It's official ...

That's right. I have officially been committed to the AsyLum (and no, my kids didn't send me there).

As of yesterday, I am HALF FANATIC #450!!

After finishing the MAC Half Marathon on May 8th and the Marine Corps Historic Half on May 16th, I qualified under the Neptune Moon Level (the lowest Fanatic level), which is either two half marathons in 16 days or three half marathons in three months. But let's be honest, I'm not content with the lowest level. I'm too competitive for that. Think I might just have to find two half marathons on the same weekend ...

And since I know you are all dying to join as well, you can learn more about the qualifying standards HERE.

collections ...

Dizzle is the type of girl who cherishes everything. She finds beauty in some of the most unbeautiful things. I love this about her. And I hate it. Because she CONSTANTLY wants to start of collection of things. And I would rather her not. Basically, she is a saver and I am a purger. Our styles don't mix.

And although I am not a fan of her piles of cherished "junk", I do my best to allow her to express herself as she chooses. Her collections started with leaves. She would find them, press them flat in a book and the store them away. After that came stickers, which she accumulated on her lunch box. And in the past few weeks, it's been Dum-Dum Lollipop wrappers. When I asked her why she wants to collect these things, she said, "Because they are beautiful."

But yesterday something changed. We went to a birthday party of one of her classmates (a boy) and upon leaving she was given her party favor, which included a matchbox car. It was not the first one Dizzle had ever owned (we have about 10 in our house), but this one was special. And by the time she went to bed last night, she was BEGGING me to let her start a car collection.

When she woke up this morning, she asked me again if I would unload piles of cash so that she could collect mini-cars. At which point, I turned to her and asked, "Dizzle, can you tell me why you want to collect cars?" To which she replied, "Yes. I like A (the birthday boy). And he has thousands of them."

Really, Dizzle? A crush at five? Aren't you a little young for that? I mean, at least you know that boys like it when you share their interests, but COME ON. Give your mom a break. At least wait until you are a teenager ...

Three Things Thursday ...

Yesterday was rough, you know, with all the sh*t and everything. But today has already proven to be much better. So without further ado, I bring to you Three Things Thursday ...

1. Last night was Dizzle's preschool graduation ceremony (school ended last week). I took Dizzle and Doodle to Target to get new dresses for the occasion. Aren't they cute?

I realized after looking at the pictures that I often dress the girls in matching or coordinating outfits. I think they look adorable. But, I distinctly remember my mom doing this to me and my sister Angie Pants. And I hated it. (This is me and Angie Pants in March).

I didn't want to be like my sister. I often wonder if the girls feel this way too (or if they ever will). Fortunately, I outgrew that dislike for my sister. And now, I am proud to be associated with her (and I am even prouder of all that she has accomplished). In fact, Angie Pants (and my other sister Chache, for that matter) are two of my best friends. I hope my girls feel the same way when they are older.

2. Three weeks from today, J and I will be in Key West for our first kid-free vacation EVER! The last time we went on vacation without the girls was our honeymoon, six years ago. Wow, we were young!

I booked this trip as part of J's 30th birthday gift and it just so happens to fall on our sixth anniversary. Pretty good planning by me, right? So, if you've ever been to Key West and have any recommendations, let me know ...

3. So, my girl Katye is running her FIRST marathon this weekend in San Diego! This is us at the MAC Half in early May.

I am so excited for her and I know she is going to do amazingly. So, head over to her blog and leave her some love. Good luck, Katye!

sh*t happens ...

This morning I had a plan for a post. I was going to write about how I ran 16 miles between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. (eight last night on the treadmill and eight this morning with G). This is post run this morning. Aren't we cute?

Then, I was going to wax poetic about how I rocked this outfit (thanks to a confidence boost from P90X and some very supportive bloggy comments).

And I had planned to share with you how the last five miles of my run this morning was my five miler for Katye's National Running Day Virtual Race. But, that plan has been thrown out the window, because, sh*t happens. Literally.

