Cute Kid Story #2

Our dramatic play center is currently a doctor's office. One little four year old today was the doctor while I was the patient. Imagine a very cute little kid that we affectionately have nicknamed Phillip Johnny Bob at our house. My kids often delight in hearing Phillip Johnny Bob stories and this one is to be added to the list.

PJB, "I have to look in your ear." Uses plastic doctor light scope thingy.
PJB, " I see your brain", pause for effect "It's a pea-brain"
We both start cracking up. PJB obviously has an older brother, a normal four year old is not that sophisticated in their play!

Ran 12 miles yesterday, some trails incorporated. I thought I was only doing 10, so I was way happy when I got home and mapped my run. I wonder if I bought a garmin if it would steal some of the excitement from wondering how long I am running sometimes.

Cold here, taking tomorrow off! Yah, I love sleeping in!

Cute kid story

I have a little sweetie pie that is pretty quiet in my class that always sits right next to me during circle time. He is on the small side. His head is just below shoulder height and he looks over at my chest yesterday and says with all certainty and matter of fact, "My mom has some of those." Wasn't sure what to say!

Fun and VERY COLD Week!

Well here she is, my new weekday running partner after a three mile trail run. She is the best dog. She runs ahead about 20 feet and then turns back wondering if I am still with her. If I am "doggin'" it, she will run back and get me, if I am keeping up with her, she'll continue on ahead. She had a bit of a stressed out weekend, but all in all she is still a very well behaved doggy.

Not much going on lately. My sweet swimming and running buddy, Deb, has had a minor surgery, so I miss her and hope she gets back out there soon. We have had some very cold temperatures, yesterday we ran and it was 16', today it was 9'. The funny thing though was yesterday felt colder due to the wind. I hate windy conditions, hate them.

We ran at the Edwin Way Teale Sanctuary yesterday. It is my assignment from my naturalist son, Tommy, that I must read his book entitled A Walk Through The Year. I'll let you know what I think.

Naughty husband, bananas, albino squirrels and A NEW DOG!!

On Sat. night my husband stayed out too late at a setback card tournament and kept me up late deep into Sun. am, 12:30am to be exact. So he got into big trouble and I also woke up late for my Sunday run. I was sorta disoriented the next morning and forgot to eat my before run banana. I'll tell ya, I felt it. I just did not have as much umph! Lesson learned - eat your banana!

While on my run, I saw an albino squirrel. It was orange, I am not kidding. I ran home all excited and told my kids about my new scientific discovery and my oldest son said when he was in Washington, DC, he saw a variety of squirrel colors. In CT, we have the regular old grey squirrel and that's it. Orange, no kidding.

Well, back to the bad husband. He played cards against this guy, John, who has been looking to place his brother's dog with me. I love dogs, well dogs that don't chase me and try to eat me while I am running that is. This guys brother is getting divorce and neither one can take the dog with them, so they need to find a home for her. I was working on my husband letting me take this dog in and then he shot himself in the leg with a nail gun and I felt like I better not bring up the dog thing again for a while.

Whatever John said to my naughty husband convinced him to give the dog a try. I LOVE HER!!!!! She is soooooo cute. I will post a photo asap. My oldest son is in trouble and can't use the computer and he is the one who transfers all my pictures to the computer from my camera for me, I am too busy. I guess I'll have to give him a break so he can do that for me! Anyway, my new old dog's name is Sadie and she is a yellow lab and is eight years old. I took her for a three mile run on MOnday in the woods and she almost had a stroke, so I'll have to scale back a little. I am so happy, I love her. The End.

Lazy week

I love blogging because I could go back and research when I was last sick. I was sick in the beginning of November for two weeks. On Thursday, during a high school freshman orientation (YIKES, I am that old to have a son going into high school!!!!), I felt a sore throat coming on so I pumped myself with tea and vitamin C. Got worse on Friday. Got my period on Sat. Needless to say, I am bummed. I hope to take a hike or walk today since it is 50' and it is going to be like 5' this week coming up. I got to get out there while I can, but my house is a disgusting mess and I have three basketball games to watch today.

