An unforgettable experience....

AHHHHH...the marathon! I've been mulling over in my head what I was going to say about the whole marathon experience on Saturday. These words come to mind....unforgettable. magical. extremely difficult. long. amazing. grueling...I took every minute of the race in as I ran it. From the starting line to the finish...I took it mile by mile.

As soon as I crossed the starting line the tears started streaming. I was here. I was running a marathon. I couldn't believe it. It was almost magical. The run started off extremely well. It was 26 degrees at the start, but I felt good. I seem to run better in the cold. The sun was out and there was no wind. I started running with the 4 hour pace group. Well, after enduring hill after hill after hill...I knew I wasn't going to finish in 4 hours, so I met up with the 4.5 hour group and settled in with them. I ran with a man for a while that was running his 70th marathon. He was amazing and very uplifting to run with. There were so many inspiring people running next to me. I heard someone say "Look at all of us. Running towards nowhere." I have to say I disagree, we all had somewhere to go or something to run for.

The first half of the race (which we were told was the most hilly, ended up not being so) was awesome. There were about 1000 marathoners and 2500 half-marathoners and we were all running together. At mile 12 we split from the halfs and that's where it got a little harder, mainly because there were now far less people and spectators. Also, I felt there were far more hills in the second half. It could have been that I was tired. Extremely tired. Every hill was a challenge going up. You could see several hills ahead and that made it worse. I have to say...I wanted to stop several times but I didn't....I didn't stop running the entire 26.3 miles...the course was actually 26.3, not 26.2...how cruel and unusual...because believe me...that .10 of a mile hurt because it was all uphill! I kept telling myself to 'keep going, dig deep'. Crossing the finish line with my family watching, my arms in the air symbolizing victory, the medal going around my neck...I'll never, ever forget that!! My garmin time was 4:23:26...not too bad for my first marathon and a very hilly one at that! Did I also mention over 3000 calories burned? You better believe I had a great post-race meal with no guilt!

I'm feeling great today...it's day 4 post-marathon. I actually feel like I could go for a run. I'm not, I'm going to give my body a week to recover. Running is now in my blood. Do I want to run another? Yes I do! I've now got the fever. I found out on Saturday that Charleston is going to have a marathon in Jan 2010...The Lowcountry Marathon! I'm super excited because it should be a nice, flat course which is what I trained on.

I set a goal, set my mind to it and did it. Trust me...you can do anything you set your mind too. It also feels good to say that I am a Marathon Mommy!!!

T minus 8 days...

until this marathon gets here. For those of you just tuning in, I am running the Charlotte Marathon next Saturday!! It gives me goosebumps just to write this. I have been planning this race all year. In fact, it was my New Year's Resolution for 2008, so it's been a long time coming. I am 30 miles to making my goal of running 1000 miles in 2008. With the marathon and a few runs between then, I'm well on my way. Right now I'm at 971.5..think of where I could have run if I would have run that straight...ha! ha!



Some people have asked me WHY I am doing this? Why not? I'm young (sort of), healthy and in good shape. When my sister's life was suddenly taken from us 10 years ago...it changed my thinking on lots of things...don't put off tomorrow, what you can do today. She was a runner and track athlete and I'd like to think that she would be a runner today. So when I run sometimes I think how nice it would have been for us to do something like this together. She is with me in spirit every step I take on those runs...I'm running for her and all of the other family members I've lost.



Dan lost his grandmother earlier in the week and I can't help to think of her while I run too.



In other very sad news, this family lost their wife, mother, sister, daughter yesterday and I am truly saddened by this. One minute she was taking her kids to the park and the next day she was in a hospital fighting for her life...Life is precious, fleeting, fragile.



I'm not trying to be a downer today...just brutally honest. I've said it before and I'll say it again...please, please squeeze your husband, wife, children tight and extra tight and tell them that you love them over....and over again!



I've been trying to think of something to wear on race day next Saturday...something that sums up this whole experience. I found the PERFECT running tech (dri fit) tee and I think it fits the job....here it is....

because...well...LIFE IS GOOD! So.very.good...

Happy Thanksgiving....

