Half Marathon Recap

Saturday, I ran my third half marathon. I'm pretty proud of myself so I thought I would write about it. I almost didn't run it because I didn't think I would be able to finish or get the time I wanted. I loved/hated my first two half marathons so I was nervous I would feel the same way this time. I didn't hate it at all!

 My training schedule was pretty simple. I only had five weeks to train and I didn't want to wear myself out running too much and adding miles too fast.. Instead of running x amount of miles every day, I used x amount of minutes. It was better for me because I had to push the double stroller on all my week day runs and it took off the pressure of getting so far each day. It is more difficult running with the stroller because my stride is different and I have to keep my hands on the stroller. 30 or 40 minutes was manageable to keep two kids happy in the stroller. I really think all the stroller pushing made me a stronger runner.

Long runs were really hard for me. About two weeks in, I just felt tired. Like I was working too hard and my body needed more rest. I was/am still getting up two or three times at night with Reagan and sometimes Bo and wasn't getting much sleep. So I cut out the long runs for rest instead. We ran a few 5/10ks on Saturdays but nothing longer. The rest really helped. My weekly runs got easier and I was getting faster. As nervous as I was about actually running the half, I thought I could do it.

Race Day!!
Saturday morning it was beautiful. A little chilly but almost perfect running weather. Dean and the kids were running the 10k. We got them all bundled in the stroller and were ready to go. 

I never run with music. Never in high school or college. I have tried several times but I just didn't like the distraction. I tried it again a week before the race and found it really helpful. Who knew?! I hadn't ever run with earphones though because I needed to hear the kids in the stroller. Amazingly, it didn't bother me too much. I had to switch playlists every 30 minutes which was a pain but it worked. I also ran with new ProCompression socks that I had only worn once before and a new SparklySoul headband, which I had also only worn once before. While trying something new right before a race is probably not the best idea, it worked for me. I loved both my socks and headband. 

 The start was kind of confusing. Maybe because we only got there 20 minutes before the race? There wasn't really a start line or timing mat so we all just sort of took off. We had a super long, downhill section and then would have a steep uphill at mile 4. These hills gave me both my fastest and slowest mile splits in a long time.  Lucky for Dean, the 10k turned around before the hill. It was a tough climb up but I felt pretty good and knew that I could use the downhill to my advantage on the way back.

Bo fussed so much Dean let him watch trucks on his phone. He really knows how to get what he wants.

My "realistic" goal time was 2:20. My "I really wish" goal time was 2 hrs. The course was pretty nice after the hill. There were a few small rolling hills but I felt pretty strong and good about my pace. I tried not to worry about my mile splits. I just wanted to run at a pace I felt good at. At about mile 8 I knew I could be close to finishing in 2 hrs. Next up was the hill. I tried to take the downhill nice and easy. Being that it was gravel and kind of steep, it was difficult. By the bottom my knees were trashed. It was much harder on my legs than I anticipated.

I knew that the last three miles were going to be tough. I have had knee issues for most of my running life but hadn't had any when I was training. I didn't think it would be a problem but my body didn't really recover well once I got to the bottom of the hill. I was hurting and just hoping that Dean and the kids were going to meet me somewhere around mile 11 or 12 to help me finish. There was also a guy running next to me who would run in front of me a little ways then stop and walk until I passed him a little and then do it again. It went like this for my last three miles and was so annoying. I tried not to let it mess with my head and just run my own race but it was difficult.

Dean met me at mile 12 and ran with me almost all the way to the finish. I am not always very nice to him when we run together but I was so thankful that he was there that last mile. Even when he told me the finish was right around the corner and it wasn't. Surprisingly, I had enough left in my legs to speed up the last 100 meters through the finish. I finished in 2 hours and 7 minutes. I got 4th in my age group and Dean got 1st in his and third overall.

I feel good about the race I ran and I know I left it all out there. I know I couldn't have shaved 7 minutes off my time so I am happy with it. I did what I wanted to do and now I'm ready for another one. Well, maybe in the spring and maybe with less hills. 

Reagan @ 3 months old

Reagan is now THREE months old. Time seems to fly by so much faster than when Bo was a baby. I guess that is what happens when you are also chasing around a very active two year old.

Weight: About 11 lbs maybe??
Size: She fits almost perfect in her 3 month tops. Her pants are still way too long, but it's still too warm for pants here.

