This morning I got out for a test drive of the new do. 
My usual 3.5 miles  LBM was snug in bed with Daddy after getting up for the third time when will it end!
after getting up at 5:45.  I was on the road in the fog, loving it!
I was shooting for 25 mintues. 
25:59 would have made me happy and won't you know it when I crossed my "finish line" and stopped my watch
26:00:04
oh, so close!
Maybe if I had gone just a little shorter with my hair I could have nailed it.
It was a great start to my day.
Happy Hump Day!

The Amazing Amanda @ Run to the finish has been hosting the 3 Changes Challenge. 

You may have noticed my declarations at the bottom of most of my posts for about the last month.

Amanda challenged us to chose 3 things (she does 5!) to change, quit, limit, start or do in an effort to improve ourselves in any way we felt we needed some attention.

I choose to focus on:

1.  Drink 64 oz. of  h2o or other non-caffeinated beverage
This has been the easiest of the 3 changes.  During the work week, I can control the amount of "water" I drink by keeping my 23oz bottle filled and working toward emptying it at least twice a day while at work.  Combine that with my 16 oz glass of water in the morning and evening and voila.  I have drank over 64 oz.

2.  Destress.  Focusing on getting back into a habit of daily prayer but also using yoga, quiet time, frustration limiting techniques to reduce or remove stressers in my life.
Reducing or removing stress has been a bit harder.  Recent developments in my family life (oy vey) have added to my stress HOWEVER I am happy to report that I have been managing this increased stress well.  I have been praying morning and night, doing my yoga (when the kiddos bedtimes allow), using positive talk and talking with my family about my concerns have all helped manage my daily stress.

3.  Xtrain 2 days a week even if I run. 
This change has been hard.   I am not going to sugar coat it.  Unfortunately being under stress makes me want to run to help elevate the stress, running takes up my limited time leaving me with little surplus time to cross train.  Full Disclosure.  I have been better about sit ups, push ups and stretching after runs and in the evenings but I am looking to incorporate two actually cross training days into my running schedule to improve my overall fitness.  Most likely some serious core and weight work.  I have done this before so I know that I can get into a routine that will allow for it all to fit. 
I need the cross training to perform better in my upcoming trail ultra in July.  I will most certainly need to be stronger if I am going to attempt a trail 50 miler in October BUT I also need big miles to complete those distances...again, oy vey! 
So this challenge continues beyond Amanda's 3 Changes Challenge. 
Maybe this blog needs to be renamed to; "Will Shelly ever Xtrain?"

It was a wonderful morning after Mother's Day in our house.

My daughter, inspired by Tonia @ Racing with Babes (socks) and Jill @ Run with Jill (loving pink) rocked a super cute outfit this morning.  I know she always has a better when she feels pretty so I love it when she really digs her outfit!

I got out for the last of my jogger-less runs this morning.  3.5 miles (26:57)  Having Hubbs home to help out was GREAT!  My neck and back soreness (that I think stemmed from overuse pushing the jogger on my hilly runs) is much improved after several days of non-jogger runs.  Tonight I return to being a jogging stroller mama with Hubbs working at the new house for a few days.  I will let you know how the neck and back hold up.

I will leave you with a few shots from the Catch Me If You Can trail 10 miler.  These are from the second lap around the lake.  I was not surprised to see I was still smiling!   I love trail running.

3 Changes Challenges

May 6th through 9th - Thursday through Sunday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - ++64 oz. each day - Success

2. Destress - Praying is back to being a priority where it should be.  Setting aside that time really helps me focus on other things that help me realize my stresses are really not as big as I let them appear. - Success

3. Xtrain - This remains a challenge that I have not committed to.  I can get myself to stretch after runs and do my sits and push ups sometimes but I have not made cross training a priority.  I know I will not see changes in my conditioning if I don't do this!  - Needs Improvement (I stink at cross training!)

Do green and pink go together?

This is where I have been.  A nice country road.

I have been running although I fell a sad 1/2 mile short of my 50 miles this week.  I probably ran more than that at soccer on Saturday but that was not offical running so 49.5 miles for the week. 

Not bad for a week in which LBM had to go to the doctor for the flu and ear infection, I worked all week, Hubbs lost his job (right after we close on a new house). 

