Thursday, October 24, 2013

Mile Repeats and Pumpkin Carving

Today's workout kicked my backside!  I went to the gym at 6:25am.  Tired.  Ran a total of 6 miles.  First mile 8:45 pace, second mile 6:53 pace, third mile 8:30, fourth mile 6:53, fifth mile I'm not sure as I walked some, I was SO tired, and I really wanted to recover enough to do one more 6:53 mile.  Well, I did 2 half mile repeats at that pace.  I was wiped out, sweaty, and glad to be done.  :)

Yesterday, Michael carved the kiddos pumpkins!!!  Amazing job!


I roasted pumpkin seeds!!!!  I love to do this, but I am the ONLY one who eats them.  More for me!!!


More cuteness of the kids in the leaves:



I love this time of year!  Tomorrow we have our Harvest Party at church!  Will be so fun!  Pics to come!



Sunday, October 20, 2013

Weekly Mileage and The Great Pumpkin

This week:

Sunday:  4 miles easy
Monday:  1 mile easy, 5 miles 7:40 pace, 
                1 mile cool down (treadmill)
Tuesday:  5 miles easy (treadmill)
Wednesday:  Off (worked)
Thursday:  6 miles (2 mile repeats at 6:53 
                 and 1 at 7:15 pace.)
Friday:       5 miles easy (treadmill)
Saturday:  9.3 miles (1 mile warm up, 8 
                 miles at 7:58 pace, .3 mile                 
                 cool down.

Total mileage 36.5. 

Most of my runs were on the treadmill, because I am trying to get my workouts done before my family gets up in the morning.  It has been tough to drag my bum out of bed at 5:20AM when it is dark and cold!   This week was especially challenging, because I started my period on Tuesday.  I was EXHAUSTED all week!  But, I do love getting my running out of the way, so I can focus on the more important things, like the fam!

We went to Bass Pro today!  I LOVE that store!!!!!!!!!!  I just feel exactly how I want to feel all the time when I walk through the doors... You know, like everything is right with the world!

     
                      Just so cool


          These friends are everywhere


                 Joey is in Heaven!


They are hosting " The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown", and Annabelle and Joey got their pics taken with the cast!


                           So cute!


Do you like "The Great Pumpkin"?
Favorite Fall Festivities?

Friday, October 18, 2013

Pumpkins and Spiders

I LOVE this time of year!  The Holidays are JUST around the corner!!!



I took this pic at the Pumpkin Patch, and it just looks like Halloween!


It wouldn't be a Family pic without Joey crying!  LOL


Joey


Annabelle
  I wish I could have gotten them to stand TOGETHER!  Well, I will take what I can get!


Joey's first time in a jumpy castle!


Today we went to the Butterfly Pavilion with our MOPS group.  We haven't been in a while, well over a year!  Annabelle was not quite 3 last time, and was not old enough to be able to hold the "pet" tarantula!  Her name is "Rosey".  After Annabelle watched Mommy hold Rosey (I know, I CAN'T believe I did it!!!!), she held her furry new friend, too!


    EEEEK!!!  My Brave Girl!


Yes, Joey has a sticker on his head, and LOVED it!  Kept it on for a long time!

Running has been about the same this week!  I did do some mile repeats yesterday at 6:53 pace!!!  I will recap this week's mileage in a few days!  

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Weekly Mileage, Fall Moments, The BEST Sugar Cookies EVER

Total Miles this week: 36.5

Sunday  9.3 (7:55 pace) Race PR!!!
Monday  3 (recovery run)
Tuesday  5.5 (1 mile warm up, 3 miles 7:40 pace, 1.5 miles cool down)
Wednesday  Off (worked 12 hour shift on feet)
Thursday  5.5 (1 mile warm up, 3miles at 7:15 pace, 1 mile 7:45, .5 mile cool down) Treadmill
Friday 5 (easy run outside, 9:48 pace)
Saturday 8 (1 mile warm up, 6 mile 8:18 pace, 1 mile 9:00 pace)



After Tuesday's Treadmill run, I left the gym to go home.
The Sunrise was SO amazing, that I ran an extra mile.  This tree was POPPING
with the morning glow!

