Friday, January 30, 2015

Week 4 Week in Review of 2015

This wasn't my best week ever, I had some sick kid issues and taking kid to dentist issues and not feeling good myself issues, but it was by no means a bad week either.

Sunday  Run 6.21 miles  Easy run, I have to admit I was tired for this one. The cowboy and I had  been out late the night before with friends.

Monday Run 8.2 miles
              P90X3 The Warrior Workout

Tuesday  P90X3 Yoga

Wdnesday home with a sick kid 45 minutes on the elliptical and I felt a little off myself so I skipped the P90X3
                  
Thursday 10.15
                 P90X3 Accelerator
Friday P90X3 Pilates
Saturday 8.1 miles I have to admit, I was not feeling this run at the start but did pretty well with it once I got into the intervals.  800x8
             P90X3 Yoga
Miles for the week  32.66
Month 113.34


And we celebrated my daughters 7th birthday today even though her birthday isn't until Tuesday.
And winter came back about an hour after my run. This week was so nice, we knew it wouldn't last.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Week in Review post 3 of 2015


Sunday  yoga 45 minutes
              Run 4.1 miles

Monday P90X3 Dynamix and Isometrix
              Row 25 minutes

Tuesday  P90X3  CVX

Wednesday P90X3 Yoga (this wasn't what I was supposed to do today, but I had a long run planned and wanted to keep it easy.
               Run  13.1 miles. Only had 11 planned but I misjudged my loop.  Felt good though

Thursday   P90X3 the Challenge workout

Friday  Zuzka Light 6 pack abs

Saturday  8.2 miles with intervals.  800s x8  and I ran them all strong!  YAY

Run totals  week 25.2

Month 80.68
Year  80.68

All in all it was a good week.  I was a little sore from the 13.1 mile long run that was unplanned and I didn't get in one of my runs this week.  I also skipped three P90X3 workouts, but I have to admit I am not very worried about it. I subbed in a Zuzka Light workout because I wanted to get in some good ab work.  I plan to get back on track this week.  It just seemed like a really busy week!

The colors are so pretty right now with the whites, blues, tans and browns of winter. 
But I am still feeling like spring would be okay if it showed up.
How was your week?

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Something to look forward to!

My older sister lives about 5 miles away from me.  I used to see her quite a lot when she was watching my kids for me while I would work.  Now that all her kids and my kids are in school, she has a job in town, and our kids are busy with activities I don't see her nearly as much.  Insert sad face here.

Last weekend I convinced her to ride along to town with me to get some groceries and she told me about a women's conference the Montana Farmer's Union was putting on in Chico Hot Springs that was a smokin deal.  Two nights in Chico, all meals, and a conference for $50.

I am so excited to get a girl's weekend with my sister! in Chico!  oh and the what is the conference about?

We get to start with a demo in cheese making and have a wine tasting Friday night.  Then go soak in the hot springs.

Saturday the conference doesn't start until 8 so you know I will be running in the morning. YAY! Look how beautiful it is there.

photo credit
Only it will probably look at lot more like this when I am there...
photo credit

  Then we go through goal setting, social media things, finding your voice, and photography.  It is all from an Ag based perspective and I have to admit I am excited about that too.

I have been blogging for nearly 4 years, so I kind of think I have found my voice, BUT there is always more to learn and I am excited to learn more and get to meet more bloggers from around Montana, all in a beautiful setting. 

Friday, January 23, 2015

Gone For a Run's PR Recovery Sandals Review

I was given the opportunity to review a pair of Gone For a Run's PR Recovery Sandals and I jumped at the chance.  Sandals designed just for runner's to wear after a run... I am so there! 

First impressions were that they seem very durable, flexible and washable.  The cushiony insoles felt comfy on my feet just walking around the house.



The first time I wore them after a half marathon last fall my feet were feeling tired and sore from the half and I felt like I was getting a blister on one of my toes so I couldn't wait to get back to my car and put them on. 

Bliss.  Look at all those massaging bumps in the shoe!

They sell for 29.99 on the website and are well worth it in my opinion.  I wear mine around the house quite a bit and will be packing them to wear after the Run to the Pub Half Marathon in March.

