Garmin Forerunner 305

My husband gave me a wonderful Christmas gift. After a few weeks of this little birdie whispering in his ear that I wanted a Garmin running watch. And this is what I unwrapped on Christmas morning.

I absolutely love it! It is everything that I wanted for my running watch. It tells me my pace, distance, and time. It can also perform many other functions that I haven't quited tested out yet. I am so excited to have it to use for my half marathon training!



This week's mileage:
Tues: 2 miles
Wed: 3 miles
Sat: 2.11 miles ( avg pace 10:45 min/mile)
Sun: 5.1 miles (avg pace 11:25 min/mile)
Total: 12.21 miles



I'm happy I got to complete all of my training runs this week and now I can note my pace thanks to my Garmin!

Wonderful Christmas

Christmas this year was busy! We spent a lot of time with family, as that is how it should be. On Christmas Eve we had dinner with Ryan's Mom's side of the family, then went to church to worship our wonderful Savior whose birth we are celebrating, and then we returned for dessert and gift giving. Christmas day was even busier. ...

Ryan and I woke up and exchanged our gifts to one another, then dressed and headed to his parents house to open gifts, then went to his aunt and uncles for breakfast, then over to my parents house to open gifts, then back to Ryan's parents for lunch, and then back to my parents for dinner. Wheww...it was a very busy Christmas Day. But I am so thankful for reason we get to together and celebrate....and that reason is Jesus. What a wonderful, precious gift that has been given to us all. Amazing!

Cold Weekend

This weekend brought some very cold weather and a lot of snow for Virginia. Although many parts of Virginia got 1-2 feet of snow, we only got about about an inch of snow. But that was enough to disturb Penny. She didn't quite know what to do with the white stuff. Ryan and I had to take her outside multiple times in a thirty minute time period so she could figure out where her potty spot was. This morning when she woke up she seemed to like the snow much better. She was running and playing in it with her head to the ground eating as much snow as she could along the way.

The cold weather also brough with it a cold long run this afternoon. I had a scheduled 5 mile run today. I was quite nervous and had butterflies in my stomach prior to running. I mapped out a route that would take me 2.5 miles out and back for a total of 5 miles. It was a great run. I ran the entire way, except for having to stop at the stop light. My husband was very encouraging and it was nice to have him along for the run. I'm looking forward to my next 5 mile run next Sunday.

Total Mileage For the Week:

Thurs: 1.54 miles

Sat: 3.04 miles

Sun: 5 miles

Total: 9.58 miles

Hopefully next week with winter break I'll be able to actually follow my training schedule a bit better instead of cramming my runs in at the end of the week. I think my legs will appreciate that. And I'll also hopefully get in all 4 runs, instead of just 3.

Kettlebells =

An extremely sore body.

Ryan and I decided to do Kettlebell Power on Thursday evening. We usually do BodyPump, but the class schedule changed. I was very hesitant to do Kettlebells since I had tried the intro class back a few months ago when they were first adding to the class schedule at the gym and I walked away extremely sore and unable to move very well the next few days. I vowed I would never do the class again. Well I lied to myself. I did the class last night and I am very sore. Thus, I think I can conclude that Kettlebells is a great workout and I'll be going back again.

Next Week, Please...

I am so ready for next week to be here for several reasons:
1. Winter break will begin.
2. It will be Christmas.
3. Less stress and more relaxation time.
4. More running time.

This past week has been extremely stressful and busy. I am in great need of a break from work and so are my students. I need to finish up my Christmas shopping and get gifts wrapped. Ahh...where does the time go.

I've been so busy throughout this past week and this weekend that I have not had as much time to run. I was lucky to get in 3 out of 4 training runs. So here is my weekly mileage:

Tues: 2 miles
Sat: 2 miles
Sun: 4.07 miles
Total: 8.07

Hopefully next week will be better.

Why did I doubt?

I was really nervous for today's long run. In the past the farthest I have ever run was really just 3.1 miles (that is without walking). Today my scheduled run was for 4 miles and I was extremely nervous. I debated giving up already and that's not a good sign for my training for a half marathon. Well...

