Officially Official - The Disney Half

There is no turning back now. Registering just made it a lot more real. I'm officially out of the "thinking" stage and into the "registered" stage. Disney Half Marathon, here I come.

Ok, so during the registration process, there were a few things that stuck out to me. First of all, I took WAY too much time trying to decide what size shirt I needed. I realize I may have taken it a bit far when I was measuring my favorite t-shirts and comparing size measurements, but if I'm doing this thing, the t-shirt sure as heck better fit. Thus, I am happy to tell all of you who may be a little self conscious about your clothing size, that a girl who wears an x-small can be just as out of shape as one who wears an XXL.

Second, I couldn't bring myself to read the waver. I didn't want to know the risks of running 13.1 miles. I already know it's going to be painful.

Third, during registration they ask what county you are from. For the first time ever I had to select the "not from Florida" option. I love Colorado, but to be honest it caused some serious physical pain to check that box. I kept looking for a comment box in which I could further explain. I really am FROM Florida, I just don't live there right now.  

Fourth, I bet you were all wondering what online registration company Disney used for the event? Or maybe the geekdom of working in IT is just starting to rub off on me. Either way, Disney uses RegOnline, the same online registration company we use at work. I setup events with RegOnline almost every day. I'm even going to get a little cocky here and say the event registration setups I have created are a little more user friendly than Disney's marathon registration. So to whoever setup the online registration, I have some pointers for you.

Finally, and most terrifying about the whole thing...after reading through some of the information, I noticed a small little fact that I managed to gloss over during the "thinking" phase of this whole half marathon decision. Apparently if you do not maintain an average 16 minute mile throughout the race, then a kind Disney employee takes the liberty of picking you up in a golf cart and driving you to the finish line. I think I might have nightmares about a mouse chasing me in a golf cart. How embarrassing to be driven to the finish line. This can NOT happen, under any circumstance. They are going to have to physically tie me up and throw be into the car kicking and screaming. I realize I could probably walk the whole thing backward and probably finish in less than 16 minutes per mile, but still, it's the fear that keeps me running when all I want to do is stop and walk.

I'm still working out the details of my training plan, but I have a rough idea of my plan of action. Here we go. I'm really doing this. 

Hats, Pearls, Tea and Me

My friend Tara is pregnant with their third child, a baby girl! Since I moved to Colorado there has been no shortage of baby showers in my group of friends. In fact, it's practically becoming routine.

Usually these are pretty low key and sometimes they are even joint showers because we really do have that many babies to welcome into the world. This one though, well, my friends went all out. This shower was an early afternoon tea on a friend's back porch. The required attire included summer dresses, pearls and hats. Yes, I said hats. I'm telling you, the things I do for my friends.

I don't know why, but I think everyone honestly expected me to show up in jeans. Although I will argue my way into wearing jeans and a t-shirt for any and every occasion, if we're going to do this whole themed shower thing, then we are really going to do it. Go big or go home, although I drew my line in the sand at the idea of wearing gloves. I had a few options for summer dresses and pearls so that wasn't the problem. The hat however, well, that was another story. I spent hours at multiple stores and found nothing. I was telling a friend about my frustration and then my friend's mom piped up and said she had plenty of hats I could borrow. The next thing I knew she had a hat box in her hand and was laying out hat after hat on the counter. What a life saver!

Hat, gift and my infamous truffles in hand (yes, I have a truffle recipe that is in high demand at almost every social function), I arrived at the shower. Even though it probably goes without saying that tea parties and doilies are not my thing, being surrounded by those sweet ladies certainly is my thing.

Tara, me and Kacy

Kacy, Tara, Amber, me, and a dress malfunction that made me look 4 months pregnant

And what do you know? I even won the prize for best hat at the party. There were plenty of hats much cuter than mine, so the win probably had more to do with the fact that everyone was so shocked I actually wore a hat, but a win is a win.

me and my award winning hat

Congratulations Tara! I can't wait to welcome your new baby girl into our church family...and by "welcome" I mean shake her little hand because holding babies younger than six months old (when they start to look like actual people and not breakable dolls) totally freaks me out.

