Tomorrow we'll venture from the beautiful 70 degree Dallas, Texas to the 20 degree Michigan weather - yikes! Luckily, friends and family will welcome us with warmth and love! See y'all real soon!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Giving
I've had a hard time getting in the spirit this season. Ever since the marathon its been difficult for me to get my rear in gear to shop, bake, wrap, mail cards, client gifts, etc...
Now, I'm rushing around to finish everything that needs to be done in our final days before heading to Michigan. Its. no. fun. at. all. For example, I usually love wrapping presents, listening to Christmas music, enjoying yummy coffee and "taking in the season!" This year, well, the gifts aren't even wrapped yet....
This past weekend was "MY WEEKEND!" to get stuff done! With so much on my "to do" list I really needed the time with no parties and no Saturday clients to train. Then... Paul comes home with an agenda (as he often does) But this time, I couldn't whine or say no. We were going. So, Saturday morning we went with the DAYL to hand out Angel Tree gifts at the Salvation army. Now, I've never seen the actual operation but it was very organized and well-run! And it was heart-warming for me to handover the big bags of gifts to the families. It was exactly what I needed that morning. In the middle of my so-called stressful week it helped to stop and realize that there are people that need my time and resources much more than me! I could really see Gods work that morning - throughout the Salvation Army and in me.
Now, I'm rushing around to finish everything that needs to be done in our final days before heading to Michigan. Its. no. fun. at. all. For example, I usually love wrapping presents, listening to Christmas music, enjoying yummy coffee and "taking in the season!" This year, well, the gifts aren't even wrapped yet....
This past weekend was "MY WEEKEND!" to get stuff done! With so much on my "to do" list I really needed the time with no parties and no Saturday clients to train. Then... Paul comes home with an agenda (as he often does) But this time, I couldn't whine or say no. We were going. So, Saturday morning we went with the DAYL to hand out Angel Tree gifts at the Salvation army. Now, I've never seen the actual operation but it was very organized and well-run! And it was heart-warming for me to handover the big bags of gifts to the families. It was exactly what I needed that morning. In the middle of my so-called stressful week it helped to stop and realize that there are people that need my time and resources much more than me! I could really see Gods work that morning - throughout the Salvation Army and in me.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Freezing for 26.2 | White Rock Marathon 2010
The day before the white rock marathon was a Baumy 70 degrees in Dallas. Paul and I were running a few errands around town in short sleeves and enjoyed the sun beating down on our skin through the car windows.
That evening I had my carb-i-lious meal (plain pasta noodles and a little dry chicken) and we headed to Blackwell's Christmas party. I had bailed on two others that week from fatigue/sickness and was feeling better so I thought being around good friends was the best medicine before the race!
I made sure to be home early (so I drove myself ... Paul had such a nice time he kept it going till 1:30am) so I woke up as refreshed as possible Sunday morning.
Refreshed might not be the right word... Let's try freezing, bitter, cold, icy, blue! Temps had dropped significantly over night (even more than they had predicted!) And I was facing 32 degrees at race start! Ugh! I had NEVER trained in this before and if you know me at all you know I HATE the cold. This was a bummer!
But I suited up (still wore my shorts as did most runners) and found myself walking to the start after an OJ breakfast. I found corral "I" and showed my bib to the lady and she allowed me to enter. Entrance into any other corral are terms for disqualification! Which is a real bummer because I had friends starting in "P" and "B" and "D" - but because of the staggered starts I didn't see any of them the entire day! Also because of the staggered start, I didn't get off the line till 8:36... And all runners lined up at 6:30am. Soooooo, I was standing in the FREEZING cold darkness shaking for about 2 hours, yikes!
Once off the start I didn't feel my body for miles. I knew I was moving because my surroundings were passing me by but I had no idea how?! I was so cold and chilled to the bone. By mile 8 the sun had come out and I felt the warmth through my Nike 1/2 zip, ahh I was starting to feel better. Finally, mile 11 we start going around the lake -- I hit my groove, my breathing regulated, my motion and stride are fluid and I'm feeling pretty good finally. My legs tingle with thawnes. I begin around the lake and the wind hits me head on. Can't I catch a break? I know the lake so well. I anticipated each twist, turn and curve it has. That made this the easiest mental part of the run for me. Coming off the lake I know the hardest part is ahead of me. At this point I had seen my cheering section - Paulie and Dustin twice (among the thousands who line the street for race day) and am dying for a "paulie pick me up" I approach mile 20 - the dreaded wall for most people and there are TONS of people there - plus nutrition - Cliff shots, snacks, orange slices, GU, and an aid station. This mile marker had the LOUDEST cheering section and it makes sense because this is where I saw several people drop off pace! I was just past the 20mile party when I heard my name and cheering - to my left was Paul Dustin and Mitch! Yay! It was just the pick-me-up I needed for the next 6 miles :-) Paul yelled, "see you at the finish line!" And that's exactly where we met up! The last 6 miles are a blur - just like last time. I know I kept saying "focus, focus" over and over in my head and looking strait forward. I didn't have energy for distraction.
