Control

Control. I'm constantly trying to have it in my life. Whether it be in my work, home, relationships, training plans, emotions, or eating, I quickly learn that I have none. I often fail when I attempt to influence, guide, or strong-hold things that are bigger than my willpower; leaving me feeling defeated, confused, angry, or even scared.

Months ago, I was asked: "Why did you start running and why do you keep running?" I didn't have an answer. I was stumped.  I guess it was because a doctor told me I shouldn't run because of my asthma. Just like the advice I heed from my own mother, I quickly rejected the notion and decided I wasn't going to let a doctor's opinion or diagnosis of a sickness determine what I could and couldn't do. 

Clearly, I'm stubborn, strong willed, and sometimes downright dumb. I believe I run because it is the only thing I feel I really do have control over: my pace, my distance, my route, my music, etc. When I run I'm free of everything trying to control me, and free of everything that I am trying to control, except the weather.

In the past few months, I have been given many reminders of how little or no control I have. These knock-you-down then kick-you-while-you-are-down reminders have come in the form of attending funerals for loved ones, having friends diagnosed with a deadly disease and fighting for their lives, having a test come back with a bad result, and consoling friends who are recovering from injuries.

(League of Awesome team at the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon wearing orange sparkle shirts to honor our friend Andrea's in her fight against Leukemia.)

(Missoula Half-Marathon dedicated to Andrea.)

It makes me stop and think, "What do I really have control over?" My answer is: my mind and my actions. Where are my mind and actions most positive? When I'm running. It gives me an outlet for the stress, gives my mind the time to process what to do, and gives my body the time to work through all the emotions. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't run. 

(Enjoyed a rain-soaked TriFusion 5K race pushing my son in the stroller. Raccoon eyes compliments of the storm.) 

(Run in the rain? Why not? My son tucked himself inside the stroller and wanted me to run through more puddles!)

God has gifted me with an amazing husband, blessed me with two incredible boys, and surrounded me with the most loving family and friends I could imagine. Without them I would be lost.

(Cousin Cathy and my son volunteering at the water station for the TriFusion 5K race. They are some of my amazing supporters.)

(My parents are more of my amazing supporters. They are pictured here with a signed copy of their book "The Blades Carry Me." Inscription says, "Keep on, keeping on." My mother is wearing a No One Fights Alone shirt.)

(My sweet friend, Michele, who came to Missoula as my race support. Stopped to take a selfie when I saw her on course.)

Even when things are bad, hurtful, and hard, I have to believe it is all part of God's perfect plan. I'm not going to take a day on this earth for granted. I can't afford to and neither can you.

I'm going to cherish every moment; the good and the bad. I'm going to let go of what I can't control and redirect my energy to what I can influence...how I make others feel. Hopefully, I will make a positive difference in others lives. Maybe it will be in yours?

(Beautiful flowers from my hubby! These made me feel pretty special! Love you!)

Once Upon a Time There Was a Porcupine and a Skunk

Once upon a time there was a porcupine and a skunk.... Who doesn't like once upon a time stories? My boys LOVE them and my run this week helped me create a good one for them.

Here's a real life dilemma: what do you do if you happen upon a porcupine in the road and then a skunk in your path, anytime, let alone on your run?

I chose to proceed slowly, using the change of pace for recovery and then sprinted away once I was past. I opted to take an alternate route home.  

As I approached, the porcupine appeared to be dead in the road, but I still followed procedure just in case he decided to wake from the dead and chase after me as a porcupine zombie. Didn't happen. Whew, all clear.

Just when I thought I'd had enough excitement for the day, I encountered a skunk on the path ahead of me. Luck was once again on my side as the skunk was more interested in something else than it was of me. All clear: check. More sprinting than called for on my "easy run" check, check.

Later, when I told my boys about my encounters they became very excited and wanted to know what I did and how I got away!  So, I told them:  I activated my creature-power suit to disguise myself to look like another porcupine then changed into a skunk. 

By the shocked and amazed look on my boys' faces, I had the right answer. Supermom in disguise. One of my many talents.

