tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24438659937161857582024-03-04T23:45:40.775-06:00Best of the Barron'sCan't get a hold of me on my phone? That seems to be a common complaint amongst my friends and family. You can catch up with what we are doing by reading my blog. Stay tuned.......Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-72359216475501975692011-12-05T08:54:00.018-06:002011-12-06T09:29:51.084-06:00Dallas White Rock Marathon Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip42FfIAifKw_phNh74BjX5oW9HpKCb3V_V_bvlZKSE_EIjHAZWiKhewPv_wWymwTgpatxggRV6_XBQjxVF-L3EuJ878IgYMVes2Pp483MhcuqyJPdXdJuSi-F1hTfIjUWPMtyzH5v1BbH/s1600/marathon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip42FfIAifKw_phNh74BjX5oW9HpKCb3V_V_bvlZKSE_EIjHAZWiKhewPv_wWymwTgpatxggRV6_XBQjxVF-L3EuJ878IgYMVes2Pp483MhcuqyJPdXdJuSi-F1hTfIjUWPMtyzH5v1BbH/s320/marathon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682682561848572482" /></a><br />Yesterday was the big day. After 25 weeks of training with Luke's Locker in Allen, I ran my first 26.2 marathon. I can honestly say that it was the HARDEST thing I have EVER done.<br /><br />Back Story: Saturday night we went to our Sunday School classes Christmas party. The hosts from our class are also the ones that encouraged me to attempt my first marathon. Amy has run several marathons and decided to sign up with Luke's Locker Marathon Training Group and told me about it. I knew I couldn't tackle this endeavor on my own so I too joined Luke's training program. Let me just say it was awesome. The coaches, training and support have been invaluable. Amy has been a huge cheerleader and encourager for me during this process. At the party she let me borrow a copy of the movie "Spirit of the Marathon" to watch that night before the big day. I did just that and it was so inspiring. I recommend to anyone considering a marathon to watch it. Amy also asked if I had any good luck items that I would be bringing with me to the marathon. I didn't, she walked back to her room and came out with her good luck charms for running her marathons. A beautiful pair of silver 26.2 earrings. She let me borrow them for good luck. I proudly wore them yesterday during my marathon. Thank you, Amy! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu-fzJ-pLMxKiRQJ1FGeg6zgjWrTJ_qXQTLVeza4ft6qnN7jCuEIogUXGD-s1qO9Ngbf6zy-W-QTH0SjPCpAjeZYUx6wcAe6TGX0uYV0aMD9M8lcmGsXSFMuVmrOsjbr90O8GAR7V2ejD/s1600/marathonmovie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu-fzJ-pLMxKiRQJ1FGeg6zgjWrTJ_qXQTLVeza4ft6qnN7jCuEIogUXGD-s1qO9Ngbf6zy-W-QTH0SjPCpAjeZYUx6wcAe6TGX0uYV0aMD9M8lcmGsXSFMuVmrOsjbr90O8GAR7V2ejD/s320/marathonmovie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683030468594700434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI96qtVvBcgNLjAMAyvVoaoaWE5Eti5-XvYoCgZcdOYYknIGDgFFxT5JZbKBoW0h6ahVrMi7JgNHxqDBXuK8x4V-OZoR8Jl9oMtCKaelg-5QMRlUdYQ7NJLqCUdhyTWRv20lUWg__oyMFq/s1600/marathonearrings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI96qtVvBcgNLjAMAyvVoaoaWE5Eti5-XvYoCgZcdOYYknIGDgFFxT5JZbKBoW0h6ahVrMi7JgNHxqDBXuK8x4V-OZoR8Jl9oMtCKaelg-5QMRlUdYQ7NJLqCUdhyTWRv20lUWg__oyMFq/s320/marathonearrings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683030462320436642" /></a><br />So, I set the alarm for 4:45 a.m. to give me time to prepare for the race. I needed to eat and make sure I had all my gear, which had been laid out the day before. We were on schedule and headed out at 5:45 a.m. Plenty of time to get to Fair Park. WRONG! It took 2 hours and 10 minutes to get there when it should have taken 40 minutes. The rain that stayed with us the entire day caused gridlock on the way. It took us 40 minutes to go 1/4 mile. We were making great time, we got to the 75 and 30 exit and sat on the bridge barely moving for 40 minutes. Once we finally got on 30 every exit was backed up forever. When we finally got off at our exit the traffic was backed up at every light. A police officer was redirecting traffic to another route which we were unfamiliar with and at this point we had no idea where we were or how far from Fair Park we were, plus there were no signs and no more police officers directing traffic. Finally at 7:50 a.m. I could see where we needed to park but traffic was inching along. At this point I burst into tears. Keith had missed the bus that was suppose to take him to his relay point, I was going to be late for the marathon and there would be no time to find my running partners from Luke's. I was completely FRAZZLED! Keith pulled into the parking lot, ignored all the people directing traffic and rushed me to the front gate so I could run in and find the baggage drop and the corral to start. <br /><br />I was dropped off at 7:56 a.m. The race started in 4 minutes. I started following a lot of other runners who were trying to get to the bag drop off and the start line. I found the entrance to the corrals but didn't see the bag drop off spot. I started asking people. I found a lady who looked like she worked there and asked her where the bag drop was. She pointed in the opposite direction and said it was a 10-15 minute walk to it. The gun went off to start the race. I freaked! I HAD to drop off our bags. The bags contained dry clothes and shoes for after the race. We would need them. It was cold and rainy. I ran to the bag drop and checked in our stuff. While dropping off the bags I ran into Johan, the first runner for the relay team I had encouraged being put together so I would have someone new to run with every 5 miles or so. <br /><br />I also had to stop in the bathroom. When I came out I didn't see him so I figured he went to the corral to start the race. I headed that way too. I could see the corral but couldn't find the entrance gate. There was a chain link fence between me and the corral. The race had started I wasn't sure which corral was left waiting to start, I got frantic again and climbed the chain link fence and jumped over. At this point I see Johan heading my way from the bag drop so I wait for him and we start the race together. I run with Johan for about 2 miles and realize I'm running a sub 10 minute pace and decide to slow it down. He goes on ahead to his relay point, Keith is waiting there for him.<br /><br />When I pass the 5 mile mark I start looking for signs on where the relay team will enter. I'm hoping to find Keith and run with him for a bit. I've been running by myself since mile 2 because of the chaotic start. The miles are not marked very well between miles 5 and 10. I finally see Keith ahead of me and catch up to him. We run together for a few minutes. He has just realized he is running a steady incline. It happens to be the portion of the course with the biggest incline. I didn't tell him this ahead of time in hopes of not psyching him out. I end up leaving him behind when he decides to take a walk break.<br /><br />Onto point two. Kim is to join me for this leg of the race. I was really looking forward to it since I had been running solo for the majority of the race until this point. I pass her relay entrance and keep going because I know Keith is behind me but I'm not sure how far. I try and take it slow, one to conserve energy because I know I started out to fast and two to allow Kim to catch up. Finally, as I'm entering the White Rock Lake trail portion I see some porta-potties. I decide to stop and luckily Kim catches up with me. I was so happy to see her. Around mile 12 I start to hit the wall. Way to early in the race for this to happen but with all the drama of trying to get to the race, my start being too fast, the cold and rain were taking a toll. I pulled out one of my mini payday bars. They work better for me than GU. I knew I needed to eat something because my vision was getting blurry and I'm also thinking I just want to quit. My left hamstring is hurting, my hands are freezing (I steal Kim's running gloves and never give them back) I have no energy, blurry vision and I feel really stiff. I don't quit though because I have told everyone I know, people on Facebook and complete strangers. I can't tell them I just gave up so I keep trucking along with Kim's encouragement.<br /><br />I guess it is around mile 15 I run into the Jane's (Jane Burk and Jane Wilson) from my Luke's Running Group. Jane W. is doing awesome and is like the energizer bunny and just runs on past us. Jane B. is running this as a 22 mile training run because her marathon is in Houston in a couple weeks. Jane B. stays behind and runs with Kim and I. She is a huge blessing to see. Very supportive and encouraging! I have to make yet another porta-potty stop at mile 16 so Kim runs on ahead to pass off the timing chip to Derek who is running the next leg.<br /><br />Jane and I run/walk together to mile 16.5 where we pick up Derek. Derek ran with us until the first water stop where myself and Jane B. grab some water and walk and Derek keeps on going. So proud of Derek!!! Jane B. and I run/walk (I did more walking than I wanted to going into this race) I'm still having a lot of stiffness and my hamstring is killing me. But with Jane B's encouragement I keep on trucking. Just over the Dolly Parton hills is the last relay point. It is mile 21 and Jane B. and I pick up Sam.<br /><br />Sam is a ball of energy. Great person to have bring me in the last 5.2 miles. She use to be a track coach and has one of the most positive and enthusiastic personalities. I told Kim at packet pick up on Friday that I was afraid Sam's enthusiasm at mile 21 might irritate me because I would be so tired at that point. I'm happy to report it didn't. Sam provided the encouragement both Jane B. and I needed to finish. Jane B. decided to do the whole marathon and not stop at mile 22 as she had planned for her training run. Jane B. got a second wind around mile 24 and I didn't see her again. Sam was great at keeping me going....we would run to mile markers she picked out along the way. I'm so glad she was there or I probably would have walked the last 5 miles. Sam was singing, dancing, encouraging all the runners and her liveliness kept me going. She encouraged one guy to stop walking and run along with us. She is an awesome encourager. I'm not going to lie. This last stretch was difficult. Sam would tell me we were going to run and I would role my eyes, but I did it. My stomach was getting very upset around mile 24 and I made my last porta-potty stop. I also had Sam feeding me pretzel sticks for the salt. When we finally started to head into Fair Park and passed the mile 26 banner I knew there was only .2 to go. Sam really encouraged me to pick up the pace and finish strong. It was so hard. I just wanted to be under the yellow "Finish" banner. I was never so happy to be done. Kim and Derek greeted me, Keith had been getting pics of me finishing and caught up to us as we walked to the finishers building to get my medal and change clothes. It was a huge feeling of accomplishment and I was sooooooooooo happy to be done and get out of the cold and rain.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichgr4wXwMDSE0OTummZKZuTUGW4swyTAE4bPF_aVPkNTrtdabrvhyuOEA4sSLU5TJxfjN9E1qI-v01U-DINsuF6WRsgbBfqpRvpc86fVsEA6Rf1ePyLRpwCeMtKul6o3uoiQ2kROsf-jq/s1600/mesamruntofinish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichgr4wXwMDSE0OTummZKZuTUGW4swyTAE4bPF_aVPkNTrtdabrvhyuOEA4sSLU5TJxfjN9E1qI-v01U-DINsuF6WRsgbBfqpRvpc86fVsEA6Rf1ePyLRpwCeMtKul6o3uoiQ2kROsf-jq/s320/mesamruntofinish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682684810517406258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIssCQUEmLcSmkWCtzATRXXll-CKtDbQ9Shfar9zbAsnzUiQPo-0pT_pvCsU199XcPApILOcVnKS3hrrV1v2aC7Z0XvTUYrkIwVB1LXHOSdVBCJUIQ9ZpduR9gzQp6G6ttqW5sc1N4C9E3/s1600/marathonfinish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIssCQUEmLcSmkWCtzATRXXll-CKtDbQ9Shfar9zbAsnzUiQPo-0pT_pvCsU199XcPApILOcVnKS3hrrV1v2aC7Z0XvTUYrkIwVB1LXHOSdVBCJUIQ9ZpduR9gzQp6G6ttqW5sc1N4C9E3/s320/marathonfinish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682685126046287138" /></a><br />We headed into the finishers building where I received my medal and finisher shirt, took some photos and grabbed a bagel and banana. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuftMxIbO7w2kQ8K1zA8vPKJ3Bqk5aI_v2ecofOiFEjTgAXWXgN9HcAFU7Jux78DG1C3KK89N8yI2gsYh65zCRcvMsSoyMA1sATG-3GCARy_CryXRL7GQP5bmLLKPA8gDIQ9zSGKGBeUS_/s1600/marathonmedal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuftMxIbO7w2kQ8K1zA8vPKJ3Bqk5aI_v2ecofOiFEjTgAXWXgN9HcAFU7Jux78DG1C3KK89N8yI2gsYh65zCRcvMsSoyMA1sATG-3GCARy_CryXRL7GQP5bmLLKPA8gDIQ9zSGKGBeUS_/s320/marathonmedal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683031923657795794" /></a><br />I got my clothes and changed. I've never been so happy to get into dry clothing. Then we got to walk another 2-3 miles to the car in the cold and rain.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OobjatpFabNlIUP0HifIrDLmzZP_6UjxxqZO3fjvFwFTCu6Xj5GYelGXH51z4yeGbOfJ0JopZnDz0OqiaLKRgIqa7TIKUp4Bg895U3ra1CfP88Hc-HS_qz7wwfvneywAJvodZZBho19r/s1600/marathonteam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OobjatpFabNlIUP0HifIrDLmzZP_6UjxxqZO3fjvFwFTCu6Xj5GYelGXH51z4yeGbOfJ0JopZnDz0OqiaLKRgIqa7TIKUp4Bg895U3ra1CfP88Hc-HS_qz7wwfvneywAJvodZZBho19r/s320/marathonteam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682685416807172834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2iPvcIk7GUf1pzekuY6WtsC9Q3Bd2DcAu2Czdm6WfiVPxlZjdy-Bi-FyW0PBtBrkXfcbgVGKuHUpHW4pFEQXUpZ7dUzyRb7X54bPzuRe4KLo2TKNHmjmotX_EDogBjJicOmZLfxRD4Z_/s1600/marathonmeandkim.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2iPvcIk7GUf1pzekuY6WtsC9Q3Bd2DcAu2Czdm6WfiVPxlZjdy-Bi-FyW0PBtBrkXfcbgVGKuHUpHW4pFEQXUpZ7dUzyRb7X54bPzuRe4KLo2TKNHmjmotX_EDogBjJicOmZLfxRD4Z_/s320/marathonmeandkim.