Highs and Lows

I remember back in the day, pre-Isaac, when I actually blogged after EVERY run. Man oh man - I can't believe that I ever had time to do that. But I'm glad I did, as it is nice to be able to look back and see where I've been. I fully blame social media (aka Facebook and Twitter, both of which I love) for the demise of blogging as a whole. For me, though, the excuse is social media plus motherhood. It would be really, really easy to just abandon this blog... but I refuse to do so. I have five years of content with many more to come! It may not be as well written as it once was (considering I have to do posts in ten minutes or less now) but I value it none the less. Viva la blog!

OK, off my soap box. This week has been filled with a variety of experiences, both running and otherwise. After being home for sixty straight days, my semi-frequently travelling husband hit the road for a 2.5 day trip. But before he went, he tended to our yard. And one of Isaac's most favorite things to do is catch a short ride on the lawnmower, so everybody wins.

My two best guys having some father-son fun on a hot summer day.

After riding the lawnmower, one likes to get a shower and try on daddy's glasses. Cute!

Sometimes one even has to take a nap on one's new monkey nap mat for Mother's Day Out.

This week my running was anything but boring. No two runs were the same. Here's why:

On Monday I did a 9 PM treadmill session, and it was super duper hot and humid. It was just hard to move. I slowly knocked out the three miles. On Wednesday Chasen was gone, and I honestly do not remember doing that 3-miler in the evening, but according to my running log I did it. Hmm... I don't think I did it while Isaac was napping (on the treadmill, of course). It's a mystery! On Thursday, with Chasen still gone, I felt like Superwoman. I baked multiple cheesecakes, did lots of other tasks, had a head cold, and still managed to hit the treadmill once Isaac went to sleep. I couldn't start it until nearly 10 PM, and I was surprised to find that I did very, very well. I even ran in two-minute increments that time. Nice!

On Friday Chasen returned, and it was a good thing because it was his 36th birthday! He arrived about 1:30 PM, and we were ready for him.

RC Cola, Moon Pies, a Kindle and a homemade key lime cheesecake. Score one for me!!!

We were definitely ready to have him home. Isaac even said "Happy Daddy!" (minus 'birthday')

The best part of Chasen's birthday was watching "Despicable Me" with Isaac. At the very end he started to dance! You have GOT to love the lack of inhibition on the part of children. It was priceless!

Saturday brought my first outdoor run since the spring. Man oh man - I struggled through those four miles like nobody's business. It was warm and the sun was beating down on me. I ended up walking a great portion of it. Oh well - I've got to start somewhere.

All in all, it was a roller coaster of a week that ended with thirteen miles total. At the end of the day, I'm proud. Now bring on the autumn running!

Back In The Brooks

This past week marked my official return to running. I did three 3-mile walk-runs on Teddy Tready, all after Isaac went to sleep. That is not my preferred timeslot, but with no Mother's Day Out just yet, I don't have much of a choice (other than naptime, which didn't work out well this week).

I did the first one at 1:2 (one minute running, two minutes walking). I averaged 15:14 per mile. Fine by me! I have no access to cable TV in our detached garage, and I don't really like watching DVD's, so I just listened to running podcasts. It was great to feel "connected" again.

Attempt number two was 1:1 at 14:31. I felt like I had a lot left in the tank after only running for one minute, but after taking 103 days off, I didn't dare push too hard. No need! I mean, I have *gulp* twenty weeks until marathon #7.

Attempt number three was a combination of sorts, but a lot of it was done by running 1:30 and walking 1:00. I averaged 13:49 that time. Pretty darn good! I actually felt a wee bit of muscle fatigue after that one, though (which was actually kind of nice).

I am proud of my nine mile week. I have to admit, though, that I do wonder if I can pull it all together in twenty weeks. I know the whole "muscle memory" thing is huge, but at this point I feel nervous about it. The good news is that my homegrown, Hanson-inspired training schedule has received the seal of approval (after some tweaking) from my trusted sources (who have yet to fail me). Here goes nothin'!!!

Waterslide Fun

Today we attended the birthday party of Isaac's "BFF," Phoenix. He turned three years old, yet he is MUCH smaller than my 2 1/2 year old boy. They are different sizes and they really couldn't be more different otherwise... but they are great friends.

