Power run

I took yesterday as a rest day but headed back out at lunch for a quick power run.

Since I took an extra half hour today to go to Lia's Halloween parade this morning I tried to be quick at lunch today with my run.

I hit up my usual reservoir but shortened it to 2.5 miles and tried to speed it up throughout with some intervals.

Beautiful weather. 63 and sunny! It was quiet and quite peaceful. Good workout before all the candy I plan to devour later. :)

Now I leave you with Rapunzel.






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Love/Hate Relationship

3 days in a row!! I am back!! Today I decided to take advantage of the 60 degree temps and head out for a lunch run.

I headed over to Cherry Creek Res for a quick 3 miles. It felt great but was exhausting today for some reason... I think my laziness last week really did me in. When I finished my run I decided today was a love/hate run... Something I seem to have a lot of lately. I hated my run for most of it but loved how I felt after! All worth it!

Lunch was a lean cuisine orange chicken steamer meal and a slice of pumpkin cake my coworkers wife made..... Mmmmmm!!

It's supposed to be gorgeous all week so I am looking forward to many more love/hate runs this week. :)


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Sunday shopping

My friend at work is having a baby in January and her baby shower is next weekend. A few of us are going in on a present for her and today was shopping day at Babies r us.

I live not too far from there so decided that I would literally run to the store and meet my friend Nicole there this morning and then ride home with her and our purchases.

So I bundled up for the 32 degree temps and headed out. It ended up being only about 2.5 miles from home so it was the perfect short morning run. However I did not fuel properly with food this morning as I only had a banana and coffee and I could definitely tell I was struggling a bit out there.

But.... 25 minutes later I made it... Only to realize that the store didn't open for 45 more minutes!! Ah well.




So we did a little shopping at the dollar tree (I could NOT believe everything was only $1 or less)! Yep, everything! DVDs, cards, kitchen scissors, you name it! I will be back for stocking stuffers soon!

Then we went home so I could shower and get ready and then drove back to Babies R Us when it was actually open and accomplish out original mission.

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Saturday Neighborhood Run

After my post yesterday, I was hell bent on waking up early and getting a nice run in before Taylor had to work today. Last night he told me he had to leave the house by 7:45, so I thought perfect; I'll get up and leave by 7 or 7:15 and get my run in before my day really begins.

Cue to 7 am this morning... it was still half dark out which in itself wasn't discouraging me as I wouldn't mind a sunrise run but then I checked the temp. A balmy 27 degrees! No thanks!

So, I put on my slippers and went downstairs and enjoyed 2 cups of pumpkin spice coffee while I waited for Lia to wake up. I also whipped myself up a quick breakfast with two eggs over medium and a mini bagel with light cream cheese.




Today was Lia's Halloween carnival at her preschool so we prepped and got ready for that this morning and then enjoyed "trick or treating" around her school for an hour or so. My Mom joined us and came back to our house after.

After Lia ate all her candy, she decided all she would eat for lunch was cheese balls. Lunch of champions. Then, shocking to us both, Lia came in the kitchen said she wanted to go take her nap and that she wanted Mimi to tuck her in. I thought she must be kidding. This kid NEVER asks to take a nap. Sure enough, an hour and half later and she is still sleeping! Sugar crash perhaps?

Since Taylor is still at work my Mom offered to hang out so I could go for a quick run around the neighborhood. While it is has not warmed up much from this morning it is now about 45 degrees out... not too bad. I couldn't resist the offer so off I went. Today I just kind of wound around the neighborhood streets, trying to increase the mileage of my regular 2.5 mile route and trying not to get too lost either. I ended up doing 3.1 miles in about 29 minutes.

Just rinsed off and put on some comfy lounge clothes and ready for a nice night in carving pumpkins with Taylor and Lia and just hanging out.

