WIAW: Happy baby

"Seven times?" Mark asked. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, Mark. Seven times," I told him. "Eight if you count the middle of the night."

I was giving Mark a feeding schedule for Miles while I'm away. It's more of an ideal schedule than an actual one ... but that could be said for pretty much anything about babies.

Anyway, while I was getting Miles' food down, I thought it might be interesting to do What I Ate Wednesday ... Miles edition. 

6 a.m. Bottle, 4 ounces.

8 a.m. 3 tablespoons cereal with pureed fruit and 3-ounce bottle.

Right now, we have three boxes of baby cereal going on - oatmeal, brown rice and barley. It's a good thing they're flaky and weird because we all know I can chow on some cereal. Anyway, I just throw a tablespoon of each into the bowl, add a couple plops of fruit (if using Gerber) or 1 cube (if homemade). Today was Gerber, of the apple-prune variety. Mmm.

10:30 a.m. 4-ounce bottle, served in the tony lobby of our pediatrician's office/in the back of the car.

Yep, we were at the doctor again. Miles was still pulling at his ear, and I was worried that his ear infection was lingering. I wanted to make sure he was as close to 100 percent as I could before leaving for NOLA so I made an appointment.

And, as it turns out, I was right. I might be 98 percent clueless but I did get that one right. New antibiotic for Miles. Yay. So if he's fussy for Mark this weekend, it will be separation anxiety and/or general crankiness.

Noon. 3-ounce bottle and 4 tablespoons cereal ... with beets. Yes, beets. My son ate beets. My son, who refused solids for so long. I swear my daycare provider can get him to do just about anything - nap, eat foods, behave.

3 p.m. 3-ounce bottle


5 p.m. 3 tablespoons cereal with green beans - his favorite.

And, no, we don't use bibs.

6 p.m. Potato

OK, he really didn't eat it. More like chewed. I gave it to him (washed, of course) while I was prepping my dinner.

Open-faced Buffalo chicken sandwich with roasted potatoes and broccoli.

7 p.m. 6-ounce bottle

11 p.m. 4-ounce bottle

Sounds super interesting, right? I'm sure you've got something better. What are you eating today?

Oh, the shame

I'm a street walker.

But before you get your minds in the gutter, I must also tell you something else.

 I'm also a street runner.

It's more about logistics than anything else. It's much easier to negotiate a stroller on a semi-smooth road than it is a sidewalk with its bumps and dips and tree limbs and sometimes parked cars. If it's a whole family run, we simply can't fit on the sidewalk. The BOB takes up a good 75 percent of available space and Denali would take the whole sidewalk to himself if he could.

Of course, when I run alone, I could opt for the sidewalk. And, sometimes, I do. However, weather (roads are more likely to be plowed and salted) and plain old habit keep me on the streets 70 percent of the time.

And that's where I found myself on Sunday during my long run. Before I tell you the story behind this post, I need to tell you a little bit about this run. I had 6 miles on tap as a pseudo taper ahead of this weekend's Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans half-marathon relay. During taper weeks, I always have this little devil saying that it would be totally OK to wuss out on the run and do just a few miles. Such was the case on Sunday. My legs were heavy and sore from Saturday's Body Pump class and I only had Mark with me for 3 miles.  Three miles as we set off just sounded better than six.

However, for all my mental weakness, I found myself really enjoying the run. By the time I dropped off my three boys and set out on my own, I felt amazing. It was one of those times that you wish running would be all the time but, in reality, you only experience 10 percent of the time. I felt strong. Fast, even. (Note: Feeling fast doesn't always equal running fast.) The sun was shining, making it easy to feel joyous for the ability and determination to run.

My state of euphoria, though, was burst just as I was about to enter the home stretch. I was standing - gasp - in the street, waiting to cross a semi-busy street into my neighborhood. I was waiting for a car to turn when an old lady turned onto the street where I was. As she passed, she waved her finger at me.

Maybe she was doing a little dance to some him jive music but I have a feeling she was shaming me. For standing in the street. If I didn't love my grandma so much or have a general fear of getting shot (you never know who is packing heat these days), I might have done something more than stand there in disbelief. I might have done more than spend the rest of my fabulous outing running with hate.

