My First Race

How many years have I been running? Like 19!

I run every morning. It varies between 5-6 miles. I know how my mile pace. I know how to challenge myself. But even so, I've never entered a real race, like where you get a timing chip and a bib number and run. I've always been "afraid"... I have such a screwy, competitive mentality that I have been afraid I would push myself too hard just to stay with the pack, or hurt myself trying to win, or beat myself up if I don't! Well that all changed this weekend. I entered the "Fastest 5K in the Midwest", the Lou Cox in downtown Dayton. I mostly did it because I knew the path well, and it was flat, and it was Memorial Day weekend and seemed like the "thing to do".

It is called the "Fastest 5K in the Midwest" for a reason... the people are FAST!!!! I mean, I felt like a dope walking around Welcome Stadium. All these supremely built men and women stretching and warming up and decked out in the most high tech running gear... all for a 5K? I felt like I was getting ready for the race of the century or something! I mean, I never even stretch! HA!

On the encouraging of a lady I don't know, I got up front to start the race. It was a big crowd of 732 and they did not stagger the runners, so we all took off at the same time. It was 81 degrees at race time and we had an "air quality advisory" plus I was stuck in this huge pack of people! All I could do was look down at the ground and put my hands on my hips (elbows way out) as to keep people from getting too close. Claustrophobic!!!

The race started and holy crap I should NOT have been in front! I typically run a 7:30 pace and these people were way faster than that! At mile 1 I was just under 7 minutes so I knew I was in trouble...TOO FAST! Mile 2 killed me!!!! I made the halfway turn at minute 9 and actually thought I was going to complete the race in 18 minutes... HA! I ended up finishing at 22:36, a 7:17 pace. I was 7th in my age group... the first of the people ages 35-39 to be in the "7" minute pace per mile. (see! they were all so fast!) I REALLY wanted to place 5th or above. In another race I'm sure I would have. Not the Lou Cox, man.

Max and Chris were cheering me on in the stadium as I entered for the final lap. Overall I was happy I did the race. My body was not though. Tried to do my usual 5 or 6 this morning and had to stop at 4. Pushed too hard yesterday. I have another race (a trail race... yikes) coming up on the 12th. I'm taking that one leisurely! ;)

Max making me stretch...

My competition... YIKES!

Post race. Like WHOA!

A Boy and His Guitar

The other night while lying in bed Max whispered "Mommy, how much is a photo session with you?" I told him the price. He then said "but what would you charge me?..." So I replied "5 kisses." Then he lifted his hand and held out his pinky and made me pinky swear that I would do a session with him; he wanted to hire me to take pictures of him! Duh, GLADLY!

Saturday afternoon was cloudy. Perfect for pictures. Max had great ideas for his photo shoot; I only had to come up with the location. Apparently he is a fan of the "serious"-faced pose now, after all he is 6 years old. ;)

He was the perfect client. And he is very handsome, if I do say so myself. ;)

"My Love"

That was the title of the book Max authored for me for Mother's Day. He wrote about the reasons he loves me. Because we dance together. Because when it's cold I make him hot cocoa. Because I taught him how to brush his teeth. Because I'm the best. He drew lots of hearts and "xoxos" on the pages. It was the greatest gift!

At 6:45 am Max came into our room whispering "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy... I brought you breakfast in bed". I should have taken a picture! The tray held a bottle of Advil (I had a headache the night before! HA!), a granola bar, a bowl with a few kernels of cereal, water and gum. What more could I need? He also handed me a pretty pink bag with gifts inside: a bag of Sour Patch Watermelon candies and two new running shirts. :)

What a way to wake up, eh? I couldn't even act tired, he was so giddy!

Chris attempted to take some photos of "my love" and me to commemorate the day; I have no photos of just the two of us! Yikes! He didn't do too badly with the camera after a bit of coaching; a bit overexposed maybe but I think they are beautiful! Thank you, Chris!

Hope all the mothers out there had a special day! Moms are the greatest!!!