Lunch today is a whole wheat tortilla with spinach artichoke pesto, deli turkey and feta cheese which I heated up in the microwave and rolled into a wrap. Delish!! (I also finished the 2 chicken nuggets Lia didn't want for lunch)



I feel SO much better than my lazy self yesterday! Amazing how much a run can do that for me. Love it!

L A Z Y

Holy smokes!!!  Has anyone seen my workout motivation as I seem to have completely lost it??  I have no idea where it went or where it is?!   have not felt much like myself or much like running in the past few days at all!  Granted, I have had a very busy week with events, parties, or happy hours almost every night this week.  Of course these have all given me many excuses to skip my workouts; but this is just not like me.   The recent snow and freezing temps have not helped either!  I want my motivation back!

Today is my last "rest" day.   I vow to get off my lazy a$$ and kick it back into gear this weekend with some solid, long, challenging runs to amp me back up.  It is supposed to be quite chilly this weekend but I am going to brave it and get outside!  My legs are getting restless.

Does everyone go through these slumpish times?  I, for one, am not a fan.  To boot, I have not been eating "clean" lately either and can definitely feel it.  I feel like I have gained 5 pounds in the last week.  Feeling extra weighed down.  No bueno for this gal. 

No more slacking off... back on track tomorrow.  Only 4 weeks until the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.  Now is NOT the time to start slacking. 

Hoping I have convinced myself by writing this... we shall see!

Happy weekend!

45 minutes of cardio

Today I am home with my sick little girl. She has had a nasty stomach bug since Saturday night but thankfully she seems to be turning the corner today!!

While she napped this afternoon I hopped on my elliptical for a quick 30 minute session while catching up on Kathie Lee & Hoda... who are my favorite guilty pleasure to watch when I am not at work.

After the elliptical I jumped on my treadmill for a quick mile followed by a 5 minute cool down for a total of 45 minutes of cardio today.

We are in desperate need of some food shopping so my lunch options were limited. I ended up having a Colby jack cheese stick, honey-almond granola bar, glass of chocolate milk and a handful of white chocolate covered pretzels for something sweet. Not exactly super filling but it's already mid afternoon and I don't want to spoil my appetite for dinner.




We are supposed to have a cold front coming in tomorrow... I hope it holds off until at least afternoon so that I can get in a lunchtime run before its only 20s and 30s out on Thursday and Friday.

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Weekend recap

Saturday Taylor had to work so I decided to try to squeeze in some cross training on the elliptical while Lia napped (played in her room). After a half hour of moderate resistance I had worked up quite a sweat! After my cardio I did my quick 100 arm circuit with my dumb bells.

We were up almost all night last night with Lia as she has some nasty stomach bug.

I am exhausted however decided I needed some fresh air and have been craving an outdoor run so I got out this morning around the neighborhood. Just a quick loop which ended up being 2.17 miles and took about 20 minutes. Wish I could have stayed out longer as it is GORGEOUS out but needed to get back home.

Now showered and back in my jammies snuggling with my sick baby girl.


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Treadmill time

After Sunday's race at Red Rocks, my legs were super sore from the extreme hills so I took Monday and Tuesday off to rest.

Today I planned to get back outside to my lunchtime running but it was super windy today!!

So instead I mustered up some energy and hit my treadmill when I got home for an intense and fast interval run. After warming up at 5.0 mph I alternated 3 minutes at 6.0 mph followed by 2 minutes at 7.0 mph the repeat, repeat, repeat until I hit 32 minutes and then I cooled it down the last 3 minutes.

After the treadmill I did a brief arm circuit I call the "Fast 100" with some free weights with 4 sets of 25 reps each of bicep curls, shoulder pressed and tricep extensions. Then I did 10 push-ups... Yes, the girly kind with my knees down.

I have a super hard time finding energy to work out after a full day of work. It seems like by the time I get home all I want to do is play with Lia and Taylor, eat dinner and relax. I can also easily talk myself out of evening workouts and come up with a million different excuses or things I need to do. I definitely prefer morning workouts or lunchtime runs, however sometimes you just gotta make the time to workout when you can and tonight was it for me. I do feel so much better now that it is done!




