My First Runniversary!

Today I celebrated my 1st Runniversary!  Last August I ran in the Women's Distance Festival - my first race in over 10 years - and  finished in a not so blazing 33:55, but I didn't care if it took me 3 days, I was going to run and finish that race.

This year I dragged the whole family with me and signed them up for slave labor as volunteers to help at a water station. What better way to make sure I have cheerleaders!

But first I have to show off my amazing new toy. My most excellent brother saw on my Facebook page that I wanted a Garmin, and the big stinker bought me one. Hello! To say I was shocked, floored, speechless and just flat out surprised is an understatement. I called him up and could barely talk; of course the huge smile on my face probably had something to do with my inability to form words, too.

I know I shouldn't race with new gear, but there was no way I wasn't strapping this baby on today! I have figured out how to use only the basics of it, but I'm learning! I love, love, a million times love my Garmin!

The kids were really excited to get to help. After they got all the cups ready, they had some time to kill by running around and playing.

We made some fun signs for them to hold.

It was a great morning for a run. The humidity felt a bit high, but the temps were in the low 70's. HUGE change from what we've been having. The weather has been so awful that I really didn't have any expectations for this race other than to finish and enjoy.

Aaaand they're off!

It's a two loop course and here I am starting my second loop. Yes, I felt really good and was having a great time.

My babies handing out water. Aren't they cute?

At the finish. I didn't catch #222; she had a burst of speed at the very end and my legs just had nothing left.

I know, Dork Alert! But I was having a great time!

Demonstrating that sweat is indeed sexy. Lol!

This is my groovy towel from Inperspire. I have to tell you that this towel is softer than soft, and I line dry everything (which usually results in crunchy towels), but this towel retains its softness. I love my towel!

So a quick race report: I goofed and started my Garmin when the gun went off and not when I crossed the start so it registered that I ran 3.18 miles in 29:10 (though they have my official time as 29:11?? Anyway...).

Almost 300 women charged down the road for about a tenth of a mile before turning onto a narrow paved path so there was a bit of a traffic jam. Trying to get through all that, I started out faster than I should have and my first mile was 9:08. I felt really good but tried to slow it down so I didn't die at the end.

My second mile was 9:23 which was more comfortable. I locked onto one woman who looked like she had a nice steady pace but she stopped to walk so I had to pick a new target.

I started getting a weird pain on the top of my right foot *and* a side cramp. I ate a rice cake with peanut butter for breakfast and I suddenly felt like I was going to see it again. Not good!

Thankfully that feeling passed and mile 3 was 9:19. There was a whole cluster of us coming down to the finish. They must have all eaten 2 rice cakes for breakfast because they suddenly took off. I would have loved to race them to the finish but my legs wouldn't go any faster.

Though I can't complain about my time at all. It's a new PR for me by 47 seconds. I haven't run a 5K since Thanksgiving and I haven't really done any speedwork so I'm pleased with my performance.

The kids thought the whole thing was super cool. Bill was sad to have missed those hours of sleep, but didn't grumble at all. Thanks sweetie!

If you know us, then you know our day didn't end there. I'm pooped so you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what we did this afternoon! Good night!

A Day at Antietam

Yesterday was a fun day for us...Shane's cold has reached new, green, slimey heights (or depths as it runs from his nose) and Ella went to take a nap 'not feeling good' and woke up in time to barf on her bed.

Of course they both woke up feeling fine this morning, but we opted not to share the love by taking them to church this morning. It was pretty hot today but not as humid so we decided a little day trip to Antietam would be fun.

We got there just in time to enlist the boys in the Confederate army. Hank did pretty well, but all the drills are for right handed people so he kept whacking Shane and the kid behind Shane with his gun.  Shane looked pretty stinkin' adorable out there trying really hard to be a big kid.

Watching big bro for what to do. They were shooting at the porto potty which they all thought was hilarious.

In line to get their pay. They got $1 in Confederate money and a $2 check from the Monticello bank in Charlottesville, VA.

Sitting in Dunker Church. I can't imagine why they're laughing so much...

