Sunday Run Day

This morning my neighbor who has a little girl three weeks older than Lia asked if Lia could come over and play. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the free time and go for a nice solo run. It was beautiful out; 65 and sunny and it felt great!




This was my first real run in over a week as I just didn't feel great last week with my cold. I thought today would be harder but was pleasantly surprised at how great it felt. I did just over 4 miles and finished with a nice walk back up the cul de sac. One week until Race for the Cure!




Now it's my turn to watch the girls play for a bit. I'm enjoying the sun outside while they enjoy the swingset and some Popsicles.




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Saturday recap

Yesterday's workout was brief as I was hurting from lack of sleep and a little too much wine from the Parker Wine Walk we went to on Mainstreet in Parker Friday night, which was a blast though! Had a great time with some fun gals!

Taylor was working yesterday so my workout either had to be a treadmill workout or something involving Lia. I decided to take Lia in the jog stroller and get some fresh air by running to the park and back. The park is only about 6/10th of a mile from home so it wasn't a long run by any means but it was effective to get things moving and running is much harder while pushing 30 lbs of toddler and stroller! Beautiful day and fun time with Lia! She said hi to everyone we passed and then would pull the cover back up over her head. Too cute!!




Last night was date night for us. We started by browsing couches at Macy's then had a fabulous dinner and margarita at Catina Laredo, followed by a movie, Hope Springs. Little bit of a chick flick... thanks honey for agreeing to see it!!




I couldn't decide what to get so I got the Cantina Laredo platter which had a beef tamale, chicken enchilada, beef fajita taco and Oaxaca cheese chile relleno. Everything was amazing!!!




When we got home Lia was not quite asleep so she got right up to greet us and we enjoyed some funny Lia antics. At one point she was sweeping and Pop said something about people riding brooms and she said "oh my gosh, we don't ride brooms right mama?!" Love her!!


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Sick Time

I started feeling like I was coming down with a cold last Friday night; scratchy throat, stuffy, blah feeling, etc but gradually felt better as the week went on... until today.   Even though I wasn't feeling completely run down with a sinus infection, I decided to take it easy this week and have not been running at all.  I am not a person who can sit still and actually RELAX.  Instead all I do is think about my next workout, how much will missing this workout hurt me; when can I work out again, and guilt for anything bad I may have ingested that day that I am now not working off. 

I finally felt good enough yesterday to go to Hot Yoga last night and I was hoping that the steam and heat would clear anything lingering up and I would feel great today.  Instead I woke up feeling like crap.  Oh well, that's just how it goes sometimes.

I am getting through the day and not really feeling much better, but no worse either... so that is good news.  However all this means even longer not running which is killing me!! I am really missing my runs, especially as the weather has been really cool and cloudy this week.  I am planning to go walking/jogging on my lunch tomorrow and hope to be good enough to do my long run this weekend as Race for the Cure is only 1 week away and I desperately want to hit my personal best time!

Fingers crossed, prayers said and vitamins taken! 

Weekend recap

This weekend did not lend itself to much training.... Or exercise at all really. Boooooo.

Friday night we went downtown to celebrate my bestie's hubby's 35th bday and play at Oktoberfest. It was so much fun being outside, drinking some Oktoberfest brews and hanging out with friends!! Great night, but I was definitely hurting yesterday after too much beer! I need to learn that I cannot play as hard anymore as I get older!










I also tried a kraut burger there... It was awesome!! Ground beef and cabbage and sour kraut all in this delicious baked bread pocket! Yum!!

Even though I felt yucky yesterday I did manage a quick 20 minutes on the elliptical machine.

Saturday night we went to my friend Chelsea's house for a kick off to Fall party. Scored some great jewelry and food and spent some much needed time with Chelsea while Lia loved hanging with Ellie.







I woke up this morning with every intent for a long run, but instead woke up feeling like I am getting a cold. :(. Scratchy throat, stuffy nose, the works. So taking a day to rest instead. Feeling sluggish from lack of exercise this weekend but certainly do not want to get worse!!

