Birthday Run and Run for Boston Info

Good morning! 

Yesterday was a good day not just because it was my birthday but because it started with an awesome run.  

I have been feeling great about my runs lately not for any reason in particular, just happy to be out there.  I go back and forth with myself on "speed" and I put speed in quotes because it is a relative term.  My "slow" pace is someone else's goal pace and my "fast" PR is another runner's worst race.  I want to improve on my runs but not at the cost of losing my joy of running.  If we focus too much on what is ahead we can never fully enjoy where we are and what we have already accomplished.  So while speed would be fun and who doesn't want those bragging rights, I won't let it steal my current joy.  

My Current Joys: 

- I have increased my weekly mileage 

- I feel really good about my current running base 

- I am really excited about my upcoming half marathons 

- I've been getting up with the sun to get my runs in which I love! 

- I've learned to not stress or have anxiety about upcoming races, those feelings really steal my joy! 

Other running joys?!  

I made a pit stop at Road Runner's last night to test out some new kicks and find some Nuun.  I have been reading all about how great and amazing and earth moving the flavor Cherry Limeade is so I have to try it for myself.  I think the birthday gods were looking out for me because as I dug through the Nuun bin I realized there was no Cherry Limeade :(  So I started looking through the GU Brew just to see if they had something similar and BOOM there it was!  Somebody must have mixed them up so I was glad I dug around, I am also glad it has caffeine because I love caffeine as much as I love my kids.

I have to say that I actually really like it!  I don't normally like anything sports drink'ish but I can see drinking this after a long run.  It really does have a real limeade taste to it so it feels like a treat, not a recovery/hydration drink.  While I was there I also picked up the Margarita flavor Cliff Shot Bloks.  They are something else I have wanted to try so I was excited to see they were also in stock.  They have more salt content and are suppose to help with any cramping, plus they taste like a margarita, hello?!     

Last night we went to dinner with Katie and Bryan and had the best time.  Katie gave me the coolest gift!  Right now I just hang my medals in the closet with Jesse's hats but now I have my own medal display.  I feel pretty cool :)  

I love family pictures, we are missing the one of Jess, me and the kids...who has that one?!  

My birthday was pretty awesome and I am excited for 29!  

In other news the Run for Boston Bib Pick Up is TODAY!  

Go HERE for all of the information you'll need.  If you haven't registered yet and are looking for an evening race this Saturday that benefits the Boston ONE Fund and will be super fun go HERE!  

When is your birthday? 

What is your favorite race distance? 

- Half Marathon for me! 

What are you doing today? 

- We have a fun play date planned!  Well with those 2 every day is a play date.

  

Random Friday

Somehow it is 5 already, Friday has flown by!  Yesterday ended up being a non-scheduled rest day which is fine because I felt really strong this morning during my run and Push 3.  I really do like to start the weekend off on the best foot.  Luckily I write my weekly set up in pencil so I just moved my rest day around and instead of Sunday it became yesterday.  Having to scratch it out in pen might have broke me.  One thing I did do yesterday was keep track of my protein intake and while it is in the healthy range, it is not anywhere near where I need it to be to help build muscle, not even close!  So I picked up a couple things today to help and paid more attention to easy ways I can add in protein on my heavy weight days.  Luckily I like eggs!  I picked up a new protein powder, some Kashi cereal and Luna Protein bars.  

The Luna bars have 12g of protein in each bar and while there are bars out there with more I really like Luna bars.  The Muscle Milk protein powder has 32g of protein (boo ya!) and the Kashi cereal is 13g of protein in each cup of cereal, which is good cause I'll have at least 3, lets just be honest.  Who eats 1 cup of cereal?!  

I mean who can pass up an extra serving of fiber twigs?!  I find it hard to believe they couldn't find a better adjective to use to describe their cereal other than twigs.  Don't think I'll have to hide this from Jess, something tells me he won't be fighting me for my bowl of fiber twigs!  I'll give it a chance, we all deserve a chance.  Could be good, could be really baaad, I'll find out tomorrow!  Speaking of tomorrow I can't believe it is already time for another 16 mile run, its getting to be go time!  

OK I hope you have a great weekend!  I'll leave with you some photographic evidence that your least favorite blogger is cool in all areas of life.  

What are you running this weekend?  

Any races you want to share? 

Are you really photogenic or do you photograph like the blonde above?

