Or Not...

Apparently the kids club at my gym closes at 3:00 on Saturdays. I ended up running to the nearest Redbox with my kiddos instead. This whole single parenting thing is really cutting into my running. Oh well, at least they were mostly good today. And the way things are heading, they will be snugly tucked into bed by 8pm leaving me to tear it up by myself for the new year. I see some bathroom cleaning, laundry, and a Bones marathon in my near future (I'm hooked on that show thanks to Netflix). I really know how to party, people!

Happy New Year to all of you! I'd love to hear your 2012 running goals if you've got them. :)

Day: 70
Today's Miles: 1.65
Total Miles: 135.16

Me And My Three

The hubs took off (not so bright and) early this morning on an RV trip to Pasadena to watch the Ducks win the Rose Bowl. I took the kids on a short run when we got a rain break this afternoon. It's amazing how much fun they can have running (or strolling) a dark damp 13min 48sec mile on a crappy Oregon December day. That's like the slowest mile EVER! The most exciting part of the run for me was my new watch having some perfect GPS tracking. Yay! Tomorrow I'll give the foot pod a try on the treadmill (so I can run at a reasonable pace for a reasonable amount of time).

Day: 69
Today's Miles: 1.02
Total Miles: 133.51 

Nike+ Help Needed

I got a Nike+ GPS watch today (and it's so freakin' cool)! I decided to go with the cool factor over utilitarian. Now I just have to figure out how to do the whole Nike+ thing. Any pointers you may have are welcome. I want to join one of the challenges and I'm not sure which one yet. I can't wait to take it for a run outside (unfortunately the hubs is leaving for Pasadena tomorrow so I'll have to wait for an outside run until at least Tuesday). I can't figure out if I can count my treadmill miles or if I have to use GPS for the miles to count on the website. I have some research to do.

I went to Turbo Kick today and then took the treadmill for a short spin. It was all I had in me after an hour of crazy cardio.

Day: 68
Today's Miles: 1.02
Total Miles: 132.49

Grimm

Catching up on the first episode of Grimm with the hubs (it's filmed in Portland so we have to watch it, right?). Not a great argument for running solo in Forest Park. Although chances are if one of those freaky creatures came out of nowhere, a buddy wouldn't be of much use.

I went to an awesome Zumba class today (a good excuse to wear my hot pants!), so I kept my run short.

Day: 67
Today's Miles: 1.19
Total Miles: 131.47

To Choose A Running Watch

So...for Christmas, the hubs gave me my choice of running watch. I'm thinking this Nike watch because it looks super cool.

Or perhaps this Garmin from Costco because it's a little cheaper and people seem to like Garmin.

Looking for suggestions. Garmin or Nike? Anything I'm missing?

Day: 66
Today's Miles: 3.11
Total Miles: 130.28

Hot Pants!

My sis-in-law is a Zumba instructor. She is also pretty awesome. Thanks to her, I got the best pair of workout pants EVER for Christmas! Aren't they cute?

Oh, and congrats to Drew Brees!

Day: 65
Today's Miles: 4.13
Total Miles: 127.17

I'm Back!

We were out of WiFi range for the last couple of days and iPhone posts take WAY more patience than I was able to conjure up during the holidays. Yesterday I spent my day finishing up some last minute Pinterest inspired Christmas gifts and ran out of daylight before I got my run in. Normally not a big deal, but Christmas Eve in my small hometown doesn't offer very many appealing late night running options. My in laws live out of town up a pretty steep hill so I ran up and down their driveway with my daughter's flashlight until I got scared of whatever creature decided to jump out of the bushes and eat me (who knew I could run that fast straight up hill?)! We finished up our night with a girls against boys Trivial Pursuit drinking game of sorts. Gotta love family gatherings!

Today is Christmas and we had a marathon day of presents with both sides of the family. Luckily, I was able to fit my run in pretty early in the day. I don't think it will ever cease to amaze me how fast 5 kids can tear into presents that take hours to wrap. We got a double dose of crazy present chaos today. We finished our night with a drive through a great neighborhood with tons of Christmas lights. We'll miss those when they're gone this year.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and were able to spend the day with the people you love. To all of you who may read this that I was lucky enough to see today, thanks for being a part of our family! We love you all!

Days: 63 & 64
Miles: 2.44
Total Miles: 123.04

Christmas Wishes

I have a friend with a sick little girl who has spent much of her Christmas break in the hospital. Please take a minute to send her your thoughts and prayers for Christmas. I thought about them every footfall of my short run today and tonight I'm thankful for three healthy kids (even if they are currently fighting while trying to fall asleep all in one bed on the floor at grandma's house).

Day: 62
Today's Miles: 1.67
Total Miles: 120.6

Enjoy 'Em While They're Little

Another beautiful day in Portland and my kids took advantage with a bike/scooter/stroller ride while I ran to the park. We actually were just planning on a run behind our house, but since it was so nice we just kept going until we got to the park. My oldest got to try out her new ride (I didn't realize how much faster she would be going with 20" wheels!) and I no longer have any hope of keeping up with her on foot. We have friends coming over this afternoon/evening for some holiday fun so this will have to count as my run for the day. Being outside with my kids is fun for it's own reasons, but I can really appreciate my solitary miles after a run like that!

