Love/Hate Relationship

... with running

 

Love: The satisfaction after a long run

Hate: Every step along the way

 

Love: Running starts your metabolism and you can eat... A LOT

Hate: When you stop running and so does your metabolism - but you still love to eat

Love: Running races to stay motivated

Hate: The money it costs to run a race

 

Love: The feeling you get after you work out, you swear you feel skinnier, look thinner and have a positive attitude 

Hate: When you try on those jeans that gave you a muffin top yesterday, and they STILL give you a muffin top

 

Love: Taking a 5 month break from running

Hate: Starting back up, regaining confidence that I can really do this again

 

Love: Being able to workout year round on a treadmill, and keep a consistent speed with a belt pushing you forward constantly... it's much easier.

Hate: When I get outside and I'm now not only running on solid (not moving) pavement, but dealing with elevation, wind, heat, ect. and I do not run as fast!

 

Love: Knowing that someone is taking pictures at the races.

Hate: Seeing the race picture - does anyone look cute while running?

 

 

I have run 7 half marathons, and competitively walked/ran a full marathon which is more than I ever expected to do in my lifetime.

 

So I suppose the loves on this list, do outweigh the hates.

But until all of my hates turn into loves, I will continue to run, and push through the next run.

 

 

My most recent 1/2 marathon, Cap City, May 3, 2014

Weekend Wrap-Up

How is it Monday already?

Do you ever have weekends where its just go-go-go-go and then all of a sudden you look up and you realize its Sunday night at 10pm and your to-do list is STILL a mile long?

As much as I shake my head at my crazy day-to-day schedule, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

Saturday I had two 30^th birthday parties to attend.

(nothing like realizing you are the “old” friend in the group when people are still having 30^th birthday parties and you have since move on from 30 and are now the ripe age of 31.)

 

Both were catered with Mexican flare, one by Arepazo, a local latin restaurant, and one by Chipotle.  If you know me well enough, you know I can’t get enough rice, beans and guacamole in my life!

 

 

 

 

Love these girls!

 Sunday morning, I woke up (not quite early enough) to run a 15k at a local Lifestyle Mall, Easton.  I literally arrived at 8:07 and the race started at 8. 

I ran to the start line, and started running, with my arm band still in my hand, head phones around my neck and my shoes barely tied tight enough.  I get to the end of the first street to turn right, and the officer on the corner looked at me and had a short little embarrassing conversation:

Officer: Are you running in this?

L: Yes, I’m just a little tardy. (To his defense, I had on a running sweatshirt overtop of my running tank that had my bib safety pinned to it)

Officer: Okay, I’ll let them know that you are the tail

Let me tell you, I realize that there has to be a winner and someone that comes in last place in every event, and I also realize that I will never be the fastest runner at ANY event.. but I did not want to be the tail for the duration of this 15K.  That certainly motivated me to run a lot faster!

This race is the second one in this series that I have participated in.. and you can choose to run a 5K, 10K or a 15K.  Thankfully the 10 and the 15K are pretty much in line with the training schedule for the half marathon in a few weeks.   The only bad part about the race is you stay on the same course either 1, 2 or 3 times.  The WORST part about this race was running by Kate Spade.. not once, twice but THREE times and not being able to shop.  Pretty much torture if you ask me!

 Since we were already at Easton, we decided to stop and have breakfast at one of my FAVORITE  local places, Northstar.  It is all organic food and absolutely delicious.  Thankfully my sister was there to cheer me on, but also take my order as I was rounding the last corner.  I mean what more could you ask for.. a sister, cheerleader and a waitress! It was a perfect way to end the morning.

The rest of the day was spent at home working on some Easter decorations/crafts/DIY stuff!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I know I certainly did!

 

So What Wednesdays...

This week I'm saying 

"So What if..."

