Focus & Vegan Truffles

    I was so excited to get 10 miles in this morning.  It started off cool, but was good weather for a long run.  I haven't done many long runs since my marathon in October. I better get on the ball.

My Chief said:
Mile 1 - 10:27
Mile 2 - 10:17
Mile 3 - 10:01
Mile 4 - 10:40
Mile 5 - 10:20
Mile 6 - 10:50
Mile 7 - 11:04
Mile 8 - 11:42
Mile 9 - 10:54
Mile 10 - 10.44


When I'm  running I just feel skinner, especially when I'm  doing  long runs.  The other side to that is I'm able to eat more.  But this winter has taken a tool on my waist line.  So ,I just need to focus on getting  out and running more and longer.  I  know how much better I will feel when I get it done, but sometime the mojo is just not there.  Didn't I just tell myself to focus. I know Focusing can be hard sometimes.    

I  was the winner of  Vegan Truffles from Kim @ (Just) Trying is for Little Girls. 

  Here is the link for the Vegan Truffles recipe .

OK, I couldn't resist. Boy, these truffles are so yummy. I have never eaten anything vegan before.










                                         Have you ever had Vegan Truffles?

             Do you feel skinner when you are  putting more miles in ?

I'm Back - 10 Things About Me

     Last Saturday I posted 10 things about me.  On Sunday I decided I needed to change  a picture and than I was not able to get any pictures posted. I still don't know what happen, but I'm Back. How sweet is that.   I'm going to try posting 10 things about me again.  I'm feeling so left out, not being able to post anything.

This blogging is addictive. 

1.  I have been married for 23 years and have two amazing boys.

                                                            We hate our picture taken, but M's family loves to take pictures

2.  I have 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

3.  I have a twin sister.  We are the youngest.   

Nickle and Penny" just call us small change".  

4.   I have  a Casey's French Vanilla Cappucino every morning.



Bad habit

5.  I love to shake my bootie.  



SHAKE, SHAKE   Party Bus

6. October 2010 I did my first Marathon. 

                                             Here I go again.  I had to show  my bootie.

7.  I had my 30 year class reunion last August.  Have I been out of school that long? 




Don't we look young?


 8.  I like to mow the lawn, that is why I have a big yard.  I like to keep it very  manicured.

I love all my trees

9. I love to dress up for races.




Living History Farm race.   "Just a good old hippie"

Red Flannel Race 



10.  I  get to drive a tractor in the spring to spray  the fields.

Than I get to drive a combine in the fall to harvest the crops.

SWEET RIDE

What are somethings about you that your fellow bloggers might not know?

Have you ever been on a party bus?

How many years have you been out of school?

Do you like to dress up for races?

Do you have a bad habit?

Test post

Fellow bloggers STICKERS

The last week or two I have received a few stickers from some of my fellow bloggers. 

 50 AFTER 40.  Jim Weatherly is a husband,  father of two and a grandfather of one.  Jim is trying to compete 50 Marathons in all 50 states after the age of 40,

" BE GREAT TO DAY"

RUNNING ON MY TIME.  Suzy is a stay-home-mom, wife and runner.  She loves running in the winter and enjoys running when it is cold or even cool outside."  LOVE THE LIFE YOU LIVE"

FAT WUZ HERE  Amanda is a wife, mother of two. She loves the lord and the life she has been blessed with ". RUNNING FOR HIM"

Amanda created  RUNNING FOR HIM

One morning, while running, I was praying. I often used long difficult runs to let my mind be open to what God had to say to me. This morning, I asked God, "How can I make my running about you?". And so Running For Him was born. In that very instant God planted the seed, he drew the logo, gave me the tools, showed me the people, and gave me the command to go into the running world and spread the good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ. In a sport where personal achievement and self love reigns, here we are, Running For Him and giving up our own ambitions to reach the many.  Her sticker says;

Amanda also has shirts  for sale that she designed to spread the word.This is what it says on the  front and back of the shirt.

