Half Step From Crazy

Although some would probably argue that I'm much closer than half a step.

We've been potty training in this house. I say "been" because this has "been" a LONG process. Of course I didn't expect it to be. Why? Because "my" child would instantly pick up this whole potty training bit and it never crossed my mind otherwise. Yep, add this to the Eating Crow list. So several months ago I attempted the whole "Potty Train in a Day" idea only to quickly discover that whole concept was just not created for Miss Hurricane. I mean obviously the author has never been formally introduced to Iron Will Roberts or he never would have proposed such a ridiculous idea. So I backed off the whole potty training thing and have decided to let my little natural disaster decide when she was ready to formally accomodate the call of nature. Of course I've dropped plenty of hints and opportunities along the way. I also dropped money on the video "Potty Power." And to this day I am cursing the very day I made this purchase. It is by far, Hayley's favorite video. She has to watch it everyday, which would be great if she actually started doing what the video told her to do. Unfortunately, Hayley thinks she has "Potty Power" just by watching the video and it has become her all-time favorite "dance" video. Nope, not quite the effect that I was going for. Of course I can see why it inspires her to to dance, what with it's catchy tunes like:

"I can do it myself I'm a big kid now, I can do it myself I've got POTTY POWER!!!"
AND
"What can you do when your sittin' on the potty, sittin' on the potty for awhile?"
and of course my all time favorite,
"Wipe Your Bottom" (the chorus of which I will spare you)

The thing I LOVE about this video is that these songs are guaranteed to stay in your head all day long!! And just how crazy has this whole process made me? Oh, just crazy enough to sign my not quite 6 month post-partum buns up to run a 10k.

I'm really not certain how I ended up registered for the 10k. The race is actually the Race for the Cure that is taking place in St. Petersburg this Saturday. As many of you know, I was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha in college. Yep, like totally, I was a sorority girl. Our philanthropy was the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. And being the dutiful Zeta that I am (because you know, once a Zeta, always a Zeta), I didn't think twice about planning to participate... in the 5k that is. This is the first year they are holding a 10k race in St. Pete though and I've been training with a running group and somehow got convinced that I would be ready to take on 6.2 miles. And so one evening in a momentary lapse of judgement I registered myself for the 10k. The good news is that the race course is just minutes from Bayfront Hospital, which is the main trauma hospital in this area, so I should be in good hands.

But really, I "think" I'm ready. Over the past two months, I've been running. A lot. But it's been beneficial and I've learned a lot in the past two months of training. Here are just a few of the things I've discovered:

- I HATE sprints, fartleks, and anything associated with speedwork.
- My body is capable of a lot more than my mind thinks it is capable of.
- Asphalt really does provide a lot more cushion than cement.
- Pushing two kids in a double stroller provides an incredible arm workout.
- I have no desire to take my workouts "up a notch" by pushing a triple jogging stroller.
- Hydration DOES matter.
- Running in Florida means that just because there is not a cloud in sight does not mean that you won't be caught in a torrential downpour at mile 2.
- Todd and Hayley think it is TONS of fun to get "wained" on.
- Changing the battery in an Ipod requires the precision of a brain surgeon and the patience of a Saint.
- I would not make a good brain surgeon or a good Saint.
- I am mood-alteringly addicted to endorphins.
- Todd and Hayley enjoy our daily runs as much as I do my endorphins.
- Chloe? She's not really a "running" type of dog.
- Summers in Florida? They are hot.
- I must be crazy.

If I'm still alive after Saturday morning, I'll post a race report.