Me, 3 kids, and a dog

I survived the first week of summer vacation! It wasn't easy. It was full of baseball games, a picnic, a trip to the water park, play dates, and more. It was downright chaotic at times, but I made it through with most of my sanity intact. And I did it despite sending Cory back to work and helping Adam watch the neighbor's dog while they were on vacation.

Yes, we have become official dog watchers. When the neighbors approached Adam about it, they said they would pay him $2 a day to do the following:

1. Go over to their house in the morning and let the dog out of the laundry room where she sleeps. 

2. Water the plants on the front porch. 

3.  Go over at night and put the dog in the laundry room to sleep. 

4. (Optional) take the dog for a walk. 

It all sounded so simple. I figured Adam could handle it with my help. So we agreed. It has now been 72 hours since we started. Adam, Sadie, and Tyler are enjoying the dog experience immensely, but I am worn out. The simple tasks we were given are not so simple with three kids in tow. I guess you could say I'm in no hurry to get a dog of our own. 

As instructed, we have walked across the street every morning to let Maggie out of her room. The kids squeal with delight as the dog jumps all over them. With the task complete, I am ready to head home, but the kids follow the dog into the backyard and start playing fetch. Poor Maggie is so confused with three kids running all over the yard, each throwing a different doggie toy. She doesn't know which toy to chase. So instead of coming right home, I spend part of my morning impatiently watching the chaos in the neighbor's backyard. When I am finally able to pull the kids away, we shut the fence and walk out front for Adam to water the flowers before we leave. 

Now, technically we are done with dog responsibilities until bedtime, but on the first day, we ended up back at the neighbors in the afternoon to play fetch. Then we went back again after dinner to take the little dog for a walk (which was quite the ordeal with three kids). Picture Adam holding the leash, Tyler running after him, and Sadie all over the place on her bike getting tangled up in the leash as the dog stopped on every other lawn to sniff and paw the grass. Let's just say that first day wore me out. After we had story time, put the dog and the kids to bed, I was ready to collapse. 

Day number two was easier. We cut out the afternoon game of fetch, but the evening walk was still a bit of a circus.

Day number three was just plain busy. Between the morning trip to the neighbor's, my workout, and an afternoon play date at our house. We were swamped. When the parents came to pick up the friend, they stayed awhile to chat, so we were late having dinner, late for the evening dog walk/game of fetch, and late for the Saturday night bath. As I herded the kids in the house for bath time, the phone rang. So as I'm trying to talk on the phone and get bath water going, kids are stripping off clothes. Then Tyler proceeds to pee all over the floor. I managed to get the mess cleaned up and the kids bathed before hurrying downstairs to fix milk before storytime. 

The evening is finally winding down. All three kids and the dog are now in bed. I guess I'm not the only one who's had a big week. Two kids fell asleep during storytime...

Well, by this time tomorrow, the neighbors will be home, and our dog watching job will be over. I'm glad the kids had the experience of taking care of a pet, but I'm ready to have one less thing on my plate. If the rest of my summer is as busy as this week has been, I may have to start drinking caffeinated soda. :)

Ogden Marathon Recap

This past weekend, I ran the Ogden Marathon for the third time. I just love that course. It is such a beautiful canyon. I won't bore you with every little detail of the race, but here is a brief recap. 

Leading up to the race, I wasn't sure how my body would perform.  For several weeks, I had been doing one long run per week (15-22 miles long), maybe a couple of short runs, and a lot of elliptical workouts.  I felt pretty confident I could handle the distance since it had only been 2 months since my 50-mile ultra, but I was nervous about the speed.  I hadn't been doing speed workouts like I had before my previous marathon.  On top of that, the weather forecast the day of the race was expected to be hot, which isn't great news for me.  I do better in cooler temperatures.  I decided to just do my best and if the heat got to me, I would slow down.

The morning of the race, I woke up at 3:45, got ready, and headed to downtown Ogden with my neighbor to catch the bus to the starting line.  The next few hours were pretty uneventful.  We arrived at the start, got in line for the porta potties, and stood by the fires to keep warm while we ate breakfast.  After the national anthem, I shed my sweat pants and jacket and said wished my neighbor good luck.  Then I lined up with the runners expecting to finish in approximately 4 hours.

