Do you DU? I DU!

That's right.  As of this morning, I completed my first Duathlon (run, bike, run).

In the name of walking the walk, not just talking the talk - I branched out to try something new. 
We are constantly encouraging our 8 year old son to stretch his comfort zone.  Like his Mama, he is a creature of habit. . .We find what we like, and we stick with it.  We love routine.  For the most part, this is not necessarily a bad thing.  However, throughout life, there are times where it's just not a choice - we must step out of our comfort zones, whether for a short amount of time, or indefinitely.
That's life.

I love running.  I love running half marathons.  I could do just that, and be happy.  But I've learned that part of staying fit, is mixing up one's routine.  The body needs change, in order to change.

Today I did a duathlon.  I got up way too early, and drove to Bermuda Run, NC - just outside of Winston-Salem.  I unloaded in the transition area, and then drove 1/4 mile away to park.  It was freezing.  It was dark.  I was questioning my sanity.

Me, pre-race.  Freezing, but smiling.

There were about 73 participants.  We started a few minutes late - about 8:10am, and began with a 3 mile run through the Bermuda Run neighborhood.  As the sun came out, my mood improved.  Although, for some reason at Mile 2 (uphill blues?), I found myself wondering why I pay others approximately $45, so that I can torture the snot out of myself?  No, seriously, I had snot running down my face. . .

In true southern spring beauty - the grass had recently been mowed, trees were blooming - and this allergy-ridden gal could taste the pollen in the air.  Not good, hence the nose faucet.

As I approached the transition area at the end of mile 3, I had no trouble locating my bike/shoes/helmet. . .as it was only one of 6 left.  You read that correctly. . .SIX REMAINING bikes in the transition area.  I had to laugh.

I changed into my bike shoes, rolled down to the mount area, and took off.  I really liked the change of pace!  It was nice to go from running to riding.  The ride was about 14 miles through Clemmons, NC.  Once back at the transition area, I parked my bike, changed back into my running shoes, and took about half mile to find my land-legs again.

During the last 3 mile run, I found myself thinking about previously mentioned 8 year old son, who likes routine, structure, sameness. . .It is definitely challenging to try something new.  It can be discouraging, too.  I thought to myself, "If this was a race, I know I wouldn't be at the end of the pack." 

Yet, it was also a confidence-booster.  I was doing this!  I was trying something new, and I would finish.  I had taken on a new challenge, and while I would not finish first, I would finish. . .

"It doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

I am satisfied.

I am done.  I am still smiling.

Race Notes:  An HUGE shout-out to the fine folks at Trivium Racing and the Winston-Salem Triathlon Club for putting on a great race.  Thank you to all the volunteers who guided us, and handed out water.  Last, but not least, thanks to the Davie County and Winston-Salem police who helped us with our course.

For the Runner in your life. . .

I'm a sucker for all things running.
Running shoes and gear are my crack.  And I am not saying that lightly.  I have a serious addiction to purchasing running crap. . .and I say "crap" because sometimes it doesn't even matter what it is - I just have to have it, if it has anything to do with running.

The following, however, is not crap.  It's an awesome idea - and I am hooked.
The Runnerbox

"What's that?" You ask.  Let me tell you! IF there is anything I love as much as all things running, it's telling others about all things running (right, dear Sister-in-Law, Jenn, who made the mistake of texting me a simple question about purchasing running shoes, and got a subsequent phone call and emails, with links).

Back to The Runnerbox:
While at the Expo in DC for the Rock N Roll race a couple weeks ago, I visited a booth run by two sisters who created The Runnerbox.  They had samples out on the table, along with a nifty informative card, which I took with me to look up online later.  As soon as I saw the boxes, I thought, "Brilliant!"
Several months ago, I had a girlfriend who was running in her first race - a 5K - and I so wanted to send her a little giftbox to support her running.  I hadn't found anything online, so I just sent a little care package.  The Runnerbox is far superior, and I wish I had known about it.

Once returning from DC, I looked The Runnerbox up online, and liked what I saw.  I decided to order the $10/month box, and see what came my way (they offer other time frame/prices).  I ordered on a Friday evening, and had my box in hand by the following the Wednesday.

 

I love the little inspirational quote sticker on the inside lid, and cute wrapping. 

All this, was in that teeny, tiny box.  Each item is new to me, which I love - because I am always looking for good energy sources for running.  Chomps and Sports Beans have great reputations, but I've never tried them - yet!

The total for the items in the box comes pretty darn close to what I paid for the box.  So I would say, it's a good deal.  I particularly like that I get to try new things, without having to buy a whole box of the same thing, just in case I don't like it. 

Overall, I think this would be a great gift to yourself, as a new runner, who might want to try some cool running things, or as a gift to a runner in your family/friends.

Check them out:  The Runnerbox.

**I was not paid by The Runnerbox.  I just wanted to share a cool new running find.**

Half Crazy? Includes motherhood, too.

If only my appearance matched my voice. . .

I am rocking a seriously sexy, throaty voice right now.  I am not just tooting my own horn, I have had many compliments over the past week.  However, as of visiting the Minute Clinic this morning, the reality is that the sexy voice is from a severe sinus infection and allergies. . .I. AM. HOT.

Seriously.  I am rocking some serious tissue, cough drop, and medication action.

