Post Race Blues

Now I am NOT a runner, in fact I hate running, but there is something about doing a Half-Marathon, or any race in particular that brings out the competitor in me.  Last year, we saw a lady with a special race shirt (50+ Club) which meant she ran a marathon in EVERY state.  Talk about amazing.  Yesterday I saw a man (had to be about 75+) and he had a sign on him that this was his 80th marathon. And before the year ended (aka 4 weeks) he will run 4 more--talk about IMPRESSIVE.


Yesterday, Jessica and I ate post race with a couple (maybe?! We don't know their connection), that run marathons internationally.  They ran in Russia, they are going to the Netherlands in the Spring and their favorite is one in Orlando (crazy).


Since the end of the race, I have gotten texts from HS friends, sorority sisters, childhood classmates and post college friends saying "hey we need to run one together".  It's crazy how a little thing can bond people.  Jessica is my go to race person.  We travel well together, like to eat at the same places and also like to celebrate with a trip to Target (cue the angels singing).


But it made we want to come up with my WISH LIST or Runner's List of fun places to do a Half- I don't think I could EVER do the FULL--too tempting to turn off and just finish!

So here is my WISH LIST:  For those two people that read my blog (hey Jessica and Lindsey!), let me know what you think. St. Jude is a standard.  Like I said, Jessica and I made a vow to go every year (expect when Ole Miss is in the SEC Championship game).

Livestrong Half Marathon:  This is the one I.MUST.DO!  My aunt is a non-smoking lung cancer FIGHTER and I want to do this one to honor her.  Ever since she was diagnosed, we've all worn Livestrong bracelets. 

Divas Half Marathon: Preferably in Wine Country.  My sweet Chelsea Belle commented on my FB picture and I looked it up and NOW need to do it. "Bling"ed out medals, dance party afterwards.  Must. Have.

Disney Princess Half Marathon: I don't think it's much to ask that when I cross the finish line, that someone sprinkles me with fairy dust.  And then you get to celebrate with DISNEY.  AMAZING.

500 Festival Mini Marathon: It's the Nation's LARGEST half marathon.  That alone would be awesome to participate in.

Naples Daily News Half Marathon: Naples/Ft. Myers is one of my favorite places and hold great memories for me growing up on Spring Break. Plus there is a beach--what better way to unwind afterwards.

Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon: Chicago being my hometown, I've always wanted to do a half with "my people".  We'd have free places to stay. Plus Chicago in July is HOT, but cool with wind off the lake.

Austin 3M half Marathon: It's mostly downhill so you've got a good shot on a PR.  Plus it's Austin so lots of fun places to celebrate!!
This will be an ongoing list..dream, so stay tuned

St. Jude Half Marathon part two

Jessica and I did the St. Jude half marathon again this year and we PROMISED each other that it would be a yearly tradition.

This year we got to stay in Memphis with my friend Malerie who lives about 3 blocks from the start of the race. It was so nice. So we enjoyed Mal's cute neighborhood, her roommate's dog (Rufus) Central BBQ and a quick drink at Earnestine & Hazel's to calm our pre-race nerves.

I LOVE anything that says St. Jude (my alma mater for Grade School).

Mal's friends were playing at E & H's.  They consisted of a banjo, accordion and a clarinet. They even played Material Girl. They were so fun!

Jessica and I pre-race (I lost my "fanny pack" and had to race with my SJ bag--DO NOT RECOMMEND)

Had to remember this---we are running for their lives.  Honestly the stories alone are worth EVERY OUNCE of pain I'm in.

Our Race #'s

PANDA at the ZOO.  Made me think of my AOII girls doing the Jingle Bell Run in Oxford!

VICTORY Never felt so good.  Jessica ROCKED it and beat her time by over 30 minutes. I beat mine by about 24 minutes.

Post Race Fuel up-- that BEER was AMAZING.

Rufus also was proud of us!

Had to get a shot of the medal with my bib and some VitaC. I love that stuff

Overall, this race was SO different than last year's.  Jessica and I made that comment multiple times.  We weren't as nervous, yet we forgot tons of things.  I lost Jessica around mile 4 and thought I would catch up but had a MASSIVE collision with a lady during the St. Jude portion. I wasn't paying attention and she was stopped taking pictures.  I also felt super sick around mile 9 and took an extra long water break (which if I hadn't, I probably would've beat 3:00 mark)

I also need to remember to get new shoes.  My FEET were killing me and I have the massive blisters to prove it.

And I just heard on the news that this Marathon weekend, 18,500 runners participated in and they raised over 5.7 million dollars towards research.  That may sound AMAZING (I was like WOAH!)  but it costs 1.8 million a day to provide the research and treatment so that NO FAMILY pays anything.

This year I dedicated my race to Lane Goodwin & Noah Hoskins strength and courage during their fight with cancer (both lost their battle on Earth this year).  Lane is the cousin of a sorority sister and Noah is the brother of a sorority sister.  Both made HUGE impacts on their community and brought such awareness to the disease.

Rebels are bowl eligible

My beloved Rebels are bowl eligible now with a big victory over the MS State Bulldogs.

Happy Thanksgiving

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. -psalm 107:1

There are so many things I am grateful for this year. There is no way I could even begin to count. Therefore the above verse is the only way I can describe it all.

Oh and this cutie!

Allie's bachelorette weekend

My friend Allie is getting married in 3 weeks so we all ventured to New Orleans to celebrate. It also happened to be the LSU-Ole Miss game in Baton Rouge. I got to see a bunch of friends and I'm not going to recover till Christmas.

Thank God for a short week

Busy's Update

My sweet Busy girl got a great report from the Vet yesterday. She is allowed to roam free in the house, and has to be on a leash outside for 4 more weeks. After 6 weeks of confinement, it's nice to be able to snuggle my little buddy. However, Busy is now terrified to be out of her cage.

Coley tried to trick her out by getting her "huggy bear" and teasing her, but sister wasn't having it.

Mary Barren and Kyle XY's wedding

Wow! It's been almost a year since I've updated..but I just downloaded Blogger on my phone, so hopefully I'll do better.

This has been my year for weddings (14 to be exact). This past weekend, I traveled to Atlanta for my dear friends, Mary Claire and Kyle's wedding. My friends from college love a good nickname, so that's why the title is Mary Barren and Kyle XY (like the T. show)'s wedding.

Becca (or B) was my travel partner in crime! She's one of my best friends from college and we agree on most things when we travel (tourist attractions, local food). We went to CNN and World of Coke-both a little disappointing.

Mary and Kyles wedding was beautiful. Mary's brother, Mark, the "Brozilla" (self proclaimed) held a fling before the ring Friday night and we had a blast.

Mary had the most beautiful dress ever-she was just radiant.

I realize more and more as we get older, these trips will become less frequent, so I'm cherishing them now!