WWARD (aka: What Would a Runner Do)?

Ever wonder what your hips and ass would feel like if squeezed into a vice grip for hours?  Me either... until today.  I'm pretty sure it would be close to what I currently feel like after running my first 5K.

This adventure was the result of me thinking of new, fun ways to bond with the boys.  A 5K sounded like a great idea to do with Sam.  One would think after my camping idea years ago (you can catch that adventure here), that I would just stick to "movie night" or "dinner".  No, I go all in and decide to run 3.1 miles.  The catch here:  We. Don't. Run.  Sam at least works out in Kung Fu... the last thing I ran was "out of gas".  But I committed (aka: paid for it AND joined a "team").

No turning back

RACE TRAINING (my way):
3 weeks from race I took a TRX class - you know, to train.  Both boys supported me by telling me I was going to die.  I hugged them and made sure they had my cell in case they had to break this news to Kevin.
2 weeks out I was going to run on a treadmill... but they were all being used that night.  So out of guilt, I did TRX again- and hoped I could run this race with my arms since that was what we worked on.
1 week out I was in the "active" section of TJ Maxx staring at 5,000 options of athletic pants, wondering "what do runners wear?", and convinced myself that a fanny pack seemed logical.
4 days out I was making green tutu's with the "team".
2 days out I was grocery shopping with Sam when he spotted neon orange sneakers and said he needed them (I guess running in high tops he already owns is not an option) and since I clearly have no idea what runners wear, I caved.
1 day out I picked up our race packets (ooh swag!) and then spent the night with friends and wine - which seems to be what "runners do" (if you read this article).  Somewhere around 2am that morning, Kevin nicely forced water and tylenol into my system (good call honey)

Then it was race day...and this people, is what runners wear... in my house at least:

Before the Race

Team Clark-n-Friends

So today, while I waddle around worse than when I was pregnant, I ponder the lessons learned from this adventure...
1.  I did it!  And ran the whole way so, for that, I am proud of myself
2.  Though we didn't "bond" per-say - since Sam was a good 1-2 min ahead of me the whole time - I observed the young man he is becoming.  He didn't "need" me: he ran on his own time, he found his friends along the way, he made new ones, he stood out in his orange (and was proud of it), he finished with a smile and was right there with a hug when I crossed.  So, I guess we did bond, just in a different way.
3.  Running a 5K cures a hangover

And since we are already looking into other 5K/Fun Runs, maybe my crazy, adventurous, mommy/son bonding ideas aren't so crazy after all...

No time for a Frosty people, I'm running!

A cross between a jazz hand and spirit fingers

Leaving mommy in the dust

We finished... and got free water!

Adventures in Camping Part I

This technically is an old blog post I wrote - mostly for my family and I to remember what lengths I would go to as a mom.  This was when I was a single mom with the crazy notion that camping is the way to bond with boys - even when camping is something I said I would NEVER do!

I am happy to report that 5 summers later, we still go camping - just the 3 of us.

ADVENTURES IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, NH:

Date: Aug. 2-4, 2008

I am just returning back from the 2nd annual camping trip with my sons (now ages 6 and almost 3)... after last year (which I may blog about later using past tense) I am shocked at myself that I would venture out to camp again. But I have great kids who are well behaved travelers and I love adventure... so why the hell not? Anyhoo... after learning some things last year (aka: bring an air mattress) here are the lessons learned this year...

THE TENT: Upon arriving to the campground, after our 3.5 hour trek, storms were a-brewing... this year I downsized from the 6-8 person tent to the cozy 2-3 person tent -easier for 1 person to get up... so I set out to get the tent up quick. Luckily, I had former LLBean buyer Mark Libby and his lovely family beside me... he swooped in and got the tent up in 2.3 seconds! Sweet! Usually I would be annoyed, cuz I am stubborn and like to think I can do things on my own, especially ones that I get myself into... but with rain coming... I don't care - just HELP ME!!!! LESSON: 2-3 person tent is perfect... having camper fanatic as a neighbor... priceless

THE AIR MATTRESS: As I mentioned previously, I brought an air mattress this year. Bought one brand new since last year I only got 2 hours of sleep the entire weekend because the ground is hard - and sleeping on your stomach thinking breasts will cushion you is a pharse! So, I am PSYCHED to get this puppy up!! Well, after plugging in the air pump I soon discover that the damn thing needs to charge for 12 hours prior to initial use! WTF!! I attempted to blow it up myself, but at the point of passing out, I stopped. So needless to say, night 1 - a deflated air mattress + major thunderstorm = 3 hours of sleep for Jenn. LESSON: read the air mattress directions prior to leaving your home or hope that you have large enough breasts!

