Living the Dream

Fitness Friday-Are Runners Stubborn?

2012-01-27T08:35:00.001-05:00

This question has been brewing in my mind ever since I was told that runners are stubborn. It was not said in a bad way at all just a matter of fact way. I wanted to think honestly about whether or not I thought it was true. So I began like any good teacher would and I looked up the definition.

1.unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: a stubborn child.

2.fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute: a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.

3.obstinately maintained, as a course of action: a stubborn resistance.

4.difficult to manage or suppress: a stubborn horse; a stubborn pain.

5.hard, tough, or stiff, as stone or wood; difficult to shape or work.

I would like to go with the nicer of choices and say #2 could apply but I still wasn't convinced so I looked at my behavior.....If you answer yes to 2 or more of these statements, you MAY be a stubborn runner:

You go out for your long run at the same time every week and God help the person who throws that off kilter
A trainer suggests that you cut down your mileage to fit in more cross training and stretching and you think to yourself, "Ummm not a chance buddy" while smiling and saying, "Sure I'll look at that tonight!"
You have perfected your pre race meal and get sweats if something is missing
A friend/spouse wants to go for an easy 3 when you have speed work on your training schedule so you sneak it in before they get there so you don't miss what you are supposed to be doing
You go to a running shoe store for another pair of the sneakers you have been wearing religiously for the past 8 years
This said running store suggests a different pair of sneakers could work better for you. You take them home knowing full well that you are going to be returning.
A nutritionists suggests a different diet of foods. You take the suggestion and begin to compare it with every other training diet you own as well as Runner's World and Racing Weight.
You go to the doctor with (XYZ) pain and their prescription is for rest. You say ok but know that a big race is coming so you think, "Can't you just tape it up and I'll rest after the race?"
You wake up feeling under the weather and think, "I'll just sweat it out...can't miss my run!"

Have anything to add to the list? These are all things I have realized about me....My name is Fancy Nancy and I am a stubborn runner!

To our credit, as runners, we are constantly striving to find what works for us....what will make us faster, what will keep out GI issues at bay, what will bring us success. I for one am recognizing my stubborn side and embracing it! And every now and then get a good laugh at it!! Enjoy these cartoons!

source

Three Things Thursday

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-05:00

1. Sponsor love.....Two sponsors for the 12 in 2012 are Chicabands and iFitness. This week I received some great things in the mail from each...don't you just love getting real mail? Here are my bands from Chicabands:

And my belt from iFitness:

I am looking forward to trying out this belt because I have only used a belt once before (Boston marathon) and pitched it at mile 17. Right off the bat this belt is WAY better! It fits great and is much smaller. I hope to use it this weekend for a long run!! Love it!

2. Are you sure??....Well in true Fancy Nancy fashion, I got my diet yesterday and right away started questioning it! I will post much more about it this weekend and will post a WIAW of it too but right off the bat I feel like it is not enough calories. I suppose it is from nutritionists in the past telling me I was not getting enough calories but I will try to keep an open mind and see what happens. I am taking the next few days to wrap my head around it and come up with my strategies to be ready to begin on Monday.

3. Samantha and Michelle, Two of my fellow Fitfluential Ambassadors have started a "friendly" wager for the upcoming Superbowl. You pick a team to support (I mean really it's a no brainer-Pats!). The losing supporters have to run the point difference. So let's say for example you pick the Giants and the whiny Eli Manning. After they lose you will have to run in miles the amount of points the Pats beat them by. Head on over to Michelle's blog to check out more details and sign up!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T09:58:00.000-05:00

My Em was a snow baby! Literally I went into the hospital in the morning to have her and by 11pm when she came out there was over a foot of snow! It then proceeded to snow for the next two days! We were snug in the hospital but my family had to drive 4 hours in the horrible weather to see her! It is no surprise that when she woke up on Saturday and saw the winter wonderland outside that she wanted to play all day long in it!! Seriously we were out there for about 3 hours, nap, then back out for 2 more hours! It has been really mild this winter on Cape and hasn't snowed yet so she was due! Good thing because when we woke up on Tuesday, all the snow was gone!! Here are a few pics of Saturday!

11 Randoms

2012-01-24T09:36:00.001-05:00

I was tagged by the lovely Lindsay from Chasing the Kenyans in the 11 Random Things Assignment. I could try to trace it back to who started it but well....yeah I'm not going to! The rules are as follows:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

Ok so 11 Random things about myself.....some may already know these things!

1. I can wiggle my ears. Yeah it's one of those things that may earn me a prize some day!! Ummm probably not!

2. I lived in Seville, Spain for a semester while I was in college. I was a Spanish major (along with education) and spent the semester in a small school there. It was an amazing experience, aside from the homesickness, and would LOVE to go back one day! I still have dreams about being there and walking around!

3. In the summer I live at the beach...not literally but pretty close. I actually get anxiety when I don't get in my daily dose of the beach. Good thing my Em loves it too!

4. In high school I thought cross country was silly...like why would you run without a purpose. I played soccer and three seasons of softball. I ran to stay in shape for my sports. Ha! Now I wish I could be on the cross country team!

5. Some days I wish I was Michelle Pfeifer in Dangerous Minds....there I said it honey! Seriously though my dream job would be in the toughest areas with the toughest kids! In my old job I was pretty close (trying to inspire kids to stay out of gangs and to believe in themselves when the cards were stacked against them) and I LOVED it! There is something that draws me to tough kids. Not sure what it is....now my students look like angels in comparison to what I had!

6. My number one bucket list item is to go to Africa. This has been on my heart for most of my life. For about 6 years I was able to work with African refugees and I loved it!

7. Sometimes I eat guacamole until my stomach hurts....I haven't done it in a while but I can't control myself! It is just so yummy!!! While on our honeymoon they had self serve guacamole and I attacked it almost every day. Very sexy scene...on the beach in a bikini stuffing my face with guac!

8. I cry every time I watch a marathon! It is just something about people seeing their dreams come true that makes me so happy for them!

9. One of my greatest challenges as a Mom has been walking away from opportunities that would take me away from being with her....vice principal, program director, doctoral canidate....Since I have to work a teacher's schedule is ideal....not ready to give up my summers with her. I know that if God wants me to be any of those things He will make it happen down the line. Right now my family needs me more.

10. I have perfected the hairy eyeball look as a teacher! Seriously once I was at a play with my Mom and sister and a boy behind was kicking my seat. I didn't need to say a word...just turned around and gave him the hairy eyeball. Done!

11. When I was younger I sang with Kenny Rogers in concert...that was well before he got tons of plastic surgery and looked scary!

11 Randoms....as asked by Lindsay

1. you have the skills to go pro in any sport (except running/triathlons). what sport would you choose?

I would say I would love to be a professional softball player. I played for 15 years through college. It was even on our class will that I would be on the Olympic Softball team.
2. what is your favorite vegetable?

I really love veggies straight from the garden all warm and yummy like tomatoes and cucumbers.
3. they're making a movie about your life. what actor/actress would play you?

My hubby would love Kate Becknsale to play me

but through my life I have been told I look like Elizabeth Shue

4. last book you read?

Sing you Home by Jodi Picoult....but I have 3 running books on the nightstand that I am in the middle of.
5. last text message you sent?

Ha! To my brf Jill "I did a speed workout last night and I feel like my legs are going to fall off!"
6. what is your favorite meal/recipe to cook?

I love to bake! I would say it is a cross between my killer brownies (they have a chocolate bar in the middle) or my giant chocolate chip cookies.
7. do you prefer dusting or vacuuming? (and when are you coming to do my house?)

I prefer vacuuming and sometimes I use my vacuum to dust!
8. if you could go on vacation to anywhere in the us or canada, where would you go?

I'm not picky as long as it has a beach and is warm! However I did love Alaska and that didn't meet the criteria.
9. what something you love about where you live?

The beach....We have three beaches within 3 miles of our house and it rocks!
10. something you don't love about where you live?

I know many people live far away from things but I don't love that I have to drive 1/2 hour to the closest Target or Walmart. It just is annoying!
11. what do you do when you have trouble falling asleep?

I make lists. Usually when I can't sleep it is because I have too much on my mind and making a list helps to get it out of my head.

Tag! You're it!!

Toni from Running, Loving, Living

Anna form Babies to Marathons

Heather from Endless Jubilee

Jill from One Tough Cookie and a Beer

Sammy from Happy Family, Healthy Family

Lisa from Getting it done on the Run!

Christie from Changing from Fat to Fit

Kathy from Just Keep Running

Kellie from SWEAT = SUCCESS

Jerilee from Mom's Gone Running

Meaghan from Miles, Miles, and More Miles

Questions for you:

1. What is your favorite nickname and how did you get it?

2. If you could do a long run with anyone, who would it be and why?

3. What is the one food you couldn't live without?

4. What does fit mean to you?

5. What is your #1 bucket list item?

6. Do you consider yourself stubborn? (actually collecting research for an upcoming post so anyone can answer this)

7. If you had to name a hero who would it be and why?

8. What is your #1 time suck lately?

9. What is your greatest vice?

10. Since my blog is Living the Dream I have to ask...what would living your dream look like?

11. What superpower would you love to have?

Monday Motivation-One Step at a Time

2012-01-23T08:56:00.000-05:00

One unique aspect to goal setting is planning out the small steps that lead up to reaching your overall goal. Runners do it all the time. You want to run a half marathon, marathon, or any other distance. You plan out your training over a period of time and over that time you reach your goal by race day. I have always tackled running this way but today was really the first time it clicked for me with weight loss. The number I want to lose is larger than can be done in one week (barring a major flu or loss of limb) so I need to break it down into chunks leading up to the day when I step on that scale and do the happy dance! Let me say as an aside that I do feel that if I never lost another pound I would be healthy, however I know that I feel more comfortable at a lower weight in addition to feeling faster. I am not giving up on my goal!!

This week, and I put it here so I can think of you all shaking a finger at me as I think about eating dessert, my small step is to lose 3lbs.....there I said it....it's out there and I can 't take it back! Oh boy!

What small step are you going to take today to get you to a bigger goal? What is your big goal? Share away! There is power in numbers!!!

Oh and if you need a kick in the don't give up department....I could be bias but just imagine how this would feel:

Pats are going to the Superbowl!!!

Fitness Friday-Nutrition

2012-01-20T13:40:00.001-05:00

In my life before kids I was able to go to the gym and workout for 2+ hours....and to be honest I loved every minute of it. I could take a spin class followed by a pilates class, or run and do weights back to back. I, however, should have not used that 2+ hours as an excuse to indulge as much as I did. I in no way was heavy but let's just say I have managed to be 10lbs lighter now as a mom with MUCH less time to work out. No longer having the luxury of time, I make sure I watch my calories in and out much more closely. Enter true confession....over November and December when I was doing the HBBC and running 172 miles each month, I allowed myself to cheat here there and well just about everywhere. I followed my healthy eating for most of the day but each treat that was offered to me made it's way into my belly most times...and now my belly is showing that!

While personally I feel embarrassed for my lack of self control I also recognize reality of the holidays and just an overall intense time in my life right now. However, as Biggest Loser says, NO EXCUSES! I contacted the person who did my hubby's diet for his upcoming show and am taking that step to really cracking down on what I eat. This year, as I've said before, my goal is to let food be fuel and my hope is that he will guide me to those types and amounts of foods! My real hope though is that I don't have to eat like my poor hubby who is really limited to chicken, egg whites, and broccoli period! I will be sure to share once I get it all!

Three Things Thursday

2012-01-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

Good morning! Welcome to your weekly dose of randomness!! Some weeks I have a focus for my three things but more often than most it is random....enjoy the randomness!

1. My fellow #Fitfluential Ambassador Chris Donnelly posted a call to action after hearing that size 6 is now being considered plus size in the modeling world! Size 6!!!! Really??? It concerns me where things are going in the area of body image with young girls. As a mom I make sure I am celebrating fitness and fit women. What are your thoughts on this?? Read more about the story here and head on over to check out what Chris has to say here.

2. I haven't hidden that a lot has been going on here in Fancy Nancy Land and I am really starting to think it is effecting my running. I find myself mid-run wanting to stop for no other reason than I just don't feel like running anymore. I even found myself thinking last night that maybe I should take some time off of running.....what???? This is so frustrating to me!! Running is my place to shed the stress...get in touch with me....rise above it all! I know it all comes down to mental toughness....pushing myself and finishing which I do. Do you ever find yourself having to push to keep going even if it isn't from being too physically tough? What have you done to push through?

3. Mill Time? I had posed the question on Twitter a few weeks back about people's thoughts on treadmill brands. I am thinking about getting a treadmill in order to help me fit in my workouts while also allowing the hubs to get his workouts in. Here's the challenge....I've owned only one treadmill and it was given to me for free. We left it behind when we moved. So I have no idea what treadmills cost and what is worth paying for and what isn't. Any words of advice?

Loss for Words Wednesday

2012-01-18T16:54:00.000-05:00

I knew if I waited long enough I would come across something for Wordless Wednesday! I left Em downstairs for 3 minutes so that I could go up to change for tonight's running group (can we get a warm dry Wednesday here folks?) and when I came down this was the sight in front of me:

Her reply, "Look Mom! I'm Purpliscious!!!

Two for Tuesday....Galloway meets Virtual Run

2012-01-17T08:31:00.001-05:00

Sunday's long run was a two-fold run for me! The first were for Toni's virtual birthday run over at Running, Loving, Living!

Because I was going round two on trying out Galloway it wasn't the fastest I could do but I was excited to celebrate Toni's birthday with her in a fun way! I cruised through the 3.5 in 29:45 and then went on my merry way to complete my next 12 miles.

