What's the plan stan?

Here's the plan... the moment I finished my marathon I was ready for the next race. Well I wasn't really ready because I was in pain and tired but my mind was ready for the next goal so here's the agenda...

1. Girls on the Run 5k: (NoMy school sponsors and after school program where we promote positive self esteem, healthy living, and train girls for a 5k race. I was a coach last year and absolutely LOVED it. I knew this year was going to be crazy so I took this year off coaching but was still a "Buddy Runner" for one of the 5th graders at my school. It's an awesome program and one that I wish I had when I was younger.
We ran this race the weekend after the marathon and it felt great!:)

This was my buddy Ellie:) We came in first for our school!

Regina, Bridget, and I... all 3 coaches from last year!

This years GOTR group!!

2.  Washington, D.C. Hot Chocolate 15k (This weekend!!!)  This is my first year doing this race and honestly the name itself is what caught my eye! My friends Amanda and Laura are running this race along with my sister, friends Regina, Bridget, and Courtney so how could I have said No? The jackets we get for running are pretty cool looking too I must admit and lets be serious half the reason I do these races is for the cool gear you get for free a ridiculous registration fee. So this weekend I'll be running for Chocolate!! Whoop!

3.  Our Nations Capitol Rock N' Roll 1/2 Marathon  (March 17, 2012) I've never done this race either but again my friends were signing up for it and asked if I wanted to run it and I said sure what the heck! I L.O.V.E. running through D.C. especially around all the moments so I know this race will not disappoint. Much to my surprise after saying yes, which was before I looked into the race, I found out how much the race cost. Now, let me preface this with, most races are not cheap; however, I've never spent $95 on one!!! YES $95!! It hurt, I'm not going to lie but I know in the end it's going to be a fun day! My goal for this race is to run it in under 2 hours. My PR for a 1/2 marathon is 2:05 so I'm really hoping with some good speed work training I'll be able to accomplish this goal.

After this race I don't have anything lined up or paid for but I do have a few in mind.

This Spring is going to be super hectic... more to come on that:)... so I'm really trying to book some things now so that I stay focused and don't fall off the running band wagon that I've worked so hard to get on. Any advice on juggling the craziness of life and running/working out? How do you fit it all in without going insane?

If you know of any races coming up be sure to keep me posted as you've learned I love a good challenge!:)

Happy (almost) Wednesday, 

K

thankful

thank·ful  (thngkfl)

adj.

1. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful.

2. Expressive of gratitude: a thankful smile. 


I can't even begin to express how thankful I feel this year. So I'm going to try and do it quickly...


I am thankful for...
1. My Family- they love and support me no matter what and I truly can't imagine my life without them. They are my rock.
2. Mike "aka Kendayl's friend" :)- Oh geez he puts up with a lot! He's my best friend and the love of my life (cheesy I know, but so true). He challenges me everyday and never seizes to amaze me. He's opened my eyes to so many wonderful things and for that I am thankful.
3. My friends- Old and New I have the best friends ever! I can't imagine my life without the friendships that have lasted and the incredible new ones I've formed.
4. My job- Not a day goes by that I don't think about how lucky I am to have a job. Not only that, but a job that I love waking up for and know is making a difference.
5. My life- God is good! I wake up everyday knowing how blessed I am! I am so grateful for the life that I have been giving.

 This  year was the first year Mike and I are doing the holidays together (it's a HUGE deal!). I do not like to give up my family time... if you haven't noticed my family is pretty much my everything. However, I know that Mikes family is a HUGE part of his life as well. As much as I'd like to be selfish and say he has to come to my family's gatherings that's not fair. So this year we had Thanksgiving with his family in PA. We had a GREAT time! I love Mike's family for so many reasons: they are funny, loving, caring, great cooks, welcoming, homie, family oriented, fun, and humble. They remind me a lot of my own family which makes spending the holidays with them lovely:)
   We drove up to Hanover, PA Thursday morning and spent the day at his aunt and uncles house. We had a great time spending time with his family, laughing, eating, napping, eating, playing with his adorable baby cousins, eating, napping, eating... well you get the point! We had a great day and it was nice to be together.

Found this Thanksgiving word cloud at this blog and loved it!

    Friday we drove to Richmond to spend Thanksgiving #2 with my family. My sister hosted this year at her news house and despite me forgetting my part of the meal (I left it on the counter at my house in a cooler) we had a deliciously nice time! She did an excellent job pulling everything together, trying new dishes, and being a fabulous host! I love Richmond and I love my family so I couldn't have asked for anything more.

