Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wordless Wednesday - the Christmas outfit
These are from just before we left for a Christmas party a few weeks ago, but this is Asher's Christmas outfit. I don't think I've posted pictures of it yet, and I had to; he's so cute, it kills me!
MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Monday, December 21, 2009
So I won't freeze my butt off!
An early Christmas present came my way this weekend. Check it out!
Greg bought me a second-hand treadmill off of friends of ours, and I'm thrilled! It's in excellent shape as it's only been used a handful of times. I ran 10K on it last night as I watched Ellen. It was such a treat to not have to bear the freezing cold, and to get to keep up with my half-marathon training schedule.
I wish I could run and read at the same time, but it just doesn't work out with all that bobbing up and down. Does anyone have any TV show recommendations for me that I could record? I have a feeling I may need more than my 2 shows if I'm going to be using this bad boy as much as I should!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
I just need to say it...
... and announce it to the world; ASHER POOPED ON THE POTTY YESTERDAY! It was awesome! Life without diapers would just rock. I hope this trend continues, but I don't have my expectations too high just yet. I can dream, right?
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
the virgin 12
Yes, yes, on Sunday I ran the virgin 12 KM! It was my first time going that distance. It was a long, slow run with walk breaks, so we ran the 12 KM in 1hr 27mins. Here are a few observations from the event:
- 12KM was not as tough as the first time I did 10KM. Apparently once you get to the 10KM mark, everything else isn't as difficult. I'll let you know if this trend continues.
- Running hills during an actual run is not nearly as bad as hill training. I think I should quit hill training. Seriously, in what race will I ever need to run up and down 9 consecutive hills? Not one that I'll ever register for, I can tell you that! Erin, there's no hills in Disney, eah? :)
- Frozen snot sucks. Period.
- You know you're in for a good run when the instructor warns you at the start to periodically check each other's faces for white spots in case frost bite sets in. Nice.
- I need more than just ankle socks now. The little bit of skin that was exposed between my long johns and ankle socks, even though my pants were still covering it, was freezing!
- I really want these pants. They have a panel in the front to protect against wind and rain and snow and apparently they are super warm.
- I tried Mel's idea of using a bandana to cover my face to keep it warm, and it sort of worked. It got me over the first 10 minutes or so before I was fully warmed up, but what I did notice is the bandana froze where I had been breathing on it. So that kinda sucked having a frozen bandana to contend with. I guess this is why a technical fabric would probably work better for the face. And Mel, they do make these lovely neck warmers just for this purpose. A lot of running folks wear them, or the alternative balaclava.
- Note to self: the water in the water bottle you're wearing will freeze when it's freezing outside, unless of course you tuck it under your jacket against your body rather than wear it on the outside, or put vodka in it. I'm leaning towards trying the latter on my next run ;)
- 12KM was not as tough as the first time I did 10KM. Apparently once you get to the 10KM mark, everything else isn't as difficult. I'll let you know if this trend continues.
- Running hills during an actual run is not nearly as bad as hill training. I think I should quit hill training. Seriously, in what race will I ever need to run up and down 9 consecutive hills? Not one that I'll ever register for, I can tell you that! Erin, there's no hills in Disney, eah? :)
- Frozen snot sucks. Period.
- You know you're in for a good run when the instructor warns you at the start to periodically check each other's faces for white spots in case frost bite sets in. Nice.
- I need more than just ankle socks now. The little bit of skin that was exposed between my long johns and ankle socks, even though my pants were still covering it, was freezing!
- I really want these pants. They have a panel in the front to protect against wind and rain and snow and apparently they are super warm.
- I tried Mel's idea of using a bandana to cover my face to keep it warm, and it sort of worked. It got me over the first 10 minutes or so before I was fully warmed up, but what I did notice is the bandana froze where I had been breathing on it. So that kinda sucked having a frozen bandana to contend with. I guess this is why a technical fabric would probably work better for the face. And Mel, they do make these lovely neck warmers just for this purpose. A lot of running folks wear them, or the alternative balaclava.
- Note to self: the water in the water bottle you're wearing will freeze when it's freezing outside, unless of course you tuck it under your jacket against your body rather than wear it on the outside, or put vodka in it. I'm leaning towards trying the latter on my next run ;)
Monday, December 14, 2009
My new favorite Christmas song!
