Weekend Update - Times Two

Last Weekend: 

Thursday night, To celebrate it being the hubs first week at the new job we drank my champs that was given to me by a company we are working with... it was yummy, but I would never spend that much money on champs if I was buying it myself...

 

 

yes we drank it in t-shirts, just cause its fancy, doesn't mean we have to be uncomfortable.. we did however break out our champs glasses that we got when we got married. LOVE the Lenox wine/champs glasses, they are more hearty than other brands I have used, and I have been known to break a wine glass or two while trying to clean them.. I know, call me Hulk! haha

can you tell he didn't want to drink this and celebrate?? he is a "don't fuss over me" kind of guy, which makes me want to fuss over him more because I wasn't able to the first 25 years of his life! :)

 

cheers! yes we drank fancy champs in our PJs, no shame in this game!

 

 

Last Friday I spent the day with my mawmaw, I didn't take any pictures because she is not doing well and looks horrible and I don't want to ever remember or think of her that way, she will forever be the strong woman I remember from just a few years ago.

 

Saturday I got in a couple hours of QT with my baby sister... she has been really stressed with nursing school and helping to take care of my mawmaw, so we did what she wanted to do- paint! She is super talented, she free handed that LSU Tiger eye... I used a stencil for my fleur de lis and her coaster STILL looks better than mine!

 

 

finished product just not baked with a glaze yet

 

in process

 

our brother came by for a bit, but then left to go tailgate with friends, I didn't need to tailgate, I wanted some family time with my sis and aunt and mawmaw, so I joined him later for the game

 

 

the hubs and I planned on letting my bro go to one game with me and after the monsoon that hit Tiger Stadium I imagine he was glad he let him come to the Auburn game with me... my brother even convinced me to move to the student section for the 4th quarter - I felt old... I don't feel like I ever looked that young while I was in college... it was crazy! My cousins sit there every game still and they are around my age, I don't know how they do it! My older cousin is on his 14th season in the student section at Tiger Stadium... 14th!!!!!

 

 

Maddie wants another bed, in the meantime Belle and her are taking turns borrowing the cats bed!

 

 

This past weekend:

 

This actually works out well that I didn't get last weekends update up last week because its an important precursor to this weekends update- all that rain got me sick, so sick that I was in PJs all weekend other than the 3 hours I got dressed to go to my friends 40th birthday Saturday night.

 

 

Saturday morning with my babies

 

 

Saturday afternoon... I did at least put on an LSU shirt for the Georgia game...

 

 

 

my boys snuggling..

 

 

Stormy's 40th birthday, we "wigged out" at a country bar! The good thing about me not feeling well is I got to be the hubs DD, he hasn't let loose in a while and he deserved it and had a fun night!

 

of course I had to get a purple wig...

 

loved her Farrah Fawcett wig!!!

 

 

yesterday I actually felt worse than Saturday, and I wasn't wanting to eat ANYTHING all weekend... so the hubs ran to the store and got me more Vit C, a route 44 unsweet peach tea, and a king size Reese's - I only ate half of it and shared the rest with him - its his fav candy too... and you know I am sick when I have that in my lap and only eat one piece and wait til the end of the night to eat the other...



 

I may not have eaten much this weekend, but I also didn't run or move AT ALL really from that couch... my half is in less than 2 weeks now and I haven't gotten in a run since last Monday and it was only 3 miles... I am hoping I don't die!

 

 

 

My First Guest Post: Emily Stone

Sorry I have been MIA this week, I was traveling for work and have gotten some sinus junk that makes me want to sleep when I am not working, I am so glad that Emily emailed me asking if she could guest post for me, the timing was GREAT. This is my first guest post and I love her ideas on how to stay on track with your diet and exercise. She has found a way to balance a busy life and eating healthy while getting in her workouts- something I am still working on! :)



Hi all, I'm Emily Stone, a SAHM, proud wife, runner, fitness freak, health food addict, and animal lover! I have my own blog in the works, but in the meantime, Melissa has been wonderful enough to let me write a post for her amazing blog. Today, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite tips on how to find time in your busy day for eating right and being active! If you have any questions feel free to email me!

