I got back into town on Monday with plenty of time to chill out before getting Ashley off the bus, picking up Audrey and taking her to dance, switching off with Ray so that I could go to Girl Scouts with Ashley.
The first mistake was taking Audrey to dance. Ray always takes her (except for the week of class observations, where I took her and got to sit in on the class the whole time and take pictures), so she isn't used to me being there. Then add that I hadn't seen her since Saturday morning, and you have a recipe for disaster.
It was warm outside that day, and the dance school the girls go to, the classrooms have big windows, so you can stand outside and see in. I was standing with Ashley when I saw Audrey not participating.
Which is really not like her.
Then she started to cry, and the assistant teaching was leading her out the door. By the time I got to her, she was sobbing. Audrey rarely cries like this. This wasn't a "my sister just poked me in the face" cry, this was a god-honest sobbing "I missed my Mommy DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN" cry. Not good.
Ray had shown up by then, and talking to Audrey about her recital and the pretty dress she will get to wear (and the promise of candy when she got home), I finally got her to stop crying and get back to class. I go to get Ashley to head to Girl Scouts, and she is crying.
GAH! I never really figured out why she was crying. She was in the van at that point, right next to Ray. Something about the video that was playing, who knows. I think she was just upset that her sister was upset. Which in turn makes me upset. This is why parenting is hard.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Post Run Let Down
So here I am, a few days on the other side of running a half marathon.
And I don't know what to do with myself.
My knees are still bothering me, so exercising is out of the picture for the moment. I want to run another 1/2 marathon, but no one seems to want to do the Myrtle Beach one with me. Ray wants me to take a break.
I want to keep running.
But only because I really want a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks everyday.
I am going to buy new running shoes at lunch today - real running shoes, not the $35 ones I got at Kohl's. I am going to a real running store and having them tell me what I need.
Maybe that will help me for now.
And I don't know what to do with myself.
My knees are still bothering me, so exercising is out of the picture for the moment. I want to run another 1/2 marathon, but no one seems to want to do the Myrtle Beach one with me. Ray wants me to take a break.
I want to keep running.
But only because I really want a Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks everyday.
I am going to buy new running shoes at lunch today - real running shoes, not the $35 ones I got at Kohl's. I am going to a real running store and having them tell me what I need.
Maybe that will help me for now.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Race Report - OBX 1/2 Marathon
I did it. I FREAKING did it.
Yes, it was hard. Yes, I am visibly limpy today because Holy Hell does my knee hurt. But yes, I am definitely doing another 1/2 marathon.
Here is the low-down.
We (me and two of my friends who were running as well) left Saturday morning around 10:30am from home, and with stopping for lunch we were in Kill Devil Hills around 3:00pm. We headed straight for the expo to pick up our race packets and see what the expo was all about. And yes, I picked up Ray's packet as well and texted a picture of his bib to him, because I am a nice wife like that. Actually, I just thought it was cool because our names were on the bibs. The only not-nice thing I have to say about the race was the fact that I registered for a small shirt, and I got a medium, which is actually more like a large. So that sucked, but really in the grand scheme of things, that was no big deal. I picked up a cool headband and some arm warmers at the expo as well. We checked into the hotel after the expo, hit Walmart and then headed to my favorite pizza place in the Outer Banks - Tomato Patch in Corolla. We filled up on spaghetti and headed back to the hotel for an early bed time where we all fretted over what we were going to wear for the race.
The weather was supposed to be mid-50s, but we were worried about the wind. I was pissed because the one of the arm warmers I bought was too big at the top of my arm and I wasn't sure I wanted to wear it. In the end I did and I was fine.
I think we were in bed by 10:00pm for a not-so-good night's sleep. I know I tossed and turned and by the time 5:00am rolled around, I was ready to get up and get the show on the road.
Right on schedule, we were out of the hotel and to the start by 6:30am. And it was crazy! The lines to the port-o-potties were huge. With 3,500 runners in the half, there was no way there were enough toilets. I checked my bag for the end of the race and found the 2:30:00 pacer. The plan was to start with the 2:30:00 pacer, and then hopefully go ahead at some point. I was worried about starting too fast, but I shouldn't worry about that with a race with this many people. Our first mile was slow because there were so many people around us. And we pretty much left the 2:30:00 pacer behind by the half mile mark. Here we are at the start (me and my friend Wendy, my other friend Stella was starting with the 2:15:00 pacer in hopes of beating 2:10:00, which she did). I am on the left, bib 6611. Yes, I am wearing Virginia Tech running shorts. Wendy's husband Matt came to be our photographer. In fact, he got up and drove from Raleigh at 2:30am in the morning to be there at the start.
