I'm back....I think

In June of 2010 I started this blog.  A lot has happened in my life since then.  My kids are now in Middle school and high school...my family moved to a new home...I have run three half marathons and many other races...I have become much more focused on healthy clean eating and on different kinds of workouts on top of keeping up with regular runs.... I have found the best running partner a girl could ever have (and the best part is she lives across the street!!)...
So the question is am I still the "housewife on the run"?
Merriam- Webster dictionary defines a housewife as

: a married woman who stays at home, does cleaning, cooking, etc., and does not have another job outside the home

Well I do have a job outside of my home...one I do love and one that allows me to be active almost all day long...working with 3 and 4 year olds is a busy day!! 

I do still do the grocery shopping, laundry and cooking so that part is correct....

But I do feel I have a lot more to offer....I enjoy running and setting an example for my children that if you take care of yourself you will feel good and be healthy.  I enjoy sharing recipes with others of healthy things to eat.  I enjoy sharing what I know about fitness and running with others.

So you might wonder where I am going with all this but the answer is that I dont really know.  I think I might say goodbye to this blog and start a new one but still need to work out the details and direction.  When I get it figured out you will be the first to know!!

So until next time keep running, feed your body well and stay strong

Beth

New Goals

Hello!!!  Yes, once again, I am back.  Still not posting as often as I would like to but it just can't be helped.  Heck I can barely get in my runs lately!  With the time change and the fact that it is so dark in the morning and dark so early in the evening, there are just not enough hours in between to get out!
I have finished Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD and have to say I really feel stronger and really good about what I accomplished.  I really stuck to it and completed it!
 Next up is Jillian Michael's Body Revolution....I found phase one is sold all by itself and after I am finished with phase one I can borrow the other phases from a friend.  Some of the workouts in this program require a resistance band which was included in the set I bought since my friend needs her band to do the program as well.  Worked out perfect!
Another goal I am setting for myself is the Runners World Holiday streak...running everyday from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, even if it is just one mile.  I have tried to complete a streak before and it did not go well....my body just could not handle it.  I feel so much stronger now, so I am going to give it another try.  If it does not work, then at least I can say I tried and then move on.  I haven't quite figured out how I am going to  get in a run everyday....this might require running in the dark :( 
So yes, I just might be crazy, but this kind of thing is what keeps me going....having goals and working toward achieving them.
What kind of goals do you set for yourself?
Please feel free to tell me about them in the comment section :)
So until next time (hopefully soon), keep running, working out, and staying strong!

Kicking it up a notch

Yes, I know it has been a while since I have posted anything.  I have told myself I would like to post at least once a week, but it just does not happen....sorry, what can I say.  Actually that could be a good thing because then you don't have to read about all my crappy days or any random silly posting.  Let's just go with QUALITY not QUANTITY...sound good?
So now that my half marathon has come and gone, things have been different.  It feels kinda good to not have any pressure to stick to any particular training schedule.  I can go for runs and not really worry about how far I am going.  I am still trying to get in at least one long run each week (it was 5 miles last week) just to maintain my current fitness level.  I have incorporated something new into my life and boy has it made a big difference!!
Let me take you back one week ago....weigh in at weight watchers...I was up 3.8 pounds!  Not only was this a lot of weight for me to handle, but it was over the 2 pound buffer for lifetime membership (which is free).  Of course I still felt great and I was not really noticing any difference in the way my clothes fit so it really snuck up on me.
Enter Jillian Michaels....I started her Ripped in 30 DVD the day before that dreadful weigh in and was getting up super early to get these workouts in and did some running in the afternoon.  One week and for days later....drum roll please

 

DOWN 5.6 lbs!!!!!  Seriously this is a major loss for me....I am not really sure if I have ever lost this much weight in one week before.  

So, the lesson to be learned from this....every now and then shake things up, try a new form of exercise, try some new foods.  Obviously it worked for me.

I am on week 2 of this DVD and although it is torture, I am really enjoying the workouts.  

So until next time I highly recommend the Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 workouts, keep running, and stay strong!

Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon 2013....Done!

Can I just tell you what a rewarding feeling it is to know that all my hard training I did all summer long was totally worth it?!  Not only did I finish the race faster then the time goal I had set for myself, but I beat my time last year by...ready for this....

14 minutes!!!

I finished in 2:20 and feel like I ran a very solid race.  For just about every mile I ran it was a consistent 10:30 pace or right around there.  The weather was not the greatest, but was o.k.  It was overcast for the whole race so there was no sun beating down on us and the rain held off till at least mile 10 (well for me) so it was not the entire race like last year.  Unfortunately because we were so cold and getting wetter by the minute the after party at the race was not very fun...drank half my beer and ate my lobster roll but did not really taste it because I was so cold.  After getting home from the race, my family had prepared a whole feast for myself and two other of my friends who ran the race (first half marathon for both of them)!  

So now what?  That is the question of the week I guess...

So until next time, keep running, stay strong and ROCK ON!!

 

 

Eight more days!!!

Yup, that's right folks...just 8 more days till I run my third half marathon!  Something I did not imagine myself saying 10 years ago!!  I have been obsessively checking the weather forecast and so far it is looking pretty decent.  There were a few days that it was showing rain for race day but that has changed.  For anyone who knows me or follows my blog, you know that I ran this race last year....in the rain....the whole way :(  it was not fun (said in a little old lady voice from the insurance commercial when she is talking about her son's motorcycle...love those commercials...but that is a completely different story).  I am getting super excited because this year I have a few friends who are going to be running the race as well and we will be driving to the race together and will be able to meet up after the race for the after party!  And then there might  be an after, after party waiting for me and my neighbor and favorite running partner when we get home!
So today I ran 5 miles, I think it is three tomorrow and then 9 on Sunday and then it's taper time...not really much of a taper but I used this same training plan last year and it seemed to work fine.
So until next time, keep running, think of me when you see those insurance commercials (I am that lady), and stay strong!! 

Two weeks to go!!!

So I have been MIA lately...my only excuse is that life has gotten a lot busier...kids are back in school, I am back at work, and still preparing for Smuttynose half marathon.  The race is two weeks away and I am happy to say I have completed two 10 mile runs!  I have been trying to keep up with my strength training at the gym too but this is not always easy.  I don't really feel as though I have been losing any muscle, so I must be doing something right.  

One of the most exciting things is that my  flower came yesterday!!!!

Isn't it pretty?!  I will be proudly wearing this flower in my hair for my half marathon and can't wait!!!  It took me a few months to make up my mind on what color I wanted to order and which one meant the most to me.  If you have never visited the fellow flowers website, I highly recommend that you do: 

www.fellowflowers.com

They are also on Facebook and Twitter and frequently post some motivating messages.

So until next time keep running and stay strong!

One month and 16 days to go

So I am one unhappy, unlucky lady tonight...one month and 16 days to go till my half marathon and I have two sore quads!  I have a new trainer at the gym who is having me do step ups onto a weight bench and lunges...not a good idea maybe.  RICE is the word of the day and I am really hoping it works because I have 7 miles to run in two days and 8 miles to run this coming weekend....wish me luck!

So until next time, please be careful, stay strong and keep running...unless you are injured and then remember RICE :)