Run Mommy Run!

11 random things about me!!

2012-01-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Thank you Shannon for tagging me!! I couldn't wait to do this one and now it's my turn and I can't think of five Random things about myself.....

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Here are my 11 random things…

1. I got married when I was super super young....like so young that if any of my Three daughters think they are going to get married at 19 they had better think again!! Although, things have worked out pretty darn good, we knew then that we were going to be together forever and we still know now 10 years later! :) I have met very few couples who are buddies the way handsome and I are.

2. I used to be a competitive gymnast, for punishment we would have to run...I loathed the run, hated every minute....now I wonder why I couldn't stand it so much, without running I would be a total nut job....well I am a nut job but less of one because I run...did you get all that??

3. who ever decided that doing this----> ........ <------- was ok is my best friend I am addicted to those continuous periods in a row.......I even do it in my own head when I talk to people.......I love them......so addicted......somebody stop me....I bet it is really annoying to English majors ......:)

4. I like to be really very silly! I often knock it down about ten notches when I am around people I don't know, for fear of offending them.....

5. I have 3 beautiful, bright, bouncing girls 5, 3, and 8 months old, they are all so different and I love them more than life it self......I however always thought I would have a bunch of rambunctious boys and don't really play "princesses" all that great, give me a nerf gun and I will kick your ass....give me a barbie and I can....rearrange her face?? what can I say I'm trying??

6. I am a quest to lose 50 pounds by my birthday May 17, so far I am down 12 and loving it :)

7. Running makes me feel like a rock star....people get so amazed when you tell them you ran 4 miles.....:)

8. My hubby (also known on this blog as Handsome) is my best friend!! Seriously we have more fun with each other than most girl "friends" I have ever met! We are each others lobster (ok that got super cheesy...sorry)

9. I am a recovering coke a holic.....(let me clarify to COCA COLA peeps) I can easily drink 10 a day without blinking so far I have had 1 this WEEK!!!

10. My first declared college major was "Pre-Med" it then changed to "biomedical engineering" I finally decided on "Marriage and family therapy" I gave birth to our first daughter the day after my final, final exam and have never once used my degree.

11. On a regular basis when I am out with all three girls people will ask me if I am their nanny/babysitter.......hmmmm nope they are all mine...and then occasional I will get asked if they all have the same dad....hmmmmm yes as a matter fact they do....and sometimes people will take it as far as you people been busy their so little.....actually there is 2 years and 15 days between the first two and 3 years between the second two??? Weirdo people...I always want to say something like one of your boob's sags more than the other...but can't actually bring myself to do it

Here are Shannon's questions for me:

1. What is your favorite TV show? ohhh this is tough...I don't watch much t.v. but when I do I love silly sitcoms so maybe Modern Family

2. If you had to eat the same meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? filet Mignon and potatoes.....although I have not had much meat since back in Dec when we decide to "clean up our diet"

3. Do you cry at sad movies? No I always feel like a total wimp, if I do so...but I cannot watch "All dogs go to heaven" that one gets me every single time.

4. Do you have any pre-race rituals? If so, what are they? Yes I roll out of bed to the right, hit the ground for 3 push ups and then spin around 4 times....ha just kidding, no Handsome always has to pin my race number and I have to have peanut butter something or another.

5. Mac or PC? PC

6. If you could pick the color of the new Tough Chik running singlet. what color would you pick? I am feeling really green lately maybe because I am praying for spring to hurry and get here!

7. How did you find out about Tough Chik?
I have a tough chik shirt and had read about TC on other blogs.

8. What is you favorite song?
Zac Brown band-"keep me in mind" I love love love this song...."how come all the pretty girls like you are taken baby.....lifes to easy to be so damn complicated"

9. Any Superbowl plans?
House full of chiks and the one male is not a football fan...so I am typically out numbered on super bowl night...

10. How do you take your coffee, if you don’t drink coffee, what is your morning beverage of choice?
I like a little coffee with my sugar and cream
11. What is the worst job you have ever had?
I was an assistant to an assistant for an extremely wealthy financial dude....I would have to go pick out $500 ties, and $200 jelly beans for clients, I was always getting yelled at and it was the most stuffy uptight place I ever worked.....horrible!

11 questions for my taggies:

1. Favorite race ever?

2. Do you have a diet plan (clean eating, paleo, vegan??) Does your family follow with you?

3. What animal best describes you??

4. Did life turn out the way you imagined?

5. Who is your best friend and why?

6.if you could live anywhere in the world for 6 months where would you go?

7. How are your new years resolutions holding up?

8. Do you and your family take one big vacation or a bunch of little ones or both?

9. What is the most challenging part of your daily life?

10. How old were you when you got married?

11. Dream Job?

11 peeps to be tagged:

I am pretty darn sure I am the last to do this, I know this is cheating but for the sake of getting this thing up I am saying if you have not been tagged you are now tagged and if you want you can shoot me an email and I will link you in.

Three things Thursday -rocking it out!

2012-01-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

There comes a time where you start to love the run, it's not so painfully hard but still a challenge and your body craves the need to sweat it out!!!! ....I'm here at this place right now and I love it!

1. Trail Running-wooowza what a wake up call, Handsome asked if I wanted to get three miles in on the trail..."sure no problem" I thought my paces were much slower, the run was beautiful and then I was lost, the white trail turned into the orange trail, but I was still on the white trail( I just didn't know that) and it paralleled the orange trail Oh my!!! When I finally found my way my run was over and I was mad that I had wasted so much precious time trying to figure out if I was lost!! White trail redemption in my near future!!

2. Baby in the Jogger- On Thursdays I run with the babe (who is Eight months old yipes!! time flies) in the jogger on one of our local paved "trails" today was no different and I set out to run a gentle four miles, but wanting to push my pace as the jogger tends to slow me down quite a bit. Mile 1 -10:26 awesome, I am rocking this, Mile 2 10:43 still pushing the pace Nice, Mile 3-11:00 ok getting tired!! and then it happened... I bonked for the entire fourth mile I would stop and stand and then start running, I would walk a second and try running again....much to no avail I finished mile four in 12:48.....ugghh hate when that happens....but I was willing to get over it since the first three miles were awesome!!

3. My kids have been the most well behaved, obedient little buddies lately. They have been getting out of bed on their own, getting dressed, doing their own hair and teeth and then proceeding through the rest of the morning without screaming, arguing or fighting.......they are 5 and 3 (and 8 months but clearly she doesn't do these things) I am waiting to get struck by lightning or for the other shoe to drop or for them to show me some catastrophe they have been hiding!! Until then I will take their sweet, smiling, ready to go attitudes.....I even served a Hershey kiss with breakfast this morning to show my gratitude :)

OOPS I realize it's Friday and I just now getting this up!! Oh well that's my life! Go TINKERBELLS GO! and all other racers this weekend!!

Three things Thursday Busy Edition

2012-01-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

Wow the new year and we are 12 days in!!! I have just come to accept I will blog when I blog, I clearly can't conform to any set regime, so I will have to make my own! :) Hence, is why I love Three thing Thursday it's an easy and quick catch up!

1. Holy busy schedule batman!! I promised myself after the holidays we were going to slow up a little bit! Turns out when you have a daughter in kindergarten, and competitive dance, a 3 year old in pre-school and non-competitive dance, an 8 month old, and two parents on training plans......uhhhh well let's just say free time and a clean house are lacking.....yikes!!

2. Laundry...does your family make as much laundry as mine ????? I can easily do two loads a day and still be behind. I eventually by some grace or miraculous act catch up, and when I turn around there are 5 more loads to be done.....Maybe I just suck at staying on top of it...or maybe a house with four females and a male just really make that much laundry....don't kid your self male species I would say the one male in this house is the worst offender!

3. I ran a 5k this past weekend!! I had a long run of Six miles on Saturday and it went very well, but I was sore and tired and started to regret my decision to run this 5k, but alas I had paid for it and my whole crew wanted to go.....I tried to make it sound less appealing, as in "do you guys really want to get up that early", "mommy could just do this one by herself" "it's gonna be cold out there!!" They didn't care they wanted to be there!! So at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning we loaded the van and headed for the races. My plan was to meet Pam (fellow tough chik and new friend extraordinaire!)and to take it easy. I had a great race and finished in 33:22 which was a 10:46/min pace. January's race is in the books! and I inspired the whole family to run, when we got home Handsome hit his run and then the little chicks took theirs!` Super cute :) and I have a new friend!! Can't beat that kinda day!

Pam and I after the Race! Tough chiks Rule :)

On a very serious note please continue to pray for Sherry( Cousin of Beth )who went missing on her Run Saturday. Her friends and family are doing their best to spread her story in hopes that someone, somewhere has seen something!!

Have a great weekend!! How long is your long run this weekend???

Three Things Thursday!! Cooollllddd Edition

2012-01-05T07:14:00.001-08:00

Sorry to Fuss about the Cold I just really dislike it!!!

1. This week Running= freezing your nuts off! But, at least the cold keeps you moving, if it's that cold when your heart rate is 150 I can't imagine how cold it would be if you stopped to walk, which means this weeks training has gone excellent as I have found motivation to keep moving to stay warm and get back home....I almost caved yesterday and headed for the treadmill but decided I would most defiantly hate that more! This morning 33 degrees never felt so warm (compared to the 17 degrees it was yesterday and the 19 the day before)

2. Frigid people make me insane......ok look I am no longer a city dweller and I get that your pace of life is a little crazier than mine, and you don't normally see one lady and three little ones making their way around town without a bunch of nannies to help them out! But.....I am that Mom and I have no problem dragging three little with me to Whole Foods in the middle of the city...yes I am a nut job, yes my hands are full and yup my kids are well just that ....kids, I don't care about your snooty looks and I was sorry my kid "bumped" you with our cart, however after your rude 'tude I'm kinda glad she did! She is only 3 after all and apologized......(disclaimer; I know all city dwellers aren't jerks)

3. Froze toes......When this race popped up on my screen I knew it was for me!! Ha I know it's not on my training plan but it's just a 5k and looks fun!! So that being said On Sunday I am running froze toes in Manassas just for the hell of it!! and I am going to try to do one race every month this year...because I feel like rocking my year like that!

Good luck to anyone braving Old man Winter's wrath this weekend to pump out those runs!! Anyone else experience rude people in the city???

ohhh January!!

2012-01-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

January has reared it's ugly head!!! You see I am more of a Hawaiian type girl 80ish degrees with a gently breeze all year round and I'm golden!!

Too bad I live in Maryland where one day it's 55 degrees and your in a short sleeve shirt and running shorts (Saturday) and the next it's 19 degrees and you can't find enough layers to even consider being warm (today).

I hate being cold.....plain simple truth

That being said, today's 3 miler didn't suck. To begin with I was already proud of myself that this is week three of 1/2 Marathon training and I have yet to miss a run. In other previous era's of my running life I might get through the first week, never to the second and sometimes never even started at all, totally flaking on race day. Not this time, I am not letting myself quit.

I had a fantastic 5 miles on Saturday as it was the first time I had run that distance since Richmond. 3 miles today were cold to start but defiantly kept me moving! I keep having excellent first and second miles and then kinda dying off in the third or any additional ones after that. I refuse to care about mile splits.....ok well I care but I am trying not to get hung up on them and just keep my feet moving.

2012 is off to a wonderful start, I have many goals, hopes and dreams for myself this year most of which I plan to turn into a reality! In case I haven't told you I have joined Team Tough chik and I am beyond excited about these fabulous ladies!

I will leave my goals for another post, but I would love to hear what some of your goals are and how you have started off your new year!!

10 things Friday

2011-12-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

I know most people do five things Friday but guess who is shockingly far behind on her life........um me! I know gasp....you guys just find that so hard to believe, Well in effort to save a tremendous amount of time here are 10 things this Friday!!

1. Handsome bought me a sweet new bike.....and although I am still not over the amount he spent on it, I freaking love it!!
I am riding a shiny new 2012 Cannodale Synapse and working on a good name for my Beauty! It was a total anniversary surprise!

2. Anniversary- holy moly baby! We are getting old 9 years of married life and happier then we could have ever imagined!!!

3. Dec 23- was the only low point for me in the last couple of months, My Grandmother who is a wonderful, loving, kind hearted soul, was hit by a drunk driver on her way to work. They had to use the Jaws of life to rescue her from her car. She sustained several severe injuries but has lived to tell about them and that is a blessing, we know angels were flying with her, please please don't ever drink and drive there is no excuse in the world that is good enough.

4. Christmas was a quite one for us this year! Low-key with our close family members and just really enjoying time with each other, and being thankful that Grandma was going to be ok.

5. We have loved every minute of Christmas break and dubbed it a "staycation" we played, ran when we wanted and did other things that we normally don't have time for.

6. I had a major awesome Ride on my new bike, I than hopped off and ran 3 miles, I then collapsed in a heap in the middle of my living and repeated the words "what were you thinking"

7. My first swim!!! I made it ten laps and then collapsed in a heap and repeated the words "what were you thinking???"

8. Ok so maybe I am exaggerating a little in 7 and 8 buttttttt I do know I have a lot of work to do!!!

9. Did you know I have set a goal to loose 50lbs before may 17th 2012 which will be my 29th birthday......this is once again were I fall into a heap and well you know

10. I am going to re-vamp the blog a little! I think it is gonna be the "hunky-chunky runner!" It just has a more original tune and it suits me!

That was my quick ten I have so much to talk and tell you about and one of my goals is to carve out more time for the blog! Hold on to your hats 2012 I'm coming for you!! Tell me ten things or two things about your day! My you all have a happy, SAFE, New years!!!

Sidelined.....

2011-12-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

You know how you can tell when you have become a runner????

When you decide to risk it all no matter how bad it feels, just to get a run in.

Thanksgiving Day....my dad and I hosted our own little turkey trot..I didn't feel 100% but I gave it my best and did pretty well, I coughed the rest of the day! by Saturday I was feeling wiped out with all out cold symptoms and a terrible cough.

On Sunday I had six miles to complete, I made it two and walked home, I could not get a full breath without a cough that would make a smoker blush...and my whole body hurt

I rested and waited, the aches went away, and the sore throat also seemed to come and go pretty quickly, the cough the nagging old man, I have been smoking 10 packs a day since I was 4 cough......

Thursday I needed a run I was craving it and for the most part feeling better, so with the 100lb double stroller, two babies and the freezing cold I hit the rail trail for 3 miles.... Mile 1 13:35....and I can't breathe...what the hell????? Mile 2- 12:22 and I feel like I am gonna die....mile three was un timed because I had stopped my garmin and walked trying desperately to fill my lungs....my run was sucktastic and I figured it had more to do with the stroller than anything.

Yesterday morning I woke up and begin my hacking and wheezing and coughed up (Sorry if it's TMI) green and yellow....I threw in the towel and headed for the doctor!

12 mins after he begin listening to me I was having a chest x-ray...
5 mins later he told me I have Pneumonia!!!1 #$%^&*&^% WHAT??????

I have never had this before....his response "yeah well it kills people so you should probably take it easy and rest, rest, rest" uhhhh have you met me before that's not really an option with three kids, a dog and a variety of other excuses!!

his response "so you need a few days in the hospital for adequate rest??" uhh no thanks I will rest! When can I run???? his response "when you finish the anti biotic and your lungs are clear" WHAT!!!

Dude I am seriously having minor arrhythmia now...it's Saturday night tomorrow is long run day and I will be crying in my cereal when the rest of the crew takes off because I have to REST!! No physical exertion for 5 days!! and then we will re-evaluate...I really wanted to tell this guy to bite me....but I really did not want to go to the hospital!

Have you ever been sidelined?? How did you get three the crazy I can't do anything feelings???

100 Posts!! a give away and a challenge

2011-12-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

Holy Moly I can't believe I have written 100 blog posts!! I have been racking my brain for a fun celebration!! Don't worry I haven't come up with much!

I thought I would give away three surprise gifts!!

So you should follow this blog!!

Leave me a comment!! telling me that you do so

Give me a cold weather running tip....

and tell me which running gifts are on your Christmas lists!!

(separate comment for each please, but only if you want a chance to win stuff)

I will select three random winners (at random.org) on Tuesday Dec 6th!

We have had many exciting things going on in our "running household" Handsome has signed up for his first race..."The Monte Bell 25k" in march just one week after I complete what will be my first half Marathon "Virgina Beach Shamrock run" the training madness is about to begin!!

and now for a challenge....

Trying to get fit in 2012??? Me too!!

Join the runmommyrun...race series, all you have to do is run, tri or cycle at least one race per month for the entire 12 months of the year. It can be any race, any where, At the end of each month I will happily post all of our races in one spot. At the end of each month there will be a random winner of something... could be a GU, could be a tough chik t-shirt, recovery socks, or maybe some nail polish!

Leave me a comment or send me an email and let me know if your in! I will begin making a list of all of us snazzy racers!

That's a lot of comments to leave........go!!

Oh yes we did!!!

2011-11-15T20:26:00.001-08:00

I totally owe you guys a Richmond 8k recap!!

Let's just say it was a blast in a half and I met all of my goals!! I promise a recap before the week is out.....

I also promised my kids this.......

and that is "Denali" we picked her up post Richmond running on Saturday....I must be a glutton

for punishment a five year old, a three year old, a six month old and a 7 week old puppy!!! What the hell was I thinking??? I need to run more.....but so far she is pretty adorable and with that said here are some really cute pictures...honestly it doesn't get much cuter!

RICHMOND RUNNERS!!!

2011-11-08T05:06:00.000-08:00

Who's going to be in Richmond (cause it's only gonna be the most happening place on the east coast this Saturday)

Which race??? ( Yes I am looking to stalk the majority of you....only in the best way possible)

I am doing Mama's redemption, post baby, working on getting that body back....8k!!!! (Also read as first Race post baby)

I would love to cheer on some of you other runners/ bloggers :) (maybe even get your autograph or swoon over your awesome quads)

Or meet you at the expo...or anywhere in between..(.be fore warned I will be toting 3 little animals and one big one with me.....3 babies one husband = 4 animals) :)

Let me know!!! (did I tell you we are going to get a puppy after this race?? what was I thinking???)

Had a stellar five miler on Sunday(missed my time goal by 1 minute ).....feeling awesome heading for race weekend!

Hope to see some of you!!!

This was Random thoughts Tuesday...brought to you by me :)

Friday Five!!

2011-11-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

1. Killer runs- I have been slamming down some awesome runs lately!!! Last weekend through the rolling hills of Charlottesville Virgina,My Dad, Handsome and I completed four in 44 minutes...don't laugh I know it's minimal for so many of you but I am coming back after baby and this was my fastest and furthest...since I rejoined the ranks of running. I was proud and my quads hurt so good from those fantastic hills! My dad was faster, and handsome went on for 2 more after me...but it was awesome to have them out there.

2. Handsome running-back when I originally got into running, handsome said he never would. He said "it's boring, I can spend my time other ways, but I will always be supportive of your running" Handsome enjoys hiking and biking and now he is killing runs!!! I don't know what changed his mind and I am a little jealous of his stellar runs like 4 miles in 30 mins after 2 months of running or 6 miles in 46 mins, but I won't complain I am glad he sees the addiction, I might even get him talked into a race sooner or later :)

3. Papa running- My dad, said to me "we should do a race together" he had no idea I would take it to heart and sign him up, buy him running clothes and tell him he had 7 weeks to be at the start line....yup the very next day after he said that, I rushed right out found a race and clothes, and now we are running the Richmond 8k together! It is my first race after baby and his first ever I am pretty sure! We are stoked!

4.Richmond- Yup 1 week and 1 day to my comeback....I am sooooooo excited I always loved races even if I will never win one they are thrilling, and exhilarating and help feed that sense of accomplishment! My goals...

#1 goal-to finish....even if I have to crawl my way to the end
#2- to run the entire time...no walk breaks
#3- to finish under 1 hour this is totally doable if I accomplish # 2
#4- Enjoy every minute and remain hooked on running :)
#5- be all matchy matchy and cute in my running gear

5.-It's Friday!!!- whooooopppp love me some Friday!! 5 year old at a sleep over, 3 miles on the training plan this evening and flu shots tomorrow.....alright so my life is not so exciting but at least it's the weekend!!

A big shout out to all you RACERS!!!!!! have fantastic runs, may you be light on your feet, and have wind beneath your wings!!

A day in my Life.....

2011-10-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life gets crazy (or all the time if your some of us) sometimes there is so little going on in life, sometimes it's so much you can't keep up your own juggling act...my life is very day to day, and I am in love with it! Would like a quick peak??

6:10 A.M I wake up to nurse sweet baby number three! As much as I would like just a few more minutes of sleep I know there is going to come a day in the not so far future when I will wish for a baby to wake me up cuddle in my warm bed, and smell her adorable little baby head...we both nod back off for a few minutes and the alarm goes off at 6:30 hubby jumps up for work and I slowly get myself going!

Letting #3 sleep while I shower, dress, and doll myself, for a day of mommyhood!

After hopping out of that ever so quick...ugghhh how am I already behind for the day, shower I mosey down the hall and wake up #1 and #2 to get dressed for kindergarten and pre-school...they are not fans and constantly roll over and whine "I amm sooo tired!!!" to which I say "if you don't get dressed now you will have to eat breakfast in the car" they slowly shuffle about while I get #3 diaper changed and dressed, then work with #2, she is three years old and still can hardly manage to get her shirts off in the morning and the poor chick is like molasses in winter time getting dressed, I then encourage #1 to hurry hurry as she gets her school uniform on! We brush hair, brush teeth and scurry downstairs for breakfast, juice and coffee!

#1 and #2 eat/watch a few minutes of toons, while I make coffee make sure we have all we need for the day and then begin to fuss for everyone to get shoes and make it to their carseats..it's 8:30 I hear myself say for the 30th time and we have to go now! #3 gets shoved in her carseat and we fly out of the door and in to the van, after we buckle everyone we are off...

9a.m. thing one is dropped in the drop lane for a full day of kindergarten

As soon as I drop her I make that ever important target run, because lord knows we are out of just about everything! Rush through target forgetting most of the stuff we actually went there for, only to land at dance at 10:15 for #2

from dance we hurry stuff ourselves full of lunch at Panera..mmmmm yummy! Mommy grabs a quick cup o' joe and we rush #2 to school, #3 screams all the way there as she is fed up with the carseat and hungry again...
12:30-now that I am down to one kid I hit the grocery store, go back to target, the post office, run home shoot off a few emails, try to help my Mom with sharing calenders on outlook and realize I better make dinner now or it will never happen tonight!
2:00-I throw together a quick casserole and some brownies for good measure, change #3, nurse her again and back to her car seat, we pick up #2 and scurry to pick up #1 rush them home, unload and bust out homework! Handsome leaves right from work does his run and gets home to take over while I do my run...
5:30-while I run handsome feeds the girls and helps get #1 ready for dance, I get in and scarf my food and take #1 to dance!
7:00 we return home for the evening and everyone enjoys a quick snack

7:30-quick baths, pjs, books, and tucked in girls, I make lunches, pack snacks, clean the disaster that our house has become and prepare for morning
9:00- plop down, send out emails for book club, school board and playgroups, fiddle on facebook and order winter jackets.
10- quiet time with Handsome, before we both nod off 10 mins later :)

That's my life! It's not perfect, it's not always easy, but it's mine and I love it!!!

A whole lot of nothing!! and a blog face lift

2011-09-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Blogging???? whats that.....

It doesn't seem as if I would know!! My life is nuts, and the first thing that always gets cut is mommy free time! Which would include blogging, running, working out in general.

I know, I know, people have been telling me for five years that putting me first is the best thing I can do for all of us, but my me first always turns into a piece of pie and watching a little trash t.v. before I conk out for the evening.

I am trying I promise, I have dabbled a little with running since the last time I wrote something, however I will be deferring my Baltimore running Festival Half Marathon until next year. It was too much too soon for this post preggo mama. I did however sign up for the Suntrust Richmond 8k and look forward to running it with my DAD!! It will be a great comeback race.

