My Biggest Fan

When you decide you want to run a 50K you know it's going to be a lot of work. When you're married with 2 kids under the age of 5 you know it's going to take a very understanding spouse who will love you more even though you might be a little crazy :)!

I decided on the way home from my marathon when I was doubled over in the front seat sick to my stomach making Alfred pull over at every exit that I could run farther!  That a marathon just wasn't enough.  Most husbands after 5 hours of taking care of the boys in below freezing weather, chasing you around a unfamiliar city to hold signs up and give you support and now seeing how bad you felt would say no way, I'm not doing this again.  My Alfred said "I think you could easily do it".  And so the quest began. 

My friend Jill and I decided to join Fleet Feet's training for the Stump Jump which meant Alfred would have to rearrange his entire work schedule so he could have Saturday mornings off so that I could get up at 4:30AM make lots and lots of noise and head to the woods for hours upon hours then come home and recover however I felt necessary.  It might be a nap or party with the friends, really who knew from one week to the next!  About 3 weeks in I reminded him that Kingston would be playing Soccer and he would have to take both boys to the ball field on Saturday mornings and I would try to meet them there...oh and he was going to coach!!  He said "That's fine, I've always wanted to coach". 

He reminded me on Friday's to give him my list of must have trail food for the weekend so he could go ahead and get it while he was at work.  The times when I've doubted myself he's reminded me that I am strong that I am doing this for those that can't, that I run because in a family full of heart disease that takes the lives of those I love too early I (knock on wood) have shown no signs of heart disease.  He has massaged my back and legs and made ice packs when I've needed them.  He understands the need carb load and doesn't make fun when I go into super crazy food planning before long run or race mode.  Most of all he hasn't made me feel bad for being a little crazy.  He has made me feel supported and loved and through it all I've fallen even more in love with him and I didn't even think that was possible. 

So as I embark on my journey Saturday morning I do so knowing that in a hotel in Chattanooga my husband will be there getting the boys ready for a fun day out on the town, coming to see mommy when possible and he will be there with our boys to watch as I cross the Finish line hand in hand with my training buddies and he will have Patrone!!  Thanks for being you Alfred and for allowing me to be me!  I love you from the bottom of my heart and I love the example you are setting for our boys, so they always know it is possible to have a family and follow your dreams. 

Happy 4 1/2 Birthday Kingston Homer!

Half birthdays have always been a big deal in our house.  Why should you have to wait an entire year to celebrate the awesomeness that is you!  So today as my first child celebrates another 1/2 year I want to take a moment to reflect on him.  We always say he had a better plan for our family then Alfred and I ever could.  He is the reason we are the Eller's!

 Kingston you are one of a kind!  You have never met a stranger.  You work a room quicker than most anyone I know.  People I don't even know recognize you at the most random places.  Everyone is your friend!  You never miss an opportunity to compliment anyone.  You tell me everyday how beautiful I am. You love all beautiful things from painted toe nails to necklaces to rocks that you see something in that no one else does and call them happy rocks. 

You love running with mommy and Bex, you are a great big brother, you love daddy days when you, Bex and daddy get to hang out at home all day and be lazy.  You remind us all the time that paper towels are bad for the environment and you ask so many questions about God and Jesus and Church.  You are good to your friends at school.  Your best friend at school  is Sarah and has been for the last few years, the 2 of you love playing dress up and pretending to cook.  You play soccer and this year you have really matured in the sport.  You know you have to be on the field and that your team needs you.  You beg us to take karate and I hope to get you enrolled soon.  You perform skits and puppet shows at home and at school all the time.  You come up with the most random stuff and I could watch you for days.  You love movies and funny music. You enjoy going out to eat with the running club on Wednesday and if you get in trouble and you have to miss you are very upset.  You love your grandparents and I think you would live with them if we let you.  You love vacation and staying in hotels!

You talk all the time!!  People are usually floored by your vocabulary because you sound like a little adult.  Sometimes this drives mommy crazy because you reason things out so well.  You are a debater and every time you get in trouble you try to talk your way out of it before you will just take the punishment and I have to admit sometimes your arguments are good.  You are a cuddle bug and I hope you remain this way forever!  You are constantly giving daddy and I kisses and hugs and I just love it.  Your favorite food is broccoli and any dessert, your favorite color is green, you hate tomatoes but finally after 4 years you love watermelon.

