Race recap

Sooooo about the half marathon.

The one I ran 3 weeks ago.

I'm just now getting around to posting about it, but bear with me.

Race started at 7, so we all peeled out of bed around 4:30/5 to bundle up and head out.

I had laid out all my luckiest/most comfortable running gear the night before (even if Jason and I had to do a midnight search for a missing sock), so things went smoothly. I ate a handful of gummy bears and an apple, sipped some water and coffee, pinned on my bibs, laced up my shoes, and we headed to the Infantry Museum.

The traffic was crazy because there is not enough parking available at the museum for 1000+ runners and their families. I thought we were doing great on time till we sat in traffic. I played my usual running tunes on the Pandora app to get me going.

As the clock kept dangerously ticking, I ended up just having to jump out of the car and jog over to the start line. It was freezing. I knew a jacket would be too hot mid-race, so I just went out in my short sleeves. While I was making small talk with other runners heading the same way, complaining about the chill on my arms, a runner came up behind me and offered her extra disposable arm warmers (tube socks with the toes cut off). I could tell it was going to be a good day.

I started through the crowd, trying to get closer to a pace group more my speed (definitely not one of the 6-minute-milers!). I made it to the 9:10 pacer and settled in for the National Anthem. My jumble of nerves was non-existent at this point. I just wanted to go and get warm!

We were off! I still had no sight of Jason and the kids. As we approached the end of the first mile I started to feel really disappointed. I needed to see them. I was afraid of how the run would feel if I didn't get that little motivational bump.

Then I saw them!

I was feeling good. I was staying with the 9:10 pacer. We went through the gate, people were cheering us on, then I heard the pacer start warning us of the hill ahead of us. I've driven over that hill a million times. It's steeeeep. Real steep. My stomach knotted.

They had drill sergeants lined up the hill, hollering at us like privates to keep pushing, go faster! It was the best thing ever! 

When the hill was over I was all warmed up. The first water/aid station met us. I was good. No need. I kept going. We went through post, familiar areas I've run before, some I haven't. There was lots of chatting. Lots of stories from other runners. I wasn't cold, but I wasn't hot either. In the residential area some people had their vehicles playing music for us with their doors open. 

We came back down the other side of that crazy hill, cruising into the halfway point (55 minutes in) and I knew we were heading off post toward the river walk. I knew I needed to refuel before the one hour mark, so the next aid station I stopped. I ate my little pack of fruit snacks, threw back some water and hit the pavement. 

It was about this time that I met Susan. I kept up with her for about a half mile, started to go around her and she started keeping up with me. Finally she said, "This seems like a looong stretch", I said, "Doesn't it??" and we hit it off from there. We chatted about how long we've been running, our families, our goals. Right after that I caught Jason and the kids on the sidelines again.

The next few miles flew. We chatted and encouraged each other along, keeping pace once the full marathoners split to their path and we turned back along for the half. Once we hit the 10 mile mark, I started feeling it. The sun heated up the unshaded road, I was out of breath, my mouth felt dry. I wondered if I should have chased my fruit snacks with a powerade instead of water. I could feel my glycogen levels depleting. I worried that I hadn't trained on enough hills, ran enough mid-week miles, if I'd gone out too fast and too hard the first half of the race. 

With my new friend staying with me, we sped up. I announced, "Only a 5k left! We can do a 5k!"  and pushed even harder through the pain. Those last 3 miles were the absolute hardest. I searched through the trees for the avenue of flags, listened for the cheers of the finish line. It felt forever away.

I watched some runners stop to walk and tried to talk myself into doing the same. I could walk a little and regain some get-up-and-go for the finish. But Susan encouraged me to keep going and the voice in my head told me that if I walked even for a minute I would be failing. I didn't want to be a walker, I wanted to run this thing. The whole way through. 

I kept pushing.

