New Goals

I think back to when I started this blog. Yes it's been a few months and I started it for many different reasons!! To stay in touch with co-workers, be held accountable for my training, empower others, show my progress with the Mrs. Washington pageant, etc. As I look back on the pictures it reminds me of the joys I had training and running the big runs!! The pageant is a month away, I know isn't that crazy!! I'm so very excited to make this new journey in Olympia! The past year running with the title of Mrs. Mead I feel I have made a huge personal growth and also touched many peoples lives in the process!

So the point I'm getting to..... I've decided that 2013 will be the year of PR's (personal records) I'm going to recreate all the runs and get MUCH better times, hopefully I will be running for Mrs. America (positive thinking) and then also making sure I check many more items off my bucket list!!! I still haven't danced on a table at Big Als with my girl Bekah or yes I'm gonna say it Bekah......... Sky dived or even white water raft!!!

Life is full of ongoing challenges and I am going to push through all the fears and baggage I still carry and be the best me. So this blog yes started out as my determination to run a Marathon.... well I've done that and in 2013 I will do it even better!!! You never know 2014 will be the beginning of my training for the IRONMAN!! Yes I'm going to set my sites high and you can continue to follow me on this blog. I would love for you to share your thoughts, stories, motivation, or anything you would like me to know.

http://windermeremarathon.com/

http://www.spokanemarathon.us/

The list of runs for 2013 will consist of:
Snake River Half Marathon
Windermere Marathon
Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon
Spokane Half Marathon

Let the JOURNEY begin...... ok continue to begin!!! Oh life is grand!!!

August Update

Things have been crazy!! That sums up August for all my wonderful followers. So just a quick recap for this month.......

I had the honor of assisting the Miss Spokane Scholarship ladies at the Garland Street Fair!! This was a blast to get to meet some really amazing Spokane Youth and Young Adults.

While at the Garland Street Fair a wonderful man Mathew invited us to attend the Craig T. Nelson Golf Classic Reception. We sold many raffle tickets http://www.lilacblind.org/golf.html and even got to get our picture taken with Craig T. Nelson and also the MC for the Night Mark Peterson!! I'm still looking for the one of me with Craig T. Nelson (Coach)

The next weekend Aaron my youngest son went off to Marine Boot Camp!! 

And the same day I had a Mary Kay Pageant Event in Edgewood, WA and also a Good Luck Party for Mrs. Washington 2012 Jessica Riggs!!!

At the event we found out that the official Mrs. Washington Charity is Hope Heart Institute. So we will sale 5 baskets each in support of this charity. All the proceeds from this will go directly to Hope Heart Institute, I will post pictures as soon as I have all my baskets made!! First I have to find companies that would like to donate things to put inside my baskets :) What a great way to advertise for an AWESOME cause!! Please contact me if you would like to donate :)

Ok and to sum up my month!!!........ Yes I was on the cover of the INLANDER!!! Check out our story if you get a chance!!!

Thank you all my wonderful followers!!! Remember to follow me on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/Mrs.Mead.Washington

Make sure you check out the Spokane Inlander for an article on Pageantry!

Life in the fast lane!!

Well all my amazingly special followers. It's been a couple weeks since my MARATHON. I feel so wonderful to have completed that, renewed and ready to conquer another obstacle, adventure in life!! Here is the finish line video of the Windermere Marathon. It was so empowering to have my wonderful ladies run through the finish as they say my name "Desiree Lancaster" over the loud speaker as a Marathon FINISHER!! To have my husband, my kids, my sister and her family and my parents there to support me was so wonderful!! Just writing this and sharing my experience brings joyful tears to my eyes. My choice to live a happy healthy life is trickling onto the people I love so much. It is such a blessing!!

Girls waiting at finish line

 and waiting........

 still waiting.....

 girls holding the sign they made that says

"Mama's Minions"

Team Lancaster 

"GO MOMMY"

 The girls and my sister with her husband waiting for me to finish :)

 Girlfriend Bekah running across the finish!!

 Me with my medal the girls where so excited they kept hanging on me wanted to look at my BLING :)

 Me signing to my wonderful husband that "I LOVE YOU"

He is my #1 fan and I am so blessed!!

This is an experience that I will never forget! My first and my families for generations first!! In a week June23rd I will get to share in one of my long time friends first half marathons. What an honor to get to run with her and see the impact finishing can do for another person! It's not going to be a PR for me, I am solely running as her support and friend. To yell and scream for her to keep running  (in a loving manner of course) so she can hold her little one at the finish line and where an awesome medal around her neck! I look forward to it so much!! Pictures will be posted and my thoughts will be shared.

