Dopey Training Week 11

September! It's already September, which means it's also cruise month! I am super excited about our cruise, but also praying that nothing happens with this new disturbance of Hurricane Irma. Maybe if I don't acknowledge her, she won't come act crazy? Right. It's too early to freak out now anyway because anything can happen...so I'm trying to not worry! :)

Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Saturday - Unplanned rest day due to Hurricane Harvey
Sunday - Squats/Lunges/PT
Monday - Another unplanned rest day
Tuesday - I was going STIR CRAZY, so I went for a 3 mile run between rain bands
Wednesday - Squats/Lunges/PT
Thursday - 4 mile run
Friday - Cross Training

Thankfully, Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey is (finally) away from the Gulf Coast. In all my years of living in Southwest Louisiana, I've never seen anything like this storm that sat forever, barely  moved, dumped a TON of rain everywhere it went, then made several different landfalls. Craziness.

After a couple of days of a shortened work schedule and being cooped up in the house, I was going stir crazy! On Tuesday, I decided to brave it and go for a 3 mile run during Brayden's afternoon nap.

It began to pour right as I walked out of the front door, so I waited a few minutes for it to pass. I also grabbed my visor, just in case.

Another thing I did for this run was wear old shoes. I hate running in the water in brand new shoes (my current pair have only been worn a few times so far). 

I also took this run at a bit of a slower pace - partly due to "careful running" on the wet roads and partly due to the fact that I was wearing an old pair of shoes.

By Thursday, the rains stopped and the sun decided to come out and say hello!

After work, I went for a 4 mile run and it felt amazing!

The sun was a welcome sight, too!

 

Brayden, the dogs, and I also went out for an after dinner 2 mile walk. I wasn't sure about bringing all three of them, but it actually went ok!

With the cruise sneaking up on me, I decided to pull out the suitcase and begin making piles of packing necessities! Lists, lists, and more lists!

Oh yes, and one of our patients made these adorable shirts for us on his last day of treatment this week! It says "My patient got radiation treatments...and all I got was this tshirt!" The little animated radiation guy has a thought bubble above his head that says "I fight cancer" - isn't that just the cutest thing?! He did such an awesome job on this unique gift! 

I have another busy weekend planned here! One fun thing we've planned for this weekend is a special out of town trip to visit McAlisters and Hallmark (two places we used to have here but they both closed)! I cannot wait!! 

What's your plans for the weekend? Hope you have a great one! :)

Dopey Training Week 10 & Weekly Recap

Happy Friday, y'all! This week has taken a bit of an interesting turn with several long days at work, a busy schedule, and lots of rain!

Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Saturday - 10 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - 4 mile run
Tuesday - Squats/Lunges/PT
Wednesday - Rest Day
Thursday - Squats/Lunges/PT
Friday - Cross Training

This past Saturday, I was able to tackle a run that's been hanging over my head for a couple of weeks now!

Ten miles never felt so great, especially with this little sweetheart waiting on me when I returned home!! :)

Monday's eclipse was fun for us to see! We had a good little group outside at the end of our lunch break to share the eclipse glasses!

I was able to take this picture through a pair of glasses! We only had 71% totality, so it never got really dark here - it just looked as if a cloud passed over the sun for a little while.

Our eclipse crew! :)

After returning home from work, I decided to attempt a run. Although I had three miles on my mind, we managed to run four instead! 

Just as we walked out of the front door, it began to pour down rain. I thought it was odd because the radar didn't even show anything in our area at the time. So, we decided to wait it out and thankfully, the rain passed rather quickly! It really turned into a great run!

On Tuesday, Brayden started his first day in the Toddler class at Mother's Day Out! He had a great day and I was so relieved. I was seriously worried about the nap mat as he's never taken a nap on anything like that in the past.

Wednesday was haircut day for Jason and Brayden! This was Brayden's fourth haircut!

I also took my middle/high school girls class out for yogurt and a stroll through the park on Wednesday night! We had so much fun!! :)

On Thursday evening, the outer bands of Hurricane Harvey began to pass through our area which meant no run for me. Instead, we spent a bit of time with my parents! Brayden and my dad are checking to see if it's raining here....haha!

