training for.... a half marathon

I have never had aspirations to run a half marathon. Running is not my favorite. 

For so many years playing soccer, it was all about training for the next step. Training to try out for a the high school team, training so I wasn't left in the dust my first college season, training for ODACs, training for NCAA, training towards a national championship. There always something I was training towards, which ended up feeling like I would never obtain the highest goal or ever be able to train hard enough. 

For soccer, if your training but not including a lot running, you wouldn't be ready for anything. Therefore, I always needed to be running on my own. Again, not my favorite thing. 

After all the years of training for soccer, I have started enjoying working out in different ways, which didn't always include running. I ride mountain bikes, swim, spinning, lifting, elliptical, play tennis, racquetball, and chase wrigley around outside. Now that I've been doing my own plan for several years, it's starting to get old. 

This year, with a new lacrosse/strength and conditioning coach, Hayley, at Sweet Briar, I started tagging along with her workouts. For the entire fall semester, we printed a lifting/exercising chart and did it 3 times a week. I'd supplement it with a day or two of cardio. But all in all, I didn't have to plan or design my work outs. So much better. 

In addition, my best friend has been nagging me to sign up to run a half marathon with her for a while.  Now with a busy spring semester at work, I needed to set up a plan for my workouts. What a better way to have planned workouts then to sign up for a half marathon! 

I signed up the day registration opened (with a gentle push from Hayley who's also running it). I started to panic that my best friend wouldn't get registered in time, so I frantically started texting her while she was busy at work (at her new job that she is rocking!). I ended up just signing her up myself... and nicely asked her to please request the day off! 

Have I ever run more than 5 miles? No. And I've only ran 5 miles once in my life. ha. However, I can run a pretty mean 3 miles! Training for a half marathon gives me a weekly plan; and that's what I need right now to keep me going during this crazy, busy spring season. The race is the day after graduation, so training will take me through the rest of the semester. 

12-weeks of training. Here we go!! 

13.1 miles - May 18th

Training plan that sits on my desk at work!

biggest decision of my life

I found my wedding dress!!

The "Today" on the champagne bottle is from early February... but I'm still really excited about finding my wedding dress!!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am the  w o r s t  decision maker of all time. I am much better at the non-decision. Two techniques of making decisions.... emotionally attaching myself to a side or rationally thinking through one. I'm not good at either. My bad decision-making skills goes for anything... where to go to eat, what to wear, picking out a piece of jewelry, where to go to college, buying a car, favorite color, and on and on.

The story from my childhood goes like this. Meme wanted to take me shopping to spend my Christmas money. She wanted me to pick something out that I knew I'd like! Before we left, my dad told her not to make the decision for me. Even at a young age, he knew that decisions are hard for me, so I needed to start practicing!

When you get engaged, everyone wants to know (1) when is the date and (2) what type of wedding have you dreamt about since you were little? For me, I have always envisioned a loving, family centered wedding. I love lots of colors, seasons, flowers, venue sites, themes, music, food arrangements and dress styles. So no, I don't have a dream wedding already planned. I wish!! Each decision is hard.

When you begin shopping for a wedding dress, the question remains... what have you envisioned yourself in since you were a little girl? Cupcake ball gown? Lace or satin? Bling beading and crystals? Flowy beach feel? Strapless or sleeves? Open back? Form-fitting? A-line? Neckline?

Me, envisioning myself trying to decide on a wedding dress has literally kept me up at night. The night before my first dress appointment, I barely slept. I didn't know if I'd like any of the dresses, or if I'd like all of them. Maybe I'd want to try on a thousand dresses. Or, I thought I'd settle on one and then days later change my mind. I was a stress ball. It seems silly now....

The biggest decision of my life...? Done. I chose my wedding dress!! Not to mention, it only took one appointment at one local boutique.

Amy, me and Amanda after the dress was chosen!

I have a long way to go with the planning, but I have TWO B I G decisions checked off! The date and location are set. Big decision, but necessary to get done early. And second, I have a wedding dress!!

We're getting married and I can NOT wait until July 19th!!!!