Back on the Running Train

So it's no half marathon, but it will keep me motivated.....Matt (the b.f. - for all of those strangers out there reading this blog...ha! who am i kidding? :), Amanda (a great friend!), and I are running a 5K on June 5th. It's at the Gates Mills Land Conservancy, where Amanda lives, and it's going to be gorgeous! It's something to look forward to, and to motivate me to get a couple of miles in! Yipee! Now that the weather in Ohio is sunshiny spring, it's going to be something exciting to look forward to! Running together adds a whole other element of fun to it! - AJZ

I MADE IT!

I MADE IT! I finished the race that I have been training for since January - and met both of the goals that I set for myself from the very beginning - no walking, and finish under 45 min! I am on top of the world right now! This morning when I was standing in the middle of the street at 7am in Chapel Hill amongst 2,000 other people - I thought that I was a little insane, but that was quickly laid to rest once my feet started moving! I established a good pace right from the beginning and stuck with it all the way through! The hills def. got me one time, so I had to make up for it once I hit the flat road around mile 3.

Y'all wouldn't have believed me! Once I turned the corner and knew that I was making my way into the stadium I turned up Coldplay's "VIVA LA VIDA" all the way and started sprinting around the track to the balloon finish! I felt such a surge of energy and excitement! As I turned the corner I saw Hadley & Mallory screaming for me in the stands - so I waved and cheered back. Then I realized that I was turning the last corner of the football field. I saw the clock just ahead of me - and realized that I was going to achieve my goal of finishing under 45 minutes! So I threw my hands up, screamed ridiculously loud and crossed that finish line loud and proud! Just like you would expect a southern gal to do :)

Girls, I can not tell you how exhilarating it was to cross that finish line - actually y'all already know how it feels, but can you remember your first race and the feelings that were running through your body? It was simply amazing - I've never felt better! The personal accomplishments that I met in this race have given me the energy to want to do more and to keep running! I know that I can try my best to compete in a 1/2 by the end of the summer! I'm going to do it!

One last thing... check out the pics on facebook. there is one photo that i took during the first mile, and in it you can see a man who was competing in the 4 mile race in his wheelchair. I came across this man several times throughout the race and watched him intently. One moment when we were both going up hill my emotions got the best of me and i just started to cry (go figure :)) while listening to Jay-?! Despite this man's obvious disabilities he was still competing and not letting anything get in his way. He had no barriers. If he could keep pushing, then I could keep on going too. It made me think about how blessed I am in all areas of my life and how meaningful that finishing this race was to me. I set a goal and I achieved it. That is what I am most proud of. I couldn't have done it without all the love and support from each of you (mimi, had, mcp, amy, & UJ included). To each of you - thank you SO MUCH! ...This is only the beginning!

xoxo - MJE

A Shout Out to Our Girl Mir!

Ok Girls...Tomorrow's the big day for Miranda. Can you believe it? The race is finally here!!!

Mir - just wanted to wish you good luck and happy running! YOU'RE going to do GREAT! And WE are SO PROUD of YOU and LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Crank up the jams, get into your groove, and run you amazing heart out! If you're nervous and need to get your mind off of it, just picture me and the Larissa's doing something ridiculously goofy (i.e. looking up stupid stuff on google in the chicago hotel - you know... - while lounging in our long underwear, etc. etc. etc.) Remember to RUN YOUR RACE! That's all that matters and it matters the most! So RUN RUN RUN dear fabulous friend! We can't wait to hear all about it! And just in case you need a mental image of something motivating, just think, "You are ROCKY, in girl form that is" :) Much love to you and happy running! XOXO

Raise the Roof 5k

Saturday April 3 Brian and I ran a 5k over on the beach in Vero. I was nervous because I have never run with him - and I know he is faster than me - plus I had run 3 miles the week before and was very slow :) But we got out there - and ran the first mile in 8:34 -- we slowed a bit for the last 2 miles but finished right at 27 min - It was so so great to have a running partner - Brian and I could talk along the way and he'd challenge me to catch up with the next person in front of me - and of course he kept telling me how great I was doing :) It was so fun - I wish we could do that together every weekend! I told him that when I run my marathon - he has to do it too - It is amazing how much it helps to have a supporter running with you the whole way! I've never had that in a race! Anyway - he got 3rd in his age group and I got 4th. Mama and Papa came to watch and even help a sign for Brian (per his request) - my Aunt Tina was one of the organizers - so a great family event.

Brian and I also did a lot of bike riding this past week while he was in Auburn - Last Tuesday he had me bike 15.5 miles and then the next day we did 25 miles - Usually those distances aren't too hard for me - but Auburn is so HILLY! We were constantly going up and down and up and down - by the last hill both of our legs were shaking and I was ready to eat a whale - literally - when I got home I had 4 small chocolate doughnuts, a Pb&J, a wrap and a piece of ice cream cake Wow :) The weather was just beautiful and perfect for biking - I picked up a nice tan along the way - Again - I love biking, but half of the enjoyment was having Brian out there with me cheering me on/making fun of me/racing me/commenting on the sights along the way. Now I know 2 new loops to go on - and I hope to get out again really soon (before it gets to hot around here!)

The month of April will be misery - so I am hoping I can remember the feeling of running and get myself out there. I know it'll do me good - but finding the time will be difficult.

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter! What are the current half plans?