Addison Singing in Church

When I was off at Girl Scout camp with Lauren, Mark was at Church with Addison.  I am so sad that I missed her 3 songs.  They were so sweet.  She is right in the middle in a black dress and a cute headband.  Daddy made sure she looked cute, and he got to Church early for a front row seat...literally! 

 

Last Week

I spent the whole week in Canada at the International Heart and Lung transplant conference.  

 I got home Friday night around 7:00

 Just in time to head up to Lauren's school to see the chicks...

 And then head out for an overnight Girl Scout camping trip.  

I am completely exhausted,  looking forward to a day off with Addison tomorrow, and hoping to get things caught up on the blog as soon as I can!  

Watch Week at Dance

Addison has been taking dance since September and she loves it!  Every other month we get to go into the dance studio to watch.  All the little girls in Addison's class do really well and it is so fun to watch them.  Right now they are preparing for the big recital in June.  They will have three shows in one weekend!  Friday night at 7:00, Saturday at Noon and Saturday night at 7:00.  Talk about a crazy weekend.  Plus, she will perform at Downtown Days in Lee's Summit the weekend before.  So much fun for sure!  

Having Jenna there definitely makes it more fun!  

Weekend Fun

What a beautiful weekend!  We enjoyed being outside all day both days! 

Friday night we hit Orange Leaf.  We struck a deal with Lauren to skip Paradise Park night with the school and go to Orange Leaf instead.  Much more relaxing.  

Addison will ham it up for the camera any time you ask! 

Saturday afternoon we headed out to the Kite Festival at Longview.  It is so fun to just lay out a quilt, relax, and watch all the kites.  They are huge!  We usually run into friends around Lee's Summit, and this year was no different.  

After the Kite Festival, it was date night.  Mark with Addison, me with Lauren. 

Mark and Addison went swimming and then to Chick Fil A for dinner.  Lauren and I went to Sonic (her choice!) and Orange Leaf (again!)  Then we headed over to Lowe's.  Lauren mentioned a few weeks ago that she wanted a bird feeder.  I thought it was a great idea to have one in the backyard.  

Sunday morning the girls patiently waited for a bird to notice the bird feeder.  

Then, when we got home from church there was one there!  

The girls kept track all afternoon and said they saw 5 birds total.  Seriously, kept them entertained for hours.  

 Then they heard the ringing of the ice cream truck. Lauren is old enough to know what it is now (darn it!)  At first we told them no ice cream.  But, as I was standing in the kitchen getting dinner ready they looked so pitiful peaking through the fence trying to see the ice cream truck and watching all the kids on the street get ice cream.  I mean, how could you possibly say no to that.  Mark caved and got them some ice cream.  

And with that he was told he was the "best daddy ever!" Totally makes it worth it.  

A Decision

So now that Rock The Parkway is over it is time to make a decision on Hospital Hill.  Do I do the 10k or do I challenge myself with the Half Marathon?

As I was running Rock the Parkway I was having FUN.  It felt great.  The weather was perfect.  There was a nice chill in the air.  The sun was shining.  There was no humidity.  It was PERFECT running weather.  

As I was running Rock the Parkway I was thinking, there is no way I could do Hospital Hill half marathon.  It could be so hot.  There are 6 miles of hills in the half marathon.  Yes, 6 miles.  Three different times you climb 1 1/2-2 miles at a time up hill.  YIKES.  

As I was running Rock the Parkway I made the decision that I would do the 10k at Hospital Hill.  I decided to beat my time the first time I did the 10k a few years ago.  That goal is easily attainable.  

As I was running Rock the Parkway I decided to follow the 10k training plan on the Hospital Hill website to a tee and work on speed work and focus on strength to tackle the hills of Hospital Hill.  

As I was running Rock the Parkway I was on so much pain at the end.  I decided I did not want to feel that pain again and the decision was made. I was done with half marathons. I decided to do the Hospital Hill 10k.

Then, I changed my mind.

Saturday night after Rock the Parkway I was already thinking maybe I could do the half marathon.  

