Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day #5 - What have you learned so far?

Today is the fourth day of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge.  As a reminder, this is a 7 day Challenge where participants can only use flat cloth diapers and have to ditch their washer and dryer in favor of good ol’ fashioned handwashing.  We are close to 500 participants this year and many are blogging their journey.

Day 5 of 7... home stretch!

So what have I learned so far? 

1. Flats are so easy.
2. Two words: So. Trim.
3. Two more words: Pad. Fold.
4. Handwashing isn't the worst thing in the world, but boy am I thankful for my washing machine!
5. Sometimes simple is just as fun/rewarding as complex.

Not much to say today.  We are carrying on status quo and I'm totally loving flat diapers.

Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day #4 - How's the handwashing going?

Today is the fourth day of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge.  As a reminder, this is a 7 day Challenge where participants can only use flat cloth diapers and have to ditch their washer and dryer in favor of good ol’ fashioned handwashing.  We are close to 500 participants this year and many are blogging their journey.

It's "hump day" for the challenge week.  We have all (I hope!) made it half way and are on the downhill now so to speak.  It really is going so fast and its crazy how easily you can adapt.  I just read Kim's post  and I found myself nodding my head in agreement more than once.  Yes, our modern conveniences make cloth diapering a breeze compared to the old style handwashing, but anything is possible if it is important enough to you.

So how's the handwashing going?  Honestly, its much easier than I expected.  I purposefully did not do a trial run before the challenge because I thought it was going to be awful and that I would back out on the challenge.  After the first "load," I knew it was going to be something I could handle for a week.  Do I love it?  Absolutely not.  But is it manageable?  Yes.

I would consider myself a very efficient person.  Lazy? Not so much, but I like to do things well in the most efficient way possible.  Do I like to go above and beyond?  Only if its truly necessary.  That is the approach I have taken while handwashing our flats, covers, and wipes this week.  My initial wash turned out just fine. I didn't go above and beyond, and I found I didn't need to.  I had no interest in constructing a camp style/bucket/plunger washing system that a lot of moms chose to do.  I asked around on the Facebook page before the challenge if anyone strictly washed in their sink and I found many mamas who successfully had.  I took that as proof enough that I could go without a bucket washing system.

Here is my washing routine in a nutshell:

1. Rinse flats right after changing to get the pee and the poop off.  Unfold the flat and rinse under the sink faucet until water runs clear.  Store flat, cover, and wipes in a mixing bowl.  Set rinsed diapers aside until wash time.
2. Fill sink with warm water and put in all flats, covers, and wipes.  Swish around, squeeze with hands (in gloves), swish some more.  Drain water and refill.
3. Swish and squeeze a bit and let soak (time depends on what I'm doing).  Drain water and refill with HOT water and a small amount (just covering the bottom of the scoop) of Charlie's Soap.
4. Swish around, squeeze with hands, agitate, etc. for anywhere from 2-3 minutes (honestly, I don't have the patience for much more than that). Let diapers soak for awhile (time varies depending on what I'm doing). Drain water and refill with warm.
5. Swish and squeeze and immediately drain.
6. Depending on bubble status, may refill and swish and squeeze again.
7. Drain water and run each flat, cover, and wipe under the faucet and squeeze twice.  Wring out each piece until not much water comes out (again, I'm efficient and don't go overboard to say no water comes out, just good enough).
8. Snap/shake out each flat to get out wrinkles and some more excess water.  Roll covers in a towel and squeeze to get more excess water.  Put wet wipes back in wipes container, no need to dry and re-wet them :)
9. Hang flats and covers out on the line or on the drying rack.  We've been about 50/50 since the last 2 days have been very rainy.  Outside drying takes about an hour.  Inside drying takes about 4 hours.

Aside from a few red dots on the bum here and there, this has worked well to get diapers clean.  They smell good and look clean, so I must be doing ok.  In total, I think I spend about 20 minutes actively washing the diapers 2x/day.  So less than an hour of diaper care - its really not that bad at all.

I know this is a topic for another day's post, but I can't stop thinking about how much I like the simplicity of cloth diapering with flats and covers (minus the handwashing!).  I find myself looking at ALL my pockets and hybrid fitteds and wondering why on Earth I need so many (truthfully, we don't).  The last few months I have been buying adorable hybrid fitted diapers, and though I do like them and love that Mallory's bum gets more air when she is in them, I'm honestly thinking the number I have is a bit excessive.  Flats and covers just make sense.  They are affordable, easy to care for, and oh. so. trim.

