Run Haley Run

Please pardon my absence..at the end of March I formulated a post, but failed to finish it. I was hoping to at least post once a month, but obviously that hasn't happened. Why haven't I been chattin' it up on here you might ask..

Since the end of December I have been training for a 10K race. My goals for the New Year were to exercise at least three times a week, which ended up turning into doing at least three races this year which obviously meant I would have to exercise at least 3 times each week. I have been successful and this past weekend I completed my second race for this year so far. At the end of March, I completed the Ukrop's Monument Ave 10K that I had been training for ! The race was crazy crowded, over 40,000 people participated, the sideline volunteers made the event fun, but the dodging of runners was one downfall. Overall I was pleased with my performance, my time was 51:04, for my first 10K! I was just glad I was able to finish it after all the hard work, pain and sweat I put into training. Just about 2 months ago I injured my knee running on some hilly trails. The pain will come and go and it felt pretty good up until the day of the race, but if you know me then you know I can't let pain get in the way, so I persevered and I have lived to tell about (with continued pain of course, I may be stubborn). I did rest the knee a few days last week before the race this past weekend.

With my BFF(s) at the 10K

This weekend's race, Point of Honor 5K, was fun, it was quite a bit smaller than the 10K which made it a little easier as far as not tripping over people, but there were some killer hills on the course. I ended up finishing with a time of 24:05 and got first in my age group, definitely an encouragement and motivation booster. It definitely helped running the race with someone, typically I run alone because I am an addicted music listener while I run and so if I run with someone I don't want to be rude. My dear friend Heather understands and pushed me along the way to the finish line as I jammed out to my tunes.

Up next, this coming weekend I will be getting muddy and dodging obstacles with some girlfriends from work at the MudWarrior race in Charlottesville to benefit the Hope Community Center. I am a little nervous, mostly because I don't want to injury myself (I am very clumsy), but overall we will have a fun time and enjoy a fun girls night out afterward in my old stomping grounds.

So since I can't be content in having just run a 10K, my new goal is to run in the Richmond half marathon in November. I have contemplated running the Virginia 10 miler and the jury is still out on that one.

I have really enjoyed being more active and healthier. It has made a difference in how I feel about myself and has given me a competitive outlet that I have been missing since my days of college field hockey. More recently I have been working towards focusing on having fun with running and not becoming obsessed with it because I can tend to be somewhat intense at the get go and not always get the complete joy out of some experiences ( if this makes any sense). I know that the Lord could take all of this away tomorrow, so I remain thankful for this ability and remind myself to take each day at a time.

I have learned so much about running over the past few months, I am constantly being introduced to new vocabulary, people, tips, etc. It is fun to surround yourself with supportive and motivating people when your so passionate about something. Although I am a newbie I have been so pleased with how friendly and supportive the running community has been here. Not to mention the support and encouragement from my friends and family, it is vital especially when I am having a less than motivated day.

One item that has kept my steam up during training is my Garmin watch my amazing in laws got me (so thoughtful!) I love being able to constantly see my mileage and pace (it can become a little bit of an obsession).

Well I guess I have rambled enough about my recent running adventures...Have any tips?
Wish me luck this weekend as I get down and dirty (hopefully not so much of the down part).

Out with the OLD, In with the NEW

While reflecting back on this past year, I realized it was mostly filled with traveling and house updates. 


We spent most of our time on the East Coast, except for Chris taking a trip to Southern California for work. We explored many places in Virginia, including Richmond, Norfolk, the Chesapeake Bay, Bristol, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Warm Springs, Williamsburg and places in between. We also made stops in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and DC. We had some awesome beach vacations to Hilton Head and Kiawah Island--sooo RELAXING! 

As Far As Home Improvements..

We managed to add some curb appeal to our home by painting our front door. It definitely makes us stand out on out street. In 2012 we plan giving the abode a good wash, hopefully staining the deck, and purchasing and/or building a shed.

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

Our kitchen had a transformation between the beautiful kitchen island (thanks to my dearest daddy) and some fresh coats of paint. We tossed the old vertical blinds and put up a pair of chocolate brown panels and added a fun floral rug under the island. In the new year we may continue to contemplate changing the counter tops and possibly install a bead board backsplash. 

