My 100th Post

Today is my 100th post. It was supposed to be this great post about my great run today with my running friends and how great I felt and how I was looking forward to starting my training for my next race...unfortunately it is not how the day played out. I was awake all night with a sick 4 year old, then woke up late this morning. I had to get the 3 big kids to school and then Izzie off to the MD where they told me that she has a virus. (Really....a virus, did I just waste a copay for that) I then came home and spent the day unpacking from Thanksgiving while listening to Izzie cough up both her right and left lung. Then the afternoon of driving began....when I finally got home at 6:15 the idea of running made me want to cry. Instead I took a shower, helped with homework and am now in bed. Why is it that a sick child can totally throw you off? You would swear that I went from organized super woman to woe is me can't get out of my way 5 year old girl.

Now on a happy note my sister in law had her baby this morning. Her name is Tatum and she is absolutely, positively gorgeous! I am so thrilled for Amy and Kelsey. They had 3 boys ages 5, 4 and 2 and finally got that girl. I am now the lucky Aunt of 11 nieces and nephews. I think that Christmas is going to be crazy this year.

Emotions

Today was the my first run since last Tuesday morning. I was visiting with my mom and sister over the Thanksgiving holiday and there did not seem to be tons of time. I also decided on Thanksgiving morning to not run their local turkey trot due to the rainy and cold conditions. I decided to give my body a rest, eat some home cooking and get started when I get home again. After dilly dallying around all morning I decided to put my running clothes on and just go. I had a new winter play list that I had made for my I Pod and grabbed my Garmin. Well, my Garmin was dead, so I decided to just run "naked." I had a great run that way. I let my body go fast when it wanted to go fast and slow when it needed to go slow. It was weird though, a Fiona Apple song came on and I started to cry. One of my besties from college had a new baby this weekend and I was thinking about her, I was thinking about my sister and her kids. Her son has Angelman's Syndrome and has pretty severe special needs. I started thinking about how much I love to run. Whenever I am away from it for a couple of days I come back fresh and ready to start again. I am looking forward to my next training program. Is National really 4 months away? I don't know, I'm a girl maybe some days are just more emotional. So here's to some winter running and winter fun. Let the games begin.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish that I was word crafty or that I had some awesome Thanksgiving Day post that would make people laugh and cry and be thankful for a million things, but my list is pretty ordinary, but special to me....so here goes it,

1./ I am thankful for my husband. He is a great partner, a great Dad, humors me with acting interested in my running stuff and really just an all around great guy. Thanks Trav!

2./ I am thankful for my 4 sweeties who are all extremely different and wonderful in their own way. Siri, for making me a mom and allowing me to make mistakes with her, Ben, for keeping us on our toes on a daily basis. Andy, for still sucking his thumb and loving his family and Izzie for letting us still treat her like a baby, even at 4.

3./ My parents and Travis' parents who I don't always appreciate in the right way, but who I love more than words can express. Also, my sister and my sister in laws who make me smile with funny comments or just plain sisterly love. Thinking about it...I can't leave my brother in laws out either, I have a really special family.

4./ My running buddies at home and through out bloggy land. You all pull me through good times and bad times, but it wonderful to have a support system through out. xoxoxoxo!

5./ My non-running friends who continue to remind me that there are other things to focus on besides running. (i know, i know it is hard to believe)

6./ Finally, I am thankful for whatever voice told me last January to stop feeling sorry for myself, lace up my running shoes and train for that half marathon in June and my first marathon in November. I have come full circle and am a better wife, mom and friend because of it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Run, eat turkey, laugh and have an all in all great day.

