It really DOES do that!

So I have to tell you - I tried this new nail polish today.  It's Sally Hansen's Insta-Dry polish.  I don't know how long this has been around, but I just discovered it at Target this week.  I got a shocking coral color and a cool blue for summer toes.  Well, I used the coral first and put it on my fingers and toes. 

It is BRIGHT, but let me tell you, this polish dries SUPER FAST . Good for someone like me that usually paints nails about an hour before bed and then smudges them no matter how hard I try to keep my hands and feet outside of the covers when falling asleep.  By the time I finished painting one hand, the first nail on that hand was dry!  Highly recommended :)  I'm off to stare at my day-glo fingernails while I type on the computer for work some more...

Happy almost long holiday weekend!

Deep thoughts...

So most of the time I run with just the Weims and I find that I really enjoy that time that is pretty much to myself.  There's not a lot of time during the days that I have to just BE and that my mind is all my own.  I tend to get lost in my thoughts, even just about silly random things.  Yesterday, I just took Beamer with me since Daisy seemed to not be feeling quite right.  He was such a good buddy for me yesterday, very low maintenance for the whole run, just panted along beside me in the heat.  But I got to thinking back to Sunday's race and how much I liked running with Craig.  I think running with someone keeps my pace up and obviously it is more fun to talk to someone other than myself, but I also think it makes it easy for me to whine and complain when the going gets tough :)  Sooo...I decided that I'm going to really be careful about that when I have a human running partner!  No one likes a whiner so that's not going to be me!!

Manic Monday...in review

5/23: 2 miles / 20 minutes
Yesterday's run almost didn't happen...and didn't last too long when I finally got out the door at 5:30pm.  Took the dogs and double BOB and it was pretty hot, but windy.  The wind was keeping things at least a little cooler, but running into the gusts was tough with the jogging stroller.  I found myself wondering if it counts as jogging when I feel like I'm standing still!  I read somewhere that it's like a built-in hill workout to run with the double jogger...makes sense!  And of course you burn more calories running with it, too - something like 20% maybe?  I read that, too, but it's been a while and I can't quite remember....!

I set out for 3 miles yesterday, but just over a mile in, my happy baby had a meltdown.  W poked Bee in the eye (yes, really) and Bee just couldn't get calmed down.  I stopped several times to try and console him, but he was just so distraught that we turned around early and headed back home.  He calmed down once we got in the garage and was smiling again by the time he was in his high chair having cheerios.  W totally ratted himself out, though - I didn't see the eye poke, but he told me he did it. So at least I usually know what happens...and I try not to leave them alone unsupervised too long :)

I think today is a rest day...my legs are tired after 3 difficult (2 with jogger and dogs, 1 race) and hot runs, and it's supposed to be the hottest day of the week here - 93 - and oh yeah, I have 2 conference calls today and work to do ;)  So, I'll get out there again tomorrow hopefully a little more refreshed!

Race Recap: I Need a Lighthouse 5K

Update: official time for 5K was 27:42 - putting me in 9th for my age group.  Not too bad after all!!

I actually ran both days over the weekend.  Friday night I was itching for some exercise, so I planned to get up and run Saturday morning.  Hubster had soccer Friday night and got in late, so while he slept in a little bit, I took my party on the road.  Me, the double BOB with 2 boys inside having breakfast, and 2 Weimaraners that could pass for Great Danes.  I guess it's no wonder people give me a wide berth...I think I'd probably wonder if there was any way that show was under control if it was coming at me! :)  I'll get a picture of this spectacle one day soon, but will definitely need someone to take that picture since self-timer, 2 kids, and 2 dogs just don't mix well.

ANYWAY, yesterday morning was my first race back after having Bee...yes, it's been almost 8 months, but hey, I'm still not sleeping through the night since I'm a big softie with this one and can't seem to tackle crying it out.  The 5K was down at the oceanfront, an out and back course along the boardwalk.  It was gorgeous out and the event was fabulous for the kiddos, too.  W saw the 3 bounce houses set up and pretty much made a beeline for them and jumped to his heart's content.

