I DID IT!

I finished.


It wasn't the prettiest finish ever (my ankles and hips started hurting around mile 9) but I did it. I even have a medal to prove it. I'm fighting the urge to just wear it wherever I go.

My medal :) 

I even had a semi-respectable finishing time of 2:31:52 (that averages out to 11:36/mile, but really when I was running it was closer to 9:29 and then closer to the end I walked on and off for about two miles)


Here's the low-down on my first half-marathon:
Friday afternoon, I drove to Hector's house, left my Jeep there, and we drove his van down to Colfax to stay at Mark & Lori's. Lori, who also ran (and kicked my butt!) knew some other ladies that were going to be in the race, so she invited everyone over for some carb-loading pizza. It was great to meet some more people to have a few friendly faces at the race. 


Rachel, Lori's daughter, was nice enough to give me her room for the night, and I went to bed around ten thirty I think. The furniture in her room used to be mine when I was little, so it was weird to sleep on my old bed.... I had set my alarm for six, but to do the pre-race jitters, I was up a bit before my alarm went off. It would seem I was the only one with this problem since everyone else got up after six thirty. We left by eight to try and get a decent parking spot at the race site, and so that we could register and pick up our stuff before the race started at ten.


On the short drive down to the race site, which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, I kept worrying I hadn't brought clothes that would be warm enough for the run. The hills were covered in deep snow and it was COLD outside, but thankfully, once we descended to the river's elevation, it warmed up a lot and there wasn't any snow around. It was actually pretty warm for early March. We got our race shirts, bibs, and a little bit of free stuff they were giving away and bought our pint glasses with the race's logo on it (I use mine for milk, not ale) and I'm glad we picked up our glasses so early because they sold out quickly. I ran in to several people I knew from Winter Warriors and a Sole Sister was even there (but not running. She was there to cheer her husband on and work the massage table afterwards) which was really neat. It was almost time for the race to start.

Me, Lori, & Hector

The view. Basically what the course looked like.

Sorry, I can't flip the picture. Weather clearing up.

Lori, Hector, Kelly, Brenda, Audrey, and me. (I think I got those names right.)

They were running a couple minutes behind on setting things up, but we got started without a hitch. Lori, Hector and I stuck together for a little bit in an effort to try and pace ourselves and not start out too quickly. We saw a dead, bloated elk in the river within our first mile. It was pretty gross, but proved to be a good landmark for me on my way back. The three of us stayed together for about the first mile, and then perhaps stupidly (in hindsight) I started inching forward. I did my first mile in 9:29, which wasn't too bad for pacing my self. I then I got cocky and competitive, and wasn't watching myself. I pulled quite a ways ahead of them, and kept thinking, "I got this! I sooo going to finish before them. I'm so much younger, etc, etc..." Well, right before the turn around around mile six, Lori and Hector come up behind me, say hi, and then pass me. Serves me right. (I'd forgotten to factor in that since their kids are older, they have more time to get out and run, and that they'd been pacing themselves much better...) 


The farthest I'd ever run at once was nine miles before this race. This was mile six, and I was starting to get really tired. Not a good sign. I thought to myself that I'd slow down, walk for a teeny, teeny bit, and then run and catch up with them. (It's happened before.) I did not catch up to them. And, after the turn around, it was very depressing how far ahead you could see. It wasn't like that on the way out. Now, I could see everyone that was ahead of me, and for a couple miles ahead. The scenery was starting to get old. There weren't many landmarks or signs or anything. Just the river, and hills, the road and a railroad track that ran alongside.


By mile nine, my ankles were starting to hurt, and from that point on, what was already a tough race became even harder. It's no fun to see people thirty-forty years older than you, or people that look like they have absolutely no place in a half-marathon passing you. It was a very humbling experience. So much for all my cockiness at the beginning. Mile ten or so, my hip starting hurting and I so badly wanted to quit. Every once in a while, though the road was closed, there would a pickup going from water station to water station refilling supplies, and I so badly wanted to hitch a ride. But I finished. From my estimates, which are very rough, I think all together, I walked somewhere between two-two and a half miles on the way back. 


