Peek of Miss J!

		Peek of Miss J! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Body Rock and other new moves…

Sorry I have not posted again in a while, but things just get busy with two kids and I really do not have any NEW news to share! I just keep doing pretty much the same things over and over again! I am trying to increase my weight lifting time and/or plyometrics and ab exercises.  I know I do a lot of cardio, and that is really good and all, but I also know that I need to do a bit more for my abs if I want to look like I did not have two kids! I would really love to have nice, flat abs, but as anyone who has had kids knows, it is nearly impossible to get rid of the extra skin that is there after all that growing! Anyways….that is what I am aiming for! So lately I have been doing exercises from bodyrock, which…whew! Yesterday at the gym I did two sets of exercises from there and surprisingly today I am not that sore, but I am supposed to run today and since I was lazy and did not get up early this AM I have to run with two kids today, and I am just not quite feeling like it! I think part of that is because I am a bit exhausted from the workout yesterday! This upcoming week is my “bad” week at work, but it still is not too bad…I work M/T/F/Sun nights, so really not terrible! But I am going to aim for 40 miles this week of running since I am not planning on running any big races too soon, and I will also do my regular elliptical workout, plyometrics 3 or 4 times this week and try to do a bit more biking! I really love biking, but it is hard to find the time between rainy, cold/chilly, and windy days! So we will see how this week goes.

Med City marathon, half and relay is happening in rochester today, I would have liked to ran a part of that race.  but I just hate the time commitment for half of my day and the amount of money it costs to get into all these events.  The only things that I am really planning as of right now are a 5 or 10k for our zumbrota covered bridge fest on june 18 and then on the 19th doing the sprint triathlon in rochester. Then, not anything until august when I do ragnar.  I am still debating a fall marathon??! I would like to do one, but I am not sure when/where.  I will keep looking.  Some that I am thinking of: Twin Cities, Whistlestop, Chicago or ????

Well I need to change my clothes and look at the weather to see if going for a run is going to happen or if we will get soaked!  I really do not want to run up and down our street during naptime, that is way too boring!

Oh yeah, and last night we went to the Twins game! Great game! The kids were okay, scott got a bit annoyed with them, but they were okay and ended up winning! Great game to go to.  The pitcher was brought up from triple A and he threw a no-hitter until the 7th inning I believe it was! He was fantastic!

 

Lastly, My hubby is also now exercising! I LOVE IT! And I cannot wait for him to start seeing results!

Have a Happy Memorial Day! ~katie

Tired and lazy…

Good Afternoon,

Well I am just now “waking” up after working 12 hour night shifts all weekend.  Last week was a great week for me from an exercise standpoint, but over the weekend when I work from 7p-7a and sleep from 815-3 or 4pm it is so challenging to get motivated to wake up and immediately exercise, knowing that I am choosing exercise over playing with the kids or seeing my hubby.  So, friday was a good workout day- I honestly am not sure what I did but I know it was a good workout and that I lifted weights-a lot- as my butt is still sore! which is a good thing-in my book! Saturday I did not exercise at all as I slept until almost 5pm and had just enough time to get up, shower, eat and head back to work.  But, sleep is so important for me physically and mentally! Sunday I slept terribly, and when I finally got out of bed at 230 I knew the babysitter could only stay until 3pm, so I tossed on my running clothes and got in a half hour run.  Then I came home and did a little bit of plyometrics, but the kids both woke up within about 15 minutes of that so instead I just did a little ab work and then took the kids for a 45 minute walk.  Even that seemed draining to me.  I could tell I had slept poorly! then it was back to work for another night and home this am, just in time so my hubby could go to work and I could stay home with the kids They were good little monkeys for the most part this AM.  Henry watched two cartoons and then turned the TV off and the two of them just did puzzles, a couple games and some coloring.  They also dumped out a quarter of the box of cinnamon chex all over the living room carpet…again, oh well…the vacuum took care of that! I finally got motivated to wake up for good around 1200.  Made some lunch and cleaned up the house! whew! I feel much better now, oh and I lit a candle and opened windows! so now I am hoping to do tae bo and maybe my abs and butt video and then later take the kids for a walk again, hopefully a bit faster than yesterday and for a full hour so I can get my two hours of exercise in today at least! It is planting time here, so scott plans to come home from work and head right out to the field so no run for me today, which does bum me out.  I love a nice peaceful run. 

