The cost of shopping in peace

I like to buy a new running item before a race. Whether it's a new pair of shoes or an outfit, there is something motivating about new running gear. I decided to try a new store in American Fork, UT called Utah Run. They have a bigger selection than the other local running stores and the customer service was great (I was confused about something being 50% off, and even though it was full price, the employee apologized for the confusing labeling and gave me the discount.).
I put Mason on the floor of the store and handed him my purse while I shopped. He was so content sitting there going through my purse, and then I noticed why. He had opened 2 packs worth of gum and opened each piece. I started to stop him and thought, "Nah. Shopping in peace is totally worth 2 packs of gum."

 Don't worry. I cleaned it all up before we left. :)

I ended up buying a bra and some capris off the clearance racks and stocked up on my favorite GU's and Honey Stinger Waffles.

 Another windy day here, but Slim demands at least one bike ride a day. He tried to get fancy and crashed, so we spent some time cuddling on the curb. I just love that little guy.

Do you buy new gear/clothes before a race?

What's your favorite fuel for long runs?

Flying mice and Slim has a suprise for you

I never know how much to "taper" prior to my races. I want to go in with fresh legs, but my days just go better when I get to run. Yesterday my legs felt so heavy on my run and then today I felt great. It's so hard to figure out these bodies. One thing is certain; some runs will be plain perfect and some will be completely miserable.

Today was another cold windy day so other than a little bike derby in the road and pulling some weeds, we've been cooped up inside. Good thing I have a creative little 4-year-old to keep us entertained. He asked to make a zip line for his mice. It kept us busy for at least 45 minutes. :)

 These two monkeys seriously make me so happy that sometimes I want to burst from the "happys". They also drive me absolutely bonkers.

 Mason figured out how to pick his nose. He's such a good sharer and always tries to hand them to me.

 He must love you too, because today he tried to share one with you!

Today's Workout:
5 minute warm up
3 sets, 10-12 reps 
Rear delt flies
Arnold press
Dumbbell front raise

Bicep curls
Bench dips
Dumbbell bench press

1 min plank (on hands)
1 min plank (on elbows)
Plank (raise right leg for 30 sec, then left for 30)
1 min plank (alternate tapping right, then left, foot out to each side)
Side planks (30 seconds both sides)

Do you taper before your races?

Do you like surprises (not the booger kind, like real surprises)?
I do, but I'm also too impatient to wait. I always convince Kevin to tell me about birthday/Christmas presents. I have a friend who is pregnant, and not finding out what she's having. I've lost sleep not knowing, and it's not even my future child. :)

Camping with kids

Top 5 Rules for Camping with Kids:

1. Leave all of your expectations for sleep at home, in your warm comfortable bed.

2. Baby wipes are the most magical invention ever. Bring plenty!

3. Focus on the positive moments of the trip. Inevitably there will be some hard times, and you'll be tempted to throw everything in the truck and drive home. Stick it out.

4. Remember dirt washes off.

5. Bring your sense of humor.

Slim is my good little sleeper. It looks like he was covering his ears in this picture. Cory was up with the sun and was biting at the bit to get going.

Comically hard parts of the weekend:
We got a late start, had to buy a tent on our way down because we forgot to bring one (ugh!), couldn't find our group's camp in the dark, came across a friend (also looking for the group) just as his truck broke down. We didn't have our tent set up and kids in sleeping bags until after midnight. When the sun came up, it brought high winds and rain. Fun times. ;)
The payoff:
The weather broke long enough for us to run around Goblin Valley until everyone was beyond exhausted.  I basically posted this picture to show off how hot my husband is. I just love him.

 I still don't know how this happened, but at the trail head a sweet group of historians offered us this fry bread with honey butter. Aww... the good life.

 We played hide and seek games, and hearing the kids squeal and giggle made the previous night worth it.

 

 Can you spy Kevin with Mason on his back?

 

When this happened, I thought it was time to head back to the truck.

 

 When this happened, I knew we were officially done.