A Little Piece of Heaven

This time last week I was sitting around a dining room table at someone's house I had known all of 45 minutes eating barbecue and talking about the Lord. How did I get here? Well, because sometimes God likes to bless you just because he loves you.

A little over a year ago I spent five days at Covenant College visiting/helping with a Student Life camp. That week I met Daniel. Daniel was born and raised in poverty in the slums of Kenya, but thanks to God's grace and Compassion International, today he has a college degree and a bright future.

Even though we only spent five days together, Daniel and I bonded pretty quickly and continued to keep in touch over the past year. Well, low and behold Daniel ended up in Colorado Springs last week. He was accepting a scholarship from Compassion to continue his education with a Master's degree and then heading to Chicago to start classes at Moody Bible Institute.

Daniel told his host home about me and they insisted I come to dinner. Their house was only 15 minutes away from mine. Seriously, what are the chances? During dinner I not only got to know Daniel's host family, but three other Compassion scholarship recipients (another one from Kenya, one from Haiti, and one from Uganda).

All of these young adults have been through more pain than I could even imagine. Their stories are so compelling it's impossible to walk away from them the same, and yet, there was so much laughter around that table.

Daniel told the other Kenyan (Antonie) that I knew some Swahili phrases and games. His face lit up when I started singing along with him and he was so impressed at how much I knew (side note, Hakuna Matata really DOES mean no worries in Swahili). Really this is thanks to my friend James. When I worked for Student Life, James was the Compassion representative on my team in 2009 (the Daniel of my team, if you will). Gosh I love that guy and am so blessed to call him my friend.

me and my friend James

It turns out, Kenyan's in general can't handle spicy foods. It wasn't just James. I couldn't help but laugh to myself as the host families were comparing notes and discussing what foods the Kenyans liked, tolerated and hated. I feel like if I knew these sweet families about two weeks ago I could have helped them out a little. I mean we had to learn the hard way with James too. You can't exactly take a Kenyan to Chipotle and expect them to walk up to the counter and order something.

Anyway, back to the dinner...Antonie was also excited to talk to me about my job. He is a product of the Navigator topical memory system and in Kenya it was Navigator curriculum that helped him to develop his faith. He couldn't wait to tell me that he knows everyone in The Navigator's Kenya office, which is hysterical because I know a few people there too. I've never met them in person, but because of the way donations are processed, when I worked in the Accounting Process Center, I had to email a few people at the Kenya office almost every week. I never had the privilege to meet them in person, but we've developed a great relationship via email. How crazy. Antonie and I have mutual friends in Kenya.

So for those of you who may be wondering...what was Daniel's favorite thing in Colorado Springs? The mountains? Garden of the Gods? The weather? Nope...it was the water slide at Villa Sport - the gym I did not join.

That night, as we stood in the kitchen all holding hands, we prayed for the meal. But it was unlike any prayer I've ever experienced. Everyone took turns praying over the meal and each other in their native language. I have no idea what was said, but I can tell you it was powerful. I couldn't help but to think this might just be what Heaven is like...and not just because of the amazing chocolate cake we had for dessert.

He Said Yes!

Yesterday I was checking my email and ran across this courtesy of the MapMyRUN app on my phone.

I don't know what happened, but as soon as I saw Disney I started clicking. One thing led to the next and before I knew it, I was looking at dates for the Disney Half Marathon. I've been training for my upcoming 5k for all of a week and a half. I have no business even looking at a website for a half marathon. How did I get here?

