"Eggzema" on Privates

I must say that after weeks like this one where my husband is off traveling for work, I have a new found respect for single moms.  I never doubted that it was hard.  In fact, I always knew that my mom must have had felt crazy most of the time considering that her husband (my dad) died when we were 6, 4 and 1. I never truly understood what that must have been like.  Still don't. But I am closer to understanding it.  These days, with a 6, 4, and almost 2 year old, I feel crazy enough WITH having a husband to come home at the end of the day to relieve me.  But when he is off traveling, I find myself ready to check in at the looney bin.  Even more so when he calls on the phone after a long day and doesn't understand why I'm about to eat our children for dinner.  


My husband does travel quite a bit for work so I'm used to being alone with the kids for a few days here and there.  Usually, my mom comes over to help me out so that I can at least fit in a run.  But this week, I was the one helping her out since she hurt her back and needed me to take her to the hospital.  

My son was a hoot in the hospital. He certainly was protective of his Nana. He very strongly told the nurse to NOT sit down.  Then when she started backing up towards me he yelled : "Don't Sit on MY Mama!"  


So, some randomness today in the Runninghood.  I'll even use some bullets for those of you that LOVE the bulleted rambles.  

• This Circle of Moms top 25 Fitness Mom blog thing.  It really is kind of funny.  Reminds me of high school with how most contests ended up turning into a popularity contest when it really came down to it.  Ha!  I mean really, it isn't truly all about what blogs out there are the best MOM Fitness blogs...it is kind of all about who can dig up the most votes and get people to vote as often as possible. Even if the votes are coming from people that don't really even read our blogs.  I'm sure my brother doesn't read my blog but he voted for Runninghood.  Makes me laugh.  I mean, this Circle of Moms site really has the human nature card nailed down.  Circle of Moms:  "Hmm, what can we do to get lots and lots of people to come visit our site so that we can increase our following and grow?  Let's make a contest where people can vote for their own blogs and get their friends to vote for their blogs so that they can move higher up on our list!"  What is the point of the contest?  Who knows?  Probably just to move higher up on their "list" and bring people to their site.  Ha!  But it's fun so thanks for your daily votes. You've kept me in the top 10 of "the list". 

Motherhood

• I'm convinced again and again that a mother really does need to take care of herself in order to be able to be a great mom.  It is kind of like when you are on an airplane and they tell you you should put your own mask on before assisting your child.  We NEED to do the things that make us feel refreshed, de-stressed, and balanced.  For me this means making time for fitness, getting away for alone time, reading, writing, sleeping in on occasion, etc.  
• This week was my first time to try the gym child care.  WHY oh WHY have I not given this a try before.  Not only do my kids think it is the next best thing to Disneyland but I get 2 solid hours to go run, lift weights, take a class, or even just sit in the locker room.  Yesterday I went to pick them up and they all gave me dirty looks for coming too soon.  So I went to sit in the locker room to breathe and check my e-mail.  
• I've been pretty stressed out this week without my hubby home to help out.  Trying to get all three kids taken care of, dropped off at preschool and kinder, fed, bathed, entertained, picked up after AND train for a marathon has been NUTS!  I've had many "losing my marbles" moments this week.  
• Last night after all the kids were put to bed, I climbed into bed with my oldest daughter who was still awake.  We had a short but good chat about her life, how grumpy I am lately, how other parents don't lose their cool, and what's new with her at school.  Since she felt safe sharing with me, she was just letting things roll.  I try to really be a good listener when she is willing to share her personal "stuff" and I try to keep it cool and not react and get mad when there might be reason to be mad.  She told me how this boy at school...we'll call him J...kissed her on the lips in the library.  I bit my tongue and gave her the cue to go on.  Then she told me  how he has EGGzama.  "What?", I said.  She said it again..."He has EGGzama on his skin and when he gets a cut, he gets EGGzama.  He said he has EGGzama on his private too."  Okay, hold the phone!  What?!  WTH is this kindergartner boy doing telling my daughter about the Eczema on his private?!  Good grief.  
• Shortly before bedtime I was letting the kids play in the backyard while I got some order to this house.  Just as I was cleaning up the two rolls of toilet paper that were somehow dropped in the toilet or sink, sweeping up the spilled cheerios from breakfast and scraping the toothpaste off the floor in the bathroom, my son's smell came in from the back yard and hit me head on.  Considering the half a pound of raisins I fed him in the ER to keep him quiet, I was certain this was going to be a good sized diaper.  OMG!  Let's just say that this was icing to my CRAZY CAKE. Screw getting the rest of my messes cleaned up...this one took awhile.  Half a bag of wipes later and hand washing his pants, we were ready to start the bedtime process.  

Running

• Had my speed shorts on this morning and was feeling ready for some Tempo action on the TM.  Seems like a sin to be doing my workout on the TM since is it a blue sky, 70's and sunshine kind of day but gotta do what it takes and the gym meant child care. 
• I changed my mind on the speed shorts and changed into a longer pair due to the fact that I have not shaved this week.  I was afraid of getting kicked out or frightening some young man and causing him to never want a wife.  For those of you that asked, here is a picture of the speed shorts.  They are really not as short as I made them sound...not like the bun huggers that I used to wear in college track. 

• The original plan for today (before the groin strain and the time off) called for 13 miles with 8.5 at half marathon pace (7 mins or so).  That wasn't going to happen and I wasn't even going to try.  
• Here's what went down and I'm happy with it: 10 miles total.  5 @ tempo.  1 mile @ 7 min pace, 2 miles @ 7:24 pace, and 2 miles at 7:30 pace.  
• The marathon.  Hmmm, it is 2 weeks from this Saturday.  Originally I had planned on a 7:30 or under pace.  Not so sure this will happen.  And I'm okay with that.  I'm just going to see what happens.  
• At this point, I'm just grateful that I am running!!  I'll take what I can get.  
• I'm coming to the conclusion that my right leg is kind of like an old car.  It takes some slow warming up before I can get it to really work for me.  Once it is warmed up, I can still feel that it isn't 100% but it will work for me.  This is good.  
• Jillian Michaels and I have a date in just a minute.  The girls are at the neighbor's house and my son is still sleeping.  That means I better get off this thing and get on it!  

Don't forget my giveaways:

*  Rocco DiSpirito's Now Eat This, Diet Cookbook

*  Kara Goucher's New Book...signed copy.  

It has been fun seeing some of you on Facebook!  I've really enjoyed being able to share my Runninghood stuff and talk about workouts without feeling like I'm over sharing with people that don't give a rip.  

Amanda