What the heck happened??

Oh friends, what the heck happened that last month? To say that our family life has been crazy and stressful is a laughable understate. Our life in the past month made bringing home a newborn look like a piece of cake. Life has left me so exhausted that the end of the day that all I have had the energy to do is plop into bed and try to turn off my brain so I can sleep. I think it you all know where I'm headed with this. My running has suffered tremendously from this. And I know, I know everybody is going to say that working out when I don't want to is the best thing for me. But kids, I only have so much energy to use throughout the day and right now 70% is going towards stress and 30% is going to wrangling a toddler.

I could go on and on and fill this post with whining and excuses but that's not going to get me anywhere.  I really feel like any and all progress that I made is gone. I'm sure that's not entirely true but I know that my body is not were it needs to be to tackle a 9.5 mile run. The plan is to just get back up and keep going. I'm going to start back at 5 miles and just work forward again to get where I need to be. I'm just thankful that this happened with 4 months to the race and not 1 month to the race.

I promised from the beginning that I would be 100% honest through this process and honestly, having come as far as 8 miles and then just stopping is so shameful. It took me 3 days to even write this post because I was so ashamed to share it. Send me your good thoughts and motivation, friends. We can do this.

Shoo Shoes

*Note on the title: It's what MB calls Shoes*

Well howdy! Bet you thought I had abandoned you. Ha! Well no such luck for you, I'm still here and still kicking. There just isn't much going on right now on the training front. I'll admit, I have been slacking a little bit. (Please, Scold away!) Life has just gotten in the way of everything else. Baby colds, hubby colds, work drama, you name it, we've had it! Things seem to be getting back on track and this weekend I'm attempting my longest distance to date. 9.5 miles. Wow, that seems scary just typing it but I'm confident that I can get it done. Like I've said before, I have to get it done. I'm too cheap to back out now, especially now that I have my fantastic hotel booked! Still waiting on those plane ticket prices to go down....

Anyway, I wanted to discuss something today. Something I am trying to convince the hubs is super important. Something he is not seeing my point on. And that something is Running Shoes! One of the things that I love about running is it really takes no special equipment. Yes there are things that make it easier, better, more enjoyable but to "become a runner" you need shoes, shorts/pants, a t-shirt and the great outdoors. (This coming from the girl who is in love with her trusty 20 year old treadmill)

Quick Overview: When I started this venture, I had NO intentions of buying running shoes. None, zip, zilch. They were for "runners" and I was just a runner. And hello, those things are expensive and I don't have to tell you that I'm just a little bit cheap. When I started, my feet and ankle hurt after every short training run, like bad. Real bad. I just attributed that to my lack of training, ankle surgery and general out of shapeness. My friend (and person who cuts my hair) runs all the time kept pestering me to just try them. Hi Marcy!! :) I blogged about the experience way back when so you all know how much I love Gazelle Sports and how much I love my shoes.

If you are still with me at this point 1) Sorry for the long winded babbling. 2) The moral of the story is, if are starting to run yourself and can do one thing to help get started, Go to a local sports store with real people and invest in a pair of good running shoes. Please understand that I'm not telling you to go out and buy the most expensive running shoes you can find. Expensive running shoes will not a good runner make. I'm simply imploring you to take a chance and spend a little bit more for some good quality shoes, fitted to your specific needs that are going to help you reach your goal . Example: I have ridiculously flat feet. Finding a shoe that would support me without forcing my foot into an unnatural position has made my running life so very much better.

So there you have it. Kyle, Go buy some running shoes! What are do you guys think about running shoes? Am I off my rocker? Totally not worth the price? 155 days people!

Happy Blogiversary!!

Happy Blog-iverasary to me! Ok, Ok I'm one day early but you get the point. One year ago I started down the path of getting myself healthy. One year ago I stopped making excuses for my bad habits and started training for something I had only daydreamed about accomplishing. One year ago I stopped playing the victim and decided to take my health into my own two hands.... and feet.

Where are we now? I'm certainly not at my goal weight but I am down two pants sizes ( sometimes 3 depending on the brand) and wore a bathing suit this summer without freaking out. I am still working on my relationship with food but am coming into my own understanding of what a healthy balance is in my life. And let's talk about the running! One year ago I almost died trying (not completing) to barely jog a mile. Last weekend I kept my body in an upright forward motion for 8 miles! If that isn't progress then I'm not sure what is. We've also had a chance to babble about the ups and downs of forcing your body to do things it never thought it could. All the while sharing some yummy recipes at the same time. Overall my friends, life is good.