This second time around with Galloway I focused on the distance and staying consistent throughout the run. The temps were so not fun around 15* without the windchill so it was steady for me. There were a few miles I ran without the walk break but for the most part I stuck with run a mile, walk a minute. I was not only very happy with my time (2:15:13) but I was even more excited with how I felt after. The whole reason why I chose to try out this method was so that I wasn't toast for the rest of the day. Having a toddler means no rest for the weary!! Well I was tired but not really sore at all. Almost right after the run we got in the car to go to visit my family and shop for cars! I felt great and the next day my legs felt great too! I kept telling my hubby that I was so excited with how good my legs felt! I am gong to continue to use this method training for this 20 miler....if it isn't broke....! Here is my post race/long run pic! You can't see the icicles!

Monday Motivation-Don't Quit on Yourself

2012-01-16T07:14:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I had 15 miles on tap and it was less than 15* outside! Most would look at those three things and say....boy this bed is looking great I think I'll stay! Nope....this running momma thought...What a better way to celebrate!
The breakthrough came for me as the miles ticked by and I started to mentally grow tired. I started repeating Isaiah 40:31 to myself and "Do NOT quit on yourself!" Over and over for the last 3 miles reminding myself that I AM strong enough and I AM worth finishing what I start! I did not quit on myself and finished my 15th mile at a 8:56 pace!
There is so much that happens to us that is out of our control. The part that we can control is what we do after it happens. We ARE strong enough and we ARE worth finishing what we start! If you are on that brink of throwing that resolution aside or are facing something that you doubt you are strong enough to finish.....BELIEVE in YOURSELF and please DON'T QUIT!!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2012-01-14T07:49:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Life is crazy around here and this weekend I have my college professor hat on! Just a quick post to announce the winner of the Centrum Giveaway. A big congrats to.....

Life as a Running Mom!!!

Shoot me an email to mrscapen14 at yahoo dot com to let me know your address and what product you would like!

Good luck weekend runners...Go Olympic runners!!!

Three Things Thursday

2012-01-12T16:43:00.000-05:00

Today's dose of randomness is brought to you by the US Postal Service, Food Journals, and a Good Sweat!

Good day for mail! Usually Thursday means the weekly flyers when I plan my grocery shopping for the week but you can imagine my surprise when I found two goodies staring back at me today! Up first:

The Active Bands I ordered a few weeks ago when they were 50% off...there's nothing I like more that a cute band that doesn't slip than one that is 50% off! I got this black sparkler and a pink and brown zebra print!

Up next:

The medal from the virtual TNT Lousy Medal 5k with Run Faster Mommy! Pardon the crazy eyes in the picture!!

I have been keeping my food journal as a part of the January challenge with Amanda at Run to the Finish. Well it is interesting the things I have found out about myself in just 2 weeks! Like I never thought I was an emotional eater but the words don't lie! I also have proof that I am a MUCH better eater during the week than on the weekend! I guess only having the option to eat what I bring keeps me in check. Now if I could just figure out how to recreate that during the weekend!

The past two days have reminded me of the power of a good sweat! Workout Mommy always closes her posts with "Never underestimate the power of a workout" and boy she is so right! Last night it was our group run and today it was the treadmill! Each time I could feel the endorphins squeezing out the stress!

Almost Wordless WIAW!!!

2012-01-11T05:12:00.000-05:00

So totally couldn't decide which to do today so here you are...BOTH! How lucky are you?! Yesterday as we were driving home Em suggested that we go to the beach and dig for treasure.....ummmm in January? Sure! It ended up being just what we both needed to feed our soul while we wait on our carefree summer days to come back to us! Here are just a few pics from our time!

Ok so now the WIAW portion of our day! Here has been my eats the past few days...yes that's right I eat the same darn thing every day!...makes food journaling pretty easy! Breakfast is a green monster smoothie which I took a pic of the ingredients: Whey Protein, Red Mill Flax Meal, banana, spinach, almond milk, and blueberries. Snack is almonds and an apple, lunch is chicken with veggies, snack is Chobani with Go Lean Crisp, and dinner is a salad with chicken and Newman's Own Lite Balsamic. Yummy!

Can you find the funny local restaurant sticker on my fridge??

Someone couldn't wait to take the picture!!

Ummm Yeah that would be homemade pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes the princess is eating across from me!

What was on your menu today??

Mommy's Best Effort

2012-01-10T11:44:00.000-05:00

Pardon me while I deviate from my usual talk about running and all things fitness and such. I had every intention today to talk about some new workouts I have wanted to try out and a new challenge that I am going to start (stay tuned for that), but every time I try to talk about something else my mind becomes flooded with what is really weighing on me....my precious Em.

Being a mom has taught me that one single thing can bring an outpouring of love and blessing on your life and still be the most challenging thing you have ever done! With marathon training or working out work+effort=goal. With parenting right now for me work+effort=more work+more effort! Please know that I wouldn't trade her for anything and am so thankful for her.....but can I get an amen from moms with toddlers??? Seriously ladies we need a support group!!! What worked last during vacation for potty training and eating has been thrown out the window now that I have gone back to work. Oh my word!!!

I don't mean to whine and I am aware that not all of you have children. I guess the thing that is most weighing on me is that I want to do what's best for her but well she unfortunately didn't come with a owners manual! Surely there are other moms out there that are struggling with their kids....or have struggled and now have amazing teenagers.....or that can talk me off the ledge! This will get easier right?

Monday Motivation

2012-01-09T08:42:00.000-05:00

Doubt from time to time (more often than I would like it to) creeps into the corners of my mind and whispers to me when I run......will I be able to finish this 20 miler, will I have the strength to be the runner I want to be, do I have the willpower to be strong? After finishing my run this weekend, these things crept into my mind but this morning I am telling them to take a hike! Don't let doubt steal your dreams from you!!! Whether it is starting off your journey to change your life or pushing yourself past limits you have put up for yourself, DO NOT let doubt steal it from you! You CAN and WILL get there!

What is doubt keeping you from this week? Post it, leave it here....then GO!!!

Don't forget to enter my Centrum ProNutrients giveaway! Deadline is Wednesday!

Galloway Running Take 1!

2012-01-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

As I said on Thursday, I tried to follow the whole run-walk model from runner Jeff Galloway. I decided to do 1 mile run-1 minute walk. I had 14 miles on tap but well....here come the excuses. I ran later in the day throwing off my fuel for the day... I had no fuel for the run leaving me STARVING...I was just plain tired! So I ran 13.1 with a 1/2 mile walk at the end. Thoughts......I liked it. There are things I need to tweak as I try this again but I am trying it again! I played with the walking a bit like if I saw a hill coming I would wait to walk and I walked every 1.1 mile so I could see what my "real" pace was. I was going really fast (for me) for at least 8 miles and then started getting tired. I kept the pace below 9 min/miles for most of it except for 2 of the miles (the first warm-up mile and one with a HUGE hill). I'll put my splits below. I liked it overall and can't wait for my next long run! Best of luck to all of you racing this weekend!!!

		1.00	9:20
		1.00	8:43
		1.00	8:50
		1.00	8:50
		1.00	8:41
		1.00	8:45
		1.00	8:39
		1.00	8:47
		1.00	8:50
		1.00	9:02
		1.00	9:36
		1.00	8:51
		1.00	8:58
		0.60	15:10

Fitness Friday-Go on With Your Motivated Self!

2012-01-06T08:08:00.000-05:00

It is almost a full week after the start of 2012....how are you doing with your goals? Me I'm having a little trouble this week getting going so to say. Heading back to work and back to my 4:30 wake-ups has me dragging in the morning. I gave myself a little extra grace this week to get back into things but I am afraid to give myself any more than that. I have been getting in workouts but not with the intensity that I know I need. So tonight I am going to make myself a motivation board and journal.
I have read on a lot of blogs about motivation boards and journals. The person I defer to most is Amanda @ Runninghood. She creates spaces for inspiration and is so creative! I also went poking around on the internet for some descriptions on where to start. EHow Health had a step by step post about making one. Here are some pictures of motivation/inspiration boards I also found:

So this is my project for this weekend! I have a basic notebook that I am going to cover and this afternoon I am going to grab a board and get cracking. With my pile of magazine and the ever addictive Pinterest I am certain I will be ready to roll!

Have you ever made a motivation/inspiration board? What did you focus on? Did it do what yo needed it to do? If you've made a motivation/inspiration board or are making one now I would love for you to send me a picture of it!!! I think it would rock to make a post of everyone's different boards....to celebrate your creativity and motivation! Send them my way at mrscapen14 at yahoo dot com!!!

Three Things Thursday

2012-01-05T07:59:00.000-05:00

Good morning all!! I'm feeling quite random today so a random three things is what you're going to get!

1. Holy Moly!...Today I am the Mother for "Follow this Mother" on another mother runner blog!!!! When Sarah first contacted me I thought I was being punked....I seriously love these ladies! Now that I've emailed and talked to Sarah I have realized that she is just like everyone else...even more so now that we are BFFs!! Lol! I crack myself up! Seriously though, I can't believe I was chosen and I am just over the moon excited! Head on over there and check it out!

2. IRL...A few months ago at a race I ran into a reader Megan who introduced herself to me. She and I have been playing email tag since and I finally got to talk In Real Life at running group yesterday! I was totally going to bag since I was feeling particularly lame with the freezing temps, but I'm so glad I pushed myself and got to chat with her! She is beginning her training for Boston where she is going to ROCK it! Great talking with you Megan and hats off to you for fitting in training with scheduling challenges! Let's run again soon!

3. This weekend I am going to run a 14-15 miler (depending on time) and I am thinking of using the Galloway Method for it to see how I like it. A few weeks ago I was talking about this with another person from running group (seriously I learn SOOO much from this group). She has used it with two marathons both of which she ran 25 and 28 mile training runs and was able to recover really quickly! Have any of you used this before? Any suggestions?

Don't forget to enter my ProNutrients Giveaway!!!

Win it Wednesday

2012-01-04T02:18:00.001-05:00

Gather round for your chance to win your very own ProNutrients product of choice!!!

Perhaps you remember my review of the ProNutrients line from yesterday. If not scoot your bootie over here now! By now you must be saying...where can I get some of my own?....or maybe your thinking what am I lacking in my own diet? Well today is your lucky day because Centrum is giving away a product from the ProNutrients line to one of YOU lucky folks!

Here is the skinny of how to enter:

Mandatory: Head on over to Nutrition Possible and take the assessment there. Come on back and comment about what you are lacking that you didn't know you were.

Extra Points: Leave a comment for each

Be a follower of Living the Dream blog, Facebook, or Twitter (@lilfancynancy)

Like Centrum on Facebook (don't forget that coupon!)

Share this giveaway to every and any person you know! Spread the love through your blog, Facebook, or Twitter

The winner will be chosen on Wednesday, January 11th!

Here are the official giveaway rules and regulations.

Centrum Review...A New Line Just for You!

2012-01-03T14:16:00.001-05:00

The makers of Centrum multivitamins has launched a new line of supplements that work naturally with what you are already taking for a multivitamin. Their new ProNutrients line includes three products, Omega-3, Probiotic, and Fruit and Veggie designed to provide you with the health benefits you need each day!

These MiniGels are a change from your usual horse pill making them much easier to get your daily dose of heart and brain boost. They are also reasonably priced at only $12.99 for a 50-count package or $19.99 for 100-count.

These packets provide you with not only belly health but also gives you the immune support you need for this lovely cold and flu season! I have been just adding this to my morning green monster...easy as that! A 14-unit box comes in at $18.99, while 28-unit box is $29.99.

This last supplement comes in an all natural tablet and gives you the antioxidants and polyphenols you need for cell protection and overall health. While a healthy diet can give you this benefit, this supplement can ensure you are getting what you need. A 50-unit pack rings in at $11.99 and a 100-unit pack is $19.99.

All products can be found in the multivitamin isle in most stores as well as online. For further information you can also visit their website here or their Facebook page Facebook.com/Centrum. As an added bonus for going on their Facebook page, you can receive a $5 off coupon here. If you are anything like me, I am always game for a good coupon.

Stay tomorrow for a chance to win a ProNutrients product of you choice!!!!

I am participating in a Centrum ProNutrients campaign hosted by One2One Network. I received nutritional product and compensation. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Centrum ProNutrients as a product or it's effectiveness.

Monday Motivation

2012-01-02T06:56:00.000-05:00

One benefit of being a teacher is the vacation time. Ask a teacher and they will argue that we earn every second of vacation time....but I know other jobs are just as hard if not harder. So this morning I find myself with an extra day before going back to work. An extra day to organize the house, make my meals for the week, put away the decorations (We wait until the last second around here!), and an extra day to stick to those resolutions! Today I am going to stick to fueling my body the way I should so that I can go out and tear it up on the road! Stick with your goals and write it all down! This is not going to happen in one day and you are going to need to write it down to remember how far you have come! Let's look to July....picture yourself where you dream you could be....get to work on that today!

Resolution Run

2012-01-01T22:39:00.000-05:00

First things first.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Next up....Resolution Run with Run to the Finish! While I wasn't in Miami enjoying the sunshine and heat, it was certainly VERY mild around here! Not complaining but it would have been nice to have to wear a sweater for Christmas...I'm just saying! So I laced up the Sacouny Rides and headed out for another year of Resolution Run! I wore my 13.1 Bondi Band since this is the year of the half! I hope you all had a great day enjoying your blessings!

Bring it on 2012!

