{IMM Training-Weeks 2, 3 and 4}

Posted in Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Training by sneaksandstilettos

Apparently I write a blog about running and am training for a marathon. This would be an actual marathon on foot comprised of 26.2 miles of sweat, GU and muscle fatigue. If you look at my training (you’ll see below) you wouldn’t know it. In my week 1 post I was all about balance in my life. Let’s just say the balance was broken, off kilter, kittywampus (I’ve never written that word before) or derailed.

I’m not going to be mad at myself or drone on and on because ain’t nobody got time for that. I’m a new mom and just returned from 15 nights on the road and out of town out of the last 17 days. If you follow me on Instagram you saw what I was up to. I did the best I could with the given situation and the results are less than pretty. Sometimes that’s life. You can’t go back and change the past so I’m moving forward.

I encourage you to cut yourself the same slack from time to time. That thing you keep beating yourself up about as if Ronda Rousey was fighting you. You know exactly what I mean. Just give yourself permission to move on. Look to the future. Learn from your situation. Your going to lose against her anyway. That woman can kick some major ass.

Week 2–

Monday-Off

Tuesday-Off

Wednesday-3 mile run/4 mile walk

Thursday-60 min. Yoga Sculpt a.m./ 3 mile run p.m.

Friday-off

Saturday-Dressed in running clothes and entered hotel workout room for treadmill run, but my boss had other plans. Played bicycle with him as ab work when out of the car instead.

Sunday-5 miles on Detroit Riverwalk. Most parts of this run were pretty, a few run down, however I found beauty in both. I always felt safe. Check it out if ever in Detroit.

Week 2 Miles-11

Week #3-

Monday-Walked 4 miles on sidewalk/path along Niagara River leading to Niagara Falls.

Tuesday-Walked around Lake George and Hiked in Adirondack Mountains

Wednesday-Hilly and hot walk on Province Lands bike trail (7.5 miles) in Cape Cod.

Thursday-Dressed for a run on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Forgot it was the husband’s birthday for a few moments. Let this be our little secret. Remembered, and got us coffee and doughnuts and a cookie dough cupcake for the birthday boy while letting him sleep in. No chance to run.

Friday-3.25 miles (Finally! Was close to hurting someone if I didn’t get to run.)

Saturday-Sightseeing in Boston. Walked undetermined number of miles.

Sunday-See Saturday. Moved long run to Monday.

In real current time on Monday, August 3rd at 8:15 p.m. as I’m typing this post on my phone and my son is sleeping in my arms:

It just sounded like a loud car crash and the power went out. Blog post officially delayed. Power is out for an hour. Thank goodness for the White Noise App I have on my phone that is mostly charged. My son needs the white noise to stay asleep. Seriously download this if you have a little one that uses white noise. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve used this app.

Week 3 Miles-3.25 (Yes, you read that correctly.)

Week #4-

Monday-7 mile run in Boston (Started in Boston Common, to Boston Public Gardens, to Boston Marathon finish line, to Charles River Esplanade loop, finished with fresh cannoli for the husband and family. I had one bite only since I’m dairy free for the baby. Boo!)

Tuesday-4 mile hike (Hiked Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park)

Wednesday-Sandy and hilly dune hike at Indiana Dunes State Park

Thursday-1 mile run/walk, Home sweet home for one night

Friday-2.25 mile run to enjoy the moon

Saturday-off…doing important things like a college friend get together at a lake cabin. Also first night away from little man. Tears were shed.

Sunday-Planned long run, but left running shoes outside friend’s cabin overnight by accident. During night a torrential rain storm occurs. Only running shoes along are soaked. I seriously can’t make this up.

Week 4 Miles-10

I said there would be ups and downs in week 1. You probably just didn’t think I meant coming so soon. This is the post with the running downs, but the life highs. We made so many great memories on our road trip I wouldn’t changed the missed miles for anything. Don’t worry. This is still a blog about running. I’m still planning to run a marathon. Regular training has resumed as of today. Rhonda Rousey was just after my running the past few weeks. I’m trying to stay away from her this week. I suggest you do to!

Stay tuned for Week #5’s update in a week and some other training news.

Sarah

3Jan2014

{Friday Fab 5-Chicken Tikka Masala, Roadtrippers App…

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala}

Ever since going to Taste of Madison in August and trying Chicken Tikka Masala for the first time, I’ve wanted it again and again. While pinteresting the other day I found this recipe, and we ate it on Monday for dinner. It was yummy, however I will add extra garam masala to add some extra spice. The cilantro and lemon added the perfect balance to round out this dish. Yum!

{#2-Roadtrippers App and Website}

This app and website are amazing. After taking our first roadtrip last summer, we are hooked. There is something about driving through towns, local food and beer, nature and landscapes so different from our own that we love. We have, of course by we I mean I, been busy planning here and there for a couple of months already.

