Surprise, surprise...

I'm behind on blogging. Again.

So, here's the quick catch up.

Weekend before last, I ran a half marathon with my mom.  It was the same race where I ran my full last year. It was a hard run. Mom pushed our pace (thankfully) so we made my time goal. No pr, but it could have been much worse. Pretty sure the first 10k was one of my fastest. Just like the race last year, oranges were a God-send in that final stretch!

Then this past weekend, Mom had her 22-miler. Just like when I did a 20-miler, the whole crew took shifts. Dad ran 4 (or 5?), Carrie ran 7.5, and I took the last 6. Let me just say that woman is a beast! Her pace was so spot on, and she still managed to kick it into overdrive in the home stretch. And she recovered extremely well also!

We are finishing up the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge this week. Trying to get back into my strength training and kick it into gear so we can finish strong.

Day 50!

Today marks day 50 of running at least a mile a day. And I'm done.

This started as the Runner's World winter streak from Thanksgiving to New Year's, and I just kept going. While I'd love to hit 100 days or even a year, my mind and body say it's time to stop.

This will give me the rest of today and all of tomorrow to rest before Saturday's half marathon. I feel so unprepared for this race. After breaking my tailbone/tearing tendons in September, I really didn't think this race would happen at all and thought I'd just be happy if I could run part of it. Now that I've actually run every day and run my long runs as scheduled, I'm disappointed that I'm not strong enough to really race it.

However, Mom and I are running it together so I'm looking forward to the run. Nervous though!

The weather is going to be about 20 degrees warmer than my last few long runs, and now I'm panicking on what to wear. Plus, my new shoes came in this week, so I'm debating on whether to wear then or wear the shoes I've been wearing on my long runs.

On top of that we are in the middle of an AdvoCare 24 - Day Challenge, meaning I'm not even sure what to eat these next two data before the race. It's been so long since I've done a half. Decisions, decisions.

Double digits!

Our local runners club has been having Saturday donut runs, and Mom and I actually had the same distance on our training plans for once.  However, we weren't sure we'd be able to run on Saturday due to freezing temps, but it turned out just fine. My dad, sister and one of her step-daughters ran 5k together while Mom and I tackled my first double digit run of 10 miles since almost a year ago.

It wasn't an easy run...Mom forgot to tell me about the hills on the route, but it was good. The temp was pretty chilly and there was a light misty. I got hot with my fleece vest under my jacket, so I had to  be creative and keep it zipped but pull it off my core. It worked.

I thought maybe that would be the end of my streak, but after using lemongrass oil on my foot that night, Sunday wasn't too bad. I ended up running a couple of miles on the treadmill. So the streak continues!

Happy New Year

Bye bye, 2014! Kind of glad to see you go!

2014 was just an off year for me. My running was a struggle. Organization was a bust. Projects didn't get finished. We did have some great times, so it wasn't bad. Not at all. But I'm ready for a new year!

Today marks the end of the Runner's World streak... but I'm not sure I'm done :)

I'm still mulling over this year's goals and plans, so stay tuned!

I hate PF!

Really? Is there any more to say than that? I hate PF. It's been an ongoing battle for about 2 years now. It has really flared up this weekend. What stinks is that yesterday's run was really good. I could have run several more miles even. But today, I can barely walk. And of course, today was our trip to Six Flags.  Wasn't that good timing? I survived though, but it hurts like the dickens.

I already have it taped, so tonight I'll either sleep in a compression sleeve or wrap it. And ice it. I hate icing when it's cold, but I know I have to. 

I've read about some essential oils that are supposed to help, so tomorrow I'm on the hunt for those. Can't hurt at this point.

But back to yesterday's run...

Mom was coming to town so we could help her run 18. I wanted 8 and Carrie was up for some too.  However, we woke to find some wet stuff falling from the sky. Not thinking it would last long, Mom and I took off anyway. We ran in the coolest snow ever! Snow! I ran in shorts on Christmas Day!  It was awesome though. We laughed about how crazy we are. We were fine most of the time and only had problems when the sleet hit our eyes and then when the snow turned wet.  The roads got slushy and we were worried we'd fall. But Carrie wanted her chance in the snow so we ran 1 mile with her before heading home to warm up with coffee.

Merry Christmas to me!

My gifts to myself were a run on Christmas Eve with my sister and sister-in-law and then another with my mom and sister in Christmas Day.

For Christmas Eve, we got up early and ran 4 cold miles (plus walked another). We were all in good moods and excited about Christmas.  It was a great way to start the day!

