muscle

it's my one word for 2013.  muscles.

dilemma

i need some help!

my boys play hockey.  they love it.  they live for it.  it works because the local rink is about 8 blocks away.  :)  imagine the horror when we found out our local skate rink changed hands and isn't doing a fall hockey session.  horror!  it was bad. 

what are the boys going to do while we wait for the winter session?  have are three alternatives. 

1) inline hockey at a different rink [con: it takes an hour during rush hour traffic to get there three times a week]
2) ice hockey [con: it is a couple thousand per boy, but goes until april so we don't have to worry about fall and spring sessions]
3) football [con: most leagues started in july so the boys will have missed team formation, bonding and over a dozen practices]

i honestly can't figure out which is the biggest con; the travel, the money or being the lowest priority on the team.  gah!  i need help.  parents, which option would you choose for your kids?

15 miles

a friend of mine is paying herself a dollar for every mile she completes.  i think that is a brilliant idea!  so far this month, i have logged 15 miles walking with my friends michelle and amy.


how many miles have you performed?

i haven't been running

i am starting to miss running a little bit, but i think i needed a break.  i also decided not to do the georgetown to idaho springs half marathon this weekend.

maybe it's the heat.  maybe it's pure laziness.  i don't know.

what i do know is that i have been walking instead which i have really enjoyed.  it makes me feel strong.  call me crazy but i think i am going to head back into running stronger than before.


do you take breaks from running?  how long do they usually last?

prayer

dear Lord,
be with me this week.  prepare my body, my mind and my heart for what is to come.  i want to be your vessel.  pour blessings into me so i can be a blessing to those who encounter me.  make my thoughts and words sweet in case i need to eat them.  forgive me when i am not kind.  i ask for your grace and mercy for my mistakes.
amen.

walking

have you heard of nerd fitness?  until a few days ago, neither had i.  but then their post about walking crossed my path.

you see, i haven't been running lately.  i've been walking.

and i've felt guilty.

but now i don't.  i feel empowered.  i hope you'll read the post and feel that way too.

na-cho ordinary taco salad

tomorrow night, we were supposed to eat out at my favorite mexcian place, but the boys have hockey practice from 6:30 to 8:00.  second best thing?

taco. salad.

this is not any old ordinary taco salad.  this is the taco salad that went to every family function or potluck i ever went to.  it's list of characters is always the same.  don't try to change it.  it is what it is.

they include:
lettuce
shredded carrots
corn
kidney beans
diced chicken
shredded cheddar cheese
crumbled nacho doritos
dorothy lynch dressing (you can't skip this part!  it always includes dorothy lynch dressing.)

my mom says i've ruined it because i add cukes and avocado to my version, but i think it makes it better.  you won't find this taco salad in a restaurant; this will blow your mind and leave you begging for more so make plenty.  skip the ground beef, the fried tortilla shell, the sour cream, the black olives.  try this version instead!  (you'll thank me, i promise.)  it's sweet and crunchy and tangy and delicious.


**what do you normally add to your taco salad?

confession

this confession isn't going to shock anyone.

i am a slacker.

it feels good to throw it out there.  get it off my chest and out in the open.  i know that i know.  you know that i know.  now i know that you know.  hopefully there is some karma in there.

i have an obstacle course run in two weeks that i have done absolutely nothing to prepare for it.  3 miles.  11 obstacles.  mud.

am i likely to have fun?  probably.
am i likely to find other slackers as unprepared as i am?  possibly.
am i likely to want to do another one?  maybe.
am i likely to complete all the challenges? probably not.

this morning, i set out to prove to myself that even without training, i would still be just fine.  that i could do 20 push-ups no problem.  at 7, i fell on my face in a heap of disgrace.  disappointing, to put it mildly.  at least i did the army crawl convincingly enough that my dog joined in.  (or maybe i looked so pitiful, she just felt sorry for me.  i am not going to speculate.)


what can i do in the next two weeks to get me ready for an obstacle run?  any super-human tips to be able to do a pull-up by then?


