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.

Memorial Day Weekend

It's Tuesday and sadly I'm back at work. We had an awesome long weekend and wish that I had more time off but vacation is a month away!!

Saturday we didn't do much. I ran on Folly Beach that morning, 9.25 miles. My goal was 12 but I got there a little later than I wanted to and it was HOT. Luckily there was a breeze but still hot and humid and the sun was shining bright as can be. So I decided to cut the run short...which is ok because it's almost Summer and it's just getting too hot for me to do long runs unless I wake up before the sun comes and even then it's still hot and humid. I'll just do what I can. Anyway, I ran errands for Sophie's birthday party that's this coming weekend. Started cleaning the house, washing sheets, towels, planning food for the weekend. 

Sunday we went with our friend Rachael, Phillip and their daughter Kinsey to Seabrook Island, a private island. A beautiful island. I want to live there. Ricky says I either need to win the lottery or get a sugar daddy. We had a blast! We were there for about 4 hours, which we wanted to stay longer but kids were getting tired and to the point of no return. Major meltdowns have potential to happen when we get to that point. Here are some pictures from Sunday. 

Seabrook Beach Club. We were guests of Rachael's client, Betsy, who lives here. 

Sophie and Kinsey. That's my girl, eating chips just like her Momma like to do

Me and my little beach bum. 

LOVES the beach!

Monday was pretty low key. I had to run some more errands, pick up a few more things for her party. Went to the gym and then made sure she had a good nap. Then we went to my in-laws for a cookout. Sophie got to play with her cousin Addison and I got to hold my nephew Lawson who will be 2 weeks old tomorrow.

Summer is coming! In fact it's pretty much here even though it's not officially Summer. Hot as hell out there and it's gonna get worse. 

Oh and I ran a 10k on the treadmill in 49:25! That is my goal for the Fall. I want to break 50 minutes for my 10k and break 2 hours for my half marathon. I'm getting faster and that makes me happy. Let's see if I can do that pace on the pavement.

Hope everyone had a fun Memorial Day Weekend!

Two Posts in One Month!

Can it be? I've actually posted more than once this month! Wow! Actually I'm sitting at my desk at work while on my lunch break, but it's gotta be quick because I'm busy busy and sales reps need their quotes.

Updates: Not much is going on, we're pretty boring here. Ricky starts a new job tomorrow. This is good, should be a more stable income and better health benefits. We definitely need this for there ever to be a possibility for me to stay home or work part time. This commute is KILLING me! Summer is usually a tad better....school is out so I don't sit in as much traffic in the morning. However, with th influx of tourists, the afternoons are still kind of hell. So ultimately we're hoping this job change puts us in good position for things to come.

Sophie is going to be two soon! I still can't believe how fast time has gone by. Although I have to admit as much as I miss her as a newborn, where I could just sit and hold her for hours, I love this age (minus the tantrums). She's almost saying two or three words combined, gives me hugs and kisses and says "I wove you momma." So sweet! We play and color (her favorite thing - along with watching Finding Nemo over and over and over again).

Saturday we went to Kiawah Island. I went a little early to run on the beach. I did 8 miles. First 4 the sun was hot and shinning right in my face so I sweated my arse off. I turned around and the last 4 the wind was really blowing and was bitch smacking me in the face. So it was a slow 4 back. All in all I felt good. My right calf has been bothering me lately but running wet sand felt like a cushion and was kind of nice.

Then Sophie and Ricky met up with me and she played for a few hours, until it looked like it might start raining, we packed it up and headed home.

Sunday Ricky and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary with a day out on the boat. You know we are no frills kind of people. I don't need fancy and expensive dinner or anything. Just a few hours of fun in the sun is exactly what we needed.

So that's all! I must get back to work now....

A few pictures from Saturday:

Clearly this one is not at the beach. She is sitting in the desk chair and looks so grown up. 

May Already?

These posts are starting to get few and far between, not on purpose though.

As you can see by the title of this post I'm wondering how it became May already. This year has flown by so far. I guess having a kid will do that to you. We already have something going every weekend in June so that month will be here and gone in an instant.

Not much has happened since my last post. I am sad to admit I have not taken a lot of pictures of Sophie...again not on purpose. I have a few on my camera but have not downloaded them.

Sophie is going through a "no touch" phase. Ricky and I are not allowed to show any kind of affection towards each other. If we do she runs over and says "daddy! mama! No touch." She's sleeping better but still wakes up at least once or twice a week wanting to sleep with us. I think it's a combination between molars and nightmares.

We're having her birthday party on June 4th this year and it's going to be an art party. She loves to color so I'm going to have a painting station where I buy canvases for the kids to paint on, and then I'm going to have an area where they can create their own art by using crayons, markers, paint, stickers, glitter. I think I might do a tote stamping as a part of their party favors....but I'm not sure about that one. For the party favors I think I'm going to make mini chalk boards.