Don't get me wrong - I don't expect drivers to applaud as they pass me (though that would be nice) but I don't think they should be wagging their finger at me. After all, I'm braving the fake winter cold to do something good for myself and, in turn, good for my family. The shame should be on those who choose to look down and judge me for my decision.

But maybe that's just me. What are your thoughts?

If the shirt fits

I’m not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination. Nine times out of 10, I’m headed to work with spit up or oatmeal on my shirt.

The other one time?

Yeah, I’d be workout clothes.

But there’s one piece of fashion advice that I can share with you: If you are losing weight, there’s nothing more important than having clothes that fit. Sure, it’s can be fun to see how baggy your shirts can get and pull off your pants without unbuttoning them. However, well-fitting clothes will help you to see the physical effects of weight loss and make you feel better mentally. (Read: If you look dumpy, you’ll feel dumpy.)

It’s for that reason that I invited L to go shopping with me. My girl is dropping the LBs and is looking good. Her pants are loose, shirts hanging off – definitely reasons to get some new duds. When I was losing weight, I often went to Clothes Mentor (a consignment shop) to pick up basics but lucky for L, I had received a couple coupons for two free Best Tees from Old Navy via Crowdtap and Old Navy’s Sample and Share program.

Disclosure: My participation in Crowdtap is not related to the blog nor was I compensated. I’m just choosing to share our shopping adventure with you.

We hit up the store after Body Pump and Zumba … and lunch … and started eying the goods.

All right, all right. I got a little distracted from our task at hand. Cardigans, butterfly dresses and running jackets with thumb holes are hard to ignore!

L picked up two V-neck vintage tees – one in a gorgeous aqua and the other in a vibrant pink.

I originally grabbed a couple racerback tanks but later found out they weren’t part of the deal (even though that’s what I had seen on the website). Womp. Womp. I ended up with two ribbed tanks – one in blue moon and one pink striped. It might not have been what I wanted but I wear the crap out of these in the summer so it’s no biggie.

And I’ll be back for the racerbacks. After all, what better what to show off all my work in Body Pump than a fitted tank.

Miles, who was shopping with us, refused to leave empty handed. I found him a lion hat on clearance for $2.97. I bought it in the hopes that it will fit him next winter! Rawr.

And as for my winter wardrobe? Well, it got a little addition.

Check out the coat I got for $9.97 – originally $89.97. Booyah! Even better than that? It’s an extra small – two words that I never thought I would see on a clothing label in my closet.

Oh, and before I go, remember when I said I wasn’t a fashionista? Yeah. Just check out my legging, fleece, fake Ugg combo. I so wasn’t lying.

Are you a fashionista? What clothing tips do you have for someone losing weight?

Friday Love: Luck be a lady

Things are about to get crazy.

After bringing back WIAW this week, I thought I'd revive one of my old features - Friday Love. It might be just for today ... or it might not. We'll see.But since it's been so long, let's skip the introductions and get on with it.

Food. There's this not-so-tiny Greek restaurant not too far from our house that Mark and I love to frequent. I love the exuberant owner and his tzatziki sauce, and Mark loves the braised lamb over noodles with a starter of avgolemono soup. We'd probably eat there every week but since we try to rotate our dining out, we usually only make it once a month or so. In an effort to tide us over, I brought a little bit of Greek to us.

 

Homemade Avgolemono Soup and Greek-inspired grilled cheese.

I made the soup based on this recipe, subbing rice for orzo, and it turned out OK. I think I blended the eggs and lemon juice too much and it ended up a bit, umm, frothy.

The grilled cheese, though ... yeah. Wow. I had some white (gasp!) pitas in the freezer so I started with those. I added a slice of Provolone (broken in half, one for each side of the inside), raw spinach, diced tomatoes, chopped roasted red pepper and feta. I put it in the skillet and used the tea kettle, bottom covered in foil, to smash it down. Flip and smash some more. Very good.

Nutritionals on the sandwich: 181 calories, 8 grams fat, 12 grams protein and 15 carbs.

