How will you be remembered?

On another one of my longer runs last night, I had plenty of time for my mind to wander...thinking of my husband's grandfather (as I'm sure you may have read about in any one of the three blogs posted by Mike, his brother Eric and sister, Amy) and not to sound too corny, the "circle of life".  How do we want to leave our mark on the world?

As we lose those close to us, be it members of our family, close friends, or people who are very much like family, we automatically go back to memories we have of that person- how they've played a roll in our lives, maybe even how we could  have improved the relationship, funny recollections...but especially their legacy.  There are some who leave us  perhaps followed by a procession of adoring fans, maybe first in line of a myriad of firetrucks, police cars or interred with military honors...some may leave us with very little fanfare - but they've all spent their time among us...

My point is, no matter who you are or what you do, you impact others on this earth just by the very fact you exist.  I know I'm not alone when I wonder what it'll be like when I pass - will there be a lot of friends along with my family to celebrate my life?  (I'd much rather look at it that way).  Will I have made a big or small difference in the lives of anyone around me?  Will I leave a lasting legacy, perhaps through multiple generations?  I know of a few individuals (who shall not be named here!) who have things very much planned out...and have already visualized their lives all the way up through their deaths.  I'm not sure if most people have done the same...I haven't been too detailed in my thoughts about this, but seeing/hearing about someone you know facing the end of their life can certainly get you thinking a bit more in depth on the subject.

No one I've ever known will ever be forgotten - every now and then something will pop up that reminds me of someone in particular.  It might be subtle, or sometimes very powerful - I might laugh out loud remembering a funny story, or turn wistful when I'm reminded of how I used to feel around that person...I hope I live my life leaving good memories for all who surround me...and truly hope they all will remember me and celebrate my life when I'm gone.

Mission accomplished?

So last Sunday marks the first time I've run more distance in one day than I have in the past 11 years.  And I've got the sore muscles to prove it.

I'm really starting to question my sanity in deciding to do this whole marathon thing again...we'll see what happens as the long run mileage continues to creep up.  I just hope my internet doesn't crap out again just before I need to map out my route...I could take up this whole blog entry ranting and complaining about our service provider, but I think I'll save that for another time.  Let's just say they've had to pay a visit to my house upwards of 15-20 times to fix the same problem.

Anyway, we had a nice weekend - Saturday was the soccer finals (unfortunately, we lost - read the recap HERE), then 2 pool parties - my kids were in heaven.  I stopped in The Sneaker Factory in between and picked up a pair of Saucony's...let's just say I certainly didn't pick them for looks and the only saving grace is that they aren't red.  I might be mistaken for Ronald McDonald otherwise.

So after party #2, we go right home, get the kids cleaned up and off to bed...and I'm ready to prep for the 15 miler the following morning (5 am wake up)...uh oh...NO INTERNET.  Funny how I've become so ridiculously dependent on mapmyrun.com to plan my route to the nth degree...so I spend the rest of the evening continuously fiddling/checking/cursing the black cable box that I really, really just wanted to throw out the window.

Well, there was no fixing the thing...I gave up and went to bed...got about 2 hours worth before kid #3 woke up crying because he's got "boogies"...tough to breathe when you're completely stuffed up.  Repeat 4 times.  5 am comes really early.

I get up, get clothing together, find my shoes, charge the garmin, put on the HR monitor...where's my iPod?  Nowhere to be found.  I guess I could live without it...so I give up looking after a while concluding that this just isn't going to be the greatest morning.  Drink some coffee, eat some breakfast...fill up 2 water bottles and find my gu...find the iPod (YAY!)...and finally hit the road an hour later (1/2 hour later than planned).

Up to the Columbia Trail I go...at least I know it's all marked out up there and once I figure out how far it is to/from, should be easy to run exactly 15...I'm actually feeling pretty good despite wearing my old shoes (no way I'm going to risk running long distance in the new ones!) - my right shin only hurts for the first 2 miles, my feet feel fine and I feel pretty energetic all things considered.  It's almost exactly 2.5 miles to the trail, so all I have to do is go another 5 miles then turn around...and it was great because I saw quite a few familiar faces out there...which always is a great pick-me-up.  As part of my training, I monitor my heart rate, and was surprised to see it was in the steady low 150's almost the whole time...

FYI, there are only 2 drawbacks to running on the Columbia Trail...no bathrooms and LOTS of poison ivy.

After a brief (but very necessary) pit-stop to a porta potty in the parking lot at the beginning of the trail, and a brief stretch, I headed home...by this time my right hamstring was seemingly getting tighter and my feet were tired...but my pace didn't slow even after climbing a few hills and before I knew it, I was trotting up my driveway.  Sunday morning mission accomplished...exact needed mileage in the books, AND the rest of the day to do whatever I wanted.   Well, whatever I wanted with kid #1 and kid #3 tagging along.  Long gone are the days of marathon training sans kids.  I can't really even remember what it was like...

