Half Marathon - Nov 3, 2012

Ugg.  My first half marathon.  Very possibly my last.  Did not enjoy this at all, but I am glad that I can say I did it.  The only good thing for me was running with good friends!

Random Picture for a Random Story

This picture has nothing to do with the story I have to tell, except for the few remaining scabs on Dallin's face.

But I like it because my boys are matching...

...and because they are DANG cute!

But, on to the story:

I'm not sure I ever blogged about our little stroller mishap a year ago.  It was last May at the end of the school year.  I was supposed to go on a field trip with Lydia's class which was a walk around town.  I was late and rushing to get to her class in time.  I had Dallin and Amy loaded up in my double jogger and was trying to catch the class at one of the back enterances of the school where I knew they would be leaving the building.  The 2nd grade hall is on a slight hill so I pushed my stroller up it and stopped to peek into the classroom window to make sure the students were still there.  Because of the glare on the window, I couldn't see very well so I let go of the stroller and peeked inside with my hands.  When I turned around, my stroller...and my children...were flying down the hill!  I've never sprinted so fast in my life.  I expected it to hit the parking lot at the bottom of the hill and coast to a stop on the lawn on the other side but when it hit the curb, the front wheel popped off and the stroller flipped.  It was bad!  There was blood.  There was crying.  There was also a lot of people that witnessed my awesome mothering mistake.  Luckily, Dallin and Amy came away with only scratches and bruises, but nothing too terrible considering what COULD have happened.

Fast forward to this year...

It's finally been nice enough to take the kids outside to run again.  A few weeks ago I loaded Amy and Dal up in the double jogger and took off to walk/jog the 4 miles around our house.  I was two mile into my intervals and feeling pretty good.  I decided to start running a little faster...and then decided to run even faster.  Apparently they call it a "jogging" stroller for a reason.  While running, the front wheel popped off, the stroller flipped, and before I knew what was happening, I found myself flying over the stroller and landing on the the other side. 

I'm obviously on a roll.

Again, we were so blessed that Amy walked away with just a few little scratches.  Dallin's face took quite a beating, but he stopped crying the second I got him out of the stroller and by the end of the week his scratches had all healed.  My legs still have some bruising (3 weeks later), and I was pretty sore for a few days, but it could have been so much worse.

My stroller didn't fare as well this time though.  The front wheel is pretty much ruined and the frame is bent pretty badly.  I guess it doesn't really matter though since Dallin and Amy have no interest in getting in another stroller any time soon.

Mother of the year award, right here!

Monster Dash 5K - October 29, 2011

Lou found out about the Monster Dash 5K that our community was having this year and asked if we could do it.  She did a 5K with me in July and did so well, that I thought it would be fun to go for it again.

 (me and my running buddy AFTER the race was over)

For this 5K we had some tag alongs.  Greg went on a scout campout last night so we had to take Aimers and Dal along in the stroller (we left Wye at Brittany's because there was NO WAY I was dragging him along for 3.2 miles!)

Fortunately for Aimers and Dal, I have this handy little plastic cover to keep the wind out.  Unfortunately for me, it was VERY WINDY and the whole second half we were running against the wind.  Ever pushed a stroller with two kids and a plastic barrier AGAINST the wind....holy smokes it was HARD!

 Dal had his costume on during the race (a matching dragon one to Aimers) but quickly wanted it off afterwards...and look, we even decorated our stroller with a "BOO" banner...which blew wildly the entire way!

Luckily we survived the race!  Lou started to shut down a little after the 1/2 way mark and she said several times, "This is SO MUCH harder than the last race!" (the wind will do that to ya...) But she bounced back quickly and kept going.  I was so proud of her for finishing strong!  I'm not sure our exact time, but we had a goal of 45 minutes and I think we came in at about 43 min.  (this summer we did it in 38 so I'd say when you add a stroller and the wind to the mix, we did pretty good!) 

I'm not sure why Aimers looks miserable in this picture, she really did have a good time...promise!

This was the first race I've ever participated in with the stroller, and even though Aimers and Dal were as good as gold the entire time, I'm not sure I'll make it a habit to take them along again!

And the best part...Aimers won 3rd place for the best costume!

A bag of candy and a decorated pumpkin...who wouldn't LOVE that prize?!

And now I'm BEAT!  I think I will go take a nap!!! ;)

Happy Day!

Guess what I got...

