Juggling

I am in the thick of my training or at least I should be. I looked at my training schedule the other day for the first time since I printed it out. I know, I know thats not good. Anyway Last week I ran 12 and this week i was planning on 16 until I had a look at what I was supposed to be doing. It said 20!! I need to figure out how to get these runs in since I hate waking up early and its 100 degrees. The plan was to wake up at 430 and get out by 5. Home to pick up Russy around 7am so Joe and Riley can go to work and I would finish up with Russy in the stroller. That was the plan.
My intention was to do 16 then when I woke up (only 10 minutes late) I said 18 then by the time I walked out the door I had convinced my self to do 20. It was already super humid but at least the sun was not up and I was off. By the time i got back to the house around 7 I was already done with 12 miles and feeling good. I went in the house Joe was sitting on the couch and both boys were still sleeping!!! Joe did not want to wake up Riley because he looked so "peaceful" then he asked me if I could just finish it up later. Really?!?!? NO I can not just finish later. So I start waking up Riley and then all the sudden Joe is in a rush to go. Really! WTF you should have had him up and dressed already. Russy was easy he was up got him in the stroller gave him some mile and we were off.
The last 8 miles were ok. The sun was up and I was a little slow, but I did it 20 miles! Wooohoo!
When I got back in the house I was starting a nice cold bath and I decided to call and see how my little worker boy was and I heard the frantic call for help and "you have to come get him"
Joe really has very little patience and Riley did not have his listening ears on this morning. So filled him up with gumballs and was wondering why he was not listening. Ummmm hes 4 and you just got him sugared up so he would listen better. Geez!

Overall it was not so bad of a plan and I got my run in so tomorrow is really a relax day. So now I am sitting on the couch and enjoying a nice glass of wine!! Ahhh!!

Gear

My training gear arrived today!! When I opened my package and saw my shirt tears filled my eyes. Not for only what my shirt says "DetermiNation" but what this shirt now means. When I decided to run Chicago I was running because it was going to be a fun and exciting new experience in a town that I have never been to. Today it means fundraising and kicking cancer in the ass. My dad is determined and I am determined to. This is not going to be easy. He is going to have 7 weeks of treatment 5 days a week. He will wake up every morning and fight and most importantly he is going to live. He is going to live for his wife and kids and most of all his grand kids.
I am going to fight too. I am fighting so that one day we can live in this world with out this awful disease. I am fighting so that my dad can be cured. I love you Daddy xo

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=42914&pg=personal&px=28703292

Where to begin?

You know how when you wake up in in the morning and by the end of the day you want it to be over and then you realize no wait I want a do over. Well to day I want to hit rewind and ease the tape.  Today is the day that my Dad was diagnosed with stage 3 Lung cancer. From the moment I heard him say the words I immediately wanted to cry, but he said "don't get upset and freak out I'm going to be ok" I took some comfort in that. Then all of the sudden I had a flash of my 34 years. This man was my first love. He is the man that I measured and compared all boys to. This was the man that took me to nursery school, brushed my unruly curls, gave me boy advice, danced with me at my sweet sixteen, walked me down the isle on my wedding day and has been present with camera and huge smiles when my boys entered the world. OMG!! This is my Daddy. After a few breakdowns and a couple of freak outs I took comfort and refuge in my family. They truly are my everything.
So the plan is he still needs a few more test and then they will start a series of radiation and chemo. He is strong and loves his life so I know that he is going to survive this. I also know that God is protecting our family and whatever he has planned for us we will get through this together.
Now training for this marathon ha taken on new meaning. Not only am I running, but I am running for a cure. I will reach my goal and run this race for all that are surviving this disease. I HATE CANCER!! I WILL RUN FOR A CURE! Follow my journey to the finish.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=42914&pg=personal&px=28703292

It Begins.....slowly

Today was the first official training day. I was scheduled to run 10 miles. There was a little plan, but not really. I was going to wake up and run. No alarm clock just get up and go. What actually happened was a little different. Last night I had a few too many glasses of cab and got to bed a little too late. It was around 2am when my Housewives of the OC marathon was over and then baby Russy woke up around 530. He had some milk and slept until about 8am. Riley and Joe slept in to and I was not about to go running at 530 in the am. I slithered back into the bed and slept with the rest of the house and when it was time to wake up I was not in that get up and go kind of mood. It was more dread. This is not a good start.
When Joe came in from walking the dogs he gave me the weather report.....HOT! Ugh!!! This is going to be great(sarcasm)! So I got the baby fed, got my self dressed and headed out the door. The weather was warm but for the first mile it was not so bad. Heading into mile 2 is when I really started to heat up and then realized running at 10 in the morning was prob not the best choice. So I quickly decided that I was not going to hit the 10 today and started going through my first failed training run. I know I have plenty of time to train and this was the first run, but I really want to have better times then my previous 2 marathons.  I finished 7 miles today. It was slow but I am on my way to Chicago.
After I finished my run I packed up the fam and we headed out to the pool. It was such a beautiful day to be outside. I was having a Starbucks craving so my fab husband made a SB run and brought me back a half caff. I have been off caffeine for over a year and a half. Well I decided it was a good idea at 5pm to start digging up my backyard to make a garden. I think it was my half caff that gave me a little buzz. Joe came outside and used the line that they ask the kids in school when they have questionable behavior. "is that a good choice to be starting this now" NO not really but at least I started a little square. What to plant first. Maybe some tomatoes. Now that the bit of caffeine wore off and Russy was not affected too badly he only cried for about 30 minutes before he fell to sleep I am now calm. Its so amazing how just a little bit can affect you.
Now tomorrow I have to figure out when to get my runs in and how. This is going to be an interesting. Stay tuned.....