Since they are the only members of my family I didn't mention - Pixie was groomed on Thursday and looks & smells so nice!

Madalynn on the other hand had an unusual spot pop up on her face. She's been prone to nodules and cancerous tumors in the past and this one looks worrisome to me.  I'm going to take her in this afternoon to see if someone can take a look at it.

Keep my girl in your prayers if you will! :)

Apart from running, I also added in an extra day of my PT routine to see if that helps my IT band (I'm sure it will).

This weekend is my birthday weekend and Hurricane Harvey is headed our way. Although we are not in the middle of the projected path, we are on the outskirts and are expected to have lots of rain! This will be my third birthday weekend to share with a hurricane over my lifetime - perks of living in the gulf coast with a late August birthday!

If the rain lets up anytime between here and Sunday, I'm going to attempt a long run. We shall see what happens!

Have a great weekend! 

Ten.

Is October here yet? Y'all. This heat and humidity is about to do me in, especially this past Saturday with an afternoon heat index of 106 degrees.

So last week, I set out for a 10 mile run and couldn't make it. At 6 miles I threw in the towel and decided that 10 miles in August was for the birds. That thinking didn't last long because this past Saturday, my brain got the best of me and I once again decided to try for a 10 mile run.

The sun was just peeping over the horizon when I began my run. It was already 80 degrees with a high humidity rate and I knew as soon as the sun became visible, it would get hotter and hotter by the minute. 

Originally, I was going to meet up with my running group in town, but a few last minute change in plans left me running from my house. I've only run a distance like this from my house one time in the past and I did not like it one bit. 

My options were to run a 2 mile loop 5 times and have water every 2 miles, or run a 4 mile loop a couple of times plus a few and carry a bottle of water with me. I didn't like either option, so I compromised. In the end, one 4 mile loop won out where I carried a bottle of water with me and three 2 mile loops where I passed water every 2 miles at my my mailbox. The. Struggle. Was. Real. (Yes, I should invest in some kind of water holder but I honestly haven't needed it up until this point. I also do own a water belt but I kind of don't like it...)

Anyway, I decided to change a few things up for this run vs my last week long run fail. I drank plenty of water the day before (80 plus ounces) and had a decent lunch and dinner on Friday. I also ate a different protein bar that morning before heading out the door.

The run went fairly well up until mile 5 when I realized I forgot KT tape for my right knee (how?!) and my left hamstring wanted to act crazy. I considered quitting at mile 6 but didn't give it too much of a thought. I talked myself into stopping at mile 8 if I HAD to and by the time I reached mile 8, I decided that I was almost to mile 10 so why not.

 

If this run proved anything, it's the fact that no one should be running double digit miles in the south in the summer. Honestly, it was a miserable run but definitely one I'm glad to say I accomplished.

I know it was a slow one, but I didn't even care. Finishing the entire distance was more important than speed this time. Speed will come in the fall when it no longer feels like a sauna outside and I can breathe once again!

Although Madalynn wasn't with me for this run, I did take a second to say hi to her horse friend! They made buds several years ago and love to see each other. It's rather cute!

I look like I'm about to pass out (because I felt like it), but I was so glad to be DONE!

The best part of the whole thing was returning home to see Brayden dressed in the onesie I bought him at Rock n Roll New Orleans this year! It says, "I want to RUN like you when I grow up!" Isn't that adorable?! My husband is thoughtful like that! :)

I topped off the weekend by wearing compression socks to help with recovery and a glorious 2 hour nap on Sunday afternoon!

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Did you run this weekend? 

Fitness Friday - 11/11

Another weekend is here and I am so excited!

First off, I want to say a big giant THANK YOU to all of our Veterans who have served our country. I don't take your sacrifice lightly and I appreciate your dedication!

There's a few things in store for this weekend - number one being another 10K that I'm running with a friend and the second being Christmas decor. Yes, I am one of those who likes to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I'm going to start a weekend early and take it slow but yea..it's so going to happen!

After running last weekend's 10K, I was very sore for several days. I guess I hadn't pushed my body like that in a long time. I took Sunday off (as I always do) and took things a bit easier this week.

