My life and times...

Questions...

2008-06-09T22:54:00.002-05:00

Here are some questions that have ran through my mind recently...

--why would you wear a sun dress to a dog park?

--why do people always feel like they have to give an answer when there just is not one?

--how did my husband get strep throat in June?

--how could I love my dogs any more?

--isn't it interesting how my motivations change over time?

--why is gas so freaking expensive?

--how come, in this great country of ours, we can not find 2 amazing, GREAT, worthy candidates for president? I mean, 2 people who you would feel confident if either one, not like it is just a toss up and either way you are screwed?

--how can it be this hot so quickly?

--is there any way possible I will ever win a triathlon?

--can't weekends be 3 days instead of 2?

--why am I not content with the things God has given me?

--when will I really make it in my career?

--why does money exist?

--why does network TV suck in the summer? Hello people, we are still watching!! Don't drive us to the internet!! You need us!!

so those are a few questions running through my mind, as we start this lazy, hot summer...enjoy!

New Photos...

2008-06-02T00:55:00.003-05:00

So I am not super savvy about all the web stuff, but I created a new photo album of some old photos on my Facebook page...above are a few of the shots...

But check out the whole album...I hope that you can see these photos even if you are not a facebook user...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24172&l=cfe74&id=504603911

I posted a bunch from the past few years...enjoy!!

I can't wait for...

2008-05-27T00:13:00.002-05:00

FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!

For real...Tim and I had a few friends over today and cooked out...and I got SOOO excited for Football Saturday's and cheering on the DAWGS!!!! Yes I am that ridiculous Alumnus who goes insane for Georgia...it is actually embarrassing. Tim is a saint to deal with it.

And I have to admit...in the past 3 weeks I have looked up the football schedule no less then 10 times to be sure I am careful in planning my fall...I even planned my vacation around it! (that and my brothers soon to be baby)...

I hat hot dogs and burgers on the grill, friends over, and an anticipation for September...I love summer but fall is right around the corner!!

Go Dawgs!!

feeling helpless...

2008-05-24T12:25:00.001-05:00

he events in the Chapman family's life this week lead me to feeling totally helpless...I have not been sleeping well and all I can do is think about how tragic it is and how their lives will be forever changed by these events...this definitely gave me a bit of a more healthy outlook on each days events and really trying to determine if what I get frustrated about or annoyed about really matters...and thinking about it I am loving people well while we have time here together...

WOW. I believe in God and his plan for us, and his plan for all of the events in our life, but this one has me down, it is a pickle.

Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter killed by car in driveway

By KATE HOWARD and LINDA ZETTLER
Staff Writers - The Tennessean

Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family's Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer's six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver's name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.

"It appears to be a terrible accident,'' McPherson said.

No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music's most recognizable and most awarded names.

He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest. The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah's Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called "Change for Orphans". He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.

"I don't know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension," said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

"He talks about his kids all the time. That's his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that's for sure."

The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.

And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.

Styll got the news not long after Maria's death.

"I'm confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this," he said.

Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children's hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff's deputies.

Weddings...

2008-03-29T23:21:00.001-05:00

I love weddings...they are so sweet. There is so much hope and "newness". Tim and I drove up to Ohio this weekend for our dear friend's wedding...it was such an honor to be a part of this day today. And it was the definition of sweet...both the bride and groom were totally "smitten" with each other, it was very obvious. It can really rejuvinate your day to day to see 2 people in love!!

The rehearsal dinner last night was so rad...to hear so many people stand up and witness to my friends purity, gentleness, kindness and character was fun to hear...this wedding was one that you walked away from truly being honored to participate in.

Here are some pics... mostly some goofy ones of Tim and I!!

a close shave...

2008-03-22T21:11:00.001-05:00

So I am sure by now you know how much I love all of my dogs...and today was one of the funniest moments I have EVER had with KOBE...my sweet loveable GIANT Golden retriever/german shepherd/rottweiler mix...95 lbs of sweetness...he is such an amazing boy...

Anyway, we took him to PetSmart today for a haircut, because we had let his hair get a bit out of control...typically I cut his hair (basically butcher it), but it was time for him to get a grooming by a professional...
So Tim dropped him off this morning and consulted with the lady, and she recommended a certain shave that was good for Goldens...

and when I showed up to pick him up, I did not even RECOGNIZE him...I am not kidding!! They shaved him as close as possible to the skin; he looks totally hilarious!! So the lady brings him out, I looked at him then looked away, because I did not even think it was Kobe. She said "Holt" and I looked back, this time doing a total double take, then I started to chuckle, and was like "that’s not kobe is it?" and of course she was like "this is your dog" and at this point I am laughing SO hard, I could not stop. He looked so funny, I was tearing up...so the lady starts to get nervous because I would not even take the leash because in my mind I am still wondering if this is really my dog, and trying to comprehend how stupid he looked. So I was like there is nothing we can do, and I grabbed the leash, and I was still cracking up. I mean laughing hysterically.

So then the PetSmart lady gets a really serious look on her face and says..."please don’t laugh at your dog, he understands that and it is going to hurt his feelings""...and she thought that comment would make me stop laughing? It just got worse!!!

So I walked out with Kobe, and the whole time I am trying to talk to him between laughs (oh and by the way, I was by myself, so there was NO ONE to share this with in the moment)...he stops to pee, I then put him in the car, and the whole way home I am still checking him out to be sure he is indeed Kobe. Kobe has these cute spots on his nose and on around his eyelids, and they were present, so I knew it was him.

Then we get home...and I promise you Sadi and Jackson are seriously mocking him and laughing at him. Kobe is acting sort of shy, definitely embarrassed.

What a day!!

Hollywood Sunrise

2008-02-10T00:15:00.000-06:00

So i had a really cool trip this week that is going to be hard to top--it was fun personally and professionally...I went out to LA with some co-workers for some meetings...the meetings were LONG but great...and the people I traveled with were a ton of fun...

So the highlight for me was running in Runyan Canyon. Now for those of you who love your Us Weekly and People Magazine...you know this is where they always have the pictures of the stars with their dogs or working out with their trainers...so when I found out this park was a 1/2 mile from my hotel, the good little paparazzi in me knew exactly where I would be jogging!!!

So on both Wednesday and Friday morning, I took off from my hotel and jogged to the park...now you might know that Hollywood is at the base of a mountain that the Hollywood sign is on), and this park has paths that take you to the top of a mountain where you can see ALL of LA, the Hollywood sign, out to Santa Monica, and you can see the ocean. It was BREATHTAKING. On both days that I ran, I thought of about 10 different blogs to write, because the scenery was majestic--it was about 50 degrees and completely clear and not hazy--as I climbed the trails, I could see all of LA and the beauty of it (fyi--I love LA, so I am a tad biased). It really was amazing.

But the overall thing I thought of on the way up was "man this is freakin hard to climb and I am so tired"...when I got to the top, I was in awe, it was just so amazing...and then on my way down I thought "that climb was so worth it"...gosh those thoughts struck me as a reminder that the journey is so worth it...and when you get to the end of the journey, the high never lasts as long as you want it to, but the journey was required to get there--and even though it was hard, tiring and sometimes I wanted to quit, when I met my goal all of the pain faded away...and on the way down I was extremely grateful. It was just an interesting parallel to my life...Overall, i felt amazingly blessed.

On Friday I took my phone so I could get some pics of the views...but the camera phone photos do not do it justice at all!!

to train or not to train...that is the question...

2008-01-28T22:28:00.000-06:00

So I am in process of training for the Breast Cancer 1/2 marathon and am contemplating what to do next...triathlon season is coming on, and I tend to be over-ambitous in the beginning...or do I want to run a full marathon?

There are issues to overcome with either choice...the marathon: 18-20 mile training runs that wipe out the entire weekend...

the triathlon: trying to find time to train for 3 sports...

I am really addicted to competition, so it is hard to find a substitute for this...but there are days that training can be a drag...so we will see what the summer holds...

but I am excited. I seem to have this "every other week" excitement about working out...this is a good week!!

is it mean to laugh @ American Idol contestants?

2008-01-16T22:14:00.001-06:00

I am embarrassed and feel guilty about how hard I am laughing at these contestants...I am sorry, it is so funny...sad...embarrassing...hilarious.....it is incredible.

I mean, have you ever been at a theme park and you ntice someone who is dressed so bad...n a way that you feel embarrassed for them? And they are there with a large group of people? Well my roommate from college (Kelly) used to look at people like that out in public and say "they must not have any good friends" -- meaning that if they had some good friends, they would tell them how ridiculous they looked and save them from embarrassment.

Do some of these contestants have anyone in their life who is honest with them?? I am not talking about the crazy's who are just trying to get on TV...I am talking about the ones who TRULY believe that they are meant to be a singer...wow.

I had a pretty rough day today, so this is a great way to blow off some steam and laugh it off...I do feel guilty that I am laughing at people...oh well.

Hope you are well...

balance...resolutions...the new year

2008-01-06T22:02:00.001-06:00

Well I would love to say that I will certainly be blogging more in 2008 then I did in 2007...but let's be honest...who knows what will happen...I am a maniac about creating action lists and plans, and then I kill the joy out of my dedication to follow through no matter if I like it or not...that seems to wreck most of my hobbies...they all become sports...so basically if I decide that I will have a plan to blog, it will be no fun anymore...

Here is a case in point...I have really been struggling with anxiety over the last 3-4 weeks...I recently have narrowed my focus of passion to 3 things: Tim (and obviously the dogs), my work, and my running. I went through a period in 2007 where I felt such chaos, so I knew i needed to simplify, so I did...I narrowed down everything to those 3 buckets...well now, since i am psycho competitive, I basically judge every day on this man-made barometer on how i am doing at all 3...

Well running is pretty simple to judge...either I went running or not, either I ran a certain pace or distance or not...it is very tangible...

The other 2 are a lot more subjective...With tim, I judge myself on some of the following...like did I pay enough attention to Tim today? did i make him feel valued? Did i allow him to love me?

On work...did I work long enough? did I get affirmed enough? was I kind today and a good teammate? was I a good listener?

I honestly judge myself on so many levels all day long, that I have a hard time relaxing. So even though I feel like I have turned the corner to be smart with my time and choices, and to focus on a few important things, I almost do not even give myself a chance to succeed because I over-analyze everything, and hold myself up to a standard that I would never put on anyone else. So it can become very self-damaging...

So tonight I wanted to share what I am going through...I have learned a lot lately about being vulnerable, and how important it is, especially in leadership...and that's it.

I hope to be blogging more often...so we will see :)

Leigh

Ciao Italia!!

2007-09-27T23:24:00.001-05:00

Tim and I just took a 10 day trip to Italy for our 5 year anniversary...amazing is all I can say!! I am not exageratting when I tell you it was the best trip of my life!! It was so fun to go and explore and see new things with Tim--we had so much fun together. I am here to tell you after 5 years--marriage is fun!! And we consider ourselves extremely blessed!!