This explains a lot doesn't it

At Mumma Cemetary

Shane pushing Princess Ella  (who walked maybe 20 steps the whole time!) at Roulette Farm

Daddy pushing Princess Ella from Roulette Farm to the Observation Tower

He may have even carried her up the stairs

I'm usually the picture taker, not the takee

At Burnside Bridge. They were beginning to fade by this point

We stopped in Boonsboro for ice cream. I think she liked it.

Just another fun day with the fam.
We have to squeeze the last drops out of summer because school starts next week!!

Picnic at Hain's Point

Bill's work picnic was today at Hain's Point in DC.Very nice park on the Potomac across from National Airport.  It was a great picnic for a government get together - government = no 'company' money to fund the fun so everyone pays a little something to put it together. I was impressed.

My days as a Fed included very sad covered dish get togethers, in the office, at lunch time, with all the non-executives setting up,eating quickly, and then cleaning up all while answering the phone and emails in between bites.  This, however, was a nice partay, and I'm glad we were able to make it.

Bill took Hank on the train with him this morning so Ella, Shane, Jake and I drove the little car to the park. I was armed and ready with my map; I had the route highlighted and memorized the names of the roads I would pass as well as the turns I would make (I can find my way almost anywhere - until - I cross into DC and then my sense of direction flies out the window).

Happily we found our way there with not one wrong turn. As Shane would say, "YES!"

We got there and ate some very yummy food and played games and took about a million pictures.

Ella and Shane got their faces painted. Shane got his done twice because his watermelon washed off his first paint job.

Hank found a handful of kids to play soccer and then kickball with. He stopped only to get a drink and pose for pictures for his crazy mother.

I am smiling. Can I go play now, please??

I figured I would retrace my steps to get home. Ha! You haven't driven in DC have you, my dear?  The circle I came in on allows only buses, taxis and bicycles to go out so I would have to turn to go under the bridge and then around to the ramp to get on it.  I didn't realize this until I was firmly in the wrong lane. So I turned onto the cross street thinking I could circle back. Double Ha! The road I saw on the map that would double back to my starting point was closed for construction.

Further into the city we drove (another block or two) and I found a street to turn around on. Whew! Headed in the right direction again.  I saw the signs for the bridge I wanted. Yes!  Until we got to the ramp. Closed and under construction so I would have to take the next bridge over the Potomac.

Do I want to go East or West??? aagh!  At the last minute I guessed West and thankfully that was right. We made it to the parkway without one tear or frustrated outburst (by me).  I realized the beltway would be a parking lot (Friday night in DC) so I called Bill to 1. let him know of my amazing navigation skills*, and 2. see if there was another route I could take home.

Our connection was breaking up, but he gave me quick directions to take River Rd. What I could make out involved lots of stop signs, turns and traffic lights. Something  about MacArthur Blvd and Falls Rd was in there too.  Personally, I'd rather drive in circles for a hundred  miles than sit in traffic so I figured we'd wing it and see where we ended up.

It turned out to be pretty simple and I made it home with no wrong turns. I love when that happens!

It was a really fun day and the kids are already looking forward to next year!

*I had to tell him about my mad skilz because years ago when we were in the process of adopting Ella I got hopelessly lost in DC. The boys and I needed to take the last of our dossier (our entire lives in paper form) from the Chinese Embassy on Wisconsin Ave to our agency in McLean, VA (about 15 minutes away). It took me 1 and a half HOURS to drive what should have been about 10 miles.  I was in tears - wanted to get there before the office closed or we'd have to wait another week for our dossier to go to China - and pretty much demanding he figure out where I was so he could tell me where to go - which I'm sure he was biting his tongue over. lol!

So, yes, I felt like I had grown a little as a person today by not breaking down in tears or yelling at my poor husband because I was clueless.  Continuing sanctification is what's happening here, folks. It's a good thing. :)

Oh, and if you want to see the bazillion pix I took today you'll have to be my friend, on Facebook that is, because that's where I put them all. 

Afternoon visitor

The kids were out front playing while I was inside working when I heard a very loud "Mom! There's a dog in the yard!"

