Whirlwind Weekend

I am dragging today. This weekend was a whirlwind. We went to Orlando for a much needed weekend with family, especially our nieces and nephew. After work Friday, we headed to the airport, hopped on a plane and after a short stop in Charlotte we were on the ground at MCO.

Saturday morning we were up early for a 6 mile run and then off to the Magic Kingdom with our nieces and nephew. This was the first time we had taken all three children anywhere by ourselves. I was excited, but a little nervous. It turns out I had nothing to worry about, the kids were amazing.

It was a perfect day for the Magic Kingdom. It was hot, but not miserably hot. The park was busy, but we never had to wait more than 15 or 20 minutes for anything. And we were able see the characters on the kids must see list.

My husband was super happy he could ride the teacups with the kids. I can't ride it without getting a headache. We made sure to go on Snow White's Scary Adventure, since it is closing in a few weeks. The new Fantasyland is going to be very cool, but there is a little part of me that loves the rides from my childhood. We also had dinner with some colorful characters.
 

 

We stayed to see the fireworks, one of my favorite things, and called it a night. On the way out of the park we ran into a friend who was in our wedding. It was pretty crazy since very few people knew we were in town.

After a lazy Sunday morning, we hit up our favorite running store, Fleet Feet in Altamonte, and then spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by my father-in-law's pool.

This weekend was pretty much perfect. I am exhausted today, but it is so worth it.

Historic Half Training Week 9 & Goal Reassessment

So I am just over a month away from the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon and while training is going pretty well, but I think I might have to reassess my goal time. I haven't been cross training as much as I would like, and the next couple of weeks are pretty busy.

When I set my goal of hitting 2:30 for my marathon, it was still winter and I was still running inside. I quickly learned that inside is flat and outside is not. I have hit the pace I need on some of my training runs and in the 10K, but that was a much flatter course than the half marathon course. We head out going downhill, but I am a little worried about miles 10 and 11.

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I am going to see what happens with my speed over the next few weeks. The area where we train is pretty hilly, so that helps and I am picking up speed. I think at this point finishing in 2:30 would be fantastic, finishing at a 12 minute mile pace (2:37) would still be good and, if nothing else, I would like to set a PR (anything under 2:39).

These are my workouts from week 9. 

Monday –Off

Tuesday – 4 Miles

Wednesday –Off

Thursday –4 Miles

Friday – Off

Saturday –8 Miles

Sunday – Off

Sunday, Lazy, Sunday

There are times when you just need a day to relax and do just about nothing. It is rare that we have the time to take a lazy day, but today was one of those days. It has taken me years to be able to appreciate a lazy day, but now I am able to appreciate and enjoy them. Today was a much needed lazy Sunday.

Growing up we were always up and out of the house by 8, maybe 8:30, on Sunday mornings. Even if there was nothing planned, you needed to get up and out of the house for breakfast bright and early. While I didn't always get up and go to breakfast, the habit of getting up and getting stuff done stuck with me into adulthood.

My husband is much more relaxed than I am and has helped me to understand how amazing and wonderful it can be to be lazy and spend time relaxing and snuggling before getting up and getting going. If you don't have to be anywhere or do anything (which is rare), it is not critical that you jump out of bed the minute you wake up.

Today was one of those lazy days. We slept in, made a wonderful breakfast and spent the day hanging out and enjoying each other. It is rare that we have a day without a to-do list a mile long, so I try and take advantage of it while I can.

Unfortunately tomorrow, it is back to the craziness of life.

Are we there yet?

A few years ago, my husband and I were taking our niece to Disney World for the evening (one of the things I miss about living in Central FL). She was probably about 4 at the time and about 10 minutes into the trip she asked the proverbial question "are we there yet?" My husband explained that we still had about 30 minutes in the car, and told her that there are kids who must wait years to go to Disney World. Then, with all her 4-year old wisdom she crossed her legs, sighed and said "I just have to be patient." 

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Lately, I have been feeling a lot like my niece did that night. Antsy and ready to get to where I want to be. It is not Disney World (going there next weekend), but other "places" I would like to be in life. I am fairly certain I can get to where I want to go, but I just don't know if will be weeks or months or years.



I have never had a ton of patience. When I want something, I want it now. Luckily, with hard work and determination, I normally ended up getting what I wanted in relatively short order. 

My lack of patience coupled with the fact that uncertainty makes me anxious means that there are days were I feel like a real mess right now. It seems like I have spent a good portion of the past few years being patient and I am ready to be done. Until then, I try to think of it kind of like a run, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other until I get to where I am going.

What do you do when you have to be patient?