Running More!

On Saturday I went for a two mile run in real running clothes (because it was really warm out) and it felt almost decent. I would like to be doing 10 mile runs consistently by my birthday (June 5th), but I have to be very patient with myself and with my family. 

In tingly feet news, my feet only tingle a very teeny-tiny amount.  I have to really think about it to even notice it.  I'm very hopeful that one day it will be completely gone.  Thankfully this small amount of tingly feet doesn't seem to bother my running.

Here are Cash and Buttin doing "cheers" with their coffee. 

Running!

So - since Chicken was born I have gone on four 1 - 1.5 mile runs.  These aren't very speedy runs (or very long for that matter) and since it has been so chilly in the mornings - I just wear my pjs with sweats over them.  No fancy running clothes for me right now, but I'm warm and moving. 

Here are a couple pictures from today.

A self-portrait with the boys.

All the boys snuggling. 

Jog Waddle

The blog is Running with Lumpy & Chicken, but since Chicken has been growing in my stomach (and the tingly feet began) there hasn't been much running.  The tingly feet have gotten better, but my stomach has gotten much growier.  I got a good month of solid jogging done, but now my jog-waddle has become more of a waddle-waddle.  

I really, really hope after Chicken arrives I'm able to start jog-running again.  I miss it.

This afternoon Cub got a small lesson in economics.

There was a train table (not unlike the one we have at home) at the place we took Cash to get his haircut.  We let him play with the train table after he got his haircut.  The train table was significantly less impressive than the one he plays with at home, but it had a "little Thomas" and he was in love.  When we left he was very upset that he could not bring little Thomas home (I imagine that his aunt Liz will say that he wanted to "steal" little Thomas because I stole Cash's apples the other day at McDonalds).  

We told Cash that we could take him to Target to get his own little Thomas.  This is Cash (upset) and Buttin (giving me the - "really? we're going to go BUY him a little Thomas to get him to stop crying" - look). 

Here's Cash after we purchased little Thomas (very excited). 

Cash's train set at home is the generic one - not the Thomas one - the train pieces cost about $2 each. Thomas pieces are much more expensive.  Buttin and I were amazed by how pricey a little wooden Thomas cost.  Buttin taught Cash (and here comes the economics lesson) - that Thomas is a "money grab".

A Little Running

It has been a while since I've written about running - but believe it or not - I've actually been able to run (a little).  My feet are still tingly, but have greatly improved to a less annoying condition.   When I say a little running - I do mean only a little.  As an example, this last Saturday I walked/jogged for 4.5 miles and jogged about 2.5 of those miles.  I 'm pleased with this improvement.  

Here are Cash and Buttin today trying to squirt me with the hose.  They're both pretty freaking adorable. 

In other news, we're having a dog run built in our back yard this week and so last week the gas and electric company have come out to put flags where there are wires or lines or whatever underground.  Cub is fascinated by the flags and loves pulling them out all of the ground (thankfully they also mark all the areas with spray paint) and starting imaginary races.  He says, "On your mark, get set - GO!".  I'm not sure where he learned this phrase - but maybe Nascar or the flag core is in his future (oh goodie!).

Four Miles

This morning I did a four mile job/walk/waddle.

In a great irony, now that my feet feel less tingly (although still tingly) and I'd like to try running more, my belly has gotten a little too big to run.  Maybe I need to buy one of those belly-support things, I'm someone must sell something supportive for pregnant women.

Today I took Cub to the park to meet baby mama friends.  This is the look that Cub frequently gives me when I suggest something that he doesn't really want to do (like, stop jumping off the high thing, walk please or let's go over here).

I think it took me until I was a teenager to perfect this look. 

So, How's The Bike?

The running content of my blog has been somewhat (or completely) scarce the past few months.  However, my tingly feet posts have more than made up for the excitement and intrigue (really?).

For the past month, I have been riding my stationary bike four times a week (just like I used to run); however, I find it so much easier to cheat (or go easy) on the bike.

I've never been one of those runners where running was easy - some days it felt better than others - but running has never felt like walking.  I never got to the point with running like I did with swimming. 

I can't really cheat at running (I'm either running and it's work or I'm walking), but cheating is easy on a stationary bike.  I know from my time in Toronto, that riding a real bike -ya know-  to actually get somewhere is WORK.  But riding my stationary bike, in an air-conditioned office while watching a movie is not very difficult and I'm not making it very challenging.