On Christmas Day, I fit in a Santa Hat run after lunch with my in-laws and before dinner and gifts with my husband and kids. We definitely felt like we were trudging the first mile, but the second felt better. I'm sure we looked silly, but hopefully we made the people who passed us smile.

I think it was the best thing I could give to myself.

Still in!

25 days of the #RWRunStreak and counting! Yes, I had to jump on the treadmill at 10:30 pm to get it done, but I did it!

We've had a sick little boy yesterday and today, so I've been all kinds of off.  On call doc says it's likely the flu, but it could be something else too. We are too late for Tamiflu so we ride it out unless something changes. I'm going we wake up to a fever-freekid tomorrow, but I'm fully expecting a trip to sick time in the next two days.

With us all being home for Christmas break, I'm going to have to try a lot harder than I did this weekend to eat well and keep my running on track. Scheduling a run for 7:30 in the morning was the first step (and maybe not the smartest since I just finished tonight's run).

Long week

The last week before Christmas break is always crazy! My classes have been surprisingly good, and I kept teaching instead of showing movies. Today will be total chaos as it is a "fun day" for the kids. But, I've got my mile done, and I'm putting dinner in the crockpot before I leave. I will survive!

Day 23 of the streak! I really can't believe I've run at least a mile every day!

I really need to add some other workouts in though. I'm hoping being home next week that maybe I can do that and get into a habit before school starts back up in January.

Just an update

Yesterday, I ran 8 miles with my mom and sister. It was hard, but today, I only had a couple of sore spots (left calf and back). That makes me feel like I can totally be ready for the half I'd already signed up for back before I fell. For now, remaining long runs will be 5, 8, 10, 8 and then the race.

I'm also half way through the #RWRunStreak! I've run at least a mile every day since Thanksgiving. That's 18 days of running! I'm super impressed that my body is tolerating this.

I've also been doing really well at increasing my fruits and veggies during the week. The weekends, on the other hand, are leaving me feeling just awful. I probably get half of what I normally do in those two days. So, now I know what needs improvement.

And since I didn't grocery shop today like I needed to, I'll have to make do for breakfast and lunch until I can get to the store after school.

Race Day!

Today was our local Y's Holiday Hustle. I signed up for the 10k, but I considered doing to the 5k. Instead, I convinced my sister to run with me.

A couple of weeks ago, we were supposed to run a race with Mom wearing the tutus she made, but it was pouring rain that race. We decided to wear them today instead.

The weather was perfect this morning! Mom took off on her own since she was meeting up with some other runners at the end for another 6 miles. Carrie and I ended up running with my neighbor the whole way. Surprisingly, the tutu didn't bother me too much, even with the jungle bells.

Carrie pulled away from us at the end, but I finished in 1:04:54. Not a pr, but it definitely wasn't my worst 10k time either! Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to medal. Still, I'm super pleased with the run! 

Fruits and Veggies!

I managed to eat 12, yes,  12, servings of fruits and veggies today!

I woke up hungry so I ate a banana first thing.  Then I had sauteed zucchini and tomato with an egg.  Count: 4

For lunch I had a salad with chicken, roasted veggies, baby carrots and clementines.  Count: 4

After school, I had a green smoothie with half a banana, a cup of spinach, and some frozen fruit.  Count: 2ish

For dinner, we had mini meat loaves (with hidden veggies inside), a small sweet potato and a good helping of broccoli. Count: 2

That's 12! Now, I'm not saying everything else was spot on. I caved and had candy after school... but yesterday, I didn't. There's hope yet.

Now, to hit the treadmill for the streak (and I'd really rather not but I can't give up that easily!)...

Sunday setup

Time to plan for the week!

This week for the Holiday Sweat Challenge, we earn a bonus point for each day we reach 9 freggies. That takes a lot of planning! I'll have my veggie and egg breakfast each day (1 cup of zucchini, half a cup of tomatoes and a "fried" egg). For lunch, I'll mix it up with salad, black bean and corn sweet potato, and veggie soup, adding in a fruit for a side. Green smoothies will help as afternoon snacks. Then it's just two or three freggies at dinner, and we are good!
My goals this week
Home: Take out the Christmas decor boxes
Print the kids' school pictures
Make our Christmas cards

Heart: Take a look back at the year and make the kids' ornaments and write in their books (and read past years')
Take some time each day to unplug and relax

Health: 9 freggies a day
All my water and vitamins
Run at least a mile a day

3 weeks until Christmas break! We've got this!

