So, yeah, I ran a marathon on Monday. And it was pretty cool! VERY, VERY HARD, but cool :) Running a marathon definitely isn't for the faint of heart as it's a mind game, or "mind over matter" as my dad used to say. Fortunately, I felt prepared and the first nine miles were a breeze. In my training runs, I always struggled around mile ten and twenty, until my second wind kicked in and it was the same during the race, but I had my running group to support me. It's such an exhilarating experience to run with others and help each other through the race. The crowd support was pretty awesome, too. I had taped my "Whit" across my shirt so people could yell out support and they did!!! It helps so much when you're starting to feel like "I can't make it," and "Oh, is that a Krispy Kreme over there? Maybe I need to refuel" and to hear people shouting your name and telling you how awesome you are :) I didn't check the course map before the race beforehand because I didn't want to see exactly how far we were running...I do better to just tell myself on a long run "Hey, we're just going for a run," and I am so glad I didn't because we ran ALL OVER Los Angeles and went through so many different neighborhoods. In retrospect, it was an awesome way to see the different towns/areas and I was very excited to find a Krispy Kreme because I didn't think they existed out here...but they do!!
This old hat I'm referring to has a long history...I've had it for about eleven years (yikes, I can't believe how old I'm getting!!!!). When I played softball, I wanted a hat to keep the sun out of my face and my loonnng hair our of the way. What better team to support than the Tarheels? :) It's been hilarious to Mike and I to move across the country and see the rivalry of college teams out here...but there's actually a huge Carolina support group in Santa Barbara....a lot of Alumni live here, so that's pretty sweet :)
As you can see, there are disgusting sweat marks all along the rim of the hat...I seriously think this hat has been worn in over 1,000 softball practices, summer volleyball camps, countless runs on a school track, numerous family beach trips...this hat has been to Bermuda, St. Martin and has taken a tour of Europe and tons of other places...but I love this hat. Since it's been through the wringer, it fits my gigantic head perfectly and when I started marathon training I gingerly pulled it out of my closet and warned it about the coming months...and yup, now it's been through a marathon! I know this sounds like a 70 year old man reminiscing about muscle cars, but seriously they just don't make hats like they used to. I've searched for years for a replacement, but I cannot find one that is exactly the same. A few weeks ago, when the Jesusita fire tormented Santa Barbara, Mike and I threw a few precious items in a bag in case the evacuation zone came to our neighborhood...one of the first things I grabbed was this old hat.
One of the fabulous things about running is all the fun gear to get to purchase. When training first started, I didn't care too much about what I was running in, but then my running mates started showing up in cute running skirts claiming it made running more fun...well, I didn't want to miss out!!!
Ahh, who doesn't love LuLuLemon?? I LOVE that Santa Barbara has a huge store, and Mike used to worry about this, but when he saw that they carry men's clothing, I think I may have converted him into a fan :)
I wore a running skirt during the marathon and got tons of complements on it...it helps to feel fashionable when running :)
Mike has a few shots on his point and shoot and once I get my hands on that, I'll have to blog more photos of me and my running group :)
Lastly, I just wanted to thank everyone for their emails, phone calls, facebook messages, text messages and tweets of support!! I couldn't have done it without everyone's help!!! Much love!!
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I know what you're thinking...and no, I'm not on some sort of blog-stimulant drug, BUT I just had to blog about this: LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY FROM CHARLOTTE!!! I get packages all the time addressed to "Whitney Elizabeth Photography, Inc," or "Ms. Elizabeth of Whitney Elizabeth Photography," but this time it was addressed to me!
It's a marathon good luck gift from my sisters, my brothers-in-law, my nephews and my unborn nieces--I dare anyone try to top a gift from the unborn!!! boo-yah!
THANKS HEIDI, JIM, BEV, BEN, JACKSON, BENJ, ADDISON AND BABY G!---LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
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two blog posts in one day!?!?
