So, I was thinking...

I am one to set lofty goals... I can think of many more times that certain goals have not come to fruition than have, but even if something you work for doesn't happen the way you see it happening, the journey there is usually worth it. With that completely non-descript rambling, here are my latest goals in regards to swim/bike/run:

Aug. Mountain Lakes Triathlon
Sept. Star Physical Therapy Triathlon
Oct. Cedars of Lebanon Sprint Triathlon

I want to run a half marathon each month between the months of October 2009 and March 2010, leading up to the big kahuna: the FULL Country Music Marathon in April 2010. As of now, these are the half marys I am looking at:

Oct. Murfreesboro
Nov. The Outter Banks
Dec. St. Jude's
Jan. Callaway Gardens
Feb. Mercedes Marathon
Mar. The Disney Princess
April: CMM

With the exception of the Disney Princess Half and the Outter Banks, each race is w/in 4 hours of the house and an overnight stay w/ friends or a comped room using Brandon's fabulous hotel points. I can do it. I will do it. I owe it to myself to work towards each race; logging the miles, blisters, sweat, aches, pains, joy, satisfaction, and PRIDE that will come with the miles. I will be a marathoner and triathlete.

Now, who's with me?

Bonnaroo "Training"

This past weekend was my first Bonnaroo experience. For those of you who may not know what the Roo is... well, it's a festival that more than triples this small town's population for 4 days and brings huge music groups to the middle of nowhere. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the entire 4 days. My personal favorite was Buffet. This country girl is a beach bum at heart and he has a gift for making me feel as if sand is between my toes and an ocean breeze is on my face. He played a "surprise" gig, in that he wasn't on the schedule and they announced his performance a week or so ago. Seriously, the absolute highlight of my Roo weekend. Other acts I saw and enjoyed were Snoop Dog (seriously, a great show... what I could see through the haze ;)), Wilco (I didn't know any of their songs, but really liked what they played. In fact, that's who Pandora is playing for me right now.), Public Enemy (Flave-a-Flave!), Merle Haggard, Phish, Bela Fleck, Springsteen, & the Beastie Boys.

My friend and neighbor, Michelle, and I worked in a lemonade & pretzel stand for our tickets. We had so much fun people watching and talking to our customers. Our stand was in the middle of the Other Tent's field. The main acts there were African and Bluegrass. It was great listening to such different music and jamming along to the steel drums. We definitely met some interesting people with interesting "accessories" and stories! We had offers for things other than to pay $4 for a lemonade and learned a lot about people from all over the world; even as far away as Japan. It took that guy 70 hours to get here!

One funny story about a customer: this guy asked for extra sugar in his lemonade. It's already mixed and comes from a huge barrel. All we did was squeeze a lemon and add ice to make it look pretty. So I squeezed and mixed his up, he takes a sip and hands it back to me to "add some more sugar". Sure, buddy, whatever you want... @ the same time I am making change for someone else I take his cup, put it down under the counter, pick it back up and swirl it around and hand it back to him w/ his "extra" sugar. He takes another sip, his eyes get really big and he says, "Yeah, just like I like it!" Then throws a tip in the jar and bee-bops off. Hilarious! Perception is reality, huh? :)

The Roo was an absolute BLAST; I can't believe I waited so long to go, but am SOOOO glad I did! Thanks, Andy, Sheryl and the CHS Soccer booth for our ticket in. We will SO be there next year. Til then, this chic is back to reality... Kisses, hugs, dirty feet and playing hard w/ my babies, tri training and trying to organize this house. Loving life and looking forward to our next adventure!

Truckin' Along

Week one of triathlon training is solidly behind me and I'm holding strong(ish) in week two. Well, that could be a lie... I'm surviving and thoroughly enjoying my workouts. I've even become an early bird (GASP!)! It's SOOO much easier to set my alarm for 5:45, get up, and get out the door before anyone turns over than it is to try to get something done later in the day. I know that chances of me getting in an afternoon or evening workout are slim to none. Going to bed by 9:30 isn't hard, especially when I can barely hold my eyes open!

Things I've learned while training:
1. Multiple showers a day are good... and fast!
2. Gears on a bicycle exist for a reason; to make life easier. Learn to use them and love the bike.
3. Body Glide is my new BFF.
4. G2 Gatorade makes me so sick, it's ridonkulous!
5. Cliff Bars keep me full from post workout until lunch.
6. Rednecks in big trucks swerving towards me are @#$#@%#$^ not funny.
7. Dog chase = all out sprint.

This past Saturday I volunteered at a local tri, the Mach Tenn. It was SO great to be able to tell everyone "Good luck & have fun!" after body marking them. And such a blast to cheer on my tri pals coming out of T2 and heading out for their run. The not so fun part? Who knew my quads would be SO SORE from doing squats to write on legs??!?! (And what's the point of men shaving their legs?) Holy hale, I'm still working out the soreness! :P

In non-tri news, my first Bonnaroo Festival is coming up in a couple of days. I am STOKED!!! I'm working in a lemonade / pretzel booth Thursday and Friday from 11-6 and then have the rest of the weekend to see: JIMMY BUFFET, The Beastie Boys, Phish, Merle Haggard, and Snoop Dog!!! Yee Hawwww, baby!

