Sant Silvestre de Girona!

So... I ran it! Stitches and all... and it was great! 36:02 for 5.4K... loved it. Such a lovely atmosphere! Paula ran too... she was first and a boy tripped her. She was sooooooooooooo upset poor thing, but she did great!

My 93 year old grandma came too... she's THE champion!

So... goodbye 2010 and hello 2011... I can sense it's going to be a wonderful year. Lots of running and getting fit and finally debuting in a 1/2 marathon... 2011 watch out... here I come!

Dec. 31st. 15:24: Sóc gimnasta

So, that's Paula's statement as of Dec. 31st at 3:24pm: I'm a gymnast. I'm so proud of her. She's so into it, loving it and passionate about it... what a blessing!

We're off to our end of year race. It looks like I'll be able to run in the end :D No pain today. I'll try. If I feel any pain, I'll stop, no problem, but I hope I can do it. So far so good today, no pain, no limping... fingers crossed... I know the impact won't help but I do wear compression socks so the area shouldn't move much!

I'll do the 5,4k race and Paula will do the 600m race which will be great. We'll all be given a Santa's hat to run the race. The kids will get a neck warmer upon finishing. We get a goodie bag with a towel in it!!

I have a gymnast at home. How cool is that?

It's out!

Ok... yesterday I was scheduled to have minor surgery on my legs to remove fat lumps. The one on my left knee was not removed. The doc said it was too near knee structures so she's send me to the surgeon to have it done in hospital. We'll see when! The other one along my right tibia was removed. She said it was tiny but I knew it wasn't. It was way bigger than she thought and had to dig dipper than she thought. I have internal stitches (3) and 4 outside. I had it seen to today. All looks good. Not limping anymore as of the evening. My 5,4k end of year race is tomorrow. We'll see how I feel. If I feel like I can do it, I'll run it, if I see I can't I'll just cheer everyone along! I do have to admit I'd love to be able to run it!

Paula and Jan have been going to day camp at the gym. I spoke to a mom today congratulating her for how well her daughter (ex-student of mine :p) is doing and how much she's improved. She told me that Paula did great too and that her daughter's told her how they've been talking about moving Paula to her group :D I was so happy to hear that! I spoke to one of the coaches and she said she's doing great and that she needs to work hard (as she is doing). I asked Paula what she'd ask for if she had a wish to ask. She said "about what?". I just said, anything you'd like to do, somewhere you'd like to be, anything you'd want to be... just a wish... and she said: to train everyday... She really likes her gymnastics, she's passionate about them... I just hope her wish comes true some day. So far they've been practicing her competition routines, floor and balance beam. She says they're coming along nicely :D I know she'll do great because she wants to and she believes in herself... so proud of my girl!

1 day left of 2010 :o... time flies... not a minute to lose!

In love

I am so lucky... I have such a wonderful family. We're all the way we are, that's no discovery really, is it now? But I have the most wonderful children ever, they're so good, so caring, so lovely... I just love them sooooooooooo much. They are children and have their moments but all in all I have to say they're good and I couldn't be more proud of them! They each have their own personality which makes them unique and super special and I just love that about them. Paula's very "intense" and fidgety, very lively and happy. Jan's a little teddy bear, such an easy going child with the most beautiful eyes ever and the sweetest smile. And Pol is our "baby", he's always on the go but is the most caring kid ever and is as happy as can be... they're simply adorable!

I am also lucky to have a caring husband. Seems to be absent most of the time but loves us very much and takes really good care of us all... I am fortunate!

So that... I'm in love with my kids and my family all in all... I'm so lucky!

Zoo

We went to the zoo yesterday. We saw lots of animals, as expected. But what I liked best is getting good shots of the kids, all 3 together <3. So I thought I'd share. Here are my beauties as of Dec. 27th 2010. They loved it. Seeing their excitement and happines is priceless! They had a great time and got really exhausted. We said we'd go back in late May early June or late September so that the animals are not cold and they're all out! Such a nice day!

I can do it on my own, can't I????

