Ready or NOT

Yesterday was my first run in a week.  I have been sick with a cold or allergies or whatever. But whatever it is, I am so sick of it and just want it to go away!

My run yesterday felt great! Even though it was just 2 miles it totally brought back my excitement for Pittsburgh!  I don't know how Sunday is going to go.  Its going to be pretty rough, I fear. I don't feel ready.  I didn't finish my training. I know I will have to walk some.  But I will finish! Beat the Sweep Bus, that's our goal.  All of us...although I suspect Laura is going to pull through and beat us all.

I am trying to prepare mentally to run 13 miles by "myself", although in a sea of strangers.  I hear the race day excitement it pretty high and that helps carry you through. I have been reading race recaps from years past at Pittsburgh as well as a few other half marathons to psych myself up. It always gives me a little boost when I actually find one by a runner that is close to my ability level and helps me to see this thing as possible!

I am really looking forward to Saturday in Pittsburgh with my cousins, checking out the Expo and generally enjoying hanging out. Hoping to get a new 13.1 magnet to replace my 5K one :-D

I had a dream last night of the race on Sunday.  I got lost. Which is probably the only thing I do not have to worry about.  I am sure there will be hoards of people in front of me and hopefully a few behind me!

Practicing my running photography for Sunday!

Saw ducks in the creek yesterday :-)

I look tired and worn...but I AM GOING TO DO THIS!

Printed out my race ticket to get my packet on Saturday! I can't believe it is here! Finalizing travel plans and it looks like its really going to happen! My sister came up with a fantastic tshirt design for us. I can't wait to see the finished product.

I am cautiously optimistic about the weather this weekend...

CNY Springtime 10K

A picture of the lake from the Registration Pavilion

At the start, freezing and ready to go.

Dad asked me what my goal was.  I hadn't actually thought about it, and jokingly said my goal was "To Finish!" But after a few seconds of careful consideration, I proclaimed 1:15:00, Dad agreed that was doable and realistic.

With our DAD :)

And we're off...


Here is a cool video that was posted of the start, I couldn't find us in it but we were there!




I briefly thought of trying to keep up with Laura... Soon though she was leaving me behind as she pushed towards her goal time. :) I ran on...

I got excited when I started seeing the first runners looping back.  It was fun hearing fellow runners cheering each other on.  Laura spotted me before I saw her and shouted my name. I waved (I think) and pressed on to the top of the hill, the water station and the turn around.

After the turn around I began to get discouraged when I realized how few people were behind me. :( I felt increasingly alone.  I took out my phone to check my pace and briefly distracted myself taking a couple pictures.

This was nearing the bottom of the BIGGEST hill and just before mile 4. That lady in front of me, in the black.  I don't know who she is but she become my focus for almost the next two miles.  I kept my eyes on her back and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other.
 
For a while I sang (in my head)  GT songs I had learned as a kid.  At one point when I feel particularly triumphant, it was 2 Timothy 4:7-8 from the end of the bike-a-thon one (the green one and my favorite).  When they cross the Finish---

 2 Timothy 4:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

 It was a little premature since it was somewhere around mile 4....I think I was just psyched to tick off another mile.

I thought about Pittsburgh and how absurd it is that in two weeks I am doing a Half Marathon.  Don't worry about that! I chastised myself. FOCUS on TODAY! You CAN DO THIS! JUST. KEEP. RUNNING.

For a while when I thought, This is HARD! But I can DO THIS! I can DO HARD THINGS!

It felt almost deserted as we neared the park again.  In fact, as I turned into the parking lot, the two remaining volunteers turned and started walking away.  Wow, I thought. I really am behind.  Even the volunteers are heading in.  They stopped on the other side of the parking lot, turning to cheer again.

You did it! Great Job! They said, Its all down hill from here!

One random guy yelled out, "Great job 153! Strong finish!"

I came around that final bend and saw the race clock ticking away at 1:13:36....

Oh my Gosh! I am going to do it! I am going to beat my goal!

My official finish time was 1:14:03. I was ecstatic and tried to forget about how many crossed in front of me and how few behind.

Guzzling water at the Finish!

It was hard! So very hilly. I was proud and so happy after I crossed that finish line.

