Elly Knows Best

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 305.7 (running: 199.4; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $30.31

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 305.7 Aaron: 250.2 (b: 230.9; w: 19.3)  Elly: 59.9 Total: 615.8

So, just when I thought I didn't work that hard on all of yesterday's run, I set sail for today's. Ouch, yeouch, shouldastretchedbetter, ooof ... You get the picture. My thighs were burning both in congratulations for yesterday's work and cursing me for not stretching. At all. *sigh* I suck at that. It's one of the reasons I like to get to the corral early at a race; there's simply nothing else to do but stretch.

It was okay, though, because I had my trainer with me. She doesn't like to go very fast, so it worked for both of us. She also helped me work on my intervals and resistance training for the entire route. The moment below is exactly the end of one interval and the start of what's about to become one ...

... and, the resistance training rears its ugly head right at the start of the next interval when the trainer hasn't quite sniffed all of the smells out of the post-hydrant-mud-fence-trash-etc. For crying out loud.

It was up the hill from this post that she decided to put the breaks on again, so I took advantage of the moment:

How cool is that?!

While Elly's pace, or lack thereof, was annoyingly inconsistent, it was probably better for me than what I would have done myself. I would have plodded along my little route and called it good. I might have thrown in some intervals, or I might have excused myself right on out of them given the state of my self-inflicted thigh pain. Who's to tell, but, that doesn't matter since I didn't really have a choice with my trainer.

"It's what I do, mommy."

Two days of Rest are on the books before Friday's 10 miler! I'll take the regroup time, and I'll be checking in as we go over the hump!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 302.7 (running: 196.4; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $30.03

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 302.7 Aaron: 250.2 (b: 230.9; w: 19.3)  Elly: 56.9 Total: 609.8

Today's run totally set the tone for the entire day: Fast and Productive!

Okay, wait ... a wee amendment ... I should say the first three miles of the run were fast. The last two were just fine. Suffice it to say, I've not yet figured out this interval thing enough to pace myself very well. So, I started out like a shot, and it felt good, so, I kept going. My fast stints were far longer than the slow-down ones, and I should have evened them out better than I did. By the third mile, I'd kinda had it, so I slowed down and just soaked in the wonderful weather. (It was in the 30s, but with no wind and a bright sun, it felt fantastic.) I chalk up my need to downshift to not really paying attention because it doesn't matter that much anyway being a total novice at this interval business, and I'll get it figured out in due time.

It really was a strong run, though. I was happy about that. I was also super-happy about the break I decided to take at Mile 4 so I could stop and pet these wonderful creatures!!!

Aren't they fabulous?! I know there's no chance for perspective here, but believe when I say the following:

• In seated position, their heads came up to my elbows. That's 40" high!
• Their heads were as big as mine.
• Their paws were bigger than my whole hand.

And, they were just the sweetest!! The one I'm petting got most of the lovin' because he insisted upon it. I'd stop, and he'd nudge or paw me.

"Don't stop!! Ohhhh yeahhhh ..."

The other was just starting to come into the action when it was time for all of us to depart. Another day, new friend ...

Miraculously, Elly didn't seem to smell them on me when I got home. For as much as they nudged my pants, I thought she'd catch the scent for sure. Maybe she was just too distracted by her desire for her morning rawhide. We do all have our priorities.

So, that's 5 more miles, 35 more cents and only 5 more training runs to go!! One of those is tomorrow; I'll see you after!

Well Played Rest Day!

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 297.7 Aaron: 243.7 (b: 224.4; w: 19.3)  Elly: 56.9 Total: 598.3

Well, for once, I fully utilized this Rest Day for all it was worth without exhausting myself. Yeahhhh!! 'Twas a great day, indeed, as it started by seeing this ...

... and, then I went on to make us a fabulous breakfast which included one of our new favorite breakfast bread recipes:

Almond Flour Cheese Biscuits ...

... with parsley and garlic powder. BOOM.

After completing my culinary wizardry, I decided it was time to actually put out some Easter decorations seeing as it is in a week:

I finally figured out a way to put out all of those fabulous pvc figurines without it being annoying! Yay me! Containment is key ...

Pit Crew #2 and I even got to slip in some scrapbook time ...

I figured I should probably put together GO! St. Louis from
2012 so I'm not 3 GO! races behind in a couple of weeks ...

