Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Family Bike Ride and The Weekly Chase

It took a while but the nice weather finally arrived over the past several days! Although it doesn't sound like it is going to last long. We made sure to take advantage of it! Our marathon training plan for yesterday was a "REST" day so we decided to head out for a family bike ride.

Riley
Isaac

Aidan being silly before the ride
 This year Aidan is finally big enough to use the tag-along bike instead of riding in the trailer- he is loving that he gets to ride the "big boy" bike now! He did great - he sang, talked, squealed, and made is motor sound for the whole ride. I am not sure how much he helped me pedal but at least he was having fun!

My rear-view
 Riley and I (and Aidan) rode together and Tim and Isaac teamed up behind us. It was a great opportunity to chat with Riley about school- I can't believe he is going to be in middle school next year. We are at the point in the year where people from the middle school visited his school and answered questions yesterday and he will get to visit the middle school soon. It was amazing how much we were able to talk and how much I learned from him during our bike ride!
We rode one of our favorite routes and had to stop at the "farm" for a quick water break.
 In the end we were gone for about an hour and rode 7 miles together. It was a nice way to spend time together!
These were closed when we left for our ride but were beautiful when we got home!
 
As soon as we were finished with dinner the boys headed back out to play baseball in the yard so Tim and I took Mollie for a short walk. It was different to just walk but it was nice to catch up a little. During our walk he asked me if we needed to look up the definition of REST in the dictionary when we got home! He continued to tease me because it is so hard for me to rest and/or relax. Am I the only one that struggles with this?
 
On to the Weekly Chase! I try to always have goals for the week- they don't always happen but they are something I shoot for!
 


Here were my goals for last week:

Challenge Goal: Improve my eating habits!
  • This week I will make sure to have at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal/snack. 75% of the time! Still something that I am striving for!
  • This week I will be more aware of portion sizes and not have seconds. 90% of the time! I feel like I did really good with this over the past week but it is something that I need to continue to be aware of!
  • Challenge Goal: Become a stronger runner!
    • This week I will do my daily planks and at least two core workouts. Fail! I have really been focused on my running to get through marathon training. I know doing these things will help my running and I will continue to work on including them... right now- I am in survival mode!
    • This week I will make sure to get in at least one cross-training session. Success!!! We biked on Sunday and Monday! Last Tuesday I also did yoga and biked.
    • This week I will get all of my marathon training runs completed. Not quite! Last Tuesday I did yoga and rode the bike in the morning thinking we would run in the evening. As I was leaving the Y Tim called to say that we were going to pick up our new van that night... run missed! Then on Wednesday the boys schedules were crazy and we were feeling a bit of burn-out so we opted for only 3.1 instead of the 10 on the schedule. We did get in the long 20 miler on Saturday so that was my main focus!
  • Challenge Goal: Become a better mother!
    • This week I will make time to spend time with each of my boys individually. Almost! I had a great time chatting with Riley while we rode bikes last night so I count that as time with him. I get all kinds of time with Aidan during the day. Next week my focus will be to spend individual time with Isaac.
    • This week I will have conversations with the boys about what they would like to see change in our life/family so that we have stronger connections. Didn't happen! I would still like to have this conversation with them. As we are getting into baseball season it is getting harder and harder to sit down as a family for dinner- maybe the conversation will have to happen in the car!
    Overall it was a fairly good week. I had some good intentions that didn't pan out but I also had several successes. That is what it is all about! I keep plugging away and eventually I will get there! I am once again going to keep pretty much the same goals for this week!

    This weeks goals:


    Challenge Goal: Improve my eating habits!
    • This week I will make sure to have at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal/snack.
    • This week I will remain aware of portion sizes and not have seconds.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a stronger runner!
    • This week I will do my daily planks and at least two core workouts.
    • This week I will make sure to get in at least two cross-training session.
    • This week I will get all of my marathon training runs completed.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a better mother!
    • This week I will make time to spend time with Isaac individually.
    • This week I will have conversations with the boys about what they would like to see change in our life/family so that we have stronger connections.


    What do you like to do as a family to be active together? What are some of your goals for the week?

