"Dear God, please get us through these last two minutes..."

I thought last week Wednesday was difficult (Gone with the Wind blogpost)! We had a great day today, slept in until 10am and the sun was already blazing so we decided to do another night run. We went to the zoo, Nick prepared an amazing rib dinner (his first time cooking ribs and I am telling you, the meat just fell of the bone beautifully!), played bocce ball, and prepared for an evening run. As great as that BBQ dinner was, it hurt us tonight, in combination with the heat and not enough hydration to compete with the humidity. As exciting as it has been, getting into running, and being motivated to exercise with Nick, I need to train myself to not only run, but to hydrate through out the day and eat smaller portions! Tonight definitely became a matter over mind run. My body felt like lead and when I would attempt to take a deep breath while running to calm my breathing it would only worsen. Tonight was also a step up in our training program, it was the second day in a row that we ran and instead of running 1min/walk 2min x10 it was run 2min/walk 1min x10. I am so grateful that in between our 2 hard runs we have had 2 really great runs. This encouraging and motivates me to push further. And not to mention, I have the greatest running partner ever. He pushed me tonight when I felt like wimping out. There were a couple times tonight where he would say "40 seconds left" or "1 minute mark" and I would just say "shhhhhh...."; this is where the matter over mind game fell into place because I was focusing so much on how hard it was tonight, instead of realizing how great we were doing!  He consistently encourages me, and protects -- there were at least two different times tonight on our run where he asked me to switch places on the sidewalk -- when we would be running by darker areas he would have me run closer to the road. He said it was because he can see what's on the road but not in the darker areas -- he did it to protect me. I am so grateful that God has placed such a great man in my life who loves me, challenges me, and protects me. God is going to do awesome things in our life, I hope for it and I believe it!

This is what week 2 will look like for us, I know that day 2 of running is going to be even more of a challenge. Last week we ran the same routine every time where this week, it increases each time.

Monday (done): Run 2min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 10x
Tuesday: Walk easy 30min
Wednesday: Run 3 min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 7x; Run 2 min
Thursday: Walk easy 30min
Friday: Run 4min; Walk 1min; Repeat 6x
Saturday: Run 4min; Walk 1 min; Repeat 6x
Sunday: Rest

Click this link to see the book we have been reading, also includes training programs!

Run for Your Life

"Run for your life. Running and fitness should be lifelong pursuits. It's easy to be fit and healthy when you're in your twenties. It begins to take more effort when you're in your forties. And it can get downright challenging when you move into your sixties and beyond."

This is a quote found in our running book, the part that strikes me is the easy to be fit part when you are in your twenties. I'm 25 and can barely touch my toes, pretty pathetic. I spend a lot of time pointing fingers at reasons why I am in the shape I am in -- I had a rough patch of health, I eat when I'm stressed, I'm on my feet all day and have tight muscles in the result of it, my job is stressful, and so on and so forth. It's easy for me to come up with all the excuses for why I am in the shape that I am in, and still do nothing about it. That changed when Nick and I married in April. I don't know why all of a sudden my urge to exercise has kicked in, but maybe since we've been married and living together, I have thought about my life in a different perspective. I am no longer living it for myself, but for my husband and my future children. And my health can either remain stagnant, or decrease from this point, if I don't start to integrate some kind of exercise into my daily life -- last time I checked I am not going to get any younger -- so why not start living younger now, why I still can?  I don't want to reach my 40's and think, "Dang, why didn't I start when I was 25?" and regret not taking advantage of my younger body. I want to feel like I am 25 and I want to be able to live an active life with Nick as newlyweds and as future parents (NOT PREGNANT, thinking ahead of time). On top of learning to conquer my ungraceful running style and completing a 5k, this is one of the reasons I run. Not to prove to the world that I can run, but for my health, for my husband, for my future children, for me!  