I cannot take credit for this creativity. The internet is such a wonderful resource. I can, however, execute the idea. I wish I had the time to be this creative but I just don't. Maybe one day.....

http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/search/label/artist%20birthday%20party

In running news, I'm still pounding away at the pavement and treadmill. Trying to keep my fitness level up by running middle distances during the week and a long run on the weekends (until it gets too hot and humid). I plan on running at least 2 more half marathons this year. I'm signed up for the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon Oct. 23rd and going to sign up for the Thunder Road Half Marathon in November. Thinking I might still do Kiawah but not sure.

Still heavily leaning towards yes for the Charleston Marathon in January. Still cannot fully commit to a yes but the theory is still to run the Marathon and then get pregnant with baby no.2. Which would give me an October baby if I get pregnant right away - which would be awesome. I really want a fall baby!

So that's the latest and greatest! I will try and post some pictures soon.

April Update

Here I go again, haven't updated in about a month! Honestly it's been super busy around here lately. Work has been busy, weekends have been busy, Sophie keeps us very busy. You get the idea.

So let's see....since the last time I posted....I'm trying to think of what's been going on. We are all doing really well, Sophie is doing fantastic! I can't believe she's going to be 2 years old in less than 2 months. Which means I need to start planning a birthday party because June will be here before I know it...just like April is almost over! I'm thinking we're going to throw her an art party. She loves to color so I've got a few ideas floating around in my head.

Sophie is a little miss Chatty Kathy, she says new words every day! She can count to 10, she repeats everything we say and really annunciates well. She is a happy girl who can turn in an instant and become she devil toddler. Girlfriend has a temper! I say she gets it from Ricky, he says she gets it from me and both our parents say she gets it from us. So there you have it, Sophie is a good combination of both our temperaments.

Weather has been warmer here but water temps are still cool so we haven't been to the beach at all, waiting for it to warm up just a little bit more. Ricky is chomping at the bit to get his boat in the water so hopefully this Saturday we can take it for a spin. 

Running is going really well. Ricky and I both ran the Cooper River bridge Run on April 2nd. This was Ricky's first 10k and he did awesome, he finished in 1:02 and some seconds. I beat last years time by 5 minutes 55:03. 

Last weekend I ran the Charlotte Race Fest half marathon. A little back story on this. I ran the Kiawah half marathon back in December. If you recall it was cold and rainy, pretty miserable conditions. Although I ran the pace I trained for, I was just getting over a cold and didn't feel like I did as well as I thought I could do. So the theory with this race in Charlotte was to run another half in nice spring temperatures. Yeah, I should know by now that my luck sucks. It was beautiful weather all week....until Saturday. They were calling for severe thunderstorms Saturday morning (rain, wind, thunder, lighting, hail....you get the picture). So needless to say I was less than thrilled to be running in the rain again. I woke up Saturday morning and watched the weather channel for about 30 minutes and decided to go on with it. They said severe weather would not hit until late morning/early afternoon. We got there with minutes to spare and I was off and running!

To make a long story short (too late) the weather overall wasn't too bad. Sure it sprinkled, and then it would downpour, but it wasn't cold and at times the sun would try and peak through. The course was very hilly. I'd forgotten how hilly Charlotte is, so this was a real challenge for me. I can proudly say that I ran the entire course, up hill and all, in 2:07:00, almost 3 minutes faster than Kiawah! I'm super proud of that accomplishment and have already signed up for the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon October 23rd. I guess you can say I'm addicted. One thing I did this time around that I did not do at Kiawah is I stopped for water and Gatorade the last 3 miles. I think this really helped me at mile 12 (that was 95% up hill).

I'm still up in the air about signing up for a marathon. There's the Thunder Road Race in Charlotte in November. I was thinking about doing that one but now I'm thinking I will just do the half marathon. There's always the Charleston Marathon in January so that may be the one for me. I don't want to try to get pregnant until January or February so this could work out perfectly.....stay tuned for that decision.

One problem that I seem to have when I do a long endurance run is I seem to retain a lot of water a few days after. I hear this is a common problem with the breakdown of muscle fibers and such but I seem to gain a good 3-4 pounds after a long run. Not sure what I can do about this except to increase my water intake but I swear I drink a TON of water so it's actually kind of frustrating. Then again as much as I swelled when I was pregnant, I'm not surprised. 

No more races until the fall, unless a small one pops up here and there. I'm going to continue running long runs on the weekends until it gets too hot and humid to do so. I'm looking forward to beach and boat time with my family. 

After the race

Crossing the finish line!