So we started our trip in Venice--it is so picturesque!! This is the Italy of the movies -- the beautiful canels, the sweet homes...I told Tim that if we could ever build our own house, I would love for it to be an Italian style villa!! We celebrated our anniversary on Sept 14th by taking a Gondola ride and eating at a canal-side restaurant--Tim gave me a pair of beautiful diamond earrings and 2 beautiful roses!!

While in Venice, we also saw all the major sites, St. Mark's Square, the Basillica, etc., and we went to this amazing Modern Art exhibit with art from around the world. It was cool.

We left the quiet of Venice and took a boat, bus, plane and train to get to Rome; we felt very well traveled when we arrived in a very noisy Romeat 10 am. We found our hotel, checked in, and then we were off for 2 full days in Rome--thanks to our friend Naomi Marvin who put together a tour of Rome for us--we walked our butts off and saw EVERYTHING--St. Peter's, the Vatican, the Borghese Park, The Coliseum, the ruins, the Trevi fountain, the Spanish steps...and more!! We ate amazing food--the pizza and the mozzerella cheese was the best I ever had--we loved Rome!! Tim and I both were very inspired in this big city!! We already want to go back!!

From Rome, we again tool a train, boat, taxi and a bus to get to Positano, Italy. This little beach town is in the South of Italy, on the Amalfi Coast. Positano is what I hope heaven looks like!! Our walking tour of Rome wore us out a tad, so the timing of Positano was perfect--we had a full day on the beach, we toured the island of Capri, and we went to see the ruins in Pompeii. The whole trip was amazing, but this part was my favorite.

We went back to Rome for our last night, enjoyed our favorite Pizza and Gelato, and came back in time to watch Georgia beat Alabama last weekend!! Go Dawgs!!

I SO recommend a trip to Italy...check out our pictures here:
Italy Pictures!!

The trip was so fun--I had a hard time coming back to reality!! Poor Tim has had to work all week, and I have had the pleasure of a week off...thank God!!
Hope you enjoy the photos!!

still learning...

2007-09-05T21:16:00.000-05:00

I am still learning. surprise surprise, I just don't know it all yet. you see, that is a tough lesson since I come from a family that prides themselves on always "knowing"...always being right, winning arguments, saying the last word, and basically being on top. I love my family; and much of my success is due to those characteristics that have been bred into me...the desire to win, compete, do my best, strive to be great...but I am still learning.

This summer can be summed up in that sentiment; learning. I am in the process of learning some of lifes great lessons, and boy is it a struggle for me to be in this process. I definitely am not an "enjoy the journey" type of gal...I like the completion, the final note, the end. So being in the midst of learning lessons, and then having to make choices while in that season, and having those choices affect what you are doing...gosh, my head is spinning.

And the struggle!!! I was running tonight and I was just angry because I feel like I have handled some things poorly and wish that I had communicated some things clearer. But how would I know how to do that until I learned it? I have to go through these things so next time I might get it right...I might be better next time, and know how to handle it with the wisdom I gained in this season. But I just want to know it now and get it right the 1st time!!!! AHHHHH. frustration sets in.

I sometimes wish I could learn as fast as I could eat. This is silly, but wouldn't it be cool if all the lessons I was supposed to learn could come in an ice cream cone, and I could just eat it and have all the knowledge (maybe the calories can be different based on the size of the issues I needed to learn about :) )...

Well all this reminded me of a Switchfoot song...Learning to Breathe...

Hello, good morning, how ya been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never thought I could fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad

I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

What complicates things even more is this unfair expectation I place on myself to get it right the 1st time, with no practice...that's when I feel like "my head gets kicked in"...

So here's to life, and all the lessons we are learning...

Leigh

The attack of the Wii

2007-09-02T13:47:00.000-05:00

So I bought Tim a Wii for our 5 year anniversary and gave it to him on Friday night...now you know this is a BIG deal, because I am the one in the family with "Addictive" behaviors and seriously in a 1 year period, played over 450 games of NCAA Football on our old Gamecube (yep...that was before I started all this exercising!!)...so I only decided to get Tim the Wii after much thought about how I have overcome my gamer addictions, and YES I could handle it, and just say "No" when my game playing started to take over my life.

So we have had the Wii set up for 24 hours now, and all day yesterday I didn't play it...but this afternoon, Tim asked me to play Wii Tennis with him. Begrudgingly I complied, thinking that it is his "gift" and I need to let him enjoy it with me, and a few games can't hurt.

And for those of you who don't know, the Wii is different then other gaming consoles where the controllers are motion senstitve, and you use your arms, and all the motions to make moves; not just your fingers. So the plot thickens..

So we played a few games (I won), and I am starting to get excited about it. Kobe, our dear sweet giant of a dog, was laying on the couch the whole time, interested in what we were doing. All of a sudden, he gets pretty excited about how I was playing, and jumps off the couch, starts biting my wrist, and trying to tackle me. So we are like chill out, tell him to lay down...for the next 3 games, he repeats this pattern...

Then on the 4th game, after we have put him back on the couch, and he listened and he is laying there, I go for a backhand, I wind up and swing my arm across my body...and at the same time, Kobe is trying to get off the couch, and at the perfect timing, I smash him across the face...I hurt my hand I hit him so hard! He ran out of the room and I followed him, totally consoling him, apologizing, etc...it was tragic. Tim was cracking up.

So after we made sure he was ok, we went back to playing...a few minutes later, Kobe walks back to the den and starts to enter the room...he saw my hand go up in the motion of the serve, and he turned, tucked his tail between his legs and BOLTED from the room.

Tragedy I must say...NCAA Football Video games ruined me, and the Wii Tennis has ruined Kobe.

Hilarious.

good news since yesterday's post...I slept 11 hours last night!! Bedside Baptist had a mandatory meeting this morning, and we all attended!! :) It felt good.

Have a great day!

Leigh

sleep deficit...

2007-09-01T07:56:00.001-05:00

sleep deficit...
Have you ever been so tired, that you can hardly think, move, breathe, comprehend...but no matter what you do, you can not sleep? That has been the story of my August...I am glad it is now September!!

This past month has been a crazy one...we have been particularly busy at work, planning all of our fall events, and hearitfirst.com has continued to grow like crazy, so opportunities have been coming out of the woodwork...or web I guess :) ...

And I have had some heavy things on my mid, decisions I had to make...weighing out the consequences of these decisions...sorting through my guilt about some decisions, and understanding that...and trying to answer the question: what is the best thing for Tim and I at this point in our lives. We are coming up on our 5 year anniversary...what are my hopes and dreams for the next 5 years?

So basically, my mind has been slammed, working in overdrive the past month, so full I can't manage it. I am the type that has to wring something out ENTIRELY and weigh every option and analyze EVERY detail before I make a decision...that is exhausting. For me, but for those close to me as well.

So anyway...I am this stressed...but I can not sleep!! I have been up every morning at 4:30-5 ish...and not to work out!! I usually don't work out until 6:30 am!! Then I can't take naps, because my mind is racing...it is ridiculous!!

So it is Saturday morning, and I went to bed at 2 last night, and I am up ready to go at 6:45 am!! No plans to work out until 9:30 this morning!!

So all of this combines to a very "slowed down" state of Leigh...I feel like my comprehension levels are at an all time slowness, and my reaction to everything is skewed.

So there. No point to this rambling except I am so tired!!

But on the brightside...FOOTBALL starts today...this is my favorite day of the year.

I love college football. Go Dawgs.

Leigh

Colorado Pics

2007-08-07T20:36:00.000-05:00

Hello!!

Tim and I spent 6 days in glorious Colorado last week...can I say 85 degrees and NO humidity!! It was a great escape for us!!

The 1st part of the weekend we spent with my cousins Byron, Melinda and Logan in Denver. We love them so much!! Tim and Logan are two peas in a pod...they can hang out all day long.

I did have to do some work though (GMA Music in the Rockies), but it was very rewarding work...I taught some courses to independent artists on how to market their music online, and participated in some industry round tables. That was fun...only tough part was cell phone service and the wireless connection!!

This slide show is mostly from our trip into the Rocky Mountain National Park, where we drove up to the top of the mountains 2 times...over 12,000 feet high! It was rad...

Enjoy the scenery!

Rocky Mountain High

2007-07-31T23:02:00.001-05:00

Tim and I have been in Colorado since Friday night...I LOVE this state. And that is wierd, why??? I am the antithesis of an "outdoors" type...I do not love the woods, snakes, camping...ummmm no. But Colorado is amazing.

We flew in Friday to spend the weekend with my cousins Byron, Melinda and Logan, and we had a BLAST...these guys are so fun to be with, so relaxing, and just really cool people. We went to the pool, and went to the Alpine Slide - - basically a luge type slide at 10,000+ feet in Breckinridge - and just relaxed. They are our family, but we consider them friends, they are so much fun to be around. Byron and I worked out--well he actually whipped my butt swimming and then running--but it was great.

Then on Monday we drove to Estes Park, for a GMA event that I am speaking at. Estes is cool, it is at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park - which we both loved!! Once again -- Miss "Anti-Outdoors" was a freak about driving up the mountain to the top--we actually did it twice!! And we have take a ton of pictures, that I might post if I ever get to it (not a strength of mine!!).

The coolest thing about being on top of the mountain is the perspective of just how small we are on this planet called Earth...and to remember how mindful God is of us. We were at about 10,000 feet, at a rest stop, and there were these chipmunks running all over the place...and I was thinking, "how on earth could a chipmunk get up this high?"...I mean, did the 1st 2 chipmunks on the mountain like hiking? It sounds silly, but the verses about how "every hair on our head is numbered" really seem to make sense when you see this little 8 pound chipmunk running around on the hillside of a mountain.

Well I have one more session then we are back to Nashville...hope you are doing well!!

leigh

Saturday's are for football...

2007-07-21T17:41:00.001-05:00

So it is a beautiful day today in Nashville...I mean today has to be the perfect summer day. It is probably 80-85 degrees, and oddly the humidity did not come out to terrorize us today.

My day started with a 6 am wake up call (please do not tell me how ridiculous this is--Tim already has!! :) ), so I could ride my bike over to meet Suzie for our bike workout. I wore my normal bike shorts and a tank top, because it has been crazy hot all week, so we figured we would go early to beat the heat.

Well to our surprise, it was the perfect morning, sunny, no humidity, I actually could have worn a long sleeve shirt!! So we rode about 18 miles, and it was a slow, lazy, non-lance armstrong effort, but it was an effort nonetheless.

I got home earlier then normal for a Saturday (since we did not try to run or swim), and Tim was up, so we decided to head to Meridee's, our favorite breakfast spot in Franklin. what a payoff--french toast stuffed with cream cheese--could it be any more fattening? It was amazing, and I did not care.

So I came home, took a nap...then I woke up and hung outside with the doggies...it was beautiful. they decided to terrorize our neighbor dogs for a good half hour, then we headed inside.

