Training-week 27

14 Yassos! I did it! It was way better than the last time I ran 12 Yassos. However, reality is starting to kick-in. As I was running on the treadmill, my mind started playing games with me. I started hearing an unfamiliar voice.

"You are running 26.2 miles in 2 weeks!"

"Who, in their right mind, runs 26.2 miles?"

"You've never ran that far before!"

"You're going to DIE!"

Yep, good old Doubt, Anxiety and Nervous all decided to join me on my last real training run. All of the sudden, it seems so sudden. I start wondering if I've trained right. I can't cram any more serious training in before October 9th. Am I really ready?

Then reach for another gummy bear (I eat on after each Yasso) and I realize I only have 4 more in the bag. Before I started today, I thought if I could just get 12 GOOD Yassos in, I would be happy. HOLY COW! I was going to get all 14 Yassos that I had planned. I won't lie, my legs started getting tired at 12, but that's what this training is for. So my legs learn, and I don't give up, to run on tired legs. The last 2 were tough, but not impossible. And as soon as I was done, I took my picture and my legs felt AWESOME!!! I had done it! And I didn't die!

No one can predict exactly what's going to happen on the fateful Sunday in Chicago. But I've done all I can think of and have no regrets. This will be my last training post. My next running post will be post marathon. If you happen to think about it on October 9th, send me your positive thoughts. I'll take all that I can get!

Race for the cure

This morning, the kids and I got up early and drove to Town East Mall for the "Race for the cure" Komen 5K. We were part of a team that was started for my friend Kris Jittawait. Before I show the pictures from the event, I want to thank my family and friends that sponsored me. Our team was one of the top 2 individual/teams in raising money!!! Now for the pics!!

It's early, but she's READY!

Owen and Noah, Kris's son.

Kris and myself, Allie took this pic.

Don't we look TALL!!!

We saw our friends the Farleys.

I walked/ran the non competitive 5K, pulling this!

I finished it in 1:30:35. :)

The weather was perfect! We even saw hot air balloons.

Even Storm Troopers fight this battle!

The Pink Ladies

During the Survivor Parade, Kris's family watches proudly as she walks by.

They had all the survivors stand on the bleachers for a group photo, they had a group sing an amazing song and then let several doves go at the end. Just as we watched them fly above us, we all thought the same thing. "Please, don't poo on us!" But just as the final dove flew over the survivors, you can only guess what happened. Luckily, NO ONE got hit!

The only victim of the poo.

League of Room Moms

Yep! There are 6 of us. 6 moms from the second grade. We are each different. We each bring something special to our group. We've known each other since Kindergarten (our kid's Kindergarten class, that is). And now we are the moms who get to make second grade a FUN and EXCITING year. We get to plan ALL THE PARTIES!!!!

This morning we met at Panera, to discuss the up coming Halloween/Fall Party. We talked about that for about 10 minutes... we were there for over an hour. It was so enjoyable to sit, drink and chat about life. We each have our own story, but second grade ties us together. I can tell you from this meeting, it is going to be a GREAT year.

Dancing Queen

This past month, Allison has been taking dance lessons (tap and ballet) from the North YMCA Dance Academy. To say she loves it, is an understatement. I've been able to take a few pics. She'll be doing this all school year, ending with a big dance recital in May. I'm so proud of my tiny dancer!

First day

Learning to shuffle

Ballet at the bar

Arabesque

She's READY!!!

Build-My-Own Bear

Today, the kids and I went to Michael's and checked out all the goodies. Allie, my little arts and crafts guru, fell in love with this bear kit. So I bought it and knew we would have a fun little project to do today, just the 2 of us.

It even came with a birth certificate.

She impressed me with how willing and eager she was to learn and do much of it herself. There were a few things that mommy had to do, but in the end she was the one who built the bear. The pictures below show the entertaining process.

She's learning to sew.

She had to try on the tiara.

Stuffing it with fluff.

Very focused.

A finished bear.

Now to dress the princess.

The finishing touch.

I did it!

Training-week 26

Well, now that I'm on the down-hill part of this training schedule I'm not doing anything too fabulous. I ran 6 miles, outside and it felt good. I kept a steady pace, nothing too fast or slow for about an hour. I have 2 more training weeks before my marathon debut. I'll be running, hopefully, 14 Yassos next Sunday and then a 7 mile run the following Sunday. I can't believe I'm almost done with this training program.

Training-week 25

Well, this wasn't the easiest 7 mile run... but it was my FASTEST!!! I had originally planned to run outside before the day started. But mother nature had other plans. It was RAINING! So I drove to the YMCA and jumped on the treadmill. I think mentally, this was hard because I was all ready to run outside. But I was so happy with my finished time. 1:02 (for 7 miles-this is the fastest I've ever run) I'm still nervous about October 9th, but I know if I'm smart, I will do it and meet my goals.

Here comes the...

NO! Not the bride. My favorite part of a wedding... CUTE KIDS!!!

I didn't know any when I got married, so we didn't have any. But this past weekend, my step-sister was the lucky one to have both my adorable kids in her wedding.

A flower girl and ring bearer

Look at how cute they are!

Allie got her hair done (first time curled)

(View of the back)

The three flower girls

Allie and Owen directing traffic

Allie taking her job seriously

The entire wedding party

(That's a LOT of kids!)

The NEW Charlie's Angels

Allie doing a wonderful job!

Owen, and the other ring bearers, picking up the flower petals.

Cheer With Me!

These are pictures from Allie's cheer leading clinic. As you can see, she loved it. However, she was very frustrated with somersaults and cartwheels. Looks like we have some practicing to do!

She's R.E.A.D.Y.

Cartwheels

Pom-pom routine

YEAH!

Pyramid

(Could they be any cuter?)

Go, Team, GO!

Last night before bedtime, Allie decided it was time to practice some of her cheerleading moves. She started Cheer Clinic today. I will post those pics another time. But enjoy the clips of her enthusiasm!

GO, TEAM!

What's that spell?

Training-week 24

Well, I did my last 20 mile run (before the actual marathon). It was both amazing and difficult at the same time. I got company for my 5:30 am start. Our friend, Kevin, is visiting for the weekend and agreed to run with me for a while. And my girlfriend, Julie, came over to meet us. Julie was great! She actually ran farther than she has run outside with me in a LONG WHILE. Then she decided to turn back and start her busy day. Kevin ran the entire first loop with me. That's 10 miles!!! It was the farthest he has EVER ran. I was so proud of him. He's been toying with the idea of training for a half marathon. Well, I can honestly say, HE IS READY!

The last loop of 10 miles was a solo run. The sun was starting to come out and make it a little warmer and the wind was CRAZY. After reaching mile 16 my left knee started to hurt so I had to "speed walk" off and on for the rest of the 20. But I finished it! Chicago... Here I Come!

A fly on the wall

Well, both of my kids have been in school for at least a full week. So far, so good.

I'm very proud of both of them. I'm still working on filling my "FREE" time, but I'm getting there. There is still a part of me that wishes I could be a fly on the wall in their classrooms.

Lucky for me, one of Allie's teachers does a class blog instead of newsletters. I LOVE IT!!!! For those of you that are interested in seeing what she is learning (and catching a glimpse of her now and then in photos) check out the blog.

sweetchildishdays.blogspot.com