It's quiet out there.....

Kind of scary to be so quiet in the blog world - not the usual activity. I hope it's not because you are getting nervous! You can do this, I promise! Yep, it's TWENTY MILES, yep, IT'S a long way - further than last time, but it's only TWO measely miles further than the last really long run. You can go just two more!
Please keep in mind the time and don't go over 5 hours and if you need me, call! I will be in the truck tomorrow, checking on y'all and the water. I have filled all of the coolers we have, so there will be plenty. Enjoy the walk/run (ha! yeah, I know) tomorrow and don't rush, just get the time on your feet. If you don't have someone to go with, find someone, if you have to go a bit slower, do! You'll be glad of the company! Check on each other while you are out there, especially if someone is alone.
OK, yes, I'm being a mom, sorry - I just know that y'all can do this, you are ready!
Now, go eat well and hydrate AND get to bed at a decent time!!!
Blog on!

Quick blog

Just wanted to check in and make myself blog......
We are into almost full swing around here. All 3 girls are off to a good start with school - 2 in high school, yikes! Anna is dancing at Ballet Mississippi now, so we head downtown for 4 afternoon/evenings a week. We are adjusting to that and trying to figure out how that will all work out so that everyone gets to where they need to be, etc.
Anyway, I decided I needed a change in my routine this week. I am usually a loner when I workout, but I decided it would be good for me to participate in a class instead. Soooooo.......I did my FIRST EVER step class Tuesday! Wow! What a workout! Boy, am I sore! I did pretty well keeping up, but it will definitely take some time. It's great to try something new and use some muscles that I obviously was not using or working hard enough. I was so sore after Tuesday's class that I decided to get into the cold plunge today. Well, I got all set and ventured in and guess what - it wasn't working!
I will definitely work this new cross-training into my schedule from now on! I am counting on it to really help me aerobically. I guess that's why they call it aerobics!
I hope everyone is hanging in there ok. I know it's hard to stay at it when it is so hot, but just remember you ARE marathoners!!!
Blog on!

Some inspiration......hopefully....

Mark and I just finished watching the video of Chicago and now I'm all weepy. I just cannot begin to tell you what an awesome experience it is and I am so excited for all of you! I wish I could get inside your minds and hearts and help you to realize that you are ready. At this point, it is just a matter of hanging in there and fighting that mental battle. If you hear yourself saying, "I can't" or "I'm not ready" or anything else negative....stop it! Replace it with "I am doing this!", "I am a marathoner!", "I am strong!", "I love this!". Maybe it sounds silly and maybe it is, but I don't want you to listen to the negative and I sure don't want you repeating the negative to yourself! I believe in each of you - I've seen you out there and I know what you can do and you can do this! I see you at the start, I see you in the middle and I see you when or after you finish. I know what you can do and you CAN do! For the next few weeks you will be digging deep...so get out the shovel and do it. Put in the time - you've already put in too much to turn back now. I went into my first marathon without a desire to run. I did not like it. I had done the training and put in the time and I was ready, but I did not like it. I was determined to finish and I did because I was fighting a battle. I accepted nothing less than to win, and I did because I finished. Something changed for me that day. I learned that I can do what I set out to do...no matter what it is. I don't say "can't" anymore. I may say, "I don't choose to" or "I don't want to" but I don't say "I can't". I learned that my race is not against someone else and does not belong to someone else. It belongs to me and I run it for me. It's not about anyone else. Selfish? Yep! A good kind of selfish, though, because it has made me a better me...not a perfect me, just a better me. There's still plenty of room for improvement and growth, mind you, so I guess I'd better get ready for Chicago '08! I'll have to go watch that video again!

See you in the morning for a "short" one!
Blog on!

Long time, no blog

Wow! I knew it had been quite a while since my last blog, but gee whiz, I didn't realize it had been this long. OK, so lots to catch up on, too much, in fact because I must get ready to read the blogs that I have fallen behind reading, ugh! I'll tell you who is to blame for the getting behind on reading.....Harry Potter! Yep, I am a fanatic - love the books, love the movies! Mark and I took the older ones to the movie last Saturday and as we were leaving, the mailman arrived with our copy of #7 - we just about assaulted him! So why is it that he kept me from reading blogs? Well, you see, I know that it would be possible to read online or someone else's post, who finished it first, and the ending would be spoiled. I've been reading these books with my girls since they were in the fourth grade....now they are in the tenth, so we are pretty invested in this story. With all of the hype, I thought someone might leak stuff, as usual and ruin the experience. I finished the book Wednesday and let me just tell you what happened....just kidding, I would not do that. I'll just say, I loved it.