What's your superpower? 

I'm All In: 13.FUN First Two Weeks

With a race confirmation, training plan, and no time to waste, I'm all in for my 13.FUN adventure! In fact, I've already conquered two weeks of training and started on my third!

A working mother of two requires me to be creative with my time and energy. I've had to make training a priority while ensuring it has as little of an impact as possible on my family.

This is what my juggling act looks like right now: two days a week I get up and run at 5 a.m. in order to get done and home before my husband has to leave for work. Today was one of those 5 a.m. training days. It is now 6:30 a.m. and I'm sitting here slurping on my protein shake with a conditioning treatment processing on my hair from my shower while I'm typing this blog. I feel accomplished (and a bit groggy) because my workout is already done for today and the house is quiet and still (rare occasion).

One day a week, I run in the evenings while my son is at his golf lesson or soccer practice, and I do a long run on the weekend.  My fifth day is usually a strength/cross training day and/or short run. 

These first two weeks of training have been amazing! I started my training on vacation and ran on the beach.  The water was so good for my soul.

My son and I ran the 4th of July Pennant Race and I ran a 5K PR!

I hear stiring in the house and it is only moments before I must switch into full mom-mode. Time for me to love on my kids. Farewell for now and happy running! 

13.FUN

It all began with an email and soon thereafter, I joined a virtual mother-runner half-marathon training group: 13.FUN!

I am a follower of Another Mother Runner blog/emails/Facebook/Twitter (www.anothermotherrunner.com) and have read both of their books: Run Like A Mother and Train Like A Mother. Good grief, that makes me sound like a stalker with all kinds of time on my hands!  Honestly, I enjoy and appreciate their candid discussions, relevant mother-runner topics, and witty sense of humor. 

I've followed training plans before, but never with an online running club. Amazing what opportunities technology has opened up for us! I stepped out of my comfort zone again and signed up despite not knowing how it all works! 

Shortly after signing up, I received an email welcoming me to the 13.FUN private club on Strava and three training plans to choose from. I added a Strava app on my phone, downloaded the Race It Plan, and I was off and running, literally.

After my first morning run was posted on the club board, I began receiving kudos from complete strangers. Odd and encouraging all at the same time! 

Being a newbie, I don't know what to expect nor the unwritten rules of virtual training clubs.  Guess I'll learn by trial and error along with the other 85 13.FUN mother-runners just as crazy as I am!

When I returned home from vacation, I was surprised with a 13.FUN welcome package at my doorstep filled with some awesome goodies! Thanks, BAMRs (Bad Ass Mother Runners)!

Follow along as my 13.FUN virtual adventure unfolds over the next few months and culminates with a half-marathon in October.  Feel fee to follow me on Strava or Twitter (Smarty Mack, or @seesmartyrun). I hope to see you out there! Better yet, there are still a few days left if you're a mother-runner and want to sign up and join in on the fun at www.motherrunnerstore.com.

Happy running!

I'm Seeing Yellow

I avoid wearing yellow like the plague because, honestly, it makes me look like I have the plague. I'm not a fashionista, but I do know what colors do not look good on me and yellow is at the top of the list. Ironically, I'll be wearing yellow for my race on Sunday and I've never been more excited to wear it!

For the first time EVER, I will be wearing a YELLOW race bib for Bloomsday! What does that mean? It means that my training, determination, faith, and perseverance paid off enabling me to run a qualifying race time, which ultimately earned me the honor to wear yellow. 

I never thought I could do it and only dreamed of running that fast. (I'm still slow, but leap years ahead of where I started.) In March, I ran the St. Paddy's  Five Miler without my Garmin watch or friends. I went to the race solo, plugged myself into my music, and just ran. My only goal was to beat my 52 minute finish time from last year.  

