Due to the holiday schedule (and Patrick's soccer practice schedule), I had to move around the "long run" for the week. I did NOT feel like heading out there this morning. Major storm yesterday, so the trail was full of wet (slick) leaves, debris, and puddles. Tried to keep my balance the whole time, ran slower than normal. However, when I was frustrated at about 5 miles in, I had a very nice conversation at a stop light with this cute young girl. Here's how it went.
CuteGirl: Are you training for the marathon?
Me: Yes
CuteGirl: How far are you running today?
Me: Oh, 12 or 13 miles.
CuteGirl: Wow, I just run high school cross country.
Me: Well, when you're my age, you'll be running marathons.
CuteGirl: How old are you, like 25?
Yes, yes I am 25. No I told her she was sweet and that I was 34. Then we ran our separate ways.
It was only in retelling this story to Patrick later that I realized that in high school, I probably thought 25 was "old"...about as old as 34...oh well! At least she didn't guess I was 40 right?
Anyway, I settled into my run after that ego boost, and right when I was about to fall apart before mile 9, my sweet husband was waiting along the trail just to say hi : ) That gave me what I needed, and I finished out my 13 miles (the schedule only called for 10 miles). Now I get to lay low for a couple of days (yay!), but that 20 miler next weekend is already freaking me out. We're in the homestretch though, so I just need to tough it out!
By the way, I would just like to mention that I love that fact that my 2.5yr old sees me dressed to head out and says "You gonna go run Mama?" I hope the fact that she's already related exercise to us means that I'll have a partner in another 15-20 years or so ; )
Mother, wife, PhD scientist, runner, autism advocate...just trying to balance it all one day at a time.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Me, PhD
Well if you're reading this, you already know who I am, duh! But to briefly update on what's going on right now...
Things are busy at work. Post-PhD, I've managed to attain the rank of junior faculty, which is code for "you have the letters, but now do some more work and we'll see if you really cut it". If it were just me, maybe I'd be cutthroat about it. But the bottomline is that I just want to be gainfully employed doing something I enjoy during the day in order to get home to what's really important to me. I've progressed beyond needing to prove anything. I'm a nerd, I have the letters to prove it, now I just want to enjoy what the hard work has gotten me for awhile, is that so wrong?
On the flipside, turns out I had some free time to fill post-dissertation. Now since we moved here several years ago, it seems to be some sort of middle-aged mom rite of passage to run a marathon. I remember spectating at a marathon many years ago for one of Patrick's co-workers. Then, I've played soccer with many many friends that have also run the Houston marathon. It was always one of those things I'd like to "do one day just to say I did".
Now hindsight is always so reasonable isn't it? The idea of training for a marathon with two toddlers after the hell I've put my body through the past 5 years somehow seemed feasible (easy?) to me last spring. I quickly learned that my stubborn nature would be my downfall. I've battled many overuse injuries: runner's knee, pulled calf muscles, foot tendinitis, IT band issues, twisted ankles...and general exhaustion. There have been many times over the past few months that I was convinced I would never get to run this race. In fact, the jury is still out...and will be until I attempt to line up on raceday. I've adjusted my training. I'm actually running more miles than the plan calls for, but I'm running those miles slower in order to preserve my joints. So far these past couple of weeks, this is working much better for me.
I'm in the crunch phase of the training. Last week was huge, but the next 2 weeks are just as important. Then I go into taper mode...all shooting for D-day...the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 30th. My first attempt at 26.2 miles...but hopefully not my last!
Oh and did I mention that Patrick's soccer season kicks off next week...again, what was I thinking trying to juggle all of this???
And did I mention that I hate running in the cold? Good thing I got new cold weather running gear for Christmas ; ) That's going to be the only thing that motivates me out the door tomorrow morning!
Things are busy at work. Post-PhD, I've managed to attain the rank of junior faculty, which is code for "you have the letters, but now do some more work and we'll see if you really cut it". If it were just me, maybe I'd be cutthroat about it. But the bottomline is that I just want to be gainfully employed doing something I enjoy during the day in order to get home to what's really important to me. I've progressed beyond needing to prove anything. I'm a nerd, I have the letters to prove it, now I just want to enjoy what the hard work has gotten me for awhile, is that so wrong?
On the flipside, turns out I had some free time to fill post-dissertation. Now since we moved here several years ago, it seems to be some sort of middle-aged mom rite of passage to run a marathon. I remember spectating at a marathon many years ago for one of Patrick's co-workers. Then, I've played soccer with many many friends that have also run the Houston marathon. It was always one of those things I'd like to "do one day just to say I did".
Now hindsight is always so reasonable isn't it? The idea of training for a marathon with two toddlers after the hell I've put my body through the past 5 years somehow seemed feasible (easy?) to me last spring. I quickly learned that my stubborn nature would be my downfall. I've battled many overuse injuries: runner's knee, pulled calf muscles, foot tendinitis, IT band issues, twisted ankles...and general exhaustion. There have been many times over the past few months that I was convinced I would never get to run this race. In fact, the jury is still out...and will be until I attempt to line up on raceday. I've adjusted my training. I'm actually running more miles than the plan calls for, but I'm running those miles slower in order to preserve my joints. So far these past couple of weeks, this is working much better for me.
I'm in the crunch phase of the training. Last week was huge, but the next 2 weeks are just as important. Then I go into taper mode...all shooting for D-day...the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 30th. My first attempt at 26.2 miles...but hopefully not my last!
Oh and did I mention that Patrick's soccer season kicks off next week...again, what was I thinking trying to juggle all of this???
And did I mention that I hate running in the cold? Good thing I got new cold weather running gear for Christmas ; ) That's going to be the only thing that motivates me out the door tomorrow morning!
Intro to the Madness...
OK, I know I've been promising a return to the blogosphere for way too long, so here it is. What seems like an eternity ago, I once chronicled (mostly anonymously) our struggles with infertility. Four years, 5 miscarriages, and 6 surgeries ultimately led us to our daughter Larkin...and shortly there after our surprise son Kellen. Our family is complete, after wondering for so long whether our time would ever come.
Since becoming a mom, I also managed to finish my PhD. So as a mother to Irish twin toddlers, wife to a biology teacher/soccer coach, and with a career as a PhD scientist, I took the natural next step...and decided to train for a marathon. Now you're starting to understand why the title of this blog is Moon Madness, right?
So here we go...I'll update on everyone in the family shortly, and then you can just come along for the ride with our crazy lives from there ; )
Since becoming a mom, I also managed to finish my PhD. So as a mother to Irish twin toddlers, wife to a biology teacher/soccer coach, and with a career as a PhD scientist, I took the natural next step...and decided to train for a marathon. Now you're starting to understand why the title of this blog is Moon Madness, right?
So here we go...I'll update on everyone in the family shortly, and then you can just come along for the ride with our crazy lives from there ; )
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