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682685411521311202" /></a><br />Kim, Sam, Derek, Keith and I enjoyed a celebratory lunch at Chili's. I left the house at 5:45 a.m. and got home at 5:45 p.m.. It was a long day and one that I am proud of!<br /><br />P.S. Huge Congratulations to my husband. He has never even run a 5K and came out on a cold, rainy day to run a 5 mile leg of the relay to support me. He is the BEST! I am so proud of him. I love you, Keith!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYgsPDHHAPk9-JgCy_AwvGVife1ZXgA3lF_pOTHUn6FR4QlhZcTc8H-JZl71KNQyRNwHIEKaFdFyXMNnPcuFEbyXUiDPHswX45oL4FjoGwUOtfZEivIPed7vYRLaLKKrGifNY6EfkE6aV/s1600/marathon+relay+medal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYgsPDHHAPk9-JgCy_AwvGVife1ZXgA3lF_pOTHUn6FR4QlhZcTc8H-JZl71KNQyRNwHIEKaFdFyXMNnPcuFEbyXUiDPHswX45oL4FjoGwUOtfZEivIPed7vYRLaLKKrGifNY6EfkE6aV/s320/marathon+relay+medal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683033275007471282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi2-rWIF84WDaH678w9knVtQA4AzBuAMJ7Att22xf5VFWCGQNqgUGDE_W_b_FsPCzdY6PfCVMZx4Q08zTh4EOVxaNCGgiHi3wvRqvRKQALJguZPLJzOZZzw3Ipi864U-1IlJ-cr4LdG7O/s1600/marathonkeith.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi2-rWIF84WDaH678w9knVtQA4AzBuAMJ7Att22xf5VFWCGQNqgUGDE_W_b_FsPCzdY6PfCVMZx4Q08zTh4EOVxaNCGgiHi3wvRqvRKQALJguZPLJzOZZzw3Ipi864U-1IlJ-cr4LdG7O/s320/marathonkeith.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683033279904765394" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-82874297281051950682011-09-25T21:35:00.007-05:002011-09-28T17:37:10.156-05:00I did it...You CAN too!So, I ran across some photos recently of my "Fat Days". I know I've lost a lot of weight over the past year but to see it in pictures really makes it REAL for me. If that makes any sense. I'm not proud that I had let myself get so overweight but I am happy to say that through a lot of hard work I've lost it.<br /><br />Just a year ago at this time I was training for my first 5k and beginning to lose weight. A year later and I'm training to run a full marathon in less than 70 days.<br /><br />I'm printing the pictures below and hanging them up in my bathroom as a reminder to myself that I NEVER want to be that overweight again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMByEutHGF1ExNW3E0vOVoelEulT4qinZjSnIuWsaqqPbpx-ITsvvrYHyKdskwzs74Sawnftmq-2vM44IHfIz3R88bqgCIpzhnP9FIbopOFaTQ11ixlmSSEmxOZCwLPRDGT_R0spPRNBx/s1600/fatfront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMByEutHGF1ExNW3E0vOVoelEulT4qinZjSnIuWsaqqPbpx-ITsvvrYHyKdskwzs74Sawnftmq-2vM44IHfIz3R88bqgCIpzhnP9FIbopOFaTQ11ixlmSSEmxOZCwLPRDGT_R0spPRNBx/s320/fatfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656497189131925170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCQ0-_xCbhq2I4P_Z0EqKQU1euVoXt47_hdvFWWtpUiZ40BpkliJGJak5wFolnxpwhm-5PHAeV8Va6XJC6SNxlbKtqmUFFvhbDvNoCVA2uRtFaqkfXHR3pbFwhUL9rg5v6J0CbHIVWB2S/s1600/fattyslide.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCQ0-_xCbhq2I4P_Z0EqKQU1euVoXt47_hdvFWWtpUiZ40BpkliJGJak5wFolnxpwhm-5PHAeV8Va6XJC6SNxlbKtqmUFFvhbDvNoCVA2uRtFaqkfXHR3pbFwhUL9rg5v6J0CbHIVWB2S/s320/fattyslide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657539019793110786" /></a><br /><br />A little back story. My doctor is also a friend from Church. So I see him at Church on Sunday and different events that the Church puts on. I was in to see the doctor last week because I was having some back pain (as mentioned in my last blog post). It is a pinched nerve. On Sunday, our Church hosted "Taste Of Cottonwood". All the Life Groups (Adult Sunday School) put up a table with a featured dish. I'm our classes social director so I orchestrated our classes theme (Breakfast Casseroles) and was at the event helping to serve samples. Keith did his normal wandering around and talking to everyone. He is so shy! He saw Doc and asked him if he had finally fixed me so I would quit complaining. He is so sympathetic. Keith also asked him what he thought about the 83 pounds I lost. Turns out Doc said I had lost A LOT more than that. <br /><br />Let me backtrack a bit....when I started running in May 2010 and changed up my diet in July 2010 I "guesstimated" on my weight. We didn't have a scale at the time and I did not want one because I could look in the mirror and see how overweight I was. It is a good thing doctors keep a record of your weight when you come in or you may never now the real number. Back to today....I called the Doctor's office to get my official "High" weight and to my AMAZEMENT I have lost 131 pounds since October 2008.<br /><br />131 POUNDS! That is a small adult or teen. I am flabbergasted! I now realize why I get the reaction I do from people I haven't seen in a long time.<br /><br />So, I say to those of you who are struggling with weight loss, IT CAN BE DONE! Take baby steps, start out slow but know that YOU can do it. Find what you enjoy and stick with it. I'm a real example of someone who did it!<br /><br /><em>Trust in the LORD with all your heart,<br />and do not lean on your own understanding. <br />In all your ways acknowledge him,<br />and he will make straight your paths. <br />Proverbs 3:5-6</em>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-12918218006999876632011-09-22T19:09:00.015-05:002011-09-22T20:35:45.311-05:00TDF '11I ran a 20k race known as "Tour des Fleurs" this past Saturday with my Luke's Locker running group. The race is included as part of our Lukes Fit Marathon Training. It began at the Dallas Arboretum and followed the White Rock Lake trail and veered into some of the beautiful older Dallas neighborhoods. This is part of the White Rock Marathon that I will be running later this year. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_nDdyVgPTI9Q1oJYckRX-XiFlUubaL_A8z3wUCMDIGYstS1qfYUhRPqohdX1ih8fsbqhytMLD0p6UALeLnReSLLKwED3HAoEBYGIth0WHRNI6pCzLX3hIHiPfM7F-xEujuHszWMHxhQ-/s1600/tdf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_nDdyVgPTI9Q1oJYckRX-XiFlUubaL_A8z3wUCMDIGYstS1qfYUhRPqohdX1ih8fsbqhytMLD0p6UALeLnReSLLKwED3HAoEBYGIth0WHRNI6pCzLX3hIHiPfM7F-xEujuHszWMHxhQ-/s320/tdf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655343958341034002" /></a><br />The Arboretum is all decked out for fall and beautiful. I'd like to take the kids back to see it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaouJ5E88oKgAPu3MHcVtQkQxbyrcyZmM0pO9Mjjo1Xh8k-zJlx92oD0sTJjFTpzuK13t4_HzVG_GgfxcvxY41TJGZbGtgssZ4VBC12f3EfhE1PWXwiY8dJl8JLfccN6cUK_AZ5wWoF_Y/s1600/arboretum2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaouJ5E88oKgAPu3MHcVtQkQxbyrcyZmM0pO9Mjjo1Xh8k-zJlx92oD0sTJjFTpzuK13t4_HzVG_GgfxcvxY41TJGZbGtgssZ4VBC12f3EfhE1PWXwiY8dJl8JLfccN6cUK_AZ5wWoF_Y/s320/arboretum2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655353084251403746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAyszlbxhyphenhyphentJWFVQ5yI7Hs21V_WZHQapvhG-q4mOKOkeUdhLtEyc77Uzr_I_Xmjr8xOCq9pkDM5U7qc07tabbil11ciJOOFMp92X0S7-qSgir9uSWT6PYMN9883HrJi-5oTFk2cON5J1J/s1600/arboretum4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAyszlbxhyphenhyphentJWFVQ5yI7Hs21V_WZHQapvhG-q4mOKOkeUdhLtEyc77Uzr_I_Xmjr8xOCq9pkDM5U7qc07tabbil11ciJOOFMp92X0S7-qSgir9uSWT6PYMN9883HrJi-5oTFk2cON5J1J/s320/arboretum4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655353206478319538" /></a><br />The race started at 7:30 a.m. and the night before it had rained. It was VERY humid out. The humidity was disappointing since the weekend before we were spoiled and got to enjoy cool, fall like, weather. I was not pleased with my time of 2:32:51. However, I was thrilled to get an email from our coaches recapping the race. I wasn't the only one complaining about my pace and several other runners commented that their time was slower than their best half. The coaches had the following to say:<br /><br />* The weather-need I say more. November and March are far better Half Marathon months than September. <br /><br />* You are not currently optimally trained for THIS distance. Our current focus is a race more than twice as long as this 20K. We have just completed hill training which has stressed our bodies and we did not taper (rest and recover) for this race. <br /><br />* This race really wasn't a 'race' for us, it was a training run to practice a distance at our marathon goal paces-faster than what we have been doing our long runs, but not as fast as I know most of you could run this distance under ideal conditions. <br /><br />So, personally I felt great the first half of the race. As we veered off the lake path and into the neighborhoods it got really HILLY. I was doing great until I got to one hill that never seemed to end. I don't know which street this was but I decided to walk the hill. It was after this that my toes started to bother me. I think this was around mile 8.<br /><br />The last .4 miles seemed never ending. I was dog tired, my foot was killing me and my back was bothering me which I found out today is the result of a piched nerve. My lower back has been bothering me for a couple months, I've had trouble sitting because of the pain so I finally went to see my doctor. He said it was a pinched nerve and put me on a 9 day steroid regimen. I'm hoping this helps clear it up.<br /><br />But I FINISHED and am mentally preparing for this Saturday's 16 miler.<br /><br />OBNOXIOUS PHOTO SERIES AHEAD:<br /><br />Me along the trail.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE2Z359Z2nO82j36cleDV4pMG0wx0oWNfEa9gzF1JVYO7_scqamTwAkw2c9wLE9aZnM9F1v0y8i736yldEYEP18XQYVIjyLBd6KpCfvgJnsC28h4apPAq1uOsHhOG-nX64LBoNT9z_7ep/s1600/tdf4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE2Z359Z2nO82j36cleDV4pMG0wx0oWNfEa9gzF1JVYO7_scqamTwAkw2c9wLE9aZnM9F1v0y8i736yldEYEP18XQYVIjyLBd6KpCfvgJnsC28h4apPAq1uOsHhOG-nX64LBoNT9z_7ep/s320/tdf4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655354047231963090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx8XT6dP9r43LWWdzZl3_Ud7I7VCB94idXcRpACHMjcnFLijNttI3blfJgpAUdKgQZpM9KOa8wXumpu5GgDCPMlGfNolCRiw-JBr0yoSgRqPMYwvqgvhCMRzUtHWN2a00l_sFW1WQzOXY/s1600/tdf3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx8XT6dP9r43LWWdzZl3_Ud7I7VCB94idXcRpACHMjcnFLijNttI3blfJgpAUdKgQZpM9KOa8wXumpu5GgDCPMlGfNolCRiw-JBr0yoSgRqPMYwvqgvhCMRzUtHWN2a00l_sFW1WQzOXY/s320/tdf3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655353989219285474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOdFdN5ATWdjZG52o-Y2thm0GEYEG-7IU2UMYRlyE6rgM9WepFZOnFAtxtgA8r0lUQzzf6dJOlDRmTRc7bE_i3pM2KS1gaoUPnGORJxG2caC-82LM91mm8XeHWmk_wpBkpLcIxcZQqAZX/s1600/tdf1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOdFdN5ATWdjZG52o-Y2thm0GEYEG-7IU2UMYRlyE6rgM9WepFZOnFAtxtgA8r0lUQzzf6dJOlDRmTRc7bE_i3pM2KS1gaoUPnGORJxG2caC-82LM91mm8XeHWmk_wpBkpLcIxcZQqAZX/s320/tdf1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655353899368137010" /></a><br />About to cross finish line with running coach, Kristen.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ5stiUdT8qe0zFHcqlZ_BlDCOIBWV2iOU6Gkq66thrVLilVxOgKhucS8N83SgF3wVpr9NPiVUFmtBSEYmMyBZanF-f9u3XjwLPoXXfFvZG8SQbQkK7vrtIcoyp1uZh1DjFfMzjkXXzzE/s1600/tdf2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ5stiUdT8qe0zFHcqlZ_BlDCOIBWV2iOU6Gkq66thrVLilVxOgKhucS8N83SgF3wVpr9NPiVUFmtBSEYmMyBZanF-f9u3XjwLPoXXfFvZG8SQbQkK7vrtIcoyp1uZh1DjFfMzjkXXzzE/s320/tdf2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655354336924972162" /></a><br />20K Results (click to enlarge)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69cvuDuhx8w1wLzwV-r1nZVd_fjhwd8Eps8NzXLPHvEIOtoNmhv5cFKFAShkcCPRuzBD8piFBFfiFQCmAmpLmUqEy00uSZnW4KFnqE9pRr51QzLD996VjPZQiG9MrMdBA_d0Lp5pc2eCa/s1600/20k+results.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 34px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69cvuDuhx8w1wLzwV-r1nZVd_fjhwd8Eps8NzXLPHvEIOtoNmhv5cFKFAShkcCPRuzBD8piFBFfiFQCmAmpLmUqEy00uSZnW4KFnqE9pRr51QzLD996VjPZQiG9MrMdBA_d0Lp5pc2eCa/s320/20k+results.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655354655063164018" /></a><br />LIVE 80 – The Ultimate 80′s Experience – played 80′s hits on the Martin Rutchik Concert Lawn<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChcaOlzeUWMb4UppBvC2ZpcsIU2u_ggk3E_X7YFaDIBSyXK7EG8ohpwDBl1wPwuXGT15sLE1INGXmFaicYHuwzS-DKGuPgG8pOtZif9Y59f0fF7H8nQOmW7qQpvF5LZNvMXA_6E9usibz/s1600/live80band.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChcaOlzeUWMb4UppBvC2ZpcsIU2u_ggk3E_X7YFaDIBSyXK7EG8ohpwDBl1wPwuXGT15sLE1INGXmFaicYHuwzS-DKGuPgG8pOtZif9Y59f0fF7H8nQOmW7qQpvF5LZNvMXA_6E9usibz/s320/live80band.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655355353524890050" /></a><br />Have a blessed week!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-44307875345365707492011-09-08T13:24:00.021-05:002011-09-08T16:03:20.840-05:00A visit with my Grandparent'sEarly Saturday morning I headed out with Kim and dad and we drove to Minnesota. Nothing like a 14 hour drive to kick off the holiday weekend.<br /><br />We arrived in Pine Island, MN around 8:15 p.m. that evening and were greeted by my grandfather. The last time I had seen my grandfather just over a year ago when he moved from Sherman, TX to Pine Island, MN. He didn't recognize me at first. I've lost 82 pounds since I last saw him and if you know my grandfather then you know he says exactly what everyone is thinking. There is no sugar coating his remarks and you need to have a thick skin around him. Once he realized it was his eldest granddaughter he had to share that the last time he saw me I was for a lack of a better word, huge. He held his hands very far apart to emphasize how wide I was when he last saw me. And for the remainder of my visit asked everyone we encountered who knew me to "guess how much weight I'd lost?" Gotta love that old man. That is just the way he is and in his own way was expressing how proud he was of me. Our family certainly gets our sarcasm from Grandpa Jackson.