To The Finish Line And Back

It is hard to believe that it has almost been 2 weeks since I crossed the finish line at Cowtown. I am sort of shocked I didn't come home that night and blog about it right then and there, but I needed a few days for it to soak in. And at that point I was knee deep is Spring Show Hell Week.

So here we are. I am not even sure I can even put into words how incredible that day was, but it was incredible. Was I the fastest person? Heck no! Was I even close? That's a negative ghost writer! But I didn't care. I fought through my nerves and the games my mind tried to play on me. And I won!!

Much of the experience is sort of a blur, but there are 4 moments that are so vivid in my memory that I will never forget and I have been waiting to share them!

1. It had been only been a few minutes since we crossed the start line and turned onto Lancaster. As I crossed over University I could see the sea of people in front of me and all of a sudden I began to tear up a bit because it all became real - I was actually running a half marathon!
2. Right before mile 9 my mind started to play games with me. For about 1/2 a miles I started to believe I couldn't do it and I was ready to give up. Then stapled to a phone pole was a bright hot pink sign that said "You've Got This!" All I could think about was Lala and how she never gave up, even when all odds where against her. Some may call that sign a mere coincidence, I call it a sign from my guardian angel. 
3. I really wanted to finish side by side with Kipper but once we were about 12.5 into it, I was spent and just couldn't keep up. I put on my favorite Chris Tomlin song, Our God is Greater, and said a little prayer that he carry me to the finish line. Then right before the last turn I see AJ standing on the corner cheering us on. I was dying and asked for her water. As I took a drink she started running along side me, cheering me on. Once the finish line was in sight I told her, "Don't cross the finish line again, they will disqualify your time."  Without missing a beat she replied, "I don't care, let's finish this thing!" I couldn't have ever finished without that encouragement. 
4. Kipper crossed the finish line just 30 seconds before me and I couldn't help but smile with pride watching him. But the moment I will never forget it how it felt as I crossed the finish line and was able to run right into his arms. As I crossed the finish line the water works turned on. I can't begin to describe how amazing that moment was! Thank goodness T was there and caught it all on her camera!! 

None of this would have been possible without the support of my family and friends! You all have no idea the impact your support had one me, from training, to what felt like a million phone calls/texts/fb messages the day before, right up to being there on the big day. Taking the challenge with a team of 5 sure helped too because I knew I wasn't alone out there! Knowing I was going to see Momma and Ms. G in the Stockyards got me through the first 6 miles and knowing that my amazing friends would be at the finish sure made climbing the hill into downtown a lot easier.  But the biggest thing I can say about the entire experience is: "If you want to strengthen your relationship and faith in God - start training for a half marathon!" 

To end, I have to once again thank Kipper for inspiring me to ever lace up my running shoes in the first place. Hard to believe a year ago we couldn't run a 1/2 mile and now we are half marathon finishers! I love you to the finish line and back Mr. Martin! Here is to many more racing adventures together!! 

13.1 Because I'm Only Half Crazy!

After 8 hard weeks of training and if I am going to be really honest, stressing out (a lot) the day is finally hear. In 12 hours I will be standing at the start line  of my very first half marathon.  When I say it out loud it still shocks me. Me. Allie Martin. Running a half marathon. Who would have EVER predicted that?!?!?!?

I wish I could put into words the emotions that have played out over the last week.  From tears of complete fear to tears of an overwhelming pride in myself.  I know tomorrow will be a flood of emotions and keeping those emotions in line for 13.1 miles will be my biggest mental challenge.

In order to help myself stay focused and not let my emotions get the best of me, I have made myself a few promises:

1. Remember my original goal - finish upright
2. Take it 1 mile at a time
3. Not stress about my time. No matter what my time is, it will be my PR
4. Trust my training

If I can do those things it will be a great day. And quite possibly one of my biggest accomplishments ever.  Seriously, I have done some really awesome things in my life that I am very proud of. But 95% of those things I took on because the basics of whatever it was came somewhat natural to me. That is not the case with running. There is nothing natural about me being athletic! It has forced me to push myself in ways I didn't know I could. And tomorrow morning, when I cross that finish line, I will have proved to myself just how strong I really am. 

Before I attempt to sleep tonight, I want to give a HUGE shout out and thank you to my family and friends who have support me in this journey. All of your texts, emails, facebook messages, calls and hugs have meant the world to me. And our "Pre-Race Pasta Party" on Friday night was just what I needed!!!

And then there are those who have gone the extra mile. 

• Kipper for inspiring me to take this journey.
• Angela for always being there to answer whatever crazy questions Kipper and I come up with, as well as always knowing what to say to put my mind at ease when answering said crazy questions.
• Mel for putting up with my emotional roller coaster at work (I am pretty sure until this week she still thought I was joking about doing this!)
• Watts waking up to drive all of us tomorrow morning at 5:45am so we don't have mess with the nightmare that is Cowtown parking.
• Momma and Ms. G (and maybe Aunt Vickie) meeting all of us around mile 7 with bananas and PB sandwiches.
• Watts, J Crab and T coming to the finish line to cheer us into the home stretch and celebrate the peak of this journey (with mimosas to boot!!) 
• And of course I can't forget the rest of the "Fab 5" AJ, Merb, Kipper and Jenn. Taking this journey with you all is something I will never forget! 

