In it for the long run

My Beast had a great last meet yesterday. She was 2-1 for the day and of the 2 wins, she won with a cradle/pin. Very nice.

Then she threw on her tutu and put on a proud smile! Love that girl!

The Beast

Flexibility was the word for the day. Due to some availability issues, we had to move our We Love to Read store to Friday instead of today. This meant moving my long run from Friday to today. 

My inspiration for the day.

My legs were not as 100% fresh as I would have liked, but they did the trick.

Post 10 mile run. Feeling very proud of myself.

Workout stats:

10 miles, 1:31:51 time, 9.11 avg pace.

40*, slight wind from the East, light sprinkle.

I did a better job of planning my route. I mean it doesn't get any more on the dot than today!

I felt really good and settled into a solid pace for the entire run. I was thankful for lots of zippers on my jacket so I could adjust my temperature as needed. I stopped once for about 10 seconds to snap a pic of this adorable horse who came running out to say hi. I love chatting it up with the animals on my run. I also had some nice cheering/waving/honking from a fellow runner who spotted me, twice. Love that and it got me through that last mile!

I am a bit sore and stiff now......I guess I better start buying ice so I can ice bath after the long runs....

Running in the country is awesome! This beauty came to say hi!

The kids are HOME!!!! I am so glad. Now we can really get into the Christmas spirit! 

And a HUGE GIANT RAD shout out to my brother who is celebrating a Birthday today. I love you brother! You are an inspiration to me everyday!

Another day bites the dust

This is a quickie cause I gotta run to the Beasts last wrestling meet.

I headed out the door early for my run....not knowing what the weather was, oops! It was to dark to see what was happening out there till I was out there. It was raining. Of course. And I was not prepared. Of course. I could have turned back and grabbed a jacket, but once I am out the door, thats it. No turning back.

Workout stats:
4.48miles, 38:57 time, 8.42 avg min mile.
35*, light rain.
It was pretty cold and very dark and wet. I had to stop and fix my headlamp at one point cause it kept slipping down and driving me crazy. I was technically supposed to go for 5 miles, but I was short on time so just did the 4.5. Overall pretty good run. Loving my new shoes and gloves.

Work work work

I had a pretty productive day starting out with grocery shopping at the butt crack of dawn, truly the best time of day to shop. The only people in Winco were vendors and freight crew. It was fantastic. Now I have a fridge stocked and feeling like I can properly fuel myself and am prepared for the kids to come home in a few days.

The majority of my day was spent working. I did take care of finishing up a few hand made gifts and got most of the wrapped. Trying to get the house back in order and un-burry the dining table.
I had no where to go today, not even to pick up kids. It was kinda nice to not be tied to the clock and just get stuff done.

Workout stats:
Warm up
---
4 rounds
Bent row x 10
Good morning x 10
(for both of those lifts I added #45 to one end of my barbell and lifted just the end. It was a narrow grip and heavy.)
Handstand holds 20 seconds
Single arm KB shoulder press #20 x 10
KB High pull #20 x 25
---
5 min core work

Pretty decent WOD. I think I am really going to feel it in my back tomorrow. Thats a good thing, being sore from a workout. Thats how I know I did something. Sick, I know.

I watched a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel and listened to Christmas music while working today. Getting in the mood for this to happen! I am super excited and looking forward to next week with the kids and Christmas.

Happy early Xmas to me!

Well I sure had a productive weekend!

Moose's last basket ball game, Xmas shopping, gift wrapping, we love to read calendars, and a movie with my Pea!

I am done shopping! Yes! And done wrapping! Double yes! There are still a few things coming in the mail that I will need to take care of...and a few things I still need to make, but I am almost done. 

I finally got to go see "Wild". Loved it. Loved it so much. Makes me want to go to REI and buy everything I need to start backpacking. ;-)

I got an early Xmas gift! New running shoes and gloves! Yay! I left the New Balance world and entered the Brooks world. Pretty excited about that move. I gots some sweet "core" gloves too. They are gloves with a mitten flap. Weather proof and reflective. 

I broke both in today. Love them. My feet were happy and my hands were warm!

Workout stats:

5 miles, 42:45 time, 8.32 min mile. 

34*, dry and no wind. 

I felt great. I am finding it easier and easier with each run. My breathing is easy and nothing hurts. Crazy. 

