Bobbing for Apples and Sugar High!

I am lucky enough to work for a boss that understands my desire to be a great working mom. So at 3:00 pm on Halloween I ditched out of work early and headed to Easton's Halloween party at daycare. I brought my camera and I was able to capture some great photos of the kids and help out with games. Easton was so excited to have me there, she kept saying "That's my Mommy!" It melted my heart to see just how excited and proud she was to have me there. Parents were asked to sign up for different treats and bring them the day of the party for the kids to enjoy. The kids played pen the tail on the donkey and bobbed for apples.
 

The Hubby and I busted out some pretty awesome pumpkin Rice Krispy treats!




Ms. Cathy and her crew!

Easton loved bobbing for apples. She thought putting her face in water was the greatest thing ever!

Hookem' Horns

Work hooked me and Josh up with tickets to the KU vs. Texas game on 10.27.12. Vern and Jake were able to join us. We hit up QT on our way to the 11 o'clock kick off for coffee and hot chocolate since it was a chilly morning. We had kick ass parking and great seats. Personally, I was thrilled to see that our seats had cushions and backs! Score! Even though we were extremely out numbered, since we were sitting in the alumni section, Josh wore his Texas jersey proudly. Thankfully there was two Texas fans behind us that he chummed it up with.

Of course, you can't go to a football game without some drama.. right? Well, first a lady bumped into me and I spilled a entire pop on the people behind me. Then in the last half of the game, KU fans began getting pretty ugly. Well, one particular fan stood out. A grown man, I'd say about 36 in age, flipped Josh off. Really!? Josh's response? "Win or Lose, we are still going to booze!" This guy was being a complete jerk to all the Texas fans around. Unfortunately, he wasn't drunk so his rude and obnoxious behavior wasn't alcohol driven. Sadly, he bolted before Josh could shake his hand and tell him good game. Because, honestly, it was a good game and in the end Texas pulled off the win. It is so sad to see grown man have such unsportsman like behavior. It was embarrassing.

All four of us had a great time and here are some pictures...

While at the game, my parents and Uncle Markey took Easton to Boo at the farm. Here are the pictures my brother sent me...

Pumpkin Patch 2012 and the Pooper!

The Boselys made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. This time we ventured away from Kerby's and headed to Lawrence to check out Schaake's Pumpkin Patch. We now have a new favorite pumpkin patch. Not because we didn't have to pay any admission or the fact that I wasn't being charged $2 and $3 for "extras". Simply because they have to coolest variety of pumpkins. Not just traditional orange ones. They have grey, blueish ones, speckled ones, short and squatty ones, tall and skinny ones, white ones, fire engine red ones.... the list goes on and on. The best part? We actually had to cut them off the vine unlike other places. Now I don't know this for a fact, but it seemed like last year the pumpkin patch we went to purchased pumpkins, dumped them into their field and marked them up. Just saying. I was really disappointed. Anyways, Schaake's was fun for Easton and I didn't have to pay the $3 extra for the pony rides or the $2 for the maze, etc. Schaake's is simple with several playgrounds, some animals, a kid friendly maze, and tractor rides to the pumpkin patch. We paid .40 per pound for our pumpkin and left happy. We will for sure be back to Schaake's next year. In fact, I already told Vern and my  mom we are headed there at the beginning of September so we can purchase some fall decor for our front yards!

Oh, I can't forget our first experience with a 2 year who is potty training and a PORT-A-POTTY! As soon as we get there, Easton tells me she needs to potty. So we haul off to the port-a-potties. Ugh... D.I.S.G.U.S.T.I.N.G. This being a first for both of us, it took me a moment to figure out the best way to go about this, without having my 2 year old touch a single thing. Ok, so I told her don't touch ANYTHING (do you know how hard that is for a 2 year old?!) and to stand on the small area next to the "hole". Of course, the first thing Easton does is look down into the "hole". "Eeeewww! Momma, what's that poop doin' there?" Crap, that is nasty. As I am pulling down her pants, I explain that she needs to put her arms around my neck and hold on while I hold her legs. Oh, and to pee quickly. She does her business and I yank up her pants. No time to wipe. We bolted that stink hole! Round two at the port-a-potties, Daddy was along to help since this was a #2 trip. Timing is everything. So we waited patiently for a little boy to finish. The boy and his family walked away and Easton and I stepped in. It reeked of shit. I began to gag. Josh asked me if I wanted him to do it and I happily said yes. He begins pushing off the toilet paper that lined the seat and then says "Someone shit all over the seat!" Peace out! We moved over to the next one. Easton never pooped and we jetted. It was a very interesting experience for all of us. Next year, we will stop at McDonalds for a potty break before hitting up the pumpkin patch.

