Marathon Training

I am currently training for my 1st FULL marathon...26.2 miles on December 14th.  The training has been going well and I actually ran 19 miles on Saturday.  It wasn't easy but it went much better than expected.  I only have 5 weeks left until the marathon.  I typically run my long runs on Saturdays with a group of friends who run.  The social aspect of running is so much fun!  Back in September a friend and I decided to run a local half marathon one Saturday and it was POURING down rain that morning and during most of the race.  We were determined and we both wanted to beat 2 hours.  I got tired at about mile 10 and slowed my pace some and told Lindsey to just leave me...she did and she beat her time goal and got 1st in her age group and low and behold...I beat mine too...barely...but I did it...1:59:53...I'll take it for a race in the rain!!!  I ended up placing 3rd in my age group:)

I have a 12 mile run Saturday, a 20 mile the next Saturday, then a 12 miler the next Saturday and then it is taper time...only 8 miles the next Saturday and then the next Saturday is MARATHON time...ack!  So excited!!!

Ecuador-October 2013

I had the privilege of leading a group on a mission trip back to my favorite country....Ecuador! There is just something about that country...the people...the scenery...just it all...I LOVE it!  I can't share pictures of the precious orphans that we visited but here a just a few from the trip:)

 Our team with the missionary family after church

 A view of the city from the van window

 Me doing yardwork at one of the orphanages:)

Outside of the gas station

I will be traveling back to Ecuador and leading another trip in June and I can't wait!!!

It's been awhile

I love to read blogs but I can't seem to find the motivation to keep my own updated.  We are busy around here.  Kayla is in 5th grade and now plays travel soccer.  Hayden is in 1st grade and playing rec league soccer again.  I have quit teaching fitness classes at church due to peoples schedules interfering with them being able to come and am now teaching at the gym 4 days a week.  I love it!  I am well into my marathon training.  The marathon is December 14.  I will run my 4th half this Saturday:)

Hayden turned 7

 Kayla got contacts

 Me and my babies

Kayla turned 10

First day of 1st and 5th grade

14

For the past month or so on Saturdays I have been meeting a group of people to do a long run.  This week we ran 14 miles.  The longest I have ever ran.  I am loving it.  I am signed up for my first full marathon in December but am wishing I had signed up for a closer one.  Several of my running friends are running 7 Bridges and others are running New York.  I am loving running and teaching at the gym.  We have had a lazy summer but I have to say I am kind of enjoying not having a lot of plans:)

I got a job!

I started working at a local gym this week as one of their fitness instructors.  I have been teaching classes at my church for over a year now and when a facebook status popped up that the gym was hiring I replied and then went in, talked to them and got the job:)  I am teaching Cycle and BodyPump on Monday nights, BodyPump on Wednesday afternoons and Cardio/Sculpt on Friday mornings.  This makes 5 days a week of teaching classes for me. (well, this summer my cardio/sculpt class at church is only on Thursdays so it is only 4 days of teaching until Fall)  I LOVE it!  My body is sore because of doing something different.  I typically exercise everyday anyway but this has me exercising multiple times a day.  I've also increased my running mileage.  I actually found someone local to run with and it has been GREAT!  I've signed up for a FULL marathon in December and I know I have lost my mind but it's a goal that I hope to fulfill.  I thought I would show my workout schedule for this week just for the fun of it.

Monday- Interval Training at home

Tuesday- Ran 6 miles

Wednesday- Ran 5 miles and Body Pump

Thursday- Cardio/Sculpt

Friday- Cardio/Sculpt

Saturday- 11 miles- running for the first time with a group that I call the "real runners" of my town

Sunday- much need REST day- I've only taken 1 other rest day the entire month of June

Sweet Summertime

I can't believe we are quickly approaching the end of June!  It seems like the kids just got of school yesterday.   If I allowed all my kids want to do is spend hours watching t.v and playing their electronic devices.  Today I taught my fitness class this morning and then we came home and I let them do whatever until after lunch.  After lunch I declared that they had to spend a few hours doing something besides watching t.v, playing on the computer or their electronics.  They didn't like me very much at first but then I told them that when I was a child I spent most of my day outside playing in my tree house or on my trampoline.  We also had a pool in our backyard but I didn't mention that;)  So, Kayla decided she wanted to paint in her treehouse and gathered her supplies.  Hayden quickly followed.  They painted and then decided they wanted to squirt each other with water while they played on the trampoline.  They spent 3 hours outside in the backyard.  That is HUGE for my kids...they never go outside when we are here unless they are forced.  It is weird.  I must confess that Summer isn't my favorite season.  I am more of a Fall or Spring type girl.  I don't like to be hot but of course I don't like to be cold either.  I don't love sweltering in the heat to be outside in the summer.  I am also not a huge fan of hanging out at the pool...I know, I'm weird but I just don't love it.  We have passes to the local water park and have been several times and we have also been to my Dad's pool to let them swim.  Actually, that is what we did yesterday. 

Here are a few things we have done so far this summer:)

We spent the first few days of summer at my Mom's in Fairhope, AL and drove over to Gulf Shores everyday for some beach fun:)

We went to the forest for a family hike one Saturday.

We had VBS last week

I hope everyone is having a GREAT summer:)

Rice , Cheese and Summer

I am currently totally addicted to brown rice.  I had some this morning for breakfast with 1/2 tbsp of honey drizzled on top...YUMMY and filling:)  I am having some for dinner with some fish fillets.  I have also had a thing for string cheese lately.  I eat at least 2 sticks a day.  I guess my calcium intake is low or something.  This actually could be true since I don't really drink milk anymore.  

I can't believe that my kids only have 1 week from school left.  Their last day is next Thursday....crazy...summer is almost here:)