tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17396668343798464582024-02-06T20:13:00.219-06:00In the Capital of Cornthe adventures and mis-adventures of LynneLynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-49065099798289365662013-09-02T20:32:00.002-05:002013-09-02T20:32:26.909-05:00Upcoming RacesI have a lot of great updates to make including a race recap of my very first 10K. Spoiler it was awesome and the Men of Women Rock: were HANDSOME!<br />
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But if anyone is interested in joining me on some of my future events these are the races I have signed up for to round out the next couple of months:<br />
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<a href="http://www.divadash5k.com/dsm.php" target="_blank">DSM Diva Dash Saturday September 14th</a> 8:30 a.m. East Village Des Moines<br />
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The <a href="http://www.thebrewmile.com/index.html" target="_blank">Brew mile</a> Saturday September 28th 4:15 p.m. Downtown Des Moines<br />
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<a href="http://iowa.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/WAU_IowaAffiliate?fr_id=3487&pg=entry" target="_blank">Susan G Komen Race for the Cure</a> Saturday October 26th 9 a.m. Downtown Des Moines<br />
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<a href="https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=7719" target="_blank">Halloween Hot Chocolate Run </a>Sunday November 2nd 9 a.m. Downtown Des Moines<br />
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-5491442743696019462013-08-04T20:01:00.001-05:002013-08-04T20:01:24.985-05:00Comparison Post<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdtMB3SKFe5cAHdRKkW11GUb9MsTaMmyg7-NIF7kdRToSWOYytstEHJEcF1CVMtFrS2RvC2lfuYFKQPDTNxRUsVRIc1x78QPmA4AE6TYfVTmGpbUxby1c27U4RTCMJFC9572_a_bzRPM/s1600/IMAG0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdtMB3SKFe5cAHdRKkW11GUb9MsTaMmyg7-NIF7kdRToSWOYytstEHJEcF1CVMtFrS2RvC2lfuYFKQPDTNxRUsVRIc1x78QPmA4AE6TYfVTmGpbUxby1c27U4RTCMJFC9572_a_bzRPM/s320/IMAG0544.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2/13/13</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8/3/13</td></tr>
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What a difference 6 months has made! Laura and I looking pretty refreshed even after our runs!</div>
Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-26530307180597662572013-08-04T19:15:00.002-05:002013-08-04T19:15:50.905-05:00Emily Turns 7<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYPBdGoSdBsivlOGLWMP6W6EIHwOjaaIoQneqKUpSMI1lMpAa1PZPzHB6o2aePYEzjRgZRDnX1e5ZJGdIVKCBcVbyAFvoZLJTPka9q8xZnQUChVQqYMqcv4SLwH8iFNNXbKS2C8xvFQk/s1600/20130526_160554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYPBdGoSdBsivlOGLWMP6W6EIHwOjaaIoQneqKUpSMI1lMpAa1PZPzHB6o2aePYEzjRgZRDnX1e5ZJGdIVKCBcVbyAFvoZLJTPka9q8xZnQUChVQqYMqcv4SLwH8iFNNXbKS2C8xvFQk/s320/20130526_160554.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually an old shot of Noelle but I think it perfectly captures her spirit I had to post it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT2u0UThNeuV_wxviROWECNdvPBYzUSwEsR5iBTsifrZ8ZFpf1TDqVKRq-BORTN7V3LwXUP5C8xZI-1D2oQw5ZlSbJTo-B7q_uF12IFDcr47hf4FL7YRMPpwjYWkpIJpcFh5_InUowu8/s1600/20130728_144841(0).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT2u0UThNeuV_wxviROWECNdvPBYzUSwEsR5iBTsifrZ8ZFpf1TDqVKRq-BORTN7V3LwXUP5C8xZI-1D2oQw5ZlSbJTo-B7q_uF12IFDcr47hf4FL7YRMPpwjYWkpIJpcFh5_InUowu8/s320/20130728_144841(0).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew is getting so BIG. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwsLwYpsGnTpoDdpVCrzvSebSh7FHAZH3_cebsG-JD7jTJIUOzX91HqGErTiK_Xmmga8yRu5romegVQHRhk2RHBa9WYKD32RrzaKgLiqORCEy9JWP7ywU-1_JjeDZ1iYJQAejnc1B6Mg/s1600/20130728_144955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwsLwYpsGnTpoDdpVCrzvSebSh7FHAZH3_cebsG-JD7jTJIUOzX91HqGErTiK_Xmmga8yRu5romegVQHRhk2RHBa9WYKD32RrzaKgLiqORCEy9JWP7ywU-1_JjeDZ1iYJQAejnc1B6Mg/s320/20130728_144955.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a series of selfies because my Dad are original photographer couldn't figure out my phone.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdrAbWuusA1t4I5XDHln0P2MWNEYKP0tHrkYZo2YdEmOdQIiuAISkquYdwoqrmnXtQw3xJddJ3ocr1kqoXbNc83CWQ2bgzliFUKCb60QcS3tUUp6EBz3WrUu9hR7-XGbL91DKsbpTugs/s1600/20130728_144958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdrAbWuusA1t4I5XDHln0P2MWNEYKP0tHrkYZo2YdEmOdQIiuAISkquYdwoqrmnXtQw3xJddJ3ocr1kqoXbNc83CWQ2bgzliFUKCb60QcS3tUUp6EBz3WrUu9hR7-XGbL91DKsbpTugs/s320/20130728_144958.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthday Girl!!!!</td></tr>
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-61347210664870590092013-08-04T17:49:00.000-05:002013-08-04T17:49:47.340-05:00Run for Reading<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpQImH4g6xjlzU-m_Nuzsyj_GhMdOPneFg-fHzArOTStVXKOS6NeZAY5N4KrVo9fvjBrE-80Z18Ru6_G959a_kzWKEFyIto9XvN4AAP2yOjyUIj-BeMU0PyWDLuHcHiydm9T27cW0-8U/s1600/Summer+13+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpQImH4g6xjlzU-m_Nuzsyj_GhMdOPneFg-fHzArOTStVXKOS6NeZAY5N4KrVo9fvjBrE-80Z18Ru6_G959a_kzWKEFyIto9XvN4AAP2yOjyUIj-BeMU0PyWDLuHcHiydm9T27cW0-8U/s320/Summer+13+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallas had to be in our cousin pic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters! I made her do this selfie so I could compare it to our other race selfie from February.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noelle was hiding...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then she decided to let us see her!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD2yThWIjSv4Blqi-qC-LH4wlaWaQnOo0ZVhQbNhvyWPR1NbVQ5LI5q3y08Tj3ApIdeLl77VisFFO-9v7NPRO6e92KskKgRWuIbqI1XVj_-UVb7rhBsnFj1SfbWkkhlgFPjbZwPeFP84/s1600/Summer+13+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD2yThWIjSv4Blqi-qC-LH4wlaWaQnOo0ZVhQbNhvyWPR1NbVQ5LI5q3y08Tj3ApIdeLl77VisFFO-9v7NPRO6e92KskKgRWuIbqI1XVj_-UVb7rhBsnFj1SfbWkkhlgFPjbZwPeFP84/s320/Summer+13+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallas's face! I love how serious he can get right as I take the photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZutuWui1dKidIJbmAfsd_JXKctcGzOU9lj5CccyQ1Y_QYy_M4C-jdy0YoIb3uv3YwJl003IeyD5uvi8_mnWOulPsa8L72usUy1H5g96WAC776tgsHdDYssz4fKSkL1g5-Luc1OcizVA/s1600/Summer+13+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZutuWui1dKidIJbmAfsd_JXKctcGzOU9lj5CccyQ1Y_QYy_M4C-jdy0YoIb3uv3YwJl003IeyD5uvi8_mnWOulPsa8L72usUy1H5g96WAC776tgsHdDYssz4fKSkL1g5-Luc1OcizVA/s320/Summer+13+068.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He wanted one of just him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dlHdCtm6GlpbADJkQci1aII7xqlqetUcZHFF-XotAhITkU6yJKCIzIlae6hM0aGHhE8zipJosbA73TNL1X4VSslHppuOC5Qp5QP9bPglLbesf7q_SlM7n3r8a73mLobq4D2eeTYrntU/s1600/Summer+13+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dlHdCtm6GlpbADJkQci1aII7xqlqetUcZHFF-XotAhITkU6yJKCIzIlae6hM0aGHhE8zipJosbA73TNL1X4VSslHppuOC5Qp5QP9bPglLbesf7q_SlM7n3r8a73mLobq4D2eeTYrntU/s320/Summer+13+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily took one of us showing off our medals. Dallas is wearing Laura's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4_n1OSIgGHMRvhn37ssmHtpdK8Hq5xOeQf86Pc0BkAwXO5mi3Eb4oKF7_vw1VTcdd8USrWCsEOVB-nlt8nhPCG09PHF_pBZvcMzXXd1yTRyFsI2YaWtFamVYcEplyU-OspJsUeekaEg/s1600/Summer+13+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4_n1OSIgGHMRvhn37ssmHtpdK8Hq5xOeQf86Pc0BkAwXO5mi3Eb4oKF7_vw1VTcdd8USrWCsEOVB-nlt8nhPCG09PHF_pBZvcMzXXd1yTRyFsI2YaWtFamVYcEplyU-OspJsUeekaEg/s320/Summer+13+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were all winners! Everyone placed in their age divisions. Cousins dominated the award ceremony!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZTF2GeK8q2bvirz5k8hTk67-aLvh0s1X0YcxBqfimST9FdiGS-NxcZfzAjYKaZsniwfnMGxZu8hl58U-hY1uKhxICJ1_txlWB3an6Ip78Zfy7u63OhiAjBUqezYcFHCr24e_-eWIB48/s1600/Summer+13+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZTF2GeK8q2bvirz5k8hTk67-aLvh0s1X0YcxBqfimST9FdiGS-NxcZfzAjYKaZsniwfnMGxZu8hl58U-hY1uKhxICJ1_txlWB3an6Ip78Zfy7u63OhiAjBUqezYcFHCr24e_-eWIB48/s320/Summer+13+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCBNAz5YrU_Jh2-4QbGpE4FSw38QS5anyl6Ax1zI_NfeY_N8nM8qrOpQOk7ZgirvJ8RY3lYiSiLAKeppmcoGPrl5JrrU-_tcXzg2cJuO7h__LUb8mpG8bSNBgMa-y_uwGL2lUULWQ5pA/s1600/Summer+13+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCBNAz5YrU_Jh2-4QbGpE4FSw38QS5anyl6Ax1zI_NfeY_N8nM8qrOpQOk7ZgirvJ8RY3lYiSiLAKeppmcoGPrl5JrrU-_tcXzg2cJuO7h__LUb8mpG8bSNBgMa-y_uwGL2lUULWQ5pA/s320/Summer+13+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staring directly into the sun, showing off our winners medals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprfnI-TiDSO7KMyoTpbJ_5hv74CpJ7H8QnQsaXsjakCD-FClUa2suhFW44Kte4mkMz9bmKN3ZjY4bQWbv0_GDSynThSzeIyHcNvyxKEznMEiSTVsiyWOc9E-7QKywZbQ-IqpZ1eUHZQ8/s1600/Summer+13+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprfnI-TiDSO7KMyoTpbJ_5hv74CpJ7H8QnQsaXsjakCD-FClUa2suhFW44Kte4mkMz9bmKN3ZjY4bQWbv0_GDSynThSzeIyHcNvyxKEznMEiSTVsiyWOc9E-7QKywZbQ-IqpZ1eUHZQ8/s320/Summer+13+073.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was he eating it?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHEuhJITmUBNaMRaoMBpy8wqtAX3y7p-i59u4KiPG1DTADAXK6M8FtjMyycJb256Q5x700J8OGeGLvRHTv9-KjKIMfmXf2u676Y0_OnyihVa-FDOi-iKxkfYkW9V4Q5MeaI6tdl6sbsw/s1600/Summer+13+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHEuhJITmUBNaMRaoMBpy8wqtAX3y7p-i59u4KiPG1DTADAXK6M8FtjMyycJb256Q5x700J8OGeGLvRHTv9-KjKIMfmXf2u676Y0_OnyihVa-FDOi-iKxkfYkW9V4Q5MeaI6tdl6sbsw/s320/Summer+13+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX7lfjYwLYiwzNLdaP9b5XfMcVsH3Ibtm4k-EUxElY42ilwTHIE0hoSfOdOTkHe5WODtXb4cwbkMOGKyE5f5-vtUEfSWDzcpk84J_rehV6k0RPnBblMTfJTn6FhhRrZbOlGc6cUkwHVg/s1600/Summer+13+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX7lfjYwLYiwzNLdaP9b5XfMcVsH3Ibtm4k-EUxElY42ilwTHIE0hoSfOdOTkHe5WODtXb4cwbkMOGKyE5f5-vtUEfSWDzcpk84J_rehV6k0RPnBblMTfJTn6FhhRrZbOlGc6cUkwHVg/s320/Summer+13+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noelle, Emily, Dallas, Laura and Grandma F</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh485GUuXJb7Uzm_hPZ_myIX2HBEBP-n6j228zd3mjOkTzMxAOzaa-m62hlwTP9rsp92kKteDRDzoro403c3B_bTvSUdsWO6arqBpllCiEJmpNAp_gB6ZspuHOdO97lMXREA54ctxFSFyA/s1600/Summer+13+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh485GUuXJb7Uzm_hPZ_myIX2HBEBP-n6j228zd3mjOkTzMxAOzaa-m62hlwTP9rsp92kKteDRDzoro403c3B_bTvSUdsWO6arqBpllCiEJmpNAp_gB6ZspuHOdO97lMXREA54ctxFSFyA/s320/Summer+13+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noelle, Emily, Dallas, Laura and Grandma F (she didn't mind that we didn't shower before visiting)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXVERGDsSKeTjAQooVNJoslvk19VMrSQkhzY_J_ItEi53LWIUW1JgdiJ6Znbt3r_J5QzAatQjzSdOEU9jYfRV__gUaTc-vynlLi7Gt7dFgrb4mUc0_cCYabdNxx4opvrL7DJpRIEw0cE/s1600/Summer+13+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXVERGDsSKeTjAQooVNJoslvk19VMrSQkhzY_J_ItEi53LWIUW1JgdiJ6Znbt3r_J5QzAatQjzSdOEU9jYfRV__gUaTc-vynlLi7Gt7dFgrb4mUc0_cCYabdNxx4opvrL7DJpRIEw0cE/s320/Summer+13+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Cousin plus Dallas pic!</td></tr>