<br /><br />Sunday morning after Kim and I woke up...around 9:00 (nice to get to sleep in) we ate a little breakfast and chatted with dad and grandpa at the breakfast table then headed out for a run on the Douglas Trail. It was a beautiful morning, in the mid 50's and I actually enjoyed my run. Amazing what cooler temperatures will do for your endurance during a run. The 6.5 miles flew by with beautiful scenery, cool temps and a flat trail ;-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer3Wf1R6YF_dhmwuqpQtGyC65qCEwUSJ7_5rO50YtDgaUjkJsjRuVq0U1xVqaeqGeyd4gSGPCLBZynWwXB12pkiIjWD7F-hZ6FUuqxrUdWVR-4eE0MlEpIWZtfJRS2W276xt6Kg50T_kZ/s1600/pi4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer3Wf1R6YF_dhmwuqpQtGyC65qCEwUSJ7_5rO50YtDgaUjkJsjRuVq0U1xVqaeqGeyd4gSGPCLBZynWwXB12pkiIjWD7F-hZ6FUuqxrUdWVR-4eE0MlEpIWZtfJRS2W276xt6Kg50T_kZ/s320/pi4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650062486090082802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS94m415VuObCGgcNGpynDSAiFkrPO6ImUm_q9FL3ixZUyp_ysE3vQ34mTPO4U3CUw_Ek586EOGuV1y8-YTznMcgwIyI8LdHILs6IFIXKcyU-O4oGQUpYCx262AzWAas3B2iJuiJRWtHu/s1600/pi3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS94m415VuObCGgcNGpynDSAiFkrPO6ImUm_q9FL3ixZUyp_ysE3vQ34mTPO4U3CUw_Ek586EOGuV1y8-YTznMcgwIyI8LdHILs6IFIXKcyU-O4oGQUpYCx262AzWAas3B2iJuiJRWtHu/s320/pi3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650062406610321426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_yl4rjk5heFzLUG8w_zR0b7iQj-upuDOwayud6A-HkG81hSQl0T6THVbligIQv6l546iWM0_t-_T-kzgY0SFjzw77jG6fZee08YZJ-UpsMvdnH1RG-Soe4XtW6fk6HR_CxV2frASGtm0/s1600/pi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_yl4rjk5heFzLUG8w_zR0b7iQj-upuDOwayud6A-HkG81hSQl0T6THVbligIQv6l546iWM0_t-_T-kzgY0SFjzw77jG6fZee08YZJ-UpsMvdnH1RG-Soe4XtW6fk6HR_CxV2frASGtm0/s320/pi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650062342137732946" /></a><br />After our run we enjoyed a little lunch and headed to the nursing home to visit Grandma Jackson. It is hard to see her in this enviorment. All my memories of Grandma are of a very active and healthy older woman. It saddens me to see her frail and needing assistance to accomplish everyday tasks. I certainly treasure the time we spent visiting with her and it's great to hear all the stories she and grandpa share. They have been married for 66 years and first met when they were 13 years old. Her mind is sharp and she can recall details from 60+ years ago as if they were yesterday.<br /><br />My cousin, Troy, stopped in to drop off a gift for grandma the first day we were there visiting. He had been on a business trip in Paris and brought her back some chocolates. Kim and I looked at each other and said that he was trying to one up us. After we left the hospital we stopped at Aunt Low & Uncle Joe's home to visit a little more with Troy and his precious daughter, Lizzy. Afterwards, we went back to grandpa's to heat up a homemade lasagna Aunt Low had left for us. Guess who had been by grandpa's? Yep, Troy. He had left grandpa a bottle of cognac from none other than Paris. What a brown noser! ;-) In the picture below you can see Kim, dad and grandpa enjoying the cognac as we waited for dinner to finish cooking.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW1orc8uTzKKLKD4wW-iPFb5_zEEtitCGQffJirNFSe5b6F0ZArh3ddaLkRvsrR3QLEv055p74B2M-rCogprE_lh3QexANu6OrccVnl2z9Ia-8lEw2hrFUuvJbF1Sm-aIVfrntETxZVD2/s1600/MN2011+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW1orc8uTzKKLKD4wW-iPFb5_zEEtitCGQffJirNFSe5b6F0ZArh3ddaLkRvsrR3QLEv055p74B2M-rCogprE_lh3QexANu6OrccVnl2z9Ia-8lEw2hrFUuvJbF1Sm-aIVfrntETxZVD2/s320/MN2011+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650087419664616578" /></a><br />Monday we headed to Aunt Low and Uncle Joe's home for a nice steak lunch. We were spoiled this trip by Aunt Low's generosity and delicious cooking. We had a nice visit with them before heading to the nursing home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVKCae7CcpspGd0n9RAG4ctA_1ZPloo16hkWq0iZoDq_thOK7PzdlKgMG7rB9mavXwt-7yKNzmVzPFMJ4iBgcm5Psi3XgKQOfutRfblWd98Djll5Vvkoq7v5M9dyjHWLtOM7wancEAzTY/s1600/MN2011+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVKCae7CcpspGd0n9RAG4ctA_1ZPloo16hkWq0iZoDq_thOK7PzdlKgMG7rB9mavXwt-7yKNzmVzPFMJ4iBgcm5Psi3XgKQOfutRfblWd98Djll5Vvkoq7v5M9dyjHWLtOM7wancEAzTY/s320/MN2011+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650088153983448226" /></a><br />After our visit with grandma at the nursing home we headed back to grandpa's and Kim and I took an evening run. We went on the same Douglas trail and enjoyed the 60 degree weather and smell of the fresh outdoors. We ran 7 miles that evening and then returned to grandpas where we had a entertaining game of scrabble.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRRLxlnWvdL0Yd3It_6dDIZh8BilgTkopbo8xgq_1EysPjJiJ0IkYljhIkX8LZVrDYPdXrI5SAJxNr9Ha5Sb6E3ldkf0nP3SFVDhKN8BSB8iPHr6nASE_wxboFp8CQG73qL3TtdGll45E/s1600/scrabble+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRRLxlnWvdL0Yd3It_6dDIZh8BilgTkopbo8xgq_1EysPjJiJ0IkYljhIkX8LZVrDYPdXrI5SAJxNr9Ha5Sb6E3ldkf0nP3SFVDhKN8BSB8iPHr6nASE_wxboFp8CQG73qL3TtdGll45E/s320/scrabble+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650089122793445106" /></a><br />Tuesday morning was our last day in MN. We woke up and headed over to Aunt Low & Uncle Joe's to borrow their bikes for a bike ride. Uncle Joe went with us. A little side story, back in the early 80's Uncle Joe took Kim and I on what was suppose to be a little ride around town. That little ride ended up being a 30 mile bike ride. I don't remember our exact ages but if I had to guess I would say Kim was around 8 which would make me 13. After returning from this bike ride Kim got sick. To this day Kim claims that her getting sick was not a result of the long bike ride but rather a poorly timed bug. The rest of the family believes she got sick after being forced to ride 30 miles. Anyway, Uncle Joe agreed to go on a bike ride with us and we headed to the trail and had a relaxing 10 mile ride. We were much kinder to our Uncle than he had been on us many years before. It was nice visiting with him and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It was in the high 50's when we headed out on our ride. Pine Island has a borrow a bike program and we passed by the building while we were out.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpJVQ3ev7a783o2H06fiftGzX4mjYirNHxbvPAiZjEQJR7Lvsn9GCZi2uK3aOJ338uidAH4Pif12al8hyID1c5AOf2-osmynLjYRqc6h3munP867qxVTf5kIzMNhJ9CT63Lcu4ydusaR9/s1600/MN2011+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpJVQ3ev7a783o2H06fiftGzX4mjYirNHxbvPAiZjEQJR7Lvsn9GCZi2uK3aOJ338uidAH4Pif12al8hyID1c5AOf2-osmynLjYRqc6h3munP867qxVTf5kIzMNhJ9CT63Lcu4ydusaR9/s320/MN2011+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650091162247263442" /></a><br />Soon after passing this building Uncle Joe was trying to get my attention to take another route. When I looked back at him his bike had hit a lip in the road and he flew over his handle bars, tucked in a shoulder and did a somersault on the pavement and then jumped up like a jack-in-the-box. Thankfully, he wasn't hurt and there was no blood, but it now gives us a new story to replace the one we created 20+ years ago when Kim got sick.<br /><br />After returning the bikes to Uncle Joe's we walked the 1/4 mile back to grandpa's to shower and have lunch before heading back to the nursing home for one last visit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4lEtcUo2LnT98IjBpgznXkYvQPVPdB9B7gC_Yw2yxHnmmoVOCp8N6zLXDMEehvlxLT-7rv-apI7oauAxUzqvmfXQQcahD1I2bYLMrzoiDrP58-hgxjQs6OyAM76y-wU_8K7vQGYsGBlH/s1600/MN2011+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4lEtcUo2LnT98IjBpgznXkYvQPVPdB9B7gC_Yw2yxHnmmoVOCp8N6zLXDMEehvlxLT-7rv-apI7oauAxUzqvmfXQQcahD1I2bYLMrzoiDrP58-hgxjQs6OyAM76y-wU_8K7vQGYsGBlH/s320/MN2011+014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650092856577292194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67CWFZaD_UAIbG5_2rSgw6UHZfwrob_rAXf-jFtZIIRXrAb2U-Rs6wSaGpZ21oKbsVzk1weVQsZeM7S-PCFEvhMv8dhJQZKKVA8QaK-dj1_DZ4Nr5B9bVdY1v394q-3z2E0xrlEDDdjmp/s1600/MN2011+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67CWFZaD_UAIbG5_2rSgw6UHZfwrob_rAXf-jFtZIIRXrAb2U-Rs6wSaGpZ21oKbsVzk1weVQsZeM7S-PCFEvhMv8dhJQZKKVA8QaK-dj1_DZ4Nr5B9bVdY1v394q-3z2E0xrlEDDdjmp/s320/MN2011+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650092665848074882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB67QFd1uQ7EV8HTX7wQcpboXpN90YeXNpUSl0p71wtmJMySPVdpE61a-65QnJTV_tDYRmUXSRYnk_o8YzfdrRrnzaPeuoSNrox3ReEOX7Q68Q_VRq7Qks8AHVh_Z2pFHMpbXREvQT-Nn4/s1600/MN2011+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB67QFd1uQ7EV8HTX7wQcpboXpN90YeXNpUSl0p71wtmJMySPVdpE61a-65QnJTV_tDYRmUXSRYnk_o8YzfdrRrnzaPeuoSNrox3ReEOX7Q68Q_VRq7Qks8AHVh_Z2pFHMpbXREvQT-Nn4/s320/MN2011+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650092471989632674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g0rVUz1HyLLKi3vwJQXXkQRcNbqqMKpQA1rBCHivb3Zfkj3P8Gq1lJrKPFf_6Bmis30Y8BfVIeol3NHsEwQJDYxSiOFn3GaYJ4L8OyuoKsYoAOJ7PbO4kNVEv1UcB6HHBgjoyz5RKjVE/s1600/MN2011+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9g0rVUz1HyLLKi3vwJQXXkQRcNbqqMKpQA1rBCHivb3Zfkj3P8Gq1lJrKPFf_6Bmis30Y8BfVIeol3NHsEwQJDYxSiOFn3GaYJ4L8OyuoKsYoAOJ7PbO4kNVEv1UcB6HHBgjoyz5RKjVE/s320/MN2011+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650092306864159858" /></a><br />I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit with my grandparent's for a few days. Tuesday's visit my grandmother looked her best. The two days before she had been in her bed during our visit. I'm glad my last memory of this visit was of her up and out of bed. <br /><br />Kim and I then headed to the airport. My dad and grandpa drove us into the city to catch our flight and luckily everything was running on time. We even made it back to Dallas 30 minutes earlier than planned. <br /><br />Thank you to my MN family for your generous hospitality!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-46073829288516034212011-07-30T21:17:00.003-05:002011-07-30T21:44:11.551-05:00Week 8 Day 1 of marathon training - Torture at Hoblitzelle Park!Sorry, I haven't posted in a while. Nothing real exciting was happening in the marathon training. We have been increasing a mile each Saturday and today was the first time we added in "hill repeats" to our 10 mile run.<br /><br />We started off running 6 miles of very hilly terrain. This is the first time we took our new route and to say it was hilly was an understatement. When we arrived at Hoblitzelle Park in Plano we ran for a while on the running trails to a horse shoe area with a gradual hill that is about a 100 yard incline. We ran up and down the hill 3 times. We focused on working on our form and keeping our pace steady and not speeding up while running the hill. It was a COMPLETE beating! I felt muscles in my legs that I have never noticed before. I was completely spent at the end of the hills. I left my Garmin on during the hill repeats and it added .90 miles to our mileage. <br /><br />After the hills we walked a short way to the next water stop, refilled and started back running on the trail in the park. Upon exiting the park we returned to the hilly terrain for our trek back to Luke's Locker. I had zero energy left and had to dig deep to make it back. We walked several times and the last two miles my foot pain returned in my toes. It was miserable! I've never had to dig so deep to finish a run. I felt bad for the running coach, Kristen, that was with me. I had nothing positive to say and have never been so happy to see Luke's and the end to my nightmare.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-45329527342333031722011-06-27T13:03:00.004-05:002011-06-27T13:53:31.367-05:00Week 3 Day 2 & 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sVQmVjKWRrTRMQuOyyoULmF-9NJB-PZjj5XmkGqxA4ymj0UVuXVukRiA3bXzRiDPcOaExs-4DIz12QaBukvpT6HE6L9H-l_J6ZtxRmDTwSXFW_4dt7-bLytWXu5k9BQJA1e3gfvKwIE4/s1600/626.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sVQmVjKWRrTRMQuOyyoULmF-9NJB-PZjj5XmkGqxA4ymj0UVuXVukRiA3bXzRiDPcOaExs-4DIz12QaBukvpT6HE6L9H-l_J6ZtxRmDTwSXFW_4dt7-bLytWXu5k9BQJA1e3gfvKwIE4/s320/626.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622962162912883794" /></a><br />So, Sunday called for "20 minutes easy". I ran at 9:00 p.m. because I knew there was no getting up early on Sunday after such a long day Saturday. I ran 2 miles at 11:11 pace. It was a good run in the dark despite the heat.<br /><br />Today called for "45 Minutes or Cross Train". I went to boot camp but had to leave 15 minutes early. Kinda glad to leave because it was a butt kickin. I rushed home, showered and took Connor in for a over due 11 year check up. He turned 11 in March. He is just under the 5 foot mark, 59 1/4 inches, much to his disappointment and weighed in at 93 lbs. As he was sitting on the exam table I couldn't help but notice how big he is getting. He had just returned yesterday from a week long trip to Branson with Kim and her family so I don't know if it was that I hadn't seen him in a week but as I looked at him I noticed he looks older and is filling out. He and his sister are growing TOO fast! He also got two shots which he wasn't thrilled about but at least can handle WAY better than his sister.<br /><br />Courtney is off to Hawaiian Falls with friends and I'm headed out to show homes in a bit.<br /><br />Happy Monday!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-17328111863505448022011-06-25T12:14:00.006-05:002011-06-27T16:33:59.344-05:00Week 3 Day 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BRPL_8cNuKS0ab20S68rzQHLFUuF0AKW6pVSy4daChhVb5vnLJ6CH4wf6areIwFOLM2LJsZS6bBzDZ7pzfdJ6OShg5TjLYhV3GfhHtCUhpFQsMEGT88ehVwmTwNy6PG8KfoTGzTFT-Nl/s1600/625run.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BRPL_8cNuKS0ab20S68rzQHLFUuF0AKW6pVSy4daChhVb5vnLJ6CH4wf6areIwFOLM2LJsZS6bBzDZ7pzfdJ6OShg5TjLYhV3GfhHtCUhpFQsMEGT88ehVwmTwNy6PG8KfoTGzTFT-Nl/s320/625run.