Stops and Starts

Finally asleep after throwing up for several hours straight.  

For the last seven weeks, my sweet Tess has been sick with one thing or another, one after another.  First, she got hand, foot, and mouth disease (oral canker sores - she did NOT want to eat!), then strep, then a crazy rash from a reaction to the antibiotics, followed by a week of vomiting and a fever.  She was granted about a five-day reprieve and then she came down with a cold, complete with coughing that wakes her up.  UGH.  

After the cold hit, we took her in to the doctor's office (again).  My mind had already gone to a paranoid place where I was starting to feel sure that she had cancer or an immune disorder, or something else that would account for her weakened immune system.  Luckily, the sweet nurse practitioner assured us that Tess displays NO red flags that would indicate an underlying sinister disorder.  It's simply bad luck, and happens to most kids at least once in the first five or so years of their lives.  But she gave us the paperwork necessary to get blood work done if we need the peace of mind that that would give us.  I think we'll pass for now, as that would be traumatic for Tess, but it's nice to know we can do that at any time.  

Sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed after being diagnosed with strep.  

Needless to say, the last seven weeks have been L.O.N.G.  I have had my fill of crying and whining, and I can't remember the last time we were able to sleep through the night.  I am so dang tired.  Which isn't really anything new...it's just been worse during this ordeal.  I've still exercised during all of this sadness, but not quite as regularly as I usually do.  I really struggle mentally on the days that I don't exercise, so that didn't help.  But there were some days when I knew that I needed sleep much more than I needed to go running.  

Seeking comfort from the TV and her puppies.  

I designed a training plan for myself right after my coaching class at the beginning of the month, but I have had to make major adjustments to it, based on what Tess needed from me.  It's been frustrating.  I have my sights set on a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, and I wanted to be measurably faster and stronger by that time.  But life has intervened.  I feel like I've had to restart, over and over, as far as training for this race is concerned.  And, really, it's okay.  I can still have fun pushing myself over the next few weeks and during the race.  Plus, this helps me as I learn how to tailor training plans for possible future clients when life forces them to adjust their running goals.  

And now, a few random pictures of our life lately.  You're welcome.  :)

Maia is in the swim club at the gym we attend.  These pictures are from her most recent swim meet.  She won both of her events!  

Love this silly teenager.  :)

Maddie competed in her second Taekwondo tournament last weekend.  She got 3rd place in her division in Individual Poomsae, and also had a small part in the Demo team performance.  She did a great job!  

Maddie and her bronze medal.

Two of Maddie's cheerleaders.

Sister love!

Tess smelling Maddie's medal.  Toddlers are silly.  :)

A sick Tess being comforted by Grandpa.  

Post -11-mile run in the pouring rain.  You can't tell, but I am wet through in this picture.  It was rather unpleasant!  

Tess and I finally got out of the house today and spent time shopping with two of my best friends, Tina and Kayleen.  Tess loved all the Christmas decorations at Pier 1...

Thanks for reading!  Have a great weekend!

I did it!

My course book and homework assignment (after the first day of instruction): a marathon training plan for an imaginary runner.

On October 8th and 9th, I attended the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Coaching Certification Level 1 course in Seattle.  From 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. each day, I sat in a classroom on the University of Washington campus with 30 or so other running enthusiasts, and talked running.  It was awesome!  Our instructor, Randy Accetta, is a very accomplished runner and running coach, and the director of coaching education for RRCA.  He is also hilarious.  I was rather intimidated by some of the other class participants, despite everyone being friendly and kind.  There were Ironman finishers, Boston Marathon qualifiers, ultra-marathoners, and people that had been coaching athletes for years.  My insecurities were pleased that there were a few people there like me, too: middle-of-the-pack runners with no formal coaching experience.

At the end of Day 1, outside the building we met in.  

I loved how the building we spent two days in was nestled in the trees and surrounded by greenery.

