It's only the first day of summer vacation and....

I'm already threatening to send them to camp!

School went long this year due to all the snow & the strike.  Today is actually the official last day of school, but I let them stay home since my Mom is here to play with them.  Plus, they really have not been doing anything since last week.  Who can concentrate or learn in a non-air conditioned school when it is over 90 degrees every day?

But, I digress.... 

They got up around 8.  For those new to my blog, my kids are 8 and 6.  By 8:30, I had separated them and threatened both of them with summer camp.  How can they be THAT bad in a 1/2 hour?  We had a fight over a DS game, my daughter (the older one who should know better) pushed my son in the head, and neither would listen to anything my Mom or I was saying.

Did I mention I work from home some days?  And...I had a conference call that started at 9 am.  We got them separated and I retreated to the office for some quiet.  I believe they are now baking cookies (great...just what my waistline needs).  At least I ran 4 miles this morning to compensate for any cookies I may eat later today.  3 pm coffee break, anyone??

How in the world am I going to survive 2 more months of this???

Weekly Recap - Week 2 of 1/2 Marathon training

It was a hot week, but I survived!  I still cannot believe I signed up for a 1/2 marathon!  What was I thinking?  Why do I think I can run 13.1 miles??  Anyway...week 2 down...here's what I did:

Monday-off
Tuesday-cross training;  bike 30 minutes, arms, and abs
Wednesday-RACE DAY!  3.1 miles, 29:35, PERSONAL RECORD
Thursday-30 minutes easy on Forbidden drive; 2.2 miles
Friday-off
Saturday-4.4 miles, 48 minutes
Sunday-3.4 miles, 36 minutes

I'm looking forward to a cooler week this week. It's finally going to go below 90!  I can't wait!

Random thoughts & link to great giveaway

A few things:

1.  I ran 4.4 in 48 this morning.  It was hot and I did not enjoy it.  I did, however, enjoy my favorite post run treat afterward....a giant bowl of cheerios with fresh blueberries.  I really limit my carbs so this is a treat for me.
2. Hubby and I are running tomorrow morning.  The course will be painfully hilly.  But, we can fall into my Mom's pool afterward for an instant cool down.
3. Check out this great giveaway on one of the funniest running blogs out there: http://twentysixpointtwoormore.blogspot.com/2010/06/giveaway.html

Tex Mex Pics!

I always love the before and after shots. Looking good before....looking disgusting after!

Tex Mex Recap

Last night was one of the hardest races I've ever run for two reasons...the heat and the humidity.  At 7 pm, it was a toasty 90 degrees.  There were around 1400 runners signed up.  I got a bit nervous just before the start of the race.  I really had my heart set on a PR and breaking the 30 minute mark....but, could I do it in this weather??  So many of my running colleagues told me not to push myself and try for it in the heat.  My plan was to stick with Lisa as long as possible and keep chanting, "It's only 3 miles" to get myself through it.

The course was great.  It had a slight uphill in the beginning which is actually a good place for it.  And, remember my motto....that which goes up, must come down.  This one came down right before the finish line!

It was definitely a hard race given the heat.  Thank god for the kind folks of North Wales who sprayed us with their garden hoses and passed out water.  There were several "townies" passing out bottles of water on their own (in addition to the race course water stations).

The result....29:35!  Yup...I finally did it.  That's a 9:33 pace which is great for me.  I finished 268/777 for the women.  Coincidentally, my bib # was 777... must have been my good luck charm.  Mike also set a PR and broke 30 for the first time.  He came in at 28:31.  Lisa set a PR as well at 27:11. 

I'll post pictures soon.  Tom (Lisa's husband) was our official photographer and chauffeur.  Thanks, Tom!

A hot race tomorrow!

Did you hear the forecast for tomorrow? 98 degrees, high humidity....GREAT!  The good news is it will be down to a chilly 90 degrees at 7 pm when the gun fires and we race the Tex Mex Connection 5K!

I usually set a goal for each race.  Given the forecast, my goal is to cross the finish line standing. 

A lot of great people are running tomorrow night...I'm really looking forward (despite the heat) to running with all my pals and especially my hubby.  We don't often race together due to the kiddos....so this is a rare treat.

Weekly Recap!

This was my first week of the 14-week 1/2 Marathon Training program. My week looked liked this:

Monday-off
Tuesday-2.1 miles, 20 minutes
Wednesday-3.0 miles, 28 minutes
Thursday-30 minutes on bike, 5 sets of 1-minute planks
Friday-off
Saturday-4.3 miles, 41 minutes
Sunday-4.3 miles, 43 minutes, 5 sets of 1-minute planks

I hope everyone has a Happy Father's Day.  I surely will be thinking of and missing my Dad today.

Sniff, Sniff...

My baby graduated from Kindergarten last night.  Kindergarten...can you believe it?

I can't believe how fast time flies. While I was incredibly sad that my baby is growing up so fast, I was incredibly pleased to write my last check to the day care center! Don't get me wrong...I love(d) Kiddie Academy; but, that extra $165 a week sure will be nice!  Truth be told, I said that about diapers and formula, too.  I don't recall that money making a big difference in our available spending money.  So, in all honesty, I probably won't even notice the $165 influx each week.

Congratulations, Baby Boy! Mom and Dad are so incredibly proud of you! 

5:30 wake up calls!

