Hump Day!

I had to go to the dentist this morning instead of working out. I teach Spin tonight, but think I'd rather do two-a-days instead of go to the dentist. YUK! I will say that I have a great dentist and he is gentle, thorough, and kind. HOWEVER....the whole dentist thing just sucks.
 I set up a formal chemical peel package with the salon I go to. I go every 2 weeks for a mild chemical peel. It is suppose to help the tone and texture of my skin as well as help with acne. So far I will say that I have really enjoyed it. I just did my second one and am impressed with the results. So I should be done for the new year. Between that and my "lighter and stronger" workout regime....Dave is going to be one lucky man come 2011 :)

New Schedule

I am attempting to start a new schedule for myself....the early morning workout. So far...so good. I went to 5:30am body pump yesterday and I did 40 minutes on the elliptical this morning beginning at 5:45. My goal is to get in 4 early days during the week and then do my runs on Saturdays with the team. I am taking a couple Saturdays off to recover, but I've got my cold weather running gear ready. Lighter and stronger over the winter months....that's the big picture goal.

Fall Camping!

Fall camping rocks! It was so pretty this weekend. We had great weather, smoked a brisket, relaxed with the kids (Carter kids too!) and had a few adult beverages. It was great!

I am still a little tender from the marathon. I got a tweak behind my knee during the run that is still bothering me a little. Hmmmm, I'm sure it will get better with rest. I have to find a new workout schedule though and now that I am back to work...that complicates things. I think I might have to become an early workout person. I am going to try a 5:30 am body pump class tomorrow. Its a cardio weights class at the Y. I've decided to incorporate more strength training during the winter months while I'm off of running training. I am going to do another triathlon this summer so I got a few more months before I need to start that up. SO.. my goal for the next 3-4 months is to get lighter and stronger.

I DID IT!!

I proudly got to wear Eric's name on my bib during the race.

 I got to run with Suzanne my buddy and had the support of my coach! There were over 7000 people in the race! It was incredible!

I finished! It took longer than planned and harder than I could have imagined. BUT I DID IT!!

Race Weekend

I'm currently sitting in my hotel in Des Moines...this is sooooo surreal! I can't believe it's here! I went over to the expo and got some great gear!! Plus a couple cute runner girl tshirts!

I am ready!


I had a necklace made to carry Eric's ashes with me during the race. I couldn't do it. Ultimately I decided it was selfish. Eric was poked, prodded, and disturbed throughout his whole life, the least I could do is let him rest peacefully now, let him stay complete and still. I am wearing his name on my bib, carrying him in my heart, and using his soul for my inspiration when I hit that wall.

I am ready.

Fun Weekend!

WE had an awesome weekend! Saturday I got in my last group training run before the marathon!! It was my father-in-law's 60th b-day and retirement picnic. THEN we got to go camping with the Carter's. It was super fun! I actually wake boarded!! It was the first time I have ever gotten up! I am super pumped! I am sore too, but the excitement totally out weighs the pain!

Spin Night

Tonight was my first official spin class, I have subbed for others, but this one was my own. It was fun! I hoped everyone else in the class enjoyed it as much as I did. It has been hard sneaking in workouts now that I am back to work. I am glad the bulk of my training needed to be done while I wasn't working!! Whew! My days are just flying by!

Big Milestones

I officially graduated! We did our 20 mile "graduation" run this past Saturday and it went really well! It felt so good to mark off that major milestone in our training. Now we taper until race day. Tonight we all met up to get out race day jersey's and some TNT goodies as well as meet with our coaches for race weekend travel plans. So excited.
So...in September I took 2 weeks off due to injury. Here are my totals for September:
Total miles in September: 58
Overall TEAM miles: 284
I have gained 1 pound, taken 1/2 inch off my waist, and put back 1/2 inch on to my hips. This month I spent 5 hours on an elliptical, and did 7 spin classes.

Productive Day

I started back to work today. In my first day  back I ended up working at both jobs. Nothing like jumping in with both feet! My first day as an academic advisor went well. I have a lot to learn, but the people there seem super great and very friendly. I brought in homemade oatmeal butterscotch cookies which may have helped! I finished out my day by subbing for a spin class! It went great and I got a really great compliment too! A client asked where else I taught, I told her this was my second time teaching. She said I did a great job and that it was a really good class! Totally the highlight of my day! My first official spin class, as my own class, starts next week! I am super pumped to be a regular on the fitness schedule!

Feeling Better

I went for my first run in two weeks today (per Dr. orders) and it went well! I ran 12 miles! My knees and hips were the only thing that is achy and I assume it is because I got out of the habit of pounding pavement and went with no impact for the last two weeks. I am so glad it went well. I have my graduation run (20 miles) this Saturday and I am feeling pretty good about it. Today's run gave me a much needed confidence boost!

Good Times!

Wes and I had a great trip to see my grandparents. We went to the mall, played at the park, and fed some geese. Wes was on his best behavior and did a great job on the drive!
On Friday we went to the first UFL Omaha Nighthawks game. IT WAS AWESOME! It was a record crowd, Nelly was the half time performer, and we won by one point in the last 6.7 seconds of the game. It was incredible! I am so glad we are season ticket holders!
Today Dave's cousin Katie got married. It was a nice ceremony and a fun reception. Wes had a ton of fun running around like a mad man on the dance floor with like 800 other little kids. Ok...more like 15 but I swear they were everywhere!

