My first 13.1

A few  weekends was kind of a big weekend for me.  I ran my first half marathon! That's 13.1 miles ya'll and it was awesome!

I have been running for almost a year now.  I have run on and off since Avery was born but got serious about it about July of last year. I ran my first 5K in September. Took some time off and in January I thought I would train for a 10K.  Well, that turned into training for a half marathon. The OKC Memorial (half) Marathon to be exact.

You see, on April 19, 1995 my city was forever changed. On that morning, Timothy McVeigh drove a Ryder rental truck loaded with explosives to the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building, ignited his bomb and walked away.  The bomb exploded exploded killing 168 lives including 19 children.  At the time, it was the largest act of domestic terriorism in the history of the United States (later to be replaced by 9/11).  I was 17 years old and honestly did not realize the impact of what it all meant.  Today I get it. Our city was changed, united, shocked, humbled and best of all, survived.

So you see, the OKC Memorial Marathon is kind of a big deal.  It honors the 168 lives lost.  And I thought it was the perfect race for my inaugural half marathon. I began thinking more and more about the bombing and the impact of it as the race got closer and closer. I wanted to run for someone but I didn't really know anyone impacted by bombing.  But I did know someone.  My uncle, who is now a retired OKC firemen, was one of those firemen that spent countless hours doing search and resuce and later search and recovery.  It wasn't an easy job for him or any of those other responders and I am in awe of what they sacrificed and accomplished during those dark days.  Thank you uncle Danny!

The race was on a Sunday morning so I tried to spend Saturday pretty low key.  I ate a pasta and bread dinner and got in bed early.  I actually slept pretty good although the 4:15 AM wake up call was not pleasant. I got up, got dressed and had breakfast and coffee.  The hubs got up for a few minutes with me and we discussed where he'd be with the girls on the course. I was so excited he and the girls would be cheering me on!

I caught a ride with my good pal Lindsey who was participating in the marathon relay. **Side note: She rocked the 10K portion in under an hour! So proud of her!**

The race was pretty amazing.  To see the support for those affected by the bombing and the support for Boston was pretty awesome.  The crowd support was really great and fun.  There were SO many people participating in this run.  Around 23,000 if I am correct.  It took me about 20 minutes to even get to the starting line!

You can't even see the starting point in this picture.

Along the first few miles banners with the victims names lined the street.  It was pretty humbling and a great reminder of why we were running.

 

I saw the hubs and the girls around mile 10.  Just the boost I needed. Avery was holding a sign she made that said "Go Mommy". She was on R's shoulders and Ellie was in her stroller.  They were all smiles when they saw me. I also saw an old high school friend around mile 10 1/2 and I stopped to give her a quick hug and she took a quick picture.  Again, a great pick me up to finish!

 

 

I started to get emotional around mile 12.  I couldn't believe I was so close to finishing.  That I had done it. That when I started running I couldn't even run a mile without stopping. And here I was about to finish 13.1 miles.  The only stops I made were at water stations. I drank my water and picked right back up to running. I couldn't believe that just a few months before I said "I'm going to run a half marathon".  So many times I wanted to quit.  So many times I pushed myself so much further that I ever thought I could go.So many times I thought those long training runs were enough for me. I'd be happy running 8 miles. 9 miles. 11 miles. But deep down I knew those long runs weren't enough. I wanted that 13.1. I learned so much about running and myself during those training runs.  

I finished in 2:47.  I wasn't the fastest person out there but I wasn't the slowest either. I had no expectations of what I wanted my time to be so I am pretty darn proud of myself.  I have a place to start now and can only get better!

When I finished I actually saw another high school friend that had just completed her first half marathon. It's kind of amazing how running bonds you to people.

Running isn't for everyone. But running has given me an unbelievable amount of confidence. I feel like a rock star when I'm on the road. Like I can do anything.  My advice to you? Find that one thing that makes you feel like a rock star and go for it! Set a goal. Acheive the goal.  You will feel amazing when you do!

So now I am totally rocking this on my car (even if my hubby does think its dorky).

Running Fail

So if we're friends on Facebook or Instagram or in real life, you probably know that I've taken up running.  I love it. I really do.  Sometimes I don't love it while I'm doing it but I always love it when I'm done.

 

So this week I've been in a major funk.  I haven't wanted to run, workout or do anything healthy. I blame it on Spring Break.  And my kids.  I love those little crazies but they make their momma crazy! I digress. Normally I actually look forward to my training runs during the week but this week I haven't. 

