Never Say Never-A Story of Training for a Marathon

I registered for The Goofy's Race and a Half back in the spring.  It is a race in January.  Goofy's race is at Disney World and involves running a half marathon on Saturday and running a full marathon on Sunday-back to back long races.  I registered because I believed I could do it.  In the mean time I registered for another full marathon on December 14th so I could get a "real" PR since at Disney I felt like it wouldn't be a true PR because I would be stopping along the way to take pictures.  So I wanted a real symbol of my hard work by getting a PR in my marathon in December.  The race is 3 weeks from today.

If you need a reminder of what I said about marathons after I ran my first and only then follow the link to read my blog post Journey to 26.2.  http://funthoughtsonlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/journey-to-262.html

Here is the main part of what I wanted to highlight from the previous blog post:

Not everyone is cut out to run a marathon regularly.  I personally have decided that I am a bit of a "Wham" type marathoner.  The one hit wonder.  It was on my bucket list.  Something I wanted to accomplish before I kicked the bucket.  My friend pointed out to me that the general population that has run a marathon is .5%.  I am proud to say that she and I are both in that small percentage, but I don't plan to become a regular there.  My reasoning to only do one is multifaceted.  The training was rough.  I trained by myself, not because I didn't know anyone who was training for a marathon when I was training, but because no one that was training was my pace or anywhere near it.  I had planned to run my marathon by the Jeff Galloway method which involved intervals and no one I knew at that time was interested in my methods.  So, training for 18 weeks and running for hours at a time by yourself was difficult.  I will never forget the day that I had on my running clothes when the kids got on the bus and was about to get in the shower when they got home and my son asked me, "Mom have you been running the whole time I was at school?"  The answer was yes, but I began to scratch my head and wonder what in the world I was doing.  That was plain stupid, running the entire time my kids were in school.  The fact was that 2 years ago I was slow enough that it took me that long to get my long training runs in when I got up into the 20+ miles.  But I was registered, and I am not a quitter.  So I persevered and finished my training and ran my marathon.  I ran the Country Music Marathon 2011.  I finished. 

The day of my marathon in 2011 the weather was mild then got hot for the second half.  The first 11 miles ticked away like nobody's business.  They went by so fast because I was running with the group who was running for my friend's sister with cancer.  They were a super fun group to run with and we laughed and talked and enjoyed the atmosphere so much.  Then we got to the split and on the CMM course, it goes from feast to famine.  In the first half, there is tons of crowd support, lots of bands, entertainment, distraction, you name it. As soon as you get to the split, there is nothing.  The crowd support drops off, much less bands, less entertainment, less distraction.  Some of the course is through the projects and I was a bit scared in parts of it.  It was long and lonely.  My wonderful husband met me at mile 17 and ran the rest of the race with me.  I was never so glad to see him in my life.  However, I was in so much pain and so tired that I could hardly walk, much less run.  I remember at mile 23 I stopped to use the port o potty and I literally thought I would not be able to get back up, I was stiffening up that fast.  I was able to finish that race and I was so "DONE" that I immediately turned around and went to the car after I crossed the line and got my medal.  I was beyond exhausted.  I told my husband when I got in the car that I was not going to do that again.  But no one can ever take away from me the fact that I DID run a marathon.  I am in that .5% and always will be.

Back to today, I had a 23 mile training run.  I was a nervous wreck about the run.  Let's face it, who really wants to run for 4+ hours?  It's really stupid.  Anyone who is running a marathon is doing it for reasons besides health.  It may be purging demons from your psyche, it may be for the social hour, it may be because running is cheaper than therapy.  There are many reasons people run marathons besides just these.  As you read from a previous blog post, I said I would never do another one because it wasn't fun.  

Here are some things that are different now than they were for me in 2011 with my running.  First I am a much stronger runner.  I am much faster, better, stronger.  My endurance is better, and I have been incorporating more core work and crosstraining into my regimen.  I am more relaxed.  If I miss a training run, I don't sweat it.  And I am not killing myself during the week.  So today's run was much needed as a confidence booster that I can, indeed, do it and finish strong unlike my first marathon experience.  Training with a buddy or group is totally key.  For example, I made the statement at mile something, "I am NOT having fun."  My running buddy who was next to me said nothing, but ran ahead to catch up to our other buddy who was just ahead of us.  Along the way she shouted, "Hey Mr. Motivation, we have one not having fun back here."  He immediately dropped back and started talking.  He told me that I have to take my mind off what we are doing, think about something else.  I don't remember all that he said because I was in some bad spot mentally when he was talking.  However, the point is that I scraped myself up and ran the next leg very strong.

