My Half Marathon

I recently finished my first half marathon and am now sufficiently recovered (and back to being lazy with time on my hands) so now’s a good time to tell you all about it! For starters, my goal was to finish in two hours, and I did it in 1 hour and 56 minutes—woot!

Race day morning was a little rough. I was up and out the door on time, but it took me FOREVER to find a place to park! I thought I had given myself plenty of time to get my gear checked and get to the starting line, but that was definitely not the case. By the time I made it there I was fighting against thousands of people swarming toward the starting line while I was heading the opposite direction to get my gear checked! The National Anthem started playing before I even located Gear Check and I was stressed, stressed, STRESSED! Finally, I got my gear checked and started weaving my way through the crowd toward my starting corral. I thought I could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but then I turned on my GPS runner’s watch that I use to keep track of my pace (super important!) and it was so overcast that it couldn’t locate a signal. DAMMITALLTOHELL!!

Right about the time I’m taking a deep breath and resetting my expectations for my finishing time, a voice comes over the loudspeaker and announces that the start of the race is going to be delayed due to inclement weather headed our way. All runners should seek shelter immediately.

WHATTHEMOTHER?!

I decide to high-tail it back to Gear Check (which was in the Memorial Union on UW’s campus, for all my locals) so I can at least get my phone and call G and Jill (my spectators) to let them know about the delay. I then spend the next hour and a half sitting on the floor of The Union next to a trashcan while me and thousands of other runners crammed into my personal space wait for word on if there’s even going to be a race or not.

I’d spent months worrying about whether or not I was going to make it across that finish line—and now my biggest concern was just making it across the starting line!

An added concern was that I’d also spent the past three months training for a race that started at 7:00am. I planned all my long runs on Saturday mornings to start at 7:00am so I could test out different times, things, and amounts to eat prior to running to be properly fueled for the longer distances.

And now here I was—7:00am long gone—sitting next to a garbage can, glaring at the lightening outside, and starving my ass off. I finally decided to take my chances and inhaled a granola bar that I’d had the foresight to toss in my bag before leaving the house that morning.

Finally, an hour and a half later, they announced that the race was back on. I quick called G and Jill, re-checked my gear, headed to my starting corral, got a signal on my runner’s watch (yay!), did a few jumps and stretches to wake up my legs…and then we were off! I ran the first 3 miles in the pouring rain, but then it cleared up and we had pretty good weather for the rest of the race.


Mile 2. Soaking wet. Still raining.



Mile 4

Mile 7

My friend Jill--almost 8 months pregnant!--jogged with me at the 7 mile mark (and later at the 9 mile mark) to give me a little pep talk.  How awesome is that?!

Rounding the corner at Mile 8, and my first sighting of G and Kate!  G and Kate (in her stroller) ran along side me for a little bit, too.  It was so much fun seeing them! 


I kicked all these guys' asses.



Checking my pace at Mile 9.



Still more than 3 miles to go?  Damn!



Crossing the finish line!

Once I saw that finish line I said to myself, "Okay, time to kick it up a notch!" and I tried to get my legs to go faster, but it was physically impossible. I didn't have any notches left!  I once heard that if you could sprint at the end of your race it meant you didn't give it your all because you still had some gas left in the tank. It was pretty clear I was running on fumes at the end, and that's how I KNOW I honestly gave it my all.  Such an incredible feeling!


Me and my beloved finisher's medal...which doubles as a beer bottle opener.



My fans!  G and Kate were at the finish line to cheer me on!



My friend Jill, her husband Shane, and their son Brady also braved the weather!

Jill and Shane are THE BEST spectators anyone could ask for!  They popped up at four different points during the race (it was like "Where's Waldo?") to cheer me on, and even joined me afterwards for a celebratory beer!

Even though the morning got off to a rough start, it ended up being an amazing day!  After one failed attempt, I had finally completed my first half marathon and the accomplishment felt amazing.  My running felt so strong the entire race and I could tell my training had really paid off. Knowing that all that hard work paid off and that I gave that race my all...it was such an incredible feeling.  I can't even describe it.

Which leads me to my training.  Many of you have asked what kind of training program I used, and the answer is I created my own schedule based heavily on Hal Higdon's half marathon training programs.  I did a mix between his novice and intermediate training programs, and tailored it to incorporate two BodyPump classes at the gym per week (my favorite strength-training class).  You can see my actual training schedule below (click to enlarge) as well as adjustments that I made as I went.  I think it worked really well for me and I'll probably follow it again for my next half marathon.  


My half marathon training schedule (click to enlarge).

 Another popular question is when I found the time to train.  This was definitely a challenge as training was a HUGE time commitment. Before I even started I had to make sure I had G's support, because I knew he'd have to pick up a lot of the slack I'd leave behind. On weekdays I stuck with my normal routine for most of the day, and then did my training after Kate went to bed at 7pm.  Then I'd shower and have a handful of minutes to do something else (usually prepare our food for the next day) before my bedtime. I did my long runs (the most time consuming training day of the week) on Saturday mornings.  From May to August there was pretty much no room left in my life for anything other than G and Kate, work, training, Jerseylicious, and cooking the occasional meal. G did nearly all of the cleaning and laundry during this time because I just didn't have the time to help out.  I certainly couldn't have done it without his support, and I was so grateful to have it!

