It's Booked!

I got my January race booked!!!

I wanted one towards the end of the month to give me time to recover...from having a baby...and then build up a bit of strength!

I found one on the 25th of January...perfect!

It's a 4 miler...so it will be hard to get a time and improve it!

I will have to look at what time I run/walk per mile!

This first race will be mostly walking!

I am also trying to lose 35 lbs.

So I have really changed my eating...and cutting out the sugars! :)

Which is tough for me...because I am a SWEET LOVER!

Right now, I am depending on SLIM AND SASSY, from doterra to help curve my cravings...

So far...it's working!

I take a drop after I eat to help me not crave sweets...and then at night so that I don't night eat!

My starting weight is 170lbs.

Love the New Year!

 Can you believe it is here.....

2014!!!

I am so excited to get my resolutions started...and to follow through...all the way to the end of the year!

I love people who don't wait for Monday to start their eating right...or working out....

Or those who don't need a New Year to get Rocking!

But I am a Monday and a New Year gal!

My hopes are that I will start on the New Year and pass all the Mondays up...because I will be focused and moving towards my BIG goal!

Our greatest accomplishment of 2013 is baby #7!!!

He is here and healthy!

I couldn't be prouder!

Now for my goal!

I want to run a race every month of 2014....and I want to improve my time each month!

Since I just had the wee one...I am sure January race will be more walking than running...but that will make it easy to beat in February! :)

12 IT IS!!!

I ran 12 miles and I'm one proud momma!

Not 12 at one time....but 12 for my weekly total!

I got totally dusted by my sister...but I am indebted to her..for getting these old bones back out and running!

In fact, for our 16 Anniversary, my husband and I ran together! :)

I'm so glad we share the love of running...he's much faster than me...right now!

I don't think I will run a race, until I can make sure I can beat him!

He's never beat me in a race!

He would crush me right now!

But I love love love having a common interest in sports!!!!

In fact, he thanked me at dinner!

He is a football and basketball lover...but as he got older, his skills faded!

He couldn't keep up with the younger kids anymore!

Instead of hanging up the shoes...he traded them in!

He is now a RUNNER!!

And he thanked ME for helping and encouraging him!

Funny thing...he is the one helping me and encouraging me to get back on it!

I'm 12 miles into my JOURNEY...AS A RETURN RUNNER!

At dinner we both decided to give up meat..not fish though!

I don't know why?

I'm a meat lover...but all the sudden...I'm not!

I don't want it!

I don't like the way it makes me feel...so I'm going to say "Good bye chicken"...and "Good bye red meat!"

AND "HELLO TO RUNNING"!!!!

Plantar Fascitis!

It was time for a new pair of shoes!

I almost settled for my traditional looking shoes...but my 12 year old daughter convinced me to buy a pair of ZOOTS.

She liked the way they looked...and I have to admit they are rather comfortable!

So I broke the mold and bought a pair!

I have been overall happy.

If I am running they are very comfortable!

However, during my cross training class my heel slips out...and my feet shift all over the place.

The shoes my be a bit big...or they just stretch a ton?

The biggest issue...is I ended up with ....

PLANTAR FASCITIS!

OUCH!!

I have never had heel pain...and I can now say...it is very uncomfortable!!!

I asked around to see what to do????

Answers varied....

ICE

STRETCH

REST

I couldn't rest...I have way to far to go already...so that one was out...but one friend told me I needed an arch support!

I bought Dr Scholls orthotics!!!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

My heel instantly felt better...and I am back in business.

Now I just need to start running! :)

Every Day is a Victory!

After baby 5, I tried to get back into top running shape...but I just couldn't figure it out?!  I couldn't find the time to exercise on a regular basis!

Then I got pregnant with baby 6...put on more weight...and lost more muscle!

I realize I have to find the time!

The time won't find me...I have to make it happen!

I realize that if I don't I will only continue in the negative path...the only way to change my course is to FIND the time to workout!

As a long time runner, I use to think the only real workout is running.

I would use other exercise options to improve my running!

This time around, I am using whatever source I can...and if I squeeze a run in...AWESOME!!

I view EVERY DAY THAT I SUCCESSFULLY WORKOUT...A VICTORY!!!

Advanced Cross Training Workout!!!!

I have been taking an advanced cross training class!

I absolutely love it!

I really want to keep a journal of the workouts that they have us do, so I can use them later...when I don't have a class to do it with!

I wish I would have started weeks ago...recording the different routines!

Hopefully, someone else will find this interesting and helpful!?

The class is an hour long...

Warm up: 1/2 mile

30 sec. each - no rest: jumping jacks, high knees, sky jumps (squat and jump as high as you can..reach high in the sky), skiing with a high knee, side lunges..with touching the ground on each side.

Workout:

1/2 mile run
5 hills

She gave us all a stack of cards.

