PF Chang's Rock and Roll Half Marathon

(Cue the Rocky theme song or Chariots of Fire because in reality I felt like I was running in slow motion... )

I completed my first half marathon and have pictures to prove it.  Sara - unfortunately there were too many people for Mr. ESPN to capture me crossing the finish line so we had to settle for this:

and this - our self portrait from his I-Phone. 

Some things I learned yesterday:

• People are annoying - not that I didn't already know that.  For races they start you in "corrals" based on how fast you run.  If you are going to be walking in mile 1, you should not be lined up before me!  It was so annoying having to dodge slow people!  I blame them for not making my goal time!
• Bring toilet paper to the next race - port-a-potties run out quickly when there are 30K runners ...
• Although I may despise my alma mater's arch rival - there are times when I am thrilled to see it.  The race finished next to my arch rival's stadium.  I have never been so happy to see it!  Good thing I wore my Arizona hat (Mr. ESPN wore is Arizona shirt)!  It was also great that we beat them in basketball the day before the race!!  Go Arizona - Bear Down! 
• People cheering you on as you run is awesome!  Especially when they are nice looking guys from Arizona who shout "BEAR DOWN - Go Wildcats" when they see your hat!
• You can never put on too much anti-chafing stuff!
• New play lists with suggestions from your friends is great motivation to keep running (thanks ladies!)!
• The food and drinks post race are awesome!!  So much stuff for the runners!
• We have the most amazing neighbors!  They kept our kids for us while we were at the race (we dropped them off at 6:00 am and didn't get home until 1:30 pm) and then heated up their spa so we could relax our sore muscles!!  Love them so much!!
• I can RUN an entire half marathon and it is kind of addicting!  Mr. ESPN and I are already looking forward to next year.  He is even debating doing the whole marathon!  I don't think my feet can take 26.2 miles .... I think I will stick to the half.  Anyone want to join us?  It was 70 degrees here yesterday!!



Yes Dear

My FIL is infamous for his response of "Yes Dear" to my MIL ... he says it's what every good husband needs to learn early in a marriage.  Unfortunately he didn't teach Mr. ESPN about this, as evidenced this morning at 6:00 a.m. as I was leaving for work ...

Me: "Mr. ESPN, no more turning the heat on at night, I am sweating to death every morning when I do my hair."
Mr. ESPN: "I don't think it is hot in the bathroom."
Me: "That's because you don't have any hair and don't use a blow dryer and a flat iron every morning.  I spend twenty minutes straightening my hair only for it to look like crap because I am sweating so bad."
Mr. ESPN: "Are you going through menopause?"
Me: "Are you going through a jacka - - phase?"
Mr. ESPN: "Aren't I always?"
Me: "Yes Dear!"

Tuesday Tidbits

• I am dragging this morning - even after two cups of coffee and a diet soda ... don't judge, my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. this morning!
• Booked our trip to Daytona Beach!!  Hallelujah!! I am so excited to see my family and hang out at the beach.  We scored our friends beachfront condo for a great price, let the countdown to June begin!  Chatty already asked who gets to sit by the window on the airplane ... unfortunately for her, it will be her sister since she will be in her car seat.  I can already here the whining from Chatty ringing in my ears!
• Speaking of trips we are thinking about taking a couple days at spring break and going to Disneyland.  We never do anything at spring break and this year it is over Mr. ESPN and Bia's birthdays, so we thought this would be fun. 
• T-minus 5 days until the race.  I still haven't put together my playlist - hopefully tonight.  Thanks for all of the suggestions ... I am anxious to get on I-Tunes and download some new songs - oh wait who I am kidding, I am anxious for Mr. ESPN to get on I-Tunes and download some songs for me.
• Chatty has moved up to the Bonus words for spelling (she aced the first 100) and some of her words are pamphlet, astronomy, continents, electricity ... please note - she is only in 1st grade ... makes me wonder how our schools are ranked so low when they seem to be learning lots of advanced stuff ....
• Bia has been doing very well with her manners and saying "yes maam" ... she still screams "NO" at us all of the time but at least she is progressing in some areas.
• Mr. ESPN is finally completing some of the projects I wanted him to get done prior to his parents visit (at Christmas).  Better late than never.
• It was a sad weekend in the desert, specifically in Tucson.  As most of you know Mr. ESPN and I went to school in Tucson and it will always hold a special place in our hearts ... please keep the victims families in your prayers and know that Tucson is an amazing place full of great people! 