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622949188119517074" /></a><br />I was up and going at 4:45 a.m. and headed to Luke's for my 5 mile run. It was hot but not near as bad as the weekend before. I felt really good on the run. I managed 11:54 pace.<br /><br />After the run we did some stretching and then I headed into Luke's for a clinic on Hydration. They talked about the importance of drinking enough water before, after and during a run and to test out the different type of sports drinks to see which work best with your digestive system. A good tip I picked up was to weigh yourself before a run and immediately after. If you lose more than 1/2 a pound then you not hydrating enough before running and if you gain weight then you are over hydrating. Both scenarios can result into problems.<br /><br />Saturday night we went to a concert with friends. It was Jack FM's Throwback Concert (4-80's Cover bands). My favorite was Back in Black (AC/DC) then Fan Halen (Van Halen), Queen Nation (Queen) and my least favorite Guns 4 Roses (Guns N' Roses). The first three bands sounded just like the originals but the last...not so much! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjING6RmuuRj5Y60WyWgUpRhNhiRXnxNQgMQX8Q_0r9Ro2kB2K0drpfU742dKR4r8nQ8Y-5v2PBqLWyqiyxY_jqXq6WQ7f42-5FNc74VuG-yzSZ7JqiNgCKfGn8hkdIGDlx-Vr1C4TYQ_Ly/s1600/keithandijackfm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjING6RmuuRj5Y60WyWgUpRhNhiRXnxNQgMQX8Q_0r9Ro2kB2K0drpfU742dKR4r8nQ8Y-5v2PBqLWyqiyxY_jqXq6WQ7f42-5FNc74VuG-yzSZ7JqiNgCKfGn8hkdIGDlx-Vr1C4TYQ_Ly/s320/keithandijackfm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623015199697645298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZRV7y7-95hC9dUIstOUSHj5yfjDnnKNC_iqds3B-J0IfL_ah7pCcFdMFMSB9OGcSylXVb5bDzrkxBjlcjA97okL1NIefVYSQmmOrkPh2ULTF-Mm8EJ764FJTo9WCB4OdnThYLWQZwf8x/s1600/timandsusan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZRV7y7-95hC9dUIstOUSHj5yfjDnnKNC_iqds3B-J0IfL_ah7pCcFdMFMSB9OGcSylXVb5bDzrkxBjlcjA97okL1NIefVYSQmmOrkPh2ULTF-Mm8EJ764FJTo9WCB4OdnThYLWQZwf8x/s320/timandsusan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623015112968960322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips3_WdZzzaiA1EXHaYh1gOT0wbnxZkQKjqZyu1m81kU7Kpzy6qNCQ8zg1NjAOxcEaLLQir0vTwQItpJ4un5nOW5NBpaWpTx9ZObfL4VltNPbtkfEHDO3yqt6cPddy34bPJuppqym9bG7y/s1600/fan+halen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips3_WdZzzaiA1EXHaYh1gOT0wbnxZkQKjqZyu1m81kU7Kpzy6qNCQ8zg1NjAOxcEaLLQir0vTwQItpJ4un5nOW5NBpaWpTx9ZObfL4VltNPbtkfEHDO3yqt6cPddy34bPJuppqym9bG7y/s320/fan+halen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623015023616518658" /></a><br />Fan Halen<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jqQQ3tbpMmDw6QxgxQNoPK-KXHPp6OBWvAg6cH4SOqLnCqROv6-ZGSwCaAWOwT-rMIkl8yHeyDcR7ojD67u9yW9wy6T9xd9r2hSv6bwRG9rjkTBwY4qtmPN9KK2U8AoEhyphenhyphenbS452PrV9g/s1600/backinblack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jqQQ3tbpMmDw6QxgxQNoPK-KXHPp6OBWvAg6cH4SOqLnCqROv6-ZGSwCaAWOwT-rMIkl8yHeyDcR7ojD67u9yW9wy6T9xd9r2hSv6bwRG9rjkTBwY4qtmPN9KK2U8AoEhyphenhyphenbS452PrV9g/s320/backinblack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623014949196200562" /></a><br />Back in Black<br /><br />The concert was a lot of fun until we left. It was at the Gexa Energy Pavilion (Starplex) by Fair Park and when we got to Keith's truck the stereo had been stolen out of the dash. It was a aftermarket stereo that was touch screen and had a GPS. That really caused the evening to end abruptly on a bad note.<br /><br />It was a long day...got up at 4:45 a.m. and went to bed at 1:30 a.m. I was exhausted...it's rough getting old.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-29579063852907956932011-06-23T10:30:00.001-05:002011-06-23T14:14:22.280-05:00Week 2 Day 5It was another hot run. That is probably going to be a recurring theme over the next 3+ months. I headed out at 9:30 a.m. this morning. The dew point really does affect the the way it feels outside while running.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCvephrautf2grCbR7OzdrWRpESQ6SIyrT70v4Gn7PfKmII43pY_bHOo_GPlKtyAOdwsREmqS_ztyIwZSKmcmnuBoAAF_lJJiHHT9HyQ6jebiXaWi8rEw3J1-FWnME-ZrGy6zEW4fsoqm/s1600/23rd+run.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCvephrautf2grCbR7OzdrWRpESQ6SIyrT70v4Gn7PfKmII43pY_bHOo_GPlKtyAOdwsREmqS_ztyIwZSKmcmnuBoAAF_lJJiHHT9HyQ6jebiXaWi8rEw3J1-FWnME-ZrGy6zEW4fsoqm/s320/23rd+run.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621492344884125778" /></a><br />I couldn't wait for my "30 minute easy" run to end. I was pouring sweat! I went 2.77 miles in 30 minutes at a pace of 10:50. At times, I felt like my legs could not carry me any further. I wish I was one of those people who liked the heat. I've got to wrap my mind around the fact that it isn't going anywhere for a while.<br /><br />I found an interesting article yesterday in a magazine while waiting on Keith to have his root canal. It talks about good food choices at popular fast food restaurants.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67bn4bc3rd8jC0h-6EUIaXJaL1XpFvmhsoo16mCQwXTsicwwNcjo2NuewiWbRiJis-FyOCvve164xBslmRQN8WoL4Vr2zmuEyN9JrUunA6KW-0pACDx6MJiAD_vTJa8dt2Sn3GpN5fSmS/s1600/healthy+fast+food.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67bn4bc3rd8jC0h-6EUIaXJaL1XpFvmhsoo16mCQwXTsicwwNcjo2NuewiWbRiJis-FyOCvve164xBslmRQN8WoL4Vr2zmuEyN9JrUunA6KW-0pACDx6MJiAD_vTJa8dt2Sn3GpN5fSmS/s320/healthy+fast+food.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621495067907072850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HbN3OeixeLvWldz88JybbLOOJCLAwQcefEozNe8BMe5fvKrljS41IUYabAZCSSsKftVZiULBeSpRIAbhXwuhgUmvf-TPnpD8rAhUHUtdJJW3H7zakKevMZUY9_tqvSUCafE6jjk2vV_I/s1600/healthy+fast+food2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HbN3OeixeLvWldz88JybbLOOJCLAwQcefEozNe8BMe5fvKrljS41IUYabAZCSSsKftVZiULBeSpRIAbhXwuhgUmvf-TPnpD8rAhUHUtdJJW3H7zakKevMZUY9_tqvSUCafE6jjk2vV_I/s320/healthy+fast+food2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621494923352597026" /></a><br />Week 3 starts Saturday with a 5 miler!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-42853800542015204282011-06-21T12:47:00.006-05:002011-06-21T12:58:28.524-05:00Week 2 Day 4Today is scheduled to be a "rest day" but I am doing doing tomorrow's workout today because the hubby is having a root canal tomorrow and I am the chauffeur.<br /><br />It rained last night and the temperatures were cooler outside so off I went on my "30 minute easy" run. It was so HOT! The dew point was 67 degrees and the humidity at 93%.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmQJ9aw4zdknxE56O8tTMGgkRCd4TlDNGh4SdJtc0ETaJO0IKBq_2n-R0SsDcUBwWLIJYlnhDAkDixCdnNw-6zXoWVyYzYHrYybCVpfM_GMppQCODqZJAUEMkcKdeWvaQATaoW-bVKq15/s1600/21run.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmQJ9aw4zdknxE56O8tTMGgkRCd4TlDNGh4SdJtc0ETaJO0IKBq_2n-R0SsDcUBwWLIJYlnhDAkDixCdnNw-6zXoWVyYzYHrYybCVpfM_GMppQCODqZJAUEMkcKdeWvaQATaoW-bVKq15/s320/21run.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620731994962432098" /></a><br />I ran 2.75 miles and averaged a 10:57 pace. I was dripping sweat when I got home. That 69 degree temp sure did throw me for a loop with the high humidity and dew point. Goes to show temp is not everything.<br /><br />Here I am after today's run.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuFbI4HoqDzPhSbrEYE-2GRbghbTDSTqDeEOSr_DKB_4whfRizTEb_5UwldfoHn5dPvehLnHrJhIxP_4A8K5A1rlmMhwqHe2X8n_KvnPr4QK8PbgpfNXBVhRLF8QBftyEUm1fCQnd_Rc1/s1600/me+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuFbI4HoqDzPhSbrEYE-2GRbghbTDSTqDeEOSr_DKB_4whfRizTEb_5UwldfoHn5dPvehLnHrJhIxP_4A8K5A1rlmMhwqHe2X8n_KvnPr4QK8PbgpfNXBVhRLF8QBftyEUm1fCQnd_Rc1/s320/me+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620733369733165426" /></a><br />Prayers for Keith tomorrow. He is not looking forward to the root canal, YUCK!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-15016500119211597132011-06-20T16:17:00.006-05:002011-06-20T16:52:39.946-05:00Week 2 Days 2 & 3Connor left this morning to go to Branson with Kim and her family. Kevin's side does an annual family reunion at the same resort for the past 40 years. Connor was invited to help entertain Mason and is really looking forward to fishing, swimming, cookouts, bumper boats, a show and more while there. He said "Happy Father's Day" to Keith and then was out the door on vacation. <br /><br />Day 2 (Sunday) called for "20 minutes easy". I ran at 8:30 p.m. and it was hot but not as bad as Saturday morning's run. I ran through my neighborhood and did 2 miles in 22 minutes. I feel when I run in the evening that I am worn out from the day and just never get into the running grove. Before the run I was feeling sluggish so I ate half a peanut butter sandwich in hopes of getting some energy. I'm proud that I went out and completed my scheduled run despite not feeling like it.<br /><br />We celebrated Father's Day by attending Church then heading out to Dos Charros for lunch and Berri Luscious for frozen yogurt. Keith had to work lights in the sound both at Church which requires him to be there for all 3 services. He didn't leave till around 12:30 so we knew that all the steak houses would have a long wait. Afterwards, we went to Stonebriar Mall and the AMC IMAX theatre and watched Super 8. Not impressed with the IMAX. Just like any other screen just a lot bigger. I thought they were suppose to be bowed in the center and such? Maybe, not. The movie was OK. Not really my kind of movie but it wasn't my day ;-). The kids got him a biking jersey to try and keep him cool while out cycling.<br /><br />Day 3 (Monday) called for "45 minute run or cross train". I opted for cross train to try and build core strength. I went to boot camp at the Church and had a great workout. My least favorite thing is the "plank" and we got to do that today, woohoo! It was a good workout. <br /><br />We are now getting ready to switch out refrigerators. A friend is selling a year old French-Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator. Oh... the things that excite you as an adult!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ1c0SkvUtWbYlpI6ueNZbRcu2gIIL9Fy0zWyH9iS-A4CxqFnEUP-i-GkBdl8JKHkejDQQHpL5vlJ5kdW9IlWNJMi6WSyveTiubHelpf1-WFlmuO_n1zrQuj7X2L9kHsuckkvXdAgzpMN/s1600/fridge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ1c0SkvUtWbYlpI6ueNZbRcu2gIIL9Fy0zWyH9iS-A4CxqFnEUP-i-GkBdl8JKHkejDQQHpL5vlJ5kdW9IlWNJMi6WSyveTiubHelpf1-WFlmuO_n1zrQuj7X2L9kHsuckkvXdAgzpMN/s320/fridge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620419942806028178" /></a><br />We've been wanting one to give us more fridge space. The side by side fridge we have is barely wide enough for a pizza box. Hopefully, the new one will allow us more space. I may need to leave the house while Keith and our good friend/neighbor Rusty move the fridge. I tend to manage the moving of things and think I know the best way which usually results in an arguement. It's hard to keep my opinions to myself so leaving may be the best bet :-).<br /><br />Here's to hoping everything goes smoothly!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-13379545690209708042011-06-18T10:05:00.010-05:002011-06-19T12:23:15.499-05:00Week 2 Day 1It was "HOT" on the run this morning. Wowser! Alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. to give me time to get myself together for today's run. I NEVER thought I would be up this early on a Saturday to run.<br /><br />I've been doing some reading about running and came across a interesting article on a blog I follow (got to give credit where credit is due, the blog is hilarious!) http://thebitchyrunners.blogspot.com , The article is about dew point from a July/August Running Magazine. <br /><br />"Dew point is the temperature at which water condenses. The closer the dew point is to the air temperature, the more saturated the air is and the less perspiration can evaporate and help the body cool itself, resulting in extra stress on the heart and lungs as the body attempts unsuccessfully to cool itself. Accordingly, the dew point provides a strong indicator of how you'll feel running and a useful tool in predicting how much performance will be impacted."<br /><br />It also had the following table to use as a guide:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKY2mouc5fjKjIb89ZC0LpfPHGmimVuG5W_wyzw1RpKUV7CJlos3MCKHGgbrJzPUqy2nPEQuJ_hcf7Ev6a11ogumws_3ykPVj1Sb4HuWS8S5ihIplDEZMuUOCMads4srME8_UxoP-n3Xo/s1600/dew_point.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKY2mouc5fjKjIb89ZC0LpfPHGmimVuG5W_wyzw1RpKUV7CJlos3MCKHGgbrJzPUqy2nPEQuJ_hcf7Ev6a11ogumws_3ykPVj1Sb4HuWS8S5ihIplDEZMuUOCMads4srME8_UxoP-n3Xo/s320/dew_point.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619580531993823842" /></a><br />At 5:30 a.m. the temperature was 80 degrees. Guess what the dew point was this morning? It was 73 degrees. According to the chart it says "expect pace to suffer greatly". I'm happy to report on the 4 mile run I managed to average a 12:18 pace. We did walk a couple times because it felt so hot and humid. I'm thankful there was a nice breeze that came through.<br /><br />After the run we stretched and headed into Luke's to hear about Injury Prevention by James Lewis with http://vistarehab.com/asc/index.html.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74tvctV0ideYV5MTNC3wf6jQknT9D6z0nT9Z5zUR3IB3YlTaG0FrTOMdWgw9xmudHD7dMXXvjxFNs5lzoaBSNOpffvbmcEv2vB2c5f01pV6C2uj_x2JFVjXezTStY2Fe1OFSDeuJJ9T_s/s1600/injury1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74tvctV0ideYV5MTNC3wf6jQknT9D6z0nT9Z5zUR3IB3YlTaG0FrTOMdWgw9xmudHD7dMXXvjxFNs5lzoaBSNOpffvbmcEv2vB2c5f01pV6C2uj_x2JFVjXezTStY2Fe1OFSDeuJJ9T_s/s320/injury1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619584230717038130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZujewjvPjxdscQWnOhObAYCx1UIChiIllCNwyGrS9NmtD2Pq9CjryCF7IA55zY1pgHArDFyynI7EcFn3UbEqg4SmUm9kz-LLmZIUFm9CE0A2CR7wMcNCRDrqiGQoQThWZrIDNdZ3ymCKD/s1600/injury2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZujewjvPjxdscQWnOhObAYCx1UIChiIllCNwyGrS9NmtD2Pq9CjryCF7IA55zY1pgHArDFyynI7EcFn3UbEqg4SmUm9kz-LLmZIUFm9CE0A2CR7wMcNCRDrqiGQoQThWZrIDNdZ3ymCKD/s320/injury2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619584446603693506" /></a><br />It was a great morning and ready to tackle week 2!