October 31 - November 6

Monday - Crunch: Burn and Firm Pilates - 48 minutes

I wanted to try a different video. I have never done any kind of pilates before except the little bit in Centergy class back when I used to go to it. I did around 10 AM with the kids watching TV and then playing all around me. I didn't think it would work, but it actually did. I was only interrupted once to clean up some spilled milk. Derek played contently at the table with his cars and city boxes. Kara played with her baby dolls. Sometimes they do this and other days it is like pulling teeth to get them to do anything all they do is fight. Anyway the length was too long. I can't workout that long in the morning unless I am up before the kids. But the stretching was great. I really needed it. I liked the overall workout. I think I like Crunch Boot Camp slightly better. I do miss the days I used to do more with yoga and pilates. It's just hard to squeeze that in with running.

Tuesday - Ran 1.75 miles

Did my two mile route, but walked the last .25 miles. Good workout.

Wednesday & the rest of the week

Wednesday was super busy so I decided to make it my rest day. I had to bring Derek to Christina's, run a bunch of errands for ETM while Derek was there and set up for ETM. I did not finish by 11:15 AM. I realized 1) I don't need to make this ETM program so complex...I spent way more time on things than I needed to...especially since it was just a few kids this time around. 2) I have to be realistic on how much I can really accomplish during the two hours Derek is in preschool. So because I did all this all morning, nothing got cleaned and laundry was at a halt again. But whenever I make my midweek my rest day I never run the rest of the week. Which is exactly what happened. Thursday I was exhausted and mentally drained. Rob told me to leave the house at 5:15 PM and not come back until after the kids were in bed. :) I went to French Press & the library. I SO needed it. I worked on my Bible Study and read 40 pages of a book and enjoyed a wonderful crepe. Yesterday we had to leave to go Harris' around 3:30 and we had to do haircuts in the morning. With baths, laundry, and cleaning that was enough. Rob and I also worked on Christmas budgets, gift planning, meal planning and birthday planning--it took almost two hours by the time we were done with it. It was fun and we love working on it together, but it took up most of the morning. I could have gone out and run, but there was so much more I had to. Today I just lost all motivation so I am sitting here. :) I'll try again next week.

Week of October 24-30

I took another break. My sister and her family were here. Then I got this really bad cough after they left. Earlier last week I felt so overwhelmed. I don't know if it was the fact I missed my sister (I'm always a little "emotionally off" for a couple days after I see family), or the fact I had a lot going last week (ETM & MOPS), or the fact I was coughing and had a head cold--but it was triggering a lot anxiety. Like I almost felt like I was in a panic when I was in Costco on Tuesday. I felt so overwhelmed, but I handled it a lot better than a year ago when I had this. I decided to put exercise off until I get myself together. Rob gave me a lot of time to myself this weekend. I've had very little time to myself lately. I stayed home from church yesterday because Kara was still sick. I actually took too much Nyquil and Dayquil and I was in a loopy fog all day. All I wanted to do was sleep. Yet I felt like my body would not fully let me. Thankfully the kids were really really good yesterday. Derek and Kara have been playing better.

Monday - Crunch Boot Camp - 30 minutes

I still feel weak from the cold and the fact I've not been exercising. But I was able to get through the workout. I drank A LOT of water and pushed myself through it. I still feel a little dizzy and weak in the arms and legs--but nothing like the last few days. Feels good to get moving again. Hope it's a productive week in terms of exercise.

Tuesday - Ran 1.5 miles

It is officially cold here. It was only 45 when I went running at lunch. Not cold for October, but it was in the 60's over the weekend. I ran to Walgreens. It felt really good to run. I thought I would be lagging and feel dizzy, but I felt great. I have had no anxiety since yesterday morning and that helps. Derek and Kara were not great today, but I handled it better. I seriously think it was all the breaks Rob gave me this weekend--I was getting really drained with all the household and kids stuff. Nice to be back in an exercise routine again.

Wednesday - Ran 1.5 miles

So good to be running again. Felt great! I just ran up Liberty to Ewald and then to Cunningham. I had to stop at Roths and buy stuff to make muffins. I feel so good having worked out this week. Derek is sick today, but not too bad. I think he should be fine by tomorrow--if not for sure by Friday. Very relaxing day. Got a lot done around the house and Kara was good.

