Holy Hills

Since I'm a complete techie now, here's something for you to look at.

Holy hills! It's a half marathon, but since I'm doing the relay I will only be running the first 7.5 miles. If I did it last year, I guess I can do it again this year.

Creeper

First off, yesterday was an okay day as far as snacking goes. I only ate one oreo last night and was able to stop at just a three slices of cheese and crackers. I did however eat half a bag of parmesan goldfish crackers.

Last night, my mom and I ran/walked four miles. I'm going to take it easy today because of the race tomorrow. I taught yoga this morning and was still really sore from the yoga class I took yesterday morning. No breakthroughs yesterday, almost made it to headstand unassisted then followed it by toppling over.

Here's today's yoga flow playlist:

I think it's a pretty rockin' playlist.

I just learned how to take a screen shot. Who knew there were other things to do with my computer besides creeping on blogs and facebook.

Ouch

Love just needing one layer of clothing to go for a run. I also love not having to spend twenty minutes bundling Jack up to ride in the jogger.

He doesn't look too happy, but I swear he loves them!

As long as we have our sunglasses, we are all set.

We ran five miles tonight. I took it easy but the run still felt a little tough. I wore an Athleta running skirt. I wore it a lot last summer (when none of my running shorts fit and I refused to buy new ones) and never had any problems with it. But tonight, holy chaffing. The shorts underneath kept riding up and rubbing between my legs.

As far as the snacking today goes, so far so good. I learned my lesson yesterday. Do not boast about accomplishments until after they happen! I was so excited that I only ate five oreos so I rewarded myself by eating four more. Snacks today included a balance bar, banana and yogurt.  I did eat two burritos for dinner, though. One would have been sufficient.

Races

I've been looking over my race results from past races for some inspiration and it's helping. I'm slowly, slowly, slowly getting faster.

So, I'm going to put it all out there and show my 12 followers some of my past race results.

2006
Round Church 5K 36:38
KBVCM, ran the last leg in the relay, 5.5 miles, I don't have my time

2007
Round Church 5K 32:53
KBVCM- ran two legs in the relay, about 9 miles, I don't have my time

2008
Stowe 8 Miler 1:29
Half Marathon 2:34:36
Basin Harbor 5K results unknown
Leaf Peepers Half Marathon 2:35:33
Round Church 10K 66:05

2009
Preggers! No races for this mama

2010
KBVCM Half Marathon 2:47:37
Basin Harbor 5K 33:11
Stowe 8 Miler 1:35:27
Cider House 4 Miler 36:13
Shelburne Farms 5K 31:14
Shelburne Half Marathon 2:28:56

2011
Spring Fling 5K 27:24

Oreo Update

Jack and I went for a run this afternoon. It was hot- nearly 80 degrees! But I'm not complaining. It takes me a while to get used to running in the heat. I did a walk/run combo and barely managed 4.5 miles in just under 50 minutes. Phew, it was tough.

Running in the heat made me realize I need to update my warm weather running wardrobe. Even though I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, a lot of my old running stuff doesn't quite fit the same. The tops seem to short and all my tempo shorts too tight.

It must be because of the race this weekend and the half marathon only a month away, I have been paranoid about getting an injury. Every little tweak and tinge I worry something is going wrong.

Went over to the gym to do some weights and ended up just using the circuit equipment and then rowing for about 15 minutes.

There was plenty of daylight left for some quality coloring time.

Smart eating update: I did pretty well today. I got in all the food groups, including five nine oreos. I'm going to try to go to bed soon and close the kitchen for the evening. Fingers crossed.

Makeover

I woke up this morning with a little tickle in my throat. You know the feeling, the way you sort of ache the day before you get sick. I drank some water and ate an orange, and as I was doing this, I came to a realization: I am a binge eater. I do an okay job at eating healthy foods (but can definitely do much better), but I am a skilled professional at binging. A whole bag of rolos (i.e. yesterday)? Sure! A sleeve of oreo cookies (or thin mints or caramel delites)? Why not?!? The Godiva truffles Adam gave me for Easter were gone within the day.