Our summer is in full swing. We are finally settling down into a good routine as far as playing outside, working in the garden, playing in the sprinkler, NOT watching tv, and enjoying down time. Nice, quiet, peaceful, fun, full of giggles, long naps, and love. What more can a mom ask for?

Workouts for the week:
M - 53 bike / 1 hr swim (almost died, called Brandon to bring my inhaler, AND got lapped by the guy who uses a floaty. Nice.)
T - 24 run (w/ babies in jogging stroller = HOT!)
W - 70 bike / 1 hr swim (goal: not coming close to death or getting passed by floaty friend)
T - 32 run + BONNAROO
F - 44 swim / 88 bike + BONNAROO
S - BUFFET @ BONNAROO
S - 44 run

My run is definitely my weakest aspect. Right now I'm doing a run 1 / walk 2 routine. next week I'm going to up it to 2/2 and see how that goes. HOPEFULLY I'll find my muscles helping me out and chop lots of time off as I truck along.

Till next time,
The Parrot Head

Cheat Day & Run, Mae Run

I've found that my "cheat day" (when I relax a bit on the eating and enjoy a glass of wine w/ dinner) is a good day... it's the next morning that I have to pay for it! Ugh! Yesterday we got lunch from Jiffy Burger (a local greasy-yummy-mom-and-pops place) and I enjoyed a cheeseburger, seasoned fries and a Dr. Pepper... plus a butterfinger and NO water what-so-ever. Not a good decision at all! I made it through my back-to-running run this AM2 miles w/ run 1 / walk 2 combo) but now am feeling each greasy bite. YUCK! Lesson learned; don't over do the cheat day and certainly don't have it the day before my long run.

Today marks the official day of my training ~ YEAH! I love having a plan and working the plan. It really leads to small and consistent results, which lead to HUGE results. So the plan, well plans, really are a mixture of http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/ 's Novice Oly Tri Three x Three plan and http://www.runnersworld.com/ Beginner's Run, leading to the Novice Half Marathon plan. My goal is to FINISH two sprint triathlons by the end of the season (late Oct)&do three half marathons by my 31st birthday (Oct, Nov, and Dec). I also want to do the Jack and Back for MS which goes from Franklin to Lynchburg (to the Jack Daniel's distillery). I have an aunt (not technically, but close enough) who has had MS for close to 20 years and a couple friends from church who are living w/ it, too. Plus, it's going to be so great to bike through the back roads of TN for two days just chatting and enjoying the peak fall week. GOOD STUFF!

Lofty goals? Heck yes! Possibly too much? We'll see how it goes, barring injury I'll make it through, get much more fit than I am now, and have a WHOLE LOTTA fun doing it!

Tomorrow is Hadlee's surgery date. She's going to have tubes and have her adenoids removed. Lord willing this will put an end to all the ear infections that have plagued her life for the past two years. I think she's averaged an ear infection every 5 weeks since she was 18 months old. My poor baby. So, if you could say a little prayer for her (and mommy, too!) that'd be great! We have to be at the surgical center at 8:30 and will hopefully be out by lunch. Her surgeon said she should feel back to normal in about 24 hours and that we'll have to make sure she wears ear plugs anytime she's near or in water. I'm nervous and anxious about the surgery, but so happy to know that her main source of pain will be GONE.

This week's plan is as follows:
Monday: 24 swim / 48 bike
Tuesday: Run 1 / Walk 2 x 10 + Zumba (if HAH is feeling up to going anywhere)
Wednesday: 32 swim / 53 bike (Master's Swim will be an hour long)
Thursday: Run 1 / Walk 2 x 10 + Zumba or weights
Friday: 40 swim / 80 bike
Saturday: REST!!!! (Enjoy cheering on and volunteering @ the Mach Tenn Tri.)
Sunday: Run 1 / Walk 2 x 10

Good Lawd. It looks intimidating all laid out like that, but each morning my phone alarm goes off and tells me what to do... you eat an elephant one bite at a time, right? :)

Here's to healthy babies, fabulous surgeons, lots of water, and safe training.

Happy Sunday Peeps.