(Yes, this is what I look like after my first 45 minute treadmill workout in a month.  Scary, huh?!)

I am ONE HAPPY GIRL!

*Notice the old dead treadmill in the background?  We had some good times, but I must say, I'm lovin some of the features on my new best friend!

My treadmill is dead!

Approximately six years ago, about a week after the birth of my second baby, I told my husband I wanted a treadmill.  He argued it was not a wise purchase and that I would probably only use it for a few weeks and then fizzle out...the nerve!  By the end of that week I was the proud owner of a brand spankin new treadmill (I tend to be impulsive like that) and I've never looked back!  And I'm happy to admit that Greg has definitely eaten his words over and over again on this one. 

I would say, on average, I've used my treadmill at least 4 times a week for the last 6 years (not counting those few months each pregnancy when I give-up on exercising altogether!)  I LOVE MY TREADMILL!!!!!!!  It's how I learned to like running and it's how I spend my Tuesday nights during "Biggest Loser" seasons.  It's also provided me with a great way to exercise with small children around.  I definitely like to change my workout routines and incorporate other things, but the treadmill has been what works best for me.

On Friday my treadmill quit working.  Apparently a dead motor means a dead treadmill.  Seriously you guys...this is not good news!  I think I've gained 3lbs just thinking about it!!!  I've pleaded my case that a new treadmill is DEFINITELY worthy of "emergency fund" money, but my hubby doesn't agree.  Really though, it's almost as important to me as any major household appliance!  I would consider that an "emergency", wouldn't you?

So, until I can save up for a new treadmill, it's time to start broadening my horizons and adopting some new workout routines...like maybe breaking out the double jogging stroller again...dang!  (I may love running, but NOT while pushing two kiddos along and it doesn't help that it's harvest time around here and those big ol trucks don't necessarily make it safe for a momma and her double jogger)  Any suggestions would be helpful.  What's your favorite way to get in a good cardio workout?

But in honor of the treadmill, here is my ALL TIME FAVORITE treadmill workout.  I came across it here a while back and it's been my favorite ever since.  If you happen to be the proud owner of a WORKING treadmill, I highly recommend giving it a try.  Do it for me!

Treadmill Torch
You'll need a set of dumbbells, I recommend either 5 lbs. or 7 lb.s

1. Warm Up: On the treadmill, with the incline set at a challenging angle, power walk at a speed of 3-3.5 for 7 minutes. Keep your elbows up above your heart. Stop, get off the treadmill, and stretch.
2. Sprint: Drop the incline to 0, increase the treadmill speed, and sprint hard for 30 seconds. Aim for 90% of your maximum heart rate. To recover, bring your speed down to 3.0 and walk for one minute.
3. Squats: Get off the treadmill and squat, with your bottom out to the rear and your legs slightly apart. Then jump from the squatting position into the air, landing in the same squat position as before (aka Thrusts). Do this for one set of 15 or 20, working your quadriceps. If you’re already in good shape, hold dumbbells by your sides.
4. Overhead Presses: Do 15 or 20 overhead presses with the weights, pushing them straight up and directly over your shoulders.
5. Sprint: Get back on the treadmill and sprint for 30 seconds (no incline). The goal is to be at 80% of your maximum heart rate. To recover, decrease your speed to 3.0 and walk for one minute.
6. Tricep Extensions: Using dumbbells, do one set of 15 or 20 overhead tricep extensions. Your elbows should point toward the ceiling, with the weights behind your head. Lift the weights directly above your head and back down again.
7. Pushups. Do one set of 15 push-ups, with your elbows at a 90-degree angle from the body. Modification: Do the push-ups with your knees on the ground, but do 25 instead of 15.
8. Sprint: Back to the treadmill. Sprint for 1 minute, aiming for 70% of your maximum heart rate. To recover, jog for 90 seconds.
9. Jumping Jacks. Do one set of 15 or 20 jumping jacks. If you're strong enough, add two 10- or 15-pound dumbbells -- lift up the weights when you jump out, in an overhead press position, pulling them back down to shoulder height as your legs go back together.
10. Finale: Incline your treadmill to an angle that really challenges you -but don't hang onto the treadmill's rails. Walk at a 2.0-3.5 speed for 30 seconds, aiming for 60% of your maximum heart rate. To recover, bring the treadmill down to a 1.0 incline and drop your speed to 1.9 or 2.0 for a 1-minute walk. Finish by stretching