Last milestone.

These last two weekends have been pretty important in my Marathon training.  Partly because I've had to rearrange running days due to a random snow storm but also because we hit our last two milestone in training, 18 & 20 miles, and I couldn't have asked for more perfect weather!  Last Saturday, we had a beautiful, sunny day and my awesome friend Erin took on the miles and did so great!

Celebrating Erin's 18 mile milestone last Saturday!

Today the sun was so bright and warm, we had a nice breeze, and saw a huge herd of deer that were just beautiful!  I even got a super sweet sock tan line today!  It was so perfect for a long run!  Poor Chad has had to listen to me gripe and complain about the weather these last few weeks during our runs so I'm sure he was happy to hear me NOT complain (for once)!

We decided to run at 10 am this morning because lets be honest, there's not a "great" time to run 20 miles!  It's a big chunk of your day... I was excited because Deanna decided to join Chad and I on the run.  Deanna is an awesome new-old friend I am blessed to run with.  I call her a "new-old friend" because we went all through school together but didn't hang out in the same crowd.  When I started running, she took me under her wing and has been such a great encouragement and support!  Sadly, she lives out of state but whenever she comes home to visit family, we make sure we get at least one run in together!  

I enjoy running with Chad and Deanna because they are fun to talk to and conversation comes so easy.  With Deanna being out of state, I only get to see her every so often, so it is great to catch up, hear about her new running goals, and races she's signed up for.  Chad and I run together every Saturday & Sunday so we have to get real creative sometimes but he is super witty, so he typically has me laughing with his one liners. 

The 20 miles went very well today, my goal was to finish the 20 miles in 3 hours 30 mins.  I got great sleep, ate a good breakfast, and was ready to log the miles.  I felt good but really found my groove and felt my best from miles 7-16, once I knew I was close to finish just wanted to push home.  The last 2 miles just felt so long but when I knew I was just a mile away, it's amazing where you find strength! 

On long distance runs, Chad and I tend to stop talking for the last 5 or so miles.  I go to my happy place, pop my ear buds in, and push home.  

We finished around 3 hours and 23 minutes and I felt pretty good.  I'm definitely tight and sore and have been doing a lot of stretching.  I haven't ran that long of a distance at that pace so my body is definitely feeling the push but it is a good sore.

Crazy to think The Flying Pig Marathon is just 5 weeks away :)

Half-Marathon weekend recap

This weekend was the Mini Heart Half Marathon!  It's a race I was hesitant to sign up at first due to it's difficulty.  I'd heard many things about the 13.1 mile route but was told by numerous people it's awesome preparation for the Flying Pig.

I went ahead and signed up for 3 reasons:

1) My father is a heart-attack surviver and thought I'd be GREAT to run in honor of him.

2) It would be great training for the Flying Pig Marathon in May

3) My running buddy, Erin said she'd run it with me :)

So we signed up and started training, it fit nicely with our 18-week training program for the Flying Pig. In my time running with Chad, BJ, and Erin I've been challenged in my pace, I've been pushed, and felt the burn in my legs, abs, and calves.  It's so awesome watching the transformation of my body and the changes that dedication has brought.  I knew I wanted to set a PR (personal record) but didn't want to set myself up for failure... so I took a few weeks to think about my goal for this race.

Running has taught me so many things, it's also given me a lot in return... more than I could have ever imagined.  It has completely changed the way I eat and view food.  I've always struggled with dieting, my weight, and making healthy choices.  There were few foods I use to not like at ALL that are now part of my weekly diet: tomatoes, kale, and avocado. These are now favorites!  Don't get me wrong, I still love my sweets and pizza but when it comes down to it, my body is at it's best when I'm fueling it with power foods.

I've also learned that abs really are built in the kitchen... Food is fuel and it can either slow you down or be exactly what you need!

Friday evening, we went to Erin and Mark's house for a carb loaded dinner.  We made a killer dinner, so yummy.  I thought I was going to burst everything was so awesome.

