Running Blog #42: This is cheesy.....Bday run 2

I took a day off today...yep I swapped Monday off with Wednesday.
I wanted to dedicate the whole day with my TJ because it is her 5th birthday.
I think I made her day great! Just like other hopeful moms- I wanted her birthday filled with surprises and without so much expense hehehe.

So this morning before she wakes up- I sneaked outside for my practice run.
Actually this year my theme is to dedicate a run with a birthday celebrant closest to my heart.
I started it out with my birthday though it was supposed to be celebrated with Mizuno infinity (sigh! it reminds me again that I did not show up)....but instead it became a long run in island cove.

My original plan is run 10K but I realized that my training plan said I run 6K. Actually I skipped run monday and tuesday because of the usual reasons- I woke up late and there were heavy rains after office....and running is almost impossible (this and other hassle makes me think about buying a treadmill sigh!)

My practice run this morning is relatively easy pace but after checking my heart rate with garmin I realized I was averaging 89% of my max heart rate. Wow and I didn't even feel some level of discomfort....actually I know I can run some more- but I have to discipline myself by sticking to the recommended training plan- courtesy of Runnersworld smartcoach.

I still don't know if this is the right strategy.

And I am not sure if my run this morning is their so called tempo run.

Hmmm....I am not inclined to be scientific with my running like the BR guy but then I think he's got the point- specially if you want to attain certain goal.

I still don't know if I am hibernating as a recreational runner to a serious runner.

If that is the case, I realized I needed to do tempo runs and speedwork- I need to incorporate this training plan to be able to make it to half marathon before the year ends and run at least sub 2:30 on the next MILO elimination (hopefully next year) and this is my new goal. The full marathon is still beyond my imagination.

So why did I come up with this target?

Because when I entered my performance last sunday in runnersworld smartcoach- I realized that a 16 week training would yield only a 2:34 race time- which is 4 minutes slower than the curfew for 21K of MILO. I admit I am not that competitive but I wanted to finish with dignity....I don't want to just cause traffic with the other runners hehehe. Maybe I have a wrong kind of thinking....excuse me....but I guess that is how I am day dreaming....so this is actually keeping my mind busy while running....the music is too mushy- hehehe didn't get a chance to change the music of my pod.

When I got home my little princess is already taking her breakfast and I told her that I celebrated her birthday in my practice run today. She find it different and it excites her....the twinkle in her eyes didn't escape at all. I know she was delighted....I am sure it could have been better if were running together. Unfortunately, I just sneaked out and I know it would be difficult for her to wake up early.

So instead I told her that I made sure I run 5K hehehe for her 5th birthday and the 1.5k was my warm up/cool down- she was delighted about it....and wanted again to run with me over the weekend.
My kids have already developed interest in running =) and I really look forward that we race together.....

All about TJ

TJ-tee jay is the reversed initials of Justine Tiffany, my daughter.

Her name Justine means "fair", "Justice", "Righteous"- the initial J is a tribute to me as her mother.

Tiffany means "God's manifestation", the initial is a tribute to her grandmother whose names both begin in letter "T".

Righteous God's manifestation is how I exactly felt when finally I was confirmed pregnant on December 8, 2003. After 3 yrs of grueling infertility work up, finally I was rewarded with a child in my womb.

Now TJ is growing up fast -she is turning 5 this coming Jul 8.

We have a very strong bond. At her tender age she already understood that it is important for us to please God.

My daughter loves the fantasy of a princess- her favorite character/icon is the dancing princess.

She love story....she love to tell story about every event in her life.

She love to hear her story.

One of her favorite is the story of how she came to this world.

I told her that the best "pink" gift I received from Papa Jesus is Justine Tiffany.

Yes, true to this belief....she is indeed my best gift.

Everytime I hear her sang - tomorrow and other piece of song, which she unbelievably memorize at her age.....my heart is so overwhelmed that I cannot help but praise God.
Her song bonded us....lately we watched mama mia the movie- to our surprise, my daughter appreciate every song in that movie.
One song that really amazed me which she liked and way back when I was child that I also love to sing is "Thank you for the music" by Abba....isn't it amazing that we can sing together a song we both love.

Last week, the most wonderful surprise any parents would have received is knowing that their children took home an honor.

Yes, we least expect her to become an honor student at the nursery stage- but she does it.

Yesterday, while am on sickleave we had another wonderful conversation.....she is now testing her logic.

When possible, the lullaby I used to song to her as baby.....I try to hum it her ears.

I know she felt happy and grateful.

TJ TJ Baby love na love ni mommy (2x)

TJ TJ Baby honey girl ni daddy.

I guess the only problem I had with her is her eating habits....she really just can't eat a lot.

She is underweight and looked frail.

But right now I am a little positive because she responded well to my psyche...she wanted to eat well so she could sing more, be far from disease and sickness, and become more beautiful "pink" gift.

I would say that my daugther is a blessing not only to me, but to the others as well.

I am so amazed of her empathy and her ability to love unconditionally....she taught me a lot! when I thought she should be the one learning from me- I bet it's the other way around.

My daughter never laid her hands to her brother and best friend Matti- because she loved him, even if Matti is hurting her. Sometimes, I got irritated by their sibling fights....I saw how Matti poked her....I ask TJ that she revenge and fight back- but then the more she cried, and told me she'll never lay hands to her brother.....lucky Matthew!

I would say the kindness in her is from within....a blessing from God.

As I have always say on my prayers.....

Dear God, make me a better mother for TJ.

Direct me to do the things appropriate for TJ's growth

in accordance to your grand plan

and in accordance to what you wanted her become.

Today as I write this blog....I mesmerized the sweet smell of her kisses....she loves her parents so much.

I wish my baby girl will always stay that way- the sweetness, the voice, the song we sing together....I feel like heaven in her embrace.

P.S. I will update this post with TJ's photo collage.