Good Cookin'

I love to cook really GOOD meals.  I love it from the very start,  looking for the delicious meal I want to make, the shopping for the freshest ingredients, the aromas that are in my kitchen. I love the chopping and the whisking.  I love the colors of the food and the setting of the table ..all family style, nothing fancy, but inviting and cozy.  Where just looking at the food on the table makes one's appetite even more robust.  But my most FAVORITE thing about cooking, the one thing I look forward to every single time, with giddy anticipation, is my wonderful, super sexy husband walking up behind me, lifting my hair up ever so gently, and kissing me, so incredibly sweet on my neck.....I seriously have goose bumps right now just thinking about it.  The boy loves me!!!!  He makes meal time my most favorite time.  I love that man of mine.  He makes me smile and laugh.  There are SO many things to love about that guy, because is such a good GOOD man but I cant help it when I say "what I love about him most" is the way he loves me and our boys.  It's quite simply...AMAZING!!!!  We are truly blessed!

Moonlight Mile

I saw a post on FB the other day about how great night running is.  I have gone a couple of times, years ago. And I did run a 5 K on Halloween at night, through a cemetary too,by the way,  I really liked it.  Summer nights are so wonderful.  I love sitting out on our deck enjoying every second of the approaching twilight and into the full of night.  And after reading that post I really wanted to put a great run into the mix.  IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!  I enjoyed it so much!!!  Night running will become part of my running schedule from now on..  It was nice and cool.  It was peacefull.  My pup loved it!!  Yep, I will go again definately!!!

Move Along. Move Along.

Today's run was, without a doubt, my slowest ever!  My feet felt like concrete blocks that just would not pick up and go.  I almost turned around and went back home.  But I didn't.  I kept going.  I was still burning calories, building endurance, strengthening my legs, as well as my resolve to keep moving forward.  Running is mental every bit as it is physical. Had I turned around it would have bugged me all day that I didn't finish but now I can relax and feel accomplished and its just the first thing on my day's "To do list" that gets checked off, and I just love checkin' off things on my list!!!!  Not only do I feel stronger physically but mentally too.  There just isnt ever a reason to stop moving forward and complete the run I've set out to do.

Pie

There isn't much to post about running lately.  I am still trying to maintain my 6 miles, working on speed drills, without a noticed time difference so far.  I will keep working on it though.  I want to write about "pie".
When Dave and I were first married 20 years ago, we couldn't afford date night if that meant going out to dinner.  What we could afford is pie and coffee at Village Inn.  And we shared the pie.  We did that many Friday nights.  As the years went by, luckily our income improved.  Pie and coffee was replaced by going out to dinner and we just forgot all about our pie and coffee date night. 
A couple of weeks ago, and this part is true I SWEAR it is!  We both, almost simutaneous, again I SWEAR its true, said lets go out for pie and coffee.  It was a rainy April eveing with no baseball games or homework to help with and even the dishes were done.
Off we went to the nearest Village Inn.  The pie was yummy and the coffee delicious!  We even "splurged" and had our own slice of pie.  The conversation was as much of a treat as the pie itself.  Because it wasn't a busy Friday night there was pretty much just the 2 of us in the place it was quiet. 
Pie and coffee.  It's so simple.  Years ago it was a much needed "date" night and truly we developed some great communication skills in that little booth.  It was so great to re visit that booth, to have our pie and coffee, just the 2 of us, having a wonderful conversation about the old days and how great these days are now too, how far we have come and how great our lives are being with each other.  We wouldnt trade any of it for anything.  We love our life together.  We love that together we have made this happy place.
Pie, I heart you!!!!

