Raining & Running

Guess what?!  It’s raining!!

Hallelujah!  We desperately are needing rain around here, so the rumbles of thunder and the rain that has fallen yesterday and today are soooo nice.  Everything is so dry around here, it’s crazy.  At the boys’ baseball games the field is just a dustbowl, everyone’s grass is getting crunchy, and the river is at levels usually seen in August.  So thank you, Lord for the rain!

It looks like it’s going to be a fairly quiet day around here.  It’s my dad-in-law’s birthday so we will be heading out to their house to celebrate at some point today, and visit with friends there who are in for a visit. 

Day 8 of #SheReadsTruth,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Day 4 of the Summer Run Streak,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 lovely miles at 1% incline.  I love it.

Are you participating?  Have you ran today??

Just a friendly reminder to do your self breast exams, ladies!  It can.save.your.life.  Period.

xoxo

Wednesday Numbers

Ok, so I’m getting a little confused on my days here…

This is Day 3 of the Runner’s World Summer Run Streak,

I ran a mile before starting my Extreme Burn DVD, then during the cardio bursts on the DVD I hopped back on the treadmill and ran some more.  Again I kept it at a 2% incline throughout.  It was about an hour and half total and was a total body workout plus cardio.  Boom.

And it was DAY 7 of the #shereadstruth Bible Study:  

Today’s devotion was focused on setting our minds on Jesus and not on earthly things.  This whole devotion series is called Soul Detox and so today it was talking about how earthly things and thoughts can easily lead to toxic thoughts.  We need to fix our minds on Jesus and what HE wants for us and how HE desires our thoughts to be.  There are so many things that can easily wedge in between us and God, separating us and leading us away from Him.  I took notes on how we can focus our thoughts, like spending more time in His Word, in prayer, confessing when we have those toxic thoughts, and forgiving others when we may be holding grudges.  I focused on the areas of my life that I need to change and am praying that this study will help me to do just that.

Have a great day, guys!  My girl and I will see you guys later.

xoxo

Counting Days

Hey y’all!

Are you participating in the Runner’s World Summer Run Streak??  I wrote about it and linked it up in my last post, so even if you’re a little bit behind you can still check it out and join us.  It’s a great way to  keep motivated in these hot summer months, right?  Run at least a mile, every day, between Memorial Day and 4th of July…ok, GO!

Today I ran 3 miles at 2-3% inclines, I just kept switching it up back and forth.  I kept my speed at 6.1 because inclines wear your booty out!  After the 3 mile run, I walked a mile at 4.0 at varying inclines of 5-9% then kicked it up to 12% for the last minute of so.  Yeah, just a minute…whew!

 

When I finished I did a whole boat-load of squats and lunges, then finished up with planks via the guidance of Gymboss.  

No, my planks did not look like this.  Wow.

And since everything I’m doing right now involves counting days, I will share that today was Day 6 for me of

 

Laundry, baseball, and Hatfields & McCoys are on my agenda for the rest of the day.

xoxo

Summer Running Streak 2012

Want to join me for a running challenge?

How about 38 days of running at least a mile every day – Memorial Day to 4th of July.

Sound like fun to you?  It does to me!

So I am participating in the Runner’s World Summer Running Streak 2012, starting today!
 

 

I kicked off my streak by running 3 miles then walking 2 on the treadmill while watching some E! shows.  Then I did my arms routine which left my arms quivery!  Mission accomplished. 

After a wonderful day yesterday around the pool with family and friends, we are relaxing again today and spending it much the same way…with just us though.  We are having record-breaking heat right now with today being the last day of temps in the upper 90s so we are going to soak it up. 

But let’s never forget THE REASON we remember Memorial Day.  So many soldiers and families have given everything in order that we may be free.  May God bless them today and every day. 

 

xoxo

Quiet Mornings

Good Sunday morning, guys

You know, as much as I say that I want to sleep in, I love getting up before everyone else and having some quiet time before the craziness of the day hits.  I love sitting here at my kitchen table and hearing my husband snoring softly from the bedroom.  I love the sounds of the washing machine already getting a load of clothes going today…although I can’t say that my clean clothes pile isn’t lacking attention.  I should probably be folding clothes right now instead of writing a blog post…but oh well.

Yesterday we played in the pool all.day.long.  It was hot outside and perfect for a pool day.  It is pure joy to watch the kids jumping and splashing, diving and flipping, and playing for hours.  Of course we joined in!

