Bridge Run

Saturday was the 33rd annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Stephen and I started training for it 10 weeks ago. (Well actually I started training, Stephen could run a 10k with just a day's notice). We found a schedule online that tells you what to do everyday for 8 weeks. We were doing really well. We were even running the actual bridge on Sundays (the distance days). We were up to about 4.5 miles in week 5 when I injured my knee. Ever since then I haven't been able to run more than 10 minutes without it giving out on me and being in extreme pain. For the past couple weeks I have been icing it, taking Aleve, and doing lots of strengthening exercises, but it hasn't gotten any better. Needless to say, we didn't get to run the bridge. We ran the first mile and had to walk the rest. My wonderful husband was so sweet and walked with me even though he could have kept going. I was really disappointed that I had to stop running after the first mile, especially since I had been working really hard to get ready for it. I swam competitively for 10 years, but I am not and never have been a runner. It took a lot of "pushing through" for me to get to the point where I actually got the runner's high. (Swimming is great by the way- your joints don't hurt and you can't feel yourself sweat since you are in the water.) Hopefully when my knee heals we can find another 10k to do together.

Chad Hewett, one of Stephen's good friends, came up from Georgia to run the bridge. He did great and finished in under an hour. Chad stayed with us for the weekend and we had a great time!

 This guy actually has his dog in his backpack!

 I don't even know what to say about this!Weird!

Fun in the Sun

Last weekend was the first beautiful weekend we have had in Charleston. On Saturday our small group gathered for some fun in the sun. We took our cornhole boards outside and had a tournament. We also had some football and a home run derby. It was great to be out enjoying God's creation. Here are some pics.

Ski Weekend

This past weekend, Stephen and I were invited up to the mountains of North Carolina to enjoy some skiing and great fellowship. Brad's family has a house on Beech Mountain and he and Mandy were kind enough to invite us to spend the weekend with them there.

Stephen and I spent the whole day Saturday skiing. He is a wonderful skier. Sometimes I get nervous because he likes to do the double black diamonds and crazy slopes. This is the first time we ever went together. We had to stop in Columbia to get some ski pants for me. I ended up getting a purple pair. I figured it would be easier for him to find me when I crashed! Also, Stephen's ski jacket is orange so as a couple we supported Clemson well.

The first half an hour we spent on the bunny slopes and he taught me how to slow down, stop, turn, and fall correctly. Then we moved on the the green circles and eventually the blue squares. He skied in front of me backwards the whole time helping me and giving me instruction. Stephen was so patient and encouraging. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. Although there were a few times that my self esteem took a hit, like when I looked up from extreme concentration to see him skiing backwards in front of me eating a pack of crackers. Here I am trying to stay calm and get down the mountain in one piece, and he is having a little snack! Haha. We had a great time though. After lunch I braved some slopes on my own and he took off to do the more difficult ones. Then, we met back up and skied together some more. I was really anxious about the whole day since I had no idea what I was doing, but he made it so enjoyable. I felt so safe with him and I think I fell in love with him all over again.

Our skis while riding the lift

 On the ski lift

On the slopes, check out my purple pants!

 Stephen in speed position!

 After lunch

 View from the top

Stephen at the bottom of the mountain

When we got back to the house, Brad, Mandy, and Rob (Brad's brother) had made a little ramp on the steep snow covered driveway. We played in the snow, sledded, and the guys had a pretty intense snowball fight. It was a blast.

Mandy in the snow!

Sledding down the driveway

These steps led down the the house we stayed at

Brad and his brother, Rob

Stephen after a sledding crash

On our way home Sunday we stopped in Greenville to visit Stephen's parents. We played horseshoes on the court Stephen and his dad built over Christmas break. They completely destroyed us. I think we won one game out of like 6 or 7. Haha. We are going to have to do some serious practicing before we challenge them again! Afterward we watched the Clemson game (kind of a bummer) and then headed home. It was a wonderful weekend!

 Stephen and his dad throwing horseshoes