I Was Runnang.....

I did it. I ran the Salinas Valley Half Marathon. It was my first Half Marathon. In fact I don't think before training for this race I had ever run more than like 8 miles in my life. I actually liked it. I mean, it was hard, but very gratifying. I liked setting a goal and actually achieving it. I tried my best to train all summer and I actually suprised myself with somewhat staying on track with the training. (thanks to my wonderful husband who provided time for me to run while he held downt he fort) I'm definitely not someone that LOVES running. But I have always enjoyed the challenge of long distances. Ever since I can remember I have never been a very fast runner, but just like Forest...I could just keep runnang. I may not be in the best shape or finished in great time, but all I needed was some heart, and I know I've got that. I just kept having to tell myself, there's no way that wrinkly old man can run this race and I can't! So I did, and I ran the whole thing without walking at all. Though, there were times where I felt like my run was so slow that I might as well have been walking. Oh well. To be honest, it was sort of a bittersweet feeling at the finish line. I was happy that God gave me the strength to not walk for 13 miles, but I was bummed at my time. I thought I'd do better. So just to prove it to myself that I can do better, I had to sign myself up for another Half Marathon in Morgan Hill on Oct. 23rd. My goal is to train harder and simply run faster. Why am I doing this to myself???? Wish me luck! ;) The crazy thing is, that I felt old! I really felt 30! I mean, I felt like I wasn't that tired, like I could have kept running, but my body just hurt. My knee, my hip, my foot.....oh, the aches and pains of getting old.

The race ended at Pessagno winery (very yummy wine!) I got a Tshirt, a medal and a wine glass for running. The best part of the race was the free wine afterwards! :) I couldn't think of a better time to drink wine then when your body is beat up, exhausted, and barely holding itself together. ;)

My Surprise 30th Birthday Party!

My amazing husband somehow pulled off a surprise birthday party for me. I was so surprised that I started crying as I walked in the door and everyone yelled surprise. Actually my first response was to look behind me, wondering who they were surprising. Then I realized that all these friends and family members there at my mother and father in law's house were there to surprise ME! How special I felt that everyone took the time to celebrate my bday. John planned it for the weekend after my birthday. So I thought the birthday festivities for me were over. Little did I know how sneaky he was. He and my mother and sister in law. (thanks guys for all you did! I know you helped him a bunch cooking and shopping and decorating). And thank you, Baby! You always go above and beyond to make birthdays and holidays so special!! It was a lot of fun. I hadn't a surprise party since I turned 12 and I hadn't had any sort of birthday party since high school! So I really appreciated every moment of it. The food was sooo yummy, the decorations were beautiful, the kids had a blast playing in the yard, some of us got to play some games of badminton, I got to see so many good friends I hadn't seen in a while, the weather was perfect.....I could go on. Also, my parents and sister drove all the way up here from San Clement to surprise me! That was sooo awesome! You guys are all too good to me! Thank you!

 Thanks Rach for everything!

 Thank you Jill for all you did and for hosting!

 My sweetie :)

 serious game of badminton....isn't this pic hilarious! I think I missed my calling.

 Rachel's creative masterpiece

 Mrs. Sarah Stepanian's famous cupcakes! Yum!