The first few miles passed quickly.  I shed my arm warmers at mile 2, and by mile 4 I was already starting to sweat.  It was just about then, that I heard the guy next to me say my name.  I looked over and saw a friend of mine that lives in my neighborhood.  He is an avid runner and has done several 100 mile races.  I expected him to be way ahead of me, so I was thrilled to see that I was keeping up with him.  We chatted for a few minutes, then I pulled ahead...fully expecting to see him around mile 20 or so when I was getting tired and he would be just warming up.  :)

With each aid station that passed, I found myself in a new group of runners.  While others around me stopped for drinks, I was able to keep running thanks to the bottles I had filled on my running belt.  When I hit the halfway mark at 1:50:35, I knew I had a good shot at coming in under 4 hours.  In the previous marathon I ran, I hit the halfway mark at 1:51, and the rest of the race was somewhat flat.  Since I still had the canyon to run through, which was downhill, I knew it would help me keep my speed up.  The only problem was that I was starting to feel some chaffing between my legs.  At mile 15, I finally pulled over long enough to smear Vaseline between my legs to keep them from chaffing more.  A few miles later, I heard an airplane and looked up.  It was Cory and kids going for a ride.  They were flying over the course watching the race. 

As the second half of the marathon progressed, it started getting HOT outside.  I started grabbing drinks at some of the aid stations to keep me hydrated, since the fluids in my bottles were getting low. With only a few miles to go.  I knew for certain I would beat my previous time.  I crossed the finish line at 3:54:42.  After receiving my medal and having my picture taken, I found some shade where I could call Cory and eat a Creamie while watching others cross the finish line.  The friend that I passed around mile 4 came in 30 minutes behind me, while my neighbor came in 45 minutes behind me.

So, in case you're wondering, here are my stats from the race:

I finished 648 out of 2540 overall runners.  I know it doesn't sound all that impressive, but it's the top 25%.
I finished 217 out 1245 female runners.  The sounds slightly more impressive.  It's the top 17%.
Lastly, I finished 68 out of 327 in my division.  The is the top 21%.

So here I am 3 days post marathon.  My legs are recovering and I can finally go up and down stairs again without difficulty.  I was feeling pretty good about myself until I heard that my ultra friend that finished 30 minutes behind me has already logged 34 miles the past three days.  I haven't even attempted running yet.  I guess I have some work to do before I will be ready to run 100 milers like him.  The Bear 100 is only 4 months away, so I better training.

General Conference at the Wolf House

General Conference at the Wolf House is usually a joke.  In the past, I have tried to sit on the couch and listen while kids run in and out of the room screaming.  Obviously I wouldn't get much out of it.  While one child would yell at me to get them a drink, another child would cry over being hit or kicked.  Between breaking up fights and changing diapers, I would get pulled in various directions all over the house and essentially miss most of conference.  This time, however, I was determined to make a change, and I think I may have found the secret to success.  Bribery.

I took a last minute trip to the Dollar Store on Saturday afternoon and spent a few dollars on supplies.  Then, I came home and assembled five "speaker" bags, which I labeled with numbers.  Inside each bag, I placed three items (one for each child).

When it was time for conference to start this morning, I explained to the kids what the bags were for.  As speaker #1 started their talk, I instructed one of the kids to grab the bag with #1 labeled on it.  Inside the bag was a little surprise to keep them busy and quiet for a few minutes.  Then, when speaker #2 got up, we opened the second bag.  And so on.

Here's what I put in the bags...
1.  fruit snacks
2.  a new puzzle for each child
3.  a small treat
4.  playdough (different color for each child)
5.  money (a quarter for each child)

The kids were so excited about opening each bag that they were actually pretty good between bag openings. I was able to listen to most of the Sunday morning session.  I did miss one speaker while helping each child with parts of their puzzle, but overall I am thrilled with how it went.  I turned a dreaded event in our house to something more enjoyable for everyone, and I think the kids will actually look forward to conference in the fall.  Their only complaint was that I didn't quite have enough bags to last the whole session.  :)

Buffalo Run 50-mile Recap

Famous poet T.S. Eliot once wrote, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

As I prepared to run the longest race of my life, I did not believe it was too far for me. Never did I question whether or not I would be able to finish. As the day drew closer, however, the odds started to stack up against me. 

Two days before the race, my sinuses started draining. I started pounding vitamins and fluids into my system, and I crossed my fingers that it wouldn't keep me from the starting line. For two days I stressed over it, but the morning of the race I woke up feeling somewhat normal. I got ready, ate breakfast, and headed to the starting line. Unfortunately, I underestimated how long it would take me to get there, and I nearly missed the start of the race. I arrived with 4 minutes to spare! As I stood at the starting line with the other runners, I turned on my GPS watch and waited for the satellites to acquire. As the race director signaled the start of the race, the runners took off and left me still standing there waiting for my watch to aquire. When it finally did, I immediately took off and tried to catch up with the pack. I knew I couldn't take off to fast, or I would wear myself out, but slowly I began to pass runner after runner as we climbed the hill. 

Approximately 4 to 4.5 miles into the race I looked down at my watch with my headlamp to check my average pace and realized that in all the frenzy I forgot to push the start button! Oh well, nothing I could so about it now. I hurried and pushed the start button to track my distance and pace from that point forward. 