... while PC#3 played basketball with his friends which seemed to require Elly to make a complete fool of herself.

"Sorry, mommy ..."

And, to round things out, Aaron contributed biking and walking miles to the Change Hounds progress. Booyah!

That's what I call an awesome Rest Day. Can't I just order up all of them to be like that?!

Before another comes, though, it's time to run! The morning presents me with a 5-miler which happens to be the last of the 5s in the training schedule! I think the real race is officially on: The scrapbook pages vs. Completing GO! 2015 ... stay tuned for the outcome! And, I'll check in after the morning run ...!

Seriously?

I'm soooooo glad my schedule got shifted around to the point I ran yesterday morning instead of today!! Not only did the Crewers and I stay up way too late for me to function because we watching a movie and giggling 'til the wee hours at our in-house slumber party, but it also snowed overnight! It wasn't much of anything, and it wouldn't have prevented me from running. Psychologically speaking, though, just seeing the decks and rooftops white this morning was enough to make me cringe here at almost-April, and I went right back to bed after feeding Elly.

"Thanks for letting me go potty, mommy.
And for the food. Here is your picture reward."

For real. Let's be done with this!

"Yes, let's be done with this crap and go back to bed." So says
bossy cat.

The snow was completely gone by 9:30 a.m. with the exception of a few drifting flakes. Fortunately, that was it.

Well, the upcoming week presents a few problems for the normal running schedule which is totally the theme of this Half's training schedule, but it works way to my benefit this time ... another Rest Day tomorrow!!! Perhaps it will be nice enough for us to go out and sport our new kicks:

Kinda screams SPRING, doesn't it?

As we put our feet together, PC#3, you know, the very youngest of the group, said to me, the very oldest of us all, "Aw, mom, your little feet are son cute." Indeed, they sure are.

It's time to ease into Saturday evening!! May any unpleasantries of your weekend be super-short-lived, and I'll check in tomorrow!

The Mind Is Strong, But I Am Stronger

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 297.7 (running: 191.4; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $29.68

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 297.7 Aaron: 234.2 (b: 217.4; w: 16.8)  Elly: 56.9 Total: 588.8

Getting to today's 12 miler was more of a mental mind game than it was a physical one. Truth be told, I'll battle my mind any day over an inability or physically laborious effort. I can battle my own mind and win. And, today was no exception.

I did hit snooze an extra time this morning because I could tell getting up at Snooze One was just setting me up for failure. 'Funny how that extra 9 minutes helps turn a physiological corner, doesn't it?! Anyway, Snooze 2 was the winner, and I was up and out in no time.

I should have been up and out in some semblance of time and used that time to stretch well, but, I didn't. Instead, I stretched while brushing my teeth (true story), took a really easy first mile and hoped for the best. What I would have done for better stretching most definitely would have been worth my time, but it would not have been sufficient because I didn't realize how chilly it was! At 34 degrees with a little wind, my muscles were clenching from the get go while I passed people scraping their windshields in their driveways. Yeah, none of us could believe it's the end of March ... (Man, we're getting set up to get creamed with the temperature on race day, aren't we ...?!)

I motored along well, though; better than I really thought I would. By the end of the second mile, I had a solid groove that took me up every hill and got me going again after every stop to pick up a coin (34 random, non-drive-thru-nor-metered-space cents in all today; it was filthy and just waiting for me to rescue it all). Oh, and, of course, I had to stop here and there for some scenery:

Hello, Spring! I see you are having quite
a time pushing Old Man Winter out of the
way ...

This one was a must:

Talk about color coordination! I'm amazing.

There were three notables from today's run:

• I didn't bail on any of the hills I gave myself permission ahead of time to use to walk.
• I finished way under predicted time which was a nice perk for a training run which are always, always slower than go time.
• I did not run into nor get chased down by the very drunk man who could not seem to figure out on what part of the sidewalk he wanted to stumble walk.
• Oh, there was a fourth: I spent at least a mile reflecting on and mentally salivating over yesterday's smoothie and did not feel like throwing up even one time.

Speaking of, it's time to go make a new flavor ... what'll it be ... Who cares, it'll be yummy! I think that'll be my post-run reward. That and not straining anything in the first two miles.

