Sleep Deprived Run

After one amazing night of good sleep since Chasen's return, I couldn't get to sleep last night. Houston, we have a problem. I was to do 8 miles before church today, and I knew putting it off was not a good option. So on about 4.5 hours of sleep, I headed out to get it done. I pushed the start button on my rather old Garmin Forerunner 301 at 5:41 AM. It was not quite 70 degrees, yet humid already. Surprisingly, it went amazingly well!

I decided that since this was not technically a longrun, I'd forego the 30:30. I opted for my old "tried and true" run .19 walk .06 routine. I actually felt really speedy! I was shocked to see that my average per mile was 13:25. It felt lots faster. But I'll take it, especially considering sleep deprivation and all of the walking (about 25%).

I am now officially registered for the St. Joe River Marathon. I am both excited and anxious. We still have to get our accommodations all figured out. More to come!

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

Thank the good lord above... Chasen has made it home from China! This was the worst time ever for Isaac and I. In fact, it was the only bad time we've had. The boy just wouldn't sleep, and he's old enough now to know that his daddy was gone. He missed him terribly. My running definitely suffered (thanks to no Mother's Day Out, plus Isaac's general whineyness). We were both sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation makes anything 10x worse, I assure you. I thought I was at the end of my rope! That's the bad part.

But it wasn't all bad. If you take out the sleep deprivation part, it was another good 11 days alone. We played outside tons. We took trips to Sonic for drinks and treats every few days. We went for ice cream at least twice (Isaac loves going to the local TCBY). We went to the park and met friends. We had sushi on Mother's Day. We took lots of rides in "Daddy's truck." We trekked all the way to the New Balance store, and then went out to eat after that. We definitely kept busy.

The next China trip probably will not be for another five month or so, I'd guess. Hallelujah!

Unexpected Happy Endings

Today was a day I have looked forward to for a while now. It was the day of Isaac's first ever school program! With Chasen out of the country (still...) I arranged to borrow a friend's video recorder, and I arranged for another friend to come with me to use it -- so I could actually see the program. Well, Isaac was overwhelmed by the crowd in the sanctuary and proceeded to do nothing but cry. I felt so bad for him; it was a bit heartbreaking.
 

Here is the whole group. Isaac is being held by one of his sweet teachers.

A saving grace of the day? Getting a new "school photo" with my boy, 17 pounds lighter!

School is now officially finished. Yay! After Isaac's long nap I decided to make the trek up to the New Balance store, about 45 minutes from here in traffic. Ick. I prepared for the toddler tummy as well as I could.

 Problematic shoes, strawberries, almonds, goldfish, juice/water. Let's do this thing.

Yes, problematic. The tongue of my 45-day-old New Balance (which I bought on the orders of my chiropractor) has always slipped down a bit, even when I relaced the shoes to attempt to keep it higher. During the marathon it slipped down so far that it was downright painful. It caused an ugly blister on my right foot, and the left foot hurt horribly. Since then the tongue has slipped down unmercifully, even during simple walks. 

On the good side, these shoes provided me with my first marathon ever that resulted in NO BLACK TOENAILS on my big toes!

Long story short, the New Balance store traded me for a new, different model FREE OF CHARGE, even though the others had 120 miles and Cincinnati tar on them! Amazing, huh?

 I think you know what I like about these shoes.

 Very "old school," right? I like that. Better than the white/purple previous ones.

I hope they break in well tomorrow!

Training Day

Last week, four days after the Flying Pig Marathon, I did an easy four mile run while Isaac was at Mother's Day Out. It went well. On Saturday Coach Terry urged me to schedule a massage to remove the lactic acid from my muscles. That came in the form of a deep tissue massage at a local spa/salon. It was painful at times, but I got through it. Thankfully, it resulted in no DOMS. However, I did have to rub my calves a bit last night in order to get to sleep. But I digress...

Today I was to do 4-8 miles. Well.... with no more MDO for the next three weeks, I am going to have to get creative with my running schedule. Isaac and I loaded up to go to the park, where there is a 2-mile trail. Next thing I know, the dog had hopped in, too. Ugh! I had no hope of running (only walking) with that furrball around. So we three made it just under four miles. Oh well - it'll get better. Chasen will return later this week, so I can begin my tradition of Mississippi summertime evening running. Or, I'll strongarm the dog back in the house!

Mother's Day 2012

My day has been fabulous! Even though Chasen is now in Thailand, we got to Skype twice on this lovely Mother's Day! And Isaac did me a favor by NOT waking up before 6 AM today. He slept until after 7 AM. Yay!

At church he made me this sweet flower out of a coffee filter. I love it!

                                                                 

Afterward we went for sushi, which is "our thing." He ate an entire California roll!

Oh how I love that sweet face! I am such a lucky mommy. Truly, I am.

