First unofficial post twins 5k

The young women in our church had a 5k fundraiser/carnival/bake sale this morning and it was a great way to break the mental "I don't think I can race anymore" barrier I've had since having the twins.

 It was super low key and the first race I've run where my family wasn't at the finish because they had a simultanous 1.5 mile fun walk/run, and Drew had the boys in the stroller. But everyone had a good time and I ran the 2.89 miles in 22:48 so it's safe to say that I would have killed it in a 5k in under 25 minutes (which is usually a PR for me). 

8 minute miles for the win. Also to prove I am terribly out of (cardio) shape, notice that most of my run was in the "peak" level, when it's supposed to be in the cardio section (and it was for 4 minutes).

Regardless it was a fun way to kick off the summer! And my first postpartum race is in the books! Phew.

Came home, napped everyone (even the big kids!!) and got a much needed nap myself. Then tonight drew and I got to go on a double date for the first time in forever (and after only 6 months of planning) with the Laugheads, which was wonderful and even more so to come home to a clean house, and not have to do the bedtime routine because everyone was in bed. 

My siblings and parents are amazing and the best babysitters and cleaners and I am just so lucky to have them nearby.... I should probably add that we still have a good 6 years till we can legally leave our kids in little D's care so we can't move until then ;)

Second group run done!

Today started and ended wonderfully.

I ran 6 miles in under an hour!!!! And it felt amazing!!

And I ended the day watching ant-man with drew, which was positively brilliant. Everything in between was pretty meh with a side of terrible (*cough* potty training) but you know, there are always bright spots. Like this wedding shot, Pc: Mike Dowling....

And on the fifth night of sleep training

No they aren't sleeping through the night. But at least as of last night they aren't feeding through the night!!!

I put the boys down last night around 7:30, And while they took turns waking up and crying (so much cryinggggg), I held strong (inspired by Andrea and also hello they are getting so big and I'm still not sleeping!!!!) and while i got up to comfort them I did not feed them till 6:30 am.

11 hours without eating yayyyyy!!! I may have gotten one of my worst nights of sleep ever but it was worth it to know that they didn't die (irrational thought but still a thought) from lack of milk or overcrying..... And I felt a HUGE amount of freedom like these chains had just been taken off of me. Free!!! I mean still attached within hours of the boys at all times during the day but at night.... Nighttime is mine!! 11 blessed hours!

Then I dragged myself out the door for my very first post twinners 5 miler... I haven't gone more than 4 miles since 2014!!!! It feels like an eternity ago that I ran half marathonS. At a 9 minute pace (I've been doing 11 minutes) whatttt. Also found out this running group gives us chocolate milk at the end of my run so you know I'll be back! (Yes dad I am parked in this picture, don't worry!)

And thanks to that run I hit (my daily goal of) 10,000 steps by 10:10 am haha boo yeah! So that totally justified an hour long nap this afternoon.... ;)

Last but not least... lo's face!! What a little jokester!

Finding my running mojo again

There are few things I hate more than running in the cold. Working out in the evening is one of them. And yet tonight there I was, running four miles in freezing cold dark (in my defense it was still light when I left!). As usual the first half mile was brutal (the running club director advised us to dress as if it was 20 degrees warmer than what it actually was, so you start your run uncomfortable and most of it is just right) but other than that it wasn't too bad... Except my face. Frozen solid the entire four miles. Aside from that, and the fact that I only needed to run three miles (whoops) per my training plan, it was a good run. Just like every run since our trip out to Denver has been.

In Denver, I had a rediculous amount of stress and no gym and a handful of family babysitters available to me... I realized that putting the kids in front of the tv with a movie after putting babies down for naps was just as good as a gym childcare.

The first run was with my sisters in law. It was more of a run walk on some trails outside which was fine and good with me since I hadn't really run much at all since the twins were born. But it left me wanting more. The next day I went for another run solo. And like a fool I did another day before I left, falling in love with the trails and the cold and the feeling of the pavement beneath me and the river beside me. Truthfully it took me back to Provo and arranging running groups, and especially running outside, something I have only done a handful of times since I moved out of Utah in 2011. Yup the marathon and half marathon I trained for since leaving Utah? Mostly treadmill runs.

Not a coincidence that my desire to run has been lackluster since coming out here. But treadmill running is so convenient with childcare at the gym and having a traveling husband blah blah blah... Regardless. Sometime in 2012 after running Boston, I lost my running mojo. And that's a fact. But in Denver, running in the thin air with the mountains like I did for so many years, I found it again. I've been going through the motions for too many years, continuing to run occasionally but mostly fixing my focus on less boring (and less soul sucking) workout classes....And without somewhere in the last month (because I had no gym and limited workout options) I found I love running again. Which is convenient since tomorrow I join a Saturday morning running group by my house in preparation for the end of my third week of half marathon training.

