Life After Couch To 5K

A little over a month ago we completed the Couch to 5K program. For those of you wondering what I've been up to, we are still running every other day and lifting using P90x on non-running days with a day of rest tucked in there somewhere.

Without the compass of C25K, I had to piece together a weekly running plan inspired by blog posts and articles all over the internet.  For two weeks after finishing the program all our runs were 5k.  I had some good days (no walking, no cursing lol) and a couple of bad days (walked more than I wanted, got tired sooner than I expected).  The bad days were caused by a combination of things - starting out faster than I should (not pacing myself), did not properly eat or hydrate and running during the hottest part of the day. Those two weeks was when I really learned more about my body.

These past two weeks we have been working on learning pacing and speed.  We have been running three days of 1.5mi distance, saving the 3.1mi (5k) for the fourth day. The variety has been good for both my brain and body.  It's easier to challenge myself to run faster with the shorter distance. My best time so far for a 1.5mi is 14:29.  Not bad for my 45-year-old body. My 3.1mi is currently at 42:03.  My oldest is running 1.5mi in 11 minutes and 3.1mi in 31 minutes. On short run days, if I'm not completely exhausted I usually finish with either the P90x plyo or kenpo.  

My current goal, other than to keep on running, is to stay injury-free. This means making sure I warm up well, run at a somewhat comfortable pace, stretch adequately and continue the strength training. My husband has also been amazing with full-body massages.  He was a competitive track runner so he knows exactly how my body feels at the end of a good run.  It also helps that he is a nurse. I am more spoiled than I would care to admit.

There is no finish line for me. Running is now a part of my lifestyle and my commitment to move everyday. It's the only workout that I am truly excited to lace up my shoes for. And now with Fall here I'm looking forward to the cooler temps and the lovely vista that awaits me outdoors.

Happy running!

true story

 

The Baking Girl: Summer Goodies

This series of the blog has been sorely neglected! The Baking Girl, despite the absence of blog posts, continues to be busy in the kitchen with birthday cakes, donuts, breads, and other yummies. Summer temps notwithstanding, there was no hiatus from the baking, not when you have a household of boys who are always hungry for a treat. Since she did not have any new recipes to share, I haven't posted any of her baking adventures but I did take pictures. This post is for y'all who wondered if The Baking Girl has abandoned the kitchen :-) 

a cake for the boy who turned five

he was so thrilled to have a cake made to his specifications

cupcakes to feed hungry brothers

my favorite garlic cheese bread, the girl is a gem

cinnamon buns ready to go in the oven

brownies!!!

and then there was apple pie

another birthday cake for a brother who requested green icing, ick to the icing color, yum to the cake

birthday cake for the oldest brother who recently turned fourteen!

not sure if we are celebrating the Buckeyes or the brother lol

The Baking Girl getting a second piercing for her birthday while hanging on to her friend's hand.  No, she didn't bake her own birthday cake ;-)

and before I forget...cinnamon sugar covered donut holes

With this baking talent in our home you now know the real reason I took up running.

The Rituals Of Back-To-School

Most everyone, by now, is back to school.  We are still awaiting books and I still can't get out of Summer mode.  I tend to be ritualistic about certain things, school being one of them. For me there are certain things that need to happen before I can sit down and write lesson plans.  It all starts with a novena to our homeschool patron (St. John Marie Vianney) followed by the annual homeschool mom's retreat hosted by our support group, deep cleaning the house and finally, a camping trip.

Our mom's retreat was beautiful. This is my favorite quick get-away.  My best confessional counsels happen at this retreat and this year was no exception.  The priests who minister to us during this weekend are a gift. I was very thankful to the insightful person who put a box of tissue in the confessional, I used a lot of it.  And all the thanks go to the amazing women in our homeschool group that make this retreat so wonderful.

We were so privileged to have Alicia Hernon from Messy Parenting as our speaker. She also happened to be a gifted musician leading us in song during Adoration. The theme this year was Rejoicing In God's Order. Her talk was packed, I wrote copious notes. I continue to ponder how I use my time each day to bring about order in every aspect of my life as mother, teacher, wife, friend and daughter of God. Before the retreat I've already been stuck on that final blessing at Mass when the priest says, "glorify the Lord with your life". Do I glorify Him with my life?  Honestly, some days I know I do not and it shows in the dis-order that comes with not using time wisely.  Hence my diminished time on social media, which happens to be my "favorite" time sucker.

School starts for us after Labor Day. My kids are ready but I need all weekend to get myself ready.  In the meantime, let me share some photos before they remain eternally in the abyss that is my pictures folder:

I take this picture every year at the retreat house

persevere in prayer

the retreat chapel

matching rayban's for people with bad eyesight

yurt camping

building a tent despite the yurt

breathing in the beauty

tending the fire

walkie-talkie

beautiful sky at the beach

at the fish pond

don't know what this pose is about lol

he caught a fish

putting my feet up

night fishing

what's for dinner

it's always fun to camp during a full moon

toasting to something

s'mores are yum!

sparklers

homage to the Buckeyes

I love my camera