Thinking Out Loud 4.30

 

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Yesterday I went for a short run after work. It pretty much sucked the whole time. I am blaming it on not being hydrated enough, coupled with trying to run too fast.  But still I got out there on that gloriously sunny afternoon and put in a few miles.

Soaking up a bit of sunshine with Riley post run.

After Hannah got home we went for her second to last "training" run for Pittsburgh.  She has now logged 24 of her 26 miles for the Kids Marathon! We will do one more this afternoon and then of course the final mile will be the race on Saturday Morning in Pittsburgh!! I can't wait.

I was really proud of her run this afternoon.  I could tell she was really trying.  At one point she looked at me and said, I feel like I am going to throw up.  I joking told her that was how you know its working. :P  But still she finished her mile in good spirits.  She ran more than she has previously and I am feeling like we are going to have a good race on Saturday.

After dinner we went to the library.  Mikayla was quite amused by this door mouse displayed in the Fab Lab.  An upcoming craft/sewing project being offered in May.  Seriously thinking about doing the class! :P

Hannah started reading before we got home, finishing the first book before bedtime.

This morning she started right in on the next one and took another to school with her, just in case she finishes the 2nd one.

This morning I am still struggling with getting hydrated.  Not a good thing 3 days before a half marathon.  I added some cucumber and lime slices to my water bottle to entice me to drink more.

3 more days! I am beyond excited. The fun starts tomorrow when we had to my cousin's house in PGH tomorrow after lunch!

Daybook | Race Week Edition

 

Linked up with Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... {April 28, 2015}

Outside my window... looks like its shaping up to be a nice day.  The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising.  Hopeful for some gorgeous weather this weekend!

I am thinking... It's race week! The big race is just 5 days away! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. =D

I am thankful... for being able to run.  I know not everyone can.  Everyday that I can, I will and be thankful for the feeling it leaves in my legs, lungs, heart and soul.  I am thankful that just about two years ago my cousin casually mentioned he was running a half marathon with his sister that summer.  I thought he was joking.  For my sister who made me believe it wasn't crazy, that I could actually become a runner.  I started running the following Tuesday and the rest is history.  Sunday I will complete my 2nd Half Marathon!

I am going... Enjoy this weekend to the fullest!

I am wondering... how Sunday's half marathon is going to go.  I continue to vacillate between feeling ready and being afraid I won't meet my goal. I am determined though, to be content as long as I feel I did my absolute best. To enjoy the over all experience.  It's supposed to be for "fun".   I am so excited to cheer on my mom and aunt in the 5K Saturday morning.  And to run the Kid's Marathon with Hannah!  Sunday afternoon we will have THREE Generations of "Runners of STEEL!"

I am reading... just started this yesterday on my lunch break, Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin.  I read her first book The Happiness Project, and loved it! This one has been sitting on my shelf for a over a year.  I decided it was time to crack open the cover.

I am hoping... for a Half Marathon PR, but more than that just a great weekend with the Snyder Clan!

I am learning... things always seem to work out.

In my kitchen... Friday I made Tilapia with Mango Salsa and Easy No-stir Risotto. Both recipes are winners!

The tilapia recipe is from iamthatlady.com, two tiny changes I made, 1- I just used Pampered Chef's Chili Lime Rub to season the fish. 2- I left the corn out of the salsa.  It's a quick, easy, refreshing recipe I highly recommend!  Also the more I use Pampered Chef's seasoning mixes the more I love them.  Chili Lime and Jamaican Jerk are two of my favorites!

The Easy No-stir Risotto is a Pampered Chef recipe for the Rockcrok.  I made the basic recipe, adding in some chopped mushrooms at the beginning with the onions and garlic.  Then mixed in some chopped fresh spinach and a little more cheese at the end.  So easy and delicious! Definitely a keeper.

A favorite quote for today... Flipping through the Kids of Steel Training Guide I saw this quote:

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

A peek into one of my days...  Saturday was one of my best friend's baby's 1st birthday party!  Happy birthday Colton!!

From the board room {Pinterest}... This blog had Mikayla and I laughing out loud when we read it the other night!

 Pinned: HERE Source: HERE

Post Script* I have been reading race recaps this week of the Boston Marathon from some of the bloggers I follow.  This morning I saw this on Facebook: 12 reasons why the Boston Marathon is Magical. 

Thinking Out Loud 4.23

Linked up today with Thinking out Loud. 
Some days you just need a rambling post full of randomness! :P

My run yesterday left me on such a high. It was amazing.