So I printed it out and put it in a frame to give to my sister as a hosting gift! She loved it!:)

Two Thanksgivings + Two Families= Two very happy and thankful people :)

I really thought traveling back and forth as much as we did was going to be a nightmare because traffic on Thanksgiving weekend is horrific but we were lucky enough to have no traffic! Any nightmare stories out there worth sharing?

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

gobble gobble,
K

and the winner is....

Chelsea Paisley Sateen Duvet Cover 

I love her! She has the perfect combination of blues, creams, white, and greys in a beautiful paisley pattern. I've been looking for something for a while and came across this and this and fell in love with both of them immediately. However I didn't want to buy right away and regret my purchase later and I wanted to see if I could find something I loved as much as Potterybarn (if that's possible) for less. 
   So how did I find this gem? A friend at work was talking one morning about how she just bought a lot of stuff at Kohl's online because they were having a huge sale and free shipping. She said I would like some of the dresses so I decided to take a gander. I was throwing stuff in my cart left and right and thought hmmm let's just take a peek and see what kind of bedding they have. I've never been a huge Kohl's fan manly because I've never given it a chance. Much to my surprise I found this duvet cover, emailed Heather to get a 2nd opinion so I wasn't making a quick decision on my own and voila! She's all mine ours! (I asked Mike after I bought it if he liked he... luckily he said yes... not that it would have mattered:)
 
Best part of this story:
Chelsea Paisley Sateen Duvet Cover Set

sale $72.99

original $179.99  <---------(umm HI, can I get an AMEN!)  *A $107 savings!*

What's even better is that I went to show a friend the other day a picture and the price went up to $107!! Today it was $89!! So far I have the best deal yet! GO ME!

I don't always wait for good deals because I'm inpatient but this just shows how much a good deal is worth waiting for! I love a good deal!

I can't wait to get her in the mail and see what she looks like with our white furniture and eventually grey walls!

What are your bargain secrets?  and while you think and type please enjoy this... 

xoxo,
K

I failed to mention I had a little work done...

Not on myself that is... although one day that might be nice! My good friend Dara over at Daradesigns is a graphic designer who is extremely talented! She was revamping some of our friends blogs and I got blog envy. So after much harassment (not really she was SOO nice and willing to do it the first time I asked) she agreed to give this puppy a much needed face lift! After a little nip and tuck voila!

Dara THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to revamp this little blog of ours:) We needed it!

xoxox,
Kendayl

The BIG day!!

I woke up Saturday for my Marathon more nervous than I have ever been. My stomach was in knots and I was terrified. I got to the race and saw my friend Kelli off on her 8k race, saw my sister and friend Kimberly off on their 1/2 Marathons and then I was left there in a crowd of people trying to psych myself up. It was Go time! My corral was called to the starting line and the gun (I think it was a gun it might have been a siren I don't remember) and off we went! 

I was meeting one of my bff's at mile 2 because she was so lovingly willing to run a huge chunk of the race with me to support me (16 miles to be exact.. yeah she's awesome!) I got to mile 2 and didn't see her and started to panic. What if I had missed them? What if she didn't make it? How was I going to be able to do this alone? After I panicked for a moment I turned the corner and there she was! She was standing with my friends and Mike and they didn't see me coming. I startled them when my jacket and gloves came flying their way! When she finally saw me she screamed, hopped in and away we went!

I was so excited because my goal was to get 4:30 or less however, I saw the 4:15 pacer guy behind me! I didn't want to focus too much on that because I didn't want to lose steam too soon. We had a good pace and I felt strong. My friend Matt hopped in around mile 12 dressed as Abe Lincoln and it definitely made me laugh which felt good:)

 We kept on running and I was feeling good. My knee started bothering me because the roads in Richmond are not flat. They have a roundness to them that makes running awkward and tough on the knees. The further we ran the more it hurt but we kept pushing on. Having Regina by my side really helped me out. She encouraged me, she laughed with me, and at one point she cried with me. When things started to seem hard I put my hand on the angel I pinned to my shirt. My grandmother made us pearl angels every year when we were younger and to honor her we pinned them to our shirts. At one point when I touched it I broke into tears. I remember saying to Regina " I just wish she was here to see this". I was so proud of myself and I would have given anything for her to have been there to see it. But I know she was there and every time I touched that angel I could hear her saying "Keep going suga' pie, keep goin'". She was there with me for sure.

Reg was saying "Coop you can do it! I love you" and I was saying "I love you too!"