For whatever reason, Easton thought it was hilarious to flash the camera! She kept pulling up her shirt and laughing, of course it didn't help that we were laughing at her!

13.1

To say I was anxious would be to understate the amount of freaking nervous I had. At 2:30 am my eyes popped open as I heard "Daddy!". Ugh... it was 2:30 am and I had to be up in 2 hours. I rolled over to nudged my husband, who then stumbled out of bed to take our Bug potty. "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger" started playing at 4:30 am, because I figured if I had to be up at the ass crack of dawn I better have some motivational music wake me up. I got up still feeling groggy. Jumped in the shower. Yes, I showered before the race, which is something I never do, but I wanted  to loosen up my congestion as much as possible. Basically, hot shower = loogies. I geared up and ate 3 eggs and 2 pieces of toast.

Breakfast of champs... with a side of Ibuprofen.

At 5:30 am I was headed out the door to meet up with Lexie and her family and Josh was rolling out of bed.

We arrived at Union Station and parked around 6:30 am. Lexie and I kept repeating our checklist. I am pretty sure we asked each other a million times if we had GU, gum, chips, bib number, and water belt. I was so paranoid I would forget something. We headed into Union Station where we peed one last time (I attempted to poop to avoid the race poops, but had no success) and stretched.

Around 6:50 am we started making our way to the start line. I knew this was a big race, but holy cow, it was HUGE. We jumped just in front of the 2:20 pacer and began to set up our music and watches.
Then my phone started blowing up... are you kidding me! It was the Husband. Reception sucked so I could never speak to him so I got a text saying "At Liberty (Memorial)". Finally it was time, the horn was blown, smoke shot off in the air, and a wave of thousands of people began to move.

It sucked! It was not nearly as glamorous as I had played it out in my head! The first 3-4 miles I was feeling great. I was running off pure adrenaline. Vern and I were keeping a good pace and knocking out the miles. Then at mile 5 I began to feel fatigued. Are you kidding me. I just ran 5 miles on Wednesday without any problems. My body just didn't have any energy and it was difficult to put one foot in front of the other. By mile 7, I was pretty sure I was going to vomit all over the runner in front of me. Mile 8, I needed to shit. Oh, well hell if that isn't just freaking peachy. Of all the days to have my body hate me... it choose one of the biggest days in my life! Yes, there are port-a-pottys throughout the route, which could have relieved one issue, but I knew if I stopped there was no way in hell I would be able to finish. So I plugged along. All the time, keeping up with Vern. She would get ahead, but never out of sight. I would catch up and she would ask how I was doing. She suggested I started taking Gatorade at aid stations instead of water. So every two or so miles I would chug some Gatorade in hopes that I would find some energy. I never did.

Mile 9, I wanted to Q.U.I.T. I was over f*cking running and I was over this damn race. I didn't. I thought of my Mom and Dad who held up a sign that said "Go Melissa and Leix" (yes, Vern's name was spelled wrong, don't ask) at the top of the Liberty Memorial hill; my Husband and daughter who would be cheering me on at the finish line. I thought of all the runs I logged and the hours I spent on the road running instead at home with my family. If don't finish this then all of the work and time would be for absolutely nothing. I would have failed. Out of nowhere, Matt (co-worker who's wife was running) jumped out into the street and began to cheer me on! It couldn't have been better timing. It gave me a boost and  I plugged along pounding out the miles. Wishing that it was just over. Then I looked down and saw that I was at mile 11. Holy shit! I could actually finish this without passing out. I began to tear up. Then I stopped that shit real quick, because I wasn't about to waste any water from my body. Not now.

I had caught up to Lexie and we finished the last couple of miles together. The end was in sight and it was the most amazing feeling E.V.E.R. We turned a corner and began down the path to the finish line. Tons of people lined the coral gates cheering us on. Our family yelling our names! Lexie got a burst of energy and finished hard. I, on the other hand, just finished. As much as I wanted to sprint it out with Lexie, like every other race, I just could not find it in me. No matter how hard I dug.

