{Monday Runday} 6 miles!! And why I love my Garmin.

It's Monday Runday!!

I ran twice last week which has been my typical schedule for the past two months.  Although 2 days doesn't seem like a lot, I have been able to up my mileage from 3.1 miles to 6 miles in a matter of one month! So I must be doing something right!  I tend to struggle when I take less of a break in between runs because my legs threaten to get shin splints even with my compression leggings (that was a really long sentence, geez! And I call myself a blogger...)  Maybe it's because I need to change my mileage that I do each of those days.  Maybe I try to go to far.  I don't know.  But I gotta figure it out because this week, I start my real half marathon training and that requires 3 times/week. When I get back to Texas someday, (I'll explain that in a different post), I am going to cross train with some strength training.

My run on Tuesday was quite boring.  I ran out the door and down the highway 1.5 miles then turned around doing a total of 3 miles.  My legs felt like a million pounds each.  Not sure what was up with that.  Although there were very little hills this time, it was a very difficult run for some reason.  Some of my runner friends have told me that I should expect to have days  like that.  I think part of it is that after my previous 3 runs, I had not iced my shins so my shins were hurting and maybe my stretching wasn't as good as it could have been post run.  Whatever it was, it was not one of my best runs.  I did the 3 miles without stopping but I felt crappy during that entire run :(

Saturday's run, however, was just plain awesome!!  I did 6 miles at Castlewood.  I can't even describe how much I love trail running! Be prepared for a picture heavy post ;)

I ran all over the freaking place, sometimes twice! 

I couldn't handle it.  I had to take a picture of the little bridge!

I love the unevenness of it.  It makes it more exciting.  I nearly bit it like 10 times. ;)

Isn't that beautiful?

Remember how I said I feel like Katniss sometimes?  Here is why ;)

I ran along a creek for awhile until it suddenly ended. 

After retracing my steps, I realized I was suppose to go through the creek.  I guess the drought prevented me from having to swim across ;)

Love all the switchbacks!  Made me want to mountain bike so bad!

I ran uphill for most of my 6 miles. Phew! But the view was worth it :)


Remember how I said the Garmin was totally awesome?  Here are the details I uploaded from my Garmin after this run.  This is why I love my Garmin ;)

I love the way it analyzes all the details for you.
Don't be fooled by my garmin's estimate of calorie burn.  My HR monitor (with chest strap) says I burned 650 kcals.  

I loooooooooooooove my garmin ! Especially because it breaks down each mile.
My pace was slower than when I just run on the road, but its to be expected for me with all those hills.

I had an elevation gain of 707 feet total.  Wow!!!
 It was such an awesome run despite those giganto hills and the view was worth it!

 Do you trail run or road run?  Which do you prefer?  Share in the comments!

{The Krafty Korner} Holding Hands

Once upon a time, I started a craft blog in addition to this blog.  I soon realized that one blog was enough to keep up with!  I stopped posting on said craft blog, but I haven't stopped crafting.  And I'm just so proud of some of my creations that I just have to show them off!  So don't be surprised when this "healthy living" blog occasionally goes all crafty on you in what I like to call "The Krafty Korner."  Besides, crafting is my creative outlet and that creative outlet keeps me "emotionally healthy" so it kind of ties in, right?  Right?

This is something I made for my dad for Father's Day, but this could be made for any Grandpa/Grandad/Papa/Pepaw for any occasion.  I simply painted my own dad's hand with acrylic paint and placed his hand on a piece of cardstock.  After it had dried, I did the same with my 18 month old little guy who has done so many handprint creations that he knew exactly what to do.  Then I finished it off with some fancy grandpa embellishments.  It cost a total of $18 for the whole project at Hobby Lobby (when their frames were 50% off, of course!)  I am particularly proud of the "papa" embellishment because my dad wanted to be called "grandpa" but "papa" (pronounced paw paw) came out of Eli's lips.  Now my dad can't stop referring to himself as Papa..."come to papa!" "He wants Papa!" And Eli can't stop saying it.  I was super excited to use that papa embellishment. ;)

I think this little piece of artwork is so special because E's hands will someday be the same size as Papa's if not bigger.  What a precious memory to hold on to that once upon a time, he was just a little guy holding his Papa's hands...crap, I think I may start crying thinking about E growing up...time to end this post.

 *sniff sniff*

{Made 2 Crave} I could never give up that!!