Mile 1 - 11:06
Mile 2 - 10:31
Mile 3 - 10:31
We were right on track those first couple of miles. I felt great, and the miles were seriously ticking right by. The course was awesome and flat and the weather was perfect.
Mile 4 - 10:42
This is where we saw Matt, Wendy's husband for the first time after the start. I ditched my arm warmers at this point and we kept trucking.
Mile 5 - 10:32
Mile 6 - 10:28
Mile 7 - 10:20
Those miles were great. We were in and out of neighborhoods, there were spectators, the Sound to look at. Nothing was hurting, no cramps. I took a Gu at about Mile 6 and took some water at each water stop. The course was well equipped with water stops and medical stations.
Mile 8 - 10:37
This mile started the straightaway to the bridge, the only hill on the course. It was starting to go uphill from here.
Mile 9 - 10:39
Mile 10 - 10:36
Mile 10 was actually right before the crest of the bridge, right at the top. Wendy and I seriously hauled ass up the bridge, passing people left and right. And then once on the other side of Mile 10, I felt like I was really running down the incline.
Mile 11 - 10:17
And I was. This was my fastest mile, and the last mile I have data from the Garmin Wendy was wearing (I really, REALLY want one now). At Mile 11, right after we turned to head to downtown Manteo, Wendy started to pull ahead and I started to hurt. Between Mile 11 and 12 were the absolute hardest part of the race. I had some serious pain in my left leg all the way from my hip to my ankle. Both my knees felt like they were on fire. And I am not a wuss, seriously, my threshold for pain is pretty high, but this hurt. Plus, I was on the other side of 11 miles, and 11 miles was the longest run I had ever done. My body had never gone this far. So I started to have a little pity party for myself. I saw a neighbor (who's husband finished 28th for the half!) and I am sure she thought that I was dying. I was sort of running limping and probably had a terrible look on my face. It was right after her I started to cry. I wanted to walk, but I was so close to my goal. And then I saw Mile 12 and I thought "only a mile left, SUCK IT UP and get this thing over." And I did. My legs sort of went numb and I ran. And I felt better. My friend Stella was right at the end, cheering me on as I crossed the finish line: 2:21:03 (yes, totally kicking myself as I realized pretty close to the end that I could have finished in under 2:20:00, but oh well. Next time.).
Official results:
Chip time: 2:21:03 - 10:47 pace
196/373 for my age, 1023/2213 for females
Wendy, me and Stella at the finish.
Yes, it was hard. Yes, I am visibly limpy today because Holy Hell does my knee hurt. But yes, I am definitely doing another 1/2 marathon.
Here is the low-down.
We (me and two of my friends who were running as well) left Saturday morning around 10:30am from home, and with stopping for lunch we were in Kill Devil Hills around 3:00pm. We headed straight for the expo to pick up our race packets and see what the expo was all about. And yes, I picked up Ray's packet as well and texted a picture of his bib to him, because I am a nice wife like that. Actually, I just thought it was cool because our names were on the bibs. The only not-nice thing I have to say about the race was the fact that I registered for a small shirt, and I got a medium, which is actually more like a large. So that sucked, but really in the grand scheme of things, that was no big deal. I picked up a cool headband and some arm warmers at the expo as well. We checked into the hotel after the expo, hit Walmart and then headed to my favorite pizza place in the Outer Banks - Tomato Patch in Corolla. We filled up on spaghetti and headed back to the hotel for an early bed time where we all fretted over what we were going to wear for the race.
The weather was supposed to be mid-50s, but we were worried about the wind. I was pissed because the one of the arm warmers I bought was too big at the top of my arm and I wasn't sure I wanted to wear it. In the end I did and I was fine.
I think we were in bed by 10:00pm for a not-so-good night's sleep. I know I tossed and turned and by the time 5:00am rolled around, I was ready to get up and get the show on the road.
Right on schedule, we were out of the hotel and to the start by 6:30am. And it was crazy! The lines to the port-o-potties were huge. With 3,500 runners in the half, there was no way there were enough toilets. I checked my bag for the end of the race and found the 2:30:00 pacer. The plan was to start with the 2:30:00 pacer, and then hopefully go ahead at some point. I was worried about starting too fast, but I shouldn't worry about that with a race with this many people. Our first mile was slow because there were so many people around us. And we pretty much left the 2:30:00 pacer behind by the half mile mark. Here we are at the start (me and my friend Wendy, my other friend Stella was starting with the 2:15:00 pacer in hopes of beating 2:10:00, which she did). I am on the left, bib 6611. Yes, I am wearing Virginia Tech running shorts. Wendy's husband Matt came to be our photographer. In fact, he got up and drove from Raleigh at 2:30am in the morning to be there at the start.