I did it! I actually ran 4 miles. And it was pretty easy. I didn't exactly do it all at once. I took Penny for 2 miles and then came back and got Ryan for the second half of my run. So I maybe had a five minute break in between, but I don't care. I did it; I ran 4 miles! My confidence is back up for my training (at least for this week...haha).

Weekly Mileage:
Tues: 2.1 miles
Thurs: 2.01 miles
Sat: 2.07 miles
Sun: 4 miles
Total: 10.18 miles

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love Christmas time! I love all the decorations and lights. And most importantly, I love all the time spent with family and friends. We put our Christmas decor and tree after Thanksgiving. Here are some pictures...

Mileage

Tuesday: 2 miles
Thursday: 2 miles
Saturday: 2.8 miles (I was only suppose to run 2 miles, but when I drove my route it was 2.8!)
Sunday: a tad over 3 miles (I'll have to drive my route in my car to see exactly how far I ran)

Total Mileage This Week: 9.8 miles

I'm feeling really good about my training so far. I haven't had to stop and walk on any of my runs. Lets hope I can keep that up when next week's long run is 4 miles. I think I can, I think I can...

Busy Weekend

This week and this weekend have been quite busy so I have not been able to write a new post all week. And I don't even have much of anything interesting to write about. So anyways...

I completed all of my training this week and I am proud of myself. I actually enjoyed my time running. I ran on our new treadmill, that a friend gave us. She said it cuts off after about 45-50 minutes, but I just did short 20 minute runs on it and it was perfect for that. I did two of my runs on the treadmill and then the other two outside. I really do enjoy running outside when it is cool weather. I felt like I could continue running longer (but I did't). Ryan went with me today for my 3 mile run. He was very encouraging afterwards and said I did really well. I didn't stop to walk and a kept a pretty good pace. Although, I don't know what my pace was because I do not have a running watch and I don't know what time we left the house. I think I'll ask for a sports watch for Christmas. I've been looking at some of the Garmins.

Here is my mileage for the week:
Tues: 1.60mi
Wed: 1.5mi
Fri: 1.72mi
Sun: 3mi
Total: 7.82miles

Lazy Sunday

Today has been a lazy day. We went to church this morning, grabbed lunch at Tropical Smoothie, and have been watching football since. As Ryan watches and hollers at the tv I've been reworking our training program for the 2010 Shamrock Half Marathon in VA Beach. Soooo....training will officially start tomorrow, although, we have not officially signed up for the race. But I'm committing to it and proving to myself that I can do it. So here is what training will look like this week:

M: Strength training at the gym and Ab Attack
T: 2o minute run
W: 20 minute run
Th: Strength train/Body Pump
F: 20 minute run
Sat: Rest/Strength Train
Sun: 3 miles

The runs this week won't be difficult, piece of cake! That's pretty much routine as it is right now.

Life and Love with the World's Best Dog

This evening I had the house to myself. Well....Penny and I had the house to ourselves. Ryan went to the first UVA basketball game of the season. So I decided to pop in one of my favorite movies, Marley and Me. Penny enjoyed watching it too. Any time she heard dogs barking she ran to the tv and and watched it for a few moments. We just had to close her eyes towards the end of the movie.

I'm so glad Penny is not the world's worst dog like Marley!

Running Partner

Today I went for a short run to start getting my legs ready for my 1/2 marathon training. I decided to take Penny with me. Although I've read you shouldn't run with your puppy until they are at least a year old, I figured I run slow enough and we weren't going that far that it wouldn't hurt for Penny to go along. So, she did and she was a great running partner. We didn't go far, maybe 1.5 miles. I think Penny enjoyed it, but she was definately tired when we got back home. I sat down to drink some water and Penny immediately laid down between my legs. She never cuddles with me, now I know how to get her to. Just take her for a nice run!

Shopping with Mom....