Likes:being outside, riding in the stroller, bath time, the swing, being talked to, riding in the car, music, getting her diaper changed, Bo, being the center of attention, blowing bubbles, chewing on her fingers, Mommy, Daddy

Dislikes: having a dirty diaper, tummy time, being left alone, napping, wearing socks and pants

Milestones: smiles, laughs, rolls over from tummy to back, grasps objects, drools, blows bubbles

Bo loves her so much. He always wants to know where she is and what she is doing. If she is napping, he has to wake her up so she can play. She is generally not amused and gives a great frustrated face. He loves to play trucks with her and she is pretty tolerant most of the time. It is so cute to watch him interact with her. She is just starting to figure out he might be a fun guy to be around. Until he Hulk smashes her. Thanks Uncle Josh!

Adventures: Branson, an airshow, ran a 10k, play group, gymnastics, story time, the park, the swimming pool, the movie theater, outlet mall

Nickname: R-egg-ie, Baby Reagan

Reagan is such an easy going and happy baby. She doesn't mind getting carted along to play group or riding in the stroller for miles and miles. We love having her in our family and can't wait to see what she learns next.

Last month

We LOVE you Baby Reagan!!

23 months of Bo

I wanted to do a little update on Bo before he becomes a big brother. It's a few days early but hopefully we will have a new baby by June 23rd.

At 23 months Bo

• weighs approx 26 lbs
• wears 18 month-2T tops
• wears 12 month-18 month bottoms
• wears size 5 diapers
• wears size 6 shoes
• loves trucks, cars, planes, trains-basically any type of vehicle
• loves to be outside
• loves playing in the dirt and rocks but doesn't really like to be dirty
• loves playing in water
• is pretty good at hitting a ball off a tee
• loves to run
• can identify most animals and say their sound if they make one
• likes to sleep with a tractor, truck, and bucket truck
• likes to talk about going potty but doesn't actually like to try and use the potty
• takes 2 hour naps
• sleeps through the night most of the time
• has a big vocabulary and can repeat most of what he hears
• is able to follow most directions and do what is asked
• eats almost anything
• LOVES jellybeans

Bo is such a happy boy. He loves to imitate whatever Dean does and be his helper. He doesn't quite understand that he is going to be a big brother or that there is going to be a baby moving in soon but he wants to help. We are so excited to see him in the role of big brother. He is constantly doing something new and always keeps us on our toes. I can't believe he is almost 2!!

It's almost baby time!

My due date is tomorrow. I had slight hopes that she would come before my due date but that doesn't seem to be the case. I have another doctor appointment on Friday and hope that we won't be going to it. I feel like we are ready and have everything ready but each day it seems there is something else I need to do or something I think I am forgetting. I am both excited and nervous to go back to the newborn stage. We are most excited about getting to see Bo become a big brother and finally having her here. It seems like this pregnancy has went both fast and slow. With Dean being gone at BMT, it seems like a big chunk of time just vanished. We are so glad to have him home and I am so glad he will be here when we have the baby. It has also been a big relief that my mom is here to watch Bo while we are in the hospital. Now we just wait until she is ready to make her appearance. 

I have been feeling pretty good and chasing Bo around keeps me from thinking about my aches and pains too much. My sciatic nerve has been bothering me most of this pregnancy so hopefully all that pain will be gone soon. I have tried to document this pregnancy, same as with Bo, but my selfies leave a little to be desired. 

39 weeks with Bo

39 Weeks

Fingers crossed, my next post will include a photo of a new baby!!!!

It's a ......

Well, it's been quite a while since I have posted anything but now that our lives are returning back to normal maybe I'll get around to blogging more. Dean has been home for a couple weeks and we are very much enjoying having him back. Pregnancy #2 is almost over. Only about three weeks left. I am feeling pretty good and slowly getting things ready. Bo has been a great helper and will be a great big brother. We debated about sharing the gender of this baby and maybe keeping it a secret until the end but decided not to torture our families any longer. So without further adieu....Here is a poem to help you figure it out.

In mommy's belly I will grow
Tiny Fingers and Tiny Toes
Some don't know what my gender will be
Although you might already see
Guess if I'm a girl or boy
I'm sure you all will jump for joy
Read this poem with great care
Look really close but PLEASE DON'T SHARE!!

Read it a few times and see if you can figure it out. If you are still stumped look at the Capital Letters.

It's no longer a secret and can be shared.

It's a GIRL!.