Training week #5

So this was week five in our training and it was absolutely beautiful! We got at least 6 more inches of snow so it made our run on Saturday a little challenging, but it was so worth it! Granted, I ended up walking more that running simply because I kept twisting my ankle on the snowy trail. It was still better than running on the treadmill and way more exciting! I took some pictures with my phone since I was walking most of it and I'm so glad I did. The above is a picture along the Bootleggers Cove and that is totally ice! It was amazingly breathtaking!

As far as my mileage this week was just short of 10 miles even and I'm looking forward to upping that soon! I believe the slow gain of sunshine is helping with that! I'm really looking forward to running more outside and less on the treadmill!

OK, back to the exciting run on Saturday, we had some excitement when we ran right past a resting moose right off the trail and then as we were heading back to the lagoon we ran into another one right on the trail!

Just one of the trials of trail running in Alaska! I love this place! It is cold, it is a little on the dark side sometimes, and I definitely haven't been this pale in a long time but it is all worth while! The views, the animals, and amazing people make it all worth it! By the way, did I mention that I'm becoming a runner! Bring on the run!

Training week #4

I know this isn't me but I wanted to give you an idea of what it looks like when running outside here! This is my fourth week of training and it was much better than last week. It's amazing how easily life can get in the way if you let it. I logged about 11 miles this week and I'm learning that the main battle is definitely in my head (as on of my lovely coaches has told us).

Saturday was one of my proudest moments! When you never really consider yourself a runner, distances can be really intimidating! I have be rather consistent on the treadmill running about 3 miles in 30 minutes but this past Saturday was our group run. Group runs are really important for me since I don't really get a chance to run outside until we get a little more sun in the evening. Anyways, Saturday I ran almost 5 miles in 50 minutes! This might not sound like much if you are a runner, but it's the most I've ever ran at one time...EVER!

Now that you understand the craziness that is this goal of mine, running 26.2 miles may sound crazy but I feel more confident today than I did yesterday! Each day is something new I'm learning about myself and truly learning to stick with my training or more importantly not making excuses to get out of running! Whether it's running or eating better or even being less negative, no matter what your goal is sometimes we need to learn that sticking to it is half the battle.

Ian's Birthday/Super Bowl XLV

So we all know how this day turned out for our Steelers and it's taken me this long to get over it and enough emotional strength to post again. hahaha! Just kidding, I've just been a little busy as usual so I apologize for the delay. Even if our team didn't win it was still fun to watch and looking forward to next season! Ian had a sweets fill birthday with presents and friends and he seemed to be pretty happy with the day!

Ian's first present of the day was from Nana and Uncle Andrew! He was super excited with it, can't you tell.

Yummy Smiley cookies from my wonderful friend Erin! She's so awesome to think of us!

The birthday/Steelers table before more food came and filled up that table!

I did cupcakes for Ian's class and used a couple for his day too.

And the presents from Grandma and Grandpa begin.

Flies made by Grandpa, of course!

And Ian's first bow! Brace yourself! Now locked safely away in my closet until hell freezes over! hahaha! Just kidding, just until Ryan can supervise him in a year or too. ; )

Training Week # 3

So this week was tough since I was fighting a chest cold and the fact that my first born turned 5 years old on Sunday! This birthday thing included a lot of pizza and cake and stuff that really doesn't make you feel like going for a run, but Ian had a great birthday and that's what really mattered this past week! Running basically took a back seat but now is the time to get back to reality! My mileage for last week was just over a whopping 7 miles and I'm ready to move to the next week!

I've found that when I go a day or two now without running I feel it, both physically and emotionally. Those endorphins are a wonderful thing and I look forward to them before every run! When I was running in Georgia for my first 5K, I don't remember this feeling as much. I also was training by myself and really the only other runner I hung out with was my husband, Ryan. As much as I love him and how supportive he is of me, it's not the same. I have quite a few friends through my church that are runners and now this whole team of people training for one goal! We each have our own reasons for doing this but it's important non-the-less! It's amazing how motivating that can be!

Ian's 5th Birthday (part 1)

After months and months of begging, Ryan and I gave in to the will of Ian and he had his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. We survived, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly it went! Besides Ian being traumatized by Chuck E. and the loud singing I would say it was a success.

This was before Ian realized that "the mouse" was right by him and the freak out ensued!

Declan, the brave guy he is took one for his brother in the Ticket Blaster!

Food...Yum!

Last week my friend Cherie was talking about this really easy chicken and dumplings recipe she tried and how good it was. After that conversation I couldn't get it out of my head so I got the recipe and away we went! I was planning on taking pictures when it was done cooking but I was so ready to dig in, you just get pictures of the leftovers. It was super yummy!

And for desert I busted out some Chocolate Raspberry cupcakes. I love food! And I have no recipe for this because it came from a box!

And last but not least, a tribute to my beloved Primanti Bros. Best we can do in AK, but it worked for me! And the Steelers are one step closer to that 7th Super Bowl ring! Here we go Steelers here we go!

Fun Creations

So the other day the boys were playing oh so nicely in the playroom and I was enjoying some peace for that brief moment! This doesn't happen very often so I began to wonder. The next thing I knew they both were running into the living room to show me what they created. Ian got Trio Blocks for Christmas and they have been really into building stuff lately! The pride on their faces was priceless! I love these boys!