Mini-Marathon 2014

We are running our Mini-Marathon tomorrow beginning at 7:30am

There will be about 16,000 runners.  

It's been a long road-training since January, snow,  and a hip injury.  I am so ready to do this race.  

It's been such a blessing to have a training group, the 42 Running Club.  My commitment to that group of awesome runners gets me out to run long distances on Saturday mornings...and without those long runs I would not be able to finish this race!

Our first goal is actually finish the race--

by pacing ourselves (11:46 per mile-not fast but still lapping everyone on the couch!)

Then to:

Avoiding an injury (watch for pot holes, other runners and gravel)

Maintaining our energy (with our gels at the start, mile 4, 8 and 12)

Consume plenty of water and energy drinks along the course

Only stop to go to the bathroom once (because it adds to your overall time!)

Listen to good music to keep me on pace and motivated

Run with my herd

set a PR (personal Record)--mine is 2 hours and 45 minutes or less

But my secret goal is 2 hours 37.5 minutes

Remember everything my coaches have taught me 

and to save something for the finish line when they will take my picture!

Because that last 0.1 mile REALLY is the HARDEST!

As promised...I am reporting my results today which is Wednesday following the race Saturday.  

I had a blood blister on my right foot after I finished racing (my first injury ever) and I think it was because I did not have my callus removed at the last pedicure.  It was too hard and caused the blister.

I was very pleased with my race results

The fastest I had ever completed a half marathon was 2 hours 49 minutes flat.  

Last year I completed the race in 2 hours 56 minutes and 40 seconds.

My spoken goal was 2 hours and 45 minutes and my aggressive goal was 2 hours and 40 minutes.

My unspoken and (in my mind) my unrealistic goal was 2 hours 36 minutes.

I had a PR (personal record) of 2 hours 37 minutes and 43 seconds 

which was 11 minutes and 17 seconds faster than I have ever run this distance and it was 18 minutes and 57 seconds faster than last year!  It made my "unrealistic goal" not appear all that unrealistic.  

Next race I will go for 2 hours 36 minutes as my aggressive goal!

Happy Running!

Another Family Shadow Box

This shadow box was created for my Uncle Joe who turns 80 a week after my dad.  

He always hated having his picture taken

These photos are of my mom and him on his High School graduation, his mom and dad 

and younger sister, Kathy, as a child (This picture was entered in a cute kid contest but I don't know if she won or not)

Happy 80th Birthday Uncle Joe!

Flower Shop and Pansy Punch

 I had so much fun with this stamp set and look forward to using it again in the very near future.  The flowers are just perfect.  I did struggle a bit using the pansy punch-as I was unsure of how to line it up properly with the stamped image.  I finally decided to just punch them out and as you can see it doesn't seem to matter too much how they are aligned with the punch.  The centers of the flowers are using the 1/2 inch circle punch and are punched from extra flowers.

As you can see, this stamp set works well for numerous occasions, like the sympathy card above.  I think this would be gorgeous stamped in blacks and soft suede for sympathy

You could stamp this in blues for baby boys, pinks for baby girls, yellows for get well and so on.

I used the new Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana on these

Stay tuned for more from the Flower Shop.

Happy Crafting,

Diana

Bee-Lieve

We will run the Kentucky Derby Mini-Marathon this Saturday, April 19th

Our Coach-Dee was stung by a bee while training several years ago and incorporated that event into her training strategy--Bee-Lieve

This card was made to thank Her (and Julie) for their dedication and inspiration to our running club.

The body of the bee is made by using the ornament punch.  Punch one black and one yellow.  I trimmed the yellow into stripes and glued using the Tombow.  

The head is the 1/4 inch round punch (one was embossed with dots and I really liked this look).  

The antennae were made by taking a very thin strip of black, cutting it down the middle and rolling around a pencil point.  

The wings are made using the oval punch with patterned vellum.  

I had the octagonal stamp (frequently use it with Chicken Motif cards)

I used my computer to type the words and each 8 1/2 X 11 piece of card stock made 4 card bases.  

I might be inclined to distress the bee body and wings with basic black in future versions of this card.  

THis card was made using So Saffron as the top layer while the other card used So Saffron as the card base

I like them both.  

Check back to see how long it took me to run 13.1 miles!  

My goal is to complete it in under 2 hours 45 minutes

Happy Stampin' (and Running)

Fairy Journal

I had a journal with an interesting flap that I decided to embellish with a chipboard ORNAMENT.  I used glitter glue and some gems and pearls.  I think it took a ho-hum journal and kicked it up a notch!

Go Baby Go!

The first Saturday in May is very special here in Kentucky because it is the date we always run the Kentucky Derby-the fastest, most exciting 2 minutes in sports.  The Derby, is the first leg of the triple crown of racing (Preakness and Belmont) for 3 year olds thoroughbred racehorses.

To honor that event I created a card using punches to create a horse.  

Punch 2 extra-large ovals, 4 large ovals out of the body color of your choice.  

Cut 4 "ends" of the oval for the hooves.

I cur the body using the oval framelits.

I hand cut the bridle and the mane is made using a flower punch-Boho Blossoms.  

The fence is made using the modern label punch.

The background is embossed using the Square Lattice folder.

The eyes and nostrils are made with the Owl punch.  

I used plenty of dimensionasl to give this some depth.  

I would have used the new scissors to make the grass but it is on BACK ORDER!--so I just cut, cut cut

Flowers are a punch from Michaels.

This would make a cute party invitation or thank you for a party we're invited to, 

I just love this Card and think I will name my pony-Glenngary (after my Dad and Husband)

Happy Stampin!