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#WineglassForWhitey Update: Patience
Posted on July 26, 2015
When I committed to running Wineglass Marathon, and fundraising in honor of Whitey, I had 12 weeks in which to train. Now two weeks in, I’ve had time to grapple with familiar demons of training: doubt and fear. After not training for two years, even easy runs felt less than. Yet I know the runs will […]
#WineglassForWhitey
Posted on July 22, 2015
After a two-year hiatus from marathon training, I’ve decided to dust off my (multitude) of running shoes. On October 4th, I’ll be running Wineglass Marathon and dedicating this race to my friend, Matt White (affectionately known here on out as Whitey). I’ve committed to raising $10,000 for cancer research during the course of my 12-week training, in […]
On An Anniversary
Posted on February 18, 2015
This morning at 4 AM marked the one-year anniversary of my dad’s passing to cancer. The emotions of the days leading up mirrored those of last year, when my father was in hospital. It was a replay of the shock of seeing someone like you’d never seen him before: clinging to life. It was a rebuilding […]
Motivation: Keep Moving Forward
Posted on January 19, 2014 Leave a Comment
I’m fortunate to know many amazing people – hard workers with big goals, loyal to their dreams and their friends. Yet, none of us are without our personal challenges. We each encounter obstacles that bully us into questioning our instincts. Sometimes we’re shoved hard enough to want to quit. But we don’t. As I have […]
The Breaks: Moving Beyond Injury
Posted on December 21, 2013 2 Comments
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” Oprah Winfrey ~ Two weeks ago, I returned to Dr. Geller, the orthopedic podiatrist who’s been treating my most-recent stress fracture. He x-rayed the site of the injury, and gave me the green light – healed! You can see it in the middle metatarsal: a faint, swirly milky way of […]
What’s Next: 2014 Spring Season
Posted on December 5, 2013 6 Comments
“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” Walter Elliot ~ After the Chicago Marathon, and while my stress fracture healed, I began to wonder: what’s next. With every marathon I’d run, I immediately had the next 26.2 lined up. Until Chicago. Not only did I not have […]
Giving Thanks
Posted on December 2, 2013 1 Comment
“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.” Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany’s ~ Yes, it’s indeed time to make some decisions about spring goals. As I look forward, I’d also like to express my profound and heartfelt appreciation to those who support me. Their continued encouragement is not only amazing, but […]
Closing The Chicago Chapter
Posted on November 29, 2013 7 Comments
“Each goal achieved is equally a dream destroyed.” Reinhold Messner ~ Thank you kindly for the introduction, Reinhold. I should add: my marathon dream is still very much intact. The Chicago Marathon was a beautiful race on a day made for marathoning. The conditions were ideal, and I lined up feeling confident. My mind was […]
Cheering: NYC Tri
Posted on July 16, 2013 6 Comments
The headline photo says it all. Spectating is an endurance sport! Last Sunday was the Aquaphor NYC Triathlon. I spent five hours cheering at the start of the run course at the Team Up Autism Speaks and Team In Training outposts. Am thankful for Elizabeth, Jen, and Carolyn for their enthusiastic company! So much fun cheering with you, […]
Runner’s World-Mizuno Mezamashii Run Contest
Posted on July 3, 2013 3 Comments
Run long enough, you’re bound to experience it: Mezamashii. What is that, exactly? The word itself – Mezamashii – means “eye-opening” or “brilliant.” But, in the more soulful sense, it’s the euphoric feeling of a brilliant run. Contest Details Have you had that Mezamashii run? Show us! Runner’s World and Mizuno want to see your […]
Feet, Meet Flats!
Posted on June 18, 2013 13 Comments
This past Sunday, I did a tour de running shops. Mission: test various racing flats. It’s what we runners call “due diligence,” right? Except it’s way more fun, akin to opening loads of birthday presents. After some interesting conversation and a few test runs, I’ve chosen my first flats! Without further ado, meet the Contenders: […]
A Mile in Pre’s Shoes?
