1 week...

Only one week is left until I run my very first marathon. It will be my very first 26.2 miles. Am I ready? I sure hope so! I feel as though I am, but I've been having some hip problems. The hip probems have taken its tole, but I don't think they will be an issue come race day.

If so, I'll take it in stride. I'll finish, no matter how long it takes me! It's my first one, and there will be more to come for sure. It's all about finishing this time.

I'm nervous, of course! I didn't plan on taking over a week off right before the marathon, but I think it's for the best. If I can walk around pain free, then I might try to get a very short slow run in on Thursday AT THE LATEST!

Other than that though, I'm preparing the best I can. That means I'm drinking the right amount of water. I'm eating ther right amount of carbs. I'm not drinking any alcohol (except maybe a beer the night before...carbs people!). I'm exercising and stretching. I won't be eating ANY fried foods.

Little Rock Marathon, you will be mine!

You want to know what else I need to do?

I need to get my whole marathon playlist taken care of!

GASP! Are you one of those people that does not believe that people should run with music? Do you hate people doing it?

I know, I know! If I was an elite runner, I wouldn't be allowed to have music. Guess what? I'm not!

So, I'll take my music.  It helps me. I put songs on there that remind me of specific people, of specific times, of specific places, etc.  This way, when I run, I can think about those memories it brings to mind.

Of course, some of them are songs that are just rock out fun and always give me a boost in the race. 

Here's some of my favs and why they are:

It's Tricky- I've ended so many races with this song playing. It's upbeat and has a good beat.
Don't Stop Believing- I LOVE running to Journey playing.
Sweet Caroline- I can't help but dance a little when this one is playing, I love dancing with people to this song.
Maggie May- When this song is playing, I imagine that my good friend, Jimmy Brigance is running with me. He's fast so it helps me go a bit faster.
Total Eclipse of the Heart-reminds me of Astrocamp
Where is the Love?- Helps give me a good boost
Let's Go-Reminds me of all the Pacers games I went to
Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangsta-because doesn't it?
Eye of the Tiger-well duh!!!
Hit Me Baby One More Time-Don't hate
Stuck In a Moment- The words to this song ring true when I'm running and it's tough. "You've got to get yourself together..."

There are so many more too...however, I need to add some stuff to my list to make it through a marathon. What are your suggestions? I think that once I have my list all the way done, I'm going to post it up here in all of its glory. I'm open to new amazing song ideas...so give them!

Ladies Room Fashion Show!!!

Alright, I did what I said I'd do. I tried to put a little more thought into my outfits. It turned out all right! Next week, I'm going to try a little harder. I'm actually going to put make up on everyday. I'm sans makeup in every single one of these pictures, so we will see what sort of difference makeup will make. Also, I'm going to work on my hair a little more. I've been wearing it up more because the bangs really bug me. I want them to be gone. This next week, I'll work on finding a solution for this, and I pledge to have better looking hair. I will try and be as fashionable as I possibly can from head to toe. This is very important because I want my employees to be very fashionable. I need to do the same. We will see how this goes!  Also, I'm sorry Thom! I forgot to take any guy pictures.  I'll try again next week.

But for now...

Here's what I wore this week!

Cardigan: Suite One
T-shirt: J. Crew from Plato's Closet
necklace: Plato's Closet
jeggings: Abercrombie from Plato's Closet
boots: Uggs from Plato's Closet

I absolutely LOVE this cardigan! In fact, when I saw a photo of it posted on suite one's facebook page, I went that day in got it. (Thankfully, I had enough of my spending money to get it, and it was very reasonably priced.) I hate that I am wearing the Uggs. I ran a half-marathon the day before and I have been nursing several blisters. It really was the only boot choice that was going to make it through the day for me. If I could have, though, I would have worn a different pair. Overall, I like this outfit, and my hair isn't bad either. 

Dress: Scrapbook from Plato's Closet
Tank: basic layering tank from Plato's Closet
Boots: Minnetonka from Plato's Closet
Necklace: Lucky Brand from Beauty's Boutique

First off, wow! the boots! I love them! Second, I'm wearing this dress because I am celebrating that it is 70 degrees outside.  I like this dress a lot but never wear it because it has a tendency of slipping down and I don't want to be caught in an awkward moment at work. One of my employees suggested wearing a tank top under it and I thought I'd give it a shot. I think it looks alright, you?  My bangs though...yikes!
 




