Thursday, January 27, 2011

Three Things Thursday

 Yesterday was the training team midweek speed workout. These guys are so awesome. They went over in the afternoon and salted any spots that weren't already cleared. They then put up mile markers. They even stood in the cold yelling out splits. There were at least 50-60 people there so we had lots of company for our tempo run. My sister and I were attempting to do 4 miles at 9:30. We hit fairly close, there was actually quite a few people trying to hit that mark so we just fell in line with them. I felt quite good the whole time, much better than last week's tempo on the treadmill. Didn't feel too hard, felt like I could continue running when we stopped. Of course, I had to get home to get those kids in bed:) My sister had a rough patch around the 3 mile mark. She hadn't eaten since lunch so I know she needs a late afternoon snack when we don't run until 6. Our splits ended up being
Mile 1. 9:59
Mile 2. 9:22
Mile 3. 9:35
Mile 4. 9:15

One stupid thing I did was after the warm up. I tossed my jacket in the car and since I had no pockets, I put my phone in my sports bra. Yeah, well it doesn't work today. Oops, I took it apart, hopefully it will dry out and work again.

Then today, we met and did a recovery run. I had the single stroller and the baby in layers with several blankets.  On deck for tonight, some stretching or yoga.  Tomorrow it is supposed to be up in the 40s,  so I am going to get out and get a few more miles while it is warm.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

A little cross training



Sunday, January 23, 2011

Shopping and another run done

First a little shopping note. I found a present for my daughter's birthday on Skirt Sports. This skirt is a 2-4T. How awesome is that? What's even better? It was only $5. That's right. I even had a free shipping code because I purchased two skirts for my sister as Christmas gifts. So no tax, no shipping, seriously just $5, originally $32. I didn't even go crazy buy her one in every color. Although, it did cross my mind


Onto the long run. I hadn't sleep well last night, even though the baby slept all night. The baby wasn't awake for a feeding before I left and I didn't take the time to pump. My sister/training partner overslept yesterday and did not make it to her race. Luckily, it is a five race series so she isn't out that much . The great news for me, she was available to run with me this morning. So we met the training team over at the park. The only park where they actually clear the path! It was cold and snowing. It was a slow start. The first loop I felt kind of blah. We stopped back at the field house for some water and Gu. Then out for the last 4 miles. My sister said as we started, "only six miles in and my legs are finally starting to warm up." I have to admit, had I not had her with me I probably would have considered bagging it after the first loop. I felt much better after the water and gu. The last mile or so the snow really stated to come down. We were freezing by the
end. According to her Garmin, we ended up with a 10:26 pace average for 10 miles. Not too shabby for a cold, snowy morning.
Of course, the baby was down for a nap when I got home so I ended up pumping then. I really wasn't uncomfortable running since I wear two bras but I was miserable by time I got home. Had this been baby number one I wouldn't even have attempted running without feeding first but I figured I'd give it a shot. It wasn't too awful but I will have to plan better for any longer runs.



Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Fun

Yep, I did it.  I actually got off my fat a$$ went to the y for a run on the dreaded treadmill.  I never feel comfortable on it and I get so bored.  I should bring an ipod or at least headphones with me, maybe I could at least listen to something on t.v.  But I did a warmup, 4 mile tempo, and a very quick cooldown so I could be home for dinner with the fam.  
Anyway it was 4 miles at 9:31, which may not seem  fast but for me, as of late, it is.  So I was happy with that.  The first 3 miles felt pretty easy, I was hurting the last mile and counting down.
Plan for the weekend
Saturday: cross train at home I am working the night shift tonight, I'll be too tired for anything else
Sunday: Long run- plan is for 8-10.

Hopefully this makes a little sense as I have to run out the door for work!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Three Things Thursday

1. I joined the training team for our track workout yesterday. We did 8 x 400 at 10k pace. So they weren't all out efforts. I felt pretty good (even if I was in the slow group.)

2. We got another blast of snow last night and today. Another 8-10 inches. Yet another snow day for the preschooler. So needless to say I was not pushing the double stroller in nearly a foot of snow and 20 degree weather.

3. I was only going to do a recovery run today so instead I did some cross training at home. Yay me! I did a little cardio and toning, did some core strengthening. So I don't feel bad about not getting my run done. I have a tempo run planned for tomorrow, may have to break down and go to the gym to use the treadmill. But I will get my run done.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I'm Stylin'

So Sophia over at Tales of an Ambitious Slacker kind enough to award me the Stylish Blogger award. Yay!




 So there are some rules involved.
1.  Make a post + Link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2.  Share 7 things about yourself.
3.  Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers
4.  Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!



So here are 7 random things about me.