Anyone else feeling this way?!

Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day #3 - How do you use your flats?

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!


We are well into Day #3 and I feel like the week is flying by.  I also feel like we have a routine and a good system going with our flats and handwashing.  A quick recap of Day #2 finds all went smoothly.  The daddy and the nanny used the correct diapers (flats pre-padfolded into covers ready to go) and all was well.  I did a load of 5 flats and 3 covers right when I got home and it wasn't too much different than my smaller loads of 2-3 flats.  I did notice that Mallory's bum was red and splotchy so I got nervous I wasn't getting my diapers rinsed well enough, but with a little bun glaze (an amazing diaper area treatment safe for cloth diapers from Sweet Knee) she was good to go after one change.  I'm actually thinking she just pooped and it wasn't noticed/changed quick enough which happens really easy to her if she is left to sit for even a few minutes (I blame an obsession with eating mandarin oranges!)  It was warm, windy, and sunny yesterday afternoon/evening which made my drying time outside incredibly quick.  Nights have been fine - we are using a padfolded flat under a gdiaper disposable insert (our typical night time solution regardless of this challenge) so all is status quo.  

This morning I did a small-ish load of flats (4 flats, 2 covers) and had to hang them on the drying rack inside since its cloudy and supposed to rain.  It's actually not bad out right now, and very windy, so I'm thinking I may transfer them to the line to finish drying.  3 hours later and they are still damp in places drying inside.  

The question for today - How do you use your flats?  As you can probably guess, we are padfolding them and laying them in a cover 99% of the time.  This is so easy, convenient, and takes out the 2 step process that doesn't bode well for a squirmy toddler who thinks diaper changes are on the same page as fighting a fire breathing dragon.  I have tried 2 other folds once - origami and diaperbag.  Both of them worked well, but again, having to get Mallory to lay down and hold relatively still for putting on the flat and then putting on the cover is not my idea of a good time.  

Because I don't have much to say about folds and don't have much to compare the padfold to.... I will give your the top 5 reasons I love the padfold:

1. It's easy. 
2. No need for pins, a snappi, or boingos.
3. It's trim throughout.  The other folds I tried were also very trim, but the padfold is the same trimness from front to back, where as the origami or diaperbag folds had more bunching up front for us.
4. Makes diaper changes a 1 step process.
5. It doesn't matter what size flats you have, the padfold always fits.

 

Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day #2- What does it take?

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world! 

Day one is in the books and it was relatively painless.  I decided to utilize nap time (2-3 hours) to wash my flats from the night/morning for the first time.  I rinse all of my diapers in the sink even when I'm using my pockets, fitteds, etc. because I feel like it gets the pee out right away and keeps any stink or build up at bay.  With the flats, I didn't change that.  Since they were pre-rinsed, I put them in our kitchen sink in some cool water and let them soak for about 10 minutes.  I then drained the water, filled the sink with HOT water and about a tsp. of Charlie's Soap (what we use for most of our laundry, including diapers), put on my rubber gloves, and did some swishing and scrubbing.  After letting them soak for maybe 20 minutes, I rinsed them in cool water as best as I could.  I then filled the sink yet again with warm-ish water and let them soak for about 5 minutes.  After rinsing them a final time and wringing them out, I brought them outside to the clothesline to dry.  I shook them to get out excess water and hung them up.  About an 1 1/2 later they were all dry!

One hiccup - as they were drying, I went to check on them and noticed TONS of teeny tiny little red bugs crawling all over my covers and flats.  YUCK!  I quickly asked on the Facebook page if anyone had experienced that.  A few people said they had, and I even learned they are little clover mites (harmless).  Once my flats and covers were dry, most of the mites were gone, but I shook the remaining off and called it a day.

I'm not a fan of how stiff and crunchy the flats feel after drying, but Mallory doesn't seem to mind.  I also hope that I used enough soap and/or got all the soap out.  They smelled and looked clean so I am hopeful.  I guess I will have to check her little bum to be sure I'm getting all the soap out and it isn't irritating her.

I did one more load after Mallory was in bed. This time I hung them inside on the drying rack to dry over night.  It worked like a charm again and they were dry by morning.