• I get annoyed every month my Cuptakes app doesn't update on the first of the month
• I get even more annoyed when there aren't a ton of quality background to choose from for the month, and then I typically text Shannon and we discuss that they are all crappy this month
• its almost time for me to like basketball.  March Madness is quickly approaching and I can't wait.
• I have tried to run the past few weeks and both of my legs feel like they are 20986 lbs a piece, so I have been doing the elliptical machine instead.  I think I might need to start back with a c25k program if I ever want to start running again.
• I am slowly but surely wanting to finish my latest book, however I hate having to look for a good book afterward.  I'm just now finishing Emily Giffin's "Where We Belong" - does anyone have a good recommendation for my next read? 
• I wish GroopDealz didn't save my credit card information.  It makes it WAY too easy to just click.. buy now.. and now you have 213 new necklaces, bracelets, and maxi skirts.

Head on over to Shannon's blog to see what others are saying "So What to" this week.

What are you saying it to? Anything similar to me?

So What...

IF...

... I haven't linked up to "So what Wednesdays" in FOREVER but lets be honest - I have been one HUGE slacker lately in the blogging category of my life... but i miss it! I really do.

... I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks and I have now posted twice in 1 day, I just had a lot on my mind that was about to be a brain dump, but very easily it turned into a SWW post :)

... I haven't blogged about my new car yet because I haven't had time or a nice day {i.e. not raining-c'mon mother nature, can't Ohio get a little snow?? afterall it is December 28th} to take a picture of it! But I promise, its coming soon!

... I have already started to stress about non loyal gym go-er's come January 2nd. I don't think its fair to those of us who go 12 months out of the year to have to fight with those who only go one month a year... perhaps JillianMichaels and I will just become BFF's for the month of January and I will pick up my running addiction again in February

... I'm signing up for the capital city 1/2 marathon in May tomorrow, after i start my new credit card statement... hey, the price goes up as of January 1st! who knew that running could be SO expensive

... so what if I'm living like a hermit for the first time in a long time, I have a car payment for the first time in my life, and I need to figure out how to adjust to having an extra expense every month

... I'm not making a new years resolution list this year. I will continue to live my life like I have in the past, with no regrets and living life to its fullest... because after all, you only live once!

So what are you saying

"so what" to? Head on over to Shannon's blog and link up for the last

SWW of 2011!

Weekend Wrap Up

I hope this post finds you well rested after a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ours has been anything but calm, but I really wouldn't have it any other way! I love being able to spend time with my family and friends when they are in town for the holiday.

{warning picture overload!}

Thursday morning started off with the

Flying Feather 4 miler in Dublin

Myself, Bri and Ashley

It must have been the cold weather because I ran the race in 9:52 minute/miles... something that I never thought I could do! I had previously run a 10:20 miles in my 1/2' s but it could have been the fact that it was only 4 miles, or the fact that it was just brisk, windy, and COLD that gave me a little pep in my step to finish the race!

The reward for running the race, a bottle of wine

After the race we raced over to Justin's cousin's house for our first thanksgiving, and then we rushed back over to my grandma's house. Luckily I was able to drop off of this cheese ball after the race for my family to enjoy {because it was long devoured prior to us arriving}

which was inspired by none other than pinterest

{these just seemed like a LOT of cheese ball for not a lot of cracker - so I just made on large cheese ball}

Source: kitchensimplicity.com via Jaculin on Pinterest

Friday night I had my 10 year class reunion. I had been helping plan the event for the past year, and it was nice to have it come to fruition and catch up with my classmates. Unfortunately there were not as many students who were able to make it as we wished, but there were about 40 out of our class of 500+ students.

Did you go to your class reunion?

Do you find that Facebook has made it less intriguing to go to your reunion?

Our high school principal came to the reunion as well. The world needs more people like Mr. McCann. He is one of those people who can find the good in anyone. He has since retired since we graduated, but it was so nice for him to come.

Saturday we stayed around town and watched our beloved buckeyes put up a fight against the team from up north. In the end unfortunately we did not come out victorious.. but we had other big news coming our way today with the announcement of Urban Meyer coming to coach OSU next year!