So I started flipping channels, and I ran across a rerun of the 2006 Tennessee vs. Alabama football game. Now if you know me, you probably know 2 things about me:

1. I LOVE Football. Yes, the countdown is on (41 days) until Georgia's 1st kickoff of the 2007 season

2. I hate the Tennessee Volunteers. It is true hate. There is no other description.

So you must realize that my #1 (love for football) took over, and I am actually sitting here watching this game. Tim questioned my choice--and I defended myself saying--"do you know who won this game?" (cause neither of us did)...so that was my justification to sit here and to watch football.

And today is the perfect weather for a fall Saturday in Athens, GA, between the hedges.

I am ridiculous--I am SO excited.

4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, this is a close game! Go 'Bama!!

Hope you are well...

Triathlon!

2007-07-15T22:06:00.000-05:00

So today I completed my 1st ever "Olympic Distance Triathlon" -- 9/10 mile swim, 26 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. Yeah, it was pretty insane...long...tiring...but FUN!!

I was honestly completely nervous before it began--I did not sleep at all last night, and was feeling very UN-prepared...I am typically obsessive-compulsive about training, but I definitely bit off more then I could chew on this race...

You see on May 28th, I completed a short mini-triathlon in Nashville - 200 meter swim, 8 mile bike - 2 mile run--it was so short and quick, and I loved it--I could compete, and pass people...and let's just say I became a tad over-confident in my new found triathlon abilities...so I looked at the racing schedule for the southeast this summer, and even though today's tri was only 6 weeks away, I decided to give it a go.

Well, in total Leigh fashion, I really tried to fit too much into my life at once -- you see, over the past 6 weeks, I have had a busy travel schedule...

--Trip to Greenville, SC for my cousin's graduation with Tim, then on to Atlanta to visit my brother

--Trip to Wilmore, KY, for a festival for work

--Trip to Dallas for a festival for work

--Week long vacation with Tim & friends in Chattanooga

--Trip to Wisconsin for a festival for work

6 weeks, 5 trips...I trained in Atlanta, Wilmore/Lexington KY, Dallas, Chattanooga and Appleton, Wisconsin...swimming miles, biking a few hundred miles and running over 100 miles...insane. But fun nonetheless!!

So the tri was a challenge--more so mental then physical--we (Tim, my 1 fan came with me) got to Chattanooga on Friday night, rested all day on Saturday, then we went to the race site at 6 am Sunday morning...after setting up my transition area, I was off to the swim start.

The swim was in a River, it was my 1st open water swim ever. The water was not too gross, it was warm and there was a good current. I tried my best to follow the bouy's, and actually finished in 32 minutes, my fastest time at this distance ever. I got out of the water, and ran to the transition to get on the bike, telling myself to relax, and to remain calm...my heart was racing.

The bike ride can be summed up in 1 word -- HILLY! There were honestly NO flat spots on the course...it was a long up and downhill...this was the toughest part of the race--and the longest. I finished in 1 hour and 37 minutes, which again, was a great time for me, but very slow compared to my competition. I mean, so many people passed me, I started to laugh about it...and it was a blow to my ego, but hey, my goal was to finish, so I decided to just gut it out. It really was long though, and I am happy to have finished!!

And then the run...I was the most confident about my run, because that is still the easiest sport for me to train for...so I rarely will skip a run workout...I did it a tad slower hoped (64 minutes for 6.2 miles), but I passed 3 girls in the last 2 miles that I had my eye on, which boosted my confidence!! The cool part about the run was that my Mom was volunteering at the 1 mile/5 mile water stop (the run was one where you run 3.1 miles then turn around and run back), so she was there to cheer me on @ crucial times...when I had just started going on the run, and when I needed a boost to finish well. I finished strong, and my Dad and Tim were at the finish line cheering me on -- I was exhausted & glad at the end.

I grabbed 2 bottles of water, and finished off 3 pieces of pizza within 15 minutes of finishing...I did not realize how hungry I was after working out for 3.5 hours!!

I had a lot of fun, and am looking forward to my next event...not quite sure which race I will do next, but I am so fueled to get better...my goal for this race was to finish and to learn...now that "Grandy" in me is kicking in to become the best ever. (It never ends!!)

Well I hope you are doing well...I am happy I have a day off of work tomorrow to rest and recuperate...I will probably take 3-4 days off, then get back at it!!

Hope you are well!!

Leigh

PS: My pre-race photo, and my finishing sprint...

the 5 year plan...

2007-06-06T23:20:00.001-05:00

Hey all...

you know me--I am a planner. I love plans, lists, more plans, ideas that lead to plans, and even more lists. Yes I am the lame-o who makes lists for myself on Saturdays, that actually include "wake up" and "eat" and "shower"...ok, I know, just bear with me...

So when my boy Elroy and I got married, we went to Costa Rica on our Honeymoon--it was AMAZING...getting married in September limits travel on the eastern seaboard due to hurricanes, so we flew west to paradise...so when we were on our honeymoon, we started making plans (the boy knows the way to my heart!!)...and we said that on our 5 year anniversary, we wanted to go to Italy...

it was a pipe dream at the time, and to be honest with you, at the beginning of 2007 it was a pipe dream as well...but God honored our plans, and yesterday we booked our flights to Italy from Sept 12-21!!!!!!! God had his list too and wanted to check it off for us!! :)

We are finalizing the details, but we do know this...we will be in Venice on a Gondola ride on September 14th, 5 years from the day we said I DO!! I am psyched!!!!

We are going to Venice, Rome and Positano. Our friend Bethany is working on the ultimate Italian itinerary for us...it will be a fun list that I can check off!! :)

So here's to plans!!! and lists!! and the pens/pencils I use to mark things off the lists!!

the country music half marathon...I finished!! had fun!! and hurt my back!!

2007-04-30T20:24:00.000-05:00

I am proud to say that I not only survived an extremely busy GMA week last week, but I finished the Country Music half Marathon in 2 hours and 28 minutes on Saturday. And for those of you who keep up, I am proud to tell you that I ran the entire race, except for 2/10 of a mile on part of mile 12...at that point I knew I was going to hit my goal time (my goal was 2:30), and there was yet another hill...so when I got to the top, I grabbed my breathe so I could make a roaring finish. My friend Suzie always saves enough energy for a strong finish, when often I am too impatient and just get to the end...but I wanted to run through the crowd with my fists pumping and smiling because I completed anther goal. If you recall, when I did my marathon in January, I was using the "run-walk" method where I ran for 5 minutes, then walked for 1 minute throughout the entire race. It is an amazing method for long distances...but starting in February I began to train myself to run the whole thing...no walk breaks. So I am dually proud that I finished, but that I ran, and that I met my goal.

The race was so much fun...people were everywhere cheering for us; it was like a big party. People were literally tailgating down Belmont Ave. The bands are never really great, but it is fun to have the distraction for like 30 seconds as you run by.

The best part was running with my friends...Suzie was along for the run, as usual...she is like my alter-running-ego, and now she is gung-ho bout the triathlon season coming up. Also, my dear friends Rebecca and Laura came down to run with me--they both have been training and it was a joy to run the streets with them. We literally sang songs, laughed, and helped each other through. If it wasn't for them, there is no way I would have run the whole time--they kept me at it. The older I get the more I know that the best friends are the ones that you can pick up with wherever you left off--Laura and Rebecca are friends from Lexington, from my grad school days...they came and visited me when I moved to Florida (surviving some brutal sun burn) and now they have dropped in on Nashville--it is great to have pals who love you no matter what and it can just be fun, with no strings. Laura's hubby Brent came down too...he was the honorary "Sheriff" of Nashville for the weekend, and kept it real with Tim as the cheer squad.

The worst part of the weekend is this lower back / upper butt pain -- I had this pain at about mile 19 of the marathon...and it came back at mile 6 on the half on Saturday. Today I went and got a cortisone shot and stayed home from work. Man it always seems like when you take a sick day all of these great TV shows and movies will be on...I got nothing. I slept, checked email, and that's about it. My back does not feel much better...but I do have some drugs for the rest of the week, so we will see. The moral of the story is that I need to stop skipping sit-ups at the end of each workout and get my body in shape!!

Well I hope you are doing well...

Off to my next race...my 1st triathlon on 5/28/07 here in Nash...

Leigh

a new way to be human

2007-01-26T07:24:00.001-06:00

I have to be honest--I go through life a lot of the time trying to PROTECT myself at all costs from "feeling"...things happen that are sad, or hard to hear, and I try to go to a remote place ... where the actual events in my mind are an arms length away ... and I will not allow myself to be affected by that moment, issue, emotion, or problem...basically I will pour myself into whatever task is at hand, and get extremely focused, so I do not have to feel...

It really started when my college roommate died back in 1999...it was a sudden death, and the last time I had seen her was 3 months prior at her wedding of all places...and how do you deal with that? How do you handle watching her husband stand by her casket? I think that was a very defining moment in my life, in the sense that without knowing how to handle that deep pain, I bottled it up, and did not deal with it.

I vividly remember going back home from Kelly's funeral...I lived in KY then and was in grad school, and I remember the morning after the funeral I was riding my bike to class...my mind was racing about all the crap I needed to get done after missing 5 days of class and work...and I hit the brakes on my bike and stopped----the harshest of all realities hit me--life goes on. Life actually goes on after all of that pain.

Honestly, that was a pill to swallow...and because of the funeral, the sudden death, and the deep, incomprehensible sadness...that was the moment when I started to protect my heart at all costs of getting hurt.

hindsight is 20/20...at that moment, I had no idea what I was doing...I was putting a hard shell around my heart that would help me to not FEEL, to not be vulnerable, and to have little emotion, esp. as it relates to tragic events.

Well I think yesterday I took a BIG step towards allowing myself to feel...a lot of crap is going on in my life, and all of my friends’ lives. I am afraid 2007 has not brought a ton of great news for many around me, and yesterday was one of the worst days ... without going into too much detail...I had to sit around and watch many people go through pain...and it was awful. And honestly, all day long, I tried to ignore the pain and sadness I felt...but by 8 pm last night, it broke me. I allowed myself to be vulnerable to my feelings, and I was sad, mad, anxious and a whole host of emotions...it has been so painful to "feel", and to feel so terrible for the others...it is hard to put into words...

I woke up this morning thanking God that he allowed me to feel...and please know...there are a lot of people waking up today to a harsh reality, and for me to be like "Yeah! I can feel" is like a slap in the face...but it is not meant to be a slap at all...at all.

I thought of this song below, A New Way To Be Human...and I know that God is moving in all of this pain in our lives and in all of the situations, and telling us that there is a better way, and that He is the way...and that He brings redemption.

And as He can bring redemption in my life in the area of vulnerability and feeling, He brings redemption to all of those hurting.

here are the lyrics...

A New Way To Be Human...Switchfoot

Everyday it's the same thing
Another trend has begun
Hey kids, this might be the one

It's a race to be noticed
And it's leaving us numb
Hey kids, we can't be the ones

With all of our fashion
We're still incomplete
The God of redemption
Could break our routine

There's a new way to be human
It's nothing we've ever been
There's a new way to be human
New way to be human

And where is our inspiration?
When all the heroes are gone
Hey kids, could we be the ones?