Music to My Ears

OK Ladies - I need some help!  Music Help!  The half-marathon is 11 days away (insert total freak out by me) and I am in need of a new play list for my I-POD.  I like lots of different types of music - currently on my I-POD I have country, pop, rock, classic rock, Christian, you name it.  Some of the artists currently on my play list are Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, DMB, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Eyed Peas, Jack Johnson ... wide assortment.

So here's where you come in - I am not a music buff by any means ... basically I have had the same play list for a LONG time ... can you give me the names of some up tempo - good music that I can run to?  One note - I do not like Techno music and prefer longer songs (I tend to count songs as I run - so if it lasts longer I feel like I am running faster - dumb I know but it works for me).  Anyway any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I would like to give Mr. ESPN a list and have him download them for me this weekend (yes he is my Play List Man!).

As far as the actual training part of the half-marathon - I successfully completed a 12 mile run on Christmas Eve and proceeded to slack off the following week (I can't even begin to tell you how bad my a - - hurt afterwards)!  I have been running twice this week (4 and 5 miles) and hope to run a 10 miler this weekend as my final pre-race long run.  Is it bad that I am really looking forward to the post race Beer Garden?? 

Holiday Recap

My two week vacation is coming to an end.  On one hand I am looking forward to a little more adult time and less access to food and beverages but on the other hand I will miss sleeping in!  This is my quick recap of the past two weeks in the ESPN house ...

We did lots of snuggling in Christmas pajamas

 We made lots of bribes before church to get a good family photo ... as you will notice there isn't one of all of us because everyone wouldn't cooperate! 

But I do love this one ... even if I was ready to strangle one three people in my family by this point 

We received two cute puppies from Santa along with lots of other good stuff ... not as cute as our neighbors' puppies but a better fit at our house!

And low and behold it even snowed in the desert!!   

We had a nice visit with Mr. ESPN's parents, although it was nice to have another week off after they left.  We visited with lots of friend over the break - Uncle Greg, Angie, Kendra, Aunt Beth, etc.  We were on the go a lot!  Back to reality tomorrow morning for all of us!  Glad I will be at the office when Mr. ESPN has to get the girls up -

I have a feeling it won't be pretty!

2 Days In ...

OK - my kids aren't behaving any better and I even took them to the park and even decorated cookies with them and our friends.  Good thing this little treat came in the mail ...

and I had this little bottle open, so I could put it to use!  Thanks Mrs. Fitz!  I love it!!

Miscellaneous Merriment

Is it bad that today is the first official day of Christmas vacation and my kids are driving me nuts? It is going to be a long two weeks!

Last Friday Bia had her winter "pee-formance" (as she calls it) at school. She was so excited for it. Nana, Poppa and I were excited to see Bia in action. So much anticipation and then this ....

 She stayed like that the entire time the class sang!  At least she didn't bust out crying like several of the little boys did.

Santa came to visit Chatty at Boys and Girls Club.  They always have the best looking Santa ...

Here are a couple shots of how I ended up displaying my photo Christmas cards ... I nailed a ribbon on the wall and glued the cards on the front in my archway leading to the kitchen ....

and the other side .... 

 a close up

I am heading to the airport shortly to pick up the in-laws ... wish me luck this week ... it is going to be a long one and at the end I will he hosting a grandparent detox session!  Tis the Season!