Nashville

This past weekend Eric, Julia, Matt, and I ventured to Nashville, TN for our race. I decided not to do the full marathon, due slightly to the fact I would have an inadequate amount of time to train well. Maybe I'll do a full in our new country...that would be awesome. Well, deciding not to do the full was a decision that I am SO glad I made seeing how it was pouring down rain our entire race. I'm not talking about a drizzle that turns your hair frizzy. I'm talking about drenched clothes, soggy socks, and dripping hair. Water was pouring off our noses. It was normal to land in a puddle that covered your entire shoe and made you glad you put on waterproof mascara. Yes, I put on makeup. And also to mention it was cold. So yeah. Not exactly the ideal race weather. Thankfully poor weather didn't stop hundreds of spectators coming to cheer us on or the make-shift fully stocked bars that people set up outside their houses as they watch thousands of runners pass by at the crack of dawn. OR passing out bacon as people ran by. We really rely on these guys and their bacon for motivation. Regardless of the rain, it was still an entertaining run and the spectators were so encouraging. The actual run wasn't too miserable, it was after we finished. Freezing cold, numb fingers, just standing there in the rain, already soaking wet. But we had fun and I would definitely do this race again.

We stayed with our good friends Chris and Marie. It was so much fun to spend time with them and catch up. I love and am so blessed by my friendship with Marie. We have known each other for a few years now, and always have the best time together. We can literally talk about anything and everything. And we do. They were great hosts and pointed out all the hotspots of Nashville, from where Taylor Swift lived to where Scarlett and Gunnar play duets at the Bluebird.  After the race, we were so freezing all we could think about is how to get warm. Matt had this brilliant idea of going to the local Y and relaxing in the sauna and hot tub. And that we did! Saturday evening, after our naps, we went to Burger Up, then we cruised through downtown Nashville listening to all the Honky Tonk music from afar, and ended up at Frothy Monkey and enjoyed some hot chocolate. We were so worn out from the day that we crashed hard that night.

Thanks to my parents who watch our most loved and valued Addie Grace! We had a blast in Nashville but I definitely missed my sweet baby!

Julia and I before the race...starting to get soaked.

All of us after the race...completely drenched and freezing.

Marie and I at dinner.

My handsome hubby and I at Frothy Monkey

Matt and Julia at Frothy Monkey

Wilmy Half

This past weekend I ran my 4th half marathon with six dear friends. This was a "first" for all six friends, which is my favorite. It is always SO FUN to run a half marathon with people who have never ran "that far" before. It is so fun to see their faces as they accomplish a goal they set out months ago. It is so fun to see the how nervous/excited they are the night before and morning of. Every half I have completed, I did so with someone who has never run 13.1 miles.

My first half was a small one in Cary.
My second was in Kiawah, SC.
My third was in Savannah, GA.
My fourth was in Wilmington, NC.

They say "hardcore" runners stay away from the whole conglomerate races, such as the Rock n Roll series. That "hardcore" runners support the local races in the community. I think that is a great idea and love doing that, however, I love to make my races a means of seeing a city I've never seen...through running and with good friends. Whether that be a a big conglomerate race or a local one, I'm not picky. In fact, I have signed up for my second Rock n Roll race in Nashville, April 27.

Anyways, all of us girls (besides one, who was with her new hubby) stayed with Stacey's family, who lives in Wilmington...we love a free place to stay! We got there Saturday afternoon and woke up at 4am Sunday morning to start preparing our bodies for the long run to the finish! AND everyone DID finish!

My next race, as I said before, is in Nashville on April 27th. I signed up for the half marathon...which will be my 5th. Then I started thinking...who the heck runs 5 half marathons without running a full? SO, I'm switching. I'm switching to the full marathon in Nashville. 5 weeks away. Crap. That means I'm running 15 miles this weekend. Shoot. I got this. You can pray. I hope I stick with it and don't chicken out...

All that to say, I love all of you girls who made Wilmington so fun! Congrats on such an accomplishment! If someone asks if you are a runner, you better say, "Yes! I am a runner." Let me know when you are ready for your second race :)

Weddings and Fall

Since the last post, life has been crazy busy. School, more weddings, church stuff, etc. Robert, one of Eric's best friend,  got married last weekend in Richmond. It was such a fun weekend, all of our greatest friends in one place!



Four of my great friends (LtoR: Anna, Becca, Ashley, Caroline) with Robert and his new bride, Jessica.

I had the blessing of singing in the wedding and Eric was a groomsman. Half of Eric's groomsman were also a part of Roberts wedding as well! There are four guys who are some of Eric's (and now my) greatest friends and have all been in each other's weddings (for those who are married): Todd, Austin, Robert, and Luke...

At Luke and Caroline's rehearsal dinner: Eric, Robert, Todd, Austin

Our great friends! LtoR: Ashley, Austin, Anna, Becca, Me, Eric, Robert, Todd

Eric and Austin

Austin, Luke, Robert, Steven, Eric

Robert, Eric, Todd, Austin

Anyways, you get the point. I am so thankful for these guy's who have been in Eric's life since high school or early college years. We both love y'all so much! Can't wait for more weddings to come :)


So now about the weather. Can I just say that this cooler weather is putting me in a great mood. I love the seasons, and everytime summer turns to fall, fall to winter, winter to spring, and spring to summer, I ALWAYS get so excited. I love what the new season brings. Just as I get tired of one season, the next one starts. There is nothing quite as good as fall fashion. And I'm not just saying that because it's the season we are entering. I believe that during the winter and summer. This is why.

I love SKINNY JEANS and BOOTS.
I love JEANS always (I have a jean fedish) 
I love SCARVES
I love CARDIGANS
I love my PATAGONIA
I love PUMPKIN SPICE CANDLES
I love BAKING in the fall
I love FOOTBALL SEASON
I love LAYERS
I love THANKSGIVING
I love RUNNING in cooler weather
I love PRETTY LEAVES

I know, I know, a little carried away right? I mean it is only September!

Anyways, it has been awhile since the last post. So a little update on life is necessary.

School has got me super busy and super behind on laundry and cleaning. My running has been behind, with the last two weeks only running 3 times a week! OOPS! I did a little better this week. Brittany and I ran 4 on Tuesday, then I ran 5 on Thursday and 4 on Friday. This sunday is suppose to be an 8 miler.

I have been focusing on my pace with the shorter runs. I just got new running shoes and it makes a WORLD of difference! Everytime I get new shoes, my feet go numb for the first few runs...not good?? The 5 miler on Thursday was SLOW and NUMB. My feet were so numb I thought they were going to have to be amputated....a normal person probably would've have stopped. It probably would've been the smarter thing to do. But I painfully and stubbornly kept going, even if that meant never running again. Okay, a little dramatic. But seriously, that run beasted me.

The Friday run was MUCH better and I ran my best time, which increased by 3 minutes from my previous PR (from this round of training)! Great runs make me really excited to go to Savannah for the half marathon. It makes it even better that I get to go with three great friends, Marie, Jen and Brittany! Running and road trips are so much better with people you love. I'm sad Eric can't go...but neither can Ben, so it looks like me and Brit are sticking together!

Wish me luck for that 8 miler tomorrow!