Tuesday's This and That

 

 

S'ghetti girl had her first school dance. 

I couldn't get her to stand still long enough to get a clear photo.

 

We went back to home for our annual Fall Foliage Festival. 

The kids love seeing their favorite magician

 

Goofing around on a sugar high.

 

A getting to spend time with the Big Kid.

One thing that wasn't on my side was a lack of sitter-support.  I missed my annual 10k. 

You can read about last year when the super secret spy and I both ran.
2011 Fall Foliage Classic 10k
I also missed a training marathon the weekend prior.  Ugh! 
I need to find more sitters with my Big Kid making a life of his own.

 

One thing on my (running) side has been the way I've been feeling.  As I slowing increased my mileage I have felt great!  Hitting a high mileage of 75 last week.  With less than 2 weeks before the Fire on the Mountain Trail 50k, I'll focus a bit more on time on my feet as I try to pull back on the miles.  I keep reminding myself that I do have a "big" race coming in a month. 

Stone Mill 50 Miler

Where I will be out to see how I can actually do on their course when it is actually closer to 50 miles. 

 

With loads of travel between PA and VA, kids to wrangle with the super secret spy often traveling and big races to prepare for I'll have my hands full but somehow I always seem to be able to pull it off.  Well, at least most of it.

 

The other things I do

You might think with all the running to get ready in the hopes of getting into the Massanuetten Mountain Trails 100

 I'm currently at 72

that I would not have time for anything else.

Well you'd be wrong.

This weekend we celebrated another family tradition as we gathered for my mom's birthday.

We went bowling!

My oldest did great.  It might have something to do with the bumpers in his lane.

The super secret spy and LBM worked together. 

LBM got his first strike!

My mama with her birthday bowling pin.

We spent a lot of time doing hill repeats, I mean sledding.

We even had time to get S'ghetti girls new soccer shoes. 

They have just the right amount of pink for kicking Grass, right?

And I also ran a little bit...

more than I had planned.

It was a great weekend to cap off and epic week!

Cause for Celebration

Today is Day# 610

It was a high mileage week in my journey towards my 100 mile trail race.

Daily Mile 78 mile week
One more week higher mileage week
and then a step back week with cross training
I will actually be excited to cross 80 miles in a week again.

This little blog made the Top 30 on Marathon Training Schedule's Top 100 Running Blogs.  It really is a list of some amazing bloggers.  Click HERE to see who else made the list.  There are 100 great runners to learn from and share with.

I was one of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge Top 3 Winners! 
Click HERE to see the other winners, congrats the other winners and enjoy Amanda's wonderful monthly challenges.

Maybe I should pay the lottery?

No Secret

This past week was epic for miles.  Notice I didn't say for running because to be epic my running would have needed to be in the woods or under the stars.  This past week outside miles were few and far between.  I make no secret of the fact that many of my miles are now on the mind numbing treadmill.  The glamorous life of married single parenting with a strong willed mini-human to battle.  But it might be a secret to LBM that he will be back in the jogger snuggled under a heating pad before too long.  Now that will be a different kind of  will power training for me!

Do you see that little pink bar.  I left it there so you all can go over and congratulate Marlene

at Mission to a(nother) Marathon.  Do you see those running, swimming and biking miles.

That girl is hard core!!

Its been no secret that I am drooling over INKnBURN's designs and want to look killer for the 100 and a couple sweet training "races" leading up to it.  But I also know it's the season of giving so I'll share this link again.

It's the final day to enter the INKnBURN giveaway that Heather @ Run Faster Mommy is hosting.  I so want to win this!  Then I could host a giveaway for all your guys.  Because I just know that after my rave review (I of course already know I would love their stuff), they would be dying to give me more free stuff to giveaway to you!

LBM spilled all his secrets to Santa

Conflicting Goals ~ HBBC Week One

This year's installment of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge could not have started on a better day for me,

November 19th.

Remember that was the fabulous Stone Mill 50 Miler

which turned into 55 miler

Are you sick to death of these photos yet?

So I started the challenge off with a weeks worth of points!

Although my diet left a little to be desired that day.

(There is a suggestion for the aid stations, more fruits and veggies.  )

I did eat about 2 and a half bananas that day.