We drew a card and then did the exercise that coordinated with the symbol, and we did as many as the card's # said....Jacks=11, Queens=12, Kings=13, Aces=14!

Jokers=1/2 mile run!

Diamonds=sit ups

Spades=push ups

hearts=burpees

clubs=squats

Jokers=1/2 mile run

We completed the entire set of cards...and then stretched!

It was extremely tough...but fun!

I Passed The Finish Line!

Can you even imagine a race that you train for...and your ready...just as you get to the finish line...they decide to move it a mile or two!
It's actually one of my worse nightmares!
I put everything I have into every race I run...whether I'm properly trained or not!
Well...I have been MIA for quite awhile...
I've been training for a BIG race!
The finish line has come and gone...and I am still in the race!
Hopefully tonight will be the BIG finish!
If not....hopefully soon...I'm starting to feel a bit fatigued!
I am excited to share pictures of the event...and the magnificent award...stay tuned! :)

THREE THINGS THURSDAY!

1. Allergies are here...my head is swollen....It feels like it may be three times the normal size...which give me three times less energy! I usually get them mid May...I was hoping they decided to skip a year...instead they were just playing with my head! Literally!
Needless to say, I decided to skip the workout... turn off all the lights and go to bed..then I could see my computer light flashing...so I decided to blog about my poor me stories....whaaaa whaaa! =)

3. Can you tell we have recently been to the zoo! I love animals...they instinctively follow natural laws...Like you don't have to eat all the food around you... especially if it is not meant for you! Here this monkey sat in the middle of an ocean of Carps, and completely ignored them! He did not even so much as took a lick! How come I don't have that instinct? I make myself a nice chicken grilled salad, and the kids some mac and cheese with apples! I eat my salad...I feel good! Do I stop there??? NO!! The kids nibble a bit on their food ...SO I EAT IT! If you have one child...this may not be so bad...I have 5! That's my scrambled eggs for breakfast...and 5 pancakes! My salad for lunch....5 bowls of mac! My small perfectly sized bowl of ice cream....and 5 Large over sized bowls of ice cream! EEEK! THIS IS A PROBLEM!

3. I am really trying hard to set and accomplish goals! Especially in the fitness category...since that is the one that slid out of control last year! I think it is good for kids to watch their parents set...and complete goals! Problem is I feel a ton of pressure! It's not such a good lesson if you just set goals...and then....do nothing about them! Tonight when I decided against running, due to my horrible allergies...I could feel 8 blue eyes, and 2 brown eyes watching my every move. It didn't help the matter, when all the kids....everyone, except Brady...who doesn't talk...asked me if I planned to run!

Seriously kids???
We woke up at 7 to go to the Bee farm, and take a tour, and buy some Local Raw Honey! =)
Then had a picnic in the park (where I finished off all the plates...good mommy!)
Then off to the Lake to play in mucky waste high water and call it playing at the beach!
Picnic for dinner
Play at the Park
Ice cream (I didn't order one for me...because I am getting smarter...I know I have 5 to eat~)
Home by 9:30
Face blown up like a blow fish...
"Are you going to run?"

Let me tell you I feel it...those eyes are watching me!

Truth be known...I'm thankful they try to support and help me with running!

*This post contains exaggerations!=)

A Whole New Level Of Running!

On my quest to run 20 miles...I was on a role!
7 miles on Monday
40 min. of Elliptical on Tuesday
5 miles on Wednesday
1 hour spin on Thursday!

12 miles completed going into Friday and Saturday
Where I had planned to run 5 on Friday and 3 on Saturday!

On Friday, I ran all over Omaha Zoo...miles and miles...I just know it!
but I failed to run that night... =(
I woke early on Saturday and ran 7 miles!!!
Giving me a total of 19 miles!!!!

1 miles short...kind of ridiculous to fall 1 mile short!
I thought about counting my zoo running...but I decided it wouldn't really count!
so 19 miles it is!

20 for next week!

New Program!

I have been stuck at the 15 miles a week...
It feels impossible to reach 20!
This week I am on my mission for impossible!

One major problem has been my Saturday Long runs!
It seems like there is all kinds of conflicts that seem to arise on Saturday!
I have decided to rearrange my schedule...I am going to go long on Monday!
That gives me all week of unexpected situations...to catch up and get my long run in!
If Monday fails...just think....I have 5 more days to try!
This week I got it on the first try!
Whooo Hooo!
Love having my long done and over with...now I can just relax and make it through the rest of the week!

Right now long is 7!
And trust me it felt L...O...N...G!!!!

Whoo Hoooo for 20 miles!
I'm cheering ahead of time...hoping that helps me break through!
(I have finished 12 and it's Wednesday...I've got to be able to pull another 8 out by Saturday! ;) )

Boston is a bit WET!