Currently Training For:

• Cajun Cup 10K (Lafayette, LA)
• Cajun Country Half Marathon (Lafayette, LA)
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon & Glass Slipper Challenge
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon

Saturday - Cowboy Gallop 10K
Sunday - Rest Day 
Monday - 2 mile walk with Brayden
Tuesday - Rest Day
Wednesday - Tone it Up Girls workout - I did two videos from You Tube for a total of 25 minutes. Talk about a workout!! They kicked my booty!
Thursday - 3 mile run
Friday - PT/Leg exercises

On Monday, I took Brayden out for a 2 mile walk. The sun is setting earlier now so it's hard to manage between my getting off work and his afternoon nap time.

I also took to You Tube for a Tone It Up Girls workout this week. I know they are always sure to kick my booty and give me a good workout.

Last night, I ran for the first time since Saturday's 10K. Again, I didn't want to push myself too hard since I have another 10K coming up this weekend. All went well with last night's run. Keeping on top of my PT routine has been super beneficial!

Yesterday was our first true fall day where it stayed cool all day long. It's even chillier today...so excited! Hopefully the weather for tomorrow's 10K will be perfect!

It was a nice, easy 3 mile run through the neighborhood!

The Halloween and Fall decor is slowly coming down - I'm almost completely finished now! I can't wait to start decorating for Christmas this weekend. I might not have informed my husband of these plans, either...sorry Jason! Haha!

Have a great weekend! 

Do you have any fun weekend plans? Any races coming up?

Fitness Friday - 7/1

Currently Training For:

• runDisney Virtual Running Shorts 5K Challenge
• Cajun Country Half Marathon
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon & Glass Slipper Challenge
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon

Saturday - 3 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - Rest Day
Tuesday - 2 mile morning run + stairs
 Wednesday - Rest Day  
Thursday - 2 mile walk with Brayden
 Friday - 2 mile morning run

Well, this week was another interesting week but I'm happy to say that I made it work overall!

On Saturday, I was exhausted from the wedding I was in the day before. Needless to say, Jason was working days and my usual Saturday morning run didn't take place. Instead, I slipped three miles in that evening after he returned home and before the sun went down.

I also figured out a plan that I think will work for my schedule. On most weeks, I'll be able to wake up and run early in the morning. I've also convinced myself that if I at least run two days during the work week (early morning) and a longer run on Saturday, I'll be ok. I know that's not "optimal" as I always liked to have four runs during the week but I can only do what I can do. Waking up early during the week isn't something I'm fond of but that's the only way I can make this work.

Tuesday morning was the first day I tested out my new plan and all went well!

The humidity was pretty high but the temps were in the 70's, so it didn't feel too bad outside! I definitely think early mornings will be better overall anyway, especially in this crazy Louisiana heat!

I also had to renew my CPR certification on Tuesday. Y'all. When I say this was a workout in itself, I mean it! I worked up a sweat by the time it was all said and done! I also walked up and down what felt like a million flights of stairs on Tuesday. I'd say it was an overall decent day!

On Tuesday afternoon, I received a phone call from Jason saying our AC went out...like for good...which means we had to install a brand new unit outside. Ouch. Brayden and I spent the night at my parent's house that night so I didn't get a chance to get my second run on Wednesday morning. Instead, I am running this morning before work.

Although it was still really warm outside yesterday evening, Brayden and I took a walk around the neighborhood. His little Mickey fan kept him cool during the walk.

Isn't that the cutest fan ever? In case you're wondering, I purchased it off the Disney Parks shopping app! :)

Someone might have gotten a little sleepy during our walk...he was OUT for a good little while!

My Legend Compression socks also came in handy this week!

Another fun thing that's been happening in my world is this candle. Wow...I sound bored to death and that sounds really lame. Hah!

But seriously, y'all. There's a RING inside this candle! I'm 100% serious when I say I can't help myself - I keep checking it every so often to see if enough wax has melted away to reveal the packaging where the ring is being held. Aaaah! I promise to keep y'all posted of what I find inside!

Any day now! :)

Thanks to my friend Melissa for this crazy candle obsession!

