My Boston Marathon Inspiration

This morning as I was watching Boston Marathon unfold on tv and then again this afternoon on my easy 4 mile run, I couldn't help but think of my dad and the inspiration he has been in my life, both mentally and physically.

He is a VERY accomplished runner, with one of his biggest accomplishments being placing in the top 100 in the Boston marathon in two different years.  Not only was he a ridiculously fast marathoner, he also has insane mile, 5k, 10k, and half pr's.

Mike Markley's Personal Bests:
4:19 Mile Park Avenue Mile 1983
15:11 5k Syracuse American General Insurance 1982
24:55 5 mile Upper Arlington 1982
31:10 10K Cleveland Revco 1983
47:53 15K Columbus Day Columbus, Ohio 1977
4 times 53:11 to 53:20 for 10 miles 1st time 1974 last in 1983
2:28:22 for the Boston Marathon 1975
2:29:00 Columbus Marathon 1980

I mean...that is holding 5:39 for 26.2 miles.  5:39 is pretty close to my mile PR for an ALL OUT 1 mile (just saying!)

I have yet to run a marathon, and actually do not have any desire to at the current time.  I definitely have ONE on my bucket list, but personally I am more of a sprinter (what up 800) and am built for shorter distances.  I think maybe in my 30's or possibly even 40's I will attempt one though. Right now I am actually the most motivated I have been in about 5 years to do some races , but I am training for a 5k (May 11), and hopefully a 10k and a half marathon in November (but possibly one in August). 

My dad instilled in me several things from years of watching him train and run.  First and most importantly, he never told my sister or I to go run or exercise, but greatly influenced us by his own actions and example.  I think this was crucial because we both view running and exercise as something enjoyable and GREAT for mental health, rather than a chore or a punishment.  I think I can speak for him, my sister and I that we are all in much better moods when we get in some form of exercise.  He also showed what setting goals and hard work could accomplish.  His running wasn't just for personal health, it was to achieve his goals and in his case WIN races and set PR's. I have always been very competitive, so this is something that came pretty natural to me, but it was great to have him as a role model for this in both swimming and running.  It's pretty amazing to me all that he was able to achieve such success in running as both a father and working a full time job.  Although he  does not still run today, he bikes a ton and is still the picture of health.  

Amanda Markley running her first marathon in 2014.  3:53.29... I guess marathoning runs in the family. 

Easter Sunday

For the past 3 years, we have had the same Easter Sunday tradition in the fast household.  It includes an early church service.

The church we go to is HUGE, so we are in the balcony. 

A Lousiana style cajun breakfast, at a wonderful place called Lucile's in Littleton. 

Spicy Bloody Mary's, Chicory Coffee, Eggs with Shrimp and Grits and Eggs with Trout

& of course the best biscuits around with homemade jam. 

Then we headed home to do Easter baskets and enjoy the beautiful 70 degree day.  

Fresh Flowers are a must on Easter! 

Alex's 1st Easter Basket 

(hat, purse, bunny ears and rubber ducky toy-Target) 

(baby food carrots and bananas- Whole Foods) 

(Sunglasses- Babies R US) 

(Books- Scholastic) 

This girl has so much personality for only 6.25 months old! 

Family Selfie 

Playing outside with her new shades on!

We finished the night with ham, potatoes and carrots made by my hubby! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! 

Alex 6 Month Update

Alex turned 6 months on March 24th, 2015.

Weight: 18 lbs 0 ounces (85th percentile) (4/3/15)

Height: 27.2 inches (90th percentile) (4/3/15)

Eating:   5 x per day anywhere between 4-7 ounces of breastmilk per feeding. Eats rice cereal while we eat dinner most nights.

Diapers: Moved into size 3 Pampers Swaddlers this week. Can still fit in her size 2 but there were too many blow outs happening, lol.

Clothing:  6 month clothing fits perfectly. Can fit in 9 month sleepers as well and is starting to move into 6-9 and 9 month clothing.

Milestones from 4-6 months.

• Sitting up on her own with no support. 
• Rolling over both ways consistently. 
• Reaching arms out for mom and dad 
• 2 teeth on bottom (starting coming in at 5 1/2 months)
• Traveled on first road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. This was a 6 hour car ride and she did amazing, slept most of the way.
• Rides like a "big kid" in her new stroller and goes for jogs with mom. "Ran" her first 5k on March 17th.

Loves:

• Everything! She is seriously a happy, easy, baby and really only cries for a very specific reason (dirty diaper, hungry or overly tired). We are very lucky and will probably be in for it on our next kid, haha.

• She is loving peek a boo and other games like that recently. Loves to be read to and listening to mom and dad talk.

Sleeping:  Goes to bed consistently at 7 pm and usually sleeps till 4-5 am then wakes to eat and sleeps again until 6:30 ish or later if we let her sleep in. Sleeps in her own crib since 3 1/2 months and wears a sleep sack (we just switched to the non- swaddle version, but she never slept with her arms in the swaddle anyway)

Favorite Baby Items: 

• Baby Trend Jogging Stroller  - we made this mistake of not getting a jogger as our original stroller, so now that she is 6 months and can sit up we decided to get a jogger. This one had great reviews on Amazon, was way cheaper than the Bob's and is great so far. It is light and easy to maneuver. It came with free shipping and was relatively easy for my husband to set up. We ran a 5k with it that had trails and off roading and it was smooth and not too wide to run alongside other people.

Road Trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

For my Spring Break, we decided to take a little 3 day road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  We chose New Mexico because neither Brandon or I had ever been, it was an easy drive for us (down 25 the whole way), it was inexpensive, we heard it had amazing food and we hoped it would be accessible with a baby (we were right).

Before we left...how is she this big!?!?

The drive to Santa Fe.  My hubby and the Go Pro, lol. 

Our hotel...The Drury Plaza (highly recommended) 

Included:  a balcony, a 3 drink and snack happy hour, heated pool, hot tub, new construction...

 The first night, we went to an early dinner at a place called "The Shed".  We both had enchiladas and the green chili was to die for! The red chili was a little too spicy for me and I actually like hot foods, so it was really hot! 

Quite the portions :) 

This smile. She loves being in a high chair and loved our waitress. 

First time on Dad's shoulders

Exploring the Plaza

View from our balcony 

 Our second day in Santa Fe, Sunday we took the stroller and explored. First was breakfast at "The Plaza Inn" where Brandon had a breakfast burrito, I had a green chile omelet (our theme of the trip was Mexican food, because when in Santa Fe...) and we split an order of Blue Pinon pancakes.  The pancakes were definitely the best, but everything was delicious and super filling.  Next we hit up an art museum because the art scene is huge in Santa Fe.

Next we walked around the town to explore its unique architecture. Everything is adobe brick and super old.  

 St. Francis Cathedral Church 

Explored the local markets and got Alex a Native American doll. 

 Finished the afternoon with a sunny trip to the pool and hot tub on the hotel rooftop. 

Our last day was Monday and we wanted to get on the road by noon, but did a short hike to the top of this trail called "The Cross of the Martyrs". It was an historical war site, but I can't remember all of the details :) 

View from the top

We finished the morning with a quick trip through the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.  It was randomly free just for the week because some of the exhibitions were closed.  

 And this face...just because

 We left around 12:30 and the drive home seemed to take forever, isn't that how it always goes? The anticipation of a trip make the trip there relatively quick but it seems to take an eternity on the drive home because you just want to be home! At least that is how it is for me. I am going to try and update this blog more often because we now have a new computer for anyone out there who reads this (besides my mom, haha :)