The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

This week has been busy.  And as with most weeks, there was the good, the bad, and the even worse.  

Two goods this week though:   A few weeks ago I was working on a Shutterfly Photo Book for Noah's second year.  Literally from his first birthday to his second birthday.  I spent a lot of time on it; like close to 30 hours.  And I spent a lot of time whining about it; like probably 30 hours (Here & Here again).  I got an email saying it was going to arrive sometime between today (Saturday) and Thursday but it came yesterday! And it looks amazing.  It looks exactly like it did on the computer, the fonts, colors, photos, sizes.  I worried that after putting in so much time that I would be disappointed.  But I'm not.  I love it.  I'm glad I did it and stuck with it after I nearly quite 100 times.  Though I should probably start working on Noah's 3rd year now...

The other good:  I ran a 5K this morning.  I haven't run a race since The 4 on the 4th race on... the 4th of July.  I've been running regularly (September runs) and running with Noah in the stroller since it's nicer out during the day and darker out when he goes to bed.  But since the American Tobacco Trail is closed, I'm having to run a tougher course (my hilly 'hood) with a 28.1lb toddler and a 25lb stroller.  My runs have been over 10 minute miles crossing the 11 minute mile mark! So a few weeks ago I was supposed to run a 5k and I totally backed out when I found out it started at 8am. This morning, I woke up at 4am to a crazy thunder storm, open windows, and a barking dog.  But I've only run 4 races where it hasn't rained, today's race started at 9am, and it's literally 8 minutes from my house.  Systems were a go!  The temperature outside when we started was actually pretty good, mid 60s but it was pouring about 3 minutes before we started. It rained off and on during the race, but only poured again once.  The temperature did continue to rise so it was warmer by the end.  I didn't really look at the course map before the race (I don't look at restaurant menus either) and didn't realize the race starts and ends in a weird spot, at least a quarter mile away from where the Editor and Noah were waiting for me to finish.  So I knew I had to save some energy to actually walk to the car.  I had no idea what my time would be, considering my training times were so high.  But I was happy with my time; really happy actually.  I finished 27:50 which is a minute slower than my fastest 5K time ever (Eve Carson Nov. 2011 26:53).  This is the first time I haven't improved my time from my last race, but it's been 11months so that's okay with me!

The Bad:  I didn't finish my book club book.  Nightwoods by Charles Frazier.  I know this isn't a big deal to most people, but it was really embarrassing to me.  I always finish even if I hate the book. I had 'READ" on my to-do list every single day for a week.  And I was hosting!  My book clubbers were surprised too.  One even said, "I would have thought you finished this book in an hour because it only took me a day!"  Frazier's writing style is hard for me to speed read my way through.  I'm not sure if I'll finish it or not.  I know all the details, and I got it electronically from the library (it's already expired, I just haven't turned my wi-fi back on yet) so I'm thinking I'll just let it go... I'm almost ashamed; more embarrassed and really disappointed in myself.

The Ugly:  As I was getting into the car  to go to the 5K this morning, I dropped a Nutragrain bar from my handbag and then another thud. I dropped my iPhone; 391 days after I got it.  In it's Otterbox Commuter case that had a piece break off of it about a month ago.   So the screen shattered into the craziest spider web I've ever seen.  Noah quickly caught wind of what was happening and said, "Oh NO! Mommy's phone is broken.  Mommy fix it!"  I tend to be the fixer of things in our house.  He said it so tearfully it was both sad and cute.  I'm not sure why it was so upsetting to him.  So if anyone is selling their AT&T iPhone 4 as they upgrade to a 5- let me know!  I'll buy it from you.   That's my plan I guess.  The Editor talked to the AT&T people and they advised buy a used one or wait until April when I get a new one.  Maybe this will help me un-plug a bit but it's really annoying!

Running Farther

I'm happy to say that I've kept up my running.  In June I clocked just over 51 miles!  For me, this is amazing.  I clocked my longest run while on vacation.  I run on vacation;  is that weird?  By the number of other people running out and about or in hotel gyms along with me, I guess it's not that weird.

I don't always run on vacation, but this year I had to.  A friend threw out the idea of running the Carrboro 4 on the 4th race on the 4th of July and three of us committed to run it just a few days before we left for the beach for a week.  Since my normal run is around 3 miles, I really had to make sure I got in a few longer runs before the 4th including my longest recorded run - 4.6 miles!  Something about running in the sand, with the waves, dolphins, and knowing the only thing on the schedule is more sand and water time made me want to run and run.  

