So now it is time to think about what goals I have for 2012.

1. Publish a paper: I had this goal last year and although I made progress there was no paper written. I love my research (it deals with modeling the HIV epidemic), but finding the time for it is always challenging. I have four publications, but my last was 3 years ago. That is an eternity in the research world. It is time to get back in the game!
2. Improve at  Tae Kwon Do: I was originally going to say stay with Tae Kwon do, but honestly I don’t think that will be a problem. I am really enjoying it and have gone from a beginner white belt to an intermediate green belt during my first year. If I stay on track, by the end of 2012 I should be an advanced brown belt.  It isn’t about the color of my belt though. I want to really know what I am doing and be able to utilize what I am learning.
3. Read to my Kids (almost) Every Night: My hubby brings the kids upstairs every night. They watch a TV show and then get ready for bed. When they are all ready I am called to come upstairs and read stories to them (expect Thursdays when I am at karate). Sometimes I am so beat or up to my eyeballs in work I ask my husband to read books.  Really it doesn’t take long and I need to make time.  My boys are growing up way too quickly and soon story time will be a thing of the past and I will miss it terribly.
4. Back-up Videos and Pictures: Since I got my iPhone in September my regular camera and video camera have been unused. That’s okay, but I have to remember to back-up those pictures. It is pretty easy to lose a phone or have something go wrong with it. It is also easy to put pictures and videos on your computer and/or memory stick, etc.
5. Keep up with Diet and Exercise: I am happy with my diet and exercise in 2011 so I would just like to keep up with it. With Steve not working from home my schedule is not as free as it used to be. This summer I will have the kids and can’t just sneak out for a run at 8am before it gets to be a million degrees. I see a lot of summer night runs in my future.
6. Run Another Half-Marathon: I ran two last year, but with my hamstring bugging me right now it is hard to imagine running two this year. I know this will pass. I will run the Seaside half in October and we’ll see about one in April. I promised myself last year that I will not train injured so if my hamstring does not heal soon April may be out. I want to make sure that just because April may be out I don’t give up on October. With my much less flexible schedule training is a lot more difficult for me, but I know it is possible as long as it is a priority.
7. Potty-Train Andy: Andy will be three February 24th. We have already explained to him that when he turns three Pull-Ups go bye-bye. We did this with Joey when he was three and he was trained in a day for peeing in the potty and a week for pooping. I have a feeling Andy will give us a lot more trouble.  He really should be using the potty now, but he’s stubborn.
8. Get Rid of Stuff: We have so much stuff. I have gone through toys and clothes and we have donated a lot, but there are also bags lying around waiting to find a home. I am determined to end 2012 with less stuff in this house than we started with.
9. Re-Evaluate my Courses: There are courses I have taught over and over again. It is time to re-evaluate these courses and change/edit/add to them. It is very easy to do the same thing over and over again. After having taught two new courses this year and having to start from scratch with them it has got me thinking about how I can improve some of the courses I teach every semester.

Goals for my Boys:

• Steve: Get a colonoscopy and a stress test. He has a family history and it is time to start getting tested. He wants to lose 20 pounds before he goes back to the doctor so that is his 2012 goal.  I promise to encourage him and not make cookies he can’t resist. Last summer I was great about giving him all the time he wanted to go bike riding like he does for me with running. I will do the same this year. Now we just need to find a form of exercise for the winter that he doesn’t despise (not easy).
• Joey: Learn to swim. Joey was only 18 months when he could swim across the pool at the YMCA with just a small float on his back. At two they dropped him off the diving board and he was traumatized. He still swims great (with the same float), but will not jump in. In the past few months he started to do small jumps off the side of the deep end, but not the diving board. Then two weeks ago he started jumping from the shallow end and submerging himself. He also allowed the teacher to remove his float and he swam a few feet. We have a pool in the backyard and I would love to watch Joey swim across it without a float this summer.
• Andy: Become Potty-trained (as discussed above).