The last mile and a half we came up on a female runner who had been staying steady in front of us, but was now slowing down. We came up on either side of her, ready to pass her, but she kept up with us instead. We all started chatting in between heavy breathing (and me whining) and stuck together. She said, "I was really struggling these last few miles and ya'll came up like angels beside me to keep me going!"

She told us about her deployed husband doing a shadow half marathon overseas the day before, which was the reason she decided last minute to run this one. She had just done a 10 mile run the day before! Susan had done the Savannah Half-Marathon the week before the race too! These women were rockstars!!

I picked up my pace the last half-mile. There was another surprise hill (a light incline according to the race map--ha!). We peeled in toward the museum. I could see the flags. I was almost there. 

I like to finish every run strong. A sprint. I prepared myself to sprint the last 100 meters through the flags.

I went lightheaded. My legs wouldn't go any faster. They felt like lead.

There was no sprinting happening.

I was starting to worry that I might not even make it those last few meters.

I made ugly faces.

My running slowed.

The finish line seemed lightyears away.

I told myself I couldn't walk, but if I could just make it over the finish I could collapse. 

I made it! My official (chip) time was 1:56:51.

I made my goal of under 2 hours!!

A volunteer draped my finishers medal around my neck.

I made eye contact with another volunteer as I was heading down. Time to collapse.

She carried me over to the aid station to guzzle a powerade and keep me moving.

Eventually I stopped feeling so much like death. I ate a banana and found Jason, the kids, and my friends Julie and Tiffany who came to see me finish.

My legs were so sore. I hobbled around for the rest of the day. Errr, weekend.

Finished!!

Jason brought (at my request) a salted caramel mocha frappe for my post-race reward. 

It was the best tasting beverage I've ever choked down.

I wanted to go home.

I'd like to say I basked in my post-race glow, but I didn't.

I took an ice bath, a nap, and ate a chicken sandwich.

My energy was zapped after that.

In the weeks since, I've been a little lost. Without a training plan to adhere to and a goal set, I don't know what to do with myself.

I definitely anticipate more races in my future, maybe even a full marathon at some point. 26 miles before I turn 26?

I've still been running, but not as much. It's hard to make myself fit in all the miles without a plan to keep me honest, or a race to work toward.

But it's been a nice break, on my knees, my muscles, my sanity. Training is awesome, but it's also a time-suck. I've had time to spend with family and friends and generous breaks. I've been able to take some spin classes and branch out my work outs.

It was a wonderful first race. I had so many expectations about meeting new friends, meeting my time goals, and just getting through the thing and it did not disappoint. I look forward to taping another training plan to the fridge and doing it all over again.

Fred part deux

Fred's reappearance has become an obsession around here. 

The boys are so excited that he's back that they demand we read the "Elf on the Shelf" book before bed. 

Every. Single. Night.

December officially starts tomorrow, but Fred couldn't wait. He jumped onto the bulletin board to make some adjustments to the advent calendar.

He played on the light fixture in the bathroom (kudos to Fred for tolerating the smell of a boys' bathroom for a whole day).

He even went horseback riding.

Guess who's back...

Our buddy Fred!

He came back in a vase alongside stray Christmas ornaments (we haven't exactly gotten our decorating done, or found a home for much of anything really).

Fred's been a little lazy this year. He tends to forget he's got to move until in the morning when he wakes back up in the same place he was the day before. Luckily Jason wakes him up to remind him to move as he's on his way to work around 5 or 6 in the morning.

He decided to hang out on the bookshelf with the nutcracker and putz houses. He really seems to hit it off with those nutcrackers...

Tonight he's a little more motivated. He must be coming off of his holiday funk from Thanksgiving, like the rest of us. It really hard to get back in the routine, even for elves.

He's moved into the cookie jar on top of the jelly cupboard, reading a cookbook about cookies. 

I'm betting he'll be chowing down on a cookie in the near future.

Welcome back Fred!

Thankful Days 14-26: catching up

Prepping for Thanksgiving, kids' school functions, potty-training, family and friend visits this month have been wonderful for us, bad for blogging. So I'll just have to lump two weeks worth of thanks into one big post.