Shirt: Forever 21 (H81) from Plato's Closet
Necklace: Plato's Closet
Tank: American Eagle from at least 5 years ago
Jeans: Abercrombie from American Eagle
Boots: Plato's Closet

This outfit probably is the winner for the week. I think it looks good and is pretty flattering. The necklace spices up an otherwise very plain shirt.  The boots have a slight heel on them so they give me a tiny bit of extra height. Overall, very cute, and very well put together. Also, my hair looks very good, and hopefully this is how my hair will look all next week.



Cardigan: Plato's Closet
Scarf: Plato's Closet
T-Shirt: Junk Food from Plato's Closet
Jeans: Joe's Jeans from Plato's Closet
Shoes: Chacos from Plato's Closet
headband: Plato's Closet

Ok, I went back to my standard look only one day this week...that's pretty good huh?  I can't say enough good things
about Chacos! If you don't own a pair, you need to think seriously about getting a pair. They are comfortable and oh so great! These jeans are my comfy jeans, and I think that on Fridays they are well deserved.  My hair is oh yuck! I love the headband I have on, but in this light, my forehead looks HUGE! Maybe I can try again, but not have my hair so tightly pulled back.

Cardigan: A.N.A. from Plato's Closet
Tank: PINK by Victoria's Secret from Plato's Closet
Belt: from Plato's Closet
leggings: American Eagle from Plato's Closet
Necklace: Lucky Brand from Beauty's Boutique
Shoes: Toms from Warrens
Watch: Fossil

I think this outfit looked better than the picture allows.  At any rate it was super comfy. This belt is an awesome accessory and it can take an otherwise plain outfit and turn it around. It's not amazing, but it's not same old boring. I personally loved wearing it. I love roaming around in leggings. It's like wearing pajamas all day! I think this outfit would wow a little more if I had my hair down or got my bangs trimmed.  Sorry that I'm obsessing over that so much.  Also, I guess the only pose I could up with all week was hands on my hips. Note to self: try harder next week!

  Ok, it's not really part of the fashion show, but I'm throwing it in there anyway.  This is right after the half-marathon I did last Sunday. I haven't even showered yet. I had someone snap this picture of me so I could send it to my friend Jimmy. He's a running legend and I knew he would be proud of my performance and that he would be proud I was rocking his race shirt all the way in Arkansas.  I chose pajama pants for my after race ride home pant of choice.

How did the half-marathon go? Great! I tried to run it like a training run and not push it too hard. I wanted to feel like there was juice left in my tank at the end. I am, after all, running a marathon in a little over a week. No need to wear myself out! I was so proud of myself for having self control and not trying to run faster and faster as I got to the end. Also, I did the half in 2:01 and that's nothing to sneeze at even if you are trying hard. I ran four minutes walked one minute the whole time, and I honestly think that if I had just ran easy for 13 miles, my time would have been slower. It's cool to see that these walk breaks work.

I'm glad I'm doing these along with Carrie .  Go check out her fashion show!

Some motivation...

Before I actually get into the heart of this post, I have a house keeping issue.  I made some changes to how to leave comments, and I hope it makes it easier to do so.  Please try to leave a comment and see if you are able to.

So now...


This is Mary Jo.

This woman is amazing! All I can say about her is wow. I'm not going to tell you how old she is, but let me just say that she is over twice my age. Not only is she  twice my age, but she runs twice as much as me. For example, yesterday we both ran a half marathon. Today, she ran 3 miles this morning and then came out to Monday night speed night and did a little bit of speed work. I didn't run at all because I ran a half marathon yesterday. Wow! She was sore, but she still got out there. She runs weekdays at 5:30 in the morning. Yikes! Let me tell you, she isn't slow either. She beats out many people years younger than her too. She has ran her fair share of marathons. She still is running marathons and plans to run one this Spring (more on that in a post very soon.) She is in spectacular shape. She's humble about it though. She will tell you she's not. She'll tell you she needs to work out more. She'll tell you she wants to get faster.

Crazy girl...she's funny too.  She is also no where close to retiring. She works like crazy. She has her Ph.D.  She's all things a wonderful woman. 

So you don't exercise? She's in this good of shape because she has been running her life? NO!!! She started running when she was 60!!!!  She credits being able to start running at that age because she worked out her whole life.

