Ever since my half marathon in October its’ been like a 5k run ever two weeks. Larry and I did The Color Run at Nationals Park in DC 2 weeks after running our 13.1, then another 2 weeks later–I attended the Montgomery County “Girls On The Run” 5k with my daughter.
Out of the 3 runs this was the most rewarding as a parent, it was my daughters first 5k and she did her run/walk pace. I was so proud of her to keep motivated in picking goal points along the way of when to start running and walking. I told her about the tag-it lady I met during my 13.1, that we implied it with friends and tagged them as we passed them and slowed down to catch our breaths after tagging them. It was totally so much fun and she’s looking forward to her mommy’s promise. The promise was that after her first 5k, I will register her for “The Color Run” with me the next time I do it.
It has been a little over two weeks since my second half marathon I participated on October 18th. However, this past Saturday I attended my first fun run, The Color Run which of course is the #Happiest5k on earth!! Two thumbs up for its location being at #NationalsPark in DC, and I got Larry to tag along.
While we met up with some old friends at the event, we got lucky it didn’t rain till later in the day. The runners were fun, friendly, and ecstatic…my kind of people 🙂 I can’t wait to do it again and bring my 9 year old daughter to experience it too! Check out my awesome pictures and video capturing this wonderful event.
We did it!! Yes this was the song I started to sing to Larry with one mile left to complete our first half marathon as a couple–it was totally worth the experience together.
You think you start off planning everything accordingly, but with all the excitement of my daughter doing her first Kids Fun Run at the 2014 Baltimore Running Festival this past Saturday. Well, you get carried away with the run arounds and what not. This led to Larry and I being real late to the start line of our half marathon. I wouldn’t be able to tell you how late because for the second time in a row, I fail to wear a watch to a half marathon. We were so late that we couldn’t tell where our start line was that we almost ran the full marathon course, but we figured it out and we were on our way.
As we began–we started off so quick that Larry’s hamstring injury from earlier in the week started to agitate him. To top it off, the first 1.5 miles there were NO spectators, we couldn’t even see cones signaling our way into the course–panic almost set in. It was like a movie scene, as I looked back at Larry, his arms went up…”Go on without me” “My hamstring not going to make it!” I stopped and replied “NO! I”m not leaving you–I told you this!”. Larry: “You run I will hold you back”. Me: “I SAID NO! If we have to walk then so be it!” “We can walk it all the way if needed until officials kick us out–if they have to.” We just need to get to mile 3 where we meet with the full marathon course before they open roads” “Lets just do what you can and take it from there!”
I don’t know how we got through the first 3 miles but I can tell you this we never walked and ran (shuffled, lol) so fast. Luckily Larry’s hamstring was just warming up but still he had issues with it through the run. The few spectators that were left or about to leave with their “Run like Zombies are chasing you” sign, by the 3rd mile mark were awesome. Still cheered us on and even a group had their own unofficial table with snacks for runners. We were about 100ft from meeting with the full marathon course at the 3rd mile when the marathon officials were following slowly behind us with their car because they were getting ready to open the roads behind us. BUT WE MADE IT and we continued the course with the rest of the runners.
From that point on it was quite an experience, I had so much fun running with Larry then alone when I did it the first time 2 years ago. You have someone to talk to, laugh with and fart with LOL (thanks snack station at 7.5 mile (20.5mile-Full) with Salt & Vinegar chips), just saying it happens when you run these things–what can I say. <shrugs> Runners around us would sometimes come up and make comments. One woman came by saying: “Can I ask you a question?” We: “Sure!” Woman: “Why did we sign up for this again?!”. Another runner mentioned: “YOU LIED ABOUT ALL THESE HILLS!”. But really I have to give a shout out to the best two groups of spectators with their unofficial water stations. Around 7th mile (20mile-Full), shout out to the table with wine shots for runners! And a shout out to the 10th mile (23rdmile-Full) with a their unofficial water table of beer shots! They were both refreshing.
While Larry and I were not doing it for time but for completion, I have to say I am so proud of him for training with me and going through with it. It was the best thing we have done together and I can definitely see that we are an awesome team. Here’s to many more runs with him as our next one is The Color Run in DC on November 1st.
So week 10, of our longest run of our 12 week training (well 13 we started a week early) came before we even knew it. It was the longest 10 miles in 2 yrs for me and first for Larry. It was tough with the variety of hills it had, but luckily not mentally. At the end Larry and I both knew we have this 13.1 in our pockets–that is for completion. 🙂
Then the last 2 weeks of training were easier runs which went so fast that the next thing I knew, I got our E-Cards to pick up bibs at the Baltimore Running Festival EXPO at the Baltimore Harbor. These EXPOs are like kids in a candy store….literally….see…. Love PlowOn Gum.