We are headed to my parent's house tomorrow morning for Thanksgiving. I am contributing pie, rolls, cranberry sauce and sweet potato casserole. I can't wait to dig in to all the good food!

I actually have 2 photo shoots while I am up there...should be interesting to shoot in a new place! I also have my 15 year high school reunion on Saturday night. I will hopefully have some good stories from that...

The 20 miler is behind me now...tapering has begun. The big marathon is in 2 weeks. 20 miles in 25 degree weather was brutal...the wind was against me most of the time. I hope the marathon isn't that cold.

Here is a picture of my "Brave Little Bear" at his Thanksgiving Feast at school. Have a Happy Thanksgiving...I know we have so much to be thankful for!

Miles and miles to go before I sleep...

I haven't talked about the "Training" in a couple of days...mainly because I am ready to get it done. In the last couple of weeks I've done 12, 15, and 16 mile runs. Well, this weekend is my 18 miler and I'm dreading it. It's only 2 more miles than the 16 miler, but I'm doing it alone. The 16 miler alone was long enough, but I don't know how I'm going to get through this 18 miler. Anyone out there have any suggestions to make it go faster? I have about 5 weeks until the actual marathon. My thinking is that by now if I can run 16 miles solo then I can run 26.2 with several hundred people-piece of cake, right?

I seriously could not do this without the unending support of my wonderful husband. Every Saturday while I'm out there pounding the pavement, he's getting the kids dressed and fed, not to mention when I have my runs during the week. He is the most important piece of the puzzle to all of this marathon training.

I get several questions from people about what I'm going to do to celebrate once I'm done...not sure yet, but I'll have to think of something special!?!

Who knows if I'll want to do another marathon after this. My goal has always been to do one, but we'll see if I catch that bug I hear so much about. I wouldn't mind doing Marine Corp one day, since we lived up there for 9 years...most of my adult life so far.

Anyway, been super busy with our photo sessions as of late. It's great, very great...I don't think Blakely and I ever expected to be this busy. We are having a lot of fun with it! Once again, I don't think either of us could do it without our husbands. Which is why they will be having fun at "man day" in our neighborhood this coming Saturday...I'll post about that later.

Halloween Fun!

Last night's Halloween party was a lot of fun. It was nice that we could just walk on over to our neighbor's house. I was a 20's flapper girl and Dan was a prisoner from Prohibition. He looked pretty cute, but I haven't loaded the picture yet. My neighbor already loaded hers onto her Facebook page, so here is one from last night's festivities. My neighbors were dressed as 'rednecks'! Of course, morning came pretty early when I realized I had to run the 15 miles I was supposed to run the day before (it rained the day before). It was a LONG run! But I did it and will be paying tomorrow I guess. There were so many times I wanted to stop, but I pushed myself. I realized afterwards that if I can run 15 miles on little sleep then I can surely do this marathon in December.

We had a nice visit with Dan's family this weekend! It was great to see them and watch all the kids together, all 5 of them played their little hearts out. Harrison loves having visitors. When they all left, he said, "who's coming next?"

We took the boys to a Children's festival in our neighborhood and then I hit the beach for a photo shoot! The weather has finally cooled off, which makes it feel more like fall.

After a very busy weekend, I'm off to bed....

15 miles...

is the amount I'm running in the morning! It's all I can think about today. Guess what will be waiting for me when I get back....?
That's right! I'll have time to think about solving the world's financial crisis, who will be the better President, etc. But this, my friends, will be on my mind to get me through it!!!

Life...

Once again, where did the week go? Dan and I had a wonderful evening last week for our anniversary dinner! It was just so nice to be out all dressed up and feel like a grown-up again.

Friday we had a 'neighborhood block party'! It was so much fun, but A LOT of work. Now that the twins are both walking, they are in two different directions. Dan and I were busy chasing after them and talked and socialized when we could. After being there for a little while, we made our way back home where we met our good friends from North Carolina that were visiting us for the weekend.

It was so good to see Jason, Salley and the boys! Her boys are 3 and 5 and got along with Harrison very well. They played the entire weekend. It was just great to catch up with them too! Salley and I have been friends for years and whenever we get together, it's like we never left. I love that about our friendship.

