We all know that when you buy food at the grocery store it contains a lot of junk you don't need. Such as bread. Why on earth do they put high fructose corn syrup or add sugar to bread? So I have been busy making some food we eat on a daily basis from scratch.
I make our bread from scratch. It is whole wheat and yummy. I have figured out if I add 1/2 cup of white flour and the rest is whole wheat it comes out perfect. Joe told me to never buy bread again and I have to make all of our own!
I am also making our yogurt with a yogurt maker. I would get so upset at how high the sugar content is in yogurt from the store so I make our own and mix it with some store yogurt and now we get half of the sugar it is yummy.
Another big ticket item is the rice or pasta mixes for dinner. Joe has been making his own pasta mixes for a while and last night he got the whole grain brown rice to come out perfect with just a dab of olive oil, rosemary, basil and other spices. No more rice mixes for this house!
November 6, 2008
November 5, 2008
Wednesday Blog Tour
My blog tour this week goes along with my exercise theme and getting up the courage to run a marathon.
Our blog tour takes us over to Fitness for Mommies. Rachel is one busy mama. She has two boys, is a PE teacher, she runs, bike races, does triathlons, yoga, pilates and much more. She also recently ran a marathon and beat her PR (in running lingo that stands for personal record). I stive to be like her - but she had a head start on me! She stared running in middle school and I did not start until college. Her blog is all about staying in shape, training and the newest and latest products for fitness training.
It seems as if I have been stuck in the same pace since I started running - an 11 minute mile. Right now I would love to run a faster mile and increase my miles. I asked Rachel how do I take my running to the next level?
Here is her response:
In my mind there are several factors that are important- mileage not being one of them. When I trained for St. George, our average mileage was 25-30 over the whole 16 week program! One week, we hit 40, but other than that it was around 25 or less. All of our workouts had a GOAL. Something specific to work on that day. We never went out and just ran. I think 3 workouts a week is absolutely achievable for a marathon! The first week of the marathon plan that I have calls for one long run of 10 miles. To me, that is what you should work up to now. Then plan on training seriously come January.
1. Speed. You need to train your body to go faster by running faster. You can incoporate one speed workout into a 30 minute run- by running for 10 minutes easy, then go hard for 1 minute, easy for 1 minute, etc...Try doing that once a week.
2. Tempo. Let's say you want to start running 1030 miles, right? So, on your regular run, once per week, plan on running one mile at 1030 and 2 miles at 11 (warmup and cooldown).
3. Long Run. If you want to start training for a marathon, you will need to increase your mileage by 10% weekly. First week at 5, then next week 6, then 7, back off to 5 one week, then back up to 8. Gradually increase your distance over a long period of time.
Resources:
If you can, I would highly recommend purchasing a plan from Coach Al. (I don't get any kickbacks for referring people!) I just would never train for any big goal again without a plan. The plans are well researched and you will get results from it.
Another resource I like is the Run Less, Run Faster book that you can buy on Amazon. It has detailed plans for all distances from beginners to advanced and all are based on three runs a week.
Finally, I have to say this because of all the pain I've gone through training for this marathon, stretching and yoga are non-negotiable. I like to refer to Sage Rountree's free yoga podcasts because they are only 5-10 minutes in length and are designed for athletes.
Also, if at all possible, a training buddy can be invaluabe to getting you out the door on days you don't feel like running!
With that said for the month of November I am going to focus on running at least 3 times a week, doing one speedwork a week and increasing my miles by 10% every week. In order to do this I am going to have to get up early - which I hate!
What do you do to motivate yourself to get up early to workout?
November 4, 2008
Marathon Training
One of my personal goals is to complete a marathon and I really think I want to start training for this but I am just scared that I don’t have what it takes.
I have been running for 10 years now and my longest run has been 8.7 miles and that was a few years ago. The biggest reason I think that I don’t have what it takes is that I am having trouble finding time to run. I use to run during my lunch break but now I do the transfer from Mikayla’s preschool to daycare during my lunch break. I was also trying to get some runs in right after work but now I won’t be able to do any runs longer than 20 minutes or so because it is getting dark so early. I might try to get up before work and run but that is hit or miss because I never know if Lily is going to have a good night or a bad night.There is a trail marathon about 2 hours from here at the end of May and I think it would be wonderful to do that marathon. I enjoy trail running MUCH more than street running and since it is in May I would have plenty of time to get ready for it.