I have back-to-back Rest Days on the books! I'm totally down with that! Have a great start to your weekend, and I'll be checking in!

Smooooooth ...

It's been a day full of a little bit of this and a little bit of that adding up to a whole lot of stuff!! Everything that needed to get accomplished today has been except for tomorrow's 12-mile map. That'll come (because it has to). It's been good day, and we rewarded ourselves with smoothies from our new machine ...

Are we ever going to put our Christmas
glasses away?

We (and, by that, I mean mostly Aaron) have been doing a lot of research and scoping about not only blenders but also protein powder. We finally got to the point we were saturated, forgotten more than we ever thought we'd learn about both, and the eagle finally landed with the above, inaugural smoothie creation. It's a simple smoothie flavored with cocoa powder and defatted peanut butter which adds up to a drink that tastes like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Booyah.

Aaron and Pit Crew #2 made a strawberry smoothie for round 2. While totally delish, I traded Pit Crew #3 half of his chocolate for half of my strawberry. Liquid peanut butter cup? Um, hell yeah!!

Aaron started to suggest I could put a chocolate one together with strawberry and come up with chocolate covered strawberry. I stopped him before he could finish because no blended drink is going to taste like the chocolate berries he gets me for Valentine's Day, so let's not try to convince me otherwise. Just sayin'.

With that, I sit with yummy smoothie in my stomach which just sets the perfect tone to map my run. That is a total lie, it does no such thing. The peanut butter cup factor is so good that the thought of the run makes me kind of sick right now. At least it'll be fully flushed from the ol' system by morning. Literally and figuratively.

It's time to map. Treat yourself to something good today, and I'll check in after the morning run!

Worthwhile

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 285.7 (running: 179.4; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $29.34

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 285.7 Aaron: 234.2 (b: 217.4; w: 16.8)  Elly: 56.9 Total: 576.8

This is how I started my morning:

I love how the goose almost always photo bombs ...

Smelly and with my girls. What more could I want?

I had 3 miles on the calendar, and it took no convincing whatsoever to get Pit Crew #2 to join us. I also told her at the onset that we weren't going to tear it up like we did Monday's 5, but we wound up doing so anyway despite Elly's best efforts to undermine us with her "I'm on a hot trail of something that smells dy-no-mite!!" and pulling me off balance.

It was neat-o.

So much for a shake-it-out run, but, that's okay. The company was worth it. And, I can rest the muscles better tomorrow before Friday's 12.

Every step. Every mile. Every effort -- all good and all getting me ready for what's to come in a couple of weeks! Although, with this up and down weather pattern, I'm trying to prepare myself for being screwed temperature-wise. Luck might just have it that we have a sudden morning in the 70s; April Half runs tend to work that way around here!

Long before then is a day of Rest tomorrow which also means a late night of watching fun stuff and sleeping later than normal. That oughta put a few kinks in the routine, but it'll be worth it!

Bad Things, Good Things

WHEW!! Running yesterday morning totally worked out as it was, indeed, raining when I would have been running this morning! And, actually, it wasn't raining when I would have started, but I most definitely would have been caught out in it. That would have been a drag!

Okay, so we were just watching one of our DVRed episodes of The Amazing Race where I heard one of the contestants say the following: "If you're not first, you're last." UGH, how I hate that statement. Of course, I've heard it many times before now, but every time I do, it makes me cringe. I could go on and on about my personal soap box there, but I don't feel the need. I just felt the need to mention because such nonsense was bugging me.

I'm all better now.

So, I started with two things that are a drag (even though running in the rain always turns out better than I think it will, it's still a drag compared to any alternative), so I'll wrap this Rest Day up with two things that rule entirely.

First, I must share our recent creations from the Trim Healthy Mama people:

Salmon "Krabby Patties" in the foreground with some seasoned
shrimp to along with. FAN.TASTIC.

Not fantastic for Elly who knew none of
it was for her during our carpet picnic.
Because carpet picnics are how you catch
up on your back-logged episodes of The
Amazing Race around here.

And, for dessert?! I present sugar-free Italian Cream Cake ... or Sweet Cake ... seriously, I don't remember ... but, it was gooooood:

I'm sure you've noticed with the THM folk that refined sugar is way, way out, but they (and other followers who post recipes) have gone above and beyond making almost everything doable and delicious. And, I will be the first to say that removing sugar (and sugar combos and crashes I didn't even know I was creating but learned about) has been awesome. For real, I feel so much better. I'll go in to that another time, but, for now, let's take a look at the inside of this bad boy, shall we?!