There is no way that binging on sugar is good for my system. I am going to try to clean out my diet. "Try" being the operative word here, I know it won't be easy. I love my chocolate, but I think with some willpower I can do it. Who's with me?!?

Bribery and Teeth Grinding

Adam gave Jack a homemade haircut today while I was at work.

He actually did a pretty good job.

How cute am I?!?

I think it's time to invest in a new camera. These iPhone photos just aren't cutting it.

I didn't run tonight. I wanted to, but as soon as I got home from work the thunder and lightning started. Side note, I asked Adam, "Is it lightning or lightninging?" And he said, "Good job, English major." Whoops. I wasn't really feeling treadmill time so I skipped the run altogether.

I think Adam was feeling a little guilty about canceling our date for a hockey game. So he suggested we all go to Upper Deck- he knew they would have the game on several big screen TVs- for dinner. He really knows the way to my heart is through Switchback, cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries. Family date night.

All evening Jack has been grinding his teeth. It started a couple days ago and does it often. I have never heard of a toddler grinding his teeth. I'm wondering if this is what's causing the night wakenings we've been having lately.

I don't know why, but I am so pumped for the race on Sunday. I'm going to take it easy this week running-wise, then there are only four weeks left until the half marathon! This training period has gone by so fast.

This post was sort of all over the place, I hope you were able to follow my train of thought.

Boston Bruins > Wife

My husband just called to tell me we have to cancel our scheduled date tonight because of the hockey playoffs. Um, seriously?

Thankful

A year ago today, we were having a sleepover at Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen. Jack was recovering from surgery to repair UPJ obstruction.

We first found out there was a problem with his kidney at my 20 week prenatal appointment. It was such an exciting appointment, because we found out we were having a boy. The ultrasound showed the right kidney was significantly larger than the left. After countless ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy to monitor it, countless more on Jack after he was born, and awful other tests the poor baby had to go through, surgery was scheduled.

In my heart I always knew it would have to be done. But still at every appointment, every time they waved the wand over his little belly I held out hope that they would say it got better on it's own. I just wanted to keep putting it off, until later, later.. and then maybe it would get better.

This was not life or death, I know, and there are millions of children going through much worse scenarios. As a mother though, I was unbelievably scared. I cried the entire week leading up to it. I think I was most nervous about the anesthesia. He was so little and I was so afraid something would go wrong.

The day before the surgery, Liz and I ran the relay portion of a half marathon. I cried through my entire seven miles. Do you know how exhausting it is to cry and run at the same time?

I don't know how I got through pre-op. I think I was in shock. When the anesthesiologist took Jack out of my arms I fell apart.

The surgery started late because of a problem getting an IV in- Jack's got a funky artery around his heart which makes it impossible to have an IV on his right side. You would think that info would have been in his charts.

After several grueling hours pacing the hospital, we got the call that the surgery was over and was successful. We met with Dr. Mingin, the surgeon and finally got to see Jack. He was still asleep from the anesthesia and had an epidural for pain. It was the longest couple of hours waiting for him to wake up. When he finally opened his eyes he just cried and cried. You could tell he was in so much pain.

We settled into our room on the pediatric floor and had visits from Grandma and Grandpa Tom, who waited with Adam and I during surgery. By morning our old Jack was coming back and we got to go home.
I cry now, thinking about that day and how scared we all were. After a follow up visit and ultrasound with Dr. Mingin last fall, his kidney looks to be completely repaired.

Pre-Op

After

Sleeping It Off

A little swollen from all the medicine

Not feeling so hot

What are all these tubes?

I think I'd like to play with them

What does this one do?

His left foot is all wrapped up because that's where they finally got the IV in

Chocoholic

11 miles done! 11.3 to be exact. I felt like a had a good run, I even have a racerback sunburn on my back. I'm glad I brought some $ with me to stop for water along the way. The first half seemed to drag on but once I hit the halfway point the time flew by.

I used the same fueling as last week and it worked really well again. Gu before, Gu about 45 minutes in. No stomach issues at all during or after the run.

We had a nice Easter spent with family and friends. Jack had a good time going through his Easter basket this morning. Loves the sidewalk chalk. Mamet made him the cutest crayon holder- I'll post pictures tomorrow.

