tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58419139917614608132024-03-19T01:45:13.063-07:00Another day in the life of April...Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-76693759247784986152012-05-22T09:01:00.001-07:002012-05-22T09:01:48.619-07:00Frontier 10K<strong>OUCH!</strong><br />
<br />
What the heck was I thinking?!<br />
<br />
My husband and I were out on a date night until 2AM the night before the race. Not smart..but okay..I can deal with that. I woke up and scrambled to get ready. Didn't have my normal pre-race breakfast...we were out. Took some time for me to figure out where I was going. <br />
<br />
When I got there I registered, and got my stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNSD_eOetPKonUjBjWTPDE4yvAE1GaYqNHbUisq4LE0CRoKun8Zh17VspjxwtLlVAE2eqpQg9b18dnizWIzCgBrte1WlNs_M6iTfKEXVQlg32y0xBeZVY1GRwOEuxH4DdAr2dOXdL4g/s1600/IMG_8877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNSD_eOetPKonUjBjWTPDE4yvAE1GaYqNHbUisq4LE0CRoKun8Zh17VspjxwtLlVAE2eqpQg9b18dnizWIzCgBrte1WlNs_M6iTfKEXVQlg32y0xBeZVY1GRwOEuxH4DdAr2dOXdL4g/s200/IMG_8877.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
When I headed back to hit the port-a-potty, this was the line:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqteqNX_Rm1n5uzFCicSIlwv3Lc9YDSMA0Syq9tATxQK4qNM7pTK1aQoolF24rzz4SLFoz1Q7Vbzmc1NTihRRWxraAZ9OWdaRmmnN5E1vNMb4opgPHccPLK1ktHxCoDZycDEO_8plsrg/s1600/IMG_2457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqteqNX_Rm1n5uzFCicSIlwv3Lc9YDSMA0Syq9tATxQK4qNM7pTK1aQoolF24rzz4SLFoz1Q7Vbzmc1NTihRRWxraAZ9OWdaRmmnN5E1vNMb4opgPHccPLK1ktHxCoDZycDEO_8plsrg/s200/IMG_2457.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
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By the time that I got out of the potty it was 2 minutes till the race started. I was heading to the starting line when I realized that my hands were too empty. I had forgotten my water bottle <strong>IN</strong> the port-a-potty. I ran back to find it occupied. So I waited for this gentleman to come out. I explain what I did and he said he wondered about that. I grabbed it and ran to the finish line just in time to see them taking off. <br />
<br />
There obviously wasn't very good communication about which race was starting when, because 5K runners started taking off with the 10K runners. I started out with intervals of 1:15/1:30 run/walk. That didn't last. I switched to 1/1:30...but that was too much walking. So, when I had it in me, I started running 15 seconds before my running interval started. After a while, I just completely abandoned the intervals and did what I could.<br />
<br />
About mile 3, the sun was beating on me and burning my skin. I just felt really over heated. I kept hearing "Wells L's" words in my head..."just take it slow....tummy in, good posture!" That worked pretty well until mile 4. <br />
<br />
<strong>OH....MY...LORD!!!!!!!!!</strong><br />
<br />
This is about when I started praying for an injury. Something to take me out of the race. Something that would save me from the this insanity! I kept telling myself (sometimes out loud) "You've got this! You did a 1/2 marathon for Pete sake!" Yeah, but I trained for that. It was about at 4.5 mile marker that the unthinkable happened....<br />
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Volunteers had left their posts. I had about 5 people behind me and it had been my goal to keep them there. They were helping keep my pace. All of a sudden, the guy in front of me stops and turns around and says "where are those girls going?!" I turned around and looked. Sure enough, the group behind me that I was so determined to stay ahead of have turned about a 1/2 mile down the road. They kept looking at us and the street that they were getting ready to turn on...as if they weren't sure that it was the way. The guy in front of me says "my wife has done this race before, she must think we were supposed to turn." This makes total sense know that I think of it. There weren't any volunteers directing traffic at the last major intersection that I had crossed. So the guy in front of me and I both turn around and head back. FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC!!!!!!! I am now in DEAD LAST. I have NEVER finished last in a race and I was not about to start. <br />
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But...I'm pretty dead on my feat right about now and wouldn't you know it...hills. Big tall hills. Thanks. Awesome. To top it off, I'm getting scared. I can't see the group in front of me and there are NO volunteers or police officers around....and I'm running through down town Fort Wayne. Now I'm fighting tears. My first race without a partner or cheering squad..and I get lost and last. So I call the hubs up...choking back tears. He calms me down and tells me to just push through and catch up with the group in front of me. This about when a cop pulls up behind me and asks if I'm okay. I wanted to bawl and just crawl in his car and say "Take me back!" But I didn't. I told him I was fine, just upset that there wasn't anyone posted at the last turn to direct us. <br />
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The last mile or so was excruciating! I walked about the rest of the way. There was at least 2 more turns missing volunteers and the 6 mile post was no where to be found. <br />
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I didn't finish last...<strong><em>but I DID finish.</em></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifpdx9RpsbfPtbwNxSVQtfQl2BCVMTeK2XWoiv4UbRuf3K9FapgRQcQ3736Np_G44ZEAd7P9iqRgHvRNkhz3LsuG6fqB5jQzgSpAKabBAF_RkUBhAt3_Rk55BR__PtveFsgQ7v0NBHA/s1600/IMG_6706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifpdx9RpsbfPtbwNxSVQtfQl2BCVMTeK2XWoiv4UbRuf3K9FapgRQcQ3736Np_G44ZEAd7P9iqRgHvRNkhz3LsuG6fqB5jQzgSpAKabBAF_RkUBhAt3_Rk55BR__PtveFsgQ7v0NBHA/s320/IMG_6706.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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I grabbed my food after words and jumped in my car.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcRL_P9j42gYrmTPKSOxHLACC2CyynggG4690TVpShJIVhHIxJ7HRqizBd5pCFP8txPi-OeN-3i-udDRugGkA-3r1xQ8MROacMaFOQRnmpnPUyl0bGawtRx3_lGi7D3xsWdSWrO5BOw/s1600/IMG_6780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcRL_P9j42gYrmTPKSOxHLACC2CyynggG4690TVpShJIVhHIxJ7HRqizBd5pCFP8txPi-OeN-3i-udDRugGkA-3r1xQ8MROacMaFOQRnmpnPUyl0bGawtRx3_lGi7D3xsWdSWrO5BOw/s320/IMG_6780.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<em>(pretty good grub! A wrap, baked layes, an apple, and water)</em><br />
<br />
It was just a really bad experience for me. It wasn't necessarily the course, I just wouldn't chose to do it alone.<br />
My time was horrendous...but I didn't quit...and believe me...I WANTED TO!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ever have a SUCK-TASTIC race?</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-33375460195467255012012-05-18T07:44:00.001-07:002012-05-18T07:46:56.989-07:00The 10K approaches!!!!!!<span style="font-size: large;">(Cue music) Dum Dum Dumm!!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">TOMORROW...I'll be running/crawling/walking the Frontier 10K. My first 10K <strong><em>EVER</em></strong>. Yikes. I have butterflies just thinking about it. SERIOUS butterflies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday night our SIT group did some drills and then ran a little less than a mile and a 1/4 (according to walkjogrun.net). I went home after that and decided to run back to the hospital (been visiting a family member ever day). So I ran about another mile and a 1/2. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjS11HxjPPLrZ9Ag2aB5dAiTnz00c4EY4SEMQZK54rvIGDOlmNRc3HpMppAQts94etb5gROewm-pUluc_oMEdDrtqNpT_tUEYCdC3evWW3DsvybQLvvYevEdOON-3CdMJTCq9lbdmImw/s320/imageme.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got my hair chopped off! Can't tell that well in this pic, but I'm missing about 8-10 inches.<br />
Awesome for summer running!</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, I could feel the effects of the drills in my legs and abs. Always nice to feel the results of a good workout! Today, I.AM.SOAR. I'm doing stretches whenever I can. Just hope that this doesn't carry over to tomorrow. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've layed out my outfit (the absolute cutest one yet!!!) and all my stuff. I still can't find my pulse watch and it is ticking me off! Oh well. I don't know anyone that is doing tomorrow's race, so that has me even more nervous. It'll be my first race listening to tunes. I've always had a partner...except my last race I jumped out of the car and took off running without my music. So this race will be different for me in many ways. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't anyone else out there get so nervous about race that you actually feel your stomach turning?!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't this silly? I did a half marathon for Pete sake! But...that was 8 months ago...and I trained hard and long for it. This one...not so much. :(</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm having a vision....it's of my future!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUJ6UOH6qB0WTBaPYCItqF1W_CF5nnlMlNj9dAzWnzytt9eHUtDjEbMJq4QPrUBHInC6GggWkiN-_uaW-MFipDR7OU9Azj4qu17Za4dW6uL-MKTrkUF6WFImXXSPxBFVy_AG4cuOxpA/s1600/thumbnailCA32P9G9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUJ6UOH6qB0WTBaPYCItqF1W_CF5nnlMlNj9dAzWnzytt9eHUtDjEbMJq4QPrUBHInC6GggWkiN-_uaW-MFipDR7OU9Azj4qu17Za4dW6uL-MKTrkUF6WFImXXSPxBFVy_AG4cuOxpA/s1600/thumbnailCA32P9G9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh dear....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-41699265804739655792012-05-15T05:59:00.000-07:002012-05-15T05:59:41.290-07:00The hurdles of life..<span style="font-size: large;">Still fighting a sinus infection. I skipped the RUN WITH THE KNIGHTS 5K Saturday to rest. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I went for a walk. I did a little over 2 miles. Not a great distance, but I was picking up a friends child from daycare. So pushing a stroller and having lungs full of crud made it quite challenging. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have my S.I.T. group tomorrow, and we'll be out running this time. I'm excited for it, but I'll be taking it easy. I have my first 10K this weekend, and I am <strong><u><em>in no way</em></u></strong> prepared for it. But I know I can go that distance, it just won't be a great time. Which is okay with me, because my Fort4Fitness time will look all that much better compared to this weekends! lol That's my look on it. My philosophy is that you do what you can do. <strong>The point is that you are out there doing it! </strong> You're not always going to get a PR, so those are the races that you just chalk up to experience and practice that lead to those awesome PR's when you do get them. Last year was NOT about PR's for me, it was all training for a 1/2 marathon...something that I had on my bucket list and I DID IT!!! This year, I'm getting out there for my health. PR's are always a good motivational tool to drive yourself...but are not necessary for me this year. One day, I'll be fit and fast...running races just for fun and PR's. :) One day...</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-76404741423430135492012-05-09T05:22:00.001-07:002012-05-09T05:22:10.417-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ever had a day that you wish you could just forget?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what yesterday was like for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many things went wrong….I was physically and emotionally sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So today, I’ll be skipping our S.I.T. group so I can go home and rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely have a sinus infection, and vomiting might have just been the fact that I had a drink or two when on new meds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I’m really smart huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just having one of those days where you want to bury your head in a pillow and let the world drift away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yuck….</span></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-84403612601027007352012-05-03T12:35:00.000-07:002012-05-03T13:27:02.076-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday's run with the S.I.T. group went well. We did the same pace as Saturday's race. Our ankles were feeling the slope of the river greenway trails. By the end of the run, we definitely felt like we could have gone further. But our couch wouldn't have that. So next time, we'll just bump up the speed to 1:15/1:30 intervals and go the same distance. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You may have seen or heard something about a bunch of trees getting cut down by the Panhandle Pipeline....yeah...that's my neighborhood. So needless to say, things have been changing and active around our "neck of the woods". So my husband and I went for a bike ride. By the end of the evening, I was a sweaty mess and was totally ready for a little R n' R. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd really like to find a jogging stroller this weekend at the city wide garage sale. I have a little boy that I babysit for twice a week and his daycare isn't far away. I thought jogging to and from would be a good way to get some miles in. We'll see.