Time to take Lia to get her flu shot and then back home to watch my Broncos hopefully kick some Houston butt!

Happy Fall ya'll!!


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LT Intervals. Just RUN

Today's training was to do some LT intervals to build my speed. I went to my standard lunch workout spot at Cherry Creek Res and cranked them out. LT intervals consist of running as fast as I can at my LT heart rate zone of 160-170 for 30 seconds followed by casual running for 1 minute, then repeat, repeat, repeat. I shortened my total workout time as I was spent after my intervals. I ended up getting in 2.25 miles and it took just over 20 minutes. Glad tomorrow is a rest day before another full training weekend as my legs feel like bricks right now!

Looking forward to a FEW (Friday Eve Wine) with my friend Nicole tonight and a little relaxing!

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Endurance run & Yoga day

Today's training called for an endurance run so that's exactly what I did at lunch. Julie was sick today so it was just me against the road. It was super windy and muggy out today but I knocked out the 3 mile loop in under 30 minutes including a 2 minute walking warmup and 1 minute walking cool down. My times are looking good for my upcoming race in 2 1/2 weeks!








Tonight was also my hot yoga night. While I am not supposed to overdo it, I figured a little hot yoga couldn't hurt and I LOVE how good I sleep after this class. Like a brick. Solid brick.




Side note, nothing quite like walking into a packed room, shaking open my clean yoga towel and having a pair of black, lace panties fly out. That may or may not have happened to me!

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Base run

After a relaxing rest day I am back to my routine today. Today's lunch run was an easy base run. I kept the pace slow and steady and clocked in around 3 miles in half hour. It is sunny and 72 degrees out and absolutely perfect! I enjoyed listening to 21 Min. Workout station on Pandora and taking in the view!




Now for a lunch of scrambled egg whites with chicken sausage and then back to work. Happy Tuesday!


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Rest Day

After a jam packed weekend of long runs and intervals, I get to take today as a "rest day". While its hard for me to be "stationary" for the entire day I know it's important to give my muscles a day to recover and prep for the week ahead.




However I am finding that my energy level is very low today. I did not sleep good last night at all. Not sure if it's that I'm just not feeling 100% after my flu shot yesterday or just not loving Monday but either way I am soaking up this rest time and gearing up for tomorrow's base run.


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LT Intervals

I went back to The Bluffs today to run some LT intervals to build my speed. I did a ratio of 1:2 today so I ran as fast as I could for 30 seconds, then recovered at my normal jog pace for 1 minute.... Then repeat. I did about 8 of these throughout the 2.9 mile loop and either ran normal or hiked (walked) up some of the steep back hills. The whole loop only took about 28 minutes but sure worked me hard! It was super windy out today too.

Putting my feet up now to enjoy my pumpkin spice latte with my little munchkin.







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5 miles!

My training plan called for a 4.5 mile run today, no set heart rate range, no set time, just had to run 4.5 miles. Well I did that and .5 more for a great 5 mile run! It felt great and I felt like I could keep going if I wanted. No breaks, no stopping. Negative splits all the way. All this training is paying off and I am having one proud moment this morning!





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Base day

Today's training was for a base run, meaning I was supposed to run at a pace that would keep my heart rate between 130-150 bpm. It was a crisp and cool 61 degrees out at lunchtime so I had a hard time running slow and steady today as I always feel like I can run harder and longer when it is not blazing hot out. I went a little above but overall kept my average heart rate at 152. Overall, great, cool run.

Now back to work!


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Yoga night

I had been looking forward to going to hot yoga tonight all day, actually all week... Until tonight. It's not that I didn't want to go, it's that I looked to confirm the time of the class I wanted to go to tonight and saw that my favorite teacher was out and class was being taught by a sub I had never met.