So I ran out there and found a very friendly yellow lab wagging his tail and going to each of the kids for a pet. This poor guy was huffing and puffing and panting like he was roasting - it has been uber hot and humid today - so I put a bowl of water on the porch for him.

He came and went from our yard a few times over the course of the afternoon. A neighbor even brought him over thinking he was ours (Blu gets out and takes off any chance he gets).

Shane opened the schoolroom window at one point to say hi to him and he tried to climb in.  It was so hot that I let him in to cool off. He was panting so hard I thought he might be getting sick from the heat.

He wasn't wearing a tag so I called the company on the electric fence collar he was wearing. The nearest customer they had listed was in North Carolina. But they'd look to see if they had a dealer in the area previously and get back to me.

They didn't get back to me so around 4pm I decided we'd take him for a walk down our road to see if he belonged to anyone nearby. We got no's all around until finally a girl (late teens?) thought he might belong to a friend of hers. Cool!


I asked where she lived and the girl didn't know. Just a brown house on a road about a mile from there. Lovely. So we walked home and put Snoopy (the kids had named him by then) into the truck and off we went.

Happily he belonged to the folks who lived in the second brown house we stopped at - we passed about 10 others but the road is heavily traveled and I almost got rear-ended slowing down to pull into different driveways so I passed the houses rather than risk an accident with a drooling dog standing over my shoulder and 3 laughing, squealing kids in the back. They thought it was hysterical that he was drooling all over me. Me? Not so much.

So we pull in the drive, knock on the door - after he peed on every bush between the truck and the porch, and reunited Snoopy with his very happy mommy. And I forgot to ask her what his real name is. The kids were really sad to see him go because he was so friendly and sweet, and they asked me when they could go visit him because they missed him already.

Vacation Bible School, How I Love You!

The Baptist church down the road from us hosts a very cool Vacation Bible School each year, and the kids love, love, love it.  So do I! Of course, I'm thrilled anytime they're worshipping and learning more about God.

I also love it for very selfish reasons.  It's 2 hours and 30 minutes 5 nights in a row to myself!

Last night I came home and worked on stuff for school so Bill could go for a  bike ride.

But I've planned out the rest of the week - Monday, Wednesday and Thursday I'll run, and I plan to go for a bike ride on Tuesday night. They have a little program for the parents on Friday so I'll watch my babies sing and dance then.

I can't wait!

Boot camp and recap

Recaps are hard to write when there's not much to recap. We had a pretty light schedule week this week which was a nice change from previous weeks. Next week is crazy busy so I'll have more to talk about, but this week you're stuck just reading about my workouts. :)

Karma continues to keep me busy (and motivated!) with her weekly bootcamps. This past week's boot camp was fun as well as challenging. I completed the Boot Camp in addition to my usual pushups, situps, wall sits, planks and tricep work (I really want that flab on my arms to go away!).

10 sets of jack+ropes (25 jumping jacks followed immediately by 25 jump ropes=1 set)
5 – 30 to 60 second rounds of quick feet
100 seal jacks
100 push ups
100 crunches
25 crunches followed immediately by a 30 second plank (4 times)
25 seated leg extension/tucks
2 sets table top tucks
 
I'm 3 weeks away from the Women's Distance Festival 5K in Frederick, and a little more than 2 months away from my next goal race, Freedom's Run Half Marathon in WV. Still using Higdon's Novice Half training plan and enjoying it.

Monday - ran 2 miles with the wife of Hank's track coach. I was going to run another 4 to meet Bill and the kids who were fishing farther down the trail but the humidity killed me and I ran just 2.1 more and then drove to meet them. So a total of 4.1 miles. 

Tuesday - was just stretch and strengthen so I did quite a bit of Boot Camp work then.

Wednesday - met Hank's track coach and other members of the team to run in a nearby town. Ella wanted to come so I had her in the stroller. We ran on a freshly paved road which was hotter than hot. It's an out and back, and Coach estimated the distance to be "about a mile" so I ran a little farther before turning around. I measured it with the car afterwards and the regular turn around spot is .8 miles. Where I turned around is .9 so I was a little short of what my plan called for that day. I didn't worry about it too much since it was hilly, hot and I had the stroller. So 1.8 miles.

