1/2 Marathon

I did it!! I finished the 1/2 marathon. I ran in my neighborhood to get all of the 13.1 miles in. I decided to do this because I wanted to do the Disney 1/2 Marathon that was on the same weekend. I couldn't afford it. It was crazy expensive. So, I decided to train with my cousins anyway and still do a half on the same weekend that they would do their race.

It almost feels anticlimactic because I have finished a marathon. However, during the marathon I was walking most of it. I was planning to walk the whole thing until I realized it was going to take forever so I decided to run the last 10.6 miles. That 10.6 miles was the longest I had run before. And I had so many breaks in those 10.6 miles for stretching and resting for water that it doesn't feel the same as running the whole thing would feel. Still an accomplishment to finish one though. I won't take anything away from actually finishing it.

So back to the 1/2 marathon. This was an effort to run pretty much the whole way. I know myself and know that occasionally I will have to walk. Even if it's only like 30 seconds of walking, I know occasionally I will need to do that. I ran the first half only stopping 3 times. The first half was so nice. Easy running because it was overcast and cool out. The last half was so much sunnier and I felt like I was getting heat exhaustion. I am prone to that so it wasn't surprising to me.

My house was the half way point so that I could stop for water and something to eat (graham cracker). I knew my grandparent's house was on the way too so I could stop for water if I needed to also. I didn't feel like I needed it when I passed their house the second time, but by the time I got to the trail again I was dying. My legs and feet were actually fine. It was the heat that was the problem. I kept finding shade to walk in when I could. I was about 2-3 miles from finishing but felt so lethargic. At some point I decided that I might have to walk the rest to finish it. I kept doing little bursts of running trying to get started again but would just be so exhausted that I would have to walk again.

At one point I was praying, "God, please let someone be outside." Right around the corner some lady was outside watering her garden. I went up to her and asked her if I could drink some water from her hose. She said yes, but then insisted she get me a water bottle instead. (Since this was a stranger, I did notice that it was sealed before I opened it.) haha She talked to me about seeing me running before and that she was going to do her first 5K soon. It was so refreshing to get some water and I couldn't wait to finish. At that point I only had about 3/4 of a mile or less to finish. I did get a couple more running bursts in, but was just too wiped out.

I finished it!!! And as soon as I sat on my porch i could feel my heels start to hurt. Thankfully they didn't hurt at all during the run. But as soon as I got up I already couldn't walk very well.  Lots of resting and a couple days later and I could finally walk without pain. lol

At the end of it I felt this sense that I wouldn't ever do long runs again. I just was over it. But now I'm not quite so sure. The thought of running longer again is tempting, but I guess I will just see how it goes. I haven't run since. I did get orthodics today so I'm hoping that will start the healing process for my heels. At the very least I will continue running my 5Ks. Those are my favorites. But I have a feeling I'll do some longer ones too.

Mental note, pick a day that will be overcast to do a long run. Or run earlier or later with lights or reflectors or something. Especially an almost 3 hour run. I started at 6:15 in the morning hoping to have it all be fairly cool. The beginning was awesome and my run was good, but as it got hotter it was harder for sure.

So, no race medal or running through Disneyland, but I still did it anyway. And now I can say I have done it. It does make me want to do it all running though. ahh, maybe. I don't know yet. We'll see.

My time was 2 hours 55 minutes. Even with all of that walking. I was hoping for under 2 hours 30 minutes running most of it. So, that's pretty good considering I had to walk pretty much all of the last 2-3 miles.

10 on Tuesday

1. The 1/2 Marathon is only a week and a half away. I did a 5K last night to keep with the training. I'm only doing shorter runs until the actual thing. My right leg especially (and my left heel) is really not appreciating the long runs.

2. The last long run I did was 9 miles. It was so much better doing it with a friend. Thanks Kristin! It made the time seem to go by faster. Plus it probably helped that it was a new route and we were hoping to remember it. The first part of it was the loop I will be doing for the 1/2 marathon. I wanted to try it out so I wasn't doing it and getting lost next week. We had to stop at a friend's house for water. I had some graham cracker with me too so I had a little of that and some nice cold water and we were on our way again. I'm glad our house is the mid way point for next week so I can stop for some much needed energy and hydration. If I need to, a few friend's houses are on the way too.

                Boo!!
3. A very stressful update for you today. My hubby did not get one of the 7 positions (out of 12 people trying to keep their jobs). So he only has a job until the end of September. There are several other locations of his company that he is applying to but all of those other locations we would have to move. No fun. I do not want to move. But I guess you do what you have to do, right? He is applying for a lot of jobs not at Chevron too (and has been since he first found out about the possibility).

