Weekend

It was the first weekend in months and months that wasn't packed full of things that needed done no auction, no fire dept dinner or event, no clinicals or ambulance time no obligations. Other than one hour for a little girls birthday party at a local pumpkin patch.

However it seems that when I don't have a lot on my schedule I seem to slack in getting things accomplished. I did get all the laundry caught up and put away (minus the boys clothes they will get put up tonight). But as far as the dusting, vacuuming and putting away of some more boxes of stuff in the garage didn't happen.

Saturday I got the privilege to sleep in well sort of anyway. The kids came in and woke us up around 8ish. I hadn't been sleeping much since Nathan is in a stage where he wants to get up several times a night. So Kenny was nice enough to get up with the kids and I got a couple more hours of sleep got woke up a couple times by the boys but was much needed. Usually when I sleep that late I feel like crud but I actually feel good.

All day the kids kept asking what time the party was. And I realized looking at the pictures I didn't get one of the birthday girl oops.!

When we first got there Nathan wouldn't let me put him down or if he did get down he stayed attached to me. Blake on the other hand was off and running and playing as soon as I said go. I finally got him to get in the bin of corn with his brother to play.

After some convincing he got on and watched Blake use the scoop and then tried to do what brother was doing.

Very intently watching the others play in the corn.

Of course Blake asked to have something like this at home to play in go figure. At the same time I took this Nathan was telling me all about the tractor that was behind Blake and wanting to go on the hay ride to get his pumpkin.

Blake and his best buddy from daycare playing in the pumpkin shaped play house thing. I didn't get any pictures of the big hay stack and long slide as I was to worried about Nathan falling off. Also didn't get any pictures of them on the hay ride or in pumpkin patch. Trying to keep up with two boys in a field of pumpkins was interesting. We would get two picked and then they would see one that was "better" than the last. We finally got two of them and headed back to the car.

The boys had  a good time and didn't want to leave lucky for me the party was only an hour and it ended at the same time the pumpkin patch closed for the day.

Sunday we slept in again who knew sleeping in until 8 would be a luxury! I had been getting up at 5 or 6 for so many weekends I forgot what it was like to sleep in. We decided to make a trip to St. Louis to the Cabela's store kids had been asking to go and they had a sale on the shoes Kenny had been wanting. I left the boys with Kenny in the store and I walked on out to the mall to do some shopping and found the kids some winter clothes on clearance.

They were in Cabela's for over two hours in the cart and did really well that last 30 minutes tho was rough and I was GLAD to get out of the store before we had two kids having meltdowns and a mom who would be pulling her hair out.

On the way home they claimed they were starving again (we had ate at Steak and Shake before going in to the mall). So we stopped in Cuba at the Pizza Hut there and had dinner. Nathan had a minor meltdown because he wanted to sit by me not daddy. We got home and it was the kids bedtime and well they didn't want to sleep so I let them run around a bit then regretted that this morning when neither wanted to get up.

6 months until.....eeekkkkk....a big milestone.......

Just realized that its 6 months until I turn the big 30!!! Geez I just remember turning 21 then turning 25 now 5 more years have flown by and I will be 30 in 6 months.

Not sure if I want to celebrate my birthday when it comes ignore the fact that I am going to be in my 30's and no longer in my 20's.

Not sure why 30 has always bothered me but it has. I remember quite a while back mentally setting a goal for myself to be at my goal weight by my 30th birthday.. Not totally sure that is within reach but I never thought I would enter or complete a half marathon so guess anything is possible.

On a side note I entered a virtual 5k race http://livinthefitlife.blogspot.com/2012/10/coltons-army-virtaul-race-cancersucks.html (my first attempt at linking another blog to my page sorry if it don't work right....)

Anyway I decided to enter this 5k as the money goes to a very good cause. I have decided that any race I run or walk virtual or actually attend I want it to be for a cause. I did the Susan G. Koman back in June with my friend in honor of her mom and in honor of a lady I work with who had battled breast cancer.
The money from the race last Sunday went to help special needs children have activities they can participate in. I have friends with kids that benefit from that sort of thing.
Colton's Army virtial 5k struck me as one I had to enter and do simply because he is a young boy battling something that no one not even an adult should have to endure.
Having this approach with races may make sound weird to some but it feels right to me. I would rather my hard earned money go towards a good cause to help someone or help fund research to cure cancers and other diseases.

Not sore??????

I am starting to get a bit confused, slightly frustrated and wondering if I didn't push hard enough.

For the race I did 13.1 miles which wasn't counting the long walk from Metro Link to the race start and walking around there that morning killing time trying to stay warm. Then the walk back to Metro Link after race and after walking around the post race festivities.
Drove over two hours home and getting out of the car was a bit rough because I was stupid and didn't stretch much after the race. Took a hot bath some tylenol and went to bed early. Woke up Monday morning shocked to find I could still move normally. My right hip joint was sore but quite a bit of that came from driving and being tense while driving (I hate city driving and large interstates).

