Let's take a look back and some that I almost forgot about.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Five Amazing Years
It's easy to remember the day they were born. Almost like it was yesterday even. That moment is etched in your mind. Here I am at his fifth birthday. He has grown so much. There are so many moments that aren't etched in my mind. I wish they were. I have lots of photos to help me remember the little things, trips we took, people we saw, new experiences.
Let's take a look back and some that I almost forgot about.
He has grown up before our eyes. Such a sweet, caring, emotional little creature. I think we'll keep him around. Even when he acts like a moody teenager, I know it's because there's a lot going on inside him that he just doesn't know how to process it. We are very proud of the big boy he's becoming.
Let's take a look back and some that I almost forgot about.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
I hoped, I thought, I did
I went to the race with my friend Julie and her husband. Julie and I put ourselves between the 2:10 and 2:20 pacers (they hold up signs and balloons and you put yourself in the corral you want). We stayed together the first 10 miles. It was such a treat to have someone by my side and help point out distractions (like the marathoner who appeared to have intentionally wet her pants in the first 3 miles).
The first 3 miles are on a road taking you to the trails. The next 7 are on a crushed gravel trail with nice scenery. I felt pretty good after finishing mile 9. Then once we got through mile 10 all I could think is dear lord, is this almost over? Julie went on ahead at the pace we had been going. I slowed down but kept running. It truly became a mental game the last 2 miles. Spectators kept promising the finish line was close. And finally I saw the 13 mile marker. It really was almost over. Once I had the finish line in my sights, my pace naturally picked up. My chip time was 2:17:52. I am very pleased. I made it through my first half marathon. I ran the whole distance and finished well ahead of my goal. And I have the medal to prove it.
We milled around afterwards looking for the short lines to free food. I got a slice of cinnamon chip bread and put a hunk of butter on it. And then we went to the beer garden for a sample of local brew. A girl needs whole grains, fat, and carbs to refuel, right?
Once I got back home, I stretched out on the couch with ice bags on my toes. They are the only parts with visible damage. I am down from 9 to 8 healthy toe nails. But I think that is evidence of good runs.
The first 3 miles are on a road taking you to the trails. The next 7 are on a crushed gravel trail with nice scenery. I felt pretty good after finishing mile 9. Then once we got through mile 10 all I could think is dear lord, is this almost over? Julie went on ahead at the pace we had been going. I slowed down but kept running. It truly became a mental game the last 2 miles. Spectators kept promising the finish line was close. And finally I saw the 13 mile marker. It really was almost over. Once I had the finish line in my sights, my pace naturally picked up. My chip time was 2:17:52. I am very pleased. I made it through my first half marathon. I ran the whole distance and finished well ahead of my goal. And I have the medal to prove it.
We milled around afterwards looking for the short lines to free food. I got a slice of cinnamon chip bread and put a hunk of butter on it. And then we went to the beer garden for a sample of local brew. A girl needs whole grains, fat, and carbs to refuel, right?
Once I got back home, I stretched out on the couch with ice bags on my toes. They are the only parts with visible damage. I am down from 9 to 8 healthy toe nails. But I think that is evidence of good runs.
Wish Me Luck that this Breakfast Stays Inside
I am about to go do something I've never done before, ever. Run 13.1 miles. What was I thinking?
It's the inaugural race. I needed a goal for 2010. Last year I had the Boilermaker 15K as a goal - which I'm doing again this year.
On my last training run I realized I may have joined the ranks of crazy people. Who in their right mind decides going off and doing an activity for that long, and so hard on their body, would be good idea?
I was wearing running tights, a tee, lightweight hoodie, baseball cap, and gloves. It was raining when I left and rained for almost an hour. In the last 10 minutes of my run that day I saw a woman wearing shorts and a tee. I thought to myself, "clearly, she just left her house. and me, I left my house a really long time ago and am a little overdressed."
It is already 56 degrees at 5 am. I love NC weather. I'll get to see the sunrise while on the American Tobacco Trail with more than 1000 other crazy people. It's going to be fun, painful, and I will hopefully cross that finish line faster than I planned with a great sense of accomplishment. I hope, I think, I can.
It's the inaugural race. I needed a goal for 2010. Last year I had the Boilermaker 15K as a goal - which I'm doing again this year.
On my last training run I realized I may have joined the ranks of crazy people. Who in their right mind decides going off and doing an activity for that long, and so hard on their body, would be good idea?
