Run Princess, Run!

The Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon was a royal running experience, from waking up at 3 am,  to standing in line for 20 minutes at the porta potty,  to having the race started by the Fairy Godmother, to receiving a gold medal after finishing.  I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.  Seventeen thousand runners, most of whom were dressed like princesses started the 13.1 miles at 6am.  I ran as Sleeping Beauty with Cinderella, Belle, Beauty, Minnie Mouse, and Pocahontas ( Stacy, Carol, Emily, Diana, and Jill).  After months of training I anticipated finishing the race in under 2hr 4 min.(my last 1/2 marathon time).  Much to my surprise I had a foot problem.  I had obviously tied my shoe too tight and failed to do anything about it until the damage was done.  I loosened the laces at mile 5 but by mile 9 I was in so much pain I wanted to run barefoot.  With the help of my fellow princesses I was able to run through the pain and finish the race with my shoes on.  I'm glad I only had to run 13.1 miles!  The race is over yet the training continues.  My new goal?  A marathon in June.  And just like Forrest Gump...I was running!

Babies

I became a great aunt about two years ago when my nephew Adam and his beautiful wife Ella had their son Thomas.  I was so proud and happy.  I was also in denial that the next generation would be having the babies from here on out.  With only one great nephew I could brush it off and refuse to admit that my baby days were over forever.  Then my niece Stephanie and her sweet husband had their daughter Tinely.  My denial was slowly becoming a reality.  Today the deal was sealed.  My niece Natalie and her dear husband Jorge had their son Sam.  I was 16 years old when Natalie was born, she was my very first niece now she has made my great aunt status not easy to dismiss.  I love babies. I love to hold them, smell them, kiss them, talk to them, and simply enjoy them.  I will accept my reality and let the next generation do what I cannot....have them!

Cookies

Today revolved around cookie baking.  I'm working on a 40 dozen order of sugar cookie valentine hearts with sprinkles.  Here's how it went down.  I woke up around 7am and realized I needed flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and cream of tarter.  I throw on some warm clothes, pull on my snowboots, brush my teeth, and bravely head out to the store.  Getting out of the driveway... not easy, driving on the road... no visability, walking across the parking lot... bitter cold, getting the ingredients at one store...impossible.  Decision time, do I go home without the cream of tarter or do I go to Wal-Mart.  The cookies cannot be made without it,  I have no option.  At this point I'm a nervous Nelly, I don't like driving in the snow much less a blizzard.  I purchase two cream of tarters and start the journey home, thinking the whole time what a stupid girl I am.  Who goes out into a blizzard for cookie ingredients...um that would be me.  The baking started around 9:30 am. I had to give myself time to simmer down and drink my coffee.   Production came in at 9 dozen, 1 dozen less than my goal, with zero burned (that is a miracle).  I definately suprised myself today, going on a polar expedition is so not me.  Would I do it again...only if I needed the ingredients.

Miles

As of today I have run 28 miles this week.  I'm feeling strong.  Tonight was speed work, yuk!  I hate speed work.  Have I mentioned that before?  On those 28 miles I have seen an owl, a make out session, a beautiful sunset, and lots of dog poop.  Let me give you some details.  The owl flew over me and perched on a tree limb.  I ran right under him, incredible.  The make out session was going on inside the tunnel on the path, awkward for all involved.  I tried to make light of the situation by saying "caught ya" to the loving couple. The boy laughed, the girl was mortified.  I'm usually running at dusk, the sunsets are amazing, peaceful and calming.  If you need a place to be alone with your thoughts, running on the path at dusk is perfect.  The dog poop on the path is out of control!  I'm thinking Bartlesville pet owners have no respect for path runners.  I wish there was a path poop police that issued tickets to dogs that go on the path instead of the grass.  Hmmm...

I'm still trying to get motived to bake more cookies.  December baking burned me out.  I never saw that coming.  I know it's just a phase, I've been baking cookies since I was a little girl, I will never quit.  I just need some motivation.

Family Matters

I posted an old family pic on my facebook.  It is quite funny.  My dad is strangling my oldest sister Julie.  My mom is holding Jeanne, the newest addition, and saying something, most likely "don't take the picture yet".  My sisters Janice and Jennifer  look normal, believe me they weren't.  And there I am, so innocent and sweet, grabbing my head like I'm wondering how in the world I became a part of this group!  I laugh everytime I look at that picture.  Sure my family was crazy but we had great times together.  My poor dad, five girls, how did he survive, out numbered six to one.   My mom, five girls, I'm sure she cried alot.  And me, four sisters, forever wishing for a brother!  No, my family wasn't perfect, the picture proves it, but I wouldn't want a different one.  We were and still are a little crazy. 

