Final Run of 2013!

The end of 2013 is quickly approaching and the Jingle Bell Run out at UWGB is the official close of my 2013 running year!

This ended up being the coldest Jingle Bell Run in history as the temperatures loomed in the single digits when I woke up in the morning and didn't warm up much before race time!  We originally had a total of 12 signed up as part of Team Bumble Chasers, but in the end we had a smaller group that actually braved the cold, bundled up and got our jingle on!

This was the first time that I was actually running the trails out at UWGB so I was excited to see what the trails had to offer.  4 years ago, Darrin and I did sign up to run the Jingle Bell run, but it was so cold that morning, we actually got up, drove to UWGB, picked up out t-shirts and drove home!  That was the one, and only, time that I signed up for a run and then didn't do it. Sad thing... it was colder this year for the run than the year Darrin and I skipped out at the last minute!

 It was not until just moments before the official start time that everyone left the warm gym to head out to the start line - no one wanted to spend any more time in the cold than they had to!This was true cold weather running at it's finest.  This was going to be a true test to see what changes that I need to make in my cold weather running gear.  Training for the Cellcom Marathon starts in January and I know that there will be some cold mornings!  My current gear does offer some warmth, but I know there is room for improvement!

Cold was definitely but biggest obstacle today.  The first stretch of the course was in the open fields near the Kress Center before we actually hit the trails through the woods.  The light snow that had recently fallen gave the areas around the trail almost a magical look. Everything was so peaceful and serene.  By the time I hit mile two, the cold was getting to my feet.  My beloved Sauconey's were not the warmest shoes with their mesh top.  Also playing into the cold toes is the fact that I am not able to wear multiple layers on my feet because my current shoes are actually about a half size too small. Note to self - be sure to get feet measured again before buying next pair of shoes!

Regardless of how cold I felt, I pushed on.  It was a decided factor that the last mile of the course was the toughest.  It brought us back out into the field and around the baseball diamond near the Kress, with the sharp freezing wind hitting me right in the face.  But all I could think about was the end that was just around a few more corners. Since this was not a times event, all I have to go on is my unofficial time of 31:24.  Considering the conditions this brisk morning, I cannot complain on bit!

I headed straight inside to warm up and wait for the rest of the crew that was out there walking.  John and Elizabeth were not too for behind and John actually was the first official male walker to finish the course!  WTG John!!!  Very proud of you!

Once everyone made it back and warmed up sufficiently,we took some more fun pictures and got some warm soup in our stomachs,  it was time to head for home to warm up by the fire. The remained of the afternoon was spent at our house laughing with my aunts and uncles that were in town for the day, creating more lasting memories that will never be replaced!

What did I learn today from my freezing cold run?  I need better shoes that will make these cold weather runs a little more bearable, a mask or scarf to cover my face and better mittens/gloves and something to cover my neck better.  My jacket and pants seemed to keep me warm enough, it was just my hands and feet that felt the true affects of the cold.  A few adjustment and I will be ready to tackle the cold weather training runs that will be here before I know it!

Titletown Race Series final results are in!

This summer Titletown Wellness sponsored the 1st annual Titletown race series.  This series was designed to get the community moving as well as introducing people to different events that they normally may not have been aware of.  This race series was complete with incentives and prizes for top finishers.  Titletown Wellness is a partner with Bellin Heath and the Green Bay packers to improve heath and wellness in the region.  This year they decided to create a race challenge as part of their initiative.

There were a total of 6 races that were included with the series and when it was first announced, I was already planning on doing 3 of them, so it was not a touch decision to add a few more.  I was actually able to sign up for all but one of the included events - the date of one of them was during the same weekend that Darrin and I were spending in Munising for out annual trip.  But 5 out of the 6 was good enough for me!

Today the final results were posted and I ended up finishing 3rd in my age group, but technically overall, I ended up in 2nd because the Top Female finisher over all was also in my age group and she was not eligible for age group prizes as well.  I'll take it the recognition!  If I would have been able to do the all 6 of the races, there is a good chance that I would have been able to place higher

This race series got me out to a few more events that I had either never done before or probably would have never even known about!  Of course everyone in the area knows about the Bellin Run, which drew in 20,000 participants this year, but what about the City Stadium Run?  The Baird Creek Trail Run was a 1st annual event and we have already decided that we will do it again next year!

Overall, I am glad that I participated in this race series and look forward to seeing what they do for next year...  another race series?  I can only hope so!!

Turkey Trot 2013 is in the books!

...and it was cold!

The Turkey Trot is always one of those events that you never know what kind weather you are going to have to deal with.  You could have cold and rain or snow, if you a lucky it's just cooler with a breeze or on that rare occasion, you have seasonably warm temperatures.  Matt and I were off to run the 5 mile course, while John and Molly were meeting up with a friend of Molly's and her family to walk to 2 mile course.

This year was not one that we would call ourselves lucky... unless you count the fact that it was not snowing when we were running!  The first mile was a little slick and slower than I hoped as we spent the time running around people and running on snow covered streets.  Once we got a mile or so in and we were able to get past most of the slower moving crowds it was a little easier to keep that pace that I wanted.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize until we past the 2 mile marker that I accidentally started the free version of my Runtastic app, instead of the pro version.  Oops.  The free version only gives you mile updates up to 2 miles and that is it.  Although it was still tracking my route, pace and distance, it was not actually giving me updates along the way.  I was on my own to keep up my pace.  I was not going to get any additional updates for this race.  I was on my own!

Overall, even though it was a very cold morning, the cold was not a factor after the first few miles.  Granted, I never felt like actually stripping off a layer, but I definitely was not cold anymore!  Before we knew it, we were rounding the corner with the finish line in sight!  I was still feeling great (and yes I could still see my breath while I was running) and picked up the pace for last quarter mile.

In the end, I finished in 49:31 - under my 50 minute goal!

We caught up with the rest of the crew, collected our pumpkin pies and headed to find warmth!  Thanks Festival Foods and all the other sponsors for this awesome family event!  After enjoying the brisk cold morning, it was off to spend the rest of the day relaxing at home with a warm fire, fabulous food, great friends, board games and football!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I have officially committed myself...

Yesterday was the first day of my new fitness adventures at Fitness Renegades, but we will get to more on that in a different post.