I've still yet to do more than four miles since I had the boys. Looks like next week I will have to!

Running 3 year plan

Has it really been 6 years since I first ran a half marathon? And 3 years since I ran the Boston marathon?

"I'm not really a runner. I ran that race but it was like another lifetime since that was before I got pregnant (again). Does a PR expire? Can I still be considered a marathoner or half marathoner when I can barely squeak out a 3 miler in less than 40 minutes? I need to run another race before I can feel like a real runner." .... All of these were thoughts I've had over the last decade.

And then this weekend something crazy happened. After months (6 to be exact) of telling myself I didn't deserve new running shoes even though I had been gifted a gift card to a local running store, I finally made the plunge and went shopping (on my own!!) for new shoes.

And while it has been a long 18ish months since I last ran a half marathon, and an even longer couple of years since my only marathon, I know both will happen for me again. And I am proud of those accomplishments. A marathon may not be for another five years but a (6th!) half marathon is definitely something I am ready to start training for again.

A little glance at the last 7 years of big racing (and babies) And the official three year plan....

Wish me luck!! My 20's were certainly busy and it will only get crazier. Just trying to embrace the chaos by adding my own....30's, here I come!

Please don't ask me how many more days I have left

Exactly 6 years ago today I ran my very first half marathon. I was pretty lucky to get to run it with my brother in law (who had no training whatsoever whatttt, then here I was training ten months for this moment!) and some of his friends, while Anna photographed us on the sidelines and Drew was actually in Boston for some job fair. First (and to my knowledge, the only) race he's ever missed and I ran a LOT of races when we lived in utah.

 In my training I think the most I had ever run was eight miles and I remember being terrified that I wouldn't even cross the finish line.

Obviously I did, (and survived even thought I cried the last half mile I was so emotional!) and ran a half dozen more in addition to running Boston almost 3 years ago, managing to balance training and motherhood along the way (which was not easy!). I cannot fathom another marathon being in my immediate (3-5 year) future, but I've been itching to do another half soon, although I may have to settle for next year depending on how easily my transitions go from 2 to 4 kids and obviously whenever I get my butt back in the gym/convince someone to release me from the death grip of nursing and caring for two babies.

I would be a full faced liar if I said the last month hasn't been one of the most difficult of my life. It all seemed to come to a head today when it felt like nothing could possibly go right and man was I sorely missing out on those workout endorphins, the likes of which I have only had the smallest twinges of since the start of the new year (running really does it for me), and nothing at all in about a month. Having to find something to keep myself happy and occupied when I don't have that gateway has, in a word, sucked horribly. I hate it. I know I need to focus on the positives, that my body is growing these boys the way that they are supposed to and that sacrifice is part the process of becoming a new mom. I am fully aware of that, thank you very much. But it still doesn't help me to feel like my identity is completely 110% wrapped up in being a mom as opposed to an individual. Don't get me wrong, I have always loved and embraced the role of mother, but that is probably because it never fully consumed my life the way it has in the last eight months.

I'm done. I'm over it. I'm ready to stop hearing the jokes, questions, opinions, etc on everyone commenting about my pregnancy.

If you truly don't know what to talk to me about other than my pregnancy, impeding csection date or state of "how are you feeling", you could do me the kindest, biggest favor and talk to me about something else, anything at all. Or don't talk to me at all. I've certainly got my hands full with a full blown tantrumming crazy two year old, so that the few times I do make it out in public, most of my energy is spent trying to contain her crazy. And honestly it's a welcome distraction these days because I don't want to talk to anyone about how many days I "only" have left.

So there you have it. Another round of confessions I'm sure most people don't care to hear (like my "don't you dare touch my belly" one back in the fall), but it's the truth. And I promise I do my best to not talk about my pregnancy because of how upset it makes me these days (and to some extent I felt the same sort of things the last few weeks of my other two pregnancies) and to distract myself with other things, and 90% of the time, especially when it's just me and the kids at home, I am able to be happy and distracted and life is so good.

So if you see me steering clear of any sort of social interaction (in person or media or otherwise) the next few weeks, please don't be offended, it's not you its me. And before I know it/blink of an eye/every cliche I have heard in the last few months, it will be over with. 

Thank goodness.

Today I sold the one earthly possession that I would have saved from a fire.

So many sweet wonderful memories and literally hundreds of miles in racing/training/everyday stroller (including training for Boston!) through two children and a cat (who was obsessed with sleeping in it when no one was looking) on this baby.

Please don't judge me too harshly for crying as I saw the new owners carry it off. Like a super embarrassing amount of tears. This is the end of a truly golden era in my life, one that I have been incredibly blessed to experience.

The bob revolution will always and forever be my one true love of a stroller. Now Please excuse me while I fix up the little pieces of my broken heart....oh my sweet sweet BOB. You will be missed but I know you'll be put to good use.