What they say about them on the Gone For a Run site
How do PR SOLES work? The unique raised triggers on the acupoint soles activate nerve endings in the feet that send healing relief through the entire body. These triggers are specially designed to massage your feet improving circulation and breaking up painful lactic acid and uric acid that accumulate in the feet after a workout or any extended time on your feet.
Are you sold yet?  Then how about this..
  Benefits of Applying Massaging Action to the Feet:
  1. Improves circulation by stimulating blood flow, which will refresh the feet and legs.
  2. Alleviates foot, leg and lower back pain.
  3. Reduces swelling and tension.
  4. Feet and legs recover faster.
I don't know about you, but my lower back always feels really tight after a long run, so if it helps with that I am really sold.  I can also tell you I ran 13.1 miles for a long run on Wednesday and I put my sandals on as soon as I got home and showered.

My legs were feeling pretty good the rest of the day as I went about laundry and house cleaning. 

There are different color options too.. check them out!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Three Things Thursday

1. I was supposed to do my long run on Monday, but since I had to help my husband and a neighbor cut and wrap some pork in the morning and volunteer at the school in the afternoon it did not happen.  I got in 25 minutes on the rowing machine and put off my long run until Wednesday. 

I was planning on 11 miles.  It didn't happen.  I underestimated the loop I was running.  I haven't run it since last fall and in my head I thought it was just over 11 miles.  It was closer to 12 miles. I decided what the hay and ran 13.1.


It felt better than I thought it would.  The wind was a little cold, but at least the sun was shining. 

2. I have completed 2 weeks of P90X3.  I haven't followed the schedule exactly, but am pretty close.  I do easier workouts when I have long run days or my body feels tired.  The workouts are pretty good, but not as hard as I thought they were going to be.  I guess what I was doing already was pretty awesome. 

3. My daughter continues to teach me lessons in patience and perseverance.  She wants to help cook, but then she wants to do it all herself.  Like ALL of it.  Even if it takes her 25 minutes to open three cans to make spaghetti sauce from scratch.  She wouldn't even let me touch the can opener to help her get it positioned right.

She was so proud of herself once she was done though and I have to admit I was proud of her for sticking with it.  I did have to just walk away several times though while she was struggling.

Her latest venture was helping me make pumpkin muffins. I was not allowed to help put the batter in the muffin pan.  Love this stubborn little girl. 

How has your patience been tested lately?
Ever miscalculated your long run distance?

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Protecting Kids from Reality

As a mom I want my kids to have the best possible life.  A happy and fulfilled life. I don't want them to be sad, disappointed, let down, and not have the things they want.  I know it isn't possible to protect them from everything, but I do the best I can. The reality is life happens and we can't protect them from it all.  When they are exposed to the disappointments of life I want to be able to help them cope with it.

I blogged earlier this week about Runty's death.  What I left out is that she got under the car as we were backing out of the driveway.  My husband saw her first and exclaimed "oh shit" as he stopped the car. I immediately looked up and saw Runty flailing around for a few seconds and then stop and lay still.

I had flashbacks of a time when I was younger and we were leaving for church and I looked up to see my kitten doing a similar dance.  My mom got out of the car, went in the house, got a shotgun and shot the cat to put it out of its misery.   I remember going from the hilarity of seeing my kitten do some crazy dance to realizing it was hurt and then dead.  Then we went to church.

The kids from the back seat could not see what was happening and we talked in coded words to shield them from the disaster.  We were on our way to my daughter's first basketball game and we didn't want her to have it clouded with disaster and tears.  She was already nervous.  I didn't want her to go through the situation.

Deciding together that Runty, having not moved again, was surely dead we left for the basketball game and I shed a few silent tears in the car. My daughter had a glorious game and scored even.

I kept myself distracted for the remainder of the evening and when we got home my son was sleeping in the car and my daughter with my parents.  I got out and picked up Runty's still body and took her behind the house and cried. 

The next morning, my son came in from feeding his rabbits crying, saying he couldn't find Runty, there was blood all over the driveway in the snow and surely she was dead.

I immediately started to cry again and told him yes Runty was dead.  He wanted to see her, but I lied and said I didn't know where she was.  I wanted to protect him.  I didn't want him to have to see her little still body that no longer held her sweet spirit. 

My daughter came home and asked about all the blood.  I cried with her all over again, but once again denied letting her see Runty.

Then my son found her.  He put all the puzzle pieces together and wanted to know if that was what had happened when we had stopped the car while pulling out of the driveway.   He wanted to know why I hadn't just told him. 

I realized that maybe trying to protect him from Runty's death wasn't the best thing.  Our emotions are what makes us human.  The high's in life are all the better for the lows that we experience.  I explained to him that I was trying to protect him and that maybe I was wrong for doing so.  I explained it wasn't anybody's fault Runty got ran over, we had all thought she was in a safe spot. 

