Freedom isnt free

Maybe this is why I always had a thing for a man in uniform :-)  Those 2 dashing men in uniforms are my Grandfather and his twin brother, Wayne (Papa) and Warren.  Dont ask me which is which cause I never could tell them apart. 

They both fought in WWII, as glider pilots and Warren was a turret bombing instructor for B52 bombers.  They flew in air support for D-Day.

Todays post isnt about running, it really isnt about anything other then saying THANK YOU to the men and women who volunteer to serve to protect our country.  Its also for the mothers and fathers, brothers, sister, cousins, children, and everyone and any else who has a loved on who serves or has served at one time or another.

Freedom is far from free.....someone, at sometime, in someplace, made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live the lives we live, and all to often, take for granted.  Never forget...someone died so we could go for long, relaxing runs, because we want to, because its our choice and right as Americans. 

Someone died so we could have those rights....NEVER FORGET.

Wrong shoes + sparkle leggins - hat = First Run Failure

Well, I ended up with an afternoon run yesterday (Monday) because, well, I had to much stuff going on during the day and didnt have a sitter...aka...hubby was helping move the neighbors cows and didnt get back in time to watch the boys in the morning.

So I had mentioned to Piper that there was a 1 mile kiddo run during the Jingle Bell Run in December and of course, she immediately remembered my telling her "if you want a tutu, you gotta run...."

That was it....she was running in the race, she was going to tie for First place with her friend Emma (Katie's daughter) and that was that.

I told her to get dressed and she did.  Without listening to a word her RUNNER mom said and ended up in sparkly black leggings, black and white decorated converse tennis shoes, and a blue hoodie bcause it "doubles as a sweater and a hat MOM..." 

Gee, why didnt I think of that.....

Out the door and off we went....me, the poster child for Cold Gear and, well, the poster child for an 80's rock band.

She lasted .16 miles before she said "ok, love ya, BYE"

Wrong shirt + wrong shoes + really wrong leggings - warmth for her head = first run failure.

No worries, she wants to try again but this time, I get to help dress her.....we shall see how that one goes.

Anway, I finished off 3 miles in 27:14!  Felt great, and I think I will have that sub 26 SOON!!!  I keep telling myself I had it yesterday, then Stinkerbell came along just long enough to jack up my first mile pace.....9:25 isnt bad, but Im sure I would have pushed it much harder if I hadnt started out pacing her tennis shoes.  No worries though....I loved those .16 miles and cant wait for her to try again.  And she will try again....she is obsessed with the idea of a tutu...nothing is going to get in the way of her running in a tutu.

The problem of the week is daylight savings time....and now that its dark at 430pm, if I do end up running at night, I need some nighttime gear.  Reflective vests, jacket...headlamp.....suggestions greatly appreciated!!!

Sub 9, Lincoln, and tutus

Not my best week of running.  One of those weeks where life and the parenthood get in the way of that all important "me" time.

I guess I cant really blame it all on them, I was sick for a couple days and that knocked me out pretty good.  My Monday, Wednesday, Friday plan was shot so I didnt hit any great mileage but I did run my arse off yesterday for 3 miles and FINALLY hit a sub 9:00 for not 1 but TWO miles. 

Mile 1: 9:28
Mile 2: 8:54
Mile 3: 8:48

Those last 2 miles made up for feeling terrible about not getting out on Monday (Halloween) or Wednesday (sick).  I did run on Friday also with Katie and we did 4 in 39:42.  I was still feeling a little weak after 6 days off so I didnt have much to push with.  My goal was a sub 40 and I got it.  Only 18 seconds to spare but I dont really care....it was 24 degrees when we started, Ill take what I can get.

Im really getting excited about running longer distances.  The registration for the Lincoln 1/2 and full open in December and Im signing up!!  Early, I know but I need to commit to it now...then its offical.  Its a real goal and not something that will just fade away.  Plus I have my running buddy from here, Katie, running with me and another running friend, Stacy, I graduated from high school with who is planning on running also.  She lives in NYC and I have picked her brain about distances for awhile.  Wasnt until last week when I found out and ankle injury forced her out of the NYC full, that I joked and said "come run Lincoln with me?".  We made a little bet on the Nebraska/UofM game regarding race day attire and then it was set.  She is coming to run Lincoln with me in May so now I am EXTRA committed to running.  Now, not only do I have people from here going with me, I have people flying in to run it.  No backing down now.....its about time for serious, safe training to begin so I can run and have a great race and a great time with my running buddies from all over the country. 

Before we get to that part though, there is a little Jingle Bell 5K here in December.  Katie and I are going, as are some other runnning chickies from out little town.  Katie and I are dressing up.....the red and white tule has been purchased, the red and white striped socks located, and....the rest is still a work in progress.  Of course there will be pictures and maybe, even more then 2 of us in tutus....Im hoping we can do some convincing of the other ladies and if we cant...Ill keep giving them wine until they succumb.  If you can laugh at yourself, then whats the point of laughing.......

