Running....Day 8....Challenges, challenges.

Cold has descended on the country and Florida was not exempt. Feels like temps this morning were a whopping 16 degrees and that wind felt like a knife. However, watching my running friends around the world brave snow, wind chills, sleet and ice and still get out there I sort of felt like I didn't really fit in. Here I was running in shorts, no layers to speak of. That changed this morning. I knew last night that I was going to get out and run this morning, no matter what, even if it was only a mile. So hat, gloves, scarf and knee socks on, out the door I went. Mile 1 was actually okay and then my body started going numb. Well okay, my butt and thighs went numb. But since that's my propulsion system it felt like I was going numb! But I made it, and ran 2.25 miles!!! My head, hands and toes all stayed warm so that was a bonus, I'll let you know when the rest of me thaws out! Another challenge accepted and completed and today I feel great!! Happy running.

Running Day 7......Just breathe!

The past two days have been a whirlwind of madness here, trying to get kids registered in schools and interviews and school board meetings.....I feel like I drove around my town 4 times yesterday. So last night I got a quick 2.5 in while the youngest had a quick soccer practice. Today though my middle child threw down the gauntlet. It's been a while since he and I have butted heads. He's moderately ADHD and a whole lot stubborn, which unfortunately he gets from me. So the two of us went round and round and finally I declared that I was leaving for my run and when I came back he'd better be in a happier place. So, out I went and pounded out 3.5 miles. And the oddest thing happened on that run. I came back in a better mood. With a little more patience and feeling a lot more love. And when I walked through the door he called out, "Hi Mom, how was your run?" He was in a happier place too. It always amazes me how much peace I get by beating myself into the pavement. Which in turn allows me to be a better mom, wife, a better me. To all of us out there trying to just be better me's! 700 running miles tally: 20.5 2015 in 2015 tally: 30.4

Running...Day 4...Please don't make me go, I don't want too....

Day 4. Sucked. Every excuse ran through my head. It's hot, it's humid out (really in January that should not be an issue!)It's cloudy. Frozen is on, I really should watch that for the 4 bazillionth time. Who cares if it's just me by myself because everyone else is still sleeping. I'm hungry, my legs hurt. Waaaaahhhhhh! After an hour, yes really an hour of this, I slowly (with a pouty lip) started dressing for my run. With kids all asleep I slumped out the front door, cranked up the tunes, set the Garmin and all my running apps and took a step. Don't go. It's Sunday, and you've done great mileage for you the last three days. Go have a cup of coffee and enjoy the silence in the house. Stupid little voice. I turned up my music and plodded on. That first mile was tough. To get through I had to actually reach back from my OCS days and remember some good USMC cadence to call out. The second mile wasn't any easier. I don't even remember how I made it to mile 3. As I ran past 3.4 someone was washing clothes and that fresh smell made me want to curl up under a blanket and become a blob. And then someone was cooking fish at 3.7 and I actually picked it up to get past that. Ran past my house to get to 4.0. Popped back in and everyone was still asleep so I grabbed my water bottle and walked another mile. It was tempting to enjoy the silence today, but worth it to get this done. I have never fought so hard to overcome that feeling of "don't go-itis" Today I overcame!! Mileage as of now-14.5 miles run and another 7.6 walked in this 4 days

Running...Day 1....700 miles to go....

Was actually super excited for today to get here....wanted to start this year and goals off with a bang. And I did. 5 miles complete, me, 5 miles. I never would have thought I could do it, or more importantly that I ever would want to do it. I cranked up some tunes and just ran with no goal, just ran. At mile 3.7 it got a little crazy as the trash man passed me and I had to beat him to my house to get the trash to the curb. Who would have thought that they would be working today?? Certainly not me, so I ran really fast from 3.7-4.1 and got the can to the curb, had a quick drink, noted all 3 kids were still sleeping and hit the pavement again. At this point I was pretty sore so my run was more of a jog and I just did what I could. At 5 miles I decided I would still like to be able to walk tomorrow so I stopped and walked about 1/3 of a mile. So as Jack so perfectly noted, I now have 695 miles to go in my goal. Tomorrow is another day! Happy New Year!

Gooooooooaaaaaaalllllll!

