My College Experience :)

So, I have been thinking. Here I am at the end (almost) of my undergrad days.  I never thought I would finally reach my last semester of college and be so close to graduation, but- THANK GOD- here I am.  Graduation is so close, I can smell it. I have been thinking, though, on all that I have learned in these last 4 1/2 years, and I would not trade this knowledge, not necessarily academic knowledge,  for anything. I have learned so many valuable lessons, lessons that encourage me to say these last 4 1/2 years are priceless. Yes, an education is ridiculously expensive, but every second has been worth it.  I think about my freshman year, in so many ways it seems like that was just yesterday, but also like it was 100 years ago.  I was just a baby, so young, scared, and naive. I had no idea what this new world of Auburn would have in store for me. I dreamed and imagined what it would be like, and I told my parents daily I couldn't wait to move out! About a week after living here all on my own, just me and my sweet roommate, I realized how well I had it made back in country Corner.  I was determined, however I would make it to the end and one day it would be worth it because I would be an Auburn graduate! I knew one day, that time would come, but it still seemed so abstract and distant.  Here I am, it has come and I am so thankful. Thankful for all the hard times and the easy, thankful for all the heart aches and the smiles, thankful for all the love and help, and thankful for all the discoveries I have made and conclusions I have come to. One thing is for sure, the same Lacey that first stepped foot on this campus 11 semesters ago, is nothing like the Lacey who will be holding her degree on this beautiful campus in a few, short months.
I can't hide all that I have learned, it has all helped make me the woman I am today.  I learned balance, in life, relationships, family, and leisure. I learned how to live and love without restraint. I learned that making a 'C' is alright, life goes on, and microbiology sucks! I learned true friends will always be there, no matter how many times you "think" you have let each other down. I learned to believe in fairytales and true love, my prince charming really did exist, and is more amazing than I had ever imagined. I learned that I could never be a nurse, and it's ok to change your plans, really our plans aren't that great anyway. I learned a faith that moves mountains and gives life to the dead. I learned how strong I am. I learned nothing is impossible. I  learned how amazing the miracles of an almighty God can be.  I found my passion. I had my passion taken away, and realized life still goes on.  I learned how much I am loved. I learned what an amazing family I have and how blessed I am to have them.  I learned who 'Lacey' really is. I learned how to change a flat tire. I learned how to deal with curves life throws you without my mommy or daddy here to hold me and tell me it's going to be ok. I learned I will never be too old to to sit in my mama's lap and cry.  I learned it's ok to cry. I learned how to clean, well I'm still working on that. I learned how to be selfless. I learned how to be dependable. I learned how to care for another, well sweet Maximus dog, and we're still alive and kicking. I learned how to come out of my shell. I learned how to meet new people. I learned how to accept diversity. I learned to accept and love people completely different from me. I learned that I am one lucky girl. And finally, I learned how much I love Auburn!
These past few years have been life changing and irreplaceable. It's been wonderful and life will go on afterwards, even better than it is now, with my soul mate by my side.  War Eagle!

Other Than Running...

So, what else in the world goes on with Lance and I besides Lance running a lot and me being mopey because I can't run a lot? Well, a lot, actually!
Classes start back today, and I have had a very bad attitude about it since the last final I took in December, but I have decided to change my cruminess towards school. With the start of each new semester, it just means Lance is closer to finishing and we can start a "real" life outside of the college student trailer park :) What will I be doing in this time? Who knows! I am starting my Master's degree with a Biochemistry class today, but I'm not sure where I'll go from there. Wherever Lance and I end up, the first thing on my agenda will be to complete my dietetic internship so I can become a Registered Dietitian.  A Master's degree would be great, but right now the department is being sketchy about assistantships and I am not paying anymore money to take stinkin' classes! :) I may just get a job after the wedding and keep it until we decide where the next chapter in our lives takes us.
Speaking of the wedding, it will be here 2 short months from tomorrow! I can't believe it is getting here so fast! This past weekend I finished addressing 300 invitations, and my sweet mother is in Corner putting together these invitations, they came with "some assembly required". There is 4 pieces, a big back piece, the center piece which is the actual invitation, and a transparent top layer which have to be in perfect alignment for the 4th piece, the ribbon, to be threaded through and tied.  Yes, she is an angel for helping out so much! Everything has been done, the cake, flowers, tuxes, etc. have all been ordered. My bridesmaids' dresses have come in.  All the extras for the reception decorations are piled up in my old bedroom in Corner, and we are just waiting for our big day to come!
The wedding stuff takes up most of the time, but it will all be worth it!
Well, off to class we go....now, if we could just get it to warm up a bit! Brrrrrr........

