Cooler Weather = Better Run

What a great feeling it was to go outside and feel just a bit chilly this morning! I was SO excited! It definitely helped with my run. I did a 5 mile run while my Dad walked. I was suprised it went so well because I ate too much and too late last night (Pampered Chef party - fun and definitely worth it), I was up too late, and Jake was up two times in the night. The poor guy is having trouble (again!!) with some more teeth. But, despite all that it went well and I'm ready for the day!

Here are a few reasons I love running in the morning and with my Dad.

1. I like to go early and be done with my run for the day.
2. I feel so much better throughout the day when I run in the morning.
3. I enjoy the company of my Dad.
4. I like to go when it's dark and watch the sun come up.
5. I like that there are only a few other people out at that time of morning.
6. We go different places every time! My Dad loves exploring and finding new neighborhoods, and I like to run in different places so I don't know that I have to run "x" times in that neighborhood to get 5 miles. And, he chooses places with hills. Believe it or not, I like that! Not too many, but just enough gradual hills so I can really work on my run.

So far it's been great. I've set a few goals for myself lately (I like goals).

• Run consistently 3x/week - no more, no less.
• Run in the morning 1-2x/week.
• Work my core more. This may sound funny, but you can work your core in almost every exercise you do! It takes more concentration (at least for me), but I can tell when I do it and I'm anxious to see what it does.
• Continue strength training 4-5x/week.
• Rest on Fridays!

Sunday I did a new workout and made a new recipe so I'll be posting both shortly. Happy Tuesday!

My 15 Month Old

I can hardly believe that my baby boy is 15 months!! Everyone tells you how fast it goes, but I am not sure I truly believed it until I experienced it. I cannot even begin to say how much I love this kid!! I know those of you with kids understand what I'm saying...you can't even describe it. Though some days I am so exhausted and cannot wait for his bed time, I wouldn't change a thing! He always makes us laugh. I especially love his unsolicited kisses...nothing like it! Even if it is a bit slobberly. :)

He has almost hit the 2nd percentile - go Jake!! :) He's 19.5 pounds with a sorta dry but kind wet diaper on. :) The doctor says he has quite the vocabulary for his age. Really?? I didn't realize that saying "Mama" in 100 different ways was a "vocabulary" but I'll take it! :) He still hasn't been sick (I'm so thankful for that!!) but has some more nasty teeth coming in. I can't wait for the teething to be done!

Love you, my little Peanut!!

Suprise Visit!

I was SO excited when I got a text from a dear friend saying she had come up to Greenville for the day and wanted to meet downtown tonight!! It was just so great to see her. She's one of those friends who no matter how long it's been since the last time we talked, we pick up right where we left off! As I drove home tonight I was just reminiscing about the old days when her and I hung out all the time. It was the summer before my last semester of college, and we both lived in town. We hung out all the time and both became friends with our future husbands that summer. She was also the first one to assure me that I was going to marry Phil (long before we even started dating). She knows me so well! :)

This is a picture of how big Jake was last time I saw her!! Way too long ago! I am just so thankful for her and for the short time we were able to spend together tonight.

The Gauntlet II

That was the name of our 7 mile run this morning (per our course leader, J). I wasn't around for the "Gauntlet I", thank goodness, but I have heard a lot about it! Hills around every corner, and it was a 9 mile run! But, this one really wasn't that bad. There were a lot of hills, but hey, it just makes us stronger! Plus J had water for us at 4 miles - that was great! It was still muggy but a bit cooler, so that was a relief.

I actually didn't listen to my music and am going to try to go "unplugged" next time we run together...we'll see! I read about everyone doing runs without their music...but I just need it to keep me going!! But, I'm going to try. We chat a lot during the run, so that helps. Katie and I have always done our chatting on our walks before/after we run, so this is new for me. But so far so good! Next Saturday I have to do 8 miles by myself...you better believe I'll have my music then! :)

I love knowing that I am meeting Katie for coffee after the run...gives me that extra little push to "get 'er done!" :) I LOVE Dunkin Donut's coffee! Absolutely my favorite. And I love Saturday morning chats with my wonderful friend! Happy Saturday!!

Blogger Award!!

Thanks so much to Rae for the Cherry on Top Award!! It's my first blogger award...I'm so excited! I have enjoyed Rae's blog for a while now and really appreciate this award from her.













The Rules:

1. Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

2. The second thing you have to do is, pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have gotten this award.

3. The third and final thing is, thank the person who gave you the award.



Answers:

1. I have a pretty great life, but if I had to change one thing I wish I would have gone to college for a degree in HR because I have found that it is my passion. But then again, I may not be where I am today if I had done that!

