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.

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 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!!

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.

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!

#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!!!

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!!!

Easter

I know Easter is about the Miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the conformation that God fulfills all his promises. That the miracles that happened long ago are still happening today. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave lives in you if you accept Jesus Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to come into your life.

"The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11



With saying all of that i did receive a cute little email about Easter that I wanted to share. Not taking away from the true meaning of Easter but to share in a little something that made me smile.

All I need to know

I learned from the Easter Bunny!

 Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

 Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the season fill your heart.

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy Easter!

Worry

I admit I have been worrying a lot lately about things I have no control over. I know I need to put my trust in God and that he will take care of me. He has always taken care of me and I have been provided for all of my life. God has always provided for me and my family. So I guess its the fact that I have no control over the situation & have no idea what we are going to do except for one thing & that is to continue to trust God. ( remembering faith of a mustard seed)

I recently read a devotion about worry & thought I would list it here below.

"What if? What if? Have you ever dealt with the what-ifs? Entertaining the what-ifs in your life is the first step to being overtaken with worry. Worry is taking responsibility for things you were never intended to handle. Worry is a lack of trust in the Creator of the universe. Worry says that you can handle it when many times you simply cannot. Are you worried that you worry too much? You don't defeat worry by worrying about it. You defeat worry by redirecting your concerns to Someone who can actually do something about your situation. It does not mean that you do not take responsibility for the things you are supposed to handle; it just means that you know when you stop and God begins. Worried you don't know enough about it? Check out what the Bible says!"

Proverbs 12:25 MSG

25 Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.

March 2012

Its the last week of March. I am not going to reach my 100 miles for this month either. Which says to me "Leigh you need to make some changes" As I look back on my calendar I have noticed that all my miles are on the weekends with very few if any miles during the week.

Started out the month with a 5K here in my hometown. Sporting my new skirt from running skirts which was a hit!! With every race a constant reminder that I need to train more consistently. 

The next weekend the first Grand Prix Race for the Anniston Runners Club. I know that there is no way I can win the Grand Prix b/c I am just not fast enough. Yet I go anyway b/c I have missed all of my running friends. The 5K is called Mardi Gras so I made sure I wore Purple, yellow and green even Mardi Gras beads. Just wanting to get in theme. :-) I won a door prize. YEA!! Hey if I can't be fast at least I can win a door prize. A nike live strong bag and insulated water bottle. 

It was so good to see all of my friends and be running on a regular basis. Which is something I really haven't done in a long time. Partly because I was burnt out and partly because I let other things take priority over what I wanted. I convinced myself that some people were more important than what I wanted. Next thing I knew I had given up running, bible study and gained 30lbs. WOW and didn't even see it happening. Now I am running more regular , back in bible study and have lost 19 of the 30lbs I had gained. Finding myself again. So as crazy as it seems I got to thinking to myself that I couldn't believe I wasn't out running a half marathon for the month of March. (what in the world...this doesn't sound like anything I would be saying) yet I was missing not having a race. I found one in Germantown not far from my family and decided it was perfect. I signed up on Thursday before the race and let my Dad & Sister know I was coming for a Mini Visit. I got up that Saturday & drove to Memphis the Saturday before the race. We went to the expo which was where they were having the RRCA National Convention. Won a Race entry to the Gateway Outerbanks Marathon....ooops was I supposed to be a part of the convention? Thanks for letting me win anyway Alabama Rep had my back and mailed me my entry. So Now what?.....Im gonna run a Marathon in November. Finished the Germantown Half  (6th one this year) 6 is my record for number of halfs in a year.....Got a PR about died from the heat...well it felt like it during the last mile I started getting a heat rash. Overall Fun Day. I will write more about the race later.

Today is the 26th and Ive only run 50 of my 100 miles for the month so I will once again be behind on miles and will need to do a lot of catching up in the months ahead. :-) Running the Rumpshaker 5K on Saturday then going to the park for a Virtual 5K the same day ending the month with a bang and two 5ks for Charity. Sounds Good To me!!

New Office

After 13 years of driving 2.7 miles to work I have just been informed that I now will be driving 37 miles to work. So needless to say I left work that day and went out and bought a hybrid. I had no idea that Honda even made a Hybrid but I'm now the owner of a Honda Civic Hybrid. 40 - 45 miles per gallon.
I will enjoy change & the opportunity to listen to podcast on my way to work that has been one of my favorite parts. My new car will hook right up to my iPod . I love that!!
I'm going green so that's cool even if the car is plain.

