Moving

While in nursing school, I had a blog called Journey of a Nursing Student.  While it mainly focused on my journey as a nursing student, it also incorporated my running.  After graduating from nursing school, I decided I wanted to start a new blog that would focus more on my running and life in general.  So, I created this Life of Marathons blog.  But, after having issues with Blogger, I decided to move blog services and imported both blogs over to Wwordpress.  So, now you can catch up and follow my life journey - running, work, and children - over at lifeofmarathons.wordpress.com.

Hope to see y'all over there soon!

Year of Dates - March

 We are still going strong on our Year of Dates!  This month was a fun one - a cooking class!  Southern Season is a specialty grocery store/cooking school/restaurant from Chapel Hill, NC, and they opened up a store in Richmond this past September.  Hubby and I have been in it a few times and really enjoy walking through the isles of hot sauces, drooling over the specialty kitchen equipment, and browsing their international or specialty beer selections.

For March, our date was a cooking class in the Southern Season cooking school!  Both of us love spending time in the kitchen and eating good food, so this seemed like the perfect way to try something new!  Finding a class that appealed to both of us and worked with Hubby's travel schedule was a bit of a challenge, but we ended up agreeing on the class Cooking with Craft Beer.  Such a good choice!  :) 

Hubby and I in class

First course - Beer cheese fondue

Second course - Hunter's Stew

Main course - Beer braised beef brisket

Dessert - Chocolate Stout Cake

While a bit overpriced (I think), it was a very enjoyable hour and a half.  We got to taste amazing food created and made by a local Richmond chef, and we got to take home the recipes!  I need to find an excuse to make the fondue, Hubby made the stew this past weekend, and that cake will have to be shared at a major chocolate-lover's party.   

After the class, Hubby and I browsed the store before going over to the wine bar and enjoyed a stout and a glass of wine, respectively.  Twas a very nice way to end our date.

Sneak peek at next month...

Lemon water challenge

I've read about lemon water on Pintrest recently. After fighting frequent colds this winter, I'm looking for anything that will help keep me and the boys healthy!
What are the benefits of lemon water?  According to this website, the benefits include:

• Increases hydration
• Boosts immune system
• Improves skin
• Helps with cleansing and detoxing
• Stimulates digestion

Honestly, the only thing I care about is the immune boost!  :)  Especially since both boys are waking up with snotty noses again...

So, first thing every morning for the next 3 weeks, I'll be drinking a large glass of water with half of a freshly-squeezed lemon.

I might have to try convincing my 2 year old to drink this instead of buying gummy vitamins...  I'll let you know how I feel at the end of the 21 days!

Who wants to join me?

Year of Dates - February

Oops!  So, I totally forgot to mention our February date.  Have no fear, it did happen!  :)

Wine and chocolate fondue at home on Valentine's weekend!

Unfortunately, we forgot to snap a photo of our date.  This pic was taken the first time we did a chocolate fondue at home a year ago.  This year, we had some tasty wine, a good stout, and pretzels and strawberries to go with our chocolate.  We snuggled on the couch and had a *surprisingly* quiet and child-free evening to ourselves!  Only to be woken up at midnight by Baby Thunder...  C'est la vie!

Where is spring?

Here is what my winter has looked like so far...

Yup, my coldest run to date - a 10k in 56 min in 13 degrees.  And that was the temperature after the run!  It was so cold that the water in my Camelbak tube froze!  I was so happy to get this run in though, since I spent all of it with a new running friend of mine!  There is no way I would have run that far in that weather on my own.  Praise God for best running buddies!

Yes, my sweet Baby Thunder ended up with his own nebulizer mask.  In January, he ended up with bronchiolitis, which resulted in multiple visits to the pediatrician and one late night visit to KidMed.  After a week of breathing treatments every 4 hours around the clock, he finally kicked the nasty cold and has not had another one since!  Little Man and I had a touch of a stomach virus, I had strep at Thanksgiving, Hubby had the flu on our wedding anniversary, and pink eye has gone through our family three times.  

But, that's not to say we haven't had some fun this winter...

