27 Cents Richer

Found a quarter and a penny on my long run Saturday (Thank You Debbie)! And found a penny today! Woohoooo, I'm RICH!

It is so fun finding change on the road and yes I stop for it all. Wonder if I could talk people into tossing money out all around town to keep all my spirits up and keep the runs interesting.

"See a penny, pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck!"

Run On!
Brooke

I'm Ready

Yesterday was my last long run before the Mother Road 1/2 Marathon and I can say, "I am ready." I may not set any records but I will run and have fun and finish. Next thing on the running "to-do" list....figure out what spring marathon and adventure race.

The best part of yesterdays 13 miler was having Greyson join me for a little over 7 of it. He seems to really like the stroller; he just hung out, took in the sites, chatted with me a bit, and even napped a little. Since it was a bit cooler (56 degrees) he even got to wear his new hat and gloves but I did figure out we are going to have to get the weather shield a bit sooner than I thought. I really think he could have gone the whole 13 miles without a problem but didn't want to push it.

Run On!

Brooke

Keep Your Head Down & Just Run

"Keep your head down and just run" .... my mantra when I hit a big hill and need to focus on putting one foot in front of the other and not on the HUGE obstacle in front of me. Never did I think that I would need to do THAT running through town in the wee hours before the sun came up today.

As I was on my way home, less than a half a mile away, a light caught my eye and I instinctively looked in it's direction. Before I knew it I was staring straight into the front door of someone's home peering through their full glass storm-door at a figure with a naked leg and arm reaching for the door and before I saw anymore...... I ducked and ran. Someone should really tell that family that when it's dark outside and their lights are on inside, you can see it all and I mean ALL!

Run On!
Brooke

Not a Morning Person!!!

It's funny the things that pop into your head on run. This morning after leaving Chanti and headed home to finish my 4 miler, I got to thinking how much I like it when I get to start in the dark and finish in the first bits of morning light. To have my run complete, to have caught up with friends, to have the whole day ahead of me and to not have to worry about fitting in my exercise somewhere else is quite freeing.

It used to be that I would get home before Michael even got up and I could take a shower and get my coffee all before he woke up. Now I come home to a smiling baby ready to get up and start the day himself. We "chat" and play and he hangs out while I clean up waiting for the time when we can go in and wake up Daddy. Or sometimes he wakes up a bit earlier and comes along for the run and gives me a little extra workout (running with a stroller adds a whole new dimension for sure).

The funniest part about all this that I AM NOT and HAVE NEVER BEEN a morning person, I LOVE my sleep.... At least not until I became a runner and more recently until I became a mom. It seems that I will give up sleep for only two very important things to me: #1 Greyson and #2 running.

So what does this say about me??? ;-)

Run on!
Brooke

Where Has September Gone

I can't believe the month of September is almost over - it's been really busy but stayed on track with the half marathon training schedule even with a work trip to Columbia, a trip to Wichita, and a touch of a stomach bug last week. I'm still planning on running the 1st annual Mother Road 1/2 Marathon starting in Baxter Springs, Kansas following historic Route 66 right into Joplin, MO on 10/10/10.

Sounds like quite a few friends some family are going to be joining me for the haul. Thinking Don, Sharon, Dan, and Jen are in it for the 13.1 mile plan. My goal is to finish in under 2 hours but will be happy for a finish feeling good considering this is my first race since having G. They are advertising this race as a walker, stroller, headphone friendly race. Wondering if G would want to come along for the ride ;-) Chanti and Angie are going the full distance and I can't wait to cheer them in at the finish line. The CRC will be represented but not all members will be present. Debbie and Robert are heading to Chicago so that Debbie can run her 3rd Marathon at the ING Chicago Marathon on the same day. Good luck to her :)

Going to run 13 miles this Saturday - will be my longest run in who knows how long (over a year at least) and I'm looking forward to being done. It's great to be back on the road with my friends and it's now time to pick my next marathon. Any suggestions???

Top 10 Things to do By 40

Photo by KTVee

I love being inspired by other's postings on blogs I follow....especially when it's a blog that a friend pens. My lovely friend (and past eMINTS trainee) Alysia, who is almost ready to give birth to she and her husbands first child, recently posted 40 By 40, a list of things she would like to do all before she turns 40.

Being a list person, I of course, LOVED the idea. Only one problem - lovely Alysia is just in her first year of the 30's and I am coming to the end of the 30's :( With just 2 years before I turn 40 it looks like I might need to refine my list to make it more achievable and reasonable for a short time period and a blend of Alysia's idea and David Letterman's Top 10 list is what it's going to be. So here it is (in no certain order):

Top 10 Things to do By 40

1. Start at least 5 new "traditions" for Michael, Greyson & I
2. Take a couples vacation
3. Update Kitchen - paint cabinets, new counters, etc.
4. Learn a Wake to Wake 180
5. Take Greyson camping
6. Learn to cook with my Crock-Pot
7. Run an ultra marathon
8. Have Grandma R teach me to make a blueberry pie
9. Take at least 1 picture a week
10. Learn to knit - and make something to wear

So wish me luck but I won't be holding my breath.

4 Months Old

Greyson turned 4 months old on September 7. Wow, how time fly's. Things have gone really well since the last sclero-therapy treatment although we haven't seen much shrinkage he is doing great. Greyson continues to receive care from his Physical Therapist, Suzy and Special Instructor, Sharon. He really wants to roll but just can't get over. He loves to suck on his hands and uses his hands to grasp toys (his left more than his right). We are working on getting him to prop himself up on his arms when laying on his belly and hold on to toys with both hands. He likes to lift his legs up and kick them all around and has even found his feet a few times.

Greyson had his 4 month check-up today with the pediatrician in Joplin and is growing as he should be. He did have to get shots today which he doesn't like (obviously) but he didn't cry much and didn't seem to feel bad after like last time. He weighs 15 lb 8 oz and is 25 3/4 inches long. That puts him in the 40th percentile for weight and 60th percentile for length.

We have had a chance to visit the lake a few more times and Greyson has enjoyed riding on the pontoon boat now that there have been some cooler days. He traveled with me to Columbia one last time for a week and spent lots of quality time with Grandma Diane. We even took him for his first swim in a pool (he acted like it was nothing - a bath seems to be more fun). Last weekend we went to Wichita to watch his cousins play football and soccer and visited lots of family. One thing we have figured out is that he gets really tired of the car bed and hot as well....and when he's done he let's us know loud and clear. We don't see any long trips in the near future and are working with the car seat lady from Children's Mercy to find an alternative.

Greyson's next appointment is scheduled for October 6 with the plastic surgeons to plan his surgery in January. We are looking forward to an uneventful and quiet fall.

Finally, I figured out how to get the video clips we have been taking of Greyson online for you all to see. Just visit this link and you should be able to see both our mobile uploaded pictures and videos. http://gallery.me.com/higginsb#100150