Life Lately...

Lj started his 2nd season of Flag Football....tackle registration is next week! 

He scored his first TD of the season this past weekend!

 

This weekend we are running the Cape Cod Ragnar Relay, Ultra Style.

I will be running 33 miles total.  

This weekend T also leaves for a job in Louisville, KY.

{hello, long distance relationship.}

It's a GREAT opportunity for him & our future family ;) He couldn't pass it up.

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Friday, I ran 13 miles in 2:01, and was super proud of myself.  After all, my PR is 2:03! I came home and T had dinner made, roses on the table, and earrings for me. <3

love him.

my nephew is growing so fast!  love watching him get older.

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I am DONE with my internship!

Life is good.

Runway 10K- 2013

First and foremost...

I can't even imagine.  As runners, we all know what it's like to see the finish line in the distance, to know its so close, and feel the excitement.  Boston is a DREAM for all runners... and only the best of the best get a chance at this. I am at a loss for words.

This past weekend I ran the Manassas Runway 10k.

 I ran this 2 years ago, and later that night suffered a tonic/clonic seizure.  Of course this was in the back of my mind... but knew it wasn't going to happen!

I met up with Alison, who was part of the Ragnar team with me last year, and in a couple of weeks!  I planned on holding an 8:30 avg pace, however I went out too fast and couldn't recover.

I was able to hold a sub 9 min pace, and that's with me stopping 3 times to catch my breath. I have gotten so used to taking quick breaks while running to try to recorrect my form and be careful of my hip alignment... that it kinda messed up my race game!

Overall, I was happy with my 5 minute PR... 54:50!  The website showed a few seconds lapse, I'm not sure if the chip worked right! Grrr.

Alison did tell me she noticed my form is out of wack (I asked)... and she can tell why my hips always hurt!  I need to take a running form class... do any of you have any suggestions?

Spring Photo Shoot- 2013

A few months ago, Lj & I had our pictures taken by Kelsey. She did an in home lifestyle session, and I was so pleased with the results.

 

She met me right before I picked Lj up from school, and she posted a "diary" of our afternoon on her blog. You can see more here

...it's official. He is growing up way too fast.

 

  

ABCs of me! :)

Addictions: Snacking on almonds
Bed size: queen
Chore you hate:  Grocery Shopping!
Dogs or cats: I love both, have a cat
Essential start of your day: checking my phone before I get out of bed.
Favorite color: hmmm... still turqouise
Gold or silver: more so gold right now
Height: 5'9"
Instruments you play (or have played): Violin, Cello (haven't picked them up in FOREVER)
Jobs titles you've had: mother, marketing coordinator, evaluator, manager, customer service rep, lifeguard, swim instructor,
Kids: Lj: 6 years
Live: Northern VA
Mom’s name: Aleka
Nickname: James
Overnight hospital stays: C-Section with Lj
Pet peeve:  messy kitchen sink
Quote from a movie: ?
Right or left handed: right handed
Siblings: 1 sister, 1 brother. both older
Time you wake up: either 5 am or 6 am... depending on my work schedule
Underwear: uhhhhh, VS
Vegetables you dislike: Celery
What makes you run late: myself!  Not sure.. I'm always 5 minutes late
X-rays you’ve had done: dental, hips, back... gotta love running injuries!
Yummy food you make: Lj loves my pancakes ;)
Zoo animal: Lemurs!  

it happened.

Good Morning!

I hope you all are doing wonderful. A lot has been going on over this way... somehow and someway I've been able to juggle 3 classes, an internship, full time job, and be a mama. Oh... and the new role of "girlfriend".

Yep, you read that right. Remember way back in November when I was over it all, to say the least? Well just so happens that a few weeks later, he walked into my life. If you follow me on IG, you probably have seen these pictures already. I apologize for the repeativeness.

Let me back up a little bit.  My mom works at a community & fitness center, and T works there as well. He actually just started there in November, & I met him at the Christmas Party a few weeks later.  Of course he was attractive, however I wasn't sure how I was going to "flirt" with my parents around!  The thing is, my entire family works at the center, and T is the boss. Kinda a big deal. Kinda intimidating.

So about a month later, I brought Lj to the center to go swimming, and got the guts to ask T where he was watching the last football game (Steelers, wahh). I FOR SURE didn't think he'd call... but he did, and joined Lj and I at the local Steelers bar, and we had a great time.

The next day was NY Eve....and I hadn't heard from him so I again, got gutsy and texted him with a Happy NYE thing.  What can I say, I knew what I wanted and acted out of character! He again, replied back then asked if he could call me the next day to see what my plans were for the weekend.

After our first date at dinner, they kept rolling in.  He already knew my parents and Lj, so it seemed natural.  It seriously feels like I've been dating him for months, and its only been 6 weeks?  Its great.  He treats Lj amazingly, and puts me on a pedestal to say the least. 

I am SO happy.

I've been going to the gym a lot lately, trying to maintain my fitness while going through my busy/hectic schedule.  Muscle Up, Body Pump, Yoga (once a week!)

I've also ran WITH NO PAIN!!! Still foam rolling like a boss... and hopefully it continues that way.  Yesterday this girl and I ran for Sherry.

She is running her first marathon in a few weeks (wish her luck!) and my max right now is about 10... so we did that at the Manassas Battlefield.  It was muddy, hilly, but fun.  We had a lot talks that will "stay on the trails"... so that's always great. :)

Love those kinda runs. Who doesn't?

Lj and I have also been soaking in as much time with my nephew as possible.  He was born January 4, and is growing SO fast!  I don't remember Lj growing that fast... but then again, he is SIX & a HALF now.

Hope you all have a great week! 



Epilepsy Walk 2013

Its that time of year again.

