Where Has April Gone?! Half Marathon Recap from MARCH!

Why is it that spring is always the busiest season!?!

I cannot believe it's already the end of April. Sheesh!

I just realized I never posted about my second half marathon!!!

On March 30, we ran the RunTheBluegrass half marathon again for the second year in a row. Here is my recap from last year, my FIRST half marathon!!! 

This race continues to get better and better as the years go on! We did the race the first year when it was at the Kentucky Horse Park, but opted for the 5K as we were not 13.1 miles ready yet :) 

The course is now at Keeneland and it was the same hilly, sharp curves and hills at mile 9 course that I remembered last year! I didn't train on the course like I did last year, but I don't regret it. I almost think training on the course made me dread the hills because I knew exactly when they were coming!

Ben and I before the race. It was a beautiful morning and we couldn't have asked for better running weather!! Cold morning at the start line and cool during the race!

Ben and I both beat our time from last year, and that was our only goal!! I finished in 2:28:47 and Ben finished in 2:07:06. 

We're already talking about doing another half in the fall. I would love to be able to do RunTheBluegrass every year. I love supporting a local race! We even recruited a few friends....

I really do love and enjoy running. I just wish I had more time to run during the week when I'm not training for a race. Let's be honest, I have not been very good about waking up when my alarm clock goes off at 5am to hit the treadmill or run outside. 

 I'm so exhausted with work and grad school and everything else, the extra 30-45 minutes of sleep sound so much better. And if I don't run in the morning, it seems impossible to get a run in at night because there are a bazillion other things going on. If only I could schedule a certain running time and keep it... 

 We finally have a "free" weekend with minimal commitments so I will have a chance to run errands, do homework, catch up on laundry and go for a run. 

Hoping I can drag this little guy with me on all of the above :)

Have a great weekend!

Half Marathon Training - week 7

I've been training for a half marathon for the past 6 weeks. 

It has been hard to stick to a schedule of running Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. Sometimes I have to change it up, but I'm just trying to get two 30 minute runs during the week, and one long (or whatever is on the schedule) run on the weekend. 

Two weeks ago, I had a 6.5 mile run on the schedule. I've never done more than 5 miles, so I was nervous for 6.5. Ben and I ran it together. Well, we started out running together. We ran around our neighborhood towards a park close by that has a 2 mile loop. I felt fine until about mile 3.5 where the hills started.... And then my hips were killing. And then my knee started to bother me. But I was determined to finish!! 

Ben was so sweet and waited for me at certain points through the park. I think I started off running too fast to stay with him, and it killed me for the rest of the run. By the time we made it back home, we had gone 7.02 miles. I couldn't move the rest of the night. I haven't run outside in months, and then to run 7 miles, with hills.... IT HURT!!!!

Last week, I had an easy weekend run. Just a 3 miler. 

But this weekend, we had 8 miles on the schedule. I figured I would run out at Keeneland near the actual half marathon course. 

I work up from a nice Sunday afternoon nap around 2pm and Ben wanted to be out the door by 2pm so he could watch football. He ended up just running around our neighborhood again. I took my time getting ready and stretching, and then headed towards Keeneland. 

While I was looking up the map of course online, I saw they had scheduled training runs out at Keeneland today! They started at 2 pm, so I obviously missed them, but I was hoping to see some people out there. 

It really is a beautiful course!!!! I stopped to take pictures along the way and loved seeing the horses, farms and beautiful houses out there!

Around mile 6, it started to rain. I decided to take the next road back towards Keeneland and head towards the car even though I wouldn't finish all 8 miles. I was having a GREAT run and nothing was bothering me too bad, so I figured I better end on a good run than push myself in the rain. And, I was worried about having my iPhone in the armband with the rain! Haha. 

I ended up seeing two different groups of runners along the course. Everyone was so friendly!! When it started it rain, a lady who I'm guessing organized the training run, was driving around to make sure everyone was ok. She even checked on my even though I hadn't gone out with the crowd :)

The hills were NOT that bad! They were nothing like the ones I did 2 weeks ago. I think the hills today were longer, so it wasn't such a shock to my body. They were different, and I liked that, ha!

I ended up finishing at 7.5 miles. Which I was completely fine with. I was going to try and run the last 0.5 miles when I got home, but after the car ride, my muscles were so tight by the time I got out of my car. I would much rather end on a good run, injury free, than to push myself to complete 0.5 more and risk injury!

I came home and stretched. Perry even helped me stretch :) I'm going to ice my knees and then hopefully do a Pure Barre dvd later tonight. I love the PB dvd's because of the stretching we do after each muscle group. 

Today's run has me so excited for the half in March! Only 10 weeks away.....

Keeeeeneland!

It's opening weekend at Keeneland this week!!!

via

Unfortunately, I have to work on Friday, so I will not be attending on opening day. BUT! I will certainly be there on Saturday! I can't wait to throw on some boots, tights, dress and a scarf and head out to the races!

And the weather is supposed to be 78 and sunny! PERFECT fall Keeneland weather!

I'm loving this Lilly dress for only $98! Pair it with some boots and your ready for Keeneland!

Keeneland gets me in the mood to transition over to fall more than anything. I think I need to do some shopping for some new Keeneland outfits!

How about this Bourbon Pumpkin Pie milkshake for a little tailgating pre-race...

Sounds Ah-mazing!!

Big Blue Party Bus

On Saturday, we planned a big tailgate for Keeneland. 

 

And we rented this bad boy for the day... 

This little guy almost cost us a pretty penny when TEN people canceled last minute... Luckily Ben made some calls early Saturday morning and got lots of friends to join us!