At about mile 17-18 I saw my friend Jen who was yelling like there was no tomorrow! Seeing her at that moment really lifted my spirits, not to mention surprised me! At mile 19 Regina hopped out and my friend Kerri hopped in to support me the last few miles. Mike snapped some pictures and looking at them now I looked pretty good! But low and behold that's about when I hit the wall. Poor Kerri.... I complained a lot those last 6 miles but she was right there beside me to push me. We walked some and we ran some, and we walked some more and we ran some more. She kept telling me "I know it hurts but it's going to hurt even when you walk". BOY was she right! It hurt sooooo bad. I knew it was going to hurt but I was not expecting what I felt. My legs and knees were throbbing and cramping and mind was taking a beating as well. But Kerri kept me focus and I hit a point where I said I'm going to do this. We rounded a corner and none other than my friend Courtney and Regina were there yelling at me to keep going! They kept saying Coop you're going to do it, you're almost there! In my head I knew this was the end. I kicked it into high gear and took off down the final hill that led to the finish line.

At this moment I wasn't thinking about anything other than getting across that finish line. I heard Reg say to Kerri "just let her go, let her go". I saw Jen screaming on the side lines followed by Kelli jumping up and down, then came Kimberly yelling, and Matt waving, and then finally My family. I knew my mom and dad were going to be there with my Aunt Bonnie but what I didn't know was that my Aunt Susan was going to be there. They were wearing t-shirts that said "A bushel and a peck" and holding pictures of my grandma up in there air. I looked at them and broke into tears. I was so incredibly happy and grateful that they were there to support me and seeing my grandmas picture made it so special. My mom and dad were yelling for me and it all seemed so unreal. I crossed the finish line and cried some more. Regina and Kerri came running over and we had a cry fest. I couldn't hold it back anymore not to mention I was so tired and worn out.

I ran to my family and we all hugged and cried and I just couldn't have been more happy. I saw my sister and we ran and hugged each other. I was so proud of her for her accomplishment and to be able to share that feeling together was something I will never ever forget. We set a goal together and we accomplished. It was one of the coolest moments and accomplishments to date. To have worked so hard for so long and to have been so dedicated to this the feeling was indescribable.

I ran this race for myself and in honor of my grandma and I would do it again in a heart beat. The greatest feeling in the world is working hard for something and seeing all of that hard work pay off. I missed Mike's birthday and many many fun nights with my friends. However, looking back I wouldn't have changed a thing.

To all of you who supported me along the way and encouraged me when I got tired THANK YOU SO MUCH! I couldn't have done it without you! :)

xoxox, 

K (the marathoner) :)

And to answer the question that everyone keeps asking me "Will you do it again?"

Absolutely! (In a year or so)


What's up next?
-Girls on the Run 5k- November 20
-Richmond Turkey Trot- November 24
-Hot Chocolate 15k- December 3
-Rock N' Roll 1/2 Marathon- March 17
-Richmond Muddy Buddy- May 1

Next years goals: Tough Mudder next fall and possibly the 1/2 Iron Man in 2013 or so....



We celebrated at my sisters new house after and here is proof Courtney was there:) She didn't seem to make it into the after race pictures:)

WE DID IT!!!!!!

More to come on this but we wanted you to know! It was a great day and we both really enjoyed ourselves (of course, I can't walk this morning but that's a minor price to pay, right?)

Thank you TREMENDOUSLY to our family and friends who came out to support us. You made us laugh and made us cry and you're a large reason why we crossed the finish line yesterday after months of training. We love you.

K&H

"Please enjoy the music while you WAIT"

I'm on the hunt for a new comforter/duvet and if you know me you know that I make decisions too quickly and then end up regretting them. So this is where you come in. I'm going to start posting things that I like and you need to help me make a decision by telling me your favorite, giving me alternative ideas, or telling me I have terrible taste. Got it? Ok ready. set. go.

I really really really wanted this duvet from Pottery Barn

I love the colors! It's feminine but masculine enough for Mike. He really wants grey on the walls in the master bedroom, which I'm fine with as long as we can find a duvet/comforter that I like and feminizes (is that a word?)  the room. Unfortunately for me this duvet is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. Just my luck. My friend Bethany is an awesome shopper and found some Pottery Barn items at another store by calling around. I figured, what the heck, she had luck why can't I. So what did I do? I spent my 20 minute lunch break calling Pottery Barn stores in locations that I would be willing to travel to or knew people there that could pick it up and mail it to me. I had ZERO luck. Then I talked to my friend Heather and she found it on Ebay for me so I put a bid on it and it was rejected and then bought by someone else. Yep, again just my luck. So here I am on the hunt again...

