Running since Nashville

My Nashville marathon time was pretty disappointing.  About 30 minutes in, my stomach didn't cooperate and it felt like it was downhill from there.  But I finished, and I'm happy to have one under my belt.  There have been so many things popping up that it hasn't felt right to blow money on another big race, so I didn't do anymore races except a Fourth of July 5k.  I just signed up for a relative small, local half marathon in a couple of weeks.  I've done a few ten mile runs that have felt easy.  I've been listening to Undisclosed and remembering how much I like running alone and getting caught up in a story.  *Story sounds like the wrong word; someone my age is possible sitting in prison for something he didn't do.  But that's not the point.*

I also signed C and I up as members of the running club here.  With membership comes free entry to a lot of local races.  Some 5k's and 15k's coming up.  I'm hoping it will be good motivation to keep running.  As of late I've lacked motivation, but I have felt so good the past week or so since I've been running more.  It's so clear when I run regularly how it helps with my anxiety and nervous energy.  I don't know why I can't remember that when I'm having a bad few days and just go run.

I also am planning to sign up for the Turkey Trot here.  Strollers are allowed at the back of the pack, so I think it will be a fun tradition to start.  And since it's Thanksgiving, hopefully a fun tradition to keep.  J will always be home.  I guess when he's married maybe he'll live somewhere else . . . ??  That's unfathomable now.  It'll be a tradition for at minimum, the next 21 years ;)

Speaking of J, he is into everything these days, just as a toddler should be.  He runs and says, "ahhhh" as he goes.  He climbs on anything that'll stand still.  He's pointing to body parts and he understands more than I would've guessed.  I know it's all very typical developmentally speaking, but it really is cool to see my kid learn things everyday.  I love that little dude so much.

Baby's First Christmas Eve

I've always enjoyed Christmas, but never anticipated it with so much excitement as this year.  Surely a result of an adorable baby boy.  So as the day creeped up and our plans cemented I could clearly see how Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the subsequent few days would play out.  I'm still holding my breath for Christmas and the subsequent few days, but here's how Christmas Eve played out compared to my visions for it:

7:00AM-12:00PM
What I Envisioned:  Waking up around 7.  J would wake up soon after, babbling in his crib.  We'd have breakfast and go to the gym so I could workout, as dictated by my new marathon schedule.
What Happened:  J woke up at 6:00 kicking the crib.  We had breakfast.  The childcare was closed (duh, Christmas Eve) so scrambled to get J to his grandparents', who agreed to watch him.  Hurry and have abbreviated workout (but got my miles in!) and return to get J.  Good timing because grandparent needs to leave to help SIL with her new house.  No hot water.  Poor SIL and her house problems :(  Her Christmas Eve isn't going as planned.

12:00PM-5:00PM
What I Envisioned:  Some combination of baby napping, me showering, baking cookies and doing laundry. Leave for Mass.
What Happened:  J napped.  I watched a little TV while starting laundry.  Heard annoying squirrel at window.  More time passed.  Realized it's not a squirrel at window; it's a mystery animal in the wall.  Poor me and my house problems :(  Sure as hell not baking cookies and providing incentive for mystery animal to come running out.  Now hubby has to make better door for crawl space so he's skipping Mass.  No cookies.  No laundry.  I did shower.

5:00PM-Bedtime
What I Envisioned:  Going to church and listening to kids' choir sing traditional Christmas songs, followed by Mass.  J loves church (so many people to look at!).  Go look at Christmas lights then go to hubby's side of the family for a little Christmas Eve party.
What Happened:  Got to church.  Adult choir singing obscure songs.  J starts crying inconsolably as Mass starts.  Walk him to lobby.  He vomits all over us.  Twice.  MIL comes out to help me clean up and gets our stuff.  We leave.  J throws up again on the way to the car.  Poor little dude.  Go home and rock sweet boy to sleep.  He seems better.

Annnnd now I'm up at 2AM.  You're asleep and you seem good.  I hope you are feeling better, but if not, we'll take care of you.  But we got you a balloon, amongst a bajillion other things because you were obsessed with grandparent's birthday balloon, so I hope you feel good to play with it.  Love you, little man.

26.2

This will be MINE in 137 days!  I have a bunch of medals, but none that say "marathon."  My husband has a bunch and I've been wanting to do one.  I had such a disappointing half after my son was born.  I had a c-section and, maybe I'm making excuses, but I think that impacted my run.  My training runs, while they did get easier, still felt so very difficult.  Following the half, I started swimming a lot.  I think that did wonders for strengthening my core and I believe that will make training for this race enjoyable.
Now I just need to figure out a way to make sure Jake's little face isn't too cold in the running stroller!

Don't Know What I'm Doing

I have a husband and I love him.

We have a son and I love him.

I love running and, more recently, swimming.

I’ve done a few half marathons.   For Christmas, my husband and son bought me an entry to my first marathon.  I’ve wanted to do one for a while.  I’m excited to put a checkmark in that box.

Our son is 9 months old.   I love our little family.  I’m not one to detail all the bad times, but I also don’t like the people that pretend everything is perfect and their life is a living Pinterest board. 

I don’t know the point of writing all of this.  

Maybe I’ll keep up with this just to write and think.

We’ll see.