Week 7: 10 Miles / This & That

10 miles
It's a few days after the big 10 mile run and I'm still experiencing a bit of pain. It's hard running 10 miles! My knee is in pain and my toes have blisters. Ugh. This was the first time I did not get into the run. I usually start off tired and then get motivated once we start going, but this time, I was feeling a bit defeated. I bought a few running snacks, which helped, but this week's run just felt awful. The last mile was the worst. My thighs and knees felt so sore, and i got a stomach cramp. Complain, complain, complain. Days later and my knee is still in pain. This is why I quit last year. This year, I can't let myself quit! But, this knee has got to start feeling okay again.

This & That
This week was a bit hectic, because I started a new job. It's a part-time job, so one would think I have more time for wedding planning, but lately, it seems my hours are closer to a full-timer, so it's been a little busy. Though, I did get quite a few things done. I sampled around for ribbons and envelopes as part of our wedding invites. I think we're almost at a decision, too! I'm hoping to get it all figured out by this coming week.
I also called around for printing prices and was pleasantly surprised at how affordable things are coming together. I have started designing the last element for our wedding invite package and the favors, so as soon as we get all the content together, things will be ready for printing! It's so weird to think these invites are going out in about 3 more months. Time is flying by too fast!
Brian also got busy this week and scheduled our one-day church meeting for January. Lots of things going on in January. Oh, January.... it's almost here! I'm almost starting to feel the pressure, but not quite yet! I'm going to try to prolong my relaxation as long as I can before the nerves take over! I'm hoping to stay relaxed the whole way through... let's see if I can!

This weeks marathon goals:
-I just did some elliptical machine today
-run 3 miles on Wednesday or Thursday
-run 3 miles Friday or Saturday
-do pilates one time this week
-run 5 miles Sunday

This weeks wedding goals:
-continue to look for bridesmaid shoes
-continue/possibly finish designing the other top secret project for the wedding favors
-start designing the ceremony programs
-start thinking about a slide show
-try to finish invites completely and start printing
-buy envelopes for invitations
-start arranging the wedding music and contact music coordinator (Brian)

Week 6: 8 Miles / Church, Suit, & Dress

8 miles
This wasn't so bad! My knee didn't hurt one time while we were running; though it has been in pain a tiny bit ever since. Nothing I can't handle! This was a big week for me. Last year, I started running and potentially training for the marathon, but after I got to 8 miles, I quit. The pain in my knee was just too much back then. After running 8 miles this week, I already felt that I could have ran 2 more. Of course, it would be difficult on my own, but having my wonderful pace group by my side makes it all doable! Thanks, Team Tergat!

I got to talking to the coach quite a bit after the run and realized my diet might be a little too strict for the amount of running I do now. So, this week, I'm experimenting with my food intake and starting to add pilates into my weekly routine.

Church Things
I haven't done much wedding related this week. I've been really busy and distracted by starting a new job, so Brian has taken charge and done so much for our church planning. We met with the church lady this week to go over our "focus" and luckily, we found out we're pretty compatible based on our 100-something questionnaire we filled out on our first day. So hooray for being compatible! We also sat in on a wedding performed by the priest we booked for our day. He is so funny! I'm really excited we got him on our day! He will bring a little comic relief to the tears I will probably be dropping that day. I don't know how I'm going to make it!
We did a few outfit trials this week. Brian and I went looking around at possible suits for him. We didn't quite find the right suit, but it was really fun seeing my boy all dolled up! He does look mighty handsome in a suit! I saw him dress up, but he didn't see me. I guess I wouldn't mind if he wanted to, but he's a little old fashioned and wants the whole surprise. So, while he waited outside, I had my first wedding dress fitting! It was great! All I tried on was the lining portion of the dress, but I'm really happy with it so far, so I can only imagine how much I will like the whole thing when it's done!