I have been running for 10 years now and my longest run has been 8.7 miles and that was a few years ago. The biggest reason I think that I don’t have what it takes is that I am having trouble finding time to run. I use to run during my lunch break but now I do the transfer from Mikayla’s preschool to daycare during my lunch break. I was also trying to get some runs in right after work but now I won’t be able to do any runs longer than 20 minutes or so because it is getting dark so early. I might try to get up before work and run but that is hit or miss because I never know if Lily is going to have a good night or a bad night.There is a trail marathon about 2 hours from here at the end of May and I think it would be wonderful to do that marathon. I enjoy trail running MUCH more than street running and since it is in May I would have plenty of time to get ready for it.
November 3, 2008
Sprint Triathlon
Yesterday I did my personal triathlon. I was not racing anyone except myself. It was fantastic!!
I did changes things up a little bit. I biked first, ran second and swam third. The reason I did this was that the pool at the college where I was swimming did not open until 3pm and I got both girls down for their afternoon nap at 1:30 so I decided to take advantage nap time to sneak away for 2 hours.
I was worried about the bike ride the most. I have been riding my bike a lot but I have not done more than 6 miles (and even that is broken up) at one time. But the bike ride went great. I was estimating it would take an hour but I beat that time and I finished in 51 minutes! Next was the run.
It was hard transitioning from the bike to running and I also started the run by heading up a steep hill. After about ½ mile I found my groove. As I was running I felt like I was running slower than normal but I wasn’t. I finished the 3 mile run in 33 minutes.
The last section was the swim. Since this was not a real race I took a couple of minutes changing and it took some time to find a lap lane. The pool was BUSY. I finished my 1/4 mile swim in 12 minutes. This was pretty slow and I felt that I was taking it slow but it was also at the end of the triathlon. If I had done the swim first it probably would have taken me 10 minutes instead of 12 but then the run would have taken longer.
Overall I felt great and I was proud of my 96 minutes. Next time I want to shoot for 90 minutes or less!
I did changes things up a little bit. I biked first, ran second and swam third. The reason I did this was that the pool at the college where I was swimming did not open until 3pm and I got both girls down for their afternoon nap at 1:30 so I decided to take advantage nap time to sneak away for 2 hours.
I was worried about the bike ride the most. I have been riding my bike a lot but I have not done more than 6 miles (and even that is broken up) at one time. But the bike ride went great. I was estimating it would take an hour but I beat that time and I finished in 51 minutes! Next was the run.
It was hard transitioning from the bike to running and I also started the run by heading up a steep hill. After about ½ mile I found my groove. As I was running I felt like I was running slower than normal but I wasn’t. I finished the 3 mile run in 33 minutes.
The last section was the swim. Since this was not a real race I took a couple of minutes changing and it took some time to find a lap lane. The pool was BUSY. I finished my 1/4 mile swim in 12 minutes. This was pretty slow and I felt that I was taking it slow but it was also at the end of the triathlon. If I had done the swim first it probably would have taken me 10 minutes instead of 12 but then the run would have taken longer.
Overall I felt great and I was proud of my 96 minutes. Next time I want to shoot for 90 minutes or less!
October 29, 2008
Wednesday Blog Tour
Our blog tour this week takes us over to Bits of Pieces. Bits recently had a baby (this seems to be the theme lately) and she is a work at home mom as a writer. I am having fun watching how she is working through everything as a new mom. She also has another blog Refrigerator Raid (which was originally how I found her). Refrigerator Raid is her diet and excerise blog and it is especially important now because she is trying to lose that baby weight - she only has 5 more pounds to go so go and cheer her on!
2008 Election
I have finally voted like an adult! In years past I went into every election knowing who I would elect for president but that was it. This year I got a mail in ballot and I actually sat down and researched every amendment on the ballot, and in Colorado this year it was front and back of two full legal size pages.
I am an educated voter!
I am an educated voter!
October 25, 2008
Janet Evanovich
One of my favorite things to do is to read. I always enjoy a good book. Now that I have kids it is much harder to read but I manage to get a few pages in before bed each night. One author that I have really been enjoying lately is Janet Evanovich. She always make me laugh out loud in each and every book.