I discovered this website while planning away this past weekend. It lets you plan your route, which can be adjusted, and then add in things to see, do, etc. along the way. It has tons of options from hikes, to national parks, to out of the way attractions, to breweries, to sweet tooth stops. I’ve got our routes and stops planned with a general itinerary made. On top of that it keeps track of the hours, miles, and gas cost to take your road trip (you punch in you mpg, it calculates $ for you). Check this website out, then add the app to your phone. Your trips will show up on your phone and give you turn by turn directions. Above is a glimpse at our trip-Go West 2014! Check out the quick video below about Roadtrippers, too. Anyone already made a trip out West and have suggestions? Can’t miss stops? I’d love to hear about them!

{#3-Fun Makeup}

I don’t normally share makeup stuff on the blog, nor do I usually buy discount makeup products as I usually find you get what you pay for, however these colors were too fun and cheap to not buy (clearance @Target for $7.10). I was also pleasantly surprised at the quality. The colors are smooth, long lasting, and highly pigmented. If you’ve been looking for some fun colors to add to your makeup routine, but don’t want to spend all your money, then these are it! Just don’t have too many of number 4 below or you could end up looking frightening!

{#4-Shiner Holiday Cheer}

My dad and stepmom know how Ryan and I love us some Shiner beer, so they rarely travel to Wisco without restocking us up. We love that they do this! The family reunion packs are always filled with a variety you can’t find here. This year they also brought the seasonal Shiner Holiday Cheer. It is delicious and unlike any beer I’ve tasted before. Holiday Cheer is a Bavarian-style dark wheat brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. It is really smooth, too!

{#5-Happy New Year to you all}

Thanks to all of you for reading! I hope the new year brings happiness and cheer to you and yours! Our new year brought us some major gambling cheer as I walked away the big winner in the group with…$40 bucks. Our lives will never be the same!

Stay tuned for Sunday’s post to find out how week 1 of marathon training went for the hubster and I!

Happy Weekend!

4Sep2013

{End of Summer Thoughts}

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

Back to school. Back to school to prove to dad I’m not a fool. Well, sort of. ~~Today~~ ,~~Yesterday~~ Two days ago was the first day of school and the return of the crazy life. Before things get too busy, as you can see in the prior crossed out words things have already started to get busy, I wanted to take a few moments to savor my many great summer moments and memories while also reflecting on my 2013 goals.

This summer I had the chance to run some great miles in great places before and even after hurting myself. In June I was ramping up my mileage in what I was planning to be a new PR attempt in September. I was putting in some great mileage weeks and even ran a few two a days. I met goal #2 on my 2013 list by running my fifth half marathon this year; this is the most I’ve completed in a year. In October I will look to add on to this goal at the Honky Tonk Half in Wisconsin Dells. June also brought the chance to run in several locations in Houston, TX while visiting my sister.

The month of July began on the road with chances to run in more beautiful places (with more great people) like…
Mustang State Park-Padre Island,

Ocean Drive Corpus Christi,

And…
St. Louis, Missouri!

I got to visit some great places (and people) in Texas such as…

and

I, well really we, but you know whatever Ms. K. wants is what Ms. K gets, so I got to visit New Orleans…

And Memphis.

Then came the injury of the summer during what would have been my sixth half marathon this year, the Dances With Dirt Half Marathon. Little did I know it wouldn’t be a simple two or three weeks off. I’m still dealing with swelling after each longer run and when standing on my feet all day. The injury though was responsible for me doing something I hadn’t done in far too long-biking!

August snuck in faster than I care to admit, but brought more chances to travel and run in fun places such as NYC! My long run walk route is detailed in the photos below.
Midtown Manhattan to…

To Union Square Park,

to Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment, to…

Greenwich Village to…

the Hudson River Trail to …
to
Battery Park to…

the Statue of Liberty to…

Financial District to…

the Brooklyn Bridge to…

Brooklyn to…

the Manhattan Bridge to…

Manhattan to…

Chinatown to…

the Subway to…

eat this yummy cupcake for a famished runner!

Then of course there was the miles of walking to take in the sites like…
Grand Central Station,

Times Square,

Central Park,

FAO Schwartz,

And so much more!

I have a lot to be thankful for. Despite the ankle, this summer was awesome! When life gets stressful this school year I need to come back to this post to remind myself that life won’t always be like that. There will be a chance to catch my breath, run in great locations, and visit amazing cities again.

Until then I’m gearing up as best as I can for my marathon NEXT (insert major freak out sound) weekend. I’m so unprepared all I can do is laugh and hope I don’t fall down the canyon to an untimely death. Or maybe at that point it will be a welcomed break from the pain this race is going to ravage on me.

What summer memories will you cherish in the years to come?