Running can be the Pits!

Sunday I ran in my 2nd 10K.  This event was held to raise scholarship money in the name of a fallen NY State trooper. The official website for the race is http://www.pitrun.org/ it tells how the trooper was killed off duty stopping an armed robbery.  Very Touching.

When we left our house at 730am it was pooring cats and dogs, cold and plain right nasty but we had hope that accuweather would be correct.

We arrived about 5 minutes before the kids race, the sun was shinning and the bbq were smoking! did I mention the free BBQ afterwards – by the best in the state.  Seriously, brooks BBQ has been on the food network more than once.

I ran over to registration while david signed the kids up for the kids race.  Emma was happy chilling in her stroller with her snack but tyler ran!

Tyler is in the white long sleeve shirt!  It was really cute, each kid had a bib #1! they were given these nice draw string bags with coloring books, magnets, pencils and more. 

The 10K and 5K started off together.  We had to walk to the main road outside the park that the event was held in for the start. 

We had a quick family photo before I started

Every one was lined up and ready to go.

So I saw 2 people run the race without any shoes. That just freaks me out thinking about it. I mean I walk around my house in the summer or at camp without shoes all the time but to run a 10K? that is crazy.

Back to the race.  At the 5K/10K split I really wanted to just go to 5K course! my leg was cramping and this was before the hill from hell.   But I didnt .  The hill was so deceiving. You would go up a hill and it would look like around the corner it would level off, then you got to the top of that corner and realized there was more and more and more and more. it was about 1.5 miles of steep hills.  I had to walk twice.  My leg was so crapped and it was only one leg. 

Finally down hill for about .75 miles, it was a steep down hill run glad we didn’t go up that side! 
Before I talk about the rest, Mile 1, 3, 4 they had people calling out your mile splits.  At mile 3, I thought they said 41minutes. I was like WTF – that is way off my normal pace and this was just at the start of the hill.     Mile 4 was just as we started descending from the hill and they said 42 minutes so I felt much better that I was on track. Well I was hope full that I had misheard the mile 3 person and not the mile 4.

At mile 5 I wanted to walk but I could smell the FREE AMAZING BBQ!! so I kept going around a turn where there was another small hill.  Then we went back down to main street. I thought that I just had to cross the bridge and run towards the center of the park where the finish line was.  I need to read better.  I sprinted down main street and 1/2 thru the park before I realized we had to pass the finish line to the other side of the park and come back.  RUN FOREST RUN!

OMG were my legs burning. I had no idea what time it was. I could hear the names of the people crossing the finish line but not the times. I wanted to push but I had already sprinted.  Finally I made that far turn and headed back towards the finish line.  I thought I could read it as 60minutes so I started  digging deep for anything I could find.  I sprinted as hard as I could.

I wasn’t sure of my official time but knew I hit it out of the park!! my old time was 68minutes.  My new time was :

This photo is so funny, I look like I was in pain but everyone just stopped in the road just over the finish line.  so here I am like a steamroller sprinting to the finish ready to take out the hundreds of people standing there.  it was like a scene from running of the bulls.  I really wasn’t in pain I was just trying to back it down a bit!

Sorry I don’t have a photo of the BBQ. Tyler ate my roll, Emma at half my chicken, baked potato, and cookie and David ate my cole slaw. 

I am very happy I finished with a better time! So I guess on the next one I hope/plan to break the one hour mark!  I am so tired today I went to bootcamp to work of the bbq and cider donut I had! we went to a cute and fun apple mill on the way home!

Challenging yourself

I have a new motivational blog at http://kristenshealthjourney.blogspot.com/ check it out. I am cheating a reposting todays post from there to here!  Enjoy!

Its so much easier to say “I can’t do it” then to put in the effort to try.  My accounting degree tells me:

doing nothing (effort)  + thinking about doing something (intentions) = Start tomorrow (lack of results)

0+0=0

The problem with “can’t” is it feels like shit.  The great thing about “doing” is how satisfying it feels.  When you do something you didn’t know you could do, its very rewarding.  You are proud of yourself and it increases your confidence to do more. 

Challenging by definition: requiring full use of your abilities or resources; "performed the most challenging task”

Challenging myself along the way has been a key to my success.  Moving up on KB weight, or trying a heavier one are great ways to challenge yourself.  Worse case you are unable to do it, so did you fail? NOPE!  Failing is defined as “unsuccessful in achieving one's goal.”  Because you couldn't press the red KB over your head today doesn’t mean you will not be able to do it tomorrow or next week or a month from today.

I have also challenged myself with food, to eat less, to eat better, to get over my Peanut butter addiction.  There are days (like today) where by noon I was at 80% of my daily calorie intake but did I fail today?  No, while my calories suck for the day, I didn’t eat peanut butter (score!).  I making a great dinner and I will do good for the rest of today.  Tomorrow I start fresh and will stay in my calories!