I could go on and on forever and still never convey what you mean to me!  The last 4 1/2 years have been amazing.  Sure at times my nerves are shot and I make many many mistakes but I wouldn't trade one day of time with you.  The ups the downs and all the all the in betweens!  So happy half Birthday Kingston Homer and thank you for choosing us!   

People and Fruit

Kingston's assignment in Pre-K this week was for us to pick a fruit and for him teach the class a characteristic based on that fruit.  The kids were then going to mix all their fruit together to make a fruit salad for the parents at Open House.  After much deliberation with my friend Jodi I decided a pineapple would be the best.  So Alfred brought home a real pineapple uncut and some cubed pineapple.  All morning on the way to school Kingston and I talked about how the Pineapple represented how we "Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover"  the pineapple is ugly but on the inside it's sweet. I even wrote it down on paper so his teacher would know what lesson it was supposed to represent in case he forgot.  When it was his turn he told the class exactly what I wrote but then a few minutes later he told Ms. Angela he actually wanted to say something else to the class so she said go ahead.  Kingston stood up and said "People might be mean and prickly on the outside like a pineapple but everyone has a beautiful heart on the inside".  It sounds so much better in his own words and shows me that I need to let him take more responsibility.  He really is a sweet guy and he really does get it!! Lesson learned for mama too!      

Kingston Answers Deep Questions :)

I love to play around on Pinterest and once in awhile I even try things!  I came across some discussion questions to ask your children.  I've done this with Kingston before and we had such a great time.  This time over the course of several weeks Alfred and I took turns asking him these on the way to school, on the way home, when we were cuddeling on the couch.  A few were obviosuly above his head but it opened up a door for some wonderful discussions and even better questions!  

• What do you like to dream about?


Fairytales where you turn people into monsters or Mickey Mouse

• What is your best memory this school year?

Water Day (As he shakes his head in pure excitement)

• Who is your hero? Why?

Daddy because he fixes all kinds of stuff and I help him (right after they got finished fixing the toilet kit)

• How would you describe your family?

Mommy like flowers, Laney likes to lick and smell people, Daddy hugs me and Bex cuddles me

• If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

I would be a monster or a Super Hero
• What are you most proud of yourself for?

That I went to Camden park and rode the Little Dipper with Uncle Scott, mom it's this awesome roller coaster

• Who is the kindest person you know? Why?

Daddy because I love him, no, Beckett because he plays with me, no mommy because she's pretty (obviosuly he doesn't want to leave anyone out)

• What do you like most about your best friend?

That she likes flowers and horses

• What is one thing you would like to learn to do well?

To speak Spanish

• If you were an animal what one would you be and why?

A Giraffe becase they are big and eat leaves
• When is the last time someone hurt your feelings? How did you react?

You (Mommy) when you were chasing me around the house pretending to be a monster and you wouldn't quit and I cried.  That was really mean. ( In my defense it was hilarious)

• Do you know someone who is going though a hard time? How can you help them?

Yes me because I want a pool at my house (My sister just bought a house with a pool and someone is a little jealous)

• What is the scariest thing that happened this year?

When I went to the Haunted House at Camden Park

• If you could keep only one thing, out of everything you have, what would it be?

Camo (his stuffed teddy bear that was Alfred's when he was small)

• Who do you think is really successful? Why?

me because I love me ( Great answer buddy)

• What’s the best thing about your teacher this year?

that she gives me lots and lots of hugs

• When do you feel misunderstood by grown-ups?

When I tell you how bad I want food and you won't listen (by food he means chocolate)

• What three words best describe you?

a person, a neighbor, a boy

• What’s something that makes you angry?

when the sun or lights are very bright and hurt my eyes

Carmel Indiana Half Marathon Recap

Several months ago I joined the Nolensville Running Club after months and months of stalking them because they were close to my house, little did I know what an impact this group of people would have in my life.  Shortly after joining the group began talking about a race they were traveling to in Carmel Indiana.  Several people were going to be trying to qualify for Boston, others were going to be trying for PR's in either the Full or half, some would be running a half or full for the first time and others were going to hang out with friends, have a good time and support their team mates.  If you know me, you know when I join something I am all t in so it took me all of 10 seconds to let them know Alfred and I would be going along.