The down side of the HBBC for me is that I want to rack up points even though I know that I need to have at least two weeks of lower mileage so that I can start adding Intensity back into my workout routine along with my running.

Conflicting Goals. 
 That should be my middle name.
Seriously.
I got a email from a friend today.
He is offering to crew me in an early spring 100.
Yes.  I just typed
One Zero Zero.
For a split second I thought he was on crack and then I jumped to the website and started thinking how could I make this work.  Emailing other friends for their opinions.  Contemplating which 100 I could do.
Do I have brain damage?

While you all contemplate my sanity, let's look back at yesterday's 21 Facts.  Not surprisingly the first to get the answer right was Marlene. 
She knows me so well!

My mom did dress my sister and I alike however I did not like dressing like my older sister.  Today I'd feel differently due to her sense of style.  I wish she's show up each morning and pick out clothes for me.  Because if left up to me, it's tees and capris every day! When I'm not in running clothes, that is.

Glad to see that so many of you guessed correctly.


HBBC Weekly Points
11/19 ~ 55 mile run = 55 pts 
11/20 ~ 2 mile run + F/V = 3 pts
11/21 ~ 5 mile run + F/V = 6 pts
11/22 ~ 8 mile run + F/V = 9 pts
11/23 ~ 8 mile run + F/V = 9 pts
11/24 ~ 2 mile run + F/V = 3 pts
11/25 ~ 8 mile run + F/V = 9 pts
Week One 94 pts

I doubt I'll see those numbers again but it sure was fun!

How are you doing with the HBBC?  Getting in those F/V?

Do you allow yourself multiple goals at one time?
How do you deal with conflicts between them?

WIWTW

What I Wore This Week

Sunday's p.m. run ~ 6.5 miles

Monday's a.m. run 6.5 miles

Tuesday's a.m. run ~ 13 miles double day

Yes a "new" shirt! 

I finally cut the tags off my Fire on the Mountain 50k shirt

...from Fall Last year!

Wednesday's a.m. run ~ 7 miles

And I like this shirt sooo much I wore it again!

Thursday's p.m. run ~ 7 miles

Friday's a.m. run ~ 6.5 miles Day # 397

One More Mile needs to sponsor me. 

Why do I wear One More Mile so often? 

I love the fit, the weight, the colors and best of all, the great slogans. 

Not just for race day.

30 in 3 and 50 in 5 and a little.

Please notice:  I listen to the birds.  New fresh workout gear!

I am done.

For the week anyway.

I got my last run in this afternoon to hit my 50 miles.

yipee.

Oh, I would work up a bit more enthusiasm but I am just beat.

I did my last 6.5 miles fast 47:36.  Remember I have been working on endurance this week.

I felt I was going to barf at the top of the second hill but I didn't.

Probably because I had so little in me to come up but I did it.

I also got my 30 miles in 3 days in.

Each day I ran 3.5 miles in the morning and finished with my 6.5 mile loop in the evening.

My times were interesting to me.  I wonder if fatigue plays a factor or if conditions and mental toughness are what really affect me.

Tuesday morning - 3.5 26:00 - no stroller, rain/fog

Tuesday evening - 6.5 51:46 - stroller, rain/fog

Wednesday morning - 3.5 28:50, stroller, rain/fog

Wednesday evening - 6.5 52:34 stroller, rain/fog

Thursday morning - 3.5 29:29, stroller, dizzle/fog

Thursday evening - 6.5 51:42, stroller, drizzle/fog (after school activity and with biking sherpa)

My morning runs got slower but my evening runs didn't.  The week as a whole is all over the place for pace.  I often think my pace has more to do with how much I want it versus how fast I can run.

Have you ever thought the same of yourself? 

Biking sherpa thought my pig tails in the wind and my crazy sweat marks were soooo funny I had to share them.  The price of a biking sherpa to encourage me when I am tired.

Oh well, here is me with crazy sweaty pig tails running at night, in the rain and wind with the jogging stroller and biking sherpa to keep me moving.

Thanks biking sherpa! 

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.

How its going - Week 2

Tomorrow will be exactly 2 weeks since Army son started his journey called basic training.  I probably should capitalize that, Basic Training, to show it the level of respect it deserves.  I am eager to hear all the experinces that Army son is enduring creating while he is being beaten transforming himself.  Hopefully we will hear something very soon!

