Since we are all relearning the Alphabet

Because I know you all need to know more mindless information about me.  AND you don't get enough of practicing your Alphabet here are some wildly entertaining views into the world that is Shelly.


(A) Age: 26 ~ just a few times.

(B) Bed Size:   Queen


(C) Chore You Really DisLike:  Trying to help the kids clean their rooms.  I just want to throw it all out!


(D) Dogs?  I have 2.  Love them.  (don't like dog owners that let their dogs chase runners)


(E) Essential Start Your Day Item:  toothbrush.  Use it first thing.


(F) Favorite Color:  Yellow.  Bright yellow.


(G) Gold or Silver?  both please.

(H) Height:  5'2"


(I) Instruments You Play:  I own a guitar.  Still haven't learned to play it.

(J) Job Title:  When there is trouble, just the Secretary.  When it's time for a raise, office manager.

(K) Kids:  3; a 20 yr old, 9 yr old and 2 yr old. 

(L) Live:  Po'dunk, Pennsylvania


(M) Mom's Name:  Bonnie


(N) Nicknames:  SG (supergirl), Shel


(O) Overnight Hospital Stays?  1 Pneumonia/rheumatic fever in grade school, 2 head injury senior year of highschool, 3 ruptured appendix, 4 head injury circa 2000, 5 6 &7; three babies.

(P) Pet Peeve:  People who think my cell phone should be attached to me at all times.


(Q) Quote from a Movie:  Life will knock you down.  You can choose whether to get back up. (Karate Kid 2010) Right now.  This changes.


(R) Right or Left Handed? Righty.


(S) Siblings:  3; one older and one younge.  I'm the middle child.  Explains a lot, doesn't it?


(T) Time You Wake Up?  1:30, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 Oh did you mean wake up and get out of bed?


(U) Underwear:  Yes.  No commando here.   (what?  that's all the info you get 'bout my underwear)

(V) Vegetable You Dislike:  None.  I love them all.


(W) What Makes You Run Late:  Not planning enough time for getting everybody's everything ready for them.  When do kids get their own things ready when you tell them too?


(X) X-Rays  My head (long story)

(Y) Yummy Food You Make:  My cinnamon crumb cake and my lasanga

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal:  I do not like animals kept in cages.

I can make them better!

Have you seen these?

They are delicious!

But I didn't like a long list of ingredients or the rather high price per snack ratio. 

So I decided to make my own. 

I used all natural granola I purchase from a local Amish store, Fisher's Country Store.

Ingredients:  Rolled oats, sunflower seeds, chopped almonds, wheat germ.

Yummy

Dark Chocolate Granola Bark

That was my reward after my evening miles last night. 

I had done 3 in the morning to lighten my load for that evening but once the kids got tired of playing in the workout room and I was by myself, that old familiar feeling that I have been missing joined me.

The miles clicked by and time flew.  Before I knew it I had finished over 9 more miles.

Well what is any runner going to do but round it out to an even 10. 

LBM and I finished with some core work with balloons on the living room floor.  Workouts are always more fun when you make them seem like playing.  But last night after an "in the zone run" I think I could have done anything and enjoyed it!

8 more get ups and I'll be racing! 

Can you ask for help?

Today is Day 291


Even as a child I preferred to play alone.  I didn't need anyone else to have a good time.  I did enjoy when I had playmates to join in the fun, I just didn't require their presence to play.

I am sure that my mother thought that was a wonderful quality to have as a child.  She didn't have to arrange for friends to come over to "keep me occupied."  She didn't have to spend hours playing with me.  I was just fine to find something to do on my own. 

In my adult life my independence has served me well.  When my husband has been out of the country for extended periods of time while I missed him daily and worried about his safety, I held life together at home with the kids without any problem.

But recently I have found that this quality about myself may not be such a positive personality trait.  My independent nature makes it very difficult for me to ask for help from anyone for anything.