Busy Day Hacks – A Post from Emily Stone

You’ve seen her. She’s the mom at the playground or the school parking lot. She looks so put together, and she’s in great shape. How does she do it, when I can barely get the kids there in time? I bet she’s not spending hours at the gym. And as much as I’d like to convince myself that she has a live-in cook who prepares delicious, healthy meals for her every day, I imagine that’s not really the case. The fact is that there are lots of things we moms can do to stay fit and healthy, without wasting a lot of our precious time or breaking the bank. If we do some research and prepare, it can actually be easy and maybe even fun.

Diet

I think I’ve done a good job mastering the art of the easy diet. I vary my approach based on the time I have, which depends a lot on the season and the days of the week. Early in the week, when I’ve got to get the kids ready for school and there is no time to eat, I grab a drink and go. Smoothies are really easy to make. I can puree and freeze fruit and vegetables ahead of time, then pop them in the blender and I’m done. If I want a big boost of protein or other nutrients, I’ll go for a protein shake like Shakeology.

When it comes to meals, planning ahead is crucial. I have a routine set for it now. On Saturday morning, I plan the meals for the next week. In the afternoon, I do my shopping. In the evening, if I have a little time, I might chop some vegetables or prepare a marinade. Then on Sunday, I make meals for the week. Sometimes it’s as simple as getting a dish ready to throw in the oven on the day I want to eat it. Other times, I will make the entrée on Sunday and then just reheat and serve on Monday or Tuesday. I thought I wouldn’t like eating what feels like leftovers. But many dishes (soups, casseroles) reheat perfectly well. And having several dishes in the fridge to choose from gives me variety when it comes to lunch, as well. Usually once a month I’ll check out the Food Network for new recipes that are quick and easy.

Exercise

I cringe when I imagine all the time I spent at the gym when I was young and single. I slaved away for an hour on a treadmill when I could have been done in less than half an hour. With two kids, I simply do not have the time. But I can still get a great workout. These days, I love to do interval training. The concept itself is simple. Work one muscle group until you’re about ready to quit, then switch to another. Shaun T., the creator of the Insanity workouts, has a great interval workout called T25. It’s an intense, focused workout in only 25 minutes, which means it’s easy to fit into naptimes and morning routines. But there’s so many available options, I can tailor my workout to fit my day. If I have more time in the morning, say on the weekend, I might go for a longer run. When I’ve got just a few minutes, with interval training I can still get my heart pumped and exercise my muscles.

Everybody’s busy, even that perfect mom I always see. The trick to staying healthy even when my schedule is totally crazy is in planning it out and maximizing my time. That way, I feel fitter, but I also feel productive and efficient.

My Best Run

I know you are all expecting an update on my 12 mile run this weekend, but sometimes a monsoon hits and that just doesn't get to happen... I had every intention of getting up Saturday morning at 7 and running, well I got up first at 5am due to the lightening and INTENSE rain, went back to sleep and got up again at 7 and decided it wasn't worth getting electrocuted and/or lost in New Orleans because I couldn't bring my phone or it would die from getting super soaked. It rained and rained and rained all day... it didn't stop until half time at the LSU game that night, around 9pm! So that run did NOT happen, but the run that did happen on Friday morning, was the best run I have EVER had.

 

I have had a lot of fun runs, but this run was different. After work Thursday I drove to my moms house in Laffy and spent the night there before finishing my drive to New Orleans to spend time with my mawmaw who isn't doing well. Friday morning I wanted to knock out a few miles to warm up for Saturdays big run. I got up and got dressed, talked to my mom a bit over a cup of coffee and was out the door.

