Another Day, Another Run

I wasn't anticipating being able to get out at all yesterday as it was WINDY and Wednesdays are just busy. However, we got home from church early, and Josh was home so Morgan and I went to the Y. Nothing exciting as I ran on the treadmill. Either my timing is off when I run outside or I just go faster when outside but I did my 3.1 in 44 minutes flat. I had to run the last little .04 at a faster pace than I am used to to do it but I did it. When I originally thought of running a 5k my goal was to do it in 45 minutes. That is about a 15 minute mile. The first time I did the 3.1 miles on the treadmill I was just over 45 so I had hope. Even though I haven't shaved much time off I have been able to run further. Last night my first stretch was 1.7, then walked .2, ran .6, walked .1, ran .3, walked .16, ran .04!!!! So if you add that up I only walked .46 of the 3.1 that is less than 1/2 a mile. People have asked how I track how far I go. Well last night was obvious cause I was on the treadmill, but when running outside I use the USA Track and Field Website. Thanks to Ryan Cunningham for pointing that out. I don't think I am going to get to run tonight as I have a scrapbooking event to set up for so Stay tuned.

Fat Woman Running

I have unofficially changed the name of my blog to "Fat woman running". Now if you are gonna be nice and say "Gena, you're not fat" save your breath because by all charts that I have found I am classified as obese!!! But so are most people so I am in good company!!!! Now on to my point. Back in September I did a weight loss challenge at the YMCA. One of my good friends, Traci, and I challenged each other to run a 5k. We picked the 5k in Orange City at Tulip Festival. We told a few people some of which are joining me. However, due to previous engagements Traci is not joining me. Luckily, Jenni, TJ and Rachel are!!! I was doing really good with running and getting to the gym from Sept--December and then tax season hit. During January- April I was lucky if I got to the gym once a week, rarely I got there twice. When I did make it I was doing other things to get my points for another challenge I had joined. Finally, I realized I wasn't happy with how that was going. I didn't like going to the gym anymore because I just wanted to get the most points in the fastest amount of time and frankly for me there are more beneficial things than jump roping and the endless rope. So back to the running but still not able to get to the gym on a consistent basis. I was starting to think about telling the girls I wasn't going to do it. I hadn't run hardly at all during the winter and here TJ and Jenni were training for a 12 mile race. How was I going to run 3.1? By the end of tax season the furthest I could run in one stretch was .5 miles. Seriously doubting myself. In the meantime TJ registered me for the race and paid for me to run so now I am committed. The weekend after April 15 I went to my annual scrapbooking event in St Cloud. I decided since I was free of kids and could do what I want I was going to make time to run. My original goal was to run 3 times of the 4 days I was up there. The first day I did go out and ran/walked 3.29 in 46 minutes. The best thing about that run was I found my pace. I have been trying to go to fast. I need to slow it down, increase my distance and we will work on speed later (and lighter). The next run there I did two stretches of .56 which is the furthest I had run in one length. I didn't make my goal of 3 times but I did get out. The next week Josh was busy getting ready to go away for the weekend. So I didn't get to run then also. Great here I am again and another week went past and I hadn't run since I got back from St Cloud. With the Orange City race only 3 weeks away, I realized I can't back out and I need to take this seriously if I am really gonna do it. I want to do it. People look at me like I am crazy because I look nothing like a runner. So last night with Josh out of town, I took the kids to the Y and put them in the childcare so I could run. I set the treadmill at a slow 4.8 and made my way. Covered the screen with a towel, plugged in the ipod and started. I made it to 1.1 miles!!! The furthest I had gone. I ended up running approx 2.5 of the 3.1 miles that night. I have a new hope, a new desire, a belief that I can do it. That brings us to tonight. I had all intentions of going to the Y tonight and again putting the kids in childcare (although Owen really doesn't like it) and when I talked to Josh earlier, he was running late and was going to be home later than he thought. I was going to "excuse" myself from going. However, after I got home and found my cell phone I called him again and it wasn't going to be as late as I thought. I decided to run outside though. I mapped out my route and began my trek. Here were my thoughts as I went:

.11 miles: why is running outside so much harder than on a treadmill?