If you aren't working out, start!  It could be little. It could be something as small as taking a short walk every day. Anything! It's good for your bones. It keeps you strong and healthy. It keeps you from getting brittle.

So you don't like it? Well, I promise, you will be glad you kept exercise a part of your life.

I can't promise it will make you live longer. I can promise that it will make you feel good. I can promise it will make you look good too! 

See??

Now, I have to tell you about this group!  Three of these runners set personal bests in the half marathon yesterday. Everyone had fun.

 See the girl in the Go Get Em, Razorbacks shirt? She hasn't been running super long. She used to smoke about 4 packs a day. She shaved 25 minutes off her last half marathon time yesterday. She is doing a marathon this Spring. She looks AMAZING! Would you believe she has a grown child?

See the girl in the blue hat? She is a fast runner. She also is the fastest walker I have ever met! She walked a marathon in about 5:40 I think. That's a walk I tell you! She is doing her third marathon this Spring, but it will be the first one she actually is going to run. She is doing the Chicago Marathon is October, and she'll probably qualify for Boston. I promise she doesn't look her age. I'm not going to tell you what it is.

See that girl in the red jacket? That's me!  I used to run a lot, then I quit. Now, I'm running again. I'm so glad that I did! I am slowly getting my speed back. I'm doing my first marathon in two weeks. I've never felt better! Oh, and I'm turning 30 this year. :)

Every woman in this picture has their story, and every single story is awesome.  These girls rock my world.

So, if we can...why can't you? Tell me what you are going to do this week. Ride your bike? Walk your dog? Go to the gym? Play Biggest Loser on Xbox (you know who you are :) )? Play Wi Fit? What's it going to be??

Ladies Room Fashion Show

It's time for Ladies Room Fashion Show! For those of you who don't know, I've been doing a post like this every Friday. It's meant to help me pay attention to what I am picking out to wear, plus, it is just fun. I feel like I may disappoint you this week. My outfits are very very casual and just not all that great. I pledge to be better next week. I will wear at least one dress, and I will put some variety into it. I will also take pictures at least five days. For this week, though, you get what you get! (Hey, give me a break! I was sick all week)



So here we go!

Sweatshirt: Pink by Victoria's Secret from Plato's Closet
Jeans: Miss Me from Beauty's Boutique (on sale!)
Shoes: Uggs from Plato's Closet

Could I be ANY more cliche? Seriously! Uggs AND Pink? All that could make it worse is if I had on some North Face! Still, I wore this on Monday. It was the closest thing to a snow day we are going to get this year, and I wanted to be warm. Uggs will do that. I wanted to be comfortable. Pink will do that. I love those jeans too!! They are soo comfy and pretty flattering. This is most definitely not an outfit I wear a lot, but it was appropriate for the day...and it doesn't look all that bad.

Shirt: Obey from Plato's Closet
tank underneath: American Eagle from Plato's Closet
jeans: American Eagle from Plato's Closet
shoes: Toms from Plato's Closet (yep Carrie, they match yours...I got LUCKY!)

Don't mind the ridiculous pose. I wanted to show you my amazing shoes! Once again, this outfit was all about comfort. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the shirt though. Actually, I love the jeans. I love the shoes. I love it all. I tried on a pair of red (yes red) skinny jeans with this shirt. Maybe I will get them and wear this outfit again and you guys will let me know what you think.

cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT from a couple years ago from my portrait studio days.
t-shirt: Obey from Plato's Closet
capris: Miss Me from Beauty's Boutique ON SALE!
Shoes: Chacos from Plato's Closet (Great score!)

Yep! It's my stanby formula! A cardigan, a t-shirt, and a scarf. Hey! It works. Next week, maybe I will do this combo with a colorful cardigan. I do have a few of those. That will be a way to switch it up. The zebra scarf in this picture rocks my world. Overall, comfort was the word of the day here.

Since I intend to switch it up a little next week, do you have any suggestions. I will take each on into consideration and see what I can come up with.

Things I love.

1. Andy
2. My dogs
3. Running
4. Pasta
5. Sephora
6. Plato's Closet
7. Climbing
8. My hammock
9. Hulu
10. Sushi
11. Beer
12. Wine
13. Mismatched socks
14. Urban Outfitters
15. Jeeps
16. My family
17. Dave Ramsey
18. God
19. Sour Patch Kids
20. Naps
21. More things than I could ever list
22. You! (Now, tell me what you love!)

And...Will you be my Valentine?