"I'm busy gettin' stronger"

MANTRA:  Busy Getting Stronger


I have taken some time off since the half marathon.  Not the full 3 weeks since my last post but enough that I have to get back on track if I am going to run in July.  Well, not "if" because I AM going to run in July.  It is funny how fast you lose progress.  Guess the saying is true "If ya dont use it, you lose it" or something like that....Anyways I ran almost 7 miles today.  Truth be told I wanted to stop at mile 4 but a song was playing.  It's called "Getting Stronger" by Sara Evans.  It's a heart break song which luckily doesn't apply to me but there is a line in the song that I just really REALLY love its "I'm busy gettin' stronger" .  Upon hearing that line I strengthened my resolve to complete todays running to do list which was 6 miles and I ran 6.84 miles.  Would have went to 7 but I really had to pee. 
I just have to stay busy getting stronger.  It's important.  There is not any other way to keep racing and certainly there is no other way to improve,  Just have to keep working at it.  Keep trying to improve.  Keep being consistent and keep going forward. 
I get how lucky I am to have the time to do this and so I won't be wasteful of that time.
Most importantly though, I will ENJOY all of this running.  I will still have lazier runs when I wrangle with the dogs or go with a friend and end up catching up with each other.  I am ALWAYS going to completely enjoy the wonderful company of my husband when he goes walking with me, which will be more often with good weather on the way. 
There is one more part to that song that I also really love it's this:  "Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger"  Man, I wish it wasn't about heart break I would so make it my running anthem!

Joy and Elation!

I am more now than ever convinced I am a runner.  How do I know this?  Well, after my first half marathon, that was not all the way down hill like my friend told me it was, a 20 mph head wind, glutes and quads that were, I swear on real FIRE, the burning pain was so BAD, a completly dismal finishing time, I am talking like so bad I barely made the sweeper bus, and all I can think about is, I can not wait till the next race.  I loved every single minute of that race and believe there were so many minutes!  But I freakin' loved it! 
I ran with one of my best friends, Kelly.  We ran together the whole way.  We crossed the finish line together. Our hubbys were there too cheering us on!  Waiting with open arms and congratualtory praises!   It was AWESOME!!!! 
My sisters came down to watch me and surprised me by bringing my mom.  My brother in law made matching t-shirts that had my picture on it and it read "Run Robbie, Run"  I was overwhelmed with joy.
My lower half hurt so bad the whole afternoon but by morning, believe it or not, I felt great.  No aches, no pains, nothing.  My body can do this!  I successfully trained and conditioned my body to endure running 13.1 miles.  I am confident I can finish faster and I already signed up for a July half marathon to find this out.  I learned ALOT from this first half and I will take all that I learned and apply those lessons for my next race.
I am so blessed to have the family and friends that I do and they all make me feel like I can do anything I set my mind to.  They are such great people!  I am lucky they are all in my little corner!
I will keep running and I will keep having fun doing it!

Get My Game Face On!

24 hours from now I will have or almost have run my 1st half marathon.  I am getting more anxious about it.  My excitement is slowly being replaced by fear.  I am trying really hard to just being excited!  After all I have worked really hard to condition my body for this.  I think I have done well. 
I have had the craziest dreams every night this week.  I dreamed Monday that I forgot my running shoes, Tuesday morning I packed the shoes 1st!!!!  Tuesday I dreamed I didn't eat a good breakfast and didn't have the energy to run.  Wednesday the dream was that I missed the bus to the starting line which if that happens you don't get to race.  Last night was the funniest though, I dreamed that I didn't put my un wanted items in the bag they provide you and then they pick the bags up and deliver them to the finish line, so the whole race I had to run with my purse and heavy coat.  And I forgot my number bib and had to go back and find it.  So in my dream I am running frantically with my big purse trying to get my bib in time.  CRAZY!!!!  And funny! 
I will be running with one of most favorite friends and running together in such a beautiful place, Moab.  With my husband and sisters waiting for me at the finish line, I couldn't ask for anything better. 
I glad I took a moment to blog because now I am EXCITED all over again.  I can do this.  I have followed an excellent training guide and have built my body up to run this.  I am a happy little runner today and will be tomorrow too!