One little saving grace I have today is that I ran a 10K at the casino.  It was my challenge to myself on June 1.  June 1st was my 1 year anniversary of the start of MVBW at Next level and being fully committed.  On that day I signed up for the 10K to push myself, to prove how far I had come.  I was running about 4.5 miles at that point and figured 2.5 months would allow me the time to get up to 6.2 miles for the race. 

Prior to today, the longest I had run was 5.9 miles.  I didn’t know how today would go.  I just didn’t have the time to get more runs in – I would rather go to bootcamp then run!  In the middle of the week I had major stress going on and considered not running.  But I remembered my challenge to myself, and off I went to the starting line at 8am.

The first mile took me 10:10; 3 miles took me 31:13; 5 Miles took 52minutes.  It wasn’t easy, running up hill from mile marker 2 – 4 on route 31.  By the down hill portion of Stoney Brook my legs were so sore – like they feel after 4 rounds of 20:10 squat jumps and burpee finisher – you know what I am talking about!  Around the 5th mile you could see the casino and it motivated me to keep moving, don’t give up.  I had to walk a few times over the 6.2 miles but I kept the breaks short. .. “you get out what you put in”

Finally the finish line!  One hour and eight minutes later (and two blisters!).  I did it! Not only did I finish, I blasted my time expectation.  Right in front of me was a 18 year old kid that sprinted past me at the 6 mile mark.  As he crossed the finish line – he puked! I was in better condition than he was!  I walked past him to receive my water, my power-aid and MY METAL!

The first metal I have ever received!  I am so excited and proud!  So what are you going to do this week to challenge yourself.  Think about it, write it down and post it some where as a visual reminder thru the week.  Good luck!!

Confessions of a 31 year old Soccer mom

 

David Letterman style!

#10 – my coolest (lamest) celebrity  moment was unknowingly riding a roller coaster with  Hootie and the blowfish (July 1996)

#9- I love spicy food the hotter the better!

#8 – I had a thing for the drummer from hootie because of this video

http://www.mtv.com/videos/hootie-the-blowfish/46739/hold-my-hand.jhtml#id=1590666

#7- I am afraid of monkeys

#6- I think Hockey players are hot! Listen they score with with hard sticks!!

#5 -I can say the alphabet backwards easier then forward

#4 - I saw (paid) Hootie in concert at the casino in like 2003 or 2004

#3 – l like going to bootcamp and hanging with my BC Crew and  Scrapbooking is my yoga

#2 – My favorite movie of all times is Legends of the Fall and anything with Vin diesel

#1 I watch jersey shore.  I know I know. its wrong. I mean they were in like second grade when I graduated High school but I can not help it.  Its funny and the drama is so entertaining. 

Confession #1A - I wish my boobs looked like Jwows! 

Confession #1B – the guys are not at all attractive except for Ronnie and I think its because he reminds me of Mirasty

   

I don’t know what wrong with me.  But now that I have confessed I should be forgiven right! I think this is how it works ha ha  Well I guess it doesn’t matter – there is no changing me! lol

Saying goodbye to an old friend.

This friend has been by my side for it all; dating, engagement, marriage, pregnancies, unemployment, deaths, sadness, and all the everyday events.  My friend never judged me, he was always there when I needed him.  Always ready to open up and help with the emotions that were going on. 

I will miss my friend. Its hard to just walk away, its not like he did anything wrong.  It was me, I just couldn’t control myself around him.  So I have decided to say goodbye and walk away…

Peanut butter you have always been there for me. But I have taken advantage of you . so for now I am saying goodbye, I hope one day I will be in control of my life where I can allow you back into my home.  Until then…Goodbye!

80 pounds and 4 inches lighter

 

My before from Feb 2010:

My before Today hair!…Notice its it’s the same color cut and style.  In fact other then minor changes in color and or highlights not much has changed since Hootie and the blowfish ruled the world……..that is…..

until today!

I love it!!

Meal planner week: June 25th–July 7

I am just a bit late again with this.

• Sat: Roasted Chicken with Pasta veggies**See Below
• Sun: Chicken Panzanella
• Mon: Chicken Quesadilla**See Below
• Tues: Chicken Lettuce cups**See Below
• Wed: Pork Steaks
• Thurs: Gilled haddock
• Friday: Hamburgers/Hot dogs
• Sat: Make your own Pizza
• Sun: Chicken Pockets
• Mon: Steak
• Tues:Talapia Tacos
• Wed: Burgers
• Thursday: Shrimp Kabobs

**My plan for this week was to follow this as a guide.  It was 5 days worth of cooking that was suppose to cost just $28 worth of groceries.  Problem 1) a few we didn’t think we would like 2) I can not follow a recipes I always deviate.