I am trying to take things slow and easy, and also incorporate better eating habits as mine have seem to have gotten lost at some point! My incorporation also includes more blogging. I am pretty sure I have said this like three or four different times in the last couple of months...right??

Don't fret I have still been lurking around all of your lovely blogs as you are main source of inspiration for me :) I also won a prize from the fantastic people at Nathan's today!!! and tomorrow I will be back with a running skirt review!!

May you all have a happy hump day run!!

What Have I done????

2011-08-07T19:29:00.001-07:00

I'm back from an extended vacation to the Outer Banks!! We had a great time and all of us are refreshed and relaxed! Handsome and I got to share a run while on Vacation and although the heat was killer it was nice to run with him as it rarely happens with three kiddos.....speaking of killer heat most days the heat index was between 105 and 115 on the beach!!!! Ouch, we found many alternatives to hanging on the beach everyday!

As we returned from vacation I took a long hard look at how I have been eating and exercising and the results are sad.....I know it was vacation but it was no excuse to over indulge in much to much junk....the time has come...

Tomorrow I begin counting calories, eating clean and Half Marathon Training......say whattttt....

You heard me, I ran out and signed myself up for the Baltimore running festival Half Marathon....uhhhhhh not sure what came over me, as I have not been doing much running, I have never completed this distance and I had a baby 12 weeks ago.....but I paid $98 flipping dollars to run this race and so I will train and do my best, my best will be to complete it still standing!!

I am excited, nervous and feel a little sick about the thought of running that far! But, I hope that as with any challenge I will relish in thought of doing what seems impossible....I have 10 weeks to make it happen....y'all better start praying for me now!

I also received an Awesome running skirt from Running skirts and compression sleeves in the mail to review!! So excited!

For now I am headed off to bed..up bright and early to kick off 1/2 training! and test out that skirt...come back and read all about it :) Have a great week everyone.

Cutie Cakes

2011-07-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!!!!

Does it get any cuter than this???

5, 3, and 10 weeks...I am over the moon in love with these girls...they make my rocking world go round'....and make me a proud mama!

So proud that it has been driving my runs, I want them to be proud of there Mom and know that they can do and accomplish anything...

It's hot out there!! Holy moly 102 degrees before the heat index today!! I think an ocean swim might take the place of a run..... Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Vote for me!!!!

2011-07-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so I use to be a little bit of a party girl......and once I had a few drinks in me I would come up with all sorts of fun party tricks to do!

I also use to be a gymnast, and through college a Gymnastics coach....combining drinks and gymnastics could sometimes get well....dangerous but needless to say at a redneck bar in the middle of nowhere, I was incredible bored and stuck a beer between my boobs!! this lead to many comments and then....

I was then dared to figure out a way to drink it like that, and I would receive free drinks for the evening.....they did not know who they were messing with! (I never refuse a dare and I new I could bend and twist enough to drink it) It only took mere seconds for me to do a half back bend and drink down the beer....it stuck and I use to even have a rhyme for it!! LE SIGH.....

..... ten years later a hilarious blogger Beth at Shut up and Run decided to host a SHT contest..if you don't know SUAR you have been clearly hiding under a rock and should rush over to here blog (and vote for me) and read her stuff!! But back to me, she asked for Special hidden talents (sht)and like diarrhea of the mouth(beth knows alot about diarrhea)....I offered mine right up, forget that I have three little girls or that my Mom reads this blog....hi mom and sorry :) I proudly stood in my kids toy room, shoved a beer between my boobs and drank it for the whole blog world to see.....now could you please go here and vote!!!!

I ran two miles in the heat and rain....thank god for the rain....on vacation for the next 2.5 weeks and looking forward to some new scenery...how do you deal with this unbearable heat???? and don't forget to vote and check out the other freakish people with SHT, Amanda is totally kicking our asses...but she seem pretty cool so I might have to be out with that. :)

Dear Body..... (an open letter)

2011-07-08T05:04:00.000-07:00

I know you expelled a baby not so long ago (eight weeks today if you need exact measurements) but I waited my six weeks and even gave you an extra week before I tried something out...so my dear body why do you hurt so bad?

My abs hurt, my quads hurt, even my flipping head hurts....I know dear body we have not been friends lately I want to wear smaller clothes you want to look like a muffin, I put you through long hours of running after children and cleaning and don't always fuel you properly but do you really have to kick my ass like this?

I want to love to run again and after a short two miles you have made it difficult for me to even think about doing it again, as you had me on the verge of hyperventilating because your so far out of shape, I was jiggling all over the place, thanks to well the only thing that jiggles FAT and the sweat oh the salty burn your eyeballs sweat....I know I am supposed to sweat but I was unforgivably drenched after two miles

I also realize we ran, nursed, cleaned, nursed, did laundry, nursed, set up for little missy's party, nursed, shower (finally) nursed and then went to bed for 5 hours before getting up nursing and running off to swim lessons and then hosting a party for 15 five year olds........I get it your tired....but this is our new normal and your gonna have to meet me half way....k???

In the meantime I will try not to dwell on the things that jiggle when we are bouncing around or that we are only on five or so hours of sleep or whatever it is you don't like as long as you try to take some of the achiness away and make a little easier to breathe on our run this evening! I will even dress you in cute new running warehouse clothes that I scored.

Until then dear body...Know that I am not above an 800mg Motrin to treat your pains and I, simply put am unhappy with you....buck up buttercup your in for a long ride...

Happy FRIDAY everyone

hooooooooo leeeeeeeeeeeee yyyyyyy

2011-07-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Stickiness.....it is soupy out there today!! Yuck! Oh well I told myself sticky or not it was now or never!

I was staring in the face of the first post-baby run and it was scary....now maybe I am being dramatic, call it what you will but when I first started running I was doing it just for the hell of it.. and other than my Mom begging me to continue blogging (hi Mom) I kinda left running and blogging by the wayside when I found out I was expecting baby #3 but tonight was a watch out world I'm coming back kinda moment!!!

Here we go step by step:

Step one-go to local running store (Pacers Alexandria ROCKS!) and get new shoes for post pregnancy fat foot syndrome!

Step two- fret about how much money you just spent on yet another pair of shoes

Step three-hop over to Running warehouse and clean up on an awesome sale they are having

Step four-fret about how much money you just spent on running clothes then be happy knowin at least they are all matchy, matchy

Step five-hop around blog land for a couple of hours/minutes and get all inspired and stuff

step six- shwe hubby all your new loot and get the "you better use all that crap that you already have but wanted new" speech :)

Step seven- play tag with your kids for 20 mins and realize how far out of shape you actually are because your 5 and 3 year just kicked your ass playing tag

Step eight- make it very widely known around your house that you are going for a run tonight come hell or high water.....

Step nine- put all that running junk that you bought in a place where you trip over it until you put it on your body......and then give up and put it on

Step ten- go out and enjoy the burn baby!!!

It was not a glorious or glamorous run, but for two miles and 24 minutes I was alone with my thoughts and my baby flab and my tired sore ass but I did it!! and I did it for me and it hurt and it was long but it was done and I am .......

Happy :)

Turns out.....

2011-07-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

I'm still alive!!! It was a long 10 month hiatus with the exception of a few blogs where I complained about how cold or tired I was.

Do you want to see where I've been??

I grew this.....

Yup this is Miss Ryleigh Avelinn she was 9lbs 11oz and every bit of chubby and adorable!!! She is now 7 weeks and we are loving every minute with her!

But now Seven weeks has flown by and it is time to get my booty in gear! I'm ready so I hope to be hopping around to everyones blog and catching up!

The next blog you read will be about my first post-baby run!!! Wooot

5 Things I really want Friday....

2011-02-11T05:33:00.001-08:00

It's Friday and I should be totally tickled pink right......but as part of my winter blues fest I woke up wishing for these things in no particular order!

1. I wish it was 95 degrees outside and all I had to worry about was packing a healthy lunch to take to the pool

2. I wish I did not have to go into the next room and wake a sweetly sleeping 4 year old who has no desire to go to school and would be super excited if I told her we were getting up to go to the pool.

3. I wish I would have bought a car with a remote start...I bought my van in the middle of June I wasn't exactly thinking I would need this particular bell or whistle

4. I wish I could drop everything and run for miles and miles, running through peoples sprinklers to stay cool....

5.I just wish we could get above 30 is that really so much to ask!

I am over you winter!! soooo far over it, now I must bundle up said four year old and haul her cranky ass to school, I know I can't really blame her I would rather be on a tropical island or under my blankets then head out to the artic tundra that has become Maryland but alas...life must go on....Hurry summer hurrrryyyyyyy

My mini Marathon---does not include running

2011-01-12T05:35:00.000-08:00

In this house we have had a big looming problem for quite some time! I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old who end up in our bed by midnight every night!! We have a King size bed but little monkeys who lay body parts all over you all night has just become a major annoyance, especially with my ever growing belly.

Last night was the night, Handsome and I set up a plan said we would have to stick to it no matter what time of night! This habit has to be broken, especially before we have a newborn also waking us.

7:30- girls in bed asleep....ahhh quite time

9:00 Itty bitty looses paci, we quickly replace and she is back asleep

11:30-we finally turn in for the evening

11:40- Itty bitty starts to fuss...I calmly lay her back in her bed and tell her no mommy's bed...but we love you kiss her and walk out

12:30-howling shrieking screams from Itty Bitty's room.... I calmly go in tell her to lay down kiss her and leave.........ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE

12:30-2a.m.- Itty precedes to scream whatever words she thinks will bring either Handsome or I into her room....it works a few times like when she was screaming "Ouch"...."I need a diaper change"...and "help me mommy" We quickly realize she is indeed fine and wants our attention....when did two year olds get so smart?

2a.m. the house finally falls silently and we turn in again

2:30- I feel little eyes and hot breath upon me.....this time it is little miss...she proceeds to tell me "I just can't do this tonight I will try tomorrow"...to which I promptly lead her back to her room wipe her tears kiss her and let her know to stay in her bed.

4:30- "mommmmyyyy...." Little miss again...I just can't do it she exclaims at the top of lungs...to which Itty begins to scream.....I give everyone a reassuring pat tell the to lay down and get to sleep...and return to my room

6:30- I wake to Itty sitting on top of me saying..."hi mommy" and little miss dancing around singing "I earned a sticker..." and a very sleepy husband trying to get ready for work!!

NIGHT 1 down....some of you Moms out there please tell me this passes quickly and they will sleep in their rooms all night long with no interruptions SOON!! It's hard to be strong in the middle of the night when I have to get out of my warm bed! Glad to have a two hour school delay this morning!! ay yi yi!!! It was two Tylenol and piping hot cup of coffee morning!!

Happy Hump Day!!

Three things Thursday...

2011-01-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

Two blogs in one week!!! totally on a role :)

Three things Thursday.....

1. Have you ever tried Cherry cordial Hershey kisses.....I accidentally tried one thinking it was holiday wrap and not an actual different flavor, holy moly they are so ridiculously delicious and this comes from someone who does not like Cherry anything!!! I have been eating them in copious amounts, no one else in my house likes them so I don't even have to share!!! I have a feeling I may soon look very similar to a Hershey kiss.....YIKES!

2. The holidays are over and it is still cold! I have a big problem with this, I like for the holidays to be cold even snowy, but once they are done we can go ahead and hit the 60ish degree mark and start heading towards spring. This frigid crap is for ...I was gonna say birds but they are the smart ones who fly south for the winter!

3. I ran/walked/jogged the other day...I wore my semi tight fitting Nike pants and an Under armor shirt, I loaded little miss and Itty bitty in the double stroller all bundled and off we went. Cars were slowing to stare at me, I was beginning to wonder if I had a hole in the butt of my pants or boogers all over my face, it is like they had never seen a pregnant lady run...much less a pregnant lady with two kids! I veered off and headed for the track around the lake as soon as I could it was embarrassing! Overall nice Walk/run though it felt good to be out there!!

`Hope everyone has a fabulous Friday

2011...Jumping back in...kinda

2011-01-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

HI BLOG LAND!!!!

It has been far too long!!!! I have recently been missing running, working out, blogging, racing and just doing something for me! This is not to say life has been bad or unfulfilling, just that it has been busy and I let myself fall out of making time for myself.

So the right and completely cheesy thing to do is to jump back in, right with the new year! SO now that the halls have been undecked and I have gone on my "we need to eat better binge" that I go on every new year....it is time for me to once again commit to myself! Don't laugh just yet! Last year I made it 8 whole months before falling off the wagon.....and I will blame it on being knocked up and not feeling well.

I thought if I start now and have the amazing support of the blogging community like I did before I can make it a whole year and run a half in the fall after baby GIRL makes her appearance in early May....until then I will walk, yoga, try to keep up with the mounds of house work that seems to be never ending and tell you all my dramatic ridiculous stories about it along the way! I know your excited!! Did I mention we are having a third little girl! yeah that's a story for another day all together!

Ok so anyhow to wrap this up! I am coming back, digging out the old running winter tights (I knew my pregnant ass is gonna look soooo hot in them!!) and I am gonna feel good again instead of feeling like I want to choke my kids and husband on a semi regular basis!

I hope the new year find all of you well and I hope to hear from all of you soon! and Mom....I blogged....happy reading!

Three fantastic things Thursday

2010-09-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday again!!! Woohoo I like Thursdays....it is the day I began a new week of pregnancy and it is almost the weekend, it is also the one day my kids or I don't have to be anywhere!! SO it's a good day all the way around. Oh and of course it is Three things Thursday..............

1. Has anyone seen the movie old dogs??? If not you have to watch it! If you have kids older than mine (so over 4) it is a pretty mild comedy with Robin Williams and John Travolta in it.....I laughed so hard I cried and my brother was barley breathing in some parts it was just that silly! I don't usually post anything about movies because it is not my thing, but this was a gut buster for sure!

2.My legs hurt today......should I be surprised? Probably not, it has been a short millennium since the last time I ran..it is the good hurt like "heeyyy remember these muscles?" My booty was sore last night, I asked for a massage but no takers...sigh I will never understand why everyone rejects Gallatea ...(a.k.a.....my butt) I know she is big, but she really is a good muscle!

3. Is really feeling like I am getting my groove back, I had a short run again this morning with both girls and now I am looking for some shorter races to do! I have my eye on the Suntrust Richmond 8k! It seems like the perfect distance and I have some friends that are doing it!....it was also named one of America's friendliest marathons and I would love to be around all the runners I have missed racing and starting to feel the itch....these are all positive's! Maybe now that the pressure is off to go faster (since I got knocked up) it is about just doing it, my mind is in a different spot and I think this is a good thing!!!

Ok anyhow itty bitty has stripped to nothing and is playing in her yogurt, I think child neglect has gone far enough this morning! Have a wonderful end of the week everyone!!

Changing my tune! and needing some advice

2010-09-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggers!

I know it has been a few weeks and I had promised to be better about running and blogging, but if I am being honest life has been very busy and both of those things got sent to the back burner.

Well, I got to thinking and I realized that I have forgotten to put myself first and how much happier everyone is when Mommy runs, I knew it would be tough to pick up and run again because running it just that.......... tough, but today after dropping Little missy at school, Itty bitty and I hit the trail!

We loved it! It was a beautiful 65 degrees and breezy and it was just a beautiful, but slow run, Mile 1 was 11:26 and mile 2 11:43 I am ok with this I will accept that I have lost considerable amount of fitness over the last few months, but as soon as I was done that euphoria, that high...the looking down at my calves and saying yeahhh baby all came back!

I should also mention I have to take things slower because we are expecting baby #3!!!! but I think this has also given me reason to get back out there and stay in shape...so this is where the advice comes in..I know many of you amazing runners were pregnant running mommies, what are your best tips???

Well that in short is a quick catch up as too what has been happening around this house! I have to run off and do something else before the day gets away! I hope all is well with everyone and school has been treating you well!!

back to blog land!

2010-08-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Ok well maybe I am back for a little bit...but I hope to type more regulary! Unfourtunatly my blogging has been as regular as my running. At first I was ok with not running but now I am starting to feel like a slug. I am starting to crave that runners high! I need it I want it!! Hopefully this pushes me over the edge and I will be getting back out there.

We are in the outer banks of north carolina! Enjoying the beautiful beaches and the cooler tempetures I think I should take adventage and get back out there.

I also have a bit of a delimma! Awhile back I had signed up for the Women's 4 miler! It was my very first race ever! and I had vowed to get back out there and run it again this year. It is a beautiful run and fills extremly fast. I was placed on a wait list and found out today that I have been given a spot! I have not been running but part of me feels like I could totally pound out four miles. Espically if I train smart for the next two weeks! Am I crazy or do I use it as super motivation?

I already know what most of you wonderful runners will say....but I would love to hear you opionin! I seriously hope to be a better blogger!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and I look forward to catching up!

Take care!

Three things Thursday...

2010-07-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Lordy lordy where does time go! I promised to return and all to quickly it is already Thursday!! So here goes three things Thursday!

1. My baby girl turned two this past week! I totally owe her, a blog post and I will have that up soon! But she is the most precious two year old, funny, sweet, smart and down right stubborn this little chick knows how to get exactly what she wants! I honestly can't believe she is two, the years have flown by and that makes me sad that both girls are getting big at a rate faster than I can explain! Oh the many adventures of being two!

2. We had a great time at Sesame Place we are blessed with amazing friends who also have awesome kids. I might be biased but these five kids behave so well, they took turns picking rides and things they wanted to do because we had an age range, the never asked for a single extra thing, like games and treats. They waited in line on a 100 degree day without whining..they were simply amazing and we finally convinced them that they really needed some Ice cream! So I never had to go all big bird on anybody and the extremely handsome husbands were actually very helpful and I think enjoyed themselves as well!! Even if they were checking out chicks while standing in line for a ride....I can't actually blame them here I was checking out this particular chick too...don't Judge!

3. Training is still minimal at best. I cannot seem to kick myself in gear. I will have one run here or there but I have zero motivation. I try every day to get myself psyched about going for a run and then I never get around to it, it drives me crazy but then I don't change my ways. I am unsure what to say for myself and I am hoping I can find my fire SOON!!! On a bright note I had a Dr's appointment yesterday after running up seven flights of stairs they took my Bp, heart rate and Oxygen saturation. My numbers 111/67, Hr 65 and ox sat 99% ummmm is it possible to be fit and fat? My doc said you've got Lance Armstrong's heart! Sweet how can I make it metabolize better?

I once again have a lot of catching up to do! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week! Stay tuned I have some giveaways and guests post coming up!!!

Three things Thursday...

2010-07-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

Wooot it's mini-Friday and more importantly Three things Thursday! So here are three things you know you were dying to find out!

1. My Vibrams showed up today.....hachichacha I am so excited and yes you say that ha-chi-cha-cha, I hope to get a few miles in them tonight! I went completly barefoot on Tuesday night and got caught in a storm, the wet pavement and my little tootsies were not a good combo! I had quite a few blisters! Ouch! But, running in the rain is AMAZING!

2. Itty Bitty had her 2nd birthday party today! We celebrated at the pool with our dear friends and had a great time! It was hot the water was cool and the kids were fun! But, I have about 20 cupcakes left over and I should have just thrown them in the pool because I love them!!

3. The bestie and I decided we would take are five ~~monkeys~~ beautiful children and are extremely ~~unhelpful when the kids go nuts~~ handsome husbands to sesame place this weekend. Y'all better start praying now...pray first that the husbands survive they will be the first two to feel Elmo's wrath when things get sour... Pray secondly for the kids, that when they start acting up I won't go all big bird on their asses...and then you can pray for K and I in hopes that we will not use our 1/2 marathon training and run and run and ruunnnnnnn....far far a way. I kid I kid I am almost positive this is the only family I could be around day in and day out and not contemplate how to drown them in the water park. But, maybe you should all pray that we just have a safe and fun trip!!

Every on have a great weekend, I may not make it back to blog land before we leave tomorrow! Stay cool this weekend! and Go racers go!

Five fingers darling--and where have you been?

2010-07-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

Alright I know I have been a horrible blogger recently in fact terrible blogger and commenter! Sorry guys to say our summer has been busy would be an understatement! I am sure you all understand, and I know your better then me and get your posts and your runs in!

Anyhow my running has been spotty at best but I have decided to crack down this week, we are ten weeks from the Half and I really am out of excuses! This weekend we went camping and all though my miles were slow and hot I Pumped them out and it felt good, minus the smelling bad because I would not take a shower in a public shower part....what I had deodorant don't judge!

Last night I ordered these babies!!! In Fuchsia...yeah PINK!

I am so excited to get them...wooott...I like barefoot running, it is a new challenge and that always keeps me entertained. I am just afraid of the yuckies around here. (yeah I said yuckies I am the MOM of two toddlers what say you?) So I thought I would give these a whirl, I would love to run the half in them. Did I just hear myself post a new goal?? We will see.

Anyhow, all is well and I am not dead, I have been creeping around in little bits on blogs but not commenting! I will be around I promise! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!

Happy Birthday Baby

2010-07-10T05:51:00.001-07:00

Izzy at 9 months

Happy fourth Birthday Baby!

To my sweet Isabella!

Where does time go? I was pretty sure five seconds ago I was deciding I wanted to have a baby and today here you are and your four already! Can we just freeze frame? can we stop time? Please? I can't help but notice how much you have changed this year and how you have gone from baby/toddler to kid!

Here is a few ways I would describe you.

Sweeter than a cupcake

Stronger than an OX

More stubborn than a Mule

Filled with sunshine

a total goofball

kind, caring, and loving

Total drama queen!

As smart as a whip

You are beautiful, and smart, you tend to know what you want and pull out all the stops to get it, even if that leaves me pulling my hair out. You have got to be the best negotiator in town, I am almost certain if the ever find Osama Bin Laden they will call YOU in to negotiate with him. (don't be scared, you will win) I think it is beyond adorable how you dress up in fancy clothes and parade around like a princess, mermaid, queen or Mommy.

You and Payton are completely insuperable, you girls play, laugh and giggle so much sometimes that I wonder how long it will last before she is stealing your clothes and you are tying her to chairs. You mother her, comfort her and love her and she looks to you when she needs something, it is often hard to believe that you are only two years apart in age.

Your love of movies comes from Daddy, you two can eat popcorn and watch movies for days! You are funny you will watch a movie once and then reenact it, turning everyone in the house into a character! Daddy is always the hero, you are always the damsel in distress, sissy is always your little minion and I always get to be the villain! I guess that's fair...and I am not bitter about it at all.

Your drive and determination is something I hope you never loose. I wouldn't be shocked to find you trying to turn water into wine and not giving up until you do it.

Your a fine little girl and we wouldn't have you any other way, you have turned from shy little sweet baby, into sweet not as shy big girl! Your laugh is contagious and can get an entire room full of grumpy people laughing hysterically, I hope you always chuckle like that!

May you continue to grow in grace and beauty....and less drama, your a wonderful sister and daughter! We love you more than we can tell you in words and hope you have a fantastic Birthday!

Love always,
Mom

Back at it!!!

2010-06-30T04:29:00.000-07:00

Last night was my first run in twelve days!!!! it felt.......goood!

It was hot, but not humid, this is a super bonus this time of year, my training plan called for a 3 mile run! My only goal to run the entire time! I picked a new route as to not get bored and dread every inch of it! It worked I was totally distracted with the hopes that no one would jump out of the woods and steal me, as the path I was on was backed directly to the woods.

I ran all the way to a local grocery store and back...I felt like laying on the road and dying when it was over.

A few things I noticed:

I am back to being really freaking slow, I mean I ran the entire time but I barley got my pace below 11:00 and that was just occasionally.

If you are at all semi-violent, setting your garmin to beep when you drop below a certain pace or heat rate is a really bad idea....my garmin is lucky to be in one piece today

Dumping water on your head mid-run feels so completely awesome

Flipping Mosquitoes need to leave me alone, I barley can put one foot in front of the other and there they were sucking more life out of me!

