Day 2 & 3 of Week 5

 I ran yesterday. That is all I have to say about that. :-) 

I ran today. Henry was excited about it . . .

 It was mostly pleasant, though the trails were sprinkled with black-ice. It made it really hard not to fall. I cannot wait until the Spring when it is warm, the trails are clear, and I can run without such great obstacles in my way. But I have done it. I have run the whole month of January -- the worst month for outdoor running. If I can run now, I can run always! I cannot wait to run my guts off. (Literally.) I cannot wait to swing my arms, and fling my legs forward -- with speed, instead of caution. It is coming, and I have built up stamina to make it happen. As soon as the conditions are right I will be able to really GO! 

 See that shiny puddle? That is not water, it is ice, the whole trail was like that . . . not good. 

My goal is to be whole by April 24th. "Whole" meaning: running free, feeling great, and looking better would be swell, too. April 24th will be one year since giving birth. If I can reclaim myself by then, I will consider myself a lucky-ducky. I can do it! And you get to watch me! 

Layer Up

 Yesterday's run called for the fashionable face mask. It was -6 w/ the wind chill. It was dark and almost dinner time. Ray cooked dinner while I pounded the pavement for a few miles. 

My headlamp shines a very bright light for which I am grateful. As I looked down the road in the dark night, I thought I saw a garbage can, but as I looked more closely, I remembered that garbage cans don't have 4 legs. 4 very long legs that is. Mr. Moose was standing right in the middle of the road, so I stopped slowly, turned around and ran the other direction. He was far enough away that I didn't startle him, but he startled me and helped me to pick up my pace and go home. 

In the pics you will see what it takes to get dressed for a cold, winter run. I had 5 layers on top last night and 2 on bottom. Sage was laying by the clothes hoping that she would be coming along on the run. : )

In the last pic, you will see my motivation for running today. That's what I thought of during my run in the falling snow today... Warm, gooey, homemade cinnamon rolls. Ahhhh......life is sweet! Run on!

Day 1 Week 5

I ran today. It was snowing, I was pushing Henry and William in the beast-master double-stroller with one arm, while talking to my sister, Kary, on my cell phone. I looked ridiculous. I was going slow, but my legs felt unusually good. After having Sunday as a day of rest to let them heal after those crazy stairs (they really did a number on my calves!) I felt much better.

Just keep going . . . and going . . . and going! That is all you can do sometimes!

Running in Circles

Some like it cold, some like it hot, some like to run or possibly not!

How low can you go?  :  )

This is the temperature I woke up to yesterday morning.  Brrrrrr!  

Stephen and I decided it was much better to come inside and warm up by the fire.  Ahhhhhhh....cozy.

So where did I go for my run to stay warm?  Off to the track.  Fortunately, the Sports Center is only about an 8 min. drive from our home.  My plan?  10 miles.  10 miles around a track?  I had done it once before and I was determined to do it again.  So, I began running in circles (literally.)  I tuned into the tunes, starting w/ Celtic Thunder's, "I would walk 500 miles."  I love the beat of that song.  Get's me going.  So, I decided to run the first 5 miles at a warm up pace.  Then, my next 3 would be fast.  I was going to break my PR for a 3 miler and......I did  (see watch below.)  My last 2 miles would be cool down and deep breathing.  It felt great!  We can do hard things.  We just have to believe and decide to decide.  As I was running, I thought of Mari running the stairs in her home for an hour.  She did it.  It was hard, but she was determined and focused.  She would not give up or give in to quitting. To quote Yoda: " There is no try, there is only do or do not."

Before I started the fast 3 miler, I said to myself:  "Just do it Kary, you've got this in you...do it!"

Love  this quote that is on the wall near the track area.  It is so true!  I thought I could.

This is how I train for marathons.  I train hard so marathon day seems easier.  

It is so mental.  90% mental.  Tell yourself you can and you will!  Just do it!

Day 5 Week 4

 Run today was in thick fog, and heavy snow. There was about an inch on the ground by the time I got home. It was super-slick, but I managed. Onward! 

My feet were soaked, but otherwise it felt good! 

Kids Indoor Workout

20 sets of stairs, 100 circles of running around the house, 100 jumping jacks, 100 crunches, etc. 

Nice and sweaty

We love to workout!

Shwoosh! Time to rest. 

And random cute picture of Henry 

Day4 Week 4

38 degrees, and clear pavement . . . I was in Heaven! Yea! My calves were SUPER sore from the previous day of stair climbing (a totally different movement than running -- Woo Baby!) But it was a great run . . . so much faster than running on ice! I was free, too, no stroller . . . so I really ran for it, and I felt alive. (It really is hard pushing the stroller . . . it holds me back.)  I am so excited for Spring running when I can really bust it out!

