Friday Favorites

Well... If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen my post about our Little Lottie having RSV this week. So... that is my Friday un-favorite. ;) But, despite the sickness, this week has not been short of favorites. Here goes:

I decided for sure that I am training for the Covenant Marathon. Early morning runs, here I come... you may or may not see me with clothes on inside out during my training. 

Got some exciting (to me) shopping deals this week:

Awesome skirted running tights from Gap for $4.00!!! Yes, you read correctly: $4.00!!! 

I had just been thinking that I needed to find more skirted running gear for modesty reasons because of a recent conversation with Ben about modesty. Thanks for the gentle reminder, honey!

Plum Organics Fruit Straws for half-price at Kroger!

A successful first trip to the dentist for Rush. He was so brave, and his teeth looked great. Aunt Brittany, I know you're proud. 

Baking homemade Cinnamon Raisin Flax Bread. I doubled the recipe for my sister and her family since Baby Aubrey will arrive at any moment.

An awesome workout thanks to Sarah @ Sweetmiles!

I used my body bar for all of the weighted exercises. I had to cut it short, though, because as you can see on the light indicator on the baby monitor, Lottie woke up {poor sick baby}.

We are headed back to the pediatrician today for a follow-up. Then I am going to get my hair cut... just a trim, but it will mean a few hours of freedom for me because my mother-in-law will have the kids. :) I hope to do Sarah's workout again when I get home. Tonight is family movie night, and probably leftovers for dinner... my fridge is full! {I that's a good problem to have.} After the kids go to bed, we are going to do a run-through of the lesson Ben has prepped for Bible study; then we're going to watch episode 1 of North and South on Netflix. I'll have 14 miles to get in tomorrow morning, but besides that, we have no other plans tomorrow. That's a great Saturday in my opinion!

Happy weekend!

What are you currently studying in the Bible?
What's your favorite way to spend a Saturday?

Friday Favs

1. Watching my kids play in the snow!

2. Having a "Sprinkle" (small baby shower) for my big sister who is expecting her third very soon!

3. Trying some new recipes! 

Broccoli, spinach, pesto quiche from The Gracious Pantry

Fish tacos (my own version--- recipe coming soon)

4. 2nd Birthday party planning for my Lottie Loo! Cowgirl theme!

5. FINALLY going for a long run this morning! 

It has been so cold, that I have not been running, and I am such a treadmill wimp! I managed a s-l-o-w 12 miles in the rain, but at least it was slightly above freezing- 33 degrees to be exact. ;) It was such a slow run that I made Ben late for work! Oops! 

Speaking of Ben, can share a bonus favorite?

Bonus Fav: I am so thankful for Ben. 

I was just reflecting this morning on what a great man he is. He is so diligent in his relationship with God; and he is preparing to teach our new class with excellence. He is so supportive of me in every way, and he is very intentional with our kids in leading them. OK, enough bragging...

We are looking forward to another low-key weekend with a possible date night tonight. We got a gift card to Cheesecake Factory for Christmas, so we want to use it. And after this 12-mile run, I will enjoy my cheesecake guilt-free! Please pray for us as we prepare to facilitate our first real lesson this Sunday.

And just for kicks, here are some of my favorite blog reads from this past week:

The Saved Runner: 8 Things to Never Say to a Runner

Hidden with You: Interruptions and Interrupt

Delights and Delectables: My Prayer as a Future Adoptive Mom

Have a fabulous weekend!

Marathon Training Log #8

I will never run more than 3 miles at 2:00 in the afternoon. Ever. Again.

So, I had the genius idea to wait until naptime on Sunday to do my 14-mile run. Chris had already gone on Saturday, so Ben I went together. As always, 50 yards into the run, he went off and left me. I do not use music when I run; so this was going to be a long and lonely 14 miles. It was a beautiful (and mild) 70* day, but there is no shade on this route, except about a 1-mile stretch. And I planned poorly for this one... no hat, no sunglasses, no headband. I did, however, remember sunscreen. Yay for no skin cancer!