What to do?

Well, on Saturday I'm going to try a little run.  My feet are still very tingly, but I haven't had any flare ups in almost two weeks.  I'm OK if I can only jog a couple of blocks (and then have to walk or go home and lazy bike) - I'm just so ready to exercise outside again - even if it is for just a little while. 

Here's Cubbie exercising outside today with his firetruck. 

Farewell Cheerleader

Three years ago I was training for my first marathon.  I was pregnant with Lumpy (Cash). 

My first marathon (San Antonio Rock N Roll) wasn't exactly record breaking (unless you count it as the slowest) or really very comfortable, but I did it with my mom and I have lots of good memories.

One of the BEST memories of my first marathon is of our cheerleader, Bill.

Keep in mind, it was my mom's first marathon, my first marathon and I was twenty weeks pregnant and our ONLY cheerleader was my mom's former patient and friend, Bill McDonald.  Buttin wasn't there, my dad wasn't there and I loved teasing them both for comfortably sitting on a couch watching TV while a man who was walking with a cane met us no less than 6 times on the course. 

Since that race Bill has continued to follow my running and motherhood progress on this blog and on Facebook.  He had an incredibly silly sense of humor, but could also write very encouraging comments.  Bill became like a funny, say anything kind of uncle.  

During the past couple of years Bill has been between illness and recovery, but never stopped making silly puns or funny comments. He's had tumors in his spine for years and he recently went into the hospital for another tumor removal operation.  His wife, Judy, has been writing Facebook updates periodically and although Bill was not recovering, I felt confident he would get there eventually.  Sadly, last night Bill passed away.  

I didn't know uncle Bill very well, but I feel sad.  Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones or maybe it's remembering how I felt during my first pregnancy when I was getting to know Bill (even if it was just online).  

He was a great cheerleader.  Rest in peace, Bill.

In other news, it was only 102 degrees today so Cub and I went outside for about an hour this afternoon.  I was miserable (even in the shade), but Cub had a blast. 

I Got A Bike!

It's been quite a long time since I've written about running - what with all the tingly feet.  I should change the name of my blog to Walking (Eating or Moping) With Lumpy and Chicken. 

Well, yesterday I got a recumbent stationary bike (the laziest, but most comfortable kind of bike).  I'm looking forward to starting my bike workouts, but I'll probably still do some walking outside - I enjoy the fresh air and feeling of movement.

Here is Cash man today.  Of course, it was cloudy and breezy so he DIDN'T want to go outside until about 10 minutes before bath time - go figure. 

Better Than Nothing

This morning I went for my longest run in four weeks - 3.5 miles.  It wasn't great, but I guess it wasn't horrible - my feet still tingle, but I've noticed that they feel a little less tingly after I run. 

This afternoon Buttin and I met Liz and Jonathan for the movie: Safe.  I give it a solid three cookies - pretty fun action movie.

Here's Cub this morning eating his lolipop.

Beautiful Day (But No Running)

It was a gorgeous day in Austin, Texas.

Too bad I didn't go for a run.  I'm taking a little break in the hopes that maybe my body is a little injured and needs some time away from running.  I am going a little crazy without an outlet, so I might ride the stationary bike that Barbie keeps at work.  

I am going to try a long walk tomorrow morning.

Our family enjoyed the beautiful day (even without a run).  

Here's Cub playing on the basketball court this morning.

3.5 Miles For Riggs

There have been a few changes at our house.

On Friday night Riggs pooed (extreme amounts close to his Great Dane body weight) in our carpeted bedroom.  We have been meaning to move Riggs out of our bedroom for a while now, but this was really the perfect excuse to start his transition.  

Since Saturday night Riggs has been sleeping (and pooping) downstairs (thankfully, it's tile and cleans easily).  His poop is getting more solid, but Buttin's theory is that Riggs is a little depressed because he's not with us at night (even though he's with us all day at the office).  I decided that RUNNING might help Riggs' mood (and maybe stop his diarrhea).  

This morning I took Riggs for a 3.5 mile jog.  He did surprisingly well - really well.  I only almost tripped over him four times (which isn't very many times considering Riggs' huge desire to move back and forth on the sidewalk).  After a little spazziness the first half mile, he settled into his gait and I think he actually made me run a little faster too. 

