T Minus 4 days

The half marathon is only 4 days away. How am I feeling?

*scared
*excited
*nervous
*unprepared
*unprepared

Yes. i feel unprepared! I feel like I haven't run enough. I'm excited b/c it's going to be great. But I'm so nervous and anxious about it because I just don't know what to expect. I don't know how it's going to be. I don't know if it's going to be a good run or a bad run.

One thing I've learned in the past few months is that you can't know what your run is going to be. You can have an idea, but it doesn't necessarily mean that's going to be the case. I'm hoping that I'll just be super pumped about it and the energy and excitement of the situation will make it wonderful and I'll want to go through this all again.

I've got one more run before the actual run on Sunday. It'll be tonight or tomorrow night -- I'm praying it'll be a good run to get me energized for the long one!! :)

My nephew

I'm going to share pics of my new nephew with the blog world b/c I don't think his mom's friends read my blog :)

This is Weston William. He was born March 31 at 3:46pm weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long. I'm a pretty proud aunt to this sweet dark haired little boy! :)

Do you think these are a couple proud parents??

PS. When I meet him, I have a ton more pics :)

Loving This Sunday

Today has been a most awesome day! John and I went to church -- and I got my java chip frappuccino that I have started treating myself too after long runs (thanks Jess!). Had a great message about family. I love to learn about family and parenting. I take it all in and store it in my Mommy heart...because one day -- I will need it!

I must say now that Sunday afternoons at home are my absolute FAVORITE! I always feel better about doing nothing when it's raining or dreary outside -- which made today P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

Something about Sunday afternoons fill my heart with love. I love cuddling on the couch with John. I love sleeping under covers whether it's cold outside or not. I love nibbling through the day so when dinner time comes around we're neither one hungry. I love talking to family or friends. I love facebook stalking. (ha ha -- guilty pleasure). I love keeping my kitties up during the day so they don't interrupt my sleep at night. I love when they meow in my ear and get in my way while I try to type.

In other news, I ran 9 miles yesterday. It totally kicked my butt. I blame the fact that I didn't eat so well last week and didn't run either. Don't get me wrong. I always feel good when I'm done. BUt, MAN! 9 miles...that's a long way. I am getting more excited that we're getting so much closer to the 13 that we will run in about 6 weeks. I also am pretty freaking excited that next week is only 5 miles.....can I say a breeze? Ok. not really. it'll still be hard. but, at least it'll not be 2 hours of running. :)

I feel like I'm healthier but my waist line doesn't seem to show it. I haven't done the shred in over a week. I'm working on being a little less obsessive with things. I tend to overextend myself being perfect when I shouldn't.

I don't know if I've said this before. But, I'm Amazed at what the Lord does. There are exciting things going on in John's and my life. No baby yet for those who are concerned....but other things. We are both focusing on the blessings He's laid out for us right now. There have been a couple drawbacks, but all in all, the Lord is good! Blessings are all around us/me.

I'm working through the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian. For those of you who haven't read it, I suggest it. My mother gave it to me after I got married. It's amazing how I read some of it, then put it down for a while, and as soon as I pick it up again, the chapter relates to what is going on in my life. It is ALWAYS the perfect thing for me to read in order to pray for John. I still want to be a perfect wife, and the book at least teaches me how to be a praying wife. One who can pray for her husband and be perfect in that way -- to always be faithful to pray for him. To always be the one who uplifts him and encourages him.

I love John! :) :)

A little of this and that

Since I last updated, I have:

*Gotten sick

*Run 6 miles

*Avoided housework

*Run 7 miles

*Had starbucks 2 times

*Avoided housework

*Celebrated Friend's Bday's

*Minimal Laundry

I am enjoying a nice little blog update while my dearest sweet husband cooks dinner for me! :) We just ran 3.88 miles. I have to say I do get discouraged because it's hard. I really felt like it'd be easier by now. I suppose it is. I shouldn't expect it to be like walking -- or sitting -- it is a work out.

I must say....life is good right now. Things are busy and my house is not nearly as clean as I like it, but I'm learning to live and take care of myself and John, instead of worrying about needless things and things that I can't change right now.

YAY that Monday is OVER!!!! Tomorrow is LOST night!!!

Glutton for Punishment?

Running Update:

Jessica and I ran 5 miles on Saturday. We (Jessica) decided that since the Half Marathon course has hills, we should train on hills. Talk about painful! But, we did it. I must say that I sorta sucked it up. But I did it. It felt good to be done with that. We do 6 miles this coming Saturday. I'll let ya know about that.

Today, John and I ran 2.36 miles in 30 minutes. We made it to 2 miles around 26 minutes. I'm pretty sure my pace is picking up. It's exciting to see progress.