    Monday, April 29, 2013

    American Cancer Society Family 5K Walk/Run Recap

     Finally, a recap for the ACS Family 5K that was just over a week ago! I wanted to get this recap done last week but wanted to wait for my age group award to arrive so that I could have a picture of it. Go figure, I place 1st in my age group and then due to the weather the awards ceremony got cancelled and they just mailed the awards to us.

    This was our first time doing this race so we didn't know what to expect. Registration was very easy- we just stopped by the American Cancer Society office and filled out the forms. Since we were registering on the Friday before the race we were given our shirts at that time. We had to pick up our bibs the day of the race. They added chip timing this year so that was something new for them.

    We woke up on race morning to snow on the ground (April 21st... CRAZY Wisconsin Spring Weather)! The start time for the race was 11:00 so we got to sleep in and get a good breakfast before the race. It was still snowing as we headed to the race. Water was also running like small rivers through the streets! We arrived a little early to pick up our bibs and get everything situated.
    pre-race
    We did a little stretching and also jogged a bit around the start/finish area to get our legs warmed up and get the stiffness out from our 18 mile run the day before. I really had no expectations for this race after doing the long training run the day before. Doing the race was important to me so we just went into it thinking it would be whatever it was and we were ok with that. We just wanted to do it and finish.
     
     They announced that start time was getting closer so we headed to the start line where it felt like we waited forever! It got chilly as we stood there. About the time we were starting to get really impatient to get going the front of the group moved closer to the start line and next thing we knew, we were off! There was no big send off horn or anything. For the first 1/4 of a mile or so we were doing some weaving through people and tried to find our pace. We actually ran part of this route the day before on our long training run so we were familiar with it.
     
    As we got to mile 1 I looked at my watch and it was just over 8 minutes. At that point I told Tim that we started out too fast. I was already breathing very heavy and wasn't sure that I could keep it up at that pace for the whole race. We backed off just a bit at that point. Shortly after that we started to meet the leaders making their way to the finish. That was enough motivation to pick it up again. It wasn't long after seeing them when we rounded a corner and the whole road was slush - we broke our stride and sort of jumped around the worst of it but it didn't matter- our feet got soaked! We kept pushing which was now up hill! I tried to really push myself up the hill and then coasted a bit and caught my breath on the way back down.
     
    As we got close to the mile 2 mark we started to meet the walkers that started a bit after us. Some of them were good about moving over to the side to give us room but there were a few that we came up on as we rounded a corner that wouldn't move at all for us. The one was using the Nordic walking sticks and almost tripped me! I was super frustrated with them but I used that to help push me! I was starting to really feel it shortly after that but we rounded another corner and had another small downhill. In this stretch we passed a few people so that helped me feel better! As we got to the bottom of the hill I felt like I was loosing steam but Tim was great about encouraging me and telling me that we were almost there. We made that last corner and were headed to the finish line when the wind hit us like a wall! For the last 1/4 of a mile or more we were bucking the wind but we kept pushing. There were people along the road cheering everyone on so that helped. As we got closer,  I could see the finish line clock and I couldn't believe what it said (I had stopped checking my watch after the first mile)! I started to sprint because I wanted to get as close to 25 minutes as I could. I stopped my watch as we crossed the line. Then as we walked, and I tried to keep from puking, I looked at it- 25:01. I was super excited because I knew that was a PR for both of us!
    Tim right after finishing.

    Me right after finishing and trying not to puke!

    Post-race
    A big thank you to my wonderful hubby for pushing me!
     We walked for a bit to keep me from getting dizzy. After I race I have to keep moving! If I stand in one place too soon I get really dizzy and my legs stiffen up right away- doesn't matter the distance! Then we headed toward the car and the post-race area. Tim needed to run home to get Riley to baseball tryouts. I decided to stay behind and grab a banana and Gatorade and he would just bring Isaac and Aidan back with him. When I got to the post-race area they had computers set up that we could check our official times on and immediately see where we stood. I put in my bib number and about fell over when it came up! My chip time was 24:59.8! I actually made it under 25 minutes! Then I saw that I was first place for my age group!! I think I was shaking as I put Tim's bib number in. His chip time was 24:59.5 and I believe he was 6th place for his age group. I got out of the line and had to call him right away!! I was so excited!! I never thought I stood a chance at placing- EVER!! After talking to him I grabbed a banana, apple, cookie, and Gatorade and found a warm place in one of the tents to wait for him and the boys to come back.

