Coffee rambles & the SMALL MOMENTS!!

A little rambling while I drink my morning coffee......

I am sitting here wrapping up my week at the beach with my sweet family - looking out the window at the ocean and the sunshine (YES - the sun - even at the Oregon Coast  in the spring!!!).  It has been a much needed break from the scramble of our daily lives and some good time with our favorite guy in the whole world - DADDY!!!  My sweet husband works very hard, and travels quite a bit with his job and is just coming off of a VERY busy travel season.  The kids have played every game they could think of with him, built every lego vehicle possible, wrestled him to exhaustion, said "daddy, watch this" hundreds of times and gotten in some REALLY good daddy snuggles.  It has been a good week!

The beach always seems to be a time of reflection for me.  Maybe because I am forced to slow down - maybe because it represents some of my favorite times with family, my husband and my sweet mom.  Somehow my head seems clear of all the unnecessary and I am reminded of what is important - what is right in front of me.  It is easier to take in those "small moments" when we choose to slow down - those moments that I have a feeling will mean the most in the end.  When I feel my life getting on "overload" - which seems to happen in a blink of an eye these days - I feel a little nudge from my mom telling me to slow down and LIVE instead of just getting through the day.  Even among school schedules, volunteering, keeping up with the house, dance and basketball, my own running schedule, birthday parties...........I want to learn how to take in the small moments.  When my sweet mom was sick (read here how her fight keeps me going in running and in life!!) we were forced to slow down, and I was blessed with the opportunity to be by her side for her battle with cancer and take in the small moments - the good and the bad.  Those moments hold extreme value to how I face my daily life.  Loss - it can actually be used for growth - but only if we allow ourselves to drudge though the yuckiness of it and use it to grow.  

What are the small moments, the valuable moments that I allow the noise and distractions of my life take away from me???  When I am just trying to get through - whether with my kids, my husbands, my friends, the person right in front of me at the store, making dinner - even those small moments when I am just trying to get through a run instead of really experiencing it.  I know the reality of being a mom - adds an expected amount of craziness...............but moments like these - when I have chose to slow down on a vacation at the beach remind me............. I am going to figure out how to return to "my world" and re-claim some of those beautiful "small moments".  

Ok - not so much about running today - but it's all this that we carry through those logged miles - Right???  And we if don't change much more than our pace or distance we can run - what is it all for anyway??

Now to pack up - head home.  Get my head in the game for BOSTON in a little over a week!!!  And party with Run Like a Mother for their Anniversary party - be there or be square (forgive me for my current 80's obsession!!).

Party Like a Mother Runner!!!

Calling all Mother Runner's in the Portland, Vancouver and beyond area to celebrate the year Anniversary of the book Run Like a Mother!!!  Are you a mom, a runner - would like to be a mom or a runner??  Or just like to hang out with an amazing community of women and like to have a good time???  Then this is the event for you....

RLAMiversary Event!!!

Time	Saturday, April 9 · 9:30am - 12:30pm
Location	River Place Athletic Club 0150 SW Montgomery Portland, OR 97201
Created By	Run Like a Mother: The Book
More Info	Join us in celebrating our book's first birthday--the one-year "RLAMiversary" of its publication. We're using it as a great excuse to get RLAMers together for a 3- or 5-mile fun, non-competitive run (all paces welcome). Afterward, refreshments--and well-stocked goodie bags--await all participants. Eat, chat, mingle, and hopefully win some excellent swag. Books and tees will be available for purchase--or just bring your copy to be signed. SBS will be in Portland, while Dimity is partying with Denverites. It promises to be epic! Feel free to forward this invitation to your pals and spread the word on your blog. The RLAMiversary Run celebrates all women runners! Brought to you in part by nuun hydration tablets and Arc'Teryx's new Endorphin line.

Even if this book is new to you (which you don't know what you are missing by the way) - come join the celebration -  and meet other ladies that use the book, blog, facebook page to keep them inspired, laughing and informed in running, motherhood & friendship.  

I have had the privilege to get to know Sarah over the last year and really looking forward to celebrating a book that holds a permanent spot on my bedside stand with it's marked "go to" spots for motivation and a reminder that there are others out there facing the same challenges and celebrations.  Hope to see you there!!!

We Can't Forget to Cheer!!!