'Cause nobody's famous
And nobody's fine
We all need forgiveness
We're longing inside

There's a new way to be human
It's nothing we've ever been
There's a new way to be human
It's spreading under my skin
There's a new way to be human
Where divinity blends
With a new way to be human
New way to be human

You're throwing your love across
my impossible space
You've created me
Take me out of me into...

A new way to be human
To a new way to be human

You're a new way to be human
Where my humanity bends
To a new way to be human
Redemption begins

You're a new way to be human
You're the only way to be human

At the 25-mile mark of the marathon, I allowed myself to be vulnerable and I threw myself into the moment and burst into tears, knowing I would complete the marathon. I allowed myself to enjoy it and be PROUD of myself, and honestly, that never happens...I never allow myself to "settle" or enjoy what I have accomplished...

It was a new way to be human for me...let me encourage those who are being tested...redemption always comes...rarely does it look exactly like what we think...but it comes.

Leigh

the time of my life...the marathon blog...

2007-01-16T22:04:00.001-06:00

I don't know where to start...the journey to run a marathon started years ago...I can not even pin point the budding of the dream...but I know that for as long as I can remember, I wanted to dun a marathon...it is amazing to have completed it!!!

The 2 things that I keep thinking about are empowerment and encouragement...I feel so empowered that I can achieve anything I set my mind too. I honestly did not believe I could complete this task...when I hit mile 25 then running through the finish, I was overjoyed, emotional, I was crying, and screaming!! I literally ran through the finish waving my hands to pump up the crowd and screaming "Cheer for me I am finishing a Marathon!!!" I pulled my "football player" who threw a winning touchdown pass or just won a game--I was so psyched!!

And encouragement...the verse "I can do all things THROUGH Christ Jesus who strengthens me"...phil 4:13...it is so true. This journey took a lot of time and prayer...I was begging Jesus to help me through the pain from miles 18 on, and he delivered me...it was GREAT! Another member from TNT had the verse written on the back of her jersey, and it honestly kept my mind fresh...thankfully!! And as I have said a ton of times before...YOU can do whatever you set your mind to! I am so encouraged that I completed this...do not let anything hold you back!!

Ok on to the play-by-play for race day...

Race day was both wonderful and painful, but the joy has far exceeded any of the pain...it is Tuesday night, and yes, I am still sore...but it is almost blissful--knowing the soreness came from such a triumphant finish!!

We got up on race day at 6:00 am...but I hardly slept the night before. I dreamed that I missed the start, and that I could not tie my shoes...so I was a bit groggy when I finally awoke. Bad news was the weather--on race day, it was the coldest morning in Phoenix in the last 16 years--30 degrees (we had expected 50!!)...so I had to dress warm. I ate a muffin, got my stuff together, and went down to the lobby to meet my Team in Training (TNT) teammates.

Here is a pic of Tim and I in the lobby pre-race...

So we got a pep talk from our coach, Mari-etta, who told us what to expect and what to plan for on the course. I got to hand it to TNT, they were amazing!! They prepared us the whole way!!

So we boarded our bus, and headed to the start. We got to the race, jumped in line with the thousands of others, and took off!! It was so great to have a running partner--Suzie and I stuck together for the 1st 16 miles. At every mile, I would mention that I was still having fun, and Suzie would "check" it off the list, as in another mile down, and we were still smiling!! We really had a good time, we chatted a little, but got to see some fun scenery as we started in downtown Phoenix and ran towards Scottsdale.

Here I am at 8 miles...not really in any pain (yet)...still feeling good...

Let me tell you, running with TNT was the biggest advantage...we were surrounded by purple jerseys--there were TNT members everywhere, and there were fans cheering for us all over the place. We never felt alone on the course at all, and our coaches were everywhere, giving us tips and running with us to help us along. We saw our coach around the 9-10 mile, and she warned me that I was leaning forward a bit--that was about the time my legs started to feel a tad sore, and started to get tired. I listened, and tried to focus on standing tall and slowing down a tad.

So at 13 miles, we hooked up with my dad, who was going to run the final 13.2 miles with us. Here is a pic of Suzie and I at 13...we are still feeling good!!

The distance started to catch up with me around 15 miles...I started to get really tired...and my right knee began to ache...I had been having major trouble with my right arch the 3 weeks leading up to the race, but my arch was great...but my knee must have taken the brunt of the pain...so now the mind games began...

so I hit 15, and kept thinking I just need to make it to 18, because I had run that distance before, so it was a mental thing to get there. I got to 18, and knew only 8 was left...and I started to get HUNGRY...I was starving. My dad was encouraging, telling me that my mom and Tim would meet us around mile 20 or 21, so that is all I thought about those 3 miles...food is coming soon, just keep going. And honestly, what else was I going to do? I figured I was in the middle of Scottsdale, AZ, and the only way to get food or rest, I HAD to keep running!!!

Here I am at mile 21, eating a protein bar and chugging Gatorade! Thank God fro my mom and sweet husband for being my traveling pit crew...

so mile 21-25 was really tough...I ran off from Tim and my mom after refueling for about 3-4 minutes, and I literally could not run at all...my right knee had the most excruciating pain through the right side, and I literally thought I could not run at all...this was the one moment where I did not think I could go on...I stopped and told my dad I had to walk, and he gently encouraged me and told me to walk to get warmed up again. As I walked, the muscles in my lower back were now crying out...so running was actually less painful then walking. Determined to finish, I knew it was time to pop the iPod in, and let some music carry me through to the finish.

Then came along my TNT coach Mari-etta-at just the right time. She ran with me from 21.5-22.5, and at that point, knowing that I only had a 5k left, I knew I could finish. At this point Suzie was about 5 minutes behind me, and her dad had also joined her on the course, which was really cool.

At mile 25, with all of my pride, I tried to keep it together, and be stoic and not show emotion...then I realized how lame that is, and decided to allow the emotion to overcome me, and I started crying!! Still in a lot of pain, but I knew then that I would finish, and I was so proud of myself for taking the journey and for completing it. I was elated. There are very few moments in my life that compare to this--working in sports for so long, there are a lot of victories I have been a part of as a team, but to know that this was me, and my 2 legs carrying me to the finish, that was a sweet feeling.

Here I am waving my arms to pump up the crowd before I cross the finish line...

Check out the medal around my neck!!

Tim and I at the finish...

My dad and I enjoying the moment...

Getting stretched out by my mom...

Suzie and I at the end...

again...what an amazing experience. I cannot say enough about Team in Training. If you are at all interested in this amazing cause, and in being a part of the team, I will tell you all about it!! Check it out: http://www.teamintraining.org/ highly recommended!!

Will I do it again??? Hell yeah! Training and competing in this marathon was a life-changing experience. I feel so energized and it has built me up in such a positive way. My knees are hating me as I type this...but I plan to take 2-3 weeks off to rest, then start training for the country music 1/2 marathon here in Nashville in April, then hopefully for another marathon in 2007!! Suzie and I (and my friend Jeannie!!) plan to attempt a triathlon as well!! I have gotten in touch with my sporty side!!

Well thanks for reading, and thanks for taking this journey with me. I encourage you to make 1 decision today that will be a step in the direction of your dreams. Just Do It. You are capable of far more then you probably give yourself credit for.

God Bless...Leigh

the marathon...it is Finished!!

2007-01-14T19:48:00.001-06:00

I have always wanted to use that phrase, "It is Finished"...well I completed my 1st ever marathon today!!

It was an unbelieveable experience...I plan to share more later when I am in a little less pain...for now...the photo:

Photos...the night before...TNT rules...

2007-01-13T22:11:00.001-06:00

Things in AZ have been great so far...we went out for a team dinner last night and the food was incredible (salmon and mashed sweet potatos for me!!) ... today my mom and dad got to town, so we hung out, shopped at the runner's expo, and took naps.

Then...we went to the Team in Training Pasta dinner...it was a pasta meal (imagine that) and a motivational speaker...and then a teammate shared her story. It was unreal--there are over 1,700 "team members" here, and we raised over 5 million dollars collectively towards a cure for Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers...I got chills as they brought a loady to the stage that raised over $54,000 in honor of her sister in law who died last christmas of a blood cancer...unreal. UNREAL! She was an inspiration to me.

Then, the teammate who shared her story...she lost her daughter 3 months ago, and she is out here raising money and running a marathon in her daughters honor. 3 months ago...she shared that she was angry and sad and all kinds of emotions...but mostly she was ready to put up a fight to help others and to find a cure. Now that is someone to admire!! How often I look up to CEO's and athletes...these are people just like us with crazy determination and dedication to do something extraordinary. WOW.

so it is 9 pm here...not quite ready for bed...trying not to be too nervous...pray for me!!

Here are some photos from tonight!!

the jersey...

the rad hat my brother bought me...yes I know it does not match purple...

the number is already on my shorts...

the family at the pasta dinner...

my team from nashville...

Suzie and I...

well I am going to bury myself in my book until I fall asleep...thanks for reading!

Leigh

PS: Shout out to Emily Gary--you know me so well--thanks for the care package, the brownies and the special surprise (I won't incriminate you and type out the secret thing you sent me!!) THANKS!!!!!!

PSS: My jersey with my mom's super cool iron on:

being a part of something bigger...

2007-01-11T07:53:00.001-06:00

the marathon is this SUNDAY!!!!

I can not hardly believe it! I have been having waves of excitement and fear all week long...I can barely sleep!!

All of my life I participated in sports, and this is the closest feeling to when I was at Georgia and Kentucky, and would be anticipating big games that my teams were a part of...at Georgia, I would literally get so nervous before big games--I HATE to lose, and I would go to the bathroom literally 2-3 times within 20 minutes of tip-off. I can't even imagine what Sunday morning will be like!!

It has been such an amazing experience being a part of Team in Training. Our team from Nashville is really great--I barely know a lot of the team, but we have all seen each other in moments of complete pain and elation. That is neat to be with people through that.

But it has beeen all I thought it would be and even more to raise money and Awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Leukemia is a horrible disease, and the way it has affected my life, but more importantly Kelly's family...man it is tough. It has been inspiring and empowering to come together with a group and to make a difference. One of my teammates has raised over $8,000!!!! He is my hero right now. I think as a team (in Nashville only we have raised over $75,000. I am so excited about that.

I can only encourage you to JUST DO IT. Do whatever is in your heart that you are holding back on. Running a marathon and being a part of a charity organization that I cared about were 2 desires I had for so long...but for so long I let "other people do it" and did not believe I had the capacity to run like this. Well we are more capable then we think we are. JUST DO IT!! That is an encouragement!!

Please keep me in your prayers this weekend...we start at 7:40 am MTN time on Sunday. 26.2 miles is the goal.

Please pray that I:
-finish

-enjoy the ride - just HAVE FUN while I am out there

-injuries--I am nursing a swollen arch and an overused knee...They have been big issues throughout training, but my arch decided it did not like the idea of pounding for 26.2 miles this week, and is swollen...it is trying to hold me hostage...but I hope it cooperates!!

-and for our team, including Suzie, that we embrace being a part of something bigeer and enjoy it all!!