I'll end with a breakdown of my splits for those who are interested:

Mile 1:    9:02
Mile 2:    8:47
Mile 3:    8:51
Mile 4:    8:49
Mile 5:    8:50
Mile 6:    8:52
Mile 7:    9:02
Mile 8:    8:36
Mile 9:    8:58
Mile 10:  9:10
Mile 11:  8:37
Mile 12:  8:40
Mile 13:  8:24

By my watch I finished 13.1 miles at 1 hour 55 minutes and the course was an extra 1/10th of a mile long (other runners with GPS watches reported the same), however my official chip finish time was 1 hour 56 minutes. 

I'd love to hear how your training/experience compares!  And, as always, feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!

Kate: 19 Months

Kate (19 months) reading a book with Daddy.

We’ve been working on manners with Kate, and I think she’s got them down!  She says “please” when asking for something, “thank you” when she receives it, “help” when she needs assistance with something, and “sorry” if she thinks she’s harmed someone (usually one of her stuffed animals) in some way.  Since she was an infant we’ve been trying to teach manners by saying the words for her.  For example, I’d serve her meal and say, “Thank you, Mama.”  Or she’d point for her milk (and later request “milk”) and we’d clarify, "milk, please" as the proper way to ask.

“Please” was the first one she started saying, followed by “thank you” and “help” (such a helpful word to know!)  Kate saying “sorry” has been the most surprising to us as that’s not something we’ve taught her to say!  It’s not that we don’t think the word is important; it’s more that Kate has yet to display the kind of behaviors that we think require an apology.  So imagine my surprise when she was running around the living room one day, took a little tumble that landed her on her stuffed puppy, and she got up and said “sorry” to Puppy before going on her merry way.

What?!

I find this fascinating.  Not only did she pick up on the word “sorry” somewhere along the line, but she also understood the concept that you say it (unprompted!) when you think you may have wronged someone. 

This blows my mind. 

I know adults who haven’t even mastered this one yet.

In additional Bragging About My Kid news, Kate can now count from 1-12!  She's been toying with the idea of counting for a while now and we’ll often hear her counting a string of numbers like “1, 2, 3, 4” or “9, 10, 11, 12” but this month is the first time I’ve heard her put them all together from 1-12. 

She can also name a word for each letter of the alphabet!  We often sing this phonics song from a video my friend Saz made for us (only I often forget the words and make up my own, so instead of singing, “C is for cat” and “S is for sun” I sing, “C is for caterpillar” and “S is for sassafras.”  Hey, whatever works).  Anyway, we sing this song so often—during diaper changes, on walks, etc.—that Kate can now name a word for every letter of the alphabet.  I give her the letter and she responds with the word.

Me:  A is for…

Kate:  Apple.

Me:  A-a-apple.  That’s right!

Me:  B is for…

Kate:  Ball.

Me:  B-b-ball.  That’s right!

Me:  C is for…

Kate:  Caterpillar.  (Which is my little victory, knowing she learns more from me than the video.)

We go through the entire alphabet…and then usually start all over again when Kate squeals, “Again! Again!” because she loves this little game so much. 

On the talking front, Kate is putting simple sentences together, such as “Mom, sit please.” And “Hi Bunny, how are you?”  One Saturday morning we were looking out the window at the rain and she said, “Rain, rain, go away, come again on Saturday.”  This was something she heard Grandma Pam say on Tuesday (only Pam had said the actual saying which is, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.”).  When Kate noticed—4 days later!—that it was raining again, she remembered the saying and tried repeating it.  I cannot get over that memory of hers! 

We introduced play dough this month (what took me so long?!) and she loves it!  Another current favorite is plastic bottles with their caps.  I have discovered that an empty water bottle and its cap will keep Kate entertained through an entire morning of running errands.  She loves holding the bottle, crinkling it, pretending she’s drinking from it, and trying to put the cap on and take it back off.  I love that she can find enjoyment in such simple things. 

Remember when Kate realized I answer to the name “Dusty” in addition to “Mama”?  Well she finally realized that “Daddy” also answers to “Greg” and boy is she putting it to use!  Please excuse the horrible quality of this video (totally out of focus, grr!) but I just had to share it.  This is Kate calling for “Greg” and I find it absolutely hysterical!

Something else I find hilarious, is that Kate loves to run around and announce that she's a "naked baby!" after her bath. I finally caught her saying it (with a little prompting--she's camera shy!) on video before we put her pajamas on one night.



Another super fun month!

Kate's Room Revisited

It's been a while since I first posted pictures of Kate's bedroom (Kate's Nursery: Part 1 and Kate's Nursery: Part 2), so I thought it was time to share some updates!  One of the biggest additions to the room has been incorporating some of my favorite decorations from Kate's first birthday party.  We had so much fun celebrating her turning one and now we get to enjoy a little part of her party every day!   