Go figure I am freaking cry as I write this. (Hey, I told you it was a crazy flood of emotions this week!!) But they are good tears. Tears of pride. Tears of thankfulness. Tears of joy. I am blessed beyond measure and those blessing will help carry me tomorrow. 

Again, thank you for your love, prayers and support. Now let's do this thing!!!!! This girl is ready for some wine and cupcakes!!! :) 

The Best Valentine's Day Gift EVER!!

Last Sunday, I told you all about the $20 Valentine's Day Challenge that Kipper and I were doing in lieu of buying gifts this year. I am so happy we decided to do this, because I can't tell you how much I LOVED it! We have had some pretty awesome Valentine's Days, but this year takes the cake in the gifting department! 

As a refresher, here were the only rules:

• Each person will create a handmade gift and card
• We can only spend $20 total so that means only $10 each for supplies
• Supplies in the craft room or garage are fair game

For my gift I decided to create a little glimpse into my heart! I wanted to do something to tell Kipper all the reasons I love him, but I decided to narrow it down to 147 (1 for every month we have been together) reasons! I loved making it, but I really loved watching Kipper read each and everyone one! And yes, I stayed under my budget spending only $6.00!

Here is the final product:

Now for Kipper's gift to me!!!  I can't tell you how much I LOVED my gift! And I loved how excited Kipper was to give it to me...he couldn't wait till Valentine's Day so I got it a little early! :) 

Thanks to our new found love of Big Bang Theory, Kipper has rekindled his love with comic books. So it was only fitting that my gift was a comic book!! He did a page for each year we have been together, highlighting events from that year and even came in it's own comic book sleeve to protect it!  And Kipper wins in the budget category spending $.10!

Here are the highlights of my very own comic book: 

Some of you my laugh at hearing how this was one of my favorite gifts that Kipper has ever given me, but it is the truth. All the thought and heart he put into this gift challenge filled me with more joy than anything he could have bought at a store. Now don't get me wrong...designer shoes and handbags go a long way in my book, but you get what I mean!

While we originally came up with this idea because money was a little tight and we didn't really "need" anything. But after doing this, even if money wasn't a factor in the equation, I would suggest this doing something like this to any of my friends!  Aside from just the gift giving aspect, it was an awesome way to connect with each other in a new way.

I would like to challenge each of you to come up with some similar "challenge" with your spouse or significant other.  You can wait till a major holiday or heck, set a timeline and do it just because!  If you both truly commit to it, you won't be sorry in the outcome! :) 

$20 Valentine's Day Challenge

Only 4 days away from Kipper's FAVORITE holiday - Valentine's Day!!  Ha! In all honestly he strongly dislikes Valentine's Day and I get it.  It stresses him out and it doesn't make it any better that I LOVE Valentine's Day!! (I can't help it..I love love!)

But to his credit he always surprises me with something special. When he told me last year we weren't going to even do cards I really thought he was serious! You can imagine my surprise when I came home from work to find a wine and cheese tasting set up in our our dining room.


As always, he has been stressing over Valentine's Day so I came up with a fun idea! We have a lot going on so money is tight, and to be honest neither of us need anything!

The $20 Valentine's Day Challenge was born! 

Here are the rules:

• Each person will create a handmade gift and card
• We can only spend $20 total so that means only $10 each for supplies
• Supplies in the craft room or garage are fair game

Sounds simple enough, right??? I am not going to lie, I am stressing a little now!  Kipper has his figured out and I am still working on it. But I can't wait until Thursday when we get to share our creations!!

Adventures In Germville

I started feeling crappy on Friday evening and then spent almost the entire day in bed on Saturday. I thought I was better so we went to dinner Saturday night and I prepared to achieve my biggest achievement in my running training on Sunday - 10 miles! (which I totally did and I couldn't be more proud of myself!!)

Then came Monday morning. I woke up feeling terrible. By lunch I felt a fever coming on but we had a  board meeting, the first with the new board members, so I had to stick it out. By the time I got home I was weak and had a high fever. It was official - I was sick. 

During the 2 days I spent in bed, I learned lots of fun things:

• Apparently I haven't seen every episode of Criminal Minds as previously thought. 
• Realizing the Hallmark Channels top advertisers are: Colonial Penn, AARP, Build-A-Bear, Hoover Vacuums and Viking River Tours. Needless to say, I am pretty sure I am NOT their target market. 
• Given the amount of commercial time, complications with pelvic mesh seem to rampant in our country. 
• Dutchess and Fenway could seriously sleep all day. Gulliver not so much. 
• Even though Gulliver wanted to get up and be active he won't bring you anything to drink (guess it is the whole, no opposable thumbs thing. Why else wouldn't he want to do that for his mommy?)
• Thanks to several infomercials I have learned, there is a good chance I suffer from PBA or Pseudobulbar affect. A medical condition characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughing. An episode of PBA can occur at any time, even in inappropriate social situations. 