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />I got registered for the Fort4Fitness. It is official, I'm not doing the half marathon...I'll be running the 10K with several others. I'll be doing it for a PR...which will push me in training. I've been warned about the Parlor City Trot 1/2, so I'm looking for a 1/2 that is local and on good terrain. Suggestions?!</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-52638754688479614362012-05-02T13:25:00.000-07:002012-05-02T13:25:13.586-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">So excited for my run with the S.I.T. group tonight! I saw that a few storm cells were going to be heading through the area, so hopefully we don't get anything crazy that would make us cancel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's my new favorite addition to my running gear:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRjlf7QKNUWQ_-2UrWDpStB04i0J1YvHF4CDYFq72Uy_d3gn_1-zGCIoFpoNuo15BuESJz_q-w1rvmiUTmCJGVgpTlXCrX2tphyphenhyphenEYC3dV9oLi_gEfWF69w15WljfTFoUlSETGG_3-oQ/s1600/brita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRjlf7QKNUWQ_-2UrWDpStB04i0J1YvHF4CDYFq72Uy_d3gn_1-zGCIoFpoNuo15BuESJz_q-w1rvmiUTmCJGVgpTlXCrX2tphyphenhyphenEYC3dV9oLi_gEfWF69w15WljfTFoUlSETGG_3-oQ/s1600/brita.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The BRITA water bottle!</span></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I originally bought them for my husband, but decided to try one out. I got to thinking...how great is this?! Last year I was out on a long run and stopped at a friends house to fill up. We used the outdoor garden hose faucet...and all sorts of rust and crud was in it. It was so bad that I TRIED not to drink it. With the Brita bottle, you can fill 'er up anywhere and it will be high quality water! SWEET!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On another note....guess who signed up for the DIVA DASH?!?!?! Yes ma'am...I am registered. I'm so pumped about it!! I was devastated I didn't get to go last year. And then even more so when I heard about how fun it was and all the swag there was. So this year, I'm in! And wait until you see my outfit!! Oh la la!!! Can't wait!!!</span></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-37792412631361995502012-04-30T06:35:00.000-07:002012-04-30T06:35:08.816-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday was the RUN OVER VIOLENCE 5K. It was a bombing 46* and windy as all get out. I must admit, I was unprepared for just how cold it was. I luckily had brought a hoodie along for after the race. With 3 layers and ear muffs, I was still cold...so I can't imagine how some of those skinny girls with a T-shirt and wind jacket felt!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was my sister-in-law and brother-in-laws first competitive race ever! Yay for them! My brother-in-law got second in his age group! He did a 28 minute 5K! Must be those long legs :). And my sister-in-law did a 35 minute 5K! Kudos to both of them! Due to their speediness, they both missed the rain and sleet. Lucky them!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt29W3YdRdot7aaR0FAXKbST9u70DsaUrBVjekaE1jemUGSjlyBSjMWerw6CPOefORrrQq40TkGWB1jVm8pUM2Ru0WMzGLOSslacH2xBOtjS7iL2zUzmy26g8y2mg8F9T0CK5B2AsZWg/s1600/ROV4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt29W3YdRdot7aaR0FAXKbST9u70DsaUrBVjekaE1jemUGSjlyBSjMWerw6CPOefORrrQq40TkGWB1jVm8pUM2Ru0WMzGLOSslacH2xBOtjS7iL2zUzmy26g8y2mg8F9T0CK5B2AsZWg/s200/ROV4.jpg" width="200" /> </a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhldyF8IY3Q66MTALBVFoZHUv2Cydqbkr4T4hamVaEgoweEEXLVzKRvwEfUyrRzUh9d8IFMEMKXqLJxNvrq6YZ3wU0KzocSnXJCPRBZk9vaY0ZDkqn5BXpqjCwf8LXOv31-axMht1LQQ/s1600/ROV5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhldyF8IY3Q66MTALBVFoZHUv2Cydqbkr4T4hamVaEgoweEEXLVzKRvwEfUyrRzUh9d8IFMEMKXqLJxNvrq6YZ3wU0KzocSnXJCPRBZk9vaY0ZDkqn5BXpqjCwf8LXOv31-axMht1LQQ/s200/ROV5.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am part of a small running group called SPRING INTO TRAINING or S.I.T. There are classes on racing tips and equipment. But last Wednesday, we ran in groups according to our pace and style of running. The 2 girls in my group were a little faster than me, but were sports and matched my pace. So when I saw them at the race on Saturday, I went up to them and asked what pace they were doing. That's when they said "Mel needs a partner!". Wonderful! I was so excited to have someone to race with! Come to find out, Mel is in the same running group...we've just managed to miss each other. I have missed a few training classes and she missed the last one that I actually made it to. Hooray for new running partners! That was probably the most I've tried to talk during a race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We set our intervals for 1/1:30 run/walk. The course wasn't all flat. There was one particularly steep hill that absolutely drained us and we opted to walk through an interval to catch our breath. It's amazing to see how walking through just one interval can put THAT much distance between the you and the people you've kept pace with. As we were both getting back into the saddle with training, neither one of us was in enough shape to catch back up. We kept our intervals after that and sprinted in at the finish line. Did I mention that it sleeted, rained, was windy, hilly, and freezing cold?! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw-99FYeP_x81c8JdM4GDfCEvGoVdztJLp9y5J4qikQYHTWzpq8OsChORkmR7ziSWDJKeEEyMLRpEQp3dyJ9XoRsW9xT-cJuP-DRUqAnlBMLw7Gf2hFdx-FZbLSR2rJbrrXI7Nh7D_g/s1600/ROV1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw-99FYeP_x81c8JdM4GDfCEvGoVdztJLp9y5J4qikQYHTWzpq8OsChORkmR7ziSWDJKeEEyMLRpEQp3dyJ9XoRsW9xT-cJuP-DRUqAnlBMLw7Gf2hFdx-FZbLSR2rJbrrXI7Nh7D_g/s320/ROV1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Left to right) S.I.T. runner and her girls. Mel and myself.</div>
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Running it in!!!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">We finished with a time of 45:10.9!! A 14:34 minute/mile pace! SCORE!!! That's about the same pace I did the Fort4Fit in...and that was my best time ever!!!</span></strong></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-11314850644925707152012-04-26T12:24:00.000-07:002012-04-26T12:26:45.845-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">This post is to catch everyone up on what I've been up to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been bleeding for the past 7 months after my miscarriage. I just got diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome...and a couple other things. PCOS makes you gain weight rapidly and is crazy hard to take off. Go figure. Now that I'm medicated properly, I'm hoping that I'll be able to lose a little more weight running this year than I did last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last Saturday, I ran the Discover Roanoke 5K.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzRGLL8AfADJRUe-5-VejFsH4-eaEEAbJV0HGAHE-KI_iS3fUo_xY6t-5Gb10wkyC-PSdVFze0LieqG50VCOqnJvA3BVl_uqX2NuTKHrXoJeL6-bVCjd7XHFIriVa2WJ_jJx4oBgGVA/s1600/image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzRGLL8AfADJRUe-5-VejFsH4-eaEEAbJV0HGAHE-KI_iS3fUo_xY6t-5Gb10wkyC-PSdVFze0LieqG50VCOqnJvA3BVl_uqX2NuTKHrXoJeL6-bVCjd7XHFIriVa2WJ_jJx4oBgGVA/s320/image1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had only ran once before this race since Fort4Fitness last September.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My lovely husband got us lost. We couldn't find the town, let alone the starting line. I showed up over 5 minutes late. I found someone to grab my bib for me. A very kind lady asked me if I wanted her to hold my T-shirt for me. I accepted the offer, thanked her, and took off running! I caught up with the police car tailing the people at the rear of the race. I passed 3 girls and started to catch up with another. If you haven't been to Roanoke before, there is one thing that I can tell you....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">CRRAAAAZY hilly!!! But I loved it. I ran at the top of each hill and then all the way down, and some of the slighter inclines. I walked going up the hill and caught my breath during this time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband and the little boy we were babysitting that day showed up in the middle of the race to cheer me on. I asked how far I was (since there weren't any signs...yuck...hate that!). He thought I was about half way. That sounded good to me...no biggy. Yeah...it was like 5 minutes later that I was sprinting to the finish line. It was my worst 5K time...but I hadn't trained....or stretched for that matter...in months. I was very proud of myself though. I started late and didn't finish last!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On a bad note, I got really sick from dehydration and was stuck on the couch for 2 days. DUM DUM DUM!!! It's so easy to drink water....can't believe I screwed that one up. But trust me...it's not worth feeling like crap!!! Just drink your water BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The boys tuckered out after the morning race too. :) So cute!</span></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-49200863265628036482012-02-03T07:34:00.000-08:002012-02-03T07:34:43.252-08:00Doing well!In a few more days, I'll have lost 5% of my weight! I have gotten back out there and hit the pavement running again...which my body apperently doesn't remember. lol If felt good though, to get out there and do it. I've been running inside on the treadmill...but running out doors is different in so many ways.<br />
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I have my first race of the year next Saturday; The Fanny Freezer 5K. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm not going for a PR, I really haven't trained enough for that to be my goal. I'm going for the experience and fun. <br />
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I hope to hit my 10% weight loss goal by the end of the month.....I'll be sure to post when it happends. :)<br />
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Hope everyone out there is doing well and loving this awesome weather!!!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-81297756245176745722012-01-03T07:07:00.000-08:002012-01-03T07:07:50.017-08:00Half Marathon for 2012<a href="http://www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is the half marathon that I am thinking of doing for this year. Has anyone done this one before? What were your thoughts? </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What was your favorite half marathon that you have ever ran?!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fort4Fitness registration is up for 2012, but I'm thinking I want to mix it up from year to year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In other news, my husband and I have decided to wait until March to start trying to conceive again. For the next 3 months, I am on a strict diet and exercise schedule. I have a weight loss goal and I fully intend to hit it! My husband has agreed to be my Jillian Michaels and help whip me into shape. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">My incentive......if I want babies, then I have to lose weight. I want to be a fit and healthy mommy!</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-9855931322659341382011-12-20T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-20T08:00:11.837-08:00Starting all of the pain all over again!<span style="font-size: large;">Starting up a training routine again sucks...because you've already lived through the pain once. It took me about 2 months of training to get through shin splints and ankle pain last time. So here I am again, going through the same pain. I'm having all sorts of new pains as well. My shoulders and knees have been giving me some trouble lately. It's something I haven't had trouble with before, but I'm just trying to stretch them out more before and after a work out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been hitting the bicycle a lot lately...but I've been having a lot of dreams about running. I think my conscience is trying to tell me to get my butt in gear! So tonight....I'm gonna run!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I went to the grocery store last night and got some healthy snacks for the week. I know that I'm not going to do well on Christmas, so I'm gonna try to be good up until that day. I have a running schedule planned out and I'm working on a meal plan for the week. I'm going to portion correctly all week! I bought some pomegranates, zucchini, carrots, apples, pears, kiwi, a fresh pineapple, and some green bell peppers. These will be my snacking foods/breakfast foods for the week leading up to Christmas Eve. I really hate it when people deprive themselves of foods when trying to loose weight. That's not what it's about. It's about making better choices and portioning when you treat yourself! If you know that you're going to eat half a pizza tonight for supper, eat light leading up to it and order a veggie lovers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some days I feel like I could kill, just absolutely tackle a person for a snickers bar.....why fight it?! I get myself my chocolate fix and skip the soda at supper. Maybe jog an extra interval or two that night if you're really feeling guilty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I'm wrong about this and that would explain why I'm as heavy as I am. I just don't feel that depriving yourself of the occasional treat is the kind of life style that you constantly live! Not off the bat anyway. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>What's your "I GOTTA HAVE IT" snack?</em></span></strong>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-23185175832985741432011-12-12T06:19:00.000-08:002011-12-12T06:21:16.642-08:00QUESTIONS......<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm looking for some input today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If you live around the Fort Wayne, IN area, what races would you recommend for 2012? Which do you think are the most fun?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My plan is to get another half marathon in this coming year, so I need suggestions for a good one on that too. I'm willing to travel for the half marathon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And last but not least....I'm looking for more running bloggers to follow......which would you recommend to a new runner like me?</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-32938579061443802612011-12-09T11:12:00.000-08:002011-12-09T11:12:30.757-08:00A NEW ME.So, as we all know....New Year's is just around the corner. <br />