Mile 1 - 11:06
Mile 2 - 10:31
Mile 3 - 10:31
We were right on track those first couple of miles. I felt great, and the miles were seriously ticking right by. The course was awesome and flat and the weather was perfect.
Mile 4 - 10:42
This is where we saw Matt, Wendy's husband for the first time after the start. I ditched my arm warmers at this point and we kept trucking.
Mile 5 - 10:32
Mile 6 - 10:28
Mile 7 - 10:20
Those miles were great. We were in and out of neighborhoods, there were spectators, the Sound to look at. Nothing was hurting, no cramps. I took a Gu at about Mile 6 and took some water at each water stop. The course was well equipped with water stops and medical stations.
Mile 8 - 10:37
This mile started the straightaway to the bridge, the only hill on the course. It was starting to go uphill from here.
Mile 9 - 10:39
Mile 10 - 10:36
Mile 10 was actually right before the crest of the bridge, right at the top. Wendy and I seriously hauled ass up the bridge, passing people left and right. And then once on the other side of Mile 10, I felt like I was really running down the incline.
Mile 11 - 10:17
And I was. This was my fastest mile, and the last mile I have data from the Garmin Wendy was wearing (I really, REALLY want one now). At Mile 11, right after we turned to head to downtown Manteo, Wendy started to pull ahead and I started to hurt. Between Mile 11 and 12 were the absolute hardest part of the race. I had some serious pain in my left leg all the way from my hip to my ankle. Both my knees felt like they were on fire. And I am not a wuss, seriously, my threshold for pain is pretty high, but this hurt. Plus, I was on the other side of 11 miles, and 11 miles was the longest run I had ever done. My body had never gone this far. So I started to have a little pity party for myself. I saw a neighbor (who's husband finished 28th for the half!) and I am sure she thought that I was dying. I was sort of running limping and probably had a terrible look on my face. It was right after her I started to cry. I wanted to walk, but I was so close to my goal. And then I saw Mile 12 and I thought "only a mile left, SUCK IT UP and get this thing over." And I did. My legs sort of went numb and I ran. And I felt better. My friend Stella was right at the end, cheering me on as I crossed the finish line: 2:21:03 (yes, totally kicking myself as I realized pretty close to the end that I could have finished in under 2:20:00, but oh well. Next time.).
Official results:
Chip time: 2:21:03 - 10:47 pace
196/373 for my age, 1023/2213 for females
Wendy, me and Stella at the finish. So yes, there will be another one despite how horrible my left knee feels at this point. The excitement of the race, the thrill of finishing 13.1 miles was so cool, I can't explain it. Plus, I know Ray really wants to run one, and I would love to do one with him. I am eyeing Myrtle Beach Half Marathon in February, and I am pretty sure I am in for the Disney Princess Half in March. For now, I am going to lay low on running for this week. I have a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day to do where Ray thinks he will beat me, so I need to be in top shape for that.
Anyone wants to train with me, let me know...
Friday, November 06, 2009
Friday! And an Award! And 2 days until 13.1 miles!
I have successfully made it to Friday. I was reprimanded as soon as I walked into my office building this morning by someone who didn't like how I coughed into my hands. Which is fine, I washed them immediately, but how about "good morning?".
And yes, I am two days from running 13.1 miles and I have a hacking cough and am on antibiotics. I am hopeful that come Sunday I won't cough up a lung on the course. I want to run a really good race. My goals? Everything I have read says do not have time goals for your first half marathon. Hmm. Well, I guess that makes sense but considering I did a 10 mile race and I know how I did that, I do have some sort of timey-type goals for this race.
I would really, really like to finish in less than 2 1/2 hours. That would be sweet. But that's it. I am not setting any other goals than to finish.
As far as how I have run this week? On the schedule were a couple of 2 miles runs which I successfully did 2 of. Hopefully I will be okay come Sunday, but I figured it was better to rest and get over whatever I have then to run and get worse. Let the carb-loading begin!
I was also given a blogging award this week by someone who seems just like me (in all the good ways) - make sure you check her out - Opinions from the Pressure Cooker.
So the award - Superior Scribbler
The rules:
* Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
* Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
* Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
* Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
* Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.
