where did april go?

April was a busy month! We celebrated Parker's 6th Birthday! Had a great weekend in the cities with GK and Grammy +Papa. Oh the laughs and memories :)

And it was Easter. Parker got home on Sunday afternoon and found his basket. E.Bunny wasn't very good at hiding it this year. He asked me a TON of questions: "how did the bunny make it all the way up to our house?" "how did he know i wanted one of those UnderArmor zip up thingeys?" "you mean he came here even when i wasn't home?".

I've been running. And running. And running. And you know what? IT.FEELS.GREAT. I've decided on the race I'll run in -- Graniteman Half in Sauk Rapids. The big day is September 10th. There's no looking back now. There's a kids race on Friday the 9th, that I'm thinking about signing Parker up for.

Training has been awesome lately. I started taking a new shake and 2 weeks in has made me life a whole lot easier. And eating and cooking is actually something I enjoy now. I'm getting good practice and trying some new recipes. So far its been going great. I no longer dread going into the kitchen and making myself cook meals, I look forward to trying new things.

I've contemplated posting my "before" picture. For now, I think I'm going to keep it tucked away in a safe place. Maybe when I hit my goal weight I'll reveal. So far to date I'm down 30# and going strong. I'm down inches and a whole bunch of other things too...which I need to get from the gym THIS week. Shopping for new clothes is a love/hate relationship. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE shopping. But for the first time in, well, ever, I have cut back and am in survival mode with my wardrobe. I've filled 4 Rubbermaid totes of things that don't fit me. Its so weird, a good weird.

Progress, people. Progress. I'm making it :)

1/2 marathon training

Yep, you read it. I'm training for my first 1/2 marathon! Call me crazy :) I put this on my 2011 list of goals. With 4 months into the year, I've not only committed this to myself, but I've announced this to several family/friends/coworkers and my trainer so that I stay accountable. Yesterday I ran 4 miles. This was a personal first for me...ev-ah! And let me tell you, it was quite the accomplishment. My legs felt like jello when I was finished. I could have rung my shirt out with the amount of sweat on it. And if prompted with a question or asked to carry on a conversation, it would not have happened during my run. But you know what, it felt GREAT! After spraining my ankle at the end of February, I questioned my ability to get into a training pattern. With help from my trainer and runnersworld I was able to establish a schedule that I am comfortable and confident in. I will pre-train for the month of April. Then starting in May, I will begin my new routine. If you have any words of encouragement, I'd love it :) if you have any songs that keep you going, send them to me...I'd love to add them to my playlist! I know that I will have highs and lows, and I'm ready for it. There are a couple of races that I'm looking into, and haven't nailed down the one that I will run in just yet. So, for the next couple of weeks...I'll be running. And for the next few months...I'll be running :) ps: thanks to my friend Berta who reminded me that I need to be a better blogger ;-)

t-minus 2days for a fun weekend :)

We are headed to the Water Park of America to celebrate Parker's 6th birthday this weekend! Can't wait for all the laughs + family time together! My sister and I have already giggled over how we think the weekend will pan out...with mom trying to mini-golf and dad going down the water slides :) I love our time together. I love my little Parker boy. I love that spring is here (well...sort of, aside from the SNOW we're supposed to get this weekend). I love that I am running again. I love that I am seeing results with my new healthy lifestyle. I love life right now. I'll post pictures next week :)