Lincoln Marathon 2013

I'm so far behind on the blog, that I can't even remember details of this race!  My longstanding goal has been to run a sub 4 hour marathon.  My ultimate goal for Lincoln was to run a 3:55 (3 hour 55 minute) marathon.  On May 5th I achieved that goal...I ran a 3:53:50!!!  This is a personal best for me. 

I travelled to Lincoln with Jess and Sarah.  The alarm clock went off at 4:30am and we were on the road by 5:00 because we still had to pick up our packets and bibs for the race.  We got to Lincoln  with plenty of time to spare, and we scored sweet parking.  It was not even a block from the starting line.  It was only 40 degrees at the start of the race, and it stayed pretty chilly the entire time.  I came with a long sleeve shirt, but I ditched it before the marathon even started because I know I heat up quickly once I start running.  I ran in shorts and a tank the whole time, and I felt pretty good.  I ran the first 5K pretty slow for me, but I knew I could pick up ground the further I went.  I ended up running the most consistent race I have ever run, and I finished with an overall pace of 8:55 per mile...for 26.2 miles. 

The first half of the race was run with the half marathoners.  There were 10,000 runners running Lincoln that day, with 8,000 of them running the half. It was pretty crowded at times especially on the bike path.  Once the half marathoners turned off into Memorial Stadium for their finish I had to make sure I was going the right way because there was NOBODY around!  Once you headed onto the full marathon course it was sparse. 

This was Jess's second half marathon in less than a month.  I'm not sure what number it was for Sarah.  The two of them ran together and Jess set a new PR...1:59:30!  How awesome is that to have only been running since late January and already run a sub 2 hour half in May?!  They both rocked it!

The pictures below are blurry, but I'm cheap and I'm not paying $20plus a photo for the real thing.  They are a screenshot from my iPad. :)

The best part about this race was finishing in Memorial Stadium where the HUSKERS play!  They announced your name as you crossed the finish line and flashed you up on the big screen.  Pretty awesome!  Jason and the girls were in the stands cheering me on...I just love them and all of the support they give me when I run and train.

 This is a breakdown of the race at each checkpoint...couldn't have run a more consistent race.

 In the car waiting to go to the start line.

 I think I was the only nerd to put my last name on it too!

 Jess and Sarah after they finished...they look great!

 Before the race

 Finisher Medal

 Another 26.2 done!

 Me and my babies...they are troopers!

 

Run for Boston

We are one month past the tragic events that took place on Monday April 15th at the Boston Marathon.  I don't like to think about it, but I have definitely not forgotten about it either.  I woke up that morning telling Jason that I was jealous and wished that I was running the Boston Marathon that day.  He called me later that afternoon around 3:00pm and said "aren't you glad you weren't running Boston today?"  I hadn't heard the news yet, but I immediately turned it on and I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  I can't even imagine such tragedy.  I knew several people who were there running that day.  Some people train an entire lifetime to qualify for Boston as it is the most prestigious marathon there is.  Thankfully, I am too slow, and I was not there that day. :) 

 

Anyway, on Monday April 22nd, all of the local running stores nationwide put together a Run for Boston event.  Omaha's was held at Lake Zorinsky which is where I run all the time.  It was cold and rainy, but Jess and I decided we were going no matter what.  Our families came along even though it was dreary outside.  When you pulled into the parking lot there was a race time clock.  It was set at 4:09:45...the time in the race that the first bomb went off.  This was very touching and emotional to see.  There were around 150 runners who showed up, which was good considering the weather.  We sang the national anthem, had a moment of silence and took off for a quick 2 mile run.  It was supposed to be a 5K, but it was shortened due to the weather.  I pushed Lily in the jogger and she was a trooper!  She even got out the last little bit and held my hand as we crossed the finish line.  She told her teachers the next day that she ran a race with her mommy and that she WON!  Ha!

 

The Lincoln, NE Run for Boston event raised $28,000 for the Boston Fund...amazing!  I was glad to be a part of this with Jess and our families.

 

 

 

GiRl'S dAy!