Isaac enjoys the bounce part of the bounce house/waterslide combo. Phoenix is behind him.

Phoenix's older cousin was great with helping the little ones warm up to the slide.

Isaac had the time of his life today. Thanks, Cousin K!

Joy, joy, joy. I am definitely the mother of a little fish.

Here are several videos of all the fun Isaac had today. He loved every second of it.

Just What I Needed

After nearly eleven weeks without an update, I am back. This summer went in many different directions. I had intended to lay off running in favor of doing P90X hard core, but the universe had other plans for me. I did a good three or four weeks of it, but it just didn't hold my interest. As it turns out, I'm a runner after all. :)

This post could easily be titled "my summer in photos," and I think it will serve as a visual chronology of what led me to believe even more than previously just how important running is to me. So here goes.

There's nothing much better than having fun outdoors daily with your 2-year-old!

Unless if his BFF's mom goes into early labor and all of a sudden you have TWO boys on your hands...

Then, of course, your husband jets off to China, Malaysia and Singapore for ten days.

And he has to miss Father's Day in the process. :(

When the Wheel Mobile comes to town, you think only a handful of people will show up... wrong!

And this is as close to Pat Sajak as your clever self will ever get.

You pacify the daddy-missing boy with trips out in daddy's truck and cups of water.

And, even though he'll hate you later, you capture first moments on the potty!

But he gets revenge one way or another!

He puts on your running shoes, since obviously you have no time to wear them.

Getting a free car wash does distract a lonely boy for a while.

At last, you're not a single parent any more!

Just in time for splash lessons at the local YMCA. Watch that little fish go!

A bathing beauty if I ever saw one. Look out, pool ladies.

First time in a booster seat. Next up: college. Sniff, sniff.

Clean plate award! A first for this boy!

Watching the fireworks in style -- on the fifth floor of daddy's work.

Matron of Honor in Chicago. Congratulations to Thi and Ryan!

Of course, no trip to Chicago is complete with some Giordano's pizza and old friends.

I did NOT want to come home to THIS... but I did. That is not chocolate, unfortunately.

I thought I'd donate blood, but I was practically begged to donate platelets. So I did.

Isaac was rewarded with a cupcake for once doing a certain something on the potty!

Helping daddy get the yard spruced up for a big church dinner at our place.

Sixty of our closest friends dropped by...

For dessert I served some of my famous cheesecakes, my new casual business venture.

The best sellers are little 4" diameter ones, perfect for two people to share.

Mmm! Heath cheesecake! One of the 5+ flavors I make.

Isaac LOVES cheesecake, but he also loves sushi. So much, in fact, that he'll shove an entire piece in his mouth.

Bowling for the first time - if that's not a good looking team, I'll grease your lane!

Stttrrriiiiiikkkkeeeeeee!

Hmm... I think this coffee table's engine needs a tune up, mommy.

This gives new meaning to the term "liquid lunch." Yes, that's salsa.

A water-feature bounce house is always a hit with my little fish.

Making funny glasses at Chick-fil-A, our while-school-is-out Tuesday morning hangout.

A good man is hard to find - except here are two!

Bath time is the best time.

"Look, Mommy, I can wear Daddy's grilling glove. Bring on the burgers and dogs!"

So there's my summer, thus far. What have I learned? Several thing:

1) Life with a 2-year-old boy is NEVER dull. Not even when he sleeps.

2) I am my best self when I am running.

3) Without running for 103 days, I am one step away from both the looney bin and the fat farm.

4) Life goes by just as quickly without running, so people really can't say they have no time to run.

Yep - a sabbatical of 103 days was accomplished. I hope my legs and feet appreciate the sacrifice I made. My mind and my waistline have not appreciated it, that's for darn sure. But I find that lesson to be just what I needed. This time off has given me a deeper appreciation for my sport of choice. Without it, I'm just not the Susan I want to be.

So what's next? Marathon #7, of course, 21 weeks from now. I will be base training for a few weeks. I started today by walking two miles. It felt... like walking two miles. No fireworks, just got the job done. I'll save the fireworks for my favorite thing: running.