tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68879727748943057782024-02-08T00:36:25.737-05:00Gym Class DropoutAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778678789173107387noreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-55638755034122448262017-06-03T14:20:00.000-04:002017-06-03T14:20:04.548-04:002017 Indy Mini MarathonTake two for a spring half marathon went exponentially better than the <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2017/05/2017-cap-city-not-quite-half-marathon.html">first try</a>, though it looked sketchy leading up to it. The weather forecast leading up to the Indy Mini looked very much like Cap City, just without the lightning. Nothing but rain. Even on race morning, the forecast still showed rain.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I drove to Indianapolis on Friday night, dropping Megatron off with my in-laws for the night on the way. I was able to stay with friends that night and it worked out perfectly. They were able to pick up my bib for me and since they've been doing this race for years, they knew right where to go on race morning. We grabbed our ponchos and had gear check bags stuffed with dry clothes for after the race and headed for downtown Indianapolis. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For some reason, I had assumed this race was probably comparable to the Columbus Marathon in terms of size. I was wrong! This race is huge! There were just shy of 30,000 people registered for the 1/2 marathon (there was also a 5K). The corrals were labeled A though Z and there were 5 waves! The Disney races are the only other races that I've done that are this big. I will say though, it was so organized that it really didn't feel too big or overwhelming. They had plenty of port-a-potties that were easy to find from each of the corrals, a family reunion area with signs to make it easier to find people before and after the race, an easy gear check system, etc. Everything about it was running much more smoothly than Cap City seemed to the weekend before and it only had about 14,000 people. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was really cold once we got out of our cars. Unseasonably cold. I had brought a throwaway jacket though and then we all put our ponchos on. It wasn't raining yet but the plastic helped keep us warm from the wind. We ended up sitting down near a government building to get out of the wind for awhile. That's when it started to sprinkle. I was already dreading another long run in the rain. Even more so because it was so much colder than last weekend. At least at Cap City it was pretty warm so the rain just felt cool, not freezing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2T3ohlnVMCISPM2X7tbDIPU8gEXE4nZO5mEsVijVbJYHsOliNPsJANLPrcyN0Az3Oj5lkHJnABtRohOZZVCUaBiKceEHmGYL85I4vPVWEFUOYLIVELUoyq3kTNTnEaGClhcoasf4cly6g/s1600/IMG_7589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2T3ohlnVMCISPM2X7tbDIPU8gEXE4nZO5mEsVijVbJYHsOliNPsJANLPrcyN0Az3Oj5lkHJnABtRohOZZVCUaBiKceEHmGYL85I4vPVWEFUOYLIVELUoyq3kTNTnEaGClhcoasf4cly6g/s320/IMG_7589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The race is so big that they send everyone off in waves, with a decent amount of time separating each wave. I think the 5K went off at 7 am, wheelchairs at 7:30 and then the first wave of the 1/2 a few minutes later. We were in the S corral and we didn't start until 8 am. It sprinkled off and on while we waited for our wave to go. Once we got going, I started to warm up so under my poncho, I slid out of my coat and tossed it on the side of the road. I kept my poncho on because I was still chilly and was still dreading running in a steady rain like last weekend. But by mile 2 or 3, I was warm and the poncho was driving me nuts so I pitched it and hoped I wouldn't regret that decision! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdfNlZXk0p_LR1S8k2ElIBbLknkLOiJwKRDoyro0c_XOp7RRQA-hshAX9GbJwnS9Z1pt7jm9ypaA_i69E3461mVdXOg-gFwR1G8iPU5yA7UvJ91NlEBzZ9pm99gch6Jjkyuv4nXgwMzI/s1600/IMG_7591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgdfNlZXk0p_LR1S8k2ElIBbLknkLOiJwKRDoyro0c_XOp7RRQA-hshAX9GbJwnS9Z1pt7jm9ypaA_i69E3461mVdXOg-gFwR1G8iPU5yA7UvJ91NlEBzZ9pm99gch6Jjkyuv4nXgwMzI/s320/IMG_7591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Less than a mile into the race, I know I mumbled something to my friend Ralph about how maybe this race wasn't going to be a PR after all. We were weaving all over the place trying to get through the crowd. Despite the wave start, the course was jammed. We were hopping over curbs and medians just trying to maintain a steady pace. My first mile was slow. Almost a full minute slower than my first miles last weekend. I tried to stay out of my head but having to bob and weave around people takes up energy. We just kept at it though and eventually, probably around mile 3 or so, we were able to start running in a mostly straight line. The turns would get crowded as everyone tried to stay to the inside, but I tried to keep looking ahead so I could position myself better once we got to the turns. Once I passed the marker for mile 4, it was like a flip was switched. I was finally warmed up and felt comfortable. I was in my happy place where it feels like I can keep running forever. Ralph and I played leap frog for the first 4 miles but when I found my groove, I picked up the pace and we didn't see each other again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At mile 6, the course goes into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I've never been to a race track of any kind before so I was excited to check it out. There was a short, steep downhill as you went under the track and then an immediate short, steep up hill that takes you to the center of the track. An access road dumped us out onto the actual race track. It was huge! Much bigger than I expected. It got a little congested on all the turns because they are steep and everyone wants to run on the inside where it's flat. I had to pass quite a few people while on the track. The coolest, most random part of running on the track was almost literally running into Meb Keflezighi, one of the best American long distance runners in history. He was standing in the middle of the track, facing us as we ran towards him. All of the sudden a bunch of people in front of me stopped, and I hopped to the left to get out of the way and that's when I saw him and realized people were stopping to take pictures and give high fives. If I hadn't been chasing a PR, I definitely would have stopped for a picture!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I guess if you are a Indy car or any car racing fan, you may also enjoy "kissing the bricks." I am only familiar with the fact that the speedway has a section of bricks because The Pilot told me about it as it pertains to the regional airline based in Indy. They call it the Brickyard. Anyways, they had signs leading up to the bricks saying to stay right to kiss the bricks, stay left to keep running. I obviously stayed left but there were lots of people laying on the ground, kissing the bricks. There was also a TV crew there that was broadcasting live. My in laws watched some of it with Megatron but didn't see me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While on the speedway was when I really started to notice the sun. The clouds had actually moved along and the sun was out! And no rain! I didn't bring sunglasses because of the forecast but I was wishing I had them while on the speedway. Luckily I did put sunscreen on my face/neck (I don't leave my house during daylight hours without sunscreen) and had a hat so I was fine. The track is 2.5 miles long and we did one full lap. I'm glad it wasn't much longer, that's for sure. It was fun and I enjoyed checking it out and they had music blasting, but 2.5 miles of the same thing can get old. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once out of the speedway, we headed back towards downtown. We were running into the sun this time though so I briefly considered begging a spectator for their sunglasses. Have I mentioned how much I HATE having the sun in my eyes? My light blue eyes make me crazy sensitive to the sun. I was also getting hot. I had long sleeves on and really wanted to push them up but I had forgotten to put sunscreen on my arms (in my defense, the forecast made it seem like it was going to rain until at least noon and be cold all day). I didn't want to burn so I just tolerated being hot. I felt like I was wiping my face on my shirt every 1/4 mile though. I was dripping!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I felt great until mile 10. I didn't exactly hit the wall but man, mile 10 felt like it was 3 miles long. I had run non-stop up until that point so I was starting to ponder a walk break. I checked my Garmin and attempted some math. I knew that even if I took some walk breaks, I could PR. So I started to bargain with myself. I knew if I took a walk break while I was already feeling sluggish, it would be damn hard to get started again. So I told myself I could take a walk break when I got to mile 11. When I got to mile 11 though, I reevaluated. I felt fine other than being tired. There was no real physical reason I needed a walk break. So I told myself I could take a walk break at mile 12. I did the same thing again. I only mentally wanted a walk break. I didn't physically need it. I did more math and realized I could PR "big time" if I didn't walk. So I didn't. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I glanced at my watch around 12.75 and just about stopped. I'm not kidding. Out of no where, it felt like I couldn't move another step. Thank goodness the crowd support really picked up here because I needed it. There were lots of people on the sides of the road cheering. And then I could SEE the finish line. I looked at my watch again and realized that if I could hang on just a little longer, I might be able to take a full 10 minutes off my PR time (I set out for a 4 minute PR). So I went. The friends I stayed with had finished (much) faster than I had (plus they were in the first wave) were up in the bleachers and I heard them cheering for me as I made my way through the finish chute. That was so helpful and gave me an extra kick. I'm sure I was smiling ear to ear at that point because I knew I had crushed my PR. When I crossed the timing mat, I stopped my watch and couldn't believe my time. I wandered through the finish area before getting my phone out. There was already a congratulations text from The Pilot, who was sitting in an airport somewhere. He was the one who sent my official time to me. <b>2:23:19</b>. AN ELEVEN MINUTE PR! Everything finally went right. The cool, dry weather, the incredibly flat course and my consistent training had paid off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvMQ-dX5U1nYIPoRtwCQAVZ94gYqx8zp6TAIZoCl0_hyphenhyphen9_vYrNkXCLXwN6yXUSi9TIKajD4wZZgaie20MvWyQLCG7Kbj739K9pl6yk_udjJa4y8C7kwEB91uXvlRLZt1dhEsVQOm1GPOL/s1600/Inkedrace_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="960" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvMQ-dX5U1nYIPoRtwCQAVZ94gYqx8zp6TAIZoCl0_hyphenhyphen9_vYrNkXCLXwN6yXUSi9TIKajD4wZZgaie20MvWyQLCG7Kbj739K9pl6yk_udjJa4y8C7kwEB91uXvlRLZt1dhEsVQOm1GPOL/s320/Inkedrace_LI.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
When we had arrived that morning, we walked past the "PR bell" and I was really hoping I would get to ring it. So as soon as I had grabbed my gear check bag (with the dry clothes that I didn't end up needing!), I found that bell again! I had to wait in a long line but I needed the photo op!</div>
<div>
<br />
Obviously the PR made this a great race but the entire event was a blast. I loved the course. It was well organized. It's not cheap unless you register now for next year's race but the price is comparable to Cap City and honestly, it's worth the drive. I really don't care for the Cap City course. And there is nothing extra special about it that makes it worth the price tag. At least with the Indy Mini, you get the unique experience of running on the speedway. I'll definitely do it again! Maybe not next year since I'm already registered for the Athens 1/2 in April. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-4471438855070900462017-05-13T15:10:00.001-04:002017-05-13T15:33:58.259-04:00A Grief CycleMy journey to becoming a mom has been filled with a lot of emotions but the one I never expected (and who would really?) was grief. The amount of grief that has surrounded me since becoming a mom is undeniable but yet here I am, fours years into it and I'm still trying to manage that grief. Like my PTSD symptoms, the grief sneaks in when I least expect it. The pool where Megatron takes his swimming lessons has become an emotional minefield for me lately. There are several women who have toddlers in classes during the same time slot at Megatron and they also have infants. While their big kids are in the pool, they are always chit chatting with each other about how old their babies are and what milestones they are experiencing. Some days I just feel left out because I appear to be the only mom there with an only child. And then some days my stomach is in knots, I have a lump in my throat and I hold back tears the entire time he's in the pool. When class is over, I rush Megatron out of the pool, to the showers and then out of there as quickly as I can so I can redirect my attention. Why? Because those moms are experiencing normal, healthy babies and I completely missed out on that experience. One week, I overheard a woman tell another that her baby was 7 weeks old. My first thought? Megatron had his first major surgery when he was 7 weeks old. Another week, two women each had a baby on their laps and the babies were cooing and smiling and interacting with each other. The babies were both 6-7 months old. For me during that time, my baby was in acute liver failure, was living in the hospital and was waiting on the only thing that could save his life, a liver transplant. He rarely cooed and smiled. He was isolated to his hospital room or our house so he wouldn't get sick so there was no interacting with other babies. Another time a mom was sharing how her baby had a low fever and mild reaction to a vaccine and it was so scary. In my head I was rolling my eyes . Scary? Scary is being told that your child is going to start vomiting blood and when that happens, call 911 because babies can bleed out in a hurry. Scary is your baby being on a transplant list and fearing that the organ won't come in time. I've even had a similar reaction to someone sharing their delivery experience. I was very unexpectedly induced 5 weeks early. My delivery was the exact opposite of what I had hoped for. My pregnancy ended in fear. <br />
<br />
Once I shake off the tears, I'm almost always very agitated for several hours because I'm angry that I am still experiencing these emotions. Megatron is going to be four. He's (relatively) healthy and thriving now. Why am I still so rattled by others having a completely normal parenting experience? I'm angry because I don't what his medical history to turn me into a bitter person. I am genuinely happy for others when they welcome a new baby. I enjoy hearing new moms talk about their babies, because yes, I did experience a few of the normal things like diaper blow outs, nursing challenges and sleep deprivation. I don't ever want a friend who is a new mom to avoid talking to me about their babies. I don't ever want to dismiss the fears a fellow mom experiences with a new baby. They are legitimate and real. I just have such a different experience and perspective though that I tend to struggle with certain topics. Sometimes I feel like I can't relate to other moms because of the perspective I have. I feel like I don't fit in. But because Megatron is thriving now, I don't really fit in with special needs moms either. We still have our challenges but they are minor compared to 3-4 years ago. They are minor compared to what a lot of other parents are facing now. But because of this weird place in the middle, it can be isolating. Which is probably why I still struggle with so much of this. I'm alone with my thoughts way too much. I even have random guilt because Megatron is doing so well. Why us and not someone else? Why is another post transplant kiddo having so many complications when we have faced few? It's this awful cycle I get in sometimes. It's like your stereotypical "mom guilt" but kicked up a few notches. I feel guilty for thinking not so nice things when people have healthy kids. And guilty when I realize I have a somewhat healthy kid now and there are so many parents out there who are waiting for an organ for their kid or aren't having as much post transplant success as we have had. It's maddening really.<br />
<br />
While I have my moments when I am mentally rolling my eyes about someone whining over a normal, non-life threatening kid experience, I feel like our experience with Megatron has taught me empathy. I think before becoming a mom, I was able to sympathize with someone else's struggles, but now, I am able to empathize. I am also much more aware of how seemingly normal, every day experiences can look very different to different people based on their perspectives. Mother's day is a great example. Pre-Megatron, Mother's Day was simply a day to honor my mom; to shower her with some extra love and attention. But now my heart seems to feel all the friggin' feels, all the time. Now it is not just a day to give extra thanks to my mom and for Megatron to hopefully one day learn to do the same for me. I am now very aware that it's a day that may be extra sensitive for those who want more than anything to become a mom but haven't been able to yet. It's a day that is painful for those who have lost their mom. It's an excruciating day for the mom's who have lost their children. Instead of just thinking about picking up a Mother's Day card for my own mom, I want to go hug everyone I know that is experiencing a situation like I described above. While empathy is a good thing, I may have it to the extreme and it may not be a healthy emotional weight to carry around.<br />
<br />
So here I am in this weird cycle of grief and guilt. After 2 years of therapy, I'm finally able to sleep most nights without having horrible flashbacks to that first year of motherhood. I don't hyperventilate when I see a medical helicopter or hear and ambulance siren. That's serious progress in regards to my PTSD diagnosis. I do still struggle with washing my hands at the hospital because the smell of the soap still transports my brain to back when we were basically living in the hospital. I'm at least able to actually use the bathroom at the hospital now rather than trying to avoid it at all costs so that's progress too. But its finally time to tackle all of this grief so it doesn't consume me. I don't want to pretend the last four years didn't happen and I don't want to waste my time and energy wishing that it had all gone differently but I do want to lighten this emotional weight. It's heavy and I'm tired. It's time to start letting it go. I need to start being a little kinder to myself and acknowledging that what I'm experiencing is a normal reaction to the challenges our family has faced over the last four years. Not only is is normal but there is nothing WRONG with feeling they way I have been. I've been focusing too much energy at being angry with myself for feeling this way. Like I didn't deserve to grieve because ultimately my child did survive. How can you grieve someone you didn't lose? Turns out you can grieve more than the loss of a person. The loss of a certain experience can be just as emotionally painful. I haven't had the motherhood experience that I had expected so it's time to accept that, grieve the loss of what could have been and keep moving forward. <br />
<br />
If acknowledging that this grief is normal is step one, then step two must be admitting my feelings to others. I try to put on a strong front most of the time but the reality is is that there are days that are a challenge from the time I wake up until I crash at night. The reality is that there are some weeks I don't want to take Megatron to swim lessons because I don't want to hear the other moms gush about their healthy babies. Also part of my reality is to plow ahead no matter what. I refuse to let my emotional baggage to hinder my ability to parent (I don't always succeed but I don't quit either). In my opinion, it's not an option for Megatron to not take swim lessons so I sit there in the waiting area like a ball of nerves for 30 minutes every week. My therapist and I will continue the hard work so that I can maybe one day sit there and feel relaxed. Or maybe even coo at those cute babies or strike up a conversation with their moms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzzQ8a6gfM6rT4KelzfFl6TjFdvJoNYSn6kQLSTMnJjTMhern8_oWfHGNH0tBFarNWSyTc3S8P_Hg7wpLqcr-j5iVqzD_NUFNVUKrwFqvXnVBEEl2uQBo6_Zdx6bxeHlDED3qK-Tv9KL4/s1600/IMG_6493+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzzQ8a6gfM6rT4KelzfFl6TjFdvJoNYSn6kQLSTMnJjTMhern8_oWfHGNH0tBFarNWSyTc3S8P_Hg7wpLqcr-j5iVqzD_NUFNVUKrwFqvXnVBEEl2uQBo6_Zdx6bxeHlDED3qK-Tv9KL4/s320/IMG_6493+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-91972962285500967162017-05-01T19:51:00.001-04:002017-05-01T20:31:37.345-04:002017 Cap City (not quite) Half MarathonI've been training really hard since late January for another half marathon. When I created my training calendar, I hadn't intended to work towards a PR. I just wanted to have a goal that would help me work off the weight I put back on during the holidays. But as I moved through each week of the training schedule, I was steadily increasing my pace. I didn't do anything different this time around other than I was maybe running slightly more miles each week. But I was starting to see times in the high 10s pretty regularly. I then started seeing averages in the low 11s and high 10s even for the longer distances. My current half marathon PR had an average pace of 11:45 and here I was seeing 10:45 a couple times a week. Even with the consistent training though, I wasn't really thinking much about a PR. I was signed up for the Cap City 1/2 marathon but since I've done it a couple times before, I know its a difficult course. There are quite a few uphills in the first 5 miles. Nothing compared to Adams County but they are still hills and hills aren't as convenient to find here in Columbus when it comes to training. I always say I'm going to make a better effort to hill train but then never do. It is what it is.<br />
<br />
The week before the race, I caught wind of the forecast. 88 degrees. WTF? We haven't acclimated to warm weather running yet here. A week might as well be like predicting the weather a year from now so I let it go and focused on eating well and getting a couple short shake out runs in. Then I started hearing rumors that the forecasted temperature was dropping. Awesome! But then rain entered the picture. And not just rain but thunderstorms. You can race in rain but not lightning. The night before the race was quite the light show. There was tons of rain, thunder and lightning. I laid out my race clothes, along with a poncho and crossed my fingers that it would blow through faster than expected. Despite this being my 16th half marathon, I hardly slept. Partially due to the weather and partially due to nerves. And when I woke up on race morning? Pouring rain. I didn't even want to get out of bed. But when you fork over that much money for a race (plus a $30 parking ticket while picking up my race packet, which I am appealing), you kind of have to show up. So I got dressed and headed downtown.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdANqqOxJd69o5wT9_wQbPxvcdur9vog-F0_K7fOOf9JmvmESv9Za6nHAPQYQcWyTGY8nuwABqhUimF91JcyKQQnyUAXPGSK5-4FKiCIVjlDhFu0tDEzAkTj2QLnt3WVWZxH2VSxOgFnX/s1600/IMG_7567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdANqqOxJd69o5wT9_wQbPxvcdur9vog-F0_K7fOOf9JmvmESv9Za6nHAPQYQcWyTGY8nuwABqhUimF91JcyKQQnyUAXPGSK5-4FKiCIVjlDhFu0tDEzAkTj2QLnt3WVWZxH2VSxOgFnX/s320/IMG_7567.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faking a smile because I was dreading going outside!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Luckily it stopped raining for the hour before the race while I was waiting around with my friends. I was trying to be optimistic but the radar looked awful. More storms were coming. Could we run fast enough though?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xy7T2Ymkql4scDjv89Rr5cFl_DIi3OtlDqP3tAhXmtRHnWrrvGQXFiLediMBsF-h2CAw5-r-eBIuViXVlESerNa6nNuItsb8ciZcL3bhFY5K2gubBnD1FyiTJEUDCSYvRrG43FYWQySs/s1600/IMG_7557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xy7T2Ymkql4scDjv89Rr5cFl_DIi3OtlDqP3tAhXmtRHnWrrvGQXFiLediMBsF-h2CAw5-r-eBIuViXVlESerNa6nNuItsb8ciZcL3bhFY5K2gubBnD1FyiTJEUDCSYvRrG43FYWQySs/s320/IMG_7557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had fun waiting for the race to start at least.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The race started and I was soaked with sweat in the first mile. The humidity was pretty bad. But I felt ok and tried to remind myself I was going to need to drink more than I had in training due to the humidity. Around mile 3, it started to sprinkle. And then rain. But it didn't last too long. Miles 4-5 were sort of dry. Then it started up again as we turned back towards the south and had a good view of downtown. Ugh. Normally when I run, I zone out and gaze at the ground about 15 feet in front of me. I looked up though and couldn't help but notice a giant dark wall of clouds over downtown. We were running right towards it. With each step closer to downtown, it started to rain harder.<br />
<br />
Somewhere around mile 7, I saw my brother, sister in law and nephew. I was so surprised! My mom was at her house watching Megatron. The Pilot was home sick. I wasn't expecting any of my family to be out there, especially given the weather! But there they were. That helped me get my pace back up (I had been in the 10:30-10:45 range until we turned towards downtown when for some reason, I couldn't seem to stay under 11:15). <br />
<br />
Not long after I passed them though, a huge bolt of lightning lit up just south of downtown. Everyone running near me screamed and/or groaned. We just kept going, not really sure what to do. I was running with the co-worker of a friend of mine and it was her first 1/2 marathon. I started to feel bad because I was beginning to wonder if the race was going to be stopped for the lightning. We made a left turn and all of the sudden, people started shouting, "it's over. The race is cancelled." It was so confusing though because none of that was coming from anyone official. So we just kept running. And at that point, there was no where else to go. We were in a part of downtown where there were only parking lots and vacant buildings. Then a police car drove by and the officer was using his microphone telling people the race was cancelled and to seek shelter immediately. The problem was there was absolutely no shelter right there. So we kept running. It was POURING by this point and the wind kicked up. There was thunder and lightning all over. The person I was with knew her family was waiting for her to pass by not too far from where we were so we just kept running. She finally saw them so we stopped. I gave her a hug and said how sorry I was that today wasn't going to be the day to finish her first 1/2. She stayed with her family and I started running, but this time up on the sidewalk. But that was mostly because the street was flooding. Like up to your ankles flash flooding. Somehow we had made it far enough back downtown that I knew the starting area (and the gear check where I had left a bag with warm clothes and flip flops) wasn't far away. Just as I was about to turn off the course and cut over the block back to the gear check, a police car pulled up and angled itself in front of the road, not allowing runners to go any further. <br />
<br />
The rain let up a bit as I ran to gear check. Which was a cluster. There was only one volunteer that I could see so everyone was just hunting for their own bags. Luckily I had plastered my bag with neon pink duct tape so it was easy to spot and grab. As I was walking away from the gear check, they started making announcements telling people that everything was cancelled and to seek shelter immediately. They lowered all the tents that had been set up for the post race party (pizza, beer, champagne and margaritas were supposed to be there) but people were swiping whole pizzas from under the tents. I was soaked and starting to get cold so I just left and started making my way to the parking garage. I ended up on the road where the finish line was. Which was a mistake. People were still finishing and getting their medals. Which was just frustrating. I could have jumped in and gotten a medal but I didn't want one. I had only run 8.5 miles after all. As I passed by, the announcers were repeating over and over, "seek shelter immediately. There is lightning in the area. Do NOT touch any of the metal fencing (which was lining both sides of the street/finish chute)." I was only a 1/2 block from the parking garage so I figured it made the most sense to just keep moving. Once down in the underground garage, I got my phone out (which I had thankfully put in a ziploc bag in my fuel belt) to text my family that I was safe in my car.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-kUjriJgPKE3GCh4FfnMh-0XDBfRKQInYq64kae2s3NGmO7HR_4WTgdHNFS3pmlTHbF0Z7VfaV6p6G7uTalwDHVXHAeCTNItZ3QEa2maK78P-vG1wJeBZcuoAvn-arv_DjVLcxEC8kOV/s1600/IMG_7565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-kUjriJgPKE3GCh4FfnMh-0XDBfRKQInYq64kae2s3NGmO7HR_4WTgdHNFS3pmlTHbF0Z7VfaV6p6G7uTalwDHVXHAeCTNItZ3QEa2maK78P-vG1wJeBZcuoAvn-arv_DjVLcxEC8kOV/s320/IMG_7565.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what was coming right at us once the race started. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Getting out of the garage was also an adventure. Because so many people were leaving at the same time as opposed to spread out over a wide range of finish times and the roads still had barricades for the race, traffic was a mess. I paid to get out of the garage but sat quite awhile on the exit ramp, which had turned into a river. It was an underground garage so the ramp sloped down and water was rushing down it. I just hoped my sub compact car wasn't going to float back down the hill! Once out of the garage, I realized that the weather had gotten much worse. It was a monsoon. It was raining so hard, the wind was blowing, thunder and lightning was everywhere. There were people running all over the place. Some just huddled in doorways. As I finally made my way out of the thick of the traffic, I realized how bad the roads were. There was flooding everywhere! It took me a couple blocks to figure out where I was (I just kept driving trying to get away from the race course and the traffic) but luckily I wasn't too far from the highway and was able to hop on and head home. Once up on the highway, while it was still pouring, there wasn't the flooding going on like there was downtown.<br />
<br />
When I walked into the house, I was still soaked all the way through and was starting to shiver. The Pilot gave me a sad look and I went right upstairs for a looooong, hot shower. I then spent a couple hours sitting on the couch in sweat pants. I had made arrangements to have Megatron stay with my mom all day because I was planning on being completely spent from running a PR. Instead I was just freezing cold and my body was stiff from being so wet and cold for so long. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv0mC4JFBe4uwMt3WVZDQeKCKY7PAodMFlLagZUIUlSpQB3hxjmX8CqRyZZEzqwfEI_TzfsIpbzwzjaM9U1LO2zeI4fr-uaLFVNfdC5x_8XwaxQzdbYCu7tCtxOcKuM62V6dTdfL6Rrp-/s1600/IMG_7562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv0mC4JFBe4uwMt3WVZDQeKCKY7PAodMFlLagZUIUlSpQB3hxjmX8CqRyZZEzqwfEI_TzfsIpbzwzjaM9U1LO2zeI4fr-uaLFVNfdC5x_8XwaxQzdbYCu7tCtxOcKuM62V6dTdfL6Rrp-/s320/IMG_7562.JPG" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaked and sad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So half marathon #16 didn't turn out but man, what a story! We were at the playground the next day with Megatron and someone saw me wearing the race shirt and asked me how far I made it. I think that will be the question when anyone refers to the 2017 Cap City 1/2 marathon: "How far did you make it?" I found out later that, with the exception of the people who finished within the first 1:15 or so of the race start, a lot of people ahead of me were diverted and finished with 12-12.5 miles. I feel better knowing I wasn't *that* close. Haha.<br />
<br />
I think if it had just been an average race and that I wasn't really within striking distance of a PR, I probably would have just shrugged it off as a great story and focused on some shorter races I have lined up for the summer and then another 1/2 marathon in the fall. But for those 8.5 miles I did run, I was nailing the pace. And after seeing so many PR times this training cycle, I really want the chance to see what I can do in a race. So after taking the longest shower ever, I started searching for other 1/2 marathons that I could do. Flying Pig was out because there's no way I'd PR on a hilly course. I really really didn't want to do Cleveland because <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-survived-2012-cleveland-marathon.html">I boycotted that race years ago</a> plus registration was up to $110. Ummm, no, There is another local 1/2 but it wasn't until June and I was worried about the heat. The next option was the Indy Mini in Indianapolis. I would have the option to drop Megatron off with my in-laws on the way there so that was one big hurdle out of the way. Then the rest fell into place by the end of the afternoon. A friend offered to let me stay with her and I could head down to the race with them. It was a done deal.<br />