NYE Coming Around Full Circle

2011-12-31T16:11:00.000-05:00

Today I met up with my BRB Jill at the Cape Cod Canal for a 12 miler. For me it was a perfect example of things coming around full circle! Literally on Jan. 1st of 2011 I was in the same place running the Resolution Run with Jill:

Today was a mild day just like it was that day! Mild and full of great conversation with a friend I am so thankful to have in my life! We nudge each other out of our comfort zones and she makes me a better runner and person! This year Jill and I set the goal of running 1500 miles and we both crushed it!! This run brought me to 1537 miles....1537 miles past where I thought I could run! We finished this year with an exclamation point wearing our tutus the whole way!

I'm so excited to see what 2012 has in store....as the sign says...

Bring it on 2012!!

Fitness Friday....Bring it 2012!

2011-12-30T13:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I posted about what goals I had for 2012 for the rest of my life....today it is about the other half....fitness! Each year I look back and think, "Thank you God for carrying me through another amazing year of fitness!" I mean I would be really blinded if I didn't take the time to give praise where it was most importantly due! 2 1/2 years have gone by since my horrible back injury I had just 6 months after Em was born. Each year I set goals for my fitness and pray that I make it through injury free! I am grateful for 365 injury free days! This year I pray for nothing less!! I also would have never been able to reach my goals this past year without the support of my hubby who has sacrificed for me so that I can get in my runs. Thank you babe!!

With this year's goals, I am trying to build in more balance to my fitness. BC (before children) the hubs and I would spend 2+ hours at the gym and I took every class known to man! I loved it all! Even after Em I loved going to Spin classes and TRX cardio blast classes. The summer of 2010 I was the strongest I have ever felt due to this and an amazing trainer named Di from Dihard Fitness in Salem, MA. Though we live too far away now for me to go there, I want to get back to a stronger me for 2012! Here are my goals for 2012:

Run (at least) 12 half marathons (this may be virtually as well as in person)
Bring back the brawn! I want to strength train at least 3 days a week. To start this off I am doing the Insanity program starting Monday!
Focus on Fuel.....This year I want to get beyond the scale and eat foods that fuel my body so that I have the energy to be an energetic wife and mom! When I am a slave to the scale I tend to pick "diet" foods instead of the best foods to fuel my body!
Try Crossfit (any suggestions out there?)
Run 1000+ miles (yeah keeping the streak alive!)

What are your fitness goals for 2012? How are you going to make this your fittest year for YOU?

Three Things Thursday-Resolution Style

2011-12-29T15:13:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe that 2011 is coming to a close....I mean I just started writing the year correctly and now I need to learn it all over again! I'm saving my fitness goals for tomorrow's Fitness Friday Blog, so my 3 things are resolutions/goals for the rest of me.....family, soul, house/work

Family:

Just be....and love: Life is flying by at breakneck speeds and Em is getting older by the day. I fear I will miss this blessing by letting everything else around me cloud my time with her and my hubby. Each night I want to have the time to unplug and just be as a family. Slowing down to love each other with our full attention.
Date night: I will plan a date night each month for my hubby....if I want him to do it, I need to too!
Em journal: I have started a journal to Em and this year I will write in it once a week. I forget things so quickly!
I love you: I will not let time go by without telling my family how much they mean to me (and this goes farther than our four walls to my friends as well). 2011 has taught me that life is too short to let people question how much they mean to you. I did a fair job in 2011 but 2012 will be better!

House/Work:

BE ON TIME: Yeah that is a biggie for work....ooops sorry!
Don't put it off: I have housework and work work I love to put off. It only adds stress so no more!....unless of course it interferes with my family time ;-)

Soul: 2010 and 2011 I fed my soul through pounding pavement/treadmill rubber running 2600+ miles, this year I will continue this but also find other ways to feed my soul

Scrapbooking: I love making scrapbooks but have fallen out of the habit. I have a Project Life book just waiting to be filled....my goal this year is to catch up!!!
Church: Since moving down here we haven't found a home church...this is our year!
Reading: I have a mountain of books on my nightstand just waiting to be read and this is their year!
Friends: Yeah I know I mentioned this already but this year is also about reconnecting with friends!

Do you make resolutions? If so, what are they? What is your own challenge this year?

I apologize for not responding to all of you this week....I appreciate your awesome comments and promise to catch up soon!!

Wordless Wednesday...year in review

2011-12-28T07:09:00.002-05:00

2011 has been an amazing year....I plan to give it its due in words but here is a rundown of 2011 in Fancy Nancy land in pictures!

What did your 2011 look like?

12 in 2012

2011-12-27T07:07:00.001-05:00

Back in November, Jill Conyers started looking for runners who were crazy enough to join her to run 12 half marathons in 2012. Well if you know anything about me it's that I die for a challenge and this was one that I was excited about! I knew it would be a struggle since the hubs is doing his body building show in April and I wanted to give him the time he needed and the spotlight he deserved. So here is my tentative schedule, barring any changes as life so often does! I have already had to deviate from my original...

Feb. 18th-Martha's Vineyard 20 miler - Martha's Vineyard, MA
March 18th- New Bedford Half Marathon - New Bedford, MA
April 7th- Jamestown Bridge 10k - Jamestown, RI
May 29th - Great Hyannis Road Race Half - Hyannis, MA
June 5th - Old Sandwich Road Race Half - Plymouth, MA
July 7th - Firecracker 5k - Cotuit, MA
August 12th - New Balance Falmouth Road Race - Falmouth, MA
September 10th - Run to the Rock Half - Plymouth, MA
22nd-Zooma Women's Half-Falmouth, MA
October 12th - Harwich Cranberry Half Marathon - Harwich, MA
November 6th - Chilly Half Marathon - Newton, MA
December 11th - Christmas Run 10k - Newport, RI

There are a few months (August, July, and December) in there where I could not find a half anywhere close to MA but if you know of one I would love to know! Plus April is reserved for the hubby and his show so I figured a shorter race near my hometown would work. Are you planning on being at any of these? Let me know...I would love to meet up!! What does your 2012 look like?

Monday Motivation

2011-12-26T07:04:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up.....and proceeded to throw it all out! All the cookies, candy, chips, goodies all in the trash! Green monster protein shake is in the works and the Sauconys are getting laced up! We had a great Christmas and enjoyed all our time with our families. I ate what I wanted in moderation and now it's back at it! If there are some resolutions you have in your mind today....write them down and get started. This could be your day #1!! Once I hit the publish button here, I am heading out to do the 10k Home for the Holidays Virtual race since the excitement of Santa came early yesterday!

What about you.....what are you going to start today (or restart)?

Fitness Friday-Reaching Goals

2011-12-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another Fitness Friday post! Today I am reflecting on something I tweeted (that still sounds dirty to me) this morning.....

"Cheers to finishing what I started"

In January when I set the goal of running 1500 miles, I knew it would be a challenge but one that I was ready for. I started the year off strong but the Spring brought some bumps in the road. This challenge kept me focused on pounding away the miles day by day, week by week, month by month....little by little inching my way to 1500 miles! Today I jumped on the mill at the gym....sleepy from a night of baking and getting ready for my last day before break....4 miles were all I needed to get to this finish line. 4 miles....probably one of the shortest runs I've done in many months but packed with so many thoughts and emotions. I kept repeating to myself....finish what you've started....you owe it to you to finish what you've started....finish strong. As the numbers ticked over to 4.0 miles, with tears in my eyes I knew I had made it. I endured....I kept the course set before me...with His strength I crossed 1500 miles. With God, I finished what I started 12 months ago. The Tall Mom 1000+ Challenge has inspired me to push myself past what I thought was possible and this year was no exception! Next week this will be a part of my year in review week but I would be missing out if I didn't thank Mel for starting this challenge last year. It has changed me as a person and as a runner!

Happy holidays to all of you! I hope your weekend is filled with health, love, happiness, and peace!

Three Things Thursday

2011-12-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

Every year I say to myself..."Never again! I am going to get my shopping done early so I can just enjoy Christmas" and well every single year in true Fancy Nancy form I am ready to tear my hair out trying to get last minute things! Left on my list are....let's see EVERY stocking stuffer just about that I need! I can do it but I need to learn from my mistakes....next year I'm all over it! In an effort to stay positive, here are 3 things I have actually done well this holiday season....

1. The weight game....While trying to rack up as many HBBC points as humanly (well for this working mom) possible I have actually lost 2lbs during this holiday craziness! I am attributing this to HBBC, Holiday Shred, my competitive spirit, and my #2.
2. Tall Mom Challenge....I have stayed on track with my running and am only 3.8 miles away from hitting my 2011 goal of running 1500 miles!!! With all that happened in the Spring I was uncertain if I would get there but I am so close I can taste it!!
3. Budget Victory....well even though I have stocking stuffers to get and I forgot to click buy on an Amazon order, I have managed to stay within a budget this year. I have caught some great sales that allowed me to get great gifts at a good price!

How about you....What victories have you had this holiday season???

Words for Wednesday

2011-12-21T08:59:00.000-05:00

Things are crazy around here in Fancy Nancy land as I'm sure it is around your parts too! There is something about the week between Em's birthday and Christmas that throws things off.....no grocery shopping done yet, ,shopping each night...you know the drill! Needless to say my "What I Ate Wednesday" is pretty sad especially since my breakfast consisted of a scoop of peanut butter and coffee. Enter the lovely and talented Miss Zippy! She posed these questions on her blog for all of us to answer....here are mine! I will say that I'm the Queen of indecision so I may have more than one answer! Play along if you would like! I'd love to hear how your 2011 was!

Best race experience? This is hard since I had a lot of fun this year getting friends out there running races, including my nieces and sister. Plus I was able to run over a bridge wearing bunny ears! The award, however, goes to the New Bedford Half Marathon in March. This is my best not only because I got a PR but more because of the way that I felt during the race. It was one of those races where everything clicked and I felt STRONG! Wish I could have bottled it up to use for every race!

Best run? Just recently a few weeks ago....I left the house with the weight of the world on my shoulders and as each mile ticked by a little piece of the weight fell off. By the time I got home, my legs were tired but I was floating!
Best new piece of gear? Tough one....I didn't get too much this year other than my usually 3 pairs of Sacouny Rides...I did buy a new Sacouny reflective jacket a few weeks ago and it has become a staple for me!

Best piece of running advice you received? The power of negative splits...I'm still working on this one!
Most inspirational runner? Oh man this is so tough! There are so many of you bloggers out there that are truly amazing!! I would say a runner I know in real life that has inspired me this year is my BRF Jill. She ran her 8th marathon in NYC in the Fall and she continues to rock it!

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be? Never underestimate yourself! or maybe You are stronger than you think or ANYTHING is possible

21st Century Tuesday

2011-12-20T08:50:00.001-05:00

Well folks....this lady took a wild leap yesterday and started a Twitter account! That's right! I have very little clue about how the whole thing works and when to use the @ sign or when to use the #....oh and what happens when I use each! I am really thinking I need to invest in this:

Also I am so not cool about the whole following/follower thing. Let me illustrate this for you with two examples....Exhibit #1 I get a tweet from Sarah Bowen Shea telling me I should check out the Zooma Half in September. She and Dimity are going to be there. A cool person would have just thought, "Oh how cool! I'll check it out!" A non-cool person like myself would gasp and do a happy dance around the kitchen table because she LOVES Run Like a Mother and would DIE to meet those two ladies! Exhibit #2 Once the family had recovered from my random outburst of excitement it happened again. My hubby was in the other room when he heard me yell, "Shut Up!" He came running in see what the problem was as I squealed about how Bart Yasso was following me! I went on..."You know THE Bart Yasso...like the amazing runner....the one who's book I'm reading..." Yeah he didn't get it so I texted my BRF Jill....she got it!

So whether I'm cool enough or know what I'm doing at all remains to be determined but I would love if you followed me @lilfancynancy on Twitter. I would add the link but you know those silly firewalls!

Monday Motivation

2011-12-19T07:18:00.001-05:00

Today's motivation may connect with you or not. Today is my Em's 3rd birthday. Three years ago today she came into my life and I have been forever changed. She has blessed my life in ways I never expected and I LOVE being a Mom. However you know what didn't love being a Mom....my body! It could have been the 50+lbs I gained with her! Even though I took spin class daily and weight trained, I was still in probably the worst shape of my life. I turned 30 a few weeks after and this picture is what is motivating me today:

It motivates me to remember how uncomfortable I felt in my body at that time and the work it took to get back and lose 60+lbs!

How about you? What is motivating you to keep going forward today instead of sliding back?

On a side note, I finally was able to get into my gmail account and found months of emails and responses from all of you! I apologize for not getting back to you sooner!!! Sometimes technology is not my friend!

#Fitfluential Fitness Friday: 5 Tips to Finding Balance During the Holidays

2011-12-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

Could I get more Fs in one title?! We are in the swing of the holiday season and everywhere you turn there are goodies to eat and events to attend. Being Fitfluential means finding the balance between eat, move, sleep, enjoy. I don't know about you but the holidays for me mean a little give and take on some of these...namely sleep! Here are some tips to help you find that elusive balance:

1. Get up and get 'er done.....The best way to keep your busy holiday schedule is to get up early and get moving before the day can get in your way. I completely understand that sometimes this just plain stinks! For example this morning I wanted more than anything to stay cozy and warm in bed but I know tonight I want to enjoy my time with my family. So out of bed I stumbled! It is often harder to get out of bed than to exercise. Once you get going, you're good!

2. Take time to enjoy....Don't let the holiday season go by without enjoying the time. I always feel like I am going at break neck speeds and then all of a sudden it is New Years. Take the time to slow down and enjoy the people and activities you love.

3. Plan ahead.....Having an office party? Offer to bring the veggies. Going over to a friends house? Offer to bring a salad to go with the meal. Planning ahead will ensure that there will be a healthy option for you wherever you go.