Thanks so much for reading and encouraging me along the way...hopefully I will blog while I will be out in Phoenix, or I will ask Tim to help me out!!

Leigh

The ode to my wingman...

2007-01-08T21:14:00.000-06:00

Honestly, it is just not fair at all that God has given me such an advantage. I mean, I did not really ask for it, and I never thought I needed it ...or would never admit that...and I COMPLETELY do not deserve it...at all...but God gave me my wingman anyway.

Despite my craziness and self dependence; despite my stubbornness; despite it all, God gave me Tim, to be my ultimate wingman.

It is no secret to those of you who are close to us that he is the jem. He is calm, caring, polite, aware of others, considerate, kind, freakin' smart, confident...and lovely. I always tell people in business that Tim is my "secret weapon". He is!!

Believe me--I have taken a giant leap of faith becoming a brand manager for a website--taking myself into the online world full force for the 1st time in my career...and it was a scary move, because of my lack of experience in that area. But guess what? Tim is a web genius--he can code a website from scratch, design anything, and talk in about 56 different web languages (are there even 56?). I can call him with anything computer related, and darn it he can figure it out!! It is amazing.

And since this is Marathon countdown week, let me share with how he has helped me with that -- he has stood by me every step of the way as I have reached for this dream. There are several times that I have noted how selfish this quest has been--it really is a self-fulfilling prophecy for me to run this thing...and the sacrifice he has made for me to accomplish this...I have honestly been training for over 6 months, ran over 500 miles, cross trained every other day (can you believe I still feel fat?)...all this time I have spent time away from him. Anytime I mention the time spent away from him, he confidently reassures me that he supports what I am doing, and is ok with it. And he actually means it!!

And since October, I have been fighting injuries -- all the way to right now. 1st it was my knee, then my shins, then my knee, and now my arch...he has served me and brought me ice packs, rubbed my knees, rubbed my feet, dealt with me wanting to sleep all day on Saturday after my runs, and dealt with me leaving every morning at 6:00 am, only to be asleep on the couch by 9-9:30 pm.

This morning he awoke to me crying and asking him to look at my feet--my right foot has swollen up like a balloon, and he put on his glasses, rubbed my feet, listened to me, told me I would be ok, hugged me, and told me I could do it. That brings tears to my eyes even thinking about him...

I am so blessed. Our God is a good God and brought this self-reliant, independent woman a man who could help complete me and meet the needs I did not even know I had.

God bless my wing man...

Leigh

PS: you can go to his page and check out his AMAZING music at: www.myspace.com/hisboyelroy

the marathon iMix

2007-01-07T09:12:00.000-06:00

so my iPod is my friend...I love running to good tunes...it is a freeing feeling to be out in the sunshine, listening to a great song, and feeling free...

so in just 1 week, at this time I will be walking up to the start line, getting ready to run in my 1st marathon!! Yeah!!

This morning, I had a bit of an old school moment...I wanted to buy a few more songs to round out my iMix (which has 176 songs on it, for 12.2 hours of running...I don't think the marathon will take that long, but who knows!! :) )

So I went shopping on iTunes, and bought these classics:

Dreams by Van Halen
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Final Countdown by Europe
More Than a Feeling by Boston
We are the Champions by Queen

Very nice...those songs will motivate me and take me back to some old school memories fom my past basketball and softball days!!

My overall playlist has a lot of random songs on it, my friend Emily sent me 2 amazing playlists of her own that are filled with all of the popular pop songs...

Here are the top 5 artists on my playlist: (meaning I have the most songs by them on it):

Madonna
Switchfoot
U2
Future of Forestry
David Crowder*Band

I also have a lot of Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Bethany Dillon and Shawn McDonald on the list.

I am getting so excited about the race!!
I can't believe it is 1 week away!!

Leigh

thanking jesus for madonna and leather...

2007-01-06T21:49:00.000-06:00

so the title of this blog is the old fashioned marketing idea to lead with a great headline to get people hooked...but honestly, when I was running this morning, I thought of it...

So I am half a mile from the finish of my 8 mile jog this morning, and I was tired, (hope that doesn't happen during the marathon at 7.5 miles!!), and I needed a pick me up. I was listening to my NEW iPod nano (the RED one--thanks sweetie!!!) (sorry about the shout out to Tim and to Apple), and some Dashboard Confessional song came on. And I like Dashboard, but sometimes their love/angst songs are not so motivating...so I hit Skip on the iPod (I have a running mix I listen to that is always on shuffle to keep it fresh)...and guess who came on...MADONNA, with her song "Hung Up". At that moment, a half mile from the finish, needing a pick me up, I said out loud..."thank you Jesus".

I mean, the bible says to always be thankful, in all things...and boy, when you need a pick me up to get through a tough part of the race, madonna is your girl. Now you know I am already a big Madonna fan, I mean, I flew to Chicago this summer to see her concert...so it was a great moment, and one that I needed to be thankful for.

In a related story...I was out shopping with Tim, Casey and Danny last week looking for the post-Christmas sales, and I found a brown belt at the Gap. Ok so a confession...I hate parting with money, and I especially hate spending money on items that are "necessities", like belts and shoes and toothpaste and overall the stuff you would buy for yourself at Walmart...I mean I am 32 but I still wish my Mom would buy me those types of things!! So I have honestly needed a new brown belt since last Christmas, but have been too cheap to buy one. I mean $20-30 bucks? for real, that feels way to expensive for a belt of all things.

So anyway, this Christmas I decided it was time to get a new belt, that it was way past due. so we were at the Gap, and I picked out the belt, it had a price tag of $24.95...I seriously stood in front of the belts the entire time we were in the store contemplating the purchase...then I decided to dive in, spend the money, and have a nice new belt.

So I go to check out, and it rang up at $9.95. I looked at the screen and asked the check out girl--"it's only $9.95", and she was like "yeah, it's on sale"...I immediatly say "Thank you Jesus" out loud, right to the check out girl (Casey can vouch for this!).

Being thankful for the little things!!

Leigh

Have a good weekend!!

the end of the year blog...

2006-12-31T09:38:00.001-06:00

so another year has passed...this year has flown by!! As I mentioned in a previous post, so much of my year has been focused on training, it feels as if it has flown by!! I can't believe that in 2 weeks from today I will be at the starting line for my first marathon attempt--and attempting to complete one of those "life long" goals I have!! That is so scary and satisfying at the same time!!!

I mean I am scared at the thought that I might not actually finish the marathon--anything could happen on the course--a pulled muscle, twisted ankle, broken knee (that is how I refer to my constant knee pain)...I could get 20 miles out and then my body might tell me that is all that it wants to go--I am praying for the health and the willpower to get through it all!!

Last Saturday I completed my final "long" run before the marathon--18 miles--I did the same course to East Nashville and back, and I could not believe how much better I felt when I was running! I truly felt ready to go the 26. Now a week later and the mind games have begun, and I keep thinking negative thoughts, and the fear is creeping up in my bones. Basically thoughts like..."well you completed the training, but you haven't done the marathon yet and you probably can't go 26.2" types of thoughts. I am trying to replace those thoughts with positive ones though, and thoughts of truth like "I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me" and the thoughts that no matter what happens, I have still accomplished a hell of a lot just by sticking with the training regimen. Now that has not been easy!!

I am really looking forward to 2007...of course I have like 5-6 resolutions, and I pray that I stick with them...but ultimately I just want to relax and enjoy life more, enjoy tim, our sweet dogs who can be crazy maniacs, and not worry so much. Fear is so annoying and can hold you back so much. It is so cool that a core verse of the Christmas story is "and the Angel came to them and said Do Not Be Afraid"...I pray that I recall that this year in every situation that I experience fear for any reason.

I hope you have a great New Year's celebration...some of our closest frinds from Orlando are here to enjoy it with us, and I am so grateful. We are lazy bums and can just relax around each other, and that is refreshing.

And they say that they like my cooking, so that is always a bonus!!

Happy New Year!!

Leigh

the real purpose

2006-12-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

so I was in Niketown in Denver a few weeks back, and saw this quote...

"The real purpose of running isn't to win a race, it's to test the limits of the human heart." - Bill Bowerman

I love that quote; as I am a perfectionist and competitor to the core, it has been such a lesson for me to think of this marathon as something not to win, but to finish. And dang, I love winning, I hate HATE HATE losing. Much mre emphasis is needed on that--I hate to lose. Ask my husband. :) (PS: he is a GODSEND!!)

I am still battling a knee injury, and my arch on my right foot has been bothering me...and I am less then a month away. I so want to push myself in my last month of training, but I have to be disciplined to think about the real goal--it is not my time, or who I beat to the finish...it is FINISHING that is the victory. And finishing well.

This is a test of my heart, and my mind.

I am honestly glad I am doing this, and I can not wait to go to Phoenix...but man this is incredibly challenging!!

visiting East Nashville...

2006-12-10T07:32:00.000-06:00

so Saturday was the big 18 mile training run...I was very stressed out before I went running, and it was 20 degrees when we started...usually I do not look at the course map until right before I run (out of laziness)...

18 miles is a long way...we ran 9 miles in one direction then turned around and ran back...

so for my Nashville friends, here is a "word picture" of how far that is...

I started at David Lipscomb University and ran to the Bongo Java in EAST Nashville and back.

Yeah that boggled my mind...I ran through Belmont, up Music Row to the Musica (they might as well just re-name it the naked statue), down Demonbeun over the bridge to 2nd...up 2nd past all the bars through downtown to Union/Woodland...past the Titans football stadium...went down Woodland to 11th , the road Bongo is on...ran down past Bongo to Shelby and turned around and ran back.

needless to say, it was a challenge!!

And for my Orlando friends...it is about the same distance from my old house to the Orlando Airport...

Only one more long run before the BIG race...Dec. 23 I have 20 to run...man I will have no guilt over-indulging this Christmas!! :)

Hope you are havng a great day!

Leigh

it is COLD out there!!

2006-12-06T21:52:00.000-06:00

Well...this summer when I started training, and the Nashville humidity was strangling me, and I sweat like a pig while I was running, or just walking to my car...I made the "declaration" that I would be so disapointed if I complained when it was cold out. Because struggling through ten miles of hades in the August heat of Tennessee...well I thought that was the epitomy of pain.

Ao I am choosing not to complain about the 28 degree weather I have been dragging my butt out to run in. I will just mention that it is colder then...well I have no neat analogy to share...let's just say this morning, I drove over to the park in Franklin to meet Suzie at 5:45 am. I left my half glass of water in my Jeep, so I could get a swig when I was finished with the 6 miles. when I got back, the water was frozen solid. FROZEN. that is how cold it was this morning!!

So less then 40 days until the big race, and my trip out to Phoenix. I can't believe it. I am starting to go through the end of the year "lists", like where has the year gone and what have we done with it...and I can't believe that since June 1, so much of my mind share, strength and thoughts have gone towards my training and this race. I barely remember the time leading up to my training...it has over taken me.

