Friday, March 30, 2012

Run, Sing, Keep Going

Yesterday was an unbelievably busy day! Brian had an appointment with the allergist and breathing tests for his pulmonary appointment on Monday. It was a run day so we did 5 minutes walking, 7 minutes running, and 5 more minutes walking and then we had to divide and conquer. Erik had a vocal music concert at Southeast and the director wanted parents to sing so I had to be there at 6 and Brian had to be at scouts at 7. We finally made at home a little after 8, took care of the neighbor's fish, worked on training with Cache, and slipped into bed. Today will be errands, exercise and laundry - just as soon as I can get off work =)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Official Start of Spring

Last night I mowed at our house and Brian mowed at his parents house and fertilizer will likely be spread this weekend. I was surprised at how thick our grass was so early in the season. We will probably skip over-seeding this year and do some patch work. We have a lot of landscaping to finish before Erik's graduation. It's hard to believe that in 3-4 weeks we'll be sending out announcements and invitations for his party!!!

We'll try to put up some pictures with the landscaping changes - I definitely know how my weekends will be spent!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

High Pollen and Big Hills

Last night we rode our bikes to bell practice and Erik drove the Tribute with the bike rack so that we could get a ride home with him afterwards. I forgot that from 56th and Van Dorn to 56th and South it is really just one big hill and that after pedaling up that, the slight incline from A Street to the church is pretty torturous. We ultimately made it to church but it felt like I panted for a long time afterwards.

When we got home we took Cache to the pet store to get his nails done and then took care of the neighbors fish. The last few days one of the coral hasn't been "blooming" so I was worried that I had somehow upset it. Fortunately when we arrived last night all was well. We can't wait to hear about their trip!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Resistance

Last night was the end of week three in the Couch to 5K plan. We walked for 5 minutes, ran for 7 minutes and then walked home, slightly more than 5 minutes. The biggest challenge for me is route planning to get us home in the correct amount of time. Running in the cemetery seems to be the best solution for that. Brian and I were running at much different speeds last night and I have found that once I pass the three minute mark my body finds its pace and position. I'm holding out hope that I'll lose some weight by adding running to my workouts, unfortunately so far I'm gaining instead of losing - silly Hashimoto's thyroid!

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Blessing of Early Spring

March 2012 will go into the record books as the warmest March in Nebraska. The trails in Lincoln are a testament to the beautiful spring weather and everything in our yard is sprouting and thinking about blooming.

Saturday morning Brian took a group of scouts camping in Grand Island at Mormon Island and they enjoyed the beautiful weather and spent all their time outside. Erik and I took Cache for a run Saturday afternoon and I watched one bad/stupid movie and one heartwarming romantic comedy. Sunday most of my day was spent with church - taking a member to the 11am service, getting Erik ready for Youth Sunday, taking Cache in the afternoon for dog training class. It really was kind of a whirlwind weekend.

Today the areas around us are under a high wind advisory, and we have a run for Couch to 5k - may try running with sunglasses today =)

Friday, March 23, 2012

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye

Our big dog Ozzy will be going to Green Acres for the last time today. While I know that it is time and I can't keep asking him to go on like this I don't want to lose him and I keep wondering if he knows that this is the end and if he is relieved.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Five, Five, Five

Last night was the last run in week two for the couch to 5k program. We honestly did pretty well and I was surprised at how far we were able to run in five minutes. After our run we talked to the current band president about an upcoming meeting, convinced Ozzy to eat some food and went to Blockbuster to get movies.

We rented Conspirator and it was AWESOME!!! It's about the trial after President Lincoln's murder and it was exceptionally well done. If you have 2 hours to kill pick up a copy, you won't regret it!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Walk On By

This weekend had a lot of walking for me. Friday when I got off work I changed clothes and then took my mom's beagle for a two mile walk before taking Cache for two miles of his own. My legs were tired but I was glad I did it.

Saturday morning Brian had some bike drama with the scouts with one kid whose bike had been damaged when his dad "fixed" it. They have some work to do to gain endurance but it will be a good year for the merit badge. Saturday night we did our work for Couch to 5K at Lincoln Memorial, it really is my favorite place to run.