Week one was sheer "I'm going to show him I can do it" attitude.  I wanted to hit my training really hard to make him proud of how far I had come and the goals I had set for my self. 

Week Two has been harder.  The weather has not been cooperating.  Wind is my nemesis.  I can get out there in ANY kind of weather except wind.  I do have a treadmill.  Yeah.  Tell a 17 month old to entertain himself while you run 10 miles.  That goes something like this:

Dresses for workout - Check

Towels for sweat - Check

6 zillion toys for littlest - Check

Snacks for littlest - Check

Sippy cup for littlest - Check

Ask middle one to help out as she can - Check

Start treadmill - Check

Set incline - Check

Adjust speed - Check

"no littlest, don't unplug the treadmiiiiiiiiiiilll..."

get up off the floor - Check

Plug treadmill back in - Check

Decide that I'll try to run after the kids are in bed - Check

You see my point.

I have gotten in some runs this week.  My mileage is a little down from week one's 47 miles but I still have a few days and I have long runs on the training schedule for the weekend.  I am not sure where my mileage will end up falling.  I have only 38 days until my marathon or 50k but that's another post entirely.

So back to my stats for the week so far:

Sunday - January 24th was our travel day (and I wussed out at the "city" gym)

Monday - January 25th - 3.5 miles alone 24:43 (my speed work.  Felt great but wiped me out!)

Tuesday - January 26th - 3.5 miles 29:45 snow, ice and wind.  I had to stare at the ground to keep from slipping and falling on the ice. 

Wednesday - January 27th - 7 miles 56:06 a.m.

6.5 miles 56:22 p.m with littlest in the jogger

Littlest is such a champ! 

I wish you could see the latern behind him, the layers of blankets, heating pad and socks on his hands (they stay on better than his gloves).  He was so excited to go. When he saw that I had changed my clothes, he grabbed the jogger and started pulling it to the front door.

Yeah, I know.  I love my Nike DriFit Pink top. 

It has a little pocket on the side and a great hood with a high zipper to keep the wind off your neck and lower face when it is really cold. 

Keeps me so snuggly warm and it is so soft!

Eventually you will get to see some of that other running gear from Christmas.

Don't miss this great giveaway!!!

Marlene's Lift Your Sole Giveaway

Mental Amazement

I know you are all just wondering how I am doing attempting to train with Hubbs working in another state and Army son; well in the Army.  So to ease your mind, I have been running really well this week since last I updated you.

Wednesday ~ I did a double day  a.m. 3.5 miles (27:09/7:45)

p.m. 6.5 miles (56:02/8:37) with the jogger

Thursday ~ Another double day a.m. 3.5 miles (27:41/7:55)

p.m. 6.5 miles (53:53/8:17) with jogger and biking sherpa

I must admit that my legs are feeling less than powerful but I know that I am getting stronger from simply pushing the jogger during my evening runs.  When I run without it I feel very light. 

Tonight I am struggling with hoping that the snow/sleet/freezing rain to continues and forces me to take a rest day.  Which I was planning for Sunday since we are going to be out of town and I can not work out a bloggie meet up with my VA friends (next time!!). 

I have 6 schedule for Friday and 12 for Saturday.  I love long runs.  They are so relaxing.  It's nice to have 12 miles to clear my mind, to create amazing works of literary genius, to present my solutions to the health care crisis to the House and Senate, to obtain a peace treaty with Al-Qaedia through eloquent dialogue and cross a dozen imaginary finish lines in first place!!

What do you mentally amaze yourself with while on your long runs?

Did you know One More Mile is having a Slogan Contest?  Go vote for me.

It's just one foot in front of the other...

or you fall down!

Vote for One More Mile's Slogan Contest

Wondering just how far you chase those kiddos? 
Erica H is having a great giveaway for a pocket pedometer!!

Watch where you step!

After my 3.5 (28:02) run this morning I snapped this quick picture.  It was so mild out I wanted to record the start of using all my new Christmas running gear.  Top number 2.  

I walked over to my "little forest" to have a nice background.  Only to discover I had to be careful of where I stepped there was doggie stool everywhere.  Gee!  Another chore to add to my list. 

I am so excited. 