 

Last night I knew I had to do it.  It was cold, getting dark and I had a bad attitude about getting out.  But I laced up and got my cold weather gear on.

 



 

 

My goal was 4 miles.  But I wasn't above calling it a night after 3 miles. Actually 4 miles is my standard training run distance.  I kind of feel like I've just gotten warmed up after 3 miles so what's 1 more mile.

 

So I head out around 8 PM. I tell the hubs I won't even be gone an hour so if I'm gone that long come and look for me (I've watched too many episodes of Criminal minds).  I actually even set the kitchen timer so he doesn't forget about me.

 

I start my run and after a mile I start feeling pretty good.  I feel like my pace is good and I'll go ahead and get in 4 miles.  I've eaten like crap lately and although you can't out train a bad diet I figured I could do some damage control.  I hit 2 miles and I think that for the next mile or so I'll start kicking it up between mail boxes.  Not necessarily sprinting but just picking up the fast. Faster pace, normal pace, faster pace, normal pace...you get the idea.

 

I turn our onto the main road in my addition.  I had my regular pace going on and then it happened. I fell.  Flat. on. my. face. I'm pretty sure I must have scared the beejeezus out of the car that was headed toward me as I fell.  They did slow down. But didn't stop.  Jerks.

 

 

I jacked up my ankle so I had to walk home.  Ya'll, it's a much colder walk home than it is running.  THANKFULLY I was actually headed back toward my house and I wasn't too far out. 

 

So there you have it.  My running fail. The first time I've fallen while running. I've had some close calls but had always managed to stay on my feet.  Not last night. I was down on the ground. Scraped hand and knee to prove it.

 

The worst part? My pace was actually looking pretty good (for me).

   



 

Well, actually the worst part is my ankle still hurts and it would probably be advisable to not run on it for a day or 2.  Whatever.

 

 

Happy Friday!! 

Weekend Wrap Up

As a mostly stay at home mom, I get asked if I look forward to the weekend as much as the next working mom.  And the answer is Heck Yes!  The weekends means the hubs is home to help with the kids and lots of family time! This weekend was no exception.

Friday night I started the guest bath make-over.  This bathroom was actually the girls bathroom.  And it was so boring.  We decided to make the bathroom closer to their rooms "their" bathroom and make this the guest bathroom. Blah, blah, blah!

 

 Saturday I got up and ran 9 miles.  That's right 9 miles ya'll.  It was long and hard.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it.  The only thing that kept me going was the thought that I didn't want to have to come back home and tell the hubs I didn't make it!

 

 

I may have also done this. I love swimming with the Barbies. I've done an ice bath a few times and it helps with the soreness.  I wasn't sore at all after that 9 mile run!

 



 

I actually ran it faster than I expected.  I thought it would take me 2 hours but I finished in 1 hour 50 minutes.  About a 12:13 pace. I was pleased!

 

Saturday was absolutely beautiful so we spent some time outside.  These girls LOVE being outside.  Ellie was a December baby so when spring/summer rolled around last year she wasn't crawling or walking so she didn't get to really enjoy being outside.  This year she is LOVING it!

 



 

 

Sunday brought church.  I rocked a pencil skirt that I haven't been able to wear in a few years and this fun leopard print jacket.



When I bought the jacket the arms were really tight.  Like I didn't wear it much, tight.  But now the arms fit perfect and I can actually button it. I'm fairly certain I weigh about the same it's just more proof that my body is changing for the better! Yay!

 

Our St. Patrick's Day was pretty uneventful.  Ronnie's cousin is having a garage sale next weekend and so we got to have a special sneak peek.  We couldn't leave without bringing home this beauty.

 



The wig.  Not the kid.  We already own the kid.

 

And this was the cutest leprechaun ever.

 





 

And I did finish up painting the bathroom from top to bottom.  The color looks like a mint green in this pic but it's actually Icy Teal.  I'm loving it.  Now if I can convince the hubs to paint the wood white, we'd be in business!

 



 

 

So there you have it.  My weekend in mostly Instagram photos (I'm kind of addicted to Instagram).  It was a great weekend but always too short. 

 

This week is Spring Break for us around these parts.  Hoping to do some fun things with the kiddos! And maybe clean my house...

 

How was your weekend! Did you do anything fun and exciting?