Self control is hard.  We don't like to deny ourselves.  We don't think that its necessary.  We make excuses and declare, "That's nice for someone else, but I could never give up _______!" (fill in the blank: soda, sugar, cupcakes, smoking...)  -Lysa TerKeurst


Last June, I gave up *drum roll please* ....fast food.  I have gone without McDonalds, Taco Bell, Chicken Express or Sonic (or any other restaurant of that nature) for 13 months as of today!!!  Was giving it up hard? Heck yes.  Did I crave it at times? Yes.  Do I crave it anymore?  No.  I don't even want it.  Do you know how awesome that feels?  In fact, I was over at my Grandparents last week and they were eating McD for breakfast.  Grandma offered me some McDonalds pancakes.  I expressed my gratitude, but that I just couldn't do it.  I've come so far without it now, that I don't want to a) ruin my track record and b) I just don't want it!  I have zero desire for fast food!

I have always loved McDonalds Mcchickens, chicken nuggets and their breakfast burritos (umm, gross?)  I love pretty much anything from Taco Bell, and don't get me started on the chicken strips from Chicken Express.  Then I watched Supersize Me.  And as a medical professional, I couldn't believe what I watched.  If you haven't seen that documentary, watch it.  You too may never eat fast food again.  Fast food is certainly convenient but what it does to your health is not convenient.  Gross.Me.Out.

Self control is hard.  We want what we want when we want it.  And when it comes to making any sort of sacrifice, we rely only on ourselves and let's face it, ourselves is not very reliable at times. But with a little reliance on our God Most High, we can let go of the excuses and give up whatever it is we put in that fill-in-the-blank.

Jesus looked at them and said, 

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

We see that verse and we feel weak because "with man, this is impossible."

But what if we try to change the way we are thinking?  What if we try to think like this:  

"With man, it is impossible to deny yourself.  With man, it is impossible to make sacrifices.

  With man, it is impossible to have self-control.

  But with God, all sacrificial things are possible.  With God, all self-control is possible." -Lysa

Are you willing to shift gears in your way of thinking and feel empowered?  

With God all things are possible and God is with us!  Therefore, we CAN practice self control with His divine assistance!

{Listable Life} The Hardest Thing about being a Parent

Being a parent is: amazing, awesome, wonderful, rewarding, heart warming,

 and pretty much the best thing ever.

Being a parent is also: difficult and confusing.

Mmmm... Pushpop!

Parenting: Once you think you got it figured out, you find out you don't.  Such is the life of a parent!

So today's Listable Life is: 5 Hardest things about being a Mom.  Scratch that.  I have to much to say about the #1 hardest thing about being a parent.

Discipline

 E has become a full blown toddler.  He wants his way not now, right now.  He whines when he wants something but doesn't know the word for it.  He is climbing (Lord, help me.)  He is into everything.  And he is starting to test us. My precious angel? Testing me?  No way....YES WAY.   Here is how he got his first "spanking" a few days ago, which was actually just a single bottom swat that he could probably barely feel.

Eli: You see me playing with this lamp plug that I just pulled out of the outlet and am now putting back in?

Mom (in a loud, assertive voice and removing him from the situation): Eli, NOT SAFE. (I try to not use No all the time)

Eli: *runs back over to outlet and pulls plug out* 

Mom (in louder voice): ELI, NOT SAFE!!! (removes him from area again)

Eli: *runs back over to outlet* This time with a huge grin on his face while pulling out the plug really slow as if to say "watch me mom."  I know his "testing mom" face.

Mom: *pop on the bottom*

Eli: *death curdling scream because he's pretty sure I just tried to assassinate him.*

Oh my goodness.  Being that it was the first time I "spanked" him and his diaper probably kept him from feeling anything, he didn't expect it and it probably took him off guard, which is why he cried like he was dying.  I walked across the room and sat down.  He came right over to me (even though it was me who popped him) wanting to be consoled and held.  And I did just that, explaining to him that Mommy spanked him because she doesn't want him to get hurt.  He may have understood only a small bit of that, but hopefully eventually he will get it.  Now please don't judge me, but I do believe in spanking and I feel there are biblical reasons to spank.  Defiance and dangerous situations are the only 2 things we will spank for.  The punishment must fit the crime.  Taking something that Mommy says is "not yours" is not punishable by spanking.  However, running towards the street and playing with the outlet covers/plugs are, especially when you combine them with that "look at me mom. I'm totally not listening to you!" smile.  And I know he knows what "not safe, not yours and no" mean.  He has clearly shown me he understands those phrases.

Swatting on the hand = big grin, even if I do it where it should sting.

Time out = Tried it.  Didn't work.  I think he is to young to understand this yet.  In a few months, this is definitely something we will utilize.

I'm so confused and sometimes don't know what to do or if what I am even doing is right.  When he has a major meltdown and gets angry because I take something away that he shouldn't have, or because I won't let him have what he wants, Mommy walks out of the room and he HATES that.  I do not give in to the "scream my face off to get what I want" thing.  Ya, I know. I'm a mean mommy. I feel like its the right thing to do, but my heart breaks when he has a meltdown!

This sweet guy misbehavin? Never!