Sunday was our first experience serving deacon coffee, it actually went fairly well all things considered. Sunday afternoon Cache got his bath and then a walk before we took him to doggie class for the first time. The teacher thinks he will benefit from a consultation with the Minnesota Dog Whisperer. Last night we were all pretty lazy and I was in bed by 8:30. Tonight is our next run and it sounds like it will be a windy and rainy week here, hopefully we can keep right on moving!

Friday, March 16, 2012

A Little Farther a Little Faster

We have officially survived the first week of Couch to 5K. Yesterday we made it quite a bit further during our run, and Cache is ok, even though he fell going around a corner. This afternoon he will hopefully get into the bath tub and then enjoy a long walk with his cousin Allie McBeagle.

This weekend is the start of the boy scout cycling merit badge and our first time serving coffee as deacons. Keep your fingers crossed, hopefully it will all go well!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Around the Rose Garden

Last night we upped the riding distance and did a nice 11.4 mile ride. Post-ride my calves were worn out but I got hydrated and went to bed early - this morning I can tell we had our first training ride of the season. My arms and hands are a little sore, I have a stiff spot on my neck and all I want is water!

We're now off the bikes until Saturday when the scouts do their first 10 mile ride. It will be interesting to see how the kids do. For some this will be a MAJOR ride, for others it will be a regular commute. Hopefully soon my body will remember that it likes riding =)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A Family Affair

Yesterday after a very hectic day at work and a few appointments with my mom we ate dinner and all three of us headed out for the quick six. The old Nebraska wind was blowing like crazy and at the turnaround we talked to a woman about her Cannondale. I learned last night that even though my Nike's are GREAT for running they are terrible on the bike - good thing I didn't throw away my trusty old pair of Reeboks yet!

Hopefully we can get in another ride tonight - and the wind won't be quite as bad =)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Beautiful Conditions

Friday after work Brian dragged the bikes out and we did the quick six - it was windy and I was cranky but it was good to get out for a ride.

Saturday morning the boys went to help finish an Eagle scout project and I ran deacon errands and did a little housework. In the evening Brian and I completed the second run for Couch to 5k and Cache is mostly certain that we have lost our minds.

Sunday the weather reminded us that its still spring in Nebraska with mild temperatures and rain off and on. We compromised on a rest day and took the dogs for a short walk. We also attended an Eagle ceremony at church and had Brian's parents over for dinner - all in all it was a pretty busy weekend.

Yesterday the weather couldn't have been nicer. Lincoln saw low 70's with plenty of sunshine so we did the third run for Couch to 5k. I'm starting to wonder about logistics with the runs but enjoying it for the most part =) I ran a LOT while I was pregnant with Erik (was that really 18 years ago???) and it's starting to come back.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Run for Your Life

It's the beginning of Couch to 5K at our house. Brian seems to feel better when he is really working out hard - I think its because he is getting enough oxygen and maximizing his respiratory system. Last night when I finally made it home we walked 5 minutes, ran 2 minutes and then walked 5 minutes back home. The training felt pretty good and while I was tired and out of breath I didn't feel like a failure.

Tonight we'll get in a short ride and finish up the laundry =) all the responsibilities of domesticity.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

A Long Walk with a Short Dog

Last night we walked Cache over to a friend's house to pick up a new POGO card for local businesses. It ended up being just over three miles and while we thought he would be completely exhausted he was up all night long - even more than usual. Hopefully I can get him out for some more exercise tonight and he'll get a better night of rest tonight.

Brian saw the ENT this morning and was diagnosed with a bad case of laryngitis - they cultured it but in the meantime we'll try a couple other tricks. He is concerned that he's allergic to something at work that is aggravating it so he'll be working from home for a few days. Keep your fingers crossed for us - I can't remember him ever being sick like this!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Wind Training Blows

Literally! Yesterday was our first outside ride of the season, and I had grandiose ideas about making it through the quick 6 barely breaking a sweat. 15 minutes, and 2 miles later, I pulled back into the garage panting and wondering what had happened. I'm sure the 20mph wind was the cause!

The ride was ok, when it wasn't directly into the south wind, but since almost all our routes end with a ride into the south I gave up early and headed home. We'll try again Friday afternoon - weather permitting!