Running

As some of you may remember, way back in February I started on a quest for a healthy life. Well it actually started last fall, but I officially kicked it back into gear in February for Lent. During the middle of Lent I saw a few facebook friends join a 30 day running challenge in March. So.....me being me joined the challenge. I didn't make it the full 30 days, I think I ran 27 of the 30, but it was fun and kicked my weight loss into high gear and I felt a whole lot better. March ended and a cousin of a friend of mine from college hooked me up with a wonderful running group on facebook. Someone in said group started a 3 month challenge: 12 miles per week in April, 16 in May, and 20 in June. I was game and I have to say of this challenge there was only 1 week I didn't make the cut. June ended and I was like now what?

Well, I got to thinking and reading more of the facebook posts from this running group, and I decided to sign-up for a half marathon. Mind you I had never run a race in my life (excluding those in gym and field day). Let me tell you I got some grief from well meaning people about signing up for a 5K first, etc. But you know I figured that I was already running 20 miles per week, usually in 5 days because of chaotic weekends, so I figured why the heck not! Granted as we had some really hot days in July and August I was really regretting training for a half marathon over the summer, but I survived. I developed my own gatorade (because I'm cheap) and learned I needed to wear my hair different on long runs and that a bandana was a great friend on hot days. I learned that the switch from 8 to 10 miles sounds harder than it is, but 10 to 12 was a little more challenging than I thought.

I also learned that in some senses running long distances is a lot like completing your dissertation. A lot of people think you're crazy (you are!), your family needs to be on board (who else is going to watch your kiddos when you need to go run for 2 hours), and it's easier when you have an actual goal date. Also you think to yourself mid run "Why am I doing this? I could be...... (fill in the blank)," you start saying things like "I'll be back in an hour, I'm only going to run 5-6 miles, it's a light day for me," which is comparable to the "I'll only be at the library/Starbucks/Panera/office for 2 hours today." You dream about running, and at least these were happy dreams for me, not the terrorizing dreams I had while finishing my dissertation. Your life revolves a bit around your running schedule. I had posted on our refrigerator my running schedule for each week leading up the race, which could be a bit daunting at times, but it was super helpful to me.

So then the next thing I knew the race was right around the corner, less than 3 week away and I started to get nervous. I mean what had I signed myself up for, so I did what all crazy people do: find someone just as crazy as themselves. I convinced a co-worker who I knew was a runner to run this with me. She at least had some experience running a long race, but we were both newbies to the half-marathon. Of course then we were two nervous crazy people constantly talking about running, but at least I had someone to be nutso with. All of sudden race day came: this past Sunday and it was an amazing experience.

My friend and co-worker and I ran the Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon. There was live music along the course, cheerleaders, crazy fans and family and of course the running. It was a nice course, relatively flat compared to what I am used to running. I had a goal of 2:20, while I didn't make my goal (2:26) I ran those entire 13.1 miles! It was a great experience and unlike my dissertation, something I'll gladly repeat (I mean who wants/needs a second PhD!)

So all in all it's just another day in the life of the crazy mom, with my usual life lessons:

• If you can set your mind to it and train/study for it- You can do it.
• Saying you can't do something because you have kids is an excuse (yes I know there are some exceptions to this)

So here I am just finished my first half-marathon and 25 pounds lighter than I was this time last year. So what are you going to go do?

10 Years

I wanted to take a moment to mark the momentous occassion of being married to my wonderful hubby for 10 years. I won't call them magical, but I will say they have been pretty special. 10 years ago I could have never imagined the journey we have taken thus far. I can remember thinking that we had already overcome obstacles different from our friends and that married life would be "easier". Well, as anyone who has been married knows, sometimes it's easier, but sometimes it's a whole lot worse. I won't say that these past 10 years have been easy, but they have made us who we are and strengthened our love, committment and faith.

So let me give you a snapshot of our journey over the past 10 years..........

• 4 years of marriage pre-kids
• 4 different states of residence
• 5 new cars
• 1 hospital birth
• 3 homebirths
• 1 child hospitilization
• 5 years of consecutive pregnancies and nursing babies (did you know our oldest and youngest are 4 years and 6 days apart)
• 3 nannies
• countless camping trips
• 4 months of a split family while I did research in a different state
• 3 deaths of grandparents
• mulitple job changes
• and......5 years of a PhD

And through all of this my hubby has been by my side. We fight and struggle, but we make it through. I could not be where I am today without him. He is my friend, my confidant, my comedian and my love. And while we can't celebrate like we would like (no sitter available), I know it will be special night regardless.

Happy Anniversary!

A Quest for A License: Update

So here is the quick update on the license situation. I have never received that certified letter I was promised. I did finally make contact with a lovely person at the State Board office who figured out why I never got my letter: the secretary responsible for drafting said letter was out on FMLA. As I have stated on other forums it must be nice to work for a company where you are not required to have someone cover your work....... but I digress. The representative that I have been able to contact has managed to work with their lawyer to get the letter drafted and they so nicely emailed me a copy, with no mention that I would receive a paper copy. I have requested the paper copy. I think my favorite part of the letter is the salutation: Dear Ms. I'm sorry, did you miss the PhD after my name? This is a formal letter from the State Board and while I don't mean to be nit-picky- I worked my tail off for 5 years to earn that PhD! A little respect please!

In the mean time I have been building my case to present before the board. I will have to appear before the board February 26 and this appears to be my one shot to state my case. I have letters coming from my dissertation advisors and former co-workers and the state where I have the sanction sending a letter saying I am in good standing and have met all the requirements of the sanction. I have the ability to bring a lawyer, but I haven't consulted one yet. My current plan is to just present the facts and state the case as it appears to me. Though I am VERY open to suggestions.

So if you are praying people I could use those prayers!