This was taken on the day of her photo shoot.

4. We have a beach ball that is deflated. It must have a hole in it. But it's sentimental because it was the one that the director gave to Courtney on her photo shoot for Oprah Magazine. She gave it to her because she did so well. So, I normally would just trash the thing, but it's sentimental. So, I keep blowing it back up. lol

This picture was taken when Skyler was 2. She figure out how to dribble a ball all by herself. All over the yard.

5. Skyler starts soccer this weekend. This is her first organized sport (with a team). She's done gymnastics before so I don't want to forget about that, but this is her first team. She is on a green team with no name so far. Her daddy and cousin will be her coaches. It's so fun knowing so many people on the team.

6. Be prepared for cute water pictures. We are going to Splash on Friday. We are so excited. This is our first time going. The girls have been saving up for this and the tooth fairy made it finally hit enough to go. Splash is a small, overpriced, waterpark near our house. (Assuming Skyler is feeling better by then.)

The first one was taken after her front top 2 came out. The bottom one is after one on the bottom came out. (Sorry so blurry. It was with my phone.) So, now it looks like she has 4 out. One of them is starting to peek through on the bottom. She has lost 6 teeth all together now.

7. Courtney lost 3 teeth last week!!! So insane. She lost her front top 2 last Thursday when her daddy was playing a game with her and her sister. They got scared and ran into each other and they fell out. Thankfully they were already loose. One was practically falling out (she just needed to pull) and the other wasn't as loose. The third came out when we were at a birthday party on Sunday. What's the going rate on your tooth fairy? All I want for Christmas is my 4 front teeth!

8. Tonight is Skyler's "Read-To-Me" Reading Club party. Sadly, she will not be going. She's just too sick. Poor thing. She was up all night coughing last night and she looks sick right now. I hope she sleeps tonight. For all all of our sanity. We stayed home and mommy did face painting just like they wanted to do at the party.

9. I am reading the last book in the Twilight Saga, "Breaking Dawn". Ahh...so fun. It's my favorite book of the series. Finally things start happening that you seem to be waiting for the whole time. It's been fun re-reading the whole series.

10. We have some pretty awesome table names this year for MOPS. They are some of my favorite words. What are some of your favorite words? I'm thinking I shouldn't give it away just yet. Suspense and all. :)

10 on Tuesday

A little late. Who cares? lol

1. I have been so busy these past few days getting stuff done for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Especially yesterday and today. It's a good thing. A little stressful at times, but overall good. Since I am coordinating it with Danielle we have had so many things to do lately. A massive check off list of sorts. :) Thankfully, I am very organized when it comes to this stuff. That's just in my nature to do that. It's awesome seeing it all come together and getting together with all of my friends. I love those women.

2. Ok, well I already confessed my gain from last week (.4)..but look out everyone. This week is going to be awesome. I'm not going to spill the beans yet. But I have already been doing great. This writing down everything you eat is really working. What a concept! lol

3. I ran a 5K last night. I'm happy to report that my foot/heel feels fine. It definitely likes the shorter distances better. First of all I can't believe I'm calling a 5K a short distance. I said the same thing about a 10K the other day. Because compared to the longer ones I have been doing, those feel short now. I caught myself saying it too. Weird. I am so thankful it's ok today. My leg on the other hand is hurting. It started giving me a tiny bit of trouble on my 10K last Saturday but got better and I didn't think anything of it. Then almost the whole 5K last night it was hurting. Especially at the end. It's at the top of my leg like around it. I wonder if that is the hip flexors. I'll be resting tonight and tomorrow for my long run on Friday. 9 miles this week. EEEK!!

4. How does my house become a mess so fast. Oh wait! I can tell you. 2 kids who run around taking things out and not putting them back. ahh At least their rooms are still clean.

5. Not sure how healthy this is, but everyone asks for my meatball recipe. It's really not a recipe at all. Just putting a couple things together. It's totally cheating, but everyone thinks they are divine. 2 packages of frozen meatballs (Italian is the best....yes totally cheating), one bottle of Masterpiece BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper That's it folks. You put the meatballs in the crock pot. Then pour in the bbq sauce until you cover all of them. You'll have to stir it around a little. Then pour in the Dr. Pepper until it reaches the height of the meatballs. Put on low for several hours or on high for a few.

6. I want to get one of these SpiBelts. So awesome. That way I can carry my phone with me and my key without worrying about needing a phone on my runs or my key coming off my shoe.

