Rainier Training: Listening

Quick Look Weeks of April 23-April 29:

# of Workouts:  7

# of miles ran/walked/hiked/climbed:  13.8

Starting Weight: 220.8

Current Weight: 174.6 (Up 0.6 lbs from previous week)

Total Lost to date: 46.2 lbs!

Chest: 40" (No change)

Hips: 45"  (No change!)

Monday: Weighted TM walk (28lbs, 10% incline), 1.7 miles; ST with Adam
Tuesday: Ran 3.1 miles
Wednesday: ST with Adam
Thursday: Ran 3 miles, Avery in Bjorn for Costco trip
Friday: MOPS Yoga
Saturday: Ran 6 miles
Sunday: Bonus rest day

I think I was feeling the residual effects of racing the Scioto Miles 15K last Sunday.  I intentionally did not run on Monday to allow those muscles more recovery, but I think the weighted walk on an incline did as much damage.  

All week, my body was giving me little signals that it was tired.  I listened.  Taking it easier for one week will be much less detrimental to my Rainier training than pushing too hard and getting hurt.  

Try cat wrestling Mom, it's low impact

All week long, my scale-checks were high, so I fully expected to gain a couple pounds this week.  0.6 lbs gain?  I can live with that.  That's within statistical probability of being water weight and/or scale error.  I was really expecting to have a mental stumble when I finally had a week with a +sign in front of the weight difference rather than a minus.  The fact that I had not had one since I started weekly weigh-ins is probably a statistical anomaly.  (had not had one - how's that for great grammar?)

With another light week ahead of me, with lots of carbs, because it's race week, I decided to play with excel and make a graph to keep me feeling good about me.

Yes, this means that I am a bit of a nerd.  Yes, I still have a way to go before I'm where I want to be.  I like the overall trend for the past 7 months though!

A couple of people have asked how I'm doing it - so I am planning out a post that covers it.  Fair warning though - I'm not a fan of fad diets or 1200 calorie plans or anything that involves drastic unsustainable change.  Mostly, I've added up a lot of small changes and a lot of exercise.

Mommy wants to exercise again.  Looks like it's just you and me Cassie.

This week brings another change.  It's time for me to pay more attention to diet and actually hydrating properly.  What better time to TRACK my water intake than when I have a race on Saturday where the weather is expected to be 30 degrees warmer than my last month of training.  I downloaded a free iPhone app to try out that has a calorie tracker and a water tracker.  I'll let you know what I think after I've played with it for a few days.

Just now, the UPS gal delivered one of the baby gates I ordered to contain Avery. She commented on how much weight I'd lost.  When I said I still had 30 lbs to go, she asked "What are you aiming for a toothpick?"  LOL.  No, I'm just aiming for a more healthy weight than I was at before I got pregnant.  For my own self image...and because every pound I lose puts an estimated four pounds less strain on my knee when I run!  This makes me faster. 

Blah, blah, blah, Faster..... Do it!

How was your training week?

Do you use any iPhone apps in your training?

Anyone race this past weekend?

When is too soon?

When is it too soon to start registering for the next race???


I am supposed to be in taper mode for my second half marathon of this season, The Cap City Half Marathon.


This race is supposed to be a big deal for me, because this is the third time I have registered for it, and I've never completed it.


Why?


In May 2010, DNS.  I went on a downhill ski vacation a month and a half before the race.  I fell on the last run of the last day.  Didn't even fall THAT hard.  You don't have to when you land on the end of your planted ski pole.  A week later, the doctor confirmed that I had 3 cracked ribs and needed to stop running for 4-6 weeks minimum.  

This may or may not have been the day I fell - same trip though. 

Instead of running the race that rainy May morning, or even cheering my Dad and husband who ran it, I stayed home and studied chemistry.  Wow.  I'm so exciting.


In May 2011, kind-of DNF.  I turned at the Quarter turnoff and only completed the quarter marathon.  For those of you keeping score, Avery was born in August of 2011, so I was 5 months pregnant.  I fully intended to finish the race though, but I got debilitating shin splints (one of the very few times in my life this has happened, all of them while pregnant).  I was hormonal, and sobbing, and at the back of the pack.  So, I quit early.  SHAME.

After the race - I even refused the Half medal for the Quarter one.

Nonetheless, am I focusing on Cap City?  Checking the weather?  Talking about taper crazies?