Sharing Circle

Today I attended my last Sharing Circle at PIV. 3 out of my 4 kiddos attended this school and every Thanksgiving they sing songs, say an indian blessing and bring fruit to the middle of the circle to bring to the local food bank. Afterwards we shared homemade bread and cheese. It is one of my favorite time at the Preschool because the kids' love the feeling that they are doing something for someone else. We decided to bring oranges and Izzie loved placing her bag in the center. I definitely had that one weepy moment when I realized that it the last time that I would come to the Circle with a preschooler. I can't believe that next year Izzie will be in Kindergarden. Where did the time go? Had I wasted her being little away? I mean really, she never watched Sesame Street, her naps were haphazard and she is always treated like the baby. It is hard to be the youngest of 4, especially when 2 of the 4 have VERY strong personalities. You know what though, she is the easiest going, loves her family and friends and thinks nothing of shedding a tear if someone is mean to someone else. We have lunch together and go shopping together and even though she is 4, she gets it. She is the first person to ask me how my run was and if I "won" my race. So, I guess this Thanksgiving, while I am thankful for all of my children I am feeling especially thankful for a little 4 year old girl who melts my heart every day.

Milford Turkey Trot

Yesterday I ran the Milford Turkey Trot. It is a small race, the cost is $15 and it benefits the Milford Track Club. You get nothing with the race...there are no shirts, no food and no water bottles. (the water is in gallon jugs that you pore yourself) I ran with my friend Lynn and her husband. I will preface this little report by saying that there were only 8 people registered as of Friday morning, Lynn knew 6 and I knew 1. We were then laughing that maybe we would get a prize (no prizes) and finish top in our age groups. Well, we got there and there were 80 people running and everyone was pumped. The weather was cold but, gorgeous. The course is a hard 5K course, with a hill at mile 1.5 that just goes STRAIGHT up, there is a nice come down at the end, but you really have to work to get up. Our pace was good, we had times where we would say a few words to each other, but we focused on our breathing, pace etc... and finished in 25:26, not a PR for me, but a decent time. The best part when I got an e-mail from Lynn saying that she finished first in her age group (she is 40) and saying that I finished 2nd. Then I was curious who beat me. I checked the race and realized it was a woman named Yolanda and I never say her. The reason I never saw her....she finished in 18 minutes. Holy Smokes!

Tomorrow's Race....

I am running a Turkey Trot in the next town over from me tomorrow morning. Long story short, my friend just called me and told me that 8 people are signed up. Hmmmm.....something definitely went wrong with their publicity. I am thinking that more people are going to sign up tomorrow. If not maybe I will get a prize. Who knows maybe I will win my age group!

Three Things Thursday

FRED

1. This time of year starts to stress me out which means that I start to eat more. I never thought of myself as a stress or emotional eater but, I am figuring out that I am. I just want easy, I don't want to make a mess of the kitchen because I hate cleaning it up, but I need to feed my children something other than scrambled eggs and chicken. I am trying to keep a food diary, but that does not seem to help. Last year to help jump start my weight loss I went to Jenny Craig and did great so I am considering going back during the holidays.

2. Siri just finished her 2nd project that she had due last night. She and her "Bumpa" created a skeleton with a heart in the middle and pipe cleaners for arteries and veins. The project was to do a 3D model of the Circulatory System. It then needs to be presented in class. In case you are wondering she is in 5th grade. I thought that it was pretty intense, but she loved doing it and learned a lot so who am I to complain. Pretty good for my little cherub with ADHD.

3. I am starting my National Marathon training plan the first week in December. (Thanks T). I don't know if I am quite ready to jump back on the horse so quickly, but I am dedicated to training and to cut about 15 minutes off of my PR. Wish me luck!

Out of the Loop

I just called my friend, E and she whispered to me, "hi Rene', I am at work?" my reply, "where are you working?" "for S and B." ( my other good friends). Holy smokes, I have been out of the loop with my non runner friends. Is that a good thing? I don't know, but this winter I need to make more of an effort with my other buddies. Is it hard? Yes. When I am training for something it becomes all consuming (for me anyway) and it is hard to explain it or answer when people say, "you are crazy." Does it mean that I don't love my non runner friends? No, if anything I love them more because we talk about things other than running, but my running friends and I have a different bond and that is why I love them. I remember reading something on RLAM talking about when you run with someone, you are beside them looking straight ahead and it is sometimes easier to open up and talk. I think that is true. My running friends know more of what is going on in my life right now because it is easy to talk to them. There are no walls, just the open road ahead of us. Anyway, my goal during my next training session is to be more available, but to not lose sight. Everything is cyclicle!

