Strong Starts

Well Monday always seems to come too fast! As a teacher though I have already started counting how many wake-ups until break...18 to be exact! It is even harder when the weekend leaves you wanting more! We finished up our weekend with getting a tree (We were going to see Santa come in on a fishing boat...very exciting for me...but the little lady woke up with a yucky stuffy nose so no go!). I love Christmas and everything about it but my hubby REALLY loves it! It is always so fun to see him around this time!


Yesterday my longish run was great even though my legs are still mad at me for doing so many walking lunges at the gym the other day! Going along straight was fine but the downhills was where they were screaming...note to self: Do walking lunges earlier in the week! Today I woke up early...an ungodly hour for some...and headed to the gym to get in 5 miles. I think this is where my running funk is coming from. Sometimes the treadmill is really the "dreadmill". Got the miles in though and started off the week on the right foot even though I wanted to be snuggly in bed! Working this week on 3 early morning runs and 2 weight days. I am thinking of doing legs on the running days though. That way they won't be too sore for runs.

How do you do strength training for your legs without it impacting your runs?

I am still working on some goals for the coming year...can't believe it's December!

Oooh on a side note I am very proud of my money savingness yesterday. Since we have moved down here the groceries have been more expensive...just an added perk I guess. Well I have been trying my hardest to get under $100 for the week and I got it yesterday...in addition to saving $36 I also got a coupon for a free shutterfly album. SCORE!!!

Hope you all have a great Monday!!! How are you going to start your week strong?

I (heart) Running

I think it's safe to say that lately I haven't really been feeling the love for running. I have been doing it but grumbling all the way to my blog posts. This morning I headed out, bundled up in my winter gear, for a quick "long" run (about 7 miles). About 3 miles in I got that growing feeling in my heart like the Grinch...I LOVE TO RUN!!! I love the way it makes me feel...I love the way my worries just melt away as each mile ticks by...I love taking in the scene around me...I LOVE TO RUN! I was so excited to feel this because I was worried I was hitting a wall with running. Even though I wouldn't say my motivation is back to normal, I am glad to say I don't dread it!

Oooh and a side note I think I found a race for the hubs and I...a partner race for Valentine's Day! We'll see!!

I hope today you are feeling the love...no matter where it is coming from!!

An Apology To Free Weights

Dear Weights,
Please accept my deepest apology for ignoring you so badly for the last 2 months and know that it wasn't just my jiggly parts that has brought me back to you! Yesterday we had a moment...and if you will take me I will come back to you! You make me feel strong, powerful, and able to wear tank tops. We had come so far this summer....I'm sorry I ignored you in order to get more miles in. My only request is that you would show me some grace and not completely leave me a whiny mess of soreness tomorrow!

Your friend,
Fancy Nancy

hee hee....put in a great weight workout last night...boy doesn't it make you feel great?!

Three Things Thursday

I was trying to think of a general theme for today's three things but I am feeling quite random today so that is what you get!

1. Speaking of random, sometimes I see the weirdest things on my way to work but today's was the weirdest! I am out and on the highway by 6:30 so there isn't much action usually but today was a hoot! I drive by a nature reservation and I usually see a bunch of pick-up trucks there. Today I found out what those were...there were about 7 guys in their camo and orange vest surrounding the edge of the preserve holding their rifles and looking into the woods. I had two thoughts...one-"Don't you have to go INTO the woods to get Bambi?"....two-If I was still back where we used to live this would have prompted me to call the police and have a lock down!. Today it just caused me to giggle!

2. Part of the reason I think my motivation is low is because I am working hard exercise wise and the scale laughs at me each morning! Part of this I know has been my eating...a little too heavy on the sugar...I am looking for new ways to get more veggies in my diet while still sticking to a budget. Any ideas...why is it so much more expensive to eat healthy? Shouldn't it be less?

3. My hubs has expressed interest in running a 5k which means I have gone into all out detective mode to find one for him! I can't even tell you how excited I am that he even wants to run!!! Of course I need to temper my excitement too...just because he said he would like to do one doesn't mean I have to talk about it every day!!! Can you tell I'm excited??!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Has anyone seen my motivation??? Anyone....Bueller....

Race Report...In Pictures

So my sister Amy is officially a runner!!! She finished her first race!!! Here are the pictures to prove it! It was a great race...definitely one I would like to do next year...plus you got to run by Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower...What's more American Thanksgiving than that?! Jill and Brian ran with us and my parents and nieces were our pit crew!! Added bonus...The 3 miles of the race were the last 3 of my 1000!!!

A Season For Everything!

Well it is safe to say that I have been a slacking blogger lately! I will say, if it is any comfort, that this has leaked into other parts of my life too! Like today when I headed out for a long run and turned around at the 3 mile mark because I just didn't feel like it! I am thinking of signing up for another race so that way I have something to train for.

I would be not only a bad blogger but an overall bad lady if I didn't stop to reflect on the things I am thankful for. I will post pics from Thanksgiving once I find my cord for my camera...one of the downfalls of moving! But this year we were at my parent's house and our usual tradition is to go around the table to say what we are thankful for. It is always an amazing time to reflect on the year and all the blessings God had showered us with. This year, if you have followed my blog, has been a tough one for me but on Thursday as I looked around the "adult" and "kiddie" tables I knew what I was most thankful for...God's faithfulness...

• I was thankful to be standing there next to my husband who I love more and more each day! It has been a roller coaster year for our family, but we have landed on our feet and for that I am forever grateful!
• I was thankful for our little girl...healthy and happy terrorizing her cousins. There is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded just how blessed we are that she is healthy!
• I was thankful to have my Dad sitting across from me at the table. This year was the first time that I contemplated my life without him. I knew that God would bring him through but I wasn't quite sure how. But there he was crying (it is always a tearfest!) and actually eating Thanksgiving meal! I'm thankful Emma has more time to get to know her Papa Lennie!
• I was thankful for my Mom and sister Amy. They are my cheerleaders, my giggle friends, my solution finders! I am so blessed to have them!!!
• I was thankful for our two nieces and the amazing little girls they are turning into! I can't wait to see how they change the world!
  
• I was also thankful for the wonderful friends in my life...they weren't around the table but I still miss and love them!!!
  

Today we began putting up our Christmas decorations and started talking about Emma's upcoming birthday and about how fast time goes. We all have seasons in our lives. Some are lush summers where a carefree air is all around. Some are stark winters where there seems no end in sight. I am just thankful that no matter the season, I am surrounded by those that love me and support me!

I'm leaving you with our Christmas cards...one was free so I just couldn't resist...