.28 miles: I made it 1.1 miles last night and have along way to go.

.44: I can't do this anymore. Push thru it Gena

somewhere between .44 and .94 I broke thru a wall--still running but slowing down

1.29 miles: my original mapped out goal when I left the house. still jogging. Lets see if I can make it another block.

1.43: make it to the ladies walking in front of me.

1.49 crap they turned. Make it to the highway

1.7: I made it to the highway, way past my goal. started walking.

1.85: started jogging again. I had to stop and wait for traffic because I was jogging along a busy street and had to wait at intersections made it to 1.99

2.06 start jogging again to 2.20

2.32 start jogging to 2.73

jog the last .06

Total jog 2.45 about the same as last night. BUT I left the computer at 8:03 and I still had to put my pants on and shoes. so I am guessing I left at 8:10 and I got back at 8:53. 3.1 miles in 43 minutes!!!!!

I can do it!!!! I will do it!!!! Just watch.

Changes

Did you notice, huh huh, Did you. Yep thanks to my friend Kayla and a few clicks of the mouse and a little cut and paste I was able to add a little personalization to my blog!!!. Now that I know how easy it is to change stuff around and found a website with cute FREE stuff I just might change things up more often. Ok ok maybe I will just work on posting more often including fixing the really big mess I have on here right now. Stay tuned!!!!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!!

So this is what happens during tax season, pretty much everything else takes a back seat and stuff gets 1/2 done or not done at all. Hang in there everyone, I have been taking pics everyday, I just need to get them uploaded and such.

