One weekend: Two hard races

Race #1:
This was Brenna's race - a very short, very fast, very straight course.  Hayden opted out so this was a unique opportunity for Brenna to claim something, and have a moment to shine on her own.

I was excited for her.
I was ecstatic as she lined up on the start line in her form-fitting pants( showing off her perfect legs) and her race bib plastered to her Hello Kitty shirt.  She was the image of intimidation.

Just like most races, there was that uncomfortable wait from the lineup to the start.  Brenna's face began to appear nervous.

Of course, I am on the sideline, frantically waving and jumping up and down - so she could be less nervous and more mortified.  I shock myself sometimes by behaving like that mom.  You know, the embarrassing kind that I swore I would never become.

When the race started, all the kids started to run.
I don't think Brenna expected quite the stampede.
Lost in the shuffle, she started to freak out.

My baby girl was scared.
She wanted to quit.
I jumped in the race, grabbed her hand, and a mere few seconds later, she flew into the finish.
She was very proud of her well-deserved medal and wore it for three days straight:

Race #2:

This was my race - a half-Ironman distance relay race.  Naturally, I was doing the run portion (a half marathon).

I signed on to do this 5 weeks ago, very honored to be part of such an amazing team.  It only dawned on me a few days later that 13 miles is a really long distance.  After taking many weeks off due to injury, my first long run, 10 miles, was brutal.

I took a week off for my triathlon, and then returned with another 10-miler that slightly boasted my self confidence.  I followed up with a 12 miler and 13 miler - and then declared myself ready because I had no choice.  But being part of a team relieved a lot of pressure and I actually felt like I really was ready.

The race day morning air was saturated with energy and excitement - I loved being part of it all while not putting on my wetsuit.  As I watched athlete after athlete jump into the water, I was filled with delight that I was remaining dry.

Our swimmer, a talented athlete who is returning to the sport after a life-altering medical condition leaving her short a limb, bravely jumped into the water with all the others.  If she was scared, it did not show.

She swam a fantastic swim - I was there to help her out the water but honestly, she did not need help.  I switched the timing chip to our cyclist and he sprinted off with his bike.  Now, I just had a two hour and 20 minute wait.

I laid down, drank water, did some drills.
I was concerned about my feet because I felt a blister forming.
So I re-adjusted my shoe a few dozen times.

I started to run a little after 10am - very aware of the elevating sun and warming air.  I was also aware of my foot that I cautiously wrapped in mole skin, but it felt okay.  The tailwind made that first mile effortless, but everything after that got exponentially worse.

Miles 2-6 were fine.  I was still aware of my foot but I was averaging 7-minute miles with relative ease.  But then Mile 7 started and my foot started to hurt.  Despite my best effort, I must have changed my gait because then everything else started to hurt.  My quads.  My hamstrings.  My other foot.

I struggled to hold 7:30s and then 7:40s.

Even though I managed to put on a smiling face for the camera, my form, or lackthereof, is a complete giveaway of my crumbling condition.

Mile 4                                            Mile 10

 At Mile 11, I was in so much pain that I was doing the unthinkable:  stopping.
I wasn't even walking - I would just stand for a few seconds to allow the pain to subside.

I wanted to quit.
But I had a team relying on me.
The stopping-running method is not efficient nor recommended but it did finally bring me to the finish.

With the heat and lack of training, I wasn't expecting anything phenomenal but I also was not expecting such excruciating pain or a piddly 1:36:07.  Our team finished 20th, and while respectable, I wish I could have ran slightly better.  But, we had a great time and I am thrilled I got to participate.

When I got home, I inspected my foot to find out that my blister was actually a Planter's wart.  I removed it with a pair of tweezers and after much stretching, I am pleased to emerge unscathed despite a little bruising to the ego.  At the end of the day, I am so grateful to be able to run, even with a nasty wart.

Womens Half Marathon Race Report

This was a good race for me although I do wish that I had a stronger finish. I seem to give into wimpiness at the first sign of discomfort.

Also, their website says I ran a 1:33 - I am absolutely 100% sure that the clock said 1:32:XX when I crossed the finish line. I know this because I thought, "Well, at least I did sub 1:33".

I do feel like they have just denied me of tiny bit of glory!
UPDATE: This issue has been corrected!

I was a little concerned about my legs, since I was diagnosed as having "tendonitis of the butt". But, I binged on ART, got a massage, iced and hoped for the best.