 I transferred him from the backpack to the car seat, and he didn't open an eye.

The aftermath:
 Needless to say, I've been playing catch up, and the washing machine has been hopping!

Today's workout:
5 minute warm-up
Skaters
walking lunges
squat kicks

Circuit (repeat 3 times)
Single leg squat suspension with strap
Diagonal lunges
Kettlebell pass under walking lunges (The video shows lunges standing in one spot, I did walking lunges)
Box jumps
Ball hamstring rollouts

Do you enjoy camping?

Have you ever forgotten an essential item on a trip....say a tent on a camping trip?

Training update

In one week I'll be running the Provo City Half Marathon! Eeek! I've been focusing a lot on the Utah Valley Full (in 50 more days ), and this race just snuck right up on me.
My body is really starting to feel the stress of the training, and it makes me excited to see how far I can push myself these next 50 days. Stretching, warm epsom salt baths, foam rolling and using "the stick" are now part of my daily routine; which may explain why I hardly ever do my hair or make-up lately. My calves have been my tight spot lately, and I just keep giving them tender loving care.

Training Schedule (Sundays are always rest days)

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thur

Fri

Sat

27-Apr	5	4	4	Rest	Rest	13.1
4-May	4	Cross	8	5	Rest	16
11-May	5	Cross	8	4	Rest	18
18-May	6	Cross	4	4	Rest	20
25-May	5	Cross	8	6	Rest	10
1-Jun	6	Cross	8	5	Rest	8
8-Jun	3	Cross	3	Walk 2	Rest	26.2

So, where's my head?
Some days I think to myself, "What the heck am I doing. I have no desire to run 26.2 miles. This is the dumbest thing I've ever thought about doing."
Other days, I day dream about how it will feel to push through those last miles and feel all of the satisfaction of truly doing something hard and out of my comfort zone.
Yesterday I read this Runner's World article : Juli Windsor Leads the Way and all of my self doubt evaporated and I'm left hungry to get to the finish line of a marathon.

I get teary just thinking about how grateful I am to be able to run. I'm not fast, I'm not a stand out in any way shape or form, but that does not prevent me from fully enjoying all that running has to give me. I know that at any moment I could be injured and be forced to quit. That almost adds to the high of running, knowing you never know when it will all be over. I hope that day never comes, but just in case, you better believe I'll smile through the miles.

Foodspiration Friday

It's FRIDAY ya'll! So, here's another Foodspiration Friday post. I've missed a few and I'm sure you were sad about that ;).

Like the rest of the country, we've eaten boiled eggs all week. I love boiled eggs with some salt and paprika. Yum.

 

I gave these pancakes a power punch with some milled chia seed, wheat germ and bananas (still using up the last of the baby food jars, but you could use a mashed banana).

 

We love this blueberry agave syrup. I've had good and bad ones, so get this Sohgave! brand and you won't regret it. I find it at WalMart, but they don't always keep it stocked.
Kids plate:

My plate:

 I love stacking my pancakes with layers of plain Greek yogurt and a drizzle of real Maple Syrup. 

I've also resurrected these mini pizzas. They were a staple around here, and I somehow forgot about them until recently. I use the 100 calorie whole wheat mini buns and top them with sauce, cheese and any other veggies I find in the fridge.

Now for the big news. I found peanut free peanut butter!!! (I'm allergic to peanuts and my allergy has gotten more severe with each pregnancy.) It's made with soy and has the same amount of protein as "real" PB. It sounds gross, but I actually like it. It tastes like PB, with a different after-taste. I can't decide if the after-taste is good or bad yet???? I see PB bars in my near future.

I was able to get away to the Cocoa Bean cupcake shop with some friends this week. It was a much needed night out, and the raspberry chocolate cupcake was definitely worth mentioning here.

I promise there is actually Tilapia under this salsa. This is my favorite way to eat fish at home.

My go to snack of the week has been carrots and hummus. (With all the running lately, I've been ravenous!) Costco sells these individual serving packs which I love.

 

What's your favorite cupcake flavor? 

