Happy Easter and some Catch up.

I hope you all had a pleasant Easter (well, thems of you who celebrate it.)

Russell had his very first visit from the Easter bunny er, dingo.



He was brought bubbles and six plastic eggs filled with Cheerios, all in a blue bunny bucket. It was very exciting.





In lieu of the 'standard celebration', we went on a hike and had a picnic lunch. It was lovely.

Russell discovered that Mommy's green apple was tasty.



We enjoyed the scenery.





And it was all so exciting, Russell took a nap towards the end.



(Yes, these pics were taken yesterday, demonstrating that I can, in fact, post pictures in a timely fashion. Don't get used to it. I still have about a month's worth of backlog to make up for.)

For instance...

I fell behind on my posting for a few days there, many apologies. Because of that, I never posted my run on Friday. I admit, by waiting even a few days, I have forgotten many bits of it. But here is a close approximation:

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 3.
Start time: midafternoon
Run time: 25 minutes or less
Distance: let's call it 2 miles.
Pace: a complete mystery
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 11.21
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Another beautiful day in Phoenix. I had to turn around a wee bit early because I had to use the ladies room, but other than that, a good run.

I was going to go out for another run yesterday, but we wound up on the hike instead. A far better deal, in my opinion. My intention is to start week 4 on Wednesday. Progress is slow but steady.

Pic of the day: Hanging around with daddy

Too cute not to share.



And another run! Three in a row!

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 2.
Start time: 9:30 AM MST
Run time: 30 minutes
Distance: 1.97 miles
Pace: 15.2 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 9.21
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Another beautiful day in Phoenix. Another great run. While I briefly considered going straight to week 4, I have decided that I am going to finish up week 3 on Friday, I am really feeling good right now. No need to rush it.

...and a run

I managed to get out for a run today! Two 'in a row'! I am so glad to be back to healthy.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 1.
Start time: 11:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.44 miles
Pace: 14.34 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 7.24
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: Phoenix is all blue skies, flowers, and butterflies today. TOO gorgeous for words. Even some of the most common weeds around here blossom with daisy-like flowers in the most fantastic shade of orange.

The run itself was good. Exactly the speed I need right now. It was a little challenging near the end, but I did it without huffing and puffing and thinking I was gonna die. Perfect. On Wednesday, I will do week 3 day 2.

The faster I work...

...the behinder I get.

I was just looking through baby pics and realized that, with regards to posting images here, you consistently get pictures about three to four weeks behind. Commentary without images is usually up to the minute.

For instance, these pics were taken on March fifth. I was sorting laundry. Russell 'helped' by finding the big pile of daddy's socks and rolling in it.



I guess a few weeks behind is the price you pay for uber-cute baby pics. (Or is that the price you pay for relying on me to post uber-cute baby pics? Same thing, right?)

In more timely news: I got out for a run this morning for the first time since...well looking back at the blog records, February 21st. Yikes! Knowing how long it had been, I went back a few weeks in the C25K program to see if I could gauge my fitness level at the moment.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 2 day 3.
Start time: 8:00 AM MST
Run time: 30ish minutes *see Notes
Distance: 2ish miles *see Notes
Pace: hard to calculate from 'ishes'
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 4.80
Blue Brooks 14.83

Notes: So I felt really good today, week two is still under my belt with no issues. Having said that, I didn't finish it as it was supposed to be run because as I was coming up on the last 3 minutes of intervals, I spotted two stray dogs. Both without collars and in really good health, just trotting along separately down the street. I stopped running and pulled out my cellphone to figure out how to report these.

One of them, a beautiful shepard mastiff cross, if I had to guess, trotted along beside me for a little while, then went off to explore someone's yard. I am (as I type this) on hold with the Maricopa county animal control office to report them, so that maybe someone can pick the poor things up before they get hit.

I only wish I had been capable of getting them to follow me home so I could keep them safe until the animal control officer arrived. But I am certainly not going to handle a unknown stray by myself, no matter how friendly they seemed. I hope their mommies find them...or at least that they find a good home.

It's a good thing he won't remember this.

Russell got a ... well that's funny, I have no idea what to call the darned thing.