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The Run for Reading race was the best ever! Ever! Not only did I get run with all my favorite family members but the weather was perfect, it was for a great cause Clarence Library fund, and I WON 1st place in my age division. This was kind of a pipe dream for the bucket list. I think I got lucky and all the 20-29 year olds were playing in the softball turnament rather than running that morning. But I had a personal best. My watch was stopped at 30:13 (new PB) and I ran the 1st mile in 9:16, the fastest I have ever run a mile. It was amazing getting to see everyone. I don't get to that side of the state nearly often enough. Thank you so much Sue for being an amazing host! Can't wait to do it again next year.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-28580616546901935832013-08-04T17:13:00.000-05:002013-08-04T19:57:26.115-05:004th of July Run I have been trying to complete at least one 5K each month since February. Ever since then I have been trying to run a race on an actual holiday. I kept looking in vain for St Patrick's day, after I couldn't find a 5K for that (Des Moines only had a 10K) I tried to find a local Memorial Day race, no dice. I was determined to find a 4th of July race. I knew lots of the smaller towns around the area had them but the first one I could find registration information for was the Waukee Boy Scout Troop 178 fun run. It was a relatively small race, about 150 runners between the 5K and the kids mile race. I was really hoping to get a personal best because the course would be less crowded and the weather was perfect for running, not to hot hardly any wind. Everyone lined up looked like serious runners, I couldn't spot any walkers in the crowd. I chatted up one girl wearing Dam to Dam shorts- she saw I was wearing my Dam to Dam tank top, she was a pretty serious runner she had completed the 20K dam to dam but it was nice to get to talk to someone while waiting to race, especially because it didn't start on time. There was a girls high school cross country team running "for practice" they pretty much blew away the field and racked up the under 19 awards. The annoucer said the course was a bit short so everyone should expect a personal best (bonus! I will take it even though it wasn't a true 5K)<br />
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Once the race started I was astounded how fast the crowd was. People where taking off in full sprints. I tend to start to fast but settle into a good pace by 1/2 mile. But this crowd was going FAST. I knew I shouldn't even try to keep up them so I quickly stopped trying to pace myself with anyone else and just run my own race. Unfortunately this meant I was alone for most of the race, not that this is the worst thing, it just doesn't help me push myself very well. Ran my first mile in 9:46, the fastest I have ever done in a race.<br />
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The Boy Scouts where all over the course. Their job was stand at every intersection and turn to ensure you went the right way. Most of them where teenagers, the ones standing alone were better cheerers, they actually clapped and said good job, but the ones with a friend where often just on their phones texting and would look up every once and while to point in the right direction. Still since there weren't any spectators on the course it was nice to have someone say good job. Especially since although I knew I was running a really good race I couldn't see the pack of the rest of the runners.<br />
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The last mile was a bit rough- uphill, a boys cross country team must have just been practicing and passed me with what I felt was a blistering pace, and I had to run right past some gross road kill, where were those boy scouts when I needed them? I started to kick it into gear once I could see the school. My watch was telling me a could get a new record time! Finished with 31.09 (a personal best and 3rd in my age division, only 3 women in my age division finished but still I take top 3 finishes anywhere I can get them)<br />
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There were lots and lots of door prizes I stayed hoping the would hand out awards for the top 3 in each division but they only did top finishers, didn't even get a door prize but I enjoyed my fruit!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPJ0l1MdjSs2F_9TFvAsgxY6rfYXRlozypeSovYXXk1UZA22RiLbOjo75g4CQ88uq6kalJHE1ALXsSuzmkcoZV-RVsV2KPQsHbkMH5fJO6aUvf7novevm4tCLmLTlBfx5Ip5uC17RETk/s1600/20130704_072901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPJ0l1MdjSs2F_9TFvAsgxY6rfYXRlozypeSovYXXk1UZA22RiLbOjo75g4CQ88uq6kalJHE1ALXsSuzmkcoZV-RVsV2KPQsHbkMH5fJO6aUvf7novevm4tCLmLTlBfx5Ip5uC17RETk/s320/20130704_072901.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race Ready</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzQ_fz6TCXXVnXd5G18UZi0FgrSuu-0ZJ5pjbc18H1ck1tbTlOsQxpFkyo-YhohbNVvpaZ8E7r-SdYfk41cP1dBZ66R-LhFA68f5DZ93zcJ2nZmPF46JtDfnUUvlQAH0ig_cZ-_BWB_4/s1600/20130704_072756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzQ_fz6TCXXVnXd5G18UZi0FgrSuu-0ZJ5pjbc18H1ck1tbTlOsQxpFkyo-YhohbNVvpaZ8E7r-SdYfk41cP1dBZ66R-LhFA68f5DZ93zcJ2nZmPF46JtDfnUUvlQAH0ig_cZ-_BWB_4/s320/20130704_072756.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ended up with such a low bib number I think I must have been one of the very first people to sign up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SFM9zlDVvp0v0SKZ5aHcqHHvz6pr83WVH-zJEUgnI4lci_VZcolmzynidWbe5sPyuUJsbkcwikFqQZ92mhwwBUsUd6U6-T1GU7aLj8lSIa3_RHLAVWrAaZgdgraUfKBI6dLxGjGQxq0/s1600/20130704_095224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SFM9zlDVvp0v0SKZ5aHcqHHvz6pr83WVH-zJEUgnI4lci_VZcolmzynidWbe5sPyuUJsbkcwikFqQZ92mhwwBUsUd6U6-T1GU7aLj8lSIa3_RHLAVWrAaZgdgraUfKBI6dLxGjGQxq0/s320/20130704_095224.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 races complete</td></tr>
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Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-48312335368752486792013-08-04T16:37:00.000-05:002013-08-04T16:37:20.446-05:00Greenbelt Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of favorite parts of living in the Des Moines area would be the extensive trail system. If you are patient enough to learn how to read the confusing trail maps and don't mind going to multiple city website you can get almost any where in Des Moines by Trail. I live in West Des Moines, but I am boarding both Waukee and Clive. I tend to take the Clive Greenbelt trail a lot. Here are some pics of my favorite areas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBA_-K4Yjadtl7c_KK3vmEnH8zFbrxCq-5JLkv6efGLsa2RFRlBcAGNFxJ4htQkfuOuj-VdhkklbnUPwe3xuqdKBixb72gOE_zC2abn0Rdk9h-7SDXqyvmhmAS3EtdbaPz3BIzCrCGcE/s1600/Summer+13+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBA_-K4Yjadtl7c_KK3vmEnH8zFbrxCq-5JLkv6efGLsa2RFRlBcAGNFxJ4htQkfuOuj-VdhkklbnUPwe3xuqdKBixb72gOE_zC2abn0Rdk9h-7SDXqyvmhmAS3EtdbaPz3BIzCrCGcE/s320/Summer+13+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BxJnKu-3kanHwww4JH5AItaxcFRayyMBKTPukjb_vJGZQq8Y24sAZlqSKjgIsoxo-G1RHIXlZoWvilWplZfwcDoMOVAXcJW1ClzUoMCfBey8jzWZWkLe2vnIX_Q_LAFPCaBSvInb7f0/s1600/Summer+13+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BxJnKu-3kanHwww4JH5AItaxcFRayyMBKTPukjb_vJGZQq8Y24sAZlqSKjgIsoxo-G1RHIXlZoWvilWplZfwcDoMOVAXcJW1ClzUoMCfBey8jzWZWkLe2vnIX_Q_LAFPCaBSvInb7f0/s320/Summer+13+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are often these picturesque bridges off the trail and into neighborhoods. These one leads towards Hickman in the rich, rich Clive section. (the houses are huge)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUqW1z4T1JwWx85eMBoxPcCu6JQSVd_2BhxDADTAhl1c5Y89GCsfyqQoghyI2Sm3JTjWLGlsWjC1-s4sJFVjAPJfQ5JyMLy_xJsnYu7uPb66K3XlrrZGzhewcUOoVqhtQe-nDlBET5UM/s1600/Summer+13+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUqW1z4T1JwWx85eMBoxPcCu6JQSVd_2BhxDADTAhl1c5Y89GCsfyqQoghyI2Sm3JTjWLGlsWjC1-s4sJFVjAPJfQ5JyMLy_xJsnYu7uPb66K3XlrrZGzhewcUOoVqhtQe-nDlBET5UM/s320/Summer+13+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful views (lots of bugs when it rains)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI4J_1xpMGIo6tFJhyphenhyphenzO2D_Ln1jRDDvUyL6Ud_HqA1BSestnOmjj59nH-EGHCGAr_LlkSSsgebjW3DAakmfICRfWzJxMCbh-LaF09Vf01281yMk0pIIYzIvpEH75f1T2TG9sIsicUH1c/s1600/Summer+13+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI4J_1xpMGIo6tFJhyphenhyphenzO2D_Ln1jRDDvUyL6Ud_HqA1BSestnOmjj59nH-EGHCGAr_LlkSSsgebjW3DAakmfICRfWzJxMCbh-LaF09Vf01281yMk0pIIYzIvpEH75f1T2TG9sIsicUH1c/s320/Summer+13+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6zsoGji8tMoDnajm110TMc3jqgWhY-0gtTEZSSyzINUMdI8COsgKrFXWg0fseZGLYhvZ6ft37sLaXxI6OdQkkSjblIhlv5eDPCPSQhZpD_Mh2Mt1IEfz0tUPMrNOsfTemaGNZzSWKrA/s1600/Summer+13+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6zsoGji8tMoDnajm110TMc3jqgWhY-0gtTEZSSyzINUMdI8COsgKrFXWg0fseZGLYhvZ6ft37sLaXxI6OdQkkSjblIhlv5eDPCPSQhZpD_Mh2Mt1IEfz0tUPMrNOsfTemaGNZzSWKrA/s320/Summer+13+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of these pictures were taken on a bike ride and I thought the view from my basket was pretty impressive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq7zowpqpF3f1_vVccyoOeeKxK4C4gdT9-R21WPxn_WPzXfsPwJxebChSc-nMjJ465z2PRK0EiFXa7IvSAWehtXVCQuJPQ2pI3JsemfWUCK3zaOgkAxZGcQUeVTh6hc4JM2NZjhuygV0/s1600/Summer+13+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq7zowpqpF3f1_vVccyoOeeKxK4C4gdT9-R21WPxn_WPzXfsPwJxebChSc-nMjJ465z2PRK0EiFXa7IvSAWehtXVCQuJPQ2pI3JsemfWUCK3zaOgkAxZGcQUeVTh6hc4JM2NZjhuygV0/s320/Summer+13+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I often run on these stretch. It is near 128th street if you now West Des Moines/Clive. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhef6CzDp-Ub9qoLjVJblBWeS8px7DTWEmj8AqpDUMSmXLsKqdsT5TeedvYmo9BDriCaASok-f9XK8J5SBzVPoH5XW3MJGfHSf8Flf_YxPo53lm1irXYxsyvO3Pyvu8eJ6x-C557GZie8/s1600/Summer+13+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhef6CzDp-Ub9qoLjVJblBWeS8px7DTWEmj8AqpDUMSmXLsKqdsT5TeedvYmo9BDriCaASok-f9XK8J5SBzVPoH5XW3MJGfHSf8Flf_YxPo53lm1irXYxsyvO3Pyvu8eJ6x-C557GZie8/s320/Summer+13+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr3ErEvhGZPxwoimNUobuIZ3LEgcGM7lauaYd45G9eUBlqhLOO-6psRTQDgyZF0whTnBM4acv_kEl_h47775ejxfps4VYASeK1N3e0OPWfANl7aVPHxK6yedSIJvHqV1jc-8PGerrFxg/s1600/Summer+13+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr3ErEvhGZPxwoimNUobuIZ3LEgcGM7lauaYd45G9eUBlqhLOO-6psRTQDgyZF0whTnBM4acv_kEl_h47775ejxfps4VYASeK1N3e0OPWfANl7aVPHxK6yedSIJvHqV1jc-8PGerrFxg/s320/Summer+13+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house that this little candy shop? sits in the back yard of is for sale. Does anyone want to buy a 4 bedroom with an indoor/outdoor pool and these adorable little candy playhouse in the backyard? I love it because when I can see it I know I am done running!</td></tr>
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-81198858872226067912013-08-04T16:18:00.000-05:002013-08-04T16:18:21.268-05:00UpdatesSorry I am the lamest. As in I can't seem to update my blog regularly if my life depended on it. Lets do a run down of updates shall we?<br />
I am up to 80.6 lbs gone. Completely forever and ever gone. It rocks. Did I say I lost EIGHTY POINT SIX POUNDS yet? I lost 80.6 pounds!<br />
I have a new job. It is just like my old job. In fact it was classified as a lateral move. Location has changed (but still in West Des Moines), and I am very happy with the changes. I miss my old team and the people I worked with but I am beyond excited to start this new chapter.<br />
I am run, run running. I have been training for a 10K. And I have gotten up to 5.5 miles of straight running without stopping. 10K is 6.2. My race is 8/31/13 in MN. I am pretty excited for it.<br />
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That about does it for this post. Look for some more updates!Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-77533671972988722882013-06-30T11:15:00.000-05:002013-06-30T11:16:09.714-05:00That is a grade schooler!I've lost 300 sticks of butter y'all. THREE ZERO ZERO. That is 75 pounds! Shut the freaking front door! Actually 75.2 to be exact. It is amazing. I got more bling for my weight watchers key chain (you get something new for each 25 pounds) and feel amazing. It has been a pretty big week for me all around. I announced to my team at work that I will be transitioning to a new position. I took a lateral move to another claims department- which I am beyond excited for! One of current co-workers became engaged over the weekend and because I soon won't be able to see her every day I added as a friend on Facebook, if you know me I barely use my Facebook, I almost never post anything myself, often other people just tag me when we are together. Well she said my profile picture looked nothing like me and I needed to update. So yesterday after my momentous 75 pounds I took a couple of new pictures. I am against selfies in general but my roommate was out of town and desperate times call for desperate measures. The best part of the whole thing? Facebook's facial recognition program couldn't guess that the update profile picture was me. I had changed so much that it wasn't able to identify me!!! Take that Facebook! Hahaha. I was able to spot that my niece Emily should be tagged as my sister, and that my nephews should be tagged as Chelsey but didn't have any suggestions so me. Plus I have been getting a lot of love in the form of likes and comments, which is amazing. Not why I posted an updated picture but I don't tire of hearing how good I look. One my friends even texted me to say how I amazing I looked. I was feeling the love to the max. It has been amazing. But I need someone to help with some more pictures, if you want to come to Des Moines to do a photo shoot let me know I will pay you in love and beer or wine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6/29/2013 75 pounds gone!</td></tr>
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-11786492983838008012013-06-30T11:01:00.001-05:002013-06-30T11:01:38.425-05:00Run to Exile... The 5K that wasn't June 8th I ran my 7th 5K of the year. Except this one wasn't quite a 5K, but I will get to that. When I originally thought about signing up for this race I thought I might want to complete the 10K rather than the 5K, but I hadn't done any real training for it. I just knew that was one of my goals for the summer. However my boss and I had talked a lot about running and she wanted to give a race a try but not by herself. So we both ended up signing up for the 5K or the Betty race. At Exile Brewing company all of the beers are named after women and so the races were too. You could choose from a 5K, 10K or half marathon. This is the first afternoon race I had ever run, most races start fairly early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temps, I think the goal the organizers were trying to accomplish was to have the race transition to a party at the brewing company and that would work better if it started in the afternoon.<br />
<br />
The weather was pretty good, if a little bit cloudy, and the forecast was a little iffy about the possibility of rain. Tina and I arrived at Exile where they were going to bus us to the starting points of the races. This was another slightly odd thing, most 5K's are out and back loops, meaning you start and finish in roughly the same location, that way no one has to worry about being bused to a separate location. There were a lot of participants- I mean a lot, we got there plenty early and were in line halfway up the block just waiting to get on a bus. Some of the volunteers said they were a little overwhelmed by the number of people who had signed up. It was the inaugural race, but they had a pretty amazing social media campaign for it and had a deal on living social that made it really cheap to participate in. By the time we finally got on a bus the race was already supposed to have started.<br />
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Once we got the the starting area we had to wait for a few more buses to arrive and then we were off. The course was not great at the beginning we started in the street and had to climb a rocky hill up to the riverwalk bike/walking trails. Since Tina had never completed a race before we game planned that we would stick together. She had been running faster than me when she was training but wasn't able to go long distances without walking breaks. I am almost the opposite I can run longer distances but I'm not fast. We agreed to try to maintain a 10:30 mile pace and run the whole thing. This ending up being great, but halfway into the race I wasn't feeling it at all- not sure if it was the running in the afternoon after I eaten more than I typically would or the sun/heat difference of running in the afternoon, or if it was just a bad running day for me but I wasn't enjoying the run much. But I keep going because I knew someone else was depending on my to help pace them and that she really wanted to run the whole thing. Prior to the race a ran her through some quick race etiquette rules that lots of new runners don't always realize, like if you are going to walk get off to the side, try to pass people on the left etc. Once we hit the riverwalk trail things were pretty good. The pack was pretty thick but lots of people where starting to tapper off and walk. Tina and I did a lot of dodging others and passing (this Tina admitted was her favorite part- passing others that looked more fit but couldn't run well). Once we had a view of downtown Des Moines I seriously wished I had a camera. It was so perfect with the skyline. We ran by Principal Park (where the I-cubs play) it was between games so lots of people saw us. This is where our water station was as well. I had also warned Tina about these. I grab and run through them, but it is often better to run past the bottle neck, everyone stops for water at the beginning of the station but there are almost always volunteers at the end just waiting for someone. We both made it through without choking- score one for the girls! After that we were running parallel to MLK that goes by the science center. I know that area of Des Moines pretty well because I used to work downtown. At mile two we highfived each other, she was using her mymaprun app on her phone and it was saying we were doing a 10:12 mile pace, which is probably another reason I wasn't welling great- that is faster than my running pace most times. By the time I could see Exile I knew there was no way we were going to get a whole 3.1 miles in. We had barely just gone past 2 miles. It also just started to sprinkle so I don't think I was too upset about the possibility of not getting another .5 miles in but still. We crossed the finish line sprinting, in large part because we had been saving up to run another .5 miles. My watch said we had done 2.56, and Tina's phone said 2.64 (which I think was just a difference between when we pushed start on our devices as there wasn't a clear starting line) we clocked in around 25 minutes. I didn't keep my time because it was being timed by the race, but I have never been able to find the official results anywhere, which bums me out a bit, but since it wasn't a true 5K distance I don't care. Tina had a great time running and I think would definitely <span style="text-align: center;">do another race. We finished in time to grab a beer before it really started to rain and were able to watch the 1st couple of 10K racers finish.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxE0azeqENoNX1oHcPci-LnGwTNcKC4Je33bqtyaEhMdX1mug1szUqNqHOpWf5Y4Q7WSVKwHMZdyU6DyEEf6EsY_tSbFqZhHuUNR6X7lEwzwI0euQEcFurW4FllnFXK_ASeEAgXlu45A/s1600/20130608_155713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxE0azeqENoNX1oHcPci-LnGwTNcKC4Je33bqtyaEhMdX1mug1szUqNqHOpWf5Y4Q7WSVKwHMZdyU6DyEEf6EsY_tSbFqZhHuUNR6X7lEwzwI0euQEcFurW4FllnFXK_ASeEAgXlu45A/s320/20130608_155713.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Tina post race, that isn't all sweat some of it is rain!</td></tr>
