Killer Kudzu 5K

Yesterday was a VERY big day for me. It was my first time running a race with Isaac! The whole fam traveled to nearby Holly Springs, Mississippi (home of lots of kudzu, historic homes, an extremely old cemetery, and a killer hill, among other things).

After a discussion with a friend from my "mommy and me" group, I was encouraged to put Isaac in the jogging stroller (that dear Petra gave us!) for the big race. But not before MUCH testing at home. I am sure that he is technically supposed to be older or bigger to really go in it, so I was antsy. Thus the testing. I had Chasen run with him in it as I watched from in front and behind. A lot. And then some more. He didn't move an inch, so I determined that it would be OK. He just needed a little "booster seat" of sorts to hold him up a bit higher for perfect strapping. So Chasen fashioned one out of towels. Job well done!

So we arrived in Holly Springs and found a great parking spot. The race began and ended right on the town square. We got registered and picked up our cool shirts with ease. We had about a half hour to wait. Isaac was already perched on his throne:

Isaac kicks up his heels for the photo! His sign got lots of "oohs and aahs."

That stroller is THE BEST! I simply can't thank Petra enough for sending it. I thought just that as the race began. I started at the very rear of the pack with another stroller. Chasen was far ahead of us. By the first turn I was crying a little bit. Happy tears! I was just so happy about the situation, realizing that I was literally living my dream: running with my baby. Wow. I could end this post right now, because that's really the most important part. But then you wouldn't get to hear about the hill from hell!

So the course ran by many antebellum homes. So pretty! It also went out by the railroad tracks (i.e. the middle of nowhere). As Chasen put it, "There was not one smooth patch of road on the entire course." Once we got back into "town," there was the one and only water stop. Which was out of cups. Ick! But I just had less than one mile to go. That's when we entered the cemetery and the hill from hell. See below:

Yes, it was tough. Two ladies running near me literally asked if I needed help pushing Isaac up it! I declined, but it was quite a sight. I told Chasen I thought it was 45 degrees. He said 60!

Since Chasen finished about 10 minutes before us, he was able to perch with the camera and see us make a mad dash for the finish. You can see the cemetery in the distance.

We're almost there! Isaac never even made one sound. Chasen told me he wouldn't, but I was worried! Apparently worrying is mommy duty #1.

We were cheered in by everyone (well, Isaac was, anyway). So nice!

I finished in 43:06, I think. I ran without my Garmin, as this was all about soaking in the experience. I had hoped for 40:00, but that wasn't considering the hills and terrain.

Here we are after the excellent post-race grub. Isaac says "Where's my bottle?"

Awards. There wasn't one for "Cutest Baby," so we didn't hang around for the presentation.

Drooly Isaac and Scruffy Daddy

"When can we do this again, Mommy?"

On the arm: Carpe Kudzu. Bottom line: Life is too short for someday. (I agree.)

We all enjoyed ourselves. It was both the most challenging and most joyful 5K ever for us.

Running the Storm Out

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Yesterday that meant that I had to run on the treadmill as we had rain, thunder and lightning outside. Times like that make me the most thankful for good ole Teddy Tready. Even though we lost power for a split second mid-run (and I lost my stats) it was a good run. I had wanted to do a full-on dress rehearsal for the Kudzu 5K with this little guy, though:

Babies can't run in the rain, silly Mommy! Haven't I taught you anything?

We'll just "wing it" tomorrow night. The course is said to be 'challenging' so hopefully Isaac and I can make it up all of the hills! Obviously I do not expect a PR. Actually, I am going to create a PR. It'll be my stroller PR. Hey - I'm a winner already. Whoo hoo!

Almost Done!

Part of my perfect morning on Tuesday included going to Breakaway Running in Memphis for a free skin cancer screening. What a marvelous thing to do for the running community! Docs from the medical school came to assess anyone who showed up. Isaac and I luckily showed up when there was not a crowd. I am happy to report that I got the "all clear." As fair skinned as I am, it is in my best interest to avoid the sun as much as possible. Running is just about the only time that I "invite" the sun into my life. And I try to cover up as much as possible and avoid the 'peak' hours.

Isaac, my fellow fair complected Bumbo buddy.

It is often quite a challenge to find time to work AND keep Isaac content. But this week has been quite wonderful! I have made a lot of progress on my current project. I am thankful for the opportunity.

Isaac Roy, in his current "cutest outfit" at our mommy and me group. A working mommy's got to have some fun!

Do you have the tickets? To the baby gun show! LOL

So Isaac is now 14 weeks old (14 lbs 13 oz). Wow. That means that I have been in training for 8 weeks already. I am nearly done with the C25K program. The last two runs have been tough. It has been very humid (and will only get worse) and I have had to take walk breaks. Ick. Oh well - better to take breaks than to just give up or even walk the whole thing.

I am really looking forward to getting my marathon training plan from John Ellis. I just hope that I can keep up!

A Perfect Morning

I've had an awesome morning. And it is all the guy's fault:


Isaac is starting to consistently sleep through the night. Whoo hoo! Last night he went precisely eight hours between bottles. Hallelujah! When we were in Shreveport, he went as much as ten. Wow! So this morning he woke at about 5:45 AM. He was changed, fed and snuggled up with Chasen by 6:15 AM. So I was out the door!

