Of Road Trips and Birthdays

Well, the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind around here. We went for our first family road trip to MN last weekend for a dear friend's 30th birthday. It was such a great time. Our family's got to hang out and we did lots of fun things with the kiddos. The one thing that did NOT happen, was my long run.

So, upon coming back to MI early Mon. morning, I thought I would try to do a belated long run and then start my running week back on Tues. So, just 12 hrs. after our long drive home (through the night), I attempted my long run. The problem was it was about 80 degrees at 4 p.m. and 70% humidity. Needless to say I aborted about 2/3 of the way through as I was feeling nauseous and generally just not good.....no sleep and not eating well plus heat will do that I guess.

But on a good note, I did get the rest of my runs in this week plus I got my long run in yesterday morning....got up at 6am on a Saturday morning to do it......why? Well, had to beat the heat and rain, but also it was the only time I had since we had a certain young man's party to get ready for. Yes, Ethan is turning 1! My how the time flies. So, yesterday was also his first birthday party.

With a sesame street theme, it was quite a little party. Grandmas,grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins and godparents were all there. He even had his very first cake. I decided to do cupcakes in addition to a regular cake because I figured he could get messy with just a small cake instead of a whole cake. I really thought he wouldn't eat much.....but then he is my son. He ate almost an entire chocolate cupcake. Then about 2 hrs. later we got to see it again...I guess that much sweet stuff is hard for such a little guy to take. So we won't be making that a habit. It was fun to see him get all messy though. :o)

Lets see....other than that, just picking up today, and just got back from Target with a toy organizing system...yes his amount of toys doubled yesterday I think. He also got lots of new clothes...so mom and dad are happy they don't have to shop much for him. :o)

Also planning to do my run today sometime before the thunderstorms hit. I think after lunch....I'll take E out for a little fresh air.

Other than that I may go get my next pair of shoes.....I've been meaning to get another pair to rotate with....but keep not having the time. So, I think I may do that this afternoon when its supposed to rain. I am so happy I'm basically on schedule for my marathon still. Still have to sign up for that I suppose. I cannot wait! Oh and I can now fit into my summer clothes from 2 years ago(yes from before I had E!)...hooray! Not just that I can fit into them.... but now I don't have to buy new summer clothes which are NOT in the budget. :o) Double plus. Running does me and my wallet good. Now if I could just try to get through the winter months....that's what really kills my training. Well, we'll talk about that when I get there this year....I'll need a plan for that.

Cheers!

Marathon Training

So, I set my sights on doing a marathon going on 5 years ago. I know that because I looked at my old emails to a cousin who's done some and an old friend and one time instructor who's done TONS of them...looking for advice about attempting my first one.

Well, that was '06 and ended in injury and disaster. So, enter '07...again injured! Hmmm...might be seeing a pattern here. Well, '08 came and I decided to try something new and do a 1/2 marathon, hoping I could hold myself back from training too hard again and injure myself yet again. On a related topic...IT band injuries suck, and they nag!

Anyway, I managed to do my 1/2 marathon in Oct. of '08 with only a little soreness in my 'prone to injury' leg. I also found out the very next day I was pregnant....so there goes my plan to continue training for an awesome marathon in Arizona in Jan '09!

Needless to say the doc said it was OK to run still, but probably not train for a marathon....couldn't let my heart rate get above a certain number, yada, yada, yada. So, '09 for a running year was basically a bust. However, I did gain a little running buddy along the way. As long as its good weather he comes with in the BOB! Love that stroller! My secret strategy and hope is that if I train with the running stroller, when I get to race day I'll be that much faster without something to push...we'll see how that pans out.

So, that brings this year...'10! This is the year! I've been re-learning how to run since I took some time off after having E....it takes a lot of energy to work, be a mom, nurse and keep up with regular life let alone run. But, I have that all down now, and I've been running since the winter pretty steadily and building up my mileage base again. I also turn 30 this year, so I figure, it's a good year to finally reach my goal.

5 years in the making and I cannot wait to finally get to my goal! I feel mentally that if I can finally successfully run this thing that I'll be able to accomplish anything I want..silly I know...but that's my attitude anyhow.

That being said, yesterday was my first 'official' training run on my 18 week schedule. It wasn't much different than any other run as of late...however this time I felt that it had a purpose, and will get me that much closer to my fall goal. Eek! I'm so excited.

Detroit, here I come!

Been a while

Well, its been over a month since my last post, so I figured I should use my lunch at work today to write something quick. What can I say? May was a whirlwind of activity in our house.

Not only am I now trying to fit my running into an already busy working-mom schedule....now I am trying to fit in traveling to see friends and family in different parts of the state and even other states. That on top of the usual sick kid and sick mom stuff that is bound to happen with a baby in daycare.

So in May we managed to start our FPU class every Wed. night(which means no running those nights) get E's tubes put in, see my newborn niece the day she was born,
travel to MN, manage a sick baby when we returned, deal with a sick mommy a week later, and have not got in a lick of running in a week and 1/2! Ahhh! the insanity! The rest of the summer looks no better.

So, I am trying to figure how to make it all work. I guess if this marathon is going to happen in Oct...its MAKE the running fit it NOW or forget it. So, my training schedule starts on Mon.....so gearing up for that this week after having the flu. Still feeling weak, so I hope by Thurs. night to be back on the running wagon!

Also, I hope to update this sucker a little more often than once a month. June has just begun, so here's to a new 1/2 year resolution.


And last but not least, today is our wedding anniversary. 8 years of marital bliss.


Life is good...and what you make it.