Felt speedy!

Yesterday was my second run since the half marathon. I took a week off after the race. I thought I at least deserved that long but then the runner's guilt started creeping back. I have realized that training is one of the addictive aspects of running. I know if I don't run I'll start to lose it. After all that hard work to get to 13 miles, the last thing I want to do is lose it. So I laced up the sneaks after Scott got home yesterday and headed out. I started out at a pretty fast pace...probably because it was chilly and a little windy. Once I saw how fast I was going, I decided to see how fast I could do 3. I've never tried to do that before and the traffic gods appeared to be on my side to give my "test" a real whirl. I have to cross a main road twice on the loop I was doing, and I didn't have to slow down either time. I ended up doing it in 27:29. I couldn't believe it. That is about 45 seconds faster than I've done it before. That is what is addictive about running too...going faster, longer than you have gone before. I have no plans to make a longer distance goal for now, so I have to set a time goal I guess. Anyway I was pooped right at 3 miles, so I stopped running and walked the rest of the way home. I passed a neighbor on my street who said, "Out for a fast walk?" I snapped back..."No, I was running." I laughed later when I thought about it because I realized I was offended he thought I was walking. I am a runner now! How silly is that? Runners don't walk! I got issues I know.

Our First Sleepover

Well, the Brennan girls hosted their first sleepover last night. Our friend Jackie Rose had surgery today, so her sisters Julia and Jenna stayed at our house last night. The girls had a blast! They started by making cards for Jackie. Jackie loves Aeriel, so everyone drew the famous mermaid. Interesting how different every one's looked. Then off to get on jammies and watch a movie. After popcorn, cookies and lots of giggles, I was ready for bed (I have to get up at 4:50 on Wednesdays for work) but the little ladies were not. They laughed for about another hour before Jenna finally gave in and went to bed. I am just impressed that I was able to stay awake until they went to sleep. Now the real fun began. I was off to work at 5:45 leaving my lovely husband with the task of getting four girls dressed, fed, and to a friend's house where they would play for the day. All this had to be done so he could get to work by 9:00. They all woke up on their own according to Paige. They ate waffles for breakfast. Somehow the kitchen table is moved. I haven't asked about that one yet. I'm impressed that he brushed every one's hair. He said Julia was a trooper as he tried his best to beautify a girl who must have moved around a lot while she slept. When I saw the girls this afternoon, all they could talk about was getting to ride in the back of the Expedition without seat belts as they traveled the street over to Laura's house. All you have to do is break the rules to make little girls happy! Each time a new person arrived, they told the car story again. It was fun! I'm tired and can't wait to get in my jammies, but everyone was happy and Jackie Rose is home recovering. Tate has another sleepover on Friday for a birthday party. Glad I've done my time. I'll be snuggled tight in my bed that night unless I get a phone call to pick up my little lady. She does love her own bed!

Clean your room!

Why won't my kids clean their rooms without it turning me into a monster? I always offer them rewards for completing the task, but it is still never good enough. It usually ends in tears and definitely a lot of whining. I have invested in a number of things to make the cleaning easier for them such as special bins for barbies, American girl clothes, and books. I have found that my big thing is keeping the floor clean. I even bought them a special purple bin where they can put things and I am not allowed to touch them or get mad if the "stuff" in there is not in its correct place. In Tate's room the bin often becomes a house for her barbies therefore it is just another toy in her eyes. Paige thinks I'm going to get rid of the stuff in her purple bin because I have been known to bring a laundry basket into the playroom and start collecting toys that have not been put away after numerous requests. I tell the girls that the laundry basket will go to girls and boys who will take care of their toys if it is not emptied and put away. Even though I have told Paige the purple bin is special I must have scarred her because hers is usually empty. My house is far from spotless but these girls are sure giving Scott and I a run for our money to make it somewhat presentable. If it is like this at 7 and 4, what will happen in their teens. I guess by then I will learn to just close their doors and take a deep breath. For now, I am embarrassed for people to see their rooms so destroyed. Well, the woes of motherhood. I know there could be much worse things to worry about. I am so happy they are my messy girls. While the playroom was no fun cleaning up today, yesterday they cleaned their rooms and got to go to the Red Box (movie box) to pick out a movie. I even got one for me! I cleaned too!

