Columbus Marathon

Everyone knows that it was a real struggle for me to sit out of the Columbus Marathon.  I actually thought about doing it when I was at the expo..I figured I just wouldn't tell anyone about my decision until after I crossed the finish line.  Luckily, my facebook friend picked up my bib taking away my ability to run even if I wanted to.

I am sure this is how an alcoholic feels when someone ask them to go to the bar.  To take a runner to their favorite event but tell them they couldn't compete was like putting a drink in front of the alcoholic.  I felt like it was going to be bitter the whole race but when the gun went off I felt pure joy.  This joy was very similar to the joy I feel when I am actually running the event.  It was weird being on the other side of the fence but it felt great to finally give back to the thing I love most... the Marathon.

Running is a one person sport to some people but to me running is a team event.  It takes a coach, a teammate and mostly it takes fans to support you.  I have been the coach, the teammate and now the crazy fan to support family members and thousands strangers.  It gives me new meaning to the word marathon...COMMUNITY!

I will always love running the marathon but now I know I can love the other side of the fence as well.  It's a true blessing to sit and encourage people to keep running strong, to keep pushing and to dig deep within.  I could see the stories on all the runners faces.. running in honor of a friend lost, running to lose weight, running to do the impossible, running to stay young, running just because...I wish I could hear all the stories on why they decided to lace up their shoes because those stories are what the marathon is all about. 

The Marathon is special.. A gift you give yourself.  I am just happy that I continue to give myself the gift of the Marathon :) 

Halloween :)

As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays.  My Mom decorated the house all spooky both inside and out.  Halloween was a big thing for the Morgan family!  My Mom would have the best candy to hand out, as well as dress up as a witched witch each year.  It was fun!

I dressed up as cheerleader, cabbage catch kid, homeless person and my favorite Glinda the good witch from the Wizard of Oz.  My love for Halloween didn't leave me as I got older, in fact I still love Halloween.  I just LOVE getting dressed up and acting like someone else for a night, hanging out with friends and of course who doesn't love the candy! <------ I am on a NO candy challenge right now :( so NO candy this year.

This year I plan on going as one of the baseball players on the League of Their Own... BEST MOVIE EVER! I found a super cute costume to keep me warm and look cute in one. <----YAY!

Pictures to come for sure!

What is your favorite Halloween Costume you wore as a child?

Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Wine and Dine costume picked out :)

Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Wine and Dine costume picked out :): 19 Days till the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Orlando! I am extremely nervous about this race since I haven't ran in more than 4...

Wine and Dine costume picked out :)

19 Days till the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Orlando! I am extremely nervous about this race since I haven't ran in more than 4 weeks.  However, I am more excited to see what this race is all about! I love Disney, wine and running... to get all three in the same weekend just brings a huge smile to my face.  The icing on the cake is running it with Corinne and Tracey both great friends.

How does one run a half marathon without even training for it? I been spending as much time as possible on the spin bike, walking and literally just moving as much as possible.  Do I feel ready for 13.1 miles? No, but I am planning on starting up my running routine this week with running/walking intervals.  I will be walking a lot more than running that is for sure but getting my legs ready is very important!

I know I will finish but it maybe a very slow ugly race for me.  I am just more excited about running a night race (this will be my first) and wine party after!

I highly suggest running a race in Disney if you never done one before! Disney gets it right every time... plus the magic is real there!!! Great for a beginner, long time runner and someone that wants to finish out their running career.  I told myself I didn't want to run another Disney race after the Dopey but I bet you that I will in fact be doing the Dumbo next year! :) I am after the coast to coast medal!!!

So this is what I will be wearing race day! I decided to go the easy route and have someone else make it.  Loverdooversclothing on Etsy has the cutest aprons ever! I did order another one for the Dopey challenge but I will not be sharing that till race day! I plan on adding a red heart on this somewhere so I will be adding Kathy's touch to it!!! I will review this item after the race to see if it works for running. 

 

Here is a few more aprons that she makes! So cute right!!!! I am so excited to wear it for the wine and dine!!!! Get it... Apron and Dining :) That is why I picked this costume out!! 

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/loverdoversclothing

Check her out :)

Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Wordless Wednesday

Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Wordless Wednesday:   My Disney races are so close I can almost taste them :)

Wordless Wednesday

 

My Disney races are so close I can almost taste them :) 

Another month of rest...

I have to admit I have been loving this littel break from my life.  For the past two weeks I been focusing on recovery.  While the time was wonderful and defiantly needed, it certainly wasn't welcomed.  It was a struggle for me to do absolutely nothing but I had no choice.  Surgery is defiantly not for ME.

I went to the Doctor for my post surgery check up yesterday.  I was certainly excited to hear the words "restrictions have been lifted." However, I left the appointment upset, pissed and mostly felt like my body was failing me.  He strongly suggested that I continue this recovery for another month.  ANOTHER MONTH...WHAT? I barely could sit still for 2 weeks now he wants me to continue this for another 4 long weeks.  UGH!

I was planning on walking the Columbus half marathon next weekend.  I knew he wouldn't let me run but I felt that he would give me the okay to walk it.  He again gave me the complete opposite of what I actually wanted to hear.  I think my heart broke a little when he said "Kathy you need rest..walking a half marathon is not rest."