<br />
So this Saturday, I'll get a re-do. Everyone cross your fingers and toes that I can stay healthy this week (The Pilot has been sick for a week) and that the weather cooperates! Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-83044442586444151362017-02-19T15:28:00.000-05:002017-02-19T15:28:19.326-05:00Megatron: Medical UpdateI figured I'm long overdue for a medical update on my little munchkin also. He's been doing really well. He's 3.5 now and still hanging out around the 25th percentile for his height and weight. So he's not a gentle giant, but he's certainly not an itty bitty little guy anymore either. In fact, he's a hair over 38" tall now because he was able to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train on a recent trip to Walt Disney World. Yup, it's time to start comparing his height to the height stick at amusement parks instead of constantly at a doctor's office. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZslGL8QuEhI92NLQpwLzbCBGa94eFkNLQ7lv7s-iUJ6fL7frhyo8NIgf7Q7YroeSL9x6bwlSux3UowwlizR4xs4XSvTl91Ctf60zmbfbuDP-sLknp5RbEPXUqLBo6qG6g5kWvYSyp_ET/s1600/MK_MINETRAIN_20170208_7943647057.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZslGL8QuEhI92NLQpwLzbCBGa94eFkNLQ7lv7s-iUJ6fL7frhyo8NIgf7Q7YroeSL9x6bwlSux3UowwlizR4xs4XSvTl91Ctf60zmbfbuDP-sLknp5RbEPXUqLBo6qG6g5kWvYSyp_ET/s320/MK_MINETRAIN_20170208_7943647057.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
His liver had been super happy for the last year+. His immunosuppressant level has been kept really low and his body is tolerating that well. That means he stays pretty healthy. He's had some colds that take him awhile to shake but he eventually got over them. He's had some lingering skin issues that we dealt with over the summer. It clears up and then comes back. We starts meds, it clears up and then comes back. It's been pretty frustrating. Especially since he ended up with a skin infection because of all the broken skin. He's had another flare up the last 2 weeks so we may have to make another trip to the dermatologist. So far the culprit seems to be that he's allergic to his own bodily fluids so he licks his lips/around his mouth, the skin breaks down and then makes it a prime location for an infection to go wild. He also has eczema all over his arms and legs. We can't seem to figure out what's causing that in the winter. In the summer, we assumed it was heat/sweat. But in the winter, we aren't so sure. I think it's another food allergy we just can't seem to pinpoint. <br />
<br />
Speaking of food allergies, that's still ongoing as well. He was diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) in December 2014 and we eliminated the top 8 allergens (egg, wheat, dairy, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish and shellfish, plus banana because it showed up on a skin test). Over the last 2 years, we've been attempting to reintroduce the foods one at a time until we figured out what exactly he can and can't eat. It hasn't been quite that straight forward though. Egg was an immediate fail a little over a year ago (vomiting on the 3rd bite). Dairy has been considered a pass because other than the occasional eczema, he hasn't had any GI symptoms since adding dairy. My instinct wasn't convinced he passed but we've left it in his diet. We also attempted wheat but he failed that on day 10. The results were a little cloudy though because we also introduced soy in that 10 day window. In hindsight, that was a mistake. We recently tried soy again and it seems to be a pass as well. So in 2 years, we've only added back dairy and soy. Last month we found a new allergist to try to come up with a much more clear and concise plan for adding back foods. The new doctor ran new blood tests on all the foods to see if anything had changed from the last allergy panel 2 years ago.<br />
<br />
That's when we got the news we weren't expecting. I think because Megatron has been so stable the last year, I've finally let my "PTSD liver mom" guard down a bit. Without realizing it, I had my hopes way up for the blood test results. I was so certain that the results would look good and we could maybe face a future with just an egg and wheat allergy. So I took it very hard when the results came back the way they did. His blood reactions to all the foods looked worse than they did at diagnosis, with the exception of seafood. The one food group no one in our house eats (remember that The Pilot is 100% vegetarian and I'm still maybe 75% vegetarian but I've never liked seafood). I held back tears as the allergist went over each food with me over the phone.<br />
<br />
Basically, we will NOT be testing any nuts or wheat for at least another year, when they will check is lab work again. Egg is still off the table but that was a given since we had already witnessed how quickly he reacted to eating egg. That made me so sad. I really thought we might be able to try peanut butter. He ate it right after his 1st birthday but hasn't had any since. <br />
<br />
On paper, he looks allergic to dairy. But he's been eating dairy in small amounts and seems to be tolerating it. The allergist felt my instinct was correct, that his body is reacting slightly, but because he doesn't drink dairy products (he still drinks a medical formula at meals), his body is somehow tolerating the small amounts of cheese he is eating. And now that he can talk, he's been able to tell us a couple times when his throat is "itchy" after drinking chocolate milk or eating some kind of dairy heavy food so we've started to avoid things like that. The doctor didn't feel like we needed to take dairy back out of his diet but did agree that if we "tipped the scales" and started letting him drink cow's milk, that his GI symptoms would likely return. We have no desire to do that, especially since he's thriving on the formula. Soy also looked elevated on his lab work but not as much as dairy so she agreed that we could keep soy in his diet for now too. <br />
<br />
The other bummer is that she wants to see another endoscopy. There is no way to know what is really going on with his EG without seeing his GI tract. We won't schedule that until after viral season (we avoid the hospital during viral season as much as possible because of his compromised immune system) so I have some time to mentally prepare. It won't be fun. He won't be allowed to eat for 8 hours and then coming out of anesthesia was hard on him last time. He was one angry little monkey. It was emotionally draining. He doesn't remember the last time, but I do. Sigh. Anyways, if it looks worse, we may have to take soy back out of his diet. The last endoscopy was done after about 6 weeks on dairy and she felt if dairy was causing trouble, it would have looked worse during that scope and it didn't. Plus he's still GI symptom-free. <br />
<br />
That leaves banana. I save it for last because that is the one food that Megatron requests now. He knows he can't eat the other foods but he's said several times "mama, when I'm a big kid, I can eat banana." Talk about heart breaking. How do you explain that to a 3.5 year old?? There is no manual for this. During the first appointment with the new allergist, he asked her (and the nurse) if he could eat banana. This is the first time be's been verbalizing his food desires. His lab work was elevated from a couple years ago but wasn't as high as all the other foods. Also, banana is more likely to cause an allergic (immediate) reaction than an eosinophilic (delayed, internal) reaction. Because of these factors, she is willing to do further testing. So the plan is to schedule an appointment to take Megatron to the allergy clinic and do a skin test for banana first. If it looks ok, then he can try a piece of banana and we will wait to see what happens. He's smart enough and observant enough to know that this is the plan. I haven't scheduled the appointment yet (we were on vacation and then I had the flu...and I've been procrastinating on all of it because I'm afraid of the results. You know, if I'm going to be really honest about it.).<br />
<br />
So I'm really disappointed with all the allergy news. I had really hoped we had already found his allergens and that we could add the other foods back and we could move on. But that doesn't appear to be the case. This little guy still has to face daily challenges. Well, if I'm going to be real, I'm the one facing the challenges. He doesn't know that he's any different yet. I'm the one still trying to figure out how to cook safe meals for him. We are the ones that sacrifice meals in restaurants because most places don't have safe options for him. The challenge is on us to teach him what he can't eat, how to recognize it and say "no, thank you" when offered food he doesn't know what is in it. We've been practicing that at home but it didn't work yet in the "real world" recently. He managed to get a banana slice at "school." He put it in his mouth before the teachers noticed and had him spit it back out. He's still learning. And with so much talk about banana lately, he probably either thought it was ok because an adult gave it to him or he didn't recognize it because it wasn't in the peel.<br />
<br />
I've tried to keep all this in perspective. He's healthy. He's growing. He's not in liver failure. It's hard to do that sometimes though because it would be nice if there wasn't always a medical challenge waiting for us around the bend with this little guy. I do my best though.Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-51329591047111254662017-02-19T14:26:00.002-05:002017-02-19T14:26:49.892-05:00How has it been so long??The blog has definitely fallen to the back burner. There just aren't enough hours in the day. <br />
<br />
I've been trying to create a spreadsheet of the races I've done so I've been going back through my blog. It's getting harder and harder to remember just how many races I've done now so its time to start keeping a list! I'm not even going to attempt to try to figure out all the shorter distance races from 10 years ago but I'm at least trying to fill in the half and full marathons. Full marathons was easy to fill in since there have only been 4 but the half marathons is proving to be a little tricky. I know I've done 15 half marathons now based on going back through old blog posts, etc. But I'm missing one or two. I know I did them because I'm pretty sure my count is acurate, I just can't figure out which races I'm missing on my list. They were the early ones, so I'm trying to recall back to 2005-2006. Just a few life events have happened since then....<br />
<br />
Anyways, I'm trying to catch up on some race blogs posts so I have some record of the races. Especially the races that I ran as someone else. Not that I've gone that a couple times...but if I had, it would make it very hard to look up race results. Sigh. So I'm hoping to get a few posts up show that I haven't completely disappeared.Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-35685575483847373512017-02-19T14:04:00.003-05:002017-02-21T15:25:01.118-05:00Adams County Run with the AmishBetter late than never??<br />
<br />
I ran the Adams County Run with the Amish 1/2 Marathon on September 24, 2016. It was 1/2 marathon #14. I was really looking forward to traveling with my friends (about 2 hours southwest of Columbus) and getting a 24 hour "vacation" from real life. Something doesn't quite sound right about that when I consider running a 1/2 marathon a vacation. But when you have a 3 year old at home who never stops talking, getting to spend time with grown ups is amazing, no matter what we may be doing during that time!<br />
<br />
I knew this race was going to be a challenge just based on the location. Southwestern Ohio has hills. Lots of hills. Especially when you consider just how flat Central Ohio is. It's hard to get much hill work in during training in Columbus. Having said that though, I had a plan to train on the available hills. But that plan just didn't work out how I had hoped. So while I went into this race with adequate distance training, I knew I wasn't fully prepared for the hills.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx-FPAe5jJIrtw4R7aoA2w5PR2-La5ligk7BslJS7eJt8w4w_mVFbxzfW96mdEBnnMrJkqfaABPfUdCD5J_AwqvQl4DdTnu8zgdHdNFS7pliWF5n5bh1Kp5m1a4TB4yvrZbkv9-Btw8k5/s1600/adams1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx-FPAe5jJIrtw4R7aoA2w5PR2-La5ligk7BslJS7eJt8w4w_mVFbxzfW96mdEBnnMrJkqfaABPfUdCD5J_AwqvQl4DdTnu8zgdHdNFS7pliWF5n5bh1Kp5m1a4TB4yvrZbkv9-Btw8k5/s320/adams1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing out the Amish furniture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That ended up being an understatement. This was by far the most difficult race course I had ever done. The 1/2 I ran while pregnant might have been slightly more difficult since I had the first trimester fatigue to content with, this one kicked my butt just as much. I realized quickly that I couldn't run down hardly any of the hills. There were too steep and it hurt my knee with each steps. So I ended up running as much as I could but then walking down every hill. Not the best strategy but that's what I had to do to keep going.<br />
<br />
The night before the race, we all met up at a local Amish bakery/furniture store where the Amish had the most amazing pasta dinner I've ever had. We ate in a barn and it was bare bones but it was by far the best pasta I've ever had in my life (probably not hard to beat store bought. I doubt I've ever had homemade pasta before and this was obviously homemade). I was just enjoying being in the company of my friends and none of them made me cut up their food and they didn't throw noodles at me. After dinner we made our way to a state park about 30 minutes away. We ended up renting several cabins for the night. Normally I would be in bed early the night before the race but we ended up staying up way too late but had a blast. Have I mentioned how excited I was to have grown up time??<br />
<br />
The next morning we were up early to carpool back to the race start. I loved how basic everything was. When you've done as many races as we have, you don't always need fireworks and a a live band at the start. So we were impressed with the hand drawn course map and the horses hanging out in the pasture across from the race start. It is a beautiful part of our state, that's for sure!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqdn20GU-vWHG4Ae-CTPo5NneDY_ms-NFkSU_1IjFFX6PGxFa2jYeuVocO5U-qlIDWQEbIgA4k9hgf291lCx31KW1RAztRVM1YVvivKBlcMIVeG03vLgq1v9z0pppnkuGtoN6e8zKbcYB/s1600/adams2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqdn20GU-vWHG4Ae-CTPo5NneDY_ms-NFkSU_1IjFFX6PGxFa2jYeuVocO5U-qlIDWQEbIgA4k9hgf291lCx31KW1RAztRVM1YVvivKBlcMIVeG03vLgq1v9z0pppnkuGtoN6e8zKbcYB/s320/adams2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PsfZQHzhmJZ1v-fPZn-Ek45ufZhcwJcCRop1drMvQthIutTvJh27AGp2CX6ayyzxkJthxiY1-zyzP2k7GIE6D-cnL2zhxqsA_3M5Qlzj9Z8JVxT_U4iWyMwtM2CgPib1l-Q4g1W2kplA/s1600/adams3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PsfZQHzhmJZ1v-fPZn-Ek45ufZhcwJcCRop1drMvQthIutTvJh27AGp2CX6ayyzxkJthxiY1-zyzP2k7GIE6D-cnL2zhxqsA_3M5Qlzj9Z8JVxT_U4iWyMwtM2CgPib1l-Q4g1W2kplA/s320/adams3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxj1JK_dQ-17KWL597cgbn9XK9U2hmdFdXCX2FkZH2YjNyRPasA98gtPf6nIk6-tJMni_dkSvCD277tT4-nMFFhmJQH-OIoUXZfxVddJ67LA4SZe4ZAo7AovlAMcOhDxTxG4_2M4gNBF-/s1600/adams4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxj1JK_dQ-17KWL597cgbn9XK9U2hmdFdXCX2FkZH2YjNyRPasA98gtPf6nIk6-tJMni_dkSvCD277tT4-nMFFhmJQH-OIoUXZfxVddJ67LA4SZe4ZAo7AovlAMcOhDxTxG4_2M4gNBF-/s320/adams4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL37gKKHK5k59dj28t5SrO-MJOB1yZDx3BHQ3ZuQ-mngTHeBFrqaHK1XMe9iNrfWUKiZuwmb9BIut2BBRKBrVkHojk0w_x6UKSCW38Aqu0esVOFR_Aw8lNbxGNhllwrFCo60r_EJsiRE_F/s1600/adams5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL37gKKHK5k59dj28t5SrO-MJOB1yZDx3BHQ3ZuQ-mngTHeBFrqaHK1XMe9iNrfWUKiZuwmb9BIut2BBRKBrVkHojk0w_x6UKSCW38Aqu0esVOFR_Aw8lNbxGNhllwrFCo60r_EJsiRE_F/s320/adams5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Three of us started together but by about mile 6 or so, we all had split up. My friend Kim was race walking and was easily out walking me on the downhills. Given how small the race was, I had a feeling she could place in the race walk division if she stopped waiting for me so I told her to leave me behind. I knew I would finish. I felt fine, the course was just hard. Plus there was also a full marathon so that meant I had plenty of time to finish the half. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuPJzA_CDTH4MIjch8aTssfJfBsnoWfC8WWKBF8R_CX7iP9kVkv5OA6mIsPTq-SI8kV1m40DPBQD_Z_rffmYOBVN7ZmxxFhmr7VZ8ZE7OyD_ar9Bll50TGCrJPUKiDXznNgf2yvh-lWE1/s1600/adams6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuPJzA_CDTH4MIjch8aTssfJfBsnoWfC8WWKBF8R_CX7iP9kVkv5OA6mIsPTq-SI8kV1m40DPBQD_Z_rffmYOBVN7ZmxxFhmr7VZ8ZE7OyD_ar9Bll50TGCrJPUKiDXznNgf2yvh-lWE1/s320/adams6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hills for days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The race was fully supported by the Amish Community in the area so they organized all of the water stops. The water stops were great and there were plenty of them, which surprised me because it was such a small race (fewer than 500 people to my knowledge). There wasn't the yelling and cheering I'm used to at the big city races but it was a nice change of pace (no pun intended). I really enjoyed the first 1/2 of the race. The hills were a challenge but manageable. It was right about the rime I was thinking "this isn't so bad" that we hit an uphill that I was convinced was 3 miles long. In reality it was probably less than a mile but it was so long and so steep/ I had to take a break when I finally got to the top...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiW52JjLqtI2PfjELdEBPhSvfOvcCVgO8keLLWklZkrSv08FzFQnYBLYAjNkn2ZEwCXU4CGS8wzjzCyXKySAy2MzHO-qGVxjOhMayfwnOnRr9n8VqjLLM7v-95DSjtTIzJG_CDbXJQZ2g/s1600/adams7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiW52JjLqtI2PfjELdEBPhSvfOvcCVgO8keLLWklZkrSv08FzFQnYBLYAjNkn2ZEwCXU4CGS8wzjzCyXKySAy2MzHO-qGVxjOhMayfwnOnRr9n8VqjLLM7v-95DSjtTIzJG_CDbXJQZ2g/s320/adams7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The second 1/2 of the course really felt like one hill after another. I still felt ok other than being tired (spending time with friends was still worth the extra late bed time, no matter how tired I was!). At one point during the race, we saw some friends driving the course. They either weren't racing due to injury or did the 5k so they came out to check on the rest of us. It was a little strange to be in the middle of farm country and then a mini van full of friends comes driving around the bend honking the horn and yelling out the windows. It was perfect though! Towards the end, there is a short out and back section of the course which was nice because I got to see some of my friends that were ahead of me. Seeing familiar faces goes a long way when you really want to be finished! <br />
<br />
Even more friends were lined up in the last mile and by that point, I was walking more than running. Everything hurt. Seeing them was another welcome sight. They got me up one last hill and my friend Sarah crossed the finish line with me. It felt like I had been out there for 3 days but I somehow managed to finish under 3 hours. 2:56:50 was my final time. Not my worst! Haha.<br />
<br />
The finish line is at the same Amish Bakery that the pasta party was and when you have a bunch of hungry marathoners finishing a race, you load up on baked goods. Oops. I probably didn't burn that many calories. b The race "medal" was realy unique also. It was a wooden "basket" made by a local Amish person. Their name was on the back even!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOx7yd6K50SLC54iydtcxipM_yesAhaiXuxxN6Fyp4NdOQIPYuWo9jHBsr3w-Dpge-jXoFDzJ9ooyPuLgJSFZZvEPbCz3QSB6SdZxyDrLnkp1uaSQjmle6SLEO8zsE75_g3kd02_nk7m9/s1600/adams8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOx7yd6K50SLC54iydtcxipM_yesAhaiXuxxN6Fyp4NdOQIPYuWo9jHBsr3w-Dpge-jXoFDzJ9ooyPuLgJSFZZvEPbCz3QSB6SdZxyDrLnkp1uaSQjmle6SLEO8zsE75_g3kd02_nk7m9/s320/adams8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGCTmreF8xZZP4BRgANP_xwJryWtniDbruLsAp53QKW9w5IQ6fvBSd7DHPg9_RVgxfjIRy8Ws4_Y-nOp1SbQk9nNkNWGe7bvpDr2Ez2VVnrQIkZmt9V1bvAs3vFS79-JRoMHRWNgAwsCI/s1600/adams9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGCTmreF8xZZP4BRgANP_xwJryWtniDbruLsAp53QKW9w5IQ6fvBSd7DHPg9_RVgxfjIRy8Ws4_Y-nOp1SbQk9nNkNWGe7bvpDr2Ez2VVnrQIkZmt9V1bvAs3vFS79-JRoMHRWNgAwsCI/s320/adams9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAdaJyzwaM1fJ4HLM6AVW_j8gcLtTGfxi8knTxKSFypWGyvxMX5QubJiIl5HIAFEi41xUNBP3nca0au0D1EAxcwkuk5vNK9ut8i6Q1wQ6jYSutN0W-us1BOVYGp-RlPH__khGDeeyPiLE/s1600/adams10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAdaJyzwaM1fJ4HLM6AVW_j8gcLtTGfxi8knTxKSFypWGyvxMX5QubJiIl5HIAFEi41xUNBP3nca0au0D1EAxcwkuk5vNK9ut8i6Q1wQ6jYSutN0W-us1BOVYGp-RlPH__khGDeeyPiLE/s320/adams10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It was such a fun trip! Unfortunately they aren't hosting the race again next year. I'm not sure if I would do it again but I'm sure if all my friends were in, I'd go along with it. It wasn't THAT terrible. Ha!Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-6175458946623047572016-06-25T14:21:00.001-04:002016-06-25T14:22:23.479-04:00Megatron Update: Fun StuffI did a medical update on Megatron but he's also been having lots of fun being a normal kid lately too!<br />
<br />
Last month we went on our first post-transplant family vacation. The last time the three of us went anywhere other than Pittsburgh for a medical appointment was when Megatron was just 3 months old and we went to Disney World. We used The Pilot's flight "benefits" and flew standby to Denver. It was an adventure to say the least but we made it there and back and aren't too traumatized. We had so much fun! It was a huge undertaking to make arrangements to have all of this food either shipped in advanced, packed in a cooler that we carried onto the plane or purchased by my friend, Lauren, who we stayed with in Denver. Megatron did great despite the time difference and being all off schedule.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOCVBv7bsQPNzCZDv7pQ6qp0LLhiKaliJ36Qowa3WIlnvB6Lev-7vt0Z_XstnNtE6Zg5EUOp_JnSgejxb-rG7bthOjD0J7UgDLCcW_X7-lVsRqyqTdJn6Dhn2NqBTcZvB1P2RIHzSZ6OD/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOCVBv7bsQPNzCZDv7pQ6qp0LLhiKaliJ36Qowa3WIlnvB6Lev-7vt0Z_XstnNtE6Zg5EUOp_JnSgejxb-rG7bthOjD0J7UgDLCcW_X7-lVsRqyqTdJn6Dhn2NqBTcZvB1P2RIHzSZ6OD/s320/IMG_2648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airplanes have the same effect on him that cars do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY6-Q1g1lfyMVZcPo-iJs9l5OYwCxq82knBdA4ACAOJ_frwHfnqn7ntlqjmfuDnyATzDNEb1zAmsuM5sYfKy_BAiBhxr_8h-tXazjg8OOEPVvPBKMliCvs2JEqZxQb5bt3ugxUKO6sRaY/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY6-Q1g1lfyMVZcPo-iJs9l5OYwCxq82knBdA4ACAOJ_frwHfnqn7ntlqjmfuDnyATzDNEb1zAmsuM5sYfKy_BAiBhxr_8h-tXazjg8OOEPVvPBKMliCvs2JEqZxQb5bt3ugxUKO6sRaY/s320/IMG_2632.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We don't travel light.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_FdYzS08N8O-fZ3LSAMHovGFXp4Tohyik-WusBzAtlbWm-kZkANIOeZe_UG6IBEbnEKMGaxvoKLy3iSgDAntvsCilBXGt9ydmzTHXZMbnagSnKQ9a8MvT6i05OoMaco5K1GRq_v2ijY/s1600/IMG_2359+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh_FdYzS08N8O-fZ3LSAMHovGFXp4Tohyik-WusBzAtlbWm-kZkANIOeZe_UG6IBEbnEKMGaxvoKLy3iSgDAntvsCilBXGt9ydmzTHXZMbnagSnKQ9a8MvT6i05OoMaco5K1GRq_v2ijY/s320/IMG_2359+%252822%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denver Children's Museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48fdpmCRsj1irQpfX0CpYCVIFRbq8EdEDPRUCxbV12j7ooDF4vJ0GwW2w1Kf0I33idtkhwLk3rQWQXABOvoolC1UpnycgJ-1xaElH82LW_9Gqn3ZeblDfBXmQb99bl57Qru8TDHQIc3QE/s1600/IMG_5861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48fdpmCRsj1irQpfX0CpYCVIFRbq8EdEDPRUCxbV12j7ooDF4vJ0GwW2w1Kf0I33idtkhwLk3rQWQXABOvoolC1UpnycgJ-1xaElH82LW_9Gqn3ZeblDfBXmQb99bl57Qru8TDHQIc3QE/s320/IMG_5861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all had a blast at the museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq4aWPfv2uCjliKZbomJIpGzAuL2Zly46uqebJEvyt9Jfn77V-1rTFxM-q7NSV8kWDkZPZ0FJ5WS-DFAScNUHQr4yxDrnt9FtWMoOUwj2WwPVM6X7EsLXd3E9gV0xAexng0oHtaUTFRuL/s1600/IMG_2332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq4aWPfv2uCjliKZbomJIpGzAuL2Zly46uqebJEvyt9Jfn77V-1rTFxM-q7NSV8kWDkZPZ0FJ5WS-DFAScNUHQr4yxDrnt9FtWMoOUwj2WwPVM6X7EsLXd3E9gV0xAexng0oHtaUTFRuL/s320/IMG_2332.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also had another zoo adventure with the organization, A Kid Again. This time he was big enough to ride a couple of the kiddie rides at the zoo, which were free for the A Kid Again families to ride. He loved it! I on the other hand was a little motion sick. I can't spin in a circle anymore! Usually Megatron is asleep by 8 pm but for the special night at the zoo, he was still going strong at 9! As we were heading towards the exit though, he had the opportunity to pick out a prize but he didn't want to get out of the stroller. He just whispered that he wanted mama to pick it out for him. He finally hit a wall and was worn out! He plays hard and then sleeps hard!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjGuK6ESG04au29GuiH5kULl6B_78IP-PORcJu712rBM848FRMF1drH7itsGCd53z3csU9K2G8oLnq82E3seUk9hMz2bkL1mrKOW6mGxoy51BsejHA5ujxWOXNSst5rfUVPbJaUXTfjCs/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjGuK6ESG04au29GuiH5kULl6B_78IP-PORcJu712rBM848FRMF1drH7itsGCd53z3csU9K2G8oLnq82E3seUk9hMz2bkL1mrKOW6mGxoy51BsejHA5ujxWOXNSst5rfUVPbJaUXTfjCs/s320/IMG_3106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If the African lion looked hot, you can probably imagine how hot we were.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTQMBnRbzx15-XjRTwVOTMzAW5lXwqadNSOxIDlrHNKpXvpkzBwzcwptMPANVx1HYWjcL-KxcAtv8ZkKGsY9ZjkQlpOM-b-SRpCyR5hbxcYD2w0JL1o6380Ilsr24n9AAxRLVM0Iqxj59/s1600/IMG_3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTQMBnRbzx15-XjRTwVOTMzAW5lXwqadNSOxIDlrHNKpXvpkzBwzcwptMPANVx1HYWjcL-KxcAtv8ZkKGsY9ZjkQlpOM-b-SRpCyR5hbxcYD2w0JL1o6380Ilsr24n9AAxRLVM0Iqxj59/s320/IMG_3115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the sting rays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYmPKIAGvmumtOhVC-ZBzFpFm6PMhElsBoRznsyFmwmFP7OCmBHY2v5lTt75LQloe9sIaPeGcaYq54zSAaxcWx5rwXSgiY6tH5Xm2oXWazh2QITnkDxlaWX5ZwoYxkd7APKQOLRJbBdrn/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYmPKIAGvmumtOhVC-ZBzFpFm6PMhElsBoRznsyFmwmFP7OCmBHY2v5lTt75LQloe9sIaPeGcaYq54zSAaxcWx5rwXSgiY6tH5Xm2oXWazh2QITnkDxlaWX5ZwoYxkd7APKQOLRJbBdrn/s320/IMG_3136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding a giraffe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJGCxMPGTnr_qajWlANoJQSzgKmJA65KwUrLUZRkR_FDSjhEoBqle53PcarOSunfIRVBh8oS1WvQY7Rhz38ggXKi7VuAO1PFktaYMtslGgM95sh3FQqGNuZ4vPWkJXMEvaG36Yq-MI8ZY/s1600/IMG_3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJGCxMPGTnr_qajWlANoJQSzgKmJA65KwUrLUZRkR_FDSjhEoBqle53PcarOSunfIRVBh8oS1WvQY7Rhz38ggXKi7VuAO1PFktaYMtslGgM95sh3FQqGNuZ4vPWkJXMEvaG36Yq-MI8ZY/s320/IMG_3129.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTv5rRbniQCZj-_8vElS_Q1Ey8jruowYbkz8JjMQOGeeXEKf1mTsPw627aAKPw9VJDGO1DLZF6Fg_Qzy4rIdcFsUpjOcJVx_bkLBc9gWiauYi6ERe5dCNcuqm_gnqsUYuO_cUnmPFy4hEB/s1600/IMG_3139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTv5rRbniQCZj-_8vElS_Q1Ey8jruowYbkz8JjMQOGeeXEKf1mTsPw627aAKPw9VJDGO1DLZF6Fg_Qzy4rIdcFsUpjOcJVx_bkLBc9gWiauYi6ERe5dCNcuqm_gnqsUYuO_cUnmPFy4hEB/s320/IMG_3139.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC72WPCQl3y5TRjyVE4UcIFu2zeZVsRXo8L5Y2xVCM7hwTkZPL12QcFDfEUE57d5t4JziinhIF0YgnCIyfjf-oxqvSt0phNwxU25YJvNfvHUgtOOBioIM54cgJ71Gh8P0T1427yCpgcH9S/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC72WPCQl3y5TRjyVE4UcIFu2zeZVsRXo8L5Y2xVCM7hwTkZPL12QcFDfEUE57d5t4JziinhIF0YgnCIyfjf-oxqvSt0phNwxU25YJvNfvHUgtOOBioIM54cgJ71Gh8P0T1427yCpgcH9S/s320/IMG_3140.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exactly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just the fact that it's summer finally has added some fun to our days hanging out at home plus we are getting out and about more than ever. Despite being so heat sensitive, we try to get outside as much as we can. He sure sleeps better on the days he gets some outside play time!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5XyUuLTXu3MGY0QZ39nAzlwgI_y9hk8wZ_8U6EuhRMaAvmc58b7dRklc367FWS0dL3r2koCTgtBuDcsEJKq2mHusDuoOmYzEjjkMJVypXPBrMQ03igbObGOB8EtUyN6bZzYAXs9DNf7Q/s1600/smlIMG_5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5XyUuLTXu3MGY0QZ39nAzlwgI_y9hk8wZ_8U6EuhRMaAvmc58b7dRklc367FWS0dL3r2koCTgtBuDcsEJKq2mHusDuoOmYzEjjkMJVypXPBrMQ03igbObGOB8EtUyN6bZzYAXs9DNf7Q/s320/smlIMG_5985.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our neighbor had put an old, beat up Cozy Coupe on the curb several
weeks ago and since it still rolled, I snatched it. It had marker all
over it and looked like it had been dragged around the concrete on its
side so The Pilot used his model airplane painting stills and gave the
Cozy Coupe a new look with a can of spray pain. We now have an Army
"jeep." </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FghPb6nwvla4hTDHdrrI3SSkn0H4paeJQX7nrlWCkwJdmPEOoa7ioGdNDs0lI86i1vyJcmlapVrLGeuNPsqZ9SeudzWnPx4-qR3C8xuvcY_tKbYwKbOocSjeiapSpm46RKQrc6MWRNTT/s1600/smlP6191554a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FghPb6nwvla4hTDHdrrI3SSkn0H4paeJQX7nrlWCkwJdmPEOoa7ioGdNDs0lI86i1vyJcmlapVrLGeuNPsqZ9SeudzWnPx4-qR3C8xuvcY_tKbYwKbOocSjeiapSpm46RKQrc6MWRNTT/s320/smlP6191554a.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in a sprinkler for the first time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CUdSmzlSIV_MCbfM7KAvMjSaj0ytN-htgA6dtzhOEIqYYpqOBkqhcFKrT2XbTvkyjpU0yoKqH1fTSFv8DQCD9V99BkpvWorSZBpfMZZihXUietOENYZE78hysPZMdDljKls5UkdVw7VF/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CUdSmzlSIV_MCbfM7KAvMjSaj0ytN-htgA6dtzhOEIqYYpqOBkqhcFKrT2XbTvkyjpU0yoKqH1fTSFv8DQCD9V99BkpvWorSZBpfMZZihXUietOENYZE78hysPZMdDljKls5UkdVw7VF/s320/IMG_2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillaxin' at his cousin's lacrosse game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MxyNO-IzLY7Esr8ufprJcXX_KbQzRIQUSq_PJE7TyyV5zFhjlWFZpKoHY-NWqmUUab8eijKerxG_rcPoIHt_IrSWyn4u_TFz7ZCL7Tb18dqQ81dhWfK0bysEUnb2RuG-9TskrUmz3RBG/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MxyNO-IzLY7Esr8ufprJcXX_KbQzRIQUSq_PJE7TyyV5zFhjlWFZpKoHY-NWqmUUab8eijKerxG_rcPoIHt_IrSWyn4u_TFz7ZCL7Tb18dqQ81dhWfK0bysEUnb2RuG-9TskrUmz3RBG/s320/IMG_3080.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring a new park with one of his cousins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefPVMYBNVYGg-fQ9Pu9NU3qaC-XMjiHE6leX4k2rIgN5PC989A2HYsjv08Vu1HiaEMAWUSh2JBCOHXnlllr3hcL_9Phbft3OejDMF6KDAfRz6fE-NXaxZZtV58hlYvJsn1lrtUvx9PsHh/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefPVMYBNVYGg-fQ9Pu9NU3qaC-XMjiHE6leX4k2rIgN5PC989A2HYsjv08Vu1HiaEMAWUSh2JBCOHXnlllr3hcL_9Phbft3OejDMF6KDAfRz6fE-NXaxZZtV58hlYvJsn1lrtUvx9PsHh/s320/IMG_3070.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so sure about the wobbly bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYskC_2T3J35nbL3mOxFCQ3orQLg30-6to0J-JTB_Jsy0t6_lKXM6AYPM_dg9-_vgaYYyO2b4odI6K9kmnLp2wNDWPrBzk7Di68glMcFRbPk2Qb-kjrDtsrUJRzfTiFuj_ztAUUGGuV3iL/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYskC_2T3J35nbL3mOxFCQ3orQLg30-6to0J-JTB_Jsy0t6_lKXM6AYPM_dg9-_vgaYYyO2b4odI6K9kmnLp2wNDWPrBzk7Di68glMcFRbPk2Qb-kjrDtsrUJRzfTiFuj_ztAUUGGuV3iL/s320/IMG_2210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking his art work very seriously....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdoGLvwRuqhsStSwY2gdjujNKPTFZPH9qpxtSDT1ztCW1YIOnS8n8yV-YlYHC1KpnwuN_wMXnvftBmwcT7eTm7WSGRGkM2auOoUnY-3VUTp3bZG0zGwhXJJLUBc8LzTqwPg9uBT4V9wsA/s1600/IMG_2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdoGLvwRuqhsStSwY2gdjujNKPTFZPH9qpxtSDT1ztCW1YIOnS8n8yV-YlYHC1KpnwuN_wMXnvftBmwcT7eTm7WSGRGkM2auOoUnY-3VUTp3bZG0zGwhXJJLUBc8LzTqwPg9uBT4V9wsA/s320/IMG_2217.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or not.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGgX-l56cnQuk9DrYu5pYEVVki0qWGZupIj9hyphenhyphenSrcO7gi0Cm_Ul2nhRIFD9UAuYM9y9b70HM26rtMvBdWT9vHH3TG4KaSF_bz003X8lngetnaef92ZZJaIp_4f-2IgaybDYS8CnpjR-OV/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGgX-l56cnQuk9DrYu5pYEVVki0qWGZupIj9hyphenhyphenSrcO7gi0Cm_Ul2nhRIFD9UAuYM9y9b70HM26rtMvBdWT9vHH3TG4KaSF_bz003X8lngetnaef92ZZJaIp_4f-2IgaybDYS8CnpjR-OV/s320/IMG_2316.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IKwg6OFMC1MRP8Cg1avgtwF_OSaB46eWeuBvUI_PKBaFcXbq-RYSJFKQnwqKXifn0c0hFHIuRHIgPCyZwcqv0sRUdiGS0XAFOTD58GaDNEDy08Px2PE55mvBlcgd18c3pS7Q3f-lVVhM/s1600/IMG_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IKwg6OFMC1MRP8Cg1avgtwF_OSaB46eWeuBvUI_PKBaFcXbq-RYSJFKQnwqKXifn0c0hFHIuRHIgPCyZwcqv0sRUdiGS0XAFOTD58GaDNEDy08Px2PE55mvBlcgd18c3pS7Q3f-lVVhM/s320/IMG_2280.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the skinned knees are here to stay for the summer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