2014 is not even quite over and already I'm celebrating like it's in the rear view mirror. This year has not been kind to us. I was beginning to wonder about whether I had stolen someone's puppy, or torn up a kids teddy bear unknowingly, because it felt like karma was looming over us, cackling at our misfortune. There were days where I not only didn't want to raise myself out of bed, but then certainly did not want to be responsible for making any decisions, let alone dinner. And then gradually the sun began to peak out from behind the storm clouds. And I remembered that in January I had run for a reason. A woman I have never met, a mother of three, running in the daylight with her husband was hit by a drunk driver. She was killed as she ran with her husband. Like that, gone. And yet her legacy, her spirit, lives on. Meg Cross Menzies lives on in the 18,000 of us who run for her, with her family, with God, with each other. We cheer each other on, pay it forward in her honor, leave the world a little better. And so in my dark hours I remembered that and began to run. At the beginning I ran through anger, and sadness, and then to maintain my sanity. Some days are fun. Some days suck. And here's the amazing part of it all, I'm now a runner. So much so that my Christmas gifts consisted of new running shoes and attire, and I'm excited about it. I have friends around the world around, friends who I have never personally met who cheer me on, encourage me when I'm having a bad run. It's like having your mom, your number one supporter, multiplied by 18,000. Now that's a lot of cheerleaders in your corner. I am also never one to make resolutions, because I don't believe in them. However, I have set my goals for this year and they need to be public because they are huge for me. 1. I personally am going to run 700 miles this year. Even as I type this I am cringing and wondering what in the heck I'm doing.... 2. I am going to run at least one half marathon, but would love to make it 2 (with the 2nd being Richmond-where Meg lived) 3. I am teaming up with one of my new friends, who oddly enough is also a former military helicopter pilot (Army though, but I won't hold it against her, especially because she's doing the majority of the running!) to run 2015 miles in 2015. I will be donating the 700 ish. 4. To remember that my kids constantly change, perhaps each second they become new and different and to revel in their glory and wonder, and to be patient with them and cherish them and let them know that they are worthy and valuable and can change the world. It's not much, ok it's actually huge! And I'm scared and nervous and excited all wrapped up into one big ball. And while this certainly isn't soccer, at the end of this year you can certainly count on me to be screaming at the top of my lungs when I complete each and every one of these. But I know that my megsmiles team will be with me the whole way, and so tomorrow.....we run!

One Week To Christmas....

Christmas is a magical time of year, watch any kid. Their face lights up when making cookies for Santa, counting presents, brightly wrapped under a tree, staring in wonder at all the ornaments. This year is going to be hard for my kids. For the last four years we were privileged to live where my parents live. The Navy stationed us in the heart of the midwest, and we soaked it up and began to take it for granted. This year we are far away again, in a place that doesn't have seasons, without Daddy at home (although he will make a special appearance in time for Christmas!), and all the traditions we carried on in Omaha are a bit more difficult here, but we are doing the best we can. For example, Pops, gets all the grandkids together and makes gingerbread houses, or castles. He spends 4-5 days baking the gingerbread after they have all decided on what type of structure to build. Then he takes 6, yes 6, kids to the candy store where they spend a ridiculous amount of money on candy for decorating. It is one of the best traditions ever!

This year is a reminder to me. That what is important is sitting around that tree. And while we certainly are going to miss being with all of our family this Christmas, technology is pretty awesome and they can see the kids open their presents and still be a part of the day. And we can be a part of theirs. Merry Christmas!

And the Bell Tolled 11....

So you think that teaching for 10 hours yesterday would have been enough. I certainly thought I had earned a good nights rest, so I tucked all three kids in, had a glass of wine, brushed my teeth and went to bed. I snuggled down into my sheets and was out. That was about 10:50. At eleven Tristan is standing right next to me urging me to wake up. I bolt out of bed. Is he hot? Did he throw up? Is his back ok (he has strained a back muscle in soccer)? Did he hear a noise? No. He grabs my hand, "Come on mom, I'll just show you." I'm slightly worried. First, why is he still awake, and what is going on? He grabs his phone, taps on it and up pops this picture of a puppy. A pit bull terrier mix puppy named Zeus. Yes I'm aware of his name and that he currently resides in Miami, FL in a shelter. Tristan begins to tell me that this puppy only has 24 hours left to live and we need to save him. Mind you, this is all done not in a quiet library voice. But a sobbing, choked up, slightly screaming voice. At this point Jack comes out of his room to find out what the heck is going on. I look at Jack and all I'm thinking is what are you wearing????? He has three blankets tied together in some sort of poncho and a stuffed snake is tied into it as well so he's dangling. But, back to Tristan. For 10 minutes I have to defend why we aren't driving to Miami today to save a dog, or foster a dog or pay them money to take extra time and not put Zeus down. There is sobbing, monumental tears, Tristan blaming himself for the death of a dog who I don't even think is on the euthanasia list for today (yes I'm that sad that I woke up today and actually pulled up whether Miami-Dade was a no-kill shelter! Don't judge). Finally, I got Jack tucked into bed where he hit his knees and folded his hands and recited prayers (I know because when I finally got back to my bed I could still hear him talking to God, begging for Zeus' life) and got Bug tucked back in. I had tried reason, logic, logistics, and finally got him to bed with the line of "Well call them in the morning and find out if this story is even true!" When it comes to animals my kids will fall for anything and everything. All is quiet here this morning, I'm on my 3rd cup of coffee which is going to be necessary today, and I'm debating the sanity of waking them all up. But rats, I think the school bell just rang!