Literally...I have been training 6 days a week, and every day I have had to think about when I would work out, how I would feel, what should I or shouldn't I be eating, why if I am doing all of this training am I not losing weight, will my other 2 dogs be mad at me because I can only run with one of them, why am I always so TIRED, and how can I handle spending this much time away from hanging out with Tim? all of these thoughts go through my mind daily...and in the mean time, in August, I changed roles at work!!

Most of the time I feel like my new team at work thinks I am a work robot or completely unsocial because I am holed up in my office like a zombie and am not very social. I have had days that I am happy to stay awake all day--getting up at 5 am and running or swimming before work wrecks me; and we work in a hole with no windows, and it is very dark; so most of the time I feel like I am in a cocoon. (I don;t know how to spell, is that right?)...trying to learn a new job, fight fatigue, and keep at it the next day.

WOW I think I just over-shared. But that's been going on in my mind. Today when I was running I was thinking that the real accomplishment is probably overcoming the training, not even running the race. Boy it will feel good to cross the finish line.

So lace up your running shoes and join me...I am sure this blog is an inspiration!! :)

No, honestly it is great...I signed up for the Country Music half marathon today...so it can't be that bad!!

Thanks for your support, comments and prayers...I appreciate you!!

Thanksgiving in Denver...

2006-11-28T01:01:00.000-06:00

Tim and I just got home tonight from a week long trip to Denver, where we stayed with my cousins Byron & Melinda for Thanksgiving, and my mom and dad were out there as well to hang out with us. Then Tim and I stayed to watch the Winter Wonder Slam Tour on Sunday night, and it was a great show!

It was such a nice time--it was the epitomy of relaxing...we just sat around, enjoyed each other, ate too much, and relaxed. Each day there was no rush, we all just settled into the day, hung out...we went to downtown Denver to catch a little Christmas spirit and watch the lighting of all of their important buildings, and we shopped (just a little--for about 1 hour on 1 day, which was perfect), we went to the Aquarium...oh yeah, and we ate. I think I gained some good Holiday weight! Although I did run while I was out there...I did a tough 11 miler on Saturday, but my Dad and Byron joined me so it was much more bearable...the marathon is getting way too close for comfort!!

Saturday was particularly great because the Bulldogs beat Georgia Tech for the 6th year in a row...you know it!! It was a come from behind win-15-12!!

Tim made a new best friend, Logan, who is my 4 year old 2nd cousin, and he is amazing...he is so full of life--I wanted to bottle it up in a jar and bring it with me everywhere we go, just so I can remember him and the joy that he brings...

It was a great Thanksgiving...I have some pictures I wanted to share...

Tim and I outside of the Aquarium

Tim and Logan

Tim and logan getting up close to the Fish

Shooting pics of Toby Mac from the front of the stage...

Vacation was GREAT!! It makes working hard feel well worth it to have time away with your family!!!

Hope you all had a great break!!

Leigh

can't believe my eyes...

2006-11-07T22:32:00.000-06:00

I have just tallied my latest fundraising total...and drum roll please...I am only $36 from my goal!!!! HOLY COW!!!! I had a bake sale at work last week, and it was amazing, and I got a $200 donation from out of no where this week...I am so stoked!!!!

I have never raised money before for a personal endeavor such as this...so it is really cool to be coming to a close...now I just have to run the darn marathon!!! :) (I am attempting 16 miles this Saturday!!)

WOW...I could be done in ONE more donation...want to donate?

http://www.active.com/donate/tnttn/leighholt

That is he link...it is cool on that page there is a bar showing the financial progress...maybe if you donate the money to hit the goal, the page will have fireworks or something. That would be cool....wait a minute...we could do that on hearitfirst... :) (as all the programmers run screaming!!)

Well I have been "under the weather" this week, I called in sick today...and boy I honestly was bored enough that I wanted to work!! I am demented I know, I just enjoy working. well...off to bed...I hav to run 6 at 5:45 am tomorrow...and my throut just mysteriously started hurting again... :)

Leigh

where has this year gone...?

2006-10-29T22:23:00.000-06:00

is anyone else as tripped up that it is about to be November? I can't believe that this year has FLOWN by. only 2.5 months till the big Race...wow.

So, in typical Type A/anal/planner/organizer fashion...I typically set goals each year and on each Birthday for myself...today as we changed the clocks again, I was surveying my goals, and wondering how I am doing...and isn't it silly, because I am only judging against myself...but I am proud of what I have done so far...as I get older, my journey becomes more and more internal rather then external...trying to figure out who I am and what I stand for. That can be painful, but it is good...

well i know that the next 2 months are going to go by in a blur...Tim and I have several trips coming up, so time will really start to fly...anyway...running is going well...I did a tough 14 this weekend, but happy to say the knee and the shins are getting much better...and I finally swam a mile last Thursday night in about 45 minutes, it was freakin hard, but I was really proud.

let me know how you are doing..shoot me a message!

14.5 miles...and being able to "See The Morning"

2006-10-14T20:45:00.000-05:00

Today I ran 14.5 miles...wow, it was tough. I told my mom I had a street fight and the street won!! It is amazing that you can start the run, and go for a certain distance and feel so great (today it was about 8 miles)...then start to wonder why on earth you are running in the 1st lace. The great thing about our training is that we run out to the halfway point, then turn around and run back to where our cars are parked. So basically, around the 8 mile mark, I was pretty much screwed, and realized I had to get back to my car...so it was me and my iPod and my weary legs pushing it out for 6 more miles...I finished, and I am proud...but I am also in pain!

But the best thing about this morning was the 1st 3 miles...we started at 6:45 am, it was about 38 degrees, and the sun was slowly rising over the Tennessee pastures...it was beautiful...one of our artists is Chris Tomlin, and he put out a new record called "See The Morning", and his message is all about hope ... and the joy in knowing that God is faithful and has the sun rise every day and all things begin anew and afresh each morning...and running out in the farmland today, I knew what he meant...it was good to know that God was with me, and to experience it in a visible way as the sun rose and the fog lifted and the trees were all different beautiful colors...it was a good reminder for me.

And then there is always that comical moment...or rather, the humility that has come along with this training...coming home, getting in to an ice bath with 22 pounds of ice (thanks tim for buying the giant bag!), and crying like a baby because the water was so cold...ask Tim, he got a GREAT laugh out of that.

Hope you are doing well...

LH

need a little advice...any ideas?

2006-10-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

hello reading public, what is up? I just got done watching my beloved Bulldogs take a beating from the Vols...oh well. It's gonna be a long season, unfortunately we started 5-0 so people believed the hype about us...tonight the truth came out...we ain't that good. anyway...that is not the point of this blog...

OK...here is where I need a little help...I have to raise $1000 more for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society...and I need some fundraising ideas.

Do any of you know of any ideas for how I can get the last $1,000? I need some "low hanging fruit" (thanks Kat for the phrase) ideas--things that I can accomplish with minimal effort/investment.

I plan on sending some postcards out to my family members who still have not given...but beyond that...I am struggling.

So idea people, please send along some thoughts...My deadline is November 10th...I am in the home-stretch

So any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

Leigh

PS: I ran a 10k today in 71 minutes, my best time yet! My knee and shins are still hurting though... :( but I made it!

What do sore legs look like...

2006-10-02T23:40:00.000-05:00

very sexy... :)

This has been the story of my life lately...4 ice bags, and I ice 3-5 times a day...

sweet...

What I love about Running...

2006-10-01T17:41:00.000-05:00

So.....the bad news is that I am injured. I have tendonitis in my left knee and shin splints, much worse in my right leg, but really in both. So it has been a PAINFUL 2 weeks...I have had ice on my legs non-stop...even at work! But it has given me time to reflect about why I love to run...(note: about 4 months ago, there was nothing I LOVED about running...but it sure is addictive!!)

#1: The feeling of accomplishment when I finish...for a girl who loves to achieve, it feels great everytime I finish a daily jog...

#2: The feeling of FREEDOM when I am out running...seriously, waking up early and jogging, listening to my favorite music on my iPod...helps me feel FREE to do whatever I want...and be the peson who I want to be...

#3: Sweating...a good sweat really makes me feel accomplished...

#4: The Community of Runners...it is like a little world of people who speaks their own language...it is nice to be a part of it!

#5: The Confidence...when I am done running my long runs on Saturday, I feel confident that I could accomplish anything I choose to do...

Anyway...there is something spiritual to me about running, and I think it is because it encompasses that whole list above...I love it.

I have to "aqua jog" in the pool this week as part of my recovery from the splints...that leaves a little different feeling then running does (ie: boredom)...but I hope to be fully recovered in a week to 10 days!

Leigh

PS: here is a recent photo of Tim & I...

Down but Not Out...

2006-09-23T18:22:00.000-05:00

So I have had a really rough September overall...the 1st week I was on vacation...and it honestly did not feel very "vacationy"...I ran throughout the week in Florida, but during my 15k race, I started to get a wierd feeling in the front of my right ankle...in typical "Grandy" fashion (Grandy = maiden name), I was stubborn and pushed through it...then we got back to TN, and I immediatly got a crappy head cold, that basically knocked me out all last week,,,I could only run 2 days...but then last Sat I ran 12 miles...again through the wierd ankle pain, and I endured my normal knee pain that I have been having since July...

Well on Tuesday, I could not bear teh pain and went to the DR...come to find out, I have tendonitis in my knee and shin splints in my right leg (and probably in my left too, just my knee seems to over-shadow that pain)...

So the worst thing about it is that I am ordered to rest and not run for a few days...who would have ever thought that I would be mad that I am told to NOT run? I really think I have been abducted by an alien these past 4 months...

Anyway, my worst fear was that this would kill the marathon, but my doctor, my coach, my mentor and my mom all told me I would be all right. Yes I needed 4 opinions. :)

So I am going to introduce myself to the pool this week and the elliptical machine...I have to keep my cardio up in order to stay in shape...

I have spent the whole day watching football (Go Dawgs!!), and have thought about all the athletes who suffer set backs, and how much character it takes to lsten to your coaches and do what they say so you will get better...pray for me that I will listen and actually rest...I keep wanting to push it, because I was so happy where I was at with the training, but I have to rest...UGH!!

Hope the web audience is doing well...

:)

Leigh

12 Miles...I am having nightmares...

2006-09-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

Most of you know me, and you know that I am self-proclaimed "OCD" - obsessive compulsive. So when I am dedicated to something, it consumes my thoughts, I want to be perfect at it, and it drives me insane. Well, Tim can attest to this--I am OCD about my marathon training schedule. I hate to miss a day or to slack off.

So this week I got sick. I mean, literally, every day this week I legitamitly could have called in sick to work--and probably should have--I have had a sinus infection, complete with head pressure, a runny nose, tiredness...all things you hate about having a cold. I was in a bad mood all week, and just because I am OCD about work, I was too stubborn to call in sick.

But I did decide to take it easy on my training, because basically, I felt like I was gonna die every day when I got home. So I only ran my 5 miles on Wednesday--I took Monday off (supposed to run 5 miles) and skipped my Tuesday/Thursday cross training. So, along with having the cold of the century, mentally I am freaking out because I am missing my training...and I have to run 12 miles tomorrow. 12 freakin miles. Farthest distance yet.

