Traverse City: Bayshore Half Marathon Photo Dump

Hey guys!! Here to recap my fun weekend in Traverse City! For those of you that don't know, Traverse City is in northern Michigan (about 4 hours north from the Lansing area) on Lake Michigan, known for wineries, cherries, and beautiful lake views. And I'm sure the trees are stunning in the fall. Anywayyyy The Bayshore Marathon, half, and 10k is super popular and the spots sell out so fast. I got up at 8AM on registration day in order to be able to race it. It's no joke. So, Friday I drove to Grand Rapids to meet Kelly and we drove up. It was a beautiful drive! 

Pack light? What's that mean?

On our way :) 

So we got there and immediately got our race stuff together for Saturday morning. We had to get up early (4:20A) so we wanted to be ready! 

Kelly had some work friends who were running the race too, but were staying at the campsite next door to our hotel, so Friday night we went there and hung out/ate/laughed. It was really chilly so the fire was perfect.

It was STILL chilly Saturday morning. Like low 30s. Getting up and standing around for an hour and a half before our race started was not fun. We whined a bit (not a shock).

Yay the sun came out and was SUPER bright. I think this is a great look for us, agreed?

This was our view for basically the whole race -- and it was stunning.

We finished the race on the Traverse City Central track which was kinda cool. The post-race treats included: cherry ice cream (Moomers), homemade cookies, chocolate milk, bagels....and the kitchen sink :)

Driving up the peninsula!

Old Mission Lighthouse

Grand Traverse Chateau winery

Obsessed.

What a view :)

Post-race celebratory wine tasting!

We took about a million of these. For your sake I'm only posting one.

Saturday night s'mores!

Sunday we went to breakfast (feeling FAMISHED) and walked around downtown TC before heading home. It was suchhhh a great weekend. I finally got to see a part of Michigan people love.

Someone was happy to have me home :)

Soooo --- as we watched the marathoners finish, Kelly and I said,"You know...I used to want to do a marathon..but now, no. There's no way..." Apparently that lasted about an hour...because now..

this.is.happening. 

SAY WHAT?!
Yep. It's official. We have decided to do the Twin Cities Marathon October 6th. I've got my training schedule all finished, and will start next weekend with an 8 mile run. I'm using Hal Higdon's Novice 2 marathon training plan, and just ordered a book called The New Rules for Marathon and Half Marathon Nutrition: A Cutting-Edge Plan to Fuel Your Body Beyond "the Wall" by Matt Fitzgerald.

Happy training :)

Happy Michigan Anniversary to ME!

Holy cannoli --- it is May 5th. This day, last year, I had my Penske loaded up, my boys (pets) drugged and kenneled in the front, and I was making the long trek from Dallas, Texas to Lansing, Michigan. It was such a bittersweet day, saying goodbye to the only state I'd ever lived in, on a new adventure. My sweet parents went out of town, as they didn't want to be around to see me leave (needless to say -- they weren't so much on board). 

My room at home -- all packed and clean.

Little did I know how much of an adventure I was starting :) 

If I knew what I now know, I would probably not be here...which makes me so happy that I took the chance and huge leap of faith by coming here. Did it turn out like I expected? No. But the Lord has provided me wonderful friends, a job that I love with littles I LIVE for, and a school program that I enjoy thoroughly at Michigan State.

 The phrase,"If God brings you to it, He will see you through it" has never resonated like it has this entire last year. Not only was I able to make a choice that I knew was rooted in Gods will, I was able to really flourish and grow here on my own, which is an opportunity not everyone gets. I will forever be grateful for this experience, and I've got a year left :)

That's not to say I haven't had hard times, I mean come on...
I picked up my life and moved to Michigan to go to school and be closer to my then-boyfriend. Well...when that wasn't working, I was so mad at myself.
I'd barely even been here in Michigan.
I mean, it was still summer...yikes. 
I was so embarrassed because I knew everyone saw this happening, and felt like my dirty laundry was being aired for everyone to see. I did feel like a failure. Now it sounds silly, but that's only because I've moved past it. I'm no longer angry, because I made the choice not to be. I decided to stay and continue with grad school and make the most with what I had going for me: school. With that being said...