Lashed Out

Figuring how to get things done is always a dance. After working all day I know that the kids just want to spend time with me, but when it time to get lashed it def makes for a interesting night. Thanks to the great Alicia Hunter she was making a house call. Mothers day brunch is Sunday and I needed to get my lashes extended! The only problem is how to do this with an excited 4 year old. Thank God for Jojo. She is supper nanny extraordinaire. She kept Russy fed and occupied while Riley kept us entertained.
Moms are the masters of everything. Alicia was whipping in those lashes while Riley was jumping in the bed. I was amazed that my lashes were all straight. After of about an hour of lashing I was glamorized to go out to my next big event.....turtle hunting.
We went in search for a little turtle that has take refuge in our front yard. After our turtle hunt it was dinner time then bed. Ahhh now some time for me and the hubs, but the hubs is asleep on the couch!
Training for this marathon will for sure be an adventure. Its Thursday and I have managed to get in two runs totaling about 6 miles!! I know I can run a marathon with out training, but I really want to train so I can finish this race in a little over 4 hours. My "real" training schedule start is just a few weeks so I am going to really have to step up my runs. Tomorrows another day and the weeks not over yet. Lets see what I can fit in the next two days. Nite nite xo

Chicago it is!

I have decided to venture and do another marathon. Crazy I know, but hey what can I say. This time I am actually planning on training. Not like my Disney run where there was just the occasional weekend run. This should be interesting. I have a 8 month old and a 4 year old a full time job and a husband. I am not an early riser for runs so I have a feeling that there will be a lot of "I'll just go later" So it begins 151 days to go!!

This race I will be lacing up my shoes for a 26.2 mile run in a city that I have never been.The windy city of Chicago. I am so excited that I will be able to see the city from this perspective. It is always so fun to be able to run through the streets and take in all the new sites. It also takes my mind off the crazy idea that I am running such a long distance. I am also looking forward to a little time away with Joe. This race is going to be another special race because I will be running for a cause. I am running with Team Determination to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This disease affects so many of us on a personal level that I am going to do my part so one family can have hope. I believe that money raised can benefit so many people that one day we can live in a world with out cancer.

My plea is dig deep into your pocket maybe even skip the $5.00 latte for a day and help someone that is surviving this disease on more breath. It will give one family that has been recently diagnosed hope. It will bring us one day closer to a cure.

So follow me on my next adventure into the crazy world of marathon training and juggling the everyday life. It is sure to get interesting. xoxo

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY11IL?px=28703292&pg=personal&fr_id=42914

Being Mom

What does it mean to mom? It means being everything! We are incredible people that can multi task all the while trying remain in control as things are spinning out of control. Being at work is the easiest part of my day. I am only juggling phone calls, customers and quotes( I sell insurance) Then when I get home is when things get interesting. I run home pick up Russell, then run to pick up Riley from school, then take them to TRX with me. Now this is seemingly not a big deal. We get to TRX outside where Riley can run around and Russell well he just kind of hangs. So far seems easy. I always get there about 10 minutes late so I jump in on the routine. Then it starts "mom I need to go pee" "mom, mom, mom" So we run to the bathroom I get back some stranger is holding my baby I am finally on the TRX and now I have some random dog licking my face. I am just trying to get a work out in and it is like I am Carl Burnett. I think I managed to get in a solid 30 minutes in. I'll take it. When I'm done I realize that Riley was trying to make grape juice with his grapes and is now DYING for a sushi dinner. Since his behavior was mediocre at best I oblige as I will never turn down a sushi dinner date. Thank goodness there is no school tomorrow which means no night time prep for the next day. Home and bed! Well almost. I have a quiche in the oven for breakfast tomorrow.

