James' Race Shirt

James runs his first race on Sunday.  He is so excited.  He got new running shoes and asked what his t-shirt was going to look like.

A bit of background.  In October when I ran my first 5k, I made James and I shirts.  I was doing the Run for the Cure so we had shirts with breast cancer ribbons on them.  He loved them so for the next race he wanted shirts again.  Those I painted fall leaves on a red shirt.  We haven't had him with us for any of my other races so this shirt is the next one.

I decided to make one shirt for all four races that he will be running between now and October.  Here is what the front looks like.

These are the logos for each of the races.  Starting in the upper left and going clockwise.  Erica's Wish (August).  Mudpuppy Chase (Sunday).  Run for the Cure (October).  Lake Festival (July).

I'm not an artist at all.  I traced the breast cancer ribbon.  The others I printed the logos and free handed them the best I could.  My favorite is the mudpuppy.  I think that little guy is so cute.

Here is the back.

I used fabric markers.  It's not the best writing and the Run for the Cure didn't want to cooperate, but it looks okay.  There is a place for him to write in his time after each race.  I think he'll like being able to do that.

I'll know tomorrow if he likes it or not.  I'm sure he will.

Rainy Tuesday

I had a rough night last night. I wasn't sleepy so I came downstairs and fell asleep on the couch.  My neck is now stiff and sore.  Plus with the rain moving in I had a raging headache all night.  Today it's supposed to thunderstorm.  I love thunderstorms during the day.

I went to practice and got the kids going.  Then I went and rode 9 miles on the recumbent bike.  It felt good.  I still may take the dogs out for a quick walk between rain storms. 

After I worked out I went to Michael's to get supplies for James to make a Mother's Day present for his mom.  He is going to decorate a jewelry box for her.  He loves doing things like that.

I also had to get the materials to make James a t-shirt for his first race.  We started this when I ran my first 5k.  I made us shirts and he loved it.  He asked what his t-shirt was going to look like.  I was trying to figure out a design when it hit me this morning.  On the back I'm going to put World Race Tour and list the 4 races that he's signed up for. I will leave a place for him to put his time if he wants.  On the front I'm going to put some picture that represents each race; a mudpuppy for the Mudpuppy Chase, a lighthouse for the Lake Festival, a pink ribbon for Run for the Cure, and stars with a purple ribbon for Erica's Wish.  I'm going to be busy for the next few days getting these done.  I hope it turns out like I see in my mind.  I also have a Canadian Flag iron on patch and some stars that I will put on the sleeves.  I'm washing the shirt now so I can start on it tonight. 

Tomorrow is Wednesday and its my long day.  I want to try to get 10 miles in on the bike.  Hopefully Thursday and Friday I can get a run in.  Only a few more days until my May race!  I'm hoping to do better than my April one.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure:

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure:

Please consider helping me meet my new goal of $500. I am currently at $320. A donation of $5, $10, $15 or more goes a long way. I now have James and Mike joining me in this run. Please help you you can.

Thanks!

Easter weekend

It turned out to be a beautiful weekend!  Saturday we took the dogs to the nature preserve and walked for about 3 miles.  It wore them out.  The air was so clean smelling.  It felt so good to be back outside with wonderful fresh air.

Sunday we went to Mike's brother's house for Easter dinner.  I was asked to bring something Southern so I made red beans and rice and a pecan pie.  He served Turducken  for dinner.  It was a hit.  If you have never had a turducken I suggest you try one.  It's a lot of meat, but really good and tender.

While at Easter dinner, we got a message that James wanted to come spend the night with us since he wasn't feeling so hot.  We got him around 7:30 last night.  Poor guy got here, climbed into bed and promptly threw up.  After we got him cleaned up and did a sheet change, he slept fine the rest of the night.