2. Here are the 6 people I would like to give this award to. Besides Rae's, these are some of my favorite blogs to read!

• Leena from lifelikethat
• Melissa from myjourneytolean
• Jen at runnerstrials
• Sarah from skinnyrunner
• Jen from apriorfatgirl
• Mostly Fit Mom from mostlyfitmom

3. Thank you SO much, Rae and thanks for reading my blog and supporting me on my journey!

Early Morning Run

Anyone who has been around me the last few months has probably heard me say, "I really want to start running early in the mornings." Well, easier said than done! Before Jake I used to be a very early riser. 7:00/7:30 was "sleeping in" in this house. But being the Mom of the energizer bunny has worn me down. Plus Phil gets home at 8 or 9 a lot of nights, so it's hard to go to bed at 10 when I feel like he just got home! Anyway, those have been my excuses. Last Saturday I tried my first "early morning run" for my long run with friends downtown. Tuesday I went back to an evening run with Katie, and this morning I opted for another early run (6 a.m.)...with my Dad! He walks a lot of mornings so I've been anxious to go with him. I finally dragged myself out of bed and did it. And you know, I LOVE running in the morning! I feel great already and the day has just begun! I hope to keep it up, at least one day a week with Dad and then the Saturday run with my co-marathon-runners-in-training. I will still reserve one night a week for that much needed run with Katie!

Speaking of my Dad...that guy is just amazing! I was thinking this morning how funny it was this when I was a kid, he would run and we would ride bikes with him. We used to love doing that and having that time together! Now here we are, years later, running and walking together. He never ceases to amaze me. The guy had a really rough surgery just months ago and is now determined to get his strength back. He won't let a few missing internal organs stop him! :) I am just so thankful for him. He is so kind, caring and selfless. There's nothing he wouldn't do to help someone. He is such a great example to us and we are so thankful for him!! And it's pretty great that he and Mom (equally as incredible) live 3 houses down!! We love it!! Oh yeah, and did I mention that Jake just adores this guy??

Well, yesterday I thought for sure fall was in the air, so I opted for a t-shirt and shorts this morning rather than my usual tank top. Bad decision. I felt the heavy air the second I stepped out the door and regretted putting on a t-shirt. But, I didn't want to wake the boys up so I didn't go back to change. It was very muggy. I have to remind myself, "you're not in Wisconsin anymore, Heather!" Fall isn't for at least another month around these parts. Sigh... Oh well. It's worth it when it's 50* in the winter and everyone at home is complaining about the snow that never ends! :)

Happy Thursday! I'm off to get ready for work.

Tasty (and healthy!) Mexican Casserole

I made this Saturday for lunch and it was delicious! It's definitely a good one for kids, too. Jake loved it. He kept saying "mmm" and "numnum" while he ate it. :) And of course it's really easy. I got it from this blog. I think I only made 2 very minor changes. Here it is!

Ingredients:

• 1 package of 99% lean ground turkey or beef
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 jar salsa
• 3 Tsp. of taco seasoning
• 3/4 cups water
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• 1 Tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Cook rice.
2. While rice is cooking, heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Saute onion until soft.
4. Add turkey; brown & drain.
5. Add taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil; simmer 10 minutes.
6. While simmering, add beans & corn.
7. Combine rice, turkey mixture & salsa in a bowl (or save a bowl and mix in the pan).
8. Mix. Add 1/2 cup cheese.
9. Pour into large casserole dish & top with remaining cheese.
10. Bake @ 350* for 20 minutes.

Marathon Training - long run #2 - done.

Thank goodness I had a much better run today. I got up bright and early and met my co-marathon trainers for a 6 mile run downtown at 6:15 this a.m. This was my first time running with them so I was a little nervous. I was hoping I could keep up!! Thankfully I was able to. We kept a comfortable pace and had a great run. I will have to get used to new running buddies, though. I've only run consistently with two other people and both of them knew my style - 1) I don't typically talk while I run; I listen to my music and zone out. Well, these guys like to talk...after mile 2 I was able to give a little bit to the conversation. 2) I like to run on the left side. I have no clue why. Good news here, one of them likes the right and the other said he likes to be in the front of the pack...but was okay with the middle. :) 3) I take 1-2 miles to warm up and do a slow, steady run when I'm doing anything over 3-4 miles. They do too! I am excited. It really helps to have other people to train with. Plus Phil liked it that I'd already run, had coffee with Katie, and was back home before 9:00!

