I ROCKED SEATTLE!

This was my view in line for a port-a-potty at mile 17 or so.

At Mile 11 I saw Mt. Rainier as I crossed the Lake Washington Floating Bridge!
*Click on the picture to see the Mountain!

We TNT-ers sure know how to dress up for a party at the Inspiration Dinner the night before the race!

Here are some of our participants getting ready to carbo load at the inspiration dinner!

On Friday we saw our Washington family... we wish they lived closer but enjoyed the day we had together! My nieces and nephews are getting so big!

A little bit Marathon History!

The marathon is a long-distance foot race with an official distance of 26 miles 385 yards that is usually run as a road race. The event is named after the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. The historical accuracy of this legend is in doubt, contradicted by accounts given by Herodotus, in particular.

The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. More than 800 marathons are contested throughout the world each year, with the vast majority of competitors being recreational athletes. Larger marathons can have tens of thousands of participants.

I think I will post everyday with a story from this weekend since their are so many. Some are gross and some are sure to make you laugh...

To Be Continued...

Feeling better... finally!

Ok so I know I promised pictures of the event in San Diego but I had a really bad cold that really wiped me out. Sore throat, migraines, sinus issues, and a very bad cough... no fun! For those who know we and my activities it will be a shocker to know that I didn't do ANY type of activity for 5 days. I did do alot this weekend despite the migraine(s) and cough... ran 20 miles, danced a little, coughed during my hot yoga class, and bowled in my league. I have to say I bowled AWESOME too! I have a 137 avg and bowled 149 - 180 - 176! My friend Erin bowled great too she shot a 268 for her second game... what a great anchor for the team!

Click here for the professional pix

I am feeling better but still have a bad cough! This is really my first day of no migraine or severe headache since the night before my race (5/30)!

Tonight I will be celebrating my friend/head coach Paul's 46th birthday at Downtown Disney after work. I will be joining his family for dinner and go with him to get his Disney pass :) afterwards I will go home and get some zzzz's!

On Thursday it will be two more weeks until Seattle! I am so excited to see my Seattle family on Jeremy's side... I will get acquainted with my youngest nephew Jason... the last time I saw him when he was a week old... I think he is 2 or 3 years old now :) We leave on Thursday 6/25! Space Needle here I come!

This weekend I am going to be busy with a party to go to on Saturday instead of Disney and I have my first bowling tournament that morning. I am also going to go see the movie "UP" with my friend Megan! Sunday I am playing it by ear... I have my bowling league that night for sure but I am torn between a 16 mile run by myself or hot yoga... who knows if I am feeling ambitious I may do both!

Have a great day... thanks for checking on me! I can't believe my counter is as high as it is... you guys are doing an excellent job... I will post a few pictures here and I will post all the ones I took on my facebook account... so if you have a facebook account... you can check me on it and the pix I post there too!

::::Hugs::::
Mel

Inspiration and Lesson Learned

Yesterday was the San Diego Marathon. They only offer the half to TNT participants and since I am with TNT I took advantage of that and did the 1/2 marathon instead of the full.

Why???

Well I came down with a sore throat on Friday and it stuck around through yesterday. While still fighting the sore throat I got a headache which lucky me turned into a migraine that inevitably made my stomach turn Saturday night and I threw up 6 times... which got rid of all the carbs I took in the night before the race! Both Friday and Saturday nights I only got 4 hrs of sleep a night! Upon my return home from doing the 1/2 marathon on a sensitive and empty stomach. I unpacked and down some Nyquil! As a result I slept 11 hrs and am currently at work!

Lessons learned
#1 You can always prepare for a race but can never plan on what will happen!
#2 No medal is worth more than your health
#3 The greatest reward is finishing with friends that you know would never in a million years thought of going the distance by foot of 13.1 or 26.2 miles.

I hope to inspire others in taking on the challenge of completing a half marathon or a full marathon to show that with determination ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

I had a blast on the course and will post pictures tonight since I will be staying home and trying to rid this cold I caught out of my body! I look back and think about who I (1 person) have inspired to do an endurance event and witnessed their accomplishments. I am so proud of them - Woo Hoo!

• Jeremy - My husband and love of my life loves to swing dance and considers that his training for completing a marathon, 1/2 marathons (more to come), 10K's, and 5K's!
• Amantha - a swing dancer by heart ran a marathon and now a half marathon
• Mandy - Amantha's mom completed her 1st and hopefully not last 1/2 marathon yesterday as the rock star she doesn't know she truly is!

I have inspired others to run/walk unimagineable miles for their personal goals:

• Aunt Donna
• Cousin Josh
• Erin - my best friend and now 5K finisher
• Mark - my friend Megan's Brother
• Enrietta - Coworker
• Sandra - Waitress at my local Carrow's restaurant

The race this weekend was not what I expected or planned. However, it was more challenging and a very fun event! I walked/jogged for 3 hrs 32 minutes and 34 seconds. my jogging was due to the slow walk that I do... apparently I wiggle my hips when I walk and I think that is why I am slow, lol! I mostly ran to catch up to the speedy walkers I was with (Amantha, Mandy, and Mentor Taz). Amantha and I swing danced twice on the course and we took random pictures along the way. I ate a little before the race and then afterwards my hubby and I had a date at the Macaroni Grill after he picked me up at Amantha & Mandy's home.

Overall Jeremy and I had a blast him in Yosemite and I in San Diego (minus the sickness thing). We missed each other and were glad to be in our own bed last night!