Mosquitoes is really hard to spell!

A dude in his mini-van yelled "don't sweat baby, just work it" and I was disgusted.

Bikers need to recognize just sayin'

my kids were excited that I was going for a run, not sure if it was the popcorn and movie daddy was gonna do, or the fact that I am a nicer person when I run.

Did I mention I am nicer when I run?

Is nicer a word?

Oh anyhow I need to fuel better and drink more water

I felt like Jalapeno and black bean chips were the best post run recovery

followed with a cup of coffee!

All these things are very random things I noticed, this is why I love to run! I go off into a different world and my brain is far into la la land....other than the huffing and puffing that still registers!

Tonight, speed work! 5x400's with a mile warm up and a mile cool down! Sweet! The weather awesome, 80 with no humidity, I could live outside in this weather!

Happy Hump day

1/2 Marathon traning kickoff..........a hike!

2010-06-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

Here we go here we go again!!!

Today I kick off my training for the Wilson bridge Half! I need this, I need a solid you better run this many miles today or else!

Things in the running department have really been lacking latley but I am about to change all of that, I woke up pumped and ready to go today, when I opened my training log it was strength and stretch day! bummer I was totally stoked to run, but I guess that just means tomorrow I will be double stoked?

Anyhow, yesterday we decided that working around the house was really getting on everyone's nerves and we all needed a break. Handsome, decided driving about two hours north west to Skyline drive, might be fun. I was game and so were the kiddos. We grew up in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains about 45 mins from them and when we were teens we would always go for a hike or to watch the sunset or a picnic. Living in suburban southern Maryland there is not much in the way of scenery and we miss that.

Anyhow upon arrival the girls proceeded to run like crazy chicks! I finally got them to stop for a picture

After handsome talked to a ranger to find out how difficult the trail was we set off for a .5 mile warm-up (or walk to the actual trail) but first we had to stop and stretch

Don't mind Handsome he is a goofball!!

We sauntered along for a while looking at butterflies and flowers, approximately ten minutes in both girls were tired of walking! ay yi yi this might be a long "hike" After an hour or so we were pretty hungry and stopped for lunch

We convinced little missy to walk a for a while longer and we would alternate putting her on our shoulders and having her walk! The views at the top were breath taking! But by then 2 miles into the hike, the girls had just had it! and they both wanted daddy, so Handsome being the super dad he is hiked like this for more than 30 minutes...uphill

good thing he is super strong, had they been stuck with me they would have gotten left behind!

We stopped for a break right at the end to eat an apple!

and to attempt family self portraits

well we tried!

We managed 4.17 miles with the first two pretty much up and the second two mostly down, we ~~dragged~~ encouraged the girls to walk as much as possible but being 2 and 4 they did pretty well and got carried at least half of it!

Did I mention it was 100 degrees, with a heat index of 105 and a code orange air quality day? Gatorade and Popsicles never tasted so freaking good!

and I figured it was a good way to kick off 1/2 marathon training.

Hope everyone had a great weekend I promise to make my way around to check in on everyone soon!

Erica-ology

2010-06-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

In effort to spare you for my excuse filled blog post of why my running has been scatterd I have copied Jamoosh at last mile lounge and done the Ology thing...really it is better than reading how freaking hot it is and how much of a wuss/couch potato I am....I will be back when I actually make more progress on myself! But for now...Enjoy!

FOODOLOGY

Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?

A. a teensy bit of raspberry vinaigrette on the side please

Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

A. Chick fil a and lately chipolte

Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

A. The melting pot!

Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?

A. 20% or more depending on the service

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?

A. Strawberries and chocolate

Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?

A. very light sauce, cheese and sometime pepperoni (are gathering how picky I am yet?)

Q. What do you like to put on your toast?

A. a very thin peanut butter layer

Q. What is your favorite type of gum?

A. ??? uhhh what ever I can salvage from my toddler's hands?

TECHNOLOGY

Q. Number of contacts in your cell phone?

A. 78

Q. Number of contacts in your email address book?

A. a billjillion ten? I don't know and I sure as hell am not gonna sit here and count

Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?

A. my cutie pies

Q. How many televisions are in your house?

A. Two

BIOLOGY

Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?

A. Right

Q. What’s your best feature?

A. ?don't they know chicks hate these questions, ummm maybe my long golden locks?

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

A. I had two humans removed from it

Q. Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?

A. Smell, probably why I am such a picky eater

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?

A. 6 years ago it was my one and only ever!

Q. What is the heaviest item you lifted last?

A. hmmm how about both laundry baskets and my kid going up the steps (my husband hates when I do this)

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

A. yup....bad gymnastics story here

BULL[CRAP]OLOGY

Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

A. No I am way to much of a spaz for that

Q. Is love for real?

A. yes my smoochie woochie buggy bear.

Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

A. Lolo Jones

Q. What color do you think looks best on you?

A. hmmm now that it is summer and I am no longer being mistaken for an albino I kinda like yellow and white

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?

A. yes gross, I had to tell my brother to stop using soda cans, to spit his chew in....yeah I just gagged too

Q. Have you ever saved someone’s life?

A. I have performed CPR before and the person lived, does that count?

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?

A.I don't really know and I can't think of a smart ass comment here

DAREOLOGY

Q. Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?

A. sure, and then nobody would ever dare anyone to do it again it would be so horrifying!

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000

A. No it is my favorite finger

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?

A. Yup....I could come back under an alias

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?

A. no way I don't need money that bad

Q. Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?

A. hhmmm sure, I got plenty of books to read

CURRENTOLOGY

Q: Missing someone?

A: I always miss my family!

Q: Mood?

A: lazyyy

Q: Listening to?

A: Hello Kitty (it's a movie)

Q: Watching?

A. My kiddo drift in and out it was a long hot morning at the pool

Q: Worrying about?

A: nutten honey..............ok I take that back, I worry that I need to get off my ass and run more because I have been slacking in a bad way.

RANDOMOLOGY

Q: First place you went this morning?

A: to the coffee pot

Q: What can you not wait to do?

A: go on Vacation!

Q: What’s the last movie you saw?

A: I love you man

Q: Do you smile often?

A: smile, smirk same thing right?

Q: Are you a friendly person?

A: usually

Q: Now that the survey's done what are you going to do?

A: prepare supper.....I lead an amazingly complicated life, wake up, eat, go to the pool, eat, come home, blog, eat, go back outside, go running, sleep...I know you wanted to know all that randomness!

Now run along and re-post and have fun!! Promise to be back with a running post soon!

Your a Dude...I mean Dad

2010-06-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day!!!!!

Handsome and Handsome Dad

See these two dudes? Yup that is my Dad and my Husband...on our wedding day! They danced we laughed and my mother said to me "they are so much a like" to which I snickered "I don't think so"......boy oh boy I was so wrong and she was so frickin right!

But you know they are a like and although I couldn't see it then I love it now. These two have got to be the best Dad's out there.

They are hysterically funny (even though sometimes this causes more eye rolling from my Mom and I then necessary)

They both agree "money does not in fact grow on trees" and "Young lady" is a term I knew and my girls now know as "oh crap, I had better stop rolling my eyes"

and they both need beer to do housework or yard work....make it icy cold too!

they both would agree (although maybe not admit) that a little ribbing to get the gang to laugh is ok (even if it means your in trouble with your wife later, they know we will forgive them!)

they distorted funny faces they make are more gross than funny

They both are hardworking,kind, loving, patient, and sweet.

There is a calm quietness about both of them, I think a meteor could be headed straight for us and they would both be kicked back...watching everyone else flip out!

They are both the best dads I know!! they take time with their children, to love them to teach them and just be there for them. They would do whatever it takes to make sure their families were cared for...even if it meant walking on hot coals.

They are both adventurous, as much as they are laid back.

They both know very well when to bite their tongues and they are strong!

The love I have experienced from these two dudes, is more than any girl could ever ask for and for my little chicks they have the best daddy and Papa any one could ever get.

In the end even if I hear for the rest of my life "they are so much a like" I will just nod my head and say "yup" because deep down I know I would not have it any other way

Thank you both for being the Best Dad's and Grand-dad's out there!!

Three things Thursday...

2010-06-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

How is it freaking Thursday already?

1. I got up bright and early to go for a run....on my way out the door at 5:45 I called my Mom and told her to get moving...she needs motivation and some self belief we are here to give it to her! It was a lovely run, I am a wimp in the morning and getting my pace under 9:30 just could not be done for more than 10 seconds at a time..at two miles I was done...but I ran those entire two miles! Tomorrow I will double it to four!

2. I am getting up at the Ass crack of dawn to run because...although still obnoxiously humid not nearly as hot, and all races are ran in the morning and I am hoping this will acclimate me to be a better runner/racer in the morning, especially for the half.

3. Tell me running buddies, the first time you signed up for a half/full Marathon did you begin to seek out 13.1 miles everywhere you went? On my way home from Virginia I could not stop doing this, I would see a landmark and drive, and at 13.1 miles so holy crap that is a really long way what the hell was I thinking? I am somewhat obsessed...maybe this is a good thing, maybe I will actual train really hard ...mostly because I do not want to die at the ripe old age of 27....doing something I "love"!!! Sigghhhh this could be a very ~~long hellish~~ fun and fit 12 weeks!

Have a great weekend everyone! Go Racers go!!!

here goes nothing....

2010-06-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

ummmm I signed up for a half.....YIKES!!

6 months ago I was sitting in front of my computer deciding how I was going to get in shape and change my life! Now I am gonna run a half marathon!!

I won't say I was forced aheeeemmm but this is how the email from K looked

"I signed up for the Wilson Bridge Half....and your doing it with me"

in the next email there was a link to the registration page, you see most of you will say, "you could have just avoided her or deleted the email"...I see K nearly every day and she is an Attorney (I hear you shouldn't argue with law folk).....ummm I just went ahead and signed up!

Hopefully we can make friends with a doctor along the way so that when my heart stops half way through, there will be someone to save me.

I am teasing....kinda

So you blog peeps, better dig out the inspirational books and remind to suck it up when the going gets tough! We have 12 weeks.....hold everyone I am in for a ride....or a run!

Dog days............ bullet style

2010-06-14T04:55:00.000-07:00

-It was hellishly hot this weekend!!! Well, it was Hot but the with the humidity it was ridiculous! and I actually love heat! I am not complaining simply stating it was a very toasty weekend!

-I got out for a Friday evening Run.....it was 86 whne I headed out and my stupid Garmin was given me shit...I nearly tossed it in the lake....lately my Garmin(s) both for my wrist and my car have been given me trouble! Anyhow my goal pace was 9:30 I was going a quick two or three....I made it two and a half at about a 10:15 pace...I was dripping buckets and drank through my hand held.....I felt like a real runner when I hollered to a bunch of teens ahead blocking the sidewalk....."RUNNER ON YOU LEFT" they slowly moved...ding bats!

-Saturday found us working on the deck and playing in the backyard!! I dumbly decided that I was in my own backyard and playing with my kids, I could totally rock out a bikini....so I did I pulled out one of those cute ones that I have not worn since I was well "cute" and say like 21 pre-kids....I was having a good ole' time playing water guns with my cuties...when our neighbor popped in our backyard to talk to handsome! DAMN! I hid behind a tree pretending like I was hiding from my kids...I will never do it again...I totally have to run more! yikes! poor guy will probably never walk in our backyard again!

-Sunday was just a family fun day...we shopped went to the pool cleaned the house together and then sat on our beautiful deck and drank beer...yes I drank beer....as if the mommy tummy was not enough I now am adding the beer belly! Sigghhhh it was delightful weekend!

-I skipped tri-training or any "training" this weekend, I ate crap all weekend and did not give a hoot! I am ok with that today, I will run and swim and go to a birthday party and to Virginia!

-Major Kuddos to all you racers this weekend!!! It was Hot hot hot......have I mentioned yet that it was Hot?

Anyhow off to wrangle my dear hoodlums....Have a great week!

-

Three things Thursday...

2010-06-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

hmmmm I am feeling uncreative tonight so this will be short and sweet!!!

1. I love love love summer....have I told you latley that I love summer! Summer is when being a stay at home Mom becomes a really sweet deal....yes I do all the laundry, cooking, cleaning, running errands, bill pay, kid care on and on I do it all except make money...but now that summer is here my days of developing my children's lives are spent at the BEACH!!! yahoo we spent all day there with our dear friends and it was such a nice day!!!

2. There is nothing like a good song to make me feel my groove, or to turn around my mood...or to make me feel pumped....I am a total country music lover and I enjoy other music as well...ok I love all music but have our heard........"Lover, lover" or "I pray for you" you gotta check these out and my ultimate can't get enough of it right now is "hip to my heart".....even my kids can't help swinging their hips to these tunes!

3. I cannot believe I am about to admit this on my blog.....but latley Handsome and I have been back and forth, well really it is more me, I already know what handsome thinks....should I train for a late fall marathon (yes I said that a full freaking marathon) or add to our little family...I am torn! I really would like to have another kiddo....and I have been thinking for awhile the time frame I would like to be pregnant and have a baby would be this fall, being due late spring...but now I kind of want to do a marathon and I don't want to spend 16 weeks training and then end up pregnant.....I know these are selfish thoughts I guess I/we still have decisions to make!!

Look at these cuties in their Laken and Lila dresses!

Have a great Friday everyone!!

Barefoot ???

2010-06-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

Lately my runs have been going like this......I will set a certain number in my mind and take off...I will run a mile decide I can go on no further and walk..then run/walk, run/walk the rest of the way...ummm hello....six months into my new running "career" and I am wuss-sing out (I am not saying walking is a wussy thing, I am saying my mind is not strong enough to push through..calm down) it showed on Sunday at the race.

I was mad, and immediately wanted to run the race again. But, in my mind I knew I would have the same result. Monday I took a break and today I was still dreading my run..then a few things happened. I received Runners world in the mail! The awesome fit chick on the front was enough to send me into a tail spin...I saw the marathon training schedules and felt all sorts inspired....and I was a total grump all day....even handsome said "maybe you need to run" I quipped back a nasty "whatever".

Anyhow, my wheels started turning I thought "you know I really want to try a barefoot run" I live in suburban Maryland this would be a challenge if nothing else. I also just needed a short shake down run..and the weather was beyond perfect....ahhh the stage is set!

We put the kids to bed and I told handsome my intentions...(he has been wanting to try this for awhile, barefoot running.) "two miles?" he questioned...I said "yeah why not" I already have giant blisters on my feet from Sunday so shoes would hurt anyhow...and I was staying in the neighborhood so I could cut through on any of the paths and come home if it proved to be too much.

Anyhow, off I went...goal one was to run the entire time! No matter what...goal two not get anything in my feet! (ok well maybe that was goal one) so I was off! my initial reaction was that it felt so strange, I felt like my whole body was pounding the ground, the sound of my feet slapping the ground was odd....

then I realized about half a mile in that I did not have any of the foot cramps that I usually get in the first mile! Sweet! I hated that I had to watch the ground the whole time though. It was a dizzying effect for me...so I would scan and then look up, also I saw the occasional dead squirrel and my germ a phobe mind did not like that my naked tootsies when running right next to dead carcasses..but you know what

I ran two miles I never stopped and I think my feet loved it! I won't do it all the time but occasionally to mix things up I will be all over it!! If you have not tried it you really should it is a completely different sensation!

Thank you AngieB for your inspiration and suggestion! It truly was fun and I liked it much more than I thought I would. If you don't know Barefoot AngieB you need to check this chick out she is a superstar!

After this run I felt renewed, refreshed, my mind was clear and I was happy...I love when you run and you go to a different land...that is why I love running in the first place! and I am total running believer all over again!(not that I really ever stopped believing it just was blocked) When does this roller coaster stop? you know the ups and downs?(I might puke if it lasts much longer, I kid) Anyhow now I am out for 10k redemption.....Watch out!

My first 10k........zooma annapolis

2010-06-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

We all have those days.....those days where you set out to do something and it just doesn't go the way you planned.....at all!

Let me start by saying we had an amazing time! We were away for the night without the kiddos, and although I missed them cheering me on it was nice to have a short break! We had dinner with wonderful, amazing, silly friends, who we managed to laugh with for hours! Too bad, they know way more, about their crazy ass friends then they probably ever wanted too! It was still a great time!

Sunday morning wake up was an early 5 a.m. I had my awesome new "lu lu lemon" outfit ready to rock....I had my normal race day jitters and a fantastic nose bleed that left our hotel room looking like a murder scene (nobody be alarmed, I have nose bleeds regularly, I have a condition, and it particularly affects me in the warmer months!)anyhow we meet our friends and headed to the race! I wonder if our dear friends will ever ride with us again, as I am not so nice in the morning, nor does my brain work that well.

We arrived at the stadium with plenty of time to spare, thank goodness K brought bananas this chick is on top of her stuff....see above paragraph my brain does not work!

We got in line for the honey buckets, which turned out to be the hand washing station line so we cut a bunch of people but we didn't know and no one complained! ooopps that whole brain thing you see a theme here?

We went back and did more waiting, we said to each other " it was fine if we left each other" we got in the ten minute corral and found G, my sis in law (who found us really) we talked for a minute and then heard police escorts and we were off!

Mile 1 9:58

mile 2 9:59

water station...I decided to take water and tell K to go ahead....she is a super star runner who doesn't need much water, where I take it every chance I get....I walked through the station dump one cup on my head chug the other take off....

Mile 3: I am looking for K and G, K had on a pink shirt with a blonde pony tail....at an all womens race I was looking for a needle in a haystack! I thought I spotted her and then I felt and smelt a very familer taste....Blood I immediately shout "Crap" and cup my nose...I had not worn my fuel belt or any other accessory I had nothing and I sure as hell was not going to use my expensive lululemon cloths! in fact I leaned forward and cupped my face to make sure I did not get anything on my clothes.....I trotted up to a police officer blocking the road ... I said "I need tissues" through my cupped hand...he said "im sorry what" I uncovered my face and his look said it all, luckily there were medics less then 10 steps away, the patted me down with gauze while I sat on the side of the road...still being careful not to destroy my cloths. They insisted the "call someone " I looked at the guy and said "I am fine I have a condition, can you just get my some water to clean up!" they obliged although they were unhappy about it! I cleaned up dried up and took off once again Mile 3: 19:36

so there I was 5k into the race and 40 mins had gone by...my mental block hit me like a ton of bricks. With 5k to go I knew the girls had to be a good mile ahead of me and I would not be coming in anywhere close to the hour mark! I felt totally defeated and this is horrible when this happens! I would jog/walk the rest of the race...my mojo was gone...gone.... long gone!

I cannot completely blame my horrid performance on my nose bleed...if I subtract the time it took me to take care of that, my finish time would have still been an hour and 15 minutes! I have not been training well, and I have blowing off my long runs..I knew that going into this, but decided not to care...this is my fault I know that.

The course was beautiful there were a ton of amazing women out there! K and G did great and at the end of the day I still finished...nose bleed and all. I felt embarrassed immediately after crossing the finish line. Both about the nose bleed and finishing time...but I did and I am still doing my best to realize.....

A.there is nothing I can do about the nose bleed, they happen...next time I think I will wear my blood proudly it might make me look more B.A., given that I am not in brand new expensive gear.

B. I could have done better, and I know that, now I have to take a not so good race and let it empower me to do better, run more, faster, further! Instead of having the woe is me attitude or looking for excuses...I don't have any...I just need to be better!

I am ok with the fact that my finishing time was 1:22.21 I can only go down from here right...time down is what I mean!

lesson learned....and on tap for today?? Tri Training starts, today I start with a short swim and a short bike ride followed by a fun p90x chest, back, abs day....any bets on whether or not I will make it down the steps tomorrow?

All three of us after our 10k! Giant props to K as it was her first Race she is a total rock star...

K.......me.......G

Five Goal Friday and a few High fives....

2010-06-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

It's finally Friday
I'm free again
I got my motor running for a wild weekend
It's finally Friday
I'm outa' control
Forget the workin' (ahem or Mommy) blues
And let the good times roll.

Ok so not really, but I used to love this song.. but I should probably face the facts the my weekends aren't really considered "outa' control" anymore, unless you consider my two year old writing all over her self in dark green marker while I attempt to type this "outa' control"!

So today I am posting Five new or improved goals....yikes! I think I will try to do this each week but we will see how it goes!

1. I would like to Finish my Zooma 10k in an hour! I am not given myself an excuse but my running has been less then stellar latley...I still think it is possible!

2. I am signed myself up for a sprint tri at the end of summer....holy smokes I still can't believe I did that...I plan on starting training on Monday! Goal...just to complete it without collapsing!

3. I need to be nicer to myself! I am horrible about accepting compliments and I am annoyed by other people who do that, so I need to learn to accept them even if I don't believe them :)

4. Annoy....I let some of the pettiest things bother me....I have always been this way...it is part of my drama queen mantra....I am working on it...now I promise to work harder...

5. I really need to pick back up my two a day work outs! We have been slacking this week with p90x and I am a little annoyed that we are slacking on week 3, but we have not found the hour and 15 minutes it takes to complete each morning or night....I know we are lazy and working on it!!

Anyhow there are my five!! Post your Five too....and that way you can be held accountable :) by me!!! I kid

Also, High Five to all racers this weekend....I know I will see Genny (my sis in law) Katy (my bf) and Katie (a fellow blogger) at Zooma this weekend! and High five to my dear mother who will keep my ~~marker body artist~~ darling daughters while Handsome and I are at the race!! (I will pray for her)

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Three exciting things Thursday!

2010-06-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

Part two of my memorial day weekend stories will have to wait...It is

THREE THINGS Thursday

1. Last night, I was privileged enough to be able to meet Sarah Bowen Shea, one of the authors of Run Like A Mother. I did not make it in time to run with her, but I did hear her read, have my book signed, win a giveaway, talk to her, comment that I cannot believe how tall she is and meet other really cool running Moms! It was a Blast! and I will get to see her again this weekend at Zooma Annapolis(my first 10k race).

See what I mean by tall? or Maybe I am just super short! I had on 5 inch heels!

2. Hot hot hot weather! I have been trying to get acclimated to the heat and humidity but it is tough! I read that if you do your runs at a slower pace in the heat of the day for a few weeks your body will get use to it! I set out yesterday at 2:00 p.m. it was 91 degrees and sticky....I had the jogger and I made it 2.5 very sweaty miles....I did fine but my face it was so hot it was purple! Although, I have to say when I sweat that much I just tell myself it is the fat melting right from me :)

3. Our little garden is starting to produce....well produce! We actually had enough crop from it Monday to make a salad! It is so fun to grow veggies and be able to cook and eat them! The kids are in heaven when they get a crop and this makes me happy, I feel like this is one step closer to driving home healthy eating!

Little Missy harvesting her crop

Itty bitty and her carrot

Our "Garden" Salad! everything in it is from our Garden!!!

I hope every one has a great Thursday....I have another giveaway coming so keep watching!!

Versitile...I think so

2010-05-26T04:24:00.000-07:00

I am Beyond Versatile I just can't think up anything good right now! (what it is not the think on your feet award...ok or in three days award but whatever!)

I was tagged by the Fabulous Stacie at Impossible is nothing....and this week has been a little nutty but I am finally getting around to catching up...no doubt because of my 4:45 wake up call!

So here are Seven random things about me.....

1. Lately I feel like life is flying by....I mean was it not yesterday that I found out I was expecting our first baby and tomorrow she is being promoted to pre-k, now I know that seems silly to most but she has changed sooooooooo much this year, she shed her little baby layer and it turning into a kid. Also, for a shy little lady a whole year of school was a giant feat......and my second, my true baby is going to turn two....as I was watching them play out back yesterday I was wishing for time just to freeze....I felt like I would be sitting on my deck in 15 years just wondering where all the time went!

