The Dog Who Saved Halloween...

Tonight was a special treat for Ellery.  I told her earlier that if she took her nap then we would watch a Halloween movie later.  I was very impressed because she said ok, went straight to her room, got in her bed, pulled the covers and went to sleep!  (this is NOT like Ellery)  So after trunk-or-treat with our ward we went to a local Red Box.  The movie she wanted was a Cat in the Hat Halloween special but it was out of stock.  I tried explaining this to Ellery but she simply did not care and starting crying and making a scene.  Since there were people behind us in line we just left.  Ellery finally calmed down in the car and said she'd be good and asked if we could go to another Red Box.  I agreed and took her to another one.  I'm pretty sure the first movie she saw was "The Dog Who Saved Halloween" and immediately wanted it.  So this is what we watched tonight!  I layed out blankets and pillows and we watched the movie while the girls scarfed down all of their candy.  (Well mostly Aayla scarfed...Ellery would politely ask, mom may I please have another piece of my candy?)  Back to the movie...It's JUST like a cheesy, bad-acting, kid-version of "The Burbs."  The best part was one scene showing the moon and you hear a wolf howling.  Ellery lit up and said, "Mom did you hear that?  I'm in this movie!  That was me!!"  It was sooo funny.  She makes me laugh.  Yes, her costume was a wolf this year.  It was a fun night.

WEEK 4: 3,5,3,8

3)  Didn't run!!  Too busy playing in Arizona with my cute kids.

5)  Didn't run!!  Too busy playing in Mexico on the beach, eating paletas, cookies, brownies and tacos.

3)  Didn't run!!  Too busy in Mexico again, eating brownies, drinking coke, clamming, and relaxing.

8)  Ran 8.04 miles in 1:18:55.  Average pace was 9:49.  Finally back into running again.  I had a horrible running week, meaning didn't run at all.  (although the week itself was awesome)  So today's run was good.  My left hamstring is really starting to hurt.  I've been stretching really good after all my runs but is still hurts.  I thought after not running all week would have helped it but it aches extra much today.  My right hip is also starting to ache.  It was hurting back when I was training for ragnar and now it's back.  I think it's time to start icing after my runs.  I did take some ibuprofen right before.  During the run I tried being really positive.  I ran on new roads and I think this really helps me.  I kept myself curious about what was up ahead and what this new area looked like.  I was excited to keep going because I wanted to see new places.  I also took my running belt and drank about every 1.5-2 miles.  I felt pretty energized and not exhausted at all.

WEEK 3: 3,4,3,7

3)  Ran 2.82 miles in 25:26.  Average pace was 9:01.  I did good today.  I pushed myself to go faster.  It ended up being fine because the weather was cooler.  I'd like to try and increase my speed during my short runs.

4)  Ran 4.07 miles in 39:12.  Average pace was 9:38.  Another good run.  I felt good throughout it.  I ate a nurtrigrain bar and a cup of water before leaving.  No side aches.

3)  Today's run was also good.  Nothing special.  I went at a good pace.  I felt energized.  I realized I stopped my watch during the run and never restarted it so I don't have a pace to record.

7)  Ran 7 miles in 1:10:39.  Average pace was 10:06.  I felt great today.  I took my running belt and drank water through out the run.  I had a nutrigrain bar before.  I really enjoyed this run.  It was fun.

WEEK 2: 3, 4, 3, 6

3)  I went 3.24 miles in 31 minutes.  Average pace was 9:34.  I felt good during this run.  I stretched and warmed up a little more before heading out.  I started out strong but by the end I was definitely going slower.  The wind was blowing which made it so nice.  I wasn't as hot.  I really kept focusing on relaxing my arms.  I notice I get anxious toward the end and when I finish I'm so tired and feel I couldn't have gone any longer.  I'd like to get to the point where I finish a run and still feel like I have a lot of energy and can keep going.  It's probably more in my head. 

4)  I ran 4 miles in 40:26.  Average pace was 10:09.  I felt great today.  Was I just complaining about the heat?? Cause it's so cold today!  I think I run better in the cold though.  I didn't get that weak feeling.  I didn't lose like 7 pounds of water from sweating either :)  It was great.  I also took my time today.  I didn't go as fast as I usually do.  My hands were freezing though.  I wish I had gloves.  By the end my forearms were numb. 

3)  Didn't run.

6)  Ran 6.04 miles in 1:00:44.  Average pace was 10:04.  I felt really good during the whole run.  The weather was perfect...nice and cool.  I took it easy for the first 10-15 minutes then got going a little faster.  I never felt the need to stop and never got overwhelmed and anxious to finish.  I think I do better with the longer runs because I know I'll be out longer and will just do it.  Rather than 3-4 mi runs I think, "Oh this is so short and easy, I'll just hurry and get this done."  and then I get anxious toward the end.  I did feel like I could keep going when I finished!  Looking foward to more runs!

A Day at the Phoenix Zoo

We went to the Phoenix Zoo today. The weather was great for the kids (not too hot or sunny) and Ellery was having so much fun she didn't even seem to mind the wind that picked up in the early afternoon!

We got to see/pet the sting rays, feed the giraffes, and see pretty much all the animals in action. I think the slightly cooler temps brought them out of daytime sleep mode, so it all made for a good day! Plus, it helped that the kids were all pretty well behaved with no uncontrolled traumatic meltdowns. :)


The video should be fixed now.

Week 1: 3,4,3,5

I just finished my first week of marathon training. That's right I am going to be running another marathon this coming January.  It's a good reason for me to get into better shape again, mentally and physically.  So according to my training it recommends me to write down how each of my runs go right after I finish them.  It will help me reflect on what I need to work on and what has helped me get through some runs.  So here is where I'd like to record this.  I promise it won't be very interesting.  I am doing this for me and to encourage me to stick with my training.  Don't feel obligated to read on.  :)

3) I ran this run with Esme in the stroller.  I felt pretty winded throughout the run.  My side ached pretty bad for most of it.  Toward the end I had to briefly stop because the pain was so bad.  I also felt like I was a little dehydrated.  The temperature was fairly warm and I was sweating a lot.  I finished but I don't think this was a very good run at all.  I'd rate this run 4 RPE.

4)  This was a better run.  My side still hurt but not as bad.  I never had to stop.  I still got really hot and wished I had more water in me.  I focused more on my form.  My arms and shoulders were more relaxed.  I tend to flex my arms more than 90 degrees which apparently you aren't supposed to do.  I really concentrated on letting them be loose with my thumb and pointer finger just touching.  This keeps my fists from clenching.  I felt so exhausted at the end.  This discourages me cause I feel I need to be in better shape and not have these short runs drain me so much.

3)  So far my best run this week.  Still had that same side ache but much less than both runs this week.  Maybe its because I have so much on my mind but it went by faster today.  Still focused on my form but for the most part I was distracted and just ran til I was done.

5)  This was a good run.  I never really got a side ache!  I was focusing on my form and was deep into thought.  I was really hot though.  I really discovered how much I really don't like running in the heat.  I get so hot and sweaty and start feeling weak.  In my training it says to tell yourself it doesn't matter toward whatever element is bugging you.  So I just said to myself a lot, "it is hot but it doesn't matter, I will keep running and finish despite how hot I am."  I got through and felt good and relieved when I was done.