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couch to 5K
So, somewhere along the way my friend Heidi and I got the idea that we were going to do the couch to 5K program from beginning to end. This coming from me was a miracle in itself. I was never an athlete. I never could run the track in gym. Couldn’t even make it once around (1/4 mile) before I was so out of breath, heart racing and legs burning. But, I decided I had to do something to get into some kind of shape- a shape other than fat blob.
The app starts you off nice and slow with walking more than running (you run in 60 second intervals, then 90 seconds, then 3 minutes, then mixing between 3 and 5 min runs, then 8 min, then 10 min, etc) and ends up with 30 min of running. In a row. In the beginning I couldn’t run that 60 seconds without feeling like I was going to drop dead. By the end of the 9 week program (which was probably more like 12 weeks as I didn’t always do it 3x each week) I could run 30 min straight. Very, very slowly and with difficulty, but I still did it. And by the end of the run I look like a giant red stewed tomato. I will never be that girl- the one who’s all pretty and glowy and put together when running. I’m a frizzy haired, dripping sweat, panting, red like going to have a heart attack at any second faced mess. But at least I did it.
So even after all that, I still don’t like running very much. So for now I decided that I’m going to stick with the running, but not for 30 minutes. I’m going to go back to the intervals for a while and maybe work on my speed cause I’m soooo slow. Like, people walking fast could pass me, slow. I’m figuring that between the run/walking 3x a week and the pilates, something’s gotta work. And for those of you who have asked, there is NO actual 5k in my immediate future. I haven’t decided if I’m ever doing one or not, and I’m only up to about 2.25 miles in 35min so I still have a waaaaaays to go until I’m there.
I know a lot of people followed my status updates on the couch to 5K on Facebook and a few have started it themselves, which is awesome! Glad that I was able to inspire someone else. And thank you to all of you who sent encouragement my way during this couch to 5k journey. Big thanks especially to Heidi who got me started and pushed me along the way as we did the program (sorta) together, to Karen, Dean, Val, and Eileen who always wrote something encouraging. And of course to John who kept telling me I was doing a good job.
Oh, and I promised myself that if I finished the program I would buy some new running sneakers so yesterday I did- a new pair of Saucony’s that I got at Runners Stop in Lynbrook. Hoping that those will help with the shin splints I’ve developed in my left leg. It’s always something…
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the mcdev family
Three small cuties were a great way to start out a busy day of shooting. Shoots like these with three (or more) kids 6 and under can go either way- really great and fun, or really hard and challenging. Lucky for me, I got the great and fun!!
Yes, he’s 6. So grown up and mature!!
Boys in trees, girls in swings- all makes for a happy photographer.
Couldn’t decide on color or black and white. So I’m showing you both. 
This one’s full of pep and giggles. 
And the little guy had to get woken up from his nap for his pictures. This, too, could go either way. I got lucky again and he was great!
Thanks again for starting off my day in giggles and smiles! Hope you enjoy your pictures! (and next year, Mom & Dad- you ARE getting in some! Consider yourselves forewarned.)
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a date day with timmy
Last week, since Timmy’s teacher was going to be out that day anyway, I decided we needed a date day for just me and my boy. I used to do it with the big boys when they were little and it was always so nice spending a school day together- not in school! Made for some good memories. At least for me and I hope for them too.
We decided on miniature golf at Eisenhower Park (I still miss Nunleys!), a trip to Target for some new legos, lunch from Subway and a carpet picnic while watching Finding Nemo. It was a good day.
We were the only ones on the golf course.
Can you find the timmy?
Bad shot, bad lighting, but cute cute boy.
The last hole. He was convinced that the ball was coming back and looked for it for about 5 minutes. 
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the burk family
Janice and I were introduced thru a number of mutual friends on Facebook and really hit it off quickly. More of the same warped sense of humor! I was so glad to finally get to do a family photo shoot for them, which was booked around the time of her twins graduation from 8th grade and their 15th birthday. It’s been a busy week at their house!
You know that expression “a day late and a dollar short”? That is me with these pictures. I was hoping to have them ready in time for either the twins graduation party (Saturday) or their birthday (yesterday). Sorry! But better late than never, so here you go!
Such a great looking (formal) bunch!
Pretty, pretty!
This one was so composed and grown up as well as gorgeous. 
And the twins. Obviously fraternal. Congrats to you on your graduation and happy birthday boys!
No one wanted to smile really. So I did all I could to get them to laugh. This is them trying their hardest not to laugh. And looking at this picture makes me laugh!
And the youngest. If you are a blog stalker you may recognize his handsome face from St. Baldricks in March. Just picture him with no hair…
5 kids. All so good looking- what are the odds on that?!
And a little (nonformal) family fun shot.
Well, even if I was later with the pictures than I had wanted, I hope that things have settled down enough from all the celebrations for you to sit down and enjoy them Janice & family. Hope you like them. xo -
the boys last baseball game
Well, not forever or anything. Just for the Spring season on their DJ Hannon team, which was a great team by the way. Lots of super nice kids on the team, and of course some great coaches too (I may be a little partial to the coaches since the Manager was my brother in law Tom (also known as Uncle That Guy) and my husband (also known as John)! They were so supportive of eachother and just a good bunch of kids. They made it pretty far into the playoffs (further than before) and even though this was the last game, they played it with heart!
Lots of pictures which aren’t the best- at least not as close up as I had wanted. I only brought one lens as it is sooooooooo dusty up at the field, I wasn’t about to go swapping out lenses and getting my nicely cleaned cameras full of dirt dust. And the lens I brought is more all-purpose (24-70 2.8/f) than sports (70-200 2.8/f) cause I wanted to be able to get some shots in the dugout too. With the big guns lens, the dugout wouldn’t have happened.
Jack had a good game. He made a bunch of good plays at first, had a hit and a walk. In the games the previous weekend, he also played first in both games and did a great job! (Two weeks ago, the boys were called up to a National League game as that team was short players and then had a playoff game for their team immediately following at the same field. So it was baseball from 4:30pm-9:30pm, with dinner at almost 10pm for all of us! They were sooooo happy to be playing non-stop baseball for 5 hours!)
A nice hit!!
Joe B.- love his expression here. 
My nephew Brendan.
Patrick pitched a 1-2-3 inning, walked once. In the games the previous weekend he got two hits, an amazing catch of a line drive at first and came in to pitch the final 2 outs of the last inning and got the last two batters out, won the game 7-6 with the bases loaded. Even I was at the edge of my seat. Waaaaaay too pressurey for me, but so happy he did so well!!
The infamous J-Mac. 
This kid is speedy! Like really, really speedy.
And has the best team spirit!
One more of Patrick at bat. 
The opposing team, but caught a few shots for friends.
Timmy spent most games in the dugout, playing the ipad or the DS. He was the team mascot. 
Doritos and smiles with Joe B.
And with J-Mac.
End of game pep talk from the Coach.
And that’s that. Until summer baseball starts. 