I'm trying not to overdo this week, but the stars aligned for a quick run with Susan this morning. After her morning meeting, we hooked up at the Edgewood trailhead on the Greenway for an "easy" run. I told her I didn' t want to go all that far or go all that fast and she said that was fine because she was still recovering from her week in Hawaii (conference and family trip). Must be rough, huh.
Anyway, we did a fair bit of chatting (which meant more walking) and ran one short hill near the turn around. A lot of my runs have been kind of sucky lately so I was pleasantly surprised that this one wasn't. I'm sure the company made it a lot more bearable, but I generally was feeling ok too. Even felt strong and fast on that uphill kick.
Got home and mapped it out. We did 4.13 miles. Yay! Will probably try to hit the pool with the kids being on Easter break and then maybe take a short run or an easy bike ride before making Friday a full on rest day before Saturday's duathlon. I'm getting excited to see what I can do (or du as the case may be).
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Family BBQ + Masonry
I never made it out yesterday. I decided it would be wise to shower and rest a bit before the onslaught of 4 (additional to my daughter) giggly second grade girls for the five hour birthday party. And that was a bit of its own marathon though I did sit and watch part of the new Muppet movie with them. Chicken nuggets for dinner - so classy.
Today continued the crazy week I've had. Got up early-ish and got dressed for Palm Sunday. The boys went last night so my husband to tackle the bbq-ing all morning. Daughter and I stood through the entire reading of the Passion and 80 min later, we finally got released from the longest mass we've been to in ages. Hit the grocery store and then back home to throw everything together for yet another birthday gathering.
This one was kind of a big family thing. Been a while since we've been together so when my daughter suggested a bbq to celebrate her birthday, I capitulated. Only later did it dawn on me, the exact same group would be together next weekend for Easter. Oh well. When I say "big family" - it is a relative term. It is "just" my husband and myself, his two sisters, one brother-in-law, his two parents (plus dad's girlfriend), and our collective 8 children (ages 7-next week, 8, 9, 10, 10, almost 11, 11 and 14) = 16. His brother is currently deployed overseas and his wife is back on base (Norfolk - and they have no children). We are blessed (most of the time) to have so much of my husband's immediate family close to us.
In just the hour or so after mass, I made two huge pans of hashbrown casserole, a batch and a half of fruit salad, cut up carrots and celery, mixed up a gallon of orange Koolaid, and warmed up 3 cans of corn. Nothing fancy and certainly only borderline healthy at best. My husband did the pork steaks and hot dogs to round out the meal. I had made the cakes yesterday when making the cupcakes for the other party and iced them before bed last night so that was taken care of. I did dig out a "8" candle to get the proverbial "blowing out" picture.
Weather was actually kind of hot, but after we all gorged ourselves - the kids (and some of the adults) played outside for most of the afternoon. My daughter got a few gifts and blew out her candle. We got everything cleaned up and at 4:30 I was trying to get myself pysched up to do a brick workout. It was still hot, but nothing to do but suck it up, sweetheart.
I ended up doing the bike workout from last week with the end run from last week (so just shaved off the short run before the bike from my duathlon test run). I was not in a good head space on most of the bike. This was not helped by a bottle drop early on which I decided to circle back and pick up. I got back from my 13+ miles and everyone had left so my husband had set up my transition area in front of the garage (bless him) and was reading the paper on the deck. He asked me how it was and I told him it was "hard, but that if it were easy - everyone would do it". He said if it were easy, I'd be on the couch right now and skipping the workout altogether. So true. The conversation was short though because I had pulled on my running shoes and headed out again. There was far too much walking on this "run". I just was not feeling it (other than feeling hot). I listened to some music, but I mostly just slogged my way through it.
So glad I have last weekend's workout to offset the mental crap from this week. Will probably do something with Stacy tomorrow night and a short-ish (< 4 mi) run with Susan on Tue and maybe hit the pool with the kids on Wed since they are out of school for Easter break. Need to try to "taper" a bit for the duathlon on Saturday. I'm kind of getting excited about it because my husband suggested maybe he'd come along and be my cheerleader/sherpa/#1 fan (probably without the kids so he doesn't have to listen to them whine). He said he was stoked to hear it was a looped course so he'll get to see me a bunch (once on the first run, twice on the bike and twice on the 2nd run). I hope it helps me suck it up too.
Today continued the crazy week I've had. Got up early-ish and got dressed for Palm Sunday. The boys went last night so my husband to tackle the bbq-ing all morning. Daughter and I stood through the entire reading of the Passion and 80 min later, we finally got released from the longest mass we've been to in ages. Hit the grocery store and then back home to throw everything together for yet another birthday gathering.
