Couch to 13.1?

I took a hiatus from running the past few months. MISTAKE! I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with it, so in the mix of moving, wedding planning, etc., I pushed it to the back burner. Our puppy Timmy however, has re-motivated me... The kid has some energy and as I always wished Chloe would run with me, I decided that if I was going to turn him into a running partner, sooner would be better than later! I've somewhat initiated him into the habit of it over the past couple of weeks and he is getting the hang of it!

I have a couple of friends that are involved in Team in Training. I'd love to participate in a group such as that, but the fundraising aspect of it is difficult for me, time-wise. Regardless, my friends have been a huge inspiration and they somehow convinced me that I could do it. What the hell, right? ;) So - on January 1st 2009 I decided I'd sign up for a half marathon. How hard could it be! I'm sure many of you have heard of the "Couch to 5K" program, well - I jumped from couch to 13.1! I mean, I worked out pretty regularly, but I had never enjoyed running, let alone running long distances. I gave myself 2.5 months to prepare and that March I ran my first half marathon. I had bronchitis a week before and my lungs were still feeling it that morning, but my amazing friend Shannon stuck through it with me and coached/motivated me the whole way!

A few things I quickly learned:

- TMI, but running jostles things up a bit and between carb loads and being in constant motion for 13.1 miles, it's a good thing pit stops are placed along the way! ;)
- Do not, I repeat....DO NOT go stagnant after a long run. Stretch immediately! It's going to hurt and it won't be fun but 2 hours later, 24 hours later and above all, 2 days later your body will appreciate it. I half-assed stretched after my first 13.1 and I was definitely sorry!
- Walk or take an easy jog the next day. Your body will thank you!
- Do not be intimidated by other runners. Marathon runners come in every shape, size and/or age. People 300 lbs and/or 75 plus years may pass you. Smile as they pass and push yourself to keep up!
- Thoughts that may go through your mind while running a distance run:
1. Adrenaline: Holy crap...lots of music, cameras, cheering...let's do this! SO MUCH FUN!
2. Crowd spreading out some, get your running groove, no problem.
3. Hmmm, my body is feeling it, but I've trained for this, so I know I can keep going...let's go.
4. If I have to run up one more hill....$&^#(&
5. Ah, downhill! ;) Make up some time.
6. I'm hungry...
7. I'm thirsty...
8. Biofreeze anyone?
9. Oh - only 3.1 miles left? Got this!
10. F! F running! F moving! F chatting with your running buddy! F the music coming from iPod! F signing up for this thing in the first place! F!F!F!!!!!!!
11. I'm hungry...and thirsty...again
12. So close to finish line! So happy!
13. ONLY .1 to go. Should go by fast!!!
14. Really....I haven't gone .1 yet?!?!?!?
15. OMG!!!! SEE FINISH LINE!!! SPRINT!!!!
16. I finished? I'm alive?
17. I finished!!!!! I'm alive!!!
18. Nice medal!
19. Let's eat.
20. Let's sleep!

The second half I did was over my birthday weekend this year. Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon! Traveled to Orlando and ran through disney world! ZOMG!! So amazing! I had a better idea what to expect, but this race was packed! Half-way through I ran through the castle at Magic Kingdom. Definitely a highlight of my life! :) Mostly a women's run, but there were a few gentlemen dressed up in their princess gear. There was even a guy in a full frog suit with a sign on his back saying "accepting kisses from princesses!" There was plenty to keep me laughing and going the whole way!

My cheerleader! :) (Don't judge me...it was 4am)

About mile 6 - about to run through the castle! Just a few  thousand people around!

I have 2 medals hanging up on my wall now! In March, B and I did a 5K together. He's never really run much, but he did great and we had a fun time together! I'm still trying to work him up to run a half with me, but he still laughs every time I approach the subject! haha. We'll see! I plan on running another race in a couple of months. Another 1/2. Everyone keeps asking me if I'll ever do a full. My response?

Really though - I don't know that I'll ever take on a full. I'd like to...but running really is hard. And time consuming (which is great motivation to run faster...ha). I feel pretty decent after a half. Sore, yes but able to move. I really think I might die if I tried to run 26.2. We'll see though. Honestly, 2 years ago I'd never even think I'd be able to say I could go 13.1 miles...at once!

Again - it is hard. Hence the "hate" part of the relationship I have with running. It is excellent for your health though and as long as you stretch and take care of yourself, your body will adapt to handling it. A little motivation/humor regarding running....

AMEN! If I can get myself out the door, then I'm good to go and always grateful that I did it! 

This makes me feel better when my iPhone app chimes in my min/mile! ha

No caption necessary!

And last, but not least...my current "like" to go along with the theme of this post:
www.rockmyrun.com
Free (like no catch kinda free) playlist downloads. Great fun running music! Can't wait to listen to mine tomorrow morning!