And I am not the only one who enjoyed jogging down the beach with the breeze in their hair.  

Happily running

Running in the ATV tracks

SO determined 

Every night we chased Noah down the ATV (toddler speak= AvTv) tracks.  It was a definite highlight of our day.   Along with my nightly glassES of wine with a book.

OOPS - the glass is already empty!

So the actual race?  Well let's just say I started to get a bit freaked out when Facebook friends starting posting pictures of their car thermometers and weather apps showing Raleigh/Durham with a 106 high about 5 days before the race.  I haven't run an actual race since December and always do better the colder it is.  July 4th in Carrboro is anything but cold.  I did a 4 mile run with Noah on Monday around 8 or 8:30 just to get myself acclimated.  Race day was hot, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be at 8am.  The race course was pretty flat and had a good amount of shade from neighborhood trees.  I started out strong, but after 2 miles I didn't pass another person.  It was the race in which I faded, and faded, and faded.  My goal is always to be under a 10 minute mile.  My second goal was to finish before my friend; not because I'm a better runner than her because I'm NOT.  But because she's pushing her toddler and I'm running without the B.O.B. shackled to my wrist.  I have an advantage of not pushing 50lbs.

Well my first goal was accomplished!  I completed the race in my best 4 mile time of 37:14.  Second goal... well somewhere after we finished the first mile I heard a stroller, and then a little voice yell my name.  We ran together for a very short time and then I started to fade.  I should have tried to keep up with her, but I was worried about the heat and the distance. I didn't want to push myself too much.  I didn't meet my second goal, but I'm SO proud of my friend, she is really a rock star! 

 

The distance didn't feel any longer than a 5K to me during the race and I'm proud of myself too.  Sign me up for 2013! The rest of the 4th was not as great.  We did some other Carrboro festivities but I had some major tummy issues for the rest of the day.  I slept all afternoon eating only a couple of English Muffins and a can of soup.  Ick!  But I'm recovering.  I didn't mean to end on such a sour note (pun intended).

Here's a happy note.  Someone was very excited that we returned from vacation.

I don't hate to run anymore?

Yes, it's a question, not a statement.  I don't like to use the word hate; but I do and I should use it less.    If you've read any of the 'about me' parts of this blog you will notice I never mention running, yet I run.  If asked if I am a runner (because I certainly don't look like one) I answer, "No, I don't consider myself a runner, but Yes, I run."  And that's exactly how I feel about it.  I run because it's the best exercise for my body and for my mind.  When I run I either make lists of things, (what to pack for a trip, what to buy at the store, things to get done) or I have full blown, two sided conversations (ie arguments) with someone else about something that's been bothering me.  When I'm done running I no longer need to have that conversation because I worked it out in my head and spoke for the other person myself.

Resolution Run Cary Jan 1, 2011

I ran a tiny bit in college; I ran a little more after college. I ran a lot before my wedding; I ran 5 days a week when I was in the best shape of my life.  I ran 9-15 miles a week after I had Noah while training for any of the 10+ 5Ks I've run since he was born.  I can proudly say that I improved my 5K time by 12 minutes in one year, with my best time being under 27minutes.  But every time (yes every.single.time) I put on my shoes and get ready to run I say, "I hate to run.  I don't want to run."  I say this either to myself or out loud to the Husband as he gets ready to run with me.

I've been on a running hiatus lately.  Partly because I've gotten lazy and partly because I shouldn't push the stroller with my wrist injury.  Let's be honest, my hiatus started before the wrist.  But I'm feeling better and with DST it's lighter later, the weather is beautiful and I'm ready to get myself back in shape.  So I've dusted off the elliptical inside and headed outside solo to run.  One night, after a pretty good run, I thought to myself, "I've missed running and I enjoyed that."  What a surprise- I don't hate it?  After almost 6 years of running fairly regularly, I now actually enjoy it? Maybe it was a fluke or maybe I am just really craving the exercise and solo time.  In any event, this is a new development for me so we'll see how long it lasts.  Hopefully long enough to join the CH Moms at the Brier Chapel Earth Day 5K (ugh the hills!).  Maybe a practice race before? I'm open to suggestions.