Weekend and First Half Marathon Race Recap

The weekend I had been waiting for since April has come and gone.  My first half marathon, the Fort4Fitness, is in the books.  If I could sum it up in one statement I would say it was everything I had hoped for, plus more.

Friday I worked a half day then went into town to meet Megan and Brandi.  To say I was nervous would be an understatement.  I had no idea what to expect.  Would they be what I was expecting?  Would I be what they were expecting?  Thankfully, I had already met Holly and Mel several times, so I knew exactly what I was getting into once they arrived.  I am especially thankful that my nerves were unnecessary!  Brandi and Megan are such genuine people!  I am so glad to have finally met them!  It was also great meeting Faith, another Fort Wayne local. Hello, new running buddy!

Story time with Holly.

Friday night consisted of pasta dinner, lots of water, and very little sleep for me.  

Meredith, Kristie, Kara, Mel, Brandi, Megan, me, and Holly

Saturday morning I had my pre-race breakfast of two pieces of toast with peat butter and one egg.  Not being an experienced half marathoner I had no idea how much I needed to eat.  Turns out, I ate the perfect amount!

Once we left and headed into town my nerves about the race calmed.  I met up with the girls, we drank some more water, took pre-race pictures so if I died, there was proof that I at least started, went to the bathroom, and found our corral.  As soon as I entered the corral, I was calm and collected.  I knew I had a job to do, and I was determined to not die do that job.

Here's a recap of my thoughts mile by mile as I ran....

Mile 1 - I hope I can do this.

Mile 2 - Look at all these people running!  This is the moment I have been training for! Oh, there's a bathroom, wonder if Meg needs to go? 

Mile 3 - 5K complete and I'm feeling good!  Megan and Holly are by my side.  We're going to do this!

Mile 4 - Single digits remain!  I hope Holly is okay, she doesn't appear to be having any fun.

Mile 5 - Water!  Body check - legs?  Feeling good.  Breathing?  Calm and controlled. Dare I say this is fun?!?!

Mile 6 - Almost half way.  I wonder how far ahead Mel and Brandi are.

Mile 7 - Why did the guy on the hovaround just ask the people walking if they are okay?  How is he going to transport them if they arent?

Mile 8 - Well over half way!  5 more to go.  

Mile 9 - Knees are a little sore, must keep moving.  Crap!  The 2:20 pace team is behind me.  I cannot let them pass me!!

Mile 10 - I'm feeling okay, only 3.1 more.  

Mile 11 - There's Mom and Dad!!  I'm still smiling! (They were the push I needed to finish strong)  Beer shots!!  Just what I've been waiting for!

Mile 12 - This is the longest mile of my life! Where is the stadium??

              I wonder where R, Lee, Brooke, and Jen are?

              I see American Flags up ahead, that has to be them!!  I'm taking that flag with me!!

Mile 13 - (inside the stadium)  Look at all the people!  I can't believe this is almost over!  Smile and celebrate for the finish line camera!

First post-race photo.  Loved having these ladies there to
 cheer me on at the finish! 

I completed my first half marathon in 2:19.  

 

SO thankful for these 4 ladies!
They have no idea how much their support meant!
HUGE thanks to Brady Bands for providing the only headband I've ever worn that truly did not slip!

After everyone finished we walked over to The Dash-In for lunch and a surprise Baby Sprinkle for PregMeg.   It was great meeting so many new friends at the diner!

Then Megan got the best idea ever!  Post race pedicures!  Seven of us loaded up in my car and off we went to pamper our poor toes. I'm definitely doing this after every half!

After naps and MUCH needed showers, we met up for dinner and a headed to a place called Flashbacks (an 80's bar downtown).

Great way to end a great day! 

I was so humbled to have friends come from out of state to run with me.  I have been amazed by my husband who has believed from the day I registered back in April that I could do this.  He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.  Our group of friends came out and tailgated by the finish line (even my best friend who is could-pop-anyday-pregnant!).  I couldn't ask for a better group of friends.  And my Mom and Dad, who have always been my number one fans were along the route.  I was so happy to see them! I wanted to hug them, but I didn't... I had a goal to beat!  :)    

I think the highlight of my race besides surviving was Holly telling me, post-race, "I just ran behind you for three miles and watched your tiny ass!"  NO ONE has ever called my ass tiny!  Thanks Holly!  You'll forever be the whipped vodka to my pineapple juice after that one!  

