Reasons I Run

I read a blog today and the title was "Reasons I Run."  I got to thinking about the reasons I run. 

1. I run because it makes me feel good
2. I run because it helps keep my weight in check
3. I run because it is cheaper than therapy
4. I run so I can have tranquility 
5. I run so I am a positive example to my kids
6. I run so I can see how far I can push myself
7. I run because it is in my blood
8. I run because I may just be crazy
9. I run because it gives me energy
10. I run to solve my problems
11. I run to buy new running gear
12. I run so I can eat all the sweets I want
13. I run to see the world at a slower pace
14. I run for me
15. I run because I CAN

Someday I will not be able to run; Today is not that Day

My run today was pretty crappy.  I ran a fast first mile in 7:43.  I pushed through the pain of my shins, and my calves.  I was hoping for 8 miles.  I ran the 2nd mile in 9 minutes.  I finally gave up and walked knowing that it wasn't going to get better.  At mile 3 I called Brandon and had him come pick me up.  There was no way I could do 5 more miles. 

I am going to take the next couple days off.  I would rather take 2 or 3 days off then have to take 2 or 3 months off for an injury I could have prevented. 

7:30 mile pace

On Thursday Richard, Cleo and I ran together.  Richard is a much faster runner then Cleo and I.  However, Cleo and I thought it would be a good idea to run with Richard on his "slow" day.  His slow is my fast, his fast is flying to me...

When I talked to Richard about it he said we would run 6 miles at an 8 min pace.  I laughed and told him there is no way.  We decided on six at an 8:30 pace.  Fast forward to Thursday morning at 5:30.  We all meet at the Duck Pond and head South on Eisenhower.  UPHILL FOLKS!!  We turn East on Ash with a downhill that we deserved!!  Our pace for the 1st mile was 8:04!  I ran a mile in under 8:30 for the first time in months.  When I started training for the half I quit worrying about pace and just concentrated on mileage. 

We continued on to Jackson where we got to endure another UPHILL!  THANK YOU RICHARD!! We turned West onto Golden Belt and I was a bit ahead of Cleo. At mile 2 our mile was around an 8:10.  Richard thinks mine was faster but who knows....We continued on Golden Belt until Caroline where we got to Beast the Bluffs Hill.  I don't know our time for this I just know it SUCKED!!  We are 2 days later and my legs still feel like Jello. 

While we were running we decided that we will continue to run with Richard on his slow days.  And hopefully we will get faster.  Our goal is to run a 7:30 pace for the Holiday Hustle 5k in December.  Hopefully I will be able to, after a full and another half we shall see. 

Thank you Richard and Cleo for believing in me.  Believing that I can run an 8 min. mile again, pushing me through when I feel like quitting, and for always being there!!  I am truly blessed with amazing running friends.  And a special shout out to Jo!!  She is on vacation and my workouts have sucked without her!! 

Big things are happening

The end of April beginning May has been full of great surprises.  Brandon and I have been talking for a couple months about me getting a job that I work more then 6 hours a week.  I love staying at home, but the truth is Lacey is starting Kindergarten in August, and Miles needs other kids his age to play with.  Brandon and I agreed that in July I would start looking.  Paying daycare for two kids would be my entire pay, so it wouldn't be worth working.

Well a couple weeks ago my mom and dad were at a Wedding Shower and they were talking to some friends.  There's a guy named Tom that my parents have known for a long time.  He owns a business here in town.  Well he told my parents that his secretary is moving and that he is looking for someone to work part time.  My mom called me and said "I gave Tom your number, you need to call him."  Well I got his number and the day I was planning on calling him his secretary called me and asked me to come in and interview.

On a Thursday I went in and interview with Kelsey.  We laughed, she asked me questions, I answered with my sarcastic "No I won't clean other people's messes."  Which we both laughed at.  That Saturday I was out running with Jo and Tom happened to run up to us.  He asked me if Kelsey had called me yet, because she really like me and wanted to offer me a job.  Monday Kelsey called and offered me a job.  Told me I would be starting on the 17th of May.

We found daycare for Miles (which has me a bit freaked out.), and then I get a letter from Lacey's school that she has her field trip on the 18th.  I quickly called Kelsey and asked her if there was anyway I could start the following week.  She of course said yes.  So as of Tuesday the 22nd I will be a part time employee for Silo Enterprises, Inc.  Even working part time the pay is enough to cover daycare and stick the rest into savings.  Brandon and I both believe that since we only live with one income that we should continue to do so.  (Lacey will be staying with my parents this summer so we don't have to put her in daycare)
 

What's nice is I will only be working three days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Leaving Monday and Wednesday as days to do whatever I please.  Brandon is planning on taking Wednesday's off so we will have a day off together without any kids....I wonder what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into?!?!  I will also be able to a Classroom Mom for Lacey's classroom.


