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Showing posts from 2012

I Couldn't Feel My Face

When I don't blog for a week, I have lots of random things on my mind. Here are a few... I got shingles several years ago and was one of the rare cases that resulted in postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN, which causes severe nerve pain that can last for months or years. In my case, it has been years. And it seems to get worse when I am stressed or getting sick. Basically when my immune system is working harder than normal, my shingles pain kicks in to high gear. Apparently my immune system is on overdrive today because my back is on fire. And itches. But it hurts too much to scratch it. It is cold here. I tried to run outside yesterday but only made it two miles because I couldn't feel my face. Today will be a treadmill day. Parenting is an adventure. After the Bean used a purple Sharpie to write on the glider, I made her help me clean it to teach her it is not OK. Apparently it didn't do what I hoped because while helping she enthusiastically told me, "This is fun!!&q

Instagram: Not All Bad

  I was going to rant write about the reasons Instagram is bad when I'm already having a bad day, even if only a few people are posting pictures of their six pack abs, model-skinny legs and 15 mile runs. About how I get jealous when my gorgeous friends get comments about how pretty they are. About feeling guilty for craving peppermint milkshakes when everyone is posting pics of their amazing meals with 10 different healthy eat clean hashtags. And about how I might petition for a "No Love" button if I see one more cat picture. I swear there are at least two felines for every canine on there. But instead of that post, I decided to show you some of the (#runnerdphotoaday) Instagram posts that do I love: Ribbon     Magic   Elf   Santa    Happy Friday all my ab-alicious, fast and far running friends!

Let It Snow

Because I'm a sucker for all things Christmas, when you throw in a way to combine it with being a little healthier, I'm in. Today I began participating in the Elf for Health challenge!! I have been partnered with another awesome elf, and I am excited to get to know her better while we cheer each other on through the daily challenges. Each day there is a new challenge. Today's is to drink my body weight in ounces of water. I don't normally drink over 100 ounces of water in a day, so this will be really good for me. 44 ounces down... You can find out more about the challenge HERE . And it isn't too late to sign up to participate. Elves are reassigned every two weeks, so you can join in for Round 3! This morning I worked up my thirst by running 6.25 miles outside in the snow. I can't begin to tell you how much I loved this run. I absolutely love running in the snow. I don't mind that it takes a mile for my face to stop stinging or two miles for my han

They can't all be good days

I've been sitting here trying to figure out what to blog about without being a complete downer. Today is just one of those days. I'm tired. I woke up with a headache. I feel like I look old. And tired. I feel fat. And ugly. Work is stressful. I haven't run today. Yep, one of those days. Do guys have those days? Other than the obvious work stress, of course. Some days I wish I was a guy. Some days. But not most days. I did get one smile out of the day when I looked down at my littlest bestie holding my hand as we walked into the grocery store this morning. Just looking at her makes me smile. How could it not? Then the store was out of avocados. Figures. Seriously though, what kind of grocery store runs out of avocados?!? Are you depressed yet? Then tonight I saw this... That pretty much says it all. I'll let you know how it goes!  

Red, Bells and Holly - Runnerd Style

I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm loving the Runnerd Photo-A-Day posts!! You are some seriously creative and festive runnerds. It not too late to participate! Here's what is coming up for the rest of the week: Today, December 4 - Peace Tomorrow, December 5 - Santa Thursday, December 6 - Elf Friday, December 7 - Snow Saturday , December 8 - Magic Sunday, December 9 - Merry If you haven't left a comment on the original post about the Challenge ( HERE ) letting me know you are participating, please do. It will help me get better prizes for the giveaway!! Yesterday I realized some of these topics are TOUGH. I looked for "holly" during all 7.25 miles of my run yesterday with no luck. Not one house had one decoration with any type of holly on it. And with the incredible amount of decorations in my house, there is a serious lack of holly. I was at a loss. And even my friend named Holli spells it with an "i" and isn't a runnerd

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday, The Princess asked why I always run. I said it is to keep my heart healthy and it makes me happy. Then my Bean added, "And so you are not fat. You're flat." Love that kid. I am thankful for all the things running does for me, including keeping me more flat than fat. And before this month of gratitude comes to a close, here are a few more things I am thankful for: That my little Bean still wants me to carry her sometimes. Since my baby-making days are over, I want to hold on to the little bit of baby left in her as long as I can! That I have the luxury of running while my girls are at school. I realize how lucky I am each and every time I head out on a run during those few hours. That The Princess is so sensitive to the world around her. It makes me sad to think that the world will eventually toughen her up. For my body. Some days I like it more than others, but I love it every day for it's strength and for everything it allows me to do. For pray

