When is to Much to Much?

Last night I received an e-mail from someone regarding a volunteer group that I have done on and off for the past 7 years. It is the town wide women's group that helps those in our town and surrounding towns through fundraising. It is a great group of women and it is a good way to help others with a group of supportive women. The e-mail was regarding my membership this year as I had not paid my dues. I had not paid my dues on purpose because I didn't know if I could do it all. Siri is going to a new school this year and is going to need extra support from me and from Travis. Andy is going to first grade this year and is going to need me more as well as the preschool board I am on and finally my running. (I also have 2 other children). I thought about the e-mail, I talked to Travis and I thought about it for about another hour. At that point I had made my decision, I could not do it this year. Many times I say yes to so many things and then get totally overwhelmed and don't feel like I am doing a good job on anything. So many times we as women and especially stay at home mom's feel like we have something to prove, but who are we trying to prove anything to? Ourselves? I don't know what the answer is, but what I do know is that I had to take a step back and think about myself and my four little chickens. I admit it I can't do it all.

Dear Cotton T-shirt

Dear Cotton T-Shirt,

This morning I saw you in my work out pile next to my black running skirt and decided that I would wear you today. Usually I wear an Nike or Under Armout performance shirt, but I was feeling sentimental about you , my Heartbreak Hill t-shirt. (i have never run Boston, but lived in Chestnut Hill and ran Heartbreak Hill on a daily basis.) I put you on, loved how soft you were and said "this is going to be great." I started out, there was a light drizzle and a little bit of humidity. You started sticking to me at about mile 1, but I was still in cotton shirt love but by mile 3 I was ready for divorce. You were sticking to me, stuck on my bra and kind of big. With my other shirts I usually tuck them in and they don't move. The sweat was not wicking and I was starting to feel gross. I was wondering what made me put you on this morning? What was I thinking? I am usually a creature of habit and you are not even in my rotation. Needless to say I got home and coul not wait to get you off. As much as I love you with a pair of everyday shorts, I think that I have to take you out of the work out drawer. I am sorry, just remember it was me and not you.

friends always,

Rene'

16 Miles on a Saturday Morning

Wow! I ran 16 miles today, not only did I run 16 miles I ran it by myself. I did not know if I could do it. I am definitely a social runner. I like to have someone with me, but it was on my schedule and it was now or never.

I thought that I had a route in mind. I had looked it up on Map My Run, but somehow I got a bit lost. In fact I ended up in a town I was not expecting to end up in and then had to make my way back home. The only thing that stunk is that I had to run on "Route 13" which is a 2 lane highway with people driving about 50 mph. Before that I was on a dirt road and that was a bit scary. There was no one around, it was quiet and then at the top of the hill there was a huge junk yard littered with trailer homes, old cars etc.... I then started to get a bit panicky because I didn't bring my cell phone with me. Let's just say I ran a bit faster during that part of my run. I was uncomfortable that I did not know my surroundings and just needed to get somewhere that I knew.

Finally, after 2 hours 42 minutes, a lot of hills and a lot of water I made it home. I was a bit sore and really tired. I ended up taking a 2 hour nap with my 4 year old. I was supposed to run a 7 mile race in the am, but I need to take a day or at least a morning to rest and get organized. Hopefully, I will get out there in the afternoon.

P.S. to the two women who passed me running together. The men in your group that were ahead of you all said "hi" and "good morning" to me, YOU two were kind of rude in fact you were rude. Why not say "good morning" and be supportive. Unfortunately, sometimes women just aren't nice to each other. While I wouldn't wish anything bad on anyone, I hope that one of you tripped on a shoe lace today. Good night:)

Three Things Thursday

1. The kids really need to go back to school and soon. With all of us at home our eating habits have totally gone down the tubes. Did I really skip breakfast and then eat 3 slices of pizza and a diet coke at lunch. Yes, yes I did!

2. I am scheduled to run 16 miles on Saturday morning. I have planned my route and am just trying to figure out my water stops. I am hoping that my husband will bring me water on my route.

3. I ordered a pair of Somnio running shoes. I found a $40.oo coupon on a blog and decided to order a pair. I am hoping for magic, especially after my Newton failure.

AppleFest +1

Today I was running for MCM Mama's Virtual Race. There were three choices, a 4 miler, an 8 miler or a 40 K. Today was my long run day so I ran 14 miles. Yee-haw I have never run that far before. I will start by saying my time for 8 miles was 1:14. That is my time for my virtual race.

Now, I can only describe the day as perfect running weather. We decided to do the AppleFest course which I am signed up for in September. It was a GORGEOUS morning. A little cloudy, a cool breeze and not to much traffic. We started out at a good pace between 9 and 10 minute miles. We practiced holding back when needed to and letting our legs go when they needed to. The AppleFest is a funny course. The first 6 miles are downhill. The last 7 are up. But honestly the UP was not as UP as hills that we have in Amherst. I had plenty of water. I had bought a new Nathaan water holder and had 16 ounces of water and 16 ounces of Nuun. I can only describe the morning as a huge runners high. I am actually still on cloud nine. Now I am off to bed as I have a 4:30 am wake up call to run with Lynn! Good night.

Crisman 5 K

WooHoo!!! I just finished my 5K in 24:01. I could have finished sub 24, but I stopped to talk to a little girl who was having some sort of asthma attack although her parents assured me she doesn't have asthma. Oh well....who knows. The weather was beautiful, no humidity and I just went out there and ran. The only stinky thing was that my garmin ran out of batteries. Oh well! Tomorrow is my big run, I am running a half for MCM Mama's Virtual Race. I think that it was to run an 8 mile race or a 40 K, but I have to change it up a bit for my training this week. Happy Running everyone!

5K on a Saturday Morning

I am up and ready to go. I have a 5K at 10 am this morning. The Crisman 5K. It is an annual road race for two brothers who died in a car accident 6 years ago. I have not run a 5K race in a couple of years and I am nervous. I am typically not a 5K runner. It takes me 3 miles just to get into my running. I always start out way to fast and then am running on fumes at the end. I have a bunch of friends running, some even pushing jog strollers. Part of me feels like I might be in the back of the pack with them. I am also debating wearing my Garmin or not. The competitive part of me says "Wear it so you know where you are!" The laid back part of me says, "Just enjoy the race." I am running 13 tomorrow am so part of me doesn't want to do something crazy and then get hurt. All tough decisions for a 5K in Amherst, NH. Wish me luck!