Sweet 16!!!

This morning I was set out to run my longest run to date ever. I've mentioned before how I've started running with a running group on Saturday mornings. This has got to have been the best decision ever, running with them that is. I've gotten in some extra long runs that I may not have been able to other wise. Its helped me do a good amount of the training on my own because K isn't able to train with me as much because of her job change. I've also found a few new area's to run in with longer straight stretches and that's so much nicer than the constant turn here, turn here then turn here. Its worked out great and because we were scheduled to run 8 miles today and I needed to run a total of 16 miles. YIKES!!!! K suggested that I park at her house and run the 3.5 almost 4 miles from her house to the school were we meet up and then the 8 miles with them and then 4 miles back to make a total of 16 miles. Ok doesn't sound to bad right.....except for the fact that it means I had to get up a hour earlier than I normally do because I had to meet the group at 7:30. I figure if I started at 6:30 I could get more than the 4 miles in and have less to do on the back end on my way home. It still sounded way to freaking early but you know what I sucked it up and did it. I was a little ok ALOT nervous about running so early in the morning before the sun came up by myself. I tend to freak myself out way to much but you can't help it with all the crazy people in the world now days. I got out of the neighborhood as quickly as I could and on to the main streets (which aren't super busy that early in the morning so that's a bonus) just rounding the 2nd to last long stretch before the school the sun started to come out a little and it was getting brighter out. I started seeing more people out running and it made me feel at ease a little more. I met up with the running group and we headed out right then on our route. I was able to stay up to pace with two other runners and we chatted the whole time at a good pace which helped the time and mileage go by pretty quickly. Once we finally made it back to the school I simply looped around and knew I was on the home stretch back to my car only 4 miles to go and I was good. I ended up having to take a gu pack at mile 12 and a quick sip of water from a water station another running group had set up. (I don't run with water) I was golden for my trip back. I made it all the way with only having two short red light stops. The last mile I was struggling a bit as it was up hill a good amount of the way, my knees were hurting and I wanted to trough in the towel but I sucked it up and did it. I avoided going by my car till I was right at 16.00 miles because I didn't want to be tempted to stop. Although I'm a very determined and strong willed person I wouldn't have given in early still it was tempting. I was so proud of myself and relived that it was over and I had just run my longest run ever, but the disappointing part about it was there was no one to celebrate it with. See the hubbs was home asleep at CQ (24 hour duty) so I dare not call him, K was gone and wasn't getting back to me, I called my brother but he was asleep. My excitement was short lived as I headed home to get cleaned up and then out to the commissary for my month grocery shopping trip. But I'm proud to say I ran 16 that's SIXTEEN miles straight for the very first time ever and I felt great 85% of the time. That's something to be proud about and talk about right!?!?!?!? This next Saturday coming up is my 18 mile run, just adding on those miles, 2 at a time from here on out. I've got exactly 5 weeks to go and that means CRUNCH time. My goal is to get to at least 23-24 miles before my marathon, I'm not going to try and make it all the way to 26, as I want my marathon to be my first 26.2 miles. After Saturday's run I feel as though I CAN run the entire race. Prior over the last 3 weeks or so I've had a game plan to run 6 miles walk .5 miles, run 6 miles walk .5 miles etc, that sounds do able right?!?! But I "think" I can possibly run the whole 26.2, I've said all along I just want to finish strong and proudly but I would be lying if I said I didn't have a goal time to complete the race in because I do. We will see, I still have just over a month of training left and I'm talking full advantage of it!!!

I know you are all probably so board and over my running post, and I'm sorry. I've always wanted to keep track and be able to look back on my life (our life as a couple) and this has been a huge part of my life over the last few years and it will continue to do so as long as I can run. I promise though we have some exciting things coming up our way over the next couple months and I plan to fill you in on all of that as well. I'm still contemplating taking the rest of November off from running after my race but I probably won't. I don't know we will see how I feel. Thank you to each and everyone of you for sticking around and supporting me and following along as I train through the pain, the good and the bad..... for my first half marathon (which was this past March) and now for my first full marathon. 