Though I feel great from my run, I am really exhausted. We went to bed too late and then Phil woke up around 4:30 this morning and neither of us could sleep. So I'm hoping Jake decides to take a nice, long nap this afternoon so I can relax! (crossing fingers).

I have a new recipe in the oven right now...it will be done in 12 minutes! I can't wait try it. I'll post it later if we like it. It sure looks/smells tasty!

Happy weekend!

Healthy Living Blogs

I am really loving the blogging community already and I have only been doing this for a short time! I have gotten some great recipes, workout/running ideas, and advice. I was very envious as a lot of bloggers attended the Healthy Living Summit in Chicago of all places! I have a lot of family there and absolutely love that city! Anyway, maybe next year!

While reading recaps of the Healthy Living Summit, I found this site. Check it out and get your blog posted on there. Here are the details:

Healthy Living Blogs is a new resource for the health blogging community. Created by Lindsey of Sound Eats, HLB is a site designed to enhance the positive community of the healthy living blog world. Bloggers and readers can explore the site and find more blogs to love, bloggers in their area, and forums to deepen healthy discussion and support. If you're interested in having your site listed on HLB, simply send the following information to mailto:hhealthylivingblogs@gmail.com and check the site out for yourself!

Email subject line: MEMBERS
Your name (please share if you prefer to go by first name, first and last, or however you prefer to be known on the Internet)
Blog Name
Blog URL (please start with http://, not www.)
Your twitter handle, if applicable
Your location (if you prefer not to disclose this information for privacy's sake, that is completely understandable. We'll simply include your blog listing in the A-Z listing, not by location, too)
Any specific labels (i.e. vegan, gluten-free, weight loss, running, etc.)

Enjoy learning more from others!

Worst Run Ever

I had absolutely the worst run ever last night! Okay, maybe not EVER, but it was pretty bad. I don't know - I just didn't have it in me. I was excited to be able to meet Katie, but it was so muggy outside that we decided to run on the treadmill. I got on and stared at the white wall wall and made on foot go and then the other...my legs felt so heavy! I got to 2 miles and just stopped. My stomach hurt (I had eaten dinner before I came - not a good idea), I was kind of light headed (probably not enough hydration today), but most of all I just wasn't feeling it! I wasn't out of breath and my legs weren't hurting so I know I could have gone on...but I didn't. I don't even want to write it down on my training schedule (I have what I should vs. what I actually do just so I can know)...but I will.

I'm so thankful for Katie! She knows me so well and encouraged me not to get discouraged. We all have a bad run sometimes. I know she's right and I'm already looking forward to my long run tomorrow morning. I know it will be better!

Well, it's fun Friday so speaking of this lovely lady, Jake and I will be meeting her for lunch after she gets off work at 11:30. Then I hope to just relax and get some house cleaning done before the weekend gets here.

Happy Friday!

Strength/Cardio Workout

Okay, so I'm still thinking of a great, creative name for this one. :) I did this workout last night. I wanted to do some strength training but also keep my heart pumping the entire time. Something I've learned and now live it, is that cardio is the only way to burn those calories! Unfortunately you cannot spot reduce fat. Check out this article from sparkpeople here. This is why I like intense workouts. I stay away from workouts that don't keep my heart rate up most of the time.

You'll find that most of my workouts are a sandwich (why can't I stop talking about sandwiches?? Okay so I have a sandwich story after I tell you about this workout).

Run for about 10 minutes/1 mile. I start slow and speed up by the end to warm up.

Strength/Cardio Sets:

• High knees for 30 seconds
• Military press with front leg extension (10 each leg)
• Repeat 2 more times
• Butt kicks for 30 seconds
• Front lunge with bicep curls (10 per leg). I complete 10 on 1 leg before switching to the other leg. Feel the burn!!
• Repeat 2 more times
• Jump rope for 30 seconds
• Static squat w/ bicep curls (10 per arm)
• Repeat 2 more times
• High knees 15 seconds and switch to butt kicks 15 seconds w/o stopping (30 seconds total)
• Dead lift with hammer curls (10)
• Repeat 2 more times
• Repeat high knees/butt kicks 15 seconds each
• Crossover lunges while holding weights (10 per leg - again, stay on the same leg to complete 10 and then switch)
• Repeat 2 more times
• Jump squats (10)
• Pendulum lunges while holding weights (6 per leg per side)
• Repeat 2 more times

Abs:

• Russian twists - 25/side
• 15 sit ups (the regular, good old fashioned kind)
• Repeat 2 more times
• Plank twists (12/side)
• Plank (hold for 3-45 seconds)
• Repeat 2 more times

Run! 10 minutes.

