Thankful Thursday: the treadmill

Yes, winter has truly sucked the life out of me already and we only really started getting snow a month ago (as opposed to last winter where we had snowdays already in November).

I guess I should be thankful about that too?

Since I'm training for a February half marathon if I ever actually register I've needed to crank up my mileage pretty quickly.  Nearly all of my workouts have been on the treadmill at the gym - including my long runs.  I don't have the time luxury of a potential injury from falling on ice or snow so here I am, trying to not be bored out of my mind for extended periods of time.

I've done a few interval workouts (2 minutes fast (at about a 9 m/m pace) alternating with 2 minutes slow) and some ladder workouts (progressing from 5.5 to 6.5 mph).  Yesterday I did a "hill" workout where I climbed for a mile (at 10% grade), then walked 1/2 a mile, then did it again.

After perusing Google, I found a couple other workouts that might be useful.

These are nice, shorter, workouts, but what about this weekend's 8 miler?  Any suggestions besides Netflix?  I finished binge watching Making a Murderer so I need something else to keep my mind busy for about 100 minutes.  Throw me some suggestions!

Three Things Thursday: Thankful Edition

Short and sweet because I only have a few minutes:

1.  I'm thankful for friends who send awesome surprise packages my way.  My friend and fellow Michigan BAMR Betsy saw something at Disney when she was there for Wine and Dine and thought of me (how incredible sweet is that?).  She said she'd send it to me and then yesterday a whole package of awesome stuff showed up at my door!  She sent me this little Disney trinket (which will be very loved by someone SHHH it's a gift) but also included some cool makeup and a bunch of Picky Bars!  Betsy is definitely one of a kind and I love that she did this.  It made my night when I was otherwise not having a great evening.

2.  I'm thankful for PT.  Yesterday I ran 3 nearly pain-free miles on the TM before my PT session and then Terence cut me loose!  I'm not officially cleared to train for the DONNA :)  I'm planning a 4 mile run for Saturday morning - wish me luck!

3.  I'm thankful for dear friends who invited me out for a girls' night tonight.  We are going to the Uptown Holiday Shop Hop - a walking/trolly/shopping extravaganza.  If you are local to Grand Rapids, MI, you should definitely check it out.  I've never gone so I'm excited to see what it's all about. Let's just hope I don't blow 4 weeks of Weight Watchers in one night because I also hear there are snacks and boozy specials.  The best part will be hanging with Jenn, Andi and Susan.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: friends with great taste

On Monday I put a call out for some new running tunes & you guys really stepped up! It's pretty cool to see how many of my bloggy friends share the same taste in music as me.  Given how I'm feeling about Saturday and the weather stalking I've done showing really warm, humid and rainy conditions, I'm going to need all the music positivity I can get.


Might be a bit tough to read but that's my playlist for Saturday's 25k (if you click on the image you can read it easier). A few old favorites, some music I forgot I owned and a bunch of new favorites. I might add a few more songs before Saturday morning so if there are any last minute suggestions, hit me up in the comments!

Thankful Thursday: #runDonna meet ups

So this past weekend while on Mid-Winter Break from school, I jetted off to not-so-warm-but-still-sunny Florida to run the 26.2 with Donna Breast Cancer Marathon.  Actually, "just" the half marathon because I'm not 26.2 miles of crazy right now.  I should really do some kind of race recap, and I'm sure I will, but first a little bit of why the weekend was so awesome.

I finally got to meet several friends In Real Life who I have know online for YEARS.  It's crazy, really, this whole blogging thing.  I've "met" some of the most incredible people EVER and when we get together for real, it really feels like we've been friends for eons. Or is that just me?

First up was meeting Donya. She's one of the original Shrinking Jeans gals and only lives about 2 hours from me, yet we had never met.  Even with a super busy kid and family night, she snuck away for a drink and selfie :)

MWAH!

The reason I got to meet Donya is because Nancy let me crash at her house on the way to Chicago.  I love Nancy, even without her proximity to Midway. She's such a sweetheart and even got up at the crack of dawn to make sure I had breakfast before my flight.