It's a couple years old, but I can't stop rockin' it out to this Relient K Christmas song; I Celebrate the Day. Here's a youtube "video" of the song. LOVE IT!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A bunch of running stuff that I don't want to forget so this post is mostly for me to remind myself...
- Hill training will always suck, even if I've done it before.
- That very first hill each and every week will especially suck.
- I will continue to sound like an 80-year old asthmatic once I reach the top of a hill no matter how many hills I've trained for, or how "in shape" I am.
- When running up hills, don't forget... pump those arms! (legs will naturally follow suit)
- A hill must be 400-600 meters long atleast. I don't remember the rule about incline. I should look that up.
- I need to eat something on those long, slow runs starting at the 45-minute mark. Something with quick, simple sugar that my body can use right away. Raisins have worked for me. I would like to try jelly beans and the gels and Gatorade at some point. I need to do this before I actually run the half-marathon.
- Always bring Kleenex!
- Although most experts agree that stretching before a run is not helpful - and may actually be harmful - a little warm up is a must. Try a few jumping jacks or running on the spot.
- Stretching after a run is a life need, and feels SOOOOO good.
- I must hold each stretch for 30 seconds for it to count.
- I LOVE the new stretch our clinic instructor Jodi taught me, cross the legs and bend down.
- Remember what that really smart Physiotherapist dude keeps saying... practice balance and glut exercises. It's important.
- Remember that Olympic coach who talked about drill training and that crazy night with walking lunges, and long jumps? All that stuff about fast twitch muscle fibers, slow twitch muscle fibers, anaerobic workouts, and lactic curves? It doesn't matter if I fully understand or not (seriously people, it is way more complicated than you could imagine), just do the drills and it will be really good for your runs. Really good. The dude is an Olympic coach; he knows what he's talking about!
- Must have the right shoes. It'll make or break you!
- Not running 10 and 1's (run 10 minutes, walk 1, which is how we've trained up until the half-marathon level) isn't actually that difficult.
- No matter how much I don't feel like going out for a run, I always feel good when I do it (and it's not worth the guilt I put on myself for having skipped!)
- The run always goes so much faster when I have someone to chat with.
- I always over-dress for running in colder weather (stop doing this Mandi!) Remember, I should be cold for the first 10 minutes, but once I'm warmed up, I'll be, well, warm!
- My feet, so far, have stayed warm. I hear smart wool socks are the way to go though.
- I need to get something to keep my face warm in the winter.
- Running in the rain? Not really that bad. Running in the cold? Not really that bad. Running on ice in a snow storm when you can't see the ice underneath you? CRAZY!
- Running on ice is actually better than walking on ice, and here's why: when you walk one foot is always on the ground and there is a point in each step when both feet are on the ground. When you run, both feet are never on the ground at the same time and there can be a point when neither foot is on the ground. SOOO if I start to slip when I'm running, both of my feet aren't on the ground, and I know my other foot is about to land somewhere different to help me regain my balance.
- Running UP hills when it's icy = not so bad. Running DOWN hills when it's icy = death trap.
- Choking on snowflakes can be real problem.
(Isn't it funny how many of these issues could be resolved with a simple treadmill? Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, Greg!)
- That very first hill each and every week will especially suck.
- I will continue to sound like an 80-year old asthmatic once I reach the top of a hill no matter how many hills I've trained for, or how "in shape" I am.
- When running up hills, don't forget... pump those arms! (legs will naturally follow suit)
- A hill must be 400-600 meters long atleast. I don't remember the rule about incline. I should look that up.
- I need to eat something on those long, slow runs starting at the 45-minute mark. Something with quick, simple sugar that my body can use right away. Raisins have worked for me. I would like to try jelly beans and the gels and Gatorade at some point. I need to do this before I actually run the half-marathon.
- Always bring Kleenex!
- Although most experts agree that stretching before a run is not helpful - and may actually be harmful - a little warm up is a must. Try a few jumping jacks or running on the spot.
- Stretching after a run is a life need, and feels SOOOOO good.
