Family Run

This morning M and I put the boys in the double stroller and headed out for a family run.  We ran 3 miles together.  It was perfect running weather - sunny but cool.  The boys love going for a run with us and L always encourages us to run faster! 

I look forward to the day when my boys can run along with us or ride their bikes next to us.  I want to encourage them to make exercise a fun part of their daily life.  I want them to create these habits early on so it just becomes a part of life for them - something they enjoy and look forward to doing.

Front page!

I got home from work today to find a surprise in my mailbox.  The race director of the Half Moon Bay International Marathon (#HMBIM) mailed me a hard copy of the Half Moon Bay Review.  I knew the picture of L and I cheering at the marathon was in the paper but I had no idea it made the front page!  Very cool!

I'm very grateful to Eric Vaughn for sending me a copy. 

We made the paper!

L and I made the paper!  The photographer who took pictures of us holding signs up for M during his marathon put the picture in the Half Moon Bay Review!

2 Miles

When I got home tonight I had 30 minutes before M and the boys would be home.  I wanted to get a run in but I was feeling super unmotivated.  The quiet house all to myself sounded really appealing.  I forced myself to get dressed and head out though.  I told myself I wasn't going to set out on any set mileage run.  I was just going to run.  When I stopped enjoying it I could turn around and come back. 

I'm a slow runner.  My usual pace is about 10 minute miles, sometimes 10:30.  Imagine my surprise when I came home after 2 miles and saw that I did it in 17 minutes!  I ran much faster than I normally do and felt great! 

It definitely made me think that maybe I need to get out of my head sometimes.  I shouldn't get so hung up on how far I want to run and instead just run.  Because 8 months ago I wasn't running more than a minute without having to take a walk break. 

M's Marathon

M ran his marathon today.  We were up and out of the house by 5:30am to drive to Half Moon Bay.  E dozed off during the car ride but L was up.  We got there around 6:45am.  We headed into an open indoor mall where it was warmer inside (it was probably 50 degrees outside).  M warmed up a bit and relaxed before his event.

The boys were all bundled up for the cool weather!

The Half Moon Bay International Marathon #HMBIM began at 7:45am (the half, 5K, and 10K events started earlier).  Once M went to line up the boys and I planted ourselves on a corner where we knew M would come running by as he started.  L was so excited to see his daddy come running by.  He held up a sign to show him as the event started.

Once M passed the boys and I headed back into the indoor mall to warm up and kill some time before M would pass by the start/finish line again around mile 9.  I gave the boys some snacks and let them wander around a bit.

 
I'm tempted to send this picture to Gap to offer up my boys as their next Gap Kids models - aren't they adorable?

But I digress.  At this time it was getting past E's normal nap time.  I gave him his bottle and blankie and put him in the stroller with it reclining.  I was hoping the bouncing of the stroller as we walked would put him to sleep but we had no such luck.  Instead he just screamed.  He'd calm down for a bit but for the most part he was not a happy camper.  L and I didn't let it dampen our spirits though.  We headed back outside to the same spot where we were before so we could wait to watch M pass us.  L held up a sign that grew quite the crowd around him taking pictures.

Everyone was laughing at that sign.  As the runners ran past us many laughed and gave us the thumbs up.  I'm glad they weren't offended by the sign.  We caught the attention of a local reporter who took a few pictures of L holding the sign and later asked us for our names and information.  He said he'd look for us at the end of the marathon to interview M to get his reaction to the signs.

We were so excited to see M come running around the bend.  L got such a huge smile on his face when he saw daddy.  I was glad M wore a bright yellow shirt since it was easy to spot him on this foggy day.

After we saw him around mile 9 we got into the car and drove south on highway 1 so we could catch him again.  We parked not far from an aid station on Poplar Beach and caught him as he ran past mile 15. 

 And waved goodbye as he ran past us. 

 The rest of the time while we waited to see him again (he would head south to the Ritz Carlton and then turn around to head back and we'd catch him around mile 22) L and I would cheer at the other runners.  L was so adorable.  He'd yell "Good Job!" to the different runners we'd see and many of them would give him a big smile or say thank you.  We also would clap or say "Woohoo!" as they sped past us.  E (who still hadn't napped at this point) was in the Ergo and he would mimic the sounds we were making too.  It was really cute.

As M approached mile 22 we made sure to cheer even louder for him.  I thought I'd give him something to laugh at so I held up a sign that said, "If you think you're tired...my arms are killing me!"

 It was such a thrill to see him run by. He always had a smile on his face.  His form was great.  He made it look so easy (even though I know it wasn't)!

