3TT......Here's to You Edition

1...To the rather large woman in your big, black, Chevy pick up truck who we encountered this morning.....I don't know what could have made you in such an ugly mood at 5:20 this morning, but I hope that your day got better. I don't know why you felt that you needed to speed by us and raise your arms at us, but it was kind of uncalled for. I am hoping that you were just feeling jealous because you were obviously running a bit late for work (or Dunkin' Donuts) and we were outside running and enjoying the beautiful morning.

2.....To my stomach. Why? Why? Why? are you forsaking me? I got up at 4:30 and had a little something to eat. I drank water and had a Hammer Gel at mile 5, so why by mile 11 did I have to make a dash for my MIL's house and a bathroom. This summer is my first experience with a bad stomach so I am trying out many different things to make it through these long runs. Next try is gummy bears.

3.....To my sweet puppy Nelly. Do you really need to attempt to chase every car on the road? I know that you are a Corgi, a working dog but, NEWSFLASH, you are on a leash and today when you got caught on my leg and leash burned me , I was definitely a bit frustrated. Please work with me. The last thing I need is for you to get run over.

Finally, (I have a fourth today) if you haven't gone to Back Pocket Sports yet, you need to. I won a shirt from them recently and I have to say I am in love. I am not always sure about tops. I like to try them on first, but I love this shirt. In fact it is in the washer now so I can take it with me this weekend. Happy Fourth of July Weekend everyone. Take time to relax and have fun!

Struggling with the Early AM

My runs are becoming early due to the change in schedule i.e. kids home from school. I have to say I am struggling. I have no problem getting up at 4:45, but once I get there every step is killing me. Today I was so tired I felt like telling my 2 friends to go on, like I was going to curl up on the side of the road and go back to bed. I will be the first to admit that I have not been eating before my run. I don't know what to eat. I am not a breakfast person as it is, so the idea of eating and chewing that early in the morning makes me want to puke. (maybe a bit dramatic) I have thought about putting a PB&J next to my bed in the hopes that I would scarf it down when the alarm goes off. Thoughts?? What do others eat for breakfast or do you eat breakfast? Definitely need some help with this and would appreciate any ideas.

What's That, my 200th Post...

Tonight is my 200th post. I wish that I had some awesome running post planned for you, but unfortunately I don't. I had a busy weekend of driving 2 peanuts to meet my parents and today a day of trying to do end of the year school organizing, peppered in with some resting and gearing up for the next 10 weeks. Summer vacation is officially here. It is time for early morning runs and sitting by the pool. A fun week in PA is planned as well as a week at the Cape. 4th of July will be spent in Maine. I am running the LL Bean 4th of July 10K. I am excited because this is a race that my parents used to run every year. Oh, and did I mention I was running Beach to Beacon and the Falmouth Road Race. Throw in some camps and a little bit of Pop Warner football and I think that we will be plenty busy. Happy Summer!!!

Three Things Thursday

1. In 25 hours it will officially be summer vacation for my kiddos. While Iz was done last week and Siri was done on Wednesday, the boys' are officially done tomorrow. For Ben it is his last day at the elementary school in our town as 5th grade goes to the middle school. Ben will be attending private school in Nashua next year. I am just not comfortable with my 5th grader at the Middle School with 8th graders. We made the same decision for Siri and she loves her school so we are excited for Ben too. (P.S....Ben is not happy for the record.)
2. Last year the kids and I made a huge list of all of the things that we wanted to do in the summer. It was fun to make the list and we did accomplish some things, but not all. I think that we will do that tomorrow night.
3. Week 3 of Marathon training is going pretty well. The humidity has been some what brutal here. I feel it is hard to catch my breath sometimes, but I have always been that girl who it takes about 2 miles to get into a run. I think that it will just take time to settle in. Plus, I need the heat and humidity training. Word on the street is that Chicago can be brutal in October. Thank goodness it is FLAT!
Happy Thursday everyone!! Are all of your kids out of school yet??

What has Happened to Me?

Something has happened to my run. She is fighting me and I think that I know what is going on. She doesn't like to be with just me, she has become a group runner. At first I couldn't figure it out. Why have I become slower? Why do I want to quit at 3.5 miles? Why is my mind wondering off to other things? (that could be a bit of ADD) Then at the end of my run I figured it out. I really don't run by myself very often. My run likes to have her friends, her running besties with her. There is M and G who are my marathon buddies, sometimes K joins us and then 2 mornings a week there is L. I need them to push us. I need them to push the pace, to make me a stronger runner. Is this good for us? Ummm.....sometimes running friends are not around, sometimes you need to rely on yourself to get through a run, but on those days we can keep truckin', but for right now I am going to stick to my besties. I mean really, what are friends for? So tomorrow instead of 8 lonely miles, we are going to meet our friends at 5 and knock out those 8.
Happy Tuesday everyone...tomorrow is Siri's last day of school...the boys' on Friday. Let the fun begin.

