Ups and downs of running, or random runner thoughts

This weekend hubs had signed up for a motorcycle course so if I wanted to get my workouts in I was going to have to get up very early, that happened on Saturday for my 8 mile run.  I got up at 5:15 am and headed out the door.  It was a tough one for some reason that day but I got it done even though it took me 1:27.  Not that you asked but I thought I'd give you a little insight on my thought process that on a run that doesn't go as well as I would have wanted:

1st 4 miles (uphill mostly):

* Geez 5:15 am is way too early for a Saturday, why am I the only one out here?  Hello?  I know there are crazier runners than me?  Did I miss the memo and everyone else is at some super fun awesome race?
 * Why the heck did he sign up for that class?  When does he think he's going to be getting a motorcycle? Is he going through an early midlife crisis?  If so I don't want to be around for his 40s.
* Wow it's still a little chilly out and where did that wind come from?
* Look at the clouds brooding over the mountains they look angry and they are keeping the sun from coming out!
* My right butt cheek hurts! What is that about?  What if I have a running injury and I have to tell the Dr. it's my right butt cheek, what if I have to go to PT what would that consist of, 20 butt cheek squeezes?  Oh man I don't have time for a running injury!
* Another runner yay! Wait who does he think he is oh you're too good to say hello, you think you're faster than me?  Yes, ok you're faster than me but there's no need to not make eye contact...
*I'm tired, dehydrated and running on an empty tank for fear that if I had gone into the kitchen to get a banana I would have woken the sleeping beauties, oh the mom guilt whoa is me.
* I don't even remember waking up and getting dressed my legs definitely aren't awake yet, why is there led in them? Move please move!

2nd 4 miles (downhill)

*Ahhh, my right butt cheek isn't hurting anymore I'm saved! It's a miracle there will be no need to amputate! I must have just needed to warm up.
* Oh look at the wonderful sun over the quaint houses in the valley gently nudging everyone awake, what a beautiful morning!
* Another jogger, "Good morning, what a pretty dog you have! It's a great day!"
* I'm glad hubs is getting to take this class for free he needs some more time away to get a break.  At least he's getting up with the kiddo to feed him while I go for my run.
*I'm so glad I got up early to do this now I'm done and I can enjoy the rest of my day with my wonderful bright eyed smiling faced son! Life is good, I'm so lucky I get to and am able to run!
* I'm getting a negative split for once yay! (of course it's not because I'm going downhill on the way back)

Walk in the door ready to tackle the day! And greeted by:

On Sunday I needed to do a 25 mile bike ride but by the time hubs got home it was in the 90s and our first hot day of the summer.  I called it!  Yes, no excuses I didn't go due to being a wimp!  Instead we took my son to the splash park and I watched him squeal with joy as he attacked the spraying water.  What does this mean for my training? IDK and I'm not going to think about it.  It's a new week and all I can do is re-commit. 

After my run I got to have a breakfast date with my little man and he behaved wonderfully and I got to relax and slowly drink TWO cups of tea!  It's the small victories that make it all worth it!

Happy Training!

Make it work

Life lately has been all about balance and making it work!  Instead of spending my time lamenting the things I use to do I've been finding ways to make it work and make it happen!  Somehow we need to make sure the dog, the baby and each adult in the house gets in their workouts!  Some days one of us gets neglected but never forgotten!  You know how they say it takes a village to raise a child?  It's true and we are so thankful that we have such a supportive community of friends and family around us. 

You want examples?  Ok.  In order for me to get my weekday workouts in I have to do it at lunch.  I am also back to teaching my 1 time a week lunch boot camp (oh except this year they decided to call it total body conditioning so to not scare away anyone)  Well I was in an important meeting with the director of my department right before I had to teach this class and was about 6 minutes late as I ran like a mad woman down to the class.  I had to teach the class in my regular work clothes and just took my shoes off.  Making it work!  Sure I may be a little stinky on some days after my lunch time workout but it's better than me being grumpy trust me!  That's what wipes, deodorant and body spray are for right?

In order to do my favorite group runs with my local running group I get my parents to come along and help us with the little man and we both get to run it.  For Valentine's Day I told hubs all I wanted was to run a 5k race so we are doing our first family race we are both running it together and I'm going to try running it with the stroller (gramps and grandma aren't always able to be there they need a break too)!  So can I do a separate category of Stroller PR runs or do I have to count those along with my regular races, they should create a stroller age group, right?  No?  Ok fine!

On the weekends we trade off who runs with the dog, with the stroller or both and if it's a bike ride we have to trade off who gets to go first or second.  My dad and mom help us take care of the little guy so that we don't have to put him in day care and guess what?  They both like to work out too!  Wooo Hoo! So last night when I got home from work I took over and got to hang out with the little guy while hubs and gramps got to go swim some laps.

Not to mention that in order to be able to eat home cooked meals every day of the week I have to shop and do ALL of the food prep on Sunday!  Did I mention we still try to have a little bit of a social life?  Ha! :-)  Oh and hubs needs time to study for all his classes so we schedule around that too. That still means that I'm usually in bed by 8:30pm because I'm up at 4 am.  So you just make it work, no excuses right!?!?!!  But we also have to be very flexible and stuff our Type A personalities WAY down sometime and be ok
when something doesn't get done.  Usually it's the cleaning! :-)

See how this can get complicated quickly?  The trick is having everyone on a shared calendar!! 

Very exciting news we took Aiden to the pool and he was a little confused at first but then he started splashing around and figured out to close his eyes and mouth when under water!! We might have a little swimmer on our hands soon!  I'll try and post a video if I find time! :-)

HAPPY TRAINING!