Saturday night when I was still in so much pain from that morning on running I was thinking why not?

Then Monday happened.  Then my decision was clear.  I will run the Hospital Hill half marathon this year.  I will continue to train for the next 6 weeks.  I will get stronger and faster.  

I will run the half marathon.  I will not race.  I will not go for a PR.  I will simply run to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon. I will run the half marathon because I can.  I will run to half marathon to say "I have ran the Hospital Hill half marathon."  There is a lot of honor in that accomplishment.  Never in my dreams would I have thought I could conquer such a thing.  

My husband said I was crazy.  I might be a little.  I will run.  I will stop if I feel pain.  I will not PR.  I will have fun.  I will train hard. I will pray for a beautiful day (like last year!)  

My husband and my girls will be there cheering me on.  That means the world to me.  They are my support system and my rock and I adore them.  

Boston

So last night on the way to religion class Lauren asked Mark about Boston.  One of the girls in Lauren's class brought it up.  That little girl's dad ran in the Boston marathon on Monday and made it home safely, thankfully.  Lauren asked Mark if he had heard about Boston.  Lauren said "there was a bomb daddy."  Mark asked Lauren how she knew about that and found out that Abby's Dad was running the marathon.  Of course, Lauren knows that means since she is there to cheer Mark and I on at every race.  Lauren then asked Mark several questions and Mark and I have always said that if the kids ask about something we will be as honest as we can (age appropriate) and tell them what happened.  Lauren knows it was a bad guy that did it.  She knows 3 people were killed and several others were hurt (although she does not know how hurt they were.)  She also knows that the President and the police are working very hard to catch the bad guy.  

Sadly, this is the world we live in.  This is what we talk about on the way to religion class.  It is sad, it is awful, it is life.  At religion class they prayed about the event.  That is about all we can do.  

These are my thoughts.  I have thought about Boston all week.  The running community is such an amazing group of people.  I knew runners in the Boston Marathon.  Well, not personally, but I follow their running blogs and are inspired by them every day.  I spoke to a physician at the hospital yesterday that ran the marathon and finished an hour before the bombs and was away from the finish line when it happened. He is still a little shook up, but was back to work trying to go on with life.  The blogs I follow are normal people with a passion for running.  The thing about running is that everyone can do it.  Yes, everyone can do it.  You might not be as fast as the next person, but don't let that stop you.  Start slow, start small, and work your way up.  Runners are the most supportive group of people.  Running is not a competition.  Running is not about finishing first.  Running is about accomplishing things you never thought you could accomplish.  Pushing yourself longer and  harder than you ever thought you could.  And the running community is the most supportive group of people.  

Every running blog I follow has talked about Boston this week.  This has been one of my favorite finds this week.  Runners depend on spectators.  The bigger the race, the bigger the crowd, the bigger the excitement, the bigger the adrenaline rush for me...the runner:  

(as taken from Katie on Msfitrunner. An amazing mom of 3 and incredible runner.)

Some people find comfort in putting words to paper or paddling out into the ocean. Some find it strumming on an instrument or painting a picture. And then there’s some who find it lacing up and taking to the road. Running isn’t just a hobby to many, its a way of life and races are metaphors of life.

Races are filled with rolling uphills and downhills, they have plateaus so great they are filled with ultimate joy and ecstasy; and lows where exhaustion and disappointment take hold of you so strongly that at times you don’t want to go on. They are filled with winding curves that you didn’t know were coming, and unbelievable strength and achievements that you never knew you had inside yourself… 

Racing is a metaphor for life and the finish line is magic… It’s where the 8 year old girl who won her 1st race is greeted by her dad with the greatest hug she’ll ever receive. It’s where your family waits and joins you in your glory to celebrate the half marathon you used as a tool to shed over 100 pounds. It’s where the 50 year old woman who lost both breasts’ to cancers’ children are waiting patiently with tears in their eyes to embrace their mom who fought so hard to live. It’s magic to a runner because its where the people who love you most in life are waiting… 

It takes a special person to stand on a street corner for 5 hours, sometimes in the rain to only watch and cheer their loved one run by for a 1 second. It’s those people that are there for you in life, not just a race- they are there through the ups and downs, through the big hills and steep downhills-they are your support system… They aren’t just spectators, they are someone’s rock in life and that's what hurts… you don’t mess with our loved ones. Thank you to all the supporters, the spectators, and the rocks that help us through life…

Here are some of the links that really tell the story about what happened in Boston.  These are the runners.  The people who were there.  The people who experienced this tragedy first hand...minutes after it happened.  

