She Almost Made Me Forget

I mentioned Ella was puking when we got home.

To just say that doesn't really give the full idea of what that meant.

It meant that on by Sunday evening she was puking every 15 minutes.

It meant that I was up with her EIGHT times on Sunday night and Cory was up with her once.

It meant that the every 15 minute thing carried on until Monday afternoon.

Then went to every 2-3.

Until finally, at 7:00 pm she puked for the last time.

It meant that my planned run for yesterday did not happen because I didn't dare leave her side to puke by herself.

It meant that she had to stay home from school today.

We snuggled. And snuggled. And painted her nails.

We watched wedding dress shows and Bubble Guppies and Word World.

Then, when it came time for me to run, I mentioned I was going to go change my clothes...

"No!! I want to snuggle you!!"

She almost got me. Even as I changed my clothes I debated. I WAS tired, after all. She was sick and I'm sure would love more snuggles. But, I remembered just in time.

Remember this?

Yep. So did I.

4 miles ran and I felt fantastic.

Showered.

Dressed (actual clothes not jammies or sweats!).

And Brenton, Ella and I went and enjoyed a little fresh air and a walk with the dog.

So thankful I remembered as it helped to change all our attitudes and rev all our engines!

A Deep Breath

My sweet hubs and I got home this afternoon from a fun filled little work/vacation trip to Vegas.

I haven't been there since I was a child and to be honest it's about the last place on earth that I would want to vacation.

However, he had to go for work and we went with his boss's family and had such a good time.

Because we would be on a little vacation, I got my miles in before we left...

8 miles Tuesday.

10 miles Wednesday.

A huge blister and quite sore legs met me on Thursday along with walking for hours and hours.

But, it was so fun.

Fun to people watch (or look away!)

Amazing buildings.

Delicious food (the best steak of my life)

Time with my sweet hubs that has left me feeling refreshed.

So happy to be home and hug my sweet babes...

Sad to walk in to Ella puking :(

Off for snuggles and loves.

Hope everyone had a great weekend too!!

CSN Stores Review

I am beyond excited to share that CSN Stores has contacted me to do a review of one of their products! CSN has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, to Herman Miller chairs, or even a foam roller!

I love their store and as I search for something to review I find my want list grows and I'm truly having a hard time deciding...

Foam roller?

Yoga DVD's?

A bathroom scale?

Cookware?

So many options! Stayed tuned to see what I choose...

I also just want to say thanks for all the sweet comments on my last post. And, wanted to clarify. Today, now, in this moment, I KNOW I can do it.

I am energized.

I am excited.

I am motivated.

But, I know myself.

I know there are trials to come - known and unknown.

So, while I'm feeling positive, I thought I'd write myself a little letter. A little motivation for the hard days.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. That your cherishing your blessings. Give your loved ones a tight squeeze, tell them you love them, enjoy the moment.

Dear Meredith

Dear Meredith,

Remember.

Remember how it feels to finish a run on the treadmill. Drenched in sweat. Accomplished.

Remember how invigorating it feels to run in the rain. Drenched. Calves covered in mud. Dare I say, bad#$@?

Remember how wonderful it feels when your clothes fit.

Remember how crappy it feels when they don't.

Remember it's okay to feel like you're going to puke.

Remember you and your body CAN do it.

Remember that even when you think you're too tired, you're not.

Every step counts.

You've got this.

Remember.

Remember all this when "sleep" sounds convincingly smart.

Remember all this when life seems too overwhelming and your tendency is to just shut off.

Remember the songs. The conversations. The closeness to God. The blessing.

Remember.

So, when there are bumps in the road. When life seems too much. When you think you don't want to... you really do.

You will not regret it.

Ever.

Sincerely,
Me

The Morning 5K

The adrenaline is slowing down a bit and I'm less shaky as I write, but does anyone else go through the morning 5k??

The alarm goes off and Sleep tells you just 5 more minutes... that turns into 20 when your little one crawls in next to you (oh, who am I kidding, I'd still stay in for 20 more minutes!)