While Megatron is s typical, moody, irrational almost 3-year-old, it's never lost on me when he gets to experience something for the first time. We weren't guaranteed any of these moments with him so even something as seemingly small as running through a sprinkler, it actually a huge deal in my heart. It's fun watching things through the eyes of someone experiencing everything for the first time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-59842369825727753442016-06-09T16:14:00.001-04:002017-02-19T14:20:08.529-05:00Megatron Update: Medical StuffDespite Megatron being healthier than he's ever been, things have been busy lately in terms of his medical care and development and I haven't really talked about that much on the blog. <br />
<br />
Last month we had his annual exam in Pittsburgh with his transplant team. All but one of the surgeons and even our usual nurse coordinator were all out at a conference (which they didn't find out about until after we made all of our plans, including The Pilot requesting vacation time). But we still got to see some familiar faces and there were all super excited to see how big Elias has gotten and just how well he's been doing. His lab work has been really stable, even as they lowered his immunosuppressant. It's now just a hair over "undetectable." Normally they like to have the level a little higher but his liver and kidneys are happy and that is the priority. His EBV level has been creeping up again (which is always a concern because if left untreated, it can lead to a type of cancer) but as soon as they lowered his immunosuppressant, the EBV came back down. Up until now, it's always seemed to be a little bit of calculated risk. Keep the immunosuppressant as low as possible without seeing the liver numbers go up. But now, they have something really exciting (for families like ours anyways) to help determine risk.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBf7uBHiv-UvZxvRcbO7vRzZWXWAGxwEujuq6Ubol9-Q4t9iP4fhapRH0t00p-LsWwXrLoViV_CJt57LR-jJzDNMQMbiMUttyeRRqrAxZTWOiHcPMYxWL2VyBionzDSpu8E62vNk3npU9/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBf7uBHiv-UvZxvRcbO7vRzZWXWAGxwEujuq6Ubol9-Q4t9iP4fhapRH0t00p-LsWwXrLoViV_CJt57LR-jJzDNMQMbiMUttyeRRqrAxZTWOiHcPMYxWL2VyBionzDSpu8E62vNk3npU9/s320/IMG_2605.JPG" width="240" /></a>Right after the transplant, we enrolled Megatron in a research study that one of his surgeons was doing.The goal was to create a blood test that would determine the "level" of a post transplant patient's immune system. It essentially tells them which patients are at higher risk for rejection. So Megatron was part of that research and recently, the test has been approved for use! So when we were in Pittsburgh, they drew what looked like a gallon of blood from him. Some for the various research studies, some more his routine monthly lab work, some for annual lab work and then some for the new test. A few days after we came home, we got the results of the new test. Megatron is now considered low risk for rejection and that means he can continue to stay on the low dose of immunosuppressant as long as his liver stays happy. They also ran a more detailed test on his kidney function and that looked great too. His immunosuppressant is very hard on the kidneys (as in many patients eventually need a kidney transplant) but his seem to me trucking along just like his liver. Nothing but great news!<br />
<br />
The nurse practitioner commended The Pilot and I for following the
post-transplant "rules" as well as taking advantage of the resources
available to us to make sure Megatron is catching up (speech,
occupational and physical therapy, nutrition, etc.)<br />
was doing. <br />
Speaking of nutrition, it's been over a year since we met with a nutritionist about Megatron's diet. When we first did the top-8 elimination diet, his local GI doctor wanted to make sure we were still meeting all of his nutritional needs. There was certainly a learning curve but we were managing. Megatron has grown A LOT since then so it was time to take a look at what he's been eating and compare it to his current nutritional needs. I kept a food diary for a week and gave it to the GI clinic. I was so excited when the nutritionist called me and she was excited with how well he's eating. We are RIGHT on target with meeting all of his nutritional needs. Even with protein! Even though we had to abandon a vegetarian diet for him when he was diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, he's still only getting animal meat a handful of times over the course of a couple weeks. But lentils and quinoa are frequent staples in our house and those provide lots of protein and iron so we are meeting those needs through plant-based foods. The nutritionist was really impressed at the variety of foods we are offering and the fact that Megatron eats really really well both in terms of quantity and the food itself. He's not all that picky and there really aren't any vegetables that kid won't eat. She said it was refreshing to see he hardly eats any processed food. That phone call really made all of the hard work worth it. Because as a type-A mom, I'm always worried that he's eating enough of the right foods. I mean, it's obvious that something is working because he's growing but with such a restricted diet, it's hard to know if we really are feeding him what's best. But she assured me that we are doing great. <br />
<br />
We also got another pat on the back from our local school district. Our state's early intervention program will end next month when he turns 3 (3!!!! Start the crying now!) so the school district is now preparing to take over. They recently did a multi-step evaluation process with us and we just had our meeting to discuss the results. Basically they did find him to have a speech delay and when the school year starts in the fall, they will offer him a weekly speech therapy session at our home elementary school. Which is great because it will get him used to the school and give us a chance to get to know the school administrators and therapist so when kindergarten rolls around, the transition will be easier. The great news about the whole evaluation process was that they do not feel his delays will effect his ability to learn in a traditional classroom and he doesn't need their special needs preschool. While he did score below average in a few areas (specifically expressive language/speech and some gross motor skills), there is no reason to believe he won't be caught up by kindergarten. We weren't particularly worried about this, but our goal has always been to just take advantage of the resources available to us to help him catch up. And honestly, this kid loves going to the hospital's outpatient facilities for things like labs and speech and then going to the preschool for the evaluation. He is really cooperative when it comes to interacting with adults (other than with family, with whom he can be a typical pain in the @$$ toddler) and they always make it fun. Plus, he doesn't know any different. The school psychologist mentioned it a couple times that he was very sweet and empathetic, a trait that many toddlers simply haven't learned yet. Another thing that didn't exactly surprise us but was nice to hear from a professional, was that some of his receptive language and cognitive skills scored him into the 4-year-old category. Meaning our little man is very smart, he just has a hard time getting the words out of his mouth to express those smarts.<br />
<br />
I can't even explain how good that feels. Especially since before transplant, there was a real fear that the toxins building up in his body because his liver wasn't working were starting to effect his brain, which is very common in patients in liver failure. It was a real enough fear that Megatron has had a head CT and MRI. But based on what the school evaluation told us, little dude is smart and his body is just taking it's time to repair itself and catch up from his traumatic first year of life. They also pointed out that we have done everything right when it comes to helping him catch up but also making sure we are exposing him to books and talking about letters and numbers all the time. So even though most days it feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, the professionals seem to think I'm doing just fine by him. Talk about a sigh of relief!<br />
<br />
Megatron has still be getting some somewhat intermittent private speech therapy as well as occupational therapy through the early intervention program. The progress has been somewhat slow but it's there. And it's been an absolute blast interacting with him now that he's speaking more and more. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of moments when I have no clue what he's trying to say but I'm usually his translator and can figure out what he's talking about. He's also getting more and more confident when it comes to navigating the world. He's slowly figuring out how to run and climb. He's just doing everything in his own time. I sometimes get a little anxious/impatient because as his mom, I naturally want him to fit in and be able to keep up with kids his own age but I also don't want to rush him. I missed out on that sweet and fast newborn/baby stage because he was so sick so I'm trying to enjoy this time that he's still little and not quite up to full speed like other kids his age. I don't want to miss a thing because I already missed out on too much!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp19HyITBlB7sPbIfcD3XVZNZY6ZybFcL5z7Ic4iVTiM8lbwixkAqVDBHkXtiUbLxjs-9cnLBY9nZjvPJN4ZkKvoHwqZDYJ0_Uwj7CZTqRw449aP1R9Wpxz4Y42rtLfcj7CUCk7xUQ-DiB/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp19HyITBlB7sPbIfcD3XVZNZY6ZybFcL5z7Ic4iVTiM8lbwixkAqVDBHkXtiUbLxjs-9cnLBY9nZjvPJN4ZkKvoHwqZDYJ0_Uwj7CZTqRw449aP1R9Wpxz4Y42rtLfcj7CUCk7xUQ-DiB/s400/IMG_2820.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-36716780318072580592016-06-04T21:04:00.001-04:002016-06-04T21:04:11.907-04:00My friends are all doing itThey aren't exactly jumping off a bridge but close enough. They are all signed up for a local triathlon and when the opportunity presented itself to register for a fraction of the current price, I figured, why not?! I mean, I'm already training to swim the 1/2 Ironman relay and I'm training for a September 1/2 marathon, so why not add in some cycling and do a triathlon this summer. Sounds logical.<br />
<br />
About as logical as me being the Ironman relay swimmer. I can't exactly swim and ride my bike with Megatron. Which means I have to 1) get creative with my training and 2) be very flexible with when and where I train. There are the 5:30 am swim practices. I still randomly run on the treadmill at 9 pm. My mom has watched the rugrat while I went for a 25 mile bike ride. Whatever it takes. The downside to the cheap registration fee (it was transferred from another athlete who can't compete now), is that it's for an Olympic distance tri. I've only done that distance once before and it was SIX years ago. Yowza. The sprint distance might have been a little more realistic but go big or go home, right?<br />
<br />
My goal is to finish. I'm not even going to attempt to try to finish faster than I did 6 years ago. It's not unrealistic to do that just based on my weight loss and current fitness level but I know full well that I'm not training exactly how I ideally would to do my very best. My life is nothing like what it was for that first one (I wasn't even married yet!) and now Megatron comes first 95% of the time. I have to squeeze my training into that 5% of time. :) <br />
<br />
I've been having fun though. I've been knocking out the 1/2 Ironman swim distance (1.2 miles) roughly every week or so, so I know I can finish. I recently did a 25 mile bike ride. It was slow and steady but it wasn't awful (especially since its only my second ride in FOUR years). While I was still slow, I noticed that I was able to stay in a harder for nearly the entire ride. I have 3 gears in the front and four years ago I was always hanging out in the middle ring. This last ride, I stayed in the big ring except for a big hill. My legs are certainly stronger than they were back then! Hopefully I can get in some more decent rides to work on increasing my pace just a little.<br />
<br />
Obviously I can now run the 6.2 mile run at the end. It will feel like running on Jello for the first 1/2 mile but I know what to expect now. As long as I leave some gas left in the tank after the ride, I should be able to run the bulk of the the 10k. Six years ago, I was only just starting to run at all so it was still very difficult just to run, let alone after swimming and cycling, so there was a lot of walking going on. So I would hope to have a stronger run this time around. Honestly, my biggest concern is the weather. The race is in 6 weeks. You know, mid-July. Heat and humidity have always been my nemesis so we shall see. That is out of my control so I'll just do what I can! <br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to the race though. It's far enough away that I'm not nervous yet but it's soon enough to be excited. I'm also enjoying the break from nothing but running. I also like that the swim trainings are on week mornings. It's much more likely that The Pilot is off on a week day than a weekend so I've enjoyed working out during the week without having to push Megatron or have the baby monitor turned all the way up. My training perspective sure has changed over the years!Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-14424794754461646212016-04-08T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-08T12:48:12.947-04:00Crafty LadyAnyone who knows me already knows this but I am a total "Pinterest mom." You know, that mom that makes <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/09/keeping-babytoddler-entertained-without.html">DIY toys for my kid</a> and hand makes gifts and party decorations. I mean, I made him an elevator out of a cardboard box last year (with The Pilot's help). I'm secure enough to own up to all of my "labels," including Pinterest mom. I don't apologize for it because I was a crafty lady before I had Megatron. I've always been creative. Opening a new box of Crayola crayons was pure heaven as a kid. Who am I kidding? I still love a brand new box of crayons. I <a href="https://www.romper.com/p/the-one-reason-why-i-wont-apologize-for-being-a-pinterest-mom-928">read this article</a> that put into words who I feel about being a "Pinterest mom." I didn't make 20 feet of paper chains for Megatron's 1st birthday party because I thought he would like it or remember how festive his party was. I made them because I like to do that kind of thing. I don't think anything of it when I go to a party and someone hangs up store bought party decorations. I'm not judging anyone for not making random crafty things like I do because not everyone is crafty or has the desire to be.<br />
<br />
Before I started my journey as a stay at home mom, I was an event planner. I frequently used my crafty skills to add personal touches to the events that I planned. I frequently would bring projects home with me at the end of the day so I could use my craft supplies to add some flair to board member gift bags or vendor thank you cards. I didn't have to, I wanted to because that's just who I am. So now that I don't have a professional outlet, I craft at home for my kid. I give handmade gifts. I make stuff just for myself. I make stuff because it gives me an outlet from the monotony of staying home and raising an extra special kid. Time spent crafting is "me" time. It's no different than when I go for a run really. Running and crafting helps clear my head and makes me feel whole again. It's no secret that I've had a hard time adjusting to staying home with Megatron. It wasn't part of the plan and I knew I wouldn't be completely fulfilled "just" staying home with him. I'm making the most of it because I know it's the right thing, right now. I'm finding a much better balance of getting "me" time and making sure Megatron isn't running with scissors and is happy and healthy. That's because I'm making more time for running and crafting.<br />
<br />
So now to where I do that crafty stuff...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we first walked through the house we ended up buying four years ago, there was one bedroom that basically sold the house for me. We liked the first floor but when we walked up the stairs, there was a bed room that screamed "craft room!" Yes, it really did. If you are at all creative, you know what I mean. At my condo that I owned when I met The Pilot, I had a craft space but it was in the basement without any windows. Not very inspiring. This house had an extra bedroom upstairs with a big, east facing window. We knew we wouldn't need it as a bedroom and The Pilot was happy because I was happy (smart man!) so we bought the house and bam, I had my own craft space with a window! The craft room is also my "Disney" room where I hide all my treasures so people don't walk into our living room and feel like they are in the middle of a Magic Kingdom gift shop. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I did marry someone who simply tolerates my love of Disney. And if he let me have my Disney collection all over the house, I would have to agree to have model airplanes all over the house. Marriage is all about compromise, is it not? So my Disney collection decorates the walls and shelves of the craft room but the furniture itself was a random assortment of college particle board shelving and hand-me-downs. It was all mostly functional but it didn't feel like a grown up, inspiring space.<br />
<br />
In the fall, The Pilot and I borrowed a larger car and made a (kid-free) trip to Ikea (currently, the closest store is about 90 minutes away so it's a production to go there). I was hoping to find a new craft table. I figured I would end up with an inexpensive desk and that would be that. Until we got to the kitchen section of the store and I saw a giant kitchen island. I fell in love with it. The Pilot knew it. We went back to the desks and I sat at probably a dozen different desks but I kept thinking about that island. It cost more than we had planned to spend and I was about ready to settle for a simple desk when The Pilot gave the thumbs up. It was going to be both my Christmas and birthday present....for the next 3 years but I was so pumped. That bad boy went home with us. It took us awhile to put it together because it was a 2-person job and finding free time when The Pilot and I are both home was a challenge. So we finally got it put together. What we didn't realize when we bought it was that it was an unfinished butcher block work surface so it would need sealed first. OK, no biggie. Except once we got the sealant and read the instructions, we realized it was a couple months long process. What?? I wanted to do crafty stuff NOW! But if we spent that much on the table, it needed to be done right so the surface didn't warp. So every couple days, I lightly sanded and added another coat of sealant. Until finally, FINALLY! The table is assembled, sealed and ready for crafting!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbF9raFPKOWeWT0EX_klpUAcYb5LUawLF_fYxeUMquy8M98200F9jdf0ttrlCdKJwdrFD3Raj5pCdM8SkKqayGV1lnoPLEhyphenhyphenbXKPVYNYWwQmhS9UT5ZdMtl8jqpEJfBGmj3ADld8QK0YO/s1600/P4011142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbF9raFPKOWeWT0EX_klpUAcYb5LUawLF_fYxeUMquy8M98200F9jdf0ttrlCdKJwdrFD3Raj5pCdM8SkKqayGV1lnoPLEhyphenhyphenbXKPVYNYWwQmhS9UT5ZdMtl8jqpEJfBGmj3ADld8QK0YO/s400/P4011142.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOgqUTwCQ_KkVcHGUKVYXWuanJQBPh0r4IbKtQB8PWuZSHmTpswIVqwJgqwxU1l8ccpTYcT3_7d3ZVjgZu2lxGLzrvEKEsjtdLTYz3Y0LBfdBubGQUMXhivQDX22bZ38Ttaqag1O43N7/s1600/P4011152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOgqUTwCQ_KkVcHGUKVYXWuanJQBPh0r4IbKtQB8PWuZSHmTpswIVqwJgqwxU1l8ccpTYcT3_7d3ZVjgZu2lxGLzrvEKEsjtdLTYz3Y0LBfdBubGQUMXhivQDX22bZ38Ttaqag1O43N7/s400/P4011152.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those bins under the table hold all my fabric. The bottom shelf has all of Megatron's "quiet" activities. The things we take on car tides, long doctor visits/procedures and restaurants. :)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I decided that a new table meant the entire room needed a mini make over. One big thing that this bright room last lacking was lighting. Even though the window is great, I often have to do my crafting once Megatron is down for the night. I've been using 2 lamps but they cast all kinds of shadows so it wasn't ideal. Luckily I come from a family of electricians. My uncle and cousin came over and ran electricity through the attic and installed a ceiling light for me! I am ridiculously excited about this!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZhy91O8z2FcSGHZgVebphQ-Fj5rx_VjLGNloZpZja2bxVQTvRYHe0_jCgp9b0xkcy8le0vUVg7MqCkWvUu5IZw2jMJDAQmNKOFAZnFNnXFy0dUmhPWNWTUKTkbmz5UPTZ0Xi-EW9cMS2/s1600/P4011154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZhy91O8z2FcSGHZgVebphQ-Fj5rx_VjLGNloZpZja2bxVQTvRYHe0_jCgp9b0xkcy8le0vUVg7MqCkWvUu5IZw2jMJDAQmNKOFAZnFNnXFy0dUmhPWNWTUKTkbmz5UPTZ0Xi-EW9cMS2/s200/P4011154.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
I made a new window treatment because the old one was left over from the condo and really didn't do anything to jazz up the room so I bought a 1/2 yard of fabric and made a simple valance. I also wanted to tie in the fact that it was a creative space and not just a Disney room with a craft table. So I customized some cardboard letters from Hobby Lobby to spell the word 'Create' on the wall. I used fabric scraps, buttons, washi tape, paint and paper to make each letter different. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeRbx4GaucfIPkPDyr88DYdzg-hLBuuW-VDXmGhTFsk_lVPt_3gM8spAM9Cz8OzAwPU4yDHMGGkNs8fJcK_f5W2M6OliGpsL28CWhxmwpiL5tERLGHiHtNHJle6tdDhx1n3arW_dfoFGT/s1600/P4011145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeRbx4GaucfIPkPDyr88DYdzg-hLBuuW-VDXmGhTFsk_lVPt_3gM8spAM9Cz8OzAwPU4yDHMGGkNs8fJcK_f5W2M6OliGpsL28CWhxmwpiL5tERLGHiHtNHJle6tdDhx1n3arW_dfoFGT/s320/P4011145.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQqfvt2krDhQF4ocDNI2zSkipZxLJjcaTt9kNu7Y1IOqE3O2Ug6CXfUX3D0LB7jAVwhzRnjf4RCHWHkL1fQpxfnqGpq6bqzfFv_vnTMb87vkOlA8jx6uIPk8pIHhu2m2piEI3J4ycIRVd/s1600/P4011138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQqfvt2krDhQF4ocDNI2zSkipZxLJjcaTt9kNu7Y1IOqE3O2Ug6CXfUX3D0LB7jAVwhzRnjf4RCHWHkL1fQpxfnqGpq6bqzfFv_vnTMb87vkOlA8jx6uIPk8pIHhu2m2piEI3J4ycIRVd/s200/P4011138.JPG" width="133" /></a>The closet is full of my craft supplies but was a little out of control so I purged a lot (that's a post for another day!) and re-used some storage containers from other parts of the house to get a little more organized. I tend to hoard anything that I think I can make something out of so my stash gets out of control easily. I had an entire box of scraps of ribbon...but you'd be surprised how often I end up using random pieces of ribbon! So I wrapped the scraps around craft sticks, pinned them and placed them in a jar on the table. Now it's a pretty way to keep them organized.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7aB4G8JP37Fezoe4gs5wPPDG1wedP8MkZw3uZragctX4XhuZU2yJJK6P34CbGw3jnGprq22DMNE1TAGHAdU3mdQYM8MpBwx0sxRnm9o0i7W-LSCIreeY4nNKqjUtzG6FVqiESP79d0YQ/s1600/P4011131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7aB4G8JP37Fezoe4gs5wPPDG1wedP8MkZw3uZragctX4XhuZU2yJJK6P34CbGw3jnGprq22DMNE1TAGHAdU3mdQYM8MpBwx0sxRnm9o0i7W-LSCIreeY4nNKqjUtzG6FVqiESP79d0YQ/s320/P4011131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Any respectable type A human owns a label maker. These are more for me but one can hope that clear, labeled bins will one day help Megatron put his own crap away. One can hope....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-X7KQZrHtgwUOqkAD4trNigJd5HhRqWaAICDbuNSP4eqQbqSCUHJZC3LuUT6X6OIRxzLbOjyhaqg8_LaZe2voUb_eHtT2JQVakX6hYvK3GcXdmPSNGFrQHmnzzEQuBwC_kbUpVxVQTN4/s1600/P4011126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-X7KQZrHtgwUOqkAD4trNigJd5HhRqWaAICDbuNSP4eqQbqSCUHJZC3LuUT6X6OIRxzLbOjyhaqg8_LaZe2voUb_eHtT2JQVakX6hYvK3GcXdmPSNGFrQHmnzzEQuBwC_kbUpVxVQTN4/s320/P4011126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you are crafting with kids, I highly recommend a vinyl table cloth. I bought one at Target last year on clearance after Easter and I cover our kitchen table whenever Megatron is painting (which I still do with him strapped into his booster seat. I am type A after all, I can't have complete chaos when paint is involved.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBKEYwD-KVBT4r0GZNa1hIEgm0VhNSr2YjBX4Updt2HpcQ1CfNljRn3I5JPVPN7xxqtQ7Kay7T6AeCSvYO7jqXNXSBY40uUaIgbW0MZAcOgaVXUofYGBXn4Ht8G4jFBZGJaseyfBbJgMw/s1600/P4011132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBKEYwD-KVBT4r0GZNa1hIEgm0VhNSr2YjBX4Updt2HpcQ1CfNljRn3I5JPVPN7xxqtQ7Kay7T6AeCSvYO7jqXNXSBY40uUaIgbW0MZAcOgaVXUofYGBXn4Ht8G4jFBZGJaseyfBbJgMw/s320/P4011132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae_Tl608vUNUnUpoaBXUgBgJWqMV7yctyUF3COszfmmuw7GAvnFin45kKgSiLWoJD31AmXUw3GE62jm0prvbuiiTxqBcx-OXltlkQjd12D_4Z1WnrS7qGq3SqHMJOVQaLqCw3usozimo5/s1600/P4011133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae_Tl608vUNUnUpoaBXUgBgJWqMV7yctyUF3COszfmmuw7GAvnFin45kKgSiLWoJD31AmXUw3GE62jm0prvbuiiTxqBcx-OXltlkQjd12D_4Z1WnrS7qGq3SqHMJOVQaLqCw3usozimo5/s320/P4011133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuL2_K5MAq4_k1gyIcLxgkjSntMQjyF4Lm727BrdlCJCvYYzil7jD6cB8RCoYJdflJljxU2IObM78W2O5ZPr8pptsLoo8MAKDLXde_pU9p4WhWU_OupRuFDMMhbar2JqNqlfhL1PcU3yH/s1600/P4011135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuL2_K5MAq4_k1gyIcLxgkjSntMQjyF4Lm727BrdlCJCvYYzil7jD6cB8RCoYJdflJljxU2IObM78W2O5ZPr8pptsLoo8MAKDLXde_pU9p4WhWU_OupRuFDMMhbar2JqNqlfhL1PcU3yH/s320/P4011135.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This over the door organizer was actually a wedding gift. We got a gift certificate to the Container Store and I found this. It's designed for a pantry but it's perfect for holding paints and glue!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWojG3skBoBtj-EJxqr2iM1trBOK1faV_kSfc8k349yF5nVz9Fxmxng7oLhy0F8OilCdkWFBro82UKxxrH0h9z0wmlYVa4wdLWAIfhQnmunmUUmoUyTzmXIRzfiWZVpnVYx1_tRJtT1Sn/s1600/P4011137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWojG3skBoBtj-EJxqr2iM1trBOK1faV_kSfc8k349yF5nVz9Fxmxng7oLhy0F8OilCdkWFBro82UKxxrH0h9z0wmlYVa4wdLWAIfhQnmunmUUmoUyTzmXIRzfiWZVpnVYx1_tRJtT1Sn/s320/P4011137.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
For the most part, I like my supplies to be out of sight but there are certain things I like to have at my reach at all times (scissors, tape, tape measure, pens, my nicer paint brushes). I found a tin to keep those things in on the table also. It also keeps those things out of Megatron's reach (for now at least).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2Vp5eqMHtW4lqI_D2dadPffe_6lRUEzrz0xQM6KO6699B44efDyXHPL8VY61CVcoCoBgd_unAtnVOjMOuSVZAHGAKe_w3FE4qqwM8qgdeV_6vJ2KJdyUMAZEXrXLCt9bOxHcjcccBDV9/s1600/P4011141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2Vp5eqMHtW4lqI_D2dadPffe_6lRUEzrz0xQM6KO6699B44efDyXHPL8VY61CVcoCoBgd_unAtnVOjMOuSVZAHGAKe_w3FE4qqwM8qgdeV_6vJ2KJdyUMAZEXrXLCt9bOxHcjcccBDV9/s320/P4011141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
During a previous Ikea trip, I had fallen for a little metal cart but at the time, I couldn't think of a reason I needed it or a place to put it. But this trip though, I got sucked in and realized it would be a perfect addition to the craft room. I like to have access to supplies I need but don't want them on my actual work space so this teal cart is perfect. The lower shelves have things for Megatron and I left the top shelf empty to use while I'm working on a project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-rypUF4CJgNYgLNV1C9TCfbO0_Ofr6Y7JTNkPfPuVAgL6pc9CHbm028eDFRulE81Hh2WXodvQomUiLTqo6OYmNS3-xQ3dL9hFk9smRv3jplCWT7YOSsPwCsnQ0_5QSqK2bjvCZgO5f_6/s1600/P4011143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-rypUF4CJgNYgLNV1C9TCfbO0_Ofr6Y7JTNkPfPuVAgL6pc9CHbm028eDFRulE81Hh2WXodvQomUiLTqo6OYmNS3-xQ3dL9hFk9smRv3jplCWT7YOSsPwCsnQ0_5QSqK2bjvCZgO5f_6/s320/P4011143.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
When we went to Ikea, we also wanted to find a small table and chair for Megatron. I wanted him to have a space to sit at in the craft room too. I had this fantasy that we could both be in the room, crafting together. I wasn't sure if he would be into it but I figured a little table would have decent re-sale value if he didn't use it much. I'm soooo glad we did find a little table because it does work! Megatron does sit and stand at the table and work on crafts and other "quiet" activities. Not for long but long enough for me to<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> get organized for my next project.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTnXuOP6WWzUts-dV-AjEOzElNCzvjVjcCV4UGMQ5n62EKaUysV3POdvY8gPRqUKlpbigufeqXiLG2RAoq3iUG0Lc6zwmzcLBq9buron1rGAb_YyphzWVFCilwyGA9l8hw3ThIOSvfp92/s1600/P4011151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTnXuOP6WWzUts-dV-AjEOzElNCzvjVjcCV4UGMQ5n62EKaUysV3POdvY8gPRqUKlpbigufeqXiLG2RAoq3iUG0Lc6zwmzcLBq9buron1rGAb_YyphzWVFCilwyGA9l8hw3ThIOSvfp92/s320/P4011151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisruugsYgq0JOnbSV9gN8Cu6edoVs_zA-uUEU1BL-_UUwfKjj56Fc8Lv9J4CzyCi9vb9fsFBvur0q-gf2jHHKrYff0HSjHLnEY7YZlpsE6L1UX1zbm-uFSAr3fLAapXmtDKFGG5tg8Cl2e/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisruugsYgq0JOnbSV9gN8Cu6edoVs_zA-uUEU1BL-_UUwfKjj56Fc8Lv9J4CzyCi9vb9fsFBvur0q-gf2jHHKrYff0HSjHLnEY7YZlpsE6L1UX1zbm-uFSAr3fLAapXmtDKFGG5tg8Cl2e/s320/IMG_0350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting at his table working on fine motor skills...pushing pipe cleaners through a dollar store colander.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-diHMJWWJfIicM1Bc6tlszzY80E49Mz7zmLkeNKR-Eu84ZB8cKpwzR1WpFz5lsNX3uPMQovvTtst4U7-u0GgTTi-S41Qv-mqL3BYLyL5vYGBzuSlimmJ3qXG8B6TMq70B_YShiYcrPAT/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-diHMJWWJfIicM1Bc6tlszzY80E49Mz7zmLkeNKR-Eu84ZB8cKpwzR1WpFz5lsNX3uPMQovvTtst4U7-u0GgTTi-S41Qv-mqL3BYLyL5vYGBzuSlimmJ3qXG8B6TMq70B_YShiYcrPAT/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We put his table together first so for awhile there was a mostly empty room with a tiny little table in it. It was nice to put a few things on the table him though and work on the rest of the room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So that's a good portion of the room. The other side of the room is still a bit of a mess. It's been acting as my purging staging area. Anyone who has read <i>The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up</i> will understand, but like I said, that's a post for another day. We also have plans for one more Ikea purchase to transform the space from "college mismatch" to "a creative grown up works here." Gotta keep saving the pennies for that though.</div>
Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-41536965160813752512016-04-05T16:26:00.000-04:002016-04-07T09:33:30.809-04:002016 Superhero RunMegatron and I ran a local 5k last weekend. It was only a couple miles from my house (if I was training for a long distance race right now, I probably would have run TO the race, done the race and then run back home) and it supported one of the local high schools...which I happened to graduate from a really really long time ago. None of my usual crew was doing the race so I decided I was NOT going to make it a fun run, even though it was called the Superhero Run. I was going to run all out and see what I could do, despite having to push the stroller.<br>
<br>
