What's Next???

So tomorrow is my first run post race. This is my last week of my training guide now I am facing the question, "What's next?" Do a go ahead and set my sights on another half or bite the bullet and try for a full marathon? I am being very indecisive right now. I do want to take it easy for a bit, run some 5Ks with the hubby over the next few months, then I guess I can get serious about a race. I am thinking about running the Country Music Marathon (or half). The frugal side of me says go for the whole, only $10 more and more run for your money, but that is also MORE mileage too! I guess I have time to think it through.

So DS is sick today, he has a slight fever, but still playing which is a very good sign. So we started the morning with a little snuggle time watching some Boo and Elmo. Then we cleaned a little, now he is sleeping. I am praying for a speedy recovery for him! Well, I am off to attempt to clean the bathroom!!!

Music City Half Marathon Race Report

So today I feel SSLLLOOOWWW. I am definitely sore today! But nothing that a Polly Yoga from over at yogaisyummy.net can't clear up! I have copied my race report from the runner's world online Christian Women's forum:

I ran my race in 2:00:05!!! I am SO excited it was WONDERFUL!!! I was very nervous at first! There were I few things I saw from the beginning:1-I could have used hubby's MP3 player and had tunes 2-EVERYONE wears BLACK-either black pants, shorts, tights-or ALL BLACK, so ME in my BRIGHT BLUE w/PINK-running skirt, PINK top and Pearl Earrings (of course it was the earrings Elkton!!) stood out like a sore thumb!!!! But I was ok with that, well once we got moving! So the race started it was a little weird at first b/c we were all a big clump for a while, then it began to break apart. I constantly ended up by myself in between groups of people, but that was fine, I used that time to take everything in, I thought of what I we have been through over the past 5 months, I prayed and sort of made peace with the fact that I could only run as hard as I could and that I would be happy with whatever happened because I was reaching my goal, no matter what the time was. The first few miles I kept trying to find people to catch up to. It went well, but since I brought my own water (which I will always do--I passed quite a few people at water stations and was able to stay ahead of them) I could never find people to constantly run with. Well I hit 3 mi at 26:33-fastest for me since HS! I continued trying to catch people until I found my "crew" there was a woman about my age (Leah) and two older women (I did not get their names but they were BEASTS--talk about consistent paces and great at pushing you!) Leah and I ran with the two women for most about 6 miles--They were so cute! One had a Garmin-so she continually would yell out our pace, where we were mile wise, ect. Then we lost our two ladies, they stopped at a water station and stretched so we continued going. I ended up having GREAT conversation with Leah and BOY did she push me! We talked about EVERYTHING once we got to mile 10 she was talking about how it was becoming a mental thing for her b/c she was getting tired, I told her that in my head I kept thinking "I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus Who Strenghens ME"--cannot think of exact verse-- She asked if I was a Christian, I said yes, and she told me she was too, and that she could tell from talking to me that I was! So we spent the rest of the race talking about GOD--it was GREAT!!! We kept repeating the verse too! Well, I definitely feel like miles 10-13.1 Challenged me! There were NO mile markers (but they were all over the course at the first 10 miles) so it was mentally tough not really knowing where you were. So we continued to push eachother. I knew where our time was, and told her that we should be at the end so we kicked it it. I sort of ran really hard at the end (and passed people as I was heading in towards the finish--I hope that is ok to do) then all of a sudden my last few strides it hit me, I just started to cry, I saw my sister, DH, and son and lost it! I had such a great feeling of accomplishment!!! It was truly a WONDERFUL race! I LOVED every minute of it! So like I said my time was 2:00:05- I was the 40th woman-I don't know total women, I just know there was around 300-350 people. I spent the rest of the day hobbling around, and am terrible sore today. I play on doing some Polly Yoga later to help warm things up! So that is my FIRST Half Marathon RR!!!!

Music City Half Marathon

So today was the day!!! I did it! I completed my first half marathon! My chip time was 2 hrs 5 seconds! It was a wonderful race! I was nervous as to how I would do with the time that I had to take off from running. But, I ended up hitting my goal from the beginning of my training! I will have pics and a full RR tomorrow! I am currently basking in the glow of being a half-marathoner!

The Beginning...

The Beginning...

So, I began this blog right after my 25th Birthday (Sept 3). This was, and still IS going to be my year! I felt as if I was a a turning point. I am the most physically fit that I have ever been and I am the happiest that I have been in a very long time. I am currently training for my first half marathon. That was the beginning.

Now I am having to find a new starting point. I know if I keep my eyes on Jesus, that I will be able to continue moving forward. About one week after my birthday I found out that I was pregnant with our second baby. Then, about a week and a half later, my husbands grandmother passed away, and on our way to Iowa I began to miscarry. After a very long week away from home, I had to have a D&C procedure, so we buried Aaron's grandmother, then the next day the remains of our baby were buried. It has been a spiritually, emotionally, and physically draining month.

Two weeks ago I began running again. Three weeks before my race, after having to take 3 weeks off. I have changed my goals from under 2 hrs, to finishing without stopping. I am ok with that, I will be ok with that...I have to be ok with that.

Hubs had a car accident Friday-Praise God he is alright, but the car on the other hand...will probably be totaled. So we will be working with 1 car for now. I look at it this way, it saves us money (it was paid off, so we will not pay insurance on it anymore), now I can concentrate on potty learning with Aiden-since I will be spending PLENTY of time at home, and we are reducing our carbon footprint! So now we will be going through a season of adjustment.

So this is my journey. I have had a rough start, but I will try to keep my eyes on Jesus and know I can make it.