I did a pretty good job and didn't go overboard with the chocolate. I did eat several pieces for breakfast and some M&M's here and there, but nothing crazy. Yay me. Maybe I shouldn't get too excited, I still have to get through the rest of the evening. The weather was absolutely beautiful today and I'm looking forward to the week ahead and my race on Sunday.

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny was busy today. Who knew the day before Easter was not the day to put together an Easter basket and goodies for an egg hunt. I decided for the egg hunt I am just going to fill them with M&M's. The exciting part is finding them, right?

Jack's basket is all set for the morning

The basket is a plastic toy grocery basket and is filled with:

Magnetic Letters
Sidewalk Chalk
Silly Putty
Bubbles
A Mini Stuffed Bunny (an impulse buy at the register)
Sunglasses (Jack is completely obsessed with my Ray Bans so I hope he likes his own)

I better go to bed because all I can think about is the unopened, giant bag of pastel colored Easter M&M's.. I'm doing everything in my power not to devour them...

Milk

I think maybe it is the rainy, dreary day here because I felt pretty low energy teaching yoga this morning. I suggested Parsva Bakasana, and not one person went for it. Not even Designer Athlete.

Here is the playlist from yoga today:

Upside Down by Jack Johnson
Rainbow by G. Love
I'm Gonna Find Another You by John Mayer
Bang Bang by Dispatch
The Little Things by Colbie Caillat
Curbside Prophet by Jason Mraz
Dreams Be Dreams by Jack Johnson
Heaven Forbid by The Fray
Forever by Ben Harper
#41 by Dave Matthews Band
Comfortable by John Mayer
The General by Dispatch
A Rush of Blood To The Head by Coldplay
Wordplay by Jason Mraz
Feelings Show by Colbie Caillat
Something in the Way She Moves by James Taylor
Badfish / Boss DJ by Jack Johnson
Fall Away by The Fray
She's Only Happy in the Sun by Ben Harper
Two Coins by Dispatch
Jimi Thing by Dave Matthews Band
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer
Must Get Out by Maroon 5
You and I Both by Jason Mraz

After class I ran four miles on the treadmill. Ugh, it felt like I long four miles. I wanted to do five but didn't have it in me. I was sweating buckets, too.

I tried to go easy because I'm planning a long run tomorrow- 11 miles. And what does a long run tomorrow mean?!? Pasta tonight! I love love love pasta.

This happened on the way home:

Milk + Car Ride = Nu Night

Silence of the Lambs

I took today as a rest day from running. It was an absolutely beautiful day, sunny and a perfect running temperature, but my feet and ankles are hurting so I am practicing what I preach and listening to my body.

We spent the afternoon at Shelburne Farms with Ashley and Ella. It was so much fun. Jack and Ella are so cute together!

The lambs were recently born so they were all together with their moms (and a llama to protect them) in a huge pen. They were really loud, baaing away. At first Jack liked looking at them, but the more noise they made, the more scared he became. He kept jumping into my arms and crying every time he heard a baa (which was every 2.2 seconds).

They looked at the goats, donkeys, chased a stray cat, sat on a tractor and collected rocks. If you are in Vermont, visit Shelburne Farms. We are so lucky to have this beautiful spot so close by.

Asana

I love country music. A lot. I'm not even ashamed of it. Driving home from yoga this morning, I heard my new obsession.

I downloaded the song and listened to it way too many times to give an exact number. There is just something about country music that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Side note, I totally don't buy Gwyneth Paltrow as a country singer. Country strong? I think not.

I attended an awesome yoga class this morning. I was even able to get into Astavakrasana.

Eight-Angle Pose

For your viewing pleasure, here is a video of me practicing Astavakrasana at home. Enjoy!

A Peek into the Craziness

5.25 miles run outside and it felt pretty good. I went a little faster than I had intended, I think because I wasn't really feeling like running tonight so I ran faster just to get it over with.

I am still liking the Brooks Ravenna 2 sneakers. A common problem I have it that I need to tie the laces of my sneakers very tight so my heel won't slip, but then it cuts to tight on the front of the ankle. I have tried different lacing patterns, but nothing really solves the problem. Any ideas?