We decided to come to Boston with dad!
Unfortunately we hit a COLD AND WET week!

I missed the cue....we were suppose to look cold and miserable!
The truth is...we still had a BLAST!

The original idea ....
was to come to Boston, get a hotel downtown!
Run around the AWESOME downtown of BOSTON!
BUT....It's the 4 weeks of graduation!
Everything is sold out!

Instead we are outside of the city...back on a treadmill....but we are loving our trip...wet or not!

Tonight we are going for a LONG run outside...even if I have to run on the freeway!
Long for me ....may be short for you! =)

Frantic Friday!

What am I FRANTIC ABOUT????
Nothing!
I just liked the sound of it!
I'm am at a great spot in my fitness right now!
Still SUPER FAR from where I would like to go...but I am moving along at snail pace...and loving every minute!
I figure....you can't stand still....you either have to improve, or decline..and I have been working out consistently for 8 weeks!
This week is I ran 3 times...and hopefully a 4th....tonight!
I did 1 day of yoga...I would like to get that moved up as well to 3 or 4 times!
I did a spin class...an hour...and it's a tough one!
I love the teacher...it makes me cry...before and after...PERFECT!!!!
(I don't really cry...but it's tough)
Well, I am wishing a great weekend to all of you!
Good luck to those with competitions!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Today was the perfect day!
Perfect weather!

And a great game of volleyball with no rules!!!

Klompen Classic!

Last night was our towns BIG 5k of the year!
I always love to run this race...I love to see everyone...running the actual race is not the most enjoyable part! =)
Above is Robyn Friedman...sorry it's not a good picture!
She is out of this world amazing!
She ran 16:5- something...and was out last year, pregnant with her third child!
She broke her half marathon record at Drake Relays last month!
She is humble....and FAST!

My hubby ran and is is catching me!
This is the only thing I can beat him at....
HELP!
I can not let this wonderful man beat me!

He ran a 25:06...and felt wonderful!
I ran a 23:25 and felt...not so wonderful!

At mile 2 I felt like making a quick turn and running home...I live 1 mile from there!
I'll be honest it was a tough race!
My time was fine...I would have loved to run 15 sec. faster...or more!

My two oldest daughters ran in 27:12....I was very proud of them..and thankful to my fantastic fast friend, LISA, who stayed with them, and helped them run a solid race!

My oldest daughter was amazed how hard it was for Lisa to hold back. She couldn't understand how running slow can be hard! =)

It was a great night of running!

I guess there can be good out of Caos?

I heard some giggling from my sweet innocent kids...
then I heard the older girls scream..."oh no!"
I knew it was bad!
My two little ones had super glued their feet to the bathroom floor, their hands to the counter, except one...which my son helped his sister glue it to her face!
Yup!!!!
Super glue.....EVERYWHERE!
It was an absolute disaster!

That is just the beginning of my week, as my 5 year old son goes through the stage of experimenting...how far can he go????

I hope this stage is short lived...He has put toothpaste in my 3 year olds hair, (lots of it), and then brushed it!
Yuck....

How can all of this be good?

I have needed my workouts more than ever!

My report is this...
I have continued to maintain consistency....and for any of you who have read my blog...I have had a rough year or so with consistency!
I'm going on week 7!
Whoo Hoo!

1st 5k ....of the season!

I love to race!
I actually love to race more than run....
racing is what gets me excited about running!

Yesterday, was my first race of the season...
I have been working out for 5 week...with a small bit of running...here a little ...there a little!
I was hoping to run in the 25 min range!

I was SHOCKED to find out that I ran 23:29!
Not too shabby for this momma!


Even more than the time...I was excited about my mile splits...
Usually I go out way too fast...and then hang on to dear life!
I know better....but I just can't seem to get myself to change the way I race!

This time, I was just looking for a time...so that I would know where I was.
I took off to fast...with the rest of the crowd...but my whole body was shutting down after about 2oo yds...so I decided to wait for my younger daughter and just run with her...
as I was shuffling along, I saw my daughters teacher from last year...and I knew that she ran a 25 min. 5k...and was a consistent runner!

I decided to stay with her, and see how I felt after a couple of miles!
This helped me get into a good pace....

1st mile 7:30...
I quickly did the math in my head and realized that I was not ready to run a 7:30 pace!
I then thought I better slow down a tad....
As I slowed down I thought "Sherri, this is a mental sport and you feel good....so if you talk yourself into slowing down ...then you will not run the correct time!"
So I decided to keep that pace for as long as I could!

7:30 is a 23:10 5k....so I almost ran a perfect split race...(minus 20 sec.)
That is what I am excited about!
I ran a smart race...I felt what it felt like!
It was still hard...but I had my head on the whole time...much better....than praying for ankle to break so I could quit! (which I have done!)