What an awesome group of hookers ;)

After arriving in Jacksonville, I made a beeline to the Donna Expo where I met up with Beth (aka Beth Bob aka Discom-BOB-ulated Running)!! Beth was working the Momentum Jewelry booth and we hung out and chatted races, triathlon (she's an IRONwoman!) and expo working.  Tres fun.  Hopefully I'll see this girl at more races in the future, or even up here since one of her BFFs lives not too terribly far from me.

Excuse my "I've been traveling and up for hours" look and focus on how cute Beth is.

Race morning, I was hoping to run into a couple other friends who had super fun race ambassador duties Saturday afternoon and night so I missed them at the expo.  As luck (and social media) would have it - I got a two-fer!

I finally got to meet Krissy! She is just as sweet and fun IRL as she is on her blog and Instagram.  We hung out and chatted for a bit before I had to run off to find the little girl's room one last time.  Krissy is your go-to girl if you need ideas for race costumes. Seriously - she's a pro.  And she always looks adorable in the process. Plus, she probably has the cutest dog on the entire internet.  Dug even has his own Insta I think ;)

Could Krissy be any cuter in her footie pjs?

It seems 3rd time's the charm when it comes to Marcia!  The Social Media Butterfly and I had planned to meet up at Jax Bank 2 years ago and again this year, but life and schedules got in the way.  This time, she found me chatting up Krissy and we hung out for a bit before she went off and CRUSHED her marathon.

We even got to celebrate Monday night with beers and pretzels the size of our heads.  

During the weekend, I also got to spend time with Jax DailyMile friends Deb, Joe, and Wendy, with them coming out to the beach and giving me beer mid race :)  Can't beat your own personal aide station!  If there is one thing I am most thankful for as a result of this Blogging, Facebooking, Twittering (totally words, shuddup) little gig I have, it's the friends I've had the pleasure to meet along the way.  

Now, if I can get my act together, I'll work on a race recap, because the Donna was so great on so many levels.  Until then, Cheers!

Thankful Thursday: progress in a reflection

I've been very discouraged lately by the lack of progress on the scale despite 2-3 workouts a day and tracking my eating again.

Then yesterday morning I caught a glimpse of myself reflected in the window while I spun at 6am.

I wasn't going to post this because it's a really crappy picture and I'm not wearing a shirt, but the mug covers most of me up and I thought it made a good point.

Is that the hint of triceps? And maybe shoulders? I get so wrapped up in the number on the scale that sometimes I don't notice those little things. Just proves sometimes you find progress in the most unlikely places.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Plans

I'm thankful that next Thursday I'll be cooking the majority of Thanksgiving dinner.  This means I can control somewhat the offerings and make them a bit on the healthier, less gluten-laden variety.

Now, that doesn't mean things like stuffing and pies won't also make their appearance, because they will, but hopefully some new foods will get the seal of approval as well.

If anyone has some tried and true paleo side dish and dessert recipes, I'm all ears!

#TBT : Race Shirts

Took a little stroll down memory lane last night as I chopped up race shirts for my Project Repat blanket.  There were a few shirts that I really had a hard time cutting but I'm sure I will get much more use out of them as a quilt this winter than I have running.  I'm also thankful I had enough shirts that I still have ones to wear for running :)

ignore the random computer parts on the floor

I really don't know how I want them organized.  Right now, they are roughly in order by year, starting on the left and going down but I don't like how the first 3 shirts (River Bank Run 2006 5k, 2007 5k, 2010 10k) are all white.  Obviously, the shirt quality and color selections improved from 2006 to 2014.  The sizes also got smaller :)

The only ones I know I would like together are the runDisney shirts.  Tinker Bell, Wine and Dine and my Coast to Coast shirts are sort of a set, right?  Maybe if I request that, they'll be cool with it.  I think I'm going to let them have at it for the rest of the design.

What do you do with your old race shirts?  Every made a t-shirt quilt?

