Easter Recap

I am so glad I got to spend so much time with my family this weekend and feel very blessed.

Saturday started with my final long run as I prepare for my first half marathon this coming Sunday.
11 Miles
1 hour 41 minutes

April Photo Challenge Day 7: Shadow... just after my run

My awesome step dad came along on his bike so that someone was watching over me... It was much colder than I really expected but it was a really good final long run... I got it done. Final long run accomplished.

The April Photo Challenge from Day 8: Inside your wallet... lets face it this little girl is much more worth looking at... We had a great time together... Aunt Dee and Mahaylee



After my run  we set out to this Easter Egg hunt. She was quite sure of what to do when first arrived. Then when she realized she could take the eggs and they had candy them this made her day!

Then came Easter Sunday... After church we headed in typical tradition over to my Nanny and Pa's house for a great afternoon with family.

My sister was in charge of dessert. I found this recipe and they were worth the 4 point plus values. I even iced them... they were YUMMY!

My Nanny also made this recipe and it was a really good side dish... her version did not put capers in our recipe and we also used a sweet onion instead of the scallions since they can be pricey. This was a really great side.

April Photo Challenge Day 9: Younger you... vacation circa 1997

It is interesting how much holidays have begun to evolve in my family now that we are no longer kids anymore. My Pa even said to me this weekend that it feels like only yesterday I was the 1 year old toddler running around in his yard.  I am so glad that it still includes being with my amazing family. I indulged a little more than I wish I would have. The weather and pollen has gotten the best of me and now I am sick.

How was your Easter?

Good Friday

April Photo Challenge Day 6: Lunch

Today starting out with a great run today. I started from my parents driveway and headed out 3 miles and turned to come back  for a total run of:
6 miles
52 minutes
. The best part about this run was the peacefulness the scenery brings. This is what it looked like as I was about to turn around at mile three. The weather was perfect and I was really feeling great as I went out for this run

The draw back to running from my parents house is getting back after the run. You have to walk up their driveway... This is a workout in itself

Perin Cabin Driveway

The afternoon was even better. I found out from twitter I won a free entrance into this from one of my favorite running blogs... Mag Mile Runner

Even better than that I had lunch with my Nanny celebrating her birthday a little late. I always say I miss my family but I especially miss my grandparents who are really amazing people...

 Nanny and I enjoyed a yummy lunch from Qdoba. I really love their salads... Doesn't this look so good. Filling yet very point friendly if you are careful with your toppings.

I can't imagine this "Good" Friday off being any better..

How did you spend your "Good" Friday?

Tiny Things

April Photo Challenge Day 5: Tiny Things

Sometimes we indulge and we have to be smart about it. It is not always easy but what are you willing to sacrifice?

Big Brother

April Photo Challenge Day 4: Someone who makes you happy

This is my Uncle Shawn.

Uncle Shawn and Dee

You have heard the saying... The sister/brother I never had. That is exactly what my Uncle Shawn is to me. He is silly, fun and the best big brother/Uncle a girl could ask for. I remember growing up how he always teased me just like I was his little sister(this has not stopped). Yesterday on my blog I mentioned the importance of having a cheering section and support team. Uncle Shawn is one of my biggest supporters. He often jokes about how small of a person I am since I lost weight.





We are both huge Reds fans. He came to Chicago last year and went to a game at Wrigley... he is going to opening day tomorrow.... I am so jealous.

This summer he even rode his bike for almost nearly 6 miles of my half marathon in August. He did race ahead though to see me cross the finish line. I can't imagine very many Uncles being so supportive.

I always say we all have different reasons for needing to lose weight. My Uncle Shawn was diagnosed with diabetes as a very young child. I suppose I noticed but never really took notice until my weight loss. He has to be cautious of certain foods. I always feel like one of things I have truly learned from my weight loss journey is the importance of being healthy. Knowing that diabetes runs in my family gives me even more reason to remember the importance. Some day I hope to be able to use my running to help bring awareness and research toward the JDRF.

If I could mail myself in a box...

April Photo Challenge Day 3: Mail

If I could put myself in a box and mail myself today I would arrive on the door step of this girl...

Me and My sister Jenna

This is Jenna. Today is her 25th birthday. She is not only my sister but one of my best friends. I love her dearly. She is an amazing sister, mother and friend. One thing about Jenna is that she has never had weight issues in fact her love of certain foods is actually kind of funny. She thinks Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy is the best. Yet she also loves a good bag of skittles. She does like to exercise though and has almost always stayed in shape. She is a really good dancer. I laugh because she loves classes like Zumba or any other fitness class... I feel like a fool in them... While my dream job would be to run her's is probably to teach crazy classes like this. The one thing I often mentioned on my blog I love most about her is how proud she has been of all of the accomplishments I have been through over the past few years. I don't know very many sisters who wait at finish lines of races when they are about 6 months pregnant. This girl did...

Indianapolis 500 Mini Marathon 2010

To appease her big sister she even did a 5K Thanksgiving morning this past year!

I have often said that support and having special people in your life make the journey so much easier.. .well my sister Jenna is amazing and I know she will do so many more amazing things in life.

Today is 25 and fabulous!

Is sand a colour?

April Photo Challenge Day 2: Colour

I don't think "sand" is a true color but I do know this it is the color that defines my Sunday. I headed out yesterday afternoon with some other fun running people and we ran here.

The group ran trail 9 and 10. The best part of running here is the amazing views. I cannot explain the serenity you can feel here. Another really great part you don't have to be a runner you just have to be ready for a challenge. I cannot run for extended periods of time on many parts of the trail but I push myself as hard as I can. Many times on a run I am thinking how much longer. Yesterday I was just soaking it all in.

We ended with 8 miles in 1 hour and 42 minutes. I enjoyed a really great time with some fellow runners. I think the important part is challenging yourself.

What are you going to challenge yourself this week? Are you ready to bet me on it?

April Begins

This is what will happen in April...

Goals for April
~Finish yet another daily blogging challenge.
~Complete my first half marathon on April 15th. Last year I finished the Crossroads of Indiana in just over two hours. This year I feel better prepared to finish in under two hours.
~15 minutes of minimum exercise every day
~I gave up pop/soda in March. I am going to continue to challenge myself with ore water in April.


So as April begins here is what my "reflection" looks like as I prepare to hit up the Dunes in Chesterton with some of my running friends.

What are your goals for April?