So last night, I literally had a NIGHTMARE about the run...I dreamed that I was in Chicago with Suzie/Suzanne (my running partners), and I had a warm up suit on over my jogging clothes, and I literally could not get them off my body...so I started running with warm-up pants on and my regular jogging top, and was so hot and uncomfortable...and then Suzie/Suzanne took off so fast an I lost sight of them and was completely lost in Chicago. It was ridiculous. I woke up sweating.

So I need to chill out...

12 miles at 6:45 am...sweet.

I will let you know how it goes!!

Leigh

Feelin' sick...

2006-09-12T18:36:00.000-05:00

So I came home from work early today, I have a major head cold...it is annoying...going on missing 2 days of training...does not help that I am so OBSESSIVE about training, and to miss some days makes me delirious...anyway...so I have been trying to sleep, but my dogs are making that impossible...so I decided to take this quiz I found through MySpace...

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller

You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done.

You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings.

Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you.

Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy.

You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer.

What's Your Personality Type?

I thought it was interesting!!!

Road Race results!

2006-09-07T07:48:00.000-05:00

So I ran in my 1st road race on saturday, and I am sorry I have not blogged about it sooner--thanks to everyone who has asked and sent me messages--I have been on vacation and living in the land of dial-up...and I have little patience for that...so I figured I would give it a try this morning...

The race was a lot of fun--I did 9.3 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes, that 11.3 minute miles, which was an improvement on the 12 minute pace I usually trot at...that made me happy...and I had a bunch of friends come and cheer me on and Tim's parents--that made all the difference in my energy level--knowing when I would round a corner I might see them, gave me motivation and a skip in my step! I am always humbled when I receive support from the people who care about me, and it was awesome to see everyone and feel so loved...so thanks guys!!

The funny thing about the race was that my competitive side kicked in in it's entirety...I try to keep telling myself that the finish line is 1st place, that as long as I finish, I am #1...well growing up in sports, and being as hyper-competitive as I am, running against all of those people really changed my mind...and then people would pass me, and I would remind myself...finishing is first place. Nah, I don't buy it. I think that had to do with the quickening of my pace as well!!!! This whole training and marathon has been the biggest mental challenge of my life--if I make it about being #1, there is no way I will ever finish the distance...it has beeen a huge learning experience...and for those of you who REALLY know me, you know how vain I am...I catch myself checking out everyone's body type, and hand-picking the people I can beat based on if I think they look out of shape or not...I am sure I looked like an easy target to those thinking along the same lines as I was!!

Anyway, great experience, I am looking orwad to my next race, not sure when it will be, but leading up to the January marathon, I want to get into 2-3 more races.

Well I am off, thanks for your support. For those of you who asked, my fundraising is going well, I am about 2/3 of the way to the goal of $4,000...every donation counts though!!! So if you plan on giving, please send it my way! We visited Tim's Nana earlier in the week and she was so sweet and gave me $10 for the race and told me the rest of her giving goes to Breast Cancer Awareness, but she wanted to help out in any way that she could...man that $10 blessed me so much!! It really was a great moment, and as Tim said to her, "Nana this is the most special $10 we received". Thanks Nana!!

LEIGH

My 1st Road Race...

2006-08-31T23:23:00.000-05:00

My 1st Road Race...
Hey all...this Saturday I am running in my 1st ever road race!! Tim and I are driving down to Orlando tomorrow for a much needed vacation...and I signed up for the Miracle Makers 15k on Saturday...I think it is 9.3 miles! I am excited!!!! It will be tough since this will be longest I will ever run alone, without myy faithful running partners, Suzie & Suzanne...or my dog Jackson (he did 7 miles with me last Saturday!!)...but I am excited!! Some of my friends in Orlando are coming down to the race to cheer me on, so that will make it all worth it!!

Life is good...God is faithful...this training has been all consuming and an uber challenge mentally, as well as physically...but I know that God has been with me every step of the way. My left knee really aches, and there are days when I feel totally beat up...but it really has been amazing. I can not encourage you enough to take a step towards one of your lifelong goals today...you won't regret it, no matter how insane it seems! (come on...me running a marathon is at best a ludicrous idea!!)...

anyway, let me know how you are doing...

Leigh

Everyone's Chipping In...

2006-08-18T11:56:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, it's Friday morning, and I actually have a day off from running today, to rest my legs for 10 miles tomorrow morning! WOW...I am actually quite nervous about it...I ran my normal 5 on Wednesday, and thought about the fact that I would be running double tomorrow...ok I need to stop psyching myself out about it!!!

Anyway, I was thinking about Leukemia this week, alot actually...it effects SO many young people! The Leukemia society sent us these facts...

Did you know:

--Every 5 minutes someone is newly diagnosed with blood cancer (Leukemia, Lymphoma, etc).

--Every 10 minutes someone loses the battle...dies.

--And leukemia still causes more deaths than any other cancer among young people under the age of 20.

WOW. This is a cancer that is killing people our own age...and at a staggering rate...

Just think...in the amount of time that I spent watching the LAGUNA BEACH (sweet!) marathon last Saturday (sadly, about 6 hours of it), in the 360 minutes I was vegetated on the couch...36 people died of Leukemia. wow.

And if you consider my husband's Star Wars or Lord of the Rings (extended editions, of course!) marathons...about 10 hours of viewing pleasure or 600 minutes (for those of us counting)...60 people died of a blood cancer during that time.

Those stats are wild...

Most of us will go to a movie this weekend, or spend time eating out with friends...just think about what the $10 bucks you spend while you are eating out can do to help fight this cancer...would you consider matching your entertainment spending this weekend to donate to fight the cancer that is killing the most young people in America?

How about just $10? That is a mere sacrifice...we are such a blessed country...let's all give so we can find a cure.

Even my pretty beagle is helping out...

You know, I know we all have causes that are dear to our hearts...so if this is not the cause that makes you want to donate or be active, I understand...but I encourage you to be active for whatever cause that motivates you this weekend...give back. It really is a great feeling. Running usually does not feel great in the middle of it, but when I am done, I feel so accomplished and satisfied...you can to by being active for the charity of your choice.

I hope that these stats make you think...if you want to give, please go to the link below...

www.active.com/donate/tnttn/leighholt

or if you want to donate, but not online, send me a message, I will give you my address.

Hope you have a GREAT Friday! :) Thanks for reading...
Leigh

The older I get, the less I know

2006-08-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

The older I get the less i know...I used to hear that phrase when I was younger, and did not believe it. I always thought it was false humility...but now that I am OLDER, I know it is true...

It is amazing to me how we are all helpless without Christ...It is amazing to me at the same time that he is in perfect control.

I was running last night with Suzanne, and we had a good conversation...she was talking about a situation in her life where she felt like she was wrongly judged, and the person judging her was knee deep in her own wrongs when she pointed the finger at her...and I have had a similiar experience...it is just such a frustrating place to be in, because you want to respond, but how do you in a loving manner, maturely, and the way Christ would? I certainly do not have the answers...but a few years ago, I certainly would have thought I knew how to handle it...

I am so lucky that God is in control of all of this...even when I cling to it myself and try to manipulate my circumstances and being, he is still in control. that really makes me feel better...

how are you doing today?

PS: I got a DQ Blizzard tonight...it was awesome...just wanted to share!

The Italian feast

2006-08-08T22:06:00.000-05:00

Yep...I am planning a fundraising dinner on Saturday, August 19th at my house...my mom and Aunt Ginny are coming to town to cook an entire italian meal from SCRATCH...you better believe it...they are AMAZING in the kitchen...

Wanna come? Are you in Nashville and near? Please feel welcome!

It is a fundraising dinner, so it is $10/person...it is seriously wierd to invite people to my house and ask for money...it took me 4 days to create the invite because it was so awkward...but hey, it is to find a CURE...so it is worth me asking!

Also...what is $10? That is easy to blow on a typical night out to dinner...and you won;t get my mom's cooking at any restaurant!!

Be there or be square...

Random musings from this weekend...

2006-08-06T22:40:00.000-05:00

So here are a few random tidbits from my weekend that I felt compelled to share...

--So Tim and I went out to dinner last night, and we wanted to try something new...now let me set this up properly...Tim and I love food. I mean LOVE it. We get giddy about restaurants and over indulgence. So recently we began to stop going out to eat during the week, so we can save our money and go to nicer restaurants then Panera or Pei Wei for our Saturday night dates...the old standby is Cheesecake Factory...but this week we were adventurous, and tried a new restaurant...

Well anyway, Tim orders Enchilada's, and boy is he excited...so he takes 2 or 3 bites, and looks at me a tad funny...he thought he recognized the taste...he is mentally going through all of the Mexican restaurants we frequent...takes 2-3 more bites, and just looks downright disappointed...he then tells me that it tastes exactly like his "Chicken Enchilada Suiza" by Lean Cuisine...EXACTLY like it...what a downer when you wait all week to go out to eat...then realize that you paid $13.99 for a Lean Cuisine...

I told him to look on the bright side, that maybe, JUST MAYBE, this restaurant GAVE Lean Cuisine their recipe, and they were the "Founding Fathers" of that Lean Cuisine meal...just maybe...(PS: that didn't really cheer him up)

--Walmart...makes me mad. I am not kidding you...I enter happy, I exit Mad. I needed lightbulbs, and I was on the food center side...I asked 3 employees where the light bulbs were, and I got these responses...
1. "Over across the store...on the other side"...ok thanks, that clears it up for me...
2. "I have NO idea where they are, I really don't"...wow, thanks
3. "Walk to the end of this aisle, turn right, and you Might run into them"...well at least that got me started...

Anyway...Always Low Prices certainly comes at a cost...

--OK the last random musing...My dogs are freaked out by hot air balloons!! It is HILARIOUS!! They will not go outside when they see one...it is so funny...and they wimper. You have to see it...but it is great.

All right, thought I would share...got to go wreck my mind and watch Entourage...

Leigh

8 miles down...

2006-08-05T17:47:00.000-05:00

I had a great morning this morning, God shined on us and brought us slightly cooler weather, and we embarked on an 8 mile journey through the Belmont area of Nashville...man the scenery on a run can sure make a difference!! I actually felt so good this morning, it was amazing to run the same route we rn about a month ago for the 1st time we did 7 miles, and not feel beat down and like I was going to die a slow miserable death...today I actually had ENERGY!

I am telling you...if you ever want to chase your dreams, it is worth it! This whole experience has been a great mixture of humility and empowerment...there are more days then not that I do not want to get out there and jog, (and at my pace, these jogs are glorified walks!!) but it is such a great feeling when I am done. I am learning so much mentaly and physically, it is insane--I got a lot more then I bargained for by signing up for this journey!

Well the running is going well, and my fundraising has been slow but steady...it has been fun to receive support checks and support NOTES in the mail...everytime I get a letter of encouragement I hang it on the fridge...it is fun to hear what others have to say!!!! I got a donation from my a lady who works with my friend Kelly's (my roommate who passed from Leukemia) Mom this week that was so inspiring...Leukemia has touched so many lives, and I believe now more then ever that it is a cause worth fighting for.

