Do 2 halves make a whole?

Yes, in normal circumstances, 2 halves make a whole. But, I have now run 2 half-marathons and I can say that they do not make a full marathon! (and I don't know if they ever will!) My most recent race took place in Clarksville, TN, this past Saturday. My best friend, Lindsy, and her running partner, Courtney joined me on this race. My goal for this race was to finish in less than two hours. I truly thought I could do it, given that the temperature was nearly perfect and I didn't think that the course would be too hilly. Weeelllllllll, the course was pretty much ALL hills! (refer to a previous blog posting during my triathlon training to get a true sense of how I feel about hills: I HATE THEM) AND the weather was beautiful, but it was oh-so-windy. We had a headwind for at least 75% of the race...can we say wind chapped??? Needless to say, conditions weren't perfect for me to make my goal of less than 2 hours. BUT, I shaved nearly 5 minutes off my first half marathon time so I guess this is good! The thing is, I couldn't have pushed any harder. Thank you Linds for running with me and for pushing me hard to the end. I know we didn't make our goal, but there is always next year! Speed work, here I come! Unfortunately, poor Courtney became sick early in the race. She is such a champ, though, and FINISHED the race, and finished it in an awesome time of 2:25!
Mine and Lindsy's time: 2:05:26

Also, we ran with some new running buds of mine from Benton: Ann and Cheryl. They are two hilarious running sisters, and ran with Linds and I the entire race. It was lots of fun!

Here are some pics (the ones from the event say "Proof" all over them!):

The Start of the Race

Trying to be Charlie's Angels while Running

Finally Finished!

Lindsy, Kennedy (future runner), and me

YAY Courtney made it! She looks great but felt bad.

Best Friends, cleaned up and ready for a fun night out and a pitcher of margaritas! YUM!

A Fine Fall Day

October of 2009 has been one of the wettest months on record here in Kentucky. This has really put a damper (hahaha) on harvesting the crops. Now, I am no farmer and I know nothing about the profession, but I do know that when the ground is saturated and/or flooded it is nearly impossible for farmers to do their job. Just as soon as the month changed to November, the rains stopped and the farmers could get back to their crops. On November 1st, Josh drove me out to Hickman, KY, to see the farmers hard at work, rushing to clear the fields. It was quite a sight to see: nearly every field was adorned with farm equipment. The crop of choice this year: soybeans. The water you see in the pictures is due to flooding, and is not a river or lake.

They did the Mash

They did the Monster Mash
The Monster Mash
It was a Graveyard Smash

This year was the Owens Family First Annual Halloween Bash. Josh and I had always wanted to have a Halloween party, but never really had the room. We've always had the friends, but where to put them?! Well, now that we have a basement we decided that we had the room, we just had to find the friends in our new town! (Just kidding! We've really made friends quickly since we have moved down to Benton) And we finally have the time (amazing!) so we put together what he hoped would be the party everyone looks forward to year after year. I can't speak for everyone else, but I know I am looking forward to the 2nd annual Halloween Bash already! Check out some of the pics from the event:

(Note: Prepare yourself! Some of the pictures are “special” and the costumes “scary”)

Basement-Before the Halloween Makeover

Oscar's already ready for the party!

Dorothy and Toto

Oscar Meyer Wiener

One of the food tables!

Taste-testing the Witch's Brew

Let the Costume Party Begin!!

80's Rockers (Lathan and Ashley)80s Redneck and Cleopatra (Jarrett and Stacey)

Strawberry Shortcake and Pimp (Melissa and Thomas)Ceiling Fan and Nudist on Strike (Lauren and Jon David)Swine Flu and Ms. Piggy (JP and Ashley)Tigger (Lois), Dorothy, Bad Witch (Carol Ann) and Betty Rubble (Sheila)Batman and Cat Woman (David and Hollie) Octomom and Dog the Bounty Hunter (Nicole and Tony)Pirate and Witch (Susan and Jami)Characters from V is for Vendetta (Jenny and Clay)

Pharaoh and Cleopatra (Mark and Jessica)Dorothy and Pimp DaddyRichard Simmons and 80s Aerobics Instructor (Jeff and Christy)Cowboy and Saloon Gal (Dan and Heather)Spartans!! (Bill and Alesha)

Baseball player and Umpire (Terri and Billy)

Rodeo Clown (Jay)

Girls that workout at MegaGym

A Movie Theater Match--we should have been cast for Wizard of Oz!BEST COSTUME WINNERS!

Some of the Group (some had already left)All-Night Party!

We had SO MUCH FUN! It is too bad that Halloween only comes once a year, because it was fun to dress up and goof off like kids again. Sure beats trick-or-treating! :) Now, I know you want to come party with us next year...mark your calendars for Friday, October 29, 2010!