Boy I needed 150 miles to get rid of that stress!

The miles help me deal with life when things become a little too grown up for me.  But not enough to keep me from wearing my pink visor with my green Bondi Band!

I do think having places to run like this help manage the stress of day to day life. 

We celebrated Mother's Day today.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

My little kids both made me cards and gifts.  My daughter took me out to lunch, she treated!

And I also got... a new phone.  (I have had my phone for 5 or 6 years)

My wonderful Hubbs got me the Palm Pre Plus.  Mine is in a pretty pink case. 

I am still on a learning curve but I am hoping that I will be able to keep up with all my wonderful bloggy friends so much better now that I have joined the smart phone age.  So any one with experince with these amazing smart phones feel free to share your wisdom with this novice.  I can use all the help I can get!

How did you celebrate Mother's Day?

3 Changes Challenge Update coming soon.

Five for Friday

1.  Where have I been all week? 

Oh on the road running my legs off.  Nope.  Not quite they are still there.

I have gotten up every morning this work week and ran.  Just tomorrow to make it 5 for 5.

AND

I have run every evening, too.

Can anyone say tired legs?!

2.  The photo is me near the top of my steepest 3 stage hill on a route I run regularly.  You can only see to the bend in the road.  The hill continues down through another turn which is it's steepest section and then to the bottom.  Due to the wind through my area, I usually choose to run this route going up this hill.  That way the wind is more to my back than my face.

3.  In other news, LBM is sick.  Hubbs may be taking him to the doctor for me tomorrow.  He is running a fever.  Poor little guy.  I don't know how the night will go.

4.  Hubbs is having some employment issues.  I know that he has options BUT with just closing on another house, I am nervous and stressing a bit.  Probably another reason why I am running a bit much with no rest.  or am I just using that as a good excuse to get my miles in?!?!? 

5.  I need so serious suggestions on how to get myself to cross train!  I know that I should.  I know that it will help me lose some weight but "shaking" things up.  I know that I will be a better runner for doing it.  BUT how do I make myself give up miles to get it in?  Or how do I find an extra 30+ minutes every few days to create a habit? 




3 Changes Challenges

May3rd through 5th - Monday, Tuesday &; Wednesday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - ++64 oz. each day - Success

2. Destress - I've been praying every day!(+)  Hubbs has MAJOR employment issues!  We just closed on a new house! (-) - Needs improvement (I typed that but honestly, I am really trying to remember that we will be okay.  I know that there is always a reason for these challenges.  God has a plan.)

3. Xtrain - Lots more stretching.  Situps becoming a near daily habit and push ups are getting there but...- Needs Improvement (I stink at cross training!)

The Weekend Review - Race Recap

Friday

Of course I went for the second half of my run Friday evening.  I wasn't going to allow a silly little thing like a 10 mile trail race the next morning stop me from attempting to hit my 50 miles this week.

But seriously, I am still trying to get as many trail runs in as I can before my next trail 50k in July and the easiest way for me to do that is to run a trail race. 

For those wonderful readers who may not know, these are not the kind of trails you can push a jogging stroller on.  They are "technical" trails.  Trails that are not groomed.  Trails that require technical ability to traverse safely.  Thus the need to do them when I can have hubbs or family support with the kiddos.

So Friday evening found LBM and I out finishing our run enjoying the setting sun on Friday.

Saturday

At 7:30 my cell phone rings.  It's hubbs. 

"Oh great to hear from you!," I say " How close are you?"

Hubbs was coming home from working night shift and had volunteered to be home in time to watch the kids while I went and ran my race.

"You are not going to believe this but...I am just leaving work."

That's 2+ hours away

"Oh well.  I will figure something out."  I say being all cool and easy going.

"Call me back so I know what is going on."

"No problem." I agree.

AGGGGGGHHHHHHH!

Insert frantic calls to the rest of the family to recruit support for the kids until Hubbs can get them picked up.  I finally work it out with no time to spare and I am cruising to the race.

Thus this very rushed picture is all you get!

You miss out on all the beautiful scenery of the trail.  I didn't carry the camera. 

And this is your after race shot.  I AM flying down the road to attempt to make it back in time for my daughter's soccer game.

We were a little late.

