something is terribly wrong

Today marks the 8th day that I have not brewed coffee in the morning. Did you hear that? It's been 8 days since I haven't made coffee in the morning. What happened? I have no idea really.

I was sick last week, and you know how when you are sick, the only thing you want is tea? So I just drank tea a lot last week to help my throat, and for some reason I just can't bring myself to drink coffee now. I feel as though I am cheating on my boyfriend. The one thing that made me so happy every morning, has been absent from my life for 8 days.

In order to redeem myself let me just say that I will never turn against coffee. Coffee quite possibly could be one of the best things of this world. Afterall, if I'm not working, and I'm not running, probably the next place you will find me is at a coffeeshop. But.. I don't know. I still feel like I have energy, my body feels a little more pure, and I haven't really missed it. So, I'm kind of out of sorts this morning.

Do you know what else is wrong with me? I haven't had chocolate in 8 days either. It's like it just keeps getting worse. The two things I love the most, chocolate and coffee (and frozen yogurt of course), have been absent from my life for over a week.

How long will this last? I have no idea. I might wake up tomorrow and have a breakdown and drink 5 cups of coffee and have cocoa pebbles or something. But if it does end, then I will be able to say for the first time in like 8 years that I went 8 days without chocolate and coffee. A pretty big accomplishment if I do say so myself.

What are two things you wouldn't want to go 8 days without?

Indescribable

Last night I watched the video Indescribable by Louis Giglio and I would say that it totally encouraged me in the Lord - to have more faith - to be reminded that my life is but a tiny little nothing compared to how big He is, and yet he still cares about each and every little detail of my life - and still has big and awesome plans for me!

You've GOT to watch this video. It's probably about 30 minutes long so you have to have some time. I've posted the first part of the video, and there are 5 more. It will encourage your faith. I hope you get a chance to watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewKtSKbWZUI

In town

Guess where I'm going this weekend? NOWHERE! Yes. I am here for three weeks in a row. This is record breaking for me… and I'm really excited about it. Actually, I don't think I've been here three weeks in a row since I moved.

This weekend, I'm going to organize and clean. I'm running a 10k on Saturday, which by the way my running has been non existent this week. I ran on Monday but I have been sick this week, so the last thing I want to do is go to the gym or run outside. Hopefully I can still make it six miles =/

Next weekend I get to see Margie. She is running the Dallas marathon in December and is doing a long run here to get comfortable with the course. Who does that? Only Margie =) She's a planner I tell ya. So, I can't wait to see her!

Whether I'm on the road, or in town, I've learned to be content in each situation… to soak up each weekend as much as I can, whether I'm relaxing at home or soaking in God's Word at all the different conferences. One thing I know: I'm blessed and spoiled beyond a shadow of a doubt, and I never want to take it for granted.

Here's to being at home!

And then, October is over. crazy.

i can finally walk

today was the first day i was able to walk down the stairs without pain. a glorious triumph! my one regret from the marathon: not taking an ice bath afterwards. i will never not take an ice bath after long runs from here on out. it's just not worth the pain.

i got a text from a friend asking me if i want to run an ultra marathon in the Spring. this one in particular would be a 50k (31 miles). my first thought was: can't i just enjoy the fact that i just ran a marathon? and my second thought was……. that might be fun?!

i'm a crazy running nut now. i must admit. i'm hooked. i understand now why there are these ultra marathon people, because once you accomplish a goal, you realize you can push your body more, and you want another goal ahead. so who knows… maybe i will do an ultra marathon…

for now… i'm going to do my walk/run recovery every other day through next week and then i'll figure out what i'm going to do. i do know this: it's really nice being able to take it easy after 6 months of training!

and just in case you didn't get a chance to watch this video yesterday, please do so and enjoy. it's HILARIOUS!

The Day After

my new couch

ok, so i know it doesn't look like anything fabulous right now. BUT you have to know that I have lived here for almost 9 months now and have been without a couch ever since. i have my TV upstairs, and any time I have visitors, one person can sit on my chair, and we have to make a little palette on the floor for everyone else. it is very sad.

but the days of sitting on the floor are over. i got this couch from Julie. the couch actually has a lot of sentimental value to Julie.. one of those cool God stories.. so i'm so excited to be able to have it! i look forward to FINALLY decorating the game room!

and yes, the couch is a purple color. any suggestions on pillow colors?!

We Did It

We crossed the finish line TOGETHER, with 44,998 other runners and 1.4 million spectators, with smiles on our faces, and a few tears rolling down my cheeks.

So many emotions.. a day I will remember for the rest of my life.. one of the best days of my life.

3 years ago if you would've asked me if I would ever run a marathon I would've answered with a resounding "NO." I still have to pinch myself to realize that I can now say I've run 26.2 miles.

Seriously, I've never been on such a high in my life as when I was running. It was almost surreal. My mom, sister-in-law, friends, and family all came out to the race. I think they probably ran a half marathon by the time it was all said and done just trying to meet us at different points along the way!

Brian, I would not have wanted to share this experience with anyone else. I look up to you in more ways than you will ever know. If I marry someone who is half the man of you, I will be the luckiest girl in the world. Mom, you are my hero. Each time I write you I try to express my love and gratitude to you, but I never feel like it's even close. You are my rock. Luci, you are the woman behind it all. Thank you for your support, your encouragement.. you made this possible by sacrificing so much! Thank you for believing in us! Seeing you right before the finish line was one of my favorite parts of the race! Sara and Noodle, I felt like you were there the whole time. You were missed, but it was fun hearing Brian talking to you during the race =) To the Bunnies... you guys are so fun! I'm so glad you were there this weekend. Thanks for loving Brian and Luci so well. So many others came out to support us. We could not have done

it without you all. Coming out to the race meant so much to me. I can never thank you enough... Darryl and Kelly, Kimmy G, Aunt Tricia, and of course Grandmoo. Jerry and Priscilla, thank you for your support and letting me take a day off of work =) You guys were such a huge part of this!