This one year mark is a momentous occasion for me. I have never, I mean never stuck with any type of routine for this long. I have a tendency to get really excited about something then the excitement fizzles and I quit. But not this time. We are at the one year mark and I am just as motivated as ever to keep going. I attribute that to two things. 1) The support of my wonderful family and friends. Especially my magnificent, loving, strong, caring husband who has to put up with all my ups and downs and loves me just the way I am, flaws and all.(Even though I'll never understand why) And of course, let's not forget my amazing friend, and fabulous guest blogger, Cindy who is running with me and my sister and her crew who are both running and there for support. 2) All you guys!!! I know some of your may be included in #1 but the support and kinds comments I get from all you readers is invaluable. I never would have kept this going with put your words of encouragement and gentle nudges to keep my behind moving.

So where do we stand at this moment? I'm getting ready to retire my first pair of running shoes I've ever owned in favor of a new model. I'm excited for cooler temperatures so we can use our new to us jogging stroller.  The hotel for the WDW Princess half marathon is booked. I'm not- so silently cursing Delta's high prices on flights only to realize every airline is that expensive and I'm gearing up for a 9.5 mile training run in the next couple of weeks. My, how one year changes things. 175 days until we leave for Florida, 177 days until the race, LET'S DO THIS!!!!

UPDATED: Stalled

UPDATE: I did it!! Saturday night I finished my 8 mile training run! At about 12:14am so I guess we can call that Sunday morning. Who cares, I did it! And no, it was not fun, it was not enjoyable, there was no runners high just pain and feet throbbing. But I did it, it's done and now we can go on. :) This week is just a short three mile training run. How funny is it to call three miles short? Six months ago three miles would have killed me but I digress.  Then on to nine and a half, my next challenge. Any suggestions on how to fuel myself on long runs? I still need to get the hang of that. I had absolutely nothing left that last mile. 

We're back on track friends. Can I get a HECK YEA?!?!

P.S. I still highly recommend the peach tart below, easy yummy and oh so summery :)





 

Ever feel like the Universe just really, really doesn't want you to do something? I'll tell ya friends, I am just about at my wits end with this whole eight miles thing. Right as I was finally getting better from the last cold I whined to you about, I was hit with the dreaded Daycare Plague. For those of you who don't know, Daycare Plague is the terrible cold/sickness/disease you get brought home to you from daycare via your precious gift from above. Classic Daycare Plague involves your child having a runny nose and coughing a little bit from a mild- moderate cold which then transforms into all encompassing viral death for the parent. Oh the joys of parenthood... So while MB had a runny nose and a bit of a cough for about 3 days, I was on my behind struggling to breathe and not die for over a week! We're on day 9 of this and I still sound like a 50 year old smoker in the morning.

So I did the only thing that would make me feel better: Bake. (Cold Meds were backfiring and making me feel worse) I lamented a while back that there were no dessert recipes on here and planned to rectify that immediately and then never did. Which was sad, I'm quite the dessert person. Baking makes me happy and I (usually) share the results with other people which also makes me happy. So here I am, righting the sad wrong of no desserts on here.

I really love fresh peaches. Peach season each summer is my greatest love, even more so than strawberry season I think. There is a local orchard, Well's Orchard, that grows some of the most sublime peaches I have ever eaten. I mean seriously I would knock down old ladies* to get these peaches. I generally get one box/quart each week at the market which is 5-7 peaches depending on the size. I love to eat them just straight up but every now and then they all ripen at the same time. While I'm capable of eating 5 peaches in a setting, it does get old.

 I can hardly call this a recipe. It was more I have 5 ripe peaches, a store bought pie crust** in the fridge that isn't going to make it much longer and am in desperate need of something sweet. Hence, the rustic peach tart! Thrown together quickly, baked for 45-50 minutes and voila. If you are wanting the yumminess of a pie without all the fuss this is your dessert!

Even with this being the busiest week of the summer I swear, I'm still plugging along on my maintenance runs during the week. That eight mile training run, however is just staring at me on my training calendar. I cross off every one that I do and am seriously looking forward to being able to cross that b*&$@ off, pardon my language. So check back early next week for an update because I AM getting this distance done with weekend, even if it kills me.... which I hope it doesn't. Send your encouragements, friends. I need them! 190 days!!