It's Baseball Season (Sometimes)

Max finally had his first baseball game this weekend. His first two that actually... Saturday and Sunday. This rainy weather has caused cancelation after cancelation so the kids were glad to finally get some play time!

I'll admit that t-ball is not my favorite sport to watch. Lots of waiting around; no outs really made; everyone hits around... BO-RING! This season though, Max is really into it. Well, into his friends more like it, but has a lot of fun during the game.

This weekend he had a few BIG hits over the outfielders heads and each time around was the only kid to slide into home plate (no, a play was not being made, it was just his idea of fun). We need to teach him the proper way to slide now that we know he's going to do it; he goes in on his knees... OUCH!

It was so fun to watch! Here's hoping next weekend's games don't get rained out. Chances are...

Hip-hoppin' on 3rd base. Oh geez.

It's Opening Day for the Colorado Rockies!

... but yikes the weather didn't want to cooperate!

The SCBA puts on a HUGE "to-do" for opening day for baseball and softball- bounce houses, games, baskets to raffle, a cookout, etc. Too bad no one got to enjoy it due to Mother Nature and one of her hormone swings!

The kids did get to parade out onto the field when their team name was called though, and I was able to catch a few pictures of Max in his new uni.

Here he is... GO ROCKIES! :)

When I Grow Up To Be A Man...

It's Career Week at Max's school. All week they have scurried from class to class to hear about different professions and have been encouraged to dream big about what they want to be when they grow up. For Max, there is no question... he wants to be a professional tennis player and on the side, a "cooker" at Max & Erma's restaurant with which he declares Chris and I can eat free anytime we want. Awesome!

On Thursday the kids got to dress up in something to represent their dreamed-profession; Max donned an old-school, all white makeshift tennis outfit, complete with wristbands and of course his racket. His teacher asked me to come in to take pictures of the class; I was so excited to see what kids want to be! There were some creative ones for sure (wizard anyone?) but Max told me that he heard another teacher exclaim, "the tennis player outfit is the best one"... of course it is!!! :)

Mrs. Dillon's PM Class

The "wannabe" Athletes

Max is very serious about being a tennis player when he grows up...

...except when the urge to smash his face through the racket hits!

Spring Break, 2011!

We almost had t-shirts airbrushed with "Spring Break 2011 Rocks!" on them. Almost. :)

We had a great trip south for the week. Luckily Max was 4 days out from that rotten stomach bug when we headed out of town (although now that we are home he has some sinus infection doubled with a huge tonsil and fever, nice) so we were in the clear to enjoy break.

Whenever we travel to Destin to see Carrie and family we always make a pit stop in Nashville to sleep. We try to do fun things to make it part of the vacation, too. This time was no different: indoor pools, Pancake Pantry, staying up late in the hotel- we did it all! But nothing could be the warm breeze and sun from the beach in Florida!!!

The weather was great! Warm. Not too sunny. Perfect "hang at the beach" weather. Which was good because that's pretty much all Max wanted to do. Thank goodness for sunscreen.

We had an awesome week filled with friends, food, water, sand, go-karts, mini-golf, bungee jumping, shell-collecting and more. We couldn't have squeezed in more fun if we tried. And Max loved every minute of playing with his "cousin" Brody and little sister Shelby; he even learned to love the bulldogs this time, too! (he beggggged for us to bring one home)

I have to admit, being home is making me grumpy and depressed. I was in a bad mood all day yesterday. I mean, I understand we have winter up here, but in April??? Who wants to wear a winter coat in April? Blah. Spring better come SOON!

Thanks to the Plasiers for being awesome hosts, as usual! We miss you guys already and can't wait till we see each other again! XOXO! PS- Max wants to move to FL...

I took a LOT of pics of Max on the beach... Here are several for your viewing pleasure...

OH! And yes... the boys were in full "Power Rangers mode" the ENTIRE week. What else do you expect from a 5 and 6 year old? :)