But... aside from that, the day went well.  So onto Day #2 - What does it take? 

I realized yesterday that it honestly doesn't take much at all!  In one day I used 3 covers and 5 flats.  Mallory pooped 3 times (more than usual, but thankfully they are "plopable" these days) and never once did I dirty a cover.  I have many more covers in rotation and 3x the flats... I'm not even sure I will use all of them this week.  I'm thinking I may try to limit them and see if I can do it.

Here is what I'm using:

• 6 Osocozy flats
• 9 Swaddlebees unbleached flats
• 6 Flip covers (may not use all of these)
• 2 Econobum covers (so trim!)
• 1 toddler snappi
• Charlie's Soap
• Rubber gloves
• Clothsline and pins
• Drying rack

Thats it!  I know many people are using bucket style washers and plungers, but I really find it easy and convenient to just wash a few flats and covers at a time in the kitchen sink with my hands.  Seems like a lot less work. Though I am home most days, I work 2 days a week away from home.  Today is the first day daddy and the nanny were left to use flats.  I made sure to pad fold and lay the flats in 6 covers (I'm thankful we didn't have a limit of covers for this reason!)  I didn't want either of them to have to worry about knowing what to do with the flat, touching it, etc.  This way they look and feel just like putting on one of our typical bumGenius pocket diapers.  Easy, right?!

Tonight I will have one bigger load of flats and covers to wash since I am gone all day.  Should be interesting to see the difference between handwashing a small load vs. a larger load!  Look forward to tomorrow's update on how it went and my answer to my favorite way to use flats :)

**(Picture to be added once I am home from work!)**

Day 1: What Do I Expect to Learn/ Why I’m Taking the Challenge

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world! 

Day 1 of the Flats and Handwashing Challenge is under way, and so far, so good.  My first set of flats are soaking right now, and we will see how this first attempt at handwashing will go.  I purposefully did not do a trial run because I honestly didn't want it to fail and then second guess signing up.  Being a life long procrastinator on new things, it doesn't surprise me that I went into this somewhat blindly.

So why am I only diaper my daughter in flats and covers and handwashing all of it?  I am doing this challenge because it seems like fun (yes, my idea of fun may be a little off!).  It gives me something to do as a part time stay at home mom, and it gives me something to think about and put some energy towards.  Though I appreciate and fully support the mission behind the challenge, no one but the online community and my husband will know I am doing this.  I can't say that I am truly raising awareness on my own.  If I were in the situation that many people find themselves in (broke, living without a washing machine, trying to decide between diapers and food), I honestly don't know what I would do.  Fortunately, I am no where near that place in life, but I fully understand that others are.  I am excited to prove to myself that this can be done and that it can be a reality.

What do I expect to learn?  I guess I really don't know.  The easy answer is I expect to learn that handwashing is a challenge and an inconvenience, but it can be done.  I hope to learn in some small way what a glimpse of a life less fortunate might feel like (and please understand that I know it would only be a sliver of what life must be like).

Bring it on Flats Challenge!  Here we go...

#Flatschallenge - Preparation

I remember following the blogs and vlogs last year during the first annual "Flats and Handwashing  Challenge" put on my Kim Rosas of Dirty Diaper Laundry.  I was so intrigued and thought it would be a fun thing to try some time.  Intrigued enough, I even got some flats last fall to try out. 

This year I was anxious to know if she was going to do the flats challenge again, and I was excited when I read it was on.  I signed up right away (with only a bit of apprehension). 

What I have:

• 15 flats
• 5-10 covers
• Snappi
• Boingos
• Clothes line and clothes pins/drying rack
• Charlie's soap
• Rubber gloves

Just reading that list, all the things I need to diaper my child for the week, it seems so simple.  I am so fortunate to have all the "extra" bells and whistles when it comes to cloth diapers (an abundance of pocket diapers, WAHM hybrid fitteds in adorable prints, a washing machine and dryer, etc.).  But if it came down to it, I could cloth diaper Mallory with the short, simple list above.

Even so, I have some nerves about the week ahead.  Will I be able to hand wash the flats sufficiently?  How will nights go? I know the rules say I can use a night time solution and I will definitely use our gdiaper biodegradeable insert each night - but if I'm feeling gutsy I may try without.  Will I be able to get the husband and nanny on board? 