Everyone at work was surprised I was moving Monday morning and I admit I was too. The receptionist and several friends were like oh wait until tomorrow it will catch up with you and you won't be able to move. Ok Tuesday came and went I was an idiot and wore heels to work and hundreds of trips up and down the stairs my hip was a bit sore.

So today I wake up feeling totally normal hip is back to its normal and still no muscle soreness. Now is when I am wondering if I didn't push hard enough on Sunday even though I was going as fast and hard as my legs would let me. Or if I am stronger than I thought I gave my self credit for. Either way I am ready to get back to training and get my schedule back on track. I like having my hour away from work to get a couple miles in on my lunch break and I haven't done that yet this week. But since I am not sore haven't been sore I think its safe to resume my workouts.

Now what to do...

Feels slightly strange to not have any goals ahead of me. This past year I started and finished EMT school and became a licensed EMT. Started training for a half marathon which took from July until last week now that race has came and gone. Been busy with fire department for auctions almost every weekend since March/April and last Saturday was more than likely the last one of the year.

Not sure what to do now I am so used to being crazy busy going non stop and now I am looking at the calendar thinking gee now what. This weekend I am taking the kids to a friends birthday party at a local pumpkin patch. Blake has only been to a pumpkin patch once when he was 3 and Nathan has never been. So I hope its a fun afternoon for all 3 of us and hope the weather is nice as well.

Next Wednesday is the last day of the month and Halloween where did the year go! Blake has his costume and well I am undecided on Nathans. I did schedule a vacation day so I can attend Blake's Halloween party at school as well as his Halloween parade. Then I will be able to get them both ready to go to the trunk or treat at the school and St. James Fire Dept. Blake has never been in to trick or treating so he is fine with one or two stops. Since we now live across from my grandparents I can make that the last stop of the night so they can see the boys.

Last year I took the boys to see their great great grandma at her nursing home. I don't plan on doing that this year. Unless my Grandma wants to tag along with me because otherwise my Great Grandma won't know who we are. Which could result in her being not very nice last year she was slightly grumpy and kept asking who I was.

There is a 5k/10k in Belle December 1st that I may sign up for so I can keep up with my running and training. And the money goes for a good cause.

Still trying to process Sunday's race and all the thoughts that come with it. I have had a few friends tell me they were impressed saying its a huge deal. I guess in my mind a half isn't a huge deal now if I would have won or placed or done a full marathon that's a huge deal.

The actual race!

Race day!!!! We woke up around 3:30 am and started getting ready. I was far from hungry but I went ahead and drank a couple glasses of water and ate a banana. We took pictures at her house before heading across the river to downtown St. Louis. It was quite chilly out we wore short sleeve shirts Capri's and then our team sparkle skirts. As we were walking towards the start line we had several race photographers stopping us wanting pictures because they loved our skirts. I honestly never thought that we would stand out that much in them. The whole day we had compliments on them and people wanting pictures and to know where I got them.

before leaving her house. Yes I hate this picture of me I think its cause my hair is all pulled back.

 

The race was to start at 7 am. We were corral 20 the last one in the race when we signed up we put a slow time in and maybe that was silly. I had never signed up for a race like that before so I wasn't sure what to expect. My only goal going in was to finish get that darn medal and not be the last one across the line. As we were standing there we talked with several other people who were racing saw many that were much older than us and then amazed at the ones who were in the single digit corrals. Really wondered how fast they ran. Several in our corral were first timers which was cool I was worried I would be the heaviest one there well that wasn't the case. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was. I am a super shy person so it was a bit strange just talking to complete strangers but they gave us good tips advice etc.

Freezing before dayligh and before the race started. I loved our hydration packs just didn't like where the chest strap went across.

 

It took us 30 min for our corral to start and quickly after it began we were getting passed. I wasn't to concerned as I knew as long as we kept up with 15-18 min miles we would be fine. My friend was worried about everyone passing us but I told her just wait and mid way we will be passing them as most started out to fast. We stayed towards the back of the pack which was fine there wasn't people to try and dart around and not croweded. Plus it was nice getting to talk to others and cheer them on and we got several pep talks from other women that were around us. There wasn't as many bands along the way as they had advertised and most of the streets were empty no spectators which was a bit boring. But when we would come to places where there were people I loved reading the posters they had made and hearing them cheer everyone on.