A New Beginning

I've been thinking the blog and it's purpose over for quite a while now. I knew that I wanted to share certain parts of my life that would hold me accountable for things: saving money, spending less, simplifying, focusing on bettering myself, tri training, and embracing each day as a gift. Thus, the change in the title. While being a mom is definitely the greatest gift I have ever been handed, it doesn't define me completely. Sure, there will be cute little stories and memories about our everyday life, but that won't be only topic I write about for my ever dwindling audience of 1.4 readers. :)

So, what's been happening lately? Well, I was given the option of staying at home with the babies (read "not tenured") and boy-howdy did I jump on it. Now, the reality of having one income is really starting to set in. I've found myself thinking out and planning every little detail when it comes to spending money: can I go to town less than 5 times this week? do we really need to have the air set to 70 when 74 is doable? yes, gymboree is having a sale, but do the babies need anything? sure, we'd all like to have new bathing suits, but can last year's suits work? how many ways can i cook one meat that's on sale to keep it fresh and save money on NOT eating out? ... so many different details that I have NEVER taken into consideration before. My "job" now is to make sure that things are flowing well at home and I am taking that role very seriously. There is a complete paradigm shift that I had no idea would come. People tell you, but like going from a couple to parents, it's definitely something you must experience in order to truly understand! So, the journey begins...

I had my gall bladder removed a little over two months ago, which put all exercising (other than walking) to a complete halt. Which led to me eating. A lot. Which, in turn, led to some weight gain. (Durh.) So, in working on myself, I am committing to exercising regularly (5 days a week, hopefully - more on that later this week) and focusing on food as fuel, instead of comfort. Again, a complete paradigm shift. Food has been my solace for 20 years... it all started when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and our church stepped in to help... food was more than abundant and I was more than happy to eat it, leading to an ever-growing waist line and mentality that eating = peace. Who knew it'd take me 20 years to learn that lesson?!?!?!!

Putting others first. Let me just say it: I am a self-centered person. So, putting even my children, and at times, especially my husband, before myself isn't something that I do naturally or well. This, along w/ going through my guideline from the Great Healer, is truly my main goal: To study, grow, love, laugh and learn that self fulfillment comes in loving my God and my family, in that order, and all else will fall into it's place. Remind me of that, will ya reader?

That, my friends, is it. The newly defined focus of this blog that started so many years ago. Feel free to comment on things, encourage, make fun of and laugh (or cry) along with me. I look forward to our new beginning.

Til next time,
Mae

Total shout out to T! and total non-descript ramblings

Thank you my dear friend for prettying up the ol' blog. She's all nice, shiney and new!

It feels so odd to not just log in and type: "sitting on the couch drinking coffee out of fave mug while watching my husband kick A at Lego: Star Wars the Complete Saga on the Wii". Facebook, total crack on the keyboard, y'all.

We've been home for day number 4... Friday it was, according to the director of schools, too cold to come in to work. I'm not one to disagree w/ sensibility so at home we stayed! I think our official low temp was 4. Um, yeah, burr.

Hadlee and Jack are, well to be completely honest, they are me and my younger brother, Jonathan, respectively. It's all my dad can do to not laugh himself to tears every time he's with us. I'm totally payin' for my raisin'. And truth be told, it's almost all GOOD. Sure we have days that are tough (schedules that don't completely coincide w/ life, runny noses, cutting teeth, sleepy parents who bite each others' heads off for little things like playing Wii too friggin' much or not getting off the facecrack to do something), but each day is a gift and I'm proud of the two little turkeys who are currently standing on stools "helping" cook brunch.

Last night Hadlee and I were having deep, life conversations: she's volleying for some new dolls, ya know, cuz the 98,000 she has up in the playroom aren't in the Barbie movies she's so into right now. We've come to the agreement that when she sleeps in her bed all night long she'll earn a sticker and once seven stickers are on her chart, she can choose ANY doll she wants. I was completely willing to go the American Girl route, but as of yesterday, Hadlee's decided that two Barbies from either The Diamond Castle or Mermaidia will do. SCORE! This then lead to our twice daily discussion of what we'll each be "when we're all growed up." I'm not allowed to be a mommy, teacher or runner "buhcuz you awlweady do that!" so we're going to each be mermaids, princesses and swimmers, in that order.

Jack's a little comedian. He loves hard, he fights hard, and he's a little ham all in between. Right now he's trying to peddle Hadlee's Vespa around while jamming to the Beach Boys-esque music that's playing on the little radio. Earlier he was the princess' dragon and was banished to the dungeon, and in a few minutes when he's ready for nap he'll ask for milk and cuddle up in my lap to unwind before I carry him to bed and whisper "Mommy loves you. Daddy loves you. Issy loves you. God and Jesus loved you, and thank you for being my "super fries" (super fries is Hadlee's way of saying "super special surprise") from God."

Tomorrow as we mark a new beginning on America's political calendar, I'll be thankful for the MANY blessings that have been poured on my head, excited for change, hopeful that the financial situation our world is in will take an up swing, and proud to be called Mom, Babe, Mrs. Hale, and Mae.

Thanks for stopping by my friends. Til next time,

The Running Mom

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Tuned In & Turned On

You've not read about any of my workouts for the past few weeks b/c they have been few and far between... I am sure, like many of you, life just happened and I let my goals slip to the back burner. I didn't complete the B-fit-b-day challenge or our Lose to Win competition. My weight has increased, my diet has gone to pot, and I can't tell you the last day I actually consumed more water than any other beverage. BUT. NO. MORE...