On a side note, we had a great run tonight! Our schedule was a little goofed up due to Nick working all day yesterday and having plans with friends last night, but we used yesterday as our "day of rest" and ran today. Which means we will run tomorrow as well! I actually did not feel like running tonight (after working 14hours) but, when I came home from work, Nick had his running clothes on, which helped put the motivation into drive, and then as I was complaining about my knees hurting and a sore lower back he said "Well if you don't finish tonight, do you mind if I continue on?" which was a bigger push for me because he had more determination tonight than I did, and it kept me going! That's why we're a great pair :). Our 1 minute runs with 2 minute walk intervals were really smooth tonight and we were able to hold a conversation through a lot of the run (tip from runners world, talking while running, not out of breath, is a great sign that you running at a pace you need to be at). I feel like we might be able to push ourselves a little bit harder but I don't want to over work ourselves in our first few weeks of getting into a running routine. Tomorrow we switch it up where I believe we start running 2 minutes, walk 1 minute. I think with our first week behind us, we can do it! Here's on to week 2!

Gone with the wind, literally.

Day Three: Run 1 minute, walk 2 minutes - repeat 10x

Today was a struggle, I realize that it was only day 2 of running or day 3 of our training program but, for someone who is out of shape and has done very little running in her lifetime, I struggled today. When I woke up this morning I was actually excited to go for a run today and bummed that we had thunderstorm weather all day. We kept an eye out on the weather and decided earlier in the day that at any point in the day where there isn't downpour and thunder, we would run. We had that opportunity this afternoon so we took it. I still felt motivated to run and to accomplish day 3 as we were lacing up our sneakers and headed out for our warm up. That quickly changed after our 2nd stint of running; with the rain today came wind. The wind was killing me and it definitely challenged my breathing; it made running even difficult on my tired out of shape legs. We were running into the wind for the majority of the first leg of our workout. Half way through, Nick and I changed our course so we had our backs to our wind and it made it much easier to breath. We understand that at some point we will need to learn how to run into the wind in anticipation of any weather for our 5k, but at this early in the game it's okay to let our bodies rest while we build endurance and our hearts become stronger. Right now I need to focus on my training my body to run period, focusing on my posture and controlling my breathing, not the wind controlling me. Despite today being a struggle, we finished today, completed a cool down and stretched. We are excited to see the difference in the way we physically feel and mentally.

Run Ashlee, Run!

Our Journey to a 5k

     Originally I had asked Nick not to tell anyone that we were going to attempt to train for a 5K. And my intention is not to create any guilty feelings for anyone but ever since I can remember I have been poked fun of for the way I run. I don't think there's anything wrong with the way I run but it definitely isn't running with grace. So when I started mulling over the 5K idea a few weeks ago, I thought that I'd keep it a secret until I was confident that I actually had a chance in completing a 5K; at least until I knew that I had built up enough endurance and strength to run at a consistent pace, and physically be more fit, then I would let people in on my secret. But as Nick and I went out for our first day of our 8 week training program, we talked about the reasons why we should share. I shouldn't be insecure with who I am and what I look like when I run, all that matters is that I get where I have set my mind to and that's to finish a 5K -- no matter how long it takes to train for it and no matter how long it takes to finish it. We want to cross that finish line and be proud of what we have accomplished. We also believe that in sharing, we'll gain some outside support and encouragement from our family and friends. Encouragement that we will need in this new adventure. Neither of us are in the best physical shape nor do we live the healthiest lifestyles. This is our adventure and we will have our ups and downs, but we will learn to adapt to a running routine (our training routine), with running we will need to learn how to supply our bodies with the nutrients and energy it needs, and in general, in running we will gain a healthier life.
  
    Throughout the past week Nick has researched different styles of running shoes and we have read about different training programs and chose the one that we think would be most suitable for us. Ideally we would like to run a 5K in the fall together, we don't know if this will actually happen but we are aiming for it. We picked an 8 week training program from Runner's World and we are actually excited about it! There were some feelings of nervousness before we ventured out tonight for our first run, but we put our minds over the matter and accomplished "Day 1". We felt great after our 30 minute training tonight, felt excited about what's to come. We realize tomorrow that we will probably be sore and achey, but we know to keep pushing forward. Here is what "Week 1" will look like for us:

Monday: Run 1 min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 10x
Tuesday: Walk easy 30 min
Wednesday Run 1 min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 10x
Thursday: Walk easy 30 min
Friday: Run 1 min; Walk 2 min; Repeat 10x
Saturday: Run 1 min; Walk 3 min; Repeat 10x
Sunday: Rest

This program comes from a Runner's World book that we found at Schuler's today, it's really encouraging and I feel motivated by what it has to say. The book is titled "Runners World: Complete Book of Beginning Running", written by Amby Burfoot. The book has different sections devoted to training, mental health, nutrition, and the training programs. It's written on a more personal note with words of encouragement and it's written for all types of runners.

