So What's Happenin' Girlfriend?

......my friends!  I've been missing my bloggy world and with the storm/tornado threats raging outside my window, the kids happily entertained by Legos upstairs, I get to have a little computer time and check in here.

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Marathon Training.  I am a month away from official marathon training time (end of June).  According to Marine Corps Marathon's FB page, as of last Wednesday, only 150 days separate me from the start line.  I am training with 3 girlfriends, following Hal Higdon's Novice 2 plan, and picking it up at Mile 9 or 10 at the end of this month.  I managed to keep my mileage up around 10-12 miles since my last half marathon race.  I am beyond excited to start, but I am hanging in there, feeling the pull of burn out which I don't want to go to.  I don't know if it's burn out or just boredom, because I have no actual race in the calendar this summer (aside from a virtual half marathon race) until September.  Races usually keep me going and all excited, but even the thought of a summer 5K race bores me.  I don't mean to sound snobby, but I need something more - something.....different.  Any suggestions?

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Art.  Yes, art!  This is what's currently consuming me right now.  I entered an art competition over at Lilly Oncology On Canvas.  I am over the moon with this project, and I have one month to do it!  Ack!  The challenge is to express my story of dealing and coping with my mom's lung cancer diagnosis and her passing 3 1/2 years ago through art and narrative.  I am looking forward to this for the searching deep down, the cleansing, the freeing, and for the letting go....Sigh. 

My idea for this piece came to me during my 9 mile run almost a month ago now.  I was running solo, without music, and I went into a zone.  I was thinking about where I am now with my mom's absence, where I am now with lung cancer.  It got me thinking.  When I started running, I ran away from grief, the loss, and the anger.  Then I started to run through those same feelings.  Now, as I run, I feel like I am leaving them behind me and moving towards....free.  I can't explain it, but I am running towards butterflies and this time, I am happy to let them go.  I am anxious to start, but with any art project, I am intimidated by that blank canvas.  I need to just attack it, the way I attack hills on a run. 

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Motherhood.  We are just 2 weeks away from summer vacation!  I am looking forward to not having a schedule.  Little Man is already out of preschool which means running for me during the week has been challenging, getting my 5 miles in when The Hubs is home from work (early evening) or at 6am on days when he's working from home.  I haven't gotten my groove on yet with my new weekday running schedule, but I'll get there. 

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Sporto is finishing up the spring flag football season.  Deep down, I am happy we have one more game to go.  His football practice schedule made our weekdays crazy and hectic.  I do not like rushing through the day. I don't know how families with multiple kids in sports do it.  It's just not for me.  But Sporto loves football and nothing makes me more happy than seeing my kids happy, so flag football it is and probably will be a part of our life for awhile.  Yes, this is why I haven't blogged regularly!  Blaming it on flag football!  lol.

from www.wpclipart.com

Today, Sporto watched the "growing up" video.  If he wasn't my child, I would've died.  Why are kids these days growing up too fast too soon?  Some friends of mine had The Talk already with their 4th graders.  I wasn't sure how far The Hubs and I should go with this talk.  The video only covered the basics of what happens to your body during puberty, so why give more information?  There are times when I can't believe Sporto is at that age already.  Ugh.


Tank continues to amaze us.  His current obsession is writing and drawing in his journal and playing with Snap Circuits.  We are relieved he has not blown up anything (yet). 

Little Man is sad about preschool ending.  He is obsessed with Bob the Builder and arranging play dates with friends without consulting with me first.  I am grateful for those play dates.  My friends and I take turns watching the kids so that we each have a turn having a kid-free afternoon.  Oh those days go by way too quickly.

So there you have it, in a nutshell, what this girlfriend's been up to lately.  I am behind in race re-caps, but I'll get there soon.

I hope you are all having a good start to this month of June.  I know I am.  

Now it's your turn.  What have you been up to lately?

Wordless Wednesday: The Many Faces of Abe Lincoln

In celebration of President's Day, Tank's class made these.  Who knew that Abe Lincoln had so many personalities!

