Oh hello there...

Happy 2012 :)  So far this year, I have NOT  been blogging but I have been busy.  I've been running, err jogging really (a little), traveling (more than usual!), and working on projects around the house.  With the new year came an intense need for me to get things better organized, toss out the old junk stuff that is taking up valuable space in our ever shrinking (it seems) house, and prioritize our remodeling projects. 

The boys are doing great...little Bear just had his 15 month checkup (at 16 months) and is doing GREAT.  Our boys are growing right on track, but I swear the percentages get less and less each time we go.  They are not teeny tiny, nor are they giants, but 18th-22nd percentiles?  Really??  Our doctor's not concerned, so I'm fine with it.  But I wonder about these boys that are in the 90th percentiles.  They must be HUGE. 

Yesterday was a real Monday (we should just leave it at that, trust me), so I opted for a margarita over a run.  :)  So, back on the road for me today.  I squeezed in my run (jog??) at lunch today and was really loving the nice weather we're having today.  I had to stop and take off my jacket and was more than comfortable in my capris and tank.  It's January!  A running tank top?!  I'll take it.  I was S-L-O-W today overall, but it was funny that it was a real ebb and flow all 4 miles today.  I'd be strong for a half mile or mile, and then it would seem really hard to maintain my pace for a bit, then I'd break through again and feel strong.  By the end, I was dragging though.  I seriously think I was doing a major shuffle down our street looking like one of those people it hurts to watch jog because it looks so painful for them.  Yep, that was definitely me on the last 100 yards before I cooled down!  But, it wasn't just me; the dogs were dragging by mile 3 as well.  We're not accustomed to this heat ;)  Whoa 60 degrees! (I think it was probably closer to 70 in the sun, though)

In other news, we have decided to take a leap and radically alter our diets - we've gone vegetarian.  Well, I guess pescetarian since we are eating fish still.  Mostly all veg during the week, and last week we just had fish one night.  We decided to give it a try mostly for health reasons.  I was all for it since I've never been huge on eating meat anyway, but it's a learning experience to find new things to make for the family!  One can only eat so many salads and bowls of vegetable soup.  Thank goodness for fantastic sites like Peas and Thank You and Daily Garnish that are inspiring me every single day!!  Thank you for your delicious recipes and advice for making sure I feed my family right while we make this switch.  I am learning so much from you both!  :)

More soon - hopefully we'll have some fun home improvement things to show you over the next couple of months, too.  I'll be sure to come back more often with updates on feeding my family vegetarian (and some of our favorite recipes!), running (will get some races on the calendar soon...!!), and the fun we have with our boys.  Next post will have pictures, too, promise :)

Change in plans

I debated about writing this post for a while...which is why I've been a little MIA.  I felt like if I wrote it and hit publish, it was a final decision and I wasn't sure I was okay with that yet.  But here goes, final answer:

So, things change.  I'm trying to roll with it...

After some very challenging training runs, I have decided to listen to my body and bow out of my half and full marathons this fall.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't super bummed out about this, but at the same time, I know there will be other races and I will just give myself the rest I need now and then get back into my training when my body can cooperate with me!  Head/heart and body were on 2 different pages when it came to running this summer.  Mentally I was completely there, ready to train for and run my first marathon (with a half along the way), even if I was a little anxious.  I think it would be weird if I wasn't a little anxious about running 26.2 miles, right?!?   

Anyway, I pushed through some of the worst summer heat and humidity for some grueling and slower runs, and thought I was coming into the home stretch when my dead legs and cramping stomach let me know in no uncertain terms that this running thing was NOT happening for us right now.  Dealing with some shin splints and a little pain was one thing, but this message was loud and clear...so I (eventually) listened.  Even though I tried to ignore it for a little while and pretend each time I went out for a run that things would be different *this time.*  

I'm still going to go to the expo and pick up my shirt and goodie bag, though :-)  I'll be back, you can count on that!  In the meantime, we'll have more time for family fun this fall!!  (yaaay fall...!)

Eureka!

...and stay tuned.  I finally figured out my problem in uploading pictures to my new computer.  It was the cord.  So, I used a different one and voila!! - works like a dream :)  Why didn't I try this sooner??  Pictures to come of recent home-life adventures, probably later tonight.