No.  I'm looking up fall races and finding a half marathon to travel to for fun as "part of my marathon training".  I also am modifying several plans to write my own marathon training plan, but we'll talk about that later.


Earlier this week, I signed up for my first Full Marathon, the Columbus Marathon.  To some, that wasn't that surprising, because I've been saying that I intended to go for all 26.2 this fall.


Just now though, I bought plane tickets and registered for another race.  My first race-cation if you will.

Source

My marathon schedule has 18 miles on it for that Saturday.  To get those in, the plan is to run 2-3 miles to warm-up before this race, not run the race at "death speed," and then run 2 miles to cool down after the race.  I even suckered Laurie into going with me, so I know I'll have a buddy for the extra miles.  AND, I'm working on suckering even more of my running group into going with me.  I like to have company in my crazy.


Anyone else want to come on a race-cation to Virginia Beach?  


Mandy

Going all the way

At the Cap City Expo last year, I bought this tech shirt.  I was 5.5 months pregnant at the time, and thought it would be hilarious to take my belly photo with this shirt on, but not covering the belly.

It says "13.1
I don't go all the way"

Then, a couple months ago, I applied for the ING New York Marathon.  I thought I should put all this getting into shape I'm doing for the Rainier climb to good use and finally go for the full marathon.


Today, I hovered on the computer around 12:35 because that's when you were supposed to be able to find out whether you got in on the non-guaranteed entries for the lottery.  They then changed that line on the website to say "check in later today," and then changed it to say "Check back April 26 to find out if you're in".  I was starting to feel like I didn't want to get in anyway, since it would be a solo trip.  Nonetheless, the not-knowing was killing me.


Apparently, it was killing Avery too, as she refused to take her afternoon nap. 

I don't want to miss it if you get in Mommy!

Just before my strength-training workout this evening, my New York profile unlocked and I got to see the lovely "not accepted" phrase.  (based on the lack of charged fees on my credit card, I was kind of expecting it).  I actually felt a little sad.  Something about the phrase "not accepted" under your name is just sad.  


Before, I could decide that it was I sign that I should never run a full 26.2 freaking miles, I loaded the Columbus Marathon page and....


"Thank you for submitting your entry for the October 21, 2012 Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon: Marathon"

Cassie, I think I should climb on you to celebrate Mommy's craziness!

So.  It's official.  I'm going all the way.  I think I'm in shock.


For those of you who have run those 26.2 miles - any tips, suggestions, concerns?


If you haven't run a marathon, do you want to?

Rainier Training: 70 days left

Quick Look Weeks of April 16-April 22:

# of Workouts:  9

# of miles ran/walked/hiked/climbed:  25.73

Starting Weight: 220.8

Current Weight: 174.0 (Down 2.0 lbs from previous week!)

Total Lost to date: 46.8 lbs!

Chest: 40" (No change)

Hips: 45"  (No change!)

Monday: Ran 5 miles; ST with Adam 40 min
Tuesday: Ran 3 miles; walked the Zoo with Avery in Bjorn
Wednesday: Stairclimber 0.5 miles; Spin class; ST with Adam 40 min
Thursday: Ran 5 miles
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: Ran 3 miles
Sunday: 15K race - recap

So, this week I tried doing a meal plan for dinner for the first time.  How did it go?  50-50.  LOL.  One of the meals was a complete bust (as far as I'm concerned).  The crock-pot lasagna was AWESOME though.  Two nights, we wound up eating out instead.  There was a definite pattern to that.  Friday, we dealt with getting Avery's and my passports, and I was not willing to cook afterwards.  Sunday, with the nasty weather, Mark didn't want to grill.

Despite the fact that I went rather unhealthy when eating out, and binged on chocolate and Twizzlers early in the week, I still lost 2 lbs.  Kind of makes me wonder how it would have gone if I'd been better behaved.  

As I was writing this up, I realized I did exactly ZERO weighted walks this week.  (Unless carrying Avery in the Bjorn at the zoo counts?)  I had a reason why I didn't on every day, but it still bothers me.  I intend to do a weighted walk during Avery's nap today - assuming she takes it.  This week, I WILL DO MORE WEIGHTED WALKS.  Hold me to it!

Enjoying the zoo - just before she moved to the Bjorn

Jack Hanna was filming by the elephants while we were there.

