Being Needed vs. Needy...

There are times in this house where I swear that everyone needs something from me. Needy, I like to call it. My patience runs thin on those days and I feel like I need about 10 extra hands. Those days really are pretty few.
But Jacob has been sick this week, and he has NEEDED me. I have loved it. He is always a loving boy, but can be demanding. This week has been different. He just feels YUCK. Sore throat, head cold and terrible cough. On Wednesday afternoon he walked up to my classroom and just nestled into my arms... in front of all of the kids. He felt awful and only momma could make it better. There is nothing like that feeling. I enjoyed staying home with him and spoiling him and just "babying" him. Granted, once his brother got him, he had had enough of laying around and was ready to play hard with him. He insisted on going to school today, but was pretty puny by the end of the day. The boys made an elaborate plan in the car on the way home and I just let them go for it.
When we got home, they both took their showers...yes, at 4 pm. They pulled out the hide-a-bed and snuggled in. Nicholas was so kind to his brother...asking him what he needed and letting him choose what they watched. They got to eat their dinner there! (Life's simple pleasures). They were up and playing around 6. Got homework done and did some drawing. Both went to bed early tonight.
I overslept this morning! We haven't been getting very good nights rest with Jacob up and down and coughing all night. Yesterday, I did a great interval/speed workout on the treadmill. So it was easy to take today as a rest day. I was supposed to go swimming tonight, but didn't want to drag Jacob out. I'll just flip flop it for Saturday's rest day. It's all about being flexible!

The Running Blues...

My dog has the running blues. It breaks my heart.

In December, Jesse fell when BURSTING out of the garage and hit the ice. She limped, took a few days off of running, but just hasn't been the same since. We tried a couple of short runs because she BEGS to go when I am dressed to run. She barrels through the house looking for her leash. We finally had to hide her running clothes because she gets too excited. After a trip to the vet, she has been put on the injured list for 4-6 weeks. So here she sits on the couch with her busted up knee (cross your fingers that she didn't tear a muscle!) and her ice pack. Yes, she is getting the RICE treatment. Rest (which is next to IMPOSSIBLE to convince her of!) Ice. Compression and Elevate! She even has anti-inflammatories. She is still hobbling around but put her outside with the boys and she acts just like one of the gang! Poor kid.

But, there is a little selfish silver lining to this.

I need to train. Serious train. I was going to have to really massage my schedule and routes to get Jesse her run in and to also get my run in. And believe me, I already massage my schedule a lot just because LIFE HAPPENS. So, while I am sad to not have my loyal buddy, I am taking this time alone to get some true training runs in which focus on pace, form and mind.

I am 3 weeks into the schedule and so far, so good. No week has gone completely as planned, but I haven't missed any workouts....just had to rearrange them.

It always amazes me what I learn. I know that running is for me and I have to make it work for all of us. But, I get so caught up in running blogs and have to remind myself that they are not me. In fact, most don't work and if they do, they don't have kids or vice versa. I can't get up in the morning to run because Michael has just barely gotten to sleep. I am going to start getting up on Sunday mornings for my runs though...not super early, but early enough to not eat a chunk out of the day. The boys are really liking their "boy" time with daddy.

Speed workouts/intervals get serious this week and I'm getting pretty nervous about them. They're easy on the treadmill because you have no choice but to do it. I plan on getting to the track after next week and pushing myself. I'm kind of like the energizer bunny when it comes to long runs...I just pace myself and go. But on these speed workouts, I really want to puke. Ok, maybe not puke, but I want to give all I've got! We'll see.

January in Walla Walla

This year started, once again, with the boys welcoming in 2011 in the blue chair! However, one boy...Nicholas, likes to do New York time and then go to bed. The other boy...Jacob, likes to do New York time too, but this year INSISTED that he could make until midnight. We decided to let him. He had a hard time that last hour and he couldn't believe that the same ball dropped 3 hours earlier...I think it was a let down for him. But, he now has bragging rights! He also got to watch some TV with us, that he wouldn't normally watch. That kid has got the same sense of humor as his dad.




As is typical of Walla Walla, January is dreary and windy! Lots of fog, clouds and tons of wind. This year, we had many icy days too, which made for plenty of days spent indoors. Lots of movies, Wii, DSi and air hockey! We spent a lot of time cooking together. And with all of this time spent indoors, comes all of us getting ants in our pants. I started reflecting on my shoes....




I have a lot of running shoes. These aren't even all of them. These shoes have carried me many, many miles. In fact, the total is close to 7,500 miles. These shoes have caught joy, tears, sweat (a LOT of sweat), a little blood and countless treats left by nature and its' inhabitants if you know what I mean. This time of year gives me so much time to think. To think of possibilities. To think of what my body and mind are capable of. Enter....the marathon.
I had thought about not racing this year. That might not be in anyone's best interest....I NEED a goal. But, to accomplish a marathon, it truly takes EVERYONE being on board. After MUCH, and I mean serious conversations with husband, children and parents, I had the support from them all. So, I went ahead and pressed the button. I'm going to train for the Eugene marathon.
Now, this isn't your average training plan this time around. I know I can go the distance. But, I want to keep the pace and hit my current goal of qualifying for Boston. Yes, I need a 3:45:59 and NO MORE. I know that there will be tweaking to this plan. I know there will be days where someone isn't happy that I'm heading out the door. But I know I can. We're one week in and so far, so good. I'm training a little different this time...more purpose than usual. So, there may be posts about running coming up. Because it truly IS a family affair. The boys are looking forward to the weather warming up so we can go to the track for speed work. We're hitting the Y together once a week for swimming/spinning/weights. And everyone seems excited about the trip to Eugene. We always make marathon weekends an all out trip.
When we got up this morning it was POURING. The boys decided it was a good day to pull out the hide-a-bed and snuggle in. Of course, Jesse wouldn't miss out on that! Fortunately however, around 1:30 the sun peaked through the clouds and it was almost 60* out! The boys helped daddy wash the cars, clean the garage and they even got in a few hoops!
We are thankful that Michael has been kept on at his job, and although they haven't made him permanent yet, things seem to be pointing in the right direction. We have gotten a LOT of home projects done the last 3 weekends which has been great, because soon enough, the yard will be calling our names!