Couch to 5K to Half Marathon

Yesterday, I ran my first Half Marathon!  13.1 miles!

I started this running journey about 20 months ago.   After 6 years of being pregnant or nursing a baby I realized that it was time to do something for myself.  I had tried to run before, but I became easily frustrated with lack of endurance.  This time I decided to follow the Couch to 5K program.  I had instant success, because the plan started off easy and allowed me to accomplish small goals and run a little longer each week.  I ran my 1st 5K in November 2010 - The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.  From the moment I crossed the finish line and felt that sense of accomplishment . . . that feeling of reaching my goal after so much hard work - I WAS HOOKED!

I have learned SO MUCH about myself throughout this journey.  I have seen just how amazing and strong my body can be.  I have learned to push my limits, set lofty goals for myself, and to keep on going - no matter how tired or sore I am.  I have also found a community of runners that support me, encourage me, push me and lift me up.  They are some of the most amazing people I have ever known!!! (You know who you are & I LOVE YOU GIRLS!!)   I have participated in about 10 races, mostly 5K's, one adventure race (Warrior Dash), one 10K and ONE HALF MARATHON! 

Some of my race souveniers - bibs & medals.

Father's Day Run June 2011

DO LIFE Run   July 2011
http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/

Warrior Dash  July 2011 (with my bro Adam)



Endurance 10K  Aug 2011

Turkey Trot Nov 2011



St Patty's Day Run  March 2012
with Angie, Steph & Elizabeth

Rock the Parkway Half Marathon was an amazing & beautiful course.  We started at Burns & McDonnell near Ward Parkway & Bannister Rd.  The course took us up Ward Parkway, past Meyer Circle, through some residential areas south of the plaza, around Loose Park and back down Ward Parkway. 

 I wasn't fast.  I got passed by old people (like 75 years old, no joke), a pregnant woman and even people who appeared to be utterly out of shape.  BUT I kept going.  I pushed myself harder than I have ever pushed & eventually I crossed the finish line!  I did it.  I ran 13.1 miles. 

My girls Elizabeth & Angie and our awesome medals. 

Matt & I after 13.1 miles. 

Easter in Narnia

We had an AMAZING Easter weekend.  It was so packed full of fun and celebration that we had some seriously tired kids on Monday morning! 
We spent the day Saturday with Matt's family at the farm in Paola.  There is always so much to do and see there . . . never a dull moment.  We met the new bunnies and baby cows, had an Easter egg hunt, launched eggs, went on tractor and 4-wheeler rides and ate a fabulous meal!!  I always leave there wishing I had a farm and acreage . . . seems so easy to find a little peace & quiet in the country.

Devin's new pet

some of the boys

Silly Britt

New baby Bree

Graham launching eggs

G was in heaven on the tractor

Sunday morning we got up, found our easter baskets and hunted the eggs that EB hid throughout the house.   Graham was most interested in the PB eggs and I can't say that I blame him!  We went to church in Blue Springs with my family and then had lunch at Grammy & Papa's house.  The cousins had fun playing together and taking wagon rides. 

Graham, Danny, Ava, Andrew & Sophia

Instagram lunch

Sunday afternoon I took the girls to the new Kauffman Center to see "Narnia".  We had front row balcony seats and it was a great show!  We thought it was a beautiful, fun place and loved looking around the theater and enjoyed the views of Kansas City.  The girls were mesmerized by the characters and the set.  I see many more outings like this in our future!!

Tulips in bloom

MY RUNNING PROGRESS:
January miles: 31.6
February miles 23.64
March miles: 62.14
TOTAL: 117.3
MILES TO GO: 382.7

It's been such an amazing spring.  My gardens are so happy and there are so many things blooming already!  The tulips in my GGG Memorial Garden were incredible this year.  My mom would have loved them.

We had an amazing day filled with family fun this weekend.  We were in the Blue Springs area and decided to take the kids to The Bass Pro Shop. There's a great little park right next to the store with walking paths, a playground and a gorgeous lake with tons of wildlife.  We checked that out first . . .  ate a picnic lunch, fed the geese, played on the equipment and walked the paths. 