And last but not least, Dad.. i felt like you were there running with me the whole time. I could hear you telling me to keep going and not slow down. In some ways I felt like you were my biggest fan there. I did this for you. I hope you were able to see Brian and I cross the finish line. We miss you greatly.

Am I sore? YES! I can barely walk up/down the stairs. Was it worth 6 months of training? YES! I recommend the program we did if you are thinking about running a marathon. I felt so prepared! Will I do it again? ask me in a week =) As for now, I'm going to attempt to do some recuperating so I can walk normal again.

(they had a painting outside of Niketown and had all of the runners names on the wall. it was so fun to see your name on it. you can't see mine, but yes, it is spelled correctly)

(this is my post-race outfit. didn't have my pants so I had to wrap the blanket they give you after the race around my legs b/c it was freeeeezing. surprisingly, it worked fantastically)

Catalyst and Marathon

Today it hit me. For real this time. I'm really doing it. I'm really running a marathon on SUNDAY. I can't even begin to tell you all of the emotions I have gone through. But I know this is going to be an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life!

I'm so grateful and don't take it for granted that I have not had any running injuries along the way. It seems like you always hear about people who train for marathons and then get hurt half way through or at the end and then they can't run. I would be so devastated. Thank you Lord for protection and safety for both my brother and I.

Not only that, but I'm going to have an amazing experience tomorrow and part of Friday at Catalyst Conference 09. If you have never heard of it before, check out their website: catalystconference.com. These people are some of the best leaders, and they are all in the same place at one time, along with 13,000+ church leaders and ministry leaders. I'm SO excited about being able to go, and even more excited that they have asked Priscilla to speak on Friday morning. Are you going? Come hear Priscilla speak early Friday morning. I promise you won't be disappointed =)

I'm going to be doing two of my favorite things all in one weekend: soaking in from some amazing pastors and leaders (Rob Bell and Francis Chan are two of my favs) and being in Chicago! Doesn't get any better than that.

I will keep you posted over the weekend! I leave early tomorrow morning. I'm also going to try and send some updates during the race, so you can look out for me on Twitter Sunday morning from like 7:30-noon =) Yes I will be running that whole time. Yikes!

it's not a false alarm

Priscilla's posted this month's devotional. check it out here. enjoy!

10 Days Til Race Day!

I cannot believe that the Marathon is only 10 days away!! I have so much anticipation and anxiousness and it gets closer and closer. I know it's going to be so much fun and I have nothing to worry about, but it still makes me cringe a little bit to think about the fact that it is so close.

Margie sent me an amazing email this morning with marathon tips. I wanted to share with you what gets me so excited; and, if you are training for a marathon or ever want to run one, I recommend you read through this list:

* There's nothing you can do in the last week to improve your race time but there are a thousand things you can do that will hurt your time.

* In the last two weeks before your race, don't run more miles in a single day than the number of days remaining before your race.

* Don't worry that no one is running when the cannon goes off. You've got a chip and your time doesn't start until you cross the start mat.

* Don't let your excitement trap you into running too fast for the first few miles.

* Don't double lace your shoes, just tie the knot tightly and tuck in the lace ends.

* Stay off your feet as much as possible the day before the race.

* Don't run in new shoes.

* Drink water throughout the day before the race.

* Secure your race number and chip the night before the race.

* Get one hour extra of sleep each night the week before the race.

* You won't sleep well the night before the race. Don't worry, it's ok.

* Take warm clothes for the start (throw aways) and the finish.

* If your race is in a different time zone, remember that your morning routine will still be on Central time.

* Being nervous at the start is normal. Everyone around you is nervous even though they may not show it.

* Take toilet paper with you to the start.

* Pack the bag you're taking to the start the night before.

* Get to the start early. Sit down or lie down and rest.

* Avoid stepping in puddles.

* Wear in the race what you wore in your long runs.

* Set two alarm clocks.

* Fill in emergency information on the back of your bib.

* Clip your toenails.

* Take a large garbage bag to wear at the start if cold or wet.

* Don't get a massage in the five days before your race.

* Sip, don't gulp, water on the course.

* Take one gu (or whatever you're use to) just before the race and one each hour during the race.

* Only drink water with your gu (or whatever), not a sports drink.

* Don't eat red meat for several days prior to the race.

* Don't lace your shoes too tightly, your feet will swell during the race.

* Eat carbs on race morning, not fats.

* Don't eat spicy foods the day before the race.

* Drink 2 to 4 ounces of water every 20 minutes.

* If there's a head wind, draft behind someone running your pace.

* Run the tangents on turns but stay away from the very inside of turns because they tend to be too crowded.

* Everybody hurts after 20 miles; it's not just you.

* Take a bottle of water with you to the start.

* Don't wear earphones, listen to the crowd cheer for you.

* It's ok to cry at the finish.

* If your first name isn't displayed prominently on your bib, write in on duct tape and wear it on the front of your shirt.

The crowd will know to call your name when they cheer you on.

* If it's humid, accept the fact that your time will be slower.

* Don't forget to savor the moment. You're doing something you'll remember the rest of your life.

WISH MY BROTHER AND I LUCK!!