In order to be certified, I had to take a 100 question multiple-choice test and get at least an 85% on it.  I took it a few days after I attended the course, and I was thrilled to get a grade of 96%!  Whoo-hoo!  So, I am now an official RRCA certified running coach!  

At the beginning of Day 2, leaving the parking garage to walk on campus.  The U of W stadium is behind me.  

 

Despite the rain, it was a beautiful Sunday morning.

Although attending this course taught me that I can trust my 25+ years of running experience more than I thought, it also showed me that in order to be the kind of coach I want to be, I have a lot to learn.  Most of that learning can only come with experience and through trial-and-error, but I also have a long list of recommended resources that I want to start reading in an effort to expand my knowledge base.  I'm thinking that I will take this time to focus on designing training plans for myself and a couple of other close friends that have requested help, while continuing to educate myself.  Once Tess is in preschool (next year, maybe?), then I will explore coaching as a career.  I'm wading into the coaching pool slowly, starting at the shallow end.  But if anyone reading this is interested in my help now, I'll be happy to at least talk to you about that!  :)

It was very difficult for me to spend the weekend away from my family and home.  For whatever reason, my anxiety was sky-high every second I wasn't in class.  I think my mental illnesses were angry that I was doing something SO out of my comfort zone and that they'd been telling me for a long time wasn't something I was good enough to do.  I wasn't obeying them and it really pissed them off.  Plus, my hotel (Travelodge University Seattle) was GROSS.  Seriously.  I had to kill a hobo spider in the bathroom, and I found a dead louse in the sheets.  It was a nightmare for the loud part of me that values cleanliness above almost everything else.  By the time I got home on Sunday night, I was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted.  But I DID it.  At first I didn't see it this way (feeling that anxious only felt like a failure), but now I know (thank you, therapists!) that my experience that weekend was a massive, huge victory for me.  I can do really, really hard things.  

And if I can do hard things, you can too.  Especially as you pursue what you love.  I think it's telling that I wasn't very anxious when I was in class.  I think that's because I was engaged in something that I am passionately interested in.  When we follow our loves and interests, I think we tap into who we are at our very core.  The part of us that is complete and whole and perfect and powerful.  And that feels really, really good.  

Thanks for reading!

My first client

Last night, in an effort to tire our wild beast out before bedtime, we turned her loose on the little park next to our house.  First, she happily played with her bucket, organizing woodchips.  

It was a beautiful night.  Not too cold, and it smelled lovely.  I adore Fall!  

Eventually, she decided that she wanted to "wun".  :)

Then she made Tyler run with her:

Looks like I may have my first client!  Maybe I can coach this wee runner into the first truly fast Nelso/en.  ;)

My little sidekick "helped" me run some errands yesterday, too.  At one point, she was mad at me for not letting her change her shoes while driving (two-year-olds!).  I tried to distract her by taking her picture, but this was as good as it got:

A trip to the "cookie store" (Fred Meyer) cheered her up, and I caught some sweet pics of her while we got gas, or "rahr nums" (car food -- her word for car is the sound she thinks cars make).

And while hanging outside with a lot of our neighbors last night (it turned into a really fun chance to get to know each other and joke around!), I caught this fantastic photo of my Maddie.  She is such a gorgeous girl!  

Today, Tyler took a mental health day and is staying home from work.  I am so grateful!  Although, it made me even more convinced that I am supremely boring...my first thought, when he said he was staying home, was, "Oh, good!  Now I can get some chores done without worrying about Tess!"  I think I need to work on livening things up around here...  :)  

Thanks for reading!  Have a wonderful day!  

Powering Through

I did NOT want to wake up this morning.  My alarm interrupted a wonderfully deep sleep and a really good dream (that I don't remember, dangit!).  I lay there for a few minutes, trying to come up with the perfect reason for why I couldn't go running.  Why staying in bed was actually the right thing for me to do.  I muttered a few curse words.  But I knew that I would be far happier if I went running.  And I love beginning my day with a major accomplishment.  For me, that results in more good choices (usually) and a healthy feeling of pride.  It becomes a powerful weapon in my fight against my propensity to doubt my self-worth and think negatively about myself.    