I wavered for a bit and contemplated skipping it all together but then the guilt snuck in. Hard to understand guilt about something you haven't even done, or in this case not done yet but it was there looming over me. I kept thinking that I have never regretted a single workout, only the ones I have skipped. I also reminded myself how good I sleep after hot yoga. I decided to stick with my plan and go and now that I am home I feel great. Very refreshed, body and mind are at peace. Class was not as intense, hot or humid as it usually is, but was a great way to reset myself this week and I really enjoyed it.



After I got home I kept dinner light as it was already pretty late. Leftover turkey burger, half an avocado, and fresh Roma tomatoes with salt and pepper from my garden. Light, low carb and delicious!

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Rainy day

This is what it has looked like all day here




There are few things I love more than a rainy day. Great day to take a rest day from running. It is chilly out and such a great change from the heat we have been having.

I am counting the hours until I get to go get all sweaty at hot yoga tonight. Until then I am dreaming of being curled up in bed watching movies and listening to the rain... Work instead.



~Located on Pinterest ~

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PB training

I signed up to run the Denver Race for the Cure on October 7th and decided I want to try for my own personal best (PB) in the competitive 5k this year.

I requested the advice and help of my friend, who is a competitive cyclist, to help me design a training plan designed to increase my speed. My plan officially started yesterday. Monday was an endurance run, meaning to keep my heart rate in my endurance zone of 140-155 bpm. I cranked it out on my lunch hour. Ended up only having a half hour but made the most of it although the heat about did me in. I definitely prefer cool weather running! My friend Julie who usually runs at lunch with me couldn't make it, so it was a solo reflective run for me. Very peaceful..(at least when I wasn't thinking of keeling over in the heat).

Today was a scheduled rest day although I decided to swap it for tomorrow as I am craving some hot yoga tomorrow night! I repeated the 30 minute endurance run again today at Cherry Creek Reservoir. I don't think I'll ever get tired of running there, it is so beautiful! Another hot day today! Tomorrow is only supposed to be 57 here, 30 degrees cooler than today. I'm sure I'll be wishing I was running at lunch! Trying not to overextend myself though so one thing at a time and tomorrow hot yoga wins! That and lunch with some girlfriends. :).

Found a new photo I love




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Welcome to Denver Peyton!

We had so much fun at the Broncos/Steelers game tonight...(special thanks to my Dad for the awesome tickets!!)

We left early to head downtown and get our pre-game on at Brooklyns. I busted out my new orange and blue Broncos kicks of course and I received quite a few compliments on them. I feel like they have already paid for themselves. ;).







They were giving out orange rally towels tonight.. Love a little free schwag! Here I am snuggled up in mine.




I love my Dad's seats! Perfect view of the field!



And even better view of the fireworks when they score!







I am a sucker for a flyover and was beyond excited to see the F16 flyover tonight!! Even managed to get it on video but can't figure out how to upload it. :(

I ran into this transformer guy on my adventure to find a normal hot dog (a footlong Thunder dog was not calling my name). Taylor said he is not a "Transformer" but I still think he is. Not the clearest picture.



Love my Broncos! One of the best home games I have seen! So
excited for this season with Peyton! Go Broncos!!!!!




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Sunday Long run

Woke up to Fall like weather this morning. 50 degrees and sunny and not one cloud in the sky. Crisp and Cool and simply perfect in my eyes. Perfect day for my long run of the week.

I expanded my neighborhood/greenbelt run from last week which brought my total mileage today to 4.15 miles. It was a chilly start but perfect by the time I finished. I run so much better when it's cool out. I would much rather be cold and running then hot and dreading each step! Plus it gave me the chance to wear my new long sleeve Lulu top. Cute workout clothes = happy workout gal here.

I managed to run all 4 miles in negative splits too dropping 2 minutes from mile 1 to mile 4!

Here's my data from the iRunner app on my iPhone.