This one was kind of a big family thing. Been a while since we've been together so when my daughter suggested a bbq to celebrate her birthday, I capitulated. Only later did it dawn on me, the exact same group would be together next weekend for Easter. Oh well. When I say "big family" - it is a relative term. It is "just" my husband and myself, his two sisters, one brother-in-law, his two parents (plus dad's girlfriend), and our collective 8 children (ages 7-next week, 8, 9, 10, 10, almost 11, 11 and 14) = 16. His brother is currently deployed overseas and his wife is back on base (Norfolk - and they have no children). We are blessed (most of the time) to have so much of my husband's immediate family close to us.
In just the hour or so after mass, I made two huge pans of hashbrown casserole, a batch and a half of fruit salad, cut up carrots and celery, mixed up a gallon of orange Koolaid, and warmed up 3 cans of corn. Nothing fancy and certainly only borderline healthy at best. My husband did the pork steaks and hot dogs to round out the meal. I had made the cakes yesterday when making the cupcakes for the other party and iced them before bed last night so that was taken care of. I did dig out a "8" candle to get the proverbial "blowing out" picture.
Weather was actually kind of hot, but after we all gorged ourselves - the kids (and some of the adults) played outside for most of the afternoon. My daughter got a few gifts and blew out her candle. We got everything cleaned up and at 4:30 I was trying to get myself pysched up to do a brick workout. It was still hot, but nothing to do but suck it up, sweetheart.
I ended up doing the bike workout from last week with the end run from last week (so just shaved off the short run before the bike from my duathlon test run). I was not in a good head space on most of the bike. This was not helped by a bottle drop early on which I decided to circle back and pick up. I got back from my 13+ miles and everyone had left so my husband had set up my transition area in front of the garage (bless him) and was reading the paper on the deck. He asked me how it was and I told him it was "hard, but that if it were easy - everyone would do it". He said if it were easy, I'd be on the couch right now and skipping the workout altogether. So true. The conversation was short though because I had pulled on my running shoes and headed out again. There was far too much walking on this "run". I just was not feeling it (other than feeling hot). I listened to some music, but I mostly just slogged my way through it.
So glad I have last weekend's workout to offset the mental crap from this week. Will probably do something with Stacy tomorrow night and a short-ish (< 4 mi) run with Susan on Tue and maybe hit the pool with the kids on Wed since they are out of school for Easter break. Need to try to "taper" a bit for the duathlon on Saturday. I'm kind of getting excited about it because my husband suggested maybe he'd come along and be my cheerleader/sherpa/#1 fan (probably without the kids so he doesn't have to listen to them whine). He said he was stoked to hear it was a looped course so he'll get to see me a bunch (once on the first run, twice on the bike and twice on the 2nd run). I hope it helps me suck it up too.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Crazy Busy Week/Weekend
I may or may not be an overachiever:
- Monday = Up before dawn, make lunches, find dress clothes that fit my skinnier body, bust a move to drive the hour to Osage Beach for conference breakfast (who thought 7 AM on a Mon was a good idea), spend all day at conference, bust move back to town to pick up daughter and take her to first volleyball "game" (no score was kept), then grab late dinner and pick up son from judo lesson and then home to regroup for the next crazy day.
- Tuesday = Up just slightly before dawn, make lunches, decide to wear same suit different blouse to deal with lack of business clothes, back to the lake, all day at conference (including presentation and panel discussion being one of four panelists), drinks with colleagues, grab Arbys on way back, back home to regroup for next day.
- Wednesday = Slept in until 6:10 AM, make lunches, back home to shower, up to Columbia to finish proposal on big street job and make copies, deliver proposal in Centralia, back to Jeff City by about 1:30, run around to shop for birthday gifts for daughter, pick up produce box from Stacy, home to wrap said bday gifts, out to dinner (pizza - ugh) for daughter's bday where she opened gifts, then to volleyball practice, then out to ice cream with daughter's friend whose parents were meeting with the guy they are buying a house from, then back home for girls to play until friend picked up and I shoved everyone towards bed.
- Thursday = Slept in until 6:20 AM, make lunches, back home to clean up and find another "business" outfit (repeated one blouse since different people), catch up on blogs instead of prepping for meeting, fly by seat of pants at meeting with client at 11 (only 11 miles out of town - not bad), back home to continue procrastinating and then pick up children and get through homework, etc. Ate a light dinner and drug myself out the door for a run (hallelujah - thank God for small miracles). Took the bank deposit by foot again - 5k better than nothing. Wasn't feeling it! Crashed into bed.
