Bring it Home

This photo of my family was taken in 2009, shortly after I started wogging (not sure I'd even call it running at that point). My husband had just returned from a deployment in Iraq. Most people smile and say, "Awwww" at this snapshot. It is cute, yes? But for me, the emotions I felt at the time flow back, tears welling in my eyes as I type now. This deployment had been a tough one for me. The kids were little and so very active. Communication with my hubby was pretty limited. I felt extremely alone and slightly overwhelmed trying to keep our household afoot. I was like a juggler with about 20 balls up in the air, moving from one to the next with constant focus. I literally fell into bed every night, exhausted both mentally and physically.

I was also battling my excess of weight, which further eroded my emotions. By this time, I had started to chip away at the baby weight, but the deployment put a huge pause in that. To put it mildly, I was slightly distracted from my fitness routine... and that made me cranky, frustrated and little mad. I had finally found the motivation to exercise and lose the baby weight... and then this was thrown on my lap. My "free time" was zapped and workouts came to a halt. Meanwhile, halfway across the globe, my husband was bored on his off-time (so he started to workout) and had healthy options awaiting him at every meal in the chow hall. He lost over 30 lbs during deployment! I can't lie, I was slightly bitter.

Like any difficult journey, I took it one step at a time. The day my sexy thin husband returned, no one rejoiced more than me. When I look at the photo above, I feel RELIEF, like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. I was grateful to have my little family back together and even a little proud of fulfilling "my role" in his deployment. Through this experience, I became greatly appreciative of the delicate role military spouses play in our country. We really haven't endured a ton of deployments, but many military families in our country are divided on a constant basis. I have huge respect for how they manage to stay married keep it all together. That is why I chose to run the Air Force Half-Marathon as part of Team USO.

The USO has worked for decades making deployments more comfortable for our soldiers and their families. I invite you to check out all the great USO programs here. If you feel inclined, a donation towards my USO team is greatly appreciated. Visit my Team USO page here. I'm trying to raise $1200 before race day!

I will run the Air Force Half Marathon in just TWO days. I have no idea what to expect. My injured toe has been a pesty pain the past week. (I walked into a door a couple weeks ago and tore a ligament more severely than I initially thought.)  Besides my race last Sunday, my running has been fairly limited. In fact, I didn't even run with my Sole Sisters last night! Instead, I've been keeping my legs moving on the bike, which doesn't put the pounding on that poor little toe.

The Air Force Marathon will be my husband's first 13.1. We are leaving the kids in care of the grandparents, so it will be a nice getaway for the two of us. I also finally get to meet bloggy friend Kim and her better half.  I plan to pack the ibuprofen and run whatever I feel that day. I certainly still hope to come in under 2 hours, but we'll have to just see how the toe cooperates on race morning...

Fun-Raffle Winner #3

Another week, another winner from the donations to my USO team. The USO is a fabulous organization that works around the globe to support our active soldiers and their families.  They make 'service before self' slightly more comfortable for our troops.  Learn more about the good works of the USO here.  This week's prize was a Road I.D. $35 gift card and the winner is... 

TRISH PARRELL

Congratulations - Please email me with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you so much for your donation to a great cause.

Fabulous new Sparkly Soul headband
in red, white and blue!  Donate here for
a chance to win, or buy it here.

You don't want to miss the drawing for next week... the new patriotic sparkly headband from Sparkly Soul!  These headbands are amazingly comfortable, high in fashion and versatile enough for a run or a night on the town.  For every dollar you donate to my USO team, you receive equivalent number of entries into the weekly raffle.  Entries roll over from week to week. Winners are drawn each week until I reach my $1000 goal.  Plus, you are supporting a great organization and our U.S. troops!

DONATE HERE

to my USO team and be entered into the Prize Raffle for the remaining weeks.

Three Things Thurs: Memorial Day!

ONE
I'm running the Bayshore Half Marathon this Saturday... and I'm totally winging it!  I really should be more excited... it was a killer to get into, sold out in less than 24 hours.  The course is beautiful along the upper coastline of the lower peninsula of Michigan with outstanding views of water. However I have absolutely no plan going into my 10th half. Coming off the full marathon earlier this month, I haven't been slacking on running, but I haven't really been training either.  So we'll see what happens.  We leave in a couple hours and I still have no idea what I'm even going to wear.  This is so odd for me.

While I'm there, I am looking forward to meeting the founder of Sexy Mom's Running Club, who is graciously hosting my family's visit to Traverse City.  My hubby even found a 5k for Memorial Day on Monday.  Double race weekend?  Why not!?  I'm in a I love to run zone right now. I'm on Day 12 of a Run Streak and think I just may continue onward by participating in the RW Summer Running Streak (38 days from Memorial Day thru 4th of July).  Watch for tweets with #RWRunStreak. More details here.

Support the Troops
DONATE HERE

TWO
This week, I joined TeamUSO for the Air Force Half Marathon (September).  I didn't sign up for a free race entry to a sold out event; I already had my race entry.  I signed up because I believe in the work of the USO.  Their mission is simple: to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families. They take care of our troops while deployed and the families back home.  They make "service before self" more manageable for American solidiers.  I encourage you to read more about the USO here and you'll be Wow-ed. I've raised thousands of dollars for a variety of charities through the years, but I can honestly say I will be most proud of this one.

Join me for a Run Free Summer.  I will be doing a variety of fun stuff throughout the summer to raise money in support our military.  First up is some pretty cool looking running shirts if I do say so myself. Are you running a race for the 4th of July festivities?  This sleeveless tank will be perfect for you (and your partner!) to show your patriotism.  Pre-orders are now open until June 7 to guarantee your size.  ORDER HERE.

Order Your Shirt HERE.

THREE

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a FREE RACE ENTRY into one of the five events at the Quad Cities Marathon.  It's one of the Top Midwest Marathons... and I should know because it was my first full marathon!   I love the course and am so excited to return this fall.  I hope you'll join me.  Enter the giveaway contest here.

Still looking for CLICK winner Joanna Gruchalla... Email me your mailing address to claim your prize.