THE CAMPFIRE: Ahh, the great outdoors, sleeping under the stars, cooking over an open flame... Now, I am not a cook over a stove, so why I think I can do this over a campfire is beyond me... but hey, the boys love hot dogs, so put them on a stick, roast and call it dinner! Finish off with marshmallows and you have a meal... However, you have to start with an actual fire to get this to work. So, I set out to the camp store for some fire wood. I buy 2 bundles and lug them back to our site (meanwhile my boys toddle behind me with their mouths watering at the thought of roasting marshmallows). I put some logs on - tee pee style, throw in some newspaper and light... well! I have had candles with a bigger flame! Even the boys were making fun of me! So I muster up a bit of a fire, "cook" the dogs, get some marshmallows out and BAM! rain!!!! Out goes my fire! Night 2... I outsmarted the fire... I bought lighter fluid! And in the words of Sam... "torch it mommy"... hell yah, I did! Sucker lasted thru 2 major rain storms! LESSON: Lighter fluid - the best $3 I ever spent!

THE BOAT RIDE: Day 2... ahhh, waking up (after 3 hours sleep) to sun, fresh air and the promise of a great day of family bonding... Sam's choice? A rowboat ride... Sure! I can do this! 3 life jackets - check, 2 oars - check, 1 boat lock key - check... off we go! We get to the dock, put their life jackets on with no meltdowns and I am thinking this is going to be great! We noticed the 3 inches of rain water in the boat and I noticed the boys in their sneakers and socks. After coaxing them to remove them and leave them on the dock... I "unlock" the boat from the dock and we set out. I get 2 rows away and Mason starts screaming like I've never heard "MY SHOES!!! DON'T LEAVE MY SHOES" (mind you it was 9am)... so I struggle to row back to the dock, where a family has gathered... the dad asks if I want him to hand me the shoes? I politely say yes, thank you. Then he asks "and...um... do you want me to unlock your boat from the dock"... LESSON: No matter how hard you row... you can't leave the shoes... or the dock! (side note: the next day, a dad in another campsite we walked by asked how our boatride went - i think I was the laughing stock of the entire campground)

THE KNIFE: So, one of the challenges of being the only adult, is what to do when 1 kid is sleeping, 1 is by the campfire and you need more wood! (or pee, or whatever...). Night 2 brought on that situation for me. As you read, Sam and I had a kick ass fire going and we didn't want the fun to "burn out". It is 8pm, Mason is asleep in the tent and the camp store closes at 9. I do a great debate in my mind of what to do - bring Sam and leave Mason, or leave Sam to "watch" Mason... (please note: the camp store is all of about 10 yards away - and I can see the site from the store). I finally decide on having Sam sit by the fire - at a safe distance - while I ran, literally, to get more wood. Before I go, I "arm" him with directions on what to do if a stranger comes up and protection... 1. a cell phone - who he'll call, I have no clue. 2. my car keys - so he can run them over?!?! and 3. my swiss army knife - to which I tell him to stab anyone if they try to take him - but not our friendly neighbors. He just looks at me and says "just hurry, I don't want to stab anyone". LESSON: While preparing your children for the dangers in life sometimes you need to prepare yourself with more wood!

THE HIKE: After a great night sleep (air mattress finally inflated) and minimal rainstorms, we pack up and venture back home. We travel back the Kancamangas and we stop at a site called the "Rocky Gorge" - part of the Swift River, it is a set of steep waterfalls (clearly the spot any mom should take her 2 small children). We cross over the falls via bridge and happen upon a tranquil lake and a hiking trail. Sam wants to hike... I say "why not"! 3 miles later, I find out from Sam that this is "an early birthday gift from him to me". I begin to tear. As we come upon a rickety plank "bridge" over a small stream... Sam says "oh mommy... this is your dream come true! Walking over a bridge with Mason and I"... dear god! Where did this kid come from!?!? LESSON: You cross a lot of bridges in life, some figurative, some literal... but if you cross with the ones you love, you will always be safe!

One final lesson... (from Mason- age 3)
THE BATHROOM: Most people who know me know, I have stomach issues... well, after a lovely lunch in an old diner (located in the center of Plymouth, NH - home of PSU - alma mater of my mom and dad)... we started to trek back down 93. I get 2 exits down and I have to go... BAD!!! So we stop at a burger king... I have 2 boys who want to play in the playground there and closed up restrooms! I was NOT a happy camper (no pun intended)... so I get them back in the car, sweating my ass of an on the verge of tears and we hit up the gas station next door... I am struggling to get Mason out of his car seat "on time" and he asks what is wrong... I state (in his terms) "mommy has to go potty and the bathroom wasn't working at the burger king". His response "Just poop on the mountain"... LESSON: If you are a boy... you can poop anywhere!

The Boys and I circa 2008