The race was amazing.  As all trail races are!  The course was challenging and beautiful.  The organizers did a great job!  It was their first race.  Support was spot on during the race which consisted of two 5 mile loops around a beautiful lake.  (luckily that supplied a little relief from the intense heat of the day!)

I am still struggling with knowing what pace I can produce in a trail event.  Due to that I went into the race simply as putting forth my best effort at a challenging but steady pace.

I finished in 1:34. 

Which is 4 minutes beyond my secret goal pace. 

But I was 14th overall, 6th female and winner of the Master's Division.

So not to bad!

I didn't stay for awards (I'll show you those after I get them) because I had to rush back home for my daughter's soccer game.

Then it was off the the new house.  I drove our truck and trailer to give Hubbs a break.  We moved some things in.  Luckily beating the rain that come Sunday!

The house is now offically ours.  We put up our door knocker.  We have had it since we got married but never used it. 

LBM loved running  around the deck sans diaper, it was HOT!

We enjoyed our Sunday of cleaning and mowing but then it was back on the road with the much lighter trailer.  We made better time getting home but it was still a lot of driving for one weekend.

This morning found me outside running my wake up run (3.5 miles /28:34).  I needed to stretch my legs and having Hubbs home to watch LBM was great!

 

It was a fantastic blur!  Thanks for stopping by and getting caught up with me.

What great things did you accomplish this past weekend?

3 Changes Challenge

April 30th through May 2nd  - Friday, Saturday & Sunday

 

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - +64 oz. each day - Success (easy to drink while you are traveling and at a 80+ degree race!)

2. Destress - I've been praying every day!  Oh and I ran an amazing TRAIL race that put me on a high that lasted through all the driving.  - Success

3. Xtrain - Friday; sit ups & pushups.  Saturday; moving.  Sunday; cleaning (this counts a little) & traveling - Needs Improvement (I stink at cross training!)

Why I didn't get to run

Today I did something I haven't done for a while.

NOT run.

I have a very good reason for not giving any of my time today to my fitness; we were signing our names about four dozen times.  I am certain that counts as crossing training for my 3 Changes Challenge!

Before Hubbs had the courage to sign it all he had to visit his favorite watering hole.

Dunkin Donuts.

Yes.  My hubbs would rather have a DD coffee than a beer anyday. 

After the exhausting crossing training session closing we grabbed a quick lunch at Lord Hardwicke's.  It is a nice sandwich kind of place.  The weather was so nice we ate outside.

Then we went back to the new house for hubbs to drop off some things and I had to drive back to PA to get the kiddos at my sister's house.  She and her husband were kind enough to pick up the kids at the sitter since I was not going to make it back in time. 

Thanks sis!

It was an exhausting day.  Just exhausting in a different kind of way.

3 Changes Challenge
April 29th - Thursday (Closing Day - Driving 8+ hours)


1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 55oz- Needs Improvement (yes I could just go drink the needed water but that is not what I am trying to do.  I am trying to make it a habit to drink throughout my day)


2. Destress - Prayer Habit - Check!  I took some amazing roads to get to our loan closing today.  I saw some beautiful country!  Then with the stress of traveling all day, I was smiling and happy.  - Success

3. Xtrain - Up at 5 a.m. to get ready.  Signed my name 4 dozen times.  Not back until 7 p.m..  Unload, supper, homework, baths, cleanup and bed - Needs Improvement

Jen's amazing five days of Giveaways!

That's why theres a .5

Hello faith followers!  I just don't say that enough. 

I just start right off into my own little story without recongizing that you are even there.  Sorry.

I do really appreciate each and every one of you who takes the time to read along and offer your two or three cents.  Your little insights just make my day! 

And now for the story.  Since you have been following along I am sure that you've noticed that the majority of my regular runs end in a .5.  Did you ever wonder why?

With my current life schedule I have found that breaking up my mileage in a morning and evening run throughout the week helps me fit it all in.  Some days getting myself back out there to do the second half of a day's run is not so easy. 

I tried several tricks bribes to help make myself get the miles in; promise myself treats only after the run was finished, remind myself that I never regret the runs I take but always regret the ones I miss, had my kids remind me what a grouch I was if I didn't run lovingly encourage me to go.  These techniques worked sometimes but not always.

