Today is my 39th birthday.

I mean, my 29th birthday.

Oh hell. Whatever. Fine. I’m staring down 40. What of it?

I am in a bit of a reflecting mood right now. It has been a big year of accomplishments for me. Let me clarify a bit… I don’t say “accomplishments” in order to elicit a ton of “woo hoo” compliments, just in reflection. Obviously with big accomplishments come big sacrifices and many a sleepless night. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean…

But I have to admit, even for me, this has been a blessed year, albeit at a ridiculous pace. A cursory list:  taking care of my fantastic family, opening up the new business, launching Momz Share, attending Blog Her, being mentioned in the New York Times (twice!) and Wall Street Journal, raising over $2,600 for charity and running the New York Marathon, meeting wonderful new friends and business associates and learning a heck of a lot in a short time… to name a few.

No wonder I am tired.

You know, I was talking to my friend Pat a couple of weeks ago and we had a conversation that has stuck with me… He asked me “what was next” on my list after conquering the NYC Marathon. I didn’t have an answer for him. I merely shrugged and said, “I think nothing. I don’t have anything on my agenda. I guess I am going to take a break.” He sat right up in his seat and said, “Oh COME ON! I don’t believe that for a second. I know you Jen and you won’t be able to sit still for long.” (I am paraphrasing, of course.)

Let me just say – I hate him for being right. Gah! But I love him for challenging inspiring me.

For right now, however, I am content to just sit quietly and reflect. (And plot my new world domination goals.. muwahahaha)

Business goals I have. We’ve mapped them all out. Personal goals are another matter. And blogging goals, well, that is really high on my list right now. I’ve am very antsy to get back to some serious writing. (Just need to survive the holidays first…) As for my family, well, I will be launching a middle schooler next year and if there is a perfect time to really concentrate on your family, this would be it!

In the interest of wrapping up the year, I put together a quick and dirty slide show for you. Thank you all for being such a huge part of my 38th year… darn! I mean 28th year. Cheers!

This Mom Blogger is running in the NEW YORK MARATHON in 2 days.

OH. DEAR. LORD.

Expect this blog to be filled with random marathon stuff from here on out. If you are looking for pictures from NYC then best to stalk my Facebook page or Twitter feed come Saturday morning. Not sure if I will be able to post much.

RANDOM RAMBLE #1: One of the things that I have been most freaked out about is the lettering on my shirt.  By “lettering” I mean my name. I have to have people yelling for me so that I can get across that FINISH LINE. The problem here is that I am just not that gifted when it comes to “iron on” crafts. I must have skipped that badge in Brownies because I HAVE BEEN STRESSING. Thankfully my dear, sweet, lovely NYC race support bestie Lori Rypka took matters into her own hands and ironed them on for me.  How hard is it to iron on three little letters? Hard enough for me to call in a lifeline, people.

RANDOM RAMBLE #2: Please don’t let me forget the Body Glide. Someone remind me. Err, Katie?

Andy Baldwin of The Bachelor fame.

RANDOM RAMBLE #3: The hot “bachelor” tweeted me today. Yeah, that one. See, all marathons are not bad. Need proof? Check it out, yo! (Okay, obviously he is a cute and very fit  “bachelor” and I am a middle aged mother of two who will barely finish this race but let me have my moment in the sun where I pretend like he and I really connected in a deep meaningful Twitter/marathon kind of way.)

RANDOM RAMBLE #4: There is a really good chance that I will be an emotional basket case prior to the marathon beginning at 10:40am. (My wave.) The race begins in Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. I grew up in Fort Wadsworth. Although they tore down the houses I personally lived in, our tents in the start village are located directly in the field where I played as a child.  My entire “being” as an adult crazy woman that I am was shaped by those years living there. I have always wanted to go back. I will be a mess. Trust me.

I guess that is all for now. More rambling tomorrow….

Oh yeah, if you are interested, I wrote a column this week on my Twitter/marathon issues at Want2Dish.com. I’m also featured the DNA Info / Manhattan article “NYC Marathon Runners Plan to Use Twitter During Race.” Obviously I have Twitter issues as well as “iron on” issues.

I’m a complex woman.

Can you guess the significance of the following number?

3: 37

That is the amount of time that I spent running on Saturday morning… 3 hours and 37 minutes.

Another significant number?

4

That is the time I got up in order to begin the 3 hour and 37 minute run.

A final number for you to ponder?

15

That is the number of minutes that I missed of my son’s soccer game because of my 20 mile training run.

But at least I made it. I was a pungent but PRESENT mother. And because that mattered to my son, it mattered to me.

I’ve tried from the beginning of this training program to not let it interfere with my family life. I get up at ridiculously early hours of the morning to train so that the my husband and kids feel like they are a priority over the running.  At least, I hope they feel that way.