I love being part of this thing called life. It's so hard to believe that a few years back those words would have never come from my mouth. So continue to follow and share in this experience with me! Take my strength and know that nothing defines who you are but you..... simple as that!! Your only has happy as you'll allow yourself to be!!

Continue to follow................... you won't be disappointed.................

Adding onto my Marathon training, being a mother of 4, a wife; I will be taking the path as Mrs. Mead representing all women who didn't have a voice! Join me on my journey of training, volunteering, and being the best wife and mother an empowered women can be.

Race Day Results

Here are my results: Pictures to follow!!!

DESIREE LANCASTER

WINDERMERE MARATHON

05/19/12

Racer Number:	189
Gender:	F
Age:	28
Representing:	MEAD WA USA

Race Distance: Marathon

Overall Placing                               Gender Placing                                 Division Placing
Place: 311                                       Place: 142                                         Marathon F 25 to 29
                                                                                                                          Place: 15

FINAL TIME: 05:15:50

Pre Race Day Jitters

Good morning all my dedicated followers!! Like the title says I am a bit nervous for tomorrow!! It's the big day the Windermere Marathon!! That's it what all of this is about. As most of you know where this training came from but for those who don't I'll share my motivation and story.

I run because I am here today and able! It all started about June 2009 or 2008 time frames are still a bit hazy for me. The physical abuse from my ex husband started, he always in the 8 years of marriage mentally and emotionally abused me, secluded me from dear friends and family but it wasn't until I was done with him having girlfriends and only coming back to me when they broke up with him; that is when the abuse started. When he felt he no longer had a verbal hold on me he started choking me for life answers, suffocating me with pillows, threatening my life if I leave with weapons, and hitting me. It was October of the same year he came to my house, with the look of the devil in his eyes he beat me, stripped me, and threatened to murder/suicide on us. My darling oldest daughter chimed in "Mommy are you ok" those words gave me seconds to react and escape the home, where a person driving by my home called 911. It was only minutes when they arrived. Now the cops came many times before but my ex always talked them away, so I always felt trapped. This time though the cops thought I was hiding them and threatened to take my children. I let them search the home and they found him hiding in a closet. He went off in hand cuffs, wow someone finally stood up for me. I had to show my beaten face at the courthouse my place of employment for almost 2 weeks, that's how long the external marks stayed but as any domestic violence survivor knows there is always the internal marks! 

I struggled to not follow my bad choices, and one day I stood up for myself and I decided to create a bucket list of all the things I NEVER had the chance to do. If I would have died that day, I would have missed out on a whole world of opportunities. I wasn't going to ever take life for granted again. There were silly items and hard items but the most difficult item on my bucket list, the most internal work and external training needed is COMPLETING A MARATHON!! 

Some items on my bucket list:

Buy a home

Dance on a table at a club

Go to a Rock Concert

Ski

Complete a Marathon

Skydive

Take the girls camping for there first time

Buy a good car

etc.

So as I sit here today only 1 day away from this huge accomplishment for me, I can't help to think of what it took to get here and how much my motivations, love of family, and support of an amazing husband I have and treasure. God really did have a plan for me, I don't regret the choices I made because those choices and struggles have made me a better wife, amazing mother, and understand and compassionate person who only wants to see every beautiful women succeed just as I have. I am a survivor and am EMPOWERED to continue to reach new highs.

How have I prepared you may ask. I've been taking many different classes at the YMCA to prepare and cross train such as: TRX, Cycling, Core Ball, Intense Pump, Zumba, and also running 20-50 miles a week. In the last month I've dedicated my diet to rice, vegetables, fish, oatmeal and plenty of water. Today I plan on relaxing, stretching, and hydrating. It's important to hydrate and eat low fat foods 3 days prior to any long run, this will help to avoid the runners potty breaks (a nice way to say it). 

I will head to the convention center to pick up my packet and number soon, I'll post a picture when I have a moment. And then a healthy dinner and off to bed early for me. I have to be in Post Falls, ID by 6am tomorrow morning. The race starts at 7am and hopefully Bekah and I will be crossing the finish line in Spokane, WA Riverfront park between 11-noon!!! This will be a glorious time for me and my little girls!! It's all they ever talk about, "we wanna run marathons like mommy" 

So I will battle internal fears but my husband the love of my life reminds me "lay my worries with the lord" I shall do this and please all my wonderful followers keep Bekah and me in your prayers for an injury free run. 

