Monday, October 25, 2010

300 (it's long, but there's a giveaway at the end. Natch.)

I'm psyched.

I ran three miles Sunday, with NO hamstring pain or tightening, AT ALL!!!  I was nervous beforehand, and kept myself in check to run a 10:15 minute mile pace, even when Lil' Wayne's Knockout came on my ipod and I wanted to just let loose.  It felt like a walk in the park, so I'm confident that I didn't lose any fitness with my time off, but I'm going to force myself to take it slow, so I don't undo any of my progress.

Yahoo!!!!

It's my 300th post, and to help write it, I used all the suggestions given to me.....

I've been running for years, but as Kristin suggested, here are some of the highs of the races I've done since I started my blog:.

1. The Marathon, obviously.  I knew I would do it someday, and I did.  I know I'll do it again. And maybe again.
2. St. Patricks Day Four Miler. This race covers a course with some steep hills, and aside from the fun of the race itself, were the training runs I did every Saturday morning with my running group, Lake Effect.  After the race, it was fun to be social with the group over beers in an Irish bar.
3. The Chilly Chili 5k this past February.  This was the first winter that I ventured outside, away from the comfort of my treadmill, to keep up my winter runs.  Race day it was 15 degrees, and it snowed during the run.  And I had a ball.

Tortuga Runner suggested I write about who I am, and Iron Mike thought I should go back to my first post, and see how far I've come. This is a snippet from my first blog post:  "For 32 years I knew who I was. And I still do, but it comes and goes. I feel like I'm still searching for something, and what that is I honestly don't know. I'm hoping that by putting my thoughts into this blog, I can get myself to where I need to be."

I've struggled since I became a stay at home mom, but I've learned that I don't necessarily have to define myself in terms of what I do for a living.  When you think about it, we all do lots of things, and each one of those things help to define us.  I've learned that as long as I keep challenging myself, I'll continue to evolve, and there is no end to what I can do.

So here is a bit of who I am:

I'm a Mom.  Here we are, all cleaned up on Easter Sunday:




I'm a wife. I met Mike when I was 18, and we've been married for 11 years. The Black Knight thought I should take a look at my 100th and 200th posts, and I just so happened to write about Mike in post number 100.

Here is us in the summer:



and in the winter:




I have a great family.  I love my brother and sisters dearly, I know I bug them sometimes, and sometimes they bug me.  I don't see my parents often, but talk to them all the time.  I hate the phrase "in-laws" because I'm lucky to have all of mine as my family.  I have fabulous girlfriends, some of which I'm hoping aren't too pissed off at me for bailing on our 20th reunion this past weekend. 

I was thinking of changing my header to my dancing in the kitchen photo.  Angie thought so too, so I did.

Mighty M suggested I do a giveaway of some of my favorite things.  Well, I figured I could do a small one of items that I always have on me:

*I have chocolate once a day, so I'll start off with a bar of chocolate from Newman's Own Organic.
*Coffee is a necessity, a $5 gift card to Starbucks should be good for a cup.
*Tic Tacs are needed after coffee, for fresh breath.
*GU.  During marathon training, I always had GU on me.  I like a bunch of them, but these two tend to cleanse my running palate the best, one Lemon Sublime, and one Strawberry Banana.
*Blistex Lip balm. I figured I should go unisex on this one, since Mark is always bitching that my giveaways are more for the gals than the guys.

Since Mighty M and Erika both suggested a Q and A, to enter this little giveaway, in your comment, ask me whatever question that's been keeping you up at night.   The giveaway will end at midnight, one week from today, Monday November 1.  I'll choose the winner with random.org, then answer the questions in another post.

I made you wait long enough....congrats to Liz, at Quiltz n Hoez, the winner of the CSN Stores giftcard (I used random.org to pick the winner)  send me an email, and I'll get you hooked up!


48 comments:

Liz said...

Yay! I'll e-mail you right now!

Anonymous said...

Great post! I think sometimes we should all stop and just think about the blessings that we have already. Thanks for sharing, and I love the new banner picture!
Congrats, Liz!

Unknown said...

Great post! And kudos on your accomplishments. It's a great thing when we can look back with a clear mind and be proud of ourselves for all that we have and have done. Happy 300th!

heather said...

Happy 300! I don't have a question that keeps me up because I can sleep anywhere anytime. It is my major skill.

Laura said...

Great post, recap and info about YOU!!

Unknown said...

congrats on 300!

As a SAHM too I would like to know
1-What do you find most rewarding about being home?
2-What do you find the most challenging??

Evolving Through Running said...

Good post, and great banner picture. Sounds like 300 posts later you've found some of what you were looking for back at post #1. Really enjoy your blog - keep 'em coming!

Jill said...

Happy 300th episode!! I love the new header pic! Could you be any happier? I think not! :)

Johann said...

Happy 300th! Lovely post and that header pic is the best! I'm not entering the giveaway from my side of the planet. You can give me something when we meet at a race one day.:)

Lucas R. Tucker said...

Great post. I enjoy getting to know other blogger past the day to day of working to our goals. What did you do before being a stay at home mom?