I sold our double jogging stroller last summer I believe, it was a unique design that I had ordered, because the kids were so close that it had one seat in front and one in back-not side by side- and I loved it, but H was just getting too big for it, but now I am wondering if that was the right decision.  The only double stroller I have is a sit and stand, and it is a bus to push, I just cannot stand it.  So, last night I looked all over the internet for cheap or used double joggers and really did not have luck finding one on craigslist or anything, everyone wants 100-300 for a used one…NO thanks! So, our single jogger is a baby trend expedition, so I ordered a double one from walmart, surprisingly it was only 149 and the reviews were great.  I LOVE my single jogger.  The only thing I do not like Is that it does not have a swivel wheel in front, but for running I absolutely do not want a swivel wheel.  But, I cannot wait to get it! Then I can at least walk at my normal fast pace on a walk and/or jog with the kids!

well, I better get moving if I hope to get a workout in while the kids are napping!

Hope you are enjoying your Monday ~ Katie 

Tired Legs

This past week has been beautiful here in MN! Finally! I have not taken a day off in over a week, because it is just so nice outside! I have also not ran on the treadmill in eons, which is really good for me! I run faster outside and push myself a bit harder outside-I do wish I had a Garmin though-then I would be able to prove that I am in fact faster outside. Here is a recap of my workouts, or at least what I can remember at 3AM!

Wednesday- Ran 1 hour outside, Exercise video (I think) and maybe gym?!?!
Thursday - Ran outdoors pushing Olivia on our gravel/paved path for 80 minutes (Usually do not run two days in a row, so i was impressed with myself!), Ex./strength video 40 minutes, gym 60 on elliptical
Friday - Ran 3.2 miles in 22 minutes, Biked 60 minutes, Ran 3.2 miles in 24 minutes (my legs were exhausted), Biked 5 minutes to gym, Elliptical for 40 minutes, biked back home..whew! (And I felt fat this day-why?!? Must have been the water retention!) -Oh and I slept terrible this night-how? After such a great workout?!?!
Saturday - Elliptical 60, biked 30, craft show with kids, grocery shopping, gardening-lots!, prom, BUSY day-I was exhausted!
Sunday - Mother's Day! Workout video for 57 minutes- whew- it was a killer! was hoping to run, but my legs were way too exhausted from my strength video to run! so...elliptical for 60 - interval training- and biked 15 or 30 minutes???
Monday - Strength video again - 35 minutes - was about 44 minutes long, but my legs were pooped and I NEEDED to run so I had to cut it short! Then, after napping for an hour and a half I hit snooze on my alarm clock and tried to go back to sleep and reset my alarm for 430-I really did not want to get up and go for a run...but then, i noticed it was beautiful outside! So, up I got, the babysitter arrived..and I headed out for an hour run-but it was WINDY! whew! but, ran for an hour-lots of hills-lots of wind! then finished with a 25 minute walk. I also had a terrible celiac stomachache - ugh- i hate them! But, I made great oatmeal bars yesterday - so it was kind of worth it! But, YUCK!

Now I am at work tonight, then sleep all day and I am hoping for a bike ride this afternoon for 30 minutes and an hour on the elliptical, and an ab workout! Then back to work again tonight!

I am still debating doing the med-city marathon at the end of may-just not sure I really feel like it...we will see! .....

Have a great day ~Katie

finally...the warm up!

Well, it is finally warming up a little outside. I was hoping to go for a long run on Sunday, but it was way too cold and windy for me! So it was off the the gym again! I am getting a little bit sick of going there. I have noticed myself braving the cooler temps in the past month or two and just going outside for a run because I am so bored with the treadmill. We also have a new bike path in Zumbrota, which is fantastic! It is in a lovely wooded area, so even if it is windy you cannot tell quite as much as you can if you are running on a road. I love it!