Stretch.

Done: 57 minutes.

I feel like I'm missing a set but oh well. If you're not at about an hour, add a little something else or run a little longer.

Okay, so I have been craving a lunch meat sandwich! I don't know why, but we hardly ever eat them. So Monday I got some yummy turkey and roast beef lunch meat and then dreamed about having subs for dinner Tuesday night. Phil thought I was crazy, but I think he enjoyed them too. :) He had his on some white, bakery bread from my Mom. I never have white bread in the house so I asked her if I could steal two pieces and spoil the hubby. :) I had mine on my new favorite bread - those delicious whole wheat smartbagels! I got us some cheese (another treat - I try to keep cheese out of the house or I would eat way too much of it!) and cut up some lettuce, tomatoes form the garden (yum!), and pickles. We made some amazing, yummy sandwiches.

I had a hot, sweaty run early this morning. I'm just glad it's over! :)

Happy Wednesday!

Strength Training Sandwich

Yes, that is the name for my workout. :) I told Phil I was going to do my favorite workout yesterday called "Strength Training Sandwich." He had a good laugh over that one and decided I needed some serious marketing help. Okay, so I don't have an ounce of creativity in me. I wish I did and sometimes I try to, but I really don't...at all. So he came up with BLT (Burn, Lean, Tone) but he wasn't sure the "lean" part fit. His final decision was, "Run.Build.Run." Call it what you want, here's my favorite strength training workout (with some running on either end - see, a sandwich!). :) My goal: get my heart rate up and keep it pumping for the entire workout. I like to work more than one muscle at a time (as you'll see from my sets below) and to only stop for quick water breaks.

Note: if you've ever done Jillian's workout DVDs you'll probably recognize most of these moves.



Run for 10 minutes to warm up. I start slow and get faster at each .25 mile taking about 10 minutes.



Do 3 sets of 12 each:

• Front lunges with wide grip curls (12 each leg - right leg first then left leg)


• Dead lifts with hammer curls

Do 3 sets of 12 each:

• Front leg extension with military press (balance on one leg with the other leg up at a 90 degree angle; push up into the press and kick leg out. Stay balanced on one leg the entire time. 12 each leg)


• Concentration squat with curls (12 each arm)

Do 3 sets of 12 each:

• Pendulum lunges holding weights (6 each side)


• Sumo squat w/ tricep extension

Do 3 sets of 12 each:

• Jump squats


• Warrior pose with tricep press (12 each leg)

Do 3 sets of 12 each:

• Chair squats with shoulder raises


• Side lunges with bicep curls (12 total)

Abs:

• 12 sets on the dip station/vertical knee raise/whatever you want to call it; raise knees up to chest level.


• Leg raises w/ oblique crunches (12 on each leg)


• Repeat 2 more times


• Crunches on a stability ball (15)


• Russian twists (15 on each side)


• Repeat 2 more times

Run for 10 minutes.

Stretch for 5 minutes.

It should take about an hour. I start my watch when I first jump on the treadmill and stop it after stretching. Yesterday it totalled 1 hour, 5 minutes. I think I may have done an extra set but I can't remember the exercises or if I did, so I will tweak next time in case I forgot. I should just bring my pen and paper to the gym next time and look like a big (bigger) nerd. :)

The end!

Marathon

I did it....I signed up for a marathon. I am so scared! Here's the funny part: it's my birthday present. Who does that?? I had a really hard time pushing that last "register" button. Do I really want to do this?? Yes, I do.

So why did I sign up for a marathon you ask?? Because I am incredibly competitive and if someone else is doing it, I feel like I have to buck up, lose the excuses and do it too! That's what pushed me.

I found this article with tips for running your first marathon. It was very inspiring. I'll be looking for a lot more of these tips between now and December 11th!

I'm working on my training schedule but my overall plan for the next 18 weeks? Get stronger, faster, and build up my endurance. I'm so excited!

Trail Run Race Review

I finished my first ever trail run! And I LOVED it! Not so much at a couple of points and not so much when I first finished, but I recovered quickly and am definitely considering the next one. I learned a lot today.

Last night I definitely had the jitters about it. Everyone was so kind to remind me that it was going to be REALLY humid...and on top of that, it stormed well into the night keeping me up to think about the race. Phil was concerned about the wet/mud. Really?? Because I hate "mud runs" so much?? I LOVE running in the mud and getting dirty!! :) So that was the least of my concerns.

