Training-week 20

Today was just a 7 mile run. But it was the perfect run. I knew the treadmill stops at 60 minutes, so my goal was to beat my previous record of 6.31 miles before it shut off and I would have to restart it. I hit 6.51!!! I felt GREAT!!! Who knows? Maybe someday, I'll be able to get all 7 miles done in 60 minutes!!!!

Birthday Weekend (Owen)

This past weekend was PARTY-PALOSA! We celebrated on both days with family for Owen's upcoming birthday. On Saturday morning I asked the kids to go get dressed for the first party. This is what they picked!

Lady Gaga should be taking notes. :)

Our guests for this party were Grandma and Papa Arnett, Nennie and Papa George. It was small, but fun!

The cupcakes the kids helped me make.

Present from Nennie and Papa George.

From Grandma and Papa Arnett

From Grandma and Papa Arnett

On Sunday we had a slight bigger gathering. The guest list was Gramma Karen, Uncle Keith, Nana, RJ, GG, Great Uncle Dennis and Nennie.

Owen got 2 RC helicopters.

One from Daddy and one from Gramma Karen's Crew.

More cupcakes.

Legos from GG.

Legos from Nana and RJ.

We haven't had the friend party yet. But I can already say, this has been a great birthday.

Car Wash

When it gets hot, the Arnetts go to the car wash. That's right! It's a family event to wash Daddy's car. Here are some fun pics of our post-dinner outing.

Daddy demonstrating the technique.

Allie going solo.

Owen going solo.

Owen taking the camera.

My happy kids.

High Dive

Tonight we were at the Crestview Country Club for the Paige/Nick Birthday Party. Owen had gone off the low diving board at a WAC party last week, but I missed it. So at this party when he started going off the low dive I was there. I took a few pics. Then his friends moved on to the high dive. The first time he got all the way up, but only half way down the board before he turned around and went back down the ladder. However, the next time he got up there the life guard informed him he could only go one way... into the water. So he inched his way to the end of the board and jumped in. Another mom was in the water below encouraging him to jump and to make sure he was okay after he surfaced. I was so proud of him. He even did it one more time.

low dive

high dive

Training-week 19

Well, I have to admit it. I'm LOVING the treadmill. I guess having that hellish run outside in the Kansas heat will make one re-think the pros to running inside on the treadmill. I ran 10 Yassos and felt fabulous!! There are only 10 weeks of training left until my FIRST marathon. If you can't tell, I'm a little anxious about it.

Warrior Dash-2011

That's right folks! I competed in yet another Warrior Dash. This time my friend, Julie was my partner and our other friend, Kevin. IT WAS FUN!!!!

We started the fun-filled weekend on Friday. Julie and I loaded up my car and drove to KC. Dinner was at Minsky's (of course) and desert at Green Apple. I took a "scenic" drive to get us to the hotel. We checked in, changed into our suits and hit the hot tub.

The next morning we got up, got dressed and got PUMPED!

Julie's READY!

I'm READY!

Our pre-dash picture.

The dash was not what we were expecting. The course was muddy, hilly and rocky. If you ask me, the trail should have been one of the obstacles. The 3 of us stuck together and encouraged each other. We enjoyed the conversations, challenges and YES, weather. It was rather chilly when we were wet. Each of us finished the course with NO injuries and huge smiles on our faces. The clean up area wasn't as effective as one would think, but we didn't care. It was SO MUCH FUN!

Our post-dash picture.

The whole team.

Training-week 18 (20 MILES)

You read that right! I DID IT!! I reached 20 miles! I feel AMAZING!!! I even had to do it on a treadmill. I will take you through the run step-by-step (figure of speech).

I got to the gym after 9:00 am. I was giving myself approximately 4.5 hours to complete this task. I knew that the treadmills at the YMCA stop at 60 minutes. So I decided I would run 4 legs of 5 minutes each. In between each leg, I would walk to the drinking fountain and refill my water bottle. Then get back on the treadmill for the next leg.

LEG 1:

These first 5 miles just sort-of tacked along. I didn't run at my max, but I wanted to make sure I would have enough "gas" to get me through the full 20 miles. I finished the leg and took my picture.

I walked over to the water fountain and filled my water bottle up. I ate a few pretzels and walked around for a few minutes. That's when I looked up and saw her. MY SISTER! She had come to join me. I got back on my friend, TREAD, and Jen got on the one next to me. I started my leg number 2 and she started walking.

LEG 2:

These next 5 miles flew by. Jen was chatting with me periodically and I was getting encouraging texts from both my husband and Julie. Talk about feeling the love! Next thing I know, I finished my leg and took my picture.

I walked over to the drinking fountain and refilled my water, ate some pretzels, a few gummy bears. I was feeling wonderful, got back on the treadmill and started my next leg.

LEG 3:

These next 5 miles had a series of milestones for me. (Those of you who know me, know I'm a cheerleader to those around me. Well, while I was running this section, I started hearing the "cheerleader" in my head.)

1. I had reached my previous longest distance on the treadmill.
2. I ran 13.1 miles 10 minutes faster than the last time I ran it.
3. I was keeping a rather constant speed the entire time, so far.

I finished the leg and took my picture.

Still feeling pretty good, I walked over to the drinking fountain and stretched a little. My left knee was feeling a little tight. I also thought I might be getting a blister on my left big toe. I was way ahead of my 4.5 hour projected time, so I "got back on the horse" and finished this bad boy.

LEG 4:

This was a little harder to motivate myself to do this one. I started running and realized I only had to run 2 miles to reach my longest run EVER! Right around that same mark, Jen finished walking for 2 solid HOURS! I was so proud of her. She completed over 5 miles. It was her day of from work, and she chose to spend a big chunk of it with me... SWEATY! I finished the leg strong. I felt AMAZING! I turned to her and through my arms in the air. I didn't care WHO saw me. I DID IT! 20 miles, basically staying in one place. So I took my last few pics.

I walked over to the water fountain and filled up one last time. Met Jen at the stretching area and worked out some stiff joints. She had walked so much, that her shoe's sole split on the bottom. This was my FIRST 20 miler. I'm sure it won't be my last, but I will never forget it.

Thanks to my support team. Jen, Jake, Owen, Allison, Julie, Patsy, Angela, Amy, Megan and anyone else who knew I was doing this and had faith that I COULD do this.