When the gun went off, I felt tightness in my legs immediately. The good news is that it didnt feel painful, and it didnt progress.

Mile 1 felt easy. Too easy.
I knew going too fast for the first few miles would hurt me the last few miles so I pulled back, and took it easy.

Mile 1: 6:59
Mile 2: 6:58
Mile 3: 7:02
Mile 4: 7:05. I was bummed this mile was on the canal; the shoes that I wore slipped back a lot on the dirt.
Mile 5: 7:02
Mile 6: 6:48. Downhill.
Mile 7: 6:53. Uphill and Downhill.
Mile 8: 6:52
Mile 9: 6:54
Mile 10: 7:14. Uphill.
Mile 11: 7:07. Another uphill.
Mile 12: 7:20. This is where I start to die.
Mile 13: 7:29. Headwind. Total death.
.15: 59:63

Total Distance: 13.15
Total Time: 1:32:42
Average Pace: 7:03

And this corresponds with the clock I saw at the finish, the clock my husband saw at the finish, so it is the time that I am sticking with.


Up until my death at mile 12, I stayed true to myself and enjoyed myself to the fullest. I smiled at every spectator, I waved to every Policeman, I thanked every volunteer.
Up until mile 12, I was nothing short of a ball of sunshine.

To get ready for my race, I dressed my daughter and I up in matching outfits.


Yes, those are itty bitty little girl compression shorts!! When I saw them at Target, I knew Brenna needed them ASAP.

And Yes, I know I said I would stop buying us matching clothing from the Girls department, but these shorts are actually quite cute:


And Yes, I know Brenna has the BEST legs in the ENTIRE world.

Why I Run.

When I was pregnant, and all full of crazy hormones, I went to the mall with my husband. He was doing something (probably putting Ghost Armor on his phone because that is the only business he ever does at the mall) and I was patiently waiting in a chair by a small fountain. It was the kind of fountain that you throw a penny in while making a wish.

I watched two young kids gasp at the fountain, finding it totally fascinating. They were so impressed and entertained at such a small thing.

When my husband returned, I was crying. I told him that being a kid was so great - everything is exciting and you learn something new at a blink of eye - but we were passed that stage, and we would never get it back. I told him that I wish I could re-do my childhood because I took it for granted. I wish I had appreciated it.

He told me that no child appreciates being a child; it's simply not a concept that their brain can comprehend. But that the neat thing about being parents is that we would get to re-live all those experiences through the eyes of our kids. We would get to appreciate it for them.

Hmmmm, although I am picturing my husband as conjure up this memory, I am hearing my mother's voice. But look, you should have known this was going to be a convoluted memory when I said that I was "patiently waiting" earlier. Does that really sound like me?

But it's the message, not the speaker, that is important.
It is a message that I promptly forgot and did not think about again for over 2 years.

I did not think about it again until a few days ago when I took my kids running. Not running in their stroller, but actual running - on the running path, with their little legs and little feet.

They ran much farther than I expected,
and for much longer than I expected.

They ran with such determination and delight!
But yet, for no purpose.
They dont understand the concept of exercise.
They dont understand the distance nor triumph of a mile.
They dont understand the difference between fast and slow.

They embraced running in its most simple and purist form. They did not need a Garmin, fancy socks nor an iPod with 200 songs.

The ran for the reason that I run - and for the reason that I will always run:
BECAUSE IT IS FUN!!

It is so easy to get caught up in how fast I run, how far I run, how many miles a week I run that I forget WHY I run.

During this taper, I realized that training became too serious.
It was my first time using a coach, my first time using a training plan...I put an absorbent amount of pressure on myself to make this race a PR-bashing race, and it soaked up the real reason I am doing it.

The difference between a 1:30 or 1:33 or even a 1:36 has no impact on my life. One result does not make me more of a runner. So why the stress?

I am going to run this race for all the right reasons:
Because I can.
Because I want to.
Because I love to run.

I am going to smile.
And pace myself.
And have a lot of fun - because that is why I run.
I am not going to wear music, or obsessively look at my Garmin.
I am going back to my roots.

Like them: (press play)

1 Week Left - No More Training!

End of Week summary,
and I realize this is a day early. I am not running tomorrow because my husband and I have a wild night out (and a baby sitter and a hotel room). Plus, this makes my 4th week of running over 55 miles, and without a rest day.