This was the scene yesterday as bath-bound (shirtless) Isaac caught some z's as I completed some chores.

Yesterday I had a mild panic when I realized that my C25K schedule no longer has walk breaks. Yikes! From here on out it is all running. So today I was to run 25 minutes. I warmed up for 5 minutes (in the 56 degree weather - wow) and then ran for 25 minutes. Yay me! I did both miles sub-12, which is darn good for me these days. Yesssss!

Isaac says "Do you have your tickets?"

I hope the rest of my day is half as good as my morning!

Locks of Love

This has nothing to do with running, but it's a big deal to me! One of my oldest and dearest friends, Sharon, inspired me to grow out my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. She has done this at least twice now. From their website:

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

Since Chasen and I had a trip to Louisiana planned for this weekend and would be driving right through our former hometown (Benton, Arkansas) I decided that this was the perfect time to take the plunge. I made an appointment with my former hair gal, Beth.

Beth admires my year and a half's worth of ponytail.

The she proceeded to chop it off!

I was soooooo happy to be rid of that 10 1/2" ponytail! (10" is the minimum donation)

Many, many hours later I took this "after" photo in our hotel.

This new look should prove to be easier to maintain and much lighter for running!

The Runners Round Table

Yesterday I, as well as the other members of Team Point Two, was featured on the Runners Round Table podcast! I was quite nervous, so I hope I didn't sound too odd. Give it a listen!

Afterwards I completed another C25K run. The program 'eased up' a bit after having to run 20 straight minutes on Sunday. I only had to run stints of 8 and 5 minutes. Soon I'll be running 25 straight minutes, and then 30. Wow!

I am now officially working on an actual work project. It is tough to find time with Isaac on my watch... so I rely mostly on evenings. This allows me to do most everything else during the day, such as household chores, running, mommying and fun stuff -- like my weekly 'mommy and me' group!

L-R: beautiful Keira, Callum and Isaac (who was playing possum)

Isaac will be 3 months old tomorrow. Man oh man - where has time gone? He now weighs 14 lbs 5 oz. Also tomorrow is my 'scalping' for Locks of Love. I'm going to have some very short hair in less than 24 hours. I can't wait!

Happy Mother's Day

It has been over a week since I last posted. Life has been busy! For starters, last Saturday I took a quick trip to nearby historic Holly Springs, Mississippi with my former book club from Arkansas. We had a great time, and they enjoyed getting to meet Isaac before we left. Before they arrived, I carved out enough time to do my Tracy Anderson post-baby workout DVD. Tracy is killing me!

Remember when we got this onesie for Isaac in Pennsylvania? It is almost too small now, and he has only wore it once.

When I got home on Sunday I did another C25K run. My treadmill has been doing overtime!

"This is not fair. Mommy gets all sweaty running and I get a bath."

On Monday night Tracy and I had another session together. Tuesday marked another treadmill run. During the running portions of the workout, I have been doing 12:00 miles.

"Running makes Mommy smile almost as much as me!"

Wednesday was spent doing final studying for my LEED AP exam. Wouldn't you know, given my history with testing, that I failed the darn thing my two lousy points? Sheesh - I can't catch a break. I can not retake the current exam and must wait for a long time. Oh well, such is life.

After that I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and went to my 'mommy and me' group. Hanging with those gals always puts a smile on my face! One even brought me a 'cheer me up' cupcake! (she saw my sad post on Facebook) That night Tracy helped me to burn it off (I hope).

Friday also did not go as planned, but I managed to get in a run late in the afternoon. Isaac sat right beside me in his bouncy seat as I ran; Chasen mowed the back yard. We very being quite productive!

Saturday was filled from dawn to dusk... so it was a rest day for me (which is so ironic, considering I was busy all day long).

And today is my first Mother's Day! Isaac gave me an early present; this week he has made attempts to sleep through the night!!! (12 weeks old today) He has gone 6-8 hours between feedings most nights this week. Hooray!

Here I am with my 12 lbs 8 oz little man and not-long-for-too-much-longer hair.

As my schedule would have it, today I got to do my longest stint of running since Isaac was born: 20 minutes straight! I opted to do it out on the roads. I knew it'd be easier on me on the roads. I was right. I DID IT!!! I felt like a million bucks afterward.

This upcoming week marks two big things for me. On Tuesday I am going to a meeting about my first real work project since Isaac was born (and I am quite inquisitive as to how I will manage to find time to do the work!) On Friday I am going to get my hair CHOPPED for Locks of Love. I will be sending in the required 10" ponytail! This goal took at least a year and a half to accomplish. I am nothing if not patient...

Have a good one, friends. I'll try to post more often!

Zoot Suit Riot

I've done it again! I accomplished another run while Isaac was sleeping! Life is good. I am rocking and rolling with the C25K program.

I was trying to capture my sweatyness. Not sure if it worked... but I was drenched.

Isaac in his very cute "zoot suit" outfit. Awww!

Fortunately he did not look like this when I got done with my run! He was sleeping happily.

Isaac has good timing, I must say. If I wake up before him, which is rare, he always follows suit in just about 60 seconds. The same thing happened after my run this morning. I got in, stretched, and the wailing began. Fine by me!