Lucky in Amherst

I spent 5 hours at Izzie's preschool today making apple pies for our preschool fundraiser. In case you have never heard mention of this I am not a cook, much less a baker. My job today; rolling out dough. In fact enough dough for 100 pies, tops and bottoms. My hands kill and I have blisters on my thumbs. Yes, I have to admit, my body is more sore from making pies than from running. Pretty sad, huh? What I loved about it was listening to the kids practice for the Thanksgiving Sharing Circle. They were singing songs and doing sign language, this adorable group of 3 and 4 year olds, it made me excited for next week.

It also made me thankful that I am blessed enough to stay at home with my kids and be able to enjoy making pies and listening to songs. Are there times when I would love to dress everyone, including myself and go to work? Are there times where I would like to go to lunch or go to the bathroom by myself? Of course to all of those things, but there will be plenty of time for that. For right now I am going to enjoy making apple pie and listening to preschool kids sing. I am very lucky.

And Another Week Begins....

Oh Monday....When I was younger I hated Mondays, now I love them. All 4 of my kids are in school on Mondays. I usually have a good run on Mondays and I go grocery shopping sans kiddos, which I love. 4 kids and the grocery store usually don't mix. It seems like this time of year gets extremely crazy. Siri has two projects due, (anyone for a 3D project regarding the Circulatory System), Ben has a project due, Andy, well he has nothing due and I am scheduled to bake Apple Pies on Tuesday at Izzie's school for our fall fundraiser. I was supposed to do Wednesday, but changed it because Wednesday is my longer run day. It is official, I am ADDICTED.

I have stopped rehashing the marathon at this point, but when anyone asks me about it, I get a big grin on my face....it is finally settled that I am a Marathoner (is that a word). I don't know if that is my favorite distance, I have a soft spot for 10 K's, but I am definitely training for another one and may have just put another one on the books. I am definitely a goal oriented runner. Maybe one day I will be just a fun runner, but for now I have to have something to train for.

Well, I am off for a 5 mile jaunt around Milford. This is my farthest distance since last week. Hopefully my legs are ready.

He's going to do it!

My husband, Travis, has decided to run a 5K on New Year's Day. I am running the 10K. It is The Hangover Classic in Salisbury, MA. Now you should know that Travis is not a runner, in fact he would probably tell you that he hates running but, I think that I wore him down. He made it clear that he would do the training, ( I found a beginning Hal Higdon plan) but that he wasn't looking to make this any kind of long term goal, he didn't want to run with me and not "push it!" I think that he wants to feel like he is coming to this on his own terms. The problem...I need him to do something. He does not do a great job of taking care of himself. He is a horrible eater and could stand to lose about 20 pounds. He works hard, stays up late and drinks a lot of coffee. I am waiting for him to drop of a heart attack which would really stink. I am just keeping my fingers crossed. He is starting his plan tomorrow, but already let me know that Monday is an off day...this might be a long 7 weeks.

Post Marathon Depression

If the week before a marathon or a big race can make you crazy, let me assure you the week after can make you crazier. I am tired, impatient and an all around grouch! (it is not helping that my 4 year old is screaming in my ear right now) I have run twice this week a total of 6.5 miles. When I ran my 3.5 today I was tired, my legs were sore, but it felt so good to be outside. The air was warm and it was so sunny! It then became clear to me that I am ADDICTED TO RUNNING! I am addictied to planning my next race, I am addicted to my running skirts and addicted to my training. And like a druggie if I don't run it is like I am crazy, I have to do it, but you know what I have decided? It is not so bad. While stuff (like laundry) might take a back seat for a day or two I know when I am running that I am happy. I am happy with myself, with my family, with my life.

On that note I want to give a shout out to Ginny who is running her marathon tomorrow and Tonia who is running an 8K. You ladies are going to do great! You both are a huge inspiration to me and I can't wait to run the National Marathon with you in March!

Seriously.....

I am awake. There is no school today, so in my brain I was going to get up early and hop on my treadmill for 2-3 miles. I have not run since the marathon and today was the day. At 5:30 I look over and Izzie (my 4 year old) is in my bed, for the 6th day in a row. Okay, I will go downstairs and have a cup of coffee and check e-mail. I look into the playroom. There is Siri eating cereal and watching Family Matters. Uhhhh....not my plan, she will want something any second. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but man sometimes I just want a cup of coffee and my computer for a little while before they are up.