Today was the big day.... Registration for the 15th annual Cellcom Green Bay Marathon events opened at 10am.  Last year was the first year that I missed this event in 5 years.  This was the first 5k that I ever did and was one that I always looked forward to each year.  After 3 years of running the 5k, I took the challenge and registered for the Half Marathon.  Deb and I completed the course despite some nasty cold winds.  Due to an injury, I only registered for the 5k in 2012 and was glad that I did, as 2012 was the year of the extreme heat that closed the course early.

Last year we were in Michigan for a wedding, so I had to miss all the events.  I spent the morning, as we were traveling back to Green Bay, getting race updates via text on Matt's progress on his first ever half marathon.  It was during this time that I realized that I really wished that I was out there running with him.  Even though I had just completed the Journey's Half Marathon the weekend before, I wanted to be out there. I wanted to be running.  The realization hit me...  I had somehow, over the last few months truly become a runner.  Which of course, if you have been following my blog over the last 6 months, started a running craze that has covered 3 states now!

After completing 3 half marathons, a few 10K and 5 miles races and countless 5k's, I starting thinking what was next. Where was my next challenge?  Yes, I wanted to continue to improve my 5K and half marathon times, but was there more?  The idea of running a full marathon was a thought that occasionally crossed my mind. I had several friends that started asking me when I was going to run a full marathon.  Could I really handle the distance?  What about all the training time?  Is is more than I can handle? After many long conversations with myself and encouragement from some great friends (and my extremely supportive husband) I decided that I knew what I wanted to do...

and to day I made it official.  I committed myself to my biggest challenge yet...

Shortly after registration opened this morning, I registered for my first FULL MARATHON!  Call me crazy, call my insane, but I am ready for this challenge and know that I have a amazing support team behind me. I decided that if I was going to do a full marathon, the Cellcom marathon was the place to start.  I could train (practically) in my backyard on the course, the amazing company that I work for is the key sponsor and I love running the streets of Green Bay.  Training starts in January and the adventure will begin!

Running Chicago!

This weekend was partially filled with a whirlwind tour of Chicago.  I left from Green Bay before lunch, drove to Kenosha and hopped on the train.  We love taking the train into Chicago for so many reasons, but mainly because I have no desire to actually drive in downtown Chicago, plus I don't want to pay $50/day for parking!  The ride in on the train was the perfect way to relax after a crazy week at work, giving me a chance to catch up on some reading and mentally prepare for the race on Saturday.  The one thing that is nice about getting on the train in Kenosha is that is the "end of the line" - you have your pick of seats for the 2 hour ride ahead of you, which means I was able to get a seat up top to enjoy the views as we approached the city.  I also didn't have to worry about everyone walking back and forth as we approached each station along the way.

This was my first solo adventure into the city.  Elizabeth and her family were meeting my in Chicago later, as they both had to work later into the afternoon.  Just as I got off the train, she sent me a text that they were on the road but it was still going to be at least 2-3 hours before they would make it to out hotel.  I was not about to waste any of my time in this amazing city so I was off on my own adventures!

Next stop... Willis Tower!  On the previous trips that we made to Chicago, we never had the chance to check out the observation deck here, and now I had the opportunity to discover the sights of Chicago from 103 stories about the street!  The sun was just setting as I arrived at the entrance to the building and by the time I made my way through security and to the elevators, the lights of the city were lighting the horizon as far as the eye could see.

Looking through the floor on  "The Edge"

As I was making my way back down from the observation deck, I got a text from Matt's brother Mitch (who lives just west of the city) since he saw that I made it into town.  The next thing I knew, he was hopping a train and heading into the city to meet me for dinner and a few beers.  It was exciting to finally get to meet Matt's brother, so I headed back towards Union Station to wait for him.  Then we were off to find a few beverages and some food!  We were laughing and having a great time and the next thing I knew, it was 9pm... 5:15am was going to come very early so it was time to head to the hotel and get some sleep!  Elizabeth and her family had just returned to the hotel from their evening adventures around the city so it was time to wind down from a busy but fun day... with a nice long walk to get back to the hotel! Thanks Mitch for joining me for the evening and making sure I didn't get lost!

Apparently when Elizabeth and I travel together for races, we have this crazy habit of actually begin awake BEFORE the alarm goes off, no matter what time it is set for!  This time was no exception.  The alarm was set for 5:15 and we were both awake before that.  Granted we were still in bed when it actually went off, but we were awake.  After getting ready to go and grabbing everything that we needed, we were out the door of the hotel by 5:45am for the 1.2 mile walk to Navy Pier.  No better way to warm up for a 6.2 mile run, than a 1.2 mile walk (and yes it was a bit chilly!).

Once again it was a perfect morning for a run!  I honestly would rather run when in chilly weather instead of heat, so these fall runs are some of my favorites.  I knew that we were going to be dealing with some winds, so the long pants were a must for today's run, since we were going to be along the lake the entire route.  So glad that I did too!  There were a few times that I thought to myself that I could have just worn the capri's but just as quickly, the winds started up again and I was glad for the full coverage on my legs.

The course was beautiful, running through and around Grant Park, past Shedd Aquarium, Buckingham Fountain and more.  I was able to keep a fairly consistent pace and the weather was actually very favorable.  It was very refreshing running in another new city, taking in the sights and sounds of what Chicago's lakefront had to offer.  I have found that any time I run in a new city for the first time, spending time taking in the sights is just enough of a distraction that I don't necessarily focus on the actual distance that I have run.  Before I knew it, I was coming back out out Grant Park and heading past Shedd's, halfway through the course and was heading back towards Navy Pier!

The crowds at Navy Pier were awesome!  It was really refreshing to see all the spectators out cheering for everyone despite the cold weather.

I ended up finishing in 1:03:49, just a few minutes short of my 1 hour goal, but I have zero complaints! The weather was great, I felt amazing and I set a new 10k PR!  Once Elizabth finished (faster than her anticipated time, I might add!!) we started on our hike back to the hotel for our next mission - BREAKFAST!

Elizabeth and I - post race

After attacking the free breakfast at the hotel (Thank you Holiday Inn Express for breakfast and providing must needed nourishment after our crazy 9 mile morning!) it was time for me to check out and head back to reality.  I opted to walk back to the train station to enjoy just a bit more of the city before I had to head home.  Over all it was a very successful weekend!  I made it too and from Chicago by myself, got to visit some of the landmarks of Chicago, didn't get lost, spent some amazing time with new and old friends and ran a personal best in a new city!  Part of me is contemplating coming back in January for the Polar Dash...

but running in Chicago in January?  Yes I probably would be crazy enough.  I guess we will have to see...

