Getting ready for race day

Tomorrow I have my first race of the season... The Wildcat 5k!  I am so very excited!   The Wildcat 5k will officially be the 4th 5k I have participated in and I will not lie I want to set a PR on this one.  My fastest 5k so far has been a virtual 5k that raised money for ST. Jude.  I ran it on my treadmill in 36:33.   I have always had much faster times on my treadmill.  Tomorrow will be different.  I will not be able to push a button to force my legs to speed up.  I have put in the effort, logged the miles, did my cross training and now I am excited to see it all pay off!   I hope to to pull this 5k off in at least 36:30... well to be honest what I really want is a 35:59 but I will be happy with anything under a 36:30.  

Physically training for a race might be tough but I tell you what getting ready the day before a race is tough too.  There are so many logistics to plan out when you have a family.   Ryan has school tomorrow which means not only can he not watch the race, or the kids, he can not help get the kids ready.  Two of my three kids are going off with their Papa to a MI State game while the youngest is going to his friends soccer game to cheer on his buddy.  I have to make sure I have EVERYTHING all planned out, laid out, and figured out tonight so that tomorrow morning is smooth sailing.   With three boys something stupid is bound to come up tomorrow that will put me in a state of panic... but right now I am feeling confident despite the pre race jitters I have.  I can not wait to give you a full race report tomorrow!  Wish me luck!

got gas?

Sitting approximately 12.5 miles away from my house is my local YMCA.   I drive to this Y 5 days a week.   Now I do know that there are several gyms within a 5 mile radius of my house that I could have joined but none had the vast amenities of the Y.  Most importantly the child watch and pool.  There is one place with the fancy pool and childcare slightly closer but it was 30 bucks a month more and well I was not willing to dig any deeper into my pockets.   The drive has never kept me away from the gym though, in fact I like the 20 min. of wake up time the drive provides me in the early morning.   I started hitting the Y routinely after my treadmill died a few months back.  Sure sure there were days that I could not go to the Y due to a typical MI winter but for the most part once that treadmill died I was there religiously.   That is until now... Today I did not hit that local gym, sadly I did not get to hear all the "good mornings" or see all the smiling faces that I have grown so used to seeing early in the morning, I did not drive in the rain to get my workout on.  Instead I set out this morning in the cold and rain to run outside.  Sadly I was about 5 steps into my run when a huge gust of cold wind hit me and I was second guessing my decision to not drive to the gym.   Why when someone who does not mind the drive, enjoys the people, has the time, etc would they choose to run in the cold, rainy weather?  Sticker shock people!  I would rather run in the cold rainy weather then to pass out from the sticker shock I would get at the pump.  What the hell is going on with these gas prices?  My word this price hike is outrageous!  The 25 mile round trip visit to my local Y each morning could potentially dry out this stay at home moms pocket book.  As a SHAM I already feel bad spending 80 bucks a month on a gym membership let alone spending over 200 a month to get there.  I figure if I can cut back on the gym 2 or three days a week (running days) then I should be able to save at least $100.00per month.  I know every mom needs to do a little something for herself but I also know that every mom wants nothing more then to be able to give back to her family and that's what I am going to do.  There is a disclaimer in this statement though... if by chance it snows again (don't hhhmmph me this is MI people stranger things have happened) or if the temp goes below 50* or of course if it is pouring.  Light rain is as far as I go.   Other then that I am running outside!

When the legs feel like brick

Ok so I know my posts have been few and far between lately but that's just because nothing exciting has been going on.  Plagued by a shoulder injury, the last few weeks have just kinda been blah.   I have been keeping up with all my workouts but to be honest my runs although not bad, have not been great either.  I think that every runner has those days when they get up all pumped up to run only to find out that their legs just were not as pumped as their mind was.  I had a day like that on Tuesday, before I even had one lap around the track in I was thinking what the hell is wrong with the legs today?   I feel like I am running in wet cement.  For the next two miles nothing changed and the same frustrating thoughts were going through my head.  I was happy as hell when I finally gave myself permission to stop running.  For a runner days like these are frustrating as hell and you just pray that they never happen on a race day.

I have my first 5k of the season next Saturday and Tuesdays run had left a bad taste in my mouth.  So today when I set out to the gym I had Tuesdays run on my mind and I knew I had to do better then that.   I got there and walked a quarter mile to warm up.  I was feeling great until... I started running!   Legs felt like bricks again!  Frustration mixed with a bit of nervousness started to set in as several times I thought my legs were going to give out.   I pressed on and finally I had a half mile in.  Over the winter I started following the Geff Galloway's run/walk method of running.  So typically I would have run another lap or two and then walked a lap but today, since I was having so much trouble, I decided to walk every half mile.   Once the walk lap was over I set out to just finish a mile.   The second half went NO better then the first and the whole time I was running all I could think about was only 5, 4, 3, 2, and then 1 more lap until I can walk again.   At 1 mile I thought oh man this is ridiculous.  I have been running for almost a yr now there is no way in hell I will settle for two runs in a row being crap.  Determined to do better I pressed on.  After my walk break at 1.5 my legs started to feel a little lighter like someone had taken weights off my ankles.  The fear that my legs were going to just give out was now gone allowing me a little freedom from all the thinking and negativity going on in my mind.  I stopped thinking about running and just started listening to my music.  That is until I was one lap from the 2 mile mark when I looked at the time and thought OMG what the hell?!?  I have been running for 30 min and I have not quite made 2 miles yet.   My mind was like a whirl wind of thoughts again,  30 min that can not be right, uggg I need to run faster, the walkers at the race on Sat are going to beat me, I can not come in last at this race, I am slower then a turtle I am a fricken sloth, I have to step this up, 30 min... seriously that can not be right it just can not be right... is that right?!  All these thoughts and a million more took over my mind for the next mile.  By the time mile 3 hit I had realized two things.  1.  My legs were feeling good now   2. I need to go back to 3rd grade because I can not tell time.  LOL  what I thought was 30 min was actually only 25 min.  I did not stop running when I hit mile 3, I figured I would just continue on until I got in a full 5k.  The only thing is my legs were now feeling good I mean real good  I hit the 5k point and felt no need to stop so I told myself just make it an even 3 and a quarter.  Only once I hit that I still felt good.  Ok 3.5 I told myself.   I got there no problem.  Ok 3.75 then!   once I got to 3.75   are you kidding me only 4 more laps until I get in 4 miles.  I got this easy!   One lap before 4 miles I glance at the clock again.  (this time reading it correctly)  and realized ok wether or not I can go any farther I have to stop and get home so Ryan can get to work.  So I sprinted the last lap.   Finishing my last mile and a half with no walk breaks, and the full 4 miles in just 45 min.   Which happens to be an amazing pace for me. 

I am not sure how a run with such an awful negative start ended up being one of my best runs I have ever had but I am very happy about it.  Infact I think that last mile I ran gave me what is known as a runners high. Could it be?!?!   What I do know is I feel a whole lot more confident going into next weeks 5k knowing that there is a possibility that I could potentially pull of a pace under a 12 min. mile.   ~It still shocks me that less then a yr ago I could not run around the block and now... WOW!

I am so happy to say... I have missed you!