I had a lot of success with running faster this week though - and I find that really exciting!  I'm extremely competitive, and would LOVE to be a much faster runner.  This week I begin my running taper pre-Cap City.  I will also find out if I got in to the NYC marathon.

My Dad and stepbrother booked another climbing trip for June 2013 to Ecuador.  My whole reason for climbing Rainier this summer instead of next (giving me more time post-baby) was because Rainier is a pre-requisite to the Ecuador climb.  I have not booked a spot on the Ecuador climb yet, because I feel that I have to prove myself on Rainier first.  Plus, if I get there and absolutely HATE mountain climbing, it would be rather unfortunate that I had another climb booked.

I had to turn in some registration forms to RMI this week as well.  Rather depressing to put in my current weight, and then write in the fitness section that I plan to lose 15 lbs pre-climb.  I'm sure whoever reads that is saying - "Uh, yeah right."  I would be surprised if I weren't pre-flagged as someone to watch on the mountain.  (Their primary goal is a SAFE climb).  

Thanks for continuing to read my boring this-week-I-did-this posts.  I fully acknowledge that these posts are more for me and keeping me accountable.  I know that they can be boring, and I appreciate y'all for reading them anyway!

Mandy

Scioto Miles 15K Recap

Race: Scioto Mile(s) 15K
Distance:  15K (9.3 miles - I think the course was short though, I ran 9.23)
Date:  April 22, 2012, 9:00am start
Finish time:  1:39:28 (10:46 min/mile avg) - Garmin time
What sets this race apart: The options.  Racers had the option of doing a 5K, 10K or 15K.  Plus, for me, the race was free.  I won the entry in a fun run drawing at my favorite running store: Fleet Feet Columbus.


This course was essentially a 5K loop along the Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus.  I think the course was short of the actual distances though.  I typically run a course rather poorly, on the long side.  This time, I came up short.


I made the mistake of failing to observe the elevation profile pre-race.  Most of Columbus is pretty flat.  This course was not.  My excuse?  They only posted the 10K course map anyway.  Hehehe.  (yes, I know, same loops.  Then again - you can't tell it's a 5K loop from the profile).

Source 

The course was well staffed with helpful volunteers for directions on the loops and with 2 convenient hydration stops at the two extremes of the loop.  (Meaning 6 hydration stations for the 15K).  The post-race goodies were nice as well: bananas, oranges, ice cream, chocolate milk and massages.  The shirt was also rather nice.  No medal though.


I started the race out way too fast, again.  I tended to run about a 10 min/mile while I was running.  (which for me, is way fast).  I had to walk during the 2nd loop both times I attempted GU.  (I can't GU and run apparently).  I almost threw up trying to take the Mint Chocolate GU, which would have defeated the purpose.  That one is definitely off the GU list!  (I tried two new GUs today in violation of the nothing new on race day rule - my excuse is I was testing them pre-Cap City which is actually my goal race this season).  I also walked the uphills on the last mile when I started having left foot pain.  Note to self: my older pair of Brooks Launch has seen it's last miles.


I've never run a 15K before, so this was a guaranteed PR.  Nonetheless, this was ALSO the fastest average mile pace for me at a race for any distance.  WOOT!


Problem.  I currently do not show up on the official results page. I have to go with my Garmin time and distance.

My Garmin says 1:39:28 - so I should be near this orange spot, but my bib# was 1417.

Fortunately, Fleet Feet (who also was one of the sponsors of the race) did post several race pictures that I am in, so at least I have some proof that I did actually run it.  At first, I thought this one from the first loop was the only one with me in it, and since I'm hard to see, I knew I would get flack about whether or not I "really ran it".

I'm in the middle, right behind the girl in the light grey shirt.

Luckily, I was in a couple more photos from the next two loops.

I'm to the left of the girl in the bright yellow vest.

This looks like this was one of my walking moments - it's not far from the water, so I was probably GUing

The weather was overcast and chilly - pretty much my favorite running weather.  I had brought a jacket because my husband thought I would need a long sleeve shirt AND a jacket.  Standing around outside COSI (near the start), I wasn't cold, and I knew the jacket would be too much.  My awesome pace coach let me store it in her bag for the race!


Fun race, fun post race eats, the line was long for the massage, so I didn't get one, but I assume they were great.  Not real thrilled with the course, it was extremely narrow in parts (as in single file) making it impossible to pass.  I'm glad I raced it, although I hadn't known I was going to until I started running.  My mental freak-outs over how fast I was going during this race made me realize that I need more practice over long distance with faster paces.


