Randoms from the Road

So many thoughts go through my head while I am out there, plugging away the miles. I have decided to compile a 'list' of random thoughts I thunk during a recent long run...

- lots of runners are out in prime garage sale-ing time periods. Early morning, running through neighborhoods, perfect time to browse? Not so much. No money, not in the mood to stop, also not in the mood to carry home the antique rocking chair on my back, no matter how great the deal is.

- through a rough calculation, I have RACED 242kms since my youngest baby was born. Not bad for 14 months! - there are so many things that my kids won't know of, that were such a big deal when I was a kid. Technology aside (although it should be mentioned that my family had a 'party line' until I was in kindergarten) things like watermelon with seeds, rolling around the backseat of the car with no seatbelt, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches at school to name a few...

- my husband is the cutest guy ever. I have been embarrassed lately about some of the attention I have got from people I work with and relatives, for running in Boston. "I'm not the only mom out there that runs marathons," I said. "yeah, but you're the hottest!" he said. Aw. He sure does know how to make a girl feel special. Even if it isn't entirely true ;)

- I really have to get my hands on some more Rainberry flavored Gatorade. The green powerade I had with me was so icky. My brother passed along a recipe for homemade Gatorade that also sounded appealing... - hills are a brutal version of hell. I think if (and when) I arrive in hell, I will have to run up a hundred mile hill, into the wind (let's not forget the inevitable heat involved too).

- the smell of bacon and eggs breakfast is so decadent. Especially "camping" breakfast, where the smell of the campfire is added in. Mmmmm. (I run past a conservation area during long runs...and it is definitely camping season!)

- I am so ready for summer holidays to start. I miss hanging out with my boys all day.

Scatter in some thoughts about how much further I have to go, and how hot the day is becoming, and you have the higlights of my long run!

Happy running!

p.s.  Do you ever feel like this:

All about Mom!!

It's mother's day!! The day when I get to sleep in, enjoy breakfast in bed, handicrafts made by my children and soak up all of the "best mom in the world" attention! Yay!
Unfortunately my boys didn't really remember any of that this morning, and with Papa at work, there wasn't anyone here to supervise the toast-making and breakfast tray-carrying. No worries, though. I am having a lovely day filled with quality time with my boys. I even got to help my oldest craft a "bug house" for all of the disgusting insects he finds around the yard. They're his pets, you see.

 More than a decade ago, when I ran my very first marathon, it was mother's day. My brother and I ran the Ottawa marathon, and back then it was held during the tulip festival on Mother's day. (you can read a bit more about that race and my 21 year-old self HERE) My parents volunteered to make the long trek to Ottawa to see if we could finish us run the race. I don't think any of us really had real idea about how we would be feeling after the race! We had never even been spectators at a race before.

The morning of the race, we headed to the starting line, and mom was there to take our photos, and grab all of our extra gear before the gun went off. She was there with dad, smiling and waving along the route (probably questioning our sanity a little bit, but never out loud). She was there at the halfway point, cheering and telling us that we looked great. It was so great to have her and my dad there, as loving, familiar faces, making us feel proud of ourselves.

 When we finally finished the race (and man, I thought it would never end!) I will never forget the look on my mom's face as we came around the bend to the finish line. Huge relief mixed with pride. I know she was proud of us. She was proud of both Scott and I for running such a great distance. She was proud that we had perserverence. She was proud of my brother, for not leaving his little sister out on the course when the going got a bit tough.

 They had brought some warm clothes for us. They managed to get our tired bodies back to the hotel. Once there, my brother and I flopped down on our beds. My mom helped us untie our shoes, and tucked us in to bed. I remember both of us saying "Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!" but feeling a tad guilty that she spent her day essentially taking care of two of her children instead of us showering her with love and gifts and pampering.

 Obviously, we didn't feel too guilty about the whole thing, as we headed back to Ottawa to do it all again 2 years later on Mother's day (again) for our second marathon. Mom was there again, cheering for us, waiting with Gatorade and being her general-all-around-loving-her-children self.

 Every Mother's day, I always do reflect on those 2 selfless Mother's days. Thank you, mom, for knowing how to encourage us in everything we do. I have felt nothing but love and support from you, every day of my 33 years. Thank you for being the best Grandma my boys could dream of, and the best friend a girl could ask for. I love that we can spend time together, or chat on the phone and the minutes (and hours!) pass in a flash because I am having such a good time. I love how cute you are, and your strength and caring personality. I love you, Mom, so very much!!

Grandma and our boys

Happy Running, especially those Mommies out there!!

Sunday Morning Run + Medal!!

It was a top-secret mission this morning. Barely anyone knew, as I signed up very last-minute. After a disappointing, yet totally unavoidable race time in Boston, I really wanted to race for the time goal I had in mind in Boston.

 So, after checking (and re-checking)the weather a million times, I signed up and hoped for the best! Race day was today. I felt no pressure, and I walked to the starting line with a good attitude.

 The race was AMAZING!! I knew I would enjoy it, as the Goodlife Half is one of my all-time faves as well. I will add more about the race later, but for now I will share my excitement about my finishing time: 3:31:42!!

 My new favorite letters are: PB and BQ

That's my boys, running to catch me while cheering!  Love it!

 Yay!!