Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012

As we come to the last days of 2012 it's a time to reflect on the year. Mourn those we lost, remember our joys and accomplishments. Set new goals for the upcoming year. Since 2007 I have set goals or resolutions every year. I have made them something challenging yet attainable. Since then I have accomplished everything I set out to do which is accomplishment in itself.
This year I excelled in some areas and fell short in others.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Waffle House Christmas

My friend Kristin takes her family every year to Waffle House Christmas morning. Her post made me hungry so Austin & I got dressed went out in the rain off to Waffle House too. It was packed standing room only. Apparently it's a tradition a lot of people have on Christmas Day. The food was delish. I tipped the waitress $10 since she was working on Christmas. Haylee wanted to sleep in so we got her a waffle to go.
Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tuesday in November

I started this blog back in January with good intentions of blogging every day about my journey in 2012. As with most things I started out good. My daily happenings, race reports, training, goals, etc. then slowly became monthly race reports. Which by April ended too. I started running more and blogging less. I had trouble adding the photos to the blog since I'm an amateur blogger I'm still in learning mode. I still plan on going back and doing race reports from this year. If nothing else for my own memories.
My original goal was to get 12 pieces of bling in 2012. I didn't suggest 12 half marathons because I had never run more than 6 in a year and was still in awe that I did that not to mention that happened in 2009. I ran one Marathon in 2010. Then after that pretty much quit running. Mainly because it was a goal checked off my list and I was tired of training and running. I was in love and just wanted to be on the couch with my boyfriend. Two years and 30lbs later I got a wake up call at the Wine & Dine Half (in Disney World which started me on the crazy journey that I'm on now. That story may need to be a blog all by itself. Anyway back to the bling (I have ADHD so sorry if I get distracted from my original thought) I knew that I had some Disney 5ks & a warrior dash on my list so I planned on counting that bling in my quest for 12 in 2012.
Here we are in November 2012 I have completed 16 half marathons & one 14.2 miler so I got my bling!! Several 5ks and a 10k along with one Unsuccessful Marathon attempt. (Another story) I'm still finding it hard to believe it all myself. I decided that with 32 races completed this year more than all my previous years combined I should get back to blogging. So I plan to be more consistent in my future :)

Set Goals and Go After Them!! If you shoot for the moon and miss you still land among the stars!!

Monday, September 17, 2012

April 2012

April was a first for me. I completed 3 half marathons in one month.

4/15/12 - Pensacola Gulf Coast Half Marathon. It was beautiful. We ran on the road by the Gulf. I could see the water, smell the salt air, feel the sand. But it was HOT!!  My last mile & a half was brutal. I mentally pictured myself crawling to the finish line. I was praying and putting one foot in front of the other.
I admit that part of my problem was probably that I discovered "Just Dance" the night before. I had a dance off with my friends kids until 11:30pm that night. I was soaking wet with sweat. It was the most fun!! Im a total fan of "Just Dance" Especially because I was kicking butt at it!!! But not eating like I should & hydrating like I should and exercising for at least 3 hours or more playing just dance. I believe was the real cause of me running out of gas at the end of the race.




4/21/12 - Carmel Half Marathon in Indiana






Adding another state to my list. This was one of my most favorite races this year. It was a small race, the weather was perfect, tons of Marathon Maniac & Half Fanatics, low key , beautiful scenery. I can't believe I drove 600 miles to run a half marathon then drive back home. It was an adventure & I loved every minute of it. Thankfully I had a long sleeve shirt in my bag. After dying from the Heat the week before it was hard to imagine temps in the 40's.

4/28/12 - Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon which was 13.1  IDK why they didn't call it a Half Marathon but a Mini Marathon. It was a fun race with Dellaine & Patsy. We laughed , danced, ran, took photos, walked and just enjoyed Kentucky. After the race we bought hats to go to the Derby but a hail storm came and we missed out on the horse races. We went to the track the next day to find they were having a memorial for Barbaro so we joined in the festivities. Another State and Another Adventure.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Marathon Training

I've crazily signed up for several Marathons in my future. Even though I have completed one marathon it was over 2 years ago. So it's pretty much like I am starting all over. I admit I'm a little nervous b/c there have been days when I have finished a half marathon with nothing more to give. 26.2 I hope I can make it!
Oct 21st - 7 Bridges in Chattanooga
Oct 28th - Marine Corps Marathon
Nov 11th - OBX Marathon

So my life has become :
Go to Work
Go run
Shower
Eat
Bed
Repeat
Sometimes I mix it up and eat before I shower if I'm starving ha ha

Thankful I have lots of friends who I am bringing along for the ride!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

#thosealabamagirls run the color run encore in ATL

#thosealabamagirls run the color run encore in ATL
I have had several people ask me about "The Color Run" so I decided that I needed to make time to write about my experience.