When I first started running I hated to run outside.   The reason I had for hating running outside is actually quite sad.  I was so self conscious about how heavy I was that it was keeping me from what I needed to do,  lose weight.  Every time I ran out of steam and would have to walk the thought of  omg if anyone sees me walking right now they are going to think that I am to fat to run.  Anytime I saw someone looking at me I would think I bet they are thinking that girl NEEDS to walk.  I would run in the neighborhood at night so that way when people looked out their windows they would not know it was me out there trying to get into shape.  Plain and simple I was embarrassed of myself.   I now see that these fears I had were irrational.  That's not to say that I don't still get those thoughts here and there but I now know to not listen to them.   In fact what I have learned is that a good majority of people I talk to are impressed with what I can do they say things to me like I am not sure if I could run around the block let alone a 5k ~good job!   The running community has helped me out tremendously as well.  The support that runners give each other is amazing!  My friends in my FB running moms group, CM running group and dailymile are some of the most amazing people I have never met.   ahahahhah  I know my husband thinks I am crazy for having so many friends that I do not actually know, but without them... I would probably still be running in the dark!   I now know that when I am out running most people who drive past me are A. not paying attention and don't even notice me or B. think damn I wish I were out running right now.

Living in MI we have nasty winters and one thing that I can say is although I am no longer embarrassed to run outside I am to chicken shit to run outside when it is cold.   I learned this last Nov. when I ran my second ever 5k and it was cold, very cold.  I ran my 5k with a time over 42 min. (it took me less time to run 3.5 today)  I coughed for hours after the race and I felt like I had just chain smoked a pack of cigs.   It was not fun and I did not like the way I felt after so that day said no more outdoor running when it is cold.   After 6 months of running inside on the treadmill or the YMCA track (except of course my 5k on New Years Day) I was ready to get my butt outside.  Sunday was that day!  It was warm in the 70's!  I brought my 8 yr old son Cooper with me, he rode his bike.  I found myself almost a little sad that I wasted so much time on being embarrassed and self conscious while outdoors.   My run was great and not because I had a good pace going in fact quite the opposite.  After running on a flat track all the little hills I came across seemed like mountains and I did have to walk a lot more then normal.  But feeling the wind on my face, smelling the fresh air, saying hi to all the other people that were out enjoying the finally nice weather... I felt alive, not embarrassed!  I just enjoyed myself and being with my son.   Apparently I missed running outside, which is a very good thing!

Yay I signed up for the Warrior Dash 2011

Wow it has been a long time since I have posted anything.  Where on earth does the time go? 

I am a very happy girl right now.  I convinced my husband to do the warrior dash with me.   For those of you who do not know what the warrior dash is, this is how they explain it on their website... It is a mud crawling, fire leaping, extreme run from hell.  This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe.  Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with kick ass music, beer and of course warrior helmets.   My husband is not and never has been a runner so time to get him (and myself training)   I just printed off the couch to 5k program for him and he started last week.  We have plenty of time though, the race here in MI is not until the end of July.   I would be lying if I said I was not nervous.  Running 3.3 miles, I got that no problem but I am not sure how my upper body strength is going to hold up through all the obstacles.  I am thinking I should be picking up the little heavier weights in my total body workout classes now ~lol.





On a side note... I have continued to get my butt to the gym 5 days a week and all is going well.   I actually look forward to my morning workouts and seeing all the familiar faces at the gym.  Every day it is the same people and although I do not know most of their names we all talk.  One guy just got back from a week long biking trip in Arizona.  Two of the girls I now know are training for a 5k while another is training for a half.   I have heard the stories of a recent 5k in Detroit in which everyone running were freezing their butts off.   Each day there are 5-10 people in the army who come and work out, always the same 5-10 people dressed in their camo kicking ass working out on the gym floor.  The track is upstairs over looking the gym and run after run lap after lap I find them extremely motivating.  Looking down at them while they are doing push up after push up knowing that they are working their asses off to not only stay in shape for themselves but for all of us Americans makes me want to run that much harder, that much farther.  I have never had a conversation with any of those guys but a week or so ago one of those guys came upstairs gave me a high 5 and said nice job.  He probably thought I had run miles upon miles upon miles because I was on that track for such a long time but in all honesty I only ran 4 miles.  lol    I love the morning crew at the gym and have found waking up at 4:45am is less daunting knowing that when I walk through the doors at 5:30 am I will be greeted by all the same familiar faces.   Ryan (my husband) who is not a morning person and never has been went to the gym today before work and when he was done he sent me a text that said.  "the place was kinda busy but the people are much more friendly in the morning."  I could have told him that :)

A little angry running and randomness

I feel like my work out life is kinda boring right now which is why I have not written in this blog for over a week.  Every day the same boring thing... 5am alarm goes off, I unhappily roll my ass out of bed, start my car (automatic start is a beautiful thing) get ready and out the door by 5:15 am.   Mon - Thur it is the same drill over and over again and I am getting board.    Spring oh how I long for you, I want to wake up in the morning and say hhhmmm I think I will run the trail or perhaps today I will run the neighborhood.  I hate knowing that I am limited to the treadmill at the gym or the track at the gym.  I am not desperate enough to run outside in the cold and snow just yet though.

Speaking of the gym...  Sat. I took Owen for his swimming lessons.  The class is only 45min. long but I went up to the track to run while he took his class.  On a normal Sat. I would hit the gym right when they open at 7am and make Sat. my long run day.  (some of you are probably thinking anything under 5 miles should not be considered a long run but in my book... anything above 3 miles is a long run lol)  With Owen doing swim lessons the "long" runs are not going to be cut short for a little while.   Oh well.   So this past Sat. was the first time I had ever run on the track when the gym had not just opened.  It had already been open for 2.5 hrs at that point and IT WAS A ZOO!    At 5:30am on the weekdays it is just me, two ladies who walk together and the cute guy with nice arms... back... ass... (WHAT?!?!... I might be on my 12th year of marriage but I am not dead, give a girl a break.  Besides he runs faster then me so I have no choice but to look at his assets lap after lap after lap)  hhhmmm where was I?  Oh yeah so other then about three other people I have the whole track to myself every morning.  Sat. mornings there are a few more people but still nothing like what I experienced this past Sat. 

I think an etiquette class needs to be held when it comes to track running.  I almost leveled a guy when he decided to cross the track without looking to see if any runners/walkers were coming.  Then there are the people who decide to walk together who take up both the fast and the slow lane, annoying but not as irritating as the person who decides to walk in the fast lane.  Sorry to burst your bubble but it does not matter how fast you are walking people, you are still not as fast as the runners!   Running the track should be viewed like driving, keep in the right lane and pass in the left lane when necessary.  Why is this such a hard concept for some people?  The thing is it was not just one or two people doing this... there were several.   The the lady who stopped in the fast lane to tie her shoe takes the cake though.  OMG if your shoe lace comes undone that is ok, just move over and off the track, tie it and get back on.  Don't just stop right in front of people who are running, where is the common sense?  I think she learned her lesson when the guy who was running at a pretty good clip came right up on her.   Although a "crash" was avoided he did end up knocking her over.  Ok so this is not showing good sportsmanship but I will be honest I did chuckled to myself and thought serves her right for not using her head.   The only way I can describe Saturdays run is by calling it an angry run.  lol  I was so annoyed with everyone around me.  I need this weather to break so I can take a long run outside with little chance of running into someone. 

On a happy note I got a special package in the mail the other day!!!   Blogger Heather http://www.runfastermommy.com/   was running  a contest to win a necklace from http://www.sportygirljewelry.com/  Would you believe I won?!?!!?   Oh my gosh I was so happy!  It came wrapped so nice ~would make an excellent gift!  I got the one that says eat, pray run, repeat!   Thank you Heather and Sporty girl Jewelry, I love love love my new necklace! 

