a unintended mileage cutback...and a valentine's recap!

So, um, yeah...about last week...

...wasn't my most productive week.

Just as I was about to leave the house for my 18 mile run on Saturday morning, fully dressed in running garb, ready to brave the cold, I could not find my iPod.  Anywhere.  After a brief meltdown that only a runner may understand, I still couldn't find my iPod, and I decided I was mentally was unfit for running any high mileage.  Remember what I wrote about how I am a creature of routine and ritual?  How I don't deal well with last-minute changes to plans I've had for a while?  This was a prime example of that.  I could have probably run up to ten miles without music...but not eighteen.  Also, it is the way I know how far I am running - it is highly motivating for me to know what mile I am on, which my iPod kindly tells me.  So,  quite disheartened,  I took my dog for a brisk four mile jaunt, stewing at first about the cosmic forces seemingly preventing my marathon training.   By mile two, however, I was reaching a place of zen about the situation.  Perhaps if I'd attempted the long run I would have gotten injured.  Perhaps this was divine intervention -- God telling me in no uncertain terms I needed a cut-back week.  Message received, Lord.  By mile four I was feeling much more stable.

Running is therapy, folks.  There is no doubt about it.  Even a short run.

I eventually felt okay about not getting a long run in this week because I finally started looking at training programs, real training schedules, and I was WAY ahead of the mileage I should have been at.  I have eleven weeks left before the race, and according to all of the beginner marathon runner schedules I looked at I should have only been around 13 miles, rather than 18.

Despite this new knowledge , I still felt really, really guilty taking the week off from a long run.  I know that I need to give myself a break.  Then I found these words and they really spoke to how I was feeling:

Even a bitty four mile one.

Also, through looking at actual training schedules I learned that I should be doing more runs during the week (shorter, of course) at my race pace (which I don't really know yet.)  So I am going to try to incorporate more of that, somehow.

Last week's training...
Sunday: Recovery day from my 17 mile run - no workouts.
Monday: this 10 minute intense lower ab workout and this 7 Best Ab Exercises workout during naps
Tuesday: this 18 minute Miley Cyrus leg workout  and this 8 minute ballet workout ; PM gym - light cardio
Wednesday: PM gym - light cardio
Thursday: PM gym - this higher intensity fartlek workout...which I actually stretched to 30 minutes.  I felt a little goofy running this fast on the treadmill - and like it was going to break! But I felt really strong after!!!!

//source//

Friday: AM yoga class
Saturday: 4 mile run.

  + + + + + + + 

Onto the fun stuff...

Valentine's Day!  Yes, a silly Hallmark holiday...but so fun!  I've always loved having a special day of celebration with Hubby....but now I see that every holiday is more fun when you have tiny babes at home to enjoy them with. (No, I am not being sarcastic, I promise.)  It definitely changes things up, but I've come to believe the more loved ones you have around you to celebrate things with, the more special it is.  Increasingly I treasure our tiny yet growing family* particularly since I am so far away from my own family in Minnesota/Montana, which includes my three siblings, two sibs-in-law, and six nieces and nephews.

It is hard not seeing them...but I feel like we are creating our own little tribe here.*

*I'm not pregnant! just saying.  not pregnant.  various glasses of wine were consumed during the Valentine's feast after the kiddos went to sleep! :)

So Valentine's Day being on a Saturday looked like this for us:

Took kiddos to their first offical gymnastics class at a local gym that morning.  Since I had bailed on my long run I was able to go and watch...and it was so CUTE!  Basically just a bunch of toddlers tumbling around and looking adorable.  I watched from a balcony, being a dorky mom taking phone pics, while Hubby was with baby girl for her Bear/Cub class.  It was so sweet and she did really well.  She is very enthusiastic about most things and pretty fearless!

after class - bear and cub still playing!

Cormac was old enough to be on his own so, after a slight meltdown, he went with his class of littles around to all the stations and did quite well.  He has SO MUCH ENERGY, so it is nice to get him into activities where he can burn it off.  I loved watching him bounce around in his typical helter-skelter way, and how he proudly showed his teacher his "somersault" about twenty times.