4. Portion control.....It is unrealistic to think that you will go to a function and only eat the veggies that are there. I mean really! However, control your portions. Fill your plate with healthy options and have tastes of the goodies. This way you don't have to completely pass on grandma's famous casserole but you also don't feel like you have had your calorie count for the next week!

5. Practice GRACE.....Ok so you fell off the healthy tree...and hit every branch on the way down. You decided that that 3rd martini sounded like a great idea. Everyone falls off once in a while (if they say they don't they're lying) but it is what you do the next day that counts. Pound back water the next day to flush yourself out and be extra certain to get in your veggies and healthy foods. One day does not equal failure!

What about yourself? How do you maintain a balance through the holiday season between eat, move, sleep, enjoy?

Check out what other Fitfluential Ambassadors suggest for you here!

Wordless Wednesday meets Race Report

2011-12-14T11:52:00.000-05:00

This weekend I was able to don a Santa suit and scurry around the streets of New Bedford! The Santa Sightings 5k was held on Saturday and while I was bummed all my running buddies were busy, it was a fun race. Plus I scored myself a PR of 22:38!! I think the key for me was that I lined up at the front of the pack....no one really wanted to line up at the front so I went for it! Apparently I rise to those around me!

So here's the Good and Bad of the Santa Sightings 5k:

Good

Who wouldn't love a PR?!
You get a Santa costume with your registration
very well organized with lots of parking and an easy number pick-up
Lots of festiveness....is that a word?

Bad

If you've every been to New Bedford you would know that like a lot of cities....you have your share of sketchy people. Add to that the fact that I am dressed as Santa and well.....you just can't go unnoticed
Not officially timed......I know picky but well....
HILLS!!!! I passed one guy and asked if there were any flat streets in New Bedford! In the course of 3.1 miles we ran up at least 4 steep hills and one was cobblestone!

I would run it again....hills and all! Next time I am forcing my friends to sign up with me though! Here are the pictures to prove it!!!

Before Santa

It's a List Kind of Day!

2011-12-13T09:03:00.000-05:00

Another year is here and another year I am racing around like a wack-o getting everything done! So what's Fancy Nancy to do when life gets crazy on her.....MAKE A LIST!!!

I got an exciting email from Jill confirming that I am part of her 12 in 2012!!! I am so excited to be part of this challenge! I came up with my race schedule (shocked just how many half marathons are happening within 1/2 hour of me) for 2012.....let the running begin!
Sketching out princess decorations and favors....any ideas?
Fighting a huge case of Mommy guilt.....poor Em is having some potty issues and is so worried that she will disappoint Santa if she goes poop in her pull-up. In the meantime she is in pain trying to hold it in! Way to go Super Mom for stressing out your daughter! Last night she only wanted to snuggle on the couch and talk about the Christmas tree. Then she said she wanted me there when the sun came up (aka don't go to work). Well tear out my heart.....
Got a major migraine last night that has decided to hang around today! Praying I still get in my run this afternoon even though it feels my head may fall off!
I love the blogging community.....seriously you all inspire me about your amazing goals you have accomplished! Take this month by storm!
Every year I say I am going to get my shopping done early....yeah not so much. Maybe next year!
Have to end on a positive.....through all this stress I am celebrating the major victory of not turning to food (mainly sugar) to sooth me! Even managed to throw away the bark that was hanging around....couldn't have it in my face taunting me!!
Auntie of the year award goes out to my AMAZING sister Amy who saves my ass daily!!! Yesterday she not only ran out and found a blue vacuum for Em (she mentioned she wanted one yesterday....see above Mommy guilt I would have bought her a friggin pony!) but she also played the role of Mrs. Claus and Uncle Matt was Santa when I called asking if it would be ok with him if Em went potty in her pull up! Thanks Amy!!!!

How do you deal with stress? I know I'm not the only one who has 80% of her shopping still to do!

Monday Motivation-Finish Strong

2011-12-12T09:37:00.000-05:00

There are only 3 weeks left of 2011.....Remember those resolutions you made way back when? How are they treating you now? Yesterday I was at a family party and overheard someone comment on their eating, which prompted today's motivational rant. They said, "Yeah I'll get back on track in January." Instead of limping into the 2012, why not go in strong?! You have 3 weeks to reach your goal. Think you're too far off? It is NEVER too late to make a choice to live healthy and reach for your goals. This week I am aiming for 40 miles, Holiday Shred every day, and no sugar (ugh....even with a birthday party). I'm choosing to finish 2011 strong......what about you?

What choices are you going to make to finish 2011 strong?

Need a little stronger kick in the pants? How about this motto?

Balance

2011-12-10T07:03:00.000-05:00

Just a tidbit of info about me....I started taking gymnastic lessons at age 3 (already looking into it for Em). This is where my nickname Fancy Nancy came from....most of our pictures from my childhood putting up the Christmas tree was me in my leotard (with my undies hanging out the sides because my mom never let me wear it without the undies)....I would put on shows for any family member that came over to visit....My Mom maintains that once I got over the vault I was all done (details Mom...I was just focusing on my career as an Olympic softball player and not gymnast!). But the kind of balance I'm talking about is not this....

This week on the Fitfluential blog, it expresses the need for balance in life...staying fit AND taking time to do the things you love! Today is my Santa 5k....I am beyond excited to put on the suit and run. I am also able today to do something else that I love....tonight we are going to a Christmas parade as a family. I LOVE to run and be fit but I LOVE LOVE being a Mom and spending time with my family! Plus aside from the beach, who doesn't love looking at bright lights with those you love?!

Part of being balanced is doing things you enjoy....what are you going to ENJOY today???

Pushing it and Rest

2011-12-09T12:08:00.001-05:00

Pinterest (my latest time suck) has a lot to say about pushing yourself to your limits...

When I have a goal in mind it is very difficult for me to think about much else than reaching that goal. This month I have three goals I'm reaching for....Holiday Shred, 1500 miles, and racking up points for the HBBC. The biggest goal that is occupying my mind has been really the 1500 miles....and with 80 miles left to reach that goal I am a woman on a mission! The downside of being consumed in a way with this goal is that I am in a way ignoring one of the important necessities of life....REST. I get nervous by nightfall if I haven't gotten in my miles for the day! Yesterday I did my long run because I knew I was running a 5k on Saturday, however a lot of the long run I was planning how I could fit in more miles before the 5k! So today I am forcing myself to rest, because I know a few things about myself. I know this cranky, tired disposition is not very appealing to those who love me. I know my nightly question of "Can I go run at the gym?" gets old. And above all I know if I continue to push at this rate, it will spell disaster in the form of injury or sickness. So to I reluctantly rest....except for Holiday Shred! :-)

How about you.....do you get blinders on when you are reaching for a goal? How often do you rest?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T16:31:00.001-05:00

I was all set to do What I Ate Wednesday again but....I ate the SAME thing this week!! I did add sweet potatoes to my veggies roast which made it very yum-o! Instead I wanted to share some pictures from the past few weeks as we around here get geared up for Christmas. The first few are from our family photo shoot this year. My sister is an amazing photographer as you can see by our pics! I should to a montage of all the out takes of Em....challenges of a toddler that wants to play!

"Chippy" the Elf

Waiting to see Santa

Night away for a concert and dinner

Em doing the Holiday Shred with me!

You CAN Reach Your Goals- 7 Tips for Reaching Your Goals

2011-12-06T14:28:00.000-05:00

This post is really for those of you starting out with getting fit or losing weight, but really so many of us can relate to having to reset life in order to be on the road to being the best version of ourselves! Mine happened after I had my daughter. I needed to reset the train and get back on track to becoming the best version of me.....and part of that was weight loss and fitness. Fitfluential has challenged their Ambassadors to write a post to help out anyone who may be starting this journey for the first time.....what tips we could give to them. Well these are things I do daily and they have helped me reach so many goals along my journey!

1. Call in the troops....Reach out to all those friends and family that are active or eat healthy. Ask for help and explain to them your goals. They know you and love you and would love to help. This may be intimidating for you...sometimes it's easier for a complete stranger to know what you weigh than your best friend but put yourself out there....there is no shame in wanting to get healthy! Everyone starts somewhere! Make a date to meet them at the gym or for a walk. I know I make sure I get there if someone is expecting me! Get your family involved. Rally the troops so they can help you!

2. Hey Guess What.....Tell those around you what your doing.....it's harder to fall back on old habits when you know people are watching! Whenever I have a new goal or while I was working off that baby weight, I told those around me what it was. That kept me from grabbing that handful of chips in the lunchroom or indulging when I shouldn't. Telling my family kept me on track too.....at the times when I would normally cheat.

3. Find what you love.....These days I could run until my legs fall off but it wasn't always that way. After running the Boston Marathon, I went back to spinning and kick boxing. I loved them! Find something you like to do and have a blast. You're less likely to stick with it if each second is a form of torture!

4. Step by Step.....Rome wasn't built in a day. Give yourself the grace to go step by step. Change one thing at a time instead of radically changing your entire life all at once! Focus on diet....then get moving...step by step. Keep pushing yourself bit by bit.

5. Put it on the calendar.....We schedule everything in our lives...why not exercise? Once a colleague of mine asked me what I did to stay in shape and so I told her. She went on to explain that that wouldn't work for her because she was far too busy. My response was that I schedule exercise just like I schedule an appointment. It gets put on the calendar and time is set aside for it. Schedule your exercise in and work your day around it.

6. Have a strategy....Life happens. Kids get sick. It's raining. It's snowing. Traffic...you name it. It's like a commercial on TV for Tufts where the couple has daily excuses of how life got in the way of them going to the gym. My remedy....plan ahead. Before I go to bed at night I have my lunch packed for the next day, clothes laid out for work and for the gym. I only need to roll out of bed and into my clothes. If you go to the gym after work, pack a snack in your bag of clothes.

7. BELIEVE and you will ACHIEVE!.....Whatever your goal is may seem so large or hard to reach. BELIEVE in yourself. Visualize the end.....Imagine how great you're going to feel.....how much energy you will have....Believe in yourself! YOU WILL GET THERE!!!!

It's almost the New Year.....Resolution time....Make this year the one where you become the best version of yourself!!!

Monday Motivation

2011-12-05T08:40:00.000-05:00

When I first found out that I was pregnant with Em, I had first thought...."I hope she isn't like me". I meant when it came to body image and such, I hoped that she wouldn't struggle to like what she saw in the mirror. I quickly resolved myself to thinking, "I am going to be the example of how I would like her to see herself. I am going to celebrate health and fitness and be an example of how to celebrate what your body can do". I am in no way perfect with this and have days when I don't like my body, but the difference is I do it in private. This weekend after my long run I decided that while Em was sipping her milk and watching cartoons, I was going to do my Holiday Shred workout. What resulted not only cracked me up but warmed my heart. Em was right in front of me following Bobbi in all the exercises. She had her 3lb weights and was doing every exercise I was doing.....jumping jacks, curls, lunges, bicycle crunches, chest presses, you name it! Just when you think no one is watching.........This reminded me, "My daughter is always watching!"

Whether you have children or not, BE the example of health for those you love. What are you doing to do today to be that example?

Hope Endures Virtual 5k

2011-12-03T06:25:00.000-05:00

Courtney over at A So Called Runner is hosting a virtual 5k in remembrance of her precious daughter Ashlyn. You can read more about her story here. Through all the sadness and pain that Courtney has endured through this loss, the part of her story that sticks with me the most is her strength. This year I lost a child before I was ever able to see them. If this hadn't happened, this month would mean our family welcoming another member. Instead we are celebrating the HUGE blessing of our daughter Emma (who was born just before Christmas) and the amazing gift of the birth of our Savior. We are making it a season of celebration! Today I run for Ashlyn and for those families that will one day meet their children in heaven. Thank you Courtney for your strength and for sharing it with all of us!

Fitness Friday-Tips on Night Running

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Well Living the Dream went Christmas yesterday....what do you think? I really need to figure out how to make a custom header.....anyone have a suggestion? Like how do I put a collage like thingy (very technical term) on the top???

Onto the fun.....

Tips I've Learned from My ONE Day Running at Night (You know since one day makes me an expert!)

Find someone with a headlamp and DO NOT LOSE THEM!!!.....I ended up running most of the 6 miler with an older man (whom I giggled when I thought of his nickname of Fit Santa) who had a headlamp. He was a great tour guide pointing out places in the road that were uneven, the Kennedy Compound, the beach, etc. Each time he looked that way as to light the way for me! Thanks Fit Santa....who was also a fast runner so I had to haul butt to stay with him so I wouldn't be left in the dark!
Know the route you are taking.....Since this was my first time, and unfamiliar with the area, I should have made sure I knew the route beforehand. I had my eye on the lead group and was ok until the people I was with turned at the fork for the 5 mile route. They gave me directions (which if I followed would have sent me running into the ocean) and then I lost the lead group. Thank goodness the aforementioned Fit Santa was with me. He knew the way well.
Get your own headlamp....One of the lovely side effects of my passion for the tanning bed most of my life before kids is night blindness. I have a hard time seeing in the dark especially when there are lights that shine in my eyes and then go away (kind of like headlights on cars driving by). I definitely ran into branches and potholes due to not seeing them.
Wear reflective clothing....This one I actually got right. A cute pink Sacouny jacket that was on sale thank you very much!
Run with a group....Again I am so thankful for this running group but if you live in an area without one start your own!! It is a great way to meet new runners or gather old friends together and stay healthy. I always feel motivated to go knowing they'll ask me the next time where I was!
Have fun and take it all in....Yeah once I found Fit Santa, I had fun taking it all in. People had begun setting up their Christmas lights, huge houses, beaches (Ok I couldn't really see those but I made a mental note to drive back there when it was light out), and meeting new and very interesting people. Fit Santa is training to run Houston.

