Good Morning

I am up and ready to go. To run you say? NO, to go to the grocery store to buy salad stuff to make a garden salad for a lunch today at my 4 year olds preschool. You might be saying to yourself , "Why didn't she do that yesterday?" Well, I am saying that to myself right now. While I did get my 10 miler in yesterday, I then spent the rest of the day at the football field with my two boys and then off to a birthday dinner an hour away. While the football games were awesome, both boys won, and I loved being able to see my college friends, my friend found out that she was pregnant for her 40th birthday, I am tired. Tired from a lot of early mornings of running this summer, tired from 4 kids' and their constant summer activity and finally tired from getting everyone ready for school this week. Oh well, I am off and hopefully my last full day of summer vacation is uneventful!

Three Things Thursday

1/I ran 7 miles this morning in my new Somnios. I really loved this pair of shoes. Check them out on their web site. You do a couple of "tests" to see what kind of shoe that you need, they read your results and then put the shoes together for you. I don't have any stores around here that sell them, so I did everything online. Maybe someone will get certified to sell them around here soon. Anyway, I ran 4 miles outside with my friend Lynn then I finished up with 3 on the treadmill. I feel good to get a good run out of the way for the week. We had a lot of rain this week and it was nice to finally get outside.

2/My cleaning lady came today. I am spoiled as Silvana comes every other week. This summer I had to cancel her a couple of times and today I was so happy to see her that I kissed her cheek! My house was disgusting and with us not having Sophie anymore the crumbs had piled up. I would have to vacuum my house twice a day to keep up with everything and it just does not happen. So, YAY Silvana!!!

3/We are taking Ben and Andy to a Patriots preseason football game tonight. The four of us are so excited. The girls are going to my sister in law's home for the night. This was Ben's birthday present and we got awesome seats:) So...of we go. hopefully we will have a good time.

Running Inspiration

Today on Higher Miles Abbi posed the question of "running admiration." I love to think about those questions. I am inspired daily by my running friends, my running "blog friends," and even by myself. I am inspired in general by my parents, who were both runners when I was growing up. I guess if I were to tell my running story I would have to start with my parents.

When I was little, my father was a smoker. Then, when I was in middle school we lived in California. My Dad was in the Navy and got stationed at Port Hueneme, CA. One school year he went away to Guam and came home and did not smoke anymore. Not only did he not smoke anymore, he had started running. He was a real runner, he would run 6 miles twice a day sometimes. We spent every weekend driving all over Southern California while he did 10 K races, then 10 mile races, then finally a marathon. During this time my mother started running as well. Then the two of them were doing races together and my sister and I would tag along waiting at the end of the 10K route. Sometimes they would let us run with them at home or ride our bikes. My mom would always say that we complained the whole run and then would sprint home and beat them. I don't think that my parents were sprinters. My mother is now a walker. She has arthritis in her knees. My dad has slowed down a bit and does mostly 5 K's.

Now, I run for me. When I get up early (5am) I am so proud of myself and want to just continue to work harder. When I PR a 5K, I am so excited that I can't stand it. Finally, when I have racked up bigger miles (16 this weekend) I can't believe that my mind and my body can and want to work this hard. So, this week when I run another 16 I will try to constantly inspire myself and allow my body and mind to carry me through to the end.

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.