Oh, What to Say...

So it's been 10 days since my last post and I'm feeling guilty about it. I'll share a few photos from the past couple of weeks so I won't feel so guilty anymore.

You can bet that when you go to a Mary Kay event, you'll feel
like a million dollars when you leave. I am so thankful for
this opportunity to be around positive women. I earned the Queen
of Star Consultants last night as an Emerald Star. 

A quick shot while on the Might Mo' while setting bait
for catfish a couple weeks ago. You know it's summer
in Missouri and you have a bit of country in your blood
when you are anxious about getting the largest catfish. 

Miss Tillie enjoying our new carpet one lazy afternoon. 

Brandi, me, and Christi all taking a photo after the
Wathena UMC 5K in June. It was a great run where I PR'ed with 31 minutes.

It's Go Time, Baby...

Bobbie Jo, a friend's sister, Bobbie Jo's friend, and myself at the Happy Camper Scamper
5K which was a trail run throughout MWSU campus.

Laura and I at the Rock the Parkway 5K. I ran a PR for this one! Thanks for pushing me Laura.

Alas, I guess I can finally let the dogs off the hook they aren't meant to be runners! Ha!

You can tell it's full on running mode for runners once it hits April 1. I've been thankful to keep it up throughout the winter thanks to the weather. I have to be honest the last two weeks have not been fantastic about my "training" schedule. I only have gotten in two to three runs a week. Yikes, considering my half is in four weeks TODAY! I'll get there though. This weekend is nine miles, and I HAVE TO DO IT! No excuses.

I have been obsessing lately though over running blogs and running gear and all sorts of things running. I think is this the time I can finally say, "I'm a runner". Maybe after my half that will feel more comfortable. But what makes you a "runner"? Is it just putting in the miles, week after week, month after month, like I have done for a year now or is it some distance you have to achieve in a race?

Either way, I am excited to see where this "running year" takes me and have three races already down. I ran the 10K in Manhattan on St. Patty's Day (race recap), a 5K in St. Joe in pouring down rain on April 7th and the Rock the Parkway 5K on April 14th.

One thing is for certain, I am getting stronger in my distances and running 3 miles does not scare me any more at all. Even running 6 miles doesn't scare me any more. We'll see how I feel after 13.1 in May! It's Go Time Baby!

The run of my life....so far

It.was.hard. I did finish; I walked a little, but I finished the 5K "Turkey Trot". It was also 19 degrees with a windchill of 6 degrees at 9 am on Thanksgiving Day.

Christina, Todd's sister, and I warming up in the casino before the run.

I also LOVED it. I felt so good after doing it. I thought it can't be too hard when the weather is actually tolerable. There were also hundreds of runners. I couldn't believe this many people really were into running.  And believe me all types of people, which gives us "beginners" some hope that we can eventually do okay at a race.

I finished in the last 25 percent I would guess. Christina and other friends I saw just blew me out of the water, but I know if I keep trying (I only had a few weeks of practice) and go to more races, I'll do better. Or as my brother said to me, "Well that's only a 10 minute mile Melissa!" Ha, coming from a marathon runner, I'd sure like to know his secrets! :)

And I finished!

Jessica Lackey, a good friend from Highland, wearing her T-day garb while running! She's such a sport!

I had a good time, felt great, and felt even better that I did some hard work before I ate lots of turkey!