Proof I finished!

Watch me cross the finish line by clicking here!

You will have to type in my first and last name or my bib number, which was 22606. I'm the dork on the left in pink and black, with a white visor...Enjoy :)

I Came, I Ran, I Conquered.

I did it! I ran 13.1 miles and lived to blog about it :) I am super tired (after a sleepless night) and my knees are achy, but I can't complain. I feel like I accomplished such a huge feat. Thank you to all of you who have supported me and helped me believe that I could do it! My official time was 2:51:56. My first goal was to finish the race. My 2nd goal was to finish in less than 3 hours. I did both! I ran the entire race, walking only through the Cytomax stations to rehydrate. This totaled about a minute and a half of the entire time! Justin had to work last night (and tonight, too) so he missed the race. He did get my updates via text message from the amazing technology of the race world. Angie was awesome enough to not only go to my race but also to take my mom and Alana to see me cross the finish line!

They first found me right before the 12-mile marker

Run Portas, Run :)

Alana in Jalen's stroller...probably pouting haha.

Here I come towards the finish, almost to mile 13...

Still smiling...and still running!

I look like a goob but I am standing!

I have the world's grossest blisters thanks to a wonder called the sports bra.
The picture doesn't do it justice, but it's nasty and it STUNG when I took a shower!!!

Icing my knees and ankle post-race and shower...
STILL smiling!

My medal!

What an awesome experience! Will I do it again? You betcha! I might have to give my body a little time to recuperate, but I loved the feeling of running with so many people and on such a huge level. It was amazing! I am so glad that I did this!!!

Punching, xo

It's RACE DAY!!!

I've been up since about 2:30 a.m. with pre-race jitters. Sleep? Who needs it? I'm sure I will be needing it soon enough!

For anyone who would like to watch a live feed of the race online, click here.

My bib number is 22606.

Feel free to watch me crawl over the finish line sometime around 10 a.m :)


Punching, xo

Long time no blog

My life has been busy (in a good way) lately, and I'm afraid that my blog has taken a backseat because of that. I'm actually blogging from my BlackBerry at Chick Fil-A while Alana plays on the playground. Honestly, it's about the only chance I have. Just ask the important people in my life about how many phone calls they get while I'm driving from point A to point B. I love multi-tasking!

So time to catch you up on what's been going on...running...LOTS of running! I finished my final long training run on Sunday. Twelve. Long. Miles! My mom informed me that if I can run 12 miles--on a TREADMILL--then I can do anything! She said its mental. I'm not sure how I feel about that :) The week before the 12 miles I was supposed to run 11. I got to mile 3 and my left knee started to hurt. By the time I got to mile 4 it was borderline excruciating! So I stopped. I felt totally defeated, but I knew that if I was going to make it to race day with both knees in tact, I was going to have to take a few days off. This week has been much better!

As for my diet, well it hasn't been the greatest but it hasn't been horrible either! My weight has pretty much stayed the same regardless, maybe a pound or two down. It is hard to gain weight when you are burning over 1800 calories a pop on long runs! Even though I have not been as strict with my food, I have continued drinking unsweet tea, diet sodas, and water. I am proud to say its been almost 6 months since I've had a real Coke! And the best part is, I don't even WANT one!

This morning I ran 3 miles and while I was stretching, I told Alana that I really hate running. She looked at me, pretty confused. Then I told her that I don't like to run, but I love the way I feel when I'm done. It is a total feeling of accomplishment. Running is not a team sport. No one can do it for you. I will cross the finish line because of the work that I myself have done. That, and of course the grace and mercy God has had on my joints. Why else do I enjoy this running gig? Because I like to prove people wrong...like those doctors that said I might never walk again. I am reading a book that is hilarious. I've read it 3 or 4 times over the past couple of years. Its called the Non-Runners Guide to Marathon Running (or something close to that). Basically this girl went from couch potato to finishing a full 26.2 and she journals the entire process. So funny! She quotes Henry Ford in the book and the quote has played over and over in my head these past few weeks..."Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."

I think I can...I KNOW I can!

Punching, xo

Slacker Me

I admit, I've been slacking when it comes to the blogging thing. I am proud to say that I have NOT been slacking in other areas of my life, though! I have been busy doing everything from getting myself and Alana registered for school, to preparing for (and having) Justin's homecoming...and running...let's not forget running!

I have stuck to my training schedule pretty well...I am up to 9 miles on my long runs! This weekend I will run 10! I am shocked and amazed at how much my body has transformed...I mean, as far as endurance and strength go...I was talking to Justin (mind you, while running my 8th of 9 miles) on Saturday and I told him that it was insane that just 5 months ago I could hardly run 1 MINUTE without feeling like I'd pass out.

Life is good...Allison is happy!

Punching, xo

8 Miles

I am writing this with ice packs on each knee, after taking 2 extra-strength Tylenol (because I took Motrin the last go 'round). I haven't run this week...It has been so hectic since we got back to VA. I know that's just an excuse, but the truth is I have been SO TIRED. Well, last night I decided that I was going to run today if it killed me. I'm thinking it might have come close :) Just kidding, it's not that bad. I am just making sure it doesn't get bad. I ran my 8-mile run today...The first 4 miles like to have killed me, but once I hit mile 5 I hit my groove or something, because it got a lot easier. I use that term "easier" lightly! I keep amazing myself...I know if I can run 8 miles after not running for 6 days at all, then I can do the 13.1 in another 6 weeks.

I am also proud to say that my eating was back on track today. I haven't really been focusing on eating right lately. I will give myself credit where it is due, though...I have not had a single Coke, or non-diet drink of any kind since the first week of April! This is HUGE! Even on all of my "free" days...I have completely eliminated those wasted calories from my diet. I was starving this afternoon/evening...probably because I burned 1200 calories on the treadmill this morning. Can I just say it's a major feat to have the calories have to loop back around to zero because you hit 1000? Same with my time...looped back around to zero!

All in all today has been a great day. Alana and I spent some time at the pool this afternoon, followed by an evening at church. I've really missed our church, so it was nice to be there! Then we got stuck in tunnel traffic coming home, but I won't complain...We made it home eventually :)

Justin will be home THIS WEEK! I'm so excited. The best part is that he emailed me tonight saying we are only one hour different in time zones now...This is awesome, considering we were 9 hours different at one point! Just makes it that much more real!!!

Punching, xo

Home Sweet Home

I apologize for my lack of posting, but the last week or so has been extremely busy here! AND I don't have cable/internet here so it's harder to bring myself to post :)

Alana and I made it back to Norfolk safe and sound! It's so good to be home, though I miss my momma already! We are working hard, trying to get the house in tip-top shape before Justin gets home next week...that's right, NEXT WEEK!!!

My eating and fitness have been pretty all over the place. I am trying not to lose focus...I ran 7 miles on Sunday before we left TN. It felt amazing! I am so ready to get back into the swing of things here...I am honestly just exhausted right now, but at the same time I don't want to make excuses!

The internet should be back on tomorrow!!! And I will be back on the treadmill, too!

Punching, xo