Bucket list update: Run a half marathon = check!

Harper Young

I had all intentions of writing this post yesterday, but school was crazy and I wasn't even able to sit at my desk and check my email until 3:40. Anywho... here's the scoop...

My IRL friend, Lora, from Raising Steppe Sisters, delivered her precious bundle of joy on Sunday.  She was just 26ish weeks pregnant at the time.  Baby Harper is stable, but they have been told the first 75 hours are the most critical.  Please pray for these 75 hours to go by without complication.  Once past those 75 hours, Harper will still have a long road ahead of him. He will be in the hospital until December.  In order to help, some friends have sent up a fund raising page for the family.  If you are able and feel called to donate, please visit this page. No amount is too small.  If you are unable to give financially, please pray for baby Harper, as well as his Mommy, Daddy, and two big sisters.

Also,  as most of you know, I am an independent distributor for Advocare.  I will be donating 100% of my profits from now through November 1st to Baby Harper's fund.  If you need Spark, a 10 Day Cleanse, or even a 24 Day Challenge Bundle, you will not only be helping yourself live a healthier lifestyle, but you will also be helping Harper. The buttons below will link you directly to the my 10 Day Cleanse and 24 Day Challenge pages.

                                           

Happy Hump Day friends!  The rest of my week is busy preparing for my girls to arrive on Friday and focusing on getting through my first half marathon on Saturday.  It should be a good weekend!!!

Not Your Average Monday

Good morning.

As most of us are getting to work after a weekend of fun and relaxation, that's not the case for everyone.  

Lora discovered back in April that she was expecting a bundle of joy.  She and FH have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little guy (his due date was December 28th) who decided to make his appearance quite a bit early.  Yesterday to be exact.

So while you go about your average, normal Monday, please take a moment to stop and say a prayer for Baby Harper, the doctors and nurses working with him,  Lora, FH, K and A because for them, this is not the average Monday.

Where I've Been

After a chat with my gal pal, Kimmy, last night, where she felt the need to point out my lack of blogging, I figured I would pop in quickly and let you all know what I've been up to...

Basically my days have consisted of going to work, coming home, running, making dinner, and going to bed.  The next day, I get up, go to work, come home, run, make dinner, and go to bed.  Followed again my getting up the next day, going to work, coming home, running, making dinner, and going to bed.  

You get the point.

I have one more week of running all. the. time.  Then I'm never running again.  Okay, that's not entirely true, but I will be taking  a few days off.  

I am excited to say at this time next week I will be preparing for Melanie, Holly, Megan, and Mama Laughlin to arrive in town for our weekend of running.  It's sure to be a good time - minus the running. 

So there you have it.  Not much exciting has been happening around here.  I'll get back to blogging more regularly soon!!

#TeamGarrett

Hey hey!!!  Today I have a post from my girl Kimmy.  She is a dear friend with a heat of gold.  Read below to find out how she is changing lives and how you can help!!


#TEAMGARRETT

I have the privilege of belonging to an amazing baseball family.  One little boy on our team has cancer.  He loves baseball so much.  He might be the smallest on our team, but he definitely has the most hustle and effort.  When he can't be around other kids during treatments he is in his backyard working.  Our team is raising money for the family and the weekend of September 14th Andrew along with some other teammates, is shaving his head to show his support to his friend and teammate Garrett!

Garrett is 7 years old and has been fighting neuroblastoma since he was 4. He is going through chemo and recently had MIBG therapy in July.  Garrett LOVES baseball.  His teammates have decided to come together and raise money for his family and the huge medical expenses they are accumulating.  The weekend of Sept 14th we will be blessing his family with our efforts and some of the boys will be shaving their heads to show Garrett support.  Would you consider donating to this amazing family?  We want to blow their mind with support in every way we can! We are TEAM GARRETT!

Ways to help:

You can paypal to rangersmoore@gmail.com
Or email kimmybows1@gmail.com to get a physical address you can mail to.
Also please repost this on every social media outlet you have! If you would like to reblog it for me, I would LOVE that.  Email me and I can send you the HTML of this post.

Rock your short weeks lovelies!

#TEAMGARRETT