It's a combination toy. It's one of those ring stackers where you have big rings that go over a cone. And, a musical tub that you drop balls into. It's made up to look like an elephant, with a big funnel for a head, and two of the rings have feet.

Why do you care about my poor description of a toy?

Because this toy produces some of the most fantastically cute pictures you will see today. They make me laugh whenever I see them

You see, the rings with the feet velcro (for some reason I don't understand) and Justin and I have had more fun (at Russell's expense, naturally) with those rings.

See:



Tee hee - he's so cute.



Here she comes, Miss America...



...or a Star Trek 'alien'



Just another shining example of quality parenting.

I did get out for a run today, nothing special.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 5 day 1 (take2).
Start time: 4:00 PM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.5 miles
Pace: 14 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 4.80
Blue Brooks 12.83

Notes: Running in the afternoon is way harder than in the morning. I think I am running harder than I did the first time through, that run was much harder than the first time, but I did it nonetheless. Now my quads are sore. Good sore, but sore.

Running update

With the family in town, I never got out for a run on Saturday (We went for a walk at the zoo instead.) So my 'weeks' of running are off a little.

Then, I did a run on Monday, (C25K week 5 day 1, for those keeping score at home) and it went fantastically well. But, exact stats I don't have, because I never wrote them down in the chaos.

Today, I did week 5 day 2. I did it, but it was HARD, and I just barely made it through that last interval. Those stats are below.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 5 day 2.
Start time: 10:15 AM MST
Run time: 33 minutes
Distance: 2.44 miles
Pace: 13.52 minute mile
Estimated Miles on Sneakers:
Pink Adidas 4.80
Blue Brooks 7.33

So, with my schedule all messed up, and my work cut out for me in terms of the next run (week 5 day 3 is a straight 20 minute run...) I have decided to step back and keep the success rate up.

Saturday I will restart week 5. This felt good on Monday, and will likely feel great again on Saturday. Monday I will run week 5 day 2, which I did today, and likely have more success. And then, whether I like it or not, I will run the week 5 day 3 20 minute run in one week, and will report a raging success! How's that for optimism?

Reason #4...

that I like Phoenix: Rainbows!

I was driving Jus to work this morning, when I realized that today was a run day. This would have been totally unremarkable, except I realized it because I was thinking about the fact that it is RAINING. This would be my first run in precipitation of any kind here in Phoenix. No biggie really, but remarkable because it is so unusual.

When I got home I went out for my run. There is a significant upside to rain in Phoenix: RAINBOWS! I saw three on my short little run, one of which was a complete arc. I never run with my camera, unfortunately, but it was beautiful.

Now, Run stats:

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 2(2nd time).
Start time: 9:15 AM MST
Run time: 40 minutes
Distance: 2.75 miles
Pace: 14.54 minute mile
Miles on Sneakers: Blue Brooks 5.11

Notes: I am feeling really good about these runs. I will certainly be ready for week 5 next week. Of the 40 minutes, 16 of those are spent running (interspersed with walking intervals) and I finish each running segment without significant exhaustion. I know next week ramps up fast, but I think I am ready for it.

A couple of good days

Friday we went down to Tucson so I could meet with Molly who was in-state. I had a very productive meeting and feel like progress is being made,

Additionally, we got to see the Tucson gang for the first time since living here. It was a good time. AJ and CJ have a fantastic new house (I am suffering from a tiny bit of house envy) and we spent the night and came back yesterday.

When we got back I got in a run. It was hard to get out, since I had just spent 2 hours in the car and was 'road-tired' but once I worked the lead out, it was a fantastic run. I am so very glad I am re-running week 4.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 1(2nd time).
Start time: 3:00 PM MST
Run time: 32 minutes
Distance: 2.36 miles
Pace: 13.56 minute mile
Miles on Sneakers: Blue ?? 2.36

Notes: fantastic. Just fantastic. The first 5 minute run segment felt almost easy...or at least good. The second 5 minute run segment certainly wasn't as hard as the last two times. I think the 5 day break did me good, let some muscles I needed built up. Looking forward to Monday.

Happy Groundhogs Day!

