September 12 - 18

I have been exercising off and on...just not blogging about it.

I am actually beginning pre-pre marathon training. What the heck is that!? Basically I am beginning a new fall routine where I wake up 6 AM and read my Bible and exercise all before the kids get up. So far I am happy to say I have been quite successful. Labor Day Weekend threw me off a little, but I'm back on. Because getting up early is very, very difficult for me and I am not a morning person at all, I am doing very short runs right now. I could do 3-4 miles. But I feel like I have to establish this routine first. This means I am only doing 1.5 - 2 mile runs and getting up to 3-4 miles in a couple weeks.

Once I begin pre-marathon training which will mean getting up to 8 or so miles, I hope to do most of my running still in the morning...and possibly my long run on the weekends. I figure I can try 5:45 AM and 5:30 if needed. I really hate being more tired at night. I accomplish very little after 9 PM anyway...sometimes earlier.

Dropping out at vet. tech. school as hard as it was has freed up my schedule significantly. I am amazed how much time it has given me. I STILL miss it a lot to the point I have a hard driving by vet. clinics. I had to drop something off at the humane society and that was really hard. I took Hailey and her friend with me so that helped. But I am pressing on. I am realizing as time passes, I made the right decision. I am more excited about what my future holds in terms of going back to work someday versus stressed and worried. There IS something about doing youth ministry and NOT being paid. It's a whole other world being a regular volunteer and yet not having to deal with some of the hassles of being on staff at a church. In some ways I feel like I already am on staff as the PW.

Anyway I am recording my weekly workouts and I am following a loose training plan until I can up my mileage and do hills, long runs, and tempo runs again...

Monday: 10 minutes of thighs, 10 minutes of arms

I did the 10 minute solutions. I know it is very basic and not challenging enough. I am focusing more on getting the routine down and exercising in the mornings. Then I will switch back to Boot Camp workouts or something similar.

Tuesday: Ran 1.5 miles

I ran to Hailey's school and back. I am not at my best. I could do it and run the whole way, but I just don't feel strong right now. I am hoping the structured morning routine will help get my mileage back up.

Wednesday: Boot Camp - 30 minutes

I did not get up at 6 AM. It is getting harder. I realized since I'm home all day and do not have much in the morning I could work out during Derek and Kara's nap. The problem is I felt gross being in workout clothes all morning plus I don't get as much done in the afternoon. I remembered this is why I like exercising in the mornings. I still was up by 6:40 AM to read my Bible, but exercise was postponed to around 1:30 PM. I like the Boot Camp DVD better than the 10 minute solutions--more challenging. I think I will stick with it for awhile and then switch to something else.

Thursday: Ran 1.5 miles

I knew getting up early was going to be hard for me. Yesterday afternoon and evening were really busy. I was pretty exhausted. I again did not get up the 6 AM wake-up--got up at 6:40 to do devotions. I was going to run at Rob's lunch, but realized he's not taking lunch at home today. I ran at 7:15 while the kids were eating breakfast and Rob was getting ready. We were a little ahead of schedule this morning so it worked out fine. Hailey was actually ready for school ten minutes early. I just ran to Hailey's school and back again. I felt so good--like I could have run for miles. I really think the Boot Camp yesterday helped stretch some of my muscles and the push ups (as much as I hate them) have helped too.

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Ran 1.5 miles. Picked a new route running to Lori and around to Fir Dell. The run went fine and the weather was perfect.

Sunday: 30 minute walk. Not sure how long and far I walked because I was not keeping track. My walk ended at Walgreens to pick of Oro Gel. I have three canker sores all over my mouth and it kills! The Oro Gel only numbs it for a little bit. I think this was a result of eating a lot of tomatoes. What a pain!

August 22 - 27

I decided I am NOT going to train for anything yet. If I do the Newport Marathon I will need to start training around February. I would like to get up to 8 miles by then and I am going to take my time doing it. I really want to concentrate about toning, ab workouts, and run/walking. I might do a 5K in the fall, but not sure when. I am only going to run 3-4 days a week and 2-3 miles for the first few weeks. No hills or interval runs for a few weeks.

