They were right...

All those people who said running outside was better than running on a treadmill...they were so right!! I figured it probably would be, but I was never confidant enough to try. Plus, I could only run 3 mins at a time. What's the point of doing that outside?? But now...now I can run. Albeit it's a slow run, I average 4.2-4.6 miles per hour. Which I understand is a brisk walk to some, but to me it's a steady paced jog, and I love it.

I did 2 miles around my neighborhood today. I found an app on my phone that is supposed to measure for me, but apparently I need to work out the kinks. I about chucked my phone into the ground when it said I had only ran .82 miles!! I made Jason go drive it with me and it was exactly 2 miles, not sure what the hell was wrong with the phone!! I sprinted the last block to my house at the end, and truly thought I was going to puke when I arrived on my porch. I didn't though :O) My first 5k is in just a little less than 2 weeks. I can't believe it's almost here and I more than that I can't believe I'm almost ready for it. I may be slow, but I am very confident I will be able to run the whole thing!!

Oh Crappy Day....

What an awful day today was. I woke up to go running after a restless night of sleep. I didn't really want to go, so I pumped myself up. I got up, got dressed, and by the time I got to the park I had convinced myself that I was ready to do a solid mile and a half.

All that came to a screatching halt when I arrived at the gate and saw: PARK CLOSED

What a let down. I could have ran the neighborhood, or went to the gym, but I wanted to run the park and none of the other options appealed to me. So a I came back home and crawled back into bed next to Jason.

Work is so busy. I'm still catching up from vacation. I love that we are busy and we have lots going on, but dang, can a girl catch break.

So between no running, and work, and whatever else I'm just cranky. Cranky and down in the dumps.

Jason just got home early....I think I'm gonna go run.

Sorry!

I just want to say sorry in advance for all the photos you're going to have to endure while I learn my new camera. This is my favorite from today. No, she's not wearing make-up.

Where do I even begin??

We had an AWESOME visit with Amy and her family. The weather was awful most of the week, but we made the most it. On Sunday we had family pictures done, then went downtown and walked around. Benji and Jason took 3 of the 6 to a hockey game, while Amy and I came home and got "makeovers" by Gracie and Savannah. Monday, the guys went golfing while the ladies took the kiddos roller skating. Tuesday was Amy's birthday and zoo! The Zoo was amazing like always, but OMG it was COLD!! After the zoo we met up my my sister at Granite City for Amy's birthday dinner. Wednesday, Katie and Jonathan went roller skating while the rest of us went to "The Keeper of the Plains" Very cool. I hadn't been since I was a kid, and it was much neater than I remember it being. Wednesday afternoon Amy and I got some girl time and headed off to get pedicures. Thursday they left :O(. We didn't do much but try and get Amy's phone fixed(she dropped while she was here). They rolled out about 3:30 and made it back to 'Bama around 4 in the morning. It was a awesome visit. We had so much fun. I hated to see them go.

I did get to take lots of pictures with my new camera though!! With our tax return I splurged and got a Canon Rebel Xsi. LOVE it! I'd have rather gotten a Nikon, but I don't have any one to teach me the ins and outs of one. There is a girl I'm friends with on FB, that is an up and coming photographer who is willing to share her knowledge and since she has a canon I figured I'd get the same. It came with a 18-55mm lens, but I want to get a 50mm when we get the money. Right now all the photos are being taken on auto, but I'm going to start learning this week. It's silly to pay that much for a camera and only use the auto function. I think I may even sign up for classes somewhere. All the pictures from the Wood's visit were taken with my new camera and they are all on FB if you want to check them out.

Monday it's back on the running horse. I'm scared I won't be ready for my 5k. I'm gonna really have to step it up a notch over the next 3 weeks. I haven't ran since last Wednesday. So Monday I'm starting C25k week 6 over. I also think I will run 5 days a week, if I can. I'm so not a morning person!!! Thankfully, I didn't deviate from my eating to badly over SB and I only gained .4 of a pound. Whoo-hoo!

My favorite pics from yesterday...

I LOVE my new camera!!

Olivia Grace

Harri at the antique store

Savannah Grace

Katie Elizabeth

Harrison and his Mim

We had a great day!!

Waiting...

The Woods are in Kansas! Just not at my house...yet! They will be in an hour though. Whoo-hoo!

So excited!

Amy and her family will be here in 6 days!! I'm so stinkin' excited I can hardly stand it. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. I'm so ready for a break from work and everything else and just spend time hanging with my friend and her family. We will celebrate her birthday while she's here, I have a cool surprise planned for that! We will also go to the zoo and the drive in. She's going to make Jonathan a skateboard cake while she's here. I think most of you became a fan of her FB page, and know what awesome cakes she makes. When we were in Alabama last summer she made a cake for Savannah, and now it's Jonathan turn. He is so excited!

Here lately I have been in a great mood! I'm working out, the sun has been out, and I have in general been feeling great. I finished week 5 of my Couch to 5k program and ran 18 minutes yesterday!! What a step up from when I could barley run 90 seconds!! I was supposed to run 20 minutes, but whoever thought going from a 8 minutes run to a 20 minute run was a good idea was crazy!! I went 13 minutes than had to walk for a couple of minutes, then finished strong. Tomorrow is week 6! I can't wait to get started!!! Jen and I are doing our 5k in just over a month. So excited and scared at the same time. I've never committed myself to anything like that before. I can't wait. I don't care what my time is, I just want to finish!!