Second half marathon, check.

So Charlie and I ran another half marathon.  I didn't get to train for this one very much.  Instead of doing four or five long runs to acclimate myself like a good running plan lays out, I got in one measly 9 mile run.  And it was a month before the race!  Not recommended.

Here's a race photo proof until my copy comes in the mail.  My finish time (2:10:56) was slower than my first go at this.  But I'll take it--all I have to do is remember that a couple of years ago I couldn't even run a mile without stopping (truly!).  So finishing any race makes me smile.  I am officially a runner.  Never thought I'd say that.

In fact--as further proof I'm still digging this running experiment--the day after the half, I signed up for another half marathon.  It's the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.  And I'm so excited because I'm running it with my bestie.  She's a runner but it's her first half!  We met in 8th grade and have done so much together--from Robert Palmer and Bon Jovi concerts, permed hair, and questionable fashion choices to Maid of Honor duties, pregnancies, reunions, and play dates.  But it's our first race!  And it's right around our birthdays.  It's going to be awesome.  

Charlie is not running this one and I have visions of him bringing the boys to cheer me on.  With cute signage.  And custom shirts?  Even pennants, maybe? These are just ideas off the top of my head, mind you...  I'm usually not at all about making a fuss over me.  But every time I see a kid cheering on their mom from the race sidelines, I melt.  That's officially what I would like for my birthday.  

Sandra

Half marathon, check.

  

I love how the above photo has 'proof' plastered across it.  Yes, it's a photo proof I screen-captured (and then pixelated our race number) from the online gallery of the race.  But I smile because it says exactly what I think as I look at it--proof that I did the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon last Sunday.

I got to run with Charlie and my friends Hallie (that would be Halliefest-scone Hallie, btw) and Stephanie.  They were rockstars!  And my goodness did they keep me moving.  On my long training runs, I always took a bit of a walk break when I hydrated--something along the lines of a minute or so every four miles.  But I don't think I walked more than 10 seconds over the entire 13.1 miles of the race.  

When I started training 10 weeks ago (remember, I could not run over a mile without walking), I thought to myself that beating 2 hours and 30 minutes was a lofty goal.  So I am pleased as punch to report that I came in at 2 hours 6 minutes and 58 seconds.

So does it make me a runner?  Well, all I can say is that three days post race, with a right calf still too tight to run, I was online researching Fall races.  I think they put something in that race water.

xoxo, Sandra

Running update, no. 2.

Did you catch what I said about running in my last post?  11 miles, folks.  And you could knock me over with a feather.  I have one more long training run (12 miles) this week.  And then the blessed "tapering" I've heard so much about kicks in.  I think I'll really enjoy the tapering.

I've devoted a few posts to running for a couple of reasons.  One, this may be a fleeting fancy, so I want to document it.  And second, just in case there is anyone else out there who is thinking of starting--but are not because they have a voice inside them telling them how much they hate it.  Just know that I have that voice inside my head, too.  But quite honestly, I stopped listening to it.  I still cannot say that I love running, but I am starting to sort of like it.  There, I said it.  I think in my case, I will fall in love gradually and I'm okay with that.  I mostly appreciate the sense of accomplishment it is giving me.  Exactly two months ago today, I went out for my first training run.  And even though I consider myself as fairly fit, I could not even run beyond the first mile without stopping!  And this week I go for 12.

Now I know why Nike's "just do it" ad slogan is so successful.  Seriously--if you've ever considered running, just get out there.  And run.  Give yourself a few weeks and push past the doubt and run.  Yes it takes time and you will probably think about the mountain of laundry you need to get to.  Or the countless errands that remain on your list.  But you'll also know you are doing something to make you stronger and healthier.  It's really a gift to give yourself as well as your loved ones--we, moms especially, often forget to take care of ourselves.  I speak from years of experience, but I'm trying to be better.  Okay, pep talk over. 

p.s.  this doesn't have to be about running--just get out there and move your body.  Yoga, walking, pilates, whatever.  As an added bonus, it means you can eat more cake.  Which is exactly what we did all morning long.

