Runner's High

I feel like for the past 2 months I've been on a runner's high. Tackling miles in hurricanes, heat and humidity. Even though I've had tough runs they have been great overall. I feel like the adrenaline from one run has made me so excited for the next, and I could never get enough.

Well that all ended Saturday morning with the 16 miler. To start it was 100% humidity and drizzling rain. I don't know why but this was the worse run ever. Of my entire life. Not that I've been running for that long (it'll be 1 year in about a month!) But this run was not only tough but hard, brutal actually.

I don't know how to explain it but I feel like other runners can relate. Sometimes it just doesn't feel good, I don't know why. We ran through University of Richmond after about 6 miles, the hills were intense (although the hills on Riverside Drive are intense too, but those didn't seem as bad.) I remember thinking I don't remember U of R having this many hills when I attended. Around mile 10 we passed the house where 3 of my very close friends live, I seriously thought about knocking on their door and asking for a ride home. Somehow we ended up in Carytown, I really couldn't tell ya how that happened. All I know is I looked up and said out loud "Oh we are in Carytown!" and my fellow teammates, including a coach all laughed, because I seemed so out of it. By this point my right foot was killing me. It had been for the last half of this run. Somehow we made it to Lombardy, then Monument and back to the stadium.

I have been icing my right foot, and pray that it's nothing serious, although it feels fine now. I think I am just paranoid. But to get back to the title of this post, runner's high. It feels great when you're on it, and when you're not you long for it. Although I know lots of people who have quit training for the marathon because they have lost it. So where does that leave me?

If I was a quitter I would have taken a ride back to the stadium, but I just couldn't. So I'm not going to let this bad run get me down. It's the same way in life, sometimes things don't work out or become harder than what you expected. If you really care about it then you can't quit. That's where I am now. I want to run this marathon. So part of that is going through the hard runs to get there. And honestly, this run will make the others that much sweeter. It'll make the marathon even better on November 12th. So here's to chasing the runner's high!

Weekend in Nova

Saturday afternoon me and Clarke headed up to Northern Virginia for a weekend I had planned around things he wanted to do. This was his birthday gift from me. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera. I was still thinking about my run earlier that day when we left and I don't know how I didn't think to pack it!

After checking into our hotel we went to dinner in D.C. There was this Mexican restaurant that Clarke had heard about and wanted to try for some time now. Rosa Mexicano was sooooo good! If you are ever in D.C. you should go, although it was expensive, but really good. We got fresh tableside guacamole, which I have never liked before, but this was amazing.

photo credit: google images

After dinner we headed to Middleburg, Va. which is about 45 minutes west of D.C. It was really funny because it was straight up country after just being in the big city. But we saw Toby Mac in concert. He is an amazing christian singer, and Clarke has always wanted to see him in concert. We absolutely loved the show, even though since it was an outdoor concert and they had gotten all this rain it was sooo muddy. Luckily we brought shoes just for that reason. Overall it was a great night.

Sunday on the way home we stopped at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Whenever we passed this on 95 going to Baltimore Clarke always wanted to stop by, so this was the last thing I had planned for our little trip. The museum was really neat, and it was free, which is always nice.

photo credit: trip advisor

It was so nice to getaway, just the two of us. Well, I'm off to bed soon......still dreaming about that guacamole....uummmm.

Words for Wednesday



Coach Jenny

So yesterday after work I went to a working interview at River City Youth Fitness, a local gym that mainly teaches children gymnastics. It's really funny how it all happened...........

I filled out the application this past Wednesday, had Clarke fax it in on Thursday. When I got home from school on Thursday the owner had called me and left a voicemail. When I called him back he asked if I was free that day at 6:45 for an interview. So I went in, came back Monday and he offered me the job then! I guess I really shouldn't say it was funny, more easy. Which is very rare for me when it comes to job searching.

I'm really excited to have gymnastics be apart of my life again. When I walked into the gym there was something about the smell that reminded me of childhood (is that weird?) I love the age group I will be working with (the little ones) and I can't wait to start on Thursday!

Miscellany Monday

I'm linking up over at lowercase letters for another Miscellany Monday post!

1. Clarke was at the beach with his family this past weekend, he comes back Tuesday night. I really miss him. I couldn't get off work (since school just started) so I spent the weekend here, it's been weird not having him here.

2. Marathon training team was really good on Saturday morning. Got a great picture:

Angela, Jody, Susan, Me, Patrick and Elise after 10 miles. :)

3. I made oatmeal pumpkin cookies on Saturday for a women's event at my church. One of my favorite fall desserts!

Click here for the recipe!!

I know this got up so late, I'll post about why tomorrow when I have more time!

Kitchen Lighting

So about a month ago I purchased a new light for over the kitchen table. This has been on my never ending to do list for the house since we moved in. I was so excited when it came in the mail, so was Betty.

So here is the before. I actually remembered to take a picture this time. I hated how it wasn't centered over the table.

I had to figure out a way to "swag" the light to make it center over the kitchen table since the outlet wasn't. So after much brainstorming I went to Lowe's, bought some chain and strung it threw the cord. (The light didn't come with a chain, just a chord which wouldn't stay on the hook centered over the table.) I was so proud of myself for finding a way to make it work. So my mom came over and we took down the old light, screwed in the hook, and figured out how to install the new light. We finally got it up right, centered, etc. but no light, it wouldn't work. So I had to send it back in the mail and the new one finally came on Thursday. I am so happy to say it's up and I love it, oh yeah and it works!

Here is the new light. I didn't realize Betty was on the table when I snapped the photo.