I forgot to start my heart rate monitor right away but remembered shortly after starting







Best part of a weekend run? Coming home to a Starbucks Venti non fat pumpkin spice latte and drinking it on the porch with my favorite little shorty! (excuse my sweaty self). We were right in the sun too so squinting like crazy... Or if you're Lia, just closing your eyes.




Breakfast was a two parter today. Had a banana and half a peanut butter power bar Pre run and a post run smoothie with fruit and spinach and protein powder.

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The Bluffs

This morning it felt like Fall arrived in Highlands Ranch. 50 degrees and sunny and not a cloud in the bluest skies.

I decided to mix it up today and do a hilly, trail run to challenge myself. The Bluffs is an area only about 5 minutes from my house (by car) and has a designated hiking/running trail loop. The loop was just over 3.2 miles and consisted of several steep hills, both going up and down throughout. I have hiked this trail before but never run it so today's adventure was a first. Upon entering the park/trail entrance I was greeted with this lovely sign...



Considering I fear these things and don't have the slightest clue what to do if I encounter one, I was on high alert for my run.

The views looking north and west of the city and mountains is amazing! I wish these pictures did it justice.






Even the backside of the hill is beautiful. There are some amazing homes back there. I was whipped by the time I reached the back and definitely had to walk a bit here and there but still monitored my heart rate to make sure I was staying in my target zone.




There were a ton of people out there today including a highschool track team. I saw the same group 3 times... Considering I only did one loop around these kids were doing several and at fast speeds. I was impressed!

I felt amazing by the time I finished the loop and did the 3.25 miles in just under 34 minutes which was great for me considering I don't usually run hills.






And to boot, I didn't see a single rattlesnake! Thinking I'll add this route into my weekly runs once or twice a week.

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Broncos kicks

Man oh man was I tired today! I skipped my lunch run in lieu of some lunchtime Target and Homegoods shopping and did not think I would find the energy to squeeze a run in today. That was until I decided to go to the Boulder Running Company after work for some fun, bright, new light weight shoes.

I scored some new Brooks Racers, best part being they are bright orange and blue! Perfect for Broncos games! I had to test them out so I did a quick 30 minutes on the treadmill when I got home. Easy run but better than nothing!

Easy 30 minute treadmill:
* 2 minute walking warmup
* 20 minutes running between 5.5 and 6.0 mph
* 6 minutes sprinting intervals of 20 seconds at 7.0 then 40 seconds at 5.5
* 2 minute cool down

My new kicks were super comfy! Lovin them and can't wait to wear them to see the Broncos play the Steelers this Sunday!








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Recovery run

Why is it so hard to get into the swing of things after a 3 day weekend? I tell ya I am just not feeling it today. Although my morning started out great as my all time favorite coffee treat has returned for the season to Starbucks....A nice Venti non fat pumpkin spice latte. It was amazing!




Today's run was a slower paced run than I usually do as my body needed a little break after a jam packed weekend. Julie and I did our usual lunch run at Cherry Creek park. A little over 3 miles today. It is so hot outside! I am really ready for Fall!!

Lunch was a veggie packed salad with Tyson grilled frozen pre cooked chicken breast tenders. I Used some Wishbone balsamic spritz on it. Not bad but could use some more flavor. Trying to eat clean after a not so clean eating weekend.



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Happy Labor Day

My legs were so stiff this morning and felt like bricks from all my leg work yesterday but with 62 degree temps calling me I could not resist an outside run today. So off I went on a new route today. It ended up being 3.85 miles and took me 40 minutes with warm up and cool down included. I think if I take one different turn I could easily make it a 4 mile loop. It was gorgeous out this morning. Started partly cloudy but ended sunny. My route took me through both our neighborhood and greenbelt and the views were beautiful! All three splits of my run were negative which made me smile as I am trying to increase my speed. Now time to stretch as I clearly need it and get ready to do some Labor Day shopping with my Mom and Lia.

1st mile



2nd mile


Home stretch






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