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Well, it's finally here....Monday is the BIG day...marathon day that is. While others will be celebrating Memorial Day and stuffing their faces with hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade pie and ice cream, I will be be running...running 26.2 miles in Los Angeles...for the glory of it! Wait, why am I doing this again? Oh, right, because I'm an overachiever and this was one of the items on my 101 things in 1001 days list (please don't even get me started on my lists...there's the "before 30 list", "the bucket list"...etc, etc). Actually, it was only a half-marathon on my list, but you see, there I go again trying to outdo myself on my list!!! I'm a bit nervous, but I'm also excited and I know that I'm prepared and I'm thrilled to be running with a lovely running group full of hilarious ladies who make me laugh the whole way...I'm pretty fortunate! But still, wish me luck! :)
Hopefully I'll be alive and well and posting after the marathon to let you all know how easy it is! ;-)
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and I hope most of you are spending time with your family this weekend and remembering why we have this holiday!
Enjoy these photos as I tried my hand with product photography ;)
kelli jane says:
WOW--I bet you're going to do great...and kudos to you for taking on the challenge! Can't wait t hear how it goes! I'll shoot you an email next week about a few weddings :)
(05.22.09 @ 01:41 PM)
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ready, set, go!
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OK, so I was actually tagged months ago....and I'm just now getting around to it!!! HOW embarrassing! I'm sure Phil doesn't mind....! Phil and I are modern day internet friends...how cool is that? (I knew you'd be jealous!) Anyway, we chat it up on Twitter all the time and he tagged me waaayyyy back in October! Go check his blog out...he is an amazing photographer and he and his wife just a had an adorable little girl!! Congrats again! :)
4 things I did today:
1. edited half a shoot...yes, half a shoot...I keep getting interrupted by the phone!
2. ate a tuna sandwich...which is random because I usually don't eat tuna
3. took Bear on a really, really, really long walk so that he would collapse into a deep sleep when we got back so I could start editing
4. laundry...how boring!!
4 things on my to-do list:
1. well first off, I wish I only had 4 things on my to-do list!! Mine is about 4 pages long...! One thing is to plan our anniversary trip!!!
2. work on my newsletter
3. fully edit our honeymoon photos (I know, I know, it's been almost a year, but geez, I took about 10,000!!)
4. update my ipod since I'll be flying a lot this summer :)
4 of my guiltiest pleasures:
1. I'm going to have to copy Phil on this one and say Apple anything! If you're in Santa Barbara, then you know that the new Apple store just opened up and I am really, really, really excited....!
2. Chocolate...any time, any kind!
3. trashy, gossip magazines and I am really looking forward to flying home in a few weeks because I always buy about 10 magazines and read them on the plane :)
4. antiquing...since we've moved out here because there's oh, about 200 antique stores within a 20 mile radius of our home, it's been really hard to resist the calling...
4 random facts about me:
1. I DO NOT like coffee. In fact, I abhor it and was devastated when Mike decided to buy a French Press last week...you let me down Mike! just kidding ;)
2. My dad worked for USAirways for a really long time and I had never stepped foot on a plane until he started working somewhere else!
3. I LOVE hot weather...and I mean, hot! I miss the humidity of the South and frankly, it's just not warm enough in California for me!
4. I never watch TV...like ever. I have no idea who is on American Idol or DWTS (hey, check it out, I know the little abbreviation!) and I would just rather do something else with my time!!
So, as per the rules, I am now tagging four other photographers: I am tagging Amy (who just got a new blog!), Alice (who is so awesome because she started NAPCP), Sara (who just put up her new site and it rocks) and Kristin (she just went to Australia and can we say that I'm a little bit jealous!??!). You're it Ladies!!!!
And here's a cute little image of Bear after he woke me up this morning :)
Happy Hump day!!!!
Amy Hunsinger says:
oh this is funny. i stopped by to see what you are up to and see my name on your blog. ok, i'll get busy. and it won't take me till october. ;-) and bear looks like he is up to something in that photo! too cute!
(05.21.09 @ 03:49 AM)
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I LOVE blogs...in fact, I think that I just may be addicted to checking blogs...I love news/media blogs, living a more green life blogs, finance blogs, photography blogs and I could go on and on all day long!! One of my favorites is Lisa's---she is a public speaking coach and is putting together a pretty cool "unconference" in LA next month!
