Back to reality....

The week of the BIG three oh is over. Reality begins again.

I hit my goal of 30 miles this week.

Sunday: 6.2 miles; average 9:41 per mile pace

Tuesday: 3 miles; average 9:28 per mile pace

Wednesday: 5 miles; average 10:25 per mile pace

Thursday: 1.5 miles; average 10:32 per mile pace

Friday: 2.3 miles; average 10:01 per mile pace

Saturday: 12 miles; average 11:12 per mile pace

Add 'er up. It's 30! :)

Probably leaving the 12 miler until the end wasn't the greatest plan of all. But it made me appreciate today as a rest day.

Also this week, I rolled over 300 all time miles. Big week for me :)

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Last night, hubby-man took me on a date. A proper 30th birthday date, if you ask me (but who ever does?).

We hit up the Precinct, for steak done right. Incidentally, they were named USA Today Top 10 Steakhouse in the COUNTRY, so yes, best steak I'll ever have. Ever.

Then we had gelato at our place, Buona Terra. I had blackberry. Awesome!

Then for a walk around Alm Park at sunset. And were tempted to crash a wedding. But we didn't!

< I missed the perfect shot by about 2 minutes :(>

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So what is on your dinner menu this week?

I'm playing shuffle the menu this week. We ate leftovers an extra time (because I may have eaten hummus and chips for more than one lunch, maybe)

Sunday: Shrimp Fra Diablo, kind of following this, but using shrimp with a Cajun spice rub and I add red pepper flakes to the sauce

Monday: Spaghetti and Crockpot Turkey Meatballs, garlic bread

Tuesday: Chicken Quesadillas

Wednesday: Meatball Hoagies with leftover meatballs from Monday

Thursday: Baked Potato Soup

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Chicken Rollatini with Zucchini and Mozzarella

******************************

I think I will take an extra rest day tomorrow to allow for a little extra recovery from the extra miles last week. Let's make it an active rest day with an unfound you tube yoga routine and maybe a walk in the afternoon.

I plan on hitting the ground running Tuesday morning with a mile warm up at 10:15 pace, and then 3 miles at 9:30 pace, and a mile cool down at 10:30 pace, for a total of 5 miles. And follow up with some Yoga for Runners.

Have a great week guys!

 

...Hello 30s

What a smiling day :) 30 isn't so bad! I got all hyped up for nothing :)

I started with 5 miles with my new heart rate monitor. Love it. Not too sure what it's telling me yet, but it was talking to me. And my heart rate stayed steady and high throughout my whole run. That's good, right?

<the dips are me experimenting to make sure it was dipping when it should have>

I am certainly going to have to do some more research on how to accurately determine your maximum heart rate because I *feel* like I was running in a comfortable 75-80% of max range, but based on the average for my age (190), on average it was registering closer to the 91% range. I am for sure getting rid of the heart rate zone audio cue, because I don't think it is right for me. I also think this workout is going on my schedule for Monday, 'cause now I gotta know.

My total time for 5 miles was 52:05 with splits of 10:06, 9:46, 10:10, 11:30, 10:33; average of 10:25 per mile.

After the big kids were off to school, hubby served me birthday breakfast of cinnamon raisin bagel and a peach.

Lunch was a great Cali Wrap at The Nook Café with dear friend Rachel and her sweetie girl. I love watching our girls play- us 30 years ago. Ha!

Now I have important decisions to make. Which Bluetooth Headphones should I get? I'm looking at the JayBird Freedom. Anyone have personal experiences?

 

 

 

Goodbye 20s...

As the last day of my 20s draws to a close, I smile!

Nothing extraordinary happened today. Just normal mom stuff. A run. Big kids to the bus. Laundry. 6 loads of laundry. (Insert putting last load into the dryer). Farmers market for fresh produce. Big kids off the bus. Big kids homework. Prepare dinner. Eat dinner. Clean up dinner.

And then this happened:

<yes, I got them all on the first try :)>

 

And this happened:

<Super excited to run tomorrow!>

 

And then this happened:

<Ignore nasty husband feet!> <Amalia, I'll save you some!>

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This morning, I ran my regular 3 mile route in 28:24, 6 seconds faster than ever before. My splits were 9:48, 9:09, 9:27 for an average of 9:28 per mile.