My sister had to cancel our long run. I debated on what to do. I didn't think I had it in me to run 12 solo miles. I finally settled on going home and just putting in a few miles around my neighborhood. I stashed a water bottle by my mailbox so I could loop by my house for water breaks. The first three miles were irritating. I was frustrated with my shoes, yes my brand new supposedly the best shoes for my feet shoes. My feet just felt awkward and heavy. I was starting to freak out, Pittsburgh on the horizon and I had the wrong shoes! Then all the sudden it occurred to me, nothing was hurting.  They didn't feel bad just different.  Maybe the different was good!  Just like that I felt like something clicked.

I started repeating positive things to myself like how awesome I was running, that I was rocking this run.  I was so strong.  Pittsburgh was going to be AWESOME.  I trucked right along enjoying the run and my afternoon, trying not to look at my watch too much.  Each time as I started to get close to my house again I ran for all I was worth...you know practicing that final push for the Finish Line. Around Mile 4 I glanced down at my watch and saw my pace in the 9's!  The only other time I got down into single digits was running all out down hill last Saturday in Jamesville.  I grinned and kept pushing - it dipped down into the 8's!! I almost fell over from shock.  I had to try and catch a pic of this momentous occasion.  Obviously messing with my phone slowed my stride a tad and I caught a blurry 9:05 on my watch but still so amazing! I am still reveling in it.

Finishing another mile and ending in my driveway I snapped this shocked selfie reenactment.  It makes me giggle every time I look at it.

My overall pace for this 5 miler was 11:22.  I am pretty happy with that.  5 miles even faster than my goal race pace....and a glimpse of maybe getting down into single digit paces if I keep on working at it.

Ahhhh sitting on the front steps with Riley post-run. Love.

Then today this happened. Yup. It's snowing.The grass was covered to when we got up but with the rise of the sun, quickly melted.  Hoping it won't be around long.

I received my race packet in the mail this week for the Brest Cancer Run/Walk. I am super excited about this.  You can join our TEAM or support me by clicking HERE.  The race is May 16.

Last night's dinner! So yummy.  TexMex Pork Carnitas.  From the Dinner's Done Freezer Meals.

Salad Choppers! One of my favorite products!

I am hosting a freezer meal workshop.  We will be making 7 freezer meals including:Chimichurri Steak Salad, Pork Fried Rice, Chipotle Burgers, Penne with Chicken Sausage and Peppers, Chicken Paprikash, Lemon-Chicken Scallopine, Creamy Pasta Primavera. More info available on the Facebook Event. ;-)

I really, really, really want to go to conference this year.  The last time (and only time I went was ten years ago). It feels a bit unattainable right now.  But registration just opened this week and I am not giving up yet!

My recruiter sent me this message last night. :) I miss seeing her in person.  Thankful for facebook.  Conference was one of the last times I saw her as we moved to NY shortly after that and then she moved to Denver.

Joan and me, National Conference 2005

A little throwback Thursday-- 2005ish with my little chefs


Want to take a longer trip down memory lane, my blog July 2005, beginning with the trip to Chicago for Conference.

run with perseverence

Linked up with The Simple Woman's Daybook

 

 For Today... {April 21}

Outside my window... its beginning to look like spring!

I am thinking... someday I will get my life together. 

I am thankful... for the UPS man, who carried two cases of paper up to my office.  Ordering it online was definitely a good idea!

I am wearing... (Last night) My brand new running shoes! I took them out for their first run.

Ryan accompanied me, Hannah managed guilt him into running while somehow weaseling out of it herself.  We just went for a quick 1 mile run.  Ryan is trying to get down below a 12 minute mile.  I am proud of him for his determination.  I let him pick our route.  Not the best one for a speedy mile as he picked the hill, but hey we got out there, had a great time.  Got our hearts pumping and worked up a sweat.  I ran a mile in 11:22.  I did walk a little with him. Also we had a brief moment where we were at a stand still...messing with my phone as it looked like the app crashed but it eventually came back.  He stopped at 12 minutes and was just shy of a mile at .96.  So close to his goal.  He'll get there. :)

It made me a little happy after we got home and he was like, Mom you're barely even breathing heavy and I feel like I am dying....not that I am happy he felt like he was dying.  But that it showed me how far I have come and the possibility that he can do it too.  Especially on the heals of feeling like I can't run a mile fast enough.  Its not about that. It's about how running makes me feel. Alive. Strong.  Accomplished. The only person I have to compete with, the only person I have to prove anything to is myself.

 Today I am looking for this ^^^ feeling again.  As I am unbelievably discouraged with so many things.  Its gotta get better.

