I did it!

Well I did it! I finished a Half Marathon. 3hr 28min. I feel good. I feel like I accomplished a goal that was unattainable...yet I did it! I had help and support. I met several new friends that also did things that they did not know that they could accomplish. I also have discovered something about myself along the way.

13.1 miles gives you a lot of time to think. I thought about how hot it was, I thought about friends and family. I thought about future goals and what I can do for myself and family to stay healthy.
I passed by a man and a woman holding a sign that said " You Rock" I am sure they had friends they were there for but as I passed by they made sure they clapped for me .... and I realized that I rocked that day! And then I started to cry. I haven't told anyone that yet. Yes at mile 3 I started crying. Not because of pain or discomfort (that came later) but because I realized that I was doing something special. I was doing something that anyone can do if they want to....but I did it. I have had a difficult time believing that this was special, sure people have told me so....but to do this ,to accomplish this was special. I will never forget how much training I did, the frustration of the rain, the pain of breaking in a new pair of shoes, the sweat, and the pain. I wont forget the smiles people gave me as I ran next to them or as they clapped at the next bend, cheering me on...saying that I was doing a good job. I wont forget the blisters or the tightness between my shoulder blades, the sunburn( because I forgot the sunblock.) I wont forget seeing my brother the last half mile running towards me with a bottle of water and keeping me moving. I wont forget the last tenth of a mile seeing my family on the side, Audrey and my niece standing with their hands out to me for a high five, feeling at this point no pain just feeling like I was special....
Most of all I wont forget the tears at mile 3 because I knew at that point that I was doing something that I swore I would never do...I did it. This was my journey, my accomplishment, and while I could never have done it without all the support I had. This was mine...this was my work! There is not one part of this day that I will forget!

I look at this picture now, and I would never know that my body hurt. I see this picture now and see the happiness. Maybe soon I will forget the pain....maybe I will do this again.....someday.....

This picture is here because when I crossed the finish line, my name was not announced. My son wore my timing chip...I wore his...OOPS! They have fixed it and finally my time has been fixed.

Washington to Seaside

Our skilled driver.... check!

Our crazy lady navigator....Check! ( When you use a map you might plan your trip..with the navigator you get to recalculate...a lot.

A pee stop in a very small town in oregon. Where we got this awesome shot!...this one's for you Uncle!

Trivia.....anyone know the significance of this car wash in Longview? ... Bonus point if you can tell me day and year?

The nose has it!

This week has been a unique one for me. I have been battling with the scale now for a while. I know what effort I am making and what I am eating and yet the scale is not moving. I have kind of gotten frustrated. You know how it is, you look at yourself in the mirror and everything seems to grow. My arms have always been my biggest obstacle, my belly, my legs. They all seem to have grown(yes, in my head) So here is how I know it is just in my head. I have always loved my nose, it is small and cute and pretty much my favorite feature. No I am not being conceited...we all have something on ourselves that we like. My nose is it. ( yes Kt it is cuter than yours :o ) As of this week I have determined that my nose has gotten bigger....yes I know weird right?
So actually my nose has not gotten bigger, my face has gotten smaller so it is a little more pronounced. Last night I picked up my glasses and the lady helping me fit them was commenting on my nose saying how small it was.....( yes , the word cute did come out of her mouth) My husband started talking to her about my weight loss and I realized just how it has affected him as well. Here he was bragging about my small face. If you dont know me you should know that I dont spend a lot of time talking about my good features, I probably should....but dont. This week I have had family tell me how much I have changed just recently. My bosses took our office bowling on Sunday. I had two of my coworkers tell me how great I looked. I have had several people (including the eyeglass Lady) call me skinny lady.....Weird!!!
My co workers confused me a little, they see me every day during the week.....what were they seeing that I wasn't. And how was it different in work clothes? So I was bored waiting for my lunch to cook so I played with my camera. I thought I would try to see me from their eyes. This is what I saw.
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I'm thinking I need new work clothes that fit. According to my husband, they really dont help me much.
So this is what I learned.
It is ok to have a difficult time seeing yourself as others see you. as long as you take the time to hear what they are saying and acknowledge that changes are happening. And even if you cant see....even if you cant listen to what is being said, take a couple minutes to examine the parts of you that you do love, even if it is the nose on your face and realize that nothing stays the same, change is happening all around. Enjoy all the parts that are changing....yes even my arms! Me and my nose, it is a little flared, and yes my smile chin is huge... but it has been a great week to smile!