This weeks marathon goals:
-I did pilates yesterday
-I ran 2.25 miles today
-run 3 miles Thursday or Friday
-do pilates or eliptical machine on Wednesday or Thursday
-run 10 miles Sunday

This weeks wedding goals:
-continue to look for bridesmaid shoes
-start designing the other top secret project for the wedding favors
-start designing the ceremony programs
-call around for printing prices on rsvp cards and start printing
-start looking for envelopes for invitations
-schedule our one-day church meeting (Brian)
-start arranging the wedding music and contact music coordinator (Brian)

Week 5: 7 Miles / Favors, Bridesmaid Dresses, & Church

7 miles
Not bad. We got to run all around the studio lots and Forest Lawn, in Burbank. It was a fun run. The mile markers seemed to come a lot quicker than they usually do, so I think that's a pretty good sign. The group runs are a lot of fun, because I'm able to take my mind off of running when they're around, so time flies a little faster. I did get a new job, which may require me to work Sunday morning/afternoons, so I'm a little worried about that. I'm going to try my best to continue to run with my Sunday group, even though it means that all of my Saturdays for the next 5 months are going to be early nights and lots of water. Bye, bye fun. Hello run.

I should also mention that I've been getting so much support lately by friends and family, all very generously donating to help those living with AIDS and to help me get to marathon day! It's been hard to wipe the smile off my face the past few days. If you want to help, please donate here: http://apla.convio.net/goto/annette. Remember, every dollar counts! And, it's tax deductible!

Favors, Bridesmaid Dresses & Church
Lots of things to mark off the list this week! I finished my top secret wedding favor project! I'm extremely happy with how everything looks and I can not wait to start putting it all together - which will be around February! There are still a few top secret decorative elements that remain, but the hardest part is done!
The biggest accomplishment this week has been... I got bridesmaid dresses! It all happened so fast! I just happen to be walking by one of my favorite dress shops and found the perfect bridesmaid dresses! I got a great deal, so I just went for it. Luckily, I got all the girls the right sizes! And surprisingly, all of the girls and the moms (including mine) love the dress! How did I manage to make everyone happy? So, that's a big burden off of my back. Now, for the shoes...
Brian and I have also been doing a lot of the church planning this week. We went to our focus and found out that we were pretty darn compatible! Hooray! That means, we were able to opt out of the weekend engagement encounter and attend a one-day engagement session instead. Brian also got the music approved for our ceremony and is now focusing on the arrangement.
So, things are getting done. It's really great!

This weeks marathon goals:
-run 3 miles Monday (today)
-run 3 miles Thursday or Friday
-run 8 miles Sunday

This weeks wedding goals:
-start looking for bridesmaid shoes
-start designing the other top secret project for the wedding favors
-start designing the ceremony programs
-call around for printing prices on rsvp cards and start printing
-start looking for envelopes for invitations
-schedule our one-day church meeting (Brian)
-start arranging the wedding music and contact music coordinator (Brian)

Week 4: 6 Miles / Favors & Church

6 miles
The dreaded day after Halloween run. Somehow, I woke up before my alarm went off at 6:15am and began to prepare for the 6 mile run ahead. The weather was nice, and considering Halloween was last night, we all were all in good spirits to run 6 miles. In order to prepare us for the hills we will be running along on Sunset Blvd., we had a couple of little hills on our course. I find that I run those best slowly, so I don't exert too much energy. It's been do-able. I'm glad they are throwing those hills to prepare us for the big day. Overall, it was a nice run. Here I am, post 6 miles:

Somewhat sweaty, but all around alright.

Favors & Church
Keeping this blog and set of goals has been keeping me very productive. We have accomplished so much since this blog has started! We booked the food, alcohol, flowers, my dress is being sewed, the main portion of the invitations is done, the rsvp portion of the invites has been designed, the cake topper situation is in progress, the favor packages have been purchased, and we've both lost a few pounds. I'm really proud of us. Today, while I was out running, Brian went to our church to make the final decision on the priest. We both really found one we like, so as I type this blog post, Brian is typing an email to the church to see the priest's availability and to begin the scheduling process of our marriage meeting with the priest. I'm also hoping to write the music director of the church to get an idea of the music we can play during the ceremony.

This weeks marathon goals:
-run 3 miles Tuesday or Wednesday
-run 3 miles Thursday or Friday
-run 7 miles Sunday

This weeks wedding goals:
-Make additional packaging for the wedding favors
-Contact church regarding music, priest, and engagement sessions
-Call around for printing prices on rsvp cards and start printing