What I did wrong:

• I always wear my "shoe wallet" when I run. It holds my keys and my timer/pace thing for my Nike+....don't do that on a trail run. I lost them BOTH! But here's the good part of this story: someone found my key! It really was a miracle. I thought for sure it was gone forever out in those trails! We considered going back to look for the chip because I know I lost it around 2.4 miles...but Phil had to get home because he had guy plans today. So I'm hoping that someone found it. Either way, I'm just glad my key was found! Thank you to whoever stopped to pick it up!! That was so kind.
• Carb loaded too late last night. First of all, I don't need to carb load for a 4.6 mile run...but, Jake was already spending the night at Mema's so she took him a little earlier so Phil and I could have a date night. We hadn't had one in a while, so I was really looking forward to it! But, Phil was running late at work and by the time we got to my favorite restaurant EVER (Macaroni Grill), there was a wait. So, I had my "create your own pasta" waaaay too late last night. It was, however, well worth the wait! Whole wheat penne with chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and roasted garlic. YUM!! It was still on my stomach this morning, though, and didn't feel so great.
• Not enough water. So apparently there isn't much water on trail runs, which makes sense, but I wasn't thinking. With this humidity, I should definitely have carried a small water bottle. I meant to, but forgot. I will definitely bring one on my next trail run.

What I did right:

• I finished 4.6 mile trail run in 50 minutes!! I was very happy with that. I was really hoping for 10 minute miles, so that wasn't bad at all!
• I stopped. Yes, I know, typically this would be in my "what I did wrong" part since I have never stopped on a race before (when I say "stop", I mean "stop running"). But, it was the steepest hill and I needed a short recovery. It was probably only a total of maybe 1.5 minutes, and it was well worth it. And, everyone was walking up the hill so I didn't feel TOO bad. I ran 1/2 of it and walked the other 1/2 and I'm okay with it. It allowed me to really push for the last 1-1.5 miles.
• I passed some people! That's right - for once I wasn't the one getting passed! :) Okay, so I definitely was in the beginning (as usual) but once on the trail, I passed some people...and they didn't pass me again a minute later. :) That felt good!!
• I had fun!! I loved it. The hills (except for that one vicious one) were not bad at all...in fact, I liked them because after we went up a short ways, we got to go down!

I stayed behind this older gentleman for a long time. I thought about passing him because I could have gone faster...but, he was keeping me grounded (literally) by setting a comfortable pace for me to follow. And, he was just so kind! If we came across a big root or water puddle, he would warn the few of us behind him. I felt like he was the kind of man who would've helped me had I gotten hurt. So I stuck with him until we came to the rocks we had to climb up, and then I passed him. But, he helped me for a while, and I appreciated it!

Immediately after the race I was talking to a friend and said I enjoyed it but definitely didn't want to do the longer ones. But, I am definitely taking that back. I would love to do a longer one....in cooler weather. I could barely breath as I walked from my car to the packet pick up area...it was so muggy. The cool weather of the fall will make it much more bearable. I feel like the exercises I've been doing (specifically the plyometrics, lunges, etc.) have really made my legs stronger so I was able to do this without having ever even run on a trail before.

So, I'm thinking I will most likely sign up for the 11k on November 6. November = a breath of fresh, cool air!

Last but DEFINITELY not least, this is by far my favorite race shirt! - and I have a lot of them. As soon as I pulled it out Phil said, "wow, finally a women's shirt!" YES! Most of the time the t-shirts are too big and just fit wrong. In fact, for the Freedom 5k, they only had men's...it's like a dress on me! We pay for these races, so I really appreciate GTC giving us one that I will definitely wear for something other than sleeping in! :) Phil had already left so I had to take this picture myself but I had to do it to show these great shirts.

Marathon

I don't really believe in "signs", but if I did, these would be some good ones for me considering training for a marathon in December! :)

1 - Tomorrow would be 18 weeks prior to the marathon, which is when Hal Higdon's training plan has you start. I worked off his half marathon training plan for my first half marathon. I tweaked it to work with my lifestyle, but I really liked it.

2 - The 12 mile training day happens to fall on the day of the Spinx Half Marathon.

3 - I have an issue with stopping during runs and races. I have never stopped on a race before, but I have to know that it will happen on a marathon (at least for me) and it's OKAY. I read this in several different places and am trying to come to terms with that. That will help me both on long training runs and during a marathon (if I do it).

Jake was cracking me up. He was pointing to Phil in our family picture and yelling "DADDY" for a long time this afternoon. I think he was missing his buddy! I had to e-mail the picture to Phil at work. :)

Trail Run Tomorrow!!

