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How 10 miles become 11 (and a giveaway)

In my fancy list on Friday, I mentioned I had a 10-mile run planned for Saturday. I also said it would probably be interesting. And it was.

I did an out and back on a paved trail with my girls in the double jogger. It was sunny and cool, perfect for a run. The girls were loaded up with books and snacks. And we were off. A few miles in, a guy on a bike yelled: "That's impressive." That kept me going until a male runner gave me another boost with the following exchange as he passed:

Him: That doesn't look easy.
Me: It's not, but it's worth it.
Him: Hmmm...
Me: It's better than not running.
Him: True.

After five miles, we turned and started back down. I knew I had been pushing up a gradual incline but really noticed the difference going down when I averaged a minute per mile faster pace on the way back. At mile six, I stopped and shared a watermelon Carb BOOM! gel with my girls. They are becoming big fans of my energy gels. My oldest asked several times when we were going to "eat that stuff."

The girls were little rock stars, never complaining. We made a few quick stops to get out suckers and fruit snacks, took a little break to watch a rabbit eating grass, and stopped once when the littlest midge kicked off her shoe. We also had a few photo op stops. My biggest midge brought her camera and asked me to stop once to take a picture of a tree she liked and later of the powerlines. Other than that, we were having a great run.

About 1/4 mile from the car, the littlest midge started whining. I stopped to see what she needed and noticed something was missing. This:


I checked and double checked under the stroller, under my girls, in every pocket and corner. I literally wanted to cry. No blanket. When it comes to my girls and their blankies, there is NO messing around. All it takes is one touch when they are upset and they stop crying or pressing it against their cheek when tired and they go almost limp with relaxtion.

So we turned around and slowly began retracing our steps. I distinctly remembered seeing the midge with it about two miles back, so I figured that was as far as we would go. Almost 1/2 mile later, a man on a bike was about to pass us when he stopped, "Did you lose a pink blanket?" (I think it helped that my other midge was holding a nearly identical blanket.)

I wanted to hug him. But I didn't. He said it was about a block away, so we ran the block and found the blanket sitting on a bench. Someone had been nice enough to move it off the ground but smart enough to leave it there. We had a very happy reunion with the blankie and then headed back to the car.

So, that's how ten miles becomes 11 miles on a Saturday.

Now for the other thing I mentioned on Friday: a GIVEAWAY. UPrinting.com has kindly offered to give one of my readers a 16 x 20 rolled canvas. If you have been wanting a great way to display that picture of you crossing the finish of your first marathon, your favorite family photo or any other picture you LOVE, now is your chance.

Here's what you get:

  • 16 x 20 Rolled Canvas for One (1) Winner
  • Specifications: 1 Business Day Turnaround
  • Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping
  • Eligibility: Limited to U.S. Residents only

Here's how you get it:

  • Required: Visit UPrinting.com and let me know what other items peak your interest. Leave a comment. (1 entry)
  • Optional: Tell me about the picture you will get printed if you win. (1 entry)
  • Optional: Link back to this post from your blog. Leave a comment. (1 entry)
  • Optional: Tell your friend about the giveway on Facebook or Twitter. Leave a comment each time you do. (1 entry for each time you post it)
The giveaway ends this Friday, May 14th at noon. I will announce the winner Friday afternoon.



RUN: Got exactly what I wanted for Mother's Day: new running shoes and RoadID.

Comments

  1. totally love the rolled canvas. and the greeting cards are pretty awesome too.

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  2. totally get a family picture, black and white on that bad boy. already have it picked out.

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  3. I will probably get a canvas for the Last Mile Lounge so beer will be involved.

    Congrats on getting the perfect Mother's Day Loot!

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  4. I like their greeting cards! Very nice.

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  5. I would get our family picture from this winter printed.

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  6. I put your giveaway up on my blog. Great giveaway!

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  7. It would have been tragic to lose a blanket. So glad that you were able to find it (and that it was not all further back). I looked at the cite and the canvas is probably my favorite thing there.
    Happy Belated Mother's Day!!! You are such a great mom (and sister)!

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  8. As a nanny I can definitely relate to the magical healing powers of blankies. So glad you found it! I love that rolled canvas, and would definitely use it for a wedding photo! Our first anniversary is only a few months away! Their greeting cards are amazing as well. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's day!

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  9. I like that you can make calendars!

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  10. I would print a picture of me and my boyfriend at my sister's wedding--it was such a happy day!

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  11. I would love the canvas and would get a picture of my daughter on it.

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  12. My son has a blanket too and I don't know what we would do if he lost it. Scares me to think about it. What a great run and with a jogger...that is impressive. Way to go.

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  13. I totally love the canvas. It would be great in the new house for a our family picture!

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  14. My littlest loves his blanket. We have had to double back more than once to pick it up. Thankfully it was there along the road each time. I have since learned to tuck it under the "seat belt" of the stroller. I do not know what I would do if we lost it. I have tried to find a duplicate backup but they don't make it any more.

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  15. Awesome! Love this! Or the printed calendars for the grandparents.

    Glad you found the blanket!

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  16. I would have a family picture printed. Or one of all the grandkids for the grandparents.

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  17. I was feeling ya on the missing blanket--can wreck a day for sure!

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  18. I am a follower of your blog! This is a great giveaway!

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  19. I linked this giveaway up to my blog!

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  20. I think the wall graphics are pretty cool!

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  21. I am not sure what photo I would have printed. Definitely something with all four of my boys on it! I might have to do some photoshop magic to get something really cool!

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  22. I love their calendar options...so cute!

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  23. I just received my son's 18mos picture cd last week. I would have one of his pictures printed to hang on my wall at work. He has sooo many cute ones, so I would have to decide.

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  24. Cannot imagine pushing a double jogger while running! That is really impressive! Great job on the run and glad you found the blanket!

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  25. That's amazing! great job! I can't imagine what you felt when you saw the blankie missing. I would have seriously cried... or gone home nad gotten a bike. lol

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  26. We haven't had any blankie mishaps (yet) because my older son's lovey was his thumb (hard to lose) BUT I see my 10 mo getting more and more attached to his blankie, so I'm sure this is in store for us, too.

    I really like the UPrinting poster prints.

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  27. I think maybe I would get a picture of my kids together but I'd have to take some time to decide because we have SO many. But maybe something from one of their upcoming birthdays.

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  28. Thank goodness you only had to go back half a mile!

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  29. 11 miles pushing a double jogging stroller? I'm impressed! I *might* be able to push one empty, but load it up with two kids, and I think I'd give in after a mile or two.

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  30. I really need to get some business cards ... especially since become a running coach.

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  31. I have this great picture of the girls walking through a orchard holding hands. I love it.

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  32. I linked your giveaway on my blog here:

    http://girlsjustwannagorun23.blogspot.com/2010/05/30-day-shred.html

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