5 miles

Hello all!  So last week I made the official announcement about becoming a "Local Joe."  I feel like since then I have just gotten this extra burst of energy to keep pushing myself with.  I honestly feel like its probably all in my head but hey...I'll take what I can get....mind over matter right?  Well this last week I did something that I never thought that I would be able to do in my life....I ran 5 miles!  WHAT?!  LONGEST DISTANCE EVER!!!.....for me.  :)  I know all you "runners" out there are laughing a little bit at me because you are thinking to yourself "pshh....that's just my warm up," but I am totally ok with that.  I love when you accomplish something that you never imagined being able to accomplish.  I am starting to officially get excited about how far I'm going to be able to push myself with the Start2Finish program.  It has hit me that I got picked as a Local Joe, it has hit me that I will be training for a half marathon, but it has NOT hit me yet that I will actually be running 13.1 miles!!!!  But it will happen!  For now, one day at a time.

Now for the exciting news!!!  I leave for Nashville in 2 WEEKS!!!  I can't believe it's been a year since I got the tickets to the CMA Music Festival!  But that year has come and gone and in two weeks I will be on a plane to start my vacation!  And boy am I ready!  If I can get through these next two weeks with no tears it will be a win!  Life has been so busy and I'm ready for it to calm down.  However, I feel like every time I say that, it just gets busier.  But hey....it's good for me right?  I hope? ...... 

This Friday I get to go back home to my parents' and celebrate my Dad's retirement.  As it gets closer and closer I realize how big of a deal this is!  My dad is not even 60 yet and is retired!  He spent 38 years with the same company.   Though the names of that company may have changed, my dad remained. He had less jobs in his entire life than I had when I was 21. And let me tell you, he set an incredible example for my brother and I.  My dad has taught me soooo much in so many areas, but especially in work ethic.  I really don't remember my dad calling in sick very much to work when I was a kid.  He went to work and he worked hard.  He didn't come home and complain about work.  He did his job and he did it well.  So I am very proud of him to be able to retire at the age he did.  But is he done working?  Nope....he is continuing to work and provide for not only his family, but for various other families that he and my mom love and care about.  I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am for the father that I have and the example that he has been to me.  I hope that if I get married, my husband will have the qualities that my dad has.  

Anyways....time to get off.  I hope you all have a great rest of the week!  Follow the hashtags at the bottom on twitter, facebook, and instagram to meet some of the other Local Joes.

#PFM14
#PFMJoes

Ps....don't worry, I will be posting weight and inch progress in the very near future!