snippets from our week

This past week has held so much excitement and has been filled with...

// it's official, I'm 27!  My birthday was complete with the sweetest gift card frame from my class, family over for dinner, the dessert that didn't want to cook, and our living room overflowing with love

// the first RED cup of the season.  I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this.  It reminds me that Christmas is fast approaching, which reminds me that our sweet son will be here before we know it.  

// my dear friend visiting from out of town.  Our evenings were filled with Daniel, Kylee, and I laughing and sharing life together on the couch. 

// breakfast at my all time favorite spot with our great friends, and their sweet little Sophia.  I can never get enough of Daniel with her, it's beyond precious.  

// morning runs that filled me with hope as I looked up at the most gorgeous sky.  

// tackling our never ending to-do list, including returning duplicates to Target.  We did get THE cutest outfit because we just couldn't resist, and Daniel made sure our little babe has his first Charger's jersey. 

// laying on the couch together, relaxing, and not thinking about anything other than the here and now. 

// watching a movie in front of the fire place because it is what we love.  We've decided that no matter what, every house we live in must come with a fire place. 

// baking THESE pumpkin scones.  Two words: easy and delicious!!! They are the perfect spicy, fall treat, especially with a warm cup of tea. 

running the Temecula 5k

Sunday morning the alarm went off at 4:40am, and I was already awake!  I know that this seems crazy but I was eager to get up and throw on some running clothes to run the Temecula 5k.  It reminded me of getting ready for the half-marathons that I have run in the past, and the rush of memories made me truly miss those runs.  As much as I miss training and long-runs, I'm pretty pleased with how much my body has been able to keep up with running in general throughout this pregnancy.  And the benefits I've reaped because of it have made this pregnancy truly amazing.  

My friend Colleen ran the half-marathon, and Molly ran the 5k with me because she's recovering from being sick.  We got up to Temecula at 6:30am and froze our buns off for a bit, but the most beautiful sight emerged.  Hot air balloons were taking off in the field right next to our race!  The race was held at   Wilson Creek Winery, and this was definitely an amazing place to hold a race.  

The course was super hilly, and there were times that I wanted to walk but I kept pushing through.  Who knew that running 3 miles could really wipe you out!  I ran the 5k in exactly 30:00.  My initial reaction was to be a little disappointed with my pace, but then I had a reality check.  Hey, I'm 7 1/2 months pregnant, I ran the entire time, passed a lot of people along the way, and conquered those hills!  Thank you, reality check! 

Molly and I were able to make it back to the finish line to watch the half-marathoners come in, and who did I see?  Bobbi!  Pretty much the one blogger that I'm completely enamored with, and I got up the guts to talk to her!  She is the sweetest, and it was such a pleasure meeting her! 

Can I just say that my friend, Colleen, is an animal!  She ran a full marathon in Utah two weeks ago, and pushed through this challenging course.  Such an inspiration! 

This was baby's first 5k, and it most definitely won't be the last!  I'm already trying to plan which half-marathon to run first to get me back in shape after having the baby! 

my running story

Source: everymantri.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I'm a sucker for the Olympics.  I always have.  I remember as a little girl having my family crowd around the TV, cheering on our country, and how much I wanted to be a gymnast.  It's a funny thing because I was never an athletic person.  Ever.  My mom tried to get me into swimming, which I did for a couple years.  Then the way too early practices did me in.  We also tried out soccer...but I kept breaking my arm (not related to soccer) and had to sit it out.  My mom still tries to make me feel a little bit better about myself by telling me that I was the best goalie and put up a mean fight.

As I was sitting watching the women's marathon today I was completely consumed by Kara Goucher.  I think if I were to ever admit that I had a girl crush on an athlete, it would be her.  As she was running one of the commentators was sharing that she vowed she would never do a marathon, and then there she was.  Running her heart out.  It reminded me of my non-athletic days and what all I had to go through in order to be able to run today.  I know I'm not a completive runner and I've only done two half-marathons, but it is better than nothing.  Running is hard and it has been a journey to get where I am today.

As I type this I'm laughing inside my head when I recall what I called "running" back in high school.  Again...I wasn't athletic.  I did dance, but PE was my absolute least favorite class.  Running a mile would take me easily 15 minutes, and I'd be plagued with side aches.  At home I would tell myself to go run.  So I'd put on some shoes, a sports bra, my shorts and Tee and head down our dirt road.  What seemed like a mile that I poured my heart and soul into was really probably a quarter or a mile-maybe half.  I'd come home thinking I just won a medal.