 

Wordless Wednesday: Ode to My Hattori's

 

 

 

Motivational Mondays

I'm finally home! From a blissful Virginia Is For Lovers 14K race with The Hubs, to reflective moments during the race as I thought of Sherry Arnold and her family, to an awesome and priceless time with my family (sis, Dad, and brother), and then hearing about Whitney Houston, it's been a roller coaster weekend.

I can't wait to share with you this week, my Virginia Is For Lovers 14K Race Report, running for Sherry Arnold, my thoughts on Whitney Houston, and family moments I want to remember.

First, I want to share what I hope will motivate me this week:

Motherhood and doing your best.
 As a mom, sometimes I can't help but feel short of what I "think" I should be able to do at home, for the kids, for The Hubs.....Thanks to Bliss Sisters for reminding me to forgive myself, to be kind to myself, and that I'm doing my best everyday to be the best mom to my boys.

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Believe.
I finally got more information about running the Marine Corps Marathon this fall for Team Lung Love, a group of passionate athletes, runners, tri-athletes, who raise money for the Lung Cancer Alliance for lung cancer research and advocacy.  They're based in Washington D.C., and they are one of MCM's charity partners..  The phone call re-assured me more that MCM and raising money for lung cancer is in my future, but there were times over the weekend when doubts creep in, the fear of more imminent injuries, and just whether or not I could do 26.2 miles. 

But you know what?  Just like Ragnar last year bugged me, so does MCM.  I know I just got to keep believing.

10-minute a mile.
I'm a 10.5 min/mile kind of girl for anything above 5 miles.  I need to remember that, and to remember that it's ok.  I've been running with friends who are faster than me, and I have to admit, while I love being challenged and pushed, I am happier running at my 10-minute+/mile pace.  I remember when, almost 2 years ago, my goal was to run a sub 12min/mile pace for a 5K.  Now my 5K PR is a 9min/mile pace!  Sometimes I forget to be patient with myself and I want to run faster sooner.  So this week, I'm going to stay true to myself and embrace my 10-min +/mile pace.  This blog post from The Wannabe Athlete resonated with me so much.  Please check it out! 


Art, What Art?
Still struggling over here to carve time for it, but not giving up, just going with the flow.  This photo inspires me, and I'm going to post it as a reminder.  Not giving up yet.

Green land by Piotr Krol How was your weekend?  Did you run for Sherry Arnold?  What inspires you today?

Motivational Mondays - Coping With Setbacks, Battling Doubts, & Drawing Inspiration

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1)  Setback.
Sigh.


I know, "Sigh" is not a good way to start off a new week. A minor setback from my long run this past Saturday.  The dreaded Plantar Fasciitis (PF) strikes back.  Darn left foot.  So I'm focusing on what I can do about it now.  Like icing my foot every 20 minutes 3x daily.  And massaging the bottom of my left foot.  It hurts a little when I'm barefoot and walking around the house, so tomorrow I think I'm going to wear my Keen shoes inside my house.  

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Oh and did I mention I have my first race of the year this coming weekend?  A 14K.  Ya, great timing.  Oh and my half marathon is in a month too.  Ya, lovely.  I'm going to see how my left foot feels today (Monday) and see if I need to skip my 5-miler tomorrow (gulp).  I'm not worried (yet).  I'm looking at the 14K race as a training run - a long run - for my RnR DC Half, so it's ok (deep down I'm feeling, no it's not ok!! why?? why?? why??).

So I'm going to focus on exercising patience this week and "will" this PF out of my foot.  Wish me luck! Gosh, wish me luck, please!

2)  Battling Doubts

You know how you have good runs and then bad ones?  I had good and bad ones last week.  It's the bad ones that I can't seem to get out of my mind.  Like my long run over the weekend.  Yeah, the one that brought PF back.  I did a 10K with a friend.  Only a 10K, so I thought.  But I felt awful.  During the run, I wanted it to be so over.  It was so hard!  And to think just 2 days ago I was sky high after 5 miles.  It got me thinking about the full marathon I want to do this fall.  OMG!  Am I crazy?  What am I thinking?  If I feel like crap after a 10K, I don't want to be ME when I do 26.2.  I have friends (runners and non-runners) who are telling me how HARD and miserable 26.2 is!

