Week 2 Marathon Training

Week 2 of marathon - completed, successfully!!! So far, I am doing awesome!! I have kept up with all my runs, and actually did some cross training. I have to say, I have diversified my cross training. Below is my schedule from last week -

Monday - 30 Day Shred Level 1 and 40 mins of basketball with my son
Tues - Rest (normally a run day, but knew I was running Wednesday)
Wednesday - 4.2 mile run (2.1 of it was the Torch Run for Special Olympics)
Thursday - 3.29 mile run
Friday - 30 mins of basketball with my son
Saturday - 4 mile walk (March of Dimes Walk For Babies), 30 mins basketball with my son
Sunday - 9 mile run

So, all in all, a very successful week. I had only one rest day, and did a lot of different types of cross training.

Beginning May 1st, I am participating in a few challenges. One is a DVD challenge, where I will do 30 Day Shred every day for the entire month. The second is a yoga challenge at Run to the Finish, and thanks to Tara at Balancing Healthy Body, Mind and Soul I have a year's subscription to http://www.myyogaonline.com/ to help make that happen. Lastly, I am participating in a fitness challenge at Balancing Healthy Body, Mind and Soul. I invite you all to join me in any or all of the above.

So bring on week 3 of training. I am so ready!!!!!!

Torch Run

Today I was blessed with participating in a great event - the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This is the second year in the row that I have done it, and I love it so much that I even miss the Administrative Professionals Luncheon at work. It's a 2.1 mile run with some really big hills (at least big hills for Florida).

My lieutenant, detective and I are hardcore. We run from the end to the start line before the torch run starts and then run back with the group. The runner in me was psyched with my time for the first two miles - 10:27 minute/mile, and I walked all of about thirty seconds during the entire two miles. I was even happy with my time for the second two miles - about a 11:00 minute/mile, and I walked a tiny bit more, but still was only about a minute during the entire run.

But this run isn't about my time, this run is about the people in public safety who believe in this cause. It's about the people with Down Syndrome that were waiting at the end cheering us on. I was seriously in tears, when I came around the corner and saw the group of them standing there cheering us on like we were their heroes. What they don't know is for me they are the heroes. They are the ones that withstand such adversity every day, and push through it. They are amazing!!!

So, will I miss the administrative's luncheon next year so that I can participate again? Absolutely!!!! For as long as I am able, I will be a part of this great event!! I invite anyone who is able to join in.



**PS - another bright spot in this day was the awesome lunch we had after at a great Mexican restaurant. It was to die for. Here's a picture of my Lieutenant's lunch -  he ate every last bite of it.

Week 1 of Marathon Training - Conquered

Woot Woot!! I did it, I completed week one of my marathon training. For my cross training, I have been doing Self's Drop 10 Challenge, which while being a short strength training workout, is certainly effective. Tuesday's run was cut short because of picture day at soccer, but I was still able to get in 3 miles, and Thursday's run was a nice 4 mile run with a friend. Those are the best of both worlds, a nice, soothing run and some great girl talk. Friday would have normally been my XT day, but I needed a break, so it became my rest day.

This weekend was a challenge with my youngest son, so I brought out the bikes and went for a bike ride with him on Saturday. I let him choose the route, so we road to my in laws' house and back, giving us a 5.76 mile ride. It's been a long time since I've been on a bike, and I forgot how hard and enjoyable it is. I'm hoping to make it a regular occurrence with him. Later on in the day, both boys and I played a few games of Knockout basketball. I still don't have a clue how to play, but we had fun anyways :)

Sunday brought my long run day, and the day's plans turned out to be full, that I wasn't sure I was going to get one in. After moving two "new to us" couches into the house, I wasn't even sure I wanted to run. But, I was afraid of the wrath of my accountability partners, so I hopped on the treadmill. I thought, even if I could get close to my scheduled 8 miles, I would be happy. Well, I have to say, I'm proud of myself. I completed the entire 8 miles, and I even bumped up the speed on the treadmill.

All in all, I have to say week one was a complete success. Now on to week two. Fingers crossed!!!!

My first guest blog

Contentedly Crunchy just posted my blog about my body - let me know what you think.  Head on over and read it The story of my body Make sure you check out the other ladies' blog posts there, also. They are are all very inspirational. Thanks again, Brea for doing these.

Fun Night

Wednesday has become bowling night in my house. One, because it's dollar bowling and dollar shoes, two, because my sons really enjoy it, and three, because it's a great family activity. Well tonight, we had planned for all of us to go, but my youngest said his stomach felt funny, so he really didn't want to go. I think he was tired from FCATs. My husband decided that he would stay home with him, but my oldest still wanted to go. 