Happy Baby Thunder!

Date night with Hubby at La Parisienne before watching No BS! Brass Band play at the Richmond Symphony

Sweet snuggles with Little Man

Bring on spring!

A Positive End

This has been a rough month for me.  At the beginning of the month, I finally went to my OB to get on medication for postpartum depression and was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  Since then, there have been days of complete exhaustion and days of finally feeling like my old self; of brain fog, a bodily weariness that requires rest, and finally - like warm sunshine in winter - a few days of energy.

Speaking of winter...

The fatigue/weariness and winter conditions have made running very difficult, though I did get outside with these two handsome boys after the last snowstorm that left us with 6 inches of snow!  In all, I think I ran twice all month.  That PR at the Monument 10k is probably not gonna happen this year...  But that's okay.  I will take what I can get, and be grateful that I can still run at all!

Saying goodbye to February with a 5k in 28min on the treadmill

February is over, and I'm glad to see it go.  And I am going to keep running forward towards hopeful energy and a bright future. 

Something fishy...

Food and I have an interesting relationship.  I love to cook and bake, but I don't like to eat.  I like trying new recipes, but I don't like to eat.  I'm one of those eat-to-live people.  But I also get bored with food very easily and quickly.  So, I love finding new foods on Pintrest, though I rarely follow a recipe.  Instead, I'll use what I find as inspiration and end up creating something completely different than the original instructions.  Unfortunately, as I was lamenting to my husband recently, the recipes I find on Pintrest are few and far between because so many call for processed foods that we don't eat.

"It's so hard to find good, healthy, from-scratch recipes.  I can look on Pintrest for 20 minutes and not find a single recipe that I would want to eat."

My sweet Hubby then recommended that I just publish my own recipes.

And so, without further ado, I give you...


Lemon Rosemary Salmon

1 sprig fresh rosemary
Juice from 1 lemon
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 cup Olive oil
Salt and pepper
3 servings of salmon, 3-6oz each

Mince rosemary and garlic cloves.  Combine with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.  Pour over top of salmon and let rest for 5-10 minutes, flipping salmon once so both sides become seasoned.

Heat some olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat.  When the pan is hot, add the salmon.  Pour the remaining marinade on top of the salmon.  Cook approximately 5 minutes, then flip and cook another 3 minutes.  Occasionally spoon some of the juices/marinade on top of the salmon.

Serve over pearled barley and steamed broccoli for a complete "clean eating" meal.

A glass of wine or dark beer would not hurt either...

What do you think?

Getting there

Within a week of starting an antidepressant and thyroid medication, I was ecstatic to discover I was back to my old self.  I could finally go a whole day without having to lie down due to exhaustion.  My brain came back!  I could critically think again, put full sentences together, and have complete thoughts!  I wanted to do things I used to enjoy, like run or knit or bake something new. 

And then, it hit again.  One Saturday, I stopped functioning.  The brain fog came back, I could barely find the energy to move, and all I wanted to do was sleep.  Around 2pm, I finally started feeling better.  But it made me realize that there is no magic or instant fix.  There will be good days, and there will still be bad days.  On the good days, I will enjoy spending time with my two boys.  On the bad days, I will not feel guilty for sleeping or asking for help. 

If I could offer one piece of advice to new moms, it's this:  Monitor yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help.  Yes, exhaustion is a part of being a new mom.  But it should get better.  You may feel unhappy or just not yourself, but it should get better.  If it doesn't, please don't be afraid to ask for help or talk with your doctor.  When you start losing more and more enjoyment in life or feel like you are just trying to survive the next 12 hours before you can sleep again to escape, something has to give.  This life is too short, too unpredictable to just survive each day. 

Live your life.  Cherish each moment.  Recognize that you aren't made to do it all on your own.  Ask for help.

Coming Out

Depression.

I feel like there have been times in my life where I've danced around the edges of depression.  It runs heavily in my family history, so it's not all that surprising.  But, I've always managed.  I talk it out, I run, I manage.  I might feel glum for a day or two, but I always snap back.