Day: 61
Today's Miles: 1.78
Total Miles: 118.93

This Thrifty Momma

Oh my goodness! Have to share the awesome deal we scored at the Goodwill Outlet Store (aka "the bins") today for my daughter. I really wanted to get her a new bike and was looking at Target this past weekend for something nice that will hopefully work for the next couple of years. The one I wanted was $129.99 in the store so I figured we'd wait until her 8th birthday this summer since we've already done quite a bit of shopping and that was out of the budget. Well...we found that exact bike for $10!!! That's right, I said $10!!! She was with me, so no Christmas surprise, but we have one happy little girl who has decided that giving is good and she is going to pay it forward by donating a good amount of her own toys to Goodwill tomorrow. See? Score!

Her bike has white tires and no pink, but you get the idea.

As for my run, it was short again. My shoulder is feeling better but I don't want to push it. I'm thinking tomorrow it will be good to go. On the plus side, I've realized I like riding the bike so maybe a duathlon is in my future. Or even a triathlon. I was a lifeguard in college after all (and I think I remember how to swim...).

Day: 60

Today's Miles: 1

Total Miles: 117.15

I Forgot...Again!

Yesterday was a hectic day of Christmas card addressing, envelope stuffing, and post office dashing. Plus some Christmas cookies and house cleaning with all three kiddos. How in the world did I fall asleep before I typed my blog?

I took it easy on my neck (my New Year's resolution is to not get hurt with stupid little things anymore) and only ran for about 10 minutes. I rode my exercise bike a few miles after that and today I'm feeling much better. Still waiting to start that boot camp. It's going to be awesome!!!

Day: 59
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 116.15

On The First Day Of Christmas Break...

I am so excited about boot camp! I didn't actually participate today because of my neck. Stupid neck. But I did go and check the place out and it is going to be awesome (and kick my bootay!). Since I was already awake (two hours before the sun came up) I went to 24 and put in some treadmill miles. It was STILL dark when I left the gym. I need to move closer to the equator! Where the days are longer and the cocktails taste better. At least the days will start getting longer again in a couple of days. Hello Solstice!

Day: 58
Today's Miles: 3.38
Total Miles: 115.15

5am Will Come Early

I start boot camp at Fulcrum Fitness tomorrow! I'm so excited. Should have gone to bed earlier...

Day: 57
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 111.77

Mmmmmm, Cookies!

Christmas cookie season has arrived! We had our first visit from neighbors with a plate of cookies tonight and they were so so so good. I think tomorrow will be family cookie making day. I love the holidays!

Since my neck is still jacked up (I swear if it's not one thing, it's another), I can't really run without leaning to one side (I also can't turn my head) and something tells me that's not the best idea. I ran for ten minutes but that is just not cutting it. We have a small exercise bike that my parents gave the hubs for Christmas last year. He may not ride it much, but I gave it a whirl tonight and rode a couple miles. It's a good workout!

Day: 56
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 110.77
 

Love Actually

Love Actually tonight with the hubs! I love that movie (even though it requires tissues...lots of tissues) and everyone in it. I've been looking forward to it all day.

Running this close to the holidays is proving itself difficult, but I'm still on it. My oldest is hoping for a mommy daughter run tomorrow so that's exciting. It really makes me happy that my kids and I can share a love of running and do it together. When I close my eyes and think of our future together, running is always there, I'm sure they'll have to slow down so I can keep up someday (but that works for me).

Day: 55
Today's Miles: 1.5
Total Miles: 109.77

Oops!

I forgot to update the blog yesterday. (Thanks for the reminder Marko)

To be honest, I had to walk/pathetic run because I did something to my neck while I was playing with my youngest. The hubs had to come home and make dinner because I was having a hard time lifting my arms. Didn't stop me though (and there is no way on earth I would have done anything but sit on the couch all day if it weren't for this blog). Thankfully I'm feeling better and I will be posting later today after the kids and I head to the gym. If any 24 Hour members are reading this, I'm planning to go at 4:30 or so and I'd love some company!

Day: 54
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 108.27

Here Comes Santa Claus

Today, my daughter told me that a lot of kids at school don't think Santa is real. She's 7. That's sad. What's cool is she just tells them they are wrong because she's met the man. So, thank you Grandma Sally for convincing Santa to visit your house on Christmas. You are the best, and as for us, we will keep on believing knowing that the magic is real!

This is a hard time of year for a momma to run outside around here. It's so cold for the stroller and it's pretty much always dark. I wish I could get to the gym earlier in the day, but kid schedules don't really allow for that most days. We've got 2.5 weeks of no school (and the hubs will be at the Rose Bowl and gone for a good portion of that) so I'm sure we will spend some extra time at the gym so I can keep my sanity!

Day: 53
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 107.27

12 Days 'Til Christmas!

I tried to spice things up today. Running, stairs, jumping jacks, wall sits. Now I just need to convince myself to do some push ups. My arms are too scrawny for push ups (hmmm... maybe there's a correlation).

