10 days.

10 days people! OMG! 10 days til the half. holy moly. i have not done much running so far this week.....i have been a little under the weather. hoping to at least get in a decent run this weekend, and a few miles next week. i leave a week from tomorrow. 10 days people!

christmas was good. santa was good to us all again this year. the big gift for me was this little netbook that i love! i did not want a full laptop size computer, and this is perfect. nice and lightweight, and easy to carry around. thanks santa!

now time to focus on this trip. and race. 10 days people!!!!! yikes!! excited yet nervous as i don't know what and a million things to do before.

happy new year! my race isn't til "next" year, but still 10 days!

merry and bright.

merry christmas!!

12.

i am just now getting this posted, it's been busy. last saturday i was able to complete 12 miles! definitely a nice boost of confidence. it went better than the 11 miler did. the weather was cold, but not as cold as that day, and there was a light snow falling, which was nice....made it a pretty run! i bundled up better too....i know now that looking back on that 11 miler that was so awful, part of the problem was i didn't have enough layers on. i also used gu, which helped with my energy level. gu chocolate outrage is my new best friend. i still had to give myself a good pep talk to get out there, (read post below to understand), but all in all, it went well. i think i could have kept going, although it would have been quite slow, up to the 13. i don't think i will be doing a 13 mile run, as i had originally planned, so disney will be the first for that number! now it is down to tapering. less than 3 weeks til the half! wow!

frustrated.

this is a fussy, crabby, poopy, whiney post and you have been forewarned! i am just kinda feeling frustrated right now with this whole running thing. and this is my outlet. i don't know if it is the cold. well, i know it is the cold weather, for one thing, but i am just tired of it. tired of feeling tired all the time. of the cold. of the training plan. of the feeling that i am fighting a cold or something, if it is going to happen, just happen already and get over being sick! (it'd be nice if it held off til after disney though). the thought of going outside to run in this, long distances, and even now, just 3 miles. 3 miles is easy, piece of cake, in and out in a half hour. but i don't have the energy, the will, or the feeling of stamina to go do it. i did the treadmill yesterday, and i nearly died of boredom. it's funny how that used to be the only way i'd run. i think i am ready to be done with training for awhile. i am tired of feeling sore. 2 gaglion cysts and a black toenail from this stuff, and thankfully no injuries. i read you shouldn't be sore and achy, so why am i after every time,ok, not every time, but lately it seems like it, some worse than others......i do the stretches, i drink the chocolate milk, etc.! i read a lot of articles in the magazine i get, and then i start to over analyze everything. i am ready to not follow a plan for a bit. at this point, i'd rather just go out and do what i want when i want. i have been training for something for the last 10 months, and while it has helped me, i am ready for a break. and i do enjoy it. probably more so in the warmer months, which honestly surprises me, and also does not. i think a lot of it now is just anticipation of fear, excitement, and dread all rolled into one for the half, being sick of the cold already and it 's only december. (mid 20's today). i want to do the half, i think i am just a bit worn out from trying to stick with training. i realize now when i asked my boss near his marathon, how he was doing and he seemed to have the same reaction i am now. at the time i didn't see how he could feel like that (b/c i was barely halfway into my training and more "into" the plan for training at the time). i am sitting here all ready to go. got my layers on. i just need to go. i am digging deep every time i run now to find the energy to get through it. i had my first dream about the half, and it was not good. i didn't have a number or a timing tag, or my license to prove who i was. i was trying to text my mom to tell her that i was nearing the magic kingdom and it just wouldn't text, among other many mishaps. i woke up all stressed out. so here i sit, willing myself to go. i can do it, i can do it. now do it! crap......maybe if it weren't so cold. i miss fall running, even early in the summer mornings. i'm off. this must be what the phrase "hitting a wall" means. (sorry this post just went all over the place and makes no sense in proper grammar and paragraph writing set up....). i think, and hope, i'll be more positive about this in 2 weeks, after my last, big long run. kinda like i was maybe even a month ago!

christmas cheer.