My Bright Light....Dave

Yesterday was my last long run before Saturdays race, yep, its this Saturday, just 6 days away.  12 miles was the scheduled training run.  I ran 13. Only because of my WONDERFUL and AMAZING husband, Dave.  Just when I think it's not possible to love that man anymore than I do, he goes and does something so great for me.  Here is what he did. 
Sunday was my running day and 12 miles would be the most I have ever run before.  I was really apprehensive about the run.  Yes, the weather was beautiful and I was feeling great, physically, but mentally, Iwas a basket case.  I knew I would be at least 2 and 1/2 hours.  How could I possibly do this?  I forced myself out the door and went to my running trail.  A third of the way into my run Dave showed up on the trail on his bike and rode beside me the whole way.  He was telling me how proud he was of me, how strong I was and he was so impressed by my strength and determination.  At mile 9 when I wanted to stop, he was so encouraging and just kept cheering me on.  At mile 10 when I was starting to have a FULL BLOWN melt down he said to me "Hey, runners don't cry, and babe you're a RUNNER!"  At mile 11 when I was ready to cry once more because the wind was getting even stronger and making me so tired I yelled out loud "please for 20 minutes, could you just not blow!"  Dave made me laugh out loud because he said, "Now, that is something you will never hear me say." 
That much needed laugh got to mile 12.  I don't even care how crass his funny comment was.  His smart ass comment did the trick and Dave got to mile 13.  It took 3 hours, longer than I had hoped for,but I finished.  I didn't stop. 
Dave has been so encouraging and supportive through this whole training thing.  He is,without a doubt, my brightest light. 
I found out the other day my sisters are driving the 4 hour drive to Moab to be there for me at the finishing line.  Can you believe this?  I am just feelin' the love from all of my family and my friends.  I sometimes post on Facebook proud moments for me with my training, even my FB buddies offer words of support and encouragement.
I feel so  blessed to be lucky enough to have all of these wonderful and loving people in my corner and in my life.  I can never say my thanks enough!
No matter the out come of Saturdays race, I feel like I have already won, and won BIG!

10 miles...check.

Oh my goodness!!!!  I did it!  I ran 10 miles today and I feel GREAT!!!!  Well, except for my glutes, they are SORE!  But I still feel super great and super proud and well, just all around super!  My time was about the same as all my other runs so that makes me feel good.  It's all coming together. The race is 7 days away, I still want to get 2 more 10 mile runs in, I think that would be the smart thing.  My glutes and legs are pretty sore.  Just a tired sore no injury, so as long as I feel good Sunday I will be at it again!

I'm baack!

Mantra:  I AM doing this

Well it's been almost 2 weeks since I have been able to run.  I caught the most horrible upper respiratory infection from my darling yet germ infested son.  It kicked my ass!  We went to Mexico also for our vaccation and the plan was to get 3 moderate runs in.  I was actually very much looking forward to the morning beach runs.  I even packed my running gear!  But, too sick to run.  I am all better now.  Which is good because the race in next Saturday.  Oh my GOSH , in 9 days the BIG event is upon me.  (insert squeal here)  I don't even know if that is a squeal of delight, fear, or a moderate combonation of both!  I haven't even run more that 8 miles.  I am 2 weeks off my schedule. 
I did have an amazing run yesterday morning, ran my best time ever.  7 miles in less than 75 minutes.  I am running 10 tomorrow.  I know I can do it.  I just do!  This isn't my ego talking either, it's just me having faith in myself and in knowing that I have conditioned my body to run this half marathon.  I feel really super good. 
I will imediately post all details about tomorrows 10 mile run.
Here is to tomorrow!!

Set Back

I absolutely LOVE taking care of my little family who has all been sick with nasty cough, fever, head ache, and gawd awfull congestion.  I will gladly make late night runs to Walgreens for cough medicine and Sudafed.  Make 3 meals if thats what it takes to have my boys have their own "comfort" food.  Make orange juice or ginger ale runs. Go up and down the stairs numerous times a day to bring the boys their drinks, food, medicines, their favorite movie, anything that they might need.
All I ask in return is NOT TO CATCH THEIR CRAP!!!!!  It should just be good Karma to not catch their germs.  I mean have I not earned good Karma for being an excellent "nurse/mom"? 
So here I am coughing out of control while blogging.  What I should be doing is lacing up my runners and running my "training scheduled" 10 mile run.  I have to cross that off my list.  It's what I feel will be my biggest milestone so far.  I need to get "that monkey off my back", if you will.  That is how I feel about though.
Hopefully I will feel better to run tomorrow.  I ransacked my rx cupboard and found 2 days worth af anti-biotis, a huge "no no" but I am desparate!!!! 
So heres' to "Good Health"  and I need it tomorrow!