 Fitness. When I made my Martian half-marathon plan, I was very set on one thing: I only wanted to run three days a week. I didn't want the pressure of a fourth run as sometimes the mornings can be a bit hectic. However, with fake winter, my 5K and just a general desire, I have been running 4 days a week. And, I have to say, I'm quite happy about it. It just feels good to be running more - mentally, at least.

Life. I feel like such a lucky girl. And not just because I'm mom to the most beautiful boy on the planet. Come on, I'm used to that by now.  No, yesterday I not only won a giveaway on GU Energy Lab's Facebook page (I'll be receiving some of the new Roctane drink mix!) but I came home to find a sample from Procter & Gamble. And by sample, I mean a new full-size (desperately needed) Cover Girl mascara.

I often sign up for free samples that I see on Money Saving Mom so I'm assuming that's where it came from but I'm going to pretend the Beauty Fairy was pushing me to actually put effort into my appearance.

(Read effort as haphazardly apply minimal makeup in the car while parked in the parking lot of your office building.)

What are you loving lately?

A lesson in sacrifice ... or why I'm not giving up shit for lent

I grew up in a Catholic family, attended Catholic school and lived (I swear) in one of the most Catholic cities in the country.

 

 
From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, my life was ruled by sacrifice, Boy Scout fish fries, the Stations of the Cross and the desire for what I couldn't have -- sausage links and candy. Or pop. Or hitting my brother. Or ice cream. Or whatever else I had decided to give up for Lent that year.

Even as my religious "practice" waned, I still kept up the ritual of giving up something for Lent. I liked to think it made me a better person and that I was doing it for the glory of God. But let's get real. I was doing it for myself as a way to kick off a diet or renew my healthy lifestyle.

 
For 40 days, I would give up soda or potatoes or candy and then, on Easter Sunday, I'd hit up the brunch buffet at Granite City and eat my weight in Carmel Rolls and Reggiano Hashbrowns. Total fail on sacrificing for God and total fail on improving my eating because all I was learning was to restrict and purge.

When I realized that Ash Wednesday was this week (thanks to my college roommate for reminding me/giving me an "Oh shit" moment), my immediate reaction was to start thinking of what to "sacrifice" this year.

Enter completely non-nonsensical thoughts of a sleep-deprived mother.

I could give up ice cream, especially the three bites of Mark's I eat each night, because Lord knows I don't need it. Wait. I could give up Diet Coke because that devil aspartame is going to make me need teeth whitening. Or what about macaroni cheese - kryptonite to my carb-loving self. It tasted way too good at the hospital the other day and it's really too easy to make shells and cheese for a side dish. Hot chocolate. Maybe hot chocolate? I know there are way more calories in that cup from the vending machine even if it is teeny tiny.

And then I realized that the only person/deity I was thinking of was myself. If I really wanted to do something for God, I would move my long runs to Saturday and go to church on Sunday. Or at least think about going to church and not running. (Don't even get me started on the notion that it would be me pretending to be pious for a whole 40 days.)

On the flip side, if I want to do something for myself - if I want to make positive changes - I don't need to wait for the black cross on my forehead for the go-ahead. I can do it any time as long as I set my mind to it.


Lent - what are your thoughts?

WIAW: A brief return

I felt like I had finally made my peace with the scale. After nearly eight months of trying to get my pre-baby body back, I resigned myself to the idea that maybe, just maybe, my post-baby happy weight would be more like 129-130 than the 125 I wanted it to be and definitely not the 122 I saw on the scale just shortly before the big news.

Then something happened. I lost two pounds. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I was filled with new energy and new hope that the number 125 would be in my future. My resolve to eat well was renewed, and I recorded my first 20-mile week.

But just as the excitement set in, something happened. This time, not so good. I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and I was up 3 pounds. I know there is no way I gained 3 pounds and it's likely a fluke but it didn't do much for my mood, which was already dampened because my run got rained out.

In an effort to not let the scale (or Fat Tuesday) set me back, I thought I would bring back What I Ate Wednesday just for fun. 

Breakfast



Grits with cheese and dippy egg

Unpictured: Pre-breakfast snack of Fiber One 90-cal bar

Mid-morning snack



Fat-free hot chocolate spiked with instant coffee

Lunch



"Sushi" salad - Bibb lettuce topped with diced cucumbers, matchstick carrots, cubed avocado, faux crab and a brown rice mixture made with brown rice (duh!), 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon wasabi and a couple drops of Sriracha.

