Registered for Chicago Marathon

On October 9th I will set off to finish one of the 5 major world marathons - Chicago. This will be my third 26.2 in the last 18months. I got hooked after completing my first race April 11, 2010. Running has certainly become a big part of who I am now and I am excited for my next big goal in the windy city!

I choose this race for a couple reasons. First, it's one of the big 5. Second, it's close to my midwest family and friends. Second, I wanted to get away from the Dallas terrain and simply try something new! I'm looking forward to Chicago's flat course but I know I'll have to deal with the wind and whatever October weather the lake brings that day....

I had Paul stay up late February 1st and sign me up to ensure I would make the cut! I didn't want to miss out on the race filling up. Over 45,000 runner compete each year and the race fills up almost instantly.

I'll take the early summer months "off" so to speak... and I'll begin training in July. Wish me luck training in the Dallas heat!

Valentines Day 2011

I love Valentines day! I love all the cute kid valentines that are exchanged in school. I love the over-priced flowers that are sent. I love the conversation hearts and chocolate candies. I love the crowded restaurants and red and pink colors. I love hallmark cards both silly and heartfelt. I love tasty wine we feel ok drinking on a Monday...since it's February 14th! And I love the "smitten" feeling of the day :-)

But most of all I love Valentines Day for giving us an excuse, for giving us one day to purposely give the person in our life the love and attention they deserve. Because, let's face it -- life gets in the way and we don't do it like we should! So, thank you St. Valentine for giving us this day to share the gift of love with our significant other, friends and family....

Happy Valentines Day!

Paul and I spent all weekend celebrating. We kicked off by going out Friday night with Nelsons...Haley was having all the ladies over for a girls night in and the guys went out to Bob's Steak and Chop for a manly meal and drinks after. The girls did a 'sexy' gift exchange....you can only imagine! And we met up with the guys late-night. Saturday Paul treated me to One2One for our special V-day dinner. It was REALLY good and I had been wanting to check out that new restaurant which was a treat! My Valentine got me flowers, VS, candles and candies. Candy hearts are my favorite... I have eaten the entire bag, I think! Sunday we went out with friends to RA for sushi...but we had a nice intimate evening in on Monday. I made a carb-i-lious meal for my man! He'll be in a carb coma for awhile... ;-) Now, back to the diet!

ICED IN...and then SNOWED IN!

Well, last week the north sent down some ice and snow to Dallas! And we sure didn't handle it very well! Last week the entire city was shut down for 4 days...yes, seriously four days strait!
Now, you might think we're exaggerating a bit. But, Dallas just doesn't have the infrastructure to handle ice and snow. Our highways aren't built to handle this and we don't have salt trucks! and plows? That is a foreign word??
So, we waited...for it to melt. The kids loved being off school for 4 days but I was getting pretty antsy not getting out of the house other than up to the grocery store and to the Frisco YMCA and back.

Paul thought he was "the best texas driver in the snow" and managed to get to downtown 2 days...but he wouldn't let me drive much out of Frisco. ugh! Some of that because of the roads and part of that because he doesn't think I am a good driver to begin with... (ugh, men!)

The worst part was having to see little Milo literally "shake" every time he went outside to go potty...it broke my heart! I cuddled him up in a blanket after to warm him up! Yes, he is so spoiled... I even put on his Old Navy poof vest for his trips outside but it didn't seem to help.

We were all freezing! Well, I got my taste of Michigan I suppose... but I am very ready for my Dallas weather to return. Luckily they are forecasting 68 and sunny for this weekend - thanks goodness! I need to get out of the house! ;-)

Spring Race Calendar

I've started to work on my race calendar for the year. So far I've got my spring races picked out. I am concentrating on shorter distances with my longest races being two half marathons. Therefore, my training isn't taking too much time away from Paul, my body can re-coop and I can begin weight lifting again. My program right now is a lot of speedwork, hills, and tempo runs. They're hard workouts -- but nothing like the 3 hour long runs I was doing this fall to prepare for white rock. It feels good to switch things up!

Mar 5
Sat 8:00 AM DRC Trinity River Levee Run 10K

This will be a good race to get me back in the swing of racing again after my long hiatus!

Mar 27
Sun8:00 AM Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 13.1M/ 2-person relay

I'm really looking forward to this race! I have several friends doing it and it benefits a great cause, too -- Susan G. Komen.

Apr 9
9-109:00 AM The Original Mud Run 10KLaGrave Field, Ft. Worth, TX

I have never done a MUD RUN before...I've always had something more serious on the docket -- so I figure this is the time to try! I am getting Paul to do the 6.2 muddy obstaclecourse with me!

May 7
Sat 8:00 AM DRC White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration Half Marathon 13.1M Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake, Dallas, TX

This is a big race in the Dallas area -- Several of my friends will be racing too! ;-)

NFL Experience...Super Bowl 45

Incase you haven't heard....Dallas is hosting the Super Bowl this year. With that there has been several parties, activities, and events surrounding the big event.

Paul and I attended the NFL EXPERIENCE at the Dallas Convention Center last week to take part in some of the fun. We checked out the memorabilia, super bowl rings, SB trophy, signed jerseys, and played some interactive games. Paul did really well in the quarterback challenge -- and I enjoyed the cute player cute outs ;-) There were huge lines for Miles Austin and Tony Romo so Paul wouldn't stand in line with me, boo!

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/45/events/nfl-experience

Paul rockin the quarterback challenge

no line here for a Lion's player!

Quite a big hand..

super bowl rings through the years...

welcome super bowl 45

Wedding at the Belo

Last weekend Paul and I attended Krisi and Sean's wedding downtown. The ceremony was at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the reception was at The Belo Mansion. Krisi is an attorney with Paul in the Young Lawyers Association of Dallas.
It was probably the nicest wedding I have ever been too! Everything was over the top and absolutely gorgeous in every way! We had an amazing time celebrating with the couple and 300+ of their closest friends ;-)
Paul has a lot of lunches and meetings at the Belo but I had never been there before so he gave me a tour and showed me around during cocktail hour. This building is the home of the Dallas Bar Association, yawn...
I love weddings...one of the biggest reasons is because its a great reminder of why we make that commitment, say those vows, and want forever with someone. At the ceremony I turned to Paul and said, "I'd still choose you" ... he laughed, but its true.