Okay, that was all good stuff.

But, the best to share today? This:

An afternoon of one of my favorite activities with my favorite peeps? Yes, please!! We cleaned up at our table, too, by the way. That was the added bonus.

Tomorrow? We run. By 'we' I definitely mean Elly, and I might mean PC#2. We'll see how that goes, but I'll be out and back either way! I'll check in then ...

Switch-a-roo!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 282.6 (running: 176.3; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $29.33

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 282.6 Aaron: 224 (b: 207.2; w: 16.8)  Elly: 53.8 Total: 560.4

I had every intention of today being a Rest Day until I heard the morning forecast is for rain. That changed everything for me as tomorrow's run is a 5-miler. I'm not riding 15 miles on the bike and calling it 'same'. The bike is good, it's just not the same especially this close to race day!

I waited until late afternoon which worked out great because I could then also take Pit Crew #2 with me! Whee!! She made it an interesting run today for sure. For instance, we did a warm-up walk for the first couple hundred feet. When we got to the point we were to run, I decided to whine about it. Her response? "What? 'You that disappointed we didn't find any money?" I was all, "Um, no, I am of course whining about having to start running. Duh."

Then, about 100 yards later, we ran along a line of cars where I noticed there was a man just sitting in the last one. I said to PC#2, "You know, I could just ask that guy for, like, a quarter or something." to which PC#2 says, "For what?" Like, I would just ask someone for money. Out of the blue. On a run. Where I pick up money for the Food Bank.

I just looked at her and said, "Does this run need to be in silence? I just need to know now."

It most definitely was not in silence. We worked hard during our first mile because we were going up hill against a very strong wind. I had a few choice words about it, so had there been silence, it would have been broken.

Then there was that moment right past the second mile where we were on an awesome pace until PC#2 gasped and said something (can't remember what) making me realize she'd seen something -- clearly awful or scary or alarming in some way -- that made me instinctually blurt out? "WHAT? Shit!" Seriously, by her reaction, I thought I was about to step on a snake or something.

Yeah, not so much. The alarming creature was this:

Wow. Look at that oh-so-scary robin.

It had been sitting on the sidewalk, just sitting there. She was somehow startled by its just-sitting status. *sigh*

I made fun of her for about the next mile, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when this ...

... was her response when I non-verbally offered her a drink from my water. Like I would throw my water on her. For crying out loud.

We got back to normal, as it is, for the rest of the run. Good conversation, good strong run ... can't ask for much more than that.

AND, it's out of the way so I don't have to get up extra early tomorrow. AND I saw rain clouds coming, so the forecast might actually be true. Whether it is or not, I still get to have some extra sleep!! Hooray!!

In other extras, Elly got an extra mile in yesterday when she took PC#2 out on a run.

'Twas a 5-mile day for Elly!!

Okay, so tomorrow is now a day for resting!! And, I'm sticking to it!! May your week have started off just right, and I'll check in tomorrow!

Do You See What She Sees

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 277.6 (running: 171.3; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $29.33

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 277.6 Aaron: 224 (b: 207.2; w: 16.8)  Elly: 52.8 Total: 554.4

Good Sunday morning! I hope yours started off exactly the way you wanted!! I was torn last night between getting up early enough this morning to see a sunrise or sleep until I naturally woke up. I opted for the latter as I knew I needed the sleep. And, I confess, it's just more pleasant when I'm rested. I ended up awake at least an hour earlier than I would have guessed. I still missed the glory of the sunrise, but it was early enough to knock the run out and not get too far into the morning, so it all worked out well.

I was a wee bit stiff/sore from Friday's long run, so it was also a great morning to bring along my 4-legged running partner! Dressed in her Easter fashion, she was ready to hit it!

Okay, one of the things we joke about around here is why squirrels dart out in front of cars to cross the street. Aaron decided it was some kind of squirrel club initiation: You make it, you're in; Don't make it or don't try, you're out. This came to mind when two squirrels jumped out in the middle of the road at the mile and a half point. One of them braved the oncoming Elly while the other totally scampered back to perceived safety. Elly seemed mildly intrigued but didn't raise a hackle. She is so totally over used to the shenanigans of her kitty sisters after all.