#guestpost Really Horribly Terrible Marathon-Training Advice from Jack Sh*t

You say you're going on Hiatus  because you need a little blogging break and don't know what to write about, and a blogger you greatly admire comments, "Maybe write about bloggers you admire.  *hint hint*".  You find this really funny and reply back, "Or maybe get one of those bloggers I admire to write a guest post? *hint hint*"

Wouldn't you know it, a really awesome guest post showed up!  I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Sh*t way back at FitBloggin11.  He's just as funny in real life as he is on his blog and the fact he took the time to write a guest post for my readers here (when I wasn't expecting one) shows what a stand-up guy he is.  Since it's Thursday and I usually post something thankful, I think this really fits because I'm thankful to know bloggers like Jack.

Without further ado I give you...

Really Horribly Terrible Marathon-Training Advice

A Guest Post by Jack Sh*t

• If you’re planning to run a marathon right after going to the restroom, make sure you don’t have toilet paper stuck in the back of your pants. A 26.2-mile stream of toiler paper is extremely wasteful!

• If you put a treadmill in the back of a pick-up truck and have someone drive you around while you run on it, it feels just like you’re running outside. Try it yourself if you don’t believe me!

• It’s important not to get dehydrated on long runs, so consider wearing a hydration pack or carrying a bucket of water balloons.

• Running’s easier if you’re as light as possible so before you head out, send me all the cash out of your wallet.

• Find what motivates YOU to run; for me, it’s when somebody says “I think the security guard saw you shove that down your pants.”

• Spend at least one day per week practicing carbo-loading.

• If you’re a barefoot runner, refrain from training in a field of broken glass and rusty nails.

• You shouldn’t run if it’s rainy, or looks like rain, or if there’s a chance of rain, or if it’s too sunny, too cloudy or too plain-looking.

Remember:  it’s all about putting one foot in front of the other (never – and I mean never – put one foot in front of the same foot!).

Jack Sh*t is a blogger that blogs his blog at Bloggityblog.blog, where he goes on and on and on about weight loss and explores the lighter side of lightening up. A Google search of the term “Jack Sh*t: America’s Greatest Hero” produces zero results.

Thank you, Jack!  You really put a smile on my face this week :)

 

Thankful Thursday: Race Photos That Don't Suck!

How in the heck do I choose????  Anyone want to vote?

#TBT : My Seniors

Just after Labor Day, these two will start their Senior year of HS. I can't believe how little they were on their first day of Kindergarten.

August 27, 2002

I look at them now and I'm in awe of the talented, intelligent, gorgeous, young adults they've become.

I know this school year is going to fly by.

Words cannot express how honored and thankful I am to call these two my kids.

Mom loves you, Kaylee and David.

Thankful Thursday Randoms

Giving thanks today before the day gets away from me.  

First off, I'm thankful for my crazy Screaming Thunderboxes teammates.  

Secondly, I'd like to give thanks for the home gym of sorts I have in my basement.  I didn't want to work out this morning, but I went down there and at least got some arms and abs done.  

I'm also thankful for this funny birthday card from my sister.  

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: blessings

Just a quickie today because I have house cleaners coming in 10 minutes and I need to clean my house first (don't laugh).

1.  I'm thankful for mid-50s mornings on days I have speedwork.  This morning's run would not have gone nearly as well had it been in the 70s.

2.  I'm thankful for sprinklers at mile 5.5 of a 6 mile run, even when it's in the 50s.  Yes, I ran through some random dude's sprinklers this morning and it was AWESOME.  Then I stuck my head in my own sprinklers when I got home.  I'm sure the neighbors think I'm nuts and I'm totally cool with that.

3.  I'm thankful I get to write for The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  Today I'm posting over there on my experience of using the Run/Walk/Run method during Rock n Roll Chicago Half and some of the pros and cons of run/walk/run.  Check it out if you are interested.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful #TBT: Vacation Exploration

Two years ago I was in DC for some girl time & me time. I had a beautiful watchless run along the Potomac and Arlington National Cemetery. I love when TimeHop reminds me of days like these.



I've had some nice vacation runs since I became a runner. DC, Savannah, Charleston, Orlando, Chicago.  The list goes on.  Running is really one of the best ways to explore a new city.  What's the last city you explored?

Before you leave, have you entered my giveaway for an entry to the Detroit Women's Half Marathon and 5k? Go here to enter - you can use the entry for either the actual or virtual race.

