Just like that

     1:58:48...and that was that. That time there was my time in the Christie Clinic Half Marathon this weekend. I am very happy with it. My goal was to make it across that finish line in under two hours and I did! I was thrilled.
     Now I was not thrilled the ENTIRE thirteen miles per say, but all in all it was a good run. When Sam and I headed out the door that morning it was raining and we both were dreading a LONG 13.1 miles in the rain. But, alas, by the time we got to the starting line in Champaign it was fine. Cloudy, overcast and chilly but fine, no rain! The course was very similar to last year so that helped some when the mind starts playing tricks on you that  you may not last the whole way through. But, about mile 11 I did hit a wall but knowing the end was near, and some Katy Perry blaring in my ears, helped me forge through. Sam was even right there at the finish line when I crossed, she finished in an awesome 1:52:00! I was proud of her and I! We met our goals.
     Once back home down here in Southern Illinois, after enduring a nasty springtime thunderstorm complete with tornadoes nearby, a group of us headed out to dinner and a few drinks. It was fun to get out and eat, drink and be merry with everyone even though I was exhausted. Sunday was a funday for the Dunham's too. We went to the Cardinals game and although the game ended up being a stinker, we did have a fun afternoon. Once home it was definitely couch time!
      So now I am sitting here on the couch watching some Real Housewives, laundering the mounds of clothes that never seem to dissipate and relaxing my rather sore calves! And of course now that it's all over I know that that half probably WASN'T my last ever, but it was my last for awhile. I am looking forward to running more for enjoyment for awhile, rather than training, and getting into a good weight lifting routine! Not so scared to branch out anymore, funny how that happens!

Oh...and in case anyone was curious, running a 1/2 Marathon earns you 19 Weight Watcher Activity points!!!

One week down and Countdown Commence

     Well, it has been one whole week since beginning Weight Watchers and I am loving it. Being the type-A person I am I  like the organization and tracking of it all. However, it's not so over the top  where I have to exactly measure everything exactly which is refreshing! I also am learning how much I really eat and how much I can eat. For the FIRST time in as long as I can remember I am not CONSTANTLY thinking about food, which, my friends, is SO refreshing!
     But, what is on my mind this week is the Illinois Marathon and Half-Marathon this Saturday in Champaign, Illinois. Me and my friend Sam will be heading up on Friday afternoon to run the race for the second year in a row. Last year, the alleged "flat" course was not as flat as described in the course description online, but this year we know a little more what we are getting into. Although I know what I am getting into, I am rather anxious for it to be here. I have trained a little longer this year than in years past since I injured my knee last July and wanted to make sure it would hold up. So, it seems like I have been on this training schedule forever. Seriously, it has been since like February. Forever. But, I know when I cross that finish line on Saturday morning all of my hard work and anxiety about it will be TOTALLY worth it. I do this every time I run a big race. As does Sam. It's kind of what we runners do.
     I will be sure to post updates after the race on not only the race itself but our adventure up there. We are staying in a rather "out dated" hotel as Sam has described it , so that should be interesting. I told her as long as it's clean I am good to go. One doesn't get much sleep the night before a 1/2 anyways. After the race we are heading back home (with a possible stop at an outlet mall..uh oh) and that evening we have plans to celebrate with our husbands and friends.
      However,I can only hope this weekend's celebration is slightly different than the celebration Jeremy and I had, well more so I had, at a friend's wedding last weekend. It looked something like this:

 Me + LARGE glasses of white wine - adequate amounts of food = Jen passed out (HARD) at 10:00 p.m.

      It wasn't pretty, nor was Sunday morning at all. I learned my lesson on drinking not so expensive wine and pacing myself. I learned it the hard way. Jeremy has photographic evidence.
     But until Saturday, I wait and rest up as much as I can for the big race. Friday evening's prep will include a good pasta dinner for fuel! MMM! Points will not matter as much this weekend as I think I will earn my fair share over my 13.1 mile trek. I will be in touch after, see you all at the finish line.

Up and Running

     Well I did it. I committed to Weight Watchers for at least 4 months! I went back and forth most of the day thinking I didn't really need to do it or thinking maybe I overreacted, but in the end I listened to myself and jumped on in! I registered online and downloaded the app for my phone and now I am up and running and so far loving it!
     I really feel like this time something in me clicked more than the other AHA moments I have had along the way. This time I feel like I am really doing it for me and not to make someone else happy or to get someone off my back. This time I don't really care if people give me funny looks about it, it's my body and my life. I have a feeling this will also teach me a lot about some of the distortions I have with food and how much I eat a day. Well, I can't lie it already has due to my tracking today. I can only expect more enlightenment along the way.
      Now, it is on to have my little weight watcher friendly treat and watch the Cardinals kick some butt in the game!! BIRDS!