    When Tim, Isaac, and Aidan got there I took them to the computer to show Tim the results- part of me still didn't believe it and I thought they were going to be different for some reason. I went with Tim and the boys to grab them a snack and then we found out that there wasn't going to be an awards ceremony due to the weather :( Of course! I placed in my age group and then there wasn't even going to be an awards ceremony and I had to wait for my medal!
    Just before heading home
    We had Isaac take one last picture of the two of us and headed home! When we got home and got cleaned up I checked out the site that the timing people gave us and found out that I was the third place female cancer survivor as well!
     
    I have to say that this was a good race - and not just because I placed. Supporting the American Cancer Society is very important to me and this race was a little emotional as well! It felt great to really push myself to see what I could do just months after going through my surgery and being so scared about what the outcome was going to be! I am sure we will be doing this one again in the future! Maybe next year we will get the boys out there with us. Maybe we will have to get a team together for the race!
    
    Shirt, bib, and my age group medal
     
    1st place female age 30-34 (front)

    1st place female age 30-34 (back)

    Thursday, April 25, 2013

    Turn up the Heat... The Extra Degree

    Last week I had an amazing running week! This week should be our biggest mile week for marathon training but it is finding me in a funk. Today I have gotten sucked into "Social Media" and have been finding motivation and inspiration all over! Enter in: 212 Degrees- The Extra Degree
     
    A big thank you to my Scentsy Director for helping to pull me from this funk! She posted this video on Facebook in response to a few of us "venting" about our struggles. When I watched it I felt like it really hit home with so many things in my life right now (marathon training, Scentsy Family business, work, and family life)!
     
    "At 211 degrees, water is hot.
    At 212 degrees, it boils.
    And with boiling water comes steam.
    And steam can power a locomotive.
    The one extra degree... makes all the difference!"
     
    In the video it breaks it into the following categories that could be used in all areas of my life:
    • Attitude
    • Kindness
    • Belief
    • Focus
    • Perseverance
    I can't help but think about what could happen if I turned up the heat and added just that one degree in all these categories in each area of my life! I also can't help but think about what could happen if I model this to my kids. What could happen if I got my kids pointed in the right direction (doing these same things in each area of their lives) and on that locomotive with me - we could do amazing things in our lives!
    

    Monday, April 22, 2013

    What a wonderful weekend!

     I needed a weekend like this! What a great weekend! We started the weekend off with "date night" on Friday night. Tim and I went with our friends/neighbors to another friends house for a wonderful dinner and then headed off to Rodney Carrington. Like I said in an earlier post, I have heard of him but I had no idea what to expect. For some reason I thought he was a singer - boy was I wrong! He is a comedian! I am not sure that I have ever heard that many swear words used in that amount of time! At times it felt like they were really not necessary but I do have to admit that he was pretty funny at times too! It was a fun night out with my hubby!

    Saturday we played lazy and slept in. Once everyone was up and had eaten breakfast we decided that we better get our butts moving for our long run. Finally it was a beautiful spring day in Wisconsin - the sun was actually shining for a change! Riley and Isaac headed off to a local park with some older neighbor kids so they could play tennis and baseball for the afternoon. We loaded up the stroller with our water and Honey Stingers and some snacks and activities for Aidan and we took off on our 18 mile training run. We used the 4:1 run/walk ratio again and it worked great. In the beginning we had to tell ourselves to slow down and pace ourselves. We kept trying to push ourselves too much during the running portions which I think was the problem with our last longer run that sucked a couple of weeks ago. At about the 6 mile mark we made a quick stop at Kwik Trip for Tim and Aidan to use the bathroom. We also grabbed lunch for Aidan and Gatorade for us to split. After our stop the route got a little hilly.

