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2 Posts tagged with the chicago tag

Who says a fire hydrant can't get you through

Posted by Jen McDevitt Mar 5, 2009

Jennyism #1: It's always good to have a goal

Jennyism #2: It's even better to finish the goal

Jennyism #3 First you gotta go up the hill then you gotta go down

I haven't even taken off my shoes yet but I got so exicited becuause I just ran 5 miles...no problemo! Okay, maybe I should go and stretch and take off my muddy running shoes but this is the start of something good!!! My goal was to run to every fire hydrant and see how I felt. But pretty soon...okay here is goes....I WAS ROCKIN' AND ROLLIN' WITHOUT MY EVEN KNOWIN'!

AND THERE IT WAS...A FORK IN THE ROAD

Coach Kevin is going to cringe when he reads this because I know when you just start out running you have to take it slow. And I did. I ran from fire hydrant to fire hydrant in my neighborhood but all of a sudden, like a flash before my eyes there was a trail. Yes, a glorious trail that had my name written all over it. So I did what any other normal girl never listening to anyone's sound advice would do. I went TRAIL RUNNING! Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. I laughed and laughed and felt like I was on a closed course running route on crack. I went up the hill and I almost just wanted to roll down the hills. Now, let me clarify. In Illinois a hill constitutes as any incline of 20 feet. Totally no big deal. But how much fun. I am muddy, smiling and well....just like a pig in poop!

Totally needed that run. What a way to get things started. Spring is finally here! And the fire hydrant is my newfound hero! Now I know why dogs love them so much!

293 Views 4 Comments Permalink Tags: chicago, marathon, chicago_marathon, team-mcgraw, nashville_half_marathon, shamrock_shuffle, tug-mcgraw-foundation

SUPER SPIRIT CHEERLEADER

Posted by Jen McDevitt Feb 26, 2009

So......bummer.....I am not running a marathon this year but YYYYYEEEAAAAHHHHH I get to go back to my grassroots (highlighted blonde and all) and do what I was perfect at...CHEERLEADING! I do believe that I am now the official captain of the Team McGraw Cheerleading squad. I am already perfecting some rally cheer's. I will post them on YOU-TUBE for you to see.

But in the meantime....

I AM running in the Shamrock Shuffle and that is going to be my mini marathon for lack of a better word. I hit the road yesterday with 50 degree weather (finally...whoever said anything about global warming is lying) I put in 2 miles which is a milestone for me! I was so incredibly excited to run again today but of course it is pouring and miserable. Just so I did not lose my motivation I opened up my garage door and jumped rope for 25 minutes looking outside. I guess you could say that I am cross-training. Running/cheerleading is a very demanding sport. I am going to be most excited to live through everyone else's running experiences this year.

I have several friends running in the Nashville Half Marathon and all will be wearing Team McGraw and I will be screaming my little lungs out to push them along. I may even jump in and run with a few of them.

I missed running these past several weeks. It is kinda like an old friend. You just pick up where you left off. I can't wait to be in Nashville showing my cheerleading moves to everyone. SUPER-SPIRIT CHEERLEADER here I come. Here are a few ideas:

TACO, BURRITO, WHAT'S COMIN OUTTA YOUR SPEEDO

YA GOTTA BELIEVE, YA GOTTA BELIEVE

CROSS THAT FINISH LINE AND WHAT A RELIEF!

RUN ON TEAM MCGRAW...RUN ON!!!

211 Views 1 Comments Permalink Tags: chicago, marathon, tug_mcgraw_foundation, team_mcgraw, nashville_half_marathon, shamrock_shuffle

Mentally preparing, training and completing a marathon is tough. Try doing it while undergoing treatment for brain cancer. I have done it 5 times before and I'm doing it again. As I train for New York...I might even throw in Chicago for fun!!

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