Breaking the rules...

So, these past two weeks it has been so hard for me to keep the rules that I set for myself nearly 11 weeks ago.  I may have eaten a few cookies and had a sip of champagne at a recent cookie swap...everyone was doing it!  I've also given in, just slightly on the no running rule.  I have been doing intervals on the treadmill, so the most I run at a time is a 1/2 mile.  Why is it so hard for me to resist?

I must say that I can live without the sugar, caffeine and processed food...easy!  It's the running that I'm dying to get back to.  I love it.  I can't explain it, but it makes my day.  I only have 6-8 weeks left!  

I was thumbing through some old pics this past weekend and was thrilled to find some of me and my running partner!  I love her and we will always be running buddies no matter how many miles are between us!  We have run 1/2 marathons in Dallas and Austin and run several local 15k's together.  We have an annual tradition to run a Thanksgiving run together every year when they are in town visiting for the holidays.  We even ran a race on her wedding day...the entire bridal party wearing t-shirts that said something like, "running Sarah to the alter".  It was so much fun, and I'm so thankful to have a friend to share this amazing hobby with.  Love her!

Ice pelleting, deer jumping Austin half

Thanksgiving Hog Jog 2005

a little of this and that...

What a great weekend!  Dallas was supposed to be out of town all weekend but his plans changed, so we had him all to ourselves for Father's Day!  We celebrated in our own special way and had much fun staying low-key.  Dallas is the best dad I know!  I could not have picked a better father for my children, and I knew he would be a good dad when we were dating.  He was always so good with kids and loved his nephews to pieces....that's one of the things that made me fall in love with him!

In other news...I got a bib for the Chicago Marathon!!! AHHHHHH! If all of the details work out, that is.  I will have to run as 34-year old Laura Abbott, but hey, I don't think we have to be concerned about me forfeiting any medals or prize money due to the name on my bib.  I will be happy just to finish!  Saturday morning was my first runner's world training run and it was bliss!  I instantly connected with a few girls and we chatted it up the entire 7-1/2 miles.  It was so wonderful having people to push and pace me.  The best news is that there is another girl training for Chicago in my pace group!!!  I can't believe it.  This means I will have a running partner for the actual marathon!  I'm on team Dominator, so I will train with this group for the next 16 weeks.  So excited, I just hope I can take the heat!  

The boys are doing the summer reading program through our library.  They are really excited to get a giant pointless inflatable airplane and tickets to the aquarium when we complete 20 books.  Rhett could really care less, but his pass will get me into the aquarium, so for all intents and purposes HE CARES!

We have decided to forego soccer this year for Juder.  Instead we signed him up for a flag football team through Upward sports.  I think he will absolutely love it.  I plan to get a flag football set and start playing as a family so he can be ahead of the game come August.   

Rhett is a little parrot.  He repeats EVERYTHING we say, and everything everyone else says too.  He's very social these days too.  He's teething like a maniac now.  Up nights crying and suffering...poor baby!

He likes this cold teething ring...just bites right on!

Late nights make tired toddlers!  Have I mentioned how much he loves his babies?!

The boys and I will leave for Illinois (woot woot) this Thursday and we are all so excited!  I can't wait to be there and spend time with my family.  

I finally finished my plate wall a year later!  Thanks to Anthropologie I was able to get the missing pieces to pull it all together.

I don't really have anything else to report.  We are really enjoying summer and soaking it all in!  My kids are cute and I love them to tiny bits and pieces.  When Rhett runs his cheeks shake and I just want to pinch them right off for the sake of cuteness!  I'm trying to soak this all in because I know it's just a flitter of time and they will be big!  

26.2

I just signed up for the Route 66 half/full marathon training program through Runners World!  I'm REALLY excited to have some people to run with who are in my pace and distance range.  Slow and steady.  This program puts you in groups based on such factors.  I don't know that I'll do the Rt. 66 marathon, but it's my goal to do one in the next 10 months or so.  I really had my heart set on doing the Chi-town marathon this October, but when I went to register in mid-February it was already full!  Shipes....40,000 people, crazy talk!  I may still try to get a bib on craigslist or ebay or through some running friends my sister knows.  We shall see!  Hmmm, running down Michigan Ave in Chicago with lots of cool scenery versus running on the plains of Ok for 26.2 miles...no-brainer!

I miss my running buddy Sarah, SO SO much!  We would save all of our stories for our long runs so we could keep each other entertained.  She would even bring a cooler with water and gatorade for our drink stops.  She was wonderful and I miss our half marathon rendezvous in fun cities.  Maybe after baby 'W' arrives we will reunite for some long runs!

Speaking of running....I've got a new running buddy!  Jude biked 3.7 miles with me today while I ran.  I was so proud of him!  He was so excited and red-faced and just such a cute little kidlet!  I don't know what I'm going to do without him for 2-1/2 hours each day in the fall.

Rhett enjoyed his time dousing himself with water from my water bottle the entire time!  This little j-bird took a  run of his own later on...

I am so thankful my kids have always liked going on runs with me.  Sometimes Jude asks if we can go for a run.  It's a daily routine during the week and has been for his entire life.  I think he also enjoys the snacks and drinks he gets during our runs!

I'm especially thankful for B.O.B.!  My B.O.B. stroller has given me SO much freedom to run.  I recommend it to anyone who plans to run frequently with kids in tow. It's definitely not necessary and a bit pricey for someone just looking to walk or for regular stroller needs (the $100 joggers from babies r us are perfectly suitable for this), but as a runner it's worth the bucks!  It folds up relatively compact and will fit in the trunk of our sedan (we have the double).  It is lightweight and the front wheel swivel is smooth and it turns on a dime.  I use mine 5 days a week in running weather and the fabric and tires still look like new (over a year and a half old).  I also recommend the KoolStop runner if you don't plan to travel with your stroller, but it is not a good one for transport (hard to disassemble and BIG wheels...hence the smoothness).  It is probably the smoothest stroller I have EVER used!  You can trust me, I have owned nearly every stroller known to man:)!  Bobby is a keeper!

Happy Running!