About to head out the door, and still not very happy about running.  Doesn't it look like there's a goose egg on the top of my head?  Like I'm a cartoon character that just got hit.  :)  

After a quick one-minute walking "warm-up" (it was pretty cold outside!), I started running.  Within 30 seconds I was so, so, so happy that I decided to run.  It was spectacularly gorgeous outside and I felt happy and light.  The stars were bright and crisp, and I ran under The Big Dipper and Orion (and other constellations that I can't name).  My iPod decided that it would immediately play my very favorite songs and I felt like I could run forever.  Running felt easy and natural, which isn't usually the case.  By the time I came home (4.5 miles later), I felt like this:

After stretching and talking for a bit with Tyler and Maia, I decided to do some planks.  They make me feel like this:

After my first 100-second plank (with toe taps).  

Mid-plank.  You can't tell, but Maia was really making me laugh, which was fun, but made planking much harder.  So, I both curse her and thank her.  :)

My sweet plank-timer.  Maia has to get up at 6 to be ready to catch the bus at 6:55.  She is a true morning person, though, and usually moves through her morning with a smile.  Lucky me since she's my first teenager!  Maddie is another story when it comes to waking up...lots of growling.  :)  

Enjoy your day!  Choose to do something that will bring you real, lasting happiness.  You won't regret it!  

Lately...

On Friday, I went to Body Pump at the gym, and then I ran 3.1 miles on the treadmill.  A couple of minutes into my run, I went to adjust my ponytail and my hair tie broke!  Argh!  I cannot stand the feeling of exercising with my hair down.  Luckily, my headband saved me from a complete descent into fury, and I finished my run.  Curses on my super-thick, hair tie-destoying hair!  

At this point, you're probably thinking, "Whoa.  What did Jess do in her previous life to deserve these kinds of trials?!?!  I cannot fathom how she survives this kind of pain!"  Don't worry, though.  I'm tough.  And I will not be bested by a hair tie!  ;)

On Saturday, we were able to go to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, about an hour's drive southeast of here.  Our friends, the Carrigans, were visiting from Portland, and they joined us.  It was actually Tyler's company's summer picnic, so we weren't able to spend a lot of time with the Carrigans, but it was a fantastic adventure, and fun was had by all.  Phew!  

The drive there was gorgeous and I caught this quick pic of Clear Lake with Mt. Rainier in the distance:

After a quick stop at the potties, we were in!

Sweet Nick and Tess, anxious to see animals!

They have an epic playground there, and Tess was especially thrilled to be able to walk barefoot in the "wada".  

Tess in a beaver dam-ish replica.

Tess learned how to use a water pump...

...and climb a cargo net ladder inside a massive tree.  

Tess and Maddie inside a cargo net tunnel.

Wading in the stream...

After playing at the playground for awhile, and eating a yummy catered lunch, we hopped on a guided tram tour where we saw LOTS of animals.  Some of them were literally inches from us, right outside the tram.  It was pretty amazing.  

The view from where you boarded the tram.  So tranquil and beautiful!  In the distance, on the shore of the lake, is a herd of bison.

Tess sees a bighorn sheep!

Bison (left) and ducks.

Maia helping Tess to get a better look at a critter.

Tess loved seeing a family of "moot"!  :)

My favorite animals that we saw were the bison.  The little calves were so cute!

Snuggling with "Mana".  She spent most of the tram ride going from one big sister to the other.  

And a few scenes from my life lately:

Tess loves to "help" Mama in the kitchen.  

Playing cars with Tess.  She LOVES cars and is amassing quite the collection.  

Today's workout was on my stationary bike up in my bedroom.  Thank goodness for a pretty view out my window, and good shows to watch on the iPad.  

Thanks for reading!