Let the hard work begin

HI have set my goals for 2015 and they are not going to be easy to achieve, however I am a hard worker and know that I can do it.  I have been taking it easy the last couple days, because I have been experiencing pain in my calf area.  I went to the doctor about it and they suggested that it could be a stress fracture, however being stubborn, I still continue to push past it.  Tomorrow is my first race of the year and I have my hopes set pretty high. It is a hilly course, hense, the name Hill and Dale, and I have struggled on hills.  Lately I have incorporated them into every run.

A couple months ago I started to cook from Julia Childs Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  It was going well, until I realized that Zachary was not enjoying the food AT ALL.  So I decided that it was not a good idea right now to continue with the project.  So I am currently looking for a cookbook that contains food that an eleven year old will actually eat. I already own Americas Test Kitchen Family Cookbook and am leaning towards that.  I need projects to keep me focused. Since I love to eat and cook this challenge seems to fit.

 

So far I have planned my races out until June 2015.  Along with these races I also have some smaller triathlons planned.

January 3, Hill and Dale 8 Miler - Tennessee

January 25, Rock and Roll Marathon New Orleans - Louisiana

February 14, Hot Chocolate 15K - Tennessee

March 1, Little Rock  Marathon - Arkansas

March 15 Germantown half marathon -Tennessee

March 28 Whispering Woods half marathon - Mississippi

April 18 Ouachita Trail 50K - Arkansas

April 25 Country Music Marathon - Tennessee

May still looking

June 7, Navy ten miler - Tennessee

Well have a great day and I will post after my race tomorrow

Have you planned your runs for the year?

Have you ever cooked through an entire cookbook?

Happy New Year!!!!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy arrival of the New Year.  Unfortunately I fell asleep.  From what I was told it sounded like a war zone outside the house, and  I slept right through it.

I spent most of the morning getting my race schedule planned for 2015.  It also marks the official start of my ambassadorship with NUUN!!!  This is my favorite flavor tri berry.

December was a great running month I increased my mileage significantly with 181 miles.  I am going to keep track of all my miles in 2015 and am setting a personal goal of 2500, which is totally attainable.

My first race is on January 3, 2015, it is an eight mile hilly run.  I am looking forward to it!!!!  My next run after that one is in New Orleans on January 25, 2015 a full marathon, I have never been to New Orleans so I am very excited.

I was going to cook a traditional New Years good luck dinner, however, I am sick to my stomach today.

Sad news about the guinea pig, it passed yesterday, we cried a little, but know it is not suffering anymore.  This is the third one to die on us.

I am really looking forward to reaching many personal bests this year running. I plan on staying out of the hospital, I plan on finding happiness every day.  I am going to work on my blog, no body ever comments on it, so I am not sure if anyone is reading it, or if anyone actually likes it.

Enjoy your New Year!!!

National Drink Champagne day, farewell 2014

I am beyond words for 2014 to leave.  I made alot of new friends this past year and that is about all I can say good about it.

How adorable is this?

"Have you ever seen hot chocolate drinking hot chocolate?"  Mrs. Green

I have been nursing a sick guinea pig for the last 24 hours.  This will be the third guinea pig to die on us.  This WILL BE the LAST one we get.  Heartbreaking to watch an 11 year old cry because I do not know how to fix a sick guinea pig.

Today is National Drink Champagne day.  I plan to partake in the festivities!!!!

I need one of these, with Moscato in my home ASAP

Today is my rest day from running which means I will be swimming and doing PIYO.  Tomorrow will be my last run before Sunday.  This will give my body a llittle rest time, still having some minor nagging issues in my right leg.  

I hope everybody has a safe and happy NEW YEAR!!!!

Do you like this blog?  Are you following it?

Are you staying in or going out for NEW YEARS?

I am going to kick depressions ass this in 2015!!!!!

The last couple of days have been extremely exhausting.  I am trying to get back to where I was, running.  2014 was not nice to me.  Started off with a trip to the VA hospital for severe depression New Years day, broke my tailbone March 10, another trip to the VA hospital for a week for major depressive disorder, pulled my hamstring, lost several toenails, and in October an 11 day stay at the VA hospital.

I had a lot to overcome just to get back to running.  It was not easy and it is a struggle everyday.  Yesterday by the grace of God I made it 20 miles, not a great pace, however my ultimate goal was to hit 20 miles and I did.

Rewarded myself with a venti white chocolate mocha.

