I need a nap!

Why is it, that by boxing day evening I feel the holiday 'hangover', whether I over-indulged or not?!

I am wiped out.  Acting as a super-lego/playmobil/random toy assembly expert for two straight days, as well as a chocolate-confiscator, dinner-maker, referee, cleaner-upper, and general hug-and-kisser is tiring.  All whilst getting some running time in...phew!  No wonder the couch is calling my name?!

Santa's cookie plate(s)

Running on Christmas day is kind of a treat.  I haven't actually run on Christmas day in a few years, but I am glad I had the chance this year.  I overdressed (it was so nice and mild--sorry to those of you that had wished for a white Christmas!) but other than that, the traffic was light, and the air just felt calm.  I went out for an easy 10k, and when I returned home, I realized that I had run a tad faster than I intended.  Perhaps I was eager to get back into my jammies to enjoy the Christmas laziness around the house?!

Super-thrilled with their measuring tapes!  Santa knows his stuff.

This morning I went out for 12 miles, and although it was windy, it was mild again (no, I didn't learn my lesson--I overdressed once again).  It was nice to take a break both yesterday and today, to take in the fresh air, and know I am still on-track for the crazy race weekend that is less than 2 weeks away!

Happy Holiday Running!

p.s.  Not to make Christmas all about STUFF, but I thought I would mention...Santa brought me some lovely new running gear, including a nice warm running jacket!  Also, our boys were thrilled that the big guy was generous to them too.  They also couldn't believe he actually ate most of the cookies we left out for him :)

Gifts (and kiddies) under the tree

The stockings are hung...

Wow...only 2 more sleeps until Christmas day.  It is so crazy how Christmas evolves when there are kiddies involved.  Back in the old days, when it was just my husband, me, and our dog, things were so different.  So laid back.  We even had a stocking for Lola the dog.  Yeesh.  Our mantle wouldn't have enough space for her anymore, as it is overrun with human stockings!

Obviously, the white skate belongs to Mama :)

The house is abuzz with Christmas excitement.  The boys can't wait to get those milk and cookies out for Santa, and I can't wait until they are in dream land with those sugar plums dancing in their heads!  (Then the wrapping and preparing really begins--can I get it all done without the assistance of something yummy and alcoholic to drink?!)  I sure hope so, as a hangover on Christmas morning would hurt!

On a related note, I still have to run and train throughout the holidays.  It is actually quite nice to get out there (especially in the pretty snow) but it is also nice to snuggle up with the boys in our jammies.  A training plan is a training plan, though, so it looks like I will be out there, plugging away, even on Christmas!  I have a super-star runner telling me what to do for training now...did I mention this?  The lovely people at Adidas have set me up with Nicole Stevenson, who has created a training plan for me, in hopes of preparing me for Boston.  I love having a plan, and I love that she knows what she is doing!

...but I also have to love running on Christmas!!

Happy Holiday Running!

What's up next?

Did I get gobbled up by iRun?  It seems as though lately, I have!
I know, shabby links to posts I am making over at iRun are kind of lame, but really, it is because I have been busy, three kids, running lots, blah blah, excuse, blah.

I have been out on the roads prepping like a mad woman for the race(s) of a lifetime! And, no, I don't mean Boston!  In just two and a half weeks I will be toeing the line at Disney's Half Marathon in Florida.  Then, as if that wasn't exciting enough, I will be getting up the next morning (ok, the middle of the night, but more about that later) to line up for the Disney Marathon!!  Yes!  I am doing the Goofy Challenge!!

They call runners that do both the Half Marathon and the Full Marathon, "Goofy Challengers"  You get an extra medal AND t-shirt!  Am I nuts?!

Years ago when I first heard this existed, I thought it would be so great to try.  Then I found out that the race always occurs in the first half of January.  Boo!  I am a teacher.  How am I going to get time off to head down to Florida when I have just started back at school after the two-week Christmas break?! ugh.  I know, I could fly down for the weekend, but I have small children.  I don't normally think of myself as 'parent of the year', but going to Disney for two days (2 days in which I wouldn't really be able to walk, what with all the racing involved) only would not go over well in my family.
So.  Long story short: When I figured out that I would be on a maternity leave this January, I decided it would be my (last) chance to use my January freedom!  Yay!

I signed up last spring.  The races seemed sooo far away.  Plenty of time to train, right?!

Then, I woke up and it was December.  Yep, the month right before January.  Race month.  Yikes!  I have been running, of course, but I needed ample time to panic too.  Throw in the big news about Boston, and you have a mama that has been (smartly) training away, hoping to stay in tip-top shape!

I plan to have a great time running at Disney.  I plan to take lots of photos.  I plan to watch my kids have a blast (and hopefully fit in some outlet shopping?!)!

I will post more on the count down to Disney--but first I need to get ready for Christmas!

Happy Running!

and...if you want to read my current iRun post, it is HERE

'Tis the Season to be...Running!

Check out my new post HERE at iRun.ca