Back From Holiday Break

Last week Gretchen and I spent our time out at my parents house with the rest of family for Christmas.  I thought it would be so easy to get bunches of miles in since I would have built in babysitters at the house.  But some days were so cold and some days were packed with activities so a little harder than I planned but I managed to get in 42 miles for the week so pretty good.
Mon:  4 miles at the gym after work
Tuesday:  4 miles outside down BB hwy by my parents house.
Wed:  6 miles on the treadmill in my parents basement.  I had to get up early for this.
Thur:  3 miles on gym treadmill before class in morning and 4 miles after class at night
Fri:  11.25 miles outside my parents house on hwy
Sat: 6.75 miles outside but back at my house

Sun:  It was a warm 16˚ out but I had a few hours to myself so after half a mile on the treadmill to warm up I headed out.  I of course layered properly and then for the first time covered my face in vaseline.  There have been a few times this winter I thought I needed it so I went for it today.  It helped but still so cold on the face outside.  I managed 4.5 outside before heading back in.

I know what you're thinking.  "No more shinny than usual."

Monday:  I just jumped on the basement treadmill for 3 miles then got to try out teaching cycle class at the gym.  I planned out a routine and thought it went super well, and super fast.

Tuesday:  6.5 on the treadmill at the YMCA and that is it for the year.

Hitting 40

Monday:  2 miles on the treadmill.   Planned on 3 but a customer showed up early and I never got back on after.

Tuesday:  3 miles on the basement treadmill, then later at the gym another 3 miles before Suspension class.  I meant to arrive at the gym early enough for 5 miles but as usual that didn't happen.

Wednesday:  Went to the gym in the morning so Gretchen could go to her totsercise class and I ran 6 boring miles out on the treadmill.  Had plans to make the Independence running group that evening but an opportunity came up to help train a competitive girls softball team so that is where I went.  Now I know when those of you who know me think competitive softball I do not come to mind.  No worries I'm not showing anyone how to pitch or catch a ball.  I am only assisting on off season speed and agility drills, so they can stay in top shape for their upcoming season.

This puts me at a whopping 19 miles so far for the week. I've got 3 days and the only possibility for outside running is Saturday and I don't feel the weather is going to agree with me.

Well I finished the week off with all treadmill miles, once at the gym for 5, once at home for 3 and once at my parents for 5.  Totaling 32 for the week.  Once again ok but the weather needs to start cooperating with my very limited outside running time or I need to get tougher.  One or the other.

This past week was  mostly all treadmill again but I did finally hit 40 miles and it seemed really easy.  For whatever reason 6 miles on the gym treadmill and 3 miles on the home treadmill don't seem so boringly hard anymore.  I won't go through all the miles each day since I'm pretty sure no one reads this but my longest run was 6 miles on the treadmill, more than once, 9 miles in one day and only 16 miles outside.  3 of those running around the YMCA building.  Sun: 4 & 2,  Mon: 5, Tue: 3 and Suspension class, wed:  3 miles on gym treadmill, then 3 miles around the building.  Then wed night I was supposed to be in Lee Summit at 7 but still wanted to go to the running group at 6.  They were giving out running shirts that night.  Clearly I run for all the t-shirts so I went just figuring I would have to cut my run short to make it to Lee Summit.  Well for not the first time I tied my house key to my shoe then locked my car key in the car.  I don't know why I do this but it has happened a couple of times.  I didn't realize it until I went to leave.  The good news I had time to run 3 miles outside while waiting for help.  So totally worth missing my job that night for a running shirt 3 extra miles and I won a blinking clip on safety light.  Thurs: 5 miles on gym treadmill in morning then suspension class at night, Fri:  6 miles on gym treadmill, Sat: 6 miles on gym treadmill.  So I did go though all my daily miles.

40 miles done for the week.

Today Gretchen and I worked out at the house.  First she did 5 minutes then I did 3 miles on the treadmill.  After the warm up we did some strength training.  I went with dead lifts, squats and pushups while Gretchen did some squats with a ball throw and planked.

Look at that plank!

It's Christmas week so I should have plenty of time to run however the weather is going to be super cold.  A high of 13˚ tomorrow, oh yay!

