Talladega Half-Marathon 2013

I DID IT!  I SURPASSED MY GOAL OF BEATING MY TIME BY AN HOUR!  

MY OFFICIAL TIME WAS 2 hours 10 minutes and 16 seconds!!!  

Not that I expected to win, but it was a pleasant surprise to learn that I finished 14th out of 52 in my age group (25-29).

I am mighty proud, my friends.  I have come a long way and am here to prove to everyone that with hard work and dedication, you can make things you once thought impossible....reality. 

September 22, 2013.  2 hours 10 minutes

This was 2 1/2 years ago, doing the same course.  

April 2011.  3 hours 13 minutes

My goal was to beat my previous time by an hour but I knew going into it that would mean that I would have to maintain a faster pace I had been running during our long runs.  To be honest, I thought I would be finishing around 2h 30m.  

We arrived at the Superspeedway at 6:30.  It was cool.  We were ready...well after I peed twice!

The horn blew, and we were off.  Felt good.  Jen and I stuck together until about mile 11.  Our 1st mile was fast for us (8:41min/mile).  We maintained a great pace.  Around mile 5, my left knee started bothering me.  Thankfully the pain went away after about a mile.  Mile 7 was my slowest (10:24 min/mile).  But we kicked it up and finished strong.  Surprisingly, I felt pretty good overall.  I wanted to walk several times, but I really didn't want to give up the great pace and for me to beat 2h 13m, I knew I had to keep up the good work. We would walk for about 15 seconds at a few of the water stations. Around the 11.5 mark, Jen picked up her pace.  I tried, but my legs were going as fast as they could carry me.  I told myself 'just don't stop, you're almost there'.  I planned on sprinting once I saw the finish line...well it's kinda funny thinking about it now.  I was telling myself... 'SPRINT, RUN HARD.  FINISH STRONG.  GO!  Dang Megan, you can't go no faster?!?'  My legs were wore-slap-OUT! 

Unfortunately, Jacob had an OSHA training class that he could not miss.  So he wasn't there today, but he called me twice during the race and gave me some sweet encouragement.  He too was surprised and happy about the pace I was maintaining. He called as soon as the race was over too.  I know he wanted to be there to cheer me on.  I know he is proud of me.

Jamie and Jennifer did a great job!
Jamie finished 1h 43m.  He maintained a 7:54 min/mile.
Jennifer finished in 2h 8m.  Maintaining a 9:48 min/mile.
I finished 2h 10m.  Maintaining 9:57 min/mile.

This was the man that we ran in honor of.  Mr Randy!  He is a prostate cancer survivor.  We love him.

My thoughtful mother-in-law came to cheer me on at the finish line.   {too bad she got a speeding ticket on the way there}

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My Running Story

I want to tell you my running story.  It's really my fitness/get my body back/best shape of my life story.

Before kids I worked out in gyms occasionally.  Usually just went to "hangout" while Jacob worked out.  Maybe get on the elliptical for 15-20 minutes, do a few machines.  That's about it.  After I delivered Bella, my post baby body grossed me out bad.  I had a newborn. Who was going to watch Bella while I exercised?  I felt selfish at the time for even wanting to leave her while I went to the gym. So I put her in the stroller and walked the neighborhood.  I walked for a couple months pushing my chunky infant.  I hit a point where I wasn't even breathing hard.  I felt like I wasn't getting much out of my walks anymore.

So......one day on my walk, I has this crazy idea to run to the next driveway.  For that whole walk, I ran to one driveway, walked to the next, ran to the next driveway.  Poor Bella was probably thinking 'what's wrong with this engine?'  Then my endurance was improving slightly, I remember going 2 driveways/walking one.  Then I remember the day I ran all the way to the end of my road without stopping (0.7 mile).  I was so proud of myself!  Then I finally, and I mean months after starting, I finally made it an entire mile without stopping!  I was about to die.  But I was so happy!

Around that time, {Sept 2010} my friends were signing up to do some races, so I joined them.  My very 1st race was  an 8K to raise money for the Grist Mill where I grew up.  This was important to me because Jacob's grandparents were very dedicated to preserving the history of the mill.