I am thankful for

14: My great big southern family. We gossip, we cook, we eat, we laugh, we keep secrets from each other and rag each other when the secrets come out (ie Poppy). We play outside, we shop, visit each other across the county. We call each other to share news and milestones and doctors' reports. We're all here for each other.

15. My sister. I tell her everything, even though she ends up letting secrets slip (ie Poppy). We share many an inside joke, clothes, secrets, pictures, shopping trips, Meryl Streep movies, bottles of moscato, recipes, fights. She's my built in best friend.

16. My in-laws. From my Texas family, to those in New York, to my bro-in-law in Tennessee and all the extended family that came with marrying Jason. I'm thankful to have such wonderful, loving people welcome me into their lives and become a part of mine.

17. Polite strangers. Since living in Georgia, I've had so many kind strangers approach me to lend a helping hand when I'm loading groceries, pick something up that I've dropped, offer help when I'm juggling, and just tell me what beautiful/well-behaved children I have and how blessed I am to have them. Nothing gives my day a boost like a kind stranger with something nice to say. It shows me that chivalry is not dead and the good that people have in them. It encourages me to count my blessings and pay it forward.

18. Technology. As much of a pain in the butt it is when it craps out on me, I love technology. I love that I can check directions on my phone when I'm lost somewhere, or read a book in the waiting room, surf the internet, buy Christmas presents, email friends, or see my family when I call them.

19. My hairdresser. I'm serious. It is soooo hard to find a good hairdresser and its one of the downsides to moving. Just when you find one you trust with your hair, who does what you want, you have to move again! And start all over. Ryan has been doing my hair for over a year now. He's hilarious, always does a great job, and slips samples of expensive and good-smelling products in my purse while my color processes. He's fabulous!

20. Holiday cheer. I love this time of year! I love the Christmas music, the decorations, the joy. I love seeing the holidays through the kids' eyes. Watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Family Stone" and claymation movies, sipping stovetop hot cocoa, hanging lights and tinsel, driving around looking a lights on people's houses wearing our pajamas and eating Christmas cookies a few nights before Christmas. I love all our traditions.

21. A reliable car. It's been through three moves, vacations, it fits all of our kids and the dog. It's taken us back and forth to Tennessee, doctor's appointments, school, the grocery store. I'm thankful that it works, it fits us, and we were able to afford it and not have to pay out the rear each month on car payments. While I'd love to get something bigger in the future, we're plenty comfortable now.

22. Big Thanksgivings. I'm thankful that we can make lots of wonderful food, that tastes like home, and feed our family, friends, and Army family. I'm thankful for cornbread dressing, 21+ lb turkeys, Daddy's rolls, and real pumpkin pies. I'm thankful that family can visit to eat and cook with us. I'm thankful for a loud house. For naps. For full bellies. I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity to make people feel at home, people who are spending their first Thanksgiving away from their families. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be thankful for so much.

23. Good books.

24. Christmas shopping.

25. Coffee with friends.

26. Good music. The right music can motivate me to clean my pigsty house, run 12 miles, or can set the mood for a romantic date with my husband. I'm one of those people who believes in a soundtrack to accompany my life.

And that's all folks! I'll try to do a better job of finishing out the month of thanks, since there are only a few days left of it (how did that happen??!).

Thankful Day 13: Change

Most people hate change. At least most that I've talked to.

I'll admit it's frustrating when we make plans--whether they're vacation, holiday, moving, whatever--then things change. Inevitably. At the last minute.

I'm actually surprised when things go according to plan.

But I love this life and its ebb and flow. 

After 6 moves in 5 years, we get restless after about 6 months in the same place.

We're never bored.

New orders. New duty stations. New homes. New friends. New babies. New adventures.

I'm thankful for our ever-changing, ever-growing life. 