Rather than give in, I try to use each whine/screamfest/meltdown to teach him.  I have been working on lots of new words with him so he can begin to tell me what he wants.  He is on vocabulary explosion right, learning like 1-2 new words a day!  For example: for the past few days he's been going to the fish tank, pointing at it and letting out a big loud whine that perhaps the entire neighborhood could hear.  I am trying to teach him the word "fish" followed by "please."  Whenever he lets out that giant whine, I say "ask nicely to see the FISH.  Fish please."  He says "pwease!" Light comes on.  After a day or two of this, he now goes over to the fish tank, looks at me and just says "please" without the scream.  VICTORY!  We are still working on the word fish though.

This whole discipline thing is so confusing though.  I don't want to lack discipline in such a way that causes my child to grow up to become a snotty I-get-my-way-or-else kid.  And I also don't want to over discipline so I get the I-behave-around-my-parents-then-do-things-behind-their-back way either.  Finding that balance is so hard.  And you pretty much set that tone during the toddler stage because what you do now through young childhood will reflect on how your child behaves as an adolescent.  I am reading a book called Dare to Discipline by James Dobson.  It was written in the 70s and updated in the 90s.  It's an older book, but I am devouring it. It is seriously really good!  Rebellious behavior is expected, but how you handle it can really mold your child into what they become.  And that is so scary! I want to do it right. I want my children to grow up knowing Christ and that Mommy and Daddy disciplined them because we love them more than anything in the world.

One of my favorite things this book has said so far is to discipline immediately following the "crime" followed by parental warmth and love when the sad tears (not angry tears-those are to be ignored) and clingy-ness happens post swat/spank/timeout.  This parental love, shown after discipline has taken place, reassures the child that it is the behavior, not the child himself, that the parent rejects.  At least I am doing one thing right!

There is an example in this book about a mom who tells her young 5 year old to put his toys away and go brush his teeth while she scurries off to take care of the younger child.  The 5 year old knows that he can keep playing cuz mom will come back in and say it again with a little more emphasis.  He knows that the 3rd time, when moms voice is hostile, that she really means it.  Mom is then crabby because she has little control over her child unless she is "hostile sounding" and the kiddo knows what he is doing- squeezing every last second of playtime in because mom doesn't really mean it until the hostile voice comes out.  I don't want to be that mom.  I want the kid to listen to me the first time (oh i know it's not gonna happen all the time) but I want that mutual respect between child and parent.  And figuring out how to do it is so confusing and scary.  Consistency is key, I know.  But first you got to figure out what to even be consistent with and what works that will speak to your child.  One kiddo may need a firm loud voice and burst into tears, and another may be a stubborn, fiery little red head, who doesn't care if you swat his hand.  Sheesh!

I want E to understand that we love him more than anything else in this world and because we love him so much, we have to teach him to obey because we want to take care of him and protect him.  We want him to understand and appreciate boundaries because that is what will make him feel secure.

How do you figure out how to parent with grace? How do you discipline where the balance between love and control are evident to your child?  That's what we are trying to explore right now and it is one of the most difficult, scary things ever.

"When a child asks, 'who's in charge?' tell him.  When he mutters, 'who loves me?' take him in your arms and surround him with affection.  Treat him with respect and dignity, and expect the same from him.  Then begin to enjoy the sweet benefits of competent parenthood." -James Dobson

Ahh, if only there was a button that flashed green to confirm we are being "competent parents" and a red button to tell us when we are doing something wrong.

But alas, there are no buttons.  Our only hope in parenting is trusting in God to lead us as parents. 

And pray. 

Alot.

Linking up at MTDL and Momof6

If you are a parent, what have you found that has worked for you and your children as far as discipline goes?  What parenting style do you pursue?  What's your opinion on spanking? (keep it civil, people!) Share in the comments!

{Monday Runday} No one nearly died this week!

Hey! It's Monday Runday!

And for once, I don't have anything to terribly exciting to report.  Nothing was broken and no one nearly died this week while running with me.  That's success in my book!  

               

Well, maybe there is something a little exciting to tell you.  I got a Garmin!! You have no idea how awesome this is (unless you have one!)  On our last 5 mile run, Taryn showed me her garmin and all the awesome things it does.  It is a MUST for a runner, at least in my books.  I had previously been using mapmyrun on my phone, but everytime I would use it and compare its mileage to googlemaps, it was always off.  The garmin, however, uses several satellites and everytime Taryn has used it and compared it to googlemaps, it is dead on.  It is so important to me, especially as a new runner, to know exactly how many miles I have run as I am out there running.  Sure, I could map out my run before I go out, and know exactly how many miles I am doing.  But I am an adventurous runner.  I just get out there and run.  I don't have a plan on where I am going, which turns I am going to take, and how far down the trail I am going to go.  I just go.  So this is awesome for me!  Plus when you run with the phone app and say you have to stop for a wardrobe malfunction- like shoes need tightened or your fuelbelt needs adjusted, you have to take out your phone and hit pause, which takes time and messes up your pace.  With the garmin, you simply push a button.  It does so many things on connect.garmin.com,  like generating reports, analyzing your runs, setting goals and tracking goals in both list and calendar form...it's just so right up my alley.  And no I was not paid to write about this.  I just think it is that awesome!!  Thank you Taryn for once again improving my running life!!!

