Hello Everyone!

My first blog... how cool. And here was my first marathon ever last October, which was very cool - actually it was my first race ever. Last spring I decided I wasn't getting any younger, and that it was time to run the Chicago Marathon. I have the greatest husband, Brian, whom I begged to run with me; and seven wonderful children, ages 11-1. We also homeschool, so our lives are quite busy. Training was a challenge, but it awoke in me a love of running... and now I can't wait to inspire others, challenge myself, encourage my children to be healthy, and have a great race season in 2008! I LOVE being strong and healthy, and not just a run-down tired old mom. I just registered for the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle yesterday, if anyone wants to join me! (It's an 8k along our beautiful - but probably cold- lakefront on March 30th.) Other races I have planned this year are the Girls on the Run race, which encourages our daughters and young girls everywhere to have healthy body images; Muddy Buddy with a friend and then the kids will do the Muddy Buddy jr. (what kid can resist a race through a mud pit??); and the Chicago Marathon again - which hopefully will have a much better outcome for everyone (last year's was a heat disaster). In May I'm going on a homeschool "field trip" with our two oldest kids and another family, we're biking through Ireland... hhhmmm... I'm thinking I'll be 2/3 of the way into training for a Triathalon. Can anyone recommend the least challenging Triathalon they know of??!!? I do love a big challenge.

2nd Race of 2008 Completed!

Today I competed in my 2nd race of 2008- that's my 2 for January! My time was a few seconds faster than last week- Yay! It was 21:59, and I was again 1st in my age group- I think 10th female overall. Today was a 5K, I am gearing up to do a 10K on Feb. 9th. I did not feel too bad about my time today considering I did not run but one day this last week...My son, who has been nursing 2 times a day- once at nap time and once at bedtime- decided to stop nursing on Monday...so to say the least I was a little sore all week, was not even going to think about running! I did a little 2 mile run yesterday and felt great, and am very happy I decided to race today! Noah ran another kiddie race today and did great! I LOVE to see parents getting their kids involved in physical activity at such an early age!

To will is to select a goal, determine a course of action that will bring one to that goal, and then hold to that action till the goal is reached. The key is action. Michael Hanson

Off to a Running Start!

Well, I had my first race of 2008 this morning- the first of a scheduled 24 this year! It was a 5K (3.1 miles). I can say that the last two weeks of slacking off and running a few days a week STOPS NOW!! It is time to get back on track and get serious about running...though it was nice to rest a few weeks. :) My son Noah also ran his first race of 2008. He did great and had a blast, and was very proud to receive his finisher ribbon. He is the one in the jean shorts in the pic. I was 1st in my age group, and I think 6th or 7th female overall, with a time of 22:01...alot slower that my times before slacking off! Oh well, that one is done and now I look forward to next week's race. Happy running to all!

Looking Forward To Another Great Year Of Running!!

Okay...those that know me would probably say I am a little bit addicted to running...mostly the racing part of it all! I have been running since Middle School, ran a couple years in college and just have not stopped. I LOVE to run and stay active, but there is just something about the feeling of accomplishment after I have finished another race.

Last year (2007) I ended the year with a 25 race total!- my goal was 24, but I somehow picked up an extra on along the way. My goal for 2008 is to do 2 races per month again, but this time do more longer distances- 10K's and 1/2 marathons when they come up. To keep myself motivated and on track, at the beginning of the year I look at the local racing calendars and plan my races for the entire year. I write them on my calendar where I can always see them...that way I always know what is going on and can't make excuses!

I think it is important to get kids involved in physical activity early! In August I entered my then 2 year old son in his first kiddie run...which he loved. He now wants to do the kiddie run at every race we go to- we take pics and cheer him on- we want him to think that exercise is a good thing. The pic is of me cheering the little guy on!