I am not sure why my coach did not give me any rest days, but I am looking forward to taking one!

Monday: 8 mile trail run

Tuesday: 10.5 mile run with 800x7 (3:07, 3:03, 3:08, 3:15, 3:03, 3:03, 3:15). On that first 3:15 I just lost my focus. The last 3:15, I came around the corner to find a piece of construction equipment hauling down the bike lane. Quite frankly, if you are operating something that is faster that a cyclist on crack, you do not belong on the bike lane. I leaped out of the way to save myself, but it ruined my interval.

Wedneday: 8 mile trail run. I messed up here. I was having so much fun and ran way too many hills. It didnt even dawn on me until mile 6 that this was supposed to be a recovery run.

Thursday: 12 miles w/ 8 miles at "race pace-ish". I say "pace-ish" since I am still not decided on what I want my race pace to be.
mile 1: 6:55; mile 2: 6:48; miles 3 and 4: 6:44; mile 5: 6:37; mile 6: 7:03 (uphill); mile 7: 6:48; mile 8: 6:48.
Times were OK but my legs felt worn out from Tuesday/Wedneday. RIs were mostly 1 minute...no RI between miles 3 and 4, long RIs after mile 4 and 6.

Friday: 5.5 mile trail run

Saturday: 12 mile run. This is when I realized that I am beat.

The next week for me is about rest and recovery. I have an ART appointment and a massage. I just bought a bunch of epson salt. I have new compression socks arriving any day.

Ah, taper.

I might do a few easy runs with the stroller. The kids really miss it.
On Tuesday, Hayden woke up and went right to the jogging stroller. I had just finished my run so this was not an option.
I could not lure him away, so I gave him a banana and took a shower.


When I came out, I still could not lure him away so that is where he ate breakfast.


Although it did melt my heart a little bit, Brenna didnt mind having the breakfast table all to herself:


Happy Halloween everyone,
see you after the festivities!

2 Weeks Left - And then What?

This was my peak week of training.
I still have two hard workouts left but then I start my taper.

I hit all the paces I wanted to hit, and ran all the miles I wanted to run.
Even at 61 miles, my legs feel great - strong, loose and limber.

The only thing is a stupid headcold, which is making it very hard to breathe. Luckily for me, I am not to cool to do a snot-rocket or two while running.

End of Week Summary:

Monday: 7.4 mile trail run (Desert Classic @ South Mountain)

Tuesday: 10 miles w/ 5.3 @ tempo effort (6:51). It was dark during most of my run and I like this because I dont look at my watch.

Wednesday: 7.5 mile trail run (National trail @ South Mountain)

Thursday: 10 miles w 1 mile x 3 (6:17, 6:15, 6:09). Goal was 6:20/6:15/6:10...I was unsure if I could hit that 6:10 but it wasnt that hard.

Friday: 4.6 mile trail run (obscure trail at South Mountain)

Saturday: 16.4 mile run. Longest run since giving birth, and the longest run I will do for training. And of course, I had to do it like a rockstar by going around Mummy Mountain. This is a famous route for all the local runners and cyclists. I have cycled it many times, this was my first time running it. It is a windy road, filled with hills. Here is one of the hills (not my photo, I just image googled it):


But its pretty, right? Actually its gorgeous.
Totally worth the work.

The first 10 miles were @ 8:20 pace (included the largest hills). Then I broke loose and did 5 miles @ 6:55. Ended with a mile of strides and a cool down.

Sunday: 5.2 miles with the jogging stroller while watching my amazing, hardcore friends do the Soma Half Ironman.


It's always so inspiring when I cheer at these races. Anyone who is capable of riding 56 miles and then running a half marathon is a true athlete. Watching them *almost* makes me want to do it next year!

We just looped around a bunch of times, which ended up being like hill repeats because the course went along this rather annoying hill. It's not so bad to push the stroller up it once, but after a few times, yes, it becomes quite annoying! I am sure the racers feel the same way (since they had to ride it multiple times as well).

I would have loved to stay out longer, but at 10:30am it was already 90-degrees. Brenna insisted on wearing black leggings and just like I suspected, she got hot.


Despite the hills and heat, my pace was pretty good - it makes me want to run another 5K with the babies!

However, I am also in the process of transitioning to trail running. It has been rather hot - Perhaps this looks familiar....

