Running Mutha

Being a mom...


It was hard to change from my focus being on me to my little Izzie Monkey ruling my life. Sometimes I still wake up and think, wait a minute... I am a mom. FREAK---Y!

Before becoming a mom, my life was about my career and getting to the top of my field. My idea of parenthood was not positive. It was time consuming and uninteresting. Turns out that it's just a shift, our life now is prioritized on baby's needs but it's not drastically different, just a bit more luggage and milk.
Now, I have to move slower. It's not about being at the top anymore, not about being a know it all, not about how the people at work see me, it's about being the person that my baby thinks I am. Don't get me wrong being a mom is no joke.Being a mom is the hardest thing in my life. My job gives me grief but it's small potatoes compared to the look on my daughter's face when I leave her. I know that she's not old enough to know that her mom leaves her everyday for her own selfish reasons. But I can feel her judgement. I can feel her saying, "Why aren't you home with me?" It's the mother's guilt. I love working and I love my baby. How do you choose only one?

Work is nothing compared to raising a human. How do you teach a person how to live in this world? A world that sometimes disgusts me. How do I protect my child from everything? How do I make sure she never feels heartbreak and fear the way that I have? I can't.

I run to show her that I can take care of myself. I run to show her how anything is possible and that it doesn't matter what you look like, you can overcome anything with your mind. I run to think about her being in my life. I think about being a better mother. I think about my mother. I run because I can.

I run because moms can do anything. I run for me. I run to show that life goes on as a parent and that it isn't just teething crackers and sweatsuits (that's only for Sundays), life can still be sweaty and fast (well, maybe not too fast) and fun.

She's teaching me to be a mom and I take her lessons to the road with me at 4AM. What do you think about?

See you on the road.

Signed Up!!

So... I know I dont ever do this blogging thing but I was online tonight and thinking about running and thought I'd drop a line or two....

I signed up to do the 10 mile race (I've never ran that far in my life!) in a few weeks.... I put down that I was a "member" so I hope I dont get into trouble for that! (He said to put that right??) Is anyone else signed up for that yet or would anyone like to run it with me??

I went for a 3 mile run tonight on the treadmill and I kind of think that it's the shoes... I'm going to be going to the running store soon to diagnose my foot issue! I keep getting the blisters... BUT I havent lost any toenails yet!

I think that Nate and I are going to finalize the Vegas plans this week... It's so close I'm already starting to get nervous! I do think that we need to have a "marathoners" get together soon... You are all welcome at my house but it's so far away..... Just an idea!

Keep on running.... we are so close... and everytime I go online Vegas sounds so much fun... and even MORE fun after we run... P.S.---- Does anyone want to have a pre race dinner together the night before as a group??? Again, just another idea!!

My goal for the marathon is to finish it without stopping... I originally had wanted to get it in 2 hours but after these long runs lately I just want to finish without stopping!! I know I can do it... It's just a matter of getting there.... But I'm glad you are all doing it with me and hopefully Nate wont be too far ahead of me at the end!

Innocent Cheat

I've been out of the classroom for a mere 4 1/2 wks (not counting the summer) and I'm already having problems understanding instructions. Sorry!!!! However, although I didn't run the 7 miles as told, I did RUN 4 miles!!!!! That is a big accomplishment for me considering this is my first bout at running. I've been running every morning with my husband at my side (trying to) pace me. I swear... I hate him during the run, but love him for pushing me when I'm done. This week I am going to stretch my morning runs to 3 - 4 miles. I can't thank my fellow runners enough for the motivation you all give me. Thank you and my personal motto...... SI SE PUEDE!!!! Looking forward to the Jim Click Run N Roll!!!!! Woohooo....

9/27- That's CALIENTE!

This week was a quick run. The full marathoners pulled out 6 miles easily. The halfers had some difficulty this week.

Rascal was sick after the run. She pushed a little too hard and had difficulty recovering afterwards. She's also been having some problems with her feet blistering. Get well soon and try some moleskin on those feet.

Chicka was slowed to a limp with her mystery foot pain. Hopefully, a doctor's visit is in her future.

Coco was moving and shaking for a full 4. 5miles, she sadly learned that she was one loop short of her 7 mile goal. Hopefully, she'll get back on track soon.

The full marathoners were quick to say that this was going to be an easier run with our last run being a whopping 12 miles!!!

Next, the group will be lead by Dolce at her place of choice because 2 of our members will be doing the Jim Click Run and Roll. Cheer them on if you are at the race this weekend! Go Yuma and Coco!!

MacKnitty will be out of town but will be running on her own for a long and grueling 14 miles early on Friday morning. Please let success and hydration rain down on me.

Finally, our own Chicka will be on KVOA in two weeks discussing our group and her training program to run a 10 miler in Get Moving Tucson! Look for our little group in the Thursday's Caliente. Is this our 15 minutes of fame?

See you in 2 weeks, Raptors! Good work and keep yourselves moving.

ATR: 5 hours 23 minutes

12 miles!

So, um...12 miles! Wow!!

We had a really wonderful turn-out for Saturday's run!! Chicka, Rascal, Elizabeth and Yuma quickly pumped out their six miles and headed on down to Sunny Daze, while Earl and I epically battled through a grueling 12 miles. We both agreed that the 12 miles kicked our butts and we were a little sore afterward! Still...WE MADE IT!!! Every week continues to amaze me because every week, I'm running further than I ever have in my life! It's really exciting!

Earlier this week, I made the mistake of wearing heels that I hadn't worn in forever and they really messed with the muscles in my left foot! I was feeling it when I ran a lap around Reid Park on Wednesday, but was feeling good by Saturday morning...that was until mile 3, when it decided to show back up!! Then, as if that wasn't enough, my right knee decided to get ache-y around mile 6.5 through the end. I trudged through and all was well. MacKnitty told me that she had braved the ice bath on Friday, after she had done her 12 miles, and that it really worked, so after the run, I stopped by the grocery store and grabbed a 20 pound bag of ice and got to experience the TORTURE firsthand! ICE BATHS ARE FREAKIN' COLD!!!! I was shivering and screeching the entire time! BRR!! But, I felt a whole lot better that afternoon and was even able to sit through an entire movie at the movie theater and not be in pain when I stood up! Yay! I'm feeling pretty good today, so that's also exciting!

I'm looking forward to next week, when the full-ers have an easy 6 mile run around Reid Park...and then the following week it's a 14 miler at the River! Bring it on!! :)

Heee's Baaaack!

And my legs were killing me! Luckily my feet and ankle held up really well. I am still doing cross training during the week to save my feet for the big one on Saturday. My muscles really felt fatigued by around mile 7, but I had the lung capacity to run more I just didn't have the muscle stamina. Probably due to the layoff, but I didn't take any energy foods during the run and that could have contributed as well. It was definitely good to be back!

9/13 Action, Action, Action

This week's run was so full of events.
1) Earl is back on the road again (Willie Nelson style).
2) The full marathoners reached a mid point in training. 10 MILES!
3) Our group was introduced to a Caliente interviewer as a possible story lead.
4) Amanda is the recipient of a bloody toe (shhhh! Don't tell Patti!).

We begin around 5:40AM with a soft light for most of the run. Dolce took the lead and ran a little over 3 times around the park.

MacKnitty can not stomach laps so she took a longer route and reversed it back.

MacKnitty and Dolce have now booked their hotel for Vegas. MacKnitty and Rascal have paid for registration. It's so close that we can feel the excitement.

This week we are going to try some videos in the blog.