Issues

I have issues.  When something bothers me, I shut down.

Five days before my marathon I got really sick... like, I might have chosen death if given the option.

I missed the Chicago Marathon

... the one I won a lottery entry into

... the one I trained for 19 weeks for

... the one I ran TWO 20 milers during training for

... the one I missed SO many weekends with my family for

... the one we were meeting friends at so we could run together

... the one I had plane tickets and a hotel booked for

Depression set in.  I was nauseous and really sad.

Then... a friend called me... "Do the Marine Corps Marathon in two weeks."

"No."

I didn't even want to think about it, let alone run under someone else's name.

No, not for 26.2 miles.  Ain't happening.

Then... another friend called me... "I have a friend in the MCM office.  He will get you in."

"Oh."

"Tara, you've trained for 5 months... you HAVE TO DO IT."

With much stress heavy on my soul, I did it.

But I stopped blogging because I just didn't want to write about it.

I still felt like I missed something.

I'm over it now.

The marathon was hard, but so worth it.  I finished in 4:28:20 and was very happy.

I will blog about it soon.

I miss blogging about my favorite things.

I will start again...

Ipsy & Birchbox - September

Not much to say about Ipsy and Birchbox this month.

I still love it though... Christmas every month!

Whoohoo!

Ipsy

Crown Brush - Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush (love)

Pacifica - Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil (I dont like the color)

Cailyn - Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss (I dont like the color)

Mitchell and Peach - Luxury Hand Cream (I dont like the scent)

Nourish Organic - Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser (will save for a back-up!)

Oh... and I love the bag too.

Birchbox

Harvey Prince - Ageless Liquid Loofah (I liked it, but it had leaked everywhere... boo)

Davines Ol - All in One Milk (like)

Dr Jart+ - Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm (a little light for me)

Temptu S/B Highlighter (love)

Mereadesso - All In One Moisturizer (like)

Bonus

Davines Ol - Shampoo (will save for a back-up!)

Davines Ol - Conditioner (will save for a back-up!)

No complaints yet... my stockpile of goodies is growing.

There are a few items that I don't want and I LOVE surprising my best friend when she comes over... I just dump the box in front of her and she takes what she wants.  With my mom too!

In Loving Memory of Laura & Emmett

My husband and I went to a friend's wedding on September 20, 2014

We had a great time... dancing, laughing, eating.

The next morning we were awoken by a phone call at 0830.

I remember my husband saying things like "omg"... "no"... "omg"

I immediately sat up and said "what's wrong??"

I thought of two things - my babies or someone from the wedding had too much to drink.

It was neither of those things.

On Saturday, September 20, 2014, our friend and coworker, Laura Isabel Humphrey,

was tragically killed in a car accident.

She was 21 weeks pregnant with her first baby.  A little boy.  Emmett Rylander.

We freaked out.  We sobbed.  We tried to understand what was happening.

This was, by far, the saddest thing we had ever heard.

Laura, her sister, her best friend and another friend were apple picking that day.

Laura was driving.  She wanted ensure her own safety.

She stopped at an intersection and what happened after that is still unknown.

But once she started crossing the street, they were t-boned from the right side.

The lady was going the speed limit (55), but the airbags on the drivers side did not open.

Unimaginable.

Her sister has a broken collar bone, but other than that, everyone is fine.

Walking, talking... fine.

Laura was one of those special people.

She lit up any room she entered and by the 300+ people at her funeral, you know this was true.

My husband was her supervisor.

He said she was the best.  A perfectionist.  A hard worker.  And a joy to be around.

He was going to give her a raise that week...

Laura and her husband had been married for about 2 years.

They were SO excited for this pregnancy.  Their first baby and her parent's first grandchild.

The heartache they are feeling must be so painful.

I can't imagine and I pray for them DAILY.

Laura and Emmett were laid to rest this past Saturday.

It was the most GORGEOUS day.

I hope to remember her always.  She is buried next to my dad.

Even though I hate cemeteries, I will always visit her when we head up there.

Chicago Marathon Training: Week 16 & 17

I've been off the grid for a while.  I'll explain why in my next post.

I can't believe I am less than 2 weeks away.

My stomach is in knots and every time I hear the word "Chicago", I cringe.

Here's the thing - I know I will finish.  

I'm just so nervous on how it will feel and how I will feel afterwards.

That's the worst part.

Week 16

Week 16 gave me anxiety.

I had already done 19, but I did it on the treadmill.  I knew I needed to do this one outside.

However, we had a wedding to go to on Saturday and I REALLY didn't want to feel like crap all day.

So, I decided to take a half day on Friday and get it done at lunch.

I knew it would suck, but I would be SO HAPPY once it was over.

I got home around 1145 and was on the road at 1200.

I ran all over the place.

My biggest goal - AVOID HILLS.  Virginia hills kill me.  Like, really kill.

So I ran and ran and ran... until I was literally... BORED.