I knew going in there was no medal, but it still makes me a tiny bit sad.  I know, I'm materialistic.  Hopefully, I'll show up on the results though, because that does bother me.  Several others running the race have stated that there are a lot of problems with the timing and results though, so that makes me feel better.


This is probably one of those races where it's a "one and done" thing for me.  Unless I win the entry again. HA!


Update:  Emailed the Race Company this morning, and they fixed it...I'm all official!  YAY!

Chocolate Endurance

Thursday was a longish day.  I had the joy of watching my friend's new little baby girl.  This also meant, I was the only adult responsible for two children under the age of one.  I actually handled it really well.  If I do say so myself.

Whatever lady - I had to resort to dog toys

That being said, I am very thankful that it is not something I have to do every day.  I suddenly have a lot more understanding and sympathy for all my friends with twins.  You women are superheros as far as I am concerned.


After Mark got home, I was very excited to go to Fleet Feet and pick up my new running shoes.  Yes, I still have my old running shoes.  These are just the same shoes in a fantastic new color.  It's the first time I've been uber excited about my running shoes and talked about how pretty they are.  Dare I say it?  I actually sounded girly!

I was really, really tempted to take off my shoes and put these on, that's how crazy in love with them I was.  But I resisted.


I then ran 5 miles with my friends...and talked, and talked, and talked.  It's amazing they all still like me since apparently, I have no concept of how to shut my mouth during a run.  LOL.  I was talking about Rainier and stuff.


Afterwards, I told those who didn't know about my chocolate bar issues this week and how I intend to bring those with me as food on Rainier.  My friend Sue asked if that was all I was going to bring and worried that I might get sick if I didn't bring something other than chocolate.

My dear friend Andrew had an excellent point - "Not if you build up your chocolate endurance."


Love it.  I went as far as considering writing a training plan for building up chocolate endurance.  I know, I'm special like that.


This morning - I skipped my big group 12 mile run, because I'm running a 15K tomorrow.  It's a guaranteed PR since I've never run the distance before in a race.  I haven't decided how to play it - since my 2nd spring half marathon is 2 weeks away.  Race it or avoid injury???  With my previous luck with the  Cap City Half, I should probably proceed with caution.


Speaking of caution - instead of running this morning, I spent my time researching and spending a small fortune on baby gates....I can no longer deny that Avery is crawling.

Have you ever squealed with excitement over new shoes?


Would you be interested in a chocolate endurance training plan?


What would you do for the 15K?  Race pace or run a tad slower to ensure a good half on May 5th?  Note: This 15K race has no medals.

Chocolate = Perfect Fuel

So many bloggers talk about healthy eating and making weekly meal plans....I must confess, domestic goddess, I am not.  Luckily, my husband knew this when he married me and doesn't seem bothered by it.


The only things I generally cook that require significant effort are my homemade chili and spaghetti.  Normally.  After another blogger, Kristin, broke down how easy it can be to meal plan, shop for the ingredients and actually COOK dinner all week, I decided if I didn't do it, I had to confess to being lazy.  While I might actually be lazy, I'd rather not confess to that.


So, I sucked it up, looked up some recipes and came up with a dinner meal plan for the week.
Monday: Fend for yourself.  (I know - great plan, right?)
Tuesday: Barley Risotto Primavera
Wednesday: Honey Sauced Chicken, crockpot
Thursday: Meatball Sandwiches
Friday: Fish & veggies
Saturday: Crockpot lasagna
Sunday: Hamburgers
This is not the original order, I switched around Friday, Saturday and Sunday when I remembered I was racing on Sunday instead of having a long run on Saturday.


I had to cancel on my normal Monday morning stuff, so that gave me a chance to go grocery shopping to get what I needed.  In hindsight, I should have rewritten my list, grouping things of a certain type together.  I had to return to the produce section 3 times.

The haul

I did buy a few things that weren't on the original list.  Some were good, like pumpernickel bread....and some weren't what you would expect to see if this were a healthy living blog:

The most important items

Luckily, while this is a blog about me losing weight and getting in the best shape of my life to try and tackle a mountain...and all my running...I've never claimed to be about eating healthy.  These also happen to be my favorite candies of all time, and I went shopping hungry.


