Two Things Thursday ...

because I don't have time for three ...

Birthday - On Sunday, I will become the mother of a seven year-old. Seriously? How did that happen?

I remember my seventh birthday like it was yesterday. No lie. At my party, the cake was in the shape of a 7 and I had my own individual cake, as well. And now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure that's the exact moment when my cake obsession began.

Anyway, back to what I was saying. Dizzle is about to be seven. She thinks she's 17. And before I know it, she's going to be. Time moves too fast. It's blowing my mind. 

Craziest Weekend - For some reason, the third weekend in May is a historically crazy weekend for our family. And this year is no different, in addition to Dizzle's birthday, we've got a bajillion things going on.

• I have two runs and a bike on my training plan.
• My little sister Gina's 22nd birthday is Friday.
• My mom and Gina's BFF are coming to visit.
• Dizzle's birthday party is on Saturday afternoon.
• I'm working the Tough Chik booth at the Richmond Multisports Powersprint Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
• Dizzle has cheer and Doodle has soccer (we probably won't make it to either of these).
• Dizzle and Doodle have dress rehearsal for their dance recital on Friday. At 4:30. In the city. 
• There are two dance recitals on Sunday. The first at 1 p.m. and the second at 5:30 p.m.
• I am working as the "Room Mom" for the second recital.
• And then there is all the prep work for the party, the expo, the recital and for having guests.

Needless to say, I'm going to need some crazy time management skills, my support team and a big slice of cake to get through it all.

March Rewind ...

Run Miles Ran: 82.17 miles

Bike Miles Rode: 381.3 miles

Swim Meters Completed: 16650 meters or 10.35 miles

Rest Days Taken: 8

Highest Run Mileage Week: 3/19-3/25: 25 miles

Highest Bike Mileage Week: 3/12-3/18: 124.1 miles

Highest Swim Volume Week: 3/5-3/11: 6250 meters

Long Runs Completed (10+ miles): 3

Current Book: If I stack all my fitness magazines in a pile and read them all at once, does that count as a book?

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Didn't you hear that 16 and Pregnant, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Make It or Break It have all come back with new episodes? Obviously, my evenings are rather productive.

Current Colors: Tough Chik Aqua and Purple

Current Drink: I'm on a rotation of water, Nuun and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Current Song: Glad You Came - The Wanted

Current Triumph: Pretty sure I am going to be riding high from Ironman 70.3 Texas for a while.

Current Goal: Become a triathlon machine.

Current Blessing: I survived my 70.3 debut. Isn't that enough? OK. Joking aside, I feel like my whole life is one big blessing and I am entirely grateful.

Current Excitement: Today is J's 32nd birthday, which means CAKE! In less than a week, my little sister and I are registering for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. And once I can walk normally again, I'm going to start my training for the Patriots Sprint Tri, which I am planning on crushing.

2012 To Do List Update:

Fitness:

• Take 70.3 training day by day. Don't get caught up in what is coming, but rather focus on what is. Trust that it will get you where you want to be. - CHECK
• Find the strength to NOT add races to your schedule during 70.3 training. That is your focus, don't screw with that because of FOMO (fear of missing out). - CHECK
• Cross the finish line of your first 70.3 in less than 6:57:59. - CHECK. Goal crushed. 6:39:39.
• Maintain at least one day of cycling and one day of swimming per week, post 70.3. Give J some proof that a new road bike would be a good investment.
• Log 4,000 miles, swim, bike and run combined. - As of April 4, 1359.88 miles completed
• Race a 10K with a finish time much faster than your very dated current PR of 53:17.
• Set a new PR in the Half Marathon, currently 1:57:06 (or 1:56:18, if the half split from the NYC Marathon counts).
• Race a Fall Sprint Triathlon. Actually train for the event, unlike in years past.
• Add strength training to the routine.

Nutrition:

• Eat like an athlete. Be mindful of the nutritional value of your food. - Working on it. Slowly.
• Consume no more than 18 desserts from either Shyndigz or Two Sweet Cupcakes (approximately 1 dessert/3 weeks) - As of April 4, 8 desserts consumed.
• Cut out snacking on the girl's leftovers. Just because they don't eat it, doesn't mean you have to. - Half Fail

Personal:

• Only say yes to the projects you REALLY want to work on. - CHECK
• Throw away the credit cards. Stop repeating history. - CHECK
• Ignore your impulses. Take time to process the true value of the things you are filling your space/life with. - CHECK
• Declutter and Organize using this calendar. - CHECK
• Continue to balance family life, training and now, work. - CHECK
• Prioritize and be a good example for the people in your life. - CHECK
• Help and support J and the kids in reaching their goals. We are a team and that must always be the primary focus of our lives. - CHECK

Three Things Thursday ...

