Done with Week 6

I am starting to feel like running is like a pregnancy for my blog. A lot of girls post each week about the progress of their pregnancy. Nope, not me...I share my progress with running. I hope it isn't getting to0 boring. It really is all I blog about nowadays!

This week, I got the sweetest and most encouraging email from Teresa. As a fellow couch potato-turned-runner (is that fair to say, Teresa?), she understands exactly what I am feeling going through this journey. She started with the Couch to 5K programs and has already done a half marathon. I am sure a full will be somewhere in her future. (Who knows if I will ever get to that point?!) I know that it sounds cheesy but running is really starting to change my life. It sucks...but it is also so good. I crave it. I think about it constantly. And I hate it. But I LOVE finishing.

Today, we finished our longest run yet...25 minutes. Definitely over 2 miles! I have NEVER run for that length of time in my entire life. It made me feel good to know that Mike hadn't ever run that long either! I thought I was going to give up after 8 minutes, but Mike wouldn't let me. When I hit the halfway point, there was nothing stopping me. I NEEDED to finish. It was hard. Very hard. I am tired, and sore, and my throat hurts :( But I did it!

Week 7 consists of running 25 minutes, 3 times this week. I like the idea of feeling stronger and more comfortable with this length. I am going to get a Garmin from Karen tomorrow so hopefully I can figure out my pace and how far I am actually running.

As always, thanks for your continued support. It probably sounds dumb, but you all keep me going when I want to stop. I mean seriously, how could I blog and tell everyone that I quit in the middle of a run. That would be totally disappointing and embarrassing. Thanks for your encouragement!

Happy Halloween!

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Congrats Stevie and Matt!

Last weekend, we celebrated the marriage of Stevie and Matt! We had such a great time at their wedding. The best past was catching up with all of my high school friends. Here we are...the Parkway Central girls...Stevie was such a beautiful bride and they got so lucky with the amazing weather. Oh...and Jenn came over beforehand and did my makeup. She did a phenominal job! Check out her new website. Now on to some of Mike's pictures! See more here.Such a beautiful day for a beautiful couple! Congrats guys! Can't wait to see you and hear all about Mexico :)

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Questions and answers...

Will St. Anthony's take bridesmaids dresses?
YES! They will accept anything that has to do with weddings. Any dresses, decorations, veils, anything!

When and where do I go to donate?

2136 Woodson

Overland, MO 63114

Saturday Noon-5pm

Does Mike take photography clients?
YES! Contact him at mncphoto@yahoo.com

Is it Friday yet?

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Calling all former brides and trivia lovers!

A friend of ours started a non-profit organization in St. Louis that helps low or no-income brides. Please take a moment to read the information below. They need people to donate wedding dresses and participate in their upcoming trivia night!

"St. Anthony’s Bridal is a non-profit organization that serves brides on tight budgets, low or no income brides, student brides, and so on. It started in the Washington DC/MD area in 2004 and has since loaned out beautiful wedding gowns and reception decor. We help brides pull together the details and whatever it takes to make that special day perfect. Our location here in St. Louis will be opening on October 1^st. We are in need of a few things to get started and are throwing a trivia night to help pull it together. Please help us to ensure these brides in need get everything they dream of on their wedding day, and join us for Trivia:

Trivia Night benefiting St. Anthony’s Bridal – St. Louis

November 13^th, 2009

Doors open at 6:30, trivia begins at 7:30 sharp!

Immaculate Conception

294 Marshall Ave, Maplewood MO 63143

Tables of 8 to 10 - $250 per table if postmarked by November 1^st

Or pay at the door, $300 per table on November 13^th

Don’t have 8-10 people? Send in $25 and we will put a table together for you.

Beer and set-ups provided

Bring snacks for your table if you would like

Fun raffle prizes

Silent Auction

10 rounds of AWESOME trivia!!!

Please, please, please attend! And forward this to all of your friends & family!

If you are interested, please become a friend of St. Anthony's Bridal on Facebook for more information!

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Bye to Week 5...

...and hello to Week 6. Each week of this program, I am more and more shocked that I can do it. I love reading over my running posts to see how hard each week was at that time. I had been dreading that 20 minute run for weeks and last Friday morning, we did it! I'm not going to lie...it was hard. I was sore afterwards too :( BUT...I DID IT! I also realized something about running. I don't really like the running part but I LOVE the finishing part. The feeling of accomplishment is so great and it really keeps you looking forward to the next run so you can feel that "runners high" again. Now that the 20 minute run is behind us, I really feel (for the first time), that I am going to be able to do this!We will run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday again but the schedule above is totally do-able. Looking forward to another successful week of running!

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Feeling thankful

Sometimes....at totally random times...when the house is quiet and I am sitting here alone...I feel thankful. It is so easy to become wrapped up in the stress of the work week. But right now, I am staring at my sleeping puppy and feel totally thankful.

I am thankful for my family. My beautiful sister. My kind brother. My amazing parents. I feel so lucky to have the relationships that I do with each one of them. I always look forward to when we are all together and always enjoy our time shared.

My friends. I am grateful for my friends. At this time in my life, I can honestly say, I have the most friends than I have ever had before. High school friends, college friends, work friends, internet friends. Not everyone has wonderful people in their lives that they can count on. I have so much love and support and consider myself lucky.

And my little family. My wonderful husband and darling puppy. They make my world go round. I need them. It is so nice to know that you have someone on your side at all times to support you, cuddle with you, or give you a kiss (or lick). My heart feels so full right now.

