And Phatty done ran!!!

"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."

I will echo this saying about a 1/2 marathon.
Indeed my friends.. anything is possible!
I DID IT!!!

I'm going to let go of that nagging voice in my head today that says I could have done better. I could have ran more. I could have finished faster. It's time to quiet that voice.

Instead I will now tell myself.... I did my best! I ran as much as I could run! I finished faster than I have ever done before! And why?!?! Because before, I would have NEVER had done this! I achieved a goal. And I crossed that finish line leaving behind the old me that had never attemped a 1/2 marathon before.

The morning started at 4am to Rielly throwing up all over her and our bathrooms. Good Morning!!! My dear dear Jon took care of that while I went and got myself ready for one of the biggest mornings of my life. She was okay thank goodness!

I got to Kristys at around 5:15 and we left for downtown around 5:30.
So much excitement in the air for sure!!!!!

People everywhere abt to do what I was abt to do. Many have done this a million times and many doing it for their first time. We were all there to accomplish the same task!





(sooo clueless!!!)

Jodie Messina kicked off the party with singing the National Athem (LOVE HER) and away we go!!! We started off with a good jog along with the 5000+ other ladies. I was excited and nervous and just ready to get it done!

Kristy and I both had written on our arms 13 things we wanted to talk about each mile and it was the best way to keep our minds positive and moving! Thats what I needed.... to just keep my mind going.




What really helped me get through this was the support of my family and Kristys family. At around mile 3, I saw my family and Rob Barkley on the side of the park cheering for me with signs and smiles. What a beautiful sight to see!!

Only 10more miles to go!


They were also there around mile 6, 9 and 11! Even Kristys folks Glenn and Terry were there at mile 11!!

How amazingly blessed am I to have them there pretty much the whole way to cheer me on???!!!

Mile 6

Mile 9

(around mile 11)







I started hurting around mile 7-8. My feet felt like I was walking on burning hot Az pavement. I actually tried to walk without shoes on... but yeah that didn't help.

That's when I think I started slowing down and wondering if I could finish this. I really should have taped my feet. But having already done a 13miler before, I knew I could do this.

There was plenty of water and gaterade to be had and so much motivation and cheering from the sidelines.

I had to keep going!

The last mile I had to let my mind and will take control because my body was screaming at me to stop! My feet were on fire! It was hard watching people pass me up and all the while I worried that Kristy was going nuts having to go so slow.

Irrational thinking does tend to set in.

Kristy wouldn't have been there if she didn't want to do this with me!

So I just had to visualize the end.

This was also the point where I swore anyone who does this for "fun" is CRAZY!!! And I kept thinking.. why in the world would I even want to do this again?!?! I won't lie to you- it was hard! And it hurt!!!!

But it was all worth it for what happens next.

That last .1mile was so overwhelming! I had my family right and Kristys family (which have become my family) before the finish line and Susie Hawkins and her kids right after. I had the goal in sight. I was doing it!!!! I remember my chest tightening up and I had to control myself to not just bust out in tears!!!!

And when we ran through the finish line, the MC said "Here comes Kristy and Shannon in their sparkly skirts"!!


Then Kristy hugged me and I realized I have just ran my first 1/2 marathon!!!! Who cares if I had to walk a lot. Who cares that it took 3.5hrs to finish. At that moment, I was a winner!!!!!

I bought this shirt the day before and it is exactly why I started this whole journey!!!



I love this face!

And once again, I wanted to thank my best friend Kristy Barkley! She stayed with me every step of the way through this whole process. And if she didn't give me this challenge, we would have never become the friends we are today. Spending so much time together, we have become rather close. She has taught me and inspired more than she could ever know. I love her family too (even you Brobar!). I am truely blessed!

And I have to thank my husband Jon- he has believed in me more than I believe in myself. Just to know that he is proud of me makes all the pain and tears and frustration in life worth it! I love you baby!

Ready or not, here we come!!

Tomorrows the BIG day! The day I've been waiting and dreading and preparing for since April!
It's funny looking back on the last 6-7months. How much has changed.... weight wise not too much. About 18lbs total (13 in the last 6weeks). But the big change has been my whole attitude towards making a goal and doing whatever it takes to accomplish it. I have been known to not finish what I start. In fact, I don't finish more often then I do- if that makes sense. And I remember when I signed up for it back in May, Jon said something to the effect of.. "now you have to do it". He knows me all too well.
So tomorrow, I am finishing what I started!!! And I'm a better person because of it! My initial plan was to struggle through it which bitching and moaning and when it's over, get my medal and be done. Obviously, that's not how it's gonna happen. I'm doing a 5k race for the cure in 2 weeks, the az half in Nov and a week later, the Nashville half. How's that for finishing what I started?? But I still am bitching and moaning.

So today Kristy and I went to the expo to pick up our packets and check out the cool race vendors. SOOOOO exciting!!!! Got my number....