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-45296053834114907972013-06-04T21:45:00.002-05:002013-06-04T21:45:38.087-05:00Dam to Dam 5KLast Saturday I completed the Dam to Dam 5K and I had a great time. Finally the weather was cooperating with my races and we had no rain or cold! It was perfect running weather! I knew quite a few people either running in the 20K or the 5K but wasn't planning on running with anyone. I prepped for this race like most of my others, trying to get plenty of sleep getting up early to eat breakfast at my normal time etc. I am a mildly superstitious person and up until last Saturday's race I had worn the same socks and shoes in every race. (this is crazy I realize, however it was working, I was getting better times in each race and it somehow felt like a vital part of my race prep) However during this last month I had really felt like I was having a mental block preventing me from training wells on my runs. It was frustrating- even though I was running several times a week a felt like I was having zero improvement. I was mentally giving up and walking at distances I knew I could run. Finally the Wednesday before I had a good run, everything fell into place and I was running (say in forest gump voice). So Saturday I decided to wear exactly what had worked for me on Wednesday, down to the socks.<br />
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I got downtown with time to spare, I was little concerned about the parking situation because it was such a nice day I figured people would be downtown for the farmers market, and there was extra traffic to the Principal Golf Classic. When I got the the start area I immediately head for the porta potties, I was doing a great job of hydrating fyi. After a quick stop in the porta potties I flashed my ID to get my alcohol wrist band for after the race (clearly I had my priorities for post race refueling). I walked over to the finish line and was amazed to see a pretty steady stream of 20K runners finishing. They were killing it with times just over an hour I was also jealous because they were already grabbing a beer and kicking back. Before lining up I saw an old college friend who was racing alone, we chatted until line up and it definately helped me kill time and not get nervous pre race.<br />
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I lined up between the 10 min mile pacer sign and the 11 minute mile pacer. This race had 3000 runners so it was pretty crowded. I keep telling myself that I didn't need to get a PR (personal record), if I just finished it without walking it would be 100% fine. It is harder to improve your times in big crowds typically because there are so many people that you either need to weave between to pass or if they are so many that you can't pass they often control your pace for you. It was really difficult to hear the announcer but finally they started the National Anthem and soon we were off. One advantage of a bigger race is that timing chips are more accurate. I have run 5 races this year that were officially timed, however only 3 of those 5 had a mat you needed to cross to start your timing chip. In big races this can be critical, if you are in the middle of the pack like me you didn't even cross the start line until 1 minute after the race started. Some races just have your beginning time as the gun time, meaning everyone's timer starts at the same time regardless of when you cross the start line.<br />
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The first mile was pretty easy, the sun was high enough that I didn't have to squint and people seemed to be moving pretty quickly. Around 1/2 mile in I started to have to dodge people people that were stopping to walk. The course was actually pretty similar to the route Laura and I completed in the Red Flannel run so it was kind of nice to run by everything again but be warm this time. Once we make the turn in the east village I knew what was coming- a hill. Hills are not my friends, and based on the people I could see starting to walk it wasn't everyone else's either. But a managed to make it up the hill and turn in front of the capitol for the 1st water station, this was another mess, everyone stopping for water. I just keep going past the first couple of groups, a volunteer handed me my water and I kept right on running. The next 1/2 mile was awesome. It was downhill and I felt like I was really trucking. I hadn't really been looking at my watch to see my pace, because like I explained above I didn't think I had much of a shot getting a PR and didn't want to sike myself out by watching my pace to much.<br />
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Once I crossed the river again, I could start to really feel the wind, up until then I hadn't noticed any wind at all. I was starting to feel tired before the 2 mile mark but I just kept pushing. That is when people were lining the streets to cheer the runners on the where the 20K course and the 5K course met up. There was another water station and I felt good enough to make sure I thanked the volunteers who were cheering us on and giving us water. Things were going pretty well and I no longer had to dodge as many people, most of the walk/runners I had already passed and really the only people in front of me were runners. This is where I finally glanced at my watch and I was doing a pretty decent pace. Once I could see the 400 meter sign I knew I was doing well. Between the 400 meter sign and the 200 meter sign I saw a woman next to me stop to walk. I really wanted to say- honey you are so close to the end just keep going, but I didn't feel it was my place. I keep trucking, once I could see the race clock I really tried to kick it into gear I was close to having a personal record and really wanted to get it. I finished pretty strong and stopped my watch- according to my watch my finish time was 33:21 for just over 3.16 miles. I grabbed my water, powerade, bbq sandwich, banana, chocolate milk and beer. No for real these are just an assortment of things I picked up on my way to the beer. When I finally got to the beer the line was long and by the time I got it, it wasn't really what I wanted. I forced myself to drink most of a cup but it really wasn't sitting well so I ditched the rest. All that work and I didn't even finish my beer!<br />
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It took most of the day for the official race results to be posted, but it was worth it. I finished with an official chip time of 33:08 (which is a 10:40 a mile pace) and a new PR!!!! Comparison to 5 years ago when I completed this same race I finished with a time of 42:01 (which was a 13:31 mile pace).<br />
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I also finished 703 out of 1678 of the women and 127 out of 303 in my age division. Pretty please with these stats!<br />
<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-78943531651359311482013-05-28T19:16:00.002-05:002013-05-28T19:16:52.643-05:00Adventures in BabysittingI have had the extreme fortune of babysitting 3 very special children a couple of times in the last month. They are the best! Also they are full of dotable quoteables:<br />
<br />
Noelle: Are those your dancing shoes? (nude ballet flats)<br />
Me: No they are just my shoes<br />
Noelle: But you dance in them?<br />
Me: Yeah, I dance in just about anything<br />
Noelle: So they're you dancing shoes!<br />
<br />
Noelle: Stop talking to me<br />
Me: Well then stop talking to me...<br />
Noelle: Stop talking to me<br />
Me: Stop talking to me<br />
(and so on for like 5 minutes)<br />
<br />
Dallas had continued to watch Dukes of Hazard as the credits rolled because "I like to hear the song again"<br />
<br />
Dallas: Did you come to my birthday party?<br />
Me: Yes<br />
Dallas: Did I add you to the list for my birthday party?<br />
Me: I don't know are you going to invite me this year?<br />
Dallas: Ashley (another babysitter, who is a teenager) is on my list, I think I will add you to my list.<br />
<br />
Emily is beyond excited about her upcoming birthday just ask her about it.<br />