I tried it out for the first time on Tuesday.  I wore all my running gear to my STL home church for a Beth Moore bible study with the women's ministry on James: Mercy Triumphs (Sooo good!), and I am sure I looked fashionable with my bright pink compression leggings.  I ran 3 miles home, testing out the garmin.  Totally in love! Although I wasn't in love with the number of hills on my chosen route ;)

In other news, Saturdays have officially become my "long run" days as they are for most marathon trainers.  Wait.  Did you hear that?  Marathon trainer.  I'm a (half) marathon trainer! Never would I have imagined using those words to describe myself.  Crazy!  I ran 5.09 miles on the Monarch Chesterfield Valley Levee Trail last Saturday.   It is 6 mile stretch that will eventually become a 17 mile loop that is connected to even more trails.  I love Missouri and all of its glorious trails!  This trail is exactly as it is named.  A levee.  I remember back in 1993, the great Flood of 93, (I was 8!) when the levee broke and the Missouri River came flooding into the valley.  Since then the levee has been rebuilt, 3-6 feet taller in some areas, and you can now run atop that levee.  It's pretty cool!

Running under the bridge that crosses the Missouri River in Chesterfield

There's a river on the other side of those rocks/trees.

You can't really tell from this angle that the levee is quite tall.  It's a nice trail!

Photo opp under the bridge!

How did your run go this past week?  Link up!

{Made 2 Crave} I'll start again on Monday

God gave us the gift of prayer to turn our times of desperation into relationship opportunities with Him.  This cycle is far more promising than distancing ourselves from His goodness with our own sense of self-loathing and defeat.  -Lysa TerKeurst 


Have you ever felt so desperate that you almost felt at a loss?  And in that time of desperation, you have that familiar sinking feeling in your stomach.  For me, it's happened to many times to count in the past year and a half as I battled negative body image.    I would say I want to change; I want this stinkin' thinkin' to go away; I want to be happy again, but in my self loathing, I would not act upon it.  I would say "I'll start again on Monday."  Monday would come around, and I may have been successful at my attempts to change momentarily, but I would fall back into my old habits quickly: "You're ugly.  You're fat.  Your body is a failure."  Gosh, I can't believe I said those things to myself or how quickly I was distancing myself from the Lord.

I find myself nagged by the subtle feeling of defeat, disappointment, and frustration.  This crushing cycle of powerlessness that I've come to hate continues.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to wander around on a fruitless path unable to enter into the abundant life God has for me.  -Lysa TerKeurst

Crushing.  That is exactly how defeat, disappointment and frustration feel when you let Satan attack you with these three weapons.  It's a terrible feeling.  But there is hope.  You can turn those times of desperation into opportunities to grow in your relationship with Christ by opening your heart up to Him in prayer. (Take that, Satan!)

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.  Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.  In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  Psalm 5: 1-3


I desperately pleaded to Christ through prayer that He would help me overcome the ugly place I had found myself in.  And I'll tell you friends, He answered.

Maybe you are going through a difficult trial that leaves you with that sinking feeling?  Maybe you too are suffering from negative body image?  Maybe its food that is ruling your life?  Maybe its a relationship that needs mending.  Whatever it is, know that Christ is with you to start working you through it RIGHT NOW.  You do not have to wait til Monday to start again.

You can start now.

{Monday Runday} Stupid things happen in 3s

It's Monday Runday...on Tuesday ;)

I'm becoming a little fearful of running because out of my last 5 runs, 3 runs have either harmed something, someone, or myself.  I ran last Saturday with Taryn (my half marathoner buddy) and this was our conversation via text (she is in green, I am in gray).

So bad things happen in 3's, right?  What is up with that? I should have expected it, I guess.  Let's see: 1) Color Run phone death, and 2) my dog's near death experience...how I could I expect anything less exciting to happen on my next run?

July 11th.  I go back out to Castlewood to do another trail run.  Oh how I wish we had places like this in West Texas!  In Missouri, we have something called trees and rivers.  Oh how I miss that!  But granted, we do have amazing sunsets in Texas!