-My Godmother Jenny would always tell me how un-photogenic I was, nice right?!  LOL!  She would always follow it up with how much more beautiful I am in real life...right Jenny, nice save.  I miss her a lot today.  She would have had a hay day with this collage!  

Protein Waffles?

Good morning!  I wasn't able to get my Push 1 done last night like I had hoped, but I got up this morning and got it done.  Today is the day I am going to break in my treadmill!  So exciting right?!  I know, don't be jelly. Of course it'll be much later today, have some errands to run this morning which include a trip to the vet for Lucy.  She's been moping around all morning, how does she know we are going to the vet but doesn't know to not get water all over the floor when she gets a drink?  

This morning the girls had their favorite breakfast 

These waffles just so happen to be wheat and gluten free, nobody in the house actually has an intolerance, we just want to fit in.  Actually, I like the Van's brand because they have a short list of ingredients.  Plus you can get them at Winco for under 2$ a box so they aren't badly priced.  Kind of a no brainer really.  We don't love the blueberry as much as the other flavors, but they still scarf them down!  

On Saturday when Katie and I were doing our long run we started to talk about how difficult it is to know if the food choices your making are actually healthy or not.  There is so much conflicting information out there about what to eat/avoid/set on fire its hard to keep track.  For instance I would like to add more protein to my diet since I am working on building lean muscle.  Well how much should I be eating, I literally have no idea.  Katie also told me about an ultra runner who is a "fruitarian" he eats ONLY fruit.  People can go a little crazy I think and I just want to find the right balance for the workouts I am doing.  I am going to do some research today into the all of the different diet fads out there and hopefully find an answer to my protein question. 

Do you ever get overwhelmed with all of the different nutrition information out there? 

-It seems to be always changing, one minute coffee will kill you the next its saving your life...really people?  

No Camera Monday

Good morning!  My alarm didn't go off this morning as planned, annoying.  BUT I still got up at a decent hour so I could get in my workout before the girl's woke up.  I completed Burn Circuit 1 from the ChaLean Extreme program and I have to say I am really going to like this program.  I am still following my marathon training, but its nice to add something else to the routine.

I can't find the charger to my camera battery anywhere, I know it has to be in the house somewhere but I have no idea where.  Its always on my desk, but my desk looks like this:

Nice, right?  Ugh.  I have to come up with a better system.  Today.  Maybe I'll find my charger and I can stop having to use my cell phone camera.  See those cute little red and turquoise notebooks?  I bought those yesterday at Target, I love them!

I love the messages they have on them, very empowering and hopefully will motivate me towards all of my goals.  Its good to have goals right?  I feel like I have too many sometimes and there just aren't enough hours in the day to be everything to everyone, but I think that comes with being a woman, don't you think ladies?  I don't think men don't have these same feelings, but I am not a guy so I can't really relate, sorry dudes!

Since I did my workout this morning I feel 100% better than I did yesterday.  Something I have learned since I started my marathon training is that if I don't workout first thing in the morning then it isn't going to happen.  It doesn't matter how much I tell myself I have to do it or how important it is to do, it absolutely won't happen.  So what that means is that I have to start going to bed earlier so I can get a good jump on the day.  My goal is eventually to be up by 5 AM, right now I do 5:30, but I feel like if I can get myself to 5 it'll just give me that extra half an hour to complete both the run and my ChaLean.  I can do that right?  Of course I can!

What time do you all wake up for the day (most of the time)?  

Do you have kids?  Are you single/married?  

What is your best workout time?  Morning, Afternoon or Night?  

Please don't be shy to comment, I love to see your comments and I know your out there because I get 80 hits a day, c'mon don't be afraid!  I promise I am not scary :)

Enjoy Summer!

Good morning!  I did an quick 2.34 miles this morning, I am sore and my body is tired so I listened to it.  I had planned on doing an 8(25x25) on the track and only did probably 5.  But I ran home the long way and pushed myself to run it hard.  Tomorrow is my long run, 9 miles and tonight is date night!  I am glad I pushed myself out the door because it is so beautiful this morning.  The sky is 100% blue and it was the perfect temperature.  These are the mornings I am so grateful I run because I have a reason to be out at 6 AM to enjoy this beautiful morning.

I realize that summer hasn't "officially" started on the calendar, but according to the kids in my neighborhood its summer vacation!  YAY!  Even heard the ice cream truck last night ;)  Granted my kids last day of Mommy & Me Preschool is this morning, I always share in the joy of summer vacation.  

