To give anything less...

This is one of my favorite quotes in a new book I'm reading, "Be Iron Fit." Right now I'm spending all of my time in the pre-training phase: I'm reading all about nutrition and fitness and training. I'm figuring out how I'm going to juggle my schedule with training. I'm joining groups on Facebook of people that have done the Iron distance. I'm talking to other working moms that are training or will be training for a 140.6 in 2016. I've begun to hang out socially with local triathletes who are also doing the same race I am next fall. It's the support, camaraderie and friendships that will get me through. 

It all gets real January 1. And I'm ready. 

So back to the quote - I know that I can be successful - and here's why: I'm so blessed with the gift of perseverance. I have been through so much. And I'm super stubborn. I never quit and I never want to fail. It's these qualities that will not only help me survive the next year, but also this goal. Another one of my favorite sayings is this - 

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and I could say, 'I used everything that you gave me.'" I want to empty the tank with every bit that I have - no matter whether it's this goal or with my kids, something for work, etc. Win or lose, if I leave it all out there, I know I did my best. 

So just a few thoughts this exhausting evening after a long day at work and working out and with kids...I know the days only get longer from here. But always put your best out there - no matter what you do. You'll always put your head on the pillow at night with a feeling of satisfaction...win or lose. 

JC

Making it Happen - The Beginning of my Journey to Ironman

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Ironman Florida. I had a few friends that were participating in the race, but my true mission was to be there to sign up for IMFL2016. I knew that if I didn't go there, I probably would never sign up.

So late Friday night after Maddie cheered at a football game, I jumped in the car and drove the 4ish hours to Panama City Beach. I got there just in time to grab some breakfast, much needed coffee and shuttle over to the start just in time for the swim.

A few hundred people lined the beach waiting for a glimpse of the 3000 athletes in the water. At first, it was a bit intimidating to me to see this (being the swim is my weakest event). The waves were crashing and tossing people like rag dolls, but once they got past that part, it looked fairly calm.

Most everyone made it out of the water before the cutoff, so that was encouraging, I watched most jump on their bikes and begin the 112 mile ride before I headed over to the medical tent to begin my shift.

I had signed up to work medical from 9-1. I thought that would give me time to head back to the hotel to check in, rest a bit since I had driven most of the night, catch a few snaps of LSU/Bama before heading back to watch a few finishers. As it turns out, not enough people were signed up for the evening shift, so they asked me to work another shift, if possible. Since we had only seen 10 patients in my entire morning shift, I agreed.

I have to admit, working the medical tent for an event like this is NOT pretty. I was rained on. I was bled on, I was sweat on. I was puked on, I was cried on. I saw some of the most nasty blisters and injuries I've ever seen. But the most encouraging part of the whole thing is that I knew these people left everything they had out on that course. So while some of the things I saw should've scared me from ever attempting it, it inspired me to know that I HAVE to do this.

Around 9pm, the rain we were anticipating all day finally began to fall. But the athletes kept streaming in. And working only a few feet from the finish line, I was able to hear  - "YOU are an IRONMAN!" about 1000 times - fulfilling dream after dream for those folks.

So Sunday came, and it was do or die for me as far as registering. See, I was told that Ironman Florida fills so quickly that you pretty much have to volunteer and be onsite when registration for the following year opens so that you can get in. I was told to be in line for 8am. This is what the line looked like at 7:15am - in the POURING rain:

The line moved quickly as I chatted with a few sweet ladies from North Carolina that had come to volunteer for the same reason - to get the golden ticket for 2016. We were all nervous as it will be a first Ironman for all of us. But we talked about how to juggle kids, work, life, training, illness and injuries and how to still make it all happen. Just to know there are others in the same boat is encouraging.

And about 30 minutes later, I had this in my email inbox:

So today is a new day. It's a day for dedication and balance and planning and accountability. I've already been to the gym once - at lunch. If using my lunch is the only way to get it in, so be it. I know I have a great support system of family and friends, so I trust the journey. Now all I need is a little luck for decent health that doesn't decline substantially over the next 12 months and I am sure I will make it there.

Fingers crossed!

#IMFL16

Big dreams - For a new reality

Several years ago when I set out on this journey - I had no idea where it would take me. For me, this blog was just an accountability piece...to let people know - "Hey! I am attempting to lose weight! When you see me eating a Big Mac, yell at me!" Little did I know that 4.5 years later, 130+ lbs lighter and millions of miles clocked on the roads, I would be here.

