Who has time for that?

I had a completely different post in mind for today, but my plans (as so often happens) have changed.  I woke up yesterday morning with what I'm hoping is going to be a short-lived cold. 

I can't imagine I'm the only mom who thinks that they just don't have time to be sick.  I have a full time job, a husband, and three kids.  As if this weren't enough, this week is even more important!  For the last three months, I have been planning and training for a race this Saturday morning. 

So, my stubborn nature is going into overdrive.  I stayed home yesterday and today, and I'm working from home loaded down with vitamins, nyquil, chicken soup, hot tea, and lots of naps.  

Luckily, I'm starting to feel better and I'm confident that this little blip won't get in the way of me PR'ing (achieving a personal best race time) this weekend.  This is my third half marathon and the one I'm most excited about.

My first half marathon was in June 2010 with Team in Training (the ZOOMA Half Marathon) and it was full of doubt and stress and uncertainty.  Team in training helped, but nothing can prepare you for that first long distance event.  It was almost 90 degrees by the time the race gun went off at 7:30 am in Annapolis, MD.  As seasoned racers collapsed from the heat at different points on the course, I kept on my feet and moving forward.  I must have been gray at some points as people from TNT kept asking if I was ok.  No, I was not ok.  The first 8 miles were ok, but after that I started to crash.  Between my 'monthly friend' and the heat, I was limited to a fast walk with some short jogs mixed in.  Running was not even an option.  I would feel the heat wash over me whenever I tried.  So, I chugged along as best I could.  And when I saw my mother-in-law, husband, and two girls (Callie hadn't joined us yet :)) waiting for me at the finish line, I dug deep and found enough reserve to jog across the finish line. 

Taryn and Karen (MIL) at Zooma Annapolis Half Marathon

I learned a lot about myself that day.  I knew I was determined, but I didn't know how strong I was.  It took all my mental strength to finish that race.  Afterwards, I spent 30 minutes with the EMT techs, who gave me fluids and told me that they'd never seen so many people need support at a race.  From that discussion, I learned NOT to ever do a long distance run in the summer again.  I learned that chafing is no joke - and I wasn't entirely sure that I ever wanted to do a long distance run again.  That was a short-lived uncertainty.  Of course, I was going to do another run!  And another!  And another!

I found books on better training methods and fueling techniques.  And those are the things I did differently for my next event, which was significantly later.  I got pregnant with Callie and then had a newborn to care for.  It was almost two years, when I found the next race to tackle.  The Charlotte MotorSpeedway Half Marathon in March 2012!

So about 6 months ago, I was ready for my second race.  This was going to be different, though.  Mike was going to run with me :)  And every mile was going to be marked by a NASCAR stock car (motivation for Mike).  Training every Saturday was so much fun!  Mike and I would plug in our separate IPODs and take off.  It was awesome.  The entire experience was something I'll never forget.  Mike and I ran side-by-side for 13.1 miles - there were points where I wanted to hurt his 6'3" self as he appeared not to suffer at all.  Especially, when my 'monthly friend' decided to visit again!  Grrrrr....  I hit that same wall at mile 8, but I was able to power through that one with a run/walk attack, rather than walking the last 5 as I did in my first event.  And I did beat my original time by almost 30 mins!  Pretty awesome :)  But I'm hungry for more.

Thus, I've turned half marathon #3 into a girls' weekend with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.  We're going to have a blast and no cold is going to stop that!  And bet on me beating my last time too!!!!  Stay tuned.....

Sneaking out...

When I had two children, it was easier to make time to get out and run.  Work wasn't as demanding and I was able to find the time after work or on the weekends...  And when I really needed to get a run in and I had to, I would load the girls into the double jogger and we'd all head out.  Those were MUCH slower runs, but runs nonetheless. 

After my third, Callie, was born, it seemed to become more difficult to get out and not feel guilty about it.  I got a promotion at work, which meant more time in the office and working at night after everyone was in bed.  And it meant that once I got home, I needed to spend that time with the kids so that none of us felt cheated.  The result?  Running became a chore, and fitting a run in became more stressful than anything else.  And that was the opposite of what running was meant to be for me...  So after a lot of struggling and talking with Mike about the right game plan, it came down to what I swore in my twenties I would NEVER do.

I decided to get up at 5 AM to get my running in.  At first, it was a struggle.  That is just early!  But I found that waking up before everyone else allowed me to do what I wanted to without any guilt at all.  It's one of the best changes I've made.  I set my clothes out the night before and when I get up, I drag my tired self downstairs.  It takes me all of 10 minuntes to get out the door and it's just like when you're a teenager and you don't want your parents to hear you.  You tiptoe around, close doors as quietly as you can, tiptoe back and forth because you forgot your water bottle, then your visor, and finally the earbuds for your IPOD.  And then you finally step out (closing that front door ever-so-quietly) and there's fresh, quiet air waiting for you.  

Knowing that everyone is sleeping allows me to focus on me and me, alone.  It's probably the only time all week that I can do that.  I'm a mother at home and at work.  I'm always thinking about my babies, my husband, or my team.  Something I do is always about making things better for someone else.  But these hours before all of that begins is all about me...

Sometimes, I run with my best running buddy.  Sometimes, she sleeps in (she's got a newborn on her hands).  When it's just me, I either blast my IPOD or I just go without and let my mind coast.  It all depends on my mood. 

I will say this, though.  In this regard, running is just like sex to me.  No matter how much I don't want to do it at first, once I get going I'm into it.  And afterwards, I never think, "Damn, I wish I hadn't done that."  I'm always glad I did... ;-)

How the heck did I get here?!

In high school, I was a lot of things.  Studious, hardworking, more than slightly self-conscious, boy-crazy ;-)...  But if I could to give myself a "least-likely" title, it would probably be "Least likely to run a marathon".  I know, I know, pretty specific.  But that's because my adult life is centered around running.  And it occurred to me the other day that as an adult I am someone that my adolescent self would have envied.  That is such a cool feeling.

So, yes, my life is centered around running.  Well, not quite centered.  Let's say off-center.  The center of my universe is dominated by three little beauties (Tricity, 3; Isabella, 2; and Callie, 1). 

(what looks like a baby in the back round, is just a doll - NOT an actual baby)

And just off that center are my two other passions:  My husband, the love of my life and my greatest supporter.  And running. 

Isn't that crazy that running ranks that high on my list?  A bad day at work, a rough day at home, a fight with the hubby, and just about anything else can be put into perspective by a good (sometimes LONG) run.

Ever since high school, I've been active.  At one point, I was a trainer and for a little whiel, even owned a health club.  So, naturally, fitness is very important to me.  But my love affair with running is fairly new...  It's been about 3 years, I'd say.

So, why start documenting it now?  Well, I've finally hit my stride (in a matter of speaking) and I'm no longer shy about talking about this.  I have found that I've actually inspired other people...  whether it was to take up running or to start eating better or try another activity.  And I LOVE that I can encourage people to do something that is so great for themselves.

And that's why I've decided to enlist you all as my cheerleaders in my greatest athletic endeavor EVER.  Because I think you'll inspire me and in turn, I'll inspire some of you. 

What can be better than that?

And that's how I got here - to committing to running 26.2 miles on January 12th in Walt Disney World.  My first marathon....  wow, just putting that to print gives me goosebumps.