Will YOU join us?

Saturday, April 20, 2013, hundreds of teams will participate in the 7th Annual National Walk for Epilepsy. Our team is excited about coming together to support the critical work of the Epilepsy Foundation.

1 in 26 people within their lifetime will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives and the time is NOW to help change this statistic. Please consider joining our team or making a donation today. Together we can provide the support needed for people living with epilepsy.


Last year, Sarah joined my team with For the Win and it was a success. This year we plan on doing it all over again, with the help of Mike.

My first blog post was about the 2011 Walk for Epilepsy, and the 2012 event was posted here

Of course, you can virtually participate as well.

Would you all be interested in shirts again?  I plan on creating them for the team like I did last year. (Maybe grey with a purple logo?)

For more information, visit our team page here

my personal page is here


Thank you so much! With your help, we can create awareness and break the stigma associated with Epilepsy. I am so blessed to have been seizure free 20 months and counting. Let's help others get to this place as well.


xo,

Jamie

got my groove back

I've been feeling a LOT better, mentally & physically.

and after connecting via instagram to #furtherfasterforever, I found just the thing to do to jump start my running "career".

and I can say, I've got my groove back.

When I heard there's a race that will donate ALL proceeds to Sandy, I immediately knew I wanted to join. 26 miles for 26 Victims...

Yesterday I ran 4 miles...

 and today, a little over 6.

i've foam rolled after each (trying to stay injury free ya know...) , and I'm going to get a 60 min massage in about 30 minutes.

I have Ragnar Fever... and 5 months to train to run 40 miles! ayi yi yi.

I've also decided to register for the MCM 17.75k and run with Dave (who I met through instagram).

I've also decided to run the Manassas Runway 10k... I did this in 2011, and afterwards I had my seizure.... so it's bittersweet.

Here's to running one seizure free!

I don't want to register for too many races for fear of overdoing it. But let me tell you, I am so glad to be back in action!

ps- I received my favorite flowers from someone who's pretty awesome. You know what they say... good things come to those who wait. & when you least expect it....

& a post wouldn't be complete w/o little man.

Internship!

Good morning :)

These past few weeks have been GREAT. Im almost done with classes... (only 7 more weeks) and I secured an internship.

Ill be working for a 501c organization helping them prepare for an audit that will happen in the spring for them.

Policy driven? Check.

The location is close to my momma' s work.   So ill be able to have lunch with her :-)

Im super excited for the doors this will open for me.

Im going to still work 40 hours a week.   And about 15 hours with the internship.

Ack!!

Ill be busy.    Plus trying to train for Ragnar?

Ack!

Wish me luck. Graduation in June!!! Eye on the prize. 

New Year, New Goals, New Outlook

Good Morning all!

Happy New Year!

I celebrated with my best friend at his Aunt's house, just like last year. As always... it was a blast. I'm happy that he came home from Key West. I plan on visiting him next month!  We shall see.



A few things... Lj and I enjoyed the last Steelers game (wahhhh) at a local Steelers bar, and he rocked his new jersey.

I took him to the Gaylord for the ICE! show.... the scultures were beautiful, however I'm not sure we'd do this trip again.  We waiting in line outside for over 45 minutes, inside for another 20... sat through a presentation, then the actual "self-tour" took 20 minutes. Parking was expensive, and of course I had to buy the picture they took of us for $25. bah!

I RAN!  and there wasn't any pain!  I have been slowly getting back into it, foam rolling like a champ and getting out there. Honestly I was nervous to run outside due to me always starting out too fast... but it wasn't so bad!  My goal is to run 2-3 times a week and not worry about time/pace/if it was a good or bad run.

I saw this on facebook, and felt the same way...

My goals for this year are:

• Stay injury free
• Run 1,000 miles
• Run the Marine Corps Marathon & successfully train for it
• Organize a 5k to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation
• Swim laps at least once a week
• Complete the Ragnar Cape Cod & successfully train for it
• Complete my Masters
• Be the best Momma I can be

Also... this email excited me!

WOO HOO! almost done.. I start my last 2 classes next week & I hopefully have an internship lined up... fingers crossed!

why I blog

over the past couple of months, I have struggled with connecting with this blog.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all of your blogs... and consistently do on a daily basis.  Somehow blog reading has become part of my nightly schedule.  However, since I haven't been running (because of injury) I have been de-motivated.

and with de-motivation comes the lack of blogging.  What am I supposed to blog about? After all, this blog is [mainly] about three me being things: mother, runner, and a woman with epilepsy.


I posted this picture on my instagram yesterday to hold myself accountable for eating clean and working towards the flat stomach I ever-so-want before next summer

You all saw the original post here... and I received a great deal of encouragement through it.  The above picture also gained a LOT of positive feedback.

This was the reassurance on why I should CONTINUE to blog. 

I am a motivator.  and that makes me SO happy.  I feel so great when I hear from friends and strangers who tell me that I inspire. A friend asked me how I have lost all my weight and told me I am her motivation. This motivates me even more to achieve my goal. I want to surround myself with people that lift me up, and I consider those people you.

I have met so many people that I consider friends in the blogging world.  I want to expand this network and encourage others that they in fact, can do whatever they put their minds too.  

I have also met wonderful people on instagram, twitter, and blogland that have epilepsy as well.  I have been seizure free for 19 months, I am one of the lucky ones.  I am able to encourage & connect with the epilepsy community- and let them know it IS okay and we WILL find a cure.

and lastly, I blog because I don't want to miss one single moment of this guy... because as you can see, your kids can go from this....

to this...

in a blink of an eye.

 ps: here's the final product of his room.... you see the fathead? He has SO many toys.. we are going to go through them this weekend and donate a TON.

i love this kid.