I really thought no one was watching, no one was reading...then people started to comment. People would stop and say - "Wow, I read your blog...how awesome." Race directors, editors from local and regional magazines and even Runner's World have contacted me, written about my story and I have even written a chapter in an upcoming book published by RW, to be released this December. It's crazy because it's not attention I ever longed for or even wanted. Don't get me wrong - I am NEVER going to turn down the opportunity to share my story with anyone - especially if they can learn from it. But if you know me, I am more about personal connections. The people that mean the most to me are the ones who have said - "I've followed you for a while and your story is awesome. You've gone about this journey all wrong and you don't even care. You still inspire me. And you inspire others - and it's not even a big deal to you." My friend Russ once said that and to me - those words still mean more than ever being on the homepage of RW.com or included in a book.

Yet every day I find myself wanting more - needing more. 2015 has been TOUGH - to say the least. Most of you know by now some of the health issues and injuries I'm battling, but I am still fighting every single day through them. It's not ideal. But I think a quote by Elizabeth Edwards sums it up best:

So I will continue to run. I will continue to fight through it all. And as I approach my 40th birthday in a few months, I've decided to make 2016 a year to remember. How am I going to do that?

Well, let's start with this email I got yesterday:

WELCOME TO IRONMAN FLORIDA...

Don't have a heart attack yet. This is not for the race taking place in 2 weeks. This is for the race taking place in about 54 weeks. To get in IMFL, you have to register EARLY - like onsite a year before. So, that's what I am doing. I will go down to IMFL2015 and volunteer at the medical tent so that I can signup onsite Sunday morning for 2016.

So what made that decision? Well, after being a part of Tri-Dat for a few months and volunteering at triathlons for years but not actually racing any bigger races, one of my good friends told me after IMAugusta, "Janel, it's your time. We love you for being here for us - but now it's our time to be here for you." And with that - it was done. 

It's going to be a long, hard road. I know that. Between juggling work, a family, illness and injuries, training, and a million other distractions, it's probably going to be the toughest year of my life. But if you know me, you also know that I am not one to back down from a challenge. And if you know me REALLY well, you know that once I set my mind to something, it's tough to stop me. 

So I guess this is my new accountability. It's not like before where I want you to yell at me about eating a Big Mac. But I will need encouragement, and probably a few babysitters :) along the way. 

Never forget - be mindful of everything you do. You never know who is watching. 

Janel 

Quick thoughts on a very early Monday...

Excuse the mini-blog:

Took this (very) small plane from Augusta to Charlotte to eventually head home to NOLA after Ironman Augusta 70.3 this weekend. Long story short(ish)... This plane only seats 40 people. I heard one flight attendant tell another flight attendant that they had run out of the 10 seatbelt extenders on board the plane. TEN! That's 1/4 of the plane. They prepare for 1/4 of the passengers to require an extender. Which got me to thinking...

People - we've GOT to start moving more and eating less (junk). Yesterday at IM Augusta I saw people of all sizes/shapes out there. Some were faster than others, but they were doing it. I'm not saying to run out and sign up for an Ironman event, but take a walk at lunch, park farther from the door, take the stairs, cut out sodas. Every little thing counts. 

And I'll just say this: this is not a rant or personal dig against anyone at all. I used to be one of those people that would ask for the extender. And now on the other side of that I know how amazing it feels to make that change and feel a small victory each time I buckle up on a plane and have at least 8-10 inches of extra belt. 

It's Monday. What better day to make some positive changes?  

Race season is near!

It's halfway through September and about a month away from race season kicking off in full force. I think I finally survived the summer months and am ready to run in some cool weather. The weather was so perfect here this past Sunday that I decided to run 8 miles and follow it up with a 62 mile bike ride.

Bayou Lacombe Bridge

I've had some struggles with health this year, but I am committed to doing several races in the next few months. Some are oldies but goodies, and some I will be doing for the first time.

