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? 

Almost there!

Well, I ran the full 18 miles that was intended according to the training plan I am following, but let me tell you, I wanted to run 19, possibly 20.  It was a good run, but I  feel like I let myself down a little bit. 

I started out at a tight pace yesterday.  I just could NOT loosen up!  I don't know if it was the cooler weather or that I had eaten a heavy supper or simply a combo of the two, but it wasn't pretty starting off.  Needless to say, I worked it out because before I knew it I had completed 5 miles as though they were nothing.  (What an amazing feeling, by the way)  Around mile 10, though, I had an ipod malfunction.  The stupid thing just QUIT! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO RUN 8 MORE MILES WITHOUT MUSIC!?!?  THEEEN about mile 14 my ole knee started giving me FITS!  Again, not sure if it was the weather or what.... BUT I FINISHED MY LONG RUN!  WhOoOoOo WhOoOoOoOoOoO!!!  One more "biggie" before the race--which I'm totally feeling pumped about these days.  I really feel good and have a postive mindset (which is VITAL for this doozey, wouldn't ya say?  ;0))

Anyway--hope you guys have a great FIRST OF NOVEMBER WEEK!!  SERIOUSLY CANnot BELIEVE NOVEMBER IS ALREADY HERE!  Tomorrow is the dreaded day of Halloween at school.  ugh.....let's just say that there IS some truth to the saying : "the crazies come out on Halloween"---it's called sugared up kids!  ;0)  HA!  ((You know I'm right, yall!  Just the sheer thought of all that candy coming home excites all kids of all ages!))  I'm that mom, by the way, that "accidentally" throws out all of the candy!  "Oh honey, I'm so sorry!  I thought that was old candy!"  Anywho--have a happy and safe week, yall!!!

WARNING: ENDORPHINES ARE KICKIN'!!

HAVE I TOLD YOU GUYS LATELY HOW MUCH I LOOOOVE TO RUN IN THE FALL?!!  Today was a FABULOUS  run of 10 mighty miles.  It invigorates me to think that 10 miles is "nothing" these days.  As I'm running along, I've envisioned myself crossing that 26.2 finish line with a smile on my face and....  already planning my next race.  HOW CRAZY IS THAT!!!  A couple of friends and I have talked about running a half marathon at the end of March and at this point, I'm totally thinking "no big deal--we've got this!"...wild!  

My long miles this week are 18....(whoa!)  Hopefully this wonderful fall weather will hold tight...

HAPPY MONDAY, PEEPS!!!

I DID IT!

Wooooohoooooo!!!  I ran them!  16 miles, baby!!  I.  Am.  Pumped!  The first 8 were awesome.  I had a great stride and pace, but let me tell ya...when I hit 8--I started questioning myself.  I will be the first one to tell you : "it's mind over matter" and today--it was definitely mind over matter those last 8 miles.  I was NOT going to give in!  Determination and sheer will pulled me through.  I even hit the CVS at 11 miles for some Powerade as a "pick me up".  The weather was P.E.R.F.EC.TION to say the least.  God truly granted us a beautiful fall day today.  I hope you got to get out in it and enjoy the crisp, cool, morning or the breezy, GORGEOUS afternoon.  If not--SHAME on YOU!  ;0) 

My schedule pulls me back for 12 as a long run this week but adds 10 miles for a midweek run.  YEEHAW! 

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday and great week!!!