spelling is not my forte'

A dear friend just told me that my blog title is spelled wrong. I can't believe I never noticed it before despite the fact that I am an excellent speller.
The problem is, if I fix it then my loyal following (once again, all three of you) may never be able to find it. So, that being said, I am leaving it the way it is.....just like me.....slightly flawed.....but still fabulous! Thanks Jo.

108 days to go.....

I figured out today that I have exactly 108 days to go until I turn 40.   I have to admit, I am really having difficulty wrapping my head around age 40.  I think it's because I still think of myself as 27 years old, that 4o just doesn't seem possible.   It's just can't be right, can it?   So, here I sit, on the precipice of middle age, in the worst shape of my life.   Sure, I'm running, but I would not say I am in peak condition.  I just can't seem to get in the groove.   I keep trying to diet, but I am failing miserably at that.   Life is really complicated at present and I am struggling to get passionate about anything.   I know that I want to record this milestone by doing something fantastic that I can be proud of, but I am having a hard time pulling it together to do it.  Why is that?  Any thoughts, ideas?  I am appealing to you, the three people who read this for your advice.  Let me know what you think.   In the meantime, I'll keep chugging along.  Maybe if I can kick this cold, I will find my MOJO.  Here's hoping.

shuffling off

First Race of the Season

Heaven Help Me! I ran the Patriots Day 5 miler this morning. Believe me when I say, I had no business running this race. I have not been training regularly at all, due to illness and overall family craziness. I haven't run at all in about 3 weeks. So, anyway, I headed to Portland and lined up in the corral with about 400, much better prepared runners. It was a gorgeous day for a run, but you could have fooled me, because I was paralyzed with fear at the start. My concern, would I be able to finish? I have run a lot of races in the past and I have always been prepared and confident. Not today. I was so jammed up while waiting for the starting gun, I thought I was going to throw up. Anyway, the whistle went off and I began shuffling along. Soon, everyone, and I mean everyone had passed me. I was truly "bringing up the rear" the only ones behind me were the "walkers." About 1.5 miles in as we entered Back Cove, I thought it was the end, I couldn't breathe (did I mention I am getting over a cold?). I was huffing and puffing as if I had smoked a half pack of marlboro lights last night (I know what your thinking, I didn't-I'm not that dumb). So, I did it, I started walking. I walked for about a 1/4 mile, and then started running again. Curiously, I passed a few of those folks who had earlier passed me, they too, had found themselves running out of gas. I kept moving at a snail's shuffle, but I was still in the race. At around mile 3, there was a water stop; THANK GOD! After hydration, I was back in action. I finished the last two miles at a much quicker pace than the first three, amazingly and I crossed the finish line with just a little it left in the tank. I was really proud of myself! Then, I drank three bottles of water (and didn't have to pee-truly a sign of a hydration problem) and then headed home. I got home, ate two huge hamburgers from the grill and then took a long cool bath. After that, naptime. Now, you might be saying, wow you must feel good. THAT WOULD BE WRONG! I am in so much freaking pain right now, I am popping Advil like Tic Tacs. My lungs feel like they have been wrung out.
What did I learn? I learned that I need to get back on the training wagon...........and get serious........after a few days of rest.....and a massage.

Beach2Beacon is on the horizon once again....

If I am going to run, let's make it worthwhile huh? See below....


As many of you know, I presently serve on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Lewiston Auburn. I have mentioned to many of you how my experiences working with all of the Southern Maine Boys and Girls Club has had such a profound effect on me. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing kids, who are succeeding on the right path, despite some pretty tough odds. These kids count on the BGC as a "safe haven" sometimes, it's the only safe place they have. This past year, I had the opportunity to again judge the Youth of Year scholarship competition and meet and interview more of these incredible boys and girls. I see how the club has changed their life and I am always moved to tears when I hear their stories of challenges and how they have overcome those challenges with the club's help. So, my friends, once again I am running the Beach 2 Beacon 10K race on August 1st and doing so in honor of the Boys and Girls Clubs. I am hoping you will support me in this endeavor by making a small donation to the club in my name. I invite you to visit the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine website to view more about the club's mission. www.bgcmaine.orgI even have my own fundraising page. If you wish to donate, click on "Sponsor a B2B runner" and then click on my name. Or paste this into your browser:http://www.bgcmaine.org/main.asp?id=69So, here we go again, more training, more advil, more ben-gay. I am determined to break an hour this year. (Did I mention the race is only 5 days before my 40th birthday-EGAD!)
thanks in advance for your support.
God bless!
Jill

Running 2 Fourty......where am I?