I am no longer sick, but I have a sore throat (NOT strep) and mild laryngitis. The girls have it too. Last week I did no regular exercise except hiking 10 miles at Silver Falls. Rob strained his knee and I think he has bursitis. He was fine the whole hike...it started to hurt the next day. I was a little sore, but recovered fairly quickly. I LOVE hiking!!! Was awesome.

So I just am going to record my weekly workouts. I also am cutting myself down to one sweet snack a day. I am going hard core again with the fruits and veggies like I did when I was on Weights Watchers.

Monday: I ran/walked 2 miles. I ran most of it. I gave myself three very short walking breaks. I did not really need them. I could have ran the whole way. I really want to ease back into it and not overdue it. I am still fighting the after effects of this virus or whatever it was. I enjoyed the morning so much more doing it this way. I was pleased I got out there at 6:40 AM. I've not done these morning runs all summer except once or twice during VBS week. I also did 10-15 minutes of abs on my own: crunches, bicycle, side planks, regular plank. So thankful Camelia brought over fresh blueberries and tomatoes! Need fresh fruit and veggies in the house!

Tuesday: I did 20 minutes of abs and thigh workouts on the 10 Minute Solution on Instant Netflix. Good workout and got going at 7 AM. Need to stay on this morning routine. It helps the day go smoother!!

Wednesday: Did 20 minutes of arms and glutes. Really challenged myself on the push ups and am quite sore! I also did my own ab workout for about 10 minutes while I had Fox News going on the background. I was glad I got out bed before 7 again.

Thursday: I ran 2 miles and my did 2 mile timed route that goes by the park and along Liberty. Originally I was going to walk when I got to Liberty for 1-2 minutes, but felt better after 1 mile. So I just kept moving and ran the whole way. I am not at the place I was running wise in June, but I am taking my time getting there. I am enjoying running now and not feeling bad about not training for races right now. My motivation is more toning and enjoying the mornings. I got out at 6:45 AM. Four mornings a row! It's been a good week. I also did 10 minutes of abs again on my own. I would not say the morning exercise makes my day any less stressful. I had a few struggles with the kids this morning and then again in the evening. I would say my anxiety kicks in during certain circumstances. But I don't feel out of control. I now know what triggers it and I am handling it so much better than I did six months ago. I'm not yelling at the kids or zoning out on the computer (I intentionally keep the computer off from 9 AM until nap time every single day now). I'm also eating healthier. I'm also more intentional with reading my Bible, praying throughout the day, and listening to others instead of talking all the time. I think it's all a matter of balance. All those components were out of balance last December right after Christmas and I really just fell apart. Here's hoping that does not happen again this winter.

Friday - Rest Day

Saturday - 10 minutes of arms, 10 minutes of glutes, 5 minutes of abs

Managed to squeeze in it even though we had a very, very busy Saturday with meetings at church in the morning and party at the Hiemstra's at night. Good workout.

Sunday - Rest

I wanted to run before church, but my knee was hurting me. I don't know if I strained something yesterday while working out. I did trip off a wooden step at Hiemstra's and felt like something was twisted. I was a little worried about straining something so I stayed back. I was going to try and run on it in the afternoon, but it was in the high 80's and we were at Ramak's all afternoon. It was a very exhausting Sunday and I think I cried three times throughout the day. Yes, the kids are a little crazy right now and I don't know why.

Catch up

Ugh--can't seem to stay well for more than 4-5 weeks. It throws off the whole running schedule. Last week I ran in the Willamette Valley Roadrunners 5k. It was very competitive and lots of good runners. A little intimidating. But I got like 25:58 which is not bad. It's not as good as I did in April & May. I got 6th in my age group. The winner was like 22 minutes which is crazy! I had a great time though. Rob's mom was supposed to come with us, but unfortunately got held up in Seattle. Margie was able to come and watch the kids while I ran. Hailey also had a blast doing the kid's run. Thankfully Rob's mom made it by 9 and I kept Hailey up.