Not anymore.

Overwhelm.
Overwhelmed.
Overwhelming.

In the last 3 weeks, I have experienced this word to it's fullest extent.  My house is not clean.  I cannot focus on my school work.  I want to run away and curl up in a tight ball to go to sleep all at the same time.  Bath time for just one kid or even thinking about what's for dinner requires a huge effort on my part.  My brain feels like it has taken a vacation for the last few days, to the point that the words coming out of my mouth do not even make sense.  And I'm convinced you can't truly appreciate exhaustion until you are a mother. 

I've tried counseling, I've been running 2-3 days per week, I (occasionally) do yoga/meditation/deep breathing exercises, I pray, I talk with Hubby, and I socialize with friends.  I might get a "break" in the day by hanging out with fellow mommies, but the blues return full force once I pack up the kids in the car.  Instead of getting better, I'm getting worse.

It's not like there aren't enough stressors in my life right now.  I'm in the last 4 weeks of my last nursing class (to earn my BSN), Hubby has been gone Monday through Friday, family stresses, my insomnia is getting worse, and Baby Thunder has been waking up twice a night. 

So today, I have resorted to the last weapon I can think of to combat this Deep Depression - medication.  I pray it will be enough to get me through this transition and back on the upswing of things.  I'm ready to feel happy.  To truly smile.  To stop just surviving each day and actually start enjoying spending this time I have with my little ones. 

A year in review

Happy New Year's Day!  And what a year it's been... 

February - I quit my night-shift hospital nursing job to work part time in a Coumadin Clinic at a doctor's office.  It was a wonderful opportunity, and I looked forward to going to work every Tuesday and Wednesday.

July - We left our apartment and upgraded to a house rental!  I was 8 month pregnant, but praise the Lord for extra space!  We also joined the church we had been attending for a year.

Early August - We weren't quite settled into new home when Hubby found out about a new job opportunity that would have us moving to Ohio.  He told me about it on a Monday, and after talking about it together and with a few other people, he put the application in that night.

End of August - after 4 weeks of waiting, Hubby was offered a new job!  Throughout the entire process, God made His will known to us beyond a shadow of a doubt.  But I've already written about that.  So, Hubby was offered this job on Monday, August 25, 2014.  Baby Thunder was born on Friday, August 29, 2014, and we became a family of four!

September - I celebrated being alive for a quarter of a century!

October - We (painfully) start getting used to Hubby's new job...

November - I ran a half marathon 11 weeks postpartum, decided to accept God's will for me to not return to work but to become a Stay At Home Mom, and celebrated my last known Thanksgiving in Virginia by running the Richmond Turkey Trot.

December - We have finally (mostly) adjusted to Hubby's travel schedule - and by mostly adjusted I mean that Little Man is no longer throwing tantrums every four hours and I am not bursting into tears every time Hubby walks in the door.  Baby Thunder has finally started falling asleep for the night between 9 and 10pm and consistently taking 2 naps during the day.  We also experienced the normal holiday chaos.  I swear the holidays get more stressful the older I get!  Hubby came down with the flu the day before our wedding anniversary, but was fully recovered by Christmas.  The boys and I remained healthy, and we got to go to the Christmas Eve service at church, celebrate my dad's birthday at my favorite pizza place (if ever in RVA, look up Stuzzi's!), have our own Christmas morning, my siblings' Gift Exchange at our place the day after Christmas, and see my husband's extended family in Maryland the day after Christmas!  Yes, the holidays are definitely getting more crazy... But, on the bright side, Hubby has had the last 2 weeks off of work!  :) 

Merry Christmas!

Phew!  What a year.  But, 2015 is shaping up to be just as exciting...
Anticipate relocating:  Yes, we will be moving to Columbus, Ohio this year.  The tentative month is July, since that is when our lease is up in our current house.  I'm trying really hard not to start planning (aka stressing!) about the logistics of what all that involves and just enjoy my last 6 to 7 months in my beloved Richmond. 

Race schedule:  So far, I have registered for the Ukrop's Monument 10k!

