volunteered yesterday - being right at the finish line seeing over 47,000 people’s faces as they just completed a marathon was absolutely amazing!

it was really interesting seeing the mix of emotions - some people in pain - some smiling and so happy - and other just bursting into tears. the one that got me the most was near the end of the day, a french woman who came up to me and said she just needed a hug!

it was really an emotional and rewarding experience - and just the kick in the ass i needed to get back to training!