My biggest fan

Oh how I love this girl. She loves to wear her Boston shirt and walk around saying "in your face".  Last weekend when we were out on the town a few different people saw her shirt and asked me if I ran the marathon.  I've decided that hanging out with this girl is even better than wearing race shirts myself or even than having the good old 26.2 sticker on my minivan :) 

Today's workout:  9 mile run and crossfit (WOD: 25 dumbbell cleans, 50 box jumps, 75 wall balls, 100 air squats - 1 RFT)

Lucky Number 4

I have been so bad about putting my workouts up and even worse with taking pictures.  Summer is busy busy busy.  I spend so much time at the pool watching my kids swim.  The boys are both on 2 teams and have been doing private lessons with their coaches which means I drive to and from and to and from all day every day.  Last weekend the boys had another meet and they decided they wanted their "lucky numbers" on their backs.  It must have worked because both boys swam fast and made this mama proud. 

Speaking of their lucky numbers.....they come from our family shirts.  I'm from a dang big family (4th of 10 kids) and several years ago we were all doing the Turkey Trot so we decided to make family shirts.  Each of us had our number put on the back of our shirt - and now these have become our lucky numbers.  Your number is based on when you came into the family - so there are grandkids with smaller numbers than in-laws.  We have done 3 versions of our shirts so far and they are worn all the time when we are together.  

I am number 4....as you can tell by the sweet flex.

Turkey Trot 2007

 

Turkey Trot 2009

Thanksgiving Dinner 2012

Workouts:
M - 8 mile run & crossfit
T - spin

Why do you run?

I decided to create my own running image for tomorrow.  I love running for so many reasons.

Yesterday was the first big day of summer break - which means kids summer activities are in full swing.  We have multiple swim teams, dance, tennis, and piano.  Needless to say, driving them all over town is cutting into my workout time.  

Yesterday I got up at 6:40 took Tayson to swim team from 7-8 and ran 5 miles outside while he swam.  Then I had to take 3 of them to swimming from 8:30-9:30 then hurry home and take Luke to hip hop from 10-11.  Then I had to take Luke to swim team from 5-6pm.  Then back to the rec center to practice swimming with Claire because she almost got cut from the team for not swimming the full 25 meters.  So of course I made her do it twice last night before she could play in the pool. I am so mean.

And then this morning I turned into the "crazy mom" and made the coach give her another chance to try and when she was swimming I walked along side the pool telling her she wasn't allowed to stop. So she is now officially on the team.  But, I think I might have pushed her too hard because she threw up right when we got home!!!  Oops.
P.S.  today I did crossfit for the first time in over a week and my shoulder felt fine.  Hooray!!

Eating vs. Working Out

Today after my 4 year old's preschool Christmas program she wanted to go to McDonald's before I dropped her off at my sis-in-law's house.  We went through the drive-thru and she got her happy meal.  Rather than find something else to eat I opted for the 2 cheeseburger meal (don't judge me).  She was very excited when we were eating the same thing then when I took a bite of my second one she said "you eat two mama?  you fat!"  So after that I couldn't finish it and just threw it away knowing I shouldn't have been eating it in the first place.  Then when I was back at work I got this text and was dying.  She is the funniest kid.  I only wish my double workout today could make up for my poor eating choices!  

Speaking of today's workout:  I did intervals on the treadmill 6 miles total with 3 - 1 mile intervals at a 7:12 pace then did 360 fit.  The WOD today was crazy.  It was a partner workout of 50 knees to elbows.  50 star jumpers. 50 ops burpees.  50 ball slams.  50 kettleball swings.  2 rounds for time.  It nearly killed me! 

So instead of throw away all the hard work I did in the gym this morning I think I'll make sure my dinner is healthier than my lunch was!

New workout clothes

One of the reasons I workout is for my kids.  I want to be active so I can play with them.  I want to live longer for them and most of all I want to be a good influence on them when it comes to fitness.  I like having my kids at the finish line of races so I can see the people who are most important to me and so they can see how hard I've worked.  

Last week the girls ran errands with me.  First we went to Runner's Corner to get some gels and *maybe* I picked up a new shirt.  Isn't it so cute? My girls loved it so I had to get it! 

Then we went to Sports Authority because I had a 25% off coupon that I *had* to use and really you can never have too much workout gear.  I got a new white running tank and the girls talked me into getting them some new workout clothes.  They both got cute running skirts.  They don't run or workout but the skirts are cute and they seem to be able to find places to wear them.

Since she had PE at school she needed to wear her new running skirt

Going to the babysitters house with her running skirt and Gatorade.

I love it that my girls want to be fit and that they love buying workout clothes as much as I do.  You can decide for yourself if that's a good or bad habit to pass along :)

Tomorrow is my last long run before the marathon.  We are running 22 miles.  Bring it on!

