Marathon Training, Day 879,887. or just 40

So today was a big run day.  10 miles.  I have a thing about the 10 mile days, a superstition if you will. The two other times I have ever run 10 miles on a training day have been terrible. Like, terrible. TERRIBLE.

The first time was 9 years ago.  Training for the same Marathon that I am now (what are the chances) I was running up Pinnicle Peak Pass and my mechanics were all wrong and I tore my calf muscle. Instant pain went from my hip to my toes.  My husband was on a dental trip in TONGA and my mother was at home with my kids so I limped home (6 miles) and did so much damage I was out for the rest of the running season.

The Second time, two years after the first was in  an out-and back on the canals of Scottsdale and I rolled my ankle. again, hobbled home and was out for the running season. wah!

So imagine my mental going into today. My head was already telling me I was doomed to get hit by a car, bit by a deadly snake, I don't know, you name it, I thought of it.  So two days ago I was helping a friend and I totally popped out my hip joint. I was so nervous to run at all this morning because of the tingling sensation that was running down my leg. My doctor had already given me two steroid shots, I had 3 long HOT baths and I ate my weight in Tylenol. I was determined. I was going to run.  I even posted about it on IG to make myself committed to actually not chicken out.

Ill cut to the chase... I DID IT! I even improved on my time.  I ran even 11 minute miles.  Only second of fluctuating between miles. It was amazing.  My curse is over!  I CAN CONQUER THE WORLD! ok, that was a stretch.  I am so grateful for this body of mine and the things it can do. This coming week of training is recovery week.  My miles will be less, but my determination is stronger than ever.

Maybe its time.

Well... Its been awhile. 6 years to be exact. And funny enough, one of my last posts was how I was training for the Phoenix half marathon (something I am doing currently) and the last post was all about Davids birthday, which is next week... the BIG 40! Is it time to bring back this blog? I logged in hoping to find my baking blog and give that a revamp, but maybe this will be fun too.

Valentines Decor

Silent struggles

Resolutions....WORKING!

Today I looked back, this being the 23rd day of the first month of the 2014 year (that was fancy), and I realized that I have accomplished almost all of my resolutions! What a great start! I still have yet to put anything in my etsy shop, but to be honest, that resolution was like the red-headed step children of resolutions. So take that! . . So let me give you a few concrete examples of how I am conquering this resolution bit. Take today, it's 2:41, or 1:41 or 4:41 depending on where you live and dinner is DONE! I had it done an hour ago... as a matter of fact I have even cleaned the kitchen of every and any dish that was used in the making dinner process. I mopped too! i know! I can't believe it either. I have tried to be more out and about with my kiddos, we have biked, walked, hiked and played more this month then all of last year. Well, that may be a bit of an over statement, but you know what I mean. . . . How are your resolutions coming along? Has this year started better than last year finished? I am working on some super fun life size Valentines day decorations, I will post them when I finish, which with any luck will be by the actual day of Valentines :) Ta-Ta. Barb

The Boss turned 34

So grateful to have this guy in my life. I would be lost without him! Love ya babe!

Resolutions

I told you I would write about my 'New Year's Resolutions' and here they are. I actually find this whole 'set yourself up for failure by trying to be sometime totally different in 12 months' thing kind of funny. I mean, last year I set 'Patience' as my resolution and instead of accomplishing that, I ended up getting in shape. Something NOT on my list... so anyhoo, I am making my list different this year. No huge, major things or skills will top my list. I don't want to learn Physics, invent something amazing, or even, as silly as it sounds plan to have more patience this year. But here is what I am expecting of myself this year: 1. Have a house of order (wait, what! You just said you were not putting any MAJOR things on the top of your list!) Yes, dear alter-ego, I know what I said, and appreciate the feedback, but let me explain my :house of order: bit, before you jump down my throat! ahem... back to it. I want to have a better schedule that allows myself MORE time to play with my children. So if I can cook dinner at lunch time and put it in the fridge for dinner, then I will have two whole hours to be with and around my kiddos. And the goal with this is twice a week. Which, to me, seems like, could possibly be done. The underlining goal of 'house of order' is to spend time where it counts. My little world has been rocked by loss and I am now sticking it to the things that didn't matter, which turns out to be MOST of 2013. 2. Create. I have a need as a women with my brain to create things. In 2013 I created A LOT of things, for a lot of people, but not for myself or my family. I would like to create things to go with my house, and to create order. I need to set aside one morning a week to create things. I have an etsy shop that has been vacant for months. I would like to set a goal to put two things in that shop a month. This goal I hope to exceed, but I am starting out small so I don't overwhelm myself. I also want my girls and little man to create. So if that means I need to create more to pay for dance, T-ball or other activities for my kids, so be it! I will! I am tired of telling them, "we can't afford that" or "when Daddy's done with school." Their little lights need to shine, just like mine does, so creating we will go! [ cough...bytheway.cough.. my etsy shop is Rustic Raspberry] <-- shameless plug *fake smile* 3. More days outdoors than indoors. We as a family have done two 3 mile hikes these past few weeks and have loved it. My older two take off and start chatting about who knows what and loving it! No fighting, no whining, just using their bodies to move their way up mountains. Made me realize what a 'plugged' in society we are. Now, I am grateful for technology that I can communicate with friends and family through ALL social media (hold on while I tweet)but I am also grateful for those quiet,(UPDATED MY FACEBOOK STATUS) non-beeping moments that we can grow as a family. (and ANOTHER tweet) And enjoy (wait a second while I pin 500 things I will never eat)'chit chat and fun like they did in the olden-days. Gosh! I am so old! :) 4. This last goal is more about me and less about my family, but I feel this two-part'r is important to add. As you know, well, if you go back and read the last post then you would actually know that I am no longer running towards Boston, but instead running to be completely fit. I will not run over a 13.1 race this year (I can literally hear my mother clapping and squealing in my head) My heart is still very much hurting with the loss of a dear friend, and actually most runs lately have had me in tears being grateful that I am still around. So I want to keep running, because I think it does help with my heart condition, but also to run in moderation. I would like to try trail biking, and switch up my love for any and all extreme sports (take that Mom!)(That was a joke)(never mind). And the second part is to create time and space for my loving husband. Like I said, I tweet, FB, PIN a whole bunch, but when is the last time I made a memory. So for two nights a week I am going to leave my gadgets OFF! SO I can create an atmosphere of fun with the hubs. He probably will be thrilled, and then he probably won't know what to do with all the BARB attention that is coming his way :) Lucky Him!! So there you have it. By the end of this year I will hope to have as much sanity that I do now, still have my children in one piece and hopefully have the same wonderful husband who, next year at this time will be 5 months from graduating Dental School. Can't wait!