  Something else that we discussed along the way today is that everyone feels like crap when they are running this long.  We just push through it.  For some reason this was a revelation for me.  I was delighted to know that I was not alone.  That I was supposed to feel bad after running so long.

I would have totally walked the last few miles of today's run but I didn't.  My slave driving buddies wouldn't let me.  They said I had to prove to myself that I could finish strong. 

That this part was all mind, not body.  Yes the body is tired, but I have trained hard and my body can do this.  My mind wants to stop.  At one point I was told, "Your legs and feet will not fall off during this run.  You may feel like it, but they won't."  Interestingly enough, I am resting comfortably on my couch now, I have all my limbs attached and I can actually walk just fine.  Yes I am tired, but I should be.  I ran 23.1 miles today.  No one can take the pride of my accomplishment away from me.  Now I know in 3 weeks that I can finish strong at my marathon, my legs are not going to fall off, everyone out there with me feels the same way, and I can rest later.  For now, I will be a rock star.  I can totally do this.

Now, here is a great tidbit of marathon advice:  Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables are the best race fuel ever!  Try it.  We had one with about 7 miles to go and it was like salve to a tired soul.  Amen.

Never say never.  I said I would never run another marathon after my first.  I am about to run my second and third within a 4 week period.  I will gladly eat my humble pie because I am proud of myself.  


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Check out my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com  I just updated it with video clips of my latest speaking engagement.  If you need a speaker, I am your girl.  Contact me at jennifer@funthoughtsonlife.com

Have a great rest of the day!
Jennifer

Things that Keep Me Up at Night

I went to McDonald's last night with my running buddies for a treat after we had done our workout for the day.  One of my buddies said, "Well I don't eat at McDonald's anymore."   "Why?", I asked.  He said, "Because they don't have real food here."

Now my girlfriend and I looked at each other and scratched our heads as we noticed the ad for the McRib.  The commentary went along the lines of the fact that the McRib, although shaped somewhat like a short rack on a bun, had no bones whatsover and also was not really rib meat.  Laughter ensued, and I began scratching my head as to what exactly a boneless item such as McRib came from?  A boneless pig?  Is the pig flopped over in some mud somewhere unable to get up or function because it is boneless?  What about boneless wings?  Do they come from chickens who have bones everywhere except the wing area?  Do they just have wing meat dangling there from their shoulders?

This is something that will keep me up at night laughing.  Nothing heavy here on the blog site tonight, just a silly unrealistic point to ponder.

Have a great evening and don't forget to have me speak at your next event.  Big or small, I do them all.  But if you hire me, you may want to remember that I am Pharoah because I don't like to let the people go.  :)

Good Evening, and may all your foods have bones.
Jennifer

Her Name Was Lola

I have realized that very few know the real story of Lola.  She is my new little yorkie that came home yesterday. She is 6 weeks old.  She loves for me to carry her around and tell her the story of when she was born.  The story of her birth is quite extraordinary.

We had a dog named Zoe who was my world.  Zoe wore clothing regularly, was almost never seen without a bow.  She was company to me as my children were growing older and didn't need me as much.  Zoe was my girl.  She needed me.  She would hug my neck every morning.  When I thought she could not get any closer to me to sleep she would scoot a little closer.  I love her.  The morning of July 26th, I took Zoe out to potty as usual.  I stooped down to pick a cucumber off the plant and she heard something and darted away.  She darted into the street and got hit by a car right in front of my house.  It was the worst day of my life.  I literally laid face down in the foyer and cried and screamed.  I held my precious Zoe until she smelled bad and I knew I had to bury her.  It was the saddest experience of my life.  

When heartache comes, God wipes your tears.  I believe He cried with me that day and days afterward.  He was sad for me.  And He was working on a plan for me.  