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-14941759332954793472011-06-16T21:43:00.010-05:002011-06-16T22:05:42.354-05:00Week 1 Day 6Remember, I mentioned in my last post that I rubbed the skin off my knees in boot camp doing girly push ups? It's not a lot of skin but it kinda hurts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tl3WnDiOaa6vJtP9vtFnHTk1Fg6AHOBLJ9EN6Ona2mQYp1iPv-POac_-s9lwaYSGq0fm5gMqhsmSRYb557n1_0CqdW5TnX01M0-EPfHEvnTPq0lDHhW9D6JV29UXrnn-Jw0dZlQHPjYd/s1600/knee+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tl3WnDiOaa6vJtP9vtFnHTk1Fg6AHOBLJ9EN6Ona2mQYp1iPv-POac_-s9lwaYSGq0fm5gMqhsmSRYb557n1_0CqdW5TnX01M0-EPfHEvnTPq0lDHhW9D6JV29UXrnn-Jw0dZlQHPjYd/s320/knee+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619014414374020770" /></a><br />(boot camp injury ;-))<br /><br />Today called for another "30 Minutes Easy". I'd love to tell you I got out of bed when the alarm went off at 6:30 a.m. BUT...I didn't! I'd also love to lead you to believe that I wanted to run at 8:30 p.m. to test out if I have more energy in the morning vs. the evening....BUT..that would be a lie. I slept in and did my run as the sun was setting. I think it is comparable to my morning runs in regards to pace but it was still HOT! I ran for 30 minutes at 11:32 pace and went 2.62 miles. <br /><br />I am feeling a bit discouraged. I really WANT a weekday running partner. Please, I beg of you...JOIN ME! You can run/walk/bike as long as you'd like. I'll take anything. I thrive on the support and motivation from others. Anyone? Bueller...Bueller?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ruDATk1xEFje_uE8vIb9pGI2xbIItTF6lVp6uq4m5ocTK8p2_oxa_HWYQdKHpP_8pO22pCeR7oPbr6BTXvZGol7WHu2jtUDxShbxQ2NJ6m_vZjstyvqtFAbD2d6MYb19bY81F79PNIk/s1600/beuller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ruDATk1xEFje_uE8vIb9pGI2xbIItTF6lVp6uq4m5ocTK8p2_oxa_HWYQdKHpP_8pO22pCeR7oPbr6BTXvZGol7WHu2jtUDxShbxQ2NJ6m_vZjstyvqtFAbD2d6MYb19bY81F79PNIk/s320/beuller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619017462807158130" /></a><br />So, that wraps up week 1. Day 7 is a rest day. Week 2 Day 1 starts Saturday with a 4 mile run at Luke's.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-75895906679833222922011-06-15T13:35:00.004-05:002011-06-15T13:46:28.138-05:00Week 1 Day 5On the schedule for today is "30 Minutes Easy".<br /><br />I woke up at 6:30 and headed out the door for a 30 minute run through the neighborhood. I ran 2.62 miles and felt ok. As you may have noticed by my times I am not looking to break any records. The schedule also called for "easy" and my pace was 11:27. I'm pleased with that considering I've only been running a year and my very first mile I ever ran last summer took 20 minutes. I think I've come a long way.<br /><br />After the run, I headed to Boot camp and we worked on our core. We would balance on one foot while lifting weights with the alternate hand and did so many different variations of push-ups (I do girly ones on my knees) that I rubbed skin off my knees while on my yoga mat. My knees bother me when I do lunges and push ups but are fine while running. I always thought my knees would bother me while running since I've had orthoscpoic surgery on one of them twice as a teen. Low and behold they hold up fine on the runs. That may change as my distance increases.<br /><br />I'm pretty beat after a 1.5 hour work out but glad I did it!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-42345267844096185602011-06-13T13:23:00.000-05:002011-06-15T13:35:11.281-05:00Week 1 Day 3Today's training called for "40 Minutes or Cross Train". I went to Boot camp at Church for an hour. Our Pastor leads the class. He has the following certifications and it's a TOUGH workout:<br /><br />ACT Personal Trainer Certification<br />SCW Personal Trainer Certification<br />Boot Camp Challenge Certification<br />CPR/AED Certification<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOJLnWVHrYeC7llZ6tieNIs3FW9UR9qVlFDJw9adGDSnZnkifyiFLFe0Vds6uBU0s0w8HNGuY3f3gXcLK4Nyj_J05YhRqbW_cUHJuncKKMiaeO0ZM5l0t6CE_S5w1u3yA5HccNdC1qEtx/s1600/bootcamp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOJLnWVHrYeC7llZ6tieNIs3FW9UR9qVlFDJw9adGDSnZnkifyiFLFe0Vds6uBU0s0w8HNGuY3f3gXcLK4Nyj_J05YhRqbW_cUHJuncKKMiaeO0ZM5l0t6CE_S5w1u3yA5HccNdC1qEtx/s320/bootcamp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618514395486044562" /></a><br />We started with a 1 mile run and then went into push ups, sit ups, squats, lunges, weights and more (I don't know the names of all the exercises we do). It was held outdoors in the parking lot today due to VBS going on this week. There was a nice breeze which felt great!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLfYBDcLtl7AaYfBhyphenhyphenaRXeoIXbPqudbFrDt9BTge5XNLI68cKrEtq8H4CHDLHk3kvrPNDklRteuoHsw7xPMeyIu1-Vgjl2eGSA5rAdNGb2ir4F_VmnThEyciwQdrviSQgAt1o1GTFOoOS/s1600/boot-camp-pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLfYBDcLtl7AaYfBhyphenhyphenaRXeoIXbPqudbFrDt9BTge5XNLI68cKrEtq8H4CHDLHk3kvrPNDklRteuoHsw7xPMeyIu1-Vgjl2eGSA5rAdNGb2ir4F_VmnThEyciwQdrviSQgAt1o1GTFOoOS/s320/boot-camp-pic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618516587749764034" /></a><br />Day 4 is a REST day...woohoo!!!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-58892709485502473122011-06-12T10:58:00.000-05:002011-06-15T13:22:26.989-05:00Week 1 Day 2Today's marathon training called for a 15 minute "easy" run. I had every intention of getting up at 6:30 a.m. and running before we left for Church at 8:45 a.m.. I didn't! I slept in. I had to wake up at 4:45 a.m. the day before for Day 1 of training and felt I deserved to sleep as late as possible on Sunday. My thought was I can run tonight when the sun starts to set. I forgot that it was game 6 for the basketball championship. I'm not a normal basketball watcher but when your team is in the finals you should show support :-) <br /><br />We went to Church and after lunch decided to have some people over to watch the Mavs vs. Miami Heat. I knew if I didn't run before the game that it would be to late to run after. So, at 5:00 p.m. I head out for my run. I decided to do 2 miles instead of 15 minutes. It took me 23 minutes and was the LONGEST and HOTTEST run of my life. I thought I might have heat stroke! This run showed me that I need to get up early to run or risk heat stroke. The run was misserable. The first mile wasn't too bad because it was mostly shaded by trees. Mile 2 stunk. It was all sun and I could feel my body fatiguing and slowing down. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-Lah0tJECbY_guG-R1vI1x6M4O-_C6-yG6Oq9nS2XSWYNkCYgiILMcm5p71Azxr-7CPvPalxjmvJADzkYRX8GHr89k0t-TayhOLrDHklOWPtnz31y4oSu55mh-eZcjCZa6pPrWssc-KJ/s1600/heat.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-Lah0tJECbY_guG-R1vI1x6M4O-_C6-yG6Oq9nS2XSWYNkCYgiILMcm5p71Azxr-7CPvPalxjmvJADzkYRX8GHr89k0t-TayhOLrDHklOWPtnz31y4oSu55mh-eZcjCZa6pPrWssc-KJ/s320/heat.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618513099076473234" /></a><br />My body does not like the heat or sun beating down on it while trying to exercise. I'm hoping this experience will get my lazy tush out of bed instead of procrastinating.<br /><br /><br />After the run I showered and cleaned up and enjoyed a wonderful evening with friends watching the Mavs BEAT the Heat! 105 to 95..way to go Dallas Mavs!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2QuQCimHhP71LHETifgXdoWF2lk620ovV-3RUQfHh50YXNoNxz6WfznJmlLmtyZP7ZzSMAlQiNpS8WYRtpi6meA3IIKqhUCu98OhdQc5gur51sFg8TTdrEcLHhI-He6LCp0K-TaZr_U6/s1600/dallas_mavericks_logo_yyq7.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2QuQCimHhP71LHETifgXdoWF2lk620ovV-3RUQfHh50YXNoNxz6WfznJmlLmtyZP7ZzSMAlQiNpS8WYRtpi6meA3IIKqhUCu98OhdQc5gur51sFg8TTdrEcLHhI-He6LCp0K-TaZr_U6/s320/dallas_mavericks_logo_yyq7.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618509369254075778" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-20243510747511952982011-06-11T10:18:00.007-05:002011-06-15T16:24:46.079-05:00Made a BIG decisionSo, I did it! I bit the bullet and succumbed to peer pressure and signed up for the Dallas White Rock Marathon, 26.2 miles. Keith also said if I did a full marathon he would bike a Century, 100 miles. He is in the process of researching that since he didn't think I would commit to a marathon :-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wcij6X3i1INk33Qi_h9hX0x7nU7iepvOSmkmONvnxWhMCtJ_vLLunS53R83BazudDfXlgOjCIHadE1_SvzJmDKWP1-AViPfgWXXC-dxkFo6xyq9K7YgqYoVuv6p1I4kOL6_mqnV4EaQ1/s1600/logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Wcij6X3i1INk33Qi_h9hX0x7nU7iepvOSmkmONvnxWhMCtJ_vLLunS53R83BazudDfXlgOjCIHadE1_SvzJmDKWP1-AViPfgWXXC-dxkFo6xyq9K7YgqYoVuv6p1I4kOL6_mqnV4EaQ1/s320/logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618560511544103586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbitEyF1RfdDbjpHzbFcKsDQ8ITLYTAO97AGIDAtt8HhG8krAX9h3UX3AMqmCNq_iU0oAZGsNIXrJTmZW9lsncb0hyWqluo6yhGRVMFSHr1KyoJ2Z2AugvolP5Hd_mK4PXL8dooaa0pqXX/s1600/whiterock+course.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbitEyF1RfdDbjpHzbFcKsDQ8ITLYTAO97AGIDAtt8HhG8krAX9h3UX3AMqmCNq_iU0oAZGsNIXrJTmZW9lsncb0hyWqluo6yhGRVMFSHr1KyoJ2Z2AugvolP5Hd_mK4PXL8dooaa0pqXX/s320/whiterock+course.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618560160458250178" /></a><br /><br />I'm nervous, scared and excited about the challenge. In order to prepare properly for this momentous event I signed up with a running group at Luke's Locker. They offer running coaches, weekly training schedules, education and injury prevention classes and Saturday morning runs. Lots of support and coaching, which I am going to need.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v0MIZ1ex5QoBpchicJ1ZqI7rXcW5GvfYf32GqGHtjGzoVIneS8QkochEVEkhZkXpsVNpf9DTswrBd-DQ3PRB4v7EJiJ-QvEc2gpHJmtLYdKMo3bCXeSSORp8OQDezfajMI9u2xq9eM7U/s1600/lukesfit2011_tr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v0MIZ1ex5QoBpchicJ1ZqI7rXcW5GvfYf32GqGHtjGzoVIneS8QkochEVEkhZkXpsVNpf9DTswrBd-DQ3PRB4v7EJiJ-QvEc2gpHJmtLYdKMo3bCXeSSORp8OQDezfajMI9u2xq9eM7U/s320/lukesfit2011_tr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618475851998771378" /></a><br />Last Saturday was day 1 of marathon training. We met at Luke's parking lot at 6:00 a.m. and did a 3 mile run evaluation. Before the 3 mile run we did a warm up run around the parking lot and some stretches. Next we started the 3 mile in waves based on your normal running time. I was lucky to run with one of the coaches and we chatted along the run. She was really sweet and I look forward to gtting to know her better. Oh, did I mention that Luke's has a rule about NO MP3 players on Saturday runs? Yep, you heard that correct. The reason behind it is that running is an individual sport. Training to run is a group activity. Being a part of this team means working as a group to accomplish individual goals. I thought going into it that I would never make it. But, I did survive my first 3 mile run with no music and an awesome group of people to keep me motivated. <br /><br />So, based on your time they placed you in running groups. I'm in the "Red" group because I am slow as a turtle compared to some of these runners but my goal is not for a time...it's simply COMPLETION!<br /><br />There were probably 30 people at Luke's on Saturday and they were all very nice and supportitive. My friend from Church, Amy, was there and she is the one who told me about Luke's running program and helped me get off the fence and decide to do the marathon. Thanks ALOT Amy!! Your hubby is trying to find a way to get me out of class for good, isn't he? :-)<br /><br />I'm looking forward to the next group run next Saturday, 4 miles.<br /><br />P.S. We celebrated Keith's birthday (6/8) tonight at Benihanas. Courtney was at Church camp last week on his birthday so we waited to go to our favorite restaurant when she was home. Happy Birthday, sweetie!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDny-McbpSfl65KQpsTSsDgJbcz5dtrYsVxT7N4p_eXLrJbfAtIKs9tYQgR5VTQiEpB3iEUqHxsWSpS6zRk-fXDtPwMwPH-GgOtnHtERSBYrV7FZ3R0zL625QXXo7qEZTPyIMaatx7e13/s1600/keithbday61111.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDny-McbpSfl65KQpsTSsDgJbcz5dtrYsVxT7N4p_eXLrJbfAtIKs9tYQgR5VTQiEpB3iEUqHxsWSpS6zRk-fXDtPwMwPH-GgOtnHtERSBYrV7FZ3R0zL625QXXo7qEZTPyIMaatx7e13/s320/keithbday61111.