There are other things I would love for my boys. I would love for Joey to learn to ride a bike, behave better in school, adjust well to kindergarten and continue to love and do awesome at karate and soccer. I would love for Andy to learn to swim, jump off the diving board at the YMCA, continue to nap (Joey stopped before he was three) and start karate. Yes all of these would be wonderful, but if they are happy and healthy come 2013 than I will consider 2012 a successful year.

Sunday morning (race day) I woke up and got ready. I had picked up my race number the night before so I didn’t have to rush when I got there. I made sure my Ipod was charged this time (last half-marathon I forgot to charge it). The race started at 10. I got there at 9:30 and realized I left my watch at home. I contemplated taking my cell phone with me, but thought it was just too bulky for my only pocket (a zippered compartment on the back of my running tights – my butt compartment). I got up to the boardwalk and stood in the never-ending line to use the rest room. I made it out just in time for the race to start.

When the announcer said go I got a little emotional. It was weird. I think I was just really proud of what I knew I was about to do. I trained for this half marathon alone. I had a bit of an up and down summer and recently my husband went from working at home to commuting giving me a lot less free time. Through it all I stuck to my training and really had fun with it.

The only clocks during the race were halfway and the finish line. It was really weird to have no idea how fast I was going. Usually there are pacers in the race and my plan was to find the 9 minute mile pacer and stay with them. I quickly threw that idea out the window. I decided this race was about me and what I could do. Every now and then I would catch myself telling myself, “Just let this person pace you.” Then I would get that thought out of my head and tell myself that I will not let someone else decide how fast or slow I run.

The first half was uneventful. I felt strong. The wind was against me which I figured was good because then on the second half it will be at my back. I tried not to pay too much attention to the mile markers and just zone out listening to my music. At the halfway mark the clock said 57:00. I was pretty happy with that. It was a little slower than the halfway mark at my last half marathon, but just by a few seconds. My last time was 1:57:55, so that gave me an hour to make it to the end and I would have a new best time. I always run the second half significantly slower than the first half.

Usually mile 9 is where I hit the wall. I followed a new training program that had a ton of 7-8 mile runs (and that wasn’t even the week’s long run). Those really paid off.  I really felt strong the entire time. At about mile 10 I confirmed that I had no desire to run a full-marathon, but I still felt awesome and was sure I could finish the half.

As I neared the finish line I saw my three favorite men standing on the side lines cheering. Nothing pumps me up more than hearing my husband and two boys cheering, “Go mommy!” Then I heard the announcer say, “Under two hours.” I figured that meant we were at 1:59:00. I could have been bummed I didn’t beat my personal best, but instead I thought I better pick it up to make sure I get under two hours.

Then I saw the clock and screamed the happiest screams ever! It said, 1:54 (and change). The crowd laughed at my excitement. I couldn’t believe I ran the second half as fast as the first and crushed my previous time. My official time was 1:54:40. YEAH!!!!

I have kept up with my half training which I am very proud of.  The week before last I completed 35 miles! That is the most I have ever run in one week. My 12 mile run (the Sunday before last) was fantastic! Last year and in April when I completed the 12 mile training run I ran it in 2 hours. This time I did it in 1 hour and 56 minutes (actually just under that). We’ll see how that translates to race day. This past week was a recovery week, so only 29 miles. Isn’t that crazy, a recovery week with 29 miles. I have an 8 mile run tomorrow, 5 on Thursday and 3 on Saturday then my half is Sunday. I’m almost there!

Back to the title of this post. On Sunday I ran a 5K race at my college. One of my co-workers was going to run it too. He trained with my Running and Math class this summer He ended up deciding not to run it, but I am so glad I did. One of my students this semester (in my senior level math course) ran the race with her mom. It was their first 5K race. It was awesome watching them finish together. It was even more fun seeing how excited her mom got when she won third in her age group.