After a DRY three-hour nap, Isaac and I went for some yogurt. We got $1.50 off because I'm a mom!

My guy loves loves to "work," so we just let him. He puts all sorts of things in various containers and transports them.

This is the gorgeous sky I got to stare into as Isaac played for hours this afternoon.

We capped off our day with another picnic outside. It's Isaac's new favorite thing to do.

This was a day of firsts, and not just because Chasen had to miss Mother's Day for the first time. You see, Isaac got his first ever splinter. As an adult these things are painful to remove. So you can imagine my anxiety at the mere thought of trying to get it out of his sweet little hand. Long story short, he was such a brave, little trooper! He really "took it like a man" and was so, so happy to see it come out. I think he thought it was cool. I just hope I get as lucky next time Dr. Mom has to make an appearance.

Just Me and My Boy

As most of you know, I spend quite a lot of time at home alone with Isaac as a geographically single mother. The weather has been so nice lately, so we try to spend as much time as possible outside and NOT in front of the television. Isaac loves to "work outside."

Here he is under his favorite tree with his assorted, random garage things. 

Since Chasen is once again in smoggy China, I try to snap pics of gorgeous blue skies to send to him.

Isaac set up a dump truck washing station with ALL of his bubbles. Bye bye bubbles!

Here he tries to work out using Daddy's truck while Bo looks on for moral support.

This week, post-marathon, has been busy, busy, busy as you can see. I am happy to report that by Wednesday all marathon soreness had left the building. I even went for four, easy miles on Thursday! And when I picked up Isaac after that, his school pictures were ready. Check 'em out! 

Here is my precious boy. Gosh I love him - I am the luckiest mommy in the whole, wide world.

Since Mother's Day is coming up (and I will be a single mother for it, by the way) school sent home a framed photo of each child. Here is mine.

And here is a comparison between Isaac and I, just a few years in age apart. Similar, eh?

As of next week I will be in what I am calling "maintenance training" for marathon #8, which is only 29 days from now. During most of those days, I'll have Isaac at home with me before his fun summer camp begins. Wish this "single mama" luck!

What's Next?

Yes, that's what's next for me, just 31 days from now. You see, I have a high school friend who now resides in Idaho. So, I will get to visit her AND cross another state off my list. It's a win-win! As a bonus, all three of us are going (Isaac's first time to fly!) and we will spend the post-marathon part of the week long trip at Glacier National Park. Bring on the adventures!

Flying Pig Marathon

Marathon #7 is in the books! And every single thing about my trip to Cincinnati was "rush, rush, rush" except for the race itself. This marathon is top notch: from the expo to the volunteers and aid stations, it was a first class affair. Here's my story.

I took a direct flight from Memphis to gorgeous and historic Cincinnati. After getting my rental car, I immediately headed to the race expo in downtown Cinci. It was incredibly well organized. There were painted flying pigs all over the place!

Pigippedes welcomed us all to the expo. I opted to not have a photo taken while sitting on him.

Proctor & Gamble was a presenting sponsor of this exquisite event, and we were given handfuls of freebies.

Huge toilet: I also opted to NOT have a photo taken while sitting on this. Call me a prude!

This may very well have been the race with the best loot I've ever seen. Like I said, P&G was there in full force. I racked up! And this doesn't even show it all.

Toothbrushes, eye cream, concealer... a woman's dream! Plus, an awesome duffel bag. Most awesome shirt EVER. 

A college friend gave me strict orders as to which Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky dining institutions to sample. So after the expo I headed "back over the river" to Covington, Kentucky. I made a beeline for Skyline Chili and had a delicious lunch. Then I had some Graeter's Ice Cream before heading to my hotel.

As I mentioned, this was a "fast and furious" trip because of the timing of my return flights. So of course I got everything taken care of on Saturday night, like pinning on my race bib and "cheer for me by name" cloth.

Having your name called while you're on the course is exceptionally motivating, trust me. 

We all also received a race poster. This race has the best theme ever!

I had two slices from LaRosa's Pizzeria for dinner. I definitely could have had more, but my stomach was a bit out of whack after drinking some EVIL coconut water on the recommendation of my chiropractor. I'll spare you the outcome of that... it's definitely TMI. Let's just say I'm glad I had it early on Saturday rather than Saturday night like he recommended!

I got less than five hours of sleep that night. You'd think on my one night away from my family I'd sleep like a log. No such luck.

I was quite worried about early morning traffic and finding parking on race day, so I left the hotel at 5:18 AM for the 6:30 AM start. I got there and found parking rather quickly. Oh well - better safe than sorry. The start and finish are approximately just under one mile apart, so I tried to park in the middle. 

This gorgeous, historic bridge was just across the way. Cincinnati is a city of many unique, beautiful bridges.

