·:[ The Healthy Mom ]:·
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Today’s Workout
Easy Run 3 mi@12:13

Monument Valley Park is just like a forest animal haven these days. 2 days ago, I saw the bears. Today we saw a fox on the trail. We followed him for a while and he trotted over to someone’s porch on Zyder Zee. No camera today.

I took the boys in the double stroller to Monument Valley Park for my easy run. It calls for 2 miles, but I run 3 because 2 miles feels like barely a workout. Running with the double jogger is definitely a workout for me. Especially on the hills. Whew! You can see how crazy my run speeds got.

The slowest point was when we ran into Lindsey and Diego…she was riding her bike with Diego in the trailer. We chatted for a minute or two, and I thought I had pressed Pause on my workout, but I didn’t

After I finished my distance, we stopped at the pond and the boys threw leaves and sticks into the water and watched the ducks swimming and flying around. Zander pushed the jogger for a while with Zevan in it. As I was putting them in the car, a big train came by on the tracks. Nice timing

Actual Workout:
3.14 miles@12:20
Total Time 38:52
Avg HR 154 Max HR 174

Tuesday’s Workout
Long Run
Dist: 7mi @12:13

So, I’m running this morning, fiddling with my Polar HR monitor to see if its interfering with my Nike+ Ipod sensor, and I look up and see on the intersecting path… two brown bear cubs with mama bear.  *gasp*   She leads them up a tree, and I start running back to my van to get my camera. I see a Parks & Rec truck on my way and she radios it in.
 
By the time I get back, the bears are up a different tree.  The Wildlife Commission is going to let them stay up there and see if they come down late tonight on their own to head home…
 
They are in a tree on the path by the creek, about .25 miles south of the parking lot on Glen.

With the iPod, I am able to pause my workout.  Which I did after I ran the first mile and stopped for 10 minutes to take pictures of the bears.  Then I ran 6 continuous miles, with a small break to pee.  I do know that my total running time today was 1:11:51 with an average 10:14 pace.  I’m still suspicious of these numbers, so I am going to try and calibrate my sensor sometime this week.  Maybe after my easy run.

So, after I posted this, I look at my workout calender and saw that I was only supposed to run 6 miles today. Which, in effect, I did, with a 1 mile “warm-up”

So, last night (Saturday) was the Bijou Bash…the randomly annual live music, alcoholic frenzy hosted by the Haubers

And as an added bonus, our friends Jimmy & Rose Ena are in town for the party, between moving from Huntington Beach, CA to San Antonio, TX. So Thursday Rose Ena and the kids came to the West Side Moms playdate, and Zander and Robby had the best time together, kung fu fighting LOL!

On Friday, we picked up Robby and he came to the zoo with us. It was very fun. I also had some very interesting conversations on the ride there

“Where does electricity come from?”
“The power plant.”
“A plant that MAKES ELECTRICITY?!?”
“No, not that kind of plant. It’s not a green plant.”
“Is it a red plant?”

You see where this is going, right?

Friday night we all went over to the Haubers for dinner - we ordered in from La Casita. Robby and Zander did their thing together. Zevan, Eli and Ariana took a bath together - so cute! And we just hung out like old times.

Saturday night was the big Bijou Bash! Woo hoo! It was also Rose Ena’s 40th birthday. I got her a birthday cake with a big peace sign on it. And creme brulee for her own personal dessert.

The band was good…500 Funk Express. More jam-like than cover band. Which made for good party music, but really didn’t compel me to dance very much.

The drinks were great! Frozen margarita machine, jello shots…it was a fun night! Candy and I partied like before we had kids. Yee haw! Greg Johnson came from Seattle. We hung out. It was like old times.

Despite the rain and the mud, it was a really fun party. I had a blast!

Today we hosted dinner (take out from Wild Ginger) at our house. The kids played together in the backyard, in Zander’s room and in the family room downstairs. May & Brad even came for a while. It just felt good to have everyone together to hang out.

Well, I ran this morning with my new Nike+ iPod set up. I lost the sensor twice during my run. Fell out of my shoelaces. The first time, I went a quarter mile before I realized it was missing.

Because I lost the signal twice, my time was looking really bad for the run. The first mile was logged as 13+ minutes. That will never do! So, I tried to make up for lost time on downhill. I was really booking it. The sensor logged me as doing the last mile in 7:01. I think it needs some calibration. I don’t know if that’s possible?!

For the geeks, check this out…from Electronic Engineering Times about how the sensor works:
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800428806_480500_2f149c8b200608.HTM

This morning I did my 3 mile run with the boys in the double jogger. Yeah, that’s about 60 lbs PLUS whatever the stroller weighs.

