Now what

So my life has returned to the boring day to day stuff we do. Trying to plan another run has been more difficult than I thought as Josh is still working Saturdays and I don't dare ask anyone to babysit at 8 in the morning. Saturdays are supposed to be for sleeping in. Plus in a week school will be out. Summer will begin. Plans are being made a filling up the weekends.
Today is our 10 year anniversary. I honestly can't believe how fast 10 years has gone by. What have we done with 10 years?? Here is a short version
Got Married in 2000. Josh started working at his current job in 2001 (which is supposedly still gonna end but there is no end in sight). Bought our house in 2002. Gena started her current job in 2003 (I think). Morgan was born in 2004. Went to Texas in 2005. Gena has her first Full-Time accounting job in 2006. Apparently 2007 was not very memorable. Owen was born in 2008 (ok, ok so it was almost 2009). 2009 Morgan starts Kindergarten, when your baby isn't a baby anymore. 2010--The verdict is still out on this year Josh got to go Paddle fishing in Missouri, he is supposed to loose his job was March, then April, then June, now July and possibly will be extended. Gena runs a 5k. Morgan learns how to read and spell her last name. Owen learns how to walk.

Told You So

I told you I could do it. I have a bad habit of doing things people say I can't. I probably gave my parents a run for their money when I was younger. For example, when people said that I wouldn't be back to work right after having a baby, I did it. 1 week after having Owen I was back at the office working 8+ hours a day. I didn't have anyone tell me specifically that I couldn't run a 5k but I am sure there were people out there who doubted. Hey, part of myself doubted also. However, I worked hard for this and I did it. Here is my race day story complete with pictures thanks to my sister Sara and brother Kyle. (This was the first time I had seen my family awake this early in the morning during Tulip Festival).

So this morning I couldn't sleep, so I got up and got ready and was ready to go at 6:50. I hopped on the computer for a little bit and then everyone else got up. I waited for my sister who was gonna be my photographer. We walked up town and I got a little nervous as I saw people lining up already. Realizing it was the 10k runners I went to look for my friend Rachel. She waved me down and gave me my race number. I got it pinned on with time to spare. While waiting I see my friend Shawna!!!! It was fun to see a familiar face.

Rachel and I have time for a quick photo op

The 10k is off and running and our turn to line up

Rachel and I head towards the back of the pack to start.



Here we are

I could tell I was going faster than I should and told myself to slow down or I would never make it. About 4 blocks from the Starting line was my parents house. There was a crowd there cheering me on--my parents, Josh's parent, an Aunt and Uncle, and my most important cheerleaders Morgan and Owen!!!!!

My brother Kyle hopped on the bike to "follow" me around the course--he took some shortcuts to beat me to the next spot. This is where I told him I was done waving. So he stopped taking pictures!!!!

There were many times that I wanted to stop and walk. I kept telling myself that that wasn't an option. I kept pushing on. Next thing I knew I was at the 2 mile marker, then the 3. It was a relief knowing I was almost there. I rounded the last corner and pushed with all I had.

I had no idea what my time was. I missed the clock they had at the finish line. I went and got some water and fruit, visited with a few friends, and cheered on my 10K teammates

As we were talking we spotted the laptops they had set up to check your time. The lines were long. So I waited it out and then logged in to see my time. I was in total shock when I saw my time of 37:53. 7 minutes faster than my goal for my first 5K. I am still in shock and have no idea how I did it. I have a guess though, thanks to all my friends and family who did believe in me and encouraged me to reach for my goal. I don't think I would have even tried if it wasn't for you.

I can do it!!!!

Last night I wanted to designate my running night in regards to my "new" training for the 5k. As stated previously I was gonna focus on some cross training. Monday I made it to the gym for water aerobics. It had been a while (before tax season) that I had been to a water aerobics class. I had heard that they switched things up and have been doing more deep water aerobics. we did about 15 minute shallow water and the rest (30 minutes) of deep water. It is a work out. The next morning I was surprised to be a little sore. So the plan for last night was to do my long run. I was determined to run at least 2 miles as the most I had made it in one shot was 1.7. I got on the treadmill and things were good. Had the display covered and started running. The first time I looked at the display was .84 miles. A ways to go for the 1.7. I kept pushing on. Between watching Bill O Reilly and the show after his (I have never had enough guts to change the channel on the tv at the Y), plus my ipod, it was enough distraction to get me to 1.84!!! Only .16 to 2 lets keep going. Jumping from one song to the next to find ones that kept me going, from the Dixie Chicks to Journey. I was thinking I wanted to stop when "Don't Stop Believing" started. Which made me think of all the people who have been such an encouragement to me especially my HMM's mommas. Run thru this song I thought. Then a guy got on the treadmill next to me and chatted for a little bit. Next thing I knew I was at 2.9. Less than quarter of a mile. If I ran this far there is no reason not to go the rest of the way. So I pushed and did it. I wanted to jump off and shout "I DID IT, I DID IT". I refrained and waited till I got to my car and called a friend. I may not be the fastest but I have accomplished 2 of my 5k goals: run it under 45 minutes and run the whole thing. So Bring on Saturday, I am ready.

This Saturday

So the "race" is this Saturday. I have mixed feelings of excitement and nerves!!!! This weekend I got to the Y on Saturday and Sunday. Took it kind of easy both days. I haven't been running much because 1) read how important cross training is 2) I have a couple friends who are dealing with injuries because of running. I want to be prepared and not injure myself this week. I hope to make it to the Y tonight to swim, I miss doing water aerobics. Then tomorrow I will probably do a long run and then maybe a few short runs or just walks on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday I don't think I will do anything via suggestion from people and from what I was reading on Runners World. Lots of good info I have learned!!! Need to find someone to take pics Saturday.

Rough Run

So after having the weekend "off" I got back on Tuesday and did my 3.1 in approx 46 minutes. I am blaming the slower pace to a little girl who came to the Y with me and spent her $ within minutes of getting there. I had to stop and change the channel on the tv for her.
Last night I went to the Y. Put both kids in kinder kids which Owen still doesn't like but he did ok. I went to run and had a hard time. I couldn't even do a mile. Squeezed out 1.5. So I decided to try the track instead of the treadmill and did another .5 so I barely got in 2 miles. Tonight we have a program for Morgan so probably no running. Tomorrow I have to work so maybe I will have to set the alarm for early.