My Dirty Little Secret

The hubs will say that if I ever get lost, he will just follow my trail of cups.

Let me explain myself, it’s not that I leave my cups hanging about on purpose or laziness, it’s because I forget where I put them in my morning madness and I go get another, and another, and apparently another. So, at the end of my day or when I have a moment, part of my routine is to go through the house (mainly our bedroom) and collect my craziness- a.k.a my cup collection.

Oh, come on, you know you have a dirty little secret too!

Not speaking of running… I had a great little 5 miler Tuesday evening with Stella dog in the dark, but thanks to my super bright Mizunos, I got home just fine and with a 7:20 pace. Woo-Hoo! I’m looking forward to the Denver Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon this weekend!!

Mizunos leading me home

As I am reading my post, I’m looking around the room for my coffee cup…

One lovely blog award

So, I’m still a novice at this blogging thing. I started when we found out I was pregnant and it was a way to keep our families involved and up to date with the baby’s progress. Then it turned into ramblings about my life, Jim’s life and Noah’s life. Running is very much a part of my life and fitness and the outdoors is every bit a part of my and Jim’s life. What started with only family members following my blog (my mom, still doesn’t subscribe – how sad is that), now the majority of my readers are runners and mommy runners. That is just so cool.

So, I was thrilled when I found out that my absolute favorite blogger Laura at Mommy Run Fast nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award. If you haven’t read her blog, you must. I mean, not only does she knock out a killer 5K race, she makes Garbanzo Bean Brownies and they are amazing, she’s a super fun mommy to cutie patootie L and honestly writes about finding the right family/life/running/mommy balance. I plan on stalking her on my next trip to Texas. Thank you, Laura for recognizing me and my blog.

Here are the rules.

1) Post the award logo and picture on your blog and link back to the person who nominated you.
2) Tell seven things about yourself.
3) Nominate up to 15 additional bloggers whom you think deserve the award.
4) Post a comment on the blog of each nominee to tell them they have been nominated!

Seven things about me…Here we go!

1. I have a masters degree in Therapeutic Recreation and no one really knows what that is. It’s working with people with disabilities in various environments from providing adaptive programs to coaching wheelchair sports. Now, I’m in a more administrative role (Marketing Coordinator), but I’m still very involved in the field through my job at the National Sports Center for the Disabled.
2. I eat chocolate, peanut butter and an apple everyday. Not usually all together, but those are my staples. Some might say bread, milk and eggs. Not this girl.
3. I cried after crossing the finish line at my first marathon at Chicago Marathon in 2004.
4. I haven’t used my sewing machine since Christmas, but I have already picked out my next projects: a yoga bag. I just need to figure out when to do it.
5. I really enjoy gardening but mother nature interfered this year by providing us with 2 inches of hail last weekend. Now my pretty little garden looks like someone tilled it while I was on vacation. I’m replanting some things this weekend so we will see.
6. I definitely fall into the “I’m a drinker with a running problem” category.
7. I spill coffee on everything. I used to be embarrassed by it, now I just see it as my “art” or my “craft” but it’s more like my very own Rorschach ink blot. My co-workers would laugh because every post-it note I put on their desk would have some sort of coffee stain on it.

There you have it, folks. Full blown randomness that I hope you find lovely. So now to nominate other bloggers…

the view from my mat

Lavender Parking

Lil Runner

Three Hundred Sixty Six Days

Tell me, what is a random thing about you??

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My mantra

Yes you can.

That’s mine. I use it for all the times self doubt creeps in my head whether it is on a run, on a bike, during yoga, dealing with difficult people, you name it.

On my 4th set of 5x800s and my legs and lungs are on fire. Yes you can.

Holding chair pose for what seems like 10 minutes and my thighs are shaking. Yes you can.

Noah is sick and fussy and wakes up every 2 hours while Jim snores away. Yes you can.

Nom, Nom, Nom! This is probably my second mantra. For anyone who has had the pleasure of eating with me, you know this to be true.  Nom, nom, nom, nom!!! I’m currently teaching Noah this word- it’s a word spoken enthusiastically around yummy food and is usually accompanied by a happy food dance!

Here is a poster that just makes me laugh because it is so true!

I think this is such a beautiful quote; a great reminder!

And this is just pretty.

“It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.” -George Sheehan

What keeps you going? 

Do you have a favorite quote?

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we can take the mountain lion

My running partner makes me laugh almost everyday without even trying.

Me: “I’m looking forward to the nice weather so we can try out some new trails. So you are going to have to get over your weird fear of animals on the trail.”

Nina: “Well, I figure if there is a bear, as long as I can out run you I should be okay. If there is a mountain lion, we can take him on together. I’m not really scared of coyotes, but what if you get bit by a rattlesnake and I have to carry you home?”

Everything about that statement made me laugh.

{She can also spot animal tracks and their poop anywhere and tell me which animal it belongs to.}

mountain lion snow tracks

Doctor visit

I had my 36 week appointment this morning and was hoping to hear “You are 1-2 cm dilated. It should be any time now.” But I heard no such news.

I still heard great news: Everything looks good! Here’s the stats:

My BP: 100/68

My HR: 72    Baby HR: 130

Belly measurement: 36 inches, right on target.

I have all the rest of my OB appointments scheduled. My 38 week appointment is Nov 30th, 39 week appointment is Dec 6th. DUE DATE: Dec 12th and then he wants me to schedule a 41 week appointment (just in case), but I was not happy about that! 41 weeks and still pregnant?! NO! NO! NO!

No major plans for the weekend other than plain and simple R&R. Me and Stella will go for our usual Chatfield State Park walk. I have my yoga class. A little exercise and shopping is also in the works, and of course, yummy food. Jim has his own R&R plans: recliner and remote.

So happy the weekend is here!!!!

my painted belly

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35 weeks pregnant with 35 days to go

Outside my window… the sun is shining and the ground has a dust of snow that is melting from yesterday’s little snow. (Tomorrow we are supposed to get the big weather)

I am thinking… about taking Stella for a walk.

I am thankful for… quiet times in the morning to feel the baby move about with Stella snuggling next to me.

I am wearing… flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt hiked up over my belly, you’re jealous admit it.

I am creating… a crockpot meal for dinner. Yummo!

I am going… shopping on Thursday (I’m off for Veteran’s Day).

I am reading… Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

I am hoping… for better sleep. For the past 2 days days in a row I have able to link at least 2 hours of sleep in a row. Such a treat! I am also hoping to work on the nursery after work some this week, pending my energy levels.

I am hearing… our windchimes from Janet and Robert.

Around the house… too much clutter, but I’m not terribly motivated to do much about it.

One of my favorite things… A couple of vintage children’s record albums that I received at the baby shower from Andrea this past Sunday.

Plans for the week… We had our 2nd childbirth prep class Monday night. We learned about different positions to get in to relieve pain and discomfort through the various stages of labor. It’s a good opportunity for Jim and I to talk about how he can help throughout labor because during labor probably isn’t the best time to start that conversation. I have Veterans Day off this Thursday. I have plans to work more on the nursery and the closet that day along with taking Stella for a nice long walk.

A picture I wanted to share…

hiking Mt. Bierstadt last year

Check out the BABY BUMP WATCH page for the latest pictures. I just added some.

 

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