Turkey Trot Take Two!

(Say that ten times fast.)

O and I ran this race last year, but we did the three mile race. This year, we did the 5.2.  Rye (NY) Recreation puts on the race, and it's pretty good for a small race. We run on streets, through a park, up over a curb (stroller friendly, allegedly), and by some pretty beautiful houses. Sadly, a number of them (and the Playland boardwalk) were pretty badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. It was a race that the SS run club trained for, and it was GREAT to see some running buds who I haven't seen in a while. They all ROCKED their respective races, without strollers, with strollers, and even two with doubles! Yeah!

It was a very chilly morning, but little man was AWESOME about wearing his hat and gloves during the race. Lately, this has been quite the battle. We arrived pretty early, registered on site (Only $15 day of!) and played a little bit on the playground before bundling up. Oliver was entertained for the whole 46 minutes, watching police cars, trucks, dogs (there was a Paws walk beforehand so tons of "doggies!" were around), and talking to people. Instead of Thursday's comments, Oliver chose to say "I see you!" and "Buh-bye!" as we passed a few people. Great.

We were the second stroller, grrr, but I suppose that losing out to a Dad who competed in Ironman Hawaii isn't too shameful.

We kept up an 8:52 pace, which I'm fairly content with. Would've liked to break 45:00, but there's always next year. Although, he'll be heavier by then...

What I learned today is that I do NOT drink enough water before, during, or after a race. Thanks to two Motrin, I'm feeling normal. But I really need to get better about this.

Happy post-Thanksgiving turkey trotting straight into the Christmukah season!

Turkey Trotting

Hanging out in the back, ready to trot!

This morning, we set out to do a favorite race of mine - the Ridgefield YMCA Turkey Trot 5K. Yes, that's right. WE. Last year all four of us made the trip, but Stella and Ben hung out at the dog park. (Side note: Ridgefield has the best dog park ever. Stella's obsessed. Still talks about it). This year, Ben ran it too! Here's proof! 
I had fun, always like running with other people more than alone. Oliver loves watching people, although today was a first for him. As we came up to a group of slightly slower runners, he yelled "MOVE!" and I lost it. Cracking up. Luckily, they didn't hear him. Happy Thanksgiving, huh? 
O and I are doing another one on Saturday, while B plays some paddle. As we got into the car, he muttered "man, I hate running." Such a good sport. 
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

Thankful

Seeing as I'm SO not organized or time-committed enough to do one post a day during the month of November, I'm going to do it all at one. Here's a master list of 22 (one for each day leading up to Turkey day!) things I'm thankful for this month. In no particular order.

#1 - That little person who calls me "Mummy." That energetic, hilarious, thoughtful, sweet, creative and loving boy. Eating cheddar broccoli soup, hummus and always picking the fruit first. The crazy-haired child who loves school, adores his friends, and his four-legged friend. I never imagined I could love someone as much as I love him.
#2 - The man I married four and a half years ago.
#3 - Our crazy Stelladog.  Eating butter (among other things), chasing squirrels, and acting more like a human than some people... love our fur baby.
#4 - My parents. All six of them. Near and far.  Cookie-baking, football-loving, oil painting, singing parents.
#5 - My grandmother. Oliver's Gigi.
#6 - Styles that finally fit my body type! ...and hide what I want/need to hide :)  Scarves, boots, boot socks (my feet are always freezing), comfortable and baggy tops. Le sigh.
#7 - Siblings. Every single one of them. Plus, the nieces (BraeBrae, Dillon and two in utero) and nephews (Max, Joby, Nat, A.J. and Broady)!
#8 - Starbucks. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Peppermint Mochas, Chai Lattes and an occasional Frap. Bliss.

#9 - My friends. They might be fewer and farther between these days, but the good ones are amazing.
#10 - Baby video monitors.  Because they let me see O snuggling stuffed animals and twirling his hair, plus they let me hear him attempt to sing his ABCs first thing in the morning.
#11 - Doing dishes. Yep. Because that means we've eaten food off of those plates, and have water/electricity to clean them.
#12 - Working at the best school. Ever. I've taught at some pretty great places, but this one is tops. Fifteen hard-working students who come to school every day eager to learn and ready to take on the world. Plus, a great support system of teachers and administrators who encourage me to do what I love, how I do it.
#13 - Old Navy and Target. For allowing me to buy clothes that aren't exorbitantly expensive, while still letting me fill a closet (or two...)
#14 - Pinterest. For allowing me to fake that I have some style.
#15 - Nature. Hikes in the woods. Walking along the rocky shore. Biking through the snow-capped mountains. Driving through the changing leaves. Feet in the sand.
#16 - Hot showers. Not warm showers. HOT showers.
#17 - The flavors of fall. Pumpkin. Butternut squash. Cinnamon. Apple pie. Nutmeg. Soups. Mashed potatoes. Mmmmmmm.
#18 - The ability to run. ...and more importantly to enjoy it.
#19 - Facebook, Instagram, Skype (!) and Twitter. Yes, I'm sorry if you disagree. It's how I stay in touch with people - video chats with O's grandparents weekly, commenting on cousins' pictures from across the country, friends since drifted... technology can be wonderful.
#20 - Music. Alejandro Sanz, Francis Cabrel, Mumford&Sons, Tristan Prettyman, anything country. I don't sing, but I wish I could!
#21 - Elmo. Peppa Pig. Clifford. Bob the Builder. ...because they excite, amuse, entertain and inspire my child. (Most importantly when I'm making dinner!)
#22 - October through February. No one can contend with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, and all four family birthdays in a matter of ~4 months! Bring it on!