In the spirit of BarCamp, PresentationCampLA is a collaborative, user-organized professional conference, focused on helping you improve your presentation skills.
At PresentationCampLA, everyone participates in some manner: presenting, leading a discussion or showcasing a best practice, or sharing their experiences. Others help with logistics, securing sponsorships, organizing sessions, or settng up/cleaning up. This is a self organizing collaborative event that is designed be a fun, rewarding and a unique experience.
PresentationCampLA is a great opportunity for participants to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in improving presentations in the Los Angeles area - and around the world!
Format: The idea of an unconference came together when people realized that the best times they were having at conferences were the times between sessions - where people with like interests could meet ad hoc. The spirit of BarCamp is to facilitate this type of interaction for an entire day. Rather than having scheduled speakers, everyone who is interested pitches sessions the morning of the event. Those sessions receiving the highest votes are put on the schedule and groups form for intense learning. Yeah - you think it won't work - but it does!
Based on participants' skill level and interest, we may set up separate tracks for: Fundamentals, Advanced Skills, Professional Speakers, Coaches.
Do you have a topic you'd like to speak on? Do you want to learn something new about public speaking? The emphasis is on short, interactive, hands-on workshops rather than lecture. We'd love to have you! And please spread the word!
More info: http://barcamp.org/PresentationCampLA
Register: http://presentationcampla.eventbrite.com/
At PresentationCampLA, everyone participates in some manner: presenting, leading a discussion or showcasing a best practice, or sharing their experiences. Others help with logistics, securing sponsorships, organizing sessions, or settng up/cleaning up. This is a self organizing collaborative event that is designed be a fun, rewarding and a unique experience.
PresentationCampLA is a great opportunity for participants to learn from, teach to, and network with professionals involved in improving presentations in the Los Angeles area - and around the world!
Format: The idea of an unconference came together when people realized that the best times they were having at conferences were the times between sessions - where people with like interests could meet ad hoc. The spirit of BarCamp is to facilitate this type of interaction for an entire day. Rather than having scheduled speakers, everyone who is interested pitches sessions the morning of the event. Those sessions receiving the highest votes are put on the schedule and groups form for intense learning. Yeah - you think it won't work - but it does!
Based on participants' skill level and interest, we may set up separate tracks for: Fundamentals, Advanced Skills, Professional Speakers, Coaches.
Do you have a topic you'd like to speak on? Do you want to learn something new about public speaking? The emphasis is on short, interactive, hands-on workshops rather than lecture. We'd love to have you! And please spread the word!
More info: http://barcamp.org/PresentationCampLA
Register: http://presentationcampla.eventbrite.com/
To my SoCal friends, you should look into it---you may see me there!
And because blog posts are just SO much better with a photo, here is a sneak peek of a shoot from last night :)
Happy Monday!!! Hope everyone's week is off to FABulous start!
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Let's see some pics of you running!!!
btw, you're a rock star for running a freaking marathon! Love it!
(05.28.09 @ 05:56 PM)Let's see some pics of you running!!!
btw, you're a rock star for running a freaking marathon! Love it!
(05.28.09 @ 05:57 PM)YEAH!!! So proud of you!! And there is nothing better than an old hat. I have my first cap still, from 10th grade, back in 1991. I still believe that I started girls wearing baseball caps. HA!! It's almost 18 years old now - geesh, that really ages me!!
(05.28.09 @ 10:27 PM)fashion + running? hell yea! nice to see our whitney hasn't changed.... =)
(05.29.09 @ 07:06 AM)fashion + running? hell yea! nice to see our whitney hasn't changed.... =)
(05.29.09 @ 07:06 AM)I am SO super impressed with you. Congrats on even having the courage to sign up and super congrats on finishing!
(05.29.09 @ 10:18 AM)way to go girl!!!! you have inspired me. and.....i had NO idea about running skirts. i'm on a mission. hope your knee is better! so proud of you!!! xoxoxo
(06.01.09 @ 05:28 PM)