We got matching tanks, laced up and ran.  Well I ended up walking a LARGE portion, but I did it!  I finished! 

Oh WOW, I was so...fluffy.  I hate sharing this with yall but it's ok, because it is part of my journey.  

The next month I signed up for another 8K.  It was tough.  But again I finished!  I was well aware that I was a very slow runner.  But I was pushing myself.  Sweating like a beast, I knew I was getting a good workout in.  

For the next 6 months I ran some.  Meaning maybe 3 times a week, then maybe 3 times a month.  I usually pushed Bella every time I ran.   I sometimes wonder if that "trained" my body to be slower.  I ran at a 12:00-14:00 min/mile pace.  I told y'all: VERY SLOW.  But I reminded myself often...

Again, my friends wanted to do a half marathon, I naively agreed.  Keep in mind I was one of the youngest one in my group.  You'd think I would not be struggling so.  When we all ran together... I was always, 100% of the time, LAST when we all trained together.  It bothered me, but I didn't want to give up.  So I pushed, panted and struggled as I followed them just trying to keep them in my sights when we would do long runs on the weekends. One weekend we did 8 miles, it was the furthest I had ever run.  It took me a very long 1 hour & 53 minutes.  Little did I know that would be my last run until the race.  A few days later, I found out I was pregnant!  I was overjoyed & filled with excitement and joy!  But I was in a big dilemma.  I had committed to running this half.  I had convinced my best friend to do it with me...the same best friend who had been struggling with infertility for years.  I couldn't back out on her.  So I kept my secret.  Talked to my OB, who gave me the green light.  In April 2011, I survived my 1st half-marathon.  I was embarrassingly slow.  It hurt.  I wanted to vomit the entire time.  But for 3 hours and 13 minutes I put one foot in front of the other and I just kept moving forward.  It felt like every person 50 pounds heavier than me and any person over 60 years old was speed walking past me as I was doing this slow jogging motion, I realized I was barely moving.  As soon as I rounded that turn and saw the finish line, my legs would not move any faster, but I couldn't help but to smile~I was so happy I could finally stop.

After that race I stopped running.  I gained 30 pounds.  I delivered our lovely Lucy.  I didn't lose all the weight. In May of 2012, I tore the timer tag off my shoes from the half marathon more that a year later and I ran the neighborhood.   It took me 43 minutes to run 3 miles, but it was a start.  For the rest of 2012, I ran occasionally maintaining a 12-13 min/mile pace.

Then 2013 came.  I had finally, after 2 years ~ hit my goal weight.  It felt amazing.  I so desperately wanted to maintain it.  To keep my healthier lifestyle.  So I stuck with what was working for me, except I kicked it up.  I worked harder, ran regularly.  For the 1st time since I started running...I saw improvement in my pace.  Far from fast, but improvement!  I was now running a 10-11 min/mile pace!!!  Mostly 3 mile runs, but sometimes I would do a 5 or 6 miler.  It felt so good to be improving!!

I joined a big group of my friends in doing the relay during the Mercedes Marathon in February 2013.  I did a 6-mile leg and this amazing thing happened...I finished with a 9:55 min/mile pace!!!  I was shocked and so happy.  I had never in my entire life done faster than a 10:40.  I was so inspired to keep up the good work and continue improving.  I ran at least 3 days/week.  April 22 was the day I saw 8:53 min/mile pace, it was only for 1.5 mile, but I'm claiming it!  I started running in the mornings before work.  For a long while I ran 5 days/wk.  I've maintained a 9:30-10 min/mile pace.  I am proud of that pace, even though to some it is slow.  I know my journey and for me it is improvement.  I'll take that as a little victory!

When Jennifer and I started discussing doing the Talladega Half, I wanted to.  I wanted to because I knew I could do so much better.  I was more prepared.  Same course, but I will be a different person as I'm out running on that race track.  So we signed up and started training 10 weeks ago.  

I must admit on our long runs, I thought several times, I don't even like running, but...

In my head over and over and over I tell myself...

