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!

May days

It is definitely May - I can tell by all of the busyness going around. May is the worst when it comes to having things to do, feeling like you are being pulled in a million different directions. Some of that is coming to an end today as all of our girls are out of school today......of course, now there's a pool party, dance and the midnight showing of "Pirates"...what?! Did I just saying things were slowing down? Hahahahahahahahaha!!!
Seriously, though, it is a good change to have them out and not as tied to a schedule for a while. The only thing we are tied to until mid-June is dance, as their recital is not until then. That made for one less event in May, which was nice.

As far as training goes, mine has been lax this week because of all these loose ends that come with this time of year. I did manage to get in my weight training and have gone bike riding a time or two. I am really enjoying the bike and am getting quite a workout. There's no slowing down on those hills - you either push through or stop and fall over. It's definitely different than running. I think I'll try to get back out on the road some next week and see how the feet hold up. I am seeing a lot of improvement, so that's good. I am trying to decide whether or not to do the Disney 1/2 in January. I just can't make up my mind.....

Y'all be sure to hydrate NOW and often. It will make Saturdays so much easier. I posted a link to the forum about hydration that may be helpful. Hang in there, you CAN do this, I promise!

Blog on!

"I wonder if we might pledge ourselves to remember what life is really all about - not to be afraid that we're less flashy than the next, not to worry that our influence is not that of a tornado, but rather that of a grain of sand in an oyster! Do we have that kind of patience?"
Fred Rogers

Whew! I just caught up on all the blogs!

Yikes! I fell way behind on the blogs this week and when I logged on this morning there were 36 to read. I love to comment on them, which is why I like to keep caught up, but I have not done that this week, due to getting all of the travel arrangements squared away. I'm still not finished with everything, but should be today. Anyway, that's boring stuff and I don't want to spend any more time on boring stuff.

OK, The Cannonball Run - wow! What an exciting thing to all of you MMers out there! Good job to everyone! What you are doing is spectacular - yes, SPECTACULAR!!! Everyone looked strong and finished well. Christy and Kristy, I hope y'all are healing well and are back on your feet. D'Ann, Debra and Suzanne, I hope your bathroom experience is never repeated. Now the men know why we travel in pairs to the bathroom! Whenever something like that happens, I always console myself with the fact that at least it will make a great story!
Another funny thing about Saturday? (Not nearly as funny as the bathroom) As Deborah and I were spectating at the middle school, numerous people passed by and wondered why we had dropped out of the race. Quit??? ME???? NEVER!!! Even the guy on the 4wheeler came by to see if we needed anything. Need anything??? ME?? NEVER - I have all I need in my trusty little backpack!!
As far as the negative, although "serious", runner lady who was talking about us........absolutely nothing. I will not waste my time. Well, maybe a little, how sad that someone can't see what's really going on - it's not about running, or a race, it's about challenging yourself to stretch beyond your perceived limits and change those said limits dramatically. That's what all of us are doing every time we get out there - for 2 miles or for 10 - we are changing who we are and who we believe we can be. Yes, we really are. It really is that big of a deal. All of us are doing it, every single day and we get to do it together!

Alright, that's all for today - gotta get back to work!
Blog on, marathoners!


P.S. A special note to Kayra (but y'all can read it, too) - Do what you can, not what you can't. You are doing an awesome thing for you and your family. The lessons you are teaching your children by extension are HUGE! They are growing fast, so take those moments when you can and cherish them, but when you have to put in some time for just you, well, it makes a better you for them. Hang in there, you CAN do it - you ARE doing it! It's OK to be overwhelmed, just be sure to holler for a lifeline when you need it.

As you sleep, the bus is rolling on along...

After 4 days away with the 9th grade choir, Mark is on his way home. They left Orlando at 6pm and are riding all night to make it home in the morning. I talked to him a couple of hours ago and they were at a truck stop eating Subway. He was about to look around and see if he could find a pillow....
It has been quiet around the house without him and Kate. Lots to do, though, so we have been quite busy. I'll be so glad for them to get home. I miss them a lot when they are gone!

It was so great to see everyone out Saturday getting in your long run! I am so excited for all of you because I know what you have in store! It's wonderful to read the blogs and learn more about each of you. Thanks for sharing and letting the rest of us hear about your experience - we are all in this together!
Gotta go tuck the little one in!
Blog on!

Did you hear that?

Oh my goodness, what an experience! I can't believe Mark didn't blog about it already. Finally, I have a good story to tell. Well, last night Anna, Kate, Mark and I were vegging in front of the tv. I was working on MM deposits, Mark was working on his computer and the girls were lounging around. Anyway, all of a sudden there was this very loud scream!! At once, I noticed that it was coming from Anna, Kate and, lo and behold, myself! It was just announced that Sanjaya was going home!!! wooohooo!!!!! We were so excited! Apparently, none of us could contain our elation. I felt such a strange feeling of bliss over the elimination of an Idol contestant. He seems like a sweet kid, but it was time for him to go. I had no idea I was so wrapped up in the Idol stuff, but apparently I am, yikes! I am laughing at myself today and hoping that Sanjaya will not take it all too seriously, at least not as seriously as I apparently did!