After I unloaded the stroller and Megatron and his breakfast and his meds (naturally the race started right at the time he needed his immunosuppressant, but we are both used to meds on the run these days), I put on my superhero tutu... Back up! I was also wearing socks with capes and wings, a Wonder Woman shirt and a crazy headband. This was all part of my Halloween costume but Megatron ended up with a nasty cold and cough the night of the Halloween party we had been invited to so I never got to wear it. So I was pretty excited to wear it for the race. And I fit right in. Lots of people, adults and kids alike, were wearing various superhero costumes. I clearly take my running very seriously.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMW3nJ4OULOFHTvfUV6uQSJOdGViAq2zFKtKqFC3EHt8ckf5KQau5LIlTmSHhkMGJCQU19OdHkE_p8jTqmwIsuHfsiFZQszIDKy5IqZ69n2cQa61Ydd7kESUBhnU8C5EvR3PhL82yKIwX/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMW3nJ4OULOFHTvfUV6uQSJOdGViAq2zFKtKqFC3EHt8ckf5KQau5LIlTmSHhkMGJCQU19OdHkE_p8jTqmwIsuHfsiFZQszIDKy5IqZ69n2cQa61Ydd7kESUBhnU8C5EvR3PhL82yKIwX/s200/IMG_1508.JPG" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, capes AND wings!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGVnIkTUKxNwLkENYFMMQyT4EfhyphenhyphenexP7Mg2-EWgTvkpixVM-0WUO175BXoksXdDX3F2gi6HDIDik9JrTNGmxsyan7x95AIyGVnFN5eAmNjGumBEltBeQOHHwVfhs5QMz319GTWJOtBEAC/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGVnIkTUKxNwLkENYFMMQyT4EfhyphenhyphenexP7Mg2-EWgTvkpixVM-0WUO175BXoksXdDX3F2gi6HDIDik9JrTNGmxsyan7x95AIyGVnFN5eAmNjGumBEltBeQOHHwVfhs5QMz319GTWJOtBEAC/s320/IMG_1514.JPG" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a jazzed up Pope mobile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unfortunately though, when I did a warm up run, the tutu just wasn't working. I knew it would drive me nuts, even if it was only 3 miles. I decided to still keep things festive so I tied the tutu around the handle of the stroller. Ultimately it still drove me nuts during the race but at least it was manageable while running. As we headed towards the start line, I realized I had left my Garmin at home! Ack! I've never ever forgotten my Garmin for a race! I probably could have driven home to get it but I had a great parking space and I knew I would need it after the race because I had a feeling Megatron would throw a tantrum when it came time to leave. And anyone with a tantrum-ing toddler knows you sometimes need a quick escape path! So I decided to just run based on feel (something I suck at) and do my best to not slow down. <br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAaZD6dOr5Ly46VItrhxPcwz1RquB8aSIJx2h4m2GhyphenhyphenVv3V98V_JhiuhR0PJn2UZd8sjG0UJUZc0cl2Bd1Piyv2eTeKngwf8GqMNwiKe-RcQGb-Kkt_OY5ZRiu2AfloBYG3pgbUSBk81j/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAaZD6dOr5Ly46VItrhxPcwz1RquB8aSIJx2h4m2GhyphenhyphenVv3V98V_JhiuhR0PJn2UZd8sjG0UJUZc0cl2Bd1Piyv2eTeKngwf8GqMNwiKe-RcQGb-Kkt_OY5ZRiu2AfloBYG3pgbUSBk81j/s320/IMG_1509.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was all snuggly and warm inside there. He just chilled and enjoyed his breakfast while I worked my tail off!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The race was pretty small (around 200) and I could kind of tell who the "serious" runners were based on where they lined up at the start. I decided to start pretty close to the line because one, there was still a gaggle of kids in front of me but there were tons more behind me. And I knew that I did not want to get stuck behind too many kids, not because I didn't want them to slow me down but more because I was afraid I'd accidentally hit them with the stroller. Kids tend to run super fast for 20 feet and then STOP. Then they do that over and over again the entire race. I'm short. Kids are short. When I'm pushing the stroller, I can't see the front wheel so if someone stops or slows down suddenly in front of me, I can't always judge how much space I have. <br>
<br>
The first 100 yards were on a really narrow sidewalk and I was worried it was going to be a looooong race because I was already getting trapped behind slower people but it was too narrow for me to pass and I can't off road with the stroller (that sucker is super top heavy and tips easily). Luckily the path widen so it got a lot easier to pass. I tried not to go out too fast but I was anxious to spread out a little so I could focus on running and stop worrying about running over kids. It was crazy windy that morning so I was just waiting for the course to turn into the wind. That's when I realized that it wasn't the head on winds that I needed to worry about. It wasn't constant wind, we were getting random, strong gusts and it was the gusts coming from the side that caused me all kinds of trouble. The wind would gust at the side of the stroller and pull me right along with it. There were quite a few times I had to push using both hands. Have you ever tried running with your arms tied to your sides? It's hard. Your arms propel you forward so not being able to swing at least one of my arms made it extra difficult. Luckily the course was winding around so we changed directions enough that I eventually would get a break from the gusts. <br>
<br>
It was an out and back course and that was something else that was a challenge with the stroller. The path narrowed again but it wasn't an issue because the crowd and spaced out but the turn around was a cone in the middle of the sidewalk. I had to do a complete U-turn with the stroller on a narrow sidewalk. I had to slow to almost a walk so the stroller wouldn't tip and when I did, no one could go around me because it was so narrow. I went as fast as I could without tipping the stroller and picked up the pace as soon as I made it around. I don't think anyone was too bent out of shape about it because there were some kids right behind me and when I got a look at some of the adults who were behind me, they just seemed to be shooting the breeze with their friends and kids. No one back there was there to "race."<br>
<br>
I thought I would be more thrown off by not knowing my pace since I didn't have my Garmin but that didn't bother me so much. What I really wanted to know was how much further I had! The course had a 1 mile marker but that was the only one I saw and to be honest, it didn't seem like it was accurately placed. I couldn't quite judge how far I had left to know if I should slow down so I could make it to the finish without a break or if I was close enough to give it the gas. I just kept hanging on and hanging on until I saw the finish. One benefit of it being a small race was the fact that I started so close to the front. I knew that I would only be a couple seconds off the clock time. So when I came hauling into the finish line and saw the clock, I knew I had a PR. I wasn't sure how much of one exactly but I knew I had done it! I beat my <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/10/band-on-run-5k.html">Band on the Run</a> time!<br>
<br>
I really gave it the gas when I could see the finish so when I did cross, I was super winded and felt a little sick. I walked a little but by then, Megatron knew we had finished and was starting to whine about getting out. I had promised him he could get out when I finished running. Luckily they had set up a bounce house at the finish so I took him out of the stroller, shoved him inside the bounce house and tried to catch my breath and not puke. Funny thing about the bounce house was that there weren't any other kids inside and Megatron is too small to actually make it bounce. He's still a little too uncoordinated/weak to stand up to bounce but he likes to just sit down and let the bigger kids bounce him. So he just sat in the middle looking around, waiting for another kid to come in. Luckily one finally did so he was happy. I recovered and he surprisingly, came out of the bounce house without me threatening him like I usually do (home boy LOVES to bounce!). Probably because he knew that meant he could do to the playground next. The race was at a local park that has one of his favorite playgrounds. I promised we could play after the race and I was quickly regretting that promise. The wind was picking up and it was COLD. I was starting to freeze after getting sweaty during the race. After only 10 minutes, I was shivering so bad I had to haul Megatron away to the car. He was not very happy. Oh well, mama couldn't feel her hands!<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF32IdsCVvp631dxnaUYwFzaBD0rl9GnXY_agjtmFRDKbW5DMktr80SlUcZb4tTREdEFSWAjWT3CzDog01pqrDWXdwQgrSlgpYZagdq9kqO8YBPwQd4nb9m80bdIQ5gn-cfHIt9ttaO1k/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF32IdsCVvp631dxnaUYwFzaBD0rl9GnXY_agjtmFRDKbW5DMktr80SlUcZb4tTREdEFSWAjWT3CzDog01pqrDWXdwQgrSlgpYZagdq9kqO8YBPwQd4nb9m80bdIQ5gn-cfHIt9ttaO1k/s320/IMG_1515.JPG" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing...not bouncing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once in the car, I cranked the heat and pulled up the race web site on my phone. I love race technology/chip timing these days! Instant race results! "Back in the day, I remember when 5ks weren't time an if they were, you had to rip a tag off your bib at the finish line and they recorded the time that way," said in an old lady voice! I was able to see my results while still sitting in the parking lot. 33:33 was my finish time...over 4 minutes faster than my previous PR!! I was pretty damn surprised. So surprised that I questioned the accuracy of the course. I thought for sure it had to have been shorter than 3.1 miles for me to have been that much faster. But someone else who did the race said that their Garmin showed 3.09 miles. That's close enough to accurate in my book and I probably did go further because I passed quite a few people. Maybe it was the wings on my socks.... My strategy of going fast and hanging on for as long as I could paid off. Naturally thought I'm curious how fast I can run a 5k without the stroller!<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEZWqoviY-zZpEk80ygiFnXHUBGZ8KSuRxFob_zi-dB-g4DrQSEUK7itSDqOXfjLXvuOha21cxrOfPPza6TC0svoLR2zE2_oDO903G_16lvwnZLtiebbtytOHGr9BPIV1AUKD4d2FFfTU/s1600/IMG_1523.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEZWqoviY-zZpEk80ygiFnXHUBGZ8KSuRxFob_zi-dB-g4DrQSEUK7itSDqOXfjLXvuOha21cxrOfPPza6TC0svoLR2zE2_oDO903G_16lvwnZLtiebbtytOHGr9BPIV1AUKD4d2FFfTU/s320/IMG_1523.PNG" width="264"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I doubt I've ever placed that high in my age group!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br>Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-1205813893853226272016-04-05T14:55:00.001-04:002016-04-05T14:55:11.842-04:00It's like riding a bike...in waterI went swimming this morning. At 5:30 am. Because in a little over 4 months, I will be doing the swim leg of a 1/2 Ironman. That's a 1.2 mile swim in open water. Oh, and did I mention that the last time I swam laps was 3 years ago? I even <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2013/04/water-works.html">blogged</a> about it because I was 22 weeks pregnant at the time. <br />
<br />
I was pleasantly surprised again (like I was back then) at how things went in the pool. I thought for sure I wouldn't even be able to make it one length of the pool before I tried to inhale while underwater or needed to hang onto the side of the pool. But that didn't happen. It really is like riding a bike, you don't really forget how. It all came back to me and all the running has certainly helped my cardio because I was even able to do 200 yards before I needed a break. Don't get me wrong, I was crazy winded and I definitely wasn't going fast. I was even using my open water trick of rolling to look at the ceiling to take an extra second to inhale (that is much more calming in open water because looking at the sky has a different effect than looking up at an old natatorium ceiling).<br />
<br />
Overall, it was a great swim. I have the opportunity to swim with my team two days a week but because it's at 5:30 am, I'll only be able to attend when The Pilot is home. I doubt I'll find a babysitter willing to come over at 5 am to stay with Megatron. If only the baby monitor worked 18 miles away...I was back home before he even woke. Hopefully I'll still be able to go a couple times a month until the weather warms up and we start doing more open water swims. I know I won't win. I know I won't place. I doubt I'll be the last one out of the water, but even if I am, that's ok. My only two goals are to not drown and to finish the 1.2 mile course under one hour. That's the time cut off. If I don't finish, I'll be disqualified and my teammates can't even start their legs of the race. And that's not gonna happen!Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-45841266038422433112016-02-29T07:45:00.000-05:002016-02-29T15:59:21.799-05:00An Ode to My FuelBeltMy FuelBelt and I have been on quite a journey!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL6qi8y4d75zTok23YBYtUqhMXzIf89UxVzNxC2oQl9osf9TRCdNNpT8fxLrEtETT8LdbIyTlEMOBM4BIa86abrbklmB-VuNjlN2t236XiWhwzuXvP5EeC9UixpCEeV5YecCIv-JKaDkb/s1600/fuelbelt1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsL6qi8y4d75zTok23YBYtUqhMXzIf89UxVzNxC2oQl9osf9TRCdNNpT8fxLrEtETT8LdbIyTlEMOBM4BIa86abrbklmB-VuNjlN2t236XiWhwzuXvP5EeC9UixpCEeV5YecCIv-JKaDkb/s400/fuelbelt1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been with me for nearly every mile (except the stroller runs) I have covered on foot for the last 10+ years. I don't usually track yearly mileage but I can say with certainty that it has THOUSANDS of miles on it. It's held strong through (at least) two full marathons, (at least) ten half marathons, half way through a pregnancy, weight gain and weight loss. It's been there for my race walking days, my run/walk days, my triathlon days, my "oh my gawd I hate running but I love running but I hate it" and during my great comeback of 2015. It has been present for every single one of my PRs to date. It's carried my water, my ShotBloks, my phones, my inhaler, my Chapstick, a marble (in case I lose my own), a PB&J sandwich one time, back up safety pins from when I was coaching (inevitably someone would forget theirs), sunscreen for the EXTRA long coaching days, my gloves and arm sleeves for when I overdressed and started peeling gloves off. The bottles have been replaced twice. The caps have been replaced once more. One bottle was sacrificed in the great Porta-Potty incident of 2014. I've had to cut fraying fabric off of it. The FuelBelt even carried a banana for more miles than I'd care to admit while coaching in Cleveland. There were even bets placed on how long the belt could carry that banana. I lost the bet but it wasn't the belt's fault. There was actually a medical emergency that I ran to help and the banana was run over by an ambulance. True story. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_U_AQ6SVW1fKIsa6s832NUAKiI6RPmFkmal8aaoLAUEdhLstLjEvIUOokqAHavrMOGnuIEfFudiVNIUFzH99SawDRRLyAUEASQybviwve2iR2HLM1hS2UwOJ24WthVUCZkH6lMwm7wFN/s1600/banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_U_AQ6SVW1fKIsa6s832NUAKiI6RPmFkmal8aaoLAUEdhLstLjEvIUOokqAHavrMOGnuIEfFudiVNIUFzH99SawDRRLyAUEASQybviwve2iR2HLM1hS2UwOJ24WthVUCZkH6lMwm7wFN/s320/banana.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP banana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That FuelBelt has been damn faithful to me. Which is why it pains me to have to retire it. A couple weeks ago I went for a run and it would.not.stay up. It literally slid off my waist, over my butt and would have gone right to the ground had I not caught it. I had to hold it up while running back to my car where I abandoned it and went back out to finish my run. My 40 pound weight loss (!!) has proven too much for my poor FuelBelt. No amount of adjusting will keep it on my waist anymore. :(<br />
<br />
You've done good though, my friend! I'll always have fond memories of our time together. But it's time for you to rest now. I hope you view this transition as a wonderful send off into the sunset and not like you are getting replaced by a younger, prettier model. But you kind of are. I took a new FuelBelt for a 5 am running date recently. And the bright and shiny new belt stayed in place. The new belt still has big shoes to fill, and needs to prove it's worth still, but staying in place is the first hurdle any FuelBelt of mine must tackle. Here's to the next 10 years of my athletic adventures!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFF89fxp2PPCabv_L7cDoxgj_-ea64Y4tifBElZxCZ4p0qgdpDgC6j4mxHaBRsvJ8Q6WWpxyXI11wM3mT_BWx58DgN1DZ3OPSqTgL1ktWDS9BK6QZNUsovqwEjILvZbgxOLBfW1Sxhavd/s1600/fuelbelt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFF89fxp2PPCabv_L7cDoxgj_-ea64Y4tifBElZxCZ4p0qgdpDgC6j4mxHaBRsvJ8Q6WWpxyXI11wM3mT_BWx58DgN1DZ3OPSqTgL1ktWDS9BK6QZNUsovqwEjILvZbgxOLBfW1Sxhavd/s400/fuelbelt2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-7577687507186986222016-02-26T06:59:00.000-05:002016-02-26T06:59:04.464-05:00Two Years S/PTwo years! It was two years ago today that Megatron got his new big boy liver. I really don't think I can put it much better than I did when I wrote <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/02/one-year-sp.html">last year's "liver day" </a>post. Here we are though. This year was even better than last. Our challenges this year have been 95% normal toddler stuff! Dealing with tantrums and new found independence, trying to understand his evolving English skills. We are almost on autopilot when it comes to his transplant related things. Sure, keeping track of meds and insurance and lab work is a lot of work but it's become second nature now. It's just part of our routine. It gets old some days but honestly, it's a lot like doing laundry or washing dishes. You don't want to do it but you have to do it, so you just do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz23cQhMF15s11bSlYeTfuUNY9kq9E4OR-ZC298kr0auzKVKfK5n6xnOWZWAPPkih2hjMWvpv0ZY2x-OhEJHTPwiraEUOXHgMk_SM5ZFRTMYu0KmFGxiiS0ei09LpijSl87n0gOfpRVtq9/s1600/20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz23cQhMF15s11bSlYeTfuUNY9kq9E4OR-ZC298kr0auzKVKfK5n6xnOWZWAPPkih2hjMWvpv0ZY2x-OhEJHTPwiraEUOXHgMk_SM5ZFRTMYu0KmFGxiiS0ei09LpijSl87n0gOfpRVtq9/s320/20b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Megatron's liver is still plugging along like it should! A liver that's in it's 30s but is thriving in a 2 year old's body. What a wild concept. Never for a moment do we take for granted what an amazing gift The Cousin gave to our family. I have my days like any parent does. Days I'm exhausted and my patience is all out but even on those days, I don't lose sight of the fact that without the gift Megatron received, he wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have the privilege of being Megatron's mom anymore. And boy is it a fun job sometimes! There are just enough fun and sweet moments with him that make all the hard times worth it. The Pilot and I are having a blast right now with Megatron. He's interacting with us more than ever and his speech improves daily. He's such a funny little kid and we know we are so lucky to be his parents. We are lucky that he's tough as nails and somehow held on despite a failing liver. We are lucky and thankful that we had a very medically uneventful year!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0ZZ7lq9woQFjYNmdxGq3VUfVQBNj0RwAQE-gtEMe_WWKm7zsMP5sO-pIW57H1yDTNB3SxAuNEUKNw0WGAjqjHgezzliAvxYnf3-rb-CpsHd6Pamfv_YbfD1absQNPq4C_5WV18dxBQ-K/s1600/_MG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0ZZ7lq9woQFjYNmdxGq3VUfVQBNj0RwAQE-gtEMe_WWKm7zsMP5sO-pIW57H1yDTNB3SxAuNEUKNw0WGAjqjHgezzliAvxYnf3-rb-CpsHd6Pamfv_YbfD1absQNPq4C_5WV18dxBQ-K/s320/_MG_0321.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
As I hope we continue to do each year on Megatron's liver day, we have been making the rounds to try to do two things: Thank the people who have helped us on this journey, and take the opportunity to share our story with the public and stress the importance of being a registered organ donor. We couldn't have survived this without help or without organ donation! We've been mailing thank you cards and celebrating with those closest to us. I recently spoke at a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser. And Megatron? He's being treated to Daniel Tiger LIVE! If anyone has toddlers, you will know that this might be the highlight of his life so far. Never mind that new liver, just show him is favorite Mr. Roger's Neighborhood friends. Like any normal, healthy toddler!Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-37402248153989862872016-01-17T20:45:00.000-05:002016-01-17T20:45:00.748-05:00UpdatesI finally got around to doing another "<a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2016/01/day-in-life-25-years.html">day in the life</a>" post about Megatron but I haven't really updated much on what's going on for myself. Because the world doesn't always revolved around Megatron. Ha. Slow clap.<br /><br />I'm now about 7 months into Weight Watchers and I'm soooo close to hitting the 30 pound mark. I've officially lost all of the baby weight (not pregnancy weight but the "oh my gawd, my kid has a life threatening disease and I'm living on hospital food and stress" baby weight.) plus some. I'm the lightest I've been since probably my freshman year of college. I have roughly another 10 pounds to go before I will be smack in the middle of the healthy BMI range for my height. I won't lie, it feels AMAZING! Amazing in terms of how I feel physically because I'm running faster than I ever have before and with less effort. I have more energy, which is helpful now that Megtron runs around a full speed. Amazing in terms of my emotional health because I feel fit and strong instead of jiggly and sluggish and that alone does wonders for the psyche. And while I've never really focused too much on numbers, I've dropped 2 sizes. Once I hit my goal weight, I'll be in single digit sizes for the first time since high school. I never expected to see that number again! <br />
<br />
It hasn't been easy. At all. Especially since around Thanksgiving when Weight Watchers changed their point system. I was so successful on the old system that I was reluctant to the change but I tried to embrace it and get on board. And failed. I hated it. I felt deprived all the time (while it was hard before, I never felt like I was starving or depriving myself) and that was just irritating. I got a horrible sinus infection around the same time so I ate a bunch of comfort food and it was like opening Pandora's box. I had a hard time getting back at it, especially since it was so much more difficult than the previous point system. I'll be honest, I still don't like it. At all. But I'm so close to my goal weight, that I'm forging ahead. I've done much better the last 2 weeks and while I don't weigh in again until Tuesday, I know I will be down. <br />
<br />
While I haven't posted anything about running in awhile, I'm still at it, as usual. I actually did a 7 mile (plus some because the course was way long) race today. Weird distance but it was cheap and my friends were all doing it. I had planned to run it with Megatron in the stroller but it was absolutely frigid so he stayed home with grandma. I don't have any other running races scheduled for the year yet so I've been hanging out around 3-4 miles for my short runs and anywhere from 5-8 for my long runs. I need to sit down and decide what races I want to do and what is in the budget. Especially since I dropped a decent chunk of change to do a half Ironman relay later this year. Yup, you read that right. This former Gym Class Dropout is registered to do the swim leg of a 70.3 mile triathlon. I'm not even doing to running leg! I am doing the leg that will be most difficult for me to train for because I can't exactly swim laps with Megatron. Well I'm sure I could pull him in a boat like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Hoyt">Team Hoyt</a> but I doubt he would sit still long enough. 1.2 miles of swimming and I haven't swam laps of any kind in 3 years? Why not, when have I ever shied away from a challenge? Ha! I haven't started training for it yet since it's in August but I'll definitely be posting about that progress. <br />
<br />
So that brings me to my other challenge...one of the biggest challenges I've ever had to tackle. PTSD. Like I mentioned in <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/07/keeping-it-together.html">that post</a>, it's been a process trying to deal with and let go of some of that trauma. I don't know why, but I'm incredibly hard on myself. It is like I have an inner mean girl trying to shame me when I have flashbacks. Which is sooo not helpful. Instead of being kind to myself and letting myself feel the emotions as they happen, I just get angry and annoyed that my brain is still pulling up scenes form the time when Megatron was sick. And when I say scenes, I'm not exaggerating in that that my brain is able to play it over just as if it were happening again. I can close my eyes and suddenly I can actually feel myself sitting in the ICU. I can smell it. I can hear every beep of Megatron's IV and feeding pumps and hear rate and pulse oxygen monitors as well as in the surrounding rooms. I can recall specific conversations with doctors and nurses (but yet if someone were to ask me about a specific moment, I have a hard time remembering the details). It's certainly getting easier though. Instead of flashbacks happening every night, it's now about once a week which means I'm sleeping much better these days! Or sometimes I'll have a fleeting moment during the day. Seeing/hearing helicopters, especially if I can recognize it as a MedFlight, makes my heart ache. Same with ambulances (coincidentally, it was 2 years ago today that Megatron and I both added "first ambulance ride" to each of our baby books). <br />
<br />
I felt like I was making great progress but had a bit of a setback a couple months ago when I had to have my own endoscopy (I've had reflux ever since I got pregnant with Megatron and I'm finally getting around to trying to take care of that). Something about that endoscopy was a trigger for me. It physically made me ache to remember how many times Megatron has had scopes and other procedures and surgeries. There I was in a room having the exact procedure my infant had had done multiple times. It sucked. I wasn't sleeping again and then when it came time to have an additional test to find the cause of my reflux, I had a complete panic attack and couldn't complete the test. Which just made me angry and frustrated and continued the cycle of not sleeping and having vivid flashbacks. I was a mess again. It was understandable, and probably not a surprise to anyone who knows our story, that something about that environment would stir up some bad memories but that mean girl is just so impatient and frustrate that this is still such a big challenge for me. But I did what I do, I worked through it. Ran through it (my poor running partners). Cried through it. And I'm finally back to a much better place. There is still work to be done but I'm plugging along. And trying to be much kinder to myself! The rest of the world seems to be giving me all kinds of grace so the pressure I'm putting on myself to get my act together is all me, so it's time to be a little nicer and more patient.Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-64308479901309134132016-01-05T22:30:00.000-05:002016-01-08T08:23:35.195-05:00Day in the Life: 2.5 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The last "day in the life" post was <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/03/day-in-life-195-months.html">back in March</a>! Megatron was still so much a baby! Now he's 2.5 and he's all toddler for sure! That means it was even harder to take pictures because the kid is wild and I feel like all I do is chase him and clean up after him. But I gave it a try a couple weeks ago(it's taken me that long to come back and type up everything!) because I do want to record what our days are like because he won't always be this small. Or this wild. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I got up at 6:30 and came downstairs to feed the cat. If I don't feed her first, she starts pawing on not just my bedroom door but if she's really angry, she starts pawing on Megatron's door and meowing in the hallway. I came back upstairs and got dressed, skipping a shower because I had plans to run later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I gathered up the laundry, hauled it to the basement and got the first load started. I went back upstairs and cleaned the toilet in our master bathroom. I straightened things up a little in our bedroom and watered the plants. I headed back to the basement to gather up some things I had boxed up to donate. I also straightened up the basement. Out of sight, out of mind rings true and every couple months our basement ends up looking like a disaster. I also gathered up a big bag of dead batteries that needed to be recycled.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I could hear Megatron starting to stir over the baby monitor so my mad dash to get things done before he woke up was coming to an end. I got his meds ready (He's currently taking 2 liquid meds daily and one capsule. Then on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays he takes an additional liquid med.). I mixed up some formula and made a mental note to schedule his first dentist appointment for after the first of the year. He's still drinking the hypo-allergenic formula and between being so sick when his teeth were starting to come in, taking tons of harsh meds and now the formula, I worry about his teeth.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp1sHFWLs-EHzWa8I9qMxzm5UdZx8O3KR5CEvK5U_xBv5D4eVK2bkfFxvOrNA0ImVqBqkmoeiHi_GBvpUKxP4bhRBCBGkjKKBcRuGNEI4hz6ikBZKmf4qQPw_AhQzUh6xkhftgV44ZijI/s640/blogger-image--2120696043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp1sHFWLs-EHzWa8I9qMxzm5UdZx8O3KR5CEvK5U_xBv5D4eVK2bkfFxvOrNA0ImVqBqkmoeiHi_GBvpUKxP4bhRBCBGkjKKBcRuGNEI4hz6ikBZKmf4qQPw_AhQzUh6xkhftgV44ZijI/s200/blogger-image--2120696043.jpg" width="150"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3_tXG_NH8cQFnVlvThhrUJJ9_bsCbdFAGp_RXitdqny_Q40zAVi7WdGB7dHMDe89mO9xz1EqjN6i_u-OgA1qz9QRQRRAnUcZ1MJfpf2Usf8dZNKgc0d_Bj540JiQzyhpSu-VbTg2Iw3N/s640/blogger-image-921771463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3_tXG_NH8cQFnVlvThhrUJJ9_bsCbdFAGp_RXitdqny_Q40zAVi7WdGB7dHMDe89mO9xz1EqjN6i_u-OgA1qz9QRQRRAnUcZ1MJfpf2Usf8dZNKgc0d_Bj540JiQzyhpSu-VbTg2Iw3N/s200/blogger-image-921771463.jpg" width="150"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5z9ERjdJtbXa7KaaRQ36OdltXB7lictODis1y4gs9JDSvhWIlGvBrTb9CnSP3E4MqHI1o55YdqiA8htmZOqy73v-blK2Rg01JTvVKnQsv87sqYYOjYJTzeDDk3rgOBl4-aZOZ8jlnwoz/s640/blogger-image-1381108247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5z9ERjdJtbXa7KaaRQ36OdltXB7lictODis1y4gs9JDSvhWIlGvBrTb9CnSP3E4MqHI1o55YdqiA8htmZOqy73v-blK2Rg01JTvVKnQsv87sqYYOjYJTzeDDk3rgOBl4-aZOZ8jlnwoz/s200/blogger-image-1381108247.jpg" width="150"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I remembered that I ran the dishwasher before I went to bed the night before so I opened the door and pulled the drawers out to shake off some of the water. I just left the door open so I wouldn't forget to unload it (I HATE when I do that).<br>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I could hear him starting to talk to himself so I grabbed an egg from the fridge along with some red bell pepper and mushrooms and a pan so when I came back down I would have everything for my breakfast ready to go.<br>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
I got him up around 8:30 (which is a little later than usual for him, but it was nice to get so much done before he got up!). When I opened his door, he immediately said "mama, hi." I love it! He's been in speech therapy for several months now and combining words into short sentences was where he was lagging but a couple weeks ago he seemed to figure it out and now I am hearing daily improvements.<br>
<br>
I got him dressed and we slooooowly made our way downstairs. Like most toddlers, he's very easily distracted. He's also still mastering the stairs. While it would be so much easier and faster to pick him up, I hold his hand while he carefully takes one step at a time. We found out recently that he does know how to do it on his own if the handrail is low enough. He proved it at a playground and then again at a physical therapy evaluation. He still has some weakness in his torso/hips so he needs something low enough for him to reach so he can help himself push and pull to navigate the stairs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHneej6lMcMX-O9ssUhEUH5DZUYG7JPehoWRQGnLiWWOMgnCQGcdLkgx4eJ5Y9bDw1f_w0lXRkd_QT3g0liOrGEPrciD29VESn3FdQyqDtqFZGed0Wruok3OXTsUPV677EmrD6JvsjPhUO/s640/blogger-image--565234005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHneej6lMcMX-O9ssUhEUH5DZUYG7JPehoWRQGnLiWWOMgnCQGcdLkgx4eJ5Y9bDw1f_w0lXRkd_QT3g0liOrGEPrciD29VESn3FdQyqDtqFZGed0Wruok3OXTsUPV677EmrD6JvsjPhUO/s320/blogger-image--565234005.jpg" width="252"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCSfPoO5nQ6DjGuA4oS5rvAV6UfeP1yBxA7jY8s-ow2BShBmETF4Sv6I5qqDLa6yONj2sCm6DOLN1de3OKyIV7mQzyTICSYndqWtiMh1065dMMja_uT-xXDL0sw4kNTezdAsGgU0nu9IP/s640/blogger-image-1267926483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCSfPoO5nQ6DjGuA4oS5rvAV6UfeP1yBxA7jY8s-ow2BShBmETF4Sv6I5qqDLa6yONj2sCm6DOLN1de3OKyIV7mQzyTICSYndqWtiMh1065dMMja_uT-xXDL0sw4kNTezdAsGgU0nu9IP/s320/blogger-image-1267926483.jpg" width="240"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Once downstairs, I threw a allergy friendly waffle in the toaster and worked on making myself a scrambled egg with veggies. He requested "faafer" on his waffle which in his world means syrup. I have no idea why or how but that's how it comes out. Megatron is a very slow eater usually. He takes his time so I'm usually chomping at the bit to get other things done. Today he started saying "mow siyen nigh" which is <i>obviously</i> "more silent night." He loves that song! It's probably because it's one of the few lullaby-like songs I can sing off the top of my head without any music to prompt me. I've been singing it to him since he was an infant. Well now that it's Christmastime, he's hearing much MUCH better versions of it and has taken a liking to Kelly Clarkson's version that I found on YouTube. So while he rocked out to Silent Night and ate his waffle, I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. I stopped briefly when his immunosuppressant alarm on my phone went off. I gave him the capsule (which he still chews, and thus why I worry about his teeth).</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br>
Once he was finished, I wiped him off and set him down to play while I ran upstairs and brushed my teeth. Once I came back down, I grabbed his diaper bag and my wallet and loaded the car with the bag and the boxes of things to donate. I had to chase him down to get his shoes on but soon we were out the door.<br>
<br>