So, I'm thinking I might need a warm up routine to help that first mile. More than, oh-let-me-open-the-front-door-and-start-running warm up. Google might get a workout tomorrow evening.

I had to change my schedule for Saturday to accommodate an early reservation for birthday date night and other activities planned with my mom and the kids for the daytime. Priorities, you know. So, I'm moving my 12 mile run to Friday during the day, with a borrowed jogging stroller. And thus, upping tomorrow to 5 miles, so I can take it easier Thursday (3.8 miles).

******************************

Stay tuned tomorrow for ...Hello 30s :)

 

30 miles for my 30th & race recap

I kind of took a blogging break this week. I just wasn't feeling it. I had a super horrible 11 mile run Monday that I wish I could rewind and start again. Pretty much ignored the fact that that's the type of thing I write about, so I ignored the blog all together :)

Wednesday, I did have a good 3 mile run, first one under 30 minutes in weeks. That felt nice. It also felt nice that I was holding myself back, trying to stay on pace so i could get a feel for what pace I wanted for the 10k race this morning. Stats were: 3 miles in 28:43: 8:44, 9:38, 10:21; 9:34 average per mile.

Lydia had her 1 year well check on Wednesday afternoon and the shots that go with it made her sick: fever, not sleeping (even worse than normal), whiny, grouchy, you name it- she was it. So Wednesday night and Thursday night were low on sleep hours, so I skipped the alarm and slept until I needed to get the kids up for school. Extra rest before a race is ok right?!

Saturday, I took the kids on a big walk, 2 miles around the neighborhood. I planned to jog some to get my legs moving, but Noah flipped out! So later in the evening I ran a 9:30 mile, just around the park.

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As you may know, I'm turning 30 on Wednesday. Hard to believe, I know! But it's true.


I'm not feeling all that great about it. Chad says to embrace it. Elizabeth says I'm entering my most productive years. Maybe.

Anyway, back when I started figuring out my half marathon training plan for the Cincinnati Half Marathon, my final training run was due to be run tomorrow. So I set the goal of running 30 miles the week of my 30th. Maybe next year I can run 31 miles on my birthday. Yeah, no. Since I ran a 10k early this morning, I have moved the run to Saturday to get it in this week.

This is my plan on getting the miles in:

Sunday: 6.2 miles

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 3 miles

Wednesday: 3 miles

Thursday: 3 miles

Friday: 2.8 miles

Saturday: 12 miles (which has turned out not to be my final because I ran the Little Miami 10k) who wants to join me?

*******************************

This morning I ran the Catch Me If You Can 10k with my dad.

There was also a 5k and 10 mile race. 122 total participants.

They started all the women first, and then tapered the 5k, 10k and 10 mile men. Fun!

Did I mention it was freezing? Yeah, 46 degrees. Brr! My feet didn't fully defrost until mile 3!

I finished with a time of 60:08. So close to my goal of a sub 60, close enough I should have made it today. And I could have, but I rely on my gps too much I guess, or my gps decided to throw my race. Within the first half mile it jumped, and I was .2 off by the end. As in, she was telling me 6 miles as I was crossing the finish line. Clearly not lady! What I'm saying is, I wasn't sure what my time was really. It wasn't until I saw the mile 5 flag that it registered I had a chance to make it in under an hour, so I turned it up, and almost got it. Either way, I'm pleased with my progress from 61:17 just under a month ago. I have no idea what my splits were other than the first 5k was 29:33.

My rankings came in at 20th out of 52 over all, 12th out of 34 women. And I first place out of 5 in ages 25-29. Take that 20s.

My dad rocked it, finishing in 54:10! It was a good set up though, with the tapering, because he was 7 minutes behind me, so I still finished first :)

Oh, and did I mention it was freezing?! I know it was horrible for Chad the kids, but they'll never know how much I appreciate their support. Or that Chad has let me go on and on about those stinking 8 seconds. Love him!

