Sunday, June 29, 2014

Week in Review

This has been the first week where I really felt like I was training.  I ran all 5 workouts I was assigned, did a swim workout, and a little bit of core work. 

Monday 6/23
Scheduled: 2600 yard swim
Actual: 2600 yard swim with some kicking, some pulling, some fast stuff...

Tuesday 6/24
Scheduled: Dynamics and an easy 45 minute run
Actual: Didn't get in the dynamic exercises, but I did do the 45 minute run on the treadmill. 4.69 miles.

Wednesday 6/25
Scheduled: 35 minute easy run
Actual: 35 minutes easy on the treadmill. 3.78 miles.

Thursday 6/26
Scheduled: 1 hour 5 minute tempo run
Actual: 1 hour 5 minute run with a gazillion 1:15 tempos. 7.67 miles

Friday 6/27
Scheduled: Rest day
Actual: Rest day

Saturday 6/28
Scheduled: 35 minute split run around 30 minutes of core work
Actual: 35 minute run outside in the hot sun. 4.07 miles.

Sunday 6/29
Scheduled: 1 hour 20 minute long run
Actual: Dave's parents were in town and watched Anderson so Dave could ride his bike with me and provide support.  It was HOT out there but got it done.  Some tempo work was included in this workout. 9 miles.

Totals:
Swim - 2600 yards
Run - 29.21 miles

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Stitch Fix #1



My first Stitch Fix arrived last week and here's what was inside...

First was a coral-colored blouse with lattice detail at the sleeve and neckline.  It was super-cute and I loved it but it was a little big around the mid-section so I decided not to keep it.

Next was a orange-y tank top with a pocket detail.  Um, no.  This is so not me.  I obviously sent this one back.

This scarf is sorta mustard in color and had pineapples all over it.  I love scarves but this one I just didn't love.  I don't know if it was the color or the pineapples, but I had no idea what I would wear it with.  I prefer my scarves to be bright and bold so it becomes the statement piece of an outfit.  I sent this one back.

I loved these jeans.  They were a dark-wash skinny jean that were NOT low-waisted.  And surprisingly, they fit perfectly.  I have a hard time with pants as (a) I'm short but (b) I have long legs so getting pants to fit without having them hemmed is a miracle.  Unfortunately, I sent these back as I already have a dark-wash skinny jean.  I left a note that I would love these in a color perhaps.  Hopefully I will get another pair in the next fix.

Finally, this turquoise blouse with stud detail.  I LOVED this shirt.  It fit so well and looked so great.  I kept this one.

My next fix is scheduled for the middle of July and I can't wait to see what's in it.  I hear each Fix gets better and better.  I'm nervous for my credit card.

If you're interested in trying out Stitch Fix, feel free to use my referral link by clicking here.  
 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Mother of the Year

We bought a new house back in November 2013 and moved in this past February.  It's an older home, a real fixer-upper, but it kept us in the school district, moved up even closer to work, and gave us land, privacy, and a great place to raise Anderson.  In the months that have followed we have begun lots of improvements on this home.  I'm planning a whole series called "Cats and Brass" about this home coming soon.

The last couple of weekends we have been working on Anderson's room.  Basically, it's just painting, but as we have learned it is never as easy as "just painting."  First, we had to take down the god-awful vertical blinds.  Then we had to patch the walls where all the nail holes, screw holes, other holes, and bad things in the walls were.  Next we have had to paint all the trim - baseboards, window trim, closet doors.  Why?  Well, because they had painted an accent wall including the baseboards and window trim.  Of course.  So we decided to paint all of it white.  Finally, and hopefully soon, we will be able to paint the walls and hang his artwork.

To be able to work together and get things moving, we have had to put Anderson in his jail crib.


Today while Dave was at work, I worked on priming the closet doors while Anderson watched Bubble Guppies in his crib.  I got about 20 minutes of work in before he started having a meltdown.  It was lunch time and he was also ready for a nap.  So I prepared him lunch.

Anderson is in this stage right now where he doesn't want to eat baby food anymore, but really hasn't found a whole bunch of adult food that he likes.   So for lunch I tried something new, a ham and turkey sandwich with mustard.  He instantly hated it and let me know by screaming at the top of his lungs and crying with real tears.  I got him some cottage cheese and grapes and all was right with the world again.

Finally, he decided to drink his milk in the living room while I ate my lunch.  And while I was finishing my lunch he made a dirty diaper.

So to recap, screaming kid in his crib, screaming kid because I did not fix him a good lunch, and a dirty diaper.  You following?  Sounds like a rough hour, eh?