I parked right by Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Cincinnati Bengals.

As I walked past the start line, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat! I was finally here to do THE PIG.

Here I am before the race began. My SpongeBob sweat towel fell off early on, unfortunately.

I was in the last, i.e. slowest, corral aka "Pig Pen H." The stadium is right there! It was 57 degrees at the start.

Due to the impending heat, I made the decision to use the Galloway 30:30 method for this race. I knew I was looking at a 6+ hour marathon this way, but I also knew that I needed to survive that heat and those hills. So off I went.

We started to much fanfare in downtown Cinci. Another huge plus for this well-organized event is all of the crowd support, which included lots of performers. I didn't even turn on my iPod until after several miles.

Soon enough we ran over a bridge into Covington, Kentucky, which is also gorgeous and historic. I only took a few photos out there, most of which during the OH/KY traverse.

How many times will I get to say I ran between two states? Probably not many.

Here is the view of Cincinnati, inaccurately known as "The City of Seven Hills"  from "my old Kentucky home."

Just before heading back over another bridge back into Cinci, I saw the funniest sign of the whole race. It said "You trained longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage lasted." Ha ha ha! (poor Kim...)

I chuckled many, many steps past that sign during my ascent back into to the Buckeye State.

This was by far the hilliest race I have ever encountered. There are way more than seven hills in Cincinnati! We ran through some historic neighborhoods, amazing park areas, and even along the river (albeit a block or so off of it) and ALL of it was hilly. Is there no flat land in Cinci? I wondered that as the miles drudged on by. The one thing as prominent as the hills was indeed the course support. You couldn't sling a dead cat without someone cheering you on! There were cheer squads, parrot heads, civic groups, neighborhood residents, football players, boy scouts... you name it. And everyone called me by name! Cinci ought to be called the "City of High Fives" because at one point I honestly wished I was wearing gloves due to all of the hand smacking! Even the medics (which seemed to be stationed every mile out there, plus the ones on bikes all over the place) were very motivating.

That said, the heat was climbing, and it was miserable. At around mile 20 I had to pack in my 30:30 method and go into "survival mode." I knew I darn well couldn't quit, but man it was hot and hilly! I felt spent. I dreaded that last 10k, because when I have too little energy to run, somehow it always hurts more to walk... yet I can hardly run. It's a vicious cycle!

At the same time, I was happy to be where I was along the course. Obviously the vast majority was done, and I KNEW I'd finish, it was just a matter of when. I wasn't out to set a land speed record; I just wanted my piggy medal. While I was mostly ticked off about the conditions, I also had a glimmer of excitement that I could soon check off another state on my quest to run 50 marathons in 50 states. (yes, I'm nuts)

Finally, after a whole lot of aches and pains and exasperated breathing, it --the coveted finish swine-- was in sight. I mustered up the energy to actually run to it and got my medal in 6:46:48 (slower than expected, but before the course time limit). It was 85 degrees.

Here is an exhausted, sunburned, proud woman. Check Ohio off of the list!

This is the front of the coolest medal ever. A class act, I tell ya!

And here is the rear. This medal is anatomically correct!

After a quick (as my tired legs would take me, that is) trip through the food line, I convinced a couple of volunteers to drive me back to my rental car. I had arranged to come back to my hotel very late for a much needed ice bath and shower. Rush, rush, rush... back to the airport. Cincinnati to Atlanta, then home to Memphis. That's when the best part of the whole trip happened. There was my sweet Isaac waiting for me holding up a sign to welcome me home!

He is telling me about how he and Chasen made it. Like me, this boy tells the whole story.

Here is the front, written so neatly that I asked Chasen if he got someone else to write it. Ha!

You'd run for over six hours to come home to this, wouldn't you? I sure as HILLS would.

Was it fun? At times, but mostly just at the finish line.
Was it worth it? YES.
Do I love it? YES, from the training to the medal, I love it all. Bring on #8!

It's Swine!

(That's a play on "It's time!")

Four days from now I will hopefully be fast asleep in my hotel room in Cincinnati. No, actually, I'll be slumbering in Kentucky. Did you know that the Cincinnati airport is actually in Kentucky?

So let's review my training, shall we? Let's go week by week and scrutinize my progress, run by run. How about it? NO. Let's go with the short version.

After taking 103 days off last summer, I got back to it on August 12th with a 2-mile walk. I built up my base until I felt I was ready to launch into a full-blown, yet modified, Hanson-inspired plan. That didn't last long because it proved to be too rigorous after such a lengthy break. So I regrouped and a few weeks later decided to again "Go Galloway." Fast forward twenty five weeks and here I am! (On a side note, I am 17 pounds lighter.)