I am excited to blog about my experience and plan to link up to other blogs.  Who knows, maybe I will even start writing here more often with a renewed interest in blogging (although with a slightly different topic).

Bring it on #flatschallenge!

What a difference a week makes

It's been a week (or a bit over) since I claimed things were feeling better, and boy, are they ever. A few days ago I was thrown into the thick of things when I went over to Trego, WI where my cross country team was at their summer retreat. The bugs were thick, the sun was shining, and the kids were awesome as usual. After getting up at 4:30am and driving 2+ hours, I was greeted with smiles and feet ready to run. I hopped out of my car, laced up my shoes, turned on the GPS, and we were off. The one thing I forgot: to ask how far we were running.

About 4 miles in, and no where near our cabin, I decided I should maybe ask how long the run was going to be. Oh, 6-8 miles, which is 3-5 miles more than I have run in almost a year. Thankfully, I was actually feeling very good after only 4 hours of sleep, and I was able to keep up and enjoy the run. The hills in the woods, the bugs, the sun beating down; it was all part of regaining what I have lost.

After stretching, breakfast, and some fun on the lake, we rested up for the second run of the day. This time the sun was a bit hot, the bugs were a bit annoying, and my legs were far more tired. I still hung with them and felt just fine. 4.5 miles later I was ready to be done. A shower, some dinner, and it was time to head home on another 2+ hour car ride.

As I pulled in the garage and got out of the car, I had to laugh. Ouch. My hips hurt from the hills. My eyes were exhausted from the day. And boy do I hate gnat bites!

Slowly, but surely

After just 3 runs, I'm already feeling like I'll be able to do this again. The first 2 were brutal, I won't lie. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack and I had to walk just to regain my breathing. I can't remember the last time I had to do that while on an "easy" run.

I am still slow. I still breathe harder than I'd like. But I didn't have to walk, and I didn't feel like dying. I think I actually enjoyed myself.

August 20. Snail Run 10k. I have placed in the top 4 for my age group every time I've run it. The last time, 2009, I won my age group. It's a lofty goal, but somewhere in the back of my mind, where my competitive runner is sitting, waiting, itching to come out, I hope to be in the top 5. Not sure what sort of time that would take, I'm guessing somewhere under 55:00. It's a very lofty goal, but I'm sure I will be there pushing it up those terrible hills at the end, racing against the clock.

Another year, another restart

Again, it's been over a year since I've posted. So much has changed; it's hard to remember the life I used to lead. I had recently written about trusting the Lord and waiting for His timing in relation to starting a family. Little did I know that a month later it would be His time.

This year, we have her. Our Mallory Ann.

After a whirlwind of a year, it's time to get back to running. I kept up with it pretty well in the first few months of pregnancy, but boy do I give credit to the moms who can run all the way up until their due date. At around 5ish months, it became so uncomfortable that I called it quits and stuck to walking, biking, and eliptical. About 2 months after Mallory was born, I ran a few times here and there, but nothing consistent.

July 7, the new beginning. It is humbling to run again after such a long time off. My legs want to return to the speed they were used to. Unfortunately, my lungs are not in agreement. Cardiovascular wise, I am no where near fit. But this is just the beginning. I can only go up from here.

I plan to sign up for the TC 10 mile and hope to get in. That will be my first goal, to return to competitive shape. I can't expect the same times I have run, but I hope to get close. My long term goal is the TC Marathon 2012 and to aim for under 4 hours, ultimately 3:40 to qualify for Boston.

Here's to new beginnings, better beginnings, and baby steps.

Minneapolis Half Marathon Recap

5:45 a.m. Alarm goes off - in my head I can't remember for the life of me what day it is and what I have to do so dang early.

6:00 a.m. Breakfast - sausage and veggie frittata and coffee.

6:15 a.m. Glad its not raining - leave for race.

6:45 a.m. Dropped off at start - no nerves for probably the first time ever. Excited to just do my thing and not compete with the clock and with my head.

7:00 a.m. Horn goes off - it sort of malfunctioned and made an odd noise. We all laughed which made starting the race even less nerve-wracking.

7:15 a.m. Foot is feeling great and I'm staying right with the 3:35 marathon pace group. Its a very comfortable pace for me - we stay between 7:45 and 8:12.

7:30 a.m. See a few coworkers which makes my day.