It's official!!!!!
At the expo, we came across these awesome running skirts. Catch phrase.. "why run when you can sparkle". And sparkle we WILL!

Imagine this style black covered in sequins. Yes I will sparkle!! Pair this up with a purple wrist band and 2 sparkly old school scrunchies and we got a party!!
Also Team PHatty has team colors... so Kristy and I are rocking some awesome fingernails just for the occasion. They will be perfect when my ogre hands come back!



Finding tops were a little difficult to find. Kristy considered running in this awesome getup-

As amazing as she looks, because it is a LEOTARD, it may be difficult to pee fast so sadly it was veto'd. Maybe next time we can attach some crotch buttons or something. And if you can't tell, that it the running skirt and a gold scrunchie in her hair.
(I figured it was better to ask forgiveness then permission so... forgive me KB for posting? Couldn't resist! Love ya!)
But tops were found and we are ready to go!!!!!! I even bought my most expensive paid of socks ever! I hope they moisturize while I run!

5:15am I'll be picking up my training partner and race starts at 7! Wish us luck!!!!

To my Phatty Followers....

3 more days. 3 more flipping scary as hell days! And then IT'S ON!!!

So let me catch ya'll up a bit.

2 weeks ago, Kristy and I went on a practise 1/2... 13miles. Starting at 5am. And believe you me, it sucked! But then again I was tired, she was sore... but we managed to push through it. So I know I can go 13 miles on Saturday. I may be crawling and swearing and possibly may have peed my pants a few times but I will make it!

Last Saturday I did my first race ever. I ran in the South Nash Dash. I got there around 6am to help get everything set up and then I worked getting volunteers in place and people registered until 8am when I went ahead and ran the 3miles. Okay people- you know when I say ran, I really am just saying it to impress you all. I didn't run 3 full miles. I jogged the first 1.5miles and then walked a ways until that bend right before the finish line. Then I started running so people thought I did it the whole time. The only problem with my way of thinking there was that when you come in close to the end of the race, it's pretty obvious I wasn't rocking it all 3 miles. But whatever- I burnt 500 calories and they didn't SO THERE!

The South Nash Dash turned out awesome! Kristy did such an amazing job and I was so glad to be there to watch all the action- from getting the first sponsor to watching the last of the garbage being hauled to the edge of the street. And there definately was perks for me! I won a month long boot camp to Niki G's Fitness, Jon won a yr Costco membership and then today I found out I won a Menchies $25 giftcard! HEAVEN FOOD FOR PHATTY!!!

So anyways after that, all I've done this week is a Zumba class. I don't want to exhaust myself before Saturday. You know.. RUNNING 13 miles and all;) I am just so blessed to have Kristy put up with me and go at my pace (you know- me so speedy and all).
So Friday we'll go to the expo and get our numbers and stuff. I want to find some crazy expensive socks that will float me to the finish line. Or at least keep my toes from falling off. Either/Or would be fine with me.
I can't wait though. In all honesty, as freaked out as I am right now..and I am pretty freaked out, I just can't wait to cross that finish line and say I did it with a medal to show. And to see my family and friends there cheering me on! I expect big ol signs and a gallon of diet coke waiting for me. The joke is (and I say a joke but knowing these guys, it may just happen) that Rob and Jon will have big signs saying "Run Phatty Run" and be screaming it throughout the race. How well do you think that will go over... 5000+ women and 2 mens calling them Fattys? I hope someone records the stampede!
Wish me luck! Keep my feet and Kristys sanity in your prayers while I work to complete my first 1/2 marathon. Definately won't be the last!

And if anyone asks, I smelled like roses when I was done!

Just over 2 weeks now!!!

I can't believe the WHM is in just over 2weeks!!! This time has gone by so fast and I really believe I have come so far since I first started this journey.

I've pushed myself in ways I have never even desired to! I'm stronger and I think in some ways more confident. A little lighter maybe but I can crush you with my calves believe you me!!!
Yesterday was a good run. I started a little before 8 and after like 4-5miles, I was still feeling good so I kept on going. Not sure how far exactly I went but it had to have been around 8.5-9. Longest one I've done by myself ever! The feeling good feeling wore off when my arms started getting heat rash around mile 7. The shirt I was wearing is fine for short few milers but not for longer runs. It was rather painful but I learned my lesson this time around for sure!
I'll be running in the South Nash Dash 5k next Saturday. I've been helping out my friend Kristy with it doing the social media side (facebook and twitter) and I am amazed at the amount of work that goes into these things!!! Kristy also got me hooked up with doing social media for I Run For The Party- they put on several runs throughout the year. So it's weird how I've become connected to a sport that I absolutely detested even just a yr ago!

I'm gonna keep on keeping on and hope to stay on top of blogging but I actually feel busy these days between runs, doing South Nash stuff, piano, making a scrapbook for a lady and then the kids. It's a good feeling though!!

And now, I leave you with a picture of my toe while it was finally healing after many ugly blisters in the same spot.