13.1!!!!!

13.1 is done {well actually 13.23, according to my Garmin watch, but who's counting ;)}!!!  

It is such a great feeling to have it completed!  After 6 long months of contemplating it and 16 longer weeks of training for it I have a half marathon in the books!  It feels like a huge relief and now I can think about life past April 20th :)!  

The one thing I didn't count on was how I would enjoy running it way more then I expected...I know crazy, right...me being the one who doesn't really enjoy the "running" part of running {I usually just enjoy the since of accomplishment}.  It was a really good race and it felt different then 5ks and even 10ks I have done in the past.  With this race there was more of a feeling of a running community pushing and supporting each other to the end rather then just trying to trample over each other to be the quickest, which I will NEVER be the quickest.  I think that's why it was more enjoyable because speed is not the biggest factor, it's the endurance first, which I knew I could endure. 

The best thing about this race was, however, the finish!  I not only completed it, but at the time I secretly wished I could do it in!!!  **Disclaimer here before I go on...my race speeds are NOT fast so if you are an actual RUNNER you wouldn't be happy with my times, but since I am just a "runner" aka more like jogger :) then I will let you know what they were**  So, I told myself you WILL be happy with a time around 2 hours and 45 minutes because that was what my training speed was telling me I would probably come in at.  However, I had a secret hope of coming in around 2 hours 30 minutes.  I tried not saying that out loud because I didn't want to be disappointed if I couldn't do it.  I was doing this half marathon just to finish, remember, not to do a certain speed...but like all people who enter races, you always have that number in the back of your head that you want to beat.  Well.............I did it!!  Yes, I got in at the secret number!  Not only that but a minute faster ;) at 2 hours 29 minutes {If you are a numbers person and want to know pace, that's a 11:25 minute pace...not FAST, but fast for me for that long}!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That felt great!

If you are wandering what a 13.1 mile race feels like here's my little break down of how this race went for me:

Before the race:  My mom got up and drove Ryan and I to Garmin, which is just 5 minutes down the road from our house.  Ryan wanted to wait in the car as long as possible beforehand since it was a crisp 34 degrees out...not a good temperature to stand around in, but it actually turned out to be good weather to run in {way better then sweating!}.  As the sun was beginning to rise they held a moment of silence before the race to remember those in the Boston Marathon.  I captured this picture which pretty much says it all:

Then it is time for us to go!

Mile 1:  Right off the bat, I noticed how this race was different.  People were happily talking to each other and people were running "together" rather then apart.  I just naturally started following a 2:20 pacer group.  I didn't think at all I would be able to keep this pace, but I wanted to start out strong.  I was still a little cold at this point {Ryan was actually hugging his arms together and someone told him he needed a jacket ;)}.  I did feel like I had a ton of energy!

Mile 2:  When I saw the aid station at mile 2 I got a little mad...you see I studied the course map many times and I thought for sure the first aid station was at mile 3 so my whole plan was to not stop running in the first 3 miles until I reached that aid station.  I told Ryan he couldn't let me stop in the first 3!  Therefore, when I saw this aid station I told Ryan we weren't getting drinks :).  We ran on!

Mile 3:  Rounding the corner to the downtown part of our city we finally get to mile 3!  I take very short walking break to congratulate myself and notice that my time is 32 minutes!  That is a really good pace for me since that is actually my best 5k time too!

Mile 4:  We are still with the 2:20 pace group and things are still feeling good for me. We get to the next aid station and I let us stop and drink here :)...I might be a little bossy to Ryan when I am running...sorry Ryan!

Mile 5:  The hills start...ugh!  Whoever called this race a "wickedly fast, flat half marathon" apparently forgot about miles 5-8!  I am not good on hills.  They mentally break me down!  Ryan started pushing me up these hills {he pushes his hand on my back and it actually helps a lot :)}.  I get through these mile 5 hills without walking!  However, I can't quite keep up with the 2:20 pacers so we start drifting off behind them.  My time is still great and I am at 53 minutes at mile 5 {It usually takes me right at an hour to get 5 miles}.  We also split off from the full marathoners at this point.  My hat goes off to all you full marathoners...that is a lot of dedication!!!  

Mile 6:  I knew a friend was planning on being on the course around mile 6 to cheer me on so that was helpful to think about at this point in the race.  After spotting her it really cheered me up!  A great encouragement in the middle of a half marathon, especially when looking at more hills!  I started walking up these hills to give my legs a break.  My time was still really good with a 10k time of 1 hour 5 minutes {my best 10k time before this was 1 hour 9 minutes}.  

