Feed the Hungry

Anyone walk to walk/jog for a great cause?

Father Joe's Thanksgiving Day 5k at Balboa Park. I'm there. Who's with me?

Register HERE

FF: Conquering the Mud

Flashback to summer 2008: we were running, training, in shape, and both of us were 20 lbs lighter. We Mastered the Mud (especially Mike!) - read here.

The only thing that's the same this year is my shirt and the race. I still have it and am wearing it tomorrow to the Mud Run. When I wrote that post last year I was training for a half marathon. I weaned Owen at 17 months and 3 weeks later I was...pregnant! There went the running.... but we now have our 3rd blessing =)

Fast forward a year: I just gave birth 4 months ago, am nursing every 2-3 hours, have NOT been running/training, am NOT in shape, and am 15 lbs heavier. BUT I'M STILL DOING THE MUD RUN. Hmmmmm. More like Mud WALK. Thank goodness my husband is going to stay with me since he has been too busy with work to train either. He certainly is not in shape to WIN like he did last year. So we're just going to kick back, socialize, take pictures, and maybe jog a little. We will still be sore! Ha. Prayers needed! I hope we finish within the time limit....LOL

What was I thinking?

in just four days I'll be wearing this and making my way through 6.2 miles of hills, mud, walls, and a lake.

4 months after giving birth? Ha! I'll be sore just walking it.... OH NO!

Elite Runner

No no no, not me silly. My friend Christy Beckman. Her pace is so fast she is running a marathon as I type this at Olympic qualifying pace. A little over 6 minutes per mile....for 26.2 miles! Holy smokes that is fast. I can not even fathom running ONE mile that fast. I'm pretty much sprinting if I make one mile in 8 minutes! I love talking to her after her races about the results...because she is usually the winner. Ha! She rocks.Christy and my husband, Mike at the AFC Half in 2008

I am glued to my computer "watching" her run via this SWEET real time race tracker.

It shows the map of the race, and her progress all the way through. You can zoom in to see the map even closer. This thing is serious - good thing I'm just her BFF and not a crazy stalker dude.
On the left of the screen there is a table showing her splits and predicting the other times from the current pace.

According to the marathon website "The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on October 4 is the one, and only, opportunity in 2009 to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials -Women's Marathon with a time of 2:46:00 or better."

2 hours and 46 minutes. Think of what you do, or don't do, in that time. This morning my friend is running 26.2 miles. A-MA-ZING. Especially since I'm just sittin' on my buns looking at a computer. Well, I did only get 20 minutes of sleep last night - but still.She may not finish the race. When you're trying to qualify for the Olympics you drop out if you're not on pace to finish a qualifying time. There is no point in putting your body through the stress for no reason, so they will stop if the goal is too far off. I'm praying she finishes...and I've got butterflies!!!!

In the blink of an eye....

...our cycling heroes rode by! Levi wins again - 3 straight years for the Tour of California.

(photo from internet)

We got downtown around 2:45pm and didn't have to walk very far. Why oh why do we ever bring a stroller? Those boys of ours just do not stay in it! Random lady took our picture while waiting to cross the street.

Poor Mike...."Daddy, I want UP!" He had to carry both of them to the event and I pushed an empty stroller - he he he.

We found some old friends from high school right when we walked up - seriously, what are the chances in a crowd of millions? We chatted for a few minutes and then left our stuff there (stroller and backback) as we walked to the other side of the street to get Mike some Kettle Corn and see the festivities.Owen was very reluctant to leave the team buses - which he begged profusely to go inside... but was happy when we got to the other side and saw all the activities.

The boys had fun on the fire engine and even got to ring the bell. Owen's highlight was a little tiny puppy that he thought was a kitty. So funny. He pets all strangers animals with no fear - yikes!
My little gymnasts were thrilled to find a little set up by the YMCA. I had a very terrifying moment when helping Owen jump down from the block. I turned right around and couldn't find Jackson. In 2 seconds, he was GONE! I started looking all around and screaming his name.... only to find him about 20 yards away looking at people blow bubbles. Somehow I remained calm and ran over to get him...I explained that you can't do that with millions of people around! He was like, "oh, sorry mom. Look, bubbles!" As my heart was trying to recover and I was feeling a little sick from panic - Mike strode back with his huge bag-o-corn.
We tried to make our way back across the street to our stuff but it was BLOCKED! We were stuck and had to wait it out. Our view was OK but it would've passed the time easier if we were next to the live TV feed. We were just north of the corner of Escondido and Grande Ave... next to a little tree. Which came in handy 30 minutes later when Jackson announced he had to pee.

Waiting

NOT THRILLED. Most of the time Jackson HAD TO be on Mike's shoulders and Owen was wandering. It was a little sketchy. Although overcast, it was muggy and we all started getting hot. The boys ended up taking off their shirts =) and I was wishing I could sit and have some cold water. The riders didn't pass us for quite some time - so we decided that next time we watch a bike race with little crazy boys we'd do it in a more relaxed, non-caged area. Maybe with some lawn chairs and toys. Hind site is 20-20.

HERE THEY COME!

The break away succeeded and the first and second place riders race home to the finish.

1st place stage winner in background: Frank Schleck
2nd place stage winner in foreground: Vince Nibali
The peleton wasn't very far behind the first two
Levi, Lance, and the rest of the top riders in the peleton swooshing by us!

