It's Around Here Somewhere

Exercise: 50 minutes strength circuit

I've just been dragging in the mornings lately. It could be my 4:30 am wake up time. When you have a young toddler sometimes you have to make some sacrifices. Mine is sleep, for now.

Nap time used to be my workout time but the house was becoming a pig sty. So I need the nap to do laundry, dishes, mopping, etc. Real cleaning while the little man is awake is next to impossible. So sleep is the only compromise I can make.

I'm also thinking I'm dragging due to my nutritional choices which are pretty bad these days. I think the lack of sleep may be affecting what my body is craving so it's time to figure out a plan because my situation isn't going to get better anytime soon.

First, no snacking at night. I need to just stop after dinner and just have water or tea. Making tea used to really help with nighttime cravings so I need to do that...right now! And along the same vein, I need to stay hydrated. Those are my goals for now. Which is probably enough before I get too overwhelmed.

It's time to rediscover my motivation. I know it's around here somewhere.

What motivates you?

Pre-5am Wake Up Call

Exercise: 5.5 miles with 3@10k pace

I've been awake since before 5am and this is my first free moment of the day. Exhale... Today Little Man and I took an awesome field trip to Underwood Family Farms, a great little farm about 30 miles away. We saw animals, pretended to pan for gold, took plenty of train rides and climbed all over a tractor. Mommy is freaking exhausted;)

I also had a mommy playdate this afternoon that required some prep so I'm ready for bed but it's time to prep for the 3 playdates tomorrow. And hang with Music Man who just arrived home. This week is wearing me down but all I need is to get through Sunday's birthday party and we're all good.

Tomorrow is a cross training day so it's another pre 5am wake up call but hopefully I'll get a good night's rest tomorrow night before my run Thursday. I'm considering switching my long run to Thursday because of weekend festivities but I guess I'll have to see how I feel.

Rooms and flights are booked for Virginia Beach. The countdown to Vacation begins!

Have a great Wednesday!

Cross Country

Exercise: 4.5 mile run- 10 min avg pace, 25 min strength and balance training

I normally don't run Mondays but took off Sunday in favor of transplanting a few trees which was a much bigger job than I expected. I thought I was taking it easy but my chest and arms know differently, they are pretty sore today.

Saturday I did my 10 mile trail run and for the first time was able to run with a local running group called the ultra ladies. I joked with Music Man that I exercised restraint and did not introduce myself as Ultra Lauren ;) I ran about 3 miles with them but they were planning a 16 mile loop and I just wanted 10 so I went off on my own for a nice, hilly out & back. I might do the full loop with them next month... If I'm in good enough shape.

The first few miles were pretty uneventful, it was nice having people to talk to since I'm so used to running alone. When I went off on my own I enjoyed the views and the amazing weather until I was on my way back and a teenager jumped out from some bushes and made me nearly pee my pants. He apologized profusely, apparently he mistook me for one of his friends. But we were both pretty mortified.

I made it back from the run in one piece with only minor chafing from the Camelbak. I definitely need to wear it much tighter, after a few adjustments I got it pretty comfortable but maybe tighten up the arm straps a tiny bit more. The main chafing area was under the chest strap so I either need to wear a shirt with a higher neckline or get/make a cover for the straps, like this. I will look so cool.

Tomorrow I'll do some speed work, and perhaps, some hill work Thursday and probably a normal long run on Saturday. We have back to back birthday parties this weekend, one of which we are hosting, so this week might be a little weird for exercise. I will try to get some good workouts in, But I may be waking up before 5am to do them. Super yay.

Maybe I can get serious about focusing on nutrition this week. Maybe... ;) I really need to clean up my eating. I eat tons of veggies and eat well most of the time but yesterday, for instance, my salad included tons of vegetables as well as a pound of bacon and cheese, literally. It was delicious but you can't exactly call it healthy. I also have found myself imbibing too much. I'm thinking I should jump on the WIAW bandwagon or get back into food journaling at the very least.

 If you're interested in making this delicious bacon salad here's the basic recipe

I used shredded carrots instead of cauliflower and 1/2 reduced fat mayo 1/2 reduced fat sour cream

Tonight I found out we're going to Virginia Beach in June for a few days. It will be Little Man's first cross country trip and our first time in Virginia Beach. My nephew is graduating from HS. So sad how old I feel. Any recommendations for things to do, see, eat? I guess I better start taking this health thing more seriously. I'd really like to wear a bathing suit and not make people cry. 

Hope your week is excellent!