My friend Allison made this "Kate is One!" banner that I just loved, and the good news is Kate is one all year long, so it works for longer than just one day!  I couldn't bear to pack it away once the party ended, so on her bedroom wall it went!  I also couldn't bear to take apart the dozens of mini tissue poms I spent several hours (and several glasses of wine) putting together.  They now hang from her bedroom ceiling for even more fun pops of color!

The bookshelf at the end of Kate's crib is another new addition that came about simply because I needed a good spot to put her video monitor.  Luckily having extra storage in a room as tiny as hers is never a bad idea, so the bookshelf is loaded with books, her piggy bank, a picture of the two of us before we left the hospital, her glow star animal thing, and canvas bins that are currently empty and waiting for us to grow into. 

The changing table area has proven to be incredibly functional.  You can read more about it here and here, and after nearly two years of use I don't think I'd change a thing. 

The hanging organizers (made by my friend Steph) have been great.  They hold all sorts of things that are nice to have close by such as Kate's overnight diapers (kept separate from her basket of regular diapers below), diaper cream, lotion, barrettes, ointments, temporal thermometer, comb, etc. 

The baskets above hold blankets, crib sheets, changing pad covers, towels, etc.  I originally labeled one basket for "swaddlers" which proved to be rather short-sighted since Kate was only swaddled for the first few months of her life.  That basket now holds linens for the Pack N Play instead.

We always have a collection of random toys and items nearby to keep Kate busy and distracted during diaper changes. 

Another thing that helps distract her during diaper changes are these pictures of baby faces (and Elmo, of course) that I taped to the bottom of the shelf above her changing pad a few months ago.  This is now her view when she lays down:

Kate's big teddy bear and my childhood high chair got relocated to the left side of Kate's room.  They're pretty much the only things that take up space without serving any function in her tiny room, but I couldn't bear (pardon the pun, haha) to part with them!

Bedtime books close at hand:

The "K" I decoupaged for Kate's birthday party found a new home, too:

Where the sleep happens!

A typical view of the inside of Kate's crib. Her giraffe pillow, her beloved Bunny, Teddy Bear, Baby Bear, and on the other side of the pillow: Puppy, and Kangaroo (we get crazy creative with the stuffed animal names up in our house).  She also likes to take a board book to bed with her so she can read Bunny and Teddy Bear a story. 

Kate's view from her crib:

Kate's room has proven to be incredibly functional, and the bright fun colors always make me smile.  The best part about it?  Kate loves it, too!

Kate: 21 Months

LoveStoned

You can blame my love of Justin Timberlake songs for this post's title, and my hairdresser Jaclyn for its inspiration.  Over the past year and a half I've enjoyed reliving my wedding planning days through Jaclyn as she planned her wedding to her fiance Larry.  I'd spend my time in the hair chair excitedly asking her about her dress, flowers, invitations, bridesmaids, wedding music--everything! 

Well...almost everything. 

It wasn't until just before her wedding that I realized I'd yet to ask what her new married last name would be!

"Stone," she replied.

I'd been trying to think of a little something I could give her for a wedding gift, and with that reply I knew exactly what my gift would be.  I went home, found the perfect little stone in our landscape bed and used rub-on transfer letters to add a "J" and an "L" with a little heart in between. 

A love stone for the new Mr. and Mrs. Stone: 

Kate's First Fingerpainting

Kate: 20 Months

I've been having fun introducing Kate to arts & crafts.  First it was crayons, then came play dough--and now fingerpainting!  Kate is very cautious by nature so I wasn't quite sure how she'd like fingerpainting, but she loves smearing spilled milk all over the table so I had a feeling this would be right up her alley. 

I taped down some newspaper, followed by a blank sheet of paper, and then I dotted various spots on the paper with little globs of paint.  All it took was me giving one color one teeny little smear for Kate to understand and want to get her little fingers in on the action:

A toothpick adds the finishing touches:

And a section of the finished product made the perfect addition for this year's Grandparent's Day gift! 

It was such a fun project, and surprisingly not as messy as I thought it would be--just be sure to buy washable paints!

Veggie Muffins

I grew my first zucchini plant in our backyard this summer (love growing my own food!) and these muffins are my favorite way to use them up. The applesauce and orange juice in this recipe gives it an added sweetness and flavor that prevents Kate from turning her nose up at the fact that it's veggie-packed, and keeps it from needing too much sugar.  Winning!

Ingredients
1 egg
3/4 c. orange juice
1/2 c. applesauce
1/4 c. sugar
1 c. white flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. shredded carrot
1 c. shredded zucchini
1/2 c. raisins

Directions
1.  Beat egg in a large bowl.
2.  Add orange juice, applesauce, and sugar.  Beat well.
3.  Sift together dry ingredients.

4.  Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture.  Mix until moist.
5.  Gently fold in shredded carrots, shredded zucchini, and raisins.

6.  Spoon into well greased muffin pan, about 2/3 full.

7. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. 

This recipe makes 12 freezer-friendly muffins. Enjoy!
(Recipe Credit)