Runnerd Photo-A-Day Challenge: Holiday Edition

Runnerd Photo-A-Day Challenge Holiday Edition Dec. 1 – Red              Dec. 2 – Bells           Dec. 3 – Holly             Dec. 4 – Peace           Dec. 5 – Santa           Dec. 6 – Elf               Dec. 7 – Snow            Dec. 8 – Magic              Dec. 9 – Merry             Dec. 10 – Believe            Dec. 11 – Tradition           Dec. 12 – Ribbon                Dec. 13 – Green               Dec. 14 – Lights Dec. 15 – List  D ec. 16 – Favorite Dec. 17 – Jolly Dec. 18 – Tinsel Dec. 19 – Joy Dec. 20 – Stocking Dec. 21 – Meaning Dec. 22 – Winter Wonderland Dec. 23 – Toy Dec. 24 – Star Dec. 25 – Miracle Dec. 26 –Gift   Dec. 27 – Vacation Dec. 28 – Family Dec. 29 –Smile Dec. 30 –Treat  Dec. 31 –New Please leave a comment letting me know you are participating. Include your Instagram, Twitter and/or Facebook name in the comment so I can follow you. Photos can be posted o

Would you do it?

  Are you interested in doing a Runnerd Photo-a-Day Challenge: Holiday Edition? I've seen a couple of other photo-a-day lists going around on Instagram, and just wondered if there are enough runnerds out there who want to do our own version? Please leave a comment and let me know! I'll post the list tomorrow if we have enough interested... Happy Tuesday!!         Image source

A winner, a PR and things to come

Nothing like drawing things out. Yep, I'm finally announcing the winner of the Thermos Water Bottle Giveaway!! And the winner (chosen by Random.org) is... Laurel C Laurel, send your mailing info to me at ihaverun@hotmail.com , and I'll make sure you get your bottle! Other than that excitement, here is a summary of the latest in my world: I ran a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. I set a new PR with a 22:55 finish. My girls ran the kids 1/2 mile loop on Thanksgiving. The Princess tore it up; however my little Bean wanted me to carry her most of the time and told me about halfway that she doesn't like races. She was pretty excited about the medal though, so that may have softened her a little for future races. The kids got the same medal as the runners who finished the half marathon. It is more than twice as big as mine. Can't say that I blame her for being so excited about it. Friday I met some awesome friends/blogging runners at Yogurtland (of course). Jen ,

Color me a runner? Mud not included.

I'm starting to feel like I'm the only runner out there who hasn't done a Dirty Dash/Mud Run or a Color Run. And I feel like I may be banned from the running community for admitting that I have no desire to run either type of race. Here's my why. As far as crawling through mud and jumping over and around obstacles...I could do it. But I don't really love being covered in mud. And more importantly, I worry about getting injured. Twisting an ankle. Tweaking a knee. Breaking my tailbone. Just not worth the risk in my book. It would mean no running. Have I mentioned I love running? Source Then there's getting chalk or whatever it is thrown at me while I run. In general, I don't like having things thrown at me. I don't think I'd love being covered in it either. While I'm sweating. Ewww. And I typically prefer fresh air while running. Source That's just my two cents on this lovely Monday afternoon. Don't forget to enter t

Vacuum, Hydration and Giveaway...all in one place

I'm not gonna lie. I have failed at my resolution to be a better blogger in 2012. Luckily there's always next year.   I have, however, done a little better on my resolution to drink more water. And with that lead-in...   BAM   A giveaway announcement!!   But first you have to look at what I'm giving away in various spots throughout my house/life.   There it is with my lunch one day last week (which also happens to be what I had for lunch today).   There it is on Millie. Just hanging out while I went for a little run.   There it is on my desk, keeping me company while I worked. Chilling on a completely unnecessary SF Giants coaster.   And last but not least, cheesy proof that I take it everywhere these days.     The IT in all the pics happens to be a hydration bottle with Thermos brand vacuum insulation technology . This bottle rocks. It is my new favorite. I usually have a cup of water sitting next to the sink in the kitchen and usua

All about the outfit (and giveaway winners)

After taking the week off from running because my calves were so sore after my half marathon, I finally went for an easy six mile run on Saturday morning. And although my calves were still a little tight, I loved every second. I tried out some new shoes (more on those in another post), which felt great and were a nice change for my feet and calves. And I finally got to wear the new shirt and capris I bought at the expo before last Saturday's race. Someday I'll figure out how to get a picture of my body and my face at the same time. This is the best I can seem to do. But it's all about the outfit anyway. The capris have stitching that matches the shirt. Luckily I have a lot of pink running clothes that will also match them. I just wish I'd bought the shirt in a few other colors too. I am really short on long sleeved running shirts, and after the 60% expo discount, this one was only $14. And I love it! How were your weekend runs?? I officially ended the Huggies

