Running then and now

As I continue my countdown to the marathon, I think of past races and epic runs.  My running started in high school.  I started running because I was too scared of the ball in baseball, and not coordinated enough to play any other team sport.  On the track and on the trails I could just go.  My coach, Mr. Taylor, shaped so much of my life both as a runner and as a human.  My junior year of high school Mr. Taylor took 8 runners on a trip through Europe called "Arete" - excellence in Greek.  We went to Egypt, Israel, France, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, and on boats and flights in between studying history, philosophy, religion, and of course running. 

The Olympic games were started in 776 BC, then hit a lull, then started up again under the IOC in 1896 in Athens, Greece.  Here's a pic of me running in the 1896 stadium:

I need to reign the fire I had then for my race now. 

Money Saver Monday: Share!

We're trying to renovate our house and thinking of future investments which means I need to double down on personal spending (e.g. clothes and meals out).  In the interest of saving, I spent a LOT of time trying to find cheap hotels in New York for the marathon.  I looked at hotels.com, Air BNB, and a youth hostel.  I booked at the hostel as it was only $50 a night, but then the thought of being with a bunch of drunk 20 somethings the night before the marathon ... not rad.

THEN, I learned a team from work was having a booth at the NY Marathon.  I have a runner friend on the team so I lobbed a call and invited myself into her room.  Weird?  Maybe.  Saving $50 on the hostel or $400 on a proper hotel?  Yep.  And, I'm psyched as now I get to stay at one of the coolest NY hotels - the Eventi.

And the countdown to NYM continues!...

7 day countdown to NY Marathon

7 days to go - cannot wait!  And still freaking out.  I just want to start running - it's the build up ... and everything after mile 20 ... that's tough.

Today's marathon prep included a short 3mi run with Matt and the boys in their stroller.  I think our stroller days are limited and coming to an end soon - two 3-year olds who weigh in at roughly 32 lbs each don't bode well for the hills of Queen Anne.

Post run we made our way to my cousin Rebecca's for a mega brunch filled with pastries, the best bloody mary's in the world, and lots of screaming 3-6 year olds.

When we got home the boys napped for maybe 20min, during which time my mom and I walked around Queen Anne with my mom playing paparazzi taking pics of all the cool Halloween decorations.  The picture fest was a good reminder to just take things in and enjoy the moment (race reminder to self - enjoy the moment!).  After our very short walk, we got home to garden in the rain with the boys before a mellow steak and salad dinner.

Here's a pic I love of my mom and one of the Taylor Two taking it in at the duck pond.

8 day countdown to NYM

It's 8 days until the marathon and ... I'm freaking out a little.  This morning I went for a 10mi run in the pouring Seattle.  Considering the questionable weather in NY for next week with Hurricane Sandy, running in the rain was likely good practice.

Here's an outlook on the week ahead:

Luckily it's supposed to clear up on the 4th and ring the race in with 57 degree weather.

For my rainy run, I dawned my go-to runday outfit:

Running in the rain by marathonmom featuring nike

And the countdown continues...

33 Candles

Another year, another birthday - 33!  Birthday celebrations this year were mellow and perfect.  The week before my birthday Matt took me to see Wicked downtown - what a GREAT show!

On the actual birthday, the boys and I had a dance party:


Then I got serenaded while putting them to bed:


I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Ya Vote

It's election time as we all know from the countless postcards, dinnertime callers, commercials, and signs ... This evening Matt and I voted via mail in ballot while the boys "voted" via crayon and paper.  They insisted on putting their "lists" in envelopes, but then wanted to sleep with their "lists" because voting was so important.  Proud mama. 

A story from Wilson

We had dueling stories tonight - Cole told me a story while Wilson told "daddy" a story.  Then I got a story from Wilson.

"Once upon a time there was a hippo and a bear and a turtle and an elephant.  And they were friends.  And there was a grass and they played.  And there was a window and they looked out it.  And there was a brother and they were friends.  And a mommy and a daddy and they were all happy.  Then there was a pillow and I put my head on it and I ... I am tired.  The end."

Another best.  I can't wait for another story!