Yes, around here, #It'sMonumental!  My goal for 2015 is to finish under 50 minutes.  Which is gonna mean a lot of stroller runs with the boys... I'm also considering the Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg.  One last big race before The Big Move. Lastly, I want to train for the Richmond Marathon in November in hopes of qualifying for Boston.  That kind of training while I'm in a new state will hopefully help the relocation stress (for me and the boys) and maybe help me connect with a few local runners. 

Yup, 2015 is gonna be big!  Here's to New Adventures!

Year of Dates - January

So a few years ago, I came across this on Pintrest - A Year of Dates!

 Turns out, it was a lot harder than I thought.  I didn't have the money to pre-pay for these dates, as is suggested (I still don't).  Instead, I wrapped up 12 mostly empty manila envelopes with each month written across the top.  I had a few ideas in the first three, but nothing after March.  As a result, we didn't follow through and our dates became hit or miss.

Having two small children and a husband who travels for work has made going out on a date very difficult.  So, I decided to give this idea another try.  I came across another blog that had the same concept, and I'm really bummed I can't find it again because there were some really good ideas!  So instead, I'll just share what I came up with!  And yes, I managed to channel my creative juices and come up with a variety date ideas for each month.

We had planned to go see the last Hobbit movie the weekend of our anniversary, but Hubby was sick with the flu.  So, we decided to fulfill January's envelope and a bit early on December 29th since that is when we found childcare.

We went all out and went to Cinebistro, a luxurious (overpriced) movie theater that serves you food and alcohol to enjoy during the movie.  The movie did not live up to Hubby's hopes or expectations and the food was only so-so, but it was lovely to return to MiddleEarth #OneLastTime! 

 What do you do for Date Night?

New clothes

Clothes.  The bane of my existence lately,  primarily because 1) I'm down to one pair of jeans, and 2) warm nursing tops are non-existent.  Motherhood Maternity has some cute summer/spring/fall tops, but nothing suitable for a girl who doesn't like to be cold.  

And then I found Latched Mama, a Richmond - based company that sells affordable, functional nursing shirts and dresses.  I couldn't wait to try them out! 

 

Can anyone say ,"Comfortable"???  I have all but lived in this sweatshirt for the last week!  It's warm.  It's modest (thank you, side-access-nursing).  It's warm!  It has a pocket!!  Did I mention that I've been warm??  :)  

I haven't quite figured out the cowl part of this hoodie, but Baby Thunder has started to enjoy pulling at the strings.  The fabric is so soft.  I love that I can wear this shirt with another tank top underneath, by itself, or under my favorite black jacket.  And, it goes great with my one pair of jeans! 

It may not be the most trendy, but I'll take functional over fashionable any day of the week.  If anyone has some extra Christmas money they are wanting to give away, this is next on my list: 

Size small, in Butter Cream, please!

Note: No, I'm not being paid to say any of this.  I just wanna share the love!  :)

The Challenge

Christmas is now over.  The New Year is upon us. This is the time people start making new commitments or resolutions. Lose weight. Eat healthy. Be more generous. These are all fine goals, but they are not specific enough. As a result, these resolutions remain unfulfilled until the following year. To increase your chance of success, you need to be S.M.A.R.T. - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Based. 

Which brings me to my challenge. 

Starting January 1, 2015, I am committing to #100DaysOfMiles.  According to their Facebook event, there are 4 simple rules:

#1 NEVER GO 3 DAYS WITHOUT RUNNING
#2 RUN AT LEAST 3 DAYS A WEEK
#3 NEVER MISS A MONDAY
#4 NEVER GIVE UP!

That's it.  No minimum distance, no streak.  Just to run 100 days by December 31, 2015.  It's that "easy"!

Will you join me? 

Training plans

I still have not decided on a specific running goal.  But, I'm shopping around with regards to training plans, specifically for the marathon.

There are two marathon training plans I have been considering:  Hanson-Brooks and Run Less, Run Faster.