The Wednesday before the race we all met for our weekly running night and ate at Amico's (an Italian restaurant in Nolensville) so we could get in some extra carbo loading (seriously my favorite part of running :) and so those not making the trip could wish us all good luck!  Friday morning Alfred and I left the house at 7AM headed to Louisville to meet my parents so we could drop off the boys before heading on to Carmel.  The road trip was so much fun, even though the group wasn't in the same car and we were in various locations along the route we were all talking back and forth on facebook, detailing where the cops were, how many potty breaks each car was stopping for etc.  When we all arrived in Carmel it was rainy and gross but our spirits couldn't be dampened we had an expo to attend,dinner to eat and a race to get ready for!!  We all met up at the Expo, did a little shopping then headed to the hotel to get ready for our Team dinner at Buca De Beppo!  Who knew there would be 3 Buca's in a 15 mile radius.  As we all set out headed to the wrong one I realized something was wrong, called the restaurant sent out fb messages, Amy O started making calls and then we were once again headed in the right direction.  At dinner I met 2 NRCers I'd never met before (I run on Wednesday's they run with the Saturday group) and we had a great time getting to know each other.  Erin had the forethought to suggest we all write down the time we expected to finish so that we would know when to start looking for people at the finish line.  Although this was a great idea it was scary because as Danielle said writing it down makes it real!!  I wrote down 2:15 because my current PR was 2:20.  Although I wanted 2:15 in every bone of my body and I felt trained for it I honestly thought there was no way I was going to get it but I put it on paper and decided I would give it my all!!  After gorging ourselves on pasta, cake and home made strawberry cupcakes that Erin and John's old neighbor made we made our way back to the hotel.  We were all giggles and nervous energy.  We all had goals in mind, we had trained for this race, there was nothing more we could do except get a good nights rest and leave it all on the course the next day.

I woke up at 5:45.  Alfred was already in the shower so I went ahead and read my devotion for the day so I which explained how seize the day wasn't written in the Bible anywhere but every day is a gift and we should treat it as such and give to God our full potential.  I closed my book, got out of bed, put on my outfit, ate my honey stinger waffle, laced up my shoes, helped Alfred get his chip on his shoe, pulled my hair back and headed downstairs to meet the rest of the gang in the lobby.  We caught a shuttle over to the start line, it was chilly, so we huddled together under a tent where I talked to Marie, a fellow NRCer who told me she was still doing the full even though she had a torn calf muscle!  Talk about giving your full potential!!  With about 3 minutes left until race time I set my watch for 3/1 intervals.  My plan was to run the first 3 to 4 miles then use the intervals (my crutch).  I could hear Lauren and Jen in my head telling me they ran all of Tom King and didn't need the crutch but I was worried so I set my watch for it!  I headed to the start line and lined up with the 10 minute pace group.  The Star Spangled Banner was sang, I kissed Alfred and told him I would cheer him across the finish line and we were off.  I felt good!!  I felt really good!  I found myself running with the 4:10 marathon pacer.  I wanted to get enough ahead that when I walked I would still be able to stay in the 10:15 average pace range, which I knew would get me my 2:15 finish.  At mile 3 I passed my friend Steve, he said  'Hey I thought you were shooting for 2:15" I said "I am but I feel really good right now!!"  The marathoners split from the half marathoners shortly after that and the half marathoners did a little bit of an out an back.  Running on there way back I saw Erin and John and John cheered me on.  Right after them I saw Julie right who was already on her way back and we cheered for each other.  I turned and started on my way back and saw Steve again and we cheered, then I saw Alfred and gave him a high five and told him I was holding a 9:22 pace.  I was so pumped to have seen my friends, my adrenaline was flowing, I looked at my watch and I was 5 miles in...what 5 miles, I surely needed to start walking but I felt great, I decided I  I would start my intervals at mile 6.  During mile 5 as I was winding through a neighborhood I thought of my devotion from earlier.  This day was my gift.  There are so many people who don't have this opportunity.  I thought of my Uncle that passed away in a car accident in December. I thought of my Uncle who is awaiting a heart transplant.  I have a gift! I decided then and there I was going to run as long as I could and if at some point I needed to walk then I was but if i didn't then I was using this day to it's full potential..today I was going to be amazing!!  Yes there were times along the way that were tough, I've never ran more than 6 miles under a 10:00 pace...ever!!  But here I was holding steady at a 9:22 pace.  I talked to many people along the way, a 69 year old man who wanted to qualify for Boston in October, a boy who thought he had food poisoning and a father and daughter who were running their 4th half together.  With 4 miles to go I was pretty sure I was going to do this!!  I thought of my NRC running buddy Tommy because we often run 4 miles together on Wednesday nights.  I am terrible with baseball teams and the cities they play in and since Tommy is a former professional baseball player he has to correct me often when we are talking about baseball so I tried to name all the teams I knew and the cities they played in.  I'm sure I still got a lot of them wrong :)!  I thought of Jen and Lauren and how we spend the 4 mile runs talking about work and our kids and our college days and what we're eating after the run!  Before I knew it I was in the last half mile and I was still at a 9:22 pace!!  I had ran through neighborhoods, on Greenways and now I was running through a beautiful street in downtown Carrmel Indiana and I could hear the people at the finish line.  I looked at my Garmin and for the first time realized I was going to finish in under 2:05!!  I picked up the pace and just as I rounded the corner at the finish line I heard Erin and John yelling "Go Rachel"... I picked up the pace even more...I could see them out of the corner of my eye, I saw the finish line straight ahead, my foot hit the line at 2:03:06!!  Woo Hoo!!  I did it!!  I had a new PR and it felt amazing!!  Luckily Joe and Lisa were at the finish line right after I crossed so I had them to lean on and catch my breath with. I couldn't have given much more on the course that day but I still had a lot more to give as a cheerleader!!
I went over and took my spot by Erin and John and Andrea, my new best friend since her and her children brought a blanket and snacks and we spent the next 3 hours cheering in the rest of our NRC family!  We had 5 people qualify for Boston, so many PR's, 1st Time half marathoners and Full marathoners, people who ran their heart out injured.  We laughed and cried and ate and cheered!!  It was an awesome day that we were given!  And in some way or another every single one of us lived up to our full potential! 

