Sleeping Babies

Hi! 

We made it to Montana and I could have cried when we took off from Michigan, I was so excited to start our trip home.  Our first flight was almost empty and I had Katherine.  She was asleep before our flight even took off so I was able to finish my book, 168 Hours, and even listen to the start of a podcast.  

Saturday was our family "Easter" and we had a big lunch with everyone.  

I ate about 4 too many of these

I have also been drinking a lot of this 

Whenever we are traveling I try to drink a lot of water and adding these little packets helps.  I've usually always bought the orange flavors but the pink box was just calling my name this time.  

I've been able to sneak in a couple runs but keeping them short and slow.  Since I am starting to transition back to running outside and also healing my pulled hamstring I am not pushing it.  It hasn't been easy because it feels so good to be outside doing what I love, but I am trying to focus long term.  

{Instagram Pic} 

I am borrowing wifi off of my MIL's phone to be able to blog, I have to admit it has been nice having a little break from all of the technology, but I missed my blog baby!  

Did you have a good weekend, go for any long runs?  

Any races this weekend?  

- My half is getting closer everyday and I am so excited! 

Do you ever take technology time outs?  

Recovery Week

Hi! 

I had every intention of running this morning, just a short distance, maybe 3 miles.  My alarm went off at 6 (which is sleeping in) and I just couldn't get my brain to follow.  Mentally I need a run, I know physically its all about recovery, stretching and letting my body rest.  Sigh.  I think I will try for a dreadmill run later this evening just to work on shaking out my legs and the cobwebs from my mind.  I've been walking plenty, I mean c'mon, when do I sit down besides right now?!  

I figure since I have no fun running story to share with you today I would share my Marathon Expo experience!   I was late picking up Katie because traffic was purely against me.  It does not matter what time I leave my house, traffic going to my Jesse's office is a nightmare.  It took me an hour and a half to get there and I gave myself an hour...bummer.  I have been working very hard on my punctuality because I know its rude to be late when someone is waiting on you.  But man sometimes it really isn't my fault!    

After I left the girls with Jess I got Katie around 5:30 and we got to the Expo at the Downtown Portland Hilton around 6:45, we might have made a couple pit stops.  Once we got there we were so excited to pick up our bibs and see the shirts!

We didn't have to wait in any lines to pick up our bibs, our goody bags or to buy anything so that was a nice treat! 

There were a lot of great booths to check out, lots of samples and coupons.  I really liked seeing all of the race reps from other marathons from around the country.  My favorite was the Missoula Montana Marathon, they had a sample of their finisher medal and it was a horse shoe.  Might get my MIL to run a marathon if she knew she got that at the finish!  

Then I let Katie have my camera so she could take a picture of me...and well, I guess...ya.  She is pretty isn't she?!  The Expo was mellow, Katie bought a cute pink Portland Marathon T-Shirt and I bought a coffee mug.  I brought my Workout Tips from my Workout Tip Jar to use to buy anything that caught my eye, so that was a worthwhile reward!  I could see spending more time at the Expo if you were in the market for some cool running gear at a good price.  I know the Portland Running Company was having some great deals for the Expo participants and lots of the other vendors were also.  

Have you ever been to a really large race expo? 

- Portland's seemed small, but for a first timer like me it was perfect 

Share some recovery tips with me, this is all new to me!

I did 5 miles yesterday, gravel road, dusty, dirty, missing my suburban concrete life.  Thank you for the good advice about not stressing about my runs, was a good dose of reality!

So I am glad I did my 5 yesterday and hopefully I'll get out there tonight for a few miles, may just wait to do my 10 when I get home and that is okay.  I finally got some pictures from my runs out here in Montana.

This is the river that runs right behind the my in-laws place

Jess could tell you what this is 

My view on my run, see I don't joke when I say the middle of no where 

I haven't just been sitting around on my butt!  I am making a quilt :) 

Well I am getting lots (and LOTS!) of help with it, but it is my first official quilt.  Pretty happy with it so far, just need to add the backing and binding and it'll be good to come home with me next week!