I am sad to admit - that I bought 3 of the Cadbury chocolate bars (they were on sale!) on Monday morning.  As of 7:30am this morning, all three are gone. Each bar adds up to 510 calories.  Oops.


The good news is - I was considering these bars as fuel on Rainier.  We need to bring high calorie snacks that we like to eat.   On Monday, I ate a little more than one entire bar...and then I met my friend Andrew for a 5 mile run.  Fastest. 5. Mile. Run. Ever. For me anyway.  Our last mile was our fastest, because at that point, I'd given up on slowing us down for what was supposed to be our RECOVERY RUN.  After I came home, I also did my strength training workout with my Adam.  We also did measurements, but I'll cover that another time.


Obviously, giant chocolate bars, with almonds, are the perfect fuel.  I had a great run and a great workout.  When I admitted to my trainer about my fueling choices, he asked how I felt.  I don't think he expected my answer - "GREAT!"

Where's my chocolate mommy?

Because that worked so well, obviously, I had to have more chocolate before my run on Tuesday night, and the last 3 squares before my spin class this morning.  Now, I am sadly without Cadbury chocolate bars.  


So, what did I learn from this, besides the fact that chocolate is great workout fuel?  Is that I should wait to buy more of these until I am about to climb the mountain.  I mean, RIGHT before I strap on the boots and the pack.  HA!


I did make the first meal of the plan (since fending probably doesn't count).  I have two things to say about it.

It's rather colorful

1.  With it's high fiber content, bad choice just before a run.  Luckily, it was only 3 miles.  The peppers kept straining to give me a second taste of them as well.  See, chocolate is much better to me pre-run than anything healthy.


2.  It was not nearly as tasty as the amount of effort that went into it.  Mark better enjoy the leftovers, because I'm not making it again.


So far??  No domestic goddess points for the meal plan.  BUT, I definitely have a great pre-race and during-climb fuel.  We'll just pretend that was the original plan when I went shopping.

We don't think any of them are buying that.

What food item can you never resist???  Obviously, for me, it's those Cadbury chocolate almond bars.


What's your perfect pre-workout fuel?


Do you meal plan?

Rainier Training: 77 days and counting

Quick Look Weeks of April 9-April 15:

# of Workouts:  9

# of miles ran/walked/hiked/climbed:  28.2

Starting Weight: 220.8

Current Weight: 176.0 (Down 1.8 lbs from previous week!)

Total Lost to date: 44.8 lbs!

Chest: 40" (No change)

Hips: 45"  (Down 1" from previous week!)

Monday: 3 mile stroller run
Tuesday: 2.2 mile weighted walk (23 lbs)
Wednesday: 0.5 mile stairclimb; spin class; 40 min ST with Adam
Thursday: 4.0 mile run
Friday: Two 1 mile walks, rest day
Saturday: 11 mile run
Sunday: 5.5 mile weighted hike (32 lbs)

I added a line item this week, my starting weight.  It's a good reminder on tough weeks of how far I've come.  44.8 lbs since  a month after Avery was born.  1.8 lbs lost last week!  That puts me 10 lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight.

This week started rough.  My Monday stroller run was one of the hardest runs I've had in a long time.  My legs were just DEAD.  They were still tired on my weighted walk the next morning, so I canceled my 5 mile stroller run for that evening at the last minute.  As a result, Tuesday was a rough day mentally.

I bounced back on Wednesday with an awesome spin class!  First time that I can say I LOVED a spin class.  I have written that class into my training schedule for the foreseeable future.  

My 11 mile run on Saturday with a perfect long run.  I finally successfully experimented with GU - chocolate outrage.  I tried to do the first one too soon, because I was determined to force myself to try one.  I gagged down maybe 2/3 of it, and I was actually gagging.  I think I amused my friends Lynne and Andrew with the faces I was making.  The second GU was at the 7 mile mark and I was hungry, so it went down EASY!  Same flavor.  Oh happy day!  First time in a long time that I completed a double-digit run without feeling like I ran out of fuel/energy.  We celebrated by going out to breakfast.  I got the sausage biscuit bowl and a side of pancake.  

