The Time Has Come! Marathon #10

This Sunday I, along with thousands of other runners, will run the New York City TCS marathon! It's the biggest and best in the world! It is my absolute favorite race! This will be my 10th marathon and I wanted to compete and complete it in NYC! 

I believe I have trained harder for this year's race than any in the past. Maybe not harder as opposed to better. I completed almost all of my training runs, which is great. I only missed two long runs, which isn't so bad. Thank God, overall, my health has been good. My rest, not as good as it should have been. 

Tonight, Angela, Paulo and I went to the Javitz Center to get our race bags, numbers and shop the kiosks at the marathon expo. It was a good time, although we spent maybe a bit too much money! That happens if you aren't careful. It's not an inexpensive place. 

This will be Paulo's first marathon! Good luck to him!

I'm excited for Sunday's run. I trained & now I just want to enjoy it! The weather won't be as warm as I'd like, but thankfully it won't be raining. 

Running is my passion and marathons are something I'm able to do, and thank the Lord, do well. Some people think it's crazy to run a marathon, or that I am crazy for doing it. It is my passion and I'm good at it. I'm not the best, but I work hard at my training. It is time consuming, puts a toll on my body, but it also strengthens my mind. I thoroughly enjoy the race itself. That's not something I can say about everything I do. I thank God that I can still run them, and pray I will be able to do so for many more years to come. 

I wish all the runners out there a wonderful and enjoyable run this Sunday! This is what we trained for! 

Bridal Shower Fun

Almost one week ago, my bridal party, family and friends surprised me with a shower. Sometimes I am still in shock that I am really getting married. Not that I don't want to -- I truly do. I think somewhere along the way I lost hope that it would ever happen and was content with that. Well, God is good and had His own plan and it is going to happen; in 50 days to be exact. I am getting married. And I'm excited!

Shannon and Sue, my matrons of honor, along with the rest of my brides maids, Harry's and my sisters, worked hard and sneakily to put the shower together. 

Shannon, who tricked me the day before, generously had it at her home and it was lovely. 

Sue, who also tricked me, came in from

Canada to celebrate with us, as well, and completely shocked me! I was truly surprised to see her. Not sure why I didn't connect 'shower' with seeing Sue, but I surely was elated to have seen her. 

So many people that I care about were able to attend, and I was truly happy. I saw friends whom I haven't seen an a while, and some whom I see every day. I was pleased to be amongst people I love. I missed those who were unable to make it for different reasons, but I know we all lead busy lives. 

Ang and me.

Kristi and me.

Marlene and me.

The bridal party.

Harry's sisters. 

My sisters and our mom. 

Some of my work family. 

Some more of my work family. 

I'm missing many photos, but I plan to get them so I can make an album. It was a very special day. I won't soon forget it. Everyone worked so hard to make it a special day for me. Everyone also lied to me in some small way. Ha! Not sure what I did to deserve such great friends and family, but God has blessed me. 

I can't thank Shannon enough for opening her home up to everyone and for all of her hard work. I can't thank Sue enough for taking a day off work (Shan, too) to fly in and help prepare for the shower. Same to Natalie and Tori for coming down from Syracuse to help with the decorations, balloons and photos, and to attend my dress fitting. Marisel did such a great job with the decorations ... I was truly taken aback and grateful. 

'It's MINT To Be.'

He popped the question.

And thanks to my mom, who knew about it all but said nothing. She knew it was a special and important time for me. She looked lovely and seemed to have had a wonderful time. Lastly, I thank my sweet fiancé, Harry. He did a great job of keeping a secret that I think he wanted to share with me, but he knew how much I wanted it to have been a surprise. And it was. I am truly blessed.

 

I haven't gotten to look through all the gifts we received, but I am hoping to do so this weekend. I want to work on the thank you cards because I truly am thankful for everyone's generosity. In 50 days ... I will be Mrs. Jessica Vega. Wow.