A Pre-Valentine's Day Treat for Me!

I am a complete believer in treating yourself from time to time, and find it most appropriate on birthdays (both half and whole,) Valentine's Day & any other day that means something significant to you!

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When I decided that I wanted to run the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC (and it happened to be remotely close to Valentine's Day,) I thought this would be the perfect little gift to myself!

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I immediately started working on it! Though I did have to get a few things in order, like having someone to go with/a place to stay (Yay, Marcia!) and getting the a-okay for missing work and school, everything fell right into place. Yesterday, I decided to go for it and sign up for the race. It was super easy and took just a few minutes.

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I also picked out my outfit! Remember that Ke$ha tank that I thought about buying for my Disney trip in a few weeks? For this occasion, I couldn't resist it!

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I decided to pair it with a pair of Victoria's Secret Knockout Capris in bubble gum pink with black polka dots. I've never had a pair of these, but I'm excited to give them a try! Here they are in black with white polka dots.

 

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I'm fairly sure this will be my favorite running outfit yet!

 

Though I support rewarding yourself anyway, this treat is extra sweet because it's also good for me. I do have to run six miles and get over a bridge after all! The fact that it's in Charleston, and that I'll probably do quite a bit of shopping and excellent eating is just an added bonus!

 

How do you plan to treat yourself this Valentine's Day?

 

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As always, Have a Sweet Day!

I'm a Half-Marathoner!

As of this past weekend, I am a half-marathoner!!!

Last Saturday morning, I ran in the High Country Half-Marathon, the second race in the High Country Triple Crown series. My friend Marcia and I debated registering up until the day before the race, but on Thursday night after work, we took the plunge! Going to the football stadium to sign up and get my race packet made me even more nervous than I already was!

My Dad came into town on Friday night, to cheer for Marcia and me on Saturday. I was so thankful to have him there! It makes all the difference in the world knowing that someone is waiting for you at the finish line.

On Saturday morning, my alarm was set for 5:45, but I woke up at 3:00 not able to sleep at all. I was so anxious, excited, and just plain scared knowing my first half-marathon was just a few hours away! When it finally was time to get up, I had my outfit laid out and ready to go. Like most of my other races, I wore a lightweight racerback shirt with Nike shorts. I also made sure to wear a thick headband to keep my hair out of the way the entire race. 

My Dad and I headed to the stadium a little before 7AM, so that I had enough time to stretch and get warmed up. We even had time to snap a picture before I had to be at the starting line.

The race started at the football stadium, and after running 3/4 of a lap around the track, we began our trek from Boone to Blowing Rock. The course was tough and extremely challenging. The level of difficulty was similar to the Cub race that I did back in June, but this one was 6 miles longer. Except for about two miles in the middle of the race, the rest was completely uphill. By about the tenth mile, all I wanted was to see that finish line!

Though Marcia and I did this race together, we went completely at our own pace. She actually ended up finishing six minutes before me. I was so proud of her! My final time was 2:19:06!

 Running through the finish line was such an emotional moment, as it always is for me. I couldn't help but think back to last December, when I wasn't able to run a mile without stopping or feeling like I was going to be sick. A half-marathon was always my goal, I just had no idea it would be here so soon! I am so lucky to have such wonderful family, friends and co-workers to support me through this journey.

After the race, my Dad and I went straight to the Tervis Tumbler store in downtown Blowing Rock. I'd seen a "13.1" water bottle there a few months earlier, and I knew I had to have it!

This race set me on fire, and I can't wait to earn even more medals through my running!

My next half is scheduled for February, when Marcia and I travel to Disney World for the Princess Half-Marathon, but I'd love to get another one in before then! What an amazing experience!

If you ever have the opportunity to run a half-marathon yourself, or any race, I would absolutely recommend it! Crossing that finish line is so empowering!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

I'm Running the Princess Half-Marathon!

I have been anticipating registering for the Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World for months now!  After learning just how quickly those spots fill up, I was on pins and needles Tuesday at noon, when registration opened for the 2014 race.

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Not only was I trying to get myself in, but I was also attempting to register my running partner, Marcia, who happens to be out of town. After dreaming about this race for months, not getting in would have truly broken my heart!

At 11:45, I had everything ready to go! Notes written down, credit cards ready, and hands on the keyboard, so at exactly noon, I could click the register button! It took a few minutes to get everything set up, but I have never been happier than when I received this email for the two of us!

It's officially official!

I am running the Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World in February 2014!

Excited, and still in a bit of shock on Tuesday!

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This is such a dream come true, and I can't believe it's really happening! I'm not half-marathon ready yet, but I know with hard work and dedication, I can get there, just like my first 5K and 10K.

Marcia and I are participating in the Glass Slipper Challenge, a brand new 10K/Half-Marathon combination that Disney is doing for the very first time this coming year. The Enchanted 10K will take place on Saturday morning at 5:30AM, and the Princess Half is the following day, also at 5:30! Talk about a jam-packed weekend! Runners that finish the 10K and half-marathon races will be awarded three different Disney medals!

The beautiful Princess Half-Marathon 2013 medal:

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I can't wait for the 2014 medals to be released!

Marcia and I were also able to choose the type of Disney princess bib we would like to wear for our races, an option I absolutely loved!

