SheLoves Half Marathon: Week 2 & 3

Week 2
I don't think I felt like posting about week two because it didn't go as great as I anticipated. It was just one of those weeks where most things went sour, the kid was fussy, and I was off my running goal by .03km. I forced myself to look at it from a different angle: 4.97km is the furthest I had ever run in one session, so it was actually a triumph after all. Week two taught me that:

1. Not every run or every week is going to be a good one, and I'm glad to have learned that early on in the training.
2. I need to look for the positive thing in what seems like a failure. 

 And that's all I'm going to say about that. Let's move on.

Week 3
Like I said, week three was better! I changed my routine. Instead of just running five days a week, which I learned from others is not a great idea as it can lead to injury faster, I now do:

• two short run days
• two cross training days
• one long run day
• two rest days

This is working much better for me, I think. The first cross training day wasn't terrific. I went on the elliptical and quickly learned I was not a fan of it. It was so awkward...so I just went on the treadmill and jogged for a bit. Next crosstraining day I did the bike, and it was much better and really worked my legs!

Where I would defeat my small giant...

Fast forward to Saturday: my long run day. I was nervous - it felt like a small giant I had to defeat. My goal was to do 6km with a run 3 minute, walk 1 minute method. In 45 minutes I not only met my goal but surpassed it by .24km! I had Wake Up by Arcade Fire playing at the time, so it felt pretty epic. I almost cried...I never thought I would ever run that far. I have not felt this good about doing something physical since I gave birth to Finn. It felt THAT good. I walked back to my car with a big smile on my face.

My kicks, 6km, and post-run face.

 

Honestly, I felt like if I can run 6km, I can run 21. If I can do something I never thought I would or could do, and I did it, what is stopping me from running 7? 10? 15? 21? Watch out next Saturday...I'm coming for you and your 7km!

SheLoves Half Marathon: Week 1 (Run for Your Sisters)

`Hey y'all, I'm just going to get straight to the point here: I'm running a half marathon in September. *double take* WHAT? It's true. Last Saturday (one week ago today!) I signed up for this. I have this friend that had a vision to do this herself, and to raise $2500 to pay for reconstructive surgery for women that have been mutilated be LRA Soldiers in Uganda. (Read Tina's story here)

Once I saw this, it was like God took a match and struck it on my heart, and a flame was ignited. Already many other girls, many of them friends from our church, were getting on board. It was one of those things that every time I thought of it, I began to tear up. My heart pounded, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I went out on a limb, signed up, and paid my entry fee for the run. That was on Saturday, and Sunday I began running. I dug out (literally) these old sad 'running shoes' I remembered I had somewhere in a box. I dressed myself in my yoga pants, put on two bras, a tee-shirt, stretched, grabbed my iPod (does anyone else always type 'iPood'?) and stood at the door. Here we go! 

I stood at this treadmill for five minute pressing buttons to no avail.

The first run was what I expected it to be- TOUGH. I remember huffing and puffing, my face hot and tomato-like, and wondering how much longer it was going to be. Still had ten minutes. OF MY FIFTEEN MINUTE RUN. Then this song came on - Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine. There's a line in the chorus that says

Run for your children, for your sisters, for your brothers...

That line, mainly just run for your sisters, has been on constant repeat in my head this whole week. Honestly, it sounds like a skipping record. Run for your sisters...run for your sisters...run for your sisters... That's what I'm doing - running for my sisters in Uganda. My sisters that had their dignity violently stolen, and had backs turned on them from the people they loved and trusted. Thinking of that made motivated me to keep going. At the end, I was sweaty, red-faced, and noodle-legged.

Me after run #2. You can't see the redness of my face, but know it is there.

 

Last run of week one! New shoes, new sports bra and feeling pretty great. :)

The next day, though, was easier. So was day three, four, five and six. I am currently running five days a week, which 500% more excersize than what I was doing before. It feels challenging, and great at the same time. The fact that this whole thing is for a great cause is what motivates me. Otherwise I'm not sure I would have got passed Day One.

Please take a second to see why we are doing this- Watoto Living Hope. (we are currently working on sponsorship details, if you feel so inclined to sponsor me!)

Week Two...let's do this.

I think this is where the image is from: loveartalways

A Work of Art

Here is Finn making his first work of art with paint. That tray of Crayola watercolour paints brought me back to my childhood. They haven't changed a bit!

 

Ta Daaa!

Father's Day Vol. 2

Last Sunday was the day of the year in which every father is celebrated and given awesome gifts like ties, tube socks, painted rocks and golf-related items. FATHER'S DAY! The day for us started out interesting...Finn had been sniffly the day or two before, and that morning after he drank his milk he brought the bottle to the shelf to set down and barfed all over it and the floor. So needless to stay, he an I stayed home from church that morning. Chris was playing guitar so he went by himself, sadly. However we turned that to our advantage and surprised daddy with an entire big jar of chocolate cookies (which he devoured over the course of about three days).

 Finn made dad a card, complete with his very own artwork.

When dad came home, we presented him with his gifts (the cookies and a 12 month subscription to Guitar Player magazine) and snapped a few photos. He sure loves his daddy! As you can see, Finn had to test out the cookies too.

Not to be forgotten, I had to get in on the action. Happy Father's Day Chris! I hope you enjoyed it. We love you. :)

Beach Day #1

We decided to take a family trip to the beach today. It was the first of the official summer season (warm weather!) and technically, Finn's first time running in the ocean. Last year he dipped his toes in with one of us hovering over him while he was suspended by the armpits, but that doesn't count as a run. This year, he can walk and run on his own two chubby toddler legs, and that's just what he did. And he loved every second. Chris and I, on the other hand, forgot a towel and wipes so drying off and changing the dipe was interesting. Thank the LORD he didn't do a real number. Yikes.

Best Friends.

Since Finn has decided to grow up and get a hair cut, he has decided that Dad will be his best friend. Whenever Chris is around or off work for a couple days, Finn follows him around like Chester the Terrier, always at Chris' side. He wants 'up' all the time and cries when Chris goes to the bathroom. It's hilarious. They play Hot Wheels together, read books together, play Lego...all the fun boy stuff that mom's are supposed to stay out of. Is this just a natural part of boy genes? Cars, laughing at farts, Lego, and Thomas? 

I knew that Finn held his father in high esteem when one time the three of us (well, the two of them but I was trying to butt myself in) were playing with the car ramp thing, and I as the mother of course thought Finn was way too cute to leave him standing there, so I was trying to give him kisses. Finn calmly walked over to the books, picked one up and handed it to me, and continued on with his playtime with dad. He didn't act annoyed or shove me away, but it was definitely his way of saying, "Mom, get out of here. This here is man stuff. Oh and stop kissing me, it's lame." 

And, side note - I'm not jealous, at all. I might joke about it, but I can't think of a better dad for Finn than Chris. I'm so happy that Finn already finds things he likes about his father, and really loves just being with him. I can handle being the one that he comes to for snacks. :) 

 

Big Haircut

Ah, the first haircut. It doesn't seem like much to many people, but moms know the significance. It's a point when your baby becomes a little boy, and is no longer mistaken for being an adorable little girl that happens to wear boy clothes. For the rest of the day after Finn got his first haircut, I chased him around with our camera, snapping photos of what felt like our newly grown up little boy. Am I weird for thinking this? Maybe...but I don't think I'm alone here! ...am I...?

Sitting good for Aunty Jenna!

A reward for his hard work...

Lunch time, and suddenly four years old.