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As I reflect on what my 30s will be, there are so many uncertainties. I'll have raised 2 into their teenage years, one on the cusp of being a teenager. Madison will have finished her first year of college. It's going to be a big 10 years for our family. I pray that we, as parents, approach each situation with wisdom. But I also pray that our children receive our instruction and guidance with open and trusting hearts.

One thing is for sure though, I will be starting the next decade of my life healthier and more in shape than any other decade. I look forward to continuing the journey in the years to come.

 

Birthday Party Recap

Miss Lydia's 1st birthday was a hit. Pretty much the cutest thing ever :)

The theme was "Cuter Than A Button (and so much fun)"

 

I made all the food...

<Homemade sloppy joes, and homemade chicken nuggets>

Cookies...

 

 

Cupcakes...

 

She went after her cake like she ate cake and icing all day everyday. All business.

 

The loot:

 

The biggest reaction:

<Noah clearly was concerned about the arm of the chair>

 

Funniest reaction:

<gimme the card mom!>

 

And trying the enjoy all the big kids having a blast pushing her around the park with an increasingly snotty nose. Poor baby.

 

First birthdays are so bittersweet.

Thanks to my mom for all her help Saturday. And thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us.

Happy Labor Day! (Plus a Birthday!)

I hope you all have had a great Labor Day, however you spent it.

We headed over to Indiana for a weekend full of worship and friends, I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend. I love that our kids are becoming friends.

< how cute are they?>

 

Miss Lydia had a big birthday Sunday. We'll be celebrating Saturday, so stay tuned! But I caught this cute one of her.

 

Friday morning, I worked on some speed using this guide. I ended up with 2.62 miles at the end of 30 minutes. Oh, and brilliant me, on the 5th fast interval Runkeeper somehow got paused and I got mixed up! I would add my times, but I can't figure out a way that would make sense.

 

Before services on Saturday and Sunday morning, I had great chatty runs with friend K. But those hills. No thanks!

 

This morning, my dad and I met at the bike trail for a 10 mile run, a first for us both. Total time was 1:51:12: 9:51, 9:42, 10:36, 11:07, 11:05, 11:32, 11:19, 11:55, 12:00; average of 11:07 per mile. I'm going to have to speed it up for a 2:15 half marathon NEXT MONTH (what?!)

After we finished up :)

 

I sure am looking forward to a rest day tomorrow!

 

 

Avoiding injury

What do you do to avoid injury? Stretch? Know you should stretch, but don't, hoping the thinking about stretching will help?

Me? I don't stretch. I was doing yoga after my runs, but I haven't even been doing that as my sleep has been eating into my stretch time.

What sparked this conversation? Well, Wednesday, I started out on my run and literally a quarter mile in, and bam! ankle roll on the inverted curb. Caught myself and bam! tweaked knee. So, I limped home. Defeated.

I got back out there this morning, since both ankle and knee had been feeling fine within a few hours of baling on the run. I took it slow, just in case and wouldn't you know, right at the 1 mile mark, my knee started an ache thing. Sigh. Knee, don't you know I have a half marathon in 50 days? Clearly not.

I found this article on Runner's World. I pretty much think strength training is the way to go. A lot of those exercises don't need extra equipment and seem pretty easy. I'll definitely be looking into those after the long weekend. Problem is, where do I add those into my day?!

As a recap, Tuesday, I ran 3 recovery miles after my 9 miler Monday. My time was 32:53 with splits of 10:40, 10:48, 11:17 average of 10:56 per mile.

Wednesday was a pretend run.

This morning, 3 miles in 32:45 with splits of 10:32, 11:09, 11:02. Let's just say 99% humidity = death warmed over. My knee slowed me down some, but I think mostly it was the humidity. Even though I have been running all summer, this humidity has been pretty much nonexistent, so these are conditions I am not familiar with. I guess I've had it easy.

Tomorrow, I'm going to work on speed. And I think I'm going to try this workout I saw on Another Mother Runner, with warm up of 5 minutes because I don't really want to make 21 entries in runkeeper. I'm lazy like that.