On the schedule:

5Kanine - Sept 19

5Kiwanis - Oct 3

Covington Classic - Oct 10

Bike Big Easy 20 mile Ride - Oct 17

Gulf Coast Half Marathon (my 5th consecutive!) - Oct 18

Cane Field Classic with the Machete Medal - Oct 24

Jazz Half Marathon - Oct 31

Battleship 12K - November 15

Big Easy Half Marathon - November 21

I was training to reach sub 2 for GCHM, but the partially torn LCL and some other issues put an end to that. Well, not an end, a pause. I'm going to do it - if for nothing else to prove to someone that I have not given up on that dream. 

The next few weeks will be tough, but I am also looking forward to heading to Augusta to support some people in the Ironman 70.3. Gonna be a fun 4 days of team dinners, chasing them around to catch pics and post on social media. Can't wait!

There will be a day when you can no longer run...

Time marches on. I am not even going to pretend to give lame excuses like, "I've been busy, the kids' schedules are nuts, work is insane..." I suck. I am terrible about writing events of my own life outside of quick forms of social media.

But it's mid-year. Already. And it's been tumultuous to say the least as far as running goes. 2015 opened with 2 half marathons back to back in January and February ushered in the Glass Slipper Challenge in DisneyWorld (10K + half) followed by a trail half the next weekend. Needless to say, I was reallllly ready to be done with running. And then, I was. I partially tore the LCL in my right leg mid-March doing a plyometric lunge. So I was forced out for 6-8 weeks. 

I tried to stationary bike, walk and elliptical as much as possible. But I still missed that release that running provided. And soon enough, I was back - albeit VERY slow. And going from the cool temps of March to the already way too hot temps of May nearly killed me. I have still struggled to get back. 

I decided to do the Dusk til Dawn Hotter Than Hell Ultra on July 4th/5th. My goal was 40 miles: a mile for every year and since it was a 2 mile loop - one to grow on. I finished, but wow, it was HOT and it was very slow. 2 weeks later I headed to Chicago for my annual Rock n Roll Half with friends. We had a blast, as usual, but that was no doubt the HOTTEST half marathon I've ever done. 

Louisiana Half Marathon - January 18, 2015

RnR NOLA Half Marathon - January 25, 2015

Glass Slipper Challenge - Feb 21-22, 2015

Hotter Than Hell - July 4/5, 2015

RnR Chicago - July 19, 2015

If I have learned ANYTHING in 2015 so far, it's NEVER take advantage of your health. If you are able to run or workout, you NEED to be out there doing it. As it says on my Road ID - "There will be a day when I can no longer run - today is not that day." Maybe it is. But you never know when that day will hit for you. Take advantage of every day, every minute, every second. And no matter what you do, "Never Settle." Ever. 

-JCE

Walking through the fire

In 2014, I set a few challenges for myself: 1) Completing the Dopey Challenge (check) and 2) running at least one half marathon every month (check). So now what?

I ran across an interesting quote yesterday: "What matters most is how well you walk through the fire." Not sure why, but I loved it.  It's crazy because I constantly feel the need to do something bigger, better, stronger, scarier...It's like I have this vision of setting a major goal - something I think is next to impossible (for me at least) and then to completely smash it - somewhat similar to bursting through a wall of fire. So when I saw that quote, I thought - yep, exactly. But then I thought about it more and it doesn't necessarily represent accomplishing that crazy goal, but it's more like survival of all of the distracters in life to keep me from achieving that goal - kids, family, work, training schedules, doubters, money, time, selfish ambition... And then I thought that the way I handle all of that is the true success - not just the completion of something. God knows in 4 years of this journey I could have quit a million + times. And there were many things that pulled me out of focus. And I know I am not where I need to be but I know at least I'm not where I used to be. 

So as far as goals for 2015... I have 2 options. One is way cooler (in my eyes) than the other, but there's a chance I won't get to do that one. In fact, it's a high chance. But there's always a Plan B. And to be honest, Plan B is tough. And it will take a ton of focus and training. So I am leaving it up to fate. I will know by February 15th for sure, one way or the other. And no matter how it goes, that was the option meant to be. And that's when the walk through the fire will truly begin.

JCE

Back to the basics

Time keeps marching on... Kids get older, school years fly by...winter turns to spring to summer. My last blog post talked about ice storms. Here we are again in the thick of the heat and lunchtime runs are brutal! 

Since the last post, I've successfully completed 4 more half marathons: Mercedes in Birmingham, Zydeco in Lafayette, Gulf Coast in Pensacola and Wisconsin in Kenosha, WI! Slowly marching toward one a month for accountability. Stil looking for that June half...