As far as training goes, I've done pretty well this week - again, thanks to Harry. He kept me on the bike at the Y this week for an hour at a time. I took good care of my feet and was able to run 4 miles this morning. Had I remembered to use my inhaler before I started out, or took it with me, I would've done much better. The breathing was tough this morning. I think I'll go to my doc soon and see him about it. I'm out of my other meds and need some more. It felt really good to be out there with y'all and everyone looked so good! Be proud of yourselves, you've come a long way!

Gotta run!
Blog on!

zzzzzzzzzzzz.................

Boy, have I been sleepy for the past several days! It started with the dress rehearsal thursday night for all of my girls' recital. Then, there was the recital...the 3 hour recital. Getting to bed at midnight and rising at 4am, just doesn't work for me! I wish I had been more awake for Saturday - I hear we had a lot of fun! I came home and snoozed for just a bit, but it didn't help much because I continued to be sleepy the rest of the day and all day Sunday, ugh! So, instead of heading to the gym this morning for my workout, I napped. Now, I feel better!

I am actually home alone (a very rare occurence), doing laundry, working on travel arrangements and enjoying the quiet. I know, a glamorous existence, but I like it! Speaking of which, the clothes are not going to clean themselves, so back to it!

Blog on!

What a day Saturday was! You are all awesome for doing your miles on such a brutal day. Did you notice that bridge? It's fine on your 1st trip over, but the 2nd time it magically stretches, getting longer and longer! Gee whiz! That's always the toughest spot for me. It does go by a lot faster on a bike, but those cars are still scary as they zoom by me. Anyway, y'all did great, so don't let your time or performance get to you - when it's that hot and humid, it's a feat to just be out there and finish!
Congrats to all of you!
Blog on!

aahhhh.....summer....

Summer has definitely arrived. Teenagers sleeping late and 7 year old running in and out and in and out and in and out with her friends. Those were the days, weren't they?

Mark and I had a fantastic time in San Antonio! The travel could have been better, luggage was lost (and found, whew!) on the way out and our 4 - 5 hour journey home turned into 13 hours. What a day! We were laughing about the people we met on the way back who were basically in the same boat. There was a lady we had known 15 years ago at a former church who had gone out to California to get her daughter and 18 month old grandchild - they gave up at DFW, rented a car and drove home. There was the photographer and daughter who had been out to cover the Miss Universe(?) pageant - we flew out before they did. There was the golfer from Simi Valley, CA who was coming to Jackson to play in a tournament - he flew out with us. And then, there was the bowling team from V'burg who had been out to Reno, NV to play in a tournament that lasts for 6 months. The father and son from the team flew home with us, the rest stayed overnight and flew out the next morning. Wow! I'm so glad I don't have to fly a lot!

Oh my goodness! I almost forgot! The delay was almost and maybe even worth it. Here's why:
Mark and I are standing at the desk waiting to get some info on our status. Mark looks behind me and says, "Hey, that guy looks like Curtis! (24)". I look and say, "Hey! That guy IS Curtis."
Mark: "Are you sure?"
Robin: leans over and says "Hey, aren't you Curtis?"
Guy: "What?"
Robin: "Aren't you Curtis, you know, from 24?"
Guy: smiles and says, "Yea"
Robin: gush, gush, gush "We just love you on that show! (ooops! is that proper? He was killed off.)
Guy: "Thanks"

So, while he's asking about a flight, I tell Mark that he's just got to take my picture with him. As he turns to walk away I stop him (very politely, of course) and ask for a picture and he obliges. Oh wow! That was cool!

Oh yeah, San Antonio, great time, just great! Wonderful hotel, wonderful food and wonderful weather! We did lots and lots of walking to try to offset all of the eating. My favorite? Guacamole made fresh right there at our table!

OK, enough of that. I've got to continue to get caught up on all of the blogs - y'all have been busy!

Blog on!