I've found a different training program (not really so incredibly different from the Hal Higdon program I was following, this one just has more details) at Runner's World and here is what my week will look like.


12/2212/28
Mon: Rest/ XT (Kettle bell workout and bike)
Tues: Easy RunDist: 2mi@17:59
Wed: Rest/ XT (Yoga or Pilates)
Thurs: Rest / XT (Merry Christmas!)
Fri: Tempo RunDist: 5mi, inc Warm; 3mi@16:10; Cool
Sat: Rest/ XT (We'll be on the road to Perdido Bay, AL for a family beach trip!)
Long RunDist: 6mi@17:59
Total: 13 miles

I'm really excited about getting back into a workout routine... and running in the same atmosphere and on the same road as my upcoming half marathon. Ex.cite.ing.

The week of Thanksgiving I re-injured my shoulder and have had MAJOR pain since then... so much so that my good doc sent me for an MRI (a great story in and of itself! Hello little blue pill friend. {:) and the results came back that I'm good to go and if I have any more serious pain he'll give me a perscription for some PT. We'll see how I'm feeling when we get back from the beach.

Must rest... I have to be back home from my workout at 7:15 so I REALLY need to get in bed. Caio.

Christmas @ Casa de Hale

Among the surprises that Jack regularly leaves around the house, this is without a doubt my favoite... who knew the spider truck could double as an ornament?!

The Rudolf bag houses a mixture of oats and glitter to scatter on our yard Christmas Eve to guide Santa and his reindeer to our home... according to Hadlee, Santa will tip toe in through the garage and deliver ONE gift for her and ONE gift for Jack!

Our stockings, bought last year the day after Christmas when Pottery Barn Kids put them on sale. Who could resist?

My sweet, mischeivous boy washing his hands (a favorite past time of his) after consuming a snowman cookie. Can you see the blue icing on his mouth and the water on the wall? :)

Hadlee making "pupcakes" last Sunday when we were all too sick to go to cousin Alexis' surprise b-day party. My little decorator!

Mery Christmas bloggies. May you find the grace, peace and love of our Savior.

Carpe diem...

It's my thrid day of being 30, and I'm handling things pretty well. Actually, in the whole scheme of things, this was, by far, one of the best birthdays I can remember. Cards, messages, love, hugs, songs, good food, homemade bundt cake w/ icing made by my sweet daughter, dinner from Outback w/ the fam, an AWESOME surprise classroom decoration done by one of my students, his parents, and sister... the list goes on and on. Thus far, life has been tremendous!

There is a challenge on some of the blogs I read called bfitbday. I have accepted the challenge and my plans for the week include:

3,000 yds of swimming
30 miles of biking
10 miles of running (I'll end up w/ a few more than that.)

I've knocked out 6.5 miles of the bike and nothing else. I have until next Monday to finish up and I'm confident I'll get it all in except the swimming. I just can't find the motivation to get in the pool. BUT, you only get to claim the prize if you do the time, right? So, I'll suck it up and jump in w/ both feet (and a little whining on the side!). :)

This Saturday is my first 6 miler at Tim's Ford... I'm excited about doing it and getting the race schwag too! IT's not a VERA, but still, it's a HUGE accomplishment for me! That's almost half way to the 13.1 mile mark!!! Yeah, baby!

My son has begun to turn towards the dark side... this week he's 1. bitten his Gabba and litterally taken a chunk of her arm 2. gotten in trouble at school for pitching a fit over a toy 3. been put in TIME OUT at school for FIGHTING OVER A CHAIR! Good Lord, have mercy! I can hear it now... "You know how those teacher's kids are!" He's just 19 months old, we've got a l-o-n-g way to go. Bless his little mischevious heart.

This just in... BOTH of my children are SLEEPING IN THEIR OWN BEDS!!! Thank you sweet little naked baby Jesus! Miracle of miracles! We've been rearranging furniture and ended up converting Jack's crib to a toddler bed. When Hadlee saw "what the cool kids were doing" (she's SUCH a sucker for that now, I'm willing to milk it for all it's worth!) she decided she wanted her "little cherry bed" (toddler bed that was beside our bed and acted as cute decor b/c she only slept in it while playing house) beside Jack's. Low and behold, they have fallen asleep w/ very few tears, lots of books (I Love You, Stinky Face being the Hale family fave) and a few swats on the behind. BUT it's all good, my peeps. I've gotten to wake up next to my husband for TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW! YEE HAW!

K, it's time for me to head to bed... I have an observation tomorrow and need to be all perky and happy. Rah.

G'night all.

Hmmm...

Today I met a friend from church to do a five mile out and back through some nearby neighborhoods. I knew going into it that my heart just wasn't there, but just like rough days of marriage, mothering, and teaching, I knew I could suck it up and push through. My nutrition over the past few days has been less than ideal... I think I may have even been dehydrated most of the afternoon and evening Saturday. Heavy legs that don't seem to bend at the ankle will usually work out and push on right past mile two, but not today. We walked / jogged for three miles and then called it quits. :( Dang it.

