Thursday, December 23, 2010

Marathon training week 15 - The big one!


We did it!  We finished week 15 of our training!  Can I just begin by telling you how so very glad I am that this week of our training is over.  We ran 5, 10, & 5 miles during the week and then 20 miles on the weekend.  It's crazy how 5-10 miles seems like nothing now that we have run 16, 18, & 20 mile runs.  We did the 20 mile run on the river, we ran the entire path, twice!  It's such a great feeling to have that week under our belt.  It's all downhill from here and it feels awesome!

I am so proud of Andrew!  He has endured this crazy, insane training with me and never only complained a couple of times.  This is the second time around for me to train for this crazy beast, and I must say, this time has been so much better.  I think its most definitely because I get to do it with my husband!  I love being able to train for this together, sure has been awesome and will make for so great memories!

I can't believe the marathon is actually in 2.5 weeks!  Time flies when you are in pain having fun!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Exhaustion


See my dog Macy in this picture?  That's how I feel right about now.  I am exhausted!  Physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.  Complete and utter exhaustion.  I have been working a month of nights for 21 days now.  That's exhausting in and of itself.   I can't sleep during the day well, I can't sleep at night, and I have to work shifts that screw up my sleep on the weekends.  Not being able to sleep, working this much, dealing with lots of other frustrations, and it being the holidays and all leads to me feeling completely drained.  It's so hard to remain positive at times.  And I know that my life isn't bad, that I am blessed beyond measure, that somewhere someone else is so much worse off, but I still feel I have the right to be tired.  I am so unbelievably lucky to have an awesome husband and some really supportive friends who kinda get it.  They understand.  They listen. Thank you, you know who you are.  I love you guys from the bottom of my heart. 

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Monday, December 20, 2010

You know your a runner if...

1. Your candy drawer at home is filled with sport beans and gu.


2. Your only tan lines are from your socks and watch and you don't care!

3. Your closet is filled with more running shoes than high heels


4. Your Friday nights are planned based on what run you are doing Saturday morning.

5. You can't keep enough Gatorade in stock.


6. Your key hook has a jogger leash hanging on it instead of keys.


7. You buy a new pair of head phones every month.


8. The day your iPod dies you feel like having a ceremony and giving a speech to remind everyone about the times you had...RIP.


9. Your freezer is stocked with ice packs instead of food.


10. You buy the extra large economy size of ibuprofen.


11. You think the inventor of KT Tape should win the Nobel Prize.


12. Instead of a formal dining room you have a place to store not only one treadmill, but also a backup!



13. You think the Pandora station of the Black Eyed Peas is best thing next to dark chocolate.

14.  Blisters and black toenails are a weekly occurrence.

15. Your refrigerator is filled with running calendars instead of pictures.


16. You spend your extra income on foam pads and gadgets that look like they should be carried by the police.


17. Your sunglasses have headphones attached to them.


18. Your bathroom is stocked with running magazines instead of Glamour and Cosmo.


19. You own every invention ever made for stretching your feet.


20. You have more medals hanging on your dresser than necklaces.


21. Your friend buys you an entire box of sport jelly beans for Christmas and you think its the greatest Christmas gift ever!


22. You justify what you eat by how many miles you have run.

23. Your laundry consists of more running shorts and t-shirts than actual work clothes.

24. You have a four legged dog that enjoys running as much way more than you do.


25. You care more about what the weather is going to be like than what you are your husband is going to make for dinner.

26. You don't know any of the streets in your neighborhood, but you know how many miles it is from point to point.

27. Your decision as to when it is time to buy new shoes is based on how much mileage is on them.
28. You have more powerbars in your pantry than any other food combined.

29. When some one refers to "a wall," you automatically think, "Mile 21."

30. You have enough road race shirts to make 5 quilts.

31. And last but not least, you definitely know your a runner when you prefer your watch to be a Garmin instead of a Tag.


Happy Running!

Friday, December 17, 2010

The True Meaning.


True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." 

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men." 

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."
http://llerrah.com/truemeaningofchristmas.htm

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Where is the love?

courtesy of google images

Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?

Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love, we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling down
It's no wonder why sometimes I'm feeling under
I gotta keep my faith alive, until love is found

Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?

-Black Eyed Peas Version

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Week 14 - 14 miles

Last weeks training consisted of running 5, 9, & 5 miles and then a 14 mile long run.  I tried to convince Andrew to run the long run on Saturday, because it was warmer than it was on Sunday, but then again it was really windy Saturday and not so much on Sunday.  I told Andrew it was going to be cold on Sunday, but I don't think he really believed it was going to be as cold as I said it was.  He looked it up on the weather channel and it said 37 degrees, however, he failed to look at the wind chill...it said 18, brrrrr!  Needless to say, we ran on Sunday in lots and lots of clothes.  We decided to run right around our house, and then I got the brilliant idea to run across the street at the sports complex, and it was brilliant I tell you!  I give Andrew 20% of the credit, I get the other 80%.  As we were running into the sports complex we Andrew found the high schools cross country course.  It was a great change of pace!  We found 5 miles worth of trails and ponds.  We even took our psycho lab along for the run, and she loved it!  I can't wait to take her back in the Summertime when it's much nicer out, she will have a ball playing in the water! 