I think LBM has inherited this same quality.  This morning while I was getting ready and loading the car for the day he was in the living room watching How to Train Your Dragon.  A movie that he had been in love with just a few months ago. 

As I walked through the house to make sure I hadn't forgotten something I noticed the tv screen was blue.  I thought, 'Great! The dvd player is broken.'  But after popping out the disc I immediately saw the problem.  LBM had taken out the disc snapped it in half and put it back into the player. 

I wonder if my habit of "doing everything" on my own did in some way cause this situation.  LBM is responsible and old enough to understand not to damage his "toys."  But maybe in his efforts to do it himself he took on a task that he isn't quite old enough to do yet. 

It makes me think about the example I am being vs. the example I think I am being.  I think independence is a valuable and needed trait but maybe those around me view my "example" a bit differently.  If nothing else it is something to consider as I continue to refine the person I am and want to be.  I'll think a bit more about what others might be actually getting out of my example instead of what I think they should be learning from me.  Do you every wonder, what are my loved ones really learning from my example?  Is it what I want them to be learning from you?

I will start, today, by asking for help with at least one thing. 
It will be a new way to teach others that I value them and their skills.  By asking for help maybe I will be able to show my family more of what I want to be teaching them by giving them a chance to get a clearer message.  Do you find it easy to accept help from others?

Because it's it a fact that we are not given more of any thing but instead we are given more opportunities to practice what we have already been given.  I am given love every day and I have been provided with people to share that love with.  I am given energy every day and I am blessed with the time to productively use that energy each day.  I am given patience every day and I am provided with many chances to practice or not that patience every day.  How would you have handled the broken dvd situation?

So while I asked LBM to help me dispose of the broken dvd, I practiced some of the patience I had been given.  You know what I think LBM and I both benefited from the lesson.

How fast can snow melt?

Today is Day # 289 ~ 7 a.m. miles

This is what I woke up to this morning.

Okay. 

It was dark when I woke up this morning but this was the view as I shoveled a path to the road for S'ghetti Girl to get on the bus. 

It was beautiful!

The snow just glittered in the sunlight.  The air was refreshingly crisp.  I was wrapped up in an envelope of my own warmth.  I just wanted to breath it all in.

While I was basking in what could be the last snow of the season it did dawn on me that this was a lot of snow and my race in on trails.  31+/- miles of trails

at the Seneca Greenway Trail 50k.

I remember last year.  The course was covered with snow and ice. 

So today I am just wondering, how fast can snow melt?

 

What else is there to say?

Wind storm blowing everything off my deck, kids waiting to get out of the cold car and into the house, dogs desperate to be left outside; all that takes a back seat.

My RUNNERD sticker just arrived!

Thanks Candice!

A smell in the air

Did you notice it too?

There is just something in the air today.

I woke up early eager to get outside for a run

BUT

LBM is fighting the sniffles and didn't sleep well last night.

I'm beginning to think he is a vampire.

I mean he is always pretending to bite me, he is a bit on the pale side, he doesn't sleep, he gives me this look like he is trying to read my mind.  See what I mean!

So I skipped my morning run and risked my life to enjoy some extra snuggling time with the little vampire. 

Now I will have a longish run to look forward to tonight which might not be a bad things considering I had lunch with S'ghetti girl yesterday.  It was pizza burger day. 

Oh so not healthy. 

S'ghetti girl with ber bestest girl friend

I just hope that LBM is up for a jogger run tonight.  There is just something amazing in the air today.

It smells like spring is fighting to break through.  I love that smell. 

When I can start to hang sheets on the line and leave the house without a coat.

It is going to be a great day!

I can't wait to see what amazing things happen.

What amazing things do you have planned?

Three Things Thursday ~ Helping Edition

I recently got a pair of compression shorts to review. 

I have worn them during several runs none longer than 8 miles.   

I only want to share a few things about the shorts right now since I don't feel that I have given them enough of a workout to know if my recovery is being helped by them.

