We did it!!!

(Other friends who ran: Bishop Steve Andersen - did the whole marathon in 4:21 and Steve & Sharalee Nabrotzky finished in 2:45 - good job guys!!)

Oh my goodness... I keep asking myself... did I actually really truly just finish a 1/2 Marathon?? I had it in my head from the beginning that I was pretty sure that I could probably walk 13.1 miles. So I figured I had nothing to lose signing up for it. I just hoped that after training that I'd at least be able to run some of it. I am feeling really blessed and grateful that the training has gone so well! I ran the entire 13.1 miles, averaging about 10 minute miles, and finished at 2:12.

Some of you may know, some not, but this really is a HUGE feat for me. In highschool I ran cross-country my freshman and sophmore years, but had to quit because I got really sick. I was on home and hospital for about a year and a half during highschool (doctors weren't really sure what was wrong... they just said possibly chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia). But it was really weird. I went from healthy and strong, to barely being able to move. I feel like I've really come a long way with my health problems. I struggled off and on for quite a few years, but finally found a good doctor who helped me figure out what the problem was (which is kinda complicated to explain because it was a lot of different things all going haywire). But some of the problem was I was having reactions to certain foods (especially anything processed) and chemicals like household cleaners... anything mildly toxic. For some reason my body holds onto any toxins and doesn't easily get rid of them. I've had some problems here are there if I ever get around toxic things (like mold!) But I've had to learn to take a lot of responsibility for my health, which has led me to learn how to eat ridiculously healthy and change some habits. It's definitely not been easy, and has been a long and hard road. I've run a little bit here and there for exercise since highschool, but have never gotten back into it until now. And I'll tell ya what, it feels great!! It really feels like tying up some unfinished business and taking back those lost high school years. I feel so blessed!

Thanks to all for your support! It really has meant the world to me. Thanks to Shane and Jada who came to watch. Shane has the flu and still came (what a guy!) And thanks so the Marathon Mom's who were so much fun to run with, and truly motivating! (I'll write some more details later when I'm a little more with it!)

Okay, to any of you thinking of doing it next year, it was a lot of fun... There were a bunch of live bands that were set up on stages throughout the course. What a great tribute to Nashville! Well, time for an ice bath... but I'll put up some more pics later!

The Marathon Moms

Run by Collective Soul

My race number is 32853

Well guys, only 10 more days to go until the big race. And I am both nervous and excited! This has definitely been quite an experience training for this. I think the biggest miracle of this has been that I've been able to actually find the time and energy to train! (Definitely not an easy thing to do when you're a busy mom!)

Am I ready? Well, ready or not, I don't think I can cram much more running these next few days! I actually ran my first 12 mile run about a week and a half ago, and it has really helped me mentally know that I can really do this thing! So I'm feeling pretty good about it (for the most part!) I've never ran in a big race like this, so I'm feeling a little nervous, just not knowing what to expect.

I've had so much support from Shane, he's been so great! My running buddies have also been a great source of help and encouragement which has really kept me going. They are all a great bunch of gals! We've all had their own struggles throughout this thing, but I am amazed at their attitude and desire to keep going and hanging in there! I sure love you guys!

Well, I hope and pray that all goes well these next 10 days, and that we'll all be healthy and ready to run this thing. I'll be sure to post some pics later!

Thanks to all my great friends for all of your support! I don't know what I would have done without it!

**By the way, on race day there will be a way to track our progress! We will all be wearing a computerized chip, and our progress will be recorded at 5k, 10k, and at the 10 mile mark. The progress will be posted online at www.cmmarathon.com . On race day, go to this site and click on the "Live Results" bug. I'm not sure if you can search by name, or if you need our number. But as soon as we get our race numbers, I'll be sure to post them online! The race starts at 7am central time, but the race probably won't really start for us until 7:30 or so (There will be about 30,000 people running this thing and they put the faster people up front.) This event will also be broadcast on FSN (fox sports network) if you have that channel!**

FINALLY

I've had a bit of the blogger blues since my computer has been on the fritz! Shane was nice enough to let me take over his computer this weekend so I can get some new pictures up. Here's pics of our Cabo trip. I just realized the text is difficult to read. It was much easier to read when it is bigger. Oh well! Enjoy!

