when someone you loves is struggling you struggle

The second day of school was hard.

Like really hard.

I left P crying at her class room door. DAMN this parenting thing is hard!!

So since P was struggling I thought I would. Makes sense right?

I felt helpless. I felt like a terrible mom, letting your daughter just cry it out with strangers. School is a tough cookie. I (obviously) know she needs to go, but it's a heart breaker!

So I went for a run.

I wanted to go get a huge bag of potato chips and devour those, but I went for a run instead. (plus I don't eat that because I will feel like crap!)

I was so happy my new haircut was still able to go into a pony, phew!

I really HATE this portion of the rail trail. But It's a solid 6 miles, and I needed to run it to get my planned  9 miles in. But I hate it because it's long and boring and always hotter then the rest of the RT. UGH. But I did it and I tried to smile doing so. 

I kept telling myself, P was having a bad day, the least I could do was push myself in a run. 

I felt accomplished (and hungry) when done, but that was mainly because I wasn't planning on a longer run, I didn't bring water or a snack.  I did slow down and walk a few times, I used the bathroom and got a drink (at the only drinking fountain..man they need like 20 more of those, or I need to be more conscious and bring my hand held). 

-What is your motivation?!

Wednesday whatnot's #11

 Whatnot's are just a tidbit of things happening that don't have enough body to write a full blog on.

Time for a haircut!! I have been holding off cutting my hair until after the Ultra. But since no Ultra no need to keep the locks to long. So... so long locks! :)

Before:

After:

I found this sorbet, it's AHmazing!

My definition of a lovely hour..coffee and magazine. Esp a new Runner's world mag!!

P gave me a manicure: 

I'm sure everyone looks like this when they leave the house, holding a can of hair spray, faux fanny pack, butt sweat towel...ext :) I needed to make sure my hair would hold up for my run post hair cut. 

This blister is non forgiving. It's just getting bigger!! 

*What are your whatnot's?!

the first day: how is that spent

This morning I held myself together while getting P ready for her first day of kindergarten!!

Such a big girl! I held myself together until the hubs and I got home and I started to ball. About what you might ask, about the fact that she is so little to be a school all day. I mean, all day..really? I would have paid anything to be a fly on the wall and watch her all day. 

I told the hubs, we should get P a gopro so I can see her whole day! 

So what do I do with myself. I go for a run...

I am trying to get a run in before the rain starts up. (I had to cut my  first day of school picture taking short this morning do to the storm we were having..not cool mother nature). 

I was off..and running.  I tried a braid in my ponytail.  And apparently a lot of side head tilting.  

And I got rained on.

I came home, rolled and stretched. Then I showered, for the second time. Then I grabbed a smoothie. 

I did some light housework, and laundry and just really tried to occupy my time. 

Then I allowed myself to relax for 1 hr while I watched the new season of Ladies of London (Bravo) and wrote my blog. 

Tomorrow I have a much need haircut scheduled! SO EXCITED!!

what to do on the last day of summer...

Well first you get up and go for a run while your family is staying cozy in bed watching t.v.

I told myself I get 1 selfish hour to myself, doing my own thing, before dedicating the rest of the day to P's "last day" of summer before kindergarten starts tomorrow.

I ran about 4 miles. It felt good, but I have a nagging pain in my left hip flexor...not pleased. So I ran a slow couple of miles.

Ginger runner, seriously makes me laugh out loud as a run, how fun is that?! 

I came home, had a quick breakfast and rolled out (my legs that is) and stretched. Showered and did some minimal cleaning. 

Then we headed to the minion movie, and lunch at El Taco (as P refers to it as). Then a couple last minute items for tomorrows big day and a late afternoon ice cream. :)

I am excited, and nervous and anxious. 

I am a mom. 

finally...

Hello sunshine!! Yes, I am back and out on the RT!! Whoot Whoot :)

The morning sunrise was exactly what I needed... I mean I needed this :)

Just me and the tree's 

I've missed my most favorite path, just look how pretty she is!? :)

This.. or these..these pod casts brought new light onto my running. The Ginger Runner podcast! Brilliant..just wonderful to listen too. A lot of fun, I found myself smiling...a lot! :)

It's official: I kinda love these shoes! 

This is short, but sweet. I feel good. I feel really good. 

less than thrilled

I am realizing I just need to get through the next few days. There is a lot of change coming our way and I don't deal well with change and I just want to get it over with.

My running this week has been less than stellar. I've noticed I really decrease my motivation on the weeks I work. I don't know if it's because I'm exhausted, but I'm pretty sure that plays a HUGE part!

Next week P starts school and I am anxious, nervous, excited and scared to death. I am a ball of emotions and I'm sure a run would help but I just can't seem to lace up and go. (By the way I couldn't even talk myself into this morning when I reminded myself I have the new shoes to try out and if I don't run in them, I wont know if I like them. And I might be stuck with them because I wont get my lazy bones out of the house).

I will confess I can not handle the TM anymore!

The thought of my runs being completely TM runs makes me pretty crazy!!

So a little bonus, besides P expanding her mind, is after I drop her off on the days I don't work I can go for a run on the RT!! It will be around 8:30 which I am not a big fan of running that late in the day, but I think it is going to become my new normal. (and give me something to do on days I don't work)

Sunday morning I will go for a run because I have extra time in the morning, before work. Next Saturday I still have it planned to run my own 1/2 marathon on the RT.

My gracious I need stuff to start happening so I can deal with all the changes and see how I feel about all of them. It's just been P and I for 5 years!! 5 Years! And now she is starting school and will be there all day every day.

I think that I might be able to become a better runner out of it though. I'm taking lemons and making lemonade? LOL I'll kinda take anything at this point.

*Any fun plans for the holiday weekend?
-I work Saturday/Sunday and then I planning (in my head-haven't told anyone) to have a fun family day Monday with a bike ride w the weehoo and maybe a picnic. Just want P to have a nice day. :)

Wednesday whatnot's #10

Another week of whatnot's....

I love taking pictures of P sleeping as much as when she is awake...

My mom and step dad live on a farm out in the country and have found themselves "adopting" more and more kittens throughout the years. These kitty's are lucky because my mom is good pet owner who gets her animals spayed/neutered and keeps them UTD on vaccines. This is their newest add on her name is "June"...

Tomatoes are my all time favorite...

There are pumpkins coming up too...

This is "Rosie" one of the originals who was pregnant with 4 kittens when she arrived. My mom kept her and her babies minus one that my sister took...

Nothing like a full shopping bag...love me some free produce...

My mom made these coasters for me, they each have an inspirational quote, pretty awesome...

*What's your whatnot Wednesday?!