First the seaming is not the same as the photo on the site.  It makes the shorts look more like briefs with legs attached.  However, this does not effect the feel of them at all it simply looks odd to me.

Now what I like about them.  I love how they needed my thigh measurement to fit me.  And I love how they fit.  Tight but not too tight. 

I have even worn them to bed several nights after really tiring run days.  The tights did help with the sore tired feeling I would have expected to have in the morning.  They did not make me feel too hot while I sleep or when I worn them while playing Wii Just Dance 2.

Overall, I feel they are helping me through some heavy miles weeks and keeping my legs from feeling as tired as I have experinces in the past.

I've told you how LBM likes to help with things like putting "bubbles" in the bathtub which turned out to be hair gel.  For his latest helping adventure he took advantage of playing downstairs while I was running on the treadmill.  Oh when will I get him back in that jogger?  Normally S'ghetti Girl helps keep an eye on him while I run but when he come downstairs she will usually start her homework and he will play with the extra toys stored in the workout junk room.  Some nights he hangs really close and other nights he comes and goes from the room playing with our cat.

I don't worry there are not many things in the basement to get in trouble with.  And I am sure he never thought he'd be in trouble for cleaning the cat box.

Remember, he is 2.  Sorry no photo of LBM holding kitty poop.

I think he used the scoop...most of the time.

Last night I got the nicest little gift my my daughter.  I had put in a decent mid-length run and was going to tell the kids I was done when my daughter asked me to "run a little longer."  She had created a game that she and her younger brother were playing and they weren't quite finished.  Maybe she knew I have been worried about my lack of long miles, maybe she was stalling because she didn't want to start homework whatever the real reason it wasn't so much the 2 extra miles that made me happy as it was the feeling that she knew I'd be so proud of her for playing so well with her little brother. 

Life giggles

For those who follow me on Daily Mile it will come as no surprise that I will more than likely be going into a streak of Ultras without any consecutive runs over 15 miles.  That is not really ideal when you consider I will be running 31+ trails miles twice within two weeks potentially followed by a trail 50 miler in early April.

To say that I am nervous about that point would be true.  But I have put in some serious weekly mileage.  I have done a bit more cross training

still not nearly enough. 

Life is sometimes like that.  You make plans and set goals. 

Life however giggles at your attempt to control things as it throws you curve balls. 

The best thing to do when you are served a curve ball is to adjust your swing so that is what I will do.

As I approach the final two weeks before the Seneca Greenway Trail 50k I will adjust my mindset. 

Add a few levels to my mental goals.

Since this will be my second time at this event the obvious A Goal is to better my time.

With the experience I have gotten over the past year in racing this distance on trails I should be able to accomplish that factoring weather conditions somewhat.

But another factor for how I run Seneca will be the HAT Run two weeks after.

The HAT Run is a new course for me.  It is also a much harder course.  This makes goals difficult to set. 

And before goals are finalized there is one last factor for my early spring racing.

The Bull Run Run 50 miler 

and my position on the ever shortening wait list.

This would be a new distance, new course, new adventure for me.

This would be a PR no matter what.

Well, assuming I finish and that would be the goal.  To finish.

So I ask you experienced and new runner friends alike,

What strategy would you use for goal setting?

Late to the Party

I am not much of a crowd follower. 

That is really my only excuse for not knowing what all the fuss was about a few years ago.

However, this morning while running on the treadmill I finally figured out why a world full of women fell in love with two young boys.

Twilight

I am finally watching it and now

I get it.

I have all three movies.

Looks like some long miles for me this weekend

but wouldn't you know it, the weather is going to be perfect for running outside with the jogger. 

I guess I'll run faster knowing when I get back I'll get to watch!

Three Things Thursday ~ Sticky Edition

I am offically on the wait list of the Bull Run 50 miler.  Just this past weekend I sorta told my husband I was wanting to do a 50 miler "...maybe in April."  That's how I put it.  I told him that on the heels of reminding him that I have 2 50ks in March.  I guess you could say I am in a sticky situation with Hubbs.

