12 Miles

Today was my 12 mile training day.  I was dreading it a little bit more than I would normally dread a 12 mile run for one reason. I was sick earlier in the week.  I actually felt bad that I missed two runs in there, and was almost going to go the first day when I was in denial about getting sick.  Then I threw up and gave up on the idea.  Luckily it was a fast bug because I was only sick for two days.  Constantine and Aurelia got a very mild version of it, then Dominic got it.  He may say that he had it worse than I did, but really we had two different things.  I had wife/mommy-gets-sick-and-pushes-through-like-a-champ syndrome, while he had husband-gets-sick-and-turns-into-big-baby syndrome (sorry Dom, I love you!).  Anyway, there were actually three days in there that I couldn't run, but I made one up on an off day.

My plan was to take it easy on this long run.  I still wanted to do the 12 miles, just maybe not the hilly hills in Hillsborough runs that I usually do.  I was thinking a nice easy 12 miles through Keene or somewhere else nice and flat.  My plans changed though when Pepere and Oma (my dad and step-mom) suggested we go to the trolley museum in Lowell.  When an opportunity arises that has anything to do with trains there is no possible way I could turn it down.  Constantine LOVES (I need a stronger word than that...) LIVES trains.

We had an awesome day going on a trolley ride through the old factories.  Constantine got to sit up front with the engineer and ride on an elevator (he calls an alligator) to his seat since we had his chair.  He was in heaven with all the train noises.  We also saw a huge engine and a caboose which he said looked like Hiro from "Hero of the Rails" the movie and the caboose was like the Little Red Caboose, only BIG.  Then we walked around downtown to get me a coffee ( I didn't sleep well the night before because I have two kids under three and more often than not that's how it goes).  Aurelia is so curious about everything, and is so squrimy and fast, I find myself wanting to get one of those kid leashes to keep her safe as she points and runs after something else new saying "dis? dis?".  We then took them to a skydiving place to watch the airplane and the parachuters.  They both loved that.  I loved watching them.

I just have to add this little story.  We were driving home and Aurelia was upset (she hates car rides) so I was singing to her.  C says, "Mommy sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  So I did, then he starts singing Bah Bah Black Sheep while I was singing.  So I started singing with him.  He immediately switched to Twinkle Twinkle.  He is such a clever little stinker, he was joking with me.  I looked back and he had this sly little grin like "haha, I messed you up, mommy!".  So we kept singing the different songs that have the same tune and then switching.  Unfortunately, Aurelia wasn't too impressed.

We got home at 3:30 and me wanting to get my run in before  the kids bedtime just went with the same old route.  I did my 10 mile run through the hilly hills of Hillsborough then added on a 2 mile lake run.  I actually felt awesome.  I thought it would be grueling, but I really felt great and just enjoyed being out there.  Even the last two miles when I passed my road and kept going around wasn't too bad.  I have to admit that now that I am home with the kids asleep I am starting to feel it.  Maybe someone really nice will proof read my post and get a great idea to give me a nice foot massage. hmm.

Today was a great day.  My kids are awesome.