Next up:  Rediculous Relay...hoping to cover 7-12 miles (I'm supposed to do a 7 miler as my long run anyway) THEN 17 the following weekend. Maybe I'll hit the "wall" just as I arrive home.  Perfect!

In search of the perfect shoe

Here we go again...I guess when you ramp up the training, the aches and pains are magnified, only this time I'm happy to say it's not my feet but my shins (well, not "happy" to say, really).  Actually, I think it's my shoes which are causing the issue...so it's back to the drawing board to find the "perfect shoe".  This is one of those things that I'm NOT looking forward to because there are so many choices out there and I'm the kind of person who shuts down when there's more than one.  Just ask my sister...she calls me "helicopter shopper"...I go in to a store, turn around in a circle, then I leave.  The problem is even worse when it comes to the internet..good for when you know exactly what you want, bad when you have 1000's of items to wade through.

So I know that a) I have flexible feet, b) I overpronate a bit, and c) since my 2nd toe is longer (again...thanks, Dad) there's more pressure on the MTP joint, so I need to wear supports in my shoes. 

Sounds awesome - and I'm sure you're all immensly intrigued by my foot issues.

Anyway, I've decided internet research just isn't going to cut it for me this time...I'm going to have to bite the bullet and actually go somewhere and ask for help.  Yeesh. 

Here's my (nearby-est) choices:

1.  Sneaker Factory, Basking Ridge, NJ 

2.  Aardvark Sports Shop, Bethlehem, PA

3.  Road Runner Sports, North Brunswick, NJ

As I see it, it's going to be a hike, likely with 3 kids in tow, so needless to say this dampens my lack of enthusiasm even more.  I can just visualize trying to listen to the salesperson, while simultaneously deflecting kid #3 from picking up random product and either throwing, dropping or taking off with it, moderating fights between any combo of kid #1, 2 or 3, and deflecting the ever persistent "mom, can I get this?" question about (insert random product here)...I'm sure you can feel my pain already.

Looks about right..

BUT - it'll all be worth it in the end if it produces the "perfect shoe" and I can merrily go on my way, not a twinge, tweak or iota of ouch in sight...ah, at least one can dream...

Time to make the do-nuts....

Now that I've got a few minutes (oops, might have just jinxed myself...) to sit and a) eat lunch, b) figure out what I'm going to write about, and c) try not to melt, I got to thinking...my working hours have drastically changed, and thus my life too.  I quit my 8a-4p, 40 hours-a-week job right after kid #1 came along...and "since I was going to be home anyway", I took over the books for Pro-Activity.  Enter kid #2 and finally kid #3....juggling work, infancy, preschool and finally up through grade school, I managed to get all the billing done, financials and lots of other miscellaneous stuff - all from the comforts of home.

Fast forward to about a month ago...now instead of "on my own time", I'm working a steady 7am to 8pm pace almost every day, the kids are here sometimes, with family others, and also with our awesome babysitter.  Starting this all was incredibly difficult for me - not having my little buddy with me 24/7...not being the one religiously picking the girls up from their various activities...I could completely understand and commiserate with the angst all those other working mom's have leaving their babies the first few times to return to work...only mine weren't infants (which I am forever grateful about).

Fast forward again to now - we're all getting used to the crazy schedule...and there's much less complaining or push-back from kid #2 and kid #1 when they have to get up early to come to work with me (Thank God!). They're having a good time with their cousins, Grammy & seemingly tireless babysitter Anna (who I hope keeps her sanity keeping them busy today when it's 100 degrees outside).  Whew.

So now I have these crazy hours, a husband who works some crazy hours, too...and I still need to train for my marathon in October, play soccer (we're in the quarterfinals!) AND actually spend some time with my family...and this is where I got to thinking...I couldn't do this all without their support, encouragement and understanding.  I could just skip it all - but where would that leave my mental and physical well-being?  I've certainly sacrificed these things before...and what's left is a frumpy-feeling miserable mom...and if "Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"...I'm much better able to be a better wife, mom and all around good person when I've been able to be active and enjoy my "hobbies"...and it's certainly not one sided  - Mike is even more active than I am (see his blog here), but whereas it might mean I won't spend all Saturday with him, I don't mind when he goes on a 60 mile bike ride because I know my turn is coming soon.  We plan ahead and fit the time in for both work and play...and no one ever feels left out or left behind.

I'm certainly not looking to keep this pace forever...in fact, I'd like to work a few less hours!  But I know Mike, my kids, and my extended family have my back...and just knowing that puts me at ease.  I'll be forever grateful to them...and hope I'm always able to support them as wholeheartedly as they do for me.

Soccer, soccer, soccer....

Soccer fever is running high around here - and even more so now that our ladies of red, white & blue are in the World Cup Finals.  Kid #1 and #3 are psyched because I said they could paint their faces for the game...though I think kid #1 will actually watch, while #3 will likely be running around like a lunatic - probably something akin to William Wallace.

