Three Things Thursday

1.  Im never going on a long, family "vacation" again.  Oh the trip itself was great, but its the aftermath thats killing me.  Thing 1 regressed in his potty training to 4 accidents yesterday alone (I knew putting him back in diapers during the car trip would bite me in the ass), Thing 2 thinks he is ready to potty train (he was accident free for most of the day...but he was also big boy pant free since he refuses to leave it on, needless to say, Ill be shampooing my carpets this afternoon.)  The time change is kicking everyones butt, Thing 2 thinks sleeping in his own bed is optional but in mine is necessary (NOT a co-sleeping mom...I like my space!!)  Good thing my parents are moving closer.

2.  Hubby is MOTIVATED to work out, he had to find it for himself and he did...in the form of Beastmode and earning a killer bow.  Ill spare you the details unless you want them, but I'm very happy he FINALLY is making his health and fitness a priority.  Granted its not because I told him I want him around forever but because he found inspiration in making himself stronger for some serious back country bowhunting....but still, he is getting it done.  I don't have the health issues in my family he does, so I bug him about it....alot.  The problem is that he wants to run first thing in the morning, which leaves me running at lunch.  I don't mind...but I don't LIKE it.  I prefer to run and watch the sunrise.....I think this might last another few weeks......then we will need to discuss why HE cant run at lunch....but until then, Ill happily support him.  And yes, I go a little Beastmode myself....can never have TOO much motivation ;)

3.  I have ZERO Christmas decorations up.  Why....see #1.  This weekend is my plan and if everyone 3 and under is sedated cooperative we should be good to go.  If not, we might end up like the Griswolds.

Uhhhh.....Blah....Yay.....Grrrr

My hair didnt look nearly that good.

Thats how my day went yesterday....those 3 little words sum it all up...in that order.

I'm desperately trying to NOT get sick.  So far Ive got the wicked headache (which could be partly my childrens fault) and body aches (which could be pushing myself really hard when I was running the other day and then lifting way to much weight because I didn't know how to take weight off the thingy) but either way, I kinda feel like poo.

Got my 4 miles in...but it was one of those gonna go for 2, but I feel ok, Ill shoot for 3, but then I felt guilty not hitting my plan so I made it 4.  I did considering laying down in the road but figured I would get run over. 

When I feel like poo, I eat like shit.  I crave EVERYTHING and I have NOTHING so then I crave EVERYTHING and MORE!  I'm still on the Runners World Holiday streak.....I just think I'm going to modify my plan a bit and back off the running.....I had 5 miles planned today but I think I'm going to keep it simple and go for 2.

On a positive.....I WAS accepted into the Fit Approach Sweat Pink Ambassadors Group yesterday!!!  That definitely made me feel better!  I love the idea of being part of a group to help others get fit and healthy and get some run love.  Plus, much like Team Tough Chik, these ladies are all as obsessed dedicated as I am, if not more so, so I'm not the crazy one...I'm just ONE of the crazy ones :)

They have a forum, where you can go and get to know other SPA, but my favorite part is that people come up with different weekly/monthly challenges.  I'm all about the challenge, so I cannot wait to get started on the weekly challenge next Monday.  A few weeks ago it was to so a circuit 5/7 days that week, then 1000 push ups IN a week (push ups always find a way into the mix...grrrr) so I cant wait to see what next week bring. 

Just as my high from being accepted into the group was calming down I heard the tell-tale barking of some poor critter being corned by my husbands crazy dog puppy by the barn.  I put them on the porch, and heard the other tell-tale signs of hoofs pounding away as my no good rotten pain in the ass horses busted out of the 40 acres pasture they were in and took off across the yard and down the road.  Grrr......so not cooperative but we got them back....took a pick up truck and some very bad words and they didn't go where we wanted them to but anywhere other then the road was fine.  Ill help husband fix some fence this morning I guess....that counts for some physical fitness, right??

Off-season???

Is there really such a thing as "off season"?  I realize I have been running for 2 years, but I kinda thought since one could find a race anytime of the year, it was a year round season.  I'm finding out that there is a spring season and fall season, which suits me just fine really not into running in the summer...not.so.much. 

Anyway, for sake of discussion, what do you do in the off-season?  Do you stop all together?  Do you back off your training for relaxed, chilled out easy paced runs, just to keep yourself going (Sounds Heavenly right??) Do you keep at it hard and heavy, pushing yourself to injury point because you have plenty of time to recover (which you wont do) and want to know exactly what your limitations are? 

I'm definitely not Numero Uno....someone would get hurt if I stopped all together.  I had to take extended time off after Lincoln and I wanted to gouge myself in the eye with a hot fork.  I cannot take time off without losing my freakin' mind....major props to my friends who have been and are currently battling being sidelined.....Katie, Heather, Kari....I dont know how you do it and stay sane :)

Number 2.....partially.  When I have running buddies to run with.   Its hard to have a conversation with someone when your both blowing up your lungs and I definitely love a good, easy cruise with hubby or the girl-child.  Pushing the jogger typically because a chilled out run, albeit on that makes me want to die, but its definitely not about breaking time limits as much as getting to the end of the run without losing a child (they tend to bail out, remember?)

