TE/R39: I RLAM today...

RLAM stands for Run Like A Mother..  What does a mother run like?  Like you have to schedule your run around everyone else's sechedule, like you have to squeeze in a run when you can, not when you want to, when you have to bargain to get running time, or today's challenge...when you have a sick kid for the 6th day in a row (3 for each kiddo) and you are trying to not get sick yourself (as you have the first 1/2 marathon less than 2 weeks ahead of you) and you have to split a training session between your elliptical because you have to and the road because you want to.

I did 50 minutes on the elliptical while Gunner (the sick one now) napped and then did another 2 on the road while he chilled in the jog stroller (it was above 40 for the first time in like a week or two, so with the weather shield, I think we were ok) so I got my time in today.

I have a scratchy throat, so I am oding on vitamin C and green tea, hoping it passes!

TR38: Mom Run

All women have general things they think about when running, I imagine, maybe something like this (or maybe these are things I think):

holy hell, can I finish this?
That dog I hear barking, is it getting closer, or is it tied up?
Holy hell, can I finish this?
How many miles have I ran?
Oh, I need to go read a specific girl-related chapter in RLAM

Before I get to the thoughts of a mother runner, namely me, I have to mention the run itself, in order to happen, must be when she can do it, not when she wants to.  For example, it will be 38* (high for the day) around 2, at 9:30am it is a balmy (read sarcasm) 19* and a delightful 10mph NE wind.  But this is when the hubby, kids, momma stars (kinda) align and I can go (by myself, without a jog stroller).  So suck it up I do, and get out there because I can.

But the concerns of a mom on the run (at least me) are more like:

Is hubby handling the kids?  (he surely didn't seem like it when I left)
Is my two time puker, making a speedy recovery or is he puking again?
Will there be another case of explosive diarreha? (that I will certainly hear about when I get home)
Should I be running considering all of the above?

Yep, self-induced guilt...not so good for the running mojo, but par for the mother runner course.

All those deep thoughts aside, it was a "girl thing" not really a mom thing that stalled me a little shorter than I hoped, but I was so glad to get out and run, despite the cold weather and deep thoughts of guilt.  I would rather run outside any day of the week than hit the mill. :)

And of course, runkeeper's gps is giving me headaches, and I tried to plot my almost (so close) 9 mile run, but ended up with 10.10 some odd how...oh well, you get the idea!

http://runkeeper.com/edit/activity?tripId=29766676

TR37: Treadmill and I make up

I don't know if it was the good breakfast, filled with calories for fuel, the stress I NEEDED to burn off, or the new play list, but today, the treadmill and I made up.  I actually easily did the 5 and contemplated doing more...but didn't really feel the need to be a glutton for punishment.  In hindsight, I am glad of this choice, as my calf was sore for the first time in a long while and it would have been worse if I'd kept going.

TE36: Sick kids part one

Dang the MI weather.  And germs...right now they are both bugging me.  The best laid plans:  slower than normal workday + sneak in a 5 mile run = happy mother runner.  Reality:  Sick kid + elliptical (90 minutes) = par for the mother runner course...:)

Freezing weather and a kid that has a barking cough and fever shouldn't be mixed....even in a great jog stoller with the most amazing weather shield.  Thus, I opted to sow my wild oats on the elliptical and hopefully prevent another sick day (you know the kind, mom isn't sick, but she has to call in to hang at home with sick kiddo)

So I busted butt to the rockin new play list sent to me by the most amazing virtual training parter...thanks Rhonda!

Run stress

This week has been a struggle.  Time, weather, sick kids, all have hampered my running ability and desire to run.  I have been very busy and my time very consumed by work, MOD, kiddos, family...the list goes on.  All not good timing considering we are in the final days before the big dance.  Doesn't do wonders for one's ego or self confidence when the biggest and longest run is very close to being here. 

I have a new playlist that am syncing now...maybe it can help me break this funk.  About to hit it...

TR35: Speed work

As I really didn't have time to run, I did a quickie, which was not really what I wanted or needed to do...but I did three, pushing myself on speed and on an empty tank...but I did it.  Last mile was 9:35...I just kept thinking, Damn, Heather is fast.  I remember her early spring 5k done in under 30, like 27 and some change...wow.  Go, girl.

TE34: Road Block

You hear college guys casually throw around the term "cock block"...lol, I would like to quote urbandictionary.com with the following terminology:

1. To prevent a male friend or associate from getting some action.
Used in a sentence:

Damn, Johnny just totally cockblocked his roommate. Ass.

Cock blocker:  A person (male or female) who intentionally or unintentionally stops the progress of two others getting their game on.

 

I had this funny in my head as I continued to try to find a time that worked for me to run this weekend.  Saturday, I threw myself into a March of Dimes fundraising event that kept me away from home all day and Brian with the boys all day.  It would have been bad form to come home at 3 and then take off for a 90-minute run...so Sunday had to be it.  However, I completely felt "road blocked"...see below definition by crazymomma's running dictionary:

 

Road Block:  To prevent a crazy mother runner from getting some action on the road...

 

Road Blocker:  A person (male or female) who intentionally or unintentionally stops the progress of a crazy mother runner game on.

 

So morning...road blocked...by the hubs and boys.  Yes, I wanted to spend time with them, but did I want to run?  Hell yeah.  Night, rained out.  Not like sprinkling...but downpour and thunder with lightening...

 

So I felt I had to do something, so I settled for 90 minutes on the elliptical, to at least get a cardio rush in.  Running my ass off this week.