(yes that says 98-degrees in October!)

But that is one thing I love about trail running, you have to embrace the elements.

So I am torn about what to do after this half marathon.

Focus on trail running/racing?
Speedwork with the stroller for a new stroller 5K PR?
Focus on swimming for next tri season?

So many options,
and not enough time!

3 Weeks Left / Race Report

End of Week Summary:

Monday: 7 trail miles @ South Mountain. I did this in the afternoon and wow, it was hot! Also the Desert Classic trail seemed extra hilly.

Tuesday: 8.3 w/ 800x7: 3:11/3:13(headwind)/3:09/3:10/3:10/3:06(tailwind)/3:11, 2minRI

Wednesday: 8 mile SS

Thursday: 9.7 miles w/ 5 miles sub-6:50, 1 min RI

Friday: 5 mile trail run (South Mountain)

Saturday: Splash and Dash (1000 meter swim, 5K run+1 mile cool down). Race report below.

Sunday: 2 hour run. I was supposed to do 16 w/ surges at 630. But I forgot my Garmin! No big deal, my friend Patty had one. So we start off with the super fast kids in town (you know, they just run sub 2:40 marathons). I stayed with them for 5 miles. I knew there was no way I was going to keep that pace up for the whole run (it was probably around 7:15) so I turn around to find Patty. And I didnt find her until the very end! So I ran on own for the rest and did some strides along the way. I mapped it at home I was under 16 miles - closer to 15. Bummer, but its still the longest I have ran since giving birth.

Total: 57ish miles.

On to the fun stuff:
Splash and Dash. Again.

I originally wanted to do a sprint tri that had only a 400 yard swim - in a clean pool!! But it was almost $100 to register. These increase in race prices is killing me. So, I opted for a cheaper option: 1000 meter swim in the gross Tempe town lake, followed by a 5K.

Most people do this race to train for the Ironman. I am not doing the Ironman (thank goodness!). So, I was doing this race just for fun...yes, I swam in Tempe "Toxic" Lake for fun.
And to see Shelly!


And then I got the awesomeness of seeing a bunch of my friends!


I havent done much, if any, swimming since my last triathlon, so my goal was just to enjoy myself. I had the luxery of swimming the shorter distance - only 1000 meters. My time was 18:04, which is nothing to brag about...but honestly, I dont know how I swim that fast. I spend so much time doggy paddling with my head up, fratically looking for the bouy, re-positioning myself, and choking on lake water...its amazing I move anywhere.

After the swim, I attempt to peel off my wetsuit.
That sucker doesnt want to come off! I sit down, I kick my legs, I grunt. I might have said the F word.
Finally it comes off and I dry off my feet. It's so nice to do a race where you can take your time!

Then I proceed to run out of the transition in the wrong direction.

After getting corrected, I start my run. My first mile is in 7 minutes. I feel great but I begin to wonder where my fellow athletes are. I pass two men and it finally hits me that I am in the front!

So I speed up to a 630 pace, which feels ridiculously easy and manage to pass two females (finishing 3rd). Right at the end, I pass a male - who was the overall male. This is the first time I beat all the men! Yes it was a small race since most people did the longer swim but I still get credit for beating them ALL, right?

4 Weeks Left

End of week summary:

Monday: 7.5 w/ 1 mile x 3 (6:19, 6:25, 6:24). The miles were a little slow (aiming for 6:20) but I just wasnt feeling it. 82 degrees and humid did not help.

Tuesday: 6 miles w/ the jogging stroller in the wind.

Wedneday: 8.3 miles w/ 3.5 miles @ tempo effort (6:49). It was 15 degrees cooler than Monday! Although twice as humid, since it rained.

Thursday: 9.25 miles...first 30 minutes in intense wind. I was just so happy I was not on my bike, I think I would have been blown over! After that, the wind stopped and it started to pour rain. In Arizona, it rains about 3 times a year. I cannot even remember the last time I ran in rain. It was fabulous! I had to force myself to stop.

Friday: 5.5 miles (4.5 miles on the trails at South Mountain, followed by 1 mile worth of strides) and 1000 meter swim.

Saturday: 2.6 mile run / 14 mile ride @ 20mph / 1.5 mile run

Sunday: 14.7 mile run. First 10 miles @ 8 pace, last 4 miles @ 7:01 pace, plus a short cool down. But I confess, I stopped and stretched at mile 3 of the last 4, even though my running partner told me not too. In my defense, we had to stop anyway to turn around...might as well stretch for a few seconds, right??
Ahhh, stretching felt soo good!