The one thing I have found that works for me is the .5

Well, it could be any fraction of a mile really.  It's just leaving a mile unfinished.

When I started running one of the things I would not do is quit.  I would not walk.  I would not stop.  What ever distance I set out to do.  I did.  I finished.

So now when I leave the morning run with that half mile unfinished I feel that my day is not complete until I finish it.  Once I am out there running I simply run the remaining distance that I had planned for the day.

And then I am Finished.

My kiddos couldn't wait for me to be finished today either.

Even with the terribly cold wind they wanted to play outside once Little Bug-man and I got back.

I guess for them, without Play their day was not Finished.

3 Changes Challenge

April 28th - Wednesday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 65oz- Success

2. Destress - I did pray today. (+)  I stressed over tomorrows closing (-)  I was happy about no "extras" to do on Wednesday (+)  My run was so hard due to jogger and wind that I didn't feel the relaxing run time (-) - I think the stress evens out today BUT Needs Improvement

3. Xtrain - worked all day, 3 loads of laundry, huge pile of dishes and homework (does any of that count?) - (ok I know) Needs Improvement

I love Wednesdays!

Today is Wednesday.  I love Wednesday. 

Today we have nothing but school and work.

Period.

I get to go home after work.

Not run errands.

Not go to practice.

But go home and run.

I get to leave all my worries and stress in little footprint size piles along the beautiful roads I run on.

Then I get to feel that success that comes from having done something great for myself and give the rest of my evening to the family.

Give a happier, calmer, refeshed me to my kids for the rest of the night.

I love Wednesdays.  Did I say that?

Just look at the great start this Wednesday had!

3.5 miles (okay, too much windy but it's Wednesday so no complaining!)

of a wonderful wake up run with little bug-man peacefully sleeping the sights away.

I just can't wait to see the road again tonight!

3 Changes Challenge


April 27th - Tuesday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 70oz- Success

2. Destress - (Very hectic day) Spent time in prayer while running in the morning.  Took a few minutes after the kids were in bed and the house was quiet to simply be quiet too...Nice - Success

3. Xtrain - Ab Ripper X in the laptop while watching/listening to TBL - Success

Jen at Setting You Free is hosting a great Little MissMatched Giveaway!  We all know where that inspiration came from, Yep, Tonia at Racing with Babes who has the cutest running outfits.  After my Ultra my poor toes NEED a pair of super cute socks to hide their ugliness.  So go over and tell Jen I sent you!

Rain and Glasses Do not mix

It was raining again after work.  The clouds were low and threatening but I didn't let that stop me.  Little Bug-man and I hit the road for finish our miles for the day.  It was so hot but like a crazy person I over-dressed and not only got soaked from the rain but from all the sweat.  In my rushing to beat the thunderstorms, I left on my glasses.  Not fun to run in the rain with glasses on!

Can you see the road behind me?  That is a hill.  It's the flatter of the two big hills on my 6.5 mile loop.  A 4 - 5% grade.  The first hill where I should have remembered to take the picture! is a 6+% grade.  Ouch!  My legs were not very speedy on this run.  Although I enjoyed getting to run in the rain, my legs didn't have much "push" in them.

6.5 miles (54:08) the slowest I have run this loop in a while.  The upside 10 miles in for the week, a 10 mile trail race on Saturday so 30 miles to squeeze in between now and then if I'm going to hit 50 this week.

Till I got out to take an after the run picture it was already pitch dark and storming.  I ditched the glasses since they were water speckled anyway. 

It's a big week.  Soccer practice and pictures on Tuesday, we close on the VA house this Thursday, Trail 10 miler early Saturday a.m., race back for a 12:00 soccer game Saturday and then off to the VA house to clean and get hubbs settled while some work is done on the house.  Looks like a challenge to fit it all in.  Maybe I should scale back the mileage goals to 40 this week?  What do you think? 

Do you change your running goals when life gets busier or do you just see it as an opportunity to challenge yourself?

3 Changes Challenge




April 26th  - Monday


1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 78oz- Success

2. Destress - Prayed this morning, got to run solo in the rain, spending time visualizing a successful week (due the hectic schedule) - Success


3. Xtrain - Zero cross training.  No going to lie.  I should do my situps and pushups before bed but I probably won't so there is full disclosure for you - Needs Improvement.