**do you have any fitness confessions to make?

strawberry chicken salad for one

 

delicious, light and crisp

4 oz leftover rotisserie chicken
1 diced celery stick
2 medium diced strawberries
2 oz  2% fage greek yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
1 splash lime juice
pepper

tortilla wrap with melted cheese and butter lettuce

 

rainy day play

hiking in the mountains

we went hiking at red rocks for father's day and at golden gate canyon for the fourth of july.  the boys seem to love it.  i think this is something that we can enjoy as a family, instead of me doing races and paul hiking 14ers without the kids involved.

what is your favorite hiking trail?

changing routine

it has been SO HOT here.

i have only been running three times total, including the pcec race, since the deadwood half.  ugh!  instead, i have been meeting my friend at lake arbor and walking around the lake (4 laps = 5 miles) twice a week.  i know there is no substitute for running.  i know i should get out there and put in the miles, but i barely have the energy to force myself outside as it is. 

i got out my calendar and counted down the weeks until the georgetown to idaho springs half.  i am in  trouble!

i need some tips on how to train during the heat without a gym membership.  what do you do when it is too hot to move?

my goto meal when i don't feel like cooking

nachos!

yours?

prayer

1 timothy 4:8

New International Version (©1984) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  New Living Translation (©2007) "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." English Standard Version (©2001) for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. New American Standard Bible (©1995) for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. International Standard Version (©2008) Physical exercise is of limited value, but Godliness is very dear, a pledge of life, both there and here. Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010) For exercise of the body profits a little for this time, but righteousness profits in everything, and it has the promise of life for this time and of the future. GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) Training the body helps a little, but godly living helps in every way. Godly living has the promise of life now and in the world to come. King James 2000 Bible (©2003) For bodily exercise profits for a little while: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. American King James Version For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. American Standard Version for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. Douay-Rheims Bible For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Darby Bible Translation for bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for everything, having promise of life, of the present one, and of that to come. English Revised Version for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. Webster's Bible Translation For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Weymouth New Testament Train yourself in godliness. Exercise for the body is not useless, but godliness is useful in every respect, possessing, as it does, the promise of Life now and of the Life which is soon coming. World English Bible For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. Young's Literal Translation for the bodily exercise is unto little profit, and the piety is to all things profitable, a promise having of the life that now is, and of that which is coming; Lord, thank you for giving me this body full of strength.  fill my heart and mind with reverence for all that is pure and holy.  i wish to honor you with loyalty, obedience, passion, grace, devotion and service. amen

thank you!

as some of you know from this post, i wanted to raise $1000 for prostate conditions education counsel.  guess what?

i did!!!

i am so grateful to Narissa, Kendra, Robin, Jonathan, Jason R, Evania, Jeanette, Laura, Ron, Jeremy and Melody, Jason S and Gwen, Shelly and Karen, Mary and Steve, Craig and Alice, Rich and Candee, Jaclyn and Matt, Rachel and Tyler, Jenn and Will, and Dee and Paul for their donations!  THANK YOU!

for anyone who was thinking about it, there is still time to donate.

http://events.prostateconditions.org/site/TR/PaceforProstateCancer/General?px=1012071&pg=personal&fr_id=1060

i miss you daddy.  happy father's day.

a look at yum!

here's what i ate yesterday:

breakfast - 310 calories

 cinnamon pecan cereal, milk, banana

lunch - 495 calories

 venison and mushroom spaghetti, green beans, raspberries, sun tea

supper - 636 calories

three types of lettuce, cheese, salmon, blue cheese dressing (would have been good with some red peppers)

first run after the half

because of the vacation, today was my first run after the half.  it was only 2 miles and felt really good.  it could have good longer but i didn't have time.  i spent a lot of time walking, swimming and biking last week though.  it was nice to take some planned time off running, instead of missing it because of illnesses or laziness.

you know what stinks about running?

besides the sweat, i mean.  it's when you don't have natural ability.

a few days ago it was m's first half marathon.  and she smoked me.  she made running appear easy.  while i am happy for her ...and her long gorgeous legs... i am jealous.  she started running a month ago.  one month.  and she smoked me.  easily.

i will be the first one to admit that i am inconsistent with training.  but i should have the base and background to keep up with someone who started a month ago.