I have decided to take his advice :( I am now going to volunteer at the expo both on Friday and Saturday.  This will be a good way to get involved without actually being in the race.  Hopefully, this will help put my broken heart back together.  If anything maybe it will help me meet a super hot runner :)

I can't wait till the day my restrictions are lifted, as I know Louie is looking forward to it too.  I will have exactly 9 weeks to get ready for the Dopey race. (5k, 10, half marathon and a full marathon in four days) I am super nervous that my body will not be ready for this race but there is no doubt in my mind I will crawl to get to the finish line.  I will NOT miss this race!

I plan on keeping up my endurance by biking and walking.  Certainly this is not the best method to get ready for a big race but I have no choice.  Just because I can't run doesn't mean I can't move! The great news is that my Achilles needed a break and time to heal.  I plan on coming back stronger than ever!!!

Martha Who?

Post-surgery recovery has been less than fun for me.  Thankfully, I am feeling so much better but I am still unable to lift heavy stuff and still am not allowed to do hard cardio workouts.  I had to have someone help me carry Louie's dog food this past weekend because I can't lift more than 10 pounds.  Let's not mention how I am craving a workout that gets my heart rate higher than 120.  Walking just isn't cutting it anymore. UGH!

I had to trade in my running shoes and weight for colorful paint and lots of yarn.  Yep, I am turning into Martha.  I have realized that crafting sort of is like running to me.  No, I am not burn calories or getting my sweat on but crafting is therapy...GOOD therapy! Crafting keeps my mind busy, focused and allows me to wake up the artist side of my brain out. 

I was able to make these wreaths in less than 6 hours.  I decided to sell them since I enjoy making them! If you want a wreath let me know... I will be selling them from anywhere to 35-40 bucks plus postage.  I can do any color or theme :)

Pumpkins!!!!!! I love love love painting pumpkins! This is probably my favorite thing to do in the fall minus watching football.  I went to school to be an Art Teacher many years ago... I never finished the degree since I decided PE was more my thing.  I miss art a lot :( Each fall I am able to pull out my second passion in life.  I plan on painting a few more pumpkins for my porch :) If you want a pumpkin I will be charging anywhere from 15-30 dollars depending on picture and size of pumpkin!

I am so glad that I am able to focus my energy on something else besides my running shoes.  This break has allowed me to see that I am very talented in other areas of my life! I been wanting to explore my art side for sometime but always refuse to open my mind up to it.  This break was just what the doctor order!!!!!! I am looking for some art classes to take to continue my second passion....... STAY TUNED!

If you want a wreath or a pumpkin please email me at katmorgan2004@yahoo.com

Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Beachbody Reset-Day 2/3

Mission I'mPOSSIBLE: Beachbody Reset-Day 2/3: I am currently on day 3 of the Beachbody Reset.  I would be telling you all the truth if I said this is easy.  I have had a headache, ...

Beachbody Reset-Day 2/3

I am currently on day 3 of the Beachbody Reset.  I would be telling you all the truth if I said this is easy.  I have had a headache, back pain and I been tired but this is all part of the process. I am currently down 4.4 pounds since Day 1.. that is something to be excited about! This doesn't happen to everyone that is on the reset (dropping weight that fast) but I been filling my body with carbs so now my body is heading back to the weight it loves.  I would bet when this is all said and done I will be back to 142 which is my comfortable weight.

Last night I slept like a BABY! I got in a full 10 hours of sleep :) That rarely happens but I welcomed it! The good thing is that I am not currently working because of surgery so I can sleep in!!! Another thing I remember during the reset the last time was the vivid dreams.  I rarely remember my dreams but last night I had two very real dreams.  One I was a PE teacher but was teaching the children how to water color... WEIRD :) The other was about running a marathon in Nashville.  Makes me wonder what my dreams are trying to tell me.  I bet many of you didn't know that I went to college to be an Art teacher but after 2 years of art classes I decided PE was more my thing. So the dream is very stranger to me... I can't wait to sleep tonight!!!

Day 2 Food..

Breakfast
Breakfast was super good! YUMMY :) Half cup of oatmeal, 1 cup of blueberries and 1/2 cup of organic yogurt.  I put them all together to make a great dish!!! Probably my favorite meal of the day! I get to have it again on day 4!!!!

Lunch
I decided to do my own lunch.  I decided to only have chicken one time this week so the only animal product I am currently having is the eggs and the yogurt.  So I skipped the Greek Chicken Salad and went with Shakeology with a plate full of veggies.  I love Shakeology :) You are allowed to sub out meals for Shakeology! I plan on having a shake a day since it is my favorite part of my day! 

Snack
They say don't have a snack if you don't feel hungry but I have decided to have a snack each day. Why? Because I am not trying to starve myself during this cleanse.  I don't think having an apple and a few almonds will kill the process.  So I am snacking on a honey crisp apple everyday this week.  Next week I will think about taking away the snack but right now I think it is important for me.

Dinner
This is another one of my favorite meals on the Reset.  In fact I still eat this meal when I am off the cleanse.  Southwestern veggie taco's!!!! You get to have salsa, tortilla, black beans, rice, corn, kale and guacamole. YUMMY! It is so good and super filling! I was really surprised how yummy this was without meat. 


Day 3

Breakfast
2 eggs, kale and 1 slice of toast
I love this meal as well :) Very satisfying 

Lunch
Shakeology and veggies again

Dinner
Taco's again







I have decided to not exactly follow the menu.  I think this works best for me because I am a very very picky eater.  I did try Miso soup yesterday which was tossed out.  Am I worried that the detox will not happen if I don't follow the menu... NO :) I didn't follow it last time either.  I am following the crust plan as close as possible.

Keep following me to see how day 4 and 5 go! :)