He hugged me, we cried a little and decided where the best spot for burying Runty was.  We also discussed how now she could breath easier, walk better, and was no doubt smiling down at us from kitty heaven if there is such a place. 


What would you have done?

Monday, January 19, 2015

Gift for an injured runner and Matchy matchy

Fellow blogger Kiley at DVFitness is super talented and has an Etsy shop. She is also very pregnant right now and is missing running, so she came up with this shirt.
So when a girl a know gifted me her bib to a half marathon I was about to sign up for, I sent her one.  I wanted to send her a green one though since the half marathon is a St Patrick's Day themed one.
I think it turned out pretty great!  and she loved it.  Kiley also makes other things like coin banks and lettered wood blocks.  Check out her shop HERE.

My daughter and I did a little retail therapy yesterday and found some matching capris at Target.
Matchy matchy girl power!
I discovered I can wear a size 14/16 in the girls section and they tend to be cheaper there so win win for me! We really liked the crazy pink pair, but went with the less crazy pretty blue pair of capris.
 
Then I came home and went for a run while the boys watched football. The ice is finally melting off!



Sunday, January 18, 2015

week in review and Goodbye to Runty

It  was a good week for workouts and half training. 
Sunday  Run 6 miles
              P90X3 the Challenge workout
              24 minute HIIT workout with my husband (mostly lower body and abs as my arms
                were shot from the Challenge (it is all pullups and pushups)
Monday Run 10.25 miles
              P90X3 Isometrix  .. thoughts on it... hard but not overly challenging.  Good for a lighter
                workout
Tuesday  P90X3 CVX workout.  I found this the most challenging of all the workouts so far

Wednesday P90X3 Synergistics workout
                    15 minutes of yoga
                     5 mile run with hill repeats and some tempo like running

Thursday P90X3 Yoga

Friday P90X3 Warrior Workout
           
Saturday P90X3 Accelerator Workout
               Run 7.38 miles with intervals
Weekly run total 28.63 miles
Run total for the year 55.28

Thought on P90X3:  I have to admit I thought it would be a lot harder than it is.  I do enjoy that it is only 30 minutes which makes it completely doable in the mornings before I have to go to work.   I do feel like I am getting in a good workout.

Our little Runty cat passed away last night.  Broke all of our hearts. I haven't told my daughter yet as she spent the night at my mom's house with her cousin last night.  I knew Runty's life expectancy wasn't good, but I still wasn't ready for it.  She had a lot of issues including poor eyesight, some kind of cerebral palsy and she worked really hard to breath when she purred.  She was the sweetest little cat though and stole all our hearts with her sweetness.  She loved nothing more than a full belly and a warm place to snuggle.
I have always had a soft spot for little cats and Runty with her can do attitude despite her disabilities really had me. 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Three Things Thursday: Bad at plans, good at getting done



Hello Thursday, the day before Friday and the day after Hump Day.  I haven't done a three things Thursday in a long time so it seemed like a good way to blog today.

1.  Running seems to be going pretty good.  I felt a bit of a niggle in my foot yesterday and considered not running, but oddly the niggle felt better after the run so I am glad I did run.  I have started into half marathon training. I had hill repeats on the plan yesterday.  My legs were feeling a little tired from P90X3, but once the repeats were over I ran two miles at just slightly slower than goal half pace.  I called it tempo pace, but I can't remember if that was right or not.  Whatever. 

2.  I don't really have a "plan" for the half marathon.  I do, but it is pretty informal at this point.  As in it is all in my head.  Basically it means I do a long run, intervals, hill repeats or a tempo (or both) and some sort of easy run every week. This week my long run was 10 miles so next week it will be 11, then 12 and then a cut back week. 

Winter is so beautiful, but I am starting to get ready for some green!
3. I have completed one full week of P90X3 and am into my second week.  Apparently I am just bad at following plans as I should have started the second week Tuesday, but I didn't until Wednesday.  This happened not because I missed a day, but because I did a different workout Sunday than I was supposed to and then did Sunday's workout on Monday. Monday's workout on Tuesday.  There are several plans to follow and I am loosely following the Lean and the Classic plans.  Like I said I am bad at following a plan, but I am pretty good about getting things done!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Madlib #NoExcuses Style

