8 miles in the cold

This morning the Team in Training met at Shelby Farms at 7 am. It was 24 degrees this morning. I knew it was going to be a cold one. We changed our route this time and ran a trail. It was like running in the woods or in some patchy grass. No pavement or street. There was a little bit of gravel on some of the trail, but mostly grass and ice. We completed what Lisa (trainer) called figure 8s. We ran up a hill, down another hill in the shape of an eight. We did this for six miles and ran from the parking lot and back to our cars for two miles. It was a great run. I have never run that many miles before. If anyone had told me that I would be running 8 miles in 24 degree weather this time last year, I would have laughed in their face. Thank God for growth.

Lisa really feels that I can complete the 26.2 miles in Nashville. I do too. I often wonder though is it wise for me to do a full marathon before completing a half marathon. I have been reading stories about people like me who have changed their lives through diet and exercise and setting goals. None of the stories have been about anyone that has completed a 26.2 without completing the 13.1 first. I don't know. I want to reach a decision by the end of this month. I am going to continue to train for the 26.2 miles with the team as is written on our schedule. One thing my dad said is that I have to hurry and make a decision so that I can begin preparing my mind for whatever I decide to do. My mental state is important during training and definitely during the race.

New Years Day
We (My husband, bug and I) didn't go house hunting yesterday. Our old babysitter, Cynthia, called and asked if we wanted her to keep Bug while we celebrated the new year. I was so excited. We don't get to do much without Bug. So we sat and tried to think of something that we could do at such a short notice and with it being a holiday. Guess what we ended up doing...yes, going to Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, MS. That is what we came up with. I personally wanted to go skating, but my husband is a big couch potato. That was not going to fly with him. So Horseshoe was something that I know he would do. We went and enjoyed the seafood buffet. I ate so well. I couldn't believe it. I ate just enough. I didn't over do it. I know I have written this before, but we have go to get away from buffets. They are just deadly to a healthy or should I say controlled diet. It's an invitation to overeat. We were joined by my parents. That's the only recreation that we partook of as children living in my parent's home. If we wanted to celebrate, that's what we did. We ate. Now here I am thirty years old still trying to break those habits of celebrating with food. There is nothing wrong with celebrating with food; however, there are other ways to celebrate. We just have to be creative. With all that said, we all had a great time. My mother and father made us laugh and enjoy that time as a family. We love when we can get together. It doesn't happen as often as it use to.

 Happy New Year.