 After we saw him at mile 22 we quickly packed up the car and raced back to the finish line.  E fell asleep on the 15 minute car ride back.  I thankfully was able to transfer him to the stroller without him waking and we ran to the finish line.  As we saw the runners come through who I knew were just a bit ahead of M, L and I got excited.  I knew M would have a good time because the announcer was saying not too many runners had finished yet.  Then we saw that yellow shirt make it's way up the hill.

 M completed the marathon in 3:27:57 which was a PR for him.  He finished 29th overall and 10th in his age group.  I am so proud of him.  He did amazing.  Watching him cross that finish line brought tears to my eyes.  Remembering all of the hard work and dedication he put into training for this marathon and then to have him do so well was so inspiring. 

 After some post marathon stretches and a walk around the farmer's market we headed home - all of us exhausted in our own way. 

 I can't wait to cheer M on again in December as he tackles the California International Marathon! 

Salt

Some of my students heard that M is running a marathon in a few days.  They had heard that runners are supposed to eat a salt packet or two after completing a marathon to replenish the salt their body lost while running.  They were so excited to give me a handful of salt packets to give to him!

Packet Pick Up

Today I volunteered for the packet pick up for the Half Moon Bay International Marathon #HMBIM.  M is running in the marathon on the 23rd so I felt compelled to volunteer when I could.  Since I will have both boys with me when he's running the marathon I couldn't volunteer that day so instead I did today at our local Sports Basement.

It was such a great experience.  I met some of the race organizers and other volunteers.  I was amazed at the amount of hard work that goes into putting on a race.  I felt honored to play a small part in helping the race take place.  It was exciting to meet the runners coming to pick up their bibs and t-shirts.  I was amazed to hear how for some this is their first 10K, half marathon, or full marathon.  It definitely inspired me to run a race soon.

I can't wait to cheer M on in a week.  The course sounds like it is absolutely beautiful, right by the ocean.

Here's his bib!

Breaking Point

Today I felt like I reached my breaking point.  Some days I feel like I can manage being a mama, wife, teacher, and runner well.  I feel like I give 100% in each of these roles.  I feel good, accomplished.  Today was not one of those days. 

I had an incredibly busy day at work.  I didn't have one moment free.  I was busy the entire teaching day (and today is supposed to be my easy day!).  After school my classroom was filled with students wanting extra help which normally I'm happy to do.  But today I really wanted to leave on time so I could pick up the boys, come home, and we'd all head out for a family 4 mile run.  But I didn't leave work until when I was supposed to be arriving home.  By the time I got the boys and made it home it was past 5 (dinner is usually at 5:30 since the boys go to bed early).  I was frustrated that we weren't going to have time to go for a run together.  To top it all off the entire 20 minute car ride home from day care L through a huge tantrum and was screaming at the top of his lungs the whole way home.

M said he'd watch the boys, so I laced up my shoes and was out the door.  I made it to the end of the street when I broke down.  I was exhausted.  I hadn't eaten anything since noon.  I was thirsty.  I was so busy this afternoon that I didn't even have time to think about drinking water so I was going on 5+ hours without any fluids.  Plus I knew that I only had a short amount of time with my boys tonight before they went to bed. 

I turned around and came home.  Today I feel like a failure.  I feel like I'm not juggling everything in my life well.  I'm having a hard time being a good mama, wife, and teacher.  I feel out of balance.  Maybe forcing myself to run might have been a good idea.  Maybe not.  I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Making my way back

I went out for a run last night and it was good - not great, but considering how bad my runs have been lately I'll take good.  I got home at 5pm.  It was a crazy afternoon.  I knew if I didn't go for a run right away then I might not make it.  I asked M if he would watch the boys and was out the door.  It was hot (mid 80s) and I was running with the sun right me but I did it.  I actually felt pretty strong running.  I only ran 2.5 miles but it felt pretty good.  I had a good pace with 10 minute miles. 

This afternoon M has a 4 mile training run so we're going to do it together.  The boys will come along for the ride in the double Bob.  I'm looking forward to the whole family out running. 

M's marathon is a little over a week away.  I'm so proud of him getting this far in his training and I know he'll do great on the 23rd.  I signed up to volunteer to hand out packets for the runners this Sunday at the Sports Basement near our house.  I'm beginning to warm to the idea of entering a race myself. 

Only 3 miles...

I told myself yesterday that I was going to run 6 miles today.  But I didn't.  Because M had to run this morning as well and I had an appointment at 10am, I knew if I was going to get my 6 miles in I'd have to set an alarm and go early.  I just didn't feel like it. 