Oh well, I will run when they are all settled. I bought new shoes yesterday. My feet need some cushion and some TLC. Yay, Brooks Glycerin and yay BJ at Runner's Alley in Nashua. He always seems to know what we need.

Are your kids off today? What are you doing today?

Things That I Would Do Differently

Now 48 hours post marathon I am starting to focus on things that I might do different in my next marathon, (The National Marathon in Washington, DC). I have decided that your first marathon is such a learning experience and it can only get better from the first to second then how ever further you decide to go.

1./ I would have breakfast with more substance. I did not know what to eat that morning. I typically eat Ezekial bread with Almond butter, but that morning my stomach was so upset with nerves that I just ate a bowl of Kashi Oatmeal. I am sure that I had burned it off, but the time we hit my 2.

2./ I would not just use Hammer Gel during the race. By the third time I had sucked that stuff down my stomach was beyond upset and I felt that I could have thrown up everywhere. I would definitely eat a granola bar, my friend brought a cut up bagel, something that would actually sit in my stomach.

3./ I would carry my own water and Nuun. Everyone I talked to said that there was plenty of water on the course which there was, but I would have rather had my own. Also, I needed Nuun or Gatorade not just water. I was a little afraid to take the Gatorade because I had not trained with it, but I would definitely train with it next time.

4./ I would dress appropriately. I watched the weather, I asked other runners in my area what they thought and in the end I was just not dressed warm enough. I would have put tights on under my skirt. I would have had mittens and a hat. I would dress for 40 degree weather with a wind chill.

5./ When a friend offers to run the last 6 miles with me I take them up on it. One of my girlfriends offered to run the last 6 miles with me. I thought that I would still be with my running partners and that it might take a little bit away from the moment. Boy, was I wrong. I could have used her about mile 23 when I wanted to sit down and cry. Hindsight is definitely 20/20.

6./ And Finally....I would go into it with more realistic expectations. I had all of these big hopes, which while important I think that being realistic is a good thing to. You honestly don't know what your first race will be like and it is all about learning. I feel like I learned a lot on Sunday and can't wait to put it to work on my next training.

Now .....when does my training start again?

Manchester City Marathon

I have had a good 36 hours to sit on my post of my first ever Marathon and am now feeling totally psyched about the experience. I will tell you that I spent the first hours after finishing extremely emotional. I was overwhelmed about the race, I couldn't believe that I had finished and that everything that I had worked for during the past 18 weeks was over. I was tired, I felt sick and I just wanted to go home.

So...from the beginning. We arrived in Manchester at about 7:20 am. We hung out in the Radisson Hotel Lobby, went to the bathroom, chilled out and stayed warm until about 8:30. We figured that would give us 20 minutes to acclimate to the cold temps. It was at this point that I realized that I was not dressed warm enough. I was in my skirt, a winter top, a tshirt and then my swift socks and shoes. I should have had tights on (it was about 32 degrees out and a little windy), I should have had a hat and I should have had mittens. My feet were cold too. At about 7:45 they said to get into the start. There were about 1400 runners running the half and 600 running the full marathon. We all started together and the full marathon went the same route for the first half and then turned off for the second half. The start went off exactly at 8:50 and we were off. It took three miles for my feet to feel like they weren't running on ice blocks. My feet were so cold it felt like they were frozen.

The first half was great. I did feel like we were running to fast. Our pace was about 8:50 for the first 13.1 miles which is not where I wanted to be. I was hoping to stay around 9:15-9:30 so that I could keep the pace the entire race. People were everywhere cheering everyone on, screaming that they loved our skirts. ( we all wore the same skirt from runningskirts.com) At mile 6 we hit Livingston Park. In Livingston Park they had us run about 3/4 on a trail which had me a bit stressed. I am not a trail person. I am clumsy by nature, hate looking down the whole time and of course I twisted my ankle and twisted it bad. It hurt. We kept going. We finished the first half in about 1:57. We had already taken our Hammer Gel twice. Our plan was to take it every 5 miles in the race. At mile 13 we turned right and the half marathon turned left. I would be lying if I didn't tell you that part of me wanted to go left, but we kept on going.