    Aidan enjoying the beautiful spring day!
    This is where I really started to notice that I was pushing the stroller. It was great to have the stroller to carry everything though! At one point we had 7 deer run right towards us and then cross the path about 15-20 feet in front of us. Aidan loved seeing them that close! Tim and I talked a lot during most of the run. It was a great way to get caught back up after not seeing each other much last week due to me working extra. Other than my right arm/hand being a little sore from pushing the stroller, it didn't feel too bad! The last few miles were tough but as we looked back at our splits we started to speed things up a bit at that point. It was the longest run for all of us! In the end we got it done - 18 miles pushing the stroller, done in 3:12:10 (average pace 10:38/mile).

    Playing at the park!
     Aidan did a great job being content in the stroller for that long - as soon as we got home he got on his bike and we walked with him to a local park where he got to play while we stretched. We are working on building his endurance on his bike so he can eventually ride while we run. We have a ways to go but we will get there!

    Sunday Tim and I were registered for the American Cancer Society Family 5K Run/Walk. I wasn't sure how doing a 5K would go the day after doing an 18 mile training run but doing this race was really important to me so we decided to go for it. It was a wonderful race - I couldn't think of a better outcome than a 5K PR the day after doing 18 miles pushing the stroller.... or maybe I could.... first place in my age group!!!! Details to come soon in my race recap!

    American Cancer Society Family 5K Run/ Walk Pre-Race


     Once again it is Monday and that means it is time for The Weekly Chase!

     The following were my goals for the past couple of weeks:

    Challenge Goal: Improve my eating habits!
    • This week I will make sure to have at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal/snack.- Accomplished about 75% of the time. Still something that I need to work on but it is getting better.
    • This week I will be more conscious of my water intake and I will get it back to where it needs to be each day.- Accomplished 100% of the time! I have been very good about making sure to get the right about of water each day. Now I just need to keep it up.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a stronger runner!
    • This week I will do my daily planks and at least two core workouts.- Only missed 3 days over the past two weeks doing my planks. I also got in one core workout each week.
    • This week I will add in at least two strength sessions. Didn't get this one done. I have really been working on my running for marathon training and need to get the strength training back into the mix!
    • This week I will make sure to get in at least one cross-training session. Done! I rode bike each week and got back in the pool once.
    • This week I will get all of my marathon training runs completed.- This week I was successful with this and even made up for the week before when I was sick and missed some training runs.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a better mother!
    • This week I will make time to spend time with each of my boys individually. I am still struggling with this. It is hard to get time one-on-one with the older two boys. I did have time with each of the older boys while with Aidan and that was fun. I need to make this a priority over the next few weeks!
    • This week I will have conversations with the boys about what they would like to see change in our life/family so that we have stronger connections.- I still haven't done this but will make it a priority over the next week when we are all able to have dinner together again.

    Here are my goals for this week:

    Challenge Goal: Improve my eating habits!
    • This week I will make sure to have at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal/snack.
    • This week I will be more aware of portion sizes and not have seconds.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a stronger runner!
    • This week I will do my daily planks and at least two core workouts.
    • This week I will make sure to get in at least one cross-training session.
    • This week I will get all of my marathon training runs completed.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a better mother!
    • This week I will make time to spend time with each of my boys individually.
    • This week I will have conversations with the boys about what they would like to see change in our life/family so that we have stronger connections.


    How was your weekend? What are your goals for this week?

    Friday, April 19, 2013

    In the Spotlight

    Head on over to Fitblogger and check out who is in the blog spotlight today......
     
    ......yep, that's right - THIS girl!!!


    I am super excited to be a guest contributor for the blog spotlight for today!!! I spent hours writing and re-writing my post. In the end I was pretty happy with it and I hope it comes across like I intended it to. I have to say seeing it posted on their page feels pretty amazing!! 
     
    I am also excited for tonight - to top off  the end to a great week I get a "date night" with my wonderful husband. Earlier in the week my husband texted me, while I was at work, asking if we had any plans for tonight. We were invited by some friends/neighbors to go along to the Rodney Carrington concert.
     