I am so excited that 1-it's Friday again! and 2-tomorrow is my first trail run! I've worked out/ran hard this week so I'm going to take it easy today. Maybe a walk and then some stretching, but that's it.

Here's what I did this week:
Sunday - 6.5 miles
Monday - push class at the gym
Tuesday - workout at ASI then 7.5 mile run in the evening
Wednesday - strength workout
Thursday - workout at ASI and kickboxing class at the gym
Friday - REST!!

I feel good about this week! So what pushed me so much this week?? Well, I was talking to a friend who is training for a marathon in December who also has kids and has to juggle many different priorities. No more excuses for me...I'll fit in my training as much as possible and no more whining about "no time." I try to do workouts during lunch at work and then the evening as soon as Jake goes to bed so I can get done and have some time with my hubby. It's hard to fit everything in, but I will keep on working at it!

I'm now reviewing some different marathon training plans to see if I can do it. I'm scared, but I do like a challenge!! We'll see...

Teryaki Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1 Tbspn. extra virgin olive oil
• 1.5 tspns. minced garlic
• 1 -2 cups frozen mixed veggies
• 1/2 onion, cut in strips
• 1 egg + 1 egg white whisked
• 2 Tbspn. teryaki sauce
• Salt and Pepper
• Chicken - I used 1.5 pieces cut into bite size pieces

Directions:

1. Cook brown rice according to the package.
2. Drizzle pan with about 1 tbspn. teryaki sauce. Heat pan to med-high heat. Cook chicken for 4-6 minutes until browned on the outside and no longer pink on the inside. Set chicken aside.
3. Add oil to skillet, heat and add garlic.
4. Add onions, saute.
5. Add veggies.
6. Stir fry veggies for a few minutes and then move them to the outside.
7. Add whisked egg to the center of the pan. Stir until eggs are slightly scrambled.
8. Add rice and teryaki sauce.
9. Mix. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

I will probably do more veggies next time (I used one package of steamfresh veggies), but it was very tastey! You can definitely do it without the chicken too...but I think my hubby needed some meat! :)

Half of a Half Marathon

I've been debating about running another half marathon in September and/or October. I haven't been doing many long runs this summer (I've been doing 3-4 miles each time I run) so I wasn't sure if it was a wise thing to sign up for one until the spring when I could train in cooler weather.

Well, Saturday I was showing my Dad how my Nike+ worked and he said, "you're only running 2 times a week?" He really was just commenting since pre-Jake I ran 3-5 times/week, but it was a challenge to me. That was all I needed to hear! Half marathon, here I come! I ran Sunday afternoon and decided if I could do half of a half marathon then I would do it! Well, I did. I ran 6.5 miles and felt like I could have kept going but didn't have the time. Now it's just a matter of which one (or both?) and then signing up for it.

Here are the two I'm considering:

Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon - a friend from work is running this one and told me about it. It looks like it will be an amazing run through Asheville and Grove Park Inn.

Spinx Half Marathon - of course a popular one here in Greenville. I haven't run the half or the 5k in this race, so I definitely want to run one of them.

We had a delicious dinner tonight - teryaki fried rice with chicken. I'll post it shortly.

Happy Monday!

Delicious Lentil Sandwhiches

I loved this recipe, but as I told Shannon (who sent the recipe to me), I don't think I can call them "sloppy joes." When I think "sloppy joe", I think meat and lots of it! :) So let's call them "delicious lentil sandwiches." They were very good. Phil, Jake and I all enjoyed them.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbpsn. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 stalks celery, diced
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 tspn. oregano
• 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 Tbspn. balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbspn. brown sugar (I used Splenda brown sugar blend)
• 1 Tbspn. dijon mustard
• 2 cups cooked lentils, drained

Instructions:

1. Cook onion and celery in skillet until soft, then stir in all the spices.
2. Add ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, water and vinegar.
3. Mix and transfer to crock pot.
4. Add lentils and stir well.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.

Fun Friday!

Jake and I had a fun day with friends. Friday is the day I try to just have fun with Jake and friends! I always wanted to just stay home with my kids, but I got the amazing opportunity to keep my job and still be home with Jake. But lately work has been so busy that I've been working more than I planned, so I decided that on Fridays I will just check my e-mails in the morning and then close my inbox so I can't work any more until Monday (or maybe Sunday night). :)

We started the day with having a dear friend, Erin, over. We have been friends with Erin's in-laws for my whole life. She joined their family several years ago and we have loved her as another member of their family! She has an adorable 3 year old and another on the way. My sister, niece, nephew and Mom came over too. We had a yummy brunch with fruit, baked oatmeal, muffins, egg casserole, and fruit salsa with crunchy pitas. Yum! It was fun to catch up and watch the kids have a blast!