Mental Games

As I'm about to embark on the longest run of my life I've been thinking a lot about... well thinking!  I'm a little nervous about the last half of the marathon.  The first half I'll have Jenn to talk to and to pick me up in the beginning when I always need the most encouragement and just hang out with.  I've also ran a half by myself with no one to talk to and I found people along the way and loved it.  However, I've never ran a half after running a half with no one to talk to or push me.  This reminded me of Shelly during the Ragnar Florida Keys.  She got back in the van after a super hot run and said her mind just wasn't cooperating so she starting reciting the ABC's just so she had something to think about other than running in the heat!  All runners play these mental games!  When you start running you quickly realize it isn't just the body that has to be trained it's the mind.  I'm a list runner.  I do running stats over and over in my head.  If  I continue at this pace, I'll finish here, If I have to add a few seconds I'll finish here, I have to do this pace to hit this goal etc.  When on the treadmill I count foot strikes in quarter miles or eighths!  I don't always listen to music and even when I do most of the time it isn't enough to keep my focus off the task at hand. I've planned elaborate parties that I will never throw.  Arranged and rearranged every room in my house.  Thought about pretty much every friend I've ever had.  At some point in every great run though I think about why I'm here.  I vow to write thank you notes to every person whose ever said hi to me when I needed it.  I become thankful for every decision I've ever made.  I get sentimental and I vow to be a better mom, spouse, daughter, sister, friend.  I think of those people I've lost and I wish I would have said I love you more and hugged them tighter.  I think of the boys laughing and of Alfred's hugs and of every little thing everybody did to get me to that moment.  I think about what it will feel like when I'm finished.  What my facebook status will be, what I'll talk about, what I'll remember.  I tell myself to remember certain moments but most of the time I forget those.  I add them to an every growing list of experiences.  I vow to blog about every feeling along the way and most of the time I don't.  For those miles while I'm out there by myself it's all about me.  I spend that time building dreams, reliving wonderful moments, coming to terms with no so great ones.  I relive, I plan, I look forward.  So when I cross the finish line on Sunday (Assuming I do and nothing goes wrong) if I burst into tears ( which is possible since I've cried after both of my half's) it's because for 26.2 miles I was amazing!!  This is the heart of why I run!