    I have to admit that I am not even sure what he sings - but I have heard of him. I really didn't care who the concert was- we are getting out of the house for an adult night!
     
     

    Thursday, April 18, 2013

    Run, Work, Run... Repeat

    The story of my life this week has been: run, go to work, go to bed, get up, and repeat.... several times! I picked up an extra shift to help out a co-worker plus my extra shift that I went up to the beginning of the year, plus my normal shift - this week I am feeling the extra shifts! Add in the tragedy in Boston, kids activities, and normal everyday life "stuff" and life feels a little out of balance this week! Somehow we are getting it all done.
     I have had some of the best runs this week. I have felt strong and re-energized. I have a new sense of motivation that has come from all of the coverage of Boston. It feels amazing to be a part of such an wonderful community of people that have pulled together to stand united!
     

    With all of the craziness this week I realized that I still hadn't updated my Weekly Chase for the week. Last week I was dealing with sick kids and being sick myself. I did the best I could during the week  but I didn't reach many of my goals. I have continued to work on them again this week and will report in on them on Monday!

    Challenge Goal: Improve my eating habits!
    • This week I will make sure to have at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal/snack.
    • This week I will be more conscious of my water intake and I will get it back to where it needs to be each day.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a stronger runner!
    • This week I will do my daily planks and at least two core workouts.
    • This week I will add in at least two strength sessions.
    • This week I will make sure to get in at least one cross-training session.
    • This week I will get all of my marathon training runs completed.
  • Challenge Goal: Become a better mother!
    • This week I will make time to spend time with each of my boys individually.
    • This week I will have conversations with the boys about what they would like to see change in our life/family so that we have stronger connections.

    How is your week going? What has the effect of Boston been like for you?

    Tuesday, April 16, 2013

    My heart (& mind) is in Boston!

    I am just about speechless about the tragedy in Boston yesterday. From watching the news coverage for hours, reading all of the posts on Facebook and social media sites, to finally getting away from it all and heading out the door for a quick 5k run despite it being a rest day - it has consumed me since I first heard about it yesterday afternoon! As I watch the news coverage I can't imagine what those spectators, runners, volunteers, etc. went though. My heart is with all of them!
     
    It has been amazing to see how everyone is coming together to support the people in Boston! Today I am wearing a race shirt as part of the movement to show our support! Are you? If you don't have a race shirt, wear blue and yellow to show your support!
     
    This morning I also showed my support by getting back out there and running! 5 miles done this morning to honor and remember Boston. Despite running on the treadmill indoors I had chills for most of my run! The news coverage was on the TV directly in front of me and it was heartbreaking to watch as they told some of the stories, especially about the little 8 year old boy that was killed watching his father cross the finish line. It was also uplifting to see the stories of the heros that stepped in to help! Get out there today and run to remember Boston! Runners UNITED!!
     

    Friday, April 12, 2013

    Pushing Through and Staying Positive

    Winter is refusing to leave Wisconsin!  I have to say to Mother Nature that she needs to put on her big girl pants and stand up to that bully! Spring wants its chance in the spotlight too!

    Really? This is my yard on April 12!
    Over the past couple of weeks the miles for marathon training have been increasing and it is getting harder and harder to get them in. Add to that a stomach bug that has been going through the house and the above mentioned weather and you get a couple of tough weeks.

    I have to admit that it feels like I have hit a wall and am starting to doubt myself! The Green Bay Marathon is only 37 days away - I don't have time to hit a wall! I don't have time for negative thinking! I am picking myself back up and I am going to push through this wall just like I will have to do during the marathon! Only positive thoughts from here on out!

    
    As long as we continue to make progress - that is the goal!

    Can't is not allowed in this house anymore!
     
    We got this!
    I BELIEVE!


    Have you ever hit a wall during training? How did you push through?

    Tuesday, April 9, 2013

    Back to the Weekly Chase

    I have not forgotten about The Weekly Chase! Life was just a little out of control and crazy over the past several weeks. I have still had goals for myself each week - mostly to make sure I was in the right place at the right time or that I had the right child where they needed to be at the right time.Things are getting under control and I realize just how much I need The Weekly Chase!
     