Hanson-Brooks had an interesting article in Runner's World a few years back that sounded interesting.  The longest run of their training plan was 16 miles - yes, you read that right.  "Only" 16 miles for a marathon training plan?  They had you running 6 days a week, with the concept of cumulative fatigue.  This concept was that it taught you how to run on tired legs, to fight through the inevitable fatigue that comes in the latter half of the marathon.  In short, the whole program trained you for the last miles of the marathon; the last 16 miles, not the first 16.  

Initially, I was sold.  I really struggled with my first marathon; maybe this is the secret ingredient that will guarantee a BQ!  But, looking at it realistically, I would have to run 6 days a week.  Ugh.  I have never been able to consistently run more than 4 days a week, even in the midst of marathon training!  Add two small kids along for the ride, and the very idea feels overwhelmingly daunting.

I picked it up from the library this week before wanting to commit to buying it.  I'm intrigued.  Run a PR marathon with only 3 runs and 2 mandatory cross training days per week?  Interesting.  Doable?  Maybe.  A Speed workout, a Tempo, and a Long Run, with specific paces every week.  Having to go to the gym to cross-train via cycling, swimming, or rowing twice a week.  Going to the gym twice a week means I get the kids out of the house and doing something at least 2 days a week while Hubby is gone - that's a win!  On the other hand, figuring out how to do the quality runs at specific paces with a stroller will be challenging.  A tempo run I could figure out; just go by effort than minutes per mile.  Speed workouts would require child care, at least during the winter months.  I could (theoretically) let them play on the infield while I run laps on a track in the spring and summer.  Pushing a 50+ pound stroller on a long run of 10 or more miles would be doable, but boring.  If worse comes to worse, there are always treadmills.  

I'm gonna keep reading, put this book on my Christmas wish list *hint-hint*, and probably give the 10k training plan a try.  After all, I'd really like a sub-50 minute 10k at Monument this year!  :)

The Great Marathon Waffle

Waffling.  That's a verb, right?  You know, going back and forth about a decision - the whole "she loves me, she loves me not" kind of thing.  Waffling.  That's what I've been doing in regards to my 2015 running goals.

I know what I want to do: Run a Boston Qualifying marathon.  My running buddy qualified for the 2016 Boston at MCM (Marine Corps Marathon) this year.  As such, I think it would just be so cool if we ran it together.  But, that means I have until September to qualify.  Unfortunately, most BQ marathons are run in the fall.  :(  So, I have a bit of a dilemma.  Hence the waffling.

I'm trying really hard to be realistic here.  Something I'm not very good at when it comes to my running.  For instance, I ran a half marathon 11 weeks postpartum when I really had not trained for that kind of long distance.  Did I finish?  Yes, with a fairly decent time (all things considered).  Was it pretty?  Nope!  I wouldn't say I got injured, but I was walking like the Tinman for the next 2 days.  Which has not happened since I ran 26.2 miles.  Maybe my age is catching up to me...

Anyways, back to realistic goals.  I am now a stay at home mom, which means I don't have to fit my training around my work schedule.  The thing is, I'm now a stay at home/single-parent mom 4-5 days per week (due to Hubby's new job), which means I have 2 small children to consider and work around.  Which means running solo will be a rare treat.  Which means a lot of time running with a double stroller.  In the winter.  Hmm....  So, is it realistic to be breastfeeding an infant, chasing a 2 year old, and train for a marathon without having Hubby coming home every night?  I just don't know.  Should I attempt a spring and fall marathon?  What about the other races I really enjoy?  The Monument 10k in late March, Historic Half Marathon in May, Richmond Marathon in November?  Should I look for a destination spring marathon, as a sort of family vacation, despite the prospect of packing/relocating in the middle of summer?  Or should I just train for a fast 10k and half marathon and save the marathon for the fall?  

At the moment, I'm very open to suggestions.   

Does anyone have a favorite spring marathon, preferably in the months of late April, May, or June? 

Turkey trotting

I apologize for this late post - I started it the day after Thanksgiving and then Life got in the way.  :)  Without further ado...

