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