Once I went away to college I finally started gaining some self-esteem.  My roommates would go for runs to workout, just nice jogs.  I decided that I should do the same.  I remember my first run.  I think I ran a mile and it was the hardest mile ever.  My legs felt like the logs, my body stayed low to the ground, and it took a ton of effort.  I decided to make a plan.  I mapped out a two-mile loop and created mini goal points that I would run to.  I'd run a half-mile, then walk a bit, then repeat.  To help me not give up on myself I would kiss the back of my hand whenever I made it to a goal point and tell myself a positive phrase.  It was much easier to tell myself "just give up" or "you look ridiculous".  But I pushed through.

I can still remember the first 3 mile run that I completed running the entire time.  My roommate and I would encourage each other along the way, and when we got back to our house I was on cloud nine.  I wasn't fast, I wasn't a runner, but I could run and get the job done.  It helped me feel good about myself.  Instead of looking at my body for what it wasn't, how big I thought it was, or how much it failed me I was able to see how it took me places, it gave me strength and endurance to run, and I eventually made peace with my body.

Three miles became five, then seven, and then my co-worker talked me up enough to do a half-marathon.  Now I run because it helps me let off steam, it clears my head, it reduces my stress, it helps me appreciate my body and what it does for me.

I write this not to pat myself on the back but to encourage anyone out there that has thought or currently thinks they can't do something.  The Jamie in middle school and high school and the Jamie now are two very different girls.  I would've never thought that I could run a half marathon, much less 5 miles, but I've run two and look forward to the day when I run another one.

Here are some of my biggest running tips:
1. Find a partner.  
It is SO much easier to run when you have someone with you, ideally at your pace.  You don't have to talk to one another to encourage one another.  These keeps you accountable and it is much harder to quit on a run or decide not to run when you have someone counting on you.

2. Get fitted for a shoe. 
If you have a RoadRunner Sports or a different running store nearby, invest the money, and get fitted for a proper running shoe.  It makes the world of difference.  Once I got my running shoes, my whole body felt better.  I learned that I pronate my feet and needed a stability shoe.  Running was much easier after that because I wasn't working against my body but with it because it was moving the way it should.

3. Set mini goals. 
Decide how far you want to run.  Maybe your first run out will be a mile and you decide you'll run half of that.  Once you complete these mini goals you will feel successful and will be more likely to create harder goals and see them through.

4. Have a positive mantra.
My friend Colleen is an amazing runner, and her motto is "No regrets".  This has helped her run not only countless half-marathongs but a few full marathons.  A lot of times when I'm running I tell myself "You can do this" or sing a worship song in my head.  Remember to stay positive!

5. Plan a fun run with friends or family.
My first ever "race" was a 5k Turkey Trot.  I had a blast and caught the bug to go on and run an 8k then a half-marathon.

the adventure run

Thursday night I participated in my first ever Adventure Run and had the time of my life!  If you live in San Diego and enjoy running, you have to put this on your calendar.  So Road Runner Sports, the most amazing running store ever, puts on an Adventure Run the 2nd Thursday of every month.  My friend Coleen has done it a couple of times, and this time I was able to tag along.  It is a free run that lasts one hour, and right before it starts they post a map of locations you can run to.  The point of this run is to go to as many locations as possible, collect raffle tickets at each one, and then run back to the store for a big raffle and a beer garden.  Oh, and it's free!!  (My mother would say, "Oh that's my favorite 4-letter F word" right about now.)   Locations that are farther away give you double raffle tickets, and some spots had you do an exercise move for an additional ticket as well.  They also email you the map right at 6pm so you can look at it while you run.  

 

Before the run they had some booths set up for you to play games and get additional tickets.  Asics had a booth there that let you wear a pair of their new shoes!  I decided I needed to add some color to my outfit and try out a new shoe, so I jumped on the opportunity.  Overall the shoes were very comfortable and had good stability.  

The run was so fun!  Colleen runs a lot faster than me but I did my best to keep up.  We hit up almost all of the locations and it was the most fun I have ever had running.  One checkpoint I had a little mishap.  I had to climb a fence because we took a shortcut and ended up cutting my hand at the top.  First, I climbed a fence!  Say what?!?  I'm a truly girly girl, and I felt pretty proud of myself afterwards. Then cutting my hand and having to keep on running, that was another biggy for me.  I'm not a fan of blood.  

Once you get back from the run you separate your raffle tickets into two piles, kiss them for good luck as you drop them in the basket, and head over to get a nice cold beer. 

I seriously can't wait for the next one.  Sadly, I'll be out of town for the run in August but September's is already on my calendar.  If you want to join us let me know!!!