Week 23 and 24- The Plague

At least that is what if felt like. First I got the flu with Mikey, then Kelli got the flu and had it for a week and this last week the kids (yes all three) got it as well. It was been one tiresome couple of weeks and I am glad to see that we seem to be on the last leg of all of this sickness. Pardon the racing analogy :).

Being sick and caring for the sick while working and getting school done has not made training easy. I did however manage to get in some good mileage and last weekend I ran my furthest run:

It may not seem particularly exciting to some but I was so excited, this is just under a 10k and that was my goal. I am going to be running at least 7 miles tomorrow morning before my nutrition clinic so fingers crossed I don't figure out a way to injure myself. 

Now that everyone is feeling better and my leg is feeling better I trusted myself to push all three of the kids at the same time in the stroller and bring PBJ for a three mile walk today. It was beautiful and I won't pretend it isn't easier to train with such beautiful weather!

We will see how I do tomorrow and when I have PT Tuesday, my hope is to tell him that I have no pain. Wishful thinking but I am ok with that! I have also raise 8% of my goal for Team In Training. 

My pain today is minimal and my scars are looking less awesome all the time. In other words, my surgeon did a great job and I look good as new. 

Thank you God for reminding me that life has hills and valleys but I would be ever so grateful for a few days of smooth sailing! Lord willing 

Bonus Blog- Mama Bear

Today is my mom's (and incredible aunt's) birthday. My mom is probably the main reason I have managed to not kill myself yet. She is the one that reigns me in when I go to far and push threw things I ought not. I also hate to admit it but there is not a time I can currently think of where my mom didn't know best... every child's nightmare :).

I remember last year when I got hurt her first response was come home. She, for the millionth time, was ready and willing to take care of me. She also supported me the seven weeks following that I stayed out in Iowa instead of coming home to get fixed. But gave welcomed me with open arms when I stopped letting my pride keep me from getting off crutches. She is my perpetual cheer leader, but she doesn't have the name mama bear for nothing. She is the sweetest woman in the entire world but if you mess with one of her cubs you are dead meat. Something I respect so much mind you.

 She walked with me in my first two races so that no one got near my hip, and she ran with me the first time I got to run after surgery up in Kansas. Yes everyone, you should be jealous so go right ahead.

She has supported everything I have done and been there every step of the way to pick me up and occasionally tell me to stop (fat chance). Most people don't realize how wonderful their parents are until they grow up, I however was blessed with the fortune of always knowing that my parents are the best parents in the world. She, along with dad, also is the one that foots the bill for what I am sure is tens of thousands of dollars of my medical bills. I could go on for weeks if given the chance to about why this woman is awesome but I think her actions speak louder, and more gracefully, then my words so if you are ever blessed enough to meet one of the most fantastic people on the earth (maybe a little bias) I am sure you will feel the warmth of God's love flow out of her just as it has on to me these last 21 years.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Week 22- wonderful/terrible

This week was wonderful and terrible (I know, I know, I use that phrase to describe a lot of things). I worked all weekend which believe it or not is a great work out. I am walking around (in my case running) for 6 hours without sitting down. Hello summer calves! Then monday was even more awesome because I finally broke into the 5 mile range, broke 50 miles thus far of outdoor trail runs (mind you that doesn't include the gym or chasing my three mini trainers) and the cherry on top was making the dean's list. All on a monday, who would have thought!

 I would like to note that my average pace below includes when I very first began to learn to run again back in late december so give a sister a break!

Tuesday everything changed and I got some sort of evil flu. Mikey and I were pretty sick for two days and I threw up a lot so training was minimal. It wasn't all bad though, I lost 5 pounds and I worked on stretching a little. Today I made a big step forward. I finally got all my flexibility back! My leg has officially no limits in mobility, that's right people things are a changing! 

This week also marked a big warm up here and I got to get the little ones moving outside. I am trying to prevent them from developing what the rest of my family has, butt white skin! So we went for a trip (be it car, feet and scooter) around the lake and fed the ducks. I will say it again... My job is better than yours! 

So this week had its pits and peeks, but I was reminded today that I am a very lucky, and by that I mean blessed. I might not always want the changes God makes in my life (there are numerous I could list) but when I finally stop throwing my spiritual tantrum and look at what he did it for I am always amazed that he made life that much better. He may not always give you what you think you want but he always gives you what he knows you need.

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will have everything you need and plently left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:8