February 2012 Review

January started off well above my expectations. 104 miles logged. WHAT?!! Last year I didn't hit 100 miles until April.
 I am a member of the Anniston Runners Club. We have two mini clubs within our running club. One is the mile a day club where you log 365 miles in a calendar year. 366 this year for leap year. Thats usually the group I am in. 
The other club is the 1200 mile club where you average 100 miles a month. Which is only approx. 3.33 a day or 25 miles a week. Which when you put it like that isn't really that many miles. Its just a matter of getting out there and putting one foot in front of the other. When I turned in 104 for January. Jim put me in the 1200 mile club.....Great now what have I gotten myself into. It was a challenge and I chose to accept it.
Due to injury, job change after 13 years and a few other bumps in the road I only managed 75 miles for February. Now I have 25 miles to make up. 

February was Mercedes Half Marathon. One of my favorite and special this year b/c I had 7 friends finish their first Half Marathon. We trained and they made it to the finish. I was so proud of them. It was freezing 20 degree weather yet they got out there and accomplished the goal they set out to accomplish. 

Then two days later was the Virtual Half Marathon for Kids. My first Virtual Half. It was fun we got our race shirt and bibb in the mail then I took off work & went to the park to put in my miles. There was a trail of balloons so it was like a decorated race course. The balloons I found out lead to a note where a girl was getting asked to prom. So sweet!! We logged our miles that night after the run/walk and received our bling in the mail. Pretty Neat!! 

Last but certainly not least the Princess Half Marathon!! The yearly Girls trip to Disney where we can wear our tiara and be a princess. My 4th Princess. Next year is the 5th year Anniversary and I get to be a "perfect princess" Im looking forward to it.  

Princess Half Marathon Weekend Ahead!

Princess Half Marathon Weekend!!! This will be my 4th Princess Half Marathon. I have run this race every year since the inaugural event. So thats what we call "A Perfect Princess" Looking forward to Medal #4. Flying out tomorrow to meet all my Running Princesses!! Short weekend But I am sure it will be packed full of Disney Fun!! I can't wait!!

First Year Inaugural Princess 2009

Second Year Princess 2010

3rd Year Princess 2011

Guilty Pleasure

I run so I can eat my favorite "Fritos Scoops"

Marathon Maniacs! 26.2

If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." - Emil Zatopek

October this past year my friend Kim told me about the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics. Don't know how I had never heard of them. She had a friend trying to qualify. I asked "what do you need to do to qualify?" well come to find out. I actually qualified for a Half Fanatic in 2009. So I sent in my information and became a Half Fanatic. Im number #1445


Since becoming a Half Fanatic I have met so many new friends who are runners and fellow Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs. Some of which belong to both clubs. So now..........I WANT TO BE A MARATHON MANIAC!!!
Did I just say that? Did I just put that in writing for all the world to see?? OMG!! Yes I did!!

Step One: I researched the criteria for the Marathon Maniacs and found that all I need to do is finish 3 Marathons in 90 days.

Step Two: find the races. Since I had planed on running the Disney World Full for 2013 because it will be the 20th Anniversary for the race. Already committed to the Goofy Challenge. (step one to all my friends thinking I am crazy)  

2013 Goofy Challenge
2013 Marathon Weekend - January 10-13, 2013

So ...December is the St Jude Marathon in Memphis TN. I have always wanted to run that race. I would love to support St Jude and Memphis is my hometown so I would have the family support. 



Then February "26.2 with Donna" this is a Marathon to raise money for to fight Breast Cancer. It is also has Jeff Galloway run/walk pace groups which I think is awesome.

February 17, 2013

So... I know what I need to do and now have my three races to get it done. 

Next step is to train train train train train. 

I told my son what I wanted to do but told him I was afraid. His response to me was.."I don't know what kind of God you serve but with the God I serve I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." And he is so correct!!

I have only completed one Full 26.2 Marathon in my lifetime and it took me 7 hours and 16 min. A whole entire workday. Which is something the fast runners can't even comprehend running for that long.  Funny I get tired driving 26.2 miles and don't know how in the world I continued run/walking for 7 hours and 16 min b/c I can hardly believe it myself. It was alot of prayer that got me to that finish line. And the thought in my head that I had bought that 26.2 sticker and I was going to finish no matter what. (pure stubbornness)

 Im pretty sure I could have trained more. Not to mention it was pouring down rain the entire race so I was soaking wet with no ipod or anyone to talk to and I was bored and ready for the race to be over. Got to work on the mental part. I did a lot of praying that day. Hopefully the next one I will have music, podcast , people to talk to and no soaking wet feet. I plan to train better and be ready. I just worry about being slow. I have arthritis in my hip, I have scoliosis which is a crooked spine so with my back not straight it throws everything else off being misaligned .  I may be slow but Im a finisher. I hope that by losing weight and training more I will do much better the next time around. :-)

My feet shriveled up and full of blisters for being wet for 7 hours!
3 of my toenails turned black.