<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-63973584751305260582013-05-27T18:46:00.000-05:002013-05-27T18:46:35.656-05:00Photo Comparison 33 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I try not to make my whole blog out of weight loss, but it is clearly the most interesting thing about me right now, so it is either weight loss or running. Below is a picture I have up in my office, I look at it everyday and don't always notice the differences between this shot 8 month ago and now. But every once in a while my manger will come to see me or someone will visit glance at this photo and tell me I don't even look like this girl anymore. So I thought it would be worth doing a comparison photo post:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IEzjEqYQjD9EcbONlsWSFwydcXPPqImTHr2z7mB5arPBPRFcFOIY1JvpFRbEFFOmyIBfWrk8uts1eMvmtx9qRzYLgtNmNb_v3TVqn7589x9yIWrZpY8CcnTbmoBGCAHQDxW2jBlb0KM/s1600/emily+and+lynne+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IEzjEqYQjD9EcbONlsWSFwydcXPPqImTHr2z7mB5arPBPRFcFOIY1JvpFRbEFFOmyIBfWrk8uts1eMvmtx9qRzYLgtNmNb_v3TVqn7589x9yIWrZpY8CcnTbmoBGCAHQDxW2jBlb0KM/s320/emily+and+lynne+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Sept 30th 2012 only days after joining WW</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8mhKiWteiVGqg3WhC7dh7rGrX8oOtWyiDLhkgkqwV1J7It-YdTuLHkI4g0T1X8RrefBDOct2ZoHq9vNLrdwxwQe45NIBkpdHDniJngA_WDA3Avs9baqYtC87MuiOSQ_bUsfpTqit2kA/s1600/emily+and+lynne+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8mhKiWteiVGqg3WhC7dh7rGrX8oOtWyiDLhkgkqwV1J7It-YdTuLHkI4g0T1X8RrefBDOct2ZoHq9vNLrdwxwQe45NIBkpdHDniJngA_WDA3Avs9baqYtC87MuiOSQ_bUsfpTqit2kA/s320/emily+and+lynne+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually remember looking at these pictures thinking I looked pretty good in them...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitJkGt-qMHErsHvcfFCa545GkAl67SpMQoR1jKT9yjLwo-5KkxLUYvYiBxA-tEi2o_C705fH_a6PEayqO9jy3PZs1DErBkFv_Q0t8XElqmCDMGQ2eAxNXIfKLlLfanu2M_hRVepcP3vQ/s1600/spring+2013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitJkGt-qMHErsHvcfFCa545GkAl67SpMQoR1jKT9yjLwo-5KkxLUYvYiBxA-tEi2o_C705fH_a6PEayqO9jy3PZs1DErBkFv_Q0t8XElqmCDMGQ2eAxNXIfKLlLfanu2M_hRVepcP3vQ/s320/spring+2013+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 19, 2013, The angles are little different but, even so I think difference in shots is so noticeable.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR4qTRu8SZ42YleLLIntSp0zEbRRHJMt7mHS6R0VapESf4zksbzL6aWJnI3iUszweehklLfv5UwfIoM4WDnE1nPEQKxxk_1IS18ctxXtXcaRNhWwWdsNbtFmzYlnnQ5vhZNoDRYXiFns/s1600/spring+2013+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKR4qTRu8SZ42YleLLIntSp0zEbRRHJMt7mHS6R0VapESf4zksbzL6aWJnI3iUszweehklLfv5UwfIoM4WDnE1nPEQKxxk_1IS18ctxXtXcaRNhWwWdsNbtFmzYlnnQ5vhZNoDRYXiFns/s320/spring+2013+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although I have no neck in this pic, the angle is as close as I could find to my original shot with Emily from September.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu5Vpt8jc0zT_jP7BzkWoYxAICzWul_X3Mrsq38o_mBp4tMgBL9DxuE4zAeNdwoa4Zb7C_aEzcaONYC1meI39G8UN2uQ0_QaiLplp-jyRzqCZCwLtJLhIcIhpWG7z-AcnbnPKiTOxohA/s1600/spring+2013+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu5Vpt8jc0zT_jP7BzkWoYxAICzWul_X3Mrsq38o_mBp4tMgBL9DxuE4zAeNdwoa4Zb7C_aEzcaONYC1meI39G8UN2uQ0_QaiLplp-jyRzqCZCwLtJLhIcIhpWG7z-AcnbnPKiTOxohA/s320/spring+2013+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have a ton of full body shots pre loss, and not that this one is a true full body shot, but I think at what could be tricky/not flattering angle doesn't look to bad.</td></tr>
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Plus look how short I've gone with my hair!<br />
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Leave some love!Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-67561999375615986882013-05-27T18:14:00.000-05:002013-05-27T18:14:06.544-05:00The Fault In Our Stars; an emotional reviewToday I read an amazing book, a book that deserves to be praised with words that outshine mine, a book that has to be incredibly haunting to those with the misfortune of being touched by the subject matter, today I read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.<br />
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I have been hearing/seeing how amazing the book is for months, months upon months. And like most good readers, and likely children of former librarians I am the type of person who always has at least 3 or 4 good books in their possession that they somehow haven't managed to schedule in and read yet. Instead I often re-read old books or seek out entirely new ones.<br />
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Everything I had heard about this book before finally picking it up and starting it was praise. So much freaking heaping praise you couldn't believe. Barnes and Noble gives it it's on little section in the store. It has two versions available in hardback (yet not available in paperback), a regular version and whatever the silver looking lining means about the deluxe version means. But anyway back to the praise, so much praise. On twitter, yes this is where late twenty somethings get everything from the news to book/movie recommendations from complete strangers who feel like friends, I follow a couple of writers whose books I love and other people in general whose lives I envy, and they are all like THE FAULT IN OUR STARS the best book of 2012, the best book ever, the BEST! And spoiler alert it's a tearjerker. It's a box of Kleenex as your constant companion tearjerker. No one ever once tried to hide the tearjerker nature of the novel from me, or as far as I can tell from the internet from anyone. Oh no those total strangers won't steer you wrong. The book also doesn't pull any punches, for the record the book jacket spells it out pretty clearly. "Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal,"<br />
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Ok so going into it you know the miracle has been used up and you are in for the beautiful sadness that remains. I devoured this book, probably the fastest I read 317 pages in a long time. I also decided to read a book that I was well, well aware was a tearjerker on my patio/balcony for all my neighbors to see. I'm not always the smartest girl in the world but I somehow couldn't resist the afternoon sun and so instead I decided to introduce myself to the neighbors by quietly sobbing for 3 hours on my balcony. At least I can hope they don't think I'm crazy and I am just really moved by Memorial Day.<br />
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I'm not going to spoil it for you. Really this book is too good to spoil. You need to read it, you need to feel like, you need to quietly sob on your metaphorical balcony. And spoiler alert unless you heart is made entirely of stone you are going to cry, probably sob. And yet you will love it and keep on reading until the end, the very very end.<br />
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P.S. This is actually classified as young adult novel. I read of lot of young adult novels, not because I long to be a teenager again. Like gag me with a spoon if I had to go through that again, but simply after a certain grade reading level good books aren't classified by how much education you need to have achieved to understand it but rather by its subject matter. And I can say without a doubt I have read so many young adult novels that outshine "adult" novels in every way imaginable.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-7733401692347506792013-05-23T18:48:00.000-05:002013-05-23T18:48:28.873-05:00Charley turns 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-20788269335624926272013-05-03T21:51:00.000-05:002013-05-03T21:51:04.317-05:00Another milestone for the books...Back in March when I signed up for the Klompen Classic I imagined the weather for May 1st-3rd was going to be amazing and gorgeous in the high 60's to 70's sunny and amazing. Much like the weather last weekend. What did I end up with? SNOW, it's freaking May Iowa, why is it still snowing? Has anyone seen the internet memes that picture and a copy machine saying something super crazy and it is like: <a href="http://www.owned.com/Go-home-copy-machine-you-re-drunk/">Go Home copy machine, you are</a><a href="http://www.owned.com/Go-home-copy-machine-you-re-drunk/"> drunk</a>. That is exactly what I want to say to the Spring. Go Home Spring, you're drunk.<br />
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Anyway back to the original point, when I signed up for this race, I also took the next two days off work planning on attending Tulip Time in all the amazing weather we were to be having. Except, we didn't, have amazing weather I mean. I have seen tulip time before so I just skipped the whole thing and drove home Thursday morning. Thursday's are normally my weigh in days for weight watchers but because I weigh in at work, and I wasn't at work I decided to give myself one more day to recover from the Taco Johns I felt I had earned after my race. Really I did earn it and I think between my daily points and activity points I stayed within my allotment. But it was a lot more sodium than I try to intake prior to weigh in so I wanted to give my body another day to recover. Instead I picked out the earliest meeting available on Friday, morning meetings are the best because it is similar to when my normal weigh in is, and I don't necessary have to eat prior=better weigh in. I had attending this particular meeting before, in December right after I had moved and once again had missed my normal weigh in do to vacation. Ironically enough it snowed on that day too.<br />
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This meeting was totally unlike my usual meetings, I showed up about 10 minutes early and the line for weigh in was almost to the door. This meeting was hopping. Weigh in went well, I lost 1.2 pounds- for a total of 65.2 pounds. Shut the front door! 65.2, that is 260 sticks of butter y'all. They asked if I wanted to stay and celebrate and I said yes. It was great hearing from different people about their success and struggles. And I was so, so pleased to share my celebration with the group. It might have been because no one knew me, or because the leader made such a big deal, but I could not stop smiling, I was so proud of the that 65.2 pounds. Plus the applause is amazing for the ego. When you are in the middle of it, it is easy to lose sight oh how amazing that loss is, but this group made me really feel how awesome it truly was. After the meeting several people stopped me to congratulate me personally and ask me how long I had been on WW. It was great. We have a pretty small core at work group, which I like, I feel like I really can get to know others, but I worry sometimes that I contribute to much. I have never been a person who can handle awkward silences, when our leader asks questions I feel like I have to speak up and rescue her so we aren't just sitting in silence for 30 minutes. It was a nice change of pace to just be able to sit back and enjoy what everyone else was saying.<br />