7. I just changed my picture for the header for my blog. I kept wanting to change it since I look so different. The last one was from Easter.

8. As of right now Skyler wants to be a black kitty cat for Halloween. (She got the idea from Dora's Halloween DVD). Courtney wants to be Jack Skellington (from Nightmare Before Christmas). Why she wants to be Jack and not Sally? I don't know. lol I'm sure they will change their minds before then. I'm really surprised how long they have said they want to be these 2 things. Quite a while.

9. Wow, it's hot here. We didn't have to have our ac on for a week and now I had to put it on. It's on 80 degrees and still the ac can't keep up with it. Actually, right now I'll go turn it off again and open the windows again. We get a good cross breeze here.

10. I've been trying to drink a lot more water lately. And since that's really all I drink, that's an even better thing. Occasionally I'll have a Sprite Zero, but I can't have too much of it or it will make me sick. Speaking of water....gulp

Monday Morning Update

I thought I would do something a little different this week and do an update instead of a weekend review. I managed to GAIN .4 this week. I am very surprised that it wasn't more than that. For so much of the week it was way higher then all of a sudden shot back down.

It's so frustrating because I felt like I was doing pretty well. I had it in my mind to seriously kick butt this week. I exercised more than I had been. I even went to the gym twice (even though I'm loathing running there) and ran outside twice. I even felt like I was eating fairly well. There are somethings I did eat that I could do without and do much better though. So, I know it's probably that. But still. It didn't seem like enough to gain. Maybe it's a water thing or hormone thing. ahh It really doesn't matter I guess as long as I move past it and get my groove back. I felt really good last week with all of the exercising I was doing. I felt like I was getting back to it.

I keep hurting my feet after running (near the heel). To the point that the rest of that day and the next I can't walk on them much. My left is the worst. I have described the feeling to a few people and they both think it's Planter Fasciitis. My mom actually had it for a really long time so she was showing me stretches to do. Thankfully I can walk normally today, but I can still feel it a tiny bit. I guess I will just have to be more careful. Ok, now after reading that article myself I'm pretty sure that's it also. I need to get some orthodics to relieve the pressure on the fascia. This doesn't surprise me since I have a high arch. I have been tempted to get one anyway. Also new shoes that are stability shoes would be good too. Too bad I don't have the money for that though. Orthodics it is. See how that helps first.

Oh this 1/2 marathon training is killer. I have a 9 mile run this week for my long run. (10 next week, then a rest week for long runs, then the 1/2 marathon 13.1 miles) I have come to a conclusion about running. I really prefer shorter runs. My favorites are 5Ks (3.1 miles) to about 5 miles. Anything over that and it's more torture than anything. lol However, I do have to say that it felt good doing my long runs so far (the 7 and 8 I just did recently). Maybe I just have a different mindset when I'm doing them. I know, mentally, that I have a long way to go so not to keep looking at my miles to see where I'm at.

In other news: The girls finished their swim lessons. I could not believe it when I saw Skyler swimming by herself to the wall. She swam about 15 feet all by herself. I was so proud. Courtney did everything in her class really well. The only thing she needs to work on is diving. I'm amazed at how well she swims now.

This is me being happy because I'm outside the bug room.

We went to the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles on Friday with Scott's parents. We had a great time. The girls loved every minute of it. My favorite was probably the butterflies and the big whale bones. It was so huge. (And that's why I don't like the ocean. Too many large mammals underneath.) Skyler said her favorites are the dinosaur and whale bones and the dead animals. hahahaha  Courtney said her favorites were the butterflies. Scott's favorite part was the BUG ROOM!!! ewwww! I had such a problem with it. It totally creeped me out. I seriously had to leave the room because it was so creepy. Especially after I found the black widow on display. However, it was a good pic for my blog becuase the sign said that black widows are mainly in California. So, that explains one of my questions from last week's 10 on Tuesday. I even took a picture just for all of you.

We also had the party for Courtney's reading program at the library. They had to read and report on so many books in the summer to be able to go to the party. There were SOOOOO many kids there. It was a little insane.

Still no update on my hubby's job. He should find out very soon though.

A few more pictures just for fun.

Weekend Review

I just had to add some pics from swim lessons. This is the last week of it. I'm amazed at how much they are learning. Skyler is swimming with her teacher holding under her belly. But doing much better. She's putting her face underwater while doing big arms and kicks too. She's also jumping in to the teacher instead of having her have to touch her hands to jump in. Courtney is learning so much. She did the breast stroke for the first time and has been doing that every day since. Today she just learned the breast stroke, but on her back. They're working on diving too. She has tried to do side breathing too which is huge for her to even try.