Flip-Flop

Mantra:  Run STRONG!!!

Yesterday the plan was this:  To run 9 miles.  On the treadmill,  not ideal but with the wind ( I really really REALLY hate running in the wind) that was my plan.  3.78 miles into my run ....out went the power!  I thought for sure it would be right back on so while waiting a couple minutes I swept the kitchen floor and dusted the family room coffee table.  Still no power.  So I windexed the french doors, fridge, stove, and cloroxed the kitchen sink.  Still, no power.  It was off for well over an hour.  I really wished I would have just bucked up and went running my last 6 outside.  But I didn't.  When the power did finally come back on my running mojo was no longer there.  I did do some core work and hey, got some extra house chores done.  9 miles for sure tomorrow!  Right?  Nope.
 Instead of running 9 inside today and 6 outside on Friday, I flip- flopped my running schedule.  The weatherman says its going to snow 6-12 inches on Friday.  And today was GORGEOUS!!!!  No wind at all.  A little chilly, but a couple of miles into my run and I was wishing I didn't wear my 2nd jacket.  it truly was an ideal running day.  My time was off a little, didn't go as fast as I had hoped but all in all I would say I had a really good run.
The 9 mile run is still looming over me.  I really wanted that completed YESTERDAY!!!!!  9 miles will be the longest distance I run so far.  I'm not gonna lie, I am a little anxious about it.
I read this quote today on Facebook (love the Facebook) "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"---T.S.  Eliot 
So, heres to Friday and my first ever 9 mile run.  It's really only 1 little mile longer than 8.... Right?!?!

One Foot in Front of the Other

Mantra:  I just gotta run.

Some runs are so much more enjoyable than other runs.  In general, I love running, pretty much always.  But some runs are just more challenging than others.  It's not always easy to find that steady pace that just carries me through the miles set for that day. 
I read this on another blog that I LOVE "There are days unfortunatley, that I do not run as far as planned, but then there are days I go further".  Running for me is such an eb and flow thing.  There have been days during this training period that I simply just ROCK at and then days where half the distance I normaly run seems so far away.  But I do it. I complete the days run, and  I go right back out the very next time.
Running is my "happy place"  I enjoy it even when it sucks or I suck, I still truly, cross my heart, enjoy it!  I have seen gorgeous sunrises and  spactacular sunsets.  I have seen foxes playing.  I saw a family of skunks scurrying off the trail, and until that moment I had never once given a skunk any thought other than P-U but baby skunks chasing their mama ....so so cute.  I was lucky enough one day to see swans just lazily going up the river...It was beautiful.  I love running near water so I always get to see ducks and geese.  In the spring when their ducklings are swimming with them,  well, I just simply love it.  It's never old to me.  So far my most favorite sighting was the day I was out running late Fall.  A snow storm was coming in that evening The sky was so dark it was a deep deep navy blue.  The sky was promising to let loose a fury of a snow storm.  I had to hurry if I wanted to get my run in for the day, so about 4 o'clock I hurried out.  I took my little running buddy, my boxer, Josie.  Running around the bend on the lake was probably 2 or 3 HUNDRED seagulls (I swear it was that many) my little boxer noticing all of those little white birds,that she so desparatley wanted a "play date" with yelped and all at once those white birds took flight.  The contrast of the dark navy blue sky and the hundreds of white birds!  Oh my!  I was in my very own snow globe!  It was so amazingly beatuiful I didnt once consider the huge possibility that at any given moment I could have been a canvas for all of their bird "droppings".  I was in AWE!  It was truly such a gorgeous sight!  And it was all around me.  Like I was an actual part of a beautiful piece of art work.  It still gets to me just thinking about it now.
How could I not love running, when this is what happens, when I simply put one foot in front of the other.

If at First you don't Succeed.....

