PERSONAL RECORD!!!

Today was kind of a tight morning schedule!

This morning we had a staff meeting at Yankee Candle from 8-10. It was good, and plus the assistant manager who is on maternity leave came and brought her little bundle of joy! She is so adorable, and oh so tiny...I think around 3 weeks?

Then I had to run to CVS and get the hubs some Dunkin Donuts.
I came home and immediatley got myself geared up for running. I was determined today to get at least 5 if not 6 miles in. I was a little nervous because of all the warnings of huricane Sandy. She isnt up here yet, but we are starting to feel some effects of some storm system, so as I was driving around to my errands and home, there was some sprinkling on my windshield. Plus we were expecting some guests over for the Patriots game today, so I didnt want to go out for to long and be in the shower as they arrive.  Anyways...so I went out, and was at first thinking, I will get at least 3miles down. So I went out there and was out to a good start speed wise, and no pain. The rain didnt come down so I kept going and knew I could get in 5miles!

So that was what I was set out to do. I did 5miles and set a personal record of 1hour and 3minutes!!!!! I couldnt believe it! As I hit each mile, my app told me my time and pace time, and I was super psyched each time I heard the report! I was so excited and so proud. I was a bit tired through mile 4 and 5, but I kept my stride, took my walk breaks a little closer together than normal, but that was excpected when pushing myself as much as I did.

I still finished and was able to come home and shower all before anyone came over. It was only one of Rich's cousins and a friend, but still, I got it all done!

It is such a good feeling when you have a PR, expecially when you hit it by cutting roughly 8 minutes off your time! Thats HUGE!!!

So I am hoping that I can keep this up! The cool weather is definitley something that helps!! But I am so excited about it I cant even contain myself!!

"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."
-Stephanie

It Has Arrived!!!

It is here...it is finally here!!!

The 5th Anniversary Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon Medal is here!!! Eeek! I squealed and gasped out loud when I saw it, almost couldnt contain myself!!!

This is sooo beautiful, and I am absolutley so much more excited now, and cant wait to cross the finish line and get this placed around my neck!!

That's all I have for now!! Had to share my excitement!!

"Bibbidi Bobbidy Boo!"

-Stephanie

Biggest Loser Competition

      Last week, as a way to "unify" the staff where I work, we decided to put together a little competition...a weight loss competition. Although it is a "competition", it will be a way for us to work together and motivate eachother! I am very excited!
      I am not one who works well with having a weight loss goal, but I figure that since I am already on a track of running 2-3 days a week and trying to get to the gym, that this will work. By getting myself involved will also motivate me to actually get my runs in, run 3 times a week EVERY week and get to the gym more often!
      So yesterday was the first day it began. Everyone had there first weigh in, and will weigh in every Monday up to Christmas/Holiday break. So at my first weigh in...yes thats right, I am revealing my weight....was 171lbs. Now I wasnt exactly surprised. When I joined the gym back in I think June or July, I was 174ish...haha. Then when I weighed myself again on the same scale at the gym in September I was 168. So I had lost 6lbs, which is great! But I was eating a lot better, eating less potato chips and junk. But lately I have been trying to eat better, but eating a little more snack foods, and not running as much as I should.

     Today I went to the gym. I ran 30 minutes, total of 2.30 miles. Then worked out with some weights and floor exercises..mostly some kind of core exercise for about 20 minutes.
I am going back to the gym on Thursday night after I get out of work as well as Friday. Sunday I will do my long run, 5miles. This is in writing, so I can be held accountable!

Now on to some more exciting news!!! Run Disney just posted on Facebook a sneak preview of an unveiling for tomorrow!!

                         We are almost ready to unveil ... something. Will you join us tomorrow?

 

What will it be I wonder.....possibly the 5th Anniversary Princess 1/2 Marathon Medal!??? I dont know if I can contain my excitment!!! Some think it could be the Tinkerbell Medal, others are hoping for something for Wine and Dine (which has already been revealed I guess)...but from the colors it looks like Princess!!!

I will report back tomorrow!!! Eeeek!!

 

Fairy tales do come true. One mile at a time.

Princess Stephanie

Update #2

Ok, part two, here we go!

So this past week was kind of tough. I really wanted to get out and run three times this week. So I ran on Monday, the 15th, the official date of our one year anniversary. I had gone to the gym, set the treadmill for and hour and that was it. Ran around 4.53 miles, which is normal for me.
Then that night I started coughing, not a lot...but just enough to know that something was coming.
Tuesday came and I was coughing, and feeling light headed and nauseous throughout the day..but when I ate, I was fine. I also had to work that night, and after work I just couldnt take it, so I went to buy some medicine after work.
Wednesday I was hoping to go out for another run, but this cold was saying NO! I just needed to come home and lay around, and I did. I was suppose to work thursday evening, but they called and let me know I can still come in if I want, but I wasnt really needed. So I took advantage of the situation and didnt go in. But it was a beautiful day, I was feeling pretty good about myself, so I went out for a light run, 2miles. My pace slowed down to around 14min/mile. The first mile was rougher than the second.

