I ran a 30 mile Ultra Trail run

I am 42.  I only discovered running in adult hood.  I was on the track team but you can ask any of my friends-we didn't train.  In fact, I remember once running three blocks and sitting in a ditch until we thought enough time had passed that we could return to the school and it would look as though we ran.  

Once, our middle distance relay made it to State.  Guess who was alternate?  Oh CRAP!

Turns out I never had to run but yep that was scary.

I also either threw up or had diarrhea before pretty much every track meet.  Nerves?

Sick.  I know.

So that is why running naturally was such a love of mine (insert sarcasm here)!

It wasn't until I needed to do something to lose weight that I even considered running.  I started slow, and short, on paved roads or the treadmill.  Then one day I took a chance at running a trail and fell in love.

Trails are beautiful!  In the summer they are shaded.  On windy days they are guarded.  But boy ooh boy on rainy days are they muddy.  I don't like mud.  It's heavy and I have enough weight to cart.

I don't run trails after rain.  Don't even ask.

I am not sure I'd say I was competitive.  Maybe I am.

I get bored quickly with stuff though.  I think that is why in all my races I never repeat one-distance, location, I never have.  Until now... I plan to repeat the 4 mile winter trail run in February.  

First, these trail runs they really make me look better than I am.  Very few 40 year old women have gotten into this so I place and get a medal! 

BAM!

Second, the trail running community is FUN!  I am a member of a Facebook group.  They post when they are running and you can meet up.  I run with my husband and have gotten to know many of them so I know their paces, personalities, etc and feel totally safe if I need to run and he can't go with me.  They push me-through humor-"You'll be fine"- and they are sooooo laid back.  One slogan for a trail race:  "Course markings are on the right...unless they're on the left."  Ha!  They are people who love to run and all that they do is for the love of the run, their community and the trail system.

And last, there is no shortage of interesting courses!  That one I ran above?  Started at Midnight.  It was a "5ish" mile course.  It poured for hours then sprinkled all through the run.  My feet were so heavy I actually cursed at my husband for being so excited and encouraging. 

All in all the beer in my hand at 1 am, soaking wet, I was glad I did it.

So this fall... the buddies I had made while running our long 10-20 mile runs over the summer months encouraged me to try the 30 mile Ultra.  I began my excuses about not having trained.  I mean.  Really. I am a normal 42 year old mother of 2.  It doesn't even seem like a logical possible thing someone COULD do.  Their response?  "You'll be fine."

And I was.

Sure I was sore.  It was days before stairs didn't invoke fear.  But man the accomplishment!

You know what?  I would do it again.  I even hinted that I might try the 50 mile.

So how?  How does one just say.  I think I'll run a 30 mile race.  I mean hey I put in 20-25 miles a WEEK but yeah.  Let's giver a try!

Well I researched as usual.  I decided that I would only eat real food.  I took two protein bars that I knew I would like and that agreed with me.  I had a 2L pack for water.  I ran with this pack for two weeks trying to adjust to it's feel and weight.

My advice:

Our race directors had wonderful food options on course about every 3.5 miles (I did 4- 7ish mile loops).

tortilla wraps with lunch meat

dill pickles

olives

grapes

watermelon

They also supplied water.

I took a change of shoes which I desperately needed to change into after lap #3.  I applied band aids at that lap too.

I wore layers that I could shed and did.

I was on my period.  GAH! Day 2-usually my worst cramp day!  I took my tampons in my pack but I also took midol every 4 hours like clock work.  My period actually stopped during the race. Praise GOD!  The midol had caffeine which was great in actuality.  

I took 2 E-caps at the beginning of each of my laps.  These are electrolyte caplets.  I hate gatorade and that stuff.  Just give me plain ol water.  I sweat so much I was covered in a white crystal but had no ill effects from any of it.

I kept moving.  I walked every hill-the whole time-even when I was fresh in the beginning.  I ran all straight ground at an even consistent pace.  I only had to pee once in 7 hours.  I didn't stop and chat at the food stations.  I grabbed food and kept moving.

The solitude, scenery, and people were awesome and I enjoyed that race and the experience although long.

At this point I equate it to childbirth.  I remember only the end result and the goodness of it all.  The hard stuff is sort of blurry.

Would we do it again?  These looks say it all.

Weight lifting

I'm going to look into this weight lifting stuff.  We are on week 2 of bodybuilding.com heavy lifting workout #1. I have run and lifted but never just all out lifted.  At this point I lift daily Monday-Friday.  Run long Saturday and run short Tuesday/Thursday (with some speed work in there).  I use Sunday as optional day off or run day.