I got 1st in my age group...(which is always an ego booster)
that is what I love about small races...if I ran a big race, I would have just fallen into the crowd...this helped me get excited about racing!
This race was 366 people!

The 2nd medal is from my daughter....7 years old...who ran 26:37!
WOW!!!
I was so proud of her...she ran her little heart out!

Here's the BIG QUESTION!
We have a race here in our town next Wed.
just 10 days after that race!
She is signed up to run...she is young...and untrained!
Is it okay for her to run another 5k...already????
I hesitate...but she insists!!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

(The little one in the green is the one who ran 26:37)

Sometimes a Scooter would be easier!

I am on week 5 of consistency!
I have not had this for a very long time...at least not with working out!
It feels good!
I lost a bit of weight early...but nothing else!
I hope it will just all come together!
I am running a small 5k this weekend with my girls and hubby!
I love to race....even though I am not in racing shape...I love the energy!

Today I am going on a week of not much sleep...and it is catching up with me!
I really need to get my run in...and I am rather tired...plus I have 5 hyped kids!
I thought maybe if I posted I would get excited to get out and run!
I think it's working!

I have noticed that running outside it tough after being on the treadmill all winter.
I enjoy the smells, and the breeze...but the hills are killing me...I feel like I'm moving at snail pace!
At least I'm moving! =)

I'm Not Dying!

Okay...so last week...week #2...I stuck to the progra!
Monday....1 hour body pump...1 mile run immediately following!
Tuesday....1 hour spin class
Wednesday...1 hour body pump...1.5 mile run following!
Thursday...1 hour spin class....3 mile run immediately following!
Friday 4 miles running

This week I could feel a typical week 3 syndrome ....loosing steam...
I am determined to make this the new habit!
Monday....1 hour body pump (intended to run, but day care called me for crying baby! =( )
Tuesday....I got Mastitis...HIGH FEVER...miserable!
needless to say...I did not workout!
I did get on antibiotics right away...
and
by
Wed. I was feeling much better...still sore...but better!
I decided I needed to avoid all excuses and just run!
I ran 3 miles..
and the entire time, 4 vultures circles around me!

Seriously guys???
Don't they only circle dying things???
Well, I've got news for them...
I'M NOT DYING!

Love Treadmill Games...and March Madness!

Last week, I actually did get a couple of runs in! Whoo Hoo!!!
Friday I ran an easy 3miles! Then Saturday, I was going to do the same thing, just an easy 3. Lucky for me March Madness was on, and we were having so much fun cheering on the underdog...that my time flew by...and the miles added up! I played a little game with myself, I put a towel over the dashboard of the treadmill. During commercials I ran 6.0, when the game started I would go up to 6.3, and every free throw I would go up 1! If the game tied up ,then I would do a 1 min. celebration at 7.0! (It tied back and forth often). When I started my run there was 9 min. of basketball time left....I thought that I would be able to get my 3 miles in ...No problem! I was not expecting overtime! I told myself I would not stop running until the game was over! Conclusion I ran 6 miles! That is good for me....right now! I am excited to do the whole thing over this Saturday...and maybe run 7!

I have kept up the body pump and spinning! I can already tell, that my muscles are slowly responding! I knew I had muscles....somewhere???!!!!

My hip is hurting, I have to use my arm to lift my leg! I am pretty sure it is just the muscle tightening up after lack of use! I hope! I am going to get some yoga in today and this weekend!

I have dropped 4 lbs! HOOORAY!
I only need to loose another 15....but that 15 feels like 100!

I hope everyone is having a great day!
Big thanks to all of you super stars who give encouraging stories and quotes, that keep popping in my head...and get me excited! It took a bit to actually get me moving...but I'm on my way! =)

I'm finding it...

This has been along rough year...for running. I have been fighting lack of motivation, time, and balance! During that struggle I have managed to gain weight, lose muscle, and age a bit!

I don't know what happened....but I can tell it happened. I'M FED UP! I decided that the time isn't going to stop...or slow down, while I figure my fitness out! Somehow, I have managed to fit in an hour workout everyday this week! WHOO HOO!

My husband who has been trying to help me find my "mojo", with encouraging words. He is thrilled! We both know that the truth is, if you just take the time to fit in fitness, and scripture time...then the day flows smoother. Suddenly, you may not need more hours, because your able to accomplish more in the hours that we do have!

I'm not going to pretend I am at that point...yet. But I have been there...and know that it is there! Right now I am paying for my lack of exercise! This week is just survival!

I did not run this week! I decided to work on building some muscle. I did 2 body pump classes...circuit weight training! Two days of Yoga! Two days of 1 hour RPM class.....spinning....talk about burn! I'm talking major leg burning...and calorie burning!

I'm excited for next week....it's just a week at a time...and this week was a success!=)