Thursday - 3 miles was the plan. My treadmill is new to me and I'm still figuring out all the bells and whistles. I attempted to use one of the pre-programmed runs because it looked like it had some nice incline variations.  It did, and it also went a little faster than my tree trunks like to carry me so I spent a lot of time fiddling with the controls. It did help pass the time and when it was over I ran 3.1 miles.

Friday - 30 minutes of cross training was on the schedule. I thought it would be fun to take the kids on a bike ride and then run while they rode some more. I rode 6 miles with Ella and Shane in the trailer. Jake rode with Hank who is still gaining confidence on two wheels. I finished, loaded my stuff in the truck, changed shoes and set out to run while Ella, Hank and Shane rode their bikes and Jake walked with them. Ha! Shane would have no part of it. He wanted Mommy. I made it about half a mile down the trail with E and H when I heard a screaming banshee running my direction. So I turned around and walked/jogged back holding his hand and pushing Ella on her bike with the other. I figure that's a pretty decent workout all by itself. So a 6 mile ride and 1 mile run/jog/walk.

Saturday - scheduled for 4. Tried a new route that I knew was at least that. It's definitely rolling but not with any killer hills like my usual route. The tree trunks were not having any part of it today and I ended walking about a third of the way. I was so slow that Bill actually hopped on his bike to come looking for me (forgot my cell. whoops!). Used MapMyRun to find it was 4.46 miles.

Tomorrow is a rest day but it's my turn to help teach the 3-4 y/o's at church so I won't be doing any resting!

So my weekly run total is 14.46 miles and 6 miles on the bike.

Happy Running!

Cross Training is Fun

Bill took the boys camping over the weekend so it was just Ella and I on our own. Usually when Bill takes the kids I run around in a frenzy cleaning and organizing the house. Either I'm becoming more mellow about dirt or I've decided having fun is higher on the list than cleaning house because I didn't vacuum even once while they were gone.

Ella painted her nails about 10 times, and I read a book, watched a chick flick, hung out with friends and dragged Ella out into the heat and dust for a bike ride.

I really enjoy riding my bike and could almost be tempted to become a biker chick instead of a runner girl.

The cons are all the gear you have to schlep- the rack, the bike, and your helmet and gloves. And that's just the basic stuff. To run all you need are shoes and some folks don't even need those.

The pros are that it's much easier on my stomach. I can hydrate and refuel without worrying about barfing (or worse). For some reason Ella and Shane ride a little happier in the bike trailer than they do the stroller. Of course you can go much farther much faster without completely wiping yourself out.

I'm too lazy to mess with loading and unloading a bike every day so I'm sticking with running. (I am committed to cross training so I'm glad that I actually enjoy riding my bike.) I thought 10 miles on the tow path would be a fun way to spend Sunday afternoon so Ella packed her water and snacks and off we went!

Here we are at the beginning

This is around the second mile. The first one flew by so fast that I missed the marker.

Catching some zzzz's around mile 3

Turned around at Mile 5

On the way back around Mile 6

Back at the car

Fun times with my sweet girlie!

Girls' Night Out

What do we do when the husbands are out of town?

We might go to Michelle's to eat lots of yummy food and drink strawberry daquiris (with or without rum?).

We may sit on the patio for a couple of hours laughing out loud one minute and having a serious conversation the next (time with good friends is like that).

One friend's daughter might come out and announce that the kids are inside drinking alcohol (they weren't). The boys may launch a nerf attack on the same daughter (they did).

We may all jump up to leave at the same time when we realize the time (when did I get so old???).

We may also have a wonderful time of fun and encouragement (yes, we definitely did).

Michelle is *not* eating a bite of chocolate cake in this photo.

The paparazzi is just relentless some times!

Thank you, friends, for a great evening!

Weekly Recap

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I've posted anything. Goodness! You might think I was lounging by the pool or sitting around sipping fruity drinks, but that's not correct.  We've been running around like crazy people lately, and I'm so mad at myself for not taking *any* pictures!