 

I don't think I have ever talked about the details of how/where/when my daddy died, but it was exactly 2 blocks from our house, he went out running one night and never came back. It may have been almost 21 years ago, but I remember the events like it was last night that it had happened. The white car in the road in the picture below is right about where he collapsed on the sidewalk on that side of the street, and the house with the big oak tree is where the two guys lived who tried to resuscitate him and who called 911 for him.

 

 

I ran by this spot four times Friday morning, and it was a reminder of why I am training to run this half and in February whole marathon, its for him. My running is for him, to honor him, because he cant run anymore, but I can. If I can raise money to help the American Heart Association and one more dad gets to live because of the funds I raised running these long distances will all be worth it. I have found while training for this half that I am NOT a distance runner, my good/fun runs stop at 10ks, but I am doing this for a reason. I have participated in fund raisers for multiple causes and all are very important, but this one is BY FAR the most important to me. My world was turned upside down and has not been the same since Jan 27, 1993. That day my daddy was taken from me. I don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through, what my family went through. That is why I run.

This is the fastest I have run in my training so far, that wasn't speed training on a treadmill. I just kept thinking of him and how much I wish he could have been there running with me and how these were the very roads he ran, many years ago and it just propelled me to keep running faster and faster. I had negative splits!

 

I miss him every day and I know I always will, but having a run like this one almost made me feel like he was running with me. He is why I am running!

 

If you would like to donate, the link is below and its also always on my side bar.

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend update to come tomorrow!

22 days

22 days until my first half marathon...... I cant believe its just around the corner, one more long run this weekend then I start tapering my runs back off..

My friend here in Houston had to back out of it, she had bad shin problems and hasn't been able to run more than 5 miles, she is MUCH faster than me, so its not like we would have been running together, but I cant say I am not bummed she cant do it with me. I am excited that one of my blog lady friends, Leigh Ann is doing the same half though and I hope we can meet up before/after, if she doesn't mind waiting around for an hour or so for me to finish after her, because she is super fast and going to OWN this half! I think my cousin might try to do it as well, it will be both their second half's and my first and they are both way faster than me, but its nice to know people are running with you!

I am headed to New Orleans tonight after work so I will get to run this long run in the city I will be running the half in!!! I am headed down because my sister and best girl friend is down right now, she is in nursing school and kicking butt, but the stress of that and having to help take care of my mawmaw is getting to her, she needs a good fun weekend to de-stress!

My mawmaw had to go back to the ER again this week, I found that out AFTER I had planned my trip to go see her and my sister, I know she doesn't have a lot of time left and as much as I hate to admit and think about that, I want to get to spend as much time with her as I can. I love this woman like a mother, she practically raised me until my mom quit her job when I was 5 and we have ALWAYS been super close. I spent a summer at UNO and lived with her when I was in college. She is one of the most amazing women I know and I plan to cherish all the time we have together as best as I can, as much as I can living 6-7 hours away.

me and my mawmaw...

my awesome nurse sister



Family is very important to me and I hope I am wrong and mawmaw has a few more good years in her, after all she is only 87 years young!

Workout Wednesday: Full Body Workout

 

 

 

This is the workout I did last Wednesday for my sports conditioning class, its 3 rounds, and you do each round 3 times through before moving to the next round, I started with two 8lb dumbbells and changed to 5lbs. Repeat each step non stop for a minute, rest 15 seconds between each move. Rest one minute between each round.

 

Round 1:

 

1. summo squat with V shoulder press - you have the weights in between your legs during squat and then you lift them up like you are making a V with your arms

 

 

2. toe touches holding the weights steady like they are a bar

 

3. do a push up with the weights in your hands, then roll your legs/feet to the side and do a side plank with a lift with that sides weight

4. 30 seconds of jumping jacks with the weights directly into 30 seconds of running in place with the weights

 

 

Round 2:

 

1. side lunges while holding weights. tap weights to ground each time

 

2. sit in butterfly position, grab one of the weights and do sit ups tapping the weight on ground behind your head and in front of your legs

