Half Recap Part Two

Part two of the half marathon experience. Read part one here....

With about .7 miles left my husband came around a corner and found me. He had already finished the half (with a stellar time too) but he came to help motivate me. I guess it worked. He reminded me that he and my dad who came to see me finish were waiting.

 I was really glad my dad came up to see it even though I took forever and by no means came even close to my best time. It meant a lot to have someone waiting for me at the end. It really is a pretty big accomplishment for me even though my time sucked I have come a long way from the last 6 months. I really wanted to expand on this, mentally I really like having someone come and watch me finish a race because it gives me this extra motivator like I would be letting them down if I didn't do my best. 

Finishing this half marathon was a lot different than my other halves. I kind of didn't really feel all that accomplished at first. Looking back now, knowing how hard that race is though I am pretty proud that I even attempted it. I think that this is probably one of those pains that hurts so bad and yet good that I hate it so much right now but I will likely be back next year. If I can get a pass again. Finishing races always reminds me why I love to run. That feeling of accomplishment, of pushing your body past its ability is unlike anything else. Completing this half marathon in my city is like officially initiating yourself into the running community. I think I am officially a Boise Runner. 

I ate pretty clean the weeks leading up to the half, and after 3 cheat days I am back on track. After abusing my body like that, I chowed down on a juicy burger and didn't feel bad at all. I also had to toast with a glass of champagne, but it was kind of a rough recovery so I didn't drink much more than that. 

I spent this week recovering, I took 3 days off and finally hit some running and weight training. I'm planning a 6 mile run for Sunday because.... I have half marathon 4 on May 18th!! This means quick, condensed training but the fabulous news is that this one is all flat!! After that, I've got half marathon number 5 on June 22nd. These are the races I am registered for right now, I may or may not do a few more as part of marathon training this summer. 

I'm going to be plotting out my first marathon training program this weekend. I'm planning to start in june. This would be 4 months of training. Does anyone have any favorite training plans? Portland here I come!! 

How was everyone's week? Weekend?

First time back at the gym!

Me, post half

Me and my husband post half

Gettin my run on

New Fav workout Jam!! Get it!

Half Recap Part 1

Hey Everyone!!
First off, I am so sorry I haven't blogged much lately. I promise I really am going to be posting more now that I am getting used to my new job. I don't want to overload you all with a super long recap all in one post, so I have split it into two parts. I can detail how it went and I also want to dedicate part of the recap to talking about friends/family who supported me. For now, here is part one of my half marathon recap! I'll post part two tomorrow!!
I'm back and alive. I finished my 3rd half marathon this past weekend. It was a very intense experience. This was without a doubt the hardest half I have finished. The Robie Creek half has been called the toughest half in the northwest and I really can see why it earns it name. The morning of the race I wasn't feeling super confident. I figured I could finish but I started really kind of freaking about what time I would get. Let me preface this with something- you see the race goes at a pretty steady incline for 10 miles now, when I would train and do a 10 mile run I would park, run 5 miles, turn around and do 5 back to my car. So I'd do some incline but not near enough. Either way it's hilly but I cannot explain how different 10 miles at steady incline is than 10 miles half and half.
Anyways, the race takes off and starts on a main road. This takes you uphill to a back end type of area. Going up the first part there are tons of people just standing on the side cheering all the runners on. People had everything from "your perspiration is my inspiration" to just holding out donuts. The beginning of the race went well for me. I was about 10 minutes off from my average 10 k pace when I hit mile 6- and that's partly due to stopping for a bathroom and waiting in a hefty line. I wasn't too bummed with this progress though. But around 6.5 miles is when it gets tough. Like, real tough. This is when your body really feels that incline and I became so worn out I literally walked from here until nearly mile 9. Meaning I was doing a steady 22 minute mile for a while.
 From mile 6.5 I continued uphill to what's referred to as "the summit". At about mile 7.5 or so the incline gets steeper and stays pretty damn steep until mile 8.5 the tip of the summit. I trained for the summit, ran/hiked it many a time. But after taking a beating from 6 miles of mostly uphill the summit makes or breaks you. I passed a girl on the summit who was in a heap crying. It's rough mentally. Luckily, somewhere around mile 6 I met a woman who probably won't remember me or know that she helped someone. I started talking with a gal who was going about my pace and asked if I could keep pace with her for a while. She said we could make it to the top of the summit together. So we talked and she helped motivate me and push me to the end of that summit. Had I been alone, tears likely would've happened.
In memory of Boston the race had everyone wear ribbons and also to pay tribute by encouraging someone or thanking a volunteer during the race. They wanted everyone to do that with at least 10 people. I know that at least twice that amount of people said kind things to me. The people involved in this race are some of the most kind you will ever see.
So my new friend and I hit the summit and like most people she took off running at the end. I however was exhausted in every way. I couldn't see really anyone in vicinity of me. 4 miles left doesn't seem like much but man does it make a difference for this. I had to work hard and push myself to even keep moving let alone run. I did jog some, in attempt to get it the F over with haha but it was a sad try because a jog was now a 15 minute mile pace really pushing. The details of this are somewhat blurred to me looking back, I know that mile 9-12 were downhill and then one last flat mile. It all kind of looked the same, felt the same, I was just worried about finishing....