Blog on!

2 blogs in one day????

Well, not really....I am noticing some concern about not losing weight, so I have been poking around on the internet to see what I could find. I thought some might find the following article interesting and maybe, hopefully, helpful - http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304-310-5345-0,00.html.

Blog on!

On the road again.....

Well, I'm on the road again, but you'd better watch out 'cause I've got wheels now! I got a bike Saturday, since it will be awhile before my feet are up to par and I want to be out there with you guys. So look out Saturday - I'll be coming up behind you and I'm not real steady.

Seriously, though, I got out on the road this morning for my first ride. I only stayed out 30 minutes for fear that I would not be able to sit later. Thanks to the oh so attractive, padded biking shorts, all is well and only my quads are a bit sore. I could really feel it in my knees, hips and quads. The guy at the bike place said that it would probably take about 3 weeks for my body to get used to the bike. I do like being out there again - especially today, it was a beautiful morning! Now, I can't wait to get out there again.

Have a great week and blog on!

Trusting one another

"Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that's mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we're not alone." ~Fred Rogers

There's a lot of sharing going on in the blogosphere and what a good thing it is. There's lots of stuff coming out all over everywhere! Again, that's a good thing. When you get it out and speak it, you can deal with it. Here in our little MM world of blogs, you can get the encouragement, advice and push you need. We never promised this would be easy...and it's not. We did promise that it would be worth it and it is! Keep plugging away, asking for help, pouring it all out and giving some back when you are able. That's why we're here. You are here in this process for a reason, don't give up on that, even if you don't know what that reason is yet. Continue to let everyone know what's going on inside so that we can help keep you going. When you get back going, reach out and nudge someone else along the way.

Y'all are such an awesome group!
Blog on!

You are not a tree

"If you don't like how things are, change it! You are not a tree." ~ Jim Rohn

Why did you start Marathon Makeover? Did you want to improve your health?...start an exercise routine?...get some group support?....change something about yourself?...do something crazy?
Now is the time to remember why you started this in the first place. You will have several big times during this training when you will need to remember why you are doing this. Write it down and post it where you can see it so you remember.
The first big hurdle in this training, mileage wise, is the big 3 miles. It still takes me 2.5 to 3 miles to settle in and get my rhythm. 3 or 4 miles can be tough because just when things start clicking, it's time to stop. Strange, huh? Get over this hurdle and you will be so glad. Just push through and keep going.
It's a strange and wonderful thing to have the power to change. Remember, you are not a tree. You have the power to be who you want to be. Muster up the courage and intestinal fortitude you need to continue on this journey. You will NOT be sorry!

"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure." ~Jim Rohn

All you can do is all you can do - the catch is you have to actually do it. I know, it's profound, I do what I can. Seriously, though, did you do what you were supposed to do today? Did you get that training in? If you did, then good! You did it! Now just do it again tomorrow and the next day and each day after. No, you didn't get it in? Oh well, don't panic - just don't NOT do it again tomorrow.
I thought some of you may need a refresher on what it's all about, so there it is. Stick to the plan and you WILL finish Chicago, I promise.
The first year I trained, I did all of my walking and running first thing in the morning before the girls left for school and Mark was still home. I did not go to the gym or cross train - it just didn't fit well, or I didn't know how to make it fit. I finished the marathon and had a blast. The second year I trained I fit in some xtraining and I finished the marathon a little stronger. The next marathon I finish I will finish even stronger than the last time because I am following a plan and I am repeating the disciplines (almost) every day. When I miss a day, I don't beat myself up, I'm just sure not to miss the next day. When I am injured, I try to be patient and work through it, knowing it won't last forever. (Right?) Worrying and fretting won't get us anywhere it will only slow us down and make us quit. Please don't quit.....If you need an encouraging word, etc. let me or Mark or Matt or one of the past participants know - we've been there and know how it feels.
Hang in there and blog on!

Playing catch-up

Well, it took me a while, but I am now all caught up on the blogs. I fell behind because Mark and I took Caroline to Birmingham on Monday. Our older girls are on a trip with their grandparents, so we thought we would treat the little one. She was so funny....in case you don't know, let me tell you what she's like. Do you remember the McDonald's commercial with the mom and the little girl ( 5 or 6 years old), in the van and the little girl is talking NON-STOP? The mom pulls in the drive-thru, gets a happy meal and hands it to the little girl. The little girl is finally quiet and the mom smiles. OK, that's my Caroline. Non-stop, all day, but at least she's a happy child.
Anyway, we get to the hotel room and she is completely amazed. She plops down on the bed covered with a fluffy white down comforter and says, "Mama! this is the life! I feel like I RULE the world!" Oh my goodness, where does she come up with this stuff? We took her to eat at The Cheesecake Factory, went swimming in the indoor pool way past her bedtime and then returned to the room and ate our cheesecake (the 3 of us shared 1 piece) in the middle of the bed. How great is that?
Tuesday we went to the Zoo and had a good time - she ran us all over that place!
My big girls get home tomorrow - it has been quieter without them. (Notice I said quieter, not quiet.) I have missed them, but sometimes it's nice to have a chance to miss someone, you know?
Well, that's enough blabbing for now...I will sign off for now - blog on!