The Edge - atop the Willis Tower

Where did the last year go?

This morning was bittersweet...

At 5am this morning, I was at the gym for my weekly training session with BJ.  This marked exactly 1 year since the first time I worked out with him!  Yup, I started my personal training adventure with him on Halloween last year... it also marks the last training session that I will have with him.  :(  I will be forever grateful to him for everything that I have learned from him in the last year, and where I am  as a person today!  I still remember that first workout - I couldn't even make it through the entire workout... between feeling like I was going to pass out and almost puke, we had to cut that workout short.  I couldn't run a 5k without having to walk at least half of it.

Today we pushed through rounds of push-ups, core exercises that I couldn't even do last year and a battle rope workout!  In the last year, I have lost 18 pounds and almost 17 inches, but more importantly I have also lost just over 12% body fat!  I have also improved my 5k time by nearly 10 minutes between March and November, plus have finished 3 Half Marathons (improving my time by over 10 minutes from the first one in May).  I know that I could not have done it without BJ pushing me to do things that I never thought possible.  The last year has helped me to see that there is so much out there that I want to do and that even though the road will be tough, I can do it!  I will guarantee that I will keep in touch with BJ going forward as my health and fitness adventures continue.  I know that I will always have him. as well as my awesome family and friends to continue to push me to the next level!

You are probably asking what's next for me, because by now, you all know that I can't just still.  You are right... and I won't be sitting still.  I start my new fitness adventure on November 11th at Fitness Renegades.  Fitness Renegades is a new gym that opened in Green Bay last May.  It is all small class training sessions (no more than 12 per class, as some as small as 2!) that combines High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Olympic Style Weightlifting, Gymnastic movements and quick cardio.  It's not going to be easy!  I have been at the gym already and saw part of a few workouts - I will be honest, the workouts scare me to death!  I felt like I was going to die just WATCHING!  But in reality, I know that it is going to be fun, as well as the push that I need to take it to the next level!

Today is also the final day of the Biggest Loser at work.  Although I did not do as well this round as I did in the last one, I am proud to say that I pretty much maintained my weight over the last 3 months.  With summer coming to the end, my running as tapered off, and I had to get used to eating differently to make up for the reduced miles that I was running.  That also means that today is also the start of the next BL round at work!  With my new adventures beginning a few weeks at Fitness Renegades, I am determined to make this round another good one and get the scale moving again!

Here's to the start of new things to come!!  Look out 2014!  This year's adventures are almost finished and I am already looking forward to the next adventures to come!!!

Half Marathon #3 for 2013!

Another amazing weekend has come and gone far too quickly.  The awesome times always seem to fly by, but that just makes room for more memories to be created.  The Brewers Half Marathon was one of those memories that will stay with my for years to come.  I was happy to be able to spend it with some great friends.

Elizabeth and I headed south after a half day of work on Friday to meet up with Matt and Molly for some shopping, dinner and relaxing.  The four of us spent the afternoon walking through Miller Park, picking up our race packets (and Matt had to grab a "few" extra magnetic Brewers 2104 schedules - Molly I don't think you will be able to find your refrigerator once he puts them all up!), shopping at Whole Foods and then dinner and fun at Dave & Busters.  After a marathon game on Uno, it was time to get some sleep and get ready for Saturday morning.

Elizabeth and I, at Miller Park by 6am!

Not sure how we managed it, but Elizabeth and I were up BEFORE our alarms went off at 0'dark-thirty!  We were dressed and out the door early and AT Miller Park by 6am!  Even though we knew that we were not going to be running together for this race, it was exciting to know that we were there for each other.  We each had our target finish time and were determined to do our best.

When we arrived at Miller Park, it was the perfect morning for a run through the streets of Milwaukee!  Although the crowds were thin when we first arrived, but before long we were in the midst of all the excitement of this event and the fact that we were back in Miller Park again!  We were about to run through this awesome stadium for the second time this summer!  Combine that we a morning of perfect running weather, what more could we ask for?

Just as the sun was starting to come up, we made out way over to where MyTeam Triumph was getting ready for today's race.  They had several captains and even more angels ready to hit the streets of Milwaukee to make more dreams come true.  It is always a great sight to see all of the excitement on the faces of everyone involved with this amazing organization.  Oh the places they will continue to go!  I am looking forward to next year when I can do more with mTT and run with these inspiring individuals.

Before long it was time to head towards the start line.  Matt and Molly were at the park and Matt was making his way over to the start line too.  Although he was only running the 10k this morning, we had previously decided that we were going to run the first mile together, up to the 10K/Half Marathon split.  It is hard to believe that our summer of running together is coming to a close!  We only have a few more races that we will be running together in 2013.  I am proud of all of the things we accomplished this summer.  We set and surpassed personal goals, never gave up (even tho the thought crossed our minds from time to time) and had fun while we ran hundreds of miles together.  We have pushed each other to achieve things we never thought possible and I look forward to more miles that we will run together in the future!  Thanks Matt keeping me moving this summer!

 Finally it was time to start this adventure through the streets of Milwaukee.  I would spend the next 2+ hours running past many of the area landmarks, including the Harley Museum, The Mitchell Park Domes, Miller Brewing Company, over several of the amazing bridges and of course running around and THROUGH Miller Park.  After the cool morning, the sun came out and the temperatures seemed to settle at a very comfortable point. the first half of the course was behind me before I knew it!  I was feeling great and was on pace to finish well within my 2:30:00 goal.

It was about the half way point that I could really tell that the temperatures had continued to slowly climb and it was getting a bit warmer.  I was thankful that I had my hydration belt with me!  Between that and the well placed water stations, I was able to make it through the back half of the course. Around mile 9, I passed the second of the mTT teams along the course.  Seeing this crew of Angels with their Captain and their amazing smiles on their faces and encouragement they were providing to others on the course gave me the push that I needed to keep moving forward.

I know that I slowed my pace on the second have of the course, but I was determined to give this course my best - even through the nasty hills at mile 10.5 tried to get the best of me!  No matter what Milwaukee was going to throw at me, I was going to make it to the end!

The last mile of the course is what everyone was looking forward to - around and through Milwaukee Park!  It is always a huge boost when you have thousands of people cheering as you make your way through any course, but with you are on that warning track around the stadium it is that much more motivating!  This last mile was my fasted mile for this race - and I have the cheering crowd to thank.  No matter how tired and sore you might feel, the excitement and cheering just gets you moving again!