02/19/10:
Tonight the kids went to Grandpa and Grandma's because both Josh and I have to work on Saturday so we got to go out for supper with no kids. Thanks to the Simingtons for giving our kids a ride to Grandpa and Grandma's. Smokin Jakes is one of our favorite places to go.
02/20/10:
Icicles on the outside of Village West Resort.
02/21/10:
Disney Live. What a better treat for two kids who love Disney, I mean Owen still doesn't say momma but will say Mickey. Morgan didn't know we were going. It was funny, when we walked into the building Owen saw the merchandise booth and started saying Mickey and Morgan was still clueless until we got right up to the door. We all had lots of fun and really enjoyed the show.
02/22/10:
Morgan got to come to the office today. She asked me "mom where is that little puppy" and I told her where to look. She came back and said "no the little puppy" I said that is the little puppy. Not satisfied with my answer she went looking again. Finally she came back to me and said "mom this is the little puppy she is just all growed up." This puppy is Jim's newest puppy named Zoe
02/23/10:
Bunny Ears. Morgan always thinks she needs a "treat" when we go shopping. We went to Target while in Sioux Falls and found these cute little bunny ears in the dollar spot. Morgan picked out a pair and I should have gotten a pair for Owen, he liked them too. So on the way home I put in a call to Shawna who would pick some up for me!!!!
02/24/10:
Owen is getting the hang of a sippy cup. Not totally done with a bottle yet. Hanging on to my "baby" for a little while yet.
02/25/10:
We had to go to Lakefield to deliver some girlscout cookies. Stopped at a new bar that some friends opened. Josh looks like a chipmonk with his cheeks stuffed full and trying to smile!!
02/26/10:
One of my crafty projects. My sister Sara called and requested a kissing can to use at her wedding. Instead of people clinking their glasses to get the couple to kiss, guest would have to put money in the can which was going to be donated to the place where Sara and Chris met.
02/27/10:
We have had this poinsettia at the office since Christmas of 2008. We received it from a client and it is still blooming. Only because I haven't touched it. The plants in the office are not taken care of by me or we wouldn't have plants in the office.
02/28/10: We went to Bridges Bay with the Adams family for Brandon's birthday. Owen thought his turtle floaty looked just as fun outside of the pool as he did in!!!!
03/01/10: I came home from work and found Morgan asleep on the couch. That isn't odd but the way she was sleeping was. All curled up in a ball.
03/02/10: Movie night with friends. First I met Tj Simington, Rachel Popken and Kim Reuter at Mineral City for supper. Actually I was the only one that ate supper and the others had dessert. After Mineral City we met up with Kristina Wagnitz and went to see Valentines Day. I enjoyed it.
03/03/10: It isn't very often that our bed gets made (shock and awe) and I wasn't able to capture a picture quick enough before Josh climbed in for bed. So this is a close as you will probably ever see.
03/04/10: Packed and ready to go. Tomorrow we go down to Ottumwa, IA for my sister's wedding. We decided to travel to Des Moines on Friday night and then to Ottumwa on Saturday morning/afternoon.
03/05/10: Miss E: Energy. (or it might be exercise) Morgan had a letter person parade at school and she was Miss E. She had to dress up like Miss E according to a picture that never made it home. So thanks to a call to our friend Michelle who has a daughter in Kindergarten, this is what we came up with. Morgan didn't want to take the weights because she had other stuff to carry.
03/06/10: This is what happens when a 5 year old gets your camera. There are some interesting pictures but here is a silly one of Morgan taken by her cousin Evan. There are shots of Evan taken by Morgan also. It is interesting to see the world thru the eyes of a child!!!!
03/07/10: Introducing Sara and Chris Johnson. My sister Sara married Chris Johnson today. It was a very unique ceremony which took place during the church service. Walked in to a praise and worship song, and out to Star Wars, wore converse high tops, and cut the cake with a saw. It was a fun time. Congratulations Chris and Sara.
03/08/10: A new do. The benefits of having a Sister in Law who does hair. Saturday night in a hotel room (bathroom actually) in Ottumwa, IA I got my haircut!!! Morgan and I were growing out our hair for Locks of Love but after Morgan received a haircut from a friend that plan wasn't happening so I opted to get mine cut also. I think 5 inches were cut off!1!
03/09/10: Lunch with my ladies. Heather, Traci, Michelle, and I went to Las Agaves. Heather mentioned that it was my birthday and I was hoping to get free dessert to share with my friends. NOPE here the waiter brought out a shot of Bacardi 151, lit it on FIRE and instructed me to drink it thru the straws as fast as possible. Not your usual lunch date. Needless to say I went back to work a little "happier" as Traci put it.
03/10/10: The best thing since birthdays is birthdays on Facebook. Here is just a few of the 100's of birthday wishes I received on Facebook. It makes for a fun day!!!!
03/11/10: It is melting!!!! the poor bike carrier didn't get put away before we got FEET of snow. At one point it was completely covered and now that we have had some "warmer" weather of 30's the snow is starting to melt and things are starting to appear.
03/12/10: Owen has an obsession with Batteries. One remote it is easy to get the batteries out as there is no back on it. He knows if he hits it just right the batteries can come right out. However tonight he somehow figured out how to get the back off of another remote and take the batteries out of there also.
03/13/10: Taco House is OPEN. One of our (Morgan and Me--not so much Daddy) favorite places to go. However, the close October--March so it is kind of like a sign of Spring when the Taco House is open. Nachos is one of our staples at the Taco House.
03/14/10: MMMM carrot cake. And a carrot cake made especially for ME. Some good friends of ours like to spoil me on my birthday. Deb makes wonderful cakes and she knows how much I love her carrot cake (ok actually it is the cream cheese frosting) but the last two years she has surprised me with a cake for my birthday.
03/15/10: My Birthday present from my mom at dad. A new bag and Taste of Home baking book. Last year I got the taste of home cookbook so this is a nice new addition. The bag is made with some of the same material used to make the diaper bag. LOVE IT. Sometimes my mom makes some curious items.
