Summer is coming ito an end....

It's been awhile since I last posted - this summer has been crazy! We were in 14 different states this summer....all in a car. This picture sums that up:

A lot of naps in the car, movies, and snacks got us from Virginia to Minnesota, Virginia to Corolla, and then Corolla to Florida. Whew! Fun Fun Fun summer.

Sam is gearing up for his first 1/2 Ironman in Williamsburg, Va. I'm so excited to watch him complete this race - it's been a long time coming. He's worked really hard to get here and we are all so proud of him!

What have I been up too? I just finished 8 weeks of P90X and now I'm incorporating running to get ready for the Army 10 Miler. This will be the first time I'm doing this race - really excited about it. I'm discovering that to feel my best I need to be strength training and running/biking/swimming. If you want to do it, you'll find the time. Right?

I have started back at work - kids show up Tuesday. I love being with all my peeps at work again, so fun! Sammy starts Kindergarten and his orientation is today. I might cry, I also might throw up. Hopefully there will be no pictures of either.

Hope everyone is transitioning into Fall. I can't WAIT for pumpkin season!

My first green monster and a thank you

I'm trying to step out out of my comfort zone in all areas of life. I'm a "clipboard" type personality. It needs to make sense, it needs to be on my list of things to do, and by all means I need to know in advance all the little logistics. My husband is a "beach ball". He does not have a list. He does not know the logistics. And he's always ready to go. Drives me nuts, but my Clipboard of Fun drives me nuts too.

So, my first BIG step out of my comfort zone? The Green Monster.

almond butter, chia seeds, spinach, milk (wish it was almond milk), banana

Not as green as I thought it would be 

The verdict? Delish! I really liked it. I do want to make it with almond milk next time - but I was all out. Bummer. Glad I stepped out on this one - smoothie for breakfast is the best for me!

Always ready for a party

Not even sure what this was for, but he was ready

Also - A big THANK YOU to Yo momma runs for the Aspaeris Pivot Compression shorts. LOVE them!!!!

From DNF to a medal in Williamsburg

My last post was about my first DNF. It was a tough pill to swallow but the very next weekend I had a 1/2 marathon in Williamsburg to do. I was very excited about this race for many reasons:

1. the run was through colonial Williamsburg = beautiful
2. this would be my last long running race until the Army 10 miler in Oct
3. this would be the first race my dad would see me run
4. this would be the first 1/2 marathon where my kids would be at the finish line

Lots of great things to be excited about. My goal for this 1/2 changed many times. It was going to be an A race, then just a race Sam and I ran together, then Sam couldn't go (but got his bib transferred to next year!), then after my DNF the weekend before it became

THE RACE I JUST NEED TO FINISH

NEED to finish. MUST finish.

My confidence wasn't too badly scared, but I was beginning to wonder if all my health issues were going to keep me from doing what I love to do. Finishing the 1/2 marathon was my goal. Period. I didn't care if it hurt, it I was hot, if I walked. I just needed to prove to myself that I'm getting stronger and whatever health issues I'm having will not define me or keep me on the couch.

The race was very well organized and did not have the crowds of people I'm used to. There were no porta potty lines! Unheard of! I followed some nutritional advice from a team mate (thanks John!) and did not have the bathroom issues I normally do. Whew! There were lots of water stops and great volunteers cheering us along. The race started with a kindergarten girl singing the National Anthem - real tear jerker. Then a man got on the mic to wish us luck and start the race. He was one of the first responders at 9/11 and is a NYC firefighter. He and guys from NYC run races all over the country to raise funds for different charities. It was very cool to have him there.

The horn went off and my feet started going. I crossed the start line 5 seconds after the official start time. That should tell you how small the race was. I've had races where I didn't cross the start until 45 minutes after the start time. In the first few minutes I had a contact malfunction, but got it situated and kept my feet moving.

I finished. It was long, hot, and on mostly cobble stone roads. I gotta tell you, those cobble stones HURT. The race finished on the William and Mary stadium 50 yard line. I came into the stadium, went around the track, and saw my whole family cheering for me. My mom, dad, aunt, uncle, cousin, and both the boys. What a crowd! They announced my  name (which instantly puts me on celebrity status) and I crossed. I received my medal from a group of young girls that were super cute.