All day I felt guilty.  I knew I should have gotten up to run.  But i just wasn't feeling it.  Finally at 4:30 this afternoon I put on my shoes and went out the door.  I told myself it didn't matter how far I went or how fast I ran.  I just needed to run.  After 2 miles I wanted to turn and head home.  But I forced myself to run another mile.  I told myself that it is OK if I don't want to run 6 miles and continue to add mileage every week. But I will not lose the ability to run 3 miles relatively easily.  I don't want to go back to the beginning of the Couch to 5K.  So if all I run is 3 miles, that is OK.  In the end it felt pretty good.  I was happy I ran even if it was half the distance I had initially hoped I'd run today.

Sometimes the hardest part is just putting my shoes on. 

Still Struggling

I've still been struggling this week with my running.  I would have thought after my great Chi Running lesson last Saturday that I would WANT to go out and run.  But I haven't.  That said, I did manage to go out on two runs this week.  Tuesday and Friday I brought my running clothes with me to work and changed into them before I left.  Instead of heading to Lake Merritt like I have been lately I went to the Lafayette Reservoir.  I used to walk the 2.75 mile loop a lot when I lived near there so I thought I'd try running it. 

Both days I struggled.  The reservoir is a bit hilly and I usually avoid hills at all costs.  I definitely had a hard time running up all of the hills.  I told myself it was OK to walk up the steep parts of the hill as long as I ran whenever the hill was gradual or flat.  So I did that.  Both days after I finished I felt pretty good.  I was slightly down on myself for not being able to run the entire thing but I guess that is something to work towards.  I did like how I felt different muscles in my legs when I was going up or down the hills.  I'm going to keep tackling the reservoir until I can run the entire thing.

20 Miles

M is nearing the end of his marathon training.  His race is in 3 weeks.  Today he ran 20 miles (in 2:37!).  After his run he headed straight into an ice bath.  He made quite a few shrieks as he got into the water.  I'm not sure I'll ever be brave enough to submerge myself in an ice bath!  He truly inspires me though.  He is so dedicated to his marathon.  I can't wait to cheer him on in 3 weeks.

Slump

I'm in a running slump.  You would have thought after my great Chi Running workshop yesterday that I'd be excited to get out the door this morning and run my scheduled 5.5 miles.  I'm a little over a week from completing my 10K training program.  My 5 mile run last Sunday was awesome.  Why do I not feel awesome now?

I didn't go run.  I made an excuse.  I just wasn't feeling it.  I know it's natural to have running slumps.  I know it happens.  What I'm afraid of is this becoming longer than a 1 day slump.  I need to get back to it.  I know the first run (or runs) while trying to break through a slump are going to be hard.  I need to fight through it though. 

Sigh.  I keep waiting for the day that running is easy for me.  That I not only WANT to get out the door and run but that I DO get out the door and run. 

Chi Running Lesson

Today M and I took a private Chi Running lesson.  Back in February I took a 5 hour Chi Running Workshop that totally changed how I view running. At that point I couldn't even run half a mile so taking a workshop where I'd be running a lot was really intimidating.  But I learned so much.  I learned proper form for running and I really attribute it to helping me get to where I am now. Most of all I learned that I CAN run.  I just need to dedicate myself to actually DOING it.

M and I talk a lot about running.  I shared with him what I learned from the workshop.  He's been struggling with his right Achilles tendon during his marathon training and thought he'd benefit from improving his form a bit and hopefully stay injury free to run his marathon on the 23rd.  I contacted Hazel Wood who was the instructor at my workshop and inquired about a private lesson.  We met with her today.

The lesson was great.  Even though a lot of the things we went over today, I heard at the workshop I attended back in February, they took on a whole new meaning now that I have been running regularly.  In addition it was really gratifying to be able to run the different drills and see how I have improved.  I was able to fine tune my form and also apply different techniques that seemed too overwhelming a few months ago. 

M benefited from the lesson because he learned that he could actually lean forward more and increase his speed.  It made him feel good when right away Hazel commented that he could push himself further.  He'd love to qualify for Boston at some point so hearing that he is capable of increasing his speed was awesome.  She was able to observe us run and give us pointers on how we could improve.  I felt awesome when she commented on how much I've changed from when I first worked with her.  It really solidified in my own mind that I am a runner now.  At the end of the lesson she videotaped us running and gave us feedback.  Seeing myself run now compared to how I ran 7 months ago was really inspiring.  It lifted my spirits especially considering I've had a hard week running and just haven't been feeling it.  I hope I remember that running has its ups and downs but that I need to stick with it because I have improved so much and I'd love to continue to improve.