03/16/10: One of the cutest smiles ever!!! Of course I am biased, but with what we have been thru with Mr. Owen it is always so cute to see him smile and laugh.
03/17/10: Morgan has successfully learned how to tie her shoes. Thanks to Mrs. Ostrum who sat her students down at a table and taught them step by step to do it. Morgan still needs some practice but this is a big step!!!!
03/18/10: More Snow. It is just a light dusting but I was hoping we were done with snow. Actually it is quiet early as I have pictures from the middle of April getting snow. we should be happy considering we had a considerable amount of snow this year.
03/19/10: The building behind Mau Marine collapsed due to the weight of the snow. They have slowly started removing piece by piece trying to save the boats inside.
03/20/10: High water, this is the Little Sioux River that runs thru Horshoe Bend Park right down the road from our house. Although this is nothing compared to other parts of our state and country. The water has actually receded when this picture was taken
03/21/10: The most wonderful present Morgan has ever recieved, can you hear the sarcasm? This is the lovely cupcake maker that Morgan got for Christmas in 2008. She has begged and begged to make cupcakes but frankly it is a pain. There are all these little pieces and you only make one cupcake at a time. Apparently I didn't learn my lesson though, because for Easter 2009 she received a package of cupcake mix for the cupcake maker. Really, this might have to go on a garage sale. Shhhhh.
03/22/10: Tired little Miss. Morgan woke up this morning in this. A leotard. She is too funny.
03/23/10:Art of Pasta at Minerva's. A group of Moms and Tots ladies let me and my friend Heather crash their party and boy it was YUMMY. It is a little spendy in my opinion but it was really good. I will be going again for sure.
03/24/10: Messy face. I suppose this is territory for being a boy!!! Not sure what happened but this is what I came home to tonight, A little boy that NEEDED a bath.
03/25/10: Owen playing at Sheila's house. Today when I picked Owen up he had the Winnie the Pooh puppet on his hand. It was too cute!!!! It is always more fun to pick him up than drop him off in the morning. Usually in the morning it includes crying and when I pick him up I get a great big smile. You don't think he likes his momma do you??
03/26/10: One of our favorite activities is playing the Wii. Probably one of the smartest purchases we have made. It has become a win win situation for everyone. Morgan and Owen like to watch and Mommy and Daddy like to play. Mommy and Owen's favorite is Super Mario brothers. Morgan has gotten really good at tennis and bowling. Daddy likes Madden Football and Mario cart
03/27/10: Happy Birthday Caden. Morgan was invited to a birthday party for our friend Caden Petty who turned 5!!!! Caden had a jungle themed birthday complete with games, cake, pizza and plenty of wild "animals" otherwise known as kids!!!!
03/28/10: Playing outside, this might be Owen's "first" time to be down and running around outside. The year before he was to little to be down on the ground and everyother day it has been cold. The joys of being born in the middle of winter. After having a summer baby and a winter baby I would much rather have a summer baby.
03/29/10: Yummy wrap. Tonight I had a Ladies Night out with our Womens Ministry Team at church. We had roughly 16 people join us for good food and great fellowship at Boyz N Berries in Spirit Lake.
03/30/10: This is the best smile I could get from a little boy who didn't feel so good. However the importance of this photo is much bigger than that. We have been working on teaching Owen sign language. He knows more, milk, please, thank you, and water. Tonight Morgan and I were on the couch and Owen was trying to get my attention. Finally I asked him if he wanted milk, he signed water. So I got up and got him a glass of water, he took a drink and threw it. He looked at me signed water again and pointed to the bathroom and led me into the bathroom and pointed into the bathtub!!!! He was requesting a bath by signing water. I was so proud of him. It was pretty cool!!!!
03/31/10: Cuddling in Morgan's bed. Morgan actually would love to have Owen sleep with her and it has crossed my mind before to see if he would sleep longer but still not sure if it is a good idea.
04/01/10: New shoes, fun new shoes, cheap new shoes. I actually bought them the previous weekend. Nicole stayed the weekend at our house to babysit Owen and she didn't bring clothes for church, so after work Saturday night I ran to Wal-Mart and got Nicole and Morgan matching dresses and found these shoes for $5!!!! They make me happy!!!!
04/02/10: Owen's first trip down the slide!!! Now I don't actually think this is the first time he went down a slide but it is the first time we got a picture of him. I think he actually liked it (or I am guessing by the smile on his face). We didn't stick around too long because it was very windy and cold.
04/03/10: I was lucky enough to find an Easter egg hunt that happened in the afternoon. See this tends to be a sore subject with me and was kind of sad about it at first but I have learned to accept that this is the way things are if I stay at the job I have. See Easter always falls in March and early April. As long as it falls before April 15th I will always have to work on the Saturday of Easter and won't be able to take the kids to an Easter egg hunt. However this year I found one that was Saturday afternoon, and I only have to work till noon so it was PERFECT!!!!!
04/04/10: Playing outside with Grandpa Jim. Grandpa showing Owen how to ride a tricycle, not sure how well it actually went because I was inside. The tricycle could be one that daddy rode when he was that size or a little bigger.
04/05/10: A lovely picture of my husband!!! He was really appreciative of me taking this picture. I am sure he would really be happy knowing I am putting it on the internet!!!!
04/06/10: This is what happens when daddy and Owen fall asleep on the couch--A little boy who is wide awake at 11 at night. The nice part was he was happy and being silly. The bad part was that mommy is tired but "volunteered" to stay up with him. Finally at 12:08 mommy had had enough and after just a few minutes of crying Owen went to sleep also
04/07/10:
Morgan found my camera again. This time she though Owen's hair was funny. He still had bed head, so we got a picture of it!!!!