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It's Cold

Monday:  Was surprised and had time for a quick 5 miles outside before I had to head to work

Tuesday:  Worked out but no real running other than a few sprints around the gym track.

Wednesday:  Ran at gym in morning 3 miles on the treadmill, 3 miles around the building.  Went to run club at night for another 3 miles.

Thursday:  Ran at the gym in morning for 4 miles.

Friday:  When I got off work Friday afternoon it was a warm 16˚ out.  I ran 1 mile on the treadmill then 6 outside.  The first 3 went well then I turned around to head back.  The very light wind was freezing my face off.  So cold!  First time I ran outside and thought "my face should really be covered in Vaseline."  I made it but was worn out and just went home rather than running anymore on a treadmill.

Saturday:  I spent my day learning all about member involvement in Coaching Connections at the YMCA.  Sounds amazing I know, after that I was close to a shopping center and thought I could knock out some Christmas presents.  I picked up a few then went against my better judgement and bought my 1st running skirt.  I do look super cute in it.  I think I may wear it in some spring races.  Once home I it was already dark and my weekly mileage was looking poor.  I jumped on the treadmill for 3 miles after dinner on the treadmill in the basement in my new skirt.  It ran well.

                             

Weekly Total: Ended the week with only 31 miles.  I'm going to have to get comfortable with the cold cold temps because I have a feeling all the nice temp days are going to be on days I can't run and visa versa.

Sunday Runday:  My last opportunity to run outside for a few days.  It was 19˚ out, way better than the 16˚ on Friday so I figured no problem.  I did 1/2 mile warm up on the treadmill, then went out for 4.5 miles.  Not too bad, it was lightly snowing, maybe I'm getting used to this super fun weather.

                  

Running and Painting

Finally finished painting the living and dining rooms along with the hallway.  It is a minty green with the fireplace wall a shiny white and I'm loving it.  It really brightens up the space.  

I'm also loving that I spray painted the metal apples sitting on the desk a bright pinkish orange from their old 70's golden yellow.

Gretchen got a bunch of great birthday presents and she is loving all her new kitchen bakeware.  She is getting ready to spice up a pumpkin dish.

Friday 22nd:  Went to the gym and ran 10 miles in an attempt to get my mileage up.

Saturday 23rd:  Would of had to get to the gym right at 8 when child care opened because I had somewhere to be mid morning.  That didn't happen so basically no running happened. Fail.

Weekly Total:  31 miles

Sunday 24th:  Had free time so I ran outside for 8 miles, I think there was a high of 30˚ that day.

Monday 25th:  Ran 3 miles on home treadmill

Tuesday 26th:  5 miles at the gym in the morning then another 2 miles at night before suspension class

Wednesday 27th:  ran 3 miles outside with a running group.

Thursday 28th:  Thanksgiving day got out to my parents later than planned and only had time for 6 miles

Friday 29th:  Made the mistake of going out with my sister Thanksgiving night, no running

Saturday 30th:  Went to the gym for 8 miles on the  treadmill.

Weekly Total: 35 miles

Sunday 1st:  Today Gretchen let me run 3 miles on the basement treadmill.  Hoping I get in 40 miles this week but disappointed the weather is not going to agree with me.  Todays weather was perfect for running but I didn't have any free time.  It looks like I'll be able to run outside on Friday and Saturday when it is 30˚ and snowy. Oh Yah.

Reminder To Run

For most of the time that I have lived in my house there has been a big blank space above the fireplace then last year I bought a large canvas with plans to paint some sort of design on it.  I stuck it up on the wall waiting for inspiration to strike.  Then back in March I decided on a running quotes board.  I already had a list of favorite running quotes collected on a pintrest board.  I painted some background colors on my canvas then used different sized sharpies to write out the quotes.  I planned out the design of the quotes beforehand on a scrap of paper so they would all fit.  I've had it finished and up for months and have slowly been redecorating the rest of the place around it after I realized the entire place was beige.  I painted the fireplace wall white and I am in the process of painting the other walls a minty green.

Monday:  Ran 3 miles on the basement treadmill somehow I got Gretchen to let me run long enough for 3 miles since she doesn't nap anymore.  I have to give her a turn first though, luckily that doesn't last very long.