A pretty tame part of the path of River Scene Trail at Castlewood (yes, it was starting to get dark)

Let me tell you why trail running is so much fun.  When you run on a trail, there are twigs and sand and rocks and boulders and fallen trees and hills (small ones!) and narrow paths...you get the idea.  When I run, I feel like Katniss out on the hunt.  It is sooooo much fun!  It was starting to get dark, especially under the forest of trees.  And about half a million deer began to make their presence known on the trail.  At 3.75 miles into my run, there was a deer practically standing in my path and he didn't act as though he was going to move, even though I was approaching.  I started to kind of stomp my feet as I ran in hopes it would make him take off.  And it did.  And I watched him bound off.  Just a warning: when trail running, PAY ATTENTION to the trail!  As I watched him bound off, my right foot caught a stump and I went flying at least 3 football fields down the path.  I had time to think about whether or not I was going to be impaled on something when I landed.  I landed with a loud thump. OOF! Ohhhhhh owwwwww.  I stood up, looked back to see what I had tripped over, turned to look at the path I had yet to run, and despite the aching, throbbing, burning sensations in my knees and hands, I started running again.  All I could think about is having mapmyrun post my run onto facebook (as it automatically does after my run) and show that I had an awful pace.  Ya, I am prideful like that.  So I run that last quarter of a mile, inspected the wounds and laughed at myself- running is becoming both an accidental expense and a threat to my (and others) existence.

The beginning of a really nasty bruise on my wrist.  I wish I had taken a pic when it was all black and nasty!  I could have grossed you out!

Swollen wrist.  Pictures don't do it justice!

Covered in dirt.  That's gonna bruise. You can't tell, but Castlewood Park now is the proud owner of some of my flesh.

A couple days later: That's a mighty bruise!

As you saw in the txt, Taryn decided to take us on a 5 mile loop in Brentwood, Missouri and we did that last Saturday.  I was convinced I was going to die as I have only done 4 miles twice now, but as good friends do, they push you to do things you never thought you could!  I am used to running solo and going into my own little world with my headphones on, so this whole running with friends is new to me and the idea of "talking" while running seemed impossible.  Until we started running.  And we talked the entire time, and it was possible, and glorious!  We visited the entire 1 hr 3 minutes! Ok, well maybe Taryn did more of the talking the last 10 minutes, because well, mile 4 was just plain HARD because  1) I am not used to talking while running (although it was awesome!) and 2) We don't have hills in West Texas...

Stopping for a brief moment at the top of  Mount McKnight Road for a photo opp!

and this one that didn't look so bad until I got to the top (half dead) and turned around to snap this pic.

We made it back to Taryn's house and she began celebrating our 5 miles!

Taryn: "Aren't you excited!? You did 5 miles!! SO AWESOME!"
Me: "I'll be excited after I collapse on your floor and the feeling of death wears off!"

Ok, so maybe it wasn't that bad. I felt really good during this run.  The last mile was a bit harder, but it was hot and hilly (ya, that's my excuse!!) We did celebrate by collapsing on the floor (well, at least I did), some cool water and a nice long visit!

And no one was harmed in the making of this run.  That's a bonus ;)

Want to join me on Monday Runday?  Post a link to your blog about your run and I will come visit you and follow you!  Or just share about your week in running in the comments!

Happy Blogiversary to me!!!

Guess what.  It's July 13th.  Do you know what that means?  It's my very first blogiversary!!!

I started this blog exactly 1 year ago when I nervously hit submit on my very first post.  I didn't think anyone would care what I had to write, but now I have nearly 300 followers.  And while I am not a big blog like the Pioneer Woman (man I love that gal.  I want to be her bestie), I am so thankful for those that read what I write.  It means so much to me and keeps me accountable in so many aspects of my life!  And to have so many woman read my blog and email me or ask to get together to talk about learning to love thier body- it makes me KNOW that God is using what I experienced to bless others.

I can fit in my wedding dress again!!

I have changed so much in the last year; its crazy.


Physically, I went from 190 lbs at the end of my pregnancy (pre-pregnancy weight of 145) to my current 123 lbs!  In the past 18 months, I have lost 67 lbs! That is so unreal!  Last summer, I could barely run for 1 minute without feeling like death.  And a couple weekends ago, I particpated in my first 5k.  This past week I ran 4 miles and tomorrow my crazy friend Taryn is taking me on a 5 mile run! (Pray for me!)  And if that isn't crazy enough, I'll be doing my first 1/2 marathon in November!  Ok, it can get crazier.  I actually enjoy running.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would say that.  But I do truly love it!

Emotionally, I was a depressed, self-loathing, unhappy, whiney, critical person.  But I am no longer that person!  I am genuinely thankful for my body even with its flaws.  I am no longer critical of my body.  I am HAPPY!  I have learned so much about who I am and who God wants me to be.  I have finally found my beautiful, and it is so freeing that I can't even describe it in words. 