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I have a resolution that I am starting early....why wait for New Year's?!<br />
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I am currently at my heaviest weight of my life. I find this hard to believe considering that I just ran a half marathon a few months ago.<br />
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<strong>I plan to lose 40 lbs. by 2013.</strong><br />
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I am on a 1,200 calorie diet with a new training schedule. My calendar is wide open and I'm looking for new events to run in the upcoming year.<br />
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This is going to be a struggle....so help and guidance is much appreciated here!!!!!!!! And maybe a little support on the side ;)<br />
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Monday, 12/5/11 was my first run since the half marathon and my official starting date. My long-term goal is to be down 4 pant sizes and around 60-70 lbs. lighter. That's half of a person!!! I hope to be at my goal weight in 2 years.<br />
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The difficult part is not feeling as big as I look in pictures. I'm annoyed with my weight, but I love food! The kitchen is honestly my favorite place in the world. But there are ways to combat these things.<br />
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So here it goes....an adventure to a new me! Wish me luck!!! :DAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-50563657843706481002011-12-09T08:47:00.000-08:002011-12-09T08:47:11.866-08:00I'M BACK!!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Almost 11 weeks later...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be honest, before this week, I haven't ran.......not once since the 1/2 marathon. I was so ready for a break from the commitment of the long runs and hours spent on the road!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Come to find out, I was pregnant when I ran my first 1/2! Nice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A month later, we lost it/them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tack on another month for grieving, drinking, and binge eating....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And boom!...here I am...ready to get back at the running thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My awesome husband has purchased a treadmill for me for Christmas. It arrived last week and I have to say, it feels great to lace up the ol' tennies again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My body is starting from scratch again, but that's to be expected. Other parts of my body were like "Oh yea! I remember this!!!" </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure how far this will all go...especially with trying to conceive. But for now, I'm going to run until the doctors tell me to quit. As of now, the doctors are demanding I run to get some weight off. Yeah...that made my day. :o/ It actually really ticked me off.</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I'm looking into some races for 2012 and mapping things out. I have a training schedule in place and I'm ready to hit the ground running!</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-85370741249988844692011-09-27T09:20:00.000-07:002011-09-27T09:20:54.743-07:00We're Half Marthoners!!!!!!!!! (Part 3 of 3)<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u><strong>Wow, after 22 weeks of training, Tia and I finally did it!</strong></u> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPB5gdUVlKsMIBcjmaqsMK3q7GI3vQ89nnDg_l89b_W7Q18R7D-mRiXZ3oFpZSH-PLRUbUexIFE_s61XXM3bn6L1nZnSowPIlQkZY5me0H8vFvh7QSyM9xEXjlzQEUDK2zFmO9m-pSg/s1600/~8811474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPB5gdUVlKsMIBcjmaqsMK3q7GI3vQ89nnDg_l89b_W7Q18R7D-mRiXZ3oFpZSH-PLRUbUexIFE_s61XXM3bn6L1nZnSowPIlQkZY5me0H8vFvh7QSyM9xEXjlzQEUDK2zFmO9m-pSg/s1600/%257E8811474.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A helicopter flew over the stadium to signal the start of the day's events.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyco_aVxVnyFGX2ST7dFfZA2DJtEmSslFul56rFF5u9JpCr0jeTOmUJoAWXzF1-DIfxH5u-PoXRqOirLN2ESONd31XQH2-vH-zBYUV-zwppHQag0Cg8noW8i3zmA5tQJ-vuZMV2RDwg/s1600/~2120504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyco_aVxVnyFGX2ST7dFfZA2DJtEmSslFul56rFF5u9JpCr0jeTOmUJoAWXzF1-DIfxH5u-PoXRqOirLN2ESONd31XQH2-vH-zBYUV-zwppHQag0Cg8noW8i3zmA5tQJ-vuZMV2RDwg/s1600/%257E2120504.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Full corrals!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iTt8rCK-g1ACIVpSQ6Rn8Hrr9ISZqaCCNa2j98bZgBLhl5-IbEa0noz0JnlZf0KUmDplQOxHCSSkZ422pPCDKyFJ-KfN8_hyphenhyphenJChtV4t84wXIaBU-fJtoPRbriTI4ckx2GFZqoMCRdw/s1600/~5967380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iTt8rCK-g1ACIVpSQ6Rn8Hrr9ISZqaCCNa2j98bZgBLhl5-IbEa0noz0JnlZf0KUmDplQOxHCSSkZ422pPCDKyFJ-KfN8_hyphenhyphenJChtV4t84wXIaBU-fJtoPRbriTI4ckx2GFZqoMCRdw/s320/%257E5967380.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some wacky outfits out there!!! This guy was a running fairy! WOW!</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVH9wVwlFYxZ1wsUg5z6q9_ZlPKO7MJP57nW_cnwYWTGTUQf-VUCAZCwOiwpyWm6KdCCcJmqXu5wZPHiqsiVFfEFJvA2xr3I_8DTwXl10tDTQoFxrmSeox5s8dm7k_S_Bhlv3iT4WLLg/s1600/~0441161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVH9wVwlFYxZ1wsUg5z6q9_ZlPKO7MJP57nW_cnwYWTGTUQf-VUCAZCwOiwpyWm6KdCCcJmqXu5wZPHiqsiVFfEFJvA2xr3I_8DTwXl10tDTQoFxrmSeox5s8dm7k_S_Bhlv3iT4WLLg/s320/%257E0441161.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Me the hubs. : D</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhSiHt7jmV4x5BuaCf9h5vurp7nSBWDkn3z61R6-A2fiaPUA6jLQijCNSAAWhxSQ_pHtFo6wjsT7nE5ZCrSbti0xPtPZPb1eh0cMGatBptl9xADPofn4R3NjIP9oVOzu9g2IlK7KZ2A/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhSiHt7jmV4x5BuaCf9h5vurp7nSBWDkn3z61R6-A2fiaPUA6jLQijCNSAAWhxSQ_pHtFo6wjsT7nE5ZCrSbti0xPtPZPb1eh0cMGatBptl9xADPofn4R3NjIP9oVOzu9g2IlK7KZ2A/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We're ready to get this party started!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh3Ud4M66wc0U4R7gF6GnIuSFzHi9WcdF2OkK7aO9sv24JRpmKNlcwMaNIjh2ya1zXvhBAjwD2FQzmF2nYhvZD9Uxpkx7vxw8cuq4Bww0153N3GENGGN-JjARjWAT6mj6zZS34EZ06Q/s1600/Picture+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh3Ud4M66wc0U4R7gF6GnIuSFzHi9WcdF2OkK7aO9sv24JRpmKNlcwMaNIjh2ya1zXvhBAjwD2FQzmF2nYhvZD9Uxpkx7vxw8cuq4Bww0153N3GENGGN-JjARjWAT6mj6zZS34EZ06Q/s320/Picture+004.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our corral getting ready to start our FIRST half marathon!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s6pdTcKJlQTYgQpgeV8niI_nPtgtRzmMX9M8qVS_BmHcstZxSRh7mrwKZQIC1TQ7TSOH5OlNYM_IMZPJbOKd_CjalSuRtbUilhO5MiVAyJeKM_uQgsfUbCeiz-b71-n0pdgU3JF-zA/s1600/~5773331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s6pdTcKJlQTYgQpgeV8niI_nPtgtRzmMX9M8qVS_BmHcstZxSRh7mrwKZQIC1TQ7TSOH5OlNYM_IMZPJbOKd_CjalSuRtbUilhO5MiVAyJeKM_uQgsfUbCeiz-b71-n0pdgU3JF-zA/s320/%257E5773331.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">AND....WE'RE OFF!!! </span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Took us a few minutes to actually get to this point from where we started.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXMudQYrVL2IsEW1Bq0yLBc1DrMtLe7A60Qr0sMn1QpxATNzpK7yfuv3Y2bBlC6DKov8wS97qQ5gn0dgHK78Upq6B2RNIG3wS8NsvDeM54lL5tBhC5rLMDiSGpg7VW8665KXsoLC31A/s1600/0924110802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXMudQYrVL2IsEW1Bq0yLBc1DrMtLe7A60Qr0sMn1QpxATNzpK7yfuv3Y2bBlC6DKov8wS97qQ5gn0dgHK78Upq6B2RNIG3wS8NsvDeM54lL5tBhC5rLMDiSGpg7VW8665KXsoLC31A/s320/0924110802.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here we go!!! This is it...we're DOING IT!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLU8Bchb4QIYExzcq0VXeV3qsHMpfL6fSer4uojh2KABWXITXG6wyMdjMIgPSzzucaDFxLbHoBpo737EIuT8rYLHTTgcwkUr2ugzgN0OXFqeF5CFEfnJwWbcWFXIg7-2qimp_ERRCXw/s1600/~3563452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLU8Bchb4QIYExzcq0VXeV3qsHMpfL6fSer4uojh2KABWXITXG6wyMdjMIgPSzzucaDFxLbHoBpo737EIuT8rYLHTTgcwkUr2ugzgN0OXFqeF5CFEfnJwWbcWFXIg7-2qimp_ERRCXw/s320/%257E3563452.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look at all of these PEOPLE! Can you tell that this year's shirts were <span style="color: blue;">BLUE</span>?!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi6XwjDoaQ2PTibTg7mSpTzB6nCJufQj2z7zl73ehfS13bYBN9AFaDwvF6KgbylhB2RS8_p6fV7UQm8hc2BeSRwCf-8oydHjWWoR6vp4jmKoEhmwmVbRorAjl68zi7LUYR0nCc8N94w/s1600/~1086688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi6XwjDoaQ2PTibTg7mSpTzB6nCJufQj2z7zl73ehfS13bYBN9AFaDwvF6KgbylhB2RS8_p6fV7UQm8hc2BeSRwCf-8oydHjWWoR6vp4jmKoEhmwmVbRorAjl68zi7LUYR0nCc8N94w/s320/%257E1086688.JPG" width="236px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0_-QC9UT6St5XUVIDLOuy2y5VqSTj_p0-1UOQZ3HfEONHYQlpp3ygkhZyJjRm0tASGDCSBWnf8u8li-_hPCs-R-OFwlXGUVq-WQRKcA0K_jHDvTaE6KzlaFRMxIrRaiV3YCBQGqTGw/s1600/~1023820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0_-QC9UT6St5XUVIDLOuy2y5VqSTj_p0-1UOQZ3HfEONHYQlpp3ygkhZyJjRm0tASGDCSBWnf8u8li-_hPCs-R-OFwlXGUVq-WQRKcA0K_jHDvTaE6KzlaFRMxIrRaiV3YCBQGqTGw/s1600/%257E1023820.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not sure what was up with the ice cream costume...but I thought it was cruel that they weren't offering any ice cream cones! lol</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9Nqh28nb4tVDAOYM7H803lFaK7rHAfO32-PH02mjW7eE8hu-9XFJ8wjo2aGGyF_hui98QkU92-h9lSiupom1S6eicLnSUkQu6Eo42SMd78SXU23LLxA2r5jQfwvWFJCYjOAJPcPrEQ/s1600/~4052449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9Nqh28nb4tVDAOYM7H803lFaK7rHAfO32-PH02mjW7eE8hu-9XFJ8wjo2aGGyF_hui98QkU92-h9lSiupom1S6eicLnSUkQu6Eo42SMd78SXU23LLxA2r5jQfwvWFJCYjOAJPcPrEQ/s320/%257E4052449.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lots of music along the way to give us a boost of energy!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxw7ADrb_p0FEOAclYFKPrrrdQU44jI72JjB7sNNaTaMOYhyphenhyphenNAxpz_TxdRsmicNTI2LjqEXTOVkXC_3vqfD2BEc5upwG3fkKKsITnLx_SXSSE-9WZQmRlEpje4JDm540CMhpDSy5bYA/s1600/~6303228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxw7ADrb_p0FEOAclYFKPrrrdQU44jI72JjB7sNNaTaMOYhyphenhyphenNAxpz_TxdRsmicNTI2LjqEXTOVkXC_3vqfD2BEc5upwG3fkKKsITnLx_SXSSE-9WZQmRlEpje4JDm540CMhpDSy5bYA/s320/%257E6303228.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I snapped a pic of my partner. So she got one of me too...</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAmYknZwmBerSPxLGyiHpKGnOlVMyCOTOGnXqyYTX29Mo44Uxfk5Ghowx2UXj6WrpEAZccNv6AOlzHus2E7ep5OZ7HcNZexhSo-xMnIf48qX-VURwi0stI9wfmyoSqntCNihmf0jOw/s1600/~9113029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAmYknZwmBerSPxLGyiHpKGnOlVMyCOTOGnXqyYTX29Mo44Uxfk5Ghowx2UXj6WrpEAZccNv6AOlzHus2E7ep5OZ7HcNZexhSo-xMnIf48qX-VURwi0stI9wfmyoSqntCNihmf0jOw/s320/%257E9113029.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not my best side...lol</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMiTRD4ste5GWiPW70UwxmMXLgC1PzIn354jjiN3ImTrXfqPUZyJrWY9SaWhj20oHCgM3bXhVBBCZ2cZyMF3-oPpP8dxUM-y6bnNJix9cB0lqwjtjTraH387prEaup0cZNdE91nLZbA/s1600/Picture+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMiTRD4ste5GWiPW70UwxmMXLgC1PzIn354jjiN3ImTrXfqPUZyJrWY9SaWhj20oHCgM3bXhVBBCZ2cZyMF3-oPpP8dxUM-y6bnNJix9cB0lqwjtjTraH387prEaup0cZNdE91nLZbA/s320/Picture+009.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97DAvtEwVj4f9PlSXXn5Xwz5o-c3VbOJmvj_Q_o-bBaDHIWqFU-jvzi9mDAXqckuwDIZvr9Nk1_Ud_qSBgmO-KXrOBu-Azgda5XIbJdPkZ2ubSxmu5GlC6WMe297xtoOckcn44jNzdQ/s1600/Picture+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97DAvtEwVj4f9PlSXXn5Xwz5o-c3VbOJmvj_Q_o-bBaDHIWqFU-jvzi9mDAXqckuwDIZvr9Nk1_Ud_qSBgmO-KXrOBu-Azgda5XIbJdPkZ2ubSxmu5GlC6WMe297xtoOckcn44jNzdQ/s320/Picture+020.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pictures sorta stopped once we started getting rained on in the last 3 miles.