Monday I took Shane to Towson to participate in a Johns Hopkins study about fire safety for kids. We sat and watched a couple of very corny cartoons and they talked to him about what he remembered (which was darn little). Their assumption (I'm assuming) is that kids his age watch tons of TV. They showed him all sorts of pictures of TV characters- cartoon and other kid shows - and he didn't know any of them. Not one. Now if they had shown him stuff from the History Channel, he would have been all over it. He did get a fire hat and coloring book out of it so it wasn't a total loss.

That night Hank and I met some of the folks from his track club at the C&O canal tow path for an easy run. I was hoping there would be lots of people there so Hank could run 2 miles and I could run 4. But there was just a handful of folks so the guys took off for ~10 miles and Hank and I ran 2 miles with his coach and another girl. His coach is coming off a knee injury so I stayed back with him while Hank and the other girl zoomed  away.  Hank did a great job on this run; we may consider having him train for a 5K just to see what he can do. When I got home, I put Ella and Shane in the stroller and ran another 2 past the 'stinky barn' as Shane says when we go by the dairy farm.

Tuesday was spent getting ready to go out of town Wednesday and Thursday and a whole lotta boot camp training since I knew I wouldn't have time on Wednesday or Thursday to do it.

Wednesday we got up at 2am to drive to Waynesboro, VA for a Chick-Fil-A opening (yes, we're strange, but we're ok with that). The kids had a blast playing silly games and running around with all the other kids. Between getting very little sleep and the heat, I was wiped out, completely done for. Thankfully I was able to convince them to rest for a little while after lunch so I could take a nap.

Thursday was all about daddy's birthday dinner. I'm a horrible cook so even the simplest meals test me. We thought lasagne and salad would be yummy and homemade lasagne isn't that hard to make...unless you accidentally buy the noodles you have to cook in advance and you don't buy enough Ricotta cheese. In the end, it was edible and the strawberry cake banana splits were yummy.

Friday was supposed to be a 3 mile run but it was hotter than heck so I cut it short to 2.6 miles. Then Grandpop and Lisa met us for dinner to celebrate Bill's birthday. It was so yummy, and I ate so much that I hurt. Bad choice, but each day is a new opportunity to make better choices. It's always good to see Bill, Sr and Lisa.

Saturday is my long run day. Bill said he'd get up with me and ride his bike while I ran, but he didn't sleep well so I was on my own. I decided to do a loop I haven't done in a while which is 4.5 - 5 depending on where you start. Not quite a mile into it a little dog popped out of a corn field and started following me. He was well-fed, clean and had a collar so he belongs to someone. Part of this loop is on a really busy road. It has a shoulder, but this little guy wasn't exactly running in a nice straight line. I thought I could just carry him until I got to the next turn but realized that wasn't a very good plan so I turned around hoping he'd follow me until he got home. I lost him at some point so I hope he found his way back home.  That little adventure turned out to be 4.57 miles so I didn't need to add an extra leg or anything to make up lost miles.

And later today the boys are going camping with Uncle Mark and Mark II so we've been zipping around packing for that. I think Ella and I will take a nap as soon as they leave. :)

Sunday is church and then I'm packing the bike and trailer in the car and going for a nice ride somewhere. And then we're taking another nap.

My favorite running partners

The last couple of days have been really busy. We were at the Eastern Shore all day Sunday and didn't get home until ~1am Monday morning.

Then we had to get up bright and early to clean because some very dear friends were coming for lunch/dinner. They left a little after 9 (which was too soon but they had a long drive ahead of them).

And we're taking care of a friend's cats while she's on vacation in addition to our regular goings on.

I didn't have time to run yesterday, but I did do some of Karma's Boot Camp workout. We all slept in this morning so I had to take the kids with me on my run.

It's another Code Red day and even at 8:30 am it was really hot and humid. Hank, Jake and I were dripping in sweat. Ella and Shane were lounging in the shaded stroller with water bottles so they were fine.

We took it nice and slow because I didn't want Hank to get overheated. He did a great job and wanted to push on when I suggested he walk a little.