Which brings me to my current thoughts -
I am really, really good about taking time for myself - hence my running.  When I run, I can sort through problems, make plans, calm down about issues, and work through almost any stuff that is going on in my mind and life.  When I started running again a few years ago, it was when I returned to school for my Masters degree.  I would run in the evenings, after my husband got home, and I could feel myself relax, as I ran, and let the days stress just pound away. 

Yet, as a Mom, how come I can manage to take time to run, for me?  HOWEVER, I cannot seem to take a day (or two) to be sick?  I feel like it's some mental and physical block within me that won't allow me time to be ill.  Does anyone else struggle with this dilemma?

Several Mother's Days ago, I sent my own mom a card.  On the front was a harried looking mother, sitting at the Human Resources Desk of Motherhood.  On the front, the HR person is explaining the good benefits:  hugs, kisses, handmade cards, etc. . .But on the inside of the card, the frazzled looking Mom exclaims, "What do you mean there are no sick days or vacation days?!".

My Mom and I continue to have a good laugh over that card, and it's inevitable truth - but seriously - how does one take a sick day???

My usual argument is that if I have to get up, get the kids fed and drive them to school, then I might as well stay for my 3 hours of work, and if I stay for that, I might as well stay til the end of the day to do pick up and bring everyone home again.  Basically, if I have to get up at all, I might as well keep chugging. . .

Which brings me around to my exercise dilemma. 
If I am so sick, why don't I stop working out? 
I feel that working out helps me. 
I feel worse if I don't workout.
If I miss one day, that will lead to two. . .then three. . .

Do you workout when you are sick?  Are you able to take sick days as a Mom?
How do you create that balance in your own life?

 

I rocked 13.1 in DC!

Last weekend, I ran my 5th half marathon.  This time, it was for a charity, Organization for Autism Research, and was in Washington, DC.

In my Mommy-head, I thought, "What a great idea!  I'll get to run a race, for a great cause, and take my family to DC to see the sites!"  It would be perfect right?  (cue scene in my head of all four of us holding hands, skipping down the Mall, and smiling, while looking at the Washington Monument, Smithsonian, etc. . .)  Reality?  A cranky sick husband, two whiny children, who apparently can't walk five feet without complaining about something, and a tired Mama.
Well, at least they saw the Washington Monument. . .

Saturday - Race morning - started way too early for me.  Due to nerves, I was up around 4am, and unable to go back to sleep, decided to just get up and head to the race.  Having navigated DC the previous day, I comfortably go to the start of the race on Constitution Ave at the ridiculous hour of 5:20am. . .2+ hours before the official start of the race, and almost 3 hours until I would actually get to cross the Start Line!

Around 6:45am, the masses started to arrive, and I do mean masses. . .There were 30,000 people registered to run this race.  I was in Corral 25, which was the 10:30 pace group.  Due to the craziness of the actual starting groups, I ended up starting with Corral 24, which was fine. 

Once the race began, it was wonderful!  I found my groove quickly, and enjoyed the positive charge of the atmosphere.  I really liked running in a new place, and getting to see all the sites.  The course was terrific, as was the crowd support. 

Around mile 6, I hit the HUGE uphill.  I walked for a minute to take a GU, and then proceeded up the hill.  My favorite sign by a spectator was at this point, "You can't quit, You're not the Pope."  That gave me a good laugh, and some motivation to push up the hill.

At Mile 9, there was a volunteer support group that was wearing green from head to toe (it was St. Patty's weekend), and busting out some serious old school move to Whoomp, There It Is! and Ice, Ice Baby.

Mile 11 was so close to the finish, I got my second wind, and mentally pushed myself to keep pace.  There were some great bands at the final points along the course - it was, after all, the Rock N Roll marathon!

I finished with a PR of 2 minutes, and then instead of being able to relax, and celebrate, it took over ten minutes to get pushed through the finish line route with the rest of the runners - like cattle being herded.  There were tables set up on the perimeter of the finish line with refreshments and more swag, and everyone wanted it grab it all (hey, free stuff!), so it was extremely jammed up and slow moving.

Still, it felt great to be done.  It was wonderful to have run for a charity - I truly thought of each and every person who helped to support me on this journey, and felt buoyed by their encouragement. 

No rest for the weary though. . .

With a terribly sick husband back at the hotel, I felt like I needed to get back, and relieve him of our loud, energetic bundles of joy. 

Once showered and clean - I got the kids (and the sick hubby), and we headed out to explore DC yet again. . .This time, with more realistic Mommy-goals.  (cue scene of us quickly getting to point A, in this case Air & Space Museum.  Enjoying said Museum, and then returning back to hotel).

The highlight of this trip?  I definitely loved this race.  For all my issues with the start and finish, I think it's inevitable in a race this size. 

The highlight for my kids?  Enjoying TV channels in the hotel that they don't get at home, and the indoor heated pool.

Ahhhh, vacation money well spent. . .

Race Notes:
For this race I wore my CWX Compression capris.
I also purchased at the Expo and wore Zensah Compression socks (I highly recommend).
Kinvara 3s, again (love Saucony!!!).
Also, for this race, I purchsed a SPiIBelt, as I did not want to deal with Gear Check, and it was wonderful - it held everything, and was very comfortable.