Total miles: 55.3
Overall, I feel really good - probably in part of the cooler weather. This morning I actually wore a SHIRT.
Good bye, Abs.
Hello extra laundry.


Despite a hard week full of tantrums and big boy beds (and toddler bowel issues)...it was a nice weekend.

We attempted a garage sale to get rid of baby toys. Although we did make a few sales, the only person who was really interested in the toys was Brenna.




We also took the kids to Oktoberfest.
I wore the Rock and Republic jeans that I bought in college, however my experience was very different from when I went to Oktoberfest while in college. See, college kids hang out in the Beer Garden.
Parents of young toddlers hang out in the "Kinder Garden" where toddlers pick foam apples off of fake trees. I wish I was kidding.

5 weeks left

End of week summary:

mon - 4 easy miles. I was supposed to 6 but realized that the triathlon really beat me up. Also did ART.

tuesday - 76 minute run, partly on trail. I had 8 on my schedule, but went without my garmin because I didnt want to worry about pace.

wednesday - 4 easy miles.

thursday - 8.5 miles w/ 4 x 1 mile @ 6:50. Was supposed to be 1 min RI but with the exception of the first one, my recoveries were longer for a variety of reason (potty break, crossing a street, etc). Goal is to plan better and not make short recoveries long recoveries - defeats the whole purpose of the workout!

friday - 30 min trail run (South Mountain) + 30 min swim. I was supposed to do 6 miles but i saved this workout until the afternoon - it was 101! hence the swim.

saturday - 14 miles w/ 1 min @ 6:30 x 4 in between miles 6-7.5, and then the first minute of miles 10,11,12,13 were at 6:30. But dont let a few 6:30 surges fool you, the average pace was relatively slow. I dunno, it was only 82 degrees but yet I felt hot? I also felt like I ran out of fuel so next time I am bringing emergency gels.

Sunday - 5 mile trail run (Papago).

Total: 46.5

I have to say, transitioning from multi-sport training to single sport training has been hard on me. My poor bike hasnt been touched since the race and I miss it soooo much.

I even miss swimming, can you believe that??

Truth is, multi-sport training provides more variety. more adventure. more challenge. In comparison, just running is....well...boring.

It's not that I *can't* ride my bike. In fact, my coach even included it in my schedule per my request. But two things stopped me:
1) My cycling muscles are STILL sore. The thought of riding a bike this week has made me flinch.
2) I am not currently my fastest because of bike riding. Yes, I am in great triathlon shape, but I dont have a triathlon next month. I have a half marathon. And the only way to be in better shape is to run. Time spent on the bike = less miles OR less recovery. I really cannot sacrafice either.

With all that said................

I am not the only one practicing athletic endeavours. Hayden discovered that he is now strong enough to dangle from monkey bars. He even discovered that he can get momentum and swing from them.

My little Hercules!

6 weeks to go, 1 week left

Training for this week:

Monday: 8 miles w/ 1 mile x 3 (6:24, 6:19, 6:25), 3 min RI + 2200 yard swim

Tuesday: 24 mile bike ride (19.4mph) bricked with 3.5 miles with the jogging stroller. We visited the cow. The cow is an oddly placed animal just a half a mile away. I say "oddly placed" because we dont live in a neighborhood conducive to live stock. However, once I accidentally ran down a dead-end street to find this uniquely hidden gem in the city:




Wednesday: 8.25 miles w/ 4 miles at tempo pace (7:03)+ 2300 yrd swim

Thursday: 20 minutes on trainer, followed by 20 miles outside, bricked with 3 miles. This would have been a fine workout except for I fell off my bike. I was going pretty fast (between 19-20mph) but yes, I am fine. I was able to lay my bike on the side, and walked away with just some sore hips.

Friday: 55 minute trail run (forgot to charge Garmin) + 2200 meter swim

Saturday: 12.3 mile easy run. I say "easy" loosely because my pace was 7:54. I wanted to run a little slower but there was no slowing my running partners down!

Sunday: Rest day. It was supposed to be a 37 mile bike ride with my girls, but I think yesterday's run was pushing it and that I should relax instead because I am officially IN TAPER MODE!!!!!!