Pre Half

I'm Finally Posting!

Happy Thursday!!

Ah another week slipped away from me. I am so sorry I am a bad blogger lately. Like I said this is definitely an adjustment for me but a good one. I've been struggling a little bit recently emotionally and otherwise and I'm just overall feeling a little... Disconnected I guess. I'm not really sure what's going on just dealing with a lot I guess. I'm not trying to sound like a Debbie downer but I know all you ladies always encourage me when I feel like I need it. I love that I can be honest on this blog and the positivity and inspiration that I always see going around the blogging community, when one of us is feeling bummed so many people reach out often times better than people in real life. Whew Pity party over, now into business. I am linking up with Jake and Holly for another finish the sentence. I love these linkups I can't miss out!

1. I laughed so hard I cried when...Today at work, a co-worker showed me a hilarious piece of writing he got published. OMG. I cant share work stuff here, but it was definitely a fun "friday" at work. 
2. My high school... Sucked haha nothing much to say there, I hated high school and actually graduated early.
3. It really pisses me off... When people use their phones during a conversation.
4. In ten years... I want to be happy, surrounded by my family and hopefully some kids and my hopefully my husband. Working at a job I enjoy.
5. If I could erase one thing... Hmm that's a thinker haha. I personally don't really have any thing I want to erase from my past. I would like a do over or a fresh start in some areas but I wouldn't get rid of those experiences. I'd really like to be able to change the dynamic of some of my relationships. I guess my real answer is I would erase a pain from someone that I love who needed it more.
6. In 1999... N'sync and lance bass rocked my world.
7. Honestly... I am really hard on myself about everything. I hate not being able to be perfect for everyone in my life.
8. To me, sushi... Should not exist. For real raw food?! Ugh salmonella waiting to happen!
9. Someone really needs to invent... A mind reader!! Lol I am snoopy and I would also love to read my family (especially my husbands) thoughts.
10. The first time I drank alcohol... Well, my first distinct memory isn't good lol I hated all alcohol for a very long time and I am still super picky. I actually may need to do a post on my opinion of booze. I will say the first time I was truly drunk was jungle juice and all I cared about was that I had spilled red shit on a new top.
11. The one question I would ask god is..I seriously can't choose one! I think I would end up asking if my family and I die happy. I would like to know that no matter what happens I end up fulfilled and my family ends up okay when We die. I have so many questions though.
12. Lindsay Lohan... Is a waste of oxygen for reals. Her money needs to go to someone in need so she can remember what it's like to work for what you have.
Alright, thanks to holly and jack for hosting another fab link up and making my Thursday!! I can't wait for the next one!!
Well, I am off to work. I will post tomorrow about my upcoming weekend plans! I have my 3rd half Saturday so I will have a recap Monday!! Have a fab Thursday!!


Me Last weekend, cause I know you all miss my awesome  boring photos.

How was everyones week? Any good news?

Rambling....

