I Did It!

Yesterday at work it suddenly hit me...

I RAN A MARATHON!!!!!

The whole rest of the week I didn't really think much of it...it just seemed like a regular thing for me to do. But it's really quite a big deal!

Let me tell you, it was so.much.harder. than I thought it would be! I just had to keep telling myself - "You didn't come this far to give up!" My first 13 miles was great, although my legs were more tired than normal because I ran a lot faster than my training pace (8:20 min/miles compared to 9 min miles). Then right after the 13 mile mark you go up hill a bit. My legs were never the same after that! It was so painful. I was going so slow, because my legs wouldn't move any faster! I clocked one mile at 11 minutes!! I never run that slow!

But I didn't come that far to give up. The gummy bears at the Cafe Dolce aid station tasted so delicious. Once I got to Higgins St bridge with less than 300m left, I sprinted as fast as I could because I wanted to be done so bad!!

I did it! It took me 4 hours and 18 minutes, and I was 17 out of 22 in my age group. I might run one again, just because I need to be faster! Ha. We'll see. I'm still feeling the effects of those 26.2 miles...but each day it gets a little better!

Preparation

It's amazing how much preparation can go into something...like a wedding...or a marathon... Try preparing for both at the same time! Actually, it hasn't been that bad! I'm enjoying both! Tomorrow is the big day. No, not the wedding day - although our countdown is at three weeks!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is the big marathon day!! We will wake up at 3am to eat our oatmeal with strawberries and an egg. At 5am we will head to the start in Frenchtown. At 6am we will be running... And hopefully by 10am we will have crossed the finish line on the Higgins Street bridge! My "good" goal is to finish in under 4 hours. My "best" goal is to finish with my dad, who hopes to clock a 3hr30min or less to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

This is the dinner my mom and I made to help prep our bodies with a bunch of carbs: Caesar Salad Pasta with chicken, diced potatoes (my potatoes have Caesar dressing and Parmesan on them) and garlic bread. (We were gonna make green beans but ran out of time). It was a new recipe and it was yummy!!


I spend the rest of the evening prepping for my other big day---THE WEDDING!! My mom and I worked on our table names! They're coming along great! Jason did the first half of them when he helped get them started the other day, and he did an awesome job!!

Anonymous Blessing

Jason and I were really stressed, I mean really stressed, about the groomsmen situation for Friday night. In fact, it might have caused a bit of frustration and conflict. You see, my mom had graciously paid for one hotel room at the Hawthorne for the guys on the Friday night before our wedding. This was super convenient because it's within 5 miles of the wedding cite, and all the guys could stay together (fun!). But there would be a total of 9 guys needing to sleep that night, and the hotel wouldn't allow that many in one room. So we could get a second one, but we had no clue how we would pay for it! If we canceled both rooms then the guys couldn't all stay togther (they'd stay and get ready at their own houses), which was never how I pictured it going! Plus, I wanted my getting ready photos. We kept going back and forth...get just the one room and make a few guys stay somewhere else -- but that's rude!!...get the two rooms -- but who will pay??!!...get no rooms -- but where will they stay?? Will there be getting ready pictures??

Most of these conversations took place at 11pm at night (tip: don't have stressful conversations at 11pm at night) or threw text while we were both at work (tip: don't have text conversations about something super stressful). As you can guess, this had become a heavy burden on our shoulders. All of the sudden I got a new text:

"There is an extra room reserved and paid for at the hawthorne for groomsmen as a wedding gift for the bride and groom..."

It was from a number I didn't have in my phone, and I, nor anyone else, still don't know who it was. But I thank God for anonymous blessings, and since the person was so humble as to send an anonymous gift, I'm going to brag about them on my blog.

Dear Anonymous Giver,
THANK YOU! As you can tell, you relieved a HUGE burden on our shoulders. We were already feeling silly for being so frustrated over something so small, but your text brought so much peace to the situation and our hearts. Thank you so much.

Cake Smear

Over Memorial Day weekend Jason and I traveled to California with his parents and brother for their Grandma's memorial. I had such a wonderful time there and am so blessed to be marrying into his family! They are so loving and incredible people! I only met his grandma once, but after being at his memorial I myself was even impacted by the legacy of love she left behind. She was an incredible woman. After her memorial service, they held a surprise bridal shower for Jason and I! I again felt so blessed! They even had a cake for us, so we got to practice cutting the cake and feeding each other. I smeared his face sooooo bad. ;) (Sorry the photos are in reverse order!)

Special Girl

I am marrying the most wonderful man in the world!

On Monday, after being in Oregon all weekend, I wasn't expecting to see Jason until our 4pm pre-marital counseling session. But surpise, surprise! Here I am at work, and in walks my very handsome fiance, and yes, he makes my heart flip. He is carrying these flowers (below) and has brought me lunch! He is such a sweetheart!

Then the very next day, I'm busy in the back at work, and in walks Jason - with flowers!! He brought me the very very pretty bouquet (below) and he brought a different bouquet, "To all the ladies at Missoula Vet Clinic!" Wow. He is a gentlemen and a sweetheart. He sure knows how to make me feel special! By the way, peonies have become my new favorite flower! And they were in my bouquet!! Love love love them.

Not only did Jason give me flowers yesterday, but after work he came to my house and cooked dinner (with a bit of my mom's help) for my whole family!! He made delicous tostadas and homemade salsa! He sure looks good in the kitchen =)

I love him so much!

Old Friends & Good Friends

This weekend my family drove to Salem, Oregon, to attend my cousin Ben's wedding! It was so much fun to see my old friend, Salem, and my good friends, Courtney, Amy & Jen. It was also a pleasure to attend my cousin's wedding!

While with my old friend & good friends I...

...ate at the Old Spaghetti Warehouse! I highly recommend this restaurant. Their meals range from $8-$12, and this includes a good sized entree, salad, bread, and dessert!!! It was so yummy!

...walked to Dutch Bros with Heidi and Nathan to re-live the taste of an iced kicker!

...ran with Amy (for a bit) and my dad through Bush Park AND Minto Brown Park!

...soaked up the sights of my old favorite spots.

...enjoyed my cousin's sweet and simple wedding!

And then we spent an extra 2 hours on the way home, taking the "scenic byway"!

But it was worth it!

Half Empty or Half Full?

I'd like to look at this situation as half-empty, especially since my tank is empty. Well it was last night anyway. In fact, if I'd have written this post last night like I planned, it definitely would have been hard to be half-full. But now, after a night of rest and recovery and encouragement from my friends, I can be half full. So here it is:

The good news -


I ran the farthest I've ever run! 3 hours and 5 minutes! A rough estimate of 20 miles!

The bad news -

It was stinkin hard. Stinking hard. My body aches so bad today. It makes me question whether or not I can run 6 more miles. My dad is also faster than me. Ya. Faster. That's hard to swallow... :)

So anyway. I was pretty discouraged about the run...and being totally exhausted mentally and physically, I was empty and wanted to look at the situation in a pessimistic way. But I think I'll be optimistic, because you know what? I'm still alive. And I'll only have to run it once.

Thank you God, for giving me legs to run!