Lots......

to blog about, well lets see March 16th was the Carey 1/2 marthon ...here is a an email that I sent out to some friends of how the race went:

Just a quick race recap to let you know how our 1/2 marathon went today.......I set a new PR of 1:58 - 9:04 avg pace....my goal going out today was to do it under 2hrs, It took everything and then some but I did it. I have never felt so spent after a run, I had to hold back throwing up if that tells you anything, I really didnt want to embarrass myself in front of crowds of people LOL! But its an awesome feeling once that passed.....This was the 30th anniversary of this event - I must be all about the 30th year of stuff, Marathon 30yr etc...its kinda cool, anyway....this race only allows 1000 runers to run, and we realized quickly we were the underdogs and with some very good runners. Especially when at the start we were holding a 8:55 pace and people were passing us like crazy - a little discouraging, but I tried to stay positive that these people cant possibly hold that pace the WHOLE 13.1 miles or could they?

I started getting a stitch at like mile 1.5 (side pains) SHIT! I tried to do my "labor" breathing - seriously this is what I am thinking. I am thinking Don we are going way too fast - but the competitor in me was like dude no more people are going to pass me - so I just kept at it ....the stitches kinda subsided but never completely went away. You have to understand this is one of the most hilly courses in the area - that is why the FAST runners love to run it - its a challenge. I swear we hit like 5 super BIG hills - 2 of them being at the end - I was actually kinda freaked at a few points when my breathing was wheezy - in my 2yrs of running - have never had labored breathing like this - but this hills man! The miles seriously were melting away, I had moments of out of body experience, where I felt super strong and then others when I kept saying Don shit, shit shit - Kenye & Eminem are my new best friends (sorry Amy, I know you love Kenye too, but you will have to share LOL) they surely pulled me thru some of those rough spots.

There weren't too many highlights, it felt cool passing a lot of strong men, thats just the woman in me :) Not too many people walked on this course, I felt like I was running w/ the best of them. At Mile 10 I thought whats another 3, but seriously was I wrong - those were the worst miles. I kept thinking of Ethan telling me "momma go get a medal" and Adriana's Smile - chinese food & starbucks - between the grunts and yelling profanity - All in all I am on top of th world right now and just wanted to share yet another notch on the race belt w/ all my favorite ladies! If you want to know Don seriously makes me sick - he had a bum knee this week, and was under trained - and came out saying oh the hills werent that bad w/ lots left in him - where does this guy come from? he isnt human!!! but I love him. Oh yeh, the race shirt is super COOL (most race shirts are kinda cheeze) but I am loving this one, a girl has to look good in her race apparel.

Seriously I really did almost throw up, but I guess when you do something so bad it hurts, its a good thing right ??

We had a fun week of spring break spending time w/ friends - We celebrated Tommy's 3rd birthday at Wacky Bear @ Spring hill mall - the kids really had a good time - then it started snowing ugh!! When will it finally get 60's & Sunny daily?? Ethan & I took a trip downtown on the train to meet up w/ Tara & Brandon - we spent a fun day downtown & Picked up our race packets for the Shamrock Shuffle.

Shamrock Shuffle day came we drove down to the city, got a little turned around w/ parking but made it to the start w/ time to spare - it was cool for me being relaxed and having flashbacks to the marathon start. The race was way over crowded for a 8K, but I enjoyed it - Liz was able to get a new PR - Tara finished like a champ, for some one who has little interest in running - I was impressed. I was just happy to see my friends enjoying something that is a huge part of me.

We spent a relaxing, fun weekend at the Wilderness resort in Wisconsin Dells this past weekend - Amy & I spent some time in the hot tub w/ drinks - Thanks to our wonderful husbands who allowed us some peace & quiet - A good time was had by all - the kids were exhausted by the time we headed home!

Amy & I signed up for the Chicago Marathon, I am a little nervous b/c Amy has been having some knee pain - awaiting results from an MRI to see if some past knee injury is lingering - please God make everything okay !!!! I really dread training thru another hot summer alone, I am sooo looking forward to training w/ Amy and seeing the excitment as she reaches each and every goal as the miles get longer. Saying lots of prayers that Amy's knee will be okay.......

Well this is getting long - I guess I just need to quit being lazy and post more huh?!?! Waiting for my dad & Fran to come visit - they should be here very soon TGIF!!! enjoy the weekend friends!