No.  Not about the doggie stool pickup that I am going to have to do.  I am excited about the awesome Aetrex Women's Sedona Trail Runner in Black / Cranberry that I am getting from CSN stores.  You remember the great giveaway at running just as fast as you can that I won.  This is the item I picked!  I just can't wait to hit some of my trail runs with them and give you a review. 

Remember Valentines Day will be here before you know it.  Check back for a great new give away in time for something shiny (no it's not another medal)!

Double Days...Do You Do'em?

I missed my long long run for Sunday.  I knew I should have switch my 20 miles to Saturday and my 10 to Sunday but I really wasn't watching the weather.  Duhhh!

I did get my 10 miles in and they were awesome.  I used Sunday as my rest day (I don't like resting on the weekend unless the family has planns).

So tonight I followed my earlier post and completed my 60 step process for getting out of the house after work and littlest and I went for another 10 miles.  I lost 30 seconds a mile without my biking sherpia to encourage me along.  So my pace was 8:30 I am still happy with that after a long day of work and considering I was pushing the jogger. 

Now for the rest of the week I will be trying to figure out how to get my long runs (another 10 & 12 miles) since we are going to Virginia this weekend.  (Anyone in the area want to get together and run Sunday morning?)

That brings me to another thought. 

As I was running tonight I did a lot of thinking.  I was thinking about how much time training can take away from other things in my life.  For me, I would be investing some of that time into running whether I continued to race or not.  I know that daily physical activity is a requirement for how I want to live my life and the example I want to set for my friends and family.

However.

I do try to make adjustment in how I use the time I want to use on the running.  I will get up early while the rest of the family is still sleeping so that I can get my runs in and not take time away from whatever activity we may be planned.  When ever possible I 'sneak' my runs in when the rest of the family is doing something else, like when my daughter is at gymnastics I will go run until it is time to pick her up. 

My favorite thing to do is the

Double Day.

I will often run in the morning and then again in the evening.  Most of my runs are whatever miles and a half.  (did anyone ever notice that?)  I like to leave that half mile from the morning to encourage me to "finish it" at night.  I know.  I am strange.  I like the thought of having it to look forward to.  There are days when I do not double but most days I run a bit in the morning and then finish the number of miles I wanted to do that night. 

Do you ever do that?  If your training schedule says you need 12 miles would you ever consider running 6 in the morning and then the other 6 that night?  Do you think there are any connections between my double running and the fact that I have never been injured?  (I've been running for 16+ years)  Do you think you get the same benefit from a double run versus doing the run straight through? 

I Kicked Bootie

A great BIG THANK YOU to Amanda at Run to the Finish for hosting the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge that kept us all mindful of our diets and activity levels over the holidays! Who says you have to gain weight over Christmas and New Years? Thanks to Amanda a lot of us did not! Oh and did I mention that I won! Can you believe that?

I have to give the credit to Army son for all the extra support he gave me with the little kiddos for me to get in some great runs that I would have otherwise missed out on.  I can't wait to tell him that I won!

Greenway Seneca Creek Trail Marathon & 50k

It's done.  I'm in with 8 weeks to go.  March 6th.  A little bit scary but with that great Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge, I kept my mileage up over the holidays so I am only behind on my long runs a little.  I will hold off on the decision to run the B&A Trail Marathon  on March 7th, until I can email the race officials and see if dropping to the half is an option mid-race.  I have ran several marathons that offered that option so I know it could be a possiblity. 

I am still needing my hubbs blessing before I can register for the second race anyway.  He does think a day apart is pushing it as far as my sanity goes. 

There is always the Lower Potomac River Marathon on March 14th.  This race may be a bit close to Army son's graduation from basic training.  We don't have a firm date yet. 

 It's nice to have something to look forward to and focus on.  This is really helping keep me from getting depressed over my Army son's absence.  It's amazing what a little running can do for you. 

Speaking of running I haven't put up my totals for a while.  I'll catch you up for the week.  This is the first week without my running supporter so I am thrilled that I was able to use all of your encouraging words to keep me motivated.  I can not say it enough, thank you thank you thank you for all the comments and emails that help encourage me to not  just sit on the couch and eat potato chips crying about how my little baby boy has left me.  It is so wonderful to have a group of people who completely understand why I would spend days thinking about which race to run, what shoes to wear, how cold is too cold to run outside, fretting over only getting 7 miles when the schedule called for 10; here I am understood and encouraged and inspired by all of you.  Thank you!