Barefoot Angie Bee is hosting a Whooha Giveaway.  What's a Whooha?  A great company started by two women, Amy and Julie both into fitness just like most of us.  They came together to create a company  for Women Having Optimistic Objectives and Healthy Attitudes.  Cool, huh?

So now you are curious.  Go click the link and tell Angie I sent you!

Rainy Days and Mondays...

...don't get me down!  I was out loving a little wake up run WITH.OUT.THE.JOGGER!  You heard that right.  Hubbs and little bug-man were snuggled in bed, since LBM thought getting mom up at 5 a.m. was a great idea.  After I nursed him, I slipped him into bed with daddy for some bounding time!  I was out in the amazing rain running 3.5 miles (27:15).  It was so wonderful.  I can't wait to get back out there tonight.

3 Changes Challenge

April 24th & 25th - Saturday, so far

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 65oz/64oz- Success

2. Destress - Sat. Had a great race, spent time with family, prayed.  Sun. Prayed, relaxed with family - Success

3. Xtrain - Sat. Great cross training with hubbs.  Sun. Stretched, situps and pushups - Success (but want more)

I didn't know I could do that

God smiles on me and last night Little Bug-man slept.through.the.NIGHT.  I am not kidding!  I woke up at 6:15 and felt so rested.  That happy feeling would continue throughout my morning.

I got up showered, went through the normal pre-race drill of bathroom, dressing, loading stuff, bathroom, getting the kids ready, bathroom and heading out the door.

The plan was for biking sherpa to meet us at the State Park where the trail race was being held since the Earth Day activities were also being held there. 

I was surprised when hubbs called and said he was going to make it home.  We talked about whether he would join us or go home to sleep (he worked the night and then drove 3+ hours home).  I was hoping he would sleep simply because he needed to and that is what he said he would do.  A quick call to biking sherpa confirmed she was on her way.

The kids enjoyed a movie in the car while I jogged laps of the parking area, visited the bathroom and got my bib number.  Surprise!  Hubbs pulls in beside us.  Soon followed by the biking sherpa.  I had my own cheering section.

This was the first year for the event so things were very low key but that is exactly how I like them.  Less to stress about.  I wanted to get as close to the front as possible.  I knew I was planning to start out fast.  I am much better over the distance than I am in the sprint.  Knowing that I am better at outlasting other runners than I am at out pacing them, at the sound of the horn I was running as fast as I could.  Empty the tanks fast.

S'ghetti and biking sherpa made wishes of success for me.

At the mile marker I was 5:50.  I didn't even know I could do that!

Don't worry it won't be a pace I would do often.  I came very close to losing my toast with honey as I ran up the crest of the dam shortly past the mile marker.  That is where I had to dial it back.  I knew I was in the lead and I just had to hold it.

(Full Discloser:  This is not the actual finish photo.  Totally staged because the actual shot was missed)

I was able to hold a strong pace through the next two miles and finish third overall and FIRST in women. 

It was super nice to have the family there to cheer for me. 

(see the balloons, very low key!  But so was the entry price!)

I finished 23:38(me) 23:40 (race) so close to sub-ing the 23 minute mark. 

I wonder if I had not ran the 13 yesterday if I would have had those 40 seconds to give? 

I am thrilled with how the race went and that's what matters. 

The family got to be there and that's the biggest win for the day.

Tricia at Endurance Isn't Only Physical is hosting a Silver Maple Jewelry Giveaway but I really want to win it and get something shiny since I got a cheapy medal for winning my 5k!  But you can enter too if you really have to...but tell her I sent you! 

3 Changes Challenge

April 24th - Saturday, so far

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 55oz- Success

2. Destress - Sticking to my daily prayers.  Ran a race for a good cause and WON!  Who could have stress?   - Success

3. Xtrain - Stretching, sit ups, push ups.  Hopefully hubbs with lift with me later tonight (success if he does) - Needs improvement (if I don't)

You can say I told you so

I got up super early this morning (thanks little bug-man) and I.did.not.have.work!  So after the bus took s'ghetti off to school, little bug-man and I hit the road.  We got to run our 6.5 mile loop (51:55).  I used to be able to do this every morning before work.   Before little bug-man came along and needed some of my morning time.  But as good as any run gets, I still would rather have him. 

