Chilly 1/2 Marathon

Last November I ran my 3rd 5K on Thanksgiving Day of 2009. I decided at that point I needed a new goal; I needed to do something more than a 5K. My friend Kelly and I, have been our weight loss/healthier life style journey together, she decided she wanted to do a 1/2 Marathon and I decided to start training for a triathlon. Kelly was doing crazy runs, she would be running 6 and 8 mile runs and I thought she was crazy. I was sticking with running 3 miles and I was fine with that. Five months ago Kelly ran her 1/2 Marathon and I was SO proud of her, I could not believe she had completed such a task. The next day my friend Gloria got this bright idea that we should run a 1/2 marathon as well. I was not feeling excited about this idea at all! She somehow talked me into signing up for a 1/2 marathon that day 5 months away. Kelly had a 20 week training program that she said I could do. I reluctantly signed up and got sick instantly afterward; I doubted myself a lot and my ability to actually run 13.1 miles. I knew this was a huge commitment because if I didn't follow the training schedule I didn't think I could run the race. The training schedule was pretty intense, it had me running 4-5 days a week. Not to mention I was still training for my triathlon at the time.
Flash forward 5 months and I can honestly say I have been "running like a mother." I was lucky enough to train with my pals, Nicole and Kelly as well as my Tuesday night running group. There were some runs I ran by myself and was amazed that one person could run 10 miles by themselves. I really love running with friends, it is great to talk and catch up, it makes the time go by quickly. I will say training for a 1/2 Marathon takes a lot of time and dedication.
(side note: Along the way Gloria (who got me to sign up for the race) decides she hates running and so I made Kelly run the race with me)

Here we are on race day. Kelly and I at 6 a.m. ready to run.

The name of the Marathon was the Chilly 1/2 Marathon and it benefits the American Liver Foundation. I was getting really nervous it was gonna be freezing the day of the race, as it usually is mid November. But the weather Gods were so good to me and it was a good 40 degrees during the race. Don't get me wrong, it was cold and I couldn't feel my toes for the first 3 miles, but it could have been SOOO much colder.

Here we are at the end of the race. I was so happy to see my little family and wonderful friends. I was trying to get Berke's attention in this picture but he was too fascinated by his sticks to cheer his mom on.

HOLY CRAP!!! I FINISHED in 2 hours 18 minutes and 50 seconds. My goal was to finish is 2 1/2 hours, so I met that goal with no problem. The race was great, there were a few hills, one steep hill and some crazy running through traffic. The course was beautiful through the neighborhoods of Newton (nice big beautiful homes) by Boston College Campus. Kelly was a FABULOUS running partner. We just kept giving each other pounds and cheers every time we made it up a hill or made it past another mile marker. We seriously had smiles on our faces the entire race, it was so awesome. The race day adrenaline was huge for me on race day, I was able to shave off 30 seconds of each mile we ran.

I am happy to report I ran the entire race. I stopped only to eat twice for about 30-45 seconds. We ate at 6 miles and again at 10 1/2. I was starting to get pooped at 10 1/2 miles and that chocolate GU really gave me that extra ump that I needed. At mile 12 I started tearing up, I just could NOT believe that I was doing this, that I was actually able and capable of running 13.1 miles in this body of mine. I had made so many excuses for so many years about how I didn't have a runners body which seemed like a good excuse at the time. Hear me out people, ANYTHING is possible that you put your mind to. I never EVER thought I would do something like this.

Here we are with our medals. Wahoo, we did it!

Oh how I love my sweet family; they support me every step of the way. Best cheering section EVER!

My sweet friends were there at the finish line as well. Gloria and Stef are NOT morning people, yet they woke up early to support me and Kel. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the fabulous friends I have. My friend Tracie also came out to cheer me on, she surprised me at mile 6 1/2 and 9; I was not expecting her at all and it was such a great pick me up.

People keep asking me if a Marathon is next and the answer is......not anytime in the near future. The 1/2 was a huge time commitment and it took a lot more time than I wanted away from my family; at this time in my life I just don't have the time to put into training for a full. I am gonna take the winter to do some toning, classes and just enjoy different workouts. I am really ready for a break from running day in and day out; however I don't think I will be able to go with out running.
A huge thanks to everyone who supported me on this journey, weather through cheering me on, running with me, sending me texts, facebook messages, e-mails, etc. I really appreciate everyone supporting me so much.

A day after the marathon and all I can say is my body has never felt so sore. Ouch!

Favorite

Every kid has a favorite "toy" at different points in their lives. Currently these are Berkeley's favorites. He uses his dad's two conducting sticks and this smiley face pencil as his drum sticks; he drums on everything in the house. His very favorite drum set however is the round tin that hold McDuff's toys. Berke just walks around the house with these three items (they are not complete if one is missing) and he hits things, puts them in holes, turns the pages to his books, etc. Hours of entertainment for the little one!

All Hallows Eve (A weekend long celebration)

The year, Berke dressed up as a giraffe. He was pretty cute and pretty resistant to have the giraffe head anywhere near his own. We celebrated all weekend long. Friday night, we attended the Cambridge 1st and 2nd Ward Halloween Party. It was great fun.

This is Berke and his babysitter Megan and his new pal Q, whom he calls Lily.
It isn't so easy to get pictures of little kids; one is hard, two impossible!

This is Berke's little friend Lily (Dorothy). She was his first friend and now all friends get to be called Lily. Isn't she adorable? As you can see, all Berke is interested in is how to steal the candy out of her pumpkin. He later tried, but this girl isn't letting anyone steal her candy!