I have a tradition this time of year - to run on Thanksgiving.  This tradition for me started in 2005 or so, when my mom had signed my siblings up for a running club that ended with the annual Fredericksburg Turkey Trot.  This club, run by a close family friend, is what got my mom hooked on running, which ultimately made it's way to me.  I was unable to participate in this running group because I happened to sprain my ankle very badly.  So, my 5k debut was in 2006.  And ever since I started running more seriously in 2009, I have run at least 3 miles on Thanksgiving.

Since we will be moving away from my beloved RVA (and because I couldn't justify spending $35 for a 5k), I decided to run the Richmond Turkey Trot 10k at the University of Richmond.  My little sister wanted to run a turkey trot with me this year, so I signed her up to run her first 10k!

This race with her was very important for me.  We are 12 years apart, so I consider her my "first baby".  In 2011, we ran her first 5k together at the Fredericksburg Turkey Trot.  This year, I got to run another new, bigger distance with her. 

Pre-race: Me and my sister (and Dad photo-bombing)

Okay, race review.  Holy hills, Batman!  Do not run this race and expect a PR - this is not a flat course!  But, it was beautiful.  The campus at UofR is beautiful!  We started by a little lake, ran some hills, ran part of a little trail (so glad I read that strollers were not allowed!), ran some more hills, and finished by the lake again.  It was a very chilly, drizzly morning, but it became quite nice once we started running.  I had signed Little Man up for the Kid's Run (which ended up being a 200m dash), but Hubby didn't want to stand around in the wet/cold with Baby Thunder while Miss Molly and I ran.  I'll have to find another little race for him next year.  I really enjoyed the challenge of the hills, especially since it was on Thanksgiving (gotta earn that Pumpkin Pie!).  Miss Molly (my sister) and I finished in 1:04, beating my first (flat) 10k by at least a minute! 

Post-race selfie in the car!

Road trip - North Carolina

Last week, we got the opportunity to travel with Hubby - our first real road trip as a family of four! We went to Cary, NC, which is just a few minutes outside Raleigh.  We had a great time!  Hubby got some family time after being in class all day and we got to spend some time with some dear friends.  Both boys did great - Baby Thunder slept the whole time, and Little Man had fun quietly looking out his window looking at the trucks, cars, and planes.  

We stayed at a Homewood Suites, which was amazing!  Having enough room to spread out and keep a 2 year old entertained was wonderful.  Little Man slept on the sofa bed in the "living room", and Baby Thunder stayed with us in his pack and play. 

Both boys chillin' while I get our breakfast ready

Little Man was super excited to watch the Lego Movie during breakfast.

As I said earlier, I have a dear friend that lived near Cary.  This is the same friend that watched Little Man while I worked.  Between the two of us, there were 5 children ages 3 and under.  It was so refreshing to catch up and hang out together while the kids played together (as much as toddlers play together).  

Twins, anyone?

The two youngest, only 6 weeks apart

Baby Thunder and Baby Mericle

 

 Though I forgot to take a picture, I did manage to get in a quick 2 mile run on Lake Pine near the Apex Community Lake.  A local running buddy gave me a list of a few stroller-friendly routes, and Thursday was the only day that was warm enough to run in my only pair of running shorts (I left my capris at home cuz I thought it would be warmer than 35 degrees).  The boys did great, and it was my fastest stroller run yet!  I was grateful to get a quick run in before sitting in the car for another 3 hours...

Our lunch stop - Jason's Deli!  Apparently we got dinner and a show...

Bittersweet

I became a stay at home mom today.

While I am so grateful that Hubby had a job that provides for us financially so that I don't have to work, I am going to miss my job. My patients, my team, my boss - everyone was so kind and welcoming from Day One! I am happy to be able to stay home and enjoy these little years with my boys, but I am also sad to be leaving such wonderful people. I will forever treasure the lessons I learned.

So here's to more New Adventures!

RVA Race review

I did it again - signed up for a race with only 2 weeks to train. And I'm still waiting for the day when it will catch up to me. So far, I lead a charmed running life! :-)

Today, I ran the 2014 Richmond Half Marathon. Though I didn't get a PR (wonder why...), I count it as a win for many reasons. But I'm getting ahead of myself. 