 

3. sit down in a half squat, rotate your upper body to each side and when at each side do a shoulder press with your weights

  

4. 30 seconds of jumping jacks with the weights directly into 30 seconds of running in place with the weights

 

Round 3:

 

1. sit on the ground and hold one weight in between both your feet, keeping your legs together, do v situps with weight in between your feet

 

 

 

2. move into a forward lunge, lean forward, do a bent over shoulder press into an arm kickback, and then push your legs back together using the leg that's bent forward and repeat

3. 30 seconds of jumping jacks with the weights directly into 30 seconds of running in place with the weights

 

Its a great full body workout!

 

 



Workout Goals for the Week: Half Training

Last week with taking half the week vacation I didn't do so hot with training.

Today- run 5 miles rest
Tues- run 3 miles
Wed- run 5 miles sports conditioning class
Thurs- weights rest
Frid- run 10 miles rest
Sat- rest
Sun- weights 10 miles

Total miles: 13


This week will be different, I am going to LA to visit my mawmaw and to go to LSU Auburn, but its crunch time... and I need to up my mileage!
Monday- rest
Tuesday- run 5 miles
Wednesday- run 4 miles
Thursday- spin
Friday- run 3 miles
Saturday- run 12 miles
Sunday- rest

Total miles= 24



I do not like my pace on my long runs, but I think I need to take my short runs outside to get my long runs pace up. I may try that this week depending on what the weather is like. I have been doing speed training and some tempo runs as well, so I am thinking it must be the difference in temperature that's getting me on the long runs since they are outside.

I cant wait to earn my 13.1 sticker and I know my pace doesn't matter when it comes to that, I am just always pushing myself for more. Its my first half so I just need to finish to PR, but since I am also training for the marathon in February the end goal is to finish that and the slower I am the longer I will have to run!

 

 

 

In a side note, anyone else feel like they are SUPER hungry all the time while training and running longer runs??? I ate horribly Sunday and when I run long runs I am hungry and usually its for junk - exhibit A the pizza hut I ate Sunday night. Anyone else have this issue? Any helpful tips/tricks??

10 mile run that almost wasnt and weekend away recap!

I took off work Thursday and Friday because the hubs starts his new job today and we wanted a long weekend away before he started at the new job. We drove up Wednesday evening and Thursday and Friday were spent working on finishing up our blinds and getting things lined out.

 

 

 

Saturday morning I had planned on doing my 10 mile run, but I woke up with a pounding headache, so I stayed in bed and the hubs went out to the stand to try and get a big 300# pig that had been messing with our feed pens. He came back around 9am with a fox, he didn’t see the hog, but pretty got a pretty cool fox, which was neat. These guys eat birds and their eggs and can attack baby fawns too... so these are on the always shoot list, along with coyotes.

 

 

Sunday morning was set for my run, set my alarm for 6:30am, got up and had peanut butter on a slice of bread, got dressed, grabbed a water, and my shot blocks and headed out to start my run. I found the gravel road along the edge of our place was a mile up to the top, so I ran my 10 miles on gravel. I could have gone to the highway, but every time we drive it, I see a dead deer from someone hitting it and I didn’t want to get squashed and I could have run through our property, but I was worried about rattle snakes and getting bit. So my 10 miler was going to be a trail run, on gravel, with hills. I almost sprained my left ankle twice and almost bit it BAD once.

Half a mile in I noticed a cactus pricker in the arch/heel region of my right shoe, and I landed on it from time to time and would get a nice jab. I did get to see deer at the high fence, I noticed a doe on our side and a buck and fawn on the other, it was like they were at the fence talking to each other – it was really cute. During mile 2 I started to feel like I needed to go to the bathroom, never again am I going to carb load at a Mexican restaurant!

