lack of blogs...

Not that I was ever Miss Super Blogger, but I was a little more consistant a few months ago...

welllllllllllllll after my 3rd Marathon this year, my left knee decided... that it had enough! I hate writing in my blog just to complain, because I like to think I'm a fun, optimistic, happy person. It was easier to just not write!

I have been walk/jogging 6-12 miles a week (mostly walking) and doing cardio via elliptical. I couldn't even imagine how it would feel to run over 2 miles straight. I hate that I'm not running, but I know I just need to rest my body if I ever want to attempt to run another marathon, or even half! It's funny when a 5k suddenly seems like a difficult task! I remember joking with one of my BFF's earlier this year that we'd never pay $30-$40 bucks to run 3.2 miles when we could get a huge medal and t-shirt for $50-$100 running 13.1-26.2 miles.... The only thing that is a joke anymore that I used to take being able to run 5k+ for granted! Big reality check for sure!

I'm hoping to stay off running for about another month, maybe attempt a 5-10k... if that goes well attempt training for the Columbus Half Marathon in October(I was planning to get a BQ time in the FULL marathon) if all goes well! On a very positive note, I have 10 toenails again ;)

I'm an auntie!!!!!!

My sister Jolie in labor


Great Grandpa, Proud Momma, and Auntie!



First Car ride!

First look @ her... love at first sight!

awaiting baby Olivia's arrival!

Mom, Sis, and I

Baby!!

First Day home!

You are B E A Utiful!!!!!!

Check Out....Operation Beautiful!

and


this video:

quiz time :)

Borrowed this from Nickel for your thoughts ...

The things I've done are in italics

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (guitar hero!)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (races and marathons count?)
7. Been to Disney world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (rock band... haha)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea..(I worked on a cruise ship for 2 months, and have been on 15 cruises besides that experience)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch ..(if jumping on a pogo stick is an art)
15. Adopted a child (does my cat count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (I've seen it a few times from a boat)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (Alaska)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (maybe on spring break on the "strip")
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (mental health days?)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (we nursed one to health as a kid... loved him)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (i was brave to not wear protective glasses. rebel!)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (i lived in FL)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (was a model for a few art classes... not nude!!)
48. Gone deep sea fishing (i spent most of the time puking due to sea sickness)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (also a pukey experience.. might have been more of the rum punch than sea sickness though)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (walked through movie sets while filming on the streets of Chicago - The Dark Knight)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (helped my fam)
58. Taken a martial arts class (my mom made me to protect myself)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason..(thanks mr. dubs!)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter (to land on Hubbard Glacier in AK)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (American girl dolls)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar (a few times, but almost weekly in/on sushi)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (nose/pinky)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (from a plane)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican (LOVE!)
82. Bought a brand new car (2008 accord)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (fishing)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Run/Walk with Ella Bella

Here is a map of the run .

Don't have anything too exciting to share, I have been X-training and doing a lot of walking because 2 marathons in 2 weeks makes for a bum left knee. I haven't been to the Dr. yet and am trying to just let it "rest". I can go about a mile at an 8:30-9:00 pace until it start to ache. Pretty depressing, but maybe it's good to try other activities instead of a running fool?! naaaaaaahhh... but just trying to keep my head up ;) As long as I can still power walk and can still be active I'll be fine... in a month if I still can't run... then there's a REAL issue. I was thinking I might need to try out a wrap or brace for my knee, but like I said... I don't want to goto the Dr. yet because I don't think they'd understand if they don't run themselves. I need to google "Running Dr. Cincinnati, OH". Okay just tried that... and I got a whole lotta nothing!

Tomorrow is Friday woooohooo! As for weekend activities, My friend Dish is in from Chicago to visit her boyfriend in Cincy and we are going on a double date and maybe, no definately having a few drinks downtown. Saturday is errands w/ my Mr. Dubs and a hike through a local park, and probably a romantic date. Sunday we usually always go to my parents for a family dinner and I get to see my sister's baby bump grow. Every weekend we try to have 1 friend day, 1 date day, and 1 family day.

Movie and Wine with my Mr. Dubs... perfect way to end a Wednesday night :)

June 3rd - National Runner Day

Hi (Mr. Boss),

As I'm sure you're already aware, tomorrow is National Running Day.

http://www.runningday.org/pdf/National%20Running%20Day%20press%20release_final.pdf (press release)

http://www.runningday.org/index.asp (website)


I was just wondering if the runners of M&M are being patronized with a free day off? It seems as if I run for 4-5 hours on a Saturday for training, that maybe I should be granted 8 hrs to run for National Running Day. Please let me know your thoughts.....


Sincerely,

Danielle


_____________________________

Real E-mail sent to my boss... do you think he'll dig it? haha

Thanks runninduff for helping me "funny" up my e-mail ;)

I love my Frenchton!

my Columbus 1/2 Marathon Medal (October 2008)

Ella - 10 months old Frenchton (most recent pic)


The Frenchton is a "Designer Breed" they are 1/2 French Bulldog and 1/2 Boston Terrier. They are a fun breed. They have the French Bulldog's "Bat Ears" an a snot that is halfway between a Boston Terrier an a French Bulldog. They still snore and fart like a French Bulldog and Boston Terrier. But like they say, "The more a Frenchton snores and farts then you know you have a great Frenchton."

They have the same personalities that the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier have - there are only 2 speeds - "STOP and GO". They love playing with other animals and people. They are just a joy to be around and you will find yourself spending hours watching them - they definitely picked up the "Clown and Entertaining" characteristics of a French Bulldog.

They are born with little to no tail. They are very sensitive to the sound of your voice. They can be stubborn just like a French Bulldog, and they are very smart like a Boston Terrier, but they haven't quite decided if they want to do what you asked them to do.