Saturday morning I was hating that I had to run 13 miles, but once I got into it...it went by fast-all 2 hours and 53 seconds of it. A little slower than last week, but hey, not too bad considering I ran it solo this time! I even treated myself to not one, but two Dunkin Donuts when I got back.

I had to work the Fall Bazaar at Harrison's school, but not before we squeezed in lunch over at Red's on Shem Creek. Later that evening I did a photo shoot of Jason and Salley and the boys over at the beach and can't wait for them to see the finished product. I thought they turned out well.

Before I knew it, it was Sunday and I had two shoots at the beach-one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. Where else can you be barefoot, at the beach and make a little money too? I have to say...I am loving it!

All in all, last weekend was busy, but fun! I've spent the last couple of days editing photos and hanging with the boys! Not too shabby....

Hanna, Hanna go away!

Tomorrow was supposed to be a super busy day for our family. Harrison had a soccer game at 10:00, his party was at 1:00, and I had a photo shoot on the beach at 6:00 pm. Guess what? It looks as though TS Hanna is going to make an appearance in the Lowcountry and now none of these events will be happening. Oh, and I was supposed to run 10 miles tomorrow morning. I'm a little bummed...but I know it's out of safety that these events had to be cancelled. We hadn't even mentioned Harrison's party to him at all this week because I had 'that feeling' that it may be cancelled. I was going to reschedule but the place couldn't do it until the 20th anyway. We'll just treat him to something extra special. Besides, he's 4, plenty of time for parties! We did a family party last Friday (his actual birthday), treated him to Five Guy's (his restaurant of choice) and had another little party at my parent's house last Saturday. So, we've done a lot of celebrating his birthday.

Jen and I did a 'semi-long run' this morning, 7 instead of 10. It's already looking grey and cloudy out there, so no running for me in the morning. The rocking chairs and hammock are off the porch, the flag is down and the wreath is off the door. We have our 70 bottles of water, flashlights, batteries, candles and plenty of snack food-because when it's storming, there's nothing like eating trail mix and oreos!!!

Get into the groove...

Whew! It's been hard to get back into the swing of things now that Harrison is going to 4K everyday. It really keeps us busy and me in the car! He had a great 1st day of school and birthday on Friday! We headed to my parents on Saturday after his first soccer game that morning. I think he's really just trying to take everything in and is adjusting...although slowly. I guess it will prepare him for next year when he goes everyday, all day to Kindergarten.

With Hanna on the horizon...there's a possibility that we may be evacuating on Thursday. That puts a big ? for his party on Saturday. I also have a photo shoot that day and he has a soccer game that morning. It may be a busy day that doesn't end up happening at all. My biggest concern about moving back to S.C. was the whole hurricane thing and now we may be 2 days away from evacuation. People were buying water like crazy at the grocery store today. I sent Dan over to Costco after work to buy 2 big things of it...YIKES! We'll see and I'll keep updating our status. In the meantime, I am writing down all of the things we should take with us in case of evacuation.

Signed up for my Half-marathon in October in Columbia. The Governor's Cup Road Race...ummm, that's in less than 2 months. The marathon is in December...where has the time gone? My training is going well but it is still hot, sticky and hot in the morning. Looking forward to those Oct, Nov, Dec mornings again. Bring on the cold (cooler) weather...and Hanna, if you're listening-Please don't come visit us! My 4 year old will not be happy! Oh, if only it was that easy...

New kicks and a new biz...

Last month I was in severe calf pain from running. I pretty much cut my running in half last month because it was too difficult to run. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I kept stretching, icing, resting...I even took up biking. I like biking, but it doesn't burn near the calories that running does. My last ditch effort was to get new shoes....well, guess what? It was the shoes. My calf is now completely better. My shoes were near the end of their life at 300 miles, so I didn't even think that they could actually cause pain. My calf is so much better and I have "OFFICIALLY" started training for the marathon. I am so excited, nervous, scared wrapped up in one!! Here are the shoes I got: the ASICS 2310's

On other notes...I've been super busy this week getting ready to get the photography business running with my partner. We are meeting next week and will hopefully get started on the website, pricing and various other things. I will keep you posted when the website launches. If any of you are planning on being in the Charleston area anytime, please look us up if you are interested in doing a shoot!!