Your support and encouraging words mean more to me than you will ever know. 

Life Lately!!!

Life has just been so busy here lately, well not even that but when I do get some down time to blog it seems as if 20 more things come up that I have to do or take care of. So here's a bit of a recap on what's been going on over the last month. 

*Proudly supporting the Gamecocks as this may be our last Football season in the South. This is officially one of my newest favorite tanks. On my South Car. bucket list is to go to a Game and get my picture taken with Cocky!!! This picture below was taken after I got home from Charleston (see below) and had just run 12 miles across the Cooper River Bridge. I got a tad bit sunburned, plus side of running I can work on my tan loo. 

*My favorite little red head and I had a play date with my bestie Jenna and her little guy the other night at Chick-fil-a. I simple love this girl to pieces, she almost makes me wanna have one of my own. If only I could 100% guarantee I'd have a girl I might not be so hesitant on taking the plunge right now but since that's not possible I think I'm happy just the two of us and pups for a little longer. 

*The hubbs and I went out to dinner for my besties (Jenna again) birthday dinner a week or two ago and I decided to sport my boots with my Garnets and White Dress. Couldn't of been a better evening. 

*Of course you know I've been running my booty off like crazy, with just over a month left to go till my First ever Full Marathon training is in full force. I did a little weekend getaway 2 weeks ago in Charleston to help a friend and her family during her sisters wedding. So before I headed home I decided I'd run the Cooper River Bridge. Not just once but 3 times totally out to be 12 miles. I'm up to 14 miles total for my long run and I'll be pushing that up this coming weekend. This past weekend I ran my first race since the end of June and I finally beat my 10k time which I was so stoked about. This weekend I have a 16 mile run ahead of me, please pray for me if your the praying type.

*Two weeks ago I took off a day and a half early from work to go to Charleston to spend the weekend with these 4 cuties below. One of my mom's sisters was getting married and they had asked me a couple months ago if I would be willing to come down and help with watching all four kids on Thursday afternoon-evening and then all day Friday and help with bringing them to the wedding and then back to the beach house. They paid for my hotel to come down as well as paid me to help with the kids and we got to hang out on the beach on Friday before the wedding and had a wonderful time. Four kids under 5 was def. a handful at times but I was up for the challenge. From running into the ocean with no fear to jumping from one bed to the other and search through 5 bathroom trash cans for toilet paper rolls to make telescopes we had a blast. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Kids say the craziest things and these little guys didn't hold back at all. Do the boys not look adorable in their wedding attire below? 

Just a little recap of what's been going on here. The hubbs is back to work they picked up a new cycle about 4 weeks ago so we are half way through this cycle almost. Graduation day is Halloween which means my race is only a week and a half after that. YIKES!!!!! I still can't believe that next week we will be in October, talk about crazy!!! 

Fiestaware Collection

 It's no lie that I love my Fiestaware collection and I'm always adding to it. I also working on a Fiestaware wish list post, coming soon. But in the mean time I though I would show case my current collections. I love cooking, hosting and having people over for the Holidays or a simple dinner. This was our Christmas evening Spread this past year. We had the In-Loves in town and another couple from the Battalion came over. 

I have two of the many I'm sure Christmas Ornaments. 

Vintage Gray Paper Napkin Dispenser. 

Sunflower Spoon Rest 

Flamingo Soap Dispenser 

Scarlet, Sunflower & Shamrock Canisters 

 Scarlet & Peacock Salt & Pepper Shakers 

Tangerine Utensil Crock & Cooking Utensils 

Two Full set's of Utensils (one of each style)

Dish Cloth, that we don't use. Its a "look at" one. 