I dropped off the boxes at the donation place and then we headed for the
library. Megatron recognizes the parking lot and immediately starts
saying his version of "library" immediately followed up with "puppy,
naanee door," which is "button, magic door." Another one of those weird
toddler things. Button always comes out sounding like puppy. Anyways,
he loves pushing the handicap button to open doors and he's starting to
remember which places have buttons. So he knew just by the parking lot
that he was going to get to push the "puppy." We had a couple minutes
to spare before toddler story time started so I grabbed a couple books
for him and the he helped me "pay" for them (that's what he calls it at
least). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50LIt-n6EJEd_O5LDWWq-zo4O_OB9LuQQ2-9uH0IsQZr-h6KSg5sFycn-yxPPRVKnr9BRnThuuOGegQrjnlFhoBk69ANj1MKaK9GHRpYMW34K8Ya4PolSnAz8cyJd7hJ8mGr08gcUGjTB/s200/blogger-image-1719900128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="166"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the blue tape on the floor? Kids aren't supposed to cross that line so there are always parents fetching little ones who are standing right under the librarian's toes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
He did great at story time but he did NOT want to get back into the car. And getting a toddler into a car seat who doesn't want to be in a car seat is like a round of WWE. We press onward. We stop at Batteries Plus to see if they can replace the battery in my car key fob. I didn't realize how dependent I was on that thing to lock and unlock my car until it quit working. And after only making a couple stops and circling the car about 12 times to get the kid in and out, I was annoyed that Batteries Plus was a priority. While they worked on my key, I sorted the dead batteries into their recycle bins. All while trying to keep Megatron from eating any batteries or knocking over any displays. We had to wait what felt like an eternity in toddler minutes so he was restless. And then he started to swing at me to show his frustration. While I fully understand his hitting is usually because he's frustrated and doesn't have the self control or vocabulary to manage his frustration, we have a zero tolerance policy for hitting. It didn't matter that we were in the middle of Batteries Plus but home boy got a time out. He had to sit down against their front windows for 2 minutes while he pulled it together and told me he was sorry.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Once that fun was over and my key was working (thank you, jayzus for technology!), it was back in the car. I had one last Christmas gift to buy and the only place I could get what I needed was the mall. Boy do I hate the mall. But it couldn't be avoided so I planned it for a weekday morning with hopes that it would be a very quick trip. We ended up entering the mall right were Santa was and there wasn't a line so I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. We walked up and a lady showed me a laminated card and asked me which package we'd like to purchase. $24.99 for the cheapest package which only included 2 prints? Hell no. I asked if Megatron could just say hello and she said "of course, it's always free to just talk to Santa. But no personal cameras or cell phones." Well Merry Christmas. So Megatron walked up, gave Santa a high five and started screeching about the "yayayo," which he caught sight of behind Santa. Santa was obviously confused so I translated, "He wants to ride that escalator behind you. In fact, that's probably all he would like for Christmas is to ride the elevators and escalators all day." "Ho, Ho, Ho." And we went on our merry way. The mall was dead so I left the stroller at the bottom of the escalator and I made my kid's day by riding up and then right back down the escalator. Oh to be so easily entertained. We busted through the mall, picked up the gift and got the heck out of there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlJ2o2x90GT38j-_E8Pkt3LiLHlHBOyNNjN88Wsvr0aJ4uNUxZLhJKFroHj9STYVctARB7iq0dEekVSv6iWkoTmknCc5hs4zg-rDPY-OrxpNLG9hLD9dxeLFG7ZiMnr8bV7a-fAyup5tz/s640/blogger-image-343874573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlJ2o2x90GT38j-_E8Pkt3LiLHlHBOyNNjN88Wsvr0aJ4uNUxZLhJKFroHj9STYVctARB7iq0dEekVSv6iWkoTmknCc5hs4zg-rDPY-OrxpNLG9hLD9dxeLFG7ZiMnr8bV7a-fAyup5tz/s320/blogger-image-343874573.jpg" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eehrmagawd, mama!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
On our way home I realized I still needed to pick up all of his meds from the pharmacy and that I really didn't want to have to go back out after his nap. So it was off to CVS, our second home. I'm usually there twice a month still. They know us well, except for the newest pharmacist, who even though he's been there for several months, still doesn't know us and always forgets to put the stoppers in the med bottles. Without them, I can't accurately dose his meds. I go bat sh$# crazy if I make it all the way home before I realize they aren't in the bag. After double checking everything before we left the counter, it was BACK in the car and we headed for home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was fairly late so I was in a rush to get lunch on the table. And in the time it took me to reheat some leftovers for both of us, Megatron received not one but TWO time outs. The second came as I tried to put him in his booster seat and he hit me for no apparent reason. Sigh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbQRv3lh5Y36V7duSJvbGxTRiKGUMRcMHXcCN4Yx9_A5NMMHKatfUC5mNmg5dCr_dAp8PrFY8NoZ3GpCTZZhgHSzIY-Cv8JaICVJ0u3UYoiWEfuEea5cZZH6VJTxZKrl_E7TGLvEzppBq/s640/blogger-image-25397942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbQRv3lh5Y36V7duSJvbGxTRiKGUMRcMHXcCN4Yx9_A5NMMHKatfUC5mNmg5dCr_dAp8PrFY8NoZ3GpCTZZhgHSzIY-Cv8JaICVJ0u3UYoiWEfuEea5cZZH6VJTxZKrl_E7TGLvEzppBq/s200/blogger-image-25397942.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time out with his bib on. And no, he doesn't always just sit still. I'm often putting him back where I sat him and biting my tongue so I can keep with my Super Nanny time out method.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We ate lunch without incident and once we were done, he ran off to play while I cleaned up the kitchen and sorted through his meds and put them away. I gave Megatron a warning that we would be going upstairs in a few minutes so he knew that nap time is imminent. Yeah. The warning didn't work because a few minutes later, he was very uncooperative when it came to heading upstairs (usually he goes right up). He hit me yet again and that was enough for me. I was over him completely. I wrestled him in his SleepSack (a wearable blanket for those don't know) and put him in his crib without reading a story, which sent him over the edge. He carried on screaming and crying for probably 10 minutes (Which for him, is a long time. His hissy fits are usually very short lived) before he fell asleep.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJzjpIma2Ma9HRaPK_PFCDZ_bKoqAKQE9PGkLfMoA1elrxiv3FODCm1RDVIWdZqoyeginrRNiQOzd4fB16cXakfq_0zwh4N0cI_shZbO84McCx3BHdKoRq6UYzsAp-AghhNy8T4vtRpVs/s1600/blogger-image-1485317236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJzjpIma2Ma9HRaPK_PFCDZ_bKoqAKQE9PGkLfMoA1elrxiv3FODCm1RDVIWdZqoyeginrRNiQOzd4fB16cXakfq_0zwh4N0cI_shZbO84McCx3BHdKoRq6UYzsAp-AghhNy8T4vtRpVs/s200/blogger-image-1485317236.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I took a breather and checked my e-mail and Facebook before getting back to my to-do list. First I noticed something in the living room. The LittlePeople school bus was in the ball pit and it reminded me of T<a href="http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/">he Magic School Bus</a> and my imagination took my back to 3rd grade and I wanted to see if Ms. Frizzle was driving. Who's with me?? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YKmw2br_tORYVjGIhGXlu4mqENzqpY9URL4-1FTP8zRK7kCm7WEyyX6tsOKLNGMmVjc2KMERwKq19dY5WEJrITyzP4mfNl9sAtl9aFs4mGD-Tuoi8YF1nEEJe9mype-AqccZL44fWMYK/s1600/magic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YKmw2br_tORYVjGIhGXlu4mqENzqpY9URL4-1FTP8zRK7kCm7WEyyX6tsOKLNGMmVjc2KMERwKq19dY5WEJrITyzP4mfNl9sAtl9aFs4mGD-Tuoi8YF1nEEJe9mype-AqccZL44fWMYK/s320/magic.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I snapped out of it and went to the basement to deal with the laundry again. I also cleaned the litter boxes while I was down there. I headed back upstairs to clean up a LittlePeople doll house that my brother's kids handed down to us. We were planning to give it to Megatron for Christmas (taking full advantage of the fact that he has no idea what new or used means). We decided it was going on close to 10 years old so it was due for a whole house scrub. Armed with hospital grade antibacterial wipes and q-tips, I went to it. I did stop at one point and realize how odd my life has turned out. I was scrubbing a LittlePeople toilet with a q-tip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiad9UfIYdFc_R5NyreVg-A8NfzOT3HaGQfoRe_3x1FohyAw9ETEsWSRRjCRO-FSNCdZCQF4dW3j6TC974Lp9Wgx8mjemIehR1xWmDJvqq1TNoiO6VAEDI_uqisPLnzXsgBPQoyCgYpgI/s640/blogger-image--1159264334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiad9UfIYdFc_R5NyreVg-A8NfzOT3HaGQfoRe_3x1FohyAw9ETEsWSRRjCRO-FSNCdZCQF4dW3j6TC974Lp9Wgx8mjemIehR1xWmDJvqq1TNoiO6VAEDI_uqisPLnzXsgBPQoyCgYpgI/s320/blogger-image--1159264334.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those LittlePeople live like animals!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>Once the house was spotless, I moved on to wrapping Christmas gifts. The cat decided to join me. Sometimes she also takes advantage of the kid-free time and will follow me around, stealing head scratches along the way. I took a quick break and ran to the basement to deal with laundry and cursed the dryer because for some reason it was taking forever to dry.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7kkvDlzgPbxrBFrcPf_UlbdY3U1QQN1HHQCOApwrAK4y2xK0gSOUrUXG_HCVYt83DbJ7O0r-eD-XpzJ6NT6AVEkQRbC5zBuT8BRm7vSabjKVwl63fhRzP3pMwMYgI1kRITQqmdMjuYL8/s640/blogger-image--1851431057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7kkvDlzgPbxrBFrcPf_UlbdY3U1QQN1HHQCOApwrAK4y2xK0gSOUrUXG_HCVYt83DbJ7O0r-eD-XpzJ6NT6AVEkQRbC5zBuT8BRm7vSabjKVwl63fhRzP3pMwMYgI1kRITQqmdMjuYL8/s320/blogger-image--1851431057.jpg" width="272"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the quiet before the next round of toddler tornadoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Megatron woke up and after a diaper change, we went downstairs. Sometimes he perks right up after a nap and is back to running at full speed. Sometimes he's not and today was a day like that. So I took advantage of him not trying to hit me and cuddled with him on the couch while he had a snack. I even turned on a show, which probably only happens a couple times a week. Or when I've been alone for 5 days straight, at my wits end and need a break and the TV buys me 10 minutes of quiet. Yup, 10 minutes is about all the TV is worth. Megatron just doesn't seem all that enthralled with TV. Now watching videos of himself on an iPhone, he will do just about anything you ask if watching iPhone videos is the reward.<br>
<br>
Even though I didn't want to skip out on cuddles, no one else was going to make dinner for us so it was up to me. I mixed up more formula for him and then I made myself a veggie pasta with zucchini and feta and then made him a allergy friendly veggie pasta with chicken. It's still a pain sometimes and it's always a lot of work, but I've been cooking Megatron's special meals for a year now so it's just part of the routine now. I try hard to have a couple meals that we can all eat but that doesn't happen often. I portioned his out and put most of it in the freezer to pull out on busy days.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb_HPHyuwa2zgGjKXRidaLuIW19mwdnWdjQaNkPsmf4qzsHdPk0BtcyVvx50K0GfwmUxLmfioPfZvz3fPYKqY613oK48ILlAr_rZ3XKWOZZbrCV1ijccjja46QeD31_2SEnQaSlqhtVQp/s640/blogger-image-1088494403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb_HPHyuwa2zgGjKXRidaLuIW19mwdnWdjQaNkPsmf4qzsHdPk0BtcyVvx50K0GfwmUxLmfioPfZvz3fPYKqY613oK48ILlAr_rZ3XKWOZZbrCV1ijccjja46QeD31_2SEnQaSlqhtVQp/s200/blogger-image-1088494403.jpg" width="150"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxf3csxZzEt1EebBP-Oh97MtkoUSCkg1H3QIUByDEjar0Tg8_BmhbWM3aXjK6dNokdskZIgdmwh1I3b_3y_GkecMZ6ddh5V4s2V8q69alUEtZtc_lAaxmOXbYY9sPMVnmgY5tedmYxEwTP/s640/blogger-image-1173148221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxf3csxZzEt1EebBP-Oh97MtkoUSCkg1H3QIUByDEjar0Tg8_BmhbWM3aXjK6dNokdskZIgdmwh1I3b_3y_GkecMZ6ddh5V4s2V8q69alUEtZtc_lAaxmOXbYY9sPMVnmgY5tedmYxEwTP/s200/blogger-image-1173148221.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br>
While making dinner, I had to chase both Megatron and the cat out of the kitchen multiple times. I hate having either under my feet while I'm cooking. Both must have sand in their ears because neither of them seem to get the point. <br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFzcUYAyeiVnyTFU40wZAJHA1qvFlUitHhXXOpfzqjDBOqiwQUqn5gEtVGHhyphenhyphen24ulAGVQMWuTWVeD2kbKsHzdVsKB8JTbPSmq2i3PixPUu6Adov5IehMEYzfBgayDtWYvDJM6_pwpATUU/s640/blogger-image-1451263997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFzcUYAyeiVnyTFU40wZAJHA1qvFlUitHhXXOpfzqjDBOqiwQUqn5gEtVGHhyphenhyphen24ulAGVQMWuTWVeD2kbKsHzdVsKB8JTbPSmq2i3PixPUu6Adov5IehMEYzfBgayDtWYvDJM6_pwpATUU/s320/blogger-image-1451263997.jpg" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, don't use the mesh strainer at my house without washing it first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We finally sit down to eat, which was uneventful. Megatron was taking his sweet time and while it might be "better" to just sit with him and let him finish, I'm a single parent more days than not. If I want to get any sleep at all, I have to be efficient. I feel like the pace slows down significantly when The Pilot is home. I start cleaning up my cooking mess and get the dishwasher loaded while Megatron and I chat about "noonoos" (noodles) and "mow mee" (more milk). Once he's done, I put his dishes in the dishwasher and then let him turn it on. He loves when I point to the buttons and then he is allowed to push them to turn it on. Since the kitchen is already cleaned up, I sit down with him in the family room and play with him for a little while. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We hear the dryer buzz so he comes down to the basement with me and "helps" me by taking everything out of the dryer and about 1/4 makes it into the clothes basket. We head back upstairs with the clean kitchen laundry (we hardly use paper towels so we have small towels that I made out of terry and flannel that we use to wipe counters down/dry fruits and veggies, etc). And for some reason, he starts to meltdown again. More hitting. More time outs. While he is in his various time outs, I fold the kitchen towels and start downloading a video on the iPad so I can watch something while I run on the treadmill. And by that point, I am counting down the minutes until he's in bed and I can go run. So much so that I take another breather and run up and put on my running clothes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I got him into his pajamas and then had to pin him to the floor to brush his teeth. Sigh. Some nights he sits and lets you brush his teeth without issue and then other nights you would think I was trying to pull his teeth out one at a time the way he screams and carries on. He calmed down once that was over and was sweet as pie as we go to his room and read some books. I put him in his crib without any trouble and then I'm off and running again. Literally.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I swapped out the laundry again and then jumped on the treadmill for 4 miles. And man did I need that run! Between dealing with him and his hitting all day and having been on my own for a couple days, I was drained. The run helped clear my head. I took a quick shower and dealt with laundry one final time. I managed to get it all done! Three baskets full of clean clothes are sitting in the hall way, which is the adult equivalent of getting a gold star. I'll wait until tomorrow to put everything away, as one whole basket goes to Megatron's room. Before bed, I dropped all of the pictures I took for the day into this blog post. And then it took me 2+ weeks to come back to it and write everything up. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kbAV_8GLnlBFyLM8nlRsMmpPO5Hw9VGCR4vMjtr-0XzYr61frF3rJ-KXsnD90SCdwvnKmTfDi8qISOa6BDPcN7Y6AqFK77gN5MTfBRKNJF0Wt3hCI5OdOqgQ-aWlsDQTwXqSnIHXx9yx/s640/blogger-image-1221338750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kbAV_8GLnlBFyLM8nlRsMmpPO5Hw9VGCR4vMjtr-0XzYr61frF3rJ-KXsnD90SCdwvnKmTfDi8qISOa6BDPcN7Y6AqFK77gN5MTfBRKNJF0Wt3hCI5OdOqgQ-aWlsDQTwXqSnIHXx9yx/s320/blogger-image-1221338750.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So that was what a day looks like now that Megatron's is 2.5. It's busy and exhausting. Which ultimately how most days have been since he's been born. Just with each stage, it's been busy and exhausting for much different reasons.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778678789173107387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-43792994814822328202015-11-24T22:59:00.000-05:002015-11-25T07:48:16.130-05:00Grow Megatron, Grow!<br>
We are coming up on a year since we eliminated egg, wheat, dairy, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish/shellfish, oranges and bananas from Megatron's diet due to his <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-fun-never-stops.html">GI issues</a>. It was such a huge learning curve for me to find safe food for him to eat. He was eating the same couple foods over and over until I finally caught up and found some resources online, at the library and from other "allergy moms." I've had a lot of fails but far more successes. And really, anything that is healthy, not overly processed and Megatron will actually eat is a success in my opinion. Know what else is a success? He recently weighed in at 27 pounds. He's still short but he grew 2 inches in 2 months over the summer. I'm obviously doing something right.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxc3LbL4Yk8AT4mP4WTU-vOMlz_Ru315XrI_t-0LRfpl7p1h7-uSMOZLd10dAluQYCsOO0QlN3K7JNA8S2HLmPjMlpY0UBBvhIfmLkHJyExQr5HKU8KK9rWv-f9kkDXA7WTYPbHnvQZrT/s1600/muffins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxc3LbL4Yk8AT4mP4WTU-vOMlz_Ru315XrI_t-0LRfpl7p1h7-uSMOZLd10dAluQYCsOO0QlN3K7JNA8S2HLmPjMlpY0UBBvhIfmLkHJyExQr5HKU8KK9rWv-f9kkDXA7WTYPbHnvQZrT/s200/muffins.JPG" width="177"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making allergy friendly pumpkin muffins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Something else that plays a huge factor into this? Megatron. He's usually drinking 20+ ounces of hypoallergenic formula each day, which the makes up for any deficiencies in his diet. He will also try anything I put in front of him. Seriously. He will take at least one bite of anything on his plate. It's rare though got him up refuse to take at least several bites of a new food. I've learned what those things are so I just avoid them if I can. And I think there may be an even bigger reason why he doesn't like those certain meals. He had a reaction to an orange once so we've just avoided them all together ever since. And now, if there is any lemon or lime juice in a recipe I've prepared, he won't eat it. I suspect that in addition to the taste, his body knows it doesn't like citrus. That's just my gut telling me that though. I'm not an MD, but I have a mom degree now and that's almost the same thing, right?<br>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tnEQiuFuJCyVbhh148a9ydEWBQmoRuE41s_urlpxRgGkEBdYTBCbAUj2xxPveMdWd94nnPX7FJTCJ778Wh4FXfyPFxNPRnP1rRKld7wl2hH2u42-G488fOpyboBZfzF-87U2dJuHuuCj/s1600/sushi1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tnEQiuFuJCyVbhh148a9ydEWBQmoRuE41s_urlpxRgGkEBdYTBCbAUj2xxPveMdWd94nnPX7FJTCJ778Wh4FXfyPFxNPRnP1rRKld7wl2hH2u42-G488fOpyboBZfzF-87U2dJuHuuCj/s200/sushi1.JPG" width="150"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging into that cucumber/avocado roll!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everything else though, he chows down. He doesn't seem to have a favorite food either. Some days he will eat his weight in one food (recently, it was green beans. I'm not kidding, for two days in a row I had to get him a second serving of green beans and even had to bribe him "if you eat more rice, you can have more green beans" actually came out of my mouth) and then other days he picks and chooses from his options or hardly eats more than a couple bites. Just like any toddler from what I hear from my friends. <br>
<br>
A recent discovery that
Megatron will eat? Vegetable sushi. The Pilot made some for himself
while I was away (I actually went on a mini vacation by myself!!) and
then we ordered it to-go from a local Japanese restaurant and Megatron
dug in! Watching him eat it is pretty entertaining too.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Feeding him has gotten easier and easier with one exception. Eating out in a restaurant. I have to pack his meal and take it with us. Sometimes I've called ahead or asked the waiter when we arrive about very specific menu items (that I have scoped out in advance on the restaurant's website.) to check ingredients but more often than not, there isn't any safe food in a restaurant. That's hard. Sometimes if we are rushing around and getting home late, it would bee nice to just stop somewhere to pick up something. Social gatherings revolve around food and sometimes its easier to avoid those situations rather than make sure I have a cooler full of his food with me. That's been a hurdle I've really tried hard to get over because if I avoided these situations, we'd never leave the house and Megatron would turn into an even weirder kid for sure.<br>
<br>
One thing I've done a couple times when I'm just tired or out of
ideas, is go to Giant Eagle or Whole Foods and hit up the salad bar.
This can be off limits for a lot of people with allergies but Megatron
doesn't seem affected by trace amounts of his off-limits foods. We
regularly feed him food that is labeled that it is processed in a
facility with wheat, nuts, etc. Some people can't even do this.
Because of this, I can select safe foods off a salad bar: lettuce,
carrots, peas, bell peppers, beans. Everything is usually already bite
sized so I can take it home, add a few other safe foods and call it a
meal. I don't do this often so it seems like a novelty to Megatron, who
spends a lot of time playing with all the individual pieces but he
eventually eats enough.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEf5SktfpfKNK2M_132OmYHTSb63ouDrj-Q8X2RvkY9liLTy5mJkoNPOTF9CaFmAn_XL9WKo4BKo0hxNS1ccvmU_DdnBj5w5yzvSPJcd-O9cEsaSyjrGuCwNgAvoJZ8GB2xcy31wbqUlo/s1600/wholefoods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEf5SktfpfKNK2M_132OmYHTSb63ouDrj-Q8X2RvkY9liLTy5mJkoNPOTF9CaFmAn_XL9WKo4BKo0hxNS1ccvmU_DdnBj5w5yzvSPJcd-O9cEsaSyjrGuCwNgAvoJZ8GB2xcy31wbqUlo/s400/wholefoods.JPG" width="266"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whole Foods date night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had anxiety about Halloween too. We participated in the <a href="http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project#.VlUat14d43M">Teal Pumpkin Project</a> and handed out non-food items (temporary tattoos, pens, glow bracelets, stickers) but unfortunately no one else on our street happened to participate. It's not a huge deal yet since Megatron doesn't fully understand. And it's not like I would have let him eat a bag of candy anyways. There are a few safe candy options out there but in my opinion, a 2 year old doesn't need to be eating candy yet. He doesn't know what it is, so he doesn't try to beg for it anywhere. I'll keep it that way for a little while longer. There's also fine line between teaching him healthy eating habits but also letting him enjoy special treats for special occasions, Halloween being one of them. I did end up taking him to several houses up and down our street and while he has no idea what candy is, I told him to ask the neighbors for a treat and once he understood that they would give him something, he really got into it. He walked around a lot longer than I thought he would. But when we got home and I sorted through his treats, I realized he couldn't eat anything in his bag. Not one piece. Again, I wasn't really planning to give him any candy, but I won't lie, my heart sank a little. If the food restrictions stick around indefinitely, it makes me worry for how to handle this as he gets older. What do we do when there is a class party at school? Or a birthday party? I can easily keep myself awake at night thinking about things like this. It's a rabbit hole that I try very hard to stay out of. But with Halloween, I had my head in the hole for sure. I had prepared though (because that's what I do) and when we came inside, I dumped the candy out his little bag and gave him a safe cookie. He was so happy with that cookie too. It was past bedtime (he still goes to bed at 7 so tick or treat was still in full swing at that point) and there he was, still awake, wearing his costume, and eating a cookie. Of course he was happy! What kid wouldn't be? My mom and I took one for the team and ate his Halloween candy after he was in bed. :)<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBHewJo4jCnEO0lkeKkz8Qi2dFbtYVjBhu_IZOJO76Ln-dbS7NCmXZZN8bOmt3AwK_jF26vjlosozA6jQLnF_L9ydGUOUHd6IN_wgIpfKHET7sf9hSoj6Z4c336JU3nrPsAYd4rLbAjcF/s1600/halloween2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBHewJo4jCnEO0lkeKkz8Qi2dFbtYVjBhu_IZOJO76Ln-dbS7NCmXZZN8bOmt3AwK_jF26vjlosozA6jQLnF_L9ydGUOUHd6IN_wgIpfKHET7sf9hSoj6Z4c336JU3nrPsAYd4rLbAjcF/s320/halloween2.JPG" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Ewok with his bag of treats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-RW4rBlvagklU9ljIqmx7_-kMBmcT-VNENF4_7QKdbsEQOKhL0r6yfQoBJQJjD5cMzfLJ1AwNO0uJ8yr8M_ZWj0PfdzrHARI6ykDaI8QsolUJ3tHg0uni8RAHviQCCowXDoT0rlprypN/s1600/halloween1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-RW4rBlvagklU9ljIqmx7_-kMBmcT-VNENF4_7QKdbsEQOKhL0r6yfQoBJQJjD5cMzfLJ1AwNO0uJ8yr8M_ZWj0PfdzrHARI6ykDaI8QsolUJ3tHg0uni8RAHviQCCowXDoT0rlprypN/s320/halloween1.JPG" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having his post trick-or-treat cookie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Now that it has been a year on this restricted diet, and the fact that he's 2 (kind of a magic age for kids who have allergies they are going to outgrow), we are going to start the process of food challenges. We recently had his blood work tested to see if there were any changes from last December. He stills shows allergies to nuts and some other things but there was no presence of allergy to egg or dairy. That doesn't mean he's NOT allergic but it certainly makes it less likely. So next month we will go to the allergy clinic and he will be fed a very small piece of egg. They will wait awhile for a reaction. If none, they will give him a larger piece, then they wait longer. If no reaction, he will get a "full" serving and then they wait again. They told us to allow 4 hours for the entire process. Doesn't that sound pleasant, with a toddler? I'm anxious and excited and nervous for it. I'm trying to have NO expectations but honestly, I'm expecting him to have NO reaction while in the clinic. While I am trying to be optimistic, I'm also afraid that a week or more after the food challenge, he's going to start vomiting mass amounts and will need Zofran and Prednisone to make it stop. That's what happened the last time he ate wheat. I have some anxiety that he won't even want to eat the egg (we are planning to not let him eat anything else all morning so he will, at minimum, be hungry). He is a toddler after all and if they don't want to eat, you can't really make them. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that he cooperates and that he passes the challenge. If he passes, we will try another food three weeks later. <br>
<br>
I naively thought that Megatron's liver disease would be our only hurdle but as I have now lived first-hand and have seen with other post-transplant families, there are often secondary issues. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG), the reason for the food restrictions, is one of Megatron's additional hurdles. Going hand in hand with that food issues is a sensitivity to his own bodily secretions. His own saliva, tears, sweat, and snot all give him eczema. Guess what? Toddlers drool and cry a lot. They don't know how to blow their noses. Tasty! But, so far these have been very manageable hurdles. So what if he sometimes eats some strange concoctions. He eats healthier than a lot of adults I know. So what if his face and hands get all red and splotchy for two days after he's had a day full of crying tantrums or if he breaks out all over his face because of a cold. Despite the hurdles, he's here, he's growing and thriving! I really don't think a parent can ask for more of a toddler.<br>
<br>
When he was first diagnosed, I was so upset. I literally sobbed the second I hung up the phone with the doctor when she told me to eliminate the top 8 allergens from his diet. I've cried A LOT since then also. I remember before all the vomiting started that I was thankful he didn't have food allergies because I was overwhelmed enough with taking care of his post-transplant needs. Ha! Joke was on me. But there has been an unexpected result of Megatron's restricted diet. I'm starting to feel more confident as a parent. I'm finally starting to realize that my gut is hardly ever wrong when it comes to Megatron. That's been true from the start of this journey. I've also learned that a parent's love for their child has the potential to bring out the very best in that parent.<br>
<br>
I'm going to toot my own horn for a minute because it's important. I
need to tell myself that I am totally nailing this special needs
parenting gig. Because there are days when I know I fail. There are
days when I think I'm failing but I'm not really, it just feels that way. There are some days where I'm just way too hard on myself. I need to remind
myself that I have most certainly risen to the challenge of raising this
kid and keeping him healthy.<br>
<br>
You know who ordered the allergy lab work a year ago though? It was me. Megatron had been admitted to the hospital because he was vomiting so much that he was losing weight. We didn't know why. We had already tried some meds as well as had multiple other tests done but still didn't know why he was vomiting. An endoscopy was scheduled but while we were waiting for that to happen and as they started him on tube feedings to help him gain weight, I asked about food allergies. It had come up a several times but it was always deemed unlikely because he didn't have any issues prior to his abdominal closure surgery. The attending doctor during that hospital really didn't think that's what it was either because his only symptom was vomiting. But Megatron was vomiting 6 times a day and filling an emesis basin each time. He was IN the hospital with a feeding tube. We needed answers. I pushed harder and asked for a blood test. He reluctantly did it and sure enough, just as the endoscopy results were coming back (confirming the diagnosis of EG specifically), so were the blood test results. The results were all over the place but it told his medical team a lot, led them to put him on the restricted diet and it's because I pushed for it. <br>
<br>
I spend, at minimum, 2 hours a week researching food for him. Every week. For the last year. He not only eats a variety of foods, he eats healthy foods. With the exception of some fake cheese and fake pizza now and again, he eats almost nothing but whole/real, mostly unprocessed foods. I'm damn proud of that. So when we go to see someone on his medical team and they weigh and measure him, I hold my breath until they tell us what the measurements are. When the team is excited to see how well he's growing, I can breathe again. When he had a baseline endoscopy several weeks weeks ago and the results showed a big improvement over what it looked like back in January, I let out a sigh of relief. Not only is the diet working, but he's thriving too! And it's not a fluke. It's because I spend 2 hours a week researching. It's because I pushed for answers. Of course I sometimes yearn to give him some string cheese, graham crackers or a banana, and sometimes I'm sad that he might always be a little different and have to have a special treat during school parties, but then I get some reassurance from his medical team that he really is doing great. And I remind myself that that is all that matters. <br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhmwVj3U9PAKtv5otysuL7ctEwv6RAncjfdmaiYkArchYwnVMLkm6hNNzT3bpTeQces7m0_6EWRX7MrXsW0FQrwhXOTdjPH-hKtQCXqnM2M3B57wEpiU5_n5ZPlZtuiPaUNlhtcgqqPX4/s1600/12pounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhmwVj3U9PAKtv5otysuL7ctEwv6RAncjfdmaiYkArchYwnVMLkm6hNNzT3bpTeQces7m0_6EWRX7MrXsW0FQrwhXOTdjPH-hKtQCXqnM2M3B57wEpiU5_n5ZPlZtuiPaUNlhtcgqqPX4/s320/12pounds.jpg" width="213"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 pounds at 7 months old....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWymqHEmkjzRXw60fTntEKgD2RXKBgHr8FUSwOXaVVv_ecPa7h8S54JisotSfsPT2ra6bf6KprLtrk7YcjQ1CSd_GK8AAxfNHRmgn4BndGIj4orFOlrDbaNU5DBEemPnWrcagI_DUITC8/s1600/angel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWymqHEmkjzRXw60fTntEKgD2RXKBgHr8FUSwOXaVVv_ecPa7h8S54JisotSfsPT2ra6bf6KprLtrk7YcjQ1CSd_GK8AAxfNHRmgn4BndGIj4orFOlrDbaNU5DBEemPnWrcagI_DUITC8/s320/angel.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to 27 pounds at 28 months! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-14452714491782842142015-10-29T15:20:00.001-04:002015-10-29T15:20:27.984-04:00Band on the Run 5kDoesn't everyone run a 5k as their first post half marathon recovery run? Yeah. Not exactly sure what I was thinking when I registered for a 5k just 6 days after the Columbus half but you gotta get back to running at some point, right? <br />
