Hands together for Haiti 10k

On Saturday April 26th, Matt and I ran our first 10k. I started training for it back in January and Matt started training with me at the end of March. I mentioned this in a previous post,but the reason I wanted to set the goal to run a 10k was,because I was already on a good journey for losing weight and I thought having a fitness goal would be more challenging then setting a number of pounds to lose. Let me tell you though... it was so hard!

The morning of the race it decided to be rainy and 40 degrees.  We made sure to dress warmly and to wear rain jackets,but around mile 4 we wished we had skipped the warm jacket and just wore a lighter rain one. I had looked at the route a few times online,but I wasn't super familiar with the area so I had no idea it would be so hilly! The reason we chose this race was because it was on a Saturday and a lot of races out here on Sunday,so we figured this would be the best time to complete this goal. I thought we would be racing against similarly skilled runners,but no. There were tons of marathoners there! I was completely intimidated. It didn't help that the start of the race was straight uphill. I thought that I wouldn't be able to do it within the first 2 minutes,because I had to walk since it was so steep. I also wanted to give up around mile 4,but then I didn't want to be a loser,so I pushed through it with the help of Matt.

We did our last practice run on Wednesday and we did the 6.2 miles in 83 minutes. On Saturday we did 6.2 miles in 77 minutes! That's right we shaved off 6 minutes! That was the fastest I ever ran, I give credit to the hills. They were killer running up,but they definitely helped us speed up on the way down.

I'm glad that I have already completed one of my New Year's resolutions. Now that we have completed this goal I'm going to work on getting faster,so I can keep up with Matt. I would love to have 11 or 11 and a half minute mile.

before

after

Me after our 10k (left) /Me after a 5k(right) 

Glow Golf

On Friday Matt and I wanted to try out glow golf. There isn't much to do in Mass,and our local mall is interesting. But when they opened up this putt putt place we knew we wanted to go. It was $9 for 3 rounds of golf or 54 holes!  There are two different courses. So you can play both and then choose which one you want to do again. It was really fun and for the first half hour we had the place to ourselves. Matt loves golf so any time he can show off his skills,he has fun. I did get better each round,but I'm still learning. We finished our date with chipotle burritos! It was a fun date night.

love the glowing socks

it's hard taking a picture in the dark

Easter 2014

Matt and I switch off giving each other Easter baskets. This year Matt got me one and filled it up with Reeses- my favorite! We forgot to get a picture in our church clothes so we had to settle for sweats and a polo in easter colors. It was a nice and relaxed easter. I love celebrating the holidays just the two of us. I also loved that it was all focused on Christ. I can't wait to celebrate fourth of July!

I love saying hoppy easter!

weight update

I have been training for a 10k since January of this year. Part of the reason I made this one of my new year resolutions was because I sent the goal last year to lose 50 pounds and I lost 40. So at the start of the new year I knew I still had weight that I wanted/needed to lose,but I also knew that I was on a healthy journey so making a goal to lose weight wasn't really a challenge as much a a fitness goal was.

 I have run two 5ks in my life. The first I didn't train for and I basically walked the whole time and the second one was this past July. I trained for it and I did it about 41 minutes. I'm really nervous to do a 10k,because I feel like you have to be a legit runner to run one and I don't feel legit. I know my body is capable of running 6.2 miles but my mind is not all the way there yet. 

I love having photographic evidence of the changes my body has gone through in the last 16 months. I know I will never be stick skinny,but I'm healthy and I'm proud of my body for all that it can do. I'm in the best shape of my life and I want to continue this healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. I'm so thankful to Matt for encouraging me and for running beside me.

Here are some pictures from this year's progress so far.

my legs are getting more toned

almost in a size 12 (these are a 12 in the picture but I have muffin top)

january 2013-feb 2014 (the skirt is a miracle worker)

side view

running buddy

our apt has this workout room!

5 miles selfie

I LOVE LEGGINGS

January 2013- April 2014

New running shoes

This is a 20 pound difference

real clothes selfie

The secret life of a tutor

I'm really blessed to work at the school that I do, with the people that I do. It seriously has been good for my soul to work at Newton this year. I LOVE the teacher I work with and we actually hang out outside of school. One fun thing we did recently was make freezer meals at Savory Suppers. I made buffalo chicken lasagna and sesame sirloin. Another great thing that just happened last week was the author of The power of Poppy Pendle came and visited us and she made us caramel crunch cookies from the story! She was so charming and British! It was so lovely meeting her and I can't wait for her next book to come out.

                                                                     Sad these are blurry

Signing a copy for the school library

Because of Him 2014

Happy Easter!

I have been trying to make a conscious effort remembering Christ not just the day of religious holidays but the whole week leading up to the special day. Our scripture study this whole week was focused on reading about Christ's atonement and last days on Earth. It was a powerful reminder of how much our Father in Heaven and Jesus love us and want us to return to them. I have been seeing the hash tag because of Him all week and trying to think about what I'm able to do or have in my life because of Him. Today during sacrament meeting I came up with a few.

#becauseofhim I know how to love. (1john 4:19 We love him,because he first loved us.)

#becauseofhim I get to spend eternity with the ones I love.

#becauseofhim I know I am a daughter of God/ child of God.

#becauseofhim I know my true potential.

#becauseofhim I know I am an eternal being.

#becauseofhim I know what happiness is.

#becauseofhim I can choose faith over fear.

#becauseofhim I don't have to fear the future.

#becauseofhim I can be happy with his plan for my life.

#becauseofhim I can live again

As I was thinking of all these reasons I realized how intertwined every aspect of my life is with Him.

#becauseofhim I can be me.

If you haven't already check out this video!

Utah Trip 2014

I had the BEST trip to Utah it was just what I needed! Good food, friends,  and family time! I was there for almost a week and the weather was gorgeous until the last day! The main reasons I went out there was for my friend/roommate Kellie's wedding, Allie's bachelorette party, and to eat at Zupas!


Wednesday: Spent the day with Kaitie and had my first dirty diet coke!

 

 I loved flying over the mountains

Thursday: Kellie's wedding

 

New friends 

That raspberry sauce was to die for!

 

Friday: Took Allie's graduation pictures and visited friends at union square

 

french toast at Kneaders

I had this twice-its so good

 Saturday:Allie's bachelorette party and brick oven

 

 Sunday: Church with Ashley and went on the water adventure

Monday: Step class, real foods, sugar house park, and came home