Ok, so... I talked to DH and he does not agree with me going on the pronokal diet. He's scared something will happen to me. It is an effective diet, but it is a miracle diet. Not that I didn't know. You lose the weight quick and then... well... if we keep in mind that I suffer from an eating disorder well... so, I'll try as I did back in 2006, to do it on my own: more exercise, less food and good food. I think I can do it. Wait, no! I KNOW I can do it. It will take a big effort, yes. It won't be easy, no. But I can do it, yes I can!

Ok, so there I go... there's no need to wait until Jan 1st... I'm trying as of now. If I fall, I'll get up and start again. Nothing wrong with it, is there?

I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!!!

I like running

So, that's it, I like it, it's fun, it's freedom, it's health... all in one! I'm off work until Jan. 10th. I hope I can get out a lot these days. Kids will be going to day camp Tues-Fri so I'm hoping to go running as I drop them off. It'd be great! It is cold but hey... bundle up and that's it!

I have decided I'll go on the pronokal diet, with a doctor. I need to feel good. It's very expensive but I am worth it and I owe it to myself. I always take care of others and never remember to take care of myself. I can't wait.

Between the diet and training I'm sure everything will be great. I will change my eating habits for life so it won't be a diet anymore but a lifesytle!

So, bring it on. 2011 is going to be the start of something wonderful, I just know it!

Sant Silvestre Riudellotenca

It is Boxing Day and I celebrated by running in Riudellots, a 7k race with lovely atmosphere, very humble but very nice. I did it in 49:37. Happy with it. Strong, very strong head wind from ks 4 to 6, still I run the whole thing. I can do it, I have to believe in myself. I can do this and I love it... no excuses... I simply CAN DO IT! My brother Dani ran too. He did great 33:30... he's such a champ! Upon finishing, water, coke, aquarius and hot chocolate with sponge cake... yum! Ready for more now, LOL!

Hoping to go running a little each day this week. Another Sant Silvestre on Friday, just 5,4k but a great way to end the year!

Life is good!

Christmas at home

And then we celebrated a bit of Christmas morning at home. The kids loved it. It was simple, just a little something but we got it 100%!

Tió at Nana's

We did our Xmas Eve at mom's last night. Here are some shots from last night!

Merry Christmas!

So, it is here, another year's gone by... it's Christmas again! Holy Cow... how did that happen! We've been to mom's for dinner and did the "tió", our Catalan tradition to hit a log and it "poops" tiny presents for the kids. The kids had a great time with their little tokens. It was nice. Chaotic but great :p

Paula and Jan had their school show on Weds and it was great. They did so well. Paula was one of the speakers and she did a great job. So many people have congratulated us... we're sooooo proud! Yesterday Paula had her gymnastics show. It was great too. She did soooo well! They all did!

Hoping to get back to routine at least until Jan. 1st now... Pol needs to get back to his schedule and we need some tidyness (if such a word exists, LOL).

Pol fell on me on Monday night and has his left arm in a bandage and a sling. He's doing great. Apparently it's only a concusion but it's still painful and the doc's doubting there's nothing else. I am to remove the bandage on Sunday. If pain persists, we'll have to do another x-ray. Hopefully he's all better by then!

I'm posting a photo of Pol and his arm and a few of Paula last night. Will post some of Xmas Eve when they're downloaded!

Merry Christmas!

Diagnose?

Ok... no running since Sunday after my exams and have a 5K tomorrow... hopefully I can make it all the way, if not, I'll take walk breaks... no prob! Paula, Jan and Pol are running too :D And my nephews too!!!! It will be great, I just know it, although the forecast calls for rain! We're going no matter what! Pol's a bit under the weather again... darn allergy :( Hopefully he's ok. He's such a brave little boy! Should be a great day! After the race and all, we're off to mom's for lunch. My grandma's here from England so we'll go say hi! It is and will be cold but we'll run and I'm sure I'll get warm by running :D

Ok, so I went to see another physio yesterday. My PT's very own physio! And he seems to have found what my "problem" is, 4 years after getting injured in the first place... woohoo! It appears to be an injury on the toe flexors... amazing... something so "simple"... he moved me and made me do exercises until the pain appeared and... BINGO, once we got to the toe flexors, there it was... so, lots of stretching, some phisio if I can and... running! I can't believe I finally have a proper diagnose 4 years after... feels great!