RUNNING WITH HIM this is a great way to spread the word.  " WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME"

Checkout these fellow bloggers. They all have their own special journey.

 Have you gotten some stickers from some of your fellow bloggers?

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

        I call my hubby a clean fanatic.  Isn't it funny how opposite track.  I would say I am average when it comes to keeping thing clean. On the other hand M  likes every thing to be clean.  He has been giving me little hints that the garage needed something done to it.  After the winter it does get kind of dirty, but isn't that what happens in a garage ' cobwebs,flies,dust,water,dirt'.   The forecast for Thursday was supposed to be nice, so I got to thinking maybe I should just get the darn garage cleaned.  That way  I can check that off my to do list for my spring cleaning. I finally got the garage cleaned it took a while.  It is a 3 car garage. Finally I hear  M coming up the  driveway, so I go to the garage door look out.  I have to see his face.  Yup, he has a smile from ear to ear.  He love it when I clean.  So I can check that off my to do list for spring cleaning, Yes.


This is a do whatever I want day.  This morning got in a good 6 miles  along with a 20 minute power sculpt DVD.   What a great way to start my day.
My Garmin , WORK IN PROGRESS
Mile 1- 10.40
Mile 2- 10.45
Mile 3- 10.42
Mile 4-10.58
Mile 5 11.03
Mile 6 10.59

When I look at this I wonder, how in the hell did I run a marathon. You can tell this winter has taken a toll on me.





          Is your significant other a clean fanatic or a messy person?
                       Did you have a race this weekend

Feeling the Vibes and Massage

Last night I didn't sleep well.  I didn't have  to be anywhere by a certain time so slept in alittle bit longer. I got to the gym around 8:30.  My goal for the day was  to run 9 miles.   My running partner couldn't  make it, so I was running solo.  I thought if I put my pink Go Headbands on that says 26.2, I would feel the good vibes from it.

FEELING THE VIBES



Love this pink top

   I really  like Champions  clothing at Target.  I recently bought a pair of shorts and shirt.   What color do you think I bought?  Yup, a pink top and black and pink shorts.  I can be very anal when it comes to dressing, because everything has to be color coordinated. 













     Checkout  these  Skater Socks, I won them from Momma of 3 on the run.   I was able to order from alot of diffeerent colors. You had to  know  I would  get a pink pair.  I wore them for the first time today. I think they are styling.



Couple of other pairs that I got



   For Christmas my mother in law gave me a gift certificate for a massage.  I set it up  for 3.00 today.  After my 9 miles my legs were feeling a little sore.  I was thinking I couldn't of picked a better day.  Boy, it was so relaxing.  Wouldn't it be great if we could have a massage at least once a month?

My Garmin report:  WORK IN PROGRESS

MILE 1- 10.36

MILE 2- 10.12

MILE 3- 10.39

MILE 4 - 11.01

MILE 5 - 12.10

MILE 6 - 12.32

MILE 7 - 11.07

MILE 8 - 11.08

MILE 9 - 11.52

Have you had a massage recently?

Do  you have a special pair of sock that you wear when you run?

Finally outside running and Dessert

Finally got out this morning for a 7 mile run with my running partner.  It felt so good to be outside running.  I have not ran outside for awhile now and the most I have been able to do on a treadmill is 3 miles.  It is suppose to get in the 60's here today. YAHOO! 

Boy don't I look HAPPY, so Happy to get outside

Garmin splits:

1 mile -10.27

2 miles - 10.07

3 miles - 10.14

4 miles- 13.27  OK a little slow here, I took a potty break. I was coughing alot and I hate to say this, but every time I coughed I pissed my pants. I bet I was smelling pretty good Ha Ha. After kids my bladder it's what it use to be.

5 mile -11.19

6 mile - 12.17

7 mile -10.14

   A few days ago a  co-worker had a birthday,  I always like to make something to celebrate their birthdays.  I love chocolate, but really wanted to take something on the lighter side.  I looked threw my recipes and found this Angel Dessert recipe.  I had gotten it at a Weight Watcher meeting.   Boy it is so good and light.