A Time of Reflection

Since Alfred and I met in 2007 this is the first New Year's Day that we aren't either expecting a baby in the near future or just had a baby in the past year.  It's the first time I sit down to reflect on the past year and it isn't about major life changes!  We haven't had to spend any time this year getting into the routine of adding a new person to our life or anticipating how our life would change when the new baby arrives.  This makes part of me very sad but it makes another part of me very happy because although we didn't add to our family in size and the changes within our family this year are something an outsider wouldn't even consider, I, as an insider know we grew in comfort and love.
Sometimes it's all about the small things.  It's about waiting to cross the finish line at your first half marathon because your husband is injured and it's more important to run it together than to get a time you've been training for.  It's about cheering your 18 month old on at his big brother's first soccer game because that's when he decides to take his first steps. It's getting tons and tons of bad news in one week and your husband packing up the family for an impromptu camping trip because he knows you just need to be away from it all.  It's the wisdom I am given daily from a 3 and a half year old that reminds me how simple it really can be. 
A lot of great accomplishments were made this past year.  Alfred and I ran our first half marathon together and completed another Ragnar Relay in Chicago.   I finally allowed someone other than my mom or mother in law  keep both boys so that Alfred and I can actually go on dates.  Beckett finally took his first steps after months and months of anticipation.  Kingston played T-Ball and Soccer for the first time time this year.  And yes all of these things are amazing and make it into my journal at night but things that don't seem to make it in there are the things that have been on my mind a lot lately.  The things that occur everyday without me even realizing it.  The growth of a family.  Becoming comfortable with the everyday.
I don't necessarily do good at keeping so called resolutions but in 2012 I want to enjoy the little things more.  I want to appreciate my husband more for all that he does for us.  I want to breathe in every minute with my boys and not take one second for granted.  I want to tell those that mean the world to me just that, often.  I want to say thank you more.  I want to be better at living in the moment and not wishing them away.  As I very tragically learned this year we never know when this is the last moment we will get.  I want to make sure that I make as many moments count as I can!  Happy New Year!!  It really is great to be an Eller!

Kingston Chromicles-Thankful Addition

As I was dropping the boys off for school this morning and Kingston was hanging his jacket up I saw on the door of his classroom there were notes of what all the kids were thankful for. Kingston's was as follows:

Mommy
Daddy
Beckett
Aunt Amanda
Pawpaw's Chickens

I guess we know this was asked just days after returning from Ohio!  

Kingston Chronicles-Question Addition

I was looking around pinterest and found a post of 21 questions to ask your kids every year, tonight while Alfred was making dinner Kingston and I did a little interview session.  He did well for the first 8 or 9 then ask to take a break!  You will also think by his answers that I might be a good singer!  And although he and I sing at the top of our lungs quite often, a singer of any kind I am not!  So here goes the first Interview of Kingston Homer Eller:

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?
Goodnight

2. What makes Mommy happy?
When I share

3. What makes Mommy sad?
When I'm not here

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
Sings Funny Things

5. What was Mommy like as a child?
A Singer

6. How old is Mommy?
3 1/2

7. How tall is Mommy?
Bigger (And hold his hand really high in the air)

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
Get some Flowers

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
work

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
A singer

11. What is Mommy really good at?
writing

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
Saying bathroom words

13. What does Mommy do for her job?
looks on the computer

14. What is Mommy's favorite food?
sandwiches

15. What makes you proud of Mommy?
that you know how to get gas

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Lady GaGa

17. What do you and Mommy do together?
Play

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
We love Saturdays

19. How are you and Mommy different?
We have different faces

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
To the moon and back (I say this when he asks me how much I love him)

21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?
in our yard

So there you have it!  This was really fun!  I can't wait to do more and ask him next year and then get Beckett's answers when he's old enough!!  So much fun to see things from their view!

Geocaching Is For This Family

When I was growing up my parents used to take us on rides through the country to look at the leaves changing or to see what was going on in different areas of town.  We would ride around for hours and hours, sometimes stopping at the lake to walk around or have an impromptu picnic or climb a fire tower if we came across one.I thought every one's family did this kind of stuff, until my sister, Amanda, invited a very rude friend along.  She spent our 2 hour ride telling us how stupid this was and bored she was. Needless to say Amanda wasn't allowed to invite her back over but I realized not everyone had this special time!  I now realize one of the reasons mom and dad probably did this was for the family time it gave us, in a closed space none the less!  And yes Amanda and I declared war in the back seat and threatened death if you crossed the middle line but we also learned to get along and share and talk and tell our parents about our day and learn things about our parents and where they grew up. 

Fast forward 25 years and I want this kind of stuff for my boys, I want these awesome memories, but I'm not a drive with no destination person. I'm too plan every moment, get nervous if we don't have an agenda, go go go kind of person.  Then in March we went to Gatlinburg for our annual adult get a way and our friends Mark and Annie took us geocaching for the first time, I was hooked!!  This is what I'd been looking for. A reason to get out of the house and just enjoy nature and life and things with my family!!  And the element of competition between Alfred and I makes it even better!  Since our first find at the end of March we've found 100 geocaches!!  We have spent hours upon hours searcning everywhere from the woods, to light posts to guard rails to a little bitty house to greenways and parks!  It has been a blast and reminds me of all those hours I spent with my family in the car.  And we've introduced a ton of people to the sport ourselves!  