- Friday = Up at crack of dawn again, make lunches, find yet another business outfit (really need to go shopping to fit my new size 12 frame), drop kids at school at 7:08 and bust a move to St. Louis (Chesterfield) for all day seminar on various stormwater/erosion control products (did win a $25 gift card door prize at least), deliver 3 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to friend in St. Charles (which I didn't realize wasn't really on the way), sat on I-70 for 20-30 min trying to leave town, roll in at 6:55 PM and change and throw my stuff together to leave (after discussing a school incident with my son and one of the science baby chickens with my husband) and head out to the Girl Scout lock in (stopping by Walmart on the way to get a new air mattress because of course the 10 year old one has a slow leak). Spend night (notice this doesn't equal "sleep") at kids' school with a plethora of giggly girls.
- Saturday = After minimal sleep due to snoring mom (not me) and noisy air mattresses on tile floors, we got up at 6:10 and ate breakfast (or not as the case may be) and packed up to leave by about 8:00. Caught up on blogs while my phone charged and then ran out to get goodie bags stuff, craft stuff and groceries for a birthday party we are hosting at 3:30 PM. It is now 1:15 and the cakes/cupcakes are baked. The watermelon that she said she wanted with dinner is cut up. She got all the crafty stuff set out. Thinking it is time for nap. Too bad the weather is perfect for a bike ride. I'm not sure my patience will last on the minimal sleep though. Better bag the bike for tomorrow. Oh, except that tomorrow we'll have 15 people for lunch (family birthday gathering). Ugh - will have to shop for that after church tomorrow as I didn't have my act together to get it done today.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Duathlon Practice
After a crazy week at work and a couple of seriously lazy (read "no workout" though lots of "work") nights/days, the beautiful weather told me it was time to kick some ass this afternoon. I put on sunscreen, sunglasses, my tri top and tri shorts (haven't worn them since last summer and was curious how they would fit with about 25 lbs less of me), my new Asics (with new speed laces) and decided to try out the idea of run, bike, run.
On April 7th, I'm going to do my first duathlon. Of course I figured if I was going to pay the money I might as well do the "long course" which really isn't that long in the scheme of things - 1.5 mi run, 15 mi bike and 3 mi run. They serve pizza from my favorite college hangout at the end so all should be good.
I haven't done a brick in close to six months (maybe longer?) and figured I should see how sucky it might be now that I'm a little more of a "runner" (ok, "jogger"). I set up a bit of a transition while my husband was preparing to mow. Then he hopped on the tractor and I turned on my music and went for a short run. Came back in 13:15. When I mapped it later, turned out it was 1.23 miles. Wahoo - that is a solid pace for me - under 11 min/mile. Even though I had gone to the bathroom right before I changed clothes, I felt like I had to pee the entire time I was running. So I did a super quick pee stop, shoe change and helmet fastening to head out on the bike (T1 = 1:45!).
Out to the Militia interchange, loop Scholastic, back to interchange, another Scholastic loop, back to intersection and back home via Wakoda - 58 minutes for what was later mapped as 13.67 miles! Another solid pace for me!! Yay! Got back as my husband was closing up the garage from putting away the lawn equipment and was thinking about my watch, him closing the door, whether or not I wanted to get some water - yeah, everything except the fact that my feet were clipped in. And tired legs aren't as interested in the little twist it takes to clip out! But just before I face-planted, I got my foot out. Doh! With the excitement, I forgot to look at my watch after changing back to running shoes and taking off down the street. T2 time = ??
Because the du run course is uphill in the back half, I thought heading down to Wavco and back would give me the hill experience on tired legs. I was hurting and hot at this point though and found my new speed laces were really too tight. Oops. Will have to adjust for some swelling. I was NOT having a good time. I walked some and ran some and even stopped to try to adjust the shoes a little. Finally decided to just power through and get home. I wasn't going that far. Got back in about 20 minutes for what was later mapped at 1.67 mi (with a long hill on the back half). I was actually pretty ecstatic to see a pace around 12 min/mi considering that used to be about my top speed and I knew I had not had a great 2nd run.
Things I learned today:
On April 7th, I'm going to do my first duathlon. Of course I figured if I was going to pay the money I might as well do the "long course" which really isn't that long in the scheme of things - 1.5 mi run, 15 mi bike and 3 mi run. They serve pizza from my favorite college hangout at the end so all should be good.
