It's Race Week!

Well race week is upon me and I'm fluctuating between freaking out and total calm.  Last night I ran 5k in the ridiculous heat and while I was hot and a quite tired at the end I felt pretty good.  I have a new mantra that I was chanting in my head, "You've got this", and it was helpful.  I really felt like I could do this race.  I think I'm going to be fine.  The weather looks almost perfect and my legs and body feel great.  I have a game plan and that's the most important part.  Now I just need to figure out a plan for my family that day and all will be perfect.  I want them there for the whole thing but I know that 3.5hrs is a long time for little kids.  I need to scope out the route for parks and places that they can watch but be entertained at the same time, AND I need to plan snacks for them.  The little ones are grazers and like to eat little amounts all. day. long!  I will need to make a trip to the grocery store and stock up on fruit for them I think.  Once I have them figured out I will relax more and be able to enjoy myself.  It's going to be an emotional day but it will be worth every last second of it!

I'm sorry to say I don't have a picture this week.  Something is going on with my scale and I don't trust the numbers on it.  I thought something was off a week or so ago but thought nothing of it until I did a pre/post run weigh in just for kicks.  It was terribly hot and I was sweating like crazy during my run but when I did the post run weight it was 4lbs higher than the pre-run weight.  That didn't seem right at all.  So I started weighing myself at random points during the day.  I know weight should fluctuate during the day but what I'm seeing is just bizarre.  It will fluctuate up to 4lbs in a matter of an hour.  It's less than a year old but it has been bashed around a bit by the kids goofing around so I think I might just buy a new one that is better and a bit more durable.   Hopefully next week I'll have things sorted out and a new picture for my post.

Where has the time gone??

Ten and a half years ago Adrian decided it was time for me to meet his kids.  They were 2, 4 and 8 at that time and I was terrified.  I figured I could win the two and four year old over pretty easy but the 8 year old scared the heck out of me.  Kids that age tend to be fiercely protective of their parents and because she lived with her mom and only had short visits with her dad I figured I was in for a treat.  I was worried that she would hate me on principle and that I would have to really work at things.  Now things weren't all rosy but for the most part we have always gotten along amazingly.  She did pull a couple of little things like reminding me that I wasn't "technically family" when we went to the movies the first time and I said it was no wonder families don't go anymore because it's too expensive.  Then there was the time we went to Happy Rolph's and the Carousel, on the way home she said to Adrian that they should all go there with her mom sometime.  She meant for him to come too and leave me at home.  Those were the only two times I remember her being bratty like that though.  We hit it off really well and I can't imagine life without her.  We can spend time together and I sometimes forget that I am supposed to be the parental figure.  I got the privilege of taking her for her first tattoo and have gotten to watch her grow up from that little 8 year old girl to a beautiful 19 year old women.  Last year she came to live with us I was so excited.  She had been going through a rough patch and needed a change of scenery.  I was so happy that she chose our house to be that change.  I think it has been a really good move for her.  She went back to highschool for one more semester and has met some great people and is getting awesome marks.  She is going to college in September too!!  I'm so proud of who she has become and everything she does.   For those of you who haven't figured it out yet that little 8 year old girl is Meaghan and today is her 19th birthday.   Happy Birthday Meagy!!!  Thank you for welcoming me into your life and for just being you. I love you more than you'll ever know:)

Ten Days??

How did this happen? Only 10 days left until the Niagara Falls Women's Half?  Holy Moly!!!  It seems like just yesterday that I was signing up and had something like 17 weeks to train.  I am now down to four training runs.  Last nights run was a toughie, it was hot and humid, I was tired and it didn't take long before I decided that to save my lunch I was going to need to cut things a bit short.  Of course when I got back to the store and finished stretching I felt great and was mad that I didn't push a bit harder.  I know that come race day I will push and my body will push back but I will win.  After last nights pathetic run I found this picture very funny!!

This just seems right today:)

Last week I got a bit lazy and ate a bit crappy.  We had lots of fun this past weekend but lots of food too.  I didn't go to the gym once and haven't this week either.  I'm really trying not to over exercise in the next couple of weeks because I don't want to hurt myself too close to race day.  I need to remember that I'm not exercising so much though when I go to eat that extra snack or that second helping of dinner.  However I can't complain too much about this weeks picture and I know that be the end of next week it will be gone if not sooner.