Note W and C's matching lizard "tattoos" - bee clearly wants one, too!

I was excited to have a post-race donut myself!  C-dog had 2, as would I have if there'd been any more glazed ones left!  We all got some sun and were tired out after our morning at the beach!

There were about 500 participants, but they did a 1 mile memory walk as well so it wasn't all 5K runners.  A lot of people walked the 5K, too, it seemed.  No timing chips in this race, which was a first for me.  But we finished in a decent 27:41 I believe, so pretty good.  This race showed me that I definitely need to train for those times I want to stop! :)  I forgot my iPod, so had no music, but the best pacer ever, hubby ran with me and kept me going the whole race.  It was fun! - this was our first race we ran together AND finished together!  My sis in law finished 3rd in her age group so she got a little lighthouse trophy, pretty cool!

We'd do this race again next year - it was great to see a bunch of people we hadn't seen much (or at all) since high school there.  It really felt like a local reunion type of event.  The 2nd and 3rd overall male finishers we went to high school with.

Team Collins, extended:

I just love how in this picture Bee is reaching out for W.  Sweet brothers :)

So, yeah...

3.7 miles / 34 mins

I took a break from running AND blogging for a bit :)  I didn't get in my redemption miles over the weekend and just ran today for the first time since last Friday.  I have been TIRED - W has decided it's fun to wake up before 6am and the bee is still working on the whole sleeping through the night thing.  He's getting a lot better - but I think it's time to start sleep training.  I don't think cry it out will work for him - tried that, didn't go so well.  But a friend gave me a book on a method that seems really reasonable and painless for us all, so I'm going to give it a go.  Step 1, make sure to keep his nursing to every 4 hours during the day.  I think we usually do this, but I'm going to pay more attention to his daytime nursing timeline.  Send us some good vibes...mama needs some sleep. 

Otherwise, gearing up for our 5K this weekend and looking forward to that.  I think it'll be a smaller race (300ish), so that will be kinda cool.  They say on the website to bring the family since there will be fun activities afterwards.  So, we need someone to watch the boys while we run unless they say we can use joggers during the race.  Let's face it, I'm not going to win so I don't care if I start at the back of the pack if they say I can run with the stroller!  I'll ask at the packet pick up tomorrow.  I hope we were in the first 100 registrants so we get tech shirts :)  I'll post a picture of our loot tomorrow after I pick it up. I ordered some new running clothes and am hoping they'll be here before the race so maybe I can wear something fun and new.  I had a gift certificate to use and got a top on super sale, gotta love the "almost free" shopping, right?!

Back to work...fueling this afternoon with some frozen yogurt, YUM. (thanks, Mom, for lunch today!!)

One foot in front of the other...

6.01 miles / 1hr 2 mins

Yeah, not my best run today, but I kept going and did my six miles.  Just one of those days today - lots of side cramps and I must've been a little tense since I just couldn't stay nice and relaxed, but ohwell.  There's always the next run!  The dogs seemed tired today, too - by mile 5 Beamer was lagging behind a little.  I'm going to try for a "redemption" run one day this weekend.

So, in BIG NEWS around here - Bee has cut his first tooth, finally!  You can't really see it right now, but can definitely feel that little sharp thing.  Maybe that's why we got a better night's sleep last night - here's hoping we get a few good days before tooth #2 comes in :)

W has been super full of energy the past couple of days and his favorite playthings have been the dogs.  They actually WANT to go to their crates for a little peace after he chases them, pulls tails (bless Daisy for being very tolerant of his antics), jumping on them, and trying to ride them like ponies.  But it's so cute to hear him laugh at them for just being dogs!  W has been so sweet about making Bee laugh lately, too.  I love, love, love to hear my boys laughing at each other, it makes my heart smile!

