16 mile run and some cute faces

Saturday I ran my longest run in over a year, 16 miles!
Tammy ran 10 of them with me, which was fabulous!! Having a running buddy makes the time fly by.

I can honestly say I felt great the whole run. There were a couple times when I thought "maybe I should switch to the half". Not because I hurt, but because I was just tired.
 When it was all over and I sat down- then came the pain. I remembered then what marathon training felt like!
 Even though I wanted to cry, I loved it too. It made me feel like I had accomplished something hard. And I love that. It really, truly is worth it.

There was no time to rest my sore legs because my great big family got together for a cookout, and I had lots of cooking to do.
 My sister, her hubby and little fam are visiting from WI, it's always so good to see them again. This sweet baby was a newborn the last time I saw him, and now he's 5 months old!

I guess I'm boring him!

Those eyes though

My amazing sister feeding all her babies

My handsome little big brother

And since my weekend wasn't busy enough, Sunday we had Jeremy's family over to celebrate my stepson's 16th birthday. He just turned 16 and is already begging to get his permit. (My 17 year old got his license a couple months ago) I guess it's best to just get it over with!

Sunday night I finally got to rest my sore legs....but they were no longer sore! Maybe I can do this marathon after all.

Did you run this weekend?

Marathon training week 12

Happy first day of Fall!!
Now if it would stay Fall year round, I would be super happy.

Wouldn't this trail be amazing to run on?

 It's hard to believe I'm only 6.5 weeks away from the Indy Monumental Marathon!

I've had quite a journey to this, my 5th marathon.
 Last year I had to cancel 3 marathons because of torn tendons in my ankle.

So, at this marathon, it will have been almost 2 years since my last one. I am so excited about it!
My goal is to finish in 5:30. I would love to do it in 5, but at this time I just don't think that's possible. I gained 20 lbs last year, and feel like I've been killing myself this year to get it off, and it's just not happening. I know that extra weight slows me down. So, if I finish in 5:30, I'll be happy!

This is my training plan, so I have 16 miles scheduled for Saturday. Finally the long runs! I absolutely love my long runs.

For my first couple marathons, I followed the plan religiously. This time around I'm only following the long run day religiously.
 Through the week I run when I can, but don't follow the plan. I usually do 10-15 miles through the week. That's what works for me.

This race is flat and fast too. Just the way I like it!

Here's a little throwback to my first marathon.

I see the finish line!

Is anyone else training for a marathon?

Indy Women's Half- Cancelled- Recap

After taking the past few months off from racing (other than 5k's), I have been so looking forward to the Indy Women's half. I love running, racing, traveling to races, everything about it!

 My friend Margie was able to buy a bib from a friend of hers, and so it worked out that we were able to go to Indy together.
 Since we both had to work all day, we would've barely made it to packet pickup, so my friend Kim, who was also running, picked up our packets and met us for dinner. Love love love this girl. I just wish she lived closer.

After a yummy dinner and a couple drinks, Margie and I headed to our hotel. We stayed on the 15th floor of the Sheraton, but could hear the concert going on at Monument Square,  just as if we were there.

View from our room

We finally went to bed about 12, who needs sleep!

At 6 am we woke up and I realized I didn't bring anything for breakfast. I don't know how I forgot that important item! I usually bring a banana and some kind of bar or a sandwich or something.
But, Margie was sweet enough to split her EAS bar with me.

 We went down to the lobby for a bit, and I got to meet Tiffany, a reader of my blog, who was just precious. (How did we forget to take a picture?)

We found Kim, took a picture, then headed to our corral's.

I had seen the weather report, and there was a 50% chance of rain/thunderstorms. I've ran races in the pouring rain several times, so I didn't even think twice about that.
 When we got started, it was dry, but the rain started after the first mile. It was so windy, the rain was sideways!
 Then around mile 2, I saw lighting. I may be crazy, but I was thinking "this is so cool!" Ok, that is crazy.
 All of a sudden, I was at mile 2.33, and everyone just stopped and someone was yelling to find shelter. I still wasn't even thinking the race would be cancelled, I thought we would just wait it out.
 After standing with a bunch of other runners under the awning of a building, a volunteer said turn around, the race is cancelled.

 I had never experienced that before, and it was a very strange feeling.
I had been so excited, was doing so good (mile 2 pace was 10:10!!), was so worked up and ready to kill this half, had so much adrenalin going, and suddenly it just stopped.
I was definitely holding back tears. I was so disappointed.

 It was all put into perspective though as I talked to a few girls on our way back. They had come from Salt Lake City and this was their first half marathon. I can't even imagine how crushed they must have been.

We get back to the finish line and stand in the rain for about 15 minutes to receive our medals. I'm glad we still got them, even though it didn't feel like I deserved it!
An Instagram friend said the medal was earned in the training, the race is just icing on the cake. What a great way to look at it.

Even though I was so disappointed, I know the RD made the right call. Better safe than sorry!
Although the race didn't go as planned, I still had so much fun hangin' out with my girls. And...I have another half in 2 weeks to look forward to, the Southern Tennessee Power Classic.

Have you ever had a race cancelled?

Why is that man wearing a skirt?

Some of my thoughts on this lovely Thursday...

This morning I had the Today show on, and the 4 year old girl I nanny for, walked in the room.
Matt Lauer was interviewing Caitlyn Jenner. My girl said "Ms Katie, why is that man wearing a skirt?"
Ummm...well...let's change the channel!
I know he's also trying to make his lips more womanly, but they're WAY too collagen filled. But I guess he is a Kardashian, after all.

Tonite Jeremy and I are going to see Lady Antebellum. I really can't convey my excitement enough! I have no idea what I'm going to wear. I do know I'll be wearing my cowboy boots, and that's the most important!
This is the first country concert I've been to, should be fun!!

I love these sweet moments. She adores her baby sister.

Have a great day, my friends!

A long run almost cut short and a train ride

I hope you guys had a great Labor Day! It was super hot here. It's supposed to be the last crazy hot day of the year, so I hope that's right.Of course I'll never complain about the heat though, because I'll take it over snow and cold weather. I'm just looking forward to Fall.

Tammy and I ran together again on Saturday. We got started early, but it was still pretty hot. Our plan was 10 miles, but after 7 we decided we were done. The park I run in has a splash park, and we knew there was no better way to cool off then to jump in! It felt amazing. This is going to become a part of every long run from now on.

Remember I said we stopped at 7 miles, instead of 10? Well, on my way home I saw that someone had commented on my Instagram about bailing on their 18 mile run, and they wish they had my motivation.
 That comment alone was my motivation for getting back out there and finishing my 10. So I stopped at a different park on my way home and ran 3 more miles. You never know how your words motivate others!

After my run I went to my stepson's first cross country race. I am so proud of him! I love to talk running with him. Look at this face! (And those legs) He did so good. I was impressed by all the kids running, this was late morning and probably already close to 90 degrees.

Jeremy and my 9th anniversary is on Thursday, so we celebrated this weekend by riding the Lexington Dinner Train.

Pic

Unfortunately, we weren't too impressed. The food was just ok, and sitting at a table with another couple you don't know for almost 3 hours is a long time. Although the other couple were precious people. They were there celebrating their 50th! Yes, I did ask them for tips on how to stay married for 50 years!!

There were pretty views of horse farms along the way.

We did have a great time!

What did you do this holiday? 
If this applies, how long have you been married?