Spiritually, I have never felt as close to God as I do now, and I only hope that it will continue to get better and better.  I love that I can write here about my struggles and find support from others that are going through the same thing.  I love that I can write about my bible studies and devotionals as this keeps me accountable and keeps it fresh in my mind.  I just love that God has blessed me with the gift of this blog.  He used it to get me out of my depressed slump last year.  He knew I needed this.  Doesn't He work in such amazing ways!?


Thank you again for sticking around with me and for your words of encouragement!  Yall have blessed me beyond belief!

{Monday Runday} How to spend $600 on Running

If you are looking for a tutorial on how to spend $600 on running in 2 days, then you have come to the right place.  Apparently, I have that down to an art.

You may recall that I did my first 5k, The Color Run, on June 30th, in Kansas City, with a really sweet friend and my awesome cousin.

Brittany (cousin-left) and Taryn (lifelong buddy- right)

Taryn and I are both vertically challenged so we think this picture is pure awesomeness.

What I didn't tell you in the Color Run Recap is how I killed my phone.  

Rewind to 10 days before the Color Run.  I have had an iphone for many years, but last month it started to act funky and I took it in to AT&T.  I was able to upgrade at this time so I checked out the HTC One X and decided to give it a try.  I am an Apple girl (LOVE MY IPAD), and was totally fearful of Android, but I am loving it so far.  They gave me $160 credit for turning my iphone in so this new HTC phone that normally cost $550 without a contract ($200 with a contract-which I have) cost me $40.  SWEETNESS!

Fast forward to June 30.  There we are at the Color Run.  We ran 3.1 miles with my phone safely tucked in Taryn's fuelbelt.  Why didn't I leave it in the hotel?  It takes REALLY good pictures!  And I wanted to take some post-race pics.  I got it out after the run and started snapping away. Then it came time for the post run paint explosion celebration.  See below.

I thought to myself, "this paint explosion only lasts like 1 minute before the color clears from the air.  I'll just tuck my phone into my sports bra to keep it safe."  And that's just what I did.  1 minute later after being in that crazy fun colorful mess, I got the phone out to take some pics of our glorious color covered bodies, and my phone started going crazy.  I could not figure out why the heck it wouldn't work.  Later we got back to the hotel, and found that there was moisture under the screen.  

I broke my phone with sweat.  

Seriously embarrassing.  We went to the AT&T store in KC and thankfully I have insurance on my phone.  I never have had insurance before in all my years of having a cell phone, but something about a toddler and his new fascination with toilets inspired me to get insurance.  $200 later, I have a new phone..again.  *sigh*

Now let me take you to huge expense #2.   On July 4th, Cali and I went out to do some early morning trail running at Castlewood State Park, a BEAUTIFUL park near my parents house.  Cory and I used to mountain bike here several times a week when we lived in Missouri.  It has some really amazing trails.

I love this park.  It's gorgeous!

Cali is an amazing running partner.  I barely even have to hold on to her leash; she stays right with me.  We started last year with the couch to 5k and I have seen her progress into an awesome athletic dog.  The silly dog just has to see me start putting on my compression leggings and she will go crazy.  That dog was designed to run.  We usually run 2-3 times a week in Texas and for the past few months we have done at least 3-3.75 miles per run.  

On this trail run, Cali and I ran a total of 4 miles, only 0.25 miles longer than our normal run.  Everything about this run was similar to our runs at home.  It was in the 80s (same temperature when we run in the evenings in Texas), close to the same mileage, and we took a few water breaks.  (I have a fuel belt that I carry water in and I have a bottle designated for Cali).  At the end of our run, I noticed Cali started to pant different and that her saliva had become very frothy.   She had a stressed look on her face and I could tell something was off.  I was afraid she had gotten to warm so I put her in the river to cool her off.

We sat in the river for about 10 minutes cooling off.  One thing you should know about Cali: I am pretty sure she thinks she is a lab.  This dog LOVES water and we can hardly keep her out of my parents pond when we visit.  

sluuuuurp river water!

After 10 minutes, I decided it was time to go and Cali would not budge from the river.  Even with her love of water, I began to get concerned.  Cali is a very obedient, sweet dog.  The fact that she would NOT get up, even with a tug of the leash, started to worry me.  I started to panic on the inside.  I knew something was not right.  A gentleman that was fishing down the river came over to help me and eventually we got her to get up and she wobbled to the car.  Luckily, we were very close to where I had parked.

I took her home, and my Mom and I started looking for an emergency vet that was open on a holiday.  We found one and off I went with my dad's moral support while mom stayed home to watch E.  When we got Cali there, they immediately took her back to the ICU, examined her and started IV fluids.  I was not allowed back in the ICU, so my heart just ached as I wondered if I had just accidently killed my dog :(  

Getting to see Cali for the first time since she had been taken back to ICU

After the doctor examined her/started fluids and he had talked to me about what happen, they brought her out for me to see her.  When I saw her, I apologized to her over and over and hugged my sweet puppydog.  I didn't get to see her long as they had to take her back to continue her fluids.  Rather than go home, I decided to stick around and wait for the bloodwork.  