As I reached the Elephant Head aid station at mile 5.5, I stopped to locate my drop bag that was to be waiting for me there. I wanted to put my outer jacket and head lamp in the bag so that I wouldn't be carrying them, but I was surprised to find that my drop bag was not there. I must have arrived to late to have it transported. Oh well. Nothing I could so about it now. I tied the jacket around my waist and resumed the course. Five minutes later, I tripped on a rock and fell hard on the trail, bruising my shoulder, my knee, and my pride. Come on! Can't I catch a break? I was beginning to wonder if my bad luck would continue the rest of the race, but fortunately thing started to turn around. 

I finished the first half of the race much faster than I anticipated, in spite of my deliberate efforts not to push myself to hard and my nose running like crazy. The second half of the course took us back past the starting line before continuing on the east side if the island. Lucky for me, I ran right past my car, so I stopped long enough to toss the jacket and headlamp in the car and continued on. 

As the miles continued to click off, I did some quick calculations in my head and began to get a little concerned that I would make it to the ranch before Cory arrived to pace me the last 17 miles. Sure enough, I got to the aid station early and he was nowhere to be found. I took a few minutes to go to the bathroom and grab a quesadilla. Then, while looking around one final time before heading back on the trail, I finally spot Cory.  Just think, if I hadn't of started the race a minute late and hadn't of fallen down, I may have completely missed him. 

Anyway, for the next 17 miles, he was great company. We talked, ran, and enjoyed the time together. The last mile of the race, when I was getting tired and may have slowed down on my own, his encouragement kept me going to the end. We crossed the finish line with cheers and congratulations from complete strangers and friends. 

My final time was 10 hours, 5 minutes, and 34 seconds. It was good enough to make the top half of all competitors, 7th place in my age group, and 11th for overall females. I couldn't be more pleased. 

So now I have proven that I can run 50 miles. The only question that remains is whether or not I can go even farther.  I guess the only way to find out is to try!

Outsmarting a 2-year-old

Kids these days are smart. Real smart. So smart, in fact, that in recent years NBC broadcast a game show called "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. "

In this game, a single contestant attempted to answer ten questions (plus a final bonus question). Questions were taken from elementary school textbooks, two from each grade level from first to fifth. Each correct answer increased the amount of money the player won, with a maximum cash prize of $1,000,000. Along the way, the player could be assisted by a "classmate", one of five school-age cast members, in answering the questions. Notably, upon getting an answer incorrect or deciding to prematurely end the game, the contestant must state that he or she is "not smarter than a 5th grader."

This is how I have been feeling lately, except it is a 2-year-old I have been up against, and sadly, the 2-year-old has been winning. However, yesterday I had a moment of brilliance which turned the game in my favor. Before I tell you about it, let me begin with some background. 

After Tyler turned 2, I decided it was time to make some changes in his room. I got rid of his crib and changing table, put in a toddler bed, painted the walls, and installed shutters to transform the space to a cute little boy room. I've been very pleased with the results. 

See before. 

See after. 

Although his room turned out great, I've been dealing with a hurdle ever since. Now that Tyler can get out of bed himself, he does. Frequently. Sometimes several times a night. For awhile I tried locking his door. That worked pretty well, until he learned how to unlock it. Then my troubles began again. Finally after weeks of not sleeping much, I had a moment of clarity. I drove straight to Lowe's and bought a new door knob that would be hard for him to open. 

I installed the new door knob yesterday, and I've got to say that last night was the best nights sleep I've had in a long time. I slept so well that it didn't even bother me when Tyler gave me a dirty look this morning when he woke up.

I should be ashamed of myself for being so proud that I outsmarted my toddler, but I'm not. :)

Wolf family end of year review

As 2013 comes to an end, I can't help but look back on what a great year it has been. Each member of our family has had a memorable year in one way or another. Here is a short recap...

Tyler achieved big boy status when he turned 2 in October. His car seat got turned around, his crib went away, a toddler bed appeared, and he started drinking chocolate milk instead of plain milk. In the eyes if a 2-year-old, I'm sure it has been a pretty awesome year. 

The highlight of Miss Sadie's year has been starting preschool. She LOVES school and is learning so much, like what intestines are and how to spell yellow. I am amazed at everything she knows. 

Adam started first grade in the fall and spends all day at school now. He is at the top of his class in reading and math, and I couldn't be more proud. If I asked him what the highlight of his year was, I'm sure school wouldn't be at the top, but it is pretty noteworthy to me. He has come a long way. 

Cory started the year off by buying an airplane, and he has had a permanent smile on his face ever since. Need I say more?

