No, really, you can!

There are a lot of people who are doing the couch to 5k program & I was thinking I should tell y'all that if you think you can't run, think again! The first run I ever did back in January was not a 14 mile run! Remember ~ the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step! Start off slow & easy, and do not get discouraged! Your body will blow your mind! I can remember my 8 mile training run ~ it was the longest I had ever run & I was overwhelmed by my accomplishment at the end! I eventually got to a point in my training where 8 miles was a regular mid week run and it seemed like nothing!

If you're going to start running here are a few things that I SWEAR by & you should really look into!

#1 ~a good pair of Shoes!



I began my training in Nikes, and they tore my feet up! My toes were covered in blisters and my toe nails ached! I would have been wise to head to a running store right away and be properly measured. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE! I finished my training and race in Saucony Echelon. They changed my life and I love them! They may not be the right shoe for you, but seriously ~ go to a running store and get the right shoe!


#2 ~ a good pair of Socks!




I spent $13 on 1 pair of Smartwool socks and if you know how frugal I am your mouth should be hanging open in amazement! $13 & they are WOOL, but I splurged and it was well worth it. they are delightfully comfy and totally kept my feet dry. I usually reserved these for my long runs on the weekend.


#3 ~ a great sports Bra!



I've always gotten sports bras from Wal*Mart or Target, but one day I was in Ross Dress for Less & saw a Lillyette InMotion sports bra & thought ~ hmm, underwire might be nice, I'll try that! Now, I check the stores every time I go to see if they might have more, because I'm wearing the one I've got to death, but it's wonderful. Especially, if you are a little top heavy and require more support!

#4 ~ a great Outfit!

I got a pair of running shorts at Hibbets here in town, but I found my favorite running clothes at Target. They have great running skirts & good quality running tops in a variety of styles & cute colors. I am happy to know that I can order their workout gear online as I live in the CONTRY and we ain't got no Target!

NOW ~ these are the basics to get you started and I don't want to overwhelm you with Sport Glide & Gels, so those will have to wait! Go ~ you can do it!

Tupelo Marathon 2009 ~ Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!

I am very proud to say that I completed my first half marathon & after a day of recovery I know it won't be my last!

Race day started at 3am for me which seems asinine, but I'm a horrible judge of time, so I wanted to be able to get fueled, hydrated, focused and arrive on time. I had planned on walking to the marathon, because the starting line was only 1.5 miles from my front door, but it was early and DARK, so I drove. While warming up in the parking lot I ran into a skunk and was thankful that I drove & avoided the creepy crawlers of the country!

My support group met me at the starting line moments before the race started for last minute well wishes. It goes without saying that The Eberhardt's are good people. Anyone that will get up before the roosters {and I know it was before, because I heard them at mile 5} to watch their friend run are good people. Anyone that gets up that early to watch their friend do anything for that matter.

At the starting line Christina was quick to point out that our skirts were definitely shorter than every other skirt wearer at the race. Whatever, our outfits are running chic! I had planned on running in this outfit just about the minute I bought it in Atlanta months ago, and coincidentally my bib matched my top! I couldn't wear make up, so I had to over compensate with a cute outfit! See, exercising can be fashionable!

I had planned on creating a marathon playlist, but instead enjoyed my company & went with my "purchased" play list. The first song that played was Nicole C. Mullen "When You Call on Jesus." If you'll remember, this was the exact song that was playing when the "accident" occurred and my first thought was UH-OH! I blocked that thought out of my mind and instead focused on the words. I prayed for strength & specifically to remain injury free and comfortable.

Justin, Christina & Ken met me at mile 6.5 to take my flash light & give me a banana. There was something very refreshing about running in the dark and watching the sun come up. I've run this path several times, but I love the way being in a race makes the miles go by much easier.

Christina had to get a 3 mile run in for her own training, so she jumped in at mile 9 and it was perfect timing! Mile 11 was up and down hills and I was happy to have my own personal cheerleader cheering me on and getting me through! I've done all of my training alone, and after running with Christina I really need to get me a running partner! Anybody want to volunteer?

Christina rejoined the boys at Mile 12.5 and I was on my own. At mile 13 {This 1/2 was 14.2 instead of the normal 13.1} I felt the worst pain I have ever felt in my life in my left leg. This was the leg that had been giving me the problems, so I alternated walking and running. I knew I was only a mile from the finish, so I pushed through and focused on the finish.

As I entered the home stretch Nicole C. Mullen's "Redeemer" started playing & I thought how coincidental & empowering that I started and finished the race with Nicole. Then out of no where, someone came speeding past me & I thought, "Oh no you didn't! How are you going to speed past me RIGHT before the finish?"

Then I realized that OH ~ it was the MARATHON WINNER! He finished the entire MARATHON seconds before I finished the HALF! HA! Christina videoed the finish and on the video you can hear her say, "Oh look, she finished 2nd." Technically, I finished right after the marathon winner, but I didn't get 2nd. Oh well!

My sweet friend Candise made a sign & came out to support me & her husband who runs twice as fast as I do!

In the end, I finished 14.2 miles in 2:43:48. Initially I wasn't too happy with my time, but a few days out I can look back and be proud. I accomplished the goal and finished the race. As for my leg, I'm still in pain, but trying to be smart with my stretching & exercising. Already thinking about Memphis in December. Anyone?