I just realized he's been wearing the same shirt since Sunday afternoon and it's now Tuesday. It's a boy thing for sure. Ella has changed clothes at least 6 times since yesterday.

Tomorrow we're going to get up early and go for a bike ride and I'll run afterwards. I can't wait!

Family Birthdays, Bikes and Boom Booms

First we rounded up the unusual suspects and celebrated their birthdays. Jake turns 19 later this month. You do realize I was only 6 when he was born because I'm certainly not old enough to be the mother of a 19 y/o. Not possible.

Keith's birthday is actually in June, but he decided a vacation with his wife would be more fun than hanging out with us for the June party. It's not a bad thing to wait to celebrate because you don't turn a year older until you blow out the candles.

Then there's Barnacle Bill whose big day falls on Bastille Day. He always thought the French were celebrating his greatness until we finally told him what was really going on.

The kids make shirts each year for the holiday. Hank is getting a little old for it though. He didn't want to do it, but daddy told him that sometimes guys do things they don't want to because it makes the girls in their life happy. Good advice, daddy.

They're in age order here. I just asked them to line up and this is what they did.

And the big amazing new thing is two wheeler madness. 

Hank got a two wheeler for his birthday last month, but he was really nerbus about riding w/o trainers. My two youngest kids are insane, future x-game participants, and they couldn't wait to get their trainers off.

Shane is still struggling a bit but practicing. Our house is really long, and you can ride from one to the other so he been doing that with Ella and Hank's help.

At DeeDee's Bill and I took turns running alongside him. I only had flip flops with me so I experimented with some bare foot running. Let's just say I'm not ready to make the switch.

Bill showed Hank how to get started, and he was off. No running behind him or anything. He just took off.

Braking is still tricky but he's getting it.

This little peanut is a force to be reckoned with. There was no, "here's how you start and stop." Nothing. Daddy took her other trainer off and she was gone.

After we thoroughly exhausted them, we broke out the sparklers and other explosives

And then we called it a night.

First Saturday and the Great Frederick Float

The first Saturday night in downtown Frederick is like a mini festival with live bands and other activities going on. Last night's First Saturday was a July 4th theme and kicking off the evening's festivities was the Great Frederick Float.

People decorate canoes, kayaks and whatever they have that floats and paddle them down Carroll Creek. Some of the floats blasted us with silly string,  but most of the others just tossed candy.

There weren't as many floats as I thought there would be, but Ella completely enjoyed it.

The silly string blasters

Silly string victim. She may need counseling from the trauma of it

This lady looked to be at least 100, but maybe it was just the effect of the blindingly bright sun

Ella liked this one because they had mannequin heads with their hair done in pretty hairstyles

Uncle Sam and Abe Lincoln were there (though Ella told me that Abe Lincoln was just a guy dressed like him because the real Abe Lincoln is dead...she was so serious; adorable!)

Up and down Market St there were games kids could play like bowling and hula hooping

From the bridge over Carroll  Creek

They had crafts

Which required big decisions to be made

Ella wanted a picture on the stone wall by the flowers

I think everyone in Frederick has had their picture taken next to this guy. I wonder what the story is behind it? (Ella is tickling his armpits)

The Civil War Medicine Museum was open free of charge so we left Jake there for a while so we could look at girly stuff.

And then we met Mudge!  This big guy is an English Mastiff only his name is Napoleon...I think Churchill would have been more fitting, but what do I know?

Talk about big squishy cuteness and so good natured. Tons of people were taking his picture and petting him, and he just layed there.

He had a washcloth tucked into his collar so his owner could wipe his slobber

There were also street performers along the creek. I have to say the fire twirlers weren't near as good as the ones we saw in St Pete, but Jake wasn't in St Pete so he was impressed by the group we saw last night. Ella took a long video of them so maybe I'll get that up for you to see for yourself.

Then there was this guy.

Magic Mike

If you have an event coming up where you need to entertain kids, this is your man. He made THE BEST balloon creatures.

Not only that, he was very nice and patient (even with the obnoxious adults who accompanied the children who could have stood and watched him contentedly for hours)

Ella with her butterfly.

It was a good night