Hey everyone!
Just a quick update here, I apologize for being so M.I.A. lately, I started my new job Wednesday and it is kind of kicking my butt! I really really like it so far, it feels so great to be working full time doing something I really like. It is a huge schedule change for me though, I work 10 hour days, 4 days a week. Then I go home, eat, shower and sleep. Hopefully my body will adjust to the new tiredness and I will get used to it and be able to get more done after work. This week, FAIL. I haven't really gotten anything done let alone make food. I need to get in a new routine, I'm sure it will just take some time. So I will be working on trying to blog more too- maybe on my breaks at work. Aside from that nothing much is really going on here. I feel totally lame not really having much to talk about today but it is what it is. 
I should update that next Saturday is my 3rd half marathon! I am excited but also nervous. I haven't gotten to give 100% to my training like I know I should have. I've done a couple long runs but at the same time getting sick twice has kicked my ass and really thrown me off. I know I will finish, but I will also be SORE and probably not in the best shape after. Thats OK. I am hitting my training hard after that, with lots of races coming up. I just really need a new routine. 
Alright, I am off to try and get stuff done! I am for sure gonna type up some fun posts this weekend and have them ready for next week. I hate to bore all of my newer readers. 


HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Any fun weekend plans?

Tuesday topics!

Happy Tuesday everyone!
First off, thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway! The winner is....Sheree Hartung! Laura has contacted you! Congrats!!  I cant wait to talk with you all more and I am definitely doing another giveaway soon so stay tuned!
So I honestly don't have much to recap from my weekend, it really wasn't the best. There was good and bad moments but it was very busy and has left me in somewhat of a funk. Ugh hoping a run will pull me out of it- well see. In lieu of a weekend post, I'm linking up with Austin Family Diary for Tuesday topics for my 6 favorite things in my house!

We live in an apartment, it's small so I haven't had a ton of decorating options. So lets see...
1. Our tv. That sounds bad, we don't even use it that much but the husband bought one before he moved in here and it is one of the fancy new 3d smart TVs. It's just really fun to have to watch movies on. Our favorites are the 3d Disney Pixar ones.
2. My framed photos. They are all pretty much contained to the living room since the walls are white the photos really liven them up. I have a huge canvas print of me, the husband and our dog, as well as a canvas of me and my grandpa. We also have several sets of frames with wedding and other favorite photos. I'm very sentimental so this means a lot to me.

3. Going off of the sentimental thing, I would also have to say that I have a box of sentiments that is also pretty close to my heart. It has photos and heirloom jewelry pieces from my dad and mom. I also saved many memories from my husband and my relationship from start to now. Letters and gifts from our relationship. Eventually it would be cool to do a post just on the items in this box.
4. My owls. This probably sounds really silly but a lot of my owls were gifts from family and I think they will look really cool once we can actually display things and be organized. I cannot wait to have kitchen space, I have so many ideas! My kitchen items are truthfully my favorite but many of them have to be in storage and we don't have the room to use them :(

5. My blankets. I love a good soft cuddly blanket. I used to try and collect them, I am kind of laying off that but I really could ask for a new one each Christmas and be thrilled. Maybe I will get back into it. Again, i need places to put them. Costco seems to always have my favorite ones. I love being cold and curling up with my dog and a soft blanket.
6. I guess I would have to say the bathtub. It's crappy and it's tiny and I hate it but I love baths so much that it is still one of my favorite items based on the fact that I use it daily and a lot of apartments don't have them at all. Kitchen and bathroom are my top 2 things for a house. I can't wait to have a separate bath that I don't have to share. Someday someday, our lease ends in November so hopefully by then we have the means to rent a house. The tub I have now is good though, my husband organized it for me so that's awesome I have all my fav products and magazines right there.

Phew okay, there are my top house items. Sorry about the lack of photos- my house is a disaster area!! I have a couple ideas for posts later this week so I will try to post after work tomorrow! Have a great day!!

How was everyones weekend? What are your favorite house items?

GOOD news!

