Life's a Beach...

This Christmas we decided to forget it all and head to Antigua while Nick is home on leave. Amazing idea, we may never stay home for Christmas again!

Santa came by boat on Christmas morning...

Grab Your Buddy...

My brother and I ran the Muddy Buddy this weekend. 6.5miles of running and biking (one buddy bikes while the other runs, switching off each mile). In between each mile is an obstacle transition zone (climbing walls, jumping hurdles, crawling through mud, running across the reservoir). We had a blast! Next year, better costumes!!!

13.1!

On Saturday I completed my first half marathon, running the whole way! I crossed the finish line at 2:09:11, not so shabby for my first time. This has been a huge goal for me all year, mission accomplished!

Starting out...

The little girl is smiling because she only ran the last 5 yards with her Mom...

Last few strides to the finish line!

"I use these short races to increase my pace..."

The Sean May Memorial run was this Saturday. It is to honor a former Adams County District Attorney who was shot and killed in a suspected act of retaliation four years ago. The proceeds go to his family and to increase the community's access to justice so that everyone may have a voice and a right within our court system. The race was 9 miles, and the longest race I have ever competed in to date. I was up for the challenge. I was talking with some other races at the starting line, and two women were talking about marathons they had completed, and upcoming triathlons they were preparing for. I was very interested and not too affected by the comments until the one woman says, "yes, I use these short races (referring to the 9 miles we were about to embark on) to increase my pace." It was such a casual comment to her, but it horrified me! What did I get myself into here?! Sheer panic set in for the next 5 minutes while we were waiting to begin our adventure. Everyone around me had signed up because it was a quick stroll around the lake, for me, this was to be my largest feat yet! What if I pass out mid-race and my body just gives out?!
9 miles later...
I used the fear of other's ridicule to push my pace throughout the course, I sprinted across the finish like at 1:18:54! I won first place in my age bracket (20-29) and placed on the leaders board as #5 for women! The best part was I had co-workers, friends, and my Mom all cheering for me as I made the last few yards into the finishing shoots. It was truly one of the greatest and proudest moments of my life. And that woman who used the race as a time trial for her marathons? She high-fived me at the end - no judgment! :)

My first race medal!

My racing partner - Mama (who by the way, earned second place in her age group for the 5k race)!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no!...It's Kelley!!!

My Mom and I had our monthly running group race last weekend. It was a new race location for both of us, and opened my eyes to a whole new trail system by my house.I am always excited for a new running route. I broke another personal best this month - 5 miles in 42:23! I am well on my way to my first half marathon later this summer.

Getting into the rhythm...



Holding steady...

Sprinting to the finish line!

New York, New York

Last weekend, my parents my brother and I all ventured out to the big city...New York City to be exact! They do not exaggerate when they say the city is huge! Many people, huge building, hustle and bustle, and of course, fashion! We saw the WTC Memorial, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, shopped FAO Schwartz, saw Grand Central Station, went to the top of the Rockefeller Center, and of course, rode both the subway and taxis!

WTC Memorial North Tower.

Grand Central Station

The top of the Rock, 70 floors up!

Zebras at FAO Schwartz

Martha Kelley Strikes Again...

I've been working around the house this weekend doing some Spring updates. I decorated some new flower pots for the garden plants this year. I planted arugula, bell peppers, tomatoes, lavender, cilantro, and basil. More to come...

I may have gotten carried away with the raffia on this one...

On a side note, it is the little things that make me miss Nick; exhibit A, all the orange Skittles from the bag, Nick always eats the orange ones for me.

I re-created our serving tray to be more "Nick and Kelley" than the standard store decor.