basketball and highschool

{my brother, ryan, sinking a free throw}

We spent most of the weekend at my brother's basketball tournament.  It's pretty crazy how intense some of these games can get; it's hard not to get hyped up sometimes.  My brother's team ended up in 3rd place, not bad for being the only junior varsity team among all varsity teams!  

Being around so many highschool students, I couldn't help but reminise about my highschool days.....nope, don't miss em.  Growth spurts (or lack of), boy crushes, trying to figure out your style (still working on this one), and drama drama drama.  I did have a lot of great times in highschool too, but I am just happy to be in the place that I am, with the people that are here :)

chilhowee

This past weekend we headed up to Chilhowee to do some Sabbath afternoon hiking. I was excited to get up there and see all the leaves changing colors - one of my favorite things about fall. I had originally wanted us to go camping up there, but the boys (yes, the sissy practical boys) felt that it might be a little too cold at night and maybe we should just make it a day trip instead...so I obliged their requests.

We hiked to Benton Falls and it was gorgeous!  I think I ended up taking a hundred photos...I tend to go overboard sometimes.  But I was a little disappointed because I didn't realize until we got home that most of the photos we were in, we looked totally washed out...oh well.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful fall day.  I am hoping we can get at least another day or two of hiking in this season, if the boys don't think it's too cold ;) (i kid, i kid!)

  What are some of your favorite things about fall?  

7 bridges half marathon

Finally I am getting around to telling you all about the 7 Bridges half marathon! Better late than never, right?!  The race took place on October 16 and we could not have asked for better weather for the event.  Start time was 7 a.m., so it was a bit chilly at first, but once we got going it felt great.  Lindsay and I stuck together throughout the race, encouraging one another and finishing strong.

One thing I especially enjoyed about this race was meeting people along the way.  At different points throughout, you would be running along side different people and strike up a conversation.  Every one was really friendly and encouraging to each other, this made up for what I felt was a lack of spectators. 

The most challenging part of this course for me was all the hills.  There were more inclines than I had prepared myself for.  Towards the end of the course, there were two hills that were particularly hard because my body had started to get pretty worn out and I just had to keep telling myself, “you’re almost there, you’re almost there.”  Let’s just say my rear was pretty darn sore…

Speaking of rear, I thankfully did not have the same problem I had on my last half marathon.  This time around I had done my research and made sure I took all the precautions I could a.k.a. Imodium Plus.  It worked like a charm!

My goal for this race was to finish under 2:30.  According to the race results, I finished in 2:20:12.  However, I wore my Garmin for the race and showed that I finished in 2:19:46 and I am going with that time.  Let me explain why; they did a mass start for this race and the marathoners and half marathoners started at the same time.  Instead of trackers showing when you crossed over the start line, they just put everyone’s start time as the same time.  I know it’s less than a minute difference, but I like the sound of 2:19 better than 2:20! ;)

This was the first go around for this particular marathon/half marathon so there is definitely some tweaking that could be done, but all in all, it was a great run.  I am really glad I decided to participate and I am already thinking about signing up for my next one!

our anniversary date

For our anniversary last week, we decided to start with dinner at Jason's Deli.  This is actually the very same restaurant where we went on our very first date over five years ago.  I decided to break away from my usual faves at Jason's and ordered a french dip....I think I am too much of an Arby's junkie because this one just wasn't quite what I was hoping for; it was just okay.  Even still, I had a wonderful time with my hubby.  It's always a treat when we get to go out.

For dessert, we headed over to Melting Pot (thanks again, LivingSocial!).  We each got a plate of yummy treats and chose the Cookies and Cream chocolate fondue.  Oh. My. Word.  It was so incredibly good; I am pretty sure we both got high off of all the sugar.  Neither of us could even finish our plates; it was such a sweetness overload, but so so so so delicious!

lately, according to instagram

race weekend

I can't believe it is already time for my half marathon, these eight weeks of training have flown by.  It seems like just last week I decided to sign up.  This is the first year for this event here in Chattanooga and I am pretty excited to be a part of it.  Since I am doing the half marathon, I will actually only be crossing four of the seven bridges and that is a-okay with me.

So this Sunday (October 16), I will be waking up bright and early to run my second 13.1.  Wish me luck!!

http://www.7bridgesmarathon.com/

three years

Happy Anniversary to the most amazing guy this girl could ask for.  It's crazy that it has been three years already and at the same time it seems like we've been married forever.  I just feel so blessed to have such an amazing partner in this life.  I love you Jas!!

paddleboarding

A couple weekends ago, Jas, Ryan and I went paddleboarding with L2 Boards on the Tennessee River.  This was a first for all of us and we had a blast!  I was a little nervous because I really did not want to fall in the water and I am happy to report we all stayed dry.  It was a bit chilly that day and a swim in the cold river did not sound like a good idea.

Paddleboarding would be an awesome hobby to pick up.  It is a great workout and it is actually really relaxing as well.  I would love to spend afternoons out on the water on my very own paddleboard; but I think it would be much more fun in a place like Hawaii.

(this was another great activity made possible by groupon!)

After paddleboarding, we headed next door to Buffalo Wild Wings because we were starving.  The guys got wings (of course) and I got a yummy chicken pesto pita thingy.  It was a great way to end a fun afternoon/evening.  

i'm back

Woah! That was a longer break from the blog than I anticipated, but no more worries my friends; I am back :)

The last few weeks have just been jam packed and I was starting to feel like I didn't even have time to breath!  But phew, I have finally caught my breath and it feels good.  

One big change that has happened in our lives is that my brother, Ryan, has moved in with us.  He is 15 years old and a Sophomore in high school and so we have been getting adjusted to this new situation. It is definitely a challenge, but we are glad to have him around. It's really a blessing to be able to spend this time with him.

Soooo my plan is to get back to our regularly scheduled program here at this is the life.

Thank you so much for sticking around; I've missed you!!