My training, always a run-walk, was by no means perfect. I seemed to have struggled quite a bit. It's always something! I am NOT very speedy. My goal with "going Galloway" was to try to find a plan that let me accomplish many things in my life AND run, while maintaining my sanity. In other words, running has not consumed by entire being for the past 25 weeks. Thus, no major gains in speed.

Being as though the Flying Pig Marathon will be my seventh, I know what to expect. Looking into my crystal ball, I expect it to be only slightly better than my 2010 Chicago Marathon. It's gonna be a hot one! I am going to do my best; I am going to use the 30:30 method. I expect to struggle with the heat... I have adjusted my expectations. That said, I am going to give it all I have. Barring injury or illness, I am going to get that medal!

I am running for my sweet Isaac. I just want him to be proud of me. That's all I want, ever.

I can't wait to compose a race report. Wish me luck!

Wordless Wednesday

The Giggling Runner

Yesterday Isaac and I were invited to a pal's 4th birthday party. Isaac is such a funny kid; he really can't do anything that involves running with giggling the whole time. Hopefully that trait will stay with him long term.

Here are a couple videos of him navigating an obstacle course at the party.

Same Life, Big Changes

There are only a few big pieces of news in my life right now. The biggest, by far, is this:

We got a dog! I finally gave in! Isaac now has a playmate named Bo. He was a rescue dog.

I finally ditched my horrendous HTC Hero phone and got a lovely iPhone 4s. Man oh man - what a fantastic change. For someone without a landline telephone who spends an awful lot of time alone and carting a child about town, not to mention hours upon hours out on the roads running, an upgraded phone is such a blessing.

Chasen returned safely from China. Oh happy day! Now we're preparing for his next trip back there just three weeks from now. Oy!

You know what else is three weeks from now? MARATHON #7! The Flying Pig Marathon is looming ahead, just taunting me to hurry up and get to Cincinnati. I can't wait to get that oinkin' medal!

That's about it. Just keepin' on keepin' on here. We are enjoying the not-incredibly-hot afternoon temperatures by spending loads of time outside. I guess that's what life is all about with a 3-year-old.

Excellent Week of Running

This past week was spring break, so there was no preschool for Isaac. I thought my running may suffer a bit. Happily, I was dead wrong! On Monday we dusted off my running stroller and headed to the Olive Branch City Park just before a major rainstorm. I had forgotten how hilly it is over there. Plus, pushing a 35-pound boy is no easy feat, even on flat ground. We got the job done, albeit slowly.

On Tuesday, thanks to a quirky flight plan for Chasen, we all loaded up and headed to my hometown, Little Rock. Isaac and I planned to stay for two days as Chasen jetted off to California for work. We stayed with my old pal Jennifer.

Isaac investigates a small tractor parked at her condo lawn. Cute, huh?

I had concerns with accomplishing my training runs while away, but Jennifer assured me that they would happen. Bless her!

On both Wednesday and Thursday we headed to the Big Dam Bridge. It's HUGE.

Isaac did not sleep well in LR, thus neither did I. But I was determined to have some fun. And so we did! We went to eat at a few of my favorite places, and we visited the Museum of Discovery. Finally - somewhere Isaac can go and touch everything.

Here we are learning about gravity. Very cool stuff!

Here we are learning about sound waves - and doesn't my 8-month-old hair color rock?

He was less impressed with learning about light and colors, I must say. But he tried.

Playing with electricity -- right up his little daredevil alley.

He stayed at this magnetic maze for longer than any other display. Very hands on!

On Tuesday afternoon we headed to the Big Dam Bridge. I was to run for 40 minutes. I went all the way up and over twice, plus a bit more to accomplish that, I think. Hills, hills, hills. Sweet Jennifer strolled Isaac all over the place while I was running. He loved to look at the boats, cranes, geese, etc.

Here we are post run. Isaac is sporting his new Razorbacks cap.

And back down we go! It is a very popular place.

We went back to the bridge first thing the next day so I could walk four miles. Jennifer again tended to Isaac so I could cover the miles. But I did have to push him down and up once for a potty break and - HOLY COW! - pushing him on that bridge was some serious resistance training. Thank you, Jennifer!

We departed that day. And I immediately began catching up on all of the sleep Isaac didn't let me get while away from home. Know why? I had to prep for a 20-miler!

I woke this morning at 4:30 to tackle this course:

I planned to use the Galloway 30:30 method, since it seems to get rave reviews. You know what? I do believe it was my best 20-miler ever. EVER. Seriously. Chasen remarked that I didn't look bad for 20 miles at all. Ha! I did it at 1:30 over goal marathon pace per minute, which is right on track for how Galloway recommended handling the long runs. Go me!

So this week was just incredible on the running front. I logged 29.99 miles total. I have some challenging days ahead, as Chasen is jetting off to China on Tuesday. Here goes nothin'!