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ItcFIAZINmrVg30oeHrYtmkpWGJck2o4FF4hXlK7jyL8ES-afcegQlWMGvOv1NGUDadSkoYsnTMRv4m_i1c-rsWS2lQiXC24mVqHJP1wuutEon6Z6dJ2Hu_55bpCHex3QBfYu6LdNQ/s1600/Picture+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ItcFIAZINmrVg30oeHrYtmkpWGJck2o4FF4hXlK7jyL8ES-afcegQlWMGvOv1NGUDadSkoYsnTMRv4m_i1c-rsWS2lQiXC24mVqHJP1wuutEon6Z6dJ2Hu_55bpCHex3QBfYu6LdNQ/s320/Picture+022.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Running in for the big finish...no more rain!</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaK51N42vMiRZ2dNe1rbKvTgfZZ6z1tY-AwAvcm1plQ0JxlJ1Oq9gz9Hygv9nOiSsAmMGHsLKoSCP5iEhyphenhyphenrHuCBdDNqSepZd_BX6URaKGsNzpAW2j_rBqVwyQ6uV2DDM_kRo81VbH6g/s1600/Picture+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaK51N42vMiRZ2dNe1rbKvTgfZZ6z1tY-AwAvcm1plQ0JxlJ1Oq9gz9Hygv9nOiSsAmMGHsLKoSCP5iEhyphenhyphenrHuCBdDNqSepZd_BX6URaKGsNzpAW2j_rBqVwyQ6uV2DDM_kRo81VbH6g/s320/Picture+024.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Locked arms...and crying! I can't believe we did it!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBsacKPSydz34q8k17l2OvSulV48tCv5_EjtWPTKSpdVfyZb7x3sv0pWB8DnQJgkSFvk6CTXPzNYhapAxVyoIaCTJ1u1LYuPMONciAGFewEx_J1VQcR7G4We2G5AWez4L3yj7MOaPbQ/s1600/Picture+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBsacKPSydz34q8k17l2OvSulV48tCv5_EjtWPTKSpdVfyZb7x3sv0pWB8DnQJgkSFvk6CTXPzNYhapAxVyoIaCTJ1u1LYuPMONciAGFewEx_J1VQcR7G4We2G5AWez4L3yj7MOaPbQ/s320/Picture+025.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">During the race, Tia and I had decided that finishing this race was probably the 2nd biggest thing that either of us had ever done in our lives. Aside from Tia having her little girl, and my getting married to the man of my dreams...neither of us graduated from college or went to boot camp...but we DID finish a HALF MARATHON!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bcyQhtaEJimlgtpRbjUaZvdPh0xvYFC5kZwvjshMfnOHUgq29l6HOE8DEk8EsTDJP8fxFmICGVKiDSOQuSE-jz2r0U40aw4ZpDFBK7MhZ9LQDlXrcfLJNF1oJvsy11SFEcJYw5xwNA/s1600/Picture+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bcyQhtaEJimlgtpRbjUaZvdPh0xvYFC5kZwvjshMfnOHUgq29l6HOE8DEk8EsTDJP8fxFmICGVKiDSOQuSE-jz2r0U40aw4ZpDFBK7MhZ9LQDlXrcfLJNF1oJvsy11SFEcJYw5xwNA/s320/Picture+026.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I never knew I could love a piece of metal SO much!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The feeling was indescribable!!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em>We had a big support crowd that day. Our cousin Alan and his wife Sadie, with their kids, Evan and Olivia were there. Our grandparents were there...we were both surprised that our grandpa showed up! Something neither of us expected. Tia's parents, sister, and daughter were there; as well as my mother, sister, and husband. Everyone wore red..which helped us pick them out long before we could even see their faces. </em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Thanks to all of you! Each time we saw you, it gave us a much needed energy boost!</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prior to the race, we had come up with a game plan. We had decided to go with the following:</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Set our interval pace at 1:05/2:30 walk/jog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. We will follow the pack from the start line and then fall into the intervals once the crowd thins out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. Walk through water stations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. We are only allowed to walk through 2 intervals if needed...and only after mile 5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. Baby jog the entire baseball field at the finish</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">6. High five's at miles 2,4,6,8,10, and 12.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">7. Eat BLOKS at mile 3,6,9, and 11 if needed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">8. April's beeper will be set to intervals, Tia's to stop watch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9. Our goal is to finish with a 16 min/mile at best...really just want to finish under 4 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did it work? Well....yes and no.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the 5 mile mark, we were doing 14:47!!! A pace we have NEVER kept. By mile 10, we were holding a 14:58 min/mile pace!!! WOW!!! Tia was convinced that I'd been holding out on her. lol Not likely. I was definitely pushing myself to the max. I wanted this...I wanted to finish with a good time...not just for me..but for my partner that I usually hold back. We picked two ladies out of the sea of blue shirts (one girl was wearing pink and the other white). We agreed to try to keep pace with these girls after we caught up with them for the 6th time. That's when we decided we might as well get to know them as well. We came to know them as the "A team". Around mile 9 or so..I was feeling it. I couldn't keep up with Tia on the runs, so I broke a rule. I started running through our walking intervals..but it was just baby jogs. I figured if I could keep up a slow and steady jog, then Tia could catch up with me. Yes, I was doing more work..but it was helping us keep up our time. I didn't always walk through the water stations like we had planned since I was dragging us behind. Tia usually caught up with me after she had her cup of water. I couldn't do the BLOKS like we were supposed to. I didn't something new (which you aren't really supposed to do on race day). I tried eating pretzels. Yeah, it was dry and hard to eat while running and out of breath, but they expanded in my stomach and made me feel like something was in there and kept the water from sloshing around. I probably only ate 3 or 4 pretzels..but it did the trick. By mile 10 or 11, I was pooped. We didn't walk through any intervals until just before we entered the stadium. We had planned to start running at the 13 mile marker since it was a long way to run from the entrance all the way to the finish. BUT...when we saw it..we just took off. I started crying..I just couldn't believe that we had done it..it was over...we'd accomplished something together that was sooo huge for us! Just before the finish, we crossed arms and ran across the finish line together..arm in arm. We hugged and then Tia grabbed my arm and said "Let's go get our medals!" I was GAME for THAT!! <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">We'd earned it!!</span></strong> 22 weeks of training filled with tears, sweat, and blood! By golly we earned those medals!! I really can't describe the joy that filled us...we were just so happy!</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">We crossed the finish line with a final time of <span style="color: #cc0000;">3:17:31</span>!!! A 15:05 min/mile pace! We totally SMOKED our goal!!!</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So...to conclude our race re-cap...here's a question that many have been asking.</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Will you guys continue to run?"</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HECK YES!!! We plan to continue to run and return to training for our next half marathon next year! No idea which one at this time, but our journey will continue. :D</span></strong><br />
<b><b><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></b></b><br />
<div dir="ltr"></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-91158288558874329902011-09-27T09:19:00.001-07:002011-09-27T09:19:37.538-07:00We're Half Marathoners!!!!!!!!! (Part 2 of 3)<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holy crap!! The big day is here! </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Finally, after 22 weeks of training (in the hottest summer in years I might add), </span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">it's finally time for Tia and I to shine!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was up and at'em at 5AM. I had everything layed out, so I decided to make sure I ate breakfast first. I had 2 bagels and 1/2 a banana. I quickly got ready and out the door. My husband surprised me by taking the day off of work (which isn't allowed during the busy season..but his boss is a runner, so he was understanding). Awesome surprise! We were at Tia's a little after 6AM and on our way. When Tia jumped in the car, I realized that she wasn't ready! I guess we hadn't really talked about our coordinating outfits enough...so we got her ready on the way there.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNhJC9kyuNFGgef1V8lmlJi_pxR6G5JuqgrK3LkaNuDwTuIeKxjjXuYOj83y_zibzZM02bolfL2KYhMGhhN0aArBV0uvqSWtnKbdwTiEGPwNJY2OjFSV_j8eA3aPYwERR5O9TM4ihlQ/s1600/~0050660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNhJC9kyuNFGgef1V8lmlJi_pxR6G5JuqgrK3LkaNuDwTuIeKxjjXuYOj83y_zibzZM02bolfL2KYhMGhhN0aArBV0uvqSWtnKbdwTiEGPwNJY2OjFSV_j8eA3aPYwERR5O9TM4ihlQ/s1600/%257E0050660.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is <span style="color: magenta;">PINK PANTHER</span>!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsfaAwW0iANevN3YDsVD7obi4eUWThNeV04SS0N1uaIu6pDjmjHIQL2RhfpWNBv8XhLYzJxQmDQKeCCtZU00MEsjwUk4vSLwRtPdRGOFI8irzdL__SrM79kkzauN92G8YatVMPocYEw/s1600/~2258262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsfaAwW0iANevN3YDsVD7obi4eUWThNeV04SS0N1uaIu6pDjmjHIQL2RhfpWNBv8XhLYzJxQmDQKeCCtZU00MEsjwUk4vSLwRtPdRGOFI8irzdL__SrM79kkzauN92G8YatVMPocYEw/s1600/%257E2258262.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her nails read "FIRST (heart) HALF".</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz-cP8e02sWkC3qqxmFZhhMhqp98Uf0ILG2d3N13XTqZrLMtDMgtnxNSdHVxMcKnBieyxbhoSYqyU-0Uc6wEHJNKwg8h30jfdbtOF7S9Z7hTsCbaC3fJsMxyrllICPH3N0CEYABQY7A/s1600/~5186097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="236px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz-cP8e02sWkC3qqxmFZhhMhqp98Uf0ILG2d3N13XTqZrLMtDMgtnxNSdHVxMcKnBieyxbhoSYqyU-0Uc6wEHJNKwg8h30jfdbtOF7S9Z7hTsCbaC3fJsMxyrllICPH3N0CEYABQY7A/s320/%257E5186097.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I picked out a motivational quote for Tia, and she picked one out for me. We color coordinated as well. We didn't have our markers with us Friday night, so we had to do them in the car on our way up...LOVELY hand writing ;) <span style="color: magenta;">Hers reads "The miracle isn't that you will finish. The miracle is that you had the courage to START!"</span></span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnicodMVzpTZVaoamEgr-iaCE8FZZVGL2_VCXUUSKcJHjl-Wzso_Zw3tpqx-IP1r1MsWg5RVHfVIZed398a-VpYMtwRMMdcIws0fpsiYqsiGmkl3MgrWx9Xk6AXsxL15Peyazf1njcg/s1600/~3807470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnicodMVzpTZVaoamEgr-iaCE8FZZVGL2_VCXUUSKcJHjl-Wzso_Zw3tpqx-IP1r1MsWg5RVHfVIZed398a-VpYMtwRMMdcIws0fpsiYqsiGmkl3MgrWx9Xk6AXsxL15Peyazf1njcg/s1600/%257E3807470.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And here I am...<span style="color: #3d85c6;">BLUE TIGRIS</span>!!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7oxx1da7c7-t4qOQ7oTAmlOrKLQLzkkwG6xgvyjUjRhgbNHXzahmtFSwMMU-ZUn4SB5xT-Ppr6eto1A6v_RZMXJVp896kSxadvPp5xPLFRYIqn8II-frvcwXxgTHBEpj6FXkboEdDQ/s1600/~3347554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7oxx1da7c7-t4qOQ7oTAmlOrKLQLzkkwG6xgvyjUjRhgbNHXzahmtFSwMMU-ZUn4SB5xT-Ppr6eto1A6v_RZMXJVp896kSxadvPp5xPLFRYIqn8II-frvcwXxgTHBEpj6FXkboEdDQ/s1600/%257E3347554.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I did these fabulous nails all by myself! :)</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmP7huehBS0CM1UWEPh6-bl0_RbveFu08F_Pi-GhRaL7pmxISHyq49Ug0qh6kcfFzZqGMKTDOdNwZx-oTM-_Ag03xKju-OptMI1nRddcr6tJMKz7Ud5XhKEbcaDn-LbvFppXInehs0w/s320/0924110631.JPG" width="240px" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I wore my tiger socks that were turned into sleeves, so my quote had to go on my hand. I</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">t reads <span style="color: #0b5394;">"You don't have to be great to start...you just have to start to be GREAT!"</span></span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYQ88Tnh0FMP01-NhgA7TIoH1vX02Oze97iTziEPc-IELBb4ep7KHr3ltZVAph6mm5AjcSOQzxoH0moqmAc2BYOHq8MGXM31c0eJDspd5T84shy-oepg4iaZJh6916MPOBhG0qy4rFQ/s1600/~6807567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYQ88Tnh0FMP01-NhgA7TIoH1vX02Oze97iTziEPc-IELBb4ep7KHr3ltZVAph6mm5AjcSOQzxoH0moqmAc2BYOHq8MGXM31c0eJDspd5T84shy-oepg4iaZJh6916MPOBhG0qy4rFQ/s320/%257E6807567.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here we are...bright and early...setting out to do something great!!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKR1XjVyE_noJZ6Bw_tBWj8hu-me2HBqnmtN3Y23Yndr9neyERVx4Rm5cPBLy654MiWsXyKVn4PZuwthTyXr_QJeTNB-BfbXJwi4gO_T3u5HUXra8bfrrz8NLZpjJRWU48YL_y8TqDQ/s1600/~3171982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKR1XjVyE_noJZ6Bw_tBWj8hu-me2HBqnmtN3Y23Yndr9neyERVx4Rm5cPBLy654MiWsXyKVn4PZuwthTyXr_QJeTNB-BfbXJwi4gO_T3u5HUXra8bfrrz8NLZpjJRWU48YL_y8TqDQ/s1600/%257E3171982.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did I mention that it was 46* out that morning?!?! Yeah...cold!