January 10 ~ 6.5 (53:30/8:05) last outside run before Army son left (I had a good cry during)

January 12 ~ 3.5 (27:34/7:53) first a.m. run  Yeah I did it!

January 13 ~ 3.5 (27:23/7:49) a.m. run

January 13 ~ 3.5 (29:52/8:29) p.m. run first run with jogging stroller.  What a difference that makes!  I really need upper body work but I am so proud that I got out and did it!  Battery powered lantern and heating pad for the littlest.  It was great!

January 14 ~ 3.5 (27:47/7:56) a.m. run  Starting the day off right again!

January 14 ~ 6.5 (54:08/8:20) p.m. run  Double Day.  I am so proud of me for getting some miles in!  Another night of lanterns, heating pads and jogging strollers. 

My schedule has another 10 and my 20 miler for the weekend.  With kiddos it is a struggle to cover those really long runs and 20 of the treadmill is so yucky!  I am hoping that my mama will help with kiddos on Sunday.  I have my biking sherpia lined up since my 20 will be on trails in the Buchanan State Forest.  I am hoping to have some great pictures to share with you after the run.  So what is on your schedule for the weekend?  

My Morning Run Thinking about Spring Plans

This has been my morning view.  I like to think of it as refreshing.  This morning I got out for a short 3.5 mile run (27:32).  Sunday I got up to similar weather conditions and did my favorite 6.5 mile loop.  That run was the first time in a week I was able to run outside!  Sometimes when your attempting to distract your brain from one thing (like the mind numbing cold) you think about other things like what races I want to run in the Spring - when it's warm!



I have been logging a lot of miles on treadmill.  Thanks to Army son!  Now that he is at basic training, I will have to find a routine that will work for me to get in the number of miles I like to maintain. 
Once the weather moderates I will be able to take littlest with me and mileage won't be an issue...just having the energy to push the jogging stroller! 
How do you guys handle getting the miles in with kiddos?


I am looking at two marathons for this spring. 

Greenway Trail Marathon
B&A Trail Marathon

Yeah, I know I am not formally doing any offical training and I am looking at an early March race.  I never said I was the sharpest tack in the box!  I like both of these options.  Of course, there is a crazy person inside me who dreams that I could get hubbs to support the idea of me doing both
(note: that doing not racing).  If I run the 50 mile ultra this fall, these would be great for training runs.  At this point I plan on running a series of "teasers" through the spring and summer to prepare for the ultra.  Running those and a bunch of shorter (10 mile and under) races will be a lot of what I do to determine how I feel about the 50 mile ultra. 
Okay back to the spring plan.

Anyone with first hand information on either trail marathon?  Anyone running them?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the races and opinions on running two back to back with so little offical training.  So give me your racing wisdom!  Obviously I am in need of some for considering it! 

It's not cold.  It's refreshing I tell you!  Or maybe my brain is just frozen?

Just looking forward because in the dreariness of winter we

need things to look forward to!

My next giveaway will be in February sponsored by Lift Your Sole go check out their website to scout out what great things you could be winning for Valentine's Day!

Don't miss Teamarcia's I Declare Giveaway!

Find a Pace Already

I have been running up a storm this week. 61 miles and there is still Saturday. I just wish more of those miles had been outside. I am still failing at slowing down and watching my form on that treadmill. Thurdsday evening I ran 8.5 58:24/6:52.

This morning I got outside for a great run. Not as cold as yesterday morning. I enjoyed breathing some fresh air! 3.5 miles 28:31/8:09 I felt relaxed and aware of my pasture. My foot didn't hurt. My breathing was controlled. I'd like to get my treadmill pace to stick around 7:30-7:45 since a 8 minute mile is a comfortable pace and I'd like to push myself on the treadmill while still using proper form. After all these years of running, I really don't understand why this is such a challenge for me. Some times I do worry far more about simply getting to run vs. caring if I am doing it correctly (read safely). As I get older I need to remind myself that I have to worry about being able to do this thing I love for years to come! So I'd better make sure I am doing it correctly. (Come on Shelly, get it together!)

