Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A Spring Full of "Firsts"

We have had several "firsts" this spring that I must share:

Over Spring Break, Bryan and I went skiing with his dad and Karen.  I had not been skiing since I was in third grade and I don't think I really learned to ski on that trip.  However, Bryan has been skiing many many times and LOVES to ski.  So I decided to put on a smile and give it a try on this trip.  I will not go into all of the details including tears and promises to NEVER go skiing again.  But by the end of our three days of skiing (most of which I spent falling), I could sort-of manage a green slope.  It was a rough "first" but I think it at least pleased Bryan that I gave it a try.  My favorite moments were spent relaxing and talking with family.  


The Masters are a BIG week for Bryan.  He starts counting down the days until the Masters starting around Christmas each year.  Typically I roll my eyes and find something else to entertain me for the four days he spends glued to the television or computer.  But this year it finally hit me: "if you can't beat 'em, join' em!" So I threw a Masters party at our house!  I did some serious research into Augusta National and tried to be true to Tradition.  I may have actually had more fun planning the party than Bryan did watching the tournament.  This is the menu I came up with: 

Arnold Palmers (of course!)  
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
Rachel brought her yummy chicken salad
Green Jacket Salad
Azlea Dip
Peach Cobbler 




Just over a week ago Bryan and I ran our first half marathon.  It just so happened to be about 45 degrees, raining, and windy on the morning of the OKC Memorial Marathon.  When we were running to the start line (of course we were late!) I wanted nothing more than to turn around and go home.  It was so crowded, cold, wet, and we had no idea where we were supposed to even go to start the race.  But we had spent so many hours training that we decided we had to start running and everything would feel okay.  Luckily, I had heard to bring a large trash bag to wear while you are waiting to start the race.  Then when you start you can just rip it off and leave it on the ground.  So I brought a big, black trash bag to wear that morning and it was the best thing I could have asked for that morning.  Here is a short recap of our 13.1 miles:

Start: We started running and I was so warm and dry inside the trash bag that I decided I would wear it a little longer.  
Mile 1: Still pretty happy with the trash bag.  I decide to keep it for a little longer. 
Mile 3: We run past OU Medical Center and I start focusing on the many people inside those hospital rooms that would give anything to run this race.  My heart is filled with gratitude.
Mile 5: Gorilla Hill.  Wishing we had trained with a little incline.
Mile 8: Bryan: "Are you ready to take of the trash bag?"  Me: "Nope."
Mile 10:  Shoes are starting to get soggy.  Wind is really picking up.  Ready to be done.
Mile 12.75:  I decide I do not want to cross the finish line in a black trash bag and finally decide to take off the trash bag. Bryan and I pick up our pace and enjoy the last stretch to the finish line.
Finish: We finished in 2:15 minutes.  A little slower than we had hoped, but a good time to beat for our next race!



Our next first:  Our first home!  We will close on our house on May 26th and move Memorial Weekend. I will update with pictures once we move. Yipee!