It was so cold outside, and I was sweaty so the first thing I did when I got home was of course check on Zachary who was still asleep at noon.  Jumped in the hot shower until the hot water ran out.  Then for the rest of the day I sat on a heating pad.  

Got up this morning, no where near as sore as I thought I would be.  Decided to go for a short run three miles at a 758 pace with a one mile walk at the end.  Not too shabby.  I'll take any progress no matter how small.

I am trying to decide how to ring in this new year.  Champagne, wine, Kinky, fireball?  Lol

My first race of the year is on January 3, 2015 it is an 8 mile run in the Shelby Meeman Forest, the Hill and Dale 8 miler.  My goal is to finish in a respectable time.  

Some New Years quotes, and humor.

As I was typing this blog, I witnessed, a hawk swoop down towards my birdfeeder trying to get lunch.  The birds at the birdfeeder sensed his presence and were able to retreat to safety.  

How are you spending your New Years?  I'll be at home, with an adult beverage.

Have you  made any resolutions/goals?

What have you been doing?

New Year excitement

I love it when a new year sets in.  Not because I plan on drastically changing my life, but because I can set new goals.  My goals are always realistic.  So many people set themselves up for failure because they make these resolutions that are unrealistic.  For example a goal of mine right now is to get my running pace down to a 7 minute 55 second mile.  I know people who run about an 8 minute mile who make resolutions to get down to a 6 minute mile.  I am not a professional runner nor will I ever be, but even I know that a six mile minute is out of reach.

Do you celebrate New Years?  I have a hard time staying up that late lol.

How sparkly!!!!

It is still raining, ughh,  it never stops raining.  I have my runs planned a week in advance. Today I am just going to suck it up and run in the rain on a trail away from traffic.  So many athletes get struck by cars, because drivers do not pay attention.  

My motto for the day

My Christmas cactus is in full bloom and so pretty.

What are some of your goals for 2015?

Do you have any plans for New Years?

Do you run in bad weather?

Rain out Saturday

I was extemely motivated to run today.  Got up and out the door I went. Five miles into my planned thirteen mile run, I had to call it.  The rain was so strong that I did not think drivers would be able to see me.  I like to run in the rain, however, my safety was more important.  I came home and did my PIYO workout.

This morning prior to my run, I was looking out the window at my birdfeeder and there were nine male cardinals.  They are so beautiful, and in the field behind the house there was several deer grazing.

I got this picture off the internet, I remember when I lived in Pennsylvania in the winter seeing them like this.  Unfortunately we don't get snow like this in Memphis.

Are you planning on making any New Year resolutions?  I prefer to call them goals. I am working on mine now.  So far I have a couple, to get my run pace to seven minutes and fifty five seconds.  Get back to my goal weight of 125, which seems impossible. Complete a race every month.  

I have a feeling that 2015 is going to be a much better year, with endless possibilities....

One more week before school starts back!!!!!

It is hard to keep a eleven year old occupied for any amount of time, before hearing "I'm bored."  I wish school was all year long. I'm am burnt out from raising children for the last 21 years, I only have ten more years  of parenting.

I am looking forward to the Rock and Roll New Orleans Marathon on January 25, 2015.  I've never been to Louisiana so it will be a first.  I am hoping to qualify for Boston at this race. 

I am going to miss the Christmas season.  It is always so beautiful to see all the sparkling lights. I had a great Christmas and I hope everyone else did to !!!

Have you started your New Year resolution/goal list yet?  I have

Are you going to miss Christmas?

What races do you have planned for 2015?

Post Christmas run, time to relax

Ran a quick 8 miles this morning.

I am loving this new watch, taking a little time to get used to.  But I love this watch.

I have a race on the third, which I would love to place in, however will be happy just finishing it.

Spent Christmas night watching movies and hanging with Zachary.  Went to Eat Well for dinner.  I refused to cook both Christmas eve and Christmas day.  It is becoming a tradition to eat there for Christmas.  I enjoyed the shrimp tempura, and scallops.  

Came home from Eat Well and poured myself a glass of Kinky blue.  It is such a relief for it all to be over.  I always worry if my kids will be satisfied with their gifts. This year was a success.

Have I ever mentioned that I love to clean.  I am a cleanaholic.  I bleached down the kitchen today, cleaned up from the last two days, time to relax.  

I hope everybody had a great Christmas with those they love.  Time to start working on setting goals for 2015.  I will reveal my list next week.  I have a lot planned.