Hi Jeff, I'm Susan!

Here are several videos I took today of Isaac walking around our house. He has now been walking for 33 days. He is into everything. He even moves furniture!

As for me, today I officially began the Jeff Galloway time goal marathon training plan. I am a bit behind, but I am going to do my dead level best to do what I have to do. Chicago is now about 23 weeks away.

Let me tell you a bit about my training. For starters, I'll do two runs based on time only per week (they are 35 minutes each at this point). I'll also do an "easy walk," which I need to read up on so I can have a clear definition. Finally, I'll do a long run every other weekend. That's right - every other weekend. The alternating weeks are shorter runs (like 11, 5, 13, 5, 15, 4, etc.) meant for speedwork. On the three off-days I will either rest or cross train. This sounds like a good plan for a busy mother with all sorts of obligations and a husband who will be traveling often!

I am going to try and update often. Bear with me!

The Great Cola Debate

Last year on June 3rd I decided to give up caffeinated beverages. Never a coffee drinker, for me this meant no more Diet Coke or Coke Zero (or diet anything else). Isaac was 3.5 months old and it felt like all I did was sit around and eat simple carbs and drink Coke Zero. Not good! After receiving an e-mail newsletter about giving up cola, I decided to do it. Now, nearly 11 months later, I am still cola free.

Our neighbor brought over a toy used by his grown son. I cleaned it up, and Isaac loves it!

I could instantly tell a difference. I no longer craved sweets! Not a bit! That was HUGE for me, as I was carrying 25 pounds of baby weight.

Zoo outing: this is what it's like trying to photograph five toddlers. HA!

Water is my beverage of choice 99% of the time. The other 1% is milk, juice, wine, etc. Drinking basically only water gets OLD. Really old. No, I am not interested in water additives.

A very wise woman once told me "Food can not be your entertainment." Well, while that is true, a water-only life is a dull one. It has made me realize how much "having a Coke" (which is how us Southerners refer to all canned beverages) is an outing, a social event, a break, etc. *sigh* Not for me...

Isaac checks out Gwen's stroller at the zoo.

At about 9 months into this cola-free lifestyle, I thought I might quit. Chasen said "At least make it to a year! That'll be huge!" So I agreed. He also pointed out that he thought giving up Cokes was probably harder than giving up smoking. I completely disagree with that (not that I know from personal experience) but his argument is "Restaurants don't serve cigarettes." The man's got a point!

Isaac loves laundry. He really, really does.

So, here I am 36 days from being cola-free for one year. And I crave sweets so badly! Every day! I am ready to dive head first into a huge vat of Coke Zero!

"Mommy, let me throw all these clothes all over the floor!"

What to do? Go back on the sauce? I am ready to move on... ready for some change... for something.

My new training plan is on its way! It should arrive tomorrow. I am ready to get OFFICIAL.

So - what do you, all of my trusted running friends, think about my cola dilemma?

Double Trouble

Goodness, this post is long overdue! Like, 9 days overdue! Well... 9 days ago (Monday, 4/12) my Isaac was diagnosed with double ear infections. Oh no! It was his first bout ever with an ear infection, and the poor guy had trouble with both ears. Go big or go home! So I did the best I could to keep him nice and cool, since he ran a very high fever for several days.

He did lots of hanging out in just a diaper, which I like, actually. It makes him look somewhat like a little baby.

Never you worry; I did 3 miles three days in a row. Isaac's illness only meant that I had to wait for Chasen to come home to be able to head out to run, since I was not about to take that sick baby boy out in the stroller.

I took day 4 off, as planned. That day (Wednesday, 4/14) Isaac developed a rash (see photo below) due to the antibiotics. Poor guy. This was also Chasen's final day of his Olive Branch, MS employment.

There was no rest for the weary, because the next day (Thursday, 4/15) we had to all go to Henderson State University for Chasen to tie up some loose ends with his MBA (this was LONG overdue). We left at 6 AM (good gravy!) and were exhausted by the time we got home after 8 hours total on the road. So I did not run. But here are some photos from HSU.

Alumni House, where Chasen had to sign the Alumni Book.

Captain Henderson House, a bed and breakfast that my old boss restored.

