Today I’m a Half Marathoner

Yesterday, I was able to finish my second Half Marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. In a row. On foot.

Last time I raced this distance, I suffered great muscle cramps which meant walking the last 5+ miles in order to finish. This time — I was properly trained, well hydrated, ate a banana the day before race and the morning of the race. I even sipped some pickle juice to help prevent cramping. Good news: It worked. No cramps. Bad news: All that did very little to prevent heat exhaustion. Temps in the 80s and high humidity, so I simply adjusted my game plan: Start “slow” then back it off to “even slower.”

Already feeling the ill effects of the heat, my spirit was crushed when we came upon a hydration station at approximately Mile 6 that was “out of water.” SERIOUSLY!?? At that point, I prayed for anything to help me enjoy the rest of the event, because quitting was not an option.

Within minutes, I was greeted with a nice breeze as I exited the wooded area. Further along the trail, people were handing out wet cloths. And by Mile 7, a man with a cooler offered me an icy cold bottle of water. Feeling a bit better, I ran when I could and walked when I had to… all the way to the end.

Hats off to my running buddies, for encouraging me through training and cheering me on at the finish. Best of all, my parents were there to see me RUNNING STRONG to the finish line.

Today I’m a Morning Glory

Today it hit me: My favorite time of day is 6-6:30 a.m. This is the time I spend (one-on-one) with my daughter getting her out of bed each morning.

As I let light stream into her room, she slowly wakes with yawns and stretches. I greet her with kisses and “Good Morning, Beautiful!” In return — more often than not — I’m rewarded with smiles. Sometimes she’ll even lovingly grab a handful of my t-shirt and pull me in close.

I finish getting her dressed as she listens to her “morning music” and I playfully sing and dance along. Our routine ends with her sitting on the side of her bed so we can share big hugs before we set off for the day.

Yep, it’s true, I look forward to tomorrow because I’m a morning glory.

Today I’m a Script Supervisor

It has been many years since I’ve written or produced a radio spot, but today I found myself back in the studio with scripts in hand.

A new client to our agency and the first project we’ve done for him, “Johnny” was our talent. As were two of my colleagues. We were in very good hands as the producer and editor did their thing, but it was my job to provide the script. Finesse the script. Mash the scripts together into one that would fit within :30 seconds.

When I woke up this morning, I didn’t know what to expect. But as it turned out — it was a pretty great day. And a kind of funny spot. Hat’s off to the folks who helped make the “magic” happen.

Today I’m a Proud Mom

Although my son and I completed a 5K race together last Spring, I’ve never been so proud of his accomplishment as I am today.

We entered this charity 5K several weeks ago and did not train together. He has been doing track in PE class for past month and I have been training for an upcoming Half Marathon.

This morning, we were greeted with exceptional weather and a perfect day to race. Turns out, he’s got some wheels. We were able to finish in just over 42 mins 🙂

Hats off to my son … for getting out there, trying something unfamiliar and going for it!

Today I’m a Band Mom

I just returned home from my son’s Middle School Band Concert. He’s a percussionist and gets really excited before a concert.

Tonight he went above and beyond. We arrived early, so he jumped right in helping to set up the stage. Then, he was at the ready for the first tune. It was Honor Roll March and he was playing cymbals. Mind you, my kid has the shortest arms in all of band-dom and he was crashing cymbals for over 3 minutes!

They went on to play another song where he stayed on cymbals and for the third, he switched to bass drum.

I’m so proud of him (and not-so-secretly miss my days of being in the band). Hat’s off to you, Son!

Today I’m an Astonished Daughter

I got an invitation from my Dad to be friends on Facebook!

Hat’s off to my Dad!

Today I’m a Myopic 40-Something

It’s day one with my “grown-up” glasses.

It all started about 18 months ago, when I found myself squinting at the TV program guide more often than not. That was when I realized … my Lasik had “worn off.” Sure enough, my persistent astigmatism had come back and I found myself in glasses again.

This year, however, it was time. Bifocals. Just yesterday, I picked up my new specs. I’ve worn them all day and haven’t fallen down once. Haven’t run into any doors or bumped into any people in the hallway. However, I’m ready to take them off for a while after a full day.

I will say, it’s a whole lot easier to read Facebook on my iPhone now. And hat’s off to the folks who invented the progressive lenses!

Today I’m a Laundry Novice

I have a lot to learn. Apparently, over 20 years of doing my own laundry has taught me nothing. This weekend alone, I have inadvertently washed and/or dried the following non-laundry items:

• Kleenex
• Nickel
• Paper towel
• Piece of candy
• Pedometer

For the record, none of these were in my pockets, but those of my dear family members. However, I am the one responsible for ensuring everyone has clean clothes by the start of each week. It’s been that way for years, yet I still forget to check the pockets.

Hats off to those who have mastered the art of household laundering.

Today I’m a Bad Mom

Technically, it was yesterday when my parenting skills went awry. I just didn’t realize it until today. Every Wednesday morning, my son needs to be at school by 7:15 for band sectionals. And to date, we’ve had a pretty good routine going.

Until yesterday. Did the call from the school’s attendance office tip me off? Nope. It just made me question my son about missing a class? Being tardy? Leaving to use the restroom… for a long time? (I asked all those questions, and then some). He assured me that not only was he in every class, but he was on time, too.

It wasn’t until this morning —  a full 24 hours later — that it dawned on me… “Oh man! You were supposed to go to sectionals yesterday!! I’ll bet that’s why the attendance office called!” He tells me, “Yeah, I thought of that on the bus yesterday.” Sigh!

Oh to be in 7th grade and not worry about the things that send parents into panic mode. Hat’s off to all the parents who do the right thing… and those who do their darnest.

 

 

Today I’m an Alcatraz Fan

Is anyone else watching the new show “Alcatraz” on FOX?! I had set the DVR to record the series when it started a couple of weeks ago, but just got around to watching today.

Apprently, the 302 prisoners and guards of Alcatraz in 1963 when they shut down “The Rock,” are all making a comeback wreaking havoc on the bay area. They have not aged a day in 50 years and seem to be continuing their bad-ass tendencies.

What appealed to me initially, 1960s Alcatraz prisoners, has been blown out to include modern day crimes. The suspense is there, mystery, intrigue, revenge, evil, awkward humor (Thanks, Jorge Garcia!) and Sam Neill.

Hat’s off to J.J. Abrams et al for making another winner in my book. At least so far.