Later that same day:



Annabelle LOVES Fall!



After today's run, I was TIRED.  Ever want to make something to eat SUPER fast, cuz your SUPER hungry!!!????  I am TRYING to be better about my dietary choices.  These Vegie tacos are fast, easy, and YUMMO!!!



Cheddar Cheese, tomato, red onion, black beans, avocado, hot sauce (OF COURSE)!! 
Plop in the microwave for 45 seconds, and FAST FOOD!

Followed by one of these addictions.  I am a WORK IN PROGRESS!!!


THESE are the BEST, VERY BEST soft sugar cookies you will ever eat, EVER!! 
We have some left over from last night's get together.  
Check out the recipe!!!
http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/07/18/soft-frosted-sugar-cookies/


Joey has a bit of a cold today, so nothing too exciting for the rest of the weekend, I'm sure.  We might take a drive up into the mountains today to check out the leaves!  Gorgeous time of year!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Race Recap

Great day!  Great Race!  Today I ran the 15k Hot Chocolate race downtown Denver!  I had originally signed up for a 1/2 marathon, but that race date kept changing.  I'm really glad I switched!  I will run this race every year!!  

Friday, picked up my packet at Runner's Roost!  I really like the hoodie!!!


I took Friday off from running. Saturday I ran 3 miles, 1 mile 9 min pace, 1mile 7:10 pace, 1 mile 9:30 pace.  Stretch, stretch, stretch!!

Sunday, up at 5:30am.  I slept really well the night before, 8 hours!!

For breakfast, 2 pieces of wheat toast, cup of tea.


I usually drink coffee, but I didn't want to drink caffeine more than 2 hours before.

My friends Lynn and George picked me up about 6:15.


Drank this about an hour before!  YUM!!


                      Before The Race

I LOVE Denver!!!!


I ran slow jog for 5 minutes or so before the race.  I wanted to start the race with the first mile at 8:20 or so, but I felt really comfortable, and my first mile was about 7:58!  Actually all my miles except for mile 5 were under 8 minute pace! I fueled with Honey Stinger energy chews at mile 4, just 2 chews.  I felt a little shaky at this point, the fuel really helped, and I was back in my groove.  

I felt really good most of this run.  I started to get tired by mile 8, but it was my fastest mile 7:39.  For the last half mile, 4 or 5 girls came up behind me and we were racing each other.  I just focused on my breathing, the last .1 mile I sprinted and beat them all at the finish!! My overall pace 7:54 for 9.3 miles.  Very happy with my time.  
 
                  Yummy Goodies!  
              Lynn ran an amazing race!

   
                   Love this girl!

 
          Annabelle loved the post party!

                  Recovery Nap Time!

 
Over to Lynn and George's for the Bronco game!  Great game!!

Wonderful Day!  I prayed that I would relax and enjoy it, not stress! I love that God cares even about races!  Probably more about our character during them. Running a race is a glimpse into running in our Lives with Him- consistency, dedication, and belief that we can do it, even when we are tired and feel like we have nothing more to give. We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Randomness, Relaxation, Race Ready

Random highlights this week:

Yesterday's 6 mile tempo run 45:38 at 7:36 overall pace!!!  PR, PR, PR!  It is SO fun to see improvement!

I won the "Flip Belt" giveaway from the running blog, "Loving On the Run".  THANKS, Sara!!!  I am currently holding everything on long runs, so I can't wait to try it out!



Spending time with the Fam!


Hiking with my Buddy!


Watched this for the FIRST time in 10 years!  I kind of wish I hadn't bought it!  Disobey Dad, run away, sign life over to a witch, get married at 16!!!!!  Really?  How did I not notice this before!  Amazing what parenting does to your perspective.


THESE Lizards were in our basement window well!!!  CREEPY!!!  We set them free at the creek by our house.



I will probably only run about 23-25 miles this week, again.  My legs feel great!  I am loving the SLEEPING IN!  Especially today, with our first SNOW DUSTING of the year!!!!

Packet pick up today!!!  Hot Chocolate 15K on Sunday!  Can't wait!!!!!  Will share race recap!


How much do you taper before a race?

Favorite Disney movie?