::may your days be merry and bright::

power of the dream.

exactly a month from today is my half marathon. it's a phrase i never thought i would be saying. who thought i would have the guts, stamina, endurance, and determination to do such a thing, as well as train for one. not me. a year ago, at this time, it was a tiny inkling of a thought in the back of my head. now it is for real. the training is probably the biggest part of all this, to stay with it, not give up, and keep going. good runs, bad runs, overly hot weather, freezing cold weather, rain, shine, perfect temperature days, tired legs, feeling not so good days, you still have to try your best and keep it up. i have felt it all in these days of training, even during the summer training for the 10 miler. i have always liked this song, ever since i first heard it from the 1996 olympics. it was one of the first songs i put onto my ipod when i first got it. i had no idea it would be a song that i use to help me get through the long, often hard training runs, and it is one of the songs that will be on my playlist for the half marathon. it's my, "you can do it" song/motivation. 4 weeks to go. thanks celine.

39711.

that's my official bib number for the half marathon! the info came today, and it feels so official now!

11.

yesterday was a new first for me. completeing 11 miles. it was not a great 11 miles, but i got through it. it was cold. by the end i was so ready to be done, which usually i am, but this time i especially was. actually, miles before i was done i was ready to be done. i tried to preoccupy my thoughts with daydreaming, listening to the ipod, making a mental to do list, but nothing really worked like it has before. i just wanted it done! near the end, the last couple miles, my legs felt like jelly. i think they felt partially numb, which could have been from the cold as well as being tired. my fingernails were purple when i got home. i always have cold hands, but they were especially cold yesterday. a couple fingers were numb. and yes, i did have on gloves. that never happened last winter, feeling that cold, but this was the first time i have ever been out in the cold for that long. nearly 2 hours. i got the mileage done in 1:54, according to my watch. i am proud of this new accomplishment, but i hope it goes easier on future 11+ mile runs coming up. especially for the half!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

disney transport.

look what arrived yesterday!!! our magical express tags! it's getting close, and i am excited!

(yes, it says polynesian...i finally get to stay there, it's been a lifelong dream. got a good rate and it's my reward to myself for following through with this whole half marathon idea!!!)

flannel.

today i realized that it is the last day of november. and i still have "regular" sheets on my bed. normally, i have switched over to flannel by now. i guess that i have not b/c it has been milder than normal. it was nice to have an actual fall this year. it's december tomorrow, and i will still have these sheets on my bed. that's a first. (although i think that will soon change, for a couple of reasons). 1. i need to change my sheets (they need washed), i am too lazy to wait to wash these current sheets and then put them back on, so instead i will just throw them in the pile to wash, and promptly put on my new flannels that i got last month. 2. it is cold now, and my bed will be much warmer with those suckers on it. i am just amazed that i made it this long without having to change to flannel. usually, early november is it and i give in. not this year! i hope this does not mean i'll have flannel sheets on the bed til june. that is not going to be ok in my book!

turkey trot.

on thanksgiving morning, i participated in my first turkey trot race! i, along with my employer, his sister and brother in law, their spouses, and his friend all met up downtown to start the race together. it was a 5 miler, and my first 5 mile race! as i arrived downtown with my mom, the ever present spectator and support, the sky was dark, esp. directly over the area where the race started. a big, black cloud, which held rain. just as we exited the freeway, it came down. thankfully, by the start of the race, the sky was as blue as it could be, and the sun was shining so bright that at times it was hard to see. thank goodness! it was actually a good day for a run, chilly, my first chilly race of the season so far. the race went well, i was feeling tired, so i just wanted to get through, and did not wear a watch so i didn't distract myself with time since i was feeling a bit slow. my goal was to just finish, and with an estimate of a 50 minute run. but i told myself, just go for a run, don't worry about time. well, that pretty much disappeared as soon as i started. i get so competitive with others, even if i don't know them! so i did go faster than i had anticipated and finished 3 minutes less than the 50 minute estimate! i was tired, and probably pushed it, but didn't feel too bad. and i made it up that hill that had me so winded last year at my 2nd 5k. i think my training on a hill in the park has paid off. well, at times! ha, ha. anyway, i wonder though if i could have finished faster, as today i ran the same mileage in 45 minutes! wow! in the turkey trot, for me anyways, it never thinned out "people" wise the way it has in other races. i had to dodge around a lot, just so i could pass some people who were going slower than i was, and so i didn't bump into them, etc. sometimes i just had to slow down a bit til i could find room to move around. so that made me wonder if i could have finished faster than what i did. they said there were 5,000 participants there. so this was probably my 2nd biggest race. running in the crowds, from start to finish is a good practice for the half marathon crowds! well, this is a long post for one race, but it was a good race, felt good, and am proud to have gotten it done in less than anticipated time! the official finish time was 47:11:54. no pictures from this race to post, i forgot the camera at home, maybe next year!!!

thanksgiving.

happy thanksgiving! i am grateful for my family, friends, a place to live, my health, my job, for food (b/c i eat a lot of it lately), for no running injuries (knock on wood), for support when you need it, and even when you don't. there is so much to be thankful for, and i am everyday of the year. gobble, gobble.

fall.

there's nothing like a good pile of leaves to have some fall fun! k and v dove right in!

gobble gobble gee.

