what is a leap year?

The geek in me really likes this...

then and now...I haven't changed.

So, wow. I looked at an old blog post, and it helped me change my perspective on this marathon I am doing Sunday. I stumbled upon a post I wrote about my first half-marathon and how it went.

Go read it here.

First, I had fun with my first half marathon, and I remember that! I remember how fun it was. I goofed off the whole time and let it be an experience. Then, after that, I started working on getting faster, and I did. However, that was the funnest half marathon I did. The only one that even comes close is the one I just did recently in Texarkana. It's because I didn't worry about my time. I just was worried about finishing. After that, I cared about my time. It helped. I cut 40 minutes off my half marathon time in about a year and a half.

So yeah, that's what I need to do. I need to go out there, relax, and have fun with it. Who cares how long it takes. I may just surprise myself. If a kid wants to give me a high five, I will take it. I am for sure going to stop at the lipstick stop towards the end, and maybe even the beer stop. I will still have done a marathon, and it still will have been hard. It's probably going to be the training and sacrifice that was the hardest, and I hope to love every minute of the race.

Then, after this is over, I'll work on my speed. Funny thing, I've been saying that already. I've been saying after this marathon, I'm going to work on getting in shape. ;) Funny thing. I was saying it then too. I mean it ever single time! I checked to see what I said after the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in 2006.  Here's what I said about it:

So the mini and everything that went along with it is over. It was good times. I beat the goal I had set for myself. That made me happy. It makes me wonder what I actually could do. I mean, I trained, but I didn't train hard. Actually, I'm not sure if you could call it training at all. I would go a week or so with out running. For this reason, I had a good pace for about 9 miles, then I crashed. My time could have been better. It doesn't matter though, because I beat my goal. That's all that matters. Plus, I ran fast enough that next year, I can be seeded. That means I won't have to wade through slow people the first mile. It was a bit ridiculous on Saturday. Ok.

So same thing, what could I do if I trained? Haha. I guess my thought process is always the same. What more could I do...so I trained a little harder...and this is what I said:

Saturday...I ran a mini-marathon in Bloomington, IN. It was the hardest race I have ever done. There was not one single flat part in the whole entire course. It was either uphill or downhill the whole entire way. OUCH!!!! Somehow or the other...I still managed to run my fastest mini time by 10 minutes!!! I can't wait to see what will happen on a flat course!

So there you go, always thinking about the future. Unfortunately, after this, I only ran 1 more half marathon and it went well but not amazing. After that, I basically quit running for five years. Glad to be back.

Ok, one more thing,

What I said in 2005:

*A few years ago...I would have never thought that I could run 13.1 miles. It's kind of funny. I could say I was running a mini-marathon, and I don't think people would believe me. Now, people know I am crazy into running...

Now, let me just re-word this for 2012:

*A year ago, I would have never thought that I would be running a marathon this Spring. It is kind of funny. I could have told people I was going to run a marathon, but they would never believe me because I just didn't really run. Now, people know I am crazy into running...

for the love of the crockpot!

What a wonderful think a crockpot is. It helps make dinner soo easy. Mondays are pretty busy for me. I work all day, and then I have Monday Night Speed Night, so I don't get home until after seven. I try to plan Monday's meal to be something that I can put together early in the day and Andy can finish and have ready when I get home or just be something he cooks.

Tonight, I tried a new recipe that I saw on Carrie's blog. Find it the recipe here.

It was called taco soup. It was easy, pretty cheap, and it makes a lot.

What I used:
1 can crushed tomatos (a big can...28 oz)
about half a bag of frozen corn
1 can of black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
almost a full jar of salsa
ground cumin
garlic powder
onion powder
1 lb. ground beef
half a box (or a little more) of whole wheat macaroni
some water

I mixed together everything but the ground beef and water this morning. Then, I had Andy start the crockpot later on in the day. I could have just started it on low and left it all day if Andy wasn't home. Then, when it was close to dinner time, Andy ground the beef and made the macaroni. We mixed it together and it was ready to eat!

To garnish it up a little, we had some cheese, some sour cream, and some tortilla chips to use as we please. 

I thought it was pretty good. I think that next time I made it I would had a can of green chilis and add chili powder to it. Andy said that he thought it was good. He said it tasted like chili just not as good. That being said, I liked having corn in there! I liked having the salsa in there, so why not just try to make it taste a little more like chili? Also, if I had more time, I would have browned some garlic and onion and use fresh ingredients rather than the powder. I didn't have time, nor did I have the ingredients, so powdered did just fine.

Sooo...here it is! It's not so soupy. Carrie's looked a little more soupy, but I think we may have had more macaroni in there.

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!