A (Wannabe) Runners Guide to Running

If you know anything about this blog, it's that I constantly say how hard it is to do things with a baby. And lemme tell you, training for a half marathon is no different.

The last time around (almost 2 years ago!) Randy and I trained pretty well. Considering, we really didn't know what the heck we were getting in to! We would run short distances regularly during the week and take our long runs on the weekend. Which again, worked well although the farthest distance we made it to was only 6 miles before doing the whole 13.1! I'm still kind of amazed that we actually finished it.

Now, it's a bit tougher (partly because I'm so. tired. all. the. dang. time. and running with a stroller/on Emily's schedule is not always easy) but we are truding along towards our goal of running another half in November.

It's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things, both mentally and physically. I realized the other day that I've actually learned a lot about myself and running in the past few years. And though I don't consider myself a runner, I've picked up a few things that I didn't know the first time around that I'd share with anyone starting out.

• Get good shoes. I'm serious. Go get fitted at a running store (like our awesome Fleet Feet). They will analyze your stride and find the best pair of shoes for you. It's a bit of an investment but worth it.  
• Then buy good clothes. No cotton. That includes good underwear and a bra. I personally love to run in fitted capris and a dry fit t-shirt (most of my stuff comes from TJ Maxx or Target). You don't want stuff that weighs you down and you certainly want something that will keep the sweat off of you.
• Try all the fancy products and then use all, some or none on a regular basis. When Randy and I first started running, we tried it all: gel, energy packs, fitness belts, KT tape, compression stockings, iphone running arm band, you name it. Basically anything you could buy at an expo or running store, we owned it. Randy still uses some of those things but I've stopped using just about all. I've come to be more of a minimalist in my approach.  Find what products work/don't work for you.
• Listen to your body. I found this one out the hard way. I injuried my hip flexor training the last time, went through PT for it and it started to flair up this time around. I've had to adjust my stride and not push myself when I know I'm at my limit. I've also cut back on listening to music (especially during the first couple of miles) so I can concentrate on how my body is feeling without being distracted my a fast song that makes me want to speed up (even though my body isn't warmed up and ready yet).
• Accept that some days are just going to be better that others. Chalk it up to countless reasaons-the weather, stress, medication, too much wine the night before (who would do that?!)-some days you are not going to run your best. Just run what you can do and then stop. Try again tomorrow.
• Encourage others. Running is hard. Running sucks at times. There are people that will fly past you when you are struggling just to get through the next couple of steps. Let them. Don't worry about it. But encourage others when you see them struggling. I love running races and hearing others cheer people on. We are all in this together and we will all (hopefully) make it to the finish line in our own time. 

Bottom line? Like most things in life, find out what works for you. The right shoes, clothes, products or "extras", running with or without music, running with others or by yourself.  It's a bit of trial and error and it takes time. So keep at it (advice I need to remember at times) and keep cheering others on along the way.

Happy running!
*M

Update: R and I completed a 5 mile race on Monday, despite my struggle with a nasty head cold, and I'm proud to say that I pulled off one of my best paces! 12:57, baby! So don't give up, keep at it, and brag a little when you've accomplished something great. :) 

My Husband

Then: Grandfather's Mountain, NC 2007

To say I love my husband is an understatement.

We've been together for the better part of 6 years and we have shared countless experiences and memories. It's easy to take someone like him for granted because he's always there. 

Two days ago I got a flat tire (my fault) and within 10 minutes he was by my side. He took me to lunch, tipped the guy who came to change my tire, took me back to work after dropping my car off at the tire store (using his credit card to pay for it) and pick both Emily and I up later that afternoon to go home. I was stressed.  I cried a little. Mostly due to the culmination of life events pulling me in a million different directions every. single. flipping. day and just not having the time (or money) to deal with this crap. 

Immediately following my little meltdown, A Tantrum for my Transformation blog post popped up in my Facebook feed. Ok, God.  I'm listening now. 

I was reminded, yet again that #1, this is not all about ME... #2, this is not about STUFF (my car)...#3 this about trusting God and His perfect plan for my life.

And #4, this is about being thankful for the people that God has put in my life to take care of me and support me during some just really yucky times. People exactly like my husband. The one person out of the millions of people on this plane that God specifically chose for me.

The realization of that just about brought me to tears again. Not only because I'm incredibly grateful but because I had snapped at Randy during the height of my stress. I felt bad. Although I apologized and he accepted, the damage was done. I hurt him and I hated myself for it.

I know I put a lot of pressure on myself to do things the right way, always and to be the best mom/wife/employee/fill-in-the-blank I can be. I know, KNOW I am not perfect nor will ever been in this world, but it doesn't stop me from trying.