Thursday - Crunch Boot Camp 30 minutes

A little bummed Hailey is sick today and we had to miss the pumpkin patch field trip. And the weather is absolutely perfect too. It's been so sunny this week and nice out. Too bad we have had sick kids. I am hoping she is better by tomorrow. Derek is back to normal. Very glad he is napping this afternoon. I did the work out at 2:30 this afternoon and it was tough. I did not feel as strong today. I also kept thinking about everything I still have to do today. Which is why I would much rather work out in the morning and get it done and over with. The afternoon is nice when it is a less intense time...reading, writing, etc. But glad I got it done and been able to exercise this week.

Friday - Ran 1.5 miles

Had a great run! Ran at 8 AM and it was super nice to get it done in the morning. Perfect morning out. I just ran my two mile course, but walked the last half mile. Feeling strong and ready to start adding the miles. It's been a great week. Stayed on top of the cleaning, laundry, and exercise. It has made me so calm and less anxious. It also barely rained. We saw the sun all week. I wish every week could be like this. I'm really enjoying just being at home. I don't feel as overwhelmed. I did not think dropping out of vet. school would make a huge difference, but it's made all the difference. I am pleasantly surprised. I don't miss it nearly as much anymore.

Saturday - Rest Day

Really busy day. I helped the VS family set up for Fall Harvest Carnival most of the morning. Then I took a nap in the afternoon and Harvest Carnival stuff all evening. Fun night.

Sunday - 40 minute walk

Had such a good week and weekend, but in a crummy mood today. I slept funny and strained some muscle in my neck and it hurts all the way up to my right ear. It goes in and out. Plus I just feel mentally and emotionally drained. And tired!! I went on a forty minute walk around the neighborhood and that was probably the highlight of my whole day. Honestly I felt so at peace. I am just starting to feel overwhelmed again and not sure what is causing it. It's always a guessing game whether it is hormones, life situations, or just randomness. I honestly think one of the biggest reasons is the lack of alone time. Last weekend I felt SO rested and relaxed...and calm. I had a lot of time to myself. This weekend I had next to nothing. Just the way it worked out. I don't want to be antisocial, but I just can't do all this running around anymore. I have kids in my space ALL DAY long. I love them and enjoy being with them, but it can be very very draining. By 8 PM I have nothing left. I am hoping for an OK week though. I'm glad the only major thing I have going is ETM which is pretty manageable.

October 3-9

I am here! I really needed a 10-14 day period to get my fall routine "re-established." I am happy to say I have been getting up EVERY morning at 6:40 AM to read my Bible and pray. I have been super consistent and have benefited richly in every single area of my life. I feel like "the spiritual desert" I was describing is in my past and I have pressed forward relying on God's leading. The Tim Keller books I read last winter and this summer also helped. So my goal this week to get my exercise routine in order. I am not pushing myself to exercise in the mornings anymore. It just doesn't work. I cannot get up at 5:45 or 6 AM. With us not sitting down to dinner until 6:15 two to three nights of the week because of soccer, the kids not getting to bed until 8--I cannot go to bed around 10. Usually I am in bed by 10, but I often read for a half hour to forty-five minutes. I might try mornings again later in the year. Right now it is way too dark in the morning anyway and the rain hit this week. There is constant rain in the forecast. It looks like it is going to be a very wet October.

Monday - Boot Camp - 30 minutes

Love this DVD and going to stick with it a couple more weeks. I am just getting the hang of it and really like it. I managed to do it at 9:30 while both kids were finishing up watching Dora, playing and having snack. I had to stop once to change a diaper, but otherwise it worked out just fine.

Tuesday - Ran 1.5 miles

Ran to Hailey's school and back during Rob's lunch. Good run. It went fine. Awesome weather (I ran in between rain storms).

Wednesday - Boot Camp - 30 minutes

Kara and Derek watched about 10 minutes of Sesame Street and were done. I guess I can't complain my kids are not that interested in TV! Some people have the opposite problem with their kids. Derek watched the utility truck outside for like 15 minutes and Kara ate her snack. So I could do most of the workout interrupted except for like a five minute pause to check on Derek and get Kara her snack. It was a really good workout. When I did this DVD a couple weeks ago, it was so hard in some places. I dreaded parts of it. Now I am slowly getting the routine down.

I looked ahead at Newport Marathon. I would have to officially start training end of February. So I am going to stick with the short runs for about 8 weeks. Then get my mileage up to around 8-10 miles for 12 more weeks. After that, I should be ready to train.