One series she writes is the Stephanie Plum series (One for the Money, Two for the Dough, etc...) Stephanie Plum is a typical Jersey girl who loses her job and forces her cousin to hire her as a bounty hunter. She is always getting into trouble either blowing up her car or burning down a funeral home. Stephanie Plum is always a hoot.
Every book that I have read by Janet Evanovich has always been worth and has always made me laugh. Here are some other books by her:
Wife for Hire
Full House
Back to the Bedroom
I gotta say I love her books!
One series she writes is the Stephanie Plum series (One for the Money, Two for the Dough, etc...) Stephanie Plum is a typical Jersey girl who loses her job and forces her cousin to hire her as a bounty hunter. She is always getting into trouble either blowing up her car or burning down a funeral home. Stephanie Plum is always a hoot.
Every book that I have read by Janet Evanovich has always been worth and has always made me laugh. Here are some other books by her:
Wife for Hire
Full House
Back to the Bedroom
I gotta say I love her books!
October 24, 2008
Diet Tips
I was reviewing my old blog entries my from exercise blog and came across tips to lose weight. I reviewed all of those tips to help me get in the mind frame to lose weight and I have narrowed it down even more. Here are some tips that I am going to start following more than ever.
1 - Drink water. I am normally great at getting in 8 plus glasses of water a day and even more when I was pregnant and breastfeeding but I have noticed that lately I am only getting in 4 to 5 glasses of water a day. I am going to work on increasing this.
2 - Train with weights. I have been slacking in the weight training department lately. I am having trouble trying to find the time to fit in it. I know I need to do this and I am going to start trying just to get one day in a week will work for now and then later increase it to two or three days a week.
3 - Do some light cardio after dinner. I have been talking the dogs for a quick walk after dinner. Since we moved our backyard is much smaller than it use to be and it has a fence so the dogs can’t roam the neighborhood anymore. Skyler has been showing signs that she needs more exercise - chasing her tail and digging holes.
4 - Eat more fruit
5 - Eat vegetables
6 - Run hills and climb stairs. During your normal cardio workout through a hill or some stairs into the workout. This mixes it up and helps you burn more calories.
7 - Increase your intensity. Instead of running the same snails pace every day do a day of sprints.
8 - Keep active in between workout sessions. Instead of sitting down in front of the TV between workouts stay active. I don’t sit down at home until the girls are in bed and I am relaxing. I am busy making lunch, cleaning up the house, doing laundry, chasing after a preschooler and infant, playing tag, etc...
9 - Find someone to train with in the mornings. This helps you to stay motivated.
10 - Find someone who is better than you at fitness to train with. This helped when I ran the 5K the other week. I ran with a friend that was just a bit faster than me and it helped me to pick up the pace. I have been picking it up every since.
11 - Join a sport team or a fitness class. Helps keep you motivated.
12 - Experiment with martial arts and tai chi and yoga. New classes are always fun to try.
13 - Park your car further away from your destination or get off the bus early - or take your bike instead of the car.
14 - Use a small bowl or plate to create the illusion of eating a lot. I have tried this and it works.
15 - Go to the shops on a full stomach.
16 - Keep a record of the foods you eat during the day
17 - Write down your weight loss goals and award yourself once you reach them. Lose 10 pounds and go to the spa!
18 - Read and research into everything you put into your mouth - calories and unhealthy substances can be squeezed into many places
19 - Take days off - its ok to relax occasionally (Very important, if I am really struggling through my runs I take a few days off and once I get back into I do much better and the run is actually easier.)
20 - Train outdoors - sun and air are good for you (I hate running on the treadmill. I struggle to run three miles on the treadmill because I get so bored but it I take that run outside I love it. I especially love trail running.
21 - Watch shows like The Biggest Loser for inspiration - My favorite show. I have to watch this show once a week. I only wish it was an hour instead of 2.
22 - Do cardio with up beat music. (To me running is much easier if I have heart pounding music playing through the ipod.
23 - Buy a nice pair of shorts or t-shirt that you want to (realistically) be able to fit in by summer (I did this and actually the pants I bought were too big by the time summer hit!)