So how did my race go? Great! I am giving credit to Alex and his smile. Alex is a student from my summer course (Running and Math). He is on the track team and is an incredible runner! He did not race on Sunday, but he stood along the course (with other track teammates) directing the racers. The course starts near the track, then goes onto a road before you head into the woods, around the baseball field and back the way you came. When I hit the road (headed to the woods) there was Alex with some of his teammates. He had the biggest smile and cheered, “Go Professor!” That felt awesome! I hoped he and his teammates would stay put so I would get cheers toward the end of the race when I really needed the motivation to keep going. Sure enough there they were. I was right behind another girl. Alex was screaming, “Go Professor! Make your move!” I hung with her until the end and although didn’t pass her, I did hold off the two girls right behind me. Sure those two girls were 10 years old (holy cow they were amazing) but I held them off.

My time was my personal best by about 2 minutes. No, I wasn’t that fast. The course was short – really short. My Garmin had the course at 2.8 miles. That is the shortest 5K (3.1 miles) I have ever run.  That’s okay. Even if I consider how short the race was I still had a great time. It isn’t about the time anyway. It felt amazing to have a strong race and know I was giving it my all. I hope I have that great of a race on Sunday for my half. It was even better to have someone cheering me on. Thanks Alex!

A nice added bonus, I won first in my age group! After a string of seconds, I finally got first! I got a nice basket with a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant! Yeah!

On Sunday, my training called for a 10K (6.2 mile) race or an 8 mile run. I found a 5 mile race going on in the town I grew up in and decided that was the way to go. My training runs have been going really well, so I thought the 5-miler would be great. I was very wrong. At about 3.25 miles I started to really lose steam. During the first 3 miles I was catching up and passing people. Once I got to the water stop at 3.25 miles there was no more passing left in me. I watched the two girls in front of me create a larger and larger gap. Just when I had nothing left, at 4.5 miles, a girl came from behind me. She looked at me and said, “Come on, we are in the final stretch.” I ran with her for the next half mile and we made the final turn she once again looked at me and this time she said, “Sprint!” I did sprint and in the very end even beat her. I am not sure my pass was even legal because we were supposed to stay in a straight line at the finish. The guy behind me started to pass both of us and he annoyed me for not listening so I decided not to listen too.

Anyway, that girl was amazing. I don’t know who she was and may never see her again, but I am so grateful for her. After the race I made sure to go up to her and thank her. The race still kind of sucked, but she definitely brightened it up a lot.

In the end I finished in 42:53, about 50 seconds slower than my last 5 mile race. It wasn’t the time that upset me, because it’s a good time for me. It was how I felt. I felt light-headed and just awful. I am running a half marathon in 2.5 weeks. I thought this 5 miles would give me confidence, but instead it made me worried. I know it was probably just a bad day. All of my long training runs have been going great. I worry that what if I have a bad day the day of the race. 13.1 miles is a long way to go even when you are feeling great. I can’t imagine if I was having an off day.

Now I need to let that race go. I got a great time for me even though I felt bad and even managed to get second in my age group. During the race I remember thinking the past miles didn’t matter, only what was ahead was something I had control over. I will now focus on what is ahead. Today I will run 7 miles (just like last Wednesday). Tomorrow I will run 5, Saturday 3 and Sunday 12. There will be two more weeks of training after that (including a 5K race). Wish me luck.

1. I won second place in my age group in the 5K I ran on Saturday. It was originally scheduled for August 27th where I would have been in one lower age group and would have grabbed first place. The ladies seem to get faster until they hit about 60. Oh well, I was still excited to get a trophy. I have not been doing speed workouts so I didn’t know what to expect. I finished in 25:02. That is about 10 seconds slower than my fastest time ever. I’m happy with that!
2. When we got home from the race the doorbell rang and the FedEx guy delivered a letter. I knew what it had to be. Steve had an interview on Thursday for a job he was super excited about. He got it!!!! So officially he is laid off on September 30th and his new job starts October 2nd. How’s that for timing? I am so proud of him and happy for him.
3. The third thing was to me the most exciting. You may be asking what could top Steve getting an awesome job. Lottery? Pregnant (to Steve that would terrible news)? Promotion? Nope. Joey scored his first goal at soccer!! People, I lost my mind. I managed to capture the goal on my cell phone. Along with Joey’s awesome goal you can hear me losing my mind. Please if you choose to watch the video TURN DOWN THE VOLUME. Just think of Blair Witch Project, that’s what I sound like. I was just so excited. If I get this excited at a 4-year old’s township soccer game Joey is in for years of embarrassment.