Parenting...even harder than running

Being a parent is a tough job. Being a parent in the digital age of social media doesn't make it any easier to feel like you aren't completely failing. We are bombarded with pictures like this:  Not so many like this: Whether you are a mom or dad, stay at home or work outside the home, being responsible for raising a child is an enormous undertaking. This innocent, trusting person is completely in your care. You are responsible for another person's physical, mental and emotional well-being. It can be overwhelming. I have good kids. Great kids, really. I realize I am very blessed. They are beautiful, healthy, active little girls. My Bean is incredibly funny and surprisingly polite for a 4-year-old. The Princess is brilliant and has the most tender heart. Yet my Bean is as stubborn and hard-headed as they come. And the Princess is sooo emotional and can be incredibly irrational. They are not perfect. They are human, just like their parents. Being a kid isn'

Happiness and the Halloween Half Marathon

  This happened yesterday. Made me happy. I like to be happy.   This happened Saturday. I ran the Halloween Half Marathon. I mentioned in Friday's post that I didn't feel like running it and wasn't excited at all. That didn't change before or most of the race. Losing a glove on my way to the bus didn't help. And waiting in line for the bus for an hour in the cold also didn't help. But I found a random glove on the ground just as I was starting the race. And a friend ran the entire race with me and put up with my grumpiness and the miles when I turned my music on and refused to talk. And helped me get my second best half marathon time in spite of not wanting to push myself at all (I really didn't think I was pushing myself, to be honest). So I finished in 1:50:15. Of course now I'm glad I ran it. However, I'm on the fence about my Sparkle Skirt. I don't love it in the pics. And the hubs said it looks like I'm wearing shorts th

It's Friday. Time for Running and Diapers!?!

So this is a first, as far as I can remember. I don't feel like running the Halloween Half Marathon tomorrow. At all. But I will. Because I paid for it and hate the thought of wasting that money. Races aren't cheap. Instead of dwelling on that though, I have a giveaway for my awesome readers. It is Friday after all. So let's celebrate.... WITH DIAPERS!! This isn't one of my typical running related giveaways. But a lot of my readers are also moms and dads. Active moms and dads. Chasing around little ones who are just as active. So Huggies has graciously offered to give two lucky readers 4 packs of Little Movers diapers to try on their busy little babies! Here's why you and your little one will love them: Product Details: Huggies Little Movers Diapers help active moms like you keep their babies active, too, with the SnugFit Waistband that keeps the diaper in place on your little one's bottom while he/she moves and plays all day. Paired with th

The Evening News - Runnerd Style

Someone tell me how it is already Wednesday. Sadly though, I'm ready for Thursday. Today has been a long day. But at least I get to finish off the day with game one of the World Series. We are pretty big Giants fans around here. My girls even recognize Tim Lincecum, Buster Posey and Brian Wilson when they see them. Need more proof? Our bookshelf, filing cabinet and the top of my desk So needless to say, Go Giants! Now that sports is over, lets move onto weather. The weather has turned cold and rainy here. I had an amazing 6-mile run on Monday and enjoyed every minute of the gray, overcast morning. Then I ran at 4 pm yesterday. 4  PM people!! And I had to wear my gloves. I couldn't be happier. I LOVE running in the cold. However, it's making my decision whether or not to wear a costume for the Halloween Half Marathon on Saturday more difficult . And last but not least, we have politics. I stole this from Emz on Instagram. If you haven't read her Rim

Birthday Weeks are the Best

It's my birthday week. I am not shamelessly trying to get happy birthdays thrown at me. Otherwise I would have posted yesterday on my actual birthday. I'm telling you because I decided a new year of my life is a better time to set new fitness goals than at the beginning of a new calendar year . So I set some new goals yesterday. Goals with an October 2013 deadline. However, a few things have been standing in the way of the eating healthier part of my goals. Things like....   this cake (German Chocolate - my favorite) the hubs brought home,     these cupcakes my amazing neighbor (and friend) and her kids brought over,      and this Snickers caramel apple (Snickers and caramel apples are two of my favoritest things) another incredible friend dropped off tonight.     Maybe my goals should officially start when my birthday week is over...

Remembering the 2012 St. George Marathon

I'm still basking in my post-marathon glow. And I want to get some things down before I forget so I can remember what I did differently this time that seemed to work a little better than what I have done in the past. And there are just some other things I want to remember. So bullets points it is... I walked through almost every aid station. I usually took two cups of water. One to drink, one to pour down the front or back of my shirt. I stopped twice to pee. In other words, I stayed hydrated. I didn't, however, wait in the port-a-potty lines. If you want to know my quick, discreet method for potty stops, let me know. I carried my hand-held filled with Powerade. I can't stomach yellow Gatorade, which is what they have on the St. George course. I also took two electrolyte tablets about every six miles. I ate a banana about an hour before the start. I didn't GU or put anything other than liquid in my body during the race. My body was very grateful. I took a sin