I finished in 4:07:46. I bettered my time from April by about 4mins. April was (4:11). I'm proud that I improved and that I finished another 26.2! Even though I suffered TERRIBLE IT band pain yet again...and froze!
Another feat was running consistent splits - my first half was 2 hours 3mins and my second half was 2 hours 4mins. (Which from a training perspective is really hard to do!) And I did this all without a GPS watch! Would you believe mine died (froze!) On the way to the race?! Just had an old Timex with the clock time! I'm sending that Garmin in asap! What a day to poop out!
Friends, again thanks for all your words of encouragement along the way! And I was thinking of all my friends and family each mile. You all are such great cheerleaders and amazing people in my life. Love and hugs to all... Especially my Paul, who heard me gripe about all those training runs and speedwork. YOU have been my BIGGEST supporter. I love you.
Here's me at the finish with my medal! Another 26.2 completed! whoo hoo! Now, off to my pancake brunch and mimosa! I earned it!
My sweetie! Paul watched over 4 hours of running (in the cold) with 3 hours of sleep the night before. What a great guy!
So fast, I'm a blur! ha ha!
About to run the lake, mile 8
Coming into the finish...what a feeling!
Finishers medal!
That evening I had my carb-i-lious meal (plain pasta noodles and a little dry chicken) and we headed to Blackwell's Christmas party. I had bailed on two others that week from fatigue/sickness and was feeling better so I thought being around good friends was the best medicine before the race!
I made sure to be home early (so I drove myself ... Paul had such a nice time he kept it going till 1:30am) so I woke up as refreshed as possible Sunday morning.
Refreshed might not be the right word... Let's try freezing, bitter, cold, icy, blue! Temps had dropped significantly over night (even more than they had predicted!) And I was facing 32 degrees at race start! Ugh! I had NEVER trained in this before and if you know me at all you know I HATE the cold. This was a bummer!
But I suited up (still wore my shorts as did most runners) and found myself walking to the start after an OJ breakfast. I found corral "I" and showed my bib to the lady and she allowed me to enter. Entrance into any other corral are terms for disqualification! Which is a real bummer because I had friends starting in "P" and "B" and "D" - but because of the staggered starts I didn't see any of them the entire day! Also because of the staggered start, I didn't get off the line till 8:36... And all runners lined up at 6:30am. Soooooo, I was standing in the FREEZING cold darkness shaking for about 2 hours, yikes!
Once off the start I didn't feel my body for miles. I knew I was moving because my surroundings were passing me by but I had no idea how?! I was so cold and chilled to the bone. By mile 8 the sun had come out and I felt the warmth through my Nike 1/2 zip, ahh I was starting to feel better. Finally, mile 11 we start going around the lake -- I hit my groove, my breathing regulated, my motion and stride are fluid and I'm feeling pretty good finally. My legs tingle with thawnes. I begin around the lake and the wind hits me head on. Can't I catch a break? I know the lake so well. I anticipated each twist, turn and curve it has. That made this the easiest mental part of the run for me. Coming off the lake I know the hardest part is ahead of me. At this point I had seen my cheering section - Paulie and Dustin twice (among the thousands who line the street for race day) and am dying for a "paulie pick me up" I approach mile 20 - the dreaded wall for most people and there are TONS of people there - plus nutrition - Cliff shots, snacks, orange slices, GU, and an aid station. This mile marker had the LOUDEST cheering section and it makes sense because this is where I saw several people drop off pace! I was just past the 20mile party when I heard my name and cheering - to my left was Paul Dustin and Mitch! Yay! It was just the pick-me-up I needed for the next 6 miles :-) Paul yelled, "see you at the finish line!" And that's exactly where we met up! The last 6 miles are a blur - just like last time. I know I kept saying "focus, focus" over and over in my head and looking strait forward. I didn't have energy for distraction.