Think this, but only all black. I didn't want to scare him any further by taking his picture.

Ok, now to the weekend review. :) We started watching our friend's guinea pig for a week and a few days. He's so low maintenance. But he stinks. lol Also, one of my hubby's worst allergies is hay and they brought over hay in his cage. The girls have been calling him Mr. Guinea Pig, Guinea, or Mr. Guinea. Occasionally they call him by his actual name, Nicholas. We are also taking care of my parent's bird, Tiny, until Saturday as well. We have had to go over to their house to take care of her. I was thinking we could just bring her here so it would be easier and we would be with the bird more, but Scott didn't think his allergies could handle it.

Friday night we had a game night with my aunt (after the kids were asleep is when we started the games). It was fun as always. We played Rummikub. Then we turned it into a movie night also. :)

Saturday I went for a long run in the morning. It was perfect weather for a run. Overcast and cool. (At the beginning and middle of the run.) At the end it started getting too sunny. I decided to do my long run this week around our house and not go so far away this time just to see how it feels being close to home. Constantly passing my house and fighting the urge to stop every time. It was an 8 mile run. Thankfully I thought to tell my neighbor who was outside across the street doing a yard sale what I was doing. I still wasn't sure at that point that it would be my long run day. But once I told her it was like I had to do it. I kept having to stop to stretch the front of my left leg. Like in the shin area, but not a shin splint feeling. More of a muscle weakening feeling. Thankfully it finally went away. I was really glad my run was close to home for a few reasons. First, I all of a sudden had to go to the bathroom. So, after the first loop, I stopped inside to go. Then I had something in my eye and I thought I was going to have to stop to get it out, but it ended up being ok. Then finally it was getting way too sunny for these blue eyes of mine so I stopped in to get my sun glasses. But that only took a second. :) It was a good run and I felt like I could keep going at the end. So, that's a great sign. However, that night and the next day I could hardly walk because my heels were killing me. ahh

Sunday we went to church and went to a birthday pool party. We decided to not swim this time and just watch our little mermaids in the pool. Skyler had her life jacket on so she would be safe. They were dare devils jumping off the diving board!

Six Word Saturday

8 mile run today was great!

7 Mile Run!!!

7 Miles!!!

I did my first 7 mile run. I have done 7 before, but not running pretty much the whole thing. The only time before was at the relay for life and I was constantly stopping to get water and to stretch. This run was pretty much a run the whole time. I only stopped like 5 times for lights and to catch my breath. I counted that time against me too (except the lights where I couldn't even walk if I wanted to). At those I just paused the sportband.

I finished in 1 hour 20 minutes and 16 seconds. I was very proud of that. I kept my 5K pace throughout the whole 7 miles. I was shocked and surprised.

I decided to map it out ahead of time to see where I could run. Then it was getting late and I was losing daylight. So, I only mapped part of it. I did an extra loop at the beginning and a few cul de sacs along the way to add to the miles. I got back from the mapped part and was to my house at 4.95 miles. So I knew I had roughly 2 more to go. It was starting to get dark so I had to stay close to home. I looped around a few blocks then came back. I then just stuck to the sidewalk that is across the street from my house. It was too dangerous for me to run on the street. Especially since I was wearing all black (except my shoes). The rest of the run was rather boring because I was just going back and forth on my street and the one next to it on the side walk back and forth.

A few interesting things happened. I only got chased by one dog this time. Once again, it was a little one and a new one. So, mental note, don't go down that cul de sac again. Seriously, why are they out? You can tell they are just protecting their house, but really? Keep them inside or on a leash if you're outside with them.

O

Ok, I want to know why these say they are free clipart, royalty free...but then they put a big watermark on it??

GROSS!! A bug went up my nose....eeeeeeewww. Thankfully it went right back out as I essentially snorted it out. eeeeewwww Of course the natural reaction would be to snot shot it out. But what I wasn't expecting was that I then needed to blow my nose because I had more just waiting to come out. So gross. I of course didn't have any so I had to get it off my nose. I sorta blew my nose on the inside lower part of my shirt. NEVER thought I would do that! But I wasn't right near home to just go in and blow it real quick. And I didn't want to stop. I'm going to have to keep a running list of all of these random things one could need when on a run outside. It's kinda hilarious. Gross, but funny. Great stories to tell my hubby and kids when I get home. This time the kids were already asleep so I told my hubby. He laughed.

I also felt very clumsy. Maybe it was because it was so dark. Or my muscles were tired but I almost fell twice. Like tripped and caught myself, should have gone down, but somehow didn't.