My friend's daughter, who also happens to be our neighbor, was promoted to high school last night.  Sarah and I went over to bring her a gift and tell her congrats.  When she came bounding the stairs to see us I almost cried, she just looked so beautiful, hello emotional much?!  Its amazing to watch all of these use to be little kids grow up into young adults, its a neat time for sure.  OK OK sorry, I am very sentimental...my poor girls, I am so THAT mother.

Yesterday was the Zoo and guess what?!  I actually had fun, I think the girls did too!  I think my recipe for success at the zoo was making an iced coffee beforehand with my new favorite obsession, Click!  I don't normally like mocha flavored things, but again I was pleasantly surprised.  

My favorite animal this time was the Hippos, I feel like I can relate to them lately.  

Feed Me!  Please? 

Sarah and the Giraffe's had the same hair style.  

You may not have noticed yet, but I can take some uh-mazing photographs.  See what I did here?  Looking at fish, used the fish eye lens on my camera...oh man, I should teach classes.

Nobody can wear jeggings like my Sarah-Bear. 

Well I am outta here, going to bake buy some treats for our last day of preschool extravaganza and possibly pick up an iced coffee for me while we are there...depends on how good my behavior is in the store though. Remember, buy the treats before eating the treats.  Got it, okay.  

Who else has their long run this weekend?  How far?  

Its Father's Day Sunday!  Any big plans?!  

I have a few small things planned for Jess.  ;) 

Does anyone watch the show Saving Hope on NBC?  

I have started watching it and I have to say so far I am really liking it!

Click it! Or Ticket!

Good afternoon!  I did a soggy and humid 3.75 miles this morning.  We got one day of nice weather yesterday and in true Oregon fashion today was crap.  I've started to mix in podcasts while I run instead of always having music and I now almost only listen to podcasts on my solo runs.  My current favorite is Marathon Training Academy that Katie recommended to me.  Any other running podcasts out there you think I just have to follow?  I am a literal sponge right now when it comes to running and I love to listen to information about running while I am out running...because I am a freak, nuf'said.

When I got home I made sure to stretch!  I have got to start making this more of a priority as soon as I walk in the door.  I always put it to the side and say I'll get around to it, but I know how important stretching is to avoid injury and yet I keep ignoring it.  My reward for getting my stretch on?!  Trying out my sample packet of Click!  I was a little apprehensive and didn't have much hope for it being all the great honestly, I had a feeling it would taste a little like aspartame...and I was WRONG!  It tastes like that International Delight I use to drink as a kid and it is really good, I was pleasantly surprised.

 

I can see myself buying a tub of this caffeinated goodness in the near future.

So I really do want some recommendations on other running podcasts out there!  

I also have been hounding the Nike+ people like a wounded animal trying to get my Nano situation figured out, turns out its their issue not mine.  Which is good!  But seriously peeps, lets get this fixed ASAP!  Gracias.

Pre-Race Food

Good morning!  On the books is an easy run this morning so I thought I would visit with you all before I headed out!  I don't know about everyone out in the real, non-blogging world, but life lately around here has been craaaazy!  Just busy busy busy busy busy, do you get it, do I need to add another busy?  This weekend is my last race for the month of May and after that I do believe I only have 1 a month till our Marathon in October!  My gift to myself after running the marathon will be a 26.2 sticker (cause I am so cool now!) and one of these!



I don't know which one yet but I have lots of time to decide!  You can buy these shirts from 26.2 Apparel who I found out about from Skinny Runner, she really likes them and always has great things to say about their quality so they'll be my gift to myself when I complete my marathon mission.  Plus she looks super cute in them so therefore because I am her twin (she just doesn't know it) I will also be adorable.

On Sunday I ran my first 10K Katie in Sandy, the Run Girlfriend Run, you can read about it here if you want.  Before I left my house I did what I normally do, made some toast put some avocado on it, drank my water and my cup of coffee.  Its about an hour to Sandy no matter what way you swing it so I thought I would stop at Starbucks and pick up another coffee, except this time I got a latte.  What did I learn about my stomach and pre-race food?  Don't drink a latte before you run AND don't taste test even a little bit of a sport drink before you run It. Will. Hurt. My. Stomach....and hurt it will for about 4 miles, bleh.  It takes me at least a mile to warm up and stop questioning myself for signing up for these races, usually after a mile I am feeling really good and strong, not this time.  My stomach was just not happy and it was uncomfortable for a good portion of my run, I kept going as hard as I could and eventually it tappered off to just a small stomach ache that I could ignore. So what did I learn?  Stick to what works, get your latte after the race and ignore the samples!  Don't try anything different before you a race, save all new items and gear for training runs, that is what they are for, training.