Last Sunday was one of my favorite days in a long time.  My dad and my best friend Julie  were both doing a local race, and my son and went to cheer them on with signs, raincoats and umbrellas (it is spring time in the beautiful Northwest you know!!) in hand.  I haven't been to a race to cheer others on for a long time - too long.  Besides my daily hollering through my car window of - "Get after it" & "Good for you" at the runners I pass by(which my kids now let me know if I missed a runner) - I haven't truly cheered for another member of this amazing running family I am a part of for quite a while.  Pre-race jitters of a different kind took me over.  My sweet boy may have been a little confused as we pulled in and I loudly noted every runner that went by and voiced how fun and exciting this was.  He was sweetly trying to humor me and claim the same excitement that I had taken over his "crazy" mom.

My TROOPER - cheering on Papa & Julie

How couldn't you be inspired by this sweet face......

We waited at the finish line so we could catch both of them coming in.  I had so much fun cheering for all the runners that would pass by - yelling out my signature encouragement turned annoyance to my son - "Finish Strong".  The amazing family and friends that have blessed my by coming to encourage and cheer me on have meant the wold to me - or even meant a strong race for me.  I just didn't realize the inspiration I would receive from being on the other side of it this time around.  Maybe our training plans need to include a few slow down and "cheer" days.

 

So - let's not forget to Cheer!!!  It is a piece of my running inspiration I was missing for way too long.

And when you are logging your miles this week - FINISH STRONG!!!!

Ok - now time to brag on two of my favorite people in the whole world - my dad and Julie BOTH won medals at the race!!!  It was the perfect finish to our morning & a huge note in both of their mental victories.  My dad is starting an official training plan because we are going to do a half together on Father's day (which I am beyond excited about!!).  So - it was great for him to see that if..........Oh yes - he's STILL got it.  And for Julie - who has ben re-claiming her running journey as she has been recovering form an injury - she got to earn that medal with her usual Julie smile & claim that she as well - has STILL got it!!

Before sharing a few of my favorite pictures I am going to dedicate an "This is my Jam" to Julie.  I always think of her when I warm up to this (is it a little on the slow side) - because it says over and over - "I want you back.  Back - back".  Which she has been saying for a while to one of her true loves - RUNNING and I would say that after watching her race & claim 1st place in her age division - that running has come back to her!!  I can't wait to train and race with her again.

Good Job Dad & Julie!!!  Love you guys

Re-claimed LOVE & and a few new "This is My Jam"

This week has been a week that reminds me that I LOVE running............the challenge, claiming something of MINE for the day, the therapy, the running high, the calories burned after a kick a** sprint workout, reminding myself that I am still an athlete, the example it sets for my kids, the relationships I build, the lessons I learn, the sore muscles, and yes even the misery of it.............

As I am wrapping my mind around the fact that my training has not gone as planned due to being sick and other challenges -
I am thankful that I CAN do it - even if I am not where I wanted to be as I get ready for Boston.  I am truly thankful to have the opportunity to step foot on that course.  To own Boston Marathon.  Whether I get to step up to the start line and breath in the same air of some of running's elites & knowing my body, my pace isn't where I initially set out for it to be - I am thankful.

As my husband told me tonight at dinner when I was sharing my disappointment in knowing I know where I COULD be & where I am at - with only weeks to go.  His passion is golf and he dreams of one day golfing on the original course - where it all began in St. Andrews, Scotland - the birthplace of golf.  He said he wants to go there to EXPERIENCE the course and take it all in.  That it would be such a shame to go somewhere like St. Andrews or Boston Marathon and waste time on the "what if's" or "should haves" and miss out on the experience of being a part of something so meaningful.  And I agreed and said - "But wouldn't it be awesome to say you shot a 83 on one of the word's best courses!"........just sayin.

I have to say again how much I LOVE running buddies.  For my 16 last Saturday I ran with one of my dear friends Meredith.  It was a COLD run - but I had great company.  Thank you Meredith for logging miles with me!!

Just this Saturday, for my 21 -  I met up with a gal (Katy)who works with one of my friends - she is running Boston as well. One of her friends ran with us and some of her Portland Fit group joined us for our first loop.  There is just something about that instant bond that runners have  - another reason I LOVE running.  We took on a route with some pretty good hills and finished our 21 in 3:03 - not too bad for these sad lungs of mine.  I am discovering that I am not as much of a lone runner as I thought I was.


Before I start this weeks - "This is My Jam"
I just have to say that I seem to have a ridiculous talent (if you even call it that) of turning pretty much any song into somehow being "a running song".

