New Year New Goals

Thursday a.m. workout: 2 mile run on treadmill. Meant to do more, but being awake in the middle of the night for a couple of hours changed my plan.

Happy New Year!

Our NYE wine

We stayed in, cooked dinner together, watched a movie then tuned in just time to see the ball drop on NYE. Perfect low key evening!

I planned on running on New Year's Day, but pulled something in my leg on my last run, so I gave it another day of rest. I really enjoy runs on Jan 1st, but this seemed to be the smart move since it was still pretty painful. 

Pre Sharon Woods run

Goals for 2013 consist of 2 separate lists - mine and ours!

Our Goals:  

• Waste less food (we are not always good at finishing leftovers)
• Volunteer together
• Install garage door opener
• Cook at home together more often (we definitely go through spurts of being really good at this then really bad)
• Clean out the garage
• Redo the kitchen cabinets
• Put in a new floor
• Join the YMCA
• Get married!!!
  

My Goals: 

• Run a race longer than a marathon (the "ultra" word scares me!)
• Stretch, stretch, stretch!
• Run every day for 1 month (at least one mile)
• Meal plan 
• Strength train consistently

I know this is going to be quite a busy year, so I don't want to overwhelm myself with personal goals; however, I would like to point out that one of Our Goals is already crossed off the list - go us!

What are your goals for the year? 

The Best of 2012

Sunday's workout: 5 mile run with a friend

Wow, What a year!

This time last year, I never would have thought I would be where I am today but I couldn't be happier! Heres a quick look at 2012 as we prepare for 2013!

1. There is a plan

God has a plan. I truly believe this and saw it the most clearly I have ever seen it this year. Learning to have faith in this is the hard part, but I believe I came a long way in my faith this year. 

This cutie pie is a fabulous distraction!

2. Friends

Because of what I went through early on in 2012, I forged even deeper friendships with some amazing people. I honestly do not know what I would have done without them during this time. They kept me going. They fed me, they housed me, they distracted me, they taught me to have faith. Some were very close by and others very far away, but they all mean the world to me. I am very blessed.

3. Love
I never thought I would fall in love so quickly, but see #1 above. I knew our relationship was unique from the first time I met him - maybe even from the first time we talked on the phone. There is an ease about our relationship that I had never experienced. It is truly amazing.

The grandkids with Grandpa at my cousin's wedding in Chicago

4. Weddings
Love must have been in the air this year!
We went to several weddings together this year and sadly missed a few as well. We had a great time celebrating our friends and family and the occassions were great for us to get to know each other's friends and family as well.

5. Travel
We only had one big vacation together this year, but we had a few smaller road trips as well. We enjoyed both big cities and being nestled away in a cabin in the woods. We were lucky enough to see his favorite soccer team (Liverpool) in the US in both Boston and Baltimore. This helped me become quite the fan as well! We also planned some trips for 2013!

6. Bengals games
My first time with season tickets. Wow, what a season! The tailgating was always a blast and I enjoyed getting to know The Boyfriends friends a little better. I also got to relive with my college days with plenty of games of flip cup. Who thought we would make it to the playoffs this year?!

7. Marshall Marathon
I was so happy to be able to squeeze in a marathon in 2012. After taking 4 or so months off running, I wasn't sure if it would happen. I was even more excited that The Boyfriend wanted to run his first half marathon. I could not have been prouder of him. The best part was seeing him turn in to the stadium as I was heading off on my second loop. I was relieved and excited to know he had completed his first 13.1!

8. Other fun races with the Boyfriend

We participated in several fun races together this year. Fourth of July, Mudathlon, 10K on Turkey Day, and of course the Santa Suit fun run! I am looking forward to continuing the tradition of some of theses races each year together.

Running Advent Day 1

9. Running Advent
Although I was unable to complete Running Advent this year, I am proud of The Boyfriend for completing it and I am proud for completing 15.5 days of it. It was very difficult for me to admit I was too sick to complete the runs, but I do believe it was the smart decision. 

10. Getting Engaged
You can read the story here if you missed it. Such an amazing day. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I can't wait to marry my best friend in 2013.

11. Spending the holidays with family and friends
Yes, we had 6 family Christmases and two friend parties to attend, but the important thing is that we were able to spend so much time with our loved ones. 

12. Adventure
2012 held quite a bit of adventure. I can only imagine what 2013 has in store for us! 

I wish you all a happy, safe and healthy new year!

The Proposal!

****Sunday December 16th****

I woke up in the middle of the night with a horrible headache, body aches and chills. I knew this was not a good sign.  

And what horrible timing, I had a Santa Suit Fun Run to do with some friends and The Boyfriend! Thankfully the race wasn't until 11:00 a.m., so I took some medicine and attempted to sleep.

The Boyfriend was very sweet and rubbed my back trying to help me feel better. He asked me a few times if I was still going to run the race. Honestly, it never occurred to me not to go to the race, but I did know it would definitely just be a "fun run" and not a race for me.