Me and my sweet niece, Afton. I love this girl. I love being a mommy, but being an aunt is pretty special, too!!

The boys during their "photo shoot." Jude thought we also needed "individual sessions." Can you tell he had professional pictures taken twice this week? :)

Jake saying "hi" to Aunt Kelley. He was probably trying to be all cute so she'd give him some food.

After a fun morning, we went to hang out with Jake's girl friend and Mommy's friend! The kids had a blast playing...especially with the bubbles. They were trying to catch them

Kickboxing = Stress Relief

I did my first two kickboxing classes this week and LOVED them!! Man do I love to kick and punch things (or even the air). It just feels good! And thanks to the awesome new gym I joined I get to bring a friend to almost every visit! So tonight Katie got to join me. It was great fun and a great workout!

I rested yesterday. It felt good after kickboxing and running on Monday and then my normal Tuesday workout at ASI. I was quite sore and really had no time, so a rest day was in order! (Rest from working out, that is. There really wasn't anything overly restful about it). :)

1 more week and 1 day until my next race...I cannot wait!! I just hope I can get through it. Maybe the humidity will go down a little before then (cross fingers)....but probably not.

I had a delicious dinner tonight. I didn't make a regular dinner for us tonight since it was a crazy day, so when I got home from class, I cooked some onions, tomatoes and black beans in a pan. Then I put it in a whole wheat wrap and cut up a peach to have with it. I packed the beans and veggies in so it was filling and very yummy!

I still need to post the "lentil sloppy joe" recipe that I made earlier this week. It was very tasty!

Happy Thursday!

I love to race!

I just can't resist posting cute pictures of my boy. :)

I am so anxious for the fall when there's a race to choose from almost every weekend. During these hot months I'm only doing about one a month and it seems so long in between! My friend Leena just finished her first 5k (congrats!!) and after reading her review of the race it got me itching for my next one! Less than two weeks now until my trail run. I can't wait!!

Why race you ask? I will never rank or even come close, but I will continue to run races for as long as I can!

Here are a couple of the reasons why I love it!

1. Getting up early on a Saturday morning. It's just fun and makes the day seem longer!
2. Katie! I love the extra time we get to spend together. We typically meet for coffee or just get to the race early to walk a little bit and get ourselves pumped up for our run.
3. Seeing so many other runners out there. It's just fun to see so many people lined up to race. Some are there to place, some are there to beat a PR, some are there to have fun, and some are there as they begin their own journey of becoming healthy. Whatever the reason, I love to see it.
4. Pushing myself to keep up with someone/pass someone at the end/beat the time on my last run.
5. The food! There's always something tasty at the end of the race...and even coffee sometimes!!
6. The t-shirts. Okay, so they aren't "free" since you pay to run but I don't care. Call me weird, but I love my race t-shirts!

I'm trying another vegetarian recipe from my friend, Shannon, today. It's in the crock pot right now and smelling delicious!! It's lentil sloppy joes. I'll let you know how it goes!

I did an awesome kick boxing class at the gym today. It was my first time going to a kickboxing class - I mostly just do it from Jillian's videos. It was really fun. I hope to get there again for the same class on Thursday night. Tonight I get to meet Katie for a run. It may turn into a walk so we can catch up, but whatever it will be I am looking forward to it!

We (Mom, sister and I) got pictures of the bambinos (Jude, Afton and Jake) done today so I'll be posting those soon. They turned out really good, but my monkey wanted to investigate everything! Why can't he be calm for once in his life?? I guess he wouldn't be Jake then. :)

Happy Monday!

He likes to "read." :)

Our Miracle Baby

We got an invitation in the mail Saturday to a NICU Reunion for Jake. Boy did that bring back a rush of emotions from the days in the NICU! It seems so long ago, but I can remember it like it was yesterday...

It was Friday, May 22nd and I was on bed rest. The specialist and my doctor had told me over and over that if I ever didn't feel Jake moving I needed to go to the emergency room right away. I hadn't felt him all day...I'd tried everything (eat a big meal, eat sugar, lay on my side, poke my belly)...still no movement. By the time Phil got home I was pretty frantic about it. We tried poking some more and still felt nothing. We finally went to bed but neither of us could sleep. We went to the hospital around 10 p.m. They hooked me up and monitored Jake's heart rate. For several hours it was steady. The nurse was literally on the phone with the doctor discussing my discharge when the thump, thump, thump of Jake's heart rate went to thump...(silence)...thump....(silence)...it was so scary. Just after that the nurse and doctor on call came in to tell us we'd earned an admission to the hospital for the night. Jake's heart rate dropped several times in the night and Saturday morning the specialist came to see me, did an ultra sound and suggested delivering him that day. 8 hours later our 2 pound, 15 ounce miracle was born.