I love quiet Sundays and moments like right now. Where I can sit and reflect, feel thankful for the life I live, and appreciate what is coming my way down the road.

I hope everyone had a great weekend :)

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Week 4.5

We decided that we want to stretch Week 5 out for another week. We actually had 11 weeks to do this 9 week program so we knew that we would be able to spend a little time toward the end. We had great runs on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday's run was a jog 5 minutes, then walk 3 minutes. We did that 3 times. Thursday's run was to jog 8 minutes and walk 5. We did the 8 minute walk twice. Talk about accomplishment! I never thought that I would be able to run for 8 minutes (and twice!) if you asked me 5 weeks ago. We were supposed to run 20 minutes sometime this weekend. BUT, we went out of town to visit my brother in Peoria and had a super busy day today. We are going to repeat the 8 minute runs this week and do the 20 minute run on Friday. I hope I can do it!!! Boring post, huh?!

But, we did have an awesome weekend! Wait till you see the pictures Mike took of our friends today. AMAZING!!!

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Week 4...Done!

Week 5, here we come! Tomorrow, we will start week 5 and I think this is going to be the week to get me. 20 minute run with no breaks this week. YIKES!

Week 4 went pretty well. After our 5 minute warm up walk, we ran for 3 minutes, walked for 90 seconds. Then ran for 5 minutes and walked for 2.5 minutes. THEN, we had to do it all again. Each day, I felt such a huge feeling of accomplishment. We jogged a total of 16 minutes!!! I feel like such a wimp when I read other people's blogs on running, but this was HUGE for me folks.

We bought new shoes last week from Fleet Feet! (By the way, I love that place!) I bought the Glycerin shoes from Brooks. They are so light and I feel like I am wearing slippers. I really love them. Mike got a pair of Asics and he also likes his pair (although he thinks they are ugly). Hey, looks don't matter if they are feeling good!I also bought a lot of running clothes for this cold/rainy weather. Kristal and Mary had some good advice for me---"Cotton is rotten". Thanks girls! I have to go to class so I will post more on my running purchases later!

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Tile in the Sunroom

I just realized that I never posted pictures of our finished sunroom. Not too long ago, our sunroom looked like this! Yuck! Yellow walls, cream berber (is that what it's called?!) carpet, and empty. The room came together piece by piece...first furniture, then paint, and finally tile! Here is our new and improved sunroom!!!FINALLY!!! (Oh...and I helped grout the floor. I was very proud of myself.) What's next? The basement. Here is a photoshopped picture of the goal. Tan and red!

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Go there. Now.

My husband's blog. Great pictures. Adorable kids. I mean, really...the pictures almost look professional, right?! I am so proud :)

Add him to your Google Reader. Comment if you want. Did I mention that I am so proud of him? I think this "hobby" is going to lead somewhere...http://mncphotography.blogspot.com/

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Sue's News

I have been excited for this post for a long time but was waiting until the right time. This is definitely the right time!

My girl, Kate, opened a book store in Kirkwood (literally around the corner from my house) last month. Her friend's father had a dream and needed someone to help make it a reality. If you knew Kate, you would know that she is perfect for that job. She is probably the most creative person I know. (She just helped plan, coordinate, and decorate this amazing wedding.)The book store is amazing (like I knew it would be) and I encourage you to check it out!
Here is the back story:
Susan Bannecker battled breast cancer for four years, and finally succumbed in July of 2008. Her husband opened Sue's News in 2009 in her honor. In addition to naming the store for her, they also carry a wide variety of Komen products, donating 100% of these sales to the organization.

Here is some exciting news:
In support of Pink October and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sue's News will accepting used book donations for the month of October. 100% of the profits from the resale of these books will be donated to the St. Louis Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Check out Sue's News on their website and stop in! They are right across the street from Dewey's on Kirkwood (Lindbergh) Road. They were also featured on Channel 4 in a very touching peice that really shows Mr. Bannecker's passion for the store and a cure for breast cancer. Watch it here. They will also be featured on Show Me St. Louis this Wednesday at 3:00.

***I forgot to mention that Mike made the logo for Sue's News!***

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Love my babies...

Taking a nap. So cute!

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Week 3 and I'm alive!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! Week 3 has been SO much easier than Week 2! Thanks to all of your comments, suggestions, and less of the jog then walk intervals, I have really enjoyed this week. Running for 3 minutes seemed impossible a couple of weeks ago and here I am! Of course, looking forward to the next week scares me but I don't need to think about that until next Tuesday. We have one more run on Sunday for Week 3 and then time to move on!On Saturday, Mike and I will be heading to Fleet Feet for some new shoes. I have no clue what we are looking for but I am sure that experts there can put us in some good shoes (although my legs have not hurt at all this week). After this weekend, we will be 1/3 done with this training! YAHOO!Oh...also, while we are on the subject of running, I have a couple more questions. It is starting to get colder in the mornings. This morning it was in the upper 40s/low 50s. Are there special gloves, hats, jackets, etc. to wear? I don't really want to drop too much money at the running store if I can just get the normal stuff at Target. Thanks!!!

I am looking forward to this weekend. I am dropping off calligraphy to a client, enjoying dinner with friends, going with Mike to photograph some adorable kiddos at Faust Park, getting running shoes, going to a housewarming party, and relaxing on Sunday by getting work done for my Masters classes. Can't wait!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

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