Thank you all,

Love, 

*Desiree Lancaster*

First Mrs. Washington Pageant Fundraiser

Had a wonderful time at my first event. It was in Leavenworth, WA at Simply Found a boutique. I met many wonderful women. I will add some more pictures as they come but here's one from the night.

I'm following a 8 week training guide for the marathon! So far I've stuck to it. Last night I did 11.75 and next weekend is  hopefully 16!! We'll see!! The plan is pretty easy small miles during the week all 2-6 then 1 longer run easy one on the weekend.

I'm still in a lot of pain but I have to work through it. Something I will have to live with :( tendonittis I have it in both my arms but the calf is way painful, like a constant charly horse. Wish me luck I'm giving it my all and I'm gonna finish the Marathon!!!

I need a treadmill, any ideas where I can find an inexpensive used one? I normally go to the gym but when the girls are naughty it rewards them to go to the YMCA. Funny I know but they would rather be there then home.

Oh and next long run is planned for Saturday, March 24 @ 6am with my amazing friend Bekah!! Then off to Moses Lake to meet many new ladies!! I'm super excited!!

Keep posted I'm gonna try some new speed work on short miles to help my foot recover. I'll let you know how it works. Swimming helped a ton but it's still a bit sore when I run on it.

Mrs. Washington Pageant Information

I got in the mail this weekend my Mrs. Washington Pageant information and welcome packet!! I'm so excited to take this journey. My official title is Mrs. Mead!! I can't wait to meet all the women running for Mrs. Washington, from the different blogs I've had a chance to look at they sound like some really amazing and strong women! I hope my followers will also support me in this new adventure.

I will keep you all updated and I can't wait to post pictures of all the exciting memories I'm about to make!! Oh and if any of you can think of some potential sponsors that would be great!!!

Check the website out!! I bet 3 of you wonderful followers know who Ms. WA Senior 2012 is.......

Love to you all,

Desiree
Mrs. Mead 2012

I forgot to mention.... Now I run to stay in shape, accomplish something not many do, and I think the coolest of it all.....GET A MEDAL!!! Now I wasn't one in high school who accomplished much physically. I worked so much that I never got the chance to do any sports or extra stuff. So as an adult I'm wanting to complete something I have something cool to show for it, for the Snake River I was really excited to get A medal for finishing, like most other halfs..... Nope I got a pair of socks :'( very disappointed!!!!

Snake River Half

I didn't do as good as I had planned. The start was great, was a bit tight after stretching but I didn't hurt. I was at my goal of getting to the half way mark in 1 hour, did that and felt great. It wasn't till I hit the 9 mile marker that the heavy winds hit and my asthma started acting up. I couldn't breath then my ankle started killing me. At around the 10 mile marker I was ready to give up and ask the ambulance for something to help me breath but I kept trucking I had to finish.
I ended up finishing with a time of 1.21 ...... 7 min slower than my first half but I started injured and finished injured. I took all day Sunday on the couch icing my leg and with a heat pad. Today I'll go to the gym to sit in the hot tub. My honey said I damaged the tendin that attaches my foot to my leg so I have to not walk on it to let it heal otherwise I'll get tendinnites in my leg like I do in my arms.
Goal is to still be ready for the full marathon on may 19th and not have any setbacks!!
I have some pictures from the start to post.

This morning I attended TRX, have I mentioned how much I enjoy this class!! Try it one time and you'll probably want to quit but drink the TRX juice 3 times and you'll be addicted!!! I mean it, give it a shot you won't be disappointed!!

 My leg is feeling better, going to run 3 slow miles tomorrow at the YMCA and hopefully I'll be good to go for the race. I'll keep you updated, and yes check back on Saturday for some pictures of the race day!! I'll upload some directly from my phone that way you can see the beauty I will be running in. Keep me in your prayers because being strong physically and mentally for 13.1 miles takes help and who better than the one man who watches over us all day :) Love to you all!! Another update tomorrow!!!

Another day at the gym and another day I can't run :-( I rolled my ankle on Wednesday, and Thursday attempted to run on it and only made it 1 mile before I was in tears from the pain.... It's not the bone but it is the muscle so I've iced it and heat and brought the inflammation down. Saturday I did TRX with my honey, it felt great!! Sunday relaxed and then today I did 10 miles on the bike, 1 mile on the stair stepper, and then some circuit work. Will be doing TRX tomorrow and then I think Wednesday I will try to do 3 very slow miles on the treadmill. Keep me in your prayers because Saturday is the big run and I'm going to do it.... may not get my PR (personal record) but I will give it all I have!!!

I'll keep you all updated!!!