I haven't done a brick in close to six months (maybe longer?) and figured I should see how sucky it might be now that I'm a little more of a "runner" (ok, "jogger"). I set up a bit of a transition while my husband was preparing to mow. Then he hopped on the tractor and I turned on my music and went for a short run. Came back in 13:15. When I mapped it later, turned out it was 1.23 miles. Wahoo - that is a solid pace for me - under 11 min/mile. Even though I had gone to the bathroom right before I changed clothes, I felt like I had to pee the entire time I was running. So I did a super quick pee stop, shoe change and helmet fastening to head out on the bike (T1 = 1:45!).
Out to the Militia interchange, loop Scholastic, back to interchange, another Scholastic loop, back to intersection and back home via Wakoda - 58 minutes for what was later mapped as 13.67 miles! Another solid pace for me!! Yay! Got back as my husband was closing up the garage from putting away the lawn equipment and was thinking about my watch, him closing the door, whether or not I wanted to get some water - yeah, everything except the fact that my feet were clipped in. And tired legs aren't as interested in the little twist it takes to clip out! But just before I face-planted, I got my foot out. Doh! With the excitement, I forgot to look at my watch after changing back to running shoes and taking off down the street. T2 time = ??
Because the du run course is uphill in the back half, I thought heading down to Wavco and back would give me the hill experience on tired legs. I was hurting and hot at this point though and found my new speed laces were really too tight. Oops. Will have to adjust for some swelling. I was NOT having a good time. I walked some and ran some and even stopped to try to adjust the shoes a little. Finally decided to just power through and get home. I wasn't going that far. Got back in about 20 minutes for what was later mapped at 1.67 mi (with a long hill on the back half). I was actually pretty ecstatic to see a pace around 12 min/mi considering that used to be about my top speed and I knew I had not had a great 2nd run.
Things I learned today:
- It is a good idea to try out gear before race day. - speed laces need adjustment and tri shorts fit differently on my 166 lb body than they did on my 190 lb body and the tri top rides up a little.
- Had no chafing with my tri shorts last year, but I need some glide on my inner thighs now (this may be due to the change of body size or the change of saddle).
- I'm stronger and faster than I think I am.
- Bricks are less sucky when you don't go too far.
- I'm going to do just fine at the duathlon - Shakespeares Pizza here I come!!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Bank Run + More on Canoodling
First of all, I was apparently really tired when I wrote that post the other morning. I didn't remember even typing about my extra-curricular activities with my husband. I didn't realize I had put "canoodling" until I started getting comments about it. I had to go back and re-read what I had posted. And then, I totally laughed that no one managed to zing me for calling the post "Another Quickie" with talk of canoodling. Geez - totally missed opportunity. Oh, and I have no idea, but am guessing it doesn't have significant calorie burn to count as a workout. And, no, there are no canoes involved.
So I had the work day from hell yesterday. Super crazy deadline! But I got it done (and can't wait to bill them for it). However, I didn't manage to eat much all day and I was STARVING when I came home. That pear and a few granola nut clusters I had packed for my breakfast (plus an evil Mountain Dew) just didn't cut it for an all day CAD-drafting-fest.
My daughter's religion class homework this week was to do a family dinner where she planned the menu, helped prepare the food and decorated/set the table. So we had chosen Thursday night to complete this because it was the only night we didn't have other obligations this week. She selected "salad and chicken" for the menu - which meant "frozen fried chicken strips". Good enough. She helped me make a couple of really great salads for her parents and then cut up some favorite veggies for her and her brother (they didn't want salad - just carrots, celery and tomatoes). We tossed the chicken in the oven and she got busy "decorating" with little love notes to each of us - so sweet! Given my aforementioned crazy (and hungry) day, I devoured everything (tossing two small strips cut up on my salad which was awesome). I also had a big glass of water to wash it all down.
By the time we cleaned up dinner, it was well after six. Our bank branch (in Walmart) closes at 7 on weeknights and we had three checks to deposit. So I decided to run (literally) this errand. As I've mentioned before, it is about 1.5 miles each way to Walmart. I got to the bank in about 16 minutes and back in about 17. The sucky part was that having just consumed the vast majority of my day's calories only minutes before leaving, I got severe stomach cramps along the way and had to slow and walk it off. I got a drink of water at the bank (as I was sweating profusely) and regretted that immediately when I resumed running. So not crazy fast, but not bad considering. Entire errand took 39 min. Love it when I can take care of more than one thing at a time.