After the race, I joined the crowd hovering around the sheets listing finishing times and was disappointed when I couldn't find my name. I stepped back to let others in to see their results. When I stepped up to look again, I couldn't believe what I saw...45:45! YES! I've never run that far that fast before...until now. I smoked my 52 minute finish by shaving seven minutes off that time and five minutes off my 5-mile PR!  Seriously?!  I immediately called my cousin and started celebrating. I think I'm still on that runner's high!

Clearly, I don't appear to be running fast, nor on a runner's high at the finish of the St. Paddy's Five!

Now, I sit here looking at my yellow Bloomsday bib in disbelief that I'm holding it. I laughed and smiled when the volunteers handed it to me at packet pick up. One volunteer said to the other, "yellow, we have ourselves another speedy one." Wow. Are they really talking about me?!

I've been challenging myself to get stonger and continuously step out of my comfort zone. Trail running on a day full of wind, rain, sleet, hail, thunder and lightening is a perfect example. Luckily, I found another friend crazy enough to run with me! 

Last Sunday, Jessica and I ran the Spokane River Run 10k and were lucky enough to have the weather bless us for our run. It was raining until we started running, stopped during our run, and started again as soon as we were leaving. Thank you Weather Gods!

The Bloomsday forecast for tomorrow is cool with a chance of showers. I'll take it. I'm excited to "run" this race for the first time. It will be a new experience to be in a color group where I don't get caught up in the swarm of walkers blocking the road as they walk five wide. I'm excited for the challenging course. I'm grateful for the Yellow opportunity. My lungs feel good and my legs feel strong. I have a new playlist ready and will not wear my Garmin. I have friends to run with. Now it is up to God to guide me. Bring on Bloomsday. Let's run!

Everything is bigger in Texas, even the surprises.

I stand at the doorstep and ring the doorbell. My heart is racing and I'm smiling from ear to ear. I've traveled thousands of miles and hours by plane and car waiting for this moment; a secret I've kept for two weeks. It's 9:15 p.m. on Friday in Corpus Christi, Texas and the door opens. The woman who answers studies me for a moment trying to recognize and place me. 

"Oh my gosh, what in the world are you doing here?" My mom says to me in excited disbelief.  "Jim, come here, you have to see who just showed up at our door!"

After hugging my mom, I run around the corner where my dad goes speechless on his phone call when he sees me. My sister's voice on the other end of the phone says, "Christine is there, isn't she," more as a knowing comment rather than a question. My sister was in on the surprise and our plan was flawless. Let the party begin! Literally.

The next two days are a whirlwind of people, celebrations, book readings, book selling and signings. My parents did it!  They published their book "The Blades Carry Me: Inside the Helicopter War in Vietnam." 

Three years of laughter, frustration, tears, aching hearts, and processing of 45 years of repressed memories brought my parents to this moment; surrounded by 100 of their friends who arrived to celebrate their book with them!  Well, make that 101 counting me. Does that make me a groupie?

The events were organized and smooth thanks to many good friends who volunteered to take care of everything from food set up, beverage service, book sales, moderating the reading, and shuttling people to and from their cars by golf cart. 

Over 85 books were sold and signed at their event with more copies sold on Amazon and Barnes and Noble! And they have only received five star reviews!

Their book reading was heartfelt and perfect. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. I was beaming with pride! Their book was amazing and I couldn't put it down until I'd read the whole thing.

In between events, set up, and visiting, I was able to go for a run. Both days I wore shorts and a tank top, LOVE the warm weather! 

The second day Mother Nature tried to help me multitask and surprised me with a rain shower on my run. Running back into the rain and headwind I felt like I was going slow. Celebrating the fact that I didn't melt, I took a rain-drenched selfie when I returned then hit the real shower. 

Later, I glanced at my running splits. Holy speed, Batman! I've never run that fast in my life! My "slow" mile 2 included a quick stop to take a photo of where I'd just run from. Good grief, maybe I should only run in the rain...or rather run to get out of the rain! I'm so excited!

