Variety

Things have been, well, BUSY around here. Fortunately the weather has been fantastic, so running has been wonderful this week! I even busted out the ol' jogging stroller a couple of times. I think the kids enjoyed the fresh air as much as I did.

Random Fact:
I am a person that needs variety. In everything in my life I need variety: changing up my workouts, clothes, styles, etc... And as far as food, I crave different things all the time and I feel it my duty to fulfill my crazy cravings...After all, my body has treated me well in holding together while running, so I think I owe it a reward or two :)
There is one exception to my need of variety, and it is THIS:
Baked Oatmeal. I have been known to eat this stuff for multiple meals a day (2 usually)...several days in a row. My favorite fruit additions lately are strawberries, blueberries, and frozen (thawed) blackberries. I have been tweaking the recipe, so I need to update it with all my new changes - only a few - and it is better than ever. I LOVE THIS STUFF. And it is good for you, real good. I have been eating a whole lot of this stuff lately. I can't help it. It makes me excited to wake up in the morning.

For my workouts this week I added plenty of variety! I ran with and without the double jogger, got my groove on with Turbo Jam, and finally I got reacquainted with Jillian Michaels and my abs. They have been screaming at me and burning good ever since. I love working out with Jillian, my only complaint is that the DVD I have is a little longer than I always have time for unless I get up way before the kiddos.

Overall, I am feeling pretty good this week. My knee and calf are both slowly starting to feel better. The only thing I would change from the week is I would knock out a few of the sweets I have eaten this weekend. Really, I have eaten less sweets than usual (I like to think) but they have been calling me by name and I hate to be rude and not respond with a bite or ten :)

How has your week been?

Do you need variety in your life?

What is this blog?

Was my last post really on Thursday? I have been totally slacking on my blogging lately. It is not about forgetting about this blog. I have thought about it daily...several times a day in fact. A lot of what I have been thinking about is simply, "What is this blog about?"
When I started it at the beginning of January, I thought I knew exactly what it would be about. But I feel like it is changing the focus a little. I think it is a blog for everything I am passionate about! When I named it, I did have that in mind; PLAY {my family} EAT {cooking and baking} RUN {my new love for running}. I am still trying to figure out exactly where this blog is going. So please bear with me as I am exploring what direction I want to take the blog. After all, this blog was made to be an outlet for me. I am excited to keep updating this blog and allowing it to go wherever it may. Thanks for reading!

** as for running, I have been taking a break for a number of reasons, but at the top is to simply take time to FULLY heal my knee and calf. I want to get back to 100% so I can fully enjoy it again! I am still running just not logging nearly the miles I was. I am considering posting the other reasons I am cooling down my miles. -- but we will see

**I have been hanging out with my Turbo Jam DVD and although it doesn't work my body the same, it still feels good to be moving! I have been going crazy on the days where a workout just can't be squeezed in. Those days are hard for me...

I will be back tomorrow with a delicious whole wheat bread recipe! Stay tuned...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I set the alarm to get up and work out this morning. But the alarm was promptly turned off when the buzzer sounded. It was a late night, and I just couldn't get my buns out of bed! I didn't work out today, and I always feel so grungy when I don't work out. I wanted to make up my workout later in the day, but it was BIZ--AY with all sorts of St. Patrick's day goodness.

At the top of that list were these little cuties.

I have always wanted to make rainbow cupcakes, and today was the day! Maister was excited to help out, and Gator was happy to eat the frosting.

The inside. They turned out pastel colors, so I guess I need to add more coloring next time. I wanted them to be a bold red, yellow, green, blue and purple.

All ready to go deliver some holiday goodies to friends. Maister chose who we delivered them too, and she was excited to see her little friends! -- Man, I really need to start doing stuff with my hair...like maybe curl it or style it in some way. I don't think the blow dryer is considered styling it anymore...--

St. Patty's isn't my favorite holiday, but this year it was so much more fun than usual! I love that my kiddos are getting old enough to enjoy green milk, and having permission to pinch those not wearing green :)

This holiday is quickly moving its way up my favorites list. It was FUN day :)

Too Many Sweets

Maister's birthday is on the 15th, and with Valentine's Day just the day before, and two birthday parties we are on sugar overload! I am craving some crisp vegetables like never before! Unfortunately we don't have many left after all the events from these past 5 days. I ran a little over 5 miles on Monday, and haven't run since...WOOPS! I did manage to get in some turbo jam and ab work (tiny bit) today though! Hopefully things will get back to normal tomorrow...
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On the lack of running, I have been preoccupied making goodies like these:

YUM! I love these little things...

the inside of the southern coconut cake I made for the actual birthday. I know it isn't the most kid friendly, but it was also for our friend who shares the same birthday and she isn't eating chocolate - which is Maister's favorite flavor! I don't like coconut much, but this cake I liked! I was hoping I wouldn't like it...that way I wouldn't go back for another piece tonight! cocoNUT is really good for you right? I imagine it will make me faster or something... At least that is what I am trying to tell myself.