it is incredibly disheartening that i can't.

i laughed

deadwood mickelson trail half-marathon update

this was my first run that i completed without wearing mascara.  i survived.  i don't recommend it.

the alarm went off at 4:30 and i was not ready to get up.  the night before, i slept awful.  awful.  but i got up and got ready.  i ate breakfast (orange juice, v8, blueberry bagel with butter, a banana).  m came over and we drove up to the race bus.

the race bus took us to the start line (my sister-in-law j was on the same bus as us).  at the start line, we did the porta-potty thing, grabbed some fuel (bananas and bagels) to carry with us and stood around waiting.  i ran into several old friends, including my friend t.

the start was great!  it was a little different than last year with the placement of the running pace signs, but overall, i liked it.  we agreed to walk the first mile before starting to run.  guess what?  we did!!!  i actually stuck to my plan for once!  m and i didn't talk much.  both of us were listening to music, but it was nice to have companionship.  the weather was perfect.

i started to run out of steam at about mile 9.  instead of running 2 minutes, walking 1, i was running 1 minute, walking 2.  not sure if it was the heat or what, but check out how red my [mascara-less] face was.  i could tell i was holding m back.  i told her if she needed to to go on ahead but she stayed with me.

at mile 11, m took off and i finished alone.  the last 2 miles went by pretty quickly.  the nice thing about m going on ahead was that she was there at the finish line to take pictures of me.  it probably should have been the other way around since this was her first half marathon, but oh well.  :)  it's all about me, people.

m's time was 2:53:34, which is a 13:15 minute mile. awesome job! mine was 2:59:25, a 13:42 minute mile.  crazy the difference 30 seconds over time will make.  last year, my time at this half was 3:34 so i was happy to break the 3 hour mark.  by the way, have i mentioned how much i like medals?  yeah, i like them.
 

i think this is the best i have felt after any half.  yay, progress.

what do you eat when you are camping?

as the title indicated we are camping!  not any kind of camping, though.  rv resort camping.  it is the very best kind.  :)  no roughing-it-while-sleeping-on-the-ground-and-not-getting-to-shower for this girl.  no.  we have a cabin.  with a kitchen (and a shower).  and a heated pool.  and tennis courts.  and mini golf.  and a lodge to watch movies/play cards in.  and tons of places to cycle.  the perfect camping experience.

so what do you eat when you are camping?  we try to eat as simply as possible.

here is our plan:
Breakfast
f - blueberry bagels with butter
s - cocoa crispies with milk and bananas
s - blueberry bagels with strawberry cream cheese
m - raisin bran and bacon
t - cocoa crispies with milk and bananas
w - pancakes and sausage
t - raisin bran and bacon
f - cocoa crispies with milk and bananas
Lunch
f - hotdogs, chips, yogurt, fruit cup and lemonade
s - lunchable, string cheese, apple with peanut butter
s - peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, pear
m - lunchable, string cheese, green grapes
t - roast beef and green pepper sandwich, chips, snack pack pudding
w - lunchable, string cheese, cherries
t - turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, fruit cup and hi-c
f - lunchable, string cheese, orange
Supper
f - nachos with beans, cheese and jalapenos
s - frozen chicken alfredo meal, salad
s - snack bar and ice cream (half-marathon)
m - grilled cheese, tomato soup, canned green beans
t - snack bar and ice cream (potluck with friends)
w - blt's, cucumbers with dip, canned corn, s'mores
t - canned soup, potato salad, salad
f - clean up any leftovers or eat at snack bar

thank you God

i am so glad that may is almost over.  this month was terrible for me and i am happy to see it end.  i pray for june to be filled with sunshine, fun and good news.

amen.

prayer

dear heavenly Father,

you promise in psalm 32:8 that you will will instruct me and teach me in the way i should go, that you will counsel me and watch over me.  i place my trust in you to honor your words in me.  advise me and guide me through this life.  keep me close to you as you watch over me.

in Your name i pray,
amen

celebrate good times

ryan's birthday was yesterday. he is nine. we had his friends over for a party last weekend, but yesterday was just us.  him.  us.  fine, him.  geesh.