Don't you love the kitty prints on my toes though?

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot:)

Wow today was the first really hot run of the year for me and I totally over dressed.  I only wore a tshirt and capri's but wowzers it was hot.  I had to run 12k which I did, mostly.  I walked off and on for the last kilometre because I was super hot and feeling somewhat ill.  I pushed though and made it through.  I had a couple of interesting moments where I was sweating so much and it was running into my eyes.  I had to stop and walk once because it was so bad I couldn't see.  In the end though I felt pretty good and was happy to have made it.  Next week is 10k and the following week is the Niagara Falls Women's Half!!  I'm so freaking excited and a little bit nervous.  It's going to be a lot of fun.

I've always felt good about what I am doing and happy that I am making a difference in my life and the lives of the little people around me.  Anna has a good understanding that you have to stay active and eat right to stay healthy, Ashlee has joined a running group at school and will run 5k in June with her school.  I'm so proud of that.  What made me feel really great today though was when Benny came over to talk while I finished up my stretching at the end.  He told me that he's had several people comment on how well I am doing and how inspiring that is.  He said he was proud of me.  Now other people have told me that I'm awesome and Celine has continuously reminded me that I am doing something wonderful for myself and I totally appreciate all of that.  I enjoy the encouragement that I get from people but to hear that people are talking about how well I am doing when I'm not there is such a moving thing.  To know that while I might not be changing lives, since these are people who already run crazy far, I am making a difference and people are noticing.  To be told someone is proud of you might be one of the most encouraging things.  Knowing that so many people think I am doing something awesome will carry me through that 21.1k on June 3rd and help me to cross that finish line.  So thanks to all of the people who have helped me along this journey.  It's been a great ride and it's not over yet:)

It's Taper Time:)

Three weeks from today I will have completed my very first half marathon!!  That's insanity at it's best.  Twenty months ago I couldn't run 21.1 minutes and in three weeks I am going to run 21.1k.  Who would have ever thought I had it in me?  Well I do and it's going to happen!!!  Before that though it's time to taper.  From now until race day we cut back on our mileage to let our very tired legs recover and repair.  This week I run 10k tomorrow, do hill training on Thursday and an easy 12k on Saturday.  Hee Hee, I just said easy 12k!!  A month ago I wouldn't have thought that was possible but after what I did on Saturday 12k seems pretty easy. 

Tomorrow I have to get up at 5:30am to complete my run.  That's going to be tough but I really feel like I have to get every last bit I can done before race day and Anna has soccer tomorrow night so I have to run in the morning.  I'll survive and by the time the girls are in bed tomorrow night I'll be beat but it will all be worth it.  This week is working out really well for me to be honest.  Normal soccer day is Thursday but for some reason they changed things this week and her game is Tuesday.  This means that I do my plain run alone in the morning and can make it to the hill work out on Thursday.  It's like the running gods were helping make the soccer schedule.  They didn't help much with my long run this past Saturday but I also think that there was a good reason I had to run alone.  I will miss next weeks speed work but I can improvise that one on my own in the morning on Thursday.   After that it's race week with a couple of easy runs to keep the blood flowing leading up to race day.  I'm glad that things are going to be busy this next couple of weeks it will keep my focused. 

My long run on Saturday also taught me a couple of things about the way my body and brain work.  I learned that I have absolutely no appetite after a really long, hot run and that it takes me a full day before I can really eat again.  I learned that when I do eat after that long run I do not want carbs, I want protein!!!  I tried to eat a slice of pizza and ended up picking the toppings off and leaving the crust.  I think what I really learned is if I want to lose the rest of this weight I need to run 15k+ everyday;)  Ok clearly that's not an option but it would do the trick!  Seriously though I learned that I can push my body and it will push back but my brain will win in the end. 

So here's this weeks picture.  As usual I am happy with this weeks results and hope that this momentum can keep up!!!

Just a bunch of fun!!!

