Happy Birthday Sophie!

Yesterday my baby turned two years old. This is very bittersweet because my baby is not a baby anymore, yet she will always be my baby. We are officially head first in the toddler world. Lord help me!

Saturday we went to the beach and met up with three other couples with kids. The day was perfect weather wise, hot and sunny but not scorching (until we got back to the car). Sophie had a blast as did Ricky and I. She even took a little 1.5 hour nap, which she never does, so we got some down time. 

I stole these from my friend's Facebook album. I haven't yet downloaded my pictures!

I like to take random pics of myself with someone else's camera. I'm a dork.

Sophie about ready to pass out. Yes, she still has her paci. We're working on it.

Sophie and her friends

Since we had such a fun and tiring day, we decided Sunday would be low-key and just the three of us since we'd already had her party the weekend before. We filled up the little inflatable pool and had it ready for when Sophie woke up from her nap. Little did I know she'd take almost a 3 hour nap! Played in the pool for about an hour and then I started dinner. Pork tenderloin with some mashed potatoes, salad, broccoli and birthday cake yum! Of course Sophie wanted nothing to do with dinner....she's starting her "I don't want to eat" thing again. I think it might be those pesky 2 year molars coming in but honestly I'm done trying to figure out why kids do some of the things they do. She sure did eat the heck out of her piece of cake though!

WARNING: I'm about to gush about my child. I just love that little girl. Sure she's going through her awful temper tantrum phase: screaming, crying, hitting (both herself and me), but she can be the most lovable and sweetest little girl. I love watching her play with other kids. She rarely takes toys away and shares....about 90% of the time. She gives us hugs and kisses and says "I wove you mama." Melts me! She is such a cute cross between me and Ricky with her beautiful brown eyes (me) and her fine blond "crazy" hair (Ricky). I am just so excited to see how much she's going to change in this next year. Maybe she'll mellow out some...I'm hoping. She's quite the drama queen. But all in all she's mine and I love her! Happy Birthday Sophie!

I'm seriously not meaning for this blog to turn into a running blog...maybe I'll start another one....but then that's two blogs I'd have to keep up with...a third if I decide to re-start my art blog....but I wanted to say that I'm now about 95% sure I'm going to do the Charleston Marathon in January.

See, the main issue I was having was training on my own - can't seem to find anyone to train with me..which is fine because I really do like to run alone most days...but I was starting to get worried about doing those really long runs by myself and being out there alone...you never know what could happen. Who or what is lurking in the woods....what if there's an emergency and I pass out on the side of the road...no one will know where I am. Yes, I'm a tad paranoid in my older age but I feel these are legit concerns.

So to solve this problem I came up and with a really good idea...just need my hubby on board (and no, he's NOT going to run with me). He's going to bike ride!! Eureka! See, Ricky does not like to run long distances. He's done 1 10k and I don't think he ever wants to do another one. So I proposed that we get him a bike and he can ride while I do my long runs. That way I won't be alone, he won't have to run, I will get to train, and he'll get exercise out of the deal. Everybody wins! Even thinking about getting one of those bike attachments that Sophie can ride in as long as we aren't in an area with a ton of traffic. Other days she might have to go to Gigi's house. 

But still! I think it's a great plan and now I'm eager to put together my training plan to start sometime around September. I've been reading and gathering information but I'm still not 100% sure what I should be doing what plan is going to work for me. Also tried GU for the first time yesterday and.....YUCK!!!!!!!!! How in the world do people choke that down when they're running marathons? I wanted to vomit at the first taste. I had to squirt it in my mouth and chug water. Then after I ran I felt really yucky. I had to lay down and take a nap! So I'm thinking GU may not be for me. I have a power bar gel I'm going to try and then I'll look into the jelly beans or shot bloks. I had a few shot bloks before I ran my half marathon in April and I honestly don't know if they helped. I didn't eat any during the race, but I cramped up really bad after I crossed the finish line (all those darn hills) so maybe I will need something to help me along the way. I ran 4 days in a row and I think my legs are telling me to take a break so tomorrow I will attempt to sleep in. And by sleep in I mean 6:00 :)

Happy Monday!

Fall Race Schedule

So as the day is winding down I decided to do my schedule of 2011 races. There is a lull in the Summer since there's not a whole bunch going on and it's hot and humid as crap right now. No one wants to pass out from heat exhaustion. I mean some people might considering I see people running at very odd times of the day, like 2:00 in the afternoon in 95 degrees. I mean great for them but I think it's crazy! Then again I've had heat exhaustion before and it wasn't fun so it's not my cup of tea.

