I DID IT!!!!

More details to come.... just wanted to pop on and tell you all thanks for your support!!

...... Oh, and to add to all this marathon craziness

We're leaving for Colombia in ONE WEEK! I am not prepared.

Music to Run By

My Marathon Playlist......

Apparently, headphones are a big 'no, no' in this race.... some insurance, legal reasons I've been told. "It's for my safety." Well, I run on open roads with headphones and am just fine... I think I'll be okay on a closed road course. I can't imagine over 5 hours of running without the music. My mind would literally be the end of me. So I'm sneaking in the contraband iPod and running the wires under my shirt so I have musical motivation to get me through the rough spots.

Here's my list of who is going to help me through. We've got everyone from Journey to Fergie, from Taylor Swift to T-Pain, from Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse, and everyone in between....

1. La Tortura - Shakira
2. Bitch - Meredith Brooks
3. This is Your Night - Amber
4. How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20
5. Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo
6. Our Song - Taylor Swift
7. Castles in the Sky - Ian Van Dahl
8. Irreplaceable - Beyonce
9. Hot 'N Cold - Katy Perry
10. Live Your Life - T.I.
11. Clumsy - Fergie
12. Fergalicious - Fergie
13. Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston
14. Whatever You Like - T.I.
15. Forever - Chris Brown
16. At Your Funeral - Saves the Day
17. Gotta Be Somebody - Nickleback
18. Cyclone - T-Pain
19. Baba O'Riley - The Who
20. Fighter - Christina Aguliera
21. Miss Independent - NeYo
22. Stop & Stare - One Republic
23. Cars and Calories - Saves the Day
24. Right Now - Akon
25. This is Why I'm Hot - MIMS
26. Crank That - Soulja Boy
27. Otis Redding - Sara Evans
28. Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
29. Face Down - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
30. Crazy In Love - Beyonce and Jay Z
31. American Boy - Estelle
32. Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake
33. Womanizer - Britney Spears
34. Ray of Light - Madonna
35. U + Ur Hand - Pink
36. Makes me Wonder - Maroon 5
37. Toxic - Britney Spears
38. Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay Z
39. Stays in Mexico - Toby Keith
40. Would You Go With Me - Josh Turner
41. Sandstorm - Da Rude
42. Animal Cityy - Shakira
43. The Race is On - Sawyer Brown
44. Public Affair - Jessica Simpson
45. How to Save a Life - The Frey
46. Small Town Girl - Journey
47. Fast as you Can - Fiona Apple
48. Red, Red Wine - UB40
49. Just Dance - Lady Gaga
50. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
51. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
52. Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
53. It Ends Tonight - The All American Rejects
54. Summer Love - Justin Timberlake
55. I'll Be - Edwin McCain
56. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
57. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
58. Better in Time - Leona Lewis
59. Dry Town - Miranda Lambert
60. We're in Heaven (techno remix) - DJ Sammy
61. The Distance - Cake
62. Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band
63. Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
64. Because of You - NeYo
65. Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
66. Thanks for the Memories - Fall Out Boy
67. Kiss Kiss - Chris Brown
68. Shut up and Drive - Rihanna
69. L.O.V.E. - Ashlee Simpson
70. I'll Fly With You - GiGi D'Agostino
71. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
72. It's Raining Men - Aretha Franklin
73. Crash - Dave Matthews Band
74. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
75. Bartender - T-Pain
76. Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks
77. Umbrella - Rihanna
78. Bad Girl - Danity Kane
79. What You Waiting For? - Gwen Stefani
80. I Write Sins Not Tragedies - PANIC! at the Disco
81. No One - Alicia Keys
82. Superstar - Lupe Fiasco
83. Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby Mcferrin
84. Get Right - Jennifer Lopez
85. My Humps - Black-Eyed Peas
86. Hips Don't Lie - Shakira
87. Glamorous - Fergie
88. Beautiful Day - U2
89. Love Story - Taylor Swift
90. Rehab - Amy Winehouse
91. Are you Strong Enough to Be My Man - Sheryl Crow
92. Run It - Chris Brown
93. The Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
94. Stronger - Kanye West
95. Alcohol - Brad Paisley

That's a lot of songs..... over 6 hours and 20 minutes worth of songs. I don't think it will quite take me that long but I've certainly got plenty to choose from (and can always just switch to another playlist). I think this is a good mix that will keep me going.

