6 days left!

Its all fun and games until Monday smacks you up side the head!

I had a great, relaxing weekend. Slept in on Saturday and then spent the next several hours drinking coffee and reading. Pure bliss. Then I went shopping! Loaded up on new clothes, thanks sweetie. Bought some new yarn too. :-)
Bob hosted poker night, so I hid, watched a movie (If I Stay), knitted a hat for a customer, snacked, and then read.
Sunday was more lounging! Reading and knitting. Yes I can do both at the same time. It takes talent and determination, but I think I have it mastered! When there is a will, there is a way!

Back to reality bright and early this morning....ugh! I am ready to see some long sunny days. These early mornings really are sucky when it is dark and wet also.

So thankful for these legs. They are proving themselves daily.

Workout Stats:
6.34 miles, 56:56 Time, 8:59 min mile ( I think, my run keeper didn't start correctly)
40*, rain.
I was dreading this run because of the horrible rain that met me early this morning. But by the time I dropped off kids at school and got ready, it was a drizzle. The rain did pick up about 3/4 of the way in to my run, but by that time I enjoyed it. I like running in the rain, but starting in the rain sucks. I really only like it if it starts after me. :-) I felt good. Strong. Ready. I only have 2 more runs and 2 lifts left. Getting real. I am so excited!

WET run! Picking my kale for my post run smoothie.

Worked all day, then picked up the kids. Back home to do home work and hang out for a bit before heading back to their dads. I do enjoy our afternoons together.

Enjoying some downtime.

Homework. While I work.

I am looking forward to a glass of wine, my book and my sweetie.

TGIF...9 Days

I am toasting myself right now to another week done, another long run in the books and only one week left of my training. Cheers!

Can you see the fog on my hat?

Workout stats:
8.08 miles, 1:11:56 time, 8.54 avg min mile
32* deg, heavy fog.
Cold start, took me about 45 min to really kick it in to gear and hit my runners high, but when I did I felt great. So thankful that my body is hanging in there and that my mind is too. Long runs mess with your head. The whole time I am thinking about how far I have to go. 8 miles didn't seem so long today. That was cool, after last week it felt short! Next week will be easy in comparison.
My next task is planning what I am wearing, eating and bathroom needs on race day. You may be laughing right now, but this is serious business!

Modern day torture devices.

Lunch today was Sardines from the can and fried plantain. SO GOOD!

The girls new bed arrived today so we put it together after school. She bought it with her xmas money. She has been very excited and bought some storage bins for putting under it and a few new pillows too.
The assembly went fast and she now has a very cool new daybed with lots of storage underneath.

She helped.

End result. Pretty cool and functional.

Kids are gone for the weekend. Its low key around here. Planing to get some reading in tonight....I had that plan last night too but fell asleep on the couch "reading" around 8:30....I kept trying to wake up and read a few sentences then would be back out. Not productive. I have faith in myself tonight.
Have a great weekend!

10 Days!!!

How crazy is that? 10 days left! I am so excited! Tomorrow is my last long run...and I am tapering so it is only 8 miles. Nice and easy. Now that is funny to say.

I had a pretty productive day. Few chores, lots of work, short visit with my girls, spent time with the kids. All good things.
I even went on a date with my sweetie. Ixtapa for us tonight! Score!

So close to the end!

Workout Stats:
Warm up
---
Deadlift 3x5 115#
Hip Thrusters on the ball 3x15 (gotta love those thrusters!)
---
Shoulder press #45
Bench on the ball #45
Dips on the ball (so hard)
3x15
---
Core

Pretty good workout. Harder than it sounds. I try to run through the sets as quick as possible to add difficulty.

As the dark cold days of winter settle in, I to dream of warmer places....today I was dreaming of being back in Rio.....

Christ the Redeemer

Hump day

11 days till my half. I call it mine cause I am going to own it! Crazy how fast this time has gone! I am getting really excited!!!

Today was late start at the kids schools. So that means they go in 2 hours later than normal. This meant a little more sleep and more opportunity to move slowly and then rush out the door. As always!!!
I got my run it right way....7:40am this glorious foggy as heck northwest day.

Picking kale from the garden in January post run. 

Workout Stats:
4.98 miles, 43:49 time, 8.48 Avg min mile.
36*, HEAVY fog.
Pretty good run. Cold legs make for a slower pace, but oh well. Trying to stay healthy and not hurt myself. Thats the last thing I need/want is to injure myself with a week and half to go.

As usual, on late start mornings we always think we have more time than we do. As we were in the middle of breakfast we realized we had 8 minuets till it was go time. How does that happen? We made it to school on time and all was a-okay. Phew.....how embarrassing is being tardy on late start?

