5th 1/2 Marathon

Sunday morning I completed my 5th 1/2 marathon. But, prior to running 13.1 miles I met up with several TNT (team in training) gals to run 7 miles. We were scheduled for a 20 mile training run so we just added miles to our 1/2 marathon. I met up with the girls before sunrise in Wichita. We put in our miles and had about 30 minutes to spare before the 1/2 started. I had worn brand new running shoes for the 7 mile run and should have changed into my old shoes prior to the 1/2, but since my legs felt great I decided to stick with the new shoes. Let me just say by the end of the race that was a lesson learned. The race started out well, when I was at mile 4, the runner in first place was already on his way back and only had 4 miles left. That was one fast dude! At the second water spot I decided I had overdressed and stripped off my long sleeved wicking shirt and just wore my TNT shirt. Unfortunately that added time to my run and I spent the next three miles trying to catch up with a TNT member. I finally caught her and stayed with her for a bit and then I decided that I needed to slow down a bit or I was going to be crawling to the finish line. I was so happy to receive an encouraging phone call from Ryan and Madelyn to keep me going. At mile 10 or 17 (if you're counting) I started to hurt, at mile 11 (actually 18) I was really struggling. I stopped to walk and called Ryan. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it, I had decided that I may just walk the rest of the way. But, after some coaching from Ryan I was on my way. With 1 mile left Madelyn and Ryan called to cheer me in. Love them! I came in at 2:11:02. Unfortunately that was my 2nd slowest 1/2, but I guess for running 7 miles prior it wasn't terrible. After the race, Madelyn came running up to me and told me how proud she was of me. Of course that made me cry.

Right after I crossed the finish line.


Participant Medal... even us slow runners get one! :)


My achilles are really sore and I have a nasty blister on my big toe...that was the lesson learned from wearing new running shoes.
I am officially less than 6 weeks out from the San Diego Marathon.

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Wrap- Up

Saturday morning I was up at the ass crack (sorry mom & dad) of dawn to put in a 17 mile run. It wasn't terrible for being my longest run ever, but my legs were screaming at me by the end. That afternoon I took Madelyn to a birthday party and while she was partying I went home and took a nap. By the time Ryan brought Madelyn home from the b-day party it was time for fun night at Madelyn's school.

Madelyn received a fake injury from one of the assitant wrestling coaches.


She fished

Walked the cake walk (a bazillion times)

Completed a ball toss

And won one too many sweat bands


After about an hour of fun at fun night we headed to a wedding reception in ElDorado. We made an appearance, dropped off a gift, ate a few bites of yummy bbq pork and then headed home.

Sunday morning Madelyn and I went to Church while Ryan went fishing. After Church I made lunch, and decided I was crabby and tired and needed a 2 hour nap. After naptime the five (Belle and Chance too) of us headed to ElDorado public hunting land for a nature walk.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I really enjoy the new breakroom centerpiece at work. :) Gotta love people with a sense of humor. Thankfully they are just fake leaves.

Tooth #8 Gone

Madelyn lost her 8th tooth with a little bit of help from her mom & dad. On Sunday she and I were playing catch and she caught the ball with her face, or she would say I threw the ball at her face. After cleaning up the few tears and little bit of blood we discovered that her already loose tooth was much looser. Fast forward to Monday morning and Madelyn awakens to tell me that she cannot sleep because her tooth is too loose. She then found her daddy and requested that he pull the tooth, which he kindly obliged.



Ryan now calls her his little jack-o-lantern.

Weekend Fun

Friday night we took our boat out for the first time. It ran well, and for that we are thankful. Now we are just anxious to pull someone on skis or a tube. Although the water was frigid we enjoyed our time on the water and will be spending a lot of time in the boat this summer.




Saturday morning after throwing my back out while tying my shoe. Yes, that really happened. We headed to Bob and Shell's house for the Muhlig Easter celebration. We had such an awesome time...

Riding 4 wheelers

Coloring easter eggs

Hunting easter eggs (there were 126 eggs for 2 kids!!!)

And shooting blue rock





After having a fun afternoon at the Muhlig farm, we headed to Council Grove to have more fun with the Sill Easter celebration. Mom and dad sent us on a scavenger hunt through Council Grove. Terry, Kaitlyn and I were against Ryan, DeAnn, Aubrey and Madelyn. Our team came in 17 seconds behind our competitors. We had so much fun and the winners and losers all received Wal-Mart gift cards. Thanks mom and dad.

Easter morning Madelyn woke us up bright and early to see what the Easter Bunny had left.



Then we went to Church, ate breakfast at Jimmie's Diner and spent the afternoon hanging out at home.

It was a wonderful weekend spent with family. Ryan and I are blessed with amazing families.

Fishing Time

As I was driving down Ranchwood on my way home from work this is what I saw.....








When I walked over to take these pics Madelyn informed me that she saw a turtle and was trying to catch it. A short time later she walked back to the house disappointed that she didn't get a bite. Darn the luck.