Cross Training

Alright alright so we all know it is important to cross train.  Blah blah blah.  Knowing this information I would do some things other then run.  I occasionally would swim, shovel the drive (it is winter here you know), 30 day shred, bike etc.  The key word here was occasionally.  I kinda told myself that if I did these things periodical along with the running I would be good.  Not to long ago a friend in my online running group posted a comment about how she had been doing her cross training every week for the last 5 weeks and she has noticed a difference.  She was feeling strong and her running was improving.   hhhhmmm

As everyone who would listen to me knows my treadmill is a no go until I can get a new one.  Which means I have been hitting the gym.  Ok let me be honest it sucks waking up at 5am every single morning, I mean really sucks!   That said while I have to drive 20 min to get to my gym I figured I better make the most of it.  So I started lifting weights as well.   Last Friday I discovered that the gym has a total body workout class on Mon. and Wed. mornings.  After reading that post in my running moms group and seeing that there was a class that was on my non running days I thought ok it is time for the cross training thing to begin for real... not just occasionally. 

This was my first week and I got my ass kicked on Monday.  I knew the workout was tough while I was doing it and I was glad it was hard.  I felt like I was accomplishing something.  Then night hit and I had some muscle pain.  When morning came and I went to get out of bed to go run... omg I was in pain.  I could hardly get down my stairs.  My ass and legs were feeling it big time!  In fact I can say with 100% certainty that, that was the most pain I have ever been in after a workout.   I somehow made it to the gym to run.  It was not a good run though.  I needed to take a walk break at just 3 min. in and unfortunately it did not get much better.  Run 3 min walk 1 min, run 3.5 min walk a 1 min. you get the point.  The measly two miles felt like 5 miles it was just dragging on.  It sucked!   That said I was so glad that I went and I felt a sense of accomplishment throughout the whole day.

Last night I was still sore and actually took Motrin to ease the pain.  I then was debating on whether or not to go this morning.  Maybe I should ease into this cross training thing a little more.  Take it slow, one a week was more then I was doing last week and I could always add the Wed. class once the Monday class gets a little easier.  I did not sleep well all night still thinking about what I should do... to go or not to go.  Then the alarm went off and I was sure I was going to just roll over and sleep some more but after about 5 min of laying in bed I had to pee.  Of course once I got out of bed to pee I just got dressed popped some Motrin and off I went.  Apparently I am more dedicated to this working out thing then I give myself credit for.  The Motrin worked.  It was a good workout and of course I am completely happy that I went. 

It blows my mind how someone who runs 3/4 times a week can be so out of shape.  How can that be?  lol  Apparently I needed this cross training more then I ever dreamed.  This is only week one but I hope that 5 weeks from now I can post a comment similar to the one my friend posted in our running moms group.  (thanks for inspiring me Jill)

Hard to say goodbye



Ok so I will be honest, I am worried.  It does not pain me to tell you this, I will gladly admit that I am not some super warrior who is brave enough to endure the element's of winter.   I have run outside only once in the last 3 months.  This is the first winter I have encountered as a runner and I am not a fan!  I discovered on my 5k turkey trot in Nov. that running outside when it is cold is just something I have NO interest in doing.  Then add in the snow and well... I give you permission to call me chicken shit!  So fortunately for me I own a treadmill!  I am so lucky! Wait, sadly what I mean to say is, I was so lucky.



My Treadmill is all but dead!  This fine piece of American made machinery is old and although I do not know exactly how old the treadmill is I do know it is from the 1980's.  30 years of use...amazing!   This treadmill's belt had an issue with getting lose and moving. An issue that I am sure happens with many of treadmills but I have to tell you it never happened on ours until my husband ran on it once.  I always kinda thought he ran funny (or at least looked funny running) and this just proved it.  Of course you can tighten it and we often did but lately it seems as though it does not matter how much you tighten it just keeps moving.  Well the other day it moved so far over that the belt caught on something and started ripping.  My wonderful husband tried as he has in the past to tighten the belt and it just did not work.  Truth be told when you are walking and the belt moves it is easy just to walk it back into place but I have not mastered this while running.  During yesterdays short 1 mile run I had to slow to a walk several times just to try and walk the belt back into place.  I could not imagine having to do this if I were going to run several miles.

This old fella had been given to me by a friend of mines parents who were moving out of state and lets face it a treadmill, as heavy as it is, is not an easy thing to move.  So they gave it to me and I can not express how grateful I am that they did that.  This old fellow was there under my feet the day I took the plunge into the running world.  In fact I was so comfortable on it that I was afraid to run outside even though it was summer.  It got me to my first 5k and all the way up to running over 5 miles.  It had been there for me on the coldest and wettest of days and it even was there for my little boy when he started running last month.  Oh the good times we have had!  (sigh)  Although my husband said he is going to try once again to bring the old fellow back to life I am trying to not keep my hopes up to high for I know the end is near.

So here it is middle of winter with weather below 0 and I am faced with three different options...
1. Pout while sitting on my couch and reading about others running while feeling sorry for myself
 2. pout and put on my winter running gear and get my butt outside... oh wait I do not own winter running gear.   Pout while spending money on new outdoor running gear and then get my butt outside and run.
3. Pout while waking up at 5am so that I can hit the gym before my husband has to leave the house for work.
Seems to me that option one would be a little pathetic so that will not work for me.  Option two is no good because as you already know I am chicken shit.  I am sorry I know this like option one sounds pathetic but ice and I are not friends and it is covering my streets and sidewalks as we speak so.... no I will not surrender to outdoor running I just will not. (at least until ALL the ice is gone)  All that leaves is option three.  5am wake ups with a 20 min drive to the gym.  My days of staying up late, sleeping in and running during nap time are over.  Wish me luck peeps!





GOOD BYE OLD FRIEND WE WILL MISS YOU!



My child knew he was not getting enough exercise

 
We all know that exercise is good for us.  It keeps our heart healthy, helps maintain our weight, improves our mood, keeps us at low risk for a plethora of medical issues, the list goes on and on.  For those of us who exercise on a regular basis we know it and can feel it if we do not get our exercise in.   Kids are the same as us adults... they need the exercise.   For the little ones at my house who are not in school yet we dance each day, do work out videos (which is hysterical by the way... there is nothing cuter then 2 and 3 yr old trying to do push ups) we play games like duck duck goose and ring around the Rosie.  All in the name of using our muscles.  The older kids though... that's a different story.  Physical activity is not treated as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic anymore.   I learned just recently that I need to pay a little more attention to the amount of exercise my children are getting at home because the amount at school is NOT enough... at least not enough for my high energy boys!