This is my last full week of being a Stay At Home Mommy.  It is bittersweet.  It has been a blast the past 3 years.  Watching my babies grow, listening to the bickering EVERYDAY, cleaning the house numerous times a day, not having anything to do but lay around and watch movies, playdates, picnics at the park, I will miss it but I am so excited about the opportunity that God has put before us!

I hope everyone has a great Week!!  I know that I will enjoy it as my last week as a stay at home mom!            

Warrior Dash

Yesterday was the Warrior Dash.  It was the most fun I've ever had while running!!  The obstacles were fun, the company was more fun!! 

Brandon and I met Jo and Jamie at a fun little shopping center at 11:45.  We got there early and lucky for me there was a Famous Footwear I could go to, to buy a pair of socks because I didn't bring any socks.  Jo and Jamie got there a little late.  We parked at the airport and were shuttled by buses to the Warrior Dash site.  We took a few pictures on the bus to hopefully calm of nerves of being late....our wave started at 1, we didn't get to the Warrior Dash site until 1:05.  We picked up our packets and the lady said it was fine and that we could start with the next wave.  THANK GOODNESS!!

(Some of these may be out of order as I can't really remember which order they came in)   


At 1:30 we lined up and started.  It was hot, super hot, good thing it wasn't longer then a 5k!!  You ran the first half mile up a hill.  When we got to the first obstacle that was Army Crawling underneath barbed wire.  The girls and I went through that fairly quickly.  The only thing that stunk was that you had to wait for people to go before you start.  A foot to the face only happened once or twice. 

We get through that and start running to the next obstacle....I believe it was the tight rope over muddy water.  There was only allowed 3 people on each rope at a time.  I knew that I could possibly not get my entire upper torso wet with my balancing skills.  However, the other people get on and pull in all directions so I held on to the rope and swam across. 

When all 3 of us had made it out we walked a little bit as the ground was muddy.  We didn't want to risk hurting ourselves.  Once the ground had dried a little we picked up our running to our third obstacle which had me nervous.  It was a tunnel that you had to crawl through.  Mud on either side and planks on top.  HELLO CLAUSTROPHOBIA!!   I don't think I've ever moved so fast in my entire life.  I wanted to be done!! 

We made it to the fourth obstacle which I believe was the "rock wall."  It was basically a vertical wall that had places to put your hands and feet.  Once you got to the top and to the other side you had to slide down a fire pole.  It was SCARY!!

The fifth obstacle was the Capsized Catamaran.  You get into some muddy water and sludge your way to the Catamaran.  You have to push yourself to the top and either A) jump back into the water and swim to the other side and pull yourself back up over the other side or B) Balance your way across one of the sides and then jump off at the end.  I went with the latter, knowing I have good balance.  I made it across and almost lost my shoe in the mud. 

We walked until we could run to obstacle number 6 The Clifhanger.  It's a wall you have to scale with the help of a rope, once you get to the top you have to climb down on some planks.  This obstacle was one I wanted to hurdle.  I have no upper body strength so using a rope to climb a wall; I WANTED TO DO IT!!  Once I started I was beaming with pride!!  I am stronger then I think. 


The seventh obstacle was the tangled nets.  It's like a spiderweb you have to crawl across.  Sounds easy right?  Well it was until you get 43,566,433 on them with you. 

The eighth obstacle was the Barricade Breakdown.  Basically you have to jump over a wall, climb under a wall with barbed wire on top, not just once but several times.  When you get to the middle it gets a bit higher, and a bit lower.  Jump high, crawl low; once again proving my upper body strength.

Number nine the Teeter Totters.  Run up one inclined plank, walk across planks, run down a plank.  Not to difficult, but with muddy, wet shoes...it made for a sight!

10 The tire pit.  All I kept saying was "HIGH KNEES!  Get those knees higher!"  We BEASTED through the tires!  

THE GREAT WARRIOR WALL!!  A straight vertical wall that you have to scale and climb down the back side.  Another obstacle where upper body strength was put to the test.

#12 the Cargo climb.  Climb up a cargo net, and climb down the other side.

The 13th was jumping over fire.  I was so worried about catching on fire.  I tried to jump as high as I possibly could so I wouldn't!!

The last obstacle was swimming through mud under barbed wire.  It definitely made for some great finish pictures!!

All nice and clean before

All muddy after

WE ARE WARRIORS!! 

Finally we rinsed off

All in all it was great fun!!  Something I would do again in a heartbeat!!  I overcome fears, pushed myself, and got to spend time with 2 of my dear friends!!