And yes, I am two days from running 13.1 miles and I have a hacking cough and am on antibiotics. I am hopeful that come Sunday I won't cough up a lung on the course. I want to run a really good race. My goals? Everything I have read says do not have time goals for your first half marathon. Hmm. Well, I guess that makes sense but considering I did a 10 mile race and I know how I did that, I do have some sort of timey-type goals for this race.
I would really, really like to finish in less than 2 1/2 hours. That would be sweet. But that's it. I am not setting any other goals than to finish.
As far as how I have run this week? On the schedule were a couple of 2 miles runs which I successfully did 2 of. Hopefully I will be okay come Sunday, but I figured it was better to rest and get over whatever I have then to run and get worse. Let the carb-loading begin!
I was also given a blogging award this week by someone who seems just like me (in all the good ways) - make sure you check her out - Opinions from the Pressure Cooker.
So the award - Superior Scribbler
The rules:
* Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
* Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
* Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
* Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
* Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.
So here who I pass it on to:
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Becoming a healthy house
Everyone went back to school yesterday, somewhat healthy. Ashley is still on antibiotics until this weekend for her pneumonia, but she is completely fine now. Audrey had her seasonal flu shot on Saturday and had a fever for most of the day, but was fine on Sunday and yesterday.
Ray and I, on the other hand, have random cough, sore throats, etc. Nothing serious, I actually feel fine, just annoyed by my cough. So off to the doctor I went this morning. I have fluid behind my ears and swollen glands, so the doctor took pity on me since I have to run 13.1 miles on Sunday and prescribed me some antibiotics as well.
Halloween was fun and I had every intention of downloading some pictures last night, but obviously that didn't happen. Ashley ended up going as Pinkalicious (she wore all pink) and Audrey was Minnie Mouse. Tootles went as herself, an overweight Dachshund.
On other random news, slightly related to sicknesses (as in my sick household is preventing me from holding a newborn baby), my friend and neighbor had her baby Monday before last (beautiful baby boy, I hope to hold him as soon as I am sure I am not carrying any random flu germs), and I took them some food on Sunday. And guess what she had bought me?
The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbook. Sqeeee! I was so freaking excited. I can't wait to cook something out of it...
Ray and I, on the other hand, have random cough, sore throats, etc. Nothing serious, I actually feel fine, just annoyed by my cough. So off to the doctor I went this morning. I have fluid behind my ears and swollen glands, so the doctor took pity on me since I have to run 13.1 miles on Sunday and prescribed me some antibiotics as well.
Halloween was fun and I had every intention of downloading some pictures last night, but obviously that didn't happen. Ashley ended up going as Pinkalicious (she wore all pink) and Audrey was Minnie Mouse. Tootles went as herself, an overweight Dachshund.
On other random news, slightly related to sicknesses (as in my sick household is preventing me from holding a newborn baby), my friend and neighbor had her baby Monday before last (beautiful baby boy, I hope to hold him as soon as I am sure I am not carrying any random flu germs), and I took them some food on Sunday. And guess what she had bought me?
The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbook. Sqeeee! I was so freaking excited. I can't wait to cook something out of it...
Monday, November 02, 2009
Hollyfest 5K Race Recap
So three weekends in a row, I have a race to run. Weekend before last was the 10-miler, and this past weekend was a 5K race in my town. And of course next weekend is my first 1/2 marathon.
We were supposed to run 5 miles on Saturday per our training schedule, and we figured we could run the race, and then run home. Then it was raining/drizzling and me and my two friends that ran the 5K together TOTALLY KICKED A$$ in it, so we said that was good.
Seriously, I ran this 5K 6 minutes faster than I have ever run a 5K! Wahoo for a PR!
Our town is hilly, and it sucks. I don't think there was a flat part of the course for this race. It was either up a hill or down a hill. So that was hard. It was also a small field of runners, probably only about 150 or less (the official results have not been posted yet). The other weird thing was that we had chips for timing, but we didn't run over the mat for the start, only at the end. They just started the time I guess on everyone's chip at the same time. When we figured out that was what they were going to do, we lined up right at the start line.
So the first mile was straight up a hill, and I really didn't feel like I was going too fast. Guys were passing me left and right. I had started my watch right when we started so when we passed the first mile marked and I checked my watch and saw 8:40, I was SHOCKED. Holy crap, I just ran a sub-9 minute mile straight up a hill! Mile 2 and 3 I definitely slowed down on the hills and kept my two friends in my sight to help me keep a pace. I lost them near the end because we were rounding corners to quick. I had really, really wanted to get under 30 minutes, and when I rounded the last corner and saw 28 minutes on the clock, I was shocked!!
