Words cannot express how amazed I am at Jim's abilities. He is far beyond my abilities when I was doing the same mileage. His mechanics are better than my own. His recovery appears faster. I am sure it is because he is a more well rounded athlete. He makes sure he does his weightlifting- which strengthens his legs & hips for running & gives a balance to his upper body strength, as well.

I was a bit worried about his Spring goal. He hasn't signed up for his Spring 1/2 marathon "officially", yet. He won a free race registration that he must use by January 31st. I told him we could train until then & then he could decide. He had been staying at 5-6 miles for his long run & I worried that at this rate he wouldn't have enough distance during his long runs to do a 1/2 marathon, comfortably, on race day. --WELL-- he proved me wrong, yesterday. He did 8 miles!

If there is one thing that I can't stress enough- that is a BIG piece of the puzzle: NUTRITION. (I WISH I was better at it, daily!)  Before a long run & during a long run, I've finally dialed in to what works for me. I was hoping it would work for Jim, as well. I got up, Sunday (Christmas) & got ready for a long run, expecting to go solo. My preparations in the kitchen woke Jim up & he came out. "Watcha' doing?" he asked. "Getting ready for a long run," was my answer. "Then I'll go, too."

I talked to him about oatmeal & walnuts. I prepared my Tailwind drink for the run. I fully expected him to run 5 or 6 miles with me. We started with Lucy & his plan was for 6. We planned a route & I told him upon our return, I would give him Lucy & I'd do another 4 before coming home. As we approached 3 miles, I was ready to turn around. "Let's go to the stop sign," Jim said. (Hmmmm... that would be closer to 3.5 which would give him 7, today.) We made it to the stop sign & Jim said, "Keep going. I want to get to 4." "You know that will give you 8?" (I find simple math difficult sometimes when running. Maybe he was having the same difficulty figuring out he was going way over his previous 6 miler.) "I know I say I don't like to change the plan... but I'm feeling good." -I reminded him it was the oatmeal. Me: "Next time add walnuts & you'll be Superman." I made sure he had a chance at Tailwind Nutrition at every mile. He drank approximately every other mile but never "bonked" & easily did 8. I made sure not to push the pace & just stayed with him. I was both shocked & elated. I have no doubt he will hit at least 12 miles before his Spring race, now!

At this point, I start my own training with the Dave's Marathon in Training group at the beginning of January. (I'm getting butterflies NOW, just typing this...) I have my own pace to improve as well as my own Spring race to focus on...

I was (mentally) sick on Friday. It was my parents' anniversary & I haven't spoken to them in over a year. I felt hypocritical calling them out of the clear blue sky after so long with no communication. The thought of my mother harping on me for not calling in so long & demeaning how I raise our girls made me implode. -I just couldn't do it. I couldn't run. I couldn't do much but do some stuff around the house to stay busy. As I heard my mom's voice from the past (on my wedding day) saying, "S-A-R-A-H... you'd better NOT mess this up..." (Hmmmm... thanks? And, if it does fail... what makes you think it will be MY fault?!) I heard her other comments from the past & they resonate more now that I have daughters. Our beautiful girls that need to be reminded they are beautiful & told they can become anything they work hard enough for... They are not "less" than boys... --Enough said. I was pretty broken in spirit. I took the day off. As I scrolled through Facebook, I saw an advertisement for a trail race out West. The views were beautiful & I reflected how much running has allowed me to put away many of those old feelings. Some people & relationships will never change. Running helps you focus on good things. It reminds you of all there is in life to be grateful for... As I run miles with Jim, now, we look forward to some of these trail races in the mountains or near the ocean. They are a new chapter in our life. Maybe, eventually our girls will join us. THAT would be AMAZZZZZZING!!!

I have MUCH to be grateful for. You CAN break old habits, negative thinking & familial cycles. I am excited & nervous at new chapters opening... but that is the beauty of life. The safe rides are often boring. You can make the "ride" as exciting as you can tolerate... You can go it alone but the ride is more fun if you have family with you. :)

(Sledding with the girls, later in the day.)