8:15 a.m. Stomach hurts - must find port-o-potty stat! A few minutes later ... mission accomplished.

8:30 a.m. I hit mile 11 and the foot starts to speak to me - its not very happy we are still running.

8:45 a.m. This hill at mile 12.5 sucked last year. It still sucks this year. It sucks less because I am encouraged by another small blond who is barreling up it like a rock star. We encourage each other and others. It feels better to encourage others when your body is screaming at you to stop for the love all things holy.

8:48 a.m. So many supporters line the road I can't help but smile and run with gusto as I cross the finish line. Knowing my best friend and her family are going to be there cheering me on will always make me smile as well.

1:48. I'm happy with that. I know some day I will get under 1:45, and I also knew this was not the day. More training needed, more speed work out needed, less foot pain, and all will be well.

Content.

A Golden Day

Its my golden birthday. Today, I turn 28 years old.

I'm no longer a kid. I'm well into adulthood. I'm happy. I'm physically fit, although not as fit as I know I could be. I have a great house, a great job, and great people surrounding me in life. I could not ask for more.

But I'm not satisfied. There is so much I would like to improve upon and so much I would like to do. 28 years old is young. I know this. But it feels so old. It feels like I am heading towards "crunch time" for so many goals I have for my life.

So for my 28th year, here is what I would like to improve upon:

1. Trust in the Lord and His plan for me. Trust that He will provide a family for us when He is ready.

2. Use less. Sustain what I have, add little to what I do not.

3. Run hard. Add in hill workouts and speed workouts weekly to improve the gift of running that I have been given. My long term goal is to train and qualify for the Boston Marathon, although I would like to have a baby first so this may not have in my 28th year.

4. Eat real food. Compared to 99% of the world, I eat incredibly healthy. But I know I could treat my body even better. My body responds to real, whole food. It feels better, it looks better, and it performs better. My will power does not always sustain me. In my 28th year I would like to take control of my will power and fuel my body with real food.

5. Keep my words positive and kind. Spread God's word to all.

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Why?

I run for my dad who was in a serious car accident but who, by the grace of God, is safe.

I run for those who cannot run.

I run for those who can run, but don't yet know it.

I run for my best friend who is pregnant and not able to run right now.

I run for those who can run, and are running, but not with me.

I run for those who think running is crazy and only insane people do it.

I run for the fresh air and the sunshine and the waves at other people and the way it makes me feel alive.

I run because I'm blessed to be able to.

I run because I can.

_______________________________________

I'm still trying to decipher what makes my body tick. Cutting out certain foods in my diet seems to help, but I don't feel like I've been very consistent at it. This could not have come at a better time. I am going to give it a try. I may not be perfect (gosh it was hard to type that), but I'm going to give it my best and see how I feel. Anyone can do something for 30 days right?! I plan to use this space as an avenue to vent and tell my story one day at a time.

In the documentary "No Impact Man" (watch it!) he says something along the lines of ... each one of us can make a difference by taking the time to change our own lives and inspiring others to do what they can do along the way. This is how big change starts ...

In the next 30 days (and beyond) I hope to learn about myself and the human relationship with food and inspire as much change as possible.

Cinco Du Mayo Duathlon

My first attempt at a multi-sport race was a success. I won't deny that I woke up, hearing what I thought was rain still falling, and honesty considered not doing it at all. It became unseasonably cold in MN this past week. The high for the day was 45 degrees. Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, the rain had stopped and there was only a small dusting of snow, yes snow, on the tops of cars.

The race was not large, only around 120 participants, and most were doing the "long" course (5k, 20 mile, 5k). For my first attempt at a duathlon I chose the "short" course (2 mile, 10 mile, 2 mile) and I am so thankful I did. I am not a cyclist by nature, nor do I care to be. I rarely train on the bike, and since MN has had some nasty winds this spring, I must admit that I've only been out once this year. I wasn't expecting greatness on the bike, but I wasn't expecting that amount of pain either! The cold wind was gusting up to 20mph and the rolling hills of Stillwater definitely surprised me.

After finishing as the 3rd woman after the first run, I fell back to maybe 5th or 6th woman after the bike. These little legs just do not appreciate the burn! I will also admit that I never practiced the transition from bike to run either. As I type this, I realize how ill prepared for the race I really was :) It felt strange to get off the bike and immediately start running again. My legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs. each and I thought for sure that I was running at a snail's pace. I was delighted to see myself at sub 7:30 minute mile pace in the first quarter mile.