So unofficial time was 28:41, or a 9:15/mile pace. Not bad considering how freaking hilly it was.
This week we are supposed to do a couple of 2 mile runs in preparation for the 1/2 this Sunday. And yes, I have started checking the weather - Sunny and 60 so far. Keep praying that it doesn't change!
EDITED TO ADD:
I placed 8/21 for my age group (30-34) and 21/85 females with an official time of 28:43. WAHOO!
We were supposed to run 5 miles on Saturday per our training schedule, and we figured we could run the race, and then run home. Then it was raining/drizzling and me and my two friends that ran the 5K together TOTALLY KICKED A$$ in it, so we said that was good.
Seriously, I ran this 5K 6 minutes faster than I have ever run a 5K! Wahoo for a PR!
Our town is hilly, and it sucks. I don't think there was a flat part of the course for this race. It was either up a hill or down a hill. So that was hard. It was also a small field of runners, probably only about 150 or less (the official results have not been posted yet). The other weird thing was that we had chips for timing, but we didn't run over the mat for the start, only at the end. They just started the time I guess on everyone's chip at the same time. When we figured out that was what they were going to do, we lined up right at the start line.
So the first mile was straight up a hill, and I really didn't feel like I was going too fast. Guys were passing me left and right. I had started my watch right when we started so when we passed the first mile marked and I checked my watch and saw 8:40, I was SHOCKED. Holy crap, I just ran a sub-9 minute mile straight up a hill! Mile 2 and 3 I definitely slowed down on the hills and kept my two friends in my sight to help me keep a pace. I lost them near the end because we were rounding corners to quick. I had really, really wanted to get under 30 minutes, and when I rounded the last corner and saw 28 minutes on the clock, I was shocked!!
So unofficial time was 28:41, or a 9:15/mile pace. Not bad considering how freaking hilly it was.
This week we are supposed to do a couple of 2 mile runs in preparation for the 1/2 this Sunday. And yes, I have started checking the weather - Sunny and 60 so far. Keep praying that it doesn't change!
EDITED TO ADD:
I placed 8/21 for my age group (30-34) and 21/85 females with an official time of 28:43. WAHOO!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Donate a coat to Lands' End and get 20% off a new one
Lands’ End has joined forces with the National Coalition for the Homeless for the Big Warm-up. The Big Warm-up provides an opportunity for people across the nation to donate a gently used coat that will then go on to warm one of more than 3.5 million homeless women, men and children in the United States right now – each facing a cold winter.
Until November 30, Lands’ End is hosting Big Warm-up coat donation sites at its 252 Lands’ End Shops at Sears and 13 Lands’ End Inlets®. Donated coats will be distributed via the National Coalition for the Homeless in communities nearby. AND… Lands’ End is giving 20 percent off the purchase of a new coat for each one donated.
Visit WWW.BIGWARMUP.COM to see how each coat can warm a heart, track donations, find donation sites, watch an inspiring video and spread the word.
I don't know about you - but I could definitely go through my coat closet!
Until November 30, Lands’ End is hosting Big Warm-up coat donation sites at its 252 Lands’ End Shops at Sears and 13 Lands’ End Inlets®. Donated coats will be distributed via the National Coalition for the Homeless in communities nearby. AND… Lands’ End is giving 20 percent off the purchase of a new coat for each one donated.
Visit WWW.BIGWARMUP.COM to see how each coat can warm a heart, track donations, find donation sites, watch an inspiring video and spread the word.
I don't know about you - but I could definitely go through my coat closet!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Medicine
So Ashley still has a cough, which is going on 2 weeks now (or longer, I really forget). When I called the doctor last week, they said if she wasn't better (cough-wise) by Friday, bring her back in.
So Ray is there now with her, and I get this email from him:
Not the mask you expected on Halloween!
I guess they are worried she still has the flu?
But back to last night - getting Ashley to take medicine. She battled me for almost 2 hours to take her medicine. I don't even want to remember last night; it was that bad.
And if the doctor prescribes something for her cough today? We are so screwed.
UPDATED: Ashley has pneumonia....
So Ray is there now with her, and I get this email from him:
Not the mask you expected on Halloween!
I guess they are worried she still has the flu?But back to last night - getting Ashley to take medicine. She battled me for almost 2 hours to take her medicine. I don't even want to remember last night; it was that bad.
And if the doctor prescribes something for her cough today? We are so screwed.
UPDATED: Ashley has pneumonia....
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