Yet the best moment came when watching Toddlers and Tiaras with Kipper, making fun of all the crazy names people give their kids. We started talking about names we liked and didn't like for our future kids. After about 15 minutes or so the conversation turned...

     Me: If we have a little boy, let's name him "Batman"

 
     Kipper:  (stares at me and starts laughing) 

     Me:  Seriously, just think about him walking into kindergarten on his first day. "Hello. I am Batman!!" 

     Kipper:  (still laughing)  Yes that is awesome! 

     Me:  What would his middle name be? 

     Kipper:  Robin of course. 

     Me:  Really?? I think "Batman Robin Martin" is a little too much. 

     Kipper:  You think so?  I guess...

You know cause naming your child "Batman" isn't a little much on its own! lol! I love my husband and the fact that we can be silly together.  But for the record......

All Aboard The Allie Coaster

I am always one for a good roller coaster ride and the last few years of my life has felt like a non-stop trip on the craziest coaster I have ever rode. Tonight I invite you for a short spin on the Allie Coaster...proceed with caution.  

I have always had issues with being hypersensitive to certain smells. For as long as I can remember the detergent aisle at the grocery story made my stomach turn. I had perfected holding my breath long enough to get down the aisle by the time was a teenager. (Sadly a trick I still use today.) Then there is anything that remotely smells like fish. And don't even get me started on the smell of lavender and my daily battle with my lavender loving hubby.

But lately I have noticed I have become very sensitive to touching certain things, especially paper. (Trust me, it sounds as crazy to me as it does you, but seriously it makes my skin crawl just to think about it sometimes.)  I remember construction paper bothering me a little when I was younger, but nothing like what I have dealt with the last 2 weeks. I often joke about being crazy, but this has made me really start to think I needed to be checked into a psych ward - STAT!

As it turns out this is apparently this is another lovely side affect of my ADHD that was kept in line when I was on crazy amounts of Adderall XR. My first thought was I needed to get back on a higher dose of meds because I left like I was losing it.

After calming down I reflect over what I have  been through over the last year to get to the point I am today. A few weeks shy of a year ago, Kipper and I embarked on our journey to become parents. (Original post can be found here)  In the last year I have gone from being on the highest legal dose of Adderall XR to knowing that while extremely hard, I can function without it if I have to.

I wish I would have blogged more about my experience this last year because it is often hard for me to explain it, even though every major step is so vivid to me.  Days I couldn't get out of bed or I struggle to just stay awake even though I had slept 12 hours. The raging food cravings that if I would give in I could eat a weeks worth of calories in one day. The added social anxiety. And the emotional stress it has caused on my marriage. (I thank God everyday I have such an amazing husband who has stood by me at my worst)


Yet through it all, one thing has kept me going. One day, when we finally meet Baby Martin it will all be worth it!  This journey has been  an emotional roller coaster to say the least. While I feel like we have come so far, really we just made it over the first major hill and I know we have a long way to go. I just tell myself everyday to trust God's plan (which truthfully is easier some days than others) and to keep focused on becoming a healthier me.

Allie Facts: Training For A Half Marathon Edition

In 27 days I will be embarking on possibly one of the hardest things, both physically and mentally, I have ever done: my first half marathon. The Cowtown Half Marathon to be exact. During the training process I have realized a lot of things about myself and the training process in general so welcome to a new installment of Allie Facts!


-  Running is just as much of a mental game as it is physical. I can't tell you how often my mind tries to make me quit.

-  I often beat my mental mind games with thinking about the cupcakes and/or wine I am earning.

-  Thank goodness I don't actually  consume those things as much as I actually think about them while running.

-  The longer distances I run, the harder it is to get into sync. It used to take a 1/2 mile, now it can take up to 2 miles.

-  I am terrified of having to go to the bathroom during long runs when there is no where to go... terrified.

-  I have may or may not have had to go to the bathroom in places I would prefer not to admit.

-  You are supposed to feel better as you get in better shape, yet for some reason my body just hurts a heck of a lot more now that I am running several times a week.

-  I am pretty sure Body Glide is one of the most amazing inventions ever.

-  You can only think about what you are going to wear for the big day for so long during runs.

-  I am so thankful that I will have my hubby and great friends by my side on the big day.

-  Because I am a slower runner, long runs only happen on the weekend. And since Saturday is filled with Spring Show, Sunday Funday has been replaced with Long Run Sunday.

-  I miss Sunday Funday mimosas with friends....a lot.

-  I have come to the conclusion that my friends who run full marathon are just plain crazy and might need some sort of therapy.

-  And the only explanation for my friends that do Half Iron Man and Iron Man? They are either robots or aliens because it just isn't human.

-  Actually they have to be aliens because I am not sure waterproof robots are believable.

-  Not going to lie, knowing that dear friends will be at the finish line with mimosas waiting makes this task much less scary! (don't judge...we deserve them!!) 

-  As much as a joke about being crazy for deciding to do this, I am proud of myself for making the decision to do it. When the big day comes it is me against the road. There is no judge who scores you or a teacher to grade your performance. Sure there is the time clock, but not matter what time is on it when I cross the finish line it will be my Half Marathon PR. I will be a Half Marathon finisher. That is something no one will be able to ever take away.