My taper schedule looks roughly like this:
Monday: 25-30 mile easy bike ride
Tuesday: Mr.Coach's speedwork
Wedneday: Rest day
Thursday: Easy spin class
Friday: Easy swim
Saturday: Rest day
Sunday: Race!

I also will get a massage, some ART, and take a few naps.

And, just maybe, we will take a walk to visit the cow.

8 weeks to go, 2 weeks left

Training for this week:

Monday - Double brick: 1500 yrd swim, 24 mile bike (19.4mph), 2.3 mile run

Tuesday - 7.5 miles w/ 800x5 (3:14, 3:09, 3:14x3) 2 min RI

Wed - Sick Day

Thursday - Rest Day

Friday - 6.3 mile trail run, 2400 meter swim

Saturday - 12 mile run (mile 8=6:56, mile 9=6:49, mile 10=6:57, w/ 1 minute RI)

Sunday - 35 mile bike ride with the girls (19mph) bricked with 2.1 miles. This was a lot of fun but it was windy. The only thing worse than cycling in a headwind is swimming.

I kid, I kid...swimming is not so bad.
I should have swam more this week - I think I say that every week.

The run on Saturday ended at the Rock and Roll marathon kick off party. I dont plan to run the marathon but I participated in the party anyway.

There were free massages!
And free food!
And free champagne!
And a SLIP AND SLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!! But yeah, apparently I need to work on my sliding skills:


Shelly and I also both won the raffle. She got a shirt. I got a visor.


Now I think all my long runs should end with champagne and a slip and slide. I need to figure out a way to make this happen.

9 weeks to go, 3 weeks left

I am the point in my training where my triathlon training and half marathon training officially overlap. This was my first week using my coach's plan - there are 9 weeks left until the race. At the same time, I am still pushing on the bike and on the swim for my triathlon - I have 3 weeks left to improve.

It is a tad overwhelming.

This week's training:

Monday - 6.5 miles (SS), 40 min swim
Tuesday - 21 mile bike ride @ 19.6mph bricked w/ 3 miles with the jogging stroller. + 1800 meter swim
Wednesday - 8 miles w/ 2 miles tempo x 2 (14:03/14:32), 1 mile RI. Coach said that tempo should be "half marathon effort" and that I should feel like I could do a third. It felt especially hot, by the time I was done, I was exhausted.
Thursday - 21 mile bike ride @ 18.6mph (I caught every red light! so frustrating) bricked with 2 miles
Friday - 3.5 mile trail run, 2400 meter swim
Saturday - 10.6 mile run w/ friends - 7:59 pace! The weather cooled to 83 degrees and felt fantastic. It's been awhile since I had a good run, so I needed this boost. This was actually one of the easiest workouts this week. My legs felt wonderful.

Friday - 46 mile bike ride w/ my women's cycling club, bricked with 1.2 miles. I did not feel great for the first 20 miles of this ride - it just felt very hard to peddle. I checked my brakes at every red light to make sure they were not rubbing. Turns out, the first 20 miles were up a gradual hill. Needless to say, I felt much better on the way back.

Sunday's workout was longer than intended, and took up most of the morning. I was worried that I would arrive home to especially cranky kids but it was exactly the opposite! They have been independent, little angels.

Yesterday we took them to the mall, where again, they were nothing short of perfect.

The mall has little toddler rides for $2 so we decided to put them in their first helicopter! At first, Hayden was intrigued:


But then it started to move. Not only did it go around, it went up and down.


After a few seconds of screaming, we moved them to a train so I could ride with him. This ride stayed flat.


Hi!

Far from where I want to be

I am about 375 miles away from where I want to be.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I should be in California right now. I should be running on the beach, swimming in the ocean, making out with my husband in the sand and sipping on a mid-day cocktail.

Instead, I am on my couch.
Watching Food Network.
My husband is napping next to me on the couch.

Unfortunately there was some family health issues that forced us to stay at home.

I cant say that I handled it like a mature adult.
I whimpered. OK, I cried.

OK...OK....I sobbed.

It wasn't really so much about being in California (although that part was pretty cool), it was more about getting a break.

Being a parent can be daunting; sometimes a simple trip to the grocery store leaves me more exhausted than a 15 mile run. Especially with Brenna.