Not to long ago my 3rd graders teacher called me at home to tell me that my sons behavior was a little distracting, and that he was not very attentive in class.   My son is all boy and loves to act goofy so although I could picture in my head exactly what she was talking about, I was still taken off guard and a little shocked.  This was the first phone call ever I had gotten in regards to him not behaving and I did not like it.  I assured her that his behavior would be better the next day.  Well the next day came and I got a little note saying that he was still distracting and unattentive in class.   At this point in time I am fuming, I promised her he would behave and I thought I had made it extremely clear to my child what my expectations for of his behavior were the night before when I handed down his punishment.   For the record I just happen to get lucky with the punishment.  The teachers phone call just happen to be on a highly awaited cub scout meeting day. My son knew he would be recognized for his hard work and would receive a marshmallow shooter.  I took him to the meeting and then took the marshmallow shooter away before he even had a chance to open it.  It sits in our dinning room just waiting for some devious child to pick it up and launch marshmallows at some unsuspecting individual.  (I do not think it will have to wait much longer...I foresee an all out marshmallow attack happening in the near future)  When I saw the note I just looked at him with my disappointed mommy face and asked "why?"    He responded with "I don't know mom it is probably because we only got 5 min outside today"   It was interesting to hear him say this because I had been concerned with their lack of physical play lately but had not expressed those concerns with him.  Now some might have taken this as just an 8 yr old making excuses for his bad behavior to get out of trouble but I found it to be a perfect opportunity to turn it into an experiment.   "Ok Coop.  I will agree that 5 min is NOT enough time for any young child so guess what tomorrow morning I am going to help you get some exercise in before school".   Since he is trying to run 25 miles before April for a children's marathon he is participating in I decided to have him run one mile before school two or three days a week.   At least on the days that I know it is going to be to cold for the children to have outdoor recess.  I will admit that waking him up a little early to get on the treadmill might seem extreme to some and on some days he does not want to get out of bed but by the time he puts on his shoes he is in the mood and once he gets on the treadmill he is all smiles.   The first week we tried this out the days that he ran he got a good report from school.  There was a day he did not run but had gym, he did well and got a good report that day too but the day that there was no gym class and no running he got another note home that he was distracting.  I found this interesting so I continued with my little experiment this week.   This week however we have had a couple days that it was warm enough to spend some time outside so he has gotten more exercise just from playing outside after school.  That said though so far every day this week he has come home with a good report. 

I think my son was right at just 8 years old the child knew what his body needed.  I have read that children need 60 min of physical activity each day.  When I thought about it I realized that Cooper was not getting nearly that amount in.  Except on the days that he had gym class but that is only two days a week.   I could safely say that he was getting in under 15 min of walking to and from school and was getting about 15 min at recess time.  That is only 30 min, half of what I read was the recommendation for children.  That's assuming the weather is good and the kids get an outdoor recess.  We live in MI so we have indoor recess a lot and indoor recess only includes board games, movies, coloring and quite activities.  No wonder my kid was not attentive.   Up until this week he would come home from school, work on homework, eat dinner, have a little free play, get ready for bed, read and then lights out.  This week weather was nice so I added 15-30 min of physical play time before he did his home work.  I also added an extra 5-10 min each morning right before we walk to school for the kids to play outside.   It could be a coincidence but I don't think so.  The kids do not have school tomorrow but I can not wait to see how he does next week.  I honestly think this lack of phyical activity has everything to do with his lack of attention at school.  Keeping my fingers crossed

200th mile

Well I reached a milestone the other day that I never in a million years thought I would achieve.  200 miles!  To be honest I never thought that I would ever be in a position in which I would even be logging my miles.  That all changed 7 months ago when I decided out of the blue that I was going to run a 5k.  Thanks to dailymile, my friends at cafemom, and a well known program called Couch to 5k I got my butt up of the couch and ran.   I can not tell you how much of a sense of accomplishment I feel knowing that I have already put in 200 miles.   I am extremely proud of myself not just for the 200 miles but for knowing I have hundreds more I want to log.  It is so surreal for me to look back at my life less then a yr ago and know that I could not run a block without having to stop and walk.  Now running a mile is nothing.  I have changed my life for the better and knowing that I am setting a positive example for my three young boys is priceless.  The example I am setting for my boys is already paying off... my 8 yr old now runs a mile on the treadmill several times a week.  He wants to enter races and earn metals, which is all fine and dandy but this mama is just happy that he is interested in something that will keep his heart strong and healthy.  My 6 yr old who has not completely jumped on the fitness bandwagon said he wanted to run a race too.  (proud mommy moment)   I of course also love the fact that I have lost about 15lbs since I started running.  I would love to say good bye to another 15 lbs and I know it will not happen over night but I do know that it will happen due to my new physical lifestyle.  My mood has improved and I know that if I am having an off day just 30 min on my treadmill (or a run outside but I have forgotten what that's like due to all the snow) will work wonders.  Best therapy ever and it is free.  I think it is safe to say I have become an addict!

on the road again... well treadmill anyways

Well along with ringing in this new year with a 5k I apparently also rang it in with a muscle strain in my right groin area.   Dr. says it is a pulled or strained groin physical therapist thinks it is a hip flexor injury possibly.  Who knows but already having issues with bulging disks in my back I was feeling a little bit... I don't know gimpy?!?!   I knew that I had to take it easy and since I don't have any races or anything coming up I figured this is the best time if any to be on the IR list.  Other then one quick 1 mile run just to see how the strained muscle was doing, I had not run in 16 days.  YIKES! 
Don't think I was sitting back doing nothing for those 16 days though, haha I wish I had been though.   My husband got word from his work that he would have to go to Mexico for a week.  My family is not used to my husband having to travel.  Sure he has gone away for a weekend before but never for a whole week, so the days leading up to his departure the family all hung out which was sooo nice.  Then he left... and single parent mode kicked in. 
Just a few short hrs after he was gone I realize my Owen is (6) is sick with a fever which lasts two days.  Unable to go to school I spent those two days waiting on him hand and foot.   This illness of Owens also landed a phone call to poison control when I accidentally gave him two doses of a decongestant instead of one.  Thankfully the poison control operator was able to make me feel so much better when he reassured me that the kid had no where near harmful levels in his system.  I can not help but wonder if the overdose on decongestant is what caused Owens nose bleed two days later that would not stop bleeding for over 40 min.  uuuggg that was fun!
Then there was the huge project Cooper had to do for school.  The kid had to make a musical instrument that was able to change pitches.  SERIOUSLY?!?!  Come on now these kids are 8!  Of course the instrument Coop chose required saws, drills, spay paint etc.  Yeah like I am going to let my kid lose with power tools... this family project quickly became "a parent project"  Ryan before he left took care of building it with him but I was in charge of getting the huge poster together with him.  Since I already completed third grade this annoyed me more then I can tell you!
Then there was the dreaded phone call from Coops teacher in the middle of the week saying that he was not behaving in class.  His talkativeness and lack of attentiveness had gotten his seat moved to the front of the room.  First time ever getting a negative report about this child and it had to happen while dad was gone... oh lord!  At least when she called she made a point to tell me how wonderful Coopers project and poster was.  ~hahaha
I better not overlook the snow storm that we had too.  Back issues and a shovel... lets just say that was not a whole lot of fun.  To make it worse I watch kids out of my house and I had 3 children under the age of 3 trying to help me.  Their idea of help is definitely NOT my idea of help.  Fortunately the neighbor across the street noticed me give up only half way through and brought his snow blower over to finish up the job.  (Thank you MR. Will you ROCK!)   Had Ryan been home the drive would have been done in just a few short min. because we do have a snow blower, I just have never gone through the formal training on how to use it. 
One of the nights he was gone I had to take all the kids to Coopers cub scout meeting.  Now normally I would not have taken all the kids to such an event because it lasts way past Jackson's bed time.  In a normal situation Ryan or I would take him and the other would stay home with the other two children.  I thought about not going at all and just skipping it but Cooper was being recognised this night for his hard work fund raising.  So camera in hand I head out the door with the three boys.  Of course when I get there I realize the memory card is not in the camera.  For the love of God can I not catch a break?  As if that is not enough while we are there another parent says to me...  "two coworkers of my husbands went to Mexico for work and they got shot just while eating dinner.  It is very dangerous"   ~uhhh are you kidding me?  Some people should make a conscious effort to actually think before they let words fall out of their mouths.  Not helping lady, not helping!
My physical therapy was supposed to start two days a week this week.  With Ryan being gone and my parents visiting my brother out of state I had to cancel one of the appointments.  Thank goodness my in laws were gracious enough to come over and watch the kids one of the nights so I did not have to miss both apts. 
Of course I wanted Ryan to come home to a clean house so every night once the kids went to bed I would bust out the cleaning supplies and bust ass getting as much as I could done before I had to get to bed.  I did great in this department and came up with 3 garbage bags worth of stuff to throw away.  I always feel so much better when the house is clean despite whatever is going on around me. 
The day Ryan came home I took the kids to get hair cuts, the kids wanted to get him flowers, (I got him beer) we made a poster and we baked cookies and when we knew he was close we hid under the table and shouted surprise when he walked in. 
So as you can see I was not just sitting on my butt eating Bon Bons this whole time I was taking a break from running.  Ryan is home now, thank God, and I am getting back into it slowly.  I was able to run 1.5 today and unfortunately the strained muscle is killing me now but was not horrible until 3/4 a mile in while I was running today.  I hope that with stretching and ice I can get this thing under control.  I also got in a mile walk and the 30 day shred.  Doing the 30 day shred I realize that my arms must be made of jello or wet noodles, and I do not even own weights so I was using 1lb soup cans.   Note to self get butt back in the gym for some weight training.   hahaah

Happy New Year

Well here we are in the first week of 2011 and I am so excited to see what this year holds for me.
This year has already started off so much different then 2010.  This time last year I remember thinking "ok this is a new yr and it is going to be better then the last" after all 2009 was probably the worst year I had ever had.  We live in Michigan and like many others here. our lives were dependant on the automotive business.  Although my husbands job was spared we took a huge hit and it was a very very rough year.  I vowed that 2010 would be better and fortunately it was.  So starting off this year already on a good note is a great feeling. 
I always make New Years resolutions although I do not know why because I do not think I have ever kept one.  One year it was to not cuss so much but that shit never lasted.  (ha ha although since I am around so many children I am much much better then I used to be)  Another year was to quit smoking (which I have since done but I quit about 5 years after I made that New Years resolution)  then last yr I said that I was going to do a chin up.  I know this is a strange resolution but the mentality behind it was that I would have to get in shape and lose weight to be able to do that.  I of course could have just said my new years resolution was to get in shape and lose weight... but that would not have been very original now would it?  (besides I am sure I have used those resolutions in past years as well with no luck)  Whats funny is that I never even tried to do a chin up last year. Typical!  Even though I never tried to do a chin up I did get a membership to the YMCA and I went 4 days a week for a whole 5 months.  After I lost only 4 lbs in those 5 months I was discouraged to say the least!  I did not give up though I just switched it up a bit and started running.  I do not go to the YMCA half as often as I should now because you do not need a membership to run but I am in significantly better shape then when I stopped going 4 times a week.  So even though last years resolution was a fail, I don't really care because good still came out of it.
Looking back at 2010 I am very proud of myself.  I wanted to get in shape and although I am far from being in shape I have made huge strides in that area.  I exercise at least 4 days a week, when I run a mile takes very little effort and now I run 5k's for fun.  I have not felt so happy and healthy in a long time.  Lets remember here I have three kids, I have spent about 6 years of the last 8 either pregnant or nursing.  It feels so good to be able to take back my body.  Not just physically but mentally too, it is amazing how a good work out can change your mood.  I find it so interesting that when I get a little down or stressed out I will start to crave a work out almost like a craving for chips.  I am just very happy with the changes I made in 2010. 
I started 2011 off right I ran a 5k, just because a could and while I ran I was able to reflect on how far I had come in just 6 months.  I also though about a resolution for this year, and whether or not to even make one since they have been kinda pointless for me.  I was about 2 miles into the 5k when I started to get bad pain in my hip and that is when I decided for sure to make a resolution.  Sure I still have weight to lose, would like to get into better physical shape and still do not know if I can do a chin up but in that moment of running with pain just a mile short of finishing my 5k I said to myself "don't give up just don't give up"  I think those three little words are all I need to get me though this year feeling good about myself. 
I have walked into 2011 with some disk issues in my back, and what I suspect is a hip flexors strain (I hope to find out more at the dr. this week) but I will not give up.  This is one New Years Resolution that I am sure I can keep this year and every year after. 

A new pair of Saucony shoes!

So a few weeks back I looked at my sons shoes and they were falling apart after just 3 months of use.  I was less then thrilled because kid shoes here at my house just do not last long.  Not because the kids grow out of them but because the playground at the kids school is made from gravel.  That's what happens when you live in the gavel capital of the U.S.  Each and every day these kids play outside on the gravel and that does not bode well for any shoe.  Needless to say I try not to spend to much on the kids shoes and I am always looking for the sales.  Since it is winter and my son will be wearing boots outside on the play ground I decided to splurge and get him a real pair of running shoes.  He was so excited when he found out he was getting "real running shoes"  The other day they showed up in the mail.   8 year old Coopers first pair of Saucony running shoes!!  

Cooper prides himself on how fast of a runner he is.  In preschool he came home one day saying "mommy I am the fastest kid in my school"   Then in kindergarten the same thing "mommy I am the fastest kid in my class"  I would usually blow it off with a "oh that's great dear" or a "good for you buddy!"   Then we went to parent teacher conferences and his gym teacher made a point to tell me how fast he was.    Keep in mind that I was not a runner at this time, nor did I have any interest in running.  The fact that my son could run fast did not mean much to me.  Aside from the obvious joy he got from being the fastest in the class I could have cared less to be honest. 

At the end of each school year there is always a field day.  One of the contests is the 50 yard dash.  He has not lost yet.  ha ha 

Then there is the annual fund run at the school.  The goal of this is to have the kids find people who will pledge them money for every lap around the parking lot they run in 10 min.  They keep track by giving the kids a rubber band around their wrist every time they complete a lap. A great way to make the school money and yet provide the children with exercise.  Every year I take all the children I am watching that day and we head over and cheer on the runners.   We all get dressed up in whatever colors Coopers class is

supposed to be wearing for the run. (we of course do this for Owen as well now that he is in kindergarten)  We make  posters and bring our "outdoor" voices.  It is always a fun event.  Each year it is the same thing, Cooper starts off as fast as he can go and then fizzles out due to a cramp.  I guess at 8 it is hard to understand the importance of pacing yourself.  Owen on the other hand although not to fast ran the whole 10 min. without stopping.  Which I found quite impressive. (Owen is my 6 yr old child who refuses to play duck duck goose because he is not fast  ha ha) 

This particular photo to the left was in our local news paper.  It happens to be one of my fav. pics of all time.  Look how happy little Jackson is to be supporting his big brother and Cooper, well lets just say he was loving the attention that not just his little brother was giving him but all the kids I brought with us that day.  



On September 18th of this year I ran my first 5k and Cooper wanted to run too.  Mostly because he knew he was going to get a medal I'm sure but that did not matter to me. I was just so happy that he was taking part in the event with me.  To be honest when I got to the finish line and he was standing there with his medal on I was so proud of him, I could not wait to hear how he had done.  His words were "mom I was in first place the whole time... until I got the cramp"   ahhahaah  Yep, needs to work on pacing himself.  This is the picture of Coop and I after we got home and out of the thunderstorm that we ran in.                                 

Cooper came home from school the other day and could not wait to tell me about how fast he was in his new shoes during gym class.  He loves his shoes and I love how happy they make him.  The other day I was looking at different races and he saw a kid marathon that he wants to take part in.  How can you say no to that right?  I do not know if he will continue to like running but I do know that while it has his interest, I will be there to cheer him on.   I hope we can get Owen on board as well because I see a lot of potential for that little guy as well.



Cooper 2010 Fund Run









Owen 2010 Fund Run



Biggest Loser Challenge

I love a good challenge.  I am not sure if it is the competitiveness in me coming out or if I am just a glutton for punishment that makes me join them.  I take any competition I do seriously and therefore work hard at the challenge.  This month is no exception I have committed to doing 50 miles in the month of Dec.  I will work hard and do my best to make sure I run each and every mile of this competition.  I do have 10 miles in already and although I am happy with that I know I need to pick up the pace. 

Friday marked the end of a different challenge for me.  It was a Biggest Loser contest which lasted 3 months.  This sounded like the perfect challenge for me, I had weight that I wanted to lose, and half the money that was put into the contest would go to the Ronald McDonald house.  I was going to support a great charity and lose weight at the same time, not much can be better then that right?  It did not go as well as I had hopped for, but I did get a lot out of it and shed a few lbs too!
This challenge started in Sep. and I was on top of my game, running 3/4 times a week training for my first 5k.  I had it all together I was eating great, training well and I was even in the lead of the Biggest Loser contest.  I ran my 5k and afterwards my shins just were not the same.  I was in a lot of pain.  I slowed down my running but that did not help.  So I took some time off to rest my legs, about two weeks.  I started up again slowly and then got hit with a very strange stomach bug.  Whatever it was kept me down for another week and a half.  I was feeling very down for the whole month but I was able to modify my diet and still continue losing weight, just not as much as I would have liked. 
Feeling defeated already, a bomb was dropped that kinda had me wondering why I did this challenge at all.  I found out that one of the contestants decided that she would go on the hCG diet.  For those of you who do not know what that is... it is a diet where you eat only 500 calories and then receive injections of hCG.  Doing this is supposed to give you a weight loss of 1-3 lbs per week.   There is no way that I or anyone else in this challenge would be able to keep up with that.   I have read that 500 calories is not enough to support normal brain function but I am not a dr. so I will keep my mouth shut.
Anyways hearing this took the wind out of my sail.  I was in a place of, well shit if I had known that there was no way of winning just by using hard work and dedication I would have just written the Ronald McDonald house a check and called it a day.  I continued to lose weight and I was happy about it but I did not push myself as hard as I could have and my weight loss was minimal.  My negative attitude towards the whole thing was not helpful, and I remember one night eating a piece of cake thinking io myself well it is not as if I have any chance to win anyways.
I went into this challenge not with the thought that I might win the grand prize of just over a $100.00 but to support a good cause and lose weight in the process.  So why did I get hung up on the whole competition part of it all? 
My legs eventually started feeling better and I threw myself right back into running.  Mile upon mile I ran until those negative thoughts were gone.  Running is the best therapy I swear it is!  I became ok with the thought of not winning the challenge.  I tried to look at it like any other race or challenge I participated in this past fall.  When I run in a race I know I am not going to win, infact the thought of winning does not even occur to me.  There is a quote that I once saw on a friend's facebook page that I should have kept in mind the whole time I was feeling down about the outcome of the challenge... "It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit".- George Sheehan 

In the end I lost 15lbs and although I would have liked to have lost more I am happy about the amount I have lost.  I wish I could have been more positive throughout the challenge perhaps a more positive attitude would have helped lose a couple more pounds.  Who knows but the competition is over hCG girl won of course, and that is ok.  I know that I worked hard and my body is so much more physically fit then it was 3 months ago.  I am proud of myself!  

putting things into perspective

The whole running thing is still very new to me and I am still working on finding "the balance".   You know what I am talking about right?  The balance between church, family, work, friends, home, and then to add in fitness, well it is extremely challenging.   I wish there was a simple way to make it all work but as I am finding out this is not the case.  
I knew that this past Sunday was supposed to be a running day for me, so Sat night I went to bed at a decent time and set my alarm for 6am.  I do not need to leave for church until 9:30 so this would give me plenty of time to run, take a shower, make breakfast, get the kids ready and be off by 9:30am.  Around 3am dead to the world I hear this little whisper next to my bed.  "mom, I had an accident I am going to the basement to sleep"  "ok sweetie, love you" I reply.  It was not until the alarm went off at 6am that I realized that if my boy was sleeping in the basement next to my treadmill I would not be able to run.  I sat up and contemplated what I should do, it was raining and cold outside so I knew running outside was NOT going to happen.  Should I wake him up for the day, should I try to move him to my bed, do I let him sleep and just run after church?  I chose to run after church.  After church the sun was shinning and although still rather cold I thought running outside might be a good idea but just as I was thinking this my son says to me "mom can we go swimming at the YMCA today"  The other boys squeal at the idea of going swimming and so I thought ok sure get to the YMCA work out for 1.5 hrs, and then let them swim for 1.5 hrs everyone will be happy.  To their extreme delight we ate lunch got ready (which took FOREVER) and then headed out.  I should have realized when I pulled up in the parking lot and there were not that many cars there that something was up.  I walked the kids in and asked when the child watch would open, the lady replied "oh sweetie on Sundays the child watch is closed"  Ok so I knew this and have know this for the last 8 months that I have had this membership only for some reason this particular day it slipped my mind.  Still thinking positive I say to the kids ok we swim for 1 hr and then we go home so mommy can run.  The kids swim and have a great time for the next 60 min and when their time was up I rushed to get them showered and dressed.  On the way home the sun is no longer shinning and the temp is dropping so I decide the treadmill is the way to go.  I made the kids dinner and told them that I wanted 1hr by myself with no interruptions.  I let them know that if they needed anything they were to ask daddy.  I flew down the steps to hop on the treadmill.  I got in about 6 min. before the first interruption happened, my oldest wanted to ask me if he could go outside.  I was annoyed and said "uhhh helllooo you walked right past your father just so you could come bug me?  Go talk to your dad"  About 3 min. after that my youngest came down..."mommy mommy mommy I need the little people animals for Noah's Ark"  I do not like to talk while running but I muster "J they are in the blue tub in the closet"  He proceeds to walk around as if he has never been in the basement before in his life asking what closet.  He finally finds the closet and proceeds to pull random tubs of toys out (not the blue tub)  I end up getting so annoyed I get off the treadmill and help him.  I now am pissy.  Every attempt to run today was squashed.  Upset that between church and the pool I had given my husband over 5 hrs of alone time to get done what he needed to do, upset that I took the children to the pool to give them something they wanted and yet none of them could reciprocate and give me more then 6 min. before interrupting me.  I only got in 1 mile before I gave up.  1 mile, thats it, thats all I got!  My pity party was short lived though because there was one last thing on my to due list for the day... go to the visitation for my friends husband who had just passed away. 
Yes, my day did not go as I had planned and yes the one thing I wanted to get accomplished did not happen. (at least the way I had wanted it too)  Getting dressed and ready to go to this visitation I had to remind myself that there is a balance that needs to be maintained.  Without any one of the things in my life that I am trying to balance I would be devastated.  Just like my friend.  So my pity party ended and counted my blessings that I have my boys, my husband, my extended family, my church, my friends, my job, and my health.  It no longer seemed like just 1 mile and more like alright at least I got in a mile.   balancing everything is something that I am not going to learn over night and stuff is going to come up.  The laundry is not always going to be done, I might not always get to church on time, the kids might not always have a hot dinner, I might not always get to run more then 1 mile and that is ok.  Crap and now I have to stop typing because I only have 8 min. to pick up the kids from school....BALANCE!!  (lol)