Once outside the stadium, a few more turns and the finish line was in front of me!  I made it!  Official time = 2:29:10!  So, even though I slowed on the back half of the course, I still was able to hit my target time and I was still smiling at the end!

Next stop - a few free beers while I wait for Elizabeth to finish!  I didn't have all that long to wait - by the time I got through the line at the beer trailer and made a loop through the finish line festivities, she was done - and ahead of her target finish time also!  Another successful day, running in the awesome Wisconsin Summer sun!

Until next year Milwaukee!

Fox Cities Marathon relay

After a colorful fun run yesterday, it was time to get back to some serious running... as serious as running a relay with 4 other friends, driving all over the Fox Cities together, sharing laughs and creating lasting memories can be!

Team Cellcom gathered in Appleton to tackle the Fox Cities Marathon Relay.  We knew it was going to be and adventure and we were ready for some fun!  Patti and I met at Matt and Molly's to ride down with them bright and early.  Technically, I think Patti was still asleep with we climbed into the truck and Molly took a nap on the way there!  When we made it to the start line to find Gina to deliver her bib number and our timing chip, it was definitely a chilly morning.  However, the cooler temperatures were going to make for awesome running weather!  Once we knew Gina was on her way, we were off on our adventures, driving all through the Fox Cites!  Next stop - Sean's house to pick him up and deliver him to the 1st exchange point.

While we were waiting at the 1st relay exchange point, it became clear that we had some creative team names out on the course today! "Better Late than Never", "Girls gone running", "booze cruisin'", "are we there yet" and "I just pulled a hammy" were just a few of the fun team names that we heard on the course.   Granted we were proud of our team name, as 4 out of 5 team members work at Cellcom and they sponsored us to run this event through some of the amazing programs they have, to help give back to the community!  Next time, who knows what the team name will be!

Throughout the morning, we were glad to have Sean with us to navigate the area!  Having to get people to 4 different relay exchange points throughout Appleton, Kaukauna, Kimberley, Neenah and Menasha was no easy task!  Thankfully Sean knew the area well enough that he was able to get us effortlessly from one point to the other with plenty of time to spare!  We even had time to make a breakfast stop at McDonald's for those that already ran (Gina) and those that were along as co-pilot (Molly) while Sean was running his leg!

By the time we got to mile marker 15 so that I could wait for Patti, I was ready to run!  The sun was out and it had warmed up just enough to take the chill out of the air.  I was determined to make it the best 5 miles I have run yet this summer.  Before long, Team Cellcom was announced so we knew that Patti was within a few blocks of the exchange point.  Once Patti cruised into the exchange zone and we moved our timing chip from her to me, I was on my way.  One of the coolest things about this race course is the fan support along the entire route.  It really is a huge motivator having people at every street corner, hanging out in their yards etc ready to give you an encouraging word.  I got out there and felt great, enjoying the day for everything it had to offer.  The sun was shining, the weather was favorable and we were running a marathon!  After the first mile, the little bird in my ear told me that I was running a 9:26 pace, I knew I had this one.  My goal was a 10 minute mile pace and I was on target to hit that. Over the next 4 miles, I did slow a touch, but in the end, I ended up running my 5 mile leg in just under 49 minutes!  My best 5 mile run to date!  It felt great to hit that goal, but I was really glad to see Matt at mile 20 to take over running!

Our next stop?  Mile marker 25... which just happens to be literally right around the corner from the finish line, since the the route loops around the park before it ends in the center of the park.  Molly found a parking spot a few blocks from the target mile marker.  The four of us camped out to wait for Matt so that we could all run the last mile together.  While we were waiting for Matt, I saw a familiar face... it was Ryan Sawlsville,  who was featured on Extreme Makeover, Weight loss Edition.  He was out running his second Fox Cities Marathon.  What an inspiration!  Seeing him out there running, giving it everything that he had, made my 5 mile run seem like peanuts compared to what he was doing.  Would I ever get to the point I being able to actually finish a full marathon?  The thought has been in the back of my mind for a few weeks now, so I guess we will have to see what the future brings.

Before we knew it, Matt was approaching mile marker 25 and we were off and running again.  Gina and I fell into step with Matt, while Sean a Patti were not far behind. The end of our adventure was just around the corner!  Crossing that finish line as part of Team Cellcom was a great feeling of accomplishment - we rocked that marathon!  Official chip time = 4:44:34

To my fellow teammates for the Fox Cities Marathon, thank you for letting me be part of the team, we all had amazing runs and set personal bests for our legs! I am proud of each of us and had an awesome time hanging out with everyone as we cheered each other one, pushing each other to do our best.   I never though I could pull off a 5 mile run in under 50 minutes!  Thank you for helping me reach that goal!

We came, we ran, we conquered!

Team Cellcom - still smiling after all that running!

From a rainbow of color to running part of a marathon relay... what a weekend!

This is the first of 2 posts from this insanely busy but completely amazing weekend!  From Run or Dye in Green Bay to the Fox Cities Marathon, there was not much time for rest and relaxation, but I would not have traded it for much of anything!  It was another weekend filled with friends, family, laughs, challenges and accomplishments!

Part of our group before the run

Saturday morning was the long awaited Run or Dye color run in Green Bay - at Lambeau Field.  We had a group of 12 that met up at the stadium for 3 miles of color and fun, including my mom and aunt who were participating in their first 5k and then my cousin and his family who drove down from Michigan to join us!

You may recall that this is the second colorful run that we did this summer.  The first was the Color Run in Madison, back in June.  We were curious to see how Run or Dye was going to compare to Color Run... how different were they going to be or was it just the same thing, different name?  We were going to find out today!

First time we have seen Jennie if over 10 years!

John picked up our packets during the day on Friday to save us time on Saturday morning and we got a good laugh when he walked in the door with and armload of 8 t-shirts and Run or Dye Goodie Bags!  Darrin and I spent some time sorting through t-shrts, bib numbers and bags to get everyone's stuff sorted and ready for the morning.

We were curious to see how they were going to do this event at and around Lambeau Field, with all of the residential areas.  How were they going to see up the run so that they didn't cover people's houses etc with paint?  Everything started and ended at Lambeau Field and actually went through much of the industrial areas around the stadium and some of the residential streets.  All of the color stations, except for one, were actually in the industrial area so everyone's houses, cars etc were safe!

