Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half Recap

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
(Kim and I waiting in our corral to start the race)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Many thanks to my friends and family for their love and encouragement. Especially these two cuties and my awesome husband, Keith!

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.

Connor 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.


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.

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.

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.

Christmas Card

I 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.



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

Have a very blessed Christmas!!!

13th 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.

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.

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..

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!

Setting 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So, get out there and set some goals and 10k training here I come!!!

Proud

Sunday 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.

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.

Keith's mom and grandmother were able to attend. We are so thankful that they could make it.

I also had to grab a picture of Keith with our Pastor John Mark Caton.

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.

"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 3:17

2010-2011 School Year

Courtney is officially a 7th grader!

Connor is officially a 5th grader!