Tutu Runners go to New York

I am back from my New York trip with my Tutu Runners and all I have to say is WOW. It will definitely be an unforgettable event. We went to New York to run at the Diva Half Marathon in Long Island, NY. Many have been training for the half marathon but I can't say the same for myself. After my knee problems, I became lazy and stopped training. The trip had been planned for awhile back and I just never got on the program. The day arrived quick and I was out of time to train. I had mixed emotions. I was excited to know I was finally going to visit New York but at the same time I was nervous and scared because I wasn't physically prepared to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) but I had no choice but to face my fears.

I originally signed up for the 5k run (3 miles) but once it got closer, I wanted to push myself as much as I could. I decided to upgrade to a half marathon but kept telling myself that I would not be disappointed if I wasn't able to finish 13.1 miles. I knew I could do more than 3 miles but I wanted to challenge myself and curious to see how far I could go.

Here are a few pictures from our New York trip.

Tutu Runners arrive to New York (at La Guardia Airport)

Our Texas Tutu shirt for the Diva Run in New York *Dedicated to our Tutu Yayita who has recently been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer* We love you friend!! 

 Our first train station experience. This was our daily transportation from Long Island to NYC.

On the bus tour cruising through NYC streets.

On top of Empire State Building

 

Tutus in Times Square

Saturday morning picking up our packets for the Diva Run.

Walking through NYC

Then the day had arrived. It was time to rise and shine and get ready to run 13.1 miles. Was I nervous? Of course! The most I had ever ran was 4 miles. What was I thinking? I hadn't trained like I was suppose to. Did I think I could finish the 13 miles? Not exactly. I had told myself that I wouldn't be disappointed in myself if I couldn't complete it. I had originally signed up for the 5k (3 miles) but I wanted to see how far I could push myself. I knew I could do 3 miles but I would never know how many miles I would be capable of completing if I didn't try. So I pass the 3 mile marker and I knew anything after that I would be proud for pushing myself. Then I passed up 6 miles and I told myself my next goal is 8 miles, let's do it. I tried running to keep up with my other Tutus but I felt a horrible pain on both legs. It was like a cramp. A HORRIBLE cramp that stiffened up my legs and I could bearly walk. I got scared! I had to stop and try to massage my legs. One of the staff people from the run saw me and asked if I needed medical assistance. I told them I was ok and kept trying to walk but I could bearly move. I took a break and tried to fight the pain. After awhile it went away and after some time, I was coming up to the 10 mile marker. I told myself that was it for me, I couldn't go any longer. I couldn't run to try and better my time and I knew if I kept walking as slow as I was, I wouldn't make it on time. I started to doubt myself and was proud that I reached 10 miles, so I kept telling myself I'm done but how would I get back to the finish line? I couldn't call someone to pick me up. I was far away from where the rest of the Tutus were waiting for us. They had a few staff people driving around and was told there was a van driving around picking up those who couldn't finish but I would have to wait until they returned. I continued to walk and reach 11 miles, luckily the van came around and I was able to hope on. I finished 11 miles!!! WOW! I was only 2 miles away but it was started to sprinkle, mentally I felt like I couldn't go any longer and physically my body was tired. Could I have continued for the next 2 miles? Maybe. I was happy with how far I got. That's what matter to me! Not what everyone else thought. It was a challenge for me, for someone who hadn't trained and hadn't ran in months. I felt like I did my best. It only pumped me up even more when I saw our Tutus cross the finish line and made me want to run another one. I just need to train and work on my time to be able to finish the 13.1 miles before the time is up. Since I knew I wouldn't beat the time, I gave up. No one will rain on my parade!! I did 11 miles, many can't say that. Here is a picture of us after the run. Proud Tutus! Great job!!!

XoXo,
Tutu Love
Judy 8A

So many new things in a short period of time

I have been slacking on blogging but I'm finally back. I have so much to talk about of what has happened in the last couple of months.

My last post I spoke about starting a photography business. I have been working little by little with a few clients and so far it's been so much fun. I'm hoping to continue and get more business as time goes by. I will be shooting at my first wedding and probably my only for a good while. I'm doing it for someone who is like family and I couldn't say no. It's an awesome feeling to know that someone trust you to take photographs at their wedding. Here are a few pictures I am very proud of. I hope to share more in the future.

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I attended our 10 year high school reunion last month. It was fun! I saw many faces I hadn't seen in years. Well other than Facebook. It was great catching up with everyone and chatting after so long. So many enjoyed themselves that they were asking for us to have a get together every year. We shall see. I'm glad I had a chance to attend our reunion. It's a once in a life time experience. I just can't believe ten years have gone by since I graduated high school. Time flies. I felt so old just thinking about our reunion. I don't regret going though.

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I had a little scare back in August. I was having a bad pain in my knee that was getting hard for me to make any kind of movement. It was difficult doing my daily routines like going up and down the stairs, getting in and out of the car, even walking. After a couple of weeks with the pain, I finally decided to make an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor to have it checked. It was a difficult two weeks. I had a check up with a general doctor the year before but I didn't get x-rays because I financially couldn't afford it. With time the pain went away until August but the pain was worse than I had ever felt. I was scared because I had done some research and I kept reading possible arthritis. Which freaked me out! I couldn't wait to see the Dr. to confirm whether it was arthritis or not. My appointment finally arrived, I was so nervous to get the news from the Dr. I expected the worse. Once the results came in, the Dr. walked in and the first thing that came out of his mouth was "Well it's not arthritis". I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was almost in tears. It was great to hear those words. I can't remember the exact words he said but it was something regarding my muscles were weak and it was causing the pain. They had me do therapy for a month. It felt better after some time. So far I'm good but it's taken me some time to get back on track to training for my Tutu runs. I became extremely lazy after not jogging for about a month. No excuses, I am healthy and need to get back on it.

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I still can't believe this but I have decided to return to college. I have been talking about returning but never made the first step until recently. Since I decided to look into it a bit late, classes had already started but I had a chance to sign up for a second start class. I spoke to a counselor and found out that I had quite a few credits from back when I went from 2002-2005. I have about 17 credits left to finish my Associates Degree. I hope to get it over with in a year or so and then move on to bigger things. I signed up for a Philosophy class and just turned in my first assignment. I haven't done homework in years! I'm so nervous but it's time for me to finish what I started years ago.

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This past weekend I planned a surprise party for my husband's 30th birthday. It was a great outcome. My main concern obviously was my husband finding out but he tells me he had no clue. A few people slipped a few hints but I played along with it so well and threw him off. It worked! The day of the party I was going crazy because I couldn't shop for decorations until he left. I planned out an afternoon for him with one of our good friends. He took him out to the shooting range and did a few things after which helped with stalling him for a few hours. The weather wasn't the best, we had a lot of rain that day which didn't make it any easier. Luckily, I had great friends and family who helped me and made it happen. He was shocked when he got home. It was priceless! You only turn 30 once, right? I had to make it special for him. He enjoyed himself! Mission accomplished!

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Now last but not least, I have an upcoming trip this weekend. I'm ubberly stoked and can not wait! I am going to NEW YORK!! Tutu Runners are going to their first half marathon out of state. I am excited to blog about my trip once I return. Wish me luck!

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That is all for now. So much has happened these last two months, from good to bad. God is good!

XoXo