our first family camping trip.

I grew up camping.  

When each of us - myself and three siblings - turned three we had officially "come of age" to be ripped from my mother's arms and be carried off by my father to go on overnight camping trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota.  Here we would get nestled into the middle of canoes, amongst the gear and coolers, drag our tiny hands in the water, attempt to paddle with kid-sized oars, dip mini-fishing poles in, watch the big people set up camp, sip hot chocolate under tarps in the rain, watch my dad and his twin brother chase off black bears, listen to the loons sing, sing campfire songs, and praise God together under a million stars.

My dad taught me, from that tender age of three, the spirituality of the wilderness.

Finola is not three yet.  (She turns two today!)

I don't think I could let her be whisked away to the wild.

But I do want her to start young.

So instead of a birthday party this year, we went camping.

Just for one night.  Just a tiny taste.

It went by quickly and was a lot of fun!  Except the part where, at 10pm, waaaaay past their bedtime, the kids were expected to go to sleep in the tent.  Cormac only fought it a little, but lil miss Fin ran around the tent, chattering, giggling and poking me in the face.  Finally I heard a yawn, she asked for her blanket, which she had been tossing around, and she conked out.

Then Hubby and I had a beer by the fire and congratulated ourselves on a successful first attempt at tent camping with the kiddos.

We can't wait to go again!

fire-making with dada

checking out the sights

child with hot poker in the fire - this looks totally safe, right???

mama hovering around the fire, afraid of blond locks going ablaze.

contemplating nature and life

eyeing her mama's beer

while not super primitive, it was very peaceful

these two...the conversations they have!

I kept saying, "Run wild, my child!" which she did, while repeating that.

Colbie liked relaxing, too.

A lot.

going in and out of the tent was a favorite activity.  I'm surprised we didn't sleep with a million bugs.

campfires are magnets for kiddos. just sayin'.

face smush.

we did the whole "stick the bean can right in the fire" thing - turned out well...and less dishes!

Hubby makes a s'more.

We got a little wet from the morning rain!

"The humidity does wonders for my curls!"

birthday girl 

"Here Finola - have a marshmallow!  I have a whole bag!"

"Fine, I'll eat them all myself."

Breakfast of champions!

packing up...a little earlier than expected, due to rain!

While he wasn't too helpful packing up, he did build this contraption in the trunk.

I am pretty sure one night is all Finola could handle (while we were stuck in the tent during a morning rain shower she shouted repeatedly, "GO HOME NOW!") Cormac, however, was asking if we could stay "five more days."

Three, man.  I'm telling you.  My Dad was right - that is the "magic camping age."

Or simply when we were potty-trained and he could hold us over the side of the canoe to pee-pee.

:)

to the moms...

To the moms with seemingly endless energy.  To the moms who are tired - nay exhausted.  To the moms who stay home with their kiddos full-time.  To the moms who work full-time or part-time outside the home.  To the moms who add on another job or project besides their full-time job and motherhood. To the moms who fight for a cause they are passionate about.  To the moms who feel like they are a lost cause, barely hanging on.   To the moms who keep beautiful homes for their babes.  To the moms who ignore their messy, disorganized house to spend quality times with their babes.   To the moms who work out every day for their mental and physical heath.  To the moms who model healthy eating habits, even when they want to inhale an entire carton of ice cream. To the moms who inhale an entire carton of ice cream...but forgive themselves and start fresh the next day.  To the moms who are unafraid to show their weaknesses.  To the moms who try desperately to appear strong.

To every mom.

Look in the mirror and tell yourself : I am enough.  As I am.  

Because your kids love you - as you are.

+ + + + + +

A few photos from Mother's Day weekend...

I am grateful to be a mom, to have a mom, and to be surrounded by so many inspiring mothers.

roomie reunion 2015!!!

how do I know these ladies?  read this post!

Our 3rd Roommate Reunion is in the books!

Way back in 2010 we were all kid-less (well, one barely pregnant) and we hung out in Destin, FL for a few days.

Then a bunch of babies were born and we didn't do another trip until 2014, when we met in Vegas for three crazy days of fun.