Peacock & Sunflower Oval Serving Bowls

Peacock Cake Pan, Tangerine Casserole Dish, Lemongrass Bread Loaf

Sunflower Oval Platter 

Scarlet Pie Dish & Heart Bowl 

Drinking Tumblers 

Cereal bowl Periwinkle, Flamingo, Sunflower, White, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, Peacock 

I have 12 complete place settings, each has a dinner plate, salad plate, cereal bowl and mug

Paprika & Peacock Large Soup / Cereal Bowls 

Mugs Flamingo, Sunflower, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, 

Peacock 

 

Two Tea Cup Sets Periwinkle & White 

Ivory & Brown Large Mugs 

Peacock, 11 Piece Knife Block Set

Salad Plates Flamingo, Sunflower, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, Peacock 

Multi Colored 6 Piece Steak Knife Set w/ Block Tray 

Dinner Plates Flamingo, Sunflower, Tangerine, Brown, Scarlet, Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, Lemongrass, Ivory, Peacock, White, Periwinkle 

Scarlet 11 Piece Cookware Set

Peacock Set of 3 mixing bowls 

Retired Piece- Juniper Covered Casserole Dish 

Vintage Yellow Toaster - my most recent purchase. 

After compiling everything together into one post it doesn't seem as if my collection is that large. Guess that just mean I need to keep adding to it and that I will do. I have a few wish lists made on random sites with different items so I'll have to compile them all in to one post soon. My favorite part of my kitchen is my Fiestaware. My ultimate goal one day is to have hutch or buffet of some sort to display my collection and have it easy to access for using. 

Picking up the Pace

"last Saturday's 5 mile run"

Last Saturday I ran 5 miles with the Trenholm Road Runners group I joined. Sunday (the day after) I woke up bright and early to get in a long run in with Kelly. I was a little sore from the day before but felt good and knew I needed to get in the miles. We did a good 8 mile run and I was really feeling it the last mile. I had to pee like a race horse but refused to stop because I knew I wouldn't want to finish. My legs started to get shaking and my stomach was starting to hurt. There was just a couple blocks left to get back to Kelly's house and I was pushing it with my last bit of steam. I'm pretty sure I could of passed out in her drive way the second I hit her house. I completely forgot about having to use the restroom. It was a much needed run together but after the fact I was a bit butt hurt with myself at how much I slacked on that last mile but in my defense I ran 5 the day before. 

"last Sunday's 8 mile run"

This morning was another long run, although I didn't go into it with that in mind. I almost didn't even make it to meet with the Trenholm Road Runners. I though I left the house on time but after I got in the car and headed off post I had 10 minutes to get to our meeting place. Thankfully I made it just in time, how ever once we set off on our run I wasn't feeling it for the first half mile. I felt rushed getting there and then my hair was falling down and bouncing on my head. Seriously it was so annoying. I didn't want to stop and fix it because I'd fall behind the group. I did my best to put it back up in a bun while running and it seemed to work. My head was back in the game and I was on my way. I kept going back and forth on weather I wanted to add miles on at the end or not. I figured I'd see how I felt when I was done.

 On my way to the meet this morning I had a new supplement drink mix a friend from Texas sent me. Have you ever heard of Advocare? I had before but had never used any of their products till now. The mix I used this morning was called "Spark", it has 45 calories and is sugar free. It helps enhance mental energy and focus, it also provides support for long-lasting energy. I am not one to use "extra" supplements or powder mixes or pills to help with running or working out. I watch my diet and eat in moderation and make healthier choices. However L sent it to me knowing I'm training for a Marathon. She has had several other runners use the same products and they've had great results. I figured the worst that would happen would be I wouldn't notice a difference, I have a horrible run because it didn't set well with my stomach OR it actually would help and makes a difference. 