My mom gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure for mother's day.  My toes and feet need some serious pampering with all of the miles that I put on them!  I don't think I've had a pedicure since last summer.  I thought we'd make a day of it, so I took the girls with me and let them get their piggies painted.  We all got the same color...bright PINK with SPARKLES!!  These toes are ready for SUMMER!  Next, we took Lily to get a much needed haircut and then out to lunch.  I'm hoping I've worn them both out because a nap would be nice before work tonight!

 

When Lily Grows Up...

I opened up Lily's preschool binder and found this...

 

I started crying...how sweet is this?!  I hope she follows in my footsteps, but whatever she may choose I just want her to be happy!

Lily's Last Day of Pre School

I can't believe the school year is OVER?!  It flew by!  Lily just completed her first year of preschool.  She went just 2 days a week, and next year she will go 3 days a week.  A few of her classmates will move on with her next year, and our little neighbor boy will also be in her class.  I am so proud of her.  She has grown so much and learned so much in such a short amount of time.  I couldn't be happier with her teachers and the program and curriculum at the YMCA. 

 

Lily grew very fond of one little boy in her class.  His name is Connor, but we aren't sure if he will be in her class next year or not.  Their faces lit up every morning when they would see each other.  Connor's mom would tell me that the only way she could get Connor up and moving in the mornings was to tell him that Lily would be at school.  Her teachers told me they always played together...no matter what...they were together.  They held hands at gym time and sat by each other in every center.  Sometimes she would say that Connor was her boyfriend, but other times she would say that he was just her really good friend because she was too little to have a boyfriend. :)

 

Today was the end of the year picnic at the park next to the YMCA.  It was one last chance for all of the kiddos to play together before summer.  It has been fun to see Lily make new friends.  She has been invited to some birthday parties and she is already talking about who she wants to invite to her party.  Some of her friends from this school year are: Connor, Brooke, Evelynn, Maddox, Addyson, Londyn and Liam.  Her teachers were Miss Sheila and Miss Sasha....and a huge thanks to them for doing such a great job with these kids!

First day of preschool

 

Last day of preschool

 Connor and Lily

 Brock, Miss Sheila, Lily and Miss Sasha

 We surprised Lily by picking her up and taking her to lunch!

Lily Rose...your mommy and daddy are so very PROUD of you!

Mother's Day 2013

I had a wonderful Mother's Day thanks to my most awesome hubby and wonderful little girlies!  I woke up to a balloon, cards, treats and flowers!  We went to church in the morning and then we came home and Jason took the girls to the park so I could nap before having to work that night.  I never get to nap before work, and I slept for almost 4 hours!  It was heavenly!!  I woke up to a steak dinner...can't beat that! 

 I only get the privilege of being called "mommy" because of these two.  I love them dearly and I am truly blessed to be their mommy!

Muffins With Mommy

The Thursday before Mother's Day was Muffins With Mommy at Lily's preschool.  My mom was going to go with us, but I thought it was first thing and it ended up not starting until 10:30 so she couldn't come.  Avery tagged along and we had a fun little morning with Lily at her school. 

 

Lily's little face lit up when we walked in.  She was so proud to have us there and show us all around.  Each mom had a little chair and place sitting.  They provided donuts, muffins and juice for us.  They also sang the mommy's a cute little song that they had been practicing...precious!  After muffins, Avery and I stuck around to watch Lily swim.  Once a month the kids get to swim and it was nice that it happened to be on the same day!

 

 

 Lily and her best bud...Connor

 Look who snuck in!

 

The Zoo with the Girls

I took the girls to the Zoo a few weeks back.  Lily had been with preschool, but I wanted to take Avery and since it was a nice day...we went!  There is a dinosaur exhibit at the Zoo until October, and if you plan on going to the Zoo I'd hit up the dinosaurs!  They are cool!  Lily loved them and Avery was scared to death.  I had to keep telling her they weren't real, but she wasn't buying it.  Poor kid. 

We packed a picnic lunch and ate by the bears.  We spent 3.5 hours there and it was nice to be outside and enjoy the day!  It is nice to have a zoo pass with little kids.  We definitely get our moneys worth!  It is hard to see the whole zoo in one trip, so it is nice to be able to go whenever and break it up without having to pay for it each time.  I hadn't been down that way in a long time, and it is sad to see Rosenblatt GONE!  It is now Zoo parking. :(