Saturday morning, I woke up and made a big breakfast... it was so good.  Savannah was BEYOND excited.  She absolutely LOVES omelets and pancakes :)

Spinach & onion omelet topped with cheese and tomatoes, whole wheat toast, pancakes with almonds, fruit, OJ, and coffee.

Saturday afternoon, Savannah and I headed to the Expo @ The Duke Energy Center to pick up my race packet.  Savannah was VERY excited about going downtown... she said; "I'm going downtown and winning a trophy!" She thought all the big buildings were awesome and very confused about the parking garage.

One of the great things about signing up for races is that there are typically kids races on Saturday.  The Kids Run was at the Expo at noon, so I asked Savannah if she would be interested in running.  Obviously, she said yes.  And she was so proud of herself.  She ran in 2 of the runs (which were super short) but got her very own "trophies".

Can you tell she had a blast and is super proud?

Saturday we kept it pretty low key.  I did a lot of eating, stretching, and hydrating.  Saturday's weather was beautiful.  We had sunshine, it was like 65 degrees, and just beautiful.  If only we'd gotten that Sunday :/

Sunday morning, my alarm went off at 4:30am, it's RACE MORNING!  There's so much excitement that comes with race morning.  Sadly, I had to put on my 2 pairs of thermal pants, 3 shirts, and grab my gloves, ear warmers, and neck warmer (just in case).  I ate my whole wheat toast with jam and 2 bananas, then headed to Erin's house.

Mark dropped us off at Fountain Square and it was time to use the bathroom one last time, stretch, and take a few pictures before heading to the start line.

We're twins in our matching Brooks tops.

Erin and I are in different parts of our running journey.  We both wanted to set a PR for this Half-Marathon so when we got to the start line, we had to separate into different pacing groups.  We hugged each other, I got a little teary eyed, and I headed to my group.

At 7:45 am the gun went off and snow flurries started flying... really?!

Miles 1- Started on Broadway and took the ramp to Columbia Parkway  (as I started up the ramp to Columbia Parkway, I immediately had to pee... really?!  I just prayed it away and started thinking on other things.  Like how awfully boring Columbia Parkway was...)
Miles 2-8 Took us down Columbia Parkway and back to the ramp onto Broadway (at the 10k marker I started with a side cramp... really?!  I pushed through and it finally faded around mile 9.5/10).
Miles 9-10 Looped us down and around to Pete Rose Way where we turned around and headed towards the Purple People Bridge.
Miles 11-12 were crossing over into Newport and then Back over into Cincinnati

Mark was at mile 11 waiting for us.  Thank goodness he was, I kept looking for him because I was so bored, the route was just awful... when I first saw Mark, I thought he was a news crew guy and didn't think twice.  Then I realized it was him and waved last minute :)

Mark was a champ... not only did he wake up early to drive us but he took pictures.  Thanks Mark for being our photographer.  For hanging out in the cold, snowy, and windy weather to snap pictures of us!

Miles 12-13.1 took us back Pete Rose way and up to 6th Street where we finished.


Not going to lie, I really struggled with this half... it was so boring and very difficult.  The elevation climb was over 2,000 feet total!  Not only that but it was So cold.  So windy.  So hilly.  Did I mention it was BORING?!  I definitely hit a wall around the 10k mark and then again around mile 10 and 11.  Once I hit the bridge I just kept telling myself, PUSH HOME... just get to the finish line.

My goal:  So I had set a goal.  Chad and I had been pacing 2:05 for our half-marathon distance during our training.  So I knew I wanted to beat that but didn't want to set an unattainable goal because the route was hilly and difficult.  So I went ahead and set my goal to beat what I had set with Chad these last few weeks.

At mile 5 my RunKeeper got all out of whack and I had to turn it off.  I was so upset, it kept telling me my pace was 12:43/mile and that I was only on mile 5... But my body was telling me something different, my abs and legs were on fire so I knew I was staying in the pace I wanted.