Saturday night we drove down to Cincinnati to see our best friends who were in town from Boston.

Sunday morning we woke up to a rainy forecast and tickets to the Browns/Bengals game. I was BEYOND thankful that I had purchased a pair of hunter boots prior to making the trip down 71.

{if you have been reading the blog long enough, you may have remembered the fiasco that happened last time I tried one these boots! but luckily somethings have changed with my calves and they now fit}

We headed down to the game in the rain

Although the Brown's lost, we still had a great day hanging out with all of our friends

So that was our weekend in a nutshell! We are so fortunate that we were able to spend this holiday weekend with so many of our family and friends.

Hope your weekend was as fun as ours!

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Columbus 1/2 Marathon Results

this morning at 6:45 Justin and I headed to downtown Columbus for the 32nd annual

Columbus Marathon

as we we were walking to the starting line i ran into 2 of my best guy friends from college

it was awesome to be able to sit and talk to them prior to the race where i typically have pre-race jitters.

perhaps i was a little more confident this time because i was only running a 1/2 marathon and they were all running the full

we finally get to our corral for the 7:30 start time

we move slowly to the start line and then we begin

i have NEVER seen so many people lining the street in all of my life

it was really inspirational to know that people would come out early on a sunday morning to cheer on runners

**i can't wait to be able to be one of the people holding signs, rather than running!**

there were so many people lining the streets, i missed my grandma and grandpa at 5, and i finally saw my parents at mile marker 6 where i thought i was going to over heat because i needed to loose my shed shirt so badly!

Justin was at mile marker 7 and my sister and her fiancé Doug were at 8, my parents were then at 9 and that was the last i saw of my support crew

they were joking that i must have turned up the heat after mile marker 10 because they timed everything out, and i missed them at mile marker 11

i finally climbed up the last leg of the run {which was the same as the May 1/2... that about killed me} and knew the hill would be difficult, but I had to just keep running, one foot in front of the other

i made the turn and finally saw the 13 mile marker after we broke free from the full marathon runners

and i crossed the finish line in

2:16.01

my own PR at this point!

For not training very well, and going out to just see how hard I could push myself, I am very happy with that result. It is 4 minutes off of my last 1/2 which was a month and a half ago.

Congrats to all of my fellow runners and a BIG thank you to all of your support as well! I tweeted right before I went off, and I loved hearing the notifications through my phone while I was running. It means the world that you were all by my side during the race!

Next up... May's Capital City Half Marathon

Who's with me!??!!

Redemption 1/2 marathon - I did it!!!

After the Cap City 1/2 marathon in May where I hurt myself, I knew that I needed to redeem myself by completing a run

and that time came this past weekend at the Emerald City Marathon

The conditions weren't ideal....

I hadn't trained as well as I had for the Cap City in May
I had worked a wedding the night before and didn't get to bed until after midnight
it had rained during the night resulting in debris all over the course
and I only trained indoors

... I pretty much had plenty of odds against me

However, it was not going to prevent me from trying my absolute hardest at this race!

I met up with my sister and her fiance right before the race began.
It was not the most ideal running conditions
humid and warm at 7am
however when the gun sounded we started out of the gate.

I never really get my pace until the first 3-4 miles on the road
Once we split 1/4 marathon and 1/2 marathon I knew that I had to complete it
I broke down the course by one 5k
a 1/4 marathon... which was much more tough than I realized
[the 1/4 path we ran last year was COMPLETELY flat, so I assumed the same for the 1/2 - ha!]
as soon as we got on the path for the 1/2 marathon and we were a mile in there was a sign
for a steep hill
GREAT! what in the world did I sign up for and didn't know!
I realized I just needed to push through this 1/4 of a marathon
after that, we met back up with the 1/4 marathon track and I knew I only had a little over a 5k
I just kept pushing as long as I could

I owe a lot to the MIT [Marathon In Training] 10:40 pace setter who saw me start walking around mile 10.5 {i felt like i was all out of steam} she looked at me, looked at my bib and said "Lindsey, what are you doing walking, lets go"
Holy motivational! Thats all I needed and I kicked it into high gear and headed towards the finish line

At mile marker 11.5, Justin, my parents and sister were there
[I'm pretty sure I was yelling at them "Woohoo... I'm still running!" ha!]