A new kind of crosstraining

I didn't get to the Y today for my workout. The elementary school needed some help getting spring and class pictures taken, so I headed there to help. 3 hours of helping about 300 5 - 7 year olds pose on a small "pier" with movable posts, bending their legs this way and that, chin up, chin down, look this way, relax, put your hand down, smile! Oh, but they were all so cute!
I was quite tired after that and then headed to the grocery store, then home to put up groceries and finish up laundry, back to schools to pick up kids, home for an hour, start supper, then back to take one to ballet on my way to a PTA meeting and then, finally, home for the night, ahhhh.... There's lots more to do, but it will keep. I'll be back to weights and the bike tomorrow. For now, it's good night!
Blog on!

It must be the "d"

Thanks Kelvin, I needed the reminder once again that my allergies/sinuses can and do make me so tired this time of year. Why do I always forget? I have them year round? Anyway, I had been popping some Claritin to see if that would help, but it did not have the "d". I stopped by Walgreens and got the other. I am planning to feel better real soon!

The feet are doing pretty well, depending on how much standing I do each day. I really want to get out on the levee with y'all Saturday. I just love it out there this time of year. Of course, it does my allergies no favors but I'll be medicated.

I know some of y'all are wanting some recipes and ideas for healthy eating and I plan to work on that some Thursday. Hopefully, I will be able to post something before the weekend. By the way, Kroger has strawberries on sale and they are GOOOOOOD!

I hope y'all enjoy the rest of the week and I'll see you Saturday!
Blog on!

Monday and I'm already tired, ugh!

I don't like starting out my week feeling tired. I think I'll try to get to bed early.
After a long day of trying to get things done, I thought I'd blog. So...what to blog about?
I got in my weight training and 40 minutes on the bike this morning with lots of stretching, so that's good. I got a start on mounds of laundry - so I'm in the middle of all of that now. I moved the furniture that Kate and I painted for Caroline's bedroom back into her room this afternoon. Whew! I beat up my arms pretty badly, but I think my back is ok, which is good. I trekked back and forth to piano and dance lessons. Now Mark and I just finished watching Heroes - wow!
I did enjoy the weather today - beautiful! If we get another cold snap ( or should I say "when"), it's going to be hard! All I want to do is go out and soak up the sun.
Anyway, back to reality...with Spring Break just around the corner, I am beginning to think about making some plans. Our older girls are going to S.C. with their grandparents to see their great grandmother. Caroline is not going, so I thought it would be a good time for the 3 of us to take a little trip. I am thinking about B'ham for a couple of days, hmm. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.
Well, I think I'll go take care of some more laundry, pop some allergy/sinus medication and turn in. Good night and blog on!

I am sitting here with Daisy Mae (chihuahua) blogging, watching Survivor, and catching up on blogs. I am overwhelmed by the number of people who are blogging! This is an exciting group! I haven't gotten back out on the road yet, as I'm am still waiting for my feet to improve a bit. So, I did my weights and rode the bike for 30 minutes today. I'll go again tomorrow and try the treadmill to how my feet fare. I'll take Saturday off so that I can slice up some warm cinnamon swirl after the run! Yum!

So busy reading the blogs....

This is great to have so many blogging! I am really enjoying getting to know y'all through your writing. I haven't been too great with mine, though and I promise to do better. I am not out on the road right now due to that runner's enemy Dr. Taylor told you about - plantar faciitis - ugh! I have been putting up with it for quite a while now and it is no fun, let me tell you! My advice - STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!!!
So, that means my workouts are done indoors for now. I haven't gotten in my xt today, due to having a sick child at home. Luckily, it's just a sinus infection and nothing contagious.

I am looking forward to Saturday - see you there!

Long, busy week...

Whew! I am tired. I did want to blog one more time, though. I have been working on reading all of the blogs today. I think we have some pretty witty people with us this year. That's good - you are going to need your sense of humor!
I am looking forward to tomorrow. I can tell everyone is really excited and ready to get started. See you in the morning!
Blog on!

And so it begins....year 4!

What an exciting day! We had such a great turnout at both kick-off meetings, wow! I know we are going to have a great year. I hope y'all are excited and ready to get going, I know we are. Thanks for coming out - you have a lot to look forward to during the next 36 weeks!
Blog on!