The Smooshed generation

I think others called it the sandwich generation but it's true. I am at an age where I have aging relatives while trying to raise my own family.  Families are smaller these days and there are less people to "pitch in" when things need to get done.

A few years ago it was that the twins were infants and my mom had cancer. Now its my uncle who is a bachleor needs help and I am one who understands the medical lingo.  Hence, how we found out he actually did have a heart attack before having the 3 stents placed.  Recently we have notice how bad my grandma has gotten and that she has dementia.  This one just makes me so sad. I have really fond memories of these grandparents; at there house in IL, FL, taking a cruise with them while I was pregnant.  They have always been my favorites. I know they had their issues in the past but since I was 10 they have been great.  To top it off we can all see how hard it is on my grandpa and he is just down.

I am going up to my moms early tomorrow to hopefully have breakfast with them. It is probably the last time I get to see them before they leave.  I have a sinking feeling it will be the last time I get to see one of them.  They are almost 87 and 85.  I will just miss them and their stories and I always feel like there is so much more to ask them.

My best friend is in town for the rare weekend and she spent the whole afternoon and evening with us until the kids were down.  It was so nice just to hang out, chat, play with the kids on the swings, the new toys auntie brought, watch the kids DEVOUR the pumpkin cookies she made (sara had 3).  I feel like it has been a crazy few weeks and I just needed this more than she knew.  Then again we both needed it I think.  Sushi, cookies, Diet cherry vanilla dr. pepper, and bath time with the kids =  a great afternoon. We are also on night 5 of danyal not sleeping. Here is hoping he got worn out today!

As for running there is one day left in the month and I need to run 3 more miles. I think I will hit my goal this month. Yea!

Lots to think about

I am having a hard time choosing a new car. Like a really hard time!
I have had dreams of a minivan for so many reasons. Sliding doors, more room for the kids, entertainment for the kids, and lots of functional stuff for the kids.  The problem is I have had AWD for 10 years and I don't know if I can give that up.

If I went with a new SUV it would have the kids stuff, AWD, but no sliding doors or quick access to a third row. Given a 3rd row would not be used that much that I could count it out maybe.

As for the rest of the day. I got an odd call from my mom that my uncle was taken over to a hospital as the Dr. didn't like the sound of his heart. The last I heard he is in surgery. Not sure if he is having Stents put in or a bypass done. My mom is so close to having her freedom back and now she may have to take care of her brother.

At this point I am going to call it a day and go do my presentation in class. I am sure this will be painless. :)

I just got home from class and no word on my Uncle. Here is to hoping all goes well.

Not what I planned

for my race this last Sunday.  It was a fine run don't get me wrong! I realized the first mile seemed way to easy and then I knew I was pacing to slow.  The second felt easy so for the third I booked it with a 9 minute mile.  The first two felt so easy I realize as I ran an 11 and a 10 something mile.

Now for the other half of the story.  I have a spare car key.  I use it only to run as it has nothing else attached.  This is all good normally...except for Sunday!! For some reason it decided it didn't want to recognize my car anymore.  So anytime I locked the car, unlocked the car, rolled down the window, turned on the car the alarm went off! I was essentially locked in my car for an hour before the race.  I finally decided, forget it, and let the darn thing just keep going until it turned itself off.

It was odd to run this course.  This was the course of my first ever race back in June when I came in at 35 minutes.  Now I know I can do a 5K in under 32 minutes if I push, and I have run a 10K.  Hopefully by spring after a winter of running I will be sub 30 or 30 for a 5K.  It was odd that an 11 minute pace was an easy mile.  A few months ago I would have had to walk at some point. Not anymore.  It is a small feat to know I am improving slowly.

On a final note I am starting to test drive cars..or should I say big trucks and...Minivans!! I want a mini van after trying to get the kids in and out of the school parking lot safely but geez these crazy drivers don't make it easy.  I am sure it will be another year before I actually make a decision on a car.

Busy days

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year. This morning I will enjoy a cool fall race and I cannot wait!

Yesterday we took the kids up to see their great-grandparents as they will not always have them. I want to make sure I have tons of pictures and video of them together to show them as they get older.

One little boy was really over tired and screamed for whole hour on the way home.

After some happy naps we took the kids out to the Arboretum and they loved it. They have a new kids play area. There is a little playhouse which Sara called the clubhouse and she even made new friends. It is fun to see how they may act during school.

Now, after a night of no sleep lets see how this race goes. I have decided to take a month off from races after today and to just enjoy some great fall runs.

Not much

This was supposed to post last Thursday but the Internet didn't agree with me :)

To update. At least here is a pic of what a great 43 degree run looks like.

It is a week to work on homework and so far I have two assignments done. It feels like a start.

Tonight I get to see my old trainer and friend for drinks. First however, I have to make it through her yoga class. It has been a long time since I have done yoga. Good thoughts needed!