My best friend called me about a week after Zoe died.  She said, "I know you can't think about another dog right now but it may be the best thing for you to heal your heart.  Sophie(her yorkie) went into heat the day after Zoe died and we have been talking about it and want to breed her so that you can have a puppy if you want one."  At first I thought, oh no, I can't want another dog.  Zoe was the best dog ever.  My husband and I discussed it and decided that by the time we round up a daddy dog, breed, deliver and grow  then we would be ready to have a new puppy.  So we told my friend to breed.  Very rapidly, they located a daddy yorkie that was just the right size for Sophie.  We all met at my friend's house and put the two dogs together :)  It may sound strange to attend the conception of your new puppy but it didn't seem strange to us.  We all 5 attended the deed.  We were emotionally invested in the event.  Plus it was educational for the children.  

A week passed and we were convinced that Sophie was pregnant.  Usual symptoms of pregnancy started to develop and we were excited.  57-63 days is the general time frame for gestation for yorkies.  So I made a countdown calendar where I counted the days till the new puppy.  At 56 days, I was out running and when I got back to my car my phone was ringing.  It was my best friend and she announced that she was at work and Sophie had had the first pup while she was on the couch next to her nephew.  She asked me to rush over and check on things.  Ummmm  YES!!  I got over there in plenty of time to deliver the second two babies.  The first one was doing very well and was Kami.  She was the biggest of the pups. 

 The doc says that most times the first born is the biggest.  Second born took a bit to get out.  I helped Sophie deliver her.  When she was born, she was heaving.  I called the doc and put him on speaker telling him about the heaving.  He told me I needed to squeeze her upside down and shake her to get the mucus dislodged from her lungs.  I said, "Oh I can't do that."  He said, "I know it sounds violent, but you have to do it or the baby will die."  So I got to shakin'!  Two shakes and the pup snooted out a string of mucus and started breathing.  Her name was Lola.  She was the most precious thing I had ever seen.  

Almost two hours later, the third pup was born.  He also was heaving and I shook him right away and he was breathing well.  After the third pup was born I was able to identify that the first two were girls and the last one was a boy.  I knew that the first two were the same but was unsure if they were girls or boys.  Once the boy was born it was obvious  lol!  I had told my friend that she need not worry about how many puppies Sophie had because I would take whatever she had because she had bred her for me.  I didn't want her to have the burden of finding homes for them.  Interestingly enough, God was taking care of us and Sophie had three.  One for me, one for my friend and one for the daddy dog's family.  We could not have asked for a more perfect situation.

I wanted a girl, the daddy dog's family wanted a girl and my best friend wanted a boy.  Two girls and a boy.  Perfect.  God did good.  No extra yorkies to keep.  Just the right amount.

Sophie is the best mommy.  She has taken care of the pups like a champ.  We could not have asked for better.

Lola and Me :)

In the mean time, my best friend's sister contacted me and let me know that there was a maltese, Zoe's breed, at the pound that I needed to "go get".  That is what she told me.  "Go get him."  Sometimes you don't want to have to think about something.  Sometimes you just want someone to make it a no brainer for you.  Sometimes you just want someone to say, "Go Get Him".  I did.  And then there was Charlie.  He was perfect for us.  And he was so proud of being a big brother when his sister Lola was born.

No one will ever replace Zoe.  She was my baby.  But I thank God and my friends for giving me the gift of all that they had.  My friend didn't know what to do for me to help my sadness so she gave me all that she had.  She bred her dog so I could have a puppy.  I am eternally grateful.  My heart is healed with the gift of Charlie and Lola.  Lola came home yesterday.  My heart is full.  Amen.

Thanks so much for reading my blog.  Please remember me if you need a speaker for your next event.  Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com to contact me about your event or anything else :)  

Have a great Sunday!

Jennifer

Elf on the Shelf as a Parenting Tool

If the Elf on the Shelf is one of the categories for achieving the illustrious title of Mom of the Year, then I am completely out of the running.  I can not keep up with some of these moms who seem to plan all year what they will do with the elf each day.  They must stay up all night staging some of the Elf feats.  I do well to move him from place to place.  In fact, at least half the time, I wake up and scramble to find a new spot because I forgot to move him before bed.  Don't get me wrong, I love seeing all the antics of the Elves around town, but I do not strive to compete.  My youngest will come home and tell of what her friend's elves have done the night before when hers somehow stayed in the same place.  "Wonder why he didn't move, Mommy?"  "Well, I suspect the elf kinda liked that spot."  (reality is that mom was tired and old and forgetful)