....and gobble gobble giggle. love this song each year! :)



{link below}
Adam Sandler - The Thanksgiving Song

ooh la la.

my sister sent these pictures from the mall the other night. while shopping, addison found the sexy undies and was trying them on. she is so funny.

sometimes.

sometimes i wonder how i'd fare on the amazing race or survivor. i love these shows, i wonder if i could have the endurance or strength to get through. well, survivor i'd probably vote myself off. no question.

sometimes i feel so inadequate.

sometimes i feel how small i am in this really big world.

sometimes i just want to cry, for no reason.

sometimes i do that a lot.

sometimes i am constantly hungry, no matter what goes into my mouth.

sometimes that's annoying.

sometimes i wish i had more confidence.

sometimes i dream of living in another state, but certain circumtances would have to change for that to be an option at all. actually, a lot.

sometimes i just love to daydream.

sometimes i wish i could do more than what i do.

sometimes i am so confused, i don't know what i want out of life.

sometimes i wish i could be in 2 places at the same time.

sometimes i wish it would just stay dark all day.

sometimes i wish i could eat "junk" all the time and not deal with the effects later on. who doesn't really?!

sometimes i wish i was more outgoing.

sometimes i don't and am ok being the quiet one.

sometimes i wish i could stop time and just sleep and be lazy, without losing a day.

sometimes i wish i had more willpower.

sometimes i wish i didn't care what people thought of me.

sometimes i wish my brain had an off switch.

sometimes i wish i could give more to others, without worrying about cost.

sometimes it bothers me when a show is "live" but then it says "previously recorded" and they pretend it really is "live" and that "day". why not say "we are on tape today".

sometimes i just want a hug, even though i am not a huggable touchy person, unless you are a child or cute animal.

sometimes i wish i would have stuck with figure skating, without fear and hesitation.

sometimes i am confident with this half marathon idea. other times i am so very not.

sometimes this is what happens when i can't sleep. or just start thinking.


sometimes.
sometimes.

11/19.

happy birthday, mike!

mike is a terrific brother, and great friend! enjoy your day!

run disney.

this video came in my disney marathon newsletter.....while the route for the marathon goes thru all 4 parks, i'll just be doing part of it as the half. i'll hit the magic kingdom and epcot. i am intimidated and excited at this! look at the people!

1 year.

saturday marked the 1 year anniversary since my first 5k! hard to believe it has been that long already! so this was my 2nd time running in the drumstick dash 5k. it's a small, local race, but fun. there is also a wishbone doggy walk/run. the dogs were quite cute. it was a good day for a race, i woke up not feeling so hot, but by race time it seemed to go away a bit. i didn't get much sleep the night before either, stupid insomnia/not feeling good! anyway, the race went well, the weather was great, sunny, and upper 50's. i didn't want to push it too hard, i felt ok, and finished in 27:13. i think that is my 2nd best time to date. special thanks to my mom, aunt linda, brother mike, and cousin marla for coming out to support me! i appreciate it soooo much!

trick or treat.

trick or treating with addison, i mean, the bee was fun! she wore her costume with no problem, even the hood, which she would not do at some other festivities earlier in the week). here are some pictures from her first halloween of going out in the neighborhood to trick or treat! she picked the whole idea up in no time. she especially liked the kit kats and when given a choice to choose, she went for those. like mother, like daughter! she also needed to carry her treats in her hands. til she got more that is! she also enjoyed seeing the neighborhood pets, and she really wanted to go inside the houses to visit! she was so cute! i just love the stinger on the backside of the costume....that got a few chuckles from everybody! she was so cute, and enjoyed it! it was fun! (the yellow balls on her fuzzy black head, mostly seen from behind, are her antennae....they were floppy).

happy halloween.

boo!!

peep.

trick or treat. i don't like plain marshmallows, but i'll eat a peep! mmmm.....sugar.

i am more controlled about these than i was at easter. which is a good thing, cause i am in the mood for chocolate bars as well. yum.

the half.