Five for Friday

1. Today was supposed to be a rest day but we had a little bike ride planned that got postponed to Saturday and I wanted to move my body some so I did a bit of elliptical and core work. Felt great. And I got to watch House Hunters while doing it. Score.
2. Hamburgers were on the menu tonight and I didn't want to taint the plate with a vegetable ;) so I just grated a zucchinni into the mix and the burgers were moist and delicious. I want to point out that I wasn't trying to hide the vegetable, I would have left it out. But I figured it might add moisture. It did!
3. Tomorrow is supposed to be HOT so I'm looking forward to using my new Camelbak on the trails. I love new gear but I worry about arm chafing. Wish me luck.
4. Tonight we watched The Darkest Hour. I was the one that wanted to see it and it's pretty terrible. Looked action packed but turned out boring. I give it 4/10 mostly because I like Emile Hirsch
5. Now I'm off to bed and off to begin 50 Shades of Grey!
Sweet dreams and happy weekend!

The 90's Called

Exercise: 4.5 miles inside hill repeats. 9:55 avg pace

So the 90's called and Lisa Loeb wants her glasses back and Courtney Love wants her baby barrettes back.

Promise this is the last of the baby barrettes pics

So I noticed while trying to take a semi decent picture that I have a nasty souvenir from the Hollywood Half. 

 Right armpit chafing...eww

You're lucky I'm not posting pictures of my blood blisters and black toe nails. My feet have always been gnarly, Music Man calls them zombie feet. But now they're just wrong. And they will eat your brains.

My run today was tough. I thought I might puke and had to slow it down and lower the incline. I sweaty and gross and felt dreadful. The dude next to me actually moved to another machine. Maybe he could smell my rotting zombie feet? I took it to far, huh? But at least I finished. I feel like I've been saying that too much lately but showing up is half the battle right?

Tomorrow I'm taking a rest day, sleeping in til 6 and I'm looking forward to taking a ride with some friends that just got bikes. We're going to look like a bunch of goobs but we'll have fun doing it. I may do a little yoga and easy strength but I'm saving myself for Saturday's trails. I want to feel fresh and relaxed so I can truly enjoy myself.

Enjoy the rest of your week! Yay for almost Friday!!!

Mommy's Play Time

Exercise: 1 hour strength circuit...and more gardening, tis the season

I woke up this morning to 4 zits and a crop of new grey hairs. Such a rude awakening! I've been wearing a lot of baby barrettes lately, I guess I'm subconsciously trying to hold onto my youth. At the old age of 33 ;)

Today has been a whirlwind. I spent most of the afternoon preparing to host a play group for multiple ages which meant bringing out all the toys we own and cleaning every surface because there were crawling babies which we haven't had in over a year! But it's great to have everyone over because I'm forced to clean up and the house looks so nice... until 10 kiddos come and destroy it!

The kids had such a great time, for a small yard ours is pretty great.

Trampoline, ball pit, water table, slide climber, sand box, every ride on and push toy imaginable. It's probably overkill for one kid... But super rad for play dates!

I have another hill workout planned for tomorrow. I'm going to take it inside because the next few days are supposed to be pretty hot. I'll probably stick to a shorter run, just 5 miles or so so I can save my legs for a trail run on Saturday. When I told Music Man where I ran last weekend he suggested I add another 1.5-2 mile trail to a place called eagle spring (how cool is map my run???) I guess there's a majestic ocean view on this route...but look at the elevation gains! So steep. I can't wait. I swear I used to dislike hills until trail running. Now I can't get enough. It's mommy's play time!

Little Man is asleep so it's guilty pleasure time! ANTM, chocolate pretzels and maybe an adult beverage. Have a lovely rest of your evening.

A Full Hour

Exercise: 7 mile run in the morning- 9:17 avg pace and a little circuit with some moms in the afternoon, the kids were a mess but I love those ladies!!!

My run this morning was a speed work run. I did a little warm up with a few miles of short intervals, a few miles of long intervals and a cool down. I normally wouldn't do 7 miles of speed but I had a full hour alone this morning so I used every second of it.

Today was grocery day so I got to spend some time with the Trader. I got all my necessities like almond milk, quinoa, spinach and beans but am looking forward to trying the Udi's bagels they carry now. I hope they rock. Against my better judgement I also got dark chocolate covered pretzel crisps and Music Man and I agree this is the best flavor combo evah!

Music Man and I just started watching Biggest Loser while waiting for Mission Impossible!!!! to download from iTunes. I haven't followed this season like I did in seasons past. In the very beginning I found the contestants obnoxious and tonight just proved it. I won't spoil it for those that watch it but what a bunch of babies!

Ok, movie time!