I recently saw where one mom had created a calendar and produced it for the month of December where she outlined an antic per day for the elf.  She actually reviewed the Pinterest posts and online posts and compiled 30 days worth of her favorites into calendar form.  Good grief.  That makes me want to lay down.  I like to mix in an antic every now and then but the scavenger hunt each morning is enough for us here at the Anglin home although it is incredibly unusual to have an underachieving elf here in a home full of overachievers :)


I have found the elf to be an excellent parenting tool all through the year.  In June, when some lying was going on for random silly stuff, the elf made a surprise appearance on the top of the kitchen cabinets.  It was a one night gig for our elf but he made a huge impact on the behaviors we were trying to correct.  My youngest was shocked to see him on the cabinets in June and I promptly said, "Hmmmm.  Maybe Santa sent him to let you know you need to correct some of your behaviors."  We did not have any more trouble with her behavior :)

Another grand event where the elf showed up to correct behavior was a mastermind if I say so myself.  My youngest had pulled the wool over my eyes and I did not know she had a test that day because she told me it was the next week.  So needless to say, she did not study.  I found out from another mom in the class after she got on the bus that the test was indeed that day.  Scratching my head, I quickly devised a plan....

My youngest got off the bus, came in the house to usual conversation.  How was school, etc.  Then I said, "Why don't you run out and get the mail for me."  She bounced out to get it and came in waving a letter along with the rest of the mail.  "MOM MOM!  It is a letter from Buddy!!(our elf)  OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"  She quickly ripped it open and started reading it aloud.  It read:

Dear (I leave her name out due to my blog being public),
I watch you each and every day.  I am very pleased with your behavior overall.  I was shocked and saddened that you kept the science test you had today from your parents.  It isn't like you to be that way.  I hope you will confess your deception and make it right with your parents.  I know you will do the right thing.
Love,
Buddy

In shame, she confessed what she did and I didn't have to say a word about it.  I just listened to her and she learned a big lesson from a little elf doll that shows up once a year for a month.

I challenge us all to think outside the box and use the elf on the shelf as a parenting tool.  It has been very useful to us here at the Anglin compound.  No, we may not win any awards for elf antics but I am not so sure that was the purpose originally of the elf in the first place.  The way I see it is he is fun to have around, and can be brought out when he needs to correct something big or something that has gotten out of hand.  Try it.  And email me to let me know what you did.  I would love to hear your stories!

Have a fabulous weekend!!
Jennifer

Christmas Tree Toppers on a Budget

Today we are going to get in touch with our inner groovy with two cool projects for tree toppers. I am always trying new things for the tops of my trees. In fact, I am a firm believer that you can wire just about anything to a tree. 

Of course, I am early with my decorating because I have a new puppy coming Sunday so I am "nesting" getting things done because once my little Lola comes I know that I will be focused on her. So don't be casting stones at me for my early decorating because I am a very thankful person and a firm believer that Thanksgiving deserves November. 

First of all, I wanted an initial on my living room tree. If you have priced initials lately, you need a loan to get one. Well, I went to the dollar store and purchased a piece of foam board, printed a letter "A" in the font I wanted, traced it on the foam board and cut it out with a knife. 

It may have been easier if I had used an exacto knife but I didn't have one so I used what I had. In some spots I had to cut a little on the back to make sure it was completely cut out. Here is my finished letter. 

I set it in the top of my tree and VIOLA!  A $1 tree topper!

Are you thinking you can't do it?

Try it!!  It will cost you a dollar to try!  Get in touch with your inner groovy!

Second, my bonus room tree has a winter theme this year so I wanted a snowman on top. I got a piece of white fabric, put some stuffing in the middle of it,

Gathered up the fabric around the stuffing and tied it up at the bottom. 

Shape the stuffing after you tie it off. Then stick a dowel rod down into the hole where it is tied off. 

Trim the extra fabric. Don't be technical, just whack it off. 

Then cut eyes and nose and mouth out of felt. Hot glue it on the head. 

I bought the hat at Target in the dollar spot. I hot glued the hat on and wired the head to the top of my tree.

Then I wrapped some red deco mesh for a scarf but you could use a real scarf too. Viola!!  

Another great tree topped for under $5!  Now get off the computer and go make something fabulous!!