It was my first run with my new Ipod Nano equipped with the Nike+ Sport Sensor Kit. I am SO high tech now. I love it.

I bought Asics GT 2110 running shoes, as recommended by the woman at Runners Roost. So I don’t have the fancy Nikes with the special spot for the sensor. I just tucked the sensor into the laces of my new running shoes. Worked like a charm.

I set my goal for 3 miles. It could tell me how far I had run or had left to run, and then what time I was at, plus my current pace. So awesome. It doesn’t record splits for me, and I wasn’t wearing my heart rate monitor, so that was kind of a bummer. I will try to run with both, and hope they don’t interfere with each others’ signal. I do remember that I ran the first 1.5 miles in 21 minutes (uphill), and then the last 1.5 miles in about 16 minutes (downhill).

My iPod tells me: 3.12 mi, 38:20 total time, 12:16 pace, burned 321 calories. During the run, my personal best mile was 9:21.
(includes a 0.12 mile 1:20 cooldown while I figured out how to end the workout on the iPod)

To be honest, I’m happy to just complete my runs. I have no goals other than to complete my workouts to as close as the goal as possible.

As you may notice, I’m a bit of a geek. I love numbers. Keeps my brain busy while I’m running. The iPod Nano is exactly what I needed.

Until Zander starts school on Sept 13, I am going to run my short workouts, 2-3 miles, with the boys in the double stroller on Thursday mornings. I’m planning to teach Zander to ride his bike over the next few months so I only have to push one boy, and because he is nearly too big for the stroller.

Now that I have been running 5-7 miles on my long run days, the 2-3 mile runs seem so easy. When I started in March, I could barely finish 2 miles. I’ve come a LONG way since then.

The bad news is, I’m behind on my blog.  The good news is, I’m mostly still on the wagon for running.

Tuesday, August 15
Goal: Long Run, Dist 7 mi@12:13
Actual: Long Run, Dist 6.6mi@13:39

Slowest, worst, long run ever.   

Thursday, August 17
Goal: Easy Run, 2 mi@12:13
Actual: Easy Run, 2 mi@11:30

This one went okay.  Love the easy runs!

Saturday, August 19
Goal: Tempo Run, Warm, 3mi@10:34, Cool
Actual: Tempo Run, Warm 2 mi@11:01, Cool - on Sunday!

This one I did a day late and a mile short with a slower pace.  But I did it.  I also got shin pain only a mile into the running, which is why I cut it short.

Here’s the thing.  On Wednesday, I went to the podiatrist and found out that I have plantar fasciitis AND a heel spur on both heels, a more significant one on my right foot.  She gave me a night splint to wear (we call it mommy’s robot shoe) and it’s been helping with my day to day heel pain, but not as much with my running.  She also told me to buy new running shoes, but I haven’t been able to do that yet.  I’m waiting on a check from a client which should arrive tomorrow.

So, she didn’t tell me NOT to run, but she said I need to get newer, more supportive shoes.  Turns out I actually pronate quite a bit.  When she told aligned my ankle and heel neutrally, my inner foot was quite far from touching the floor. Whoa.  On my X-rays I could actually see the heel spurs.  Apparently they’ve been forming for a while now.    Wow.

Lucky for me, it’s my easy week this week.  4 mi, 3 mi, 3 mi easy runs.

Speedwork
Dist: 5mi, inc Warm; 2×1600@9:59 w/800 jogs; Cool

I decided to use the track at Holmes junior high on Mesa Road for this workout. Easier for me to track the distance, softer running surface.

For my warm up, I walked over to the track, about .8 miles from the house. Then I just started running. Hard. For four laps. UGH.

Then I jogged for 2 laps. Then repeat sequence.

KILLER. I walked home. And my heartrate was still up when I got home. Talk about conditioning.

The great news is that I blew away my goal time of 9:59! Yay for me! There is a one mile race in September that is part of the CS Grand Prix Short Series, so I hope I can get a good time in it.

Last night was fun! We started with dinner at the The Ritz. Michelle and I did get there in time for a happy hour drink. She got a lemon drop and I got a peachtini.

Our table was ready, so we moved over there with our drinks. We were joined by Megan. Then Kristi. Then Rachel. We had a great dinner. eat Mine was quite yummy. Thanks to the website coupons, we got both appetizers that we ordered for FREE!

Michele F and Crystal joined us for a drink before they headed up to Denver. After they left, it became apparent that we were in the middle of the dance floor and that they might want us to finish up so they could clear our table from the dance floor. After giving all the wait staff a hard time, we finally checked out and moved to a booth off of the dance floor. We chatted for a long time. Rachel took her leave. We ordered a round of drinks.

We were all amused by the antics of a bachelorette who was quite drunk. After a while, I walked Megan to her car - to protect her from the “riff-raff” After I got back, Michelle and I headed to the dance floor. We were further amused by said bachelorette when she got down on all fours on the dance floor… She was getting married on Tuesday, and no one would dance with her. So I obliged her with a bump and grind - I’m sure the pictures her friend took of us will come back to haunt me some day.

Kristi joined us on the dance floor for a few songs. Grin There was a group of guys, Soul something that were doing the crazy new breakdancing style. That was entertaining, too.

Michelle and I walked Kristi to her car and thought we might try and catch the pin up girl contest at South Side Johnny’s, so Kristi dropped us off down there. The bouncer said that we missed it, and the band did not sound promising, so we headed across the street to SoDo.

SoDo had a decent crowd and modern dance music - these were VJs - there were big screens and tvs all over the club that matched the music playing. We grabbed drinks and a table. And hit the dance floor some more. It was fun! We were people watching and noting each person’s dancing style giggle For the most part, it was current hip hop that I had never heard, but then the broke into a mix of 90s club music - Salt N Pepa’s Push It, Beastie Boys Brass Monkey, Rob Bass Joy and Pain…etc. That was AWESOME! Michelle attracted a few guys who came over and danced with us for several songs. We got some drink specials. We danced and people watched. Close to one AM, I was done. I didn’t even finish my last 2 drinks. So we headed back up and I drove us home

I definitely want to do that again! I hope more mamas can join us next time!

The boys spent the night at my parents last night so I was able to sleep in until 8 AM!!! Woo hoo! I took a nice hot shower this morning and had some fun time with Doug before picking up the boys from my parents house.

My dad said that Zander cried for a long time last night. He did great at dinner and with getting ready for bed, but when it was time to actually go to close his eyes and go to sleep, he wanted his mama. My mom stuck it out with him while Zevan went to lay down with my dad. Zander eventually fell asleep and my dad put Zevan in bed with him. Zevan woke up around 5 AM, crying and looking for me, but my dad got him back to sleep. They were both in great moods when I picked them up. So, I’d call that a successful first night away from home for the boys.

Speedwork. UGH. My least favorite running work out for sure. I went to the track at the junior high nearby.

Afterwards, I took Zevan to Hunter’s birthday party at Pump It Up (Zander changed his mind at the last minute and wanted to stay home with Dad). I took him on every inflatable doohickey. Very tiring. Especially since I hadn’t eaten. Pizza and ice cream cake for lunch.

Came home and napped with the boys. :sleep:

Try to call RCI to book timeshare week for Vegas. They were CLOSED. Stress level begins to rise.

Called around to Target stores to find the Portable Dual Screen DVD player that Doug’s mom wrote us a check for (THANK YOU, GRANDMA) so we could entertain them on our trip to Santa Fe next week.

Packed clothes and toys and wrote a bedtime routine out for my parents to follow. Boys are driving me crazy with general loudness. Worrying about how they are going to handle spending the night at my parents house bumps up my stress level.

Got in the car with the boys. Told Zander that I’m running late. He says, “What?! It’s going to rain!” “Oh, sweetie, I’m not going running. I am running late. It means I have a lot to do in very little time.” “Oh. (pause) When can we get ice cream?” Sigh.

Went to Target, bought the DVD player and miscellaneous items. Told the boys they MUST behave while we are in Target. They actually complied.

Dropped boys off at my parents house with my dad and McDonalds dinner.

Got home and had 20 minutes to get ready for mom’s night out. Briefly thought about bailing out.

Whoops. It’s naptime for Zevan. I’ll write more later.

As I typed the title of this entry, it came up as one I have used once before, just a couple of months ago. How do I seem to always lose track of days?

I’m OVERWHELMED. Which seems to be my general state of mind these days. I can’t get out from under my life.

Let’s try and recap, shall we?

Tuesday 8/8
Went to Leads Group Meeting (see CoSpringsNetwork)
May have a client who wants to barter spa services for a website. *That’s* what I’m talking about! Emailed my girls, my posse, if you will, about who seriously wants to join me on a child-free, spouse-free trip to Las Vegas in October.

Wednesday 8/9
Usual breakfast/lunch and Grandma & Grandpa Scott’s. My parents went to Denver, so I had to let their (previously our) dogs out and feed them several times. Cleaning lady had to reschedule (I REALLY REALLY HATE THAT), so I came home to a messy house. So, I had to pick up. Went climbing with May and had dinner at Village Inn.

