Fit For A Princess Expo

We made it!

Half marathon swag

Look at all the stuff I bought...eek

Ok, simply stated... it was completely overwhelming but awesome. I knew that it would be huge but I never expected it to be as big as it actually was. I will post a detailed report when I get back to Atlanta.

Leaving... But Not On A Jet Plane

So, I leave first thing in the morning. I can't believe that this day is finally here, it seems almost surreal. I will try to post some things while there but can't make any promises. I will definitely have a weekend and race report when I get back. Now, I am just praying for a safe trip and strong legs.

I'm Too Excited To Sleep

Ok, so I am a dork and I am too excited to sleep. Plus, I am working on the packing list for the trip. I don't think I freaked out this much when I travelled to The House Of Mouse with the family in the summer. I know that I am forgetting something but I am not sure what.

So, give me suggestions. What did you forget or feel was super important to have when you ran your first half?

I Could Just Burst

I know, I've been MIA but I'm so darn pumped about Disney that I can barely function. Is this normal? I've even started organizing the things I'm going to pack everything I won't be needing from now until Friday, and check my list a million times.

My parents get here on Thursday,and they'll keep Bella, that way Patrick gets a weekend off too.  Double score! Bella is super psyched to see Grandma and Grandpa, and I think she's excited because they'll let her run wild.

Alright, I'll post more later after I'm done with my pedicure. Who posts from the nail place?! ...this girl, that's who.

Things I've Learned In The Last 9 Months

Yesterday, I was thinking about all the things I've learned since I started this little running adventure 9 months ago. Some of what I learned was about running, some is about myself.

• Running doesn't suck, shocking I know, but I really did not enjoy it when I started
• I now look forward to my runs, and I get bummed if I have to miss them.
• Running is very much a mental game
• Running hurts sometimes but the feeling of running completely outweighs the pain
• It's cheaper than therapy
• The right shoes make all the difference. 
• Blood = BAD ASS (at least it is in my books) See this post
• Running in rain/sleet etc. = BAD ASS
• I am a sock snob, I found a kind of sock that I like and will not use any other. Thorlo Experia Coolmax socks (I own a lot of these and in a variety of colors)
• Still on the subject of socks, I refuse to wear my white socks to race in. I wore white for the first 5K and I decided that white socks are bad luck for me. I know it's weird but that's just me. I plan on wearing the orchid or turquoise socks for the Princess, in case you were wondering.
• I learned the importance of wicking fabrics. I started out wearing cotton...never again.
• I learned the importance of fuel
• I've learned what bonking is
• I've become close friends with my foam roller
• Learned how to properly tie my shoe laces, sounds simple but there is a wrong way to do this apparently.
• Not every run is a superstar, rockstar run and I have had to learn to deal with that
• I feel pretty bad ass every time we go on a long run
• I learned what glide is, and that it's a wonderful thing.
• The fine people at the Kroger on our running route are very nice and are kind enough to share their restrooms with us on our runs
• I actually like being outside even in the cold, when I started I dreaded going to run outside
• I learned that if you run you are a runner, it was a long time before I felt like a real runner. 
• Slow is the new fast 
• Most importantly, I learned that I am capable of a lot more than I could have ever imagined.

What have you learned since you've started running?

REST?! I Guess I Can Handle That

So, if you read my last post you saw that I have an ear infection and sinusitis. Normally, something like this would not slow me down, but this time I am completely spent. Monday evening, I covered a friend's Zumba class, and afterwards I was completely exhausted more so than I normally would be. When I got home, I was ready for bed. Keep in mind that Patrick and I's 7th anniversary was on Monday, but we were both so done that we were in bed by 9, I think that officially makes us old married people. I took Bella to school Tuesday morning and went home and headed straight to bed, so not my normal MO. I had planned on resting but going back to bed was not what I had planned. I did go to Bosu but I did have a few moments where I felt really dizzy and had to take a minute to gather myself. I took it easy the rest of the day and even skipped Zumba to stay home and rest. Can you believe it?! Me skipping Zumba and resting... what next? I'm hoping to feel well enough to get a run or two in by the end of the week. I can rest if it means that I can run and be well enough for Disney. So, rest and I are about to get reacquainted.

Heart To Heart 5K Race Report

*Warning- Picture heavy post*

This was a super cool race because it supports Bella's school and it's the school's biggest fundraiser. To add to the wonderful day, my dear friend Lisa was racing with us for the first time. I don't get to see Lisa often, so I was beyond jazzed to be able to do this with her. Then to top it off, Bella was set to run the 1 Mile Fun Run with Karen's incredible daughter. This was Bella's first race, and I think she's hooked.

Bella was pumped and ready to go! 

Crossing the finish line

She was so proud of herself

Posing with her finisher ribbon

Bella "trained" for this race running laps around the kitchen and at the childcare at the gym. On race day, Bella confided in me that she hoped her training paid off, it was the cutest thing ever. After the race, she was beyond proud of herself. Then later, she told me that she had to train harder for the next race. Have I mentioned that I love that kid?

Looking so sexy before the race LOL

My dear friend Lisa and I (our first time racing together)

We were ready to go

I had hoped that this race would be a PR for me, but then again, I hope that every race is a PR. We walked to the start, had our traditional inappropriate banter, and then we were off. There were four of us running together, so we set ourselves up two by two so we didn't hog the whole path. As soon as we started moving, I had to pee, let me tell you that I had even hit the bathroom before we started because of this... what a mess. By the time I hit mile 1, the trouble really started setting in. I was so stuffed up and couldn't blow it out (thank heavens for my trusty hanky that Karen bought me). I slowed the pace and tried to get myself together. Karen and Lisa were having a great race and they went ahead, which is cool because I can finish the race on my own. Goes back to what Shannon had said to me about running for no one but myself. Somewhere between miles 2 and 3, I got dizzy, really dizzy, and it scared me a little because at this point I was on my own. I diverted from the 5/1 plan so that I could try to get a handle on myself. Then, I had some negative thoughts creep up, not good. So, I am having a little mental battle with myself, and I was feeling like crud, not a good combination. Closer to the end of the race, the principal of the school caught up to me, we walked and chatted for a while, it was very pleasant. Then, we came up on the finish, so I ran, and I saw Bella standing near the finish cheering me on so I grabbed her hand and she ran with me across the finish. I finished in 45:11, not a PR but it doesn't matter. The overall morning was fun even if I didn't feel my best. 

Ran across the finish with Bella who
was waiting near the finish line.

Looking like total rockstars!! Might have missed our
true calling...

After the finish. Our hair looked frightful, it seemed
to have a life of it's own.

Then came the best part of the morning... we went to IHOP. Guess what I got for breakfast... PANCAKES! YUM! Plus, the balloon lady was there so we got a few balloons. Check out the awesomeness.

Lisa got this awesome turtle bracelet

Bella borrowed Emma's tiara and got some
cool butterfly wings.

I borrowed the tiara so I could practice for Disney.

FYI- I went to the doctor and it turns out I have sinusitis and an ear infection. Thank goodness he was on board for treating it aggressively (not my normally what I would do), but I have to be better for Disney.