Runners world heartbreak hill half marathon festival weekend

Most fun race weekend ever! We participated in every race aside from the dog race ;)

Kiddie "yoga"

He ran faster for the portapotties than in his race but ok ;)

Meeting up with some old gym buddies

Dustin wishes he had a big sister only like every day because of B

How could you not love a giant shoe

Cheering section

So, my sons racing strategy... Run as hard as possible as long as you can then stop and catch your breath till sawyer boy rejoins you. Hold hands and run with him until you get too fast, breakaway into sprint, trip and skin knees. Cry while mom carries you then announce "remember what you told me mom? If I fall down I gotta get back up and keep on running!" (So proud), wait for sawyer to rejoin then hold hands through the finish line.

So precious

Winners!

The next day (Saturday), mother of gym bffs, Theresa, joined me for the 5k. I felt goooood. Like so good I kept wanting to speed up but she reminded me I still had two races to go after this and when I finally broke away with a half mile left, she paced me well to a decent 5k... 26 minutes not being too strenuous, which I believe allowed me to push myself in the 10k.

Pre and post race. Boston college campus is gorgeous and the best part about this weekend was it was the first race I DIDNT HAVE TO USE A SINGLE PORT A POTTY!!! Campus was open so we used the restrooms in the buildings. After having to resort to bushes out in Utah due to crazy prerace POP lines, I may never go back. Gorgeous campus, super well organized races, the best part being the start and finish line was the same for every race!

I had about 30 mins to kill before my 10k after the 5k. I didn't want the kids to come Saturday since they would be crazy bored so it was just mr. D and me. He has been my best cheering section over the years and such a huge support in training. I couldn't do anything without him hammering in my brain that he knows I can.

Probably started a little too close to the start for the 10k...but I wanted a glimpse of some of the big guns at RW. If we ever moved to Pennsylvania I would learn to write properly and try to get a job there.

Post 10k we hit up the expo for free snacks, shirts (I think we came home with a total of 5 free shirts between the three of us) and I got a new headband.

Sparkly pink. To gear me up for the first of two ice baths in 24 hours. Whomp whomp. The first was so painful but after the half I practically dove in head first I was in so much pain.

Most of my training is about at 9 minute miles. I maybe go to 8, but that's about it. So in races I inevitably get super sore because my legs aren't used to speed. Speed work and stretching are my summer mantras.

Race results (my fav is how many people I passed)

523 out of a crowd of almost 3000 isn't half bad?

I didn't go to any of the speakers and workshops on Saturday since I wanted to spend time with family, but I did get a ticket to see Sarah speak (first female amputee to complete an ironman!) and I was beyond inspired. Which is good because the next day before the half my legs felt like they were on fire. Sarah is amazing and I love that she is even shorter than me ;) she reminded us not to complain too much when spending $100 on running shoes when her prosthetic running leg costs $65,000 (!!!!!!).

I survived the half marathon, finished by crossing the finish line hand in hand with little d, and was in crazy pain for 24 hours. Berries and ice baths do wonders (still learning to remember to stretch) and by weds morning (half was on Sunday) I felt 100% which was good because I had to fly home solo with two littles. 

A wonderful race, challenge, experience, and so many memories this weekend. Every half marathon (this is my fifth) has been so emotional for me, and with this one I have been so overwhelmed with admiration for the human body, and my body in particular, in what it is capable of doing when pushed to the physical and mental and emotional limit.

We are capable of far more than we realize on a daily basis, and for me I love having races to remind me of that power and capability. 

Powell 5k 2014

Little d had his very first race ever! The kids fun run started just after the 5k so I didn't get to see him run but he looks like he had a blast!

Running with uncle Dk!

The youngest and last one to finish the fun run ;) 

Proud day for my boys first race!

I could hear him screaming my name... Love my boy for running me into the finish.

First mile was easy, just a strategic difficulty since I was in the very back, but the first mile was a rainy wet breeze, second mile I was passing people and feeling good, and the last mile I ran nearly solo, with no one in front of me (everyone else was super far ahead).

I actually ran the inagural Powell 5k back in 2002 with Anna! I'll have to see what my time was then but it was fresh off my one and only track season and I was racing my sister so you know it was crazy fast! It was fun to think how much had changed in 12 years... 

Here I was with a husband and two kids running along side me, far removed from that high school girl. I truly have the best support system in mr. D, he is my rock and one of the main reasons I continue to run and I need to get more pictures with him but he is just such a great photographer! :) my dad and brother were also there cheering me on, which was awesome.

Before the races

And after with our medals... I was fourth in women and first in my 25-39 age group. Also first one to cross with a stroller ;) little a didn't make a peep just sucked on her binky and snuggled into the blanket I gave her. Hard to believe that was the first run I've ever really done with her!

Obviously she was pooped. Racing is hard ;)

Also of note: we have the same stride... Kind of cool.

Awesome right?