24 - Don’t be self conscious at the gym - no one cares (I get excited when I see heavy people at the gym because they are starting to do something about their weight problem.)
25 - When you are struggling to take another step on your jog pick an item in the distance and aim for it (I tend to use this at the end of a long run.)28 - Exercise for 10 minutes. If you really don't feel like exercising do 10 minutes, if you are still hating it at 10 minutes then stop and this is your off day, but normally after 10 minutes you will want to finish your workout.
26 - Use maths in weight loss - ie one bowl of iced cream tonight means I have to run an extra 20 minutes tomorrow.
27 - Learn that you cannot ’spot reduce’ - fat comes off from the whole body not just one section
28 - Skipping meals won’t burn fat - keep your metabolism burning by eating more often
29 - Be creative with cardio - running and biking isn’t the only way (Swimming, tennis, playing with the kids, playing tag, hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc...)
1 - Drink water. I am normally great at getting in 8 plus glasses of water a day and even more when I was pregnant and breastfeeding but I have noticed that lately I am only getting in 4 to 5 glasses of water a day. I am going to work on increasing this.
2 - Train with weights. I have been slacking in the weight training department lately. I am having trouble trying to find the time to fit in it. I know I need to do this and I am going to start trying just to get one day in a week will work for now and then later increase it to two or three days a week.
3 - Do some light cardio after dinner. I have been talking the dogs for a quick walk after dinner. Since we moved our backyard is much smaller than it use to be and it has a fence so the dogs can’t roam the neighborhood anymore. Skyler has been showing signs that she needs more exercise - chasing her tail and digging holes.
4 - Eat more fruit
5 - Eat vegetables
6 - Run hills and climb stairs. During your normal cardio workout through a hill or some stairs into the workout. This mixes it up and helps you burn more calories.
7 - Increase your intensity. Instead of running the same snails pace every day do a day of sprints.
8 - Keep active in between workout sessions. Instead of sitting down in front of the TV between workouts stay active. I don’t sit down at home until the girls are in bed and I am relaxing. I am busy making lunch, cleaning up the house, doing laundry, chasing after a preschooler and infant, playing tag, etc...
9 - Find someone to train with in the mornings. This helps you to stay motivated.
10 - Find someone who is better than you at fitness to train with. This helped when I ran the 5K the other week. I ran with a friend that was just a bit faster than me and it helped me to pick up the pace. I have been picking it up every since.
11 - Join a sport team or a fitness class. Helps keep you motivated.
12 - Experiment with martial arts and tai chi and yoga. New classes are always fun to try.
13 - Park your car further away from your destination or get off the bus early - or take your bike instead of the car.
14 - Use a small bowl or plate to create the illusion of eating a lot. I have tried this and it works.
15 - Go to the shops on a full stomach.
16 - Keep a record of the foods you eat during the day
17 - Write down your weight loss goals and award yourself once you reach them. Lose 10 pounds and go to the spa!
18 - Read and research into everything you put into your mouth - calories and unhealthy substances can be squeezed into many places
19 - Take days off - its ok to relax occasionally (Very important, if I am really struggling through my runs I take a few days off and once I get back into I do much better and the run is actually easier.)
20 - Train outdoors - sun and air are good for you (I hate running on the treadmill. I struggle to run three miles on the treadmill because I get so bored but it I take that run outside I love it. I especially love trail running.
21 - Watch shows like The Biggest Loser for inspiration - My favorite show. I have to watch this show once a week. I only wish it was an hour instead of 2.
22 - Do cardio with up beat music. (To me running is much easier if I have heart pounding music playing through the ipod.
23 - Buy a nice pair of shorts or t-shirt that you want to (realistically) be able to fit in by summer (I did this and actually the pants I bought were too big by the time summer hit!)
24 - Don’t be self conscious at the gym - no one cares (I get excited when I see heavy people at the gym because they are starting to do something about their weight problem.)
25 - When you are struggling to take another step on your jog pick an item in the distance and aim for it (I tend to use this at the end of a long run.)28 - Exercise for 10 minutes. If you really don't feel like exercising do 10 minutes, if you are still hating it at 10 minutes then stop and this is your off day, but normally after 10 minutes you will want to finish your workout.