So, I had to back up. Take a breath. And re-evaluate. Yes, life and marriage are both not easy. Stuff happens and people have faults. Instead of getting worked up about it all, I've got to zoom out and take a look at the bigger picture. In those moments that I'm frustrated with Randy because he didn't ask me about my day (although we've spent a lot of time talking about his day) or he doesn't unload the dishwasher while I'm at the grocery store, I need to remember it is not about this single moment. It is about this life that we are living (the life that God has planned for us) and how we can do our best in it.  To forgive ourselves and forgive each other. To love unconciditionally and support each other when they need it the most. To give thanks to God instead of  stressing about our current situation.

To the guy that may never read this post, thank you for being the wonderful husband and father that you are. You are appreciated more that I could ever tell you. I love you and I love the life we are living together.

Now: Cherry Grove Beach, SC 2013

*M

Luna

 

Without a doubt, the wee babe (aka EG) is the focal point on this blog. And, hello, basically my whole life.

Which means the husband, work, dogs and random other funny/insightful/food-related blog topics are few and far between. I used to talk about all those things until little miss arrived on the scene and well, she is so cute and funny why would I write about anything else? 

There's no doubt that having a baby and keeping some semblance of a life is extremely time consuming. So, in addition to not having time to write about a lot of those other things I don't have time to actually do any of those things. Like, have a date night with my  husband or walk the dogs or read a book "just for fun." And yeah, it sucks at time. Because you are always feeling torn, exhausted and like you are letting someone down. But I've yacked about all of that before on here and you don't need me to rehash it again. That's not what this post is about, but I needed to get it out there to give this next part some context.

First of all let me say this: Luna is a-ok. Happy, healthy and totally fine. But she is living with a new family now. 

Luna came to us at a time when I really needed her. Chloe had died a few months prior and I just missed her and having a two dog household. When we saw Luna and heard that she needed a new home (or was going back to the shelter) my heart just wouldn't let me say no. So, she came home with us after we met her for the first time. We feed her well so her ribs wouldn't show anymore, I let her sleep at the foot of our bed because she seemed so sad by herself and we loved her because we knew that someone before us had not.  We took long walks and played with bubbles and laughed as she had have the time of her life running through the sprinklers in the backyard. She even got a cake on her 1st birthday! She was happy and we were happy. 

I had heard people talk about how they'd given their dogs to other families when a new baby came along.  And I swore, with every fiber of my being, that I would not be one of those people. I mean, it's not the worst thing in the world, but I just could not fathom the idea of parting ways with my fur baby. When Emily came along, Luna loved her and treated her so sweetly and it made me so happy. But things got busier and I didn't have time to spend with Luna one-on-one. A 50+ lb dog and a joggling stroller are not the best combination. Believe me, I tried. And Luna kept wanting more than just the backyard and Princess to play with. I can't tell you how many neighbors we met after they retrieved Luna when she jumped over our 6 foot fence.   I couldn't fault her for it, either. She just wanted a little fun and adventure and attention. 

Before we embarked on our beach vacation, my parents offered (or we asked? not sure how we got there) to keep Luna for a few weeks. I felt horrible leaving her but knew she would have a good time in a new place. We got back from vacation and settled back into life. I missed her but again, life was busy and she couldn't always be front and center of my mind. 

One day, my mom asked if I would consider giving Luna to someone else. Again, in my mind, this was not a topic up for discussion. Over the course of a several days, we talked and e-mailed and Randy and I discussed. At some point, either due to me being worn down from the dialogue or true acceptance of the situation (or both), I agreed to letting my mom post a flyer at the local vet with Luna's picture on it. "Free to a good home, good with kids" it said. It wasn't up for very long before it got the attention of a woman with lots of land, other dogs and two elementary aged children. She called my mom and they arranged a meeting.

To hear my mom talk about it, it was just meant to be. The woman and her kids loved Luna and she loved them. The boy was just thrilled that she would shake and that "she had so much energy." When it was time to go, my mom said Luna jumped in the van between the kids looked back at her with her silly smile (see above picture).

Sure, I have mixed feelings about it all.  But if I really think about it, I know in my heart it's what's best for everyone. Mom said that the family Luna is with just lost one of their dogs who was very old. Which, knowing Luna's past (complete with her 3 different names), makes me thinks she knows where to go when people need her. And when things are a better and brighter, she moves on to the next person. Thinking about it that way make me smile and that is forever how I will remember that sweet, crazy Luna Fauna Launa.

*M