I thought I would share this recipe.  If you are looking for  dessert that's  light and yummy this is it.

You only need 4 ingredients:

               



Angel food cake in pieces



               

                           ANGEL DESSERT
1- Large (8oz) pkg sugar free Jello any flavor.

1- (8oz) carton sugar free yogurt any flavor.

1- 10 inch angel food cake tear into small cubes or chunks

Dissolve jello in 2 cups boiling water,than add 1- cup cold water to jello and chill until it becomes the consistency of a egg white.

Beat  jello with mixer- until frothy                                                                

Fold yogurt into jello, than fold jello mixture into the angel food cake pieces.

I like to put fat free whip topping on top, but you don't have to.

Pour into a 9x13 cake pan an refrigerate                                              



Mix jello and yogurt together









Fold jello mixture into angel food pieces

 





Finshed product











              Did you get a run in today?

            Do you have a recipe that is light, that you make in the summer?







Baby Calf and Weekend

I have been lazy this weekend .  I came down with a chest cold on Thursday.  I made it to the gym on Friday and tried running, but I got to coughing and would have to stop. So I decided to do the Elliptical instead and some  upper body workout. 

The bank called Wednesday to see if I could help them out on Friday. Of course, I could help them out, not knowing I would be felling like crap.  Than on Thursday the boss calls and want to see if I will work till 6:00, instead of 4:00, I am a sucker I cant say no.  Boy, it was a long day. 

My plans for Saturday was to get up and go to the gym but my chest was so congested, I decided just to take it easy this weekend.  Wouldn't you know it Sunday   we spring forward  1 hour, so we lose 1 hour of sleep.  I'm thinking that's ok, because I'm not going to the gym anyway.

  

Normally  I'm always up before my husband,  because I go workout in the mornings.  This morning I heard the  hubby get up and go outside to do chores. I just  rolled over and went back to sleep which is something I don't do very often.  I don't know how long he had been gone, but the phone rings I new it had to be hubby.  I was just wanting to sleep in.  He needed me  to come out to the barn and bring  a jug full of hot water and some dry clothes for him.  We are calving now and it can be long and tiring hours.  I'm thinking all I wanted to do is sleep in. Darn it. 

   So I get up and took him what he needed.  When I get out there he is trying to get a baby calf to suck it momma, but it is not going very well.  He finally got the baby calf to suck, which is great otherwise we have to bottle feed it twice a day.     Here is a couple of pictures of the baby calf that was born this morning.

This little calf is so cute

   

I'm not complaining, it just that  I am a planner of my day.  So sometimes I struggle when I have down to do this and he calls and needs me to do something else.  That's life and I am still trying to do better about having my daily  plans interrupted.  I'm work in progress.The main thing is  he gets to do what he loves which is farming. It not a 9-5 job where you come and go, but  we wouldn't trade this life for anything. I have a great husband and two awesome boys.My  boys are planning  to come back home after college and help their Dad farm. So it  truly will  be a family farming business. How sweet is that.  So, that about sums it  up how my  weekend has gone so far.

                                                    How's your weekend going  ?

                               Did you get a run in this weekend?
                            How do you deal with change of plans?

Bumper Stickers and The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer book

     Last month I was the lucky winner of The Hotlegs Runner giveaway.  I won 50 bumper stickers  from Custom Build A Sign and I could design them anyway I wanted. I new I wanted to make a bumper sticker for my blog the  Pink Hat Runner.  This is what we came up with.

  

I also designed this bumper sticker so I could always remember that I ran and finished a marathon.   The only thing I know of that compares to the marathon is life itself.  The marathon is a little metaphor for life; there are tough spots and easy stretches and getting through it isn't easy for anyone.  But if you break it down into achievable segments, it's never as difficult as it may have first seemed.

Last year I ran  my first marathon the IMT Des Moines Marathon .  I truly didn't think I could run a marathon, but my running partner thought differently.  When she told  her husband that we were going to run a marathon, he suggested that we read this book The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer , By David Whitsett.