I'm also participating in the Varsity Sports Hot 100, which is 100 days of events. It's been really fun so far! I'm having to run at least a mile a day and it's been tricky at times to fit it in each day. 

Tomorrow is the first official day of summer schedule for the kids, so I thought it would be a good time to get back to basics- more blogging, tracking food and exercise. So many people ask me how I was able to lose weight, so I point them to my blog and then I realize it just kind of ends. Obviously the story has continued, but not online. So because transparency is the best form of accountability, I'm getting back to it. Whether anyone reads it or not, it will be here for the journey. 

JCE

It's a great big beautiful tomorrow...

It's 2014...

I write all the time- everyday actually. Writing is what I do for a living. While 98% of what I write pertains to how you can have the backyard of your dreams, I find it sometimes hard to keep up with my own blog. If you follow me on Facebook, you know my life- work, kids, running/fitness. Why would you possibly want to click another link and see me expound upon it? Maybe I write and no one reads. And that's ok too because I've found over the years that writing for me is therapeutic. And reflective. 

I just spent a few minutes reading over my past 3 years. I can't believe it's been 3 years since I made the most important decision of my life to get healthy. It's been quite a journey. I can't help but wonder as I make future decisions what 3 years from now will look like. No matter what happens in the future, I want to thank you all for the love and support the past few years! You are the best. 

It's been a crazy start to 2014! Last month, I completed the Dopey Challenge in Walt Disney World! It was a 4 day challenge to compete a 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon. What an adventure! I can say it was one of the best experiences of my life! 

We were also able to sneak in a few days at the parks. And then- back to reality. 

It became an even crazier month when we encountered not one, but three ice storms in SE LA. Needless to say, that's made it tough to get on the road, but luckily Franco's has been my BFF and a great place to recover from running with swim and bike. This will come in handy for the next few triathlons I've signed up for. 

It's a start to a whole new year- albeit a month late... And a whole new tomorrow. 

It's a journey...

JC

Goals, Goals, Goals

We all get off track...sometimes more than we'd like to admit. Good thing is that each new day is a reset button. If you know where you've been, and you liked where you were, you know how to get back there. 

So, I've set new goals... as of today. It's not the 1st of the month or even a Monday. It's a random Thursday. But the sun came up today and regardless, it's a new day. 

I've decided to get back to My Fitness Pal. It's a GREAT food/fitness tracker. And your friends can keep you accountable. So find me, friend me, and yell at me if I log a Snickers Bar. I have committed to these rules: 
If you bite it, write it.
If you drink it, ink it.
If you snack it, track it.If you nibble it, scribble it!
So I promise to do it. Here is my info: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/janelcevans

But here are the rest of my commitments for the next 30 days: (I pick 30 days at a time because beyond that just makes the hill climb steeper. Small goals tend to work better.)

1. Log food and fitness in My Fitness Pal 
2. Do a _____ a day challenge (this month I have been following Squat/Plank A Day, September is 30 day arm Challenge)
3. Do NOT EAT Peanut Butter. It's my weakness. I admit it. 
4. Take the stairs to the 5th floor from the 2nd floor each time I use the restroom at work.
5. Do a lunch workout if possible. Not if I just feel like it (I NEVER feel like it). But if humanly possible and it does not affect work or kid schedules. 
6. Complete the clean house challenge. I will add this below.
7. Drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water a day.

These commitments are in addition to the other running/workout schedules that I already do. It's wayyyy too complex to add them into this list. 

And here is the Cleaning Calendar I found, and if I actually complete, will make my life soooo much easier:

Sooo, what are you challenging yourself to do today, or tomorrow...of if you have to wait - Monday???

Running a marathon...it's more than just a literal term...

Here we are again...BACK TO SCHOOL... well, I know I have a few days left before I have an official 2nd Grader, but the shopping is done, the uniforms are pressed and all that's left is to meet the teacher on Friday. Most parents hate it, but I am ready and here's why:

THIS SUMMER HAS BEEN INSANE!!!!

True story. 

My kids (and I) THRIVE on schedules. They know what their schedules are during the school year. But during the summer, all bets are off. Maddie maintained her usual schedule over the summer as she continued at the Northlake Christian Preschool, but Morgan was all over the place. She spent a week in Alabama with my sister, a week at Cheer Camp, a few weeks with my parents, a week in Florida with my in-laws... I know she probably enjoyed the variety but I was barraged with the constant questions of "where am I going now??"