On Friday I had a great tempo run to Crossler Middle School and around the track a couple times. I took Saturday off because I had VBS follow up in the morning and then Rob and I went to Brownsville. On Sunday I did a brisk cross training walk. I've done NOTHING since.

Monday I packed most of the day getting ready for vacation. Both Sunday night and Monday night I felt fatigued, had sinus headaches, and my stomach was off. Hailey was sick and we postponed or vacation by a day. We left Tuesday and went to Bonneville Dam. Everything was going well and Hailey was doing better. I felt a little "off" but I would not call it "sick." Derek would not eat his supper and he complained of a stomach cramp. I knew he was probably getting it. I just hoped it was mild. He was acting normal again. Kara and Derek were so wild trying to go to sleep at night.

I forgot to turn the A/C on in the motel room that I was so warm I could hardly sleep. I did not want to climb over Derek and turn on a light. I ended up turning it on and put it on "Low Warm" on the coldest temperature because I could not see anything which basically equaled room temperature. Kara was sleeping very restless, but that is typical of Pack and Plays and motel rooms. At 3 AM she cried out, but then stopped. All the sudden we heard throwing up. Rob said, "Derek is throwing up." I was so confused and said, "Who?" Rob went to Derek's bed and realized it was not Derek, but Kara. Throw up everywhere. We tried to clean it up as best as we could. I was ready to pack the sickies in the car and drive home at 3 AM because I knew I was not going back to sleep anytime soon.

I managed to sleep until 8 - a very restless interrupted sleep. Derek woke up lethargic, sick, and just wanted to lay down. Kara was pretty much sick. I had absolutely no appetite. We really debated about staying for Hailey's sake. She took it well when we decided we had to can the vacation. Staying in a motel room all day with two sick kids (in the same room) and not feeling good myself seemed absolutely awful. I just wanted to be at home. Derek is very high strung when he is sick. He screams, cries, tantrums, and does not make a lot of sense. Kara is overly clingy and does not sleep well unless she is a room by herself in her own crib.

I was sick, but not nearly as bad as the other two. I did not throw up or anything. I just felt so lethargic (and some of it was from lack of sleep and a busy last couple weeks) and had no appetite. I had sinus pressure again, but I think it was from dehydration.

So now Derek is doing a lot better. Kara is too--just still clingy and lethargic. I am almost back to normal. Since Rob has next week off too, we're going to make up for it and plan a bunch of day trips. I am really sad...and a little pissed too (not sure who to get mad at?) since this is the second time we've all been sick of Rob's vacation. Then Rob and I got to thinking about all the times when we were little and someone threw up in a motel room or in the car...or someone had to miss out an event. I guess you cannot avoid in this phase of life. We had such a healthy winter compared to other years. Seems like we got hit hard this summer and Rob and I have seem to got the worst of it. I had strep twice and Rob had it once. Rob, Derek, and Hailey had a stomach bug in June. But when you look at it, we weren't THAT sick. No one was down for more than 1-2 days. No ER visits.

It's just been very hard to have any kind of running routine with all this. I don't think I will be ready to a 10K in a couple weeks. I think come school starting I am going to get to some kind of running routine so I can start training for another marathon this winter.

10 K training Week #3

Monday - Ran 3 miles, stretching and strength training

It is finally hot out. I planned on running in the morning and was even awake in time. Rob said his throat still hurt and he was calling the doctor. He wanted to get tested for strep. Then he said his throat hurt, but he felt fine otherwise. He said he was going to work and would be happy to watch the kids during his lunch I could run. I hate running in the heat even though it was barely 80 degrees. I had to stop and drink water twice. I also missed my turn on Welcome Way and got a little mixed up on what streets dead in to where. I think I did about three miles. I really did not want to mess with the exercise videos today. I did the plank, 50 crunches, 25 bicycles, 20 leg lifts, and some basic stretching. At this point I am not sure if I am going to the 10K, but I like this amount of running 3-5 miles 4-5 times a week (although I am averaging running more like 3-4 times a week). So I'm going to stick with the training guide for now. Even if I end up doing a 10K later in the fall or winter, at least my mileage will be up already.