Mile 7:  I want to meet the person who called this flat there are more hills {no they weren't steep, but I also wouldn't call them flat ;)}.  I notice a person zooming by us up one of the hills and a police motorcycle following him.  Ryan and I realized he must be the top marathoner coming through on our course again {I don't talk while running, but I will talk to Ryan when we have to take a walk break}.  I couldn't even imagine keeping his pace for 26.2 miles!

Mile 8:  For the last few miles we were keeping up with the 2:25 pacers, but we were starting to trail behind them with the hills, but I was not discouraged.  I was starting to feel more energy weakening, but it felt good to be over half way done!

Mile 9:  The hills seemed to be over!  Thank goodness!  The best part of running a race in your city is you know where you are at.  I knew we were getting close to the trail we would be finishing the majority of the race on so I just kept thinking how nice the trail would be when we got there.  I did notice around this point in the race that there were a lot of couples running together like Ryan and I.  It is great to have a support system to run with you!  I couldn't have done it without Ryan!!!  We also started entering into a neighborhood and the spectators there were great.  I tried waving to as many of them as I could throughout the whole course, I even gave a high five to a little boy.  There is nothing better then to have people cheer you on, even when they don't know you!

Mile 10:  Right at mile 10 we meet the trail that will take us in.  It makes me excited to see it because I have ran on the trail several times.  It is nice and flat and familiar!  My family is also there to cheer us on!  It was a great sight to see at this point in the race when energy seems low.  So sweet!

We were also given gu at the mile 10 aid station.  That was the first time trying it and I am not a fan...it's like taking a swig of icing.  I gave the rest of mine to Ryan.  He said it did make him feel better.  He also told me later he grabbed a Snickers off the table there...I didn't notice him sharing that with me :). 

Mile 11:  I can tell my energy is getting low, but I have to remind myself that this is almost over.  I push on and have Ryan check for signs of 2:30 behind us because we haven't seen a pace group for awhile now.  He sees 2:30, but they are still a little ways behind us.  A relief...

Mile 12:  I start getting nervous now.  I had only trained up to 11 miles so any new miles I do always make me nervous.  Also, 2:30 has now caught up with us and I am doing my best to stay just ahead of them.  My left knee also starts hurting.  I know we are almost done, but I start panicking a little about my time.  My family greets us again at mile 12.  A wonderful sight!!!  They encourage me and tell me not to walk because I started doing sprints then walking rotations.  I needed to stop walking...ugh!

Mile 13!!!:  Coming off the trail and rounding into the high school parking lot.  I knew I was almost done, but I couldn't see the finish line yet.  Ryan reminds me that I probably need to be ahead of the 2:30 pacers in order to get that time since they started after us.  I try to keep up my running pace, but I started freaking out and keep going back to walking.  The 2:30 pacer lady starts to pass me and she turns and looks at me and says, "don't give up, you can do it."  That's what it took!  I suck it up and even though my breathing is very labored, my knee is hurting, and I am freaking out I start running toward that finish line.  I keep glancing at my watch seeing the seconds tick by.  I finally see the finish line and gun for it as I see the finish timer tick through the seconds at 2 hours 30 minutes.  Just as I cross I noticed it just got to 2 hours and 31 minutes...a great time, but not my 2 hours 30 minutes.  I quickly turn my watch off and see it's at 2 hours 29 minutes...can it be true!?  

After the race:  Once I stop running I realize that I feel pretty good.  After some races in the past I haven't felt that great, but for some reason I don't have to sit down or take a breather.  I finally realized that I had accomplished my goal of finishing a half marathon!  Woohoo!  After getting our medal and some food we go over to the table and get our official time and sure enough it is 2 hours and 29 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yeah!

Now before this race and even the morning of I thought I would be one and done.  I didn't think I really wanted to complete another half marathon, but now I am not so sure.  It really was a great experience and such a feeling of accomplishment there might be another one in my future?!  Who knows, but I wouldn't be against training with any of my local friends who wants to do their first one down the road from now.  I think if you have it in you then you should definitely try to do a half marathon at least once!

I want to thank everyone for supporting me on this journey!  I couldn't have done it without all of your prayers, love, and thoughts!

my life as a "runner"

Yesterday was a sad day.  My heart breaks for those runners, the friends and family who came out to support a loved one, and the heartfelt spectators who were there just to encourage a complete stranger as they reached a tremendous goal!  It's sad that the day will have to be remembered as tragedy instead of a joyous day for all those people.