Seafood... yay or nay?

Tramatic new experience

I was actually a good car owner today and had my tires rotated and my car washed.  I didn't realize until we were already in the carwash that Mason has no memory of the "chamber of death". I guess I should have prepped him. When I saw his eyes get big as saucers, I did what any good mom would do and grabbed my camera. I only laughed at him for a minute and then did speak a few soothing words. Poor thing.

Although scared of car-washes, he had no fear of this big scary Sasquatch. He even blew a few bubbles at it.

Do you believe in bigfoot?
I don't, but ever since Cory went on Expedition Everest at Disney World, he is a die-hard believer.

Do you wash your car more in the summer or winter?
With the snow/salt I should answer winter, but the truth is that I neglect my car all winter and keep it shiny all summer.

New kind of bubble bath and cancer sucks

We've had a few windy cold days here, and I'm kind of a baby about it. My kids got bubbles for Easter and are obsessed with blowing bubbles right now. I refuse to go out in the "cold" with them, so until it warms up in the afternoon, this is where they get to blow bubbles. They don't seem to mind. :)

 At least there is one good thing about the wind. We got to fly our kite that's been collecting dust.

I get to help out with the young women's group at my church, and last night we made bracelets for cancer survivors/fighters/supporters to wear when they participate in cancer runs. Even with my kids "helping" I was able to make 2 cute bracelets, and Cory even made one. I can't believe how focused he was (until he discovered there were refreshments).

 These were only some of the bracelets made.

Today's Workout
3 sets, 10-12 reps
Seated low rows
Pull downs
Bench press
Single arm dumbbell bench press
Wall-ups
Dumbbell push press
Single arm bent over rows
Planks

What's your favorite season?
Mine is SUMMER. I love the heat.

Have you ever done a race for cancer? 
Although not a "cancer race", I ran the Thankful 13 Half last year for my dad. He had just finished his chemo and had a clean scan.

Risky business

Nothing great ever came about with out the courage to take risk. If we can remove our fear of failure and willingly take the victories and the face-plants, we are capable of anything. This is a reminder for myself. I naturally avoid risk and have to remind myself that there is no shame in failure. To fail means I acted. To fail means I've had an opportunity to learn. I love this Mark Twain quote I found on pfitblog.com.

 On a lighter (and much shallower) note, my new shoes arrived! They are the Brooks Ravenna 4s. I've never run in Brooks and am excited to see how I like them.

I loved this morning's workout. I did 3 sets of each pair of exercises, and finished with all of the plank work.
(You could do this workout at home as long as you have hand weights and a band.)

Legs                               
Walking lunges
Stability ball leg curl        
Leg press (sissy, sumo and normal)
Calf raises                     
Dead lifts
Tuck jumps                     
Sumo high kettlebell pull
Single leg jumps               

 Abs                                  
Windshield wipers (obliques)         
Weighted ball crunch          
Ab pulldown
Wood choppers (obliques)

1 min plank up on hands
30sec  plank on forearms
30 sec plank on forearms with left leg lifted
30 sec plank on forearms with right leg lifted
1 min side plank (30sec each side)
1 min plank, with leg step outs

They even steal my fake cake

I loved watching parts of the Boston Marathon and reading all of the stories from the day. I love that American Meb won! Today was a beautiful Spring day, and I enjoyed spending time with my sweet boys outside. If you're craving cake, you should try this "fake cake". Ha. I love it. It's not super sweet, but with some whip cream on top it really hits the spot. Recipe below!

 This kid believes he must eat and drink whatever I'm having.

I found this recipe on the Stuft Mama blog, and adapted it to my taste.
Protein Dark Chocolate Cake
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (can substitute one medium mashed banana)
1/4 cup egg whites
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 sweetener packets (I used Stevia)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons coconut flour (16 grams)
2 tablespoon dark chocolate cocoa powder (10 grams)

Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Pour into bowl sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Microwave for approximately 5 minutes. I add fat-free whip cream as "frosting". This totally satisfies my craving for chocolate cake.