Here I am just a few days away from my 2nd half-marathon.  I am ready to BLOW MY PREVIOUS TIME AWAY!  My goal is to cut off an entire hour and finish in 2 hours 13 minutes. That is a stretch and I am not too confident that I can do that.  I think a 2 hours 30 minutes is a more realistic goal.  I would be very proud of that.  

This running story is not ending here....

To be continued...

{Wondering how I did on the 2013 Talladega Half??  Click here}

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I've been running

Hey Y'all!!!  I've missed writing a lot!  It's been over a month and I've been wanting to sit in this seat and let my fingers tell stories of all that I've been up to.  Finding the time isn't so easy.  I explained in this post why I haven't been blogging as much lately.  

One thing that I have been doing is running.  I've been running 3-4 days each week the past month.  In June-July, I was running 5 days/week.  In July I logged 54.68 miles.  August I ran 64.5 miles.  I am training for the Talladega Half Marathon that's in 3 short weeks.  I run 3 miles during the week before work and long runs on the weekend with Jennifer who's training with me.  The longest we've done is 9 miles.  We've done a couple of 8 miles.  The next 2 weeks we are supposed to be doing 11 miles.  It's tough.  It's never easy and usually at least once during each long run, I tell myself "I hate running" but when I'm done I'm proud that I did it!  It's all about staying healthy and trying to keep my booty from being H-U-G-E.  Plus it's a cheap way to stay in shape.  All you need is running shoes.  No gym membership or fancy equipment.  

During the week before work, I run in my neighborhood by myself.  On the weekends when Jen & I do our long runs in the beautiful Farmlinks that's just a few miles from my house.  It really is a beautiful place and makes our runs a little easier.  

Taking a potty/rehydrate/energy gel pack break.

This was before a very hot run in the middle of the day.

Love these country roads

A much needed water break!

wore slap out.

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Fitness Friday

Cooking-
So an update on the cooking from this post a couple weeks ago...all the recipes that I tried were fair.  Not terrible, but not that great in my opinion.  I might love them if someone else cooked them, but the 1 time that I tried-FAIR.  Also, the truth is Jacob and I are pretty strict on our diet throughout the week.  We splurge on the weekends, so he really isn't even enjoying some of the meals because he's worried that it isn't as healthy as what he's been eating on his diet.  So, I don't care enough to continue cooking right now!  So there.  That didn't last long at all.  I figured it wouldn't.  I mean, I'll still do an occasional meal, but probably for the kids only or weekend-splurge meals.

Fitness Friday-
There hasn't been a magical change in the numbers on the scales, which is a little disappointing.  However, I am VERY PROUD of the fact that I have been running often.  Since my last Fitness Friday post 3 weeks ago, I have ran 4-5 times each week!  Usually 3 miles each time, averaging 9:30 minute/mile.   And.....I have been WAKING UP AT 5AM TO RUN.  I am one of those girls who LOVES her sleep!  Like I could sleep 9-12 hours every night and be perfectly happy!
 
There are a few reason why I tried this early morning running & surprisingly liking it...

• In the afternoons I have a very small opportunity to run.  If I have to go to the grocery store, some one visits, Jacob works late/works out longer than usual...then I lose that opportunity.  If I wake up early, before he goes to work and while the girls are asleep, then no one except me is in the way of getting my run in!
• With the beginning of the hot summer coming, it is MUCH cooler in the mornings than the evenings.
• My run is DONE for the day by 5:45am!  You know I've said before that I don't love running while I'm running, but I really like it running when I'm DONE.  I got a good workout out of my 3 mile runs, I'm challenging my time each time I go & actually improving!

I'm not committing to this early morning run everyday.  (If I did it might turn out like my cooking-commitment)  However, for right now, I'm enjoying getting it done early.  

(I wish that was my skinny tail in this picture, but it's not.  Just being honest.)

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Fitness Friday

I'm linking up with Kristin from The Little Princess Diaries for Fitness Friday.

