Holy Shiz-Balls. . . . we're really gonna do it!

Well. . . . it's official! Angie and I are doing a 50k! Actually, as it stands, we're signed up for a 50k and a 50 miler. . . .but that 50 miler was a total air-head move on my part! Angie had a Christmas get-together today and registration for the race opened up at noon. It was full within 2 hours! Since I was at home, I registered both of us for the race. Then realized that I didn't scroll down to the 50k and I had us both signed up for the 50 miler! We're crazy but not THAT crazy! I scrambled on the web page to try and switch it but there is no way to do that because entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. I noticed 116 of the 200 50k positions were full so I signed us up for that race too! I'm sure I'll get refunded the money for both of the 50 mile entries since that race filled up already too, but most importantly, we got our positions!!!!! We are joining 198 other crazies running a 50k on the trails in May.

I'm excited but terrified. I've only run 3 marathons. Yeah, that's a great accomplishment that I'll talk about for the rest of my life, but it's not that much compared to what many people have accomplished. A 50k is a whole different level. A level we're excited to conquer.  If you have ever done long distance running, you know the energy it takes to do a long run.  But if you've ever done trail running, you know the significant difference between that and street running.  It's totally awesome running in the woods and on trails, but it takes an insane amount of energy to run and it really wears a person out.  I crave that feeling.  Pure exhaustion!

Since I've been "off" recently for my ankle, I'm really getting anxious to get some running in.  I have enjoyed a little extra sleep, a few extra hours at work as this is my busy time of year and just being able to stay in the warmth versus being out in the windy cold.  I ran a couple of times this week. Easy treadmill runs. I did a 2 miler over my lunch this week and I ran 3 yesterday on the treadmill at home.  So far, so good with the ankle.  I have minor discomfort but I've been icing and stretching so I'm hoping that it's resolving.  Well, it has to...... I'm a little over a week out from our new training schedule!  I just had the hubby set up the treadmill at home because I've heard from numerous people it's going to be a COLD winter.  YUCK!  I hate my dreadmill.  I really do. . . . BUT, after my birthday flop of a run, I'll take the dreadmill over sub zero windy outdoor runs any day . . . maybe not any distance, but we'll see.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  I've got plenty of ideas for series I can watch on Netflix to pass the time if I need to run indoors.

I'm pretty much ready for Christmas.  I have a few presents left to wrap, but I do believe I'm done shopping . . . maybe a few little odds and ends, but I think I'm done!  I'm thankful for my Thanksgiving week head start because things have been pretty crazy at work and home and I'm feeling a little stressed about everything that needs to get done.

We've succumbed to the damn Elf on the Shelf.  Now, I'm not all creative and making full fledged scenes with the little guy, who Jackson lovingly named "Snowflake," which reminds me of Jim Carey in Ace Venture Pet Detective every time I say the name.  Jackson was not buying it when we first brought him out. . . . . after he tried to tell me that Snowflake was a statue and not real I thought he was going to buy into it. . . . then he told me that Snowflake wasn't real because he had tags, so I bought him at the grocery store.  Something tells me this kid is going to be an early "non-believer."  I still convinced him that Snowflake tells Santa how he was each day.  He's confessed some pretty funny things to Snowflake followed by a quick "Sorry!" 

This is as creative as I get with this creepster.  Jackson was mad he had to share his motorcycle with Snowflake for the day and he couldn't play with it.  He got over it!


 

 Every year, the police association throws a fantastic Christmas Party for all of the law enforcement officer's kids.  They all run around like crazy people and then we eat pizza and junk food and then they sing Jingle Bells really loud so Santa will come!  Then, each kid gets a gift and a bag of candy from Santa.  It's pretty neat.  Jackson got an awesome Tonka truck.  I'm already using it as leverage to encourage good behavior. . . . . . "If you don't eat your dinner, I'm taking the Tonka Truck away!"  Am I a bad mom?  I feel like I'm a coping mom. . . . .a  busy, stressed around the holidays, coping mom.  (Don't judge!)  Anyway, Jackson got to see Santa and sit on his lap.  His first year he cried, like most kids, then last year he was a little timid, but this year I had to tell him to get off Santa's lap so other kids could have a turn.  Apparently he wants a real pirate ship, a nerf gun and a HUGE Monster Truck. 

My Child has no fear of strangers. . . . even fake Santa's.

I've had a crazy couple of weeks since Thanksgiving.  I am trying to focus on enjoying the Holidays instead of stressing through them.  Having a small child reminds me of the joy of the Holidays.  I don't know why it always seems so crazy.  I'm thinking it just seems worse because I'm not running the way I love to and need to.  I know I'll be back at it very soon (December 23rd to be exact).  I'm anxious to get back to a training schedule.  It will flip the switch of focus and determination on for me.  I know we have a HUGE spring with the 50k, a 30 miler for Angie's Birthday (guess how old she is!) and then Grandma's Marathon in June.

Stay tuned for some updates on our training.  I promise to be more diligent with blogging our progress as we work towards our first 50k.

So. . . . are we crazy for actually signing up for the 50k?  What do you have planned for winter or spring races?

Happy Running. . . and stay warm!

~Brooke~