And just as I thought I was going to run out of gas again where I could see the finish line
I looked up and saw my Goddaughter and her whole family out there to cheer me on
{which is a TOTAL surprise!}

I finally am able to say that I successfully completed a 1/2 marathon in my best time yet!
2 hours and 20 minutes!
[I'm fully aware this isn't lightening speed, however, I set out to run a race to finish it, not to be the first person to cross the finish line]
My goal in May was to finish in 2 hours 30 minutes
so I take this as an accomplishment:)

After the race

Molly's adorable sign

I am so thankful Jason and Katie came out!

I am so thankful this run went well, I re-gained my own confidence back in running.
I'm excited for my next half marathon.... because I know I can do it!

Getting out of a rut...

Do you ever feel as if your is the movie ground hog day?
It consists of the same routine Monday-Friday and then on the weekends?
I was finding myself being content with my “ground hog” like schedule
Wake up, work, work out, watch Justin play softball, grab a bite to eat, go to bed, repeat

I supposed it worked… I was never bored, and I always had something going on, and I knew what to expect the next day… however, I was starting to get in a rut, I needed a new vice, something to keep me motivated.

I joined a gym about 6 months ago, and up until now all I have really used it for is the treadmills. I figure if I have people around me running its much easier than hitting the pavement by myself, however spending $26/mo for a treadmill that I use 4 times a week really isn’t doing the entire membership any justice.

Included in my membership you are able to take as many group exercise classes as you want, including spinning. In high school my best friend and I would spin 4-5 times a week. It was such a good exercise and I forgot how much I enjoyed it.

Kelly had tweeted one day about going to a spinning class on a Saturday, and that was all the motivation I needed to get to the gym the next day and start my new routine, which included both spinning and running.

I forgot how much I LOVE the class and how great of a workout it is. I leave every class feeling as if I have had the best workout possible.

Recently, I have been waking up at 5:15, getting to the gym at 5:30 [I may or may not be sleeping in my workout clothes – judge away! Ha!] and spinning from 6 to 6:45, and its an awesome feeling to know at the end of the work day you can do whatever you would like because you have already completed your daily workout.

Its amazing what a new routine can do for you. I am seeing results on the scale for the first time in about 2 months, and it feels good. I am working different muscles than I would if I would go for a long run.

If you are in a workout rut, I encourage you to switch it up… challenge yourself, workout in the morning, do a different routine! I guarantee that it will make a difference! What’s holding you back?!?!

Defeated by my IT band

For the past 3 months I have been training for a 1/2 marathon
Diligent with my runs throughout the week, and the long runs
And I completed a 10 mile race a few weeks ago at a better pace than ever before

Needless to say I felt as if I was ready for this race
I was excited

Saturday was the Capital City 1/2 marathon
it was a perfect day!
50 degrees in the morning, a slight breeze
every runners dream to set out to complete a long run

Well it all started out well
Started in my corral w/ Justin. [We joked around that we know know what a cow feels like prior to the slaughter house.. ]
Our group was called and we were off
I was in my groove, set my own pace, even through the grueling up hill initial 2.5 miles
I passed my mom and dad at mile marker 3
They asked where Justin was and I jokingly said behind me
And then right before I was about to see my grandparents at mile marker 5
My knee started throbbing on the outside, and Justin passed me

