It has been months since I posted on this blog, and no one missed it (not even me)!  I've set some new goals for 2014 though, and I think that using this blog will be a great way to keep track of everything for myself.  And if someone else finds it interesting along the way, great!

Here are a few of the things coming up in 2014...

1.  Voyage to Venus!  My kids and I have both pledged miles for the Voyage to Venus.  The kids each plan to run 100 miles during 2014, and I've signed up for 1,000 miles.  Looking forward to getting started on that...time to plan for that average of 84 miles per month (20 per week).

2.  14 in 14.  I managed 13 races in 2013, now it is time to run 14 races in 2014.  I'll stick with a mix of 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons.

3.  Starting out 2014 with a 21 day detox led by my running coach from 2013, Laura Peifer.  This will be the first time I try something like this, starting January 4th.  Hoping it helps with my goal of losing 25 pounds in the next year.

4.  My son Gabe wants to run his first 10k in 2014, and my daughter Maggie wants to run something longer than a 5k.  They are both planning to use the Kalamazoo Area Runners Club Championship Series to work towards their overall running goals for the year.

So, that's where I'm at and where I want to go!

SBBC By The Numbers!

April 8-14, 2013

Monday

50 minutes running
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  7

Tuesday
60 minutes running
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 8

Wednesday
15 minutes strength work
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 3.5


Thursday
65 minutes running
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 8.5


Friday
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 2

Saturday

Water
Freggies
Total Points: 2


Sunday

2:54:08 running (15 miles)
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 19


Total Points for week: 50

It's Green!

The first smoothie of the week that is actually the color green (the others have been purple)! This one is kale, avocado and banana. Wasn't sure about it at first but I think it is growing on me!

SBBC By The Numbers - Second Week!

March 25-31, 2013

Monday

50 minutes running
7.5 minutes upper body work
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  7.5

Tuesday
75 minutes running
Water
Freggies
Total Points:9.5

Wednesday
Water
Freggies
5 minutes upper body training (quickie!)
Total Points:2.5


Thursday
46 minutes running (Hill Intervals)
20 minutes run/walk - Girls on the Run
Water
Freggies
Total Points:8.5


Friday
Does outlet shopping for 6 hours count?
Water
Freggies
Total Points:2

Saturday
2:11:55 minutes running - 11.6 miles
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 15


Sunday
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 2


Total Points for week: 47

Recap: Repeat of last week in that I met my point goal but I'm still having issues getting in the strength training.  Maybe a training plan with a 4 day running schedule is simply not the answer for me.

My Saturday long run was a vast improvement over last week.  I felt so much better and so much stronger and I was much more in tune with what my pace should be.  The weather was great, and the scenery running around Gull Lake was amazing.  Now if only the temp would inch up another 10-20 degrees we'd have long run perfection!

Goals for week 5 - Stick in the 45-50 point range.  Starting that green smoothie challenge on Monday - I spent my Sunday afternoon preparing ziploc bags full of smoothie goodness (?) in advance.  I'm also doing a 7 day sugar detox (just added sugars for this round).  Then I've just got to figure out how to get in a 13 mile training run when I have an all day meeting on Saturday and a 5k Sunday mid-morning followed by the regular Sunday afternoon family schedule.  Guess that means skipping church to get in 10 miles before the 5k!  Not ideal but this close to the River Bank Run I'm not sure I have another choice!

Green Smoothie Challenge - Ready to Rawk!

I am not quite sure that I am ready for this as I am not a big smoothie fan, but I am jumping in this April and doing a 30 day Green Smoothie Challenge. Today I did the initial prep work for week one. Tomorrow after running I will grab one of these packages and give it a try. Let's see how it goes!

SBBC By The Numbers - Second Week!

March 18-24, 2013

Monday

45 minutes running (3.1 miles + 8 strides)
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  6.5

Tuesday
60 minutes running
15 minutes stretching - Girls on the Run
5 minutes weight training - arms
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 10

Wednesday
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 2


Thursday
75 minutes running (NS workout - a fun first!)
20 minutes run/walk - Girls on the Run
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 11.5


Friday
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 2

Saturday
2:13:43 minutes running - 11.5 miles
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 15


Sunday
Water
Freggies
Total Points: 2


Total Points for week:  49

Recap: Well, I met my point goal.  I didn't get in the strength/core training that I would like but our family schedule has been out of control and it is all I can do at the end of the day to feed my family before falling into bed when we finally get home!  That should let up next week.

My Saturday long run was horrible - I was supposed to do 14 but I was just so tired.  We were also running a complicated route with KAR and I ended up sticking with a new running friend named Donna.  Not sure if actually running with a buddy was helpful or not - the time went faster but I think she was pushing me to go a pace that might not have been the best for me considering how run down I already was.  I am going to try to be more aware of my pace and hopefully I'll be better rested for the 13 miles scheduled next Saturday.

Goals for week 4 - Stick in the 45-50 point range.  Complete my scheduled long run on Saturday, and get in 2-3 short strength workouts.  Also try out my new blender in advance of the 30 day green smoothie challenge which I am starting on April 1st!

SBBC By The Numbers - Second Week!

March 11-17, 2013

Monday

45 minutes running
15 minutes strength training
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  8

Tuesday
56 minutes running
15 minutes running - Girls on the Run
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  9

Wednesday
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  2


Thursday
20 minutes run/walk - Girls on the Run
20 minutes strength training
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  6


Friday
46 minutes running
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  6.5

Saturday
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  2


Sunday
Water
Freggies
Total Points:  2


Total Points for week:  35.5

Recap:  I missed the mark on my goal for points this week, mostly because I had to go on a retreat Friday/Saturday for the Conference Youth that I lead and by the time I got home I had hit the wall.  The whole week was tough schedule wise - I'm not sure I was ever home before 7 o'clock and then there was still dinner and everything to deal with.  Just very, very tiring.  Missed getting in the 13 mile long run that I had actually hoped to split between Saturday and Sunday.  Oh well - back on the wagon for Monday morning and hopefully I'll hit my target this week!

Goals for week 3 - Trying for that 45 points again, and I'm going to start using that new Ninja blender I purchased this morning to try some green smoothie recipes in advance of the 30 day green smoothie challenge I'm embarking upon in April.  That should be interesting!  I also have a goal of losing 5 pounds between March 14th and April 14th (the bigger goal is 20 pounds by my 41st birthday on July 14th), so I'll keep working towards that as well.