Women Need to Stand Strong!!! Love you all!! We have the POWER!!!

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on over you

You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You tried to break me, but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking bout me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

TRX BABY!!!! My wonderful husband joined me this morning at the YMCA! We rocked it, came home to relax and watch a movie, then off to the Chiefs game.

Girls going Irish crazy!!

Kaitlyn and Kyla have Irish dancing today they are getting ready for their first ever recital!! It's so exciting and I am just amazed at how well Kaitlyn is doing, it's their first year for both of them. I will upload a video shortly.

Return....

Hey all  my wonderful followers! I have taken a month or so off from blogging, things became really busy but I'm going to push through it and start up again :) So I think I need to feel everyone in from where I left off.

I've been going every other morning to the YMCA to do TRX and Cycle, I've learned to stick it out and found TRX isn't that bad once you allow your body to have a rest day after a session. Running has become more regular also. My amazing husband got me a new Garmin 405 for Valentines Day, it's made it much easier for me to track the miles I'm actually clocking. After my first morning walking the girls to school I found that instead of the 1 mile round trip it was 1.5 miles round trip to the girls school. So on those days I'm walking, I'm doing a total of 4.5miles and the watch told me I was averaging a 14min/mile!! How cool is that!!

Saturday, March 3, 2012 is the Snake River Half Marathon. I'm getting super excited for it, all of TEAM LANCASTER will be there and my dad!! So exciting to be able to share these moments with my little ladies. Kaitlyn had to do a goals chart for school and her #1 thing was she wants to train and run a marathon  /half marathon like her mommy. That just melted my heart, I have 4 little girls who will become strong, smart, confident women because I am instilling those qualities in them.

So they cheer me on during my runs and they play and are so patient with my husband when I put in my long runs on the weekends. Last weekend they played at the Valley Mall and went to have a daddy date lunch while I ran 14.3 miles on the same route I'll be taking for the Windermere Marathon.

As I sit here now with Kimmy on my lap she's asking "mommy what are you doing" my response I'm writing about running. She says "but you don't have a lot of kids" lol I love how a 3 year old thinks. 

To continue.... Today I mailed in my application for Mrs. Washington!! This will be another adventure to add to my bucket list. Wow to think that it wasn't 3-4 years ago I was the women who walked around on egg shells and put all my dreams and aspirations to the side. To think I was told by men that I was stupid and wouldn't amount to anything. Jokes on all them..... I now have accomplished so many things and have an amazing husband who is supporting me through it all, my own personal cheerleader!! So COOL!! When I'm excepted into the pageant that is when the excitement will begin. This blog could potentially turn into a marathon/mommy madness to Mommy/Marathon/MrsBeautyPageantRunner  hehe guess it's a play on words. Now I bet your all thinking.... How did I decide to run for Mrs. Washington? When I was a little girl I begged my parents to enter me in many little miss pageants, my mom entered me into one but the cost was so expensive to continue.  I always felt I wasn't pretty enough, now that I'm an adult I think differently. It's not whats on the outside that make a women/girl pretty. It's what's on the inside and any of my girls will say that!! A girl/women is only the best they allow themselves to be. If you say your pretty and you can do it, then that's what you will do. Doesn't matter if you win or loose it's knowing you gave your best and had fun while doing it! During High School I was West Plains Community Fair Queen 3 years running. So I asked the girls Kaitlyn, Kyla, Kira, and KimberLee " What would you think if mommy ran for Mrs. Washington. They had many questions "what do you do" etc. I showed them the website...

Mrs. Washington Pageant Website

The all cheered and said YES!!! Kaitlyn was the most excited she said " I can tell all my friends then" she had a sparkle in her eye that made my heart melt. With all the horrible things these girls experienced to see them truly happy makes me feel great! 

The scariest thing for me will be getting Sponsors to help pay for the pageant. So as soon as I'm accepted I will put the word out, any business you can think of, feedback would be great!!

I'll rap it up for now but I promise to not be long...... Until tomorrow ;-)

Update

Saturday Bekah and I did 11 miles total!!! It rocked, well sort of she had to get my butt moving during the last two miles!!! We did 10/10min miles and then 1 mile walking to cool down. A cool down and stretching at the beginning is really important. If your doing a large number of miles you'll notice you won't hurt as much if you walk a bunch to let your muscles not tense up. Sunday I felt great, hydrated and relaxed but not much planned working out just house cleaning :) Monday was the same and then Tuesday I was back to walking the girls to school.