I finished in 4:07:46. I bettered my time from April by about 4mins. April was (4:11). I'm proud that I improved and that I finished another 26.2! Even though I suffered TERRIBLE IT band pain yet again...and froze!
Another feat was running consistent splits - my first half was 2 hours 3mins and my second half was 2 hours 4mins. (Which from a training perspective is really hard to do!) And I did this all without a GPS watch! Would you believe mine died (froze!) On the way to the race?! Just had an old Timex with the clock time! I'm sending that Garmin in asap! What a day to poop out!
Friends, again thanks for all your words of encouragement along the way! And I was thinking of all my friends and family each mile. You all are such great cheerleaders and amazing people in my life. Love and hugs to all... Especially my Paul, who heard me gripe about all those training runs and speedwork. YOU have been my BIGGEST supporter. I love you.
Here's me at the finish with my medal! Another 26.2 completed! whoo hoo! Now, off to my pancake brunch and mimosa! I earned it!
My sweetie! Paul watched over 4 hours of running (in the cold) with 3 hours of sleep the night before. What a great guy!
So fast, I'm a blur! ha ha!
About to run the lake, mile 8
Coming into the finish...what a feeling!
Finishers medal!
My bib # 1877, corral "I"
parties, parties, parties....tis the season!
No wonder they call this the most wonderful time of the year?! We get to dress up, eat, drink and be merry! Several nights in December we went to friends parties, work events, junior league gigs, dallas young lawyers dinner, tree light celebrations, wine tastings, girl gift exchanges, client holiday parties, etc. With the marathon squeezed in there I feel like we've been going non-stop! I'm so behind this year with my gifts and wrapping! Guess what I'm doing this weekend? I wish I had more pictures to share, but I wasn't very good with bringing my camera. Below are a few pics from the Blackwell Christmas party....
Monday, December 13, 2010
Turkey Trottin!
Thanksgiving morning Paul and I woke up early, laced up our shoes, grabbed our coffee and headed downtown for the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. More than 40,000 people participate in the 5k or 8mile run making it the largest turkey day run in the U.S.
This a special day for families celebrating thankful times- But also a special day for my boss, Kirk and his now wife, Dinah who were married at this years turkey trot!
Being big marathoners and both YMCA employees it seemed like the perfect place to say "I do!"
The amount of press this wedding got was unbelievable - every Dallas paper had a spread on the front page and even the USA today had a highlight. The news cameras surrounded the tent the morning of the race which made the wedding less intimate than they were orignially wanting. But everything was still lovely. After the ceremony kirk and dinah were escorted to the front of the race with their wedding party and guests (us, yeah!) And ran the 8mile route with all their family and friends. They crossed the finish line in 1:20:18 holding hands as husband and wife! So, romatic! We were so happy to be a part of this happy day! xoxo
This a special day for families celebrating thankful times- But also a special day for my boss, Kirk and his now wife, Dinah who were married at this years turkey trot!
Being big marathoners and both YMCA employees it seemed like the perfect place to say "I do!"
The amount of press this wedding got was unbelievable - every Dallas paper had a spread on the front page and even the USA today had a highlight. The news cameras surrounded the tent the morning of the race which made the wedding less intimate than they were orignially wanting. But everything was still lovely. After the ceremony kirk and dinah were escorted to the front of the race with their wedding party and guests (us, yeah!) And ran the 8mile route with all their family and friends. They crossed the finish line in 1:20:18 holding hands as husband and wife! So, romatic! We were so happy to be a part of this happy day! xoxo
Do I look like I'm freezing...cause I was!!!! 
The wedding tent!
Their interviews before the ceremony....
running together with their friends!
crossing the finish line as husband and wife! awww!!!!Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Taper has begun
Taper. It's hard in a weird way. Strength training is out. Runs are short but intense. You start to feel anxious, crabby and nothing sounds good to eat. Since you're working out less you need less fuel - yet you're suppose to eat the same to top off your glycogen levels for race day. Especially noshing on those carbs! It's a tough and confusing time for athletes!
And I realized the timing for this race sucks. Right in the middle of holiday season?! Really? We have a wine tasting this week, a festival of lights gig, and two holiday parties - fri & sat. Ugh! Not exactly the perfect restful and tapered week I needed. I know I need to cut some social activities... But ...
And I realized the timing for this race sucks. Right in the middle of holiday season?! Really? We have a wine tasting this week, a festival of lights gig, and two holiday parties - fri & sat. Ugh! Not exactly the perfect restful and tapered week I needed. I know I need to cut some social activities... But ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)