i went in to school and met him for lunch, played with him for recess and read to his class, then handed out brownies.  he had wanted me to bring strawberry shortcake but that was just too difficult.  after school we went home and he got to open cards and presents (legos and hockey stuff).  for supper, he wanted to barbequed ribs and shirley temples, so we went to bennett's.  we surprised him with a trip to coldstone creamery for ice cream cake on the way home.

it was a good day.

colfax half-marathon update

do you ever wonder what the f*ck you were thinking when you signed up for a race? (yes, i know this is a christian blog, but seriously? sometimes an eff-bomb feels good.)

when i went to bed on saturday, i wasn't sure i was going to participate in this race.  in fact, i didn't even set my clothes out.  may 20th is the two-year anniversary of my dad's death and i was feeling pretty emotional.  actually, the whole month has been pretty difficult, emotionally and physically.

my alarm woke me up at 4:10.  i turned it off and decided i wasn't going to go; i laid in bed and cried.  by 4:30, i drug myself out of bed to shower and get ready.  my dad would not want me to use him as an excuse not to complete something i had committed to.  i wanted to be down at the start line by 5:35, but because i wasn't prepared, i didn't get there until 5:55.  luckily, it ended up being the perfect time.  the race started at 6 and my corral (g) started at about 6:10.

this half-marathon was a humbling experience for me.

you know how when you decide to walk, any running you do is a bonus?  well, i decided to walk the whole thing.  i started out with a group that was walking.  it was a slow, sustainable pace and would finish before the four hour cut-off.

ten minutes into the walk, i started running.  it was not something that i decided - it just happened.  i was not running fast, but i was not walking anymore.  after that, the first six miles became a blur.  i was alone inside my head thinking about my dad.

at mile seven, i sat down on the sidewalk and bawled.  several people asked me if i was okay and if i needed a medic.  i replied (while crying) 'no, i'll be okay.  my dad died.  i'm going to finish, i just need a minute.'  i was vaguely aware of their faces as they moved on.  i am sure they thought it was weird (ahem, awful, ahem) that i was out there running a race, not realizing that i was actually talking about a two year anniversary.  thank you to anyone who stopped and made sure i was okay!  after, i don't know, 15 or so minutes i was calm enough to get up and run again.

the rest of the course, i was more aware of my surroundings.  i waved to all the spectators, volunteers and police officers along the way.  there were a lot.  the course took us in and through a firestation, getting high fives from all the firefighters.  there was also a cute motorcycle parade around mile ten.  some elvis impersonators at mile eleven. i think i missed most of the 'sites' that this run is known for in the beginning of the race.

i was passed by about twenty people, who were walking when i was running.  apparently, some people can WALK faster than i can RUN.  how's that for humbling?  :)

at mile twelve, i stopped running.  pretty abruptly because the person behind me almost ran into me.  (sorry about that, dude!)  lots of people were encouraging, saying 'almost there' or 'just one more mile', but i was pooped.  all that angst or sorrow or whatever energy had disappeared.

when there was .1 mile left, the marathoners joined us half-marthoners to the finish.  yet another humbling experience to realize that they doubled the amount of miles i ran, but in the same amount of time.  yikes.  i ran to the finish line and received my finishers medal.  i really am a fan of races that give out medals.

the clock time was 3:20, but my official chip time was 3:09:03.  i honestly can't believe that this run was slower than the platte river half when i ran all of it but first ten minute and the last mile.  oh, well.  i guess my focus was not on time or pace.  this race felt... not easier, but perhaps, took less concentration? 

anyway, dad, i hope i made you proud.

when you move, i'll move

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you


two half-marathons down, one to go. the lyrics from this song by chris tomlin remind me to serve you, to seek you, to know you, to follow you. i run after you.

running for enjoyment

wait... what?

running, just because you enjoy running? i don't think i have ever done that. not once. i run for the challenge of finishing a certain distance. i run because it is mentally hard. i do not enjoy it. i have never gotten a 'runner's high'.

running for enjoyment. what's that like?

is it possible?

it is possible that my second half-marathon is few days away and i feel LESS prepared for this one?

offering advice

you're a decent runner.  you know it, and so do all your friends.

