10 randoms, only 2 about running

1- Happy 11 months to Lydia. Just look at all these cute faces. . .the smile, the clap, the serious, and the "come on mom, take the picture already!"

 

2- Today, Noah and I were going through his clothes to see what he's going to need for school. Mr. Sentimental could not let go of shirts that are too small (not just a little, blatantly too small!). "But mommy, that's my favorite (fill-in-the-color) shirt". Future hoarder?

 

3- I have to share my lunch from yesterday, it was soooo yummy. Stuffed zucchini.

I got the idea here, and turned out I pretty much put nothing in mine that was in the recipe.

I cut the zucchini in half long ways, scooped out and chopped the zucchini, I started with a little bit of ranch dressing, mixed the zucchini, 1/2 a red pepper, banana peppers, tomato. Baked it at 350 for 30 minutes. Added some mozzarella cheese in top, baked another 5 minutes. Yummo.

 

4- On the 11 month day, Little Miss popped a top tooth right on out. What a grouch. I'm planning on no sleep for tonight. Again.

 

5- Lydia celebrated 11 months in style: sharing an orange Popsicle with her sister:

 

6- I added our Niagara Falls vacation photo to the rest:

7- I'm in denial about planning a first birthday party.

8- I'm so running a Ragnar Relay in 2014, who's in? I need 11 (ok, I have 1 commitment, so I really need 10)

9- Mom win of the day: Homemade Chicken Strips. Kids loved them.

10- Let's get serious about heart rate monitors. I'm feeling like I like the Wahoo Blue. For these reasons: wristband free, links via Bluetooth to my iPhone 5, can be monitored on Runkeeper- which I'm already using. What do you have? Do you love it? Why?

 

A race and Sub30 3

So proud of these 2:

They ran their first 1k at the "Racin' in Mason" kids fun run on Saturday.

 

Poor Noah was not as enthused as Madison upon getting to the finish line:

 

Noah: "I'm never racing again!" Madison: "I can't wait to run the 4k!" (pretty sure she meant 5k, though).

What a nasty day! 65 degrees and pouring rain. . . On Friday, I was feeling a little sad that I wasn't running in the 5k. But I got up early, ran a few fast miles in a nice light drizzle: first mile at 9:09, walked a quarter mile, then ran 1 at 9:36.

Monday was 6 mile day on the half marathon training: 1:05:14. 10:21, 10:39, 10:40, 10:58, 11:23, 11:16. The last quarter mile of mile 5 was in almost continuous full sun as I crossed through downtown Loveland. Brutal...

Yesterday was a rest day, but I did week 2, day 1 of Couch to 5k with the kids. They are both doing really great! Madison is really taking to it. Noah is "training for football" as he says.

And this morning was a regular 3 mile run, first time ever in less than 30 minutes! 29:35, but I'll take it!!!

I'm trying to decide if tomorrow is 3 miles again, or if I am going to start my journey to 5 daily miles. I guess I need to sit down and do the math on last weeks miles vs. this weeks miles, so that I'm not increasing by more than 10%.

Miss Lydia has been sleeping a little better the last few nights, it could be because 4 top teeth are minutes away from popping through, and 2 bottom teeth not far behind. Poor poor baby girl!

I'm excited for this race (I'll be running the 10k):

And this race:

 

C25k with kids

Last night, after dinner, I took the big kids out for a run. Week 1, day 2 of c25k. I'll tell you what, running with kids is interesting! Noah complained the whole time, and Madison was just slllloooowwwwww. Shoo. But they couldn't have been prouder to tell daddy all about it when we got back home. I know it's hard work, I remember, and as long as I can keep getting them out there, I'll take the complaints as we run. I honestly think they will stop whining as it gets easier.

Here's some tired kiddos (with a certain amount of exaggeration involved! Madison said, "look like your really tired" hahah)

 

So, my workout on my rest day was 1.96mi in 30 minutes with a run/walk pace of 15:17/mile.

