Our Wedding

I hope to transform this blog over the next few months. I'd like to shift the focus away from running and start to include non-running related posts. Do you think that I should change the name of my blog? Any suggestions or ideas are certainly welcome!

Anyhow, I wanted to use this post to tell you about my primary reason for not participating in the 2010 DFMC. While the LSAT and graduate school are certainly major life-events, nothing is more important to me than Owen. Together, we are in the process of planning our wedding and our new life together. We still couldn't be more excited! Yes, life is busy, but we made a promise to each other that we wouldn't "sweat the small stuff." Weddings are traditionally very stressful events to plan, but we're actually having a pretty good time. Yes, we've got things to do and people to see, but we're getting the job done. Our wedding won't be the grandest wedding of the century. It will be simple, but we'll be married and that's what matters. I've decided that I don't necessarily care about shi-shi lala. This is not a show. As a retired Disney on Ice skater, I've participated in PLENTY of shows. This is something different. This is about two people coming together to say "I do." We're looking forward to bringing our friends and family together to celebrate this special day with us.

The funny thing about "I do" is that it is often accompanied by things "to do." Here's the latest update:

We decided to do an outdoor ceremony in June. We'll be married in front of the gazebo and 600 acres of rolling hills (unless it rains). If it rains, we're getting married in the tap room downstairs or outside with umbrellas (lol). It's like Jack always says, there's no bad weather, just bad clothing!! There will be a cocktail hour to follow the ceremony - drinks on us! Our reception will take place in a big, old barn. We booked our officiant, our DJ and our photographer. We also booked the flights for our honeymoon - at no cost!! Owen's dad gave us his air miles and we're flying to Maui and Kauai for to weeks!! We cannot even thank him enough!! My sisters, Patty and Anne, will both be my Maids of Honor. Owen's sisters, Katherine, Megan and Maureen, will be my bridesmaids. My two best friends, Marielle and Emily, will be readers at our wedding. Owen's brother, Brian, will be his best man. Timmy (my brother), Mike (Patty's boyfriend), and Pete (Katherine's husband) will be groomsmen. AND - my dad is going to walk me down the aisle. Our colors will be white and lemony yellow. I picked yellow because it always makes me smile. It will brighten up the barn and it will look nice against the green grass outside. I've started looking at wedding dresses. I actually have a dress - but I think I'm going to sell it on ebay. Below is our plan for the next two months:

1. Finalize guest list
2. Choose our florist;
3. Purchase a dress;
4. Select the bridesmaid dresses;
5. Purchase our rings;
6. Register for gifts;
7. Choose hotel(s);
8. Start adding music to our queue;
9. Transportation; and
10. Mmmm - CAKE! :)

Again, we're really on top of things. We're just going to tackle this list - one thing at a time and keep it simple. Life is good.

The 2009 Boston LSAT Marathon

I took almost a month off from all things athletic following the marathon. Then, something happened - I became super-workout girl. I attempted streak running for awhile - two days to be precise. Now look at me. I haven't done a lick of exercise in more than three months with the exception of one very slow, very short run in July. Despite the fact that it was both short and slow, I loved every second of that run. Why? Because I ran for me. It's wonderful to run for a cause that you truly believe in, but it is also important to do things that benefit you. Okay, I know. This is starting to sound like a Suze Orman show. But, it's true. You need to do things for yourself every now and then. It is for this reason that I've decided not to run the 2010 Boston Marathon. UGGGHHHHH!

Those words. I hate saying them. I really want to be part of the 2010 DFMC. It's such an incredible experience, but I'm going to take this year off to do other things. For example, I'm going to apply for school. I've completed the GMAT and I'm going to take the LSAT on September 26th. I'm hoping to get into a part-time JD/MBA program in the Boston area. If you are familiar with law schools in the Boston area, you know that there's only one of these programs in the entire city. Fingers crossed.

There are actually a lot of similarities between running the marathon and preparing for the LSAT. One of my lesson booklets actually shows a picture of marathoners on the cover.

a. Both the test and the marathon require an incredible amount of endurance. It is for this reason that my weekends have been consumed by full-length practice tests. Fun!

b. Pacing is also important. If you don't pace yourself properly, then you just won't finish on time. Note the if-then statement.

c. You can attempt to go at it alone, but you'll to much better with a good support system. Ben is my "Jack Fultz" for the LSAT.

d. Proper fuel is key. Did you know that mints are supposedly helpful? I need to avoid the mid-test trip to the vending machines and the resulting sugar crash.

e. Practice. Practice. Practice. Run. Run. Run. Do your homework!! If you do not do the required workouts, then you will not succeed.

f. Again, the biggest lesson is not to put too much pressure on yourself. Yes, you want to cross the finish line with a perfect 180, but both the forest and the trees are important.

g. Work with the tools that you have. You might not be the fastest or the strongest or the brightest. Learn to use the tools that God gave you to fulfill your maximum potential. Understand your limitations.

Anyhow, you can see that there are a lot of similarities between the marathon and the LSAT. I've been taking a Kaplan course since May and I'm gearing up. The Kaplan course is highly recommended btw! I haven't started the taper yet; I still have a few more 20+ milers to go before then.