15 day challenge results

Well Thursday was not only Thanksgiving but it was also the last day of my 15 day challenge.  The original challenge was supposed to be to put in 15 miles before Thanksgiving dinner, in the 15 days leading up to Thanksgiving.  I decided to take on this challenge but the very first weekend I had spoiled myself going out to eat and decided I better do a little better then just 15 miles.  I challenged myself to 30 miles in just 15 days instead.  Does not sound to bad, after all that is only 2 miles a day right?  Well since I changed the challenge for myself on the 4th day I only had 11 days left.  Oh and I only run about 4 days a week, so it was not as easy as it sounded.  Last week I put 18 miles of running in.  The most I had ever done in one week I was very proud of myself!
Thanksgiving day I was not at my 30 miles yet, I was sitting at 27.75 miles.    Earlier in the week I signed up to do a Thanksgiving virtual 5k (feed the turkey) through dailymile.  It was a great opportunity to get some miles logged in before the big dinner and also raise money for St. Jude's Children's research hospital.   I knew the night before that reaching my 30 mile goal was going to be a piece of cake now because I had committed to a 3.1 run in the morning.   So I decided to challenge myself one more time and aim for a PR of anything faster then 36:58 for my 5k in the morning.  To be honest I actually only did this because I knew I was going to be running on my treadmill and I knew I could keep track of exactly how far/fast I was going and be able to step it up a notch with just the press of a button if needed.   So anyways that morning I hopped on and ran 3.1 in 36:33.  I was very happy to have set a new PR for myself.  I had a great time running it and was so happy to be able to help out a good cause at the same time. 

I ended up finishing my 15 day challenge with over just over 30 miles, and I think that is very cool.

I hope everyone had a fun, safe holiday! 

Support from others runners is like no other!!!

I don't normally run with anyone.  In fact in the 5 months that I have been running I have only ever run with a partner 3 total times.   I guess I just do not go seeking out anyone to run with because I am new.  I do not run all that far or that fast for that matter and would hate to hold anyone back.  (that and of course I don't want to look stupid or weak)  My first two runs with partners went just fine but that is because they were runs with people who were training for the same event that I was.  Our running levels were just about the same.   Yesterday though I ran with a friend of mine who has already run a marathon.

Ashley (that is not her real name, I am just using that because she does not know I have a blog and intend on talking about her, just not sure how she would feel about that) and I met about two yrs ago probably at a cub scout event.  Her oldest son and my oldest son are scouts.  That said it was not until our younger sons met that we started talking.  Our younger boys are great friends and are in the same class at school together.  I heard through the grapevine that Ashley had been a marathon runner.  When she found out that I was running my first 5k she would always ask me how the training was going and offer words of encouragement. 

Both the 5k's that I ran I encouraged her to run them with me.  I knew that she was WAY above my skill level but I thought it would be fun if we did the race together.  Unfortunately Ashley spent the last 3 months in and out of the hospital sicker then a dog with Crohns disease.   She was not able to run for three months.
Then the other day her face book status said something like "I am back" and next thing you know I get a message saying "I am ready to run"   We made a plans to run together and yesterday was the day.

In the days leading up to the run she mentioned to me something about not being sure how far she would be able to go since she had not run in three months, but in the back of my mind I knew she was still going to be able to run circles around me.   We decided that I would set the pace and that we would just run for 5 min then walk for one min, and repeat until we were done.  Fortunately she has one of those fancy watches everyone but me seems to have...gosh I have to get me one of those!!      She took me on a trail that I had never run on before which was great!  I loved the change of scenery and the trail was nice.  (there was even a bathroom on the trail... how cool is that?  lol  Come on now if you are a runner you have been there, you know the whole slow down, look to both sides of you, and then behind you and if the way is clear you make a quick duck behind the nearest bush where you can drop your drawers and pee.  Yeah not so fun, so yes the bathroom excited me a bit).  Anyways, as soon as we get into it she notices how I am running and offers me suggestions on how to change my stride.  She said that the way I was running would cause strain to my legs.   UUMMM HELLLOO  seriously I have had leg pain since the day I started running.  Oh how I hope what she showed me helps, that would be amazing.  I tried running the way she suggested but every time I stopped focusing on it I would go back to the way I always had run before.  I corrected my stride several times throughout the run.  Just something I will have to work on.  If it works though I will be so grateful because this leg pain has got to go!    Since Ashley had the watch I had no idea what what kind of pace we were on or how much time had passed all I could do was just enjoy the run.  It was so nice just to be able to enjoy the scenery and the company I was with and not think about the numbers.  At one point in time not sure when, guessing about 3.5 miles into it Ashley yells out "I feel alive"  and I shout out "I am going to die"   lmao   I was feeling it big time at this point in time.   We finished up our run having gotten in 4.75 miles.  That included a little walking for a warm up and cool down.  Even with the walking we finished in 1hr and 54 sec. 
We got back to her house and I just looked at her and said... "who gets so sick that they are in and out of a hospital for three months and then just goes out one day and runs 4.5 miles.  Who does that"?    lol   Ashley does I guess!  Not only could she run it but I know she could have gone farther and probably faster.  She rocked it!  

Several times on the trail she would look at me and ask if I was ok.  Ha ha she was the one who was so ill she could not run for three months and yet she kept asking me if I was ok.  There is something simply amazing about runners that I have discovered in recent months.  I have not yet run into a runner who is not encouraging or supportive.  I don't know what it is exactly but the running community is like a family.  Everyone supports each other like we are all on the same team.  Even at races it is like this.  I think it is because even though it is a race the only person who you are really, truly competing against is yourself. 
I am not sure that I would still be running if it were not for my running friends at cafemom, dailymile or my new fav. running moms group on facebook.  With so much support it is actually hard to feel like a running failure. 

I will admit that I was intimidated by what Ashley has accomplished and was nervous about running with someone who was far more experienced then I was.  I however am so glad that I did not let that stop me from running with her.  If I was not with her I would have probably stopped running right about the time she told me she was "feeling alive" instead I pushed on for about another mile.  I would not have been given tips on how to change my stride either.  I would have missed out on a great run, on a great trail with great company for nothing.   Because like I said before, the support and encouragement from other runners is amazing.  I can not wait to run again with her!