I like bling. Race bling to be specific. Something about shiny medals hanging on my wall, providing proof of my hard work and insanity. 

Each medal had a story. This one reveals my problem for shiny things, because yes, I signed up primarily because I liked this year's medal so much! 

But not only that. I love Richmond! The course is beautiful, the spectators are amazing, and it's home. And I like being just a little crazy. :-) Yesterday, Baby Thunder turned 11 weeks old. With Little Man, I ran Richmond - for the first time - 5 1/2 months postpartum. So yes, I like to challenge myself. Test my limits. So far, I've yet to find it. 

So, race review:

The thing about running while breastfeeding - you have to wake up extra early to pump before going out to run.  So, my alarm went off at 5:15am to give me extra time to pump, get dressed, and make espresso.  I carpooled with a friend since Hubby was coming later with the boys, and we managed to be in the city and parked by 7am!  It got up to 28 degrees by the time we made it to the start.  Note here about Caty:  I do not like the cold.  More than that, the Cold does not like me!  Nearly every race that I run in months other than June, July, or August (and occasionally September) find me in the medic tent at the finish line to be treated for hypothermia.  So for the start to be extra cold, and the day to not get above 45 degrees was definitely cause for concern.  However, I bought 2 zip ups from Goodwill and bought Thermacare back heat packs to keep on my core for as long as needed (huge shout out to my running buddy for this genius idea!).   Thanks to this extra preparation and heating pads that work quickly, I stood at the starting line at 7:30am feeling relatively comfortable.  

At the starting line, I happened to be standing behind a former MTT teammate and his wife.  Around mile 3, Jennifer (the wife) caught up with me and helped pace/keep me company until mile 10.  From my hips down to my feet (in brand new shoes - stupid, I know) hurt, but at the same time I felt so energized.  I love running with "my people" - reading the signs, hearing spectators cheer for you, encouraging other runners.  It felt so good to be back out there doing what I love - running long distance.  

This is the first race where I didn't have a plan for pace, fuel, or hydration.  I just ran to finish and have fun.  I ended up eating a Honey Stinger at mile 8, and drank Powerade at every other water stop.  My 1.5 liter Camelbak was empty by the time I hit mile 11; I did try to remember to drink frequently to prevent the hypothermia. 

At mile 10, we caught up to Mike (my former teammate).  I left Jennifer with him and spent the last 5k alone.  It felt good to push my aching legs a little faster.  I crossed the finish line in 2:15:05, a full 10 minutes faster than my first Richmond half when I was 5 1/2 months postpartum with Little Man.  It's also my third fastest half.  Like I said - I like pushing my limits... 

Hubby captured this picture on the downhill finish

The best part of the whole race - knowing this was waiting for me at the finish!

The one bad thing about this race - taking off my shoes and realizing that I will be losing at least one toenail in the very near future. 

The lack of Halloween

People have been asking me what Little Man is going to be for Halloween this year. I've been getting very strange looks when I say, "Himself"! Let me explain...

I have a lot going in right now. Probably too much!
1. Hubby started this new job, which means he is gone Monday thru Thursday or Friday.
2. Which means I hold down the fort with a Terrible Two year old who no longer naps, and 8 week old who has decided he doesn't want to lie down to sleep this week. He only wants to sleep on Mommy, which means Mommy doesn't sleep, which doesn't work for anyone.
3. I signed up for the Richmond Half Marathon... in 3 weeks! So I'm running... but, that would be happening anyways, since that is my main coping mechanism.
4. I am taking my second - to - last college class for my BSN. Maybe not my smartest choice..
5. I'm starting to get a little desperate trying to find childcare so I get to go back to work. If I don't find anything, then I will take it as a sign that my working days are at an end, for now. But I really like my job, and I would really like my 2 mornings a week to be with adults! :-)

So no, a costume for my 2 year old is not even closer to my radar! And thank goodness he is young enough that it doesn't matter.

Next year may be a different story...