 

The first few miles went pretty quick then we got out away from the downtown area and was in residential areas and that's when it got a bit boring. My friend was always a few strides ahead of me which was ok I just told her she couldn't lose me. I am not a city person so as long as she was in my sights I was fine. By mile 7 we had went up a few decent hills and my hips hated me with a major passion. I kept going slowed to about a 3.5 mph walk we had been walking at 4.0 and higher. We talked to several others that were walking about the same time which passed the time. I texted a few friends that I knew would be supportive and tell me to keep going. Mile 10 and 11 were my worst more hills and I could no longer feel my lower back and hips my feet were fine which that was what I was worried most about.

 

Mile 11 was my wall I wanted to quit let the sweeper van pick me up and be done. But I am not a quitter and I knew I would beat myself up for stopping for ever. Sent a couple more text and shed a couple tears but pushed on. I knew that if I made it 11 miles (twice as far as my farthest training I had done) I could go on to the finish line.

 

Around mile 10 or 11 we caught up with a lady who was walking by herself so I walked with her for a while and we talked. She had kids older than mine and her mom had brought them to cheer her on. It was so sweet her kids were so excited. I could tell she had lost some weight prior and she was struggling. I talked to her for quite awhile and she said don't let me hold you back. I said I came in to this with no other goal than to not be last and to finish and get the medal I don't care about the time. Her kids met up with her around mile 12 so I caught back up with my friend. Mid way thru mile 12 my friend sped up again and was with another lady who had been ahead of us for a while. Well I looked back looking for the lady I had walked with earlier and didn't see her. But saw another lady coming up who looked to be struggling as much as I was. So I walked with her and learned she was twice my age and it was her first ever half as well. I ended up walking with her and talking to mile 13. They had a photo thing set up over head so my friend and I ran hand in hand across that then I knew that I couldn't run any more unless I wanted to trip and fall. I sure didn't want that to be my official finish picture! My friend once again rain ahead to have the "awesome" finish picture she wanted. I still looked for that first mom I had walked with but still didn't see her. But found the last lady I had talked to and she was alone as her group had went ahead long ago. So I decided to go across the finish line with her. Once we crossed we told each other great job and did a high five she was almost to tears and I could tell she was very proud of herself.

 

I got my medal and wasn't prepared for the overwhelming emotion that came with it. I contained it but dang it was hard. My friend and I got a couple pictures after the race with our medals and she took off to get the free beer that each finisher got. I didn't want anything other than cold Gatorade and to sit on the curb. So while she went to go get her drink I called my husband who was shocked that I finished and texted several friends.

 

We were more than ready to head back to the metro link and back to her car. The 2 block walk to the metro link sucked I knew part of my weakness was from only having a banana and then half a bagel prior to race start. We made it back to her car and then she wanted to get something to take home and eat for her and her husband. We stopped at a sub place called Firemen's Subs and we walked in and still had our race outfit and bib on so more compliments and comments from strangers. Another group that had came from the race was behind us in line. I got my sandwich and a soda and planned on eating mine on my two hour drive home. We stopped at a cupcake place that's a few blocks from her house and well cupcakes are a weakness. Its two friends that opened up the place they make everything all organic and use less sugar than regular and were the best tasting cupcakes I had ever got. So I got some regular size and some minis to take home to my boys.

The ones on the right were neopalitan and very yummy! 

I loaded up my car and got on the road still in my race outfit. Got lost once trying to get back on the right interstate. Once I got back in to Missouri and on I-44 I stopped at White Castle and got a crave case to take home to my boys. They all love them especially the kids they think they are mini hamburgers and that they are super cool. I ate a couple on the way home since I decided not to eat my sub in the car. Was never so glad to see the exit for St. James!!

 

I wanted nothing more than to get home get out of my clothes and in a hot bath but had to drive on an extra 12 miles to pick up Blake from my mom's house. I was standing in the driveway when they pulled in and I noticed my mom laughing. I was like great do I look that bad!!! She got out and said that when they crossed the cattle guard and saw me standing at the car she told Blake who's mommy is here?? He goes I don't know cause that ain't my mommy! Of course he loved my medal and asked if I could enter him in a race so he could get his own!

Finally got home and in the bath and then Nathan and Kenny came in from their walk in the woods. Nathan was excited to see me and liked my medal too but was more fascinated with the cupcakes and white castle burgers. By 8pm I was ready to fall asleep and tried watching the Cardinals game but slept thru most of it. Kenny got back from taking Blake to my in-laws house and was like how was the game. Uh well I slept thru it don't think I missed much they lost.

 

Was shocked that when I woke up this morning I wasn't sore only place that hurts is my right hip joint and that's common for me after a lot of walking or hard workout. Midway thru the race I was like never ever again will I attempt this I will stick with 5ks etc. Well today I have decided yes I will do another just make sure to learn from this one and train a bit different. But I do want to do some 5ks and 10ks as well as a warrior dash. I hope to find some semi local races that have the kids race so my oldest can come along and run that to get his own medal.