Go run people - the weather is cooling off and you'll be happy you did. And when you wake up to head out the door for your run - call me to make sure I'm up and on my way out as well, please! ;) ha. Thanks and gig 'em!

Until next time,

Lisa

Wedding Registering and Dog Sitting for DUMMIES!

Yes, ladies and gentleman - you get a 2 for 1 deal today!

I've been itching to blog lately. Sooo much is going on these days. I know, I sound like a broken record...the busy little bee. I do love keeping busy, but I may have out done myself this time! B keeps me laughing through it all though. A little chat we had the other day went something like this:

B: Wow, honey...we have so much going on and so much to do...
L: Really....??? We?
B: Well, you sure do, so I feel like I do and I have to tell you, it stresses me out!

Hahahahaha. Comedic relief! I swear, I should really keep a blog just for some of the email/phone/text conversations we exchange sometimes...

A glimpse into our life recently:

-Wedding: We're registered! Well, mostly...I'll get to that in a moment.
-House: Operation BUY A HOUSE!!! I'm so excited! We have our realtor already and once we get our pre-approval, we'll officially begin the hunt! AHHHHH YEAHHHHH!!!!
-Dog-sitting...I'll get to that too
-Babies! Babies! BABIES!!: Holy baby fever....how could I NOT have it a little right now when I'm surrounded by them! haha. Mary had Andy and I got to meet him this weekend. It's a little ridiculous how perfect he is! I'm in love! Then there's my little Landon Love! He's almost 1!! I don't even know where the year went. He is starting to get a little mischievous and he has totally got it figured out that his handsome little smile will get him out of a lot! hahaha. I love it! Can't wait 'til his party! And not even a month after that, Emme turns 1! They grow up way too fast! (Disclaimer: Yes, I admitted to baby fever. No...THERE WILL BE NOT BE ANY LITTLE LISA'S OR BRANDON'S RUNNING AROUND ANY TIME SOON!)
-Anniversaries: Mom & Dad hit 30 years in October! :) We plan on spending the day wit them that weekend to celebrate! :)
-Friends: Brandon's buddy is coming to town in a couple of weeks to visit for the Arkansas/A&M game. We'll be tailgating again this year with the bus, so should be a good time! And - Lindsey will be in town for the OU/Texas game, so we plan to go to the fair together! Yippee!!
Then this week alone is Shecky's on Wednesday, Maroon 5 on Friday, Horseshoe Tourney on Saturday annnnnd company picnic on Sunday!
-Engagement Photos: October 23rd...can't wait!

(And that's the short version...)

Dog Sitting: Soooooo..I thought it'd be a great idea to dog sit the entire month of September. I'm not exaggerating...literally the entire month of September! When I say dog-sitting for dummies, I mean... don't dog-sit for a month! haha. Of course, this isn't something that happens often and I was glad to be able to help out both good friends that needed it, so it's no problem, but it has been an adventure! Gus and Walter were at the beginning of the month. Gus is my FAVORITE dog other than my two...he may actually be tied with Timmy... ;) He's a 130lb Rottweiler/lap dog! He had a seizure while I was over there one night and I about had a heart attack!! Luckily all is well and he's back to eating everything in sight and ramming his toosh in your face so that you'll scratch it, but it sure did freak me out!

His eyes don't normally glow like that... ;)

Now, I'm in McKinney watching Amanda's dogs. They're all pretty good...a little "chatty", but good. The drive is a kicker, but ya know... Klondike is Amanda's oldest dog. I can't remember how old exactly but probably about 14i-sh and he reminds me of Shellie when she was in her golden years. He's a little grumpy, but mostly just slow and snuggly and I love him! :)

Registering for Dummies: If you didn't already know Brides and/or Moms-to-be...Don't register at Target. I did, but I'm about to undo it and register elsewhere. Thanks to best friend, I discovered that their return policy is a nightmare! Another tidbit...if you're comfortable with it, register ONLINE!! We spent 3+ hours in Bed, Bath & Beyond and I don't even feel like we got through half the store. We left, I cam home and finished it up online AND included 2 other stores. So much less of a hassle and I didn't feel the pressure of possibly missing something. It was all right there for me. I've since been to the stores to check it out in person and loved it all just as much then. It's nice that now-a-days you can also update your registries online at any time!

Well - it was a long weekend! Soon I'll get pictures up of Andy, but for now I'm going to finish up my dinner and do some much deserved relaxing!

Salad offsets the wine, right? ;)

And one last thing...Lisa's Latest Like: Get a Kindle. I thought I'd hate it...best thing that I ever got...ahem, that Brandon ever got. Good thing we've already adapted the theory of "what's yours is mine". :)

I think I rambled a little tonight, but thanks for letting me get it all out! Whew!

Upcoming: Football thoughts, Crock-Pots and DIY projects...oh, and pictures...hopefully lots and lots of pictures! :)

Peace out!

Lisa