Have a great Friday all!!! Good luck to those racing this weekend....I was watching the news this morning and saw the snow in Vegas.....YIKES! Go out and rock your races and let me know so I can cheer you on! I also got my names for the card exchange with Kim at (Just) Trying is for Little Girls.....Go Team Rudolph!!

Three Things Thursday

2011-12-01T09:49:00.000-05:00

What a day....what a day....already and it's only 9am! Let's just say I will be happy to be crawling into bed tonight! Slept through my alarm....ran late to work....frustrating early meeting....There is so much running through my mind but for now I will leave it to three things!

1. Running in the Dark...Yesterday I joined my track group at the big group runs out of a local running store. I went early to get an early Christmas present.....

a reflective jacket so that I don't become road kill. I picked the 6 mile route....lost the lead group....and hauled butt to stay with someone with a headlamp so I didn't end up in the ocean. But I'll save details about that for tomorrow!

2. Eat this....Thanks for your compliments on my menu of the day! I'm sure you all are like most people and me who eat well most of the time. I am eating this menu as part of the Holiday Shred. Part of it is eating clean but you can cheat one meal a week. I'm trying to decide where I want my cheat. I have noticed that this has helped me really evaluate what I am eating and really why I am doing it.

3. Holy high miles....Well November marked the highest miles I have logged in a month ever....172! I'm psyched! I only have 136 miles left to reach my goal of 1500 miles this year. I know I am going to be tired but I am going to push on to do it!

Have a wonderful Thursday all!! What have been your November highlights?

What I Ate Wednesday...

2011-11-30T08:57:00.000-05:00

Good morning! Ok so I decided to join in on the WIAW posts this week. Please know that I am in no way an expert on eating...just getting geared up again on clean eating in conjunction with the Holiday Shred. I know that I need more protein....suggestions please! Ok so here it is:

Breakfast:

A Green Monster (Spinach, Whey powder, banana, almond milk)

Snack:

Clementines and almonds

Lunch:

Veggie roast on flax wrap with spinach and hummus

Snack:

Apply with wedge of Laughing Cow

Dinner:

Grilled chicken and brown rice (was too hungry and forgot to take a pic!)

There you have it! My days usually follow the same thing repeatedly except for dinner. I try to put different things in my smoothies in the morning to add a little spice....I know how exciting! Have a great Wednesday....go charge over that hump!!!

Holiday Shred

2011-11-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

It sounds like from yesterday's comments that you all had a plan of attack for getting back on track after Thanksgiving....or maybe even just the weekend! Having a plan helps me so much....like I can just dial in to whatever I need to do!

Yesterday, in addition to my run, I started the Holiday Shred with Bobbi at Nhershoes. I first heard about the Shred from a post by Skinny Runner and I headed over to check it out. For just $30 you get a 20 minute workout and Bobbi's support for 23 days! In addition you eat clean for the 23 days, even though Bobbi says you can have one treat one day a week! I thought....SCORE! I have been struggling lately with being bored by my weight workouts and I would love to have a trainer just tell me what to do. This was a win win for me! Here are a few of my thoughts about the Holiday Shred so far...

I'm going to go for the totally clean for the 23 days!!! (I am toying with posting a WIAW with what I ate)
Bobbi is absolutely adorable! She makes me giggle the whole time! (The workouts are sent in a video form)
After the first day I thought, this is not too bad maybe I need to add more weight. Now that I am done with the second day I'm thinking....this was the butt kick I needed! She does interval training which I have done in the past....but there is nothing like someone else calling out the orders!
I love this!!! I seriously am looking forward to tomorrow's workout!
Score....I can workout in my pjs if I want....and no one has to know!!!

Did you sign up for the Shred? What are your thoughts so far? If not, what are your go to intervals for weight training?

Monday Motivation

2011-11-28T07:25:00.000-05:00

The turkey is long gone, the Black Friday deals have been had....and now it's Monday again. Now is the time to get back on the train to FitTown! What are you going to do today to get back?

Sunday Set-Up

2011-11-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

Reality is knocking at our front door this morning as the turkey and shopping fog begins to lift....back to work tomorrow! Oh and time for Sunday set-up! Before I get to play Santa's little elf and decorate the house, I need to get my lunches and snacks set up so that the week will go smoothly and I'm able to spend my time doing the things I love instead of cooking! My lunches are packed, snacks measured and bagged, and later today clothes for the week will be laid out. Type A....yes thank you! If I want to go to the gym for my runs in the am before work, it is a MUST to get all of this laid out...unless I want to be speeding down Rte 6 late for work!!

As I said last week, I am trying to make my lunches vegetarian so that I can get in my 7 veggies for the HBBC. The reality is I just feel much better eating this way! With IBS though a huge salad (which would be my first choice) is just not a good idea for me and those I love! Last week I made a vegetarian chili. I had found the recipe on Food Network here. It was so yummylicious (yes that is a technical term!) This week I am using an oldie but goodie! I roast a bunch of veggies and then put them in a flax wrap with hummus. It is my favorite!!! Here is the recipe:

You need:

zucchini, red peppers, asparagus, onion, mushrooms, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes

Basically throw in a bunch of veggies you like. I've also used summer squash with this too. The amount you put in depends on how much you want to make. This was what I used for today.

Cut all the veggies up and throw them into a roasting pan. Give them a generous drizzle of balsamic vinegar, a dash of olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Toss them all up so it looks like this:

Then roast them at 400 for 1 hour. I stir every so often. Then do what you will with them. I love them on a wrap and also mixed with quinoa!

!!!Super Exciting News!!!!

After reading on Run Faster Mommy and Blonde Ponytail that Fitfluential was looking to expand and include more bloggers, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I was FLOORED when I got an email back that I had been chosen! What an honor to be amongst such fit people! It seriously means so much to be a part of this!!!

I also started a Facebook page for my blog...I just started it so bear with me but head on over and become a fan here. Anyone with techie skills that could help me link my blog and page???? Yeah just can't figure it out!

Have an amazing Sunday...get out the door and do something active!!!

Thanksgiving 5k Real and Virtual Race Report

2011-11-24T10:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Just stopping in quickly to give my race report and then I'm racing back to the fam to enjoy a day together!!! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!!!

Today I ran two races in one and snagged myself a sweet PR!!!! I just kept pushing until the end!!!

Race #1: We Gather Together 5k

Sandwich, MA

23:32- 7:35 pace

My mother-in-laws first race (she did great!)

Race #2: Thanksgiving Virtual 5k

Daily Vitamin F

A Word for Wednesday

2011-11-23T14:08:00.000-05:00

Thankfulness

What are you thankful for this year?

The Lord has constantly been faithful to my family and I through good times and bad! I am so thankful for my family and friends that I don't even know where to begin. I'm thankful also for this blog and all of you out there who give me motivation, inspiration, and support each day!

Monday Motivation

2011-11-21T08:54:00.001-05:00

This weekend I realized something about myself....I need to push harder. Sundays used to be a sore day for me...long run on Saturday usually meant Sunday was going to be a sore day. Well....I wasn't sore....or tired. 11.5 miles and I wasn't sore. This means two things to me.....I need to go longer and faster! I want to see what I'm made of! The only person limiting me is myself!!

What are you made of? Go out there this week and find out!!!

Thankfulness Day 21: I'm thankful for my Dad's health, even though he isn't feeling super...he's home! I have written many times about my Dad and his struggle with Chrone's Disease. One Thanksgiving my hubby and I got to my parent's house and no one was home. Dad had to be rushed to the hospital with a blood infection. Well this year, even though I won't be there, he is. Chrone's is a daily struggle for him but each day I am thankful for one more day with my Dad!

Virgin Vegetarian

2011-11-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

Well as part of my goals for the HBBC I decided to make one day completely vegetarian. Well last night I realized that the only vegetarian thing I know how to make is....pasta oh and grilled cheese! Yeah not going to cut it. I am not doing this because I don't like meat, even though there was a period of time in high school that I swore off all red meat (sorry about that Mom!). Rather I wanted to incorporate more veggies into my diet and what better way than through a veggie day! I also have been feeling just....off....physically and thought more veggies in my diet would help a bit.

So here is where you all come in. I've read your blogs and seen the amazing things you eat every day! What can I say....I have veggie envy! Do you have any recipes that you just love? Ones I could make and bring for lunch each day? Any recipes that your whole family loves? I would love to include the hubby but I would need a recipe that would leave him not missing meat. We don't want this to happen!

Thankfulness Day 19: I'm thankful today for my long run. I have been stressing lately about small stuff and the hubby had to all but throw me out the door but it was just what I needed!!! Love that!

HBBC points today: 12.8

Fitness Friday-HBBC

2011-11-18T08:50:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow begins the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge and I couldn't be more ready for it! I look forward to this challenge every year! Not only do I love challenges but it just puts me in the right frame of mind during this hectic time of year! The last two years I have just gone into it without a plan other than to try to rack up any and all points I could. This year I am trying to follow somewhat of a plan....however as we all know with this time of year.....One thing that I am going to continue this year from my years past is definitely sneaking in fitness whenever I have spare time! Ok so here are some goals/plans for the challenge this year:

3 days of weight training each week
40 mile weeks (also helps me to hit my 1500 mile goal)
Make at least one day a vegetarian day....maybe even more
Make 1 meal a day all vegetarian....probably lunch since I don't have to convince the hubs to eat it!
Make fitness a family fun time! I have found yoga and dancing for kids online and on demand. I want to make Em a part of this! She loves shaking her bootie and stretching out with me!
Put health first! I want to get my day started with healthy choices so that nothing can get in the way

Are you part of the challenge? If not head over to sign up here! How so you put fitness first during this hectic time of year???

Thankfulness Day 18: Today I am thankful for my hubby....he works so hard each and every day at a job that most people would shutter to do. He is an amazing Dad and husband and I am thankful to have him!

Three Things Thursday

2011-11-17T14:19:00.000-05:00

Thursdays have meant many things to me through the years....thirsty Thursday...payday...personal training day....and Three Things Thursday!!! Here are your random three things....enjoy!

1. Get your race on!....Heather over at Run Faster Mommy is co-hosting a virtual race to raise money for TNT! It is a virtual 5k that you need to run on December 17th....head on over by clicking here. Donate and be part of this fun virtual race....you even win a medal....woo hoo bling bling!!

2. Long one.....One of the races I am tossing around on my schedule is a 20 miler in Martha's Vineyard. A few things are keeping me from hitting the register now button....ummmm yes Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful place but have you ever been on the island in February (yeah completely different place!). That's the easiest excuse...that and I need to make sure I'm not teaching that weekend. The real excuse....I'm scared! I feel like I have half marys in the bag and they don't intimidate me quite like they used to but a 20 miler is.....well just 6.2 miles short of a full marathon! Yes my last marathon experience was many years ago and I am a much different runner today....but it is one of those things that leaves me weak in the knees. Plus....how do I train for such an odd distance? I want to do it.....HELP!!

3. Missing runs....Yesterday running group moved to a different venue and will be on the road from now until Spring. I however missed it since it was pouring and freezing and well....staying inside and playing cook with Em was more appealing. I planned on going to the gym after Em went to bed but when the time came I was wiped! The thing that surprised me was I spent the next 30 minutes rationalizing with myself on how I could make up the mileage....shooting for 1500 miles has me running numbers in my head all day! Anyone else?

I hope you enjoy your Thursday!!! This time next week I'll be elbow deep in turkey and what not! Yum-o!!!

A Date with The Biggest Loser

2011-11-15T21:02:00.001-05:00

While it would be very nice to have a workout date with.....

This post is about a habit I was thinking about today.....a date with.....

After I had Emma, I had 50lbs to lose. A friend of ours gave us his old treadmill that was collecting dust in his basement. While it was older than my high school diploma, it did the trick. During this journey, a high school friend of mine was a contestant on The Biggest Loser. Maybe you remember him....Rudy...

Yeah he rocked it! Well I began spending my Tuesday nights watching his journey while ticking off the miles on the mill. Rudy and the show inspired me to go longer....go faster...push harder. Watching the contestants push themselves to their limit gave me the push to do the same. Well it has been a tradition I look forward to. While we left our old mill behind, I still have a weekly date with the mill and Biggest Loser only this time it is at the gym!

Monday Motivation

2011-11-14T08:05:00.000-05:00

After this weekend, I need motivation on two fronts today!! I'm working on setting goals for 2012 and getting exciting to do what I can to reach them! Once I get it settled, I'll post about it but it may have a 20 miler thrown into the mix!!

Now on the second dose of motivation I desperately need is hanging in there as a mom! I know....terrible twos or whatever it is but this motherhood thing is kicking my butt lately!! I love Em more than words can say don't get me wrong....and I cherish the fact that I am her mother but some days I feel so extremely defeated between getting her to eat more than snacks and getting her not to poop her pants daily....or maybe wear sleeves when it's 40 degrees out. Any suggestions? You know considering the fact that yesterday I was so down that I turned to my old friends.....

Anniversary Day!

2011-11-12T05:43:00.000-05:00

Today I am blessed to celebrate my 6th wedding anniversary with my hubby! Here are a few pictures from the day! I love you honey!!

Fitness Friday-Your Turn...My Turn

2011-11-11T17:24:00.000-05:00

I'm a runner....a distance runner...but I wear many more hats than that. I'm a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, mentor, professor, and a blogger. Sometimes those other hats stay on longer than my runner hat.