Today the weather was so bad that Kaitlyn had to help push the stroller because I was fighting the wind all the way home! Very sad that the wind was blowing so bad that it took a grown adult and a little munchkin to push it. I will be back on the bike Thursday and hopefully tomorrow I will make it to the YMCA to get a few miles in.

As soon as my wonderful husband gets home from his second job I'll be signing up for the Windermere Marathon. Yes that means I'm paying the $90 so it will defiantly be happening!! Ok we have snow but it won't be stopping me..........

Preparation

So the day before you do a long run, the most important thing to do is...

Rest
Drink lots of fluids
Stretch

This is vital in order for your body to with stand the long miles. Tomorrow morning I'll be doing 10 miles, to some of you this might not be long but for me it's vie longest I've done since quiting work and I don't want to hurt myself. An injury can put any training to a halt.

Today was spent resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and visiting old friends. We'll not old just past co workers. It was great to see them again!

So this weekend is my chance to get back on the train, and wish me luck cause while your still in bed Saturday morning I'll be running!! I'll update you tomorrow on my time!

Keep running!!!

3 weeks

It's been three weeks now that I have been a stay at home mom and what a ride it has been! It's been a few days since my last post, home sadness fell into place with me; but that is in the past. No more sitting on my butt and cleaning the house. Well I'll do some of that but I will be back to morning cycling and afternoon runs!

Since my last update I'll feel you in on what I have done beside sleep and clean. lol

Tuesday and Wednesday I walked the girls to and from school, so I got an amazing 3 mile resistance walk in by doing that! Let me tell you pushing 70+ lbs in the cold really helps you work up a sweat. On Tuesday and today (Thursday) I did my 35min training video which really works my core!!

So I'm excepted to SCC for Spring 2012 quarter, it's really exciting. I'll be taking online classes at first then I will have to go to the school for labs which will be a lot of fun.

The test of my training will be this Saturday, Bekah and I will be doing 10 miles. All I can say is pray for me!! I'm going to get back in the swing of things but 10 miles after doing only 6 miles last Saturday is a huge leap. I'll keep you updated on this!! Unfortunately I can't attach mobile uploaded pics from my phone.... I dropped it in coffee the other day and the camera does not work!! :( So I'll let you know how I'm feeling, and how my new shoes worked out on a long run!!

Here I go, getting back in the swing of things! We all do it, have ups and downs what matters is getting back on the horse and doing it again!! Don't give up, lets improve the fitness level together!!

Until tomorrow!!!

End of Week

This week was long and fulfilling! I did tons of walking to and from the girls school, lots of all body exercise. I didn't get in much running but today I had the chance to put in 5.25 miles. It was a wonderful run would have loved to do more but we had company coming over so tomorrow I will do some more, hopefully 7 miles and work from there for longer runs. 

I had a revelation with my little ladies, we took naps out of the picture and I found that they go to bed at a decent time and sleep all night. Instead of waking up at their normal 6:30am time they are sleeping in till 8:00am and rested. 

Life has been busy but very rewarding.... to my followers keep running and enjoying your family time!!!

Love to all!!

First Day back at school

My day started out at 4:30am, woke up and went to the YMCA to do Julie's cycle class!! I love it, 1 hour 23 miles and 523 calories later I'm done and feeling great. Ok a bit sore and tired but it's all worth it. Back home by 6:45 and the girls are just getting up, my wonderful husband getting done in the shower, and the new daily routine to begin.

The two oldest have to be to school by 9:20 so in order to walk there 1 mile round trip with pushing 70+lbs we have to leave at 9am. Breakfast first then with everyone bundled up we start our first of 3 trips for today. By vie time I got back home, wow was that a workout!!! And two more to go today!!!

I leave in 45 min for my next all body workout, I'll be in shape before you know it. Walking 3 miles a day, 5 times a week. So 15 miles of all over body work, plus Tuesday and Thursday cycle. Mon, wed, Fri running. Everyday video workout!!! Hmmm I'm pooped just texting it on my phone!!! I think Sunday or Saturday will have to be one long run day and one total rest day!!
Wish of luck, gotta go get my kindergarten girl!!
Until later!!!!!

January 1st update

I picked my little ladies up from their grandparents on New Years Day! I slept till noon, way out of the norm for me but it felt great considering we haven't felt very well the past few days. Stuffy and all that fun head congestion is what we have all been fighting. We made it a relaxing SMURFS day before they went to bed to catch up on there long night prior :) 

The girls stayed up to bang pots and pans in the new year!!!!

My new years resolution will be to do something ACTIVE each day of the year. Today was 10lb hand weights!! Did I feel it!!