Saw my psycho also last night. Great session. I think I've got more "weapons" now, I just need to learn to use them!

I hope it goes ok tomorrow... I know my time won't be great but as long as I finish (hopefully pain free) I'll be more than happy! I'm excited about having all the kids run with me!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Ok... exams are over, woohoo! And despite not having worked much I am quite happy of how I did. Will have results as of Monday-Tuesday next week! Fingers crossed!

After my last exam yesterday, it was around noon so I decided (I had my running gear in the car) to go for a run in Barcelona, so I headed down to the Olympic port and run along the waterfront... it was awesome! So many people, so many runners each with their own style and pace... loved it! Did almost 6k, might not be much but it was great and... NO PAIN! Woohoo!

Up to here, all good but...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh... I can't control myself, I can't control my eating, I can't control my mood... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! What can I do? What do I do? How do I do it? Sigh... I so want to yet I feel at loss... I know I can do it but I just can't seem to be able to get round to it. Can't go running tomorrow, will try Weds, Thurs and Fri, but Fri I'm seeing a new physio, supposed to be very very very very good, fingers crossed! Hopefully I find "the" answer I'm looking for!

So ok... as usual... I NEED CONTROL!! Please, if you have it, send it along!!

I've just binged :(

We'll be having dinner in no time, yet I had to have some crisps and chocolate... argh!

Repeat after me: C-O-N-T-R-O-L

Back to square 1!

The run that wasn't

Last day of our long weekend. We had to go to the park with the in-laws. It was a lovely sunny day and the kids could run around which they very much need. My MIL says that the park is too uncomfy for them, say what??? We can sit at the bar on proper chairs no problem you know... so we had to go to their house, locked in on a beautiful day. I was burning with anger. I didn't say about going for a run while the kids were with the grandparents cause I can't leave them alone at the park with Toni (IL's are very old), so I plan to go after lunch. Paula will ride her bike, which she was supposed to do at the park and I can run, but, Jan says he wants to come too so ok... I thought I could sort of power walk, better than nothing, right? Well... Pol never fell asleep so I had to take him too. Hubby can't cope with him... he's a regular 2 year old but he can't... no comment... so off I go on what was supposed to be a run for me with my kids. Paula on the bike, Jan running beside her and Pol stopping every single minute for a thing or another. In the end though, 4kms in 1 hour and 10 minutes and a great time together!

Better than nothing I guess! Lovely day, beautiful weather, awesome temperature!

It's all in the mind

At least that's what I've always thought and a friend of mine, Xevi, just sort of reminded me. He just run the 6 hours in Calella and did a total of 64kms. He said it's amazing how NORMAL LIMITS DON'T APPLY and how it's all in the mind. We can really do anything we want if we believe in it, if the mind believes it, we'll do it!

So, based on that and keeping in mind I do have an eating disorder I've decided to head for a change, a change in lifestyle. Stop dieting and getting to a healthier eating pattern. I'll try to stop obsessing about stuff and see how it goes. I know I can run a marathon, my mind knows too. True, I am not trained yet, but I just know I can do it. In order to do it I must first lose weight, why? Well... it's a lot easier to run without the "backpack" I'm carrying of 30lbs at least... imagine running carrying 23 cans of soda on one side and 23 on the other... it'd surely be easier to run without them. Well, that's about the amount of weight I need to lose. I'll run faster if I don't drag it, so... it's time for it to get off me. I've been so inspired by some of you lately... Barbara's story is amazing. I just wish I had more time, but I must manage with what I have now. And that is, 3 small kids, a full time job and a full time course at university. That's when organization comes in and the mind... it's all in the mind. Let's see how well I can do!

I did get very upset and worried and disapointed on Monday when, at the race, my injury haunted me back but know what? Life goes on so... on with it I shall move! My PT will ask for an appt with his physio and he'll come too, so hopefully that'll be it. I just need a diagnose and an answer, what to do, why it happens and how to avoid it. I want to run, I love it, I feel free and it'll all me doing it.