26 - Use maths in weight loss - ie one bowl of iced cream tonight means I have to run an extra 20 minutes tomorrow.
27 - Learn that you cannot ’spot reduce’ - fat comes off from the whole body not just one section
28 - Skipping meals won’t burn fat - keep your metabolism burning by eating more often
29 - Be creative with cardio - running and biking isn’t the only way (Swimming, tennis, playing with the kids, playing tag, hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc...)
October 22, 2008
Wednesday Blog Tour
I have missed the last two weeks on my Wednesday Blog Tour so I introducing 2 blogs this week.
Lily was born in January and it seems as if some of my mommy blogger friends decided to get pregnant at the same time.
Views From the Passenge Seat has two little girls just like me. LP, her oldest is 2 1/2 or so (correct me if I am wrong) and AK is the new one. AK is 4 months. You will love her humor and the way she says everything straight up. She is a working mom and I love here about how she balances work and being a mommy. She makes it seem as if everything goes smoothly even though you know it doesn't.
The next mommy blogger is Mommy From the Midwest. This mommy has one little girl BG who is almost 3 - or is she 3? and one little boy or LM is 6 months. LM is already crawling! She loves to post lots of pictures which is wonderful. You have to check this set out!
Lily was born in January and it seems as if some of my mommy blogger friends decided to get pregnant at the same time.
Views From the Passenge Seat has two little girls just like me. LP, her oldest is 2 1/2 or so (correct me if I am wrong) and AK is the new one. AK is 4 months. You will love her humor and the way she says everything straight up. She is a working mom and I love here about how she balances work and being a mommy. She makes it seem as if everything goes smoothly even though you know it doesn't.
The next mommy blogger is Mommy From the Midwest. This mommy has one little girl BG who is almost 3 - or is she 3? and one little boy or LM is 6 months. LM is already crawling! She loves to post lots of pictures which is wonderful. You have to check this set out!
October 21, 2008
Triathlon
I have not been training as much as I wanted to for my triathlon but I have done some great workouts. I am thinking either this weekend or next weekend I will go ahead and do my tri. I really think I am ready and I feel great. After doing all of the individual activities (except for an hour long bike ride) I think it will take me less than 2 hours - that is my goal right now.
I have to admit that I have really enjoyed the swimming, biking and running and after this I think I really want to train for an Olympic Triathlon.
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Here is just a cute picture of Lily smiling. She is a big smiler. She will smile at almost everyone but don't try to hold her!
I have to admit that I have really enjoyed the swimming, biking and running and after this I think I really want to train for an Olympic Triathlon.
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Here is just a cute picture of Lily smiling. She is a big smiler. She will smile at almost everyone but don't try to hold her!
October 20, 2008
Pictures Finally!
I have finally figured out how to get the pictures from the Wal-Mart disk onto my computer - I was looking in the wrong place and over thinking it! Here are the pictures from our trip to Kansas. Yes it was the beginning of September but I thought you would enjoy them. I promise to take some more updated pictures of Lily this weekend so you can see why my almost 9 month old looks like. She is getting more hair and it is getting blonder!
Where is Lily?
Peek a boo!
This is my sister Sara and her son Jake. Jake is about 6 weeks younger than Lily.
I don't know who tired who out - Grandpa or Jake??
Mikayla enjoyed making chocolate cake with Grandma. It is a good thing I was paying attention. Grandma was letting Mikayla do what ever she wanted. If I had not interruped we would not have had any cake!
Diet and Exercise
I am finally getting my butt in gear and I am going to lose these last 10 pounds. I would love to lose more than 10 but for now I am going to focus on the last 10.
One thing I am learning is the dieting is hard for everyone, no matter if you are trying to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds, it is hard. Dieting is hard because it involves changing habits. Those habits can be, putting less cream in your morning coffee, not eating off of your child’s plate, not taking a piece of candy every time you pass the candy dish at work (I hate that thing!).
Losing weight is about keeping track of EXACTLY how many calories you take in and how many you burn in a day. The average 150 pound women needs to limit her calories to 1500 per day when she is dieting and she should be burning at least 250 calories per day.There are many programs out there to help with the diet and keeping track. Sparkpeople is a free website that gives you meal plans to follow and exercise routines to follow.
