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.