1/2 marathon training

I have decided to train for a half marathon. I am in no way an athlete, but I want to have goals and incentives to stay motivated working out, and I am hoping this will be the perfect outlet for me. On May 7th I did my first (and so far only) 5K race. The energy at the race was slightly contagious and when I finished the 3.1 miles in 31:12 I decided that I wanted to go a little bit further with this journey. I am signed up to run a 10k on July 2nd and am hoping to do my first half marathon at the end of August. I have really enjoyed getting creative with workouts. I get to spend some time alone at the gym each week, but my favorite is when I get to take both kids in the jogging stroller. AJ and Abby are starting to really like riding in the stroller, and when I am not completely out of breath we have fun singing songs and talking about nature. I can only imagine how I look a bit like the crazy lady talking and singing on my jogs! Last weekend I did my first "long run" (every week I add a mile), and for the first time EVER I really ENJOYED running. It was the first time I can think of that I wasn't thinking about how much more I needed to do to "get it over with" and was really able to let my mind wander.

AJ's birthday parties were a success! He had so much fun with his friends, and thankfully the weather was nice enough that we were able to play outside. Kids threw bean bags into tires, painting with cars, and pinned the race car on the race track. We had a second birthday party the next day with family. AJ and Abby loved being the center(s) of attention and had a blast playing with their cousin, Lauren.

This month has been much more low-key, which has been a treat! Work is winding down for me - I only have two more weeks, then summer vacation begins. I am so excited to spend this summer relaxing and playing with the kids. It seems like every summer has been stressful and/or busy - with my previous job I always needed to go into work over the summer to be prepared for the fall, and last year I needed to move classrooms, but this year I am prepared to just relax and enjoy. My parents bought an RV last year, and I am looking forward to spending time with them at various camp sites this summer. This weekend, for Memorial Day, we will have our first get-away.

AJ will start t-ball in two weeks, and Adam will be one of three coaches. I am so proud of him to step up to this role and it has been so fun watching their relationship change and grow as AJ and Adam are now "Male bonding" :) AJ is also going to start soccer this summer, and both kids are signed up for swimming lessons. I honestly think I am about ten times more excited for this summer vacation than I ever was when I was going to school :)