half marathon

It was amazing. I still can't believe that I accomplished this. I have never been a runner and growing up with horrible asthma and heart problems, one would never think that I could do this. It all started back in January. I was a little down about not having anything that I enjoyed for myself. I decided that I would start running on my treadmill so that I could maybe run in the Spring with a friend. It was a rough start. I stuck to it and ran just about everyday. It seemed like I would never get to the easy 2 mile mark. My first 5 K in April was hard and not that motivating. I stuck it out - with the help of a friend. As soon as the weather got warmer, I started outdoors. Wow, it is so much better to run outside. I ran all summer with my friend Kellie at 6am. Yes, that means I woke up at 5:30 just to run!!!!! We started doing long runs on the weekend. Boy, those were tough. I even remember one run that I couldn't finish with her and barely made it walking home. We did a 10K in the summer. That wasn't so successful either. Yes, I did place second in my age group, but it was painful and HARD and I couldn't even keep up with Kellie.

I was so nervous the week before the half and started doubting that I was ready. We went up to Lansing on Saturday and picked up my racing packet, met friends for dinner, let the kids swim in the hotel pool and I even went to bed before the kids. Brett was so great. He took great care of the kids and kept me very positive. He even let me have one of the hotel beds all to myself. He had a rough night sleep with Madison. She tosses and kicks in her sleep. He said that he would take one for the team.

Standing at the start line, I was so nervous. My hands were shaking and I just wanted to start running. As soon as we started and I got my tunes jamming, I felt great. This was definitely a good day for me. I kept waiting for the tough part. Mile 1, 2,3,4,5,6 - I thought that I better take a gel block or two before I got to worn out. Mile 7,8,9,10 was a little tougher and we slowed a little bit on our pace. After I saw mile 10 - I was pumped. THis was the longest that I have EVER run. I felt great and finished strong. I could have gone even longer. It sure was great to see familiar faces cheering me on before the finish line. I even ran over and got a few hands shakes from the kids before I finished. My family is amazing. It was great to have them all there for this big accomplishment. I even had a few tears in my eyes from then to the finish line.

I was definitely a little sore and stiff that night and the next day. I am still enjoying my time OFF of running, but am at it tomorrow morning at 6am. We are doing our regular 5 mile run. I hope that will help with my stiffness.

Did I mention that the kids were amazing at their run? I am so happy that they were able to do their first run. I hope that someday I can run a 5K with them. I'm not sure what is next for me in terms of running, but I will do a half again.

Ready to RUN!

I have spent the last 12 weeks running many miles, waking up at 5:30, icing my poor foot, and convincing myself that I can do this. I am axiously awaiting Sunday. It will be my first time running 13.1 miles. I sure hope that the weather holds up. I know that I can do it, but am just wondering how hard it will be. It all depends on my running partners speed that day. I just have to keep up with her. The other two races this summer, she was FAST and I was dying:( Maybe (hopefully) this one will be somewhat enjoyable.
Last night my running partner and I went for a hour massage. It was awesome!!! I have been eating lots of carbs and drinking tons of water. Not to mention using hand sanitizer all day long. I definitley don't want to catch a cold. I am looking forward to a hot bath tonight and watching Grey's Anatomy. It has been very hard to get to bed early this week with all the NEW TV shows on.
We are heading up to Lansing on Saturday and hopefully show the kids around Michigan State. I am hoping a visit to the dairy store.
The kids are doing great at school and I even have been into both of their classrooms already.
Sorry about the lack of pictures. I will post some of the run this weekend. The kids will be so cute with their little medals!

Kids...Kids...KIDS!!!!

What a week!!!! I am exhausted right now and it is only Friday morning. Between these kids, driving to all their activities, my crazy running schedule, and little sleep - I am TIRED:) It has been great to see them so excited about their new schools. Blake still isn't totally on board about the NEW school, but he is getting there. I hope that he finds a great little buddy soon.

Caitlin was just the cutest thing about Preschool and even forgot to give me a hug. I of course called her back out of the classroom for a hug. It was a sad day for me to have my baby leave me, but she loved every minute of it. The night before her big day, she was cracking herself up about going to school. She was snuggled all in her big girl bed and kept laughing and saying, "I am going to school by myself tomorrow". It was definitley a moment that I will never forget.