Tuesday - Ran 4 miles, stretching and abs work

I ran during Rob's lunch again. A little hot out, but I took a whole bottle of Gatorade with me. Went fine. I ran to Valleywood and back. Running much stronger and getting more used to the heat. Still don't want to mess with exercise videos so I did side planks on each side, 55 crunches, 20 bicycles, leg lifts, and basic stretching.

10 K Training Take 2 Week #2

Monday - Ran 3 miles

I ran over Rob's lunch and I made a new route on Welcome Way. Loved it! Need a change. Perfect amount of small hills and nice neighborhood. I will be doing that one again. I ran pretty hard because by Mile #2 I was dragging. I got a second wind by 2.5. Feel like I am back in the running mode again. Hailey and I might do one of the Willamette Cross Country Nights on August 4th.

I also ran about 1/4 mile with Hailey and Derek at Crossler Middle School. Then they played in the long jump sand pit afterwards. It was nice to be outside with them. Hailey wants do the short run so I told her I wanted her to practice a couple times.

Tuesday - Ran 3.5 miles

I ran over Rob's lunch again. I just ran to Sumpter School and back. It was hotter out than I realized. I kind of wish I would have had water with me. The run went really well.

Wednesday - Intervals 8x400

I took Hailey and Derek to Crossler Middle School again. Hailey did the 400 and I ran with her part of the way. That was my warm up run. She got to about 200 and then kept wanting to walk. She did fine though. She also did half of my last interval and raced me at the end. The kids loves playing in the sand pit again.

I did my intervals while they played. Intervals kick my butt. I try to run them hard. But by the last two, I was sweaty, tired, and thirsty. It is nice to do have something different. It gives variety to the schedule. I also like including Hailey and Derek. I do have a memory of my dad taking me to the track while he ran. I must have been like 4 years old because it was at the high school in New York where Jennifer took gymnastics.

Thursday - Sunday

I got a little thrown off by the end of the week. Rob has been on and off sick with a sore throat. He is getting tested for strep right now. He is not wiped out like I was, but it is has been pretty persistent. He was in bed all of Saturday morning. I did not run any of these days. But Friday I did LOTS of walking. I went shopping with Cheryl and Trisha in Portland from around 2 - 8:30 PM. We were all over the place. Yesterday I hiked the South Falls at the church picnic in my flip flops. I know I worked myself because my legs are sore. I feel a blister coming, but I don't think it's bad.

10K Training Week # 1 Take Two

Monday - 3 Mile Run and Strength training

I am going to do a 10K! I really want to do it. I picked VBS Week as my kick off which is crazy. But I am not doing as much for VBS this year. Honestly VBS has stressed me out very, very little. I am thankful Hilda is in charge of all the stuff that stressed me out last year.

Anyway I ran three miles at Rob's lunch. I seriously need new streets to run on. I ran to Browning and on Alderbrook which is a very nice neighborhood. Then I back tracked on Lone Oak and back home again. I think my pace is still pretty slow and I don't feel as strong as I did a couple weeks ago. But I am completing workouts and I am not totally exhausted. Since it is a crummy cold summer and it was not even 70 when I went running at 12:30 PM (which I am not trying to be bitter about), it is possible to run during the day and not overheat.

I also did the arm training on the 10 minutes workout and it felt great to stretch my triceps, biceps and even do push ups. I also did about 7 minutes of abs on my own. Good way to start the week!

Tuesday - Ran 3 miles

Good run today! I ran my regular three mile (Lone Oak to Holder to Liberty). I ran during Rob's lunch and it was still so cool outside. Went really well. More tired today, but had a hard time sleeping last night.

Wednesday - I'm way behind on this! It's almost a week later! Trying to remember what I did!! I am pretty sure I rested on Wednesday.

Thursday - Ran 3 miles in the morning

It was so good to run in my peaceful neighborhood first thing! Great run!