I'm glad I did it though. It's something I can cross off my bucket list, I accomplished something big before my birthday, and completed one of my new year's resolutions. I also decided that while I think someday I'd like to do another one, I'll probably wait until the kids are a little older and I can train better for it. In the meantime, I have a few more races this spring, a fundraiser run for the local PD, a three mile fun run (for Girl Scout Cookies!) beginning of April, a 60 mile relay mid-April, and Phil and I are thinking about doing a duet-thalon in May.

A Quick Jot.

A quick jot to say thanks to the moms that gave feedback on schooling and chores for kids. (And the great links I was provided with! I'll be printing off a bunch of chore charts [for me and for the boys] today and see which ones work best for our house)


I also wanted to give a quick update on the pre-half-marathon week. The race is four days away! Man, that went by SO quickly. It seems like just a week or two ago that it was forty days. I haven't been able to run much since I did the nine miles a couple weeks ago. I think I've only gone twice, a four mile and two mile run. Not the best for training to run a thirteen mile course. But, with Elliot and Oakley's birthdays and a couple of their friends' birthdays and other obligations, I either haven't had the time or been to tired to start running at ten at night.


I was planning on running last night, but after I did the payroll for work, I laid down on my bed and fell asleep. So that didn't happen. I set my alarm for 4 a.m. (and 4:30 thinking it would be unlikely that I would heed the earlier one) but went right back to sleep after turning them off. Hopefully I can get off my half-lazy behind tonight and get on my treadmill.


Please pray for decent weather for Saturday, and a safe drive down to Colfax and Lewiston. I don't want to run in super windy or slushy weather....

Chores.

Yes, I still need to get my dishes done. Don't judge.
I was reading a friend's blog which had a link to another blog, and then I was reading another friend's blog which had another link to a blog... The connective thread among all of these was chores, specifically cleaning. I kept finding more information about how much your children should be helping out at home. Due in part to these blogs, and I promise NOT my laziness, I've come to the realization that I haven't been encouraging my kids to help out enough around the house. 


I usually save up a lot of the cleaning to do while the kids nap (it's nearly impossible to get the dishwasher loaded/unloaded while Elliot grabs stuff out of it or tries to climb in!) or after they go to bed for the night. Big surprise! Mommy doesn't get much sleep or quiet time in that way, and is exhausted all the time.


So, starting tomorrow, I'll print off one of the chore charts I found online (well, talk to Phil about it first to see how he feels, and then proceed accordingly) and the boys can start helping out around the house doing things they should probably be doing anyways and possibly earning a teeny bit of allowance while they're at it. 


I in no way consider myself a clean freak or maybe not even a neat person, but when I do clean, I like things done in a particular way, so it will also be an exercise for me to let go, and just let things get done.


What are your thoughts on chores and the division of labour?

Senior Year Deja-Vu.

Here's the thing: I'm feeling like I'm behind in my parenting. It's very much like Senior year of high school, in my experience. If anyone was like me, that was the time of my life where it seemed all of my friends knew exactly when to have senior pictures done by, send in college applications, fill out financial aid forms, submit essays to get scholarships, and I was always five steps behind. It's not that I didn't care about doing any of those things, I just could never seem to know about things before deadlines and opportunities passed me by.
Fast forward six years or so, (really, it's been almost six years since graduation? That seems crazy!) and I'm in the same boat, but this time, my children are suffering.


There needs to be a class or something, maybe around the time your oldest child is two, that tells you when you need to start looking at pre-schools and regular schools and all that stuff. When to start teaching reading, writing, or even the basics like colours, shapes, numbers and the alphabet. 