Trouble

Yesterday was a seemingly easy day. It only gets tricky after work when I am trying to juggle my evening. Today was TRX after work. I really wanted to go since its been forever since I have been. So when I went home during lunch I breaded my chicken, I had Riley's chicken nuggets cooking and I was at least half way ready for dinner.  Then comes the call for Joe. "My moms making pot roast want to go for dinner?" Me: Yes it would make it so much easier for me when I get done with TRX. Then I can just go there and not worry about cooking. The chicken cutlets can wait until tomorrow. So after work I scooped up Russell picked up Riley and we headed to go see Terri (she is the BEST) and I got my TRX on. Then comes the beeping phone at 645 and its Joe already home. He is never home this early. Now comes the questions are you done yet, did you feed the dogs, did Riley eat blah blah blah. So I head home after my work out and Riley wanted his nuggets so the plan was to get the nuggets and then go to my in laws. Well when i pull in to the house Joe was already home done from eating dinner. So now comes the tantrum because Riley wanted to see Grandma and Joe and i are trying to talk over the tantrum. ME: you ate already HIM: Yes ME: Did you bring me home dinner? HIM: No ME: Are you kidding did you not here me say that we were going to meet you there HIM: with a dumb look on his face do you want me to see if there is any left over? ME: (thinking you are an effin jerk) NO!!! So I mellowed down the tantrum and threw my chicken cutlets in the oven and made my dinner. After a few minutes Joe asks are you not talking to me and I replied no. That was it I fed Russell put him to sleep and off to bed i went knowing that I was waking in a few hours for his middle of the night feeding. Joe put Riley to bed and fell asleep with him. A few hours later Riley was in my bed and Joe still upstairs sleeping. I wake up this morning and get ready to go for a run and my lovely husband questions my running with but you just worked out yesterday. Yes Joe but today is a new day. I hit the road for 3 miles and when I returned to the house I had a steaming cup of coffee waiting and a steaming bath. All is forgiven!!!

Tuesday Craze

Russell did great last night. He went to sleep in his crib around 8pm then woke up at 330 then again at around 7. This was fantastic. I had just enough energy to get out of the house for a 3 mile run this morning. These morning runs have not been happening so this was huge. I am going to do a half marathon in February and I really want to work on my time. I did 3.2 in 26 min. I am finally getting a little closer to my pre pregnancy times. I am hoping to do the half in at least 2 hours which means I really need to get out there and get my speed work in. It is just so hard with the limited sleep and still nursing, but I did today and that is all that matters. 

After work I came home to mania. My 4 year old was super hyped up wanting to play outside and demanding all my attention. So I was on go when I really wanted to be in chill relax mode. I guess not the best idea to try and sleep train this one tonight. Riley is almost 4 and sleeps in our bed. I know to some this is a no no but for us it always just worked. My only concern with this now is that he is not going to bed at a reasonable time unless you think 930 10 is reasonable and then he does not want to get up for school which then means me late for work. With all his stuffed animals in his bed I left him to sleep. 1 hour later Riley down stairs asking for Joe to sleep with him. Now they are both asleep in his bed. I'm not going to lie I am totally enjoying the peace as I sit in bed writing this blog. Glad that I made it another day as a mother of 2. Tomorrows task will be trying to get him to school and me to work on time and then getting in a training session having to take the 2 boys with me. Oh the happy chaos of being a mother of 2. 

Fiscal Freeze

Has anyone watched that show extreme cheapskates? Well unlucky me my lovely honey watched and now I am on whats called a fiscal freeze. This means that there is no spending for one week. No gas, grocery, no training sessions, and NO STARBUCKS!!! The only spending I can do is if I scrounge up some change. I am now on day 5. I never realized how hard it was not to spend money. I LOVE spending money and oh how I miss my lattes and weekly blow dry. So since this challenge has me biting my nails to spend money I went right for the change jar. Did I mention I had to do my own manicure this week too!  I have been collecting change in my jar for 2 years and now seemed like the perfect time to break it out. I packed up my change and right to the coin machine I went. $299.30!!!! Yippee Starbucks for everyone!! Of course we had gotten an invite to a birthday party for one of Riley's classmates so at least we had money for the present and lunch at one of our fav jewish delis after. This money is burning a whole in my pocket and I can not wait until Wednesday when I can spend away.
We have bee managing ok with food, but now its getting kinda light. We had a few days of salads and then some things I had in the freezer. I think I may have even lost a few pounds this week too! That's a bonus. I am out of gas in one car and fortunately we have 2 so now I am in the truck. I cannot imagine having to ride my bike all dressed for work. I really have no idea why I agreed to this, but I am saving by not going to Starbucks everyday. You should try it and see how you do. I am getting crabby. I want to register for a half marathon and I have to wait until Wednesday! Well I am off to eat my homemade lunch Salad and butternut squash soup. Happy cheap skating!

I'm Back

Its been a long while since I have been on the blog. Oh how my life has changed! I am now the proud mother of 2 boys! Life has become a little more hectic and a lot more entertaining. I am now a wife, mother, sister, friend and MARATHONER. Yes I have run in 2 marathons. This blog is about my life and figuring out how to be a mom, wife all the wile trying to stay sane. So I tip my bottle of cabernet back and watch the chaos that at times is my life. Life is never perfect but its my life and I thank God for all craziness everyday.