Celebrating Dad

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad and to my wonderful Husband. I am a very lucky girl to have 2 incredible men in my life.

My Dad is a great support system, taught my sister and I how to get out there and work and how to run races. He laughed at our jokes, was calming during a storm and always knew the right things to say. One of my greatest memories is in 6th grade when he took me to see "Rocky 3" and told me that even though he and my mom were hard on me they were doing the best they could. Since I was the oldest sometimes I bore the brunt of their mistakes, but in the end I would be a better person for it. (If I remember right I got my ears pierced that year and my mom let my sister who was 3 years younger than me, got hers done too....big deal in the life of a 10 year old).

My husband is my best friend. Our house is crazy and he just roles with it. He is an incredible listener, knows when to tell me to back off and supports all of my crazy endeavors. He is not a runner and has no desire to be, but has no problem with me getting out there everyday if I need to. He is a football and lacrosse coach, a giant teddy bear and most of all is a hands on Dad. We are all very lucky to have him!

Happy Father's Day to all of the great dad's out there. Hopefully your day has been as fun as ours.

3TT....It's Summer Edition

1. One more week and school is out here in NH. You would think that we would know how to manage snow but obviously we don't as we had to make up 5 snow days. While part of me is not totally looking forward to the summer juggle, the other part of me is so done with packing lunches, checking homework and signing books.
2. My first warm long run on Wednesday took a bit of a tole. I am definitely not used to the increase temps yet. We ran 11, but did not plan our water right or fuel right. Better to figure that out on an 11 mile run vs a 20 mile run. It is also important for heat training as Chicago has been know to be quite hot in the beginning of October. I am sure this year I will jinx myself and it will be 20 degrees and a snow storm.
3. Vacations...what do you have planned? We will hit the Cape for a week, my mom's for a week and a few Maine side trips. I have quite a few races planned and a lot of time by the pool. N
****Finally, Congratulations to the Boston Bruins. What excitement in New England over this big win. It was the first time Ben (age 9) stayed up for an entire championship game. He was so wired last night he could hardly fall asleep. Yay Bruins and Yay Ben!!!******

We Have the Fever

Bruins fever has hit the Warren House. My kids are crazy, my husband is crazy, even the dog is crazy. Tonight is game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. First let me say we would be considered Pink Hats by most accounts. ( a pink hat is someone who jumps on the bandwagon and really does not know much about the sport they are cheering for.) My husband is begging to differ because he says he watches hockey all season. (Maybe?) My last hockey experience was watching the Bruins play in the playoffs 13 years ago. (I think it was 13 years ago). Anyway....everyone is excited, the game has started and I am watching DC Cupcakes with Izzie. I am to nervous to watch the game. Go B's!!

11 Mile run in the books today. I ran with Gail, one of my running besties who is suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. Can you say painful? As someone that has suffered with PF twice, I know the feeling. When we were trying to figure out how it happened she realized that she had run 130 miles the month of May and probably needed new shoes:( Fingers crossed for quick healing as we are training for Chicago together.

Okay quick update Ben (age 9) has just been kicked out of the Bruins room for talking to much. Obviously they need me downstairs to keep the peace. Happy Wednesday!!!

Is it Outside or Inside

My plan calls for 3 miles today, but typically I do 4 or 5. I am not good at only running 3 miles. I don't seem to get the Runner's High from 3 miles. I guess it is kind of like drugs, once you start you need more and more. My dilemma is should I wait for my husband to get home from Colorado? or just hop on my treadmill? Now typically Trav will get off of the plane and stop and check his email and do some work and then get home at his "normal" time which is 6 pm. I am hoping today he will miss us so much (hahaha) that he will rush right home to see the kids. Right? Isn't that what most Dad's do? I called him out on FB so I am hoping that will work to my running advantage. If not I will hop on the old Mill and get my workout done.

We are officially done with Lacrosse. We do have a tournament this weekend, but practices this week are optional. Homework seems to be wrapping up too. My 4th grader has a book project due Thursday and then he is done. The last 2 weeks of school are so painful. I am so curious what they really do?? Thoughts?? My 5th grader is working on a volcano in Science she told me. She then said we should do one at home. Hmmmm.....can that be done outside??

Well of to ponder my inside vs. outside. What is your workout today??

Get it in Gear

Phew....It is the end of the year alright. Wow! Between end of the year board meetings, lacrosse tournaments, horse shows, and preschool graduations I am beat. I spent this morning at a local dairy farm with Izzie's 4 year old preschool class, my last dairy farm trip. (I have been on 4 of them) It is definitely bitter sweet. While I am so ready to move on, for Izzie to go to kindergarden and for me to figure out what I am going to do with my life I am sad at the same time. I am not great at transitions, so I am definitely a little anxious to what the future holds.