Thankful Day 12: medical care

I'm thankful for modern medicine.
I'm thankful that we're healthy and our children are healthy and that whenever we're sick, we're taken care of.
That we have insurance that covers pretty much everything.
That we don't have stacks of hospital bills from three kids' births. Or well-checks. Or vaccines. Or urgent care visits.
I'm thankful for early intervention, early detection, and proper treatment when things go wrong.
I'm thankful that my mom, Granny, and Aunt Net have been able to kick cancer's ass and keep kicking it.

Thankful Day 11: Veterans

This Saturday I ran the Soldier Half-Marathon (my very first! which I'll detail later). The Fallen Heroes Program offered bibs, either blank that you could fill in with a fallen soldier's name, or you could pick a bib with the name of vets that died in combat this year. I picked up my packet the day before the race and grabbed a random Fallen bib. As the day went on, looking for something to calm my pre-race nerves and distract me, I started researching the name of the serviceman I was going to be running for. He was Marine Sgt. Julian Chase, a 22 year old from Maryland. Joined the Marines straight out of high school, was stationed in Japan. He was serving in Afghanistan when he was KIA on Memorial Day of this year. 

During my online investigating I read about his memorial service, about how people thought it might be a policeman's service because there were cop cars lined up all around to protect the family and friends from any protesters. I could tell he was well-loved, missed dearly.

Reading about this young man, barely old enough to buy a beer, who gave the ultimate sacrifice gave me this whole different perspective on the race. This sense of purpose.

I'm thankful for these men and women who serve and have served. To my grandfathers and in-laws and husband. To our friends and family and total strangers. Those who have put it all out there, fighting to protect our county, to protect us. 

Thankful Day 10: preschool

I found the kids' school on a whim. Heard of it while a friend was looking into Mother's Day Out/preschool for her daughter. When we went to tour it for the first time I was sold! The teachers have been fantastic, the curriculum outstanding, and it's brought out the best in the boys.
They've learned so much and grown so much in the past year there. When our two year old, who barely talked (at least not in a very translatable way) started counting at the dinner table after only a couple months in the baby class, we realized how much he was getting out of it. Both boys have honed their social skills, learned letters, numbers, Spanish. Riley used to cry when I'd try to drop him off, now he's so excited to go to his class he cries when James goes without him!
School helped James to come out of his shell. He's sounding out letters and words, counting past twenty, making friends, making choices. He comes home with good behavior stars every day. He talks like a little grown-up.
Preschool has also been a huge break for me. There's still lots of back and forth, dropping off, picking up. But it's offered me days off for doctor's appointments,errands, running, meet ups with friends, one-on-one time with Poppy. And shopping with only one child compared to three is practically a vacation!
I'm thankful for the opportunity to send our children to such a good school, for all the wonderful teachers who have been so good with them, and for the break for me.

Thankful day 9: family meals

I love food waaaay too much not to dedicate a post to it!
I've always been fortunate enough to eat well. There was always food--great food--on the table growing up. Family dinners together, even if we were picky kids who just wanted fast food or sulky teenagers who didn't want to talk. We were always around the table as a family.
Now I'm a stickler for sitting down together with my picky children, every night.
Some nights are a struggle. Begging, cajoling, bribing the boys to take a bite of green beans. Some nights Jason's stuck in the field, on duty, or deployed. But we always have food on our table. And if we're all here, we're sitting at that table together.
I'm thankful that we can buy groceries, the good stuff, without sweating it. I'm thankful that we can feed our kids, never worrying where our next meal is coming from. And I'm especially thankful for the nights that we're all together as a family, when Jason's home.

Thankful day 8: our home

We've lived in 6 different houses/apartments since we've been married. We've been through ants, fleas, and spiders. Maintenance disasters. Tiny two bedroom apartments, nice, big new houses. Every Christmas our decorations are hung somewhere new. But we've always had a roof over our head. And the home we've lived here in Georgia has been by far our favorite. Wonderful landlords, affordable rent, plenty of space, great neighbors, great location. We've been happiest here.
I'm thankful for this roof, these people taking care of us, for being comfortable where we are, and for knowing that even if we had to live in a hotel for months (as will probably happen someday between moves) that we can make a home out of anywhere as long as we're together.