Those were the three big things that happened over the weekend, but there were a couple of more things over the last week too. Joey and I were both promoted in karate. I am now an orange belt and Joey is a yellow belt. Joey broke his first board. That was great. Today I went for my 6 month post-opt for my eye surgery and I have 20/20 vision. Yeah!

My running has been going well too.  Saturday I ran the 5K race, Sunday 10 miles, Tuesday 3ish miles and today 7. Last night I was supposed to do 6×880 sprints and I only made it to 4.5×880. I was tired and I decided to call it a day. I was running on the treadmill and my ankle was really starting to bother me so I stopped. Today I mentally prepared myself for my 6 mile run. When I discovered it was a 7 mile run on the schedule I felt defeated. That extra mile really does matter. I ended up having a great run! Now I just have to take care of my ankle and listen to my body! My goal is still to be injury free for this half marathon.

It’s been good. I know life is a roller coaster and instead of focusing on the bad that could be ahead I am going to enjoy the ride up.

It was a great day. I started the morning with a 6 mile run. I had run the previous night, so it was a hard run, but still a great way to start the day off. Steve took off work and took me out to lunch. The boys were in daycare so Steve and I had a very nice, quiet meal out. In the evening I took Andy to swim class. When I got home Steve and Joey had decorated and there was dinner on the table. They wanted to bake me a cake, but since there was no cake mix in the house and time was limited they went out and got me a super yummy ice cream cake. I’m a lucky girl!

Running seems to be back on track. Last Tuesday (the 6th) I actually took an extra day off. That is not like me, but my body needed it. Two weeks ago I ran about 27 miles and I was tired. Thankfully, last week was a recovery week. This week the miles are being added on. Tuesday was 5 miles, yesterday was 6 miles, tonight will be 5, Saturday I am racing a 5K and Sunday will be 10 miles. In case you weren’t counting, that’s 29.1. Last week my right ankle and both feet were bothering me. The feet feel better, but my ankle still has been bothering me a little. I have been icing it and so far it’s holding up. I will make sure to rest when needed and will not end up in a walking cast again.

Running has been going great. Of course, being the summer I have had the luxury of freedom when it comes to scheduling. This past week I ran 27.5 miles (Tuesday 3.5, Wednesday 4, Thursday 6, Saturday 5, Sunday 9).  There probably are very few weeks I have run more. This coming week the mileage will back off a little, a recovery week. That is perfect timing with the start of the new semester. After that recovery week the miles go up. I am glad I have a slow week this week to figure out how I am going to fit training in with the new semester along with karate.  I will keep you posted.

I am exhausted though! My husband is away on a trip with some friends. He left Thursday super early and was scheduled to come home tonight. They canceled his flight and said the next coach flight was Thursday night. He paid $731 to fly home Monday night. If he had stayed he would have had to pay 3 extra nights in a hotel and for meals not to mention I WOULD LOSE MY MIND!!

Thursday was my day to get work done while the boys were at school. I have a lot to do to get ready for the semester. I had the day all planed. As soon as I got in from dropping the boys off I got a phone call to come pick up Andy. He has Coxsackie virus (hand, foot and mouth disease). It is a mild case, but strong enough to send him home and ruin my day to get things done. Friday we spent all day out of the house. I feared being stuck inside with the boys and was trying to stay out as long as possible. Friday night I was up really late moving everything off the floor my basement. My basement is finished and we use it as my husband’s office, kids’ playroom and my exercise room. There was a lot to move. I did the best I could.  Saturday morning/afternoon we spent out of the house too. Can you tell I was dreading being stuck indoors with my two angels? When we got home it had already started to rain. I had removed everything from the front of the house on Friday, but still had some things to move in the backyard. There was more back there than I thought! Joey and Andy helped by picking up all their balls and toys and putting them in a bucket. We were all soaked!