Life is Good!

My 3 super-active boys are settling into their naps, I'm drinking an iced Madagascar Vanilla Red tea-my new favorite, no caffeine, no artificial flavors, no calories and loaded with antioxidants-and sampling one of Bubba's Beer Biscuits that I made for tonight's supper club, which is an All-American theme. Bubba is Paula Deen's brother, for those of you who didn't know that. Don't judge me for eating them, I did bike 11 miles this morning, as well as yesterday morning. Biking, you ask? Well, I'm taking a week off from running. My right calf has been bothering me for a couple of weeks and after a terrible run on Monday, I've decided I can't risk being injured for my marathon that is 6 months away. I had a little pity party at first because I love running so much, but biking is working other leg muscles that running doesn't work, so I guess it is a pay-off. I still get up early to go and the scenery is amazing. My butt hurts when I am done for sure! I almost burned the same amount of calories running 5 miles as biking 11 miles, but I do miss the running!

Yesterday I took the boys to the library so Harrison and I could check out some books. That boy has never met a book he didn't love. I also love checking out cookbooks-LOVE it! I read cookbooks like regular books, always looking for that perfect recipe. I also picked up Paula Deen's autobiography, which so far has been a pretty fast read. I love reading biographies about cooks or chef's-always wondering how they got into the business. She has really come from nothing-she is an amazing woman! I sat on the porch last night after the boys went to bed and Dan was playing tennis with a friend, and with the coastal breezes in the air and the smell of the marsh, I actually felt like I was on vacation, reading her book while sitting in my rocking chair. So really, right now Life is Good!

A new running partner?....NOT!

Saturday morning I got up at 6:00 am for my run. I was only going to run 6 miles because we had to drive to my sister's house in the morning and we had a party that night, so there was a ton of stuff to do around the house....I felt really good during the run and said, "What the heck, I'll just go ahead and run 9 and be done with it". I was plugging away, running my usual loops-when I turned the corner and saw what I believed to be a rubber tire in the middle of the street. I thought, "Hey, that's weird, but oh well". As I got closer "the tire" moved. Well, it wasn't a tire, but an ALLIGATOR people. That's right...I panicked! I was about 6 feet away from it (it was about 6-7 feet long)when I screamed and quickly turned around and ran back the other way. I was looking for someone to tell, but couldn't find anyone. At this point I was running so fast I couldn't catch my breath. My Garmin said I was running at 4:58mm. When I felt it was safe to slow down I did...but at this point I was done. I ran home and clocked in at 7.2 miles. We have alligators all over the ponds around here, but this is the first time I've ever seen one on the street before. I was a little freaked to say the least. My neighbor and I ran down that same street this morning and I have to say I was a little scared, but Mr. Alligator was no where to be seen. Hopefully, he will stay in his little pond and will not want to greet me on the street ever again.

Some kids have a blankie, some kids have a teddy bear....

but my sweet little boy has THIS to keep him warm and snuggly at night....

So cute I had to share...the boy loves his new truck and shovel set for the beach. We had a great weekend. First off, the bacon wrapped watermelon rinds were a hit-I even made them for another party on Sunday evening. Harrison had a blast running around with the other kids. I ran my 9 miles on Saturday and it was pretty hot-not a dry spot on my body! It was well worth it though-I felt great afterwards! We hit the beach later that morning and it was hot-even on the beach. We stayed in the water most of the time. Naps are always nice and long after we get home, so it's worth all the time it takes to pack the car, lunches, apply sunscreen, walk to the beach, set up, clean up, shower, bathe 3 kids....etc, Is it making you tired yet? Believe me, it is pretty tiring.

