Trip to the ZOO and the FAIR

Dad and Anisten in the petting zoo. She liked to feed the goats but not pet them.

a couple of monkeys!

Anisten and PAW PAW on the train.

LOL.

must....get..... in!!!!!!!! ( waiting, not so patiently for the carousel)

We have a yard stick.. Rockin the wagon, and the piggy tails..

Oh my! We found a Dora, it's her size. We HAD to have it.

Yes, we put her on a leash. Go ahead and judge us, we used to judge others before we were parents of a toddler.

I was crouching to take her picture, and she walked up to me, and was trying to do the same! So cute.

We had a fun filled weekend with Mi Mi and PAW PAW. Did lots of outside activity- right up our alley! The weather was great. Perfect weekend.

just stop.

Every time I get Anisten out of the car, she sees her stroller and wants to go in it. I tell her, " Mommy will take you for a walk later!" Later turns to a few days or even weeks.

I just need to stop.

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the cares of the world, that we just go go go go until we crash at night and start all over again at 6am.

Between juggling work, the house, Anisten, marathon training, bills... Sometimes just piles up and clutters my brain! I do get some endorphin mind erasing while running, but sometimes it's not enough. We just need to slow down and take time to think!

I decided that today, I wouldn't let the house or running errands keep me on the go. I wanted to just spend time with my girl, and take time for me. And I'm so glad I did.

We woke up, had some banana pancakes. Played out side for a little bit. Turned on some light/inspiring music, and went on a walk (finally!) We walk to the park and  played for about an hour. I don't know the last time that I just sat outside on the ground for an hour in (mostly) quiet. Afterward we just walked around the neighborhood. I had my music going, and she was singing and clapping. Obviously content.

Came home, took a bath ( wash off all that dirt she played in!) and down for a nap she went.

This leaves me with 2 hours of quiet time. What do I usually do with quiet time? I will catch up on bills, or clean the house. Shower, and get ready for the day------ Not today.

I had inquired about doing some Yoga for the purposes of stretching out some muscles and maybe a little strengthening to help me advance in my running!  I did the Jillian Michaels level 1 work out. Anyone who knows her knows she is INTENSE. She is kind of my hero! -- Anyways I popped in the dvd that I borrowed from a friend and pressed play. After the first 5 minutes, I thought, what am I doing, I'm so not flexible enough to do this! And she says " Ok, now that we're warmed up, let's begin!" ....... do whattttt?
 So, I kept doing it, and after my heart rate settled, and I was focusing on rhythmical breathing, I began to understand why one would like this. So 35 minutes later she says goodbye to me, and I wasn't dying like I thought I would.

She also said something that kind of caught my attention, b/c I think she was really talking to me! -- She says not to not do something b/c you think you can't or b/c it's something you've never done before. I've always had a reserved place for yoga in my mind. Like, " that's for so and so, that's not for me " Well, yoga or not, I want to be better about tearing down those mental blocks of " I can't ". So anyways, I was inspired today. I had 35 minutes of unplugged quite, nothing else going on, time to just think. I recommend it! Whatever it may be for you. A book, a bath, sitting on your porch swing, or something active that will throw in some endorphins ( which are the happy juices in our body created by working out!).. JUST STOP.

So do I have those bills to pay, and those dishes to wash? Will my child be up in a little bit working her tornadic skills in my house? Absolutely! But, I now have a fresh out and renewed outlook and motivation for tackling those!

Inspire

Keep doing what you're doing, you never know who you are inspiring!

Now, by all means, I'm NO pro when it comes to running, but I am a learner. And, I started from ground zero, just a short time ago. So, therefore I like to share all my good info with others!  I get emails, and fb messages every so often, wanting to know what I did to get started, or why I like it so much, what kind of shoe(or clothing) I like etc.... And I have people in my life who I turn to for these things, only b/c I am inspired by them, and where they came from- -  I publicly started from ground ZERO   when I decided to start training. I am so happy that I decided to blog about my journey (and will continue to do so) not only for my own sake, to be able to look back at where I started is so great!, But to also know that I've inspired at least one person!

Sometimes I feel a little guilty constantly talking about running, and posting things on facebook about my new PR's. But when someone sends me an email saying that it's an inspiration to know that I was where they are just a few short months ago, it seems attainable to them. So, I will keep doing what I'm doing. ( I promise, I wont post every single run I run, no one cares that much! LOL.)But good runs, or bad runs, inspiring runs, new goals, I will continue to share.

Don't inspire to be like me, inspire to the greatest YOU.


I encourage your to be bold, and to reach out for those goals! ( which are very important to set!) And keep record of it somewhere. It's so great to look back and see your progress. You WILL inspire someone. It may not be a physical activity, but whatever it is that you are passionate about.

Quit comparing yourself to others, and realize how great YOU are!

I'm..... ME.