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My experience was very uplifting today. Happy Friday y'all!Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-28224661807692119162013-05-02T21:35:00.000-05:002013-05-02T21:35:19.625-05:00What a difference 5 years make... Klompen Classic ReduxFive years ago I completed my first ever 5K race the 15th annual Klompen Classic and finished with an official time of 44:16.<br />
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Last night I completed my fifth 5K of the year the 20th annual Klompen Classic and finished with an official time of 34:10.<br />
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I took over 10 minutes off my time! Also I improved my PR by 11 seconds. For the 2nd race in a row I ran the whole thing, the whole freaking thing! I didn't set out planning to try to improve my race time, I just wanted to finish it. With only 5 days between races I wasn't sure how well last night would go, plus the conditions from last night where vastly less ideal. The temp just keep dropping and the wind, man that wind. There were parts of the race where I almost bent all the way over to get through it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsey and I pre-race, we are cold. Mom said I had too much teeth.</td></tr>
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This was probably the biggest race I have run so far this year. Over 2400 participants. Because I used to live in Pella I was familiar with the route and already knew it was a pretty flat easy course- just how I like them! This was also the first race this year that had people line up based on their expected pace. This is something bigger races tend to do to avoid having to many walkers or slower paced runners in front of the serious runners. Lots of people where lined up which was nice because we were finally able to share some body heat. There was one runner in front of me who I didn't end up liking very much, I had lined up in front of the 11 min pace. He turned to look at the pace and moved up scoffing that you can walk an 11 minute mile. I assure you mister, it is hard to walk an 11 minute mile. But haters gonna hate. <div>
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We finally got going just after 7 p.m. the course was pretty packed for the first 1/2 mile, Chelsey was really concerned about the amount of people and the possibility of tripping over others. It was hard to get a pace going at first and I kept looking at my watch trying to settle in, usually I go to fast in the beginning but this time I found I was going to slow, so after a first 1/2 mile I started to push it a little more and passed some people. Lots of citizens of Pella where bundled up and out to cheer us on. It was really nice to see the signs and to have people cheering, even if it wasn't exactly for me. </div>
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I passed the 1 mile marker with no issues, I was feeling pretty good and getting warm finally from the running, the first water station was just a little pass the mile marker, this time it was much smoother than my last experience I didn't have to grab it off a table because the volunteers were handing them out, and there were stations later to throw the cups, I only had to do a little dodging of people in the crowd. Most of the next mile was on brick streets. Brick is a little tricky to run on because it doesn't settle well, and I was concerned about twisting an ankle, on the new brick I was sticking to the side/curb where their was real pavement, but as we progressed that wasn't always there and the street was slopping. This was probably also the easiest mile weather wise, the wind was finally at my back. </div>
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The second water station was not well planned out, people were actually having to wait to have people pour water in cups, although thirsty it wasn't coming close to being worth the wait. So I kept on trucking. </div>
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The last mile was awesome and brutal. My legs and lungs were doing so well, but we had to turn back into the wind, when you are already tired from the race it sucks to be almost doubled over by the wind, it tends to sap the energy level, also we had passed by pizza ranch and the smell of food was both enticing and awful. After the 3 mile marker (which I was surprised to see- lots of races don't mark it because you are so close to the finish line) I tried to push what I had left, I couldn't see the finish line official time, but my watch said I was really close to getting a PR. This is also when a pack of teenagers started surging out of no where, some people where keeping pace but once I could see the clock at the finish line I knew I could get a PR so I started to sprint, I crossed at 34:10 I had taken 11 seconds off my time from Saturday. I heard but did not see my Mom and Dan.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me crossing the finish line, not a beautiful shot but its my action photo.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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After I crossed a said hi to Mom and Dan and grabbed water, banana and an Apple and settled in to wait for Chelsey to cross.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsey at the finish line- she was cold and didn't love the music selection I provided for her.</td></tr>
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Chelsey didn't have a working ipod so I brought her my old shuffle, I am able to charge it but no longer update the music on it, so it stuck as an awful reminder of my music tastes from 5 years ago. Needless to say Chelsey thought they sucked, to slow.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsey and I post race, I think we are warmer here than in the first pic</td></tr>
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<br />It was a fun race and I am super excited I was able to improve my time again. Thanks for all the supporters but especially to my Mom and Dan who braved the cold to watch.</div>
Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-30114729150002033172013-04-27T22:13:00.001-05:002013-04-27T22:14:17.855-05:00Live United 5KToday I completed my second 5K of April: The 2013 United Way of Mahaska County Live United 5K<br />
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Spoiler Alert! New PR (personal record) I finished with an official chip time of 34:21! That is 1 minute and 25 seconds better than the Gene Van Wyk Memorial race (my last officially timed event)!!!!<br />
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Oh wait did I forget the best, absolutely freaking best part? Yeah I totally ran the WHOLE time, that is right folks, I am a runner, and I proved that by running consistently for 3.1 straight miles.<br />
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Once again I am love LOVE loving my GPS watch. Here I will breakdown my race a little more. The race started inside the William Penn athletic center, it is half basketball courts half football field, we lined up right before the turf started and ran to the exit of the building to enter the race course. This caused some minor complications, one being that there was no true way to figure out the starting point, and the organizers didn't do a great job of ensuring the serious runners were in the front and walkers in the back. I knew I needed to start in front of the stroller crew, but I tend to push to hard the first mile when I am hanging with the runners. Other issue is that my GPS watch was not getting any type of signal inside the building. ICK- I knew I needed it to be working to properly pace myself, and once it locked on signal I needed to push the start button so I could track my run, not something I was looking forward to doing mid stride. However it ended up working out pretty well. GPS signal locked on almost as soon as I exited the building and I was able to push start right away. I keep checking the watch for my pace throughout the first quarter mile and had to keep telling myself to slow down. I started close 6.3 miles per hour (less than 10 minute mile), I had only been comfortably training at 5.2 miles per hour. Once my stride finally evened out I ended up doing about 5.4 miles per hour (about an 11:06 minute mile) The miles were marked which honestly I think is so awesome at every race, sometimes I just need to focus on something to pass. However the first mile marker came up way to soon, my watch was telling me I had only gone .85 of a mile and the timer at the mark said I had done an 8:46 mile (which I would kill for) I knew he had to be in the wrong place. After the race I confirmed this with a couple of other runners who also mentioned it couldn't have been in the right spot.<br />