Rustic Peach Tart
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens
To be honest there are things I would change about this. I baked it on foil to avoid stick-age but without the direct contact to the cookie sheet it just didn't get as brown as I would have liked.  I also might omit the almonds. I had them in the cupboard so I tossed them on but they really didn't add anything to the finished product in my opinion. The cinnamon is optional but I firmly believe that peaches (and blueberries) are so much better with just a smidgen of cinnamon.

1 Refrigerated Pie crust ( or 1 recipe for a single crust pie)
4-5 Ripe peaches, sliced and peeled (or 3 cups frozen peaches, thawed)
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons flour (more if you feel your peaches are super juicy)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/4 cups sliced or slivered almonds
milk(optional)
raw sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Lightly flour surface and roll out pie crust to a 13" circle. Transfer to a baking sheet that has been greased or lined with foil.
In  a bowl, gently stir together peaches, sugar, flour and cinnamon until the peaches are well coated. Mound the fruit in the middle of the crust, leaving a two inch border. Gently fold crust over fruit. This is supposed to be rustic so don't worry about imperfections. See photos above for reference. Sprinkle on almonds if using. Lightly brush the crust with milk and sprinkle with raw sugar before baking (optional)
Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the outside and bottom crust has browned and the filling is bubbling. Cover edges with foil to prevent over browning if necessary. Cool on sheet 30 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. Serve with whip cream or ice cream and enjoy!


* Sorry old lady I swatted with MB in the baby carrier last weekend at the farmer's market in the quest for peaches, I swear it was an accident!

 ** I don't normally use/buy these. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, Homemade is just so easy that I prefer that. If you would rather not go through the fuss of homemade, by all means grab a store bought with no shame!

Not quite there...

My previous request for good wishes may have been premature. I had every intention of doing the 8 mile training run last week, up to the point of having my running stuff on. When I start hacking my lungs out while tying my shoes, the hubs gently suggested that I get over whatever plaugue MB infected me with before attempting to run. You know, since breathing was difficult that point.

This Sunday morning I got up all excited to do my long run. Ok, ok, maybe "excited" isn't quite the word I would use, more like dragged my tired butt out of bed to get it done. I was, however determined to beat this. 8 miles would be the furthest I've ever gone. I don't like running in the morning, I never have. I feel sluggish, tired and not at my best. (Something I should work on since the 1/2 starts at 5:30am but whatever) This run was no exception. It felt like a chore just to keep my legs moving but I got in a groove and kept moving forward. About 3.5 miles in I noticed a bit of pain in my surgery-ed ankle but just took a quick second to stretch it and kept going. Having never had a problem with that foot since I start this whole thing, I didn't think much of it and kept going. Well the pain got worse and worse. I kept going, hoping that I could power through but my better judgment took over and I called it quits at 5 miles. I know better than to push that foot to hard so I limped upstairs for ice and rest. I also baked, took a bath and watched a movie. I know, I have a hard life.

Needless to say I was VERY disappointed. I have never not been able to do a training distance ever. It was not a good feeling. It even made me question whether 13.1 is possible. Thankfully that moment of despair didn't last long.  I still have concerns about whether or not my ankle* can handle these kind of distances but I'm determined and have a really good physical therapist if it comes to that.

So there you have it, I promised to share the successes and the failures. I'm trying that dreadful 8 miles again on Tuesday so send good thoughts again!!

*Recap- Ankle surgery in 2009 after a (ironically enough) running injury in 2008. Scar tissue removed from the whole joint and a sizable chunk of tendon removed due to calcification.