Which, I admit, doesn't mean much to Phoenicians. I haven't actually spoken to any natives about it, but they probably don't understand it.

It was one heck of a Super Bowl yesterday. Cards lost...but only just barely. It was fun to watch, and even more so because I am so happy for the Steelers. I took the day off from working yesterday so I could enjoy one day completely without "I should be working" guilt.

In addition to watching the game, we watched the first three sets of the rebroadcast of the Nadal/Federer final at the Australian Open. I organized all my digital pictures on my computer, and I finally finished the knitting and seaming of Russell's jacket that I have been working on very slowly for a while. All it's missing now is buttons, because I don't have any yet. Isn't it cute?



And it fits him darned perfectly at the moment. Once the buttons are on, I'll take a picture of him in it.

I also made breakfast yesterday, and had to keep the little one entertained while I did so. I gave him a funnel. It was picture worthy.



Today, I got my run in...I think this week will be week 4 and next week will also be week 4. I think if I push to week 5 next week I am doomed. No harm in slowing it down. It'll ultimately make it more fun.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 2.
Start time: 10:00 AM MST
Run time: 32 minutes
Distance: 2.36 miles
Pace: 13.56 minute mile
Miles on Sneakers: Pink Adidas 2.36

Notes: My pace *appears* do be improving tremendously. Really, there is just less total walking because today I ended the day's program AT my front door. No extra walking home because somehow I wound up a quarter mile away. Until I am done with the C25K, it will jump around a lot because pace isn't really what matters here. (I was just curious.)

I am also adding a new stat...miles on sneakers. It won't be exactly accurate for either pair of running shoes I own, because I have no idea what miles these shoes have already seen, but it will give me an idea of when I should spring for a new pair of shoes to avoid serious injury.

Pre Superbowl Run Notes

Happy Super Bowl Eve everyone!

One of the benefits of having lived in four different states (it's actually 5 if you count the one before I have any memories) is that I have developed opinions of the sports teams in each of those states, and in some cases, outright fan-dom.

So, while my #1 team is not in this year's superbowl, BOTH of the other teams I feel a certain amount of loyalty to are. I win either way.

But, since watching a Super Bowl (or any sporting contest, for that matter) and not caring who wins actually detracts from the game. So I have chosen to root for the Cards in this one because

A) You cannot fail to catch the fever here in AZ.
B) They have never won a Superbowl in franchise history.
and most importantly
C) I like to root for the underdog, and I honestly think that the Stillers have a better chance at this.

In fact, Cardinals fever is so great around here that all of the workers at Russell's day care were in Cards jerseys yesterday, and then I went to a doctor's appointment and the entire staff there were also in jerseys. Including my doctor. No whitecoat for him...nope, just a Warner jersey.

So Go Cards! (No offense to my beloved Steelers.)

Now - today's run.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 4 day 1.
Start time: 9:00 AM MST
Run time: 36 minutes
Distance: 2.59 miles
Pace: 14 minute mile

Notes: Week four is HARD. I know in a few weeks I won't necessarily feel the same way, but that was the toughest one yet. BUT, having said that, I did it. I can now say I can run for 5 straight minutes at a time...more than once in half an hour. I will sally forth and do week 4 day 2 on Monday.

Run notes for Wednesday.

And I thought I was tired on Monday. Good gravy! Russell is teething (2nd tooth coming in)and I got about four hours of sleep last night. Broken up. I am so very very very tired. Funny thing is, my run felt better than Monday. Can't explain that.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 3.
Start time: 9:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.29 miles
Pace: 15.02 minute mile

Notes: Chilly morning. The unseasonable heat wave has passed. Even at 9am, it was in the high 40's. Which means starting out is cold, but by the end I am REALLY comfortable. It won't last long, but these conditions are wonderful for running.

I am debating rerunning week three next week. If it think I am going to push myself forward. If it turns out that Saturday's run is hard enough that it isn't fun, I will rerun week three Wednesday and Friday.

Now, off to work...

Running out of time.