My mom, sister, nephews, Kingston and Beckett out geocaching across the street from my parents in a cemetery my sister and I grew up playing in!

My dad who was made to geocache and if he ever gets a GPS watch out World!





Susan  finding a geocache after our  run!












Our friend Mel found her first geocache!

 


My sister, Brett  and I at a break in the Ragnar Relay, this was his first geocache but he went home and hasn't stopped finding them since!

 

 Of course the most important thing to me is the memories we're making as a family and the places it's taking us! 



Kingston finding his first grocache 100% on his own! 





Me finding my 80th geocache!  We found 21 this day to make 100 finds total! 




We found a geacache 10 miles from our house and had this amazing view!







This is the neatest one we've found to date!  This house the actual geocache!

 

Kingston loves to be the first to open them!





Beckett likes when we find secluded little off the beaten path park areas where he can play and crawl around to his hearts content while we all look!



 We have absolutely loved making memories and seeing so many places we probably wouldn't have seen otherwise!  Our friends tease that we're addicted to geocaching and they're probably right but as long as we enjoy it this much I don't see it changing anytime soon!  

Beckett's Bio-12 Month Check Up

We tried to get the 12 month check up taken care of a month ago but Beckett was running a fever so the well visit became a sick visit and everything else was rescheduled for today. By everything else I mean height, weight, head circumference, eye exam, general exam oh yea and 3 shots :(! I'm lucky, since Alfred's weekday schedule is a little more flexible than mine he's the one that gets to deal with most of the doc visits and today was no exception! Of course I expect a full report the moment they leave :)!

The vitals:

Head Circumference: 18.41 53.79%
Weight 21 lbs 21.47%
Height 29 3/4 in 35.12%

Beckett wouldn't sit still long enough for them to get a picture of his eyes for the eye exam, he was too interested in the machine that was taking the pictures. They were going to keep trying but since we already have a great pediatric eye doctor due to Kingston's astigmatism and he is due for a check up in June Alfred decided we would just take Beckett for his first eye exam then too!
Alfred explained to Kingston on the way to the doctor that Bubba was going to be getting shots and Kingston would have to be strong so Bubba wouldn't get scared. When the nurse came in to give Beckett shots Kingston kept saying "Bubba you are doing so good, you are being so brave" and encouraging him. Beckett of course cried a little when she gave him the shots but Alfred said for the most part he did great!
As for everything else Dr. Collins said he's right on target. He's still not walking but apparently that's not a big deal. He says a few things! His newest thing is to say "Bye Bye" and wave very dramatically! He loves to give kisses! He can get from room to room very quickly and can climb stairs like a pro! He puts everything in his mouth including dog bones and mulch!!
Beckett sees the pediatric urologist that did his surgery next week. We are hoping to get some definite answers as to weather or not he will be having surgery again. I hope every thing isfine just taking it's sweet old time but to be honest I'm a little skeptical so keep us in your prayers next week! I hated him going through surgery the first time and I know if he has to have it again I will once again be a basket case!
All in all we have an awesome little dude that is growing up faster than we are ready for but it's amazing watching him turn into a toddler!!

Country Music Half Marathon Recap

This update is almost a month old but hey better late than never huh!!

The Country Music Half Marathon was my first Half and it was a blast!! The fun started the night before when my sister, her husband and 3 of their friends drove down from Ohio to spend the weekend with us and run the race. Throw in 2 3 year olds, a one year old and my mom to babysit us all and what you have is a house full of awesome!! Friday night Alfred made us a huge pot of spaghetti and salad so we would be properly fueled the next day. We sat around ate, laughed, talked strategy and attempted to turn in as early as possible. Of course I'd been sick with sinus issues and Beckett had croup so he was coughing nonstop which kept some of us awake. Somehow we still managed to get up at 4:30AM, shovel in some peanut butter and honey sandwiches and we were ready to go when our ride got there at 5:15! (FYI if you ever run the CMM beg or pay someone to drop you off, don't park it's packed!!)

