The Seven Dwarfs

We planted the flowerbed that lines the walkway to our front door last weekend.  When we moved in 13 years ago it was nicely planted with bushes and hostas.  We thought that was dull so we pulled it all out the following year and planted flowers.  Then we realized we really didn't like gardening.  We've replanted the flowerbed almost every year until a couple of years ago when we just pulled everything out and left it as dirt.  We weeded the dirtbed occasionally but it was pretty pitiful - I'm actually surprised we weren't contacted or fined by the association regarding the neglect of our flowerbed.  But no more!  While I'm sure there is a master gardener inside me just dying to get out I ultimately decided to go a more realistic route and plant shrubs.  We are not the proud owners of Seven Dwarfs - Dwarf Golden Nugget shrubs that is.  I'm contemplating a planter with flowers but let's be real - that probably wont happen.

Our garden angel, owl rocks and 2 of the 7 Dwarfs (I'm thinking Happy and Bashful)

We did add a little bit of color with this climbing plant - it's called Candy Corn!

And with that I have just demonstrated my newest skill - using the "Save for Web" feature of Photoshop Elements (PSE).  I won't tell you how long it took me to get these two pictures edited to a reasonable size for posting.  You may have noticed a lack of pictures on my blog in recent months - hopefully this newly learned skill will bring an end to all of that!  When we purchased our new computer in January it came with PSE.  Knowing that there is a fabulous photo editor inside me that is just dying to get out (don't worry - she gets along well with the master gardner) I started up the program and - well, did nothing because I couldn't even figure out how to save a photo for posting on the web.  I can't say I've come a long way since then but I can save photos for posting on the web.  Early on in my blogging adventure my blogging mentor told me I needed to post more pictures on my blog - maybe I'll finally start following her advice.

Let the training begin!

Yesterday marked the beginning of my training for the 13.1 Minneapolis in August.  I've created my very own training plan - taking elements I liked (or that I thought were good for me) from plans I've used in the past and factoring in my schedule and what I know to be true about myself and my ability to train.  I'm pretty psyched!  Here is a look at what's in store for the next 10 weeks:

Monday - Easy Run (45 minutes)
Tuesday - Bike
Wednesday - Rest/Yoga
Thursday - Intervals (50 min w/ 10 min @ 8:45, 7.5 min @ 8:30, 5 min @ 8:15, 2.5 min @ FAST)
Friday - Rest/Yoga
Saturday - Long Run (80 - 140 minutes)
Sunday - Pace Run (40 min w/ 20 min @ 8:45)

Doesn't reading that plan just make you want to get out and RUN?!  I'm still trying to figure out the best way to work in some strength training and there will surely be other tweaks along the way but I think this is a pretty solid plan. 

I've added a Daily Mile widget to my blog so you can follow along with my training efforts - how fun is that?!  I give you full permission to run vicariously through me - but I strongly encourage you to give it a try yourself!

Keep breathing... and running!

Chasing 1:55

As you all know by now I did not achieve my goal of running the Stillwater Half Marathon in 1:55.  I will spare you the recap of my journey through regret and disappointment to a place of acceptance - to be honest, it was pretty quick and not very interesting.  Having landed in this place of acceptance I am now content with my performance and ready to settle into a more relaxed pace for the summer.

Or not.

Honestly, 1:58:57 is officially my least favorite number.  I FAILED!  I had a goal - a very specific goal.  I tailored my training to my goal and I trained hard.  I was confident - I visualized myself achieving my goal.  But I did not - in fact - achieve my goal.  So what's a girl to do?  Sign up for another Half Marathon of course!

On August 21st I will run the 13.1 Minneapolis Half Marathon - in 1:55.  This time around things will be a little bit different.  I will be humbled and filled with gratitude as I look to my Lord for strength and remember - without Him I am nothing but with Him I can do anything.  I'm going to acknowledge Him in all my ways - turning all praise back to Him.  I'm going to train harder, be more committed and I am going to achieve my goal.