I have been thinking a lot about the past year and how I compare mentally and physically to now and then.  This post was from last April.  I set goals for myself and maintained them, hitting my goal weight.  I currently weigh 12 pounds less than I did last year.  While I am very happy that those 12 pounds are a thing of the past...I'd like to tone up and say good-bye to 10 more.

My endurance is what I am most proud of.  I remember when I couldn't run a mile without stopping.  Then I could finally do a mile, then I remember the day that I made it the whole 3 miles without stopping. I guess looking at the big picture I should be really proud. No, I'm not the fastest, I've never come close to winning a race, but I'm better that I was last year, heck I'm better that I was last month.  For that, I am proud!  I've been running more regularly lately and my time is improving which feels amazing!  Back in February I joined my friends for the Mercedes Relay.  In this post I talked about how I'm the "slow-girl" in our group and how I busted out a personal-record time for me!  I was very proud.  I used to be a 10-11 minute/mile girl.  At the Mercedes Relay, I ran 6 miles at a 9:55min/mile pace.  That was HUGE for me!  I was very proud!  Since that race in February, I took a month break and picked up going even faster!  I've found the motivation and drive that I've needed to improve my speed and endurance.  One evening I ran my fastest...it was only 1.5 mile, but I was tickled pink to see an 8:53min/mile pace!  My usual evening run in my neighborhood is 3 miles.  I've been hanging out in the 9:**min/mile range, with my fastest being 9:26min/mile, finishing 3.1 mile in 29min 15 sec.  Happy, Happy, Happy!  Now, to keep that pace, I must admit that I am pushing myself the entire way.  It's not like that's easy for me and each time I get back to my driveway, I lay all sprawled out catching my breath, waiting on a buzzard to try to come see if I'm really dead that time.  It is mighty rewarding to see some improvement!  This is what I've been wanting and waiting for since I starting this on/off love like relationship with running.  I've finally found that deep down drive and motivation that is almost like gentle, but firm hands on my back pushing me forward.

I still have bad days, yesterday being one of them.  I didn't run and I ate nothing except carbs and sweets.  Then I regretted it the rest of the day.  Days like yesterday and how I felt, will make me be strict on myself today!

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Mercedes-Benz Marathon 2013

I had so much fun with my large group of crazy friends!  In our group of friends, there was 1 half-marathoner and 3 relay teams that consisted of 5-person teams that completed the 26.2 mile marathon.  

It was cold!  Like 25 degrees when we got out of the car!  brrrrrrr.  We found our bus that took us to each of our relay starting point.  Thankfully the bus had heaters!  After what felt like a pretty LONG ride, the bus pulled up to a Piggly Wiggly.  We unloaded.  After standing around for a little bit...the manager came to unlock the door.  Splendid!  Bathrooms and a heated store while we waited on our teammates to get to us. We watched the clock and thought about our friends at the start line, how excited and pumped it must've been.  I was the 3rd person in my relay team.  I did 6 miles.  Miles 9-15 of the marathon.  

Jennifer & I waiting on our teammates so we could take off.

I began my run energized and excited.  By mile 9, which is where I started, the crowd was pretty thin and I had plenty of room.  It was so strange, because I was passing people.  I have never passed anyone!  Not in a real race, or training with others.  I'm the slow girl...or at least in my head I am.  Granted, most of the people that I was passing had already ran 9 miles, because we joined in with the half and other individual full-marathoners.  But none-the-less, it put a pep in a step and a boost of confidence!  On my Map My Run app, I have it set to where the woman talks to me every 5 minutes, telling me my total time, distance and pace.  My 1st 2 miles I held a 9:?? pace, I was shocked and excited, I didn't want to give that up. I've never ran a 9:anything.  Heck, I'm usually an 11 minute/mile girl!  I was pushing myself, rocking to my music, feeling inspired by the other hard workers next to me.  Around my 4th mile, my woman said my pace was 10:05, 'NO!!!'  At that point, I PUSHED HARDER, refusing any more water brakes for the last 2 miles.  I have the ability to run, my breathing was right...so I worked my legs.  Telling myself 'Faster, faster...keep going!'  Running is nothing but a mind game.  The last song with my ear plugs in before I met up with my teammate was "Girl on Fire" by Rhianna  Alicia Keys.  I raced to my teammate, passed off the ankle time-keeper-thingy.  My world was spinning for a few minutes.  I looked at the official app with our time....it said 09:55!!!!  I did it.  Again, I know for some that isn't fast, but I'm usually 10:30-11 minute/mile.  