We did enjoy getting to do this in the early morning before little bug-man got dropped at the sitter and I headed of to a day of doctor appointments.

Yeah.   This is another picture of me in (amazingly) different running gear because I got home so early and the weather was so great AND I had new gear to wear so little bug-man and I did that 6.5 mile loop again (49:59). 

So tomorrow when I don't hit my goal for the Earth Day Relay for Life 5k feel free to tell me;

I TOLD YOU SO!

3 Changes Challenge

April 23th - Friday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 90oz- Success

2. Destress - No work today! - Success

3. Xtrain - I ran a split 13 miles.  Ummm, does housework count? ;-) - Needs improvement

Picking up the pace

I am going for 4 double days this work week.  With a 5k race on Saturday, a 10:30 soccer game and hubbs coming home, the weekend running schedule is a bit up in the air.  With my next big race not until early July and my next longish race (10 miles) on May 1st, I haven't offically started a training program.  My weeks are simply putting in miles aiming for somewhere between 40 - 50. 

The second half of yesterday's run was with my Jr. Biking Sherpa.  He always helps me pick up the pace on my longer daily run. 6.5 miles (49:19)  I was sweating buckets!

Little Bug-man loved JBS.  When JBS got a bit ahead of us on the hills, Little Bug-man would start yelling at him.  Or was he yelling at me to run faster?  I was able to really push my limits today and work beyond what I felt comfortable giving.  Mel had a great post yesterday on just that topic called Your Limits. 

After the run was over we all played at the church and then jogged to the goats to see if the new babies were born.  Just when I think I have given my all, I amaze myself with how quickly I can recover.  That leaves me wondering, 'How much more did I have to give?'

Do you feel ready to run again shortly after your run is over?
Did you find yourself wondering if you had more than what you gave?


Mel is hosting a Gone for a Run Giveaway
Check it out and tell her Shelly sent you!

3 Changes Challenge


April 22th - Thursday


1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 82oz- Success


2. Destress - Said my prayers!  Played with the kids outside after my run.  Didn't worry about having to rush to get homework done (we had plenty of time) - Success


3. Xtrain - Sit ups, push ups weighted arm workout - Success

A weed?

When you change the things you look at, the things you look at change.

When I am running down the road I have the time to notice the little things that I often over look as I go about all the other aspects of my day. 

I see the beautiful area I live in from a perspective a little closer to the ground.  I enjoy seeing the subtle changes and appreciating some of the beauty in unexpected things.

Today there was beauty in so many things along my way.  The new baby goats, the Canadian geese, the rich smell of the creek, the apple tree fully in bloom, the cows in the pasture, the driver who slowed and waved, the smell of the lilac bushes.  It is amazing how much beauty can be found in less than thirty minutes.

What beautiful things did you see along your run today?

3 Changes Challenge

April 21st - Wednesday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 78oz- Success

2. Destress - Happy to say that I am back into the daily habit of praying at least in the morning and before bed.  - Success

3. Xtrain - Sit ups and push ups after the kiddos were in bed tonight - (working on it!)Needs improvement

Catnapping

Little Bug-man and I enjoyed our second run of the day last evening.  I wanted 10 miles to make it 13 for the day but having gotten home from work later than I planned we settled on our 6.5 mile (52:09) loop and some extra stretching after the run.

This morning the little bug-man got up very early after an interrupted night of catnapping sleep so I was not surprised when he took another cat-nap while we were on our wake up run of 3.5 miles (28:29).  He continued to sleep after we got back so getting ready for work this morning was a breeze.  I felt guilty waking him when it was time to head off to work.

3 Changes Challenge

April 19th - Monday

1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 75oz- Success

2. Destress - Little bug-man napped during my evening run, I used that time to think about everyone and everything BUT me and my own worries.  Loads of people to pray for!  I am getting back into a great habit! - Success

3. Xtrain - I did lunges and squats throughout my day.  I did situps while little bug-man crawled all over me before his bedtime.  I am trying to use those minutes of time throughout my day that I would usually just be sitting/wasting time. - Success (sorta not a formal 'workout')