We arrived and met up with my mom, Jack, my sister and my friend (both Jens) right away. We also found The Boyfriend's dad and step mom very quickly. I tried to forget about not feeling well and enjoy the sight of 600 people dressed in Santa Suits getting ready for a run!

I ran the first mile then had to walk. I'm pretty sure I had a fever and it was about 60 degrees out, much warmer than normal for December 16th in Ohio! The Santa suits were light, but they were still pretty warm.

We were with the Jens for a while then they took off running. The  Boyfriend and I just stayed together enjoying the dogs dressed up and all the sights. Buddy the Elf was even at one of the turns cheering everyone on.

Little did I know, quite a few more family members had been hiding out close to the finish line.

As we were headed down the final stretch to the finish (we had started running again, you can't cross the finish walking!) I started seeing more and more family. I remember looking at The Boyfriend and saying "my dad is here too?!"

Unfortunately I missed a lot of the signs. I think I saw "Congrats Bethany and Kevin" and I know I saw "Welcome to the Family".

After we crossed the finish line we moved off to the side a bit. The nieces and nephews delivered a Santa bag to The Boyfriend and he tells me he has something for me. Inside the bag was a another poster that said "Will you marry me" and the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.

After saying a few very sweet words...

He got down on one knee.

Of course I said yes!

And then I realized how many friends and family really were there! It was so nice to start the celebration with family and friends right away! I felt like every direction I looked I saw more friends and family (and a lot of strangers had gathered around too!).

I love that this picture makes it look like we got engaged at Bravo

This isn't everyone that was there, but close!

What an amazing day! 

I am so glad we were able to have our families there to share in the joy with us!

Running Advent: Epic Fail

Running Advent Miles: 111 miles, 16 days (or 15.5 really)

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas! We enjoyed lots of time with our families. I feel extra blessed this holiday season, it has been quite a year!

Running Advent Update:

I made it until December 16th.

I am really bummed that I came so far yet fell short. I was SO sick though, I could barely even get out of bed to go to the restroom. So, it is what it is.

My view from bed, all the things a sick person needs.

I still ran for more consecutive days than I ever have before.

And 111 miles over 16 days isn't too shabby either.

I was still allowed to participate in the reindeer games celebrating the end of Running Advent. Good thing, because it was an absolute BLAST!

We played turkey bowling, complete with a vegetarian division using a Tofurkey; Family Feud; and American Gladiators. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt! Some of the games were a little scary intense.

We even had a special champagne toast for our engagement!

Coming up soon: our engagement story, I promise!

Please Excuse My Absence

I am SICK.

Like, I really haven't felt this awful in ages sick. 

But besides being sick, something else has been going on!

That's right, we're engaged!

I'll tell the story once I'm feeling better, but yes, there is a reason we are in Santa suits!

Coming Down The Hill

Wednesday p.m. workout: 7 mile run 0% incline
Thursday a.m. workout: 5 mile run 0% incline

I'm not going to lie. 

I AM TIRED.

I am also proud of myself for sticking to it and making it over the halfway mark!

Last night's 7 miles may be the farthest I have EVER run on a treadmill. Man, it was boring! I do feel extremely well informed from all of the news watching I have been doing on the treadmill lately.

The Boyfriend and I decided to reward ourselves with ice cream last night. He is still rocking Running Advent as well (half mile added each day version). I am super impressed with him! 

And so happy that he likes to use ice cream as a reward too!

And yes, that is an ice cream koozie on my pint. Awesome birthday gift from my sister!

People always think that running down hill is so much easier than up hill. I find the opposite to be true. Running down hill my quads get really tired and the pounding really takes a toll.

I kept thinking once I got past Wednesday Running Advent would become so much easier, but that has not come true yet. Today was the hardest day to run so far. My legs felt like lead. They are tired and a bit sore.

So, instead of focusing on that, I am focusing on why I cannot wait for this weekend!

1. Runs in the single digits! Woohoo!!!!

2. Sleeping in! Even if I go to running club I don't have to get up at 4:45. 6:30 a.m sounds amazing to me right now.

3. A super fun "race" on Sunday!

4. Holiday parties!

5. Hanging out with some friends!

6 more miles to go today. Tomorrow is my last double digit run!

12 on 12/12/12

Tuesday p.m. workout: 6 mile run 0% incline 
Wednesday a.m. workout: 5 mile run 0% incline

Today marks that halfway point of Running Advent!

Work decided for me that I would not make it to my running club last night, which was very sad. Work always gets in the way of the fun stuff! 

So I had a lovely little snack, then hit the treadmill.

I've decided that I have run on the treadmill at the gym too much lately, it is very hard to find new magazines I want to read look at while on the dreadmill.

So last night I had to go with this:

When your boss gets lost on the way to work and you give her directions, you are greatly rewarded:

That is my bit of randomness on 12/12/12.
Off to finish my 12 miles!