Afternoon snacks

 

Apple, Chips Ahoy 100-calorie pack, 1 ounce cashews and Weight Watchers smoked mozzarella string cheese

Dinner



The Deen Brothers Lighter Slow Cooked Stuffed Pepper (On a side note, this recipe was good but not great. I loved the ease of preparation and nutritional stats but it was definitely lacking in flavor. I would add more salt or even better, season salt, black pepper and maybe some Italian herbs.)

Unpictured: Post-run fat-free fudge pop

How did you fare on Fat Tuesday? I would like to note that I passed up King Cake, brownies, pasta leftover from a luncheon in another department and french bread. Go me!

Hello, MOTOACTV: a product review

Anyone who knows me knows that I love my Garmin Forerunner 305.

Well, loved my Garmin.

After nearly 2 years, my favorite training tool was beginning to fail me. It was taking forever to find a satellite. It was taking forever to load workouts - if they even loaded. It was crashing my laptop at any chance it got.

I tried to make things better between us. I  spoke with customer service (the Garmin folks are great!) and got the crash issue resolved. For a short period. I ordered a new USB connector thingy (technical term) from Amazon but it only made it apparent that I was going to need a new cradle - if not a new Garmin. I was scouting discounts and trying to draft a creative, witty proposal to Mark on why we needed to forgo a new dresser for a new Garmin when I got an email.

A very interesting email.

The folks at MOTOACTV had seen my story on Yahoo! and read on this here blog that I had just registered for the Martian half-marathon. I have newish shoes and a pair of tights to get me through training but what I didn't have was a MOTOACTV.

The MOTOACTV, I was told, is an all-in-one GPS fitness tracker and smart music player. It's  the perfect companion to help motivate, track, and share workouts. The device features running, biking, elliptical and stair climbing settings. (No swimming for you, you crazy triathletes.)

After some reading and wallet soul searching, I decided that I had nothing to lose by accepting the generous offer. Within a few short days, I was sent an 8GB MOTOACTV with several accessories - the wrist band, the arm band and the bike mount.

It took me a few days to get everything set up and ready (I got it just before Mark went away for the weekend) but soon enough we were off and running ... literally.

Like any relationship, it took us some time to get to know each other but after two weeks and 10 or so runs, I'm ready to share my thoughts.

Oh, you're just a dainty little thing. Weighing in at 35 grams, the MOTOACTV feels significantly lighter than the hefty Garmin Forerunner 305. It is, however, just as big dimension-wise.

 
Like an iPhone but not. Once I got past just how light this thing was, I was enamored with the display. It was like switching from an old Nokia phone to an iPhone. The display is bright and colorful, and the menus are accessed through touch. I felt like the menus made sense, and it was easy to navigate the system to find what I wanted. Also, the color display makes it much easier to see things like pace, mileage, etc. even in the early morning hours. The only downside is that in the winter you will need to take off a glove or have those fancy tech gloves to get to what you want.

Locating, locating, locating. One of my complaints with the Forerunner 305 was just how long it took to find a satellite. It seemed like forever. And by forever, I mean at least a tenth of a mile walk and sometimes longer. The MOTOACTV has a countdown timer to show you how long it takes. For me it's never been longer than 30 seconds and is usually in the 10 second range.

Glitches. I've had a couple times where things weren't working just right. One of my first times out with the MOTOACTV, I hit something and the display changed. I could no longer see my pace, which was crucial as I was doing a tempo run. Another time, the pace showed just "---" as if I lost satellite but I hadn't. I knew that because it showed a changing distance. When I sync'ed the workout, it showed paces for those splits.

End workout. Damnit! I am not a non-stop runner. We pause for poopy breaks (Denali, not me) and intersections and checks on Miles. You can use an autopause setting (which I hated - took 5+ seconds to pause and didn't restart automatically) or you can manually stop-start the watch by pressing a button at the top of the device. However, when doing so it's too easy to accidentally swipe the screen and end the workout. Seriously, my long run on Sunday was in three parts because of it. It would be nice if there was an "are you sure" feature after pressing end workout.

