Relay Plan

Hello again! I can truthfully say that I am feeling back to my old self again today. There’s no doubt I was really struggling with motivation last week. There were many factors contributing to this, including dreary, damp weather and my struggle to get out of bed at 5. But the main reason for my lack in motivation last week comes down to the non-commitment issues I’ve been having with my running partner. I’m hoping her mood will change in future, but in the meantime I have been running by myself and I am actually really loving it!

I used to run by myself all the time about two years ago but haven't had a real running streak by myself since then. At first it was disappointing to learn that I would be loning it, but I believe that God has a reason for everything and it has shown me how much I absolutely need the first 30-45 minutes of the day to myself. With no one making requests and no people to answer to. It's exactly what running does for me and I have missed it! 

So, having said all of this, below is the training schedule I designed for myself to prepare for the Market to Market relay October 12th. I'm continuing on week 1 tomorrow with 3 easy miles! (And I say "easy" loosely.) :)

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Total
Week 1	Walk - 2 miles	3 easy	3 easy	Weights	4 Hilly	Off	5 to 6 easy	17 to 18
Week 2	Walk - 2 miles	3 evening	4 Hilly - Morning	Weights	3 easy	Off	6 to 7 easy	18 to 19
Week 3	Walk - 2 miles	2 morning / 3 evening	4 Hilly - Morning	Weights	3 easy	Off	6 to 8 easy	20 to 22
Week 4	Walk - 2 miles	2 morning / 3 evening	5 Hilly - Morning	Weights	3 easy	Off	7 to 9 easy	22 to 24
Week 5	Walk - 2 miles	3 morning / 3 evening	5 Hilly - Morning	Weights	3 easy	Off	7 to 9	23 to 25
Week 6	Walk - 2 miles	3 morning / 3 evening	5 Hilly - Morning	Weights	3 easy	Off	8 to 10	24 to 26
Week 7	Walk - 2 miles	3 easy	4 Hilly - Morning	Weights	Off	5 to 6	Off	14 to 15
Week 8	Walk - 2 miles	3 easy	3 easy	Weights	Off	RACE DAY!	Off, Eat, and Ice!	DONE

Motivation – Schmodivation

It is dreary outside. It’s cloudy, it’s rainy, and it’s only 71 degrees. I haven't seen the sun in days. Yes, I'm complaining. This is fall weather. Does anyone know that it’s still technically summer until September 22^nd? I have to dig out cold gear on my morning runs! Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but check out my street:

[No sunshine and it's misting out. Boooooring...]

I have really been battling motivation this week as you can probably tell by my lack of posts. SO, I’ve decided today is the day to break the cycle! This evening I sat down and officially finished my training plan for the next 8 weeks up to my big relay race in October. What better way to get back to work than to make a plan and set a goal, right? Right?? Ok then, check my next post for the official training plan! :)

NEW

Just had to post quick to brag about MY NEW SHOES!! Check out these kicks…

Special shout-out to the gentleman that helped me at Scheel’s last weekend. He knew a ton about Asics and answered all of my questions. It’s been so long since I bought new running shoes that they no longer even make the style of shoe I had. Yikes. But this is the Cumulus 15 in black and pink and let me tell you, they are amazing! They’re so light that I feel like I’m springing forward when I run. Absolutely no complaints here.

In other news, be watching my blog for some changes this weekend. Eek, I’m excited for new things! More to come… :)

Mommy Time Management

It’s 5:00 a.m. and my alarm is sounding. BEEP BEEP BEEP! Can it be morning already? Please tell me it’s not true! Maybe if I ignore the time, cover my head with the pillow, and wish it all away, I can somehow squeeze in an extra hour of sleep. Or, I can pull my little butt out of bed and get to the gym. *Sigh* Get to the gym, Kris!!

Ok, this is a typical weekday morning for me. You can bet I’ve spent a lot of the last few months evaluating how to be more efficient. For example, I’ve come to realize that morning workouts are truly the best option for me. They get me prepared for the day and it’s nearly an entire hour I have ALL to myself.

I knew that it would be harder to accomplish everything I wanted to in a day with a little one in the house, but I never realized how hard it would be. I have stupidly been trying to continue on as if I don’t have Makenna (i.e. doing all the house work in one night, cook every meal, finish the laundry, etc., etc.) and then end up disappointed by the end of the evening because I didn’t get to spend much time with my little missy. My husband tells me I need to let a few things go. “Seriously, cleaning the stove can wait.” Cue my eye roll here. (I hate letting him know he’s right.) :)

So, in order to accomplish what’s important to me and feel like I’ve spent ample time spoiling my sweet little girl, I’ve come up with a list of priorities. Bear with me… I realize this post is getting long.

·         Get in my daily workout – 5 a.m. really is the best time. Then it’s done and I’m revved up for the day! If I go without, I seem to drag all day. Picture a hunched over cave man dragging his hands on the ground. It’s ugly, folks.

·         Complete one house cleaning item a day – Sorry, I know it might seem weird, but keeping a clean house is just important to me. So I take 15-20 minutes and pick one thing. Then it’s checked off the list!

·         Provide a fruit and vegetable at every meal – This task has been a little more daunting. I don’t always have time, but I’m trying to get things prepared over the weekend if I can. Providing a balanced meal for my family is extremely important to me. I want my kids to grow up healthy and understanding the importance of living a fit lifestyle.  

·         Spend as much time with my family as I can – I love my family! I want to give as much of myself to them as I can. I’m even experimenting with mixing in healthy activities we can all do together. I know, crazy right? :) 

Well, I had better call it a night. It's nearly 10 and I have to be up in... 7 hours and 11 minutes. But who's counting? ;)

Happiness found in a sweet baby girl

Hello all! It has been so long since I last posted again, but I have a new full time job - Motherhood! I'm so pleased to announce miss Makenna Kay Larson:

This was taken the day we brought her home from the hospital. Isn't she a doll? She was born on my exact due date, March 31st, at 1:45 in the afternoon, coming in at 7lbs, 10 ozs, and 21" long. And my life has never been the same since. :)

She's now almost four months old and this sweet picture was taken just a few days ago:

She has her daddy's hazel eyes, but my dark hair. For now, anyway. My family has become my new number 1 priority and I can't remember what life was like before there were 3 of us.

  

I still have a passion for fitness, and plan to post on that later this week, but I wanted to make give my sweet pea a little intro first. Our lives are forever changed. :)