How many miles makes a...

Running has been my “hobby” for 3 years now. I was never a runner before H was born, and to this day I sometimes battle with even calling myself a runner. I think I hold “runners” on some pedestal. But what makes a person a runner? Someone who has done it since high school? I don’t know, but I feel weird saying I am one. I do not think I look like a runner. I don’t have the defined legs and the lack of body fat, nor those amazing arms. I’m embarrassed in a swimsuit and shorts - but I can go run 15 miles in a morning. See my inner struggle?
I began running because I wanted to lose baby weight. It worked. I ran a full marathon and from that one until I was pregnant with B I did a half every other month because I didn’t want to lose my ability. After B I ran a half. I was not prepared as she was only born 6 months prior; I was not training as needed so I was angry at my time. I did a full after she was 1 then I started my every-other-month half marathon plan.
This past weekend I finished a half at a time that was surprising since I did more walking. Up until this weekend, getting a good time never really crossed my mind. I can only run if I have a race. Something about spending the money makes me do it. I have only not ran once I paid for it, but that was because the doctor told me to.

Finding myself reaching a new goal is hard: I have to admit I don’t really want to. I don’t really love running. But I do love the after-the-run. I do love the distance I accomplished on my feet. I love that H wants to run races, and he finishes mine with me if he is allowed.
I think the question still remains - am I a runner yet? Because as far I am concerned this little boy is.

The power of do.

Often when people ask me, "How do you run that?" I reply, I don't know I just do. Often times leading up to a race or a ling run, I think, "I cannot do this."

This weekend I ran my first race solo. Me and me alone. I must admit, on Friday night before the race I was freaking out. I kept thinking, "That 10 you did killed you. - Last week you barely made 6 Shannon.- You know it's going to be cold right." Well 4:50am came around and i felt refreshed. I got over the fact I had no peanut butter, and thought well lets go. I braided my hair extra tight with the 1 bobby pin I had and told my dad i was ready. He had to drop me off at the race and let me know he was upset he wouldn't see me. I told him it was OK and I'd see him when I was done. (Also, the night before in my grumpiness, I told him if it took me more than 2:27, he was going to have to avoid me.)

As I walked alone up to the starting area, they began playing Lady Gaga, I found myself calm. I found my place in line and waited. I didn't even feel dumb all alone, only slightly disturbed by the man who said he was 68 and in front of me, plus he had AMAZING legs.

As, the national anthem played i got teary eyed, this was the beginning of a race that would show me so much more.

As we rounded the first mile a man helping another man off the curb caught my eye. This is when I realized the runner was blind. He was flanked by too friends with one tether. This man was also running the half. I was amazed and teary eyed again. With the amazing lyrics from Glee, I felt myself pushing on to the blue balloon in the distance. After mile 4 i came to a family of four, how cute i thought mom, dad, sister and brother running a half marathon together, thoughts of one day that being my family came to mind, when I saw it. The boy who was about 13, was a child with autism, his dad was whispering to him the whole time. OK yes I pretty much lost it. Incredible.

I pushed on being so motivated by my surroundings. I felt no pain and decided to no longer hold back the speed my body wanted. It paid off, dad and the kids did show up at mile 10. Beastie Boys and once again the same Glee song shoved me off and I bolted (as in as fast as Shannon can go) through mile 12 and 13. At point one I finally felt the high I had heard of. This finish line was special to me, I was energized at the end of the race, I beat 2:27 and I did it alone.

I guess, I am sharing this because of the do factor. Lately my "doing" has been a lot, not only the work and being a mom, but a lot of behind the scenes. The past week I have wanted to quit. A LOT. And some nights i have, just moving to bed at 8:00. Its been hard, and stressful, and I am not though it yet. But I do see the power of the doing and after seeing what I saw and accomplishing the race all.by.myself. I feel a little peace. And at this rate I am going to take all the peace I can get.

*Dad told me later in the day he was pretty sure by my mood Friday night I would not be running.

** Official time proves I have no clue about time and I finished in 2:16. My next goal is to do 2:00.

***If you think Glee is lame then you obviously did not see this.

Again huh?

So since it is a mere 2 weeks away I might as well face up to the fact that my second full marathon is about to happen. 26.2 miles of my life will be pounded out on the streets of Raleigh. I know this will be very different than the "diverse streets of Baltimore." Which looking back I probably should have not let Kelley leave me since it was pretty sketchy.

My running adventures started when I thought after H I needed to lose baby fat. Nobody advised me to start with a 10k and Kelley was so amped to do it with me. Soon my new addiction was running. I do like the way it feels but I will also admit I hate it. Mostly, in this phase of training. After my 20 mile long run is complete I flake out. I want to quit. I mean who else do I talk to on a regular basis can do that?

