Trying New Things

This past year has been a year of change. We moved from a huge running community to an area that does not have the biking and running trails as our previous location. I left my huge Moms Run This Town group of over 1,000 to a small group of 100 or so. But when we arrived in the South something happened. I met women that were involved in Triathlons. There were a couple of ladies that were training for full Ironman's. I had never met women involved in this before. I watched them train and ran their long runs with them and then I was able to watch them crush their goals by hours! All of a sudden I was inspired to try something different. I had been so used to just running and have run multiple marathons over the last 18 years. I have tried to qualify for Boston but keep missing it by a few minutes. This was a different challenge for me. I had to learn to swim distance and bike over 20 miles. I signed up for my first Half IronMan in December and got to work. It was hard but I had the best support team possible.  My friends taught me how to swim and bike.  They pushed me to keep trying and do things that I did not think I was capable of doing. I biked my first Century and swam in the lake without fear.  My husband would run whenever I asked or bike with me so I wouldn't have to be alone. My friends spoke words of encouragement to me and gave me confidence to keep moving forward and finish the training. Then they came with me to the race. They went with me to packet pickup, they helped me set up my transition area, helped calm my nerves and gave me advice on hydration and fuel. They cheered me on during the run and I was able to see them 4 times on the course. It was the best day! I finished way under what I thought I would. I am so glad that I listened to that small whisper that told me to try something different and new. The voice that told me that I was capable of something that I thought I could not do!  I am so thankful for God, that gave me strength when I thought I was weak! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI I have loved being a skirtsports ambassador this year as well. www.skirtsports.com

First 50 mile bike ride with my cheerleader Heather.

Loving running with my hubby and our dog Max.
www.skirtsports.com
 

My friend, Andrea taught me so much about racing and how to prepare.

 

My bike that got me through hundreds of miles!

One of my many early morning swims! I tried to swim twice a week.

My love! Our date was going on a 3 hour ride and then running a mile afterwards to help me get used to running in the heat.

My first Sprint Triathlon this summer.

104 mile bike ride!

After the race. This was the best day!

My cheerleaders!

Ode to Skirt Sport

I had never heard of Skirt Sports before, until 6 years ago. I took my older sister shopping for her birthday and she fell in love with the Lotta Breeze Capri. It looked darling on her and I bought it for her that day!  She wore it all the time. She wore it for errands, working out and lounging. She loved how it fit and how cute it looked. After all the raving about this skirt sport company I looked into it. She was right. The Lotta Breeze Capri was amazing. I now own 3 of these Capri's and multiple skirts, shorts and shirts from Skirt Sports. Sometimes older sisters know best. 2 years ago this beautiful sister of mine passed away from Brain Cancer. One of the items that I have in my closet is the first Skirt Sport Capri that I bought it. I wear it often and remember all the wonderful things about her.

My Sister

I love Running

 

I love running. When I first started 17 years ago, 3 miles was so difficult. I could never imagine doing more then that. I had a sweet friend that would run with me in the evenings after my baby was in bed. She kept encouraging me and I fell in love with the sport. I did my first half marathon and realized that this was a sport I could do! 15 full marathons later and 22 half marathons and I still love it.
At first I ran to lose the baby weight and then got my husband into the sport. We would go on running dates when our kids were little. We would take turns pushing the big double stroller and just talk and talk and talk. It was wonderful! You can talk about a lot of things during a 3 hour run.
I ran when I was happy and I ran when I was sad. Running played a huge roll in helping me find my joy again after my sister and Dad passed away from cancer 2 years ago.
Over the years my goals have changed. At first I did marathons to just finish. Then I trained harder and did them for time. The one thing that has stayed consistent over the years is how much I enjoy a long run. I love the challenge of pushing myself and working towards a goal that I have set.
2018 is a year of change for me. I decided to try some new things this year and signed up for my first Half IM in Augusta September 23, 2018. I am so excited to work towards a new goal.

 

20 Year Anniversary Trip

 

I can't believe it has been 20 years since we said our vows. So much life has happened over the past years. We joined the military, had 2 children and have moved 9 times. I am so thankful for our life together. It has not always been easy (moving every year for 3 years with teens is seriously rough)! We decided to save up and go on a big trip for our 20 Year to Jamaica. What a wonderful 7 day vacation for just us! It was relaxing and carefree! So nice to have a week of just us. Looking forward to a really big trip for our 25 year Anniversary.

Anniversary Dinner on the beach!

 

Biking down the Blue Mountains

French Restaurant on property



My love



After our Run.

We spent a lot of time relaxing at the beach and enjoying the sunshine.

All ready for the Italian Restaurant!

Sitting on our veranda drinking coffee was a highlight of our morning.

Every day Mark was able to Scuba Dive. He loved it!