So week 14 wasn't so bad.  I actually feel rejuvenated now, especially since it was so much better than the week before.  This coming week though, it's going to be brutal.  I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it, ha, not so much!  The only good thing about it is that after this week is over, we begin to taper down!  We also get one week closer to Disney World!  Yippee Skippee, I am so excited!

*sorry for the boring post, and the rambling, please stay tuned.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Marathon training week 13 - Ouch!

"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."  John Hanc

Last week was week 13 out of 18 of our marathon training.  We were supposed to run 4, 9, & 5 miles during the week, but I think I ended up running 7, 7, & 5 or something like that due to my weird work hours.  We finished the week off with an 18 mile run on Sunday.  Do you remember what the weather was like on Sunday?  If not, let me remind you, it was COLD and windy and dreary looking, oh and it was cold, did I mention that yet?  Brrrr.  Andrew wanted to run it around the lake in our hometown.  The loop is only roughly 6 miles, so what did we do?  Ran it 3 times of course!  I hated it, every second of it.  I was cold and never warmed up, therefore I couldn't ever get into my "running groove."  I also did not take in enough fluids, nor did I eat anything but a piece of toast prior to the race, and prior to that, hadn't had anything to eat in 24 hrs thanks to my hours right now.  I was in a bad mood the whole time I was running, poor Andrew.  It's such a bad feeling when you can't get into the groove when you are running and let your mind wander, well it is for me anyway, and it makes for a miserable 3 hours.  Oh and guess what?  It was cold!  Andrew liked the run though.  Thank goodness he did.  He may have sworn off this dang marathon if he didn't!  Don't worry though, I learned my lesson.  I will wear more clothes and eat and drink correctly this coming week.  Yes, mother dear, I promise!

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."
- Sir Roger Bannister

Two years ago, I don't remember 18 miles being so bad, but then again, I don't really remember it at all.  Maybe it was bad and I just blocked it out of my mind?!?  Nevertheless, its over, finished and done with, thank goodness for that!  It's weeks like these where I have to look back at pictures and remember the awesome experience from start to finish...


Yep that's me with my hands in the air, at least I wasn't fist pumping like the guy next to me, I am saving that for this year!

A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you've done it you feel that you can do anything. -unknown

It's time like these that I remember the runner's high and the incredible memories that were made with my family that can never be taken away.


Now, onto week 14...Gotta finish what's already been started!

We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.  -Emil Zatopek

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Christmas Tree Memories

I love Christmas time!  Getting all of my Christmas decorations out and decorating the Christmas tree is one of my most favorite days of the year!  From the first day of November, I am counting down the days until Thanksgiving.  For that is the day that I can finally convince my husband to get the tree out of the attic!

I have tubs and tubs and tubs of decorations.  Getting to go through all my stuff to decorate with each year is like Christmas itself at my house.  How so?  Well, you see...every year after Christmas I buy new decorations for the following year, Why after Christmas you ask?  Because they are 75% off, of course!  I am sure this comes as no surprise to some of you!  Anyhow, since a year has passed, getting to go through all the new stuff that is actually a year old, is so much fun and so exciting!

I love decorating my house and getting it all Christmafied, but my most favorite part of it all is decorating the tree.  I have collected so many ornaments over the years and when I get to decorate the tree, I get to re-visit so many wonderful memories of the years past.  I buy Christmas ornaments for every occasion and trip that I can.  Therefore, our tree is one that is full of way too many ornaments and tons and tons of memories and I love it!  I find ornaments to be kind of like pictures, but for the tree.  They help capture wonderful memories that one is able to rekindle during the wonderful holiday season. 

Here are a few for your reading and viewing pleasure...

The year we got engaged, 2007!  My heart became complete.


2008 was such a memorable year, the year we were married, best year of my life! I love this one and all my other 1st Christmas ornaments so much! 



My first marathon.  It was at Walt Disney World, happiest place on Earth!


I can't ever forget about my Alma Mater.  I love OU and the education and best friends it gave me!  I will forever be a Sooner!


And lets not forget the place that gave me the other part of my education!  Definitely a Sooner, but I sure do love OSU medicine and the incredible people it has brought into my life!  


San Francisco, oh how I left my heart there.  I heart you!  Dear hubby, please take me back!


And lets not forget a Dyerette vacation to San Diego, where it all began!  Oh the memories!
 

We had a blast during our honeymoon to St. Thomas!  Incredible memories.  We even went to St. John for the day.  Most. beautiful. place. ever!  Please go there in your lifetime!




This ornament is from two of my dear friends, Robby & Chelsea.  It was part of their wedding favors!  I love it!  And I just so happen to love baseball!  Go Yankees!  Their wedding was beautiful and I reminisce about it and every other ornament that I have that resembles a wedding I have been to, every Christmas!
  

This ornament is from my sisters wedding.  Beautiful wedding for two beautiful people. 


And this ornament is from Jamaica.  We went there for my dear friend Tracy's wedding!  I love Jamaica and beach weddings!


And you don't think my Christmas tree would be complete without memories of our dogs, now did you?


And since it is the holiday season and all, let's not forget those less fortunate than ourselves.  Lets remember the reason for the season and give back!  These ornaments remind me how blessed I am and how I need to continue to help fight the fight for those that are struggling and going through rough times, be it cancer or any other illness.  Give back this year folks, I can sincerely promise you will not regret helping others!

Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, oh how I love your memories and your reminders!

What is your tree filled with?  What are you doing to give back?