But...the more I read the more perfect the idea sounded. I would already be in Central Florida for Christmas and could easily stay until race day (January 7). My 5k is in September which would put me in the perfect condition to start training for a half marathon immediately following. Plus, the race is at Disney World...great weather, flat as can be, and plenty of oxygen to go around. Seriously, I don't know what came over me, but the next thing I knew I was Google searching running plans.

On the way home from work I called my brother Sam. I started telling him about my training for the 5k, the run at Disney, and half way through my spiel he interrupted me and said, "Are you calling to ask me to run with you?" I told him I was getting to that part and he promptly answered with a resounding and definitive "Hell no!"

Ok, so no dice with Sam. Now on to J.J. who conveniently was sitting right next to Sam when I called. All he could do was laugh. I had no prayer of convincing J.J. this was a good idea. Dad pretty much gave me the same reaction mixed with some excuse about bad knees and being old. All three of them told me I needed to wait until Josh got home and talk to him. The family consensus was he was my best bet.

Desperate times call for...a phone call to Mom. There was no laughing or cursing with Mom, just a flat out no. She also suggested I call Josh.

I anxiously counted down the hours until I knew Josh would be home. I called him and started down the same line of logic I tried with Sam. To my complete shock, Josh could not say yes fast enough. He was so on board. He started asking me all kinds of questions and wanted to start training right away. He could not have been more excited. No convincing needed.

Josh and I both decided to think about it over the weekend and then call each other on Sunday or Monday after we had time to consider the huge commitment this would take.

Today Josh sent me a text to let me know he ran five miles.

It looks like we just might be doing a half marathon....

A Very Biased Book Review

Since I drove across town like a crazy person to get it, I figured I should probably go ahead and actually read Timmy's book. After the whole book signing (or lack there of) fiasco, I have to admit I started the book with a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. Plus, let's just be real for a minute. Athletes don't always make the best authors. Have you seen post-game interviews with football players? Not always the most...umm...maybe ESPN could look into subtitles.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with Through My Eyes. I really enjoyed it, truly. In fact, it's settled. I'm marrying him.

The book really did help me get a whole new perspective on Tim as an athlete and a person, which leads me to...

Through My Eyes SUPERLATIVES

BEST LITERARY MOMENT

Every chapter title is immediately followed by a Bible verse. Chapter 18 is titled A Promise Fulfilled which is in reference to Tim's infamous press conference promise to work harder than any other player following the Mississippi State loss. However, the verse following the title is John 3:16. Think about it. Nicely done.

WORST LITERARY MOMENT

This book reads more like a blog than anything else. Some of the thoughts seem a little misplaced. Although I love the random stories mixed throughout the book, it doesn't help to create a lot of chapter or theme development. Like I said before though, this guy wins his awards on the field. I'm sure he didn't write the book with the expectation of a Pulitzer to put next to his Heisman.

BIGGEST BAD A MOMENT

Tim's had a lot of bad a moments over the years.

However, none seemed to top the Kentucky game of 2009 where Tim suffered a concussion. What I did not know about the game however, is that he was playing with Swine Flu. In fact, he would run off the field between plays to have fluids pumped into him via IV. Are you kidding me?

STRONGEST PERSONAL CONNECTION

Tim started as QB1 his sophomore year at Nease High School in Jacksonville, Fla. That year wasn't the best for his team. In fact, according to the book, six of their away games were homecoming games. Wait a minute...my high school played Nease for our homecoming game when I was a senior. That would mean...I saw Tim play in high school. My high school won, but I wish I had paid a little bit closer attention to that visiting team's QB.

MOST ANNOYING

I realize you have to do something to make the autobiography of a 23 year old stretch 256 pages, but was it totally necessary to highlight every single game he has played in for the last five years right down to the play call? Any college football fan watched these games live. I already know who won and how it all went down. Even for this football fanatic, sometimes the play-by-play got to be a bit much.

MOST RANDOM FACT

Tim's favorite movie is Braveheart. I was a little surprised it wasn't Rudy.

