Couch to 5K – Week 8

Week 8 was a tough one. It didn’t start out very well. We were returning home to Oregon from Washington when we stopped to look at the amazing windmills near The Dalles. When we got back into our car, it just wouldn’t go. It was a very hot day & we were a bit off the beaten path. There was a bit of drama, but after about 3 hours in near 100 degree heat, with the boys, AAA came through & we were towed to The Dalles where our car was to be fixed the following day. We were all very hot & thirsty – we quickly went through all the liquid we had in our car, including our emergency water. So thankful for a lady named Tina who stopped & gave us water. Always keep lots of water in your car!

Windmill! Very cool. We had lots of time to look at them.

We made it to town, got the car fixed the next day & arrived safely at home. It was an adventure! However, it meant that I didn’t get Week 8, Day 1 run in. I thought about doubling up, but figured that it would probably be counter-productive. So I did two runs in Week 8 instead of three.

In the tow truck with two very hot, hungry tired boys. They were troopers.

Because of all the trouble I have with my feet, I had the brilliant idea to wear some serious, heavy-duty insoles for my first run of the week. It was a terrible idea! I was in pain for the entire run & could barely walk home after I had finished running. My last run of the week was better. It’s hard to believe I only have one week left in the program & that I’ll be running 30 minutes in a row! That’s a Bucket List item. Woohoo!

Here was the program for Week 8:

Day 1, 2 & 3 (I only did 2 days)
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 28 minutes

Total Walk = 5 minutes + however long it takes to get home.
Total Run = 28 minutes

Bring on Week 9!

There’s No Friends Like Old Friends

I had the honour & joy to attend a reunion of people from the church we went to until I was almost 9 years old. We met in a park, in the town I was born in – Richland, Washington. It was amazing to see these people who had influenced my early life. It was also a bit overhwhelming – trying to put names to faces, trying to get round to talk to everyone (I failed miserably at this) & running around after my boys. It was so good though.

The highlight for me was spending almost 4 hours with my sister, my best friend from those days & her sister sitting in a Shari’s restaurant – talking & laughing. Catching up on so many years apart, remembering events, telling stories. We laughed so much. The stories! I can’t relate them here – I must protect the guilty. There is something about a shared history that creates a bond.

My family travelled & moved alot over the years so we have friends around the world & I love that. We sacrificed security & some life-long relationships to move & travel as we did. That’s tough sometimes. Spending time with those three amazing women felt like a gift & I am so grateful to have had that time together. I certainly pray that there will be more times like it despite the distance that seperates us.

Here’s a picture of me & my best friend as children.
Note the hand holding & the lovely kool-aid face that I am sporting.

Couch to 5K – Week 7

Week 7? I’ve made it that far? Oh yes I have. I’m pretty sure I could have walked it just as quickly, but I ran it.

Here was the schedule this week:

Day 1, 2 & 3
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 25 minutes

Total Walk = 5 minutes + however long it takes to get home.
Total Run = 25 minutes

It hasn’t become easy, but there is a change that happens about halfway through the run – easier breathing, a sense that I will, indeed, be able to make it. Over the next two weeks, the time increases a bit, until I am running for 30 minutes. I have no idea what my pace is or anything, but I did get faster in week 7 – I know by how soon I reach landmarks.

I also finally went to the doctor about the sore throat I had for four weeks! Turns out it’s likely to be allergies. I’m on a nose spray & it seems to be doing the trick. No more sore throat & I’m feeling pretty good. Now to deal with my sore heel. I’m hope some shoe inserts will do the trick. I know that it’s particularly bad because of wearing summer shoes – flip-flops aren’t great for those of us with bad feet.

The adventures of Week 8 have already begun – I’ll tell you all about it next week.

Thrifted Paper Doll

So today is both Everybody Everywear Thrift Edition & the Paper Doll Project. I was teamed up with the lovely Bekah from Matters of Merrymaking. I gave her a dress to style that I thrifted, but hadn’t worn yet. I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do with it despite the fact that I love it – the print is great. I am so happy with how she styled it. I wouldn’t have thought to wear it this way at all, but I love it. It’s so comfortable. Why do I always think belts are going to be uncomfortable?

With the addition of the belt & the heals, the skirt got a bit short so I am wearing shorts to protect the eyes of the innocent. I love this outfit! Thanks Bekah!

Dress: Thrifted
Shirt: Ross
Necklace: Kohls
Ring: Anika Burke
Shoes: Blowfish Gimmik

To see how I styled Bekah, head on over to Matters of Merrymaking. To see the other Everybody Everywear participants, go here.

