2015 - Looking Back

What a year 2015 has been...with ups and downs and everything in between! I think it's fun to look back over the year and remember the events that took place over the course of 365 days, so here they are!

In January, I completed the Louisiana Half Marathon in Baton Rouge. Here, I officially reached my goal of breaking the 2 hour time frame for a half marathon! It wasn't easy but it was oh so worth it!

"One"derland - 1:58:56

In February, Jason and I traveled to Orlando for the Princess Half Marathon Weekend!

My friend and I dressed like Elsa and Anna and had a blast running the 10K!

After completing the Glass Slipper Challenge, we jumped on board the Disney Dream for a few days at sea! There, we completed the Castaway Challenge on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. I loved completing this challenge with Jason - we had so much fun!

In May, Jason had a corrective surgery which was the missing link in our infertility journey. There were many moments of heartache and pain for both us and our family members during this time. You take the highs with the lows and learn to cherish each high - that's something I've learned about life.

In June, my family and I marked an item off our "lifetime experiences list" and travelled to Cooperstown, NY for the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction! We were there to see one of our baseball favorites, Craig Biggio (first Astro to be inducted into the Hall of Fame). This truly was an experience like no other!!

I would travel here again in a heartbeat if given the opportunity!

After returning from Cooperstown, Jason and I discovered a little secret....we were expecting!!

Our FIRST Ultrasound! It's hard for me to believe that I was pregnant in the Cooperstown pictures and didn't even know it!!

We revealed the news to our families in a video and had so much fun in the process!

We loved experiencing everyone's reactions and enjoying the surprise right along with them!

At the end of August, we were both honored with the opportunity of serving in our friend's wedding. No one except our families knew our little secret yet, though! Shhhh!

In October, my little mini-me and I completed the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA. I was 16 weeks pregnant at the time!

I am thankful for my friend Heather who graciously agreed to stay with me the entire time! :)

In November, we embarked on a Disney Cruise for our "Baby Moon". It had been planned since the spring and the timing worked out perfectly!

We had a great time and enjoyed spending the week together!

After we returned home, we hosted a Gender Reveal party and discovered that Baby Seal is a BOY!

Last but not least, we traveled to Disney World one final time as a couple in December for a little visit with our friends!

We also had this trip planned since the spring, but added on a few days at the end to enjoy the Disney Christmas festivities.

Looking back, 2015 was a fun year for us and I can't wait to see what 2016 has to hold!! Here's to many MANY new adventures ahead!

Happy New Year, friends! :) I hope you have a blessed one!

What was the best surprise 2015 brought to you?

Taking It Back To Where It All Began

If you’ve read through my journey, then you know all about how I started running, why I became a runner, and the motivation that got me to the start line. However, I never shared more about the weeks and months that followed my decision to begin running.

As I ran up and over and up and over a very steep bridge with my running group on Tuesday evening, my mind drifted to “the early years”. I began thinking about where I started in my running journey, who I started it with, and how far I’ve come ever since I began running. I had to laugh at the headwind of what felt like hurricane force that was blasting me in the face – seven years ago, had you told me that I would be running laps over this bridge in the not-so-distant future, I would NOT have believed you. Actually, I would have thought you were crazy.

My wandering mind then brought me to my very first 5K, a mere 5 weeks after I began my running journey.

The race was held in 2009, I ran my hardest, and I crossed the finish line with a time of 32:10 and a pace of 10:23. I was so proud of myself for accomplishing that goal, I didn’t think I’d ever beat that time.

However, with a little bit of hard work, I broke the 30 minute barrier just a few months later…and boy was I surprised! (I’m saying to Jason here…OMG, look at the TIME CLOCK!!!)

Now with countless 5K’s under my belt (and many years of training), I’m going for 24 minutes in the 5K distance…and I’ll get there, it just takes time – and I have to remind myself on a daily basis….progress takes time!

Then my thoughts drifted to the half marathon distance. Rock ‘N Roll Mardi Gras of 2010 was my second half marathon and the first where I ran my hardest and gave it my all.

I finished this half marathon with a time of 2 hours and 28 minutes and I truly felt as if I could never run that fast EVER again.

Fast forward to December of 2010 - after running hill repeats and training hard all fall, I crossed a half marathon finish line with a time of 2 hours and 12 minutes……a sixteen minute PR! I was so excited, I ran up to one of my running coaches screaming with glee!! The funny part….she jumped up and down and did a happy dance with me! To me, that’s the best part about running , we are ALL in this together (and no, I’m not talking about High School Musical…although I do love that movie)!