MOST SHOCKING

The mysterious Angel Gonzalez is mentioned in the Acknowledgement right after Tim's family members and BEFORE Coach Meyer. Apparently Angel came up with the name for the book...big woop. Who helped you get two national title rings and a Heisman, Tim? For real, how did this guy...

beat this guy?

FUNNIEST MOMENT

There were a lot of times I laughed out loud reading this book. I wasn't expecting Timmy to be so funny, and even sarcastic. However, by far the best was a description of the Tebow family in NYC for the Heisman ceremony. There they are, sitting around a table in a nice restaurant and missionary father Tebow asks his Jacksonville Jaguars player, son-in-law to pray for the meal. Why? Oh, because their family likes to pick the person who would be most uncomfortable praying in a public setting, ask them to pray, and then laugh at how awkward the whole thing is. Thank you Tebow family. I was laughing about this for days.

BIGGEST VALIDATION

There is just no redeeming quality to LSU fans. No other fans find it appropriate to publicize an opposing quarterback's cell phone number so his voicemail can be constantly full of threatening and explicit messages. No other fans are able to sleep at night after verbally harassing Pam Tebow. LSU fans are straight up classless.

BEST QUOTE

The Tebow's were a baseball family before they were a football family and Tim could have gone pro in baseball right out of high school. His Dad spent a lot of time with him working on his hitting and throwing. Very touching...until we get to this line.

"Apparently, some people have even commented of late on that throwing motion.

Dad's fault."

BEST USE OF THE "GOD CARD"

I was nervous about what I refer to as the "God thing." It is no secret the Tebow's are a Christian family, but then again isn't Jessica Simpson's Dad a pastor, and wasn't Katie Perry a Christian artist before she kissed a girl and liked it? Let's be real, there are a million college, pro, and even high school athletes who do things like this after a big play, thank God after a big win, and then get arrested for beating their baby's momma after a night of too much partying.

I'm sure this is just because I'm a cynic, but sometimes I watch the Tebow family and can't help but think, "Are these people for real?"

I was interested to see how the book would address Tim's faith. Would they talk about God but not mention Jesus? Would they talk about Jesus but in the most watered down way possible as to not offend anyone? Would they throw down the "God card" in the middle of a chapter and make it super awkward like they do in most Christian movies?

The answer to all of these is NO! I would say this was just as much a Christian book as a sports book. You can't read three sentences without Tim mentioning the Lord. The crazy part is, it feels so natural and so genuine. Reading this book honestly feels like any other night that I'm sitting around with my small group talking about what the Lord is doing in our lives. Tim did not waste one opportunity to talk about his personal relationship with Jesus and all the while giving the Lord every bit of credit for his accomplishments. For the record, I truly believe this family is the real deal.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR OUR FUTURE RELATIONSHIP

I, like the rest of the world, have seen Tim cry.

Playing football with your friends on Thanksgiving is "just a game." Dedicating years of your life to championship games and then loosing, somewhere in there it becomes more than a game. I get that. I'm ok with the shedding of a few tears after a tough loss.

However, after finishing the book, I have some big concerns for me and Tim's future together. Timmy is a full fledged crier. He knows it too. I mean he cries all the time. I am not a crier and I get pretty awkward around people who are. I just don't know how to handle the tears. Hopefully after 23 years of crying, the family can give me some pointers.

THE BEST PART

We get to see a lot more of this guy in just a few weeks. The lockout was lifted and rumor has it Kyle Orton is packing for Miami. It's Tebow Time!

First Week is DONE, Son!

I did it! I'm honestly pretty surprised, but proud to say, I finished week one of my running plan. That means I've run three times in the past six days...and no one was chasing me any of the three times. Not impressive (even to me), but it's a start. Is it getting more fun? No! Is it getting easier, definitely no!

