Run, Shannon, Run

So this afternoon, I decided to go on a little run. I planned on going 2, maybe 3 miles, but I didn't really have a plan. So I ran to a point where I thought I'd turn around and come home. Once I got there, I thought, "I think I'll turn here and run up this road before going home." When I got to the end of that road, I thought, "I think I'll turn here and go to the next street before heading home." When I got there, I thought, "I think I'll run a loop around this block before I head home." Once I did that, I thought, "Perhaps I'll run out to the freeway before I go home."

By the time I got home, I had gone 7.5 miles. A little unexpected, but totally great. I kept feeling like Forrest Gump when he decided to go for a little run to the end of the road.

Shopping Spree, Anyone?

I don't go shopping very often, but when I do....oh, boy.  I feel like I'm unstoppable.

It always happens this time of year when I start getting Christmas gifts.  It's so easy for me to say, "Ooo, look at that!  I want one."  So I buy it.

Online shopping doesn't help.  It's just so easy to click "Add to Cart" and "Checkout".  Then amazon goes and saves your info so you don't even have time to second-guess.  Normally, I would change my mind in the time it takes to pull out my credit card.  

Not anymore. 

So easy.

I feel like I don't have much of a winter wardrobe, so I just HAD to work on that. Right?

But I made sure to find some good deals.

I bought this cute little guy last week...

50% off? Yes, please!

I got this sweater tonight...

80% off?  Yes, please!

It has cute buttons up on the shoulder.  Who wouldn't want a cable-knit with buttons on the shoulder?

I decided last week that I want to enter the world of boots.  The decision was confirmed the other night as I stood out in the cold with bare legs.

This led to these...

60% off? Yes, please!

While I was shopping for those last ones, I found these...

65% off?  Yes, please!

They look more beautiful in person.  Unfortunately, they didn't have my size.  But don't worry...I found them online. 

Remember how easy it is to shop online?

They're on their way.

Who wants a free camera?

So I have this friend named Laura.  Laura is super cool and uber talented.  And Laura's one of my favorite people because she came with me to Disney World and Harry Potter world.

Well Laura works for this great company called Lifestyle Crafts.  She pretty much runs the place.

Well Laura informed me this morning that Lifestyle Crafts is giving away a Canon 60D Camera and Jo Totes Camera bag.  All you have to do is create an account at lifestylecrafts.com.

I know some of you are major photog pros, so maybe you should enter.  Or don't, because then I'm more likely to win.  But I like Laura enough that I told her I would spread the word.

Laura is sad that she can't enter the contest herself.  But I made a deal with her...if I win, she gets to teach me how to use the camera.  What a great deal, right? :)

Post-Halloween Sugar Overload?

This morning we played a little game in my class.  I had three winners.  I asked them if they wanted an apple or candy.

They all chose an apple.

Teenagers chose apples over candy.

Weird!

Way to go, healthy students!

Easiest Costume Ever

On Saturday night, we went to a Stake Halloween dance.  I was tired after my race and didn't want to go to the effort of dressing up too much.  Plus my Waldo costume was really sweaty. 

My roommates had a brilliant idea, and a pretty easy supply list...

• black shirt
• blue jeans
• orange yarn
• rock from the side of the road
• piece of paper (college ruled)
• scissors

I love it.

I love these girls.

I can do hard things

(Warning, this is kind of long. But my journal writing skills are lacking, so this is my documentation.)

On Saturday, I did something I really NEVER thought I would do...I ran a half marathon!

I still don't believe it.  I know some of you have done full marathons, but this is really something I never expected this chubby girl could do.

My greatest ever friend Carie says she remembers me saying years ago that I would never run a 5k.  It was pretty great that Carie decided to run the half with me.  Even better...we ran all 13.1 miles together and crossed the finish line together.  (Well, she was one second ahead of me, but close enough).  I'm so glad I had her there to push me and coach me..."Don't eat the GU, it will make you sick"...(she was right)..."Run on the outside of your foot if the inside of your calf is cramping."  Thanks for sticking with me, Carie!!!

I went into this race with 4 goals...

1. Make it to the finish line
2. Don't get last place
3. Don't walk
4. Stay under an 11 minute mile

Over the years, I've learned that it's important to review my goals, so here we go...

1. I made it to the finish line!
2. I did NOT get last place!  In fact, I got 1,782nd place...which sounds bad, but out of somewhere between 3500-4000 runners, I don't think I did too bad!
3. I never walked!  But I'm not counting the water stations.  If you've found an effective way to drink and run at the same time, please share!
4. Pace Time:  9:47.  Take THAT, 11 minute mile!  My total time was 2:08:02

What got me started?

I feel like it's been a crazy thing leading up to this.  I started running a few months ago for a few reasons.  A lot of it was because I wanted to be healthier.  I wanted to lose some weight, and it seemed like a good way to make it happen.  My brother-in-law, Steve, has turned into this crazy runner, and I'm always intrigued when I hear him talk about his runs.  He kept telling me I should try it.  He even made me a running playlist this summer.  As soon as I heard Britney Spears on the mix, I knew it was meant to be.

I guess you could say I needed an "outlet" as well.  It's been a wild/emotional past few months.  I started out writing more about that, but I decided it was perhaps too personal to post on my public blog.  I don't really want to go into detail on here, but running gives me a lot of time to think and run off sadness, frustrations, and fear.  It's a good distraction.  After a long day, it's surprising how much I look forward to going on a run.  It's therapeutic, really.  It's true what Elle Woods says on Legally Blonde..."Exercise gives you endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy.  Happy people just don't shoot their husbands...they just don't!"

I feel such a great sense of accomplishment.  I probably shouldn't have been smiling so much after running 13.1 miles, but I couldn't help it!  Even when I was so sore for a couple days, I would still smile and think, "I did something I thought was impossible."  What a great feeling!  I can do hard things!

And I couldn't have done it without so much encouragement. And I was so happy to see my two best cheerleaders (a.k.a. the roommates) there at the finish line with posters, Gatorade, and chocolate milk.

I look like I'm about to throw up in these pictures.  Probably because that's what I wanted to do.  Remember how Carie told me not to eat the GU?

Love you girls!

Will I do another half marathon?  Absolutely.  A full marathon?  Now you're pushing it.