FEELS LIKE HOME TO ME: July 2013

Running Update

So have you gotten over the news that I am going to willingly run 13 miles? I have not. But that hasn't stopped me from working on my weekly training. I'm four weeks into my training plan. I have nine weeks left.

Two of my recent milestones were running five miles last week, then six miles Sunday. Oh my goodness.

source

I'm so glad that I've got a group of friends to run with. Wait, I wouldn't be in this situation if it was not for them, but I digress. The last two weekends we've meet early Sunday morning for long runs. If you are training or ever plan to, run with other people. I could not do it alone. For example, I was tired and wanted to quit between miles four and five. My running partner, Coop, would not let me stop. I didn't really want to give up, but my mind was beating me up. With her encouragement, I pushed through and finished the six miles. Whew.

I love my new running shoes. I wasn't really sure if they'd make that big of a difference. But I've noticed that I don't think about my feet at all while I'm running. Exactly what they are designed to do. So that hefty price tag just might be worth it.

I still have many hurdles to jump - like miles 7, 8 and 9. But it's okay. I'm taking it one week at a time.

I'll keep up the running (and sweating!) and post updates as I progress.

12:33 PM
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HALF crazy? Yes, maybe!

Friends, I have big news!

No, I'm not pregnant.

No, I'm not getting a new car.

Nope, I'm not coloring my hair.

With much excitement and lots of anxiety, I've committed to running a HALF MARATHON. 13. 1 miles. Running. Hopefully no stopping. Or passing out.

So let me tell you why and where we go from here.

First and foremost, I blame peer pressure. And secondly it's something I've thought, "One day I'll do it...one day." And now the day is here.

My super athletic friends Coop and Heather are runners. Coop's run a couple of half marathons, Heather's run a marathon. (Bunch of show offs!) They've been discussing running a half marathon together. Then I got involved. Then we talked about adding a few more friends and making a girls' weekend out of it. So after much thought and talking it over with my husband I decided I CAN DO THIS. I may not be the fastest, but I will train and I will face the challenge. And I'm excited about it.

I've started a 14-week training plan that includes running (a lot of dang running) and cross training like swimming or biking.

I also bit the bullet and bought some "real" running shoes.

And the last step is telling people. Because I can't say that I'm going to run a race and not do it. I have to hang on to my pride, right?

So now it's out there. You all know. And now I have to carry out my training and see how my body handles all this running.

My longest run so far has been five miles. I am proud of that, but still have many miles to go. I'll keep you posted as my runs progress.

Here's to running myself crazy...

9:50 AM
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Pretty Picnic

Summer project update:

We spend a lot of time in the evenings in our back yard and around the patio. Libby rides her bike and scooter, we play Libby's made up version of baseball, (try and keep up with all her rules, I dare you!) Drew grills, I push GK around in her stroller. We all enjoy summer nights outside. A few weeks back I was taking inventory and I realized I really disliked our picnic table. It was just a big, brown, worn table. Bleh. Then it hit me, I could paint it. And the wheels started turning. The next day I Googled "painted picnic tables" and saw that it could be done fairly easily. Challenge accepted!

The girls and I ventured to Home Depot. I bought primer and chose a cheery blue named "Deepest Aqua" by Glidden. I had the paint mixed and headed home to start this project.

I did most of the painting in the late evenings after the girls went to bed. Trust me a curious, walking baby and paint don't mix!

Before

Primer

First coat

Finished product

I just love it and know it will be a fun addition to our nights on the patio. This was an easy DIY project. And that endorsement is coming from a full-time working mother of two. :)

12:38 PM
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