Women's Half Marathon + Birthday

In the middle of marathon training, I decided I would run a half marathon. I needed to redeem myself for Country Music Half, where I almost passed out. I chose to run the Women's Half Marathon in Nashville because it was a close race. Also, Stephanie was training to run it as her first half & I wanted to be there for support. 

 

It was a really great race! I felt super prepared & I had a PR of over 4 minutes from the Knox half!!!!! The race was extremely hilly (which I am used to), so I was super pumped with my time. I had to run 1 mile before & 1 mile after the race to get in 15 for the day which was my scheduled training run. Marathon training is not a joke, y'all.

The next weekend, I had a 16 mile run. I can't listen to music while I run esp during a race, so I listened to 4 or 5 books during training. I listened to about 3 songs during the marathon & had to turn it off. I can't focus on running with the music. 

Enjoyed a lovely dinner at Lakeside with my friends- not sure where the group picture is :(

Enjoyed a lovely lunch with my family in Cookeville 

I am alive!

Hello! I am alive- the stomach virus did not get me :) however, I feel like I have lived another life since I last posted. I was just over a month into marathon training & I really had no idea what I was in for. No idea! It was one of the hardest things I have ever done (training), but I set a goal to run a marathon in 2012 & I did! More on that in a later post though. 

Lived in compression gear for the last 4 months

Labor Day weekend at the Roo

My bestest buddy

Only game I got to tailgate for

Why am I blogging on a Saturday night instead of out with friends doing something fun?? Oh, that's because I am recovering from a horrible stomach virus. Thankfully, the worst part only lasted about 12 hours, but MAN. That was a rough 12 hours. It is a very contagious little bug because it spread to almost everyone I came in contact with this week + everyone they saw. Be glad if you did not see me. I lost over 5lbs from Thursday morning to Friday morning. I was scheduled for a 12 mile run this morning, but needless to say, that did not happen. I don't think half a sleeve of Saltines & a can of chicken broth in a span of 36 hours are adequate fuel for a long distance run. I am definitely on the road to recovery now. I pretty much despise throwing up more than anything in life & it just wouldn't stop. 

I guess I should blog about my vacation which was awesome- a week on the beach with NO children to be responsible for. I just had to worry about me. Man, is it humid in South Carolina. I was soaked from head to toe every morning after running. I got a massage which was wonderful- if only I could relax. What is wrong with me?! I am more & more obsessed with Charleston every single time I go. Seabrook was perfect. 

View from the deck- out front was the ocean

I want one.

MAC&CHEESE EGG ROLLS. AMAZE.

As you can see- super crowded ;)

I made bang bang shrimp & it was spot on. 

I hate deer & these stupid ones are not scared of people at all.

Sunrise beach run

I definitely got used to this view every morning

Eating at one of my Charleston FAVS

Amontillado burger- Mom's

Tell-tale heart aka heart attack on a plate

Burger, bacon, cheese, onion straws, & a fried egg

Take me back, please.

New Tervis water bottles - babies can't open them 

Success.

Thanks to that little blonde for giving me the stomach virus

Also, Melissa & I went to the J Crew factory sale a couple weekends ago. I've been before & it was totally fine. I got there when it opened, walked right in, & shopped until I was ready to go. They haven't had a sale in a few months, so I was super excited about going. Everything is under $100 with most things under $20. I think $25 was the most I paid for something & that was a $178 blazer. 

Anywho, we get up before the sun & get to Asheville at 730 (sale opens at 9am). We could not even get a spot in the parking lot of the warehouse. There are probably 300 people in line before us. HOLY MOLY. We just drove 2+ hours, we aren't leaving now. So, Mel & I waited in line from 730am until 1pm when we finally got in. Only 75 people are allowed in at a time, but there is no limit on how long you can stay inside. We were in there for about 2 hours & we only got about 3/4 through all the stuff, but we were just exhausted at that point. 100% worth it because I got $1100 worth of clothing for *drum roll please* $185. BAM! 

I love every single thing. SO happy. 

Bring on the next sale. 

That's about it for me! Football starts Friday & it's Labor Day weekend :) 

Lately

Hello!

Not much new going on here since my last post except that I have started marathon training. It obviously hasn't been bad so far, but we've got 19ish weeks to go. I did have to run my long run (7 miles) on the treadmill last Friday because it was raining & I was leaving town after work & goodness knows I was not about to run around the lake 7 times while I was in DC. BORING. Anyway, I made it by watching PLL on Netflix & then promptly  heading to Chick-fil-a for a biscuit- a new one just opened closer to my house & they sent me many free coupons!! Free = great.

I am leaving for my first real vacation since 2010, this weekend! I went to the beach for a couple days last year & then of course, the horrific bachelorette experience earlier this year. Trust me, that was the opposite of a vacation- more like torture. I am going to Seabrook which is right next to Kiawah & about 30 minutes from my fav place, CHARLESTON! I can not wait to run on the beautiful beach for a week & relax with NO children to be responsible for. Thank goodness! 

Both of my C girls together. 

Caroline is quite the popular name among the upper middle class in the south these days

Nerd Alert

Compression sleeves to aid in recovery

Amy & kids came to visit!!! 

Someone is very big now!

More on this picture to come later - I am going to need some help :) 

Photo Dump

Excuse me for my lack of posts - summer has been interesting. I shall leave you with a few photos from the last month!

 

I got a new baby- she is pretty much a little angel girl. I just have her 3days/wk, so things are a lot more relaxed.

Lake every weekend!

Someone was verryyy interested in the baby

VBS - Glory Games

Last night of VBS carnival 

Perfect.

Finally convinced my friends to RUN with me! Pilot Fireball 5k on July 3 at 9pm- my first (& potentially last) night race. Again, I hate 5k distance. I really don't plan on doing anymore any time soon.

Had an interesting 4th & ended up here for fireworks

Balloon boy - with little angel girl snoozing in her swing

Perfect summer nailsys

I am going to the beach in a few weeks & I am so excited! Thanks, Mom!! 

Annndddd MARATHON TRAINING officially starts tomorrow. Eeek. 

Here goes nothing. Countdown to 12/1/12

Memorial Day Weekend

Ahhh, I love summer weekends! I have always been a water baby. There is no place I'd rather be than in the water. I went out on the lake all weekend & it was a blast!

Fun girls weekend

It's not a holiday without costumes, right??

It was tough going back to work today after such a great weekend. Oh well, at least we get to do it again this weekend. Is it Saturday yet? ;)