None the less I did my best.   Saturday I roasted a 7 pound chicken.  we were suppose to have Roast Chicken with Creamy Polenta And Mushroom Ragout but I have never had or cooked polenta.  I didn’t even know where in the grocery store it was.  So we ended up having (just this package not the recipe the link below shows)

Lightly Sauced Penne & Vegetables with Alfredo Sauce (12 oz) >

After dinner we cut up the chicken and had a quart size bag full for the next few nights!

Sunday I made the Chicken Panzanella salad and 21 calorie garlic bread.  The leftovers were my lunch on Monday! 

Monday we did try to make Chicken Goat-Cheese Quesadillas.  But I again deviated.  In a grill pan on one tortilla I added thinly sliced red peppers, scallions and chopped chicken.  I sprinkled Monterey Jack cheese before topping with another tortilla.  For mine I used the Arnold's flat sandwich bread only 100 cal.  For the kids and mine I did it in the sandwich maker they came out cute:

Then it was Tuesday the final day to use our 7 pound chicken.  we made Chicken Lettuce Cups..well kind of.  I knew David wouldn’t be into eating a lettuce wrap!

I thinly sliced a sweet onion and added it to a heated pan with 2 tablespoons of EVOO.  sauté for 3 minutes ( I added a little thyme and pepper to the onions). Reduce heat to low.  Then I added 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce,  my remaining chicken chopped up, a dash of celery salt and garlic powder.  I stirred everything and then mixed in 1 cup of cooked brown rice.  Once everything was heated I topped with sliced scallions. 

Then we just put it on a roll with crisp lettuce.  its was really yummy!  I will certainly make it again

It's the great push (up)!!

Most people who know me, know i hate my arms.  Always have but hopefully someday I will say I have accepted them.  My goal for the month is to work on my arm strength and hopefully the side effect will be appearance. 

My trainer gave me some pointer on building strength at home.  Basically i do real push ups really slow going down and then i drop to my knees - get into the pillar position and start over.  I have a problem where i drop my hips while doing this.  The best way to overcome this to build my core strenght.

On Monday (I think -crazy week not sure what today is) Karen at waisting time posted about a plank challenge on fitblog.  So i have decided to do it.

Bootcamp last night gave me the jump start:  2 rounds:  Plank, Side Plank (left), Side Plank (right)  45 second hold on each.  Killer

So by the time July rolls around i hope to have great results to speak of!!

The Lawn Mower story

This is a great story that I am going to tell in order it happened!

After returning from camping last Monday, we realized that the lawn needed to be mowed…..again!  Well everything that could of gone wrong did on Monday.  I told David I would mow the law on Tuesday when I was off.

He looked at me like I was nuts, not believing that I really was going to do it.  He simply told me..the mower needs gas.

I took the gas tank to the gas station and filled it up.  Damn thing spilled in the back of my car.  After getting some of my things done I started mowing a little before 3pm.  This day was crazy hot in the 90’s with humidity.  But I figured it was a great way to tan!  So I put on a strapless top and my bathing suit bottom and headed for the shed!

My mom was here to witness it.

In the dark shed I sat on the mow reading the directions.  I like a good little student first read thru all the directions before taking action. In the 3 years we have had the mow I have never been allowed to mow or even drive it.  Tyler probably knows how!

I got the mower started and out of the shed without breaking anything!  I turned on the PTO/Blades and away I went! See below (warning scary photo below)

Grass clippings were coming out and it wasn’t too bad after I got use to it!  I had a little less then 1/2 the lawn done when I went to back up to get a spot I missed.  And then the mower turned off – Obviously I was out of gas because I hadn’t added it before starting to mow.

As I carried the gas down to the mower David called because Mom had texted the above photo to him.  I had to search for where to even add the gas but rest assured it only took me a moment to figure it out.  That’s when I noticed the tank still had gas? hmm well to be sure I added more gas!  Ugh  I spilled gas everywhere. wtf.

David was in shock that I was mowing!  I double checked where the throttle should be when he asked “How low is the blades?”

Me:What? 

David: you didn’t lower the blades to the yellow arrow??? 

Me Um no its not listed on the directions – WTF???

David: thanks for trying to help but you didn’t mow a thing.

Me: Seriously Double WTF

What was John Deere thinking leaving that off the directions- obviously they know their customers are males and they don’t read!! so it must of saved them some costs on printing!

So I started over –determined to mow!  Thank god I was doing the backyard so nobody would notice lol!

Every time I tried to back up the damn thing would stall it was annoying so I just stopped going backwards and did a little u turn when needed.  My u turns became donuts!  As I finished the last 500 sq feet my mom tells me that David called to say: if I need to backup there is a button on the dashboard I have to press.  GRRRRRRR Seriously. 

So I only mowed the back lawn – parts twice! BUT I did get a great tan!

It’s like riding a bike……

Sorry its been so long for an update! I am not off the wagon honest! I was camping!  One thing I noticed that old habits can come back fast.