I might need to start going on the trail. It has several signals but at least it wouldn't be a million streets to cross without signals. Also, it seems a little safer there for a longer run. There are constant people on it so if anything happened. Chances are someone would find me.

I have been thinking about safety a lot now that I am doing longer runs and more things are happening on my runs. So far I haven't been running with a phone. BAD IDEA. I don't like it at all. I want to get one of those little packs (kinda like a fanny pack but smaller and for runners). It stretches out to hold whatever. My phone could fit so at least I could call for help.

Some possible things you might need when you run:
Phone
Mace or stick
Tissue
Road ID
Gels or whatever you take for more energy on long runs (Do any of you do that? I bet it has too much fructose for me.)
Headband for sweat?


FYI: Trying to catch up on blogging after being on vacation.

10 on Tuesday

1. I had a traumatic run last night. First off I ran way too close to dusk. The sun was already down just wasn't dark yet when I started so I was trying to get r done. I had a pack of 3 little dogs chase me. (I yelled at them and then stopped and then kept coming. I yelled at them again and 2 of them ran away. I then noticed that one was still coming so I jumped around to stomp hard and yell at the same time. Trying to make myself look big too with my arms out. Finally that dog ran away too.) Then I go down the street and start rounding the corner and there comes another small dog (bigger than the first 3 though). He was with a group of people outside. I turned and yelled loudly at him. All of the people were running after trying to get him saying no that he's a good/nice dog. Then I told them that I just had 3 other dogs chase me and they all laughed and nodded in understanding at my reaction to their little dog. Thankfully I was almost home. It was starting to get dark. I never saw it coming. I inhaled a bug. eeeewwww I must have looked like I was choking on the side of the road. I was trying to cough it out. It didn't work and I ended up having to swallow it. So gross. My kids got a kick out of the story when I got back.

 2. I'm excited that my run time was at 34. min. 47 sec. last night (for a 5K). Back to the 34s. I have not been running this last week much so yesterday and the day before I ran. I need to get back on my 1/2 marathon training and this is helping a lot.

3. Our house is like laundry central today. Oh how the laundry just doesn't stop. I'm trying to get it all done before camping Friday so we have whatever we need to pack.

4. We have our annual Shaver Lake camping trip this weekend. We can only go a weekend this year. We were hoping to make it a week but Scott has to be back early to work to essentially re-apply for his job. More about that next. I am looking forward to the lake. It will be nice to get away, even if it's a lot of driving for just a weekend get away.

5. Scott's work, Chevron, is doing massive lay offs. They are restructuring like crazy. So, everyone has to reapply for 4 jobs. Out of those, his boss can recommend him for one. Then it's a waiting game to see if he gets one. ahhh He has already applied to a bunch of other places also and at Chevron just in case. It's very nerve wracking. Not knowing what's going to happen. When he has to apply for the jobs is next week. So, Shaver is out for being a week trip.

6. One of the snacks I like the most is graham crackers. I don't understand why I don't get sick off of them, though. They have wheat in them and have honey. Double whammy. Maybe there isn't enough to have it be a problem or maybe I just don't eat much of it because it's filling.

This is one of my favorite pictures that I have ever taken. This is straight from the camera.

7. The girls start swim lessons next week. I HAVE to remember that when we get back. I'll have to set a reminder on my phone. This will be Skyler's first year in a swim class without me (preschool swim class that they just added). Courtney will be in level 2 this year (again). She said they could move her up if they need to. I don't really care since she is safe in the water now. Now it's just refining her form and getting better at different strokes.

8. My girls are now obsessed with the possibility of going to Splash. It's a local waterpark. It looks like a tiny version of a waterpark in my opinion but it's crazy expensive. The girls had me count up all of the money they had in their piggy banks to see if they had enough for all of us to go. They didn't quite make it. I feel so bad about this, but we really don't have the money to be going to Splash when we have a school supply list to get and bills like crazy. ahh I wish I could take them. Some day.

9. 91 followers?!?!?! When the heck did that happen? Oh my gosh I'm so close to 100. That's just nuts. Just a couple months ago I was at 13. Where did you all come from? lol I'm still trying to figure out how to get back to your blogs if when I click on your picture there isn't a link section (with your blog on it). Hmm...sounds like maybe a giveaway should be done when/if 100 followers happens. Not sure what, but that seems appropriate.

10. The girls and I colored outside today on a blanket under the tree. It was fun, but now I feel itchy. Ever wonder what the people in the cars are thinking of you when they pass by? I do all the time.