Last training run done!

Well, I did it. Last run done. Next up is race day. I feel like the time flew by. And so did the miles.
Today was a light 3 miler. I probably ran it WAY faster than I should, but it felt good and I was trying to take it easy. I am so ready. Really ready to get it done. I have this strange fear that I will get hurt or sick or something and won't be able to run. So I really want to get it in the bag!

Workout stats:
3.05 miles, 26:54 time, 8.50 min mile.
44*, light rain followed with sun.
Nice easy last run. I spent the time enjoying how far I have come and how awesome it really is. Waved at my friends who are also finishing up their training for the same race. That put a huge smile on my face.

This morning before my run, I was on Facebook and read an article that made me cry. You can read it here if you would like. Touched a soft spot in my heart.

Spent the rest of the day working. Took an epsom salt/baking soda bath. Kids had play dates. Visited with my Pea. Dinner with all 4 of us, and some fun family time.
Beast went to school today and is on the mend. She has a wrestling meet tomorrow. Its the all girls meet in Redmond at the Oregon Classic. She is pretty excited for it. I am looking forward to seeing her compete. It does mean for a long day, 5 hours in the car alone. But also some good together time for her and I. Cant get enough of that these days.

And then it will be race day!!!! Sunday at 9 am!!!!!

I was pretty excited to see these guys at the Jr high this afternoon. They are there in preparation for the race. :-)

So close I can taste it

3 days to go....
What an incredible 11 1/2 weeks this has been. Choosing a goal and sticking to it. Seeing my improvements daily. I am so ready for Sunday!

Well I have been a total slacker....or just busy. Either way I have left you all hanging since Monday. My apologies. I will tell you why it has taken so long.

Tuesday we took Beast to the doctor for her "hives" or so we thought it was hives. Turns out she has Scarlet Fever. We had a good laugh over that. Good thing we live in a time of modern medicine and it won't kill her like Beth in Little Woman. Scarlet Fever is the rash that can go along with strep throat. Which apparently she has. So a strong prescription and 2.5 hours at the doctor, 2 days at home, she is on the mend.
That night, Pea and I worked on We Love To Read calendars, sipped tea and caught up on each others  busy lives.

Conference call Tuesday. Floor work. Bulletproof Coffee.

Wednesday was just a normal work day with a kid at home. I am pretty grateful that I am able to be home with her while still earning some $$$.

SO FOGGY!!! This has been my world this week!

Today, grocery shopping was the top priority. We had practically nothing to eat and I was getting desperate. So off I went and loaded up. Good thing I worked yesterday so I could afford it today! Ugh, eating healthy real food is spend. But our health is worth it.
Work, and kids were the rest of my day. The kids are home again, YAY! Love Thursday nights with them. Pretty low key around here. I did try something new for dinner. Roasted Butternut Squash soup, kids had theirs in sourdough bread bowls. Turned out really good. I think its a keeper.

Sickie camped out on the couch with all her "things".

Workout for Tuesday:

Warm up
---
Bent Row #45
Curl #45
High Pull #45
Good Morning #45
3x15
---
Core

Busting out the weights

Workout for Wednesday:
4.09 miles, 36:48 time, 9 min mile avg
22* super foggy, with sun breaks
It was a very brisk and beautiful run. Felt really good. This was supposed to be an easy run, so I was trying to keep my pace slow. I am not very good at that. I have pretty much one speed. I don't do well speeding up or slowing down. Oh well. Only one run left till race day!

Cold, foggy morning!

I have been killing my down time at night with lots of reading and knitting. I am really loving Outlander. And with that, I am inspired to knit. So I made a cowl this weekend, didn't like it, tore it apart and re-did it. I do like my second try. I think I will be making more......

Outlander inspired cowl. So cozy!

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.