Surprises!

Today I got a card from my Aunt Kathy! I opened it up and it was an awesome congratulations card! Inside was a $25 gift card to Panera too! That was awesome!!!! Today was killer. I was sore. I watched Paige and coached and then got Paige again for the evening. I was tired and sore today. Recovery mode for sure. I had no idea what I was going to eat for dinner! Zero cooking motivation. After opening the card, I knew right away what was for dinner!!! :).

I have to contribute some of my running motivation to Aunt Kathy. She has been running for a long time. She's looks awesome! She runs and runs at her healthy older age. :) I've been impressed by her and my Uncle John's motivation to run in all weather conditions. When I was looking for GPS watches, I went to her and my uncle for advice. They had it. They have been very motivating in my running.

Getting the gift below from them was awesome. I am thankful for such great aunts and uncles!! I hope I can always be as great as them!!!

Thank you Aunt Kathy and Uncle John.

First Half Marathon

I have been training for eight weeks for something I never thought I would do. I always thought other people were 'crazy' for doing it. However, my best friend Jenna convinced me to sign up for my first half marathon!!! Crazy, I know.

I trained for eight long weeks. I actually enjoyed it. It gave me a weekly goal and kept me in shape. At first, it was simple. I had run three miles at a time for the past four years. Then as the mileage increased, it got a little tougher. I can honestly say, I've never been challenged so much mentally. Making myself wake up early and planning out 2 hours to train for eight weeks took some work. Running for 11 and then almost 12 miles, was grueling, but after, I felt awesome!!!! It really helped that I knew a few other people Jenna Mullins and Casen Sharp, were also preparing for their first race too. We were all staying in touch pushing ourselves through training. That really helped. Josh also helped me too as he helped out around the house more and did some cooking and late night runs with me on the trail!

This past week has been a challenge to keep myself positive and motivated.

Today was the day! Jenna got here at 7:10am and we discussed how awful this was going to be for us. We laughed headed to Marshall. Her brothers and Alaina were there too. We even saw some faces we weren't expecting. There were over 1100 people there to race. Crazy, intense runners, not so intense runners, bikers, strollers, and costumes! There were all types! Crazy, crazy, but fun. My nerves were intensifying. I felt like I had to pee again. Finally, we were lined up in the middle and ready to go.

As the race started, we were doing well. I stayed with Casen and Colby the whole time. We chatted about all kinds of topics mostly sports related of course.

The workers at water stations were awesome, friendly, and encouraging. It was wonderful. The scenery was beautiful. We ran some nice back country roads, crossed a highway and even some railroad tracks. Overall, I liked the course. A few too many hills though, but I did it.

At the 6 mile mark, my awesome husband was at the turn taking some pictures. Then he followed me on his bike and took my long sleeve shirt from me too. He was great!

At the 8.44 mile mark, I started to struggle. Mentally it was tough. I told Colby to keep talking so I could stay focused. I think there we began the best athlete in each sport at WHS for the past 20 years. Fun topic!!

At the 10 mile mark, my high school friend Meghan (McDaniel) McHardy passed us on her bike. Too funny. At this point too, Casen mention he had never run further than 10 miles!

At the 11 mile mark, I started to struggle. My legs were getting tired. Mentally, I was struggling too. Casen and Colby took a decent lead on me. I fell behind. I put in my headphones and kept on running. I saw Josh with one mile left. He said, "Good job! One mile to go! See you at the finish line!"

As I neared the finish, I saw my friends Jenna and Alaina cheering me on! Of course, they had been done for a while. :) I turned the corner and saw the muliti-colored stripes on the payment. I couldn't get there fast enough. I crosses those lines and instantly felt my legs weaken. I got some water and things got better. I feel a little cheated though because my GPS watch didn't quite say 13.1, but that's okay. :) Jenna and I took some pictures and ate our doughnut. I met up with Meghan and she introduced me to her cute son Colin! It was great to catch up with her. Josh even rode back to the car to get us our gatorades. He rocked!

Josh left for camping and Jenna and I headed for our cars. Only a mere .5 mile walk away! Ahhh!! Our legs were sore, but we were happy we finished. Jenna finished in a great first time too. She rocked it! I am happy I finished!

We had some lunch at Panera too. Great way to end a race! I couldn't drink my diet Pepsi fast enough! Yum!

Today, I am thankful that I God created me healthy enough to run a half marathon! I am thankful for Josh who helped me and encouraged me the past 8 weeks to train and complete this mission. I'm thankful Jenna suggested we sign up. I am also thankful for all the friends and family who supported me with cards, texts, and Facebook posts! I am very lucky!

Today, I RAN A HALF MARATHON! 13.1 miles. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homecoming

Tonight at homecoming I got to see some fun people. I like homecoming Friday and the fun it brings. The school spirit was high tonight. Both assemblies were great! It was fun working the front gate tonight too and seeing some fun alumni. :) Today, I am thankful for homecoming.

Birthday Dinner

Tonight we had a birthday dinner for Tori! We ate lasagna! Yum. Carb loaded and pretty tasty. We hadn't had Alexis and Tori over in a while. It was great to spend time with them. I am thankful for having them in my life.