 Winter seems like the perfect time to see what it does for me.  It's harder to find good trail days, days that are not windy or days that are not down right cold.  I mean last week we had a polar vortex for crying out loud!  Can I really keep the weight off?  Can I transform my body?  How will I do on that scheduled trail race in February? Worse?  Better?  Hmmmm

Today I am adapting a recipe I found on pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/9429480443919976/

It's originally from Tasty Kitchen

So here is my adapted recipe:

• 3 whole Ripe Bananas, Mashed Until Creamy
• 1/2 cup PB2 (mix it as instructed on label)
• ⅔ cups Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1/2 cups Vanilla Whey Protein Powder- I used Probody Lean (this is not 100% gluten free tho)
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 1-½ cup Quick Oatmeal, Uncooked
• ¼ cups dark Chocolate Chips, Optional

Preheat heat oven to 350ºF.

In a large bowl, mix mashed banana and PB2 until completely combined. Then add in the applesauce, vanilla protein powder and vanilla extract. Mix again until completely combined.

Add in the oatmeal to the banana mixture and combine. 

Add the dark chocolate chips

Let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Grease an 8x8 square baking dish with some olive oil and pour in the dough and spread evenly.

I baked mine about 20 minutes or so until a toothpick came out clean.  I then cut them into 6 bars.  I layered them with wax paper in a tupperware container and the hubs and I have been eating them for breakfast and as a snack.

Here is our review:

YUMMY!  I love the texture of these bars...like a gooey oatmeal bread.  I eat them cold but warming them is sooo good too.

3.5 Weight Watcher points each
about 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per bar for mine.

Heading out for my run on Saturday.
I don't ever look in the right spot when I take selfies.
Totally look like I am waiting for something to happen.

Part of my route.  

I only did 4 miles Saturday and then ran 6 with a pal on Sunday.

I am also sick and congested with a cold.  My pace was better than expected though.

I also cooked some meals ahead of time this week.  Hubs and I have lunches for the week now.

Sum Sum Summa time and fitness

It is GROSS out!

The heat has got me clinging to my cool air conditioned bedroom each morning.

I.CAN'T.GET.UP!

So then my runs are later and my sweat production is MASSIVE!

I feel like that hairy guy in Along Came Polly playing against Ben Stiller.

So much sweat!

My running pals help.  

But for Hubs and I we would prefer to snuggle in a cool bed...  

...then feel horrible about it later in the day.

Last night we did a spin class with our daughter since we didn't get up!

Each morning I get up and if I am going to work out I take some e-caps and drink a glass of water.

My cramping seems to be better!  I think I am getting fewer headaches too.

I started chaffing again from all the sweat.

Sports Shield is good.

We love the roll on verses the stick.

I tried some new shorts from Target.

No dice.

They wanted to hide up north so far that I spent a good part of my energy pulling them 

outta yonder every few steps.

Too bad.  They were cheap and made my legs look long.

A girl can use all the help she can get on both of those fronts!

Tonight we head to a local running store to find some that might work better.

Had a personal best last weekend before the heat really got out of control.  This morning I eeked out only 2.5 at just under 9 and threw in the towel so I could protect the thighs.  We hope to run 10 on the trails in the morning.

And lastly I am hoping I have my eating back on track.  

Too many events pulling me to eat less than clean.

I spent the morning cleaning and cutting.

Prepping and planning.

And for every horrid pic I post of myself I must counteract with one where I look like a woman who actually bathes and cares for herself.

Happy Friday guys!  Stay cool.

DIY Fevahhhh

  Well the DIY bug has hit. HARD.  

My oldest graduated High School.  Gulp.  

So we had a big party.  Double Gulp.

 I made these cute little flags for the party.

They are her college colors and we are loving them.

It was super fun and easy.

I made a ton of bows for our party to go on the vases at the table.

It took for -eva to learn how to do it!

So the next week when we had a wedding... I proudly slapped this together.

The back yard is coming along.  

We had such trouble with our grass growing so my dad and I mulched it all.

We have been adding plants like crazy but it's super shady.

Loving our little fire pit in the back.

Then the boy and I had been planning to make a cat tower for years.

We looked around.

Those things aren't cheap!

Here's one at Pet Smart we thought we could try.

Here is bubs...

Cutting the wood was his favorite

Here is the finished product.  Adding that carpet is HARD! 

The kitties like it pretty well.  

Our hammock on the top didn't work out but we plan to change that.

Then we did the Moss Avenue Sale with my parents

They have two antique booths in towns nearby and clear it out once a year.

It's such a fun day to hang out with them and to shop.

 At work I wanted to try to save some money on some lamps for a group home.

I went to a local thrift store and planned to try the Pintrest lamp DIY.

I bought 7 lamps for $40

Here's the one I painted Glossy white.

I added a white lamp shade but I think a patterned or colored one would look better.

We keep the rooms neutral there though so it will have to do.

Here's one I did for us.  I have two matching. 

They are glossy black and the shades are oval.

It's hard to tell in the photo.

I really love them.

They turned out so well and I am even more exited to re-do our room!