The day actually could not have been better!!  The weather was perfect (as long as you were not standing in the shade before the event started), we were hanging with friends and family and we were getting covered in paint!  what more could we ask for??  Proud of my mom and aunt for finishing their first ever 5k - and they already said they want to come back to do this one again!

After this morning, and half the crew heading to my house, I don't think my shower will ever be the same again...

I'm surprised our teeth aren't colored too!

Jumping TOGETHER was not in the cards today!

Not your traditional 5k, but it was their 1st one!

Jennie's got the jump thing figured out!

Remember the scale is just a number...

After another crazy few weeks of running and adventures, achieving new PR's for my 5k and half marathons and just having some great weekends with my friends and family, summer is quickly coming to a close.  I can guarantee that the adventures will not end there!  I have more adventures to come this fall and I am already looking to 2014 and some events that I want to check out, challenges that I walk to tackle or adventures that I want to take.

I also realized that I have not posted anything about my ongoing mission to get back to a healthy weight.  You may recall my post from the end of July regarding the Biggest Loser competition at work.  Right after that round ended, we started the next round! After my success in the last round, I had dreams of continuing on that momentum.  Unfortunately, my body had different ideas.  Overall, in the last 6 weeks in this round, I have maintained a pretty consistent weight.  It gets frustrating seeing the pretty much the same number on the scale week after week.  

I decided this week that I am not going to worry about what the scale says.  No, I am not giving up on getting to my goal weight.  I am going to refocus on what I need to do and keep on this long and winding road.  I have been very pleased with my runs in the last few weeks and can honestly say that I have been feeling great after each run/race.  I also have found jeans in my closet that I have not been able to fit into in over 3 years. The scale just hasn't moved. Over the last year, I have come to realize that my weight loss and any inches lost never happen at the same time.  When I first started working out with my trainer, I was frustrated because the scale was hardly budging - for the first 2+ months!  However, each time we did measurements, they inches were disappearing. Then things would turn around, and the the scale would start to move... but the inches would slow to a crawl.   Since August, when I had to change to morning training session, we have been more focused on getting going and working through each weeks workout - at 5:30am!!! These workout have also been more focused on preparing me for the endless weekends of races that I have been challenging myself with.  We have not had the opportunity to take any measurements. 

This morning, was finally measurement check time!  We didn't realize until the morning that the last time we did measurements was July 9th.  I was curious to see how things went!  First was the scale... down about .4 from last week.  Just what I figured. I know that I have been watching what I have been eating, but I have also not been as focused on this as I have been in the past.  I know that I can work on this, and probably should get refocused on my meal planning, food choices and a consistent workout schedule. Now for the real results!  In the last 6 weeks, I am down a total of another 7 inches!  Guess that explains why my jeans are fitting better (or not fitting anymore in the case of a few pairs of shorts!).  I will take it, enjoy it and use this as continued motivation to keep moving forward.

We all need to remember that each of us is different.  Different in they way we lose weight, work through challenges, and even the way that we use the tools that we have to work towards our goals.  The key is to learn what works for you, how your body reacts to what you do and how you are going to move yourself forward toward your ultimate goals!  Just remember, don't give up on what you want - with hard work and perseverance, you can achieve whatever you want!   

New experiences to put things into a different perspective

Every once in a while we need to experience something different, something new, to put things into perspective and help us to understand why we do what we do. Or make you think about what else you could be doing...

On Wednesday night I had my first opportunity to join myTeam Triumph for one of their training runs.  I have a few friends that are involved with this amazing group and have always been impressed with everything that they do.  I have seen them in action at many of the events that I have done over the last year, and have been amazed at what they do for those athletes.

For those of you that are not familiar with myTeam Triumph, their mission is to enrich the lives of those with disabilities with the opportunity to experience the triumphs that you and I may take for granted.  Through the use of specialize racing equipment, these Angels guide Captains through road races (running and/or biking) or triathlons, crossing the finish line together... creating life long memories and lasting friendships.  Running (or walking) a 5K may not seem like a big deal for you, but when you have a disability that prohibits you from even attempting that, being able to actually cross that finish line, this opportunity creates new opportunities for everyone.

When I arrived for the training run, they were busy getting chariots ready for the Captains that would be joining us tonight.  Since this was the first training run that I had been to, I had no idea what to expect, so I just stood back and watched everyone in action.  As Captains arrived, it was plain to see that even these training runs are a big deal for everyone.  From veteran Captains to rookie Captains, each and every Angel that was there made sure everyone felt welcome and shared in the enthusiasm of the Captains.  The excitement on the faces of each and every one of the Captains makes it easy to see why this is such a rewarding experience for them, as well as each of these selfless Angels.

Tonight's run was a nice 5 mile route and it was plain to see the amazing bond that the Angels and Captains have.  It was a very rewarding evening, spent with some very inspirational people.  I can't wait to get back out and run with this fine group on individuals again!  Next year I need to get more involved with mTT!!

Thank you for all that have served! City Stadium Run for Veterans 2013

This morning was the second annual City Stadium Run for Veterans here in Green Bay.  This year all proceeds for the event go to support the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and all that it does for these true American heroes.  From the City Stadium Run website:   

" The USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program mission is to organize and administer an ice hockey program that provides a recreational, therapeutic, and educational experience for those wounded in the defense of the United States. This team represents some of our nation's bravest and most determined heroes, soldiers, and veterans. These young men have suffered severe injuries, including amputations, while serving in the military. Through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes again with some veterans even sporting prosthetic legs and arms. The USA Warrior Ice Hockey has two teams: a sled team and a standing team. The sled team is comprised of warrior athletes who lost the ability to use their legs. The standing team consists of warrior athletes who have gain their ability to skate again even if it requires a prosthetic leg. Proceeds for this year’s run will help support in the purchasing of hockey equipment for these worthy athletes that we call our veteran heroes"

I felt honored to be part of this day for such a humbling cause.  Before the run we were talking with on of the players on the Warriors Hockey team. Mike Cain received the Purple Heart after losing his leg from a roadside bomb, he was determined not to feel sorry for himself.  He got back up and keeps moving forward. You can truly see that he does not let his disability get him down and he is living his life to its fullest potential.  I am going to have to make a point to check out one of their games this year!  Knowing what these athletes have gone through to get to where they are now really puts things into perspective!  I have had many days where I was not pleased with my run or left the gym disappointed with my workout.  But what if I didn't have that opportunity to walk into that gym?  or lace up my running shoes and just go? 

