It's a Beautiful Day

I am thinking of that song by U2 and after the past couple of weeks, today seemed truly to be a "beautiful day". The rain has stopped for a couple of days, the sun was out and the constant chill in my bones seems to have finally gone away. K, C, and I were determined to get out for a run this afternoon and the weather and the kids finally cooperated. It was cool when we started and we questioned the shorts we wore with our long sleeves, but before long we were peeling off the jackets and complaining about how hot we were. We ran from Chesebrough Park and did the longer loop that starts on the trail closer to the Albertsons side, took that to Decoro and then headed back on the Heritage Pk. side of the trail, finishing off with our two good sized hills. I am happy to say though I lagged behind, I didn't stop on the hills, it's the second time now, so I know I will get better. We had to about a quarter of a mile, around the park and school, but we ran 4 miles and managed a 9:37? pace, even with the hills. I have to say after the last couple of days, I am happy for that and for the great weather, and am hoping for only good things to come for my friends and their families!

It's Pouring!

There's the old saying, "When it rains, it pours" and that couldn't be truer for some of us these last couple of days. We worry about not getting enough done around the house, not getting our runs in with our friends, not eating what we should, but in the end what we worry about the most is our kids. Whether it be a new school, a trip to the emergency room, or a bout with the flu, everything else seems insignificant when it comes to the well-being of our children. It is the part of being moms that ultimately tie us together, through stressful, sad, and joyous times.

Dreadmill

No the title isn't a typo. That's what I think a treadmill should be called. I know some of you rely on those mechanical things to get your workout when the weather is bad, but I have to be rather desperate to get on one. I have one and I swear the miles feel so much longer when I use them, even when I'm watching TV. Of course there's the whole coordination problem that I have too. Remember, I'm the one that slipped and fell off of a curb while trying to run in place. Can you imagine me on a moving belt? Let's just say I've had my fair share of close calls. Then there's the whole nauseating feeling I get when I'm done running on the treadmill. It's the same sensation I get when I just step off of a boat. With the threat of rain AGAIN, if our Monday morning run is canceled, I will have to resort to the dread-mill. This time maybe I should wear a helmet.

Valentine's Day Run

What better way to spend Valentine's morning than running in the freezing fog with my friend K! I am ashamed to admit that while I was getting ready to meet her, I was secretly wishing that she would call and cancel, because it was just too cold. It was cold when we started and pretty foggy, but there was no wind to speak of and I think that really made a difference. We started out going uphill for a bit which was a hard way to start a run, but then the inevitable downhill really felt good, in a way that I haven't felt for a long time. I know that it doesn't count to feel good going downhill, but I am going to take it, since I have really struggled through the last few runs. It wasn't all great and even though I made it up the hills at the end of the run for the first time, I was gently reminded by K, that I am not so much out of shape as just naturally slow (yes I think you said that). Well now I have something to work on. We managed to get in around 3.75 miles today, which considering yesterdays 5, is quite an accomplishment. Another storm system is supposed to be rolling in on Monday, so I am hoping it will wait until after our planned run that morning, I know it will be cold too, but I won't use it as an excuse as long as someone is out there with me. It has been wonderful celebrating this day with my family, I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day, and Happy Running!

Where Next?

My friends and I have talked about posting when and where we are going to run next so that others have the option of joining us if they can without the need for last minute phone calls. The reason we haven't done it is because we are so indecisive and things change at the last minute so often that we would hate to have someone at the wrong place at the wrong time in case we change our mind, especially when we don't know if the weather is going to hold. Right now, we have tentative plans to meet tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. from Chesebrough, but that could change if it's raining. When in doubt, call first.

What's Best

I'm sure as mothers you've all heard it before when trying to make an important decision for your child, "Do what you think is best". And I'm sure all of you have been there thinking "I really don't know what's best". As mothers we all hope that we are automatically programmed to know what's best and most of the time our gut tells us what is the right thing to do. But there are those few times when we are at a complete loss. That's when I am so grateful for my friends. Sometimes they just listen, sometimes they cry, and sometimes they give sound advice without the emotionality. What would I do without my friends?

Not Much MORE!

It looks like our running group hasn't been doing any running lately and that is not entirely true. It was a very stressful week for one of us (to say the least), and the weather has been less than desireable for running. Last Sat. we managed to find sunny skies and ventured out for about 4 miles, it was a really nice morning, and it was nice to be out of the house, sharing a cup of coffee and a run with the girls. I tried to take the initiative yesterday and convinced K we should run even in the cold and the extreme wind, but I chickened out when I realized it was in the 30's and even colder when you factored in the wind. I know that our friends C and M went out today, but unfortunately I was shuttling kids around and couldn't get there in time. I know this sounds like an awful lot of excuses for not running but I feel like as long as I try again tomorrow there is hope for me. I know the skies will clear up eventually, and I know that the stress will lessen with time, and I also know that my friends will be waiting to join me on a run. Here's to sunny skies tomorrow afternoon!

From Their Perspective

This was sent to me by a friend.

WHY GOD MADE MOMS Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2 She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's. 4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

Speed Work or Hills?

This was the question K asked me when we were discussing our run today and what we wanted to accomplish. Usually on Monday's we don't put in long mileage, because we are coming off of a longer weekend run. I had to smile though when she asked the question, because I wasn't quite sure what to say to that one, (neither one, came to mind). I had my first physical therapy session today, and the one thing the therapist told me about running was to stay off of the hills, so the obvious choice was speed work. Let me just say that "speed work" for ladies of our age, (to be fair K is younger by about 5 yrs) is kind of comical. After a short warm up, we were instructed to run a half mile at an pace out of our comfort zone, this was negotiated down from a mile at an uncomfortable pace. The comments from the girls were an indication of our enthusiasm for "speed work" for instance I heard "just about any pace is out of my comfort zone", "after a half mile, then what, we die", and classic was when K asked M why she was holding back, she said "I was afraid we were going to do repeats". It did feel good when we finished the half mile, and caught our breath, and realized we ran a pretty good pace, but it really makes you appreciate the work our kids put in on a day when they go out and run 10x800, or 8x300, or even worse "mile repeats". I hope they appreciate what their bodies can do, and enjoy their youth while they can. As for me, I made it through the "speed workout" and I feel pretty good!

Steelers or Cardinals

Well we're off to another party, my second this weekend and that is why I have to run. What would life be like without good friends, good food, good beer, and a good football game? We'd all be skinny and miserable. While I'm not much of a football fan, it will be fun to partake in this annual American tradition. It's a good thing we're running tomorrow to work off all the food I will be enjoying this weekend! As for who I'm rooting for? The underdog of course.