Listen to What I Say, Not What Think (A Lesson in Teaching Your Children and Learning a Few Things Along the Way)

So, I ran another half marathon in August. And I’m seriously starting to think that I have to stop being too damn optimistic about these things. Really, if I’ve discovered anything in my rather short life of distance running it’s that running a half marathon (and beyond that I’m sure, though I’ve never done it) is much like going on a camping trip. Once you start you’ve committed yourself to venturing out into the great beyond, with only the supplies you need, and not quite sure what to expect before it’s over.

For comparison sake, allow me to brief you first on the characteristics of the prerace routine for my best half marathon thus far. I did the training, though not as much as I should have. I ate OK, though not as well as I should have. I had a series of terrible (TERRIBLE) long training runs. I’m sure my running companions were starting to wonder if I was indeed putting any effort towards the training at all. Then, the cherry on top: Two nights before the race I threw my back out doing laundry. Yes, I do laundry, and if my family is lucky I even cook for them once in awhile. It was so painful I could hardly sleep that night. Over the course of the next 36 hours I went to the chiropractor, used icy hot, and popped enough Ibuprofen to make my kidneys go belly up on the shoulder of I-94 somewhere between St. Cloud and Fargo. I woke up the morning of the race, after having a terrible night’s sleep due to said bad back, thinking “This is ridiculous. I can’t do this. I’m going to get out there and get stuck in the middle of the route when my back gives out.” Yet not wanting to bow out for as far as I’d come, I went, and I started, and I expected to fail, and I finished with a PR in just under 2:05, a whole nine minutes faster than my previous race. I was amazed. And I was pumped to try that again.

Though I was signed up for another half marathon two weeks later, I set my sights on a half marathon in early August, two and a half months out. The course was fairly flat and I was becoming less of a newbie at this. If I could do what I had done with a bad back, just think of what I could do if I trained like I should and didn’t do any laundry until the race was over. I was sure I could reach that sub- 2hr time that had been eluding me up to this point. So I set out to do just that. I ran, I cross trained, I strength trained, I did speedwork, I had good long training runs, and I drank water like it was Captain Morgan on a Friday after a rough week at work. Though I did do laundry (I figured that might be a problem), I went into the day of the race with no doubt I had a sub- 2:00 finish time in me.

Shakespeare once wrote, “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Though it referred to the A Midsummer’s Night Dream love quagmire Lysander found himself in, you can really apply it to any type of course you’re trying to navigate in life. And in this case, my course was this race. I’m really not certain exactly what caused the complete unraveling of my performance and sanity. Maybe it was the humidity, or the lack of consistent water stops, or maybe it just wasn’t my day. Or maybe I was so prepared to do well, that I forgot to prepare for all possible outcomes. The pinnacle of despair was when the “lady in the dress” jogged past me around Mile 10. I first saw her around Mile 3, when I passed her on the trail, thinking, seriously woman, cute dress, but there is no way you are beating me to the finish line. You see, besides all the training runners do, we also have our little mantras and motivations that help us to the finish line, and sometimes mine include picking certain runners out of the crowd as targets. Maybe they’re wearing something that catches my eye, or maybe it’s that blonde from 5th floor freshman year who was less than friendly (Reindeer Run 1997), but I get it in my mind “they are not beating me today.” And on this day, it was dress lady. Usually this strategy works wonders for me, but not on this day. I was beyond help far before Mile 10. Even before Mile 9, when a couple people yelled out “you’re almost there!” I wish I had a camera with me to capture the moment, really, because then I could have played it back when those words would have ACTUALLY been useful to me at Mile 12 ½. And when I finally crossed the finish line, my son shouted out those words that summed up my feelings perfectly. “What took you so long, Mom??”

Now, not long ago I pulled my daughter out into the hallway between swimming events at one of her more lackadaisical meets to give her the “there’s no crying in swimming” speech. Even though the very essence of my speech made her burst into tears, the point was that her lack of confidence was causing a complete breakdown in her performance (though I don’t think it came out that eloquently). Had my daughter had any inkling what I was thinking during this race, she may have pulled me off the race course and given me “the speech” in return. And I probably would have cried too. Not out of pride because she was using my advice in the appropriate manner, but because it was hot and I was tired and whining like a 5 year old. So, clearly I was struggling with practicing what I preach but I still couldn’t help but think that maybe I need to approach these endeavors with a little more conservatism; similar to my expectation of help with household chores. If I go in with lower expectations for the outcome, I’ll be better prepared for the challenges along the way. Because clearly going into a race with the mindset of Mohammed Ali before a boxing match was not working for me.