"It's often the most unlikely people who make the best running-success stories"

So Nick and I are set on making the most of our running story. We have new running gear, a positive mindset, and each other to encourage and motivate when we don't feel like getting off the couch.

I may run like this...but I am going to run that 5K!

Ashlee, Ashlee, how does your garden grow?

Our garden is growing!! I had doubt in our little beans but with a beautiful day of sunshine, they have popped up through the soil and are growing quite quickly now! So excited to see progress and am excited to be able to have our first pick sometime in the future! Fingers crossed :). Our strawberry plant is also producing little strawberries that are blushing and turning red! I think the strawberry plant will be a learning process because we had one berry that turned red, but it wasn't real big and so we waited for it grow, but now it's mushy. I think our plant will produce many small berries that need to be picked sooner than we think. It's all a learning process. Love watching the growth process, can't wait to have a full garden some day. For now, follow our garden growth through my blog, here are some updated pictures:

Our Green Beans

Our Strawberries

honeymoon magic and bits of our married life.

Nick and I left our reception, and escaped to a week of honeymooning in Florida for a week. We were excited to have a week off from work, and to celebrate our life together as husband and wife. Our plane left really early in the morning on Sunday, we weren't thrilled about the lack of sleep, but were excited to arrive in Florida early enough where we could still enjoy some of the day in Florida; possibly by the beach or getting groceries together for the week so we had the rest of the week to relax. The plane ride went smoothly and we picked out our rental car, a charger! We hit the road, and in an hour and a half we would be driving up to the place we would be staying for the week. A balcony that overlooks the ocean, a walk out to the beach, a pool and jacuzzi -- honeymoon heaven. Not too long into the ride I started to feel nauseous. I thought maybe I needed to eat but by the time we found food I was past being able to consume anything. I reclined the seat in hope of sleeping the rest of the ride would allow the feeling to pass. No such thing. By the time we arrived to the condo I was just plumb sick. I stripped and crawled pathetically into bed. I made several attempts that evening to get up and about, only to result in throwing up. My husband of less than 24 hours spent the evening lovingly taking care of me and cleaning up pepto bismol. After a good night's rest and much need sleep, I woke up feeling much better! Not sure if I had a small bug or if it was pure exhaustion and traveler's stomach combined. We spent the rest of the week hanging out by the pool/beach, we explored a marine museum, flew a kite, ate fresh seafood (Nick did more so than I), went on a dolphin/manatee cruise, and spent our last day in Florida at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure. Here are a few photos from our honeymoon:

Morning sunrises and fell asleep every night with the door cracked so we could fall asleep to the crashing waves.

Relaxing by the pool.

Nick's plunge into the ocean, we were later told after our honeymoon that sharks have been sighted along the beach and one was caught not to far down from this area.

I haven't read through a whole book in a long time, this week I read through two! Loved it! 

Nick tries oysters out -- wasn't a huge fan.

Our favorite place to eat -- Capt Hiram's

I tried Mahi Mahi and actually liked it! I even ordered a meal of it on my own! 

Flying our pirate ship kite!

Universal Studios - 4/8/2011

We LOVED the Harry Potter portion of Islands of Adventure! 

The week went by incredibly fast and I still can't believe that our wedding and honeymoon has already past. We have been married for nearly 2 months now and sometimes I wish we could go back to that day, but I wouldn't change anything about it. As said in my prior post, we are loving married life and learning new things about each other and our life together. The biggest battle for me right now is my job. We [job] have hit some rocks in the road and it's challenging, but Nick is so supportive and loving through out it all. I love coming home to him and knowing that I get to fall asleep and wake up to him everyday. We are taking each day as a gift and are trying to make the most of it. If we need to relax, we relax, but we also recognize that we are young and want to make the most out of life. We want to get out and do things, be spontaneous while we can and while it is just the two of us. Here is a tidbit of what married life has looked like:

We flew home on Saturday, 4/9/11 and didn't have to be back to work until Tuesday. We spent Sunday and Monday opening gifts and setting up our life together, which seems to be an ongoing project ;). 

We are so grateful for all the gifts that were given to us!

It was so much fun sitting and opening each gift, seeing who it was from, and giving a place for that gift in our home. 