I am blessed with a lovely family. My kids are great. Pol's growing and is doing so well... his speech is improving daily, the way he gets involved in anything we do... he's adorable. Jan's our little Einstein, asking weird questions and wondering about everything and anything sorrounding us. Paula being a bright little girl and a superb gymnast, loving all she does. I am truly blessed :D

So, I have lots of reasons to make that change, to go ahead, to do it, the first one is me but after me I've got lots more, for me and for them, here I go!

Ghosts from the past

I am 40. I turned 40 on Sunday November 28th, election day here for us! It was a nice day. I went out for dinner with some friends the night before. Got some new running clothes, yippee!! Sunday am I went to run a field race but didn't look at the schedule properly and had to leave without running but I did trot around and got a picture for Pol from Xevi and he got me a necklace, very nice indeed! Then over to mom's, went to a restaurant and celebrated both our birthdays. She turned 66! I got more running clothes and some chocs :D It was nice and simple. Kids had a great time. All 6 grandchildren together!

Haven't trained in ages and had a 5k race today. We all went to Barcelona (took me a lot of effort to convince Toni to come) although in the end they didn't see me run as Toni got really stressed with the kids and they stayed at a park. Better not to ask them to come after all! Anyway, I set off way to quick (although calling my pace quick is a riot) but did all k's under 7'/k so I'm happy with that. The problem is that my very first injury, the one that kept me 3 years off from running is haunting me back and now on both legs, argh! My PT has been extremely sweet and I'm going to go see his physiotherapist and see what happens. There has to be an answer and a cure and I need to know about it. It's been too long now! Anyway, I run and I finished in 35:12 (6'42"/k) happy as Larry :D Stayed in Barcelona for a while, went to the mall and to Toni's favorite hot dog place and came back home. We've had a lovely afternoon at home. I have a lovely family, I do indeed!

I think I just have too much on my hands right now and it's all affecting me. I have to accept I am not a superwoman, just a regular human being and can't cope with everything. There!

Next races, hoping I can do them: Dec. 19th, 5K in Lloret, Dec. 26th, 7k in Riudellots and Dec. 31st, 5,4K in Girona although I am having little surgery on the 29th and don't know if I'll be able to run it! Also might run a relay (1h) in a 24hr event to raise money for a good cause, although due to my injury and having a back-up person I've told her to take my spot if it suits her! We'll see, if not I'll go and do what I can!

I need a break. I need a good night's sleep. That's all

A bit of everything

After my race on Sunday I felt great. I was bothered about my knee though. Went to my doc on Monday, he said it was a bit of overuse and did some laser. But then on Tuesday I went to a very good physiotherapist (sp???) in Sabadell, near Barcelona. He works with the Futbol Club Barcelona (Barça) doctors and is very good. He's been in the sport's injuries "business" for 35 years and knows what he's talking about. So I left work at 1 and headed to Sabadell. Got there, took me ages to park but finally managed, got there and waited patientlly while I read "Magical Running", what a great book! I read more of it once sat on the "bed" but waiting for him to see me.

In the end he comes and asks what the problem is. Before I can say anything, he says "too much calf". I tell him about how I started running 4 and 1/2 years ago and how it all went and what I've been told and all the tests I've been through and all I've done. I also told him I was told my achylles tendon was too short but he said, it's not that, he said my calf muscle is huge and the tendon can't cope with all that muscle... finally someone that agrees that my calves are huge (and horrible, although he didn't say that, LOL). I've always hated my legs, they look ugly and big. I've always "blamed" mom for taking me to ballet lessons when I was little but I guess it's my build, full stop. He also said that if I was a weight "thrower" or a speed runner I'd be good but doing long distance makes my muscles tight. To make a long story short, it seem like my very first diagnose was good: shin splints, yes, as simple (or not) as that, and they've been piling up over the years and now I have lots of liquid in there and we need to realease it. He did a sort of massage on the tibial bone... OMG... I saw new galaxies and planets... it was soooooooooooooo painful! He said I have to do this myself every day... geez... I must apply cold gel and press my thumb upwards along the bone to undo all the knots that are there. My legs are still so sore today (to the touch) where he pressed... oh my! He said to stretch my tibials a lot and my knees, I'm to use warming up gel before running, apply this special tape on my shins, then apply ice right upon finishing my run and then apply the cold gel and pressure on the bone to untangle what's tangled up! He never said anything about rest or stoping. He was soooo cool!