Right now my iPhone app has me running/walking in 1.5 minute intervals with a five minute warm up and a five minute cool down. By the way, I really need a name for the voice of my personal trainer on my app. After all, we spend at least an hour and a half together each week. Many weeks, that is more time than I spend with some of my closest friends. I am open to any suggestions. It's a man's voice, sounds like he is in his early-mid 30's, and he kind of has a deeper voice than most men I know.

So here are the highlights:

Day one a sweet old man who was working in his yard stopped working to tell me I was doing a great job as a passed his house. That is when I knew I looked like death was inches away.

Day two I started to explore some trails by my house. Seriously, if I have to torture myself like this, there is no better place to do it then on a dirt trail with a background of the Rocky Mountains. The only downer, did I mention the lack of oxygen? But for real, the scenery is unbeatable. Day two is when I started to get discouraged. I pulled up my run on my MapMyRun app to see how far I went...only 2.8 miles and that was with the warm up, cool down, and intervals of walking. I maybe ran 1/4 of that and was struggling at a few points. That is when I discovered that even if I ran the whole distance I covered that evening (and there is no way I could have), then I still would not have completed a 5k. Let's just say, I have some work to do.

Day three went well, but it started to rain at the end so my cool down ended up being the hardest part of my run. However, I did make it inside just before the real downpour started.

This week, while I was running, I thought back to my very first year of college. I had just started dating my very first boyfriend and he asked me to go running with him at some trails near my parent's house. I was so excited, until the actual running started. My mom said that is how she knew I really liked him. In fact, I think that was the very first time I did something to impress a boy. It didn't work for long because after a few runs, I don't remember how, but the cat got out of the bag that I genuinely detested running for the sake of running. Turns out, he still wanted to date me and we went back to playing basketball and going to workout classes together instead. At 19 my parents knew I liked a boy because I voluntarily went running. Here I am again, several years later, no boy, but same desire to impress.

As if I Haven't Had My Fill of Cabinets...

Last weekend Glen Eyrie had a garage sale to unload some of their old furniture and random supplies. I convinced by friend Megan to go check it out with me during lunch on Friday. Just convincing her to go on this treasure hunt was no easy task. I believe her response, even as we were walking to the garage sale, was something along the lines of, "I don't need any treasures."

I was pretty thrilled to find a cabinet for $10 that would fit perfectly in my bathroom. I've been looking for something like that since move-in day and all the ones I liked were $100+. No thanks. The hand-me-down, make-shift, storage thing my roommate gave me would work just fine. She needed the extra storage at our townhouse, but now in her new bathroom she didn't need it anymore.

My bathroom, on the other hand, has been a complete disaster area since day one. Not only is it small, but it's a complete mess due to lack or organization and lack or storage. How does one acquire so many toiletries anyway? My bathroom seems to be busting at the seams with soaps, gels, creams and a few things that frankly, I have no idea what they are used for. Yes, the cabinets and drawers under the sink are completely filled and yet, I was still in desperate need of additional storage. Out of control, right?

The cabinet did need to be repainted, but after the month-long kitchen cabinet saga, what's one more?

I painted the whole thing white and then painted a coat of left-over bond coating that was left over from my kitchen cabinets in a box.

It turned out pretty great if I do say so myself.

And now, my bathroom feels clean and organized for the first time...well, ever.

So what about my friend Megan? I'm so glad you asked. Ms. I Don't Need Any Treasures may or may not have purchased a PIANO. It was $50. No, for real. I may have had a slight hand in pushing her toward the purchase. It wasn't until the deed was done and we were heading back to work that I let her realize we had no way of getting her new treasure back to her apartment, or even let her remember she only has a one bedroom apartment that is pretty full already.

No worries though, within an hour of being back at work she had devised a plan to get her treasure home. The whole thing was just too easy, like it was meant to be or something...

In fact, it was so easy she decided to push her luck, return to the garage sale on Saturday, and purchase treasure #2. How can you expect a music major to pass this up, especially when it has a $12.50 price tag? It's just not possible.