The All Guts, Not Nuts/Nuts crew ready to get this started! (From Left: My hubs Alfred, me, Mel, my sister Amanda, Ashley, Damien, and my brother in law Scott)

This race is HUGE - Approx. 35000 people ran it this year. The race directors did an awesome job pacing people so it didn't seem too large! Everyone in our group but Alfred and I were assigned to Coral 4 (AKA the speedy people) Alfred and I were assigned to Coral 22 which meant after the initial gun went off we had about a 40 minute wait before we started which gave us time to people watch and really take in the enormity of this race. Finally it was our turn to begin. I couldn't believe all the training had led to this moment.

This course is notorious for it's bands and fans so I chose to go musicless. For the most part this was a great idea. It is also a very hilly course! Just when you've tackled one HUGE hill another one is there to smack you in the face. I don't mind hills, I think they keep it interesting but this was a bit too much. Next time I know to do better with my hill training!

Since this was mine and Alfred's first half marathon, and I love him more than life we decided to run it together, rather than separating and seeing what we could do. His knee had been giving him a lot of trouble so I was worried about him but somehow he managed to hang in there. The first 4 or 5 miles weren't bad at all, I was still on the adrenaline high from actually starting the race. It was about mile 6 when I really started to rely on the spectators. They were awesome. There were so many wonderful signs (Your running while I'm having mimosas-IF Donald Trump can run so can you etc.) and there were so many awesome people. As we ran through neighborhoods people were spraying us with water hoses which was so needed. I was having such a good time I almost forgot I was running a half...almost. Then around mile 8 I started to hit a wall, I ate a salt pack, ate some more gu chomps drank some Gatorade and started running into other friends running the marathon, we chit chatted and ran and got through it. At about mile 10 we headed in the gulch. This is right before the half marathon and marathon split. I did a body check and knew I could finish the half but knew I would be crying if I still has 15 miles to go on the marathon. The Gulch was fun, there were bands and beer and people cheering. I knew I was getting ready to go into some pretty major hills but I must have turned on auto pilot and just went for it because I don't really remember much until mile 12. I wanted to finish in under 2:30 and at this point I knew I wasn't going to do it but I still had a chance to finish in 2:45 if I booked it. I looked at Alfred and he said "I can't go any faster, I'm hurting all over" to which I replied "If I don't pick up the pace now I'll never get in under 2:45" and I took off.

I almost cried when I had half a mile left. I was tired but I knew I was about to accomplish something I had been thinking about for 2 years. I had trained so long for this moment and I was about to accomplish my goal. I don't know what I expected when I crossed under the finish line at 2:45:01, I guess I thought I would feel like screaming from the rooftops but I didn't. I felt calm and empowered. This was my moment to reflect on all the hard work I had put into this, the hours I had scarified, think about the people who pushed me and made this possible. It was so surreal. Then I realized I was starving and I better find my husband and our friends. Turns out Alfred was right behind me. He said pain or no pain he couldn't let me get too far ahead! We are very competitive with one another :)! We went got food, found our friends talked for awhile then went home to rest and devour wings! It was an awesome experience!!

Some of my favorite things were our shirts made by my sister. People kept telling us how much they loved them which only fueled us to do better!

The fact that I got to share my beautiful city with such awesome people!! I'm so proud that Nashville is my home and what better way to show it off then to run through it!

The fact that I got to run with this guy!! It's amazing when you find someone in life that will go on so many crazy adventures with you!

I felt good about a lot of things during this race. Three days before the race I started drinking water like it was my job so I would be hydrated and because I was sick with a sinus infection. During the race my fuel was spot on, which had been my biggest issue during training. I woke up and ate a bagel with peanut butter and honey and a banana. I filled my fuel belt with gatorade, gu, gu chomps, sweet tarts and salt packets. They were also handing out salt along the course which I took every chance I got. I'm glad I didn't run with music so I could really take it all in. I paced pretty well although I think there were times I could have went faster but I'm probably glad I didn't because of the hills in the last 2 miles.

There were some things I would have done differently. The biggest thing was to have cut my toenails the day before :). They weren't bad but they were just long enough that I ended up bruising my toe under my toe nail and really started to feel it around mile 6! I wore Swiftwick socks and I love them but I had a seam that rubbed a blister on my foot. I used 2Toms blister shield but even it couldn't combat 13.1 miles of seam rubbage!! The blister did go away fairly quickly though. I would try to get more sleep the night before. I would like to run a 1/2 when I'm not sick with sinus funk but that's pretty unpredictable.