As for me, I have enjoyed health and happiness and have been able to watch my family learn and grow. As icing on the cake, I accomplished some personal goals along the way...running a marathon in under 4 hours, running my first ultra, and running the biggest marathon in the world. And although the daily routine hasn't always been easy and I've had plenty of challenges, tantrums, and fights to break up along the way, I will look back on the year with many fond memories.

NYC Marathon: Running with a rabbi and a blind woman

Yes, I recently ran with a rabbi and a blind woman.  But first, let me give a little background...

In 2012, I registered for the NYC Marathon lottery.  When the lottery closed, I learned that I had not been selected to participate.  When expressing my disappointment to a friend, she told me of a charity that helps disabled athletes run the marathon.  The charity uses "guides" to help the athlete complete the race, and they pay the costly entrance fee.  I was intrigued.  I immediately looked into it.  Unfortunately, I had missed the cutoff for the upcoming marathon.

Fast forward to August 2013... On a whim, I decided to submit an application to work as a guide for the 2013 NYC Marathon.  Much to my surprise, I was contacted a few weeks later with an invitation.  I was assigned to help a blind woman from New Zealand run her first marathon.  I learned I would be part of a small team assisting her.  Over the next few weeks, I corresponded with the blind athlete as well as the other members of our team, one of which I found out was a Jewish rabbi.  In the meantime, Cory started feeling left out and worked his connections with JetBlue to get a slot running with the FDNY.

A few days before the race we learned that due to enhanced security at the starting line, my entire team would not be able to start the race together.  Two of us would have to position ourselves a few miles into the race and jump in when our athlete came by.  Those two people turned out to be me and the rabbi.

On November 1, we dropped the kids off with Grandma and Grandpa and hopped on a red-eye flight to New York City.  We landed about 5:15 a.m. on Saturday morning and began our whirlwind tour of the city.  After spending the morning sightseeing, we dropped off our backpacks at the hotel and headed to the convention center to pick up our race packets.  When we got there, I found myself in the longest line I had ever seen.  It stretched through the convention center, out the door, down the street, around the corner, and down the next street before doubling back and ending back inside the convention center.  Fortunately, it moved quickly.  We picked up our stuff, browsed the expo, and left to eat lunch and catch a matinee of Wicked.  After the show (which we totally enjoyed), we headed to the hotel and ordered pizza for dinner.  We called the kids, watched a little TV, and went to bed early. 

The next morning, we dressed quickly, checked out of our hotel, and headed to the Park Central Hotel to store our bags with the FDNY group.  Then, Cory hopped on a bus with the FDNY runners and headed to the starting line while I waited to meet up with my new rabbi friend to travel to mile 4 together.  The time passed quickly, and it wasn't long before Rabbi Michael showed up.  He was super nice, and we got along splendidly.  We made our way to mile 4 and started watching for our team to come through.  As I waited, I ate a banana and looked for a garbage to throw my banana peel in. I spotted a 50 gallon barrel and almost tossed it in...until I realized it was full of Gatorade waiting to be put in cups (see below).

We didn't wait long before the professional runners passed our checkpoint.  They were going FAST!  When the first wave of general runners started coming through, Michael held up a sign he made to help the team spot us (see below).

I was glad we had it.  When it started getting busy, it was a little stressful trying to spot them in the mass of people (see below).

Luckily, we found our runner.  We configured ourselves in a diamond type shape.  One person ran in front and acted as a snowplow.  Vinnie ran in the middle with her husband on her left holding a tether.  I ran on her right for most of the race (slightly behind her to help protect her from getting pushed from behind), and Rabbi Michael floated around as needed.  Here are a few pictures...

 

 

The miles passed quickly.  Between the spectators cheering and the live bands playing throughout the course, it was more of a 26 mile party than a marathon.  We were having so much fun, and Vinnie was doing great.  At the halfway point, however, she tripped on a piece of rubber sticking up from the road.  She went down, and I could not catch her.  She skinned her elbow a bit, which started to bleed, but otherwise she seemed ok.  We helped her up, and she started running again.

Around mile 20, her knee started bothering her.  She took some pain medication and we walked for a while.  Then we started up a slow jog again.  At mile 23, I got a phone call from Cory.  He was about a mile ahead of us and was waiting for us to catch up so we could finish together.  We met up with Cory and finished strong.  My blind athlete finished in 4 hours and 59 minutes.  She did amazing!

After taking a few group pictures and saying our good-byes, Cory and I headed back to the Park Central Hotel to get our bags, have a quick shower, and eat a plate of food (courtesy of the FDNY).  Then, we headed straight to the airport to fly home.  It was a very short weekend, but it was an unforgettable experience. Who knew that running with a blind woman and a rabbi could be so much fun!?!?!!!!