Darrin's last dash to the finish

Aside from running to support these amazing athletes, I also was running today with my family.  Darrin and John both decided to come out and join the 650+ other runners and walkers that were hitting the streets around City Stadium this morning.   Granted we were not running together but just knowing that we were all out there was a lot of fun.  A light rain fell about an hour before the run started and that helped to coll everything down a little, but by the time race time arrived, the humidity started to come back.  It was in the low 70's but starting to get really sticky outside. I was not going to let this bother me.  I was ready to hit the road.  I felt great through the entire race and could really feel that it was going to be a good day.  Just as I was approaching the back side of City Stadium I was starting to feel it and was ready to be done.  I was averaging  about 9:30 minute miles but the humidity was starting to take it's toll.  I ended up falling into step with another runner and I ended up running the last stretch of the race with him.  I was using him to keep my pace.  He didn't realize it, but I was using him to push me to the finish (I would find out later when I was talking with him after the race that he was doing the same with me!). 

waiting at the finish line for my boys!

Just before I was entering the stadium, my phone told me that I hit 3 miles at less than 29 minutes!  I was going to do it!!  For the first time EVER I was going to finish a 5K with an official time of under 30 minutes!   I crossed the finish line feeling great, with the entire St Norbert College Men's Hockey Team right on my heels.  I wasn't about to let them catch me!  When I crossed the finish line, my app told me that I was at 0:29:44 - but I was going to have to wait for the official time.  I grabbed a water and headed back down to the field to wait for my boys to finish!  Darrin finished with a time of 44:11 and John finished just 3 minutes behind him!  YAY!!  Once they finished we caught up with some other friends that were also there for the event, grabbed some snacks and check our official times.  0:29:11!!  FINALLY!  for the first time, I actually finished a 5K in UNDER 30 minutes!  In fact, it was close to under 29!  Guess I know what my next goal is!One of the coolest things that they did this morning tho was the skydivers that were landing on the field at City Stadium after the race was finished!  They timed the landing to be after everyone was finished with their run/walk so no one missed the excitement.  3 ski divers decorated the sky, one carrying a POW/MIA, one carrying an American flag and the other bright streamers.  Watching these sky divers make their way to the ground while Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA played over the loudspeakers in the stadium was the best way to bring this morning to an end.Thank you to everyone that worked hard to make today's even a huge success but more importantly, thank you to all that served  and sacrificed to give us all of the freedoms that we have today. 

The Green Bay Gambles Hockey team was on hand to catch the flag when it landed

x

Cheesehead Half Marathon and camping - the perfect weekend

After weeks of training and anticipation, the weekend of the next Half Marathon was finally here!  We made a weekend adventure out of it.

On Friday, we all took off from work early, packed up the cars and headed to Matt and Molly's camper!   After getting everything hauled into the camper and unpacked, we headed to Chilton to grab a few things from Walmart and the local Farmers Market with Molly.  We also were waiting for Matt to get to the campground since he had to work later than the rest of us, so why not get some errand done.

John's Jolly Yellow Banana, as Matt and I relax by the fire

For those of you that might have seen John's Facebook post last week about the "What is your color run name", you will appreciate this!  After Molly heard what John's Color Run name was (Jolly Yellow Banana), she had to have fun with it!  When we were at Walmart Molly had to pick up the special gift just for John, which she then properly labeled before giving it to him!

After grilling some awesome steak and potatoes, we spent Friday evening relaxing around the campfire, having a few beers and watching the Packers Pre-season game.  It was the perfect relaxing evening to get ready for our big run tomorrow.  It was really comforting knowing that we only had a 15 minute drive to get to the starting line for run tomorrow!  Since Molly and John were volunteering with registration and the 5k on Saturday, they had to be there for 6am!  The Half Marathon didn't start until 7:30 so Matt and I didn't have to be there quite that early... extra sleep would be a fabulous option!  It's didn't take us long to decide that we were taking 2 cars to the run!

After a goodnights sleep, Molly and John headed out around 5:30am to be in Hilbert before 6am, while Matt and I got at least a little more sleep!  Before long tho it was time for us to get up, find breakfast and head to the start line!

Once we got to Hilbert parked the car a few blocks from the start line, we found Molly and John, then made our way to the truck where they had left our race bibs for us before they went to work.  Time was drawing near for the start so we made a trip to the beloved port-a-pots before heading to the start line.  That in itself was an adventure!  After waiting in the long lines we were still there when they did the national anthem... good thing this run was chip timed so it didn't matter that we were a few minutes late starting.  We finally made our way to the start, stopping to drop off Matt's bag with his sandals in with with Molly and John.

We were on our way.  We missed the mass start, so the first mile was spent much less stressful than most other runs - we didn't end up spending time dodging our way around other runners. It also didn't take me long long to realize that I was glad that I didn't change my mind and wear my running capri's and a t-shirt.  This was going to be a warm run - there was no clouds in the sky to protect us from the bright, hot sun.  According to my phone it was only 65 degrees outside, but with the lack of cloud cover, it felt much warmer.  I was feeling good and ready to run!

The sun was going to be the biggest obstacle.  We cruised through the first few miles without any problems but after about mile 3, Matt's calves started bothering him.  We walked for a bit and he was determined to push through it.  Shortly after mile 4 we had to slow down and walk again for a bit.  Matt told me to just go and run.  I told him we would finish this together and that I was not going to leave him behind.  We pushed through another mile or so and again he told me to just run.  He was going walk for a bit.  I really didn't want to leave him behind but he would not take no for an answer.  He insisted that he would be ok and wanted me to just run.  Reluctantly, I did get back to my run.  I told him I would see him at the finish line.

This run had definitely turned into a mental challenge for me.  Pushing through the blazing sun was only part of it.  Knowing that Matt was behind me somewhere, kept me wondering if he was doing ok. At the halfway point, I was on track to hitting that 2 1/2 hour goal that I had for myself.  The best part about the second half of the course was that a good portion of it was right along the Fox River Trail, which meant a large amount of tree cover!  YAY!!  Granted it was only 3 miles, but that was 3 miles that I was away from the blazing sun out there in that cloudless sky!  Unfortunately  the tree cover had to come to an end. I had 3 miles left and they were all right back in the sun - the last 3 miles of the course were the same 3 miles that we ran when we started this course.  These last 3 miles were the toughest 3 miles I have run all summer!  The sun was trying to get the best of me.  I actually ended up walking a large portion of these miles, but I was still moving!  Finally, I made the turn just after mile 12 that would take me back into town!