It gets worse.

Also at lunch time I take the dog out and give her a little to eat so we're all ready for our nap post lunch.  I took Sloopy out as always and left Anderson in the house.  He followed me over to the door, screaming all the way, and I worried a little that he was going to get into the dog's water dish (which happens often).  I should have worried more.

I came in the house and couldn't find Anderson.  And then it hit me.

Oh SHIT!!!

I ran into his room, which I obviously forgot to close off and, of course, he was playing in the left over paint.  He had it all over his hands, a little on his legs, and a little on his face.  Thank goodness, he had not put it in his mouth.  He had also put two pacifiers in it and a toy.  Anderson did NOT enjoy having paint all over himself and was throwing an absolute fit!


I first took a picture (duh), then I got the pacifiers and toy cleaned off.  Then I grabbed Anderson to put him in the bath.  But of course, I hadn't changed his gross diaper yet so I had to take care of that.  I come back in from throwing it away and he's crying at the top of his lungs running around the house naked.  I grab him and put him in the bath only to realize I didn't have soap or a wash cloth, or a towel.  Crap!  I yelled at Anderson not to drown and ran to his room to get those things.

I got him cleaned off and cleaned up and we all took a good nap.

If there was ever a day I needed some ice cream or a drink or a hot bath, today is the day.


Sunday, June 22, 2014

Week in Review

Monday 6/16
    Planned: 1 hour of cross training / 15 minutes of core
    Actual: 45 minutes of biking on the trainer.  Dave and I have been following the June Ab Challenge we found on Facebook.  We've fallen a little behind but today we did 75 situps, 90 crunches, 42 leg raises, and 60 seconds of plank.

Tuesday 6/17
    Planned: 15 minutes of dynamic plus a track workout
    Actual: Rest day (lazy ass)

Wednesday 6/18
    Planned: 20 minute easy run
    Actual: 20 minutes easy on the treadmill for 2 miles as well as 1000 yard continuous swim.

Thursday 6/19
    Planned: Glute activation exercises followed by 1 hour tempo run
    Actual: Glute activation exercises followed by 1 hour tempo run on treadmill at YMCA. Tempos were done at 7:30 pace. 6.68 miles.

Friday 6/20
    Planned: Rest day
    Actual: Rest day

Saturday 6/21
    Planned: 40 minute run and 30 minutes of core
    Actual: 40 minute, 4.39 mile run with the stroller.

Sunday 6/22
    Planned: 1 hour 15 minute long run
    Actual: Ran with my friends for a total of 9 miles, 1:15:45.

Totals:
Swim - 1000 yards
Bike - 8.08 miles
Run - 22.07 miles

Thursday, June 19, 2014

We Bought a Zoo {membership}!!!

A few weeks ago Dave had the day off and we, as a family, went to the zoo for the first time.  We are so lucky to live so close to the best zoo and took advantage of it this year by buying a zoo membership.  I hope to take Anderson several times this summer to see the entire zoo.  It's too much for a 1 year old to do the whole thing at once, but we did hit up a few awesome attractions.

First we checked out the newest exhibit, the Heart of Africa.  This was so cool.  It's this huge open space filled with lions and zebras and giraffes and ostriches and whatnot.  I loved seeing the giraffes.  I think Anderson liked it too.


We also went to the petting zoo where Anderson got up close and personal with some goats.


My favorite part of the trip was the aquarium.  Anderson loved being eye-level with the fish.  And yes, I might have cried a little seeing him so happy.


Finally we finished out the trip seeing the monkeys and gorillas.  There were two baby monkeys that were only a month old and a new baby gorilla that was about 4 months old.


We were only there a few hours and maybe saw half of the zoo.  We will have to go back another time and try to find the creepy crawlies like the snakes and spiders.  I would also love to see the elephants.  I can't wait to take Anderson back!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Spectate: Columbus Open Water Swims

Dave has a unique swim stroke, which is great when spectating in open water.  Dave did a "1 mile" open water swim race a few weeks ago; Anderson and I spectated.


The race wasn't so big and within maybe a quarter mile into the race I was able to easily pick out Dave.  I counted from the front...10, 11, 12.  Wow!  He was doing really well!


I was able to follow him up the course and back down again while strolling with Anderson on the beach.


When he got close to the finish, Anderson and I went down to the beach and got the camera ready to snap, snap, snap Dave's exit and finish.  And just as I start snapping pictures I realize....

That's not Dave!

I had spent the whole race spectating and cheering on a dude that was not Dave.  This gentleman had exactly the same unique swim stroke as Dave!  We backed away from the beach and tried to find Dave in the water, this time to no avail.  Finally, he exited in around 45 minutes.


