Pushing myself to the limit

The first few months of this year I was very good about eating healthy, ie. no desert type foods, no fried food, and I had pretty good self control in regards to portions. I went to the gym 3-4 days a week in the mornings before going to work, and then usually 4-5 days a week after work. I was focused and on a routine and it worked.

Then I ran the Valentine's Day Virginia is for Lovers 14K. The race itself went well but every time I tried to run afterwards I had pain in my left foot. I could usually run 3-4 miles and than the pain would start. I know most people are like, than don't run past 3 miles, but I was training for the Shamrock Half Marathon, the same race I got Sean to run with me last year, and the same race that he proposed at the finish. It was our special race weekend and I wanted to run well.

I wasn't getting Sean to run the race with me again, but he did agree to run the 8K option. With about 3 weeks before the race I decided to get the advice from a Sports Orthopeodic and see if he could give me the advice I needed. I really wanted to run, but I really didn't want to injure myself so much that I ended up injured for the wedding, or worse with a broken foot.

The Dr. took some x-rays, found nothing, and then suggested that I get a triple phase bone scan. This would rule out a stress fracture. In the meantime he gave me an Air Cast to wear and suggested that I stop going to my spinning classes, and basically take it easy.

Working out is my stress reliever and so this was difficult for me. Whatever it took though, I was willing to follow orders. I really wanted to run my race, so I listened.

About a week later I went and had my bone scan, and then it was almost another week before I was able to get in to see the doctor. The results were no fracture, I was fine to run although since it was 4 days before my race when I got the verdict, I was told to take it easy, go out run and just have fun.

I was excited. I wasn't going to injure myself from running. I was given some generic explanation that I had some displacement of my Q bone and that I would need physical therapy blah blah blah. I made an appointment for after my Half Marathon and figured they'd teach me some basic stuff that I could keep up on my own.

Flash forward to the weekend of the race. Saturday we drove to Virginia Beach for Sean's 8K.

Sean's ready to race. It's strange for me to be on this side of the fence.

Go Sean!

You're almost there babe!

Sean posing with the cool sand sculpture

Sean shows off his medal and enjoys the free Yuengling beer

Now flash forward to the day of the race. It was a bit chilly but the sun was shinning and it was prime running conditions. I started off slow, taking it easy, not wanting to get half way through my run and be in pain and have no way of getting through the rest of the race. I kept a steady pace, and around 7 or 8 miles I still felt decent, so I picked it up a little and noticed from my garmin that if I kept my pace I could set a personal record. The rest of the race went by fast. It was my first time racing with my Ipod, pretty much illegal to use, but I decided to run with it regardless. The last two miles were when I mentally started to crash, I kept telling myself, anyone can run 2 miles, anyone can run 1 mile, anyone can run 1/2 a mile. This got me through the race, and I ended up breaking my past personal best time by over 3 minutes. This made me excited, especially since I probably had only trained about 10 miles in the last month, definitely not good training, but it worked for me.

I had no pain and my foot felt good. Not sure what was wrong with my foot, but it probably was just telling me to take a break and stop pushing myself.

Sean snaps a shot of me almost at the end

Yeah I did it!

My friends Audrey, and Janelle came down to watch the race and support me

Sean and I relax on the beach

Bridal Shower By Mail Week #3

After a busy weekend of wedding planning I somehow managed to catch an awful cold.  I had an awful day of work on Monday.  With productivity levels probably around 20% I managed to get through the day and then go for a short swim in hopes of feeling a little better.

After getting home from the gym I was excited to see that my third Bridal Shower by Mail gift had arrived.  How exciting.  Definitely something to cheer me up.

I decided to continue with the video route since that worked well.  The only problem is that I always get around to this after the gym, when I look far from presentable, so let me apologize in advance for my appearance.

Week number 3 was from Donna and Merwin.  They used to be my neighbors back on Eagle Park Drive.  How I miss that old neighborhood!

Thank you Donna and Merwin.  I can't wait to use all of these wonderful products and have Sean give me a nice massage!

Bridal Shower by mail Week #2

I was excited to get home from work today to see a nice big package. It was my gifts from my Bridal Shower by Mail Week #2 courtesy of my Aunt Annie! She decided to do a cooking theme.



I decided to post a video of Sean and I opening the gifts, ok me opening the gifts and Sean watching. It's long (approximately 7 minutes) so be prepared.

I hope you enjoyed the video...if you decided to watch it.

The basket of goodies!

Here's a shot including my apron. I had it on when I took the first photo.