At this point in my training I'm supposed to continue to add mileage, but I'm ready for a recovery week! I'm going to build them in every four weeks until it's time to taper for the half mary. For this week I'll take the planned mileage and cut it in half so my longest run will be 3 miles (which I'm going to do on Turkey Day morn w/ Bethany).

This week's plan is:

Mon: Stretch and Strengthen
Tues: 2 m
Wed: 40 min. of Cross
Thurs: 3m
Fri: Rest
Sat: 40 min. of Cross
Sun: 3m

I found a challenge issued by Trisaratops that I'm VERY interested in trying... I'll have to look at other people's plans and figure out if it's doable before I hit it head on.

I'm off of work all week (HOORAH!) and tomorrow I get to take the babies to school AND pick them up for the FIRST TIME!!! I'm finally going to feel like a real mom in their school. I'm SO excited!

Saturday I picked up Heli and Josie for the Kelly's Kids warehouse sale and lunch... While we didn't really find much to get excited about at the sale, lunch and the trip were super fabulous! I'm looking forward to more play dates and lunches soon girls!

I'm praying that once Hadlee ends her current round of antibiotics we'll all be healthy for a while... three weeks in a row w/ sick babies is definitely wearing us all out!

negative...

However, it's the best negative there is... in LBS! I'm down 15 pounds from the beginning of "Mae Anne's on the Move". Sweet. (The down side of that is that I'm almost postitive it's all come from the girls. Sigh.)

This just in... 15 weeks from today I will have completed my first half marathon. Good. Lawd. Have. Mercy.

My goal for Seaside is a lofty one for now... I'll have to do just under 14 minute miles. This morning on my long "run" w/ Lana we averaged 17 min/mile for a total of 5 miles in 1:25, in spitting snow, and among TONS of GR8 conversation! That's really just a brisk walking pace, but it's SOMETHING! If I hadn't had someone there talking w/ me and taking my mind off of how flippin' cold it was and how much I'd have preferred to be in bed, I wouldn't have made it. Thank you so much, Lana!

Goals for this week:

1. Speed work... cuz, seriously. Geriatric snails were passing me at one point today.
2. Breathing. Exercise induced asthma is not my friend. I need to carry my inhaler to help take care of that little hiccup.
3. Make every mile count. Several times (esp. on the treadmill) I'm just watching my dot make its way around the track instead of working on form, speed, breathing, etc. I HaVe to make each moment count so I can pound my goals into the ground!
4. Getting the workouts in before work... that's going to be a large challenge, but one that can be obtained by NOT hitting snooze.
5. Get cold weather gear ASAP! It was 35 degrees when I got back home at 8:00 this morning, brrrr!

The training plans for the next two weeks are:
11/18
Mon: Stretch &Strengthen (Yoga / Pilates at home)
Tues: 3.5 m run
Wed:2 m run or cross (Zumba)
Thur: 3.5 m run + strength
Fri: Rest
Sat: 40 min cross (Bike / Swim / Zumba)
Sun: 5 m run

11/23
Mon: Stretch & Strengthen (Yoga / Pilates @ home)
Tues: 4 m run
Wed: 2 m run or cross (Brandon's 34th b-day!)
Thur: 4 m run + strength (Turkey Day, Gobble Gobble!)
Fri: Rest (I.e. Shop w/ the other crazies out there!)
Sat: 40 min cross (Bike / Swim / Zumba)
Sun: 6 m run (My last day as a 29 year old, sniff.)

I've got the opportunity to participate in a couple of local 5ks in December and January. I'm looking forward to seeing how my speed improves from the first one I did back in September w/ our running club.

Did I just say "running club?" Who has taken over my body? Age makes a gal do some funny things, huh? I'm SO glad I've started down that path, tho. It's a new week, take a walk w/ a friend.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Mrs. Negative

The Dragon and Flower Princess

The flower princess was more than happy to find out that people gave out candy for just being cute. I had a couple errands to run before the kids were dressed and at both stops she scored BIG TIME! This little one has such a sweet tooth; we'll be good to go w/out cavities until kindergarten!

Jack was less than thrilled with his dragon costume. I knew when I ordered their outfits that, depending on the weather, one child would either burn up or the other would freeze. . . and that's just what happened! When we out to trick-or-treat it was right around 70 and a heavy fleece outfit for my little fire ball was just a bit much. Bless!

Since having babies, the Hale's have completely forgone pumpkin carving. Does that make me a bad mom? :)

I'll also go ahead and confess that these are rules in our family:

1. Only children who live in other states and are at least 7 years old are allowed to go inside a fast food restaurant and play on it's playground.

