I survived my first MS150!

Holy cow, y'all...I've got to tell you about the MS150!! It was the most amazing thing I've ever done.
As most of you know, I've been {barely} training for the MS150. It's a bike ride from Houston to Austin. Yup, you heard that right...a BIKE RIDE from HOUSTON to AUSTIN. It's for such an amazing cause. It benefits Multiple Sclerosis research.
Now as you may recall, I had a fractured fibula that severely set back my training for both running and biking so I have not been able to be on the bike as much as I should. But let's be honest...when has that ever stopped me lol!
Well, I have a huge confession...biking scares the ba-jeeeeesus out of me. Between the CARS and the speed going down hills (we'll get to that in a minute) and the clipping in and out of the pedals, and the CARS, I just have never been entirely comfortable on the bike. Not to mention that dang bike seat kills your ass! And to get on it 2 days in a row is just down right crazy lol!
Anyway, back on track...I was severely out of my comfort zone.
My stomach was is knots as the hubs and I were driving to the starting point. I just knew I was going to chicken out. But no...I got all my gear on, put on my sunscreen and then we realized that we forgot our wristbands...and these wristbands are needed all weekend long and to get our bikes back when we get back to Houston. By this time it was 8:15 and the absolutely latest we can get going is 10:00am so we had to HURRY back to the house and get back in time. The hubs was literally doing 90mph both ways lol!
We make it back with about 8 minutes to spare and get out on the road. However by this time we are the only bikers on the road where we are so naturally we go the wrong way and end up adding an extra 15 miles to our ride. By lunch time on day 1 my nerves had subsided and I had gotten in my grove. I was having fun on the hills, the down part where you get to about 40MPH!! Going up the hills wasn't so fun. They are tough. Then I got stung by a bee on my shin...we'll touch on this later, it plays a major role in my weekend!!
We finally make it to the camp and I cannot believe I did 80+ miles on the bike. We get to the tent, get our bags, take a shower in the shower trucks, and go to eat and go to bed. I was pooped!! However since we were sharing a big tent with our entire team (30 something in all) I could not sleep through all the various snoring. I think I got maybe 2 hours goal. Then the lights came on at 4:30am and I about died. I was exhausted. And I was feeling sick. My stomach was very queasy but I still got back on my bike and pedaled on and on and on until about 15 miles out from the finish when my leg started killing me. I thought it was my fracture at the time (I know now it was my sting). I had to have a Come-to-Jesus moment and gather myself at the top of a hill and tell myself I COULD DO IT. And I did. When we crossed the finish line I felt such an enormous amount of pride in myself. I did something not many would/could do. And I will totally do it again next year!!
Now back to the sting...turns out when it stung me bacteria got into my leg and gave me severe cellulitis. I was almost hospitalized because my body was not responding to meds. But finally, a week and a half later, I'm on the mend!!
I will for sure be doing this next year...and maybe the following years. But for now I will know to do some SERIOUS HILL TRAINING!!

Runners Unite in Tragedy

By this time, I’m sure you’ve heard what happened at the Boston Marathon today. The details are still unclear but at about the 4 hour mark of the race, two explosions happened near the finish line, possibly an act of terrorism. The images of the scene are horrific and it is clear that a lot of people were hurt today. The explosions took place near the sidelines of the race…where recent finishers, family, friends, volunteers, and Boston Police were congregated. News reports indicate that one of the two people killed (so far, unfortunately there may be more) was an 8 year old boy, likely there to cheer on one of his parents. I’ve never run a marathon. And I’ve never been to Boston in my life. But my heart is heavy for the community of runners that I love as dearly as my own family.

It’s important to note that this could have happened anywhere...it could have easily been Houston. These were runners. These were their families. These were volunteers. They were the people we lean on for support, to challenge us, to motivate us, to advise us. We are part of the same community as those hurt and killed today. Their families are our families. Many of my fellow Moms RUN This Town ladies were there along with their families and loved ones and as soon as I heard of this tragedy I immediately had to check on them. (Thank God they are all okay) The volunteers are the same kind of compassionate and motivating people you see at our local races. The runners participating were the most talented athletes our sport has to offer. At the time of the explosion, the elite runners had already crossed the finish line. Those running at the time of the pace were averaging a 9:00 – 9:30 minute/mile pace. They were the “average joes” of the race, most of them running for charity.

One of our MRTT mamas, Rhonda, said something amazing today and I’d like to share it with you. She writes, “As I was driving home, I kept thinking, “Why us (runners)? Why Boston?” I know why. Runners in general are the most caring, compassionate, and unselfish group people I’ve ever known. We are not divided politically. We are not violent. Not all of us are the same religion (or religious at all), but for many, time running is spiritual. Running has improved our lives, and the lives around us. We support and encourage each other, doesn’t matter if we even know each other personally. We take care of each other. There is so much light and good in running. Evil hates all of that, which makes runners an obvious target. Running is positive and healthy and wonderful, therefore it’s a magnet for hate. The only thing to do is to keep running, and not do a damn thing differently.”