Average weight is 20 - 25 lbs; height 12 – 15 inches. color: black/white, black brindle/white and red/white.


More info on Frenchton's!

can you guess who I'm related to in this picture?

New pics from my Dad's 54th Birthday party that he sent me this afternoon :)

I'm going to be an auntie

My sister's baby bump!

Personalized bib I ordered for Olivia... exactly like the pink/green one!

my sister's naked bump!

silver necklace I got for my sister... I found a beautiful one @ Tiffany's I want to get her also that says "Mom" or "It's a girl" on the charm.

personalized 3 piece baby bag that will say Olivia in White!




I'm so excited to be an Aunt! It is finally all hitting me. My sister is Due July 21st with a baby girl named Olivia. My sister had her first shower last Saturday, and she has her 2nd one this Saturday which is going to be a huge party party with probably 30+ people. My Aunt is also throwing her a party! The pictures above are all things that I thought were unique and creative. I will be giving those to her at the "big" party along with a bunch of onesies and hair bows and a girly frilly newborn dress that will fill her baby bag!

I'm trying to figure out some more creative things to give her on the day she gives birth... or the week of. If you've been a mother or have ideas of something really creative.. will you share your thoughts?

I cannot wait!!! My sister's boyfriend has blonde hair, blue eyes, and the same build as my sister and I. I know Olivia will look just like me, and I cannot wait to spoil her on the weekends!!!

My Most Fun Run!

Fireworks to start the race.. AAAAmazing!

Running to the Castle!

About to enter the castle... but had to get a pic w/ Cindy's Mice


Pro Pic exiting the castle, I also stopped by the Yellow cones and had a pic taken.

Pic w/ Donald!

Pirates on a ship

Pirates at the water station!


Photo Op w/ Pigglet

Wild west photo shoot... I about pulled a muscle here ;)

Magic Mountain or whatever this spot was?! See the 3:50 pace balloons?

The man in the pink tutu!


woohoo finish!!! i was teared up under my shades!


Chrissy and I showing off our "bling"



Nikki and I at after she finished!

My favorite marathon that I've ever run (out of 4 fulls, and a half) was the Walt Disney World Marathon. The Marathon was on January 30, 2009, I flew down with my best friend Nikki and was meeting my other best friend Chrissy (runnin duff) down there as well.

You probably wonder how I have pics from the entire race? I took my Blackberry with me on the run to capture it all. I took pictures and uploaded them to facebook as I ran so my family, friends, and co-workers that were tracking me online could feel like they were there with me!

My first marathon that I ran in March 30th 2008 (completely untrained and out of shape) I ran in 5:19 minutes with runninduff (race report) because she didn't want to run her first mary alone. Since this was my 2nd marathon and I didn't train much more than 15-20 miles a week indoor on a treadmill... time was not a concern... it was all about FUN and finishing faster than 5:19!

I stopped and took pics with about any character I could and since it is a camera phone, not a real camera.. you can't run and take a pic.. so I'd have to peek behind me to make sure no one would slam into me, stop, push the capture button, then upload to facebook as i started running again. (I got hell from other runners saying "are you really texting right now?!!?!" haha)

At mile 15ish? by Magic Mountain (the pic is above, you can see pacer balloons) I finally realized that the 3:50 pace group was about to pass me! I was in total shock... I never thought I'd be able to REALLY finish my 2nd marathon, or any marathon, under 4 hours... especially without proper training! I knew at that point in the race, that I was in no doubt going to finish under 4 hours!

This run was so fun because everyone that worked in the theme parks participated. The families that were down there observing treated you like they were your own and cheered you on. Since this race isn't running past people's houses and through neighborhoods, i heard that there wasn't much crowd support. WRONG! People that were early birds to the theme parks also participated in the fun and cheered! As most races, people dress up... some people went crazy for this run, i saw people dressed up as Minnie and Mickey Mouse... the funniest was a man in a tutu with pink tennis shoes. (there is a picture above) I highly recommend Disney as an option for your next marathon! We flew in Saturday afternoon, went to the expo, went to an Italian dinner, went to bed, got up and ran, checked out of our hotel, drove our rental car back 20 miles to the airport, and flew home. With all the chaos... it was still a very smooth trip. Nice hotels, organized race/expo, easy to navigate airport. Overall the whole experience was an A+!!

I ended up finishing in 3 hours 57 mins! After that day... I was hooked! A few days later I found out that I could qualify for Boston if I ran each mile 40 second faster!! My pace was 9:03, and Boston Qualifying time is 8:23 pace. It lit a fire under my sore little behind. I now had a new goal and wanted to learn all about pacing.

It has only been 4 months since that fire was lit under me... I have completed 2 more marathons both under 4 hours but not quite BQ time. I got totally off track about "my most fun run"... but that is a little tid bit about me, and that I'm an amateur for sure! But I'm learning bit by bit everyday. And I have one hell of flame under me and cannot wait to get to Boston in 2010 (crossing my fingers and toes)!

My webpage from the run that Disney made me to show my time and pictures. : http://www.mydisneymarathon.com/DANIELLEDUNCAN9642

P.s. my tradish pre-marathon dinner and WINE! :)

Dogs took me on a walk/jog

Wednesday night I went out for my first run/walk after the marathon. I was puppy watching for my friend Steph and decided to take the girls for a walk!

as you can see... Gucci ran out of battery life before I made it home(see the green start)... I wanted to show you the crazy elevation in the hills. It's not called "Mt. Lookout" for nothing! I think it was probably a solid 4 mile walk/jog. Felt amazing!
My Pup Ella with her friend Rilee that I was dog watching before our walk. I may have, or may have not been holding a treat....

Professional Pictures from the Cleveland Marathon!