191 to go ...

Have I ever mentioned how hard it is to get all of your mileage in with three kids (two that don't nap), three jobs, one preschool board position, dance classes, soccer practice and a husband who travels a lot (including weekends)?

Well, it's hard.

Yet, somehow (and I'm not really sure how) I have only missed two runs in the past nine months. Actually, if you ignore the three weeks my OB demanded that I had to take off after delivering Dilly, I have only missed two runs since September 2007. Once when I had a sinus infection and once when I thought my ankle was going to break. I have been running four days a week for the past two years. I've run through illness and bad weather and an entire pregnancy. And with 64 days left in the year, I am 191 miles away from reaching my goal of 1,000 miles in 2009.

And as long as my ankle (which is hating me right now) holds up, I am so there ...

a new look ...

So, as you've probably noticed, this blog has a new look. I was kind of bored of the old one and saw this background and knew I had to make a switch. It reminds me of all of those pre-dawn runs I've been on this year (well, minus the deer ... then again, we did see those deer sprint across the street during an 18 miler ...)

Anyway, here's to a new look!

Maybe this is what the "psychic" was talking about when she said she felt that I was looking to make a change to my appearance. It was obviously my blog's appearance she was talking about ... Wow! She's good ...

I kicked a** for 20 miles ...

Remember that 20 miler I might have mentioned once, twice or 800 times? Well, we rocked it. It was pretty much the ideal 20 miler that I had in my head before the last attempt two weeks ago. The weather cooperated. The route was awesome. We averaged just above race pace (a VERY good sign about race day) And I never felt like quitting. Not even once. Not even for one second. It was pretty much perfect. (And the ankle was 100% fine!)

(OK, maybe there was one second of suckage. But it was in the first mile. And involved unruly undergarments. And I took care of that real quick.)

But seriously, this was exactly the run I needed to get me excited about the race and to realize that WE CAN TOTALLY DO THIS!

they catch on to more than you think ...

I'd like to believe that my little ones will stay little forever. Obviously, I know that's not possible. But I do my best to keep them blissfully unaware of some of the more mature aspects of life (you can see where this is going, right?) But apparently, I'm not really winning that battle. This was the conversation I had with Dizzle yesterday.

Dizzle: What happens when you kiss?

Me (puzzled look on face): Um, nothing?

Dizzle: No, what happens when you kiss? Did Daddy and you kiss and I was born a couple weeks later?

Me (completely shocked): Um, not really. It took a little more than that. Dizzle, we kiss people to show them we love them.

Dizzle: Oh, OK. Can I kiss you to show you I love you?

Me (relieved): Yes, you can kiss me and show me you love me.

And with that, I dodged a bullet. Hopefully, for a LONG TIME ...

tired ...

I just want to start by saying thanks to Mel over at Tall Mom on the Run for getting my necklace out to me so quickly. I got it yesterday, LOVE IT and am ready to rock it on tomorrow's 20 miler.

Speaking of tomorrow's 20 miler, I'm not really sure where I am at with that. I just keep telling myself that it can't be worse than the last time we ran it, but I'm not really feeling all that prepared. Honestly, I am dying for this training to be over and for me to NEVER RUN ANOTHER MARATHON AGAIN. Plus, I'm tired. And not really sleepy tired. Just tired.

My little sis spent the week with us and while she let me get in a couple of short runs (keeping it short this week to protect the ankle), I just feel like something was off. Maybe I am thinking too much about the foot when I am running. Maybe I just had to much other stuff going on to make the runs relaxing. I'm not really sure. Everything has felt like a chore this week. I've worked a lot. I've worked out a lot. And I've yelled a lot. (Let's just say the girls weren't exactly on their best behavior this week.) Oh, and J is traveling (again). Add all of that to the fact that Doodle has had a complete potty training regression (any suggestions? I'm desperate!), and I'M JUST TIRED!

I seriously need a vacation. Far away. With no kids. And no responsibilities. Just for one day.

But, that's not likely. At least not now (Yes, G. I do realize that Bermuda is only 82 days away. Not that I am counting or anything). So, for now, I think this vent is going to have to do.

good day ...