  LBM is getting so independent lately.  He wants to do everything by himself.  And by everything I mean regardless of the mess it makes he just attempts to do it himself. 

Pour his own drink?  Yep.  Half a gallon of milk on the floor but some in the glass.

Clear his place after dinner?  Yep.  Plate, silverware and scraps all somewhere between the table and the trash can.

Put the bubbles in the tub at bathtime?  Yep.  Well, that would be a not exactly.  When LBM thought he was being helpful in putting the bubbles in, he actually put in an entire bottle of hair gel.

Mega Hold hair gel!

Look what the great folks at Build A Sign sent me!

They are amazing. 

It was so fun and easy to create my stickers.  I think I may use this idea for party favors for S'ghetti girls next birthday bash.  She loved helping me change the design a hundred times.  But she wanted pink of course.

Want one?  Send me your address.  Just that easy

Wondering on Wednesday

Day 274 ~ 4 a.m. - 8 p.m. miles

I am getting really good at sending a photo via my dumb smart phone and then sorta forgetting to finish my blog.  They way my phone sends things is realllllly boring so I like to liven it up a little bit.  However in doing things this way, I often have comments before I even finished writting my post.

Funny

So that got me thinking.

yeah, running screaming.  It's scary! I was thinking.

How often do you find yourself commenting the same thing(s) on blogs?

Do you comment simply to show you were there?

Or only when you have something to honestly add?

Just wondering.

Two for Tuesday

It's Day 274.  That means 91 days to go.  Just in case you were wondering.

That means between me and 365 days I have a mere two trails 50ks, a potential 50 miler and a 10 mile trail run that I need to win the Masters Division at to defend my title.

Gee, 365 days.  I'm almost there.

Since I'm talking crazy today anyway, I thought I'd share this photo.

It is a rare shoot of the fabled FrenchFryosarus.

Just like Big Foot and the Lock Ness Monster photos are rarely in focus.

Since I believe I have the only photo in exsistance I'm pretty sure I'll be offered a lot of money for it.  I am hoping for that anyway.  I'm going to need some help paying for all those races and hotel rooms and food and gas. 

Have you noticed the...

....Fresh air?

The only time we notice air is when its not so fresh.

Or causing us to have a little extra resistance in our daily run.

But it really isn't about Fresh Air; it's about a fresh perspective.

And fresh view on how life can be for some children who otherwise wouldn't know the experience of getting out of their urban surroundings and being part of nature, making friends and see the world in a fresh new way.

I'm sure many of you can remember when you took those first steps to your fresh start.

Those first few times you stepped out into the fresh air to change your life and begin your fresh start to a healthier lifestyle.

How better to help others than by running.

How can you help?
 

By running with the Fresh Air Fund Racers

at the NYC Half Marathon on March 20th.

A great city. A great run. A giving heart.

Or consider hosting a child for the summer.   Share the simple things you enjoy everyday with a child whose daily life doesn't include them.  See what true enjoyment is through the eyes of a child maybe enjoying the fresh air and rural surroundings for the first time.

No matter what you do to help...

you'll simply never step outside again without thinking about that Fresh Air!

Realign

This weekend, Saturday to be precise, I almost thought that this streak was over.

I don't know who snatched my body but she was not a runner!

I had the entire day to get out and put in 20ish miles on the trails.  The whole day.

What did I do to keep from getting out the door?  Well, I...

1.  slept in

2.  didn't fuel my body

3.  I gathered tax documents

4.  I started to clean the bathroom...

...S'ghetti girl's room...

...the cat box....

...the kitchen...

...the dishes.

5.  watched parts of 6 movies

6.  I opened the front door 25 times to check the weather.

7.  started to take down the Christmas tree (yes you read that right!)

8.  took a long hot shower.

The excuses...