I'm a mother, a wife, a cook, a stylist, a housekeeper, a sister, a daughter, a friend.... Through out all of this, it's so easy to forget that I'm still    ME!

Being the observant person that I am, and from personal experience, I realize how easy it is to forget that you are you. You the same person that you were before you were married. Before that sweet baby arrived. Before that career that takes most of your time.  Before life went on and you grew up.

I can attest to the fact that having a kid will make you lose all identity. It's so easy to become so immersed in our day to day busy life, that we forget ourselves. We forget our needs, and our (gasps!) wants. Yes it's okay to want.

I just have to remind myself sometimes, that it is okay to take time for myself! I had to learn to find activities that I like to do for me. Not something I like to do because the baby likes it. There are PLENTY of activities that we will do that are kid friendly.

So just a little reminder to all you mommies out there ( or work-o-holics etc....) to take some YOU time. You deserve it. It's your chance to recharge and rejuvenate. Do the things that you enjoy to do, and are good at! We all have special talents and gifts that we were given.

I know that I don't want to be that mom who is always tired, grumpy, over-whelmed and unbearable to be around. I want to have the energy and excitement to do the things my daughter does and will want to do in the future. If this means just taking time to do something for me, like getting my nails done, or going to borders to get a coffee and blog, go shopping alone, or go for a run, then I will do it. I want to be the best ME  I can be for my loved ones!

There will be a time when my babies are out of the house, or I am retired and not working. What then? What will happen when I've spent my whole life placing my self-worth and entire existence in to being these things,and doing nothing for myself. I want to make sure I'm then healthy enough, and happy enough to move on to the next chapter of my life! I want to play ball with my grand-kids, and still be so in love with my husband that we can take 5 week vacations at a time, and still have so many things I love doing. I will then still be ME.

I know that when Anisten was very young, I just wanted to know that it was okay to take some time for myself. Even if it's just going to sit at starbucks with a book. I just wanted to hear that it's normal to want to be away from my baby, and that it's actually healthy.

Now.......... this blog may be misconstrued as " selfish " My child and husband are my #1 priorities! And they always will be. I'm not a neglectful mother or wife. I fulfill those duties to the best of my ability! But I am still working very hard to keep a sense of who I am. Who my core being is. Tapping in to those special talents, gifts, and desires that were placed in me. It's all about finding that healthy balance! Just like anything else.


What do (or have done) you do that helps with keeping your sanity, and your individuality as you balance all the aspects of life?

Why do you run?

This has been a question that I've been asked several times. And I've always fumbled to give a straight answer. As, I don't know exactly why I want to run. It's hard, it's hot, I get sore etc... So why do I run?

I realized Friday * immediately after I hit an all time PR!* as the intoxicating mixture of endorphins, and adrenaline rushed through my vains.... THIS is why I run! I run, to reach this level of "high". I literally chase after this rush. It doesn't happen with every run. You get done with a run and you either feel like, Oh, that was a good run, or dang, that sucks.... But every once in a while, whether in a race or not, you'll hit a goal (sometimes unexpectedly) and will have the wave of thrill all over again.


So there it is..  I like the high. For someone who isn't a runner, may not understand what this is. If you just work out to get your cardio in for the day, then you probably don't experience this much. That is why I have had a hard time explaining WHY i run!


There are other perks of course!

The networking. If you are a runner, new or old, you know that the running community is SO supportive, and friendly! I love meeting new runners, which a lot of times turn in to clients/friends, on a regular basis.

The health benefits. I had a baby. I had a goal to run the Tulsa Run. What I didn't have was the extra baby weight. I don't usually talk a ton about my weight or the size I am, but I will say that this will always be my plan post baby. I don't think there is anything else out there like it, for me. I'm no longer trying to shed weight ( actually have to add calories/protein in to my diet now) But I know that it does work! I don't know anything about diets and counting carbs and such. But I do know how to get those endorphins flowing, heart pumping!


The attire? This is something I didn't give much thought to until I started running with some of my friends (some who are in the "public eye") that you don't have to be a SLOB while working out or running. I've learned about running skirts, and cute (be-dazzled) running shirts and shoes. They are priced just the same as other running attire. I've learned that it's ok to dress cute while running! I figure, if you're spending a large amount of time in your running clothes, you might as well like the way they look. I've also learned at races, you take lots of pics! LOL. But I love buying new clothes and gear to run in, just like I buy other clothes.

Goals. Training is all about goals. I've always been a leisure jogger. But I've never really trained for anything until now. It's all about having certain goals, and reaching them on a weekly basis. If you make a check list of all the things you need to do around the house or work, and got them all completed each week, how would you feel?

Get those medals!

 I'm not a competitive person by nature, so I only really feel the need to beat my own best. I'm content with that. My husband on the other hand, different story! Lots of competition!  I'm not too big in to how fast I am compared to others. There will always be someone who runs at the same pace as you, and that's all I care about! lol!