I can honestly say that I truly had to push myself both physically and mentally to get through those last 3 miles.  When I came around that last corner and saw the finish line just two blocks ahead of me, I would have to say that was one of the best things I had seen all day!  I crossed that finish line with a smile on my face, knowing I had just run my new PR.  Official time - 2:35:23  Not quite the 2:30:00 that I was shooting for, but with the sun today, I was not going to complain one bit.  This was almost 7 minutes faster than my time from the Journey's Half Marathon in May! After collecting a bottle of water and my Cheesehead Medal, John and Molly came and found me right away.  I grabbed a spot in the shade to do a little stretching and cool off a bit.  Molly asked what happened to Matt and when I told her, they both said that made sense then as to why Matt and I's apps on our phones were giving such different results!

Matt and I approaching the finish line

I asked Molly about where Matt was at on the course.  She said he was at about mile 12.6.  He was back to running 11-12 minute miles so he was not too far behind me! My rest in the shade was done.  I had one thing I needed to do.  A few months ago, when Matt mentioned that he was considering finding another half marathon to run and mentioned this one, I told him that if he wanted company, I would run it with him.  I told him that we would run this event and finish together.  I was not going back on my word.  We were going to cross the finish line together.  I unpinned my bib number and gave it, along with my medal to John, grabbed my bottle of water and started heading back out on the course.   I headed back to the last corners coming back into town to wait for Matt.  Before long, he was coming around the final corners.  I joined him on the road and reminded him that I told him we would finish this run together.  That was just what we were going to do.  We ran the last stretch of the course together.  Molly was cheering at the next corner and John was taking a few pictures.   He finished about 15 minutes behind me, but this was also over 10 minutes faster than is time from the Cellcom Half Marathon back in May.  So proud of him for pushing through, finishing strong and giving this race his all!

It was a tough run but we are still smiling

We came, we ran, we conquered.  This has become the tag line for so many of our races this summer. We have faced many challenges along the way,  we have run many miles together, and pushed each other to do our best each and every time.  I am proud of everything that we have accomplished over the last 6 months!  I look forward to many more races and miles together!  

Now that the run was over, it was time to get back to relaxing and enjoying the rest of the weekend... next mission was to find something to eat.  For the first time after any event, we actually hit the food tent and found a few things to eat to begin  the refueling process!  Since this is the Cheesehead Run, the post race buffet that was available for runners and volunteer was cheese themed!  I was not up for eating much at this point, but I knew that I needed to eat something.  They had some awesome breakfast burritos, filled with eggs, cheese and potatoes that hit the spot!  Those combined with the cheese curd on top mini sliders, 2 bottles of water and a beer, I was good to go!  Time to head back for a shower and relaxing.

The rest of the weekend was spent laughing and having a great time, relaxing with great friends.  It doesn't get much better than a few challenging board games outside with a campfire crackling 10 feet away, half a case of water, a few beers, the Brewers game on the radio and NASCAR on TV!    Before long, it was Sunday morning and it was time to pack up and head back to reality.  In the end, it was another amazing weekend in this summers adventures.  I can't wait for the next adventures and where they will take me!

Yoga and Frozen Yogurt! The perfect combination!

Last night was my first real experience with yoga!  For most of the summer, they have been offering free yoga downtown on the City Deck.  Unfortunately, this was the first week that I was actually able to go, since Tuesday night was usually a training run night.  This week, with the Cheesehead Half Marathon on Saturday, I am prepping for that, which means no long runs - giving me yoga time!!

Molly and I were surprised at the number of people that were down there this week, especially with the temperatures during the day.  She said that the weeks before, there were not that many people, but since this was the last one, apparently everyone wanted in!  The weather was actually perfect.  The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze blowing.  One of the coolest part of doing yoga outside on the city deck is that they have live music for the class!  We spent the next hour laughing at ourselves trying to do some of the yoga poses, but at least we were trying!  If you can't laugh at yourself, you are never going to get anywhere!

I have come to realize that I want to check out a few more yoga classes at the gym if I can find some that will fit in my schedule. Learning more on how to properly do many of the poses would probably be even more beneficial.  It was very relaxing and  I felt great when we were done!   I am sure that with a little more exposure to yoga classes, it can only get better!  Just as we were finishing, the sun was setting over the museum across the river and it was the perfect close to a crazy day that ended in a more relaxed state than I thought it would!  I wish I would have taken the opportunity to get a picture of this amazing sunset, but I will remember that image in my mind forever!

After class was done and we got back to Molly's house, one of the first things that Matt said was "Orange Leaf?" - which caused Molly and I to burst out laughing!  We had called this before we even left the house to head downtown!  We knew he was going suggest a run for FroYo, since it had been a week since he had been there!  Of course we were not going to deny him his FroYo fix (giving me my OL fix too!), so we called John and told him that we were heading to pick them up so they could join us this time.

When we got there, I was a little disappointed to see that the blueberry lemonade yogurt that I have been hooked on lately was gone... however now they added a chocolate mint as well as a few other new flavors so life is good!  As long as they don't get rid of my Gummy Frogs, we are all good!!

Yoga is the perfect way to end a day, but Orange Leaf with great friends make it even that much better!

Munising Vacation winds to a close

The final day of our weekend in Michigan had to come to a close. Today we would be on a mission to visit a few more places, find a few geocaches and head for home.   But before I get to today, I want to back track to last night and the phenomenon in the sky.  Last night was one of the best nights for local viewing of the Perseid meteor shower.  We spent at least an hour out on the front lawn of the motel, enjoying the meteor shower, listening to the soft waves crashing on the shore.  Darrin decided to get nice and comfortable and grabbed his hoodie and fuzzy pants and laid down right on the shuffle board to watch the spectacle in the sky.  Unfortunately I was not able to get any pictures, but I can assure you that it was really cool thing to see.  Apparently from what we were told, Sunday night was going to be the best night to view it even better, but since we were not going to be here, we would just have to enjoy it while we could!

