I have a secret...

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Finally Friday

I'm starting to wonder if I've run out of words.

Or perhaps I've just used them all up this week with my husband out of town and all...

Ah well...

Spring has sprung.
The weather has finally turned and we've had a string of absolutely lovely days. Lovely. The kids are outside as much as possible. They are a tired heap at the end of the day. It's a bit difficult, though, because all of a sudden, the days are longer. Much, much longer. It's hard to convince them to come in at 7:30 when it stays light until after 8.

This summer we're looking to replace our grill. It's done it's duty and now has a date with the trash man. The main contemplation is whether to go gas or back to charcoal. I'm a fan of charcoal, my husband prefers gas. Guess who does most of the grilling? Me. We may have a chance this weekend to head out and see what we can find.

All this nice weather is just begging for a grill.

Last weekend we had a spontaneous cook out with the neighbors. They did a pork shoulder on the grill and provided salad, and we brought baked beans and fried apples. It was tasty. We also had plenty of cocktails and beer. In some ways I'm so ready for spring, in others, I hope my liver can take it.

Running.
Last week I ran 24 miles. 10 on Saturday. It took me a bit longer than I planned, but I got it done: ran 4 to the gym, 2 on the treadmill, and 4 back home. During that run, I discovered that as long as I'm running in the neighborhood, I'm getting enough hill work in. Damn glacial movement. In some ways I can't believe how far I've come. Ten weeks down, 8 weeks to go until the marathon. The funny thing is, I am better prepared (mentally) for the long runs, and struggle to get the short ones done. Wednesday was a 7 mile run. I broke it up into two runs since I can't do it all in an hour (the treadmill shuts off after an hour). I did four miles, stopped, got a drink, stretched then did three more. Thursday, I contemplated walking the four mile run. I did it pretty slow, and was overjoyed to read, "Make this an even easier workout than usual," after I got home. Of course, that 'easier' workout is in preparation for the 15 mile run on Saturday.

MILF.
Two pounds last week. My pants are starting to fit much, much looser. I'm pretty confident in how I look in shorts and a tank top. It's amazing what a difference losing a little bit of weight and gaining some muscle does. I can see a difference in my face, arms, upper torso, and legs. If I had a little more hubris, I'd take a picture of myself. Yes, I'm thinking I look that good. And isn't that what being a MILF is all about?

Friday roundup

It hasn't been a stellar week as far as running goes. I was terribly disappointed that the nagging ache on the side of my left foot turned into a puffy bruised mess after Tuesday's 3 miles.

Saturday's nine mile run was, simply put, the best run I've ever had. Ever.

I opted out of Wednesday's 5 miles and Thursday's 3 miles. I'm aiming for 3 today. It's doubtful I'll be able to get in 10 on Saturday, but I'll try.

Weekly milage: 12
Total milage: 67

Weight? Same. I watched what I ate a little better, but without the extra workouts, nothing happend. But hey, no gain...

Finally. Friday.

It seems as if this week has been a month long.

Calling my parents every morning after the Big Girl got on the bus, every night before bed, and usually two other times each day, has become quite the routine for me. Everything is getting back to normal - as normal as it can be.

The babies are continuing to do well.

What amazes me about the whole process in having preemie twins, is that this time it's not the babies that are having the hard time, it's the Mom.

My sister was released from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. After six days. What amazes me is that she's 'well enough' to go home, but when she's at the hospital, she is supposed to ride in a wheelchair . I understand that some recovery must take place at home, that the hospital and insurance companies can not wait until she's 100%, but to send her home while they're still tweaking her blood pressure medicine, and that she must ride in a wheelchair while at the hospital? That Wednesday a snafu in her medication nearly caused her blood pressure to bottom out? That she's been showering while sitting in a special shower seat, and brushing her teeth while sitting in a chair and can barely walk from point a to b? Very curious indeed.

Pretty soon, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming - Me. Because, you know, that's who it's all about around here.

As for my MILF update, considering the stress of the last week and the delivery of Girl Scout cookies, I'm delighted to say that I've stayed the same. I've maintained a 5.5 pound loss.

As for running - last week I completely rocked. This week, not so much, but I did it. On my four mile run on Wednesday, I thought my legs may have well been made of lead.

Last Week Mileage: 16

This Week Mileage: 15

Total for Program: 55

In combining a word about the two, I know that if I just cut back a little, my weight loss would be very good indeed. As things start to settle down, I'll stop eating a sleeve of thin mints in one sitting, or three Taco Bell soft taco supremes. Or both. There's something to be said for running 4x and cross training 1x a week. Five workouts a week does make a difference. Calories in, calories out.

Nine mile run on Saturday. Should be fun.

The kids and I are driving down tomorrow. I am excited in that I will be able to see the babies, and get more pictures. I printed off the 80 pictures I took last week and mailed them to my sister. She was so excited to get them. 80 pictures in 15 minutes, not bad...

Friday Roundup

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Rolling two posts into one...

For the next 17 weeks, I'll be posting both my MILF update and my marathong training update on Friday.

MILF -

As of my post on February 7, I was at 211. As of my post on February 9, I was at 208. I took some 'drastic' measures this week and started back on the South Beach Diet. I know it's not a permanent solution for me, but if I'll be damned if I'm hossing around this much weight and increasing my milage such that I can run a marathon. My hope is that I knock off about 10-15 pounds, then move back to a more 'normal' style of eating. Normal being I'm running 20+ miles a week, and I can be a bit more leniant in my eating style.

Alas, this morning I woke up at 205.

Weekly loss: 3
Total loss: 6

Running, running, running...
This week included 3 mile 'runs' on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Saturday will be a six mile run, but I will roll that into next week. When I say 'run' - I'm not sure you could call what I'm doing 'running,' more like punishing the treadmill. I am s.l.o.w. So slow, I'm not yet going to tell how long it's taking for me to accomplish these 'runs'. I am keeping track, and possibly at the end, will be able to produce a magnificent "Before and After."

As I've said before, boredom on the treadmill will be my enemy. With the days getting warmer (it's supposed to be 20! here today) and the days getting longer, I'm thinking once I go over four miles on any given weekday morning, I'll break it up. I'll run the four mile loop in the glorious outdoors before my husband leaves for work, then I'll finsh up on the treadmill at the gym. The Saturday 'long' runs will be taken as such, I'll just have to plot my route out ahead of time.

Tree, I promise not to laugh at your play list. Please send it to me. Mitzi, a copy of anything would be appreciated. Let me know what I owe you.

Mileage this week: 9
Total Milage: 9

As for my girl, thanks for all the thoughts. She's perked up quite a bit today, but then again, she doesn't have school today...

It's coming.

I can feel it.

After dealing with a sick, and I mean Sick toddler, I'm getting it too.

Today is the first day she hasn't demanded "HOLD ME" more than twice.

Today is the day I need to catch up after a week of sick toddler.

Sunday I sat on the couch, holding her. 102.5 fever.

I could feel the heat through her hair.

Monday, sick. Threw up on me twice.

Tuesday, took her to the doctor.

We've covered this, I know.

She had the chills. You know, when you have a fever and goosebumps?

Tuesday she slept 20 out of the 24 hours. 15 of them on me.

Her head on my chest, like a limp rag doll, she slept fitfully.

Wednesday and Thursday - recovery days.

Today, Laundry. Lots of laundry. Poor machine's been spinning since 7:30 this morning.

Vacuum, dust, mop, bathrooms.

All I want to do is go back to bed.

On the upside. 208. Not 211. You're going the right way. Finally.

Today, I've noticed I have no appetite.

Perhaps I can use that to my advantage.