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxyi9XiAQBas3skoN_eMsO4lDCB6hfqPVSxESimmqrcW0xUCCpg-QUKoCju9aaaNCX9253IK_3xWn9NqSKLjCjLMhGPl1PonUItBC3Pdto4FYeT8YKXZ61VG8Vuj-WBrb14UxnEtUlg/s1600/~0133320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxyi9XiAQBas3skoN_eMsO4lDCB6hfqPVSxESimmqrcW0xUCCpg-QUKoCju9aaaNCX9253IK_3xWn9NqSKLjCjLMhGPl1PonUItBC3Pdto4FYeT8YKXZ61VG8Vuj-WBrb14UxnEtUlg/s1600/%257E0133320.JPG" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> My husband dropped us off on the side of the road and we walked up to the stadium while he parked the car. As we were heading up there, we saw the opening to the stadium...where we'd be running through in less than 5 hours! It was all very cool to see this early in the morning!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxyi9XiAQBas3skoN_eMsO4lDCB6hfqPVSxESimmqrcW0xUCCpg-QUKoCju9aaaNCX9253IK_3xWn9NqSKLjCjLMhGPl1PonUItBC3Pdto4FYeT8YKXZ61VG8Vuj-WBrb14UxnEtUlg/s1600/~0133320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKfU52oDF4wbmypwcGg-FggsN_ta4_k6aXDfOvy8zL4svxrvZBRVcrtSQpjZGZ-8PE8RfVIYgKVM-5iUH_tq6Yci7RxRfnpeSo8665Q-RMD5TiBFRAMkWippdJlv1ABdIwv_UPx9Pug/s1600/~1127364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKfU52oDF4wbmypwcGg-FggsN_ta4_k6aXDfOvy8zL4svxrvZBRVcrtSQpjZGZ-8PE8RfVIYgKVM-5iUH_tq6Yci7RxRfnpeSo8665Q-RMD5TiBFRAMkWippdJlv1ABdIwv_UPx9Pug/s320/%257E1127364.JPG" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>In the stadium, waiting for my husband to find us.</strong> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnaozP75PoF9nA6kCO7ho5NwSKr_ysPJeKNVi-UPzpTHboxI4Vgs8hMSerTUn_BA7PNecQ42qLgYdfdbIXwxRkUGeBzxMKARL8trnLQIj_NLDbuDzd205Pgg1cMbf77aRBt_Oilywiw/s1600/~5021904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnaozP75PoF9nA6kCO7ho5NwSKr_ysPJeKNVi-UPzpTHboxI4Vgs8hMSerTUn_BA7PNecQ42qLgYdfdbIXwxRkUGeBzxMKARL8trnLQIj_NLDbuDzd205Pgg1cMbf77aRBt_Oilywiw/s320/%257E5021904.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All set up and ready for the show! </span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just looking at the finish line gave me chills!</span></strong></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We waited around in side of the stadium for a little while. We saw some of the girls from the night before and wished them all luck. We used the restroom before heading out to the corrals to look for some of the ladies we had met the night before that were doing the 4 mile.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iSrUzKsUJ1SnBaJDmLDvpB3IUkOXpBDApM9KKYPVzJhvimX6yP2WtoOkdjdoeGGiG4ZhzFDkj6kl_VzYjvfjUTGikHSyG1DjEqFWvR_zkNvNpnaRnaz5d-Rx1IXV1GzKCIzJbjFORQ/s1600/~5002638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_i4lyo6="92" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iSrUzKsUJ1SnBaJDmLDvpB3IUkOXpBDApM9KKYPVzJhvimX6yP2WtoOkdjdoeGGiG4ZhzFDkj6kl_VzYjvfjUTGikHSyG1DjEqFWvR_zkNvNpnaRnaz5d-Rx1IXV1GzKCIzJbjFORQ/s1600/%257E5002638.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Our 4 Milers!</strong></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To be continued.....</span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmP7huehBS0CM1UWEPh6-bl0_RbveFu08F_Pi-GhRaL7pmxISHyq49Ug0qh6kcfFzZqGMKTDOdNwZx-oTM-_Ag03xKju-OptMI1nRddcr6tJMKz7Ud5XhKEbcaDn-LbvFppXInehs0w/s1600/0924110631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-85084774379560313572011-09-27T09:19:00.000-07:002011-09-27T09:19:14.948-07:00We're Half Marathoners!!!!!! (Part 1 of 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Friday, the day before the BIG race!!! A group of us girls car pooled up to Fort Wayne for packet pick-up and the health expo. Our car full was extremely fun...to say the least! All of our sides were hurting from all of the laughter by the time that we arrived.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tCGvmp1eUak6ZjhLVvJ_nlPjvPdfCSA0ae32tcO5OiP56IhK2UEk-MUTuiOEpFS5nUh978FPbJuhLZZM2d_VR64KK8vxo2XrtnsdIxeAk6YpoNaTp2tCsfIjxW3X4qb_jTXqjSU50Q/s1600/~0015136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tCGvmp1eUak6ZjhLVvJ_nlPjvPdfCSA0ae32tcO5OiP56IhK2UEk-MUTuiOEpFS5nUh978FPbJuhLZZM2d_VR64KK8vxo2XrtnsdIxeAk6YpoNaTp2tCsfIjxW3X4qb_jTXqjSU50Q/s320/%257E0015136.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>By now, I am DEFINITELY nervous...it's officially here!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpft7KycP2EDaCEQj2mxlGLKg1ImlACN0BFVcHypP5T62GV1RusvKZjH7elimwtm7BlSu3Ixo57-5er_Hb96M2OSWDb-ZtBUjCrFxT4xaWJSWhBRyImI2xzSqnwt8lJRHXvo5P9eUFmA/s1600/~7962406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpft7KycP2EDaCEQj2mxlGLKg1ImlACN0BFVcHypP5T62GV1RusvKZjH7elimwtm7BlSu3Ixo57-5er_Hb96M2OSWDb-ZtBUjCrFxT4xaWJSWhBRyImI2xzSqnwt8lJRHXvo5P9eUFmA/s320/%257E7962406.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>We're sooo excited! This is what we've been training for!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The expo. was a little disappointing to me, I guess it just wasn't what I was expecting. We all walked around together visiting stations and such. We checked in and picked up our packets....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tIdnbpoBGnOKNhWwWo6i7AYwcWiT8Qk43OM5flFqvjthqB7JBHIukcc_K4ugozhvt1bXGL_vWr4YV47_92e0InWksITCUWoywbMYVhqlhRWwtpXSjvyhFAIB4FVfNGLelJb8lGT25Q/s1600/~9819637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tIdnbpoBGnOKNhWwWo6i7AYwcWiT8Qk43OM5flFqvjthqB7JBHIukcc_K4ugozhvt1bXGL_vWr4YV47_92e0InWksITCUWoywbMYVhqlhRWwtpXSjvyhFAIB4FVfNGLelJb8lGT25Q/s320/%257E9819637.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>This event was VERY well organized...I was very impressed and relieved.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FCBxHru76GxxGjwVZRXqfN0Cy5epYjNvmlmR4JeJUkz1vVO7zak2Hx0gCViqw9jOOHiAtytVIiIit2xsgXtbyrkAAryWz7vfb5viwSMfrdILQbSeCzsg8Z5XB1WgYKjwoqFDsdr-tw/s1600/~8302961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FCBxHru76GxxGjwVZRXqfN0Cy5epYjNvmlmR4JeJUkz1vVO7zak2Hx0gCViqw9jOOHiAtytVIiIit2xsgXtbyrkAAryWz7vfb5viwSMfrdILQbSeCzsg8Z5XB1WgYKjwoqFDsdr-tw/s1600/%257E8302961.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Here is where we'll be entering the baseball field and heading toward the finish line!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8X2sCvwyEy9Hwwjeof_t2-leGd-Yp68ae7ALyxO9tQYAHiRA5X0woC4qrPcegP55cgpTa1J7yVya3DaZxYDFGJbn_21tkRyoBxLwa-t5p3B3iq5wyZ6NMZmSAXu4szCuiWCjjW-ROA/s1600/~4223860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8X2sCvwyEy9Hwwjeof_t2-leGd-Yp68ae7ALyxO9tQYAHiRA5X0woC4qrPcegP55cgpTa1J7yVya3DaZxYDFGJbn_21tkRyoBxLwa-t5p3B3iq5wyZ6NMZmSAXu4szCuiWCjjW-ROA/s320/%257E4223860.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>We'd be crossing this FINISH in less than 24 hours!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vsFsqkf2pRSQQYwFEreZgnvTFcYHbD3qjO6NjgVY-QgTDy4KFm6TKmIToISlu7nOHkSieXumq3VXHQsgotAhmX5qYlLXivdhEqoZpuLt7yOPX-BhIq_rvLN7VMdPnIv0QrnWmBYvFw/s1600/~5222798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vsFsqkf2pRSQQYwFEreZgnvTFcYHbD3qjO6NjgVY-QgTDy4KFm6TKmIToISlu7nOHkSieXumq3VXHQsgotAhmX5qYlLXivdhEqoZpuLt7yOPX-BhIq_rvLN7VMdPnIv0QrnWmBYvFw/s320/%257E5222798.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://mystorychapter2.blogspot.com/">Wells L</a> was our tour guide and gave us all sorts of tips and advice to prep. us for the big race.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sRBc36_VJofnxZSP-Y3yzrVtLV-eFUWFfnCM5Apfg44T81kF8qeNDkf8nrfSrjv7BtWkgK4cx-B21BTKAjmj_A_zXKanODiL7WEMZzLHVsxhj1Rv0_J5N_UwD469Ip5LiQJW0Nvv1w/s1600/100_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sRBc36_VJofnxZSP-Y3yzrVtLV-eFUWFfnCM5Apfg44T81kF8qeNDkf8nrfSrjv7BtWkgK4cx-B21BTKAjmj_A_zXKanODiL7WEMZzLHVsxhj1Rv0_J5N_UwD469Ip5LiQJW0Nvv1w/s320/100_1528.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Here's our posy! It was sooo much fun getting to know these girls. :)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM0vX0fFaALdV8uuClWCamPyljCclQk-c4y1can_unv-j4d52QtuWwGX5pssNXqb3vdE7ix9pYOuCuj1_dBiCRi5r73QAivZpJxLmr6eeDwRE_3asv_9Boxj7hCn0mBglsw16om-5oA/s1600/100_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM0vX0fFaALdV8uuClWCamPyljCclQk-c4y1can_unv-j4d52QtuWwGX5pssNXqb3vdE7ix9pYOuCuj1_dBiCRi5r73QAivZpJxLmr6eeDwRE_3asv_9Boxj7hCn0mBglsw16om-5oA/s320/100_1545.JPG" width="320px" /></strong></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Well, we're all starving now, so it's time to say good night to Parkview Field and head to...</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OEfPqmgy6GoSo02Q7HMzrABNyz0rWC1BuezrORTV4W3zoGwecxDBA7OhLrQMqEAwF7WODdH1FJRUaHsyLuqCcVnz4b-mVV0Xb0N2fLBzHhHVihSvkCNTNwgDPZA93INkyf1ffxXz8A/s1600/100_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OEfPqmgy6GoSo02Q7HMzrABNyz0rWC1BuezrORTV4W3zoGwecxDBA7OhLrQMqEAwF7WODdH1FJRUaHsyLuqCcVnz4b-mVV0Xb0N2fLBzHhHVihSvkCNTNwgDPZA93INkyf1ffxXz8A/s320/100_1535.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Yummy, yummy food!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpiKv846tuSN-D_UT5TEEGWJ5rOPkHOTjOyVtxb42bZNyIDCG7dGX9pNLJYWapDkqtY4S3bDQauzGH3lFjroY5TZfIBbN-4oqBDtTUTIOsWMrUIrWU9PMkpyWVgzzgqIPRv5iQVFjNQ/s1600/~0064233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpiKv846tuSN-D_UT5TEEGWJ5rOPkHOTjOyVtxb42bZNyIDCG7dGX9pNLJYWapDkqtY4S3bDQauzGH3lFjroY5TZfIBbN-4oqBDtTUTIOsWMrUIrWU9PMkpyWVgzzgqIPRv5iQVFjNQ/s320/%257E0064233.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <strong>I think the girls are reviewing the coarse map here...always a good thing to do before a race!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BBFUyQIZ9tLQFG-QQnW8YCfqd0kSfWKNzBiB0Qns8RwzGhqovfKp8tkXto6nCwS-E3jYu-Et0JpzOxn0XNWvQNIkrrhLH1MbrD3K6Xy3o1bp8NxEVfdDHTlZMSMZ4XqdhapaVAdJ0A/s1600/~3331565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BBFUyQIZ9tLQFG-QQnW8YCfqd0kSfWKNzBiB0Qns8RwzGhqovfKp8tkXto6nCwS-E3jYu-Et0JpzOxn0XNWvQNIkrrhLH1MbrD3K6Xy3o1bp8NxEVfdDHTlZMSMZ4XqdhapaVAdJ0A/s1600/%257E3331565.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Not the best quality picture...(taken on my phone)but here's Emilee and Kristen! </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Two awesome girls.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimho9a6hf5k2fUq9KNWDdERqXoxwbQb25oJb_bR49Ppf3nYk_rrbc6UTFX3hv9FtiWAxx2QjDU7tHaHNV6Onymzutd3bY8VPDE5i7ow6VHZS8WAk3QJlTgVcECEWzPRklWRlHoj4AHKw/s1600/100_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimho9a6hf5k2fUq9KNWDdERqXoxwbQb25oJb_bR49Ppf3nYk_rrbc6UTFX3hv9FtiWAxx2QjDU7tHaHNV6Onymzutd3bY8VPDE5i7ow6VHZS8WAk3QJlTgVcECEWzPRklWRlHoj4AHKw/s320/100_1543.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And here's our entire table.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3q-dJK1afz5B8QuqGbx7KnvXhQdZotqSwQVRLz3S0NJ2YT1BOeDQzF2Qo5jW31nSKPd5DFtAQ03wm0z_WrYSSkv-qhNO2y6aERsIcP9O0LZVdiZle30UBQw4c_w1rhG9wXM9BzeRZw/s1600/~7744831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3q-dJK1afz5B8QuqGbx7KnvXhQdZotqSwQVRLz3S0NJ2YT1BOeDQzF2Qo5jW31nSKPd5DFtAQ03wm0z_WrYSSkv-qhNO2y6aERsIcP9O0LZVdiZle30UBQw4c_w1rhG9wXM9BzeRZw/s320/%257E7744831.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <strong>Wells L is getting her motivational quotes written on her arm by her partner "C".</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">By the end of the night, I was pooped. But, I still had to paint my nails and pin my bib on my shirt for the next morning. I think I got to bed some time around 11 or 12. It took me a little while to fall asleep, but once I got there, I was out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong> This concludes Friday...pre-race day.</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-21050753865818574052011-09-22T05:36:00.000-07:002011-09-22T05:40:11.851-07:00HOLY CRAP....IT'S HERE!!!!It's finally here...the day that we've been training for.<br />
<br />
I never would have guessed at how BUSY I'd be the week before the big race. My days are packed! Even the days after the race are booked full. I have already pre-warned people that I might not be very mobile or fun after the race...but life has to go on.<br />
<br />
I've been experiencing ankle pain for the past week or two. We've been tapering, so it's not due to running or the new shoes.. I've been icing them....holy pooo!!! Sink your feet into an ice cold bath and tell me it doesn't hurt. I couldn't stand it. I think 5 minutes was the most I was able to hold it in there.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhxVK9wKJSy_FcmvIJPCpchwgFOJP5uR1TfJUqxc8VdVAQEyjqjYo_0xbGFqu90X9I6A6Omp1qSgu7eYZvfFskiJsqh8dOsxIW2XuDPXWr4w7dufRrilbzkywpw9a9FiFeNMg0XKQJw/s1600/foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhxVK9wKJSy_FcmvIJPCpchwgFOJP5uR1TfJUqxc8VdVAQEyjqjYo_0xbGFqu90X9I6A6Omp1qSgu7eYZvfFskiJsqh8dOsxIW2XuDPXWr4w7dufRrilbzkywpw9a9FiFeNMg0XKQJw/s320/foot.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I got flowers at work the other day from my sister with a card that said "Good luck Saturday Sis! All your hard work is about to pay off. I'm proud of you! Love, Sis". Ummm...how can I lose with awesome supporters like her?! I'm blessed.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnc57LgTWEXL6aDpChWEe1n90vEofTveDHXRh8EbRDnh7HkHYrROEaXKlsmFeQcSlYJieeP_yUEh22ksadOQykpjwB63WyR6Qe5GopnehdKyS38iWjaWVSZSIP1D7X7n1POYJH4UvHQ/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnc57LgTWEXL6aDpChWEe1n90vEofTveDHXRh8EbRDnh7HkHYrROEaXKlsmFeQcSlYJieeP_yUEh22ksadOQykpjwB63WyR6Qe5GopnehdKyS38iWjaWVSZSIP1D7X7n1POYJH4UvHQ/s320/flowers.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