Wish Me Luck! I'll see you at the finish line!

A New Ornament for the Tree

Last night Lucas and I had dinner with our friends Brandon and Linda. Linda is a serious runner.... or as I like to call her - a 'real' runner. (I'm just a 'fake' runner.... pretending to be a runner because my body is seriously just not cut out for this stuff.) Anyway, she ran cross country at our college and just recently ran in the Chicago Marathon. Her time is something like 3 hours and 40 minutes.... That is crazy!!!! Anyway, although we have just recently met she has already become an invaluable aid in this whole marathon process, giving me advice and training tips and encouragement. After we had our dinner last night she game me a present. Check it out!


I LOVE it!!! I am so excited to hang this on our tree! Linda says I have to wait til I finish to hang it up on the tree so now I have extra motivation to complete this thing! Isn't she so sweet? She is so generous and encouraging. I'm very lucky she is here to help me!!

Along with this great ornament, she wrote a letter with some more advice, motivation, and inspirational quotes.

Here is a 'real' runner's advice to a 'fake' runner like me:

I know it can be scary to think of a big run, like this marathon we are running. Any race I do, I get nervous, even if I'm just running for fun. But just remember when you are finished what you will have accomplished. Your body might not like you for a while, but you will have pushed yourself to finish something that some people only wish they could do. Is is all about having fun!

One saying that always goes through my head when I'm running is PTGF - Pain is temporary and Glory is Forever!

Isn't she great? Here are a few inspirational quotes that will hopefully keep me going!

"Most people run a race to see who is fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts."
Steve Prefontaine

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
Emil Zatopek

"The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy.... It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed."
Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon Winner

"Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any."
Anthony Bailey

"Few of us know what we are capable of doing... we have never pushed ourselves to find out."
Alfred A. Montapert

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?"
Peter Maher

"Big occasions and races which have been eagerly anticipated almost to the point of dread, are where great deeds can be accomplished."
Jack Lovelock

"It's unnatural for people to run around the city streets unless they are thieves or victims. It makes people nervous to see someone running. I know that when I see someone running on my street, my instincts tell me to let the dog go after him."
Mike Royko

...... I'm not sure that last one is motivational but it is pretty darn funny. Haha!

2 Days Away - I'm sorry this marathon seems to be all I can think about right now so that is probably all you are going to hear about for the next few days!

Your Garland Is Showing!

I know my very few readers have already seen this but I wanted to re-post my garland photos for The Nester's Garland Party!

Click here to see my original tree and garland post!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Roadside Inspiration

The big day is fast approaching. The Rocket City Marathon is in 3 DAYS!!!!

I am absolutely scared out of my mind. So to ease my mind and start the mental preparations for the race I made signs last night for my friends and family to hold.

I did one sign with my name... See!


But I wanted most of them to be signs that they could use to cheer on all of the runners. This one is my personal favorite:

There better be beer at the finish line!!! Another funny sign -

Oh! I'm sure my grandparents will just love these..... But for the more tame in the group we also have some inspirational signs:


Now I think I am going to take a big sharpie with these and let the spectators write what they'd like on the back of the signs if they wish.

I'm very nervous and scared and anxious about the race. I know I can do it but it is going to be very tough. I'm glad I'll have my friends and family there to keep me going.

Are you kidding me, Hobby Lobby?

I had to run into Hobby Lobby after work yesterday to get some supplies for a little project I did last night (I'll show you later but first I have to get this off my chest). I'm going to the back when I pass something on the end of the aisle, and I'm like 'Hold up! Is that really what I think it is?' Sure enough.......
Need a closer look?

For real?!?!? Ladies, do you really want to hang this in your house? I mean - her name is even on it like she is someone whose quotes I'd want hanging around my house. Are you kidding me? I'm sorely disappointed. BUT - for those of you who are interested they are half price at Hobby Lobby (I'm sure it won't take too long for them to be reduced a lot more... her 15 minutes is up). Please go buy them so I can shop in peace.

P.S. Why is "Hockey Mom" in quotes within quotes? That makes about as much since as selling Sarah Palin quotes to hang on your wall.

P.P.S. I sure am glad I carry my camera with me for moments just like this. You just never know when you'll find some morsel of bloggy goodness! :)