So today I was "that mom" 

That mom who takes her kids to school in her pjs....Mind you I had already been up and ran 5 miles and just put on my pjs as temp clothes till I could shower post drop off...but still....I didn't even have on skivvies! Hence the coat.....I threatened to walk Beast into her school today.....and then go to walmart......

Productive day even though it was a shorter one...got the house picked up, laundry going, floors swept, toilet cleans (gasp), and worked a solid 7 hour day.

The kids got to have some friend time today. Cause us moms are suckers. Or cause we both had healthy talks with our girls and also know how much they want to be together and love each other. So I took the boys home and Pea took the girls. All is well in the world. Beast also learned what a brown noser is. :-) it is a good thing to know.

This is how the boys "hangout"

And this is how the girls do it.

I remember back in the days of my youth, a playdate meant building forts in the woods or playing dress up, or drawing our future homes....now days we rely on technology to entertain us! It is quiet at least!

Now the kids are all gone and the house is dead silent. PARTY TIME!!!!! JK.....they will be back at 6:45am. :-)

My "Book Club" started Outlander on Jan 1st. We have been wanting to read this series for some time and finally decided we were all ready. It is a HUGE commitment as there are 9 books plus a few extras....now I am not talking little dainty books, these guys are MONSTERS!!! Like the audio book is 33 hours long.....
I am several chapters in and loving it already......Looking forward to getting lost in this story for many long months. :-)

Outlander book #1

Free books and parenting

Today was finally the We Love to Read store at the school. We had set up for and planned to run it before Christmas break, but due to scheduling and then sick kids we had to postpone to now. 

Fortunately we had it all set up already so all we had to do was show up this morning! 

Kids earn points that add up to earn free books by tracking their at home reading minuets each month. We then have a "book store" 3 times a year and let kids pick out their free books. Its a great program that Pea and I love running. We use all the proceeds from our 2 book fairs and buy the books we give out. It is rewarding all the way around. And a lot of work!

Today we gave out 744 book. Pretty awesome. The best is when the kids are so excited and walk out hugging their new books. Makes it all worth it!

We Love to Read! 

I did manage to squeak out a workout super early this morning with Moose. Then spent the whole day at school for the store and packing it up. Picked up Beast and ran to the store for a few food items and some Starbucks! mmmmmmm Home again and worked a few hours......Dinner, Dishes and bedtime. Long day.

Workout Stats:

Warm up

---

4x15

KB Swing

KB Side Raise

KB Bent Row

KB High Pull

KB Curl

---

Core

Its nice having a workout buddy in the mornings. Moose has his own workout he does and self manages himself. He had some nice deep and wide squats this morning. Made me proud!

Early morning suckers!

Tonights the last night the kids are here for the week. Always as sad one for me. Anticipating their leaving. On top of that, the girl and I are not on the same page tonight. She wanted to have a sleep over with her friend because its late start tomorrow. The moms were united in the no department. The begged and pleaded. Then the boys chimed in wanting one too. Asking and saying no are one thing, but the begging and pleading and begging some more gets old. So then after the friends left, I had a mad girl on my hands. At first I was feeling bad, but then I had to realize that I am the mom and she needs to respect my answers. I stopped feeling bad and then was irritated. I go overboard 99% of the time trying to make her happy and accommodate her friendship. Then I just get crap from her when I do say no. Where is the manual on how to parent a 12 year old girl? I think I am just to soft. Worried to much that what I do will upset her, when I don't get the same respect from her. And to have this be the end to our week, makes me extra sad. 

On the positive side, Moose fell asleep on me tonight. I miss the days of that being a nightly occurrence. 

Love the little things.

Heres to parenting. It is not for the faint of heart. It softens you and hardens you all at the same time. I wouldn't trade it for the world, I just wish it was easier sometimes.

Back to reality...

Well first off, we had a great at home weekend. Lots of cleaning, un-decorating, movie watching and together time.
Beast decided to spend some of her xmas money on a new bed. So that meant cleaning out her room and taking apart her current bed. We filled the garbage can and the donation bin, and got her old bed taken apart and removed from her room. She is all ready for the new one to arrive.
Great weekend. LOVE my chill time with the kids.

Sunday is Chocolate Chip Pancake breakfast day for the kids. Traditions!

Back to reality for the kids. Alarms went off at 6 am. Moose and I hit the gym for an early workout. Beast spent the better part of an hour in the shower. Routine. Its back. BOOHOO

It was a quick day of work, or so it seemed. Then pick up and off to a track club board meeting. 2 hours later was pizza with Bob and the Sparky's. Some Football trivia game, a few laughs and back home to bed.