I was feeling rather unimaginative while writing this post. Maybe because my day at work was utterly boring. So, I think I'll share more family photos. I hope you don't mind!

Adam and I practicing our "sandwich dance"





Amber and I playing dress up

 BFF and I at a Christmas party we hosted in 2007

Jenga gets pretty intense in our house

Engaged!

Married!

Gold Digger

Went to the gym tonight and ran on the treadmill a total of 6.25 miles. I did mile repeats at goal race pace with a quarter mile recovery jog in between. It was a good, tiring run. I must have really worked it because for dinner I ate a salad, two bowls of soup and a burrito. And I'm 2.2 seconds away from devouring a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

I'm bummed because the babysitter at the gym told me they are stopping their evening hours in two weeks. Their evening hours only total four hours a week- Monday and Wednesday 5 PM - 7 PM. Seriously, they cannot pay their babysitter for four hours of work?!? There were five children there tonight, so clearly there is a demand and playspace use isn't free either.

I caught this little gem in the backseat today:

My Little Gold Digger

Yup, he's definitely my son.

Mojo

What's a surefire way to get out of a funk?


We love Auntie Cate!


BFF time! Bonus points if said BFF time includes flatbread pizzas and microbrews. Adam, Jack and I went to American Flatbread tonight with Cate and Art. We had so much fun and I was pulled out of my funk. We love Auntie Cate so much and can't even think about her moving thousands of miles away in the fall.

Is there an Uncle Art in the future???

Another way to break a funk... Getting a text my mother (who happens to be my running partner in the upcoming marathon) that says, "I've got my running mojo back!"

Feeling Funky

Despite a great 4.6 mile run with Jack outside in the sun this morning, I am feeling like I am in a  funk. I'm feeling mentally exhausted and at the point where I just need to check out for a day or two. But, who doesn't? I know (I think) it's something everyone at some point experiences.

The good news is I'm not in a running rut. I am completely obsessed and in love with running right now! I can't wait for my next race on May 1st.

Yoga X2

After teaching yoga class #1, taking a BodyPump class and teaching yoga class #2, I was pretty tired. My plan was to be creative and switch up for the second class, but I basically repeated the class I taught in the morning with a few deeper stretches. Same music and all.

It was a great group. I always love teaching a class when people hang around after to ask questions and say "Thank you." What I didn't like was the woman grimacing in pain trying to hold onto her big toe in triangle pose. Her hand should have been much farther up her leg and she refused the block I gave her to assist.

Rasa

Gentle yoga went well this morning. The studio was really nice, had natural light and hardwood floors. I could even control the heat. I did not make a playlist- I played Rasa's Temple of Love.

This CD was given to me by a student who told me that she hates the music I play in class.

I went in with a general idea of what poses I wanted to do in the class but wanted to wait and see. The class was a mix of age groups and abilities so I used the gentle approach with modifications. I think it went well, I'm teaching gentle yoga #2 tonight, so we'll see how that goes.

Congratulations to all the runners who completed the Boston Marathon today!

Long Run Sunday

Ran long today and felt really good. LogYourRun said it was 11.1 miles but I drove the route with my car and it was 10.6 miles. I figured out how to see my splits using LYR and it said mile seven was run in 5:42. Hahaha. Yeah right. I'm going to trust my VW on this one and go with the 10.6.

I'm still liking the new sneakers. I would like them to be a little more flexible, but they were really comfortable on the run today.

Last night Grandpa Tom watched Jack, and my mom, Aunt Peggy and I went to see Chicago at the Flynn Theater. The production was by Lyric Theatre company and was amazing! All the performers are volunteers- it's amazing what great talents we have in Vermont.

I'm teaching two yoga classes tomorrow and both are gentle classes. I'm actually trying to make some sort of plan because I've struggled every time I've subbed a gentle yoga class. I'm excited to get some serious stretching in. I think I better put some sort of playlist together. I'm breaking all my rules!

Yoga Playlist

It's nap time in our house.

This boy is growing too fast! His long sleeve shirts are now 3/4



Transitioning from two (or three) naps a day has worked pretty well for us. He used to nap once in the am, a couple hours after getting up, and then in the late afternoon. Now, J usually goes down around 1:00 and sleeps anywhere from one to three hours.

