Let's Get This Party Started!

So it's official!!!!  Last week I registered for my first half marathon.  In case you were wondering, that is 13.1 MILES!!!  Yikes!  However, I'm more determined than ever, especially with my newly restored health, as if being a natural-born red head wasn't enough.  LOL!!!  But still, there are some days that I laugh at myself and wonder, "What in the world did I get myself into??"  The miracle wont be that I finish, the miracle is that I had the courage to start. Can I get an AMEN????   My goal is to run the whole thing and I'd like to finish under 2 & 1/2 hours, but as long as I cross that finish line I'll be proud.  Anything else is icing on the cake!

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the

mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give

up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the

mind is not tired."

I found this quote on a running website.  It's SO true!  After only about 4 months I've learned that running is about 20 % physical effort and 80% mental!  However, there should be an exclusion to this statement.  I think, actually I KNOW, there comes a time when you HAVE to listen to your body.  I speak from first-hand experience here.  I used to think I was weak when I'd get tired after a single mile -- little did I know I had 2 severe sinus infections brewing and my breathing was being severly compromised.  Or heaven forbid the time I was running and didn't wait long enough after I ate to run and ended up getting sick.  I pushed through that too - I just kept telling myself, "Just keep running!!!  It happens all the time on Biggest Loser." LOL!!!  Needless to say it takes a LOT for me to throw in the towel.   

So there you have it, running will inevitably be my LIFE for the next 8 & 1/2  weeks!  I'm not a natural athlete, never have been,  so I'm earning EVERY step out there!  PLEASE feel free to pass on any tips and tricks!

I imagine at some point I should alter my diet to maximize my energy level, running endurance, etc., but until then I'm going to stick to fixing what I know and what my family likes -- yummy southern food!!  And of course I know it's not Monday, but here you have it, Meal Plan Monday (on Tuesday!).

MEAL PLAN MONDAY!

MONDAY: Pan-Seared Steak, Baked Potato, Garden Salad

TUESDAY: Breakfast for Dinner (guess who's out-of-town???)- Pancakes, Bacon & Eggs

WEDNESDAY: Tacos, Marshmellow Orange-Pineapple Salad

THURSDAY: Bacon-Wrapped Maple Pork Loin, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Butter, Southwest Corn

FRIDAY: Grilled Hamburgers & Hot Dogs, Fried Pickles, Home-grown Yellow Watermelon

Have a blessed week!

Happy Trails!