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Run the Rocks

A couple weeks ago I signed up for another 5k called Run the Rocks at Red Rocks. I had no idea what was in store for me but I know how beautiful it is there so figured why not? Proceeds benefit the American Lung Association... Yet another great cause.

In hindsight I wish I had reviewed the course ahead of time and noted the entire last 1.1 miles is a steep uphill climb. Not that this would have deterred me, but I would have trained appropriately for this undertaking. Instead I slacked big time this week and certainly didn't eat clean either.
It was an absolutely gorgeous morning. Temps around 50 but super sunny and blue skies everywhere. I was surprised by how many runners there were!







The views running were beautiful!













I did read the website last night and noted it mentioned that the 3rd mile was uphill... They just didn't say how steep it was! All I could think about as I ran the first 2 miles, both downhill, was that it we are going down for 2 miles and this is only a 3.1 mile race, the uphill portion is going to be a b$&!$. I was not wrong. I think my split times will confirm this as well. We were crushing it on miles 1 and 2, then my the 3rd mile, my time increased by 4 minutes!! Probably because I had to walk the last half mile here and there as there was no escaping it.

Not a single flat or easy part to it.




The grand finale... Climbing the stairs in the amphitheater. My legs were jello!




Up at the top they had all sorts of yummy post race snacks, protein shakes and even a farmers market which was a first for me post race.

All in all had a great morning supporting a great organization and getting some good exercise!

Now we are off to meet my family for some delicious BBQ to celebrate my brothers birthday. I certainly earned it!

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Rainy day treadmill workout

Today is rainy and grey out and makes me want to do little else other than curl up on the couch with some pumpkin coffee and relax!

Normally running in rain wouldn't bother me; however Taylor is working so it is just me and Lia and I didn't want to force her to be pushed around in a stroller in the cold wind and rain.

So instead I hopped on my treadmill for another 45 minute interval workout.

Minutes 1-3 warm up at level 1 incline at 3.0 mph

Minutes 4-10 alternated minutes at 4.0 then jogging at 5.0 at a level 2 incline

Minutes 11-20 alternated minute intervals waking at 4.0 mph then jogging at 5.5 mph

Minutes 21-34 alternated minute intervals walking at 4.0 mph then running at 6.0 mph

Then decreases back to 5.5 minute intervals, 5.0 intervals and 3 minute cool down.

Just under 3.5 miles.

Tonight we are celebrating my stepdads birthday with some yummy Italian.


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Mommy/daughter day

I have had the most wonderful day with my little lovey! I took the day off and kept Lia home and we enjoyed a day of fun!

We started with breakfast at IHOP. I planned to be really good and get egg whites but ended up
succumbing to the picture menu with their new loaded breakfast potatoes with ham, mushrooms and cheese and two eggs over medium. It was delicious!

After breakfast we headed downtown to the Children's Museum of Denver. While we had a great time, we ran out of things to keep us busy after about an hour. But we sure had fun climbing on the firetruck, playing with bubbles, painting, and grocery shopping while we were there!



















After the children's museum we met up with my mama and went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our Halloween pumpkins and ride some fun rides.










Lia rode her first pony, his name was Chubbs. It started raining while we were waiting our turn for the pony ride.







Right after she got off the pony it began to storm like crazy. Super strong wind gusts and rain so we made it as fast as we could back to the car. Unfortunately, we didn't get to ride on any of the rides today. Maybe next year.

From there we went for a quick lunch at Chilis. My Mom and I split the fajitas. Mmmmm!

After we got home, I put Lia down for a nap and hopped on the treadmill. Today I did an easy 3.25 miles in 45 minutes alternating minutes between running and walking at a level 2 incline. Not particularly challenging but a solid cardiovascular workout none the less.

Happy Friday!
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Back at it

Sorry to have been MIA the last few days but it has just been crazy busy around here and I have not been very diligent in carving out time to workout. Therefore Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday became rest days.