Ali is a local Kansas City runner who ran the Boston Marathon. She is another Hospital Hill blogger who I have been following.  Her story is pretty incredible.

This runner was there. Minutes after it happened.  You can read her story here.

Sarah at Skinny Runner had this to say about her experience in Boston.

These are just a few of the blogs that have really touched me over this last week.  I find them fascinating to read.  First hand, normal people, runners completing the biggest race known.  The race that every runners works for.  The Boston Marathon.

“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon” Kathrine Switzer

Rock the Parkway Half Marathon (#3)

***Before I start my race recap I must recognize and pray for the people and runners of Boston.  My Twitter feed was full of excitement this morning with all the hype surrounding the grandfather of all road races.  Runners train for months to qualify for Boston and to finally run the Boston Marathon.  In the afternoon I kept checking to make sure the runners I follow were OK.  And they were.  Praise God.  Glued to the TV tonight, praying for Boston and all our local runners.***

 

I did it!  I completed my 3rd half marathon this weekend and if you have been following some of my Hospital Hill blog posts, then you know it was not an easy training season.  I was very excited for this race as so many people I knew were running and I have heard that is is a great route.  The bling for this race is great!  The medals are huge, and the half marathoners got a Nike dri-fit shirt.  Those are some of the perks I look for when signing up for a race.  

I signed up to run with the 2:10 pacers, but decided to do my own thing.  I knew I needed to start out slow and some some energy, and I did a pretty good job.  The first 3 miles are a gradual uphill.  Nothing too steep or too crazy, but uphill.  

Mile 1: 9:40

Mile 2: 10:07

Mile 3: 10:04

I was happy with these paces.  I was faster than the 2:10 pacers, and at this point my legs felt awesome.  It was a very cold start, but I warmed up quickly. 

I knew Mark and the girls were coming up when I got around 3 1/2 miles, but it was after mile 4 before I finally saw them.  Having them at my races is the absolute best. They yell, scream, give high fives, hug, kiss, and give me a burst of energy.  I handed my gloves to Lauren and kept on.  

Mile 4: 9:58

Mile 5: 9:57

Mile 6: 9:49

I was very impressed with my ability to actually keep a pace. You can definitely tell when I had hills and when it was downhill and flat.  My 10 minute miles were the hills, but then I made up some time on the downhills. Around mile 4 1/2 - 5 I started taking my Gu.  I needed a little burst of energy.  

Mark and the girls were waiting for me at  6 1/2 miles and it was awesome. We were running through the hills and neighborhoods of Brookside and the houses are gorgeous.  The scenery and weather was beautiful. It could not have been a better morning to run.  More hugs, kisses and high 5's from the girls and I kept on moving.  Still feeling great at this point.  

Mile 7: 9:45

Mile 8: 10:19

Mile 9: 9:54

Can you tell where the big hill was as we ran around Loose park?  I kept on running, just very slow.  Once we got back on Ward Parkway I knew I was on the final stretch (although it was still almost 5 miles!) Mentally I had held back my running, wanting to turn it on once I got back on Ward Parkway, running towards the finish line.  

At this point I started to have some cramping on my right side that radiated around to my stomach.  Nothing too painful, but noticeable.  I tried to breath through it, flex by abs, and eventually it subsided after I took some salt pills.  

Mark and the girls were at mile 9 1/2 again, and I motioned that I needed water.  Lauren got it ready as I got out my salt tabs to try and relieve some of the cramping.  I was feeling a little mentally fatigued at this point, but a little walking, water, and a pep talk from Mark and I was off again.  