I pushed through the 5 mile marker because I told myself my grandparents didn't come out here to see me walk, they came out here to cheer me on for a RUN!
I passed them, and pushed to the next bathroom stop
[I realized that there was such thing as over hydrating and I NEEDED to stop!]
I waited for at least 10 minutes to use one of the 2 restrooms that they had at the 5.5 marker
[ummm hello, you have 12,000 people running a race, and you only have 2 porta johns during the race but you have 987386 at the start?! definitely was not happy about that!]
When I went to run again, my leg/knee had completely tightened up

My friends passed me and I told them that my knee hurt and Ashley told me it was my IT band [Iliotibial band] and it wasn't going to get any better
Great! I didn't train to quit.. I told myself I would power walk until I saw the next medic station

The next medic station wasn't until about the 7 mile marker
I was excited to see someone from the medical field
I asked the guy from the Red Cross, if there were any stretches I could do to help my pain
his response
"Not that I know of, are you used to running this much?"
[In my head I wanted to say, Yes, dip shit , sir, I didn't just wake up this morning and decide that it was nice out and I wanted to run 13.1 miles for the hell of it]
I responded "Yes" I'm sure he could tell I was annoyed
He then said, "well I really don't know what to tell you, but I can give you ice"
[Seriousy dude, you want to give me ice, do you not know i'm at mile marker 7 and I've got to get to 13.1, no thanks!]
I said, no thanks, gave him an evil look and proceeded to walk

I tried to push myself every now and then to run through intersections or when I thought maybe I could push through the pain
But it just wasn't going to happen

I watched the pace setters run by me. It was heart breaking to watch the 2 hr 30 min time run by me, that was ideally what I wanted to run the entire thing in
then the 2 hr 45 min sign

By this time, I knew how close I was to the end, there was a part of me that wanted to cut off the race track and head to the hospital that I work at to see if there were any physical therapist available that could help me [anything had to be better than mr. american red cross]
I decided to just push through it and finish, i didn't come out here to quit, even if i had to walk through the finish line

So i continued to walk, I walked about 8 miles
Not how I anticipated on finishing/completing the race

I finally finished the race, and found justin waiting for me
He did SO well, and I was so excited for him, but all I could do was cry
I was in so much pain from my leg, and I felt defeated, all I wanted to do was run the entire race, beat last years time, and prove to myself that i CAN complete an entire 1/2 marathon
but my body proved me wrong
I'm glad that I didn't give up and that i pushed through it, however, I felt defeated

People would ask me how the race went, and I said, well Justin did really well, and I got hurt, and left it at that
I just wanted to tell people that I ran it in under 2 hrs 30 minutes, but that wasn't the case

Yesterday in the office, my co-worker looked up my time, and when he told me that I finished in 2 hrs 52 min, I was pretty much shocked! Only because it was 4 minutes faster than last year [and last year I ran MUCH more of the race].

I feel slightly okay with the face that I had to walk the race, only because I did do what I set out to do initially - beat last years time!

I've learned a lot during this race, mainly I have to listen to my body, and know when to push it and when back off... no one knows your body like you do! Know whats best for you!

So now I'm working on stretches and rolling my IT band, and taking a week or two off before I get back into training for my next 1/2 in August! There are many more races to be run and I can't wait to get back out there and prove to myself that I am able to do this!!

These are a few of my favorite things....

Last week Kelly from Keeping up with Kelly tagged me to do a little survey about my favorite things!

I thought this was a great way for some of my newer followers to get to know me [if your new, please let me know by leaving a comment and tell me something about you, or something that you love!! I love to getting to know my followers :)]

[1.] My family

I think its safe to say that even though my family is not a "thing" they mean the world to me! I think your family gives you a foundation of who you are, and you make yourself out of the foundation. I have come to realize that over the years, I am VERY fortunate to have such a strong relationship with my family. I look forward to getting together every Sunday, its a way for us all to stay connected, and I thoroughly enjoy the company.