Thursday 8/10
Ran with Linda in GOG on the trails. It was supposed to be my 2 mile easy run. I think we ran 3-4 miles. We ran for about 50 minutes at a good pace. Got home and worked on client sites. Exciting Christian Books and DallyWorks Consulting.

Friday 8/11
Hung out with my dad for part of the day. Worked on finding a property using my dad’s RCI timeshare week for the Vegas trip. 20 minutes on hold before I spoke with anyone. My first choice weekend is unavailable, but the next week is good. But I can’t book until I speak with at least 3 of my friends who want to come.

I’m tired. And I’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.

Ohmigod… I LOVE this website:
Where the Hell is Matt?

Today’s Workout
Long Run
Dist: 6mi @12:13

See the 2nd mile - 16:31.5 for 1.1 miles? At about 1.5 miles, I got this horrible cramp in my left shin and had to stop and stretch. And tighten my shoes It was definitely a cramp. Yowch. Then I mostly walked the next 2.5 miles after that. Because it was primarily uphill. On the down hills, it didn’t hurt.

So I was basically able to run the last mile and a half, with no shin pain. And it doesn’t at all hurt now, which is good.

After some research, looks like I’ve got anterior shin splints.

Excerpt from WebMD.com:

Lateral shin splints (sometimes called anterior shin splints) are usually due to overuse and inflammation of the anterior tibialis muscle and the muscle compartment in the front of the leg, along the outside front of your shin. The anterior tibialis muscle flexes your foot upward. People frequently get anterior shin splints from the repetition of flexing the muscle. For instance, on the treadmill, if you walk fast enough, and for long enough, or if you’ve suddenly increased the speed, or you’re walking on an elevation, the muscle gets overworked and starts to cramp. It would be like doing hundreds of biceps curls until your arm started to cramp. Plus, on the treadmill, there’s no letup since the mill just keeps going. You could potentially have the same problem if you walked or ran briskly outdoors for a long period of time at a speed faster than you’re used to.

Treatment for shin splints includes rest, massage, ice, stretching, and strengthening. Rest and ice is sometimes the best treatment. You should also be stretching your calves and Achilles tendon real well. If you have the problem during running or walking, try warming up more and don’t increase the speed too quickly. You can also try varying the speed and elevation of the treadmill if you use one instead of keeping it the same.

Add that to my plantar fasciitis in my right heel, and I’m a recipe for disaster. Which is why I made an appointment to see a podiatrist next week.

I maybe should have worked up to 6 miles for my long run…next Tuesday I’m supposed to run 7 miles! Ay caramba!

First, I’m happy to report that I did complete my 2 mile easy run from my training schedule on Thursday. But I had to do it with the ZBoys. In the double stroller. It took me nearly 29 minutes. 2:47 above my target pace of 12:13. Oh well. You try pushing 60 lbs of ZBoys in a 15 lb double jogger. UGH.

Today’s workout?
Tempo Run
Dist: 5mi, inc
Warm; 3mi@10:34; Cool

I’m not very smart. I was up at 6:30 AM (thanks, Zander), but kept procrastinating. By the time I went for my run at 9:15 AM, it was FREAKIN HOT.

I took a double shot of NutraEarth and drank maybe 4-6 oz of water.

I jogged along Mesa Road from 19th to Fillmore, uphill. (according to Mapquest, after the run, .95 miles). My “warm up.” I clock my time at the traffic light - 02:10!!! Krikey!

I began to regret not bringing the water bottle. Then I started really running from Fillmore to Hill Circle (according to Mapquest, after the run, 1.14 miles - that extra 0.14 is killer). UGH. Hot, hot, hot. Uphill. Took me 12:29.8, which was not boding well for my target pace. And did I mention that it was hot?! I’ve got tanlines to prove it.

Okay, then I turn around at Hill Circle. So now I’m going downhill. That should help. My shins start to hurt. Ouch. Must get my time back down. I pass lots of cyclists today. I’m thinking, “When I get to Fillmore, I’m just going to walk the rest of the way.” Get to the light at Fillmore in 9:48.1. My heart is beating out of my chest at 176. Dammit, I’m just going to keep running. At least until I get to the Speed Limit sign (approx 1/2 mile).

I jog in place at the light again. This time for only 0:42! And the final mile…My shin doesn’t hurt anymore. I feel like I’ve got my stride now, and this final mile is so familiar to me. I keep saying to myself, out loud, “C’mon, just go! Go, go, go!” I get to 19th in 9:43.0. Yes!