So, I went to the bike path today. I did a short run. The temperature was great, even hot I'd say! And I had no pain, no bothers... it was great! Hoping to go to Banyoles tomorrow and I'm planning on doing 2 laps around the lake. That's about 12,5km. Hopefully I can do it!

So, all good news I think. Also, I am eager to do my first half... possible dates are: Feb 6th, I'm already signed up but Paula's competing that day and might not be able to do it. Feb. 13th, a flat half near Barcelona (on the other side of me), March 20th, another flat half near Barcelona (on the side closer to me) and then first or second Sunday in May the half in Girona. After my exams on Dec. 12th my PT said we'll start upping mileage to see how I do. I'm so excited! I work so much better with a goal ahead... I just follow the carrot!!

1:08:33

This photo appeared on the main sport's paper here in Catalunya. OMG... on the digital edition, in a 40 photo album, this was number 2... not my best shot by any means, but way too cool! My partner is my beloved Maria!

87th edition of the Jean Bouin, a 10K race in Barcelona, this am. A lovely day with lovely crispy air and 10,250 runners! My watch said 1:08:37 but the official results say 1:08:33, so... I take it! After all I was wearing a timing chip and I guess that's the result that counts :P

It was great. I was lucky enough to meet Maria, a friend, and we run together... needless to say, running with someone is such a pleasure! She "pushed" me and we had a great time!

My knee's been bothering me since Tuesday with a "knicknack" and I'm going to the doc's again tomorrow... no pain while I run but bothering while I'm still, so I better have it seen to!

So, another race under my belt... getting closer to my half!

Banyoles again :D

It was a hard day at work today where lots of "harsh" feelings came out. We talked about it and it was good as we downloaded some stress which is always nice!

I left at 1, I went to pay for Paula's new leotards that I got on Friday and didn't pay (visa machine wasn't working) and then came home, got changed and headed for Banyoles to go around the lake. It was another perfect day for running. Sunny, crispy, beautiful! I run in the opposite direction today and decided the other way is much better. Did the full loop and felt great. Was 12 seconds per km faster today than yesterday. Think I'll rest tomorrow and then go out again on Thursday, we'll see. Friday will be tricky day as I have a dinner in the evening and a psycho appt at midday but will try to go after the psycho at the bike path and think the appt and the run will be the perfect combination! If I'm up for it I'll go tomorrow again, if not, I'll allow my body a day's rest (which ain't that bad after all) and resume on Thursday, we'll see!

2 days in a row... happy about it and feeling great! Slow but good, at least I'm out there!

Running under the rain!

So I went running today. It was raining, yet it didn't stop me. The truth is that I've been somewhat stressed due to some stuff that's going on at work and I really needed to get out there. It was awesome. Since it was raining, there was noone about, it was just lovely! I run very very slow but I got out there and run for 34 minutes plus some others of warmup and cooldown!

Might go to Banyoles tomorrow (might be very muddy...) or back to the bike path where I run today. I need to get studying too. I didn't take part time with all it means not to study but the truth is that being able to go running at midday is a privilege!

My pace today was very very very very slow, I think the slowest ever... don't know what'll happen on Sunday at the race... maybe I'll repeat what I did last year: last, but as long as I can run it, who cares how long it takes?

I'm determined to run a half in Feb. We'll see what happens!

Ok, here it goes...

After thinking about it for ages and really wanting to do it and after reading a few stories of regular people , people just like me (and you ;) I guess...) I want to go for it. I want to make it for Barcelona 2012, that is the Barcelona marathon in 2012 held the first weekend in March. So there... I said it. I had it in mind. Don't know if I ever stated it in writing but here I go. If I want it I've got to fight it. Noone's going to give it to me. If one want something, it won't be easy, it won't be "free", so there... I am signed up for a half on Feb. 6th but as I have stated some other time, it might be the date of Paula's first competiton of the season (don't know if it'll be Feb. 5th or 6th and where. We'll find out for sure, I think, on Monday Nov. 29th). If it is held where I run, no problem but it'd be too much of a coincidence. If not, there's another one on Feb. 13th, the following weekend, so I better get going. I'm late in training already so... here I go... I will lose weight along with it, slowly but surely and will run a half and in 16 months I hope to run Barcelona and then my dream, my biggest dream of all... NY in 2013 (I was no in the raffle this year, will be no I guess this year and next, so it's a yes for 2013!!!)