1.  I was 40+ pounds heavier in high school. No,  I'm not posting fat pictures. Because not only was I fat in high school, it was the late '80s.  Need I say more?
2.  I have been a vegetarian for 17 years.
3. I did Weight Watchers and succeeded in becoming a Lifetime Member.
4.  I am a HUGE coffee drinker,  like I need to limit myself because I could drink it all day.  And I don't mean fancy coffee, no sugar for me.  Just plain black coffee, the stronger the better.
5. I teach Mommy and me exercise classes.  I started teaching after I had my first daughter.
6. I have been working nights for 15 years.  So when you wonder why I am a little off, now you know:)
7.  I secretly enjoy torturing myself doing speedwork at the track.


Okay I am supposed to nominate others for this award.  I just took a peek at my google reader, Wow I am way behind.  I have been so busy I haven't had time to read for a couple of days.  I am not sure who has or hasn't done this.  I am going to nominate Laurie.  She has a great blog and to my knowledge she hasn't gotten this award yet.  Like I said though, I have some reading to do when I finish posting this.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Running in the Snow

Like everyone else, we also got a few inches of snow this week. It is finally above freezing today so a little melting is happening. I have been thankful for my Yaktrax this winter. I bit the bullet and signed up for a training team for the half marathon in April. It is put on by a local running store, the last several years they have charged a fee to train with them but this year, it is FREE! They meet twice a week, once for the long run and once for speed work. I suckered my sister into joining as well. We met this past week but didn't do the speed work portion because of the snow covered path. The coaches didnt want anyone to injure themselves trying to do speedwork in the snow. Next week, 400 repeats at.the.track. I'm nauseated just thinking about it. It has been so long since I have done speedwork, it won't be pretty.

I skipped my women's running group yesterday due to the extreme cold. [That's right, I am now on a training team and have my regular running group, so hard core;)] It was 8 degrees and with the wind chill felt like -2. I decided that was too cold to run with the baby in the stroller. Which bring me to my question,

When is it too cold to push kids in the stroller? What temperature do you consider unsafe?


Happy weekend!! I know some will have a three day weekend, my hubby will so I am looking forward to it!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Rock Climbing 101

For Christmas my mom gave me and my sisters a pass to visit our local climbing gym. Five times to be exact.  So we went this past weekend.  We had a blast.  I was very sore for a few days.  Especially my fingers and forearms.  We are going again this week so hopefully I won't be as sore. 

My sisters

getting the harness on

all ready to go, youngest goes first




All done
Yes I realize I haven't updated for awhile.  I have been busy/tired/feeling like I'm fighting a bug.  The baby has not been sleeping which means we (hubby included)have not been sleeping.  I did manage a long run on Sunday.  I am gearing up for an evening run tonight.  I am having tea, orange, 1/2 bagel with laughing cow cheese.  I will have to break out the Yaktrax and headlamp for tonight's run.  We got a few inches of snow Tuesday morning.  Will update about my run later,  it is a fartlek workout tonight. Fun,fun. Hopefully, I will be able to move tomorrow.  I already did sculpt class earlier.

Friday, January 7, 2011

I'm a Ninja!

I'm off to work in a few but I just wanted to share.  On my evening run I saw a kid walking into their house with his mom.   He said, "she looks like a ninja!"  This is what I was wearing:

 That's right, I'm a ninja!  Have a good sleep peeps, I am off to work!!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Three Things Thursday

  1. I had a great run with my running group this morning.  School is back in session so I only had to push the single and not this behemoth  stroller.  Made it 5 miles. 



2. We went to Panera after our run, not only did I get a free bagel for Sweet Pea, they came over and gave us a free artichoke souffle, which I tucked away and had as my lunch.  Mmm, it was good.

3. Sweet Pea took and awesome nap after lunch so I got a bunch of laundry done.  Of course, that meant the three year old was busy watching a movie.  But, I read her a few books before I started it so that should even things out.  Right?




Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010 Rewind

Quick recap of my year.
I started out the year preggo with baby #2. Quick birth story: I went to my doctor appointment in the morning, found out I was dilated to 4. Yet, I still went to work that night. I wasn't sure when I would go into labor and I wanted to have my full 12 weeks at home with the baby. Of course, my water broke while I was at work that night~ 4 am. So a few hours later, we welcomed sweet pea.




I didn't get cleared to run until 6 weeks post-partum. I had run until I was about 32 weeks so I started run/walking. I did my first 5k race in May, exactly 11 weeks after giving birth. I even ran the whole thing.  5k photo  It is a cute photo, but copyrighted so thus the link.

I did  a 3k in August and my 3 year old ran a kids race.

 I did a 10k in September, in under an hour, so I was thrilled with that.  I followed that up with my slowest half marathon in October.  not so thrilled with that.

So that is a brief look at my running year.  It has been a busy year with the baby, preschooler, work, etc. Running has taken the role more of stress relief than setting PRs and lots of mileage.  So I have hopes that in 2011 I will give my running a little more priority.