The race shirt that we were given was pretty cool

Its short sleeved and I like that it has the year on it. The purple ones we wore didn't have the year just the race place and distance.

I also bought myself this shirt at the expo really wanted it in short sleeve but they were out of them must be a popular one. But I think I may order one next spring. They had tons of shirts with some really cool sayings. My friend got one that said will run for beer.

My first Half Marathon recap!

What a weekend and what a race. This post will have lots of pictures from pre race. I will do another post of just the race day.

Saturday morning I got up early and went to help set up for an auction. I stayed until Kathy showed up and really the only reason I went to help that morning was to see her before I left to head to my friends house in Illinois. I left my pink tongs for her to use in case she wanted to help cook. The drive to Lesley's wasn't to bad there was quite a bit of traffic but I was excited and just ready to be there. After arriving at her house we went to a running store that was close by. I had never been to a real running store before (joys of small town life) They watched me walk barefoot and told me what kind of shoe I needed. In total me fashion I picked out a pink pair and of course they weren't the "right" ones for my feet but we found a pink and grey pair of Nikes and as soon as I put them on I was in heaven! Who knew shoes could be so great, so I wore them out of the store.

My new shoes :) 

Got to have my first ever real Starbucks experience and while it was great I don't think I could for see myself spending that much on cappuccino daily.

 

We went on over to St. Louis to Americas Center to the Expo for the race. It was so awesome walking in getting your bib number then going in to see all the booths. We found matching purple brooks running shirts that had the St. Louis Rock N' Roll logo on the bottom. We shopped and looked at all the cool stuff. Found lots of products that I had heard about on other blogs so it was nice to see them in person. My friend was surprised knew so much about how the expo worked and all the vendors etc. I was like well I have been reading lots of running blogs for the past several months. Guess it paid off.

I think seeing this clock made it very real that the race was close! 

After we went thru the expo we walked a couple blocks to a fancy pizza place called Pi. I am far from a city person but was willing to give this new place a try. Wish I would have took pictures of the inside it was pretty cool. Our appetizer was great but I wasn't to impressed with the pizza. My friend loved it but I ate it but doubt I will have it again. It was called East Loop and had onions, mushrooms chicken and cheese all of that I was fine with. But they had pesto on the top and well it looked gross and I realized I am NOT a fan of pesto.... I had two slices and 3 glasses of water. While sitting there several fire trucks kept pulling up right across the street. I counted 8 in all so I was fascinated in watching them and probably the only one in the place that noticed it. We went outside and I made her walk an extra block so I could look at the trucks and see what they were doing yep I think I am crazy.

On our way back to her house we decided to stop and buy hair color and do each other's hair. I hadn't had anything done to mine since June and I was ready to go back all brown for the winter. She had tried doing hers a while back but wanted to go a bit darker and make it more even. So we spent the evening coloring each other's hair and both turned out great. Her little girl was so cute she kept coming in the bathroom watching us and then run back out. We went to bed around 9 since we had to be up by 4 to get ready for the race. I slept fair between nerves and hearing all the city life.. dogs barking next door, neighbors talking at 2 am and traffic.

Less than 2 days to go!

Less that two days.. More like 46 hours and some odd minutes until the St. Louis Rock N' Roll Half Marathon. Yes I am still petrified and yes I still haven't found a shirt to wear but I do love my sparkle skirt and my under armour carpi's I bought.

Need to pack my stuff all up tonight and hope to find a shirt tomorrow either at the expo or when my best friend and I go shopping after the expo. I am really looking forward to some good quality time with her tomorrow we will have the whole day just the two of us shopping and having girl fun. After the long stressful crappy week I've had I think its much needed.

So last weekend I told my husband how far the race was and this week he has bounced back and forth between saying I won't be able to do it or finish it to last night saying it would be tight if we had to walk a lot to get the 13.1 done in 4 hours. Then he told me that he told his Grandma (who is a grumpy very opinionated woman) that I was doing a race and how far and I told him I didn't want to hear what her snide remark was. After a whole week of several people saying I am crazy, dumb, stupid won't be able to do it etc. I have decided if we have to crawl we will finish this race to prove everyone wrong and prove we can do it.

I know it will by far be the hardest thing I have done ever but I also think it will be one of the most rewarding things. Second to the birth of my boys :) Over dinner last night I told my husband that my friend and I were signing up for a race after Thanksgiving and told him he should join us. He thought about it and said maybe... Then I told him that I had been eyeing a race that I wanted him to do with me because you needed a partner. I want to do a Warrior Dash race and I have heard its easier to do those with someone you know so you always have help at the obstacles if you need it. I think they look like tons of fun and would love to do one.

Can't wait for the race Sunday to take pictures of it and get some good pictures of me and my best friend all sparkly in our race skirts. And to make some more awesome memories with her before she moves away.