Have a great evening and don't forget to invite me to speak at your next event!  Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com

Jennifer

Moms in Prayer International

I went to a Mom's in Prayer for College Kids meeting today.  I didn't know a soul there.  I was nervous about going but felt strongly led to attend.  I listen to God so I went in spite of my reservations.  The people there did not meet the "me" that my friends know.  They met the shy, quiet, highly observational me that has not made an appearance in a long time.  In fact, I can't remember the last time that "me" made an appearance but she was out today.  I have been in deep reflection all day about the time spent with ladies I did not know.

There was laughter.  There were tears.  Most importantly, there was prayer.  I felt a heavy presence of God in the room.  I was amazed and excited when I immediately recognized that I was in a room with some of the most Godly women I had ever met.  Words can't describe how heavy the air felt with faith.  How heavy the room felt with love.  How heavy the room felt with Jesus.  Jesus was there because where two or more are gathered, He is there.  It was a physical feeling of heaviness for me.  But the heaviness was not physical, it was supernatural.

I have been yearning for this sort of "air".  Starving for it.  Today I was fed.

I am not afraid of public prayer but I did not utter a word in the meeting.  I was in awe of what I had stumbled upon.  This group of women, faithfully praying for their children and the struggles that come from college life.  Women who did not know me but who lifted my daughter's name up through scripture prayer and specific prayer for her needs as she is away at college.  All the children were lifted up the same way.

                                                          

Historically, I have mainly had close friends with children the same age or younger than mine.  I very well may have been the youngest person in the room.  It seemed that everyone else had children much older than mine.  Where my oldest was in college, their middle or youngest may have been in college.  It was refreshing.  It gave me hope for another day.  It is those who have lived a day in my shoes that can truly encourage if they have the courage to be transparent enough to share the struggle.  This group was just that.  No one seemed to be afraid to share even though they did not know me.  I am grateful for that transparency.

I left the meeting with some new friends, a lighter heart, some new children to pray for daily, some new partners in the struggle.  Maybe soon these new friends can meet the real me.  I am glad I stepped out of my comfort and attended today.  I will be back.

Here is a link to the sort of group that I attended today.  http://www.momsinprayer.org/
Check it out.  There are groups like this all over the country.

Thank you so much for reading my blog.  Please subscribe in the box on the right to receive updates when there is a new blog.  Consider me if you need a speaker for your event whether it is corporate or local.  I do them all :)

Have a great day, and look up a Moms in Prayer group in your area and go.
Jennifer

Closed

I had my first speaking engagement in Buford, Georgia Saturday. It went better than I could have ever hoped for. As a surprise, my oldest daughter got up and introduced me. Most kids would be terrified to speak in front of a group. But not my girl. She accepted the invitation and rocked it. It was the best day of my life. Lives were changed. 

Being parched after speaking, I wanted my Sonic fix so found one in Alpharetta. Pulled in the parking lot to emptiness. 

I wondered why there were no cars in the parking lot when I noticed there were no menus on the poles. REALLY?!  Were they closed down?  Out of business?!

Did folks not eat here, causing them to have to shut down?!  I actually wandered the deserted parking lot for a few minutes aghast at what had happened here. I felt like Clark Griswold when he arrived at Wally World only to find it closed. WHERE was I to get a snack and drink?! (For there is no other place to eat in my book). I was absolutely mortified that my place was closed at this location. I wanted to go door to door questioning people as to why they were not patronizing such a fine establishment. Closed. Closed. CLOSED!!

It stinks when something you need is closed when they should have been open. That Sonic should have been open on Saturday. They should have almost every bay full of cars and people sitting on the patio with the buzz of laughter filling the air as people eat their lunch and socialize. But something closed their doors.

 God's doors are never closed, even when people don't come and partake of His wares. God keeps his doors open 24/7/365. We may not pull in His parking lot when we should but He always keeps His lights on, menus up, and wares ready. He is waiting for us to come. It is comforting to know that when we are thirsty, no matter what state we are in, God's Sonic is always open to satisfy our thirst for righteousness. 

Thank you for reading my blog. If you need a speaker for any event please consider me. Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com

Subscribe to receive updates when there is a new blog. Click on the box at the right to subscribe. If you are on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click view web version then you will see the box at the right. 

Have a wonderful day and visit God's Sonic!

Jennifer