Run from the Kids

I am officially signed up to run my first 5k ... it's a Run for the Kids (proceeds go to help the Children's Miracle Network). The first time I saw the tag line, I thought it said Run from the Kids--which, let's admit, is more entertaining. It could be put on like a mini running of the bulls, having a pack of kids all released at one time to run chasing the adult participants. What fun! What excitement! (go ahead with your thought ... you won't hurt my feelings ... I am quite aware that I am one goofy girl!)

I'm really excited about this 5k because I get to run with one of my favorite people and best friends, Jen. We've known each other since I was 11 (right, Jen? or were you 11 and I was 10? ... regardless, about 25 years now). She is quite an accomplished athlete, having completed the Ironman Triathlon in Lake Placid this summer--among other events this year. For those who don't know, an Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run (that's a full marathon to end the event)--all in one day ... consecutively ... without stopping ... and it takes the entire day. Whew! I just got tired and winded thinking about it! :D I think she's amazing and I'm really looking forward to running with her, albeit at a much slower pace than she's used to!!

I'll be sure to post about it after the 5k, which is on the 28th.

5 stinking pounds!

Last week, Tim and I went to San Francisco. He had a business conference Tuesday evening and all day on Wednesday and Thursday. We made a week-long vacation out of it (thanks to my wonderful in-laws for spending the week here with the kiddos!! :D). We flew out to California the Saturday before and flew home the Saturday after his seminar. We did all kinds of things--saw the Golden Gate bridge (with NO fog, even!!), spent an afternoon in Sausalito, walked through Muir National Forest to see the redwoods (amazing!), drove to Monterrey and took the scenic 17-mile drive through Carmel, walked all over Fisherman's Wharf, rode a trolley car (so cool!), walked all through Chinatown, North Beach and Union Square, and went to wine country on two different days to check out a few wineries (four total). We walked and walked and walked--which was a good amount of exercise, especially when you consider all the hills of San Francisco. Oh--I haven't mentioned yet that we also went running four times ... a wonderful way to check out the city. So, what I'm wondering is how in the hell I managed to gain five (5!!!!) f*&$#ing pounds!! For a few of the days, we only ended up eating breakfast and a late lunch ... and on the days we did eat dinner, we split our lunch--you know, shared a sandwich and salad. We didn't really drink that much, either. I'm flabbergasted! I can only imagine how much I would have gained had I not run 4 times and walked like a mad woman! Interestingly enough, I don't exactly know where the 5 pounds landed, either ... my clothes all fit the same as they did before we left. I just don't get it. Sigh.

So, I've obviously continued running since I've been home. And, now I'm back to eating on Weight Watchers and drinking lots of water. That's all been going well and I've lost 3 of the 5 pounds I gained, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm annoyed with the fact that I gained 5 to begin with.

Oh yeah. One other thing. Tim lost a few pounds while we were gone. Nice. (There's a little insult for my injured, chubby pride!)

So, that's my little rant.

**A happy note: this past week, we all passed our belt promotion test in karate so we'll be graduating up to orange belts on Saturday. Tim and the kids will be there (and Austin's teacher is going to watch--she rocks!!!) but I'll be in North Carolina with Stef to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday.

Austin's note

The other day, Austin was having a little pity party for himself--feeling frustrated about not getting his way about some things. So, he shared his thoughts with me by penning this note:

[*I'll be using Austin's exact spelling and punctuation]


things Jen has got to improove on

1. Not forcing me to go to school (when I have a maijor tummyache).
2. Not forcing me to go to karate (when I have a maijor tummyache).
3. Not forcing yourself to be mean (relly relly mean and rude).
4. Buy me hellys (NOW)! [*note from Jen: heelies are shoes with wheels in the heels]
5. Buy me more vide-o games (NOW)!
6. Buy me more junkfood (cheesecake).
7. Let me wach way more T.V.
8. Don't be mean (when I've had a hard day.
9. Help me feel better more oftan. (way more oftan).
10. Stop making me play outside when I don't want to.
11. Stop forcing me to do what I don't want to do (all the time).

well you have it stop misbehaving.
hopfully you will lisen.


*I'm glad that Austin wasn't with me when I read his note, because I laughed until I cried. His scolding tone just really struck me as funny. I plan on saving this note to share with him when he's grown ... so he can laugh like I did.

Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll go practice not forcing myself to be so mean and rude--really, really mean and rude. :D