I'm trying my best to keep my mileage in the 25-30 miles a week but time does not seem to be on my side lately. I do manage to make it to the gym at least 3 mornings a week. Summer is always a struggle for me to get out of bed at 4:15 am, I'm not sure why. I try to do 2 runs 4-6 miles and then one 7-8 miles and then a long run on Saturday followed by a short recovery run on Sunday. Mondays are normally my days off because I can't seem to drag myself out of bed on a Monday morning.

Here is my list for Fall 2011. * denotes a maybe race. I would love to run all of them but as I train for the Charleston Marathon some might have to be cut. And some will probably be good training races.

*Carolina Children's Charity 8k - 9/24 (I will probably run with my friend Pam if she's not preggers by then).
IOP Connector Run 10k - 10/1 (This is up and back over the Isle if Palms Connector bridge. I could consider this a hill work out - very scenic run if anything).
*Race for the Cure 5k - 10/15 (I do this race every year for the simple fact that it supports breast cancer research and that is very important. Plus it's on Daniel Island and such a pretty location).
Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon 13.1 - 10/23 (This is will be 3rd half marathon and I'm very excited to be able to run along the beach for the last few miles. Plus it'll get us out of town for a night without child!).
*James Island Connector Run 10k - 11/5 (Again, a run over a bridge so I think it'll help with training. Only bad thing it's right after my half marathon and right before my next half marathon. So it might have to get cut from the schedule).
Thunder Road Half Marathon - 11/12 (in Charlotte, NC yay! Between this race and Myrtle Beach I really want to break 2 hours. That is my goal...with one of these races I WILL break 2 hours! Although this will probably involve some hills like my last half marathon in Charlotte back in April).
*Kiawah Island Half Marathon - 12/10 (Not sure if I want to run this again for two reasons: 1. It went up $10 from last year and I really don't think it's worth paying $95 for. 2. I will be in the heart of training for the marathon I hope to be running in January so I'm thinking I'll want to focus on that).

JANUARY 14th 2012! Charleston Marathon! I know I can probably physically do this race it's the mental part I'm worried about. Every time I think about it I get really excited and then really nervous soon after. I just need to make sure I have the support of my hubby for those long runs and the time. So I hope to start training in September which will allow me enough time to train and for those unplanned days of sickness since I do have a toddler. I also need to find a training plan, I've looked at several but just don't know which will be right for me. I have until September to sign up and then the rates go up. So in the meantime I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I feel really good about my running lately. I'm learning to hydrate well in the heat, going to find which electrolyte supplement will best suite me.Wish me luck!

My baby is turning 2!

Sophie will be 2 years old on Sunday. Two years old!!! She is in full swing terrible two's. She's never been much of a hitter but the last few weeks she hits and scratches when she gets upset. The only way I can get her to stop is if I spank her. Pot calling the kettle black I know, but seriously it gets her attention and then she cries and wants a hug. So I'm rolling with it. 

This past Saturday we had her birthday party so my family could make it down. My sister teaches high school and their graduation is the weekend of her actual birthday and my sister cannot miss graduation this year so we bumped it up a week. 

I threw an art party. One of Sophie's favorite things to do it color so I thought this would be a cheap and easy thing to do. I thought it turned out well, kids made a mess for a little while and then they ran around and played. We did cake and presents and ta-da! Party complete. She, of course, has no idea that it's her birthday so I have all my really good party ideas saved up for when she gets older and will appreciate it more. 

So here are a few pictures from the party. The only bad thing about June is it's so stinking hot and humid here so outdoor parties are awe some but hot. We need a pool.

I got the idea from http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/search/label/art%20birthday%20party. There was so much more I wanted to do but I just didn't have the time to do all the cool crafty things I wanted. Maybe next year but again, she's 2 and could care less. I mean heck, in the picture above you can see how "excited" she is to open presents. She would have rather played outside. That's why she's so mad, we brought her in to open presents. What horrible parents we are :)

On her actual birthday we may take her either to the beach or to the Children's Museum downtown. I will fix her favorite meal (which seems to change week by week) and get her a little cake. Then the next day I'm going to take cupcakes and little party favors to school so the kids in her class can help celebrate.