Since the marathon I have been debating doing another marathon in May or do i wait and just do one in the fall? I dont know?!?!? It was an awesome experience in Boston and i would love to repeat that! but, I think it was so fun because of all the people there! I do worry about the one at the end of May being too warm and too few people that it might be a little boring compared to boston! I am for sure doing my triathlon again in June (just the sprint length). Only for the reason that it is something different to do, and it totally freaks me out-so why not! Maybe I can beat my time from last year and place in the top three of my age group-that is my goal anyways! Other than that race I really do not have much planned, I might do the 5K in our town and see if I can get in under 21 minutes, but who knows! I am not a big fan of 5K's - IMO they are a waste of money because you pay $25 and get a tshirt that I never wear and run for 20 minutes, when i could totally do that on my own for free! But, it is good for my speed training, as i do very little speed work. I am hoping to save up some money and buy a garmin in the next few weeks/month, because I think that is the only way that I will really start improving my time. Otherwise I just go out for an hour run and guesstimate how far I ran! Not real accurate, but I do enjoy just running and not worrying about my time. And I am happy with my times at my previous races! Then in August I might do the Ragnar Relay with my brother and his wife and a few other people they know, but I have not heard any more on that, so who knows! This fall I am hoping to find a marathon to do somewhere within driving distance from here that could be a little weekend vacation for us!

So onto my workout since my last post...

Mostly gym, because it has been cold, rainy and windy, and even a little snowy here!

But, last Thursday i ran in shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt when it was like 37 degrees-brrr...but it felt good to be outdoors! (got in an hour long run, I had a babysitter for exactly one hour-so she walked in-I said, "the kids are sleeping, see you in an hour" and left! when i rtned they were still asleep!)
Friday-Gym and exercise video which was SO hard, my legs seriously were still sore on Monday when i did it again! SO good!
Saturday-nothing-I worked friday night so I slept all day saturday then we went for a drive with the kids to go get cheese curds in WI and went and ate at the Pickle Factory in Pepin WI-it was delicious and the kids loved not eating, but watching the trains go by as we ate!
Sunday-gym-way too cold! Did run 4.5 miles in 30 minutes, so i was happy with this! but then I was too tired for any more! Had a great ab workout.
Monday afternoon I did get in an 80 minutes run-which was beautiful! and also did my plyometrics video which was 45 minutes. Was sore! Worked Mon Night
Tuesday-Slept! and then went for an hour bike ride-it was windy, but good and beautiful! then gym for a 10 minute run and elliptical for 30 minutes before getting ready for work again!

Today I will go home and sleep and prob do my video again, maybe get a run in for an hour? clean house and that is about it! play with the kids!

On Thursday, My Henry turns 4!!! FOUR!
OMG!!! i cannot believe it!

He is so excited! We are going to go out to eat for supper that night I think to Chuck-E-Cheese and maybe the Circus or a movie!

Have a great night or day!

~Katie

Recovery Post-Boston!

Since returning home from Boston, I have felt great! My legs, feet, knees have not bothered me at all.  After my marathon last fall I had a sore knee for a week or two, so I am very happy that I do not have this problem now!

So last week I actually ran 1 mile on Tuesday (the day after the marathon) and did the elliptical for 45 minutes.

Wednesday-Ran 30 minutes (b/n 7.5mph-8.5mph!) Again, I was happy with this.  Also biked for 30 or 45 minutes, and did the elliptical again.  Tried to do my normal weight routine, but figured out really quickly that my legs could not handle squats or lunges yet!

 

Thursday-Ran 60 minutes pushing Olivia in the stroller, tae-bo, ab video and elliptical at gym

Friday-walk, elliptical, bike-worked a night shift

Saturday-Ran 10 minutes (was too tired after working all night and sleeping all day to get up and get moving too quickly!)  and elliptical for 90 minutes, and biked for 20 minutes  and then went to work for 12 hours overnight again!