It is now six weeks until the New York Marathon.  I have two weeks left to raise $1,500 for the ING Run For Something Better Charity. It is truly an honor to help them fulfill their mission for children. Won’t you please consider donated a couple of dollars to my cause? Even $5.00 can make a difference to a child. Believe me, it is true.

Didja notice that I skipped the training report for last week?  Wondering why?

Because it stunk, that is why.  Katie (@rjmommy) was out of town on vacation and I managed to squeeze out a measly 6 mile run before I called it quits.  Because I suck.  I can’t seem to run without her these days.  I’m beginning to think that Katie is my human GU or something.

Now might be a good time to fill you in on the power that is GU, I guess.  GU is awesomeness in a tube.  It is energy and it is addictive. (Hey, don’t judge. My addiction could be way worse you know.)

My favorite is Chocolate Outrage. It is like sucking down chocolate fudge icing.  I am so obsessed that I can even remember the moment that I discovered this crazy little flavor… it was during the Marine Corps Marathon around mile 18 at Hains Point.  Somebody handed me one on the course.  I slowed down to a walk just to enjoy it.  From then on I was hooked.  (Mint chocolate ain’t too shabby either!) If you ever find yourself attempting a strenous workout and need a little kick to get you through – I highly recommend GUing it.

SUNDAY MORNING LONG RUN REPORT – WEEK 15: Katie and I hit the road at 5:30 this morning to try to avoid the swealtering heat. Which didn’t happen. It was 85 degrees when we began and it climbed 10 more degrees before we finished.  It was so hot that we cut the run short at 10.5 because we were worried about heat exhaustion and hydration.  I never mess around with that as a general rule.

But really?! How much earlier does a girl need to get up to avoid this type of thing? 3am? 2am?  Grr….  My fingers were so swollen afterwards that I couldn’t get my wedding ring off.

This week my focus will be on cross training.  Specifically cross training with weights.  I really need to get rid of about 15 pounds.  Do you know how hard it is to carry around that extra weight when running? Not to mention my clothing that doesn’t fit. Gah! Don’t get me started….

So that is the race report for this week.  BY THE WAY: Interested in supporting me and my charity in the NYC Marathon?  If you are an individual who thinks I am bonkers and would like to donate to help support the craziness and to erradicate childhood obesity, then please do so here. I need to raise $2,190 before October 1st!  However, if you are a business who would like to sponsor me monetarily or otherwise, please email me directly at jlgerlock@comcast.net and we can chat.

As I have mentioned before, I am in training to run the ING New York City Marathon with Katie (@rjmommy) this November.  I’m a charity running working towards raising $2,500 for the Run for Something Better (@orangelaces) charity.

As I mentioned in my first post, there are so many reasons why I SHOULDN’T be tackling this.  Of course, I’ve ignored every one of them. I’m stubborn that way.

From here forward I plan on documenting my training for the marathon each week: the good, the bad and the ridiculous. I welcome your advice or support.  Comment away!

17 Weeks Out:

My running schedule is pretty basic.  I generally run three times a week and cross-train on off days.  This past week I ran four times, keeping my mileage pretty low for the majority of the runs.  We’re talking 3-4 milers at a very slow pace.  I’m afraid of starting speed work because of my IT Band injury last year.   My physical therapist said that speed work was a definite no-no.  (If you are wondering what speed work is, let me fill you in: you run in intervals at stupid crazy speeds. If you can’t breathe then you are on the right track.  Sounds like fun, no? Honestly, I’m not in a hurry to begin that.)

Our long run this week was 12 miles.  Yeah.  We ran 12 miles IN THE POURING RAIN.  If you ask me, the whole thing was debacle to begin with.  Problem #1 – I couldn’t find my Body Glide.  Problem #2 – I was out of GU.  (I am addicted to GU, a subject I will no doubt discuss in a later training update.) Problem #3 – I was exhausted.  Not a good combination.

Let’s talk about the beauty that is Body Glide for a moment, shall we?  You put on this handy product where clothing irritates so that you don’t chafe.  CHAFING HAPPENS (especially for women) when you run long distances.  When you don’t have it, well, you can only imagine. Rain only exacerbates the problem.  I’ll spare you the details and just say that my body looks like I’ve been the victim of torture at this moment.  My husband is none to thrilled because it has affected one of his favorite parts of me.  Ahem.

Despite the rain, the run was kind of symbolic.  It was the benchmark.  Running is officially no longer recreational. From here out our runs will be no shorter than a half marathon distance.  (Holy crap!) They will be an investment in time, planning and sheer will.

For the record: my husband thinks I am crazy.  I’m inclined to agree.

BY THE WAY: Interested in supporting me and my charity in the NYC Marathon? 

If you are an individual who thinks I am bonkers and would like to donate to help support the craziness and to erradicate childhood obesity, then please do so here. I need to raise $2,190 before October 1st!  However, if you are a business who would like to sponsor me monetarily or otherwise, please email me directly at jlgerlock@comcast.net and we can chat.