So the doubts are creeping in big time.  Sigh.  Sniff.

And then I saw these.....

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3)  Drawing Inspiration

Despite how crappy I felt during my 10K this past Saturday, I did feel good at the end.  I was grateful to have the company of a good friend whom I re-connected with because of running, after years of busy-ness between us.  Re-connecting with her through running was a blessing.  Not only does she run (she is training for the Virginia Beach Shamrock Full Marathon), she is also an artist and a mom to boys too!  I am so ridiculously inspired by her!  She is training for a marathon AND making art - two things that can't seem to co-exist in my world.  To see her actually making that co-existence happen is HUGE to me.  So I took this little pic of one of her pieces to inspire me this week.  Perhaps having PF won't be so bad, it will make me make time for a painting this week??!!!  

What inspires and motivates you this week?

Wordless Wednesday - Pink Flip Flops in January

 

Wordless Wednesday: Ice

 

Studio Friday Part 2 and Olympic Marathon Trials

Not too happy with the way the runner turned out.  I wouldn't hard line her if I had to do this over again.

I didn't get to run through sunflowers this morning, but I did enjoy feeling that warm sun on my face.  It felt like 22 deg, but that warm sun was sure nice.  Did a 5K on a hilly route finishing at 32:09.  Sigh.  Feeling so out of shape, but hopeful I will get back to where I was pre-holidays in time for my half.


Speaking of running, who is following the live coverage of the Olympic Marathon Trials this morning?  Are you waiting until 3pm today to watch it on NBC? 


P.S.  I'm waiting until 3pm and trying to avoid reading the live coverage/updates on FB and Twitter.  It's so hard!  So, no spoilers, please!  Thanks!  :)

Studio Friday - Running Through Sunflowers

"Running Through Sunflowers" - work in progress!

Like my ambitious 2012 Running Streak, down went my 2012 Drawing Streak.  Time to get realistic with my time and energy and expectations.  So here's my next attempt at bringing art into my life:  Studio Friday.  Every Friday, I will post things from my digital and actual sketchbooks


It's hard for me to escape running all together, so here is my latest drawing.  It's a work in progress.  I am growing to LOVE digital drawing and painting.  Will probably finish this tonight.  So excited to find an easy medium to work with and to be able to share it right away without waiting for the sun to rise.

2012 Drawing Streak: Stuck.

Staring at my 9 y.o. as he did homework last night.  He is stuck and at a loss for words to summarize what he just read.

Reminded me of a time when writing a book report felt like giving birth.


This drawing does not look like my 9 y.o. exactly.  I got carried away with the folds in his shirt.  Like my running, I am slowly warming up to getting back into drawing.  It's not perfect, it's not the best, but it is done.


I'm a day behind posting my drawings since I do them at night and can't take a decent photo of them.  Still figuring out how to photograph my drawings.  This one was captured using my phone's retro camera app.  I have no idea why the right half of it is white.  Argh.


(Drawn in pen)

Wordless Wednesday - Winter's First Tease

More Wordless Wednesday over HERE

2012 Drawing Streak: Day 2 - Making Faces

Feeling a little amateurish by not scanning my drawing, so I need to figure out the best way to take better crisper pics of my drawings.  If you have any tips you'd like to share, please email me!  (whysheruns at gmail dot com).  :). Thank you!

This is a blind contour drawing of me and my 3 boys.  :P. lovely, isn't it?!  Haha, you can't even tell which one is me!  It was drawn with my eye on the photo of me and my boys the whole time, without looking at my paper and without lifting my pen, hence the technique's name, blind contour drawing.  I love this technique - it's quick, it's not suppose to look "right" and it's fun to see the end drawing.  I added the shading and the frame in the end to ground the drawing.

I'd like to do more of these.  I think this one took me just 15 minutes.  Perfect for my crazy schedule!