I have written many times asking advice to all of you about how you fit it all in and things as such. As a matter of fact I'm sure you wouldn't have to look too far back to get a post asking just that. Well this week as I have been looking toward goals for 2012, I have been needing to sacrifice races and dream-like opportunities in order to make room for the other hats in my life. As I have said in earlier posts, my hubby is going to be competing in a body building competition in April so the first 4 months of the year are his turn....his turn to shine....his turn to train...his turn to get priority. I have no problem doing this since he has always supported me and my running.

The road block we have met is our differing opinions about running....remember Queen Cardio and King Weight Training! My distance running is fairly new for me. I have always run a lot of 5 and 10ks where training was minimal but in the past 4 years distance has been my love! Enter the questions of the day......

How do you convince a non running spouse that running a lot of distance races is normal? How do you juggle your wife and mom hat while also wanting to wear your runner hat?

Thankfulness day 11: I'm thankful for the men and women who have and still risk their lives so that I can run free!! Today I ran 11 miles in honor of the day!

Thursday is for Thankfulness...Three Things

2011-11-10T05:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the last day of running group at the track. I am so glad that I finally put aside my fears and joined this group. It has been years that I have wanted to join a running group but had always let my fear of not being good enough or not fitting in keep me from joining. This group was nothing I thought and everything I needed and I am planning to join them through the winter for group 5 milers each Wednesday night....bring out the head lamps and reflective gear! There are many reasons I am thankful for this group but here are three....

1. "You're ready to run with the other group next session"....There are three groups that meet at the same time at the track, a run-walk group, our group, and the racing group. The racing group are mostly training for marathons, etc and do longer pick-ups like 2 and 3 minute pick-ups. The major difference between their group and ours is that......they're fast. One of the leaders of our group told me yesterday that I was ready to run with them. I had to hold myself back from jumping to give her a hug and cry! This means so much to me!!

2. Pushing the limits....As an overweight child, running was always something skinny people did. As I grew up and lost weight it was still something skinny people did. This has led to me never really thinking I fit the bill as a runner. It was something for many years that I did to get ready for sports teams, etc. During preseason when running with others, I would hold my breathe so that people wouldn't hear me breathe heavy! This group has pushed me out of my comfort zone and has pushed my limits with running. It is another step in seeing myself as a real runner!!

3. Amazing moments to remember....Since it gets dark so early, we run the track under the lights. Yesterday we were doing our thing and the leader decided it would be cool to do some sprints on the football field. As we were doing that, the lights clicked off (silly daylight savings). My first reaction was, well I guess we're done. Nope! The light of the full moon was enough to bath the track in a dim light....just enough to get in another set of pick-ups. It was one of those amazing running moments for me as cheesy as that may sound. After one round I looked around and thanked God for this moment....warm November evening bathed in moonlight running!!

I urge you....push through your fears with running!!! Whether it is joining a race you never thought you could do or joining a group to run with.....DO IT! You will be thankful you did!!!

Almosot Wordless Wednesday.....yeah not even close!

2011-11-09T05:50:00.002-05:00

Yesterday's run did not disappoint! We rushed home and made a plan in the car for what we were going to do to get out the door. Of course Em was planning her snacks and who she was going to bring while I was planning clothing! Within minutes we were heading back out the door and to the park!

The leaves were not as bright this year. I guess it's called salt burn and it happened because of the hurricane that we had in September....lots of the bright trees have turned just brown. We did catch some good ones though!

Em decided to test my confidence in her potty abilities (which is very low) and insisted on wearing undies on the trip. Yeah nothing makes you run faster like a 2 year-old in undies....I sprinted to the park knowing a bathroom was just next door! Well....she made it!

We then had a great time of sliding and swinging and pirates running from crocodiles and Captain Hook (me) chasing the princess (Em of course!)! Before we knew it it the sun was slipping behind the trees....my cue to high tail it home before dark! Commence another sprint home! No fun running with no street lights!

But we made it back before the sky was completely dark!

As I was sprinting home (and Emma was yelling "Run faster Mommy the moon is out!") it struck me that this was probably going to be one of our last runs of the season. It is getting dark much earlier and soon the cold will win over. This realization made me really sad....I love running with Em and who knows what next season will bring....I don't want these days with her to end. The past 3 years have been our bonding over the miles....I cherish this time with her. I'm not ready to fold up the jogger just yet....I'm holding out for a few more days!

Then maybe we'll get our fireplace back!!!

Thankfulness Day 9: Today I'm thankful for a healthy child! I know that is a HUGE blessing and it is not one I take lightly! I thank God for Em's health!

Two for Tuesday.....Ahhhhh!

2011-11-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

Today is one of those rare New England days where God sends us an ever so brief reminder of why we love it here. It's also a distraction from the impending winter biting at our heals!! The weather today is beautiful....Fall reds and oranges are soaked in sunshine and the temps are in the high 60s! Definitely a gift considering it was snowing not too long ago! So what is a running mom to do on a day like today????

RUN

I'm almost giddy watching the clock so I can go get Em, load her into the jogger full of snacks, and run to the park!! We haven't done it in a few weeks now and it really is one of my favorite things to do!! We have the best conversations about the craziest of things....birds, colors, how to be a princess, songs, you name it! So today I am blessed to be able to run twice...good thing since this morning's run wasn't the best since I lifted legs yesterday! I hope your Tuesday is soaked in sunshine!!!

Thankful Day 8: Today I'm thankful that my Mom is having a great recovery! She had a complete knee replacement and is on the mend. Watch out Mom....soon you'll be toeing the line with me at a race!!

Monday Motivation

2011-11-07T05:58:00.000-05:00

Nothing can replace how good it feels to reach that goal......what are you going to do this week to get there? Go out and ROCK your week!!!

Shutterfly Winners!!!

2011-11-06T07:12:00.000-05:00

I know you all are itching to get your cards done and out so that you are the first card everyone receives....hint hint get them in the mail by the day before Thanksgiving!

Here are the winners of the 25 free cards:

Stephanie@My Thorns Have Roses

Christie @ Changing from Fat to Fit

Amy@ Running Around on Empty

Send me your emails ladies and I will send you the code for your free prints!!

Have a great Sunday....and GO RACERS!!!!

Fitness Friday-Running Buddy

2011-11-04T07:31:00.000-04:00

Good morning all! Well for many of you, you are packed and on your way to NYC to run in this weekend's NYC marathon. As you head there be on the look out for my AWESOME running buddy and friend Jill.

She not only is an amazing runner but she is an amazing friend! Today's thankfulness is for Jill!!! I couldn't have asked for a better running buddy!!! Ok enough gushing about her amazingness....here is the sign I would be holding on the side of the road if I were there this weekend....

She is running for Team Hole in the Wall.....ha get it!?

Go out there and ROCK NYC Jill.....and all those of you who are racing or running this weekend. Push yourself...you won't be sorry!!!!!

Good-bye October, Hello November!

2011-11-01T18:17:00.001-04:00

Well I am going to post my Halloween 5k pics and such but alas my camera is not cooperating by uploading like it should.....stay tuned for that and giveaway winners! The only pic I have from Halloween is this one....

The princess and the pirate!

Well off with October and onto November.....a month of great things (6 year anniversary, Thanksgiving, and racing)! I was able to run 125 miles in October which I am excited with. I hope to make November my highest mileage this year as I only have 2 more months to hit 1500 miles! Good thing Pile on the Miles starts today to give me a kick in the rear!

And with that I am off to the gym to get my miles in! Good night and wish me luck with uploading my pictures!!

Thankfulness month Day 1: I'm thankful for lights and heat....300,000 people in New England are still in the cold from this weekend's storm!

Monday Motivation

2011-10-31T08:22:00.000-04:00

Well yes I am out of the cloud that was my Thursday through Sunday! I don't think it was the flu since I got a flu shot weeks ago but I was freezing, feverish, and achy!!! I skipped the race (even though I felt SUPER guilty) and just allowed myself to sleep in and rest. It had been a while! I felt much better this morning and was able to head to the gym and get in my run for the Halloween 5K! Thank you so much for the well wishes and great advice!

Being down and out for 4 days has me geared up for the next two months! I mean let's be real people....2012 is right around the corner. I have just over 300 miles to run to hit 1500 for 2011.....yeah you do the math....that's some serious mileage but I am going to give it a shot. In addition I would like to end the year at the weight I was shooting for which leads me to my Pinterest fix for the Motivation Monday:

Think about this as you reach into that plastic, orange jack-o-lantern filled with candy goodness!

Oh and just one more for all of you that was part of this weekend's Noreaster and Heather over at Run Faster Mommy who posted last week about the cold in NH.....

To Run or Not to Run

2011-10-28T08:45:00.000-04:00

Good morning and welcome to those visiting from the Fitness Friday blog hop!

Yesterday as I had mentioned before, I was feeling pretty cruddy....today it is no different. Last night after I picked up Em I just laid on the couch under 2 blankets on a heating pad. Poor Em was weirded out and kept trying to take care of me! Today I was going to call in sick but good ole state testing has me mumbling all the way into work....however I am leaving once the kids are all done! This leads me to today's question.....

Do I still go to my 5k tomorrow?????

It is a local 5k and Em is signed up for the kids race. Ugh....I have never not shown up for a race! What would you do? Sorry I don't have too much to say....all I can think of right now is my bed!

Three Things Thursday

2011-10-27T08:43:00.000-04:00

Good morning all!!! Here are my random three things on this rainy Thursday morning!!

1. Sick or sick of work.....I woke up this morning feeling like a truck hit me. My whole body is hurting and I just want to stay in bed with the covers pulled over my head! No such luck though....I am doing State testing for my students and I'm the only one in my district that can do it....lucky me! So I put on my big girl pants (because they are comfortable) and went to work....whining all the way!

2. Run Santa Run!....Yesterday at running group, one of the runners (an older gentleman who pushes the pace and leaves me gasping for air because I just can't let him pass me!) told me about a race coming up in New Bedford. Apparently they are trying to break a world record of Santas running. You get a Santa suit as part of your registration to the 5k.....Ummm yes please! I immediately thought of my good friend Carrie who last year ran a 5k as the Gingerbread Man....like full on costume where you couldn't even see her face!! Click on the picture below to find out more!

3. Last minute Lucy.....I have a 5k on Saturday with Em. I want to make her a Halloween tutu since according to her is her must wear racing apparel! Here is the thing though.....I waited until the last second! Why do I do this to myself?? Please tell me I'm not alone!! I know my sister is notorious for waiting until the last second (sorry Amy) but does it move past our family? Surely I'm not alone....however I will be kicking myself as I cut strips of toulle until the wee hours!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for 25 holiday cards!!!

Wordless Wednesday....almost

2011-10-26T17:21:00.000-04:00

A proper princess always needs at least 4 tiaras!

Teamwork Tuesday

2011-10-25T19:46:00.001-04:00

For as long as I have known my husband, I have been a runner. While my running did not have as large of an impact on his life before Em, there has been little time in the last 11 years that I have not been training for something (except when I was preggers....then again I was training for labor). While there have been days he has grown tired of my running escapades, he has supported me. Feeling guilty.....and wanting to support him....I have tried to get him to do a race. No go....however he has decided to embark on his own training.....for a body building show. I have said before on this blog that he is King Weights while I am Queen Cardio and it couldn't be more true! The show is in April and "training" will begin in January but I have been nagging asking how I can support him through this. I don't have the training tips but I want to be part of the team. Yesterday he came home with a bracelet for me to wear to be part of the team:

While it isn't Tiffany's....or diamond encrusted...it means a lot to have him want me to be part of his team. This got me thinking.....

Who is on your team? How do they support you?

I would say I tend to enlist my entire family as my team....hubby, inlaws, parents, sister, friends. It takes a village to raise a child....what does it take to raise a runner?

Speaking of teams.....My BFF Jill is running NYC for Team Hole in the Wall....but that is another post all together!!!

Team Capen......Have you thanked your team today???

Monday Motivation

2011-10-24T05:10:00.000-04:00

Another Pinterest find!! Love this one...It is up to me to set my goals and reach them...no one else!!!

Speaking of goals......

Last week:

35-40 miles - Done! 36 miles run

3 days of weights- Done!

This week:

Ditto!

Go out there and ROCK your week!!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for 25 free holiday cards here!!!

Also I heard about a great Halloween Virtual race from Foward Foot Strides. Click on the picture below to find it! I mean do I really need an excuse to run in a costume???

It's That Time of Year Again....

2011-10-23T07:39:00.001-04:00

...for holiday cards!!!

Each year it has been my mission, with help from my amazing photographer sister, to get our Christmas cards out EARLY. Last year mission was accomplished as everyone received their card on the day after Thanksgiving!! Booyah! Victory! This leads me to this time of year....getting the picture taken and cards picked out from Shutterfly! They have a great selection to choose from that you are sure to love! I'm partial to their photo cards and get all giddy when the emails start to come in with their new designs! Check out there cards here.

Here are some from year's past....

The great thing about Shutterfly too is that it isn't limited to just cards. I find myself every year making at least 2 or more photo album to give away to grandparents or friends. They have great designs and it is wicked easy to do! Check it out here. Not an album fan....well what grandparent wouldn't love a calendar....12 months of their grandchildren! I love ours and made one for each set of grandparents. Check them out here.

This year I am back at it again and have narrowed the card choices down to four options. I think some of them I like because I love the pictures in them! Here they are:

Let the voting begin!!!!

Shutterfly has given me the chance to give away 25 free cards to 3 different followers. So here is the skinny on how to win.

1. You need to be a follower of Living the Dream (leave a comment)

2. Visit Shutterfly and let me know what card you would get (leave a comment)

3. Let me know what card you would vote for (leave a comment)

4. What is your best strategy for getting things done for the holidays so

you can sit back and enjoy them (leave a comment)

5. Post this on your blog, facebook, or twitter (leave a comment)

Giveaway ends on October 31st.