Road Trippin'

I am heading out to pick up Wes from daycare to take a trip to visit my grandparents before I start work next week. We are leaving in a few minutes and will be home Friday. Very excited!
I am also excited because I got on to a permanent schedule at the YMCA to teach Spin class! I am going to teach every Wednesday nights beginning next week! PUMPED!!!

Happy Monday!

WE had another awesome weekend. Our anniversary was Friday, we celebrated on Saturday with with a fun filled date night and the Husker game with friends. We ha an awesome lazy Sunday that ended with pizza and more football at my sister's house. Plus I planned a trip for Wes and I to see my grandparents this week too.
Since I am still on prescribed "foot rest" I hopped on the elliptical for 2.5 hours on Saturday. It was soooo boring. This morning I hopped on again but only for an hour. I am doing spin classes the rest of the week. I am really looking forward to hitting the trails on Saturday. My foot feels good and I really need to get out of the gym!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today we are celebrating 5 wonderful years of marriage. When I think about everything that we have been through; the heartache, the celebrations, the tears, and the laughter, I'm glad Dave was by my side for them all.

Monster Feet

I went and saw a podiatrist today. They were great. They let Wes push to button for my x-rays and printed off a sheet of one and told him he could take a picture of my feet to school with him. When he got the picture, he gasped and said to me..."those are your monster feet". I hope it was because it was a skeleton not the fact that I have ugly feet. I got a steroid shot in my heel, a new pair of inserts, a RX for an anti- inflammatory, and an RX for no running for 2 weeks. She said that she thought I would be perfectly fine for race day and that I had plenty of time to heal up and train up for before the big day! SO I will be hitting the gym, big time, for some cross training. Today I did 90 minutes on the elliptical machine. I recruited a buddy and have several spin classes planned too. The goal with cross training is to do the activity for the same amount of time as it would take you to do your run. So I did the elliptical for 90 minutes since I had a 9 mile day scheduled and I run around a 10:30 min mile pace. In other words, I will move into the gym Saturday morning since I have a 17 mile run scheduled. UGH!

Busy Weekend!

We had another busy weekend. On Saturday I spent all day in a YMCA certification course to become a fitness instructor. I was the only one scored got a perfect score on the exam! Pretty proud of myself.  On Sunday I did my long run with my running buddy, it did not go well. My foot was not up to par. The first 8 miles went well but the last 5 did not. I had to walk a quite a few times during the last five because of my foot. My coach is recommending I see a former TEAM athlete who is also a foot/ankle specialist. He's also recommending I cross train until my foot feels better. We watched the Bengals game in the afternoon then headed out to Fun Plex to have a pot luck dinner with the foster care agency we are with. We rode on a ton of rides! Wes even did an upside down ride with me...AND LOVED IT! It was super cool! I am so glad he likes to do all that stuff. I am still a roller coaster junkie and Dave can't hang with the Big Dogs anymore, so I will be riding all the rides with Wes next time we go to Disneyland!

Much Better

Today was a much better day. I got some things done around the house and had a final round interview...it's down to me and one other person. I ended my day with a certification course for the YMCA. The people in class were awesome, the instructor was awesome, and some great motivation. My motivation has been waning the last few days and making my runs hard. I really needed tonight. I am looking forward to my run on Sunday!

UGH

Oh what a day! It started off by getting ditched for a morning run. I decided to go run at the YMCA instead. Right when I started feeling good I got a stinger in my bum foot and had to cut the run short. I proceeded to take Wes to the wrong library branch and missed story time. Finally while cooking dinner, I dropped a very full glass jar of minced garlic and had is shatter all over the kitchen floor. What the hell??? I'm going to bed.

Ten Mile Tuesday

Today was the longest mid week run of my training season, 10 miles. I headed out, alone, on this extrememly windy morning and knocked it out. It was rough. The wind was fierce! It is done, I did it, and I am stoked!

Wes had his first swim lesson tonight. He did well. He listened to his teacher and tried everything she said without hesitation. There is only one other boy in his class, he's a little ahead of Wes but Wes tried hard to keep up! I'm pretty proud. I busted out the video camera for the lesson....yes...I was that mom..standing in the back taping everything. Ahhh, good times.

Fun Filled Weekend

We had a super fun filled weekend. On Saturday we went to a friend's BBQ and over to my sister's to watch the  husker game. On Sunday, we were incredibly lazy in the morning but went to a picnic with the Kendall's a Mahoney State Park. Wes later spent the night at my parents house and Dave and I met up with some friends for a few drinks and then headed to the Casino. We learned how to play craps, kinda. We watched a man loose over 6 grand in a matter of minutes. It was amazing. I have never seen anything like it. We headed down to September Fest on Monday and rode rides and ate dinner down in the old market. Wes got to meet spiderman and batman too! He really like getting to high five his fave super heroes! Overall an awesome weekend!