Thankful day 7: running

I'm thankful that my legs just go. That my heart and lungs and all my muscles work. That I have an outlet to inner and outter peace. That I can accomplish a huge goal. That I have something that is just me, outside of all the other hats I wear, roles I play. That there is something that connects me to others and allows me to disconnect as well.

Thankful day 6: the right to vote

I've only been eligible to vote in two elections in my lifetime. Haven't missed either one! And my guy won both times! How great is that??
From high school history classes to women's studies in college to my own reading interests I've read about women suffragettes. Picketing, holding signs, signing petitions, hunger strikes, going to jail just to be taken seriously enough to be given the right to vote!
So many women fought hard for years! Decades! Many never got to see the day where their voices were heard. But it was their dream for their daughters and granddaughters and greats to be able to see that day. I think of all those hard-fighting women every time I stand in line with my card, press that button on the computer and make my voice count. How proud they must be! That their work wasn't for nothing.
I'm thankful to be taken seriously. To be able to stand in those long lines. To have a voice.

Thankful day 5: my children

It goes without saying, but I am very thankful to have been blessed with 3 beautiful, bright, (mostly) well-behaved, healthy children.
I'm grateful for James, ever-responsible, curious, studious, creative.
I'm grateful for Riley, my stubborn, affectionate, adventurous mama's boy.
I'm grateful for Poppy, my only daughter, mini-me, fast learner, fast mover, expressive, beautiful little girl.
These three bring me such joy, such pride. They give me a whole new perspective on the world, ask questions that I don't know how to answer, show me how to love in the purest, most intense form. They are perfect.
They are the blessings I count first, when it's hard to remember to count any at all.
I am so thankful to be their mother. To watch them grow. To share this lifetime with them.

Thankful Day 4: Nena

We adopted Nena from a local shelter in May 2007.

Before kids, before marriage, before we were even engaged.

She was a two year old beagle-mixed mutt, an owner surrender of a soldier who was PCS-ing.

She'd been in the shelter, which happened to be a kill shelter, for two weeks when we saw her picture on Petfinder.com and decided she was the dog for us.

She was two years old, house-trained, spayed, had her shots updated.

She had--still does--puppy energy and she's so small that she's forever a puppy.

She had a few bad habits; eating paper (to include bills), chewing up clothes (but only select items, like a Victoria's Secret bra and a pair of maternity pants), peeing whenever she got excited or whenever you'd tell her to calm down. And once she ate half a plate of chocolate chip cookies she snuck off the table.

She'd also run off if she could get out the door or off the leash and lead us on never-ending goose chases down the road, into neighbors' yards and even their houses.

She's grown out of most her bad habits, mellowing out in her middle age.

She's been through all six moves with us.

All three kids.

She's had her tail and ears pulled.

Been chases around by remote control cars and screaming toddlers.

She's been on road trip after road trip and gets excited when she sees suitcases being packed.

A devoted guard dog, she's let us know any time anyone is close to the house.

I've always felt safer with her in the house.

She's slept at my feet, curled up next to me on the couch.

She sheds everywhere, sneaks food from the highchair and kids and the occasional drink from the toilet.

Never the most obedient dog, she pulls on the leash till she gags herself, whines when she sees another animal.

But she's the best dog. Part of our family.

I'm thankful we found her, that she's a part of our family. That she protects us.

Thankful day 3: clean laundry

About 3 weeks ago, we received a call that our warranty was up on our Whirlpool Cabrio washer/dryer set.

