26.2 with Donna and Friends!

Even though it has been a couple of weeks since I conquered the 26.2 mile run ( I'm still happy looking at my medal!) it is still fresh in my memory and I'm excited to report that I'm ready to do another! I'm going to look for something either later this year or early in 2015. I'm already excited to start the new Galloway Group in Charleston once we are settled in this upcoming Spring/Summer! I've decided that since the first marathon was all about the end goal of completing it - that the next marathon I'd like to shave at least a couple of minutes off my time. I finished the marathon in 5 hours and 2 minutes so if I can finish in under 5 hours for the next race, I'd be happy!! Here is to new goals and to great memories from the 2014 Donna!

It was such a great idea staying in Jax the night before the race since all we had to do was walk less than a mile to the starting line that morning. After the race, I wasn't ecstatic about the walk back after the shuttle dropped me back off at the start, but it was a perfect cool down after running for such a long period of time. Besides my feet feeling sore, my body wasn't hating me the next day. Kudos to the Jeff Galloway program for injury free running!! All in all, I wouldn't have done anything different as far as preparation and training goes. The race weekend went very smoothly and I couldn't have surprised myself any more than I did by running the whole marathon on my own and pacing at a speed faster than expected. What a great feeling! I can't wait to do it again!

Pirates on the Run

Hello everyone! I was flipping through photos from last weekend's Pirates on the Run 10K and I was thinking how it has been a while since I last updated the blog. It's been a busy 2014 so far and I'm excited that I was able to run in the Pirates on the Run for the second year in a row! I love getting to create little traditions. Even though we will be transitioning to a new area in the summertime, I'm still trying to squeeze in all of the fun races that are in the local area within the next couple of months. Not to mention the big marathon is coming up in just a couple of short weeks! I can't wait!

Last weekend's 10K was a great jumping off point and after the marathon I will have the Gate River Run in Jax. A lot of fun activities on the calendar and I couldn't be more excited! Amidst all of the activity, it's still a good idea to take some rest breaks in between (yay for Sunday rest days!!) There isn't a whole lot of slowing down around here when you have an energetic black lab, but I always enjoy the rare moments where I can kick up my feet!! I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the Pirate Run pics! What a great time and some good laughs with friends. Until next time!

Conquering the 26 miles!

I just realized how long it has been since I logged in and updated the blog! The good news is that I am over 7 months in to my training program for the big Marathon next month and I successfully completed the 26 mile training run last week! I am so excited to have hit that milestone and I'm looking forward to race day more than ever. I never doubted my abilities to run that far, but I wasn't sure how I would feel afterwards. Although I was a little sore later in the day, I got back in the groove after a nice Sunday rest day. Even though the weather has been slightly cool (at least for us Floridians) I've been sticking to the weekly morning routine and getting at least 2 week day training runs in. Getting those training runs in help me prepare for the longer weekend runs. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I couldn't do this without the support of my wonderful running group. I love the encouragement and the accountability we have for one another. It's a wonderful feeling! Not to mention, my foam roller and I have become well acquainted since I've been logging the extra miles. A nice stretch does a body wonders!
February is going to be a great month beginning with the Pirates on the Run 10k and ending with the big 26.2 with Donna Marathon. Not to mention, I'm looking forward to finally getting that medal!!

Happy Tuesday my friends! Stay warm wherever you may be!

Victory picture after the last long training run!!

23 and Counting

Saturday was a big day! A new milestone of running a total of 23 miles was accomplished. I wasn't sure how I would feel after running for such a longer period of time, but a few extra walk breaks, hydrating enough the day before and training consistently definitely played a part in my recovery. Having a wonderful dinner to look forward to later in the day made it an even better Saturday. Although there was a small group of us going the extra distance, I loved trying out a new route and the first 18 miles flew by (sort of) and by mile 20, everything after that was an accomplishment. I was so excited and I can't thank my fellow runners enough for all of the encouragement. Thankfully we beat the rain and I had plenty of time to take a quick nap and enjoy the rainy afternoon indoors. Later in the day, dinner reservations were made at the Ritz Carlton and their restaurant Salt was the perfect dining experience. We started with a seafood appetizer, sampled some of their unique salts and had seafood entrees. The sea bass was phenomenal!! One of my favorite parts was the unique dessert: dark chocolate souffle with a side of salted caramel ice cream. It was delicious and perfect for sharing. It was a very special dinner that we definitely savored!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Holidays! I can't believe 2014 is almost upon us. It has been quite the year and I can't wait for the adventures that next year will bring.