After swimming we headed to PB to eat dinner and to watch Men In Black 3.  As a child of the 90s, and having grown up with the first two MIB movies, I was so excited to see it!  And believe me it did not disappoint!!  So, so, so good.  And oh, the ending…goosebumps.  No spoiler alert here, but dang…if you liked the first two MIBs, you will really like this one.

This morning I read Day 4 of #SheReadsTruth…

 

And it included some of my favorite verses,

 

I really like this Soul Detox Bible Study plan.  Are you joining along?

Have a blessed Sunday, friends!

xoxo

RipDeck

Have you ever heard of RipDeck?!

Well basically it is a MUCH less messy of the playing card workout that I’ve done before.  And I love it!

In the playing card workout, I take a deck of cards and assign an exercise to each suit.  For example, hearts are lunges, diamonds are situps, and so on.  Then after shuffling the cards I put them in a stack and start drawing them one at a time.  The suit determines the move and the number on the card determines the number of times I perform the move.  It’s pretty cool, and just an easy way to get an at-home workout and a GREAT way to change up your routine.  Although I haven’t done it in awhile, I really like it!

Last night I was reading Caitlin’s post on “Best Fitness Apps.”  Along with her mentioning MY SUGGESTION of the GymBoss app (cool!), her suggestion of the RipDeck app immediately caught my eye.  I downloaded the app and tried it this morning after my 4.15 mi. walk/run. 

And the verdict….PERFECT!!!  It is essentially my playing card workout with no cards to shuffle or having to write down what suit is what (because I always forgot).  Plus any workout that is new every time and incorporates technology is a win in my book!  Score! 

You can set it at different fitness levels that determines what moves you will do, and at the end it shows you a summary screen that tells your total time plus breaks down how long it took to do each individual exercise.  I think it’s very cool. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I know I already posted earlier this morning, but I wanted to share this with you before I forgot and also before the holiday weekend festivities began!  Whatever you’re doing this weekend, remember to be safe and remember WHY we have the freedoms to celebrate.

Blessings.

xoxo

Another Check-Up In The Books

Hey guys!  I’m back from the big city and am happy to report another great check-up!

>>>>>  HaPpY DaNcE !!! <<<<<

The appointment went great and included all the usual: labs, physical exam, Q&A, and then always a lot of laughs.   Laughs at my oncologist’s office?  Oh yes.  We are blessed to have become very good friends with Tim and Heather (the wifey) and the family so there is always a lot of reminiscing, story telling, and funnies involved. <----that’s my favorite part

And we all have a date in the very near future.  ‘Bout time!

We wrapped up our day by going to get a new light for the deep end of the pool (it went out), lunch at Olive Garden, and a run through Costco.  Then it was home sweet home to our kiddos who were all happy to see us and even happier to get the good check-up news!

I am always touched by a sign that hangs in the waiting room at Siteman and it pretty much sums up my thoughts every.single.day.

Cherish every single moment, my loves.

Tell someone you love them, and just what they mean to you today.

And please, for goodness sake- check your tatas and save your own life.

Love you!

xoxo

Let’s Go Friday

Continuing with most of my routine, I was up and at it earlyyyyy this morning.  Yes, even earlier than usual.  Yikes.

I set the alarm for 430am so I would have time to chug my coffee and read my daily devotionals.  I started a new program called Soul Detox by YouVersion, through the Bible app on my iPhone.  I am on Day 2.  A few bloggers out there started it and I learned about it on Twitter via the hashtag #shereadstruth .  Nice right?  I am completely in love with the hashtag.  How perfectly fitting.

I hit the treadmill early to watch the news and do this on the treadmill:

 

 

4 miles at inclines of 5-15% and speeds of 4-4.5mph.  Sweat-fest.  Loved it.  And I swear I could hear Jillian Michaels’ yelling at me to “Get your hands off.my.treadmill!!!” more than once.  Guilty.

The majority of the walk was based on this routine from www.sweettoothsweetlife.com

I had never visited the blog before but found it via Pinterest and found this treadmill walk.  It’s a good one.  Brutal at those 4.5s and 15%s but still, good. 

Annnnddddd, if you’re squeamish look away, but Zachary managed to do this to his big toe last night in the swimming pool…

 

 

 

 

That is a chunk out of his big toe   Oh that is going to be so sore.  He just jumped straight down into the pool “pencil style” and his toe hit one of the drains on the bottom just right wrong and this is the result.  Ouch. 

But according to him, chicks dig scars. 

Ummm, son, I’m not so sure the “chicks” will looking at the bottom of your feet.

I’m off to the city to see my doctor and buddy, Tim!