I love how it looks at night, all lit up. And also up close.

I am so happy to get this light up, and finally just enjoy it!!

First Week of School and 15 Miles

I can't believe I haven't posted about the first week of school yet! I've been busy getting back into the routine, going to bed early and running. 7 miles is now my medium run for the week, so it's def. takes up more time, and I digress. Neways, it's been really nice to be back at school. At the open house the week before school one of my students who I had last year came into the classroom, and he could walk! He could barely stand on his own at the end of the school year in June. Now he is walking, I've so enjoyed watching him this past week. I honestly have to say I do miss my students who have gone into other programs, but that's apart of teaching, students move on and it's for the best. On the other hand I'm working with the same people, same classroom, a lot of similar things from last year and it's been nice to come back and already know what to do and when.

On a totally different note this morning I ran 15 miles!! 15 with hills, and I mean big steep hills! It was such a lovely run with some beautiful views of the James River. I must say the first 10 were pretty easy. I can't believe I am saying this, but it's true. Miles 10-13 were hard, but not too bad. Miles 13-15 were brutal. I remember running with a teammate and we were saying we weren't sure if we would be able to walk afterwards. But I am shocked to say I feel fine now. I stretched a lot after, ate a good recovery meal and of course did an ice bath. Ah, I have a love hate relationship with the ice bath. They are def. not fun during, but afterwards it's amazing how great you feel. It's like night and day after an ice bath. I actually feel better now than I did after the half marathon. It's great to see that my training is really working. My head coach shared this quote in a team email recently and I loved it "As is true with life and in the run- if you are willing to pay the price that others will not you will reap the benefits that others will not" It just confirms that my training is paying off, and it feels so good. This morning a coach said "I know you think you have been running long distances, but you haven't until after this run. This morning starts the real distance running." So, I am officially apart of the elite group of distance runners now! Ah, I can't describe how great it feels. I was talking to a coach as we were running across the Nickel Bridge, I was telling him how training for this marathon has gotten me addicted to running. I am in, there's no turning back for me now. Some people run the marathon to cross it off their "bucket list", which is fine, but I'm hooked for life now. I just love it. :)


 

Words for Wednesday

Labor Day Camping

Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. We definitely did! Last night me and Clarke went camping with some friends at Pocahontas State Park. We got so lucky with the weather, and had such a great time.

We had the best dinner cooked on the campfire. Hobos made with ground beef, lots of cheese, potatoes, peppers, onions and seasoning. So good!

We also had smores made with Reese's Cups, instead of regular chocolate. It was really good, we definitely want to make smores with them again.

Camping is such a fun summertime thing to do, so glad we got to go one last time before it's officially over.

On a separate note I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of school. I am really ready to go back. Can't wait!!

Training Check In

google images via monica on pinterest

I feel like I go through cycles when it comes to training for the marathon. There was that first week of training when everything was so new and exciting. There was that first hard month of training when I had to accept that a really good friend of mine who was suppose to be running this with me couldn't (she was injured) and I would be doing this without her. My body seemed sore all the time that first month. There was the high of reaching new distances, and then the really big high of the half marathon.

 

 

And now here we are, a little over 2 months before the big race day. And I don't know where I am in that cycle. There's the part of me that can't wait for November 12 to get here. I was in the Lululemon store with my sister-in-law and we were drooling over the things in this store. Oh my gosh, I wanted to buy everything. I decided I am going to treat myself to a new running skirt for the marathon. I can't wait to rock it out as I run my 26.2!

 

 

There is the part of me that has realized we only have 4 more big runs before November 12. Only 4. That freaks me out a bit, because the marathon was always something far away, something one day I would do, now with only 4 more big runs left it seems so near.

 

 

I can't believe how far I have come. I remember each time I ran a new distance. I couldn't believe I did it. I have absolutely loved the marathon training team. It has become apart of my life. I look for my emails each week, write in my log what I've done, and I never thought I would say this but I have kinds gotten used to waking up so early on Saturdays. What? Who I am? What will I do when it's all over?

 

 

So I guess I'm in the part of my training where I appreciate everything. I wanna enjoy the next few months of training, November 12 will be here before I know it!

Blog Love

Today I am linking up with Kelly from Kelly's Korner to share my favorite blogs. I admit it was hard to pick just a few, but we would be here all day, so here are my top 5:

No Greater Joy Mom

I absolutely love this blog! This family has adopted four special needs children, and already had three of their own. Her heart for orphans, children with disabilities and the Lord is so incredible. Sometimes I cry when I read her posts, sometimes it brings me great joy, but I always can't wait to see what this family is up to.

Young House Love

A lot of inspiration for my home comes from this blog. A young couple from my hometown of Richmond, Va. share their experiences of renovating their old house. If you are into DIY then you will love this blog! They always have great ideas, lots of great pictures of everything they do and of course a cute baby!

Koolaid for 26.2

Lots of inspiration, advice and really anything running related. I have enjoyed connecting with other runners on the marathon training teams, and even got to write a guest post. Ah, this blog makes me so excited for the marathon on November 12!

Two Shades of Pink

Anything crafty with bits of her sweet girls. This blog makes me want to have kids just so I can make cute things for their teachers, or throw them a cute party with all the DIY stuff from this blog. Love it.


In No Simple Language
I went to college with the author of this blog, although I feel I know her better now! I love her Menu Monday posts because I always need ideas for what to make for dinner. I've tried a bunch of her recipes and they are always great. She is a teacher, so I can always relate to the ups and downs of the education field as well.

So there you have it. Hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I do!!