Got to see the most beautiful sunrise during mile 3, it was breathtaking. 4 miles in I finally gave in and stopped to go to the bathroom and try to remove the cactus pricker from the bottom of my shoe. The bathroom in our trailer in not big, and by this point I was already a sweaty mess from the first 4 miles. I cannot tell you how many times I told myself, I am just going to stop here, 4 miles of trails and hills is good, can I do 10 miles, much less 10 tough miles??? I couldn’t get the pricker out, so I used my fingers and pushed it as far down in the shoe as I could and then I tried to put my compression capris back on- while a sweaty mess, it was a nightmare! I was about to strip down and hit the shower and quit, but something in me decided I NEEDED to do this. My half would not be fun if I didn’t get in a couple more long runs beforehand. So I got it together and went back out to run the last 6 miles.

 

Miles 4-7.5 one of my girls ran with me, miss Maddie enjoyed her mommy and me time, and I was going only going to take her 2 miles, but when I got back to get here sister, miss Belle was not feeling well, she left the trailer to use the potty and then went right back to bed, think she had an upset tummy, so I left to go run without her and Maddie followed a bit longer. We got to see some simitar horned oryx in the high fenced ranch next door which was pretty cool and we heard a coyote, which made me a bit nervous, but we never saw it. She was getting worn out so I dropped her off with her daddy and he got  her in the trailer so I could finish the 10 alone. Poor thing probably would have finished with me, but I have never taken her more than 2/so miles because I usually split my runs between the two girls, so I didn’t want to burn her out.

 

 

the little white looking dots are the oryx- sorry its a crappy Iphone pic

 

I finished and I was so proud I kept going. It seems like that’s how things always work out, life happens and gives you multiple outlets to excuse yourself from doing what you had planned to do workout or eating wise and I for one a lot of times take those outs, so I am really proud of myself for sticking with this one.

 

I wasn't fast, its my slowest pace to date, but I DID IT! I finished and that's whats most important. My heart rate monitor said I burnt 2,000 cals over the 2 1/2 hours it took to finish, between bathroom breaks and dropping off the dog...

 

 

 

A summary of my pace and the hills I ran:

 

Why do you run? I run for a lot of these reasons, but also to prove to myself that I am capable of doing things I never thought possible!

 

 

 

A picture of 3 of my 4 babies in the truck on the way home last night, they are too cute!!!

 

Last week I got in one 3 mile run and my 10 miler, so only 13 miles for the week. Today I am resting, but I am back at it tomorrow. Weekly goals will be posted tomorrow.

We are also half way through the month and I am STILL planking!!!! Its VERY hard planking longer than a minute. I WILL finish this challenge if it kills me! Are you planking?

 

I will always remember...

I am the kind of person who is very forgetful. I makes to do lists and live and die by my Outlook calendar to know what's going on that day/week. However, there are some days that are etched so well in my memory it seems like it was just yesterday. One of those days is today. Twelve years ago I was a high school senior in calculus class when someone came and knocked on the back door and announced that we should come to the multi-purpose room because they had the tv on and that a plane had hit one of the towers. (Yes back then we didn't have a tv in every room.) It is hard to describe the emotions that ran through me when I heard this, I was shocked first and foremost, scared about what else could happen, worried and sad for my friends who had family in that building, and confused as to why someone would do something like this.

We watched and were in amazement at what we were seeing. All my life to that point I had never experienced anything like this. I knew wars went on, but never anything on US soil, never anything that made me feel like I wasn't safe. I was so naïve and this was the beginning of the end to that. I will never forget that  day and the lives that were lost.

Today my thoughts are with the family members of all those who died that day, either in the attack or during the rescue operations. Its amazing how we could all come together as a country and see people rise to the occasion to help complete strangers. We need to remember that sense of unity as a nation and know that we are stronger when we work together. I am so thankful for all the volunteers, firefighters, cops, and other service men and women who risked their lives for others.

I am also thankful for all those who have since gone to fight for our freedom, risking everything for this country. My sister and brother in law are both marines who actually met while over there and I have the utmost respect for those who are willing to risk it all, so that we can have the liberties and freedoms that we do today.