So I got to thinking - these American elite...where do they come from and how do they get so good?  Where was soccer when I was a kid?  Surely there were youth programs out there (mumble)-odd years ago?  I play on an adult team with some ladies who have some pretty awesome skills...many played in college - at least one even against a girl on the US team (yeah, Cheryl!).  I've yet to ask them how they got into it, but let me tell you- for a kid to get into competitive soccer now, they have to get in early.  Like 8 years old early.  The travel teams around here take few new players once the teams have been established, unless the team implodes or something else happens.  At least, this is all my perspective...feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

Anyway, I've really developed an appreciation for the sport and the skill set that goes with it.  From watching my oldest play recreation soccer at the tender age of 5, to following her travel team around the state, to playing on a club team myself - well, let's just say I've got "foot skill" envy.  How I wish I'd have gotten into it earlier in life...I think I would have really enjoyed playing the sport - and, like last night's grown-up league game, might not feel like I've got lead-for-feet going up against some former college players!

Abby Wambach scores the goal which seals the win v. France

LET'S GO USA!  

To anyone in the area - feel free to join us this Sunday, 7/17 at our new location on the corner of Molasses Hill Road and Route 31 N in Lebanon to watch the World Cup Final...we're opening up specifically for the game and hope to get a big crowd to show support for our amazing USA ladies...Kickoff is at 2:45!

Would you do it?

I just don't get it.

Not to sound completely un-American....but what's the deal with the "Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest"?

Ok, so I personally find hot dogs gross.  Gross enough that I've said before I'd rather die than eat a dirty water dog from a street cart in NYC.  I cringe when my kids eat them (but of course, I'm not SO crazy I won't let them ever have any...maybe once a year...)

Yep.  That looks like fun.

Anyway, I just can't imagine cramming in 62 hot dogs with buns (or anything for that matter) and not feeling like I'd want to die...who in their right mind would even consider it?

Apparently back in 1916, a couple immigrants had a contest on Coney Island at Nathan's Famous stand to prove who was more "Patriotic".  So, the more hot dogs you ate, the more you loved your country?  Hot dogs embody the great US of A?  Who knows if this actually happened, or if it's just some good made up-lore to get more publicity for Nathan's...but it worked, and the contest has happened every year since 1972, according to Wikipedia.

Did you know you have to qualify to be able to compete in the annual contest?  I can just see it..."Honey, I think I really have a shot.  I'm going to the Bejing qualifier...I'm gonna do it!"...I wonder if these people "train" for the event?

Ok, all sarcasm aside...I wonder what eating all those dogs does to a person?

Here's what I found:

According to the Code of Federal Regulations, Volume 9, Section 319.180 a hot dog can be:

• Beef or pork
• 15% byproducts; heart, kidney, liver or other organs which must be labeled
• 20% mechanically separated meat; a process whereby bones are forced under pressure through a sieve, removing small amounts of attached meat to create a paste-like product which has qualified as “meat” since 1994 when the definition was officially changed.

Ick. 

Here's a link to nutritional info (if you're interested in looking further) http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sausages-and-luncheon-meats/1338/2

Essentially, one "frankfurter" is 148 calories & 13g fat.  So, not including the bun, the contest winners took in:

Joey Chestnut  at 62 hot dogs:  9176 calories,  806g fat

Sonya Thomas at 40 hot dogs:  5920 calories, 520g fat

Whew.  That HAS to be one helluva bellyache.  

And so, I still don't get it.

Gimme more o' the good stuff...

Well, summer is here...which means longer daylight hours, summer rec for the kids, and the ICC Festival...the latter being the "official" sign of summer for my kids as they count down the months until the Festival arrives from oh, say, about July....

Mmmmm...funnel cake....

So with the arrival of all that is good with summer comes the abundance of food that we otherwise would not eat, let alone have any access to.  I may be tough when it comes to eating well, but about this time of year we slide quite a bit...this past week was no exception.  My kids have been in heaven, but I can say one thing for certain:  I feel like crap.

Could be the long hours I'm logging at the cafe.  Could be that I'm not getting enough sleep at night.  Could also be that I'm feeling a bit 'o stress these days, juggling babysitters, semi pre-cooked dinners at home, and a new business venture...but there's no coincidence that every year at this time I just feel terrible...can anyone say "deep fried everything"?

I always know what the consequences will be...and maybe it's good that each year I prove to myself that eating garbage all day is something that I just don't want to do because I hate the end result (including +2 lbs in a 5 day span...ugh).  So, while I wouldn't recommend anyone go on a "binge junk diet", I believe it's ok to indulge every once in a while...and I just have to  remember next year to indulge in moderation, rather than overdo it!

On another note, this week should be the official start to my training for Marine Corps Marathon.  I've tried to keep up with somewhat of a longer run on the weekend and some shorter runs during the week, but completely fell flat last week.  I'm really hoping to get into more of a routine over the next couple weeks...It would really help if the sun was out until 10pm!  Good thing there's a nice long weekend coming up...I'm looking to get a 10 miler in there somewhere...Happy 4th of July!