I am so thankful Mom and Dad could come.  That they care enough to come and cheer for us, and take pictures for us.

When the race results were posted I was again kinda discouraged to see how far down the list my name was. 289 out of 310. There were only 21 measly people out of  roughly 300 slower than me.

I am still a little disappointed, but I DID IT! A year ago there is no way I could have done what I did today.  And of that I am Proud.  I will keep training, keep running.  Next year, I will be faster, stronger...and set a new PR.


My doughnut waiting for me at home. Hannah said she picked out a special one just for me "Because you worked so hard running a race".

Added Bonus...it really is Springtime-- the Mister put up my hammock today! #bliss

I love my race Tee, its my favorite so far. :)  

Attitude is Everything

 I am working on it today.  I have been struggling this week.  I started writing the following blog on my phone this morning. I didn't really have any intention of publishing it, just wanted to try and get stuff out of my head.

It's almost Easter. I have come to dread holidays. : / I know my attitude is wrong. I can't seem to shake it.

Easter. It's not about new dresses and shoes. Baskets, chocolates and eggs. Bunnies and chicks. Big dinners or brunch.

Yet I feel lost. Overwhelmed.  Like I am letting everyone down. There is just not enough. Anything. 

As I sat at the table this morning I tried to talk myself out of my bad mood. It wasn't working very well.

Then I read little Eli's story. :) What a blessing and a miracle. Praising God this little guy is home with his family.

I am so blessed.  Yes, there are frustrations. Yes, I am sick of certain circumstances.  But there is also much to be thankful for.

As the kids got ready for school I started to think about not going for my run.  It is cold. It is snowing. The road might be icy....

Buuuuut I am running a 6.2 mile race Saturday morning, not to mention 13.1 miles in just 18 days!! 18 days!! Holy.  I haven't run since last Saturday and the week is already half over....

Don't think about it. Just go.

So go I did. It felt amazing. Especially when the clouds parted and the sunshine streamed down onto my back.  I took a slew of running selfies (practicing so I can properly document my epic Pittsburgh run than just might kill me :P).  I didn't want to stop. I felt like I could run all day.  I seriously considered calling in "sick" and going for a nice long run instead.  It was only two miles but it made a phenomenal difference in my morning.

God is good. I am thankful for strong legs, a healthy heart.  The ability to run and be out in His wonderful world.  The feel of the sun.  Spending time listening to praise music and praying as my feet hit the pavement.

See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

Good Samaritan 5K

Just under a couple weeks ago my Mom texted me to see if I was interested in running a 5K (this would be her FIRST!!) with her the following Saturday.  After much debate, I finally conceded. :-)  After all... All I had to do was show up and run ;) How could I refuse?  Mom & Dad even picked up my race packet, and picked me up for the race.

I was super impressed with the Tshirt and other swag, shocked we even got a T since we  registered so late. (Mom is wearing hers in the photos below).  I declared it totally worth it-- just for the race swag as I looked through my loot on the drive there.  There was the long sleeve T, a cinch bag backpack, chap stick, breakfast cookies, pens, notepads, bandaids, sunscreen, all kinds of goodies...all packed in a Wegmans Shopping Bag.

On the way to the race we joked about Mom having just finished the C25K program the day before. Its GRADUATION DAY! :-)

Despite the fact I was on Day 2 of a crippling headache, I still went to the race.  I forced a smile and tried to forget the nausea and my aching head.

Pre Race~~

The race was great.  I stayed by Mom's side, sometimes trailing behind her.  It was a bit of a struggle at points given the way I was feeling that morning... It was beautiful though.  I couldn't help but get lost in the beauty of the day and the run.

Finish Line in our Sights...We were so focused on our goal we didn't even see Dad and Laura.  I did hear them though just before we crossed the Finish.


I couldn't believe the clock was on 31 minutes...Could it be I got a PR?? Even as rotten as I felt!?!


Post Run...Oh So Worth it!

On a whim we went to the awards ceremony.  Mom won a MEDAL! 2nd in her age group.

I came in 7th in my age group (out of 21) and 191 overall (out of 418). Our official race time was 31:59, average pace of 10:40!

