So in case you didn’t know…I am officially a runner. I have been running consistently since last July and when I started, I honestly never thought it would become such a love of mine.  It is such a release for me and as I have said before such a sweet time of worship and prayer for me. I still love to go early in the morning for several reasons…it’s done, it’s quiet. and on many occasions, I see the sun come up! Winter running was HARD for me. Because I need to go early, there were many days that I just couldn’t go when it was dark, cold and like 20 degrees. I have a lot of cold gear now! Needless to say, I did not really become consistent in my training until the beginning of March. I still ran and got long runs in, but I didn’t run as much during the week. I was not sure how it would play out running in the Country Music Half Marathon. I knew it would be HILLY and so I trained on some hills…not HILLS, but hills. The greatest thing I did this time, though, was to train up to 12 miles instead of 10. I knew I could finish feeling better this time!

This is a much larger race than the one I ran in October and it was so, so fun! The beauty of living in music city is the great music..and NOT just country music. The amount of talent here is just ridiculous. The CMM has band playing throughout the course. You run through downtown, music row, Belmont, the Bicentnnial Mall, the Farmer’s Market and then end by the Titan’s stadium. People were EVERYWHERE!

We had quite the adventure. Our shuttle took an hour to get to the race and then we had to potty so Kristi and I were LATE. I was supposed to be in the 17th corral and I went in the 26th….I did a lot of weaving around walkers, but it was still great.

Here was a couple along the way enjoying a little morning mimosa? Mint Julep? Champagne?

One of the bands entertaining us as we run our tails off. (that was one of the spectator signs and I LOVE it!)

My sweet little supporters! My Mom and Dad were there also and I am so thankful for them. They are so faithful to attend their grandkid’s games and activities, so it was cool to have them at something that is so important to me, also.

This is in front of Belmont University, my man’s Alma Mater…and more importantly….Mile 8.

Check out my sweet Mom and Dad cheering for me…

Bradley is ready with my Rehydrate..such a sweet helper. Look at Emery instructing him. She is such a great big sister.

Look at my sweet Mom and Dad still cheering for me….I am so blessed….and I look so much like my dad in this picture with my hair all slicked back. I started with braids and they were pretty much done at mile 6.

Bradley is big on goodbyes and proved consistent at this moment…little fist bump action….not that I cared since my chances of winning are about as likely as me going to the moon.

Ahhh, the end….and I love walking at this moment. My time was 2:27, which I was hoping for better, but with the hills and the amount of weaving I did, I can live with it!

My running buddy, Kristi. SO proud of her. She seriously improved her time.

Some other ladies from our church who walked the half…they are all over 50 and amazing women!

I think I could do a full marathon at some point. I am waiting until our kiddos are all under one roof and a little older. It is such a commitment and I want to get a few more halfs under my belt!

Anyone ready to train??

On this last day of November, I am thankful for my man and my marriage. I simply am a blessed girl. There is no other way around it. He means the world to me and I am truly, madly, deeply in love with him. I can’t remember my life without him. He is without a doubt, this side of Jesus, the best gift I have been given.

One way he has blessed me the last few months is in letting me have the time I need to run. He may not get it, but he has seen the joy it brings me.  On Thanksgiving Day, we ran an 8k in Knoxville. He has not trained much, but we are so stinkin competitive, he took off and beat me by 2 minutes. Kind of humbling, but I have come to understand that part of it is our personalities. He is an all out competitor and I always want to save some for the last minute in case I need it!

Here we are after our 4.97 miles…how gross do we look? It was a warm Thanksgiving run. I always tell him, I am not used to running with the sun out!

Can I say again, how  much I love Knoxville. We ran down Neyland Drive, by the river, the Stadium and the cool waterfront. I loved it!

Thank you, Jason, for all the ways you love me.

97 1150 467 Kelly Stewart 36 110 1:07:55 10:47 2:25:22 11:06 Smyrna TN

Those are my stats!! I am so pleased with my finish! I had two goals for running the half. The first was to finish under 2 hours 30 minutes. The second was not to walk, at all. I really had no idea if it was possible to finish under 2 hour 30 minutes, but I had an idea what my pace was on long runs and thought, I might could do it! When we started it was COLD!! 40 degrees to be exact, so dressing for this run became quite the challenge. We were able to throw layers off and they would be donated to local ministries. I was super excited and nervous at the same time! I had loaded up on Olive Garden the night before which I guess it what you are supposed to do, but honestly, not sure it helped.I did take a Muscle Fuel before, though, and I know it helped!

This is me at mile 6. This was my first time seeing my family. I had no idea what a big deal it would be to see them! They gave me such a boost. Jason handed me a SLAM at this point. Next time, I will wait a little longer to take the SLAM.

Kristi at mile 6. Amber left me around mile 3 and Jason and Sully didn’t get to their
spot fast enough to see her!The next time I saw my family was at mile 10. I looked
over and saw them running up a hill to catch me! So cute.

They were waving and yelling for me. Never underestimate how your words and excitement can build someone up…not just while they are racing either!