As for my training I used a very basic plan that my friend Dean put together for me, it was very effective and the mileage was spot on. I felt really ready for this and was super happy with the results. I went into wanting to get under 2:30 but really just wanting to finish and still love running! I can't wait to do another one!

Team All Guts No Nuts/Nuts Half Marathon Times

Amanda Davis 1:53:14 (PR by 3 Seconds)

Scott Davis 2:01:47

Mel Smith 2:03:26

Ashley Southard 2:03:36

Damien Southard 2:03:37

Rachel Eller 2:45:01

Alfred Eller 2:45:03

And even though she didn't run wearing one of our shits because her entry fee was paid for by her company I have to give a huge thank you to Susan Bakaitis who dragged me through many hours of running. I wouldn't have trained as well as I did without her pushing me with our e-mail updates and hours spent talking and running or as I like to call it our alternative happy hours!! She set a goal to finish under 2:30 and she did just that with a 2:29:51 finish!! I am one proud running partner and friend!!

Beckett John You are 1!

Again I'm a little behind on the birthday post and you've been 1 for a few weeks now. I was trying to wait until you went for your 1 year appointment but that is taking forever and I can't wait to tell the world how wonderful my little boy is so here we go! I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. You are so amazing. I was terrified when I was pregnant with you because we had it so easy with your brother, I knew you were going to be the baby that cried all the time, wouldn't sleep and would be a picky eater but you are none of these things. You are a parents dream. You always sleep through the night even when you're sick or teething. You adjust to things as if they don't bother you at all. Your teachers at daycare said you transitioned quicker than any toddler they've had. You had no problem going from your crib to the cot and you eat your meals at the little table like you've always been doing it (sometimes it's a bit messy but you love to eat). You cry some mornings when mommy drops you off but you are over it by the time I drop your brother off and walk back by the door. I took your bottle at 11 months and you did pretty good from day 1. Mommy only gave in once when you kept throwing the sippy cup back at me and screaming at me but after that you took to the sippy no problem and haven't looked back. You are still a thumb sucker but you only do it when you are sleepy! I think it's cute but I know from trying to break your brother of the habit we have a long road ahead of us but I'm not too worried, we will get through it.
You aren't walking on your own yet but you cruise from thing to thing and you love to walk around if someones holding your fingers. You love to slam small doors (ie. the entertainment center, kitchen cabinets etc.) If we can't find you we just wait a second and we will hear where you are. You have gotten very good at crawling upstairs, especially when your brother is up there playing and you want to be up there. You love your dog Laney and you follow her from room to room and laugh anytime she pays attention to you. You still adore your brother and the two of you are starting to play together and I love it. You two sit at the dinner table cracking each other up, then of course mommy and daddy start cracking up and before you know it we are having the best time. You will eat just about anything. I haven't found anything yet that you hate. Your favorites are any kind of bread, pasta, apple sauce, yogurt, bananas and just about any kind of fruit we put in front of you.
You say a few things like mama, dada, bubba, Laney and you repeat a ton of sounds. We are trying to get you to use signs but you don't seem very interested. I think you've figured out that even if you don't sign we are going to give you whatever you want.
You have 6 teeth and 2 more are currently coming in. You have to have your teeth brushed and you get so excited when you see the tooth brush. In that respect I guess you are your mommies kid.
Everyone comments all the time on how handsome you are and how beautiful your eyes are. They are still blue but they have a green tint to them and since daddy and MiMi both have green eyes yours might just end up green.
You are pretty stubborn. You always want to sit in the front of the bath tub and if Kingston is sitting there you crawl over him and knock him out of the way. If you want to eat you crawl to your high chair and grunt loudly until someone gets you food. Mommy sings you a song she made up and if I'm singing it and I stop you look at me and grab my mouth until I start again. You are very good at letting us know what you want and making sure it gets done when you want it to get done.
We celebrated your first birthday at Pie in The Sky Pizza and you loved it. So many great friends came out to help you celebrate. You ate pizza and cake and then fell asleep in Mimi's lap. It was so so cute!
I could go on and on about you Bex because your dad I love you so so much!! I know this next year is going to fly by and you are going to do so many new and interesting things and although I am super excited to watch all these things take shape I'm also super sad that my little baby is growing up. We are so truly blessed that you are in our lives Beckett! Your giggles melt our hearts and your smile lights up our house! You are a one of a kind amazing child and I'm glad I get to call you my son!!