Week 3 Marathon Training

I'm going to have to say it was another pretty successful week in training.  I was even able to incorporate some yoga during the week, which I have to say was definitely needed. I didn't realize how tight my muscles were, and how much better I felt, both physically and mentally when I was done. I have been using My Yoga Online and I love it. Very convenient! I definitely need to stay consistent with it. Not only will it help me stay sane, I think it will make me a better runner. I also started a DVD challenge for May, so I'm going to be doing 30 Day Shred every week day. I'm leaving Saturday as a rest day, and since Sunday is my long run, I really didn't want to overuse my muscles that day. Here's a wrap up of what I did this week -

Monday - 30 Day Shred Level 1
Tuesday - 30 Day Shred Level 1, yoga, ran 4.37 miles
Wednesday - bowling (didn't get up early thinking I could do 30 Day Shred in the evening - but we went bowling instead)
Thursday - 30 Day Shred Level 1, yoga, ran 3 miles
Friday - Field trip to a nature park with my youngest,  30 Day Shred Level 1
Saturday - rest day
Sunday - 6 mile trail run (very hot out, so it was a hard, slow run, but I still enjoyed it :) )

Things were good on the homefront this week. We had a meeting on Wednesday with Ryan's guidance counselors for his to continue his gifted IEP (education plan) into high school, and I was able to see what classes he needed to take at school, and which ones I am going to have him do through virtual school. Ryan had his talent show Friday, and came in 4th place using music that they composed themselves, and then had a Steel Drum Music Performance Assessment with his school's steel drum band, and they scored superior, which is the highest rating.

Ryan's on the left :)

I also, I got a call from Hunter's school saying that he was picked as Kiwanis's Terrific Kid of the Month, so we got to go to a luncheon for him on Wednesday.

What Women Want Giveaway

I ended up having an awesome Mother's Day weekend, so I wanted to share this giveaway of so many awesome things!! Wishing everyone good luck. It's an awesome prize package :)

A new season of fashion and beauty if quickly approaching. Butler Bag, Karren's Avon (creator/writer for Oh! My Heartsie) and Mom to Bed by 8 (the Iowa-Mom)want to offer one lucky reader a prize package that is sure to tickle your fancy and bring joy to your wardrobe and skin all at the same time.

Butler Bag, "The World's Most Organized Handbag"
The Butler Bag Everyday Tote is a perfectly versatile back. Offered in three colors and create from genuine Nana leather. This bag offers two zippered pockets outside and a compartmentalized interior with zippered "privacy pocket" inside. This is a true organizer's purse dream come true.

Karren's Avon is generously providing a bath and body package plus a few accessories extras to make you smile.
Odyssey Cologne Spray, Odyssey Roll-On Anti-Perspirant Deodorant and Odyssey Perfumed Skin Softener
RARE DIAMONDS Body Lotion, RARE DIAMONDS Shower Gel and RARE DIAMONDS Eau de Parfum Spray
SKIN SO SOFT Signature Silk Moisturizing Shower Gel, SKIN SO SOFT Signature Silk Gelled Body Oil and SKIN SO SOFT Signature Silk Replenishing Hand Cream
Florence Gift Set
Leading Love 2-Piece Gift Set
Silver Coin Purse and Black Wallet

Finally Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom wants you to enjoy your stylish night out and is bringing a $50 Visa Gift Card to the What A Woman Wants party for you to do just that.

Giveaway starts on May 11 at 12:01AM and ends May 25 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the What Women Want Giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Pamdemonium is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Free Blogger Event

Come join this free blogger event from What Women Want, from May 11th - May 25th. There are a lot of great prizes to win. Make sure to mention my blog name if you decide to join us. :)

Hoping for some insight

I'll let you know in advance that this is a non-running related post, so you can stop reading if you wish, but it is one of the reasons I NEED to run!! I have posted before that my youngest son has been diagnosed with ADHD and a social anxiety disorder, and I'm not so sure there isn't some other underlying issues going on with him. It took me the longest time to bring him to a psychiatrist and have him diagnosed, but I wasn't, and still am not totally, keen on medicating him. I know he needs help, and the medications seem to help a bit, but it seems like he seems to become almost immune to the strengths after only a few months, and then we are dealing with some of the same issues all over again. One medicine that seems to be working very well is the Intuniv for his focusing issues. His grades have gone up a full letter grade, and his teacher is happy with how he stays on task. But as for the medicine to help his outbursts, it seems we are always having to reevaluate, up the strength or change all together. Two weeks ago, we started having issues again. They start out with just one outburst, then a couple, then everyday. These are intense sessions of kicking, screaming, hitting, etc that last upwards to 2 and 3 hours. We upped one medication that seemed to only make it more intense, so I completely took him off of it. His doctor keeps assuring me that his behavior is typical of children with ADHD, but I'm sorry, it's wearing me out, and eventually going to be my demise. 

So, I'm looking for a new route, a new, permanent solution. It was mentioned to me that children who have been diagnosed with ADHD possibly could have a vitamin deficiency, so I'm going to his pediatrician to try and get a referral to see a specialist, and see if she has any other suggestions. I'm open to ideas, to try something new, just to have him happy, to have our lives back to some sort of normalcy. So I'm opening it up to the blogger world, do any of you have any experience with this, any advice or ideas? 

On the happy front, he was voted Kiwanis' Terrific Kid of the Month this month, and he's talking about joining the safety patrol next year. I am definitely a proud mama.

Running with the Mind of Meditation Book Giveaway

Nanette over at Mother on the Run is giving away the Running with the Mind of Meditation Book. I have always found running and meditation to be similar, so I'm interested to delve in deeper. Head on over and visit her site, and join another great giveaway!!!!

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.