     
    
     Since my last post for The Weekly Chase we started a new month which also means there is a new challenge goal and Mindy at Road Runner Girl is now hosting the link ups. This is the explanation for this month's challenge from her blog:

    It's Springtime...which is a time of growth and change. So this month's challenge is called "Season of Growth!" I want you to think of one or two things in your life that you want to change or one or two ways you want to grow as a person. For example you may want to grow as a runner. You may want to get faster. So your challenge goal would be to incorporate speed work in your training to help you become a faster runner. Or you may want to change one of your eating habits. Your goal may be to add 2 more fruits and vegetables to your diet each day. You pick! Your challenge goal can be anything you like as long as it's about change and growth in an area of your life.
     
    Since a lot has happened since my last Weekly Chase post I am going to start fresh with this week's goals. Each of my goals for this week really are stepping stones to my larger challenge goals for the month! Here they are:
    • Challenge Goal: Improve my eating habits!
      • This week I will make sure to have at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal/snack.
      • This week I will be more conscious of my water intake and I will get it back to where it needs to be each day.
    • Challenge Goal: Become a stronger runner!
      • This week I will do my daily planks and at least two core workouts.
      • This week I will add in at least two strength sessions.
      • This week I will make sure to get in at least one cross-training session. 
      • This week I will get all of my marathon training runs completed.
    • Challenge Goal: Become a better mother!
      • This week I will make time to spend time with each of my boys individually.
      • This week I will have conversations with the boys about what they would like to see change in our life/family so that we have stronger connections.

    What are your goals for the week? In what areas of your life would you like to change and grow?
     
         
     
    
    

    Friday, April 5, 2013

    Stick with it...

     
    I came across this picture on Facebook recently and it got my attention and made me think back to just a few years ago when I started working out and running.
    I have so many friends/ family that make the comments that they can't do what I do when it comes to running or exercise. They make comments like, "It is so hard", "I can't run", "I could never even run a mile", and on and on. You know what? I use to say those same things!
     
    When I started running just 3 years ago - IT WAS HARD! I started out with small goals of running a block or running to a certain point and then as I could do it, I expanded on it. I stuck with it and now as I am training for my first full marathon it is amazing to remember where I was then and how far I have come. As we do our long training runs we are running several of those same routes that we use to do but we are adding several of them together. What was once so hard is now just a small piece of where we are going! There are times that it is still hard but that is because I continue to push myself, challenge myself, and work on improving. It should be hard sometimes - if it's not then you aren't moving forward!
     
    Just stick with it but take time to enjoy the journey! In the future you will be glad you did! 

    Thursday, April 4, 2013

    March (Running) Madness

    I can't believe that we are already 4 days into April! What happened to March? Where did it go? It feels like we were just celebrating my birthday with a 12 mile run last week but that was already over a month ago. My racecation to Virginia Beach that felt like it was never going to come has come and gone and is just a wonderful memory now. We have celebrated Easter but yet it hardly feels like spring - it is the 4th of April and I still have snow in my yard!! 

    My March ended with 92 total miles.
    • 90 miles running
    • 2 miles swimming
    It is a little depressing to compare these numbers to February (during February we really pushed it hard to complete the Indoor Ironman through the YMCA). Even though the total miles for the month aren't that high I feel really good about the 90 miles running! March was really focused on running and that was what I needed. I completed another half marathon, continued on my full marathon training plan, and had my longest run ever of 16 miles!

    The March running madness gave me the chance to remember why I run...
    During March running gave me the chance to spend wonderful, quality time on long runs with my husband. It gave me the opportunity to go on a road trip with my best friend that I will never forget. I was able to spend time with family that I don't see often. I got to reconnect with old friends and experience a wonderful race in a beautiful place. I was able to prove to myself that I am stronger than I think!
     
    Going forward one of my goals is to really take time to enjoy the process and the journey along the way! Running has given me so much joy and I can't wait to see what is to come as we continue with our training for the Green Bay Marathon!