So, I will continue along this journey of distance running I have started, hoping to find a happy medium of race preparation somewhere between overconfidence and utter despair. And regardless of how I am feeling I will smile at my daughter each time I pass her on the route, and she will know none the wiser. Until she reads this post some day and gets really pissed about that time I went all Bobby Knight on her at the swim meet.

But really, I’m sure I’ve had worse parenting moments than that. Hopefully she remembers one of those instead.

Summer

OK, somebody pinch me. Is it REALLY almost the 4th of July? My friend Heidi reminded me on Tuesday morning as we were out running that the days are now getting shorter. Great. Summer is finally arriving and now we'll have less of it to enjoy. Minnesota (in my best Newman voice).

Those of you keeping up on my New Years resolution have surely realized by now that I'm not keeping up with my New Years resolution....Posting on the blog once a month? Not happening. I think about it every so often, does that count for anything?

Anyway...here are some photos/updates of the summer so far:

Steve- got a new job. Instead of being the Dean of Students, while still teaching and coaching, he will now be the Dean of Students/Activities Director. I'm still going through the withdrawal of not being a coaches wife anymore. Not that I necessarily embrace the title, but what can I say? It's all I've known for the last eight years. And I don't have a photo to go along with this. Maybe I'll capture a "first day of school" photo in August :)Oh yes, and as a bittersweet ending to his coaching career, he helped coach the Girls Track team to a State Class A Title. I DO have a picture for that:


Head Coach, Jeff Portugue, and Assistant Coach Steve

Signe- swimming, swimming, swimming, and playing tennis. Surprisingly, I don't have any swimming photos because the only meet we've been to Steve and I timed for the events. Hard to hold a timer, clip board AND camera.

Isaac- Learning the ins and outs of Tball, though is a little perplexed as to how they can play a game and nobody wins at the end....We're a little perplexed about some of his fielding techniques:



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But he does have a pretty sweet swing:



Since it's still June, the last day of June to be exact, it appears I have only missed two months of posting. So what have I been doing in that time? I ran a couple 1/2 marathons and a 5K with Signe. When I am not running in normal "Chelsea running" style, I am letting my running friends talk me into all sorts of crazy things, like running up hills, going to spinning class, and going to strength classes which render me immobile from the waist up for 3-4 days. I always thought I resisted peer pressure better than that. Here's a picture of some of us at the Minneapolis Marathon and Half Marathon on June 5th:


Suzie, Brenda, Shannon, me, Heidi

Since July is, um, tomorrow, I guess I better start reeling the creative juices again right away. Happy 4th of July!

Look, Mom, no training wheels!

Isaac asked Steve this morning if he would get his bike down from the hook in the garage so he could ride it around the cul-de-sac. So, it really wasn't that warm, but at least the sun was shining....Anyway, Isaac also informed Steve that he would not be needing his training wheels anymore. We said, "OK" then began to reminisce about teaching Signe to ride her bike without training wheels, like the time she bit Steve when he was trying to help her ride, or the time she ran away from me and into the house, locking the door behind her. Because of this we (well, maybe just I) assumed it might take a little time to get the hang of it.

Look, Mom, Dad took my training wheels off.



Here we go!

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Just Under the Wire

OK- so I stated on Facebook last month that one of my resolutions this year was to update the blog at least once a month. Well, wouldn't you know it here we are with only two hours left in February and I haven't posted anything yet this month. And I have nothing exciting to report....But, I'm going to do something different this year and try to stick to at least one of my resolutions. (The other, which was to do a better job at being on time when I go places is working out...okay....)

Highlights of the month:

Isaac jumped off the diving board all by himself. This is a major feat as he would hardly put his face in the water the last time he was in swimming lessons (July). I wish I would have captured the scene on video as he slowly shuffled to the edge of the board, peering suspiciously at MacKenzie Wenner, who was in the water down below waiting to catch him. But to our surprise she counted to three and off he went! No 10 minutes of coaxing, only to end with one lifeguard lowering him down into the arms of the other, while the other parents with dare devil children give you the sympathetic "I'm sure he'll do it next time" look. Way to go Isaac!