This morning, I ran my normal 3 miles, probably a little faster because it was like 60 degrees out and felt great, so I pushed it harder than I would have in the heat. 3 miles in 31:06, 10:22/mile pace, 26 seconds faster pace than my race on the 4th. Wow. I can't believe it!

Madison is having a belated birthday sleepover and skating party with a few girlies from church, and one of the moms has a boy, so she's taking Noah. Should be fun for all!

 

Off schedule and 5 miles

Over the weekend, little man performed in his first ever play, The Music Man. He had rehearsal Monday through Wednesday until after 11pm, then performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday until after 11 and then Sunday afternoon. We were a tired family!

Here he is looking cute in his band uniform for the last scene!

 

Friday, I ran 2 miles- mile 1 at 9:33, walked .25, .75 at 10:00. That hurt!

Saturday was an off day since I did speedy miles Friday.

Sunday turned out to be a rest day too! Whoops, I was a tired mama.

Today, I was up for 5 miles on the half marathon schedule. 11:01, 11:25, 11:02, 11:42, 11:36. Finished in 56:40. But it was a night run, instead of morning like normal- I was pretty nervous about it, so I think I put it off as long as possible! Oh and sleeping until 10:30 may have had something to do with it too! Ha! I sure do feel better after my run!

 

Birthdays and first runs

Today was Miss Madison's 9th birthday. Can't believe it's been 9 years. It saddens me. But here she is blowing out her candles at her party Sunday.

Love this girl.

This morning, I got up for my normal 3 mile run before the rest of the world is up. Then, she wanted me to get her up so she could run too. I added another mile walk to my workout this morning, she walked and ran her first official mile. After that we stretched to Yoga For Runners! by YogaYin. A perfect end to the workout. I especially love the rolling at the end.

She wants to be a runner. Next week she'll start c25k, tracking it on her brand spanking new iPod touch! I'll double my workouts and go through it with her. Again. A couple months and we can run together! I'm looking forward to that day, and I hope she loves running as much as I do!

Happy Birthday, Madison! What a beautiful young lady you are becoming. We love you!

It's July. Whoops

I ran the Rocketman 5k on the 4th of July. My first 5k. So. Much. Fun! This happened approximately 3 seconds (ok 3 days) after I ran 3 miles for the first time. Ever. I ran it in 33:27. Came in 93rd out of 197 overall, 48th out of 130 women, and 6th out of 13 for my age group. Not bad for the first one! I loved having my husband, kids and parents there to support me.

Starting in July, I run 4-5 times per week. I've gotten into a groove I think.

In other news, I started my half marathon training this week. I plan to post my official training plan this week, My long run was 4 miles, which I was supposed to do Monday, but it was 700 million degrees at 8am, so I made it 2.5 miles and tried not to die. So we tried again Tuesday earlier and I got through before the hot hot sun beat down in me. 4 miles in 46:11, 11:32 pace.

Rest day today, back at it tomorrow. Looking forward to my run! NEVER thought I would say that!

 

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An update

So, blogger tells me that I've neglected my blog. . .whoops. I want to be a blogger, I want to think I have something that I can't wait to tell all 4 of my readers, but truth is, I'm pretty boring. I mean, right now, I'm browsing Facebook, Pinterest, and playing Candy Crush. Yah, that's the life, and it's soooo interesting.

That being said, today was Madison's last day of school! Summer starts tomorrow!! Woot! I've spent the last few weeks combing through the summer school and summer fun pins on Pinterest, and I've come up with a schedule that is just the right amount of learning, the right amount of playing, and the right amount of making. Should be fun. Should hopefully keep some of the fighting to a minimum for the other kids. We shall see.

On the running front, I've been 4 times since May 12th (hangs head in shame). Just building up in the C25K. Today was week 5, day 2. Shooo, those 8 minute runs were brutal. But I did it! 2.39mi in 31:03. Not my best time, but it will work, for a couple first time 8 minuters. Saturday, the schedule says a 20 minute run, no walking. We'll see! I hurt already, just thinking about it.