45 minutes for a one mile swim??  That's, um, not that great for Dave.  Sure he hasn't swam a whole lot (or nearly at all) this year, but that's really slow.  I reminded him that the company that puts on these races is notorious for poorly measured/marked courses.  Dave started talking to some other people who had swam the race with GPSs and many of them had the course at 1.4 miles.  One point freakin' four miles!  That's WAY off!

In the end, Dave got in a good swim; I need to work on my spectating skills; and I took some beautiful pictures of some dude who was not Dave.

Monday, June 02, 2014

Stay at Home Goals

It's official.  I am now a full-time stay at home mom.  While, obviously, my attention is on the baby and making sure he is turning into a great little kiddo, I have some goals for myself (besides running) in my new role at home.

Goal #1: Improve Wardrobe / Personal Style
For the last three years I have been working for a major retailer (it rhymes with Babercrombie & Bitch) and we were not required to wear the clothing.  Needless to say, my closet is full of jeans, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and flip flops - not exactly a 30-something, mommy wardrobe.  For years, okay, my entire adult life, I have wanted to look sophisticated, put together, stylish, but when it came down to it I usually reverted back to a t-shirt and jeans or a sweater and jeans.  Through the power of Pinterest, I started putting together a "Style" board.  Here's a few examples of how I would love to dress:
Of course, I haven't the foggiest how to put together an outfit like that.  So I jumped on the bandwagon and signed up for Stitch Fix.  My first "fix" is scheduled for mid-June.  Now, I can't afford to keep all the clothes I get every month, but hopefully I will find one or two pieces that work out.  I'm also hoping to maybe add one or two more reasonably priced items from the mall every month to grow my wardrobe.

Goal #2: Learn a New Hobby / Skill
You know, I have so much extra time to learn something new.  :)  But since I do have four hours of the day I am now not working I suppose I can try to learn something new.  It is no secret that I don't have good kitchen skills.  Yes, Dave does most of the cooking.  Over the last year, though, I have done some more cooking, learning new recipes, and trying new foods.  Now, I am ready to move onto baking.  I would love to learn how to decorate cakes and cupcakes.  Of course, this could be dangerous for me as I would probably eat all my creations and be as big as a house!

To go along with wanting to improve my personal style, I'd like to improve my sewing skills.  Yes, I can sew, but mostly I quilt.  I'd like to learn more, though, so maybe I can start making some of my own clothes.

Several several years ago for Christmas, Dave got me a guitar.  I have always wanted to learn to play guitar.  For while I practiced, and then I put it under the bed and haven't pulled it out in years.  It would be fun to learn a few kid songs on it and sing along with Anderson.  He would love it.  He would also love to play it (the kiddo plays the piano every day).

Finally, I would like to learn a foreign language.  Sure it's a little late in life to get fluent, but it's a perfect time to help develop multiple language skills in the baby.  The truth is, if he doesn't learn Spanish he's limiting himself with future employment opportunities.  When we went to Italy, Dave learned Italian with Rosetta Stone and had great results.  At the time it was free through the library.  Unfortunately, it no longer is.  So, I'm going to save my money and hopefully buy the Spanish version in a few months.

As if life isn't busy enough, I'm wanting to tackle more.  Who wants to sit around and watch TV all day long?

Sunday, June 01, 2014

Week in Review

Monday - Scheduled rest day

Tuesday - Scheduled: Short easy run, strength training
                 Actual: 5.5 miles with the stroller and then strength training. Also, 1000 yard swim at the pool before the baby's swimming lessons.

Wednesday - Scheduled: Treadmill run with increased turnover intervals
                     Actual: 6.54 miles on the treadmill with intervals.  Plus, 7 x 3 jerks with 45 pounds.  Boy my arms were sore the next day.

Thursday - Scheduled: 30 minute spin, 30 minute strength training
                  Actual: Sat on my buns, ate a lot.  :)

Friday  - Scheduled: 45 minute tempo run
             Actual: 5.46 miles with 30 minutes at a 7:59 pace

Saturday - Scheduled: 15 minute run, 15 minute strength training
                 Actual: Attended Dave's open water swim race

Sunday - Scheduled: 1 hour 10 minute long run with short bursts
               Actual: The in-laws were in town (built in babysitter!!!) so Dave and I got to run this together.  Short intervals were around 6:30 pace and overall run was 8 miles at an 8:47 pace.

Totals: 
Swim - 1000 yards
Run - 25.5 miles
Strength - 0.25 hours-ish