In the meantime, an update on my training since I know you're just dying to know!  C and I did 10 miles on trails Saturday and it. was. rough.  On me at least.  It started after my 5 miler a week ago, and I just was struggling, so I took an extra rest day ahead of the 10 miler.  I still had trouble Saturday, rested 2 more days, and had a tough run yesterday (3 miles).  I was feeling defeated.  BUT, I did some reading of inspirational stories and set out today with the mentality that I'd take it easy, be mindful to keep my pace slower (wore the Garmin), and see how it goes.  

MUCH better experience all around today.  So glad my body and mind are in sync again today and hope they stay that way at least through race time!!  I can't tell you what a relief it was to complete my 3 miles, having run it all, albeit slower than my normal pace.  It was such the mental boost I needed to regain my confidence. And running really is so mental, isn't it? 

Why Run?

In the midst of a very busy week last week, I managed to fit in over 17 miles.  WOW!  If you had told me 2 years ago that I would run that far in a month, much less a week, I'd have thought you were smokin' something funny.  So, since I had some time to reflect Sunday morning at dawn when I was out running my 8.5 miler, I started thinking about all the reasons I have come to love running.  Here are a few...

1. It keeps me in shape (duh)
2. I have great running buddies (and motivators) in my dogs
3. I love being able to get outside (yeah, even when it's hot and humid) for fresh air
4. It keeps me sane...that is a half hour or hour (or two coming up!) that I can just be with myself.  Sometimes I think about life, sometimes I think about what I will post on the blog next, and sometimes I don't think about a damn thing!  
5. I like the challenge it gives me physically to compete with myself - to see if I can run faster or farther than last time
6. Fit mom = strong mom = happy mom.  I like being active with my kids and being fit and strong allows me to be without even thinking about it.
7. I love the feeling on a long run when I have about 2 miles left and I know I'm going to make it to the finish.  Sounds obvious, but I get a little surge of pride about that time that pushes me to finish strong. 

I have NOT figured out (or had time to mess with it) how to get my new computer to recognize my camera.  We had a busy weekend at a soccer tournament and birthday celebration here so I didn't have any time to work on that over the weekend.  I hope to later this week so I can post up some new pics SOON. Thanks for hanging in there till I figure it all out!!

What's the best thing you get out of your exercise of choice?  What keeps you coming back again and again?

Do you think exercising is addictive?  Do you ever feel like something's missing from your day/week when you can't fit a workout in, or don't get to do as many?

Pictures, schmictures...

Seriously, I finally got a new computer and I cannot figure out how to get it to recognize my camera to transfer pictures.  Really??  I mean, this should not be so difficult!

Anyway, I was trying to show you what I did yesterday on my run...but since I can't get the picture onto the new fangled computer machine, I will paint a picture with words for you :)  Wednesday is trash day here.  I was running down the main road where people put their cans on the little grassy median between sidewalk and road.  Invariably the trash truck leaves many of the cans tipped over and blocking the entire sidewalk.  Well, I approached one such tipped can and decided to go around to the left side (street side).  Daisy and Beamer were HUGGING my left side due to the road noise next to them and even though I thought I was clear, I just nailed the wheel of the trashcan with my right quad.  I let out a dramatic "Ouch!" but kept going.  I came home and looked down to find a softball-sized welt, half dirt, half bruise.  I'll get a picture of the battle scar up soon, once I can figure out my technology.

You can just call me Grace :)

Out of shape? Or...

Today: 4 miles / 38:17 / 9:34 pace

Wednesday: 3 miles / 9:15 pace

Monday: 7.15 miles / 10:45 pace

I'm going to try and put my runs at the top of my first (or only?) post of the day again...that catches me up for the week so far!

So lately I have been really trying hard not to be down on myself about my S-L-O-W pace on my runs.  I know I can run faster than a 9:15-9:30 mile!!  I was pondering the reason I've been slow on my runs this morning (out of the house before 6am! I FINALLY did it!) and I figure it's either I'm not fueling properly (likely), out of shape (less likely, given my increasing miles over the past few months), or it's just waaaayyyy too hot/humid outside these days (well, we know that's the case with 80% humidity and 80* at 5:30am).  Even though I know it's pretty unlikely I'm losing my fitness, and I know in my head that I need to take it slower in this "heat dome" as they call it on the news, I'm not gonna lie, it still kinda bums me out that I'm not able to run at the pace I would like to. My legs will just only go so fast, no matter how much I tell them how svelte and strong they are...