Today I finally made myself get back on the workout train and completed an elliptical machine workout tonight followed by some light arm weights.

Tomorrow I am taking the day off from work and taking Lia to either the Children's museum or the aquarium and then to the pumpkin patch.

Now I have to find a good interval workout I can do on the treadmill when she naps.


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Race for the Cure

I did it!!! I nailed my personal best time at the Race for the Cure today!! This is what I have been training for and I could not be prouder or more satisfied with my time today!







It was a brisk 27 degrees this morning and the race started at 7 am. This of course meant getting up at 5:15 to get ready and pick up my bestie, Kia, and head downtown. We drove most the way then hopped on the lightrail so that we wouldn't have to deal with parking.




It was so heartwarming and inspirational seeing all the people who come out for this race to support finding a cure to this horrible disease and save the tatas!

This year the race became personal for me as just a few days ago I found out that a great family friend of ours was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, I ran for her. If anyone can beat this it is Lori! Love her!

Right before the start, we noticed even the clouds had a pink tinge to them. (This picture doesn't do it justice)




Here we are FREEZING and ready to run.



I made a new "perfect 5k" playlist for this run and loved every minute of it! I love running with Kia as we run at pretty much the same pace so we get to run the whole race together. It was a great run! Loved running around the city as the sun came up. Truly beautiful!

After the finish.



Happy girls!

Our morning ended with a trip to Starbucks for some pumpkin spice lattes and then to Kia's for a yummy home cooked breakfast courtesy of her hubby.

Looking forward to next year's race already!

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Preparing For Race Day

I woke up to a cloudy, wet, dreary, cold morning.




With temps in the 30's I contemplated doing my hour long training run on my treadmill but with race day tomorrow I knew I really should get outside. So I bundled up, took a swig of hot coffee, grabbed my iPod and headed out. It was chilly at first but once my hands and body warmed up it was unexpectedly very enjoyable! I enjoyed the cool weather and seeing the frost on the plants as I ran through the greenbelt behind our neighborhood.




While it felt like WINTER outside the leaves on the ground and gorgeous leaves on the trees reminded me it is indeed only Fall.










Today was about time, not speed, and I had an hour to kill. I ended up running 6 miles in about an hour. Not too shabby!




I am super excited for the race tomorrow!!

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Easy run day

Fall is here! 43 degrees for my lunch run today. Brrrrr!! Today was an easy run; nice slow and steady pace. I did my usual 3 miles at the reservoir. With it being so cold there weren't many people out today so it was very serene and cathartic. I love seeing all the Fall colors too, absolutely beautiful!!




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Interval run

Whew! Just got back from an interval run on my lunch hour and I am whipped!!

I reviewed my training with my buddy who is helping me train and he pointed out that I really need to up my interval times to 1 minute at full speed to 2 minutes of cool down, then repeat, repeat, repeat 7-10 times. Due to my time restraints of my lunch hour I was able to fit in 7 interval sets preceded by an 8 minute warm up and followed by a 5 minute cool down.

I ran my little heart out and I am exhausted!! I was able to cover more than my usual 3 miles today with the increased speeds... Starting to see how all this hard training is paying off!

Now back to work. Tomorrow is a rest/stretching day for me.

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Treadmill time

My training today called for a base run. While I usually run at lunch today a group of us from work went to Pho for lunch. I decided to go indulge and made myself promise to hit my treadmill when I got home.

My treadmill base run consisted of 35 minutes between 5 and 5.8 mph. It felt like the longest 35 minutes ever today! It has been so nice outside lately that almost all my runs have been outside so today's run was nothing short of BORING! However, it was still better than no run at all.

Dinner was a salad of spring greens, heirloom tomatoes and feta cheese dressed with some
Balsamic vinegar and olive oil along with a couple pieces of a homemade Boboli pizza.

Now off to bed to get some much needed rest and prepare for tomorrow's interval training at lunch.


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