2nd place

Hi! It's been a while... only got a run in this week due to pouring rain and then meetings, dinners, competitions... hoping to get out there tomorrow and stretch my legs!

So, Paula was competing today, in her own gym. It was nice to "be home". She did great. She placed 10th overall but got 2nd place within the team, so they each got a silver medal and a trophy (for the gym). She was sooooooooo chuffed... it was great to see my little princess soooooooo happy! She's put so much effort into it. I'm a proud and happy mom tonight. I always am but tonight, seeing my beauty so happy (she's having dinner with her medal around her neck, LOL) is worth everything!

Pol's chest is really congested but he's a champ... he struggles at night (so do we...) but he's a great kid! Jan's adorable and was so happy to see Paula lining up and to see her win a medal... their bond is amazing... I so love it!

A proud and happy mom, yes... that's what I am!

CARPE DÍEM

Well... I'm a believer in living life to the max and today was "proof" of it. I got to work today and everyone had a *weird* face on. I ask what's up and they tell me one of my K3's dad died last evening. I was in shock, needless to say. He was healthy and happy, only 45 and died of a "fulminant" heart attack.

I've always known but it's at times like this that I realize that we are NOTHING, that our destiny is written and that there's nothing to do about it. That we should never leave anything for tomorrow, do all you can today as you never know what tomorrow brings, if there's tomorrow... we're so frail... we can have everything one minute and lose it all next... there's that e-mail running around that says to never wait until this, that or the other because you waste your time while waiting... too true. Live the moment and enjoy every minute, you don't know what the next minute will bring.

This little girl came to school today. She knew nothing about her dad passing away. Her mom was going to tell her this evening. She'll be in tomorrow. She was all happy and smiles today, obviously she didn't know her dad was missing. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Lots of hugs might be required. And I'll be there for her. So sad...

So... CARPE DIEM, live life to the fullest (without being silly), tell your loved one that you love them and don't wait til tomorrow to do what you CAN do today. Love life!

Stretching my legs...

Just back from a little run... the weather's perfect now. I just wish I could run any time of the day. I left the house at around 9:30pm, hardly anyone about. Just took it easy. I feel great now. More running tomorrow, rest on Thursday (as scheduled wich fits nicely as I have a meeting at school at 8pm) and then back at it on Friday. No racing this weekend, but a 13K the other one... it's a trail run... not sure I can do the uphills but all my training group is going so I'll just go so we can all be together!

Thank goodness for running... keeps me sane, LOL!

Paula's competing on Saturday. Her group competes from 7pm to 8:15pm... medals are not given until 9:40pm... it will be a late night... oh well... it's Saturday!

Monday gone!

So it's Monday today, but it's almost 11 pm so... Monday's gone already... time sure flies these days!

Not a lot to report really but just felt like writing! It's just that I love being a mom. I love my kids. They're so lovely, so different yet so great! Paula's growing fast, she's a little miss. Next competition's coming up on Saturday and at her gym! Jan's doing "story hour" on Thursday. Finally his turn to tell a story to the class! He's thrilled! He demands time with me and I give it to him. It's lovely! Pol's doing something new each day... he's so bright and so cute... 3 nights sleeping through in a row and asking to go to bed... fantastic!

Still happy about how the kids run the race yesterday and loved it. I never got to see Paula since she just left and said "see you later mom", but I run with my Jan and that permanent smile on his face was worth everything! What a champ!

School was tough today. Kids are hyper and sort of out of control but I had a great time with my co-workers and the kids too, not all of them though, LOL!

Bed time now. Running tomorrow easy, can't wait!

Proud

It's Sunday, May 9th. 3:14pm as I start to type... it's been a great morning!

To begin with, Pol slept the night throug again. I got up at 8, both Paula and Jan were up and we got ready to go to the race. We left the house at around 8:30. Got there, got their bibs and chips and gathered with all their school mates. Lovely atmosphere. Lots of children! I am so PROUD... Paula was on her own... never saw her even start... she's such a big girl and such a champ! I was with Jan. Last year after his 3rd step (and I ain't kidding) he was crying and I had to drag him (I wasn't going to carry him). But today... he was great, and the best part was his attitude towards it. He was so happy and so into it! Paula ran the 500meters in 3:51, Jan in 5:01... what a couple of champs I've got! They got a neck warmer (the thin kind) as a present and were as happy as could be. Some moms picked them up and headed to the park while I ran my race!