You see, when I got back from my early morning run today, Dilly was still in bed. I had time to shower and eat and get Dizzle and Doodle ready for the day BEFORE I heard Dilly crying. This is typical. Dilly is a great sleeper. The not-so-typical part happened when I opened her bedroom door. There she was. 25 pounds of total cuteness holding a poop-filled diaper in her right hand. WTF?!?!

Now, let me say, my kid is a freaking Houdini. She was still fully dressed (in a one piece outfit) with all of the snaps between the legs still together. Yet, somehow, she managed to take off her extremely messy diaper. Poop was everywhere. All over her. All over the crib. And when I walked in, she simply handed me the diaper and started grunting and motioning towards the pile of feces laying in her crib, as to say, "What are you looking at Stupid? Pick it up!"

And that's exactly what I did. I picked the crap up. Then I stripped her down and threw her in the bath. It was not pretty. And she still kind of smells. But like I said, sh*t happens ...

May rewind ...

Five months down, seven to go. Here's my recap of May 2010 ...

Miles Planned/Miles Ran: 123.3/158.7 (all-time monthly mileage PR)

Rest Days Planned/Rest Days Taken: 9/9

Highest Mileage Week: 5/10-5/16: 41.89 (all-time weekly mileage PR)

Long Runs Planned/Run: 5/5

Donuts Earned: 113.84 (my favorite statistic from Dailymile)

Current Book: I know it's shocking, but I am actually reading a book. It's called The Runner's Diet. I won it over at Getting Stronger, Burning Fat. I'm hoping it will give me some hints for eating "cleaner."

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Cheese. I have been eating it left and right. And the stinkier the better.

Current Colors: Lime and Navy. Not really sure why, but I am loving that combination right now.

Current Obsessions: Running and P90X - The perfect stress relief after (or before) a long day with the girls ...

Current Drink: Diet Coke. Yeah, I know.

Current Song: Soul Sister - Train (I can't get this song out of my head. But I LOVE it!)

Current Triumph: Lots. A new 5K PR. A second-place age group finish. All time monthly mileage PR. It's been a good running month.

Current Bane of My Existence: The end of preschool. It's shaking up my world. I'm currently on a quest to keep my children happy and occupied while still fitting in 40 miles a week and P90X. Oh, and let's not forget that whole "managing" the household thing and trying to build my coaching business. I still have to do all that too.

Current Goal: Race my upcoming 17.75K (with G, Katye and MCM Mama) at goal half-marathon pace (no faster, no slower) and not die at the end.

Current Indulgence: Chobani Greek Yogurt (yes, I know this is a healthy indulgence). I could eat it ALL DAY! It's so fantastic.

Current Blessing: Life. Things are good. We are healthy and happy. And I have nothing worth complaining about.

Current Excitement: Bloggy meetups. I'm lucky enough to race with G, Katye and MCM Mama next weekend. And if all things work out, I will get to have lunch with Shelly next weekend. Oh, and let's not forget about booking my trip to WA in September to meet up with Tall Mom, Jill, Zoe and Kerrie.

I couldn't take the guilt ...

I NEEDED to run. The guilt was too much. It was hot when I left.

And I was hot when I got back. This is what 4 miles looks like when it's 86 degrees out and you have a total tank top FAIL (yes, I still wore the socks) ...

I may have looked a mess, but I don't regret the run ...

runner's guilt ...

I'm not sure if it's the same for everyone else, but some days I get serious runner's guilt. I see other people hitting the pavement and a little part of me twinges, because I should be out there too (I've even been know to feel that way on days when I have already run.)

It's even worse on days like today when J is home. I feel this incessant need to go on a run. I feel like if I don't, I am wasting the opportunity. Especially, considering that the majority of the time, I am fighting to get my runs in. But, my legs are dead. After racing on Saturday and a rather challenging eight miles in the heat yesterday (and don't forget about P90X), my legs are shot. I know I should take the day off. I know that it's OK to "waste the opportunity." But I just don't think I can do it. I can hear my Newtons calling my name. They want to get out there too. I mean, seriously, what's a few miles between friends?