2. Speaking of time.....it is nearly June! and if there is one thing I love it is SUMMER.....I love the BBQ's, the pool, the beach, the late nights, the hot, sweaty, sticky feeling as soon as you walk out of the door, how acceptable it is to run around in shorts, and a bathing suit shoes or no shoes, how we can wake up and go wherever we please for the day..Popsicles, margaritas, saucy dates (with handsome of course) the general happiness of people, vacation.....I could keep going but I will spare you.

3. On a running note, I am learning more about myself then I could have ever imagined....the whole mental toughness thing has come a long way but I am still working HARD on it! I like to give up...

4. I was a Cheerleader in high school, and on the dance team in both high school and college....you would never know that right? shocking I know!

5. I have been to Europe, England in fact but not to London, I landed in London and then hopped a flight to Plymouth England (yup that is where the pilgrims sailed from) Handsome's submarine had just pulled into port and we had been married 7 months....he had been gone for 6.5....we spent 8 very ~~drunk~~ delightful nights ~~stumbling through~~ seeing parts of England most don't know about! However, the food was horrible, thank god for beer it was the only carbs I managed to consume on that trip!

6.My kids are cute...I am not biased, don't even think about suggesting it...here is an example

Little Miss

Itty Bitty

Freaking adorable...it's ok I already know!

7. I am getting horribly sarcastic about everything! I used to just do it to people I knew, now I do it to everyone even on the computer! It does not always come across so well....I think I better watch it people are gonna think I am a whacko, what you already do? why?

I am supposed to tag 15 people, but for about 1,000 reasons I am going to be lazy and tell you that I am probably the last person to do this out here in blog land and the first 15 people who read this can be tagged.....also my kids are on the verge of starving so that is my real excuse....I am sure they will devour what ever breakfast I go make them (somehow I dream these things up in my perfect world) hence the urgency here....no really!

Have a happy Hump day everyone!

say whattt she is B.A........?

2010-05-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

YEAH you know me (all you early 90's folks need to resist the urge to shout "I'm O.P.P) I spent the day obsessing about how I ran yesterday, how bad it sucked, and how bad it hurt! I was terribly defeated yesterday afternoon. Last night hubby and I did an hour and half of Yoga "X-STYLE" and it was killer and felt good all at the same time!

Today I wrestled feelings of being down, to quitting running to wondering why I ~~torture~~ treat myself with p90x and running. I wanted to give in and give up be done with it all, so you know what I did? I freaking went running!!! I had to prove to myself that I love to run and it makes me feel good, and it pulls me out of my incredible funk....and so what if my legs hurt, that is the life of a fit chick right?

Sorry I got excited, it was just a quick two mile shake down...a calm, confident, albeit hot and humid your a Bad ass runner shake out! 2 miles in the dark 19:49! I felt as if I was melting and I loved it!

Now the sad part....I still have legs and Back p90x to do :( But I am happy and pumped even! and Tony Horton your ass is mine tonight pal! I love a good run that can turn your whole day around!

Two things I forgot to mention yesterday while I was in my ridiculous slump!

I would like to welcome my New ADORABLE very chubby Niece to the world! Lochlyn Grey was born this past Friday coming in at 9lbs 12 oz to her tiny, little, super model sized mommy! Way to go M.A!! we are all very proud of you! and are soo excited to meet Lochlyn!

and I hauled gravel for almost three hours on Saturday! Seriously don't think I could have down this five months ago...the dudes working on the deck were standing with their mouths gaping, they could not believe a chick could load a wheel barrel full of rocks and push across the yard, dump it spread it and do it again for three hours! Yeah I rocked it and got a great workout at the same time!!

Ok so here is to a good week, no more blahs, I am gonna try and crank out 20 miles this week!!!

Tomorrow I am back with the Versatile blogger award, if my legs can carry me down the steps!

uh oh another case of the blahs

2010-05-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

you ready for some whining?

Ok first off I have no idea what my problem is! I did not run at all last week (gasppp) I know it was killing me too. I got out one day and played with my Garmin for 1.5 but I did more playing less running!

Now before you get all crazy on me, I have been getting up every morning at 4:45 to do p90x, but I did not want it to take a toll on my running, and it is not the only thing that has stopped me! We have had family, bad weather, and a host of end of the year things going on...and I know these are excuses but I have been using them!

Today I enlisted a dear friend of my mine to hit 7 miles with me! We have a 10k in two weeks and I wanted a longer run. We met first thing this morning and hit the trail! Mile 1 and two were fantastic 9:54 and 10:22, and then I felt a very familiar pain creeping into my legs, so I slowed to stretch and walk for a second, mistake!!

I know when I stop cramps get worse I have no idea why I stopped, it was raining by this point I tried to Jog for a .5 mile more it just was getting worse! Poor K she got up early, came out in the rain only for her buddy to bonk on her! Not only was I have such intense leg cramps I was also having awful cold chills, like my skin was standing on end cold chills.

By the time we got back to our cars (with a total of 5.1 miles in 1:03) I was nauseous and dizzy, I couldn't decide on the ride home if I needed to throw up or just visit the rest room, my stomach was angry! Horrible feeling, and I still feel really guilty for quitting on K in the rain! I got home and looked up some stuff on cold chills, the first thing I found was dehydration, the next thing I did was weigh myself I was almost 3 pounds lighter than I was first thing this morning! Hello dehydration, no wonder I felt like crap.

All of this also means I did not participate in the Rock your socks 10k like I was supposed too :) Sorry TMB....I feel pretty defeated this afternoon! I will do my best to pick it up and get back out there tomorrow!

For now my recovery socks and lots of water seem to be doing the trick!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Three things Thursday...

2010-05-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

1. I hate you Alarm clock....before I decided I needed to be ripped, buff, hot, muscley, whatever else p90x BETTER get me, I woke up naturally! Now I here your obnoxious sirens at 4:45 and you are lucky your not on the floor in a million pieces.....and no I am not a violent person!

2.On the other Hand Garmin I love you!! But, I actually need to go for a "real" run instead of playing games with you! I know it is really fun to see how fast I can get you to beep at me and how high I can get my heart rate! At one point yesterday when my pace read 4:54 and my heart rate was 173 I was positive someone would have to read my Road I.D. and call the numbers, because I was gonna croak! But it was fun!

3. In general I am gloating (to my self of course) that I can feel every muscle in my body this morning! I sit straight I feel my abs, I stretch out for a kid I can feel my shoulders and back, I lift a kid and think "I could lift you for 15 reps and you would be the perfect weight!" P90x your taking over my brain.... Damn you Tony Horton the day I think your funny I will quit!

and one more thing this is just gross so be prepared

You think he has to walk around saying "it's not a tumaaaa?"

He must have been doing doubles or triples or well drugs maybe? I mean really that is gross and un-natural.....just sayin!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dear Body....

2010-05-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Body,

I am Sorry! Yes sorry that I woke your sorry ass up at 4:50 a.m. to do p90x! Handsome decided that it was taking up too much of our evening, so now dear body we are working it out in the morning!

I know you hurt, I know the thought of getting out of your nice warm bed, after being up with a little missy who had an accident at 2:45 is not what you were thinking you would be doing on this dreary rainy morning!

I however, am proud of you body, you held up, with eyes barley open you brought it! You loved the burn (or not) you listened to Tony's stupid jokes and you took it all in stride, at times you wanted to throw your weights through the t.v. but you restrained!

I know body you were longing for a shower afte rwards, but since this Mom gets up early her kids think they can also wake up early, so after our Ab ripper X workout, the sound of little feet was not a welcome one! I assure you I will shower you today! I promise!

You have to admit though body, it will be worth it in the end, and it was pretty funny when you crossed your arms in X fashion and told handsome to have an X-cellent day! Too bad you can barley lift coffee to your mouth! sigghhhh dear body, we will be ok and ridiculously ripped....because we Brought it at 4:50 this morning!

The long Race report! and other ramblings

2010-05-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been M.I.A with Birthday going on's and I had a slew of family visiting it was certainly nice to see all of them! and they kept my kiddos so Handsome and I could sneak out for a birthday date! We went to a cute little cozy restaurant here in town and enjoyed Champagne and Appetizers I really had a great day...

So on to the Race....Sunday morning wake up at 5:45, I really wanted to give myself enough time to wake up, fuel up, calm down and be ready, today was the day! I had been talking to my own brain all weekend. I continued to tell my self that all I needed was 9:45 paces to do this...this would be pushing it but to remember that burn feels soooo goood!

I couldn't even get my coffee down my throat! ugghhh so not a morning person! I gagged on a PBJ and packed some things thinking in a bit I could eat! I drank water hit the bathroom, loaded the car, kids and husband and we were off. We arrived at the race with plenty of time to spare...the weather PERFECT 63 and a slight breeze, I had not stressed about my outfit I just wore my favorite shorts and favorite brooks running shirt....Sorry TMB , next time I promise to be more coordinated. (If y'all don't know TMB you should click on her and be prepared for the most hip running fashions, she even gets her hubby to coordinate! She must have magical powers!) Anyhow I was comfy and there were sooooo many people there that I knew! I began chatting and then slowly feeling hungry! yayyy I was able to put down a banana and bottle of water with minimum gagging!

Handsome being the ever supportive, if not completely sarcastic ~~jerk~~ Gem that he is said "baby you do this in 30 or under or I won't come back to another race.." thanks for the motivation baby, remind me next time to leave your ass on the side of the road....we kid, we kid! Anyhow, he only gets away with such sayings because he knows that the only thing stopping me is my own brain!

We lined up I managed to get in the middle of the pack, the gun went off and we were moving, I left my Ipod behind, today I wanted to be in my own head talking to myself, you can read that as day dreaming because before I could come back to reality there was some dude yelling 9:25....when I awoke from my slumber/day dream I realized I was already at mile 1...I thought awesome totally on track I can do this now how do I get back to that dream world?

I came up on the water stop and needed a drink my mouth was soooo dry! So I grabbed water and stood for a second and then took off again... I stopped because I still have not learn to run and drink from a cup...that stop my friends cost me 21 precious seconds..

Mile 2 the little chick yells 20:37, I was getting stoked I had 9:20 some ide seconds to get the last 1.1 and still feeling great knowing I could sprint the last .2 to the line....then I hear "you guys know they saved the killer hill'S for last!" I thought no way, Southern Maryland is as flat as flat can be.....ummm except for Civista hill when I was at the bottom I thought oh crap....then my little brain said "hey just sprint it out baby" and that is what I did Sprint up, not so bad let it carry me down only to find I was at the bottom of a long incline up, craaappp ....ok slow and steady wins the race right? and that is where I saw them, two of the most muscular dudes I have ever seen, dying going up hill I thought I am gonna chick you two so bad that when I get to the finish I want to be able to point them out to hubby! So I passed them on the hill, they passed me on the down hill, I passed them again going up they jump a cone to pass me.....and we are .2 from the line and the clock says 28.52, I looked at one and said "see ya" my long sprinting strides took over...

I was positive I was going to puke, muscular dude number one stayed with my for about thirty seconds, as I crossed the finish Handsome was there yelling and cheering and so were my cutie pies....I looked at the race clock 30:45 is what it read...so I installed the Boston rule (they allow the extra :59 seconds on a qual time!) My official chip time was 30:21!! I say it was a great day! I was proud, and felt awesome after wards....I know many of you are thinking it was a 5k what is this chick going on about? I would just like to remind you in January I couldn't run a half Mile, and now I had just finished a 3.1 mile race in 30 minutes, it was such a powerful thought to see how far I had come, my paces were 9:47( my first race in February it took everything I had to stay with 11:30 goals) which was just off my goal....stupid water stop.

It was a PR by 3 minutes....I have been on cloud nine since Sunday!

ohhhh and I got a Garmin for my birthday, it totally needs a name! I will start taking suggestions and there will be a small prize for the winner! If one of the names is picked! Hope everyone is having a great week, I will be around to catch up on blogs soon....but please be patient I am busy training for my 10k in June... :)

PR BABY!!! mini race report

2010-05-16T07:56:00.001-07:00

Alright.......I finally did it!!! I have been saying for weeks my goal was to get a 30 minute 5k before I moved on to 10k!

I decided a time of 30:59 or less would make me happy (right that is the way Boston does it with the :59) So I am here to say I ca officially move on!

This morning's 5k was 30:21 ....and I still kicking myself for walking through the water stop! There were two killer hills at the end...seriously with less then half a mile to go the hills were daunting! I kicked it up the first one and crawled/rolled up the second, but when I rounded the corner with .2 to go and say the clock at 28:45 I knew I had a minute to sprint!!

I did it I did it...

Thank you for my birthday present running gods and legs.....I can say I am pretty happy!

More at a later time I got to get a shower!!

Happy Sunday looking forward to race reports!

right out the window....

2010-05-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome all new bloggy peeps! I am doing my best to get around to all of your blogs...let me know if I have not been by to comment yet!

P90x you could possibly be the end of me....although I love BRINGING IT every night to our workout, when I wake up in the morning your Total Muscle confusion leaves my body more than confused, it leaves serious muscle pain...still no laughing, coughing or any sudden movement of any sort! I was so excited to do Yoga last night, my thoughts were ohhhh an easy night! ummmm it was the hardest night yet, although the ommhhhhhhhhsssss at the end were rather entertaining! P90x I say you will be the end of me, yet I keep coming back for more! I better get ripped...like "oh my gosh, did you see how buff that chick is" ripped at the end....ya listening body?

and on a running note, I still have run every other day this week! Yikes and double ow...but I guess one thing cross training does is make me feel strong, I felt really strong on my 4 miler the other day. The miles clipped by, even if I was pushing both girls in the stroller, at noon, on an 80 degree day! It was fun! I felt like I was melting.....I mean I usually sweat but I had it dripping from the tip of my nose and I could tell I was getting a great workout! I consumed 50 oz of water on that run/ recovery!! Collectively my girls and the stroller way about 75 pounds, it was a challenge but it has been my reality this week as Handsome is working out of town and not getting home until late every night! I think it will prepare me for this weekends 5k, I will be with out my stroller and kids, so maybe I will fly and finally break that coveted 30 minutes! Actually anything 30:59 and below is fine with me! As long as I can say yeah I run a 30 minute 5k, I will be golden. It will be the best birthday present my legs can give me!

Tired of hearing about my birthday yet? I hope not we got 4 days to go and in case you can't tell I love birthdays. I don't care who's birthday it is, I just really like them and well I really like mine....especially since the only thing I asked for was a Garmin and to get my hair did...come on Monday!!!

and ohhhh right out the window...have you ever had a day with your kids, when you thought maybe I am not so great at this Mom gig! Take yesterday for example....

We wake up about 30 mins late...alright not to big of a deal I usually allow cushion time....note to self: everyone who lives in this house, self included moves at a turtles pace in the morning!

I realize we have 35 mins before we need to be in the car to get to pre-school, no one has had breakfast, is dressed and I am not showered...ummmm crap

When I start insisting that we eat now! All I get is whining, I don't like fruit (that is a lie my kids love fruit) I hate eggs (any other day they would be begging for them) oatmeal is gross (my kids eat oatmeal faster than anyone I know) so I threw fruit roll ups at both of them they were happier then a pig in shit! and I was so annoyed that I gave in to them....oh well I did not have time to deal! Fruit roll-ups have "fruit" in the name right?

The whining continued, all the way up the stairs to get dressed, somehow tank tops and skirts was not going to fly on a 50 degree day, but tank tops and skirts with jeans and a sweater over it made it out the door....I never ever want to hear my kids say "I can't believe you used to dress us like that..." I will forever respond "you dressed your own stubborn self like that!"

Anyhow the day continued Mommy could do no right....and the real kicker? I stepped on a crayon...it broke.....my three year old throws her self to the floor and shouts...."all these years I have taken care of you, and this is what I get, a broken crayon?" ummmmm can anyone yell out Dramatic? I honestly have no idea where she gets this stuff, I promise all of you I do not talk to her or play with her like that! It is a good thing they are both cute, they almost landed on the corner with a "free to a good home" sign yesterday!

and my Mother of the year award.....right out the window, oh well maybe next year!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

does anybody have a band-aid?

2010-05-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

.................cause I got all cut up!!!! Last night doing p90x!!!

Sorry for the dry humor I can't help myself! If you really knew me or handsome very well, you would realize we talk like this to each other on a regular basis! He will call me from work to ask "if I have my tickets?" when I say "what tickets?" He yells in the phone "to the gun show, I am on my why home to give it!"

I promptly emailed him yesterday morning and asked him "if he was ready?"

when he replied " ready for what?"

I simply stated "TOTAL MUSCLE CONFUSION!!!"

It's ok you don't have to point out that we are complete dorks! At least we laugh together right?

So P90X started last night!! Well really Sunday night, we took our before pictures, our measurements, and did the fit test! I will say I was nervous about taking the fit test, but was able to pass it with flying colors! Except the pull up part, I made it to a half of a pull-up...blah I will continue to work on that!

Monday night we started with chest, back and abs.....can we all say a collective owwwcchhhhh!!!

Our phone convo this morning went more like this "hey baby, are you sore?", to which he said "yep, how about you?" when I said I had to bring my hair to shoulder level to get into a pony tail, it was clear, that we are doing a good job getting cut up...in the mean time please don't make us laugh, cough or pull anything up!!!

I am proud of myself, back in January I would have never been able to even try this! Last night I swear it was pride and the tears from laughing at my super exaggerated and ridiculously strong husband that got me through the first workout! I am actually looking forward to tonight's Plyometrics workout!!

I unfortunately am too embarrassed to share my before photos but once I have completed a round and have something to compare it too I may be able to share the journey! We will see!

So y'all keep those band-aid's on hand, I am either gonna get all cut up or die trying!

Recovery Sock Winners!!

2010-05-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome all new bloggy reading peeps! I love that your here!

Thank you to all of you who entered! I wish I could give all of you a pair they are that amazing!!!!

I Picked number 17 because that is the day of my Birthday and my family's lucky number, it's the day my Mom and Dad were married, I was born, and my brother was born! This number pops up all over the place for us and we love it!

So lucky number 17 goes to Shelly at It's just one foot in front of the other!!

and then the second winner I picked at random

#9 is miss MCM Mama!!! Congrats to you both, I hope you love them as much as I do!!!

Please email me with your info at etgym@aol.com, I need your size, color you would like and shipping address!

Thanks again for everyone who entered! Stay reading there will be more giveaways to come!

SUPPPEEEERRR MOOOOMM!!

2010-05-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

WARNING* this could turn Sappy really fast so be ready!!

Happy Mothers day to all you wonderful Mom's out there! I am unsure what our world would do without all the super Mom's who make every day possible! Kids are the best gifts in the world! The last 4 years of my life as a Mom have been the best years of my life!

NO ONE....Brings me more

Joy

Happiness

Laughter

Tears

Frustration

Pride

Patience

Kindness

and general well being then my kids! The Challenge me every single day to be a better, more understanding, loving person, then I was the day before. I am honestly unsure of who I was before I had my little ~~monsters~~ sweeties running around! But, now I am positive of who I am and who I want to be!

You will have to excuse me....we were working with two sleepy girls and dead batteries you guys can imagine me with my eyes open right?

Yup even when my 3 year old Screams out that I "must have a giant Vagina" (you can read the post below this for the full story) in a public bathroom, I still love being a Mom and know every day there has never been nor will there ever be a better Job (even if I don't feel like this tomorrow, when they are both in the middle of meltdowns, somewhere deep in depths of my brain I know I am doing what I love!)

and they are also responsible for turning my into a running Mama! (well Kinda) I want to be in better shape and health for them, I want them to know they can do anything they set out too and I want to be around to see all their dreams and wishes come true, this in essence (and few extra pounds from pregnancy) have turned me into a running Mom!

Have I ever mentioned these two are Trouble?

To my Mom...you have always been my best cheerleader and my best friend! It is you I come running for almost always, you have the best advice, Love and patience any daughter can ask for! I am glad you are such a large part of me and my girls lives thank you for everything cannot, wait to see you in a week!

I am as good as Dead when Mom see's this picture! But I think she is cute!

and to handsome who really knows how to make a girls day (he got me p90x!!! yesssss) thank you for all the support and telling me I am not crazy even when I know I am!! I could have never asked (or created (yes I have powers do that!)) A better Dad, and husband for this family! You are my lobster .....bwhahah

Picking Strawberries for Mommy!

May all of you have a wonderful day and enjoy your mothers and your children! and yourself of course! As soon as my camera battery charges I will edit with cute pictures from strawberry picking we did this morning! Another one of my favorite things!!

Also Last day to be entered in the Recovery socks Giveaway!! Winners announced tomorrow

she is 3, and sooo lewd! warning bathroom humor!

2010-05-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

Y'all better brace yourselves! While shopping at Toys r us yesterday with my 3 almost 4 year old the following happened!

Little Missy says "Mom I have to pee!"
I replied "Me too"

We had just spent all morning at her spring carnival and we were at toys r us to pick a pool for her and Itty bitty to play in and some other fun water toys! I stop what I am doing and all three of us hurry to the bathroom!

Little missy hops up on the toilet while I change Itty bitty's diaper, after she is done I sit down to pee!

Little miss hands me one tiny square of toilet paper...to which I replied..
"umm baby mommy needs more toilet paper then that!"

LM "Why Mommy?"

me: "because"

Lm : "I only use one or two!"

me: "well I am bigger than you and I need more"

to which little missy then said in a very loud exaggerated tone!

"Then you must have a GIANT vagina!"

ummmmmm....I was 55 shades of purple. and laughing! she did not know what was so funny, I could not explain! I hid in the stall until I was 99% sure there was no body else in the bathroom! I then pulled my sunglasses over my eyes, continued to laugh grabbed a pool and made a bee line for the door!! What the hell? where does she get this stuff from!

Maybe next time I should teach my kids better names for their privates as to not be soo embarrassed when we are out in public!!

On a running note, I am running National police week 5k tomorrow! Hopefully, my Giant va jay jay will PR!

Happy Friday and weekend to all.....still laughing!

forgive me??

2010-05-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Please don't be mad.....I have been going two weeks strong! Two weeks with no excuses and today it happened. Today I excused myself from not running...can I explain? Maybe you will let me off the hook, I promise you, I will try not to be ~~dramtic~~ lengthy!

*Last night*
After enjoying a short run and a cup of coffee with hubby, I settled down around 11, no sooner did my little brain go to la la land, Itty bitty let out a shrill...(this is not uncommon for her in the middle of the night, little weirdo) about a minute later she was really freaking out, so I got up, as soon as I opened the door the pungent smell of vomit hit me in the face!! Poor baby was freaking out because she through up all over her beloved baby! and was still going but was really upset about the baby!

I yell for handsome, he started the bath and I start cleaning up! Thoughts of what the heck is this from? are running through my brain, I was trying to remember what we had eaten and if she had anything that was particularly different. Nothing came to mind. Handsome finished her bath, I finished the bleaching of her contaminated items put fresh sheets on the crib.....she wasn't having it! She was begging to go downstairs! Ok I thought it is only midnight...I will let her settle and then we will get back in bed.....to make a very long story short, we never made it back to bed! 7 changes of clothes later it was finally dawn...I was never so happy to see sunshine because then I could convince my body that it did not actually need to sleep! Poor kiddo threw up pretty much every hour from 11p.m. until 4 a.m and then a lull until 6 a.m.!

Have you forgiven me yet?

Ok well....after dealing with a tantrum from the three year old, because I simply did not have the man-power to get her to her beloved dance class, I schedule Itty bitty a doctors appointment, got everyone dressed, jumped out of the shower twice to catch some vomit in a trash can, got everyone in the car! Drop little miss at dance class, luckily I have dear friends who are wonderful to both my kids and I! (Thank you again K) ran to the doc appointment, got out just in time to pick up little miss at dance!

Hit the grocery store, we only stopped once while there to catch throw up

picked up lunch for the big one (little one is not allowed solids)caught puke in the parking lot!

made it home, begged itty bitty to eat a Popsicle, and feed little miss.