By Friday we were in high gear preparing for a garage sale the next day, so no running. Aargh! After the ill-fated sale I was pooped, but Chasen encouraged me to go out for a while. So, I ran another 3 miles. At this point I am all about the walk-run method, so on Sunday I did 4 miles - my longest run in weeks!

On Monday Chasen started his new job in the corporate world (specifically in downtown Memphis, TN). I was planning to watch the Boston Marathon online, but I was OUTRAGED when I saw that you had to pay for it. No thanks, Universal Sports. To blow off that steam, I ran 3 miles thinking of Petra, who was "grounded" in the UK and missing Boston, the whole time. I was severely disappointed for her. Stupid earthquake!!!

With a busy Tuesday evening on my plate, Isaac and I headed out for another 3-miler in the AM. Mission accomplished.

I am still investigating the Galloway method for Chicago 2010, but I feel a bit lost at the moment. I just keep telling myself to keep moving forward and it'll all work out. Let's hope! Most of all I feel like I have so little time to do anything, since Isaac is now walking and requires constant attention. I do wish I could read all of your blogs, but I just can't seem to find more than 2 solid minutes, it seems, to do anything online (except for like right now in the middle of the night when I can't sleep). Bear with me!

Back In The Brooks

Oh what a week! My base training for Chicago was again delayed due to illness. Isaac's cold turned into MY cold. Ick. My theory was to delay to pounding of the payment for a few more days so as to be darn close to 100% when I finally got to begin. Mission accomplished; I began today.

On Friday, however, we had another first with Isaac. This wasn't a good one, either, but one that I knew would happen someday. He and I were headed to meet some friends at Shelby Farms and the next thing I knew I heard him vomiting in the back seat. Eeeeew! I'll spare you the vomit photo (which you know I took, being the documenter I am) but here is the after photo of him in his stripped-down seat wearing his emergency (i.e. stained) onesie and rehydrating with juice:

Poor guy! Poor me! I had to do laundry and sanitize his seat AND my car. What a chore!

You can't keep a good mommy down, so on Saturday we headed out to meet some different friends at Clifton Farms to watch a dressage horse show (a first for me). The kiddos made it through a few routines and then it was lunchtime for the riders. We took advantage of the surroundings and strolled the pasture area.

Isaac and his friend Keira pose in front of a very large grey horse.

Isaac smiles as he looks at the beautiful Keira while swinging at a park after the show.

Here is my stand-up guy at the park.

Awww - tired Isaac lays his head on Keira's shoulder.

Back to the training! I headed out today (amongst poor Isaac having a fever, which we are still battling) and banged out three very slow miles. When I got back home, I began listening to The Extra Mile Podcast. I must say, I am extremely intrigued about the Jeff Galloway training that Kevin will be following. Any program that promises less training with fewer chances of injury perks my eyebrows! With Chasen about to start a new job that will require some travel, I just can't commit to six days a week of training at this time. So we shall see!

Lots

Wow - I do remember the days when I updated this blog nearly daily, BC (before child). Those were the days! I have just looked at my Buckeye Outdoors account, and I have another reason to have neglected this blog for yet another week: I have not logged a workout in seven straight days. That's right... the ole knee started to be all achy again last Monday. Why why why? That's what I kept asking myself. Well, let's just say Miss Susan does not always like to heed good advice. And I just hate it when Chasen is right... but the fact of the matter is, I have just GOT to wear my running shoes around the house instead of flip flops. Apparently, my 35-year-old knees need support. After a mere one day of doing so, my aching was GONE. Lesson learned. Now just help me to remember it...

Good news! Chasen got a new job! No, we're not moving. However, it is not in Olive Branch. It is in downtown Memphis (just a bit farther away). We are very, very excited!

On Friday we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. Trying to stick to our Dave Ramsey budget, I prepared a home cooked meal complete with place mats and wine glasses (la-te-dah).

Romantic meal for two! Um, make that three...

Isaac continues to be more and more mobile. It truly amazing to me! He is growing so fast. Just think - he has celebrated Easter twice now!

Cutie patootie all ready to go to church on Easter Sunday.

I purposely picked a hideous photo of me from Easter 2009 to share with you all for comparison.

Easter 2010 -- much better. :)

We were invited to spend the afternoon with friends. Isaac actually got to hunt eggs (with the help of Chasen)!

"I see one, Daddy."

"Look what's in here, Daddy!"

Three words: back on track. Time to get serious about base training. More to come!