2012 Mercedes Half Marathon

Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham AL 

5 Years of Mercedes!!! 

First time Finishers!

My Son & I. His 2nd Half and My First!

 This was my very first Half Marathon EVER!! 2007 after watching several of my friends complete a half marathon and several strangers. I thought to myself...."I can do that!!" "Look at that girl....she has a medal and I don't have one.....I want a medal" "I want to run a half marathon"  So Feb 2008 I signed up and became a Half Marathon Finisher. 

 We ran a little walked a little and made it 13.1 when prior to this day I had never gone farther than 6 miles. 






2009 I signed up to run it again. I didn't want to miss out. 

2nd Mercedes and 2nd Half Marathon

My son Austin and Me!
My son beat me by an hour and 45 min

Happy Valentines Day!!!

2010 Year #3 Valentines Day!!!


Each year I have brought at least one friend with me to conquer their first Half Marathon. To achieve something they never dreamed of or thought possible. Mercedes is always a week or two before Disney's Princess Half Marathon so I don't run Mercedes for time b/c I don't want to risk an injury before Girls Princess Weekend at Disney. So Mercedes to me is for sticking with my friends who are first timers and getting them to the finish line!! 


2011 Year #4 

This guy was a real UPS driver who actually ran the full 26.2 with his package.  How about that? Pretty Cool. He finished the full in the time I finished the Half. LOL

2012  #5 Mercedes Half for Me!!

Maury never had gone over 4 miles before this day!!
31.1 Finisher!!!

Scotty, Nicole, Joyce & Cindy.
Just a few first time13.1 finishers!!
So Proud of Them!!

My 4th Half in 36 days!!

Now I have moved from
 One Moon Neptune

 Level to Three Moon Saturn Level 

of the Half Fanatics!!! YEA!!!

Half Fanatic #1445

A Weekend Of First For Me!!

Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend!!!

My first visit to LAX & on to Disneyland (another first for me)

My Tinkerbell Peeps!!! minus Dellaine who was in the medial tent.

We started with a group of 8 girls from Alabama. We met up with "That Girl" from Arizona (formerly of AL) once we got to LAX. So now we are a group of 9.

We arrive at the Disneyland! Yea!!

First trip to downtown Disney CA

First trip to Disneyland

First trip to California Adventure

First Coast to Coast Medal

First Run at Disney Land

First Tinkerbell Half Marathon (It was the Inaugural!)

Everywhere I went and everything I did was a first!!

First time to run with Jeff Galloway and in an empty theme park.

Run Disney Tink Meet Up Run with Jeff Galloway!

First and probably my only visit to the Disney Dream Suite! .....love!!!

I loved every minute of it!! The sights, smells, laughter, memories, friends old & new!! Very Very Fun, Enjoyable & Memorable Trip!!

January 2012 - Recap

Starting this year off right!! I got lots of bling. Earned my very first Coast to Coast Medal. AND......logged over 100 miles.
Which means  "IF" I can keep it up I will be able to qualify for the 1200 mile club. It will be hard b/c I know there are times when its hard for me to stay motivated and active. Especially when those hot summer months get here. But if I break it down thats just 3.33 miles a day or 25 miles a week.
Last year I didn't even make it into the mile a day club b/c I had logged less than 365 miles.
However....Last year I didn't hit the 100 mile mark until April so Im already off to a good start!!

2012 Disney World Half Marathon
2012 Inaugural Gulf Shores Gulf Coast Half Marathon
2012 Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon

Proud to say even with walking and running and bathroom stops and photo stops and leg injuries. I still finished all three under the 3:30 time limit!! YEA!!!

Dropped 17lbs since the beginning of December and hope to drop a few more!!!

God Answers Prayer!

