I SURVIVED

Well folks I did it! I survived my first 1/2 marathon! I have to give all the credit to my running partner Jacqui for kicking my butt and getting me in by my goal time! I ran a 1:50 and feel really excited about it. It was my first ever half and I had no idea what to expect! There were definately a lot more hills and up hill so it was a pretty hard course but I felt very accomplished coming in when I did! Since I gave it my all I am feeling it today. My knee is killing me which is wierd because I don't have knee problems, but I am sure by tommorow I will be back ready and roaring to go!

Still don't think a full sounds like any fun, but we will see if that changes! Thanks for all the support!

Loved the name on the bib...people cheered for you like they knew you!

Pre-Race (Jacqui and I)

Last stretch, kind of wanting to die!

Post race shot... not so hot!!!

Boston What? Policeman's Half here i come.....

Ha ha, I hope you all know that i am kidding. I don't think I could ever run Boston even if I wanted to! However TODAY my sister ADRIEN did and I am so so proud of her! She is such an athlete and lets talk about her legs...maybe if I can run boston my legs will look like that. Well probably not!!!

Ok I am not running Boston but I am running the Policeman's Half Marathon here in Calgary this weekend. Despite all my running and my active family I have NEVER run a half!! I am getting really nervous. I know that everyone says that I have more then overtrained but I am still scared to death! Am I going to eat enough food, am I going to eat too much. Am I going to get too tired and lose my running partner! I know I am a nervous nelly and I am sure I am putting too much pressure on myself for crying out loud it is a half marthon, anyone can do that and I teach 8 fitness classes a week, but that is just the way I am. I will probably stress all the way to the finish line!

Now in most families the fact that you are running a 1/2 marathon is a great accomplishment...in the ALLEN family it is like "oh really I think my yesterday morning run was farther then that"! (now you wonder why I am putting a little pressure on myself)ha ha

So here is to hoping I don't back out race day! Here is to beating my personal goal!?!? Here is to carbo loading! And here is to proving myself that I can do it!

P.S. If anyone has any good pre race food ideas let me know. My stomach does not do well (however my bag of cadberry eggs, chocolate cake, and pizza in Las Vegas made for great pre run food)!

BLISS....

Banff...April 2009

(Annie, Emily, & Hank)

My cousin Annie is in town and we got to use her super duper fabulous camera, hence the fabulous shots of our adventure in Banff!

I am home from the most wonderful Girls Trip EVER. I came back to some serious stress and work so I thought I would re live my trip through a post about it! We had a blast acting as Bekah put it like it was 1994 (I had to remind her I was only 9 then) staying up till 2 a.m. eating lots of treats, giggling, running, and of course plenty of shopping!

Favorite Memories:

*Tyler throwing his fork full force across the cheesecake factory almost taking out a lady. We all got the giggles and could not stop laughing. I think the girl might have been slightly offended.

*Paris Breakfast Buffet. I couldn't get enough of the Crepes!

*Making the trek to the COKE STORE!!! I think Jackie could have spent her whole trip in there:) The diet coke was fabulous.

*This moment....he was so mad we were laughing at him...

*Getting suckered by the ring cleaner guy. However my ring is still looking excellent!

*Convincing my sisters that a jean vest still can be cute (they go by the rule, once you have worn it you can never go back) I think they are just jealous of my jean vest! ha ha

*Coming back from the grocery store and realizing that all we had bought was brownie mixes, chips, ice cream and whole milk for the baby. At least we thought about Tyler!!

*12 mile run with the sisters

*Our shopping purchases, we may have gone a little overboard but we got some good stuff.

*Finding Whitney and Jackie the perfect dress!

*Staying up till 2a.m. watching the extra features of Twilight and giving back rubs

*Being together with my favorite girls!!!!

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Me: "I am always right, you just have to get used to the fact that I always know where to go" ( I said this as I was leading us in the complete wrong direction) Swallow my pride!

I had the best time ever and can't wait until our next trip. I am already missing everyone so much but grateful for the time I got.