road to CIM

Most often the fodder for the blog is the Chunglund children. But this time, it's all about ME!

Last year, Heidi whipped up some good Kool-Aid. It took a little bit, but I drank that sh*t right up somehow managing by April 2017 to find myself signed up for my first marathon. It has been quite the journey.

I got my first taste of running dirty. Because everyone runs 16 miles on the trail after making 30 fondant unicorn horns and frosting cupcakes for their offspring's 7th birthday, right?

I saw many many sunrises, did more fartleks, and ran more hills than I care to remember.

There were post-long run mimosas.

I got to witness my first ultra marathon up close and personal, while crewing for my dear childhood badass mother runner friend.

I got in a training run with a friend, who prior to this I had only had training swims with.

And we both finished! And she got her BQT! Bostom 2019!

I met a new friend, who happens to be the sister of the neighbor of another childhood friend living in Minneapolis. Small, small world.

I ate gallons of Gu and logged hundreds of miles. It has been quite the trip. Oh yeah, I tripped and fell a lot too.

But I always got back up.

I felt pretty emotional picking up my packet and realizing that this is where the rubber hits the road. We were about to see how well I had actually trained.

It all came down to this ...

I had the best cheering section.

I got emotional at mile 13 when I realized that I was going to be able to finish this and not hate it.

I finished marathon. I did it a couple minutes (give or take) under my time goal. But even better than that? I met many new friends, reconnected with old friends, and got to know existing friends waaayyy better.

And that's a wrap. I ran a pretty conservative, evenly paced race, and felt pretty good all the way through ... which begs the question of what my limits truly are. For now, I'm hoping to finish out the year with 1,000 cumulative miles. I'm not signed up for CIM 2018 ... yet.

J1 is seven!

My dearest J1,

I am so far behind on blogging. It has become a slippery slope and I am close to just giving up. But I won't. For you. I can't leave you hanging on your 7th birthday!

You will always hold a special place in my heart. You are my first child. The one who made me mom. I remember the first time you rolled over and told me that you loved me. Oh the gratification! After months and months of being your round the clock all you can eat buffet, bouncing you to sleep, wearing your little ass all over town on hikes on shopping trips---all the damn time, I was finally rewarded with some reciprocation on your part. I (and perhaps you) definitely turned a corner that night.

Since those days of non-stop crying and eating, you appear to have committed to a trajectory of being the reasonable person (when compared with the conduct of other children of similar age, experience, and intelligence---indulge me in a little lawyer humor, if you will), being excellent, being hilarious, being one of my all time favorite human beings on this planet (which of course, could be because you are my mini-me). I am not surprised when your behavior chart comes home nearly every day with excellent---nor was I surprised that your report card was outstanding. Of course, neither were you. You told me that you couldn't wait to get it because you knew it was going to be amazing.

You are unbelievably kind and thoughtful, not just for a kid, but for a human being in general. I am always proud to hear that you make good choices when you are with others. As much as you want to tell me about your day---you always take the time to ask me how mine was too. And as much as you think you need me, I need you just as much. You are such a bright spot in my life and I am so blessed to be your umma. You are also direct. Very direct. Which I guess is not surprising---given who your parents are.

I know sometimes it's hard being a kid. Grown ups are always telling you what to do ... brush your teeth, clean your room, hurry up. You, my dear, are doing a fantastic job. I am impressed with your self-confidence and your willingness to try everything whether it is a new activity or a new food. I am most impressed with your sense of self. You know who you are. I hope you never ever lose that and I will do everything I can to foster it because it will serve you well for the remainder of your life.

I guess that's mostly it. Just keep being awesome and do great things. I know you will. Dream big and fly high because I will always be here for a soft landing.

I love you more than there are stars in the sky.

Xx, Umma