26.2 Layout

I feel like I haven't done a layout in so long, but looking over all my race day photos that Stephen took, I felt inspired to create. I used this weeks Sketchy Thursdays sketch and really liked the design. So, here was the starting point:

And this is the layout that came to be:

Sorry about the crappy photo- it has been raining all day and I couldn't get outside. Had to use my flash. OK- there are a lot of happy goodies on here: Smash tape, Glimmer Mist paint, rhinestones, a faux Polaroid stamp from Lawn Fawn, felt, a fussy cut camera from some wrapping paper I got at Paper-Source, number stickers (26.2), and star embellies. Whew!

The journaling reads: He said I couldn't do it. I was determined to prove him wrong. It took courage, commitment and determination. I was scared and nervous, but also excited and anxious. I trained, and I trained hard. It all paid off because now I can say, "I did it." He was so proud... "

Thoughts from my first marathon- 26.2 miles of trying to beat myself. I won.

My First Marathon...

My first marathon was this past Sunday in Chicago. I am still in awe that I actually did it. I set a goal and accomplished it. This race was an unbelievable experience- the city, the crowd, the 20 minute crawl to the start line, the miles and miles of hilarious posters made by the spectators. It was a new found energy at this race. I enjoyed (almost) every step. To share with you, here's the day in photos...

Wake up call at 5 am. I head down to the hotel lobby after getting dressed and have 2 cups of coffee and some oatmeal. I go back up and do my Trigger Point stretching/massaging. It's 6:15 and time to meet everyone else in the lobby to start walking to the start.

This is where Stephen leaves me. He can't get into the area that is just for runners, so he snaps a picture of us and gives me a kiss before departing.

 My brother, Ironman Nate, sister-in-law, Lara and me.

Stephen had his day mapped out and planned to see me at several mile markers. He had a backpack full of my nutrition, just in case I got hungry, weak, dehydrated, etc. He was at every spot he said he would be at plus a few and navigated the city by train by himself! This is where we see him at the first spot... mile 4.

Nate took his camera and took so many pictures along the way- it was cracking us up- we really had a lot of fun!

This race was packed with runners... about 45,000 to be exact. It was crowded and the weather was hot- a sunny, almost 80 degree day. The heat didn't bother me much since I trained all summer long and lots of days the heat index was well over 100 degrees. Stephen got a picture of this guys running outfit...

Someone must have paid this guy $2K to run in that awful outfit.

Hi guys! I run into my brother, Adam, sis-in-law, Erin and Stephen again at mile 21. Adam is hootin' and hollerin' cheering me on! I stop for a minute to say hi, laugh and ask if they think I can finish in 27 minutes. Um... I don't think so...

Adam says, "LULU, You can do it! You look great! Keep going! Woo-hoo!"

Later, guys! I have about 5 more miles to go. See you at the finish line... 

By the time I reached the 24th mile, I really felt like stealing this guys shirt:

I did have a goal to finish in 4:45 or at least under 5 hours. Already, I had been running for about 4 hours and 50 minutes. I knew I was getting closer to the finish, and I also knew I wasn't going to make my finish time, but never during the entire race did I say, "I don't think I can do this" or, "I need to stop" or "I just can't go any farther." I never hit a wall or ran out of steam. The only thing going through my head was, "I trained so hard for this, I can do it and I am not going to give up." And by God, I didn't. I came across that finish line with a smile, saying to myself (or I may have said it out loud) "I knew I could do it!"

showing off my bling

My reward, immediately after the race... 

replacing lost carbs

I reunite with Nate and Lara, they were about 20 minutes behind me. I was so proud of Lara for pushing through. Not only was she running a marathon with an injury (shin splints), but she also has colitis. She did awesome! 

The sweat, the tears, all the self doubt, 16 weeks of training, over 300 miles of running, sore legs, blisters, narly toenails, 4 am wake up calls on Saturday mornings, running through 2 states in one day before 7:30 am, music malfunctions, carb loading and obscene potty breaks... it all paid off.

 The best running buddy and friend anyone could ask for, and I get a bonus because she's family!

Will I do it again? Absolutely. 

A Couple Things...

It's Thursday and the week is almost over. The kids were out of school yesterday for another snow day and I am so tired today that I am pretty sure I just haven't recovered from the non-stop talking madness that three kids will give you. Shew...

And, speaking of kids talking your ear off, sometimes they say some really funny things. Typically they say something hilarious and you tell yourself not to forget to "write that one down" but you do forget. And that funny little blurb that your 3 year old said about how you look "just like a cowgirl" with curlers in your hair slips your mind. No more!

Behold the journaling book. It's small, it's easy, functional, and you won't forget anymore cute things those funny kiddos say! I made this one for a friend of mine whom I just recently had this conversation with. She also has 3 kids, a full time job and volunteers an obscene amount of time at school. All the while she keeps up a home and she's still super nice to her husband and always has time for her friends. She deserved this book...


Inside, the pages are marked with the months along the top. You circle the month and then put the date or year or both in the circle printed. Add your quotes to the lines provided and presto! Your kids funny quotes and stories are safe in one spot that is easily accessible.

The pages are 3.5x5 inches and I downloaded the journaling pages from Creating Keepsakes blog. It's been a long time, so you will have to search... sorry. OR... you could get really crafty and make some of your own. ;)
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In the running world, I am doing fantastic. Today, I got to run 4 miles in a balmy 33 degrees. It was a refreshing change from the 10-25 degree weather I'm use to running in. I jammed my tunes and felt like I ran faster than normal and I may or may not have thrown in a few dance moves... however I don't keep my time... I just run.

I registered this morning:

"Dear Amanda,

Congratulations! You are now registered for 2011 Derby Festival Marathon & miniMarathon."

When the above message came through my email, I got butterflies. I can't believe I'm doing this! It's seems pretty darn real now.

I have my brother Nate to thank. He's the one that told me to start small... "Just run to your mailbox and back for a week and then run a little farther the next week." Coming for a strong, athletic triathlete, I gave him a crooked look like "are you freaking kidding me? I can not run. I have never run... ever." He believed that I could do it and I am. Believe in yourself... anything is possible.

A New Year...

Happy New Year, blog friends! I have BIG plans for myself this year... I am coming into 2011 with positive thoughts, an energetic mind and body, strong faith and determination. Lots to accomplish, but I know I can do it!

First, I have taken up running. The people who know me best know that I do not run and hate to exercise. Not this year! I have been running 4 days in a row and today ran 3 miles in 33 minutes- pretty good for a newbie! ;) I have signed up to run in the Louisville Triple Crown- 3 races that lead up to the mini-marathon before kicking off the Derby week events. I plan to finish the mini marathon with a big fat smile of accomplishment on my sweaty face.

Next up, to keep the focus on being positive, I found this little gem...


I love all the little sayings and I think I just might have to print it super big and hang one in my craft room and one in the kitchen as a constant reminder.

And finally, I love what Nichole Heady has thought of to jump start her creative thinking for 2011. A Random Inspiration jar... brilliant, and oh so cute!

To read more about the Random Inspiration jar, click here to read it on Nichole's blog.

I hope you all have a happy, healthy and crafty start to 2011!