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!

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?

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!  

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!

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!

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?

Weekly Mileage and Thoughts About Balance

This was a taper week.  I am pretty excited, because I had some quality runs, even though my mileage was low.

Sunday:  Rest
Monday:  1 mile warm up, 6 mile tempo 7:40 pace, .5 mile cool down (total 7.5miles treadmill)
Tuesday: 3.5 mile, 8 minute pace (total 3.5miles treadmill)
Wednesday: Rest (worked 12 hour shift)
Thursday: 1 mile warm up, 5 mile tempo 7:46 pace, .5 mile cool down (total 6.5miles outside)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 1 mile warm up, 6 mile steady state run 7:51 pace, .5 cool down (total 7.5 miles outside)

Total miles: 25


What excites me most is that my outside pace is really improving!  Today's run was not THAT hard.  I could have pushed harder, but I wanted to make sure I practiced my pace consistently.  I feel well prepared for my race next week.  Praying for a good race day!

I feel like I have come a long way in how I balance running with my everyday life.  Running is an AMAZING outlet.  The problem (like anything else in life), is allowing myself to become a slave to my running goals.  God does not want us to allow ANYTHING to have a grip on us, that controls us, or enslaves us.  This is when even the best goals, can become damaging.  Goals are wonderful things, but they may need adjusting, setting aside, and at times let go entirely (usually for something better).  Letting go of something, can be really scary!  For those of us who love to dream our futures, that can be extremely challenging.  But, every once in a while, God shuts the door to something I want.  Always, He has something better, that requires me loosening my grip on the scraps I think I NEED.  I am learning the balance.  I find that in my running, I am constantly giving it back to God.  What I mean, is that life happens, and when I find myself frustrated by nothing going MY way, it is time to STOP this Momma's RUNNING around, and listen for HIS voice!  He always redirects my paths, sets me straight, and then I move again (WITH HIM).

God, continue to guide my life, my dreams, goals, everything.  I am ultimately here to bring glory to YOU!  May any success from my life be recognized as a gift from You.