I am wondering... how to make this happen.  Where there is a will there is a way...right?

I am reading... The Runner's Devotional.  I am a little sad to be getting close to the end. Today's chapter was on encouragement.  It was so good.  Just what I needed this morning.

I am learning... to keep on keepin' on ;-)

In my kitchen... trying to make a menu plan, drooling over the Dinner's Done Freezer meal recipe pics on FB; some are showed in the video below in the Post Script

A favorite quote for today... 

A peek into one of my days... Saturday morning while I was running the Springtime 10K, the mister took Ryan and Hannah and our niece Maddy to the fishing derby.

They didn't catch anything and ended up going to the playground after an hour or so.

From the board room {Pinterest}... with the Pittsburgh Half a mere 12 days away, i need all the motivation I can get.

Runspriation Board

Found on ilovetorun.org

 Post Script *  video made by another Pampered Chef Consultant....

Springtime 10K Recap

Spoiler alert: I did not get a PR but was so very close! I was bummed for a bit but I think I am just about over it now.

I got pretty anxious last night about what to wear,  I checked the weather about 80 times, debating back and forth.  It was supposed to be 47ish degrees at the starting time, warming to around 60.   finally decided on my Snyder Tee from last year's Pittsburgh Half.  It was pretty chilly at the start and I am glad I brought the arm warmers as well.  But the sun was shining and I warmed up as soon as we were off.  It was such a beautiful morning to run!

Mom picked me up at 7am, to accompany me to the race, be my cheerleader and photographer.  I am so happy she did.  I said I didn't care, that I would go even by myself.  But I am so happy Mom was there. :D  One of the race photographers snapped a pic of mom pinning on my bib, I'll be interested to see if that one makes it into the race photos!

Waiting at for the start.

I snapped a selfie just after the midway point...running down hill.  Feeling pretty good. ;)  I was particularly proud when just a bit after this running down the biggest hill my pace actually dipped down into the 9's. 

I am really pleased with how I felt over all through out the race. The second to last hill I was maintaining an 11:09 pace going UPHILL.  I was so psyched and felt like I was rocking it then.

Headed up the final big hill.

Drawing near the top of this hill, I could see the turn back into the park and runners heading toward the finish.  As I turned into the park, I felt really great.  Feeling like I had done my best and that no matter what I would be pleased and proud at the finish. 

My official finishing time was 1:14:17 Pace: 11:58/M so has you can see, last year my time was about 14 seconds faster.  Last Year's Stats:  CNY Springtime 10K-- Jamesville, NY-- April 19 Time: 1:14:03 Pace: 11:55/M 

Whatever.  I really, really wanted to do better.  However, I felt so much better, I enjoyed it so much more this year. So let go of the time Amy...its not all about the time.  Its about the experience.

There are some pro pics HERE at Syracuse.com, as well as a little write up on the race.

Afterward, Mom and I headed straight for Fleet Feet to be there when the doors opened at 10.  We were the second ones through the door and got right in get get fitted for shoes.

This turns out (as I expected) is a bit of a nerve wracking process for someone like me.  I was happy I actually had a couple specific complaints about my current shoes to tell her.  Which we fixed with my new ones.  I fear I wasn't enthusiastic enough for the sales lady.  She kept saying, I am just not sure that you love these shoes, that you are convinced 100% these are the shoes for you.  I was so uncomfortable having her scrutinize me as I ran back and forth on their little track, coupled with the fact I came straight there from running 6 miles and wasn't sure I wanted a complete stranger leaning that close to me to touch my feet and tie my shoes.  She finally looked at me and asked, "Do you tend to be a bit indecisive?"  To which Mom and I both laughed and I admitted I was (to say the very least!)  She finally consented to let us just buy the shoes, saying if I took them out for a run and decided they were not right I could bring them back.

The socks I am a huge fan of.  Haha, I think I was more excited about the socks.  So soft and cushie, I can't wait to try them out on a run.  She said they will make me a sock snob...I think she maybe right.

The shoes are growing on me.  I haven't had a chance to really try them out yet.  Hopefully tomorrow evening.  I wasn't crazy about the fact the are white.  I fear they will soon be dirty and dingy.  But you don't pick running shoes based on color...although I can't help but wish it was allowed to factor in, at least a little.

In my head I have readjusted my goal for PGH to 2:45...I am still reaching for 2:30 but just don't think that's realistic.  In fact...I don't even know if I will come in under last years 2:54...I guess two weeks and a few hours from now I will know....