Thank you for supporting Rally Foundation

The Georgia 1/2 marathon has come and gone. Unfortunately, I was unable to race because of my knee but I was there to support my teammates & Rally Foundation. I ended up raising $1,002 and my team raised over $25,000 for Rally Foundation. I'm so proud of myself and teammates. We came along way with the training, fundraising and encouraging each other through our aches & pains. Way to go, team!

Down but not out. . .

My last posting about the 1/2 marathon was about 3 weeks ago and I posted that I was nursing an injury to my knee which was related to an IT band issue. The pain never really got better. I tried to run a few more times after that with the same pain during and after the runs. I decided about two weeks ago not to pursue running the 13.1 miles. It kills me to think that I spend over 2 months training for this only to be set back so close to the race. But to continue would just inhibit my daily mobility and that's something that just can't happen right now. My kids need me to keep up with them and not to be limping around. I'm continuing to see my PT and working through a strengthen program. I definitely plan to try again. 

Rally Foundation was the reason to start this journey in running long distance. My Rally Kid, Celah, has inspired me. I have never met this sweet little girl but she lifts my spirit when I'm feeling low.  I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to raise money & train for such a wonderful foundation. I appreciate all my family and friends that have supported me along the way both financially and emotionally. The Rally Kids are truly amazing. If you would like to support this foundation, you can donate at my race page - http://www.razoo.com/story/Helpcwillardrun

This was my last group run before my decision. (I ran 6.5 miles that day. Who-hoo!) The ladies and gents on the Rally Team are awesome. We all have come so far in training. There were some of us who couldn't run 3 miles and never thought we'd get to 6,7,8, 10 miles. We have shared tips on stretching, icing, supplements, aches & pains. Go Rally Team!

Are they twins?

Although they are very similar in height and weight, Jonah & McKenna are 22 months apart. I get the question, "are they twins", everywhere I go. And when I say everywhere - let me recap my errands this passed Saturday. At LA Fitness, "Oh they are so cute. Are they twins?" I got it again at TJ Maxx & Home Depot. They are the best of friends and one doesn't go far without the other. This picture just proves their twin-like similarities.

Lots of artwork so little room

Once kids get into school, the artwork that is sent home with them starts to pile up. Being an artist, I have an infinity to keep everything that Jonah & McKenna create. Being a organized people, I have to struggle with how much I keep and where to store it. I have found some really great ideas on the internet and as I have been learning more about EverNote.

So here's how I capture all the wonderful artwork and still keep sanity and organization to the house.
 

1. I borrowed a fun tip from a colleague - I tape up my favorites of their artwork to the back of cabinet doors. It brights the insides of my cabinets and makes me smile each time I open the doors.

2. I take pictures of the kids holding their artwork. (See pictures with this blog.) This serves two purposes - I get to capture the artwork and I have a catalog of how they are growing.

3. I take a picture of just the artwork. I will eventually create a photo album of all of their artwork. Someday they will able to look back through their book and see how their creativity came alive.

4. Using Evernote, you are also able to store your pictures in a digital notebook. This works well if you are super tech savvy and want everything digital. I'm not going this route but I love the concept.

Those are my tips for saving memories and cutting clutter. What are yours?

Set backs.

Needless to say, when you train for an event like a 1/2 marathon there are bond to be aches and pains along the way. Before starting my training, I had been working through a tight IT band on my right leg. I got that under control. Then I developed blisters on the top of my second toes on both feet. Better socks and some body glide made that a non-issue. Of course, there are the obviously endurance & energy walls that get thrown up along the way as well.

There are always challenges and set backs with any goal.  This has been my mantra over the last two weeks. I'm currently wrestling a IT band issue on my left leg which has cause pain in my left knee. I'm currently back in my therapist's care and I'm taking small strides to get back my mileage.

It was really tough to take a break from training. I learned to love the early morning runs and the time to myself to think about "stuff". I'm still waking up earlier to strength train but it's not the same. The worse part is the mental picture of not being able to run the whole race. I'm trying to suppress that thought as much as I can because I still have time to work this out.

I'm committed to this race and to running. I'm definitely learning my lessons through each challenge that I face. No goal worth pursuing is going to come easy. The process for achieving any goal keeps you humble, thankful, creative and motivated. And if you know me, you know I love "the process."

Inspiration Wednesday. . .

I woke up this morning incredibly tired. The alarm on my phone went off at 5:45am and I immediately silenced it. I lied in bed semi-conscience feeling snugly and warm and debating whether I should get up and run my 6 miles for the day. Fifteen minutes later, I was up and downstairs changing into my running shoes. I tied my laces tight and pulled on my fleece. I stretched to get the blood flowing. To really encourage myself to get out of the house, I set the timer on my Endomondo iphone app. It counted me down out of the house on to the cold streets of Dunwoody.

The first mile of a cold, early morning is the hardest. I'm trying to get my mind into the game as well as my body. I try to shake the negative thoughts and focus on the day and the now. This morning I remember the pictures that were send to me by my Rally Kids' Mom, TiaAnna. I thought about Celah & her brother, Jacob, smiles. I thought about the smiles of my own children. My inspiration had been found and the 6 miles ticked by pretty quickly.

I didn't realize when I signed up for the Rally Athlete Georgia 1/2 Marathon that it would effect my life in so many ways. That it would give me a chance to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. That so many great friends would give so generously to this cause.

Smiles are very inspirational as well as contagious. . .  Thank you Celah & Jacob for encouraging me and touching my life in so many way.

P.S. Just a funny story about these pictures. I received them in an email from TiaAnna on a Saturday morning. I was very touched by her email and the pictures were so precious. My son walked up behind me as I was opening them. I told him that Celah was the little girl that I was helping to raise money for. Jonah looked at me very puzzled and said, "Mommy, are you going to buy her?" Of course, I was cracking up and I re-explained my efforts. Hilarious moment.