#10...and a PR!

This morning I headed out in the rain to run my 10th marathon. I was doing 1-2 each year with a couple of setbacks...the first year had stress fractures that didn't allow me to run, and then a good 3 years off to have kids (either be pregnant or on bed rest at the time I should be training or running). I have run several half marathons and other races in between, but today was my 10th marathon.

My mom and sister have always been there cheering me on, and the first year Phil was finishing school so he couldn't be there, but has been to almost every other one since then. The additions of Andrew, Joey, Emma, and Jillian came in the past few years, and today my (mother-in-law) mom and (father-in-law) dad also made it to Curbside Superstar status! While I did not decide to run Chicago this year it saved them and myself from the congestion and chaos of the crowds, but we also got a pretty cold and rainy day.

My best time to date was 4:04:45, and I couldn't surpass that time no matter how hard I tried. Some days you win, some you lose no matter how hard you train or prepare, some days are just not yours. With the support of my Curbside Crew and many other wonderful encouragements from friends (thank you, your words were bouncing in my head most of the way today!) I hit my goal of beating my best time while still finishing feeling well. I have wanted to break 4 hours, but even a PR with the wet, cold weather we had today would have thrilled me. I am delighted to say that I ran my 10th marathon this morning with a time of 4:01:54!

Breaking 4 hours might take another year or two ( it is really hard to shed a mere 3 seconds per mile over 26.2 miles!), but considering my shirt felt like it weighed 10 pounds from all the rain and my shoes were sloshier than ever I am one happy girl! Thank you to all that gave me words of encouragement and support, and of course the whole crew that went to different spots along the course to sit in the pouring rain to wait for me to run past! And thank you Phil for the awesome playlist!
Here are pics from Daddy and Nonna and Grandpa

Pictures from Auntie Christy
Pictures from Grandma and here too.
I can't thank them all enough for being there! XO

Boomtown Half: The Race That Could Not Be Run

A little over a week ago I saw a run was going to be held today to benefit the people of Joplin, MO. It was the Boomtown Half Marathon that was to take place in Joplin, MO last weekend. Due to the devastation of the recent tornadoes the race was not going to take place. The race I saw was in support of Joplin and called the Boomtown Benefit: The Race That Could Not Be Run. The distance would be anywhere from 10 yards to 10 miles. There would be no time clock, no fancy t-shirts, no closed streets, no lines of port-a potties, and only water fountains along the course and water bottles at the finish. The entry fee was a donation to United Way for the people of Joplin. Noting the 10 yards to 10 mile distance (not to mention the race was put together in 10 days)I thought it would be perfect to donate and have Joey and I run. I would push Joey in the stroller for 9.75 miles and he would run the last .25 to the finish. He said he was going to beat me! And I believed him! He was really excited, and this morning when I went to get him as I do most races at an early hour he smiled at me, hopped in the car donning his Lightning McQueen race shirt and was ready to go. He persevered through the long (one toilet) potty line doing his dance but keeping dry (the first part of a runner's agony!) We took off and Joey was in his element with the beautiful scenery, looking at the water, the trees, the geese, cheering me and other runners on, and eating his Cheerios. We met a few people, including the race director who I had e-mailed earlier in the week to make sure it'd be okay to bring Joey in the stroller and have him run the 10 yards or whatever it'd turn out to be. We were at 9.94 miles when I pulled him out of the stroller to finish. He was startled by another runner and then didn't want to run or was confused, something. Turns out he fell on the graveled pavement, got a couple of good boo-boos on his knees and was crying. I told him its not easy to run, and when you fall you get up, and the most important thing is to try and finish. So, he whined/cried his way but he did cross the finish and he accepted his medal. I guess sometimes the great visions in your head don't always turn out that way in reality (I wasn't holding hands with Joey smiling and skipping our way across the finish line of his first race, but that is life)! Daddy, Jillian, Auntie, Andrew, and Emma were there to cheer us on too. Andrew made a sign for Joey to show his support. Joey slept the whole way home. Running is tough, but with a little more training I think he'll do just fine!

It was a beautiful day weather wise, and of course a great way to support the people trying to get their lives back together in Joplin. There were 153 registrants accepted, the same number of deaths. Each bib was in remembrance of one of them. My bib read: Gregan D. Sweet, 59, Joplin was at the Pizza Hut with his wife when the tornado hit, according to his son's Facebook posting. His wife survived. Joey's bib: Steven Haack Stephens, 28, Joplin. Died from injuries after he helped rescue his wife and mother when their vehicle was struck by tornado. Worked in construction. Joey's "traumatic" morning is absolutely nothing compared to the devastation the people of Joplin faced and continue to face as they restore their lives and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Joplin.