So it’s official, our family is becoming a running family. We all have gotten official running shoes to break-in for our planned goals this Fall.
Larry and I have our goal to complete the Baltimore Running Festival half-marathon in October. Now my 9 year old is inspired by us and she’s joined her schools Girl’s On The Run Team and they will Run in November. We are all feeling pretty stylish with our selection/style/color and fit of our shoes, nothing can stop us now.
Gotta love my matching nail polish too 😉
P.s. Our 8 mile run last weekend was awesome! No pains, no muscle cramps because we prepared for the unexpected. The last mile got hard but I pushed through it and considered it an awesome run.
Yesterday was suppose to be a normal easy run of 2 miles.
However, my normal commute from work to home of 1hr 15min turned out to be 2hrs. By the time Larry and I finally made it to the Lake our desire to run vanished. Instead Larry and I sat on a bench (where we usually stretch before running) and indulged in conversation about our day as we watched my daughter on the pier talking to kids and fisher men.
As we sat there I mentioned that it be nice to have a house by a lake, seriously–who can get tired of this view.
Photo by MsKirian
Because we all rushed to get to the Lake thinking we would run, we didn’t even bother with dinner. So once the sun went down, it started to get chilly and we started to get hungry. Trying to be a good mom I said “Oh I’ll just be making fruit smoothies for dinner” but by the time we walked back to the car I said, “I’m really craving pizza”. Can you say, Fail!
My daughter enjoying pizza with Larry and I on the trunk of the car.
So our 2 mile run evening actually ended up like this….
Bad I know…I have no idea what to even say about this.
Last weekend was my daughters 9th birthday–she has been bugging to cut her hair for the last 2 years and every year I said no…until last weekend.
After going to church I had set her appointment for 2pm to cut all her hair off. Luckily there was little over 10inches and were able to donate to Locks of Love. I leave you with a video and pictures as they say a thousand words.
You have got to be proud of your child, when their actions speak louder then words.
Today my daughter surprised me and her friend from kindergarten who turned 9 years old this very day. So she and I planned to go over with balloons this evening to his house. However, I had no idea she had planned on a little surprise for him.
We got to the bus stop this morning, and she tells her friend Happy Birthday!! Then says, “Oh, I have a little something for you” as she reaches into her backpack she continues. “I got it out my piggy bank, it’s $2.00 sorry it’s all in dimes.” Her friends reaction, “Awesome, Thanks!”
I had no idea she was doing that, and it goes to show that I have been raising her right. She’s just as giving and thoughtful as her own mommy. Makes me a very proud parent.
I can remember vividly the music I grew up with. It happened every weekend, starting early on Saturday mornings.
I don’t know about everyones weekend rituals, but in my moms household it was turning her stereo first thing Saturday morning. Granted as a kid after a long week of school all you want to do is sleep in–but not in moms house. It meant lets start making the bed and go through my music tapes while I rearrange my jewelry box. As soon as I would hear her music in the mornings, I knew it was a matter of time before she came knocking on my door to get started on cleaning my room and chores. As annoying as it was to hear those songs in the morning, she exposed me to various artists she loved which I in turn learned to appreciate all types of music from latin music to jazz, country and all other genres.
Below are the top 5 I remember from artists my mom loved to play and my top 5 I liked for myself growing up.
Before my daughter started 3rd grade this school year. She and I were fed up with school lunches. As I looked at monthly menu calendars sent home or asked about how her lunch was that particular day, they were always loaded with high carbohydrates, sugar, starch, and barely any protein.
So, this school year I have been making all her lunches. Now it is easier said then done, because you sometimes have to get more creative then you think. Or maybe because as a mom you simply want to give your kid a “Kick A**” lunch, that they give you props and acknowledgment at the end of the day.
Challenging part of making lunches for school could be because they are technically cold lunches that don’t need reheating. However, it has been 7 months now and I think it’s down packed to the lunches she enjoys the most.
Ham, Turkey, Salami Sandwich, Mini Carrots w/Ranch Dressing, and Pomegranate.
Tuna Salad, Clementine, Pineapple slices, and 4 Girl Scout Mint Thins
Turkey Wrap, Pineapple, Carrots,
But some how she ALWAYS requests her favorite default to the Traditional Peanut Butter/Jelly Sandwich majority of the week. Well, I can only do my best.
Here is a photo of the only one time I took a picture of her lunch. I was pretty satisfied with what I had packed for her.
mskirian 