<br />
Katy and I originally signed up for a local 5k but unfortunately it was cancelled but then a fellow teammate, Lisa, let us know about another race called Band on the Run. A 5k to raise money for a local high school's music boosters. I got past the fact that it was for a high school that was my alma mater's biggest rival and registered anyways.<br />
<br />
It was also going to be my first time running a 5k while pushing the stroller. I've walked two 5ks with Megatron but I've never run. Always being competitive with myself, I had to look up what my <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2012/08/2012-defend-your-friend-5k.html">previous 5k time</a> was before the race started. I wasn't planning to go all out but given how much I've improved this year, and knowing that my last 5k was probably pretty slow, I couldn't help but keep that time in mind when the race started. <br />
<br />
It was a really small race and started next to a playground so Megatron was a happy kid! There was even a kids' kazoo march right before the 5k. They even had bibs for the little ones so I think this qualifies as Megatron's first official "race" on his own 2 feet. The high school marching band leds the kids just around the playground for a few minutes while playing their school's fight song. Megatron was so confused. Haha. Once it was done, I think he was perfectly content to get into the stroller and out of the wind. I gave him his immunosuppressant at 9 am like always, right as it was time for the race to start (we are getting good at taking meds on the go!). He had his breakfast and sippy cup so he was ready to sit back and relax!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61umouEavGBTfXGsrE1ruz1tHFEGs8WMB99PE9whhkPEu2eccPcsetO3HLoVDS6mB26UQWg1C95URGvLiJxEVTLTP7fizjNm2SvrCybk4e_tDQxCEfj3iVS0vpW3HycR1AMOFrPTS8b73/s1600/11231152_10206784730830172_6546287985291703724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61umouEavGBTfXGsrE1ruz1tHFEGs8WMB99PE9whhkPEu2eccPcsetO3HLoVDS6mB26UQWg1C95URGvLiJxEVTLTP7fizjNm2SvrCybk4e_tDQxCEfj3iVS0vpW3HycR1AMOFrPTS8b73/s320/11231152_10206784730830172_6546287985291703724_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with his buddy Katy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HHLXMLXmwAYNB8IL6BTBjkPdeiXQvA2L6crEWMoVQuQ2vAv4344rJP4Ed-eznKRN4iRnZnjN20zinp_MoYj7rQDqai_VOsY21kesfBv0HquP6aGCLCd7X00xMaFkHvRl3fhSo1mZDIQ2/s1600/10524736_10206784730550165_2502149720183656147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HHLXMLXmwAYNB8IL6BTBjkPdeiXQvA2L6crEWMoVQuQ2vAv4344rJP4Ed-eznKRN4iRnZnjN20zinp_MoYj7rQDqai_VOsY21kesfBv0HquP6aGCLCd7X00xMaFkHvRl3fhSo1mZDIQ2/s320/10524736_10206784730550165_2502149720183656147_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The high school bank warming up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrnrUQ6SR6a7JYqvgjrGcDHHQd1myPm0x2CjrriZfTtZSmfC9NCRj0b0dnZ5AdvuG5m9VUo4SauDrR9Ru5QYacu7gsN0GHMfVKkgrC6VZATzCFWsITIAbtYCFjgkM7btpbTuLfK9mXZXP/s1600/12038158_10206784731350185_396897177405040423_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrnrUQ6SR6a7JYqvgjrGcDHHQd1myPm0x2CjrriZfTtZSmfC9NCRj0b0dnZ5AdvuG5m9VUo4SauDrR9Ru5QYacu7gsN0GHMfVKkgrC6VZATzCFWsITIAbtYCFjgkM7btpbTuLfK9mXZXP/s320/12038158_10206784731350185_396897177405040423_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kazoo in hand, ready to "race!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got started and instantly, me, Katy and Lisa were whining. None of us had done anything since the Columbus half so we were all stiff. We plugged along though, taking in the fall scenery, and hoping the skies wouldn't open up. It was threatening raining and while Megatron had the weather shield over the stroller, I still felt like I'd get some stares if I was out running in the pouring rain with a toddler. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmH77vjx8d8-haRKkh3Ya0OAof-gcnqOU0JvIj22mVbKWC0vjQV0URf1EqExqBs1Zji26wKwI-SjLWpQv7CLigzg0DYbixuz38yiIglcwlmAMKkozr7rzUdTzLxjNZz__5e9abGzEl5X7/s1600/12065711_10206784731550190_1522408956061515644_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmH77vjx8d8-haRKkh3Ya0OAof-gcnqOU0JvIj22mVbKWC0vjQV0URf1EqExqBs1Zji26wKwI-SjLWpQv7CLigzg0DYbixuz38yiIglcwlmAMKkozr7rzUdTzLxjNZz__5e9abGzEl5X7/s320/12065711_10206784731550190_1522408956061515644_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leaves are just hitting their peak colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AuCJGkdowKqq8iJuOLwhNBH0NK44IPu_wLxrB6jloMD1z8l6irI9DRqcjp0v2O0rD70jDIy4ySlgN-mLn1eAbioi2NNiFQrJhyphenhyphen5qyQKm0vEEFf1qmFW37SUvFMxQgnSa4o5NVLdOTOO6/s1600/12038500_10206784731870198_1141034923676165699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AuCJGkdowKqq8iJuOLwhNBH0NK44IPu_wLxrB6jloMD1z8l6irI9DRqcjp0v2O0rD70jDIy4ySlgN-mLn1eAbioi2NNiFQrJhyphenhyphen5qyQKm0vEEFf1qmFW37SUvFMxQgnSa4o5NVLdOTOO6/s320/12038500_10206784731870198_1141034923676165699_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action selfie! I love this picture so much! Such happy people!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we made our way through the last mile, there were two men ahead of us. They had a run stroller with them but the toddler had gotten out of the stroller. She was up on her dad's shoulders for awhile. Then they tried to put her back in. Nope. Then she was out walking. Nope. She was then being carried. As we gained on them and then passed the guy pushing the stroller, I joked that it wasn't fair for him to beat me since he was pushing an empty stroller. We could see the finish line and I know Katy and Lisa were grumbling as I picked it up a little. Oops. The dad started to run faster...while carrying the little girl. So I started to run faster. As did the guy pushing the empty stroller. There we were, having a "sprint" to the finish. Two dudes, two strollers, two toddlers and me. It felt ridiculous. Haha! I backed off and ultimately the guy with the kid finished before me but I did beat the guy with the empty stroller. There was even a <a href="https://youtu.be/zaAsaiywYaE">finish line video</a>. Check it out starting around 20:21. You can see the guy carrying the little girl, another guy, then me and Megatron (with me in the blue jacket and white hat), then the guy with the empty stroller and then Katy and Lisa, who were probably rolling their eyes at my back. Haha.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHYdsmIAXFHii8k1_Nf1dqwq5BWRdNAJqzWHToe_5vl_NJDimNP-A8UN5NK_mDl0eihAbIx05f5TOPiRMDe-wx5qPC80PM33fWrCPSA57Cvipw_Ktp_DfaQBH9rzZliEH-NykdjoRhoJ4/s1600/12046858_10206784732230207_2836897703085798863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHYdsmIAXFHii8k1_Nf1dqwq5BWRdNAJqzWHToe_5vl_NJDimNP-A8UN5NK_mDl0eihAbIx05f5TOPiRMDe-wx5qPC80PM33fWrCPSA57Cvipw_Ktp_DfaQBH9rzZliEH-NykdjoRhoJ4/s320/12046858_10206784732230207_2836897703085798863_n.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megatron got a banana for all his hard work. Not really...he's actually allergic to bananas. He's a great sherpa though and likes to hoard things in his stroller.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And while all of that was happening, I pulled off a 5k PR. My 4th PR in a span of 6 weeks. I went from 41:42 more than 3 years ago (I hate 5ks, which is why I don't go many!) to 35:53....with a stroller! BIG TIME! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-83800468401199018172015-10-19T15:04:00.001-04:002015-10-19T15:06:49.805-04:002015 Columbus 1/2 MarathonSo you know how <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/10/broke-mans-half-marathon.html">I mentioned</a> I was wondering how fast I could run on a
flat course? Yeah, well... I ran another half marathon yesterday. The
Nationwide Children's Hospital full and Half Marathon in Columbus (aka, The Columbus 1/2 marathon). A
marathon that several years ago used to have the slogan, "flat and
fast." And suddenly I had the opportunity to do the sold out race. I
figured I'd give it a shot. Worst case scenario, my body wouldn't be
fully recovered from my race 2 weeks ago and I would just slow down and
have fun (Plan B). Plan A would play out with me hanging on for dear life. Kim, who helped pace me 2 weeks ago, was registered for the half as a
competitive race walker and was hoping to place within the competitive
walkers. She was aiming for a 2:30 finish. I just wanted under 2:40. I
decided to follow her and hang on as long as I could. I told her in
advance to drop my like a bad habit if I was weighing her down.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82t8gk5xs4WvVWo5t3XGXFLMgK69wQ4PzGJdvwgqsnvA7NB39KHxJ-4hhi4B0pAPwFskIzhps2SgG5Cyj3Dd_0ztbE5rOKYrld1XkWlrJcGCwFlu7vT73TJsjPwqovg5CncsC9ERHTe0K/s1600/cbus2015+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82t8gk5xs4WvVWo5t3XGXFLMgK69wQ4PzGJdvwgqsnvA7NB39KHxJ-4hhi4B0pAPwFskIzhps2SgG5Cyj3Dd_0ztbE5rOKYrld1XkWlrJcGCwFlu7vT73TJsjPwqovg5CncsC9ERHTe0K/s320/cbus2015+16.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever since my very first race back in 2005, I have laid out my clothes the night before, including pinning my number to my shirt so I don't forget it! Megatron wanted in on the "Flat Amber" picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My day started super early. 4:30 am. I ate, got dressed and made sure all of Megatron's meds and meals were listed out. The Pilot was home but had to leave at 8 am to go to work so my mom was coming over. I drew up meds and checked my lists for my mom before heading out around 5:45. My mom came over at 7:30 so The Pilot could sneak out of the house before Megatron woke up. If he sees The Pilot and then The Pilot leaves, it's bad news. Megatron gets hysterical so we try to avoid that scene whenever posible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlJM2zNKNo0H0Fp0Qht5JlVYzUfOXvzO-eSCBrQJ2U_UJFwmqFTWA6CKEP9Efj6xYq8wtbS8V-s6BZApXsIbi0SGdlf8qLsgG35dyHOKkYdISwoIg15Bmu316Sw8uuU-gnKufNjpOGWxV/s1600/Cbus2015+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlJM2zNKNo0H0Fp0Qht5JlVYzUfOXvzO-eSCBrQJ2U_UJFwmqFTWA6CKEP9Efj6xYq8wtbS8V-s6BZApXsIbi0SGdlf8qLsgG35dyHOKkYdISwoIg15Bmu316Sw8uuU-gnKufNjpOGWxV/s400/Cbus2015+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This group (along with a few others) raised over $16,000 for Habitat for Humanity this season! Never underestimate the power of like-minded runners. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY16zMo6dgPOVjbQB6Zm_V0dCxeZXQzem8Z7DWC0FG5PlcVEG4uk6xPaLKvDi9BTBCoeriu0OZm7x4WJSfSh-hgBrYFZzUeOgFZL5Y9cIoSrup9biXVhjER0s2KgvEymA51MqEPhdKCeqW/s1600/cbus2015+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY16zMo6dgPOVjbQB6Zm_V0dCxeZXQzem8Z7DWC0FG5PlcVEG4uk6xPaLKvDi9BTBCoeriu0OZm7x4WJSfSh-hgBrYFZzUeOgFZL5Y9cIoSrup9biXVhjER0s2KgvEymA51MqEPhdKCeqW/s200/cbus2015+13.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim, THE Competitive Walker was all ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our running group met up at 6:15 am. One of our team mates is with the
Columbus Police Department and was able to let us into the downtown
headquarters so we would have a warm place to hang out, with access to
bathrooms. It was wonderful! Though his colleagues were probably
wondering what kind of friends he has. Especially when I showed up
wearing this. Oh yes, I went all <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK8mJJJvaes">Macklemore</a> and wore a thrift shop bath robe. Which I personalized.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzYxZGJMU6tpFVuMNaEutdn_fXilN47ZM9dXKRCuY_l72cYVPOZSSpON4h1T4hn9e00_7FHBnMaB2JwBiz_WY-UjHxMM2mLWwBX0ByoowF05Zv6tXDUvgNBsE1A-8taxpPTvWR451RnJG/s1600/Cbus2015+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzYxZGJMU6tpFVuMNaEutdn_fXilN47ZM9dXKRCuY_l72cYVPOZSSpON4h1T4hn9e00_7FHBnMaB2JwBiz_WY-UjHxMM2mLWwBX0ByoowF05Zv6tXDUvgNBsE1A-8taxpPTvWR451RnJG/s320/Cbus2015+11.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxgyETqQUFd0mTXzl-KKkQAer3OUQeKX1dUIaeP_6MYQ0G3YAbi5JIQLMnqtxKpDxP7knAiWpVbgWxuLxNHIAN2B1nryq0tSqqVw3yVhSzStKxSwueUmw94saL-zD1fYW-tXjYcHQq3ml/s1600/Cbus2015+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxgyETqQUFd0mTXzl-KKkQAer3OUQeKX1dUIaeP_6MYQ0G3YAbi5JIQLMnqtxKpDxP7knAiWpVbgWxuLxNHIAN2B1nryq0tSqqVw3yVhSzStKxSwueUmw94saL-zD1fYW-tXjYcHQq3ml/s320/Cbus2015+12.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
It was cold! As in below freezing cold. This is the first cold snap of
the season so we haven't been animated yet. Plus, I still have done a
test run with a smaller size running tights so I had to wear capris
again. The robe was to keep me warm while we were waiting for the
start.<br />
<br />
The race started at 7:30 and everyone was divided into corrals based on anticipated finish time. It took us maybe 10-15 minutes before we
actually crossed the start line. This race is the exact opposite of the
Broke Man's Half. It has all the bells and whistles. And fireworks. We
were joking that they should skip the fireworks and just lower the cost
of the race. Can you tell we're all racing veterans?!? So jaded!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjOwQCM_ja4b-ob7T6UdH0qNuoTRNCCET-GLWBIhrwKsBaBs8eXwvssPq47IyTDkzEBPl9V0wGamjHrDNATyoEkbPxufE2VXJsmHA6NlUkWOgQ2RIpAsyT12a1UzEUOFt8-iUOslNJpES/s1600/Cbus2015+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjOwQCM_ja4b-ob7T6UdH0qNuoTRNCCET-GLWBIhrwKsBaBs8eXwvssPq47IyTDkzEBPl9V0wGamjHrDNATyoEkbPxufE2VXJsmHA6NlUkWOgQ2RIpAsyT12a1UzEUOFt8-iUOslNJpES/s320/Cbus2015+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party in Corral C!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kim, Kat, Samantha, John and I all stuck together. Kat and John were planning to pace Kim and of course I was along for the right. I wasn't planning to but ended up wearing the robe over the start line
and kept it on for about just shy of a mile! Once the race started and
we weren't jammed into the corral with 20,000 people, it was COLD! I
finally warmed up a little and was about to toss it when Samantha decided she wanted to
try on the amazeballs bathrobe. I shimmied out of it and she slid into
it with such ease that you would have though it was choreographed. A
guy behind me was laughing at our little dance.<br />
<br />
It was about that same time that someone came up behind me and asked if I
was Amber. I looked and said yes but she didn't look familiar. I did a
quick search in my brain but couldn't pull up her face in my memory. She then said
that she reads the blog! Haha. So if that was you and you are reading
this, I hope you had a great race! I then squealed to my friends "I
thought my mom was the only one who read my blog!"<br />
<br />
We plugged along, trying to get warmed up. I was not feeling great. We
were running in the low 11s, fast for me, plus my gut was not happy.
It's been weird all week and I told my buddies that the only thing that
would hold me back from another PR was my intestines. By mile 4 I was
already thinking about dropping back. But I really didn't want to run 9
miles by myself. So I told myself, get to the half way point at least
and then slow down if you need to.<br />
<br />
Around mile 6 I let them know that I was probably going to drop back but
Kat was having none of it. She threw me her rope. She was actually
carrying a little piece of rope that our friend Krista gave to all of
our teammates. I grabbed on for a second and hung with them. We saw
some of our friends who were spectating/cheering/coaching. Because this
was Kim's big race, our friend Meg jumped into the course and literally
started chasing Kim, waving a cow bell at her. It was hilarious. The
other runners probably thought we were all nuts...which is true.<br />
<br />
Then again, just after mile 7, I really wanted to slow down so I gave them a heads up. And again, Kat, said no and took my hand and pulled me up
next to her. It was what I needed to stick closer to them for a little
longer. The longer I stayed with them, the faster I would go. But I
also had to keep checking in with my body to make sure I had enough in
me to actually finish!<br />
<br />
It was another mile or so that I realized where we were. The course had
changed slightly from last year and I hadn't noticed the change until I realized
Nationwide Children's Hospital was coming into view. We were coming up
along the opposite side as we did last year. That meant we would be
running along the entire length of the hospital campus. I was starting
to actually hurt at this point and yet again, wanted to drop back but I was
nervous about passing the hospital. I wanted to stick with my friends
just in case I needed a pep talk.<br />
<br />
It was such an emotional experience to run past the hospital. Everything
was starting to hurt at that point but I had to keep going. Because
Megatron kept going when things hurt last year.<br />
<br />
I feel like I know every corner of that building. We've spent more
inpatient days (about 40 nights) there than we have in Pittsburgh. And day
trips? I wouldn't be surprised if those are in the triple digits. We have been in inpatient rooms on the surgical unit, GI unit and very often, the PICU.
The GI clinic is our home away from home. I have found myself in the
emergency department, allergy clinic, imaging/ultrasound, interventional
radiology, hematology, mothers' rooms (for nursing/pumping) and a
classroom to learn home care for a central line and feeding tube/pump.
We've even been on the helipad on the roof. Twice. I think I've cried
in every bathroom, parent lounge, both cafeterias and both parking
garages.<br />
<br />
I'm super thankful that Kim, Kat and John were there because I might not
have felt as strong as I did. Instead of having a complete meltdown, I
simply took a second to look up at the windows on the 2nd (PICU) and
11th (GI) floors, where we spent our darkest days, and then just kept
moving.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSzu34OI0psau1FKtRQzviedlvbIVmMbQb3Ltuc56Lcb2MJk6ia-VzB5rUc71xsFgTCa-MI8a260-9KlOUShM2pCNU_JdOwK0h3iXa6XmSgUPUx8j3EywbSzp506kRCebN4REcsUFyqhu/s1600/Cbus2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSzu34OI0psau1FKtRQzviedlvbIVmMbQb3Ltuc56Lcb2MJk6ia-VzB5rUc71xsFgTCa-MI8a260-9KlOUShM2pCNU_JdOwK0h3iXa6XmSgUPUx8j3EywbSzp506kRCebN4REcsUFyqhu/s320/Cbus2015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Not one of mine or my friends' photos)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got to run right on past without having to go inside. Megatron sure
has been a fighter but yesterday I felt like I was the one conquering
that hospital!! I had the power this time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5_e2OGu43Zp0V7_B9V4CYuHhfp_f3rCxrKtUez8yIMFpqHJH0LDQkDWF6Bv1kRMsLfQtPzCNoDgBtIwL33-jx8ZwaboKwk1aX50TwZbBmgx5ipjnh4nyq9XQ0igNHoGMoHAI0SDKNDh_/s1600/Cbus2015+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5_e2OGu43Zp0V7_B9V4CYuHhfp_f3rCxrKtUez8yIMFpqHJH0LDQkDWF6Bv1kRMsLfQtPzCNoDgBtIwL33-jx8ZwaboKwk1aX50TwZbBmgx5ipjnh4nyq9XQ0igNHoGMoHAI0SDKNDh_/s320/Cbus2015+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take that NCH! I'm in charge today!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made it passed the hospital and I'm not sure if Kim kicked it into a
other gear as we passed the 9 mile marker or if I reeeeeally just needed
to slow down. I looked at my Garmin and realized we were running (well, she was walking of course) a
10:45 pace. Umm...no. I knew if I tried to hang on at that pace I
wasn't going to be able to finish. And that wasn't an option. I slowly
faded further and further back. Kim looked over her shoulder and I
waved her to keep going. I'm pretty certain she nodded and then kept
going. I am so friggin' proud of that girl! She's worked so hard to improve her race walk technique and gain overall strength. I was a very proud coach in that moment as I watched her take off!<br />
<br />
It was about mile 9.5 when I was on my own and I instantly started to
wonder if I could pull it off. I took my first walk break. It
wasn't a long break but man was it hard to get going again. My body was really
telling me that attempting another PR with just 2 weeks recovery was a
bad idea.<br />
<br />
Just before mile 11, I started thinking that certainly I would see some friends
spectating/coaching. I kept thinking Katy would pop out of the bushes to run me in. Then I was thinking about some friends who were spectating in that area last year and in my foggy
mental state, I just figured, "oh, they will be in the same place
again." Nope. Who knows why my brain thought they should still be
there (James and Susan, I was thinking about you!!! I was hoping I'd get
another stinging high five that I would feel in my hand for a half
mile. Haha!!).<br />
<br />
I was getting anxious for mile 11. Since the race benefits the hospital, each mile is represented by a patient of the hospital. It is so fun to see all of the kiddos out cheering for everyone. Side note, we
applied for Megatron to be a "champion" but he wasn't selected. Which
worked out because I'm not sure I would have run if he had been
selected. Anyways, mile 11 doesn't have a single patient representing that mile. Mile 11 is called the angel mile. It's for the patients
who have earned their angel wings. Their families and friends stand out
there with pictures of their kiddos who are no longer with them. It
breaks my heart. Even more so because we came so close to losing
Megatron. I also can't help but feel guilty that we got so lucky and
those parents have suffered the worst kind of loss there is in this
world. I cried for them. I tried to pull it together quickly so I
wouldn't forgot to breathe.<br />
<br />
Once I got into mile 12, I knew I had it in me to PR still. I just
needed to hang on. Luckily I saw a teammate who was spectating and she
jumped out onto the course with me for a couple blocks. It was sooo
nice to have a distraction. Then Samantha reappeared (she was coaching
so she dropped off at the 3 mile mark to catch up with some if the rest of the gang) and she ran with me up until there was less than a half mile to
go. I whined that I didn't have the kick to finish like I did at Broke
Man's. She looked at her watched and yelled at me that I didn't need
that much kick, I just had to hold on. She dropped off and I gritted
out that last little bit.<br />
<br />
Even though I remember how deceptive the finish area was from last year,
I still started to pick up the pace. Until I realized I was still
further away that I thought. I saw a sign for 1/4 mile to go. That
seems so short yet so long! I slowed down until I could actually <i>see</i>
the finish line and then I picked it up again to have a really strong
finish.<br />
<br />
I shuffled toward the medical tent and grabbed a handful of BioFreeze
and shoved my hands down my pants. No shame. My hips hurt so bad and
within a minute they were gloriously numb!<br />
<br />
I saw Kim and John nearby so I shuffled my way to them. I think Kim and I both asked each other "did you do it?!?" The answer was yes! She
got her 2:30 PR goal and my time? <b>2:34:21</b>! I took 7 minutes off my Broke
Man's time! That is a total of 15 minutes off my <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-walt-disney-world-12-marathon-race.html">2012</a> PR! Now THAT is
BIG TIME!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsNDTzEeHWpHBOPbJOuc5LZD3RslFMg0pZpwj4WVVGmjzrEm2BrhVtEsqIMAuFXWO-VUpXVX6IRaYNKGun3tanJH1QaXagLtS8f-jOD8AyIX7c71gjpGMgqniWWStv6McPifpMVplv28m/s1600/Cbus2015+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsNDTzEeHWpHBOPbJOuc5LZD3RslFMg0pZpwj4WVVGmjzrEm2BrhVtEsqIMAuFXWO-VUpXVX6IRaYNKGun3tanJH1QaXagLtS8f-jOD8AyIX7c71gjpGMgqniWWStv6McPifpMVplv28m/s320/Cbus2015+8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11:40 average pace?! Holy moly I've come a long way during this Big Time adventure! I started out hoping for a 12:40 average pace!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We shuffled our way out of the finishers area, after stopping to stay
hello to our friend (my tri coach!) who happens to be the finish line
director. I will say, of all the finish lines I've crossed, this one
is by far the best. The area is huge. No bottle necks. They hand you a
space blanket and then a bag to hold all of the goodies they pass out.
Chocolate milk, bananas, bagels. Even a box full of snacks!<br />
<br />
Kim stopped by a tent for the competitive walkers. Competitive walkers had to leave
their names and a special bib they had to wear. Unfortunately they said
it might take a couple days for the walker results to be posted.
Bummer!!<br />
<br />
We met up with our friends who were already finished and then I headed
off to find a bathroom. After running that fast and with a gut that was
already not feeling so hot at the start, I needed to go!! I found a
bathroom trailer (a trailer with stalls but is really just a fancy
portapotty) but the line was soooo long for the women's side.
Naturally. I got in line and it took me about a minute to realize there
was no line for the men's. Now if this was still in the athlete's area,
I wouldn't have thought twice about using the men's. I feel like most
men at races don't seem phased by sharing. Trouble was, this was in a
public area so there were spectators using the bathrooms also. I thought
it over but my insides answered for me. I hustled into the men's
bathroom. When I came out, I ran right into an older gentleman all
bundled up in a winter parka. Here someone's grandpa just got plowed
into by a girl, who was running out of the men's portapotty. I
apologized and ran out of there! Keeping it classy.<br />
<br />
Once I returned from my bathroom adventure, it was time for me and Kim
to officially celebrate our PRs. This race has what is known as the PR
gong. If you get a PR, they have an actual gong you get to hit! So much
fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhWEyVj7uyYAhAo5nxsTEyxpCbF2VjP0daYYstxMuydj_TMGtC3OLCVFvhUQx47OtOfSNkJgunqQp9dgopLndgpS861M51_eEh6FR4QXKfkLrE5IihovSvdBCUo8ZYj2yVCRnQnw_6rqa/s1600/cbus2015+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhWEyVj7uyYAhAo5nxsTEyxpCbF2VjP0daYYstxMuydj_TMGtC3OLCVFvhUQx47OtOfSNkJgunqQp9dgopLndgpS861M51_eEh6FR4QXKfkLrE5IihovSvdBCUo8ZYj2yVCRnQnw_6rqa/s400/cbus2015+7.JPG" width="311" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoZZlI79S-F_fM-VSMkEsY_wHKwiGGhSlsAOICscbWgXEnwHinwGyqScE_Mt6BEoX9a2-fwDg5kWAVe9mYkTHfSKrBMjqgPe-V2aI8F_rI1J9inRRTG76eeATVoZh9ekE7sqKoNMh61V_/s1600/Cbus2015+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoZZlI79S-F_fM-VSMkEsY_wHKwiGGhSlsAOICscbWgXEnwHinwGyqScE_Mt6BEoX9a2-fwDg5kWAVe9mYkTHfSKrBMjqgPe-V2aI8F_rI1J9inRRTG76eeATVoZh9ekE7sqKoNMh61V_/s200/Cbus2015+10.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sticker says "I hit the gong!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wanting to get home to relieve my mom of toddler duty, I headed for my
car. And quickly was wishing I had parked further away. I was too
close to the race course and because of the road closures, it took me 45 minutes to get from the
second floor of the parking garage out into the street because of the
traffic. Then another 25 minutes to get home. It's normally a 20
minute drive. By the time I got home, all of my muscles were so tight I
about rolled out of my car and onto the garage floor.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXBMN9ooZOPo5bS-sqQ1P7u92x3buViv0E5iSqp194bb6nE0eHwGZwz0hWP52DZ9fc7vMVYNt8PgRwipe_WGF9vWqLNvK0Em5V2x0oFnuwAWQeznDfJ3Y6dJqEc7_KvE0PFUeRSopi74g/s1600/Cbus2015+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXBMN9ooZOPo5bS-sqQ1P7u92x3buViv0E5iSqp194bb6nE0eHwGZwz0hWP52DZ9fc7vMVYNt8PgRwipe_WGF9vWqLNvK0Em5V2x0oFnuwAWQeznDfJ3Y6dJqEc7_KvE0PFUeRSopi74g/s320/Cbus2015+9.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super thankful for that box of snacks and the Jimmy John's sample sandwich I got at the finish. I munched while I waited in traffic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later in the afternoon, Katy and I commiserated together via text about our various aches and pains. And our "runger". You know, running induced hunger. Seeing that I earned 35 Weight Watchers points during the race (I usually only have 26 points for the day so I could eat an entire day's worth of points if I wanted to!), I ate whatever the heck I wanted for the rest of the day. So that means a trip to Arby's, which I haven't had in who knows how long. Definitely before Weight Watchers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXObunFI7vtwZ0SIX-xefCQOe0td3fkQ2AeEBZzyAGv_F-EVh3d9K8xl9Zq1_CrsO6UipeyXpFdRxZt11VLe4jNbqWqR5e-Cmlz3iHEU_J9zSd-v7FfPO7tBEYnpdPbDxJXNIgl7RDAjyn/s1600/Cbus2015+5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXObunFI7vtwZ0SIX-xefCQOe0td3fkQ2AeEBZzyAGv_F-EVh3d9K8xl9Zq1_CrsO6UipeyXpFdRxZt11VLe4jNbqWqR5e-Cmlz3iHEU_J9zSd-v7FfPO7tBEYnpdPbDxJXNIgl7RDAjyn/s320/Cbus2015+5.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
It was another amazing race weekend. I joked that the only way for me to
get some "me" time is to run a race. I think I need to come up with a
different hobby so my body can recover! One person who doesn't care how hard I worked or how tired I was? Megatron. After I got home and my mom left, I was on my own with Megatron. And man is it hard to keep up with a very busy little boy when your body is screaming to just lay on the couch and watch a movie. Once he was in bed for the night though, that is exactly what I did. It was a nice end to a great day!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_SXMTNCgZBVK40jfZY-LIDnQ-L0WWhGC5I2BGL4gt7fLmr3YDrXZzKAfP_A3J1wBXxPbwNZV6A4Dvnf1IS2crkHgELMruhwUK3TG4RGlQwjfRlqoQs9SNs5KEh2W5dZ5D078YU3nhjkv/s1600/Cbus2015+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_SXMTNCgZBVK40jfZY-LIDnQ-L0WWhGC5I2BGL4gt7fLmr3YDrXZzKAfP_A3J1wBXxPbwNZV6A4Dvnf1IS2crkHgELMruhwUK3TG4RGlQwjfRlqoQs9SNs5KEh2W5dZ5D078YU3nhjkv/s320/Cbus2015+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat on my lap, ice on my knees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-40202859477151071902015-10-07T20:03:00.000-04:002015-10-07T21:16:57.431-04:00Broke Man's Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The race I've been training hard for all summer long was this past weekend. It was called the Broke Man's Half Marathon and it's only the second year for it. It's an interesting concept. It's a bare bones race. No bells and whistles. No technical shirt, no shirt at all for that matter. No chip timing. Depending on when you registered, the price ranged from $10 to $25. Considering that the other local half marathons are way overpriced at $80-125, I was all about paying $12.50 including service charge! I will say that I'm glad this wasn't once of my first races because I think this kind of race is better for a more experienced walker/runner. That's just my opinion. There weren't any clocks or mile markers. I think the lack of mile markers would have made a huge difference to me several years ago. But now, I have my Garmin to tell me about where I am on the course and I'm not as reliant on the markers. There were only 3 water stops and they were cup free. They had water, but you had to have your own container. I always wear a Fuel Belt so that wasn't even a concern of mine. Though, if I didn't wear one and was trying for a fast time, having to stop to fill my bottle as opposed to just grabbing a cup and keep moving, would have been a bummer. It was also a narrow course, though for the most part, that wasn't a problem because the field was so small. The course wasn't closed either, so there were cyclists and other pedestrians out there. Pedestrians weren't a problem but the cyclists are something I don't normally have to be on the lookout for while doing a race. I think I went into the race with very low expectations for the race itself (not my performance obviously). I knew it was going to be bare bones and unlike any race I've done before. It was probably the smallest race I've ever done too (I think it was somewhere in the 250 people range). There were a few hiccups that I'll mention later but ultimately, it was a good experience and I would do it again. <br />
<br />