I thought I would share a song that I have loved lately for warming up (also just one of my favorite songs right now).  Give it a minute and gets a pretty good rhythm going.

Only the Young by Brandon flowers

I love that it says -
"Nothing is easy - nothing is sacred - WHY?? "
"Only the young can break away"..........Please - us 35 year old mama's can break away too!!

Now another song that gets me fired up lately........
Such a great beat for tempo runs & any song that you can sing out "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah" while you are running just has to be good!


The Naked and Famous by Young Blood

It isn't called Super Ice for nothing & Introducing THIS IS MY JAM!!!

So - it can't be so bad if I am training hard enough to need this....

My late night friend tonight

I am certainly someone who delights in a certain amount of pain - knowing that I pushed my body hard enough to hurt a little.  So for my hard work this last week -  I rewarded myself with a SUPER ICE ice bath.  What could be better???  I was sure that it being SUPER ICE - would make it that much more effective!

Quick update on the last week of training:

-   The anti-biotics are certainly helping me reclaim my lungs.  They are certainly not 100%, but getting there.

-  I tackled a 20 mile training run with my angel of a friend Megan!!!  She joined me for 15 miles and there is no way that I would have gotten through it without her.  She took me on a new route through the hills by OHSU - KILLER hill workout.  My lungs didn't love it by mile 10 or so - but I am thinking a good hill workout may pay off in Boston. Have hea d there are a few hills - haha!

I have to say that this run reminded me of what a blessing running buddies are!  At one point on the way back - we conquered a MAJOR hill,  and Megan being the incredible encourager that she is (and having run Boston before) said "That hill is harder than Heartbreak hill and you just did it!"
THANK YOU MEGAN!!

-  3 mile "loosen my legs" run.

-  Lungs and legs weren't quite ready for my sprint workout today.  Got most of it in - but "almost" is never enough for my head to not spin around the  - "maybe you aren't going to be ready" thoughts.

So - ice bath to take care of the sore muscles and and for the head games.....
Remind myself to focus on the successes of this week and on to the next training run!!

One of the many motivators is music.  There is something about a good song when you need a little extra kick or a song that you have an emotional connection with that pushes through your heart and keeps your legs moving. My husband loves music (and is much more in tune with new music than me)  and often downloads new songs onto my running mix for me.  I thought it would be fun to share one or a few songs each week that are keeping me moving.  I am going to be super cheesy & call it -

THIS IS MY JAM - because this is something that my husband says when there is an awful song on & it always makes me laugh - well, not when we are getting a couples massage and he says "This is my Jam!!" (oh - yes he did that!!). - but otherwise it cracks me up.

So -  for this week:

THIS IS MY JAM!! - 

 My Body by Young by Giant

It is so perfect for running!!  Love the beat & the chorus keeps saying:

"My body tells me NO - but I won't quit - because I want more!!"

 How perfect is that.  Certainly a great song when you are needing to keep pushing.
This is a must have for your running list & it may become your new favorite jam.

Off to get some rest and tackle a few more inspired miles in the morning.......

7 weeks out and by the way - Do you have my Mojo???

Let's start by saying - sorry for the slacking.  Ok - I put it out there - I have been POST lazy.  I have great excuses......husband's crazy busy travel schedule, a lot of birthday parties & class parties to plan, my sad attempt at a jump on spring cleaning - but mostly I have been busy pouting & searching for my "go get it" attitude.  I haven't been sharing much because I have had a hard training on many levels this time around. And really - who wants to hear about all that?  I have had a few friends say that they think I should share anyway. And I guess if we really are sharing our running or life journey's - the junk comes along too. This running funk is new to me........& REALLY - NOW - while I am training for Boston.  Shouldn't I be more motivated than ever??!!!

Here have been my Roadblocks this time around:

1.  My husband has been gone for work in the last 2 1/2 months - more than he has been home.  Now this busy season isn't new to our family, but I have never trained for a marathon through it.  Very tough emotionally and logistically getting runs in when my built in running "sitter" is gone - has been interesting (seriously - think - no early morning runs before the kids are up).  It had made me realize how much I rely on him for many things during training.  

2.  Let's just say that Northwest weather is not motivating this time of year!!  Maybe that is true to be said most places - but again - I have never trained during the "weather blues"  season.

