499

After my 3 mile easy run today, I have now logged 499 miles running in 2012.

   Now only 3 days until my 7th half marathon and just one more 3 mile run left to go in my training schedule to accomplish.

I know these pictures have nothing to do with running almost 500 miles or the last few days before I take on another 13.1 mile race, but they are pretty darned funny.

Cousin Fun in Ames

We had a quick weekend trip to Ames, IA to watch the Kansas State become 6-0 on the season.  The boys were also very excited for two reasons.  Staying in a hotel and playing with cousin Daniel.

 Thankfully the wet and stormy conditions were mostly gone by game time and we all made it through the game without being soaked to the bone like we had feared.

These last two shots are my attempts to get a group shot of the boys together.  As my previous blog title stated...this was an epic fail.

But the boys made a lot of fun memories together this weekend!

Epic Fail

This is how Mitchell would describe his first attempt at cutting his own hair...

At least we've already had picture day at school!  Oh, the lack of impulse control that an 8 year old boy can have.

It's 9 days until 2012 Waddell & Reed Kansas City Half Marathon.  This race has me nervous.  I am hoping to conquer this course and push my mental toughness to it's limit when it comes to running hills.  The website is promoting this link below for people to track runners during the race.



http://onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=9700

I have no doubt that my time will be much slower than previous 13.1 mile races I have completed in the past.  But my goal is to finish and be proud of myself for taking on this type of course elevation for the first time.  Finish....I WILL finish!!!

Floored

"I run because I used to be envious of people that could run, and now I am that person." - Kendra Thompson

Mitchell has started a new trend on the weekends that I think is crazy.  Sleeping on the floor.  This is a big treat for him and he is always so excited when we "let him" pull out his sleeping bag and sleep on the floor in his room on the weekends.  As you can see, last night all of the stuffed animals joined him for this event.  This is what he wants for a week of taking care of all he needs to do in the mornings without having to be asked/told 50 times to get ready every time it's time to get up for school.....really, this is what he is working for.  Sleeping on the floor.  This floors me, but whatever works ,I guess!

Less than two weeks to go before half marathon #6 and today I made sure to tackle as many big hills as possible on my 5 mile long run.  Hoping my legs and mind will be ready for October 20th!

3 Amigos

Mitchell's latest artwork during free time in 2nd grade.....

Mitchell calls this "Weird Mexico"

Me:  Tell me about this picture

Mitchell:  It's three guys from Mexico.  The first one is surprised because someone shot something at his hat.

The next one is just happy and crazy.  Then I added an invisible guy later on when I was adding more stuff.  The last guy is shy.....

Me: Oh, he is acting shy....okay.

Mitchell: Yes, I called it "Weird Mexico."

Me: and what about this head at the top?

Mitchell: That's part of what is so weird about it.

 

I'm still trying to get over the last guy who is acting shy......

 

It's never a dull moment in 2nd grade!

Breathe

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." - George Sheehan

Still feeling the effects of the monster cold that knocked me flat a week ago...I decided to take on 12 miles this morning.  It was a wonderful, cool fall morning and at mile 4 I picked up some company running with Amy, a new friend from EMS. 

I was feeling really good, we were talking away and all of the sudden as we were climbing a hill, my lungs felt like they instantly just closed.  I started wheezing a bit, but kept running until  my vision started to go.  I started to walk, but I just couldn't get my breath to return so I had to sit down for a bit.  I've never had this happen before and I felt so bad this happened the first time Amy and I have been able to connect for a run together.  After I was able to see again, we walked until the crest of a hill and I thought I felt good to run again.  It was no rock star pace (about 11 minute miles) but I finished my 12 mile run and seemed to feel fine for the rest of the run, having no problems with breathing on any other hills.

Another crazy first running experience.  But I am glad I wasn't alone and also that I didn't forgo my run as I knew what that would do to my mental state of mind if I couldn't finish.  20 days to go and with the hardest part of my training schedule behind me, it is time to taper.

The Kid at Heart

I've blogged about our trip to Legoland, but these few pictures need to be included in a post as well.

We are family that loves legos.  In fact, the boys are still playing with some of my old legos!  So while I had a great time atLegoland last week, these two were truly in their element.

I left the build station long before these two....but it was so fun to watch them both create, make adjustments....it was hard to tell who was having more fun!

I guess it goes to show that legos can be fun....at any age!

I've got out a ran a couple of times this week.  Now to decide if I will do the 6 mile run I missed last week, or try and tackle the 12 I am supposed to do this weekend....