Here is a picture of Signe's basketball team, and Coach Steve (and "Assistant Coach" Isaac) who went 3-0 this past weekend at the Sleepy Eye 4th Grade Jamboree. Way to go girls!



I am still training for the Irish for a Day 10-mile race on March 12th. And, even though there's now only 1 1/2 hours of February left, I'm seriously considering taking Trisha up on the offer she gave me at the basketball game tonight of running tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM! I'm not sure my body knows what to do at that time of the day, but I guess we'll see!

Whew! Well, that takes care of February! March promises to be more exciting I'm sure. Steve turns 39 (like the real 39, not like the way I say I'm still 29), I'm running a couple races, and no doubt Isaac will do or say something note-worthy (like this morning when he came out of the bathroom and told me he forgot to poop). I'd like to say you'll see that updated before March 31st at 10:30 pm, but really, who am I kidding anyway....

The Swimmer

Signe decided to join the Mankato Mantas Swim Club this fall. She has always been a pretty strong swimmer, but I'm amazed at how much farther she has come in a few short months. I may whine a little bit about how early we have to be at the pool for meets (or the fact that Signe, ahem...beat me across the pool a few weeks ago doing both the freestyle and backstroke) but we have been so pleased with her progress and what a positive experience this has been for her. Below are two videos of Signe swimming this past weekend at the Prior Lake Storm meet. The first is the 50 Backstroke (she's in the top lane next to the pool edge) and the second is the 50 Freestyle (she's in Lane 4).

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On a separate, yet related, note many of you may recall my post on Facebook around Christmas time where Steve and I decided we were going to challenge each other to a 100 meter dash. I was feeling fairly confident at first. I mean, I just ran a 1/2 marathon a few months ago after all! But...after Signe took me to the cleaners in the pool I'm starting to doubt myself. Maybe it's because I'm not a sprinter. Or maybe it's because, as Saints swimming phenom, Ashley Lager, pointed out the other night "no one really knows how hard swimming is unless they do it." (Not that I'm trying to come across as young and hip--I mean I got my butt kicked by a 10 year old after all-- but I can't think of a better way to describe those words than "true THAT.") I do know one thing, though--I have some training to do. I may not win this race either, but that's OK. Steve has to win sometimes, right? :)

Speaking of Ashley, click here to read a story about her and her sister, Alissa (also a stand-out swimmer/diver for the Saints) in the St. Peter Herald this week. Ashley is one of the reasons Signe is really into swimming; and it all started by her simply inviting Signe to a swim meet when she saw her in the hall at the high school one afternoon after school. Nice girls, and always excited to see Signe and hear her swimming stories :)

A few photos with the new camera

As many of you know we were in search of a new D-SLR camera for some time. After a bit of debate in the camera aisle at Best Buy a few weeks back- I was Team Nikon and Steve was Team Canon- we settled on a Canon Rebel T1i. Actually, since we were buying it for Father's Day I figured I should at least give Steve the ability to pick out the camera he wanted. I know what you're thinking: what a gracious wife I am :)

Anyway, I haven't taken any classes yet but have learned a few things by "reading the manual." By "a few things" I mean my ability beyond the point and click function is ever so slightly improved. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Mr. Alger Goes to Washington

Without the tricky political plot, that is, although he and his group did have breakfast with Senator Franken and Congressman Walz. Did they engage in any political banter? I doubt it :) Steve has been sending pictures here and there, mainly to show Isaac that he does indeed still exist. Here are a few we've received:

Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery

Standing at the Lincoln Memorial, looking across to the Washington Monument

Touching the head of Testudo the terrapin, the University of Maryland mascot. Apparently the football players touch Testudo's head before each game for good luck. I don't know. This statue looks much less intimidating than the official mascot photo if you ask me:

More photos to come. In the meantime, Isaac is still trying to figure out why Steve took "Boy" (his imaginary friend) with him to DC. This has been a DAILY topic of discussion. Steve offered to send him home on another plane, but Isaac decided he could stay and keep Dad company. Can you see him in any of the pictures? He's there somewhere :)