John the Stud-Muffin

 Grandma took some pictures of Johnny getting ready to play basketball. (This is Mari posting.) 

Look at those muscles! 

 Mindy was giving him some pointers before heading out the door . . . 

 Look at that cute boy . . . chiseled cheeks and everything. 

Not sure what is going on here? Interesting . . . 

Basically, John is a stud. He goes to the gym everyday, except Sunday. He has lost over 50 pounds, and he looks fantastic! Yeah John! 

SO PROUD OF YOU! KEEP IT UP! 

Seek the Light

Yesterday, I ran 7 miles while enjoying 38 degrees. It felt so good to be warm. No face mask required. 

I had dropped kids off at school, parked at Primrose (where Kay lives), and took off from there. I ran by a cemetery and enjoyed the sunrise. I like running by this cemetery. It reminds me to be grateful for life and live it to the fullest. It also helps me think of Grandma Nadine Lindquist. It's a peaceful place.

I ran by wonderland park at mile 5. Kids enjoying playing here in the summer.

I love the mountains!!!!

The other day, Mari mentioned capturing the moon or shoot for the moon. So, yesterday, I decided I was going to "seek the light. " Can you see me trying to point to the sun? Taking pics of yourself w the iPhone can be tricky.

I retired from my run here. I love this retirement lodge. It is beautiful. Very welcoming. I stopped by to check on my friend after my run. It was a happy running day. I'm glad I was able to find the light. 

Ray and McKinley -- Running Buddies

McKinley ran 1 mile with her Daddy around the neighborhood loop yesterday. She loves running. So does Ray. : )

It's the Climb

 Because of the ice-storm I had to do an indoor work-out. (Can't miss my 5 days a week!) So, my torture of choice . . . the STAIRS! I went up and down the stairs, without stopping, for an HOUR. At first it was really awful, and then after about 15 minutes, I got into a bit of a "groove" and I just kept going. I started out kind of jogging up and down, but that quickly turned into regular climbing . . . it as an amazing workout. Probably one of the hardest I've done (something about the stair movement, it's killer!) But I got through it, thanks to the Les Mis soundtrack. :-) Music made ALL the difference!

I am not messing around . . . there is work to do, and I must do it! 

 Time to unbury myself and be free! 

I am doing it! 

P.S. I just found that you can watch some Biggest Loser episodes on youtube on our TV . . . very motivational! Love to see the insane stuff they do! It does not matter what you do to move -- just DO IT! Do it NOW! 

Day 2 of Week 4

Hardest part of today's run . . . going out the door. 

 BEST part of today's run . . . making it home! 

Capturing the Moon

 I was not going to run yesterday, because the air quality here is at Orange level, which is bad. In the morning it is REALLY bad, all settled at the bottom. So, I waited. I made a commitment to myself to run 5 days a week, and I had already missed Monday -- so I HAD to go. (This is week 4!) So after I did a load of Charles' mail, picked-up the kids from school, dropped off the mail at the blue mailbox, ran home and painted a last-minute pinewood derby car -- I felt gross. So I slapped on my running clothes, winter-loaded up Henry, and out the door I went . . . quickly, since I had to come home, shower, and make it to the pinewood derby for Daniel. (Talk about last-minute car, we slapped the wheels on while the kids were loaded in the car waiting to go to the derby!) ANYWAY, my point is, I DID IT!! I did it even when everything was going crazy. I found an hour slot in the middle of it all and ran for it! 

Daniel did pretty good, 10th place out of TONS of cars. And he got the award for the "Most Heroic Car." The genius idea came to me last minute as well. Next time we will not forget about the event! 

It was a evening run, so the moon was my companion. (End of Run) 

See the inversion just sitting there? YUCK! (Beginning of Run) 

 For the past few weeks my trail has been awful. It is packed down snow/ice with intermittent holes of pavement that are surrounded by straight-ice. It would be better if it were one or the other, it is like an obstacle course! I CANNOT wait to run on dry pavement, so I can make some REAL progress. My speed is horribly stunted while dodging ice patches. But the point is to do it anyway . . . it is preparing me for when I can really GO! So excited for the spring! Whoo! 

Note: Cleats are pointless here in Boise, cause the snow/ice SHOULD only last a few weeks. It has just been a really cold winter this year, and it has not melted. 

 Shoot for the Moon! I can do it! 

 And so can YOU!