Finally after such a roller coaster of coming back after pregnancy, then all the time off when Megatron was sick and recovering, the weight loss, gain and then loss again and then falling apart at the Cap City half in May, everything seemed to fall into place. Saturday was a wet, cold, dreary day but Sunday's forecast was dry and cool. I fully expected it to be overcast and dreary again but it turned out to be the most beautiful racing weather. I couldn't have asked for better half marathon weather! Though the forecast confused me in terms of what to wear. It always does. You would have thought I'd never done this before because I was texting with friends the night before asking about what to wear. Will I be too hot? Too cold? Do I wear a trash bag at the start? Do I need a throw away shirt or gloves? So many options! I opted for short sleeves and took old tube socks to keep my arms warm, along with a trash bag to keep my core warm while waiting for the start. Capris were really my only option for my legs because capris are the only bottoms I have that fit currently (downside to losing weight is I keep finding that my clothes are too big and I don't have time or money to keep going to shopping) and have been "tested" for long distance runs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQm7k7u3nHcg-L1SMmb7c8X_g8uDM6J5HUd-k_04Hcfqw1rlLdnXnTwasO_8250QWIgErU6pleoAiufz-xiz73BSiMLFA9WeD2L16kgv0lRFt42K_nxt4-uoo9IZXiWnsDHuoWu2mcDfR/s1600/k12091437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQm7k7u3nHcg-L1SMmb7c8X_g8uDM6J5HUd-k_04Hcfqw1rlLdnXnTwasO_8250QWIgErU6pleoAiufz-xiz73BSiMLFA9WeD2L16kgv0lRFt42K_nxt4-uoo9IZXiWnsDHuoWu2mcDfR/s320/k12091437.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't even bother to cut the toes off the socks...but realized the flaw in that was that I couldn't give the thumbs up with my sock on my arm. First world problems.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNoDtA-H0bqVO8qjKRGjj8word1wa0O8q43bKDsJEzR5_MuNjMj1buXcVVm_3wuu52x0lUgo5d22kMfw8s5Cdxoz7bmGAeqGCbNpXDXX-1s43IIU20vmzYCE8YYJZA5cag4cl0FPO8yYT/s1600/12144799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNoDtA-H0bqVO8qjKRGjj8word1wa0O8q43bKDsJEzR5_MuNjMj1buXcVVm_3wuu52x0lUgo5d22kMfw8s5Cdxoz7bmGAeqGCbNpXDXX-1s43IIU20vmzYCE8YYJZA5cag4cl0FPO8yYT/s320/12144799.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since I was wearing my Recycle Yourself shirt, I also wanted to take my Elias along for the ride. I wore a ribbon for him as well as a ribbon for Cillian, a little boy who recently earned his angel wings while waiting for a liver. These strong little boys would be my inspiration for when the race got tough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I met up with my friends around 7:30 am. We all ended up parking in the exact same place so we wandered over to the starting area to find the bathrooms. Here was the first hiccup. There are two public restrooms in the park where the race was held. The women's restroom had 4 stalls. Four stalls for who knows how many women, all of whom need to use the restroom at least once before the race started. Yeah. Not enough. If I would have noticed the men's restroom before we got in line, I would have suggested we just use the men's because there was no line. It wouldn't be the first time I've done that before a race. I think the number of bathrooms would probably need to be quadrupled (if the same number of people are expected) in the future. We were early enough that it wasn't a problem. We waited in line and made it out with a couple minutes to spare. I think all of us are used to much larger races so we kind of stood around, unsure of where to go. There weren't any corrals or signs indicating paces so we weren't sure where to line up to start. We opted for the back half of the crowd. Someone sang the national anthem and the race started right at the advertised time (which I point out because there is another racing company in town that always seems to start late). Since there wasn't chip timing, I made sure to start my Garmin right as we passed by the flag indicating the start line (no giant, fancy and probably expensive inflatable arch like most races). I had no idea how they were going to time the race since it wasn't chip timed so I knew I was going to be relying on my Garmin in case their timing plan didn't work or was significantly off what I had.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz7IYsttlrRCe4tOG00z-J7t_H4920kqcmEeflEAI05PsVp53xbS2J48GNdV1y7Bz04Z_FKjmr7zVJFpGUQqxy1zoRquvZh0WS1zMqkBH3YCeSpzrubiaHyknay4upMAsWO_te_XIuLTi/s1600/k12109999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz7IYsttlrRCe4tOG00z-J7t_H4920kqcmEeflEAI05PsVp53xbS2J48GNdV1y7Bz04Z_FKjmr7zVJFpGUQqxy1zoRquvZh0WS1zMqkBH3YCeSpzrubiaHyknay4upMAsWO_te_XIuLTi/s320/k12109999.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was the usual fanfare at the start, a DJ playing music and lots of cheering as we crossed the start line. The person next to me got really excited and threw her arms in the air. As she brought her arms back down though, her elbow came right down onto the top of my shoulder. It had to have hurt her because it left a heck of a bruise and a sore spot on my shoulder. She apologized, I shook it off any we headed out of the park.<br />
<br />
My friend Kim was recruited to pace me for the race but ultimately, there 3 others who joined us just for fun. Well, to totally call her out, my friend Meg came armed with a cow bell and the intent to just cheer/spectate but when we realized we had an extra bib, she put her cow bell in my car and just decided to run it with us. I'll also add that she ran a full marathon last weekend. Who does that?! My friends. Haha. Anyways, Kim had instructions to keep me between 12:30 and 12:45 for the first two miles. I didn't want to get swept up in the excitement and go out too fast. Yeah... despite their best efforts, it didn't quite work. I was the one setting the pace and I felt great. They kept randomly yelling, "breaks!" and putting their hands up to get me to slow down. Haha. We finally settled into a comfortable (for me) pace though. I knew I wanted to stay around the 12:30 pace in order to<i> just</i> beat my previous PR but knew I had it in me to go faster. I was hoping to go slower in the beginning and gradually pick it up but that's mentally hard to do and I just haven't practiced that very much.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlz84Ec_zroddrS0qWdrP3KR0-i9JwJ417BwafCjxLyjs8HRtpWMl6bVQFKw7G-30Rb6Soe73d49uz7RjAimGt80rqZqO7Q0WgV7uotyKgc7XIDAPdWIsxaFjRABArSUqnC0Tevmjf3Fn/s1600/12096284_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlz84Ec_zroddrS0qWdrP3KR0-i9JwJ417BwafCjxLyjs8HRtpWMl6bVQFKw7G-30Rb6Soe73d49uz7RjAimGt80rqZqO7Q0WgV7uotyKgc7XIDAPdWIsxaFjRABArSUqnC0Tevmjf3Fn/s200/12096284_.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of smiles less than a half mile in! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first 5-7 miles were a blast! The course went out and back so my friends were all clapping and cheering for the faster people who were coming back towards us. I was just focused on running and not falling apart. They all run faster (or in Kim's case, walk faster) than I do and were just along for the ride with me so they were able to yell and clap. It was a lot of fun and worked out better than I expected. I was nervous that it would be too narrow but since it was a small race, it worked out. We did play leapfrog with two ladies doing a run/walk combo for several miles but we all had fun with it since we were all able to easily get around each other when needed.<br />
<br />
We also saw some of my favorite spectators! The Pilot and Megatron came out! We saw them a couple times and it was so cute to see Megatron holding a tiny sign that said "go go go!" Which when he says it, comes out like "doh doh doh." He says it a lot when he's running around the house or sitting in the run stroller, heckling me. The second time we passed by, he ran right out onto the sidewalk but instead of going to me, he ran up to Meg. I didn't have time to stop though so I kept running. Then we realized he totally thought Meg was me. Pale skin and dark hair, yup, must be my mama! He didn't realize it wasn't me until Meg started to hug him. Haha. He hugged her anyways because he's sweet like that. The pictures crack me up though because there's me, buzzing right past my own kid while Meg squats down to hug him.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj6VdXqmqI1XCnvJ5PR7XApy_blyRvUiQo59M02M74D4ntcXCWufo4muPbtlf1P4Hyb00IqIT0AGmv9-OQzs_M2fJ6CGPYhTTOBgbPZaqxZR442DeiF1GopHWH6w8TcxSC-6kHGN8jBZM/s1600/PA040054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj6VdXqmqI1XCnvJ5PR7XApy_blyRvUiQo59M02M74D4ntcXCWufo4muPbtlf1P4Hyb00IqIT0AGmv9-OQzs_M2fJ6CGPYhTTOBgbPZaqxZR442DeiF1GopHWH6w8TcxSC-6kHGN8jBZM/s320/PA040054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a couple photos like this and everyone seems to be smiling at him. :) I have to say, he is pretty darn cute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu6rjqEAOIKR-_VkPYEC3jbkYMnbumkxisFt0riJykbSAIZPqMZjt3ZhuPro7nyKy6gtyT_B569nJ7C1uKj0iHAuiSf2sJg4Y7gs5jPV5i3lauL8uRwFySbVbkIY8aONteS1x0WnFAGsj/s1600/PA040055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu6rjqEAOIKR-_VkPYEC3jbkYMnbumkxisFt0riJykbSAIZPqMZjt3ZhuPro7nyKy6gtyT_B569nJ7C1uKj0iHAuiSf2sJg4Y7gs5jPV5i3lauL8uRwFySbVbkIY8aONteS1x0WnFAGsj/s320/PA040055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knows what I'm doing. The lady in the white vest ran with us for the first half and I think she enjoyed the running commentary we had going on. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtj-UJSN0n-cW6qvRgbpBeJc2ZrapmR3GfYidfcO2JjocTb2HqWOvxrG0jLFqByDg4ji6syXhPRkb-VMW7Xy4J366REmDqjUIVRHIZuY5odd433Kb5DXCR34iQkZ_U_9jbnbzFgUQzYq5/s1600/k12091179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtj-UJSN0n-cW6qvRgbpBeJc2ZrapmR3GfYidfcO2JjocTb2HqWOvxrG0jLFqByDg4ji6syXhPRkb-VMW7Xy4J366REmDqjUIVRHIZuY5odd433Kb5DXCR34iQkZ_U_9jbnbzFgUQzYq5/s320/k12091179.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See ya, kid. Mama's got a PR to chase down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjI9MSPSKzsVkRX-DTPyRwzAcuMV6V9SqVxEOkXk__CSuhWO-p_0A9zEVaM_lwlnVQGhhmM3PHmfJOZNtGjUU5e5rdBE7yh_wNsuBMMPTyOuNz1W7BEKGThmBI7rpcP4QZ3ZcDaxOMB64/s1600/k12138442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjI9MSPSKzsVkRX-DTPyRwzAcuMV6V9SqVxEOkXk__CSuhWO-p_0A9zEVaM_lwlnVQGhhmM3PHmfJOZNtGjUU5e5rdBE7yh_wNsuBMMPTyOuNz1W7BEKGThmBI7rpcP4QZ3ZcDaxOMB64/s320/k12138442.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least Auntie Meg loves you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mile seven was the first time I noticed my energy wane a bit. I was also starting to feel some soreness creeping into my knees and ankles. I knew at that point that I was going to feel this run on Monday. I was torn between wanting to just gut it out and keep at that pace and being smart and doing what I knew I could run and still finish (a 12:30-12:45 pace). I was nervous I would bonk at mile 10 if I stayed in the 11s. I opted for smart and slowed down a little. This is also when I started mumbling every time we had to go up and over or down and under highways/train tracks/etc. It's no secret that Central Ohio is pretty darn flat. But I swear to you we went up and down every single man made hill in Franklin County. None were that long and only two that I recall were obnoxiously steep but it felt like it was one after another. Running uphill sucks. I've always hated hills. Running downhill isn't much better. Sure, you can get some momentum so you aren't necessarily working as hard but it's hard on the knees. Which were already a little achy by that point.<br />
<br />
I think if I had run this on my own, I wouldn't have run as fast. Even though I was setting the pace, the girls kept my energy up and kept me from slowing down too much. When I whined, they countered with singing, positive thoughts...or told me to shut up. All of which I needed. They even "threw me the rope" when I started cursing (loudly towards the end) when I would see a hill. Taking advice from a dear friend Krista, our teammates frequently throw each other an imaginary rope that they can use to pull themselves forward so they keep moving. Our entire team has a rope so you can grab on whenever you need it. I was absolutely using Meg's rope to get up those last couple of hills.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsUZsI1GqeIymPBOJyaxHNswJW898uTIDVCyBnoKlGX7VX64_e0DSWRq2x6IiTVrWvCgwKHcM00C6MwtKd92M2zWMPXKI-wy0IMFN5tDOKpsAyS_q3Vy6RYE0kDx1EXQfgYyyvz1Xqmx8/s1600/k12095011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsUZsI1GqeIymPBOJyaxHNswJW898uTIDVCyBnoKlGX7VX64_e0DSWRq2x6IiTVrWvCgwKHcM00C6MwtKd92M2zWMPXKI-wy0IMFN5tDOKpsAyS_q3Vy6RYE0kDx1EXQfgYyyvz1Xqmx8/s320/k12095011.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that Meg was trying to throw me a rope to pull me up that hill!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The last 3 miles were into the wind and while the breeze kept us cool now that the sun was getting high, it was definitely pushing into us. I was starting to lose steam too. My girls talked to me non-stop in that last mile. I don't even know how far we had left but all of the sudden Kat told me I had 2 minutes to finish. Two minutes? What?! Since I was pretty fried at that point, I thought she meant two minutes until my previous PR time (2:49:44....completely forgetting that before the race I finally admitted to them that I was aiming for 2:40). All I could think was "oh hell no! I didn't work this hard to miss my PR again!" I found another gear. But like a slap in the face, there were two more inclines. One of which was right at the finish line and actually had two very sharp switchbacks to navigate. I wheezed out a couple more obscenities as my girls all started screaming my name and telling me to go. Right as I was cursing the last hill, I saw The Pilot and Megatron, along with my mom, my training buddy, Katy and several other of our amazing teammates who came to cheer me on. Everyone was screaming. All I remember is another runner saying, "I don't know who Amber is but she's got great friends." If I didn't feel like I was about to pass out and vomit, I would have laughed and responded, "I have THE BEST friends."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3cSaQRhAbT2QQuVQPOUieZjQoVQKsuXD7DF6JcZeuFwiNH9sR7CG3BTgPdelMkHuhBxKt_1FqRA6m29tBodfVVaCVLXjrz8JcopHsm2BWUFa-G3hpQ1EM626KLKpS7uW4EX-MFbI5Y6E/s1600/12108791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3cSaQRhAbT2QQuVQPOUieZjQoVQKsuXD7DF6JcZeuFwiNH9sR7CG3BTgPdelMkHuhBxKt_1FqRA6m29tBodfVVaCVLXjrz8JcopHsm2BWUFa-G3hpQ1EM626KLKpS7uW4EX-MFbI5Y6E/s320/12108791.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3l6ZL-D7tMs-yYPC_ftjsIE9qUMKsbkNAMnqekg_BZzOaEvfrfp8eO9BTCY8sreo_D51QDSyMLED6Pj9Zc0Uw6NqA2mbNQyBkORQJvKT2ZZFtSpCHNnTka7U9lcCimBNTbm1Fn72XsE/s1600/12140719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3l6ZL-D7tMs-yYPC_ftjsIE9qUMKsbkNAMnqekg_BZzOaEvfrfp8eO9BTCY8sreo_D51QDSyMLED6Pj9Zc0Uw6NqA2mbNQyBkORQJvKT2ZZFtSpCHNnTka7U9lcCimBNTbm1Fn72XsE/s320/12140719.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just my security detail and we came in toward the finish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48ULqU3dnZgnJBA22sxS27KXWcl57HJzj4hJHSw3wNnFK9dsrEhyCKoSWmsSNgPLzgQNcl9IbZG3t14HffFX8KRKVshe66OQTbxDiWEadKhIZxDAsv2JWubMUmP5SDOmgh5QvE44LH1Wx/s1600/12095123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48ULqU3dnZgnJBA22sxS27KXWcl57HJzj4hJHSw3wNnFK9dsrEhyCKoSWmsSNgPLzgQNcl9IbZG3t14HffFX8KRKVshe66OQTbxDiWEadKhIZxDAsv2JWubMUmP5SDOmgh5QvE44LH1Wx/s320/12095123.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lovely ladies were cheering at the finish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7crp8WgtUAWS_mgJOiSHQt3d9f7ImAFy631gXkZBNXhoFomgzwJ9kV0MdhBk1Ogkd5enJ3-DINaKEtuujVlvDkjJcbMXXk9VexzRts0aalDpR7WB8OcJAocmUEf-EeA_CpEqM0ywQ5fKw/s1600/k12038975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7crp8WgtUAWS_mgJOiSHQt3d9f7ImAFy631gXkZBNXhoFomgzwJ9kV0MdhBk1Ogkd5enJ3-DINaKEtuujVlvDkjJcbMXXk9VexzRts0aalDpR7WB8OcJAocmUEf-EeA_CpEqM0ywQ5fKw/s320/k12038975.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The couple that cheers together stays together. Haha...I think they were just happy to NOT be running considering they ran a half marathon last weekend. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was absolutely zoned out and I felt like I was flying, but also wondered if I looked like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_0Ta_DIWuU">Phoebe</a> from Friends. I actually told Meg that I thought I was going to be sick and she just responded, "no you aren't, keep running!" So I did. The next thing I knew I was at the top of the hill and the finish line was right there. The Pilot jumped onto the road and was running alongside me, carrying Megatron, who was grinning from ear to ear because he was bouncing up and down. I plowed ahead and grabbed my Garmin the second I was fully passed the small flag (the same one as the start) indicating the finish line. How I didn't throw up right then and there was a miracle. I walked a few more steps as the girls all came across the finish line, wheezing and out of breath just like me. I don't think any of them expected me to find that gear at the finish! I made them work! Haha. Sorry, ladies! Love ya! A gentleman at the finish asked me for my bib number and wrote it down on a piece of paper. I assumed it was to record my time but I noticed he didn't seem to have a clock/watch/timer of any kind. I quickly assumed that my Garmin time was going to be my official time. I wasn't optimistic that I would have any kind of time published with the race. Right behind him, a woman handed me my medal, which is actually a really cool wood cutout of the state of Ohio with the race logo printed on it. I took a few more steps and finally looked down at my watch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOwgIlnDMyHqQOjJP2CfWHI9UV023v3sN6I4L2733L2boGflE2v_wnJpTNlqRw9xO1ZzwNZG8Gq3VEUHhUqSiwHxGjmQdY2VowKLV_eyZgASQDCZkF7fO3cJBpyv_T8Wz5RUgHY0E1lUN/s1600/finish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOwgIlnDMyHqQOjJP2CfWHI9UV023v3sN6I4L2733L2boGflE2v_wnJpTNlqRw9xO1ZzwNZG8Gq3VEUHhUqSiwHxGjmQdY2VowKLV_eyZgASQDCZkF7fO3cJBpyv_T8Wz5RUgHY0E1lUN/s320/finish1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nZ_rGtn6F6hZUHjuxjcLeC9hyphenhyphenRQqvk96lnOLSvGhyphenhyphenA0j25IL-JtxMGRN7z-ZwC78ZCa8AFU0ABQe9n3vaCl8YQCj6k_Pq_eDTqyKpqjPurGZUpQ2qPnu9fbzn3yoWkmg4hfVIVQbmXf8/s1600/finish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nZ_rGtn6F6hZUHjuxjcLeC9hyphenhyphenRQqvk96lnOLSvGhyphenhyphenA0j25IL-JtxMGRN7z-ZwC78ZCa8AFU0ABQe9n3vaCl8YQCj6k_Pq_eDTqyKpqjPurGZUpQ2qPnu9fbzn3yoWkmg4hfVIVQbmXf8/s320/finish2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screaming me towards the finish line. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My finish time? <b>2:41:15</b>. It happened. <b>BIG TIME PR finally happened!</b> A more than 8 minute PR at that! Just shy of that lofty 2:40 goal but I am damn proud of that one! Honestly, I think I'm just as proud of this race as I am of my first half marathon. It was such a stretch for me to do anything athletic when I finished my first half marathon 10.5 years ago and now, finishing my 12th half marathon nearly 45 minutes faster than that first, is huge for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0uQ9wnNI1wzDP1708J5ba-T63f-4icOQ-SuUohMavVS3FXpLWlYHveiLblTCHJgAyLl7HV7DxpT0VY1ExQdTbOu-H2nC-L74gHCDlE2dyey5tNWb3SHEcQeDy2tija-2dg5anbSXM-ea/s1600/PA040073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0uQ9wnNI1wzDP1708J5ba-T63f-4icOQ-SuUohMavVS3FXpLWlYHveiLblTCHJgAyLl7HV7DxpT0VY1ExQdTbOu-H2nC-L74gHCDlE2dyey5tNWb3SHEcQeDy2tija-2dg5anbSXM-ea/s320/PA040073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim, thanks for pacing me. Now I think I'm about to puke on your shoes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gpaarWsuAk1QD0_IU3mXZvHirDhkwI7-GqvGTN_qs6D69vaxM5TWtnqzxdf9rJFojMJQ36fBen-YZbjMfdUxsx0aYHWTQpoWRsnjS8jkmDdegDk_AOs_H93683TUbcCRkGdQkUsubCUZ/s1600/k12080205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gpaarWsuAk1QD0_IU3mXZvHirDhkwI7-GqvGTN_qs6D69vaxM5TWtnqzxdf9rJFojMJQ36fBen-YZbjMfdUxsx0aYHWTQpoWRsnjS8jkmDdegDk_AOs_H93683TUbcCRkGdQkUsubCUZ/s320/k12080205.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But seriously, I have to give this girl a shout out. She did a half marathon last weekend. Offered to do this race with me as a training day, is attempting to place in the competitive race walk division of a half in 2 weeks and then will do a full marathon a week after that. She's a machine. I'd like to say I taught her everything she knows but she's simply a natural. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It took a good 10 minutes after the finish before my tunnel vision went away. There was lots of hugging, high fiving and picture taking and it was all a blur. I wandered around, trying to keep my legs from cramping up and had a piece of corn bread. That was a finish line first for me. I didn't see any water anywhere but I still had some of my own in my Fuel Belt. They also had chili but that was the last thing I wanted in that moment. We took a few group photos and then went our own way, knowing we would all see each other that afternoon at a party with our running group that just happened to already be scheduled. I lingered a little while longer to make sure my stomach was ok before walking to my car with The Pilot, Megatron and my mom.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQtGhYnGvtV11qNjtrIwB8Qz7Nvl4ZHHby25MOW3FU8rlslMI7mg8eZ0MI5IkEYM7h__D1s-rvKsgrPO6ISmdRONQJ1k8I8cK87sI2FEb35kb1slTr-PlFn4-K31hHRyIerSi88t0jpAh/s1600/k12052418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQtGhYnGvtV11qNjtrIwB8Qz7Nvl4ZHHby25MOW3FU8rlslMI7mg8eZ0MI5IkEYM7h__D1s-rvKsgrPO6ISmdRONQJ1k8I8cK87sI2FEb35kb1slTr-PlFn4-K31hHRyIerSi88t0jpAh/s320/k12052418.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like giving your mom a sweaty hug! I was so happy to see her cheering me into the finish...and for holding me up after the finish! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTYScVtKl5jT6GPzVqyxkBx1GDvXeokjEa84XBYbjhZPRIOTEyQLKwJ7ukMJTkD8ytAwHp-KEfofLyHijeGus3CxZ2ea0uKVmnYVps5_g-eXG48rzh1s4Ja32RMxnvRRFD5dkJfd3MQTo/s1600/12112277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTYScVtKl5jT6GPzVqyxkBx1GDvXeokjEa84XBYbjhZPRIOTEyQLKwJ7ukMJTkD8ytAwHp-KEfofLyHijeGus3CxZ2ea0uKVmnYVps5_g-eXG48rzh1s4Ja32RMxnvRRFD5dkJfd3MQTo/s320/12112277.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a load off while having a drink. Spectating is hard work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_u6rakRIqbJPGJJheaxKwVe9B_2JNLWmcaJt2xuDt6JUzGy9mCvLOaWBsvjC0zeLjmV84JFfQsrqFqrW7Uq_s2kZxf1z-3T3Bg0KZfBzVvGU-HShoZLaW1g8edyrZZyTz9GQ_i9GOw5A/s1600/k12091222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_u6rakRIqbJPGJJheaxKwVe9B_2JNLWmcaJt2xuDt6JUzGy9mCvLOaWBsvjC0zeLjmV84JFfQsrqFqrW7Uq_s2kZxf1z-3T3Bg0KZfBzVvGU-HShoZLaW1g8edyrZZyTz9GQ_i9GOw5A/s320/k12091222.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, some of the most supportive people I have ever met and I feel so lucky to call them my friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It was a perfect day! I got to spend the morning running with friends, I ran a great race, BIG TIME PR happened and then I even got to enjoy the afternoon hanging out with even more running friends. Needless to say, I was exhausted by that evening. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good by the evening. I had a head ache but the only things that hurt were my shoulder where I got elbowed and my face. Yup, my face. I think I was really gritting it out at the end and clenching my jaw for the last couple miles and it left my face sore. Haha. I don't think there is a way to train for that! Even more surprising was the 2 days that followed the race. I felt great! Hardly any soreness in my legs, not even my knees which I was sure were going to hate me. My abs were a little tight, I'm assuming from the fast last half mile (my Garmin data shows the pace at the end was 9:41. Say what?!). Everything else felt great though. I really feel like I left everything out there so I take my lack of soreness as a sign that for once, I went into a race really really well trained. I've never had a race where I wasn't sore afterwards. I'm pretty proud of that feat also!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoE8zrH0ng2hrCuC-ubRg5wkrzQguCfwqs41T96k1V3iMzS2uyWfIuG02yDG16zhyLSX4xAyIGb_l322sz7m9168nwuFSQ_6Qi_7G05HPz2KxcX40waOJhNugOI3NljH1kSA4UiJhyphenhyphenCgL/s1600/12045771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoE8zrH0ng2hrCuC-ubRg5wkrzQguCfwqs41T96k1V3iMzS2uyWfIuG02yDG16zhyLSX4xAyIGb_l322sz7m9168nwuFSQ_6Qi_7G05HPz2KxcX40waOJhNugOI3NljH1kSA4UiJhyphenhyphenCgL/s200/12045771.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm really glad this guy came up with the "Big Time" PR goal and supported me until it happened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As for a official time through the race web site the next day? I was correct in my assumption. I don't have a finish time listed next to my name. Oh well. My Garmin's distance was spot on so it's official enough for me. Again, it was $12.50. Can't complain about that!<br />
<br />
Naturally though I'm sort of wondering what kind of time I could pull off on a flat course.... ;)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGNnxr0MXvwgzBgG06h0jM6SDAOd2w2K4oMIVoPgS6X8NqFoMPdBPPtY0-jxvjWnAztAsrmycMXPQkgStQl85qCwcZsDqz2-6KX-UelhehU24UGpduq8M1VSuRrsejqIZ2ikhXWFxoDhyphenhyphen/s1600/brokemans2015splits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGNnxr0MXvwgzBgG06h0jM6SDAOd2w2K4oMIVoPgS6X8NqFoMPdBPPtY0-jxvjWnAztAsrmycMXPQkgStQl85qCwcZsDqz2-6KX-UelhehU24UGpduq8M1VSuRrsejqIZ2ikhXWFxoDhyphenhyphen/s320/brokemans2015splits.JPG" width="83" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not exactly what I had in mind for my splits but I got it done so I'm not complaining!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-53711749156330647192015-09-27T14:03:00.000-04:002015-09-27T14:03:40.945-04:00One Week Until Big TimeIt's hard to believe that operation <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/03/big-time.html">"Big Time"</a> came about a year ago! And entire year! I've obviously been running that entire time but didn't start my official training for my intended "big time" PR race until January. When I didn't pull off "big time" at the Cap City half in May, I knew I wanted another chance. And I knew I needed to step up my game and train harder. So now, here we are, a year after the "big time" goal was established and one week before race day.<br />
<br />
I am feeling exponentially more confident about next weekend's race than I did before the race in May. Obviously that was a bit extreme given that I was in the <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/05/what-do-you-mean-its-not-asthma.html">ED with breathing issues</a> just 5 days before the race but even before that incident, I wasn't 100% confident I could pull it off. This time around though is a whole different story. I feel much better trained, I've been churning out PR pace nearly every single run. I'm the lightest I've been in years. I'm more acclimated for heat in case the weather is warm. And if it's cooler out, watch out. I'll be on fire. I almost always do better in cooler weather. I feel like now the only things that would prevent me from getting that big time PR are things that are out of my control. It could be pouring rain, or snowing, or 90 degrees, the course is over crowded (a big concern of mine actually, given the location), illness or other unforeseen circumstances.<br />
<br />
Speaking of illness. A cold bug has officially entered our house as of this morning. In the middle of a 6 mile run pushing the stroller. Megatron was sneezing a lot in the stroller. By the time I finished and looked at him, he had snot all over the place and his eyes were watery. And as the day has gone on, the snot just keeps coming. Damn. But, like I said, that's out of my control so I'm trying not to freak out about that. I'll take some extra precautions so hopefully I can avoid it (remember, Megatron is immunosuppressed so I have a slightly higher chance of avoiding a cold than he does.). I also have a back up plan in place that's helping to ease my mind. There is another half marathon 2 weeks after my first race and a friend offered me her bib in case something goes awry. I'm hoping I won't need it!<br />
<br />This morning was my last "long" run before I back way off and rest up. It was pretty comical to be honest. On the way out, I felt like I was flying. It was comfortable and even pushing the stroller it felt good, despite the pace being in the 11's. I even joked with the ladies I was running with that I was shocked I was able to keep up at that pace and that my wheels might fall of fon the way back. There was even a frickin' rainbow out in the distance. And then we turned around. And suddenly it wasn't rainbows and fun anymore. Why? Why do I always forget that on that particular trail, the wind (if there is any), is always at your back on the way out? Yup, we turned around and were running right into the wind. We are all either tapering or post-race so all of our legs suddenly felt like lead and that stroller turned into a giant sail, pushing back on me. We opted for a half mile walk break since none of us was really looking to push the pace. We picked it back up though and managed a decent pace on the way back but dang was it work. I was huffing and puffing with that stroller. My friend Cathy even took a turn pushing. We still pulled off a 12:32 average pace, which if I can keep that up next weekend, I'll be golden. <br />
<br />
Fingers and toes are crossed. I've done the training and there isn't anything else I can do this week that will make any difference other than trying my best to keep myself rested and healthy. I say this like I'm 100% calm and collected. That just depends on the moment. I had a momentary freak out a couple days ago about my training and emailed a friend asking about my tapering plan. I was pretty spot on with my plan, which she confirmed and her response was enough to calm me down and realize it was just the "taper crazies" setting in. Hopefully when I write my race report, it will be all rainbows and fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U6isJrIMaYFCqiIgozbJ-nrdBbDP7bnuzZt1oYEO7H7WrC6YqOiTpyqmC1LxVRfFlSDp1XPpAJWLvmdj1Lz-4HQFmU5USWxrZtEv61kcX0tCaHTkRG0snM21hvixIFlaC0U4BFptkk7z/s1600/092715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U6isJrIMaYFCqiIgozbJ-nrdBbDP7bnuzZt1oYEO7H7WrC6YqOiTpyqmC1LxVRfFlSDp1XPpAJWLvmdj1Lz-4HQFmU5USWxrZtEv61kcX0tCaHTkRG0snM21hvixIFlaC0U4BFptkk7z/s320/092715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-68955090210668530232015-09-23T16:23:00.000-04:002015-09-23T22:16:25.840-04:00Keeping a Baby/Toddler Entertained (Without buying more toys)Since I have so many friends with toddlers, and it seems we are always looking for activities to keep them entertained, I thought I'd share some of our homemade toys and activities. Some ideas I took straight from Pinterest, some I just whipped together out of desperation and some were designed for one purpose: keep Megatron entertained during the 4 hour road trips to Pittsburgh to see his transplant team and during doctor appointments. For that reason, many of the activities are quiet and all are battery free (ie: Not made by the evil, yet genius LeapFrog). Also, with cold and flu season coming up and the gross weather just around the corner, I knew I needed to step up my game when it comes to keeping him occupied at home. These are all "sometimes toys." I don't leave these out (though #1 stayed out for months and is currently off our toy rotation and is in the basement. I'll probably bring it back out soon) all the time so the novelty doesn't wear off as quickly. <br />
<br />
Feel free to steal the ideas or, if you aren't crafty, don't have the time or just don't feel like it, I can be hired to recreate these. Haha.<br />
<br />
1. This first one was really the only expensive and time consuming project but I knew he would love it. I made this busy board at the beginning of the year so he was about 18 months old at the time. I would have loved to have had it done in the fall or early winter last year when he was just a little younger but we had 2 hospital admissions so yeah.... But once we got through that, we picked up nearly all of the supplies at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore retail store. We bought the wood square (already cut) at Home Depot along with the spray paint. The painting took the most time since I had to do 2 coats of yellow, then mask it off and paint the black.<br />
<br />