This morning we didn't have a lot of plans before leaving town so we decided to so some exploring and find a few geocaches along the way.  Darrin and my dad have been on a mission this summer to see how many consecutive days they can log a cache find.  So, Darrin said we had to find a few today!  There were still a few in the area that we didn't find last year, as well as a few new ones so we had our work cut out for us.  We finished off the stuff we had in the motel for breakfast, packed everything up and go ready to head out.

Before I get into today though, I want tell you more about this awesome little motel that we have grown to love.  Sunset Motel on the Bay in my eye, the original waterfront motel in Munising (I guess it probably is, as I only know of one other waterfront property in town and that just recently opened).  A friend of mine recommended this property to me before Darrin and I made our first trip up here.  Ever since that first visit, we don't even look for other places to stay for this trip.  Sunset is our home away from home.  The staff always going out of their way to make sure that you have everything that you need, offer suggestions on places to go or see.  It was at their suggestion that we discovered Johnny Dogs on our first trip here and you all know how that turned out for us!  Each room has a perfect view of Munising Bay, one even has a balcony overlooking the shoreline!  There is a private beach with a fabulous sand beach which makes a perfect way to unwind after a day of hiking, biking or whatever you find to do in this fabulous area.  If you are traveling with kids, there is  a playground and plenty of room to run!  One of our favorite things that they offer to guests is that they have grills, charcoal and everything that you need for a cookout!  When Darrin was grilling last night, he stopped in the office to ask if they had paper plates, he came back with paper plates, plastic silverware, napkins and even a bag with salt, pepper and a few other grill seasoning!  Bags of ice are also readily available so you don't have to run to the gas station to buy ice for you cooler before you leave on you daily adventures!

Ok, back to our Sunday Funday (or at least morning)...

After breakfast, we headed out towards Christmas to do some geocaching.  The first stop brought us to the Range Lights just outside of town, where it didn't take Darrin long to grab 3 cache finds.  In one of them, he even found a Minion!  He decided to leave the Minion to hang out in his lakefront cache to enjoy the view a little longer.  As we were walking back toward the car, I noticed that there were some wild blueberry bushes along the treeline, with a few berries just waiting to be picked and eaten!    Once we got back to the range light and started heading towards the car, I noticed that there were several more blueberry bushes long the trail, with even more berries on them! We started picking some for an light after breakfast snack.  However, I was thinking that these would be a great snack for the road trip home... but I would need to find something to put them in! 

Darrin and I headed back to the car and I did find a single ziploc bag to collect my snack for later!  in a matter of about a half hour, we had half of the bag filled - and we didn't even make a dent in the number of berries that were out there! We will definitely be coming back there next year for a quick blueberry fix!  

After a few more quick geocache finds, it was off to find lunch,  Since we couldn't get our lunch time Johnny Dog's Fix yesterday, we decided to head there for our last meal before we headed home.  When we pulled into the parking lot, it was exactly as we found it yesterday... empty.  It was at this time that Darrin noticed the sign that they were closed both yesterday and today for private functions...  guess we are finding a new place for lunch!

Chicken Pecan Cherry Wrap

As we drove around the block, we happened to notice a small welcoming front porch with a sign indicating we had stumbled across the Rock River Lunch Bag.  We have never been here before, it's not a chain restaurant and we were hungry!  Guess we found our lunch stop for today!!

This wonderful little place was exactly what we were looking for! This was a quiet little cafe that was cozy and warm. We were greeted by a very welcoming staff that was ready to answer any questions that we had about the menu.  When I asked about what they were most known for or what some of the best / favorite options were on the menu, we were told about 2 different options...  The first was the Fresh Whitefish dip and the second was the Chicken Pecan Cherry Wrap.

Fresh Whitefish Wrap

That was a decision maker for us.  Darrin ordered the Whitefish Wrap and I ordered the other!  The Whitefish dip is made fresh and tasted phenomenal!  The lettuce, tomato and onion in the wrap were the perfect accompaniments to the fresh fish!   I think I was lucky to get a single bite of Darrin's wrap before it was GONE!  He literally inhaled it, as well as the chips!  My Chicken Pecan Cherry wrap was amazing!  The combination of the cherry and pecan in the tortilla was awesome! We will definitely have to come back and check out a few more of the options on their menu!

After an amazing lunch, it was time to hit the road for home.  We have already started out list of places we still need to check out when we make our trip next summer.  Reservations at the Sunset are already made, just like each and every year.  There is one exception for out trip next year... we are tentatively planning on coming up one week later.  Each year we see the signs as we come through Escanaba for the fair, which always starts the day AFTER we have to be home.  Next year we are planning one week later so that we can stop at the fair on the way up on Friday!  I don't even remember when I was last at the UP state Fair, but I can pretty much guarantee it's been over 25 years!

Of course our trip hope can't be without any pitstops... no road trip that Darrin and I make is a straight drive with no stops!  This time we made it to Escanaba before we had to stop!  We already knew that we had to stop for gas at some point soon, but before we did that, I spotted Sayklly's chocolates and gifts as we drove through Escanaba.  I had to stop to see what new and interesting treats that had in their chocolate case!  I found a few chocolates I had to bring home that included toffee chocolate covered pretzels and dark chocolate sea salt caramels.    As we were walking through the store, I stopped to check out their HUGE selection of gummy candies... bears, worms, footballs, you name it, they probably had it as a gummy - and this would include those AWESOME gummy frogs that I keep me going back to Orange Leaf!  This was the first time I ever saw these gummy frogs anywhere aside from OL so I had to get some!!  We have joked around that Matt has an Orange Leaf addiction, as he has to go there all the time, but I go with him just as often just so I can get my gummy frogs with my FroYo - it's a good thing we are doing a lot of running this summer to make up for the OL and gummy's that I have eaten!  Darrin was laughing at me as I was bagging some up to take home - until he found the gummy bullfrogs and decided that he needed one of those too.

Our final pitstop on trip home was at the Norway Spring - an artesian well, right along the highway.  This spring provides clean, crisp cold water constantly.  There is an awesome little park at the spring so you can get out and stretch your legs while you fill up your water bottles and can get right back on the road!  We always make a point to stop here whenever we drive through the area.  This time, Darrin had to do some digging in the car to find a few bottles to fill up. There is nothing that beats awesome fresh clean water.  Why would I pay for bottled water when I can stop here?  I just wish it wasn't a 2 hour drive from home to get my water!

As this weekend comes to a close, I really can appreciate everything that I have and the opportunities that I am able to enjoy.  I have an amazing family and awesome friends that make each day an adventure!