Night Group Run

 Last night 7 of the 12 of the Ragnar girls got together for a quick 5 mile night run.  It was so fun running with such a big group. I'm sure people could hear us chatting long before they saw our group.  

Have I mentioned that I have the BEST running friends ever!!  I love the reflective gear in the picture.  It makes me smile!  

It got really dark on the run and none of us wore headlamps.  Thank goodness we didn't have any injuries from tripping.  The biggest problem I had was that I ate dinner way too close to the run.  I know better - but life got busy. 

I was a little worried that my kids would all be awake and going crazy when I got home but they were sound asleep.  Hooray!

Busy busy Saturday

This morning I got up early, met the girls, drove up the canyon and went running. I did 17 miles. We drove up to the first half of the marathon course. I'm so glad I ran it. When I drive it the hills look brutal. But today I just turned up the tunes and ran up them. 

I took a GU at mile 7 then another just before 12. We dropped our water/Gatorade off so I didn't have to carry anything. It was heavenly. I felt great today and my average pace was 8:33.

Then after my long run I got to go into full mom mode. I ran errands. Threw a princess tea party. Went shopping for the hubby's birthday present and took the kids out to eat to celebrate my princess turning 6 tomorrow. Now I'm exhausted and ready to go to bed even though my kids are still awake.

Making the time pass faster

Yesterday morning I was going to do hills on the treadmill and lift weights....but I slept in.  So last night right before bedtime I decided to just get a few miles in on the treadmill while the kids were playing.  I decided to try something new to pass the time and took my iPad with me.  I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the 5 miles went by.  I had to stop my show several times because the kids came down to ask me questions and once because the 3YO who was playing in the room with me peed her pants.  Little stinker!  I watched an episode of Glee and I thought it was a perfect running show.  I couldn't get the sound up very loud so I could barely hear them talking but the singing was great. 

Today is a rest day and tomorrow is a long run - 16 miles. 

You need to work out more

A few days ago I was helping my 5YO pick out a shirt to wear and I picked one that she calls her "workout shirt".  It's a cute cotton t-shirt that I guess she has worked out in before.  Then she turns to me and says "mom why don't you workout anymore?"  What?  I workout all the time - as a matter of fact I get up at 5:00 am to get workouts in.  So I said "I workout in the mornings when you are asleep."  Then she said "well you should workout more like you used to."

Last summer I used to do Insanity after work and was getting lots of double workouts in.  There is no time or energy for that right now but really to be called out like that by a 5 year old was a bit disturbing.  She used to love putting on her workout clothes and doing it with me.  So I told her that I would start doing it again after Christmas.  I guess I'll be adding some home workouts to the schedule soon :)

Working out while prego

Nope I'm not prego (thank goodness).  But in the past few days I've had some funny things happen with working out and pregnancy.  I got the following message from a dear friend that is currently expecting who was around during a few of my pregnancies.

Hi friend,
I thought I would tell you that you have been in my dreams for the last couple of nights. You have been there with a pregnant belly while being my trainer and telling me "work harder, its good for your baby, it will help you during labor, let's go"! I love that even though I wish I where able to go to your spin class, I at least get to have you motivate me in my dreams!

 And then when I was at Runner's Corner I saw one of my old "regulars" from spin a few years back.  She is about 6 months prego.  While we were chatting she said "every time I think I can't do it I remember you up on your bike the entire pregnancy working out so hard and kicking all of our butts".  I told her that I just looked like I was working hard because of how out of breath pregnancy made me :)

I did workout through all 4 of my pregnancies.  I even taught spin on my 3rd's due date - since she decided to come a few days late!  I couldn't run after about 4 months with any of them because it hurt my back too much. But I taught spin through all 4, walked, lifted and did the elliptical all the way to the bitter end.  I know that working out regularly helped me physically and emotionally.  I was strong when I went into labor and I'm pretty sure that helped me get those kids out faster :)  

Funny story about teaching spin pregnant:  when my oldest was born he was a horrible baby (seriously, he was sooooo bad) and when we held him he always had to be bounced and moving and shaking.  He was totally high maintenance. My hubby always blamed it on me doing too much spin.  He said all the loud music and bouncing around made him crazy.  But then the other 3 came out more normal so it must not have been spin.  Ha ha.

Annual Work Checkup

This morning at work I had my annual health review for lower insurance rates.  They do blood work, weight, BMI, body fat %, etc.  It's great to have cheaper insurance but I wasn't very happy during my personal assessment meeting today.  