On a side note, I found my shoes.  As I suspected it was the work of the little one who comes over to play.  I found them get this...stashed behind my couch.  This is how I know it was him, the area between the wall and the couch is so small only he can fit back there.  I should have thought about looking there long before I did.  I know he likes to go back there.   My total miles for my current challenge is 25.75  Less then 5 miles to go and I still have 3 more days!   3.1 of those miles is going to be part of a different challenge that I encourage all of you to take part in as well.  A charity event for St. Jude's children's hospital.  Here is the link check it out and join me in a virtual 5k!
http://www.dailymile.com/turkey_trot#participate

a few set backs this week

This week I had a few minor set backs in my running. 
First of all I have been dealing with this nagging annoying pain in my shins since I started running.  I am told that I just need to stretch, eat bananas, get new shoes, ice, and rest.  Guess what I have tried ALL of these things but still nothing seems to help the pain. Sure taking a couple days off helps but the min. I get back to running the pain comes back.  I ran track when I was a freshman in high school. (hated every single sec. of it and was probably the weakest link on the team) I think I spent the majority of the season in the big ice tank icing my legs.  I have ALWAYS had this stupid nagging shin issue.  I was told maybe yoga will help so tomorrow I plan on going out and getting a video.  At this point in time I will try anything. 
The kids set me back a little this week too.  Just this morning I woke up early to hop on the treadmill well apparently my idea of early was not early enough.  Sure enough just a half mile into my run I hear "hi mommy can I have breakfast now?"  I reply with a "not now dear let mommy run for a little while first".  At mile 2 and mile 3 I got asked the same question again.  At 3.5 miles when my 6 yr old came down and said "come ooon mom I am starving"  my response was "gosh darn i t! You guys are not even supposed to be awake yet...go get your own breakfast"   ha ha  (don't worry I got my ass off the treadmill and made them breakfast)  For a min. when I got off I was annoyed that I did not get to run as much as I had wanted but then I started thinking realistically and reminded myself that just two weeks ago I was struggling just to get my 3 miles in.  3.5 along with a half mile warm up was nothing to balk at.   I knew at that point in time I should stop my pity party.
Oh and let me not forget to tell you about Jackson my 3 yr old locking me out of the basement (where my treadmill is) because he was mad at me.   No joke!  He got made at me, looked at me, walked over to the basement door, looked at me again, opened the door, locked the door, made a "hummph" noise and then closed the door.  "Jackson" I ask "why did you just lock the basement door"?  "Because I am mad at you"  I found this to be very amusing.  So my response was "hhmmm Jackson you do realize that now that you have locked the door you can not get in their either?  Remember it is not just mommy's treadmill that is down there, your playroom is down there as well.  So I guess now you have no toys to play with".   Ha Ha his little plan backfired on himself.   That door stayed locked over 24 hrs until this morning when I picked it so I could run.   Bet he will not do that again. 
There is also a shoe issue.  Now this sabotage I am thinking is the work of my little one yr old friend who comes to play with us three days a week.  You see this little buddy of mine has been know to hide shoes.  In fact he does it ALL the time.  I usually am lucky enough to catch him in the act but this time I was not so lucky.  I guess I have no solid proof it was him, but I since I have caught him putting shoes in the garbage, the Lego tub, the shower, and trying to shove one in between the couch cushions (which was extremely funny since it was to big of a shoe to fit he threw a temper tantrum) I have no choice but to blame him for my missing kicks.  I know eventually they will turn up but who knows when or where.  In the mean time I will have to use an old pair of Nikes to get my miles in.
As of right now I am up to 21 miles in my quest to get in 30 miles before Thanksgiving dinner.  I have 5 more days to get in 9 miles.  I can do this!!

why working out near boys is not always easy

Ok I am going to admit something to you all.  I am a Twihard!  For those of you living under a rock and do not know what that is, it is a person who is a huge fan of the Twilight series.  I know it is silly to be as old as I am (34) and be in love with the books as well as the movies but hay I also still love New Kids on the Block so what can I say.  (do not worry I got rid of my nkotb sheets and pillow cases a while ago)  Being the Twihard I am, last night I put in my New Moon dvd for about the 27th time and I got on my treadmill.  Before I knew it the movie was half over and I had ran 5 miles.  Being at a pivotal point in the movie and not wanting to stop watching I added a half mile cool down to that 5 miles.  I put in those 5 miles of running in 1 hr and 3 min.  Which I am ok with, that was the farthest I have ever run so time meant nothing to me.  I am just happy to have gone that far.  In case your wondering where this leaves me for the challenge I am doing, I am at 13.5 miles.  (if your reading this and have no idea what challenge I am talking about, I explained it all in my last post)

So since I did that running last night today was my off day.  My family all went to parent teacher conferences tonight and when we got home we turned on the tv, the Biggest Loser was on.  I watch this every week but usually by myself, Ryan is not a fan of the show and my kids are in bed at this time.  Tonight though we all watched for a little bit.  We watched until we saw Jillian (one of the trainers) make one of the contestants step up on a step 500 times.  Once the contestant had finished I paused the tv and said to all my boys "I wonder if I could do that.  hhhmmm  I am going to try that"  I went and got my shoes on.  I do not own a workout step so I used the stairs and asked to boys to help me keep count.  All was going well until around step 75 the boys started getting squirrely.  After all it was past their bed time so I sent them up the stairs to go brush their teeth.  I told them that when they were done they could come sit in front of me on the top step to watch.  That was my big mistake.  Ryan at this time has started playing video games and is only half paying attention to my quest to conquer 500 steps.  At step 220 Cooper is back down but not sitting on the step watching me.  He is now acting silly and dancing in front of me.  He knows that he is getting away with all this goofiness because daddy is not paying attention and mommy is not going to stop stepping up for anything. This is when he takes it to an all new "boy" level.   At step 279 the first mooning happened.  My sweet 8 yr old little boy mooned me.  He found himself so funny that he proceeded to moon me over and over again while dancing past the steps.  He knew he had a "captive" audience since I was not going to stop.   He continued this laughing, dancing, mooning fest until step 334.  This is when the child bent over to moon me again and farted. (oh and it stunk too)  Thankfully Ryan actually caught this one and sent him up to bed.  I finished up my 500 steps in peace without the smell or view of an ass, which was nice.  To be honest I thought that it was going to be hard but it was not hard at all and did not take that long to do. (it was a little rough on my knees though)  I think you all should take on the 500 step challenge, just do yourself a favor and do not do it while any silly boys are in the room!

15 day challenge

I committed to a challenge the other day.  15 miles in the 15 days leading up to Thanksgiving.  You can run, bike, walk, swim, or do whatever to get those miles in.  I am choosing to run most of them.  It is kinda a put the work in and reward yourself with a guilt free amazing turkey dinner kinda thing.  I loved the idea and I am happy to say that already have logged 8 of those 15 miles on my treadmill!  That said after this weekend I think I need to log an additional 15 just for what I ate.   YIKES!!
It was an amazing weekend filled with family and friends which I love love loved at the time, but now I am a little worried about what damage I might have done to my number on the scale.  My family ate out 6 meals this weekend!!!   This includes the party we attended Friday night in which not only included food but also included a plethora of alcoholic drinks.  Yes I know I did not have to partake in the drinking portion of it all too but... well I did have a lot of fun!  Somewhere between the my first piece of cake (um yea I know, I meant to say first piece)  and the chicken Parmesan I started to feel a little guilty and began to worry about the number that will show up on the scale this Friday.  Worst part is that my son Owen's 6th birthday is tomorrow so the parade of yummy food has not yet come to an end.
I think it would be easy to just take the week "off" and start over next week.  This is what I have done so many times in the past though and guess what, that is why I never lost any weight.  This time I am not going to do that, I will not allow myself that "well you already blew 4 days this week so what is 3 more" mentality.  Not only will I not allow myself that mentality I pledge to do an additional 15 miles before Thanksgiving dinner.  For a total of at least 30 miles, which means I only have 22 more miles to do... easy right? right?  Wait how many days to I have left untill Thanksgiving?  YIKES!  ha ha   I think I can do it!!    I will be keeping track of those miles here on my blog.  Wish me luck!