Little did I know the pain I was about to experience.  

Around mile 10 1/2 it felt like I twisted my ankle or someone punched me in my left calf.  My left calf muscle started cramping and tightening with each and every step I took.  At first the pain was manageable.  I stopped to stretch real quick when I first felt it. Although it helped a little, it was still pretty painful.  I tried changing my form, running a little different,speeding up, slowing down, nothing seemed to really help.  So, I knew I just had to run through the pain and finish.  

Mile 10: 10:14 (there is where I walked a little with Mark and the girls, and then started feeling the calf pain)

Mile 11: 9:45

Sometime between mile 11 and 12 my right calf started screaming at me as well.  So with each stride I felt pain, worse of the left side of course.  There was a water break right before Mile 12 and at the bottom of the last hill.  So, I grabbed 2 waters, 2 salt tabs, finished my Gu, stretched my calf and when I got to the top of the hill I decided to give it my all for the last downhill mile.  

Although it was painful, I knew the end was VERY near.  But, around mile 12 1/2 from my knee down to my ankle felt numb.  Oh my word it hurt so bad.  I was running at an 8:00-8:20 pace and I had to stop.  I stopped for about 30 seconds at stretched as hard as I could (pushing up against a light pole) trying to get feeling back in my left lower leg.  I did, but it was not easy. I ran with a limp the last 1/2 mile to the end.

Mile 12: 10:13

Mile 13: 9:09 (downhill, fast, would have been faster if I did not have to stop for ~ 30 seconds)

Finally, there were Mark and the girls squished into the finish line with several other spectators. Although I am smiling and giving a thumbs up I was dying...well my legs were dying.  

As soon as I stopped running I was fine, although my calf muscles are still extremely sore 2 days later.  I definitely need to stretch and ice them tonight.  There was water available immediately at the finish line.  Then, up a small hill was chocolate milk, fruit, bread, and pizza! 

I found Mark and the girls right away at our meeting spot, along with a few of our neighbors.  Lauren agreed to pose for a picture. 

Addison took my chocolate milk, but agreed to give me a hug and kiss.  Love that girl.  

And finally Addison agreed to a quick picture.  Thank you Mark for snapping away.  

Our neighbors took this one.  I think Lauren was hanging out with Andy, while Shari snapped away! 

The end.  

Overall this was a fantastic race.  The temperature was perfect, although a cold start.  Although this is advertised as a nice flat route, there are plenty of short gradual hills to slow you down a little.  None of the hills are very steep or very long (compared to other races I have done) and the downhill finish is wonderful. 

 

After the tragedy of today in Boston I will continue to run harder and faster.  Praying for Boston. 

Half Marathon #3

Here I come.  Rock the Parkway is in the morning.  I should be winding down and trying to get to bed, but my mind is going crazy.  I am running my 3rd half marathon in the morning.  Crazy stuff.  The weather has created quite a challenge in training, but the last 2-3 weeks have been great.  

I love the shirts this year. 

 

My playlist is ready.  Over 2 hours of music is strategically placed. 

 

I stretched and rolled tonight...

 

My neighbors (2 houses down) are picking me up at 6:10...

My goal for this race is under 2 hours and 10 minutes and maybe even 2:05.  That would shave 3 minutes off my last half marathon where I had a 10:10 pace.  I decided to try running with a pace group.  They encouraged me to stay with them the first (slow) 3 miles and see how I feel.  If I feel good, then they said try and catch the 2:05 pacers.  I am excited to run with a pace group and experience that.  I have totally trained by myself, but the girl I talked to at the expo was awesome, so I thought I would give it a try.  If I don't like it, then I will just back off, or speed up, and do my own thing. 

 

 

My clothes are ready.  I tried on pants and capris tonight trying to decide what to wear.  It will be around 30 degrees at start time.  Everyone I know is wearing capris.  I just don't know if I can tolerate that. 

And I have had several cups of water tonight.  I have to be nice and hydrated in the morning.

 

I am off to bed.  Half marathon #3 will be done 12 hours from now!  Wish me luck!