Soo.... I've been searching and found another comforter that I really like at Pottery Barn as well. Here she is: 

Again, I think it has enough male friendly colors while still being feminine and I think it could possibly look good with a grayish wall OR a neutral like tan/khaki

I really really don't want to buy something and then regret it because I found something better. I'm not opossed to looking somewhere other then Pottery Barn I have just been drawn to these 2 comforters. I like more calming colors. My bedroom furniture is white and won't be changing colors anytime soon:)

I can't seem to put into words my style so here are some blogs that I have found some inspiration in: 

1. The Lettered Cottage

2. Honey We're Home

3. Amanda Carol

4. Alamode

5. Cottage and Vine

6. Haute

I could go on and on forever. I love Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware, and Crate and Barrel but I'm a softy for a good bargain and have a close place in my heart for TJ MAXX, Homegoods, Hobby Lobby, and thrifting!

So help me out... what are your thoughts on the duvet cover. AND do you have any other ideas out there that you think I might like?! I'm trying to be patient and really look at multiple options but I get impatient.

ps: I failed to mention that Mike and I bought a house.... Eeek! Closing is December 28 so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it all goes ok but planning and decorating as I wait:)

A very indecisive and impatient, 

Kendayl :)

1 Day 17 Hours.....and counting

Packet pick up is tonight and tomorrow. Let's get this party started!

IT'S RACE WEEEEEEEK!!!!!

Ladies and Gents - it's race week! We've been training now for over 16 weeks and the race is within our sights! I couldn't be more excited and anxious. 

I hope this is a shirt at the expo....

Dragons team! I'm over there on the left crouched down.

Jillian & me at mile 5 on our last HMTT run!

This is J and me on week 3 (August) at the start of our run - same time as the dark picture up there.
We've come along way!

At week 3 we ran 4 miles and I was nervous then and said to myself that I couldn't run 4 miles without stopping. Now, just 14 weeks later, I ran 6 miles on Saturday in just over 60 minutes and I felt awesome. Nothing is impossible if you're willing to put the work in for it. That's what I've been able to remind myself of this week. 

I may not be the fastest. I may not be the best. But dammit if I'm not trying my hardest.

I've lost my mind....

This post has nothing to do about running.... It has to do with the fact that I'm a terrible terrible friend and auntie....

Heather I'm sorry I missed your birthday (and still haven't sent a gift for little G) I love you both dearly and I hope you had an incredibly awesome birthday!!!!!

I will make it up to you... I PROMISE!!!!!!!

H and her little munchkin G.... love you both!!!!!!!

Duct Tape

They say it's the 8th wonder of the world and I have yet ONE MORE use for it!

One reason that I love the Monument Ave 10K is all the screaming, supportive, awesome spectators out there cheering everyone on. It just keeps your going.

That is even more crucial for our first attempts at this half/full marathon.

I mentioned in my last post that I went to a pre-race day prep clinic and learned a lot of valuable information. One of the neatest items that recommended involved Duct Tape.

All of the HMTT folks are wearing this shirt on race day:

This way the coaches, who will be along the route, will know that we are part of the team and they can cheer for us. There are just about 1000 of us that participated in the HMTT group (GO DRAGONS) this year. But you can take it one step farther and write your name on duct tape front and back so that people can cheer you on BY NAME! It's brilliant and I'm definitely doing it. I just need to figure out where to buy colorful duct tape.

Happy running!

10 days until I'm a half marathon runner!!! Actually according to the ticker on the site I have 9 days 10 hours 25 minutes and 15 seconds, 14, 13, 12, 10.....AH!

It's crazy to think that 14 weeks ago the concept of 6 miles seemed too daunting and now this Saturday we running 6 miles as a recovery run and it seems like a mile run for me.

I attended a pre-race running clinic tonight and it gave me goose bumps. Coach Ro walked us through the course and what race day was like and crossing the finish line.

Here are the tips they had:

• Start eating a few more carbs early in the week and eat ones that are easy to digest
• Don't try eating anything new that week but especially the night before
• Have throw away clothing available if it's cold or windy or wet the morning of the race. If you're wearing a sweatshirt before hand, cut down the middle so that you don't have to pull it over your head during the race
• Put out your clothes the night before
• Know that you can finish! Ro actually said during a tougher race for her she started singing different words to children's songs about the food she would eat after the race
• HAVE FUN!
• SOAK UP THE EXPERIENCE!!

I also have a really sad story. We all know that I'm IN LOVE with LuLuLemon. In fact, it's the only stuff I wear when I work out and run. I feel awesome in it. It pumps me up and dammit, I look cute.  So I found the Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve in  Surge. I got ALL KINDS of excited. Order 2 sizes in 6 and 8 just in case. THEN - today - I got an email that they had a glitch in the system and short story didn't have my shirt available. And the store is out too. Dear LuLu - if you get this message will you please please please please find me a shirt?! I would love to advertise for you that day :) Your loyalty, albeit disappointed, customer - Hilary.