Madison has adjusted amazingly well. She has jumped on the bus everyday with our little goodbye routine and waves out the window. Those who know about my EVERYDAY struggles with her for the past two years should be rejoicing with me. Maybe she is growing up????? I also got an email from her teacher about how great Madison is, how she is always the helper and that she can't believe how well she reads. I have saved that e-mail!!!!! I should frame it and put it next to my pillow:)

One crazy moment to share with you though, OUR HOUSE IS NEVER DULL!!!!!! Just this morning, I headed out to the bus stop with the kids. I tried real hard to convince Caitlin to stay in and watch TV. I just didn't have the energy after a 6 mile run at 5:45am AGAIN to deal with crazy kids. We get outside and the touching and tormenting started. I tried to play a game with them of I SPY, but they weren't interested. I convinced Blake (instigator) to run down to the end of the street and back. He started off and I was so excited, however Caitlin started after him. I yelled for her to come back because I knew it wouldn't end well. Just then the bus came around the corner. Blake was at the end of the road and needed to get back. Caitlin wiped out on the cement and was screaming, Blake was yelling about the bus and worried that he would miss it and Madison was freaking out about not being able to go without our special goodbye. It was HORRIBLE. I needed to be in three different places at once. I actually had to leave Caitlin in tears on the road to get the others on the bus, I felt so bad for her. By the time that I got to her, she also had wet her pants. I sure hope my day gets better!

My half marathon is next weekend in Lansing. I have been running like crazy lately. Yes, my foot is very sore, but I have to get this done and then take a break. Lots of ice taping and motrin. I have also been going to the gym and doing weights, and a few classes. My poor body is ready for a little time out of the kids and running.

Oh well, enough about my crazy life. We are going to have a great weekend with both sets of grandparents in town. A big bonfire is a must!

Off to Kindergarten

My little Madison is off to Kindergarten. After our second outfit of the morning (I picked out a cute MJ skirt and top - she reminded me that you sit on the floor in K and her undies would show in the skirt) we were out the door. She couldn't stop smiling. She watched Blake get on the bus the day before and now it was her turn. We have been practicing a MAGIC hand shake to help with her separation anxiety. We saw the bus turn the corner and she got a worried look on her face and said that she didn't want to go alone. I very enthusiastically said that Blake and all the neighborhood kids would be with her. We did our handshake and she never looked back. She gave me a cute smile and wave out the bus window and sat with Blake. It is sometimes hard to believe that my little Madison is old enough. She is loving it and wished that she could go longer - oh so do I. She is only a half day.

Back to SCHOOL!!!

Well, today it started... I was so nervous and anxious for Blake last night. I was so afraid of him NOT finding his classroom at our new school. Mattawan is a much bigger school than our previous one and he didn't know at all where he was going. He was totally calm! The girls and I walked him out to the bus stop this morning. It sure was great not having to drive and beat the crowded parking lot. Madison had a visitation day today for Kindergarten and we were only there for about 45 minutes, so she didn't ride the bus today with Blake. Tomorrow will be her first "OFFICIAL" day of Kindergarten. She is so ready, but has major separation anxiety with me. I sure hope that she gets on that bus. It was so much fun this morning.

School bus fun. The kids are so excited to be riding the bus to school with all the nieghborhood kids. I was the taxi at our old school. Our NEW school

Blake is a second grader!!!

Madison is a Kindergartener!

Madison doing an art project in her class. Her room was set up adorable! I think that it will be a great year.

Madison and her locker at school. She loved opening it up.

Caitlin waiting for the school bus! Her preschool starts next week. Now I probably will cry when I leave her for the first time...

little cow girl

Madison at the barn.

Madison loves leading Haike through the cones. Today was special because another girl was also riding!

Madison and Donna. Donna is a great teacher.

Madison post-trotting

Madison is an awesome little horseback rider. We love the new barn, Thousand Oaks! She has been riding there all summer. She takes a hour private lesson once a week. This is her thing. She is so serious on that horse and is post trotting great. I am learning a lot about horses. It is so cute when other little girls are out riding at the same time. Madison watches every move that they make. She is the youngest rider at the barn. She rides English saddle and we can't wait till she can do horse shows. As of now, Caitlin isn't very interested. I don't know if we could have two horseback riders. Caitlin loves the dog and cat at the barn!!!

relaxing week

I might be in trouble this school year trying to get Madison to wear her cute Matilda Jane clothes. This is how she dresses herself!!!!!! She said that it matches because it is all her favorite things - horse shirt, comfy shorts, and monkey socks. She is so cute that I had to let her wear this to the store.

Now this is what summer is all about! We have had nothing "BIG" planned. That doesn't mean that we have done nothing, but not all day plans. The kids and I have enjoyed playing a little at our own house. Brett had Monday off and we cleaned up the yard and vehicles. He is so obsessed with keeping my truck cleaned out. I just laugh to myself because it is kind of useless with three kids in and out all day long! OH yeah, Brett about died - really freaked OUT - when he found a banana peeling in his car after I drove it to my 10K on Saturday. I think that I am never allowed to drive his car again... I thought that it wasn't such a big deal.

We have met all three of the kids teachers and classrooms this week. It was alittle overwhelming for me, but exciting for the kids. This whole school change still leaves me a little anxious. I know that it will work out. The teachers were amazing:)

I have been a work out queen this week. I have run 5 or more miles everyday and also tried my Body Pump class again. This time so far not nearly as sore. I am heading out for a long run on Saturday. We need to run at least 8 miles. Wish me luck. My running partner might just kill me.

We are off to the barn, nature center and then Madison's gymnastic class today!