Jake truly was a miracle from God. His little head was the size of a softball...everything about him was so tiny! It was hard to believe all his organs were not only inside of that little body but functioning properly!

Jake was born around 5:30. After a quick glance at him, he was rushed to the NICU. I saw my baby less than 10 minutes the day he was born. That was tough, but the trial had only just begun. On his second day of life, one of the nurses forgot to turn his isolette back on when he was put back in after he ate. He got really cold to the touch and his heart rate dropped several times throughout the night. We couldn't leave his side until it was back to a steady rate. We needed to be near him and know he was okay. On his third day of life, I was discharged. We spent the day in the NICU. I can't even describe what it felt like to leave the hospital...without our baby. I had dreamed of that day, prepared for it, and was so ready to bring him home! But that was not what God had planned for us. I literally felt sick to my stomach as we drove home that night.

Many well meaning people encouraged us that at least we could "get some rest." I wish we could have done that, but rest was the last thing we were able to do. I was up pumping every three hours in the night; we were up early to get ready and be to the hospital for Jake's first feeding; we spent 8 hours in a warm, dark room watching our baby in his isolette most of the time listening to monitors and babies crying; we went home after his last feeding, ate a quick dinner, made lunches for the next day, and went to bed for a few hours until it was time to pump and start all over again.

My lowest time came on Phil's first day back to work. I went to the hospital that morning to find a feeding tube in Jake's nose. The one thing Jake had always excelled at was eating...a boy after my own heart! :) So imagine my shock to find that the feeding tube had been put in again. What had happened?? His nurse that day, Pam, was equally as shocked. She had cared for him for several days and knew what a good eater he was. But, she encouraged me that setbacks happened and I needed to expect it. I held back tears but left to call Phil. I felt a little better and headed back to hold Jake while he had his milk through the feeding tube. Jake's cords often got knocked and a question mark would come up on the screen or an alarm would go off. The alarms were my biggest enemies...my heart would jump every time one went off. But on this day, the heart rate on the monitor went to "0." I yelled out for a nurse...my heart was beating so fast...I couldn't lose this boy who was so precious to me! Another nurse, Debbie Jo, came to my aid and encouraged me to look at Jake...who was staring up at me. He was fine. She was so kind to me. I tried to give him to her because I was so worked up, but she helped me to the chair and pulled up a chair right beside me. She wanted me to hold him. We talked a while before I put him back and went once again to cry on the phone to Phil. Jake would watch us with those big eyes through the isolette each night as we left to go home...it broke my heart every time. It hurt even more this night as I remembered that "0" on his monitor. I cried so much that night. I had only had him for a few days but I already couldn't imagine what life would be without him! That was by far my hardest day. Somehow God gave me what I needed to make it through those next days. He also gave me a supportive, logical husband to encourage this emotional, sleep deprived new mom who was already in love with her new baby boy!

Why did my baby have to stay in the hospital in an isolette with cords attached everywhere? Why couldn't I hold my baby whenever I wanted? I don't know why, but I know God was (and is) in control; and I know I have so much to be thankful for! He gave us a miracle! We are so thankful for the NICU, the incredible doctors and nurses, and the friends and family who supported us. One of the most important thing I learned was how I could help others going through similar situations, thanks to the many people who supported us and prayed for our precious boy. The visits from friends in the lobby of the hospital meant more than I can even begin to describe (they couldn't go to the NICU). I needed the break from that room so much...and to see a friend meant so much! The food people brought was amazing...the last thing you want to do after a restless night and a long day at the hospital is to cook dinner! The cards, e-mails, texts from so many people showing us their love helped get us through. The premie clothes that people (some people we didn't even know!!) gave us were so incredibly helpful! Jake had to wear several layers once he moved out of the isolette, so when he wet through (sometimes 2-3X/day!) :), we used a lot of clothes!

Jake is now a healthy, happy 14 month old. He hasn't had a fever or been sick (except for a cold) since he was born! He has a contagious personality and makes friends everywhere we go. You can't help but love this happy little boy! He never fails to make us laugh. We often wonder what we possibly did before him?? Thank you, God, for our precious little miracle!