So far in married life we have gone to a Tigers Game with some of our friends, Justin and Liz! They played the Yankees on May 2, 2011, unfortunately they lost that night. It was also our one month anniversary! 

We've planted our first garden, it's a container Garden. We are anxiously waiting for our beans to sprout from their seeds and excited to see peppers and our lettuce growing. 

We haven't had much consistent sun in the last week so I am a little worried that our plants aren't getting the boost they need in their first 2 weeks of container life. We will see what happens. We know that this our first time, and there will always be room for improvement and learning.

Yesterday we took the day and went to the Grand Rapids Public Museum, sorry no pictures but we loved walking through it and found the Bodies Exhibit fascinating! As we were walking through it, I mentioned to Nick that I love being part of a bigger city where we can have the opportunity to explore various things like the museum. I have personally fallen in love with East Grand Rapids and the Gaslight Village. This has become our favorite spot for ice cream -- Jersey Junction -- the waffle cones are delicious! We love getting ice cream and walking through the village. I love the quaintness of East Grand Rapids and how friendly it seems to be. Every time we drive through, families are always out walking their dogs, running, being active -- even after sunset. Maybe this is just an outsiders perspective but, as an outsider looking into East GR, I'd love to live there! :) Maybe someday when we are rich and have our pottery barn styled home and expansive garden in the backyard -- picket white fence and a wrap around porch. Sigh. So excited to see what our life will bring, pottery barn or not. Much love today. 

finally ever after.

It's been a while since I have posted, but last time I checked, there wasn't a rule set to when and how often someone posts. :) Since my last post, the biggest event of my life has happened, I got married to the man I love! We were married April 2, 2011 and we are so happy. Married life is great, it's a learning process since we have never lived together before hand but we love it. We are learning things about each other and our relationship.

Our Wedding Day

My dear friend and bridesmaid, Liz, did my hair for the day of! 

The ladies got ready at my parents house, loved being there with my girls, and relaxing. My grandma and aunt prepared a breakfast for us, and lunch was brought in. One of the best parts of that morning was waking up in my own home, and having a few minutes of peace before the day started. I would recommend to any bride that is able to get ready in their own home, to do so. Unless it causes total stress. Also to make sure that before everyone is up and moving, before the hustle and bustle of getting ready, that you take a minute to soak in the day, to allow a moment of peace for yourself. Such a moment of awe to be sitting in my mom's kitchen the morning of. The house was quiet, it wasn't quite light outside yet so the house was kind of dark, and I just sat there, realizing that April 2 had finally arrived, that I was going to be a wife by the end of that day and how blessed I am. A great moment of realization. 

I wore my great grandmother's pearls and my mom's pearl earrings. 

The night before some of the groomsmen and Nick stayed in a hotel, they went out after the rehearsal dinner for a beer and then went back to the hotel to play video games and crash. Nick was so excited about the extensive breakfast buffet but slept right through it! The guys gathered at the church to get ready for the big day and take photos. 

Such a handsome bunch of men!

Nick and I are both so grateful for our mom's and who they have raised us to be as individual people. 

No matter how old I am, I will always be a daddy's girl.

We did it! 

Love my brothers!I don't know if I was actually aware that this photo was being taken or how emily caught my glance, but I love this photo. It totally captures my brothers. 

We drove my mom's TA from the church to the reception!It was decorated by my Aunt and lovely cousins. Of course the windshield said "Happy Hornymooners" and "Honk if your Horny" 

Jeff and I danced to "How You Live" by Point of Grace 

I heard this song 2 years ago and knew instantly that this is the song that I would one day use for the Father/Daughter dance for Jeff and I. The lyrics match what I feel that Jeff and my mom have strived to teach my brothers and I as we have grown. Here are some of the lyrics with the video to follow: 

Turn up the music Turn it up Loud
Take a few chances Let it all out
Because you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
Because it's not who you knew and it's not what you did
It's how you Live

How You Live [Turn Up the Music]

 

We don't know where his dancing skills came from but he sure tore up the dance floor!

Of course, my skills, are genius.

One love, one heart...

Everybody get low!

It was time to leave before we knew it! Daddy lovin'. 

Best friend and Maid of Honor

We can not be any happier with how our wedding day panned out and how beautiful it was! We are so grateful for our family and friends that surrounded us with love and support that day, and who continue to surround us.