Where to start.....Jan of this year I ran/walked the Disney World Half Marathon. This was to qualify for my coast to coast medal. Coast to Coast Challenge is where you complete a half marathon 13.1 or a Full Marathon 26.2 in Disney World Orlando FL and then complete a Half Marathon in Disney Land CA. in a full calendar year. I was a little nervous b/c I haven't been back training long. That weekend I completed the 5K, Toured All 4 Parks , Downtown Disney and completed the Half Marathon. Apparently it was too many miles too soon. My IT band started hurting. It started in my calf about mile 10 went around my knee and up my leg. I stopped for ibuprofen, and biofreeze. Said a prayer and kept on going. I hobbled around with some leg pain. I finished and under 3:30 which qualified me for my coast to coast medal. YEA!!!

Disney World Half Marathon 2012

When I got home I just road the bike at the gym and tried to stay off of my leg for a while. Well I got to looking online at the qualifications of the Half Fanatics. I had signed up to run Tinkerbell Half Marathon the end of January, Mercedes Half Marathon, and Princess in February. My friend was trying to talk me into running the Gulf Shores Half the week before Tinkerbell. I was on the fence about signing up. My leg was hurting and I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize my Coast to Coast medal. When I found out that if I did the Gulf Coast Half that would be 4 halfs in 36 days qualifying me to move up two levels in Half Fanatics. It was a 4 hour time limit so I just thought to myself. I could sign up and walk it. That way I wouldn't risk injury. So Stupidly I signed up for the Gulf Coast Half against the advice of some of my friends. It was a 500 person limit so I knew if I was gonna walk it...Odds are I was gonna be last and I was gonna be okay with that. I made friends with a girl named Stephanie out on the course. It was her first Half Marathon so I stayed with her most of the race. Her friends were all very fast runners and she was nervous being her first half and was happy to have a talker with her. LOL

YIKES!!! fire truck staying on our tail.

Well as predicted the fire truck got behind me and getting on my very LAST nerve. I didn't want to breathe his fumes and I was way ahead of the 4 hour time limit. As you know if you are a licensed driver its very hard to drive at 4 miles an hour so every couple of minutes you would hear his engine rev up. Making me feel pressured to run. Which I knew very well that I should not be doing b/c my leg was already hurting and every time I tried to run it was worse. There were two other girls in the back of the pack with me. I told them to go ahead b/c I could not run with my leg pain. When we got to the water station my new friend Stephanie asked the guys at the water stop to tell the fire truck to "BACK OFF" and they did. YEA!!  I passed a man around mile 10 and wasn't last anymore and didn't have to stress over a veh on my tail. I just kept going. Put my ipod in and listened to my praise and worship music.  I love this one song from "The Gospel Soundtrack"  He Reigns / Awesome God....because in the because in the beginning of the song when the music starts before the song starts you hear them say " This song right here its dedicated to all my people that felt like giving up and you didn't think you were going to make it."Then the song starts!  Its just a happy praise & worship song that really gets me going.

13.1 finisher!!!

With that ....I made it to the finish line and under 3:30 so I actually had 30 minutes to spare. And...I wasn't last.

Because I was pressured to run from the fire truck. My leg was was in terrible pain. I could not even bend it to get in the car. I wanted to cry. I put ice on it all the way home. Lots of biofreeze, & ibuprofen.
This is when I went into panic mode!! I knew I shouldn't have done the half marathon. Some of my friends told me it was crazy & not a wise idea. But Im stubborn, I wanted to see if I could do it. Not to mention I love a half marathon medal!! At this point I have three days to have my leg healed b/c I am flying to California for my very first visit to Disneyland!! I won the Tinkerbell Half Meet Up run with Jeff Galloway & runDisney, I have registered for the Half and 5K!!! At this point Im praying for a miracle. The last time I had leg pain that wasn't even near the pain I was feeling. It took me 3 months of therapy to heal. I knew that the only thing I could do at this point was to pray and have all my friends pray. I went to the chiropractor who let me borrow her personal inserts for her shoes, told me to buy some "fever few with willow bark" from the herb store, I used "the stick" and biofreeze too. She worked on me for 3 days and then I was off to Disneyland.

Neverland 5K! We are ready to Run!!

Got to Run in the Empty Parks!! Thanks runDisney!

Sleeping Beauty's Castle!

Coast To Coast Finisher!!!

I finished the 5K, Ran the Run/Walk with runDisney & Jeff Galloway, and finished the Half Marathon!! I got my COAST TO COAST MEDAL!!! All was right in the world.

I believe in the Power of Prayer!! Its the only way I could have accomplished 3 half marathons and 100 miles logged this January!!