This weekend has been absolutely amazing!!!  Yesterday morning, as I briefly mentioned, I ran 17k!!  That is the absolute longest I have ever run.  I am so super happy about it.  I was much quicker than I thought I would be and it wasn't quite as hard as I expected.  I am now quite confident that I will finish the half on June 3rd.  I only have to be able to run (or at least move) 4km more than I did yesterday.  That seems like pretty small apples compared to 17km.  I was able to finish yesterdays run in 2:40 (although when I uploaded from my Garmin it had "Moving Time" as 2:34).  I was originally giving myself 3 hours to complete 18k but left a few minutes late and hit a couple more red lights than expected so I cut it 1k short and still finished by 9am which was when I needed to get to the soccer field.  I was worried about leaving the house at 6am on Saturday morning.  I knew it would be quiet out there but I wasn't prepared for how beautiful and soothing it would be to be out there.  The first 11k were the best because I was going through a nice residential street then the canal path.  Then I had about 2k past a cemetery (kind of eerie at 7:45am) and up a partially residential street.  The next 4k were through some busy streets and past lots of businesses.  That was the rougher part.  I was so happy to get to the street that the soccer field is on.  It was a good run but the last bit was tough.  I didn't get to stretch as well as I should have and I can feel it today but I feel a whole lot better than I thought I would.  This week I have to run on my own Tuesday morning because soccer season has started.  I'm looking forward to that nice easy 10k;)

I spent the rest of the day running around from soccer field to pictures to soccer field.  Adryanna has become a much better soccer player than she was last year!!  I couldn't believe it:)  She ran like crazy and kicked the ball.  She was amazing!  I'm so proud of my little girl.  She's grown up so much over past year and it really showed yesterday. 

Last night we got some amazing news that I will have to wait a few days to share.  It is news that we have been waiting for years to hear and it came at the most perfect time.

Today has been a quiet day.  Adrian got up with the kids and let me stay in bed.  The kids didn't like that idea so much and ended up crawling into bed with me.  They both made me cards and were itching to give them to me.  While we goofed around dancing to silly music on the TV Adrian made a wonderful breakfast.  Then it was time for swimming lessons.  The girls both did very well today.  This afternoon has been a lazy one.  Adrian is gone to pick up supper for us then it will be time to get ready for the week ahead!

Horrible Parent:(

Yesterday Anna's class did a Mother's Day thing and I forgot:(  When I got to school to pick her up one of the other parents was talking about it and how there were three kids whose parents didn't show up.  I immediately felt horrible.  I have never been so upset about something to do with my kids as I was at that moment.  She was pretty sad about it but she said she forgives me.  Now I have to forgive myself.

Today was her Opening Day Soccer Tournament, I had to run 18k.  I hauled my butt out of bed at 5:45am and was on the road by 6:10am to complete my run before her first game at 9am.  The thing that kept me running most of the way was knowing that she would be heart broken if I was late.  I got to the field as they pulled in to the parking lot.  Yes!!!  I cut my run to 17k just to make sure I made it.  I would probably have made it on time if I had done 18k but I just couldn't take that chance.  She was happy and I felt good.

Now I'm going to crash somewhere while the little one takes a nap and Anna plays.  I'm beat!!!

Weigh in day:)

Since last week was rest week I totally expected a weight gain.  I started the week off well and exercised a bunch but then Tuesday night I hit a wall during my run and decided that it was time to take a few days off.  I tried to watch what I ate and made sure to keep drinking my water.  I still knew that it wouldn't be a perfect week and I accepted that.  We had a busy weekend, fun but busy.  I got back to things yesterday and it felt great to have a good workout last night.  Today was supposed to be an 8k run but I had a medical test done this morning and was told no running for at least 24hrs.  I was disappointed to hear that but I am nothing if not obedient, especially when it comes to health things.  Don't worry though I'm fine.  It was a fairly routine test as part of a check up.  I will be fine to run again by Thursday.  Saturday I will run 18k for the first time ever.  I'm excited and nervous but I know that when I'm done I will be much more confident about the Half Marathon.

Here's this weeks weigh in picture for you.  I'm very happy with it and pleased that I didn't gain a bunch. 

Aren't my toenails pretty??

A little better everyday!