Happy birthday Leo! 

Running update.

I know I mentioned that I signed up to run the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon.  And that I started training.  But have I stressed enough that I am not a runner?  At all.  Some days, I want to be a runner, which in my mind means someone who truly enjoys running.  Really, I do.  Because so many friends run and love it.  And my dad runs, and Charlie runs--that makes an impression, right?  But most days, it's still the same:  when I run, my mind screams at me the entire first ten or so minutes, telling me to stop.  I sort of think this means I'm not meant to be a runner.

But I signed up for this race.  And I'm the kind of goal-oriented person that a training schedule really speaks to.  So I've been running, running, running.  It's week three and I can now go a bit over 5 miles.  I just have to ignore my inner monologue the first mile or two.  It's going well enough that I believe I will run and finish the race come mid May.  But I still don't know if that will make me a runner.  And I'm pretty sure that without a goal, I might give it all up.  So I emailed my good friend the following:

"As my only other non running friend who occasionally runs, thought you would appreciate this:  I did 5 miles the other day.  On my own (i.e. w/o Charlie shaming me into not stopping).  And w/o the ipod!!  But don't get me wrong, I still don't like it.

Wanna do the Army 10 miler?  Sign up is April 1st while you are away so we'd have to plan ahead (the race is Sun Oct 24th)."

Harmless enough, right?  Hmmph.  In return I get this:

"Dear Sender,
Thank you for your email, but I fear it has been sent in error. It was obviously meant for a person who thinks running is a good idea, and not merely something to be done to justify eating an extra Krispy Kreme donut. Or perhaps for someone who feels she should be prepared in case the latter half of the fight or flight instinct kicks in, and not someone who'd rather take a shooting class to better prepare her for the former half of said instinct.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck in finding a willing partner for your endeavors. Should you come to realize the error of your ways, please let me know so we can have a latte together at an open cafe and watch the insane masses jog by.

With best regards,
A sane person"

I laughed very hard and told her I was sharing.  I think I have just found a new goal!

p.s.  We had a lot of birthdays this past week.  Two were ours--Max turned 7 and Will turned 2, so we had two school celebrations, two day-of dinner celebrations, and one family party over the weekend.  We also squeezed in a family friend's birthday party.  We will not be quantifying the aggregate calorie intake.    

Resolutions.

I don't usually make official New Year's resolutions.  But this year I thought I'd make a few.

1.  Get into better cardio shape.  This will hopefully happen from running training because I signed up for the Marine Corps half marathon.  I am not a runner by any means.  In truth, I sort of dislike it.  But my friend Hallie, who is a triathelete, says she'll come in from California to run it with me.  And Charlie and another good friend run it every year--so there should be plenty of hands on deck to drag me over the finish.  I really need to get going on, okay start, my training.

2.  Bring in some pretty.  This goes beyond my appearance--though considering the surprised reaction I got from some folks on New Year's Eve when I actually brushed my hair and put on a dress, maybe I should start there.  But really I'm talking about my surroundings.  It's nice to live in pretty spaces so I am determined to finally finish decorating our master bedroom and the boys' rooms.  There are so many great design blogs out there for inspiration.  One I like everything about is Little Green Notebook.

3.  Finding time to sew for myself.  All of the refashion tutorials out there are making me crazy.  I want to try this, this, and this, plus loads more.  I cannot donate a single ill fitting blouse or stained tee because I have a ton of ideas in my mind!  Also, just about every item I'm swooning over in the Anthropologie catalogue has a handmade-looking embellishment to it...so I want to try some "inspired" pieces--that sounds better than knock-off, I think.   I can only hope my homesewn garments will look better than the drop waisted tank dress I made in 11th grade home ec--if I recall correctly, it was a hot pink cotton print with mini yellow flowers.  It was passable but only because I wore it with my best Forenza belt.  I really wish I'd kept that belt--it is very on trend right now.  Though isn't there a rule that if a trend laps you, you're too old to wear it again?  I need to check that.  Happy Friday!