Thankful Thursday: #Fitbloggin Baby!

As you read this, I'm en route to Fitbloggin14 in Savannah, GA!  

I had the best time EVER when I attended 3 years ago and I can't wait to meet up with old friends and meet some new friends as well.

In addition to attending, I'll be LiveBlogging a session on Friday at 9:30 - Weight Loss: Maintaining the Mojo, presented by DubyaWife and Katrina Pilkington.  If you aren't attending, you can follow along with the session here.  I've never live blogged before, so cross your fingers that it works without a hitch!

I can't wait to share all I learn with you next week!

Oh, one more thing...say a prayer that I don't keel over on my 14 miler while I'm down there.  It's going to be in the 90s. Lord have mercy.

Thankful Thursday: seeing progress

I've been following a paleo-ish diet for about 6 weeks or so now and I'm finally seeing some results.

April to June and about 10 pounds GONE!

I'm talking about the changes I've made over at The Sisterhood today.  I'd love it if you'd go visit and check out my post.

#TBT - my babies are growing up!

This post is a bit of 

Three Things Thursday, Thankful Thursday and Throwback Thursday

all rolled into one.

Almost 17 years ago, these two made me a mom.

In 2009 they headed off to middle school, but
not before a trip to Washington, DC.

In 2 days they finish their Junior year.
Academic honors, AP classes, marching band,
theater, athletic varsity letters, NHS.

I am so incredibly blessed to call David and Kaylee my kids 

and I couldn't be more proud of them.

In a couple days, they will officially be Seniors in HS.

Where did the time go?

Thankful Thursday: things that make me smile

My super smart kids.  They both received academic honors this year and in a little over a week will be Seniors.  Hard to believe they will be graduating in a year.

Iced coffee on my deck in my favorite cup.

Fresh vegetables in a couple months.  Hopefully the neighborhood deer and bunnies don't eat it all before we get a chance.

Fitting back into my yellow jeans.  I haven't been happy with how my weight loss has stalled, but I took measurements and I've lost at least an inch in my waist, hips and chest and about 3/4 of an inch in my thighs. That has to count for something, too.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: run dates

It's always fun when Brea comes back to town to visit her family.  

We met up for a  run and thought we were running late, but we were 30 minutes early since the running store was on their summer group run hours.  When did summer show up?

Since the people that run from that particular store are insanely fast and we wouldn't be running "with" them anyway, we decided not to wait until 6:30 and just headed out for a very nice 3 miler and then hit up Harmony Brewing for dinner.

Lots of conversation about Brea's last semester of college (yes, I'm old enough to be her mom and I'm proud of all she's accomplished), the job interviews she has coming up, and the hiking/running adventures she's planning for this summer.

Oh, to be 22 again :)

TTT: burgers, speed and Grease?

Three randoms for Thursday

Burgers are best on a bun and with fries,
2 things my kids had last night
that I didn't.

I woke up at 5:45 this morning to bust out 2 miles.
Bust out I did.  Can't remember the last time I saw 9:30s.

I'm getting my hair colored tonight at a beauty school. I'd received
a free service for attending a GNO event and could choose btwn
color, cut or facial.  No way I'd let them cut my hair and facials make
me break out, so color it is. Just please, God, don't let me end up
looking like Frenchy.

I've had the "Beauty School Dropout" song in my head for days now.  Have you ever had your hair done at a beauty school?  

TTT: giving thanks x 3

Just a few fun things to be thankful for today.

Some days, my job really stresses me out, especially at this time of the year.
Having one of the HS special education students draw me yesterday
made my day.  I really love the eyelashes :)

My boy might have a job this summer!  Really hoping his interview goes well
and I'm proud of him for going for it.

My girl PRd in discus at her meet last night by almost another foot,
throwing 72'11".  She ended up taking 3rd in the event with
 G'ville going 1-2-3 out of 12 varsity throwers!

I'm also giving thanks for the restraint I had this morning in our staff breakfast.  I stuck to my eating plan and didn't eat anything that was off limits.  What I did eat, I logged into MFP.  Hopefully those 3 strips of bacon don't undo the 6.4 pounds I've already lost this week.