For the 4th of July, I decided not to run in our local 4 miler race. Besides the fact that it's HOT out there, Jason's also working days...so I decided to just stay at home and enjoy my day off work with Brayden! Instead, I'm going to run 6 miles on Saturday morning and call it a day. We also have plans with friends for dinner tonight...I can't wait!

What are your July 4th plans?

Fitness Friday - 5/6

Happy Friday! Another weekend has arrived! Best of luck to everyone running the Tinkerbell Half Marathon this weekend - I WILL get there one day for this race!! Also, Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all the mom's out there! :)

Currently Training For:

• Tour Lafitte 10 Mile Bike Ride
• 4 Miler on the 4th of July
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon & Glass Slipper Challenge
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon

How did my week go? Here's a recap:

Saturday - The Tour Lafitte that wasn't....which resulted in a 5 mile bike ride instead!

Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - PT routine...legs, cardio, and core
Tuesday - 3 mile run/walk followed by a 3 mile walk with a friend later in the day
Wednesday - I was sore so I planned to take a rest day but the weeds in my flowerbeds were calling my name. I have large flower beds and several of them at that, so this required a lot of squat type movements
Thursday - Finished work on the flowerbeds - all of the weeds are gone, YAY!
Friday - PT routine...legs, cardio, and core


After my first run last week, I realized that I'm going to need to get back into my PT routine if I want my return to running to be as smooth as possible. For Monday's workout, I incorporated my PT routine (squats/lunges/legs) with a little cardio and some core workouts. Hopefully this will help my IT band behave as it should! 

Tuesday's run was kind of interesting as I came across a garter snake in the road. Although he's not poisonous, I want nothing to do with snakes so I stayed far away!

Also, my pace is nowhere near where I'd like it to be but let's be honest - this was only my 2nd run since having a baby and it will get there. I'm not worried about it as I did take this run easy with a 3:2 run/walk ratio. I'll continue doing the run/walk method until I feel comfortable pushing my pace again.

I do anticipate a run tomorrow - I may even try to get 4 miles in...we shall see!

Have a great weekend!

What's your weekend plans? Any races going on?

Why Hello There, Fitness! :)

Patience has never been a virtue of mine. I don't like to wait, especially when given a specific date/time and things don't happen in that time frame (think Brayden's birth date...he was four days late, thank you). So, when my OB's specific instructions stated to "resume exercise gradually", I took her at her word. About a week after he was born, we ventured out for a short walk here and there just to get out of the house, but it wasn't anything serious. Last week, a crazy and ridiculous rain storm that lasted for DAYS came through and hindered my postpartum fitness plans.

When the weekend hit and we were blessed with beautiful weather, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity and go for it!

Jason worked nights over the weekend, so we headed out for a walk on Saturday while he was still sleeping. Madalynn, Brayden, and I enjoyed a nice brisk 2 mile walk and by the time we returned, Jason was awake! 

He sure looks good in Navy and Orange, IMO! :)

Such a gorgeous day!

After returning the clan home, I ventured out for an additional 2 mile walk on my own. I even attempted a light jog (think like 10 seconds at a time), but that wasn't comfortable so I stopped. The walk was really nice because I was able to take it at my own pace and not one dictated by contractions, bladder spasms, or heart rate issues.

It honestly feels really nice to have my body back (well, somewhat)!

This little girl was whining after my second return home, so we went out for a little venture of our own! She helped round out the last portion of my four mile walk. :)

On Sunday, I decided to take the bike out for a little spin. My sister in law mentioned an upcoming bike "race" that sounded interesting to me, but I hadn't been on the bike in a LONG while, so I decided to test it out! 

Overall, it wasn't bad at all....although my legs did burn which felt really NICE for a change! I managed to go 5.25 miles around my neighborhood at a a decent little pace (for me).

 If we end up doing the bike ride, I think things will go really well!

All I need now is a helmet and I'll be all set! :)

I cannot wait to get back to running, but that will take a bit longer - I'm still taking it one day at a time over here! :)

If you've ever been pregnant or taken a hiatus from fitness, how was your return to it?