Happy Friday people! I am just stopping in for a quick post/thank you...
But first, I want to remind you that there is still time to enter the giveaway, you can do so here. There is a lot up for grabs, you don't want to miss out!!
I also wanted to tell you all a huge thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers on my post the other day about my job search. I was offered a JOB yesterday from a company that previously turned me down. It is really a life saver and will be opening a lot of doors for me. I really look forward to my future and to not feeling so desperate constantly. This will be a new change but I am excited for it and I hope I can still fit in all my running with a full time job and everything.
For all the bad luck I felt I had had with my being sick and everything, I feel like yesterday made up for. In addition to the new job, I won some free food! Well, actually I won a "ticket" to go to lunch at this amazing pizza restaurant for me and 5 friends. Hooray! This weekend I am working and waiting to hear on an exact date for next week that I start my new job! I probably won't have much of a weekend to update about so I will try to come up with a fun Monday post! Have a fab weekend!

What good luck have you had this week? Any awesome weekend plans?

Week/weekend update

Hey everyone! Welcome to all of my new readers! I am so happy to have you here and I can't wait to get to know more of you! If you haven't entered yet, there is still time to enter the huge giveaway here!
This week hasn't been the best for me. I got super sick Sunday night and I have been feeling pretty shitty ever since. Oh And to top it off I'm feeling pretty craptastic about the job search too. Another interview, another job I didn't get. I would really love it if someone would take a chance on me just once. I'm finding it really hard to not be negative and down on myself. I know that it takes time and that it's a terrible market to begin with, but then it's just making me wonder what the benefit of school was if I can't even land am entry level office job. It feels like it must be something personal. Sooo I'm trying to get over it or work through it/ not give up hope but it's hard not to have this all on my mind.
Now lemme recap my busy fricken weekend for you- Friday started with happy hour after work, we met up with some friends who were in town. It was fun we went to the arcade bar and ate yummy food. Saturday we watched out friends baby boy for a while and then went on a date night just us. My husband got me this hilarious game "cards against humanity" and it is SO much fun. You should check it out for sure. I couldn't stop laughing. It's the dirty apples to apples for screwed up minds.
Easter Sunday, ah another lovely holiday to split with families. All we ever seem to do on holidays is drive from one place to another. I guess we are prepared to expect it but still it can get annoying. So we did breakfast with the hubs family, coffee with my dad, and dinner with my mom. It all ended with me up all night sick, and I wasn't able to go to work yesterday. I am feeling a little better today, I have a horrendous cough and a sore throat but the flu symptoms are pretty much gone. I will leave you with some of the weekends pictures! 

Friday night- Dress is Kiki La Rue

Easter in my Mint Taber Top from Kiki La Rue

Baby D we watched saturday

A HUGE giveaway!

Happy Monday!!
I will be back tomorrow with a weekend racap, but I have caught the flu so today's post is going to be short but awesome! 
I am teaming up with Laura and a bunch of other amazing bloggers for Laura's 1000 follower giveaway!! We are giving away 300 dollars to J. Crew, 200 dollars to Target, and 200 dollars to Sephora!! That's 700 worth of gift cards for one very lucky reader!! Follow each of us bloggers below for chances to win!! Good luck, and Thank you all in advance for participating!!

This past week Laura from Walking in Memphis in High Heels reached 1,000 followers on her blog!  To celebrate and thank her readers, she has teamed up with some of her favorite bloggers to have a huge giveaway!  Please take a moment to show these women (and one man) some love!  One lucky reader will win a $300 gift card to J.Crew, a $200 gift card to Target and a $200 gift card to Sephora!  How amazing is that?!  You can check out each blog by clicking on the link below their name, and enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter below.

Abigail  ||  Ady  ||  Alicia

Andrea D  ||  Andrea M  ||  Angela

Alyssa  ||  Amy D  ||  Analisa

Ashlee  ||   Bekah  ||   Brianne

Chioma   ||   Colleen   ||   Dani

Emily  ||  Holly  ||  Jaclyn

Jaime  ||  Jason  ||  Jessica M

Jessica S  ||  Jessica T  ||  Jodi

Karri  ||  Keyona  ||  Kira 

Laura  ||  Lindsey  ||  Maria

Merchon  ||  Serena  ||  Taber 

Tasha  ||  Amanda

a Rafflecopter giveaway