<found here>

In other news:

Yesterday, Lydia and I went to the grocery store while the big kids were at school. I'll save you the boring details. But let me just say I missed my veggies. I ate a whole avocado by myself between lunch yesterday and lunch today. I wanted more for dinner, but refrained from going and buying another one. I didn't want to overdo it. (PS: a month ago, I didn't like avocado. Now I can't live without it.)

<whole wheat tortilla, supremely spicy hummus by Sabra, spinach, turkey, queso blanco, red pepper, avocado, and grape tomatoes. Yum>

Today, I started spending some time at the kids schools, helping out their teachers do things I know they would have to do on their own time. Time away from their families. I enjoyed the time at both schools, but especially Madison's school, where I had a nice chat with the building guidance counselor as I worked through copying and cutting and sorting for Miss M. The best part though? Lydia running to me when I got to grandmas to pick her up. Yes, baby girl, I missed you too.

Oh, and I must tell you about dinner. I started Our Best Bites Slow Cooker Kalua Pork with their Pineapple Mint Pico de Galloo on corn tortillas. Very Hawaiian, I guess. I wouldn't know. I've never been. Can we remind my hubby that my birthday is next month?! Wouldn't a Hawaii trip make a great 30th birthday surprise? Yes, I think so too.

And a picture to make you giggle:

<Lydia. Throwing a fit. Because I wouldn't let her destroy play with Noah's name tag. True story.>

 

After school pic and 9 miles! Woot!

As promised, this is smiley Noah getting off the bus:

This morning, I ran 9 miles. Around the neighborhood. It took 3 times. Most. Boring. Run. Ever. I'll never do that again. Except today I was glad I did because at mile 5.69, I had an urgent need of a potty break- and I just so happened to be running right past the house. Crisis averted.

Anyway, yesterday's goal pace was probably a little far reached after the little I ran last week, but I tried, and since it is my training, I can change the rules any time, including mid run :) 9 miles total in 1:37:49: 9:59, 9:50, 10:17, 11:09, 10:57, 11:44 (insert potty break here), 10:55, 11:30, 11:24; average 10:52 per mile. If you remember, I ran 8 miles 2 weeks ago (here) in 1:35:10, so today's run being only 2 minutes and 39 seconds longer (with a potty break) made me feel pretty good. I'm sore, so I know I pushed it. It hurts real good!


Miss Madison had school today, Noah had one last day of summer vacation so Chad took him to the pool. Lydia and I tagged along for a little while- but I took her home early for a nap.

<Lydia loved riding in the wagon- this was her first time>

<she loved watching Noah, but did not like to be in the water. Over all, not bad for her first time>

<Noah loves the pool!>

We're sitting here watching the end of the Restaurant: Impossible that was filmed close to us. Then it's bed time, running starts early.

 

Another first day and run recap of sorts

Friday, Noah started his school career. Kindergarten is scary stuff: away from what you know all day, not to mention with a bunch of people you don't know. They are just babies after all. But this guy was tough!

And so excited to be at school!

<love this cheese face>

When I left him, he was still smiling. So no tears! Better than I could have imagined :)

He got off the bus with Madison with more smiles (which I captured, but my iPad sd converter is in Lydia's room, and she's sleeping, and you dare not enter when she's sleeping, maybe I'll post one tomorrow).

He likes his teacher. Probably (right now) because she's friends with Philip, and Philip is about as cool as one can get to a 5 year old.

It should be a good year for both the kids. Madison is motivated to start the year on the right foot- we'll see how long the organization lasts! Maybe Mrs. S will leave an impression :)

We are looking forward to a great year for both of them. It will be really neat to look back and see how far they have come.

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This week, running has been hard. I think a combo of the race on Sunday, the kids starting school meaning a new schedule for me. But this week, I will work hard on getting my runs in, and enjoying them.

Sunday, I ran the Little Miami 10k, in 61:17, average of 9:53 per mile.

Monday was rest day.

Tuesday, the kids and I did C25k week 3, day 3.

Wednesday, I ran 3 miles in 29:45, 9:54 per mile

Thursday, the kids and I did C25k week 4, day 1.