I did not know what to expect tummy-wise during the run since I always run in the morning, and I always eat pretty much the same thing in my efforts to stop my problem after long runs. I had a whole wheat waffle with peanut butter and banana with coffee for breakfast, and a turkey salad for lunch at about 1:00 (lunch is always way late on Sundays!).

We started the run between 2:30 and 2:45. I took my two 10 oz bottles in my belt, one with water and one with Spark. I also took my usual Marathon Bar.

The first 2 miles were painful... literally... let me explain:

after the 18 miler, (last weekend), I started having crazy low-spine pain. I thought that it was because I sat on our driveway for a while that same day, but realized quickly that it was more than that. I have a friend who is a chiropractor, so I went to see him on Monday, and he gave me lots of advice and made lots of adjustments to my lower back, knees and feet. The thing he stressed the most to me was icing after the long runs. I had quite a bit of relief over the next few days.

So I was not happy when I started feeling the same pain in the beginning of this run, but it soon faded, and I felt fine the rest of the run. I tried to be conscious of trying to keep my hips tucked under and not sticking my tail out. I know that poor posture has contributed to the problem.

I stopped at 5.75 miles at the usual park to refill my drinks. I ate most of the Marathon Bar when I started back up. I was so happy when I finally reached 7 miles... the first 7 seemed to take forever!

I got back to the park just before reaching 9 miles, and I stopped again to top-off my waters since there is no other fountain from there on. I felt like I  needed to take a short walking break, so I started my GPS back up, but I was walking. I didn't watch the time, I just walked until I felt like it was enough... I'd guess it was about 2 minutes.

Before I knew it, I hit 12 miles! I came to a busy intersection and had to wait a while to cross safely, so I finished the last 1/4 of the Marathon Bar. The last 2 miles were not fun. All I could think about was how 16 and 18 miles seemed easier and less painful than this one! Oh well... I finished. But like I said, I will never run that far that late in the day again.

My stomach did not feel so great the rest of the day, but it wasn't debilitating like it has been sometimes. So far, so good!

Ben finished right about 15 minutes after me... he had run 18 miles. He said it was brutal for him yesterday, too.

This weekend is our biggie: 20 miles!!! Don't know how or when we are going to do it, but I have to do it in order to feel confident enough to register for the race... did I just admit that?

Nope, I haven't registered yet... oh, and, I didn't ice.

New shorts I ordered from Lucy Activewear, my favorite running apparel store.

Marathon Training Log #3

10 miles. Seems short after 14...

We decided to meet at 7:30 Saturday morning. I slept-in until 7:00!!!! Didn't really give myself enough time to eat and use the bathroom...

About 7:10: ate a 4 oz cup of yogurt topped with Kashi honey sunshine cereal. Drank about 8 oz of coffee along with it. Sipped on water too.

Took my two 10 oz. waters in my belt and a Snickers Marathon Bar (found them at Wal-Mart in boxes).

Ben ran ahead of Chris and me since he wanted to go a little farther than us. Chris and I were both feeling yucky this run. It was just one of those off-days. But, by mile 5, we had gotten into a groove and it seemed like our aches and cobwebs had loosened up. I ate 3/4 of my marathon bar at the halfway point and had a few sips of Chris's electrolyte drink. Had to stop for a bathroom break around mile 8, and I was worried that my stomach was going into "dumping." All was fine after the stop, though, and I finished strong. It was a great run this week.

Ben and I both drank a 32 oz Gatorade when we finished. My stomach was very unsettled the rest of the day. Not sure if it was related to the run, though, because our baby girl had tummy trouble yesterday too. 

We got to eat a delicious and satisfying dinner at a wedding reception. Ben and I were both very hungry, so, of course, we over-ate. I can't say that I regret it, though. Plus, we had some great company.

My friend, Brittany, and me at the reception

15 miles scheduled for this weekend, and we are taking a family vacation.  We may have to reschedule the run for the following Monday. We'll see!

9 weeks to race day!