Posted on June 14, 2013 8 Comments
One item on my training to-do list is buy racing flats. More precisely, get professionally fitted for them. I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit I’ve dreamed of this. I equate racing flats with Pre, elites, pros, the fastest of the fast. Now it’s my turn? Well, not because of some qualifying standard. Coach says […]
Runner’s World + Hoka One One = Bart
Posted on March 29, 2013 Leave a Comment
Last Wednesday, Runner’s World and Hoka One One hosted a run with the Mayor of Running, Bart Yasso. I dropped by the upper east side Super Runners Shop to test drive a pair of Hokas on a 3-5 mile run. With Bart. A 3-5 mile run with Bart! Unfortunately, I got to the store late […]
#30DaysToBoston
Posted on March 14, 2013 3 Comments
Okay, so I’m not actually racing the Boston Marathon in 30 days. But you know I’m working hard to make Boston a reality in 2014. All my current training’s aimed at making this goal come to fruition. So, when Ty – who writes at SeekingBostonMarathon.com – invited me to join his #30DaysToBoston #PhotoChallenge, I couldn’t refuse. […]
Love is Generous
Posted on February 16, 2013 5 Comments
We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love. Mother Teresa ~ This past Thursday – Valentine’s Day, a holiday of which I’m less than fond – I stumbled across Generosity Day. I actually first read about it on researcher Brené Brown’s blog, Ordinary Courage. The idea took root and […]
Lack of Motivation Turned Inspiration
Posted on February 6, 2013 9 Comments
Last Sunday was a bit of a slog for me. My scheduled “long” run wasn’t all that long (as far as marathon training goes). I only had 10 miles up, with a mini tempo workout built into it. Even though I had been looking forward to the run, I couldn’t get myself moving out the […]
5K…Finally
Posted on February 3, 2013 10 Comments
In three years of running, I’ve raced a near gamut of distances. My first race was a 4-miler, and from there I kept building. I’ve raced a 1-miler, 4-milers, 8000 meters, 5-milers, 10Ks, 15Ks, 10-milers, half marathons, 18-milers, and marathons. But it wasn’t until yesterday that I finally ran my first official 5K! Leave it […]
To Lora V…The Girl Who…
Posted on January 26, 2013 5 Comments
So began the subject line in a recent email from a dear friend. In its entirety it read, “To Lora V…the girl who never lets the snow stop her.” Attached to the email was this fabulous surprise: the above portrait, illustrated by the incredibly talented (and dare I say beautiful) Sam Smith, who’s recently launched […]
2013 Spring Marathon Season: Eugene
Posted on January 18, 2013 5 Comments
“You must not only aim right, but draw the bow with all your might.” Henry David Thoreau ~ I’m not a New Year’s resolution kind of person. There’s nothing about the calendar hitting January 1 that drives me to make changes. When I see fit, I change. When I need to, I change. And, when […]
NYC Runs Central Park 10-Miler
Posted on January 13, 2013 13 Comments
Today was the NYC Runs Central Park 10-Miler, my first official timed event of the year. While I hesitate to classify this as a true race recap – I went in decidedly not racing the course – it was a great way to usher in spring marathon training. When Ashley mentioned running this together, I […]
2012 By The Numbers
Posted on January 2, 2013 9 Comments
Running without my Garmin’s nearly unimaginable. That being said, my Garmin obsession pays off at the close of each year. After ringing in 2013 with the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, there’s now some run data to be analyzed! Since I only started running in 2009, I still get a massive kick out of seeing my […]
Running In 2012: Q&A
Posted on December 24, 2012 8 Comments
The 2012 year-in-running Q&A caught my attention after being mentioned by three amazing runners – Ashley, Jess, and Melissa. The questions got me reflecting on the year’s experiences. Since it was quite unpredictable and unprecedented (for me), I decided to follow suit and offer up a few words to give the year its due credit. […]
LV runs NYC 