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618520648318279234" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-7864777316338145412011-05-02T10:03:00.006-05:002011-05-02T10:51:27.283-05:00Heels N Hills Half Marathon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F3VgMXX_Wc0sjskPPiIuCZ21DV1P78hl2eKY49p2FqaTFOZuaZzNZI4Lc9KBMbe9DZbhG5UM_e_UCpAk34KuveBGZROAFtGYaininsq1f9CPb3tiDb4vI3iZuGg_dljIRnDX2iAvIbKw/s1600/H%2526H+Half+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F3VgMXX_Wc0sjskPPiIuCZ21DV1P78hl2eKY49p2FqaTFOZuaZzNZI4Lc9KBMbe9DZbhG5UM_e_UCpAk34KuveBGZROAFtGYaininsq1f9CPb3tiDb4vI3iZuGg_dljIRnDX2iAvIbKw/s320/H%2526H+Half+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602143261358923842" /></a><br />Yesterday I ran my second half marathon. I still can't believe that I have accomplished this goal, twice! This time around was much different than my first. First off, my training for the half was lacking. I had 5 weeks to prepare after the Rock N Roll Half on March 27th. The first week after the RNR half I only ran a 5k. The next 8 days I was sick with what turned out to be strep. I had a hard time getting back into my running routine after that and my longest run before the HNH half was 8 miles. I also did my running alone this time. My sister had other commitments (how dare she? ;-)). <br /><br />So, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to get to the race in plenty of time to find parking, get to the start line and use the port-a-potty. I parked in a parking garage about a half mile from the start line and as I left the parking garage it started to rain. It wasn't a bad rain but I pulled out my trash bag and poked a hole in it for my head and arms and off I went to the start line. This race was so much different than the RNR half, that one had 30,000 runners and this one had 2,000 +/-. I got to the start line and they were just starting to put up tents and there were probably 25 people waiting around. Weird after what seemed like millions at the RNR. I stood under an awning with some other women and chatted as the race coordinators got the start line set up. No where near all the hoopla of the RNR. I guess, since my first half was with such a huge organization I expected a lot more activity to be going on. It was pretty mellow not as much excitement in the air.<br /><br />The comparison of the events I gave to Keith was of our cruise experience. We were fortunate enough to stay in the owners suite on one of our cruises which had a living area, wet bar, separate bedroom, huge master bath with jetted tub and secluded to our next cruise which was in a state room. There was nothing wrong with the state room but when you've had the owners suite it is a bit of a disappointment.<br /><br />So, I decided to follow the 2:30 pace runners since I was going solo on this run and felt they could help me stay on track. There were two guys and a girl. They did a great job plus they were entertaining. As the race started, the rain came back. It started to rain pretty hard as we started off on our 2.5 hour tour. Fortunately, it stopped around mile 1.5. I really liked the course. It started at the Mustangs in Williams Square at Las Colinas and then followed the Campion Trail. It was really flat which was nice and not hilly like the race name suggested.<br /><br />I had to make a stop around mile 6.5 in a port-a-potty and when I came out was unable to catch up to my pace group. So, I just plugged along on my own. At mile 10.5 a motorcycle cop and volunteers were ushering runners off the course into a park pavilion because hail was on it's way. After about 10 minutes under there they made the announcement that "If you want to finish the race you must leave NOW"! In a frenzy everyone started back out on the course. My legs had started to cramp up under the pavilion even though I had been walking around under there and it was difficult to get back into the grove since we had a 10 minute intermission. Luckily, the hail passed us and I really had to dig deep to find the energy to finish.<br /><br />I passed mile marker 12 and was thrilled that I only had a mile to go and then shortly after I saw mile marker 13. I was shocked at how quickly time had passed to run that mile. It wasn't until after I crossed the finish line and stopped my Garmin that I realized I had only run 12.5 miles. The police had rerouted the runners on the course to the finish line because the weather was starting to get bad again. I got my medal, a quick race photo and was told to get to my car before the weather hit. It was a bit disappointing as there was no huge crowd to cheer you in and as soon as you crossed the finish line you were encouraged to leave.<br /><br />I did enjoy the course and I liked the cooler temps and rain. It was just a different experience from my first and you never know what the weather will bring in Texas. I'm just thankful everyone was safe and the really bad weather held off.<br /><br />Race time according to my Garmin, chip time is off due to the 10 minutes under the park pavillion. Time: 2:32:52 / 12.5 miles <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VsiWx_uBBhcvJ5WPFKVKydOjbCB2rcDNULcY-94ULuW1UuSP8mXpzooUEYp7mlZkJQTlknTIPWkEw8BZGUDFd4AMigSDu9H3v0_hKOib_xoavaR6_8Y03NHKaILjt5RAHtRmOnrTRkVM/s1600/H%2526H+Half+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VsiWx_uBBhcvJ5WPFKVKydOjbCB2rcDNULcY-94ULuW1UuSP8mXpzooUEYp7mlZkJQTlknTIPWkEw8BZGUDFd4AMigSDu9H3v0_hKOib_xoavaR6_8Y03NHKaILjt5RAHtRmOnrTRkVM/s320/H%2526H+Half+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602142862012970930" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-70238818408780941172011-04-06T13:44:00.028-05:002011-04-07T12:43:24.674-05:00Crystal Beach Vow RenewalLast weekend was a lot of fun. Kim and Kevin celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony. They didn't have a big wedding when they got married and always regretted not having friends and family there to celebrate. Keith and I were among the only guests at the first wedding so I was excited to be at the renewal too. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Keith was unable to go due to getting stuck being on call at work all weekend.<br /><br />The kids and I left Thursday after school with Mason and Wendolin. Wendolin is a good friend who has a photography studio in the same building Kim and I have our real estate office in. She graciously took on the challenge of photographing the vow renewal weekend so that our family photographer, Kym, could sit back and enjoy the weekend and be in the pictures.<br /><br />We finally made it to Crystal Beach, just outside of Galveston at 10:30 p.m. The beach house "Hotel Ya Ya" Kim and Kevin rented for the week was awesome. It was beachfront and slept 30 people. The kids and I were in the bunk room upstairs. This room had 4 bunks. The tops of each bunk were twin and the bottom full size. there was also a sleeper sofa, big screen tv, pub table and game table in this room. There was one other bedroom upstairs off the bunk room which had a full bath, queen bed and two bunks. The downstairs featured a master bedroom with a king bed plus 4 bedrooms with queen beds. These rooms were utilized by families with small children so that the entire family could sleep in the same room with pack-n-plays and they either had their own bathroom or shared a jack-n-jill bath.<br /><br />The home had a huge deck that wrapped around the home with a hot tub and views of the ocean.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89aDKA8-MUtVeMrQe0H83nXW9IBgonLoRgbtt4wHVd9peV9mBI-74x8LxFaJ2VkhuDD9C2_oYxdcVD7SqhTcyX70Gm4JtNPM4nF08ZHrlCA-ambLbAdtGqEeuRlIt-ymkQZLqh4SsyDPT/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89aDKA8-MUtVeMrQe0H83nXW9IBgonLoRgbtt4wHVd9peV9mBI-74x8LxFaJ2VkhuDD9C2_oYxdcVD7SqhTcyX70Gm4JtNPM4nF08ZHrlCA-ambLbAdtGqEeuRlIt-ymkQZLqh4SsyDPT/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592882177856267266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuttYLR-a_xj3IlPfMH7m60N91bjLLBsUnyLzfk2ADVOuCMKFYynu5dTdZkoDcQb0ekMCIL17jGksETOpHqG0j7z1BT2iMIOu1PwBGdBqVbJp1fd2ghtYpi2OxYuP8IVkj-MjHn1XUQuAN/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuttYLR-a_xj3IlPfMH7m60N91bjLLBsUnyLzfk2ADVOuCMKFYynu5dTdZkoDcQb0ekMCIL17jGksETOpHqG0j7z1BT2iMIOu1PwBGdBqVbJp1fd2ghtYpi2OxYuP8IVkj-MjHn1XUQuAN/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592882908660135570" /></a><br />The kids had a great time in the hot tub above and in the ocean.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhIA7y-miv6jBEwgnb6H3ZXBFYcBh8Oip7-k1hd5zYyVFj8ncVNbcunk7czScwIxfhZxQhAOiHeW9D9ADRmLJ7znwPB2wGNHfTC0_yQXXUuqPgK8sKq9Sy2T7__0-TrAAdUPmeMdv6eLN/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhIA7y-miv6jBEwgnb6H3ZXBFYcBh8Oip7-k1hd5zYyVFj8ncVNbcunk7czScwIxfhZxQhAOiHeW9D9ADRmLJ7znwPB2wGNHfTC0_yQXXUuqPgK8sKq9Sy2T7__0-TrAAdUPmeMdv6eLN/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592884088601251970" /></a><br />And being buried in the sand.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileEp0WwQGwI3SzxVFTLOlwSgdtNLD9Str9-Wkc8jM_Vu9w4UUjyRMlCStOidV2-H7jfQd2evHWNpkY8NNappN2OS8Fh83XtbKGQQcNbjwO_WpnWXy2jTmd1I1RYU_j-1n_tcwgWunAkWh/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileEp0WwQGwI3SzxVFTLOlwSgdtNLD9Str9-Wkc8jM_Vu9w4UUjyRMlCStOidV2-H7jfQd2evHWNpkY8NNappN2OS8Fh83XtbKGQQcNbjwO_WpnWXy2jTmd1I1RYU_j-1n_tcwgWunAkWh/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592884730475642802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVwsBodtWl0Lve7tDkRWjBUYDDGS1wkAJeN53NF-fheWoyE5C1ihOoB2sVTlQT_HJkWg5r8lV270VDvM7D9gSsmBuYZde9RTPoRxKEE-wxkC_99I2PKUYOip9dIRNzPnGnJSU1B7rABpu/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVwsBodtWl0Lve7tDkRWjBUYDDGS1wkAJeN53NF-fheWoyE5C1ihOoB2sVTlQT_HJkWg5r8lV270VDvM7D9gSsmBuYZde9RTPoRxKEE-wxkC_99I2PKUYOip9dIRNzPnGnJSU1B7rABpu/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885649281689714" /></a><br />And being a mermaid.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltZcxvb6sjd-xrpLBPY56fAcCQYOC1PToxo8LywyThaPN4U3uq-I9_EkQiaQjDqlp_Ie8E7YOZ7HVqtWychXH9r3gjs2y_pbw5hmwYkIIv0_1O5EqOQvf9y7JzBtynBXwVMY6VfLBsMHL/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltZcxvb6sjd-xrpLBPY56fAcCQYOC1PToxo8LywyThaPN4U3uq-I9_EkQiaQjDqlp_Ie8E7YOZ7HVqtWychXH9r3gjs2y_pbw5hmwYkIIv0_1O5EqOQvf9y7JzBtynBXwVMY6VfLBsMHL/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592884398372423330" /></a><br />We also enjoyed a bonfire each night down by the water.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy5ZygYxrjtop9vty33BNUpA0SonXlFoLgweOJzHFz4eLuqTCgcVtBUeX1aI4dYv_Q-cq_XOA8Ru_2aCFvJL7b1rR3or-QnVCrCQvbV9jc4XDjrhpvw0kYdwtZqelTzzuNkj37mLVHEY-/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy5ZygYxrjtop9vty33BNUpA0SonXlFoLgweOJzHFz4eLuqTCgcVtBUeX1aI4dYv_Q-cq_XOA8Ru_2aCFvJL7b1rR3or-QnVCrCQvbV9jc4XDjrhpvw0kYdwtZqelTzzuNkj37mLVHEY-/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592886124663955234" /></a><br />Fun with the family (Jessica, Me & Kim on bottom, Courtney & Kym on top)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Jc3ROyxGLKJFsgP25ztAi86f3IiT1GuTq4Ri3SgmiTlKYwQaDRQ_wEj73428rhIsGy6Iy5ghnaK_Q3mCEJjJhO2xrLUZd8UvzKkViWouNaAmSTodeho6AdgPAOzR9Ts6Z_Y-o2AbbOq/s1600/sisterpyramid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33Jc3ROyxGLKJFsgP25ztAi86f3IiT1GuTq4Ri3SgmiTlKYwQaDRQ_wEj73428rhIsGy6Iy5ghnaK_Q3mCEJjJhO2xrLUZd8UvzKkViWouNaAmSTodeho6AdgPAOzR9Ts6Z_Y-o2AbbOq/s320/sisterpyramid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592895084515758946" /></a><br />The vow renewal turned out perfect. Kim spent a lot of time planning this event, months of preparation went into each detail. Luckily, many of the guests chipped in to make sure every detail was pulled off. <br />Kim made a beautiful bride for her renewal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Qdf_iPIwFVeIuiUfJGacUW_SZARpKgw72hdBU-mdPHH2paVqcgfZEBC9GFYY5UXJo8NS1GTzvCozbMJtnmexBbhx0x7MJizBFrnrq84GawYbqur217y6T1L98H4Gj7Thz1w2l6xlyZS/s1600/dad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Qdf_iPIwFVeIuiUfJGacUW_SZARpKgw72hdBU-mdPHH2paVqcgfZEBC9GFYY5UXJo8NS1GTzvCozbMJtnmexBbhx0x7MJizBFrnrq84GawYbqur217y6T1L98H4Gj7Thz1w2l6xlyZS/s320/dad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592897062418927442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQwTa7XMfaqK9YLHa869pSB8Q_8U_cZuL7eer5BdBkLX7U0I-fcge6pWATTd8P5bt8xUc-h9PPaO9KSwsI62-udZC-_-oCWfZUiJCHqcbeQWRw-bcK16RfWLIS8CcexhOzbi84rcptgj5/s1600/kimandtoni.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQwTa7XMfaqK9YLHa869pSB8Q_8U_cZuL7eer5BdBkLX7U0I-fcge6pWATTd8P5bt8xUc-h9PPaO9KSwsI62-udZC-_-oCWfZUiJCHqcbeQWRw-bcK16RfWLIS8CcexhOzbi84rcptgj5/s320/kimandtoni.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592897310444530450" /></a><br />I love the following picture before they walked down to the beach. Apparently, Gavin was a little grumpy ;-).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J4ruAi3UPw2K3uD-JY1Kp3l1ovfFpWEericDQCvd5JURox8VCP-g6GFCvSZBJAVwafhVbjIEbsjrOW0SM47yKJbpnjjdG2C83Xbly5Ty58gAoEajj2-J0Ad1rIzDQyb9Z9u3M5IbT2RP/s1600/grumpy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0J4ruAi3UPw2K3uD-JY1Kp3l1ovfFpWEericDQCvd5JURox8VCP-g6GFCvSZBJAVwafhVbjIEbsjrOW0SM47yKJbpnjjdG2C83Xbly5Ty58gAoEajj2-J0Ad1rIzDQyb9Z9u3M5IbT2RP/s320/grumpy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592888980661662354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhyphenhyphen_3W8WZNOaiT9_13q2usNVCMdCp1fCB5D8IgcAmwF9Twddink1VBJb-Oanx54mN1Q63CQOqJ1Z5V9ZyTbJo3sH2bgU6GUqqj4C6aCWy_gVSMD5qo7R6gfDtjlLpCQc4kJJyOXGapeSt/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhyphenhyphen_3W8WZNOaiT9_13q2usNVCMdCp1fCB5D8IgcAmwF9Twddink1VBJb-Oanx54mN1Q63CQOqJ1Z5V9ZyTbJo3sH2bgU6GUqqj4C6aCWy_gVSMD5qo7R6gfDtjlLpCQc4kJJyOXGapeSt/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592889449490200850" /></a><br />They did a family sand ceremony. The bottom of the container had sand from the beach then Kim and Kevin had the same color blue sand to add to the beach sand and each of their boy's added another color of sand. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczM4Q-XRu2wP8ICgBKKI-bsyfnUPq8O4ff62-8JwvYk_JDTiAEKBFAH_SFiAOyuVAT36XS5dRp3yVSKfwoHbhHgri4frPygEtTQ3pB39GQmmsosFTy7v09GIWhET9ES8KkW5GA8WSXnoz/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczM4Q-XRu2wP8ICgBKKI-bsyfnUPq8O4ff62-8JwvYk_JDTiAEKBFAH_SFiAOyuVAT36XS5dRp3yVSKfwoHbhHgri4frPygEtTQ3pB39GQmmsosFTy7v09GIWhET9ES8KkW5GA8WSXnoz/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592891431793166546" /></a><br />Afterwards, there was a dinner reception on the porch. Tons of great food put together by Jeanne, Diane and Sheila.