This year: Kentucky.  I hosted the ladies, and I'd have to say we had just as good of time as in any fancy locale.  We chose my home due to having a lot of issues choosing a weekend that worked for all of us.  My only conflict was that it was the weekend of my first full marathon, but then the girls said they would run the half-marathon, and it became a "Running Roomie Reunion!" 

When they flew in Thursday morning it was a beautiful day and I'd say we were all pretty pumped for hanging out and catching up.  We got settled in back at the house, I made a baked brie platter, we popped the tops on some adult beverages, and started catching up immediately.

Then it was time to get ready for our big night on the town (Cincy!) 

We figured if we were going to go out and consume alcohol it had to be the first night, 

considering the marathon looming on the horizon.

(In hindsight, drinking any alcohol the week of a marathon should be discouraged...yeeeah.)

at bar #1

We cabbed it over to a part of town with plenty of cool bars and restaurants in close proximity, and then, after all having a dirty martini at the first bar, we decided we were on a "roomie reunion bar crawl."  We headed to a nearby wine bar, each had a red flight, and hung out for a while there, catching up even more.  

that is a lot of wine glasses to set before three women.

After all that delicious red wine we decided food was necessary!  

At the sushi restaurant we, of course, ordered a carafe of sake, an array of delicious sushi rolls and other Japanese fare.

This is prooooobably where we should have stopped.

BUT...

onto to the next bar, where Kristina was smart and ordered a root beer while Beth and I went with the real deal.  Then came a bottle of red, and then, honestly, I lost track.

(When reflecting on the amount of alcohol consumed - keep in mind I rarely drink besides my regular nightly glass of red - I am both horrified and proud of my 4:03 marathon finish time only two days later.) 

Anyway, at some point Kristina noticed a person sitting at a table behind me that looked like Martin Sheen.  Well, it was actually his son, Emilio Estevez.  Which I found, in my alcohol-induced state, extremely exciting!  A star!  

(I will state here I am the worst person, whether drunk or sober, to see a famous person with.)

I immediately was starstruck and began loudly giggling and making many references to Emilio movies, all the while turning around and making eye contact with Emilio, who was probably wishing at that point he still had a bodyguard.

So, after quite a bit of "OMG he was in the The Breakfast Club.  The Breakfast Club, people!!!!!!" and chanting "Ducks! Ducks! Ducks!" at what I personally thought was a quiet volume but was actually probably really loud...

...we did get to meet Emilio.  

He promised me a picture before he left, and he very kindly made good on his promise.

forming the Flying V!

The next morning, despite being quite hung over, we made it to 8:30am yoga class.  Beth just barely did, but she rallied!

happy, hung-over yogis

After getting through yoga without throwing up, we walked around the local farmer's market, ate breakfast there, drove the race course, went home to rest, went to get massages, then to the marathon expo to get our bibs/packets for the race.

at the expo

I honestly felt really sick all day.  And REALLY nervous about my race.

We ended the day with GIANT burgers, fries, and, of course, wine.   Perfect.

Saturday we had another busy day planned - heading to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby! 
We did not have a selfie-stick, sadly...but managed to all take car selfies on the way there:

I had been to the Derby a couple other times, but it was the first time for Beth and Kristina so we did it up right.  We had decided long ago to all coordinate with polka dot dresses.  Here we are, all fancy!

Beth and I have exactly the same legs.

The experience was really fun!  We each drank an obligatory Mint Julep, walked around the infield, sat in our grandstand seats like ladies do and watched the races.  

We were repeatedly referred to as "The Polka Dot Girls" and asked to pose in photos.

I totally killed my feet in my heels.

But, again, worth it!

Memories and fun with two dear friends that we'll have forever.

We actually had to leave Churchill Downs before the actual "Kentucky Derby" race.  We all wanted to get home in plenty of time to make dinner, hydrate, and get to bed early.

So we drove home, picked up some groceries, made spaghetti and baked baguette (carbs!!!!) watched the movie Wild (good movie, great book) and headed to bed.

carbing up, pre-marathon!  (yes, yes I do look creepy eating spaghetti...)

The next day was the race!  You can read all about that experience in this post.

After we ran our hearts out, we met some of my good friends for brunch, then went back to shower, pack and veg out with some pizza before the girls had to head to the airport later that afternoon.