In 2005 my body fat was 1% lower that it is now.  That was 2 kids and 6 years ago.  I'd think only varying by 1% would be a good thing.  But this sweet young girl who was doing my analysis challenged me to do better.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Obviously I'm a bit wound up about this.  She should have been telling me great job on maintaining myself in my old age.  She also told me that snacking every 2-3 hours is the best way to eat.  Agreed.  However, I simply don't have time to prepare healthy snacks everyday for myself so I choose not to snack.  It's not like I'm eating candy bars between meals.  But still she told me that everyday when I get home from work before doing anything else I should pack up my lunch bag with healthy snacks for the next day.  Great idea - maybe she'd like to get my kids settled, dinner on the table, homework done and signed for me so I can pack myself some snacks.  

I'm done.  There were other things that I felt she shouldn't have said to me and maybe if I would have just agreed with her instead of telling her why I do the things I do it would have gone better.  But I pride myself in being a pretty healthy person and my results were all in the "good" category so she should have just backed off. 

Now I'm going to go get today's 7 mile run in and maybe eat a healthy snack :)

Working out with kids

Yesterday at my spin class one of my regulars had his teenage son with him. I loved that they were working out together.

I've done a few races with my oldest and all my kids have done the Earn Your Turkey race few times. My kids are still way too young to go to the gym or workout with me. But I hope when they are teens I can work out with them. We do situps and pushups at home. And when I do my Insanity workouts in the front room my kids always "workout" with me.

Do you workout with your kids? What age did you start?

Today's workout: Tempo Run
7 miles with 5 @ 8:26

Getting up at the butt crack of dawn

Today my alarm went off at 5:10 am.  It pains me when I look over and see that time on the clock and know it's time to get up to go workout. I remember the good days of college and when I was first married heading to the gym after work.  But once these little darlings came into my life all of that changed. I work full-time so there was no way I was going to be gone another hour after work anymore. 

 

This morning my sweet little 3 year old came into the bathroom while I was putting on my running shorts crying.  She was so tired still and really didn't want me to go running.  She told me to put my pj's back on instead and go back to bed.  SO TEMPTING!  But instead I took her back to bed and told her I would be back soon. She made me promise to be back in 3 minutes (everything is 3 to her) and she was fast asleep before I left the house.  When I got home from the gym around 7:00 all 4 munchkins were still sound asleep.  I don't love getting up so early (although doing it for over 9 years has made it much easier) but I do it so I can workout without taking any time away from my kiddos.  Working out makes me a better mom. I am glad that I have the awesome workout buddies I do who have kids too and have to workout way too early with me!

Today's Workout:  speed work on the treadmill

1 mile warm up (9:00 min/mile)

Mile intervals (3 times)

1 mile @ 7:47 min/mile

1/2 mile recovery

 Followed by 20 minutes of weight training. 

The Dilemma

Sometimes being a mom and a runner don't go so well together.  All 4 of my kids have been sick at some point this week with fevers, headaches, chills, etc.  That means I haven't gotten a good night sleep once because for some reason they are never sick at the same time.  Since I haven't slept well I have missed a few of my morning runs.  I hate it when I miss a run in the morning because it's nearly impossible to fit it in later in the day (again because of the kids).  I am definitely getting a treadmill (and soon) to help with this issue.  

Also, I am supposed to head to St. George this weekend for the Snow Canyon half marathon.  I signed up for the STG runners series to get into the marathon and need to do 2 races down there.  I feel so guilty leaving my still sick boys with someone else since dad is still out of town.  

The big dilemma is that I really want to do the race and check it off my to-do list but I also really want to be a good mom and be here for them.  I have 2 hours to decide what to do and it is stressing me out. UGH UGH UGH!!

Please Don't Judge Me

Today is Halloween so it's a bit crazy. My sweet 3 YO kept me up until 3:00 am sad and crying with a fever. So I missed my run this morning.


It wasn't easy but I managed to fit in a run while dinner was cooking. I went in my full witches costume makeup which I'm sure looked ridiculous. Oh well I got my run in.


And now I'm handing out candy still in my running clothes because there isn't time to shower and I put on a sweat band so my sweaty running clothes look like a costume. Like I said. Don't judge me.

Nice bright red lipstick!

So Sleepy

Mornings like today are rough. Last night my sweet Sophie Bug ( 2 1/2 years old) was in and out of my room 6 times. She would crawl into my bed and lay right on top of me wiggling around for a few minutes then I would carry her back to bed. This went on from 11:45 until 3:30. UGH! I wanted to sleep in soooooo bad because I simply didn't get enough sleep but I really didn't want to try to find time to fit in 6 miles by myself. So I drug myself out of bed at 5:40 this morning. Not my fastest 6 mile run with the girls and I definitely didn't feel strong. But at least I did it and can mark off 6 more miles. I so love being a running mom. Someday when my kids sleep through the night I'm sure I'll miss it :)