So I don't really have a "sneak peak" at our outfits...but here's what I'm calling us...<span style="color: magenta;"><strong>PINK PANTHER</strong></span> and <strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">BLUE TIGRIS</span></strong>. Oh yeah baby...we're gonna look HOT! More to follow soon!Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-73298959724531808242011-09-14T07:46:00.000-07:002011-09-14T07:46:47.238-07:00To Grandmother's House We GO!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The official count down to our half marathon has begun! 10 more days!!! Holy crapola!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, at least that means that we have also reached our tapering weeks. Our longest run for the week is a mear 6 miles. But to begin our week of tapering, we had a short 4 miles to go last night. My sister, K, joined us for the first time! </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbjr0skZUy_CIybnpGJfzvIb4I60HD0QtqEXE8Gl7351y7SYghTq_cCd2Ga__NEMvgzIycWtPa7MHwOUrQFjsuf9yWJ1O922ww9IgmT8gjp6NhYPcXG24mokJg8CNl7SSDemZWvU0IQ/s1600/image5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbjr0skZUy_CIybnpGJfzvIb4I60HD0QtqEXE8Gl7351y7SYghTq_cCd2Ga__NEMvgzIycWtPa7MHwOUrQFjsuf9yWJ1O922ww9IgmT8gjp6NhYPcXG24mokJg8CNl7SSDemZWvU0IQ/s320/image5.jpg" width="240px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He we are, getting ready to start off.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My sister K is obviously a camera shy person. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can add this photo since she doesn't read my blog :p</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJPok0uRBYA-HzrSR7lV6InbHXX5vItCKvJKjSHT3JSQEtiBmCzYeIJIfrg-1JhoePg6Ys4t8vxDog_axd4YlRFG7ztOyyMCsskNxT8E-kCNhFSLob23J40vleA3PMUCD-r6GGyHPVg/s1600/image4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJPok0uRBYA-HzrSR7lV6InbHXX5vItCKvJKjSHT3JSQEtiBmCzYeIJIfrg-1JhoePg6Ys4t8vxDog_axd4YlRFG7ztOyyMCsskNxT8E-kCNhFSLob23J40vleA3PMUCD-r6GGyHPVg/s320/image4.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I got another pic of K, she obviously wasn't paying attention. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My sister has only recently joined the running world, so we took it easy. She was also having shin splint pain, so we walked through several intervals. Our half way mark was our Grandmother's house....a mear 2 miles away from the starting point...and look what happened to little A!!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JJSbVPMwJByWiVJJZ7OEoCJD8SQXCuVQxbDYGmgaAHllLqTpRAWn9uWnKbAAjgG_SpFHK73BO8qgVjx50CXhR-dzEv7qYdLQldNojVWebpncfVId2x_j7Z1fly7_wwHoa7YJZ2H1hA/s1600/image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JJSbVPMwJByWiVJJZ7OEoCJD8SQXCuVQxbDYGmgaAHllLqTpRAWn9uWnKbAAjgG_SpFHK73BO8qgVjx50CXhR-dzEv7qYdLQldNojVWebpncfVId2x_j7Z1fly7_wwHoa7YJZ2H1hA/s320/image2.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Down for the count for the very first time during a run!! Soooo precious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML-_rIXFtlcKkUidARv6krXkkg6z3NhPJUARyKJJ8RXanJfv6YP1viWQyM4tK5nas8k6o6MF5-CiO4v5KKePym6SSFCNXMm9D87ZnkBU2m-IBpett7vtXzcf_LOfi7xdkIQrWaN6mxQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="200px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML-_rIXFtlcKkUidARv6krXkkg6z3NhPJUARyKJJ8RXanJfv6YP1viWQyM4tK5nas8k6o6MF5-CiO4v5KKePym6SSFCNXMm9D87ZnkBU2m-IBpett7vtXzcf_LOfi7xdkIQrWaN6mxQ/s200/image.jpg" width="150px" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not a lot of sweat on this run.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course we had to stop and chit chat with our Grandmother since she was gracious enough to act as our pit stop and watering station. :) The run home was a little faster. K took the stroller for a while and T and I took off running during our intervals. We talked about our big upcoming race a little, but mostly, it was just a relaxed and run walk. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tonight is cross training, and I plan to work on my inner and outer thighs using an exercise band. Not sure if there is a fancy name for it, but it's pictured below. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://workoutbands.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/elastic-workout-bands.jpg&imgrefurl=http://workoutbands.org/&usg=__p6PfyLgOU0OHnbnE-o6Z1K96sZE=&h=500&w=500&sz=34&hl=en&start=5&zoom=1&tbnid=X91rYZBA8W1UkM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=130&ei=jL1wTqHaC4zpgQf1yImNBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwork%2Bout%2Bband%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img height="130px" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRc-8l27JwgqzAlRJlj9geRUfbl4mdA0oi1o8P7z6U6FgJTVyZQKU_Zg33b6Q" width="130px" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thursday is our long run for the week, so we'll see how it feels after working those fatty areas!!!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What's your favorite piece of exercise equipment?</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-45962840196688107922011-09-13T08:07:00.000-07:002011-09-13T08:07:52.919-07:00Rugged Maniac 5K!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm not sure if you'd call this a "guest post" but this one is all about my partner T.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">T did the </span><a href="http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rugged Maniac 5K</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> in Louisville Kentucky last Saturday.</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/"><img alt="Rugged Maniac 5K Adventure Race Northeast" src="http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/plugins/supersleight/transparent.gif" style="filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/tl_files/images/layout/header-logo_promos.png', sizingMethod='scale'); height: 174px; width: 403px;" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/"><img alt="A Rugged Races Event" src="http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/plugins/supersleight/transparent.gif" style="filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/tl_files/images/layout/rugged-races-logo.png', sizingMethod='scale'); height: 47px; width: 210px;" /></a> </div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In case you don't know about this type of race, here's the description given by the website:</span> <br />
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"Designed with the assistance of Navy SEALs*, Rugged Maniac is a running event that combines the most rugged terrain and burly obstacles to allow those with a sense of adventure to define themselves, then bask in glory at an after party with live music, food and beer."<br />
"Each Rugged Maniac features at least fifteen obstacles constructed by an experienced crew of licensed contractors. These aren’t the pop-up kiddie obstacles you’ll see at other races. You’ll climb over walls up to 7’ high, crawl through mud under barbed wire, hop from stump to stump over a pit of water, slide down a 60’ water slide, navigate a web of pipes, jump over fire and face many other challenges all while running through a combination of forests, fields, motocross tracks and ski slopes. <br />
Unlike other races, we won’t run you around a glorified golf course and proclaim it rugged. We won’t make you wait in ridiculous lines mid-course and pretend you’ve been challenged. We won’t tack on additional parking fees to the cost of registration. Instead, we offer a truly challenging and well-organized course that beats all others."<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow....after reading that, I can't believe she still went through with it! At first, I thought it sounded like fun, and then she told me all about it after words....I think I changed my mind!! lol</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NGRAVxV4C86cEIrH17eJVbfhvbc90FK2DD8DWIJ1Ym06Rm6eMlzuKEMpGovqv7jm-mCrgokX8QFlvXSvOb5TLhu4WnBf4mjtgamgDipR3XYvBy7jQ7tOG9iqjyj_qOJw-gErX6J07A/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NGRAVxV4C86cEIrH17eJVbfhvbc90FK2DD8DWIJ1Ym06Rm6eMlzuKEMpGovqv7jm-mCrgokX8QFlvXSvOb5TLhu4WnBf4mjtgamgDipR3XYvBy7jQ7tOG9iqjyj_qOJw-gErX6J07A/s320/9.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>BEFORE</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAilL4mVDaLcTuZg2gsndbtmJuEHyvqdAK0uFum5Vo0T5MAKsQW6X-N_K7w7J3av7GKWkLmfJ-nCWvoIuIoXwwLS3jzhmwvJdTaq45SbHAsTBE5pvjVyun9eltwazKB301jzcp-FiYQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAilL4mVDaLcTuZg2gsndbtmJuEHyvqdAK0uFum5Vo0T5MAKsQW6X-N_K7w7J3av7GKWkLmfJ-nCWvoIuIoXwwLS3jzhmwvJdTaq45SbHAsTBE5pvjVyun9eltwazKB301jzcp-FiYQ/s320/2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Brad (T's friend) T, and her daughter A. Sooo cute!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN079DsHu98SQ3yPd7uS1n3KIJZCj8CEIYtAhThNNgyEXQ7FTeyDSE2vb62E5nHlE2wqeujhFfm8IYJgfhob4Tr0rmnWRbpzvTNktzMP-jR0kYR-6QvnSC5uWIOmDPSDf0hL1Z08YQQ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN079DsHu98SQ3yPd7uS1n3KIJZCj8CEIYtAhThNNgyEXQ7FTeyDSE2vb62E5nHlE2wqeujhFfm8IYJgfhob4Tr0rmnWRbpzvTNktzMP-jR0kYR-6QvnSC5uWIOmDPSDf0hL1Z08YQQ/s320/3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Waves of runners leave every 30 minutes, this was T's "wave". </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXhi9LNEDFSJqbG3j4A1MmCIEd65CYDDqhvBMVTMkkWDhlRnY5jLlnwUsnvjgMW59P1p-rDDgj95NYdRCKKBt0RxfrldNoMPqPYohEfhR8z0lJtrBCayZaskbax2BEz_w37WL2koB8A/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXhi9LNEDFSJqbG3j4A1MmCIEd65CYDDqhvBMVTMkkWDhlRnY5jLlnwUsnvjgMW59P1p-rDDgj95NYdRCKKBt0RxfrldNoMPqPYohEfhR8z0lJtrBCayZaskbax2BEz_w37WL2koB8A/s320/4.jpg" width="180px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Getting ready to start.</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthS3VZ2mD51obtqnklREHjzlZFR91Kxhta1P0rEJCt3PpMWBmv0XkkLf06LJn3EepxBkFbKJO7APU8mASiq5cInpsl4xnmFfjs9UFINrcU3KQLXjjjoAg88MxwrWO9BRKDSzE-1f2aQ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthS3VZ2mD51obtqnklREHjzlZFR91Kxhta1P0rEJCt3PpMWBmv0XkkLf06LJn3EepxBkFbKJO7APU8mASiq5cInpsl4xnmFfjs9UFINrcU3KQLXjjjoAg88MxwrWO9BRKDSzE-1f2aQ/s320/5.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And they're off!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">These were the obstacles involved:</span></strong> </u> <br />
<div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">1 down hill, up hill</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">2 rope climb a wall</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">3 climb rope ladder</span></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwX5_50WONh1lVheczWum6Kvona1YlgynIX7r3i6Ux6hF1oTcvy5aFMxfCRR5qM3Xo-Cd5n9FUNqFtraLr5ZA5lCfn-R62rKWt0No4edkrMGwM9gFx64rn1WE1kHIGrM6N_g4-sYMjQ/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwX5_50WONh1lVheczWum6Kvona1YlgynIX7r3i6Ux6hF1oTcvy5aFMxfCRR5qM3Xo-Cd5n9FUNqFtraLr5ZA5lCfn-R62rKWt0No4edkrMGwM9gFx64rn1WE1kHIGrM6N_g4-sYMjQ/s320/7.jpg" width="320px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbnXMuZy79zG-zptrRSD4dgM2YtCup5g-vGIF2r5rmdZNE98f6qxii7pq0QjBAHrYNrkcmWMt8rrtZxNeff67AqNItJT_RWL3Fi0AS5WphVA5RJUerm7vHVwVuKfs7lErg2VmIV95Wg/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbnXMuZy79zG-zptrRSD4dgM2YtCup5g-vGIF2r5rmdZNE98f6qxii7pq0QjBAHrYNrkcmWMt8rrtZxNeff67AqNItJT_RWL3Fi0AS5WphVA5RJUerm7vHVwVuKfs7lErg2VmIV95Wg/s320/8.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">4 wet slide</span></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iiVmTvAuWOMRvj4OGEflsJ_mlGqSFtsOB8FwbMcGQaKSsPzjXN6ApLG-G_sT2gaW25GWz63278FvFaimuWDyM6PyfhyB4XGkL6gCnVI4Mo_TrjS4A5N-bdaV1BWHokxFLcsPGf_SlA/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iiVmTvAuWOMRvj4OGEflsJ_mlGqSFtsOB8FwbMcGQaKSsPzjXN6ApLG-G_sT2gaW25GWz63278FvFaimuWDyM6PyfhyB4XGkL6gCnVI4Mo_TrjS4A5N-bdaV1BWHokxFLcsPGf_SlA/s320/6.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">5 muddy water pool</span></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TqUgWL1ejbrLXuWQUj9fw-aNVotdUBAtbj_4Q-IAEhrL89uqDXR5yg6UyC96UD7637-1t_0YJDs4OZIsdNBACPRSF6-l_-mgQVYKUC4qZ0QGOkinktuva_J2pJah34GRlrMtrd9nQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TqUgWL1ejbrLXuWQUj9fw-aNVotdUBAtbj_4Q-IAEhrL89uqDXR5yg6UyC96UD7637-1t_0YJDs4OZIsdNBACPRSF6-l_-mgQVYKUC4qZ0QGOkinktuva_J2pJah34GRlrMtrd9nQ/s320/1.jpg" width="320px" /></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white;">6 climb up and over 4 wooden walls [this was my least favorite!!]</span></div> <span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">7 carry log up rock stairs</span></span></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">8 walk through river</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">9 crawl through barrel</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">10 get through rope web</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">11 crawl through tractor tire</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">12 crawl through mud under barbwire</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">13 jump over fire pit!</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;">I think this is most all of them, in between all of these were more and more HILLS!!!</span></div></div></div><strong></strong><b><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">Good</span></u></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">I completed!</span></u></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">time 1:13:56</span></u></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">Finished 455/498 females in the race!</span></u></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">I didn't skip any obstacles!!</span></u></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">Awesome Swag!