Itty bitty throws up once more and falls asleep, I finally convince her to get in her crib I really wanted to lay down, little miss had fallen asleep too!!

instead I sanitized my entire house, stripped all beds and got the laundry going, in hopes of keeping the rest of the house healthy...after that I dumped all contaminated trash cans, mopped floors, spot cleaned rugs and continued the puke laundry!

at this point running was looking grim, so I threw a shred in there really quick so I at least got some workout in! Holy smokes on level three Jillian kicked my tired ass!

I vacuumed, made dinner, passed itty bitty off to handsome (who was also up all night and worked all day) and took little miss to soccer...I was not so thrilled to be at soccer (sorry for my grumpiness) rush home, get ready for school tomorrow, shower kids,and myself put little girls to bed, go lay down and well wouldn't you know, now I cannot fall asleep! What the heck maybe there were drugs in my Water today or maybe it was the 5 cups of coffee I drank today, (I am a once a day kinda chick, with caffeine!) I feel completely wiped even my voice is horse, but I can't doze off.....and poor handsome just got called to work :(

what does not kill thou, will only make us drink more coffee or something like that!

So now can you forgive me? I just did not think I had four miles in me tonight, I still ate well all day, and I did shred! I will make them up this weekend I promise!

See I am not dramatic......right? I know, I am, I have a sick kid we have all been there, I just choose to justify my reasoning to you! I admire all you super humans out there, who run even on bad days!

After being awake for 36 hours, maybe I will go count sheep to fall asleep!

Happy Cinco de mayo everyone!

Can I get a 50??? and a giveaway!!!!

2010-05-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

50 posts!!!!

Holy moly, I cannot believe

A. I have stuck with running long enough to write about it 50 times

B. I still have people who read about my crazy antics and my running

C. That 5 months ago I scoffed at the idea of exercising, much less writing about it!!

But, with all that said I am proud to have made it to 50 and even more proud that I have been running for 5 months!!!

Sooo to celebrate I am going to tell you 5 random things about me and then tell you about an awesome giveaway because I like you all that much :)

1. I am a May baby, so I love all things may, including the weather, my birthday, cinco de mayo, mothers day, memorial day...you name it if it is in may, I am game! and if you were born in may you will be super-loved by me!

2. The decision I questioned you about the other day (baby or no?) has been made! You will have to stay tuned (and following) to find out the outcome :P

3. All of a sudden I have a weird urge to have extremely intense workouts! For whatever reason it makes me feel like a ~~weakling~~ complete badass. Seriously, today I did Shred with Jillian then I ran 4 of the 5 miles I had planned (it got dark fast),I am completely ~~exhausted~~ exhilarated.

4. hmmmmm the numbers 13.1 are really starting to take over my mind!!

5. I REALLY appreciate all you readers and commenter's it totally makes my day, it is my own little escape right inside my own house!

Now on to the good stuff you know you want these babies!

RECOVERY SOCKS

these are the best ever! I do not think I could live without them! They make my legs feel so good, after my long hot run this evening I actual said out loud to myself at .5 to go..."Recovery socks how I long for you" the seriously are that great!

and now you can win a pair! Actually two of you are going to win a pair!

Here is how: (separate comment for each please)

1.( Required) You must be a follower of this blog!

2. Tell me which race distance is your favorite and why?

3. Tell me why May is the greatest month on earth other than my birthday!

4. Tweet it, facebook it, repost it, yell it from the mountain tops or sing it in the shower but tell your friends!!

I will select one winner at random and one winner from those of you who already follow since you have been with me for awhile and you inspire me daily! Ok sound good? Now who wants some socks? ANYONE? Contest ends Sunday 5/9 and I will announce winners Monday 5/10!!

Have a great week everyone!

Three things Thursday...

2010-04-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

I promise not to turn this into 11,000 things Thursday again!

Welcome new bloggy peeps, so glad you can join me! This is post 49! I might have something fun for 50...hang tight!

Ok three things

1. hhhhhhmmmmm what to say today....it has been a busy week and I have come down with a sinus infection of sorts. Yuck my head hurts, my throat hurts the whole shabang! I am doing my best to not use it as an excuse but I will admit I skipped running tonight because my head was pounding and I couldn't muster the energy, it took everything I had to give my little ladies a bath, read them a book and get them in bed! I did do some weight trainng though! Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow!

2. Speaking of tomorrow I am going to see my Mommy! I love my Mom and my Dad they are some of my best friends, we are looking forward to a fun weekend of girls, my hubby will be finishing our new deck which excites me beyond belief! I love our back yard!

3. here is a question, thought provoking what have you.....should we have another baby? accckkk I cannot believe I wrote that on my blog! But, we have been on the fence for a while and I think we have narrowed a decision which I may or may not share at a later time....but here are my worries, three kids! whooaaa that seems like alot!, I have finally found a sweet spot with taking time for myself and running, I know it seems selfish but I feel like pregnancy and a newborn would not allow those things...I also know this could just be a silly fear as many women run while pregnant....but really three kids? I love kids don't get me wrong...but I guess I am still on the fence!

now that was ridiculously random!! Thank you for all the comments about your Garmins! I have that list narrowed as well...do you see a pattern here?

Happy friday!!!

Tuesday ramblings and a Garmin Question

2010-04-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

What a busy few days!!! No excuses though..I promise!

This morning I gagged down a banana and half of a powerade I hate both but whatever, I was skeptical but I loaded Itty bitty, in the stroller and we took off....4 miles later when I was done, I had Minimal cramping!! Yes success....maybe I do have a potassium problem, I am ok with that it is better then Shin splints!! I rolled out the rest of my cramps on the overpriced rolly thing....ouuucchhhh, that thing brings tears to my eyes but makes me feel better!

I had new cloths to run in...I have new brooks shorts, mizuno shirt and new brooks shoes to try out! Running warehouse is this awesome addictive place....if you don't want to spend money don't go to that site, their prices rock..too good to pass up rock! Anyhow, I loved my shirt and my shorts and my shoes they were all awesome, the shorts were a little on the short side but really comfy!

SO in a few weeks I will be another year older, and as I birthday gift I think I want a Garmin, I am starting to run longer distances and *wince* may be considering a half marathon soon...yikes that was hard to say! I actually have this ridiculous addiction to try a Tri-athalon I have no idea where that is coming from but anyhow my point is..

What Garmin do you all use? other than price, what are pros and cons to the one you have do wish you would have gotten a different one? I have no idea which one would be best! Helllllpppp pleeesseee

Inspirational me? In the last week, I have gotten my dear friend, my neighbor, my Mom, a pre-school friend and in-law into exersising! whoaaaa seriously some days I still have to talk myself into it! Now I feel even more accountable for setting a good example!

Organizational me? I spent all day Sunday clenaing my kids rooms, closets, drawers and so on and so forth! Their rooms look so gooooodddd! Today I finished the upstairs being the guest room, both bathrooms and my room!and washing walls. Holy smokes it is organized to a T! I donated 9 bags of clothes!!!! and numerous other things, wow I love the way my upstairs looks, now if I can just get downstairs done, I can quite my OCD, neat freak self!

I am approaching 50 posts! Yikes you better stay tuned there may be a fun little gift involved :) Ok on tap tomorrow weights, and a gentle two mile run! Yes I love two mile days!!!

Happy hump day everyone!

don't be hokey!

2010-04-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

When I said the other day I was tired of making excuses for myself I truly meant it! I still make excuses in my brain but then I counter act myself, by squashing the excuses. Persevering is a tough thing, but I think once we see the other side of our perseverance and what it can do for us, we feel good about our choices and it becomes easier to make good decisions.

I ran Crystal city 5k last night, again with high hopes, I had a decent training week and although I have been plagued with inner calf pain, I was not about to make any excuses for myself! I did not realize how many people were at CC5K, over a 1,000 runners holy smokes! Just looking at the crowd of city dwellers, and other active life forms made, a hunky chunky running Mom like myself cower.

I am usually totally pumped on Race day and ready to go, I am a middle of the pack kinda chick and even if by some ~~not so~~ weird chance I am the last runner, there are always the walkers so I won't be dead last....serious fear of mine for whatever reason. Just looking around at the crowd was totally enough to intimidate me last night! Every one was fit (or fit looking), they were young (I am youngish too) but I mean college age, we are gonna run this in 5 mins and then go party for the rest of the night young looking! I started making jokes to my husband, to look for me at the local hospital because the street sweeper would probably run my short ass over when the big crowd was gone! He laughed and agreed the crowd seemed like a fit one!

When it was time to line up I got lost in the sea of people! What I did not realize is that I had lined up with the 5 minute pace group.....ugghhhh crap, When I saw the mile one sign,I knew I had gone out fast, what I did not know is that I had gone out 8:10 for the first mile fast.....here is where things get shady.... (if your still with me)

I saw 8:10 on my watch, and knew in my mind I was in trouble, but was I REALLY in trouble or is that what my brain was telling me? Either way I backed waaaay off and saw the water stop up a head at mile 1.5 by time I got there I was walking, when I walk the pain sets in, I got a drink stood there for a second or ten and took off again.

At this point I had stood long enough that the pain was bad no matter what I was doing, should I quit now? and hobble my way over to the finish line or push through....I can tell you guys, one thing I am not is a quitter, I may make excuses, I may whine, but I rarely loose an argument and I never quit! That and "Baby got back", was blasting through my Ipod, I don't care if martians just landed, if "Baby got back" is playing, I feel good. hey hey don't judge me......this mama got some back.....and I roll in a honda (nobody has to know that it is a honda mini-van).

sorry I got off track, anyhow I kept running slowly and painfully, but as I rounded the corner and so those cute little faces, on my little girls yelling, go mommmyyy, I couldn't help but sprint it out! My official time was 33.07. yup, it is a PR by 2 seconds! I hobbled over to the grassy knoll where tears began to squeak out because of the pain! Thank god for compression socks, as soon as I could slide them over my sweaty legs I felt much better!! The little ladies got Ice cream and we headed home!

This morning I headed to Pacers our local running store, I had "Mr. Chilsed calfs" as the authors of "Run like a mother"(if you have not read it yet GO GET IT....NOW) call him! He said that he did not think I was suffering shin splints, and my shoes look great! Instead his suggestions were
A. Growing pains of running
B. dehydration and lack of potussium thus inducing acid burn in thy muscles
c. Cramps from above mentioned things

All I really know is I paid $30.00 for some foam roller thing MR C.C. suggested...he was incredibly nice and had a wealth of knowledge, just a little bit sticker shock when you pay so much for Styrofoam! Anyhow hopefully all of this helps! My Mom had good suggestions too! Thanks Mom!

Ok so I just wanted you all to know that, I could not blog until I had answers to my issues, because I would be making excuses otherwise right? Nope I am being pro-active!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Today I am thankful for....an every patient Husband and children who follow me to my races, to watch me get all sweaty, upset with myself for not finishing faster, and generally thrilled to be able to race! Actually, I think it was the ice cream bribe that got them all out of the house! :P at any rate I am still thankful for their support!

Three things Thursday...

2010-04-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

First, I don't know why, but I decided I needed to race again this week so tomorrow I am running Crystal City 5K can I get a PR in the house pleasssssseeee running gods?

I am just tagging along with three things Thursday this week, my brain does not seem to be able to cough up anything else!

1. Holy workouts batman! I decided on Monday, that I do not push me body hard enough, fast enough for long enough! Sure I can run, sure I can finish a race, but I bet you I can do it faster, and I bet I can run further! and I am not actually betting you guys as much as I am betting myself! Also on the days I don't run I absolutely have to do some other form of exercise, another bet I made with myself! This can be riding my bike, aerobics, weights or my current fave Jillan's Shred....TODAY I can barley cough, sneeze, laugh or lift my children without wincing, all for 20 minutes on level two with Jillian, it actually ~~is really painful~~, feels freaking awesome!!!

2. Also, on Monday (wow I thought a lot on Monday) I decided I was not eating right, when I decided to start running it was to loose some weight and to do something I have never done before, I relished in the "thing I have never done before part" and not the loosing weight part! I hate to admit that, and don't get me wrong even without being overly strict about what I eat I have lost weight, inches and changed my body SOME.....but I want to be able to quit the hunkey chunky running Mom club before long(and be in the speedster,marathoning Mama club) and my Brie and triscuits with Honey is not helping me get there!

So I have gone Psycho on my booty and have been making much better choices about what I eat! I have always been able to consume large quantities of food! Yup I can take out a whole pan of brownies, an entire brick of cheese or half of a large pizza all by my little lonesome! Not to say I am proud of these things, just saying this girl can eat! When I was nursing, people would laugh at the amount of food I would consume, I guess they just weren't expecting a chick to eat like a 500 pound Man! SO instead of consuming junk,(that would not keep me full) When I get hungry (and decide I could eat a small horse,) I make a giant salad with many veggies, and fruit on the side and I consume without guilt! I was starving at lunch today, I was able to put away, half a chicken breast, 3 cups of salad greens, 1 cup of broccoli, 1/2 cup of carrots, a spinkle of cheese and one tablespoon of dressing! Packing in the veggies and fruit feels great! and I feel really good too!! Eating right is really a fine tuned balancing act! and for me a work in progress.

3. Excuses, I told you the other day I have been making excuses! I really have been whining and complaining about whatever I can latley! So much so that I am driving myself nuts. So I decided that also needed an overhaul. Sure I am having some leg pain, and some Achilles problems, my days are long (but who's aren't?), I am tired after getting up with Itty bitty who is teething (again), so on and so forth blah blah blah....I also want to loose weight and be faster so what is all my complaining getting me? NOTHING, NATTA, ZILCH, ZERO......So it's over, I am no longer making excuses for myself and I am going to do everything I can to complain less, about everything including my in-laws haha just kidding they are great wonderful people whom I don't ever complain about! But you get the picture, instead I will be trying to find things I am thankful for! Thank you to all my friends in both the real and blog world who have listened to my bitching' for far too long..I am sorry I promise to try harder! Tonight, I put this to the test, actually all week Hubby has been away, and I could have easily made excuses not to run or cross-train but I didn't!! Tuesday, I ran with the stroller, yesterday I did shred during nap time, today I began to blow off my run when I decided I had no reason to, and although I only got two miles in because by time I got out there it was dusk, dark fell on me quick, I still got two miles in!! Take that excuse maker!!

Ok All this hit me on Monday!
Dear,Rude awakening,
You caught me, I hear you loud and clear I am trying to change, please bare with me while I try my best! Thank you for shaken my ass up and bringing me back to reality!

so so proud of all you Boston bloggers, I watched some of it in complete aweee...I would be lying if I said there was not some spark of "hey I want to do that one day in me" yikes I think my heart just skipped a beat, mostly I just want the Jacket...and if you have ever seen my jacket collection you would know that if I had to run 26.2 miles for the awesome Jacket I would freaking do it! Yup I am bazzzaarrr like that! and don't say to me "you can just buy the jacket" I already know, I want to freaking earn the jacket!

Ok so maybe that was more like 110 things but I had a lot to say, the creative juices just didn't start flowing until I started typing! Happy Friday tomorrow!

Today I am Thankful for a supportive community of friends and family (bloggies included) who know how to hold me accountable for all the ridiculous things I manage to sign myself up for!!!

What are you thankful for? Do you ever make excuses?

di di dum diddley deeee

2010-04-20T17:36:00.000-07:00

I could write for two hours tonight, I have so much going on in my brain and I am trying to sort it all out!! I am going to do extended bullets so there is not so much confusion! Ok every one hang in there with me.....

First and foremost an extended race report, I am sorry the one from Sunday was so quick we had family staying with us and I did not want to be rude! I really felt good during the race but I was slightly annoyed that the course was not marked properly as in the only mile marker I saw was mile one and from there I had no freaking clue where I was and it drove me crazy!! All that being said, I heard a nasty rumor today that the course was actually 3.5 miles long and not 5k distance of 3.1....I have no idea if this is true but I would like to believe it in my brain because that would then mean I finished 3.1 in thirty minutes! Anyhow no reason to dwell on the past, I will get sub 30 before long! Although it was fun, I enjoyed it, and it refueled my fire for running!

uh-huh you heard me say re-fuel....pretty much since the day I bonked I have been in a hate relationship with running! I have not blogged much or told anybody because I was not ready to give up, I just hit a hard spot and had to work through it. In fact I only ran once in the week leading up to the race and was nervous because of it! I am blessed with a loving supportive handsome hubby who puts up with my freak show self on a daily basis, he was nothing but words of encouragement and jokes for the entire week! SO now I am back to my love/hate relationship with running, yup I love it when a tough run is over but hate the moments leading up to going running! Maybe one day we can take our relationship to the next level of all love....so be for warned Hunky chunky RUNNING mom has resumed!

Today I went for a run with itty bitty in the stroller! Hubby is away on a business trip and I was not going to let that be an excuse, because seriously I have been making excuses lately and I am done! there are no excuses anymore! So anyhow we parked and tried out the "rail trail" while little missy was at school. I had a hard time with the stroller this is the first time I had to use it and I was not a fan but it was fun to share my run with itty bitty she loved it! I ran and ran and OMG it is 10:30 and I have not turned around and I have to get little missy in an hour, I was at least 20 mins from the school!! and god only knows how far from my car! I took off running back towards the car, we managed to squeak out three miles in about 34 minutes, not too bad considering I had 40 pounds of pushing in front of me!

Realization today! Construction workers around these parts can be total creepers! Sorry I don't mean to offend anyone who does construction or anyone who's hubby does, but in these here parts, honking your giant dump truck horn at a Hunky chunky Mommy with her baby in the stroller more than once, is just creeper status all the way!! Unless you were about to run my ass over, please don't honk it scare the bejesus out of me!

Watching parts of Boston was sooooo inspiring! Woooowwww maybe one day....just maybe!

Decided today that maybe I don't feed my family so healthy! I mean I always make sure they get fruits, veggies, protein and dairy in their diet, but I also feel like I am a little lax about the junk food! This has really been driving me crazy and I don't want to obsess about what my kids eat but I feel like I need to curb the junk food to the tenth degree, it seems every time I turn around someone is begging for junk and I am not ok with that! I will be a better example as well, the girls and I made whole grain English muffin pizzas for dinner with veggies and it felt good that every one had a nice healthy dinner that they enjoyed!

Ok so I am back and ready to attack...(running attack to be clear, and maybe the next construction worker who honks while I am running)

Okay so I can't wait to hear about Boston! I hope everyone else is having a great week I promise to make my way around to make comments tonight!

did she PR?? a race report

2010-04-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

did I PR??? I did, I did! I shaved an entire 1:35 seconds off my last record! So I finished my second 5k in 33.09, I really wanted to break 30 minutes, but that will have to wait for another race.

I felt good I ran this race comfortably! My Achilles has really given me some trouble the last couple of days and I am considering getting it checked ...(yup it's that bad!) So I did my best not to break myself during this run and I can say I defiantly did not!

There were a few snotty Mom's who had made snide comments at pre-school last week, and I don't want to brag or be Ugly so I will leave it at I beat the pants off of them, by a good 5 minutes haha, I think I will stick out my tongue when I see them next! How mature and adult like of me!

My only complaint is that it was freeezzzziiiinnnngggg!! It was no kidding 40 degrees at the start line. It was 85 degrees on Friday! geeezz I would like for the weather to make up it's mind! Anyhow here are a few photos. Good luck to all the Boston peeps and I am excited to read other race reports, enjoy your weekends!

Thats me in the pink!

the girls and I at the finish

big achilles.....

2010-04-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

My Achilles is swollen like ouch...Actually it did not hurt while running it just gets big and puffy after wards and is tender! I am not even sure it is my achilles but it is that area....sure I get rid of the inside calf pain and now this! Oh well I put some Ice on it and it will be o.k.!

Can't find my recovery socks!!! This should not surprise you I cannot ever keep up with my socks! I was doing pretty good with $35 recovery socks but I think my washing machine got hungry!

I totally walked tonight during my run...hello can you say wus! It was only for a minute but ummm I can't remember the last time I did that!

I am racing this weekend and I am overly nervous, I have not been able to shake my nerves all week....and who knows why?

I think I forgot to mention that I signed myself up for a 10k, all so I could meet Sara Bowen Shea of "Run like a mother"!! I also managed to suck my BFFFL into it, sorry Katy but you know you still love me and you will still be my BFFFL, and yes I happen to be twelve tonight!

I could not bring my brain to actually write a nice flowing post so I just hit the highlights, I am lazy and tired...time to rest up so I can be super speedy this weekend.....eat my dust other racers...bwhahahah I wish!

All you Boston peeps ....good luck you have already made it! Now have the time of your lives!!!! Happy Friday everyone!

Tuesday Ten.....

2010-04-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

I am having a random day with a random cold.....and have not yet hit my run so I figured I would post ten random things about myself really quickly! A few of you have asked questions through email and I have not got around to answering yet! I promise I will get to you!

Ok Random ten:

1. On Sunday I ran a single mile in 8:34 seconds, I was about to die my lungs were going to explode but 1 mile with all I had and I was damn proud!

2. I have been dating/married to my husband for 11 years and we are not even thirty yet!

3. Someone asked me today if I was baby sitting, when I said no these are my children the looks on their faces said it all...I promise folks I am old enough to have children...and I don't think I look all that young but this happens to me occasionally.

4.Some days I still don't feel like a runner, other days I feel like a complete bad ass.

5. A lot of my friends and family are starting to run or do some sort of other exercise and they will tell me it is because I am inspire them, even my neighbor told me the other day he sees me running and thinks "hey I can do that too", this sets my brain in motion...can I inspire an entire county? a country? the world? haha see I have quite the imagination.

6. I don't know if we will have more kids, we are at a happy spot with the two cuties we have, and although more would be a blessing, I sometimes think we have what we need and don't need anymore!

7. I love being a SAHM, no like really love it! I don't do it because I have to I do it because I want to.

8. I think my Mini Van is completely awesome...don't judge

9. I think I have some of the worlds most awesome friends, who put up with a completely weird and random me.

10. I think I better get my booty off of here and get some serious draw and closet organization happening!

OK so those were pretty random! I hopes I answered a few of the email questions. If you have more questions I am totally down with that I looovvvee telling people all about awesome me! hahah I kid, I kid, but I seriously don't mind the questions as long as you don't mind my answers!

Have a great tuesday I will make it back soon, to give a post about running!

Hello MOJO!!! Glad your home!

2010-04-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

I rocked it out tonight!!!!! I know I promised you I was going to yesterday, but dang it lately around this old house, it has been crazy even beyond what I am use too...more on that in a minute!

ok so you all know I was totally off my rocker Tuesday and was ready to give up, I played more mind games as the week went on and tonight I decided to put my feet where my mouth is... I know I can be faster, I know I can push harder and I know I can learn to love the burn, these are the things I keep telling myself.

I usually, very carefully plan out my running routes, and tonight I just wanted to go and I would have a rough idea of my mileage, but would not know exactly where each mile marker was, so I was not stressing about times....I just went and ran with all my might

ohhhhhhh baby I loved the burn it felt good. I had to stop once to tie my shoe and then I did get a little freaked out because the trail I thought led right back to my house did not exactly do that! It kinda took me down and around and back out! I was having moments of Dr.Jekyll on one shoulder and Mr.Hyde on the other, my brain was telling me you can't do it, but my feet were saying ohhhhh yeah suckkkkaaa watch this! Seriously at one point I knew I was .5 from home and instead of taking that route I totally went the long way...I was not sure how far that was but I knew it was much further and it was just my feet doing all the work as if they were saying prove it to your self lady!!

and even I am not so vain to know that distance and time don't matter and I had to find out how far I went! So my watch said 39.02 when I got to my street, when I mapped my run it was 3.96!! HOLY MILES BATMAN I was flying.....no wander my lungs where on fire!!! 9.51 pace for nearly four miles can I get a holllllaaaaaa (sorry I am trying to be youthful....bwhahahha) so excited about this! and I even got a honnnkkkk and a "Hey suga" yell out of a car which is both creepy and flattering at the same time (hey I gotta take all the compliments where I can get them...don't judge), especially since the tires on this particular car, had to be at least three times the price of the car itself and it was full of dudes, that is when I start begging the running gods to make me really fast, I am telling you, dudes just like to see a booty jiggling and I got a big booty to jiggle!!! ok, maybe TMI?