So, that all said (whined?), I am committing to paying more attention to how I fuel both before and after my runs for the next several months while I keep trotting towards my marathon in November. I made myself a nice protein smoothie after my run this morning with soy milk, protein powder, half a frozen banana and a tablespoon of peanut butter.  Yummy!  I drank almost all of it before Beamer started helping himself.  Seriously, nothing is out of this dog's reach.  Nothing. Even when you think your food is safely out of reach, it's just not.  Ever.

Does anyone have any good fueling tips for me??  

Do you find it difficult to adjust your training for the weather?  Does it affect you mentally at all?

3 down, 1 to go...

I finished my 3 3-milers for the week!  Now just have my 7-7.5 mile run this weekend left to do.  I usually really enjoy my time to run, and I am still looking forward to getting out there for some "me" time, but it is tough with the summer heat/humidity just the same.  I went out at just after 7 this morning with the whole team - both boys and both dogs.  The air was thick, it was very hot, very humid, and I took it slow and settled into a nice pace.  I didn't have the Garm with me today since it was charging, and I also didn't want to think too much about pace since I knew I needed to just go slow and listen to what my body needed to do to finish the miles today.  One more run closer to my half marathon and marathon goals!!

Thank goodness for day 2 eye makeup today...totally did not have (or take) the time to beautify.  I came home, iced the shins (still feeling just a little lame for icing after only 3 miles, but hey, it keeps me going and that's what matters, right?), drank down 2 tall glasses of ice water, then had to hop in the shower, try to stop sweating through use of some major mind-over-matter, get W ready, and pack both boys up to take W to his first day of "school."  He officially starts preschool in September, but we decided to help him ease into it by doing a little morning program at a daycare up the street on Tuesday and Thursday for the month of August.  

Yeah, this is going to be a LOT harder for me than him I think - and harder for me than I even anticipated!  I slipped out once he started exploring his classroom since I didn't want to make it a big deal and have him get all worked up again, but I have some HUGE guilt for not kissing him goodbye and I've been compulsively checking the time, waiting for 11:45 when I'll leave to go get him!  I can't wait to hear how it went and give him a big hug :)

Ice, Ice Baby

Is it completely ridiculous to ice after a 3 mile run?  'Cause that's just what I did today - and it made a HUGE difference after today's run. I was SOOOO sore and stiff after finishing my short run today and after ice, an ice bath (yep, did both), and a warm shower, I was pretty much feeling back to normal.  Sweet!

W tended to me while I borrowed his Elmo boo-boo buddies to ice down after a hot 3-miler late this morning.  Tonight he brought me all the ice packs from the freezer, too.  He's such a sweet little dude.

Mama had a fun night out with the girls for margaritas tonight and now I gotta set the coffee pot for the morning and cart myself off to bed.

 

Another 3-miler tomorrow morning, then REST on Friday!  I'm taking the dogs with me tomorrow - just need to drag out of the house early enough to beat the heat for an easy run!!

 

We're headed to see Sublime and 311 tomorrow night - takes me back to high school and I. Can't. Wait. :)  That reminds me - I have to charge the battery in my "little" camera so I can capture the fun times in the 757 tomorrow night!!

Can I get a yee-ha?

Running with Dogs

I came across this (kinda old) NYT article recently and absolutely agree with it - dogs are such good motivation to get out and run!  My two are infinitely better behaved when they are tired out and they love, love, love to go running! There are definitely some days where the only thing that gets me off my butt is the desire to have well-behaved Weims!  Poor dogs are getting left behind a little more often with the heat and humidity we're having right now, but I still take them whenever the weather cooperates.  They even know when I've put on running gear and start dancing around the house with excitement :)

Tired and happy, a win for everyone :)

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/forget-the-treadmill-get-a-dog/?ref=health

I have a plan!