Here is a little lesson for you: heat exhaustion and heat stroke are extremely life threatening.  Heat stroke can lead to organ damage/organ failure and can kill quickly.  Knowing all this, my heart ached and my stomach hurt. And I cried, cried, cried, while I awaited for the results, knowing that the bloodwork would show if any organ failure was happening.  It felt like that blood work took an eternity to get.  

Cali getting to come out and see me the 2nd time.  This time looking and acting perkier, but still not 100%

The doctor finally came out and gave me the results.  Without going all nursey on ya, ;) her labwork showed expected abnormals for dehydration, and no abnormals that would indicate organ failure.  Her kidneys were on the elevated side of normal, but as long as she continued to improve, they wouldn't do bloodwork again.  June went into kidney failure a few weeks ago, so sadly I know what that looks like. :(  There were no signs of any type of organ failure.  Praise God!! Cali was diagnosed with heat exhaustion/mild heat stroke and had to stay the night for monitoring and fluids. The doctor told me that if I hadn't put her in the river, then this story would have had a different ending.  #sinkingfeelinginmystomach

Visiting Cali during the evening.  She was back to her floppy, goofy, silly self by then.

So why did this happen?  Why did Cali overheat when all the conditions were the same as our normal runs?  The answer: humidity.  We do not have humidity in West Texas.  Not much anyway.  And here in St Louis it is really stinkin humid.  We have run in this type of weather before here, but apparently with the heat wave that has recently come through here, the humidity was worse than normal. It was in the 80s when we ran, so you wouldn't think the humidity would be that huge of a factor.  But it was, and it caused her to overheat :/

I called my vet and visited with her about what happen, what the doc here was saying and discussed the lab results.  (We seriously have the best vet in the world.)  She reassured me that given the lab results, Cali would be fine and it didn't sound like there was any lasting damage.  She also reassured me that when it cools off, Cali can go out running again.  

Thankful that my Calibear is ok!

I had absolutely no idea that the humidity could have such a drastic effect, and now I feel like a bad pet owner for not knowing. :(  So if you run with your dog, please be careful about the humidity! Let my experience keep you from having to experience something like this!  It was heart wrenching!

Cali has forgiven me, thank goodness. And with a $400 vet bill later, my dog is safe and healthy.  And while that kind of hurts my checkbook, my dog is totally worth it.  And I can't stop thanking God for that river!

So that, my friends, is how you spend $600 on running in a matter of 2 running days.   I am praying that my next run is significantly cheaper, like zero would be great.  Geez!

I leave you with a video of Cali, telling me how much better she is feeling ;)

Let's pray that next week's Monday Runday is way less exciting.

{Made 2 Crave} Finding my Beautiful

If I allow my brain to park in a place of dissatisfaction about my body, it gives Satan room to strip me of motivation by whispering "Your body is never going to look the way you want it to look, so why sacrifice so much?  Everyone eventually falls apart.  Your discipline is in vain."


I've said it before and I'll say it again: going on a weight loss journey is far more than just physical appearance and the exercise.  It is a spiritual battle.  Last year, I said to myself over and over "nothing is ever going to change.  You are always going to look this way.  You will never be satisfied with your body.  So why try?"  Harsh words, but words I spoke to myself.  Satan definitely was doing a number on me and to this day, I regret letting him do that.  It was so easy to just give up and agree with him, but that led to living in a world of defeat.  And that just straight up wasn't a pleasant place to be.

6 months ago, I decided to actually fight back. I asked God to give me the strength to overcome negative body image, to teach me to love the body He gave me and to help me fight off those terrible things I would think about myself.  As women, it is so easy to find our imperfections and dwell on them.  But as Lysa (the author) says, "these are shallow concerns."  I realize that now.

I've learned through God's Word that the body He gave me is good.  It's not perfect, nor will it ever be on this side of eternity.  But my body is a gift, a good gift for which I can be thankful.


Amen.

Although my tummy looks like I got mauled by a tiger, I no longer loathe those stretch marks.  Those stretch marks are a sweet reminder that God gave me the gift to carry a child.

Although I have a scar from my c-section, I no longer see my body as a failure.  I see it as a reminder that God has entrusted me with a healthy baby, who has turned into a healthy (and very busy) toddler.

Although I long to have a tone and tight athletic body, I know and understand that my body will never be perfect on this side of eternity.  

I am trying to find my beautiful.  And my standards of beautiful no longer contain the word "perfect."  I am no longer striving for "perfect" because perfect is an unattainable goal.  There is only One who is Perfect.

Spiritually, my beautiful is my relationship with Him.  And that is the only beautiful that truly matters.