1.  I must have needed the sleep since LBM still gets up most nights.

2.  I don't like to eat before I run anyway

3.  I promised myself I would get the papers together this weekend

4.  It was dirty...it was dirty...it was dirty...it was dirty...they were dirty.

5.  The tv was on and I got sucked in.

6.  It was freezing rain.

7.  Okay is there any excuse for having a Christmas tree still up on February 5th?

8.  I thought it would help me get motivated.

I know the suspense is killing you but of course I did run.

2 miles

on the treadmill very late Saturday night.

All this reminds me that sometimes I just need to realign my thinking.  I was not happy that I allowed the freezing rain to keep me from doing what I have scheduled.  I know that as a working mom I have to take advantage of the opportunity to run when I have.  I also know that I will not pick the weather on race day.  So I have to be willing to run in less than perfect conditions however I am willing to admit that on any given day you just don't know what kind of runner you'll be.

So I took an unexpected step way back week.
So I disappointed myself with an unproductive day.
Sunday I got right back on track with 10 miles and this morning I got up early and got in 4 steady miles.
I realigned my attitude and put myself back on track.

No fair weather fans here!
This morning I am back on track and Steeler Proud.

A few links to share

Coffee on the Patio is a great blog.  They share a wealth of information geared towards women over 40.  They ae hosting a Kohl's giveaway.  You couldn't use a little extra money for shopping, right?

Rachels giveaways is hosting a SPIBelt giveaway.  I must admit that since joining the online world of blogging about my running I have become a bit more interested in all the wonderful useful running equipment that is available.  Can you believe that I used to just tie my shoes and head out the door with a note left on the refidgerator in case I didn't come back?  Not anymore.  Now I have my RoadId, GUs, hydration packs filled with Nuun, reflective gear, headlamps and the list goes on.  While I still often leave the house with just that note on the fridge it's nice to know running is made easier and safer with a few little extras.

You will not believe this one.  Girl Gone Mom is hosting a giveaway for fitness equipment!  Fitness Equipment Express is sponsoring a recumbent bike for giveaway.  Now that is so cross training that I need!

As you can see this weather has left me with a little bit of time on my hands but now that I have exercised my fingers for a while I'll go exercise my body with a run. 

Enjoy the weekend!

Numbers

For years I have concerned myself with numbers.

The number of hours of rest I can mange to get.

The number of miles I can run.

The number of miles I needed to run.

The number of calories I eat.

The number of calories I burn.

The number of pounds that I weigh.

The number of pound I want to weigh.

Even after all the worry over the numbers I rarely was satisfied with the results.  I knew what I wanted was so much a magical number as it was a change in what I was capable of doing with the body I had been given.

I know to achieve that I have to make changes to the way I doing things.

I have to change my focus from the numbers to what those numbers really represent.

I don't need to change the amount of air my body displaces, i.e., just get smaller, I need to change what my body is made up of. 

More muscle and less fat.

When you think about it that way it seem so easy.

Mike at 26.2 is my cooldown is having a very timely giveaway.  One I am really excited about.

Mike is giving away a Tanita BC-1000.  

The Tanita BC-1000 measures your weight, body fat percentage, body water percentage, muscle mass, your bone mass, and a couple of other indicators. The machine has no actual display — it connects to your PC through a wireless ANT+ USB stick (like your Garmin does) and uploads the data to included software. Right now it is only economical to use the BC-1000 with a PC, so if you have a mac, you will want to select another product. You can track the changes in your key indicators daily if you want.

Now I have every intention of winning this giveaway but since there is a chance someone else might win, I'd rather it be one of my friends than a total stranger so go over and get to know all things Mike at 26.2 is my cooldown.  He really does have a lot of great information to share and is open to everyone's opinions and thoughts.

Fitting It in?

Like many of you, I read a lot of blogs.  One thing that I read repeatedly is how each of you "fit it in."