I promise you there was nothing sweeter than seeing those blue and white balloons with the FINISH sign under them.  Ugh, I mustered up some last bits of energy and pushed home for my finish...

Final time:  2:03:06

New PR and it took everything I had in me to make it happen.

From snow, wind, and hills... I was beat.  

 Celebrating our VICTORY at the finish line.

Fountain Square (and freezing)

I am SO THANKFUL I got to share this race and experience with my friend, Erin.  I am so proud of her dedication, heart, and determination to not just log miles but push herself to a level she never thought possible!

Running is a gift and I am very thankful I am able to enjoy it!  Savannah and I want to decorate another Christmas tree this year for Christmas with all our medals and running stuff...

so far, our collection is looking pretty good!

Training continues this week as Chad and I prepare for the Flying Pig Marathon this May.  For this marathon, my goal is to survive and complete it!  The Flying Pig is one of the most difficult marathons in the US due to the hills.

You hem me in- behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. 

~Psalm 139:5 

I didn't forget about you.

I've not blogged in a while... mainly because I've been in a complete funk in ALL areas of my life.

Running, personally, spiritually, friends, family... you name it and I've just felt "blah".  I didn't want to bring you down!!!  Honestly, I've not been interested in really anything; my runs have been uneventful, my quiet times lacking, worship pitiful, and minimal involvement with friends.  It's just been a few weeks of complete defeat all around.  Ever felt like like.... anyone .... hello?

I feel pretty guilty for feeling this way because the Lord continues blessing my family and all I can do it just sit here, like a blob.  It's not that I DON'T want to be all "go get 'em" but for some reason I just can't find the energy, excitement, and joy I normally have.  It also doesn't help that the things I typically go to that refill and replace (running, quiet times, worship) just haven't been working.

It's really all my fault, I'd love to blame it on the weather but honestly it comes down to the reality that I've allowed the enemy to corner and convince me that I'm worthless.  Instead of fighting it, I've accepted that I'm just not good enough...

Oh, this isn't a pity party for Hillary... don't worry!  Because this weekend the Lord smacked me out of it.  And here's how He did it -

We've named our Youth Group- Remnant Student Ministries

Mission Statement: Awaken a generation by reaching young people with the relevant and passionate message of Jesus Christ. Calling them to their individual purpose and corporate responsibility to impose the kingdom of God. It is our goal to seek the face of God with all of our heart, mind and soul.  We believe that we are the generation that will not only seek the face of God for ourselves but also our friends, family and educational system.

Vision: Strive to provide an atmosphere that any student will feel welcomed, confident and assured that they are loved by the God who created them. Our services are made up of one goal (to seek God with all of our hearts)

Friday, we had a member of our church volunteer to paint our two huge Youth Rooms.  He took time out of his work week to come in and paint our rooms.

Not only that but Pastor Shawn gave me permission to hit IKEA and buy whatever was necessary for our room.

Not only that BUT a two members of the church met me and helped me unload the heavy furniture from the truck!  Not only that BUT we had a woman offer to donate fabric and her services to cover our old chairs...all 105 of them!

Friday the Lord allowed me to see just how blessed our Youth Ministry is.  That HE is in control and I just need to chill out and allow Him full control.  I got to talk to a friend, who is also a Youth Pastor, who encouraged me, gave me some tips, and critiqued me a bit.  It was a day full of blessings.

Friday evening, I took Savannah to her first musical!  My best friend, Kylie Parks, is the director of the Jr. High theater department for Sycamore School District.  They did the Little Mermaid and it was beyond spectacular!  If you know Kylie, she is beyond talented!  The Lord has blessed her abundantly and she pours so much into the students and that department!  I am so proud of her and her students!

Savannah did GREAT!  She sat through the entire musical and loved it!  We went to the gym to meet the characters and she was in heaven! In awe of Ariel and LOVED Ursula... hah!

Saturday our Women's Ministry had a gathering and it was a great time of being poured into.  I'm not going to lie, I really did not want to go.  I am not a big fan of "Women's gatherings"- they're often full of a bunch of fake laughter & conversations.  I had already had told myself it was going to be stupid and went into it with a bad attitude.  Just being real with you.

