Surprise!

Wow! That is the only way to describe the events of this weekend. I had planned on a pretty action-packed weekend, with also a little relaxation thrown in....but it was so much more!

The long weekend started off with Friday night at Ruth's house for dinner, hanging with the kiddos then after they went to bed, wine and watching the first 2 twilight movies. Yay girls night! I needed that. Saturday morning was supposed to be my long run, but after waking up a little tired (didn't get home until 1 a.m.....very un-like me), I put it off until about 1 p.m. Yeah, that was a mistake...it was blazing hot people! But, got it in nonetheless at the park as I'm running past people taking a dip in the lake....wow, talk about a motivation killer!

Then it was back home to get showered and ready for my date night with Chris. We had been planning to go out for our anniversary about a month late since he had gotten Tigers tickets from a guy at work...box seats. So he said it was worth the wait....trust him. So I did. We also planned to get dinner first at a place(Traffic Jam and Snug) ,a guy at work had recommended not too far from the field that served an eclectic menu that included some yummy vegetarian options.

So, after grandma came to stay with E we were off! I was a bit tired and relaxed as Chris drove us there.

We pulled up and he said we had a reservation.....that was odd....he never plans that far ahead. Anyway, the waiter seated us. Shortly after a friend of ours, J, came over and said he saw us walk in and that he and his fiance Am were there. He insisted we join them as we hadn't ordered yet...very odd to run into them without knowing....as we talk to them pretty often. Anyhoo...we followed him over and in an area I didn't see as we had walked in were not only J and Amber, but our 2 dear friends from Brighton, Ruth and Todd, and my Bff Kelly and her husband Tim....from Minnesota! I was dumb-founded! What the what?!?! Chris quickly explained it was my surprise 30th birthday party! I was in shock! What?!? He said he thought the only way he could pull off a surprise was to do it no where near my birthday...he was right. 3 months early, and I had not a clue. I cannot believe he planned so far ahead! He never does that!

To say the least it was a fabulous night!

After a yummy dinner and lovely gifts, we headed to the game. The girls quickly decided on LARGE daiquiris( a must) before grabbing our seats. The seats were fantastic! I've never had such great seats at a game....you could seriously see the players faces! In my world that is nothing short of amazing! To make it even better, I got to share the experience with my friends, plus they won! Woot! Then the cherry on top was fireworks after. They were spectacular!

After the game we said good bye to most of our party and a few of us went on to a local bar in Detroit, Jacoby's...never been, but thanks for suggesting Kel! Great beer, company, and a few munchies rounded out the evening. And of course Chris being the awesome husband that he is played DD for all of us since it was "my night", so I could drink what I wanted.

Long story short, the evening was a complete surprise, a complete blast, and I felt so lucky to have such a thoughtful husband and friends willing to come(near and far) to share it with us.

Enter Sunday morning. We got up at 6 a.m. Yes, that's when E gets up regardless if how late we were out. So we visited with Chris' mom who was nice enough to spend the night so we could stay out and got E situated. Then I had to find a swim suit(first one since E was born...yikes!) and do a little shopping before heading to a friend's for dinner, swimming and hanging out. Found a bathing suit.....this is remarkably hard in July by the way. Then we packed the car and headed out. Got to our destination and had an awesome time! We took E swimming, played in the sand and visited. then we had dinner, delicious!, then played a short game of corn hole before taking off. E had it by then and it was about his bedtime. Luckily he slept on the way home.

Then today we got up and the weekend had caught up! Boy were we exhausted! But, E was up...so we were up. We cleaned and got organized a little, E and I headed out for our run before the heat was supposed to get really intense...whatever..it was blazing by 9 a.m....but got it in anyway. Then home for a snack... and Chris wanted to go to the beach and swim and take a picnic....so we did that....hit the library later, and now playing with E before bed....again,a fun filled day!

Whew, I need a vacation from this weekend! But, wow this is a weekend for the books! Haven't had this much fun in a long time!

Cheers!

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.

Give and Take

So, I set off this spring to do a 25K...the riverbank run this weekend. It coincided with my niece's 5th birthday also in GR, so it sounded like a great plan. However, after misisng my last 4 long runs in a row....due to either E's ears, people coming into town or life in general just getting in the way, I've decided to not do it after all. Could I do it? Yes, I beleive so. However, there would be a price to pay...and usually that is me ending up injured. So, I will adjust my goal and hopefully hit a 1/2 mary sometime in the next month or so instead...and continue my journey to a full marathon this fall in D-town as planned.

It is so hard to give up a goal...however my ultimate goal I set out to do 4 years ago...maybe longer...can't quite remember when it was...is a marathon...and I really don't want to end up injured now and not be able to train for that adequately.

But, as with a lot of things lately, I'm trying to take it in stride, not freak out and just keep running. I feel good after my run tonight and will adjust my goals.

On the positive side at least I'm still shedding some lbs....so that's something at least.