Lance Runs a Race

Lance and I finally made it back to Auburn this past Wednesday after being away with families for almost a month! It wasn't easy coming back to a house where running shoes, water bottles, Garmins, recovery socks, race numbers, and medals filled the house.  It gets easier everyday, I just have to keep reminding myself there is something else out there for me, that will be even greater than running.  One of the sweetest ladies I know, her name is Dawn, told me something that I had not thought of before.  She said that running "was" my life, but my calling was elsewhere.  It's words like these I treasure. It meant a lot to here that, because running was my life, and it has gotten me to where I am today. Now, it must be time to move on.  My dear running, I will miss you :)
So, I know you are wondering "What about Lance?" Does he just mope with me? Well, actually Lance was spontaneous this weekend and decided at the last moment to go run a marathon.  I was scheduled to teach at the gym that morning, so I didn't make the trip. I have warned him the first few races he runs and I have to be a "crowd member" may not be the happiest days, but I'll get used to it :)  His race report is below. Way to go, Lance!
Lance's Report:

After logging just 1 mile since shutting down the body down since December 22, 2009 with a bad case of plantar fasciitis, I decided to give it a go at a race.  It was the Red Nose half and full marathon races in Columbus GA.  Thursday before the race, I decided I would just go out and see how far I could run without any training.  The race was free so I had nothing to lose other than some useless pride about how long it might take to finish the race.  I had no expectations and was just happy to be out there capable of running, especially with Lacey’s recent bad news with the stress fracture and hip arthritis.  I figured I would start with the full marathon runners and just run until I felt like stopping. 

It was a brutally cold morning with temperatures in the teens and with a strong wind, that I am sure had the wind chill temperature in single digits!  I knew if I still had a nose after the race that it would surely be a red one just as the race name implies.  Just a few steps into the race, my feet felt like bricks of ice and tried to run in a pack of runners to help shield me from the cold wind.  The first few miles went by slowly and painfully but as the sun began to rise, I really started to enjoy the lovely surroundings the course offered.  It was a run that went along some river in Columbus GA and you even crossed over a bridge and ran part of the race in AL.  There were no spectators and very few other people out in this chilly weather but every 2.5 miles, there would be a small crew of people out with cups of water and Gatorade for the runners.  They were all very friendly and encouraging. 

So how far did I end up running you might ask… Well, I finished the half marathon race portion and felt like running more (crazy I know).  I had no idea and really did not think I would finish the entire 26.2 miles of the marathon course.  I knew there were numerous places along the route I could just stop and call it a day, so I just kept running until the tank was completely empty, fumes and all.  I ended up totaling 22.95 miles for the day.  A very nice training run done at a very slow pace but with all things considered, it was a very productive and rewarding day.  The next race on my calendar is the Auburn Classic Half Marathon this coming Saturday.  Again, another one with no expectations and I will be just going out having fun running and enjoying the fact that God has blessed me with the health to do something that is at times rather challenging. 

So this weekend helped kick start my 2010 running adventure, where my goals are to run a sub-18 minute 5k, a sub-40 minute 10k, qualify for Boston with a 3:10 marathon, and just finish my first 50 mile and 100 mile races.  All of this will pale in comparison though to March 12, 2010 when I finally get to call the amazing woman in my life, my wife (who by the way already ran the Boston Marathon and beat me in the only race we ever ran together)!