Except it’s too hot and I’m a little dizzy when I get to my garage. I’m not feeling well. I get in the house and drink some water. Hop in the shower. Eat a sandwich. Not feeling very good at all. Sit on the sofa. And totally crash.

I think I might have had a touch of heat exhaustion.

Note to self: Start running by 8:00 AM!

They say time out should be as many minutes as your child is years old. 2 years = 2 minutes. I have a digital timer that I use, so I can set it at 2:15 for Zevan and 3:45 for Zander.

It doesn’t sound like a very long time, but it can sure feel like it.

Pick a spot that can be a designated time out spot. A chair they need to work to get out of, the sofa, the bottom step, our bed… one place on each floor of the house is good. Where there are no toys or books.

So, if Zander hits me, I say clearly and as neutrally as possible, “No hitting. You are going in time out so you can calm down.” Then I sit him firmly time out spot.

The microwave timer works if I am in the kitchen. Or I can even program my cell phone if I’m in a pinch. I set the timer or look at a nearby clock/watch. He knows when the timer beeps, his time out is over. He can read digital clocks, so I can tell him, “When the clock reads 5:33, your time out is over.”

Oh, and if he gets out of the chair before time out’s over, he gets a warning, “If you get out of the chair before time out is over, you get another minute.” Same penalty for talking back to me.

Beep, beep, beep… Then I come back all cheery … “Okay, time out’s over!”

I usually ask, ” Do you feel better now?”

Here’s a typical post time out conversation with Zander.

Me: “Why were you in time out?”
Zander: “”Because I hit you, mama.”
Me: “Please apologize.”
Zander: “”I apologize, mom.”
Me: “For what?”
Zander: “”For hitting you.”
Me: “Okay Zander. (hug) It is not nice to hit people. Please don’t hit again or you will go in time out.”
Zander: “Okay, mom.”
Me: “I love you.”
Zander: “I love you, too, mom” (on a good day)

Zevan is responding to time out as well, although he isn’t as eloquent. He hates time out. He used to cry the whole time. Now he just cries for the first minute or so. Now, he goes in time out very often for hitting Zander. So, when his time out is over, it’s like this:

Me: “Tell Zander you’re sorry.”
Zevan: “Sorry fah hit you, Zanneh” :loveeyes:
Zander: “That’s okay, Zevan.”
Me: “Now, give him a hug and a kiss.
They hug and kiss. It’s very cute.

That’s what works for us most days.

Turns out my long run on Tuesday was 5.5 miles. I took the van and drove along the parts where I ran and did a fairly accurate estimate. Translates to a 13:17 minute mile. I really have no idea how to pace myself when I’m by myself. Well, I don’t really push myself when I’m by myself. From my race times, obviously, I *can* run faster.

A big part of my problem is that I am never well rested on a daily basis. tired I make an effort to get sleep before a race, but I don’t do so otherwise. I’m so not a morning person.

I think I’ll have more time once school starts for Zander and I figure out a schedule with Zevan. Of course, I could be wrong. Dead wrong.

I’m doing okay with my eating. I have passed up many temptations today. We went grocery shopping today so I tried to buy foods that are convenient and low calorie. Some Lean Cuisine and another brand of tv dinners under 300 calories. I also bought baby carrots and snap peas to crunch on. And nectarines.

Tomorrow I have a short run on my training schedule, so I am going to try and get up early to do it before Doug leaves for work. It’s only 2 miles, so I should get it done in about 25 minutes or less. Nice short workout.

Today’s my brother’s birthday.

I’m poor, so we just called him on the way to Grandma & Grandpa’s for breakfast.

He’s at work. He doesn’t like birthdays in general. So, I prep the boys.

Me: “It’s Uncle Fran’s birthday today. Will you say Happy Birthday to him when I call him?”

Zevan: “No”

Zander: “Okay, mom.”

What?! Holy role reversal, Batman.

I call my brother. We chat and I wish him a happy birthday. I hold the phone up to the boys.

Me: “Say ‘Happy Birthday, Uncle Fran!’”

Zevan: “No…”

Zander: (singing) “Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you… happy birthday…Uncle…dear…happy birth…” he falters a bit.

Fran, “Maybe this birthday thing isn’t so bad.”

Me: “Wait until Ash (his son) sings happy birthday to you!

Me: “Can you sing ‘Happy Birthday’ Zevan?”

Zevan: “No.”

My brother and I talk more. Before we hang up, I hold the phone up to the back seat.

Zander sings the whole birthday song, not missing a note. I can feel my brother beaming through the phone.

Pretty cool.