Anyway, off to bed soon. Almost the weekend! Hip Hip hooray!

TWLOHA.....Dad

So, I'm going to make a departure really quick from my normal ramblings about life and write about something much off topic.

Today is To Write Love On Her Arms day....a day when people around the world quite literally write the word "LOVE" on their arms. Why? It is to raise awareness about the people we know or have known as well as the people who have been hurt by someone who struggles with depression, addiction, self-injury or suicide.

I think about my dad often(who passed away almost 3 years ago of an accidental prescription drug overdose)....but normally not as much until August or so...the month he died. But today brings back all those feelings, emotions etc. just rushing back. This day forces me to remember him. Its not all bad. My dad was a loving,caring one, but he struggled with depression for as long as I can remember. This I have no doubt led to his later addiction (well that and back pain) which saw to his premature passing.

A lot of things I may say on this post might seem like things others would say to keep to myself...but if there is even just one person who can learn something from it, then I think its well worth it.

My point is....let people know you love them and care about them....no matter if you feel like you are actually getting through or not. Just knowing you are there can do wonders for someone struggling with any of these issues.

My dad needed help, and he clearly never got the help he needed, or he would still be here. I tried to get him to help himself....I tried to get other people to convince him to get help....but to no avail. If you know ANYONE in your life who struggles with any of this stuff.....stop at NOTHING to try to get through to them. I think sometimes there truly isn't anything you can do...as the person suffering needs to help themselves....but sometimes they can be brought out of their dark world and shown the light they need to flourish.

Maybe this is TMI for most people I know....but its how I feel. I miss my dad...and it seems so unfair sometimes that he's gone already.....my little boy will never know his grandpa Leys. But...at the end of the day, at least my dad no longer has to live every day in pain...physically and mentally. Now he can rejoice in God's love,and wait....until I see him again one day.

Write LOVE on YOUR arms today and let those around you know about these issues.... that they don't need to be alone....and neither do you if you've been affected by this. This is a HUGE issue today.

Training with a Baby....Learning Flexibility

So I realized today its been close to a month since I posted last....well there goes my goal of trying to do it once a week. Sigh. Oh well. I guess I will just resolve to do it as often as I have time and feel the need to unload.

So lots has happened. Ethan was baptized and looked just adorbale in his outfit Krista made for him out of my wedding dress. It was so special she was able to do that for us. It was nice to see so much of our family and friends come to celebrate such a special event with us.

Easter this year was a lot of fun! We went to church in the morning then went to my mom's for dinner. After a yummy meal, she and Mike had planned all kinds of activities for Ethan and his cuz Taylor. They went on an Easter Egg Hunt outside, played on the paddle boat in the pond and went for tractor rides! It was a gorgeous day out and fun was had by all!

So in the midst of regular life and such fun events, Chris and I are training. He is getting ready for his first triathlon in Aug...whoo hoo! I am training for ultimately a marathon in the fall, but hopefully will hit the 25k in G.R. next month. I have thus far stayed injury free...so the 25K goal is looking more realistic....just 4 weeks to go! We've been getting out several times a week as a family to run which has been great for us as well as Ethan to get outdoors together. He loves his stroller rides. He always smiles when we get to the park and realizes he'll be going in the stroller. Half the time he falls asleep mid-run, but seems to enjoy it nonetheless. We also try to get some swing or crawling in the grass time after our runs for him too. Being outside is so nice when the weather cooperates!

However, having a baby accompany you on your runs can be unpredictable. Such as Sunday when I had planned my 8.5 miler....and the little guy ended up with an ear infection...so off to the E.R. we went! Once it was all said and done and we were on our way with yet another antibiotic, and got home, got him his medicine, fed, changed etc....he was in such a good mood(thank you Motrin!) that we decided to get a short run in anyway....instead of cleaning the house which was on my "to-do" list for the weekend... think I made the right choice....though I'm not looking forward to this week and having to try to fit in my running along with clenaing each night to catch up as well. Sigh...the issues of a busy mom. :o)

So, we at least got 3.5 miles in...not great, and definitely not my goal of 8.5, but better than nothing. So, moving that run to Tuesday hopefully and then still hopefully get my 10 miler in this coming Sat or Sunday.

Yes, running with a baby is teaching me to be a bit more flexible, which hopefully will translate to other aspects of my life. Flexibility has not ever been my strong suit. I mean, if it isn't in the plan, why would I want to do it? :o) For you fellow planners out there, I'm sure you can relate. However, those of you with kids can also relate...when they don't feel good, you drop everything until you know they're o.k. And I'm totally o.k. with that. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for that little guy.

On another note..off to Ethan's regular doc's office this week to talk about tubes more than likely. April was the test....if he got an ear infection in April, they told us we'd be referred to an ENT. As long as they make my baby feel better I'm all for it. Poor little guy has been through a lot in his short little life.

Well, lunch is about at and end...and so is this post. Until next time.