I was so bored that at mile 12, I bit it - skinned knee and palms.  Awesome.  Embarrassing.

So I convinced myself to stop at 17 and run 3 more inside.

HUGE MISTAKE.

I went inside and straight downstairs, but the difference b/w road and treadmill was more than I even imagine... I just couldn't get my legs to move.

I pushed through 2 miles and then just stopped.  Boom.

19 miles and done.

I was happy.

I survived.

Long run done... time to party.

Week 17

Week 17 went great.  I ran a lot this week.

This week sucked emotionally, so running was my escape.

I ran almost every day... ending with an easy 12 on Saturday morning.

I was up so early that I actually had to wait for the sun to show a little more before I ventured out.

It was a beautiful morning.

I ran in memory of my friend and her unborn son who were tragically killed a week prior.

This day was their funeral.

So tragic.  So awful.

2 more weeks... OMG.

Today I am shopping for new shorts, Quest bars and my race day fuel.

(stomach turning)

Chicago Marathon Training: Week 15

This was not my best week of training.

It was mentally draining and has made me very nervous about the upcoming marathon.

I ran every day of the week - 3, 4, 3, 3, 3.

Yes, I know I need to add more miles in there, but I just dont have the time or energy.

I get up at 0545 to run and then it's off to work.  The rest of the day is non-stop until my eyes close.

Since this was "rest week" and I was only scheduled for 12, I signed up to do the

Navy Air Force Half Marathon in DC.

I was pumped.  A little nervous for some reason, but pumped.

The weather was gorgeous and my family was going to greet me at the finish line.

I started off a little fast, but I was feeling good.

By mile 6, I started the "countdown".

I was tired.

I wanted it to end.  My thoughts were full of "20 more??"

I finished strong... but I was done.

How will I double that?

I MUST SLOW DOWN.  I MUST ENJOY THIS.

I'm beyond nervous and I can't wait for this to be over.

Finish time - 1:45:40 (7:58 pace)

Here's a snapshot of the girls I road to the race with!

Here I am crossing that finish line!

And the best part... my family... trucked all the way to DC in the early morning to see mommy!

Little Athletes

The time has come... fall sports!

Ok, my kids are 2 and 3, but it's fun for them and they need a little structure in the form of a classroom.

Michael will be doing Little Kickers (soccer).

Juliana will be doing Creative Movement (dance).

Michael has done this before and he's "ok" with it, but it's important we keep it up so that he gets used to practice and hopefully he will start looking forward to it.  If not, we will try something else.

T-ball and Karate are on my mind...

Dance is at 1000 on Saturdays and it was J's first time in a classroom setting.

To say she did amazing is an understatement... I was floored!

When I walked up to the classroom I noticed that all the parents were outside looking in through a one-way mirror (we could see in, but they couldn't see out).

I walked into the classroom and she immediately went and sat with the two teachers and 9 other students.

She was dressed perfectly... just like a professional dancer... of course!

She did everything the teachers asked of them and looked absolutely adorable.

There was one activity that she didn't want to wait her turn for (lol), but I thought she did great!

I can't wait until next week!

Look at her!!!!!!

The pics below are a little blurry b/c of the one-way mirror, but you get the idea - she's amazing!

 

Michael didn't do as well at soccer, but that's ok.

Soccer starts at 1100 so as soon as dance is over, we run to Manassas to watch him.

I think we will take a few weeks off though b/c it distracted him.

Not as much as the 110 degree facility though.  Their AC has been broken for weeks.  I was pissed.

Michael's cheeks were so red and he kept saying he was hot.  It was ridiculous.

However, doesn't he look adorable?

LOVE THEM.

Chicago Marathon Training: Week 14

I can't believe the time is almost here.

Only one month to go!

I am so excited to accomplish this goal and MOVE ON... lol.

This has been exhausting and a little stressful.

My husband has been really supportive, but it's hard to get up at 0530 on a Saturday when your kids sleep until 0830-0900.  When I was almost done with my 19 miles, my husband came down and asked me if he should wake up Juliana... ughhhhh.  I was so jealous of the extra 3 hours of sleep he got.

On top of that, there is no rest time after a run.  And I'm ok with that... it's just hard.

After the 19 on Saturday, I ran upstairs, helped get breakfast started, then showered, then ran down to dress my daughter for her first day of dance (next blog!), took her to dance, went straight from dance to my son's soccer, went out to lunch, came home to relax for a minute, then up to prepare a bunch of food for my husband's poker game (which I was more than happy to do).  It was a successful day to say the least.

I was also able to do more mileage this week... that was exciting too!

Here is my week:

The 19 miler on Saturday was supposed to be 20, but I simply ran out of time, lol!

I'm glad this week is over.  Next week is "rest week" again, but I am doing a half marathon that will require me to wake up around 0500 (or earlier) = no rest, lol.

5 more weeks......