So Cub has two new favorite words - "attack" (which he demonstrated last night) and "drive".  Here he is telling me that he wants to drive (there is a hand motion that goes along with word).

Adjusting To The Heat (again)

I went for my long run this morning (normally it's Saturday) because Cub and Buttin were still recovering yesterday morning.  I only went 12 miles, but it was a really difficult 12 miles.  It was warm and humid and I looked like a drowned rat when I got home.  I think it's that time of year again when my body has to adjust to the heat and humidity.  It was just a couple of weeks ago that I was running in long sleeves and now a tank-top and shorts are too much.  Hopefully, I will be acclimatized by June. 

This afternoon we had Hannah come over to play with Cub while we went to the plant store and bought plants.  This was the first time in our lives we have ever purchased and planted green stuff for the ground.  It was hot (ever more so this afternoon), but we accomplished something and our yard looks a little better for it.  

Here's Cub on the swing this morning.

Sometimes Saturdays Are For Pictures

I ran 10 miles today in what can only be described as a bug storm.  I was covered with those tiny little nat-fly-like bugs when I got home.  I guess our nice, cool weather is over - hello hot, humid summer.  

Cub had a blast today and I took a lot of pictures.  

Buttin went with Uncle Jonathan to an all-day concert so Aunt Liz decided to come over and play this afternoon.

All I can say is that the two of them had quite a bit of fun together (more than I think either of them expected to have - or at least more than Aunt Liz expected)

 

 

 

One of their cutest moments, I didn't get on camera - but Liz walked away and Cub ran, squealing (with delight) towards her.

Here is one more of Cub.

Rainy Day Fun

Today was rainy (very) and cold.

We braved the rainy, cold weather this morning for a little time outside.  I LOVE that the greenbelt is our backyard.

This afternoon we had to get out of the house and find a place to let Cub run around - IKEA!

We had a ton of fun at IKEA - playing with curtains.

Testing out beds . . .

Eventually, he got pretty tired and was in mini-meldown mode so we headed straight for the exit without making a purchase. 

Even with the mini-meltdown - it was an awesome day.

P.S. I did a little 8 mile run this morning and came home looking like a drowned, frozen rat. 

My Fit Foods Woodlands Marathon Race Report

This was my first time running The Woodlands Marathon (also my first time ever running anything in The Woodlands) and actually the first time in 19 years since they've had a marathon in The Woodlands.

As my three readers know, I did not finish The Livestrong Austin Marathon, but I was determined not to let all my training be for a DNF.  With a little interwebs research I found The Woodlands Marathon and begged for a spot (they were sold out). 

Here's the summary:

Packet Pick-Up: A

Goodie Bag Stuff: B- (there was this interesting drink called iChill and I drank it the night before and maybe it helped me relax). 

Technical Shirt: A++  (a cute and simple white shirt - halleluiah!)

Race Day Organization: B (there were some oddities)

Course: A (for flatness) and C (for interestingness) 

Water Stops: A

Crowd Participation: C

Post-Race Food: F

I drove to Houston on Friday evening and picked up my packet without much ado.  I never really spend time at a race expo and this one seemed pretty typical.  I checked into my hotel, ate some pretty crappy room service and was in bed and asleep by 9:00 (I did like that iChill thing we got in the race baggie).

Race start time was 6:47 so I was awake at 5:30 getting ready (this included eating my snack, brushing my hair and pooping - not all at the same time).  I was out the hotel door by 6:15 - it was a .2 mile walk to the start line and that did not suck.  I was wearing my goodwill purchased sweatshirt and the temperature was in the mid-50s and cloudy.  

The course was a 13.1 mile loop (so as a marathoner, I did the loop twice) and the elite runners started at 6:45, the marathoners (including me!) started at 6:47 and the halfers started at 7:00.  This was one of the oddities. The entire (and I mean entire) first loop I was passed by half-marathoners.   In theory, half-marathoners should be faster than marathoners so if they wanted to do a staggered start - I'm not sure why they didn't start the half-marathoners first.  They really should have asked my opinion.  

The course was incredibly flat (like me circa 1988) and uninteresting.  It's was a 13.1 mile loop on asphalt streets, lined with trees.  Every so often I'd see a house or Taco Bell, but that was the highlight of the sites.  Thankfully I don't run for the scenery.  