A trip to Richmond with my mom led to an all day shopping spree. We went to 2 craft shows and then to Short Pump mall. We weren't very successful at the craft shows, but did end up getting a few things. At the mall is where we (or I) did some "damage" as my husband said when I got home.

I absolutely love all things Pottery Barn! I would buy the entire store if I could, but my teacher's salary doesn't quite allow that. But I did find some good deals on some drapes for our living room. I'm really excited about them as we have been living in our house without curtains for almost a year and a half now. I'll post pictures after I find some curtain rods and get them up.

We also ventured into Pottery Barn kids. **Just to look** It might not have been the best idea for this girl with baby fever. I wanted to design and buy my baby's nursery right then and there. But instead, I found and bought a Halloween custome on sale for our future little one. I know, I'm crazy! But I couldn't pass up the great deal.

What a great day it was with my mom. I am so grateful for the time that we get to spend together.

To Train or Not to Train?

Yesterday Ryan and I ran the Great Pumpkin Chase 5K together. I thought I would be able to complete it without any walking, but I was wrong. I did not train for this race and that was the problem. We ran it in 36 minutes, which I guess isn't too bad...that was 12 minute miles. But I ran my first 5K, back in April/May, 2 minutes faster and without any walking. I trained for that race. So I was a bit disappointed yesterday, but I guess it was my fault for not preparing myself.



Anyways...this leads me to my title, To Train or Not to Train. Ryan has always wanted us to run a half marathon together. Now I am not a runner by any means, as you can see from my 5K times, but I think a half marathon would be a great accomplishment. So I am at a crossroads...do I commit to training for the half marathon and do it no matter if I have to walk some and my time is horrible or do I just automatically give up? I know what my husband will tell me and in the back of my mind I really want to do it, but my fear is holding me back. I really do not enjoy discomfort and I know training and running a half marathon is not going to be easy. So...



I'm going to suck it up and do it! Not just for pleasing my husband, but as a challenge to myself. I'm debating which training program to use...Jeff Galloway's beginner half marathon training or the Shamrock's Half Marathon beginner training. I guess I'll have to decide here soon, because both programs begin in November. Ahhh!



So here's to the Shamrock Half Marathon on March 21, 2010!

Penny's 6 Months Old

Our baby (puppy that is) is getting older. Here are some pictures of her life thus far.

The first day we brought Penny home. She was 7 weeks old.

Playing in the yard. This is one of my favorite pictures. I love the ears!

Riding on the boat at the lake.

Playing with her best friend, Sadie (my parents' dog).

And today, enjoying a bone on her 6th month birthday!

Man...she is getting big!

When I grow up I want to be...

A Stay At Home Mom!

Today was career day at school and the students were suppose to dress up as something they want to be when they grow up. We had ballerinas, ninjas, cats, detectives, vetrinarians, baseball players, etc. walking the halls of our school. It's funny how students believe that they can be an animal when they grow up. A former student of mine was convinced that she could be a cat when she got older. After several minutes of trying to tell her this was not possible, I gave up and let her keep dreaming.

Not only did students get to dress up, the teachers did too! And it was so much fun! I dressed up as a Stay At Home Mom, because that truly is what I want to be when I grow up. And yes it is a career. My kindergarten students were so funny, asking if I really had a baby inside my tummy. Unfortunately, my dream career is not going to come true any time soon. But it sure was fun while it lasted!

Blogging...???

So I am an avid fan of reading blogs. I am inspired by many of the blogs that I read daily. Even though I do not know any of the people whose blogs I follow, I throughly enjoy reading about their lives. The following are my favorites: Run, Sleep, Rinse, Repeat, Three Cheers for Babies, and All Things G&D.

So since I really enjoy reading these blogs and many others I thought "why not give blogging a try myself." Hence, here I am entering my very first post and I have no clue what to actually write about. It was hard to even think about what to name my blog let alone try to find a template/design that I absolutely love. I guess it will take awhile to get my blog to look just as great as the other blogs that enjoy following.

So I guess my blog will be dedicated to my random ramblings of the so called "simple life" that my husband Ryan and I live.

Let's just see how this blogging thing goes...