I was wearing running tights, a tee, lightweight hoodie, baseball cap, and gloves. It was raining when I left and rained for almost an hour. In the last 10 minutes of my run that day I saw a woman wearing shorts and a tee. I thought to myself, "clearly, she just left her house. and me, I left my house a really long time ago and am a little overdressed."
It is already 56 degrees at 5 am. I love NC weather. I'll get to see the sunrise while on the American Tobacco Trail with more than 1000 other crazy people. It's going to be fun, painful, and I will hopefully cross that finish line faster than I planned with a great sense of accomplishment. I hope, I think, I can.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time for Our Thinking Chair
A few weeks back I was browsing around Target. I saw this great green stripe polo shirt. I thought it would be perfect for Travis. He didn't own any green short sleeve shirts. I was so proud. It waited in his drawer until the special day came around. Man, I'm so good. Planning ahead and stuff.
Then came St. Patrick's Day. Nicholas put on his Green Lantern t-shirt and some jeans. I dressed Travis in his new shirt and tan corduroy pants. And well, if it was also dress as your favorite TV icon we would have killed 2 birds with one outfit, for sure.
Then came St. Patrick's Day. Nicholas put on his Green Lantern t-shirt and some jeans. I dressed Travis in his new shirt and tan corduroy pants. And well, if it was also dress as your favorite TV icon we would have killed 2 birds with one outfit, for sure.
"wanna watch Boo Coos, mommy"
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Mommy Dates
Friday with Nicholas
I put in my 40 hours and logged off before noon. I had a lot of business hour errands to run. It's tough when you're supposed to be working and other important matters are conducted at that same time. Nicholas agreed to be patient on these boring errands that may require standing in line. First stop, immunization records at the ped's office. Adrian was my hero and went downtown last week to get a certified copy of a birth certificate. Next stop, elementary school to register for the fall. Nicolas paced around the office while I filled out forms. Much to his dismay he only got to see the office and peek into the cafeteria. Then we got a snack at Bruegger's. We went to the Y to get some information and lots of brochures. The Y has an after-school program on site (yeah!) and for track-out there's a bus that takes them up to the Y in the morning. And the cost of all this Y fun is sooo much cheaper than daycare. We could even become members, which we might actually be able to afford soon.
The Nicholas-centered errands were complete. On to the more boring errands. I offered to drop him off at home but he decided to hang in there. We took my car to be inspected, because that is always fun. Fun as in, I wonder what will keep me from passing on the first try this year. Previously it was O2 sensors. And guess what, this time it's my front tires. Oh joy. Maybe we're not joining the Y just yet. I paid part of the fee and can come back within 60 days - with new tires - and pay the remainder of the fee. The last errand of the day, the post office to mail my sister's birthday present (yes, her birthday was last month, but she loves me anyway).
We returned home feeling a little tired but a lot was accomplished. Time to start the weekend!
Saturday with Travis
This was the day for shorter but more fun errands. Travis and I went to Panera for lunch. He is a great eating companion because he is not picky and tries new food. We shared a tomato basil mozz panini, veggie soup, and chips. Yummy. On the way back to the car he wanted to sit at a table outside. So we did. Just in case it was different than sitting inside. Then we went to Target to pick up a few things like band-aids, tea latte concentrate, you know - essentials of every day life. Stopped by REI to get assorted gu, shot blocks, power bars, and do some general browsing. We stopped by the water fountain just to watch for a minute. We picked up a sandwich from Mcalister's for Adrian then went by Starbucks for beverages. I let Travis run around in the greenspace with all the other kids. It's amusing because he isn't at the age where he interacts, just observes happily.
He was a very good errand date. He reminds me to slow down and look at stuff like water fountains.
I put in my 40 hours and logged off before noon. I had a lot of business hour errands to run. It's tough when you're supposed to be working and other important matters are conducted at that same time. Nicholas agreed to be patient on these boring errands that may require standing in line. First stop, immunization records at the ped's office. Adrian was my hero and went downtown last week to get a certified copy of a birth certificate. Next stop, elementary school to register for the fall. Nicolas paced around the office while I filled out forms. Much to his dismay he only got to see the office and peek into the cafeteria. Then we got a snack at Bruegger's. We went to the Y to get some information and lots of brochures. The Y has an after-school program on site (yeah!) and for track-out there's a bus that takes them up to the Y in the morning. And the cost of all this Y fun is sooo much cheaper than daycare. We could even become members, which we might actually be able to afford soon.
