Showered with Love

Over the past two weeks, I have been extremely fortunate to have TWO baby showers, with yet another one being planned for after Baby Haylett's arrival.  I am so thankful to have such great family and friends around, supporting us as life starts to change.  We've made out like bandits and have gotten so many great gifts and items for the babe to be.  My parents got us a travel system that we are so far pretty happy with.  The car seat is a snug fit into the back of the Prius but we just need to shorten our legs and all will be fine!  :)  We've gotten THE cutest Whale bathtub with matching wash cloths, some great snuggling blankets, sleepers, clothing, bottles, breast pump accessories, classic books that were my favorites when I was little, and cute and cuddly aminals.  This week, we are starting to wash all of the items and make a list of those items we think we may still need, as we are down to 50 days and counting.  YIKES!  That's scary to see in print but I'm excited to be getting ever closer....

GOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL

I reached my goal on October 19th, 2008 in 3 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds!  The half marathon went really well and much better than I expected.  I had planned on a 4 hour run but managed to beat that time without even trying.  I averaged 15.50 miles per hour, of course starting out faster and gradually slowing to almost an 18 minute mile in the second half.  I was running on my own and was bummed to know I didn't have a running buddy but was very glad to find a gal in WaterWorks who was running my pace and had the goal to finish.  Once out of WaterWorks she was still very strong and pulled ahead, so I told her to go on without me.  She was so sweet and checked on me, looking back every once in awhile.  I couldn't have finished as strong as I did without her.  Thanks so much!  

Everyone always asks, what was the hardest mile?  The last one, of course!  It took me the longest and I walked this one more than others but this was also the mile that I couldn't believe I was actually finishing!  I made it!  All of the encouragement and support via Twitter and Facebook was sooooo helpful as well.  My family rocks and I totally appreciate everything they have done for me!  

Next year, the plan is to walk the 13.1 miles and my mother-in-law is planning to join me.  Maybe we can make it a family affair and get all the ladies rocking the course!  As of right now, my calves are aching, my right hip is in pain and my back muscles barely hold my body up so next year can't be far enough away but I'm sure I'll be ready!  For now, I celebrate completing a goal I set out to accomplish.  Now on to the next goal.  Not sure what that will be yet.  Skydiving????