I skipped my run today. I don't know what is going on, but I just was not feeling it and I didn't know how to fit it in. At one point I was going to put on my running clothes, but I didn't even have the energy....hmmm....I have a 6 am run planned for tomorrow. As much as I don't want to get up, I know if I don't do it, I won't. It's weird 6 months ago I would have run at 9 pm if I had too and right now I am just like "Nope!" I am hoping that my body will "Get in gear" after the kids are out of school and I have my summer routine. Fingers crossed or else Chicago and Richmond aren't going to go very well!

Anything inspiring for me to get back on track?? Is anyone else feeling a little crazy with the end of school???

Sometimes It Just Doesn't Work Out

Today was not my day. I started out at 5 am with what supposed to be a 10 mile run. Well, I made it to mile 8 and hung up my sneakers. I thought that I could talk myself into it, but I just couldn't today. It was my 3rd 5 am run in a row and my legs were just tired....I also made a mistake and did not eat breakfast. I didn't want to wake anyone (i.e. puppy) and I didn't want to have to go to the bathroom (I know, I know!) so I threw my clothes on and headed out. I think that I learned my lesson....

Next I was supposed to have my girls outlet shopping trip....well Izzie was not cooperating. It was not her fault. She developed a raging ear infection yesterday and after going to the MD and not putting her on meds, we were back there this morning.

Dear MD,

If a mother bring in her 4 year old with chronic ear infections and argues with you for 15 minutes about an antibiotic then please give it to her. That way her child will sleep through the night and won't be crying hysterically that her ear is "exploding!"

Thanks,

MOm

So, now I am on the couch, in the AC. (yes it is 95 here in NH and supposed to be 100 tomorrow) with Izzie laying on my lap and thinking about my yoga crosstrain tomorrow. I can't wait. Happy Wednesday!

Let the Fun Begin

This morning was my first run of my marathon training plan. A 5 mile tempo run, that I finished in 44 minutes. It is so hard to get going at 5 am, but I always feel good after it is done. Our plan for the Chicago Marathon consists of tempo runs, long runs, shorter "fun" runs and finally some cross training. I have said in the past that I am not a great cross trainer, but this time I am forcing myself to cross train 1 day a week! (Thanks, G!!) I also am doing Ab Ripper X 4 times a week, which I started yesterday and was reminded how much my abs/core stink....this will be great for me. I am happy to be back on the sauce (my running plan). I am a happier person when training. Believe me, my family is thanking me!!!

I have been craving yummy salads on a daily basis. I mean big salads, with all sorts of stuff in them. (think beats and sunflower seeds) Yesterday, my stomach had had enough fiber though and told me to take a step back from the spinach please. I do love this time of year. Finally in NH we have fresh veggies, our Farmer's Market is open and I am back to some "clean living!"

Happy Monday everyone....I am off to coach Pre-K and Kindergarden lacrosse. Wish me luck, these kids are tough:)

3 Things Thursday.......

1. I don't have an edition today. Holiday weeks make my life totally random which for me is okay sometimes. I think that I get so wrapped up in the structure of my week that I forget it is okay to get off track a bit. That is hard for a girl like me....can you say OCD, but I am learning that it is okay. The laundry will get folded, my bed made and food on the table. My husband is a good sport and just kind of rolls with it.

2. Could the schools work on providing a somewhat decent lunch the last 3 weeks of school so that maybe my kids will buy? I am definitely to the end of the packing lunches gig for the year. The kiddos are sick of sandwiches. They are bringing their fruit home uneaten (is that even a word?) and I am tired of trying to think of something new to pack. Lunch ladies I get it, you are trying to clean out the fridges/freezers but could we drop the french toast sticks and ham slices for a little something yummy.

3. My Chicago/Richmond Marathon training plan starts on Sunday. Thanks to T, I have a plan from a previous marathon training. I am soooooooooo excited. I love training for something. I love the calendar, I love crossing out the days and I love the feeling of accomplishing something on a weekly basis. Woo-hoo!!!!! Let the fun begin.

It's National Running Day

I wish I could tell you that I ran today, but I didn't. Instead I hit the trails for the 4th grade hike with B and his class. It actually was a tough climb. A lot of tree routes, rocks and heat and humidity. I planned on running after the climb on the Mill, but a tornado warning in our area put a stop to that when the 4 kids thought we should spend the rest of the evening in the basement. ummmmm.....no, we are not spending the rest of the evening in the basement. My basement is not a fun basement, it is mud room and laundry room, not a hang out room. So, instead of a run I ordered a new skirt from RunningSkirts while Iz sat on my lap with her fingers in her ears waiting for thunder and a tornado.

The month of May was a good running month for me. I completed 2 half marathons and ran over 1oo miles (110 to be exact). My hip has not been bothering me as much, but I do feel twinges every now and then. June will find me starting my Chicago Marathon training. I have no races this month and I am okay with that.

Happy National Running Day friends! Hopefully you got your runs in and enjoyed the day:)