Marathon Pictures

Today I check my email and there it was.... the email containing pictures from the marathon. I am a little mad they don't have one of us crossing the finish line! What up with that? Anyways, here are a few of the pictures someone took during the race! The pictures don't enlarge when you click on them b/c i stole them from the site. So if you wanna see them bigger click the link below......! Warning: my thighs look huge when you see the pictures larger ..... SORRY! : )
http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=47909&BIB=2728&S=230&PWD=

DC Trip.... March 2009

There is a little place called Crepeaway in Foggy Bottom area that is so delicious. We went there the first night we got to DC with a few friends. They have crepes with meat and veggies for dinner then dessert ones. It was so good we went back the night of our marathon with a few other friends who hadn't been. They loved it just as much! Tabs and I

Group shot. It was so fun. We just sat there for a few hours talking and catching up!

Another group shot on our way out!


CHAREESE'S BIRTHDAY!!! I was lucky enough to be in town to celebrate one of my good friends bday this weekend. I hope you had a great day! I know I did.

Birthday girl with her crown at Harry's Tap Room for Brunch.

Tabs, Colton, and I at brunch

Celebrating
Blowing out the candles at her birthday get together that night! Lucky girl... all these parties just for her!
Aaron and I
Tabs and I
Michelle, Tyler, and I

Chareese, Stephanie, and I


Chareese, Tabs, and I (thinking of you Nicole)


So I went to DC for a few days this past week. It was so much fun to see my old friends and get to hang out and go to all of our favorite places. Here are some pics of the trip and some of the things we did. I didn't use my camera once I forgot to take pics. So thank goodness others had their cameras to capture some of our fun!

26.2 Miles .......DONE!

I believe it was about 2 years ago while I was living in DC that I watched my friend Jen Green finish the DC National Marathon. It was then that I knew I wanted to start running and someday finish a marathon. Less then a month later Jen helped me make a training schedule to run a half marathon. Less then a month in a half later I ran in my first half marathon and the feeling of accomplishment from setting my mind to it and following through was enough to help me know without a doubt I would run a Marathon. A few months later I was on track to start training for the PF Chang's Rock N Roll in Phoenix that January. Not too long into training I tore my IT Band and couldn't run. Our longest training run had been 14 miles in the beginning of December. Despite that we were registered for the race and my family was coming out plus we had plane tickets already. So.... we decided to give it a go and see if we could do it. Sure enough we did! January 19th, 2008 I crossed the finish line in 5 hours and 5 minutes. The time didn't matter to me ... just that I finished. I had set out to accomplish something and I had finally reached my GOAL. There are no words to describe that feeling.

So.... here I am 2 days after finishing my SECOND MARATHON. How do I feel? Ecstatic, sore, happy, etc. You name it I feel it. For 4 months I stuck to the schedule and did all my runs ( ok i missed 1) long and short. At times I wondered why I was doing it again. The second I crossed the start line and began the race I knew why I suffered for those 4 months. I knew why I had come back to DC to run the National Marathon through a city I love and miss. I love being Focused on the end result. I Love knowing i am in control of my body. I love running in places that bring me peace and comfort. I LOVE TO RUN!

I am already looking for my next Marathon..... gotta beat my time.....again! 4:30 is better then my first but I know I can do better..... and I WILL!

Running has changed my life... I am healthier, stronger ( mentally and physically), more disciplined, more committed , and know I can accomplish anything!


Shels, Rob, Anne, and I before leaving for the Race

Anne, Shels, Rob, and I waiting to check our bags

Same group shot

Megan, Anne, Shels, and I

I love this picture because of the Capitol Building that's glowing in front of us

You can actually see the Capitol better in this pic

"We Did IT" My friend Tom finished a bit before us but we all got to celebrate together

Group Shot... Way to go guys

Me after the race by the finish line( not my time though)

Tom Whitney and I ... Congrats to him for beating 4 hours

Shels and I .... Training and Race Partner

Hooray.... we did it
No idea what we're doing
The Medal
It was cold.... we bundled up with all the extra clothing we had after the race. : )

Shelley and I left the race and headed straight to my favorite mexican restaurant " Rio Grande" I am a little obsessed with this place. Their chips and Salsa are delicioso . Met up with a few friends and ate way more then we should have!

Of course I got home and took my shoes off to see I HAD BLOODY TOES! Not just one this time but 3. : )

This Kid is Adorable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgrrQwLdME8&feature=related

First Friday in Downtown Phoenix

This past weekend I was invited to go with a friend downtown to attend "First Friday". It's in downtown Phoenix. The art gallery is open for free and all the local artists open up their doors til around 11 pm. There are a few streets lined with white tents where people sell food, jewelry, art, etc. We rode the light rail down and I was beyond entertained by all the crazy people. I am a total people watcher so it was right up my alley. We hit up the art museum for a bit then walked over to Roosevelt street to walk around. Seriously ..... can't wait to go again to just see all the different type of people who walk around. Next time I will not wear high platform wedges that rub the top of my feet raw. The ride home on the light rail was equally entertaining. I am slowly discovering that downtown Phoenix isn't as lame as I thought!

Addictions.....

I find that every few months I become addicted to a few foods and eat them consistently for a few months before finding something else. Right now here are a few things I just can't get enough of.....



OATMEAL: With fresh blueberries
and Almonds (Trader Joe's sliced dry roasted preferably)

























WATER: I love my new Camelbak water bottle.
I keep a gallon of water in my car and just refill my water
bottle throughout the day making sure to drink the whole gallon.
Hopefully I always keep this addiction!

































Triscuits: I thank my sister for helping me become addicted to these. I refuse to buy them but for some reason when I go to her house I can't stop eating them. They are sooooo good! However they have to be either.......


Fire Roasted with Olive Oil


or


Thin Crisps Parmesan Garlic





Fresh Carrots: Peeled of course

Seriously they are so much better then
the little baby carrots. I can easily down a
bag of these in a day. I try to keep them peeled
and in a ziploc in my purse so I snack on them
instead of junk. : )