After finishing the race and talking with my MIL, I realized a lot of my fatigue issues and not feeling "normal" while running were most likely due to the TWO BENADRYL I took the night before. Apparently it takes 12 hours for that crap to get out of your system. All I was trying to do is dry my snotty nose up so I would stop coughing and be able to sleep.  Note to self: NEVER take meds the night before a race it will tweak your body out and make it hate you. Nonetheless, Lexie and I finished with great times that we are both very proud of. Lexie came in at 2:15:09 and I was right behind her at 2:15:20.

Stats:
Time: 2:15:20
Avg Pace: 10:20
Division Place: 333/607
Calories Burned: 1,650

I enjoyed every minute of this journey with my best friend. It was her crazy idea to run a half marathon and I am so thankful that I said "Sure, I do it with you" when she asked me about it in January. Words can't explain just how proud I am of us. I couldn't ask for a better running partner and best friend! Love ya, Vern!

 Even though this was my goal, I would never have been able to accomplish it without my husband. He picked up the slack when I needed to get a run in. Many times he ordered me to go run or he would do bedtime after an exhausting day so I could get a run in. And at least once a month for the past 8 months he spent Saturdays walking up with Easton while I was off running a race. He has always been my #1 fan and knew I could do it even before I did. Love you Husband!

Mom, we loved the sign!

 This wouldn't have been possible without my parents help either. There were many nights Josh was out of town or working late and they would pick Easton up from daycare so I could get a quick run in before doing Easton's bedtime. So a huge Thank you to them for bailing me out the nights I had to be a single parent.

From May 16th until October 20th, I have logged 224.95 miles and ran 38 hours 59 minutes and 23 seconds and I have burned 29,182 calories! Whew... that is exhausting!

Some runners after completing their half say they are ready for a full marathon... I say the hell with that! I have absolutely no desire to run a full marathon. I will stick with 13.1.

So what now? What do you do when you have accomplished your goal? Well, you schedule your next half, of course. Coming 4.13.13... Vern and I will Rock the Parkway!

So worth it!

The Week Leading up to 13.1- It was a hoot!

Sunday: Knocked out 10 miles… wasn’t feeling so hot. I am NOT getting sick!

Monday: Ahh… shit! I am sick! Spent the day feeling like my head was under water and most of the night hacking up a lung. I kept chugging down the water! My hydration strategy for the week was to drinking 3 of these bad boys a day!

34 oz. x 3=102 oz. of water a day. Yes, I pee like a pregnant woman; Yes, I use the bathroom every 15 minutes; Yes, that is a lot of toilet paper!

Tuesday: Started my morning off at the local ghetto Walgreens (20th and State Ave) purchasing off brand Mucinex and green tea. My voice was shot to shit and yellow snot was congestion my face up!

Wednesday: Jetted out of work early, after lunch, to sleep the freaking cold off. I did more coughing and tossing then actual sleeping. Decided I HAD to get one last run in before the BIG Mamma! So I picked up Bug from daycare and headed to my parents. Ran a flat 5.25 mile course; shot off more snot rocks than any one person should; hocked up a scary number of loogies; dry heaved at least twice; returned with more snot on my sleeve than a kindergartner; and felt 10x better after pounding out the miles. Maybe there is some truth to exercising when you fell like crap.

Thursday: Hot damn! I think I am on the downward stretch of this f’ing cold. Voice was back, loogies and coughing lessened, and I could focus on my work. Spent the evening CARBING it up with my running BFF, Vern. We basically freaked out about the race in 38 hours and pretended we had some sort of plan. In that time, I did may have consumed a nice helping of salad, 5 bread sticks, ¾ of cheese ravioli with meat sauce, and a Andes’ mint. I don’t mess around when it comes to Olive Garden. We both left feeling scard as shit confident in our abilities to start at a10 minute pace and complete the half in 2:30.

Friday:  I sent this picture and caption to my running BFF, Vern:


EEK! The half is in less than 24 hours!



I kept looking at my training calender that was taped on the side of my printer and thought to myself "Damn, that is a lot of days of running!" It seemed like it was just last week when we started training and then BAM! the race is tomorrow!

At 2:00 pm I said "peace out work" and headed to meet Vern to pick up our packets and walk around the Expo.

 Then we decided we better drive the route. Not sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Pretty sure this picture was taken at Troost and GHETTO, KCMO!

Friday night Bug and I were all nervous and thought "Oh No! The race is in less than 12 hours!"



All my running gear ready to go! It is all about the DESSERT!

   I was in bed a little after 9:00 pm, because....

Holly Shit! That is early!

Saturday: The day was here...