So Jacky... mothering, working, studying and training... I can do it with organization. I can, I can, I can!!!!

87th Jean Bouin!

That's happening next Sunday, November 21st (www.jeanbouin.cat) That was my very first 10K race after being sidelined for 3 years and after only having started running 3 months before that. It was a great day! So, lots of memories for me on Sunday of how far I've come and how far I've got to go. I know I won't do too well but I'm doing it no matter what. My brother wants to try to run under 49', we'll see. He can surely do it!

No running today, lots of walking yesterday, park in the am with the kids today and afternoon at home. It's dark at like 5:30 and it doesn't feel like getting out there at all! We've realized we can't let Pol take 3+ hour naps, so as of next weekend, if he sleeps less we can go out before dark and since we'll be out already it won't be as hard and we can use all afternoon too :P

Off to the doc tomorrow (for my leg, what kept me away from running for 3 years) for a checkup (we do them every 2-3 months) and it comes in perfect as my back is warning me...

Will run (if no other obstacles) at midday tomorrow, woohoo!!!

Sigh

Ok, the time has come. It's got to stop. I need to do things right. I have to lower my anxiety levels and running is a natural remedy for that. I have to control my eating and running is great for that. I need to focus and running is great for that. I need to find time but the day only has 24 hours. Conclusion: ORGANIZATION is the key. I can do it. I want to do it. I need to do it... JUST DO IT JACKY, JUST DO IT!!!

Running in Banyoles!

At last! I was able to go for a run and it felt awesome! I've started to work part time until the end of november so after work, at 1, I headed to Banyoles, a 20-25 minute drive and run around the lake. It's a 6.2k loop sorrounded by nature. It was lovely! I got there at 2, the light was great! I started off by walking to warm up and then started running or rather trotting. It was a very slow run but it was a run. The place is sooooo beautiful! Hardly anyone around and the views were breath taking... I loved it! Temperature was ideal too on Friday! I must take my camera along next time,too many beautiful spots around that need to be pictured!

So, I am taking part time to study and so far I haven't opened a book, I better get going. I have a doc appt on Monday at 4 with a 30 minute commute. Will see my doc (general) also one day at lunch time and have a psychologist appt on Friday at 2.

Next race on Sunday the 21st. I will be slow, very slow, but better slow than nothing! I need to get going again and stop eating to stop gaining so I can go faster!

I want, I need, I must...

CONTROL!!!! Please, please, please! I need to have control over my actions, I need to decrease my anxiety levels, I WANT to control my eating. I must lose weight, I want to lose weight, I have to lose weight... oh... why is it so difficult? Why can't I be normal????

Running in the dark

After an exhausting week (I wonder how much of that is due to daylight savings...) I went for a run last night. My friend Xavi, whom I send my love and courage as he is injured and suffering, told me to just get out no matter how tired I was and I'd feel better. So I followed his advice and it was great. He said, go out and forget about the pace. Sure enough... I got out there and just run for the sake of it. I got home feeling sooooooooooo alive... I loved it! It is dark at 6pm so I always run in the dark but the temperature's just perfect for running! I love that! I heard on the news that with this daylight saving business each family saves (family, not person) 10€ per year... give me a break! Do we have to go through all this hassle for 10 flipping euros a year per family? Come on... I skip buying fish one day and I save them 10 euros and less problems... amazing what we go through just because "they" make us... argh!

As of next Tuesday I am doing part time. I will work 9-1 until Nov. 30th. I am taking the time to study as I have exams the first week in December but... I will take the time and go running in day light the days I have training. I will go straight at 1 after leaving work so I will have lots of energy when I get back home and will be nice and fresh to study! Woohoo! I will get less money but being on my own for 4 hours before I pick the kids up and such is going to be great. I'll study, of course, but I will also train the days I have training and even if it's only for 3 weeks, I'll be able to do so during the day when I can see where I go and where I want!!!!