Are you a blogger? Want a chance to win 25 free holiday cards this season? Register here

Cupcake Classic Virtual 3.7 Race Report!

2011-10-22T06:24:00.001-04:00

This week Run with Jess hosted a Virtual 3.7 mile race to celebrate her 37th birthday. I mean what better way to celebrate your birthday than with a run!! Part of the fun is raising money for an amazing cause...American Cancer Society. Happy birthday Jess!!!

I planned on running this with my running group but since the skies opened up Wednesday night, I took it inside. I warmed up for a mile and then went to work. I must admit I felt like I may loose my lunch during this but I am so excited about my time. I did pick-ups of 30, 60, 60, 90 seconds. 27:41....yay!!

Since it was pouring, we did the pics the next day. You say cupcakes we say.....

Of course Em was game for cupcakes.....it was just deciding which one to choose:

She decided on a "sparkly" one since everything these days must be sparkly!

Yum....Well worth the 3.7 miles!!

Fitness Friday-Finish Line Kick

2011-10-21T07:40:00.000-04:00

How do you finish your weekly workouts?

Do you find yourself throwing your hands in the air like this:

Or do you find your self struggling to get it done like this:

I always start my week strong....much like I start my races. I am starting with my legs feeling strong and my pace quick. Monday morning I'm up early and at the gym with time to spare. The middle of the week I am still hitting my goals and sometimes even going over mileage...then come Thursday and Friday....like miles 10-12 of a half marathon. It's a mental game to get me out of bed....I negotiate with myself about what rewards I can get if I just finish. Then Saturday is that last kick...a long run and then the week (race) is through. Ideally I would love to have a consistent week where my workouts are just as strong on Friday as they are on Monday. I set my goals at the beginning of the week and am on track to reach them but just like miles 11-12....it isn't pretty!!

How do YOU finish your week of workouts....full stride through the week or shuffling over the hill?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-19T19:54:00.001-04:00

I'm at a loss for a creative Wordless Wednesday so here are a few pics from this week and weekend! Enjoy!

Saturday's family photo shoot at Brenton Point in Newport....wind was CRAZY!!

Brenton Point....I love this place!!!

With all this rain what else is there to do but make giant towers in our sparkly princess shoes!

Dear Coffee...

2011-10-18T13:08:00.000-04:00

I love you!!!

(Boy do my eyes look tired!)

I was laughing to myself this morning as I was speeding to work about how much I rely now on my daily coffee to wake me up and get me going. Never before have I been a coffee drinker until I went back to work when Em was 7 months old. I was working full time, teaching at a college part time, getting my CAGS degree, working out to get rid of the oodles of weight I had gained, oh and being a wife and mom!! My amazing friend Carrie offered to bring me a coffee one day on her way to work. Well the rest is history!!! I haven't started many days since then without my daily jolt (Long run days I have Red Bull...easier on the belly go figure!)! I tried a few times and the headache that ensued was HORRIBLE!!! I guess for now I am hooked unless some divine intervention gets me unhooked!! What about you:

Are you a morning joe person? How have you kicked your coffee habits?

Monday Motivation

2011-10-17T06:03:00.001-04:00

Good morning! Time for a dose of motivation!!! I'm loving combing Pinterest looking for good quotes. I thought this one was fitting for me!

This week's goals.....
35-40 miles run

3 days weight training

Here we go! Have a great week all!!

Oh and I couldn't resist this one:

Choosing Perspective

2011-10-15T07:04:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been throwing a nice, well organized pity party for myself. I do this every once and a while and I'm sure you'll find other posts about it if you go digging (probably don't have to dig very hard!) Last night I was fishing around on the internet about the physical effects of stress on a person's body. I had every intention this morning to post about how stressed I was....but I'm not going to. This morning my daily perspective came from the quote above.....I have been whining about losing the life that I planned and all the while missing the life I have waiting for me.

I'm not the only Mom whose needs to work, not the only woman who doesn't get pregnant the second she wants to, not the only family in America who struggles with money, and certainly not the only runner who gets into a funk from time to time. Today I am choosing a different perspective....and I know it will be a daily choice....a choice not to wallow in the trials but to rejoice in the blessings....a choice to celebrate the milestones reached instead of the ones missed. I am blessed.

When I lived in Spain in college I had collected quotes in Spanish that could remind me to keep a good perspective. It was amazing to live in such a beautiful city and I was blessed by the sacrifices my parents made to send me there. This morning I was going through some quotes from that time and came by this one:

"Nevertheless, God faithfully continues to apply the pressure that transforms me. While I may get all bent out of shape by that pressure, being bent out of my shape means being bent into His shape. And in all my heart I can say Amen...so be it to that."

Oh and at the end of the day:

What perspective will you choose today?

Fitness Friday

2011-10-14T09:12:00.000-04:00

After I had Miss Emma, I had 50lbs to lose and another 20lbs that had crept up on me in the process of getting pregnant ( I was afraid my exercising was impeding me getting pregnant.....crazy lady!). Even while I was pregnant I was scoping out a trainer at the gym that I wanted to work with once I was given the green light to work out. Hooking up with Di was the best thing I could have done. Not only did she totally kick my rear in gear but she introduced me to the world of competitions. She was always having some sort of competition at the gym from fitting into your skinny jeans to maintain over the holidays to bikini body. Each one had a weekly weigh-in and prizes. This was awesome motivation with the perfect amount of fear....like fear of stepping on the scale and admitting to her about that giant slice of cake!! With her help....and fear....I lost the 70lbs even with the INSANE schedule I had! She has now opened her own studio and to anyone living in the North Shore of Massachusetts....click below and do yourself a favor and check it out!!

Since we moved I have been missing that piece of the gym life. Anyone looking for motivation should look into some type of competition at the gym or even at work. Don't have one in place??? Start one!! One challenge that I am always excited to see is the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge run by Amanda at Run to the Finish.

Sign up today and keep yourself going all through the holidays!!! Are you a challenge person? What keeps you motivated through the year???

Three Things Thursday

2011-10-13T07:31:00.000-04:00

This is my best friend Cindy! We have been friends since 3rd grade and through all of life's ups and downs 24 years later we're still holding strong! Unfortunately Cindy lost her grandfather this week and today I am heading to his funeral....because that's what best friends do. It is a no brainer for me to be there to give her a hug. Last year we lost a childhood friend many many years too soon. Sitting in the car at the burial I was overcome by emotion. It could have been her....and I wanted her to know each day that I love her! I have learned so much from Cindy through the many years but here are three biggies!

1. It's ok to be stronger than all the boys....and let them know it! In Elementary School Cindy and I were taller and stronger than most of the boys in our class. We were what you would call tomboys! Cindy helped me to be proud of who I was....while we ran the playground!

2. The best feeling of all is laughing until you snort! We have had so many laughs through the years. My father made it his job every time Cindy was over for dinner to get her to laugh so hard she couldn't eat! One day we had fajitas and he walked down the stairs wearing a sombrero and tossing the wraps like they were frisbees! Seriously it was hilarious! From sleepovers to sharing a locker, from wrestling to gas issues....we haven't stopped laughing!!

3. No matter where you are or how much time has gone by a friend is ALWAYS there! There are times in our life when our communication lags....getting wrapped up in life and kids and just the day to day but I know that no matter how much time has gone by I can call her and she is there as I would be there for her! I'll never forget when I was getting married and she called me with important news. She said she was pregnant and was going to be about 6 months pregnant for the wedding. She said she wouldn't be hurt if I didn't want her in the wedding! CRAZY! Not only was she in the wedding but we made sure the dresses would fit her (2 piece) and chose brown as to not clash with her very red hair!! I wouldn't have dreamed of doing it without her!

Have you hugged your best girl friend today??

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T08:05:00.000-04:00

I have been seeing a lot of posts about a day in the life....thinking about doing one of those soon! Until then here are two pics for the week!

This is where I have been spending my Wednesday nights for the last 9 weeks....and I have to admit that I LOVE it!!! Never thought I would be it's great!

And what Wednesday would be complete without at least one pic of Miss Em.....

Doing her happy dance in the flowers!!!

Have a great Wednesday all!!

Monday Motivation

2011-10-10T15:47:00.001-04:00

Dedicating this week to making choices that make me the best version of me!!! Who's coming with me?

Fitness Friday-FOMO Syndrome

2011-10-07T18:44:00.000-04:00

Hi all and welcome to another Fitness Friday!!! We had an inservice today....and by George it was actually useful!!! I didn't walk away feeling like I had just given away a day of my life I could never get back!! However this leads to my late posting and link up to Jill's blog hop!!

Long hours of listening however did allow me to think of the topic of FOMO Syndrome or Fear Of Missing Out Syndrome. I first heard this term on others blogs and I never thought I had it....until recently. I find that I join every challenge I can find and run or at least want to run every race I read about. I love the challenge...yes...but I also don't want to miss out!! I am atributing this to being the youngest and have a sister who is 6 1/2 years older than me (even though she looks younger than me!!!). I always wanted to be hanging out with her friends, doing what they were doing. It even lead to my sister locking me in the closet one day before her friends came over. Don't cry for me though....it was a huge walk-in closet and I had tons of toys and such inside...I guess the joke was on her! In high school I was on every team, every club, everything!! Yeah you see the pattern too??!!! I guess I always have had FOMO Syndrome!!

Fast forward to today....we are creating a new district....two are merging and committees are being formed....yeah and up comes FOMO!!! I can handle that one....I'll find a committee on Tuesday. Handled....then it comes....a few colleagues are talking next to me about races(they aren't talking about it with me since I am newer and not many know of my ~~obsession~~ love of running)...talking about marathons....and it comes up FOMO large and in charge! Ahhhhh!! I want to run another one too!!! I want to compare aches and pains!!! But alas it's not my time. It's just not the right time for my family but that unfortunately doesn't keep FOMO coming up and kicking me in the shins!!

Do you get FOMO? How do you deal with it??

Oh and MAJOR shout outs to all of you heading off to pound the pavement in Chicago this weekend!!! Go ROCK Chi town!!! Are you running a race this weekend? Let me know so I can wish you a rocking race!!!

Three Things Thursday

2011-10-06T08:11:00.000-04:00

Good morning all!! Welcome to another random edition of Three Things Thursday!!

On Saturday I will be picking up my dusty glove and putting on my cracked cleats to play in an alumni softball game. This is part of my 10 year reunion for college!! For those of you who don't know, before running took over my competitive life, I was a softball player. I played for 15 years all the way through college. It was an amazing experience in my life and something that was used as a tool in my life for so many things. I am so looking forward to seeing all my girls again however, I am honestly nervous about stepping up to the plate again. Let's just say its been a while since I picked up a bat and since we're playing the current team....it could be ugly!

2. Picking up the pace.....I know I gush about my running group all the time but I just love it! I don't usually wear my Garmin and even when I do I can't seem to figure out pacing since we stop and go a lot. Well last night I was cruising along during one of our intervals and a person from the other group came up to run next to me. He told me I was doing a great job and holding a 6:32 pace.....WHAT?!!! I replied something along the lines of not having an excuse now for slower race times! I was beyond psyched. I know it was just a short interval (90 seconds) but I wasn't laboring and it was a boost in confidence for me!

3. Wanna be my friend?....Ok so don't know much about organizing these things but if you are on the South Shore to the Islands or anywhere close to here in Massachusetts (or even if you live far away) and would like to have a meet-up let me know! I think it would be great to get together and have fun! Let me know any ideas you have!!! Maybe we could all do a race or something fun....or maybe no running and we could look all pretty and what not! The possibilities are endless!!!

Totally Random Tuesday

2011-10-04T19:18:00.000-04:00

My legs are still pretty sore from Sunday (random) so I did a slow 6 miler this morning...nothing much to talk about there! Instead I wanted to share these hilarious senior quotes I found today! I was helping one of my students with their senior quote and had found these. Some were not quite ok for me to post but gave me a chuckle. Google senior quotes when you get a chance and check them all out. Here are some funny ones:

My student finally landed on a good one. After I explained to him who James Dean was he was good!

"Dream as if you'll never die. Live as if you'll die today."

The Great, The Good, The Downright Ugly-Race Report

2011-10-03T10:03:00.000-04:00

Em made me promise to give her this number as soon as I was done!!

The great.....

The hubs and Em came to cheer me on! Em was very sad when she found out the she couldn't run but loved that she got her very own medal (they were handing out old medals at number pick-up). It was great to have them there!
I met a reader!!!! I was standing around waiting to start and a woman asked me if I wrote a blog. Her name was Megan and she is a reader. She is running a half in San Francisco in 2 weeks. I tried my hardest to play it cool but on the inside I was beside myself!! I began to think of the bloggy meetups we could have!!! Megan seriously though shoot me an email sometime and we can meet-up to run....or coffee...or whatever! Thanks so much for introducing yourself to me!!

The good......

My new compression capris that were very comfortable
How I felt for miles 1-7 keeping a 8:15ish pace
The people cheering along the way and hilarious signs
I hit goal A....even though I wanted to stop and just sit on the side of the road I finished (more to come in the ugly!)
A 2:00:36 finish....not where I know I can be but happy just the same

The ugly...