Got everyone tucked in after a nice hot shower with my husband. There may or may not have been more canoodling. Too bad I tossed and turned all night and feel a little like death on a cracker tonight. The boys headed off to Bennett Springs on a camping/fishing/hiking trip with Boy Scouts (my son's first "big" campout since his recent crossover from Cub Scouts). It has been raining all week so I pray it isn't a total disaster. It also turned off a bit cool which might be better than sleeping in the warm temps we've had lately. Me and the girl went to Pizza Slut for cheesey breadsticks and salad tonight (no pizza due to Lent).
Now she is snuggling in on the couch for whatever Disney or Nick show strikes her and I'm catching up here. I have some more work to do so I might try to dig into that. But I might just go to sleep too. Weather should be bikable tomorrow. Will see if the girl wants to hang with grandma while I get that done. I'm kind of sore from pushing my pace a little last night. Should bust out the foam roller before I hit the sack. Need to rest up for a girls night out tomorrow night (daughter going to sleepover)!
So I had the work day from hell yesterday. Super crazy deadline! But I got it done (and can't wait to bill them for it). However, I didn't manage to eat much all day and I was STARVING when I came home. That pear and a few granola nut clusters I had packed for my breakfast (plus an evil Mountain Dew) just didn't cut it for an all day CAD-drafting-fest.
My daughter's religion class homework this week was to do a family dinner where she planned the menu, helped prepare the food and decorated/set the table. So we had chosen Thursday night to complete this because it was the only night we didn't have other obligations this week. She selected "salad and chicken" for the menu - which meant "frozen fried chicken strips". Good enough. She helped me make a couple of really great salads for her parents and then cut up some favorite veggies for her and her brother (they didn't want salad - just carrots, celery and tomatoes). We tossed the chicken in the oven and she got busy "decorating" with little love notes to each of us - so sweet! Given my aforementioned crazy (and hungry) day, I devoured everything (tossing two small strips cut up on my salad which was awesome). I also had a big glass of water to wash it all down.
By the time we cleaned up dinner, it was well after six. Our bank branch (in Walmart) closes at 7 on weeknights and we had three checks to deposit. So I decided to run (literally) this errand. As I've mentioned before, it is about 1.5 miles each way to Walmart. I got to the bank in about 16 minutes and back in about 17. The sucky part was that having just consumed the vast majority of my day's calories only minutes before leaving, I got severe stomach cramps along the way and had to slow and walk it off. I got a drink of water at the bank (as I was sweating profusely) and regretted that immediately when I resumed running. So not crazy fast, but not bad considering. Entire errand took 39 min. Love it when I can take care of more than one thing at a time.
Got everyone tucked in after a nice hot shower with my husband. There may or may not have been more canoodling. Too bad I tossed and turned all night and feel a little like death on a cracker tonight. The boys headed off to Bennett Springs on a camping/fishing/hiking trip with Boy Scouts (my son's first "big" campout since his recent crossover from Cub Scouts). It has been raining all week so I pray it isn't a total disaster. It also turned off a bit cool which might be better than sleeping in the warm temps we've had lately. Me and the girl went to Pizza Slut for cheesey breadsticks and salad tonight (no pizza due to Lent).
Now she is snuggling in on the couch for whatever Disney or Nick show strikes her and I'm catching up here. I have some more work to do so I might try to dig into that. But I might just go to sleep too. Weather should be bikable tomorrow. Will see if the girl wants to hang with grandma while I get that done. I'm kind of sore from pushing my pace a little last night. Should bust out the foam roller before I hit the sack. Need to rest up for a girls night out tomorrow night (daughter going to sleepover)!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Another Quickie
After a really stressful day, followed by a quick stop at the grocery store while my daughter did her volleyball practice, I really wasn't feeling a workout. But when Stacy showed up, I drug myself off the couch and threw on my workout capris for some KenpoX. I'm glad I got my sweat on, but I never really got "into" it. Took a shower and did some canoodling with my husband before finally getting to sleep. Another crazy day on tap with an insane deadline, so I'd better get the lunches made and get ready to face it.
P.S. I'll try to look into Dailymile or similar for workout tracking, but for now the blog serves this purpose. Thanks for the suggestion.
P.S. I'll try to look into Dailymile or similar for workout tracking, but for now the blog serves this purpose. Thanks for the suggestion.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Just for the record
I like to be able to keep track of all workouts. After a full day of trying to get stuff done (including taxes - gee fun), all I have in me is a quick post. Stacy came over. We "Just Danced" and did AbRipperX. About an hour's worth altogether. Have been kind of bailing on core work lately so it was a good night to git'r done with the rain. Just wanted to get it posted for my own records.
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