This am we've gone to the fair. Last day tomorrow and we still hadn't been :P My sis calls in the am that she wants to come to the city to go to the mall. I say we're going to the fair, why don't you come? She said yes and we've had a whale of a time! Got to the fair at 11 and left at 2. The kids had such a great time! Met lots of kids we knew too! My sis took my kids to the mall with her. I came home, fed Pol his lunch and left him with dad. We had lunch and the mall and did some shopping. Got home after 6 :P What a lovely day... we just played it by ear and it turned out awesome! Got some pyjamas for me, a notebook for Paula, a new purse for me (mine was broken) and my sis got all she wanted and a bit more! Paula was great, so good and well behaved! Jan was ok but could have been better and Harry was a bit more "out" but all in all they weren't bad at all... taking kids shopping is so unfair... they couldn't care less. Paula loved it as she was in the changing room with Lisa all the time feeling special but the boys really "hated" it, they got bored.

Anyway, all in all, a wonderful day. We've got to do it more often. Getting together that is... no need to go to the fair or shopping. Being together is all they want really :D

Port Aventura (last :D)

And just 2 more... they get along so well, I just love the way they love and admire each other!

Port Aventura (III)

I have so many pics, and would post them all, but I can't. I just love my kids. They're my main source of inspiration and motivation!

Port Aventura (II)

Yet, a few more pics!

Port Aventura (I)

A few pics from our day in Port Aventura. The kids loved it! They were so good at posing! Amazing!

Birthday boy!

Here's my baby on his 2nd birthday!

Pol's 2nd Birthday!

A few pics of Pol's birthday celebration! He loved his "Elmo", what a success. He takes it all over! Paula and Jan were so happy and proud of their brother... priceless! The photos were taken in the am, just upon waking up, thus their faces and hair-do's, LOL!

32 Cros de Sants

I managed to get another run in on Wednesday before a meeting we had (a family course I'm taking). It was great... I relax so much when I can run... I love it! When I finished, my foot was very sore. I looked the blister with pus was filled with blood too... went to the ER after the meeting and the nice (NOT) doctor told me that was no emergency to go home and have my doc see me the next day. I could NOT put my foot on the floor, it was sooooooooooo painful, it was 1am too... I don't go to the ER at 1am (or ever) because I like going... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Anyway, had a chyropodist (sp?) appt on Thursday and she was great. She popped that blister plus another big one I had and I could walk no problem. She said to go to the skin doc as I have flesh under the blisters and not skin as I should have. She gave me a cream with antibiotic, cortisone and anti-fungic (I might have invented that word in English...) and so far it's working great!

And then... we went to Port Aventura on Friday and had a blast. So nice! And... it was Pol's birthday on Saturday! My baby's 2 already! We had lunch with a bunch of friends from Jan's daycare. We still meet 3 years after "graduating" from daycare! We had a surprise cake and candles for Pol, it was very nice!

And yesterday... I run the 32 Cros de Sants in Barcelona! A tough race as it had lots of hills, but nice, very nice! It poured down on us, only for a minute, but POURING, before the start. I was soaked through, so I run in wet shoes and socks and everything else!!!! Objective was finishing under 1:20 as I had been stopped for so long with the dyshidrosis. I finished in 1:09:55 so happy with it, but all in all, happy to be able to run the full race and finish!

Over to Figueres in the afternoon for a chestnut party at a friend's house. It was a lovely afternoon. A little hectic with so many kids but they had lots of fun and to me, that's a 100% success!!!!

Hoping to just stay home today and relax after all these wild days. Back to work tomorrow!

Perfect weather for running

Went out for a short easy run. Plan called for 30 easy minutes and that's what I did. Loved every minute of it. Feeling good now. Ready for a shower too! Did over 2.5k of warmup and cooldown and run 4.2k... not bad. It was "only" 13ºC out there, but it was just perfect with a short sleeve and a windbreaker!