Sync it to me. After having issues syncing my Garmin, I think the sync feature might be my favorite. Once you end your workout and walk in your house, with a few finger strokes, you can sync your workout via a wifi connection. The information is uploaded to your MOTOACTV profile, where you can look at splits, route and other features.

Music to my ears. While I'm not one to listen to music during most runs because I have the stroller, it is nice to have a playlist to zone out to. MOTOACTV users can sync their music via iTunes (or other things I'm sure) directly to the device, eliminating the need for a Garmin and an iPod. You can sync as much as you want but I created a playlist in iTunes and uploaded just that because 8GB fills up fast when you factor in the space the maps require.

The cool thing about the music feature isn't that you can listen to "Bye Bye Bye" during your 5K - it's that you can see how fast you ran to that song during your 5K when you sync your workout.

For instance, at my recent 5K, I ran my fastest splits to "Bye Bye Bye" and "Jai Ho" and my slowest to "Set Fire to the Rain" and "ET." If I need to run fast, I should listen to the first two. If I need to keep pace in check, Adele's my girl.

Accessorize your life. When you get the MOTOACTV, you get the MOTOACTV - and that's it. The wristband, the armband, bike mount - those are all extra. One could easily spend the equivalent of the device on the accessories, especially if you get the wireless headphones and chest strap (want this!). Sure, it's nice to get just what you need but this girl likes options and options are expensive.

Final thoughts. I like the MOTOACTV. And not just because I got it for free. You see, we've become buddies and I can't imagine going back to the Garmin. Unless I get into triathlons but that's a whole other story ...


Disclosure: The MOTOACTV and accessories were given to me but all opinions are my own.

Bottom's up

Sometimes you just need a beer.

Served in a glass from your first 5K ... of course.

Sometimes a baby cries for his mom from the moment he gets up till the moment he goes to bed - even if said mom needs to brush teeth and make dinner.

Sometimes a toilet leaks ... and gets your running shoes wet.

Sometimes the weather is absolutely beautiful ... on your rest day.

Sometimes there's rain and snow forecast for your run day.

Sometimes the kitchen faucet doesn't work and when you buy a replacement it doesn't fit.

Sometimes, after a second trip to Menards, a far pricier model and three hours of paid labor later, you have drinking water that doesn't come out of a sprayer.

Sometimes you forget to buy chicken for your chicken lasagna rollups. 

Sometimes you get the dang "Laugh and Learn Puppy" song stuck in your head ... for the entire day, leaving you singing "I love you/I love you/Morning, noon and night."

Sometimes your co-workers don't appreciate karaoke hour sponsored by Fisher Price.

Sometimes a hungry bug bites you.

Sometimes you feel like a chunk even though your pants size indicates otherwise.

Sometimes you run out of calories for the day and don't give a flying fig leaf.

Yeah. Sometimes you just need a beer.

Ten(tatively) scheduled

It couldn't be right. It just couldn't. My training schedule, you see, said I was supposed to run 10 miles today.

 Ten miles.

Ten miles with eight weeks still to go till the Martian.

Who the hell makes a half-marathon training plan where you run double digit runs so early?

 Source

Oh.

Wait.

 That would be me.

I'm fairly certain I designed the plan to include as many double-digit runs as possible because I do best at 13.1 with higher mileage. Either that or I'm a masochist.

This morning, I was betting on the latter.

Nonetheless, I got myself all gussied up in Pearl Izumi tights, a C9 Target top and Nike quarter-zip -- I am loyal to no one -- and tried to get my head in the game. I thought of Megan and Lee who had already fit in (and rocked) their long runs for the weekend. I reminded myself that for 6 miles (the first four would be as a family) I would get to be all by myself. And I did some fuzzy math and realized that 10 miles would finally get me the elusive 20-mile week that I haven't seen in forever.

So I went.

The first four miles weren't too bad. Good, actually. And by good, I mean that I ran too fast with Mark and didn't have to push the stroller. It was a bit cold - 25ish - but there was little wind and some sunshine.