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I quickly chose Cinderella, and Marcia will be wearing an Ariel bib for the weekend!

We are so excited and blessed to be able to participate in something this amazing! Though the individual races are still open for registration, the Glass Slipper Challenge sold out just before 5PM on Tuesday, less than five hours after it opened!

Disney World, here we come!

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Prepping for the High Country Triple Crown!

Sunday, February 24th was the day that I first heard about the Princess Half-Marathon in Disney World! It's also the same day that I decided I had to be there to do it next year! 

At the time, I had just started running three months prior, and hadn't participated in any races. This new goal was the exact fuel I needed to kick my running into action!

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In March, I had a blast running my very first 5K, and in April, I ran my first 10K and placed second in my age group, but running 13.1 miles without stopping is a whole different ball game!

I realize that I have eight months to work up to 13 miles, but it's still super intimidating! Sign-ups for the Princess Half start on June 11th, and you better believe I'm going to try my hardest to be on that list!

So, where does the High Country Triple Crown come in?

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The High Country Triple Crown is a series of three races that I've decided to try to complete in preparation for the Princess Half! They won't be easy, but I think they're just what I need to get me feeling more confident about the Princess Half-Marathon Weekend in Disney.

The Races:

1. The Cub - A 7-mile run through Valle Crucis, NC

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2. The High Country Half Marathon - A 13.1-mile race winding from ASU's campus to Blowing Rock, NC

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3. The Knob - A 2-mile uphill climb to the top of Howard's Knob in Boone, NC

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I know these races will push my limits and my comfort zones, but if I'm going to make it to the Princess Half Marathon in February, these are challenges I must overcome. To help me accomplish each of these, I've started Hal Higdon's half-marathon training schedule, and am currently on week two!

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Participants that run and complete all three of the High Country Triple Crown races will be recognized following The Knob, as part of Appalachian's official Homecoming festivities!

The Cub is the first race in the series, and is scheduled for Saturday, June 15th! My fingers are crossed for good results and great weather!

Happy Running!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Running My First 10K!

I'm still in complete disbelief that I ran my first 10K on Saturday!

I had goosebumps the whole time because I couldn't believe I was truly running six miles right beside the Oak Island Lighthouse in Oak Island, North Carolina!

Though I'd been trying my best to follow Hal Higdon's 10K training schedule, craziness at work had made that a little more difficult than usual. For my last week of training (week 8), I decided to take it easy in the beginning of the week, so I could rest up for Saturday.

Monday: Ran 3 miles on the treadmill/weights & abs + personal training for one hour

Tuesday: Ran 4 miles outside

Wednesday & Thursday: Rest Days

Friday: Travel day

Saturday: 10K at 8:10AM!

I am so so lucky to have parents that would make this trip to Oak Island with me. We had the best time visiting this new place. It felt like we were on a mini vacation!

We arrived Friday evening around 5PM, and right after checking into our hotel, headed to the Chamber Welcome & Conference Center in Southport to pick up my race packet. This included my racing bib, t-shirt and a few other things from the race sponsors. Everyone there was so nice, and it made me super excited to run the next day!

For dinner on Friday, we threw around a couple ideas, but decided to try a local favorite, The Provisions Co. in Southport. I had been there years ago, but it was my parents first time going.

We enjoyed steamed shrimp, delicious crab cakes, homemade onion rings, and a hamburger fresh off the grill, while taking in the beautiful views (since Provisions is right on the water)!

 

After dinner, we'd saved just enough room for some ice cream at Flava's, the ice cream and t-shirt shop just across the street. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening.

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning to get ready for the race! Since it started at 8:10, and we wanted to get there early (something we learned from my first 5K experience,) I ended up setting my alarm for 5AM! Seriously, so early!

I loved my outfit for this race, and was so excited to finally put it on! 

I wore a Kiss My Southern Sass tank that said "Bless Your Heart and the USA," along with a large red bow for my hair, and black Nike shorts.

On the back of my shirt, I made a sign out of blue cardstock paper and foam letters to honor those in Boston following the Boston Marathon bombings.

It was a rainy morning in Oak Island, but thank goodness it stopped right before my race started! I ended up wearing my dad's hat to keep my head dry, and had on my rain coat until the last second. Since the tank top I was wearing wasn't dri fit material, I wanted to stay as dry as possible before I ran.

 Waiting in the corral as they counted down our start!

 Ready, set, go!

 Running those six miles after five months of hard work felt so so good! I think I smiled the entire time because I was so happy to be there accomplishing a goal that I'd set for myself.

My view during mile 5!

When I saw the marker saying I only had one mile left, I swear I could have sprinted the whole way from excitement, but instead, I decided to keep a good pace and save it all for the end.

When I came through the entrance of the NC Baptist Assembly and saw my parents standing at the finish line, I gave it all I had. What an amazing feeling!

I officially crossed the finish line at 58:12:00! 

I have to admit I shed a few tears from pure joy in that moment. I accomplished something that I never though I could. I ran six miles in under an hour without stopping.

Amazing. 

Little did I know, I also placed second in the 19-24 female age group for the 10K, and will be receiving an award!!! There's seriously no better feeling!

Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words!
Maybe next year, I'll go back and run the half-marathon! The sky's the limit!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!