What a fun-filled weekend, with two friends I sincerely wish would move to KY.

But since that will probably never happen, we'll just have to keep planning a yearly adventure, and keep in touch as much as we can.

Until we are old ladies living in a retirement community in Florida.

Keep these dresses, ladies!  They will still look cute when we are 80 and on Reunion #48 :)

26.2 // marathon recap!

I guess I need to put my thoughts to "paper" about my marathon experience.

Wow - those were some four hours.  Twenty-six miles.  Some of them felt like a blur.  Others, well, felt like forever.  It was honestly the most physically and mentally challenging thing I've done...and yes, that includes natural childbirth.

I've had many mixed reactions to the marathon goal I set back in January.  Some people flat-out didn't care.  "A marathon?  Ugh.  No interest in ever doing something like that." Statements like that were usually accompanied by a look like I was completely nuts.  I tried to ignore the haters.

Others were much more supportive towards me, despite their lack of "running enthusiasm," cheering me on throughout my training with hugs and support and interest.

I get it.  It's not for everyone.

I trained for this marathon the best that I could, considering I have two tiny kiddos at home.  I worked out during the week, cross-training and trying to sneak in shorter runs here and there, including Fartleks on the treadmill.  I did my long runs Saturday mornings, pretty consistently, adding mileage each week, with the occasional cut-back week, or skipped week due to illness.

I did not follow a real training plan, which probably hurt me a little.  But hindsight is always 20/20, and while I could go on and on about what I would have done differently, that won't change the outcome.

I still ran the marathon.  I accomplished that goal.  I ran it and never stopped once.  Not even to walk briefly.   I pushed through when my hips were aching, my feet hurt, my legs felt like rocks that I was dragging across pavement, the sun beating down on me, half blinding me despite my hat.

So there were obviously physical challenges to push through, particularly since I was dehydrated from the get-go due to drinking too much alcohol a few nights before, and my feet ached before I even started from wearing heels all day Saturday at the Kentucky Derby.  I could say I regret those things, but my friends and I had such a memorable and fun weekend together, I really can't say I would go back and change things, despite it probably affecting my finish time at Sunday's race.

Another challenge : I had been training with the fitness app on my iPod tracking my pace and my mileage, and I found out on race day, mid-race, that it doesn't track properly.  Basically when I was at only mile 22 it was saying I had finished the 26.2.  So I really don't know if I had ever run more than 20 miles in my training, even though I thought I had gotten up to 23.  Yikes.  Clearly I need a Garmin.

Despite these physical pitfalls, I kept reminding myself that running a marathon is largely a mental game.  "So my feet hurt going in and I am probably overly tired and dehydrated.  So what?  I can do this.  My body can do this.  I will do this.  I will finish this race, because I don't give up."  That is what I kept repeating to myself.

I knew I would finish, but I also knew I would not finish under four hours as I had hoped, so that was a little disheartening.  I saw the 3:50 pace group blow past me early on.  Then, at about mile 24 I saw the 4:00 group zip past.  I didn't have enough energy left to try to sprint and keep up with them at that point.  So I had to kind of put that past me and just try to finish as strongly as I could.

Just finish, Greta.  That is what is important.

I honestly ran the first half pretty easily.  The famed hills of this race course were actually my favorite part.  Sure, they were hard, but some of the views and the downhill at the end was well worth it.  I personally thought the flat stretches were the hardest for me, mentally.

Another surprise?  How emotional I got mid-race.  I had read about other marathoners shedding tears while running, and I definitely did my fair share.  These were happy, elated tears - not sad ones!  An inspiring song would come on my iPod and I would get goosebumps and get choked up.   I'd see little kids about the age of Cormac and Finola on the sidelines, and I'd go give their little outstretched hands high fives as I ran by, and of course my eyes would well up, missing my littles and imagining them there watching me.  Sometimes even a kind word of encouragement near the end from a volunteer handing me water sent me reeling with emotions.

The best moment was at mile 23, which was kind of my mental milestone.  Every long run when I would get to only 3 miles left, I would think : I can run three miles, no matter what.  During the marathon was no exception.  I rejoiced when I got to that point.  Plus, my favorite song on my race playlist came on, my anthem for this race, Soul on Fire by Third Day, and I got this crazy runner's high and probably looked like an idiot grinning and starting to speed up at that point.