Tuesday:  Ran 5 miles on gym treadmill in morning after Resistance Training Class then 3 miles at night before Suspension class

Wednesday:  Went to the gym just to run, planned it around Totsersize which Gretchen loves.  I ran 5 miles on the treadmill, super boring, I wanted off the treadmill as soon as I got on but was able to run 5 before I said to forget it.

Thursday:  Ran 5 miles on the treadmill after Resistance Training Class.  Did a little speed work after the first 2 miles following the 30sec, 20sec, 10sec X 5.  Done 3 times with 2 minute slow run break in between each.  

It is Friday morning now and I still have 17 miles in the next 2 days and all signs point to treadmill.  It's not looking good.    

Dinosaur Princess 3rd Birthday Party and Fitting in the Miles

Gretchen turned 3 and for her party we went with a dinosaur princess theme.  I picked it because she loves the show Dinosaur Train, I'm sure you've seen it, and loves princess stuff.  I didn't do a ton with the theme other than talk about it because she is 3 and don't care.  I did find a bunch of cheap plastic dinosaurs at a store I never shop at because I couldn't find them anywhere else at my price $1.00.  then cut off the tops of their bodies so they could be used as a flower pot and spray painted pretty colors.  If you are on pintrest I'm sure you have seen this done in some sort of way.

I also made crowns cutting a crown shape out of stiffened felt, sewed an elastic strip to the back and hot glued a few gems on the points.  

I think the party was a success, Gretchen loved it so what else matters.

In other news I poured a cup of coffee on my laptop earlier this week because well I don't know how it happened it just happened early one morning sitting on the couch sandwiched between Gretchen and Gwen.  Anyhow the laptop is currently propped over a dehumidifier hoping for the best.  I am using my old computer in the meantime which seems to be working better than I remember it working.  I have to leave it plugged in constantly because it refuses to recognize a battery, it runs slow and shuts off on its own occasionally.  

Running:

Thursday: 4 on treadmill

Friday:  0

Saturday:  8

This gave me 31.5 for the week, same distance as the week before, so ok.

Sunday:  6 miles on flat trail

Monday:  0

Tuesday:  4.5 miles on gym treadmill in the morning and 2.5 miles on gym treadmill in evening before suspension training class

Wednesday:  nothing, never left the house

Thursday:  4 miles on a treadmill at the gym after AOA resistance training class had a short amount of unexpected free time later so I fit in another 3 miles outside

Friday:  6 miles on trail outside work, went super well, negative splits, last 3 miles, 8:01, 7:48, 7:38 hilly and felt great

Saturday:  8.5 outside super windy but nice temp out

Hit 34.5, 3 miles over last week so perfect and still with 2 days off.

Sunday: party day so no running

Planning on hitting 38 and unfortunately this will probably include lots of treadmill time.

Weekly Runs

Thursday:  Weather was still gloomy out and I wasn't feeling like going outside so I did 4.5 miles on the treadmill at the gym.

Friday:  Worked a shift at the Y in the morning so after I was done I had time for 9.25 miles around town.

Saturday:  9.25 miles around the YMCA

All this brought my weekly mileage to 31.5 which is on target, next week goal 34-35 miles.

Sunday:  7 miles out on BB HWY before Chiefs game and family Birthday party for my Aunt Nancy.

Monday:  Had the time so even though proper training might dictate a rest day I went out for 8 fairly flat miles.

Tuesday:  Rest day.  Just one mile on the treadmill since I got to the gym to early before my TRX class.    I had a big class tonight so went by super fast and fun.

Wednesday:  Went out with a running group in the area.  I think it is the forth week I've gotten to go and I like it because I always seem to run faster in a group with no extra effort and I get to run in the dark and not be worried about whether it's a good idea or not.

Completely on target for the 34 miles I'd like to complete for the week.

Picture of Gretchen painting her arms this past week because how is that not a great idea and I didn't have any pictures actually relating to this post.