We were SO happy to have this bus because it rained as soon as we got out there. And I was not about to stand out in the rain and tailgate for the races.... So we stayed and partied inside the bus. 

 Back of the bus...

Front of the bus... 

There was lots of dancing...

 

Carrie breaking it down!!!

Trying to pose for a group picture, but only Lauren was ready. So angelic!!

Attempted group shot... 

Girls on the ride home

Late in the day... Obviously on the drive home!

It was such a fun weekend, but it definitely took a toll on me. I was EXHAUSTED all day Sunday.

Loved seeing everyone that came in town for the weekend!! Hopefully, next time we have better weather. At least we didn't have to worry about Sun Burns while tailgating!!

Have you all ever rented a party bus for any occasion??

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm linking up with Jamie for  

What I’m Loving Wednesday

1-I'm LOVING this weather. It has been so nice out, which means we can go outside for recess at school, Perry can go play at the puppy park, and I can run outside! I even enjoyed the little storm we had this afternoon. Perfect napping weather, which is exactly what I did. No the back door is open and Perry is loving laying outside!

2- I'm loving that this SPRING BREAK is less than 2 weeks away and I will be heading here....

I can't wait to see my mom, shop, lay by the pool and head to beach!!! 

3-After Spring Break, it will be KEENELAND time in the bluegrass!!!

4- KENTUCKY is in the sweet sixteen and play OHIO STATE on Friday. I have waited for the day that UK plays OSU since I came to school almost 5 years ago. People keep asking who I'm going to cheer for.... and you better believe I'll be wearing this on Friday!

 

5-I'm loving Apple. I took my iPhone 4 in to the genius bar last night and they replaced it. It kept randomly turning off when I would be using an APP and it would be like 10 minutes before I could get it to come back on.... Thank you Apple for having great customer service! 

 

While in the Apple store, I'm convinced that I want need the iPad 2!! 

6- And finally, I'm loving that there are only TWO MORE DAYS until the weekend :)

What are you loving this Wednesday?!

Happy Monday!!

This weekend flew by!! It was a pretty low key weekend that was filled with lots of errands, lounging, and catching up on DVR due to some rainy weather. If only there was ONE more day added to the weekend....

Even though the weather in Lexington was rainy and cold most of the weekend, I still made it out to do some shopping!

Saturday morning I went out to Keeneland for their spring sale. I went there knowing it was going to be picked over because I was several days late, but I'm still happy with the things I was able to find!

Vineyard Vines Bangles. They were 75% off and I couldn't just buy one, so I bought the pink and brown to wear together!!

I've always wanted a Keeneland hat, but I didn't think I was going to be able to find one at the sale. This was the ONLY Keeneland hat I saw on the table, so I scooped it up fast!!

For being a several days late I was pretty pleased with what I found. Next year, I need to try and go on the first day it's open and hit up all of the goodies :)

After Keeneland, I went over to Peppermint Palm to find some Lilly things. Of course they are completely picked over in my sizes. But, I've decided I will be purchasing this dress:

I am thinking either Easter or for Keeneland if it's still cool out...

On Sunday, I went to Ulta to FINALLY purchase the Its a 10 leave-in spray.

It's AH-MAZING! My hair dresser uses it and I loved how smooth it made my hair feel, but it's always like that when you leave the salon! I always use Moroccan Oil before I blow my hair dry, and love it. But seriously, if you don't use Its a 10, you need to go out to Ulta and buy some!!

Do you use any hair products out there that are must buys?! Please tell, I love trying new products!!

 

Is It Spring Yet??

I love snow and I love snow days, BUT there comes a time when there has been TOO much snow and way too many snow days. If I could have it my way I would want one BIG snow storm that shuts down the city for several days. And then no more snow the rest of winter! Wouldn't that be nice. 

Reality is, that's most definitely not the case! In fact, I feel like the snow started earlier this year! We had 5 snow days before the holiday break. We now have 12 total snow days, which puts the last day of school to June 9th... And we still have the month of February. Not to mention the storm that's supposed to hit this week.

(via lex18.com)

Enough with all the winter and snow talk. I was LOVING the warm(er) weather this weekend! 

It was almost 50 degrees this weekend! I had to take a picture of the temperature because I knew it would be too good to last. Oh well, at least it was nice for the 2 days that I didn't have work or anything to do but enjoy the weather and run errands with Ben! 

Oh what I would do to be in Charleston right now. I sometimes consider removing it from my weather locations, but I like the know what kind of weather my mom is getting compared to ours and vice versa. 

I can't wait until I can go somewhere warm for Spring Break. Defintely one of the perks of being a teacher... still getting a SB! Now I just have to figure out where Ben and I are going. Charleston, Florida or cruise.... Hmm. 

No matter where we go, it is going to be warm, which means I can start looking at spring clothes! Some current spring loves I have:

Some Lilly favorites.... Thinking this dress would be perfect for Keeneland!

 Shauna Tunic Dress Twill

Penelope Tunic Short

Victoria's Secret Cobalt Paisley Suit

and of course a little pink nail polish!

OPI Strawberry Margarita

In the new OPI Axxium/Gelish nail polish of course! I LOVE these new gel nails. I was so hesitant to first get the gel nails but after my boyfriends mom insisted I get them when we got our nails done on Christmas Eve, i couldn't say no, and I haven't been able to get a regular nail polish manicure since! They really do last for at least 2 weeks with no chips. However, I wish there were more color choices available. My favorite salon in Lexington is doing them now and have more color selections! Free glass of wine + a 2 week no-chip manicure is worth it!!! 

Here's looking forward to spring. And hoping that Old Man Winter is on his way out of town soon!!!