Barre Prana in Sherwood

Good Morning! 

I'm grouchy today and I know exactly why, this no morning run thing has to change.  I really thought that running while the girls were in preschool would be no big deal but mentally it is hard.  I like running in the morning for a multitude of reasons but the main one being that I get it done and I can get on with my day.  Running in the middle of the day when there are a thousand distractions and excuses just takes all of the joy out of my running.  I've been in a yucky mood because of it for a while and I don't have the energy I normally have when I am getting in my morning runs.  In a nutshell I am grump and everyone around me wants me to start running in the morning again, pronto.  I need a local running partner for a least a couple times a week and I am hoping to find one SOON!

In happy running news I had a great 8 mile run on Friday. 

It was pretty windy and rainy but I felt good and really enjoyed the run.  It was my longest run since my half marathon over Labor Day weekend.  I am slowly working my way back up to my mileage and I know getting back to morning runs will be key.  

I've also started with my cross training again which will help me with my speed work.  A strong core and legs will be key to getting me to my goal 5K pace.  I am going to buy a punch card to Barre Prana in Sherwood.  I took a free barre class on Sunday afternoon and it was awesome.  

If you are from around the Sherwood area I would recommend this studio for your cross training.  The owner is the cutest little thing with such a welcoming demeanor.  The instructor was a lot of fun and really good at making sure everyone knew what to do and was in proper form.  I am really excited to have some barre class options that I can actually attend!  It is definitely time for me to start making some time for me to get healthy again.  I can tell the difference in my body and my mind and by all of the acne all over my face that I have slid too far down the mountain.  

Enjoy The Run! 

  

Oh Lulu, I Love You!

Good morning!  

I put 10 miles under my belt yesterday and they were amazing.  I was finally able to run with Katie and I never have a bad run with her.  We met up with Coach Jim's running group in Tualatin and headed out with the 11 minute pacers for our 10 miles.  Our pace leader printed off some Boston Tribute bibs for people so Katie and I both snagged one to wear.  

The group had a really great turn out!

If you are not currently running with a running group I highly suggest Coach Jim's group.  Currently there won't be any "official" runs again till November, but I know some of us will be getting together for sure.  If you are from the Portland area you can find Coach Jim on Facebook for more information.  It really is an amazingly supportive group, don't be afraid to just show up.  He has pace leaders for every level and nobody is ever left behind and the plus side, it is FREE!  If you are not from Portland I would be shocked if you didn't have a running group around you.  If you do end up shocking me then put one together yourself, you have nothing to lose!

After our run we did a little shopping and took the plunge, we made our first Lulu purchase!  I call Lululemon  Lulu because I feel like an idiot trying to say it the proper way.  Since we were part of Coach Jim's running group we were able to snag 15% off of our purchase, sweet!  So you see we had no choice we had to buy the running skirts.  

I have had it less than 24 hours and it is already a crumpled mess, this is my life.    

On the way home I bought some fabric to make a new spring/summer'ish table runner, we'll see how it turns out.  It is the yellow striped fabric in the background of my picture.  The sewing machine is not my friend and I tend to stitch at an angle.  Needless to say I bought a lot of extra fabric!  

Have I shared with you all just how happy I am to be home?  Because I am!  Waiting to see if the sun actually pops out today like I was promised, looking forward to my recovery run!  

What are you up to this weekend?  

Did you have a long run in the books?  

What is your next race/event you are most looking forward to? 

- I have the Rock and Roll Half in less than a month and I am over the moon excited!

Time for Change

Happy Happy Friday!  

I am writing this from the kitchen table because I have taken a big plunge, drum roll please...I moved my treadmill into the office, eek!  

It started off in my bedroom earlier this week but I could tell early on it wouldn't be hanging out in there long.    

I don't like a lot of stuff in my room and a folded up treadmill isn't easy to blend.  

It has been living in my garage since I bought it last summer but I am currently relying on it a lot more.  Jess is traveling for work quite a bit so I figured it was time for it to come inside.  I am actually excited to have easier access to it and better climate control than the garage.  I won't be doing all of my runs on a treadmill especially after yesterday's run.  Sometimes we all need a good reminder run of why we love our sport and yesterday I got mine.  The weather was perfect and I felt so good the whole time.  I needed a run like that to get some confidence back in my abilities and I am excited again to get out there!

    

Tomorrow I get the chance to do a group run with Katie and Coach Jim's running group.  I am so excited, I have missed the group dynamic of running so much.  Plus I have missed running with Katie...just a little.  

Have you thought about doing a run for Boston?  If it hasn't capped out yet Uberthons here in Oregon has a Run for Boston on May 11th at Champoeg Park.  It is an evening run and 100% of the proceeds are going towards relief.  You can get more information and register HERE.

Do you like running with a buddy or a group?  

Have you done a Boston Tribute run?  If so share your experience, I would love to hear about it! 

Scheduling your Long Runs and Cross Training

Good morning!  