And, then there was this moment:

We were cruising along at good pace when, out of nowhere, Elly beelined it to this tree and pointed. When I say she didn't move, I mean not a muscle.

Well, she did put her paw down, but it was
methodical while her gaze did not move.

I looked up and didn't see anything in the tree because it was full of many, entangled branches. And, frankly, I didn't want to move a whole lot because I didn't want Elly to. I get that she's a hound, but she's so out of practice chasing, cornering and treeing critters that I was intrigued by her instantaneous return to instinct. It turned out that she was so transfixed, I could move all I wanted, and she did not care. So, I moved enough to finally see what she saw:

The squirrel could not make up its twitchy little mind as to what to do. It kept looking up then down then up then at me then at Elly ... all the while, its tail was twitching like crazy. I kept thinking, "If you only knew how safe you really are."

So, I went from looking at the squirrel to back at Elly who, by now, put on her, "Ummm ... now what" face:

Then I went back to the squirrel:

"Yeah! For real! Now what?!!!"

What then was to get back to running.

"Let's go, mommy!"

Elly clearly had enough of the cornering because she happily joined me back in pace. I think she was feeling pretty good about herself, too.

We went on to wrap up our run right on target even with some stops along the way to gather pennies, go potty (her, not me) and, of course, tree a squirrel and further torment it by taking its picture. What more could you want during a run?

That was a good shake out of Friday's lingering twinges! Rest Day tomorrow will help settle the legs down before firing it all up for Tuesday's run! I hope your Sunday is also full of unexpected adventures, and I'll check in tomorrow!

Color, Color, MORE Color!

Happy Weekend!! Happy full day of Spring!! I'm far more enthusiastic about the Spring thing today because the weather is much more Spring-like today. So, here's a happy pic to celebrate it:

That's actually the pic on the Snoopy Facebook page they used to commemorate St. Patricks' Day. But, I love it. And, I love rainbows. And, I even saw a little, bitty rainbow this morning. So, there you go.

It's been a busy day including getting my brain in gear for my run tomorrow (because I'm already certain I'd much rather be sleeping). But, I have some incentive to get on out there. Check 'em out:

BAM.

It's not that I was in the market for new shoes because, as you know, I just got a new pair. And, they're totally awesome. I was actually in the market to go get another pair so I had a backup for down the road. I mean, my current pair has now been through enough to know that, yup, they are keepers for sure! So, it just made sense to get another ...

The shoe store had other plans, though, and that particular model is gone. Apparently, I'm not the only one who loved them! But, right down the aisle was this one. They're almost exactly the same except for more color (I know!!! Yay!!!). They're like walking on air for real. I do so love Saucony shoes ... Anyway, they're getting a test run this week, so what better time than the morning?! When they get the seal of approval, those shoe strings are going to be swapped out. These shoes deserve better than what they came with, and, fortunately, I have a bounty from which to chose!

I know, I know: They'd be even more fantastic if I took them out of the box and got the crap out from around them ...

In the meantime on a totally random note, I stumbled across this little tool in my outings today:

They let you cut the nibby things off of the backs of buttons for a flat surface. Did you even know these existed?! I sure didn't. Crafty Pit Crew #2 and I had to have them. I just thought I'd pass along this little find in case you, too, have ever been in need of getting the little nibby things off of the backs of buttons and didn't know how to do it. At least, how to do it well ...

With that, it's off to relax my way into the evening!! May your Saturday evening also be chill, and I'll see you after the morning run!

Defined By Me

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 273.6 (running: 167.3; walking: 12.5; biking: 93.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $29.25

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 273.6 Aaron: 214.2 (b: 192.9; w: 16.8)  Elly: 48.8 Total: 536.6

Happy Friday! Happy first day of Spring!! Although, as cold as it is out there, it doesn't feel like Spring. Just sayin'.

Today was the 11-mile long run day, and it. went. awesome. Yahoo!!! Here I am at the end:

You think that look is from not just finishing but also from having the aforementioned awesome run. It is actually because I got to the end and found my car was not towed as I feared might happen. You see, somewhere around the 8th mile, I had this oh crap feeling when I couldn't remember if I hung my hang tag.