Anyhow I feel great, I am back and ready to attack....uhhh running attcks that is..and on to the more boring stuff that has prevented my running! Ever had a gaping hole in your ceiling? well I do! We have a internal pipe leak! Yes, completely awesome I know you are all so jealous, as we just dumped ridiculous amounts of money into buying new appliances (that we absoulutly needed!) and a new deck (that just had to be redesigned and more fabulous) we now have to pretty much replace all upstairs pipes......no not the easy to access downstairs pipes, but the lets cut a bunch of holes in our walls, to get to them upstairs pipes...can I get a grrrrrrrr... yesterday I had to get the oil changed in my van who we call "murphy" by the way, how long do most oil changes take? I would usually guess somewhere around 30 or so mins......well after an hour and a half, guess who's oil change was free....ahhheeemm don't mess with mama at dinner time when she has her sick, starving babies with her and had left ample time for you to change my oil before dinner!!! anyhow because of said wait we got stuck in rush hour d.c. traffic by time I got home with those sick, starving babies, we were all burned out and there was no chance for a run... anyhow that is all my mama drama for another day! I don't rightly care at the moment after an awesome run!

so I will leave you with this, remember when you were little and someone would tell you when you fall off your horse, you have to get right back up and get back on? this couldn't be more true! I could have seriously washed my hands of running on Tuesday, (if I was not afraid of all you other bloggers who might come after me) but I got out there tonight and tried again and now I am on a runners high and good gravy I looooovvvve that feeling!!

have a great weekend everyone! Good luck to all cherry blossomers(if you need a meal on your way home you can stop here :) )..and other racers!

Jumping the gun!

2010-04-08T04:13:00.000-07:00

well not literally....but I think I better explain myself after my extremely negative blog the other day....I am just going to say it was a bad, bad, day! It is in the past and I have moved on!

Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon I knew I was not ready to get out there and run again yet, for fear of having a repeat of Tuesday and the heat was still around, so I decided cross training for the day would be the way to go.

I did:
50 bicep curls
25 chest flys
50 shoulder presses
200 core moves

and 6 miles on my bike! I would have gone further on my bike but I was pressed for time it was little Missy's first night of soccer.

a few things got me over my horrible Tuesday, one of them was Isabella, she said to me Mommy...can we go buy some new soccer clothes for me? When I asked why,because she has a million pairs of shorts and t-shirts...she said "I wanna look just like you when you run super fast!" ahhhh she knows how to pull good heart strings so I did take her to target and Champion makes a little kids line, and although she is teeny tiny ( she still wears a 2 or 3t and she is almost four) I bought it for her and brought her home and sewed the waist of her shorts so they would fit! She looked very cute, I will post pictures later!

Everyone was so encouraging! Thank you, it is like you guys did not believe me that I was going to quit, which is pretty much what I needed!

Hubby and I had a loooonnnnggg talk last night about running and the need to push further, faster, harder, and my ridiculous mental games! It was such a nice talk and he made me realize that I often scoff at myself and a lot of times don't believe in myself....so I took this from our talk set a ridiculous goal and reach for your dreams even if it is a totally unattainable goal, you might surprise yourself at how far you get.

and here are some adorable pictures of my cutie pies from the last two extremely warm days! I hope everyone enjoys the day I will be back tonight with a post about my most awesome run.....that I am truly looking forward too...1 week 2 days out from race number 2!!

Itty bitty and her shades!

little missy and her "friend" georgette the earth worm

sisterly love in front of our tulips

have I lost my MOJO??...beware debbie downer post

2010-04-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

grrrr....on tonight's run I decided that I was kidding myself, I was not a runner, I was not cut out for running and getting faster just is not gonna happen..I bonked I was totally over running at the 2.5 point and I was supposed to hit four...I quit I just flat out QUIT!

YUP I am a freakin quitter, and I am now so mad at myself I could scream it is such an obnoxious feeling really, I mean what the hell a weekend ago I was conquering mountains running a 10k and loving every minute, tonight I am ready to send my new skirts to TMB (although they would fall off of her) my bondi bands to Marcia and hang up my shoes.

It sure as hell didn't help that is was 92* degrees when I headed out to run, I love HOT weather however I do not like to run in hot weather! ughhhh I think I will go cry in my pillow this evening...

do you runner buffs have days like this? do you feel like given up? and what gets you through? am I a wus who should quit running? I need mega inspiration!!

still wiping noses

2010-04-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

ohhhh my I have soooo much to post about!! But things are crazy here right now, I still have sick little kids who it seems each night of sleep gets worse instead of better, we still have family in town which has been great to have extra hands and help.....and I still am sleep deprived so I will make this short and catch up again soon I promise!

I had a beautiful Easter Sunday, I got to go for a run with my Dad and my husband, I was nervous to say the least. These two men are the most in shape guys I have ever known and I thought I would be soooo slow!

I did great we finished 2.5 in 24.01 which was slightly more than a comfortable pace, but lately I have been thinking I need to push harder anyway, and I won't mention that my Dad was behind me the whole time and when I would feel him gaining on me I would speed up, I never let him by....I also will not mention that the only reason this was possible was because he is just getting back to working out after having hip surgery 10 weeks ago....all of these are minor details....I was in front of him and I am proud of that...

Needless to say we got home hid Easter eggs and watched my precious albeit sick babies hunt eggs and be in complete candy heaven!

I have little missy now going for Jogs around the house with my hydration belt! SO cute...I know I have not even had the chance to tell you my awesome Mama bought me a hydration belt because she is Well awesome and it is pink I loooovvvee it....I will tell you more about that later!!

I totally have to go to bed..Itty bitty sleeps until about 3a.m. and then the coughing and sneezing get the best of her and she needs her Mommy and sometimes you just need your mommy and I won't complain because there will be a day when she doesn't need me (or won't admit she does) and I will miss that....so I will go sleep now so I can be a nice Mom at 3am...I hope everyone had a great Easter and has a great week!

Easter...

2010-04-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

I am sorry fellow bloggers for I have been absent for a few days now, you see that thing I talk about every now and then called life, really ,really got in the way this week. It got in the way of my blogging, my running, my daily routine in general was just tossed aside.

I have two sick little girls, a house full of family and a deck in the middle of remodeling. So, between grocery shopping, cleaning, dosing out medication and sleeping a little less then normal I have not found nor made time to blog or run!

I have promised my self that I will run tomorrow, it will be my Easter treat! After all if Jesus can die on the cross for us, I think I can squeeze in three miles in the morning. I will do it for him and I.

I hope all of you have a fantastic Easter, enjoy your families and the wonderful food, and maybe a good run dedicated to the big guy in the sky!

HAPPY EASTER

Did I shave my legs for this?

2010-03-31T18:32:00.001-07:00

why yes yes I did shave my legs for this 70+ degree weather we are having...not that you care whether or not I shave my legs, I just thought the title was fun and do you remember that country song? hmmm

Well anyhow I simply cannot believe tomorrow is April and while I am busy thinking up hateful April fools pranks to play on my unsuspecting family and friends...even though they probably expect it from me, I will run down the month of March

March Miles : 36 wooowza....I think my goal was 40 but considering the few days I took here in there for the pain in the calves I have been experiencing I am o.k. with this number. Actually, I blame it on the race that got canceled..yeah I like that Idea better.

I ran my first 5k this month as well...wooho I cannot wait to do more!

I traveled all 5 weekends in march, this I refuse to do again it left me exhausted and wishing for my own bed!

I lost two dress sizes this month...wholly moley who are we kidding this was awesommmmeee!

I hit 50 followers this month...wooop thanks bloggy peeps I heart all of you!

and I had a P.R distance 6.2 miles it felt awesome I am gonna do it again reallll soon!

Ok so exactly 8 weeks from today, the pool opens...yesssss and uggghhhhh time to kick operation loose my ass into high gear

I hope all you wonderful inspiring bloggers also had a great month!

Oh I also did a quick 2 mile interval run today, I felt so speedy it was awesome and there were so many people out and about! Although, the trees are all flowered and beautiful, my allergies hate it... I looked like a puffer fish when I arrived home!

Have a great Thursday everyone, I have mucho amounts of cleaning to tend to seeing as the family will be arriving Friday!

Blood, Sweat, tears, Glass and a race re-cap

2010-03-28T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am sure after reading the title of this post you were wondering if I lived through my 10k. Turns out I did...and I had a lot of fun doing it..you ready for a re-cap?

Blood: it all started with the signing up of this virtual race! I decided if I was going to run that far you better believe I was going to make it fun...now let me warn you bloggy peeps I am not a crafty chick....my poor kids who are 1 and 3 do crafts better than I do! Anyhow, I decided I needed a "race bib" I printed the one Tall Mom had made and decorated it!

*In case you can't read it is says: She's tall, I'm short but we are both running for a cure....and I drew pics of Tall Mom's log legs and my really short ones!* See I told you super artist aren't I...I can do stick figures like nobody's buisness

You see those cute little pink ribbons, you know the ones you slide scissors across to make curly?? Turns out your supposed to slide the scissors along your ribbon and not your FINGER....ahhhh blood and freaking ouch! Ok so it is nothing a bad-aid could not take care of, but for a minute there I was considering stitches! When I calmed down I realized it was no worse than a paper cut, ha did I ever mention I can be somewhat dramatic? I emphasize the "somewhat"

Anyhow, I made the bib, decided if I was racing then I was gonna have a race bag and all the swag....so I made one!
This is my dream bag by the way...

yup, it included new sunglasses, GU, an awesome bib, and a hand held water bottle, who came up with this bag? she is awesome!

Sweat: ohhhh buddy did you watch Spartacus this week? ooops that is for another post...ummmmm oh yeah sweat, so I kissed the kids loaded up my self and all my gear prayed to the running and weather gods, told handsome to send the search parties at the 3 hour mark! and I was off...

oh yeah I did run in this awesome outfit!

Sorry I look horrible in this pic I was not exactly ready!! Anyhow I had taped Susan G. Koman thingies to my capris, made my Bondi band into a Susan G. Koman Band and put on some pink!

Anyhow so off I went.....Mile one was over in 10:30, I was trying hard to not run hard because I knew I would need all the energy I could muster at the end! It was a cool breezy run...when I reached the first major intersection about 2 miles in I could not believe I was doing it....

Mile 3 and 4 clipped by quickly, I looooovvve my new sunglasses by the way, as I did not have a headache when I got home from squinting and I did not even notice they were on my face... I know the look goofy but I don't care! They were seriously that awesome!

Mile 5 and 6 and .2 were good I was really starting to feel tired at 5 as that is a previous mileage PR for me! Mile 6 started up a hill, and when I got to the top I pretty much turned around and flicked the hill off....then laughed as I got back to my neighborhood I knew I .2 to go.. I picked up my feet and sprinted to the end!!!

TEARS: They kinda started to flow as I let out a big YESSSSS once again in the middle of my street much to my neighbor's awkward looks, I did a giant fist pump and them remembered to stop my watch....duh...

I felt soooo great 1 hour 11 mins and 15 secs, I know slow for some, but it was comfortable for me and I finished without croaking....and Handsome did not have to send search parties!!

that's me after completing 6.2 MILES!!!! wooowwwzaaaaa

Mel- your are such a fabulous Inspiration and your running for such a great cause thank you for hosting a virtual race!

oh and glass- dude I broke three glasses today!!! The first was this morning, the very first think I did was knock a bottle of balsamic vinegar out of the pantry...mmmm my house smelled great all day! I then knocked a tumbler off the counter and then dropped a tall glass in our porcelain sink....what the hell, I must have runner's brain today...

I honestly had a great time running this and feel more confident in myself then I have in a long time!! I hope you all had great weekends! I have to hop off here and clean my house as tomorrow is playgroup!! Take care and have a great Monday everyone!

back to running! and a quick PSA

2010-03-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

I am behind in a million ways....one of them being here in bloggy land! But, I am trying to catch up so bear with me ok?

I ran last night, I did a gentle two miles and I felt pretty good, I did not hurt until after I was done. I felt like my body weighed 5,000 pounds but I set out to run and I accomplished that, and it felt good!

I am part of Tall Mom'shere virtual Race tomorrow!!! Yikes it will be the first time I have ever run a 10k!! I am so nervous and I am still trying to come up with a fun outfit to wear! It is supposed to be a beautiful day, I just hope these ole' legs can hang in there with me.

Just as a quick PSA please be nice to your children, I know not all days are perfect and that sometimes when you hear someone say "Mommy" for the one millionth time that day it makes you feel like pulling your hair out...believe me I have been there. I also know when one of my kiddos slides on pavement ON THEIR KNEES...I pick them up, hug them, make sure they are o.k. and then possibly go on and explain why the should slow down if the situation so warrants such a speech....I witnessed a Mother today watch her three year old take a hard fall, the mother started screaming and yelling, and then picked the child up and swatted her!! Now, I am trying not to be overly judgmental, because I am not in her situation, but seriously could she have just hugged the poor kid!! ugghhh sorry that was my rant! I will let it alone now, I just always think about how fast my girls are growing and one day a hug will not take away the hurt, so I am going to give as many as I can now....and really who is that lady kidding, her child maybe should have not run, but what kid doesn't run and fall?

Ok seriously done now!

So pray to the running gods tonight, that your hunky chunky running friend (ahem me) with the sore legs makes it for a 10k! tomorrow.....and look forward to my race report!!

Have a great weekend!

bleeping bleep bleep

2010-03-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

let me censor myself!! It was terrible today...I set out for 5k distance, the weather was gorgeous I managed to do 100 crunches, 50 bicep curls, 30 oblique crunches, 30 reverse crunches, and 30 tricep dips... I was totally feeling awesome I was just waiting for hubby to get home so I could hop on my run...

my legs have felt a little sore to the touch today, like when little missy elbowed me on accident I thought I would jump through the roof, but other than that I did not have pain with every step or anything.

From first stride again, pain was there, I tried to push through thinking it would ease in a minute or two....this time it just got worse with every step, it was horrible by .5 I was almost in tears, I just stopped for fear of getting to far from the house and not being able to get back and also afraid of making whatever is wrong much much worse! I don't know what is going on but it is really painful...

I am excited that I was able to do some strength training today, my body needs it! I am going to rest again tomorrow and try to give running ago on Friday...I will cross my fingers...and pray to the running gods...please be nice to me I have finally found something I love to do, but I do not like pain :(, :( ,:(

ouuuu chhhhh

2010-03-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

This is Itty Bitty's (who is now 20 months!) new word! I love the way her little lips move when she says it ouuuu chhhh...hehe now you probably wonder why I am telling you this, besides the fact that my kids are just that cute...I actually have a major ouuu chhh!

I ran a 2 miler yesterday evening in 19:39...yup I was flying, you see hubby had gone for a "jog" before me and well I do not like to be beat! This was his first time running in probably a year and he stomped it out in 17 or so minutes....which just fuels my fire! I am glad he is running don't get me wrong, but now we will start seeing my (extremely) competitive nature. After all I have been running for 3 months I should be able to smoke him....simply not true!!

Anyhow, my ouuuu chhhh I had been sore all weekend, since my run on Friday, but from the pickup of my first stride, the inside of both calves hurt! At first I thought maybe they were just tight, but the pain continued, I swear I ran fast just so it would be over. As soon as I got in the door I got Ice packs and began stretching, I jumped into my recovery socks with hopes that all this pain would just disappear! This is how I felt this morning...

(Itty bitty, making her mean face)
yup just that sour, I feel like someone has punched the inside of both legs repetitively and it feels like a giant bruise when someone touches them. My left is much worse then my right, serious pain!!! I wore recovery socks most of the day in hopes of them helping! I skipped this evenings run and hope I will feel much more like this tomorrow!

( little missy, planting flowers by her play house)
Any suggestions as to what this might be and how I can take care of it?

As for the weekend, all the rushing around I did paid off! The baby shower went off without a hitch and the Mom to be seemed happy...success... I then zoomed from the shower to a friends Chocolate party which was a 2.5 hour drive back to Maryland! But I made it in time and it was fun....my dear friend K and I giggled about the host of the chocolate thing, this chick must eat chocolate all day long because she was bouncing all over the place.....seriously I am a happy person but this took it to a new level! I could barley keep up with her, but it did make it entertaining!

On Sunday I was totally wiped out, 5 weekends in a row of traveling had finally caught up with me... I lazed around and planted flowers with the girls and handsome! It was nice to relax!

So needless to say this is the first chance I have gotten to get back to blogging, and commenting sorry, I told you about that stuff called life....always getting in the way!

Happy Hump day everyone!

runnning runnning running...run onnnnnn

2010-03-20T05:11:00.000-07:00

or is that rolling rolling rolling.....either way, As you can see I have been absent since turning into a cute little chimp on my last run...it is pretty hard to type with those thumbs they have ... Actually, and truthfully sometimes life gets in the way of my blogging....damn that stuff we call life! how dare you interrupt my witty writing schemes!

Handsome and I have been on a serious home improvement kick, I told you about our impromptu kitchen re-do and well now our deck is half torn down, as we have decided that we don't like it and need a new one.....seriously I am unsure why we do this to ourselves. But it has been my job to go around and take out all the screws, there are 100 boards on the top deck each has 22 screws in them, most of them old and rusty, can you imagine the fun I have been having! Forget bad ass runner mom, I am a bad ass with a drill/runner mom!! bwhahah I make my own self laugh!

Actually, I am quite versatile, after all not only are we doing the deck, I have been in the midst of baby shower plans that are going on for my sister in law this weekend, and well it has not been a walk in the park, but that is a story for another time!

Oh yeah and running! After my bad ass five on Tuesday, I took Wednesday as a rest day, I was super sore!! Thursday I was supposed to do a tempo run but my kids really deserved a trip to the park. So little missy and I ran there and back which overall is about a mile! she was great she is 3 and a half (please don't forget that half it upsets her!) and she would jog for a minute or two and then stop to "stretch" I think I laughed the entire time! She was in a dress and her super fast "running shoes" and those were here words the whole time "mommy aren't I so super fast!" totally adorable although she runs a little like Phoebe from friends!! More of a skip than a run, but non the less totally worth every minute I missed running to be with her.

and then on Friday I went running with a total Rockstar!! She just so happens to be one of my besties....she is the Mom of three. Three of the cutest kids I know and I swear if she would let me, I would glue my self to her hip, I would do it in an instant! Seriously she is that awesome! She is a former runner, (As in before she had kids she used to run and loved it!) and I will just say I was nervous!! I am totally confident this chick could roll me up and smoke me on a run in no time! I just did not want to be embarrassed, but as it turns out when you have a best friend, there is really no reason to be embarrassed. I figured she would still love me, even if I am slow.

So we headed out for a 5k! and we did great.....I don't know if she was taking it easy on me, but I was able to keep up with her! and we managed to kick it out in 34.31 which is a great pace!! We pretty much held a conversation most of the run! Now, I never talk and run, and I talked between my huffing and puffing! She was so great and I totally loved having a running buddy!!! and talking while running (although I did not know it was possible) but let's face any chance I get to talk I pretty much cannot refuse, and K and I could be held captive with our mouths taped shut and we would figure out a way to conversate I am pretty sure! The run went by so fast, and I never wanted to give up! I really hope you come back and run with me again K!!! It was the highlight of my running week.... and some creepers in a car totally honked at us....even though she claims she knew them, I know we are just that hottttt.....

Well seeing as how I have to be on my way to Virginia in 20 minutes and I am sitting here typing un-showered I should probably scadoodle, but just another quick highlight, I went window shopping yesterday and I was TWO whole dress sizes smaller.....holy dress fitting gods are you kidding? So excited, until last night when I was trying to pick out something to wear for this baby shower today and nothing fit! Not in a bad way, but like every dress I put on fell off, or looked awful, ok now usually I would not complain...but at 8:35 at night when I was still un-showered from my run and just wanted relax I flew to the mall and dropped $75 on a dress to wear today....all because I am smaller....sayyyy whatttttt at least handsome is a supportive dude and said I totally deserved it!

Anyhow, ahhh must go shower Have a great weekend everyone!

Be a Bad ass.....

2010-03-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

yeah you heard me I just told all of you to go be a bad ass.....much like miss TeamarciaHERE told me to do today, yup her blog was speaking right directly to me, ok so maybe she didn't mention my name but I could hear her words my entire run...she said own your awesomeness....so I felt like I better be pretty freaking awesome today because I need to own it! and since I told her I was a running bad ass I was out to prove a point!

So I went for a run on this beautiful 60 degree day I pounded out FIVE miles!!! That is only the second time I have done so and it felt so freaking goooooooodddd, I was lapping up the weather, flying by other runners (ok well merely passing them but still) and there were not any vultures waiting for me to drop dead!

How does 54.01 time sound to you, sounds like 10.48 paces to me which = aweeeesooommeee in my book, so I can officially say to myself girl your a running bad ass and it feels good! and this is me owning my awesomeness!!

Thank you Marcia you made my day!! Anyone who has not checked out her blog should totally do that right now!(well finish reading me first) She is a bundle of inspiration and good for a giggle too..

So I now want to pass that feeling onto you....be a bad ass and be proud of it! I hope every one has had a great Tuesday and is enjoying the spring weather!!

Awhile back Shelly dared us all to post a before and after running shot of ourselves. Well I finally got around to it, dudes and dudettes alike please don't laugh to hard..

and after....

yeah I know running is pretty tough on my body!!! bwhahaha

hope everyone has a great hump day, maybe tomorrow I will show you the real picture!!

a little bit of sunshine? (some pictures)

2010-03-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

I ran today, 2.1 miles warm-up, for the week nothing terrible exciting, 22.38 (10:46 paces) so I am getting faster...yipeeeeee but tonight I wanted to share some pictures I just got my lap top back today....and so I am able to truly blog now and show cute pictures of my wee ones....because believe me they are just that cute and nooooo I am not biased!

SO first here is a picture of me and the chickies after my first 5k! They were not exactly thrilled to be awake early and in the cold, but you know they survived!

This past weekend I told you I did some shopping for them here are some of the goods, new pj's and new sun glasses:

Right after I snapped this picture I asked them to get dressed for the day, while I was showering, knowing full well they would probably not be able to do all of it. especially Itty bitty(19 months) however, when I got out of the shower this is what I found....

Yeah I know she is freaking adorable, but lets just say the sunglasses was all she was wearing and although I would love to show you her adorable wrinkly butt I fear of the creepers out there who lurk on the internet so I will refrain...

I was however pleasantly surprised by little missy (3.5) who managed this...

just as a side note, it was pouring rain here all day and they wore the sunglasses everywhere! I did manage to get cloths on the itty bitty.....eventually!

Happy Monday everyone!

Ready for a race re-cap? (warning contains no running)

2010-03-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

It all started Friday night, with a delicious pasta dinner with great friends! We let the kids run like hoodlums while we talked and enjoyed each others company! They left, I packed and got everything together for the morning knowing I am not a morning person and am likely to forget things I make a quick list hop into bed set the alarm....

6:00 am Saturday morning, I hear the alarm but don't want to budge it is cold and rainy!
6:30am I finally get up and get moving

Handsome gets up with little miss and itty bitty and starts packing a lunch for the road, (I did not want to risk eating some random place just before a run.) Everyone hops in the car, and we are off..

Oh my hell it is raining so freaking hard!! Ok well maybe the further away we drive the better it will get, and the wind is ridiculous

every road we turn onto it seems to rain harder....