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Random Thought:

I was thinking that i needed a hobby and something else to focus my time on. I think I'm going to redo the cabinets and woodwork in our house in a dark stain -- which will take alot of time. But, I'm excited.

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PUNISHMENT:

Plus, as if running isnt hard enough -- I'm going to start the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I have heard some things about it -- it hurts, it's hard, it works. I'm hoping it'll help with running.

I'm so tired of worrying about the scale when I know that I'm doing something to get in shape.

I am going to measure this weekend and start the shred next week. I'm excited to see the progress......

I'll have something else to update too!!! :-)

Hmmm....now it's time for some 1 point ice cream!!! WOOT WOOT!

Almost Wordless Thursday

There was a blog thing a while ago that was take a picture of yourself right now...

Here I am right now -- after a 3.34 mile/49 minute run

Here are my new best friends! My brand new Samsung washer and dryer!! :)

Tomorrow is Friday! John and I are going out with some friends for dinner and a movie. Can't wait!

Practice Makes Perfect

I don't want to get my hopes up -- but running felt good tonight!!

Tonight, we ran 2.66 miles, 30 minutes, and ran 3 minutes and walked 1. Talk about excellent!


In non-running news, we had to get a new washer and dryer this past week because our dryer decided to die last Sunday. We got new front loaders. LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!!

Run, Run, Run

Update: Running still isn't fun!

Ok. Here's the deal, I enjoy running after I'm done. It is hard while I'm doing it. I know that I'm getting better at it. But, UGH!!

I think I thought it would be easier than it has been. Granted, these past few weeks have been rough. Working long hours 2 weeks in a row, a dryer that went out on sunday night with laundry up to my eyeballs needing to be done. Shopping for new dryer/washer set since laundry is now over my head.

Tonight, I ran. This is the first time in the past 2 weeks that I have run during the week. John is my coach and motivator. I figured out that me being in charge of the timer is a no-go. :) I give in too easily. I can push better if someone else is telling me how far to go. That John boy is a tricky thing. HE made me run a minute longer than I was planning for a couple times. Know what? I DID IT!

This Saturday, weather permitting, Jessica and I will be going 4 miles again. Let me tell you. Last Saturday when we did 4 miles was rough. Once we got to 3 miles, I felt like I could do the last one. Amazing what is true and that I've heard from other runners -- if you can run 3 you can run 4. If you can run 4. you can run 5.

I'm excited to try to run 5. I'm excited to try for 6. We have around 13 weeks left if I'm not mistaken.

Our goal for the half marathon is to run 4 to 5 minutes and walk 1. I'm still pushing for 3. After tonight, I feel like I can do it.

PS. Not seeing much difference in the body in the midst of this running.....maybe once I hit 10 miles! :)

Just Call Me Jackie Joyner Kersee

Or, whatever you want to call me.

I'm back. LOL. I was never gone, just didn't have much going on.

So, it is now 2010. I am 26 years old. I think it's time that I add something to my list of accomplishments. I am going to add: My First Half Marathon! (I say first because I would love for this to be a "thing").

My good friend Jessica ran the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (half) last year. Her running partner has decided to be hardcore and go all the way. Which left good ole Jess without a partner. Since I'm a glutton for punishment ;) I decided that I'd take a wack at it. Plus, she asked and I saw how fun it was. And, who doesn't need a hobby and exercise and something to keep them busy?!?

We started out last week running...er... walking....2.1 miles. Who knew I was in such terrible shape? Running looks easy. Except for the breathing and having to move your legs fast. PLUS, it was 27 degrees. But we....SHE did it. I think I slowed her down.

I am all about this -- even in the cold. It is so refreshing! I have run 3 times this past week in the freezing cold to get in shape and conditioned. Tonight, John and I are going since Jess is sick today. We have to do 2 miles today.

Please keep in mind that I am not running the entire time. We do intervals, that is run X minutes and walk X minutes. I think our goal is between 5 and 6 minutes running with 1 minute walking in between.

ya'll, I am pumped! This is going to be so fun! I have enjoyed the running every time I've been. ESPECIALLY, now that I've gotten the cobwebs out! (right, jess)? Amazing! It's easy to breathe when you're use to pumping that heart and breathing heavier.

I must give props to my wonderful hubs. He has gone with me every time -- except last Saturday. I plan on going running every day or every other day to get in shape for this. I also plan on loving running and running like a crazy woman even after the race. B/c let's face it...runners are sexy!

I want to track my progress on blogger. For those of you who are interested, and those of you who aren't! I am not promising an every day update, but I will try to keep them coming. Not go on the 6 month hiatus as previously demonstrated.