Anyways...so today I ran my second 5k. Boy what did I get myself into! I had no idea what a challenge it was going to be...even though they said it would be challenging. It was the Cider House 5k at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA. So of course I assume there will be some hills, but I didnt know really what to expect, so I was a bit nervous!

 

 

 Here is why I was nervous! It is hard to see in this photo...but for the first 1.5miles was allllll uphill!
Not just any hill...but trail hills, so there were rocks and roots everywhere! So I had to walk pretty much all the way up once we hit the trails!

Throughout the course there were a couple openings where you could see beautiful New England views, and this was one of them!
It was also right next to a water stop! I had a water bottle with me, but it was almost empty!
Around the 1.5 mile..(.there was no mark indicating that, so I am assuming) a guy was there telling us "its all down hill from here" which I was thrilled about!!

This is where I began to run, and I was determined to run and not stop unless I really had to, but just to walk. And of course it brings you back onto a trail, and you have to be careful so you dont trip, fall or sprain an ankle. So I walked a few times, but quickly! I have a feeling my ankles are going to be sore tomorrow!

 It was such a beautiful run, tough, but beautiful.
Rich stayed home for Football...but he texted me to see how things went and when I told him it was tough, he replied "Way to go bub! (his nickname for me) You were tougher tho!" which I found very encouraging and sweet!

 

                                              After the finish...hands filled with goodies!

So I finished the 5k, my Mom and cousin Deb came and saw me start and finish. We then walked around the AppleFest that Wachusett Mountain was having, looked at all the craft vendors, ate lunch and pretty much called it a day.  I got myself some new winter gloves/mittens, the combo...for $5! They are those really warm knit ones, I dont know what to call the material, its not wool, but not normal yarn. Oh well...I love them!

 

Oh! and I almost forgot, my sister called me on my way home to see how it all went. I of course gave her the update. She had said how she wished she could have been there. I told her it was too bad that she wasnt going to be home the weekend before Thanksgiving because I am doing a 10k on the 18th. So she then asked about a Thanksgiving race, like a 5k. So now her and I are doing a 5k together on Thanksgiving as well! how exciting! Not only will she be there, but running in it with me!! It will be the best 5k ever!

 

Thats all for now. Hopefully I wont wait so long to update again!

 

"Think of all the joy you'll find when you leave the world behind and bid your cares goodbye"

-Stephanie

 

 

 

 

 

 





 



Update #1

It has been about two weeks I think since my last post....shame I know!

I havent been keeping up with my running very well either...shame again. The week before last I ran once. bad.

But I do have some fun stuff to share. October 15th was Rich and my one year wedding anniversary!!

So on Friday the 12th we headed up to Vermont for the weekend! It was really nice, relaxing and just a great weekend. Not to much to do in the area of Vemont that we were in, but that was ok, it was more about having quality tinme together. We have time together in the evenings, but we are mostly watching tv at home, and I am normally on the computer doing something or on facebook.
So we got up to Vermont, rested in the room and then went down to the Fat Spy Tavern that was downstairs at the Stone Lodge Inn where we stayed.
Dinner was really good! Excellent pulled pork potato skins....oh yum! The only thing that was gross..was later that night we went back to the tavern for a drink, and there were fruit flies in Rich's drink...and turns out, all in the bottle it was poured from. So in the end he got another drink, and we only had to pay for my beer.



 Saturday we went out to Manchester, VT to drive around, get some lunch and see what was out there.

Along the way, we saw Bromley Mountain
...and cows....









We stopped a got some lunch at a place called Zoey's, and it was really good! Everything was homemade...including the potato chips!!

 

After lunch we headed over to the Equinox Valley Nursery for the 7th Annual Pumpkin Carving Festival.

I know it is dead...but I thought it was a pretty sunflower.

This is my new boyfriend...Buddy...and just like all the rest of the guys, hes checkin out other women! haha

Here is Rich, takin a pose with his new golfing buddies!

                            Pumpkins!
We also got some hot and cold cider, along with a pint of Vermont Maple Syrup....which was very delicious on our french toast this weekend!!

That was pretty much our weekend. Saturday night we went to Stratton Mountain Villiage, since we were right next to it, for dinner...which was a pricey penny, but it is Vermont.
We left Sunday morning, got home in time to relax and get ready for the Patriots game!


“Forever is a long, long time, and time has a way of changing things.”

-Stephanie