This year -- I have:
Joined a running group that I thoroughly enjoy and have gotten to know so many great people through a common love of running. And eating afterwards lol I have continued to make fitness and healthy eating a priority, which adds so much to my overall well-being.

 

Showing my parents around my new home! 

 

Explored downtown Chicago and ran my second half marathon solo -- which was such a wonderful experience -- and PR'd at 2:05:something.

Appropriately dressed for a REAL winter -- and survived it, too!

Spent my first birthday without my family and home-friends, and celebrated 25 with some new forever-friends without crying or getting (too) homesick!  

Met this girl -- who happens to be one of my favorites. 

Met this handsome fella, who I love very much. 

I've missed some things too..like my friends and family.
My youngest brother's prom and state competition, seeing my little cousin Brock grow faster than a weed, enjoying family dinners and my home church, having to taking my dog back home because my schedule made it too hard to give him the attention he deserved, etc etc etc.
The list could go on and on and on. But, I can honestly say the good outweighs all the bad, and at the end of the day, what else could we hope for? I have learned to listen to my heart, and trust my gut.

I've also learned that true friends are hard to find, and I'm so blessed to have found some here as well as hold on tightly to the ones at home.

Here's to another year in the mitten :) 

Premature Senioritis and Running Babble

Oh...here it is. Spring is here, meaning that May is coming....meaning it seems like *everyone* is graduating. Literally, in one of my classes, there's only one girl that's not graduating this May. 

Oh.....and me. That's right, I'm not graduating this May either...... I'm just excited about the fact that this time next year, I'll be basically finished with my MSW. It will be here before I know it, and then I'll probably be sad about it. That's generally how it works.

So, knowing I have 13 months left of school, why have I been ruthlessly searching for potential jobs on indeed.com, ihiresocialservices.com, etc? Those jobs aren't going to be there next year, Kathryn. If I'd stop doing that all my upcoming assignments would be done, that's for sure.

You know what else isn't going to be there next year (more than likely)? The apartments you look at. Or the houses.

Even Bigs daydreams about post-grad while studying :) 

I am psychotic.

-End rant -

On to running -- I am in my second week of my make-shift training and doing well. My knee is still giving me issues which I am NOT loving, but I've been icing like I should (for once), and trying to get better about stretching/using my roller. I've also been taking IB Profen pre-run (as suggested) these past few days and that's really helped. I also think the kickmyass 90 minute hot yoga once a week really helps, especially while still doing Insanity and abs 2-3 times a week. Since I'm working on overall strength in addition to building up my running endurance again, it evens everything out. Last race training I pretty much JUST ran and did spin, which really didn't give my legs a rest, or work many different muscle groups.

Left: one week ago. Right: This morning, feeling great!

I really don't know how I'd be surviving Michigan without exercise. I know I've said this several times...but I'm serious. It drastically improves my moods AND gives me something productive to do. I'm so thankful to have such a beneficial hobby. Especially when it's frikkin' snowing/icing in MARCH. 'Scuse me sun, it is time for you to make a permanent appearance around these parts. Thanksamil. Adios ice.

The ever-present bruise. 

Anyway -- if anyone has a magic wand knee-fix for me -- please pass it along. I' ll be getting up real early this Saturday pre-St. Pat's festivities to run 5 and am a little bit nervous. I'm hoping to hit up Playmakers one of these Wednesdays for the Sports Injury Clinic. If I end up being unable to run the Bayshore at my pace I will have to get over it. The triathlon will be easier on the knee.

St. Pat's Dash Down Greenville in Dallas. Can't believe this was a year ago.

St. Pat's -- I am excitedddd to see all the pics posted! One of my favorite nonsense holidays. I won't be in Ireland like the manfriend, but Lansing is a close second (ha-ha --not). At least I'll be in great company :)

Stay tuned for some fun pictures from the weekend andddd potential news! 