Friday - Rest

I was so exhausted I could not get up early. I really tried, but I needed the sleep. I was busy all morning with VBS and the service project in the afternoon. Then I was finishing up VBS clean up stuff until 5 PM. Rob wanted to go out at night. I guess three runs for VBS week is good.

Saturday - Cross train

I hiked with Kara on my back for about 2 miles. We wanted to hike Mary's Peak, but the road was closed. People were hiking the road, but we had no idea how far it was to the trailhead. We decided we would go as far as the kids could handle. They did great! We did not make it to the trailhead--I don't think I could even done it with Kara on my back. The kids loved seeing all the wildflowers and bugs. Rob carried Kara back down. It was a really good workout. I love hiking!

Sunday - Ran 2.6 miles

I wanted to do a long run, but again we've been absolutely exhausted. I was really pressed for time. I did the Ewald route before church. Then I was in Portland all day with the kids visiting Jonathan and Megan. I was so tired I was crying by the time I got home. Good day with them. It's just been A LOT to juggle lately. Ready for some downtime.

July 10 - 16

Monday - 2 miles

I am back after too long of a running break. I had the same problem last summer. It's really hard to squeeze running in when you want to spend time with the kids and work on VBS stuff...and sleep in. I was up to 8 miles and had several good weeks of running. It was very frustrating getting strep twice in there and also dealing with seasonal allergies. I lost the drive to train for a 10K. :(

I am going to start a 8 week training program to improve my 5K. And possibly do another 5K in August or September. Then we'll go from there. If I do the Newport Marathon next June, I would not mind doing a 1/2 marathon in the winter. Right now the idea of improving on my 5K and doing 3-5 mile runs sounds best. Especially with VBS, family vacation, and trying to spend extra time with the kids before Hailey goes back to school.

This morning I got out the door at 7:25. I just did an easy 2 mile run around the neighborhood. I went really slow and I could tell I have not run in over 2 weeks...closer to 3. I did not have to stop and walk at all. I felt pretty strong. It was just good to get out there again.

Tuesday - 10 minutes of legs stretches/10 minutes of abs/1 hour of walking

I got up at 7:25 and did the 10 minute solutions leg stretches and abs. Felt so good to stretch. Really needed that! We did canvassing tonight for VBS and did a lot of walking. Again it felt really good to move and walk around. As I am writing this I have a minor sore throat. It's not like the last two times I had strep. I am SO hoping it's not. I had some anxiety about it this afternoon. I don't feel fatigued and it does not hurt to swallow at this point. I told Rob I will either be waking up in the morning and calling the doctor or else going running.

Wednesday - 2 mile run

No strep. By yesterday evening my throat felt more hoarse. Not like painful swallowing. I am congested and my eyes a little itchy. I think it is allergies. It still feels this way. It's not gotten worse. I am pretty sure it is seasonal stuff. What is up with this week? It's COLD here for July. Crazy. It's been raining the last two days. We can't even hit 80. What is the deal!

I ran on Rob's lunch because the timing worked better than going out in the morning. I did my regular 2 mile square and I felt really really good. The stretching was much needed yesterday and I think it made a difference. This is warm up week and then I am going to start a 5K improvement training. I need to scan fall/winter races and see if anything catches my eye.

Thursday - Rest Day

Friday - around 3 miles

I ran to Woodmansee Park and back which I believe is just under 3 miles. It was a great fun. I felt wonderful. I also saw that there is a race to support firefighters at Minto Brown in September. I could do the 10K. And Hailey wants to race again too. She could do a 1/2 mile. That is kind of our plan as of right now. Like I know, plans change.

Saturday - Rest Day

I really needed to catch up on cleaning today. I was active cleaning the house. Just did not get out and run.

Sunday - Rest Day

I was planning on running today, but I am starting a pretty intense 10K training program on Monday. I did not want to start it coming off a long run. Also I REALLY needed a nap. The fact Hailey actually took a nap allowed me a long Sunday nap. It was wonderful.