About a mile into the 2nd run my legs started to loosen up and running felt normal again. I was passing a lot of people, which felt great, and I had my eyes set on a gal in pink ahead of me. As I increased my speed, I could tell she was struggling. Knowing I may not catch her, I glanced at my watch and said aloud, "I'll be happy with sub 1:10:00, but my main goal is to pass the pink shirt." On my last surge up the final little hill, with the finish line in sight, I said, "Awesome job!" and blew past the pink shirt.

1:09:00. I'll take that for the first time out, ill prepared and all.

Lessons Learned from my first Multi-sport Race:

1. Practice the bike. And practice the bike again. Or maybe just do relay events with your husband and let him do the bike instead :)

2. Prayer is good. But it's still gonna hurt! I can't tell you how many songs I "made up" with the lyrics "Give me strength Lord, give me strength!" sung to various tunes and possibly sometimes grunted.

3. A sub 20:00 5k is in the cards. Speed work really does wonders for speed (shocking huh?!) I realize more each day that I'm built to be a runner.

Running - In Just 10 Words (Because why not?!)

When you feel like giving up, growth is around the corner.

Intentions

I hadn't run much. My intentions were good, but my training calendar sure showed that intentions and real life can be very different.

"I'm just gonna run easy ... I'll probably be done around an hour and twenty five or so," I told my husband as he dropped me off before the race.

Race number, check. Tshirt, check. Port-o-potty line, check.

I lined up at the start and noticed no one was moving towards the front. I walked up. Right behind the women in sports bras and biker shorts. Right behind the women that obviously train more than I do. Right behind the women who were clearly going to win the race.

National anthem, check. Last minute warm-up, check.

And we're off. First mile in the 7:00's. Second mile in the 7:00's. And so on. My body wasn't prepared but my competitive nature was. Give it your all. Just keep going. No pain, no gain.

10 miles later I crossed the line with tears in my eyes. No air. No strength. I felt like fainting. I felt like vomitting. Never had I felt so terrible after a race.

But I did it.

1:16

I can do anything I put my mind to.

Why I Run ...

"I just feel like exercising!" I exclaim to anyone and no one. "Why is it that when you plan to exercise, you try to put it off, but the days you plan to skip it, you want nothing more than to move?!"

So I ran.

Life can build up like a huge weight on your shoulders that is pressing down with so much force you feel like you are losing ground with every step. I run to lose that force, to make up that ground, to feel like nothing can get me down.

I took off. I ran. I smiled as the world passed me by. I was cold. I was out of breath. But most of all, I ran.

It's been a year...

It's been a year.  One might think I am like a majority of the population and gave up on running and exercise in exchange for sitting on the couch and watching t.v.  Happily, that is not the case.  I guess I got a bit scared of "the blog."

I thought about writing every few months over the past year, but got a bit nervous and said, "Another day."

Here I am, on another day.  My run this morning proved that speed can come back in just a few runs, but stamina on the other hand takes a bit more time.  Its ok; I'm ready for the work.

I have 2 races looming in the near future.  I won my age group last year in the 10k I'm running in 2 weeks.  But last year I was running more frequently.  Last year I was in better shape.  Last year I was ready to win that race no matter what it took.  This year I expect myself to win regardless.

What is it about a competitive nature that never lets you just have fun?  Never lets you run a race to enjoy the other runners and the scenery?  Never lets you give yourself a break?  I'm competitive.  I better win my age group again.

My life feels great, my body feels good, and though a year has passed, I am better for it.  I have taken on a lifestyle that is better to myself, better to others, and better to the world.  Use less, reuse more.  Shop less, give more.  Eat less, enjoy more.  Our world isn't disposable.  At some point in time there is going to come a day when we as a nation are looking at our losses and wondering how we got there.  

It starts now.  No act is too small.  No human is too insignificant to make a difference.  Small changes turn into big changes.  Big changes change the world.

Here's to another year and more posts.  I feel like I have a lot to say.  A lot to share.  A lot to give.

Grandma's Marathon Finisher

Runner's Knee and all, I did it. I always knew I would, I just didn't know how painful the process would be. Turns out, it wasn't painful at all. Rest and taking it easy for a week seemed to do wonders for my knee. I was able to complete the last 2 weeks of marathon training (easier weeks) and feel ready for the big day.