Once we got just before mile 5 almost to our finishing point I was still on the fence on weather or not I was going to continue and add miles on. It wasn't till the group made the last right turn almost into the parking lot were we where parked was it that I decided to stay straight and go on. I was filling good, weather that be from the "Spark" or not I don't know. I figured I'd get in a extra mile or maybe two. I followed the road and kept going, figured it would loop around to were I was parked eventually. And that it did. I was at 6.69 miles at that point 3 more and I would be at 10 miles. I decided to circle around again and make it a even 10 miles but that wasn't a big enough circle, I had to loop around another time and a half. I was doing good all the way up until about mile 9.2, I hit a wall and wanted to be done. I kept going I was determined to make it a even 10 miles. I kept telling myself that I had less than a mile to go "LESS THAN A MILE TIFFANY", you can do this. I knew not matter how much I was hurting in the moment I would be hating myself for quitting early. Its all a mental game for me, I let things get in my head while training for my half in the spring and I'm not letting that happen this time. 

"today's 10 mile run"

I'm proud to say I completed a unexpected 10 mile run this morning and couldn't be happier. 

I have just over 2 month of training time left before my big race. I have a plan in my head as far as training and its been going well. As long as I continue with it I think I will be ready come November 9th. I also have a plan on how I'm going to run the Marathon and hopefully it will all work out. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a goal finish time but I know the most important thing is to just finish. No matter what after wards I know I'm going to be so excited to say I've officially ran and finished my first marathon. That's a lot more than most people can say. 

After my run this morning I had plans to make my way over to Fleet Feet to look in to getting new kicks. I wasn't excited about it so much because I love love my current shoes. We've shared many many miles together almost 300 miles to be exact. Most running shoes have a life time of 300-500 miles, minimalist shoes are on the lower end of that mile count. And that's what I run in, not having a arch in either of my ankles having a fully supported shoe just doesn't work well for me. I am currently running in the original Brooks Pure Flow but they no longer make them. The new version has me worried with the mixed reviews and I'm not 100% sold on them. I am a firm believe in Fleet Feet and what they offer, their service is amazing and they offer a Military discount so you can't beat that. I went in told them what was going on, my training and what I'm working towards. I tired on the new Pure Flow 2 and also the Pure Cadence 2 went for a quick jog outside the store in both to test them out and ultimately walked out with the Brooks Pure Cadence 2. They were both very similar but the Pure Cadence 2 had a bit more cushion then the Pure Flow 2 and I don't know any one that would ever complain about that. I'll probably take them for a short run on Monday morning to see how I like them. Thankfully with Fleet Feet even after a good month if I don't like them or I'm not 100% happy I can take them back and exchange them for something else. I'm really hoping they work out though because I don't want to have to get used to another new shoe. And if they do and I grow to love them just as much as I did my other ones I may just go ahead and buy a 2nd pair to have on hand for when these go. 

Work and Running consumed most of my life right now which really isn't all that bad since the husband picked up a new cycle last week. His Battalion Graduates on Halloween and he will only have two weeks off before picking up again. I'm not complaining though because I need these next two months to fully focus on my training. I wont feel guilty doing so and leaving him at home because he'll be at work. Thankfully he will be on cycle break for the race which just so happens to be the same day as our anniversary. I'm looking forward to a little Marathon / Anniversary get away in Savannah, Georgia. 

1st Platoon Titans 

 

Sorry I've been a little MIA...

1-First Day of Teacher work week. Getting ready for the new school year to start. I'm gonna miss my sweet little people. I just keep letting myself Change is good. 

2-Friday (last week) after I got off work, (hello half day's) the hubbs and I headed up to Charlotte to do a little shopping at Ikea and had dinner at On The Border. We came home with a new Entertainment unit. I absolutely love it. 

3-Monday on my lunch break I got dinner going in the Crock pot. Hubbs was home for the day already so I left him instructions on how and when to finish things up. I pre-measured everything and laid it all out for him. A little OCD maybe but hey makes things easier on him. 

4-Saturday after my morning run I came home to find this lovely giant truck in my neighbors drive way. They are moving!!!!! We knew they were moving this month just wasn't sure the date. They are by far the most un-sanitariest people I have ever lived by. Their house is infested with mice so badly the moving company set up by the army refused to move them. 