Halloween

I love Halloween.  Its my favorite holiday of the year and that includes my birthday, which is July 4th.  I love the weather, the outside, the costumes and yes, I love the candy. 

This is the first year in 2 years that I have felt like a normal human being and had a great time trick or treating.  Two years ago....I walked myself straight into the hospital, was induced 6 weeks early and had my little monkey on November 3.  Last year, Beezer was only 5 weeks old, so I really still was feeling like yuck. 

This year, I was all about the fun!!

Piper Kate was Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High (Im still not 100% what that is but it was cute, and she was completely covered.....she got her way and I got mine.).

Sage was a monkey.  Very appropriate costume for the child that will climb anything.

Brannon was a spider.  He also will climb anything but isnt as graceful as his older, smaller brother.

I really wish I had gotten a picture of him walking in his costume because it was so darn cute!  But he just wasnt having any of it so he rode in the wagon.  Ill take it....both toddlers kept their costumes on the whole time...I call that success!!!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!!!!

Bad blogger

Yes, I am a bad blogger....it was kind of a busy week so I didnt get much "sit down and blog" time.  But now, the satellite for our tv is out, the repair guy wont be here till Tuesday afternoon so I cant sit down and catch up on bad reality television I seem to be addicted to and DVR cause hubby would rather drive hot knives threw his eyes then watch Real Housewives of anything.  Really...thats what he told me...hot knives.

Lots of running this week.....Katie and I went for 6 on Friday and got it done in less then 60 minutes.  Ok so it was only by 32 seconds but it was less then 60.  It was a tough run for  both of us, and neither are really sure why....Im thinking the 25 degress when we started filling our lungs with cold air might have something to do with it. 

Then, Katie and I both had to get our kiddos to Kearney, where Emma's dad was going to take them to Lincoln and Piper's dad was driving in from Michigan to spend the weekend with her.  They got Michigan State vs. Nebraska tickets for Saturday and took Piper.  Huskers trounced all over the Spartans, 24-3, in case you missed it.

Then Saturday, hubby found a snowmobile trailer about 4 hours away from our house in Colorado.  Lets do the math shall we.....1pm to 11pm would be 10 hours then 6am - 4pm would be another 10 hours.....add them together and thats how much time I spent in a car in just 27 hours.  20 hours out of 27. 

And true to form....40 minutes into our 10 trip on Saturday, we heard the tell-tale sound of a child puking.  Thankfully, he had his blanket in his lap when he did so he didnt get it on his jammies, but we didnt have many options (as in none) for where to put the sour, pukey smelling hand knit blanket he loves so much. 

Windows were open ALOT!!

And I dont want to see the inside of a car for a very, VERY long time.

However while we were on our adventure (Katie and I, not Shawn and I) we did pick up some tulle for our Jingle Bell Run 5K costumes!!  So far, red and white...thinking of adding green but we shall see...I could only find lime green and that turned the tutus into more "Halloween Town" then "Jingle Bell Rock".  Gotta find the perfect, darker green to go with the red and white.  We also may have a few more friends dressing up with us, so that should be a good time!!!

Im thinking Im headed out for a few miles this morning....I only have one kid awake....the other lasted 12 minutes before he got a one-way ticket back to bed. 

Other big thing in the Hanna house this week...Sager Danger is sleeping in a big boy bed and doing great!!! 

Life if good.

Such a great day!!!  I know its only 237pm and that leaves PLENTY of time for things to go drastically downhill but so far, great day!

Stinkerbell doesnt have school today we she is hanging out at home.....no rushing to school or begging her to get dressed and her stuff around.  Just a relaxed morning.

Went to feed with Shawn....took 30 minutes but hey, I was OUTSIDE and felt like I was doing something on the ranch. 

Went for a run.....3 miles felt so great, that I kept going for 4.  LOVE IT!

Its 80 degrees outside right now so once Shawn comes back from doing whatever he is doing, Piper and I are headed out on our first horseback ride JUST THE 2 OF US in a very, very long time.

I have not cleaned my house.  Why...because I wont regret not doing that...it will still be there tomorrow.   I WILL regrent not doing the rest of the stuff I have done......enough said.

Tonight.....BBQ chicken on the grill and carving pumpkins......Love it good.

Its possible

to run 4.3 miles in a town that is only 1 mile long.....laps...and another lap, then another one, then cut up this street, then down that one, around that corner, past those houses, straight downtown and then you will be at 2.15 miles so do it all over again......4.3 miles in a 1 mile town.

Love where I live and thanks to Katie who is my standing date for Wednesday and Friday morning running.  Nice to have a running buddy, and a change of location (aka view).  Plus we went a little slower, and didnt have any music so that was different also, but I didnt mind at all. 

Great run!!