And along the way I'm going to raise money for Team World Vision.  The 'Donate Now!' link at the top of my blog will bring you directly to my personal fundraising page.  I would love for you to take a little detour right now to learn more about World Vision and all the ways you can get involved in my training and fundraising efforts.  Please don't feel any pressure to donate and please don't hold back if you feel led to give.   

Keep breathing... and running!

Race Report - Stillwater Half Marathon

Saturday, May 28th - Race Day Eve
I spend the majority of the day preparing for the race. Packet pickup, driving the race course, soaking in the spa at the gym, near constant checking of the weather forecast, packing my race bag, pinning my race number to my shirt, tying my race chip to my shoe, finalizing my Marathon Mix (which will end up being more critical than I could have known), eating only foods I am certain will not cause stomach problems the next morning, setting my alarm for an INSANELY early hour and finally - sleep.

Sunday, May 29 - RACE DAY!!!
4:45 AM
Yes, I actually got out of bed at 4:45 AM - I can't believe it either.  30 minutes later we are in the car and headed toward the Stillwater Area High School where a shuttle bus will drive me to downtown Stillwater to start the race. When we arrive I have Chris drop me off by the Biffs - while I'm not crazy about public, portable bathrooms I'm also ridiculously afraid of having to go to the bathroom during a race.  As I head toward the line I realize I did not grab my sunglasses out of the car which is now driving slowly away from me on its way to the local McDonald's.  I run frantically toward the car waiving my arms as it continues to speed up and away from me.  I am finally successful in getting my husband's attention and with my sunglasses in hand I get in line to use the Biffs.  I also check warmup off my list of things to do before the race starts. 

7:00 AM
Miles 1 - 6
Have I mentioned the weather is PERFECT?!  My goal is to complete the race in 1:55.  I'm brave.  I'm strong.  I can do it!  I line up behind the 1:55 pacer and keep pace with him through the first six miles.  We run a bit faster than I am comfortable with but I'm here to race - to push myself a bit - so I keep up.  We don't exactly stop at the water stops - I'm sure we slow down a bit but I typically walk through water stops so our slowed pace really only allows me to grab a few sips of water every couple of miles.  I am prepared for this to be the hilliest section of the course and hilly it is.  Having passed mile 7 I am looking forward to the next 4 miles being relatively flat.

Miles 7 - 9
This is where it gets fun.  I have just powered through the first 6 miles of the race - up seemingly back-to-back hills with very little water.  As I head into mile 7 I am begining to loose the pacer - he's still within view but I am dropping farther and farther away from him.  And then - another hill.  This is supposed to be the flat portion of the course.  I am not mentally able to complete another hill.  I want to cry.  I walk instead.  I know - I can hardly stand to say it - but I walked - for a good 3 minutes - up hill.  It feels good to walk.  I can breathe again.  I get some interesting looks from the medical staff but I must not look as bad as I feel because they ride off without engaging me.  I know at this point I will not finish in 1:55.  I consider walking the rest of the course.  And then all of the effort I put into picking just the right music for my Marathon Mix pays off.  Our God by Chris Tomlin starts to play.  And I start to run.  I replay the song two more times - I keep running and don't stop.

Miles 10 - 13.1
Having lost the pacer during my moments of weakness I am now on my own.  I decide to walk through the water stops drinking a full glass of water and Gatorade at each.  Mile 11 is almost completely downhill - praise God!  I have my mojo back I am finishing strong.  I run hard across the finish line with Our God playing in my ears and a smile on my face - my family cheering me on.

My official time was 1:58:57

277 out of 631 Overall
96 out of 340 Females
21 out of 64 Females in the F3539 Age Group

I am happy with my results but would by lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed that I didn't just suck it up and run the whole race.  I trained hard but it was a tough course - hilly throughout and in the end I didn't have a 1:55 in me for this race. 

Which means I'll just have to train that much harder for my next half marathon!  That's right - I'm not giving up on my goal - I'm still chasing 1:55 - and this time I'm doing it with Team World Vision.  I'm crazy-excited and can't wait to share more with you soon. 

As a side note - Our God by Chris Tomlin is officially my new favorite song.  If this song is new to you - you are in for a treat!  It is extremely inspiring, uplifting, encouraging - and full of truth.

Keep breathing... and running!