Saturday night the storm came and by Sunday morning it was gone. As stated above Irene was nice to us. I see pictures of some other places and realize how nice she really was. Today has been spent indoors with one trip outside to fly Joey’s kite. It was perfect outside to fly a kite!  The boys have actually been okay cooped up inside for over 24 hours. Normally it takes about 3 seconds before I am yelling at one of them for tormenting the other (usually Andy is the tormentor). I think it helps that Andy isn’t feeling well. It isn’t the hand, foot and mouth thing, but I think he has a bladder or urinary infection. He keeps crying his penis hurts (yes I teach them the proper words) and it doesn’t even look red to me so I think it’s internal. The poor kid has been complaining for the past two days. Hopefully tomorrow we will visit the doctor.

In running news, I have been keeping up with my training. Saturday was a scheduled 3 mile run. I put the boys in the stroller and went for a run before Irene came. Today is supposed to be a 7 mile run. As long as the power remains on I plan to hop on the treadmill. The longest treadmill run I have ever done was 6 miles so I am not sure how long I am actually going to make it. The treadmill is really hard on my body and I am exhausted. Not only have I been up really late preparing for Irene, but Andy has been waking up at 5am. He is killing me.

Dear Hubby,

Please make it home safely and as soon as possible. I miss you. I miss my sleep, sanity and runs without the kids too (right now maybe a little more).

Love, Your  Awesome Wife

PS I am really glad you got to go away on a fun trip because you so deserve.

PPS Next time could you make your trip not in the midst of a hurricane?

PPPS Also next time could you not leave your underwear on the floor, dirty dishes on the table, tools (including power drill and saw that Andy got a hold of) out in the garage and the basement a complete mess before you leave? Thanks!

• Wednesday run was my second nighttime alone run. They freak the heck out of me and I hate them. I was so glad it was only 3 miles. I did really appreciate the truck full of boys that passed me twice yelling, “RUN” at me. I had completely forgot what I was doing until they reminded me.
• Thursday Laney rejoined me. I gave her a full week off and she was more than ready to run again. I was so glad to have my nighttime running partner back.
• I have been running my long runs pretty fast for me. Usually I run around 10 minute miles (sometimes a little slower). Last week was about 57 minutes for 6 miles and today was 77 minutes for 8.2.
• Today’s run was hard. I was supposed to run with a friend, but she got sick. I could have used the support. The first 6 miles were pretty good. The 7th mile was really difficult. I made sure to drink water at every mile which is something that I am not very good at normally.  The weather wasn’t too hot and that helped, but I just haven’t run over 7  miles since April.
• I did karate on Monday and Thursday. On Thursday we did front kicks from a lunge position. Then we did double jump kicks from the lunge position. Lunges are hard on me normally. Adding the kicks to them killed me. I was trying to be very careful, but I must have placed my knee down too hard because it has been bothering me since. My thighs are also extremely sore. Who knew I could run over 20 miles in a week and my legs are fine. A couple of sets of lunges and I can’t walk up steps correctly. Luckily the sore muscles haven’t bothered my running at all. With the addition of 8.2 miles today though my legs are like Jello.
• I did 8.2 today instead of 8 because technology failed me. I had my GPS watch on, but I forgot to charge it. I was afraid it would die during my run so I downloaded the Cardio Trainer for my phone (great app). My watch did die around 5 miles. When I looked at my phone is was calculating the run in kilometers instead of miles. I know the conversion, but due to some rounding error I ended up doing 8.2 instead of 8 miles. Okay, so I guess technology didn’t fail me, I did. Next time I will have charged watch and remember to switch the program to miles.