except, well... you stink at running.

sure, you get out there and run a race.  sure, you show off the medals you've earned.  sure, you talk about the next race you are 'training' for.  when it comes up in conversation, you lie and say running rocks, and offer advice to your unsuspecting friends, but it's time to admit the truth.  (go on, you are not alone.)

okay, maybe it's just me and i am all alone. 

whatever. 

i have joined a friend as she starts the 'couch to 5k' program.  supposedly for moral support.  supposedly to coach her.  but it's time for me to admit that i am not the seasoned runner i pass myself off to be.  i struggle.  this blog has chronicled HOW MUCH i struggle.  we are on week 2 and i find myself watching the clock to see when i can stop running to take a walk break. 

it seems like maybe i need to stop reading about speed work/hills/farklets and get back to the basics.  just running.

new yoga studio

i am now at corepower yoga for the month.  i still miss yogacycle... but i have another 2 groupons to use before i can go back.  *sigh*  i am glad i found something i love doing; i just wish it was not so expensive and was a little less of a drive.


have you taken an exercise class you loved, but for one reason or another, didn't go back?

my dear friend...

...sent me this:

for no reason other than she is a sweetheart.  i love it.

back to the beginning

my weight is exactly where it was 2 years ago.  exactly.  why was i able to maintain all last year, but struggle with gaining this year?  i am up another 3 pounds from here.

i bet it has something to do with my food choices. 

the nice thing about logging my food is that i can see trends.  normally, i am pretty proud of my trends.  not so much right now.

my top food list includes:
Krispy Kreme Chocolate-Iced Glazed Donut
Oregon Chai Tea
Pacific Gold Turkey Jerky
Claussen Pickle
Campbell's V8 Original Vegetable Juice
Idahoan Instant Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes
Kraft Mac and Cheese
French Bread
Dipping Oil with Spices
Mexican Restaurant Order of Chips and Salsa
Restaurant Fruit and Cheese Plate
Restaurant Blue Cheese Dressing
McDonald's Filet of Fish Sandwich
Pizza Hut Pepperoni Pizza
Smashburger Sweet Potato Fries
Eel and Avocado Sushi Roll
Taco John's Apple Grande
Moscato Wine

what happened to my veggies?  my fruit?  my healthy dairy?  instead, i have been snacking and eating out.  and gaining weight.

struggle

so, i'm well again.  kinda.

i ran on monday with my friend michelle.  michelle and i are running a 5k together in july.  it was fun... except that i have no stamina.  1.5 miles and i was done.  i feel like i am starting back from the very beginning.

i am discouraged.

my week in food

crackers, cheese and pastrami with a v8

lime chili panko chicken with cauliflower and broccoli and an orange

shirley temples

beef and peppers stirfry

green chili and tomato pizza

cheesecake

sliders with mushroom, peppers, tomatoes and feta with broccoli and cauliflower

chips and salsa with margaritas

smoked salmon blt with yellow tomatoes and chipotle mayo

chicken parmesan (the boys made this for us!)

summer race schedule so far

april
north platte half
http://www.platteriverhalf.com/

mile high mile (thru the broncos stadium)
http://milehighmile.greenwayfoundation.org/

may
?? on mother's day (last year it was home run for the homeless thru the rockies stadium)
or http://3wraces.com/virtual-registration-for-womens-classic.html

colfax half
http://www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org/TOUR2/HalfMarathon.aspx

june
deadwood mickelson trail half
http://www.deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com/

pcec set the pace race (in memory of my dad)
http://events.prostateconditions.org/site/TR/PaceforProstateCancer/General?px=1012071&pg=personal&fr_id=1060

undy 5000
http://support.ccalliance.org/site/TR/5K/UndyNEW/1860226779?pg=team&fr_id=1530&team_id=17860
mfp team name is 'high high butt brigade'

july
kiss me dirty
http://www.kissmedirty.com/denver.html
mfp team name is 'tuff muffs'

august
georgetown to idaho springs half
http://www.gtishalf.org/

september
blue shoe run for prostate cancer
http://www.tucc.com/foundation/index.cfm/0/0/29-The-Blue-Shoe-Run-For-Prostate-Cancer

dirty girl
http://www.imathlete.com/events/DirtyGirlMudRunColoradoFrontRange?z=1322603487126
i'm on 'the rack pack', but mfp has a team

am i a 'real' runner?

even though i use running/walking intervals, i still feel like a runner.

i didn't use to think that way. back when i started three years ago, i thought being a real runner meant running all the way. i am not sure what changed my mind. time, maybe. the effort i have put in to get to where i am now.

there are a lot of people that think being a runner means no walking breaks. i wonder what conditions us to think that way?