I guess it is a hazard of caring for thirty 3 and 4 year olds all day long that I would get sick every two months. Luckily it is just a little cold and period cramps. I'll be better soon!

Brian Aselton Road Race

It was a beautiful day to run a short race commemorating a young police officer that was killed in the line of duty. It was 50' at race time and there was a record number of runners this year due to the warm weather. I started off strong with a 7:24 first mile split, then the second mile I was at 15:25 and I fininshed the race at 24:10. There were three hills at the end that kicked my butt. I think I have to insert some hill workouts for myself, they could only help.

I am on a new healthy eating kick ( except I just finished a small cup of chocolate almond chip ice cream, oops!). I went to my doctor on Friday and my cholesterol is up to 245!!!!!!!!! Instead of coffee with cream and sugar, I am drinking green tea, honey and skim milk. I am changing my eating habits one baby step at a time. I can't give up the chocolate goodies right yet. Better yet I have to find some not so fat chocolate treat that will satisfy my cravings.

Have a good week!

Disgusting!

Yesterday as I was leaving school, my husband calls me and tells me to meet him at the emergency room. Yikes!

Then he says, "I just shot myself."

I shriek, "What?"

Well I guess he still had his sick sense of humor during the pain, because then he explains that it was with a nail gun while on top of a roof!! Luckily he did not fall off the roof, his brother helped him step down one ladder rung at a time.

We waited in the emergency room for four hours before the er doc tells us he can't remove it because it is a roofing nail which has prongs coming out of the side. They call a surgeon in. He shows up an hour later. He was one of the running club guys that I ran with on New YEar's Day, we did not recognize each other at first due to not wearing lots of hats and tight clothing, I guess.

Two hours later, I was brought to my recovering husband in the maternity ward, the hospital was PACKED! They only had room in the maternity ward for him. We left at 11pm hobbling home in pain and embarrassed.

Today was filled with lots of persaset and ginger ale. Oh wait, don't let me forget the best part of today, we had to "pack" the wound since it is a "dirty" wound and can not be stitched. Let me tell you folks, it is disgusting. It is an open wound the size of a quarter that we can't allow to get infected. Oh great.

I am going running tomorrow am, I don't care, I need to run off the stress or else I might do something really stupid like take up smoking!

Lessons Learned

I have noticed two things about my running that might help you. I have way more energy and speed if I eat a banana or apple right before I head out to run. Sipping water is also a help. Sleep does not matter on the run, but it does effect my condition later.

Number two is that I started wearing a headlamp, that word cracks me up, and it really helps to know where you are setting your foot while running at dawn. And by the way the moon this morning was AMAZING!!!

See you later, I have to go find my goggles and head condom thingy for tomorrow's am swim!

Year in Review

I am ending 2006 on a very positive note. I love running right now, it feels soooooo good. I know it has A LOT to do with practicing yoga, so therefore I say namaste to my best friend, Deb, for introducing me to yoga two years ago. She again has been my lifesaver!

• Below is a breakdown of my race performances this year:
• Jan Brian Aselton 5K 24:43
• Feb Colchester 1/2 marathon 2:05
• March Pi Race 5K 25:02
• April BOSTON MARATHON 4:40
• June Xtreme Scrambler 5kish 28:30
• July Glorious Gallop 5K 23:30
• Aug Xtreme Scrambler 5kish 27:40
• Sept New Haven Road Race 20K 1:57
• Oct Mystic Places 10 Miler 1:26
• Nov Thanksgiving Race 5 Miler 48:01
• Dec Santa's Run 3.5 miler 28:53

I am really proud that I did a race almost every month, all except May. In May, my son and I volunteered at the Nipmuck Trail Marathon, so I kinda count that as a "doing" a race. Of course, my high point was the Boston Marathon. That was so awesome. Someday I will qualify to run the race on my running merits, not just having family up there to get me a scrub number.

I also enjoyed running the Xtreme Scramble in Hartford, Ct. That was a race with all different terrains and challenges and it was also a series so I could see how I progressed. They also had bands to entertain us afterward and great food to replenish us.