Running is a gift. And after today, many people lost that gift or will have a very tough recovery. I truly hope that they will run again. You may not feel like there is much that you can do for the victims or for their families directly. Tomorrow I will strap my little man in the jogging stroller and run for those who can’t as a result of the injuries from the Boston Marathon explosions. I will run for those who trained for months and weren’t able to finish. I will run for those who did finish and have the tainted memories of their triumph mixed with tragedy. I will run for the people (and children) who witnessed unspeakable horror today. Runners are compassionate people. We expose our vulnerability as well as our strength every time we hit the pavement. I think that’s what makes us so tight knit.

So my recommendation to you is to hold on to the running community and don’t let go. I was immensely proud of our chapter as we rallied together on our board today as events unfolded in Boston. We know exactly why and how this hurts, even if we don’t directly know the people involved. I’ve seen the quote that “Running is Cheaper than Therapy.” I know I use the road for stress relief. When you run tomorrow, dedicate your run to those we lost today and know that you’re doing so with runners throughout the country and the world. Run for those who can’t and see if that doesn’t help to sustain you through your distance. They would do the same thing for you. Cry if you need to. Wear your race shirt tomorrow (for any distance) to show your solidarity with the running community. Our national MRTT organization is working on a nationwide virtual race to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy. Find your outlet, in whatever way helps you to cope. At your next race, I want you to thank the volunteers and police, even if all you can manage is a wave while you’re passing them. I want you to wave to the spectators. I want you to encourage your fellow runner. Each one of you is precious. And running is a gift that we share.

Hunter's 5th Birthday Party!!

OMG... My little man is growing up so fast...we celebrated his 5th birthday!! A super fun and crazy Lego Star Wars birthday. It was a blast! We had lightsabers for the kids to battle with, a bouncy house, tons of cupcakes, yummy food and of course, the drink machine was out for the adults lol!!

We revealed to Hunter his big surprise that day too...that we're going on a Disney Cruise in September! I had it all planned out. I wrapped a box full of balloons, Mickey summer gear, toys and all and I was expecting a crazy excited reaction to it all. Um, not so much. He seemed unamused by it all. But I think it hasn't really set in yet. At least I hope that's all it is. A Disney Cruise is freaking AWESOME! I am so super excited and cannot wait for it to be vacation time already!! He did finally get excited about it a couple days later...once it sunk in!

All in all I think he had a great day!! Spoiled rotten child lol ;)

And the BOOT Saga Continues...

Monday was my 1 month follow up appointment for my fractured fibula and I was so excited! I knew for sure that I would go in there and my doctor would tell me that everything was perfect, that the fracture was all healed and that I could get out in the beautiful weather and start running like there was no tomorrow. Ummm...I was obviously living in a fantasy world because I was VERY VERY wrong!
As I sat there in the chair looking at my X-ray films with my doctor with a big smile on my face I started to get really anxious. He says "Everything looks great." So I ask him "Does that mean I can start running again?" What happened next was what I had been dreading...he says "NO!"
Apparently, (and I knew this would probably be the case deep down) he wants me to make sure I'm fully healed and that my muscles and tendons are nice and strong again first. So...I've got 2 more weeks in the boot then 4 weeks in an ankle brace after that. Plus I now have to do physical therapy and electrotherapy 3 times a week for at 3-4 weeks. Sheesh!! So, that's where I stand with my disappointment.
It'll be over soon enough...hopefully!!

2 short weeks until the MS150

Holy Bananas!! I realized this morning that there are only TWO MORE WEEKS until my happy butt will be riding from Houston o Austin in the BP MS150.
This past weekend the Hubs and I did a short 30 mile ride with hills and surprisingly I felt amazing afterwards!! He chose not to tell me just how steep the last hill was so as I'm going up it I literally thought I was going to DIE!! I got about half way up and was sure I was going to fall off and get hot by a car because I felt like my legs couldn't pedal anymore. Bit somehow I did it and I was on the biggest adrenaline rush from then on!!
I'm really starting to get excited about the MS150 now...more excited for it to be over with 😜

My Foodie Pen Pal Goodies for March!

One of my most favorite things is the Foodie Pen Pal program from theleangreenbean.com. I mean, I really love it!! Thousands of people getting together to exchange their favorite foods every month with a new pen pal? Um, yes please! I started doing it a few months back and I have found tons of new favorite foods through what I've received in my packages...(some of which I would have never have tried on my own)
This month I had the pleasure of receiving a box from Leigh-Ann, a fellow runner and fitness freak ;)
My box was filled with gluten-free goodies and I was in heaven!! I learned that hummus chips are truly amazing...really. They're GOOD! I need to hunt them down because I've already finished the bag I got lol!! And I also found a new favorite GF snack brand, Udi's. Even my 10 month old loves the granola with the dried cranberries.
All in all it was a very yummy month!! I can't wait too see what goodies April might bring!