“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” ~John Bingham

i will never be an elite athlete. i will never run the boston marathon. i will never compete in an ironman. that is not my goal or my intention. but in my mind, i am a runner. taking walk breaks and all.


**what do you think? do i get to claim the 'runner' status if i use running/walking intervals? (i will not be offended if you say no. i want real opinions.)

prayer

my Father and comforter,
please forgive me for not taking care of my body, your temple, the way i know i should. i ask for a purposefulness in my eating habits, to be healthy and to be nourished. i ask that you give me the enthusiasm, joy and desire to exercise, specifically to run, helping me to become stronger, better, faster. may you take this body and use it to glory your name and build up your kingdom. i have nothing, am nothing, without you. i give my health and my running back to you. i ask that you would work in my life to take those things and bring glory to your name. i love you, Lord, and thank you for all you have given me and for all you will accomplish in my life. covered by Jesus' name, i pray.
amen.

setbacks

setbacks happen.

like last year, when i sign up for a half-marathon and start training, only to find out that i would be having abdominal surgery 2 months before the event and couldn't run for 6 weeks after surgery.  it stinks, but i coped.  i changed my goals to walking it instead of running it.  after all, it was out of my control.

unlike last year, my setbacks this year have been more mental than physical.  skipping a long run because of laziness.  shrugging off a short run because of business.  pretending it doesn't matter if i don't log the miles.

it does.

this last week, i have been down and out with a cold.  the whole week.  mentally, i have been chomping at the bit to get outside and run; physically, my body is betraying me.  it makes me wonder why i allowed myself to slack off when i was feeling well.  why didn't i take advantage of that time?

forever reign

I'm running to Your arms
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
And nothing compares
To Your embrace
Light of the world
Forever reign


lately one song has been repeating itself in my mind as i run. it is by one sonic society. you are good, you are love, you are light, you are hope. you are peace, you are truth, you are joy, you are life. you are more, you are Lord, you are here, you are God. this is my refrain.

post race massage

i love a relaxing massage.

my husband knows how much i love massages.  to get out of doing it himself, he bought me a yearlong membership to monthly massages at massage envy.  it was one of the best gifts he could ever give me.

did i mention how much i love a relaxing massage?  it's even better after a long run.

platte river half-marathon update

5:40 - beep, beep, beep. it's the annoying machine telling me that's it's time to start my day. i can't say i hopped out of bed, but i hadn't really been sleeping anyway.

6:30 - time to leave the house. i think i have everything i need - hat, m&m's, water bottle, race bib. (i realize later i forgot gloves. awesome. luckily, 't' had an extra pair in her car.) i have not been training with a hat but if it rains, i will need it, so i wear it and pretend to like it. there is snow on the ground, but the sky is clear. i eat strawberries and a peanut butter cookie in the car. i should eat more, but my stomach is a nervous wreck.

7:00 - roller hockey championship game for oldest son. they win. he is awarded 'highest scorer' plaque.

8:30 - i meet my friends at the race start. we are so cute. (by the way, i forgot my timing chip in the car and had to run back for it.) it's cold, but there is no rain.