At the time, Megatron loved light switches and of all things, thermostats. So those items were a must. The numbers are actually house numbers and are bumpy so I knew he would like to scratch his fingers on them like babies do. The door stopper is also a hit because we don't have the springy door stoppers in our house. This one is very springy and makes that wonderful "boing!" sound (the plastic tip doesn't come off so it isn't a choking hazard).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WsYCOJlzyCelRG6YeNPTfjPPcoKwS7g5UXbsYXyNF-DTGU_ZT5ez9wfp1BB1r-tY1ODo2Dq7iR0CnVMkQUdW7JEHX3BwKN9n39d26537Fdj_S6Qx7KD61REl828HhcwvJTOjcO54Qm31/s1600/IMG_4474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WsYCOJlzyCelRG6YeNPTfjPPcoKwS7g5UXbsYXyNF-DTGU_ZT5ez9wfp1BB1r-tY1ODo2Dq7iR0CnVMkQUdW7JEHX3BwKN9n39d26537Fdj_S6Qx7KD61REl828HhcwvJTOjcO54Qm31/s320/IMG_4474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These pictures were taken when I first showed it to him back in January....oh my gosh he was so tiny! He's not a baby anymore! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gssQQII3oCErNGXHzcs7Yh_lELJihruPl6peDo1G74CVyK8-lDZhiTFxgdaXUrToTknNHms3nDWBiIBopK-0zkVMa3ZtG1ji3oBS5rS_FAfNzDfkGot3DZjHw_KtX2O0U7aV4kNoXKyS/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gssQQII3oCErNGXHzcs7Yh_lELJihruPl6peDo1G74CVyK8-lDZhiTFxgdaXUrToTknNHms3nDWBiIBopK-0zkVMa3ZtG1ji3oBS5rS_FAfNzDfkGot3DZjHw_KtX2O0U7aV4kNoXKyS/s320/IMG_4492.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Errmagawd, my own thermostat?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEYBnndNQvOfm2gfeeZs1i-c5CVlcKGcHMsra6IcbTdnH-5fyy4k6lTvzvMQ4rU6YJhgBKtHimyhVPCoSg_aERwqrlrgrll2RzQgH2D8_tZXLMLLRRoQcr_IBzMKwmY6ypxxWRDvNl7Ad/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEYBnndNQvOfm2gfeeZs1i-c5CVlcKGcHMsra6IcbTdnH-5fyy4k6lTvzvMQ4rU6YJhgBKtHimyhVPCoSg_aERwqrlrgrll2RzQgH2D8_tZXLMLLRRoQcr_IBzMKwmY6ypxxWRDvNl7Ad/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPJwMmr3tBgmzHy7NVIGN9I8_HLdrO8z61RKURJYbEnHhY-6BLgLjFVOhlqF43BBVTY0Jier8GZltHdjjn3X6D1kfs4PN1mpj_BDb98tIHOlczrv4xE93zBXat9B7ma4awFsWsGjVUAjk/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPJwMmr3tBgmzHy7NVIGN9I8_HLdrO8z61RKURJYbEnHhY-6BLgLjFVOhlqF43BBVTY0Jier8GZltHdjjn3X6D1kfs4PN1mpj_BDb98tIHOlczrv4xE93zBXat9B7ma4awFsWsGjVUAjk/s320/IMG_4496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So serious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWuDA01ZZPwI6PVgaoUIWxcl8hij6zqt56ixYQgk-PcP57Z4Rp7MEo-5UykKZ-VJP_frxqwSeKt2p4o6kNffY1McEyvpgvAL9rmVNQ9281fOTn7ERrkZr-HeDoGcYJNPmy-opG68GINC3/s1600/IMG_4498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWuDA01ZZPwI6PVgaoUIWxcl8hij6zqt56ixYQgk-PcP57Z4Rp7MEo-5UykKZ-VJP_frxqwSeKt2p4o6kNffY1McEyvpgvAL9rmVNQ9281fOTn7ERrkZr-HeDoGcYJNPmy-opG68GINC3/s320/IMG_4498.JPG" width="240" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby squats.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. I made this felt board recently after getting the idea off a local moms group on Facebook. I took a square cork board (on clearance at Target!), then stapled a felt background to the board. I then cut out a bunch of random items out of felt. Trees with individual leaves, flowers with separate stems, a butterfly, clouds, sun, etc. All things he can use to "build" his own scene. I bought 8.5 x 11 sheets of felt at a local teacher supply store but Joann Fabric also carries it. Once I had everything cut out, I put the shapes in a zippered binder pouch (I found mine at both the dollar store and Walmart for under $1 each). I use these binder pouches for a lot of these activities because they hold up better than a Ziploc bag, and they stand up when I stick them in one of my 31 Gifts tote bags (perfect for filling with toys and taking to the car for a road trip!). It also keeps the activities separate and Megatron now knows how to open them without help.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHku5q6u4NQkYXDOe4qXNGsGKFP2d4obtUZtfEiKqCtPhHlRFHKLBiYBYaIWlHdvDkXYaVVxE4ybLwka378iz5LYNS_IZv8lU3auwXZITdLCgsedPPLkf_Cgncmg5xfat2FsGtGrsh76jP/s1600/toys1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHku5q6u4NQkYXDOe4qXNGsGKFP2d4obtUZtfEiKqCtPhHlRFHKLBiYBYaIWlHdvDkXYaVVxE4ybLwka378iz5LYNS_IZv8lU3auwXZITdLCgsedPPLkf_Cgncmg5xfat2FsGtGrsh76jP/s320/toys1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knocked this out during Megatron's afternoon nap recently. It was a win win because I got to use the crafty part of my brain and Megatron now has a rainy day activity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3VwVmis4BqPxbeGJkLYA269F-2I5bhlVrPWVSFl816b2j5KRTs7WmaRIwT0c4WDF8OiH6LlO0eSoCBRnOfJSni0IwWJDkTqTCD-mNZypUnMQfMgHW7iWJN_e3p-AozFoNTJ88GGZ1qdf/s1600/toys2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3VwVmis4BqPxbeGJkLYA269F-2I5bhlVrPWVSFl816b2j5KRTs7WmaRIwT0c4WDF8OiH6LlO0eSoCBRnOfJSni0IwWJDkTqTCD-mNZypUnMQfMgHW7iWJN_e3p-AozFoNTJ88GGZ1qdf/s320/toys2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
3. This too was a recent creation. Megatron has seen this one and I already know I have a design flaw. Haha. We have always used Target wipes. Recently, the lids keep pulling off the bags (making me crazy but that's another story) which is how I got the idea. Megatron loves to open and close the wipes packages so whenever we used a bag up or the lid fell off, I would toss the lid on my <strike>hoarders' delight pile of craft crap</strike> craft table, thinking I would try to make something for him. During his nap time recently, I took a piece of foam board and glued the lids down to the board. Under each lid I placed something I already had <strike>hoarded</strike> saved in my craft supplies. Googly eyes became a smile, a scrap of ribbon became a fuzzy texture to feel, the cat is a foam sticker, and the flowers are felt stickers with a brad in the middle - more textures! And because we are Disney people, Mickey Mouse is saying "Howdy!" I also made labels for under each lid with a label maker. It's never too early to introduce words even though the kid is still learning to speak. I also took some random stickers and numbered the lids and then put the corresponding number of squares below each lid. Megatron does know some numbers so we've been trying to give lots of opportunities to use them. My design flaw became obvious two days after I showed this to Megatron. He pulled one of the lids off the board already. I only used Tacky Glue so I think I'll use something like Gorilla Glue when I glue it back down. Hopefully that will hold better. But considering that I already owned all of these supplies and it was "free," I really wasn't expecting this to be a long-term toy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnAkcoiJ3lN02AhW_Qk6agRjlqr7RgJdRC5SuRGpV2ZlaK3izleGGrlZ-XJKR08ofrL-gaF71X2nZWLG3XgLaxTM2ZSHOBHRT73MCqu41iBEoekZeuXWjspnSbYgTLXCvQNyBnWkii7iv/s1600/toys5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnAkcoiJ3lN02AhW_Qk6agRjlqr7RgJdRC5SuRGpV2ZlaK3izleGGrlZ-XJKR08ofrL-gaF71X2nZWLG3XgLaxTM2ZSHOBHRT73MCqu41iBEoekZeuXWjspnSbYgTLXCvQNyBnWkii7iv/s320/toys5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtEfWbdyoCvA-L97g2oMxxUT52XQQy4K9wJZ-D06Zp7V6QqMpGsaUUf12fNPDKVinSzamhxd-GVz-dZOuAnmRCBV6r9E21ejRkQvdfMG96Py2oSed7-rwTxWr6ynytBQjBExV6lzKOMAX/s1600/toys3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtEfWbdyoCvA-L97g2oMxxUT52XQQy4K9wJZ-D06Zp7V6QqMpGsaUUf12fNPDKVinSzamhxd-GVz-dZOuAnmRCBV6r9E21ejRkQvdfMG96Py2oSed7-rwTxWr6ynytBQjBExV6lzKOMAX/s320/toys3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWagVfJlBua-yeNUeIL0-SNq-egfXOPwRi9W-L-43UkuX907oUXznnJwBlTNly1bFAtPt3nGlTTt6kKT7KPXKi9cyBzvRLj4N7b5SIE3q_-pOBQ8sxR-9qGmwuQ6R98LaP_7SObyoIJ9E/s1600/toys4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWagVfJlBua-yeNUeIL0-SNq-egfXOPwRi9W-L-43UkuX907oUXznnJwBlTNly1bFAtPt3nGlTTt6kKT7KPXKi9cyBzvRLj4N7b5SIE3q_-pOBQ8sxR-9qGmwuQ6R98LaP_7SObyoIJ9E/s320/toys4.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM-NxgeICXMZzBINTu00qk1C3QS6ppR7UWSCtiFlDbtokEGleehJp5h7QwO9huiMxOJRputlWR5EfCt1IjA7u8zXdLlDvZNAVScTyjPaaqcwKk-KBZ12j_UGRo9zR03XuaZZXTeFP0gVU/s1600/toys17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM-NxgeICXMZzBINTu00qk1C3QS6ppR7UWSCtiFlDbtokEGleehJp5h7QwO9huiMxOJRputlWR5EfCt1IjA7u8zXdLlDvZNAVScTyjPaaqcwKk-KBZ12j_UGRo9zR03XuaZZXTeFP0gVU/s320/toys17.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love those new-to-him Fall jammies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. This Popsicle matching game idea came from Pinterest. I used felt and cut out the Popsicle shapes, then sewed them together, leaving the bottom open. I then took Popsicle sticks and glued a piece of the matching color felt on the stick. And even though he doesn't read, I went ahead and wrote the colors on the opposite side of the stick. For now, he just likes to take the sticks in and out of the zippered pouch and he knows the color blue so he will point to it when asked (if he wants to) but the goal would be to practice matching the right stick with the right Popsicle and putting the stick in the bottom. This took me about 15 minutes even with cutting and sewing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqChkPNLxYsnkYi36XuHVgbaV31LgXfUHJ4iAU4KmDG_O20orcFcMsHR9P709ZO0_k6319VBRLivOH6EbTmIPahsa_v9uynHZ-VGaaaTH-mFEwxnEssBqLO7T5QvJAjufZpUnXG3vOzxI/s1600/toys6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqChkPNLxYsnkYi36XuHVgbaV31LgXfUHJ4iAU4KmDG_O20orcFcMsHR9P709ZO0_k6319VBRLivOH6EbTmIPahsa_v9uynHZ-VGaaaTH-mFEwxnEssBqLO7T5QvJAjufZpUnXG3vOzxI/s320/toys6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
5. Using the larger sized Popsicle sticks, I placed Velcro dots on the ends. He can stick them together to make shapes. He doesn't understand these yet but putting them in and out of the bag keeps him quiet for a little while. Eventually, when he's a little older, I may make cards that have shapes on them and see if he can "build" the shape. I have about 1 minute of my time invested in this one. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJQRZvFgnX8vSJRgNiBlNHfCS29nT2B4XXURjzVcG37JrfJNHyOIebdKWqQUU1loKkyY39CSBTSm9GVGJ4Csl4ikeeo4pCs-y1Brl8WHSPe8ejLCOBtmhru8kmxpkP6lucSRLsZpAbl1A/s1600/toys7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJQRZvFgnX8vSJRgNiBlNHfCS29nT2B4XXURjzVcG37JrfJNHyOIebdKWqQUU1loKkyY39CSBTSm9GVGJ4Csl4ikeeo4pCs-y1Brl8WHSPe8ejLCOBtmhru8kmxpkP6lucSRLsZpAbl1A/s320/toys7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
6. I saw these foam shapes in the Dollar bin at Target (what an evil thing to place at the entrance to the store!!). Again, he likes to put them in and out of the back (notice a trend yet?!) but I've taken these into doctor's offices with me and helped him stack them up while he sits on the exam tables waiting for the doctor. We also count them together, talk about the colors and I try to help him match. Things he's not doing on his own yet really, but it keeps him quiet for a few minutes and hopefully, if the novelty doesn't wear off, I can continue to use these as a teaching toy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZzreZIwVtyWVeGw32DTZdm5L6f9ObvxeKs1dzDm71J_lbk_-zPY30YydwaUfKm6GJjx6CaujMKCEVVslAA0h_pwIFvnTJzgBZC7DW-aw_VRqv88srW1og3LHszr8_YSihsqfJSDpfdOD/s1600/toys8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZzreZIwVtyWVeGw32DTZdm5L6f9ObvxeKs1dzDm71J_lbk_-zPY30YydwaUfKm6GJjx6CaujMKCEVVslAA0h_pwIFvnTJzgBZC7DW-aw_VRqv88srW1og3LHszr8_YSihsqfJSDpfdOD/s320/toys8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
7. This is another that was a little more time consuming. I made this over the summer before we made a trip to Pittsburgh for doctor appointments. Megatron loves buckles. He doesn't have the finger strength to open or close them but he likes to try and then will ask for help. I took a plain canvas bag that I already had and sewed ribbons onto the side seams. I bought the buckles, including the metal clasp, at Joann's and sewed those onto the ribbons. I already had the wooden beads so I added those on one ribbon also. I reinforced all my stitches so they are pretty durable. I used the bag for a couple reasons, the first was that I already owned it. "Free!" Also, it was sturdy and a little stiff so it would flop around so much with the weight of the buckles and I knew I could hang it from the back of a chair or the stroller and he could stand up and play with it, especially when we were at the hospital in Pittsburgh visiting with his team. And of course there's the obvious, it's a bag. We threw a couple other toys into the bag so we could carry it easily into the hospital. I also added a Velcro strap so it could be rolled up and stuffed into the diaper bag if needed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprkG9G_lKNSFV8kxlUE8_w8UWKqG4u8IcFY1jc1WmINSEC-YjaF-MLfBCb7IAXLDiUf81Dmb6mcqLpWXBQstOhyphenhyphenXMhDAkf8RJyR42OdgDIz9SoVJw52wqI59RmvhNi4UvJfoIa_WQyRcJ/s1600/toys11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprkG9G_lKNSFV8kxlUE8_w8UWKqG4u8IcFY1jc1WmINSEC-YjaF-MLfBCb7IAXLDiUf81Dmb6mcqLpWXBQstOhyphenhyphenXMhDAkf8RJyR42OdgDIz9SoVJw52wqI59RmvhNi4UvJfoIa_WQyRcJ/s320/toys11.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiE95PgNQI1k5hyphenhyphenwW-767QiRZcvsOdyMoe1jVwgNH8X_yXbTVqYg9JcQaOvLCyvrpGddA1VH0cnACZi4Ae0j3lMgQqrVX6cG7Gp_tVOEGNwJxXEfEV8tNFDDPRuzvAfXtHRXTYJxb92Tx/s1600/toys15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiE95PgNQI1k5hyphenhyphenwW-767QiRZcvsOdyMoe1jVwgNH8X_yXbTVqYg9JcQaOvLCyvrpGddA1VH0cnACZi4Ae0j3lMgQqrVX6cG7Gp_tVOEGNwJxXEfEV8tNFDDPRuzvAfXtHRXTYJxb92Tx/s320/toys15.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJU_UB5zMnA1GAnzSwFVmy0Nggc49zwz1YmzMzxvaB7MVWxxqnRDyoSrHqGGt4KxuCSeZ6tDGB53x4so5TD175dLc2L_cq_ROnk5a5CfA3dd0yqzu1Kz-1ZNPndw66G0Xtpf-ofaf3Plw/s1600/toys14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJU_UB5zMnA1GAnzSwFVmy0Nggc49zwz1YmzMzxvaB7MVWxxqnRDyoSrHqGGt4KxuCSeZ6tDGB53x4so5TD175dLc2L_cq_ROnk5a5CfA3dd0yqzu1Kz-1ZNPndw66G0Xtpf-ofaf3Plw/s320/toys14.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
8. Here's another "free," it took me one minute and I made it out of stay-at-home mom desperation type of toys. I made this one quite awhile back. He seemed bored and I had no idea what to do with him. I took an empty "puffs" container (if you have a baby eating solids, you know what I'm talking about), pulled the label off and stuff a bunch of Popsicle sticks and straws (both from a dollar store, which I hoarded with my craft supplies) inside. At the time, Megatron was content to just shake the bottle to make noise. Then he figured out how to open it and likes to...can you guess?? Put them in and out of the container. Yay for fine motor skills! :) He stills likes to shake it too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0_m2ofCSNvWo4lk_Rj7DRdoUYd2EM85vq6N44f7NtMk_DtZHyqHR0xQvFXYXhLA5yq6WRWUvZVLyj-dfjMhoGP4EshCicmH7Zhkv0puLhlKKyBrwoBIZ2NNrMlccgEfvA5rUk9R7cekn/s1600/toys9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0_m2ofCSNvWo4lk_Rj7DRdoUYd2EM85vq6N44f7NtMk_DtZHyqHR0xQvFXYXhLA5yq6WRWUvZVLyj-dfjMhoGP4EshCicmH7Zhkv0puLhlKKyBrwoBIZ2NNrMlccgEfvA5rUk9R7cekn/s320/toys9.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWkvo0xXzx_Z0XkR1yXYp0U7p2J9T8Ldvq6rQiM5QEHwa9PxXeqqOhVOnbr0TKKtaHWa_QMIDv9Ra3I-9k9BOt7lh0UmMCi5ZjBOSZQgAA3Fm_aG3oV1vrMvvqjZxp0KjLXP5Z4gCSXwn/s1600/toys10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWkvo0xXzx_Z0XkR1yXYp0U7p2J9T8Ldvq6rQiM5QEHwa9PxXeqqOhVOnbr0TKKtaHWa_QMIDv9Ra3I-9k9BOt7lh0UmMCi5ZjBOSZQgAA3Fm_aG3oV1vrMvvqjZxp0KjLXP5Z4gCSXwn/s320/toys10.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
9. And another "free" toy. This one goes way back to last summer. This one is great for babies. I took a formula container, cleaned it, stripped the label off (and because I'm a nerd, decorated it with a Sharpie) and stuffed it full of scrap ribbons (I'm not selective when it comes to my craft hoarding). Endless baby fun. Lots of textures and back then, he would just pull them out of the box. We would put them back in, and he'd pull them back out. We also have another formula box that has dollar store dominoes in it. It makes horrible noise when you shake it, which he loves. Once we determined he wouldn't eat the dominoes, he would take them out and put them back in the box. Lately, he just likes to stand up and dump them out. I've also been showing him how to stack them like blocks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauZSEqbaF_BRXVs70spWI1icRr4_bCd9hZHma9qhmiJtteolv_k8nx8mEnbWsgbOqHOFCJcKH9gcSr8J8LhB9olDP3keVLjxOEmytkRAaAjgWP5rx1UWjSwEoCT02YzH_adK0PMlbXBoa/s1600/toys12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauZSEqbaF_BRXVs70spWI1icRr4_bCd9hZHma9qhmiJtteolv_k8nx8mEnbWsgbOqHOFCJcKH9gcSr8J8LhB9olDP3keVLjxOEmytkRAaAjgWP5rx1UWjSwEoCT02YzH_adK0PMlbXBoa/s320/toys12.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
10. This was an idea from another mom before we were about to make our road trip to Pittsburgh. A dollar store cookie sheet (which is the smallest, flimsiest cookie sheets I've ever seen and would never actually use in an oven) makes a great "desk" to hold stuff while he's strapped into his car seat. Once he's older, he can use it on his lap to color and draw. For now though, we use magnets! I bought these cute, pre-painted animal cut outs at Walmart along with a roll of magnetic tape. Two minutes later he had these cute, easy to hold (less likely to lose in the car) magnets he can use on the cookie sheet. I also bought a set of alphabet magnets from the dollar store. I only have A-B-C in the zippered pouch though because they are small enough to get lost in the car seats. I didn't want to be hunting for the entire alphabet after a road trip. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOWgaAhSi3CF-JLf_ULhTCSDcXaeUnIHvNIwIHsX9uvRnQthJQTviMMBkPRtftBIFSY8fqSpkXxoPPaRgBxSYyfwAIRZc0I6kLzLWGO-92TqJ3rTQRlCiPSVR1pFxWXjCcF1rJai6X1Hz/s1600/toys13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOWgaAhSi3CF-JLf_ULhTCSDcXaeUnIHvNIwIHsX9uvRnQthJQTviMMBkPRtftBIFSY8fqSpkXxoPPaRgBxSYyfwAIRZc0I6kLzLWGO-92TqJ3rTQRlCiPSVR1pFxWXjCcF1rJai6X1Hz/s320/toys13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
11. Also using the cookie sheet, I printed some road graphics which I found online, along with some traffic signs, onto card stock, cut them out and took them to a local office supply store to have them laminate them. I used the magnetic tape on the backs of the pieces. I put the pieces in a zippered pouch and he can create roadways and drive cars around on it. He's a little young to understand right now but he really liked playing with the traffic signs and putting those on the sheet. This toy worked great when we arrived in our hotel in Pittsburgh. It was quiet so it didn't disrupt the other guests and he was content.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilub92wJ1siXAKahlo3KAdBMxzXgteGYs-x8nNNJvEy_03eRrjtXlEuAGqQrE86TZlTIe5v0Dx0ilSJ-CJbSaCwSL_4g99WSIpNvTtDu19pmboPd9GF-O7ikE6Pc4CQ8_Y366TZhQa6cr3/s1600/toys16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilub92wJ1siXAKahlo3KAdBMxzXgteGYs-x8nNNJvEy_03eRrjtXlEuAGqQrE86TZlTIe5v0Dx0ilSJ-CJbSaCwSL_4g99WSIpNvTtDu19pmboPd9GF-O7ikE6Pc4CQ8_Y366TZhQa6cr3/s320/toys16.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
So those are some of the things I've made so far. With the exception of the busy board, everything was less than $5 to make and required minimal time to put together. And none of it involves listening to obnoxious electronic toys or really makes me want to cringe at all. :) Happy mom = happy baby and happy baby = happy mom. <br />
<br />Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-75160583226045928182015-09-15T16:54:00.000-04:002015-09-15T16:54:19.178-04:00New Albany Walking Classic 2014 and 2015You know it's bad when you are a year behind on your blog posts. Ha! I never wrote about last year's New Albany Walking Classic. Its old news now but I wanted to document my time, which I recently went hunting down so I would know what my current PR was in case I was close to it again. Yup, I got a PR last year and didn't even blog about it. Most likely because right after the race, we were gearing up for Megatron's 3rd surgery so my blog was the last thing on my mind. So last year's time was 1:37:35. And since the race was just this past weekend, I can still write a timely post about this year's race!<br />
<br />
We lucked out and The Pilot was off so he could stay home with Megatron. I met up with my usual crew of running friends at 7 am. Yes, this event is so fun and popular that even the runners show up to walk. And most of them are often humbled by the athleticism of some race walkers. Nothing like getting schooled by a race walker walking an 8 minute mile!<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for this race. I decided it might be a "game day decision." Ha. I didn't want to go all out for fear I'd irritate my already cranky hip flexors. I only have 3 weeks left until my big race so I'm getting a little protective of myself. I also wanted to get back home to my boys so I didn't want to "just" have fun and go at a casual pace. I did know that I wanted to line up at the start line much earlier than I did last year so that I wouldn't get stuck behind people who walk slower than my easy pace. I ended up going quite a bit further than a 10k last year because I was zig zagging around people.<br />
<br />
So a group of us lined up right behind the competitive group and it was all fun and games for a mile. Then part of the group picked up the pace. I wasn't ready yet so I didn't follow them. No matter if I'm running or walking, it takes me a good 3 miles to get warmed up. Unfortunate as that may be! So a few of us hung back. Slowly though, I started to pick up the pace. Then I got to mile 4 and decided to kick it into another gear. Poor Katy and Ralph who were with me at that point. I was watching my Garmin and realized I could get a new PR. So I decided to go for it.<br />
<br />
And I went. Each 1/2 mile was faster than the previous. With less than a half mile to go, I was a woman on a mission. I sort of zoned out and just went all out. So much for taking it easy on the hips! I must say, it was kind of fun to start passing people at the end. Normally at the end of a race I feel like I'm dying and am about to crawl over the finish. But I felt great! Ralph turned back to go find more friends to finish with and poor Katy was behind me, cursing me. And just like that, I beat last year's time by 5 minutes! I have a new PR of 1:32:37. Not bad considering the last time I race walked any distance was....at last year's 10K. Oops. I've focused so much on running this year that I've only been taking short walk breaks here and there. Of course I couldn't help but wonder what I could have done had I actually trained....<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6zXnec59G7Pqj1XURZazaVVvs-Xj05IS1HMBoVfOpCuMTBSbu09JPedoNplKrSfkzd19RNLNO09VPBd2hQcIg80ObpKvojF2DezKys4qCknG2k5AAAZ3MBnVU3A5VswdvpEOU69XXiBq/s640/blogger-image-1061030338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6zXnec59G7Pqj1XURZazaVVvs-Xj05IS1HMBoVfOpCuMTBSbu09JPedoNplKrSfkzd19RNLNO09VPBd2hQcIg80ObpKvojF2DezKys4qCknG2k5AAAZ3MBnVU3A5VswdvpEOU69XXiBq/s640/blogger-image-1061030338.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-32111769039399189172015-08-25T07:20:00.001-04:002015-08-25T07:20:56.787-04:00Two months inI'm now about two months into Weight Watchers. I slowed down some in my weight loss, especially because the WW app keeps "yelling" at me that I was loosing too quickly. Part of it was that in the beginning (once I got the hang of the point system), it was somewhat easy to eat within the daily points allotted and I rarely needed to us many of the weekly points and never tapped into the points I earned through activity. That is until my running mileage started to ramp up for my half marathon training. When mileage ramps up, so does my appetite. So I've been using those weekly points and occasionally the activity points.<br />
<br />
Now that my mileage has creeped up, I'm craving carbs a lot more. I'm trying to make sure I prep in advance of a workout so I don't get out of control hungry after a workout. So the day before a long run, I've been trying to make sure I've fueled really well. It's been working for the most part but I ran 10 miles on Wednesday and I was hungry all.day.long.<br />
<br />
I'm down just over 18 pounds so despite the long run munchies, I'm still losing weight. I have another month on my WW membership and as of now, I plan to extend because it does seem to be working for me. Tracking my food has been huge in helping me eat smaller portions, slowing down when I eat and really listening to my body in terms of, am I really hungry or am I ignoring the signs that I'm full? Or am I just bored, sad, anxious, not paying attention to what I'm eating, etc? Those have all been my biggest triggers for over eating . Knowing I have to record everything I eat means I think twice before I eat anything.<br />
<br />
One thing I still have trouble deciphering is how I feel at night. Before bed I get very tempted to have a snack. Especially if I have points left to use for the day. The thing is, if I've eaten a balanced dinner, I'm not usually hungry before bed. It's just a habit that I'm having a hard time breaking. I'm trying really hard to force myself to drink a glass of water and just go to bed. Because usually I'm just tired and bored by that time. So why eat when I should just go to bed?! It seems so simple but it's much much much easier said than done! Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6887972774894305778.post-46002801849420666082015-08-23T08:58:00.000-04:002015-08-23T08:58:03.500-04:00Big Time TrainingSince I fell short of my "Big Time PR" at the <a href="http://gymclassdropout.blogspot.com/2015/07/2015-cap-city-half-marathon-recapand.html">half marathon</a> in the spring, I've been training hard for my second attempt which is in about 6 weeks. I think losing some weight, incorporating more regular strength/cross training, as well as running longer/more frequently has made all the difference. I am regularly churning out mileage at faster the PR pace. I even pulled off PR pace while pushing Megatron in the stroller for a portion of my long miles recently (a friend was taking turns with me pushing).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtIEPH7RuDYihjAXcgbqlK8nkrW8hBr8pqXik73LHUUaHK8jkx31DtPv-Y-M44z-GsfVm0RZK-mGAktnBx3UpNq-KHSyy61vyBgUB4a6t98xHkd8dcPlmAcXDEiHMBZgv8oV5jD1Ft38V/s1600/8+miler+8-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtIEPH7RuDYihjAXcgbqlK8nkrW8hBr8pqXik73LHUUaHK8jkx31DtPv-Y-M44z-GsfVm0RZK-mGAktnBx3UpNq-KHSyy61vyBgUB4a6t98xHkd8dcPlmAcXDEiHMBZgv8oV5jD1Ft38V/s320/8+miler+8-15.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letting Megatron stretch his legs post-run. No playground nearby? That's ok, he's content to climb on anything available including the stroller and park benches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGytMLUMFDoAxmS8w9e1gTUDC4uGbDdp4V3K1lGYNfTCKOILAKpi2Z9HwTFPTfGVNqeUnLoBN1DOLO6P2Z3Kls9FtJ8VcWpG5dQ6UJz23rJ37aKnmejRwpNuHZ45dCMxAEog8C3V51sJR/s1600/photo+5+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGytMLUMFDoAxmS8w9e1gTUDC4uGbDdp4V3K1lGYNfTCKOILAKpi2Z9HwTFPTfGVNqeUnLoBN1DOLO6P2Z3Kls9FtJ8VcWpG5dQ6UJz23rJ37aKnmejRwpNuHZ45dCMxAEog8C3V51sJR/s320/photo+5+%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just trying on mama/s sweaty running shoes. Never mind the fact that I'm not wearing pants...I was really hot after our run!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Getting these runs in has been interesting lately. The Pilot's schedule has been pretty rough on all of us so Megatron is usually in tow for my runs. Luckily I have some amazing friends who have been pushing him in the stroller so I can lighten the load and focus on my pace. Luckily Megatron is still really good about going along for the ride. Early morning runs he just sits there and eats his breakfast. I've done a couple evening workouts and those I usually bring a book or toy for him. But honestly, I think he just enjoys the scenery. He now announces when he sees another "babeee" in a stroller or someone on a "baaa" (bike), among other things that I don't understand what he's saying.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtFHKfBTLcPsingwYd5p0K5rINtker7x_gUdhNSxEijjNRS2GkUIxfq4VbzFiCo9qVv3jVD1z0p2y76RRsVi101IKOwpMZfRwHn77_A5ow_NNpiyCHHJ0MxOdwBCeoL0LTo9IXFim4ZSt/s1600/photo+1+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtFHKfBTLcPsingwYd5p0K5rINtker7x_gUdhNSxEijjNRS2GkUIxfq4VbzFiCo9qVv3jVD1z0p2y76RRsVi101IKOwpMZfRwHn77_A5ow_NNpiyCHHJ0MxOdwBCeoL0LTo9IXFim4ZSt/s320/photo+1+%25284%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why does mama keep dragging me out of bed to meet up with these crazy people?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now that my long runs are over 8 miles though, I feel bad making him sit that long. So I've had to do my last 2 long runs on a weekday because that's when The Pilot was home. And even more insane for me is that I'm knocking the miles out EARLY so I can get home, cleaned up and spend time with my boys. The Pilot is hardly getting any days off so when he's home, I don't want to run out the door and be gone for hours at a time. I want the three of us to be together. So this week I did my 10 miler at 5 am. I was done before Megatron even woke up. I did 4 miles with another mama and then when she needed to head home to get ready for work, I set out to finish the last 6 on my own. I will say, the only other times I've watched the sun come up while running was during the Disney races. Granted the sunrise in Central Ohio isn't quite as magical as the sunrise over Cinderella's Castle, it was kind of fun to watch my little town wake up and start its day.<br />
<br />
That 10 miler gave me a huge confidence boost as I head into the home stretch of training for this second attempt at a "big time" PR. While my splits were all over the place (like usual), I held it together and never really hit a wall. I do think my perspective on long runs has changed. Now rather than it being something I <i>have</i> to do, I look at it as a great time to get some me time. Normally I start slow and then pick up the pace around mile 3 or 4. For my 10 miler though, I did the first 4 miles with someone faster than me. Obviously we went out too fast for me and I kept slowing down. Then I had a recovery mile once I struck out on my own, and then I found my groove again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWquXoFDw7_59ByM6X0FADPrTrS47qF91OdB6v_GXeJ5jRqofKbX-ecdyCiZxEOQXCiU4R2AbBmcddB6veW0W4DQ0XkJFL6Q-dyPau48yN8WecrThZ3cl-RA9LuD7RTpYBlWEjXIeoOCd/s1600/blog+10+miler+pace+8-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWquXoFDw7_59ByM6X0FADPrTrS47qF91OdB6v_GXeJ5jRqofKbX-ecdyCiZxEOQXCiU4R2AbBmcddB6veW0W4DQ0XkJFL6Q-dyPau48yN8WecrThZ3cl-RA9LuD7RTpYBlWEjXIeoOCd/s320/blog+10+miler+pace+8-15.JPG" width="96" /></a></div>
Since I had already done my long miles for the week, when my usual crew met to run yesterday, I still showed up with Megatron just so we could socialize while getting some miles in. I was planning on 6 miles but like with many runs with them recently, I get to all that socializing and forget to watch how far out I've gone and ended up doing 7. :) Never thought that would happen! I used to stare at my watch just waiting to turn around. Now, I just run. Even with the stroller. Now obviously I have to take some cues from Megatron to make sure he will be patient to get all the way back. My wonderful friend Kim pushed Megatron for the first 3.5 miles (when I realized I needed to turn around!) and then I pushed him back. I was really proud of those last 3.5 miles because I was still managing PR pace while pushing the stroller. And that 11:33 at mile 5? Hot damn! I kept thinking it was a fluke but I know exactly where I was when that was happening. My training group starts 30 minutes earlier than another group and by the time I hit mile 5, the other training group was coming towards me but their faster runners were coming towards me, then turning around and heading back so then I was getting passed by runners. Any one who has done a race knows that running near people who are faster can make you run faster. I felt a surge of energy and without realizing it, I was hauling. I didn't notice it until I had to stop to take a very tight turn with the stroller. At the corner, there was a runner who was lost so I stopped to help....and realized how heavy I was breathing. Haha. Once I got going again, the pack was long gone and I was pooped. I was also starting to get some heckling from the front seat and had to open a fruit pouch for my passenger. It was also time for his immunosuppressant (my little Pavlov dog starts grunting when the alarm on my phone goes off signaling its time for his medicine) so that also gave me a chance to catch my breath and back off to a much more comfortable pace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBLZkgGb38QXo6Croqb2U0SoXreMscd3cRB4pYusM5y8lOCkTbODdlYynxFTXoGRwD84tnCtWCeSlmG0L8FhjaGzO5evV4R11BrqinDnoSC_a2Zqio8NG42tNS49_6eed4Of25VNG2AKb/s1600/blog+7+miler+8-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBLZkgGb38QXo6Croqb2U0SoXreMscd3cRB4pYusM5y8lOCkTbODdlYynxFTXoGRwD84tnCtWCeSlmG0L8FhjaGzO5evV4R11BrqinDnoSC_a2Zqio8NG42tNS49_6eed4Of25VNG2AKb/s320/blog+7+miler+8-15.JPG" width="139" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkZuIDfRj6TRjZsob21mw7lSziSuOw0Y2BlxlfZL769z7XCVcfjTVNY2DzI-ZwZ8q0fISH7fowNgVtbo9JLzfwWzu55NILilQKsybZ8hIZpDlcc4I3LjACOrhODtmFD3jkXz98EAvKK_I/s1600/photo+2+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkZuIDfRj6TRjZsob21mw7lSziSuOw0Y2BlxlfZL769z7XCVcfjTVNY2DzI-ZwZ8q0fISH7fowNgVtbo9JLzfwWzu55NILilQKsybZ8hIZpDlcc4I3LjACOrhODtmFD3jkXz98EAvKK_I/s320/photo+2+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why yes, I always look this happy when pushing 50 pounds of toddler and stroller while I run. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hopefully I can keep this up as I head into another 10 miler and hopefully at least one 12 miler. Then it will be time to taper...which means I will lose my mind and think I'm losing all my speed and I will cry when it hurts to do 4 miles. ;)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAsr9PBnliQBFsxPhHM58aI4XFk1VIK1YqqadmgZDhDkLgKeXR54AGhoH5ZBzSytp5EXAomAEO7elLRbU2JEJpNLWp247HP-HlvcLsBsSRlWpAx5UI-ADYhXZTXpHBlfB0Rn_E75Ob31m/s1600/photo+3+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAsr9PBnliQBFsxPhHM58aI4XFk1VIK1YqqadmgZDhDkLgKeXR54AGhoH5ZBzSytp5EXAomAEO7elLRbU2JEJpNLWp247HP-HlvcLsBsSRlWpAx5UI-ADYhXZTXpHBlfB0Rn_E75Ob31m/s320/photo+3+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post run selfie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gym Class Dropouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546523958012134424noreply@blogger.com0