Race Report - Mardi Gras 1/2 Marathon

Four days before the big race, I started getting really nervous. It doesn't take much for me to get nervous, though, because my nerves set in even before the local 5K races. I didn't have all the confidence that my fellow first-timers had. I just wanted to finish. Secretly, I kept a time goal of finishing in 2:30:00, but I only shared that with Chris and Susie because I didn't want to be disappointed if I didn't make it.

Thursday night before I went to bed, my throat started getting scratchy. Friday morning when I woke up, the drainage had set in and I could tell it wasn't going away. I begged the doctor for a shot explaining that I was about to attempt my FIRST (you only get ONE first) 1/2 marathon. No sympathy for me. He sent me on my way with four prescriptions. I gobbled up nine pills and went to bed.

Then the fever set in, but this time - it wasn't me. It was Brady. So our plans to take the kids to Shelley's house in Baton Rouge on our way to New Orleans were quickly changed. Chris stayed home with Brady while I took Kennedy to Shelley's. My spirit was slowly fading because my biggest cheerleader would not be able to meet me at the finish line... and I was still feeling sick.

Race day arrives and after being reminded that this is just my "victory dance," the nervousness never showed up. I was so excited to be in a city I love with some of my closest friends and my trusty running coach/best friend Susie.
The course started and finished at the Superdome. We ran through historic New Orleans and down Bourbon Street, something I'd never imagined I would do. The first three miles flew by. Around mile four, I started popping my electrolyte jelly beans and getting ready for the first water stop. It was humid, so we grabbed water or Gatorade at almost every stop trying to make sure we stayed hydrated. After we left downtown, we ran down St. Charles towards Audubon Park - a beautiful path alongside the trolley and historic homes and restaurants. Spectators were cheering everyone on, holding posters, and ringing cow bells. It was an amazing feeling to be a part of something so great.

Around mile seven, we turned into Audubon Park and ran around the golf course and passed the Audubon Zoo. At about mile eight, I saw the first beer table. Of course in New Orleans, people were stopping for beer. No beer for me... at least until after the race. For now, just water and Gatorade.

Miles eight through eleven were a blur. I vaguely remember popping another package of jelly beans, but I do remember feeling really good. I was getting a second wind and there was not stopping me! One of our fellow teammates had to stop for a walk break, but I didn't want to break my pace. I was feeling amazing and stopping would have messed with my psyche. So Susie and I kept going.

We were heading back down St. Charles towards the Superdome, but the large number of spectators was dwindling. I remember jamming to my iPod and talking to Susie every now and then.

At 11.5 or so, we came to the last water stop. I chugged two cups of water and one cup of Gatorade. Susie and I walked for 15 seconds to get that last burst of energy and she looked at me and said, "Okay girl - let's go home."

And we did! The farthest I'd ever run during my training was 11 miles, so I knew the last two miles would be the hardest. They definitely weren't easy and I remember getting closer and closer to the booming music at the finish line. I kept glancing at my watch trying to finish in less than 2:30:00. We turned the corner and I saw the finish line. Susie and I grabbed hands and crossed the finish line together.
I cried. I laughed. I cried some more. It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment. And I can't wait to do it again.

Stats:
~ Official finish time = 2:28:44
~ Out of the 400 people in my age group, I finished 233
~ Out of all the women who participated, I finished 1,242
~ Out of everyone who participated (male or female), I finished 2,522
~ Number of participants in the 5K, 1/2 Marathon or Marathon = 7,500
~ Number of comments from spectators about mine and Susie's matching outfits (aka "TWINS!") = 14
~ 1% of all people will run a 1/2 marathon. I am part of that 1% now.

My Victory Dance

A very wise person gave me an extremely valuable way to approach my first half marathon:

"This is just your victory dance.

The months of training is over and that's the hardest part!

This race is just your victory dance!"

She was right.

Today's race was absolutely amazing. I wasn't nervous, as I usually am before any race, not matter how big or small. I was pumped up and "dancing" at the starting line.

I finished in 2:28:40, which was within my goal time of 2:30:00.

No injuries or blisters.

Only one small 15 second walk break at 11.5 miles.

And yes, I cried like a baby when Susie and I finished.

A full race report to come... after a good night's rest!

How do YOU eat an Oreo cookie?

Eating an Oreo

By Kennedy LaPierre

FIRST, open the cookie and scrape all the yummy white filling off the one side that managed to get it all.

NEXT, dunk the chocolatey goodness into a glass of ice cold milk.
FINALLY, try to hold your mouth closed while you chew the cookie and get ready for cookie #2!

No More Peas!

This picture needs no explanation.....

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys

Or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not

My plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind

And my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child

So doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night

Watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby

Just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

When I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small

Could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of

Having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel

To feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond

Between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

Could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,

The joy,

The love,

The heartache,

The wonderment

Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

Before I was a Mom...

