Courtney's Corner: Back by Popular Demand!!!

So evidently I have failed at being a blogger! But, I will make another attempt at it! A lot has happened since I last updated my blog!! I graduated with my Masters, I got a sexy new boyfriend, I found out I'm going to be an aunt, I've been to weddings, showers, vacations, and I ran my first Half-Marathon!!! Oh and how could I forget I have got to watch my sweet Paisley (who I had just gotten in my last post) grow into the sweetest, feistiest dog ever!!! Wow...seems like a LOT!! But oh so much fun!!! Life is always a whirlwind, but I love every minute of it!!

FOR THE LOVE OF RUNNING -
Lately it seems like all I have been doing is running/training!! I sometimes feel a bit like Forrest Gump b/c I catch myself saying quite often..."When I was running"!! haha!! But I just love it! There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment after a long run!!

Ever since high school I have very much missed track!! I would catch myself walking outside on a windy day and think oh how I miss track, b/c it never failed that track meet days were windy! I tried training for a full marathon while I was in college but due to excessive training to quickly I fractured my foot and had to stop running. Well at the beginning of the summer I decided I wanted to get back into running for the simple reason of getting in shape!! Then in October mom and I decided to do the Race for the Cure. I ran in memory of Tyler's (the sexy boyfriend) Dad who lost a long battle with cancer in May. Then in December (I think) Mom, Brooke, Hollye, Heather, Tyler, and I all did the White Rock 5k in Dallas. It was after that race that I decided that I wanted to run further!! Tyler has done several half marathons so it was not big deal for him to say...let's do it!! So...we (Mom, Tyler, and I) decided to run the Austin Half Marathon in February! Little did I know how much time and effort that took!! BUT...I loved every minute of it. I love having to pack my bags in the morning to go workout after work!! I love going to Academy to buy GU (supplements for running to keep your body fueled while running), workout clothes, knee bands, shin compression sleeves, more workout clothes, stuff to protect from chaffing, blisters, and anything else you would never think of! I love Tyler and I sitting in my living room after a long run with Ice on or feet and Cryoderm (greatest stuff EVER)on our legs!! And I love to be able to say, "I am a runner" again!! I also love the feeling I get every time I say, "I did it, I completed 13.1 miles"! Of course there were several hurdles...like my hips being uneven which caused my lower hip severe pain when I ran b/c it was like running in a heel and a flat...or the upper respiratory infection I got 4 days before my race which has lead to my latest hurdle...my fear of running again. Our half-marathon was Feb. 20 and on the 16th I woke up coughing my head off. Friday the 18th on the way to Austin I wasn't even sure I would be able to run Sunday. My dr gave me a steroid shot, steroid pills, and a zpak that I was hoping would help. By Sunday I was feeling much better, wasn't great, but determined to run what I had trained so long and hard to do! By about mile 4 I was hurting (keep in mind this time last year I was diagnosed with severe asthma too) my chest was just as tight as could be. Poor Tyler was so worried about me that he didn't want to leave me to run his own race. So I stopped for a drink and GU and kept trucking! I knew I wasn't running my pace I had hoped for but there was nothing I could do about it. I was totally frustrated and disappointed but I did the best I could do with the circumstances thankfully Tyler was with me or I might have never finished. At about mile 9 I finally convinced Tyler that I would be ok, I would walk if I needed to, but that I wanted him to finish strong!! He is highly competitive and I knew it was killing him to be going so slow, but he was worried so didn't care!! The last 4 miles I walked more than I EVER have but I finished...even sprinted at the end!!! Was an absolutely amazing feeling!! But the days after when I had to start training again for my next race (March 27...Rock and Roll Dallas) the pain of my chest tightening and not being able to breath started to haunt me! Our next long run was going to be 6 miles and at mile 2.5 I was freaking out...I wasn't sure I could do it...then about 2.75 Tyler twisted his ankle so our 6 mile run turned into me finishing 3 miles by running to the car and I didn't conquer my fear! The whole week after that I worried about having to do another long run, but last week's long run was much better!! I didn't have to stop at all!! I have never gone further than 3 miles w/out walking for at least a few seconds to catch my breath and use my inhaler, but I did it!!! I knew when I finished that day that I would be perfectly fine!! So, I am back on track and ready to go!! I need new shoes for running but don't want to change now for fear of blisters and I need new clothes, b/c amazingly enough running makes your clothes not fit anymore! haha!! Who knew running could be so expensive!! But when I got in my car at lunch today and saw a GU in my cup holder, my inhaler, Garmin watch, iPod and knee band in my compartment by the shifter I just had to laugh!! Yes I am one of those weird people who love to run!! :)

Now for the fun pics -

Tyler and I in Dallas...This picture defines us so well...we spend the majority of our time laughing!!

Little Miss Paisley growing up!!

The race that started it all!! Race for the Cure!

Tyler's sister Carrie!! Didn't know she was running, but right as mom and I were walking up there she was!! Was so neat to get to run it with her!!

Dallas White Rock 5k! Tyler and I finishing together is one of my favorite pictures!

2011 Austin Livestrong Half Marathon!

Waiting in the 30min line for port-a-potty before the race...yes the gun went off before we got through...good thing it was a huge race and we could just jump in to start the race after we finished!!