I Did It!!

I set a goal at the beginning of the year to run a half marathon. I did it this weekend, it was great. I was worried because I had not slept well the entire week (I think 1 hour of sleep the night before.) We had a beautiful day and it was awesome to run with my step sister. We ran the whole time, except to get a drink and a potty break after mile 7. We completed the course in 2:15:55. I was shocked, because I really didn't think I would be able to do it in under 2:30. This is what I learned from this experience:

I can do hard things. I got up several mornings at 4:30, after nursing a baby a few times too, and ran a long run. It was tough, but I felt so good after those runs, like I could do anything.

If I can discipline myself to get up THAT early and run for THAT long, then surely I can have some self control over my eating.

It is really 90% mental.

I didn't use any music or any MP3 player the entire time I trained. Those early morning runs were a time of self-reflection and meditation. I really got a lot of answers to prayers during those times.

Running with someone makes the journey so much easier. Molly was an awesome running partner. We talked about our lives, growing up, etc. It was almost like therapy. When we had the steepest hill, she encouraged me to keep digging in. This hill was seriously a killer.

It was a great experience and I will probably do another one in another year or two. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

Lighter Yellow Cake (with pumpkin snuck in)

I am wanting cake today. So, trying to stay under my calorie count for the day, I am making a lighter cake, and sneaking veggies into my kiddos (I really have a problem with that). So - here it is. I found this new recipe for icing that I LOVE, and it has less sugar than regular frosting. Click here for the frosting. I seriously could eat it all day. It says to whip the butter and sugar together until sugar isn't grainy anymore - it takes a little while - but SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it. Actually, the granules never really melted into the butter until I added to mixture that you cook. (I got my stand up mixer out for this one, whipped the butter and sugar for over 5 min. It looked like whipped cream.) Enjoy!!!

Yellow cake mix
Water (whatever the box calls for)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (You could probably use more, I only had 1/2 cup in my fridge from sneaking it into cheesecake. You also could use pureed squash or sweet potato.)
6 egg whites
1 Tablespoon canola oil

Mix together, bake according to box instructions. Makes 12 servings at 197 calories a piece (without the frosting).