And the nerves have set in....

WHEW!  The ole nerves have cranked up and shown themselves over the past 2-3 days.  I am sooo nervous!  It's almost ridiculous, don'tcha think?  I mean, I have spent the last 6 months thinking:" I can totally rock this!" and now... is that...... is that self doubt that has entered?  Nooooooooooo!  I sent out a mass text asking for prayers and hoping my peeps will send me encouraging words this week, as I am already in need of them.  Actually, don't we all need encouraging words weekly?  Whether it's a marathon or making it through the work week, kind words are often appreciated and a smile much obliged.  How much harder would we work or try if only we heard the good over the bad...(don't worry, I won't force you to read/listen to my soapbox of these days--onto another subject)

CHRISTMAS!!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S ONLY 4 SHORT WEEKS AWAY?!?  SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, WHERE HAS THIS YEAR GONE!?  Without the first gift of the season bought, we have a looong way to go, baby!  ;0)  I've already been thinking of my New Year's Resolution for 2012....yes, I'm the goober that actually sets goals and in a few short days, this ole gal will accomplish one!  Have you thought of a goal for 2012?


Well--I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! 

Remember to keep me in your prayers throughout the week!  Love to all!

Tapering Off

Well, we are almost there with less than 3 weeks to go until the "big" day.  I am starting to get really excited as the St. Jude Weekend is one of my FAVORITE things to do during the calendar year.  I'm telling you, EVERYONE should experience the 5k, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, the Family Fun Run, or simply stand on the sidelines cheering on the thousands of runners--it's unlike anything I have ever seen!  The supporters are A-M -AZING!!! 

 It can also be a very emotional run.  Unfortunately many of us have seen the devastating disease of cancer rock someone's world that we love so very much. I have personally walked through this too many times than I care to share.  My daddy is a stage 4 bladder cancer SURVIVOR and as of this upcoming year, will be 4 years CANCER FREE!! This year, as I cross that finish line, I am sure I will also be reminded of a very special guy that is proving that he is a fighter and is overcoming this horrible disease. 

My run this year represents a fight or a battle that so many families are dealing with even as I type this.  I believe in the Power of Prayer and the fact that God gives men and women wisdom and courage to help so many people combat this disease.   We have come so far in science and technology but we are not finished yet. 



 As I have pushed myself through this (sometimes grueling) training process to prepare my mind, body, and SPIRIT (!!)  I have often been reminded of the pain and helplessness these families must feel as they trudge through treatments and uncertainty.  I know our contribution is just a drop in the bucket, but to all of my supporters and donators who have helped raise funds for this powerful cause--I thank you and appreciate you! Thank you for being someone's HERO!!!  LOVE TO YOU ALL!!

I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT!

WOOOOHOOOO!!  ALMOST THERE AND 20 MILES COMPLETED TODAY!  Been a rough week as I have been fighting a nasty cold/sinus infection.  Had to bite the bullet on Thursday and go to the doctor--ick.  I. HATE. GOING. TO. THE. DOCTOR!  Ran a completely new route today which I think is the reason I finished feeling so great!  Thanks for all of your support!  ALMOST THERE!!  T -MINUS 3 WEEKS, GUYS AND GALS!!!

To Abandon or Not....THAT is the Question!

Last week's "long" run was to consist of 14 miles.  14 miles, you may think would be a "breeze" at this point, but for me yesterday, it. was. BRUTAL!!  About mile 5, I thought about quitting.  I couldn't get a stride, a breath, or a good thought.  My body was simply not responding like it has been and I was QUITE frustrated, to say the least.   I mean, one would think at THIS point in the game 14 miles would be an easy run.      NOOOOT!!!  Thankfully I have a friend would has run a marathon before so I texted her.  I asked her if she had ever abanoned a run.  Her reply :  "YES!  And I was FURIOUS with myself!" ---- soooo, the obvious answer for me to quit:  "HEEECK NO!"  We continued to text back and forth for about 4-5 miles (which kind of took the pressure off of the thought of running because I "had" to stop to text!  HA)   THEN, the phone rang, and of COURSE  I had to answer it.  Another friend, another mile--yeeehaaaw!!  Before I knew it, I was at 10 miles and there was NO WAY this ole gal was quitting with a measly 3 miles left.  I mean-heck-I have been running 3 miles for 15 years.  I. Got. THIS! 

So--to abandon or not?  For me, it's a personal challenge that I wish to conquer.  26.2 miles is a looooooong way to run and I completely accept my role to condition this body and mind for that run.  Do I abandon my 14 miles?   answered lies within.  Absolutely not--running is a parralel to life.  Life isn't always easy.  We make choices that sometimes come with consequences, NOT EASY consequences. Things happen that ma y cause us to want to quit.  But we must perservere.  Winners cross that finishline!  Ultimately, we are left with looking at ourselves in that mirror of life.  I want to see myself as a winner.  Ultimately, we are all dealing with some kind of challenge in life.  Will you abandon your run?