Helloooo!  I hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous weather!  I certainly am!  I had a LOVELY (almost 6 mile) run today; one of my favorite routes; to the Ben Franklin Bridge, over to New Jersey and back.  GREAT bridge for hill repeats as the bridge itself is about 1.5 miles across so you have a nice .75 mile hill repeat built in there accompanying the most gorgeous scenery.

ANYWAY, I wanted to do a little post about running the streets, as you might know I am quite the treadmill runner.  Here are some reasons I “take it to the streets”:

1.  To prep for races (gotta mimic race day)

2.  To enjoy gorgeous weather

3. To remind myself that I AM A RUNNER (sometimes I worry that I wouldn’t be able to run without the spinning belt of the treadmill and running outside really builds my confidence as a runner especially when my pace is good).

4.  When I have run out of TV shows to watch on my iPad while running

5. When the husband is home and can therefore watch Z while he is napping

So speaking of race day, I COMPLETELY didn’t realize how close Broad Street is (in a week!) and have not tapered ONE BIT.  Recipe for failure.  I had a SUPER stressful week and I tend to up the mileage as stress increases.   SO, with that said, I NEED to start tapering!  My knees have been aching a bit (a sure sign of over usage) and I REALLY want to run a successful race.  Anyway, speaking of successful, I am TRYING to commit to more strength training.  SO hard.  I am aiming for twice a week…

And now for your daily dose of cuteness:

Zach said “STOP SIGN?”  SERIOUSLY.  SO close.  SO cute.

CLICK HERE!

I will run the Broad Street Run on May 4th with Moms in Training to support LLS.  PLEASE consider donating ANY amount.  I have committed to a goal of 500 dollars and am only at a little under 25% of goal.  Please consider helping!  xoxo

I write this post quite aware that there are many posts already out there on this topic, many different perspectives and many stories to tell.  I am telling mine.  This is what today means to me.

Last year at this time, I was lounging on my in-laws’ couch in Pound Ridge, NY as Zachy napped, sporting my compression socks for post-race recovery.  I had run the More Fitness Half Marathon the day before, on my birthday, my first half post-baby.  I was filled with calm and pride as I had just reviewed the race pictures.

As I turned on the TV, I learned of the terror in Boston, the images flashing on the screen, and me, in disbelief, mind reeling.  I logged on to each and every social media outlet to update myself more (a sign of the times, no?).  I knew some distant friends (some bloggers) who were running the race, and I also knew a particular friend was in Boston cheering her Mama on as she ran the race (I had seen this on Facebook earlier that morning).  I didn’t think much about particular people or situations, but more about the running community as a whole.  Call it selfish, but it honestly freaked me the F out.  Selfishly, I thought, “that could’ve been me and my family,” as we had just been involved in an enormous race in NYC the day before.  But then as the individual stories and pictures rolled out from the days’ events, I began to internalize it different.  I felt a deep pit in my stomach, one that I will remember always.

It was the next day that I discovered how truly “close to home” this tragedy had struck.  The lovely aforementioned friend that had been waiting to watch her Mom cross the finish had been seriously injured in the bombings.  I found this out after receiving a very eery phone call from a reporter asking me to comment on my involvement in the attacks.  Apparently another Jessica Downes had been seriously injured in the bombings and the reporter had traced the name to me via old race records.  Creepy and very close to home.  My dear dear friend Erika, a preschool teacher who had been my own student teacher years ago, was broken and shattered and I was devastated for her.  Erika was there with me for some major events:  the acquisition of my first puppy Oscar, a crazy year of teaching first graders, relationship ups and downs, babysitting at my sister-in-law’s wedding and many other things.  I had taken her under my wing as a young teacher; she was bright, vibrant and LOVED children.  Erika was the last bombing victim to leave the hospital.  Today, she stands strong and is back in Boston for this year’s event.  I am more than proud to know her and I love her dearly.  I am SO sorry for what she has been through but am filled with pride at the way she has overcome these challenges.  Her preschoolers are so lucky to have her as is each person who is lucky enough to know Erika.  And now I am crying.  Please consider donating to the Brannock Fund.

Anyway, that is what today means to me:  it is a day to reflect but be proud of our rebuilding, to tell those we love that we do,and to run because we can.  Today I ran for those who cannot.  Today and every day, I feel blessed.

I die.

OK, now you all KNOW that I like a good party.  ESPECIALLY a themed one. And I don’t take themes lightly.  Remember last year’s Elmo themed party?!  Yup,  I brought it again this year but switched up the venue. This year, I decided to have Zachary’s party at Nest. (DUH).  I LOOOVE it there and the party could not have been more fantastic. If you are looking to have a party for your little one, NEST is the place to do it.  The hosts are fantastic, the facility is amazing, the price is right and you DON’T HAVE TO CLEAN UP!  WIN WIN!!!!  Anyway, I will let the pictures do the talking 🙂

The cake I made for Zach’s actual birthday (funfetti for the win)

Setting the Scene:

Edible treats

Edible train, but of course!

Favors

Family

Fun

And yes, I bring it with the themes 🙂  It really was a fun party though!  Do you do theme parties?!

“No words to say.  No words to convey this feeling inside I have for you.”

Thank you Zachary.  Nothing meant anything until you made it mean everything.