Howdy y'all!  I must say, I am feeling SO much better today after spending a little time revisiting and revising my training plan for the rest of the summer and into the fall.  I am such a list-maker...I make lists of lists, and have to make new lists when they start to feel disorganized.  And all this must be on paper, I do not do this electronically...yet.  Maybe one day I will enter the technology age with some new-fangled gadgets like a smart phone or iPad :)  Maybe I'll get crazy and start tweeting, too!

Anyway, I found that I am in a good place to start midway into a Hal Higdon novice marathon training plan and I mapped it to a calendar and (cue the hallelujia chorus) it all worked out *just right* on the dates for both the half marathon on 9/4 AND the full marathon on 11/12.

This week, I need to do 3 miles each on Tues, Weds, Thurs, rest, and then 7 miles this weekend.  I like that there are 3 shorter runs during the week and rest on Monday, Friday, and sometimes Sunday (or cross training, which I'm thinking will be something fun with the family!).  I'm feeling good and very optimistic about this plan and my way ahead towards my first marathon now!  

Sunday recap

Since the heat is still keeping me from running outside, I decided to hit the gym for my long run yesterday on the treadmill.  I haven't run on a treadmill in over a year!  I got there, set up on the 'mill and started off at a pretty decent pace.  Amazing how it's easier in the A/C without all the outside factors! About 10 minutes into my 7-8 miler, I heard "Attention members.  The gym will be closing in 15 minutes."  Shoot. Apparently I didn't remember (or pay attention to) our gym's Sunday hours.  I thought I had at least an hour and a half to do my run.  Oops.

So, since I wasn't going to get my long run in, I quickly upped my pace for a tempo run as consolation.  Dudes, I ran my fastest mile...maybe EVER.  Sub-8 minute!  I was in a good zone, and it felt challenging but it wasn't killing me or anything.  

THEN, since I took all of 25 minutes total at the gym, I was able to do my grocery shopping for the week on the way home - bonus!  I grabbed everything we needed for our week's menu and headed home.  

Of course I look like this when I grocery shop!

Ahhh, relaxed with the family (SILs came over to hang, too), enjoyed a Sunday margarita, made some dinner, and fell happily into bed last night.  Gonna do my long run today - probably on the treadmill since it felt too good to get out of bed early this morning.  W finally got me up by going to help himself in the kitchen...never know what he is going to get himself into if left to his own devices for too long :)  See exhibit A from several months ago...

Gotta get the day started now...work, a meeting at lunchtime, run, trip for dog food...busy Monday ahead.  :)

Just Kidding!

Well, it was a nice thought...

Heat index of 90 as the sun came up, the air thick with humidity and wildfire smoke from NC...I'm gonna have to either rest or find some time to get to the gym for a treadmill run today (and try both little ones out at the gym's daycare??).  If I'm not even going to take the boys outside to ride in a stroller in this weather, it's probably not smart for me to run in this weather.  Just thinkin out loud here...

Wish me luck with all that...stay cool.

The Heat Goes On...

Y'all, it is HOT!!!

I ran yesterday morning first thing before we headed off for a day at the waterpark with the boys.  I knew I'd be feeling super anxious about my training if I didn't get a run in yesterday, but I was definitely lacking motivation to get out in that humidity.  I was oh-so-proud of myself for sucking it up and doing it, though!

Slowed my pace a bit and took a couple walk breaks in an effort to be smart about it and all.  Next time I'm definitely bringing my water, even if I'm just doing a shorter run.  Poor hounds are going to have to stay home more with the heat - they just get too hot and dehydrated and I feel guilty for bringing them, even though they make such a fuss if I consider lacing up the running shoes and leaving them behind.  Whiners.

We had an awesome time at the waterpark, it was a perfect day for it!!  Bear and I were actually on the news - Suri Crow saw him in a little baby swing splashing around in the water and having a ball and fell in love with him (I mean, really, how can you NOT) and wanted to put him on TV.  

So we were on the 6:00 news last night in a story about the heatwave - we're all famous and stuff!

