Scarlett Pannebaker

My 1/2 Marathon is in less than 2 weeks!

EEK!!!

I wanted to give an update on my training since I have less than 2 weeks to go!

I started training for the 1/2 Marathon on July 16 (the 1/2 marathon is October 18, so I began training 3 months before) 

July 16th was the first time I had gone running in 10 years (!!!!) 

I used to be a runner, but then being pregnant, having kids & life got in the way of running. 

And, honestly, I didn't make it a priority, so I just stopped running cold turkey in 2005 when I got pregnant.

 I loosely followed the Hal Higdon Novice 2 Half Marathon Training Plan. 

I try and run 3-4 times a week, plus "cross training"  that he recommends.

I am counting my Monday night Co-ed indoor soccer games as my cross training.

I use the Nike + Running App (It's free!) to track all my runs.

Here is how my runs have been going since I last updated my training at the end of August.

(You can see that update HERE)

This goes from most recent to oldest.

 Saturday was my longest run to date....12 miles!!!!! It was hard!

2 days later & I am still sore.

 The week before, I ran 11 miles & it felt great, but running 12 this past weekend was rough, I hit the wall at mile 10. I think the problem was that I went out too fast on my 12 mile run. My first couple miles were sub 8 miles.

When I ran 10 miles a few weeks ago, it was a rough run...It was a hilly course & it was 95 degrees out. I didn't run with any water (never making that mistake again!!!)

 So, that has been my training re-cap for the past 6 weeks since I last updated.

I am feeling excited/nervous for the 1/2 marathon.

I am excited about it because I have never done a 1/2 marathon before and I am proud of myself for sticking to a training plan. It feels good to get back into shape.

I am nervous because the 1/2 marathon course is FULL of hills.

If you have been to San Francisco before you know that it is ALL hills. Hills everywhere.

Here is the race course:

 See that steep incline at mile 10? YIKES.

Throughout all my training runs, I have felt good for the first 8-10 miles and then I have hit the wall....the fact that there is a big incline at mile 10 is making me nervous.

My 10 mile run, 11 mile run & 12 mile run all had some hills in them, but I am thinking I maybe should have added some more hilly runs. Oh well! 

My training plan for the next 2 weeks is to run 3 miles & 4 miles this week, run a 10K on Sunday and next week I plan on running another 3 miles & then 4 miles.

I think I will make sure 1 of those runs is a hilly run, just to get my legs used to the hills...although it might be too late for that! 

On a side note...like my new running shirt? Is it perfect for me or what? :)

For those of you who have run a 1/2 marathon, I would LOVE any last minute advice you can give me! I have no idea what to expect & would love any tips that will be useful for me to know as I taper off these last 2 weeks!

Remember when I posted about doing 40 Bags in 40 Days waaaaaaay back in February.

Easter is in 8 days and I am waaaaaaay behind on my 40 Bags in 40 Days.

But, hey! It's all about grace, right?

I thought I should at least update you on what I have done so far because I said I would update as I did them. (Big Fail on that so far, also. Please accept my apologies)

This was my original list:
 So, here is Update #1.
And, for your viewing pleasure? Before and After pics. Because apparently I have no shame in showing you my filth ;)

My closet....yikes.
 RIGHT SIDE BEFORE:
 
RIGHT SIDE AFTER:

Got rid of this skirt, circa 2004 from Gap. Size 1. HAHAHAHA.
I'm just going to do myself a favor and get rid of that since I can guarantee it will never fit again. Buh-Bye.

LEFT SIDE BEFORE:

LEFT SIDE AFTER:

Dresser Drawer #1 BEFORE:
 
 Dresser Drawer #1 AFTER:
 
Dresser Drawer #2 BEFORE:
 
Dresser Drawer #2 AFTER:

Dresser Drawer #3 BEFORE:
 
Dresser Drawer #3 AFTER:
 
Dresser Drawer #4 BEFORE:

 Dresser Drawer #4 AFTER:
 
My closet (and drawers) weren't in THAT bad of shape, I have kept them in decent shape since last year.
In all, I got filled up1 bag black trash bag of clothes/shoes for giveaway.

Claire's Room. AKA: The HOARDER.
Hell hath no fury like the wrath of Claire when you try and get rid of her stuff.
Claire's Closet BEFORE (right side):
Claire's Closet After (Right side):
 
 Claire's Closet Before (Left Side):
Claire's Closet AFTER (Left Side):
 

 Claire's Dresser Drawer #1 BEFORE:

 Claire's Dresser Drawer #1 AFTER:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #2 BEFORE:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #2 AFTER:
 
  Claire's Dresser Drawer #3 BEFORE:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #3 AFTER: 
  Claire's Dresser Drawer #4 BEFORE:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #4 AFTER:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #5 BEFORE:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #5 AFTER:
 
 Claire's Dresser Drawer #6 BEFORE:

 Claire's Dresser Drawer #6 AFTER:


Claire's Dresser #7 BEFORE:
Claire's Dresser Drawer #7 AFTER:

Claire's Room...1 Black Bag of Giveaway (clothes/toys)  & 1 Target bag of trash.
 Next up, Kate's Dresser Drawers!

Drawer #1 BEFORE:

AFTER:
 
Drawer #6 BEFORE
 
 AFTER:

 I haven't done Kate's closet yet, that is a project for this week (Spring Break!)
I got rid of 1 Target bag of Kate's clothes for giveaway & she gave a handful of things to Claire that don't fit her anymore.

Next up, the Linen Closet. It was in pretty good shape from last year's 40 Bags clean out.
Upper Cabinet BEFORE:


AFTER:

Bottom Cabinet BEFORE:

AFTER:

I filled up 1/2 a black trash bag for giveaway which included our king size electric blanket (haven't used it in years) and 1 set of king size sheets.

Downstairs Hall Closet (which has become a catch-all for random toys, etc)
BEFORE:

AFTER:

Filled up the rest of the black trash bag with some games we haven't played in years....Scene it & Scene it Friends. Also gave away a basket & other random decorations that I stored in here.

Kitchen Pantry is next. UGH. I don't know why I let this get so bad. YUCK.
BEFORE:

I mean seriously....

I have no shame when showing you these pics:
AFTER:

You can see the floor & now I have a good place to store our vacuum.

This wasn't too bad, just re-organized the shelves and tossed out a couple things that were expired.

Family Room Side Table Drawer #1 BEFORE:
AFTER:
AFTER:

China Cabinet Drawer #1 BEFORE:
AFTER:

China Cabinet Drawer #2 BEFORE:
AFTER:

For these drawers, I just recycled/shredded a bunch of paper work that was in these drawers, which became a catch-all for mail, etc.
Got rid of 2 Target bags of recycled paper.

{If you want the free printable, check out THIS post.}

I have 12 out of 34 items checked off, which is 35% of my list so I am over 1/3 of the way done.
I have donated 6 Bags of items for Giveaway & 6 bags were trash.

Will I finish before Easter? No. But that is okay, since it took me until August last year to get it all done.
I am officially on Spring Break this week...YAY!
My goal is to get another 8-10 areas checked off this week!

If you made it to the end of this post, sorry you had to look at our filth & messiness.
Like I have said before, my house is generally clean, but closets & drawers are a DISASTER (as you can see!)
 
Are you doing 40 Bags in 40 Days or Spring Cleaning?
If so, how are you doing?