At 9:35 my race started. I set off nicely. First 4k had lots of hills, last 2 as well, but I enjoyed the downhills very much :p Water at K3 and K 8 which was awesome (there was a half marathon at the same time so I guess that's why there were 2 water stations!). In the end 9k 420m in 1:01:04. I estimated to do it in less time but I'm happy, a little over 6:30 mins per km, right on my pace! It didn't rain, it was partly sunny, hot but not unbearable!

I finished right after the firsth 1/2 marathoner arrived. I waited to see how the 2nd, 3rd and others arrived, also the 1st woman, it was very exciting!

The organization of the event wasn't bad but the finish and how to get out and such could have been a lot better. Still, a home race, a lovely sporty atmosphere and one more under the belt!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. I love being a mom!!!! And a runner!

Friends

Paula was invited to a birthday party this afternoon. But it wasn't a "regular" birthday party. She was invited by one of the girls she goes to gymnastics with. The nice/special thing about it is that she only invited Paula and another little gymnast as "outsiders", the rest were all family members. She didn't want to invite any of her classmates, just Paula and Noa. They get along so well and Andrea, that's the birthday girl!, greeted them so well when they were brought into the new team... it's a really special relationship they have. Andrea's been like a little mom to them two and now they're the best of friends. I love it, not only do they do gymnastics together, they also love each other and care one for another... couldn't have it any better! Paula had a blast at the party, them 3 were together most of the time. Andrea's dad said to me that when she's with Paula and Noa she sees noone else... no cousins, no friends... noone! He too thinks it's nice and cute :)

So there's my lovely girl, loved anywhere she goes... she truly is adorable!

And tomorrow... race in Girona. First, the kid's race. 500 meters! Then, the popular race, 9.130m. Paula and Jan are running. I'm sooooooooo proud! Most of their school children will be there (the school with most runners gets a 400€ check for sports goodies!) so it should be lots of fun! Paula can't wait. Jan says he'll do it, LOL... they're sooooooooo different! I'm sure Pol would go the distance no problem but he should be still sleeping at that time! He slept the night through last night. Woke up at 8, didn't want his breakfast, put him back in bed and had to wake him up at 10:30! He then took a 4 hour nap, he's a champ!

After the kidlets run, they'll stay with a mom from Paula's class. We're all going to the park for breakfast! I'll join as I'm done running! Life is good!

The weather's been horrible all week... lots and lots of rain. No sign of it today though... hopefully it holds off for us tomorrow!

Ugh

Well, the title says it all, ugh...

After a rough week... I mean after not having run for a week and having 3 training runs in during this week I thought all was back in track. My training runs were good and I felt great while doing them.

Today was the 10K at Empúries. We went to l'Escala yesterday to pick up my bib number and bag so I knew where to go today, LOL! We had a great time. I even met Arcadi Alibés who wrote a book on running called "run to be happy" and he signed it for me! The kids were great!

I got up at 6:30 (went to bed after midnight...) after Pol woke up at 4:20 (I have to add he had (sorry) pooped so I had to change him). I took a shower, got dressed and off I went. Got there, parked and headed to the race area. Met an old friend and chatted. Missed the photo as I was in line to go potty... my MP3, although I charged it, was flat, so... no music for me. Ileft my bag and off I went to the start line.

Things were going great, no sun, so no heat, and good time at k2... but I don't know what happened after... I thought I was going great. I caught this older man (he was 69) and he kept me going. I made such an effort to keep at his pace. The race was full of "invisible" uphills... it was hard... when I saw the time at the finish line I could have cried... how on earth did I do soooooooooo bad??? It was pathetic, horrible... then again, looking at the bright side, as there's always one... another 10K under my belt, it wasn't hot, I had company and I'm in one piece!!!

Hoping for a better race next time!