This is me at mile 10. This was as far as I had ever run. I was at 1 hour 49 minutes.
I thought the next 3 miles would be doable and our training schedule only called
for 10 miles. BIG MISTAKE. I had no idea how hard the last three miles would be.
I was in some pain and ready to be DONE!!I was quoting, “Be strong in the Lord,
run the good race, run and don’t become weary… please Jesus let the next mile
marker be soon!”I felt myself becoming a tad bit emotional at this point. I saw
a crowd of people supporting a foundation that was established in a girl who my
kids wentto school with who had passed away last year…and the tears started.
I was just soaking it all in and so thankful that I had reached this far and
was able to train.

Our race ended in the stadium at MTSU and when I rounded the corner to enter
I was pumped!!! I added a little kick, heard my name, saw Ashley and Marty
videoing me and SURPRISING me at the finish line…..and

CROSSED THE FINISH LINE!!

My official time was 2 hours 25 minutes and 22 seconds!

Can you see me…about to cross??

I promise I am still running at this point!

Taking deep breaths…thanking Jesus for many things in this moment.

Looking for my medal and some water. Need water.

Walking never felt so good…

Seeing my family…

Realizing again,how much I adore my sweet husband and children.

I was full of emotion at this point and so very thankful.
Here are my sweet running buddies…Amber and Kristi. It was totally their idea to do this and I jumped on their bandwagon.

I can honestly say, I am a changed woman
because of this experience. I know it sounds corny and silly, but truly I feel differently about so many things after running this half marathon.

I learned about being disciplined.

I reminded myself what it feels like to deny myself daily.

I accomplished something that was very difficult.

I tried something hard.

I set a goal for myself, for me, not my family, my friends or my children, but for me.

I remembered how much I love Jesus and spending time alone with Him.

I discovered I love to run.

I know I can do ALL things THROUGH HIM, who gives me STRENGTH.

My sweet, supportive family…

Yesterday, I felt complete joy.

Today is a big day for Jason and me. It isn’t the anniversary of the day we met (not that we remember that day since we were 11) or of our first day, but memorable it is. Let me share why.

On August 1, two months ago, Jason began a program called the 24 Day Challenge through a company called Advocare. We had some friends who had participated and had seen amazing results. The 24 Day Challenge is a nutritional program that consists of vitamins and supplements which are designed to aid in energy, weight loss and core nutrition.  We did a lot of research because we are very skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true!  We learned that the products were created by a reputable nutritional board, is based on Christian values and had some heavy duty endorsers.  Jason decided to give it a try. We cut out sugars, breads and dairy and he was exercising 3-5 days a week with P90x. We have eaten a lot of veggies, fish, chicken and salads! I have even cut WAY back on the diet coke!

After 24 days, Jason had lost 14 pounds and 3.5% body fat.
As of today, he has lost 26 pounds and 6% total body fat.

My man has worked hard and I am so proud of him!

As for me, I have shared that I am training for a half marathon. That is 13.1 miles or 23,056 yards or 69,168 feet. I have always been active and exercised, but have always disliked running. I mean REALLY not been a fan of the whole logging miles in anything except my car. BUT, I was ready to be challenged and accomplish something that I knew was hard for me. So I decided to do it. I have been training for 12 weeks and have ran 3 to 4 times a week with some cardio thrown in.  I have used some Advocare products from their performance line called Muscle Fuel and also their energy drinks SLAM and Spark.  On my long runs they have made a HUGE difference. So why is today such a big deal.

I ran 10 miles today.

One of the greatest outcomes in all of this has been the fact that Jason and I have developed a little bit of discipline In our lives. We are learning the beauty of telling ourselves no. We are getting up at 5am Monday through Friday to exercise. We have always been night owls and struggled to get up early even though we have desired to be more disciplined in our schedule. Let me say, I am loving the early morning runs. It is still dark, but I crank the worship music and have such a sweet time of prayer and worship while running!  Don’t get me wrong some mornings are HARD, but I am choosing to say no to myself and my bed! I also am thankful to have it done and don’t have to think about it during the day.

This has been such a journey and I am so thankful at what God is teaching, leading and showing us.  How are you being challenged?

Week 9 (September 5- September 12)

Monday: 5 miles

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 5 miles or cardio

Thursday: rest

Friday: rest

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 6 miles

I was out of town again, so I ran a little over 5 miles on Sunday.  I did run on Mon- Wednesday. I am feeling good and enjoying running. I am getting up around 5 am and going running. It is dark, chilly and I am amazed at how much I am enjoying that time. I have NEVER been dedicated enough to get up early, so this is a whole new experience for me. I love having it done and not having to think about it during the day. I love the energy I have during the day and just feel that I am starting my day on a positive note. Now, when it is 40 degrees outside, we will see how much i LOVE it!

Week 10 (September 13- September 18)

Monday: 5 miles

Tuesday: 3 miles or cardio

Wednesday: 5 miles

Thursday: rest

Friday: 50 minutes cardio

Saturday: 7 miles (I am going for 8 miles)

Sunday: Stretch and Strengthen

How is your training going? What tips do you have for long runs?

Jason and I went to Seattle this past weekend and I managed a 2 mile run and a 5 mile run.  It was amazing running in the cooler weather! Jason even ran with me for 3 of my 5 miles. I had already ran 2 on the treadmill and was ready to go outside!

Here is training for this week, which I am modifying due to travelin:

Week 8 (August 29-September 4)

Tuesday: 4 miles

Wednesday: 2 miles or cardio

Thursday: 4 miles

Friday: rest

Saturday: 6 miles

Sunday: Stretch and Strengthen