11:17 a.m. we arrive at the race tent, packet pick up is not until noon and it looks like a hurricane out there, we find a candy shop, take the girls in and buy them bribes and rewards for what is sure to be a miserable afternoon.

I call the hotel to see if they by chance have our room ready, to my surprise they say sure we would be happy to check you in now!!! (ok maybe the afternoon won't be so bad) We unload everyone and everything, handsome prepares lunch for the girls as I head to packet pickup....it is noon, race is at 2:00 I still have plenty of time!

Since I am a block over I decided walking might not be bad, but I get outside see the ocean rolling like crazy and see the boardwalk closed, so I hop in the car...once there I find a parking spot bust out the umbrella and begin making my way to the race tent which is located about 50 feet from the boardwalk.

.....lets just say I no longer have an umbrella that is how bad the wind was, it snapped my huge golf umbrella pretty much inward on itself! The rain that was coming down blowing sideways and pelting me in the face might have well as been bullets it hurt like crazy.....I start to think I cannot believe I am going to run in this! I finally make it to the tent and get my stuff...I start playing my mental games and decide that running in weather like this will make me a new level of complete bad ass runner.....

As I am making my way out of the tent to go back and change and eat lunch, and I hear "FOLKS due to hurricane force winds and weather conditions the race has been canceled!" ahhhh crap..I am drenched,broken umbrella made the family drive three hours away stay somewhere besides their house eat less then stellar food, all to tell them I WOULD NOT BE RUNNING....

I sulked and fought my way through the weather back to the car and back to the hotel. The family was not to disappointed it turned out, they were pleased that the would not miss seeing me run, because there was no way they would have even tried to get to the race start! So instead of sulking we decided to explore this little town!

You know what we found? It was so cute we would consider going back for a vacation, and as luck would have it the freaking weather let up at 1:58 p.m two minutes before the race was scheduled to start! So we raced around the outlet stores, handsome was my driver, he would whip into a parking space I would go in and grab as many cute kids cloths as I could find, pay for them, hop in the car and race to the next shop!! Seriously, that is what we did while the girls slept....okay so I would have rather run but I love to shop, especially when I am not lugging little ladies with me!

We walked to dinner and back to our hotel and enjoyed a quaint breakfast this morning before heading home....so no run, but lots of cute clothes and discovery of a the cutest little beach town still = GREAT WEEKEND!

hope you had a good one too!!

Jet Fuel....

2010-03-11T19:57:00.000-08:00

Is what must have been in my salad at lunch today...because I ran 2 miles in 19:55 which is 9:57 pace....runnnnnn forest runnnnn, that's right bloggy peeps hunky chunky mama dogged out two miles with below 10 minute paces (ok I realize just barely, but I did it!)

It Hurt...when I hit my two mile mark, I wanted to lay down and roll UP my street to my house, I even consider how bad it would actually look, afraid of being hit by a car I choose to crawl, there was no way anyone could miss this big ole booty (also loving known as Gallatea). Ok ok so I walked home but it took everything I had to get there!

That run was seriously awesome, I told everyone who would listen, and I felt like such a awesome runner chick.....ok now I have to keep this up for more miles! How do I get there? I have been doing some major research! I will be zippy before I know it, or at least that is what I hope!

Anyhow, I choose to do this today because I had to get my brain back in the game, making myself believe that I am indeed a runner and I want to be, because it is run's like this make it worth every minute of mental and physical toughness...

I am off to the races again this weekend! Another 5k this time in Rehobeth beach Delaware...it is supposed to rain buckets but oh well the show must go on! I have a 34.43 time stamp on my forehead I have to BEAT IT!!! or at least that is my goal!

If you are running this weekend I wish you all the speed,endurance and mental toughness you might need!

Have a great weekend everyone!

hello de-funk button so glad I found you...

2010-03-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who showed me some seriously love yesterday when I had a major case of the funkies and could not shake them...I then felt the need to express them to all of you...

My husband is also a major support, and although he likes to point out the 86 year old man that is sure to pass me on my run, he is all seriousness keeps me going daily

I will say it time and time again you bloggers out there are my out, I look forward to reading you every day!

Today I went just for a walk...hubby is working late and let's face it pushing 80 pounds of kids and stroller is not my cup of tea when running....

So many of you bloggers popped in my head as I was walking today so here is the short list...if you are not on it please don't be offended I love all of you...

MJ-So glad there is someone out there who is trying to get the hang of this running non-sense.

Tall Mom- I wish I could have this chick's speed and height to be frank

My Mom- you can do it Mom your gonna find your thing.....stop working so much it is bad for you

Momma Twitch- thanking you for saying you have bad days too

Marcia-you bondi band whore you...so glad you can run again

Zoe-still have not found any nekkid semi's

Hannah-our chanting worked, spring is finally here

Lindsey- girllll I need some m&m's if you lived closer I would know where to get my fix

Barbara- has lost 18.5 pounds I wanna do that...

TMB: so jealous of your competitive spirit

MCM: I could use a beer (and you live close enough we could do this)

Paige: I love that you and your husband can run together and not kill each other, I am pretty sure Handsome and I would trip each other if one dared to pass the other

Angie: Barefoot really? I just can't wrap my head around this

Shelly- you Ultra mama you...too awesome!

Judi- I cannot believe you find the time with four little ones...I struggle with two

and awww man I have to pee , so Beth I thought of you...and then laughed because you are so freaking funny.. I still can't get the ice bath thing out of my head bwahahha

the whole time I was thinking these things my little girls slept and read in the stroller and we had gone two miles in what seemed like two minutes I was seriously in another world completely! haha

So thank you to all you bloggers (even if you did not get mentioned I think of everyone all the time!!! promise) you guys keep me going without your help I seriously would not be such a wanna be!!!!

Have a terrific Thursday everyone!

some days you feel like a Nut..some days you don't!

2010-03-09T18:09:00.001-08:00

today I just did not feel like a running Nut! Well, let me re-phase my brain could not wrap itself around the idea that my body wanted to go five miles but my brain did not!!

I had the most negative thoughts and feelings creep into my head around 2.5 mile, that my feet just stopped! I decided to walk and shake it off and try again, it was beautiful outside there were so many people out and about and I just needed to have an awesome run. I have really been out of it today! I will break it down for you and try to be light along the way ..I don't want to be debbie downer any more today!

pre-run: hubby pops in the door, I am ready to go just guzzled a bottle of water, because I was behind on my water count today! He says "don't you have an hour worth of running to get started on?" (as a side note he was in no way being demeaning saying this) In my head that first negative thought creeped in.....it is going to take an hour to run five miles...blah

mile 1- 12.07 wow I am running really slow but that is ok I want negative splits lets pick it up a little...

hey I need to pee, but I can probably hold it

Mile 1.5 cute little runner chick blooowwss by me...and I mean flies..and this is where the thoughts started tumbling, why do I do this? I feel fat, I am sure I look fat, I want to be faster, since when did I think I could just head out and run 5 miles? I can feel my booty jiggling and I am not a fan today, the music on my Ipod sucks, how much further do I have to go? I feel like crap, I can't do this,! and oh my god I have to pee so bad it hurts!

I am pretty sure you could have put 5 million dollars in front of me and I would have found something wrong with it! How did my brain get in the pit? Now I was mad at myself and being debbie downer and walking! I turned at the 2.8 mark knowing it was 1.2 home and I just needed to stop. and freaking pee

Mile 3: Cute little teeny boppers sitting on the street..giggle and chatting, I jog by and hear them giggle louder, so in my head I wrote them this letter: (even though they might have very well just have been giggling)

Dear little skinny girls,

Don't laugh at me, I know I look ridiculous in my spandex and my "run like a mother" headband that I happen to think is awesome, but to you I am the most uncool chick on the planet (well maybe that is your Mom , but I am a close second) I realize my butt is big and my thighs are thunderous, but you just keep laughing, I was where you were once. Yup that's right I used to wear those size double zero jeans and I could eat whatever I wanted. But,things have changed and those days are behind me, o.k little ladies my body is like a gently used car, that has a bunch of really great miles on it and has had many fun road trips, including two babies....so enjoy your double zeros and your Doritos and coke, I too realize my booty is jiggling but I have earned that jiggly butt soooooo BITE ME! oohh and p.s. when you are me in 15 years or so I will cheer you on not laugh at you!

Sincerly,
the hunky chunky chick running right by you

(see I was even making up things, that may or may not have been thoughts in other peoples brains!)

I took off again at that point and continued I felt a little better, and was trying to remind myself that not every day is going to be rainbows and butterflies but at least I was out here.

About,this time I noticed a white Nissan slowing down and getting closer to the curb, I look over glancing and see a car full of "creepers" I actually wondered if I had something on my face, they were staring that hard so... I ran faster, they sped up and went by, not even two minutes later they were in the oncoming direction once again slowing down and staring, I was beginning to wonder if I had done something to offend them because they were seriously creeping me out! This continued 5 more times...I was freaking booking it now, I actually caught up to another jogger who I see frequently and asked her if she would run me home because these dudes were seriously making me feel like they were going to steal me~

Mile 4...sweet I finished at least four miles, I am mad and still somewhat sad that I could not work through my brain to crank out five, and I am angry at myself for beating my own self up but at the end of the day I still ran and I am looking forward to better runs....

I have another race this weekend and have some goals to accomplish....so I have to get my head in the game!

I am also looking for a light weight spring jacket...any good suggestions anyone? Hope everyone has a great hump day!!

and...through all things, try to remind your self, you are strong, beautiful and totally worth everything you do..

Ruuunnnnnn.. a quick recap!

2010-03-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

I did it... I ran the first 5k of my life and totally have a PR! ok so the Pr is a little bit of a joke considering I have never run an official timed race but I finished the race in 34.43 which for me is a PR!!

It was a great race a beautiful day, and a lovely weekend! Other than sharing my bed with Itty bitty (my one year old)she made it really hard to sleep solidly, everything went great, we made it every where we needed to be in time and the kids were not too fussy!

I felt great running today, I know this is so cheesy of me but I got a little emotional in the beginning, thinking that it was not so long ago I was sitting on my couch complaining that working out and getting shape was hard and I was never going to be "one" of those people. Anyhow I was able to fight back the tears have my private sappy moment at the beginning and comfortably run the whole time! I would occasionally catch myself running much faster than I had planned and I really wanted to save my energy for the last half mile. I totally fist pumped it across the finish line!

Speaking of the last half, as I approached it...guess who was standing there? My cute little family talking about moving faster....they were adorable freezing their bums off just to wave as Mommy went by!

Needless to say it was awesome, I am addicted and I have another race next weekend! Which pretty much means,I have to go to bed now because I am exhausted from a busy weekend and we have a busy week to go! I hope everyone had a great run or race weekend looking forward to hearing about all of them!

Off to the Races!!!

2010-03-06T06:19:00.000-08:00

Alright bloggy peeps!

I am out of here, on my way to my very first 5k......somone please pray to the running gods that I don't trip, get lost, choke on water any of those fun things I have been knowing to do....

To all you ladies running Disney.. you go girls show them what princesses are truly made of!

I know there are others of you running races this weekend so kick some bootayy....I will be back Monday (and since my laptop, had to go to the computer doctor, I will not be making it around to blogs until Monday or so!!)

So for now..... ugghhh how does a runner chant go? Fast legs, fair winds, warm weather and everyone else be behind me? I made that up...(I know it was hard to tell)

RUN MOMMY RUNNNNNNNN..............

Bondi Band Giveaway winners.......

2010-03-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

Ok all you bloggy peeps......drum roll pleassseee

Random.org selected these winners and it made me laugh, to the victor goes the spoils!

1. TMB@RACING WITH BABEHERE
2. ZOE AT RUN ZOE RUN HERE
3. HANNAH@MORE THAN A MARATHONHERE

and I wanted to give just one more away because there were so many folks and I would love to give you all one, but the final random Blogger is...

4. Mel @ Tall Mom on the Run!HERE

Congrats to all the winners! You west coast girls got a deal with Random.org or something? I kid, I kid!

Please email@ Etgym@aol.com me with which Bondi Band you would like and your snail mail address and it will be on it's way...Please understand the giveaway is for Bondi Band's only and not the wicking hats or anything else on the site!

Happy Friday everyone, if you are running this weekend please shoot me an email and let me know!! I have a race this weekend too and I want to celebrate!

Caution Jalapeno's are spicy!!

2010-03-03T18:58:00.000-08:00

Welcome all you new Bloggy followers!

Ummm soooo...funny story..if you have a sinus infection you should not be the one flavoring food! Also, if you are said, sinus infection person you should be aware that your sense of taste and smell are well waayyyy off...SO I made chicken taco's tonight for dinner...which we love and I make frequently! I chopped all my veggies and was cooking, I always cook the girls chicken first(thank god) and then I add Jalapeno to the rest of the chicken to give it a kick, tonight after chopping the jalapeno I realized I could not smell it, thinking maybe it was a little weak I added more to the chicken, still not being able to smell it I decided to lick it! Yes, like a double dare that I was not afraid of, I licked a jalapeno!! The next thing my mouth did was reply, holy s#$#%!!

After realizing the error of my ways I was afraid of the amount I had added to the chicken, I also was scared because my entire family was choking, no not on hard candy but on the smell of jalapeno in the air. You see all of their senses are working VERY WELL! They all had watery eyes and were coughing....ooopps catastrophic fail Mom!! I managed to barley eat one of them! Hubby said, with enough sour cream and cheese they tasted "alright" we forgot to tell brother who lives here, how spicy they were! His eyes watered then he jumped up for a cold drink!! Yikes next time I will be more aware! Damn Killer chicken taco's!

Anyhow on to running, I managed to squeak out a mere 3.1 tonight, I am getting more and more nervous as race day draws near and had to reassure my self that I would indeed be able to do this! I am still a little stuffy , but the run was awesome! I felt great the whole time I was out there! Dear ole' Galletea carried me and my legs all the way through! I had steady 11:30 paces the whole time! I really want to be faster but I know that takes time! SO I feel good and I am ready for Sunday! I might get a quickie run in on Friday we shall see how my "infection" is doing!

I have a quick review to post about! I recently tried GNU fiber Bars!HERE Not to get all personal on all you bloggy folks out there but I am a chick who could use some extra fiber in her life! But, I dread the way fiber makes my stomach feel!! I was actually excited to try these all natural bars! They were great!! Delivering the fiber I need without upsetting my stomach! My very favorite was the Banana walnut bar, and my least favorite was the lemon ginger. I could barley eat lemon ginger it was extremely zingy! These bars are Fabulous you should check out the website , these bars make tasty snacks with 12 grams of fiber!!

Ok so how is that for a bunch of randomness?? My giveaway ends tomorrow night at 11:59 so you better get in on it! I have to make my way around and post some comments on all you super running blogs! Have a great Thursday every one!

Buried

2010-03-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

First Welcome all you new bloggy peeps! I am glad you are here! Don't be a creeper and lurk around, say hi! I love new blog friends!

I am buried...not in a pile of snow, not under my own weight but under 5,987,576,890,087 tissues!! My nose is raw, my ears are popping and I am freaking out that I can't run...which is kinda funny when I think about it!

So today I did something I rarely do and I sucked it up and went to see the Doctor!! Now I usually ride out cold for quite sometime and often act stubborn and suffer but dude, seriously I have not run since last week and I can't stand it!! So I basically begged the doc to help me with my stuffiness, she told me I had severe sinus infection and a double ear infection!...as a quick side note I am basically allergic to any fabulous drug there is available and have to settle for the few that won't kill me, but are not as effective!

So alas, I am downing a z-pack,mucinex-dm,sudaffed and advil around a very specific clock! When little miss (my 3 year old) told me today that I looked like I had lost my mind, I pretty much had nothing to say except to agree with her! Anyhow I have completely forgotten that February is over and need a quick recap!

I ran 27 miles this month!! Holy smokes! I pretty much started blogging the last day of January and I got hooked so fast, so February was my first full month of blogging and it totally rocked! I also had a big cross over this month! I went from hating to run and just doing it because I wanted to loose some weight, to completely loving it! I am trying to chase down all you speed demons out there! I actually crave running now, and I also let go of the weight obsession I was on! and you know what the weight is going away on it's own..yeaahh!

So I ran more than my projected 25 miles and I lost a jean size...I would say successful month!! For March I would like to hit 35 miles and do well in the two races, I have coming up for this month!! The first and second 5k's of my life!

As for my blog I am just going to keep throwing out my random thoughts while running, oh and you people really like free stuff, which I can totally appreciate so don't miss myGiveaway.

While I really love all you bloggy people out there, I must go to bed, a good night sleep may do wonders for my illness and the sooner that is gone the better!! I am sorry if I have not made it around to comment on your blog yet, I will blame it on my drug induced coma and hope that I can get around to you soon!

Birthdays, illness,gorgeous bloggers and giveaway oh my!

2010-02-28T06:24:00.000-08:00

How is it already Sunday morning? The weeks are flying off the chart and exactly one week from today i will be running the first 5k of my life!! nervous much? YES...yikes I am already stressing the week ahead of me, I was supposed to do a five mile "long" ru on Friday but by the time Handsome made it home, and we finished some more of our impromptu kitchen stuff it was dark...and well I am a scardy cat! so, I thought no big deal i will get up and the morning and pound out five miles, knowing we were headed two and half hours away for a day trip....

Saturday morning I wake up, early as I getting out of bed I could not even begin to deny how bad my head hurt how stuffy my nose was and the coughing ohh the coughing! I popped a few advil some suddafed and laid back down thinking another 30 mins and then I will go run... one and half hours later I was still laying there, listing to little bitty yell...."mama mmmmmmmaaaaaaaamaa mamama" from her crib, ughhhh I still feel like crap! how in the world am I going to run if I can't breathe?

Anyhow I scratch the run move it to Sunday we get up get the family loaded in the mini-van and head to central Virginia for my best friends, baby boy's 1st birthday!! (hi Carolanne) Now, I don't drive two and half hours for any one year old's birthday, but CarolAnne and I have been best friends, for a long time and her little guy is too cute! Of course while we were there, both my folks and handsomes live there, so we visited them too! It was a truly fabulous day, but it was long and by the end of the day I was really starting to go down hill!

So here we are Sunday morning, woke up with two swollen eyes! a nose so congested, that I can neither sniffle nor blow my nose it just makes my ears pop! as I type I have tissue stuffed up the nasal cavities because one side has decided to drip like a faucet and a cough that would make a smoker of 50 years look at me sideways! 5 miles today? Not happening!! I need to better ASAP!! My 5k is next Sunday.....le sigh I will be eating advil and anti-congestion medication today!!

Thank you to Marcia at Running off at the mouth HERE for hitting me with this!

I am supposed to tell you six things about myself!

1. I am a mommy to two of the cutest little girls you have ever seen! They are full of life and Love and the make me laugh (sometimes they make me pull my hair out but just sometimes) they really are just that cute and NO I am not biased...

2.I used to do competitive gymnastics! In fact I did for nearly 10 years!!But, I have never in my life ran...from anything except maybe my little brother!

3.I am neat freakish, if you ever come visit me please take your shoes off at the door and don't leave your dishes in the sink....I won't like you anymore!

4. On nearly a daily basis, I wonder if I would quit running if it was not for all you awesome bloggy people out there!

5. this past week I can fit into a smaller size jean...and that thrills me!

6. I now often day dream about the day I sign up for my first marathon, half marathon and maybe even triathlon!! whoaaa When not even two months ago the thought of walking 2 miles around my neighborhood made me want to just want to sit and complain about how hard it was!

I am now supposed to tag six others...

1. ZOE @ Run Zoe Run HERE
2. MCM Mama HERE
3. Shannon@ Biggs gets skinnyHERE
4. Lindsey@ Chasing the KenyansHERE
5. Hannah @ More than a MarathonHERE
6. TMB @ RACING WITH BABESHERE

And to end on a high note don't forget my Giveaway!!HERE Have a happy Sunday everyone!

GIVEAWAY!!

2010-02-25T19:18:00.000-08:00

You heard me...it is my very first Giveaway and I am celebrating sticking to my goals for two months! and it is always fun to win things...

Ok so I know you want to know what it is!

This one comes to you from Bondi Bond! Three of you lucky bloggers will receive a fabulous new Bondi band! As you all know I am a giant Bondi Band fan, I have a ridiculous amount of crazy, curly hair that is hot on my neck and always in my way, I thank god for my Bondi band on nearly every run! I bought some for my little girls and some for myself and we all wear them all the time!

So here's what you have to do!!

1. Be a follower of my blog (leave a comment)
2. pop over to Bondi Band Here and let me know which one you like (leave a comment)

Additional entries:
3.Link this giveaway on your blog (leave a comment)
4.Become a fan of Bondi Band on Facebook (leave a comment)
5.Tell me how you felt just before your very first race (leave a comment)

Ok so there are five easy ways to enter for a new bondi band! Contest ends next Thursday night and will be announced Friday March 5th! I hope everyone has a great Friday! my kitchen is finally back in order...woohhoo more running tomorrow!

Quick one!

2010-02-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

In both the running and blogging world today it will be a quick one!

I hit a quick two mile run this afternoon experiencing that leg pain again! FRUSTRATING BUT AFTER MY FIVE MILER THE OTHER DAY I HAVE BEEN SORE SO MAYBE THAT MUSCLE IS STILL TIRED I TOOK IT EASY IT WAS REFRESHING AND NICE RUN ANDDDD....I cannot believe I am saying this about running two miles???? Hellllooo I thought I hated running, turns out I am starting to think in terms of the day I run a half marathon and gaaassssspppp maybe even a full one!! wooot woot I think the running bug has finally bitten me and I am totally infected and addicted!

Short post tonight much because it has been a crazy few days, somehow handsome and I ended up with a very impromptu kitchen overhaul which includes new appliances (which is awesome) and if you know me at all you could have called me "neat Mom on the run" or something.... I cannot stand for things to be out of sorts, it makes me out of sorts! Especially my kitchen which currently is missing a few cabinets,and a dishwasher. There is crap all over the counters and two refrigerators are sitting in the middle of the kitchen! Yikes we really should plan this stuff better, anyhow you get the picture I am tired but managed to run and I am trying not to look at the kitchen!

One week until my first 5k and I am getting so nervous and anxious...I promise to be more creative and fun tomorrow.. oh and my computer screen it gotten bitten by some other bug and unless I am squeezing the side of it it doesn't work so I will be visiting blogs at some point in time, in the meantime I know you will miss me!!

Have Happy Thursday everyone

5 miles and more random ramblings!

2010-02-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

hold on a minute for me ......k?

Go Mama go! Go Gallatea go! I did it I did it!! I RAN 5 MILES in less than an HOUR!

Ok ok I am back! Sorry I just had to jump around and sing to myself one more time! I ran 5 miles without stopping to walk today! Not only that but I ran in 58.05 seconds which I know is slow for so many of you but completely Awesome for me! This all happened at around 3:00 this afternoon it is currently 8:00 and I am still on a runners High!

It was a beautiful day almost 55 degrees so I was out there in a short sleeve tee! There were minutes where the sun was beating down on me and I could feel summer just right around the corner! It was a beautiful afternoon!

I had serious moments of doubt during the run and kept looking for an out, at 1.5 mile mark I could have sprinted the half mile home or make a right and keep going and my body and mind took me right! There were moments where I wanted to stop and walk but it was like my legs were not capable of walking!

Funny Moments during this run.....

I was fist pumping my way through each mile mark! I did catch more than one person laughing at me...

There were three to five vultures flying over head the entire hour at one point I decided this is what they were saying.... (in a mafia boss tone)

Vulture 1: Yo yo Joe you see what I see?
Vulture 2: yeah yeah I see a plump little piggy running along (that would be me, the plump one)
Vulture 1: yup that would make a good rump roast....(aww Ican't believe they want Gallatea)
Vulture 2: she does look as if she is gonna drop dead any minute, we will just wait until she does, easy dinner tonight!