Well, no time to lose. I am locking up the junk food and putting my diet into race mode. Healthy carbs, and cut back sugar (B's birthday is this weekend and it is rude of me to deny cake). This is also why I am writing this AFTER my handful of chocolate chips.

Hopefully my new shoes will be here soon, I know I know I am breaking them in a little too close to the race, but November kind of snuck up on me.

So here is to you marathon, lets journey back to my first race... Full of tears, thinking I was pregnant, running out of food on course, oh and my favorite, my mom not letting me nap so she could watch TV.

Well I've been a little busy...

That was what I had to tell my mom recently on why I hadn't called her. I mean HELLO have you seen Pintrest? If I am gonna be on a computer that's what I'm gonna be doing. Ok, and my job has me on one 98.6% of the time too so blogging on a computer might be like my worst nightmare. BUT since tonight BOTH babes were out for the count by 6:45, yes 6:45 and Adam is studying late tonight...why not!

But other than running to de-stress, I have found myself a little bit of a DIY'er. Yup me, channeling my inner crafty/handy self. As it ends up all I need is a can of spray paint and craigslist!

I have recently created: a balloon wreath, rag wreath, a cabinet, a hairbow frame, and wait for it... HAIR CLIPS/BOWS! Now don't you worry, I am in no way about to beging blogging on my awesome crafts because lets face it like it is. They are very beginner crafts, and frankly my time nor my wallet can support that!


Ends up other than running these projects really get rid of stress, and it has also imporved our home. For example did you know, that we do not have a pantry? I know crazy. We have decided the next time we look for a house and the realtor says, "Now what are you looking for in a house?" My first response will be, "A pantry and a linen closet." Because yeah, we lack one of those as well. BUT the point of that rant is we now have a cabinet/panrty. The name of it is up for debate since Adam keeps calling it a cupboard and I have recently disconvered I don't like that word and it annoys me.

So you don't get all freaked out I will post my crafts, that way you can see my works of art, and understand why I have left this blog to the side.

Travels with mom...

Well the adventure started last night. I did my long run before we were easing up to Maryland for a quick family visit ad work. After my run I called mom on the phone. She assured me I could sit in the way back of the van and afresh my legs. That little tid bit made me smile.

So, fast-forward to this morning. H, kept wanting this and that from the back of the van. Now my mother was in the way back. I was getting mad, I was trying to direct where the needs were. Dad pulled over I went to the back rearranged, (have I mentioned I'm ver particular about how my diaper bag and van is loaded?) I said to mom, "hey, let me in the back to help the kids." She basically said no he's more comfortable. Awesome, I think I love my legs locking!

So after a potty break I've made my way to the way back, watching Cars for the 124th time and mom is trying to talk to me. As if I can hear.

Oh joy! Well that's part one. (Adam normally warns me that tris with my mom always provide good humor.)

Blech...

*there will be no capitalization in this post because using the shift key is too much*

i am beat, i feel terrible. i am well rested, i am fed. whats the deal? i know in my mind that i am supposed to be running again, but for the life of me the motivation is nowhere to be found. which angers me because after i have choosen not to run i feel my body yelling, "yes shannon run!" i need to buck up and just do it. i feel bad leaving the house with adam and the babes, i feel bad not playing with them or worse of all, there isn't much playing to be had here after dinner, its mostly, baths, pjs, stories and bed.

and whats the deal with milk supply? can a girl get a break? i do not want to move to formula, it costs too much money and honestly i can't take the smell. i am thinking i have an issue with smells. (baby food?)any pointers or am i doing the right thing? and i go out of town for work in june, how much milk am i allowed to carry on a plane?

oh, and don't get me started on those blogs i've been reading of mom's of 10 fixing furniture, with amazing decorating, paint colors, and only spending 10 bucks on groceries. i really don't get that. i want the greatroom painted this summer and the hole filled in and can't pick a color and these women pretty much make their own paint. that will for sure make me feel worse.

and does the oven need to start breaking now? i mean, "hello expensive appliance, we are on a law school budget."

ok, sorry this wasn't the most thrilling of posts but i know adam is sick of hearing my complaints. :)

What a week...

This week as been one of a kind. Well, not really. After running in the Flying Pirate Half Marathon, Adam and I came home on Sunday. Note to runners: don't ride in a car after running a race with a random 2 mile mountain. We quickly shifted into prework gear, which I hate coming home from a trip only to go to work the following day. I need a transition day.