Thanksgiving run

I love to run on Thanksgiving morning. My mom and sister were doing a local turkey trot, but with two Thanksgivings today and food to prepare, I couldn't wait that late.

I headed out on my own at 7, wearing my new Nathan light up hat and fleece - lined Marika pants. It was 32 degrees, and my long sleeved shirt was not warm enough! Lesson learned. Everything else was spot on.

As for the run itself, the third mile was awful and I had to walk some, but after that, I was ok. I ended up running 4 and walking 1 for a total of 5 miles today.

I'm thinking about doing the Runner's World streak, from Thanksgiving to New Year's (maybe?)...

It's challenge time!

Today is the first day of the Holiday Sweat Challenge (formerly the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge). Unfortunately, I was under the weather yesterday and wasn't able to grocery shop or prep veggies like I'd planned. I stayed home sick today and was determined to make the most of it anyway. I did some light stretching and made a veggie soup for lunch. With the soup and a few snacks of fruits and carrots, I managed to make my freggies for the day. And I definitely made sure to get my water!

Tomorrow is a new day, and I'm hoping to get a run in before school and my shopping done after school.

I'm back!

It has been far too long since I've blogged. This has not been a good running year. After having a great first marathon experience in January, I seemed to be fine, until about three weeks after. Then I battled Achilles tendinitis for months. I restarted running in the summer and worked my way up from a mile to 3 or 4 by September...when I either broke my tail bone or tore the tendons around it.

But today. Today rocked!

I ran my first race since my marathon with my mom and sister. In the pouring rain too! It was my sister's first race since her marathon and since having a baby in August.

We weren't even sure the race would happen as it was thundering and lightning most of the afternoon. But there were about 40 of us crazy enough to show up. We were able to run in the pouring rain, and it was awesome!

Mom and I placed 3rd in our AGs, and Carrie placed 2nd. So cool! 

Support Crew

I know my blogging has been, well, nonexistent, but I just have to get this one in there. Yesterday, I ran my first 20-miler, and I had the most amazing support crew ever! I had to miss last week's "fall back" run of 10 miles (which I was really looking forward to after some long runs) because I was sick, so I was a little nervous heading into this run. But it all worked out.

I woke up and checked the weather. 38 degrees. I debated changing what I had planned to wear, but then I saw the wind chill. 18 degrees. Nope. I was fine with my cold weather gear. I ended up ready and waiting for the sky to lighten, heading out around 7:10. I had about 45 minutes on my own before meeting up with my sister, who would be finishing up teaching a BodyBack class at 8.

We got to run about 5 miles together before I dropped her at her car with about a mile back to my house to go alone. Once at home, I met up with Dad.

He was good for a 5K. Unfortunately, the best 3 mile route I know had us heading north right off the bat, and boy, was that north wind cold! We made the north neighborhood loop and headed back to the house where Mom was waiting.

 

I think Mom drew the short stick because my pace definitely fell off during her shift. We had about 5.75 miles together. It was awesome to have company for the majority of the run, with different conversations each time. I felt pretty darn good until right before mile 19. My back was already tight and I could feel my form slacking. But I did it!

I feel like that was a huge mental hurdle. Done. I know I still have two major long runs to go, but I feel good knowing I can do this. I came home, took a warm Epsom salt bath (yes, I know most people take an ice bath...trying something different), showered and got ready to leave. We had to eat, get my daughter some basketball shorts and get to the kids' basketball games (where I had to keep time for one and sit on the floor for the other). After that, we went for ice cream and shopping for Christmas gifts for church. We had a simple dinner of soup and sandwiches (and had to play restaurant for the kids). I was in quite a bit of pain last night, with the worst pain being my knee caps. Yes, my knee caps. I iced them and felt considerably better when I got up this morning. I'm still sore today, but I'm moving. In fact, I'm not sure I ever stopped moving today. With Christmas right around the corner, there's no time to stop :)

Yikes!

So I am way, way, way behind on blogging...but it's as good as time as any to jump back in.

It's official. I am training for my first (and likely only) marathon. It is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. I decided to do The Duel since it is a local winter race. I figure being able to sleep in my own bed the night before and take an ice bath in my own tub after makes it worth it.

This past weekend, I ran the Run with Lois 5k with my parents. It was a small town race in memory of Lois Luig who was stuck by a truck and killed while running last year. It was my mom's first race back from injury, and I was so glad to get to be there.