*BEFORE*

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

*AFTER*

The living room (although still a work-in-progress) had a game changing make over. We were able to upgrade our couch, have built-ins made and installed (again by daddy dearest), got a new coffee table for Christmas, I threw some pillows together, and rearranged and redecorated frequently. This year we have plans to paint the walls a light gray hue, finish up some coordinating pillows and add some wall art. I have a plan to get a new rug, still trying to convince the hubs.

*BEFORE*

*BEFORE*

*AFTER*

We have bought some other eclectic pieces scattered through out the house, but above were the big projects we are proud of from 2011. One of our biggest goals for the house this year will be to finish painting the other rooms. Also, I want to get rid of some of the random clutter and be better about being purposeful when I buy stuff. So far I think I am doing well, I sold our old couch and coffee table and.. I didn't go to one antique store when I was in Richmond this past weekend. Go me!

As for my personal resolutions goals for 2012:

• I want to run and/or exercise at least 3 times a week
• Sign up for 3 races
• Read 3 books
• Take better care of my skin (I have been really bad about washing my face before bed)
• Of course be a better and more understanding and loving wife, friend, daughter, sister and co-worker

I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me this year, specifically being a auntie :) x 2 !!

Before I forget I want to THANK YOU for reading the random craziness I write about! You are what keeps me writing!

Orange ya glad for fall..

I am in love with all things fall, except for stinkbugs.

I love unusual pumpkins

Fall Mantle

Chris bought these beautiful sunflowers for when I came home from a trip to my parents (and he cleaned the house-he is definitely a keeper). We had fun making the framed keys on the right side of the mantle, super easy. This is probably one of my favorite mantles we have done so far, minus the speakers..they have got to go. 

Not the best picture, but I had an old frame I spray painted white and took some twine, looped it through the keys and tacked them to the back of the frame, vola! 

I finally figured out what to put in my gallon sized mason, pinecones! and some pumpkins in the small mason.

Lastly, I framed a print from JonesDesignCompany and got some perfect wire baskets from Target (of course and they were on clearance!). Also, I found a great deal on a lamp at HomeGoods a few weeks back.

Did I mention I love fall?? How have you decorated? 

Productivity

We have yet to hang the EAT letters yet...we keep playing around with placement but haven't settled on the perfect spot yet.

We did get some baskets for the kitchen island-we settled on some brown baskets from Michael's that have a linen liner. I am not crazy about liners, but Chris likes the country feel about them. The best part is that we got 4 for $11 each and if we want to change the color we could always spray paint them and I could either take the liners out or make new ones. I like having something on the shelves that makes it look more organized.
Below is a picture, but the color of the island is slightly more turquoise and less blue blue (my phone distorts color sometimes-you get the idea).

Brunswick stew time:

Monday I made my family's recipe for homemade Brunswick stew for community group. After going back and forth with what I should make for dinner I bit the bullet. It ended up turning out pretty good and for the most part it wasn't too difficult to make. I must say the worst part is boiling the chicken--NASTY. You have to take it out of the plastic wrap with all the juices and pull out the insides-SICK. And if that wasn't fun enough I had the joy of de-boning that bird, talk about tedious-I felt like I was performing surgery, I had two tongs one in each hand. Fortunately, it was worth it and it is safe to say that I would do it again, except next time I am getting Chris to handle the bird part. 

One thing I am surprised about is that some people don't know what Brunswick stew is, which is outlandish. But for those of you who don't, Brunswick stew can vary depending on your recipe. Our family uses chicken, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onion, potatoes, S&P, tomato soup, white corn and butterbeans (lima beans). YUM. We serve it with either biscuits or corn bread and cottage cheese, yes cottage cheese, can't knock it til you try it-It's a Russell thing. 

There is chicken little taking a bath

Chicken little and carrot top

The Brunswick Stew

You might ask is that Paula Deen's Stock Pot, why yes it is. We have the rest of her collection in green.  

In other news:

I still haven't made time to sew, its a bummer I know.  I did finish our taxes! Yesterday I went lap pool swimming for the first time in at least 6 years and finished the night off with some yummy SweetFrog (rasberry and granola= my favorite) with some sweet friends.