I am concentrating on keeping my calorie intake to 1000 calories from morning until I get home, dinner is (rough estimate 500 calories) not having wine except on the weekends and no dessert after dinner. For the exercise part I am trying to burn 250 calories per day but I am slacking in that category as well. For the most part I have been average 250 calories burned for 5 out of the 7 days a week.
Last week I really took the time to track what I was eating and to not over eat, I am down 1 pound! Hopefully it stays off.
One thing I am learning is the dieting is hard for everyone, no matter if you are trying to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds, it is hard. Dieting is hard because it involves changing habits. Those habits can be, putting less cream in your morning coffee, not eating off of your child’s plate, not taking a piece of candy every time you pass the candy dish at work (I hate that thing!).
Losing weight is about keeping track of EXACTLY how many calories you take in and how many you burn in a day. The average 150 pound women needs to limit her calories to 1500 per day when she is dieting and she should be burning at least 250 calories per day.There are many programs out there to help with the diet and keeping track. Sparkpeople is a free website that gives you meal plans to follow and exercise routines to follow.
I am concentrating on keeping my calorie intake to 1000 calories from morning until I get home, dinner is (rough estimate 500 calories) not having wine except on the weekends and no dessert after dinner. For the exercise part I am trying to burn 250 calories per day but I am slacking in that category as well. For the most part I have been average 250 calories burned for 5 out of the 7 days a week.
Last week I really took the time to track what I was eating and to not over eat, I am down 1 pound! Hopefully it stays off.
October 14, 2008
Birthday Weekend
My birthday is on Wednesday this week - the big 30! Not too excited about turning 30 since that means I really am an adult.
This weekend was a 3 day weekend and Mikayla had an eye doctor appointment in Grand Junction so Joe decided that we should go down and spend the night and go shopping his he needed clothes but he said it was for my birthday.
We headed down on Sunday and we went to an apple orchard and bought apples. We got them for $1.00 per pound! Then we headed over to another farm for a corn maze and to pick pumpkins. We had a blast.
After picking pumpkins we went and did Mikayla's favorite thing of the whole trip, checked into the hotel and she went swimming. Finally on Sunday we got the shopping done and Mikayla went to the eye doctor. We spent the last 5 weeks with no eye patch and now we are cleared for another 4 months with no eye patch. Hopefully her eyes are fixed for good.
This weekend was a 3 day weekend and Mikayla had an eye doctor appointment in Grand Junction so Joe decided that we should go down and spend the night and go shopping his he needed clothes but he said it was for my birthday.
We headed down on Sunday and we went to an apple orchard and bought apples. We got them for $1.00 per pound! Then we headed over to another farm for a corn maze and to pick pumpkins. We had a blast.
After picking pumpkins we went and did Mikayla's favorite thing of the whole trip, checked into the hotel and she went swimming. Finally on Sunday we got the shopping done and Mikayla went to the eye doctor. We spent the last 5 weeks with no eye patch and now we are cleared for another 4 months with no eye patch. Hopefully her eyes are fixed for good.
October 13, 2008
The Best Run of My Life
My triathlon training was slow going last week. I have been VERY busy with working my normal full time job, then doing my part time bookkeeping job and the biggest part was Lily not sleeping well at all left me a very tired mama.
Last week I believe I took Mikayla out to daycare on the bike twice instead of 4 times and I got in two runs.
During my lunch break on Friday I ran for 55 minutes and I was fast (fast for me ), I felt great and I tackled the hills. I ran up a hill behind the local college and then back down doing the BEST 5 miles in my life.
For the triathlon I was most worried about the swimming but I think I can tackle a sprint tri now. If I can find the time maybe next weekend.
Last week I believe I took Mikayla out to daycare on the bike twice instead of 4 times and I got in two runs.
During my lunch break on Friday I ran for 55 minutes and I was fast (fast for me ), I felt great and I tackled the hills. I ran up a hill behind the local college and then back down doing the BEST 5 miles in my life.
For the triathlon I was most worried about the swimming but I think I can tackle a sprint tri now. If I can find the time maybe next weekend.
October 5, 2008
Triathlon Challenge - Swimming and Running
Opps - I just realized that I had wanted to bike 6 miles this week to see how long it will take to bike 12 miles. I don't think that will happen today because I really don't have time - but we will see.
