I was wrong

When I said yesterday that I wasn't that physically tired or sore from running ten miles, I was wrong. I was reading to Tyler last night and man, my legs were pins and needles! It was better a little later and maybe it was from actually resting for the first time all day, but geez, youch! I slept until about 5:45 and got up and did my weekly cardio sculpting to help the non-running muscles stay strong. It's a workout from David Kirsch that I've been doing for probably four years now and love it.
It's going to be below zero out tonite and I think tomorrow nite, so I'll be back on the treadmill.
That's ok, it's almost time to be exclusively outside running, so one more week or so isn't too bad considering it feels like November was a few weeks ago!
The kittens are doing great. I got another picture that I will post later this week of them all lined up while sleeping. I wonder if their mom does that for entertainment??? Haha.
Better go, Tyler is out of school again today and they're having a lot of fun in the basement, which is too suspicious for two little boys!

Pile of Kittens and Running 10 Miles This Morning

Those unfamiliar with kittens may find it relatively amusing that when they are very young, they pile on each other when they sleep. I'm sure they do it to feel safe and to stay warm, especially when their mom is doing other important duties. The kittens I have are growing wonderfully and are so cute and fuzzy. My son, Tyler, wants to name the small one Little. So now the mom and three of the babies are named. I can't tell the larger yellow kittens apart so I can't name them!

I decided to go for it and run outside this morning. I was thinking of going 8 miles but decided that it could be another week before I get outside again, so hey, why not go 10??!! So it took me almost 90 minutes to do 10 miles and I am quite amazed that I don't hurt this afternoon! I'm glad that I'm in better shape that I thought I was, so hopefully I can go a little faster and further than expected.
It was really foggy out this morning during the run and I did have to dodge some ice patches here and there. I'm really exhausted now, but it's from lack of sleep (thanks daylight savings) and from being so darned busy the past few weeks. I don't really enjoy things being urgent all the time, but this is part of the deal. At least I get time to play with my boys and take care of my other little side jobs (cleaning and decorating cakes for friends).
It's time to go design my new "Running for a Paws" shirts that I will be running in, so better get that done before I fall asleep!

Past foster dog/cat

Here's a picture of the dog, named Sunset, and her NINE babies. She was a very sweet and beautiful dog. I believe that all of her puppies as well as her, are adopted now. They were transported to Minnesota when the pups were three weeks old.

There's also a picture of a mom cat, Summer (we affectionately named her Summersum for some reason) and her babies. They were adopted locally.

Kittens are so cute when they hiss!

I checked on the cats this morning and three or four of the babies hissed at me when I petted them. Of course they can't see me yet, but they knew I was there. A kitten hiss is the softest little 'leaking' sound...one of my favorites. They're not scared of me but wanted to let me know that I was on their turf. CUTE!
Goldie (the mom cat) meowed and purred a lot at me so I need to make sure I give her lots of attention today. She's such a sweet cat and I'm developing a soft spot in my heart for her! She's taking very good care of the babies too so that makes her better-they are six days old today! At least she doesn't have to do housework.....
I was going to do an 8 mile run tomorrow morning but with the snow today, I doubt that will happen. The weather this week doesn't look conducive to running outside, but you never know!
Now if I could just get some pictures on this blog.....

Training and a few other things, plus the recession

**I ran another 7 miles on Friday morning and I thought I was going to feel tired...it felt great! I'm looking forward to pushing myself with some interval training and speedwork. I have never really done that before and it's 'different', but I know I will need to try what the experts suggest to bring in my best times, hopefully my personaly bests, even before I had the boys!
**If anyone reading this wants to sponsor me, I will put your logo on my shirts.....
**I'm hoping to get my fundraising letters out early this week.
**It's really difficult for me to pick what charity I support....I would love to help everyone but I know I can't. And with all the economic news going on, it's very difficult for me to ask people for money for animals. BUT, isn't it true that it shows what society we live in when we can at least show animals some dignity? I know this will make a difference to many people and animals so I know I'm doing the right thing. I hope others can follow.
When I am faced with having so many different charities to help, I almost shut down....like denial or something. But in order to make my dream of making a difference come true, I have to step up, face reality, and JUST DO IT! Thanks Nike!
**I really hope people will read this and follow my blog. I hope to write every day and keep others posted on what is going on with Paw Prints and my Challenge....Running for a Paws.

Mommy Cat Has a Name

I have had the mom cat and her seven babies since Tuesday. There is a small one but (I assume it is a girl) I think she is doing ok. They seem to have puffy bellies when I check on them. The mom cat is now named Goldie...mostly because my son, Tyler's friend, Ethan, has a stuffed cat he loves so much and this mom cat looks just like her. So Ethan, a big thank you for helping me along with a name for this wonderful mom cat. I just cleaned up her room and she drank a little, then went back into her cozy box with the babies. I petted her and gave her some loving words and she put her paw on my arm while I was petting her, and it seemed to say "thank you for doing this for us". She was looking at me and put her paw on me....what a neat thing. I know I'm doing the right thing....

New Foster

Two days ago, I got a momma cat and her SEVEN babies to foster. Someone dumped them at Animal Control and she had her babies. The do not thrive when they are kenneled so they are in our spare bathroom all comfy. She is a pretty yellow cat with five yellow babies, one grey and one black-ish baby. The grey and black ones have some yellow spots on them. They are so precious! She is a sweet kitty and purrs a lot and is a very good mom to her babies. All the babes are doing well and have relatively big tummies for how tiny they are!
I am running more starting today. I ran 7 miles this morning and it felt great. I was happy to be off the treadmill so hopefully it won't be too cold so I can get outside in the morning again. I hope I feel this strong for the 10 mile race in one month and can do better than I did last year, which was surprisingly well for the amount of running I did last year.
Better go!