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I still haven't decided on the race on Saturday. I know it is getting a little late, huh?! I wish I could make up my mind... Jay is feeling stressed at work, and is having to work this weekend (just from home) so I don't want to add any extra stress to his already hectic schedule. Of course he says he will support me if I want to race, I just don't know!
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Every time I think about signing up, I get pre-pre-race jitters. Anyone else get these? It isn't a matter of finishing the race as I know I can run 8 miles just fine, but I just get really nervous!
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Do you get pre-pre-race jitters? If so, what do you do to calm them?

Thanksgiving in February

Monday Workout: 5.02 miles at 8:05 pace
Tueday: 2800+ step including about 20 minutes of weights
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I am taking it easy this week as I am gearing up for a 10 miler on Saturday! I am sso looking forward to it! Jay might even tag along again :)
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Is this picture bringing back fond memories of November?
Every Thanksgiving, one of the things I look forward to the most is the leftovers. I get excited to have dinner already "made" for about a week afterwards, and to have turkey sandwiches day after day. This year we went to my bro in-laws house, and that meant we didn't have any leftovers! I was pretty bummed, and I recenly announced to Jay that I would need to make us a turkey dinner so we could have leftovers galore!
Today was the DAY! Our house smelled soo good all day. I could hardly wait for Jay to get home from work so we could start eating! Here is a little of what we enjoyed:

Homemade rolls

Potatoes and Gravy...mmm

Spinach salad with Creamy basalmic dressing (not exactly tradition, just yummy)

Step, step...

Today was fantastic weather, and I couldn't resist busting out the double jogging stroller for a little run today! Maister always gets excited to ride in the jogger, and we even have "jogging stroller sweateshirts" and pants for the kids. Jay takes them out quite frequently, especially when the sun in shining. I often run really awkward when I push the stroller, but I was very conscious of that today and so far I am not feeling any bad effects. SWEET!
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I ran 3.48 miles at an 8:45 pace. I was happy with this considering I was pushing an extra 60-70 pounds! I was feeling so good, I even ran an extra 1/2 mile further than I was planning. I almost regretted that decision as I pushed them up a steep hill to start off that last 1/2 mile. But then I remembered that what comes up, must come down, so I definitely enjoyed the way down the hill as we approached our house!
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The good news:
As soon as I was on the sidewalk, my poor week of running was turned around. I thought to myself, "this is why I RUN!" It felt soo good. Plus it put Gator to sleep, and that is always a bonus.
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When we got home, Gator went down for a nap and I set up my gear to do 30 mins of step while Maister and I watched "Sid the Science Kid." She never gets to watch this, so she was psyched.
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Hear is a peak at my step gear:

Wii Balance Board, and Everlast Aerobic Step

3 pound weights...pumping some iron here people

And my most favorite cross-training shoe. Jay got me these for Christmas, and they are beyond comfortable and make me smile when I see that bright blue!

Maister was happy to hang out with me as I did my thing
Or maybe she was just happy to watch Sid, and learn about GERMS! This episode was right up my alley.
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I did 30 mins step with 15 mins of "pumping" my 3's. I did a total of 2970 steps. Done.
I promptly took a shower, and then it was time to get us all some lunch. Yes, I did not shower until 11:30am. Hey, at least I showered! Remember I had just watched the PBS show about GERMS. Made me want to wash my hands about 50 times...
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Tonight we ate the Spicey Orange Chicken Stirfry, and this recipe is definitely going on my repeat list. It tasted like take out, but was much healthier. I added several more veggies to the mix, and I think that was right decision.
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Do you ever try and make take-out at home?

-I have tried a time or two, but tonights was by far the most successful!

Latest workouts

I haven't posted what my workouts have been lately. So here it goes:

Monday: Ran 3.2 miles at about 7 minute pace
Tuesday: Turbo Jam (20 minute work out) - I felt unusually exhausted this day
Wednesday: Ran 3.7 miles at about 7:10 pace again

I am not sure why my speed has gone up. I told Jason it was probably because of my sweet new socks. I am running these early in the morning, so maybe my body is just more alert and ready to take the run on? Who knows? All I know is, I like it!

My knee has been hurting a little more than usual today. Perhaps it is just getting used to the speed? I am trying to be careful, but I always forget it is hurting until I tweak it doing something. Hopefully I can get rid of the pain soon! I am planning on doing a long run on Saturday morning, I just hope my knee will cooperate. Here is to lots of ice and hot chocolate to heat up the other parts of my body while my knee is cold!