    Today I’m sharing my #NoExcuses for 2015 as part of the Fitapproach Challenge. Check out this Mad Lib that I filled out!  I was tagged by Elle over at Eat, Run, Sail for this yesterday
    Hey 2015, it’s me Christy
  • This year I would like to run at least 3 half marathons, run a relay again with the Montana Running Ranchers/Team Beef Montana, and keep doing yoga at least 2x a week.
  • It would also be super duper awesome if I also did get a PR in the half marathon this year. It’s not a resolution, though, just a reminder to myself to try and have the best year yet because I don't want an injury just to enjoy the run
  • The thing I am looking forward to most this year is getting to run any race with my Team Beef Montana girl friends.  They pretty much rock.
  • I’ll use the one thing that truly gets me out of bed in the morning which is to have some quiet time and get in a workout before everyone else wakes up and bugs me  to help me get up, get moving  and get after my #NoExcuses 2015.
  • Speaking of excuses (ahem), my very favorite excuse is I ran out of time and I have used it to get out of doing yoga and laundry on more than 50 (number) occasions.
  • I vow to move my body and be more healthy this year even if it means I have to annoy my kids and make them run or bike with me.
  • Even if my alarm clock gets eaten by the dog in the middle of the night, I'll still get up and finish P90X3.
  • I will stop blaming the kids  for eating the rest of the candy when everyone knows it was really me.
  • My  job and kids are not the reason I make excuses. I will show my excuses  who's boss this year and get my run/yoga/crosstraining
  • I know that yoga  is better than leg pain
  • I will reward myself by buying fun new running clothes and shoes
  • No Excuses 2015 has just begun and already I am imagining myself a winner. I can’t wait to rock a Ladies action colorblock capris (article of clothing) from Augusta Active. I can’t wait till my sweaty friends are jealous of how fresh, clean and glowing  I am between workouts with help from ShowerPill body wipes. I can see myself rocking crow [yoga pose / workout move] in new Perfect Stride Leggings [article of clothing from Actio926] from Actio926 and looking fit and fly while doing it. And of course, I’ll be taking my workouts to the next level and improving my stride [noun] with my new ActivMotion Bar to help me train for my next  13.1 mile [distance] race with Sasquatch Racing.
  • Oh, and let’s not forget how amazing my Rock the Course Leggings [article of clothing] will smell in my / during my long run [favorite type of workout] after washing with some WIN Detergent. And lastly, I’ll keep rocking my 2015 with clean eats and nutrition from Beaming with Health!

  • Tag, Tweet, shout-out, call, text, fax or email 3 friends to take this survey and share how they will have a #NoExcuses 2015. Remind your friends to simply fill in the underlined parts!  
    Feel free to join in on the #NoExcuses challenge by taking this survey and sharing how you'll have a year of #NoExcuses!
    Use the #NoExcuses hashtag and post to win prizes from Augusta Active, ShowerPill, ActivMotion Bar, WIN Detergent, Actio926, Beaming with Health, and Sasquatch Racing.

    Three Friends
    Rachelle at Livin the Sweat Life
    Jen at Running with the Girls
    Rebecca Jo at Press on and Run

    Tuesday, January 13, 2015

    Reorganizing Bibs and Medals

    I have had another medal holder sitting on my dresser for months now, but I couldn't decide where to put it. I decided today I would figure it out. I also decided I would do something about the mess of bibs I have pinned up on a corkboard above all my medals.
     My current medal holder is getting very crowded and since I have plans this year to add to it, of course, I really needed to hang up the new one!

    I had some ring binders, so I took down all the bibs, took all the safety pins off them, organized them by race distance and strung them on.  I was left with quite a pile of pins and most of the bibs already had most of the pins off of them.
     For the life of me I couldn't get this picture to rotate correctly, but you get the idea.  What I am left with is a much neater looking stack of bibs.
     I hung up the new medal holder were the cork board was and put the bibs on the medal holder.
     Now I have more room, on both medal holders for more! I don't know if I am in love with the medal holders overlapping like this, but for now it will have to do.

    I left the Run to the Pub bib on top since that is my next race. 
    A little motivation for me every time I look at it for sure!

    Monday, January 12, 2015

    Catching up

    I started out last year tracking my workouts and decided to give it a go again this year.  I find it motivating to track it.  I am going to start with the first of the year so this one will include 10 days instead of the usual 7.