 My children are by no means stupid, I'm not trying to imply that at all. And they do pretty well on the basics despite the fact I probably didn't start as early as I should have teaching them those things. But it only recently occurred to me (Oliver's fourth birthday) that I've done nothing to really plan ahead for their education, only figuring that the summer before they turn five, we'd look into the local schools.
It seems most of the other kids around their age are already in preschool or will be starting next fall, some of them younger than Oliver. I'm feeling like a slacker. For a kid like Oakley, who loves sitting down and colouring and doing puzzles and reading books, I'm not quite as worried about it, but Oliver doesn't sit still very long to do things like that. He likes to build things and put things together. He's very mechanical about everything he does. I'm worried that he won't do very well in a school-type setting, but I also don't think homeschooling would be a good idea for him either.


I would appreciate any suggestions/tips from experienced moms (and dads.) I've tried, not very hard, but a few times, to sit down with Oliver with some pre-school books but he gets so bored and gets distracted....
Also, any tips about when to look at schools and what to look for. 

Makes Me Smile.

Sometimes children say odd things, mean things, sweet things. I've been lucky enough to avoid most of the "mean" things for now (aside from kids telling each other it's THEIR toy or that I'm playing with a certain train wrong, etc...) but our life has been rife with curious sayings and changing of words (As very young toddlers, Oliver and Oakley called noodles "noo-noos" and waffles "waff-waffs" and so we still call them that today.) Every once in a while though, they will say something that will just melt my heart or make me laugh...


One of my all time favourites is from about a year ago now, I think. I was heading out with the kids to do errands on a particularly windy day, Oliver was wearing a foam-type construction hat (why not?) and opened the door just as a huge gust of wind went by. His hat started flying off, and amazingly he caught it and said, "Come on hat! Don't be scared!" This is my go-to for cheering myself up.


My favourite thing Oakley has probably ever said, was actually on two separate occasions, the first about a month ago now, and the second a couple weeks ago. The first was when I was curling my hair (very rare!) and Oakley came into the bathroom and told me I was "fancy" and "pretty." Phil has been pretty good about teaching the boys that ladies like it when you compliment them, and so most Sundays as I'm getting ready for Meeting, Phil will ask the boys, "Doesn't Mommy look pretty today?" or something to that effect. The second time Oakley decided to pay me a compliment was when I was getting ready a couple of Sundays ago (it's really the only day of the week I get dressed that early and bother with make-up) and Phil asked Oakley as usual "Doesn't Mommy look pretty?" and Oakley said, "No," long pause, "Mommy's beautiful." (*sigh*) What a sweet boy! He will be trouble with the girls later on, I think. Besides the fact that he already knows how to one-up his daddy in the compliments department, he's got the hair that everyone wants to touch... Oakley spells trouble :)


Elliot doesn't really say much yet, he's fully able of communicating, just not with actual words, but one thing that cracked me up, happened just yesterday: Oliver was petting the cat (a rare time that she came out during the day) and she was enjoying it and making meowing sounds and Elliot was meowing back at her. It was very cute (probably had to be there.)

Run, run, run...

Today the countdown was at twenty days until my half-marathon.


Training has not been going well, or really, at all. I've still been going to Winter Warriors, but only averaging three to four miles. Still a long way from where I started last year, when five miles seemed like the longest distance EVER, but not good enough to get me ready for thirteen miles.


When we got home from Meeting today, Phil knew I needed to run, so I grabbed a granola bar and changed. I drove out to the Centennial Trail, since it has mile markers and that way I can track my mileage a little more accurately. 


On a side note, before I continue with the real story, there's this watch I've really been wanting for a while, and I told myself that if I ran over eight miles, I'd let myself get it. (Thanks to the Thanks for Sharing dollars I'd earned from Macy's.)


So, the first two miles, go okay. A little slow feeling, until I check my time and see I've been running about nine-minute miles, which isn't too bad for me. I did forget my water bottle at home though, and had forgotten to take a piece of gum with me to help keep hydrated, so I was feeling a little dry. The first couple of miles always seem the hardest to me for whatever reason. Once I hit three, I feel like I can run just about anywhere.