It was a great summer. We started it off with a weekend with my sister and her family in Hoover, Alabama, doing a Color Me Rad 5K.

We then celebrated Maddie's 3rd Birthday in June.

We then celebrated the wedding of our great friends Ronnie and Kristinia! 

July brought even more craziness as we traveled to Florida for Jonathan's Grandfather's 80th birthday party. 

We left the girls in Florida to spend time with Jon's parents and I went to Chicago to run the RockNRoll Chicago half marathon! I LOVE Chicago and can't wait to get back!

I was also chosen for Leadership St Tammany for the Class of 2014, so my retreat was the following weekend! I am so looking forward to learning and serving with this amazing group of people this year!

There were a few races mixed in there, as per the norm. We also did days at the Aquarium, Zoo, parks, waterparks, splash parks and a TON of days at Franco's Athletic Club by the pool! Not to mention all the church events we are involved in on a weekly basis. We stay busy, but we like it that way!

So because of all these crazy summer activities and looking at my ever overbooked Fall with Football games, races, triathlons, work travel, soccer, tumbling, church activities, showers, school events, and oh yeah, TRAINING FOR THE DISNEY MARATHON WEEKEND... I've decided to re-name my blog "Life is a Marathon"because that pretty much describes the Evans family both literally and figuratively. It's definitely not a sprint because that indicates an ending to the crazy...

I was speaking with a friend the other day about our crazy schedule and her response was, "but you guys have SO MUCH FUN!" and I believe it. Yes, it's crazy, and yes, it's hard. But I really think the kids are having a blast. I know for a fact that they HATE to stay home about as much as I do. Until they tell me otherwise, we will continue to run...literally and figuratively...

Where in the world???

OK, so 7 months have passed since I blogged last. SEVEN MONTHS. Geez. That's awful. I know that most of you follow me on Facebook, so it's not like you think I have fallen off the face of the Earth, but still - by profession, I am a writer. I should be a better blogger! Here's to making that a goal for the 4th Quarter of 2012!

So let's see... It was an exciting May with Morgan's 6th Birthday and Kindergarten graduation! Maddie's 2nd Birthday followed in June and with June came the start of my Chicago Marathon training! That probably explains my absence from the blogging world. Training for a marathon, maintaining a full-time job, a house, 2 kids, cross-training and working sleep in there somewhere left little time for ANYTHING else. 

I did however work in time for something new and different - my first triathlon! In late July, I competed in RocketChix II in Baton Rouge. I realized that I HATE swimming. I mean, I talk and sell the swimming pool lifestyle all day long, but I personally am bad at it. BOOM, I said it. I really stink at it. I realize that it takes practice, but until I have a pool I can truly train in, it's not going to get better. I can bike/run all day long, but the swim kills me. Anyhow, the event was a great experience, and I had a great time. I even competed in a relay for Girl Power a few weeks ago (the bike part!) and I signed up for Girl Power in March 2013. I am hoping some miracle occurs and I either join a gym that has a pool or my other cross-training efforts will somehow make me a super athlete that can all of a sudden swim like a fish.

The end of summer was upon us and it was time for the kids to go back to school. Morgan started 1st Grade and Maddie entered Toddler 2 at Northlake Christian! They've had an amazing year so far, filled with football games and other school events!

So after actively training for over 6 months, the Chicago Marathon Weekend was here. Unfortunately, Jonathan was on business in Houston for Starbucks, so I had to make the trip solo, but I was meeting my good friend, Alicia there to run! Chicago was beautiful - and COLD!! I left the balmy 90 degrees of New Orleans and arrived to the 39 degrees of Chicago! 

My first day was solo, as Alicia and Walt had not yet arrived, but I went exploring! I LOVED the architecture of Chicago. I also became friends with the mass transit system and took the train to Wrigley Field. 

I even visited the Expo that night, even though I knew I'd return the next day with Alicia!

The next morning, I was itching to run! I wanted to simulate race day conditions - at least temp wise. I set out for a 7am run down on Lake Michigan. It was cold, but so beautiful! 

Alicia, Walt and I then hit the Expo before more sightseeing! 