Physically, my beautiful is to BE healthy, not "skinny.  I want to take care of the gift that God gave me.  He has given me a body capable of exercise.  Recently, I have discovered that He has given me a body capable of running. Last year, if you asked me to run 1 mile, I would have said "there is no way! I couldn't even run 1/2 a mile!" and yesterday, I ran 4 miles.  And now I am training for a 1/2 marathon.  God gave me a gift with this body, even with its imperfections.  And I am thankful for that.  So so very thankful!

I've found my beautiful.  And I like my beautiful.  I don't have to hold my beautiful up to other people's bodies with a critical eye of judgement.  


How could I go from hating my body 1 year ago, to loving my body with flaws now?

Because I found my beautiful in Him.

Because He showed me that my body is a gift to be thankful for, flaws and all.

And that most importantly, I am His beautiful.

{Listable Life} 5 Things in Summer

Summer.  It's hot.  As I like to refer to the heat, it's "nuclear death" outside.

Winter.  It's cold.  The air smells nice and crisp.  Ahh, how I love winter.

I am much more of a fall/winter girl.  I love the cold.  I love the smell of fireplaces.  I love the snow.  I love everything about winter.  The only thing summer is good for is the fun things that can only happen during those short summer months, like playing in the pool and summer vacations.  So while I long for the days of cool temperatures and snowflakes, these are...

5 things I want to do with my family this summer

1.  Sit outside, soak up the sun and play in the pool.  We have already done this several times, but we never get tired of it.  And when I say soak up the sun, I mean put on spf 1000 to prevent sunburn on our albino skin.  It is so fun to watch these little buddies play in the water.  My friends little boy, Caden, is way more enthusiastic about the water, but Eli usually warms up to it after awhile.  

2. Take Eli to play with horses.  Thank goodness for amazing friends!  While we were out bike riding the canyons on our anniversary, Eli was with his buddy Caden and his parents playing with horses and tractors! And he loved it! My sweet friend Julie and her family have land and horses and she has invited us to come out and play! After we return from St Louis in a couple weeks, we plan to set up a play date! Mommy is super excited because mommy looooove horses and its our dream to own a few someday.

3.  White Water Rafting.  Those same amazing friends that watched Eli for us on our anniversary will be joining us on a white water rafting trip later this month!!  I have never been and I am soooo super excited!

4. Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.  2 years ago when we were in Orlando, it hurt me.  I was pregnant and couldn't ride anything (well, at least anywhere else other than Epcot).  So I didn't get to see the Harry Potter World.  You may recall how much I love the Harry Potter books.    So this year, this muggle is going to Universal Orlando to visit Hogwarts. Cannot.wait.

5.  Take Eli to Disney's Animal Kingdom.  I know he would love it so while we are in Orlando, we plan to go to the Animal Kingdom!  In August, my little family will be taking a week and half vacation with my parents to Orlando.  It's going to be such a blast!

Linking Up!

{Monday RUNday} The Color Run Recap!

As you may recall, I have been persuaded decided to join one of my lifelong friends, Taryn, to train for the Disney Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon.  I think I may be a little loco because I am certainly not an avid runner....yet.  And here I am committing to a 13 mile run when the most I have ever run is 3.7 miles. 1 year ago, I couldn't run for 1 minute without feeling like death.  Now, I can run for 45 minutes without stopping and not feel like death (most of the time).  That gives me confidence that the body can actually adapt and change and that I can successfully run 13 miles by November.  I just have to train my body to do it.  So, I have decided to create a new series: Monday Runday in which I will recap the previous week's running experiences.  I really wish I had started this a year ago when I could barely run without feeling like my heart was going to explode.  What would those blog posts have looked like?  Oh man.  I could have been writing about the transition of seriously going from the couch to being able to run a 5k.  Why didn't I think of that!? Argh!  Well, I guess now I will write about going from a 5k to 1/2 marathon ;)

What better way to celebrate the fact that I can run a 5k than to run in my first official 5k: The Color Run!! 

If you have no idea what the Color Run is, then watch this video!

Here is a recap of my first official 5k!

Our team: Rainbow Brite and the Color Kids. 

Can you guess who Rainbow Brite is?
  I got to run my first 5k with my little cousin and my lifelong friend Taryn!

Our feet pre-run!

My little cousin Brittany! I love this girl!

Every 1k, you get to run through a color zone where you get color thrown on you! But the end of race celebration is where you really get colored!  Every 15 minutes,  the waves of runners gather and throw powder paint into the air while dancing to awesome music! It was soooooooo much fun!  

Out feet post-run!

My little cousin and I celebrating our colored-ness after the Run and the Color Toss!

Rainbow Brite and the Color Kids Post Run/Post Race Paint Explosion!

I love you girls! Thanks for making my first official 5k so special!!