He was pretty tuckered out even though he slept until 8:30 (came into bed with us at 5:30) this morning. He did some serious exploring in the back yard. He would have stayed outside for hours but it started to get chilly.

I taught yoga this morning. I teach a vinyasa style class. That being said, I don't follow any particular rules or practice. My training is in Ashtanga, so I guess I loosely base classes on this theory of practice. I take yoga seriously, but that being said, I don't take my class seriously. I usually put my iPod on shuffle, don't plan the class and just go with the flow. There are so many things in life that are so rigid and planned, that I love to just feel out the energy of the class and see where it takes us. I think yoga is about having fun and I honestly have so much fun making up the class as I go along. It's never the same class twice. Some days we do more strenuous poses, and some days, like today, focus on stretching and strengthening.

Here is the playlist that we ended up with today:

Fairytale by Sara Bareilles
Tied Down by Colbie Caillat
Be OK by Ingrid Michaelson
White Houses by Vanessa Carlton
Hundred by The Fray
Better That We Break by Maroon 5
Wordplay by Jason Mraz
I'm Gonna Find Another You by John Mayer
Heal Over by KT Tunstall
OK, It's Alright With Me by Eric Hutchinson
Breakable by Ingrid Michaelson
Oh, It Is Love by Hellogoodbye
Come Round Soon by Sara Bareilles
Midnight Bottle by Colbie Caillat
Knock 'Em Out by Lily Allen
Secret by Maroon 5
You and I Both by Jason Mraz
Vienna by The Fray
You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Shy That Way by Tristan Prettyman
Comfortable by John Mayer
Morningside by Sara Bareilles
Dreams Be Dreams by Jack Johnson
Rewind by Paolo Nutini

Please don't judge me by my choice in music. I did have to skip forward to a new song at one point during class today. I don't think anyone besides myself would have wanted to vinyasa to Eminem.

Productivity

I got up early and drove an hour to Morrisville to meet with a prospective client only to have them tell me they don't want to spend any money. Great. This couldn't have been done over the phone? Or in the email communication over the past week? With gas at almost $4/gallon it was a great way to spend some money. I would have rather gone to Starbucks and splurged on a venti skinny vanilla latte.

I was a bad blogger and didn't take any pictures. I passed Foxfire restaurant and meant to take a picture for Becca on the way back through, but somehow I missed it.

I did some major spring cleaning this afternoon and it felt great! My mind and energy always feels so much more positive after cleaning and organizing.

Jack and I went for a hilly 4.5 mile run with my mom tonight. It was a little chilly but the sun and fresh air felt nice. I'm still liking the Brooks even though they still feel a little big. I wore my Nike running capris, and I don't know what it is about those pants, but I love them.

Getting my vinyasa on in the morning!

First Run (number two)

I ran outside with the new sneakers, Brooks Ravenna 2, for the first time tonight. My first impression was that they felt too big, too big in length and width. After about the second mile they felt better. I will definitaly give them a few more runs before making any sort of decision. I don't want to be "that person" who brings fifty pairs of running shoes back before finding the right pair.

The run was great. I felt really strong and tried to focus on my breath and form. I ran by feel and didn't wear a watch. I wanted to stay at the point where I felt like I was pushing myself, but not going all out. I did use LogYourRun (I kept my iPhone in the back pocket of my capris) and according to LogYourRun, I ran 5.6 miles. I thought the loop was longer, and according to USATF's Map It it was 5.85 miles. Which one is correct? Hmmm... Maybe it's time to sell some of my 35 pairs of jeans and buy a Garmin.

I'm getting very excited for the half marathon at the end of May. I'm feeling confident in my training and hope the good health continues. I've been thinking about goals lately, what goals I have for this race. Ideally, I'd like to PR. My current PR is from my 4th and last half marathon. I have run two halves since I had Jack, and the second was 20 minutes faster than the first. I'm not expecting to shave that amount of time again this time, but I'd like to get a few minutes on my side.

The Big 8-0

The beautiful Mamet turned 80 yesterday.

Papa planned a surprise party on Saturday. We kicked it off with a limo ride. 