The entire first loop was great.  It was cloudy and cool (I actually took off my goodwill sweatshirt before the start) and I was going my slow pace (and getting passed by marathoners and half-marathoners).   The race had water stops every 1.5 miles or so and Cliff gel spots (which are the ones I use!!!) at mile 4 and mile 10 (so again at mile 17 and 23).  There was more crowd support than I expected and my FAVORITE sign said "Oreo Speedwagon" and there were kids handing out Oreos - it was awesome.  As it turns out, I run pretty well fueled by Oreos.  

As I started the second loop, there were considerably fewer runners (I believe total runners was 6,500 and total marathoners was around 1,500).  Somewhere around mile 14 I discovered that I was running a little ahead and sometimes a little behind the 4:45 pacers (they would walk the water stops and I was running them, so I'd get a little ahead).  I decided that I should try to stay around them for as long as I felt good.  One of the pacers was kind of chatty (but I was listening to my book so I didn't really hear him).  

Around mile 16 I decided that if I was feeling good at mile 22, I'd start listening to music.  I usually run faster when listening to music, but I didn't want to turn on music until I was closer to the end.  I was listening to Divergent (another dystopian young adult novel - a la - The Hunger Games) and really enjoying it.  

During the second loop it seemed like all the spectators went home.  Thankfully, the "Oreo Speedwagon" was still there, so I grabbed another Oreo (yum - for some reason crunchy tasted so good after all those gooey-gel things).  At some point during the second loop it started to rain, but just a little and it kind of cooled things off (it was a cool rain, not the gross Houston muggy rain).  

I got to mile 22, ate a Cliff gel and switched to music.  As soon as the music came on, I started to cry - apparently when I'm running (in a race) music makes me cry and run faster.  I was pretty close to the 4:45 pacers and I was feeling really good (for having already run 22 miles).  I cruised for the next 2.5 miles.  Around mile 24.5 I started thinking that maybe I had put my music on a little too soon - the excitement and energy of the music had worn off and I was starting to feel tired.  The sun had also been out for the last several miles (since around mile 20) and I was starting to get very hot.

I knew if I walked it would be difficult to start running (jogging) again so I pushed through the last 1.5 miles by thinking about the wonderful shower I was going to take when I was done.  It worked and I crossed the finish line at 4:46:13 (my goal was to go under 5 hours) - a new PR by over 20 minutes!

The end of the race pavilion was beautiful, but the end of race food was crap.  I wanted a bagel or a banana (or both) and they had spicy rice and beans (I cannot imagine anything more disgusting to eat).  There might have been other food, but I couldn't find it and all I wanted to do was take a shower (the one I had been dreaming about for the last 1.5 miles).

I walked back to the hotel (again it was great to be so close), took a shower and drove home to Buttin and Cub.  

I'm really happy that I gave it (a marathon) another shot and The Woodlands Marathon was a great place to do it. This marathon was also my first time to raise money for a race.  Maybe you read (about five hundred times here or on Facebook) that I was raising money for Girls On The Run and that I surpassed my goal (THANK YOU!).  Girls On The Run sent me a technical race shirt to wear (among some other cute stuff) and although I'm not usually a fan of wearing something new on race day - I did - and it worked out great.

 

Here I am!  See, lots of just trees.

Cub came home sick from school today (low fever and runny nose), but after a FOUR hour nap - he was outside playing in the rain.

 

Ultra-Mini Race Report

PR by about 20 minutes at The My Fit Foods Woodlands Marathon!

Unofficial time: 4:46:19.

Overall grade: A-

Here's Cub today - I sure did miss him.

Quickie

Quick post tonight - I'm packing and getting ready to go to Houston tomorrow for The My Fit Foods Woodlands Marathon. 

Two quick things about Cub:

1. I don't think I've mentioned it yet - but he says "pad" as in "iPad". 
2. Our nighttime snuggle routine has changed a little.  He likes to pull up my shirt and lay his cheek on my stomach while we snuggle.  I wonder if he likes to listen to my tummy make noises. 

Here's Cub today giving me the what for - I had/have no idea what he was trying to tell me, but he was very serious. 

Beg, Borrow and Steal!

And then give it to ME.

Well not actually to me, but to my Girls On The Run fundraising page.