I'm pretty fortunate in that I have a very flexible job.  I haven't had to get up at the crack of dawn like I did when I worked at Centocor.  At Centocor, I used to be at my desk at 7 am and have to commute to get there.  Now, I typically roll out of bed at 7 am and take 15 steps down the hall to my office to start my day.

The training for the 1/2 marathon has caused me to have to wake up much earlier than usual!  I met Lisa at 6 on Tuesday morning to get our run in.  This morning I was on the exercise bike at 6 to get my cross training in.  I have a full day at my client today and a training session from 7-9pm.  Yawwwwnnnnnn...it's going to be a long day.

9 mile weekend!

We officially had our first 1/2 marathon training run on Saturday. We only did 3 miles and it was a nice run with a nice group!  Today, I ran 6 with my regular group from Fleet Feet.  We went on the Forbidden Trail along Wissahickon Creek.  What an awesome place to run, bike, walk, horseback ride, hike, etc.  Absolutely gorgeous!

As for the rest of the weekend, I've been cooking & shopping!  Friday night we had friends over who just got engaged!  After she flashed her gorgeous diamond, we put champagne on to chill!  We are so happy for them!  Saturday we had a kid birthday party I treated myself to a massage at Citrus!  Today, both kids have friends over and we are making homemade soft pretzels!  Dinner will be a simple supper of grilled chicken breasts, pasta salad, and grilled veggies (eggplant, zucchini, etc.)

Back to work on Monday...with a busy work week ahead.  I have to run on Tuesday & Wednesday and cross train on Thursday!

Lots of running ahead!

I signed up for a 1/2 marathon training program run by Fleet Feet. My training schedule for the next 4 weeks is as follows:

Monday: off
Tuesday: run
Wednesday: group run with rest of 1/2 marathon group
Thursday: cross train
Friday: off
Saturday: Long distance run (maxing at 2 hours) with group
Sunday: short run

We start tomorrow with a group run...here's hoping to keep myself injury free!!

Fastest 3 miles ever!

27:30! That's a 9:10 pace. WOW.

Of course, I felt like I wanted to vomit the whole way and had trouble regulating my breathing...but, it's looking like I might be able to break the 30' mark in my upcoming 5K.

11 miles in 2 days

So, this morning I broke my cardinal rule of running:  never run 2 back to back days. I firmly believe in giving your body time to recover. I do cross train on the off days (recumbent bike, walk, etc.), but I never run two days in a row.

A whole bunch of friends were heading to Lake Galina (Peace Valley Park) to do the 6 mile loop.  I haven't run there yet and have been wanting to try it.  I felt good after yesterday's 5 so I set my alarm for 5:15 this morning to run with them.  We did 6 miles in 1:07.

So far, I'm feeling a bit stiff, but it's manageable.  I figured I better get my run in today since I'll be partying it up at the Borgata in AC for the next few days.  Wish me luck!

Champagne has been purchased!

Way to go Flyers...I knew they would tie it up at home.  We've got our champagne ready....

It was a hot run this morning.  I did just under 5 miles.  What I'm most proud of is that I ran the whole way up this massive hill.  The hill is long and steep (for the local folks, it's the hill behind Genuardi's in Spring House).  We all call it the Genuardi's hill.  Last week I walked 1/2 of it.  Not today...nope...ran the whole hill!! 

Tomorrow I will run 6 miles at Peace Valley with a bunch of Fleet Feet runners. I met my 1/2 marathon trainer today...she is FAST!  

Big news on the work front...can't spill the beans yet...but will let you all know soon.

Ready for the weekend??

A nice hot one is in store for us!  Good thing we don't have too many outdoor activities planned.  Tonight we'll be indoors rooting for our Flyers!  Tie it up, boys!!

Tomorrow, I will run with my broad street gals with Fleet Feet!  JAL has a play date and then my college housemate is coming with her 3 kids.  Should be a great day.

I'm escaping to AC for two days with my Mom.  I got that freebie deal from the Borgata again (free room for two nights, free VIP club lounge access, free comedy club tickets and $10 in slot play).  If you recall, Mike and I went back in March (or was it April) and had a blast.  It's one of those deals that sounds too good to be true...but it really is.  Anyway, this time I'm taking my Mommy!  We'll hit the outlets, relax by the pool at the Borgata, drink, laugh, and hopefully win some $$$.

Happy Friday everyone!  Enjoy the weekend!

Date night!

I ran 3 miles this morning...it was hot and I forgot to take 2 puffs on my inhaler before going.  (I have a touch of asthma...the pollen and grass clippings really aggravate it; of course the exercise doesn't help, either!)  29:33 which was respectable given the heat and lack of planning.

Hubby and I have a babysitter tonight!  WOO HOO...it's a rare occasion we get a date night and I am already looking forward to it.  So, what are we doing on our big night out on the town?  A fancy schmancy dinner?  Hitting some bars?  

Nope...we are having a quick dinner at Cosi (I have freebie coupons from a debacle of a dinner that I complained about) and shopping.  Our list is a mile long and, as anyone with kids knows, it is much easier (and CHEAPER) to shop with out them.  So, if you are out and about tonight you may see us Old Navy, Michaels, the mall, Rite Aid, Ann Taylor (my fave!), or any of the other 25 stores we need to go to. 

Not exactly the most exciting date night...but at least the kids will be in bed by the time we get home!