Like my cute red gDiaper?

Happy Friday!!

Ka-chow! Thunder thighs & muffin tops oh my!

4.22 miles - ~37 mins - 8:46 pace

I went for speed today.  It's all relative, but a sub 9 minute pace is fast for me, especially when I'm going more than 3 miles.  This is my fastest to date since having the Bee.  I'm trying not to be overly anxious about increasing my pace - I'll get there if I keep working at it!  I didn't have the Garmin today since it wasn't charged, so I checked the time on my way out the door and ran right in to check it when I got back.  Then I mapped my route and found out I did more than I even thought.  Love when that happens!

Anyway, I realized today that I need some new running clothes.  I'll get back into these cute little skirts soon enough if I keep training, but right now, I'm just too pear-licious for my skinny girl running gear that I was wearing before the bee.  Baby belly and muffin top were in full effect in today's outfit - my shirt kept creeping up no matter how many times I yanked it down, so eventually I just gave up and let it all hang out!  I even got a honk so I must have been looking super bootylicious :)  I wouldn't trade my 2 baby loves for anything, they are completely worth every roll and jiggle - I just need to update my running wardrobe to fit my lovely lady lumps.  Any companies out there reading (hahahaha) want to sponsor me???  :-)

On another note, I used my new compression leg sleeves today and they actually helped my shins during the run.  I can definitely see the merit in these, although I don't know if I'll end up using them during runs or after for recovery, gotta experiment with this a little bit.  Of course I got the pink ones...

I won't even tell you how many pictures I had to take before getting a non-creepy-looking self portrait.  And geez, can you tell we have kids by all the toys in the background? :)

Definitely need to work on the refueling, too - I try to keep coconut water on hand to drink after my runs (I am liking the mango flavored ones especially - from Zico at Trader Joe's) but have yet to eat anything for lunch even though I got back almost 2 hours ago...maybe protein shakes are a good idea.  I want to try out this stuff. Anyone have any other recommendations??

Wordless Wednesday

Cracks. Me. Up.

HA!

Ah, that's better! My loves.

Getting back on track...with a rest day!

May 9 - 5.96 miles / 58 mins

Had a good run yesterday - will be posting my runs as they happen from now on.  I'm getting back on track after playing with another blog and deciding to keep this one instead :-)  Hope you enjoy the new layout I've been working on!  Also, check out the subscription option if you really want to keep up-to-the-minute with me - you can get emails whenever I post something new...

Today is a rest day.  Been working on the computer all day and about to take a muscle break, but wanted to post before I did that.  More fun to come tomorrow...

Running in Tights

May 6 - 5.11 miles – 49:29
Note this workout is from last week, I'm importing from another site to play catch up!
 
Running in running tights – something I’d never done till recently.  I just don’t think I have the legs for it.  However, I got some at Target a couple of weeks ago to try out and man if they aren’t really comfy to run in!!  I ran in them today for the 2nd time and love that they stay put without riding up and don’t chafe at all.  So what if they highlight my womanly pear shape?? ha!

Anyway, today was a good run…got to run with the gps today, and the dogs did really well.  I did my old loop through the cemetery (is that a little morbid? it’s quiet and doesn’t have traffic) but some old grump stopped me to tell me that “if i stopped to read the sign, i’d see that dogs weren’t allowed”  that made ME grouchy so i ran a little faster for a little while after that.  still working on getting my pace a little faster…some days I can run a 9 or 9:15 pace, but mostly I’m in the 9:30-9:45 range still.  The good news is, I am feeling really strong so 4 or 5 miles is getting to feel really pretty baseline for me.  Not bad for a former ballerina, eh?

Got a picture of the loyal dogs and me looking pretty rough post-run today.  It’s hard to get 2 dogs to sit still for a picture when they want the bologna sandwich on the counter.  Yes, my face really does get that red, no matter what.  It’s a lovely tomato glow dontcha think?