I was hoping for a sub-5 hour marathon. My goal was to get my girlfriend and her mom finished in under 5 hours. I was confident this would be an easy task for me. Miles 1 through about 17 started off fantastic. We were crossing the mile markers at least 2-3 minutes ahead of the pace schedule. Between miles 17 and 19 we slowed a bit, but we were still on pace to finish 4:50. Then my girlfriend started to feel ill and had to take long walk breaks and many bathroom breaks. From mile 20 on I knew it was going to be interesting. After tears and anger (at herself), we power walked 5 miles, still stopping at all the port-a-potties along the way. When we got to mile 25 I was worried we may not finish in the "start gun's" 6 hour mark so I figured we needed to pick up the pace to at least a jog. We were actually able to run the last 1.2 miles at a pretty speedy pace and we finished 10 minutes shy of 6 hours. Not anywhere near where I thought we would be, but that is life. I'm just glad my friend was able to finish her first marathon and get the t-shirt and medal she deserved.

I'm not sure when my next marathon will be. Right now I really don't even have much desire to run. I've been thinking biking, walking, rollerblading, and DVD's sound much more appealing. I did stumbled upon some running blogs, and they always inspire me. I think I will sign up for a few shorter distance races this summer to keep myself moving. I'm hoping to "freshen" up my body in the next few months. I could use a healthier diet and a leaner look.

My first goal:

100 push-ups.

Slowly but Surely

I'd say the knee is about 75% now.  I've been running pretty frequently on it and its holding up.  The running doesn't hurt so much now, its still just the bending and sleeping.  Who knew sleeping could cause so much pain?!

Not a whole lot else to update on the running front.  Its slow.  Its there.  I'm dealing.  So here is a fun meme!

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

Shoot, 10 years ago I was 16.  I "ran" every so often because I thought I needed to exercise more.  I was 5'4, 88 pounds and danced 20+ hours a week.  I don't really think I was running for the right reasons.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

The best, hands down, was crossing the finish line of the Twin Cities Marathon last October.  It was the most amazing feeling of my life.  The worst was just a few weekends ago when my body rejected me and could not go any longer.  Stopping at mile 15.5 of 18.6 because I physically could not go on was rough.  But I learned its ok to listen to your body and to not get down on myself for it.  

3. Why do you run?

Why do you breathe?!  Its a simple question.  I need running to sustain.  It keeps me active, it keeps me healthy, but most importantly its my time to get away and decompress.  Its also an accomplishment.  Type A's LOVE accomplishments.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

I can't say I've really been given all that much advice.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people know.

I used to cut the "underwear" out of running shorts because I could not stand the feeling.  Rebel!

As a runner, I am tagging:

ANYONE!

Bummer

Marathon training was going fabulous. I felt like I was running faster than ever and even had thoughts of future Boston Qualification ...

Then I got "runner's knee," also known as chondromalcia. Not. Fun. I feel like someone shot me in the knee cap every time I try to make my knee function like a knee. In other words, sitting, walking, stairs, running, etc. are not on my list of things I do well right now.

I had to drop out at mile 15.5 of 18.6 on Saturday. It took everything in me to make myself stop. Not only did I have the knee pain, but my body ached, and I was very nausious. People say, "Oh no... just too long of a run?" or "Oh no... maybe it was the heat?" No. I've run longer than that before. No. All my long runs had been a breeze and this was not much longer. No. The heat was fine, I was hydrated. No. My body just could. not. do. it. And it killed me to admit that.

So 3 days later I still have not run. My knee is feeling maybe 25% better and the competitor in me is going to try a run tonight. If anyone I knew were in this position, I would roll my eyes and call them crazy if they were going to try to run already. But when its you in this position, its the worst thing not to run. I get so mad when I see others running. I get so mad when I see my running clothes clean in the bin. I get so mad when it hurt to sit, walk, or go up stairs. I just get so mad that my body doesn't want to cooperate.

I have resigned to the fact that after this marathon, I'm going to stick to 1/2 marathons and lower. I want to work on speed. I want to finish fast. I enjoy that distance.

But I have not resigned to the idea that I won't be able to run the marathon. I'll find a way.

If there's a will, there's a way.