So, I was befelled by illness this week. Just totally run down and pooped out. I think my body just said....enough....no mas.....stop. I have felt like crap and all I want to do is sleep. Meanwhile, I have crossed over the "4 months until I am 40" threshold and I haven't seen the treadmill in over a week. The weather is getting nice, I should be out on the road, racking up the miles. Instead, I am laying in bed, searching for "hatchling" eggs on that stupid facebook app. I gotta get it in gear. It's not looking good for the "half" on memorial day. I am sure I will have no problem with the Patriot's Day 5 miler and the Mother's Day 5K will be a breeze. Hell, I should even be fine for B2B, but a half....I don't think I am even close to ready. So, what's an aging harrier to do? Find another race a little later in the summer, that's what! I have to be honest with myself. I am hell bent on doing a half to celebrate my passage into "40 and Fabulous" but I am a realist too. I just don't have the miles under my belt to get a half done by Memorial Day. And, I am ok with that. It's like Dory said in Finding Nemo, "just keep swimming." But, for me, it's "just keep running"
I will keep all of you (all three of you) posted when I pick my race. Waddle--Waddle

Mi Vida Loca

The Parker's life is totally chaotic these days. We spend our days running to and from Play rehearsals without a minute to spare. It's completely insane. So, it got me thinking. What would we do if our kids were really overscheduled? I know families whose kids do acting, horseback riding, cheering, travel soccer and oboe lessons, all in one weekend. Please people! I don't have the strength. I have been bitching up a storm since the beginning of the rehearsals for "Gone with the Breeze" and this is just one activity. I am really glad my kids aren't big "joiners" ya know. Thank heavens for that. There's something to be said for "homebody" kids who like to stay home with Mom & Dad and watch Spongebob and ICarly. Is that wrong? I think not. Oh, I'm not worried that my kids aren't getting enough socialization, believe me, they get plenty. So, I don't feel compelled to wake up at 7:00 AM on Saturday Mornings to run the munchkins to Karate or Interpretive Dance or Future Accountants Club. I'd rather stay at home and have pancakes thanks. I think it's pretty impressive we get out of the house on Sunday for Church. Now that's important.
But to be honest, once the play has concluded, I am thinking about youth soccer for Matty. Simple, benign, non-competitive Brunswick Youth Soccer. Cup of coffee and a kindergarten soccer game on brisk fall morning would be rather relaxing. And it would be a good way for Matty to work out his excess energy. It's just important that we don't let him get too good. I don't want him on one of those ridiculous travel teams that are like a second full time job. Is that wrong? I think not.

The School Play.....the countdown continues

Only six days until the children of St. John's School take the stage in this year's production of "Gone with the Breeze." A madcap, lighthearted comedy in two acts. Michaela, our 14 year old has a one of the leading roles and Kayleigh, is making her theatrical debut in the role of "Pageant Girl." The whole thing is all very exciting.............and......exhausting. Mark is the technical director of this year's play (again!) and is working his butt off. Between rehearsals and set building sessions, I haven't seen most of my family in weeks. So, although I am looking forward to the big debut, I am anxious for it to be over so we can all get back together and things can get back to normal. I wonder what we will do with all the extra time. I know Matty will be happy to get his sisters back. And, I can't wait to get my hubby back :-)
So, at 7:00 PM on Friday night, the lights in the church basement will dim and the show will go on. I can hardly wait to see my munchkins sing and dance. I will be so proud. But the person I am most proud of, is Mark. He has given so much of his time to this thing, I am in awe of his commitment. Of course, he's a bit attention needy and we will need to ooh and aaaahhh over the sets and props so he can feel validated for all his hard work. That, I will gladly do, because he's a rock star in my book.