5-This past week has definitely been a challenge for me, for many reasons. I've been put to the test in many ways but I've stood my ground and stuck to my guns and made it through. I know this life we live isn't always gonna be cookies and ice cream but I'm making the best of every moment and that's all I can do. 

6-I stepped out of my comfort zone last weekend and join a running group. I've been trying to pick up my running and add the miles to my long weekend runs. This was a first for me, joining a group not knowing a single soul. It was a great experience w/ great people and I plan to continue going every Saturday till my Full Marathon in November. 

7-Not that I'm counting but I was talking to a friend in Texas about NYC and it got me wondering how much longer we have till our trip. 125 days!!!! I can't wait to take the hubbs and show him around one of my most favorite cities ever!!! NYE IN NYC, I can't wait we are going to have a great time!!!! 

8-Wednesday after work Kelly and I were suppose to go run but for other reason's she wasn't able to go. That didn't keep me from going though, I did a good solid 4.5 miles around post before dinner. I Just went out to run, had no plan or set route in mind. Figured I'd take it as it came and it ended up being a great run. 

9-Sometime last week the hubbs and I were randomly searching on ebay at different fiestaware pieces when I came across this beautiful piece. It's a retired covered casserole dish in the color Juniper. I have a pretty good collection of fiestaware but I'm always trying to add to it and find pieces that I don't have yet. Especially unique pieces such as retired or vintage ones. I love it and am so happy with my purchase. 

10-Another Saturday run with the Trenholm Road Runners group this morning. There was a nice breeze through out the run and I did better at remembering the route this morning. I chatted with some of the other members of the group after our run and everyone seems really nice and welcoming. We are planning to run a race together in October, which many of them have ran before. I'm pretty excited about it and nervous at the same time. Apparently its a really awesome race here in the South. 

Cooking Adventures

Loaded Pepperoni Pizza on top of a Homemade Garlic Crust

Foil Turkey Veggie wraps

Broccoli Alfredo Pasta with Grilled Chicken 

Lazy Sunday Casserole 

Honey Sesame Chicken with White Rice 

Homemade Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast

I love to cook as you may have already figure out. Trying new recipes is always fun and a experiment in its self. 9 times out of 10 they come out great but sometimes you have those meals that are a total bust. These few here though have been great!!!! Can't wait to get in the kitchen this next week!!!

Catching up from a crazy week at home!!!

My mom came back to the South with me for a few days. We made the lovely 14hour drive together straight through.  I was so sad to leave my family but was so excited to get back to my love!!! I missed him so so much!!!

While mom was here we did a little random shopping and showing her around town. One evening we headed out to Monetta to catch a movie at the Drive In. Mom had been wanting to see Smurfs 2 and it just so happened to be playing while she was here. We enjoyed some a yummy burger and fries before the movie started.

And then enjoyed the movie from the back on the truck. Although we've been once before, we didn't plan so well. I was eaten alive by stupid mosquitos betime we left. Still we had a great time and I cant wait to go back!!!!

Houston things just got real, not that they weren't already but I picked up my training shirt for my Full Marathon Im training for that is in November. Later that evening I Kicked but during Intensity class before going to dinner with my mom and love.

Before heading out for our run Sunday morning this little sweet girl came home and I got some much needed love. She's got the cutest curls ever!!!!

Morning run though Forest Acres. Always a great way to clear my head and give me that extra push of encouragement I need. Running really has changed my life and showed me that I can do anything I want as long as I put my mind and heart into it. 

While I was in Texas the Hubbs Graduated his 5th BCT cycle. I received a award during this cycle and since I wasn't there to receive it in person my wonderful excepted it in my honor. Isn't he the sweetest love ever!!!!! Can't get enough of him in that Brown Round!!!

lazy puppy missed him while I was gone!!!!

I know I've been a little MIA but hang tight I've got more to share and catch you up on.