I was a one woman parade today. Waving and smiling away. Pretty fun actually. Maybe I should get some candy to throw out as I run along. :-)

Peace! 

I was asked by a customer if I would make some buckets like the ones I did for myself. I said yes. They turned out pretty good! 

I got carried away decorating at Bob's. This is wild! 

Multitasking...breakfast, work and stretching. And enjoying my tree. 

Leroy was a huge help with WLTR calendars...

I AM FREAKING AMAZING!

Yeah I said it, cause I feel it! I did something today I never thought I would be able to do, or want to do. And I did it with ease!

Today was my long run. My schedule called for a 9.5 mile run. I fully intended on sticking to that plan. BUT, I ended up running a loop that added a bit more distance. I could have stopped and walked the rest of the way, but why when I can run!!! So, I ended up running, without stopping, for 10.19 miles!!!

I felt really good the entire time. I held a good pace too and that surprised me a bit. My feet a bit sore, but I think thats just part of the deal.

Funny story from the run. At about mile 2, there were some utility workers fixing some power lines. I said 'Hi' as I ran by. Well when I came back about an hour later, the same guy was out there and he says "I sure hope you stopped off for coffee since I saw you" I said, "no, but that would have been nice". He said "do you realize how long you've been gone??? Thats crazy!" I had a nice laugh. :-)

Almost 7 hours later and I can still walk, so I guess I am good!

Yes, that is a smile on my face after that run!

Workout Stats:
10.19 miles! 1:35:07 time, 9.20 min mile
40*, no rain or wind (how is that possible?)
Felt really good. NO ISSUES! (how is that possible too?)

And now to enjoy my weekend. I am planning on finishing my Christmas shopping, wrapping, working on We Love to Read calendars, possibly going to see Wild, reading, spending time with my honey, Moose's last basketball game.

TGIF

Its starting to get real

I got a good workout in this morning. I am sore as I sit here and type....always a good sign! I did take it easy on my legs though in anticipation for tomorrows long run.

Workout Stats:
Warm up
---
3 rounds to max
Bench press ( I used my exercise ball for a bench) #45 - 30, 20, 15
Incline push up - 15, 10, 10
-
3 rounds x 15
Side raise #10
Curl #20
Front raise #10
---
Core

We had some crazy high winds today. It was wild and now the area is a mess with debris, and garbage cans....why do high winds always come on garbage day? Our power never went out fortunately, but I guess it did out of town. Power outages are not as fun when you don't have a fire place.

The Beast had a wrestling meet today. She had a great first match with a pin in the first round. Pretty exciting. She only has one week left in the season with 2 more meets. Crazy how fast it goes.

I am planning my long run tomorrow.....hoping for no wind and no rain....fingers crossed. Its a 9.5 miler! Crazy. Exciting. Scary!

This is the Hump day of all Hump days

It marks the exact half way point of my training! Exciting I know! 6 weeks and 3 days in baby! I wish I could say I see all kids of changes like my jeans are falling off me, my abs are rocking and I have a ton of energy.....but that would be a lie. I feel good. Mentally and emotionally I am happy with how things are going. My jeans still fit....so thats always a good thing!

We had a very nice night last night at Moose's last Elementary School Winter Program. He had a solo/duet during 'Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas". He did great and you could hear him leading the way through their other songs too. The kid can sing. And he is confident doing it. I love that about him and am so proud of him! It takes serious you know whats to get up on stage and belt one out in-front of all your peers!

My singer! So proud of him!

These two besties are just to adorable!

Love these kids! 

Mistro has done it again! So thankful for a music program for these kids!

Well my bed won again this morning. I gave myself permission though. I said "self, if you are tired, you need to sleep." Sleep is way more important than pounding pavement at 6am....The kids had late start today so that did allow for a bit more time and less guilt. So I got up at 7 and headed out for my 4 miler. I think I picked the best time of the day. It was just getting light out and there was no rain or wind.....I say that because I think it has poured 2 inches today and the wind is crazy!

I went for bright this morning!

Workout Stats:
4.05 miles, 36:08 time, 8.56 min mile
56* no rain or wind.
My calves were a bit tight...I knew those butt kicks were a bad idea. I hate tight calves, like really hate them. I am going to go easy on my legs tomorrow and hope like hell they feel fresh for Friday.
Other than that, I am feeling myself pacing. Its hard to explain, but when it happens its a great thing.

and then there is this girl.....she likes to randomly send strange photos to Bob.