Surfside Beach Half Marathon

To sum it up, this race was no fun. Not even a little. I had psyched myself up for a breezy, sunny, fun run along the coast and what I got was wind, humidity, rain and fog. The trip as a whole, however, was a blast... I have been training with 2 of my good friends (Tannie and Esther) and we had such a great time doing this together.

We lined up behind the "line" (drawn in the sand) at 5 to 8, participated in the national anthem (accompanied by a bugle), had a prayer, and waited for the horn. I took off at a fast pace, energized by my tunes and the comraderie I felt by sthe friends running alongside me (Tannie, Esther, Shelah, Amy and Lyn).

The first 2-3 miles were fine. Then we turned around into some pretty fierce wind and it stayed that way until mile 9. That was the most difficult part of the race, and the middle 5 miles or so are usually my strongest. I couldn't shake the negative talk, or stop thinking how much I hated running. Lol. We'd decided our mantra for this race would be "Keep calm and carry on!" and instead I thought it might have been nice to have someone screaming "Stop wimping out!" in my ear. I was feeling pretty discouraged.

It was so dead out there - not a lick of sunshine - and you weren't really passing anything, so very few benchmarks that I could use to get myself just a little further like I normally do. Not a lot of random people out there cheering you on... except for Tannie's brother Alex and his girlfriend Rachel, who took pictures and ran alongside me every few miles.:) Thanks, guys. I ended up using the water stations to walk a few steps, and reset my attitude. The walking didn't really help (and added to my time of course) and in the end I wished I hadn't stopped. I usually don't. But at the time, it was that or quit.

The turn around at mile 9 was a big relief. I was super happy to let that wind help me along from behind. And it suddenly died. LOL! I was a little disheartened by that, but happy that I didn't have to fight anymore, and I could just run. And the last 4 miles were pretty easy, and went by quickly!

I crossed the line at about 2:36. 5 minutes slower than San Antonio, but with the elements working against me, I think I'd have been hardpressed to make my goal time of 2:10. I'd have been really happy with 2:20 and think that was doable. So I am disappointed to say the least. After crossing the finish line I ran into the tent to get out of the rain, and it was packed with runners. There was nowhere to stretch, or walk it off, and I was both sweaty and wet from the rain. Ugh. I finally found a chair and just sat for a bit and cleared my head.

Everyone received a ticket for a free Maui Wowie smoothie. But the booth was out in the rain and I was afraid that if I didn't get dry I would be freezing for the rest of the day (I am always cold after I run, but moreso if I stay in wet clothes for every long). Still, I wanted that smoothie so bad... and I wanted to take one back to Tannie (who wasn't feeling well and left right away), and within minutes of getting in line the rain slowed and Rachel provided me with a dry windbreaker.

Esther and I went back in the now less crowded tent and got some good old Texas BBQ and sat and ate and basqued in our accomplishment. Then we noticed a small stretch station in the back of the tent and got in line for that. Felt so good. We picked out some seashells for our kids on our way back to the car, and headed out. The rest of the afternoon we lazed around Alex's apartment and stretched and talked. We indulged in IHOP for dinner and headed back to Austin around 6.

As difficult as the race was, and as many times as I thought to myself "I am never doing this again!", I am planning for my next race, probably a 10K (which I've never run, in fact I haven't even done a 5 K). Races are like having babies - it's painful, but the joy far outweighs the pain, enough that you almost forget how hard it is. I guess I am just determined to keep on keeping on. And my training over the next 4-5 months will mainly consist of hill work, because I am running the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay in Utah in June and my first leg is 3 miles straight up a mountain. Yeah, wish me luck with that.

It is interesting how much I have learned about myself from running... that I can do anything I put my mind to (a theory I've tested before but somehow running just really seals it for me). And that having a fit mind is just as important as having a fit body. I am going to work on the positive self talk so I can push harder in less than ideal circumstances.

From the bottom of my heart...

