Go Mommy, Go Mommy!!

I love my daughter. She absolutely rocks. We went to Gilroy Gardens on Wednesday and spent the day, even her big brother came along and was such a good sport about the day, taking her on rides and taking a picture with Clifford! We walked all day, and then we left and Alexander asked to stop by the outlets to buy some shorts. As we were leaving the outlets, we drove by a Lane Bryant and I said, "I will never have to shop there EVER again!" and Cassie, in her little 4 year old voice, starts chanting, "Go Mommy! Go Mommy!" with her fists in the air. That put such a silly grin on my face, I can't even say. We all started laughing. I cannot wait to see her at the finish line of my 1/2 marathon. It makes me teary to think that I am instilling in her something very powerful. I don't mean that just because I am running this marathon that she should be proud of me. I mean that I am showing her, by example, that exercise is good for you, makes you healthy and strong, that a woman can challenge herself to do things that others may not believe possible, that things that are tough and at times difficult can be so rewarding when you achieve them. Alexander, in his way, is also supportive of my quest to get healthy. He goads me, bugs me, tells me he is stronger than me. But he understands if I miss a soccer game because I have a training run scheduled (tomorrow) or that I am beginning to understand his passion for soccer, since I now have a passion for exercise. I am also grateful that I am showing him, in a different way than Cassie (since he is older, and a MALE) that anyone can change their lives when they have will, determination, consistency, support and excitement. I am almost more excited to see his reaction at the finish line than anyone. He told me he hopes I don't cry, because that would be embarrassing. I just wonder what will be going through his mind when he sees his old mom finish something that she is training so hard for. Hmmmmm. I have many years to lead by example with Cassie. I only have a few more left with my boy at home. *sigh*

All the walking at Gilroy Gardens aggravated my hip flexor and by the time we were driving home (me with all the energy, driving again, with the entire van snoring) and it was throbbing, spasming and shooting down my thigh. I iced it when we got home, as I was limping in the grocery store. I went to a restorative yoga class on Thursday, hoping to stretch it out  and be ready to run Thursday night but I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do it. By 5pm I felt good enough to do it, knowing that I would walk it out if I had to. I didn't want to push it, yet I didn't want to miss a day of training with so few weeks to go.

The run went well. Stephanie was unable to come, but I ran with Bob and Marguerita, who has run many marathons in the past. I really did  miss Steph. It's different because she knows me, and is so supportive. The other were definitely supportive, and patient, even though at the end they did take off and ran ahead of me. I felt so slow.  But I did 3.3 miles again, and although it felt like a struggle at the beginning, I did it. I am starting to freak a bit because there are only 9 weeks left and I am only up to 3-4 miles. The plan is to increase each Sunday 1 mile, so that way, I will be up to 13 by the marathon. We will keep the weekday runs shorter, as recovery I guess. I do need to get some strength training in. I missed the last official Body Pump class today with Kimi and Amy. Alexander got kicked in the thigh during his first tournament game, a "dead leg" and I had to get him home and ice and stretch, and that made me too late to get to class. Oh well, I was mostly bummed because I can already feel my muscles getting softer without my beloved weight training :)

Tomorrow we are shooting for 5 miles, Sawyer Camp Trail again, I'm so looking forward to it. I know I can do it, I just hope I can run more and walk less. I know I have to be mindful of my hip, and keep stretching. I am going to, for the next two weeks, get regular yoga in on my rest days from running. When school is back in, it will be harder, I may have to go to a yoga class that I am not thrilled about, but I am determined to be consistent because when I am back in the school crap and craziness, I know that it will be even more crucial. I refuse to let work get in the way of my goal, which is to remain consistent, train hard and be ready for this challenge. Work will not take priority, even though I know it pays the bills.It's going to be so challenging, with 30 kids, no support, new administration, I don't even want to think about it. I was telling Erin today that I think this marathon is going to be what saves me at work. Having that to focus on will help with the stress of the beginning of the school year.

I have 3 days to work next week, then finally a chunk of time off. Only 1-1/2 weeks. Sad. Next year I have to seriously re-think summer school. If I didn't need the money so bad I wouldn't have done it. Oh well.

Off to watch a soccer game. Not my kid's but that's where the boys are so if I want to see them, it's where I gotta go. Go Mommy!!



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