This song goes out to....

This song is dedicated to my good friend Chelsea!

Welcome Felicity!

So my good friend, Becky just had her beautiful baby girl yesterday! Her name is Felicity Marta Smith. She weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz, and is 20 1/4 inches long. Well, I feel like I had the experience of a lifetime, because, Becky invited me to film her giving birth. I've had some people look at me funny and say, um really? Well, you have to realize, Becky is like a sister to me (since I don't have any close by!) And I was so happy to do this for her, and I'm honored that she felt close and comfortable enough to have me be there.

Watching someone else giving birth, really is an amazing thing. It was really neat to experience this miracle from a whole new perspective. She did fantastic (she had a natural birth by the way!), and I am so amazed at her and her husband Ben, and her midwife/nurse. They handled everything beautifully. I was incredibly impressed.

Everything went great, and very fast! Once I got there, the baby was born about an hour later! Baby and mama are doing great. Felicity is a very healthy girl, you can tell from the picture. Already chubby with lots of color in her face. Isn't she beautiful?!

Welcome Wesley Grant Johnson

Yesterday my brother Grant and his wife Kate had their beautiful baby boy! Mama and baby are doing great. His name is Wesley Grant, he is 21 inches and 6 pounds 14 ounces. Congratulations Grant and Kate!!

The most random blog post ever.....

Cabo
Okay, we're a week away from another trip, and I'm feeling like I just put away our suitcases from our last trip. Shane and I are going to Cabo, Mexico for 6 days. My mom is coming out to watch Jada while we go. I'm really excited, but a little nervous I guess! Last time Shane and I went to Cancun, Mexico, Jada was terribly sick with a stomach flu the entire time that we were gone. So I'm praying she'll be healthy this time! I'm also feeling really spoiled after coming back from an amazing vacation only a month ago! This is a trip through this electrical contractors association. Shane's partner was supposed to go, but can't because he wife just had surgery. So here we go again, off to another wild adventure. The resort looks amazing. It's all inclusive, and even includes any tips! I guess I better start packing and brushing up on my espanol! Soy un mono calvo con ropa interior en la cabeza. Crap!... I knew I should have paid more attention in Spanish Class....

Running
Okay, here's an update on my training! It's going great and I feel very fortunate that my legs are holding up so well. I've had a little bit of knee pain, but I've been able to figure out what it is and what's causing it (weak butt muscles...) I'm sure ya'll wanted to know that. But I have a strength routine that I'm working on that should help. And I'm up to 10 miles now! I'm so excited I'm into double digits. My 10 mile run took me 1 hour and 45 minutes. Three months ago, I don't think I could even fathom running for that length of time. I have a great bunch of friends (and hubby) that are also doing great and really getting me through this training. It's been great and I'm remembering why I used to love running so much. I think the best part of it is, is the sense of accomplishment when you are able to go a little farther or a little faster. And it feels great to get into shape too!

Ice Bath
This is something I've done twice now. This sounds awful, but it is truly amazing! It really helps take edge off the soreness after a long run. (Only runners and are crazy enough to do this!) Basically you wear a whole bunch of layers of sweaters and hats on your top half, then you put on some tight shorts, and then you sit in your tub while it fills up with very cold water. Then, once it fills up to about your hips, you dump in a bucket full of ice! It sounds a lot worse than it really is. I have a portable heater and keep the bathroom nice and toasty, and I also take in some hot chocolate. This is where having a techy hubby comes in handy. He installed a TV above our bathtub (yes.. I know that is a little much but hey... that's what he does for a living!) He loves it when his gadgets come in handy. It sure is nice to get those minutes to fly by in that ice bath! Shane is so sweet, and even got in the ice bath with me last night! (He did about half of my long run with me yesterday and was a little sore too). He's either super supportive or just really crazy!! But either way, I love him for it!