Like Mother Like Daughter

What a proud day it was for me when my daughter Piper (5) said to me "Mommy, I wanna run just like you". Seeings how she is just like me I ignored her. See... I am very fickle so that means she is very fickle and figured this phase would pass just like Dora the Explorer and My Little Ponies. Much to my surprise however, this kept coming up. Each time it came up I gave it a little more thought but I have to admit I really never considered her serious about "actually" wanting to run.

A few weeks ago, much to my distress, I was forced to take my children to the running store when I went to get fit for my new shoes. I may be selfish but I hate shopping with my children. I spend more time correcting them than I do concentrating on my tasks at hand. Inevitably I end up forgetting something or leaving the store completly frustrated (sometimes fumeing mad).

Anyway, this day may children were infact behaving and Piper asked if she could now get running shoes so she could run with me. Throwing caution to the wind I said "Yes".

Curtis, the owner of my favorite running store (The Complete Runner) fit Piper for her first Real pair of running shoes. They had to order them but I felt good about our big step. Piper was really excited and did not stop talking about her shoes that were coming.

A week later the store called and her shoes were in. To avoid the stress of shopping alone with both kids we went in the evening so I could bring back up... my husband. When they brought out the shoes, my first thought was oh no, they are blue. Piper is the ultimate princess and everything has to be pink. I did not say a word and to my real surprise neither did she. She put them on (they fit great) and she ran around and said "I Love them!"

We headed to Target to get some workout clothes. They have GREAT kids workout clothes if you have not checked them out. Piper of course picked out the running skirt to be like me and to cover the "princess" part of the ensemble. Princess Piper, of course, had to have a pair of stylish shades. I never knew how much my little running buddy was going to cost me.

This morning we got geared up and went for our first official training run. We had a safety road talk. We talked about pace and how we were not going to go sprinting off into the sunrise. We talked a little about form...leaving a lot of room for me to see just how she ran naturally. We set a goal of running to her friend Tate's house and back so off we went. She was a rock star! She had great form, held a steady pace, and looked cute to boot.

Piper ran her first HALF MILE! (it was longer than it looked!) There is a kids race here in August called the Teddy Bear Trot. it is a fun run that is linked to the Crim Festival of Races http://www.crim.org/race/ check it out. Anyway I think I am going to run this with Piper! Yeah...I have a new running buddy.

Let's Talk Turkey

OK kids lets talk training (or there lack of). After Chicago I pretty much stopped running cold turkey, only running a few miles here and there or whenever the mood would strike. I would love to blame the snow and cold weather on my lack of mileage or even a great injury but the cold hard truth is I was lazy.

Spring time start up has been harsh and yet it has brought with it a rebirth of the deep love of running I remember having last year. My first run was slow. I felt as if my legs we not my own. It did not go as I had planned in my head. I think I was expecting that I would be able to go out and run as if I were in pre-marathon shape not post winter (10+ pounds fat & -10 pounds muscle). Still I powered through (sort of) and I laced up my shoes for a second and even a third run.

I am now up to a long run and 1 to 2 short runs. I can't believe it... my running actually is starting to resemble a real running schedule again. I truly never thought I would get back here. My first run felt so bad and so sluggish. I was so angry and discouraged I almost quit. I was angry that I had let myself get that far out of shape. I have to admit though, I am really surprised just how quick it has come back...especially the running OCD.

Chicago Marathon Diary

Last year I was asked to participate in the Chicago Marathon's web site "gain inspiration". The marathon chose 8 runners (out of 45,000) to blog on the official Chicago Marathon site about their training. The thought being that each runner would offer a different take on training in hopes that a reader could relate to one of the bloggers.

I was their First Time Marathon runner who was trying to train with two very young children and had absolutely NO idea what I was doing. The diary experience was fun to say the least and has led me to start this blog today. I kept in contact with many of the people who wrote me through the Chicago diary and many of them asked me if was writing again this year. I really did not think I was going to but then I figured what the heck... so here we are back at it in 09.

Let me just say I am sorry, to those of you who followed me here, if I repeat any information. I will try to keep it fresh. But, if you remember anything from last year, my life is anything but drama free so that should not be a problem!

Let's get running!