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTP-i5MNJswRqmLMDAbRtObIDV1yHQsAx9L3qXR1KvQMNlo9Q8OT9z_dhSVSEhI0Bkp2fG7pFJ7NLlzpA6MxS1YYzR2LCk_32gn0qkWBeWqa8PEmI2TV-N5LMejz_chr2DHo_WWmfEFfb/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTP-i5MNJswRqmLMDAbRtObIDV1yHQsAx9L3qXR1KvQMNlo9Q8OT9z_dhSVSEhI0Bkp2fG7pFJ7NLlzpA6MxS1YYzR2LCk_32gn0qkWBeWqa8PEmI2TV-N5LMejz_chr2DHo_WWmfEFfb/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592894059851704914" /></a><br />Desert table:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0Qae7sCwdj3yriTWSmnEdPQbhA8f1JYwN_WhwPIMvXx97naapbJRvHVcw1GM0AA_0GdnJ0bzenrxuZz6LaTCRA9QsJVNrZKWh801IH8bgfqZ6KnMfo085uUrJyIIs-u-jNJvCiDbLaDb/s1600/desert+table.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0Qae7sCwdj3yriTWSmnEdPQbhA8f1JYwN_WhwPIMvXx97naapbJRvHVcw1GM0AA_0GdnJ0bzenrxuZz6LaTCRA9QsJVNrZKWh801IH8bgfqZ6KnMfo085uUrJyIIs-u-jNJvCiDbLaDb/s320/desert+table.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592894700784994866" /></a><br />The night got interrupted at the dinner when some teens in a pick up decided to steal the firewood Kevin had sitting down on the beach in front of the house for later that night. Thankfully, a truck passing by and a call to the cops caught the teens who returned the firewood. However, it took several of our party to go down to the beach to get things straightened out.<br /><br />The weekend was made better by a visit from Toni and Tom. It was so much fun to spend a little time with her over the weekend. It's never enough!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAk0WP1dpP-CAVy8AmnXq_QNJeg1OKas2SwlfegJ1DSf3gWQqSPqOb3y4s0YMXEoEz-pCDatbdjYNv1r4JEzaoTBzMkjlCTcD70SxZsLU0L-_00cOfT4z3_68nNVuwf9O4smdsrk3rS88/s1600/fabfive.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAk0WP1dpP-CAVy8AmnXq_QNJeg1OKas2SwlfegJ1DSf3gWQqSPqOb3y4s0YMXEoEz-pCDatbdjYNv1r4JEzaoTBzMkjlCTcD70SxZsLU0L-_00cOfT4z3_68nNVuwf9O4smdsrk3rS88/s320/fabfive.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592896415887717490" /></a><br />Kids and I:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05BGAPkuGx1Z9Lh-xcz1aFaNGVh98_EKH2q3-Sx64Igd2z0GGj8G7gryrM7yCvden0YDrG1v_iiYgHE-S6sWMU5V2S_t2JQkz130iye0LAqhndUshwz9f0r4asCob8M1w7sW3oWWOXNP/s1600/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05BGAPkuGx1Z9Lh-xcz1aFaNGVh98_EKH2q3-Sx64Igd2z0GGj8G7gryrM7yCvden0YDrG1v_iiYgHE-S6sWMU5V2S_t2JQkz130iye0LAqhndUshwz9f0r4asCob8M1w7sW3oWWOXNP/s320/crystal+beach+vow+renewal+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592898099570306626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTzRPhFWNYTEz42SGxuHgv2LQdpQo2wO_eqL19AmykmBYIN-XO9djHCBgNtm721Th8jWgz_1nS0WMtjVKp5QrR2BKgFoMGC00NQwCRzGy-tXzgU6_bW9n0AzmDOk444b0PYiSIn2gR-3w/s1600/meandconnor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTzRPhFWNYTEz42SGxuHgv2LQdpQo2wO_eqL19AmykmBYIN-XO9djHCBgNtm721Th8jWgz_1nS0WMtjVKp5QrR2BKgFoMGC00NQwCRzGy-tXzgU6_bW9n0AzmDOk444b0PYiSIn2gR-3w/s320/meandconnor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592898266229660706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY4P0BJF29m9bLoocYA0gt2aYdOp9JasZ_qV6opPXgXEL0DZcJhREYfba84AQF8Y8ZCSQVwnnraIMZ1bNmetI1qu1SlXUamjQ04FIyADhhq3J-9COZ9cQRDl7jD7NFa2rVE0t8rz5-EMQ/s1600/meandkids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY4P0BJF29m9bLoocYA0gt2aYdOp9JasZ_qV6opPXgXEL0DZcJhREYfba84AQF8Y8ZCSQVwnnraIMZ1bNmetI1qu1SlXUamjQ04FIyADhhq3J-9COZ9cQRDl7jD7NFa2rVE0t8rz5-EMQ/s320/meandkids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592897824352836162" /></a><br /><em>Thanks for a fantastic weekend, Daughertys!</em>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-10368322458640650302011-03-29T14:34:00.029-05:002011-03-30T15:11:19.032-05:00Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwelbs1TlqYw2KXOKSv6nSwJTxXrTVDpvY9wr2XGd-jwKRKR3DDmKoDPz3Z1x4-BjqE3_v0YRxxbUKY-oPNBoCTClTfYVUz72jvtdngaxjwN2X-x4J5s2BR_w1ujo5rZNF9IhVqAsJCyq/s1600/logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwelbs1TlqYw2KXOKSv6nSwJTxXrTVDpvY9wr2XGd-jwKRKR3DDmKoDPz3Z1x4-BjqE3_v0YRxxbUKY-oPNBoCTClTfYVUz72jvtdngaxjwN2X-x4J5s2BR_w1ujo5rZNF9IhVqAsJCyq/s320/logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589646056688991506" /></a><br />In case you've been living under a rock and haven't seen the obscene amount of posts on facebook about my running journey, I thought I'd take a moment to recap my first half marathon experience.<br /><br />After weeks of training that began after my 10k in January Kim was able to talk me into training for a half marathon. We followed Hal Higdon's, Training for your first Half - Novice. It was very challenging and rewarding at the same time. I loved achieving a new goal each weekend when I increased my mileage. It was a great feeling of accomplishment.<br /><br />I started feeling anx ious about the race the Friday before. I woke up that morning with an upset stomach which I new was just anxiety. Thankfully, Connor had his 11th birthday party Friday evening so that day flew by. I picked up my race packet at the Expo at the Dallas Convention Center Friday morning and spent the rest of the day prepping for Connor's party.<br /><br />Saturday, was a busy day with an appointment with the tax lady to pick up our business taxes and I spent the day making sure I drank plenty of water to stay hydrated and focused on eating plenty of healthy and carb loaded foods so I would have plenty of energy for the half the next day. Kim and I enjoyed a pasta dinner at her house as a kick off to the half.<br /><br />I fell asleep just after 11:00 p.m. and woke up at 5:00 a.m. to eat a bowl of oatmeal and drink a bottle of water and head down to Fair Park. A cool front came through Saturday night and it was freezing waiting for the race to start but PERFECT weather to run in. I love to run in the cold...I'm a tab bit faster in cooler temps. We enjoyed waiting for our corral to start and watching all the interesting people. One girl was dressed in a gingerbread man costume and we also saw Elvis dressed for a quick 13.1 mile run.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7PBZ4rsxsXXAtHnq84XGIaD3cKIG2pLktRYiJyRJJQLR76ZnyD7-4ysNzSsFCFRdyslAimlOz9AOybn2Lv3pTcGaoBjmH-dWfxWIqX77fzGBB-y2I6TakfJnGV_VUYvtqA-zO-IHPO23/s1600/kim+and+i+start.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7PBZ4rsxsXXAtHnq84XGIaD3cKIG2pLktRYiJyRJJQLR76ZnyD7-4ysNzSsFCFRdyslAimlOz9AOybn2Lv3pTcGaoBjmH-dWfxWIqX77fzGBB-y2I6TakfJnGV_VUYvtqA-zO-IHPO23/s320/kim+and+i+start.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589593670181299154" /></a> <em>(Kim and I waiting in our corral to start the race)</em><br /><br />Troy Aikman fired the start pistol and I was surprisingly calm waiting to start. We got going about 25 minutes after the race officially started, we were in corral 12. I was only 3/4 of a mile into the race when I had to make a detour to the first set of port-a-potties. I couldn't believe it, not even a full mile into it and I had to make a pit stop. Surprisingly, I was not the only one and had to wait in a short line. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TwU_YX7hBObu3Md5JtXuXlq7E0xWq-ZmQHgLH-VWmzXhA-s6l8QP0h2GBTMnIFfNZ6zuNLbHuxgo8RzI72AlylK7jjepyzRVlYd1ZPLdjjCRhDwD7EnNYx0yuNTc0efocYpEMFPeOOKl/s1600/merunning.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TwU_YX7hBObu3Md5JtXuXlq7E0xWq-ZmQHgLH-VWmzXhA-s6l8QP0h2GBTMnIFfNZ6zuNLbHuxgo8RzI72AlylK7jjepyzRVlYd1ZPLdjjCRhDwD7EnNYx0yuNTc0efocYpEMFPeOOKl/s320/merunning.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589607696455676578" /></a><br />The course was really fun. There were local bands every mile marker, high school drill teams and cheerleaders were out along with a lot of spectators that were cheering everyone along. It made the time go by so much faster than my training runs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__qNlHt6EsC3w6UkeS5D7f1tWglLnTfjNnNLpquzRAAaqB9OM7nwxWT1BL-wq9gFfCIv2bePU6QD4yGwFr02Sx51Zg9d3UUDQt2ZZ7KpPRVu0HXyv1kfCe9_avgvB8IkqMWO6gfZpToAk/s1600/Dallas+RockNRoll+Half+Course.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__qNlHt6EsC3w6UkeS5D7f1tWglLnTfjNnNLpquzRAAaqB9OM7nwxWT1BL-wq9gFfCIv2bePU6QD4yGwFr02Sx51Zg9d3UUDQt2ZZ7KpPRVu0HXyv1kfCe9_avgvB8IkqMWO6gfZpToAk/s320/Dallas+RockNRoll+Half+Course.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589593353929978754" /></a><br />We ran through some of Dallas' most beautiful neighborhoods (Turtle Creek, Highland Park just to name a few). At mile 9 was a GU station. What is GU you might ask? I had no idea what it was either until I started running distances further that about 6miles and my sister said we needed it to help with our energy to finish our runs. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGb_q_GxwRB52Tkft38qwWaO5Lr0NOFAiCLEzoFUeqRqWrMYZkdGjCGEMlFZz8Xu0Umng3JlkW4Rq2HPEjlavwERxa4QxTFJYy4cjp4HoUX2dY1Xsx1rl-lqrrb1O_R8R8GHKPY9LfoPj/s1600/gu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGb_q_GxwRB52Tkft38qwWaO5Lr0NOFAiCLEzoFUeqRqWrMYZkdGjCGEMlFZz8Xu0Umng3JlkW4Rq2HPEjlavwERxa4QxTFJYy4cjp4HoUX2dY1Xsx1rl-lqrrb1O_R8R8GHKPY9LfoPj/s320/gu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589601290960971250" /></a><br />GU is the consistency of pancake batter, you rip off the top and squirt it in your mouth. Your suppose to drink water with it too. I had started taking GU around 3 miles with a bag of GU Chomps (like a fruit snack, it was in my race packet.) I also did GU at the 9 mile station and around mile 10 my tummy was starting to feel weird. I started looking around for the port-a-potties that had been along the course and found none. Finally, just before mile 10 we passed a bagel shop and I had to make a detour to relieve my upset tummy. Just as I got back out to Kim and we resumed our run we ran into our step sister, Jessica. She scared the tar out of us. She ran up from behind and yelled "booyah!" as she jumped in front of us. I have no idea where she mustered all that energy at mile 10. We ran with her on and off for the remainder of the race. Jessica...You ROCKED it girl!!! Can't forget our step brother, Josh, who finished his in 2:15. Wowser, Josh!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DoZ4wznu2NZM36GN0uUWJxxfTuMMUwxgmKZSARdZQwY5maWVT5eSf9Ef5RrYpXykx_GXqEjHaKrZrJl4RsqlJkq-MB4Itc5DspaFX5uqQ2Grg2R-8EAO5-l5C1J33wkLWX33-4Abn2Yl/s1600/kimlaurarunningpic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DoZ4wznu2NZM36GN0uUWJxxfTuMMUwxgmKZSARdZQwY5maWVT5eSf9Ef5RrYpXykx_GXqEjHaKrZrJl4RsqlJkq-MB4Itc5DspaFX5uqQ2Grg2R-8EAO5-l5C1J33wkLWX33-4Abn2Yl/s320/kimlaurarunningpic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589604173594187970" /></a><br />I was still feeling good and excited to only have a 5k left. It wasn't until passing mile marker 12 and entering into Fair Park that I began to wonder if it would ever end. There were a lot more spectators and the course was fenced off. I saw my sweet friend, Amanda and her boyfriend at one point cheering us on and new we had to be getting close to the finish line. The last 1/4 mile seemed to last forever. Finally, Kim spotted the finish line up ahead and told me we were close and I took that as a sign to pick up my pace (my legs felt like jello at this point). I somewhat sprinted the remainder to the finish line. It felt AWESOME to cross that finish line.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHqBxnZY-rwlt3EhtwKfWrp-ux8hJCfuQ2_AlaBqzqFa7F1zeeYVIVOUGkF3UahNPccMnC2Dk2jTRF4DUBNPzUN2R6nh1yxlzDvYpJUWnOem62vdJCwYv0isBz9ESGlGuiZqy8BB2zslv/s1600/laurafinishagain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHqBxnZY-rwlt3EhtwKfWrp-ux8hJCfuQ2_AlaBqzqFa7F1zeeYVIVOUGkF3UahNPccMnC2Dk2jTRF4DUBNPzUN2R6nh1yxlzDvYpJUWnOem62vdJCwYv0isBz9ESGlGuiZqy8BB2zslv/s320/laurafinishagain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589604401967352674" /></a><br />After running across the finish line I walked for a minute to my medal and turned around and hugged Kim. I can't thank her enough for all her encouragement and support and running the race with me. Thank you SOOOO much Kim, I love you!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c-66BgxDehSruoy5SKsaWQ0uj1ugYzL8bVxhB-LOejWFjBAxD0uO7LkuI7SipmkHXZYzxnZlQBCcV_0k7tBri39X4dCxuZV4TU1bFM0EMftlXxvsLmLddg84tcEq3Zr2322EDZu81ypp/s1600/laurakimofficialfinisherpic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2c-66BgxDehSruoy5SKsaWQ0uj1ugYzL8bVxhB-LOejWFjBAxD0uO7LkuI7SipmkHXZYzxnZlQBCcV_0k7tBri39X4dCxuZV4TU1bFM0EMftlXxvsLmLddg84tcEq3Zr2322EDZu81ypp/s320/laurakimofficialfinisherpic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589605353789127810" /></a><br />My chip time recorded me at 2:50:28 (this time includes my two port-a-potty stops) but my Garmin watch recorded 2:40:03. I stopped my Garmin watch for the port-a-potty stops. That gave me a 12:18 mile pace. I'm pleased with that. Last May I couldn't run to thecorner of my street (2 homes away) without being exhausted. 10 months and 60 pounds lighter I was able to run my first half marathon and mark it off my bucket list.<br /><br />Many thanks to my friends and family for their love and encouragement. Especially these two cuties and my awesome husband, Keith!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKf1r6OuaBQoB7Jj05Z_Pu9_B_QYDwiTI4FfQ-CJwdfopyncQriINfP0R3TrqQjRoxJBYw-u4_tTeFD0P8lwkiYNXrWHg10M7r1vn2mIYKQNS2Omxl_mTCPXiiEdrQ3aijQpml0ZT7vvlc/s1600/rock+n+roll+half+32711+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKf1r6OuaBQoB7Jj05Z_Pu9_B_QYDwiTI4FfQ-CJwdfopyncQriINfP0R3TrqQjRoxJBYw-u4_tTeFD0P8lwkiYNXrWHg10M7r1vn2mIYKQNS2Omxl_mTCPXiiEdrQ3aijQpml0ZT7vvlc/s320/rock+n+roll+half+32711+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589608551844967906" /></a><br />Oh, and how did I forget. Bret Michaels is the headliner for this race series. He went on stage around 11:30. It was really cool to see him live even if it was freezing outside.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJMHZvP-flfC3ytLZ8UuUtWd5sW35Sp6Ea2Sq5Dm1TaZ1fVQe40h4i1O9CDFkKv-XfPCj3NW_1_DLUUCbZ_d_3xl7uiEbmtImx8ZA4BBJNfDDc4nHsdJpMtqX_hb-do5bVgIKDockQ2Z/s1600/bret.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTJMHZvP-flfC3ytLZ8UuUtWd5sW35Sp6Ea2Sq5Dm1TaZ1fVQe40h4i1O9CDFkKv-XfPCj3NW_1_DLUUCbZ_d_3xl7uiEbmtImx8ZA4BBJNfDDc4nHsdJpMtqX_hb-do5bVgIKDockQ2Z/s320/bret.