You race to the kitchen, make the required pot of coffee (EVERY morning I tell myself I should do this before going to bed at night.) and tell the crazy animals, uh, I mean kids, that you just need to take the dog out to go potty.

You race back in, get breakfast orders from your kids, make lunches (this morning sweet hubs did that! Thank you babe!), bark orders for them to hurry, brush their teeth, wash their faces, perhaps even comb their hair.

And on the days the sweet miss has school, a whole new level of crazy. Kick it in to high gear. Neither of us are fast morning movers. Which pants to wear? Which shirt? Which sweatshirt?? How to do the hair?? Oh. My. Word. The boys are so much easier! She barely makes it out the door on time as she races with the boys to the bus.

Breakfast for sweet B...

Another potty break for the pup...

Ready to lose it.

Breakfast made. Coffee at the ready.

Ahhhhhh.

A race is what it seems like without all the warm fuzzies. Just the anxiety, racing heartbeat and adrenaline rush.

We got word that the kids will be getting out early today. A possible dose of snow/freezing rain has the district planning ahead. Of course, this now means that it will only be rain and 38.

As my kids raced out the door I told them that if there's snow and freezing rain we'll just have to have cocoa when they get home. I also told them I'd be sure to get my run in while they were at school so I could get all my crabbies out.

The race.

Looking forward to 6 miles on the mill this morning. Not sure which game to play...

Also, looking forward to this...

The Girlfriend's Half Marathon!!

I've been stalking Active.com watching for registration to open and was so excited when I saw that it was open on Saturday! I signed up right away and am recruiting for others to join me. If you're looking for a beautiful course, a run that is sure to inspire, and an amazing time with your girlfriends, this is the race for you.

You can sign up here.

It makes me smile that to think a year ago I was just getting ready to run for the 1st time. Now, I'm counting down the days to marathon training, focusing on hitting 1,000 miles and signing up the the race that started it all for a second time. Big, beaming, smile!

Awe Inspiring

As I sat reading our local paper this afternoon I read of an amazing women who grew up in the area. Amazing doesn't actually even cover it.

Gladys Burrill just ran the Honolulu Marathon and became the oldest women to complete a marathon. She's 92.

You can read more about her here...

Seriously amazing. Seriously inspiring.

Treadmill Games

I'm happy to say that the first week has gone well for Tall Mom's 1,000 mile challenge. Of course, it helps that we've been staying up to late and I've been super tired the next day. It helps that by the time I get the kids out the door to school I feel like I've already run a mini marathon of my own and collapse with coffee and oatmeal in hand. It helps that my house has been oh-so-warm and cozy and I haven't wanted to part with it. It all helps.

How does it help??

I have only been able to get my rear out the door, on time, ONE time this week to go to Jazzercise. And because I'm really trying to get rid of 5+ lbs, I HAVE to do something. So, that something has been running on the mill.

Or the dreadmill as some call it.

I, however, don't mind the treadmill. It pushes me and I can often push myself even more. And, for my silly brain, it's fun to play games on it...

Start at 6.0 for 1/2 mile. Bump it to 6.2 for 1/2 mile. Down to 6.1 for 1/2 mile. Up to 6.3 for 1/2 mile. I continue that pattern until I get to the last mile and bump it .2 ever quarter mile, or 10th or whatever seems nice and challenging at the time.

Or, I'll keep it steady at one pace for the first mile and bump it up .2 every 1/2 and NOT go back down.

Or, there's running at an easy pace for 3/4 mile, bump it up in pace and incline every .05 from there until I hit the mile marker. Then, back it down only to repeat at 3/4 mile in.

Yesterday, I let my songs dictate my speed. Of course, as I got toward the end, I found one song that really kicked it up and let that one play for oh, 4 times in a row :)

I've had fun on my treadmill this week and I have to say it feels good to feel my mojo coming back. I look forward to each run and so enjoy knowing I worked my tail off.