02/03/10:
Tonight we had family night for church at Horseshoe Bend. We got to go tubing down the hill. Morgan was quiet the trooper and wanted to go again and again. Only to find out she wasn't scared because she pulled her hat over her face!!!!

02/04/10:
A valentine and a yummy lunch. Marlene was going to Hey good cookies for lunch and I asked her to pick up lunch for me so I didn't have to leave the office. She came back with my lunch and a little extra surprise. My favorite--Sugar cookie.

02/05/10:
Scrapping with good friends at the Worthington Superbowl Scrapbooking Retreat.

02/06/10:
My fellow HMM Renee from davenport came up to visit and scrapbook with me. We had lots of fun together. Wish she lived closer.

02/07/10:
Our annual Superbowl party with friends. This year the lady crowd was a little thin. Usually we are joined with the Petersons, Millers, and Adams as well as those pictured: Julie Petty, Rachel Popken, and Missy Graves. Earlier the Martins were there but had to get kids home and in bed.

02/08/10:
Gas price on February 8th.

02/09/10:
A building at Mau Marine collapsed under the weight of all the snow. Mau has had 3 structures fall because of the snow.

02/10/10:
It is hard to tell the actual size of this mountain in our backyard, but I am standing in the garage looking out of the door, because you can barely get out. Just enough room for the puppies.

02/11/10:
Morgan likes to make her own valentines (with lots of help from Mom).

02/12/10:
Nothing sweeter than a brother and sister playing together.

02/13/10:
Morgan likes to create art. Today it was a mask. "Look Mom, I am a Flower"

02/14/10:
Happy Valentines Day. A rose, Oreos, Lindor truffles, and wine.

02/15/10:
MMM Oreos. Mommy shared her oreos from valentines with Owen.

02/16/10:
Owen being silly.

02/17/10:
I asked Morgan to put her hat on when she got out of the car. She put her hat on but if you look closely, she put it on top of her hood.

02/18/10: Morgan at the dentist getting her teeth cleaned. She also got pictures of her teeth taken. Another picture was taken of Morgan for the "NO CAVITY CLUB!!!"