</span></u></div><div align="left" dir="ltr"><u><span style="color: white;">Got a Beer at the end.</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn;"></span><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tms Rmn; font-size: medium;"><div dir="ltr"><em><strong><u><span style="color: white;">BAD:</span></u></strong></em></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: white;">Was totally not prepared for the soreness that came from using muscles I forgot I had. I am from flat Land.</span></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: white;">The only other Bad was one of the obsticles, a huge wall you had to get over. If I wouldnt have had two Awesome guys with me, I would have had to skip the walls.</span></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: white;">I was reading afterwards about another Muddy Race, and it said that you get a medal for finishing. I kind of wish I had got a medal. But I can say I did it and completed it. So that is good enough bragging rights for me!!</span></strong></div></span></span></span><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div></u><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><em><strong><u>&UGLY:: Hills, Hills and more HILLS /~'^\-/^'\ </u></strong></em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span></u></div><u><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">But when it's all said and done.....</span></u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1ECOLwX8Rjl0o2WDVTrIZ6uIDA96Z4vwLlP_oNC_mwckqlL-e5hZVea_VY-Dh4C2jXyCKmByBPeHbzzfZktAf-QMaKRWftZP26MbxBtbbRRsBMynHlC8zpmYhDYh_1j_OJYnix2UyA/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><strong><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="240px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1ECOLwX8Rjl0o2WDVTrIZ6uIDA96Z4vwLlP_oNC_mwckqlL-e5hZVea_VY-Dh4C2jXyCKmByBPeHbzzfZktAf-QMaKRWftZP26MbxBtbbRRsBMynHlC8zpmYhDYh_1j_OJYnix2UyA/s320/11.jpg" width="320px" /></span></strong></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><u>There's a smile on her face!!!</u></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1lr5S3LFojo47DQtkVs8OerzR6YNHuWCaLQdn5NK5VpMoyze54idDfizIy9Ot0OM2XyFLWJbRcIBArvzYp33iqU2u1Qvwv_wBraCbJ8B6hqpMpcaQsd5xJZHyjpJa2rvl_KgH79BfA/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><strong><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="240px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1lr5S3LFojo47DQtkVs8OerzR6YNHuWCaLQdn5NK5VpMoyze54idDfizIy9Ot0OM2XyFLWJbRcIBArvzYp33iqU2u1Qvwv_wBraCbJ8B6hqpMpcaQsd5xJZHyjpJa2rvl_KgH79BfA/s320/12.jpg" width="320px" /></span></strong></em></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u><span style="color: white;">So proud of my partner! She's a RUGGED MANIAC!!!!</span></u></strong></div><br />
<div dir="ltr"><span style="color: white;"></span></div></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-60043514255420118682011-09-09T06:33:00.000-07:002011-09-09T06:33:15.604-07:00Just singing in the rain...what a wonderful feeling....<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay, due to this AWESOME <span style="font-size: x-small;">(note the sarcasm)</span> Indiana weather, our five mile run and 13 mile run are not going to happen this week.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, due to the incredible amount of people lacking common sense, T and I have made a mutual agreement that if one of us needs to change the schedule and do what we call an "angry run", then we skip the intervals, decrease the mileage, and flat out run the frustration out. On an angry run...talking is optional, speed is not. I had one of these days not too long ago, and T didn't like that I did it alone. So now we have an understand and a standard in place when these things happen. Sometimes you just don't want to talk about your day, but skipping the run isn't an option either. Now, we can just run in silence...run until we curse, sweat, bleed, and possibly cry....or 3 out of 4 isn't bad. lol</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last night I got an email from T saying she needed an angry run. I said "okay, 'nuf said...I understand". I went home, got ready...was EXTREMELY pumped for a run in the rain....purposefully running in rain hasn't happened for us yet. By the time she got off of work, she was in a better mood...but the running was on. She was running late, so I took off and did a lap around my addition...something like 3/4 mile..probably a little less than that. It was a good warm up. Once she got off of work, I headed to her house and we were off. The misty rain felt great! We got some funny looks from people passing in their cars...but who cares?! We set out to only run a mile and ended up doing over 2! I ran home after words, making my total RUN for the night just shy of 3.5 miles! Saaweeett!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21iFmFY1KM6iG0-5T7hmCshQ0X67Okgy6picuFIQKznU3obAD25D0xmNDqaS1IzurAcEzoXlp-aZMr5ueVbpwncSk_fjVxzb61F9irxNhDeWdiQlyIGiD4Xj14bFJ5uYx-cS4cjzd8g/s1600/image6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21iFmFY1KM6iG0-5T7hmCshQ0X67Okgy6picuFIQKznU3obAD25D0xmNDqaS1IzurAcEzoXlp-aZMr5ueVbpwncSk_fjVxzb61F9irxNhDeWdiQlyIGiD4Xj14bFJ5uYx-cS4cjzd8g/s320/image6.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think I was more wet from sweat than the rain!!</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I wore my new shoes with new insoles...they felt great with one exception. The backs are too high and they rubbed my Achilles tendon raw. I'm going to work on stretching that part of the shoe to counter act that. But otherwise, awesome shoe!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNWhkkv_DHmCipnNItcC-Xy8MEnMbg03FWuPmSPPbHsBfgZiefMXVB7HqeC711HEAs5WssNKLUiFP5mwoqUWLpgm67zeU6K82DGS-NN8JUFHZGc3SoD-2XFWEz3e8T6XvujkYeLpddg/s1600/image4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNWhkkv_DHmCipnNItcC-Xy8MEnMbg03FWuPmSPPbHsBfgZiefMXVB7HqeC711HEAs5WssNKLUiFP5mwoqUWLpgm67zeU6K82DGS-NN8JUFHZGc3SoD-2XFWEz3e8T6XvujkYeLpddg/s200/image4.jpg" width="200px" /></span></strong></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">LOOOOOVE the <span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6;">color</span> of these bold new kickers!</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I got home just in time to cook a healthy dinner for my hubs. Now I don't usually post food stuff...but the kitchen is really my home. So here's what I made....doesn't really have a name.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmKs6LAtD-XFGHWe82XVlh6S0xTAd6hCF1qjq_W6pJ0Y2Od3bTm4eeAJvW3OQ3JAe_FLKPq_r9m30qDz79ZssVMAZTK9jH-aWlQ1s5ECa3Er7i18_INIr_KkFbd9KANq4_BllSPxG7g/s1600/image7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmKs6LAtD-XFGHWe82XVlh6S0xTAd6hCF1qjq_W6pJ0Y2Od3bTm4eeAJvW3OQ3JAe_FLKPq_r9m30qDz79ZssVMAZTK9jH-aWlQ1s5ECa3Er7i18_INIr_KkFbd9KANq4_BllSPxG7g/s200/image7.jpg" width="200px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Slice up and cook some turkey sausage in a little olive oil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJetkxjiPiFuo3mVg9XRxf2p95cX_f5EctLX2Cqj_poM1EXSZwxuBXlXX_SpIszo6MWE5IqLCSjJgAOYQxDirK2oDdltfgzrTWZRTv_SZkNpBJYrWdU1O1wrCZD_CY-_undAFMkDF2Q/s1600/image8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJetkxjiPiFuo3mVg9XRxf2p95cX_f5EctLX2Cqj_poM1EXSZwxuBXlXX_SpIszo6MWE5IqLCSjJgAOYQxDirK2oDdltfgzrTWZRTv_SZkNpBJYrWdU1O1wrCZD_CY-_undAFMkDF2Q/s200/image8.jpg" width="200px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Use a can of sliced new potatoes and brown until crispy...salt and pepper.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6J053jBv2rq2G6-yJ6zAXNMBKBI6anF0CSX7Pb009cGgLLJ27CXIhJLt2tBUZEMzEgk3siqX1_bLosaj3f5NkAkS1OtdoGoXZEqLSmU2IqqTYwf_S9ZVwQHAu8SOKsp6YeeyU7Lf8A/s1600/image9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6J053jBv2rq2G6-yJ6zAXNMBKBI6anF0CSX7Pb009cGgLLJ27CXIhJLt2tBUZEMzEgk3siqX1_bLosaj3f5NkAkS1OtdoGoXZEqLSmU2IqqTYwf_S9ZVwQHAu8SOKsp6YeeyU7Lf8A/s200/image9.jpg" width="200px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In a separate pan, add a can of corn and green beans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhnCgnzzq83o7BD1uBxJelHgX5eyYu1WIaF3rcXjKzPSIZNxStwhMXQ5QjrM_5TqyWyoRqF38Ls7_9eLqom9k6tgKbCmMsQWe0KeNNTOJfK95_VRnh4PpjdNJEtZojxKxhLIh-oQuKw/s1600/image10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150px" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhnCgnzzq83o7BD1uBxJelHgX5eyYu1WIaF3rcXjKzPSIZNxStwhMXQ5QjrM_5TqyWyoRqF38Ls7_9eLqom9k6tgKbCmMsQWe0KeNNTOJfK95_VRnh4PpjdNJEtZojxKxhLIh-oQuKw/s200/image10.jpg" width="200px" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once everything has been cooked, mix everything together. Add a little dried onions and parsley and let boil for a few more minutes. Serve.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">MM..MM...good.</span></div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-9047140041822222892011-09-07T11:14:00.000-07:002011-09-07T11:17:12.005-07:00NEW KICKERS!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm sooo excited for the new kickers I ordered! </span></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><strong><img height="320px" src="http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/90/12/09/901209232_125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320px" /></strong></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Women's Nike Dual Fusion ST 2</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I went through <a href="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/">Dick's Sporting Goods</a> because I had a $15 coupon and a $25 gift card to use. These bad boys were originally $69.99. I searched for a cheaper price, but since they are a newer design, the price is pretty much the same no matter where you go. I ended up paying something like $32.09!!! Rock on!!! Dick's was currently running a deal for free shipping on all shoes....double score! I only have a couple of weeks to get them broken in before Fort 4 Fitness...so I plan to jump right on that as soon as I can. I think our 3 mile walk is canceled for tonight due to rain..but there's always things we can do in doors. Core muscles need some work out too. I read up on it on <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/">Runner's World</a> today...very interesting stuff!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I love these shoes!! I know that they are BOLD...but THAT'S ME!!!! :D</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-50383504631798111302011-09-06T13:27:00.000-07:002011-09-06T13:27:54.300-07:00PCT race recap part 2<strong><u>The good/what worked:</u></strong><br />
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We fueled at miles 3 and 6. I felt a difference after fueling.<br />
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Our pace and intervals were good. We'll be using the same interval, or something close to it for F4F.<br />
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We knew the area, we were very familiar with the trails...so we didn't get lost like so many other runners.<br />
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Bug spray! We knew we'd be going through the woods and that we'd just had a good rain. We both put some on and we were glad we did! They weren't bad...but we were ready if they had been.<br />
<br />
Cheering friends! Always a plus! We encouraged others as we passed them and they cheered us on as well. Always gives you a good boost of energy to hear that you are doing a good job.<br />
<br />
It was suggested to me to take immodium before the race. GOOD suggestion. I get nervous before races and I was a little worried about needing a potty break along the way. It never crossed my mind once. It was nice not to have to worry about it.<br />
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I tried something different this time. I applied some Glide to my eye brows to keep the sweat from going into my eyes. I've seen wresslers do this...so why not runners? It worked! Just be careful not to rub it into your eyes.<br />
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We didn't walk through any intervals!<br />
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<strong><u>The bad/what didn't work:</u></strong><br />
<br />
We took water at every station, plus we carried water on our fuel belts. I started to feel water logged after a while. Might consider taking water from every other station and using my bottles in between when needed.<br />
<br />
We fueled at miles 3 and 6. I had a hard time with the consistancy of the Bloks at mile 6. I might need to look in to another type of fuel. <br />
<br />
The skirt...cute...but what a mistake! I put tons of glide on...which only made my huge thighs feel like they were welded together. Even when running, there was no seperating those suckers! I kept pulling the shorts down....annoying! Might be better suited for shorter distances.<br />
<br />
Gatorade is a NO. Even though I drink it all of the time...it's best not to drink it on runs. I discovered this about 2 miles after it went down and came back up. Yuck.<br />
<br />