While I missed having everyone there, I can't deny I was a little happy to have some one on one time with my oldest. It's not something that we get very often anymore.I definitely can say we had a great time. Though we didn't bowl as well as normal (no bumpers, LOL), we definitely had a great time. The funniest part was that my ball bounced out of the gutter 5 times, one of those times causing me to get a spare.

 

I'm not a hugely competitive person, but for some reason I am with my oldest. Maybe because he's a lot like me, so I feel I need to push him to be even stronger. But, I'm happy to report that I won all three games. But honestly it really didn't matter, because the main thing was that I was having a mom-son day, and it was so much fun!!!

Yoga Mat Review & Giveaway by Running, Loving, Living

Running, Loving, Living just reviewed an awesome yoga mat. She said it is completely non slip which I know is important for all of us. It's also eco-friendly, made completely of natural rubber trees and free of PVC's. Check out her review and giveaway here.

Camping Weekend

This weekend we went camping for the first time as a family. Hubby and I went many moons ago (before we were married), and loved it, but once we moved to Florida, we never went again. We picked a local campground because Ryan had a band competition on Saturday.

We started our trip on Friday, and it was a little bit stressful packing up and making sure we had everything we needed. But setting up went smoothly, and we were settled in within a couple hours. My BFF Linda and her two boys joined us which made for nice company, and kept my boys entertained.

Saturday started out with my dropping off Ryan, and returning to the campground to get my run in. I was hoping for some good trail runs, but the trail was extremely short, and I wasn't sure where or if there were any other trails. I ended up running around the campground twice, and would've done more but it seemed like every creepy guy in the world was there staring at me - ugh!! I still got in over 3 miles, so it wasn't too bad.

It stayed overcast that day and a bit chilly, so swimming in the lagoon was out, but the boys kept themselves entertained by playing football and exploring around the campground. When Ryan got back, they all decided to brave the lagoon, and explored some more. I love that the boys get along so well!!! While the boys were busy, great conversation and relaxation was enjoyed. Unfortunately, we had some really trashy neighbors that partied all night Friday, and then fought all night Saturday. I thought for sure I was going to have to call the police on them. But that was the only real downfall of the trip.

The weekend went by too quick, and we packed up early Sunday. Of course, it was gorgeous out when we were headed home. Since the trip was such a huge success, we've decided we are going to plan our next trip very soon. Maybe next time, there will be some better trails. :)

Marathon Training........Help!!!!!!

So next week I embark on the beginning of my marathon training. I am absolutely terrified. I'm afraid I won't train well enough, or that I'll injure myself. I think I am more terrified of the training itself than the actual marathon. I shouldn't be. I have researched different plans, tweaked mine until it felt comfortable to me, so the plan itself is more than doable.

So what scares me? I think it's more that I won't stay on track. My motivation levels have been very low lately, and I've running no more than once a week for the past few weeks. And forget cross training, if I can get myself to do that more than two times in a month, it's amazing. I've tried challenges, accountability partners, etc., but I can't keep myself motivated.

This is going to be the hardest training plan so far for me, so I need to keep motivated to make sure I stay on track, and can finish the marathon strong. So now I'm reaching out to you all for help - give me ideas on how you all stay motivated. I'm open to all suggestions, so go!!!!!

Ultimate Blog Party

So today starts the Ultimate Blog party over at 5 Minutes for Moms. This will be my first time participating so I'm not really sure what to expect or what to do. But it says to write a party post, so I'm winging it. I'm excited to get involved with the party, and get to know some new awesome mom "bloggers". So let the party begin!!!!

Ziploc Perfect Portions Giveaway

5 Minutes for Mom is offering a giveaway for a great item on their blog - Ziploc Perfect Portions giveaway. I know we all struggle with having to throw out food that has spoiled because we didn't finish it for dinner, or have stuff freezer burned because we didn't store it correctly. Well now Ziploc has provided a perfect solution for the problem - Perfect Portions bags. Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and read their review and enter to win :)

30 day Fun challenge

Amanda at Run to the Finish always has awesome 30 day challenges that do what they're supposed to do, challenge us to get out of our comfort zone. But this month, it's an even more awesome challenge than usual - she is challenging us to have fun. How often do we caught up in work and day to day activities, and we forget to have fun? I for one no longer want to go through life just doing the things I have to do, I want to have fun, especially with my family. I don't want them to remember me as the mom who was always working or too busy to do anything with them. So I have signed up for this challenge, and I invite you to, also.  Click on this link, and dive right in - Run to the Finish 30 day fun challenge