The Nicholas-centered errands were complete. On to the more boring errands. I offered to drop him off at home but he decided to hang in there. We took my car to be inspected, because that is always fun. Fun as in, I wonder what will keep me from passing on the first try this year. Previously it was O2 sensors. And guess what, this time it's my front tires. Oh joy. Maybe we're not joining the Y just yet. I paid part of the fee and can come back within 60 days - with new tires - and pay the remainder of the fee. The last errand of the day, the post office to mail my sister's birthday present (yes, her birthday was last month, but she loves me anyway).
We returned home feeling a little tired but a lot was accomplished. Time to start the weekend!
Saturday with Travis
This was the day for shorter but more fun errands. Travis and I went to Panera for lunch. He is a great eating companion because he is not picky and tries new food. We shared a tomato basil mozz panini, veggie soup, and chips. Yummy. On the way back to the car he wanted to sit at a table outside. So we did. Just in case it was different than sitting inside. Then we went to Target to pick up a few things like band-aids, tea latte concentrate, you know - essentials of every day life. Stopped by REI to get assorted gu, shot blocks, power bars, and do some general browsing. We stopped by the water fountain just to watch for a minute. We picked up a sandwich from Mcalister's for Adrian then went by Starbucks for beverages. I let Travis run around in the greenspace with all the other kids. It's amusing because he isn't at the age where he interacts, just observes happily.
He was a very good errand date. He reminds me to slow down and look at stuff like water fountains.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Where Does He Get It From?
Nicholas has been learning Spanish for a few years at school. He has a pretty good basic vocabulary. I try to build on it by teaching him short phrases. Recently I taught him "the cat in the hat" is "el gato en el sombrero". Coincidentally, Dr. Seuss is the author of the month at school. He brought home a photocopy of the book cover to color yesterday. During the ride home I tried to get him to translate it.
Me: What's this?
Nick: El Papel.
Me: Smart alleck.
Nick: I have a cousin Alec. He is smart.
Later in the drive (the evening commute can be 30-45 minutes) we were discussing the proper terminology for body parts, i.e. what the doctor would call them.
Nick: Zachary calls them tenders.
Me: The doctor word is testicles.
Nick: Like on an octopus?
Me: No, those are tentacles.
Me: What's this?
Nick: El Papel.
Me: Smart alleck.
Nick: I have a cousin Alec. He is smart.
Later in the drive (the evening commute can be 30-45 minutes) we were discussing the proper terminology for body parts, i.e. what the doctor would call them.
Nick: Zachary calls them tenders.
Me: The doctor word is testicles.
Nick: Like on an octopus?
Me: No, those are tentacles.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Running Fears
One of my fears while running is being chased by a dog. I hear them barking as I come near and I hope they're behind a fence. I'm not a big dog lover, they just don't do it for me. Very high maintenance.
I was out for my long run on Saturday. Within the first mile I could hear a dog behind me with his metal tags clanging. I stopped and ordered him to "go home!" and pointed back to where we came from. He just looked at me. He was kind of cute, just a pup. A white huskie or something like that - if I had to guess a breed. I was like, fine, I'll run you back because I was sure his owner would be calling for him. No such luck. I saw a lady with her granddaughter getting out of a car near where I thought I picked up this dog. She knew where he belonged and agreed to return him. She even knew his name and went with her without even looking back.
It reminded me of when I was hiking on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. A German boy, a Canadian girl, and me. A farm dog started following us and was determined that he just had to be with us. All day. We hiked, he ran ahead and waited, or followed. Run off to an open field and come back. On the way back to our B&B the dog separated and went back to his farm as if he did this all the time.
I was out for my long run on Saturday. Within the first mile I could hear a dog behind me with his metal tags clanging. I stopped and ordered him to "go home!" and pointed back to where we came from. He just looked at me. He was kind of cute, just a pup. A white huskie or something like that - if I had to guess a breed. I was like, fine, I'll run you back because I was sure his owner would be calling for him. No such luck. I saw a lady with her granddaughter getting out of a car near where I thought I picked up this dog. She knew where he belonged and agreed to return him. She even knew his name and went with her without even looking back.
It reminded me of when I was hiking on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. A German boy, a Canadian girl, and me. A farm dog started following us and was determined that he just had to be with us. All day. We hiked, he ran ahead and waited, or followed. Run off to an open field and come back. On the way back to our B&B the dog separated and went back to his farm as if he did this all the time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)