My dyshidrosis is bad and my foot's really bothering me but I ain't stopping unless extremely necessary. Running keeps me sane! Seing the doc on Thursday. Hopefully she's got some answers for me!

Cursa de la Dona de Barcelona (Run for the Cure)

So, after having gone for a run on Weds and Fri after such a long time, I decided to back out on the 10K I had for today and signed up for the Run for the Cure in Barcelona, a 5K wich was doable, compared to the 10K.

I have to say, I finally was able to use my new toy, my Garmin 305 on Friday and that I loved it! Still figuring out how it works but I love it!

So, got up at 7:30 am, got dressed and headed for Barcelona. Picked up a coffee and a sandwich on the way. Got to Barcelona and then I couldn't find any parking -help- I finally found where to park (paying) and headed to the race grounds. Picked up my timing chip, went porta-potty and headed for the start (there was time for nothing else :P not even warm up...). Crossed the start line 9 minutes after the gun had gone. Lots of walkers, let's not forget this is more a party than anything else. I wasn't able to run for the first 500m because of the amount of ladies out there, 10,300 total today, woohoo! Also, I was zig-zagging all the time (all the 5k's) passing walkers and others so it wasn't easy! Running up the Ramblas in Barcelona was great... all the tourists were watching in awe, LOL! A beautiful and perfect morning. Wish I had someone to run with, meaning I had known someone there. Still it was great. Spoke to lots of women and had a great time!

Finish time for me was 34:13, a PB for me. I was going at 6:20/km for a while and at the end at 5:50, OMG! Fastest was 4:28 which is amazing but avg pace was 6:57 wich is ok with me. Loved the run, would have gone more but it'll have to wait! I've just come back, gotta take it slowly! Sunday next week... Cros de Sants, a 10K... I'm going no matter what! And my brother will be there too!

So... hoping to report more runs! I had pus on my foot last night. It was terribly painful but I'm sorry... I ain't stopping again, can't afford it!

Medium term goal: half marathon (signed up for Feb. 6th and looking at the Feb. 13th one which is nice and flat, might not be able to do Feb. 6th as Paula might be competing that day...)

Long term goal: marathon. I am looking into Barcelona 2012 held the firs Sunday of March. Time will tell!

Yes! I went for a run! Woohoo!

So, I did! I finally managed to get out there and boy did it feel good!!! I loved every minute of it although I can sort of tell I'll be sore tomorrow but, who cares?

Headed out at around 8:20pm, walked to starting point as usual and then started. Did my usual route and did about the same time... not bad for not having run for a month and a day and having put weight on. Guess the amount of rest on the body had something to do with it too!

Feeling happy, free and alive. Hope I can keep going now!

Had a 10K on Sunday but decided I won't be ready and have changed it for a 5K Race for the Cure in Barcelona. I'll be in a race and it will be doable!

I did notice a new "batch" of blisters "sprouting" on the same foot, further down and smaller but still there, itchy like crazy. So far it's all under control and hope it stays that way!

So, I'm back at it... my Garmin had no battery, I did not find my other GPS and my MP3 run out of battery (although it was almost at the end of the run). Still, I went out... nothing could stop me!

Trying to take control

Ok, so after a very busy week with meetings and lots to do I want to try yet once again to control my life, basically, control my eating.

My foot's better. Not 100% but definitely better. I am hoping to start doing something on Saturday (have a dinner tomorrow night and can't fit it in). I have signed up for a hal on Feb. 6th. Don't know if I'll be able to do it since Paula might be competing the same day at the same time, but there are lots more going on around those days. I still hope I can do it, we'll have to wait to see when her competition is. Wouldn't miss it for the world :D

So, the plan is (and I hope I can sort of stick to it) to start running again and controling my food intake to gradually lose weight and feel better. Will need as much help as I can get, after all I do have an eating disorder... won't be easy but it's worth the try, that half's waiting for me!

Can I do it? Yes I can!

Mireia's Creative Cafe

Check this out! So cute, so much talent! She's an artist!

My creative cafe: "mi" project de Septiembre...

Paula's training

Open doors at Paula's gym this past week. We went to see her and took photos one day. Here are a few!

Loved it. Had so much fun watching her and the other groups!