Sunday, Mark and I headed back out to highbanks metro park for a training hike.  My legs were tired the entire time.  I wore the Kelty pack (about 32 lbs) and Mark wore his mountain pack (20 lbs).  We actually met someone else on the trail that is also training to climb Mt. Rainier!  How cool is that?  He's taking a more difficult route and has previously achieved the summit.  He gave us some suggestions of other good training places in the area.  We passed going opposite directions on the loops, so we actually saw each other 3x.  By the 3x, I felt inferior.  He was going faster and told us he intended to go do the stairs at Alum Creek dam AFTER the hike.  I spent the rest of the hike reworking my training plan for the week in my head.

I am terrified that my "slow it down to avoid aggravating the knee injury" plan went too far, slowed down too much.  We walked enough miles to make it to Camp Muir on Sunday (about 4.5 miles to Camp Muir, we did 5.5), but only half the elevation.  (Camp Muir is about 4600 feet in elevation gain).  And, Camp Muir isn't the summit, that's an additional 4400 feet in elevation gain!

I keep trying to add more each week.  It is hard to work in enough training with an 8 month old and no contacts for babysitters....especially when your husband also needs to train.  This week, I'm going to try to find some sitters.  77 days until the climb, not that I'm counting.  

After the hike, we stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods to pick up a few extra things for training.  Some weights to add to our packs to increase their weight:

Some gloves for lifting, and, if the knee gets finicky, a fancy way to strap on an ice pack.

Mark also fixed the treadmill so that the incline works again, so I'll have to take advantage of that during naps.

Avery made some big leaps this week too.  She's crawled several "steps" and she held her own bottle for a bit.

I don't need you anymore Mommy.

How was your training this week???

Who's racing this week? (be it Boston, or something else)

Trail Confessions III

I originally intended to do a post about "doing my hair" or in my case "not doing my hair" and call it "Perpetual Bad Hair Day," but I thought another confessions post might be more entertaining.  


My hair is naturally frizzy and wavy.  Back in the day, I would blow dry it straight, and maybe even use a straightener.  These days, sometimes I even miss a shower post workout.  I think to myself - "Self, what good is a shower after this workout, when you're doing another workout a few hours from now."  Or "Self, if you take a shower after this really late night workout, you'll have to stay up to blow dry your hair or go to bed with wet hair."  My husband is a lucky man.  I did blow dry my hair once this week, for perhaps the first time in months, here's a picture for your viewing pleasure.

This is also my first ever blog bathroom mirror photo.  I obviously need more practice.

I don't do make-up.  Ever.  Okay.  Rarely ever. I put on make up for my husband's work party.  And, I used tinted moisturizer the other day.  That counts, right?  And yes, I was wearing it in that picture above.  You're welcome.


Today at my mom's group meeting, we did shrinky dink crafts.  I had previously never done these.  I decided to make myself a medal for climbing Mt. Rainier (which I haven't done yet)...I neglected to consider how much it would shrink.  Hopefully, this is not a sign of my future success (or lack there of) on the mountain.

Everyone wishes they had a medal this awesome.

When I tried (unsuccessfully) to put Avery down for a nap, I actually looked into having a medal made for if when I summit Mt. Rainier. Perhaps I need better hobbies?


Avery now owns a jumperoo.  She's spoiled well loved.  Wednesday night, she figured out how the jumping part works.  I found it rather hilarious.  Even more hilarious, was when she tried to get the exercsaucer to "jump" the same way on Thursday.  A genius, my kid.  This video is from the night she first figured it out.  She's much better at it now.  I think she got as many giggles watching her own video as she did on the jumperoo though. 

Apparently, I'm not as interested in trying Zumba as I claim.  I have had it on my schedule for Thursday morning for two weeks, and have found a reason not go two weeks in a row.  Here's hoping next week is more successful!


Do you have any confessions of your own to share?


Have you ever made yourself a medal?


Have you ever tried Zumba?  Would you recommend it to a friend?

What a Difference a Day Makes...

Yesterday was one of those days you can't wait to be over.  Avery woke up at 5:30am.  Again.  I refused to get her up until 6am, because I shouldn't have to be a mommy before 6am, right???  She turned 8 months old yesterday.  And, she exercised her month-birthday right to "cry if she wants to."

Put down that stupid camera, NOW.

When it got close to morning nap time and the eye-rubbing began, I loaded up the stroller (per usual), put on my weighted mountain pack (adjusted down to 23 lbs because I made strap adjustments and my legs were tired), grabbed the dog, and left for our normal morning walk.  Avery dozed off for her morning nap (as usual), but then woke up after only 2 miles and insisted we were done for the morning.