Rae said...

Happy 300th! I love your new header!

Since I love ice cream, my question is...what is your favorite flavor of ice cream? :)

misszippy said...

Your family is gorgeous! Great giveaway. So here's my question: What is your dream race?

Lindsey said...

I love the new header! I also love the pic of you and your husband, it's an adorable picture.

I want to know what are your most favorite and least favorite holidays?

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

I love that picture! haha You are just too damn cute!

Unknown said...

Yay!! I love that you used the pic for your header. It makes me smile and I bet it does for everyone else that sees it.

My question is....what are you doing over the winter. Any races? What do you do when its to cold and yucky to go outside to run?

Erika said...

I love this post!!!
My question for you...hmmm...since you post so many picture of yummy foods on your blog:
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be??
I'm glad your run went so well!

Darlene said...

You've run a marathon. What's your next goal?

Big Daddy Diesel said...

What a great post

Congrats on number 300

Emz said...

I love these photos. you are beautiful woman!!

GREAT post!

Ashley said...

Congrats on the 300! What is your favorite type of coffee drink?

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Andrew Opala said...

Such a sweet post ... what did you wear for that chilly february 5k? I have one for a local rowing club in winter and I'm stumped on what to wear.

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

happy 300th post! looking at these pics makes me really think that you are SUPER blessed =)

ajh said...

Yeah for your 300th post! You look so great in the header. A question?? How is everyone getting these C+N giveaways?

Dee said...

Here's my question - What has your favorite post been? Also, what's your favorite drink at starbucks? :)

deeg131 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Great new header! I know you're a reader so what are your top 3 book suggestions?

Lisa said...

What a great 300th post!!! Super job summarizing 300 thoughts, events, emotions, successes, and challenges. I LOVE the 2 pix of you and your hubz in the summer then in the winter - too stinking cute!!!!

The only question I have is "what have you learned about yourself through running?"

mystorychapter2.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Great Post!! Love it!!! See it all came together!! And I was there with you Drinking Beers after the Shamrock Run!! I have a pic of all of us!! :)

The Green Girl said...

Aw, happy 300th post! You are too cute, girl. I love that you made that picture of yourself your banner.

Julie said...

Hi Molly,
You and your hubby look so happy:) I also met my husband when I was 18...time sure does fly! Congrats on the 300th post! Keep them coming:)

Susan Fobes said...

I like your new dancing picture and all the others you put in this post-Congrats on reaching 300! Phew...

brooks running shoes said...

Congrats on your marathon..keep it up and keep inspiring others like me. :)

Rachel Durazzani said...

What is your best tip for a person (me) training for their (my) first marathon?!

abbi said...

Great post and I love the picture that you made your banner! Since you say you have been running for years, how did you get started?

Terri said...

How do you treat post-long-run soreness? Or do you even get that?

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Happy 300th post! That is awesome congrats on accomplishing everything! I love to run and want to get back to it. I stopped once my son was born but actually he makes me run after him so technically i never stopped! ha!

Brittney said...

Happy 300! My question is how do find time to run with kids? I wonder if I'll be able to once I have them...

Nicki said...

Congrats to Liz!

Congrats to you on post 300!

Keeping me up at night, how is it we have yet to run into each other at a race? I ran the Chilly Chili this past Feb, too. Ran the Mountain Goat. Ran the Boilermaker. I know all huge races, bigger with each race. We will run into each other some day.

Heather said...

Congrats on your 300th post! Congrats on running with no pain! The new header is great! Question: What is your favorite thing to do for fun or relaxation (not including running)?

Iron Mike said...

Congrats on 300!
That's great news on the hammy front, too.
And I should let you know that I am exhausted from Knockout sticking in my head since reading this. Great song.

I didn't know what your first post meant, so it is very cool that you explained. Interesting, I didn't know who I was UNTIL we had kids. Now if people ask me what I do, unless they explicitly say "for a living" I always answer, "I'm a Dad."

My question, I think I asked before, is Weezer's Troublemaker a worthy theme song for your blog?

Stacie said...

Congrats on 300!!! LOVE the pic :)

What would your dream run/event/destination be?

whois domain find said...
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One Crazy Penguin said...

What are your three must have winter running things? I'm originally from Florida so I'm still getting the hang of winter running!

*~*~* Tracy said...

Congrats on 300 posts!

So do you eat just one Baby Ruth once a year?
And what was the most unexpected thing/challenge/surprise when you moved from the big city to the 'wilds'?

Lisa said...

Um, congrats on your 300th post! I hope you have many, many more to come!

I haven't read all the other questions, so I hope I'm not repeating. If you could live any other place, where would it be?

Canadian runner said...

300 posts !!! Congrats !

** what is your favorite song to dance to??

Unknown said...

Congrats on your 300th post! (I'm so behind in everything.)
Burning question: Who do you idolize in the world of athletics? It doesn't have to be a runner.

Trish said...

CONGRATS! I'd love to know what one treat you can never say no to?

Anonymous said...

Aw, I love the new header! So cute. Happy 300 posts! What a great way to commemorate the blog. :)