Dawn (one of our awesome team leaders) and I after the long run!

Nathan and I both completed our first 23 mile run, all smiles!

A Very Pink Christmas

Hello and Merry Christmas Everyone!

Take the time to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them and cherish the little things in life this Christmas season. I couldn't be more fortunate for my family, friends and fur baby Colby!

We have really enjoyed our first Christmas together as a married couple and I can't wait to test out my new Garmin watch! It's been a very pink Christmas (see picture below of Colby with her new pink camo bandana) and I couldn't be happier! Merry Christmas Everyone!

Colby after a walk on the beach on Xmas Day!

loving my new Garmin watch to track my speed/pace on my runs!

Out of the Comfort Zone

What a month it has been so far! After realizing that my last post was around Thanksgiving, I knew I had to get back on track and update you all on how great December has been. The best part is that it isn't over yet and Christmas is right around the corner! For starters, I ran my 2nd annual Reindeer Run last weekend and it was a blast. Our customized t-shirts came out great and I beat my time from last year by 11 minutes! I guess that second wind I felt in the last quarter mile really helped me to get me across the finish line sooner than expected. Our running group split up in to several smaller groups and we all had a fantastic time. Not to mention, after crossing the finish line, we had the gorgeous view of the beach and the weather cooperated with us!
December has been jam packed so far with some great crafty events and I'm excited to share some pictures with you! Last weekend was the quilting workshop at a local quilting store called Lollipops. The store is run by some fantastic ladies and they graciously helped us assemble our quilts which will be gifts for our Navy Men! I can't wait to see the finished product. After putting in at least 6 hours on and off the sewing machine, I amazed myself with how much fun it was. Although it takes a lot of concentration and you have to pay close attention to the detail, I think this was a great way for me to start my own sewing project and I'm actually looking forward to making something else once I finish the quilt! I made sure to get a photo to send my Mom as living proof that I wasn't making it up :) She has been trying to get me to sew for years, so I knew she would be proud!
Just last week a bunch of my Running buddies and I went to a cute little art studio in Jacksonville called, Painting with a Twist. I would highly recommend this ladies night out where you can bring your own beverages, goodies etc and paint! I knew I had to sign up when I saw that it was a Nautical theme painting. I had my doubts about how the finished product would turn out, but overall I'm so happy with it that I decided to hang it up as our very own "bathroom art." I gladly replaced the picture that was hanging in our guest bathroom with my own original masterpiece! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to check out the Army/Navy game today! Any guesses on who I might be cheering for? Even though I'm hardly a sports fan, these types of games are a great excuse to whip up some game day goodies and enjoy good company :)
Happy Saturday!

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving day this year started off with a chilly, but very fun local 5k. I couldn't think of a better way to start off the day than a nice little run and a copious amount of thanksgiving food waiting to be consumed for later!
Although this year was a much more quiet Thanksgiving, it didn't stop me from reflecting on the past year's events and to think about how far we have come! To name a few, I'm thankful we have our health and are able to stay active doing the things we love (running, working out, keeping up with our energetic lab!) and I'm so fortunate to have married my best friend and to have had a Wedding day I will never forget. I'm thankful for our friends and family and the never ending support. Even though we are states apart from both of our families, I'm thankful they are only a phone call or text message away!

There are several changes (good ones I might add) that are on the horizon and I couldn't be more excited. Although change can be scary, it's always very rewarding and refreshing. Without change, we'd never know what else is out there and I truly believe that change can be worth the risk.

As I look back on the year 2013, there were definitely some challenges, but overall, I'd say we are in such an exciting time of our lives and I can't wait to see what the future holds! Watch out 2014, we're ready for ya!

We had to get a picture with the awesome Turkey costume!

Colby and I walking downtown on Black Friday!

Colby wanted us to take the tree home, too bad it doesn't fit in our trunk!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!