Of course, then I hit a wall at mile 24, and struggled through that mile as well as 25.  Ugh.

When I saw the mile marker for 26, I knew I was there and could continue without walking.  I was fairing okay mentally, my breathing was fine and I'd managed not to get any cramps/side-aches.  My lower body was feeling rough, though.  My glutes, hips, hammies, feet...pretty much EVERYTHING felt like it was ready to quit on me at any minute.

When the large white banner marking boldly exclaiming FINISH came into view I inwardly cheered and basically focused on getting there without tripping (as I am known to do) or passing out.  I tried to keep a normal expression on my face, one that would not scream out what pain I was in.   I blocked out the large crowds on both sides of me, cheering on the finishers.  I just had to get across that line.

My friends Beth and Kristina were waiting with huge smiles and one of those foil "blankets."  They pointed to a lady handing out pink ribboned medals.

Post-race was rough for about a half an hour.  I felt like if I stopped walking my legs would give out.  But then I got extremely nauseous and dizzy and absolutely had to sit down.  There were lots of snack options and people handing out water and Gatorade.  I managed to grab a water bottle and some oatmeal raisin cookies and hobble to a curb, where I could barely manage to sit down, and force myself to eat and drink.  I did not feel hungry.  I felt like I was about to collapse.

Finally I rallied enough to get up from the curb and walk with my friends to the port-a-potties.  Surprisingly, unlike the two half marathons I ran last year, I had no bowel distress after this race.  I must have finally figured out my fueling - yay!

OR...I didn't eat enough?  Because after using the bathroom I then felt extremely dizzy, as though I would pass out at any moment.   My friends were really patient because I basically just veered off our path to the gear buses, plopped down in the dirt, and started to breath with my head between my knees.   I thought at any moment I would vomit.  It honestly felt similar to "transitioning" phase of labor.   Fortunately the breathing and sitting helped, and the forcing myself to keep drinking my water, even though I didn't want to eat or drink anything.

After that the nausea subsided and we were able to walk to the nearby restaurant where a couple of my friends (and biggest supporters!) were there waiting for us with a table outside.

The beer I ordered tasted magnificent.

I am so glad these ladies were there to share in the experience of my first marathon - and their second half marathons!  Both finished and did AWESOME!  (Roomie Reunion Weekend recap to come!)

Oh, and my finishing time was 4:03.  Three minutes over my goal.  Doh.

I guess that means I'll have to run another. :)

t-minus four days until the marathon...and a roomie reunion!

I can't believe I will be running 26.2 miles in less than a week.

I ran thirteen last Saturday to cut-back from the 23 I ran the previous (FYI I really didn't following any "real" training program, so please don't think this is what you "should" do.) 

Yes, I got up to 23 miles, and am just hoping that adrenaline and race-day excitement gets me through those last few miles.  I am super excited for the race, a little scared I'll trip + get injured or lose my Gu or something equally wacky, and very much dreading the approximately three days post-race that I will feel like a crippled old lady who can hardly walk/move. 

My body is ready for a break from high mileage, and get back to my everyday, consistent running. 

In other news - my roommates from my second year of college are coming into town to run, also! Tomorrow is the start is our annual Roommate Reunion, and I am so pumped to be hosting this year.  We met when we were nineteen, and have managed to stay friends the past fifteen years despite us all moving to different parts of the country.  

(You can read here about these fabulous ladies, and here about last years reunion in Vegas!)

I think that is what makes our friendship especially fun, though - we get to travel and have unique experiences every time we see each other now!  

Such as our weekend in Las Vegas one year ago...

at an ice bar with our stand-in fourth roommate (aka we didn't know that girl in the back)

bright lights, big city

So this years reunion will not be full of glitz and glamour (and lots of sequins!!!) like Vegas was,  but it should be a pretty fun time here in the Bluegrass State!  Instead of sequins we'll be wearing polka dots at the Kentucky Derby, and instead of staying up until the early hours of the morning, we will be going to bed early Saturday night to rest up to run the Flying Pig.  

Excited for it all!  

Anyone else running a race this weekend???

Whatever you do, enjoy it!