Not sure if this is going to work, but Christy had way better pictures of the whole thing than I did since I was running. Poor Joey, but I can't look at these without laughing. Try clicking here.

Last night Java was also able to meet Grandma's latest addition. The kitchen seems slow going compared to the quick taking to Jessie! Yes, last night Grandma's puppy was named. We had the help of Auntie Pam (#1 Dog Lover), Auntie, Uncle Chris, Andrew, Emma, Mr. and Mrs. Sole, Dom, Nick, and Gigi to help figure out a name. Jessie got quite the welcoming with everyone playing outside and Snowy and Java there to play and pounce with. Jessie seemed to like nestling in for a rest on Mrs. Sole's feet. Grandma reported that Jessie slept fairly well last night waking almost every 2 hours but going back to sleep nicely and taking to her crate really well.
(After the race today we had some outside water fun, so just threw some of those pics on at the end.)

Joey at the Southwest Half Marathon

Sunday I ran a half marathon. I was not expecting to do well, coming off of a long winter, but was using the race to stay in running shape to start training later this month for a marathon. Well, the race was in Palos Heights, and I know why the height part is part of the town's name. It was a very, very hilly course. It was also a very windy day, topped off with running over many bridges that had no protection from the winds so even the downhills at times felt like uphills. I was more than pleasantly surprised with the course and the day itself. I had a personal best in the half marathon and that was with lots of wind and hills. So of course that leads me to wonder how well I may have done if the conditions and course were a bit more favorable...ah, it keeps me coming back for more.

Anyways, I had told Joey I was going to be running in a race and he was super excited. He kept telling me what color shirt I would be wearing. He had a long day on Saturday with Auntie Brooke and Uncle Chris' baby shower, he didn't go but he partied at Grandpa's house the whole day and after the shower up until bedtime. So I was a little hesitant to wake him at 5:20 to go to Grandma's house and then head out to Palos Heights, but I went in his room and touched his back and whispered "Joey do you want to go to the race?" He whispered quite loudly, "yeah!" And he sat straight up and extended his arms up for me to grab him. I told him he could sleep on the way to Grandma's but he told me he didn't want to sleep. He was talking to me the whole way. We transferred to Grandma's car and headed out for the race. Joey is such a trouper and really loves watching the races. Even though they are not cars like I know he'd prefer he makes me smile and I can't wait to see him (and Grandma too!) as I'm finishing. There is nothing quite like putting my medal around his neck.

At the end of the race I had given Joey my medal and a reporter asked to take a picture of Joey and I and ask me about the race. So without further ado, click here for Joey's first press release.

Weekend Fun

Saturday Joey woke up very early (4:30 am!) and took his first out of state trip to Kenosha, WI to watch Mommy run a half marathon! Joey was wide awake at 4:30 when I put him in the car to go to Grandma's house. He wanted to go in and play with Aspen, but it was a brief stop before jumping in Grandma's car to head up to WI for the race. Joey pointed out all the trucks, and telling us that Uncle Don drives one!

Grandma and Joey had a lot of fun cheering on Mommy and all the other runners. Joey was yelling "Go Runners Go!" and enjoying some snacks and the outdoors. Joey had been on most all of my training runs with me, and really enjoys being in the jogging stroller. He often wakes up from his naps asking to go running. He asked Grandma at one point to go in the street and run. Joey was so excited from the day, he didn't even sleep on the way back home! All morning today he has been running around the house yelling, "Go Runner!"


On Sunday we had a long overdue visit with Uncle Paul, Aunt Katherine, Ben, Abbey, and Juliette. The kids had a lot of fun playing outside and inside, and it wasn't until everyone was settled down in their pj's that I remembered to take some pictures. They were all wound up, but ready to give Chien (their dog) some hugs, and to plop down and rest on him. Poor Chien!


And finally...a quick Jillian update: Jillian started rice cereal on Friday night and has been enjoying eating solids quite a bit! She doesn't fuss at all and even seems to chase the spoon into her mouth if you aren't quick enough. She does push a lot out right now, but she is still learning, and I think will pick up on it pretty quickly!