Here's a quick re-cap:

1. In honor of the Livestrong Austin Marathon - last week for Filanthropy Friday I donated to Girls On The Run Austin. 
2. My marathon was not a success in a conventional way.
3. I decided (because I'm apparently drunk on barfy endorphins) that I HAD to find another marathon to complete this spring - I've trained so much!  I found the My Fit Woodlands Marathon - so close, so flat (or so it's advertised) and practically in my old backyard (I grew up in Houston) - SOLD OUT! Curses.
4. I wrote the race organizer and practically begged for a spot.  I think he got a little annoyed with me. Thankfully they had a few (like, 25) charity spots they were planning to release today.  I GOT ONE!
5. Even though it's NOT MANDATORY to raise money, I felt like I should.  One of the six choices is Girls On The Run Houston.  It must be fate - right? 
6. I SET UP THIS PAGE TO RAISE MONEY!

My goal is $200 - seems pretty doable.  

I figure I'll be like NPR (our local station, KUT, is coincidentally doing their membership drive right now) and basically bug the crap out of people until I reach my goal.   KUT always says stuff like, Once we reach our fundraising goal, we'll stop the drive., which translates to Hurry up and donate now so you don't have to listen to us anymore.

I'm calling in all donation favors!  

I have about eleven days to raise $200 and then I promise I'll shut up (at least about this topic).

Here's what Cub will do if I raise $200.

Marathon First - DNF

Today's race wasn't a success - unless you count throwing up in a stranger's yard a success.

I didn't finish the Livestrong Austin Marathon - I called it a day after 16.7 miles and 3 barfs. 

I started out well - maybe too well.  I don't know my split times yet, but even after 3 barfs, a 10 minute sit and and about 15 minutes of walking, my average pace (according to my iPhone app thingy) was 11:20 (which is entirely too fast for this turtle).

Trip time:	03:14:46
Trip distance:	16.7 mi
Trip calories:	1993 kcal
Average speed:	11:20 min/mi
Maximum speed:	8:52 min/mi

I got carried away with the beginning of the race and was feeling good.  I was moving too quickly (for me) and not drinking enough water.  Sometimes when it's cold outside, I forget how humid it can still be (91% at start time) and I don't drink enough water.  By the time I started to feel icky (around mile 11), it was too late and the lemon-lime gatorade only made it worse.

I started the race with two throwaway sweatshirts and a pair of throwaway gloves and by mile two I had taken off my layers and was sweating (it was pretty humid to start).  I threw away my sweatshirts, but kept my gloves (I was glad to have them later in the race). 

Things started getting not so great around mile 11 - I started walking up the hill on Exposition (it sucked) and  then barfed on someone's front lawn right before turning onto 35th (around mile 13).  I used one of my throwaway gloves to wash off my face.  I'm sure that homeowner was happy to find a gift in their lawn this morning.  A couple runners and spectators asked me if I was OK.  I just felt embarrassed.  

The sign I saw immediately after leaving that pretty gift was "You look so smart and pretty" - I didn't feel either and I'm sure I didn't look either, but I kept jogging.  

I jogged/walked for the next 3 - 4 miles and was trying to "shake it off".  I texted Buttin and told him to be prepared to pick me up in the event that I did not get any better.  Soon after the 16 mile marker, I stopped at the medical station and sat down for about 10 minutes and threw up twice.  It was time to call it a day.

I walked through a neighborhood to try and find some streets Buttin could access.  I got home, took a long shower and then a 1.5 hour nap.  I felt better when I woke up, but still not 100%.  

I'm a little disappointed, but I run for fun and on any given day when it's no longer fun (i.e. I'm barfing), I stop.  I'll have a better race another day. 

Marathon Poem

Twas the night before the Austin Marathon, when all through our home.

The tears were a flow'in, because I'm running alone.

The Mormor's got pink eye and a fever to boot,

The only upside is I stole her race loot.

Soon I'll be nestled all snug in my bed,

while visions of winning dance in my head.

And Mormor with barf bucket getting much bigger,

Won't get to wear her Disneyworld pigger.

I'll race to the finish with turtle quickness,

but Mormor won't be there because of her sickness.

I'll cheer for all runners and say without sorrow,

Happy Marathon to all and let's eat five donuts tomorrow!

Here is Cub in the tub.