Mother's Day eve 2013

What a full day spent with my littles.

What a joy they are to me, except the fighting. That could suddenly stop and I wouldn't miss it. At all.  

This was take 65 of 70. Lydia wasn't really into it, but that girl will smile for her daddy. Look at her look at him. And trust me, next time, Madison is not getting transitions, now we have them in our backups! 

My run was good tonight. Except that the street lights kept turning off as I passed them. Weird. Oh and it was 10:15 in the pm before I went. But I got one random rain and one angel food cake marked off the list. 

Week 4, day 1. Those 5 minute runs are b.r.u.t.a.l! The first one I slowed to a walk for about 20 seconds closing in on the last minute. The second 5er only took about 10 seconds to regain my umph, but again it was nearing the last minute. Today's time, pitch black dark and all, 13:03/mi, 2.44mi. I may have hope for a 10 minute mile after all.

"You looked like you were going to pass out" and a birthday idea

Today was a great day. Yep, a great day.

Noah had the morning off preschool. We lounged a little, yoga'd a little, laundered a little, played outside a lot, picniced on the deck.

It threatened rain this evening, so the minute hubs got home from work, I headed out for a run. 13:48/mi for 2.10mi, felt good actually. I went a different way around the subdivision tonight and during the midst of the 2nd 3 minute run I went passed the house.  The kids were out playing in the yard, they ran to the fence and just laughed at me. I must confess, I slowed to a walk shortly after that incident. It made an impression. Now I have a complex. No, but really, later at dinner, Chad said I looked like I was going to pass out.

So I was pursuing Pinterest and found a cute idea for Lydia's 1st birthday. . . " Cute as a Button". I pretty much love it.

PS: Noah and yoga are hilarious! But he kept up with it. Until we got to the chair pose. Then he said, yep I'm going to sit and watch you now. But he can do the tree pose like a professional. I will get a picture. Love that boy!

The knee... And a routine

If you tuned in yesterday, I mentioned that I ran pain free. 24 hours later, still no pain in my knee! Booo-ya!

But I want to give you the story of my knee:

On 4/18, I ran with a sore calf- you know, the "I'm a beginner runner sore calf", you know it right? I didn't think much of it when I started out, but the next morning I was limping with pain in my left knee. But it got better throughout the day, not 100% pain free, but better.

On 4/20, I ran faster than I have before, 13:25/mi for 2.17mi (week 2, day 1), but my knee was s-o-r-e. Not the best plan perhaps. But I will say it did not hurt when I walked out the door. And I *think* it was threatening rain, so I decided to stick around the house and run the circle around the park instead of only do my warm up around the park and then venture out into the neighborhood.

On 4/22, I wanted to continue my training anyway (again, not the best plan), took it easy and ran 14:02/mi for 2.24mi (week 2, day 2). SORE! I could barely walk for days. Whoops!

I read up on runner's knee. I figured I needed to strengthen my quads to catch up with my new found running habit. So I started some yoga. Just the master skill on the Xbox game Play Your Way for Kinect. 23 minutes of hurt. Shoo, me and squats are not friends - and that "pretend your sitting in a chair and try to touch ceiling" pose, definitely not my friend.

I rested for a few days, and continued training on 4/26, I iced my knee, and took ibuprofen after running.  Very slow go, 14:45/mi, 2 miles even (week 2, day 3). The relaxing after felt good!

I ran 4/28, very, very slow- 15:07/mi for 2.12mi (week 3, day 1).

This week, I've started a routine: yoga every morning, running (c25k training) Monday, Thursday, Saturday, afternoon walk with the kids on non running days (at least). So far so good, but it's only Tuesday!

8 days too many...

Tonight, as I started out on my run, my Nike Plus iPhone app reminded me that it has been 8 days since my last run. What a full 8 days!