2. There is no such thing as a child's meal toy.

3. Children only go trick-or-treating to their grandparents' houses.

4. Poop is everywhere, so do not touch anything!

5. Santa only brings one gift.

I know, my friends make SO MUCH fun of me for all the "little white lies" but ya know, a mom's gotta do ... :) I hear though, that payback's a #$*(@&.

In other, non baby related news:

LANA SAIN ROCKED IT at Ironman FL yesterday. I am SOOOO PROUD! Way to go, Lana!

And, I totally backed out of our local 5K. One glass of wine on Halloween had me down for the count on Saturday. DaNg It! Oh well.

I'm participating in my first half marathon in just 4 months!!! EGAD! I've got a LOT of training to do. No more wine for the Mae Anne, huh? The Seaside Half is March 1, 2009 and then I'll be doing the Music City Half in late April. Yep, two half marys in 7 weeks! O.M.G.

My ultimate goal is to build up to a full mary and at least olympic triathlons. Who knows? Maybe one day I'll hear, "Mae Anne McCullough Hale, You are an IRONMAN!"

Til next time,

the wino

Take 2

Last week's training wasn't a complete bust, but since I wasn't successful in getting in the mileage in one workout each day (most of them I had to split b/t morning and night) I'm going to repeat week one. Today was a "Mae day of rest" for reasons that will not be posted on here b/c my parents and some of their friends read it! :O Just suffice it to say that I'm not as young as I used to be!

Here's the plan:

Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday: Stretch and Strengthen (Yoga)
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: Cross ~ Bike ~ 30 Minutes
Friday: ReSt or if I'm REALLY feeling groovy ~ upper and lower weights
Saturday: Cross ~ Swimming or Rowing ~ 30 minutes
Sunday: 4 miles

I'm hoping to be able to sign up for our local Lose to Win competition. Our pharmacy puts this on a couple times each year. An 8 week challenge w/ meetings, weigh ins, encouragement, etc. I participated in their 5K last year as a fill in for some girls at work. We'll see how it goes! I'm excited aobut things... of course, I've not weighed-in, measured, or seen my BMI... sigh.

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Last night was the much awaited Halloween Party. Bran and I went as Fergie and Will-I-Am of the Black Eyed Peas w/ a twist. Blogger's not happy w/ me right now so you can see pics on my facebook page or visit later in the week.

Tomorrow's a comin' and we've gotta get ready!

Good night moon.
Good night light and the red balloon.

Plans for the week, facebook and eye candy

The eye candy...

Butterflies... she drags me all this way to get excited over stinkin' butterflies??!?!!?
Look Mom, isn't he a cute little thing?
Jack, I think she wants us to smile... just make sure you do it after the light flashes! Wink, wink. :)

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THE GOALS:
Monday:Stretch &Strengthen (30 min. of yoga)
Tuesday:3 m run
Wednesday:2 m run or cross
Thursday:3 m run + strength
Friday:Rest
Saturday:30 min cross
Sunday:4 m run





I'm a big dork... thought this was Hal Higdon's 16 week program, turns out that it's only a 12 weeker... I'm gonna hit it hard! I hopped on the scale Friday and am down 8.5 pounds ~ YAY!





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This weekend is the much anticipated Bell Buckle Craft Fair!!! I can't wait! We're also planning on heading to a costume party as... nah, I'm not giving out the info. Thanks to Vette for the gr8 idea! I'll post pics next weekend as we recuperate.

I'm going to order the kids' Halloween costumes this week from PB... I've convinced myself that they'll be totally worth the price tag (PLUS THEY"RE ON SALE!) when the kids play dress up in them for the next five years. Tee he he. Hadlee's going as the peacock and Jack's going to be a puppy. I really wanted them to coordinate, but H saw the peacock and wouldn't budge on her decision. Hm, must get the whole "strong willed" thing from her daddy. ;P

I'm now on facebook... it's totally addictive. Just another thing to distract me from the daily life! It's probably a good thing I can't access FB at work!

Headed to sleepytown... Yoga's at 5:00 in the morning.

(Fall) Breakin' It...

Only on a break from school would we let Hadlee stay up until 11:00 watching "The Muppets Wizards of Oz." Note: It doesn't hold a candle to Muppets Take Manhattan.... the voices are different, it totally threw me off.

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Tomorrow we leave for our Fall Break Family Spectacular. We'll be staying at the Choo-Choo, visiting the Aquarium, spinning on the carousel, and touching stuff at the Children's Museum. FUN~NESS!!!! Also, if the kids behave, we MAY EVEN head down to Market Row for a little high end shopping! :)

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Training has been non-existent this week... Bleh... Good intentions and all... where is it that they lead again? :/ My life has been non-scheduled and GR8! I'm changing things up a bit and hitting things hard when we get back from Chattanooga. I found a 16 week half marathon training guide so I'll be focusing almost solely on running and doing swimming and biking on cross training days. For more info look here. Fo' real, doe!