    Thursday the 1st day of the year!   Run 6.2 miles

    Friday the 2nd  Run 6.2 miles

    Saturday the 3rd  Hiit workout
        NAP because I didn't feel good

    Sunday the 4th  Elliptical  70 minutes  I had really planned to run, but I was feeling a cold of some sort coming on and it was COLD outside so I played it safe.
       yoga 60 minutes

    Monday the 5th.  Elliptical 70 minutes while catching up on Downton Abby.  (still feeling less than 100% so I figured I better stay out of the cold again)

    Tuesday the 6th  Zuzkalight workout

    Wednesday the 7th   Run 7 miles (might have been too soon, as I had no energy the last 4 miles)
                                      Zuzka Light workout

    Thursday the 8th  P90X3 Synergistics and Yoga workouts

    Friday the 9th  P90X3 Warrior Workout.

    Saturday the 10th     P90X3 Yoga
       Speed work.  1 mile warm up, then quarter mile intervals x8 with quarter mile recoveries, and a 2.25 cooldown for a total of 7.25 miles.

    The roads are snowy!

    Total Miles run so far this year 26.65

    How running is going: I would say pretty good, I felt some sort of niggle in my foot on Friday but it didn't bother me at all on Saturday. 

    P90X:  so far I have completed three days.  I am enjoying the change in workouts and I like that they are only 30 minutes, not too much time out of my day.  They are easy to get done in the mornings before I go to work and so far haven't taken too much out of me that my running is affected. 

    Yesterday was the Challenge which consisted of pullups and pushups.  It was so tough!

    Since we have to sidewalks to shovel we spend time shoveling snow into snowforts for the kids over the weekend,
    The finished products turned out pretty neat.


    Friday, January 9, 2015

    Friday Randoms

    I feel like I am finally getting over a cold that kept trying to knock me down, but never fully did.  I didn't run for four days because of it and when I did run outside on Wednesday I felt so drained after 5 miles.  

    It is a bit of a winter wonderland out there right now.
    I did use my downtime to catch up on Downton Abbey, that makes the time on the elliptical go by faster for sure. 


    I messaged my friend Sarah about PiYo the other day asking if she had done it and liked it.  I was about to order it, but was wondering if it was going to be enough of a workout for me since it is low impact.  I am glad I waited. After going back and forth a bit she ended up sending me her P90x3 to try out.  I haven't done any Beach Body type workouts so I am excited as it always seems like there is a lot of hype about them.

    not sure if I am that excited, but here goes!
    Yesterday morning I woke up early so I started P90X3.   I have to admit I thought the first workout Synergistics was way easier than expected, but I am not fooled,  I know those programs are designed to kick some butt.  I also did the yoga segment afterwards and found it challenging but not overly so.

    This morning as soon as I am done with this I will do the warrior workout.  The classic workout guide calls for the agility workout today, but since my family will be trying to sleep while I do it, I will save it for another day.

    In other news... I am finally registered for my first race of 2015!!  I am going to do the Run to the Pub half marathon in Bozeman, MT.  I did this race several years ago with my little sister and had a blast.  This year I am doing it with another Team Beef Montana runner and hopefully 2 of them.

    I had been procrastinating a bit on registering for the race, I missed the early entry fee and the price went up.  Bummer.  A local running friend was kind enough to transfer her bib to me after not being able to do the Run to the Pub for the second year in a row.  The race director was super awesome about it and there wasn't even a transfer fee.  Since Lindsay basically donated the bib to me I am sending her a fun surprise.  Good things come to those who wait!

    Which also means I need to get a running plan in place!  I don't think I am too far off really as Christmas day I ran 10 miles and it felt pretty great.   I need to start running some hill repeats and doing the dreaded speed work.  I am wondering how P90X3 will work with half marathon training. 

    Guess I will find out.  Anyone done them at the same time?
    Thoughts on PiYo?





    Sunday, January 4, 2015

    Run Streak Over

    I ran the first two days of the year and was certainly planning on running on the 3rd, but since I didn't feel overly great I ended my streak by taking a nice long afternoon nap instead of going for a run.

    Winter is settling in here.  This picture is about two snowstorms behind.
    Luckily I don't mind running in the snow and cold because it doesn't appear to get much better for awhile.  I haven't set any new year's resolutions.  I don't think I really did last year either, just listed a few things to work on like doing more yoga, running healthy, and getting more organized. 

    I did really good with everything except the getting organized.  That goes is waves.  Turns out, I would much rather go for a good run or play games with my kids than worry about being super organized.
    I may still set down some goals or whatever for this year, but I one of them won't be some sort of crazy run streak.  Some days it just doesn't work out to get in a run and I don't want to be stressing about it.  I know lots of people streak, it just isn't my deal. 

    Are you a streaker? A goal setter?  Would you rather be organized or get your run in?