I did it. I finished. I will finish more. Each one is special and I can't wait to do more!

My First DNF

Ah, the DNF. Did. Not. Finish. It does not sound great and it feels even worse. This is the tale of my first DNF:

Mother's Day. The perfect day to do a tri. People cheering for me, being alone with my thoughts, breaking a sweat. All great for a mother. We went down to Lake Anna on Saturday (after Sam graduated from NOVA!!!) and stayed with friends. We had a house right on the water, lots of room for the kids to play, and we were close to the race site.

Saturday started like any other day. I ate breakfast and got ready for the day. I then started to feel terrible. I made it through lunch - barely - and took a quick nap. I made it through Sam's graduation and then slept most of the drive to the lake. I started to feel better and ate some dinner. I figured I'd feel better in the morning and everything would be great.

I woke up Sunday and ate a banana and had coffee. Got everything together and went to the race site. The sprint started at 9am, plenty of time to hit up bathrooms (yep, plural), get all my stuff racked up, and make sure my bike was ready to start on a steep incline.

I got in my wet suit (which I hate) and got marked up - ready to go!

like spanx

That's pure determination right there

I was in the 5th wave out of 7 (i think) - purple caps. Sam told me not to sprint in, just go in easy and keep my  heart rate down. So, when the horn sounded I calmly got in and then started to swim. I got about 5 strokes in and realized "something's wrong". I picked my head up, did the breast stroke for a minute to calm my breathing and then got back to freestyle. A few mores strokes and I headed to the first volunteer on a surfboard. I grabbed on and tried to slow my breathing. It didn't really work, so I just kept swimming. I swam along and stopped two more times before deciding "Today is not my day".

Stepping out of a race is a decision I haven't had to make before. It feels crappy. I felt terrible my family came to watch me and I wasn't going to race. I felt silly for not being able to complete the race. I was embarrassed. Ugh. I got in the boat with 4 other people. I was the only one with tears streaming down my face. I felt silly about that, but I was genuinely upset that I wasn't going to finish the race.

It took a while for the boat to drop us off. I got off the boat and had to walk down the shore to where Sam was waiting. There he was. Right on the beach, practically in the water, looking for me. There were only a few people left in the water and Sam looked nervous. I called his name and as he found me and walked towards me I just lost it. He gave me a huge hug and I cried hard for a minute. Sam told me he was so proud of me, there are other races, and now we need to cheer for our teammates.

I was worried about the reaction I would get after saying "I didn't make it through the swim". I was met with "oh, that's happened to me" or "there's other races, other days" and hugs. I got lots of hugs. It's pretty nice to be part of a team that has been through the ups and downs of racing and can help others get through it.

Going to work today I still am thinking about that swim. What if I had just floated through it? Surely I could have gotten through it somehow. Then as I sat in a department meeting my supervisor explained the meaning behind a gift she was giving out. Her father knew this girl that had been training for a triathlon and was hit by a drunk driver while out on a ride. She was totally paralyzed, left the hospital unable to walk or speak. This was 10 years ago. She has regained some use of her left hand and started painting. My supervisor gave me a gift of 4 cards that this woman painted. They are beautiful. I might even frame them. Puts that DNF in perspective.

I did not finish a swim. True. It felt like crap. Even more true. I will learn from it and move on. Does it define me? Nope. Will it make me a better triathlete? I sure hope so!

Cherry Blossom 10 miler and a new record

Sunday was the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. It was lots of fun, a little chilly, and a lot crowded. There weren't a whole lot of Cherry Blossoms to see. Our freakishly warm weather the last few weeks and now cold weather have all plants in a WTF state.

5 am wake up call. Pretty excited to hit the Metro

View getting off the metro. We basically started right at the Monument

Start/Finish line

We walked with purpose to the first porta potty we could find. I read there would be 180 - which I was pretty sure I'd use them. I used the porta potty two times before the race. Pretty normal.