I don't want to just "fit it in". 
I don't run each day to simply prepare for the next race.  In fact, I honestly wouldn't need to race very often at all.  I run every day because I enjoy it.  I run because I need to take care of the body I have been given.  I run because I need time to reflect on my day, to focus my thoughts on others, to quiet my mind and pray.  I run to show my children an active healthy lifestyle.  I run because I am a person beyond the roles I play in the friends and family's lives.

Running fills a place inside me that is essential not optional. 

I wonder why so many feel that running or fitness in general is something to be done when we "have time."  Something to be fit in around all the other things in our lives. 
Why is taking care of ourselves considered a luxury instead of a requirement?
Why must I choose between time with my family and time for my health?  Why do people say that I am choosing between the two? 
 I am not. 
I am not choosing to take time from my family to exercise. 
I am choosing to give some of the time I am given each day to making myself a better person so that I am more able to give myself to my family and friends.
Why is it so often seen the other way?

Is this distinction because unlike love that we share with our families, our time is a limited commodity?
If I give love to one child it doesn't lessen the amount I have for another child.
But when I give time to myself each day it is viewed as taking away time from family.
When I get a shower or brush my teeth or have my hair cut or go to the doctor, no one ever tells me I am taking time away from family.  When I scrub the floors or wash my car or clean the bathroom or cooks meals, no one ever tell me I should not be doing that because it's time I should spend with my family.

I wonder.
When in a lifetime does a person lose the ability, luxury, privilege to use some of the time they are given each day on themselves? 
  Doing enriching healthy activities that make you a better person;  isn't that part of what a life is for?

Your thoughts, please.

Three things Thursday - Super Hero Edition

 Speaking of secret identities, I think I have one now too. 

I mean I must because I don't know anyone else who would be registered for 2 long races and have a fairly decent lottery entry into a mega long race all within the next 3 months and have yet to concretely discuss those plans with their husband. 

I think I should be known as Super Runner Girl.

But I'll let you know if that should be Stupid Runner Girl after I drop the news of multiple hotel reservations on my husband.

I know many of you may think you know Iron Man's secret identity but you don't.  

You probably think it's Tony Stark, right?

Naahhh.

It wouldn't be secret if that were true.

But since we're such close and such good friends I'll tell you the truth.

Iron Man's real identity is...

Little Bug Man!

This morning I had to get my miles ran since I have work all day and then have a meeting after work.  I was determined to somehow make it happen but when I woke up at 5:15 running just wasn't what my body wanted to do and my mind couldn't get my legs moving.  Fast forward to 6:30 and we are knee deep in the morning bus routine.  After S'ghetti girl got on the bus LBM and I went to the workout room and I hit the treadmill.  LBM played with the cat and climbed all over the storage boxes. 

He must have gotten tired somewhere around 3 miles because that's when is set up his little folding chair in front of the treadmill and after a few minutes....

he turned it off.

What super power is it when you can only fly backwards?

I know you were wishing for a photo of that one.

How'd Your January Go?

Miles Ran: 296.3 (Year total: 296.3)

Yeah,I know.  Why not just run the 3.7 miles and make it 300

Rest Days Taken: 0

The Streak:  January 31st was Day # 267 of the streak 2147.5 miles

361 Runs

Highest Mileage Week: 1/03 - 1/09 (DM Weeks) 80 miles

Races: None, so sad.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Which Outfit did I Wear the Most:  Find Your Happy Pace (One More Mile Shirt)

What We Are Watching: Chicken Little

Funniest Kid Quote: Since the majority of my runs are on the treadmill lately, LBM has gotten used to me running each evening.  My new favorite is when he joins me downstairs and asks, "Run Mommy?"  I tell him. "Yes Mommy running now."  When he hears the treadmill stop he comes back and asks, "Done?  Mommy happy?"  No response needed.

Current Triumph: Not going crazy

Current Goal:

Personal: Figuring it all out

Running/Fitness: Prepare for my March Ultras

Current Blessing:  Amazing time with my kids

Current Excitement:  The Bull Run 50 miler Lottery

Current Concern: Figuring it all out

How did your December days add up?