Here’s a list of the other Paper Doll Participants:

Divergent Musings and Maybe Someday We’ll Be Smarter
Unusual Form and Miss Vinyl Ahoy
In doctorly fashion and The Daily Dani
Matters of Merrymaking and Be Your Own Adventure
Better With Tights and I Have A Degree In This!
The Cardigan Queen and Acute Designs
Ruby Bastille and A Heart and Soul Story
From the Mixed-up Files and Stylish Year
Animated Cardigan and Snappy Casual
Miss Lulu Blogs and Elle Enchanted
The Socialite’s Closet and Shades of Sarah
My Orange Stilettos and Pull Your Socks Up!
Oranges and Apples and Not Just Mom
Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication and Pieces of {My} Earth
Toujours C’est La Vie and Never Dreamed about This

Guest Appearance by a Super Cutie

I wore this outfit last week. Very comfortable & I felt good in it.

 

 

 

 

 

I love it when my boys want to join me when I am taking photos of my outfits. However, the snake on Zane’s shirt looks like it’s about to go for my neck!

Shirt: Target
Dress: Old Navy
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Target
Earrings: ?

Couch to 5K – Week 6

Phew! Made it through another week. The first two runs were pretty easy, but the last run of the week was a real mental battle. It wasn’t pretty & it sure wasn’t very fast, but I did it! I think it might have been more of a struggle because from here on out there are no walk/run intervals – it’s all running from now on (apart from the 5 minute warm up walk), just increasing times. It’s tough to do the start & stop thing with walking & running, but there is definitely a certain comfort level in knowing that you’ll be able to take a break in a couple of minutes. When there’s no break coming, you have to battle through mentally.

I was surprised to find that, towards the end of the 25 minute run, it was my legs that were having a harder time than my lungs. I’ve always thought I didn’t have much in the way of lung power & that I was quite strong. I see now that my muscles are going to have to do some catching up.

Here was the schedule this week:

Day 1
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 5 minutes
Walk – 3 minutes
Run – 8 minutes
Walk – 3 minutes
Run – 5 minutes

Total Walk = 11 minutes + whatever it takes to get home
Total Run = 18 minutes

Day 2
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 10 minutes
Walk – 3 minutes
Run – 10 minutes

Total Walk = 8 minutes + whatever it takes to get home
Total Run = 20 minutes

Day 3
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 25 minutes

Total Walk = 5 minutes + whatever it takes to get home
Total Run = 25 minutes

Praying for increased strength, endurance, good sleep & an end to the sore throat/ear thing that I’ve had for about 4 weeks now.

Girls with Curls

Just a quick post to show off my new curls. I saw this post on Pinterest & watched the video from here. It looked super easy so I tried it out last night. So easy to wear overnight – comfy! It actually looks really cute too, I will definitely wear it out during the day. I just grabbed snaps, no great photography here.

I’m not sure how much I like it with my short hair, but I’ll definitely be doing this a lot when my hair gets longer!

Easy peasy!

Memorable Moments

I love this necklace. One of my favourite things now. I blogged about making it here. It’s pennies from the years that my husband & I were born, an English two pence piece from the year we were married in London & pennies from the years my sons were born. Love it so much!

Pretty casual outfit, good for running around town, taking pictures of my Dad for his book cover, meeting a friend in the park for lunch.

 

 

 

T-Shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: Ross
Shoes: Blowfish Gimmik
Necklace: Made By Me

Challenge #3 – Thai Chicken Curry in Coconut Milk

I fixed Thai Chicken Curry tonight & it was yummy. I made a couple of changes & will tweak it a bit more next time. I added some sweetener to it as I felt it needed something. I would also use more than a teaspoon of curry paste next time – it didn’t have much kick to it. We all enjoyed it though & Jude even commented on how good the sauce was. I also added green onions at the end.

Thai Chicken Curry in Coconut

To find out more about this challenge, click here.

Summer Style?

An outfit post! Yes, I’m still wearing clothes this Summer, just having trouble coming up with blog-worthy outfits. It’s all about staying cool. I love the sleeves on this top. I think I got it on clearance at JC Penney. I like clothes with interesting details. These capris are pretty much my Summer staple so far, but every time I look at photos of them, I don’t think they are particularly flattering. I’m thinking about turning them into shorts. Just need to get at my sewing machine again – there are several things I need to alter.

Top: JC Penney (I think)
Capris: Ross
Shoes: Ross
Earrings: Anika Burke