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The mother of one of my co-workers passed away earlier this week. This afternoon was the visitation (Is that the same as a wake, or are they different?). I was going to drop the babies by my parents while I ran in to offer my condolences, but the timing didn't work out, so they ended up coming with me. I'm not one who takes surprises well and Hadlee Anne is just like me, so on our way in I was trying to explain things. I said, "Hadlee, when we get in you will see a lady who looks like she's sleeping and you may even see some people crying. I want you to know that they are ok, they're just sad." She looked very sympathetic and replied, 'But Mommy, why will they be crying? What makes them so sad?" I told her, "Because Mrs. Vina's mommy had gone to be with God." "But Mom," she said, "What's sad about being with God?!" Hmmm, I guess we're doing almost ok at this whole parenting thing after all. Bless her sweet, precious, innocent heart.

Meatloaf

On Thursday we had ladies night at church. One of our Shepard's wives was the keynote speaker; her subject was hospitality. Our super fabulous gift from her was a small cookbook of her favorite comfort foods to prepare for showing your own hospitality. (Is it only in the south when that means asking people over for dinner? Or is it all over? :)) Now, I'm not a huge fan of meatloaf, but we just so happen to have had all the ingredients to make it (with the exception of dried mustard). So today we ate meatloaf... and I felt all hospitable, and now am happy and full and watching my Titans beat up on the Vikings. Sunday afternoons ~ they're good stuff.

This pic of Jack was taken yesterday while we were cheering on our poor Volunteers. Is this THE epitome of a TN fan or what?!?!!?!??!?!

On the training front this week things were OK. I missed a swim on Wednesday... I'm going to have to tweak the swim schedule to keep from missing every Wed. afternoon swim! My "running" is making gains that I'm actually proud of. Thursday morning at 5:00 I definitely was not feeling gainful in any way what-so-ever! I headed out for a short 13 min trot through the neighborhood and boy was it awful! Negative self talk was coming at me from every angle. It was just a bad workout all around, but I did the time, stretched and went on with my day.

I really suck at swimming... not that I can't swim, it's the breathing part that screws things up for me. One of the ladies I work with used to life guard so she agreed to help me on Monday afternoons until I find my rhythm and balance and feel more comfortable trying different strokes.

In other news, Friday after work a couple friends and I are heading WAY up north to Fort Wayne, Indiana to the Vera Bradley Fall Outlet Sale. I am SOOOOO friggin' stoked! They recently announced the Spring patterns on their facebook site... I can't wait!

Yesterday Hadlee and I, along with several friends from work, took part in the Memory Walk for the Alzheimer's Association. They had a girl doing face painting for the kiddos so I went from having a three year old to having the HadleeCat for the day. Fun stuff! If I get any more pictures from the other girls I'll try to post them.

I double dog dare you to check out my friend, Andrea's new blog. GO ANDREA!!

Off to do my long run for the week.

Peace.

Putting in the time...

Week one of officially training for the triathlon season is over. First, the stats:

Swimming: 28 minutes, 550 yards

Biking: 62 minutes, 15.7 miles

Running/Jogging/Walking: 76 minutes, 4.5 miles

Core: 2 short workouts w/ lots of stretching

Reflection over the week:

I actually ended up missing three days in a row of conditioning due to scheduling conflicts, the fair being in town, and parent-teacher conferences. BUT, this morning I doubled up on my swim and long bike so I really only ended up missing a run. Last Sunday night I did a 5k route w/ Mach Tenn, the local run club, so the time actually came out like it was supposed to originally.

What I knew mentally preparing for this: I'm a BIG girl who is incredibly out of shape. What I know at the end of week one: I'm a BIG girl who's working towards a lofty goal and healthier life style.I have SO MUCH WORK TO DO, but I'm closer now than I was one week ago. It really makes a difference in my self image. I have a clearer mind and have needed to work out MANY frustrating events from this week. It's amazing what sweating out the emotions has done for my outlook!

Each week I'll be adding 10% to the previous week's time. I'll be interested to see how much of a difference that makes in the distance department.

This is fair week in Coffee County... that means tired students, tired teachers, conferences, and NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY! :) Man, did I enjoy having a short week! I needed some extra rest yesterday so Bran let me enjoy a long nap with the babies and then we took them to the fair for fattening foods, freaks, fun rides and the mule races. We enjoyed seeing lots of acquaintances and friends and wandering from ride to ride. This is the first year we've let Hadlee get on anything. I really expected her to be timid and not get very excited about things. Once we got off of the carousel she was ready for every tea cup, roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, and soaring elephant in the fairgrounds. Honestly, my pride was damaged... what the heck's up with this independent little girl?!??! Who's been raising her? :)

Later tonight we're heading to the Boro to see how much the damage on finishing out our living room and hallway in hardwood will be, getting some shelves for the laundry room and visiting MOAB to check out their road bike selection. Fun stuff!

Happy weekending everyone... and GO VOLS!

No laughing, please!