Sidenote: For those of you that actually read this, my family would really appreciate some prayers, as we are facing some hardships I'd rather not disclose. We would really appreciate it.

Friday and my fridge

Who doesn't love the weekend? Even people that wait tables have their own weekend at some point (or should, if they don't) -- and I don't know one person that says,"Oh man I can't wait for work on Monday." (: If that's you, please let me meet you. I'd like you bottled, please.

I've been battling some food issues -- like wanting to eat everything. At 10 PM. How do I successfully NOT gorge at night? I simply don't have those foods at my apartment. Before going home for Christmas, I cleaned out my fridge and "pantry" (yes -- pantry is "pantry" because I don't HAVE a pantry. I have a bookshelf, that has food instead of books. Therefore, "pantry") so that when I got home, I wouldn't even have that stuff available to me. 

So, this is what my fridge typically looks like: 

Minus the booze (I'm over 21 - I'm entitled), its mostly veggies and fruit in here. I hit the store (Horrocks -- AMAZE. One of my favorite things about Lansing, Michigan! Indoor farmers market-style with super affordable produce) So, I stocked up. I am a leftover QUEEN (hello -- I'm a grad student nanny. Like I have a choice), so I've always got stuff to munch on quick, which keeps from getting HONGRY (so hungry I get mean and overeat something, usually something bad for me). Keeps me accountable!

So, today I woke up to....snow. I wish I was excited about this. Adios winter -- you've worn out your welcome. I think we got like 3-4 inches. That's 3-4 too many...Andddd of course, the sun doesn't want to make a special appearance. Not even once. Ugh. Oh well -- Spring will get here, eventually. And I will bask in the sunlight and lack of snow. I sucked it up, did my workout (indoors, duh. I am from the South, and we don't run when it's in the teens outside. We just don't), and went to see Identity Thief with Natasha -- loved laughing throughout the movie when no one else was. Yes, we were those girls. And I snuck Cuties and almonds into the movies. I would feel bad about this...but they don't have healthy snacks available at the movies. And again, I'm a grad student nanny. Sorry 'bout it!

I totally missed the memo on National Margarita Day, but I'll have some vino instead. Margaritas are super sugary/sweet/high cal. So, I'm ok with that :) If I'm gonna drink them, I better be at Mi Cocina. MMMMM Mambo Taxi!

Maximize the weekend! :) Until next time,
Stay warm, Mi.
Stay beautimus but don't brag, Texas. :)

Back from the Dead

 Wow -- it's been SO long. I almost fell off the (blog) planet. :) 

So, as most of you know, in May I moved from Dallas, Texas to Lansing, Michigan. Yes. That happened. It didn't happen how I thought, but has ended up being one of the best lessons in life and love and prayer and diligence. "Everything happens for a reason" -- many say, and some people actually mean it. Well, I actually do. While my life here is TOTALLY different than I imagined, it's also better than I imagined in a lot of ways. Sure, I have hard days (as you'll see exposed here) -- but I force myself to love this journey I'm on.

New things about me since my last post --

I'm a student -- AGAIN. I'm finishing my first year in a part-time LMSW (Master Social Work -- or The Master Social Worker, as I like to say) program at Michigan State University. Go Spartans!


I'm still crazy about eating right, fun crafts, clothes (although my budget keeps me in check :)), and fitness. I'm currently in LOVE with Advocare (holla at me!), and am still doing insanity and running sporadically (it's still cold here).

 
Running in Michigan has been a struggle -- the cold has DEFINITELY been an adjustment :) I'm doing another half in May (the Bay Shore -- one of the most popular races here) and that will be my third one since December of 2011 -- yes, I'm allowed to brag about it. The race above was the Chicago Half in Sept of 2012 -- one of my most memorable races, as I registered in April before my move to give me something to look forward to.

As I'm a student and I work pretty much full time (for these AMAZING littles that I adore) -- my posts will probably be on fun and easy healthy recipes/cheap eats with the occasional craft -- I'm busy. It will be a random mix of all things Kat -- get excited.