Sunday Funday {maybe}

This SUNDAY is the marathon & I sent an email to the race organizer on Monday inquiring about registering, and he promptly informed me that the race was full. Holy crap. I've been training for 16 weeks {feels like 16 years} and now I've waited too long to register.


I twittered about my world crumbling beneath my feet & then thought on the bright side. Maybe this was the Lord's way of telling me I'm not ready. Maybe I could just run the route and not "race" the route.


After a couple of emails the organizer put it together that I had met a member of the running club & he called that my pre entry & now I'm in. Promise ~ I didn't even get pushy! Thank the Lord I got in!


I made a decision a few weeks ago to run the 14.1 Miler instead of the full, because I didn't feel physically prepared for the full. The Tupelo "half" marathon is 14.1 miles. My work schedule has been insane lately, as I'm sure you can tell from my lack of posting the past two months & my job is different than a desk job. When I travel I work anywhere from 50-60 hour weeks and I'm on my feet all but an 1 hour a day during that time. So, add that to my running schedule, and my legs & feet couldn't keep up.


I'm ready for Sunday! I've been having some discomfort with my hamstring in my left leg, and I've promised myself that I will not injure myself just to finish and run the risk of not being about to run & exercise for any amount of time.


So, now you're up to speed as to where I am mentally & physically for the marathon. Thank you to ALL of you who have wished me luck & sent me words of encouragement! I will be thinking of your words when the going gets tough!

"accidents" happen.

The following story is guaranteed to be the most embarrassing story on any one's blog that you will read today, probably tomorrow and on into the next year. Allow me to take this opportunity to forewarn you. THIS IS NOT A STORY YOU SHOULD READ IF YOU: are eating, about to eat, have a queasy stomach or the faint of heart. Thank me now for not including any pictures.

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As I said in my previous blog, Justin & I participated in an electronics fast weekend before last. According to the fast we were not allowed to watch TV, play video games {xbox or iPhone}, surf the web {blogs, twitter, facebook}, listen to secular music, am I missing anything?

I preparation for my 11 mile run on Saturday I compiled a christian play list and had sermons ready to keep me moving. I was sitting at the breakfast table at 5am that morning reflecting on my run and thought this is probably going to be one of my BEST runs. My christian music is going to put me in such a peaceful mind of worship & precious time with the Lord.

Before I could finish my breakfast I had to go to the bathroom "Big Girl Style." On the morning of a long distance run, that goes into the win column, because it's inappropriate to stop at strangers houses before 6am to ask if you can borrow their bathroom. I then head out the door to hide water bottles in said strangers yards so I can stay hydrated. The minute I walk back in the door I have to go "Big Girl Style" again.

2 times in 30 minutes. I should be Good.To.Go for the next 11 miles! So I warm up and then hit the trail.

1 Mile in: I am 1/2 a mile from my first water bottle which is also at my gym & I feel like I am going to ~pee~ my pants. Seriously, can't think of anything else but HOLD IT HOLD IT HOLD IT!

1.5 Miles in: Make it to the gym, avoiding any accidents & go "Big Girl Style" AGAIN! 3 times in an hour.

SURELY, SURELY I'M DONE.

4 Miles in: Make it to my next water bottle & hydrate. Two big dogs come out of a yard and start running with me. One in front, one behind. {I am already planning what Justin will wear on the Today show the next week while recapping how I was training for a marathon & got my leg chewed off}

5 Miles in: Dogs trail off as I hit the main road & I am not 1/2 from my house {I was making a loop}.

5 Miles in: Holy OMG ~ I have the go to the bathroom "Big Girl Style" like NOW. When I Call on Jesus begins to play through my headphones ~ when I call on Jesus, all things are possible. I begin to pray ~ Jesus, please oh please, if you answer no other prayers or give me no clarity or no insight the rest of this weekend, please answer this one. LET ME MAKE IT TO MY BATHROOM!

At this point I call Justin thinking that maybe if he's up he can come get me and get me home quicker than I can run 1/2 mile. My insides are hurting so bad that I am about to cry and am forced to stop running and start walking as Justin picks up the phone.

Justin: {sleepy} "Hello?"

Lesli: BAAAAAAAAAAAABE!

Justin: "ummm, are you ok?"

Lesli: "NO! I just POOPED.MY.PANTS!"

No lie, my sweet friends. As I live and breath as a 28 year old woman I had an "accident" to end all "accidents."

He then offered to come get me, but really, I couldn't sit down in our car, so what was the point. Of course THAT was the day that I wore my shorts with built-in undies.

I readily take ANY advice people have to offer about marathon running, and I was prepared for blisters, bloody nipples, hitting walls, but NO ONE warned me about possible "Big Girl Style" accidents! I was mortified to the point of tears when I did get home & all I could think was "Honey, you shit your pants. I think you're done." {Carrie to Charlotte, Sex & the City The Movie}

But, I can laugh about it now and for those of you that think our God is a serious, boring God, please take a minute to picture me having a moment with the Lord as Nicole C. Mullen sang her praises and have a little laugh on my behalf.

Therein lies the story of the "accident" that almost ended my marathon training all together, but for the record ~ I showered, changed and finished my run!