If you feel the urge, and want to give, click here:
http://www.active.com/donate/tnttn/leighholt and you can give online. This week I am going to donate 1 day out at lunch to the cause...

Thanks for reading and in advance for your encouragement!!!!

LH

PS: A highlight of today's run was running past Emily & Bethany's yard sale...they cheered me on like a real race!! :)

I am getting old...

2006-08-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

I am getting old...it is so funny because whenever I say that, people blow me off...maybe because I still look exactly the same as I did on the day I received my driver's license...God has blessed me to not age too drastically...so I have moments like this all the time...I went to look into a gym membership tonight and the 1st thing the lady said was "what school do you go to so I can give you your discount"...I should have asked her if she meant high school or college... :)

Anyway...running is going great, it is so amazing...I want to share more often but gosh I am tired every night! The reason I title this blog about my age though is this...

My knee hurts! Yep,, it is aching...when I walk up and down stairs, and put too much weight on it, it aches...so this is the same knee that I had surgery on when I was in HS...about a year after I got the driver's license...so let's do the math MySpace friends...I got my license 15 years ago!!! The surgery was 14 years ago...that makes me certifiably OLD. It is insane to think about that! I graduated college 9 years ago...yes COLLEGE (Go Dawgs) not HS...

So this blog is really a waste of time...just here to tell you I'm old...my knee aches...but I am trying to make it!

8 miles this Saturday...going for an all time distance record of 8! Wish me luck!

Leigh

PS: My age might prohibit me from remembering writing this blog...

Pretty As A Picture...

2006-07-22T14:38:00.000-05:00

So here is a story...on Friday, I got up and went running about 5:45 am, because it is hotter then...well let's just say Nashville is having a heat wave. Anyway, 5 miles was the goal.

I was at mile 4.5, with only a half to go...and let me set up the visual...when I run, my face gets beat red, I sweat like a Gorilla (just imagine a gorilla sweating...?)...anyway, what I mean is that I am soaked head to toe. I am getting into runner's apparel...so that means Short Shorts. This is not a pretty site...please believe me. So basically, I am just gross.

Well, I am in my neighborhood, and I hear a car comng from BEHIND...I could tell tey were going slow...and as the HOT Yellow pimped out Ford Mustang rolled by me, I see the man in the passenger seat lean out his window, look at me...take out his camera phone...and snap a picture.

I mean CMON!

So start checking your random Friend Requests to see if they display a picture of a runner ... and see what their caption is and report back. :)

Have a good day!

Leigh

6 miles to start the weekend!!

2006-07-01T18:10:00.000-05:00

I kicked off the weekend this morning with a 6 mile jog with my dad...6 MILES!! I am so excited! I really felt good, and happy to accomplish it!! I am visiting my parents this weekend, with my closest friends...it is great.

I spent the rest of the day chillin on their boat...what a great start!

It feels real good to accomplish small goals on this journey to 26.2!!

Leigh

PS: Have a great weekend! I honestly do not think I have ever been so happy to have a 4 day weekend in my life!! :)

5 miles and struggling...

2006-06-25T07:51:00.000-05:00

I have hit the 5 mile mark and I am struggling. I had a rough week running. It probably did not help that it was literally 750 degrees in Nashville this week, and no matter what time I ran, I felt like the earth was melting beneath my feet...

So I read this article in People this week (and unfortunately I can't link to it online) about the New York City Cancer center hosting a "Prom" full with DJ's, ice cream and fun for the kids at the cancer center. The photos were AMAZING...to see these kids who are struggling with cancer smiling and dancing was inspirational...it was an encouragement for me to keep at it. My heart ached for these kids...it was nice to see them having a great time...

So I have to run 5 miles on Monday, Wed & Fri this week...and Saturday is the luminous 6 mile mark!! Wish me luck!

And hey...if you feel like donating financially to my race...you can here : http://www.active.com/donate/tnttn/leighholt
I have a long way to go physically and financially to meet this goal! UGH!!

:)
Leigh

All Dogs Go To Heaven

2006-06-16T00:39:00.000-05:00

Today was a long day...I woke up with a start at 6:15 am by hearing the phone ringing, and on the other end was my Dad. I knew something was wrong immediatly...him and my mom are taking care of 2 of our 4 dogs (the girl dogs...the 2 boys are at the "farm" (ie outdoor kennel) ) while we go to Chicago for a summer getaway...

Anyway, he shared the news that our sweet, sweet dog Molly left us during the night to go to Heaven. It sucks to be quite honest, she was a good girl. Molly has been on and off sick all year, but still this felt sudden...when we dropped her off she seemed healthy, and ok...so it was a sad day. And I really just wanted to see her 1 more time...it was hard that she was not at home, but I realize that was a blessing as well.

For those of you who don't know, Molly was a leader dog for the blind who lived with my grandmother (Nana) for 11 years until she passed away; my Nana left Molly to Tim and I to take care of. So she has a special place in our entire family's heart, as she stood by Nana's side for years and offered unconditional love and communication to a woman who could barely communicate or get around. And Molly was patient and kind, and completely "selfless".

That might be an odd word to describe a dog, but Molly was the most un-selfish dog on the planet (esp. compared to my others!!)...she really never begged for attention (only some food sometimes) and she kept to herself--but she always kept an eye on Nana...and then me! It was so odd to me when we 1st brought Molly home that she never really let me out of her sight--she would be across the room, but she would always be near, ready to help, or come if I called. I was never out of her sight. She was an amazing dog.

As I was running on Wednesday night, I prayed that God would teach me to be selfless; and now I realize that he had a wonderful example of selflessness right at my feet for the past 2 years. I hope that I can be like Molly someday...quiet, patient, always keeping an eye out for the people I love, and kind-hearted.

I truly believe that Molly is up in Heaven right now, hanging out with my Nana, and they are keeping each other company.

Man she was a good girl, and I am going to miss her.

2006-06-10T19:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Tim and I went to Lexington, KY, where I went to grad school, for our friends wedding. It was a blast...but I never knew how hilly Lexington was!!!

When I lived there, I worked out pretty regularly, but at the time I was working for the athletic department, so I had use of all of their facilities...so I rarely ran outside...so last night we scouted a 3 mile course...and I was freaked out!

People say Nashville is hilly...not so much compared to KY!!

So I basically ran downhill for the 1st mile, then straight uphil the next 1/2 mile...then turned around...yep, the last mile was on a slope...I thought I was gonna die.

Add that to the time change...Nashville in in Central, Lexington in EST...so we were meeting people for breakfast, so I gt up at 5:45 am (on a freakin Saturday) to go uphill.

Well last thing, my body is SORE!

Well despite all of this, I am proud of myself...this is a much bigger time cmmitment then I thought, but so far so good!

and I got new shoes! See below!!

I love them...my mom and dad got them for me! They are great!!

Is it too soon to call me a Runner?

2006-06-08T07:50:00.000-05:00

Is it too soon to classify myself as a Runner?
There is something about being called a "runner" that I always admired...I think it is because I have always had this fear that I could not be a runner, that I was not capable...but last night I ran 3 miles and walked 2...it was a great feeling of accomplishment!! Matbe when I run 6 miles, I will call myself a runner...for a long time that has been my goal to be able to do that...so I will let you know when I hit that milestone!!

Anyway, I am running with these 2 cool girls, Suzanne and Suzie, and they are awesome. It is a very pressure-less environment, we are not trying to win any world records, we are just trying to finish together. That is a really nice feeling for my Type A personality...I vowed that I would not make this a competition, as I do with most things in my life...so it is nice to be running with 2 like minded girls and can chat and get to know them. And honestly, without the accountability, I would have run probably a mile last night, because I was so not in the mood!!

We had a cool conversation about redemption last night...about being in the desert and waiting for the Lord...it was refreshing to hear their stories and know that we all go through trials, and we are not isolated when things are tough...and the redemption story that Jesus always redeems us...even more then we realize.

Well I need to get to work...thanks for those of you who have chosen to support my race financially, that has been a huge blessing, and a huge surprise to see how many of you who gave. if you feel like the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society is one that you want to support, you can give by clicking this link:

http://www.active.com/donate/tnttn/leighholt

If you would rather mail a donation, message me and I willl give you my address.

I pray that you see God's redemption story in your life today...

Leigh

PS: 7 days until I see Madonna in Chi-town!!!!

Taking the Plunge...officially

2006-06-05T22:34:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I am taking the plunge...and I feel crazy, scared, afraid...and excited. Two weeks ago I signed up with Team In Training to run a Marathon and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society...yes that is the 26.2 mile marathon kind...and yes I have to raise $4,000 to help in the effort to find a cure for cancer. The marathon is on January 14th in Arizona.

What motivated me to do this? (Tonight I am in a paralyzed state of fear, so I am even second guessing my own motivations!!)

Ok...my motivations...for those of you who know me, I am a total over-achiever, perfectionist, passionate person...and those qualities extend to my job and my husband and my dogs...but then it stops. I have been going through a series of crisis where I have realized that I am not doing anything beyond my little happy home to make a heck of a lot of difference in this world; I am selfish with my time, with my heart, with my giving, with everything...I live in a solar system that orbits around a white middle class upbringing that craves comfort over challenge, and craves stability over risk. I am 31 years old, and I feel like my days and nights are passing by and I am not "giving" back to anyone; and certainly not making a difference!!

So last September, I went through a period where God began to plant seeds of empowerment in me...it has been this unfolding of layers of fear and insecurity, where he has gently been urging me to use my gifts/talents for others, not for my sake; and he has reminded me (almost daily!!) that I am empowered to make a difference; that He has equipped me; that I just need to trust Him (imagine that) and He will take me on this journey. I have also learned from so many around me that we have a responsibility to make change and to make a difference where we can...

I can blame a lot of this on a movie called the Constant Gardener, which I highly recommend to others...

Why the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society? On February 1, 1999, my college roommate, Kelly Walsh Goebler, died suddenly of sudden onset Leukemia...also known as Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L)...she decided to skip a Superbowl Party with her husband Jerry (they were married for 3 months), and he came home to her vomiting and rushed her to the hospital; it was too late, as the Leukemia had overtaken her and she passed early in the afternoon on the 1st. To this day, that was the worst time of my life; I want to give so others do not go through the same pain Kelly's family and our friends experienced.

Anyway...so tomorrow I am off, and start my training. I am freakin' scared to death of Failure!!!!!!!! I tried to get Tim to give me permission to quit already! I am so afraid that I will not be able to complete the run, or raise enough money...but I am going to take it day by day. I have to cross train tomorrow, run 2 miles on Friday, and 2 more on Saturday...and on Sunday I get to REST! Glorious REST!! :)

I would love it if you would help me through kind words, prayers and encouragement...that would be great...

Or you could donate? And help find a cure for cancer? Maybe you can donate $1 per mile, so $26 dollars? You can actually donate online...here is my website...

http://www.active.com/donate/tnttn/leighholt

So that's my story, I am taking the plunge!!

Know any good running shoes? I am starting with some pretty cool addidas...