ME: SO LONG SUCKKKAAASSS not dropping dead today...

haha seriously this is what goes through my mind when I am running? Birds talking to each other!

Also out of a car window came the yell of .....MILFFFFF which in my eyes is somewhat crude, but at the same time I will totally take the compliment hahaha I know they were a bunch of goofy teenagers but hey gotta take the compliments where I can get them right! They must of totally thought my lime green sports bra was awesome! I chuckled and kept on running!

At one point around the 4 mile mark I saw a dog standing on the side of the sidewalk, I was really starting to drag here.. so i imagined that I had to zooomm past the dog or it would chase me down and eat me!!! bwahahaha Now for some people this might actually be a fear, but for me I absolutely loooovvvee dogs and if I did not have two little girls to think about, I would bring home every stray animal I ever spotted! But anyhow it worked I sped up and past the dog and knew I was in the home stretch....to which a great song came blaring over my Ipod!

Good, good, good,good, vibrations took me into the home stretch and when I hit the 4.5 mile mark and my little stop watch said 53.55 I said there is no way in Hell 6 minutes and a .5 mile are going to get me now and I took off!! People were out all over the place and they were just moving out my way I was clearly on a MISSION!!!

soooo Mission Accomplished, I felt great the whole run, I laughed at myself like I always do and when I jumped off the side walk at the end of my street I felt so accomplished! It was a little less then two months ago and I could not run 1/2 a mile, today I ran 5 without stopping.....go me, go mama I am prouddd of myself!

How was your weekend, and what are your proud moments? (at least in the running world, I would be here all not listing moments otherwise)
If anyone has a manic moment for Monday don't forget to email me at etgym@aol.com and I will make sure it gets up there Now off I go to leave comments and enter giveaways. Have a BOMB.COM kinda week!!

what makes you move....

2010-02-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

What makes you go? what drives you to keep running? and why do you love it so much?

Is it the high, is it feeling like bad ass running down the street? what exactly is it that makes us wantt to keep running!

It has been a hard week running wise I have planned all week to go 2, 4, 5, 3, 2 miles this week, I so far have gone
2 (great run first day this week!)
3.1 (wasn't horrible just slower than I wanted)
today I was going to do my five, had everything loaded up and out the door Mile one 9:50 holy moly you go girl!! on to mile 2 ouch ouch realllllyyy ouch what is that pain! Stop for a second stretch, walk for a minute stretch take off running Again
freaking owwww
what is that feeling? I am not sure what it is but it does not feel good maybe I will call hubby to come get me, this is not good!

ooopps did I bring my cell phone..nope ok no big deal try to walk this off, Well I finally just hang my head and hobble home!

I really have no idea what the pain is, I have never felt pain there, it is on the inside of my left calf muscle! Any ideas anyone, I am hoping for just a tight muscle? maybe it is the new shoes? If you think it anything worse than that then please don't tell me :) hehe just kidding but any ideas how to rid myself of it?

but even with the pain I wanted to run so badly! That's why I asked all those questions why do we do this? I say because it rocks my socks...literally (but I like to know what you think too)

and for a little ray of sunshine I really love finding all these new friends in blog land! I feel like I know each of you and I thank you for inspiration I promise soon my blogs are going to become much less whiny and much more inspirational!

Oh and a giveaway is coming....yeah seriously I have stuck to my running goals for almost two months and that is reason to celebrate!!Stay tuned for that!

One more thing it is nearly the end of the week I need some emails about what you want to tell everyone on manic Monday...did something crazy, silly, not really that funny, frustrating happen to you this week? Let me know etgym@aol.com.

Alright go forth and have a happy Friday!

Gallatea..... things I say to myself while running

2010-02-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

hmmm....what the hell is Gallatea you say? ahhh yes

Well Gallatea is the new name I have for my gluts! That's right everyone I have named my butt! Oh yes I did..... you see today while on a 5k test run my friend Gallatea really really got on my nerves! She jiggled and wiggled like she always does but she simply could not push me as fast as I wanted to go... I then said the following things to her...

Dear Gallatea,

You are one of the largest muscles in my body! You are also one of the largest anythings on my body, in fact your HUGE! Is there a reason you can not pick up your friends Thunder thighs and cankels and make them move faster? Oh what was that you said, Lenny lungs simply won't have it? and Hedi head cold simply thinks your dumb to think you can move this body any faster! Well come on Gallatea prove them wrong pleeeeasse.

I know over the years I have not been so great to you Gallatea, but I am trying my hardest right now to make you a popular girl (i.e. Hot ass) but you have to do your part too, now let's pump it out together and by the way could you stop jiggling around so much it is really making me loose my self confidence!

Thanks and yours truly,
Erica (aka the rest of the body your supposed to be pushing)

I did my 5k run through today, it was much slower than I wanted it to go but I figure I have to jump off somewhere and poor Gallatea I did not feed her right today, yes you read that right I did not feed my butt right today in fact all I had was a double cheeseburger! I know completely disgusting, so when I was loosing steam at the halfway mark I really only had myself to blame!

I have been trying to pace myself but finding this a challenge, I also apparently in my 26 years of life have not figured out how to drink from a water bottle and at one point stopped because I managed to choke myself.

Ok so that's enough talk about my rear end friend! 5k-36 minutes....must get faster!

Manic Monday!

2010-02-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

OK OK OK! I know it's Monday and we are all feeling blah! (well at least most of us!) I have read at least five blogs tonight, of typically very inspirational runners who just were not feeling it today! Now I know we all have these days and for some of us this day is everyday (hence me) but what is going on? Maybe it is the nasty dreary weather, maybe the kids being home for two weeks has made us crazy? (at least us snow bound folks) Anyhow I thought we would do something fun!

So I am going to start Manic Mondays....(wish I would have thought of this yesterday!) this is where you can either email me and tell me, or comment and tell me the most hilarious/ridiculous thing that happened to you all week long! weather you slipped and fell on Ice (pretty ridiculous) or your kid peed all over you right after you got dressed for a party (I didn't think it was Hilarious) it doesn't matter whatever you would think would give us all a good chuckle! I will post them in little snippets on my blog on Monday morning. So when we are feeling not so hot/energized/cold/miserable/blue/ whatever just need a good laugh, you can just click on over and laugh for a minute or two! Ok! So for today we will just post them in a comment but during the next week if you have something you thought would make others chuckle, or something so ridiculous you thought we should all know, then by all means please email it to me and I will include it next Monday! and as the weekend approaches I will do my best to remind everyone!

SO I will leave you with this! (my ridiculous morning I will call it!)

In my house Murphy's law never fails me and I mean NEVER!!! We were scheduled to have a Valentines party here for our playgroup this morning. Now thinking that I am being wise and preparing the night before I cleaned for almost two hours including scrubbing the floors and organizing, so my friends don't think I am completely disgusting individual! I also decided it would be a good idea to get up early in case any unforeseen circumstances pop up (which they always do).

So when I woke up an hour late I was in a little bit of a panic, this only gave me and 1.5 hours to get everyone dressed, myself showered, breakfast and prepare food for the party! Ok I am thinking it's all good, I cleaned everything last night, and the food is easy! SO I hop in the shower quickly before little bitty baby wakes up! Only to step out of the shower and hear her yelling MAMA, MAMA! I get dressed quickly pick her up and discover three year old is in her room trying on every last possible piece of clothing she owns! (ok fine whatever no one will see the upstairs anyways!) I hurry her along and began getting bitty baby dressed. No sooner did I get her diaper off the phone began to ring. So I pick her up naked bummed and run to the next room to answer the phone (thank you mister telemarketer but no I don't need anymore insurance) hmmm I feel awfully warm and WET!!! Baby pee! Yeah, awesome it is not like I wanted to wear this shirt and jeans today anyhow, now I am at least 20 mins more behind!

Rush everyone downstairs only to find Muddy footprints all over my hardwood floors (which is all of downstairs except the playroom) fabulous (my teenage brother in law who lives here, did not remove his boots!) Grab the mop and hastily began scrubbing the floors in a very angry manner, well I must have been really angry because the mop snapped right in half!!! oh my holy bageezes, I say to which my three year old says "Mommmm we don't need to speak like that!" Ok she is right but seriously now I have no mop and 15 people coming over,I decide to get over it eventually the kids are going to throw food every where anyway! Oh crap, food I guess my girls are probably starving! They want waffles! thank god waffles take five seconds, open the freezer ahhhh no waffles! crap! Holy meltdown from both children (no doubt because I had been starving them) they finally decide they will settle for oatmeal! Fine, I start their food and began party food! As I am serving oatmeal, I smell something funny, I walk back into the kitchen I realize I had set a plastic top down on a burner and it had melted.....seriously ready to cancel the party at this point!

Thirty minutes to go and I have two kids finally eating breakfast, a dirty floor, no food prepared,and the house stinks of burned plastic. Ok so at least I feed my kids right? The next thing I see is flying oatmeal! Little bitty decides oatmeal just isn't her thing and instead of telling me, she throws it on the floor! AWESOME....I say I finally decide to clean up, vacuum, paper towel wipe the floor. If friends arrive while food is being prepared then well they will be okay, at least they are not coming into a dirty house! (well the floors were gross but they didn't care too much!)

To make a long story short, I did prepare food while they were here and the kids ran liked caged animals and the party was a huge hit. After all, we had been stuck inside for two weeks now and we needed friends! Thank god for friends big and small, and thank god the day turned out great, after such a crazy morning!!

Anyhow that is my ridiculous story, I am laughing now to think why did I even bother if you could have seen the floor after 13 toddlers ate lunch there was no point! Hope your monday wasn't as manic!!

Happy Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has had a great day! We (being the handsome hubby and I) were able to sneak out last night for a quick date! We hit a fancy little Tex-Mex restaurant the food was yummy and the conversation was as always intriguing, silly, loving and funny! It was pretty nice to make it through a whole sentence with out hearing "Mommy I need..." Not that I mind answer these calls of need but sometimes it is nice to have a break!

We had pretty much decided that we were not going to do anything fancy for Valentines! Handsome hubby wanted some new tools and of course wanted new running gear! We are awesomely romantic aren't we?

So anyhow Handsome showed up with these this morning!

Beautiful Tiger Lilly's

He is so great, he brought the little girls flowers too. They are going have such a hard time finding husbands because he spoils them sooo much!

Then....the other part of my day was getting to go to Pacers, (which is a running store in Alexandria Virginia) and have my feet fitted for the proper shoes! I was sooo excited yeahh!! Turns out I was wearing a shoe, almost two sizes too small? Seriously, the lady laughed at me! Not in a mean way, but like in a wow I am surprised your feet don't kill you kind of way!

Anyhow after trying on a few different shoes, and running up and down the street in Alexandria (with my jeans rolled to my knees and my winter coat on!) I ended up with these!

I love that they just so happened to be HOT pink!!

after I was done fitting shoes we looked around for a little bit, they have great stuff in there! and for anyone who is local they are having 40% off winter gear! I picked out one more thing I am now the proud owner of this...

I am so excited I cannot wait to get out there and run this afternoon! Unfortunately Handsome got called into work and who knows when he will be back! But, we hope it is sooner rather than later!

So that was our Valentines day,it was awesome and I had a few little tricks up my sleeve for handsome that he loved too!

How did you spend your day?

Somedays....

2010-02-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have days like this?

I was pumped! Ready to hit the road for my "long" day. Yes, sorry fellow runners long in my running world is 4 miles (but soon to be six!) Was just waiting for hubby to get home and switch off the girls!(by girls I mean my children).

He arrived home we chatted for a few minutes, and we both changed at the same time him out of his work cloths me into my running cloths. Right at that moment when I was changing it hit me, holy smokes girl you are going to go run four miles and you are stoked! After all it had been a pretty good day, we were finally able to get out of the house for a little bit, and I made some progress in the way of Valentines day!

So I kiss my kiddos, tell handsome hubby it is my "long" day and I will be back just in time to order pizza for supper! He yells back "please be careful, it is getting icy" (To catch some of you up, we here in the mid-atlantic region/Maryland have about 30 inches of snow on the ground and for the last two days our highs have gotten to 40 which is great for the melt, but then at night it all re-freezes!)

Anyhow I was off, walking up the street I did notice some Ice but not much, I decide on the way down the street to give the sidewalks a try the crews have been out trying to clear them (all the kids in my neighborhood walk to school, so they are trying to get ready for Monday) I warm up and take off. I was feeling ok, and it was cold and I am still batteling a head cold so there were moments that I was wondering if I was really going to make it!

Once those feelings started creeping in I swear I lost my MOJO! I did great for the first .5 I was excited and feeling strong, at about the .5 mark I get to the end of a side walk, with a mound of snow taller than I am, they had no exit off this side walk except through the snow, I wanted to swear, so I stopped climbed through the snow and got on the next side walk and kept going. Ok not such a big deal I will find my groove in a minute. I am starting to feel my stride, I wave at the little dudes cleaning the side walking who were looking at me like I have three heads! I started thinking about the topic of my blog for this evening and that usually occupies my mind and entertains me for quite sometime.

Out loud I say to my self, Ouch! Something is wrong with the last three toes on my right foot the are rubbing my shoe the wrong way!(going to the running store this weekend) Ok whatever shrug it off, back out into blog land thinking. and then it happened....

The next thing I knew I was looking up, not running and looking up but laying flat on my back looking up at the sky! I had hit a patch of Ice and it took me for everything I had. I swore, and laid there for second wondering if I could feel my toes, I rolled up to a seated position looked around to make sure no one had just seen that because I would rather die of embarrassment than have anyone ask if I am ok! (yeah I know I am a weirdo) do a quick body check I am fine, but I am getting on the road to run I have had enough trouble with the side walks!

On the road I am back to a jog, I am ok I am doing fine, I keep telling myself you can do this it will be fine, I see a truck up ahead, I notice he is driving rather fast (think 45ish in a 25mph neighborhood) hmmmm I think, I wonder if he sees me? He is not slowing down or moving over, so I slow down and prepare to jump into the snow bank as a last resort! I keep running, the next thing I hear is a very loud hoooonnnkkk and look over at him to see him talking on his cell phone and totally angry! Dude seriously? I saw you two minutes ago, if you could slow done and get off your phone you would have had no problems. Not to mention I was well out of your way, now if I had time to think about your actions you were clearly not paying attention!

Accckkk, that loud honnnk really threw me and now my hip and my toe were hurting and I was only 1.5 miles in! I have been really inspired to run latley and have been loving every minute of it and I was so excited to get out there today but after all that I could not shake my nerves and the thought of fallen in the road way or another car not seeing me again was just enough to throw me off and make me throw in the towel at two miles and go home! I was so so disappointed in myself! I am still arguing with myself in my head! I just could not pull myself together enough to keep going tonight! I am now I am upset that I did not!

I came home told hubby my woes, he understood and said it was for the better that I was not out their running with such treacherous conditions and we got pizza, good god I love pizza!! It was so delicious, my family was picking on me for how fast I ate that pizza! Now just as a side note we ordered a large pizza and an order of mozzarella sticks. There are four of us, my husband, me, a 3 year old and a 1 year old.......there is a half a slice of pizza left!!! Can we say piggy wiggys?

Alright well this post is getting far to long! I am sorry for my uninspired posting I just am terribly disappointed! I am hoping to get a four miler this weekend in hopes that the conditions will continue to improve!

So tell me runners and fellow bloggers, what was your most disappointing moment in your training? do we all have days like this?

J K L (tall mom said to do it so I am)

2010-02-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

Okay so I am totally copying her, but I thought this might be fun to try since I have not run, seeing as the snow is piled as high as my nose!

J- JUNKY that's right I am a junky a total running Junky, I love the high it gives me, the way my body is starting to look and all the fun gear I can run out and buy for it! (this all happened in a little over a month in the beginning of Feb I still did not like it!)

also, a blogging Junky I will admit I used to be one of those who thought blogging was just odd! But not only have I become addicted to both writing a blog and reading blogs , handsome hubby also reads blogs about his hobby. We never realized what a great source of information they would be and for me they have been a giant source of inspiration.

K-Ka choowww is what my little girl says! It is from the movie Cars and after my morning shred this morning she looked up and said "ka chooww, we did a great job Mom" ahhh I love her,she and her sister are also a great motivators in this whole running effort! I want them to have a strong Mom, who is happy and proud of herself! So that they can always remember to do and find thigs that make them happy, proud and strong! I will have to remember when I run across a finish line (if we ever get to see the ground again) "ka choww"

L- Lacking!! I am totally lacking a valentines day gift for handsome hubby!!! I do not know what to do or get and although we both agree Valentines is kinda of a silly holiday I think I had better come up with something, maybe I could dedicate a blog to him? ahaa sorry hunny I love you and I will figure out something soon! (maybe)

So that was pretty fun I might have to try more of these! I have been sticking to Jillian's shred and it really works me out! I am craving a run and hope that soon the roads will be plowed and I will be able to head out for a 4 miler!

The inspiration I have found in Blog world lately is like no other I have felt in a very long time! I am starting to think I am gonna run my tushy right the heck off!! I hope everyone here in the mid-atlantic is warm and with power! We have so far been lucky with power!

What is the weather like where you are? (be careful what you say I may be on the next plane to your house) :) Happy Thursday everyone, the week is almost over!!

update

2010-02-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

So just after I wrote my previous blog about my new head gear and jacket and how I have not had the chance to run, my three year old said "mommy are you going to run today" I replied "no darling," her "well why not" to which I had to make up excuses like "mommy has a cold and is feeling kinda yucky, and it is already snowing again" her (in a very disappointed tone) "ok nevermind then Mommy". She was so bummed out and I too was bummed but really could not see myself out there not feeling well!

Two seconds later, handsome hubby was home early from work (this is a rare occasion) I thought I had better take advantage of this even if I have to walk some because of my congestion it will be worth it to get out there! So I explained to my husband "the need to be hardcore" meaning I was going running, yes I know it is snowing, and I already feel like crapola but I am headed out, I will go the short 2 miles today!!

here we go " I did it, I did it" and it felt gooooooddd, I ran the whole way, I felt great and I felt like I was really moving. Moving fast that is and that two miles is really becoming easy, awwww the high running gives me!!

In all my glory as I was clipping along, I was coming around the front of our neighborhood where there is a small hill, the kids of the neighborhood have been sledding there all week, as I was "gliding" by I heard a child scream and then a grown man scream for help, in what felt like a split second I leaped across the road to see a young boy laying in the snow unconscious. I ran/slide down the hill to see what happened and he had gone off a jump they had built and hit his head! To make a long story short I told the Dad to call 911 and had another child run to get this young boy's parents. I insisted no one move him and I began calling his name, he did wake up in what seemed like forever but was actually just a minute or two, he was talking and coherent and could feel all limbs! All good signs, I waited for EMS and then since I did not see what happend I went ahead and finshed my run.

Since I was only .5 from home at that point I sprinted the rest of the way and snow and ice was pelting me in the face I just wanted to get home! Upon arriving on my street I saw one of my older neighbors struggling to remove snow from his sidewalk and as we are currently getting socked in again he really wanted to move it! So I grabbed a shovel and did the rest for him! I totally just called it an addition to my work out!

So I know I am rambling but I love helping people! I in no way want anyone to ever get hurt,but I felt strong being able to shovel someone else snow and knowing enough about first aid to keep the little guy from moving or getting up! and although it was a slightly dramatic one, it was still a good one and I felt "hardcore"! As a side note handsome hubby joked and said "you should have been extra hard core scooped the boy up and run to the hospital with him!" I am sorry that made me chuckle as he was only picking on my wimpy hardcorness! but hey we all have to start somewhere!

oohhhh and also real quick, serious love affair with the bondi band and new jacket!! I might have to wear them even when not running!

New head gear!

2010-02-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

I am really starting to get excited about my new running hobby! I know, it is not considered a "hobby" but for me it almost has to be! I research it, buy all sorts of fun equipment for it and I am totally becoming obsessed! Now now it was just a week ago I was saying that I hated running!Now it is something I look forward too. I love the way I feel during and after running and I am really excited to go to a few races!

However, I must get up on my soap box and complain for just a minute! Damn you snow gods! What is it that I have done to you! Please I beg of you I will do almost anything to un-do my wrong doings! I can no longer handle any more snow and as I type we are currently getting dumped on with 15-20 inches in the forecast, on top of the 24-28 we got this past weekend! I feel like we need to go ahead and re-name Maryland something like North Dakota!

Ok off the soap box, I have not been able to run since FRIDAY!!! With so much snow on the ground, and now it is ice underneath and 10 foot snow piles on each side of the road it makes for unsafe conditions. I have however been trying a few new things. We have on-demand exercise through our cable company, so I decided to browse. I stumbled upon the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders boot camp, haha laugh if you want it is ok I did too, but oh my goodness it was a great workout! and serious motivation looking at the cheerleaders I would love to have their rippling abs!!

I also have done Jillian Michels Shred for the last two days, and she is a tough chick!!! She is evil and says things like "if I can get 400 pound people to do this, then you can do it too, too bad if it hurts!! ahhh I wanted to yell at her! But I felt great after wards. I also came back for more so I guess I don't dislike her that much!

Yesterday my new Jacket arrived in the mail!!!! Yeah can't wait to give it a try, and today the Bondi Bands arrived! I ordered some for me and one for each of my girls! Look at how cute they are (the girls anyway!)

This is my oldest totally happy to pose and wear her new head gear!!

My little one, she is not so fond of her new head gear!

and all three of us squished together for a photo op! I love that mine says "run like a mother"!

Alright, well I wanted to thank all of you who responded to my shoe post, I will take the time to find a running store in the next couple of days and visit it! I hope to be around the blogsphere in the next couple of days hoping we don't loose power and all! Take care and I hope it is warm where you are!

Favorite Shoes

2010-02-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

I need help! I need to know what kind of shoes everyone prefers! I have been wearing a pair of Nike shocks for awhile and although I love my Nike shoes they are not cutting it anymore! My feet cramp and the sides of them hurt my feet I have been looking at Brooks and Newton and I really don't know what you fun runner types think are better shoes! Any ideas or suggestions, I do have a slightly funny knee that has not bothered me yet but sometimes gives me trouble and I do not think I have an under or over pronunciation but more of a neutral gait (I had my shoes looked at, at a shoe store not sure if they were completely sure.)

I could really use some suggestions! Ok I have to run....my kids are into something it is much to quite. More blogging later!

Snowmagedden!

2010-02-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

That is what they are dubbing this snow storm we are under! Here in the southern Maryland area we are under a blizzard warning and we have about 28 inches of snow on the ground it is still coming down!! I am supposed to be running my very first 5k right now!! and enjoying my gorgeous family on a mini-vacation! Oh well I am still enjoying them at home, except for my dear husband who keeps getting called to work, ahh thank goodness for 4-wheel drive!

This is picture of our "street"

and here is my little cutie playing!

We left the little one inside (well in her crib napping) as we would most likely loose her there is more snow then she is tall and she is not a fan of the white stuff!

Now I am pretty sure I live in Maryland and not Antarctica but by looks of it I might be completely wrong!

This is my back deck! Or what was once my deck.

Oh well the snow truly is beautiful but it is paralyzing for us folks who typically get six inch snow storms and think the world is ending!

I want to be in Bora bora right now!

As far as running, well it is pretty much out of the question but the snow is so heavy and I have been shoveling, it is a pretty decent work out! I have been in somewhat of a funk as far as watching what I eat, last night I was eating chips and tempted to down a beer! Oh well I guess one of these days I will get it together!

I have a new set challenge and I have to be somewhat vague here for the risk of hurting peoples feelings if they should ever find my blog! But, there is a certain 5k this summer that I am signed up for and so are a few acquaintances of mine who kindly said to me "you should sign up, we would totally wait for you and not blow by you" I can't wait to see the looks on there faces when I "blow by them" I know it may not be the correct thinking but it will totally keep me running and pushing myself!

Anyhow I need to rush off and make some hot chocolate for the little ones! I sure hope the power stays on!