i haven't really blogged much at all about this, but last spring i signed up to run the disney half marathon this january at walt disney world. it was something that was a small spark of an idea that popped into my head last fall. i am not sure how i got this idea, but somehow it was in there. so i decided to try a 5k to see how i did, to see if i could do it. and i did. it was hard. so i kept working at that distance during the winter, to make it a bit easier to run. i still had that thought in my head, of the half marathon, as i did this.....only 2 people were really aware of this possible race, i didn't say anything to anyone until i was sure i wanted to do it. 13.1 miles. that's a lot to me. i was never a runner up until about 2 years ago, when i got bored with just walking. i decided to try to see if i could run/jog instead. the parents of the kids that i nanny for are runners, so i would occasionally look at their running magazines. i found a training plan to work up to running for a half hour straight. so 2 years ago i did that. then about 6 months after that i would just run on the treadmill as my form of exercise. then this whole running 5k's and what not became a new challenge for me to try. something i actually could do. so after doing a few 5k's last fall/winter, i decided to work up to a 10k in the spring. i actually did use a training plan for that. during that time, i signed up for the half marathon, figuring it's at disney and it'd be a good one for me to do, and i could have a vacation at the same time! a reward as well as something to make my first half marathon distance race look more desirable and fun, being the disney traveller that i am. i trained and completed a 10 mile race during the heat of the summer as my "practice" towards this half marathon. it went rather well, i did not die or collapse, and really made me realize, i probably can do this, it's not going to be easy, but i think i can do it. even if i do have to walk to the finish, but hopefully not. i have been asked, why am i doing this? i can only say it is a challenge for myself. something to work toward, and accomplish. and make myself proud of something i thought i would NEVER do. also, to make my friends and family proud too. i am not sure even how or when i got it into my head to do it, it just sorta happened. that is what i tell whomever asks. it's the truth. so what was once, just a form of exercise for that "daily 30 minute" quota of exercise "they" say we should do, i am now doing more for the challenge and fun of it. and i really do actually like it! it is hard. for me it is as much mental as it is physical. i am excited, scared, intimidated, and freaked out in regard to this challenge. i think i'll be ready though. i have started the training plan, a little earlier than needed, but i am more comfortable with it that way. it gives me more time to prepare. so here i go. feet (and body) don't fail me now! who knows, maybe this race will lead to other half marathons. or not. we'll see.

down on the farm.

it was another pretty fall day here in ohio, and we decided to take advantage of it. my sister and addison met me over at lake farmpark for a visit with the animals. addison was really cute, and really good. she loved talking to the animals, by waving and saying "hi" to all of them. she especially liked the pony and the chickens. i had a great time! happy fall!

{riding the horse drawn wagon}

too much light in this photo, she really isn't that pale!

{all saddled up, western style!}

{she loved this pony, as he was eating she said "mmm...num num"}

{my sister...the pig whisperer. they had a full on snorting conversation}

{talking to the animals}

{"hi"}

{a little video.....talking to the chickens}

sister knows.

So my sister did this fun activity on facebook, and it happened to involve me. she had to answer a question and this is what it was. (the "i"/"me" is referencing her, not me. just an fyi.)

SocialInterview.com asked me "What is Maggie's dream job?"I answered: "Professional shopper? Yeah that would be a great job."

yep. sounds right to me.


she also answered this question, again in regard to me.

SocialInterview.com asked me "What does Maggie get excited about?"I answered: "Oh so many things. Shopping, Coach bags, Vera bags, some good donuts, and Addy."

she really does know me doesn't she?

runnin.

i had a running companion this week! she has a good pace. :)

come run with me.

seriously?! this is the trail i run. pictures really don't do it justice. it is so pretty.

i love fall. i really do. and we have finally had some nice, pretty, normal fall weather, and that is so enjoyable. i have loved running thru this palette of colors.

little cheese.

cheeeeese!!!!

october 14.

happy birthday, grandpa!!

country living fair.

this weekend my mom, aunt, and i went down to columbus to the country living fair. it was really fun, and interesting. lots of antiques and crafts to look at and shop for. it was sponsored by the country living magazine. these are some pictures that i took, beware, i went photo crazy. my favorite was the homegirl tent, lots of fun quirky stuff. she happens to be semi local so i just may have to go to her barn sale! it was a great fall day trip, despite the rain. the giant basket shown is from the longaberger basket company. just an fyi for ya. this will be a definite "to do" for next fall!