First parade

Tonight was the local schools homecoming. We decided to take the kids and I ran into a ton of moms I know from book club.

The kids were a handful but oh how they loves the marching band!

A good one

That is what today's race was. I finally got back to the point at the end where I forgot I was running and was able to sprint to the end. I am pretty happy that my last two miles came in under 10 min ( 9:44 and 9:24) that is huge for me. I finished at 32:21 my best chipped race ever and 2nd official best. My official best wasn't timed though.

I took it easy running this last week with shin splints for the first time since high school and a pulled quad.

I made changes to this race that I think helped and its all thanks to fall. I didn't carry anything, I was able to put my phone in my pocket, and backed off what I ate before a race. I felt light for once and not like I had a lead weight attached. I also did a short pre-race warm up and a lot more stretching since it was cool. We will see if it works again this next Sunday!

Meh

That is how todays race was.  Nothing great but nothing horrible (33:30).  It was around Lake Harriet and the nice thing was, it was shaded!

The kids start preschool tomorrow and I am still not sure I am ready for it.  The teething might be nearing an end for one of the kids! Danyal's bottom two molars are cutting and they are his final two teeth.  Sara is cutting her bottom molars then all she will have are the top two.  I feel like the end is in sight! I know I have said this before but I really wish someone had warned me about teething and that it can go on for 2+ years!!!

As for this week homework, a few runs, saying good-bye to my trainer, and cleaning the house.  Fun times.

Yes, I am THAT student.

The one who actually works ahead.  Last night was my first night of my Capstone/Thesis class.  It appears that I am the only person who  has
1) a topic
2) references
3) my abstract
4) already started writing.

So basically, my prof told me I can ease off attending and just come to every other class for a bit. YEA!  This means I can focus on my other class which is a lot more work.  I am hoping to write most of my thesis during the next month.

As for the week in review for running was good. I managed about 12 miles this week and so far a total of 18 miles for the month.  This makes feel good and that my goal of 65 miles is within reach while taking two classes.  I did both of my session with my trainer, though I do need to figure out my plan now that she is leaving! I guess it will be test runs with new people. Ugh! I am going to have to retrain the trainers.

So far it's a nice month and I am geared up and ready for some fall runs.

Bring on the fall!

It is always a sign that fall is here when it hits September and I color my hair dark dark red! I love it! To top it off since I have been running I have noticed how and extra few inches of hair can just be annoying. My hair had gotten way to long. Hence it was time to cut off 3-4 inches. A few more may come off in October.

It looks like I will be a touch under my running goal for the week but close. I think it will end up being 13 miles. I will have run 4 days an got both my trainer appointments in. That is another story!! My girl is leaving! I don't want to find a new trainer. She gets my wierd sense of humor.

Now, off to the gym.

Teeth

When people decide to have kids you always hear about the sleepless nights. You figure it is the first few months. What no one really says is that it can continue past the age of two with teething!!

Teeth are the worst! Some lucky parents have kids that this is never an issue for. I am not that lucky. I am lucky that I get tons of cuddles and middle of the nights songs. Hence, it's 3am now and we are on hour two for Sara.

Someday this phase will end and I am sure I will look back and not remember the worst of it. I can't complain, I love the songs, talking, and when they finally fall asleep on me. They won't always need me this much and it reminds me just how fast they grow up and change. For now I will go kiss my monkey goodnight once more.

August Stats and a new month

Total Miles:  48.42 miles - way under goal due to everyone being sick for two weeks
Total Running: 9 hours - down 2 hours from last month
Total Running Sessions: 15 - down 3 sessions
Total Strength Training:  5  - down 2 sessions
Total Strength Training Time: 3 hours 45 minutes - down an hour and a half

For August I was hoping to break 60 miles, I will change that for September.  I am going for 65 miles.  If I want to do the TC Medtronic 10K I need to ramp up my mileage.  To help me I have actually made a calendar to schedule out run days, Steele days, rest days, and race days.

I was intending to do the 10 miler for Women Run the Cities however, I don't feel ready for 10 miles.  I will keep running and see if I want to switch back to the 10 mile from the 5K.  I wish they offered a 10K because I would do that.

I didn't do a single race in August and I am good with that.  Honestly,  it was just to hot! Now that Fall will be here soon I have my cool weather gear ready to go.  So long as it isn't icy I will be running outside.   I have found I actually dread the treadmill now.

On a fun note my godson turns 18 tomorrow! I feel old! I was in high school when he was born. I can say say he is a great kid and I am proud of him. Here is to hoping he gets into my Alma mater for college!

Great day for my first 10k

I will update more this weekend but for now, I finished the 10k 1 minute over my goal time. I was shooting for 70 minutes and came in at 71:13. I will take it. There were a lot of hilly areas but it was an amazing race with a lot of great ladies there.

More to come.