 My goal for the next couple of days (yay, weekend!!) is a short run tomorrow morning and then my long run Sunday at the crack of dawn.  I think tomorrow I'll probably take the double BOB and the faithful running dogs with me so hubby can sleep in a little.  He's out hootin' and hollerin' tonight :)  

I need to work on being better at hauling myself out of bed early enough to beat the heat (at least a little) and get my run in first thing.  Lately I kind of stink at that.  I need to get tough and let Bear work it out for himself and get back to sleep in the middle of the night, but I guess I'm so used to stumbling into his room, feeding him, and rocking him back to sleep that I'm there before I even realize!  That and I'm a super softie... 

Well, speaking of sleep, since I can, I'm going to take myself to bed now so I can get up for my run :)  Maybe if you sweet talk me you'll luck out tomorrow and get another sweaty post-run pic!!

It's Ice Cream Time

Sorry for being all MIA, y'all.   Been busy here trying to get in my runs and work and tend to my wonderful family of boys :)  

(yes, I have in fact done all of those things...well, except sew, I haven't had to sew this week...yet)

Fear not, dear friends, I am back with a healthy dose of kid pics :) I figure you can only see SO many pics of me pre- or post-run around the neighborhood.  When I run somewhere cool I will post more running pictures, 'kay?

Funniest thing this morning - W came in while I was putting Bear down for a nap and told me it was "ice cream time."  Sure enough, I peeked out of Bear's room and there he was, scooping up cups of ice cream for both of us.  I wished I could take a picture right then, but I settled for taking a picture after I got Bear down to show how proud W was of himself.  He got out the cups (one for each of us), his little toddler spoon, scooped ice cream into both cups, and then went and got me a big spoon.  Of course, he ate both cups of it while I was busy taking his picture over and over :)  But seriously, what a sweetie my little guy is!!

My half marathon training is picking up now for reals.  I ran 16.5 miles last week, with a long run of 6.5 miles on Saturday.  It was hot, but I figure Labor Day weekend in Va Beach is likely to be hot, too, so training in some heat will be for the best.  I took the dogs and we were all grateful for some strategic walk breaks when we hit some nice shady spots.  Mr. Garmin's GPS was acting all cray-cray, so I just ended up using him for total time.

hey, can you fix my garmin??

This week, I rested Monday, did an easy 3 today, and then am going to try and get in several more shorter runs early in the day with an 8-miler this weekend.  Keep me accountable, puh-leeze?  Seriously hard to be motivated to get out and run when it's so hot and humid with all these heat advisories, boo!  

Monster Trucks

My poor Bear is teething really badly and is running a fever and is such a sad little dude :(  I hope he's better soon.  Right now he just wants to be held and comforted.  Of course I'm happy to snuggle with him as much as I can!

For now it's back to work ...

...and it really IS ice cream time for me - hubby got me a Frosty! Yay!

Battling my way back to fighting form!

 

Yeah, not really lazy so much as still battling this cold and cough.  Since it went all respiratory on me, I gave myself some time off to sleep as much as possible with a teething 9 month old and active 2 1/2 year old!  I figure if it's hard to breathe just sitting here, running in the heat and humidity is NOT going to make it better.  Plus, with the yucky cough, I don't need to give myself bronchitis or something crazy like that... 

Anyway, with the holiday weekend (and my birthday, yay!) and being sick, the past few days have gotten completely away from me! After a day at the beach, I went to bed Saturday at 7pm right after Bear went to sleep (it was fantastic), we had birthday dinner and cake with both our families on Sunday night, and beach and BBQ with friends on Monday. Thank goodness I was feeling more normal by Monday to enjoy the beach and birthday festivities :)

Bear with JJ and DD

W loves quesadillas!!

Hubs, W, Mema at dinner

Cake love :)

I didn't bring my camera to the beach so no pics of me in a bathing suit...no big tragedy :)  Bear LOVES the water and sand and by the end of Monday, even W was running through the waves up to his knees and screaming.  Aaah-dorable. 

So, speaking of adorable, Pink's baby girl is so cute, don't you think??

Source: People.com

Well, I need to get some food for us so we can eat the rest of the week and finish my workday up.  Hopefully tomorrow will be my return to the land of the running.  I have missed it, but after pushing myself (and the dogs) last Friday, I want to be smart about it...

Happy Wednesday everyone!!