Wordless Wednesday

She's feeling a bit better. :)



Click HERE to donate to Team Gabby and Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

“Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life..."

First things first. I went with the black tights and black boot. I really, REALLY (shockingly) loved the look of the red shoe with the black tights, but I couldn't walk in it. My foot kept sliding. I'm too dumb to dress up, folks, is really the message here.

Anyway, winner. Thanks!

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Something a little different on the blog..... helpful tips. I know, who knew, right!?

Between working, parenting, wife-ing, cooking, awesome-ing, sometime running, fro-yoing, and shopping, it's important to me to keep a balance in all aspects of my life. Some ways I do this...

1. Don't sweat the small stuff. Learn to prioritize, to be flexible, and when to let things go. If you miss a run, move on. It's not the end of the world. Just make your next work out EXTRA sweaty.

2. Make conscious choices, so you can indulge later. This is key for me, and I apply it across the board, not just to eating. I know I'm asking The H for a lot for Christmas - so I'm keeping my list of demands otherwise very short.

3. Learn to say no. And not feel guilty about it. We are just people. As much as we want to be super heroes... we're human, and can't do ALL THE THINGS. Sometimes, you've just got to let something go, and move on. You do what you can.

4. ....and to contradict that, I also advocate DOING a LOT of things. Life is about moments, experiences - if you get so mired down in the day to day, you lose sight of the fun things you could be doing. Don't forget to fit in fun things. I guess this ties back to prioritizing. Is it the end of the world if laundry isn't done for a few more days, if it means you go to an awesome cookie exchange? Probably not. I bet those cookies will be delicious.

5. Finally, and in my opinion, MOST importantly. Stop. Focus. Enjoy what you have and who you have around you. I don't care how rough things are for you, I promise, there are things to be grateful for. Most of you know how rough this year has been - leukemia, job loss, pay cuts, etc etc. It has also been one of the BEST years of my life. I've found great friends. I've found a purpose to my running. I've found a strength in myself, my family, my marriage that wasn't there before. I've found great blessings. It could have so, so easily gone the other way... but only if I let it. And I didn't. Find something to be grateful for. It's there.

Help me, blogworld. You are my only hope.

I have a work lunch tomorrow.

I have this dress that I purchased recently, and haven't worn, but really want to.



And what shoes? The shoe options available to me are...
1... Black sling back with peep toe...


2... Standard black pump...


3... Red patent pump. I realize these are ridiculous, but they're beautiful.


4.... Black patent knee-high boot....


But it's cold, so I want to wear tights.

But are solid black tights okay?

I think I've lost my ability to dress myself in any cohesive fashion, if it involves non-running outfits.

Womp, womp.

Racing is a spectator sport. Holiday Half 5K Recap...

Saturday morning, I woke everyone up bright and early for the Holiday Half 5K, that started at 8am.

Oh, except it didn't. It started at 9. So, sorry, family, for making you get out of your toasty warm beds and wait outside in the freezing cold for an extra hour. Sorry 'bout that....

I talked The H, #1, and my BFF and her husband into running the 5K with me, months ago. And then this happened, and I jumped over to the Half Marathon instead, which worked well logistically, because I could babysit my friend's Shady Baby.

And then The Shin happened, and none of that mattered 'cause I wasn't running anything. And apparently I also stopped reading schedules to see what time the race started.
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Anyway, Holiday Half is run by Run Racing, the same folks who put on Long Beach Half. Rock n' Roll should take some notes, because Run Racing seem to be experts at putting on pretty seamless events.

The race started right on time...

I kept an eye out for my runners...

while babysitting Shady. I swear she likes me. She just doesn't know it yet.

Spectating makes me look homeless?

After all the runners passed by, I hopped over to the other side to watch the finish line.

Too much, my friend. Too much.

It was a pretty successful day, for everyone. The H finished in 26:52, after having not run much at all (not that I'm jealous...). #1 finished at 26:30, good for third in her AG. She had a rough day out there - I think she wasn't prepared for the cold air, or something; kind of a bummer, based on her last PR she could have placed in the top 3 overall, but whatever. She's rad and I'm proud.

She looked like she was gonna puke after she finished, but 15 minutes later was talking all about how awesome she is going to be next year. PSYCHED.

We had planned on sticking around for the kids' races with #2 and #3, but Gab was still not feeling great, so we bailed on those.

The shirts are NICE, and the medals are rad. #1's AG medal is hanging happily amongst her other AG wins.

I've heard good things about the Half, as well, so I'm extra bummed that I had to miss out. Oh wells. There's always next year.

Friday Five

1. My mom is visiting! We have been spending a lot of time surprising children (they didn't know), bird watching (they're still creepy, but she digs 'em), and hiking.

2. I ran 4 miles Tuesday, slow and easy, and it was like we had never been apart. Then gabby kicked the hell out of my shin (on accident, I think...), and mother effer it hurts.

3. Speaking of gabby, she had a procedure yesterday (lumbar puncture with chemo), that resulted in our first ever reaction following an LP. Scary. Bah.

4. Since I'm not running Holiday Half this weekend, or the 5k that I talked everyone else into running, I'm a little bitter. But I will be there Saturday to spectate the hell out of the 5k. Followed by a trip out to Joshua Tree for the weekend. Bring on the rock climbing!

5. Thank you, pinterest, for introducing me to avocado fries. They were delicious.

Plan for the Week!

Last week...
Tuesday: Welcome back, Suck Less. 111 squats, 46 push ups, 106 crunches, 58 tricep dips, 1:30 plank.
Thursday: 15.15 mi on the bike, 55 min (16.5 avg pace), hills while I watched Top Chef.
Friday: Suck Less, 63 tricep dips, 50 push ups, 116 sit ups, 143 squats
Sunday: 3 miles, 35:12 (11:44 avg pace). PAIN FREEEEEE.

Adios, Jerk Shin.

On my plan for this week...
For really real, on track with Suck Less. FOR REAL. Two weeks go I did 1 day. Last week I did 2. This week, I pinky promise, I do all 3. For real.

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4 miles, Suck Less
Wednesday: yoga? Perhaps?
Thursday: 4 miles, Suck Less
Friday: rest
Saturday: Spectating the Holiday Half 5K, and babysitting! Oh, and Suck Less. And perhaps a hike.
Sunday: 5 miles!!!!!!!!!!

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Following my run Sunday, I came home to find this cute face.

What's that? On her head?

Oh, that's paper.

How's it sticking, you ask?

With glue.

Mmmhm.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

OMG YOU GUYS I AM FREE AND CLEAR TO RUN THIS WEEKEND AND IT'S GOING TO BE FANTASTIC AND I'LL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT ALL 3 THRILLING MILES NEXT WEEK!

If you missed it, I'm very excited about this development. And The H is probably just as excited. He denies it, but I'm pretty sure I've been on edge the last several weeks.

Mohawk, anyone?

....and, Becka ran a marathon today. On her treadmill.

That's pretty much the most bad ass thing ever.

So, my weekend plans are... run 3 miles.

Have a good weekend.