Although Alli and I have not always had the most "my sister is my best friend" type of a relationship, I believe through the past few years we have become much closer, and I can think we can attribute this to the boys! Somehow Justin and Doug, make us appreciate each other more! ha! and to that i'm very thankful to as well. The boys have come into our family and have pretty much made our family of 4 now 6 and I LOVE it!!


[2.] My phone

I hate that this is my 2nd most favorite item, but honestly it is my lifeline! I have an iPhone - and I would be lost without it. I obviously use it for a phone, text, and email, but it seriously keeps me connected with the world. Between a game of Words With Friends, Twitter, Angry Birds, Sky Burger, updates on the latest sports scores, keeping track of my runs, an ipod... seriously - what is not to love about her??? And yes, it is a her, and her name is Bella, which is short of Isabella the iPhone. [I'm still a little jealous of a co-worker who came up with the name Fiona, as in Fiona Apple, for her phone! 10 pts for creativity goes to MaryBeth!]

[3.] My T-Shirt Quilt

My great grandma and grandma make amazing quilts. I had always wanted to make a quilt with them but never really needed one. However, when i graduated college, rather than making a t-shirt blanket with all of my sorority shirts, I thought I would make a quilt, and ask my great grandma to help me. I thoroughly enjoyed going over every Tuesday evening one summer and quilting with her. Every time I look at the quilt it brings back both college memories and the time we spent together during the summer making this masterpiece.

[4.] Hint of Lime Tositos and Sour Patch Watermelons
It is a good trip to the grocery store if I can get out of there without treating myself to 1 of these two items. I honestly eat very healthy, however these 2 items are seriously my weakness! its horrible!

via

via
[5.] The Ohio State Buckeyes

I think its more of a religion than a team here in Columbus, Ohio, to love the buckeyes. I'm a little anxious about this season, however, I'm still looking forward to fall, and the anticipation of another great season from our beloved buckeyes!

[6.] Restaurant Ranch Dressing

I don't know what it is about restaurant ranch dressing, but its SO much better than anything you can buy at the grocery store. My friend Jaci and I will debate where we go to dinner at times based off of the salad dressings. Its a toss up between Red Robin and Texas Roadhouse for the best ranch dressing. Do you have a favorite?!?

[7.] Snowboarding

I love snowboarding, it is something that we can do as a family and its something I hope to do one day with my family as well.

Dropping into the half pipe at Buttermilk in Aspen last year
[this is the one used for the XGames]
[and no, i'm not that good, I just went down the middle of it and screamed like a little girl with excitement!]

[8.] Diet Coke

I would be lost without diet coke. But I'll lay it all out there for you, a fountain diet coke, in a Styrofoam cup with chipped ice, is my ABSOLUTE favorite! its honestly heaven in a cup to me! It is a special treat when I drive by a Sonic and pick myself up a Route 44 Diet Coke with EZ ice.

[9.] Christmas

There is just something about Christmas that just makes me absolutely giddy 24/7. I love the season. People are filled with cheer, there is music on specifically for this holiday, houses are decorated to look more like homes, families gather together, and you get to give lots of presents. I just LOVE it! I wish it could be Christmas ALL year round!

[10.] Baby Names

I love thinking up baby names. I love unique names, however I don't want them to be so far out in left field that my child will be looked at funny when his name is called on the first day of school, however I want them to be a one of a kind in their classroom! My list is constantly changing, but I have names right now that I'm pretty much OVER the moon excited about!

[11.] Vacations

After getting back from our cruise, I think Justin and I both realized that we may need to plan more vacations. it was SO nice to just be the two of us, and not have a care in the world, just relaxing. I'm ready to go back!? Who's coming with us!
[12.] Running

Although I mainly dread going to the gym, or hitting the pavement, and I really hate going for a run when I'm out there, the sense of accomplishment once I finish a long run/race is totally worth it all. We are signed up for the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and I'm so ready to start the race and more importantly ready to finish it. I just want to beat my time from last year!
[13.] Blogging Friends

I LOVE my blogging friends. Its amazing how supportive everyone is to one another. I think its amazing that here we are, all over the US, and we have gotten to know one another through our daily chronicles that we share via an electronic diary. I think there is a sense of community that we get as a blogger, that others don't understand unless they are into blogging as well. I appreciate the friendships that I have made/built over the last year and a half more than I ever thought I would. I originally started blogging just to link up to Kelly's Korner SUYL series, and it has become so much more! and for that I am forever thankful!