Lately I've been having some crazy thoughts, thoughts that haven't ever really come into fruition. . . thoughts of... training for triathlons and the Country Music Half Marathon. So, I talked w/ a pro (thanks for your encouragement and enthusiasm, Lana!) checked out some sites, and GOT BUSY!

I have an addictive personality... all or nothing, hot or cold, sweet or sour (as in my attitude/personality). This has been fabulous. I technically started a couple weeks ago to begin learning to run (really, you have to build, kind of like Rome) and it has turned into training for Sprint Triathlons with a focus on running for the CMM1/2 (on April 25, '09).

There, the cat's out of the bag. Now, you can ask how I'm doing when you don't see sessions and results logged. Hold me responsible, heckle me, tell me I can do it! :)

The whole medical scare w/ the baby last week got me off a bit so I'm starting a 16 week training for a sprint tri (.5 swim, 13 mile bike, 5K run) when the season picks back up early next year. Sixteen weeks from now just so happens to be New Year's Eve, go figure... I'll be hitting my goal of finishing up the training when most of the world sets new goals (and just a few weeks into being the bid 3-0!). Kind of ironic to me.

Anyway, my training guide is from http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/. It's a super cool site w/ so much info anyone (even me!) could get excited about the thought of getting physical! :P

Here are the stats for the week:

Sunday: 30 min walk/run (2.5miles)
Monday: off
Tuesday:2 mile bike (8 min.)
Wednesday & Thursday: off (not by schedule, but b/c Bran was in Memphis)
Friday: 40 min bike (8.7 miles)
Saturday: off
Sunday: Planned 5k run/walk w/ our running club, Mach Tenn.

Next week begins the cross training that includes all three components, plus weight training once or twice a week. Once I get the schedule figured out it'll be easier... b/t when the lap pool is open,Bran being out of town, and having the babies picked up by 4:30 it'll be a bit of a challenge, but nothing I can't handle.

That's it really... on the medical front babies, mommy, daddy and Gabba are all doing just dandy.

Ride in an ambulance $1,839
Yearly membership to the local REC: $300/year
Healthy life w/ healthy babies and husband: Priceless

Black, Blue & Vandy, Too

We've had a week from Hell. Isn't that a pleasant opening statement?

Last Thursday my dear pal, Vette, and I went down to the 30-A Section of Florida for a girls' getaway... we had two incredibly fabulous, sun filled days... and then stinkin' Gustav moved in. Gustav sucks.

Saturday Jack and Hadlee started getting runny noses, but we'd had rain so the hay needed to be cut, seemingly not a big deal.

Sunday Vette and I woke up to cloudy skies and by the time we got back from church, ate a sandwich and got out on the beach the water had changed from a beautiful turquoise with crabs, fish and dolphins playing to a dark green, ferocious beast. We decided it was time to head home.

Monday Jack was running a slight fever and just not acting like himself. Hadlee was having some allergy symptoms, but nothing of much concern. Monday afternoon we went to my grandparents' house for a cookout. While outside, Hadlee missed a step, fell and hurt the concrete patio. In return the patio left her with a nasty bump and her first black eye.

Tuesday morning was supposed to be the babies first day of MDO, but the first two weeks are phase-in half days and neither baby was up to par so they stayed with Gabba all day instead. Jack hadn't slept much the night before and was running more of a temp so I called and made an appointment to see Dr. B for both babies Wednesday morning, just to be on the safe side.

By 1:00 Jack's fever went from 99 to 102 in under 8 minutes, triggering a seizure. He stopped breathing and didn't have a pulse. He turned blue and after his Gabba started CPR he began breathing again. She had already called 911 and had an ambulance on the way. They were there in 5 minutes and couldn't wait on me to get there to ride with him to the hospital. 14 minutes from the time the 911 call was made the ambulance had Jack in our local ER. He captured the attention of everyone, including the main physician, Dr. Sunburn. Doc decided he needed to be admitted so after some phone calls to his pedi we chose to head to Vandy Children's... well, because that's the place to go. Another ambulance ride to Vandy (@ a measly 85 MPH, what the???) and another ER... a few hours later after getting his temp from 104.9 down to 100.7 and seeing him start to talk, interact, eat and drink the doctors say it was a febrile seizure (It's genetic, from their DADDY! Not mommy's fault!!! We went through the same thing w/ Hadlee just a couple weeks before Jack was born.)and send us home.

Wednesday morning we head to the pedi. As it turns out Jack has a nasty virus that is going around school #1 (not MDO, long story) and an ear infection. Hadlee has a nasty double ear infection as well. The are both on antibiotics and beginning to mend. Jack's fevers are down to 103 and under and continue to decline and Hadlee seems to be feeling better, but a bit jealous of the extra attention Jack's getting.

Thursday... apparently it happened because now it's Friday night.

I finally went back to work today (because my sick days are gone until October) and now we're trying to relax and not bite each other's heads off.

Never, do I ever want to revisit another week such as this.