I showed up late and the Lord really convicted me of that.  My attitude is a reflection of my personal time with the Lord and well, as I mentioned earlier, has been pretty crappy.

Pastor Shawn's wife, Holly, spoke and she did so great.  She spoke about being a Hero and allowing the Lord and trusting the Lord to be our hero... it was so great.

I left immediately after the gathering because Chad and I were running 17 miles... I've been hopping from thing to thing, hoping something will trigger me out of the funk.  Running often is that thing but well, not Saturday.

The last 2 weeks have been so difficult to log my miles due to snow, ice, and winter weather warnings. So, I've had to cut miles, log miles at weird times, and my body hasn't responded very well to that.  I'm a stickler when it comes to my training programs and it's been frustrating to not run because of the weather.

Chad, who is a beast, had already ran a 10k Saturday morning and then joined me for 17 MORE miles... insane?!  I think so!  The sun was shining, it was so nice and warm... it was really a GREAT day for a run.  That is, until I ran out of water.  Mile 12, I was out!  Miles 11-14 were just painful.  I was checked out, bored, wasted, done.  Just wanted to be finished and the last 3.5 miles were a slow, painful uphill climb.  I logged the miles and was done.  "Whatever" was my mindset and when my awesome girlfriend Erin texted me to see how the miles went I was all whiney about how I paced a 10 minute mile and she said; "Hillary, a 10 minute pace for 17 miles is something to be joyful about.  Awesome Job!  Not many people can say they have achieved that!"  And in that moment I had to accept my attitude again, was crap.  UGH!

Sunday morning rolled around and well, still crappy attitude because I lost an hour of sleep.  I got to church and was able to tell Holly what a wonderful job she did at the Women's gathering and that it was actually really awesome.  Rarely do I enjoy those types of events but the women I met and interacted with were genuine and sweet.

And out of her mouth she spoke something that I didn't realize I needed to hear until she said it.  She said; "That means a lot coming from you.  I watched a video of you speaking to a congregation and was so impressed.  You have a gift and are an excellent speaker."

I looked at her and said; "Wait, there's a video of me speaking online?!"

She was like, um yeah!  and church started...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you've been trying to figure out what the problem has been and out of nowhere someone says something so simple that smacks you in the face and wakes you up to realize you've just been in a funk because you've doubted yourself, your talents, and where the Lord has you?

It was in that sentence I realized my funk has been in my leadership with the Youth.  Feeling inadequate, unworthy, and not good enough to be leading students.  I've been doubting my gift, my calling, and instead of standing up against the doubt, I've just accepted it and the crappy attitude that has come along with it.

So I watched the video and the Lord reminded me of the fire, spirit, and passion that I once had for the Youth.  I've become passive, soft, and dead in my teaching because of hurt and fear.  I've had to do a lot of reflecting and time with the Lord... to ask Him to revive that passion and ignite that fire once again.

In my time He reminded me that He has not forgotten me, He has me right where he wants me and is waiting for me to let Him use me.

Yesterday got even better when we celebrated my dad's 58th birthday!  His birthday is pretty special considering we almost lost him 6 years ago (Easter weekend) to a heart-attack.  My dad is Irish and his FAVORITE Holiday is St. Patty's Day and his birthday is March 11th, so we always make a big "to-do" about St. Patty's Day!  The girls LOVED celebrating!

 Poppie with his girls

Speaking of dad and St. Patty's Day...

Sunday, March 17th (St. Patty's Day) I will be running the Mini Heart Half Marathon in honor of my dad!  I'm so excited about my first Half-Marathon.  I know, I am running all my races in reverse order but am looking forward to the challenge.  My running buddy, Erin, will be joining me for this race.  It's our first Half-Marathon!  I'm very excited about running it for my dad!

It will be a VERY SPECIAL race!

I'm ready to be out of the funk, the bad attitude, and really thrive in his presence.