Day: 52
Today's Miles: 2
Total Miles: 106.27

My Little Reader

This is going to be a kid post because I'm a proud momma today! Our 5 year-old started reading out of nowhere tonight. I guess he's been close but only books he already knows. Today he brought a book home from school he'd never read or seen before and read it cover to cover...twice! Then he ran upstairs and grabbed an armload of books and sat on the couch and read every one of them. When our oldest started reading it was the same way. Just all of the sudden it's like a flipped switch. Now the little man has two siblings to read him stories. Lucky guy (and lucky mom and dad)!

As for running, I went to the gym. I like Mondays because I usually get there to watch Mike & Molly. Melissa McCarthy cracks me up.

Day: 51
Today's Miles: 2.6
Total Miles: 104.27

There's An App For That

Did you know it's cold outside? It's like it hurts to even walk out the door! I ran around my house like a crazy woman because I didn't want to drive to the gym tonight.

Somebody suggested I check out the Runner's World Smart Coach app. I think I might give it a shot. You can set it with your preferences for race distance and length of training plan (up to 16 weeks). There are a few other questions to help the app customize your plan for you. It seems pretty cool.

Christmas is only two weeks away. Can you believe it!?!

Day: 50
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 101.67

100!!!

This is my first time blogging from my iPhone. Hopefully I don't have any funny autocorrects I don't catch! Today I ran with my favorite running partner and her four legged child. It was super frozen and slippery but it's alway fun to run with someone other than the smelly guy on the treadmill next to me at the gym. Now it's time to get my dance on at the hubs holiday party. Here's hoping no embarrassing photos show up on Facebook tomorrow! Oh, and I broke 100 miles today so that's cool.

Day: 49
Today's Miles: 2.38
Total Miles: 100.67

Another (Cold) Sunny Day

Oops! I fell asleep before I typed this... Today was an absolutely beautiful day in Portland and I wish I could have done an outside run. However, with another kiddo home sick today, that wasn't in the cards. Tomorrow morning, I'm running with a friend so I hope the weather is a repeat of today (or I could deal with warmer, tropical type weather...which is totally likely).

Day: 48
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 98.29

I Need A Weekend

Is it just me, or is this the longest week ever? TGI(almost)F!

Tonight I just ran close to home. I need to get my runs in earlier in the day, but it's been so darn cold outside, I can't bring myself to make my little man get in his stroller for an adventure. When does summer get here again?

Day: 47
Today's Miles: 1.1
Total Miles: 97.29

Oh My Oh My Oh iPhone

Back to the gym today!!! I planned on at least three miles, but when I hit 2.82 I couldn't find my iPhone and almost had a heart attack (it's my 4th child...seriously) and I had to find it. Still, my run was fast and it felt pretty darn good. I'm happy my foot is mostly healed and my lungs seem to be functioning well. I'm still plugging away and happy with my daily constitutional (that word is proof I have watched my share of Masterpiece Theater).

Day: 46
Today's Miles: 2.82
Total Miles: 96.19

Brrrrrr!

I'm down to almost 2 miles a day on average. Time to step it up (that may be wishful thinking with the holidays quickly approaching) and get some miles in!

It was another Redbox night. I really should leave earlier so I can do more than just a there and back run but I'll be honest with myself (and you)...it's cold out there and that's probably not going to happen.

Day: 45
Today's Miles: 1.34
Total Miles: 93.37

Cheers

I had a sick kid home from school today ('tis the season) and then the hubs got rear ended on his way home from work (happy holidays) so my run was short. Again.

Cheers to a better tomorrow!!!

Day: 44
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 92.03

Movie Night

Tonight ended up being a run to get a Redbox kind of night. No long run, but it was outside and it felt pretty good. Now to watch Green Lantern Ryan Reynolds with the hubs.

Oh, and I'm over 90 miles. That's cool.

Day: 43
Today's Miles: 1.32
Total Miles: 91.03

Stairs Are Fun?

I decided to give my foot one more day to heal so I can do a long(ish) run outside tomorrow. Since I didn't want to wear shoes, I ran in my house again (not my favorite) but this time I added stairs. We have a set of ten I ran up and down 24 times on top of 10 minutes of running in place with high knees. I'm sweaty and I cannot wait for an outside run!

On the bright side, today is another day that I never would have even considered doing anything active. Thank you blog!

Day: 42
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 89.71

Roses

I Love My Ducks!

(btw...I cut my foot and I'm having a hard time running even the mile I've put in the past 3 days. Tomorrow I'm hoping for a long run in the December sunshine. Fingers crossed!!!)

Day: 41
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 88.71

Happy Lovely 40th Day!!!

Wow, today was beautiful! It seems so strange to decorate for Christmas outside on a sunny day (at least in Portland because it's usually raining here right now...and for the next 7 months). According to my iPhone, it's not supposed to rain until next week (and it's always right, right?). Enjoy people!!! I see lots of running outside this weekend (and that is awesome). Oh, and this is day 40 (and that is awesome, too).

Day: 40
Today's Miles: 1
Total Miles: 87.71