Mantra:  Try Try again

My speed has not really improved theses last 6 weeks.  I cant seem to get less than 11 min miles.  I have been discouraged by this.  Until I thought about some other improvements that are just as important.
Running 5K has been "my thing" for several years. To pepare for the half marathon I needed to double my miles,and my body tried to rebel.  A little.  After 5 miles my knees were sore all day and into the next.  My calve muscle got a small tear which resulted in pool of blood that caused a lump that required a steroid injection and doppler ulta sound to rule out a blood clot.  All is fine.   At mile 6 still the knee pain, but only the day of, not the next.  Mile 7, chest pain so intense I went to the E.R.  All is fine.  I owe 3000 bucks, but my heart is just fine.  Mile 8,  ahhh, and on my 40th birthday, I did it!  I ran 8 miles in 95 minutes.  So great, right?
I COULD NOT WALK ALL DAMN DAY LONG!  Litterally!  I hobbled to my birthday lunch.  Barely.  BUT the next time I ran 8 miles, I could walk just fine!  No more knee pain, leg pain, chest pain, nothing, nada!  THATS improvement!  THATS progress!  I have been conditioning my body and its working! 
6 weeks left until the half and my goal is to add 1 mile a week to my runs. 
It is tricky with the air quality here, so I have been relying on the treadmill for training.  I know its not the same.  I am running on a incline.  It does help, but just a little.  Going outside today and, fingers crossed, I am hoping the incline has helped.
Boy, I am loving this.  I really am.  I LOVE how my legs feel strong.  I love that I keep trying.  I love that on discouraging running days, my resolve strengthens and I get right back out there.  I am going to run this half marathon, maybe not as fast as I would hope, but I feel, without a doubt, my little legs will carry me all 13.1 miles.  I will finish the race and I WILL finish STRONG!!!!

How Robin Got Her Groove On

Mantra:  Bring it!

Yesterdays run was not so good and I am putting that mildly!  But todays run was really great!  I set my goals for todays run and domminated!!!  I love how if you just keep trying at something, no matter what that might be, you truly do improve! 
I ran indoors today because its still too icy to run outside, for me anyways.  I am a clutz without the ice.
I have a room in my house set up with treadmill, weight bench, exercise ball and mat, and my favorite the T.V hooked to the wall so its at perfect eye level while running away on the treadmill.  My cute hubby did all of that for me several years ago.  So, I GET to run watching, my favorite running show,  MUSIC VIDEOS!!!! I switch between CMT and VH!  Lady Antebellum to Buck Cherry,  Taylor swift to P!nk, Keith Urban to well, I never switch when he is on he is my most fave!  ha ha
It keeps me going.  It makes the time go by fast.  I always stick around for the #1 song in the top 20 count down, which never happens just around the house. 
Running outside is the BEST but running to my music videos is a really close 2nd!

Mmmm.... Pasta

So here's the scoop!  Just found out that when training for a half marathon, and your running 8 to 10 miles several times a week, that you should eat AT LEAST 2500 calories EVERY DAY!!!!  That is so much food!!!  AND 60% of that should be complex carbs!!!!!  I am truly in heaven now!!!  I love pasta and have always steared clear of my starchy love, but not any more.  After this post I will immediatley retreive all new pasta recipes from my favorite food web sights. 

Eating healthy is important to me.  I am not, by any means, a perfect eater.  I do love my potato chips.  I have always been a consistent healthy eater.  I make all my meals from scratch.  I am not a fan at all of pre made meals.  I gave up soda years ago.  Occaisionally I will have a small diet Pepsi but thats rare.  I do eat out and I dont hardly ever choose from the "lighter fare" menu selection but I make extra sure that the next few days I am even more carefull with healthy meals, sort of balance out kind of theory.
I do view food as fuel for my body.  I don't want additives or greasy artery clogging agents in my body.  I want food that my body will use and feel better after I'm done eating.  I absolutley HATE that horrible sick feeling after a high fat meal. 
I will never, never, never drink wheat grass juice or rely on protein meal replacement bars, but I will always choose whole wheat bread over white bread and ask for steamed veggies over deep fried.  So I feel like I am on the right path to staying healthy.
 I need to. I want my body to always be able to move in the direction I need me to go.  I want to always be active.  I want to always be ABLE.   For me, for my husband, my kids, my family and friends,  but mostly for me.

Excuses

Mantra: Just freakin' do it!

