Giving Birth 5K

Can you hear that faint sound?........................................



Listen closely...................


It's sort of a "tooting" type sound......................




It's ME TOOTING my own horn!

Yes, most of this blog is truly a brag blog. Who doesn't love bragging about their kids?! (Just being honest here). This brag post really does have a point beyond me just bragging about myself. I promise.

Last April, when we returned to St. George after sell-prepping our house in TN and spending a couple of weeks with mark in CO, I decided enough was enough. Not only did I need to lose the rest of my baby weight but I needed something for ME and my sanity. I needed to find some me time besides going to the grocery store by myself. I decided running was my answer. It was a great way to clear my head, blow off some steam and spend some time ALONE.

I decided to give couch-to-5k a try. It's a running program for novice runners. It had been forever since I ran as a work out (mainly because I never have time) and I seem to work well when I have a plan and a goal to work towards. I decided to invest in a jogging stroller so that I could run with the boys as well. The stroller has been perfect and beyond anything I could have imagined but truth be told, I'd rather run withOUT the boys. Hence the ME time. Luckily, my parents have been willing to watch the boys so I could run in peace and I'm so grateful for that. Thanks Mom and Dad!

I had no idea running would be so therapeutic. Do I think I'll become a Marathon runner? Probably not. Mostly because I don't have the time or energy. If I can sneak away for 45 minutes to an hour, I'm so happy. And when Mama is happy, EVERYONE is happy(er).

I wanted to make sure I didn't hurt myself or break a hip.....as many old people do:).... so I went to the local running store and got fitted for proper running shoes. They examined my stride and hooked me up with the perfect pair. They really are like running on pillows.

I didn't have any intentions of running in a race necessarily but about a month ago, I saw a flyer for a 5k/15 Mile Trail run. Obviously, I was leaning towards the 5k (not 15 Miles as that would just be crazy). What caught my eye was that it was on Cruz's birthday. How symbolic. I could dedicate my run to Cruz and prove to myself that I can also do something for myself without feeling guilty. So there you have it, I signed myself up and the rest is history.

The race was in Pine Valley which is in the Mountains about 40 miles from where my parents live. It was much higher in elevation then what I'm used to but that also meant much cooler. Plus I liked the idea of doing a trail run in the hills rather than hitting the pavement in the city.

As much as I would have enjoyed bringing a cheering squad with me, I decided it was too early to drag the boys out of bed. Gpa Pat and Gma Linda were nice enough to watch the boys and I went by myself.

It ended up being perfect. Being the sappy sentimental person that I am, I took the date of my first race very symbolically. Exactly 1 year prior (and almost the same time), I was pushing myself to the limits and breathing heavily for a very different reason. Back then it felt more like a marathon and this year, a stroll through the hills (a piece of cake compared to child birth). It was pretty hilly but I kept thinking about Cruz and all that we have accomplished together in the past year. I dedicated the race to him.

My goal was to finish without walking and not come in last. Surprisingly, I took 2nd place in my age (old lady) division and brought home a medal. Cooper was very excited about the medal and wanted to try it on immediately.

Thanks Cruz (Cooper too) for giving me the inspiration to run and for making me realize that wanting a little ME time isn't selfish. It really is good for the soul (and for the sons).

Before race shot.

Beautiful race view.

Afer race shot.

Notice how I'm all smiles and the boys aren't all that impressed.

Coop and the medal. Who knew it would be such a hit?

Cruz with the (our) medal.

This is what he truly thought of it.

Okay, carry on now. I'm finished tooting.

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Side note: After the race, I was standing next to the cutest little pregnant girl. The type that looked like she swallowed a watermelon (not a jabba the hut type pregnant person like I was). I told her I could tell it was safe for me to ask how far along she was as I know that can be a very dangerous question to ask someone. She told me 5 1/2 months. I hadn't noticed her in the race at all. I said how impressive that was and asked if it was her 1st race while pregnant. She answered (in a very sweet and non bragging way) "it is with this pregnancy but with 2 of my previous pregnancies, I ran marathons". Wow, that is 26.2 miles! No wonder I didn't notice her in the race. She was obviously way ahead of me. We then stood together chit chatting about kids and stuff because she was alone at the race as well.

Once the medal ceremony began, who wins the 25-29 Womens age group medal but my sweet little friend that swallowed a watermelon. Way to go Mama!