9:00 - race start. i have been training with the jeff galloway method of running 2 minutes, walking 1. i start off with 'm' in the third wave, but she is much faster than me and running continuously. 't', 'r' and 'e' were in the second wave. i keep up with 'm' for the first mile, but can't continue that. thanks 'm' for keeping me company.

mile 1 - i feel good but i am not sticking to my plan and i know i am going to regret it later.

mile 2 - water station! i've already polished off my bottle so i get a refill. i keep my eye on a girl doing a walk/run method. we are about the same pace and keep passing each other.

mile 3 - it is hot. i am cursing the extra layers i put on. i pull off my gloves. i pull out my baggie of m&m's and eat 10. yes, i counted.

mile 4 - water station! i've polished off my bottle again so i get another refill. i meet my pacer girl 'g'. we decide to run together, but she wants to run without walking. i agree. (in the back of my mind, i'm thinking it's a terrible idea. why don't i ever listen to myself?) the wind is blowing against us and provides a nice breeze.

mile 5 - not much memorable about mile 5. i think i still felt pretty good.

mile 6 - water station! i've polished off my bottle again. (see a pattern here? foreshadowing.) this station has girls scouts handing out thin mints. i take one, get a refill on my water and eat 10 more m&m's. the wind is getting old.

mile 7 - i hate the wind. seriously. plus it is starting to get cold again. i put back on my gloves. 'g' and i go back to run/walk.

mile 8 - water station! pottty break! i need another water refill. this station has gu, which i grab but do not use since i've never tried it before. 'g' goes ahead while i use the facilities, but i catch up. the wind has really picked up. my face feels sunburnt. it's not though - it's from the wind.

mile 9 - i'm cold, i'm sick of the wind and i am ready to be done. i eat 21 more m&m's. i ask 'g' to just walk this mile.

mile 10 - water station! i fill my water bottle and debate using the porta-potty. i decide to hold it. i really shouldn't have drank all that water at the beginning. i am feeling the regret of too much water and not enough walking breaks. oh yes i am. the wind blows off my hat and i get to repeat a part of the trail as i go after it. awesome. 'g' wants to get back to running, but i can't so she goes on ahead. thanks 'g' for keeping me company.

mile 11 - lovely wind. lovely rain. lovely uphill path. lovely feeling of needing to pee. the rain isn't a downpour; it's just enough to be annoying. i run 30 seconds, walk 30 seconds for a while, but i am just too tired to keep it up. i decide to walk. my hat blows off again. and again. and a third time. i get to chase it each time. dang it! i thought i was done with running! the last tenth of a mile has tons of motivational posters that bring tears to my eyes. it is not because i am miserable and want to quit. *that is my story and i'm sticking to it*

mile 12 - water station! another potty break! at least there is no line. (i had a tough time standing back up though.)  i eat 10 m&m's. my hips hurt. i hate life in general and running in particular. at least the rain quit. but the wind. the wind is against me. literally.

mile 12.8 - i feel this particular hill deserves its own update. hill. very, very steep hill. oh, and i lose my hat and get to chase it again. at least i am going downhill for a few moments... but wait, i have to walk back up.

mile 13 - i try to run from this point on, but i just don't have anything left. i wait until until they announce my name at the finish line before sprinting the last 20 or so seconds. my friends are cheering for me (they all finished about an hour earlier), and i see the hubby and kids. success! i got my medal and the pain went away for, like, 1.2 seconds. (see the smile?)







the official time was 3 hours, 4 minutes. i was hoping to finish with a better time, but 1) i didn't follow my plan for walking breaks (which helps me run faster while feeling more refreshed); 2) i fell behind in my training by three weeks; 3) i did not do enough of my longer runs outside and my hips could tell; 4) the wind (i am not making excuses. much.); 5) although i ate well the night before, i think my fuel was a little bit lacking; 6) i was genuinely tired from being up so early.

oh, and i will never run with a hat again. grrr!

carb loading

 taco time.  need i say more?  *eyebrow wiggle*

small super potato ole.

apple grande.  yum!

you wanna eat at my house

no really. you do. i make good eats.


purple and orange cauliflower


crusted parmesan garlic pork chops, cauliflower and broccoli, orange


unchipped chicken nachos


sweet potato and carnitas burrito, green beans, dirty rice with zucchini and black beans, kiwi


spinach salad with walnuts, craisins, corn, chickpeas and feta


chicken enchilada soup with avocado


chicken taco, salad


pear, refried bean, cheese and veggie quesadilla, salmon, caesar salad


ham and pea alfredo casserole, strawberries, cucumber