I Knew It Would Happen One Day

I have been waiting for the day one of the girls would wake up while I got ready for work and today was the day. For two years I have been getting up at 4:45am to get ready and be at work 30 miles away by 6:20am. I've always worried that the shower or blow dryer would wake one of them up, but after a year I thought we were in the clear. No one woke up. This morning Paige opened up the door to the bathroom with the shock of the bright light in her eyes. A bad dream had woken her...not me. She said a man with sharp things in his hands was chasing her...pretty scary I'm sure for a 4 year old. She wasn't crying, so my main concern was trying to get her back to sleep since she had a few more hours before she needed to get up. She on the other hand said, "Hold me and take me where you go, Mommy." By now Scott wakes up because she is not whispering. When do kids learn that? I tucked her into my side of the bed where we had to go through a ritual of hugs and kisses. Who can resist the "Just one more kiss Mommy?" I thought I finally had her settled when she asked me when I would pick her up from school. She went on to tell me I needed to get Tate off the bus and then come in the house only to get her a snack (popcorn and raisins) before jumping in the car to get her. I finally escaped back to the bathroom to brush my teeth...my precisely timed morning routine thrown off. Luckily, I did have time to still make some coffee before leaving. She is as cute as can be, and I dread when she doesn't want the hugs and kisses anymore. I may have been rushed, but it was a nice way to start the day!

Snow days come to an end

We got back from Florida to wake up the following morning to snow. Actually, Tate woke me up at 3am Tuesday morning to tell me it was snowing. It did not stop snowing until 5pm that day. The girls bundled up in a North Carolina snow outfit...anything a mom can throw together to make her feel like her children will stay warm. The snow was very dry so we were not successful this time in making a snowman. We ended up with at least five inches I think. School was closed Tuesday and Wednesday. As I type this, I am waiting for the two hour delay to end so Tate can skip along to Ms. Pride's class. She actually has to go to school for a half-day on Saturday to make up some snow time. After most of the week off, I don't think she will mind this time. The other make up day is in April when she will have soccer on Saturdays (that is when year round schools have to make up days) so we will gracefully miss that make-up day. Scott went in yesterday to work and only saw one car in a ditch. He was surprised to see people in a opening time. It doesn't take long for people to get cabin fever. I myself am looking forward to getting out of here today even if it is to go to the grocery store. I am going to see my nephew Connor...the cutest baby around...so it will be a great day.

Half marathon recap

Well, Saturday Scott and I flew to sunny Clearwater, Florida so that I could run my first half-marathon with some of my best friends. The weather was beautiful and I could not have asked for a more perfect experience. It was challenging but I never thought I couldn't do it which did wonders for the euphoric experience this running journey has given me. The race was an "out and back" which means we ran over two bridges and through a park before heading back over the two bridges again to make it to the finish line.
The bridges were the challenge I mentioned before. They were huge and gradual inclines that seemed to last forever. I had to make myself look at the amazing view once I got to the top even though I could barely breathe. It was interesting to people watch along the way too. I am happy to tell you that a man in flip flops, a Hawaiian shirt, and a walking stick beat me. He was a hoot! I have never seen anything like it. Also, a man in a sling beat me by about thirty seconds because I turned back at the end of the fourth bridge to find two of my friends. One had already run ahead and I wanted to finish this monumental race with the people I had trained so hard with. The man in the sling and a police officer said, "You're going the wrong way!" I must have scared them to death. They must have thought I was delusional turning back so close to the finish line, but I did not want to cross the line alone. This race was a testament to our friendship and brought us all closer together. So, we grabbed hands and crossed that blue line as one. My official time was 2:20:40...not bad for my first. I was 167 out of the ladies and 22nd in my age group. I will never have an experience like that again! On to a new race...yet to be determined!

The Countdown

I have two days until I leave for my first half marathon in sunny Florida. It is freezing here, so the warm weather will be welcome treat. But...my nerves are out of control. Can I really run 13.1 miles? I have been training for this since August, so I know I just need to trust my body to pull through. Running is such a mind game. After a year of running, confidence as a runner is what I need most.

My girls are so excited. Paige has been drawing pictures of me running for weeks at school. It means a lot to me that she recognizes that this is so important to me. I wish they could see me cross the finish line but this first one is going to be just for me (and Scott who is going to come cheer me on). It is OK to focus on yourself every now and then, right?

What comes next? After training for a race for so long, I am already wondering what I will do next week when I get back. I guess I'll find another race and keep on trucking.