Packet Pick Up you will be Given a Color Run Tee Shirt, Race Number, Color Run Tattoo, Color Runner Headband, One Packet of Color ( I got orange) race information and other promotional items. It said that their would be a wrist band but I did not receive one of these. Some runners wore the event shirt b/c its mostly white. We did not b/c we picked up our race packets on race morning.

The color is a special "elf made" recipe of magical color. All products are 100% natural and safe. As with any substance you are going to want to keep it out of your eyes. The "certified" color throwers have been instructed to throw the color low. However... there were people rolling in the color on the ground, picking it up and throwing it on each other. If you want more or less color all you have to do is ask. The middle of the color zone you will get less color than if you line up and walk through on either side where the color throwers are with their buckets of the color. Some "color runners" chose to wear goggles or carry bandanas to protect their face

Color Run Packing List
*Change of Clothes
*Change of Shoes
*Color Packet
*Garbage Bags
*Baby Wipes
*Cash & Credit Card ( they will have stuff for sale)
*Towels (paper or cloth) to clean up before you get into someones car.
*Sunscreen
*Bandana
*Sunglasses
*Camera/Cell Phone ( I put my phone in a ziplock bag) However Kristin can confirm her iphone was safe in her otter box.

Get in line early. They start in waves and can take up to an hour for everyone to cross the start line. You may want to wear a hat or bandana over your hair. Sometimes it takes a couple of washes to get the paint off your scalp especially if you have lighter hair.

Each Kilometer is designated a different color.

The first K was the "YELLOW" Zone. I wasn’t real sure about everything so I didn’t get as much during this zone.

The 2nd K was the "GREEN" zone.





Then 3K mark was the "PINK" zone. I was getting braver at this point so I got lots of pink which I was okay with b/c I love pink.











Moving right along to the 4K mark "PURPLE" and on to the finale the spectical of color. Finish Line 5K mark.
Yes when I blew my nose there was purple when I used a Q Tip there was purple! It eventually goes away. LOL







Their was a man with a leaf blower who blew most of the paint off.
5K Finish Line Color Zone Craziness!!!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

There is always tomorrow!

At the Beginning of the year I wanted to do the 100 days challenge. Where you move on purpose for 30 min every day. Well I had some days that I didn't feel like exercising at all. So I didn't and breaking my streak of daily exercise.
So I decided to go with the Mile a Day Club where at the end of the year I will have ran 366 miles (its leap year) This past year I think I was like 45 short of 365 miles. Yes after April Talladega half I pretty much did no exercise what so ever with the exception of the Elvis 5K around Graceland in August. Then October was my turning point. (long story for another blog day) I started exercising and dieting. I have lost 19 lbs since the beginning of December.  Total lost from my most ever weighed is 28lbs. I hate to admit but I was 16lbs more than I was when I was 9 months pregnant with my Son. 22lbs more than when I gave birth to my daughter. RIDICULOUS!!! I cant believe I ever let that happen to myself.
I fell in love, became lazy, spent my time going out to eat with my man instead of running. Next thing I know Ive given up all my activities and had gained 30lbs.
Since Wine & Dine weekend at Disney 2011 ....Ive been working my way back to the girl I use to be. My runs are getting faster, the weight is coming off and Im becoming a better person than I was before.
I have had bad days of eating junk and drinking diet cokes (one of my weaknesses) But for the most part Im sticking to the healthy things.
By March 18th this year I have completed 6 half marathons. Which impresses me b/c 6 is the most I have ever ran in one year. (2008) and back then I couldn't believe it myself.
Jan I logged 104 miles (last year I didn't reach 100 miles until April) Feb. 75 miles (yikes 25 miles short of my 100 miles) March 65 miles.  Which makes 56 miles I have to make up for plus my 100 miles a month to qualify for the 1200 mile club. Something I never thought possible is now still in my reach. Funny b/c last year I didn't even qualify for the mile a day club.
One Day At A TIME.....I mess up...I get back on track....I skip a day of running....I get out there the next day....I eat a bunch of Easter candy....I don't buy anymore! Its a day by day process but Im staying focused.
This weekend I have the Gulf Coast Pensacola Half marathon and Kentucky Derby Half at the end of the month. Adding a new state to my half marathons and a PR for most halfs in a year for me. April is gonna be my come back month!!!