After Mark, Miles and Denali left me, I headed down a main road to catch a section of the Rivergreenway that I don't get to go down much. It was so nice to wind through the woods along the river and feel completely alone. To be somewhere that didn't feel so familiar.

I could have ran the back end of the park where I run a lot but opted to turn off at a trailhead and run through some neighborhoods that would be considered, maybe, urban. I just kept an eye on my distance on the MOTOACTV and winded through as necessary to build mileage. The one thing I didn't want to do was have to run past the house and loop around because I knew if I did, there'd be no loop.

(Did you catch that part about the MOTOACTV? Stay tuned for a review.)

I finished up at 10.02 with a 10:02 pace, strangely enough. And then I had a bowl of oatmeal with pecan butter and dried apricots. Definitely a win-win situation.

How did your weekend shape up?

These are my confessions

I buy trigger foods - like Honey Bunches of Oats - because they are on sale and have a coupon. And then I proceed to eat two giant bowls because I want to and not because I'm hungry.

I find it hard to say no to co-workers when they wave coconut puffs of heaven in my face and taunt me with facts like, "They don't even have 70 calories."

I have a bite (or three) of Mark's ice cream each night, even if I just had my own portioned treat (read: Skinny Cow bar).

I bribe myself to drink water ... with Diet Coke.

I occasionally eat overly processed pre-packaged meals because they are convenient.

I sometimes make a 6-cup pot of coffee just for myself.

I reheat yesterday's coffee if I managed to stop myself at cup No. 4.

Sometimes that reheated coffee is the only thing that gets me out to run. That, and the hope that a run will put Miles to sleep.

I miss running 6-7 miles before work and sometimes wonder what I would do with myself if I didn't have a baby.

I get down on myself for not being able to run as fast as I used to. 

I walk around the house post-run in tights and a sports bra ... and I don't care that we have no curtains in the kitchen and my neighbors can see in.

I dream of having plastic surgery to remove the extra skin so I could care even less about my neighbors seeing my bare belly.

Unfortunately, more bare belly means more places off which Denali can lick sweat. I've given up stopping him.

I flip off the dog when he wakes up Miles.

I also flip off the dog when he steals my Weight Watchers Chocolate-Raspberry Ice Cream Bar while I'm trying to give Miles a bottle and feed myself.

Our bedtime routine, the one that's so important for babies, involves a bottle and "Wheel of Fortune." For everyone involved.

I am pretty sure Miles will flip off his kindergarten teacher and tell her to "leave it" and "no face" because that's what is said most often at our house.


I could never be a stay-at-home. I like eating my lunch with two hands too much. Even if said lunch is a pre-packaged Smart Ones.

What are your confessions?

Only a dream

I keep seeing them on Twitter. Those damn Spartans.

And while I wish they were of the Gerard Butler variety, they are more of the kick your ass variety.

The Spartan Race is an obstacle race ala the Muddy Buddy, Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, Mud Run - well, you know what I mean. By the way, did you know there's a Hero Rush? It's an obstacle race designed by firefighters. Can we say yummy?

Anyway ... the Spartan Race looks absolutely bad ass in an epic sort of way. There are four different levels or races, so to speak - sprint, super, beast and death - all with their own challenges. However, according to their website, "There is fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and occasionally Hell on Earth. There WILL be obstacles to catch you off guard. Curve balls, so to speak. Get over it."

Sort of sounds like the HUFF, except you know in advance that you are paying for Hell on Earth.

Considering I rocked the HUFF (or something like it) I would be all about doing the Indiana Spartan ... but it's one week after the Martian Half-Marathon, and I need to be mindful of my race/traveling budget. Damn being a responsible grown-up!

Other races I'd like to do with an open-ended budget and schedule:

Source

Nike Women's Half Marathon. San Francisco. Tiffany necklaces. A group of amazing women. I'm not sure that there's anything more appealing than that (except my upcoming trip to NOLA with my BFF). I am sure it's an overpriced difficult race but I'd love to take a girls' weekend with all of my loves and enjoy all that San Fran has to offer and see the city in an amazing way.

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Madrid. Ever since I got sucked into the Mario Batali-Gwyneth Paltrow tour through Spain that aired on PBS, I've been dying to go to Spain and more specifically Madrid. The food, culture, history, scenery - they all appeal to me, and we all know that one of the best ways to explore a new place is on foot.