Halloween

She decided she wanted to be Minnie Mouse so that is what I made her.  They had the red with white dot fabric at the local fabric store.  I stitched a top and skirt with it then made a black tulle tutu to wear under the skirt and fill it out.  I cover a headband in black felt adding ears and a bow.  She is totally obsessed with candy.  She didn't collect a ton of candy tonight but I did throw most of it in the trash after she went to bed.  She is crazy enough with out being high on sugar.

We went to downtown Warrensburg where the businesses were handing out candy.  She got to help hand out at my sisters coffee shop and I think had more fun handing out than collecting.

Didn't forget to add the tail. 

Last week Gretchen painted pumpkins pink and yellow, you know traditional Halloween colors.

Hitting 1000 and finally a 30 mile week

Sun- 2 on basement treadmill

Mon- 4.46

Tue- 3 on treadmill

Wed- 3.37

Thurs- 4.2 on treadmill

Fri- Nothing

Sat- 13 on the trail felt fantastic and pretty effortless, the weather was pretty perfect for running

Weekly total- 30.03  Had to piece it together a little bit but whatever glad to finally have a 30 mile week.  Plan on going up from here.  Also hit over a thousand miles for the year this week.

Sun- Went to Chiefs game so nothing in the workout department that day.

Yep, I was there.

Mon- none was supposed to have some free time to run outside but that didn't happen spent the last 40 minutes of my floor time at the gym in a cycle class so I could get a little exercise in for the day.

Tue- 4.0

Wed- 3.5

This week is not off to a great start but I've got a good chunk of time on Friday so I'm hoping to still get 30+ miles in for the week.  Been feeling a little sick since Tuesday but I think it is just a cold but I don't care for it at all, try not to let it ruin any of my running plans.

Running up the Numbers

Sun- ran 5 miles outside

Mon- nothing

Tues- 3 miles outside, taught suspension class

Wed- 2.25 miles on the treadmill before I went to a Silver Sneakers class with a couple of my favorite ladies from my Active Older Adult class Resistance training class.  I'm attending a few classes incase I ever want to sub.  Then that evening I was Gretchen free and there was a group run at a running store close by so I went for 3.5 more miles.

Thurs-  Had time for 7.25 miles on a trail, taught suspension class

Fri- ran 2 miles on the basement treadmill before Gretchen woke up

Saturday- drove to the gym during childcare time and had time for 4 miles.  Did some speed work on my run to mix it up on the treadmill.

Total = 27 miles, not the 30 I wanted to get but I lot closer than I've been getting.

Goal for this week is 30 miles.  I'm not going to attempt to even write up my schedule for this week.  I didn't really follow my schedule from last week and this week I have even less of an idea about when I might have free time to run outside.  Probably going to have to suck it up and run on the treadmill lots this week.  Also need to add more strength training into my week beyond the suspension class.  Depending on who and how many people are in the class I may do a little or a lot of the workout myself.  Plus I'm kinda use to it and it is only bodyweight, just need to mix things up with some actual weight.

It took me a few days to come to terms with having to buy a new phone.  Gretchen might of had a breakdown at the Verizon store when the employees were less than helpful but we should have a new phone tomorrow.  Which means I can take pictures again without having to pull out the camera.

iphones are breakable and more running

I hear some people go their whole lives and never break their phone.  I am not one of those people.  I drop it constantly.  I just got the super cracked screen fixed 2 weeks ago at one of those places where you wonder it they are stealing all your personal info off the phone while they are fixing it.   I had drop my phone numerous times cracking the screen a little more each time but it still worked.  But this this time I lightly dropped it the screen only cracked a little but now the screen is just black and the only thing I can do on it is receive calls.  I'm really ticked at myself since I'll probably have to waste a bunch of money on a new one. I think they make them so breakable on purpose.

Anyway clearly I need to be running more to deal with this.  My miles have been in the 20- 25 mile range forever now.  Which is so not good.  While getting in all the miles I want requires a bit of time management and time on the treadmill(that I hate) I got rid of my only excuse for not running enough last week so all I need now is a plan.  I'm keeping the plan loose due to my unpredictable free time schedule but basically a slow build up of miles with lots of cross training.  Some of my cross training will be more for socializing with gym members than a workout but whateves.