I'm so very proud of each one of my friends!  Everyone pushed themselves and did a great job!  It was SO MUCH fun doing this together as a big group!

Guys finished 1st...The Runnin Fools.  Total time 3 hours 56 minutes.  Average pace 9:02minutes/mile!

Next across the finish line was the Pink Spankies.  Total time 4 hours 19 minutes.  Average pace 9:54minutes/mile!

Last, but not least the Breathless Bandits.   Total time 4 hours 30 minutes.  Average pace 10:19 minutes/mile!

Breathless Bandits

Kristin, another friend that I meet up with at the end.  She did her very 1st half-marathon and ROCKED it!  Finishing in 2 hours 10 minutes, keeping a 9:58 pace.  GREAT JOB girl, I'm SO proud!

After Jim & Nicks fed us, we still stopped for some hot donuts.

Would I do it again??????  You bet, as long as all my friends do it too!  It was fun as a huge group.  I was never alone.  We were always checking on each others team and cheering on another on.  Fun day for sure!

Update:  These are the OFFICIAL TIMES...

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Running buddies

I've been running regularly, but not frequently.  The past 4 weekends, I've ran 5.5-6 miles.  There have been some 3 milers & home-workouts during the week.  I did a couple of weekend runs with Kristin that I really enjoyed.  Her running spot is pretty flat {that's always a bonus}.  Her blog about her running journey is pretty inspiring!  My other running buddies are a group of friends that I'm doing the Mercedes Marathon with today. We usually run VERY close to where I live and a really pretty place, but has a few tough hills! We have this ongoing 11-person group Facebook messaging.  That keeps me laughing throughout my day.

Today will be by-far the most crowded run I've ever participated in.  We are doing a 5-person relay to complete the (26.2-mile) marathon. Our team is the "Breathless Bandits".  I'm the 3rd runner & will run 6 miles.  Our friends consist of 3 relay teams, "The Pink Spankies" and the guys are "The Tightie Whities".  I have a couple of friends running the half. I'm actually very excited about the day and think I'll have lots of fun with the large group of my friends.

Another upcoming run is The Dirty Girl Run.  It's in 3 weeks.  It's my 1st "dirty" run.  I've played in the mud plenty back in our 4-wheel riding days, but it's been a while. It's a 5K Run and obstacle course.  It isn't a timed event.  You just do it with your friends.  I think it'll be a blast.  I just hope it isn't freezing that morning.  You know early March in the south is nothing but a roll of dice.  Remember the blizzard of '93? Yep, that was early March too!

Anyway, I'm loving my fitness friends.  They are fun & silly...but encourage me to go running, when I really don't feel like it and I end up having fun with them.

I'm happy with my weight.  Everyone knows that saying that is like saying 'I'm rich'.  You never really think you will be where you want to be.  Now, I didn't say that I'm completely happy with the way I look, I've got A LOT of toning to do, but if the scales stay the same I'm ok with that.  I have curves and to be honest, I don't want to lose all of those curves.  Skin & bones are not sexy!  Plus, I love carbs WAY too much to be skin & bones!

Wish us all luck!  Today will be COLD, crowded, tiring...but full of fun!

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My bestie's gift to me & allowing my mind to forget that I'm running

You'd think that my best friend living in Oklahoma would create distance in our relationship, but honestly it hasn't AT ALL!  For my birthday, I got a sweet card & 29 reasons why I was her best friend.  I loved each reason equally and it meant so much to me.  Some were so sweet & others had me laughing.

It's too awesome not to share some...

#2 You are beautiful! (Let's face it, everyone likes to have a pretty friend)

#4 I can tell you about some of our money issues and you don't look down on me (although Dave Ramsey hates us both)!