Again, I thought my 16 minute PR was it, I’d officially achieved MY half-marathon time and I was done…set for life.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

In January of this year, I accomplished one of my life-time goals as I crossed the finish line of my 19th half marathon – breaking 2 hours in the half marathon distance.

Am I super fast? NO, I’m not. Breaking 2 hours in a half marathon was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life….while others breeze by that 2 hour timeline like it’s nothing. We are ALL on different journeys – it’s good to remember that sometimes!

To the new runners out there, don’t get discouraged. Set a goal and focus on the baby steps until you get there – because you WILL get there if you stick with it, sometimes it just takes a little bit of time.

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Setting goals are super important, but celebrating each step along the way is key…


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Its all about the baby steps and being proud of yourself along the way!

So, what’s my next big goal? Breaking 4 hours and 30 minutes in the Full Marathon – but that won’t come for quite a while and I’m OK with that.

Some might scoff at the goals you set for yourself but you know what? These goals are YOUR goals….they are goals you can work hard at achieving and ones you can be PROUD OF when you accomplish them!


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It’s amazing to look back over the last six years and see how far this running journey has taken me. I’ve made some amazing friends and explored incredible destinations all because of running.

I never thought the running bug would bite me like it has, but I’m so grateful it did! Where would I be without running? It’s my stress relief, my afternoon companion, my goal, hopes, and achievements all wrapped into one!

I’ve said all of that to say…..if you’re just starting out on your running journey or you’re discouraged where you’re at, don’t give up! You NEVER KNOW where running will take you or where this path may lead! Who knows what exciting possibilities are in your future….you CAN do incredible things, just believe in yourself!!

How far has your running journey taken you?

Year of Running 2014

Last year, I participated in Miss Zippy’s Year of Running linkup! I had so much fun looking back over the course of a year and re-living a lot of fun memories, I decided to participate again!
If you’d like to participate too, write a blog post of your own filled with your year of memories (all of the same questions below apply), then head over to Miss Zippy’s site and linkup on her page! It’s a lot of fun, hope to see you there!



Best race experience

Hands down, the Princess Half Marathon Weekend where I completed the 5K and the Glass Slipper Challenge. My parents and husband were with me and we went on a Disney Cruise following the race weekend where my mom and I participated in the Castaway Cay 5K! Four races, Five medals….we had so much fun!!

I also really enjoyed Rock N Roll NOLA and my solo Full Marathon for the year. Despite the terrible weather, I had a great time because I was able to run with Nicole (a friend of mine who was running her very first Full Marathon). It was fun to experience the distance with her along the way!

Best run
 
The Cowboy Gallop 10K that I ran in November. We don’t have many 10K’s in the area, so I’ve only run a handful in my time of running. I’m not sure what got into me that morning, but I had a great race, pushed myself hard, and received a really nice PR in the end! The weather was great, too…that makes all the difference!

Best new piece of gear 

Oh my goodness I LOVE my Flipbelt! I first saw them at the Rock N Roll NOLA Expo, but they were out of stock. Thankfully, they were also at the Princess Half Marathon Expo and I was able to snag one there. The Flipbelt accompanies me on every run and I absolutely love it – I started using it right away and haven’t looked back!

Best piece of running advice you received
 
Don’t ever take yourself seriously. Running is an enjoyable sport and when you begin to stress too much, it takes all of the fun away! Sit back and enjoy the ride! “Life’s a climb, but the view is great!”

Most inspirational runner
 
There’s so many inspirational runners out there, but if I had to choose one, I would say Kara Goucher! She is a hard worker and doesn’t give up on her dreams. I love following her adventures!

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?
 
Exciting, fun-filled, and adventurous…with a few bumps in the road! :)


Race tally for the year:

• 1 Challenge (Glass Slipper)
• 1 Full Marathon
• 2 Half Marathons
• 2 10K’s
• 1 4-Miler
• 7 5K’s
• Assisted/Lead in the planning of 2 local 5K’s
• A PR in the 5K and 10K distance!
• AG placement in three 5K’s

2014 brought a lot of fun events, races, PR’s, and traveling to visit friends. I enjoyed so many things about 2014 and can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store! Have a safe and wonderful New Year! See ya next year…literally! :D

What’s your favorite race memory of 2014? Any NYE plans?