The second 13.1 was a much different story. I was starting to get tired and still running with my running partners Michele and Gail. We went over the bridge to the other side of Manchester. It was a much different scene. Not as many people, quiet and very lonely. At mile 14 I started to feel sick to my stomach and my quads were killing. I told Michele and Gail that I thought that I was going to throw up and they encouraged me to keep going. It was almost time to take another Gel and Gail said that she thought I should eat my granola bar. It was like the gel was just sitting in my stomach. uhhhh....We then had a water stop at mile 15. I walked through and then kept going. At about mile 16 I told the girls to go on, I needed to walk and I did not want to hold anyone back. They both were adamant about not leaving me, but I told them I needed them to go on. I was starting to get anxious and needed to run my own race at this point. They left me and I started to walk a bit. I then started walking and running. My legs were so cold and so tired. It was like I was having a little meltdown, but I kept going. I knew I needed to make it to mile 20 because Travis, the kids and Julie and Leslie would be waiting for me. I finally made it to them and that cheered me up a bit. And then I kept going. Run, walk, run, walk. I saw my friends Diane and Jim at mile 21 and then again at mile 23. Jim had run a couple of marathons and knew that they needed to keep track of me. At mile 24 Julie and Leslie were waiting for me again. Taking pictures, jumping up and down and saying funny things like, "my butt looked sexy in my skirt!" Finally, at mile 25 I hit the footbridge over the water and knew I was close. I started to run with an older gentleman who runs a marathon almost every weekend. He had a bright yellow "Marathon Fanatics" jacket on. We didn't talk a lot, but it was nice to have someone next to me. Then we were there. I could hear the cowbells, and people saying names on the loud speaker. I saw the kids and my friend and her kids and they were all running beside me. I have never been so happy to be at the end of my race in my life. Everyone was waiting for me. Gail and Michele finished about 20 minutes before me and were both crying. My friend Sherry was crying, Travis was crying and I just felt like I was going to throw up. I was sick, dizzy and cold. I looked at Michele and she said that she thought I needed the medical tent. I went in, they gave me a Gatorade and warm blankets. Then put me in the back of an ambulance to warm up. After about 15 minutes, the police told Travis that he could bring the car by the ambulance to take me home. Once I got myself in the car, I started crying. I think all of the emotion of the day finally hit home.

Once home I took a hot shower, put on my pj's and compression socks and went to bed. I have never been so happy to be in my bed.

Now, 36 hours later I could tell you what I learned, do different etc...but I will save that for another post. This one was probably long enough.

Quick Marathon Post

I finished my first marathon. My time was 4:32:57. It was hard. I had a little bit of a mental break about mile 21, but I finished. When I got into the car and was a bit teary eyed, okay maybe a lot teary eyed, my husband reminded me that last year at this time running a marathon was not even on my radar. He is right, it was always something I wanted to do, but never thought that I would! So, I am now home, sitting in my bed and watching football. More to come when my hands don't hurt anymore. It was stinkin' freezing here today.....

Setting the Pace

This is Siri with my number. She has been very helpful today. She then told me that she wanted a pair of Vibrams. I told her that they didn't make them in a child's size 3. To bad, so sad. Always after something that one.
This is my shirt. It says "Set the Pace." I have no particular pace in mind, I just like the shirt with my skirt and my shoes. Okay, so it is partly how I look. I can't help it.

The Outfit

Here it is. I will post my number later. I am loving my running skirt right now! Also, notice that I have figured out my new camera and my blog. Yay for my husband!

Obsessive Compulsive

I am stressed. I have tried to pretend all week that I wasn't. That everything was cool, that I was laid back yada, yada, yada, but today everything came to a head. I had a list that was long and a house that is trashed due to how busy we all are and I finally had a breakdown. It was at that point that I started cleaning. I am a cleaner by nature. I like things to be in order, I don't like clutter (funny thought in a house with 4 kids, an ADHD husband and 2 cats) and I like things to be clean. Some might say that I am Obsessive Compulsive, but I really am not. I just need order in order to function. I started with the pantry and 5 black garbage bags later I was done. Izzie's exact words when she saw it, "Wowie Kozowie!" I then moved on to vacuuming, wiping down counters, and cleaning bathrooms.