She rotated through her toys when we got home, even her new jumperoo, but nothing kept her happy for more than a few minutes.  

Ok. This is fun.  For about 5 minutes.

She took an early nap that afternoon, and actually slept for a normal length of time.  Nonetheless, she woke up and cried. And cried.  And cried.  She woke up at 2pm.  I attempted a make-her-happy-bath at 4pm.  

I have not forgotten that I am unhappy with you.

I canceled my planned stroller run because my legs were still not happy at all...and 5 miles with the stroller in the wind sounded like a bad idea.


My husband called at 5:30 to say he was going to happy hour - despite the screaming baby in the background.  I jokingly told him not to come home too late or he'd come home to a carcass instead of a daughter.  He laughed and laughed.  I then clarified, that I was, of course joking about the carcass bit.  He didn't come home until 7pm.  My friend Amy got there before he did and witnessed my tears.  I had determined that since I was at my wits end with Avery that day, obviously I was a terrible mother, yadda, yadda, yadda.


It was one of those days where I really wanted to look into daycare options and knew that I absolutely HAD to go back to work.


Today, for maybe the second time in her life, Avery slept in until 7:00am.  She woke up happy and giggly.  Around 8:30am, I started getting everything ready because I intended to go to a spin class at the gym, and get there early enough to warm up on the stair climber.


I dropped her off at the kids area, warmed up on the stair climber and had an absolutely kick butt spin class.  I picked her up from the kids area, she was happy and smiling.  I was happy and smiling.  We played until her afternoon nap.

Do it again Mommy, do it again!

I then finished up laundry, bottle washing, wrote this blog post, plan to catch up reading a bunch of blogs, and even read a bit of a book.


I am the world's best mother ever.


What a difference a day makes, huh???


How do you turn around those days when absolutely everything in the world is going wrong and you're ready to cry at every turn?


For me - I think it was my Relay Around Columbus team meeting that night.  The people on my relay team are really just flat awesome.


How do you keep the awesomeness going those days when everything is going right???

Rainier Training: 2 week update

Quick Look Weeks of March 26-April 8:

# of Workouts:  17

# of miles ran/walked/hiked:  52

Weight: 177.8 (Down 2.2 lbs. from previous measurement!)

Chest: 40" (No change)

Hips: 46"  (No change)

Monday: 3 mile stroller run; 40 min ST with Adam
Tuesday: 3 mile weighted walk (30 lbs); 3 mile run
Wednesday: Rest day
Thursday: 2 mile stroller run
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: 1.5 mile walk
Sunday: Knoxville Half Marathon

Monday: 1 mile walk
Tuesday: 3 mile walk
Wednesday: 1 mile walk, 4 mile run, 40 min ST with Adam
Thursday: Sick day
Friday: 3 mile walk, rest day
Saturday: 5 mile run, 3.1 mile weighted hike (36 lbs), 2.2 mile walk
Sunday: 3.5 mile weighted hike (31 lbs)

It is important to note, that Easter eating hurt my weight loss for the past two weeks, at least according to the spot check on Sunday morning.  LOL!  I'm okay with that though, the food and the company was MORE than worth it.

Easter dinner gang

A big thank you to Laurie and her husband for hosting a fun dinner!!!


These past two weeks were expected to be relatively light exercise wise because of the Knoxville Half Marathon.  (outside of the race itself).  I had to take an extra rest day this past week when I got the post-race allergy attack from hell.  Nonetheless, I'm happy to say that I got in two weighted hikes this past weekend.


Avery got her first Easter basket yesterday morning and rather enjoyed the tissue paper I used to make it look like there was more in it for pictures.

What is this cool crinkly stuff?

She looked rather adorable in her Easter dress....which I actually purchased on clearance the day that I found out she was a girl...with the intention that it be her Easter dress.  Wow!  Go me!

Mommy always says that I'm lucky I'm cute.

Later that afternoon, after we dragged her on a training hike, she demonstrated exactly why we call her super baby and sing the superman song to her all the time....

Superbaby!

This week, my goal is to start adding in a lot more cross training, steadily increasing the hours of my workouts.  The mountain climb is under 3 months away!  GULP!


How did your last couple of weeks go???


Can you do Avery's pose in the last picture?


This week, several days, I've tried to imitate her poses.  Which has mostly resulted in lots of laughing on my part...and very strange looks from her.