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The second mile included a detour to the stadium and a loop on the track, it was kind of nice to run on good track for a bit, especially because the next section of the race was on gravel. (Why do I keep picking races with gravel? Why do races in perfectly nice sized towns include gravel sections?) When I was exiting the track and starting on the gravel section, Chelsey, Amanda and both the boys were just coming off the bike trail and starting to turn toward the stadium so I was able to get a high five and wave from Charley. I ended up going a little slower on mile two, I had slowed to my training pace of 5.2 but it was really the only section of the race that was all flat. There was a water station right before the 2nd mile mark, I had been debating on weather I was going to stop and drink, run and drink, or walk and drink. I really didn't want to walk- it had been my goal for either this or the next race on Wednesday to run the whole thing. Have you ever tried to run and drink? It's rough I have done it in races before and they usually place a trash can just a couple paces past the water station. This wasn't the case and I didn't feel great about littering because there weren't really any cups already on the ground. So either the workers were doing a great job picking up, or everyone else was throwing them away while still at the table. That is what I attempted- I gulped what I could and dropped the cup, however this got me run into be a stroller, that runner had decided to keep going. With really no harm done to either of us we kept trucking. (Can I say an aside to all the parents out there who can put in a pretty fierce jog with a running stroller? You rock- I have no idea how you do it but you do). And also there is no motivation like getting passed by a stroller. Almost right after the water station was the 2 mile mark, at this point I had run farther in a race than I ever had before and it was getting hot, and my mind was like let's walk. But I told my mind to shut it. I just keep saying, I'm a runner, I'm a runner, I'm a runner. I started to barter with myself, you have to make it to the next street, you have to make it to the next volunteer blocking that road, you have to make it to the start of the bike trail. It worked I keep going, and I had picked up my pace a little as well. By the time I made it back to the bike trail I could see the W.P. building and knew I had to keep going, I just a little advantage of some slightly down hill portions of the trail and tried to continue to lengthen my stride and take advantage of the downhill momentum. My watch keep telling me it was working. When I was finally approaching the end of the bike trail you have a pretty steep hill you need to get up before entering the parking lots before the finish line. normally this is where I would have liked to start pushing it (with less than a 1/4 mile to go). But the hill wipe me out a bit, I kept like 5.7 clip up the hill but found it hard to really push the rest of the way. Also this is where the photographers were camped (someone look for my on Osky's website I'm sure I will be famous). With maybe only 200 feet left I got super dry mouth and wanted nothing more than water, couldn't have happened at a worse time, no one wants to look like they are dry heaving at the finish line. I swallowed some spit and tried to kick it into gear. The clock time was showing 34:?? As I passed so I knew right away I had beat my previous time.<br />
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When I later looked up my officially time it was 34:21 (YAY!) and I was 9th in my age division. Let me tell you my aged division always sucks, it is either 25-29 or 20-29 like the case was today. There are always real runners who do 5K's every weekend and run marathons in my division. So I top 10 finish might be the best I ever get- honestly it isn't going to get much easier when I finally move up to the 30-35 divisions. I was, and am still pretty happy with my 9th place finish, but later when I checked there were only 12 participants in my age group, and out of them I was the slowest of the runners in my age group, the next best time after me finished 21 minutes after me. But on the bright side- 1) I finished, 2) It was a PR 3) I ran the whole thing 4) it is still a top 9 finish 5) I was only 45 seconds from being 8th.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-38455906312489077772013-04-24T20:33:00.001-05:002013-04-24T20:38:27.694-05:00Clearly my blogging skills are lacking.Sometimes when I am doing something else, like driving or at the grocery store, I compose these amazingly witty and clever blog posts. They are naturally filled with informative updates and good humor. The type of updates I get to read on everyone else's blogs. Unfortunately nine times out of ten my follow through is lacking, and somewhere between the cashier's station and my laptop all of my clever turn of phrases and wit goes out the window. I have come to the sad conclusion that if I want to remedy this situation I need to either bring a tape recorder with me everywhere (and stop caring what strangers think) or actually sit down and dedicate some time to the process.<br />
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Sadly, today readers, you might just have to settle for what I can produce.<br />
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As I am just getting into running, and as always by running I am completely referring to me jogging. I don't exactly understand when it turns into to running but I am pretty sure you need to be much closer to a 10 minute mile to even venture out on the running tree. I have been trying to at least complete one 5K a month. I have been pretty successful thus far, and actually am getting to the point where I enjoy running vs. just tolerating it as an free exercise that helps me get in shape. Shock of all shocks I might be experiencing the mythical runners high. Because I don't tend to do anything half way I have been reading up and researching a lot about other runners. Some of the blogs I follow have people who have also been completing 5K's or starting the C25K program (couch to 5K), a few were farther down the road than I and had been talking about after the first 1.5 miles things just get easier, you find your stride, you push through a wall and BAM you are a runner. Last month I would have flat out told you these people are crazy, delusional and well frankly not like me. But a month ago I had never run a mile without stopping to walk. April 16th, 2013 just about 26 hours after that tragic Boston Marathon bombings* I jogged, granted at an extremely slow pace, 3.1 miles without stopping. It wasn't even hard. That is the crazy part that I can't quite wrap my mind around, I think if I didn't eventually need to leave the gym I could have kept going, and going. And like that BAM I was a runner.<br />
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Since last September when I started to be active again and losing weight I knew that if I truly wanted to see some changes I was going to have to start smartly investing in myself. That included my WW monthly fees, investing in workout items, purchasing 5K entries and beyond. The beyond for me recently has been a GPS enabled watch, it uses GPS to track my distance and show my current average pace. I researched and asked around, I didn't need a fancy $300.00 dollar watch, I didn't even truly care about the distance part, I just wanted something that could show me my pace per mile in real time. I settled on the Timex Marathon series, and let me tell you, I LOVE it. LOVE. L.O.V.E, love it. It does exactly what I need it to and no more. Plus I picked it up for a budget friendly $78.00, a majority of it was paid for with gift card from Christmas (Thank you Dad and Barb). The next needed purchase will be a new pair of running shoes. I haven't been professionally fitted in shoes since at least high school, and just this morning I saw a news story about how losing or gaining weight can effect your shoe size and a proper fit. Plus I have probably only read about a hundred articles about how an improperly fitted shoe can cause injury. Within the next 7 days I have two 5K's scheduled, after that the plan is to head to Kyle's Bike Shop, at this store they will watch your running stride and properly fit you in shoes. The investment in myself will definitely pay off!<br />
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*In a world so large, it is sometimes truly humbling to think about how connected everyone really is. One of my college friends ran the Boston Marathon last Monday. They had tweeted and posted on facebook the whole weekend prior about picking up his packet and how you could follow his race progress through various websites and apps. Luckily for him and all of our mutual friends he finished at least an hour and half prior to the bombings and was safely back at his hotel. He was also fortunate to be able to change his travel plans, he left Boston in a rental car Monday night and later took his flight out of DC<br />
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-35218422719092530542013-04-16T20:51:00.000-05:002013-06-04T21:48:30.521-05:002013 Aids Walk/Run (A Step Closer)4/13/13 2013 Aids walk/run (Des Moines) unofficial time 36:43<br />
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It wasn't a timed event so I can't be 100% sure when I really clocked in, I wasn't at the front of the pack so probably crossed the starting line 30/45 seconds into the race. This is about a minute longer than my last race however since it wasn't officially timed and also amazing and completely hilly I am 100% ok with the results. Like all the hills that ever have existed in Des Moines ever were on this route. No really. All the Hills ever. EVER.<br />
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Other victories include- ran the 1st mile plus some without stopping. Now I am can consistently do this, even with a giant hill dragging me down. Go me! My friend Brandi and I completed the race together, I think we paced each other really well we were able to push each other to keep running and not give up.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-7374002876649362172013-04-16T20:43:00.000-05:002013-04-16T20:43:10.785-05:00Picture Updates<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrWJln5RNP4LAknpkBThKjnzfJkM6Qkk3kfBM4d2OwvOZa0b_kxhmahxt1T5KUVcFLMtpIljVDbg-T6leosE8YLSSlr221qW8JNY9zmdRoCxNkdBDBAaQE5Wne4lAJYw90lVQ2uhHqno/s1600/april+2013+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrWJln5RNP4LAknpkBThKjnzfJkM6Qkk3kfBM4d2OwvOZa0b_kxhmahxt1T5KUVcFLMtpIljVDbg-T6leosE8YLSSlr221qW8JNY9zmdRoCxNkdBDBAaQE5Wne4lAJYw90lVQ2uhHqno/s320/april+2013+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing new dress from White House/Black Market it is in my closet awaiting the perfect occasion to wear it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-VCdhhyDr_wSWFVUIhMg0XjRg5MEfFPNwIeeD77xnT5mdERjZOLr_TDZ7feuudHZrpVeFaxPYjxgiMssIlJFBO0Qg4TQgmA0QTVVMkxLOiGsVswC42N6BYR3VyRMBrDF-P3xksteD5A/s1600/april+2013+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-VCdhhyDr_wSWFVUIhMg0XjRg5MEfFPNwIeeD77xnT5mdERjZOLr_TDZ7feuudHZrpVeFaxPYjxgiMssIlJFBO0Qg4TQgmA0QTVVMkxLOiGsVswC42N6BYR3VyRMBrDF-P3xksteD5A/s320/april+2013+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was an unplanned photo shoot so ignore that I am not wearing any makeup</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work option- to much or not enough? I have also worn with blue cardigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rodeo outfit- can't wait for Saturday night!</td></tr>