You know those days when you just want to crawl back into bed and hide from the world? The ones that are so bad that you wish you could just fast forward to tomorrow or next week or next month? Well, today WAS.SO.NOT.THAT.DAY.

I woke up this morning to an email from G with the title "OMG!" and just the words, "YOU WON!" After about half a second, I knew exactly what she was talking about. I had won the i declare! giveaway on one my favorite blogs - Tall Mom on the Run. The prize was this totally sweet necklace. I can't wait to sport it during the marathon.

And speaking of the marathon, after some pretty wretched ankle pain this weekend, I have gotten two short runs in without any discomfort. A fact that definitely brightened my day. Add to that the fact that I received a bunch of bow orders today and sold some baby gear, I am definitely on cloud nine.

But I'm not gloating ...

That would just be mean.

talk about a swing ...

Remember last week when I mentioned that I when I woke up to run my 20 miler, it was 75 degrees with 100% humidity? Well, let's just say this week is going to be a little different.

Tomorrow's start time forecast ... 39 degrees and rain.

Sounds fantastic!

no hablo ingles ...

Earlier this afternoon, Dizzle and Doodle were playing a game where one person was "inside" a house and the other one was trying to get her out. Doodle tried her best to coax Dizzle to "open the door." But, nothing worked. Getting frustrated, she finally just screamed, "Open the door. Get out here." To which Dizzle replied, "I don't speak English, I only speak Spanish."

Only in my house ....

20 miles too long ...

Yesterday's run was painful. It was hot. And humid. And long. I had a positive outlook leading up to the run (especially since last week's 18 went so smoothly). But once I walked out the front door and got smacked in the face by a wall of humidity, I wasn't so sure anymore.

The first eight weren't bad. G and I were joined by R. The conversation was good. The pace was good. But it was hot. We were all sweating a lot. I had even started to drink from my hydration belt, something that usually doesn't happen until after mile 12.

After that first eight, we dropped off R and headed out on the last 12. About three miles into that 12, I knew things were going downhill. I was parched. 100% cottonmouth. And the Gatorade that I carry with me was only making it worse. Fortunately (and this was HUGE), Dizzle's BFF lives in one of the neighborhoods we ran through. So, at mile 13.3 we stopped for water. Which, I later realized, was an actual lifesaver. The last six miles was so bad that without it, I am pretty sure we would have actually need to use those RoadIDs we were wearing.

But, I won't bore you with the details. We finished. It was painful and took 17 minutes longer than I was planning on. But it's done. And we are onto the next. This week is a recovery week with what seems like an incredibly short long run: 12 miles.

We do have one more 20 miler before the marathon, two weeks from today. And surprisingly, I am not scared of it. I'm not really looking forward to it and I want this whole marathon thing done with, but it's not scaring me. I just hope that I don't wake up to run that 20 and find out that it's 75 and humid again ...

doing my work ...

So, the girls have these chalkboard circles on the wall that they can write on. They are a super great invention. The girls love them. They were really cheap. And they are totally removable. Overall, an excellent investment.

This afternoon, Doodle was drawing on them. After a few minutes of not paying attention to her, I turned around to find her standing on her IKEA stool (another great investment, by the way). I told her get down. But rather than listening, she turned to me and said,"Mom! I'm just doing my work. I too small to reach. I have to stand on my stool."

OK, Doodle. You don't want to listen to me? Then go ahead and "do your work." But, don't come crying to me when you break your arm. I promise, all you'll get from me is a big fat "I told you so."

long, long runs

I mentioned last week that our 16 mile training run was painful. And wet. And horrible. And I might not have mentioned this, but it was one of those runs that nearly convinced me that this whole marathon thing was a bad idea. So heading into today's 18 miler, I was scared. I felt like I was getting ready for one of those races where you get all hyped-up and think you are going to PR. But instead, you cramp up and fall flat on your face. Add all of that emotion to the fact that I was trying new long run socks for the first time since May of 2008 and well, let's just say, I wasn't feeling too confident.


Yet, somehow, by some act of God, the run was AWESOME! (All three hours of it.) There was never a moment that a negative thought crossed my mind. I finished and thought, "Wow, I could totally run eight more miles." I LOVE runs like that! Talk about a confidence boost going into the two long runs (20 miles, in case you were wondering). Only five weeks to go!