Later that afternoon, I did a photo session for a very good friend and her family. It was fun, but my car said 99 at 5:00 pm. Luckily I was able to get some good ones of her kids, but we will definitely re-shoot when the weather cools off a bit. A friend of mine and myself are in the very beginning stages of starting a photography business...so I am very excited about that! It's so much fun to capture children and families in a candid way. We hit Jack's Cosmic Dogs for dinner which Harrison had been begging to go to...he doesn't really like hot dogs though, but loves the atmosphere and the soft-serve ice cream (which we all indulged in) and it really hit the spot. He kept referring to the restaurant as Brady's Cosmic Dogs...because he is REALLY into opposites and thought it was so funny the restaurant was named after his brother and wanted to name it after his other brother. Oh, they have also started selling their sweet potato mustard, so I just HAD to buy some-that stuff is so GOOD!

Sunday we went to church and did stuff around the house during the day while the boys napped, then it was off to a pool party in the afternoon. The boys literally crashed when we got home. I think the true sign of a great weekend!

The power of a partner...

-a running partner that is! I am usually a solo-runner. I actually enjoy running alone because it is one of the few times in the day that I'm actually by myself. HOWEVER, the past couple of days have been terribly humid and I've really had to dig deep to push myself to keep going. The thermometer reads 73, but the humidity is no joke! This morning as I was heading out for my 5 miler at 6:00 am, my neighbor Jen was heading out for a run at the same time. She asks if I won't to run with her....I agreed right away, but was a little hesitant at first. First of all, Jen is in the best shape of anyone I know and she's got 3 kids....she's done several marathons (all under 3:30!!), triathlons, races, etc....so you see why I was hesitant? It ended up being the greatest thing I've done. I didn't think I'd be able to talk and run, but it turns out I can. She said she was not running slow for me and that we were doing a great pace. My Garmin had us at an 8:10 pace. It was brutal towards the end with the humidity. I think I may need to be up at 5:00 am for my 9 mile run on Saturday. Not.Looking.Foward.To.That.!! All in all, I have changed my tune on running with someone...the run flew by and we have made plans to run together a few times next week too.

Official start to summer...

We had a great 4 day weekend. It was four days because Dan took Friday off to finish some painting. The downstairs is officially painted, thanks to him. It was quite nerve-racking watching him paint the 2 story foyer from a 2o ft extension ladder.

Anyway, we had 3 cook-outs in 3 days and it was a lot of fun. Saturday night a neighbor had us and some other neighbors over for chicken and steak fajitas with all of the fixin's-YUM! I LOVE anything Mexican, so this hit the spot.

We had a neighborhood block party on Sunday and that was fun too. Everyone brought a dish and a couple of neighbors pulled out their grills and we all hungout in the horseshoe area of our street. The kids had a great time on their bikes, scooters, big wheels, etc. Monday morning we packed the family and headed to the beach, along with everyone else-it was pretty crowded. I guess when you live in a tourist town, this is the beginning of 'high season'. The weather was great though and the kids were WORN out when we got home. They all slept for 3 hours! Last night we headed over to Dan's sisters for a cook out and that was fun too. It was a great Memorial Day and I enjoyed hanging out with friends and family. I hope everyone had a great one too! I did manage to squeeze in 3 runs on those 4 days-I did 5 miles on Friday, 8 on Saturday, 5 on Monday and 5 today...so I definitely made up for all that eating I did over the weekend-and believe me, it was ALOT!

The Perfect Summer Cocktail...

I love a good cocktail! I've created a new one that just screams summer to me-it's not even that hard to make. I take a peach-flavored Izze (I LOVE these drinks!) and mix it with Grey Goose Vodka (or any other vodka you have, this one is my favorite!) and pour over crushed ice, add a lime wedge and cherry-and voila-the perfect summer cocktail!

We had a great weekend-the beach, the pool, barbque, need I say more? Unfortunately, Brady is under the weather now, so it has been a long day today. It just breaks my heart to see one of my boys sick...he looks pretty pitiful. He was up pretty early this morning too-so that means no run this morning. I was able to squeeze in a 30 minute strength training workout. This week I'll have to do 3 runs back to back (Tues, Wed, Thurs, Friday-strength training and Saturday 8 miles-UGH).

So, here's to a GREAT week, I'll think I'll go make one of those cocktails! YUM!

Busy little bees....