We hit Millennium Park, Lunch at Carmine's and Chicago Chinatown. 

My Brick Chicken at Carmine's!

Alicia's Spaghetti and Meatballs

After a day of sightseeing, race day was here. We needed to be there in our corral for 7:45am. It was SOOO cold. Gun time was about 36 degrees. But we had prepared as much as we could without having to ditch clothing. Luckily Walt was there to take our jackets before we started. 

So now, for the race report:

I was in corral K and it took 46:00 minutes before we even got to the start line. Luckily, the other thousands of people helped to block the cold as we waited. When we got to the start, it was a fast start. What surprised me right away was the THOUSANDS of people that lined the route. I thought, "well, this is just the beginning, so there's going to be lots of people down here." But it continued for miles and miles. The first few miles of the route were downtown, so it seemed to go fast for me. Before I knew it we were well into mile 3 and I was feeling great. What I noticed about this race compared to others is that the runners really had a grasp on runner etiquette. If they felt they were slower, they naturally moved to the right. There was not a ton of bobbing and weaving around people as in crowded races that I've done in the past. 

What I really loved about this race was that it took you through tons of Chicago neighborhoods. We started out downtown, then ran through Lincoln Park, Old Town, Chinatown, and tons of other neighborhoods. Chicago is really beautiful. But again, throughout the ENTIRE 26.2, people lined the streets - tailgating, drinking, cheering...this is pretty much Chicago's Mardi Gras. The aid stations were great - well stocked with Gatorade, Water, Pottys, and cheering folks. 

I get to the halfway point and I am amazed at how great I am feeling. I know the fact that it's still only 40 degrees, no humidity and I am not sweating an ounce helps, but still, I was good. Then - mile 15 hit. I had to potty so bad that I broke off the route to use a porta-potty - something I NEVER do. But I was so concerned about hydration that I drank more than I usually do. That little stop really took a toll on my body. Though my bladder felt better, I stiffened up just that quick. Picking up the pace again was a challenge, so I just started to do what I could. I continued on until I got to mile 19 when I noticed that everyone was starting to walk or pull over to stretch. I realized that stretching would do no good because at this point, my back, neck, an every inch of my legs hurt. It would take forever to stretch it all out. I then started to attempt to do math...mile 19...is that 8 miles left? No wait, 7 miles left? I then remember thinking, ok, maybe I should attempt different math like 19 is what % of 26.2?? The things you think about while running can be so abstract. I then began to quote movies in my head - ANYTHING to not think about the few miles left. I remember thinking about how my legs felt like 100lbs each...everything felt heavy and cramped at that point...then, bananas from heaven! There were tons of bananas being handed to us. I HATE bananas. They've always given me stomach aches, but let me tell you - I grabbed as many as I could hold and started chowing down on them. BEST FOOD EVER. I didn't realize how hungry I was! Pretty quick, the cramps started to subside and before I knew it, I was near mile 25. 

WOW. Mile 25. Almost there. Instantly, tears started to flow. Every hour of every mile of every training run began to hit me. Every run after work when I was dead tired. Every run in the gym because of the rain or dark. Every run when I would have rather been playing with the kids. Every run when my knee was about to explode. That emotion carried me the rest of the way because all at once I realized that I had done it. I was going to finish. I remember making that final turn to the finish line, surrounded by strangers that were audibly weeping much like myself. Crossing that line was the greatest feeling. In my mind, I have come so far. I have done so much. And I cannot believe that I did it. 

Next stop - food! Wow, I was sooooo hungry. And I had been thinking about that Chicago deep dish pizza for MONTHS. And I got it. We went to Lou Malnati's! 

I had the BEST time. I cannot thank Walt and Alicia enough for joining me on this adventure, and we hope to be able to do a destination race (and bring our families!) at least once a year. 

And the whirlwind continued as I hopped a plane from Chicago to Dallas for the POOLCORP International Sales Conference. Teaching 5 Social Media Classes was on tap!

And then, we represented in the booth!

I then returned just in time to do the Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Sunday. I know it seemed crazy, but I was celebrating the anniversary of my very first half just one year ago. I enjoyed the race, but have no races scheduled until the Color Run on November 17th! Whew!

So that was our whirlwind summer/early fall. We are looking forward to our Disney Family Vacation in a few short weeks! 

Stay Tuned!