I hope you all have a good Hump Day (I've never liked that phrase...) What are you all up to?!
-Today is Katherine's last day of music class for this school year, as a mom to twins and those being my only 2 "last" anything tugs at my heart strings.  OK no more crying over less activities to run to! Have a great day everybody!

Gels, Bars & Shakes OH MY!

OK so I love all things associated with running so far, what I love the most is that when you do long distance they encourage you to eat snacks, yes during the marathon they say to eat something while running...have I found my dream activity?  Why yes I have!  So help me in my quest to find all things running and snacking related please.  So far the only gel I have tried is the GU brand, I've had the Chocolate Outrage and the Peanut Butter.

Does anyone out there have an opinion on these type of gels in general?  Not just the GU brand, but anything like them.  I am sure there are about 100 more types out there I haven't tried, any recommendations?  

Now onto the snack bars!  I think most people would tell you those are great before run snacks...or am I totally wrong?  I really like Zone bars so far and keep them in my car for when I become violently hungry and my children's lives are in danger.  A friend of mine likes to have them before her morning races.

I found these the other day at Safeway, they are called Think Thin 

They are pretty good I have to say!  Besides grabbing me with their snazzy name they also got me with the 0 grams of sugar, yes!  I am really trying to cut sugar from my diet.  I don't want a lot of it in my snack bars and these taste really good!  Plus they remind me to Think Thin which is ALL anyone needs to do in order to be thin :) HA!  

Last but not least protein shakes!  Or as the husband has kindly referred to them (think deep man voice) "Beeeeeeefcake"  Yes he is all things supportive :)  I buy a big ol'tub from Target.

I don't know anything about protein powders, I just know I like them in my smoothies and secretly laugh when Jess does his awesome body builder impression as I am scooping it.  I like this one because it also has low sugar and its what I've been drinking since I started buying protein powders.  Any other suggestions?

I hope you all enjoy Friday-Eve, I know I will!  I am torturing, oh I am mean, taking the girls to see the Easter Bunny today.  They LOVE going to see the Easter Bunny...

Am I a good mother or what?!

Coming To You From The Windy City!

Good morning, have ya'll got a run in yet?  I wonder how many people out there are morning runners, I never thought I could get to that point where I was running in the morning, but yet here I am!  Lucky you!  EVERY morning when my alarm goes off at 5:30 I think to myself, there is no way not today, today I am going back to bed and for almost 2 weeks I have forced myself to stay awake put on my running shoes and head out the door.  After a good month I would like to start getting up at 5, by then the sun should be up by 6 and I could get an even earlier start on my busy day!  Yahoo!  LOL...believe it or not I am only on my first cup of coffee.

Can you believe I have no make up on in this picture, I know I should look into building my modeling portfolio...

  Sarah woke up as I was playing with my webcam, the girl loves technology! 

On the books this morning was 45/Hill, which in Portland Fit lingo means I am suppose to run for 45 minutes doing hill circuits, really guys?  Hills!!!  UGH.  Well I did them, unhappily, I had to talk myself up every hill and on the way down convince myself to go back up it again.  On my way down the 2nd time there was a fire hydrant in the distance and I thought I would push myself to run really hard to that point, I kid you not that thing sprouted legs and was running from me!  I could not get there for the life of me, when I finally did I told it off, how dare it run from me! 

I could tell it was windy this morning, as I walking out the front door I realized just how windy.  On my warm up before heading up my hills I was even more convinced of how much I didn't want to do hills with this stupid wind when I saw that the soccer goals from the school were blown into the street...really mother nature, really on my hill day?!  Jerk.  Anyway, I got it done and was somehow dripping sweat even though I was in the tumble cycle of a cold dryer.  

Last night I picked up some whey protein powder from Target (or as Jess would call it "Beef Cake", said in his muscle man voice).  I've been struggling trying to figure out what the heck to eat before my morning runs, nothing big or that takes much time had to be the solution and luckily protein powder will do just that for me.  Mix it up with some almond milk and I am good to go!  I felt much better on my run this morning with something to fuel me, what can I say I am a hungry girl, always have been and always will be.  

Well we are off to get ready for the day, going to be a good one! 

What was your workout this morning? 

See anything interesting while you were out?