It is a run rest day for me so I'll be doing my Chalean Intervals later today.  Tomorrow is my long run, 14 miles, setting my alarm for 4:15 will be physically painful.  I think I am finally finding a good running schedule, only took me a year and half.  I use to be a solid Saturday long run runner but it was never as stress free as it should have been.  Jess works a lot during the week, generally home around 7:30 at night and that is just how it has always been.  When Saturday morning would roll around I would get up early and head to Portland to run with my running group.  

Katie and I after a 16 mile run, she looks much perkier than me

I normally wouldn't get home until after lunch and by the time I ate something, showered, and got myself and the girls dressed the day was done.  That left us with one day a week together which just doesn't cut it.  I am not about to give up my goals as a runner but I will rearrange my running schedule to make it work better for my family.  Jess never said anything, not one word about me being gone, I just don't like being away from them all that much.  Honestly I doubt he even noticed, he is so involved with our girls that he never looks at it as "watching" them, he loves every minute he gets his kids.  

First day of Preschool last fall 

Since we've been in Michigan I've realized how much I enjoy getting my long run done on Friday.  I have to set my alarm for the middle of the night to get it done before Jess heads to work but it has been working really well.  It frees up the weekend and I've started to do my shorter recovery run on Sunday.  I am going to stick with Friday as my long run day after we get home.  There will be certain Saturdays that I run with my running group, the weeks that I have a 20-miler scheduled for instance.  The rest of my runs will be done on Fridays and I already feel less stressed about my training this summer.  I am super lucky that Katie has Fridays off of work so hopefully we can get together for some of our long runs.  I also have zero shame in hiring a sitter to come Friday morning for my extra long runs, zero shame.  I say this because I actually use to feel bad about having help...oh the things I would tell myself as a new mom, sigh.

             

Another item I'll be working back into my routine is my Chalean cross training.  I did Chalean 3-4 times a week last summer as I was training for the Portland marathon, I firmly believe it helped me cross the finish line still standing.  Chalean also helped me to build muscle which made me feel stronger all the way around.  Running helped me take off some of my baby weight I was holding onto, but the weight lifting actually changed my body.  Ordering Chalean was some of the best money I've ever spent.  If you can't tell I am pretty excited to get home and do some of these races I have signed up for and get back to my routine.  You can check out my 2013 race schedule here.  It'll be nice to have my weight set back again and have a little more flexibility in getting my cross training done.  I just don't have the time to get both a run AND cross training done at the gym before Jess leaves for work.  I am not making excuses I am just being honest with myself and current season of life.  We all have different seasons and I made of the most of this traveling period by really working on my speed training. 

Sorry for all of my rambling!  Just wanted to put all of that out there, sometimes I feel like I just share my workouts and never any of the person behind them.  It can be hard to fit everything in sometimes, especially as a mom.  I don't want anyone to think I don't struggle with  mom and wife guilt and this all just comes so easy to me.  I am extremely fortunate to stay home with my girls and it is important to me that I don't waste this time with them.  I want to spend both weekend days with my family as much as possible, they are my top priority.  I have my whole life to run, but one day they'll have their own family and I don't want to regret a moment missed together.  

Are you a mother/father runner?  

Do you struggle with mom/dad guilt? 

     

When do you do you long run when you are in training?  

Sherwood 1st Friday Holiday Run

Hi!  

I took last week off from writing my blog and reading blogs and it was a nice break.  As much as I love to run, read about running, plan my runs and try to become a better runner sometimes you have to take a break.  It was a needed break and now I feel ready to start getting back into everything.  I figured why make it a solo mission and wanted to put a group together.  

Meet me Friday December 7th at 5:00 pm in Old Town Sherwood for a 3-5 run/walk.  Sherwood's Holiday Tree will be lit and lots of houses will have their Christmas lights up!  Bring a headlamp if you have one and be sure to wear lots of your reflective gear, it'll be dark out!  The theme of Sherwood's 1st Friday is Ugly Sweaters so bring your worst holiday sweater to change into after our run and shop some of Old Town's great local shops!  There will be wine tasting and local bands playing music all over Old Town Sherwood.  Plus Escape to Yoga will be having their Winter Evening Treat and Client Appreciation that same evening from 7-10 pm, you can get more information about here.  I hope you will come to run with me and stay to shop with me afterwards.  Let me know in the comments if you are planning on coming and I will be able to get more information out about paces and such.  

-Do you ever take a break from your usual run/workout routine?  

-What helps you get back into a routine?          

Mayo Vs. Miracle Whip

Good morning!  

On the books is Lean 2 and then tonight is Girl's Night Out at Portland Running Company!  It starts at 6:00 and there will be a 4-5 mile group run and then a Fall Fashion Show.  It is perfect timing because I am in need of a good water proof running pull over or something like that.  Our mornings have been really rainy and kinda cold so I would like a good weather proof jacket to keep a little dry during those morning runs.  Portland Running Company has quite a few running groups they hold throughout the week and if you click on the link above you can see all of them.  

Last night was one of our famous 3 dinner nights, well not famous more like annoying.  We got home around 5 from a soccer game in the rain (Go Bowmen!) and both the girls were really hungry so dinner had to be quick for them.  

