13.1

Well, peeps. I did it!

Actually, I did two things. I crossed off one of my goals and ran the Kansas City half marathon. I'm not going to lie, I'm super proud of myself/kinda feel like I can take on the world.

I think I have a lot of stories and feelings from that day, so I'm going to communicate my experience by categorizing it, because that's how I do.

Best part: Aside from finishing itself, seeing my husband and his parents as I turned the last corner. I was jamming to "I Will Wait" and all I saw was Eric smiling at me and cheering me on. He stepped out onto the course and I ran over and kissed him before beasting (in my mind) the last 300 meters.

Second best part: I mean this in the nicest way possible - passing people as I raced for the finish line. We weren't racing, but I really felt like I was winning.

Worst part: Miles 8-11. They were long, boring, a steady incline and when my back started to really ache. No dice.

Second worst part: Taking too much to drink at the mile 9 aid station. Until and after mile 9, I took one cup of water and one cup of gatorade. But at mile 9, I took two waters and a gatorade. That sloshed around in my stomach for a bit and slowed me down.

Grossest part: My fellow champions might say any spitting I did while running (this is something I always do - get over it), but it was most definitely when Eric and I got in my car to leave and I got a whiff of myself. Was that a wet dog hiding in my car? Nope, just me.

(If you thought of this when I said 'Nope', high-five yourself for me because you are the cat's meow.)

Scariest part: Starting out. I was so paranoid that I would start too fast and crap out immediately. Thankfully, I used my brain and started in a pace group that was slower than my regular pace. After mile 1, I broke away and did my own thing, and the relaxed start was a huge part in being able to run the whole thing.

Tear-worthy moment: Generally, all the people along the course cheering on all the runners. I want to be friends with A-L-L of them. Specifically, this one older woman at mile 9 that told us all she was so proud of us and admired us. I wanted to cry and hug her, but instead smiled, waved and said 'thank you so much' as I ran past.

The "holy-crap-that's-amazing" moment: At mile 11, a parade of policemen on motorcycles came through signaling all runners to get over to the right side of the road. It didn't make sense until I saw they were escorting the marathon leader. The night before, I thought that moment would make me feel sadly pathetic, but it was not that at all. As he passed the rest of us, I couldn't help but clap and cheer for this guy, running double the distance we were in less time. Some humans are amazing.

Best surprise: There were some things working against me that shouldn't have allowed me to not only run the whole thing, but to finish under my time goal. For one, I have a bad knee that had not been holding up well in my training. Another was that in the last 3 weeks before the race, I was sick for two of them and didn't get in ANY of my long runs, which is not cool and made me extremely nervous. Those aside from this being my first race longer than a 5K, not knowing the route and being so nervous I thought I would poop myself were reasons I was terrified sleepless Friday night.

Overall, I loved it. The training for it was not my favorite, but I'm so glad I did this. A lot of people say after you run your first half marathon, you become hooked. I don't know if I am; I think I'd like to do another one, but it's up in the air. I know it's really not that far compared to a marathon or iron man or some other competition for crazy people, but for the past few days, I have felt like a minor league super hero. It's amazing what setting and accomplishing a goal feels like. Me likey.

Also, you have to give me a little credit for sharing this photo. Eric looks schmexy, and I'm a mess of sweat, stank, unflattering clothes and slicked-back hair.

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The things I do for this blog. 

This week's 7.

I'm so unoriginal.

I say that because the idea behind this post is not my own.

A few blogs I follow incorporate some sort of weekly round-up - a post that happens on the same day every week, highlighting random, entertaining things. These weekly things are what I look forward to most when reading other bloggers' musings.

So, blog, meet 'This week's 7'.

1. These oranges. Seriously. Are they mutants? Did they get a little too much sun while growing in Florida? Should I be worried? The world will never know the reasoning behind their gargantuan size.

For an accurate exhibition, I compared them to my chap stick.

 2. Beef - it's what's for everything. Because my dad raises cattle, we've had a stockpile of fresh, grass-fed, non-processed, skip-that-pink-slime-crap, straight-from-the-butcher beef occupying our freezer since we first moved in. And since I'm going home this weekend, E and I are on a beef frenzy to make room for the next cooler of delicious, family farm meat products. Next week, only chicken. We like to work in extremes.

3. We spent a short weekend in Chicago at Trinity's graduation. Although we both finished school in December, the hubs and I chose to participate in the May ceremony. You know, to "graduate" with all of our friends and stuff.

One of my very best friends.

4. Speaking of friends, we also got to see some other great people that start with 'f' - family! My parents made the annoyingly long trip from South Dakota to come see me, and the in-laws made frequent not-as-long trips from Indiana. E and I are pretty blessed.

My mom is kind of notorious for not liking photos. I think this picture
captures her thoughts well.

Ignore the brightness. We're a happy bunch.

5. My bangs...are driving me crazy. I was in love with them 2 weeks ago, but they've grown, and I just don't know if I can handle (wearing) them (straight down) anymore. Help?

There's a lot of loathing going on here.

6. "Hello, heart attack." That's what I said last week when I made these bars, and it's what I said this week while making more to bring to work. I have no self control, and I'm awesome at using coworkers as an excuse to indulge my sweet tooth.

7. 'Holy crap'...is another thing I said when I got my very first DSLR camera last week. This thing is so cool, so intimidating, so crazy, and soooo cool. I can't even talk about it anymore.

First picture with the new camera.

E with his new micro 4/3 camera.

For the girls

There are a lot of things to consider when finding a husband. We've all made some sort of "list," which is probably one of the dumbest things we do. My husband is nothing like the guy I once imagined myself marrying. Thank goodness it worked out that way. I really can't brag about him enough, but I'll stop. I know you're on the verge of puking right now. 

Really, what it comes down to are two things:  does he make you happy, and can the guy cook? (Obviously those aren't the only two things. But work with me; I'm trying to keep this sweet and to the point.)

Let my guy be an example for you. Tonight, I came home to this awesome surprise dinner. 

Seriously? 

Yes, please. 

E, I am keeping you forever. You should also take this post as my statement that I want more dinners like this. Like, once a week is great for me. Thanks. 

2 is better than 1.

Don't worry, I'll save you the sap of why being married to E is so great, and although I could, I won't tell you to listen to this song while I list the reasons why I love my husband. Here's what actually inspired this post.

Since flannel came into style, I've struggled to find one that fits. It's probably my athletic build, or obnoxiously long torso; either way, I've been repeatedly defeated in my search for a flannel shirt.

One exceptionally cold day, I was scanning my closet for something warm. A sweatshirt was too confining, and a long-sleeved shirt wasn't enough. And then, it happened. My eyes peered over to E's side of the closet when I saw it - his black and white flannel shirt. I laughed internally at the idea of wearing it. I'd heard from a few friends that men's flannel shirts are better, but I never gave the thought much attention.

Until that day. I stood in our closet for a good minute contemplating what to do. I finally decided it was worth a shot.

And it was. E's flannel fit me far better than anything I'd ever tried on. It did take me a bit to master the reverse buttoning, but since taking the leap, I've pretty much lived in this flannel...except on days where it's nice outside.  Reason 589 marriage is awesome:  two closets, my friends (although I highly doubt I'll start wearing my husband's pants).

You can just call me 'awesome', because that's how I feel in this flannel.