P 365 Catch up

01/18/10

The end of a stage. There are many stages in a babies/childs life and with each one I get a little teary. More so with Owen, knowing the likely hood of more children is slim. Tonight is the last night for formula. Which actually isn't sad at all knowing the expense.

01/19/10
The view in my rear view mirror. I enjoy looking in the back and seeing my babies. Here is a rare occurrence for Owen--sacked out on the drive.
01/20/10
Morgan wanted pigtails this morning. Most mornings she barely lets me brush her hair, but every once in a while she requests pigtails or pony tails. I have used more ribbon in her hair than for the crafty projects I purchased it for!!!!
01/21/10

It is hard to tell by this picture but it is REALLY FOGGY today. (I think i am getting sick of weather pictures) However, that is the big "thing" right now. Here is a picture of the walking bridge over East and West Lake, drive by it everyday to and from work.


01/22/10:
Owen LOVES to play Wii. We are going to have to find a fake remote if we ever want to use both remotes at the same time.
01/23/10:
Clean and Organized Cupboards. I heart Clean and Organized Cupboards. Don't look in the corner because I think you might find some loose tea bags floating around over there. You Should have seen the before picture
01/24/10:
Trying to entertain Owen when we went out to eat. The stinker kept throwing all the toys on the floor until we found these sunglasses in the diaper bag. Who cares that they are pink.
01/25/10:
Blizzard conditions. It was crazy horrible out. We didn't get much snow, only like 3 inches but it was white out conditions. I didn't know if I would make it home, it sounded like Josh would be staying in Spencer. We both made it home but this is a winter like no other.
01/26/10:
Cuddling before bed. A quick shot of Morgan and Owen. They really like each other right now.
01/27/10:
For some reason Morgan likes to sleep on her floor. I don't know why. She usually tries to get me to let her sleep in the living room, so we settle on the floor in her room.
01/28/10:
During tax season I get stuck in the back office. This isn't a bad thing. It is quiet, lots of desk space, and last year it came in handy when Owen was here--it had a door on it for those crying fits.
01/29/10:
Sleeping like a baby. Oh how untrue this statement is. Owen always starts in his crib but at some point he always ends up in our bed. One day he will sleep thru the night.
01/30/10:
Winter Games. What more do I need to say. It is a crazy fun time in the middle of winter when we are all going crazy. This year it is said that 50,000 people showed up to see all the events on the ice. Crazy.
01/31/10:
Betsy's Diner. I had to fill in and work at Betsy's Diner. It is a cute little diner out at Village West. Not only is it cute but GREAT food too.
02/01/10:
Owen likes to scream in the car. It makes for a long ride even if it is just from daycare to home. I had gotten groceries so to entertain Owen, I gave him a slice of bread. It worked for 1/2 the ride.
02/02/10:
MMMM Papa Murphy's. We love their pizza. It has been difficult to figure out what to do for supper now that both Josh and I work till 5. We need to be better planners, or get lots of coupons for Papa Murphy's!!!!

100 things and $100

My Friend Alicia is having a give away of 100 things on her blog and I get an extra chance to win if I blog about it. I had to post what I would do with $100 right now. Well right now I need new jeans. I am down to 2 pairs and could use some more as one of these has one leg out the door also. There are many other things I could do with $100, Morgan really needs new shoes, some scrapbooking goodies would be fun, take my friends out to eat. Pay some bills!!!!! See lots of things. Thanks Alicia

01/17/10
What better thing to do with a brand new big blanket than make a fort. Our living room gets destroyed more often than not. At least the couch cushions stayed on this time.
01/16/10

More hanging out at Bridges Bay, watching TV, and who can forget PRESENTS!!! Morgan kept calling it "Secret Christmas". I think because she found me wrapping presents and I told her she couldn't tell her cousins what was in them.
01/15/10

Hanging out with family at our annual Christmas at Bridges Bay in Arnolds Park.