Craptastic - Yup. I said it. Miss "Always Look at the Bright Side" has had enough and is currently feeling craptastic. Nothing catastrophic has happened, but enough minor inconveniences have sent me off the deep end. I am irritable, moody and completely impatient. Very much not like myself. And thanks to the flat tire my bike got while PARKED ON THE TRAINER. I missed my 40 mile sweat session last night. Seriously, how does that even happen?

I'm just going to recommend avoiding me at all costs ...

Brightside - Now that I got that funk out of my system (OK, not really, I'm just going to pretend like I'm chill), I'm going to remind myself of the good things. Like the fact that we leave for Disney in eight days. And that J threw me a 30th birthday party last weekend and I pigged out on these chocolate dipped marshmallows that my sister, Angie Pants, made ...

little pieces of heaven ...

And that my post from yesterday seems to have convinced my sister, G, that she can in fact run a 10 miler. Eventually.  Oh, and did I mention that we are leaving for Disney in eight days? (race costume is EPIC by the way).

Nuun - In other positive news, I have been invited to continue to serve as a Nuun Ambassador for 2012. Considering my (and my family's) Nuun obsession, it's really the perfect fit. So expect some serious Nuun love around these parts.

And speaking of Nuun, yesterday morning at dropoff, the girls spotted this ...

Operation Hydration in Effect

Dizzle immediately said, "Mom, look it's a giant tube of Nuun. Can you imagine how big the waterbottle would have to be?"

Yes, people, I have brainwashed my children with all things endurance.

And then you were three ...

Dear Dilly,

Tomorrow you will be three and I am not entirely sure how that happened. OK, maybe I know how it happened, but it feels like it flew by. Like one night, you fell asleep a baby and woke up a preschooler. I swear your sisters didn't grow up this fast.

Dilly - One Day Old

Dilly, present day

But I guess that's what happens to third children. They age beyond their years. And, you've always been that way. You have a sense of maturity and an outgoing nature that have been evident since day one. I've always said that you were the most easy-going of my children, and that is still the case.

You wait your turn.
You follow my rules.
You understand my logic, even if you don't like it.

It makes parenting you easier in a sense. It's uncomplicated and straight forward. I don't fear that a parenting misstep on my part will result in a full on tantrum like with your sisters. Yes, I am aware that this will eventually change. But, please do your best to not let that happen.

Dilly, there are endless things that I love about you, but today, on the eve of your third birthday, I want to share with you those things that make you so very perfect in my eyes. The things that define who you are and shape who you'll be.

I love the way you say "I don't know" whenever you are asked a question. I've never heard another person convey so many different emotions and meanings with the same three words. Just by listening to how you say it, I can tell if you are feeling shy, angry, devilish or just plain silly.

I love the way your face lights up whenever you are happy. Whether you've just found out you are going to Disney or that you get to eat cake, you show such joy and excitement. Your eyes light up in a way that few others can. I hope that never changes.

I love that are brave and strong and that you only pretend to be shy. You hang with the big kids and you hold your own. You never let anyone tell you that you can't. Hold onto this trait, it will get you far in life.

I love that when you speak, you sound like a cartoon character. Your voice is high and squeaky and beyond adorable. Whenever you talk, I want to cover you with a thousand kisses just for making me smile.

I love that you relish in being our baby, at least for the time being. I know that one day, you'll want us to see you as grown up, and that's fine. But until then, I am going to soak up every second with my Baby Boo.

I love that you think that "toot" is the funniest word out there. You throw it into conversation whenever you can. It's kind of hysterical, although I'd never admit that to you.

I love that when I tuck you into bed at night, you want to tell me about your entire day from start to finish. You don't care that I was there for all of it. You just want to remind me of how much fun it was. It always makes me cherish those quiet moments I get to spend with just you.

Dilly, I love you for everything that you are and everything that you will ever be. 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Baby Boo!

Love,
Mommy