I guess she takes after me because she is very emotional and complex. And since she doesn't talk, I never know what she wants. I offer her food, water, her blanket. I change her diaper. I put on her shoes. I take her shoes off. I pick her up. I put her down. I pick her up again.

95% of the time doing all that fixes NOTHING.

And, to make it even more dramatic, she will run into a room and slam the door. I wasn't expecting this until the teenage years.


Brenna can only slam doors, not open them. So after she slams the door, she is stuck. This only makes her more upset.


At this point, I usually let out a long, audible sigh.
Because I know what is awaiting me behind that door.


Please note that there are no tears running down this child's face.


And what does Hayden do during these dramatic moments?
He chills. Just like his Dad, he is the epitome of simplicity and calmness.


And yes, those are underwear!


But no, he is not potty trained. They were on the Clearance rack for 99-cents and undeniably cute. I could not resist.

Anyway, I always try to look for a positive: one positive thing about not going to California is that I was able to run with my running friends. We met at 5am and ran 10 miles. It felt good to be back - and it felt even better that I ran all 10 miles without ANY tightness Whatsoever!

Folks, I am healed.

This pleases me immensly, however in my two week hiatus I managed to lose a lot of speed. I feel very far away from where I want to be for the Womens Half Marathon in Novemeber. I have a lot of work to do.

And of course - I will be documenting it all here.

Until then, I leave you with this. Enjoy.

The ART of Healing

The combination of less mileage + Active Release Therapy + K-Tape has been very successful on my leg. My legs, perhaps, feel the best that they have felt in a long time. I think after awhile of daily running, I forget that my legs are not supposed to feel tight and sore. It doesn't hurt normal people to bend over!

Now that the inflammation is gone, I can pinpoint exactly where my actual trouble areas are. The butt pain and leg pain that I had in my left leg are completely gone! I now realize that it was actually my other leg that was giving me problems. I was over-compensating.

I am going to continue to do the Active Release Therapy,
and re-build my mileage slowly.

It's nice to have loose, limber legs. I want to keep them this way.

On Sunday, I stuck to my bike and rode at South Mountain. This ride included going up South Mountain (4000 ft elevation gain). This is the nice thing about having running friends who cycle - you dont have to completely miss out!


The rest of the week looked like this:

On Monday I ran 5 miles. And I swam!
On Tuesday I biked 21, ran 3.5
On Wedneday I ran 6 miles. And I swam again!

Next time I update this I will be in California.
Yup...I AM TAKING A VACATION.
This is a rarity.

And to make it even more special < whispers > I am not taking the kids!

One of the kids happens to be sick.
She woke up on Monday with a burning forehead.


Somehow we made it two years without any illness so this is new territory for me. I gave her medicine and let her eat her breakfast on the couch:


And just for the record, that banana ended up on the floor 2 seconds after that photo was taken.

Hayden enjoyed the moment because this was the first time in two years that he was able to eat breakfast without someone trying to steal his banana. Sometimes, Brenna gets so aggressive that she actually grabs the banana out of his mouth while he is chewing it.


I didn't really find having a sick child to be difficult (at least, this time). She slept in, took long naps and I let her watch a lot of TV. Like mother, like daughter, that girl loves her television.

Update on my Leg #2.

My leg is feeling much better! I have been limiting my runs to 30 minutes because I dont want to injure myself. I feel really confident that I will be 100% by next week. However, I dont want to jinx myself so my fingers, legs and toes are all crossed right now.

I have been getting Active Release Therapy from my chiropractic friend. She also taped my legs so now I am very colorful and stylish:


She did advise skipping my long run this week. As much as I wanted to run with my friends, I listened to her.

Instead, I rode with my cycling group.
I am so thankful that I love to cycle...it makes missing a long run so much easier.

Today, my cycling group attached to much faster cycling group. We went all the way down Pecos road at 32+mph. It was not physically challenging to go that fast because of the draft, however, I dont have a lot of drafting experience and I dont feel comfortable drafting with strangers. So, I hung onto the back of the pack and clung on like crazy. All I could think was that Mr. Bike Man would not approve of such behavior at my skill level.

When I do my long runs and my long bikes, David wakes up with the kids. He always tells me that they wake up in good moods. But something happens as soon as I walk through the door...I am always greeted with these faces:



But, a few hugs and kisses...and a lunch...and an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba...and more kisses, will usually get them in a good mood. And then they look like this instead: