Patience while training

I very loosely planned out my training plan for the upcoming half marathon and marathon.

I wrote down the amount of miles I wanted for me long run each week and was purposeful in increasing, knowing when to pull back a week and then increasing some more.

Today, I went out for my run.  I was only supposed to go 4.  But I got this wild hair to just do 12, which isn't scheduled for another week.  I've had 3 weeks increasing, so this was supposed to be an 8 miler long run week....on Saturday.

I argued with myself for about 5.9 miles.

I could've gone 12, but the point was, I shouldn't go 12....yet.

So I found a happy medium and went 6.

I know I need to be patient and build my mileage carefully and responsibly so that I don't get hurt.  

I have to stay committed to that.

Plus, between these two little love bugs....

I am getting quite the extra miles in.  Walks in the morning, training in the afternoon and walks during the evening.  Having a puppy is a lot of work, but she is completely worth it.

Back to Training!

It's back to a training schedule.  

Crazy!  

But, this time, I'm looking at it all differently. 

The only thing on my schedule are my long runs, so that I ensure I increase my mileage appropriately.  I love my running/workout schedule right now, so I will continue to embrace those things.  I am not running with ANY (I repeat, ANY) time goals.  It makes it hard because I am driven by pushing for speed.  Oddly enough, I'm finding that it takes an equal amount of discipline to maintain an "easy" pace.  I have to.  I noticed when I got into the 8:xx's yesterday, that same, familiar twinge was back in the ol' crotch.  9's are my happy place. And that is where I shall stay.  I'm even guessing that 10's are going to become my friend when I head back into double digits.

At this point, I've got two training runs in the books....a 6 and an 8.  Next Wednesday, I'll go for 10.

While I've got my relentless band on my left side, I've add this unbreakable ring to the right side.  Good reminders to keep me balanced through this cycle.

Here & Now

McKenly came to visit.  And while it was a visit we had been waiting for, for almost 20 years, we only focused on the here and now.  His mother had prepped him for this day his whole life...to love, embrace and enjoy his father, brothers and I.  It was a whirlwind 10 days but oh so natural.  He just simply belonged and fit in and hung out.  We kept him to ourselves and didn't take him around to meet many people.  We all wanted it like that.  This trip was important for us as a family...

The Carpenters and The Nichols. 

He stayed up too late with his brothers (hee hee); they laughed loud and often; and man, can they all eat!  We got joy out of seeing the 3 of them in the kitchen every night making their 4th meal of the day! Whether they were fishing or throwing balls (Nicholas' favorite) or driving around, eating and laughing (Jacob's favorite)...these brothers had a grand ol' time.

And as for father and son?  Well, genetics are amazing.  Two peas in a pod.  I've never seen Michael as relaxed and content as he was the last two weeks.  It was like his world was complete.

McKenly got spoiled by Nik & Nana...as they do all of their grandchildren.

He hung out with my sister and her husband while camping.

He just loved his trip and we did too.  It wasn't good-bye when he left, rather see you soon. 

We had a magnificent time together and can't wait for the next time.

We played in downtown Seattle.

Rode the monorail.

These 3 were inseparable for the 10 days.

We drove to the beach at Ocean Shores so McKenly could touch the Pacific Ocean.

These brothers agreed to go in with him!

We celebrated the calmness, joy and contentment of our time with McKenly.

They tried oyster shooters.

We camped, shared pictures, played games, ate, laughed and treasured each moment.

Daddy caught something....his son, Nicholas!!!  What a trooper though.  The hook had to be pushed through his arm before we could snip it off.  He never cried.

We fished.  Well, they fished.  I watched.

Um yah, they fished some more.  And then, they fished again. 

We all kayaked. (Thank you Nik!)

We rode bikes.  Jacob got in Nik's scuba gear. 

Selfie at the Mariners game!  Seats behind home plate!

Making friends with the people behind them.

Although Nicholas loves Jacob -- they are so close in age, that they are more "buddies".  This is the big brother relationship that both boys have yearned for.  And McKenly said the same thing--he has always wanted brothers...now, he's got them.

There are so many special memories and moments that we shared over the 10 days.  I've shared them with his mom and we shared many happy tears.  I also can't thank my family enough.  They have loved Michael as their own forever.  And they have always embraced his family and his children.  There is no difference in treatment between the brothers, and for that, I feel so grateful and lucky.

I have journaled about our time for the boys to keep as a keepsake to this trip to go along with the things they collected and the pictures we have taken. 

It's A GIRL!!!

When Michael and I got married, I had two girl names picked out for when we were pregnant....

Jesse and Kacie.

We had two boys.  ;)

But, I now have my TWO girls!!!!

Jesse was rescued from a liter of puppies.  We watched her mature until she was ready to come home with us.  About two weeks ago, Michael said there was a guy at work who had a daughter who had a dog that she was neglecting.  It had been locked in a 3 X 6 kennel for over a year.  He really wanted to go look at her, although I was less than interested.  However, after seeing her living conditions, there was no way I was leaving her there.  It was awful.  

Anyone who knows Jesse knows that there are not many other animals she loves and would like to eat most of them.  She is fiercely loyal to her family.  So, I was very stressed about bringing in a pup.  Here we are, 3 days in and we've only had two brawls  (one when they first met and the second over a shoe that neither of them should have had).  Lucky for us, Kacie is very passive.  She is skittish.  And we've worked very hard to acclimate her to us, the yard and then finally the house.  Each day gets better and she is learning manners.  She has definitely found her pack.

I told my dad I was giving it two weeks....

As he said, it only took two days.  

We brought her home, bathed her, treated her for fleas, brushed her, brushed her and brushed her some more.  She is looking better day by day.  So, welcome Kacie...a full Chesapeake bay retriever.  

The pics are in order from when we got her to today....

So stressed--could not stop panting.  Looking a little rough still...no bath yet.

After the bath, a good walk.

Learning to hang with her pack.  She got a pretty new collar too!

Finally starting to relax.

Even the 3 legged cat has accepted the new addition.

Content.

During fireworks.

Welcome home, Kacie.  We love you already!!!

#42

Because I've been on running with caution for two years.

Because it scares me and makes me nervous.

Because it is a challenge.

Because I am afraid of the path...

I signed up for the Leavenworth Marathon...

October 4th, 2014

 

Because I'm ready to go back to being a runner.

Because it is exhilirating and challenging.

Because it motivates me and makes me stronger.

Because it reminds me who I am.

Because I turned 42 and this was the 42nd marathon listed on the Washington State website.

Because I can...and I will.

This race will not be about time.

In fact, I plan to train without a watch.

This race is about finishing.

This race is for my family and I....because we are strong, we are relentless and we are ONE.

My Birthday...

Today is my birthday and already, my heart is overflowing.

After an amazing 10 days with family, which included McKenly  (don't worry--big ol' blog post coming on that one!  I've got to have it all written down for us to reflect on for years to come--such a gift), I have so much to reflect on and be thankful for.  Not only that, but I have some goals for this 42nd year of mine....

*a marathon, yes it is time to conquer another one.  But the goal will be to stay healthy, uninjured and to maintain balance with the other fitness I have incorporated.

*back to school, this one will take a couple of years but I am going to get the ball rolling.  I will renew my National Board certification, get my administrative credential and begin a doctorate program.  I couldn't be more excited.

*to continue my path of peace, in the last two years I have become so much better at staying calm about things, being in the moment and journaling daily.  

This little family of mine is just the icing on the cake.  And now that McKenly is truly in the picture, our family feels complete.  Michael, all of our boys, my parents, my sister...we've got a great tribe.  Add into that our village of more family and friends....life is good.  

What more could a woman want for her birthday?