Bourbon Chase. Relays are all the rage in the blog community it seems, with Ragnar being the top dog. This relay is a 200-mile journey across the Bluegrass State – through our historic bourbon distilleries, across our majestic horse country, and into our enchanting small towns. Mark and I took a vacation to Louisville just before I got pregnant, and we toured Maker's Mark and visited Heaven Hill. It was one of the best and most picturesque trips we've ever taken. I would love to relive it mile by mile. The race, which is in September, is already sold out for 2012 and teams will have to participate in a lottery for 2013. Who wants to start buying tickets now?

What is your dream race? Do you have anything exciting on the horizon?

Up to tempo

I put it in my MyFitnessPal tracker. I tweeted about it. I told my co-worker running pal that he was going to have to match me.

And I even told Mark no. 

No, I wouldn’t be going to DeBrand’s for its signature sundae.

I had plans. Plans that involved a little thing called the treadmill and an activity called running. Thirty minutes would be the goal. Thirty minutes of doing something – anything – to get myself moving.

I also had plans to do a Jillian Micahels’ DVD but that was quickly scratched the plan. Why? My plan to just get in a run gradually became a plan to get in this week’s tempo run.

 
30 minutes – 5 minute warm-up, 20 minutes hard and 5-minute cool down. With Saturday’s 5K as a baseline, the 20 minutes hard were to be ran at a 9:12 to 9:32 pace (or 6.3 to 6.5 on the treadmill). The only hitch was that I didn’t carefully read my schedule, and I thought it was a 35-minute workout. D’oh.

My sick little guy went down promptly at 7, and I headed down to the basement armed … with my laptop. I started out with a short walk, then jogged at 5.0 until the five-minute mark. I bumped it up then to 6.3 and at 10 minutes, I bumped it up to 6.4. Fifteen minutes in, I went up to 6.5 with the idea of going down the “ladder” at 20 minutes. However, I kept thinking to myself, “Stick with 6.5 for this song. Stick with 6.5 till this xx minute. Oh, God. I love to run fast to N’Sync.” (Not so) soon enough, I hit the 30-minute mark and began my cool down.

It was a tough workout, and one I’m quite proud of. Not only did I push myself on the treadmill, which I totally suck at, but I nailed the paces perfectly. After writing last week about my disregard for training intervals, Robyn mentioned that it is good to practice pacing. It’s not just to avoid injury but to make sure you are in shape to do the next workout. It does no good to give it all you’ve got if you have nothing the next day.

And today I need it. I have plans again - this time to do Bob Harper's "Total Body Transformation." You heard it hear so I have to do it ...even though I hate it. It's not because it's long (60 minutes) or because the one guy in the back seems like such a dweeb. No, I hate it because it's hard.

Side burpees? Really? I guess I'll see you at 6 p.m.

In the kitchen

"A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil." - James A. Garfield

Source

And, that my friends, is the devil. Marbled Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies.


I thought I would be nice to Mark and make him a little Valentine's Day treat. I considered peanut butter bars and his favorite chocolate raspberry cake but settled on these brownies after seeing red velvet recipe after red velvet recipe on my favorite not-so-healthy food blogs. 

And, really, what says I love you better than chocolate + cheesecake + the color red?

 
Oh, I know ... making your significant one something that makes you lose all self control and willpower. I'm fairly certain that I ate the equivalent of 3,245 brownies when I was cutting the treats into heart shapes for Mark's dessert and lunch the next day and the squares for us both to take to work. Each sliver of brownie that could have gone in the trash went into my mouth.


Other things that came out of my kitchen recently:

Baked apples and steamed carrots for baby food purees. We're not cool enough to do baby led weaning but I am doing my best to make as much of Miles' food as I can.

"Make What  Your Fridge Gave Ya" white pizza: Whole Wheat-White crust that I had frozen with leftover light Ragu alfredo and produce remnants - spinach, broccoli and tomato. Oh, and cheese. Of course.

Amoxicillin. I might not have made it but it's being served up twice a day for the next week. It seems Miles' cold turned into an ear infection and bronchialitis. 


What have you made lately?