Thanks Aunt Annie! I love everything, and of course it made me hungry, so I was extra hungry for my dinner I made afterwards. See you soon.

Bridal Shower by Mail Week 1

Last week I received a card from Kerry, my Matron of Honor, informing me of a Bridal Shower by Mail that her and my other bridesmaids were putting together for me. The only information I was provided was that I would receive gifts each week that I would then have to determine the theme of.

Saturday afternoon we received our first package for our Bridal Shower by Mail. It was from my Aunt Valerie and Uncle George. It was really exciting to see this huge box at our door.

Aunt Valerie always has to throw in a little VT, trying to get us to move back north. Sorry Aunt Valerie it isn't going to work, although I love the sticker.

The first gift was Alice and Wonderland Tea Cups and saucers. They are so cute!

Gardening Shovel

The teapot to go with the other Alice and Wonderland stuff.

Pruning Shears

Chocolate cookies

Tea

Seeds for our own vegetable garden

Sugar

Cream

Gardener Supply Catalog...We get to go shopping!!!

Can you guess the Theme?

All of the cute Alice and Wonderland Tea Stuff

Can you guess what the theme is???
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My first guess was that it was some joke about us being short, since in Alice and Wonderland she get's smaller, and then, the mini seed garden, "Le PETIT ECOLIER", the chocolate cookies. But the shovel and pruning shears didn't go with it, nor did us being able to shop at Gardener Supply.

Aunt Valerie told us the theme was a tea party in the Garden. Just like the Mad Hatter tea party.

I love it!

I can't wait to have my own little tea party, and this stuff is going to look awesome in our dining room, especially after we get that china cabinet we've been talking about.

Thanks again.

Extreme Temperatures

Sean and I have lived in Virginia for a little over 2 1/2 years. During this time I only remember seeing snow one time, and that lasted about an hour or two until it melted.

This past Sunday night we looked outside to see the first "major" snow accumulation. By major I just mean that it was covering the ground. We woke up Monday morning to see probably 1-2 inches covering the ground. The temperature was well below freezing and our cars were solid ice cubes. I thought when I decided to move to the south that I was done with needing an ice scraper, and having to shovel my car out. Luckily, I have a wonderful fiance and he not only warmed my car up, but also scraped the ice off and got me ready to go to work.

All of the school districts were closed, along with the government, military and basically every company in the area, except for mine, and Sean's. The roads hadn't been plowed, and although there wasn't much snow, it was cold and there was ice on the roads.

All schools in the area were closed at least two days, and Wednesday was either another day off or a 2 hour delay. I seriously picked the wrong career. I wish I could have enjoyed a snow day!

A night photo of our house Monday evening

Thursday the snow started to melt and by Friday morning the temperatures were already in the 60's. By the time 5:00 rolled around it was in the low 70's and it definitely felt like a warm spring day.

Yesterday and today we had possible record breaking temperatures in the low 80's and it made up for the cold unpleasant weather we had to deal with earlier this week. The 80's are supposed to last at least one more day and than I believe it's back to 50's and 60's.

Talk about extreme temperatures!

Bridal Shower in NY

Last Thursday Sean and I flew up to NYC. We had a busy weekend. Friday we met with Father John, both Sean's uncle and the priest that will be facilitating our ceremony. We had a nice visit, and then went into the city to meet up with some of Sean's cousins for dinner. It was so cold, and we were once again reminded why we don't live in the north.

Saturday Sean's mom and sisters threw me a bridal shower. It was nice to see all the family and friends, and I was glad that Maria made the drive to come to the shower so I was able to have one of my bridesmaids represented. I've included some photos below.

Trying to help teach the youngest of my future nieces to walk.

Sean and Lucy

It was a bit overwhelming being the center of attention

Future Sister-in-law Tara and I...She read the questions I had to answer about Sean between opening each gift.

I got some helpers that were more than eager to help open presents.

I was excited to get stuff for our Monkey themed guest bathroom!

The girls wanted to open everything. They loved it!

Sean's mom embarrassed me with her gift.

I love this shot of me with two of my helpers, Ella and Anna.

Maria and I pose with the headless bride. Funny story. When Celeste bought this the lady asked if she was going to use it as a cake topper. She was like...umm no I'm going to put it on a table. Can you imagine having this on top of our wedding cake?

Giving the bride a head.

Maria and I. I was so excited to see her. I hadn't seen her since last May!

Celeste and I. She did such a great job organizing this party.

Sean and the rest of the guys came back at the end of the party to visit.

This is what happens when we forget to watch the kids. We found them playing in the bathtub.