Chicken nuggets was the chant from both girls so chicken nuggets they got.  I can hear you all gasping, save it for real crimes against humanity.  Chicken nuggets once a week to two girls who don't stop moving once one eye is open won't cause any damage...seriously.  Plus they didn't touch the tator tots, so not my kids!

Earlier in the day I had thrown in some chicken breasts and tomatoes and seasoning for Jesse's dinner.  If he has to many vegetarian meals in a row he feels less manly and worries he'll lose his Montana resident card.

I had leftover veggie chili, roasted veggies and some left over corn bread.  Nothing took more than 10 minutes to actually prep so that was a win!  But seriously 3 dinners?  What have I learned in my short 28 years?  Don't ever say you are "never" going to do something...as soon as it comes out of your mouth you've pretty much just signed up for it.  I never thought I would be the mom making 3 dinners and yet...here I am, foot in mouth.  Well actually roasted veggies, so yummy!  

This week and hopefully long term has been a conscious effort for me to keep unhealthy eating at bay.  I am no where near perfect but if I jump in with two feet I'll drown, I have to go slow.  If it isn't going to be a long term effort than it won't ever make any difference.  Big thing on the list, drink even more water maybe it'll help clear up my skin a little bit.  Love adult acne, Love. It. 

I keep Chia Seed pudding in my fridge most of the time, at least 3 of these little guys.  It is so easy to make, like the girls can practically do it now.  I use 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and fill the bowl with around a 1/4 cup of coconut milk.  You can use less and it'll just be even thicker, play around till you get a consistency you like.  Pop in the fridge and it'll be thickened up within a couple hours.  I make 3-4 at a time and you can use any kind of milk you prefer.  If you like tapioca you'll love chia seed pudding.

Hard boiled eggs are the easiest and best snack for me to keep in my fridge.  I boil 5-6 at a time and have at least 1-2 a day for a snack.  They are quick and I can peal and go if we running out the door.  It is a great source of protein for me and helps keep my crazygottohavefoodnow feelings at bay.  

This is all stuff I did before but I am just cutting out the night time binge eating and after lunch scavenge for something sweet.  Luckily honey crisp apples are in season right now because I am obsessed   Those are great for after meals when I am just craving something sweet, they are full of fiber and have the sweet I am on the hunt for.  Plus Costco sells them in packs of 14 (love Costco) so I am always stocked up on them.  That and mayonnaise, shop at Costco and you'll never run out of mayo.  Fact.  Not Miracle Whip, gross.  That stuff needs to be put to a stop, its just not right.  

  

Do you have a preference between Mayo and Miracle Whip?  

-My in-laws only use miracle whip, ruins everything!

What healthy eating/snack tips do you use on a daily basis? 

-Probably don't eat mayo...got it.  

Do you continue running during the fall/winter or do you take a break?

      

Girl's Night Out!

Happy Friday!  It was another whirlwind week and somehow we have gotten to Friday already (again).  Last night I went to Road Runner's Girl's Night Out in Tualatin and wasn't really sure what to expect.  Luckily they knew how to hook a girl up with some good stuff. 

There wasn't a huge turn out but they had some great vendors, like a rep from Brooks who was really informative for this Mizuno loving girl.  I tried on a pair of the Brooks Pure Cadence in purple and I really liked them.  I am going to check into them again after the marathon.  They also had a couple local running clubs for women one of which started just a few weeks ago by Olympian Amy Begley!  

Ya she autographed that for me, whatever, no big deal (ya right, I was so excited!).  Since I was trying to be cool and collected I didn't notice until this morning or maybe it just didn't register but I love that she wrote "Set Goals!".  Seriously that is like my mantra lately and I LOVE that she put it on her picture for me, pretty cool.  Amy started a running group called Distance Divas which she defines as "A social group for women runners of all ages and abilities."  You should really check it out, just click HERE!  

Another fun running group that was there was Runner Chicks Training Club who was offering a great deal on an upcoming race in Yamhill County wine county.  Its the Run Now, Wine Later @ Solena Estate and I am pretty excited for it.  Registration includes a Girlfriend Run/Walk through the vineyard, breakfast following, wine tasting and a special speaker Sarah Bowen Shea who is the co-author of Run Like A Mother.  Since Sarah is going to be there sharing lots of wisdom with us I am going to get her book to read before the run, which is Sunday October 28th.  I have plenty of time if I ignore my kids to finish it before the end of October, ya sure why not?!  I've actually wanted to read it for a while so this should give me the push.  

While there wasn't a huge turn out last night it was still a lot of fun.  I love being around fellow runners of all abilities I feel like I am learning so much from them.  I've been running almost a full year and I like being part of the "runners club."  Speaking of which tomorrow morning is my first Saturday morning in a LONG time that I am not doing a long training run, ah!  Tomorrow morning is the Color Run (finally) so Katie and I will be there getting our color on!  I do need to get an 8 miler in this weekend but I'll bust that out on Sunday.  Going with Coach Jim's advice and not push it during the taper weeks.  

Have you read Run Like A Mother?  

If you haven't you should set the goal to have it read by October 28th and then we can chat about it! 

What are your running plans this weekend?  Any races?  

Look for me tomorrow at the Color Run if you'll be there, I'll be the one covered in color :)