Don't over do it 2 or 3 days before the race...I felt the residual pain in my legs.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any secrets or tips that you use on race day?</span></strong>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-86254591616371892452011-09-06T12:40:00.000-07:002011-09-06T12:40:44.125-07:00Race ReCap!!!<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Our first 10 mile race and we knocked it out of the park!!! </span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man...I'm not awake. Funny how ppl are different..even family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the gun show!!! Oh yea baby!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New skirt...will never wear it at this distance again!!</td></tr>
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<strong>Our goals/plan:</strong> Finish in 2hrs and 40 min. doing 16 min./miles with 1:05/2:45 run/walk intervals. Walk through water stations, walk/stretch through interval only twice if needed, and fuel at miles 3, 6, and 9.<br />
<br />
<strong>Did it work?</strong> We finished just under the wire with a 15:58 min/mile pace! T and I finished 4th and 5th in our age group! Granted, we were second to last in the entire day...but who cares?! We finished UNDER our goal time (so what if it was by a hair?!).<br />
<br />
My morning didn't start out quite like I'd planned it. Even though I had layed everything out like you're supposed to, I ended up changing shirts 3 times. I decided to wash my hair, which was not in the schedule. I tried the new insoles that I had bought...but as I walked around while getting ready...I decided they were TOO different from what I was used to...so I switched back to the old ones. I ran out of time to eat cereal like I had planned, so I grabbed oatmeal. I was supposed to ride my bike to meet up with my partner, but I couldn't find the chain and lock...so I packed up my bike in the back of my car and drove to her house....eating on my way. We decided to just drive there. I felt rushed and unprepared...but it didn't give me time to feel nervous...so that was good.<br />
<br />
We got there and stretched quickly. We got to registration, hit the potty, and got to the starting line just in time to hit the ground running. I had forgot to re-adjust our intervals so we'd be starting out running instead of walking...oops! So we ran with the crowd until we made our first turn off the main road and then got back into the groove with our intervals.<br />
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There was a point where a police officer pulled up to us and said "We're asking all of the walkers to get over so we can get traffic flowing better....hopefully they'll go slow." Uummm...thanks mister, for insulting us! First off...we might have been walking when he said that to us...but we're not "walkers" (not that there's anything wrong with that...we get PASSED by walkers). Secondly...thanks for emphasising that traffic would have to be sllllooooowww to pass us slow walkers. :p Obviously he didn't mean anything by it...but it OBVIOUSLY struck a nerve. lol We thanked him for helping and let it drop after a few minutes of frustration. <br />
<br />
The first mile or two, I realized that Wednesday's RUN was obviously a mistake. My legs were already hurting and it was definitely affecting my speed. My poor partner...she was all set to hit the ground running and all I had in me was little baby jiggle jogs. We passed a nice lady that was walking the 10 mile. She was skinny as a rail and T and I decided she might be anorexic by the looks of her. She was super sweet and we enjoyed our short conversation with her.<br />
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When we hit the park entrance, T's family was there to cheer us on. T's little daughter "A" ran to join us.... so.freakin'.cute. It gave us a nice boost of energy. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1pUIRQ7a5ffxG3qmYciyi5xPj95OqrrM_JCbCN7R8oZqbTBIIOl6ZEbmmvWgN1URKRzIT7AMxsDqhxUblv9DHd85qxkCVFfFRXfX1r8HeWkSS2k_VlwNuZjjO3Cj0ZNvBoI-ssPU_g/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1pUIRQ7a5ffxG3qmYciyi5xPj95OqrrM_JCbCN7R8oZqbTBIIOl6ZEbmmvWgN1URKRzIT7AMxsDqhxUblv9DHd85qxkCVFfFRXfX1r8HeWkSS2k_VlwNuZjjO3Cj0ZNvBoI-ssPU_g/s200/4.jpg" width="150px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkbflhoKKtsurXRXMQSXQFCyJzLeDDa1Gol20Q8gmPFhWrFSTLQlb-CpKe7SVH6piqujyspvMwkQGj01Vqbn-SjERBKotCcfUashNnBBkJc5n6BzNcWnRmdMjw3wFsbgGomatfN-vBQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkbflhoKKtsurXRXMQSXQFCyJzLeDDa1Gol20Q8gmPFhWrFSTLQlb-CpKe7SVH6piqujyspvMwkQGj01Vqbn-SjERBKotCcfUashNnBBkJc5n6BzNcWnRmdMjw3wFsbgGomatfN-vBQ/s200/9.jpg" width="150px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UprTF6exsO-R4BMtr6zqA0JMqxsSnbMBk7U1FopDp9x0KXQTcuIUlvsKANyGGFZeOMw2CM0DJBN1VvlcvHvaMjgODwbeZU0if4KxIoifpizpHHbnhF_MtZ0VMDbzMzUS_TbObVO3NQ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UprTF6exsO-R4BMtr6zqA0JMqxsSnbMBk7U1FopDp9x0KXQTcuIUlvsKANyGGFZeOMw2CM0DJBN1VvlcvHvaMjgODwbeZU0if4KxIoifpizpHHbnhF_MtZ0VMDbzMzUS_TbObVO3NQ/s200/8.jpg" width="200px" /></a> <br />
Shortly after that, we hit our second water station and then we entered the actual forest part of our run. We talked a bit here and there. We started passing other runners that were on their way to the finish line from the 10 mile and some from the half marathon. It was clear to us that we were bringing up the rear of our race...but we were in our time frame. I had made a time split card, which was useful. For our first 3-5 miles, we were pretty steady at a 15 min/mile pace. That's about as good as we get when running as a pair. I know that I hold T back, but this is a team effort...plus...it's our first 10 mile, so we're bound to get a PR no matter what time we finished! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah...sweating a lot. See the eye candy in the back ground? I'm married...but T needs a man. I think a race would be a good place for her to do that. ;) That was one of our topics of convo. during the race. :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful.</td></tr>
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Somewhere around mile 6 and the turn around, we starting losing our awesome time. We settled (or should I say <strong><em>I</em></strong> settled into a 16 min/mile pace). T would get ahead of me, and then turn around and wait. She's so awesome, I really appreciated that she'd wait up for me. I knew she had much more in her than I did. I was in a lot of pain, and I felt exhausted. Somewhere in there, we had lost all of the other runners...they were way ahead of us. It looked as if we were alone on the final trail out of the park. That's about when the bordum sank in and we started singing Pocahontas songs like, "Just around the river bend!" lol She has a little girl...but I knew the song just as well...I was little girl when that movie came out. It kept our mind off of things and had us laughing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrthHSoAH9tyNbBINQ8vFvjQJZ7zqDzG47Y7n78Mw7F3BLTel6rmDOprxGrf4oI0ReNX5-tRCiueX1cpZxSTWnjICRJF9ZLAvKf0lxJGLmcJolC9Q6-rxhi5VMUoZ4qfpgG0rE0itnQ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrthHSoAH9tyNbBINQ8vFvjQJZ7zqDzG47Y7n78Mw7F3BLTel6rmDOprxGrf4oI0ReNX5-tRCiueX1cpZxSTWnjICRJF9ZLAvKf0lxJGLmcJolC9Q6-rxhi5VMUoZ4qfpgG0rE0itnQ/s320/5.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped to snap a pic of the pretty flowers...it was an awesome trail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then we hit the river green way...a path we know allllllll too well. We knew that this was the home stretch...so that was somewhat comforting. We saw T's family again. That's when they said..."Come on, we'll meet you at the finish." That's when we noticed that it was just ahead. T shouted "April, this is the finish right up here...this is it!!!" I put my head down and said "Let's do it!" I was in sooo much pain...and my jiggle jog was even less than that....it was an old lady shuffle. I honestly misjudged the distance and thought about walking again. Instead, I dug my fingernails into my hands and picked up the speed. When I saw the blue mats and the time clock that read 2:39:01.00 or something like that, I let out a moan and sprinted for the mats! I have no idea where that strength came from...but DANG IT....I was gonna finish under the wire if I had a fighting chance! And we did. I high 5'd T and then bent over to catch my breath. Wells L and her partner "C" were there to give us hugs and high 5's. <br />
My mother asked me the next day what it felt like once you were finished...besides the physical. Seriously, once you're done...you don't dwell on mile 8, where you threw up your Bloks and Gatorade or look at mile 6 where you wanted to sit on the enticing park bench and say "screw it". You look back on the 10 miles that you just finished without walking through a single interval. The 10 miles that you just did while 99% of the town was still laying in bed. The 10 miles that you just did and you're still standing (well, sorta). The 10 miles that you just raced...for the first time EVER. Yeah...it's a high like no other. A huge sense of pride and accomplishment. When I made the same New Year's resolution this year like I did every year since my butt got huge...I never would have imagined that I'd actually be doing it...getting healthy...working out...running RACES!!! Yeah...that one was NEVER one the menu...but always in the back of my mind to try...SOMEDAY. Well....this year...same day is here. And in two weeks...I'll be running my first marathon with my cousin/partner/friend T. It doesn't get any better than this!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsgCKBZRhY7SSDBkImUxyFR2RN-h9GqqHFjKBd12F1UxLe5kIBXkwzzA_n6dJrdyk5pgJLLeTtVcMInal7vsC9FyRpGmHozTPFJ7BKso8G8BUcRxqjysXP6nEtmZlE1IQprB6FXxdvw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsgCKBZRhY7SSDBkImUxyFR2RN-h9GqqHFjKBd12F1UxLe5kIBXkwzzA_n6dJrdyk5pgJLLeTtVcMInal7vsC9FyRpGmHozTPFJ7BKso8G8BUcRxqjysXP6nEtmZlE1IQprB6FXxdvw/s320/1.jpg" width="240px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD04nYJnnEYBbcQ04LxrxZsiEa02n7qd1YAVetj14XQVv-o7m-A6F6vaI118bkQv-2UonMSa91km5WFWd4J7iCs3J0aRtE_F2qGEEXNviQb7cRSX9z1amlXmGiDdPONxlCxFWoqy85Ig/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD04nYJnnEYBbcQ04LxrxZsiEa02n7qd1YAVetj14XQVv-o7m-A6F6vaI118bkQv-2UonMSa91km5WFWd4J7iCs3J0aRtE_F2qGEEXNviQb7cRSX9z1amlXmGiDdPONxlCxFWoqy85Ig/s320/2.jpg" width="240px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6wd891Cy9n0AHzpqOwhu0OyfGdmg7GDB0OB9w2yPsTpHyfWMJzLnaN3xM7bQS-TRqr-rupqf-UTYDohxj26Uda7Q-rywaHXhUYD8_tvqTsuubYVeakkuoO_SUDYGcz-UoejEjVt4Jg/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6wd891Cy9n0AHzpqOwhu0OyfGdmg7GDB0OB9w2yPsTpHyfWMJzLnaN3xM7bQS-TRqr-rupqf-UTYDohxj26Uda7Q-rywaHXhUYD8_tvqTsuubYVeakkuoO_SUDYGcz-UoejEjVt4Jg/s320/3.jpg" width="181px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Oh yeah....my final time was 2:39:37.5!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">T: 2:39:36.0....oh yeah...PR BABY!!! </div>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5841913991761460813.post-69001780236134625622011-09-04T20:08:00.000-07:002011-09-04T20:08:30.914-07:00Friendly advice<span style="font-family: Helv;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Friday night, my partner T and her little daughter A met up with Wells L, her partner C, and we got to meet their friend L for the first time. It was a lot of fun and VERY educational. I absolutely LOVED chit chatting with these girls about race experiences and listening to their advice.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helv;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you know, T and I have the Fort 4 Fitness 1/2 marathon coming up in a few weeks...which is what we've been training for for the past 5 or so months. This will be our first mini. We'll be running a 10 mile race Saturday to get a feel for actually racing at that distance. We've trained at all distances up to 13 miles, so this run will truly be a practice test for what is to come in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is some pointers that the girls gave us:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u><strong>Race day prep:<o:p></o:p></strong></u></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Figure out how you are going to start the race.</strong> (We usually start out running for 5K's, but on these long runs, we decided to just start the race out with our run interval as apposed to running with the group for as long as we can.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>When are you going to fuel?</strong> We use Bloks when we fuel. We discussed the intervals for fueling when on long distance races. It was decided that mile 3,6,9, and 12 or 4,8, and 12 would be best and is what the girls have used. Saturday, we will be fueling at miles 3,6, and 9. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>What is your interval?</strong> This is something that changes often. Due to the heat of the day, we decided to go for 1:05/2:45 run/walk intervals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Much much much more information, tips, and questions were asked/given at our dinner with friends..but there is only so much room on my blog. :) All of it was taken to heart and discussed between my partner and I.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Saturday morning, 7:30AM, T and I will be kicking off our 10 mile Parlor City Trot run!!! Rock on!!!</span><br />
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Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740709106041567625noreply@blogger.com1