Number 3....that would be me.  I cannot just go out and run, alone, without trying to hurt myself.  And I don't mean "hurt" as in finding the nearest pot-hole and running right into it, tripping falling, breaking an ankle, wrist and probably getting a concussion, hurt myself, but the burn and ache of pushing my legs and lungs, as fast and as hard as I can.  Seeing exactly how fast I can run, how long it takes me to get to my in-laws house, how bad the weather can be, how much self-inflicted pain I can bring upon myself.  If I really can do 100 crunches a day (I can) and 75 push ups (cannot) for a week straight. 

Each time I hit a goal, I'm happy...then I find something else.  So far, I haven't found my limitations yet.  I have found pain...and progress.   I have learned that I am only as weak as I think I am....and I am much stronger then I give myself credit for.  The only way to silence the weak Tara is to prove her wrong.  I don't always want to run.  I don't really like crunches.  I really REALLY hate push ups....yet I do them all because that little voice in my head that says sit on the couch and do nothing annoys the shit out of the voice that says, get off your ass and do something so you can buy those really cute jeans in a size smaller then you have been wearing :)

So I guess that means I don't think there is ever an "off season".  For me, there is race season and training season.....races are a few months out of the year....training is 12 months out of the year. 

Am I obsessed?  Yep....sure am.

Do I need an intervention?  Probably.

Am I hurting myself?  Not yet, but some may think its coming soon.

Is it selfish?  Yes...but since its the only "me" time I get from Thing 1 and Thing 2.....I dare you to try and take it away from me :) 

Bitter Sweet

Our trip to Michigan is winding down, and Im happy to report that everyone is still alive and speaking to each other (Ill let you know how that turns out after the second 1,145 mile 17 hour car trip turns out....WITH the 10 year old female in the mix...that could all change.)

Thanksgiving was great, starting with a 3 mile run around the park in town, an extremely frustrating Lions game (dont get me started on that ruling......), great food, a wrestling match with my husband and a coconut cream pie (my mad ninja skills failed me and I lost). 

Isn't she pretty??

Black Friday shopping on Friday morning at the hunting store when Shawn got me (sorta) my Christmas present.  My NEW bow has been ordered and will be delivered to the house in a month or so....YIPPEE!!  The Huskers won (seriously...WHY do that have such an issue playing a full 4 quarters of football.....WHY....), the boys FINALLY slept all night in their bed and not half in it, on the floor, and with us......gonna take me 3 months to get them back into their sleeping routine).

The fact that my parents are moving next week finally registered during my run this morning (yes, I got 3 in this morning.....29 degrees, light snow fall, and a mile or of it was down a quiet, tree lined road...peaceful.)

It strange to say "good-bye" to the house you grew up in.  I dont miss living here....I didnt cry when we left in 2009 to move to Nebraska and I dont think Ill cry today, but it is still strange to know that I will never come back to visit this house again.  I wasnt a runner when I lived here, so I cant say Ill miss my old running routes, but I am a runner now, and have a long list of places I would love to get a training run in sometime.  But those times are gone.  I cant blame my parents....both Little Brother and I are out west, so that is where they are headed.  And Im happy for them, but a little sad at the same time.  When we moved to Nebraska, we always knew we could come back and visit whenever we wanted, but now, there isnt anything (family) to come back and visit, so it wont be happening.  And if we do come back and visit (friends!!) then we wont be coming back to THIS house. 

Its really nothing new for me, but its a final goodbye.  This time, its not see you later...its goodbye. 

Turkey Day

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!

Did you Turkey Trot today??  I was supposed to but the time change is kinda kickin' my rear and we I over slept.  The race was about 45 minutes away from my parents, and when I looked at the clock and it was already registration time, I knew it wasnt gonna happen.  So Shawn and I headed to the park and got our trot on..woot woot!

So this is the day that we are thankful for well, everything.  I really dont think you need me to tell you again what I am thankful for, so Im going to follow Jamie's lead and put out my superficials.  Like she said....the things Im thankful for, materialistic or not....these are the things I love.

1.  My iPod.  Trucking along on my runs is so much easier when I have the perfect (i.e. Miranda Lambert Fastest Girl in Town) blaring in my ears.  Run faster, finish sooner...that is all.

2.  Garmin....necessary...no, wait YES!  Yes yes yes....while I can possibly run without it, it helps keep me focused on my stride and pushing for my times.  Push hard, run fast, finish sooner (see the trend).

3.  Coffee...this was not on my list last year because I didnt drink coffee till just recently.  In that short amount of time, I have taken back all the bad stuff I have ever said about coffee because frankly, I love it. 

