(More than) Fourinarow.net

I’m not exactly sure how it happened.  I mean, I’m NOT a runner.  I did run a few races waaaaaaaayyyyy back before I had any kids, but that’s it.  Once I had the first baby, that was it for me.  Not enough time, not enough energy.  Plenty of excuses.

Back in Tennessee, I was briefly tempted roped in to signing up for a race by my friend Kristina, but then, darn it!  I got pregnant.  Again.

So, when a couple of moms here invited me to join them on their runs, I declined.  Not only am I not a runner, but I’m sure as hell not going to run at 5:30 in the morning in Chicago winter weather.  No thanks.

But then… at bridge one night, some of these moms were talking about running in the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle.  I must have had a few drinks in me, ’cause it sounded kind of fun.  Still, though, I declined when I was invited to join them.

But then… I ended up at the area’s yearly Runner’s Club party with Dan, who is actually an active member of the club, unlike his by-proxy wife.  (I went solely for the beer.  And the company of my friend who was hosting it.  Oh, and to get out of the house!)  And while there, I was again invited to run in the race.  What fun it’ll be!  I was told.  You can do it!  I was encouraged.

And so… I signed up.  Despite the $45 entry fee, I figured I could just not show up.

One of the more dedicated runner moms sent out a schedule for us newbies (there are a few of us) to follow so we could build up to the FIVE MILES we’ll need to run for the race.

As I’ve been huffing and puffing my way, red-faced, through the training schedule, I have been feeling unqualified.

To top it off, with such a large group of runners from our area (there are 10 of us), one of the moms entered us under a team name.

Hot Mommas.

Now I really feel unqualified.  Momma, I am.  Hot, I’m not.  Not in the way that the team leader was meaning, anyway.

Thankfully, some of the moms are fairly conservative, so when Leader Mom wanted to put a boobilicious character on our t-shirts, it was shot down suggested we go with something else.

So, I suggested we go with an alternative meaning for hot.  Like the kind I am after a run.  Or like a pepper.  That was well received, and I found myself texting with my old friend Kristina (the runner) about it.  We brainstormed and came up with:

A chili pepper character.  Sweating, running, with a baby pepper in one arm and a martini in the other… high heels, strand of pearls, hair in a headband with a flip at the ends a la June Cleaver.  PERFECT for this group of moms!  And, my dad nailed it for us on the picture:

I’m still training, but when I find myself half dead after 3 miles, I have my doubts about making the race.  I still may end up being a no-show.

Or, maybe I’ll be the drink mom.