This morning I got up for practice.  After practice I finally got on the bike again.  I only did 25 minutes since I knew James was home sick and I had to get juice and soup.  I did manage to get almost 6.5 miles in though.  After bit I plan on taking the dogs out for a walk so I'll get another 2-3 miles in today.  Tomorrow I will got my full 30-35 minutes and Wednesday I will get on for 35-40 minutes.  I plan on running Thursday morning.  Friday, after the Royal Wedding I will head out for a run as well.  Saturday, Jame wants to do a practice run before his race on Sunday.  I'll take him out then so he can get a feel for how to run it.

He is so excited for that race.  I know he will have a really good time.  Afterwards he gets to go play chess so it will be a busy Sunday for him.

Well, off to plan the meals for the week and to  get the grocery shopping done.  It seems like I'm always playing catch up so I can't let things get even further behind.

Traditional Good Friday trip to Niagara Falls

Today we took our tradtional Good Friday trip to Niagara Falls.  It was a bit chilly in the morning, but it ended up being a good day.

We started out at the Canadian Falls.  The wind was blowing the water on all of us.  It was very misty and the Falls were hard to see.

James and I braved the cold and the water to pose by the Falls though.

We walked along the Falls and saw the ice formation.  Those were pretty cool.

We continued on and got a better view of the American Falls.

I got a good picture of Mike and James.  And a few other fun shots.

And we got a family shot.

James took a picture of Mike and I as well.

We then went to the tourist area and played Glow-in-the Dark mini golf.  We had a lot of fun.



We enjoyed some ice cream and a trip to the Hershey Store.

It ended up being a beautiful day!

It was a lot of fun, but tomorrow its back to the grind.  I have early morning swim practice and then I'm going for a run.  We have to get stuff ready for Easter as well.  It was a nice day today!

I reached my first fundraising goal!!!!!!!!!!

On October 2nd, I will be doing the Race for the Cure.  I did this run last year, but didn't really fundraise all that much.  I decided that this year I would fundraise for this wonderful cause.  I set my first goal of $300.  Well today I reached that goal.  I have wonderful family and friends to thank for that!

I reset my goal for $500.  I'm going to keep on trying to raise money to help.  One of the things that I am going to do is donate half the money we raise from our yardsale in June to help.  I'm going to try to find other ways that I can raise money.

If you would like to help, please visit my page at the following address.  http://www.runforthecure.com/site/TR/RunfortheCure/CentralOffice?px=1361192&pg=personal&fr_id=1278

Thanks in advance for all your help!!!!!

It's too cold!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes...way too cold.  We are supposed to get snow tonight and tomorrow morning.  I'm so over snow now.  It's almost May!  Where's the warm weather!!!!!!

On a lighter note, I got my Bondi Bands today!!!!!!!!!!  They are really neat headbands that help keep the hair and sweat out of my eyes.  Yes, they are sweat bands, but made out of a better material and they can be used as ear warmers.  The also have hats and other items.  I love them and am sitting here wearing one now.  Yes, I am a geek!  Here is a link to their website http://www.bondiband.com/

So I haven't gotten a single run/ride in this week.  I'm such a lazy bum.  I haven't been sleeping well since we got back from Team Champs.  I'm hoping that that gets fixed tonight.  Friday we are going to Niagara Falls for the day.  I will get a lot of walking in that day.  Saturday I'm hoping to get a run in.  Sunday we go to Pat and Kristie's house for Easter.  Monday I should be back on schedule. 

For the month of May I actually have a somewhat normal swim schedule.  That will be so nice.  I have been trying to plan everything out for the next few month.  I will be in meetings and training throught May, swim meets in June, and running races in July.  It gets really crazy!

My next race is May 1st.  I'm running a 5k and Mike and James are running a 3k.  James is really excited.  I'm glad that we aren't running at the same time so I can take pictures as they start/finish.  I am excited that he wants to run with me.  By the end of the summer he will have run 3 races; a 3k, a 5k and a 1k.  He will really enjoy it.  Once school is out, I will take him out a few evenings a week for short runs.

I'm glad I have Friday off.  I think it's a well needed rest.