About where the three mile marker would be, the trail splits off and to keep going on the Centennial Trail, you have to turn, but there seemed to be a lot of bike traffic that way (and more hills, honestly) so I kept going straight. Little did I know that the trail this way turns into Liberty Lake Trails, which are just as nice, all paved, but do not have mile markers. (Hence, the estimation on my distance based on driving as close to the trail route as possible afterwards.)


I kept waiting and waiting for a mile marker, thinking surely I should've passed one by now! But they never came. I was almost in Liberty Lake at this point, and remembered that a bit onward, there's an overpass for the trail that connects it to the other one on the other side of the freeway and it runs along the river. I thought, I must be close, I'll just run to that, and cross and that'll be my way of turning back around to my car. It was a lot farther than it seems while driving on the freeway, and the trail was starting to turn sharply towards the hills and I realized (after calling Phil) that it would be many more miles before I reached that overpass not counting all the miles I still had to run back. So, I just turned around there, since it seemed a good a spot as any, and as best as I can figure, that was pretty close to the four and a half mile mark for me. (A tip: I do not suggest immediately driving your running route. What took an hour and a half for me to run, took about five minutes to drive...) 


Before today, I think the farthest I had run was six and a half miles, so I was pretty proud that today I hardly walked at all, kept a steady pace, and still felt pretty good at the end of my run. I walked about a (broken) half mile, but I still count it into my distance, since I needed that to get back to my car. My pre-half-marathon goal was to be able to run about ten miles "comfortably" so I'm really close! I figure if I can run ten, the last three of the race shouldn't be too hard to finish. I'll let you know how that works out ;)


As for my watch, I went to get it after my run, and neither Macy's in my area had it. Big bummer! I did get Phil some cologne he's been wanting for Valentine's day instead, and will start re-saving up for my watch....

Three Things: Shoe Websites.

So, it's probably not a shocker to you that I love to shop for shoes. Unless you're a stranger that stumbled upon my blog, and then it might be, I suppose. If you care nothing about shoes, I suggest you just skip this one...


People often ask me where I buy my shoes, since I seem to have a never-ending supply, and I almost always recommend the following three:


1. Heels.com
I can rarely afford all the shoes I want here, but they have an amazing selection! It's a great website, it the way it's displayed, ease of use, and how you can narrow down what you're looking for. As the name implies, they have pretty much only heels (also some boots, flats, and sandals, but you won't find, say, athletic shoes...) A bonus though: (if I'm not mistaken) 2nd day free shipping.


2. Zappos.com
I've only recently made my first purchase from them, but again, a GREAT selection. Unlike Heels.com, they have a wider variety of types of shoes, and the pair I just bought there was a pair of Nike light weight racing shoes and the prices are a little more competitive. They have free shipping both ways (always!) and you can return them up to 365 days after you've bought them. Amazing! I know I'll be using this website a lot more in times to come.


3. DSW.com
Most of their shoes are actually in my price range, which is nice, and you can accumulate points towards discounts, too. Their selection isn't as big as the first two, but they have everything from women's formal to men's casual. The best deal I ever got was from this website, when last year on St.Patrick's day, I got to have 50% taken off everything I bought that day (6 pairs of shoes later....) which was just in time for my birthday :)


4. (a bonus...) Macys.com
I love Macy's in general. Being a card holder I get a lot of discounts and coupons, so I can usually get what I want for a minimum of 25% off, which is always enjoyable. Their site is great for reviews, and you can always return things to the store if it doesn't work out for whatever reason.


Now, the place I buy most of my shoes is split pretty evenly between Macy's and Nordstrom Rack, but unfortunately, NR doesn't have a website, but you can get things there for SO CHEAP! Or, at least, a lot cheaper than they were originally.


Anyways, in case you cared, these are my favourite places to shop, even it's only window-shopping.