Lining up in our choral. Naturally I feel the need for the bathroom again

Holy cow there were SO many people.

First potty stop was at .2 miles. This is at 3 miles. 15 minute wait. ugh

I felt terrible waiting 15 minutes for the bathroom, but I had to. I had no idea when the next one would be.

As always Sam is super happy

Drum circle. It was awesome

Some times Sam pushed the pace

Sometimes I pushed the pace

The only group of Cherry Blossoms I saw

Beautiful flowers everywhere

At the end of the race my bathroom stops totaled 5. Who does that? That's my record for sure. Two before and three during the run. I really need to figure out how to fix that. I spent 22 minutes on bathroom stops during the race. Not what I want to be doing.

The race was great. The sun never came out and the water stops were plenty. Sam really liked the distance - nice that he did a 1/2 marathon (first time) and then the 10 miler (first time). My only complaint about the race was the post food stuff. We had to walk a while after finishing for the water. Normally it's shoved right in your face. We eventually found wrapped muffins - but we found no other food at all. We decided to just get to the metro and eat at home.

Classic ask the stranger to take our pic

Line for the metro. Went pretty fast. 

I think next year my 10 miler will be the Army 10 miler. I haven't done that one yet. I do love to run with military peeps - seriously motivating.

A week in the life....

 A full time working mother of two (sometimes 3 - sorry Sam). I have a small amount of time to get shit done:

Sunday: 8 mile run, Easter Egg hunt in neighborhood, Sam takes boys bowling. Then this happened:

Mason dropped a 15 pound bowling ball on his toe. He said he will never bowl again. :( Good thing I got so much done already. Spent the rest of the day snuggling my poor guy.


Monday: Full day of work and meetings with Mason at my side. Come home to give 2 hours of private therapy. Run 2.5 miles and do 30 minutes of yoga. Sam biked while I played with kids. Sam cooked this for dinner:

It was delicious. I'm pretty lucky that he is such a good cook.

Tuesday:  Work a full day. Pick up Sammy's Kindergarten packet. Come home and bike while the boys play outside. Sam cooked this for dinner:

Wednesday: Work a full day. Do a quick jog. Pick up the boys and find that Mason's toe is leaking. Neighbor cleaned it for me. Called the Dr's office to make an appointment at 4:15. They had a 4:30 opening! I picked up Mason and flew to the car. We were x-rayed, seen by the Dr. and out the door by 4:50. It was great! No break, no infection. Just keep an eye on it. Went to in-laws for dinner.

Thursday: Busy day at work. Spring Break starts tomorrow afternoon - crazy buzz at school when that happens. I'm thinking tons about our race on Sunday. Cherry Blossom 10 miler. I have the boys sleeping at Grandma's for the race and packet pickup will be Saturday morning.

Friday: I cannot predict the future (Sam thinks he can) but I do know what my day will look like tomorrow. Why? I'm a clipboard. That's what we do. I'll work. Give 2 hours of therapy. Play with the boys. Head out to a jewelry party.

Something great that happened today? My picture is featured on one of my favorite blogs!

Happy almost Spring Break! I'll be back with a Cherry Blossom report Monday.

Double thumbs up

Double "thumbs" up

I hate change, but SOMETIMES change is.....

The answer. I hate change a lot. I'm a clipboard. I'm a schedule person. I'm a make a list and cross it out person. I will put things on the list I already did just so I can cross them off. I love it. I love to get shit done.

My husband is a beach ball. He's go with the flow. He rolls with the punches and just lets it all happen. Somehow we don't kill each other.

We have really come together on nutrition and training. Turns out the perfect combination for us is a little bit of my structure and a little bit of his flow.

My structure: My Fitness Pal
Sam's Flow: Weigh in after a few good days of eating - not EVERY morning and screaming at the scale

We both need to mark progress in what we are able to do and how our clothes feel. I do have a new trick. Wanna see it?

Sam was able to catch that moment. The FIRST time I've ever been able to do that yoga pose. I was so excited I almost cried. That's something, right? Haven't had the strength, balance, or nerve to do it before.

Also, today, my pants were a little loose. Team Hardman is about to become unstoppable!