We finally made it back to our stroller. Thanks to the guys from high school for staying with our stuff! We immediately ate a snack and got a drink.
Dad and Owen checkin' out the live feed before heading home. Those boys were tired and cranky! Dinner and early bedtime here we come =)

Jackson was inspired and immediately had to ride his bike when we got home.
Maybe he is the next Lance Armstrong?
Owen is not very happy b/c he can reach the peddles but can't quit propel himself yet.
PUSH ME!
They were asleep by 7pm and Mike and I enjoyed the rest of the popcorn while watching the last stage on our DVR recording. We were passed out by 8:30pm! Very cool day.

Tour of California

The famous bike race in California is coming to my hometown! The last stage of the Tour of California is today and the finish line is smack dab in the middle of little old Escondido.

Check out the route for the last stage from Rancho Bernardo,up Palomar Mountain, and back to Escondido.
We are hoping to get as close as possible via Mike's Truck and then ride our bikes (with boys in tow) to the sideline =).... I'll give you an update later tonight!

Last Race This Year

A few months ago (when I was NOT pregnant and was actually running) I signed up for a cross country 10k with my sister-in-law Christy. I was in denial until the very official race bib came in the mail.
OH NO... we're gonna die!

This is no ordinary 10k. No pavement. Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING FLAT! See those mountains behind us? That is what we ran - for 6 plus miles! Crazy I tell you, just crazy!

We are worried... but optimistic.

Course Description: The Buffalo Alley 10K Run (formerly the "Horno Ridge Run") offers the ultimate in Hard Corps Competition in a cross-country 10K. The course begins at Camp Horno, Home of 1st Marines, and winds up, up, up, into the hills of Camp Pendleton. To start your challenge early, the first mile is uphill, over 500 feet of climbing, to the top of the ridge, then you will follow the ridge on a loop out-and-back course that takes you past scenic vistas along gently rolling terrain. Please note: there is a 2 hour time limit on the completion of the course.

Initially our goal was 75 minutes....After the first 30 minutes we were just praying to cross the line by the time limit. Holy smokes.

They lie! There was nothing "gentle" about this course. It was straight up and straight down - like a crazy hike. The officials along the way would even tell you "this is the last hill...it's all down hill from here... laugh laugh laugh." LIARS!

Camp Pendleton is dry (right now), but beautiful!
I've never been so glad to cross a finish line before!

Racers crawling their way back to the parking lot

We thought about shooting ourselves with the artillery....

...but decided to hit up In-N-Out instead!

Great idea Christine - I owe you one! And a few bucks =)

This "post race meal" saved me. I would've been much worse off without it. It's only my 2nd time having In-N-Out this entire year - so I enjoyed it immensely!
The best part of the race: our sweet long sleeve T.
At least something good came out of this race! LOL

Let me just tell you... even if I'm in fabulous running form; at my goal weight; not pregnant; training well; etc. I WILL NEVER DO THIS RACE AGAIN.

P.S. If my husband was there he would've smoked them all!

Cross Country 5k

I registered for the Pumpkin Patch cross country 5k with my sister-in-law Christine a few months ago... before I took a hiatus from working out and before I got pregnant. 3.1 miles is no big deal - even if you ARE pregnant and slacking off in the exercise department. BUT I decided to do it pushing my big heafty boys in the stroller. Fine. No big deal either. BUT it was 'cross country'. AKA: dirt road. BUMPY with sand and gravel. Your basic stroller nightmare.

Anyone laughing yet? There were plenty of people at the race laughing... I wasn't the only one with a stroller, but I was the only one with a double. I got an extra loud applause as I ran in... with my super fast speedy time of 36 minutes. I did walk a few times because I kept picturing my OBGYN tisking at me for working so hard while carrying precious cargo. That and I was tired. It was pretty brutal. The boys just had a great time. Especially during the really torrential bumpy parts. They are boys after all!

Little helpers before the race

they love pumping up tires

The scenery was beautiful!

Christy was very nice and offered to push the boys for me... a few minutes later she got wise and gave the stroller back =).
She was much happier running solo and crossed the finish line with a smile.
After all of our hard work, we enjoyed some orange slices at the finish line.

Christy's friend, Christy, and Me - post race

Did I mention this pumpkin patch is in Lakeside? I live in Escondido... 40 minutes away. Whose idea was this anyway?

AFC Half Marathon

Today was the AFC Half Marathon. I was entered to run it but 8 weeks ago suffered an ITB injury that put me out for a month. I am now running pain free and am hoping to do the Silver Strand Half in November. Luckily we were able to pay a small fee and have Mike take my place for the AFC.

My dad extended his visit a few extra days to see Mike run. Here he is with the boys waiting anxiously at the finish line.

The top finishers came in one by one....
Mike included!

Yeah Daddy!

He sprinted to the line for a strong finish.
We waited in a small line to get a little printout with his stats.
WOW! He rocked it! A full 8 minutes faster than his 2006 time!
His official results say he actually placed 4th in his division. Nice!
There were 6,500 runners and my hubby finished 41st! Wooo hooo!

Christy Beckman met up with us afterward. She ran the 5K earlier that morning and guess what? Yup, SHE WON! With a smokin' fast time of 17:33 min. In case you don't know how fast that actually is... it's a 5:39 pace. Amazing!

We discussed their races for a bit...

...and rejoiced in a job well done!

So proud of my Sweety