My No Proof Run

We got here late last Friday night and after being cooped up in the car for 16 hours and eating foods nobody should have to eat, I was itching to get out and stretch my legs. Everyone had a different opinion of which way I should go not realizing once I get out there my legs take me where I want to go and I just run, but I listened and nodded and headed out. Its been such beautiful weather, the sun shines and there is no rain. I mean absolutely NO RAIN. I am sorry but sometimes those Oregon winters can go on just a bit to long IMO. I took my MIL's dog Diva on my run just because I thought it would be fun, she just ran along side of me, no leash needed, and we headed towards to my SIL's house which was about 1.5 miles away on a gravel road. I've driven that road probably 1000 or more times, but running it was a whole new perspective. There was some discrepancy over how long it was from my MIL's house to my SIL's house, but according to my watch it was 1.5 miles, which made my first run out here 3 miles. It was just a nice stretch it out run and it took about a mile before my legs warmed up and my calves weren't as tight as a rubber band. I feel like it was important to establish my routine out here, I didn't want to get complacent while on vacation and neglect everything I've been working towards. My Saturday morning run definitely kept me on track and helped me make better food decisions come our BIG Easter dinner later that day.

I had some really pretty scenic pictures of my run and I think one of the girls got a hold of my camera and decided they weren't blog worthy so instead I'll give you these completely unrelated pictures.

Like this beauty, hey girls wanna try and maybe smile for the picture?

Looking good Sarah, nice "cheese" smile 

Eggs full of candy?!  Why aren't Grandma's eggs in Oregon filled with candy?!

Oh yes and heaven forbid we take a decent picture with our mother, Sarah looks like I am pinching her and Katherine could care less, this was the best one out of 5.

How do you all stay on track when you are away from your routine?

Any tips to keep me on track with my food choices?!  

I Love You All to Belfry and Back!

OK, finding internet here has been a serious challenge!  Oh my...and running on gravel is not my friend, ouchie.  I did 4 miles last night and my legs and feet hurt worse than when I did my 8 miles last weekend.  Speaking of which, I think tomorrow will be my 10 miles.  Luckily my MIL has an elliptical so tonight I'll be easy on my feet and use that while I watch a movie.  Which might be dangerous because then I'll want to have one in my house.   I don't have the ability to post any of my pretty pictures of my first run, but I am hoping that at some point tomorrow or the next day I can travel somewhere for some decent connection.

OK I have to go because I am borrowing my SIL's internet off of her phone to be able to use to my MIL's laptop.  See how much I love you guys!  I miss you all, so ready for some internet...will pay dearly!  Longer more interesting posts to come!  Hope you all are enjoying your week :)

Loves!

What What in the Butte

Hello!  I hope you are all enjoying your Easter weekend with your families, I know we are!  We left early Friday morning to drive to Montana to spend the Easter weekend with our family here.  It was a loooong drive, we left at 5 AM and arrived here in Belfry at 10:00 PM.  The drive is something we can practically do with our eyes closed anymore, the girls have been doing it since before they were even a year old so they awesome travelers, it also helps that we have the entertainment system in the back for them.  Best. Invention. Ever!

We stopped for lunch in St. Regis which is basically just a large rest stop for people traveling.  They have a huge travel stop with a great gift shop where you can buy anything a tourist could want!  They even had a Trout Aquarium...only in Montana.  The picture isn't very good...obviously.

You can get yourself a cowgirl hat for the rodeo

You can buy a decorative fan in the shape of your dog 

You can buy a pretty sign to hang in your house declaring your love for your pet 

After we shopped till we dropped we ate lunch at the diner, one of my favorite parts of small diners in Montana is their coffee cups.  I love the brown, circa 1972 coffee cups.  I wonder if they still make these of if they really are from 1972...things one thinks about during a 14 hour car ride.

Jesse's favorite thing about Montana diners in general is when you ask for a side of ranch they bring you the entire bottle.  They know what you really want :)

It was a long ride but worth it, we got here safe and sound and every time we come its like we never left.  Grandma's Christmas cards are still up hanging up nicely with her Easter decor :)  I have a different blog post about my first run out here, it was such a beautiful day and DRY!  

Happy Easter everyone!  Once I can find a more continual internet connection I'll be back on schedule. But no worries, I am still running, just not on Friday...to busy eating delicious road food.

What is everyone doing for Easter weekend?