My runs are becoming more important than ever. I NEED them for two reasons,

1) Stress relief: I don't talk about it much here on the blog, but my dissertation is starting to kill me with the stress load. It really should be done by mid April, at the latest, if I want to graduate in May and EVERY piece of it is taking 10 times longer than I want it to. I don't know if I will ultimately be successful or not, and if I am not, it will feel like the BIGGEST failure. I don't deal well with failure.

and 2) because of the constant feeling of failure here, my runs have become my only source of success. Each time I finish a run or a week, I feel so much better for a while. SOMETHING that goes right every time. Which is good.

So, I got out for my run again today, and it felt good. To be fair though, the stress from everything else is making them harder (not to mention a certain lack of sleep last night due to a very cute baby). I may choose to repeat a week or two here or there just to make sure I don't rack up a fail in the run department too. I don't know if I can handle that right now.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 2.
Start time: 10:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.29 miles
Pace: 15.02 minute mile

Notes: I am tired. I felt it today in every part of my body as I ran. At least the weather has cooled back down to seasonable temps though, so it was the perfect temperature for a run.

Week three of nine.

Yay Running! Starting week three, so far, so good.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 3 day 1.
Start time: 11:00 AM MST
Run time: 35 minutes
Distance: 2.29 miles
Pace: 15.02 minute mile

Notes: It was uber fantastic out there today. Beautiful, sunny, not a recycling or garbage day so I didn't have to dodge cans. My pace seems to be slowing a little, but the running intervals are longer, so I think I am walking more slowly between them. I'm just happy to be out and in the sunshine for half an hour every other day.

Running away.

Quick notes on today's run.

(Russell's first Christmas post is below...somehow I managed to publish these posts in the wrong order)

Walk/Jog C25K Week 2 day 1.
Start time: 10:30 AM MST
Run time: 34 minutes
Distance: 2.35 miles
Pace: 14.47 minute mile

Notes: Another pretty day, and fantastically sunny. 63 degrees when I left the house. The second week starts making the running harder, and I could certainly tell. I now have no choice but to find a way to carry water, running in the desert without it is a quick way to kill yourself.

Another running post.

I promise that one of these days I will get to more cute baby pics. But while I am trying to build this running habit, I refuse to skip a post.

Got out today after dropping Russell and Justin off. I don't usually like to take time away from working on my dissertation, but Russell had a really bad stomachache last night, and kept us up until 11pm, so getting up early to go run was not an option.

Walk/Jog C25K Week 1 day 3.
Start time: 9:30 AM MST
Run time: 40 minutes
Distance: 2.57 miles It should have been a 34 minute run, but I ended the proscribed intervals further from home than usual and it took an extra 5+ minutes to walk my butt home.

Notes: BEAUTIFUL day. 50 degrees, sunny, still and gorgeous. I am not missing New England January right now. Actually, although I lose a little work time, I should definitely do these during daylight once a week right now, just to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Pretty soon it will start to get ridiculously hot midday and I will be glad for my dawn runs.

I am now done with Week 1. Starting Saturday, I will start week 2. So far, infinitely doable.

Attempt #40 at running again.

So when I started running a few years ago, I used the "Couch to 5K program" from Coolrunning.com. It was great. It started me off running without burning out. It gave me an idea of what I "should" be able to do, and most of all, it gave me a forum for discussing failures and triumphs with others doing the same thing. By the end I was running over 5K at a time, and even entered and ran a few 5K races. I was in the best shape of my life.

Then I got pregnant. hee hee.

Now it's time to get back into shape. So I start again. Only this time, I have a few added advantages (and one major disadvantage).

Advantage 1: I've done this before and know I can.
Advantage 2: I know how GOOD it feels to be in shape, so motivation is less of an issue.
Advantage 3: I have found a series of podcasts (here) that have worked out all the timing and intervals and set them to music, so I don't have to go through the obnoxious process of timing them all out myself.

Disadvantage: I would rather be spending my time with this cutie:

But this morning I got up and went to do it.

Start time: 8:20 AM MST
Run time: 30 minutes
Distance: 2.01 miles
Notes: Chilly desert morning, 51 degrees and sunny (I know, those of you in the north only wish it were 51 in January). It felt good to get out. I WILL do this.