Today I just didn't want to train!  I woke up tired, my to-do-list was longer then the day before, I had a head ache....I was so full of excuses.  I finally gave in to my own numerous reasons.  Picked out a movie from On Demand, pushed play and was already to be comfy on the couch and veg through Social Network.  But then I remembered how much I want to be prepared as best I can for the upcoming race.  On March 19th I am going to ask so much of my body.  I am going to want my legs to run 13.1 miles.  Something they have not done before even close to that length.  I need to do right by my little ole' legs to condition them as much as possible for the big day.  I owe that to my gams! 
I feel so much better for sticking to the plan.  I didn't have that all day nagging feeling of knowing I didn't train.  I felt re energized and even more ready for my long to-do-list!  Which I completed!  Yeah for me!
Sometimes you need to "Just Freakin' Do It"

Round Table

Mantra:  "I run because I can"

I work Mondays at a Dr's office and at lunch, a group of girls and I were discussing the reasons we run.. One girl was running to be heart healthy, another girl runs because her husband does and its something they do together on a regular basis, my favorite reason from this other girl, it was quite simply, so her pants fit.  We all have our own reasons for running.  Mine is more than one reason.  Sure I do love that my pants fit and that I am thin.  I have never struggled too much with weight issues. I run because I need to be healthy and I need to be STRONG.  I have Cerebral Palsy , it is mild and I have never thought too much about it.  Untill my late twenties.  I was just to weak to pick up my own babies.  I wasn't tired, didn't feel run down, I felt good.  I just had no strength.  Household chores that should not require effort did.  Like lifting laudry basket or pushing the vaccuum. But what really broke my heart was having a difficult time picking up my babies, helping them get in their car seats or booster seats or just picking them up because they wanted to be held by mommy.  I would have to sit down let them climb on my lap and then I could hold them.  And THAT is not OK!   I went to  a small gym, hired a trainer to learn to lift  weights the correct way.  To stregthen my muscles so I could just do normal mom things.  In just weeks I noticed a difference. 
I have to stay in a work out routine.  The times that I have stopped for whatever reason, my muscles go back to their weak ways.  I stay pretty true to my work out routine.  I accidentally fell in love with running along the way. 
Running keeps my head clear and de stresses me.  The trail I run on is peaceful and beautful.  So it truly is my "happy place".  And I feel STRONG when I am running. 
I saw a quote just the other day on the blog "Runner dude" which by the way,  the more I read the blog, the more I love, but it was this "I run because I can!"  in a nutshell thats it for me.  "I run because I can"

Mantra:  I will not slow down!  I will not slow down!

This incline training is not for wussies,  it's kicking my ass, to put it mildly.  But my resolve is even greater!  As much as I think about saying "F it !" I know I that I won't because stopping or not pushing myself would be so much harder on myself  mentaly than giving in.  A punishment I do not want.  That realization to me is worth a BAZILION dollars.  That carries me through, that keeps me going forward.  My spirit is strong even when my little legs might think they are not.  I like that.

No MOJO ?

Mantra:  This is tough. I 'm tougher


I have been training for the half on my treadmill because the inversion has been pretty bad.  The temp has been ok, with enough layers I have been just fine, but bad air is so not good for the lungs.  The day had finally come where the inversion was gone.  I  was so excited to pound the pavement.  After weeks on the treadmill,  I really struggled.  I forgot how treadmill running is so much easier than being outdoors.  Decided to run at a 4 or 6 % incline on the treadmill to maybe, I don't know, help compensate for not being outdoors.  HOLY COW!!!!  I feel like I am just starting my training from the very beginning.  I am huffing and puffing and not even as well as The Little Engine Who Could .  I did complete the 60 minutes that I told myself I would. I was slower than I hoped to be, but I am already looking forward to tomorrows run.  I want to do better.  I will try harder.  I want this!  THIS being the satisfaction of running a half marathon.  THIS also being proud of myself, for working hard for something I want to achieve.  I can do this!  Tomorrow I will have good running MOJO!

