Winter Run Challenge Update

First I want to give a shout out to my sister.  She is 7 weeks into training for Way Too Cool 50K and was injured yesterday.  Like, had to be helped by mountain bikers who called a ranger to get her off the mountain hurt.  I remember how excited her and her husband were that they both won lottery spots into this race, and she instantly put together a training plan/schedule and has been doing great. 

If thinking positive/healing thoughts were enough then she'd already be 100% better and able to run today.  I know it doesn't work that way though, but still I wanted her to know I'm thinking of her and hoping this is just a "needs a few days of rest" type of thing vs a "needs a few months of recovery" type of thing.

You may remember I posted about a Winter Run Challenge HERE and let me tell you, so far it's going great!

By the way, it's not too late to get in on this if you need a little winter running motivation.  I'm not much of a joiner, I like to fly solo, but I have to admit that committing to this, and let's face it posting it here for the world to see, has kept me accountable.  I have over achieved on miles every week and am having fun doing it.  There have been a few times that I just have lacked motivation but knowing I still need X number of miles to make the goal for the week has gotten me out the door, so it's working! 

I'm finding that the earlier in  the week I run the more likely I am to get it done and get extra miles even.  (Sort of like blogging, if I don't get up early before Sky and do it, lets face it chances are it isn't happening.  I have been sleeping in more and more the last few weeks,  hence the hit and miss blogging as of late, I'm back on track though!).  

I had a great run last night with the group!  Michelle joined me, I may have twisted her arm just a little - it's just more fun running with her than without, for adidas night last night!  It was the end of the first session of Winter Warriors.  Fleet Feet runs a winter incentive, and every group run you attend over a certain period of time enters you into a grand prize drawing.  It's another way to stay motivated to run when it's cold, wet, and dark out.  I didn't test run any shoes, but I did get to pick a prize from the adidas box.  I would totally post pics but the backpack (for me) and hat (for Mark) I got are in the room and Mark is still asleep.  

February is my get (more) real about running month for sure.  Several races open up for registration and my race calender will go from "what I'm considering" to "what I'm committed to doing" in a hurry.  Plus, training for the Whidbey Island 1/2 starts next week!!!  I'm so excited to have a set running schedule again, and tons of Elya running time!  Also excited we resolved the lodging issue and found a camping cabin we can afford!  We were considering bailing on this race because lodging on the island is really expensive, but fellow Half Fanatics helped us out with suggestions and it's full steam ahead to the first 1/2 of the year!   

Enough about running...a few Sky pics from the last several days for you:

 Dance Party and I love the Steelers shirt!!

 Frog n Kiwi play time.

 Reading to herself. 

 She loves to "cook" soup...it's her favorite thing to do lately. 

 

How do you stay motivated for winter running? 

Do you register for races early, or are you a register last minute type of person?

Opening day...I want the best price possible!

How far out do you plan your race schedule?

I'm not registered for all of them, but I pretty much know what I'm running through Dec 2014.  

Have a great Wednesday...only 4 1/2 more days until SB!!!  Not my teams, but I'm still way excited!

 

Winter Run Challenge

I was on the fence about doing a winter run challenge.  Mostly because I'm pretty good at getting out there and running, I like it too much not to do it!  But, after yesterday's painfully slow and just down right not fun run I figured I could use the added incentive.  I knew I would regret all the cookies, wine, and not running during Christmas.  Maybe a stroller run wasn't the best "first run back" run, but Sky really wanted to run as well.  Actually running her pace felt pretty great.  

It's all right though, I'm giving myself this week to get back into it slowly, then next week I start pushing the pace to get back down to speed.  Perfect timing because the challenge starts next week!

 
Check out RUNwithJess.com HERE to register for the free challenge.  There are different levels you can pick, each week you reach your goal you are entered to win a prize, and it's free!!!  The hardest 6 weeks of running are here and this will for sure help me get my a$$ out there!

The last two days have been fun around here.  One of my favorite things about Christmas in E WA is unpacking everything once we get home.  Most of the gifts go right into bins for safe and easy transport home, so we don't get a chance to use them.  It's almost like Christmas again when we unpack and get a chance to actually use/play with the stuff.  I'm really loving the new entryway table and dishes I got!  No more ugly brown plates/bowls in my food pictures!  

 

It looks so much nicer than what we had and it takes up less room which is really nice!  Sky was always on the verge of cracking her head on the old one when she was running laps through the house.  

Sky loves her horse to pieces.  Even when not rocking she just sits on it and is constantly playing with it's tail and moving it around the room so it's always right next to her.   

I have a lot of pictures from last week that I didn't share.  I have to say it was really nice being less connected for a few days.  I could easily get used to that!  anyway here are a few pictures from our time in E WA...

Sky's tablet was one of the few gifts we did open and start using.  It came in so handy when she needed a few minutes, or a bit longer while we wine tasted, of quiet time.  BTW - that is not her glass of wine!

Wine, wine, wine...you can't really visit the Red Mountain area without going to at least one winery, it's practically a sin!  Terra Blanca is within walking/running distance of my Aunt and Uncles which made it the easy choice for a quick visit. Their Block 8 Syrah is really one of the best I've had!

That is a lot of wine glasses for just 4 people...and now you know why I don't run when we are over there.  Wine does not make great hydration for running.

My Aunt and Uncles very unique and beautiful Christmas Tree.  It was all red, green, and Santa themed.  It was a little shocking at first, but once you get over the idea of how a traditional tree should look it is really beautiful. 

Thank goodness Mark found this indoor play option because it was in the low 20's to mid 30's most days, and that is too cold for Sky to happily play outside.  She needed an outlet big time for all that energy!  Columbia West Cheer has indoor play areas that are open to the public for periods of time and is only $5, but we got in for free since it was our first visit.  Sky must have liked it because it was a huge ugly fit when we left. 

She spent a good 30 minutes in this play kitchen cooking and organizing everything.  She was so content being in charge of her own kitchen, plus this was one of the few areas non of the other kids seemed very interested in, so she had it all to herself...such an only child! 

Watching a moving with her new BFF's.  It must have been a serious part of the movie?  

A few pictures of Christmas Morning.

 I'm already missing the clear, blue, sunny skies that are E WA. 

 Someone across the river from my Aunt and Uncle put on a pretty impressive, pro quality, fireworks display.  Sky LOVED it!  

Don't let the bright sun fool you, it was really cold outside!  We only lasted about 20 minutes at the park before we had to warm back up.  

I'm really thankful that we get to spend time over there with family we love!  It's always pretty laid back and easy going which is really nice given the busy flurry of the season. 

A few down days and then New Years Eve!!!  

Tell me...how are you ringing in the new year? 

I'm running 5 mile drive with Michelle New Year's morning.  First run of the year, and a great way to start the year!