What I really needed was a good 5 mile run and I can't tell you how hard it was for me to not just put my shoes on and take off. I had no kids with me, I was footloose and fancy free and cleaning was not releasing the stress. Tapering stinks. I need to run due to the fact that I can't stop eating. I need to run because that is my outlet. I need to run because I honestly can't get out of my own way.

Two days to go, hopefully I don't lose my mind before then. Now, off to clean Siri's room. Wish me luck!

Funny Thoughts

As I was getting ready this morning I started laughing to myself. My friend Gail said while we were running, "if we run the marathon as fast as we ran the Devil's Chase this weekend, we will finish in 3:40." We started laughing of course and my friend Michelle replied, "I can't run that fast for 26 miles." Now, when I was in the shower I started thinking about this, Imagine....if we run it in 3:40 we will qualify for Boston. Hmmmm, just thinkin.....

It's Almost Here

Today is Wednesday, my marathon is on Sunday. We did a 3 mile run today and it felt good. We ran a little bit fast because it was so cooooolllllddddd, 25 degrees in my car. I said that we could count it as our last speed work out:) After our run we talked about our plan, what we are bringing, what time we are picking up our numbers etc...That started to make things a little more real and then I started to get a little scared. I feel like I have that Tom Petty song stuck in my head, "the waiting is the hardest part, lalalalala. It is hard to wait, I just want to do it, but I know that my body needs a couple of more days to rest and be ready. The good thing that we figured out this morning, the time falls back on Sunday am, so we will get an extra hour of sleep, that is if we sleep.

On another note, I bought a new camera on Friday so that I could post pictures. I downloaded the software etc...turns out my husband has to fix something because it is a Nikon and they have some other JPG thingy, mabob. So pictures will be coming soon.

The Devils Run

On Sunday I ran the Devils Chase 6.66 in Salem, MA. How appropriate to be running a Halloween race in Salem. We left early about 5:45 so we would be all set, bathrooms, numbers etc...We also had our friend Teri who was running her first race. We were so excited for her, for taking on a 6 mile race for her first race and for the fact that she was starting to love running as much as we all do. We were at the race by 7 am for an 8 am start time, but that was fine, we picked up our numbers went to the bathroom, ate and drank some water. We decided that we would try to run together, but whatever happened, would happen. I knew that I did not want to run to fast because I did not want to get hurt for the upcoming weekend. Finally, 8 am. It was a little chilly and my feet were starting to get cold in my fancy Halloween knee socks. Then an announcement comes...."We are going to wait until everyone is out of the bathrooms before we start." Seriously, that is just weird. I am all for being 5 minutes behind schedule, but we did not start until almost 8:30. Note...don't get into the bathroom lines if it is 5 minutes before the race. Anyhoo....off we went, very crowded start and then it opened up. The race had many out and backs, a little bit of off roading on rocks. ( I was not psyched about this due to the fact I am a perpetual ankle twister and was getting stressed.) There were no hills, an extremely flat race and it was kind of cool to run through Salem. I had never been there before. The only down was that it was not a 6.66 mile course, everyone's Garmin was registering 6.4 and the timing ankle bracelets (really ankle bracelets?) were not reading accurately. My time on my Garmin was 55 minutes which is where I expected to be at....not to fast and not to slow. Plus, I got to run with Lynn for the entire time so we did some chit chatting.

Teri did finish the race in 1:27 and she was so excited! We ran her in and I almost started crying, yes crying. I just felt so excited for her, how many times a week do we runners knock back a 6 mile route and not think anything of it. This was such a big deal for her. She was tired and she was slow, but she did it!

Finally, I am 5 days left of my taper. I am hating tapering. It is such a pain. My kids are home from school today and I just want to climb on the TM for like 2 hours. I know, I know...small thing to complain about, but I really need a good 4 miles a day or I go CRAZY! even my kids' know when I haven't run. Oh well, we are going on a nature walk with my MIL, wish me luck, maybe I will run a bit down the trail.....