 

That's just a little taste of what the ladies' limo was like (the boys had their own- they obviously didn't have as much fun as us). The ladies got a little crazy. It was so much fun to all be together. 

Mamet had no idea, so she was a little shocked when I went to pick her up and saw two limousines on the street. And in classic Mamet style, she said to me, "Did you get a new car?"

love

Six miles on the treadmill in the new sneaks. Felt pretty good. They're roomy in the toe box and I like how the tongue is short and doesn't interfere with the front of my ankle during a stride. I've got a nice blister on the bottom of my left pinky toe, but I don't think I has anything to do with the new shoes. I can't wait to try them out outside!

I thought a lot during my run today. Family, love, compassion, forgiveness. Hug the ones you love oh so tight.

No Run

I skipped my run tonight for this:

And this:

I was still at work at 6:00 when Adam called. He was going to the playground with Jack, so I met them at the slide. Jack went down the big twisty slide all by himself! After playing for a while we had family date night- dinner at Upper Deck.

I was really hoping to get a run in this evening, but this was much more fun. I love to run, but more importantly love being a wife and mother. I am a mom and wife first, and then a runner. I don't ever want running to interfere with my family life. It's easy to become over zealous with my running and training and I think a day off is beneficial.



Ego

When I came home yesterday afternoon with my new running shoes, Jack just had to try them on.

Let me start by saying I am NOT pregnant. But, I had a dream last night that Jack told me that he didn't want a sibling because they wouldn't be as perfect as he is. Haha. If he could talk, I'm sure this would be just the sort of thing he would say.

Ravenna

Jack and I started off the day with some sing-a-long time at the Williston library. It was a lot of fun except for the mom crowd. They were a cross between Stepford Wives, Desperate Housewives and The Real Housewives of Orange County. I looked a little out of place with my Gravis sneakers and ponytail. The singer Raphael (or Raph or Giraffe) was great at getting all the kids involved. It's funny because at home Jack is an absolute wild man but in a public setting he is so shy. He was perfectly content to sit on my lap during the whole performance. My little snugglebug- I'm not complaining!

Had a "me" afternoon. Went to SkiRack and traded in the Mizunos. They have a 30 day return policy, even if they've been worn. The shoe specialist put me in Brooks Ravenna 2.

He wanted me to try Asics 2100 series but I've worn them before and I don't want something that heavy. I have never worn Brooks, but I've always associated them with being a heavy shoe (probably not true). He said the Ravenna is .1 ounce heavier than the Wave Inspire.

I ran on the treadmill at the store and had no ankle problems. They hit much lower than the Mizuno pair. I can't wait to test them out!

After I headed to Mirror Mirror for girly stuff, like makeup. My routine (i.e. no routine) needed sprucing up.

Bodypump tonight- wore the heart rate monitor. High of 154 and it said I burned 325 calories. The HR spikes came during squats and lunges (no big surprise).

Black and Blue

I had a great long run this morning- 10.2 miles. I felt great and did a great job pacing myself, keeping the pace nice and slow. After the disastrous ten miler two weeks ago, I needed this confidence booster.

I was able to run the entire time today and took a Clif espresso shot (not sure the official name) about 45 minutes in. It was a similar consistency to Gu but had a much stronger flavor. I liked it and had no stomach ailments during (or after- yet) the run.

My shoes felt great the entire run up until the last mile. My left ankle really started to bother me right where the shoe hits it. When I got home and took my shoes and socks off I noticed the ankle is bruised. I think I'm going to bring the shoes back and try to find the older model Mizunos I was wearing before.

I hope everyone is having a great spring day. It's a wonderful 60 degrees in Vermont today. Spring is here!

Mmm Corn Dogs

It's so hard to run by this place. You have no idea!


The corn dogs were practically calling my name!

 On a more healthy note, I ran the same four mile route that I ran yesterday, but today was 4 minutes faster. Maybe even faster than that because today I let the timer on my watch run (instead of stopping it) while I waited to cross the street (twice).

It's a beautiful spring day here in Vermont so J and I are going to get out and enjoy the weather. And guess what? Al's has a playground. Perfect!

Family Album

Just thought I would share some photos, enjoy!