A 12 noon start.....nothing more to say there
I was hungry at the start....never a good thing and I think it was what lead to my wheels falling off. I'm still not right even this morning. I was so confused what to eat and when that I ended up not eating close enough to the start.
The weather....it was forcasted to be overcast and 65....it was what felt like blazing sun and almost 80*. I dressed for 65....We were running into the sun for a good portion of the race. Even though it wasn't super hot in comparison it wasn't good for me!!!
The wheels fell off the bus at around mile 8...Each mile my pace kept slowing after 9 miles. The first half+ of the race I was keeping around an 8:15 pace but then hunger (I had no fuel) and heat kicked in....no good
Walking down stairs today....yeah going in and out of 3 schools and up an down stairs each and every day today going down is not pretty

I would be lying if I said that I was satisfied with the race but I am certainly not devastated like I used to be when I didn't hit a time goal. I knew what I did wrong and what to do for next time. I have already made changes to my training and am looking for another.....I know it's an illness!!! At the end of the day, and this is what I told my hubby, sometimes your body has it's own plan and it can happen to anyone!! Thank you again for all your support!!!

Saturday Shout-Outs

2011-10-01T07:40:00.000-04:00

Good morning!!! Normally I don't post on the weekend but you all were so incredibly supportive of me I just had to hand it right back to you with some shout outs! I am always amazed by all the amazing people out there and all the incredible things you are doing. Still you take time to encourage me....thank you! On tap for today....finishing playlist, getting outfit together (bringing back the pink and black!), charging the Garmin, and relaxing (ie not stressing)! In the meantime here is what some of you are doing this weekend. I have included links so you can check out each other!!!

Daniella.....running a half marathon on Sunday in Portland, ME
Jill.....running a 20 miler this weekend in prep for the NYC marathon
Clairejustine...running a half marathon at the end of October (she just finished running 200 miles in Sept!!!)
Kyria.....running a 10 miler this weekend in prep for her first half marathon
Christie.....running her first half marathon on October 30th
Jill.....running her last longish run before Chicago Marathon

If you have something big this weekend let me know.....now.......

Go out and rock this weekend!!!

Fitness Friday-Goal Setting

2011-09-30T08:36:00.001-04:00

Ok so this Sunday is my half marathon! I love running races in the Fall and if it were just me myself and I, I would run one every weekend! However I have others' lives to consider so I have this one! This will be my 9th half mary and the second year I have run this one. Last year....in case you weren't around....I had a sweet victory and broke the 2 hour mark. Curious....you can read all about it here! This year I am feeling the same nerves and doubt. I know I need to go back to my post on Monday and tell doubt that it no longer can hold space in my head. Truth be told, my shins have been cranky (probably due to the fact that I walk around in heels all day now) and my stomach has been a little bit of a mess. These two things are making me nervous but I need to again just focus. I usually go into a race with one goal in mind but this time I decided to have three....you know just in case!

Goal A: finish....I know this will happen but it's like applying to the college that you are certain you will get into!
Goal B: under 2 hours...I have run my past 2 half marys in under 2 hours so I am striving to keep the streak alive! I am going in planing to keep my pace below a 9 minute mile. If I'm feeling awesome, like I was when I ran New Bedford, then I will strive for.....
Goal C: under 1:50.....This would have me seriously beside myself! In New Bedford I cam close with a 1:52...that is including two MAJOR hills. I maintained an 8:15 ish pace for most of the race. I know I have it in me!

Well there you go! Any races this weekend....long runs that are your personal longest coming up...let me know so I can cheer you on!!

Three Things Thursday

2011-09-29T08:20:00.000-04:00

Boy did I need a kick to get out of bed this morning!!! I did it though and grumbled my way through 3.5 miles!! Here are my random 3 things for this week:

1.

I signed up yesterday to "Run with Jess" to help her celebrate her 37th birthday! This girls rocks....and just became a marathoner! Head on over and sign up for her virtual race!!! Oh and buy one of those adorable cupcake shirts while you're there!! Run with Jess

2. I know I gush about what a blessing Em is and how adorable she is always but allow me a few more moments to be a proud Mommy.....We went to the track yesterday early before my running group. We had the intention of playing soccer on the big field but the football team was practicing (which Em was not happy with), so instead we ran....and ran....and ran. Each lap I asked her if she wanted to stop but nope...3 laps later (.75 mile) she decided to stop and say hi to her Dad. Watch out Boston Marathon 2031....Emma is coming your way! I was so proud of her....as always! The funny part was she kept yelling at the football team to get off the field and then turning to me to tell me they weren't listening to her! She also said that Santa was playing football .....yeah the team colors are red and white! I ~~bragged~~ gushed about her to anyone who would listen in my running group!

3. Boys are stinky....there is no way to sugar coat this. My office in the high school is just beyond the locker rooms. Yesterday I was walking by to go to the office and WHAM I was hit with stank! Axe body spray + sweat + equipment funk + any other cologne they can find = stinky stank! I have always wanted a son but boy....don't know how I will deal with the stink....since us girls always smell like roses!!!

Have a great day all!!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T08:12:00.000-04:00

I mean what else do you wear to the park but shiny black party shoes?!?!

Tunes for Tuesday

2011-09-27T09:03:00.000-04:00

Ok my music mavens....I am putting together a playlist for my half on Sunday and I need your help. Part of my problem is that mentally I haven't been into running. I have been VERY focused for a long time and am struggling a bit lately. Not ok with a big race coming up. One way that I find to keep myself going is some great new tunes. So......I'm asking all of you....please:

What song is guaranteed to put a pep in your step?

Monday Motivation

2011-09-26T10:02:00.000-04:00

Tell doubt to shut it and go ROCK your week!!!

Fitness Friday-Weight Supersets

2011-09-23T07:38:00.000-04:00

I am in no way at the caliber of Hanz and Franz but today I had a great weight workout that I was going to share with all of you! You know the kind of workout where you leave the gym all gooey armed and all!! First let me say thanks for the encouragement! It got my butt out of bed this morning!

This workout originally came from my trainer back when I was trying to shed all the baby weight. If you remember from way back I had an amazing trainer named Di! If you are anywhere near the Salem, MA area...go check out Dihard Fitness....She ROCKS!!! Either way she helped me to make the most of my hour with her by having me do supersets. I had to change it a little today to fit it in with the time that I had today. Here is how it went:

Warm-up (Today was a mile run)

Set#1 - Side raises, walking lunges, bicep curls (12 reps of each one after the other for 3 sets)

Chest press, tricep extension, bent over row (same as above)

Roman chair (that hanging thing with the arms-3 sets of 15)

5 minute cardio (I did the bike)

Set #2-overhead press, one legged squats, hammer curls (again same as above)

flies with the cable machine, lat pull down, tricep pull down (same as above)

bicycles (3 sets of 20)

5 min cardio (got on the mill with a HUGE incline)

I stopped after two sets but normally I would have gone on for another set of the same. Each set hits all parts of your body. I normally (when I'm not a lazy girl) do this three times a week. The supersets keep your heart rate up so you are burning tons of calories! Today I burned almost 500! Even though I have been a bit cardio obsessed, I do LOVE the way weights make me feel....strong and powerful!

Have a great Friday!!!! This weekend we are having a big girl sleepover with our nieces!!! Can't wait!!!

Three Things Thursday-Confession Thursday

2011-09-22T07:43:00.000-04:00

Good morning all! I'm taking today as a purging of my nagging bad habits as of late. So I am confessing them to you and starting anew with your support!!

1. I have been skipping workouts/runs...It is my plan to wake up before work(4:30am) and go to the gym to get in my runs/workouts before the day starts. Once I hit my 1000 miles, I planned on using my Mon, Wed, Fri as weight days and then run Tues, Thurs, and Sat. Well this week I have been so dang tired that the thought of getting to the gym is quickly pushed aside as I reach over and hit my snooze button. I say this week but really I have been inconsistent since going back to work and this needs to stop if I ever want to see any change in my body. This means making better choices about when to go to bed and getting my week ready on Sunday. I had the determination before....I just need to find it again. Perhaps my upcoming 10 year reunion from college (where I was 20lbs lighter) will help!

2. My eating has not been great....ok it has kinda sucked. I have been eating candy corns like they are another food group and other snacky foods that really are not what I should be grabbing. Yesterday's track workout was awesome but I felt those candy corns the whole time....rather I tasted them the whole time! Again just like exercise I know what I need to do and just need to get myself organized. Remember those 3lbs I lost the first week....yeah they must have missed me because they're back and brought some friends with them!! Again a looming reunion should kick me into gear!

3. I'm a bad blogger of late....bad exercise habits+yucky eating=bad blogging. This should not happen! I love blogging and connecting with all of you....good AND bad. I know I need to be more consistent about posting and about commenting to all of you! I love encouraging all of you and have honestly been reading all about your adventures.

There I feel much better now....getting that out I'm now ready to start again! Hiding the candy corns and getting myself out of bed tomorrow!!

Anything to confess???

"You can't always get what you want..."

2011-09-19T08:18:00.000-04:00

".....but if you try sometimes you might find....you get what you need!"

Some days this song plays in my head. I remember being in an over-crowded bar in college listening to a band from my college playing this song. The same band used to play every Homecoming weekend and alum and current students would pack in to hear them. They were pretty good but it was really more of being all there together as a tradition. Well from time to time this song plays in my head at different moments.

This weekend it was during my long run. What I wanted was to be able to meet up with Jill and run her 17 miler with her but instead I was by myself running my own 14 miler. As the miles ticked along I began to realize it was what I needed that early morning. It was a confidence booster and a mind clearer of a run. Fall has decended on New England and therefore the temperature and humidity has gone down leaving a cool crisp morning to remind me that I can run distance. I struggle to cover distances in the summer. I get it done but the heat and humidity slows my pace and leaves me feeling sluggish and slow. This weekend I felt quick and ready for my half in two weeks. I was really doubting being about to run a sub 2 hour half this time around and while I am still not so certain, this long run was a confidence boost. I ran 14 right on pace!!! Just what I needed.

Things have been crazy at home....the start of the school year and Emma's current unpredictable behavior leaves me feeling like I am not good at anything (silly I know) but this run reminded me that that competant girl is not so far away!

Did you get what you wanted....or what you needed this weekend? Or maybe even both!!!

I'm leaving you with a pic from Saturday's rare date night. I was channeling my inner Rachel Zoe with this fur vest!!! My brother-in-law said it looked like a dead dog but I thought it was fun!!

Three Things Thursday

2011-09-15T07:42:00.000-04:00

One thing that I have learned since Emma was born is that a funny little thing called Mother's Guilt makes you do things you never thought you would. You know those things you used to see moms doing and thinking, "Oh I would never do that!" Well some days I feel as though I should be on the next episode of Super Nanny not because Em misbehaves but more of what I do! This past week and a half, Em has been having a hard time with me going back to work. She is crying more...is more clingly....not eating much....and waking up half asleep yelling out "Mommy!" It KILLS me! She was always really good about going to daycare and honestly once she is there she loves it. However, this year she is older and not so psyched about me not being around. I know this is good for her and she will be fine soon but the process to get there leaves me crying my way to work and cancelling plans so that I can be around as much as possible. I feel resentful of my friends and family that are able to stay home with their kids because I really just don't have that option. I love my job and working with kids and I know in a month this will all be settled but UGH I hate it!! In an attempt to lighten the mood a bit here are three things I have done because of Mommy Guilt that could lead me straight to Super Nanny intervention time!

1. Going in to rock....This morning (with 3 minutes to get in my car before I would be late) Em woke up and was crying. I went in to just rub her back but it lead to rocking her....putting her in bed with Dad....and back into her own bed where I left her screaming, "Mommy don't leave me!" Seriously....should have just walked out the door and she would have gone back to sleep!

2. Welcome to the circus....Em and I (and the hubby too) play the craziest games and wear the craziest stuff because Em tells us to! There are so many games going on at times that I feel like I'm at the circus!! It is fun in the end and great to see her fabulous imagination!!! I mean really we all wore blue tutus during a race because Emma wanted them....cousins, auntie, and all!!

3. Pretty please with sugar on top!....I am in the throws of ~~begging~~ training Emma to use the potty and I will admit I try new sugary treats often! I know this is not good and I plan on making a sticker chart soon so she can earn something bigger but until then.....I bribe her! Ugh I have never bribed a student and swore I wouldn't with my daughter!! This week's vice....candy corns! I know I should just poor the sugar straight from the bowl!!! The only flip side is if she does make that jump to no longer using diapers I can stop flushing my money down the toilet!!!

I know Mother's Guilt is something all moms grapple with (right?) and it probably never goes away even as they get older. I just hope that this transition starts to smooth out and I can stop feeling like world's worst mom!

What crazy thing have you done as a result of Mommy Guilt???

Wordless Wednesday....almost

2011-09-14T05:15:00.000-04:00

Second year in a row....1000 miles run! I hit my 1000th while on a run with my mini running buddy! She wasn't up for the photo op...silly girl!

Flexibility

2011-09-13T08:02:00.000-04:00

I would love to say that my type A personality is a product of being a busy working mom....or maybe a product of trying to fit it all in but no....that is how I've always been. I swear from the day I was born I was making goals and trying to reach them before all my peers. I schedule, make lists, set goals, and plan....plan....plan. All of this makes our house and my life run pretty smoothly....most days. One goal that I have been working on this year and admit I still need to work on is what I do when the plan doesn't go the way I have planned. When life gets in the way of my running plan.....well watch out. I tend to either get really irritated and pout or get frustrated and just quit for the day. I need to work on my flexibility for when life gets in the way....which it does often. I would love to be the kind of runner that is flexible about when I do my runs, especially my long runs. Right now I have a whole routine I follow before the run and if that is changed it throws me all off. Some day I will be able to be flexible and be able to head out the door whenever the time is there.

What do you do when you reach bumps in the road?

Uniting to Remember

2011-09-11T06:26:00.000-04:00

I will never forget where I was this time 10 years ago....starting off my first week as a teacher. 10 years later the world is forever changed. When we visited ground zero many years ago, among all the ruble still being taken away was this cross. I pray peace be with all those who suffered a loss as they honor them today.