Farm Fresh

3 Miler maintenance run this week, did it, it was fine, not much to report on that front....

Hard to read, bad picture. Our CSA* haul for the week

I have always loved fresh food. Packaged food is convenient yes but it rarely if ever fills you up, is nutritionally abysmal and just doesn't taste as good. I also love to cook and try new things so a CSA* seemed like a perfect fit for my family.
For some back ground, Cindy took me with her to pick up her parents CSA share once when we were hanging out while she was on summer vacation, though she swears she has no idea what I'm talking about. I was immediately kind of obsessed with it. The veggies looked divine and it was a lot of fun tromping through a farm field picking beans. I harassed her for the info and she sent it to me. The shares for that year had already been sold so I bookmarked the website, promising to remember to sign up in the fall and promptly forgot about it for about two years. Towards the end of that two years I discovered the Fulton Street Farmers Market. Holy crap, I was in heaven. This place had/has stall after stall of fresh veggies, fruits, breads, cupcakes, etc with the nicest people ever! .....Save for a rather awkward encounter with a free-range chicken farmer but we'll save that for another day. Two years later, I still drag my tired butt out of bed every Saturday morning at 6:45am (MB is awake anyway) to get my little family up and ready to be at the market by 8 to avoid the worst of the crowds in rain, shine or snow to get our produce for the week. Yes I said snow, I'm that into it.

To swing this rambling story around, one week at FFM, I saw the Trillium Haven Farm stall and remembered it was the farm I had visited with Cindy. OF COURSE their shares were sold out for the year already but I was determined to get one next year. Well, next year they opened a restaurant and halted the CSA program for a year ARG! So this year, Finally!! My mom and I went in on a half share and it has been great! I've started eating things like Kohlrabi, garlic scapes and green garlic, three things I had never even heard of a year ago let alone eaten.

While not the greatest picture, you can see the over abundance of veggies we get every other week.  (Sorry. Bad lighting, trying to do it fast with a niece and nephew grabbing on to me) My market bag was overflowing with yumminess. Seriously, like overflowing. It had to weight 20 lbs and stuff kept falling out while I walked to the car. Beets, kohlrabi, two kinds of cabbage, carrots, turnips, radishes, lettuce, spicy greens, broccoli, kale, Swiss chard and I'm sure some other veggies I'm forgetting.  This is a typical haul for the week. The value in this program is phenomenal. If I were to buy each of these items at the FM individually it would easily be about as much as I paid for the whole season through Trillium. Not because it's expensive because there's so much of it!

So long, weird story aside, I encourage everyone to try to buy and eat local! Almost every city has a farmers market somewhere these days. Our immediate area has 4 that I can think of off the the top of my head. Buying straight from the farmers is the way to go. Everything tastes a whole heck of a lot better then any of that "produce" you get from Walmart . I swear farm fresh lettuce changed my life. And it's just fun! I love that my daughter gets to see where her food is coming from at an early age. It's a great thing to do as a family after a long week of work and daycare. We started small, getting a couple things here and there the first couple years and have slowly increased our market hauls. Try it, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Send your spare good thoughts to me this weekend, this week I'm tackling an 8 miler! I'll share how that went next week. Keep cool and eat local my friends! :) 

*What's a CSA you ask? It is Community Supported Agriculture. A lot of farms around this area (and I'm assuming nationwide) have them. You pay for a half or full "Share" of the farm and in return get a predetermined amount a produce. In my case it's every other week plus you-pick-it on the farm.

Half way!

Well hello again! I promise my less than regular attendance on here has nothing to do with my progress on the current venture. It has more to do with the insane pace our life has been on this summer as is evident by the utter lack of food in my fridge/cabinets and the 4 diapers I currently have in my house.... I should probably figure out a time to go shopping......

Anyway! I have officially completed over half of the required distance! 7 miles to be exact! That in itself is mind- boggling to me. If you would have told me six months ago I would be able to keep my body in a continuous forward motion for 7 miles I would have LOL-ed at you while sitting on my duff watching TV. Not to say I still don't have my duff sitting- TV watching moments but much more of my time is now put into training, which I'm going to take as a good sign! Building on that success, I'm now more determined to run the Grand Rapids 1/2 in October to get an accurate measure of the time it's going to take to actually go 13.1 miles. That way if I'm ridiculously slow, I have 3 months to either bust my butt and get my time where it needs to be or just maintain. I have until August 15th to decide on the GR 1/2, after that the price goes up and I'm cheap. Someone talk some sense into me! (Or just kick my butt into signing up now, I'm good with both options)

So that's where we are at now! I'm fairly happy with the progress I'm making and I'm hoping to keep it up! I'm working on a couple posts dedicated to my recent introduction to farm-fresh food from the CSA program I joined this year and my ongoing obsession with our local farmer's market. Preview: Farm fresh lettuce kind of blew my mind with it's awesomeness.

Counting down 226 days to race day, we can do this!