The rest of the day was pretty laid-back.  After naps we bummed around a bit, then took the kids to the nearby Chik-fil-A for their dinner, as they love the little playroom and "making friends" there.   Then we headed to the grocery and bought food for an adult feast that night -- since we had no sitter we were cooking at home, like we did last year.  Tradition?  Yes, please!  It is really fun, as I get to cook alongside Hubby which never really happens with our schedule.  (Oh, and I prefer being the chef at our house, which he enjoys.)

Before the kids went to bed we all indulged in some chocolate covered strawberries from Hubby...and let the kids each eat a donut.  Nothing like a sugar binge before bedtime!  ;)  (Let there be no dieting rules on holidays, I say!)

these were YUM! nice work, hubby!

giving them donuts was not the original plan. 

I gathered this misfit group of candles for mood lighting...

we finished these off in no time.

shrimp cocktail is a staple at our "fancy" home dinners 

my special filets - so, so good.

The rest of the menu was steamed broccoli, a crusty loaf of bread, and, of course, red wine.  We watched our wedding dvd while dining and it was so fun reliving that day a little bit.  We plan on making this another tradition.

Hope everyone's Valentine's Day was so, so sweet!  

in lieu of a card...

Dear Valentine,
I was going to give you a card.  A real nice card.  However, I thought, knowing you as I do, this would mean a lot more.  (Plus, this does not cost $6 like the card I was going to buy you.  Which I know matters to you, my financial-minded Valentine. :) )

I know I am a lot to put up with at times.  A fiery temper.  Kinda selfish.  More than my fair share of crazy.  Dramatic.  Emotional.   Ridiculous.  "Annoying." (hehe)  

Despite all that, I know you love me.  You always have.  You were the guy who sent me flowers and chocolate even when we lived far apart and I'm pretty sure we weren't even dating.  The guy who wrote me real letters, lovely letters, even when email would have been easier.  The guy who felt confident about marrying me even after my own parents tried to "warn him" kindly that I am a lot to handle.  

The guy who took on took on my debt when we got married and didn't blink an eye.  (Then put us on a strict budget to pay it off, of course.)

You, my Valentine, are more than I could have hoped for.  Romance and comfort and excitement all rolled into one.

Thanks for sitting through countless episodes of the Bachelor with me, telling me you love my hair no matter how short or long it is, coming to my rescue always, being the calm + logical one when I am the total spaz, and trusting me as your partner in life.

I thank God for you every day.

The most dedicated reader of this little blog.

My Hubby.

Will you be mine - forever?  

Love,
Your Wifey

thanks for being so fun - and for thinking I am fun, too!

valentine's date

Some say Valentine's Day is just a ridiculous Hallmark holiday...

but I tend to sway the other way and call it -

awesome. 

These people may roll their eyes and say

"You shouldn't have to wait 'til Valentines Day as an excuse to tell/show someone how much you love them!!!"

These people must know a secret to life that I don't.

Most of us get sucked into the monotony of everyday life,

parenting,

working, 

stress, 

whatever it is.  

Most of us appreciate a reminder.

Permission, maybe.

An excuse.

An excuse to get cheesy and romantic.

To dress your kids in pink or red or hearts

 (or all of the above.)

To buy or receive flowers.

To write a sappy love note.

To eat a lot of chocolate.

To drink a lot of wine.

To go to a fancy restaurant.

To wear a new dress 

and say

"Dang - I am lovely!" 

and maybe have someone else

tell you that, too.

However you celebrated, I just hope you celebrated

and used the excuse to have a little

mushy, cheesy romantic fun.

* * * * * * 

This year the kiddos and I just had a fun, low-key day at home.

I dressed them in the proper color scheme of red and hearts.

I talked about Valentines Day all day long, 

and all day Cormac was saying,

"Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!" 

in his super cute 2-year-old voice and fun little grin.