For some reason, having 3 kids seems really busy right now, busier than it's ever been. With preschool, swimming lessons, play dates, play groups-I feel so rushed all the time! I think it's hitting me that I really have 3 kids. I know the older they get, the busier it gets. We had a great weekend though. I worked the MOMS club consignment sale in the morning and Dan did yard work and powerwashed the front and back porch while I was on kid duty.

We went to a neighbor's house for a block party Sat night-it was fun watching all the kids run around and catch up with neighbors too. We were all exhausted after we walked home!

Sunday morning I got up super early for a 5 mile run. I finished my best time ever-39:55 at a pace of 8:04!! I felt good about that! However, the long runs will be starting soon. I'm doing 7 this weekend and then it's all uphill from there.

Not too much else to report...oh, the pool opens tomorrow and the high is only supposed to be 59! Spring, where are you?

A year in review...

This time last year I ran for the first time with a mission. You see, it was my first run post-partem from having twin boys. They were six weeks old and I had gained 63 pounds with them. 63 pounds on a small frame, 5'3" woman is a very big deal-in other words my body was a train wreck!!! With my older son I had gained 55 pounds-and he was only one child. Why, you ask? I'm not sure-I didn't gorge myself with that pregnancy, the weight just came on. I actually did not even gain any weight in the last few weeks, I was just very swollen with him-it was August!!

Anyway, this time last year I could barely run down the street without stopping. I could definitely feel pain just running a little bit. I have been running for several years, but for not very long distances-the longest race I had ever done was a 10K! I had put my weight loss efforts on hold until we were done having children-my body tends to go a little haywire in the hormonal department when I lose weight. Well, my friends, we are done and I wanted my body back.

When I started running, I set small goals for myself, "run to the tree, stop, take a break, walk a little, then run again". I would come home and tell Dan, "well, I only stopped once or twice". Slowly, I didn't stop anymore, I just kept on going. Surely enough, the weight started melting away. I'm happy to say, I have lost all of the weight and more. Since February 12, 2007 I've lost a total of 72 pounds and I owe it all to running, weight training and eating healthy. I honestly feel better than I have my entire life. I have 3 beautiful children, an amazing husband and my health back. My story doesn't stop here though-I've put my pursuits on doing a marathon in December. I'm so excited about it-I'll also do a half-marathon along the way too.

I don't run with the boys either. I have a hard time running with a jogging stroller and also living down here in the south-it can get very hot even in the early morning. I run for me, by myself, before Dan goes to work. It is my time to either think about saving the world or nothing at all. I am a better mom because of it. I want my boys to look up to me, I want them to want to be healthy. It takes discipline knowing that it's just me telling myself to get up, no one else is holding me accountable. But now it's like nothing to do. It's in my routine just as brushing my teeth or showering is....

So why am I telling you this? Yesterday a friend of mine told me she wanted to start running and I got so excited about it. Anyone can be a runnner if you set your mind and heart to it. From someone who could barely make it to the end of their street last year...to now being on her way to training a marathon.. YOU CAN DO IT!!! All things are possible, just believe you can!!!

It has finally happened...

and every runner said it would. After a long 10 or so years of running off and on-I am finally addicted. I LOVE it now and actually look forward to it. I never did before. When we were trying to get pregnant and going through fertility treatments I was advised not to and I had NO problem with that. But now I have a newfound love for it. Yesterday I did 4 miles and I honestly could have done 4 more but Dan needed to go to work... I guess I need to start going earlier, it's just that it's so dark. On the days that I don't run, I do strength training and although it's important, I don't get out of it what I do with running. I find myself a little "crabby" when I don't run also. I'm finding myself reading blog after blog of people training for a marathon and it motivates me even more. I'm trying to improve my time and yesterday I did 8:30 minute miles and I was so happy! I also keep stalking the Kiawah Marathon website to make sure I haven't missed registration...I will be so bummed if I miss it!! I never thought I would be a "runner" but now I am proud to be one. I love the fact that my boys can look up to their mommy as an "athlete", I hope they will catch the running bug too! I feel better than I ever have in my entire life and I owe it all to my new outlook on running....