I typically do tempo or speed type work on Wednesdays whether I’m training for something or not. Just because. So, today I decided to take some speed on. It was challenging, but it made my hour of running go by much quicker than my normal easy pace. I warmed up 15 min, tempo/progression 35 min, with a 10 min cool down.

The last 10 min of the tempo, I had a mixture of ugly faces, big smiles and lot’s of singing (hopefully not out loud). Usually on my easy runs, I people watch like crazy and “live tweet” from the treadmill, but I could have easily been the subject of a “live tweet” yesterday. “Girl with the bad boob job needs to stop smiling and making ugly faces at the same time.” (Only 5 more weeks until these expanders are out- won’t be bad for long!!) Something about the last few minutes of a tough workout, I usually end up smiling because the hard work has felt good and I’m so thankful to have accomplished it and complete it. Ready to take on the world. Or at least take on Marshall for the rest of the day. 

I’ve been into running for an hour a lot of days. I like the hour, I break it up into 15 minutes chunks in my head and it’s super manageable. 

Below is what my training has looked like since I was cleared to run:

I have 5 more weeks of building before I have my reconstruction surgery. I’m planning to hit 20 miles for my long run sometime during the week of January 6th. I’ll feel much better about my 4 week post surgery down time if I have a 20 miler under my belt first!

And when the winter comes- the treadmill & I become good friends. And with the treadmill comes a lot more music listening. I actually don’t mind cold weather running too much myself (if it’s not 5am or still dark out), but honestly the treadmill is just easier than a stroller run when it’s super cold out.

So here’s a little playlist action for you:

1. Outta My System– My Morning Jacket

2. Sydney – Brett Dennen

3. Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert

4. Safe and Sound – Capitol Cities

5. Holdin on to Black Metal – My Morning Jacket

6. Something Beautiful – NeedtoBreathe

7. B.O.B. – Outkast

8. Heart of the City – Jay-Z

9. The Fixer – Pearl Jam

10. 25 to Life – Eminem

11. My Chick Bad – Ludacris

12. ATLiens – Outkast

13. Lover of the Light – Mumford and Sons

14. Marker in the Sand – Pearl Jam

15. Sounds like Hallelujah – The Head and the Heart

After my first run back on Friday, I decided to take Saturday off. I was indeed sore from my cute little 3.5 mile run. Abs & legs. On Sunday, we planned on a 5 mile run together as a family. Then Ashley texted and asked if we wanted to meet her and Brandon at Thr3ewisemen. So naturally pizza & beer won that battle. No one here is training for anything specific right now & those five miles really meant nothing but making me a little less crazy (endorphins). And flabby. They would have helped with that. But hey whatevs.

Every time we think taking Marshall to a restaurant will be OK, it never is. We were hopeful that banana he was eating, along with a million other food items, crayons & toys stashed in his bag would distract him from wanting to run like a maniac around the entire restaurant. But after a solid 5 minutes, he proved us wrong yet again. I know this is a tough age for taking kids places like this, but it is nearly impossible with him no matter what. When I see people with children his age (well since he was 9 months really) out at restaurants and their kid is just chillin, I want to ask them what kind of sedative they are using. No seriously, whiskey? Loratab? HOW?! 

I think I’m going to get him a leapfrog tablet for Christmas. Maybe I should get it sooner as it will actually be a gift to me. I’m not into giving my kid a $500 ipad to play with and I actually just made that price up because I have no clue how much ipads even cost.

I was back at the running thing on Monday, with a sluggish, slothy 4 mile stroller monon run. I had eggs for breakfast too soon before the run and it was every bit of blah the entire way. Was happy to be home. 

Yesterday, Marshall and I met Ashley for an easy 5- longest run yet thus far. It was fun, carefree and she even pushed the stroller for half the run and took some pictures for me for my Oiselle athlete profile. WHICH I still need to retake because they aren’t close enough- oh man, I’ll get it together. I do think Marshall’s face was a little cold, but thankfully he was snuggled up cozily in his jammies & the amazing little bundle me – thank you Nicholle for this! So thankful I have this for winter running!