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.

September 19 - 25

Monday: 20 minutes boot camp

I got at 6:40 and read my Bible and prayed. I got a lot of cleaning done before 9 AM so my plan was to exercise while Derek and Kara watched their morning DVD. It was all going great. I am living Boot Camp and it's the right amount of challenge. Unfortunately my workout got cut short about 10 minutes as Derek and Kara ran to my room covered in fish water. The fish tank was moved to the family room a few days ago to make room for the new mixer. Kara pulled down, cracked it, basically destroyed it and poor Sarena the goldfish was laying on the floor. I rescued Sarena and spent a good 45 minutes cleaning everything up. I was pretty ticked off. Rob bought a new fish tank. Sarena held on. By 3 PM she bit the bullet and died. :( She was one year old. I was more upset than Hailey. I think we are going to go out and buy a beta. I meant to finish my workout later, but I never got there. Today was an awful day and the only cure is going to bed and getting up tomorrow and starting over.

Tuesday: Ran 1.75 miles

I got up at 6:15 and managed to get devotions done plus run 1.75 miles and be back by 7. I ran Liberty to Boone to Lone Oak back to Hrubetz and I felt amazing. Great run!

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.