It was a great little race.  It was very organized.  Everything from the swag, to the post race snacks were awesome.  Its definitely on my list for next year.  Well done Good Samaritan 5K, well done indeed.

If we had coffee . . .

I occasionally stumble across these virtual coffee date blog things. I feel like that's all I have time for these days. So today I am doing my own.

 Oh how I miss sitting across from a friend {or friends} chatting over our steaming cups of coffee.

If we had coffee I would tell you I am weary, the pace if this life is draining. I long for a simpler time. But some how God is sustaining me. Day by day. One day at a time.

I'd tell you my living room is finally BLUE! And I love it! :D

I'd tell you how happy I am that Spring is here. That I can't wait to plant flowers. To spend lazy Sunday afternoons in my hammock. Reading a good book, soaking in that glorious sunshine.

I'd tell you I am running a race {Good Samaritan 5K} on Saturday with my Mom. Her very first 5k. I am really excited to run with her. Next Saturday is the Springtime 10k with my sister! After that the Half Marathon will practically be HERE! Yikes! I can't believe it!

I'd tell you about this little guy. My best friend's new baby boy. Still in the NICU and struggling with some heart troubles. I am praying constantly for healing. That he will soon be home with his family. Safe, whole, healthy and perfect. I can't wait to see him home, laying on his soon-to-be-finished quilt.  Soaking up the spring sunshine with his Mama.

What would you tell me if we were meeting up for coffee?

Freezer Meals!

A few weeks ago on a whim I decided to try out one of the freezer meal menus from a Pampered Chef group I belong too.

I tried out  this one-

Menu 2 “Fresh and Delicious”

• Taco Soup
• Zesty Cheddar-stuffed Sliders with Grilled Onions
• Summer Grilled Chicken with a Twist
• Honey-Sesame Chicken Skewers
• Cran-Orange Pork Tenderloin 

  Here are all my ingredients ready to go-


I did tweak it a little.  For example, the Honey-Sesame Chicken, I did not put on skewers. I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and tossed the whole thing in the crock pot and let it cook away.  For the Cran-Orange Pork, I used chops instead of tenderloin (they were on sale).

The prep was rather quick and easy. In fact I did most of it while the meatloaf we had for dinner that night was cooking. 

I am pretty sure I did all of them in the crock pot with the exception of the Zesty Cheddar-stuffed Sliders, which I must confess I think was my personally favorite and the one I was most proud of! I even made my own slider buns :) I was skeptical that it would be enough form my family of five, but we even had two left over.  I served the sliders with Perfect Oven Fries made with my PC French Fry cutter.

I cooked the sliders in my PC Grill pan.



They came out adorable and delicious!

coffee date

I saw this random post on instagram about a coffee-date-blog-link-up-thing. I love coffee, I love blogs naturally I would check it out.  The author referenced another blog she was linking to. And the following questions....

Rachel asked in her post, “How are you friend? Are you weary? Are you barely stumbling along? Are you filled with joy and rejoicing in the Lord? Are you overwhelmed?”

Oh my yes.  Today I feel like the weight of my life is crushing me.  When I look around I only see things to be thankful for.  Yet I can not shake the feeling, which makes me even more frustrated and upset. I am tired and overwhelmed. I feel broken and lost.

Oh I know I am not really but it feels that way. 

The previously mentioned blog {vallarina}, ended with this thought-

I keep finding myself drawn back to this beautiful Bible verse, which I’d never heard or seen until yesterday:
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. -Isaiah 46:4
He has made you. He will carry you when your legs are too weak to stand on. He will sustain you when you have nothing left. And He will rescue you when you feel like giving up. What a mighty God we serve.

 That is what I am clinging to.  This season has been so hard. But there are so many things to be thankful for.

• Kelly & Andy are safe and sound after the shooting at Ft Hood. 
• My best friend had a healthy baby boy last night.
• I hope to go hold him this afternoon.
• The sun is shining.
• Spring perhaps is really here.....

Double digits!

This weekend my sister and I hit Double Digits! We ran TEN Miles!  It was so awesome.  Laura snapped this selfie of us as we were running along just after we hit the 10 mile mark.

Its crazy to think how far we have come since last summer.