Sunday- Ran 45 minutes, walked 10 minutes spent a few hours with the kids for Easter! then, back to work again for another 12 hour night shift! Fun, Fun, Fun!

Monday-Came home to sleep and actually had a babysitter, since the HS was off for spring break yet! So, I was going to sleep until 1pm since she wanted to leave around 130, but I woke up a 440pm instead! OMG…I could not believe I slept that long! I came out of our bedroom and our lovely babysitter was still here, the kids were napping! But, she was so sweet and said she just could not leave while I was sleeping!

Needless to say, Monday was no workout since I slept all day and then I finally had a chance to see the kids for a few minutes!

Tuesday-Today-had a class for work-YUCK! I hate working day shifts-so class started at 7am, and yes, I just left work yesterday at 7am! whatever…but during our hour lunch break I brought clothes with so I could get a run in, and even though it was raining I still ventured out for a run and got soaked, but it really was bizarrely beautiful! I really enjoyed just the quiet time.  So, I ended up getting a 50 minutes run in, even though everyone that I was in class with could not believe that I actually went running in the pouring rain! Then after class, since I had not had a great workout in a couple of day I decided I better head to the gym and finish my hour run and do the elliptical for an hour!

Tomorrow the agenda is for another hour long run-on the treadmill as it is supposed to be cold, rainy and possibly snowy it sounds like.  And the elliptical for 45-60, bike 15-30 and weights and abs! And clean up my house! whew.  I cannot stand a mess, but at the same time after working three night shifts in a row and then a day immediately after I just do not have the energy to do too much.  Thankfully, my hubby did all the laundry and the dishes today! I am so grateful!

Hope you are all having a great week!

~Katie

Boston Marathon Recap

 

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

I was SO nervous about the entire day, what was going to happen, how I was going to do, would I qualify again for next year, would the wind be against us, would I really finish and would I have negative mindtalk the entire run????  In my qualifying run last fall I asked myself about 50 times why on earth I was running a marathon. 

Not the case with the BOSTON MARATHON, it was so unbelieveable.  At one point, I think around mile 7 or 8 I could feel myself wanting to speed it up a bit and I probably could have, but I had to remind myself that I was there to enjoy myself, enjoy the crowd and take it all in. 

So on Monday morning I woke up and it was sunny and looked lovely outside. Then I looked at the temps and it was in the low 40s I would prefer it a bit warmer.  And it was very windy, thankfully pushing me towards Boston! I had debated shorts or knee pants the entire time, and decided I would wear my knee pants and then bring shorts with and if I felt like it I could change into them in Athlete’s Village.  I was cold almost all morning, up until about race time, then I finally started to warm up.  I decided  I better leave my knee pants on as well as my long sleeve t-shirt otherwise I would  be too cold. The buses left Boston at 7am for the start line and so I chatted with a lady from Cambridge, MA on the ride out there!  Once I arrived in the waiting area time flew by.  I met up with a Tricia from Mazeppa and we talked for a while, but then I did not see her again during the entire race!

At 10:00 theif race started, but my wave and corral did not leave until around 1020 or so.  Immediately I felt like I had to pee, and I was hungry-NOT the way I wanted to start the race.  I had seriously went to the bathroom like 7 times that morning-once right before lining up! I was also quite warm.  I managed to keep my long sleeve tshirt on until about mile 7 then I finally took it off and for the rest of the race wore it around my waist.  Not the greatest idea, but it worked-and I really did not want to throw it off to the side too badly.  Needless to say, if I run it again, I will wear a shirt I can throw off and will not mind never getting back again! My knee pants were also a bit warm, I definetely could have worn shorts and been okay.  After a few miles of starving there were people already handing out food, THANKFULLY! So, at almost every opportunity possible I took orange segments or banana chunks to eat.  If people would not have been there to help me eat I am not sure how I would have finished.  I was so hungry! I got to the first 5K marker so quickly, my time was not that great, but it felt like the time was flying by! The crowd was so incredible! So many people there to see the race, it was just amazing.  Well, for my marathon last fall I did a mile by mile recap-so here it is for Boston-WAY different than Whistlestop!