I don't normally consider myself a "runner".  Yes, I have been running a lot lately and have been in several races through the course of the year, but it is still hard for me to call myself one because I can honestly say I wasn't one before this year.  After yesterday, however, I feel more like calling myself one after you hear of all the strength and support fellow runners did for each other and the injured {like giving blood just after completing a marathon!}.  I feel like this is a good quote to sum up how I feel:

So I will keep running!  I will not let a few evil people control me because I have faith in God and believe He will get me through this.  Running is a sport which bring tremendous accomplishment and I know I couldn't do it without my God. I believe running has brought me closer to God because I constantly pray to Him to bring me strength while running.  Therefore, I can't stop running now and lose my time with Him!  

I love these bible verses I found on Pinterest.  They are written as a way to show God's love for you and to motivate you through a marathon {or 3 miles, or 5, or 13.1 because I know I will never do a full marathon!}.  So on Saturday this is what I will be thinking about:

Mile 1: Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age. Matthew 28:20

Mile 2: The Lord will work out his plans for my life. Psalm 138:8

Mile 3: I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matthew 17:20

Mile 4: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. Luke 19:26

Mile 5: I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Mile 6: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see. Hebrews 11:1

Mile 7: ‘I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11

Mile 8: Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. I Timothy 4:12

Mile 9: We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Mile 10: Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Mile 11: Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5

Mile 12: With God’s help we will do mighty things. Psalm 60:12

Mile 13: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3

I WILL not let the evil in this world get me down.  I WILL have a joyous experience because I have been thinking about this day for 6 months and have prepared AND prepared for it!

16 weeks worth of preparing without skipping one training session!!!

 A year ago almost exactly {I began doing the couch to 5k program last March} I began this running journey.  I couldn't even complete one mile without walking part of the time and feeling like I was going to die.  But from some encouragement from Ryan, my family, and some great friends I decided to sign up for my first 5k race in May 2012.  I was never a runner and really didn't know if I was going to make it through.  But those great friends ran with me and encouraged me the next two months and on Mother's Day May 2012 I completed my first 5k!  And "RAN" the entire thing!  No, I was not FAST at all, but I completed it!

I was hooked.  I LOVED the sense of accomplishment!  I kept running.  I got up early before Ryan left for work, ran with friends after the kiddos went to bed, spent early weekend mornings running with friends on local trails, ran with Ryan and the kiddos to local parks.  I spent A LOT of time running.  I signed up for more races.

June 2012 I completed my second 5k...with my best PR 5k time yet with the BEST running buddy!

August 2012 I raced for the cure for some very important people in my life and Ryan "helped" me get up those HILLS {more like pushing me up them!}.  Thanks honey!

What would running be like without great friends!?

Then in September 2012 I set a HUGE goal for myself.  I was determined to up my distance and complete a 10k.  It was a lofty goal, but I did it!  And it felt SO good!  No, I didn't run the whole thing, but I completed it!!!

And Avery started getting in on some kids races too ;).

October 2012 I signed up for a local race that actually ran in our neighborhood!  It was a fun time with our whole family.  Ryan actually pushed the kiddos in it!

Then I started getting my sights set on doing a half marathon...an unthinkable goal for me up until a few months ago.  Could I really do this?  I decided to do another 10k in January 2013 as preparation for a half marathon to see if I could get my distance up again.  It wasn't my favorite race and you can read more about it here.  But I got through it with the support of Ryan.

That brings us up to this Saturday.  The DAY!  It WILL happen.  I WILL complete a half marathon. 

No I will not be able to run the whole thing...

No I will not be fast...

No I will not enjoy the whole thing...

BUT

I will finish it.

I will be grateful for my support system that has gotten me to this point.

I will find joy in accomplishing such a big goal that I never would have thought possible a year ago {I would have laughed at you if you would have told me I would be doing a half marathon in a years time!}.

I will let you know how it goes ;).

a little weekend & pizzas on the grill

This weekend was a little more relaxing.  Just a little school fun, soccer, yard work, church, and more soccer.

On Friday, I had plans to go scrapbooking that night so Ryan took all three kiddos to Avery's spring carnival at school.  What a good daddy!!!  It looks like they had a blast!

It was a pretty nice weekend for soccer.  Avery had two games this weekend and did awesome at each, with 2 goals the first game and 1 goal at the second!  I have to say I LOVE being a soccer mom and can't wait for little Evan to start too!

When the weather is nice I also like to grill as much as possible.  It is just so easy and little cleanup in the kitchen!  Here's one of our favorite summertime meals.  

Pizza on the grill.  

The kiddos love it because they each get their own individual little pizzas!  We not only do this version, but we also have made it in a cast iron skillet on the grill too {just as easy...just takes a little longer to cook}.

So I start with this recipe for quick, fast pizza dough.  It only takes minutes, and if you use a Kitchen Aid mixer you can let it do all the kneading too!  We like to use 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour with 1 cup regular flour to make it a little healthier.

Then, I just pat out about 6 individual round little pizzas.