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589649285155984338" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-9118247544423177352011-03-21T16:20:00.005-05:002011-03-21T16:50:25.570-05:00Connor turns 11!Today is Connor's 11th birthday. It has been a much anticipated birthday for him because he knew he should be getting a cell phone. Courtney got a cell phone for her 11th birthday and Connor has eagerly been awaiting his turn.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW69ihWKO2PC_YWySpQNvl_gqxhcQZC5f696VWF9zgGl1qVeD6nWZl-x576RWTnlPx8rJFJuzPoBwh0IKhb4951wQNO5aiHZ5370c1hiLkNxVuJYtmPq_sIqvxhxzXtv04WXa7-BPNt0Az/s1600/connor+phone.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW69ihWKO2PC_YWySpQNvl_gqxhcQZC5f696VWF9zgGl1qVeD6nWZl-x576RWTnlPx8rJFJuzPoBwh0IKhb4951wQNO5aiHZ5370c1hiLkNxVuJYtmPq_sIqvxhxzXtv04WXa7-BPNt0Az/s320/connor+phone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586651783430914226" /></a><br /><br />He woke up early this morning so that he could open presents before school and of course anxious and hopeful to get his hands on his very own cell phone. The funny thing about it is that he was happy to get his cell phone but the gift that got the biggest reaction was a pair of hideous tennis shoes he wanted. We had him convinced that he wouldn't get them because he doesn't take care of his things and the shoes were expensive. I typically buy him inexpensive shoes because his feet grow so fast and he is so ROUGH on them. However, I caved as this was the one item he REALLY wanted besides the cell phone of course. We put "rules" on the shoes and the phone. The shoes he can only wear at school, Church and going out. He absolutely cannot wear them to play outside after school as this is when the most destruction takes place. So, what are these shoes that he had to have? Reebok Zigtech.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22J7mjDSm6IIa_uTKmJlQhSFDEV0x2TMxg5mr1h0e0YNJobojFQTEoucRyXACwyUtbGkMzYHFTvdOMyN9YC3XfW6cmj_ripLn2RTccLz2uhAsk-s3b9J8pOdrr7gu9It10pQV3uONEiTs/s1600/zigtech.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22J7mjDSm6IIa_uTKmJlQhSFDEV0x2TMxg5mr1h0e0YNJobojFQTEoucRyXACwyUtbGkMzYHFTvdOMyN9YC3XfW6cmj_ripLn2RTccLz2uhAsk-s3b9J8pOdrr7gu9It10pQV3uONEiTs/s320/zigtech.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586651119171708258" /></a><br />I brought Subway for lunch to school for him today. It was bittersweeet, the last time I can bring him lunch on his birthday. Apparently, it is not cool to have your parent join you for lunch in middle school. Can't believe he will be there next year. Tonight, we are heading out to celebrate with dinner at Macaroni Grill. <br /><br />I believe he has had a great day. Thanks for all the birthday wishes on facebook. I shared them with him and he thought it was cool.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZQKazLKbDoGBq5lRyP3UNeYXQ8u2xs0xB_NpALDEfgPUF26VAyiWQFFDn9w7yy9CxRf6wmwS6HNlwgckTfmonL2kWSQGe5jp-HxNZJv17bwttfRCCmZl8HARToHT56UoFn34C1iUOwq1/s1600/Connor+11th+020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZQKazLKbDoGBq5lRyP3UNeYXQ8u2xs0xB_NpALDEfgPUF26VAyiWQFFDn9w7yy9CxRf6wmwS6HNlwgckTfmonL2kWSQGe5jp-HxNZJv17bwttfRCCmZl8HARToHT56UoFn34C1iUOwq1/s320/Connor+11th+020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586653153314182098" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-34554257577193194922010-12-14T23:50:00.000-06:002010-12-15T08:53:41.923-06:00Christmas CardI would love to send out many more cards but between postage and the cost of cards I have to cut down my list. If you did not receive a card it wasn't because I didn't want too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVOzIHsVsxQ3uKXwlcyJc2Z-0WY3tzGzPOhGg7AL7ImDNH0HhHLI-G_XM316QiXK9487thM0bobF_23G8i5QVv_vn5mThQlCIFti31M7Bj1OM8LFFMhP4JRyGjlHRYotKtaB0KdYviWxZ/s1600/christmascard1129.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVOzIHsVsxQ3uKXwlcyJc2Z-0WY3tzGzPOhGg7AL7ImDNH0HhHLI-G_XM316QiXK9487thM0bobF_23G8i5QVv_vn5mThQlCIFti31M7Bj1OM8LFFMhP4JRyGjlHRYotKtaB0KdYviWxZ/s320/christmascard1129.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550921799002445074" /></a><br /><br />All the fabulous photos were taken by the most amazing photographer and my awesome sister-in-law, Kym. You too can have your pictures taken with her by contacting her at www.portraitsbykym.com<br /><br />Have a very blessed Christmas!!!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-22216048951909244182010-12-07T15:15:00.006-06:002010-12-07T15:25:39.081-06:0013th Slumber Party!Last Friday night Courtney celebrated her 13th birthday with friends hosting a slumber party. She had 7 friends over and had a great evening. They started the evening with pizza and smores outside by the firepit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsuKN5ebO4zKV6lffBESbKGm-Z3xJTt3FHY18zUAOSxzHK212lcOCsEbIR1MyeBGicKvjEvCmV02opfUeMN9iy6nveDB3i_RaasHMDnbrtT6r-ly-QtAL50HYke80MyIYoa7-VGdOlABI/s1600/courtney+13th+party+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsuKN5ebO4zKV6lffBESbKGm-Z3xJTt3FHY18zUAOSxzHK212lcOCsEbIR1MyeBGicKvjEvCmV02opfUeMN9iy6nveDB3i_RaasHMDnbrtT6r-ly-QtAL50HYke80MyIYoa7-VGdOlABI/s320/courtney+13th+party+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548052628741922962" /></a><br />Next we took them down the street to the middle school field and played flash light tag. Lots of room to run and yell! They came back for hot chocolate, cake balls and an impromtu techno dance party with the lights out and the music playing while shining their flashlights. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDLcB4Ip4ZRSCVtGuvM9ZXNFykjiuwWQX2VG4SqQ4w8xCGI8-p0G_HYd0fz9QpkxLWRCLc8GaFowav1jAiunmivA6NQ9erNuyqiLZoUwnzjA6UHU3rgp1RLS0yQVeu8tCKJmq-qMjWeeA/s1600/courtney+13th+party+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDLcB4Ip4ZRSCVtGuvM9ZXNFykjiuwWQX2VG4SqQ4w8xCGI8-p0G_HYd0fz9QpkxLWRCLc8GaFowav1jAiunmivA6NQ9erNuyqiLZoUwnzjA6UHU3rgp1RLS0yQVeu8tCKJmq-qMjWeeA/s320/courtney+13th+party+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548053663202271202" /></a><br />They were having a great time. Thye ended watching the Twilight movie "Eclipse" and late night game of "truth or dare" and fell asleep around 4:00 a.m..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AknHMvQ7R3lSKCa2-HJhkEo6dpOYtSKPMdmfkRLobvzVgTbjmhDNxvAIddTvfUMrrlhW68m6aEjmzkDm1aVZJx-SHgnpdVBp2NZgqze50Bw4UkYbjj6YTAoqwp_fFfLg8LnZFC49NrwN/s1600/courtney+13th+party+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AknHMvQ7R3lSKCa2-HJhkEo6dpOYtSKPMdmfkRLobvzVgTbjmhDNxvAIddTvfUMrrlhW68m6aEjmzkDm1aVZJx-SHgnpdVBp2NZgqze50Bw4UkYbjj6YTAoqwp_fFfLg8LnZFC49NrwN/s320/courtney+13th+party+014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548054261006203826" /></a><br />All in all a good night was had by all and I survived another sleepover. Can't believe my little girl will be 13 on the 15th. Time really is flying bye!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-11559790145438158932010-11-18T16:51:00.000-06:002010-11-19T17:03:42.255-06:00Setting Goals!So, I've been really bad at blogging lately. My sister, Kim, inspired me earlier this year to start RUNNING. I was so impressed with her drive and dedication in setting a goal to run a half marathon and achieving it that I too set a goal to run a 5k.<br /><br />So, in May I started running and set a goal to run the YMCA Turkey Trot 5k in November. I use that term, RUNNING, loosely. I've never been a runner before. I did the required running in school PE classes and played soccer and softball as a youth. I also got a group of friends together as an adult in a coed softball league. So running, VERY short, minuscule distances is all I had done. <br /><br />In May, I started the couch to 5k program with Kim and good friend Wendolin. Kim was kind enough to tweak it for my non-running self. We literally started with 10 seconds of running alternated with 60 seconds of walking. I had to work up to the couch to 5k program. Part of the reason why was being out of shape and over weight.<br /><br />I completed the couch to 5k program at the end of September. At that time, I was running a 20 minute mile. But I was running a mile without stopping and that was something that I never dreamed I would be able to do when I started. I am obviously going for DISTANCE not TIME.<br /><br />I'm proud to say that I have continued the running to train for the 5k. I have also improved my time. Tonight, I ran 3.24 miles in 42 minutes and 41 seconds. I am now anxiously awaiting the Turkey Trot in less than a week on Thanksgiving Day.<br /><br />I am realizing the importance of setting goals in both business, my personal and spiritual life. It is a great example for my kids and the feeling of accomplishment you feel when you achieve a goal is like nothing I've felt before.<br /><br />So, get out there and set some goals and 10k training here I come!!!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-33115707259191249582010-11-09T07:48:00.005-06:002010-11-09T08:33:40.208-06:00ProudSunday evening was a very special evening. My husband was ordained as a Deacon at our Church. I am so proud of him and excited about how are family can serve the Lord.<br /><br />The process for this special evening began months ago. In August, he was notified that he had been nominated. There was a very thorough questionnaire that had to be completed about himself, our family and our beliefs. The questionnaire was reviewed by the current Deacons and the Senior Ministry Staff at the Church. We were then contacted by a couple of the Deacons to set up a home interview. Two gentlemen that currently serve as Deacons came out to the home and talked with both Keith and I. At this time we both shared our testimony with the gentlemen and answered any questions they had in regards to the questionnaire that had been previously filled out. After a few more weeks we were contacted to have Keith attend a 3 week class, it met for two hours for three Sundays. Then came the BIG day. Deacon Ordination. We had NO clue what to expect that evening. It was one of the most touching evenings that I've ever had. It started off with breaking up into small groups. The groups included current Deacons, Deacon candidates, their wives and involved sharing with the group your testimony. It is amazing to see the different ways God works in each of our lives and how different each person's testimony is. It also showed how God never gives up on us and while we are each sinners his love and forgiveness is always there. Next, we headed into the house of worship and enjoyed singing some old hymns with Dennis George and wife Sharon and a special message delivered by Joe Patton. They then called each of the Deacon candidates and their wives up to the front of the Church. They had chairs spread out in front for the wives to sit in and next to each wife the Deacon candidate kneeled next to her. They then called the current Deacon body up and they laid hands on each wife and candidate and voiced prayers. It was absolutely amazing and humbling. The outpouring of love is one that I will never forget.<br /><br />Keith's mom and grandmother were able to attend. We are so thankful that they could make it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuveblcg8KNdZi40wHW7IRpVAjvAhyQs0YlCNH5MtH73i0YQtDH5rBjjfQfyhyphenhyphenmQTiAcEHdtkVDLRNBThTLx2R8RpMFPgMgtYvL7f03KFngcI9vE-dxL2QJiGqcrH5fF421IYpHQ5CIXv6/s1600/keith+mom+granny.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuveblcg8KNdZi40wHW7IRpVAjvAhyQs0YlCNH5MtH73i0YQtDH5rBjjfQfyhyphenhyphenmQTiAcEHdtkVDLRNBThTLx2R8RpMFPgMgtYvL7f03KFngcI9vE-dxL2QJiGqcrH5fF421IYpHQ5CIXv6/s320/keith+mom+granny.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537554742983025970" /></a><br />I also had to grab a picture of Keith with our Pastor John Mark Caton.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh6eMIMOfb7l3u6yhS9UgreRo6eUhciZgs4-TVMGYkpI3LfL8dB5x2JBRjieaoEaCB71CNc4ykW79mOpqB17w0EyEqXbD7nIJAoaeig0O_338ik5fR_PEqi9BLhciYKkB1dMIkHtBE8yo/s1600/keith+john+mark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh6eMIMOfb7l3u6yhS9UgreRo6eUhciZgs4-TVMGYkpI3LfL8dB5x2JBRjieaoEaCB71CNc4ykW79mOpqB17w0EyEqXbD7nIJAoaeig0O_338ik5fR_PEqi9BLhciYKkB1dMIkHtBE8yo/s320/keith+john+mark.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537555014493417570" /></a><br />We are amazed and stunned at where God has led us. God has been working in our lives and we are excited about what the future holds.<br /><br />"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2443865993716185758.post-90324148341508649012010-08-23T21:08:00.004-05:002010-08-23T21:17:20.088-05:002010-2011 School YearCourtney is officially a 7th grader!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyNxhNBE-XClzzKSTs0N_m03UL5YupHqkSL_iyL_79FWP9Mf0FfEfeiNn3reZYmW-t-fOQm8g4AR7_OqqVHXu7dQhosNUNjlPt-U0rBkasA5qGWssVHE3svfqVmtaLwxk5bTgl-E4esQx/s1600/courtney+7th.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyNxhNBE-XClzzKSTs0N_m03UL5YupHqkSL_iyL_79FWP9Mf0FfEfeiNn3reZYmW-t-fOQm8g4AR7_OqqVHXu7dQhosNUNjlPt-U0rBkasA5qGWssVHE3svfqVmtaLwxk5bTgl-E4esQx/s320/courtney+7th.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508794222633351186" /></a><br />Connor is officially a 5th grader!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd7GaHWjfMqXFmalODUEpa3uYotRm0ngJiGFNRcY06gCqEFlKOlUbFrswNsdxT3bfcZ58SZ6HruPh9HDHrerJbtqrXfnW06no7Ioj2B3H8EJAzDJtFO5yskIetRI5LZrN9_cju39ay2lk/s1600/COnnor+5th.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd7GaHWjfMqXFmalODUEpa3uYotRm0ngJiGFNRcY06gCqEFlKOlUbFrswNsdxT3bfcZ58SZ6HruPh9HDHrerJbtqrXfnW06no7Ioj2B3H8EJAzDJtFO5yskIetRI5LZrN9_cju39ay2lk/s320/COnnor+5th.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508794680233072834" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14260894269876282170noreply@blogger.com0