I found this book amazing to read, it helped  put my mind at ease about running a marathon.  It taught me  how to cope with the miles as there got tougher.  It  shared other runner's  personal experience of running a  marathon.  How they dealt with the the last few  miles as they got harder.  When I read the first paragraph on the back cover I new this book was talking about me.  

  Are  these words you wouldn't exactly use to describe yourself?  Do you consider yourself too old or too out of shape to run a marathon?  But somewhere deep  inside have you always admired the people who could reach down and come up with the mental and physical strength to achieve such a daunting and rewarding accomplishment?  It doesn't have to be somebody else crossing the finish line. You can be a marathoner.

  

This book changed my whole way of thinking about running a marathon.  If you're training for your first marathon I would suggest reading this book.  It's a great book.

                               

                                   

Physical Therapy Rocks & CSN Winner

     Physical Therapy Rocks.  

     On Wednesday I went to see a Physical Therapist, because I haven't been  able to run without pain in my hip and  back.   The Therapist evaluated the  problems I was having. She than  asked me to put my hands behind my head and bend to the right and  walk a straight line down and back. You would of thought I was drunk, I couldn't walk a straight  line. I was all over the place.   She said my hip flexors were tight and my hips were rotated.  I needed to do some stretching exercises for my hip flexors and also work on my core muscles.  My stomach muscle were weak. I will admit after I ran the Marathon in October I have not been very good about doing my core workouts.

    The Therapist  had me get up on the table, than she stretched my hip flexors and hamstrings out.  Boy they were tight.  She sent me home with  some exercises to do twice a day.  She wants to see  me next Wednesday to see how I am doing.  She doesn't want me doing  any running for a couple of days.  I thought what the heck, I haven't ran for 8 days already what's another couple of days.  Here are the exercises she gave me to work on .

      On Thursday I was feeling alittle sore from all of the stretching she did. So  I decided I would just  do a Pilate's tape to  strenghten my core and lengthen my muscles.   I could tell my core muscles were weak.

     Friday I thought I would do the  Pilate's tape again and add 30 minutes on the Elliptical.  I really worked on holding my stomach muscle tight while I was on the Elliptical.   A little sore right after the Elliptical, but by the end of the day was feeling pretty good.

     So, this morning I really wanted to try running on the treadmill to see how it was going to go.  I was hoping for 3 miles.   Before my run I wanted to do some Yoga to get my muscles stretched and more flexible. Now, I remember  why I'm not a fan of Yoga, it kicked my butt.  It's harder than it looks.  Time to get on the treadmill, my goal is 3 miles at a slow pace.  I did 3 miles at 5.0 on the treadmill.  I know that is not fast, but wanted to start back into it slow.

I wish I looked this good running on a treadmill.

      Boy it felt so good just to be running. I don't know how to explain it, but when I was running this morning on the treadmill it felt so different. Looking back it seemed that my right leg would fatigue faster.  I think my hips have been rotated so long, which than made my hip flexor tight, that it felt normal to me. Because,  I noticed this  morning when  I was running I keep wanting to pull my right  hip forward.

Finally, things are looking up. What a great feeling.

Dealing with the Daily

     What a tough few days getting started back on  the Weight Watchers plan.  Each day I get up my mind is saying to me it's OK to eat what ever you want.  I have had to fight those thoughts in my mind.  So far after three days of being on the Weight Watchers plan I am starting to feel more energetic.  It is amazing how food can mess with your moods  and put you into a  depressed state.  The awful thing is we allow it, even when we know what it does to us. 

    Have not done any running the last 5 days due to an injury, I'm dealing with.  I have however been able to do the Elliptcial and strenght training as long as I don't use really heavy weights.  I try to keep it at 5lbs.  I'm thankful that I am not down to where I can't do anything at all. 

     
 
Going today for some Physical Therapy to see if they will be able to help me.  I, like all the other injured runners out there just want to run without pain. 

Don't forget to enter my CSN Giveaway ends March 4.