I am also thankful that Josh drove to Marshall to pick up our tshirts for the race. He's great!

Good Perspective

Starting to get a little nervous for my run, um half marathon. Whatever. I'm running this with my friend Jenna. She's a lot taller than me and in far better shape! This conversation put my nerves at ease. Ha! I'm thankful for this perspective.

Taco Tuesdays

Today I am thankful for taco Tuesdays. I love taco Tuesdays. It's easy! Josh and I actually had dinner together early. Love taco Tuesdays.

Special Delivery

I came home to a special delivery today. A box with my name on it laid in the yard (thanks to Champ and Marla!). I opened the box to find it was from my sister in law Erin. She sent me a care package for my run on Saturday! It was awesome!! It was such a fun surprise to come home to. I will wear the socks for my run Saturday too. I thankful for my care package from Erin! She's great!

Last day of Frosty Boy

Tonight I made a run to Frosty Boy with Alexis and Tori to enjoy one last ice cream before it closes for the winter. Sad!! Even though we had to wear North Face jackets and sweatshirts, we made the trip! It was well worth the strawberries. It was packed too! It's like a tradition in Spring Arbor to get your one last Frosty Boy before winter! I'm glad we did! Yum!! I thankful for our last trip to Frosty Boy and thankful to Alexis and Tori that they bought my ice cream too! :)

My Saturday

The past few weekends have been filled with activities that were all for other people. Today, I did exactly what I wanted to do. I slept in, went to watch some volleyball, I had lunch with my best friend Jenna at our favorite place, I took an afternoon nap, and we watched some football with friends. Loved my Saturday!

TGIF

That pretty much sums up what I'm thankful for today! Ahhh. In bed and not getting up early tomorrow. :)

Late Night Run

Tonight I had to run 3 miles. It was dark when I got home. My awesome husband had mowed the yard and cooked some dinner. We are quickly and dressed for my run. Josh came with me as my body guard. He roller bladed as I ran. Flashlights in hand, we did the three miles. I am thankful that Josh was willing to help me continue my training even in the dark!

Visits

Tonight I went over to Trisha's to visit her and my nephews. They are so cute. Eastyn is a chatter box and Wyatt is so sweet. We did baths, puzzles, and snacks...cheesecake. Yumm! I just love visiting with those kids.

On my way home, I went through the Wendy's drive through to get some food for my two favorite SAU softball players! At the drop off, I decided to go check out their room. Pretty sweet really.

Tonight I enjoyed my visits with some of my favorite people! I am thankful for them.

Sam's Club Pretzel

As you can see by my early morning text to Josh, I was excited for our Sam's Club trip.

When Josh and I were dating, he had to make trips to Sam's Club to fill the vending machine. We somehow found the infamous soft salty pretzel! If you've never had one, you are missing out! So good! This would be our reward after our shopping trip.

Tonight I had to purchase items again for the school. Josh made the trip with me and after, we got the pretzels. Yum!! Yum! Yum!!

Today I am thankful for a reminder of mine and Josh's early relationship and for Sam's Club pretzels! :)

Small Run

Pretty sure I've never been so happy to see I just had to run 3 miles today. I remember when three miles was hard. Ha! It was a nice short run. Ahh. My body and feet are sore. I'm thankful for a short run tonight.

High School Friends

I enjoyed my lunch today at The Olson's house. I've had numerous lunches at The Olson's house, but today's was really fun. Lindsay was home with her kids. Her girls are so cute. Polite, friendly, and active as well. I had Paige today and age came too. Mrs. Olson has tons of toys. Everything worked out well for me and Paige to eat lunch. Mrs. Olson was as always, a great host. Paige even sawn in the pool!

I am thankful to visit with my old high school friend and her parents. I'm glad we're still friends after all these years. :)

A Farewell

Today I am not thankful that my good friend Bethany moved away, but I am thankful for my friendship with her.

Bethany and I have known each other for over ten years. I've explained this all in a prior post. However, I will repeat that she's a GREAT person and friend. She's supportive, kind, and generous. Anyone whose met her, loves her right away. She and Shannon and Annie have become a huge part of mine and Josh's lives. We will truly miss them as neighbors. Now we have a great excuse to go to Lansing more though...

I am happy that Bethany and Shannon have both entered new chapters in their lives. I know Bethany's family will be happy to have them closer now with a baby coming too. They are all wonderful.

I'm thankful for my friendship with Bethany. I'm sad she has moved away, but thankful they are happy in their move. :)

A Night Alone

Josh is fishing for the weekend so I set out for a me night. I met Tara, Paige, and Amanda for dinner at Applebees. We had a fun dinner. Paige is so cute!!!

Then I headed to Target where I purchased some new toys for Aunt Tonya's house. It was fun walking around aimlessly. Ran into some nice people I knew and talked some softball. Loved it.

I ended my night with a pop, which I got for free, from Panera Bread. Yumm!

I'm wrapped up on the couch watching the Tigers. I'm thankful for my Night Alone.