Looking forward we are in store for was interesting weather over the weekend. I might just get a nice snowy run tomorrow morning. I am excited about that. The kiddos are hoping for some sled riding opportunities. Which would be great! Since we may be stuck in the house I will be trying to secretly get some wrapping done so I can see what I actually have for the kiddos and what I still need to get.

My middle one likes that she has graced the last few blogs via photograph. (She thinks it should become a tradition. Can we say, attention wanting drama queen?) To that end, I will leave you with an interesting photo of my middle one and some interesting things I see everyday on my way to the office.

There is beauty everywhere in everything if only we will take the time to see it.

To all those lucky enough to be racing this weekend, Run Strong!

Only 6 more day to Christmas!

A Brown Paper Bag

December 14th - Monday

Back to work. Aggh! But glad to have a good job to go to! So I eagerly got up for a quick out and back of 3.5 miles in the refreshingly cool morning air. 27:31 (7:51) A bit faster than I wanted but I wasn't watching my time as much as I was enjoying being outside.

A quick shower and then nursing the littlest before we were off to work. Another wonderfully busy day at work. I love how the time flies when I am that busy! Then it was off to pick up the kiddos and head home.

Round #2 of running was (agggh) on the treadmill. However, I was watching a movie that had my attention so the time flew by. 10 miles 1:13:33 (7:21). I know, I should check my pace more...and stop increasing it because too many miles like that are going to injury me! I know that my form suffers when I run that fast. Honestly, I know I can not run the pace correctly so I don't run that pace when I am racing. Well, in marathons I often do what I know is potential wrong because I put in 6 to 7 miles at a 7ish minute mile pace to bank time but that is only when I have trained to run the race that way. Do you do that? Run races with different plans depending on your training or the distance or the course?

December 15th - Tuesday

Tuesday are often my offish day of the week during the winter since my daughter has gymnastics and I do not belong to the gym where is takes her lessons. Due to the lack of time I would have I knew in the morning I had to get out for a run. When littlest woke up a 6 for the school bus routine along with my middle one I decided WE were going to go for a run after the bus. It was fairly mild so I bundled littlest up snugly and out we went for the out and back of 3.5 miles. 30:32 (8:43) What a difference a baby and a jogging stroller can make on your pace and effort!

I did notice something during this run. I hesitate to mention it because I know it is nothing! AND I know that it is because I am running too fast on that wonderful (read boring) treadmill. I noticed the bottom of my foot. Now I have never been injured in all the years I have been running so I think thus far I have been really good at listening to my body and I believe that I will continue to do listen well. This noticing. This irritation is just that. An irritation from the improper foot strike on the treadmill due to the ridiculous pace I keep setting. I know that it is my fault and I am really trying to slow it down. Really.

Back to that little run. It was great to be out with littlest who LOVES being outside regardless of the weather. He had a smile plastered on his little face the entire time....and a tv remote clutched in his hands. (He has lo-jack on all cell phones, unattended computers and carelessly laid remote controls within out home or car. Seriously! He can go into a dark room and come out with anything with buttons and lights that he should not have!)

December 16th - Wednesday

After yesterday's morning run, I skipped running this morning. My legs were not happy and I did think giving my foot a break (which I define as any period of 12 elapsed hours when I don't run).

I chose instead to wait until the evening and then was forced onto the treadmill. I hope the weather settles down so I can get some evening runs to see all the Christmas lights! I did 10 miles 1:10:51 (7:05) I really did try to slow down but I was watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and I was just sucked in! I will pay for the speediness via sore legs.

December 17th - Thursday

With middle one off to school, I got out for my out and back of 3.5 miles (27:31). The littlest slept through the night AND stayed in bed until after my run! It was great. I hope that this schedule is a sign of things to come. An uninterrupted night of sleep that's what I am grateful for! FYI - my foot was silent running this morning. Yeah.

In un-running related news, we did get our tree up finally.

Most of our decorations are things the kiddos

have made over the years.

This is ornaments that my middle made

and an ornament that twirls from the heat of the lights.

It was my Daddy's favorite.

Our lovely angel my middle one made

Middle one with her favorite ornament; Hello Kitty.

If you made it all the way here you deserve to know what is up with the Brown Paper Bag. It is a good thing you don't lose HBBC points for eating 'bad' things because I just eat an entire cinnamon roll from Panera Bread...from a brown paper bag. That made it seem even more sinful but...Yuuuuummy!