Showers of Blessings

Some days I feel like God is just pouring out challenges all day...but today he was pouring showers of blessings. I wanted to take the time to remember them before tomorrows challenges come!

This was the temp today as I stepped out of my car for my long run...bliss since it has been pushing 95 with 100% humidity for about a month now!

• As I was running along the beach, it was the most beautiful sight...the clouds were sucking up the water and it left streams of light going up towards the clouds. It was the kind of sight that makes you stop and smile.
• A great, confidence building long run...I ran 11.2 miles in 1:39 which puts me right on track for getting a time under 2 hours for my next half. Bonus is that I felt great and ran the last quarter faster than the first!
  
• The hubs let me go out for my long run which I know is a sacrifice for him since he then has Emma duty.
• The chance to see cousins I haven't seen in almost 8 years...Em and I went down to the Cape to celebrate my Aunt and Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. The bonus was that we were all together again which is a feat considering we are coming from all over the country. Emma had a blast and it was so fun just laughing and enjoying each other!
• Water at just the right time...There is a restaurant on the beach and they had put out a cooler of water today which I found just when I needed it this morning!
• My Dad is getting sassy with the nurses in ICU which means he must be feeling better! They had to cut out a large ulcer from his intestines and reconnect everything again.
  

Take time to be showered by today's blessings!! Goodnight!

This Moment

{this moment} Inspired by SouleMama - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Strong Momma!

First let me say that I have been a bad blogger...looked today at my blog and realized it has been way too long! Life sometimes just gets away from me and I'm not sure how. This week I am teaching a course at a local college, actually where I got my undergrad, and time is flying! I have decided for the rest of August that I am going to make a conscience effort NOT to waste time and soak in each day of life! I don't want to wake up three years from now and say, "Where did the time go?"

Anyways aside from my rant on time ticking away, I realized yesterday something very interesting that was a shocker to me. When I was younger, I always thought I had to do everything I wanted to do before I settled down and started a family. I even went as far as to think that after I had a child, my racing days were over. I thought that before was the time to be fast and after children I could run races but would never be as fast. **I was never super fast mind you!** Well yesterday I ran a local 5K and again broke the 25 minute mark with 24:20. Slower than my PR but still a respectable showing. The impressive part was that for the first mile I must have had visions of winning because I stayed with the front 1/4 of the pack and ran it in 7:01!!! What? Needless to say, the heat, pea soup thick air, and just general lack of oxygen slowed me down after that but I was happy with myself. Today looking back over my race times I am kicking my pre-Momma's butt!!! And by about 3-5 minutes!!! All of my PRs have come after I had Emma. I'm not sure if it is because I have been kicking my own bum trying to get back into shape or because I am accustomed to running while pushing 28lbs but whatever it is I'll take it! Next 5K I am going to try to get under 24 minutes...I won't however attempt to hang with the elites!

Jill was my "pit crew" this race instead of my partner in crime so she snapped a pic of me before the race....not sure what I'm doing with my leg. Probably thought it would make my leg look thinner! Silly!!!

Five Million Things Friday

Today I feel like I haven't posted in forever and therefore have a million things to talk about! So forgive me but the bullets will have to suffice!

• I have been wicked (very New England term) sappy about time flying by. Could be because it is almost August and as a teacher that raises a feeling of panic that the summer is almost over. Could be that my little girl is getting so big these days. She's doing so much on her own which is a good thing but some days before I know it she'll be driving herself to college! Yesterday she went down the twisty slide all by herself...no Momma needed. tear...
• Holy Moly it's the end of July....as mentioned above I'm doing my best bratty kid dance. I love the summer. Lazy days with my girl, the beach, running, relaxation, time to breathe and stretch the day until the daylight fades.
• I have been following this blog for a few months now but today's post just hit me. I have just been feeling a little off lately and wanting to soak in life. I don't know about your families but ours is so busy. Sometimes I just feel like putting on the brakes. Check out this blog HERE...not only are her words beautiful but she is an amazing photographer!
• Running is going well...This is more of a down week which my body has totally been needing. So only 21 miles this week and then it ramps back up again. I have been feeling sluggish this week and taking a lot of rests. I guess I need to just listen to my body.
• Two days left of flour and sugar because there is a new contest at my gym for August and this time there is prize money! It's crazy because I was going to ask my trainer if I could just weigh in with her weekly because I need someone to scare me...ugh I mean...keep me accountable. This should work perfect but I will need just one hot fudge sundae tomorrow!
• Last two weeks I spent at my parents house relaxing and soaking in the love. This has come as a gift from God since my father is back into the hospital with his Chrone's Disease. He has been in horrible pain for about 2 months and the doctors have no idea what is causing it. They will be operating on Monday in order to open him up and hope to find the cause. I feel so blessed to have had this time with him since each surgery brings him just shy of death since he is so weak to begin with. I will continue to pray for wisdom for the doctors so that they may find the cause and be able to heal him.

Ok so maybe that wasn't five million things but close! TGIF!

Wordless Wednesday....well almost wordless!

Fancy Nancy runs on Dunkin!

Iced Turbo = one happy Momma

Tuesday's Quote of the Day!

I got this quote the other day from Workout Mommy and just said "YES!" out loud! Here it is for you! It's from the book Run Like a Mother which really needs to find its way into my house! Enjoy!

“For an overstressed, overtired, overextended mother there are few other sensations that rival a delicious run. Once the sweat starts running down my temples, I daydream, analyze, smile, wonder, channeling something cosmic. I feel alive, and most importantly, like myself again.”

Monday Morning Run...in pictures!

Ok so I am totally copying Tall Mom and Racing with Babes with this idea. They took a picture before their run, each mile, and at the end. While I didn't have the longest run planned, 5 miles, but I wanted to brag...I mean capture the place I run. I tried to take a picture of the view and of course my trusty running companion!

Momma and Emma "Before"

Mile 1-view
Mile 1-Emma view

Mile 2-Emma view...reading Cookie Monster book(Can't find the view pic!)

Mile 3-view

After mile 4-Emma's thinking "Eeew Momma...you're sweaty!"

I decided to stop after 4 miles because Emma was starting to fade and I know that if she falls asleep during a run that equals no nap...and no nap equals cranky baby and Momma! I finished up the last mile on the treadmill in the basement once Emma went to sleep. Monday's off to a great start! Happy Monday all!

I just had to put this one on too! So fun!