Inner strength

Mantra: Strong, Mighty, Able


I am my own inner voice, the voice that tells me "You can do this, you are strong and able, and you can keep going forward" 
I am my own coach, I shout to myself "I know what you are made of and you can run faster, you can dig deeper and bring it.  I won't accept anything less" 
I am my best cheerleader.  I rally for myself , cheering, "You got this, its all you girl, you ARE doing it!  Keep going!
I am my biggest fan, saying "I am so proud of you!  You really did a good job, you didn't quit when you were tired, you kept going! Wow!  How do you do it?"
Silly I know, but I love hearing all these things when I out running and trying to reach my goal.
This makes sense to me too because, no one cares if I shave a minute off my mile or ran the whole length of the big hill, or stuck to my training regimine except me.  And not because I dont have caring people in my life because I so do, but these are my achievments, my notches on my running bed posts. I do this for me.
Im glad that I can count on me.  This feeling has come to me late in life.  Maybe thats the normal.  Maybe like wisdom coming with age, so does self appreciation.  Whatever the reason, I glad for it!

Surprise!

My intention of starting this blog was going to be, for me, a forum to talk running.  Of my successess and my frustrations.  I wanted to have a place to come to let it all out  because some days the running is so incredibly wonderful and just so dang good for the soul and then some days its so GUT WRENCHING hard; hence the title of my blog, but something pretty wonderfull happened to me over the week end I needed to put it out there in black and white.
 My husband who is the most incredible guy EVER threw me the most amazing surprise party.  With the enormous help of my son, Jake and my sweet little Neilson family, who I hope know how much I adore each of them, This birthday bash put all others to shame, in my opinion.  All of the people dear to my heart came.  Dave picked out matching decorations and so many balloons.  The rigged up a balloon drop so when I came in the house I was greeted by a shower of balloons.  Jake set up the down stairs for us to "Just Dance 1 and 2"  Wii style.  We played  "around the world" ping pong.  There was yummy food and any kind of ""drink" you could imagine, like my favorite the "salty dog"
My heart felt like it would burst I felt so much joy and love for all who came to celebrate my big 4 0 bash.  My cheeks ached from the perma grin I sported all night.
Every day I feel so incredibly blessed that I am where I am.  I am so loved by my family and friends.  I hope they all know I feel the same way.  I married this amazing guy almost 21 years ago and he without a doubt is my saving grace, my sunny day, my whole everything.  He makes me smile just by being him.  And don't even get me started on the kind of father he is.  Boy, do I have lucky boys. 
Tomorrow I will post a running update but I did think this week end was worth mentioning.  A little.

The Big 4 0!

Mantra:  I will beacause I can


I just turned (drum roll) 40!  They say when you turn 40 that "You are over the hill"  that "it's all down hill from here"   For me, who has such a passion for running, that my friends, is music to my ears.
I am excited, and yes, I do really mean it.  I am more active now than I ever was in my 20's.  To be fair maybe it's all due to the fact that I have time to be active.  Kids are older, I work from home, house chores are manageable, or I don't prioritze it anymore, whichever.  But I find myself always on the look out for outdoor activites or fun new places to check out.
I have always chose running as my choice of cardio.  Faithfully ran the 35 to 45 min 3 to 4 times a week.  I wanted to try running 5 k's.  It looked fun to me, seeing a fellow group of runners all coming down the road, their number tag an the front of their shirts, but most of all the smile on their faces.  If you love running you know exactly what I am referring to.
I signed up for my first 5k 3 years ago, with my sister and my youngest son, neither of which have faithfully ran 3 to 4 times a week.  They both beat me.  Sister by 7 whole minutes and son by seconds.  Now, one might think that would deter me from enetering any more races but I was hooked!  Couldn't wait to run another one.  It wasn't about winning for me.  It's about the enormous sense of self accomplishment that I had when I crossed the finish line.  The joy I truly felt and from such a simple thing. 
After several more 5k's and the big 4 0 approaching I decided to try running a half  marathon.  Thats almost 3 times the distance so 3 times the sense of accomplishment and joy feeling.  Right?
The race is in March just 45 days from today.  I am on a training program that hopefully will prove to be a successful training program.  Soon I will know. 
Turning 40 is giving such a bravado, if you will, type of feeling.  I want to take on new challenges and be right smack dab in the middle of all the good things that life has to offer.  So heres to the big 4 0 and my idea of "down hill from here"  !