It was a brisk morning...Mom and I had the toughest time figuring out what to wear. We ended up in tights and long sleeves, ditching her wind pants and jacket before we ran. I wore tights, a tank, arm warmers and gloves, ditching a top jacket at the start line.  The course was an out and back up and down some hilly country roads. We managed 3.1 in 28:40, but the course was long so we ended up doing almost 3.4. Mom took third in her AG, and Dad took second in his. So proud of them!

As soon as I finished I dumped my gloves and headed back out on the course. Since it was a run/walk, I knew I'd be ok running on the course again. I made it to the top of the last hill before I turned around. I wasn't thinking too clearly though...I turned around because there weren't any walkers left, not realizing that I'd be passing them on the way back in. Still, I ended up doing a 10k in right at an hour.

But I wasn't done yet. After waiting for medals and door prizes (got to love small races), I headed home to finish up my long run. The drive home gave me time to eat a granola bar in addition to the banana I had after I finished running.  It also gave my legs time to get heavy and twitchy and for my body to get that post-run sleepiness.

But, after a quick "chat" with my legs, we headed out again. Those first two miles were super hard, and I really wished I had fit in a mile or two before the race or another one after. But, I made it. I ran 12 miles!

It probably wasn't the best way to do a long run, and it definitely wants easy, but it felt good overall.

Birthday Fun, Part 2

Sarah Beth's party was the morning after Ryan's (I know...what the heck was I thinking?!). She wanted a butterfly/fairy tea party...so that is what she got.

When the girls arrived, they got to decorate a charger plate (really, just a way to keep them busy while we worked on the next fun part).

Then, one at a time, I painted their faces with butterflies. Not perfect, but they liked it, and I learned a new skill.

The girls got to make a craft. We started with pipe cleaner and tissue paper butterflies. After that, they made up their own crafts.

Then, we had tea. Tea included butterfly shaped turkey and cheese sandwiches, ham and cheese tortilla rollups, chocolate chip scones (her specific request) fruit and veggies...and of course, flavored tea :)

After lunch, we had mini cupcakes, perfect for a tea (although not so perfect for 8 candles). 

Birthday Fun, Part 1

The kids' birthdays are a week apart in July, but we try to have their party early so more of their school friends can come. This year, we sent home the invites the last week of school and had the party the first week in June.

For Ryan, that meant a Skylander party. He's obsessed with the game. I'm really happy with the way the party turned out.

When his friends got here, we had them decorate a treasure bag for all the trinkets they'd win with the games. We had a game/activity for each of the 8 elements in the video game. Each game had its own prize.

The games
1. Earth: Dino-Rang's Boomerang Throw. The kids threw a boomerang at a stack of paper party cups (chompies).

2.  Water: Thumpback's Whale Toss. The kids threw whale/shark swim toys into buckets of water.

3. Tech: Bouncer's Ball Bounce. The kids tossed a bouncy ball into targets (cups).

4. Undead: Fright Rider's Freeze Tag. Self-explanatory, although the kids didn't quite understand how freeze tag works.

5. Air: Swarm's Balloon Sting. The kids formed two teams and had a relay race where they each had to "sting" a balloon and pop it.

6, 7 and 8 were all part of the food.

6. Magic: Pop Fizz's Magic Potion. The kids mixed KoolAid Mix and Pop Rocks to form their own drinks.

7. Life: Tree Rex's Level Up Pizza. Food time!

8. Fire: Ignitor's Candle Lighting. Cake time!

I'm pretty pleased with the cake. I ordered a round cake with a thin layer of buttercream icing from United. Then I bought premade black fondant. I rolled it out and made the outer layer of the portal from the game. To give it the rock look, I used silver spray food coloring sprayed on a squished up paper towel to give it the mottled look I wanted.

Three Thing Thursday 6/6

1. I do not know what possessed me to have both kids' birthday parties at our house a week after school got out...and to have them on two consecutive days. Well, actually, I do know. With late summer birthdays, we like to be able to invite their school friends. And we didn't want to take up two separate weekends with the parties. But it has been a crazy week of busy-ness already even without the prep work. However, the parties are shaping up to be cute and fun.

2. It's summer! I thought they craziness would slow down, but it just transforms into a different kind. We've got library story times, special library events, summer movies, summer track, camps, reading programs, VBS and a lot of fun stuff at home planned. It really never slows down, does it?

3. Because it's summer, I'm trying to be focused with a lot of what we do. One of the things we are doing is this Around the World in 60 Days activity I found in Thriving Family magazine. I found a large wall map with velcro tags/animals/labels on clearance at Walmart and it's up in our hallway. Each day we learn a little about a new country, read a Bible verse, and do a simple activity. It's a fun way for the kids to learn something new while reinforcing our faith.