1-WOW- I was really wondering if I would be running with this many people the entire time.  My first mile was like 8:02, not what I wanted.  I prefer to start off faster and slow down throughout the race, but there was just no way to get around everyone and get going any faster. 

2-okay, there were still a lot of people-everywhere-runners, spectators, everyone was getting hot and throwing off their clothes, so I had to watch my step!

3-5K already?!?!?! Amen, this is fabulous so far!

4-5 somewhere in here there was a little hill I remember and I was thinking oh these hills are not too bad. 

6- Well I made it to the 10K so now everyone that is following me is getting an update, I better really try to push it to get over this mat in a certain time so they do not think I am too slow as they are getting their text alerts!

7- smooth sailing for a while-thinking okay, not quite the 8 mph I prefer to run, but still not too bad if I can just keep this pace up for another 19 miles-what?!?!? 19 miles?!?! I had to excite my mind by thinking okay, I already made it almost to the 1/3 mark (in my head, anything after 20 is easy, and I know I will finish!)

8-I remember people handing out fig newtons here and I can’t remember if we were in the town of newton or not, but I so wanted something to eat but I did not want a stomachache, I had one earlier this AM. 

9-okay, almost to the 10 mile mark, then just another 25 minutes to the halfway mark and I can see scott!

10-yes, I made it to the ten mile mark!!!!

11-we are really close to being halfway done!  Fantastic!

12-okay, seriously, I have one more mile until the halfway mark-where is the sign?!?!? Then, we went around a corner and down a hill in Wellesly College (an all female college-I believe) and from a quarter mile away you could hear all these girls cheering!

13-Awesome to turn a corner and see SO many people cheering! It was an amazing spot in the race.  there was a T stop here, so there were thousands of fans here making so much noise! I also knew scott was going to be here, so I was excited.  But, I was looking everywhere and never saw him-and he never saw me And I had to stop for a potty break here, I just could not hold on one minute longer.  I ate an orange or a banana or something a few minute before and it immediately gave me an upset stomach.  Thankfully, that was the only stop I had to make during the race!

14-Over the halfway mark, my miles left are finally less than the miles I have already accomplished! Fantastic!

15-oh yeah, we have hills coming up…YUCK! hmm…we will see how that goes!

16-Oh yeah, I see the kills coming.  I better take a gel-YUCK! Plain flavored-YUCK! thankfully I had a new piece of gum and some water. 

17-oh seriously hills-already….oh my god this is a huge flipping hill.  Maybe this is heartbreak hill that everyone talks about, because this one is huge!

18-Oh maybe this one is bigger??? And I am not sure what is better, running down a slight decline or going up an incline?? Thankfully, I do pretty well with hills and I don’t think they slowed me down too much.  There were a quite a few walkers in this area!

19-oh yeah, it is flat, maybe that is the end of the hills---oh no, nevermind, up ahead there is another big one! The crowds from this point on were incredible, LOUD and VERY encouraging!

20- WOW…my legs are wiped out, but now it is my time to rock! I usually do okay in the last six miles-especially the last three miles, because I know that it will only last a short while!

21-Yes-only 5 more miles to go and I will be all done…how is that possible!??!? How have almost three hours went by already? and if I can get these last miles in at the same pace I am running at now I will qualify again for next year!

22-wow…I am going to finish, and I think qualify!

23-only three more miles! only 22 minutes left and I will be done!

24-wow these crowds are loud.  I really picked up my pace here and started to pass a lot of people!

25-LOVE this mile, because I pass so many people.  I just keep picking out people in front of me to beat!

26-I made it!  Awesome! What an amazing feeling and accomplishment!

26.2-I did it! I am amazed at what my body can do! So incredible! And I qualified again for next year…should I want to do it again! We shall see….