A little known fact about me is that I hate to cook, but I LOVE to bake. Just to put it in persepctive for you, if I were to realize I was missing an ingredient for dinner, I'd call Andrew and tell him I just didn't have the energy to tote 4 kids to the grocery store for just one stupid ingredient. If, however, I was missing an ingredient to say, chocolate frosting, I'd climb mountains to acquire it. I'd climb mountains with 4 kids totalling 170 lbs. on my BACK... I don't care if it is the finest cocoa in the world, I will make sure I attain it without haste.

This recipe for frosted sugar cookies is one of those that I look forward to making all year long. On Valentine's Day. And I can ONLY make them once a year because they are SO good that I find I cannot stop at 1. Or 3. *blush* Plus, they are truly a gift from the heart. It's like ripping my heart out to give them away! Lol.

The recipe belongs to an old Sunday School teacher. She was quite the woman. She must have made a few dozen of these cookies every Sunday, because there were always enough to go around the entire ward! When I got married and moved away it was one of my top priorities to attain this recipe for myself.

Christine's Never Fail Sugar Cookies

(dough does not need refrigeration)

INGREDIENTS
2 c sugar
2 c butter flavored Crisco (or butter/marg)
6 eggs
6 tsp baking powder
7 c flour
4 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar and Crisco. Add eggs, vanilla, and then dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Roll/shape and bake at 375 for 10 minutes.

The frosting recipe I've settled on belongs to my good friend Brooke and is really easy.

1/4 c softened butter (make sure it's VERY soft)
3 c powdered sugar
1 or more Tbsp milk
1 t vanilla

Mix thoroughly.

ENJOY my friends! And try to share! ;)

Somewhere

Somewhere someone has just found out she is going to become a mother. Somewhere someone has found out she won't. Somewhere a mother is crying for the loss of a pregnancy. Somewhere a mother isn't ready to be a mother. Somewhere a mother is giving birth. Somewhere a mother is sleep deprived. Somewhere a mother is staring into the eyes of a newborn. Somewhere a mother is picking cheerios up off the floor. Somewhere a mother is making sacrifices. Somewhere a mother is watching her baby learn to walk. Somewhere a mother is gently cleaning a booboo and covering it with a band aid. Somewhere a mother is rocking a sick child. Somewhere a mother is finding out she has cancer. Somewhere a mother is dying. Somewhere a mother is caring for her own mother. Somewhere a mother is ready to give up. Somewhere a mother is asking for help. Somewhere a mother is cleaning the house. Somewhere a mother is making a meal for her family. Somewhere a mother has finally found joy in the little things. Somewhere a mother is teaching her child. Somewhere a mother is being taught. Somewhere a mother is feeling proud. Somewhere a mother is being humiliated in the grocery store by her toddler. Somewhere a mother is feeling trapped. Somewhere a mother needs a break. Somewhere a mother is feeling rejuvenated. Somewhere a mother has found time for herself. Somewhere a mother is praying for her children. Somewhere a mother is praying for herself. Somewhere a mother is worrying. Somewhere a mother is doubting herself. Somewhere a mother is paving the way. Somewhere a mother is ready to take on the world. Somewhere a mother is being criticized. Somewhere a mother is losing her inhibitions. Somewhere a mother is feeling humbled. Somewhere a mother is reaching out. Somewhere a mother is helping another mother. Somewhere a mother is feeling unappreciated. Somewhere a mother is crying. Somewhere a mother needs to be held. Somewhere a mother is thinking of the future. Somewhere a mother is attending a graduation. Somewhere a mother is planning a wedding. Somewhere a mother is watching her own child become a parent. Somewhere a mother's long journey is coming to an end.

Motherhood has its ups and downs. For every mother I've ever observed, learned from, been close to - here's to the bumpy ride.

Just cause I want to remember it...

Adriana came home today all excited because she got to see President Obama's inauguration speech in school. She added, and I quote, "I saw him SWEAR, Mom!"

:)

Cute girl.

Alive and well...

... just not finding the time to post much these days. I do have a fun new project up at Out with the old and in with the new...

I'm training for another half marathon, so blogging time has become running time. I'll be back to posting again soon! The race is in 5ish weeks!