Need more of this

Sunday- 5.5miles - done

Monday- Run 6 miles, take a class maybe

Tuesday- Run 4 miles, teaching suspension class as well

Wednesday-  Run 10 miles

Thursday- Teaching suspension class

Friday-  Take class, run 3 miles

Saturday-  Run 4 miles

This is all very maybe but based on when I think I'm most likely to have free time to run at the gym or outside.  Days may be switched but if I follow close enough I will hit 31 miles.  If this happens I plan on following the 10% rule till I reach more desirable mileage.

We took a little trip

I picked the perfect weekend to visit my sister in Washington DC and run the Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon that was mostly taking place in a national park.

Or not so much.  The race was postponed till November 10th, don't think I'll make it seeing as how I live in Missouri and all.  Here are some pictures of me not running the race.

This is a cute picture of Gretchen and Gwen not of me running.

This is of a guy walking while holding a monkey also not me running a half marathon.

But no matter Gretchen still enjoyed her plane trip.

Riding the Dinosaur train with her aunt Courtney who had our entire visit off work thanks to the government.

We spent lots of time just hanging out.  We visited a  playground, the Building museum where they had lots of interactive building activities for kids and visiting our cousins Dave and Sarah.  Gretchen loved hanging out with their kids learning about fairies and riding a bike.

Courtney was also watched Gretchen for me in the mornings so I could go for a few runs on my own. 

Picture from my running route.  While the national parks are technically closed and signs were posted as such there were plenty of runners and bikers out and the police were cool with it.  Courtney also took me to the YMCA for a workout.  Um this Y is a little nicer than what I'm used to.  We went all out and ran hills on these super cool curved treadmills.

Then rowed it out,

and went for a bike race.

After our tri we hit up the free weights to finish it off.

Fun weekend and still got lots of running in even though I really wanted to run the race but I couldn't of seen this happening when I paid for the race or bought the plane tickets.  First time a race I signed up for didn't happen.

Running or Lack There Of

I originally didn't post because I haven't been running near as much as I want to, and with anything once you quit doing something it is so easy to fall into a routine of continually not doing it.  The last time I hit over 30 miles in a week was back in July the week I ran the 50k.  I've still been running probably enough to maintain my current fitness level along with some light strength training every week.  However this is not where I want to be.  I want a solid 40+ miles a week and I know that means sucking it up and running on the treadmill.  I have a solid preference for running outside, if I'm really getting picky I like a trail but the streets aren't to bad.  My 2nd choice would be running circles around the YMCA.  I'm allowed to run around the building while Gretchen is in childcare.  4.5 laps around = 1 mile.  Way better than my final choice, the treadmill.
 

Running around this building better than 

running on this but not near as good as

running on this.

What's Been Up

Scout Strong Half Marathon  May 11th

1:41:36 Half Marathon PR

Overall 34/347, Female 6/161, Age 30-34 2/35

No Picture

Ran Hospital Hill Half Marathon

1:46:04

Overall 621/4285, Female 124/2307, Division 30-34 female 33/443

Went to Colorado and rode a bike down a mountain.  I was SCARED to ride the ski lift up the mountain and ride a bike down but I took the beginner class and the instructor was super helpful, informative and patient.  I rode down twice, no injuries.

Back home I did some trail running in preparation for a 50k.

Family fun with a 4th of July 5k in Warrensburg, MO.

We picked up some medals.

Ran the 5k in 22:25 PR

Placed 2nd female, 1st in my 18+ age group female

Spent the 4th on the farm.  There was a skid steer rodeo competition

and a tire flipping competition.  My sister Beth has a hold on the farm competitions.

The next weekend I ran a 50k on my birthday.  I gave myself the gift of fitness.

I got a huge cramp all the way down both my hamstrings and calfs around mile 23.  I remember it feeling super painful and thought I couldn't run anymore, but after refueling at an aid station and slowly walking about a mile the pain went away and I was able to pick up the running again.  I'm guessing the cramping was all salt/ hydration related.

Finished in 6:28:47 PR

Overall 30/67, Female 8/20, Age Group 30-39 3/9

Medals

The Next week I went and took the ACE personal trainer exam.  I passed and I'm now a certified personal trainer.  My actual certificate should be here in 2-4 weeks.  Hire me if you would like to get in shape.  I'll probably make you run.