Phoenix-Day 1

So here we are. The end of 5 months of training and fundraising. The end of giving up my Saturday mornings, and forcing myself to run on cold, windy, and even rainy days. The culmination of all our hard work.

Could someone please explain to me how I can make my body run 13.1 miles but am hyper-ventilating at the thought of getting on a plane? We've discussed before how much I hate to fly.

I thought I'd be fine since I'd have so many friends there I wouldn't get nervous.

I was wrong. It did make me calm down sooner then normal though.

Taking pictures out the window did help me but when I noticed the snow on the window, I hoped the pilot had his windshield wipers on!
Before I knew it we were flying into Phoenix.
I found out later that where the arrow is pointing is our hotel!

After finding baggage claim
we followed the sweet people with the 'TNT' signs outside to a charter bus just for us.

We waited patiently for the two poor men who had to stow all our luggage underneath,
loaded up,

and headed to our hotel.

Two sure signs that you're in Phoenix??

Cactus...
and girls trying to tan their legs in the front of the bus.

After checking in and unpacking we headed to the expo to pick up our race numbers, t-shirts, and do a little shopping.

I found several things that got me laughing.

Runners certainly have a sense of humor, don't they? Maybe that's why I've always been funny. I'm just born to be a runner. Insert hysterical laughter here. It's okay, I can take it.

Since part of the reason we were doing all of this was for Tracy's birthday 40th birthday present there was a surprise party planned. It was at a Mexican restaurant walking distance from our hotel. I packed up my crackers and Power Bar (since I can't eat Mexican) and headed out.

Let's just say she was surprised:) VERY surprised. Presents and cake rounded out the evening.
So ended Day 1. I promise that they will get more exciting as they go along. Just hang with me!

Running Playlist

Since I couldn't take my big honking camera on the race course with me I bought a disposable one. But as soon as I got back to the hotel I put it away and kind of forgot about it. I still have 9 pictures on there that I need to take before I can turn it in!

Soooo...until those pictures are developed....I'm making you all wait for race posts. I'm so mean:)

I asked my friends and family for a song to add to my running playlist that would help me and bring them to my mind while I was running. I was amazed at the diversity of choices! I heard so many of them and it helped me make it to that finish line.

Some of you have asked what they were so get ready...here they come!

1985-Bowling For Soup
All The Small Things-Blink-182
Addicted-Saving Abel
Alone-Heart
Animals-Nickelback (my song from Shawn:)
Before He Cheats-Carrie Underwood (just cracks me up)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams-Green Day
Breathe Into Me-Red
By Your Side-Tenth Avenue North
Crazy Beautiful-Chasen
Defying Gravity-Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel (I just love Wicked music!)
Dude Looks Like A Lady-Aerosmith
Don't Cha-Pussycat Dolls
Feels Like Tonight-Daughtry
First Time-Lifehouse
For Good-Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel (McKinley's drama class sang this, very touching)
Friend Like That-Hawk Nelson
Girlfriend-Avril Lavigne (this song has been with me the longest, I love it!)
Got Money-Lil' Wayne (from my 18 year old possible prom date friend, Zach)
Gotta Be Somebody-Nickelback
Harder to Breathe-Maroon 5
Here-Rascal Flatts
Home-Daughtry
Hope for the Hopeless-A Fine Frenzy (from my sweet 16 year old friend Ashley-very fitting for LLS)
Hot N Cold-Katy Perry (from my cousin Melissa who is training for her first half!)
I Will Remember You-Ryan Cabrera (word for word this song reminds me of my mom)
It's Not Over-Daughtry (I think....Melissa again)
Last Name-Carrie Underwood
Life is a Highway-Tom Cochrane and Rascal Flatts (Tom's is my favorite but there's something to be said about Rascal Flatts)
Live Like You Were Dying-Time McGraw
Move-Thousand Foot Crutch (from my friends Deanne and Teri-this song will make you MOVE!)
My Wish-Rascal Flatts
Never Be The Same-Red
Never Let You Go-Third Eye Blind
Our Song-Taylor Swift
Over You-Daughtry
Picture To Burn-Taylor Swift
Play it Safe-Dizmas
Play My Music-Jonas Brothers (from my sweet Kennedy)
Ready to Run-Dixie Chicks (self explanatory!)
Rebirthing-Skillet
Remember the Name-Fort Minor
Roses-Meg & Dia
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)-Beyonce (from the funniest person I know and love, Natalie)
So What-Pink (my cousin Melissa)
Stand-Rascal Flatts
Stars-Switchfoot (my absolute favorite song!!!!)
Stop It!-The Almost
Ticks-Brad Paisley (this one reminds me of me! Except mine is a a dragonfly:)
The Impression That I Get-Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Rockafeller Skank-Fatboy Slim (I love songs that have my name in them!)
Those Nights-Skillet (my funny McKinley-in the song it says 'remember when we', she thinks it says 'Oprah Winfrey'-we crack up every time)
Through the Fire and Flames-Dragonforce (my favorite cousin Tyler-this 7:21 long song started 8 minutes from the finish line and got me across!)
Too Cool-Meaghan Martin (from my precious Reagan)
Trou Macacq-Squirrel Nut Zippers
Wake Up-KJ-52 (just an amazing, fast paced song)
Welcome to Where You Are-Bon Jovi (this song was used in the DVD of all the pictures taken during our journey with TNT-it's amazing. If you only listen to one of this list, make it this one.)
What I Want-Daughtry (Melissa again, I think...she sent me so many good ones!)
What About Now-Daughtry
Who Says You Can't Go Home-Bon Jovi, Jennifer Nettles
Yours-Dizmas

So there you have it. I know, I know...there are a bunch. But I'm not a fast runner! Every song does something to me-inspires me, reminds me of someone, moves me, or makes me want to go faster!

So, go listen. Inspire yourself. Get up and MOVE!!!!

Home again!

I made it back to Oklahoma tonight!

The last five days have been a whirlwind of activity after activity.

I have pictures to upload, develop, and edit...bags to unpack...sleep to catch up on...a slight sunburn to soothe...and winter clothes to start wearing again.

Thanks to Shawn for posting for me while I was gone:)

And thanks to all of you who sent me good luck wishes, prayed for me, or just hoped I'd survive!

I will be overloading you with all things race, TNT, LLS, Phoenix, and Angel starting tomorrow.

You've been warned!

HALF MARATHON!!!

I did it!

Pictures and all the details after I get home.

No free internet at the hotel!!

Today is the day!

It's 5 in the morning and I'm headed down to the lobby to board the shuttle to take me to the race start.

Wish me luck!

Say a prayer!

If I survive I'll update this tonight.

Oh boy...