I only hope I can stay healthy and compete in 2007 as effortless as I did in 2006. I will say this though, I started 2006 with the mindset that I was running races for ME, not to beat the smoe joe just ahead of me. I would set a goal for myself and run MY own race. It was not easy, but it did allow me to run injury free the whole year!! Knowing your limitations is definitely a plus when it comes to running.

woo-hoo!!!!!

I just finished an awesome 11 mile bike ride on my new beautiful bike. It was a very hilly course around my house. I had sooooo much fun! It is so fun exploring new territories, that is hard to do running sometimes. You don't want to go to far off course when you have another six miles to get home, you know? But on a bike, who cares about a few more miles!! I was only cold on the downhills. I was psyched to be out riding on New Year's Eve in Connecticut!! It is a balmy 39' but no wind. I was actually hot on the uphills and there were many! I had two pairs of pants and three shirts and gloves and a headband under my helmet.

When I got home I was so psyched I ran three miles! I am an ironwoman in the makking, HEAR ME ROAR!!!

Happy New Year!

ps photos and a name for my new best friend the bike to follow!

Oh I must have been a good girl!

Yah for me, my husband bought me a racing bike for Christmas! I will post a photo when I actually pick the bike up on Thursday. I was running yesterday and started to panic because now my name really should be run, bike and swim for chocolate, actually I should probably throw in something about yoga for chocolate as well!!! BUT I resolved my angst by telling myself that running is my favorite activity, although as I sit here writing, I don't know if that is entirely true anymore. I freakin' LOVE swimming in the ocean, because I really should be a mermaid, I love the ocean so much. Hmmmm, I may have to think about this a little longer, a new name may be in order.

One thing I do need to change over to is a tri-training log rather than a running log. I don't log as many miles running now, since I am swimming more. And now I am going to be biking too, so I want my exercise log to be reflective of the activity I am doing. Do they even sell tri-training logs, I am sure they must, I will have to check that out after this entry.

Oh well can't wait, see you later!

My Possibilities Are Endless

Yesterday my family had our xmas celebration with my dad's side of the family. It was a lot of fun. We had good food, a fun walk to a beaver pond, and yes lots of chocolate (yum)!!!! We pick names out of a hat to buy presents and my cousin and I had eachother. She gave me the greatest present. It was a silver bracelet with the inscription of "My possibilities" on the outside and "are endless" on the inside. It was so perfect for me since we had just talked about training for triatholons. I would like to tackle a long tri, but I am starting out with a sprint first to test the waters! I also am trying to get speedier in the marathon in order help complete the longer tris a little faster.

I love that saying My Possibilities Are Endless , I am wearing the bracelet everyday :)

Thank you, thank you, thank you

I often thank my hard-working body after a good hard run or race. I am amazed at what I can do. Sometimes I feel like wonder woman, I can even hear that music! Today I am even more thankful. I attended a friend's funeral today. He was only 38 years old and had battled drug addiction most of his adult life and finally the drugs won. I am soooooo grateful I have never had struggles with substances, it looks awfully painful.

Thank your hardworking body every day!

Running Wild

I had an incredibly busy weekend. I had two Athena's parties, one was in Boston, which is two hours a way and the next night was only in Manchester, CT, about a half/hour away. They were fun, but pretty low in sales. But now it is Sunday and I am exhausted and have to still clean my car out, because it is DISGUSTING!!!!

Oh yeah I have to plan for the week of preschool as well. The kids behave at this time of year though, hoping for the last minute good impression on Santa!!

I missed my group run Sat. am, and was really bummed. BUT our club has the CAN RUN on Tues night. We all meet at our local soup kitchen and bring donations and then we run together checking out the Christmas lights displays and then we have our annual planning meeting. I won't be able to attend the meeting portion, because #2 has a school concert.

We have a busy week:
Monday: cub scouts
Tuesday: can run and concert
Wednesday: basketball practice
Thursday: Scouts holiday party
Friday: Church stuff

Holy crap, when will I be able to run!? Luckily none of those things take place at 5:30 am when I go running.

ahhhhhhh jury duty

uuuuugggggghhhhhhh, I have to go to jury duty tomorrow. I am nervous, I have never had to go before. I don't know what to expect. I doubt they pick me because I have very little faith in our law enforcement officers at the state level, they are prejudice and unfair. I'll report what happened tomorrow. I don't even have a good book going right now to be psyched up to read all day. I hate sitting on my butt all day too. Maybe I will dress really inappropriately so they send me home right away, I know I will wear my stinky running clothes, that will do it!!!