Layers

I had to run, didn't want to, but I had to.  If your not a runner you won't understand that statement.  I will try to explain.  It means I have an addiction, my body needs the endorphins, my mind needs clearing, my training schedule must be followed.  So I put on the layers, grabbed my handwarmers, and started the 10 miler with my running buddie Amy.  We were both pleasantly surprised that we weren't as cold as we anticipated.   We ran alone, no other crazies out today.  At the end Amy sprinted, I don't know where that came from, I had nothing left.  A fun fact... we're calling this one the  "chill your cheeks" run, it's taken us to the next level.

So many crazy happenings so little time.  The day began with my sister texting me at 6:15 with the name of her favorite flower.   Random.  Thanks for the wake up call Dolphin.  After church today a young friend of mine approached me with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.  "Mrs. Poole, remember when you told me I would soon be taller than you?"  "Yes, Andrew, what grade are you in now?"  "I'm a fifth grader, can we measure?"  I am always happy to oblige but I usually make the challenger take his/her shoes off.  So we stood back to back with our heads held high (and shoes on because I was feeling generous)  mine to try to win, his out of sheer pride.  The result was not surprising, as most fifth graders, he was taller.  Later in the day I snapped at the teenage boy checker at Wal-Mart.  Have I lost my mind?  I said "can we speed this up a little".  He was chatting it up with his replacement, a teenage girl of course, and not paying a bit of attention to his task at hand.  I did apologize.  I have cookies in the oven, piles of laundry to fold, ironing to finish, and still haven't eaten dinner.   I've got to shut this down and have a bowl of cereal before I pass out.

S & S

I will remember this day for two reasons...snow and sadness. Waking up to snow is exciting no matter what your age.  My first thought...snow running.   The snow was deep so my feet were frozen after the first mile.  I got off the path and ran the streets.  It wasn't what I hoped it would be, the excitement was over.   The sadness is for Maddie.  She won't be able to play the game she loves (soccer) for 6 to 8 months.  Do I dare say I know how she must feel?  I can't even imagine not being able to do what I love (run)  for 6 to 8 months.   I wish I could trade places with her but I can't, so I will continue to train while she rehabs and together we will get stronger. 

My second blog...another FB note

This can be addicting...

by Joy Burns Poole on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10:02pm

 I haven't started blogging yet and I'm already addicted.  So here is note #2.  Running is addicting and drinking coffee is too.   Guess I have a addictive personality.  Today's run was tough.  Speed work...hate it but it must be done.  Six 1/2 mile repeats as fast as my short legs will go with a short walk in between to catch my breath.  I ran on an indoor track which is extremely boring, but necessary when it is freezing outside.  The best way to get though it is to have an out of body experience or imagine yourself as something your not.  My first thought when I finished...that sucked!  The basketball sugar cookies are very professional looking, surprising since I'm not really an artist.  The icing color was perfect, the size just right, and they tasted delicious according to Maddie.  Crazy happening for the day...watching My Strange Addiction on TLC.  How does one get addicted to eating cleaning solution for 30 years? 

My first blog...a note on FB

A sample blog

by Joy Burns Poole on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 10:25pm

 Since my blog is not up and running I decided to post a note. The run today was cold, very cold.  My right hand always seems to take the brunt of the coldness.  I have discovered that keeping tucked in my pants warms it up, the problem is running with your hand in your pants!  Don't worry, it only stays in my pants until it warms up.  The path was quite today, I only saw one other runner and of course the usual "I'm going to scare the crap out of you" squirrels.  The start time was 4:30, the finish time was right at dark.  It is rather intimidating being on the path at dark.  The moon was full and provided ample light.  I could have run for miles and miles today but quit after 7,  time is not my friend.  It is now 10 pm and I have to bake cookies for an order tomorrow. I'm going to attempt to make a sugar cookie that looks like a basketball. No crazy happenings today which is rather unsual.  I'll share one from a couple of days ago.  I got this text message from a number I didn't recognize  "what do you need I can't be on my phone for a while."  I texted back "who is this".  The response "Amber".  My text back "Amber who".  The response" your girlfriend"!  My text back "Amber, this is Joy and I don't have a girlfriend".  The response from Amber "Oh, ok, sorry".  Crazy.