2012 Drawing Streak: #1 To My Left

Aside from running, I like to draw.  I might be a wee bit ambitious here by doing my own drawing streak as well, but like the running streak, I'm going to try and do my best.  I'm testing out this new Sketchook app I discovered.  I haven't figured out how to erase yet, lol, but I like the deliberate-ness and permanence of each stroke like there's no turning back, haha!  Either that or I'm just making a lousy excuse for a not-so-great looking sketch, lol.  Just like my first 2 miles of the year, my first sketch is a start.

Wordless Wednesday: I Run So I Can Eat Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Truffles

I. Am. So. Behind. On everything!  This is what happens after I run a race.  I disappear from my blog to pick up everything else around me here that I've neglected.  That is why you all didn't see anything from me all last week.  So this means lots of post-dated blog posts from me starting with my Part 3 (and final) Race Recap of Monument Av 10K from a month and a half ago (I know, very sad), new Inspiring Runners, Ragnar Relay update, my *new* training plan cocktail, Manassas Runway 10K Race Recap, running with friends, and signing up for a new "glow-in-the-dark" race!  So EXCITED!!! 

As I am crazily pulling together stuff we don't need here for our community yard sale this weekend, I wanted to share an indulgence I treated myself to yesterday - just one of the reasons why I run.  :)

Happy Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday: Dandelion bouquets from my boys

More Wordless Wednesday HERE!

Wordless Wednesday

I know it's a bit odd to post anything more than Wordless Wednesday photos on Wordless Wednesday, but I can't help but celebrate the little walk/jog I did yesterday. After not being able to run due to injury, I got the green light from my physical therapist to walk/jog. It's not much, but I was thrilled. Thrilled because it means I can jog my first 10K race this Saturday and not have to walk. Jogging my first 10K race isn't exactly what I had planned, but I'll take it! It felt a little bit "new" to jog again, but as soon as my body remembered that I used to run, the 2 miles I did felt way too short. I could have gone for more. Small steps, small steps, I did not want to overdo it and jeopardize my 10K jog. I must say, I did think about going long only because my 3 y.o. fell asleep again in the jogging stroller. I would have to save that thought for next time.

Please cross your fingers and wish me luck that I can continue to at least jog this Saturday!!  Thanks!!!

When You're Injured, You Suddenly Have Time To.....

.....make a video for Another Mother Runner's Run Like A Mother book's (RLAM's) Anniversary.  If you haven't already, you can check out my video (Entry #1 from Marie) along with 9 other mother runners' videos HERE and see the many ways we run like a mother!

Oh and please don't tell my PT that you saw me "running"...since (ahem) I'm not suppose to...?  (notice the slow and careful jog and the way I was dragging my ITBS-ing right leg).

Kiss N Ride Sketchbook Project - March 22, 2011

 

A failed attempt at a blind contour/free hand self-portait because it sure does not look like me.  LOL  Fun drawing to do, though!  25 minute sketch.

Left Side of the Brain is Calling

Been itching to get back to drawing regularly again.  I've been doing quick and dirty drawings on my sketchbook while waiting in the car at the school's Kiss N Ride long line of cars so I can pick them up early for their after-school activities.  I started doing this in the beginning of March out of boredom while my 3 year old napped in the back.  I drew whatever was in front of me, no matter how boring it was - a tree, a house, the SUV in front of me.  Like running, I needed to stretch my drawing hand and get used to it again, but by the time I got started, it all came back to me, and I was starting to have some fun.

I started to go to the Kiss N Ride line early so I can draw longer than 15 minutes.  Like running, drawing relaxes me.

So with drawing and art actively back in my life came these 2 juried art shows that I just could not get out of my mind.  One is at The Soundry called "Embodiment," a figure art show which I am really excited about!  I have an older piece that I want to submit along with a newer piece that I want to create.  The other juried show is at the Greater Reston Arts Center, and the theme is "BITE: Identity and Humor."  I am not so sure about making the deadline for BITE, but I am intrigued by the challenge of how to use humor in dealing with race and identity. We will see how this part of my journey goes.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time!

Kiss N Ride Sketchbook Project - March 15, 2011