Handicap Run and Pinterest Fail!

This last week I put in about 17 miles of running and I did some weight lifting as well.  I'm happy with slowly building up my miles and I pushed the stroller for the Saturday 4 mile run which means my legs were a little sore which means they are getting stronger!  I just need to try and start fitting in some swimming and cycling now!  Easier said than done.

Our Saturday run was the part of the Handicap run series we do with our running club and I always have fun at these.  Unfortunately we had to run and go we didn't get to stay and chat.  This was a tribute run for an active running club member that recently passed away suddenly.  That makes two in the running community this last month, both seemed to be sudden and way too young.  Makes me sad to hear and really makes you stop and pause for a moment.  Our thoughts go out to their families. 

I had already told the run coordinator that I would be running with the stroller so she was going to start me a little bit before the others.  But then hubs comes in and tells her that I can run a 9:30 pace with the stroller which I knew was going to be a struggle.  So as I wanted to walk up the hills but didn't and cursed the unseasonably warm weather I didn't stop because I knew he was somewhere close behind me and he had also done himself in saying he could do a faster pace than his usual also.  I pushed myself really hard to keep that pace pretty much got it right on the dot but felt like I was going to puke when I finished.  He just said "you're welcome for making you push yourself!" :-)  Yes we love each other lots and lots believe it or not!

Our Sunday run was a quick 3 miler around the neighborhood and it was hubs turn with the stroller so I took the dog.  Well, we both decided from now on whoever has the stroller will be taking the dog.  He may have been pushing 35 pounds up the hills but I was pulling 35 pounds of stubborn dog up those hills!!!  She doesn't like it when we get separated and as I tried to run at my normal pace she kept pulling behind me trying to get back to hubs and baby and kept looking back.  I mean I was leaning forward and encouraging her that they were ok but nothing worked.  So this run was slower than it should have been for me especially without a stroller I think it ended up being a 10:20 pace!  Oh well that's life!  It makes me stronger right!


So for Valentine's Day hubs and I had agreed not to get each other anything.  He didn't listen.  I thought I could at least do a heartfelt homemade card.  So I went on Pinterest, got a cute idea, then this happened:

Doesn't he look just ecstatic!

needless to say I didn't use my version and I put the lil' man in something he was much happier in:

Grandpa took this pic of him!

Happy Monday and Happy Training!

Run, Run, Hike

The focus of this past weekend was definitely exercise and that was awesome!  It was double awesome because it was nice outside, in the upper 50s and no wind the entire 3 day long weekend.  To top it all off Aiden was there for most of it!  It's nice having extra time with him but it does make it a little harder to go back to work.

Saturday:  5k Pajama People Pizza Run  yes a fairly long name but it accurately describes the race :-)  I won this race entry and it was so close to my house one of the easiest races I've entered.  Poor hubs didn't think so because I sent the poor guy to packet pick up for me and he went with A and fought traffic in construction to get there and be told I wasn't on the list.  I should have told him that he needed to say that I had "won" or was "comped" my race entry because I guess they had a super secret special list for that.  In the end I got my packet on race day, Aiden got his nap after packet pick up and was no longer cranky and I made it!  No I did not wear PJs to do the run although I enjoyed seeing everyone else creative outfits!  I did enjoy a personal pizza after since it was at 1 pm and I didn't eat lunch to avoid upset stomach during the run.  I had fun and got to hang out with some great chicas!  Hubs was kind enough to watch Aiden while I ran this one.  Considering that I was still sick with a sinus & headache thing I was pretty happy with my results.  This loop is so close to my house that I run it regularly and it kicks my butt everytime for some reason the hill on this loop messes with my mind!  It was really 3.35 miles, I did it in 30:45 placed 36 OA out of 172 and felt good after!  So that's a win in my book!  My age group had some really fast and really awesome ladies that did amazing!

Saturday night:  Stroll around ponds to check out this art project but we missed the sunset so didn't get the shots I really wanted but we enjoyed our outing and Lexi thought she could get at some of the ducks until she realized it would require her getting wet!

Sunday: Albuquerque Road Runners Handicap run.  Hubs and I got to run this one together and Aiden went on a walk with his grandparents while we ran but we all went to the potluck after.  These are always super fun events and an awesome benefit to being part of this local club!!  This one was a prediction run which means they change the course every year and you can't wear a watch and you are supposed to guess your time based on the distance.  The 2 person team with the smallest difference wins.  I underestimated the difficulty of this trail run (lots of loose rocks and walking) and also underestimated how much Saturday's run had taken out of me so I had guessed 35 for the 3.25 miles but really ran it in 39.  The second I started running I could tell I wasn't going to have enough Umphhh in me so I felt bad because hubs had to pass me pretty early on and he ha
d guessed 35:30 and ran it in 37 so he did much better.  Still had lots of fun!

Monday:  Our first family hike!!!  Lexi was super excited because there was still a few small patches of snow for her to frolic in and we let her off leash for a little while when there was no one around!  Aiden didn't cry in the ergo carrier and actually fell asleep on the way back.  We only did 2 miles because we weren't sure how long he'd tolerate it but he did awesome!!  We forgot to put sunscreen on his little hands but hubs improvised and put some chapstick w/SPF on them :-)  My mom went along with us and took a few pics.  It was quite the family affair.