Cheap therapy. I've learned that a 40 minute chatty jog with a girlfriend to blow off some steam does wonders!!!! and it's free. Or a 5 mile run with my favorite man in the world, to just talk about things, makes us feel a different, and deeper connection. Or a fast run by myself, lets me "run out some aggression"

A good cause. Every race supports something. Your money is donated to something. Race for the cure-breast cancer awareness, Memory walk-Alzheimer disease, Hunger run-keeping food in the bellies of babies, Bricktown Blaze-help to support amputees. Some runs may benefit the trails and parks of Tulsa, some may be for suicide prevention/education.... But you're running (or walking) for a cause!

So these are just a few reasons I love the sport. I understand it's not for everyone.  I know that not everyone is supportive of the sport. They think it's dangerous, or hard on your body and so on.... but if they understood a little of why a runner runs, maybe they would change their view of it. ( besides, I think that NO exercise is and can be harder on your body than any kind of exercise out there) We gotta take care of our bodies, our heart, our emotions, and our mind.... You just have to find what works for you!  So run, walk swim, bike your heart out.. Get your blood pumping, prove to yourself that you can check off some goals, that you and your loved ones are worth being healthy for! Because you are.

Finger, and wall, and face, and counter paint.

Yesterday Anisten and I had the day off together. We devoted it to staying home, cleaning, and baking. During breakfast, I noticed that she was using her nutella to paint all over her high chair tray. I figured since we were going to wal-mart and had devoted the day to staying in, we might as well try some painting! I just bought the Crayola Finger Paints which claim to be completely washable, and non toxic. Perfect.

We really enjoyed playing with them. I was trying to teach her to use her brush on the paper, but she thinks that the brush (being the very smart girl she is!) is a make up brush! So, needless to say, she really liked putting it on her body, and her face... We had a great time anyways. She really liked it. It was something new and entertaining! I dipped her in the tub let her play for a few minutes, and she was clean in no time. The paint came off my center island and myself very easy.

While all that shanannigans was going on, we had some yummies going on in the oven! -- I had a few bananas that were close to being too brown. This very rarely happens, I usually can't keep them in stock with my little monkey!
So.... I looked up the recipe for banana bread, and an hour later, we were pulling it out of the oven!

It turned out way better than I anticipated! I hadn't ever made it before. But it was so easy that we'll definitely make this a regular around here!!
Anisten had 2 pieces yesterday!

Now she's just being silly!!!

So, that was our super domesticated day yesterday!  ( not to mention the shrimp fajita's and black bean & corn succotash I made! ) And some recent pictures of this cute baby!

Until NEXT TIME..................

8 miles

Mile 1 - I think I can, I think I can..... I just want to stop. It's still hard to breath. I'm sleepy.
Mile 2- There is still time to turn around.
Mile 3- My endorphins are kicking in, my strides are getting longer.
Mile 4- I could go another 4
Mile 5- Are we approaching an hour?
Mile 6- Pop a sports bean for some energy.
Mile 7- Only a mile left.
Mile 8- Did I really just do that?


This is about my thought process on Saturday as I embarked on my 8 mile run for the very first time. I never thought I'd be running 8 miles. But I did it. And actually felt great. I picked up my pace from the last few long runs (since we were on flatter land!) and finished with a little "umph" left in me!
Scott woke up and decided he still was feeling sickly - so I struggled with myself on whether or not to go and meet up with the group to run with out him. It would have been the perfect excuse not to go. But I was looking forward to this one. It was a flat run, in my neck of the woods (Jenks). We've been having to drive down town and run the hills for the past few runs! - So I decided what the heck, I'll be brave and go alone. - which by the way is very un-like me!- It's closer too... No more excuses right? And I'm so glad I did. I feel like it was that much more of an accomplishment!!

A lot of the girls I run with are super runners. They talk about how they felt at mile 10, or mile 20, and that seems so LARGE to me. I can't grasp that just yet. So when I talk about running 8 miles for the first time I feel like it's such a small amount compared to what they are used to running. So for someone that fast, they do look at 8 miles as an easier run, b/c it doesn't take them very long to run it. But I have to remember that they once were running 8 miles at 11 minute miles.

I'm not one to really care an awful lot about my speed. I know as time goes on I'll get faster. And I do set my goals for races. But as far as every day runs, I just want to enjoy them. I don't want it to be hard every time I get out there. Or I wouldn't do it! There has to be a good balance! And maybe I'm just not the competitive type, but I try not to compare my numbers to anyone else. Just set my own personal goals, and meet them.

Why do you run?

Anyways, I just thought this was a big one, and wanted to remember it! I hope that any of you who are running/or training, are keeping some kind of notation of it. It's so amazing to look back to Febuary and March and see my progression!

I have several people asking me for my training schedule and everything. I love that, it means that someone was inspired, just as I was.