As the week began I found myself in a funk, sore, tired, broke, cranky. The whole week was off balance.

This is also the second week of B beginning her real solids, which of course what does every overextended mom do? Duh, she makes her own baby food. Honestly its mostly because the smells, and its actually easy. I also, forced in my workouts, p90x & running. BAD IDEA on the running, I needed a little more rest. And possibly more water that day, oh and I needed lunch. In the middle of this was H's first preschool Easter Party, which I HAD to make snacks! I will be the do it all working mom who thinks she stays home. Have I mentions h's terrible tantrums? All including hitting (um no), kicking his door (double no) and his forced missing Curious George? Then add in the fact that B thinks 4:30 is the perfect wake up time. Which is not, it is also funny because, people ask, "How's nursing? How's her sleep?" well, her sleep was fine, she'd wake up at 4:30 nurse and go back to sleep, as would I, now, this may sound crazy to you but as a "working, nursing, pretend stay at home mom", I think it's great for my supply!

I was pretty defeated as I strolled into work Friday, feeling the weight of my up at 4:30's, milk machine, laundry machine, dinner/lunch machine, (Adam does breakfast, he's awesome)p90x machine (exaggeration)etc, etc. But then in one of my weekly meetings a co-worker asked how I was, I found myself telling her all I am doing at home and then her response, (which I will replay in my mind over and over), "Wow, no wonder your i tried momma, I'm tried looking at you. I thought I had it rough with one. Your awesome."
NOTE: I know most of you other moms do the same thing and I don't downplay it at all but I needed this message.

Why is it if my parents, or Adam say the same thing I shrug it off, but when a random tells me I love it? Tricky...

The fabric of our lives...

Well the Cloth Diaper conversion is complete. I have never been so in love with changing diapers than I am now.

We received diapers for Christmas and it has been AMAZING. Even Adam who was hesitant to the switch says, "It's fine, just like before." Now take note he isn't doing the laundry but since I am already doing laundry on "Diaper Day" I don't even notice! The funny thing is I used to make fun of Adam and him reading all these computer blogs, but now I catch myself reading diaper blogs. I even decided to try out different types. This is dangerous. But I will tell you it is so nice to go to Target or out and not think, "Oh crud! I have to buy diapers!"

I knew things were bad when Adam's, single, childless, best friend came over and right after I said "hi" it was quickly followed by, "Do you wanna see my diapers?!" The changing table is now a staple in my home tour. I even got all offended when my mom didn't get excited over my tutorial. But surprisingly enough my dad is all about them! He even listens patiently as I ramble on and on about them. H, is in on all the action too. His specialty is folding the cloth wipes after they have been cleaned. AND did you know if I happen to run out of Pull Ups he can fit in one of these handy dandy diapers. (NOTE: yes, this means he is potty trained, Pull Ups are reserved for sleep)

Now I know that reading about diapers is about as exciting as changing them, (well mine aren't boring.) But I felt the need to share my excitement. I posted some pictures of my set up.

My newest and next obsession will soon be back to running and in about 3 month baby food making.

A few dipes, wipes warmer and "pail"

Who am I?

My life lately has been anything but normal. There are things going on here that I NEVER imagined would take place.

It seems my life is centered around milk. Which I find funny considering I hate milk and it makes me gag. Either, Adam is asking if milk in an ingredient in dinner (he is lactose intolerant) H, is demanding a cup of milk, and well B, thats all she eats putting me on a two hour rotation of providing milk.

Also, recently I had the opportunity to take a nap, but I found myself vacuuming first, because I knew after that was done I could relax better. This is something that scared me due do to the fact my mother will not go out of town until the house is vacuumed. (Actually in elementary school, she we couldn't leave for school or work until it was done.) It got worse when I saw a toy vacuum that actually vacuums and I wanted for the kids to have it.

Things have gotten extra interesting over here with my new love/obsession/passion/everything about cloth diapers. I have been reading and talking to friends about it for months but now it has come to life. THEY ARRIVE TUESDAY! I cannot wait, to use them. I decided to take the plunge for financial reasons mostly but B's sensitive skin sold the thought to Adam. Budgeting has been a big theme in our home since January 2010 and this will save us at least $1000. With cloth diapering I have decided I need to learn to sew. I intend to make wipes! So if you plan on having a baby, plan on me giving you wipes! HA!

Anyway, if you had told me 10 years ago that this is what I would be doing, running, vacuuming, cloth diapering, living around milk, I'd say, "Umm NO." But I am and I like it!

Does that make me sick? (oh pictures of my diapering station coming soon!)