Stroller Group Run...Feels So Good To Be Back!

Sure it may have been a slower, easy run, but man did it feel good to get back out there with the stroller group today!

3 easy miles, well as easy as pushing a 3 yr old in a stroller can be, in the warm rain, with a Stroller Mom I adore was just what I needed!

While I'm still dealing with some upper back issues, there was no pain while running, and I actually had a better adjustment today with the Chiro.  The back is still pretty stuck and not wanting to move, but it was better.  It's a work in progress I guess. (P.S. Dad - he asked when you will work on me again...he says he needs you to work on me! :)  He also says that you have educated me very well and helped me develop the ability to breath through the pain of the treatment to get to the fix.)

I'll run again this weekend sometime, life is crazy busy the next 4 days, so it will take some juggling to get away for a quick run, but I'm excited to get 4 or 5 easy, flat miles in, and see how it goes.  Honestly it's just nice to be running without a pace/PR goal hanging over my head.  I'm so proud of what I did, but that was a lot of pressure I put on myself and was obviously physically taxing on my body.

Running for fun and just because I really want to is what I need right now!

When not running I'm really trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer/early fall/life before pre-school schedule starts.  Sky and I are soaking up all the sun, enjoying the last few days of rain we have had, and are doing lot's of pilates and dance partying.

 She's wasn't being sassy at all in this pic.  ;-)

 Climbing on absolutely everything!

 

 She loves doing my pilates workouts with me! 

I loved the mind part of the workout for today.  We got to make a liberating list of things we don't do, and just let it go.  Don't feel bad about it, don't feel the need to change it or work on it...just let those things go. Focus on making room for the things that make us happy and bring fulfillment.  No comparing to others...no guilt.

I love it!  If you are wondering what the #mindbodymat 28 day challenge is check it out over at The Balanced Life !

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Fill in the blank: I don't_____________________

Stroller Running and Exciting Sock News!

Started my day with 3 easy miles with the stroller group this morning.  I love our current route through the pretty streets of N T Town and the UPS campus.  Two hills for a good leg burn, but the rest of the route is really nice and easy.  By Wednesday I'm so ready for a more relaxed pace and chit chatting with other running mommies. 

It makes me happy that when I tell Sky we are going to the store to run she responds with "This is going to be fun".  Love my little runner!

I wanted to share some super exciting news on the gear front:

 
The ONLY running socks I wear are Pro Compression and have them in almost every color.  I am so excited about these, I just hope they make them in the Knee High version because that's (almost) all I run in.  I may just order these anyway for walking.  So fun! 

FYI - sign up on the website for the newsletter and get the sock of the month discount code every month.  It's good for 40% off which makes the knee highs affordable for sure! 

I was asked today what difference the knee highs make and all I can share is my personal experience.  I don't really get into the scientific studies behind all the different gear because they all contradict each other.  If I'm having problems with something and there is something out there that may help I turn to blog reviews and customer reviews and decide from there to give it a try or not.

One of the biggest reasons I used to hate running was because I get shinsplints just thinking about running, let along actually running.  I also get horrible calf cramps.  I had gotten to a point that I wanted to up my running game, but things were acting up and I needed help.  Enter Pro Compression knee highs.  From day one the shinsplints ended and the calf cramps were kept at bay.  Don't get me wrong my calf's still hurt after long, hard runs but I don't get cramps in the middle of the night or during runs.

I have tested out going without the knee highs and even after just 3 miles the shins fire up, so I know for a fact they work.  You may remember I went on a very challenging trail run this summer (check it out HERE) with tons of elevation gain and loss and my legs were jacked up after.  Notice in those pics what I'm missing...my socks!!!  It was so hot and I have issues with heat stroke so skipped the knee highs and wore the low trainers.  I could hardly walk after, but I put on my Pro Compression the next day(s) and it made a huge difference with recovery!

Keep an eye out for the spring line up.  I'm sure they have lot's of great new things to share!

For the daily Sky pic:

I created a bin of dried beans and rice so she can "help" cook dinner when I'm working in the kitchen.  She is on a huge "I make soup" kick, so I asked her to make soup and gave her containers to scoop the mixture into.  She was happy for almost an hour using her new kitchen toys.  She took it very serious. 

What's the one piece of running gear/clothing you must have on every run?

That's A Wrap...Last Stroller Group of the Year!

That's a wrap for 2013.  What an awesome year of running and walking the group has had!  We test ran shoes, had a baby gender reveal, shared lot's of parenting advice, and even managed to get a few races in, and some of the kiddo's raced as well.  I can't wait to see what 2014 brings the group!

From Last Week's adidas Glide Boost Run!

I know one thing 2014 is bringing...more babies!!!  We are currently waiting for twins to arrive (safely though...they need to stay in the oven as long as possible!), and after that there is another little one due in March.  There are going to be so many double strollers in the next few months!!!

Another last of the year for me...last nights Tuesday night run.  Between Holiday travel and an unexpected post-Holiday trip I'll have a 3 week running group break.  I'm kinda sad about that, but it means I'll get lots of solo running in!  I have to get the solo runs in too, otherwise it's going to feel really horrible when I come back and try to keep up with the speedsters Tuesday night! 

Honestly I think I need the break.  My legs feel tired, especially after the 5K last weekend.  It felt amazing to go for and get a PR, but man my legs are still tired!  And, I think my knee needs a little TLC.  The next few days my focus will be stretching and foam rolling, along with a few Sky paced runs.  I really think she is going to be a trail runner...she loves it!  Or maybe it's the play breaks after the run?     

I really need to get a second foam roller because I'm tired of fighting with Sky over who gets to use the one we have.  No joke, she is a pro foam roller and stretcher!  Starting the good habits early!

Cute Sky pic of the day...

I've been replaced.

Watching cartoons with Pooh Bear while I got dressed and ready to run!  She kept checking that I was taking her with me though.  She didn't want to get left behind yet again while Mommy ran.  Love my little runner girl so much!  

Anyone doing any New Years Ever racing?  How about a first race of the year on the first?  Tell me about it!

   

  

Stroller Run Group

We had an awesome run/walking group today!!!  Yannick (sp?) guy in the yellow shirt, is a regular at the Tuesday night run group, but he loves us so much he comes and volunteers to push strollers so the running momma's get a break!!!  How awesome is that?! 

Something else awesome is the support from Umpqua Bank we had today.  We run past their windows every week and apparently that has been a source of inspiration for them.  So, they brought us brunch, prizes, and giveaways after our run/walk today! 

I love our stroller group!  I can't believe it's almost been a year!  I should probably come up with a way to celebrate a year of Stroller Running/Walking!!! 

I took a peak at the shirt I want to get tomorrow at Diva night, and yep I still want that shirt, and they have 2 of them in the color/size I want.  You better believe I'm going to be there right at 7:30 to get one of them!  After the wine happy hour though, for sure hitting the wine hour first!  So excited to blend girls night with running fun!!!

Time for a caption contest!!!  Ok it's not much of a contest because I don't have a prize, but this picture is too funny!

What do you think is going on in this picture?!