Monday - Wednesday afternoon was spent packing and getting myself and the younger kids ready for a short trip to Missouri for a wedding. As well as getting everything in order for the ones left behind. A friend and her baby girl, my Noah and Lydia left Wednesday afternoon. We stopped over in Brazil, Indiana for the night, and we arrived JUST in time for the rehearsal. We stayed with the sweetest family (aunt/uncle/cousin of the bride), attended a beautiful wedding Friday evening, and hi tailed it back home Saturday morning. It was a great trip, but it was great to be home to my hubby and oldest.

But I was also battling the knee thing... But I've been doing yoga to try to strengthen my quads. As well as strengthen my core, whatever that is. Besides not having the time/energy to squeeze one more thing into my to-do list, I guess I needed the rest.

Today was week 3, day 2 of C25k. 2.08 miles in 28:48, not my best time (13:48/mile), but better than the 15:07/mile from last Sunday. The knee felt good, hopefully it stays that way. I want to be a runner!

165 days until the Cincinnati Half Marathon.

Sunday, Sunday

What a beautiful Lord's Day it was today!

We started the day with a family breakfast of blueberry muffins, as we do every Sunday. Hubby makes lattes. Love that man.

F

We worshipped. We had a guest speaker, in town for his brother in laws college graduation. 

Noah went home with a friend for the afternoon. We had this yumminess for lunch. Yum! We spice it up a little though, a little red pepper flakes in the sauce, and Cajun rub on the meat, usually we use the chicken, but today we went with shrimp.

I did go for a run this afternoon, after the rain let up, perfect. Oh except for the burning in my knee. Maybe more on my knee tomorrow. Week 3, day 1 of c25k: 5 minute warm up, 90 second run, 90 second walk, 3 minute run, 3 minute walk, repeat, 5 minute cool down, 28 minutes total. By the time I rounded back home, final numbers were 2.12mi in 32:05, 15:07/mi.  After a few ibuprofen and some ice, my knee was stiff but okay.

We're in for a big week! Wednesday we head to MO for wedding weekend. Noah is soooo excited!

just starting out

First, I'm gonna tell you a little about me. . .
1- my name is Danielle
2- I'm *nearing* 30 (gasp!!)
3- I am a SAHM to my 3 kids: Madison (8), Noah (4), Lydia (7 months)
4- I run. In a skirt.

Second, I don't call myself a runner - I'm more of a runner wanna be. And so far, I'm more a walker/runner wanna be.

Why do I run?
When I was in 8th grade, we were running sprints, my PE teacher commented that I should try out for track. But, I have never been one for organized sports so I never pursued it. Plus, I would have to get permission from the coach to dress modestly for meets, etc - I'm not one for begging attention :)

Fast forward 15 years probably, in the spring of 2011, I quit my fast paced job in public accounting at a local firm. During those first weeks, my hubby and I started a couch to 5k program together. Well, about 2 weeks in, I started having foot pain - so I took a few weeks for it to fully heal, and started the program over - after a shoe fitting at our local running store, of course! I got about 3 weeks in and started having sciatic pain (again, I was plagued with it since the birth of my son in 2008). This was October 2011, and then it started to get cold, so I decided I would start first sign of spring. . .well, then we found out about Lydia! So here we are almost May 2013, and last night I completed week 2 of couch to 5k.

Here is why this time is different: over the winter, I focused on shedding the last of the baby weight - which really, while nursing, it's easy peasy. I've been loosely following the Weight Watchers program on my own. When I say loosely - I get 40 points plus per day (insert evil laugh here!). I've lost 11.6 pounds since February 22. In the interest of transparency: I'm 29, I am 5'6", I gave birth to my last 2 kids weighing 155 pounds. I gained 13 pounds with Lydia, so I started at 142 pounds. When I weighed February 22, I weighed 146.0 and currently weigh 134.4. I would like to weigh 130 or even 125, but hubby says 130 and I should stop, but he's surely not complaining about this version of me :) We'll see how I feel, the numbers don't really matter to me, I want to feel good about me.

And I have a goal: a half marathon, October 2013.

Welcome to my blog! Besides who doesn't love a background?!