Later gators.

xoxo

Reminders

Every day I wake up and pretty much have the same routine.  I get out of bed and put in my contacts, go to the bathroom, wash my hands, and head into the kitchen.

There, I promptly make the coffee, take some ibuprofen, unload the dishwasher, reload the dishwasher, start a load of clothes in the washer, and fold what is in the dryer (sometimes).  I get a glass of ice water with lime, grab my phone off the charger, and sit down at my kitchen table.  I read my Journey daily devotion, sip on my ice water, and just enjoy the peace and quiet that is soon to be interrupted by any number of people: my husband on his way to work, a random teenager getting ready to go home after staying all night, my daughter getting a little snuggle before going back to bed (MY bed, mind you), or one or both of my boys leaving for an early morning practice.

The house starts to come alive. 

The TV in the kitchen now blares the morning news.  I listen to the anchors hit the highlights then it becomes background noise as light is filtering through the windows.  I go into my closet and change into my workout gear (for later) and I start to contemplate my day. 

Who has ballgames today?  Where?  What time?
Did I get their uniforms washed?
Do the boys have practice later? 
If so, what time do I need to get dinner done?
What am I going to FIX for dinner??
What office work needs to be taken care of today?  Tax forms filed?  Bookwork sent in?
Do I need to go to the bank?  Post office?  Grocery store??  Yes, yes, and yes.
I wonder if someone is going to call about a house today?

And then, if I’m feeling like today is all under control -----> What do we have going on tomorrow?

All this is pretty much every morning for me.  Pretty normal for a busy wife and Momma of 3 right?  Yep.  But my mornings (and whole days, really) are scattered with reminders of my battle with breast cancer and the fight I will continue to fight for the rest of my life.

(source)

When I first get out of bed in the morning my feet and ankles are so stiff that I almost hobble to the bathroom.  I take ibuprofen to combat some of the joint aches and pains that I have most of the time.  When I am listening to the morning news, my ears automatically perk up at any mention of “cancer,” specifically “breast cancer” and whatever new drug, cause, or screening recommendation is out that day.  When I go into my room to change into my workout clothes I glance at the top of my closet where my beautiful blonde wig is in a box and next to it the scarves and sock caps that once covered my bald head.  Also there are binders of my lab results, pathology reports, and other information given to me during my year of treatment.  As I sit back down at the table, I wonder if I took my medicine the night before; the medicine that robs my body of any estrogen but also lessens my chance of a recurrence.  Now the calendar: The day’s schedule not only revolves around kids’ sports and activities schedules, but also around doctor’s appointments, though thankfully aren’t as often as they once were.

And that’s where I am today:  Tomorrow is another oncologist appointment.  Yet another reminder of cancer.  It has been 3 months since I have been on the seventh floor, and Lord-willing it will be another 3 after tomorrow until I have to go back.

Praying for a smooth appointment tomorrow for myself, and also for everyone else on the seventh floor whether doctor, patient, friend, or family member.

xoxo

Two Things To Share

This was on the agenda this morning:

A very speedy treadmill interval run that I printed from Carrots ‘N’ Cake’s Pinterest page.  I haven’t done anything this speedy in awhile and boy did I feel it!  It was great but whew!!  Of course I didn’t stop at mile 5.20 as the workout says, rebel I am, but I kept going til 8 miles.  Mainly because I felt good but also because I was watching E! and was totally zoned out to junk TV.  I finished it off with a killer arm workout that I found somewhere, but I can’t remember where so I’m not going to post it…but my arms are jelly now.

I have two things I want to share with you this morning and they are completely unrelated to one another:  First is my new workout digs!! I’m still waiting on some cool motivational posters to put on the walls, but this is the home for my new baby (my treadmill) and possibly my new favorite room at our house.  You can imagine.  

You can’t see the weight bench in this picture, but it’s there too.  The front is two big windows looking at our pool…glorious.  I heart this so.much. 

My medals got their new place yesterday, too.  Welcome home, bling!  

 

The second thing I want to share with you, is a blog post that I read last night.  It is from Faith, Food & Fitness and I was so blessed by Katie’s post last night that I took a screen shot of a portion of it and just had to share a part of it with you.  Go to her post and read the entire thing…you will be blessed by her faith and her inspiration to share it.  Promise. 
 

Yes, it IS amazing.  But I am not surprised.  We serve an AWESOME GOD!  I am so thankful that He led me to read her post last night. 

I’m off to spend the day in the pool with my girl.  It’s going to be a beautiful day followed by a night of baseball!  Summer League is back!

Love y’all

xoxo