As a tradition we stopped at the best restaurant in the world on the way up but instead of ordering the traditional hot roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and extra gravy I had a grilled chicken sandwich with cottage cheese.  Okay this weekend will not be a problem:

Then came the m&M cookies, smores, pulled pork, amazing summer salads, ice cream, pistachios and I don’t know what else.  Saturday I hit over 2K in calories, sunday I think I was at 1700.  I was just plain bad with larger then normal portions and a sneak treat here and there

But like riding a bike it was easy to get on track.  Once home upped my water, stopped eating anything processed again and just gained control of myself.  Boy at tuesdays bootcamp did I sweat that shit out of me!  ugh.

While camping I was active with going for walks, and both Saturday and Sunday morning I ran 4.79miles in about 52minutes.  Tuesday when we got home I ran 2 miles then worked in the garden for 90 minutes and then that night went to bootcamp for a hell of a workout!

This was the recap of my 4.79 run:

As you can see in the photo above I did get a bike ride in too!  I have not rode my bike in close to maybe 6 or 7 years???  the tire always looked flat when my big ass was on the bike.  and really that seat didn’t feel good no matter how much fat I had.  But with all the camping we have planned this summer and my new active lifestyle I asked for a baby carrier for xmas.

She has that excited but nervous look on her face!!  I know she was thinking..mommy you really should go for a ride without me first!

But we took the bull by the horns and off we went on a family ride!

it took some getting use to.. if she moved around it would throw the balance off. but in the end she didn’t want to get off the bike!

We are totally going for more!!!

No weigh this week, I am off from work till tomorrow but I am going to weight till next Monday to get back on track!

good night!

sitting lakeside with coffee!

Szarek Szarek how does your garden grow??

Now That i have my laptop it so much easier to catch the blog up! Stand by for lots of entries!! Here is where we stand with the the garden!!

Its been an interesting year with the weather. Due to a late frost we have lost our apples for this year. I am so disappointed with that. The Crows and turkeys ate all our corn and sunflowers 3 times ...grrrrrr. So i think that is the bad news!

Tyler has been a great help with the garden, he goes out and picks the peas and beans. He is so active now omg. Here he is leaping over the dog repeatedly.


He has finally passed his drivers test and now can drive with a minor in the gator! I dont know who was more excited him or Emma. She loves going for rides and yes she is buckled in.

Look we have acorn squash starting!!! I am so excited its has been forever since we have grown a winter squash!

This is a shot of our big garden on the right is zucchini and summer squash. In the middle are the cukes that have run a muck! the left side has some hot pepper and the acorn squash. Tyler planted a watermelon plant in the middle of that row..its growing but i dont know if there are any blooms. Also i have an eggplant but it doesnt seem to be doing too well, i have never grown or eaten eggplant so i am hope this works out.

We have baby Brussels sprouts starting!

Here are all our tomatoes. Finally we have one that has started to turn orange. I fear that all of them will turn at the same time! I had to get the plants from my inlaws because most of my seedlings didnt make it. However you see that little plant in the front? That one i grew from seeds that i saved from my inlaws heirloom tomatoes last year. It has 3 little blooms on it!! It will be an organic szarek tomatoes! we have a mix of types in the garden...Jet Star, brandywine (or is it brandyvine?) some white tomato that tyler got.

Despite the fact that i planted my peas, green and wax beans in phases, all the rows were ready within about 2 weeks of each other. we did enjoy lots of peas and beans. Tyler was very upset that we pulled them all out because he loved to pick them. so this past weekend we planted more and are hoping for a late season crop.

While we work in the garden Miss Emma likes to play with Max, but she calls him Dogie!

Isnt it refreshing to walk barefoot in the grass? I love it!!

I am so glad we decided to plant strawberries. Isnt a cute little plant?

Our first little strawberry

We have had a good year with our broccoli but the heads are not nearly as big as last year.

Max is waiting for the carrots to be ready!

Tyler was so excited to find a ladybug!

Our pumpkins and potatoes are doing well. I am hoping for a good potatoe and onion crop! we will see how it goes. well i hope you enjoyed your update!

Reflecting on 2009

Like any year we saw ups and downs during the year. I was watching the news yesterday, as they recapped the events of 2009, everything was negative. So here is my POSITIVE list:

1) We met our sister

2) we met our daughter

3) we aged well!
Kristen's 30th and Tyler's 4th Birthdays
4) we enjoyed the rewards of our blood sweat and tears

5) we celebrated with Family and remembered with family

6) we ate well

7) opened our homes to others;
Max the bunny
Pheasants

8) we were pampered and took time for ourselves

9) We tried new things
Adk animal land
1st day of preschool
David using a push mower

10) we found hidden beauty:
Chitt. falls
our garden


11) we laughed