Workout stats:
Warm up
---
Core and hip workout
Bonding time with my son.

He rocked his workout too!

Workout Stats:
5.11 miles, 46.24 time, 9.05 avg mile.
48*, no wind, no rain.
Decided to run my hilly route today for a mix up. Glad I did, but hated it as I did it. Its been a while.
My dad called 2 miles in, he was out walking so we workout together today. He didn't mind my huffing and puffing so it worked. That was a nice change up too.

The end is near. Crazy that this last 10 weeks has flown by. I am loving every minuet of it. Even the 1:30 am wake up call my body did to me on Friday night. Oh.My.Goodness!!!!!! OUCH. 12 miles did my body in! I woke up in so much discomfort I could not get comfortable or back to sleep. Finally I got up, drank a bunch of water and downed a handful of ibuprofen. I finally got back to sleep and vowed to always take anti-inflamitories after a long run. What was I thinking? I know better!!!

Goodbye 2014...Hello 2015

Out with the old, in with the new. Happy New Year folks! I have been so busy celebrating, I have not had time to post.

New years eve party at the Pea's house. Surrounded by my best of friends and my love. Sadly my children were not there, but I can't have it all.
We mostly ate. And drank. And got loud and laughed a lot. 2/3 of our men were asleep on the couch by 11....we did wake them up for a happy new year count down and kiss.
I have the best people in my life. I am most thankful for that this new year.

I woke up to 2015 without a hang over. That was nice! Last year was a different story.....

The kids are home! YAY! We hung out and caught up, then headed to a friends house to watch some football. Watching the Rose bowl with a bunch of beavers (Ducks dominated and won by 39 points) was painful! It got really loud really fast! Again lots of food, drinks and laughs.....(after the yelling at the tv).

After 2 days of binge snacking I am seriously hurting. All I wanted was salad. Ugh....

A few things to close out 2014......
-I have an amazing partner to share my life with. He is kind, thoughtful, helpful, loving, old-fashioned (in the opening doors and such kinda way), funny and selfless.
-My kids make me proud everyday. They are going into wonderful people, not just kids anymore. I love bing their mom.
-I have AMAZING friends. I love them.
-My parents are taking new steps in new directions. I wish them strength and happiness.
-My baby brother is growing as a man, father, husband and servant to our country. His carrier in the Army is taking to new places and opening up new opportunities for him. I am so proud of him.
-My oldest brother continues to amaze me and he blazes a new trail in his life. Sobriety, mountain climbing, chef-ing, biking, snowboarding, skiing, and all round being rad. He is going to have some amazing stories to tell.
-I ran 83 miles in December. I am reaching my goal of running a half-marathon and I blow my own mind with every new distance.
-I discovered I am a glutard this year. At least thats what my brother calls it. I have changed my entire lifestyle. No sugar, no gluten, minimal dairy, no processed foods. Real food. Nutrient rich food.

And now for a few resolutions for 2015.....
-Clean up diet even more.
-Set new goal after half marathon.
-Dont procrastinate.
-Deepen my relationships with those I love.
-Continue to blog.

Ok and now what you really have all been waiting for....

Workout Stats for Wednesday:
5.73 miles, 50:19 time, 8.47 min mile avg
24*, sunny.
Another cold morning run! Brrrr. Went well and ran on a new road for part of it, met some new animals along the way. :-)

So sunny I had to get my glasses! 

Testing out my new watch! I LOVE IT!!!

Workout Stats for Thursday:
Warm up
---
Bent row
Tricep extension
Curl
KB Swing
4x15
---
Core

It was SO cold in my garage I thought my hands were going to fall off!!! But I got it done and as much as I wanted to skip out, I didn't. Go me.

Rolling it all out. I am so thankful I have a foam roller!

Workout Stats for Friday:
12.02 FREAKING miles!!! 1:53:48 time, 9.28 min mile avg.
*20 deg. Beautiful.
OMG. I ran 12 miles. Seriously. Its really hard to even believe. I wanted to throw a party when I got home!
It was a really cold morning, but clear and beyond gorgeous out. I got up and got my water and banana in then layered up and headed out. I felt like I weighed 500lbs and sluggish, may have had something to do with all the snacking I did the last 2 days....I ran an out and back. At mile 6, the turn around, I just kept thinking, wow, that is a long long way! The way back went way faster in my head and man was I happy to get it done! This was my last long long run, Next week is 8 and the week after is all jacked up and super light because its the week of the race. EAAAKKKKKK

12 miles. Seriously.

Had to pause for a sunrise picture. Gorgeous morning!