Good Job Amy!!!

Lovely running lady Amy finished the Chicago Marathon in 3:32:06!  That's a sub 8 min mile average pace! 

I'm so super proud of her!  Nice job Amy, I can't wait to hear about it! 

There was no running for me this weekend.  There was zero shoulder on any of the roads on the island, lot's of sharp turns you can't see around, and running in and out of shade and sun.  It just didn't feel very safe to run in those conditions. 

So, I will get a few runs in early this week so I'm ready for the 10 miler this Saturday. 

I will have more pics later in the week from this weekend, but for now...

View from our little hike. 

Look at that sad face, she didn't want to come home. 

Island Time

We are headed to Lummi Island for Bob's belated birthday weekend.  And, he is sharing the celebration with us as our Forever Family Day is this Sunday!!!  We have a fun photo planned in celebration!

I'm so excited to get out of town with friends and just relax.  The weather should be cool, but sunny with lot's of beach to explore and hikes to take.

I plan on squeezing in a quick little run early tomorrow morning.  I need a change of running scenery!

To all those running this weekend on the trails, roads, races, or just because be safe and have fun!

Sky says wear your bike helmet for safety, even when your just playing outside in the yard, maybe even when trail running.  (she loves her helmet, and pretty much wants to put it on every time she steps out the front door.)

Enjoy the weekend and I will be back with pics and stories from the weekend on Monday.

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for my friend Jodi!  She helps me be a less-stressed mommy!  Since Reagan and Sky are the exact same age when Sky is going through a phase, or I'm wondering if it's time to do this or that with her, I can talk it out with Jodi on our weekly walk and we can figure it out.  The girls are pretty close to going through the same things at the same time, so it's nice to know someone else is going through almost the exact same things I am! 


I love too that while we are pretty similar in our mommy style we do enough things different that we can try each others ideas when what we are doing isn't working as well as we thought it would. 

Mommy stuff aside Jodi is kind, crafty (arts and crafts that is), funny, and zero drama!  I love that she is up front with what she is thinking/feeling.  I have really come to treasure our weekly walks and play time for the girls.

Thank you Jodi for being the outgoing one in class who came up introduced yourself and had my number in your phone before I knew what was going on!    

Chicago Bound

This lovely running lady (no not me (hahah) Amy!)  is headed to Chicago tomorrow and running the Chicago Marathon this weekend! 

Amy and I before my first 1/2.  She smiles like that all the time!

I'll admit I have a bit of a running girl crush on Amy.  She is one of those runners that you kinda want to hate makes is looks so easy and fun.  We both ran the same 1/2 and she was home, showered, and all dolled up in her evening dress (just kidding about the dress) before I crossed the finish line. 

Any time you get fitted for shoes and the running coach asks who sent you, and you say Amy, and the coach says "she is such a strong runner that I knew I couldn't help her improve" that is pretty darn impressive!  Although she is so humble you won't hear her admit to how great a runner she is.  

One of the things I love about Amy is she gets excited for other runners and supports them no matter what kind of runner they are.  I know my idea of a long run probably makes her think why bother.  Yet when I post on FB about my 3, 5, 8 milers she is quick to like the post even though she runs like 20 miles a day, blindfolded, backwards, with her shoes tied together and does it twice as fast as I can even think about running...oh and she looks cute doing it (told you...kinda want to hate her but she is so darn likable! ).

Another running thing I love about her is that while I'm sure she has goals for each run ultimately she wants to have fun and enjoy herself.  If it's not fun why do it right?! And, she is willing to share tips and advice any time I have questions. 

Running aside Amy is just a really great person who is quick to share a laugh, seems to always have a smile on her face (yes even at the end of a race when she should be in pain and misery like the rest of us), has a good heart and is fun to be around.  Plus, Sky likes her.  

She has worked her booty off getting ready for Chicago.  No matter how easy running is or isn't for someone there is a point(s) in every race that it gets hard.  I wish a strong, fun race for Amy and strength to get through the hard miles.   

Run Amy Run!!!  I will be thinking of you and checking the results all day.  I can't wait to hear how you do!!!  You or Jodi had better send me a text...I will be on pins and needles!  

Peg Board

In my opinion it takes a stupid amount of "tools" to continue being able to run.  Everything from gear, to vitamins, foam rollers, to stretching and massages.  Oh the joys of taking up running in my mid (soon to be late) 30's! 

The number one tool that I LOVE and use every day is my peg board from Fenix Rehab Systems. 

Looks exactly like what it sounds like it is.  A small board with holes in it to put different sizes of pegs to allow for self trigger pointing. 

There is a book and DVD to give specific instructions on where to trigger point based on what is hurting.  I tend to just do what feels good.  If something hurts, like my calf, I start high, with my hip, and work my way down the back/inside/outside of the leg through the calf and on into the foot. 

I have found it to work on headaches, neck, shoulder, back, hip, leg, ankle, and foot pain.  Best part is, I can use it while sitting on the couch watching TV or movies. 

Mine was given to me as a gift (thank you Dad!), but I found it for order on this site: Peg Board

Monday Funday!!!

No running, no strength training for me today.  (Although I spent a lot of time using my peg board to work out some kinks in my legs.  I will post about that tomorrow.)  Just lot's of fun at the zoo with Jodi and Reagan, and I think really good progress on figuring out Sky's new schedule and what nap time works best for her!  Today was a dream actually! 

Sky on the left, Reagan on the Right.  They decided tummy sliding is much more fun!  

 I love you Mommy...see you at the bottom!  

The shadows get in the way, but she had the biggest grin on her face!  

 Lets do it again! 

 

This is a twirly pod thing that she can sit in and twirl in circles non-stop, and she LOVES it!  

After nap time, using Daddy's chair as a standing desk to read her books.  She just loves her books.  Yep...those pants are a little long...18 month stuff is too small and 24 is a tad big, but she can grow into them.  

I ended the night at an IRB meeting at MultiCare.  I'm always proud of the work that is accomplished.  It's amazing to see the "backside" of medicine and how much work and effort goes into research and finding a cure/better ways to treat patients.  I love my volunteer work!