I went swimming on Friday and except for the chlorine it went really well. I swam 1/2 a mile in about 20 minutes so the 1/4 mile swim for the triathlon will take about 10 minutes. I was also not pushing it since I had no idea what to expect. I think next Friday I see how quickly I can do the 1/4 mile since I know exactly how many laps I need to swim.
I ran the 5K yesterday. It was the hospitals Run for Rehab annual race. I took first place in my age division!! Mostly because the average age of the racers is 30-39! So I don't think I will place next year. It took me 33 miles to do the 3.1 mile course and I was very pleased with that. I was running with a friend of mine that runs just enough faster than I do to push me but not so much that I could not keep up with her. At the end I was trying to pass a couple of girls and I did but then they passed me. Overall it was a great race.
I went swimming on Friday and except for the chlorine it went really well. I swam 1/2 a mile in about 20 minutes so the 1/4 mile swim for the triathlon will take about 10 minutes. I was also not pushing it since I had no idea what to expect. I think next Friday I see how quickly I can do the 1/4 mile since I know exactly how many laps I need to swim.
I ran the 5K yesterday. It was the hospitals Run for Rehab annual race. I took first place in my age division!! Mostly because the average age of the racers is 30-39! So I don't think I will place next year. It took me 33 miles to do the 3.1 mile course and I was very pleased with that. I was running with a friend of mine that runs just enough faster than I do to push me but not so much that I could not keep up with her. At the end I was trying to pass a couple of girls and I did but then they passed me. Overall it was a great race.
October 1, 2008
Wednesday Blog Tour - Green Style Mom
This week I am featuring Green Style Mom on my Wednesday Blog Tour. Kristen is a stay at home mom to 2 wonderful kids and she is living green. I get wonderful easy ideas to live a little greene from her. For example here is way to use up all of those plastic take home food containers. Here is a face cleanser and toner that is good for your skin (I really want to try this out).
Kristen is also great at finding good green deals on the internet and she offers us discounts! Here is one and here is another!
Kristen lives in a co-housing development in Colorado. The few wonderful livings I love about the co-housing idea is instance community, weekly meals with everyone, camp outs, free yoga classes, friends right next door for the kids, community garden, etc.
Take a few minutes to check out her blog. It is well worth it!
Kristen is also great at finding good green deals on the internet and she offers us discounts! Here is one and here is another!
Kristen lives in a co-housing development in Colorado. The few wonderful livings I love about the co-housing idea is instance community, weekly meals with everyone, camp outs, free yoga classes, friends right next door for the kids, community garden, etc.
Take a few minutes to check out her blog. It is well worth it!
September 30, 2008
I have some work to do!
On Monday night I decided to run 2 miles to see how long it would take. Every other time I run I normally go for time and estimate how many miles I run. The reason for that is that I often go trail running instead of street running. Well let's just say I need some work!
I ran the 2 miles in 24 minutes which for some people is not bad and I normally estimate that I am running a 12 minute mile. The bad part is that I was really trying to get it done faster and I was pushing myself to run harder. At the end of the run my heart and lungs felt like I pushed myself more than I normally do.
Oh well, at least I know where I am and where I need to go. I would love to average a 10 minute mile. There is a 5K coming up this weekend that I am going to do so it will be interesting to see how long that takes me.
I ran the 2 miles in 24 minutes which for some people is not bad and I normally estimate that I am running a 12 minute mile. The bad part is that I was really trying to get it done faster and I was pushing myself to run harder. At the end of the run my heart and lungs felt like I pushed myself more than I normally do.
Oh well, at least I know where I am and where I need to go. I would love to average a 10 minute mile. There is a 5K coming up this weekend that I am going to do so it will be interesting to see how long that takes me.
September 29, 2008
100 Miles
Could you image propelling yourself forward for 100 miles straight? And no I do not mean in a car. This weekend while I went mountain biking there was a 100 mile mountain bike race in and around Crested Butte. This is a race just like the Leadville 100 that Lance Armstrong took second place in. I must say that Armstrong took second place to guy from Gunnison.