We are and have always been lucky to live in the US and today is a day that should remind us of that.

Half Marathon Training Update: 5 Weeks To Go!!!

I only had two runs last week... it was a crazy busy and off week for me, one 4 miler and one 2 miler. Then I wake up this morning and realize I only have 5 weeks til my FIRST HALF MARATHON. This is craziness to me... so I have changed up my training plan for an intense final push so I don't kill myself for this half AND since its on a game day - the Florida game, I would like to be alive enough after to enjoy the game too!

I am worried more than anything that the weather will not be cool or it will be super humid, in South Louisiana, just like in Texas, in October weather is a crap shoot. According to the farmers almanac its been a high of 80 degrees all but one year in the past five, that year the high was 90, so the weather should cooperate, but who knows.


This weeks plan:
Today- run 5 miles
Tues- run 3 miles
Wed- run 5 miles
Thurs- weights
Frid- run 10 miles
Sat- rest
Sun- weights

Total miles: 23



I CAN DO THIS!


I am taking off Thursday and Friday this week to head up to the property early and relax some... it will be a great chance to get in my long run!


This past weekend was a blast, we picked up the trailer and headed to La for the season home opener against UAB. We had a great time and won! Pictures and a more detailed weekend update will have to come tomorrow!

Breakfast Recipe Link Up!

My Favorite Oatmeal

I like quick and easy, especially when it comes to breakfast! This recipe is JUST that!

I buy the Quaker quick 1 minute oats and add hot water from the company coffee maker then I add walnut pieces, almond pieces, fiber powder, and cinnamon to help it fill me up and taste yummy. Plain oatmeal is boring, but you can jazz it up with any ingredients!



Mini Egg Omelets

Another favorite of mine is Skinny Taste's Broccoli and Cheese Mini Omelets.
They are amazing and super filling and only 167 cals for two!!!! I make mine on the weekend, put them in ziplocks and grab and go in the morning!



Cereal

Without a doubt my favorite two cereals are Fiber One (the regular one) with a banana cut up in it or Kashi Go Lean CRUNCH! Both are delicious and super filling as far as cereals go!




Sorry for the lack of pictures... I know its boring... but these breakfast finds are yummy and I was rushed for time this morning!

I am taking a half day at work so we can go pick up our TRAVEL TRAILER, I am super excited... and then we are headed to LA for the first home game of the season, GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!

Runners

 

This was too good NOT to share!

 

Weekend Update, Half Training, and September Plank Challenge

My sister visited this weekend and we hung out and played with my babies all weekend for the most part... she got in late Friday night, Saturday she studied some while I went shopping with another friend and then I watched the game while she studied, she has a big nursing test this week..

 

 

 

 

Pictures of us on game day... watchin the Tigers win!

 

more adorable baby pictures

 

Sunday morning I got up at 6:30 so I could have time to eat and still get out and run at 7am, the humidity was 92%!!!! It was HOTT, but I brought a water bottle and my GU Chomps and I did it... slowly, but surely!

 

 

 

 

Then we went and hung out at the pool some to relax..

 

 

For Labor Day she had to catch an early bus so then I met up with another friend and caught up with her a while, then went home and watched some tv and relaxed

 

 

 

Last week (planned in black, actual in red):

Monday- weights weights

Tuesday-  4 mile run 3 mile run

Wednesday- weights sports conditioning class

Thursday- 3.5 mile run 4 mile run

Friday- weights rest

Saturday- 8.5 mile run rest

Sunday- rest 8.5 mile run

total miles: 16 15.5 miles total

 

Goals for this week:

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 2 mile run

Wednesday: 4 mile run

Thursday: weights

Friday: 2 mile run

Saturday: 10 mile run

Sunday: rest

total miles: 18

 

 

Its September and I am doing the plank challenge this month, today is 30 seconds, do it with me! Stronger cores make better runners!!!