Is anyone wondering why miles 8-11 were my very best ones? As if I could foot-race a tow truck that I didn't know was or was not heading toward my car. It was good motivation, though. I could get to the empty parking spot and say, "At least I tried." hahaha

So, that was the end of the run.

At the beginning, I was cursing a friend of mine who posted this on Facebook from the Purple Clover page:

I used the first three miles of this run both singing that song and contemplating friendship dismissal. Sure, sure, I could not check my feed before heading out the door. But, it's what I do. My dad used to read the newspaper at breakfast; I check my Facebook feed. I call it same thing. Anyway, the pina colada song became the background music while I sang the "Let Me Take a #Selfie" (The Chainsmokers) song. That song is fabulous. And relevant to me personally and in our society. Let's not hate on it. Or, go ahead if you want, but I love it!

Eventually, the pina colada song got rubbed out before Mile 4. I decided to keep my friend, by the way.

So, that's the beginning and the end. In the middle, I realized my route was both awesome and a hazard as I mapped a stretch that had no sidewalks nor shoulder. Awesome. I live to write about it, but I won't be using that particular stretch anymore. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I saw two girls doing drugs in the middle of the street on this stretch, too, but I can't be certain. I should have pulled out my camera and aimed. THAT would have answered the question ...!

Anyway ... Then there were the hills I mentioned yesterday -- those turned out fantastic. Feel free to be surprised because I sure was. They were challenging yet nothing my body wanted to turn away from or bail on. My mind was a different story a few times, but we ignore that when the body keeps on trucking!

I saw these views along the way in the middle of the run:

I was stoked at Mile 7.5 because the biggest hill challenges were behind me, and I still felt strong. Apparently, that was a really good thing because the hang tag mental mind game started at Mile 8 ...

Then there was that moment at a stop light, right after conquering the series of hills and feeling fab, where Yesteryear Me would have emotionally been brought to my knees. But, that won't happen to Today Me because I am fully aware of my bad ass status. Here's what happened: So, there I was waiting at a red light with a couple of other people. One of the men admired my hand-strapped-but-hands-free water bottle and asked about it. I told him where I got it, blah blah. He went on and (very politely, mind you) said, "That would be good for me if I were to run distances. And, if I were to do that, I should also probably run like you were (before stopping at the light) to keep it low impact seeing as I have hip problems, right?"

Umm ... 'like I was'? I almost giggled. I mean, what a very polite way of saying I look slow, right? Forget I was coming to a red light, but, whatever. Even so, I love my pace. It works, and it works well. And, no, I'm not the dudes who were blowing by me a few miles back. (For real, you could feel their breeze as they passed. I even know one of them, but he was running so fast he didn't even see me until we crossed paths again a few miles later.) I never was and never will be. But, I used to feel intimidated by and/or judged by those who can run like that whether I ever was or not. I was just that insecure. (And, let's face it, it's just as possible that this guy with the hip problems might have looked at me and thought, "Hey, wait ... maybe I don't have to go at break-neck speed, either ..." Maybe my pace actually inspired some possibility in him he'd not yet considered. Of course, do we ever go to the positive first?)

Either way, now I'm all whatever to what anyone thinks and said to the guy, "All I can say is, I just go. I go as fast as I'm going to go that day, and whatever comes out, comes out. But, I highly recommend this water bottle," and left it at that because the light turned green and I was about to have to run down a tow truck or something.

And, that was my run. It was probably the strongest 11 miles I've ever done. Because I'm a bad ass by my own definition.

Let no one else define any part of you. You are in charge of that! Now, go do something you have decided is great, and I'll check in on tomorrow's Rest Day!

Shine

It's the moment I feared would not come today: I mapped a route for tomorrow that I'm actually excited about!! The week has been long and busy, this Rest Day has not been restful at all, the temperature took a dive to the point I had to turn on the heat ... all together made tomorrow's 11 miles feel mighty daunting.

But, then, just moments ago, I mapped a route I am totally stoked about! It is over familiar roads, but I mixed it up to feel way less familiar. And, the most familiar miles are 1 and 11: I never remember the first mile (seriously, hardly ever), and when I'm on the last one, well, you know I'm happy there! There are some hill challenges in there, but I took them over being bored with the route before I even started it. And, if this route blows, I won't be able to do anything about it until it's over, so it really won't matter.