Maybe I should get in some 100 mile mountain bike races before I complete my ultimate goal which is the Ironman in Hawaii. I love watching it every year and every year I want to go out and do it for myself. My sprint triathlon challenge will the first in many and I hope to say one day that I completed the Ironman. If only dreams do come true.
For now I am going to keep track of my daily biking and running miles to see how many miles I complete in the course of a week, month and year.
Maybe I should get in some 100 mile mountain bike races before I complete my ultimate goal which is the Ironman in Hawaii. I love watching it every year and every year I want to go out and do it for myself. My sprint triathlon challenge will the first in many and I hope to say one day that I completed the Ironman. If only dreams do come true.
For now I am going to keep track of my daily biking and running miles to see how many miles I complete in the course of a week, month and year.
September 28, 2008
Triathlon Training
This is the first week of my triathlon training schedule. My goals for the overall challenge are to 1 - Complete the triathlon is less than 2.5 hours
2 - Use this challenge to increase me speed while running and biking
3 - Finally get to under 140 pounds.
I will have a challenge each week that will bring me to my sprint triathlon in November. This week I am going to time myself running 2 miles, biking 6 miles (with no kids in the bike trailer) and for swimming just to get in the pool and see how well I do. Today we took the kids swimming in a small hotel pool and after a few laps in that pool I was tired so I have a long way to go with the swimming.
I plan to accomplish the above goal by running after work on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, swimming on Friday and biking with no kids this weekend.
2 - Use this challenge to increase me speed while running and biking
3 - Finally get to under 140 pounds.
I will have a challenge each week that will bring me to my sprint triathlon in November. This week I am going to time myself running 2 miles, biking 6 miles (with no kids in the bike trailer) and for swimming just to get in the pool and see how well I do. Today we took the kids swimming in a small hotel pool and after a few laps in that pool I was tired so I have a long way to go with the swimming.
I plan to accomplish the above goal by running after work on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, swimming on Friday and biking with no kids this weekend.
Trail 401 Crested Butte
This weekend Joe took care of the kids and I went and did Trail 401 in Crested Butte. It was wonderful and it has been a long time since I went mountain biking. Of course I am riding my mountain bike every day around town but that is no where near the same as mountain biking.
A friend of mine went with me and it was a 3 hour ride round trip. We parked at Rustler's Gulch and started up the road. As soon as we started riding we had a STEEP hill to climb - great way to get the heart pounding. It was only about 3 miles of rough, steep jeep road but it took us about 40 minutes! We passed beautiful Emerald Lake and then shortly after that we reached the top of Schofield Pass at 10,707 feet.
Then the fun begins - single track. We had a very technical and steep climb. The first part was through the evergreen trees and the second part was high alpine. The second part of the climb was not as steep - but still a workout - and not as many rocks. I LOVED that last uphill climb - you just have to power through it. I really enjoy a good climb over the downhill - I know I am weird. That section took another 40 minutes or so.
The last section is ALL downhill for about 45 minutes. There are many points that you really don't want to look down past the trail because if you fall you are going rolling down the entire mountain. The whole way was beautiful, the aspens are bright yellow, the dry fall air, the crisp day - it was wonderful! The ride was great.
Here is a video I found on You Tube that is trail 401 to give you an idea of the downhill.
A friend of mine went with me and it was a 3 hour ride round trip. We parked at Rustler's Gulch and started up the road. As soon as we started riding we had a STEEP hill to climb - great way to get the heart pounding. It was only about 3 miles of rough, steep jeep road but it took us about 40 minutes! We passed beautiful Emerald Lake and then shortly after that we reached the top of Schofield Pass at 10,707 feet.
Then the fun begins - single track. We had a very technical and steep climb. The first part was through the evergreen trees and the second part was high alpine. The second part of the climb was not as steep - but still a workout - and not as many rocks. I LOVED that last uphill climb - you just have to power through it. I really enjoy a good climb over the downhill - I know I am weird. That section took another 40 minutes or so.
The last section is ALL downhill for about 45 minutes. There are many points that you really don't want to look down past the trail because if you fall you are going rolling down the entire mountain. The whole way was beautiful, the aspens are bright yellow, the dry fall air, the crisp day - it was wonderful! The ride was great.
Here is a video I found on You Tube that is trail 401 to give you an idea of the downhill.
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