Place the pizza dough plain {no toppings yet} on a preheated grill for just like 3-4 minutes.  It will cook fast so don't leave it unattended!  Just cook the one side now.

Bring the pizzas back inside and load them with toppings on the COOKED side.  I let the kiddos put their own toppings on their pizzas.  This is an important step...why?...because I have found that if kids put their own toppings on from a wide assortment they are more likely to choose things they don't normally eat ;)!  If I try to put those things on their pizzas they would throw a fit and not eat it, but if they do it then they all of sudden love it {that's what I call a mommy trick ;)}.  

After the pizzas are topped you take it back out to the grill and grill the other uncooked side for about 4-5 minutes.  Just enough to cook the bottom and melt the cheese.  That's it!  So fast and easy!

springtime centerpiece

Yeah it's springtime!  Well, it is only in the 40s today, but we have signs of spring around here like buds on trees, grass growing, garden planted, frogs croaking in our pond {I must do another post about this because it is quite something every year} so I wanted to make a springtime decoration to go on my dining room table.  Like I have said before, I am cheap, so I didn't want to spend $$ on it!  Therefore, here's a table centerpiece I created for $9 total!  Most of the items come from Dollar Tree, my second favorite store :)...only running up to here.

What I used:

Bamboo Placemat (pack of 4 from Targets $1 Spot a while back)

Vase (from Savers...similar to Goodwill...found for $4)

1/2 bag of Spanish Moss (Dollar Tree)

1 bag of small variety of Styrofoam balls (Dollar Tree)

Decorative Bird (Dollar Tree)

1 bag of Reindeer Moss (Dollar Tree...leftover from this project)

{I only used about half the supplies I got}

First, I filled the vase thingy {is that what you call it?} with Spanish moss.  

Then I needed something to adhere the moss to the Styrofoam balls.  I first tried my adhesive spray...it didn't work at all...

So I got out my trusty glue gun.  I knew it would melt the balls a little with the heat, but it actually worked great.  I must say I LOVE my glue gun and use it for almost everything!  Yes, it does burn me every time and I do actually have a permanent scar from it, but it just works so darn well!  I used to use it to hang up everything on my walls in my classroom...a laminated poster on a concrete brick wall stays great with a glue gun!  Also, you must splurge the extra money and buy cordless...so much easier!

The moss did start sticking to my hand and it was pretty messy, but I found the best technique was to put a little glue on it roll it in the moss then repeat on the other sides.

Just keep gluing the moss on until it fills all the sides and holes.  I mashed it a little on there too.

Arrange your balls and bird in vase and there's your finished project.  It took less then 15 minutes to do!

Happy Spring!

zoo, soccer, gardening, & birthday

We had a great weekend...far better then our Monday turned out to be...

When the weather is nice around here we try to pack our weekend with as many outdoor activities as we can...which I think we succeeded with doing!  And yes, someone did have a birthday {ahem, me, the mom}, but it was a nice day just spent with my family and a little running ;).  Here's a recap in pictures:

Saturday:

First thing, zoo!  Our first trip back to the zoo since last fall.  

{We saw the new polar bear, which the kiddos loved!}

{Ellie loves her elephants!}

{I don't know why, but this is Avery's favorite place at the zoo.  If you know the Kansas City Zoo well, it's not really one of the major attractions, and you really might bypass it because it is off of the main tracks, but Avery always asks to go here.  It's where they have wart hogs and some monkey and the gorillas, but I think the boys just LOVE the fact that you have to be quiet here.  They get on to anyone who speaks above a whisper!  Do you think it would work in my house to hang one of these signs???}

{And of course, we can't forget Evan and his turtles!}

Then after lunch in the car we head to Avery's first soccer game of the season!

{The Red Puma's did awesome for their first game!  Avery was a ROCKSTAR and he scored 3 goals!!!}

We head back to our house with Aunt Tamarin and we work on gardening!  The kiddos were a big help!  We have lettuce, spinach, rhubarb, and asparagus planted and the rest are being started inside.

Sunday:

Before church we saw these ducks on our pond!  The kiddos wanted them to stay, but they only spent a few minutes.  

Then after church we ate lunch and headed out for my last LONG run before my half marathon.  Ryan and the kiddos followed along on the bikes and ended up going to 5 parks through the course of my 11 miles {since they are a little faster then me :) they wait for me to catch up at each park}!  Man, that's a lot of parks!!  I am glad the bulk of the training is done!!! 

Then a little shopping and a little birthday dinner...

Finally, my birthday "cake".  It's actually bread pudding that Ryan makes...it is yummy!!  It is based off the recipe here, but Ryan made it a little less complicated :).