A week later, right before James's epic birthday party, our washer stopped working. With about 20 minutes left on the cycle an F1 error showed on the control panel and it refused to spin/drain. Google queen that I am, all the help websites I came across seemed to point to a problem with the drain pump. Something was probably caught in it. Jason and I tilted the machine against the wall and followed the instructions. No luck. We called a local appliance repair company, who came by and said they'd have more luck if they took it to the shop. They gave us an estimate and said it'd be back by Thursday. Thursday came and went. We called and they were at a loss. They'd tried 6 different things on it and nothing worked. If they couldn't get it up and going they'd bring it back the next Monday at no charge. As soon as they brought it back and I'd done some more googling, I called Whirlpool and told them the problem. They said it was a "common problem" and they'd have someone out to fix it at no charge. The new appliance repair guy came. He worked his magic on it. Now the damn thing started showing an F51 error code. He said it was something to do with the motor and he would call Whirlpool to see if they would send the new part and cover the repair. He called again and wanted to try one more thing on it. He said there may be a sock or towel caught in the basin and he'd need to remove it to check. I was about to pee if it was just a sock that had been causing all our problems. Plus why hadn't anybody checked that already?? He came back the next day, took the basin out. No sock. No towel. He tried to run the machine again. ERROR CODE. He went on to tell me that it was some problem with the motor for sure. There was a tiny, undetectable leak inside the washer that had corroded the motor and set off all kinds of problems. It would cost over $600 to fix it. I could call Whirlpool and try to get them to cover some of the costs, but it would still mean money out of my pocket, waiting for parts, waiting for appointments, and I would be lucky if I had it fixed by Thanksgiving. At this point we were out of clothes, towels. We had two weeks worth of five people's dirty laundry piled up in the jacuzzi tub and bathroom floor. It was ridiculous. He said I'd be better off buying a new washer and not putting any money into my ONLY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD piece of crap. Then charged me $55 for the sock-checking.

I picked James up from school and headed out to HH Gregg, with all three kids in tow, to buy a new friggen washer. I'll spare you the details of my giving the salesman a hard time, kids running a muck in the store, making snow angels in the floor, slamming dryer doors. Okay maybe I won't. But regardless, I picked out a Samsung, sold a kidney to pay for it, and they delivered it the next day. 

I've been doing laundry all weekend and am almost caught up.

We now have clean clothes and towels.

And I am so very very thankful.

Thankful Day 2: Friends

My friends are on my mind today.

I've made such wonderful friends living here in Georgia.

I've had such wonderful friends who've stuck with me since awkward grade school days, college, and past duty stations.

Friends who have watched my kids for me while my husband has been in and out of schools and field.

Who got me out of the house when the kids were driving me crazy.

Who have confided in me and let me pour my heart out to them.

Friends who threw me a baby shower, visited in the hospital when I gave birth, who have loved on my babies like they were their own.

Friends who cleaned and cooked for my kids birthday parties.

Who've sweated with me at the gym, keeping me distracted on the treadmill for miles and miles of race training.

Who've waited around on me as I'm late for the umpteenth time.

Who have visited from as close as 4 minutes up the road, as far as Tennessee and even from Japan.

Friends who I haven't seen since we moved apart, who I might not get to talk to often, but when we do it's like no time has past at all.

Friends who shared the most precious moments and milestones with me.

I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to have these friends in my life. 

Thankful Day 1: Jason

In honor of this month of thanks-giving, I'm hopping aboard the daily thanks game.

I first have to say I'm super thankful that Halloween is OVER. 

We had a total of 5 trick-or-treating adventures.

Between that, fall festivals, pumpkin patch visits, and James's birthday festivities--it was just drug out.

I'm ready to blast some Christmas music and take down all the spooky crap.

But that's not what I wanted to write about today.

Giving thanks Day 1:

I'm thankful for my husband.

How could I not be?

He's a hero.

No, a superhero!

Saving the day; fixing what's broken, building furniture and pinterest projects for me, changing diapers, morphing transformers from autobots-to-vehicles in less than 2 minutes, washing dishes, hanging Christmas lights, rocking babies to sleep, pretending to like the new recipe I made, entertaining kids so I can have a night out, sending me flowers, fighting the bad guys--both real and imaginary.

He wears many hats, that husband.

And looks good in every one of them.

I'm so grateful to have him in my life.