3.  My BFF Julie isn't training with me this time around.  Not that we did every run together last time around - but most of our long runs.  I know she is supporting me just as much as when we train together, but  I do miss the phone calls of the excitement of the same goal or the pure pain we shared of our last long run together.  There is really no one in my immediate circle - my running buddies,  that is training for the same run right now and it just feels different.

4.  My training plan.....for Portland I LOVED my plan (well - maybe my body didn't - nothing a good ice bath didn't fix) - but I was confident in it.  I followed an advanced training plan that Sarah Shea of Run Like a Mother had shared with Julie & I, that she was also following for Portland .  Just have to say that it was certainly motivating to have Sarah as a running buddy through e-mails - checking on how the training was going on our shared plan and goal of running strong in Portland - which she did!!  The plan was kick your rear end hard, but certainly equipped me with confidence to show up the Portland Marathon start line feeling ready.  This time around with Andrew's travel & that it is the school year this time around and I help out with both of my kids classrooms - I just couldn't manage that plan.  I have used a make your own version of 2 different plans this time around and not feeling as strongly about it.  

5.  Physically I have been feeling cruddy - I got really sick a month ago & have had tightness in the chest ever since & coughing up some YUCKY (as my kids would say) stuff.  Not really conducive with marathon training! I kept thinking it was one of those colds that just falls in love with you & won't leave. I finally went to the doctor this week - as my last long run in the 20 degree weather - felt like I had a running buddy along with me - sitting on my chest. Verdict - I have an infection in my chest.  I am hoping the antibiotics and steroid inhaler are planning on redistributing some of my mojo where the mucus has taken over and owes me a month worth of my training.  Ok - that may be dramatic - but I seriously haven't had a good run in a while - one of those that you finish & say "I've got this"!!!  and that leads to the next roadblock......

6.  Mentally - all of the above have contributed to a "messy training head"!!!  I think that is the best way to put it.

So - it has been tough this time around - not what I envisioned as my story for my Boston training.  But I will be facing that Boston Marathon start line in 7 weeks nonetheless. So I can either choose to let myself focus on the hardships of the last few months and how it will effect my race and let my "messy training head" take over.  OR - I can embrace the next 7 weeks - knowing that usually we learn more when things are HARD and that not all journeys or training aspirations turn out how we plan them.  That this is still MY running story - inspiring at the moment or not and I am going to own it forever.

Well - I am hoping the 2nd option - but I will keep you posted...........

And I actually will this time!

This one is for HOPE!!

There are all type of things that get us excited to get out there & run, or at least push us to get our rear ends up & keep running/moving/working.  For me sometimes it can be as simple as a quote I read, a Nike commercial I watch or some new gear I get to to try out.  Then there are the inspirations that REALLY move you - way down deep.  Things that really matter - that consume you so much that if you don't keep moving, they can bring you to a screeching halt.  I had one of these motivators for my long run last week.  Friday morning at the exact time I was tackling the 9 miles on my training schedule , my friend Terri was beginning her first chemo treatment to fight against the recent cancer that was found in her body.  She is not only an amazing woman & mom - she is a fellow runner.  Terri has been an inspiration to me in my running (she has many more miles under her belt than I do) & she has always offered interest, encouragement, advice & a big smile through my training the last few years. I couldn't and didn't want to get her out of my mind while I was running that day.  Many things were streaming through my mind that morning about Terri and her sweet family & about my own experience with walking beside my mom as she faced her own battle with cancer.  I couldn't help but think about how big my challenge seemed to me..... to train well & successfully run the Boston marathon.  It seemed so small that morning in perspective.  Terri and I are both facing a challenge that we want to conquer the next few months, but I know the victory that will be weighing MUCH heavier on my heart as I train for Boston - will be the success story of Terri!!  I will be carrying her with me as I train, praying for her, hoping for her & pounding the pavement for her while she can't (for now - she will be back in the game soon!!).

There are times when I can say that I HATE the word cancer & I don't use that word very often.  Every time that word rings in my ears - there is a pain in the bottom of my stomach.  At the same time - I know that there is a God with a plan that I trust very much.  Even if His plan for my life has looked different at times than I hoped for.  I also know that as much as cancer has handed our family the greatest tragedy we have faced thus far - it also showed us the depth of the love that we have for each other and how truly loved we are by those around us.  For that I am grateful.

Here is one of my favorite promises that God has for me, for Terri & everyone else:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Here's to HOPE!!!!