Saturday night Berke and I headed to RI with some friends to view 5,000 carved pumpkins at a Pumpkin Festival at the William Roger's Zoo.

Halloween night, Berke's little friend Ian (the cowardly lion) came over for dinner, treats and trick o treating.
(This is as good as it gets with the giraffe head on)

Our neighbors LOVE Berke. Two neighbors had big bags of candy ready for the little guy. He also got a card with $5 from the next door neighbors and Agnus, across the street, bought him a special marshmallow vampire sucker.

We traveled around the neighborhood in the little red wagon, which may have been the most adorable part of the evening. That, and how Berke said "thank you" to everyone for their treats.

This little giraffe picked up quickly on taking a piece of candy, putting in his bag and going back for another. He got at least 3-4 pieces of candy at each house (that's my boy!)

I love being a mom. I have waited forever to create these fun holiday traditions with my little ones, and it is well worth it.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

The Mamma

This chocolate covered face can mean one thing and one thing only....Grandma is in town!!!

I finally got my mom to Boston again, it took me 20 months but she came back. After a long 11 months of not seeing each other, we had an amazing and fun week together.
I tried to give my mom the real New England Fall experience. We went down to the Charles River so I could show her where I get to run and to watch the boat races. We left with lots of free goodies and headed downtown Boston.

The Freedom Trail is always a good walk and full of fun sight seeing. Here we are in front of Paul Revere's home.

We met up with my ladies for dinner in the North End (love me some Italian food) and stopped by Mikes Pastry's for some yummy goodness.

It was so great to have mom here during the week. The two days Christian had school and I worked she stayed at my house and watched Berkeley; they had some wonderful play/bonding time. Mom also cleaned my house, did my dishes, and all the stuff I hate doing. Oh how I love having my mom in town!

Christian was a trooper and took my mom to the Plimouth Plantation exactly one week after taking his own parents there. Berke enjoyed this adventure again.

In true Halloween spirit, we dressed up as witches and headed to Salem, MA.

Are we sexy witches or what?

Sometimes we were naughty witches!

Other times we were Bewitched!

Friday we headed to Newport, RI to see the mansions. We had fun touring the mansions and being silly on the grounds.

The Breakers

The Elms

The time went by so fast. We all had a great time with mom/grandma here, we hope she comes back soon.

Berkeley's 1st Haircut

Berkeley had a somewhat traumatic week this week. He went to the doctors Thursday to find he had a double ear infection. He went back to the doctors on Friday for his flu shot. So when we took him to get his hair cut Saturday, I think he associated the florescent lighting, sitting on dad's lap and having a sharp object come towards his body as a REALLY bad thing.
Christian has been telling me for months that Berke needed a hair cut; I really didn't want to cut these beautiful "Goldy locks" so I was giving him trims here and there to make sure he didn't have a mullet, but the time came and I agreed with Christian.
We went to Lulu's Family Cuts on Mass Ave and as you can see Berke did really well with the whole experience.

Poor kid. I am sure it didn't help that he still wasn't feeling 100%. I cannot believe what a big boy my little baby looks like now.

Visitors

We had a fun visit from Grandpa and Grandma Gentry this week. It was fun to have them here and see them interact with the little man.

Berke thought it was pretty fun to bring Grandpa every single book he owned. Silly kid.

Berke and Christian got to hang out with them one day while I was at work. They went to the Plimoth Plantation and had a nice time. Berke was mainly interested in chasing the hens and baby chicks. Christian said they did a great job of making you feel like you were in a completely different era.

(Plimoth Plantation)

Sadly Berke was sick much of the time G & G were here, but for the most part he was a happy little trooper.
It is always nice to have fun visitors! We sure do miss being close to family.

Tufts 10K for Women

For the last couple of months I have been training with these beautiful women from my church in preparation for a 10K. For over 1/2 of these women it was the first race they have ever done and it was the first 10K I have done. We decided to sign up for this 10K because it is a race for all women. They reported that 8,200 women signed up to run the race this year; it is the 34th year of the races existence and seems to be growing as time goes on.
Here are all my wonderful friends before the race.
(Total Hotties!)

Most of us after the race!! We did it! I was able to complete the race in 1:06:43, which is my average 11 minute mile pace. The race had so many women that it was hard to get into a groove at first. I thought after the first mile running strides would be hit, but I felt as though I was dodging in and out of people until mile 3 where I was finally able to get into my groove. It was a beautiful day, perfect for running. The route was breath taking overlooking Boston and running downtown Boston around the Boston Commons.

Nicole has been a wonderful running partner, we have run together 3-4 days a week for a couple months now. This was her first race and she did AMAZING! We also ran with Aubrey, who had never ran more than 4 miles until today and totally rocked it!
Terese told me she was emotional when she "won the race." She is so adorable!

No reward is greater than a "I am so proud of you mom" kiss from this little guy. If it were not for this little munchkin I am not sure I would be doing the wonderful and healthy things that I am doing. He inspires me to be a better person, to take care of myself so I can be a good example to him and be around to take care of him as long as possible.

Berke had a great time with Auntie G (aka Gloria) while mom was running. He got to go on the carousel at the Common and play on these adorable little duckies.

It was a lot of fun to run with so many great women, all of whom I admire. Only 5 weeks until the 1/2 marathon and then I think I may do something.....ANYTHING besides running!