Last I found this jewel for $5.99

It's in my garage now half done because I ran out of spray paint.

 I have plans to paint it all weather and have it out back for the radio and as a serving cart.

It will be done by the weekend because I can't stand it.

Next we start on Hannah's room....

That has created quite a buzz on my Pinterest boards!

We're thinking Chevron...and yellow....and navy.... and gray

 STAY TUNED.

Summer Boredom

Welp.  

Summer is here. 

 So is the constant effort to keep the boy off total electronic submersion.

We set some limits.

Came up with some chores

And he has some summer school work.

I tried to make it short but still fun and not like workbook pages.

Monday-

plan, shop and cook a meal on a budget using coupons and ads

Tuesday-

Do a short book report.  

He has to read one chapter book a week.

Wednesday

Math on the computer or multiplication flash cards with his sister.
Our school uses this site and we have a password.  Check with your school!
We love it and it give some options!

Thursday

5 facts researched on the computer from a topic I give him.

Last week was Narwhols.

Friday

Math again-problem solving/ story problems

I must say...  We are totally winging this stuff.

Dinner tonight went well
We talked about hand washing and cross contamination. 
A few different techniques such as "folding" the cool whip into the pudding.
When planning we took advantage of price match at the store and 
comparison shopping.
When we planned I had him choose a 
protein, vegetable and carb (bread, rice, beans, pasta) and made 
dessert optional.

Grill safety and use.
He measured, worked a microwave, and learned to spread butter.
He seemed proud of himself, ate well, and enjoyed the attention and compliments.

Pork Chop-green beans and garlic bread

He even asked his sister for suggestions on future desserts.  :)

Dirt Dessert made with sugar free low fat pudding and Cool Whip

Do you take medications?

Those are my grandparents.  Love them.

Today I had lunch with them at my parents house and talked about my vocal chord paralysis a bit.

Grandpa has some medical problems he battles and we talked a little about supplements that could help.

I don't like to give advice but I do like the research part and I stumbled across some pretty cool articles.

The first was on the condition he asked me about peripheral neuropathy. 

Click the words to read about suggested treatments.

The other was even more intriguing!

Nutritional-solutions.net

Drug-Nutrient Depletions & Known Interactions

Image link

They created a document that allows you to look up meds you take and then see if they cause any vitamin or mineral depletions.  I wouldn't just go buy and take them. I think you would want to consult a physician of some sort for dosage and contraindications but it is definitely a talking point to print and take to your appointment.  

Good Luck everyone!

Deck of cards

I love to workout with my husband.  It's hard at times because we run different paces and are at different levels when it comes to strength training but we have managed to find ways to work out together over the years.  He keeps me so motivated and I have tried many things I would never have tried on my own...and I am healthier for that!

Recently, I have been learning about the benefits of strength training for weight loss. I used to think if I just ran and ran and ran I would off set the calories I ate.  But I am learning that becoming lean and burning calories is most effective when you add in strength training or even plyometric work outs.  So now We usually have one rest day and then alternate running and strength.  

A typical week looks like this: 

Sun-alternate strength training such as this Deck of cards work out

Mon-recovery run-middle distance

Tue-Body pump at the gym

Wed-Speed work and shorter run

Thur-Body pump at the gym

Fri-Rest

Sat-Long run

Here's a great little article from RUNNER'S WORLD about it all.  It touts the following

1.  Muscle burns more calories: 

"Your body typically uses about 4.5 to seven calories per pound of muscle every day. If a 160-pound runner with 20 percent body fat increases his muscle mass and lowers his body fat to 15 percent, he'll burn an extra 36 to 56 calories a day at rest—simply by adding muscle."

2.  You'll be more efficient:

A study published last year in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research showed that runners who add three days of resistance training exercises to their weekly program increase their leg strength and enhance their endurance. 

3.  You'll be less injury prone:

  If you increase your strength, you'll also increase your joint stability, reducing your risk of repetitive stress injuries," says McCall, citing a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, which showed that incorporating moves such as squats, single-leg hops, and ab work into a workout can not only prevent lower-body injuries, but improve performance as well.

Between my chiropractor and what I have learned about workouts I know this to be absolutely true!

So this brings me to the title of this blog... a fun little workout for my husband and I that really mixes it up and makes for a great work out!

The Deck of Cards

We choose 4 activities.  We try to choose things that will allow us a total body work out.  You might want to do  it multiple times a week arms one day, legs one day, core another.  We run for a mile or about 5-10 minutes to warm up.  We like to set the timer on our phone and try to move quickly from one to the next.  It keeps the cardio up and we try to beat our previous time if we can.   

Our 4 go to activities are.

goblet squats

Weighted ball sit up with partner

Burpee

and the pull-up

I use the machine at the gym and the hubs starts with pull ups then he adds a box for one leg or switches to the machine if he needs too.

BAM!  You're welcome!