Looking forward to tomorrow and running with a sweet friend!

How's your week going?

I Did It!

What's that, you may ask??

What did I do?

I signed up for Tall Mom's 1,000 mile club.

I also planned my miles for the year thanks to Lesley's advice. And, truly, I think it was a great idea! It allowed me to look at weeks when we'll be camping or celebrating or whatever. I made sure that I didn't have any long runs scheduled while doing any of them like I did here. I scheduled both training plans in there for my two races and tried to balance it all so I wouldn't find myself behind and overwhelmed at the end of the year.

I. Am. So. Excited!!

Then, I'm also wondering if I should start out with more in the beginning of the year?? What about those bumps and hiccups along the way? I know there will be some. So, do I account for those and start strong now so I don't have to push it at the end of the year?? Oh, the planner in me...

Thinking about 1,000? Head over to Tall Mom's and sign up! How fun to be able to encourage each other on this journey!

Giddy

I was driving down the road today thinking about the fact that THIS year I will...

Run my 1st marathon...

Run 1,000 miles...

And be a runner...

Oh, wait. I already am. In my mind anyway.

I was giddy!

I laced up and headed out for my first run of the new year on Saturday afternoon. It was beautiful, cold and crisp and yet again, peaceful.

I ran 4 because a) I didn't have any time for more and b) because it was 1 more than the day before. The key being more.

A little symbolic? You bet!

This year, I will run more than last. This year, I will cherish it more than last. This year, I will run more to run and less because of a race (not that there's anything wrong with that!) But, for me, this will be more of a challenge.

As I turned around at mile 2 and headed home, I could barely feel my fingers, my rear was frozen, my noes numb as well, and I thought to myself, "I'm a runner!" I wasn't running for training. I was running because I wanted to. Because it was a deep breath for my soul. Because I got 35 minutes with just me and God and His creation. It was perfect.

So, for me, this year I look forward to running my marathon in June. Challenging myself for a faster time in the Girlfriend's 1/2 in October. And running 1,000 miles just because I want to.

Now, headed off to plan my miles for the year (kind of!) Thanks, Lesley!

What are your goals this year?

Happy New Year!

To say the last 2 weeks have been an incredible blessing would be an understatement. The hours have been filled with...

snuggles

go fish

old maid

crazy 8's

sequence

rummikub

hand and foot

movies

dog walks

reading books

sleeping in

cherishing my family

loving life

little running

little computer

deep breaths

smiles

Blessed

I've only ran 1 or 2 times each week and while I could be down about it, I've embraced it. Because, each day I made a choice... play with my kids during their break or go off by myself and miss that time with them. I made the choice to play. To spend time with them and my sweet hubs.

And, it's been nice.

Nice because the runs I have done have felt fantastic. And yesterday, I will admit that my nerves were starting to fray and I needed a deep breath with God. So, I geared up for the frigid temps and headed out for 3 miles before the sun went down.

I took my watch because I'm anal like that but didn't look until it beeped at a mile. I looked several times because the time that stared back at me was NOT the time that I felt it should be. I was running at a leisurely pace. My breathing was easy. My body relaxed. I thought for sure I was running at a 9:45 pace. I would have bet on it.

9:07

Mile 2. Gorgeous. Quiet. A few cars here and there. Peaceful.

8:39

Mile 3. Breathtaking. Headed home. Thankful. Praising God.

8:10

I was not expecting these times and it can't help but make me wonder if a break was what my body needed. Both mentally and physically.

And although I felt like a stuffed sausage in my running gear, I was still a stuffed sausage that was running! And man, it sure felt good.

Looking forward to the new year. A year that will find me running my very first marathon. A year that will find me running more miles than the last. I added up my miles from 2010 and came to 800 or so. My plan for this year is to reach 1,000. Seems quite doable and I can't wait to see what my miles and time will do this 2nd year of running.

Happy New Year to you all!! Hope that you have had a blessed break as well!!