I tried to take some cute photos of me and the kids for a DIY gift for Hubby...

but I had a hard time getting them to both get in the photograph and actually smile.

 My mini-Valentines...

Then came the night.

Hubby and I have had some really fun Valentine's dates in the past.

Ice skating.

Fun restaurants.

You know, quintessential Valentine's day stuff.

But this year we did something different -- 

we stayed home.

Yep - no babysitter...

just drinking wine, playing music,

cooking a fancy, outrageous seafood feast together.

While the kiddos didn't get to eat lobster with us,

I did let Cormac have some strawberries and whipped cream. 

Spraying whipped cream mustaches on him 

and hearing him giggle uproariously and yell

"Take my picture!"

was one of my favorite moments of the night...

Other favorites...

I made my first risotto.  

(Checkin' that one off my 'foodie bucket list.')

 Risotto takes a long time and needs a lot of babysitting...so I took a selfie or two...and drank wine.

We also boiled our own lobster. (another 'check'!)

  Pink roses adorned the table.
I'm a stereotypical girl.  I like flowers.  A lot.

 A delicious bottle cabernet sauvignon was consumed in its entirety.  

The lobster was delish.  As good as I've had at any fancy restaurant.  

(and cheaper...right, babe??? ;) )

We ate A LOT.  Not even any room for dessert.  

(Although I think I ate some anyway.)

My valentine...

Thanks for another beautiful Valentine's Day, my love.

Here's to many more 'at home date nights.' 

Better than any restaurant I know.

14 days of loves: day 14 {my valentine}

No dinner.  No chocolate.  No flowers.

Better.

Spa Day!

We drove 2 hours to drop the babe off at his Mimi's house, so we could enjoy our daytime Valentine's Date.  Here is me, makeup-free in my sweats, all ready to bliss out:

 Started the morning off right relaxing together with a latte and sweet vday treats!

 I read my book, and Hubby got a paper and did the crossword.  We did this a lot in our former, pre-baby life together. :)

Then it was off to the spa.

Doesn't that sound swanky?

As if we have spa days a lot {we don't.}

Hubby booked us both two services each.

And although we spent the next three hours apart...

it was heavenly.

I took a waterfall shower, 

sat in the sauna,

sipped 'calm' tea,

had a foot scrub,

full-body massage,

more tea,

then pedicure.

Anytime I was asked if I'd like something...sample of lip balm...blue oil on my neck...more tea...

I said:  Don't mind if I do.

Pure zen awesomeness.

Only weird part...this awkward conversation with my masseuse:

Her: When was your last massage?

Me:  Ummmm...seriously I can't remember.

Her: *look of pity* 

Me: Maybe three years ago?

Her: Any recent surgeries or health issues?

Me: Nope. Unless you count having a baby.  If so, then yes.

Her: *uncomfortable stare*

Me: *uncomfortable laugh* 

Her: Any particular area you want me to concentrate on?

Me: Um...pretty much anywhere.  Everywhere. It all needs help!

After another odd look from her

{note to self: don't try to joke around with massage therapists}

 the awkward question/answer period ended, 

and the AMAZING massage ensued.

So, so nice.

Then, famished, we had a late lunch of

sushi and, of course, wine. 

Was a nice change-up from our typical Valentine's dates, before Baby came along.  Much needed rejuvenation for this mama.  And much-appreciated romantic date-time for both of us.

Thank you, Hubby, for loving me so much.  Every day.

g

{valentines loves: a lil late}

Yeah, yeah, I know.  

Valentines Day was two whole days ago.  

But being preggo has me running a little late, lately.

I did, however, celebrate, on time, with my loves.

And though this year we took a break from 

roses...

{our bridesmaid's bouquets}

we did delight in strawberries...

...drizzled with white chocolate, nestled on a fudge brownie...

and I got a romantic dinner out with this guy...

{cruise 2007}

....and got to feel this Little Bean flip-flopping inside of me!

Hope your Valentine's Day was filled with those people and things that you

L.O.V.E.


G