Rest week is done but I sure don't feel rested!  I chose not to rest properly after my 14k last weekend and worked out for the three days after.  I hit a wall on Tuesday and decided that I would take Wednesday and Thursday off from my routine.   It turned out well because that's when Christina really got sick. We went to the doctor and she has been tested for everything from Celiac Disease to parasites.  He had an xray done of her abdomen and we're just waiting for results.  She hadn't been to the bathroom in almost a week and yesterday was getting really scary.  She was throwing up half an hour after eating and started refusing food.  For anyone who knows her that is probably shocking.  This kid loves food and has no control when she sees it.  Yesterday she had lunch and then nothing but a popsicle for the rest of the day.  If things hadn't been up and down for the past few weeks I would have thought it was a bug but I knew otherwise.  Things started looking up around 2:30am this morning though when she came into our room crying.  I'll spare you the details but say that she got some relief:)  Today she was in a much better mood and was almost back to normal.  She didn't throw up for the first time in days and she ate most of her meals.  She didn't eat much at dinner and didn't ask for a snack but I'll take what I can get.  We should have all her test results back this week and unless anything drastic shows we will go back next week for follow up.

As for me I was ready to get out and run yesterday morning.  All week  I thought I had to run 10k and was planning for that but then I looked at the schedule and realized I only had to run 8k.  I decided I would try for the 10k anyway but when I approached the 8k turn around I was pretty tired and draggy so I turned around and am happy with that decision.  I felt good when I got back to the store and was able to get through the day without wanting a nap.  We went out shopping in the afternoon and I got to see some wonderful people that I don't see often enough.  We ran into Adrian's Aunt Fran and Uncle Mario then just a few minutes later Michelle and Carol.  I had a nice little chat with all of them.  Last night was a quiet night and this morning the girls actually slept in!!!  I was looking forward to the Y this morning but by the time we got moving it was too late to make it for the girls programs so we just took our time getting ready for swimming lessons.  This afternoon Anna and I had to go to a birthday party for Miss Paige and it was wonderful.  Anna got to play with the kids while I got to chat then we went swimming again before it was time for cake and presents. 

This week is a busier week with longer runs.  I will run 18k for the first time ever.  Once that is done I think I will feel much more prepared for the Half Marathon!!  Only 4 weeks to go!!!  Anna starts soccer next Saturday as well.  We're looking forward to a nice week and a nice weekend.  I hope everyone else has a great week too!

Helpless!!

For several months now my youngest daughter has been having bouts of vomiting.  Just really random throwing up then perfectly fine a little while later.  She's the kid that puts everything under the sun in her mouth, she can't see food without wanting it and she once swallowed an earring.  It's insane the way this kid is.  You can't leave her alone for a minute without wondering what she's getting into.  This makes me feel so very helpless.  I don't know what to do for her anymore.  We have been to the doctor and she was put on Prevacid.  It seemed to help but not much although we have not been super consistent at remembering to give it to her.  The doctor didn't really know what else to say since she seems otherwise very healthy.  Still though at leas once a week we deal with cleaning her bed and clothes and often stuffed animals because she has thrown up again.  Last night again at bedtime she said she needed her medicine because her tummy/chest hurt.   Sounds like heartburn to me and I would definitely know!  Gave her the Prevacid and off to sleep she went.  At about 4:30am she was in our room crying that she needed more because her tummy hurt again.  We can only give it once a day so I just gave her a little water and put her back to bed.  At 5:30am came the scream and the tears.  She had thrown up again.  AHHHHH!!!!  I can't take this anymore!  Cleaned her up and went back to bed for a bit.  Get up this morning and voila!  She's fine again.  Oh wait maybe not, at 10:30ish I got a message that she had just gotten sick all over the place again:(  Enough!  We're heading back to the doctor this afternoon and I'm not leaving without some better answers.  I love our pediatrician and trust him very much but this is getting nuts.  I'm going to beg and cry if I have to but I hope I don't.  I want some routine tests run to rule out some of the worse things before I accept that she's just going to always be a puker.

Stay tuned!!  I'm sure this will get interesting:)

Update:  We went for an xray and lots of bloodwork after the doctor today.  He's testing her for everything under the sun including parasites and Celiac Disease.  We are to go back in two weeks for a follow up but I know if they find something they will call us sooner.  Now we just wait.