Then we went inside Bass Pro and the kids were mesmerized by all the sights!!  We took turns having "target practice" at the shooting range, then looked at all of the animals (stuffed & living), fish tanks, waterfalls, etc.  And just guess who we ran into???  The EASTER BUNNY!  The kids each did an Easter craft and they sat on EB's lap for a photo.  They were so excited.  Such a fun day.

P.S.

Spring is such a magical season.  I love watching the earth come alive with new life.  There's a mama robin in our redbud tree out front waiting on some baby birds.  I love watching her get prepared, she is such a busy little bird.  And very protective of her little nest.  The real miracle of spring, for me, is watching the world through the eyes of my children.  Graham has to jump in every spring puddle and point out every wriggly worm.  Sophia loves flowers and is always picking something to bring to me.  She pointed out "the most beautiful meadow of yellow flowers" which was actually a dandelion patch.  Ava is learning the names of so many flowers and plants and points them out to me.  

They fill my world with sunshine. 

Rock the Parkway

My first 1/2 marathon is quickly approaching.  Matt & I (and several of my girlfriends) have been training hard in preparation for this race.  It's scary and exciting all at the same time! We are running the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon on April 14, 2012.  (www.rocktheparkway.com)
We have reached the point in training where the runs are LONG (8-9-10 miles) and its crucial to be well hydrated, well fueled and have good company & good music.  We have experienced sore knees, blisters, aching muscles, really bad running days and chafing . . .  Who KNEW all the obstacles that stood between us and 13.1 miles??
But nothing has caused us to stop trying to reach our goal! 

I reached a huge milestone this week . . . I reached 100 running miles in 2012!!  Very proud of myself and excited to be well on my way to reaching my goal of 500 miles in 2012.  You can watch my progress on the ticker in the upper right corner of my blog. 

I am always looking for motivation.  Here are some of my favorites!!

P.S.

The most important lesson that running has taught me is that most of our "limits" are in our heads.  We are capable of so much more than we ever imagined.  Set your goals high and your dreams even higher!  I NEVER thought I would run 3 miles, let alone 13.1.

DREAM BIG!

The Kindness Project

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned that the girls were working on a kindness project. Over spring break, I challenged them to do 10 kind things for someone besides themselves. I told them they each needed to do one thing for eachother. Here's what they came up with.

1) They threw me an impromptu "I love you" party complete with decorations, snacks & a foot rub.

2) They made dinner for our family. Tacos. And they actually did most of it without too much help.

3) They saved a dog. A dog that lives in our neighborhood (Lacy!) got loose & was in our yard. Ava came & found me, got a leash and helped me take her home.

4) They cleaned! They cleaned up toys & washed windows.

5) They helped me clean out our van. They worked hard to clean up all the trash, wipe out the inside and vacuum. Then we rode thru the car wash!

6) They each surprised someone with mail. Ava chose to mail a thank you card to a friend after a playdate. Sophia drew a picture for her Gramma & Grampa McCluer.

7) They took the neighbors' dog, Duncan, for a walk on a rainy day. He loved it & I'm sure they enjoyed a break from dog walking!

8) They gave Matt a foot massage.

9) Sophia helped me clean & organize Ava's room. We washed her sheets & even Flopsy got a bath. We put fresh flowers in her room, too!

10) Ava threw Sophia a surprise "tea party". We went to the dollar store & she chose a princess balloon and some jelly beans. We got pink lemonade & cupcakes and Ava set it all up. They had fun toasting each other.


I think the project was a success
& I know they had fun coming up with kind things to do. We talked a lot about doing kind things for strangers. I encouraged them to look for opportunities around them daily . . .
They really wanted to take goodies to the local fire department but finished their "10 things" before we got it done. I told them we would do it anyway.

Kindness rocks. Pay it forward.

My motley crew enjoying their ice cream reward.

Walking Duncan on a rainy day.