Been Sooooooo Busy

I have been so busy, I may decide not to use punctuation for this entry! I ran in a Thanksgiving race with my sisiter, father and future brother-in-law. It was POURING!!! I was fine until I stpopped running, then I was freezing. I had a good time and a good running time too!

Running a Santa's Run this Sunday, let you know how that goes. Hosting a runner's breakfast Sat. am also. Selling sex toys on Friday night. I don't know how I am going to get it all done. Oh yeah my three boys have basketball games on Sat. and our local high school is in the state finals on Sat. and I HAVE to go. I love watching kids play sports, it is the way it is supposed to be, with all those mistakes and then every so often a great play.

See you!

I am a braggart

Yes I am about to brag this whole flipping entry! Last week, I only had a short time to run due to hungry kids and husband that I told I would pick up bagels after I ran, so I had to drive to my running route, run, get bagels and get home all in a hour. I decided to run a local trail at a local park. It is supposed to be 2.4 miles, but I am not sure it is that long. So I ran it last week with the pressure of having to get back for my family. I timed in at 20:34, I felt pretty good running that with no warm up and it was really hot and muggy (well, for November in New England, 60s is really hot). Wellllll, today I decided I would try the same route and see if I could improve. I had time to run a warm up 1.5 miles and timed in at 19:26 with ease. It was a normal 40s with a little wind. I felt great and was super-pumped!!

Bragging point number two, my oldest son is in eighth grade at our local middle school. There are about 1200 students in the school and he was picked to represent our region at a Superintendent's Award ceremony. So last week, our family had two nights of award banquets. I was so proud of him. He looked so grown up on that stage. I am especially proud of him that he has been so successful in school since he lost his dad at such a young age. He has overcome so many obstacles in his young life.

Well, we have a lot to be thankful this year in my family. I have new baby cousin, Isabella. I am feeling especially kick-ass as a runner lately, I hope that lasts!! And my kids are in a good cycle too! WOOHOO!

It's dark in the morning again :(

Well for about two weeks, I had a smidgen of daylight at 5:30am, but no longer. I just can not get up easily when it is dark outside. And besides, I run alone and it gets a little creepy out there. But I have prevailed and have run for three days this week anyway and felt real good while running as well. I missed my swim day though, too lazy.

Run strong (I am stealing from Wes)

I get by with a little help from my friends!

At about 2:30am, I started in with my own version of the dreaded stomach flu and it SUCKED!! But what sucked even worse was

1. Sat am is the only time I have friends to run with and I was too busy running back and forth from my bed to the toilet.

2. My husband had committed to working a side job this weekend and that meant I had to deal with my three lovely, high energy boys. Let's just say they conveniently forgot how they were only able to lay on the couch and moan when it was their turn to have this bug.

Sooooo, I braved it, took a shower and brought them to their basketball clinic. At the end of the clinic, the BEST BASKETBALL COACH IN THE WORLD told me they could go over his house until BEDTIME!!!!!!!! I would have kissed that man right on the lips if I wasn't afraid I might throw up in his mouth! So now after lounging around undisturbed ALL DAY, I feel better enough to blog. A HUGE thank you to best coach and friend, I know you are reading this!!

Hopefully the feel-better trend will continue and I'll be able to blog about running tomorrow!

Ouch, those darn leaves!

Yesterday while running I missed a lip in the sidewalk and fell flat on my face. Luckily I was entering a footbridge and I don't think I was seen!! It is so funny what goes through your mind right before you fall. You have about one second to know that you are going down and there ain't nothing you are going to do about it. The words "oh shit" are all that come to mind. My legs were pretty sore after I fell, but I was more worried about my mp3 player. It got a little banged up, but it still works fine. My shirt ripped on my elbow too, but I can live with that too, I guess.

No running today, too rainy and my little son was home throwing up all day. YUCK! I'll be out there tomorrow though very carefully looking for little lips in the sidewalk under the leaves!