Friday morning, I ran 2.71 miles in 30:03, I walked a lot of that last .71mi. I just wasn't feeling it, so I cut it short. First 2 miles were at 9:59 and 10:08.

This morning, I ran 3 miles in 31:06: 10:10, 9:46, and 11:07; average of 10:21 per mile. My breathing was off today. Like I was breathing like I have never run before. It was crazy.

This week, I am resuming my half marathon training with 9 miles tomorrow morning- my goal is the first 6 miles at 10:00 pace, and slow to 11:00 pace for the last 3. A recovery 3 miles Tuesday morning at 10:30 pace. Wednesday morning 3 miles at 10:00 pace. Thursday morning 3 miles at 9:40 pace. Friday speed work: 1 mile at 8:30, 8x400 at 1:45 each with 2 minute recovery walks in between. Saturday morning 3 miles at 10:00 pace.

It looks like a good plan, but I have trouble sticking with my goal pace. Any tips? I'd love a Garmin right about now :)

 

4th grade here we come!

I'll start with today's exciting news!

Miss Madison started 4th grade this morning. Just look at her :)

<can't miss those NEON runners, can ya?!>

She went to bed last night with butterflies in her belly, and tears of missing me and Lydia while she was at school.

Thankfully, she woke up super excited, dressed and ready.

<goofing off in the rain waiting on the bus>

 

She came home all smiles and excited to talk about every detail of her day.

<getting off the bus in the pouring rain, smiling while squinting>

 

<the rain squint, it's a good look>

We all missed her, but we somehow made it through. I have a feeling Little Lydia is going to have a hard time tomorrow when they both are gone.

<the kindergartener>

This little guy is a ball of nerves, so hopefully tomorrow morning goes smoothly. I'm expecting tears times 3.

This girl means business. And I know a brother and a sister she'll be excited to see after they get off the bus. Couldn't you just eat those cheeks?

First Annual Back to School Family Dinner

I can't help but share this cute picture of these girls from this morning, check out the concentration! I love it!

<sewing lesson #1>

I got the idea for the Back to School Family Dinner here. I didn't go ALL out like she did, but I think it still turned out.

We had spaghetti, garlic bread and salad, because its something everyone likes.

Close up of the big signs:

<free printable found here>

<scripture of the school year, just made it in my word processor>

The framed scripture will sit on the mantle, and we will be working on committing it to memory.

<kids place setting, free place card template found here>

The smaller printed scripture will be kept in their possession, I think in the front of their agendas if they have a see through pocket in the front like they had last year (or I could be imagining it. . .), or I'll tape it to the inside flap of their agenda.

<7-up free printable found here>

Yes, we did let them drink their 7-up for dinner.

We talked about the importance of remembering who we are. What's expected at school, as well as at home. I think it went pretty well.

<Miss Lydia enjoyed the spaghetti dinner too :)>

<Oatmeal Raisin Cookies for dessert>

After dinner, we did C25k week 3, day 3. I hope my knee is up for a slow short run in the morning. I'm getting out there even if I have to walk the whole time.

It's the last day of summer break for Madison and meet the teacher's tomorrow night. It should be eventful. I'm choking back the tears as I type.

 

Fun: McKinney Style

Today was the last Monday before school starts, translation: since Chad works Saturday's, it was his last day off before the kids are in school.

We went bowling:

<Noah watching his very calculated roll, he actually ended up with a strike on this roll>

<Madison getting ready to take her turn>

<Lydia cheering on the sibs>

<check out those scores!! Noah rocked it!>

<Lydia clearly had fun>

We ate in. I made baked sweet and sour chicken with fried rice made with leftover brown rice from salmon Saturday.

We went for our last Kolor Kone of the summer. Visit their website, our family is featured and then Miss Lydia a few pictures down. Seriously, you need to go there. But call me so we have an excuse to go too. Best. Waffle. Cones. Ever. For real.

<these kids take ice cream seriously, ok, so does their mom!>

I'm looking forward to running a few easy miles in the morning, burn off some ice cream. . . And then another busy day with my kiddies. Stay tuned :)