So now that you know a few things that I love, I want to hear what you LOVE!

Jess First Comes Love
Anna A Pair of Kings
Caroline Simply Smithwick
Shannon Life After I "Dew"
Brittany Sweet and Sassy and Oh So Classy
Sonja For the Love of Stilettos
Emily The Simple Frills
Stephanie The Professors Wife
Jenny Life, Love and Marathons
Holly Running in Stilettos

Happy Thursday Blog Friends!!!

So What Wednesdays....

This week I'm saying
So What if....

*i'm still catching up on my dvr from our vacation [i should have totally taken an extra DVR day when I got back from the cruise and Florida]
*i lost my pedometer last week and you would have thought that I lost my child, this darn thing of plastic is a part of me [well and I get $$ for it based off of the amount of steps I take], i retraced my steps, called security, ect. with no avail, i didn't find it, but i re-programed my original one, and were back up and running! [thank g, i have long runs coming up for the 1/2 marathon training, i can't miss out on 15,000+ step runs!]
*if I was all the way to the freeway this morning before I realized I forgot my pedometer at home, and I knew it was going to be a busy day with quite a few trips to the hospital, so I turned around to get it
*we are in the final stretch of our weight loss competition, and all that i'm craving is the bad stuff.. yesterday it was Nacho Doritos, and pepperoni pizza [srrsly, thats sick!]. i'm going to try and go low carb for the last 20 days [besides my luna bars when i run] and see how it goes.. wish me luck!
*i'm still sore from the 10 mile run that we did on sunday! seriously, who knew that Gahanna had hills?!!? not me!
*it irritates me when people try to drag on a conversation by saying "so, yea..." or "so, ummm...." just end the conversation... there is no need to keep dragging it on
*i'm looking forward to Justin starting softball back up [even though I will be regret saying this in about 1 month], I love being outside 3 nights a week

Now head on over to Shannon's blog and link up

What are you saying so what to today!? or all week?!

What I've been up to

Sorry that I have been a little MIA lately, I have been trying to get back into a routine again after being out of one for 10 days on vacation...

and I'm not a big fan of being out of a routine...

In addition to getting my life back in a routine
I was also training for a 10 mile race that happened yesterday

I will be the first one to admit, I have never considered myself a runner, and my ultimate goal every race was just to finish...

until yesterday
yesterday was different
when I finished, I felt accomplished

I finished in 1 hr 46 minutes which is 15 seconds faster each mile than what I'm used to- i NEVER claimed to be a fast runner!... and It felt good!

**and yes, my headphones were amazing! they worked the entire time and I didn't have to fuss with them once!**

I can't wait for the 1/2 marathon in 3 weeks.. this race just proved to me that I am totally going to blows last years time out of the water! 25 more days!

So needless to say as I am training for this run and the marathon a few things around the house have been falling behind.

Tonight I am determined to accomplish the following list...even if it takes me the rest of the night!
yes, my suitcase from last week is still not unpacked.. its summer casual clothes.. and i can't wear them to work... what is it hurting for them to be laid out on the spare bed???

and yes... i promise [Grandma, Nonna, and Gammy <-- love that my grandparents read my blog <3] that I will write a post about vacation!!!! lets be honest, I have to have at least 1 fun thing on my to do list, and I certainly do not like dusting, laundry, or grocery shopping!

Wish me luck as I attempt to conquer this list.. it is going to take some time based off of the turtle speed I have been moving all day thanks to pushing myself a little harder than normal yesterday at the race!

Happy Monday!