- I must hold each stretch for 30 seconds for it to count.
- I LOVE the new stretch our clinic instructor Jodi taught me, cross the legs and bend down.
- Remember what that really smart Physiotherapist dude keeps saying... practice balance and glut exercises. It's important.
- Remember that Olympic coach who talked about drill training and that crazy night with walking lunges, and long jumps? All that stuff about fast twitch muscle fibers, slow twitch muscle fibers, anaerobic workouts, and lactic curves? It doesn't matter if I fully understand or not (seriously people, it is way more complicated than you could imagine), just do the drills and it will be really good for your runs. Really good. The dude is an Olympic coach; he knows what he's talking about!
- Must have the right shoes. It'll make or break you!
- Not running 10 and 1's (run 10 minutes, walk 1, which is how we've trained up until the half-marathon level) isn't actually that difficult.
- No matter how much I don't feel like going out for a run, I always feel good when I do it (and it's not worth the guilt I put on myself for having skipped!)
- The run always goes so much faster when I have someone to chat with.
- I always over-dress for running in colder weather (stop doing this Mandi!) Remember, I should be cold for the first 10 minutes, but once I'm warmed up, I'll be, well, warm!
- My feet, so far, have stayed warm. I hear smart wool socks are the way to go though.
- I need to get something to keep my face warm in the winter.
- Running in the rain? Not really that bad. Running in the cold? Not really that bad. Running on ice in a snow storm when you can't see the ice underneath you? CRAZY!
- Running on ice is actually better than walking on ice, and here's why: when you walk one foot is always on the ground and there is a point in each step when both feet are on the ground. When you run, both feet are never on the ground at the same time and there can be a point when neither foot is on the ground. SOOO if I start to slip when I'm running, both of my feet aren't on the ground, and I know my other foot is about to land somewhere different to help me regain my balance.
- Running UP hills when it's icy = not so bad. Running DOWN hills when it's icy = death trap.
- Choking on snowflakes can be real problem.
(Isn't it funny how many of these issues could be resolved with a simple treadmill? Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, Greg!)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
"Don't expect me to sit on his lap!"
Asher was a little unsure of an experience he had this weekend.
We went to a Christmas party and he met the guest of honor for the first time.
He wasn't really sure what he thought about this.
But atleast he didn't cry, and we got a picture where we were all looking at the camera!
We went to a Christmas party and he met the guest of honor for the first time.
He wasn't really sure what he thought about this.
But atleast he didn't cry, and we got a picture where we were all looking at the camera!
And even though he got a fun book as a gift, Santa just couldn't win him over! Maybe next year.
Monday, December 7, 2009
he's definitely ours!
I was looking through some old photos the other day, and was struck by how much of Asher I can see in both Greg and I as children.
Asher definitely has my hair; it's crazy how similar it is, actually!
I'm sure this doesn't help the "Asher has girl hair" argument. Not to fret, friends, he is getting it cut later today! (I'll be sure to post some pictures of that soon).
And then there's this beauty of a gem.
Wow. Asher definitely gets his thumb-sucking from Greg, no doubt about it! The only difference is, and if you look closely you'll see, Greg used to suck his thumb and finger all at once. Pretty funny huh? What special, special boys I have!
Asher definitely has my hair; it's crazy how similar it is, actually!
I'm sure this doesn't help the "Asher has girl hair" argument. Not to fret, friends, he is getting it cut later today! (I'll be sure to post some pictures of that soon).
And then there's this beauty of a gem.
Wow. Asher definitely gets his thumb-sucking from Greg, no doubt about it! The only difference is, and if you look closely you'll see, Greg used to suck his thumb and finger all at once. Pretty funny huh? What special, special boys I have!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wordless Wednesday - Christmas and transitions
Asher's last day as an 18-month old was Saturday that just passed, and we spent a good part of the evening at our local Santa Clause Parade.
Then on Sunday, Asher's first day as a 19-month old, we put our Christmas tree up.
Asher wasn't too sure what to make of the tree for a day or so, but now every time he walks by it he says "tree" and "yight" (his version of light) and "ball". It's pretty cute.
P.S. - apparently my "Wordless Wednesday's" aren't very wordless. Oops!
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