Our day in Colombus

I am so proud!

The kids are looking a little grumpy

by this time!


My husband is really against

wearing a shirt while running.

HAHA!

We drove up early to Colombus on Saturday for Marks first half marathon. He did amazing and the kids and I were so proud of him. He really lucked out with perfect running weather and the last mile being all down hill! I found out there is a big difference in our preparation for races. I follow all the rules about drinking plenty of water, making sure to get all the long runs in and lots of sleep before the race. Mark on the other had is so casual about his training and schedule. He was not a bit nervous this morning for his first race. Being the good wife I am, I decided to get nervous for him! Did he drink enough water, eat enough carbs last night and was he truly prepared for this race??? He did amazingly well. We found a good spot to wait for the guys. When Jonathan saw Mark he jumped in and ran the last half mile with them! His buddy Dan is a pro at races and they ran together. He enjoyed it and wasn't even tired afterwards. The official time hasn't come in yet but he thinks it was around 1:56. This was my first race as a spectator. I really missed being out there with all of the runners. We did manage to hit Easton on the way home and find a HUGE Trader Joe's. All my favorite things in one day : ) I even got to have Starbucks while waiting for Mark. When we arrived home I spent the rest of the afternoon looking up races online and finding many to choose from in our area!

Nashville is over, so what next?

Waiting for me to arrive.
The kids are still waiting....
Is Mom ever going to get here?

Then my family left when I did come by since they thought they had missed me.

I have been busy this last week. Our family took a trip to Nashville for the Nashville Marathon on Saturday. My friends Jeni and Jill did so well! Nashville is such a beautiful city. The weather was extremely warm for this time of year. It ended up being 88 by the end of the race. The hills were rolling for the entire 26.2 miles! I had some stomach problems after the race and so we have zero pictures of me with my medal. I am very disappointed about that! This was my hardest and slowest marathon yet. I am hoping that my next one will go better.

This race has been my excuse for making desserts and eating them every week (especially my TWD baking group). That is over and I am on a two week running break. I have been trying to find other ways to stay active at the gym. I have tried yoga, weight training class, elliptical machines (we have 3 different kinds at the gym) free weights, biking and walking. Nothing has given me the "Runners High" but I am enjoying my recovery time.

Nashville here I come....

I am running the Nashville Marathon next weekend with a couple of friends Jill and Jeni. I have been training since January for this race. It has had its ups (completion of my 20 mile run) and then some downs (finding out my marathon is rolling hills then entire way). Through all of this I found that if I stay positive and focus on my goal I can overcome. While looking for some good articles on motivation on race day I came across this video of a Father and Son Iron Man team. What an amazing relationship these two have together. I am hoping that next weekend I will be able to do just what this verse says! "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7

Running in cirlces

I try to do my long runs on either Saturday or Sundays. This Saturday I woke up early at 6:00 to go out for my long run. I hit a running wall at around 10 miles. I don't know what happened besides the humidity and not bringing water with me. This was the first time I have done a long run in Ohio. My goal was to run 14-15 miles but had to give myself grace about just doing 10. I am finding running conditions quite different then what I am used too. I think next weeks long run will be lots better. I have been reading up on hydration and humidity since then. I am also planning on visiting a local running store close to our house to get info on trails and such. I have always had friends to run with. The last full marathon I did was 2 years ago. I had my friend Jeni run the my longest run of 20 miles with me. It was pouring that day so we did it at the gym together. I am hoping to find a running club in our town. My friends tease me because of how much I like to talk while running. Next week will be better. I am motivated already : )

New at blogging

This is my first blog ever! I am so excited to share some of my favorite things: cooking and running. I can't decide which of the two I enjoy more. There is only one thing better then a runners high and that is trying out a new recipes for my family and friends. I discovered a Barefootbloggers website and really want to join. One of the requirements is to have your own blog so.... I am going to try this. We just moved to Ohio as of Monday. I went for my first run in our new State and found myself sweating before I even began. Any tips for surviving humidity? I will be posting recipes and more soon.