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Someone told me I looked like a had lost a lot of weight at work today. Since I am not above flattery I was naturally pleased and also thought I should take some picture updates. This was just me working with the self timer on my camera, but I think I was able to get some good full body shots for comparison! What a difference 6 plus months makes.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-74321580435121561072013-04-02T21:21:00.000-05:002013-04-02T21:21:22.264-05:00It's working and also all I ever talk about...I realize that all of my posts lately have been boring updates about me losing weight. But deal with it, its a big deal and you get to hear all about it. I am excited to announce I have lost (never ever to find again) 55.6 pounds. Last Thursday was also my six month anniversary with WW. I am super pleased with my progress. I also feel like I have learned so much about eating better and listening to my body when it comes to hunger.<br />
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Running updates:<br />
Red Flannel Run 2/16/13: 38.06<br />
Gene Van Wyk Memorial Run 3/30/13: 35.46<br />
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I cut over 2 minutes off my time! It rained the entire time, especially hard at both the beginning and the end. I know I had improved some but I was very pleased with how much faster I went. Not all of the events I have signed up for are timed, but I still hope that over the next few months I will continue to be able to get faster and faster. I also was able to run the first 1.25 miles without walking. For some that might not be such a big deal, but it is the first time I can ever remember doing that. With me I think of lot of what stops me is mental. Fortunately I seem to respond really well to goals. And before this race I checked out the course map and knew approximately where the one mile mark was (it also happened to be labeled on the course). This time I just told myself I wasn't stopping before I jogged past that one mile mark. I just kept going and it worked! I am going to continue to push myself to run further and further each time until I can eventually run the whole time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre Race (my hair actually looks cute)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing it at the finish line (one of the reasons I know I can push myself more is that I also have the energy left to sprint to the finish)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post race. The rain completely destroyed my look, but it felt so good to have an improved finish.</td></tr>
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<br />Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-39867380884678678432013-03-27T21:00:00.000-05:002013-03-27T21:00:10.716-05:00Signed UpFebruary: Red Flannel Run (Des Moines) 2/16/13<br />
March: Gene Van Wyk Memorial 5k (Pella) 3/30/13<br />
April: Aids Walk/Run (Des Moines) 4/13/13<br />
May: Klompen Classic (Pella) 5/1/13<br />
June: Dam to Dam 5k (Des Moines) 6/1/13<br />
July: Color Run (Des Moines) 7/13/13<br />
August: Run for Reading 5k (Clarence) 8/3/13<br />
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Above is the list of 5k's I am planning on running this summer. Let me know if you are interested in joining in!Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-30077851795687012952013-03-14T17:43:00.004-05:002013-06-04T21:49:04.181-05:00Run, Run, RunningOne of my goals this year is to run a 5k every month (every month were there are actual races available). I completed the red flannel run in February and now I am officially signed up for races through April. I currently have openings in May and June but have two possibly picked out for those months, I just signed up for another in July, and I hear there is one in August that a bunch of my family will be at.<br />
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Anyone want to run with me? I have signed up for the Gene Van Wyk Memorial run in Pella on 3/30/13 (I figured it was a good excuse to go home for Easter). And the Aids run/walk in Des Moines for 4/13/13.<br />
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I am thinking about doing the Klompen Classic, and Dam to Dam 5k in May and June, anyone interested? Let me know!Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-84194260397303557622013-03-13T19:40:00.000-05:002013-03-24T08:10:41.337-05:00And another one bites the dustI was wearing a pair of dress pants that back in October fit, but just barely, and today they just looked a bit odd. All baggy in the legs and saggy in the butt. Not that I have an amazing butt or anything but usually in well fitting pants. my butt looks pretty good. Today it was lackluster. So I have decided to retire them to the goodwill pile. Luckily for me Younkers is having a goodwill sale right now, and I have a whole bag of clothes and shoes that no longer fit and need new homes. So is anyone going to need a Younkers Coupon? I imagine I will be in the possession of several by the weekend. Another weird side effect of losing weight? None of my shoes fit anymore. I used to love to wear ballet flats to work, they were simple to slip on, and never uncomfortable, now I walk right out of them. Like all of them. That was at least half of my shoes. I didn't think my feet were fat until I started to lose weight. Turns out I am between a size 8 and 8 1/2, but had been routinely buying 9's or 9 1/2's since high school. I am down to like 3 pairs of dress shoes which are all heels, which luckily due to weight loss are now comfortable to wear all day long.<br />
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Today I also had my bio-metric screening. My news wasn't great, but because of WW i already knew my stats and that I need to lose weight. Most of my other results were right in the normal range, however my good cholesterol is lower than they like and my blood pressure was just slightly higher than they would like. Hopefully next year when I get it completed again I will be in the normal ranges for everything.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739666834379846458.post-11486614245550607862013-03-10T20:36:00.000-05:002013-03-10T20:48:12.661-05:00Picture Updates<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yxK7JrTjAx3cUbBLK7TeX5nJmyBF7MeOQvHBWwNoKXGHp6pywh2nyfPrg_eWIy7JWA8HRw5L4SufBJtjqv-DFdIEd6LwinvturU51k5xRdge_sng2fouv4xJ17LS3d9nMEkyqj_2zMY/s1600/100_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yxK7JrTjAx3cUbBLK7TeX5nJmyBF7MeOQvHBWwNoKXGHp6pywh2nyfPrg_eWIy7JWA8HRw5L4SufBJtjqv-DFdIEd6LwinvturU51k5xRdge_sng2fouv4xJ17LS3d9nMEkyqj_2zMY/s320/100_0610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on my California vacation (11/2012)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEH3AeAWE3_rKufsWVqza2Wyl7B5vcJ4qBtWomzjxvNSpsABU5k0pV4UzQodONuUxt_yThj-tJwX4PqB4NW9Tn2tUTbXvoJaUcSiyQBu5wItlJ4eayRMzqLXo3iw_1rM-BGFAMdMDFsA/s1600/100_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEH3AeAWE3_rKufsWVqza2Wyl7B5vcJ4qBtWomzjxvNSpsABU5k0pV4UzQodONuUxt_yThj-tJwX4PqB4NW9Tn2tUTbXvoJaUcSiyQBu5wItlJ4eayRMzqLXo3iw_1rM-BGFAMdMDFsA/s320/100_0653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Springs again (11/2012)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn29Imq-YN73nVbL4uaHnIDOFzoUPt3haVLYkvERUqmTfIfIJi-DyfyrNbQ0YVV8aIq5yJPA5qn6uIcK6lm7qBhjQuWZ59qOQ1lyZRJyKFFJPCU4eDB61z9yC4xPRGlCn_aSbP1GFNm8/s1600/100_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn29Imq-YN73nVbL4uaHnIDOFzoUPt3haVLYkvERUqmTfIfIJi-DyfyrNbQ0YVV8aIq5yJPA5qn6uIcK6lm7qBhjQuWZ59qOQ1lyZRJyKFFJPCU4eDB61z9yC4xPRGlCn_aSbP1GFNm8/s320/100_0928.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des Moines 3/8/13</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXL16AtdzSt_IMn0eZ1xRJzzLWku6wVsmSvQW2Y2GuG0NAOBMpW0Lbi81OXe6mzJ9QMReqHd0_8uCf_SOZ71i36_-p_0UfdqshJYz8LCGEfUyFyTyee7XSQpNIJ8WloX9uCLoTDsFc0s/s1600/100_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXL16AtdzSt_IMn0eZ1xRJzzLWku6wVsmSvQW2Y2GuG0NAOBMpW0Lbi81OXe6mzJ9QMReqHd0_8uCf_SOZ71i36_-p_0UfdqshJYz8LCGEfUyFyTyee7XSQpNIJ8WloX9uCLoTDsFc0s/s320/100_0929.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Emily and I with Sue (3/8/13)</td></tr>
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I tried to pick pictures where I was doing roughly the same pose and you had about the same amount of body in them. There is just a little less than 40 pounds difference between the November 2012 and March 2013 shots. For clothes comparisons the pants are 4 sizes different the the t-shirt is down a size.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTSWvLEbMQg1JQyknVP6g0Cj1XpH7lTap_ztS928ZSFodEQlRBqzyD6RrTED8BgymvjxAzo7xL4-mie04sDV8MGS_0fHliKCidUlDYSUTQd0Il6FcWPpPohAD4BJ6myz4WA-V6CQjMX8/s1600/100_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTSWvLEbMQg1JQyknVP6g0Cj1XpH7lTap_ztS928ZSFodEQlRBqzyD6RrTED8BgymvjxAzo7xL4-mie04sDV8MGS_0fHliKCidUlDYSUTQd0Il6FcWPpPohAD4BJ6myz4WA-V6CQjMX8/s320/100_0934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In another type of victory that I am equally proud of Here is a comparison picture of my jeans pre weight loss to now. The bottom are the pair I was wearing in my California pictures the top are the exact same style that I bought this weekend, they are.... wait for it.... 5 sizes smaller than the bottom pair! The bottom pair are my lone pair of large pants. I plan for them to be my picture pants, you know the ones you use to show how much you've lost.Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00665900260299842361noreply@blogger.com0