11 Days

In 11 days I get to push myself to do something that I would have NEVER thought I would do. In 11 days I will acomplish a goal that I would have never met. What do you think? Is it worth setting goals that seem unatainable? Goals that seem unreachable? Would I do it again?
The thing is I would. Even better is I can. I used to be a sit on the couch and watch others live kind of girl. I used to keep to myself and never let myself shine. I used to wish I was able to show people what was in the inside and put myself out there, but never did. I am having fun. I am loving what is happening with me on the inside and out. My marrige is stronger, my children have a better mom, and I feel closer to my old friends and am really glad about making new friends. It is difficult to put yourself in a position you dont want to when you dont feel good about who you are. I call it "The Bad Place" It is the place I was living, the place where everyone seemed to have a life and I was being left behind. Everyone had close friendships and things to do places to go. I would eat. I still eat when I get down, I think that it will always be a battle for me. So will opening up to people..... But to be honest, it is so much better to be open with my feelings, to let everyone know who I am than sitting on the couch wishing that I had that one good friendship....the good marrige...and the functional children.
Just a thought for the day!

Two Weeks

Two weeks from now I will be part of a Half-Marathon. I don't feel ready yet, I'm not sure that I will do great, but I am going to have fun! I am going to give it all I can and do my best. Last year at this time I wasn't sure I could finish my 5k and this year I am upping it a few miles.
Truth is I still don't love running. After this is done I will keep it up a few miles a day, but find something I love to do. I want to keep up my fitness goals but to do that I need to enjoy it. Running in Washington is difficult, any outside sport is difficult, doable, but difficult. I have always loved to swim it is the most relaxing exercise, I'm not sure that I would get the results that I want. Biking is something the kids love to do, I think if I got a new bike seat I would enjoy that a little more. Zumba is fun...unless I fall on my butt because of my stupid ankle. Truth is I think a combination of all of the above is what my summer might entail....who knows maybe my next race will be a Triathalon! :)
I am really looking forward to being a part of this run with many sisters that I have yet to meet and my sister in law who has been my biggest inspiration and a huge motivator and supporter. I know that I have support here as well and know that as I run that all of you are here cheering me on as well!
Better get back to training again...don't want to disappoint anyone, including myself!

Inhale...Exhale

In under a month I will be doing a Half Marathon. Am I ready....no, but I will do the best I can! I have been stuck on a few things lately and the scale has not done a lot for me right now. But my endurance is improving and my head is in a better place. I am always amazed at what inspires me on the Biggest loser. Most of the time it is what Jillian or Bob has to say or the contestants get past a hurdle. The last few weeks it has not been what is said but the determination in their eyes. They know that they can do it. Last night Ashley aka The Pink Ninja was on the rowing machine, all Jillian had to say to her was Inhale Exhale Inhale Exhale.... The look in Ashley's eyes was awesome... so focused ans assured that she was capable of that and more. I
have 20 more days to train, I am assured that I can do whatever I need to do to succeed.

My little runners. Little man is now signed up for the See Jane Run 5k, and will run it with my brother and my niece. And My monkey is running the kids run with her papa, and two cousins. This is now a family event. I wont be able to see them finish but I will be thinking of them along the way!

Bouncy/ Movie

Last Friday we went to Jack and Jill's in Sumner with some friends. Audrey loved all of it! Ava loved the bus toy and the bouncy room.

Spencer was at school while we were having fun bouncing. We had Mom Spence night. A little Subway and movie night for us.