History

I am teaching Kennedy about politics. She is like a sponge and wants to learn about everything she sees. She's is constantly asking questions, so in the past few months I have actively started teaching her about the basics of policitical science. I started by teaching her who our governor is and who our senators are for Louisiana. She gets little tripped up on Bobby Jindal, but she knows Mary Landrieu and David Vitter right off the bat.

For Christmas, I bought her a book called "Grace for President." I probably like the book more than she does, but the premise of the book is that while her opponent campaigns as the best man for the job, Grace campaigns as the best person for the job. Students in her class cast their electoral votes, just as it's done in a presidential race. It's a great introduction to how elections work.... (not to mention the bright, colorful pictures!)

So earlier this week, I DVR'd the inauguration of Barack Obama. I watched it live at work, but I wanted Kennedy to be able to see exactly who this man was. We did not discuss that he was the first black president because that doesn't matter to her. Kennedy does not see the color of a person's skin as being anything "different" and I love that about her. Our next door neighbors are a mixed couple and she adores them both. One of Kennedy's best friends at school is African-American. I will raise my daughter to recognize that all people are created equal.

So I pointed out who Barack Obama was... who Michelle Obama was (Kennedy commented on how pretty her outfit was)... and who Malia and Sasha Obama were. Kennedy LOVED the fact that the new president had little girls just like herself.

So I wonder if Kennedy retains the information I give her because sometimes her mind is somewhere else as we're talking. But the next morning, Kennedy ran into the kitchen and announced, "Mommy! I just saw Michelle Obama on TV!"

She was so proud of herself.... and I am extremely proud of her.

So much to report...

So much to report... so little space. We had an eventful weekend!


First, Kennedy and Brady had their first bath together and it was so much fun! Brady kept reaching for Kennedy to play with her... and Kennedy kept giggling because it tickled. She was showing him the toys, he was grabbing them (and eating them), she soaped him up and especially enjoyed putting soap on his head! Now, a joint bath for the kids has become our nightly tradition. Both of them love it! Not to mention convenience for mom and dad!!



On Saturday, we all piled in the car and drove to Texas... our home for five years. We had a quick reunion with the "Great 8" and their families. Except we were missing two of the girls and their kids. Angela and her sweet kids were sick. Kelly S. had a weekend without the kids, so she stayed in! It was so great to see the girls again. We hadn't seen each other in a very long time and there are five new kids in the mix since we were last together! We all exchanged stories about our kids, jobs and personal lives. Some of us have been through some unbelieveable challenges in the past few years and I will be praying for them (You know who you are!!). This picture is of all our kids, minus Evan (who didn't want to sit in the picture), "Blade" (who was out with his dad), Rex and Randa (Angela's kids), and Shelby and Cooper (Kelly's kids). There are 17 kids between all of us! WOW! When we met, none of us had children and look how much has changed!

We are all in different places in our lives, but all share one bond that brought us together - our sorority Phi Mu. I met these girls in 2001 right after Chris and I moved to Dallas. I was looking for some new girlfriends and found out about the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Phi Mu. I went to my first event that fall, which was at Stephanie's house (pictured here in the purple shirt, to my left). There were about 30 people there, but over time - a smaller group came out of our "official" events. Several of us started having children at the same time and before we knew it, our coversations changed from the latest Happy Hour to changing diapers. Even though it's been two years since since we've lived in Dallas, it was like we picked up where we left off.

The car drive home was interesting. I climbed in the back seat to feed Brady and calm him down as he started to get antsy.
And then Kennedy and I started having a little fun with the camera. She was taking pictures of the road, cars, herself. We got this one of daddy driving.....
And what's a car ride without a quick self-portrait?







And then on Sunday, a family adventure to Wally World (Chris' least favorite store). And our big boy Brady sat in the grocery buggy seat for the first time! He LOVED every minute of it. He looked around and smiled at us as we pushed him up and down the aisles. He went an hour past feeding time with all the colorful distractions.


He has grown so much in the past few weeks with sitting up, eating baby food, playing with toys on the floor. He's getting up on his knees like he wants to crawl and smiles and anyone and everyone. He has been so much fun to watch... and even more fun has been watching Kennedy develop into a loving big sister. She comforts Brady when he's fussy and gives him his binky when he's sleepy. She loves to dance for him and make him smile. I might have been worried about her not being the only child anymore, but she has amazed me. She loves her role as a big sister.



And to top off the weekend, Kennedy got a sassy new big girl haircut! Her long locks were becoming far too much to manage with the tangles and food stuck in it. So we cut about five inches off the length and she loves it. If you know Kennedy, then you know she's telling everyone she sees that she got a new haircut. She's twirling her hair and tucking it behind her ears. That's MY girl!