#6 I know that I can trust you 100% around my husband (can't say that about many people)

#7 I can text/call you and ask the most stupid/random questions and you always answer me. (and don't make me feel totally stupid) 

#11  You got Dr Bill to call in Phenergan and Zofran for me in Oklahoma

#14  You gave me the most awesome baby shower!

#16  You force me to do things that I would never dream I would be able to do (8K, 1/2 marathon)

#17  You were my double date to Jr & Sr Prom.

#23 You pin great things on Pinterest.  Ha.  lol.

#26 You love the lake/Wind Creek as much as I do.

#27  You can make a bigger mess trying to "organize" something that you had in the first place. (just like me)

#28  You love to make lists and color coded charts for everything.   

I love you too, Brynn!!

This is a topic that Brynn & I discuss regularly...

I'd REALLY like to get this body ready to just try on swim suits, much less walk around in one.  I've been running more lately, watching closely what I eat and avoiding much junk food.  I can tell you many things that I hate about running, but there's one thing that I enjoy.  After the 1st mile, when my breathing is right and my legs adjust to the work, my mind wonders.  It wonders to another time, another life.  Daydreaming.  If I look up, towards the clouds and just allow my mind to go anywhere but where I am, I forget that I'm even running for a few moments.  

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The Sleeping Beauties GRAND OPENING

Today is the day.  I'm feeling a little gutsy and bold today.  I had a nice, long 6 mile run this morning with Kristin.  It was great because it was the 1st time I've ran over 3.5 miles since April of 2011.  Although my legs are tired now, I ran 11:40 min/mile for a total of 1 hour and 10 minutes, burning close to 1,000 calories!  Even more exciting...for the very 1st time ever, I ran with someone and actually kept up!  Remember me telling you that I am ALWAYS VERY LAST when I run with a group of people.  So the fact that I actually ran WITH someone, as in, stride-in-stride together was an extreme boost to my confidence and proving to me that I am improving.  Thanks Kristin for challenging me!  I needed it!!

Now, on to my exciting announcement.  I have been so inspired by other who have been successful in creating a small business for themselves.  I decided to take a try at it.  Since Jacob surprised me with a new sewing machine for christmas, I've been busy playing!

Lindsay Hayes has been very successful in selling her camera straps on Etsy.  I bought 2 for my sisters for christmas, they both love them.
Check her out http://www.etsy.com/shop/LindsaysMonograms

Meagan Robinson is another nurse who's creative!  I've ordered shirts for my girls and several baby gifts from her.    http://www.etsy.com/shop/MegsMonogramsandMore

Lindsay Gray, another creative (nurse friend) just opened her shop a few days ago.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/byGraysofGrace

I have a friend who's son lost a leg in the war several years ago.  He has been very successful in selling prosthetic parts on ebay.

I've been inspired by those who have a full time job, family & use their creativity to generate a little extra income.  SO.....I'm taking a whirl at it.....

Check out MY NEW STORE, 
"The Sleeping Beauties">>>

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSleepingBeauties
http://www.facebook.com/TheSleepingBeauties

I named it after our lovely Lucy who we call our sleeping beauty, because of how much she sleeps.  Maybe....hopefully....someday, I'll be successful at it and hope to use the money for summer vacations & Christmas gifts.  But if not, we'll never be able to go on another vacation ever again....PLEASE BUY SOMETHING, ANYTHING.  Haha, just kidding, if not, my girls will have lots of handmade things & I'll have lots of fun creating new little goodies.  

Here's a few samples of what I'm selling...

Personalized baby blanket with soft chenille back

Coordinating burp cloths

Adorable pink elephant pillow with white, cotton chenille

Cute multi-colored elephant with pale blue, cotton chenille

I think he is so cute!  Giraffe pillow with white, cotton chenille

Sweet baby blanket in my favorite fabric, a sweet aqua paisley, with a soft, pink chenille.  With a personalized letter in the bottom corner.

Handmade aqua chevron/white cotton chenille burp cloth

 Personalized aqua/cream baby blanket with a soft, pink chenille backing.

Coordinating personalized onsie with matching burp cloth.

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