This trip had surprises all around; big ones the size of Texas! If you take the time to read my parents' book, I guarantee you will be surprised by how it keeps you reading and emotionally moves you.  Want to read a true account of our family history? Here's your chance! "The Blades Carry Me: Inside the Helicopter War in Vietnam" by James V. Weatherill and Anne Weatherill.  Find it at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

So proud of what my parents have accomplished. It was a wild weekend and I wouldn't have missed for the world. I'd do anything for my family.  Love to you all!

The Beginning of a Real Runner

It started with a math equation:  20 degree weather + 20 mile per hour freezing wind gusts = feels like -6 degrees.

Sounds like a perfect day for a run--indoors. 

The steps to solve this equation require affirmative answers to the following:

1.  Do you have enough clothes to keep you warm?

-Yes, thanks to my 11th hour purchase. I'm going to break the rule and race in something I've never warn before. HUGE kudos to Nicole at Fleet Feet in Spokane for her clothing recommendations; you saved me. 

2. Have you done enough training to run 13.1 miles?

-Yes, enough that I won't hurt myself, nor will I run a PR. Recently, my miles have been logged on the treadmill and transitioning back to the road is more difficult. 

3.  Do you have a plan if the freezing air triggers your asthma?

-Yes, I will start running and if I have a minor issue I'll slow down or walk. If that doesn't fix it and my breathing worsens, then I'll go to the nearest med station and not finish the race. My ability to breath is worth more than a medal.

4. Do you have child care covered?

-The "big boys" went fishing and my amazing mother-in-law was watching my youngest. Check, check.

My son camping at Little Goose Dam.

5.  Do you have the perseverance, grit, determination, guts (or stupidity, your choice) to run a half marathon in well below freezing temperatures?

-Yes, and I think I was about to grow a real set of balls. As my friend said, "...it confirmed you are a runner."

Apparently, I had no excuses.  I was going to run a half marathon in the freezing cold. I had to laugh at myself when I was happy the temperature was up to 23 degrees (before wind chill) by the time I arrived at the race. Good grief!

When I arrived, the first thing I saw was the MedStar helicopter and Whitman County ambulance waiting to assist runners if necessary.  I wasn't sure if I should be relieved or concerned. Considering we were in a location without cell service (yes, those places still exist), I opted to feel relieved. Brilliant move by the race director based on potential liability reasons.

Picked up my packet and headed back to the warm pickup to enjoy my heated seats while I waited for the race to start. I was having second thoughts. "I could leave now and no one would miss me." I wasn't meeting anyone at this race. No one would be running with me or waiting for me. But instead of leaving, I joined the crowd of runners and started on my 13 mile journey.

We're off and I tell myself this is only a long, slow training run, not a race. I cover my mouth with my neck warmer and breathe through that to keep the air in my lungs warm. The wind gusts were enough to take my breath away.

Into the headwind I take a slow and steady pace; staying positive and keeping the negative chatter out of my head. It's an out and back race along the Snake River beginning and ending at Wawawai Landing.

At about mile 5, the top runners start passing me on their way back to the finish line. I see my friends Heather and Tammy and send a muffled cheer from under my mock face mask. I know they couldn't hear me, but Tammy saw me wave.

As I run I watch for my friend Andrea. I see her just before my turnaround point. She's about a quarter of a mile ahead of me and walking. Something must be wrong so I picked up the pace and caught up to her.  She was taking it slow because she was feeling dizzy. Relieved to not be suffering in the cold alone anymore, I stayed with her and we walked the rest of the way back. We had a blast, chatting the whole way while wondering if we'll ever get feeling back in our fingers. Andrea, you can be my race buddy anytime!

Tammy was a happy sight to see cheering at the finish line. Thanks for staying and making sure Andrea was okay. 

My final time was 2:53. That is a LONG time to be out in that cold! I did learn the trick to put Duck tape on the top of my tennis shoes to help insulate my feet. I also learned that you don't have to exfoliate your skin, the wind burn will do that for you. My face is silky smooth right now!

Despite waking up the next morning with puffy, weepy eyes, I feel like an accomplished runner. A REAL runner, not just one who writes about her running now and then. With that, my official race season has begun. I can just feel this year will be a good one!

My Bling!