4.  My bow.  I recently moved into the world of bowhunting and while I havent killed anything yet I really REALLY love shooting.  Its given me an arm workout unlike anything else which is great because we all know how I feel about pushups.

5.  My gun(s).  Lets face it...I like to shoot shit.  My .380 is my favorite, but I throughly enjoy the rifles also. 

6.  Angel Food cake.  Plain and simple...dont screw fancy it up...white cake, white frosting....happy Tara.

7.  Charlie Brown and his holiday adventures.....HOURS if entertainment for Thing 1 and Thing 2 in the 17 hour car trip to see my 'rents.

8.  Cold Beer.  Not feeling the wine these days but Im loving a nice, cold beer at the end of the day. 

9.  The perfect t-shirt.  Really....is there anything better then a cotton t-shirt that is cute, and fits perfect!  You know what Im talking about....fitted but not super tight so the beer I had last night isnt showing through.  Yep...thats the one. 

10. With that goes perfect fit jeans.  Again..is there anything better.

11.  My critters.  My horses are my sanity, my dogs are my best running buddies (and babysitters for the 2 legged critters when they are outside.)

12.  My snowmobile.  Red Betty rocks...she is small but mighty. 

13. My friends....so thats more of a real thankful then a superficial but I love that they get my superficials, embrace them and take them/me for what it is.  They get me :)

14.  My absolute favorite is when I can put #13 together with any of the others listed above....those are the moments Im so thankful for....everyone needs crazy friends and family who feed your ridiculous hobbies and addictions and jump on the crazy train with you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!!!  Let the shenanigans begin!

Time Travel

or maybe thats travel time.  Yep, I think that is more like it but since I seem to be spending more time in a car these days then outside of it.....I dont think you can blame me to much. 

Friday, I took PK to the airport so she could fly out Saturday morning and spend Turkey Week with her dad, stepmom and family in Michigan.  Drove home Saturday....about 3.5 hours each way.  No biggie, except for when I got home on Saturday I really wanted to go hunting had to clean the house, pack and get ready for the rest of us to leave Sunday morning to drive to Michigan and spend Turkey Week with my parents. 

See, my parents are moving on December 1 and this is the last holiday I would get to spend in Michigan.  I never really said "good-bye" to most of my friends when we moved because I always knew we would have an excuse (grandma/grandpa) to come back and visit.  Now that they are moving to be closer to us.....that excuse is relocating gone.

It was a long first day of driving and frankly, people in Iowa drive like shit.  Not necessarily Iowians, but just people in Iowa regardless of permanent residency, drive like shit.  Maybe something in the air...who knows, but till...they drive like crap and thats to that, we can now add "road rage" to the category of bad words....barn/cattle/pasture/driving words.  Mostly 4 letter and bad. 

Being in Michigan is nice, relaxing with my parents and hanging out with friends we havent seen in years.  Shawn and I ran yesterday morning at the park in the town where I grew up and this morning, I got 5 in running out around my parents house.  We are also getting alot of shooting time in with our bows since I we set a goal of shooting 60 arrows a day, rain or shine.  Feels good....even after Shawn increased the draw weight on my bow.  Goal is to get to 60lbs....Im hanging out at 50lbs right now and getting that ache in my arm that I love!

Eating good food today, possibly some early shopping.....really just relaxing.  Enjoying the last few days in Michigan....because Im not sure when I will get back here again. 

3 Things Thursday

3 random things about me.....I can handle that:

1.  I just signed up for (Just) Trying is the Little Girls 2012 Holiday Card Exchange.  Last year, I was paired with 5 awesome bloggers, who I have enjoyed following and getting to know this past year, so I knew right away I was going to do it again this year.  If your interested in signing up also, go here.  And if you are not a follower of her adventures running all over the country (seriously, JEALOUS of her running and traveling, she rocks!) then you need to be!

2.  The Runners World Holiday Running Steak is starting next week....Thanksgiving Day to New Years to be exact.  Last year I read about several over-achievers people who were doing this, and thought they needed to sit back and enjoy the excuse to do nothing it seemed like an ok idea.  This year, I KNOW I need to give it a go to keep myself active until my training plan starts in January or else Im gonna suffer and hurt worse then I usually do when I fall off the running wagon start a training plan.  This is perfect! 

3.  Swag.  Apparently, this word bothers my weirdo dear husband for some reason, which I didnt know till I was reading a  blog about swag and bling....and he.went.off.  He doest get why its call swag, why not just cool free shit...which I dont know the if there even is answer to that but apparently SWAG bothers him.  I may or may not have accidentally said that word about a million times between last night at 730pm and today.  He thinks Im trying to make him crazy, Im going for desensitization to the word so I dont get "the look" everytime I go to a race and collect "the swag" thats given to me in a "swag bag" because the best part half of a race is about the "swag" in your
free "swag bag".