Logic.

In the meantime, I was in Hobby Lobby about an hour ago (on a legit mission, not just wandering to drool over the goodies), and I must show you my scores. First, we have these:

I think they're rather self explanatory. And awesome. AND half price. WooHoo!!

Those weren't on my mission agenda, but that's how it goes. I was actually there looking for a little something(s) to put in a goodie bag for Pit Crew #2 who is in a big competition this weekend. I like to give the kiddos a little something when they compete, a little momento of not just how proud we are of them but also to recognize the incredible amount of effort they don't have to be doing at all that they put into their endeavors. They put themselves out there in ways I didn't have the guts to do at their ages. I am continually in awe.

I have the fortunate opportunity to give this to her after her performance but before she's scored/rated; I like to give them their 'prize' before knowing the results when I can so they clearly get it had nothing to do with the outcome. This is perfect for her:


And, isn't that what's most important always? I know we don't think about it much when we're at work or doing the every day duties. I get that. But, think of how often (and, sometimes, how hard) we work to suppress our excitement and/or our abilities because we're afraid we won't stack up/aren't worthy to be there/maybe aren't as good as we think we are ... and, on and on. Think of how much better off we'd be if we could always remember our performance -- our existence -- is not for the judgment of others. And, we are given gifts that shouldn't be compared. We are allowed to give everything we have and that be plenty. We are allowed to shine in our own right.

Was there anyone happier and shinier at my first Half from start to finish than I? ...

Pure. Happy.

... I really don't think so. But, there should have been.

Embrace what you love. And, be happy with what you have to give. I'll see you after the morning run.

Haters Gonna Hate

Welcome to our St. Patrick's Day dinner day! Aaron had a work dinner last night which is the only way he gets fancy-schmancy meals, so we delayed our green meal 'til today! I spent quite a bit of this Rest Day in the kitchen getting different foods ready ahead of time, so the entire day felt focused on dinner. That really wasn't a bad thing given my latest and surprising happy gravitation to the kitchen!

Last year, Aaron was out of town during St. Pat's, so I was relieved of the smell of corned beef stewing all day. Yeah, well, the Pit Crewers have awesome memories and clearly remember not getting their annual allotment of the stuff, and they didn't let me forget it this year when they found out Dad wouldn't be home for dinner on the 17th. In other words, they weren't letting two years go without.

I made the awesome discovery this year that corned beef cooks just as well (and for just as long) in a crock pot as it does on the stove top. Why didn't I figure that out long, long ago?? The report was that it was delicious, but you won't be seeing any because I didn't eat any. I did my time as a kid, I'm not having any as an adult.

Anyway, our dinner shamrocked ...

I had leftover chicken only because Aaron reminded me there was no protein plan on my plate. Whoops. Frankly, I was too distracted by the artichoke. (Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh !) The other delectable spoonfuls were spinach casserole (holy yum; even Pit Crew #3 liked it), and this fiesta cauliflower casserole I'm totally in love with and made green for the occasion. You also spy with your little eye green hollandaise for the 'choke and, of course, green water. I was going to keep my water regular until I gave in to peer pressure.

Of course we had dessert! Green white chocolate pudding, anyone?

It was all sooooo good ... and, so fun! I love doing this meal every year even though I don't get the holiday.

By the way, I saw a few postings on Facebook yesterday from moms ranting about "Oh, so now I'm supposed to make my kids' food green for this day?! Hell no, I won't go!" At least, that was the sentiment. For real, though, there were some pretty outraged moms out there feeling some made-up pressure to somehow recognize this holiday. Like they were bad moms if they didn't turn their kids' food green for lunch and they didn't appreciate the judgment. (Um, from whom ...?) I didn't Facebook my kids' lunches so, no, it wasn't directed at me. (Although, that would have made me laugh because who cares.) I can only say the pressure is made up and self-imposed, so relax. Seriously, shhhhhh ... Have some green pudding. I'll make it for you. But, only if you turn your frown upside down.

So, there was that. Green food mission accomplished. That's not a bad thing to accomplish! AND we have a lot of leftovers. I foresee a leftover dinner within the next two days. MOM WINS.

Tomorrow's another break from running, but I'll be checking in. Make your own kind of fun no matter what anyone else thinks, and I'll see you tomorrow!