A Movie (from us). My Favorites and YOU Are Amazing!

A Thursday run with Andrew went down in 52 degree weather which felt perfect (didn’t need the gloves but I like toasty hands so I was happy to have them).

Not sure what I was saying in the picture below but the bump is starting to remind me a little bit like a torpedo.

While we were out Andrew told me his absolute BIGGEST RUNNING PET PEEVE—>  he hates it so bad when he pushes the lap button on his watch on accident, he cannot stand that.  I agree, it is really annoying when your watch starts lapping at random times and not right at the mile.

It was raining leaves while we were out and Andrew enjoyed trying to catch them as they fell… I put all of my focus into staring at the ground to avoid tripping so I did not catch any leaves.

5.36 miles @ a 9:30 average pace.  I think Beretta was the most tired out of the three of us at the end (if she ever did a marathon she would positive split by at least 93 minutes… she always wants to go out like a bullet).

First impression about the Ghost 10s—> SOFT, comfortable, a tiny bit more shoe than what I’m used to but worth it for the cushioning.  My body was very happy with them at the end of this run… I was ready for some fresh cushioning.  I’ll do a full review after 50ish miles!

School mornings = multi-tasking at it’s finest.  Brooke’s hair and breakfast usually happen at the same time.

Knox looking a little too cool for school.

Brooke got a donut at school for somebody’s birthday and that made her day!  Somehow it seems to me that there is a birthday daily in her class, it’s quite remarkable.

Tuna fish once a week has continued to be a thing this pregnancy, add some potato soup (from Costco) and grapes = perfection.

Not too much later on we had some hot chocolate and maybe Andrew will learn the correct ratio of marshmallows to hot chocolate after a few more years of marriage.

Later on in the day we took the kids out for a bit.  They have been asking to go to Petsmart for a while to look at the snakes and hamsters so we stopped by there for a little while.

After that we did a bunch of errands before going to get some food.

Beautiful, beautiful Cafe Rio.  We haven’t been in at least a month and it was definitely time yesterday.  I can’t tell you how happy it makes me when one of you tell me that you were able to try Cafe Rio for your first time and you thought of me while you were there… It makes me feel very proud.

I couldn’t decide on a chicken salad or tortilla soup so I went with both and it was a very good decision because I left with no regrets of missing out on one or the other;)

Round #2 of hot chocolate for the day with mismatching socks.

I really need this Donut Warming Mug that Kayde sent the link to… it would be perfect for my donut and hot chocolate (that combo sounds so good right now)!

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Time for a few of my Friday Favorites:

*Last Man on Earth.  Andrew and I started watching it the other day and I find it so random, hilarious and weird… but I love it.

*This Rip Curl fleece jacket that I got last winter… I’m so glad I did because it is the softest jacket ever and it feels like you are wearing a big blanket all day:)

*Don’t show our kids this post but we got these for them for Christmas!  They are little dog sleeping bags for our movie nights… here is the link to them on Amazon but they are way cheaper ($25) at Costco.  I kind of want one for myself too.

*Michele (NYC Running Mama) posted this quote yesterday and it was the first time I’ve ever read it.  I agree 1000000000000%

*This cardigan and these nursing friendly dresses from Roolee that I just got (the zippers are hidden but they are on the sides so it will make nursing so much easier when wearing a dress)!  Roolee has a 15% discount for you to use through November 21st wahoo——>  use the code HUNGRYRUNNERGIRL15

*A little movie from us.  Andrew and I have officially set up a race where we will be competing against one another.  He set a pretty high wager too + a little dance to the kid’s favorite song right now.

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You guys are incredible!  If you want to be featured for your running accomplishment—>  Just send them to [email protected]

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Annemarie!!!  “My running accomplishment was finally running the NYC marathon (my hometown!) after years of trying to get in!  I entered the lottery 3 years in a row, and never got in, finally last year I stepped up my training and got in via time qualifier.  I was SO excited!  Then, about 6 months out from the marathon, I was diagnosed with a high hamstring tear.  I was devastated.  But, I had an awesome doctor, who recommended PRP therapy, followed by 6 weeks of treatment, PT, and 10 sessions on the AlterG.  I was GTG and able to start training right on time in July!  At first, I did not have high hopes for my time because I was worried about re-injuring myself.  But as the weeks and months went by, I felt better and better.  By the time I got to the end of my training, I knew I could go for my sub 3:30 goal.  I was ecstatic!  The race went really well for the first half and I ran with the 3:30 pace group the whole time, feeling fantastic.  Then, my husband couldn’t catch up to me for the bottle handoff and after 3 miles of searching for him in the crowd, I finally decided I need to stop and refill my tailwind, otherwise I would crash hard toward the end.  The lack of refueling for those miles definitely caught up to me toward the end, but I pushed on and crossed the finish line strong at 3:34:11.  I fell a little short of my “A” goal, but I made my “B” goal of sub 3:40 (my original predicted time) so I was still SUPER happy.  I left it all on the course and that’s all I could ask for!  Plus I had 5/8 of my family there to support me, so that made my whole year!  I can get my sub 3:30 next time:)”

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Chelsea!!!  “My fiancé and I did our first back-to-back trail races last weekend.  We both did a 15k on Saturday, then on Sunday, I ran a 25k and Jake ran a 50k.  I had run both distances before, but never back to back.  It was tough!  The 15k was fine, but the 25k really kicked my butt.  I PR’d on both races, though!  I improved my 15k time by 30 minutes and improved my 25k time by 55 minutes!  I have never hurt that badly in a race before (the 25k), but it felt SO good to finish the back-to-back challenge.  I ended up 10th overall.  Jake, my fiancé, got 1st overall!  It was a great weekend for racing! You can read more about it on my blog HERE!”

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Peggi!!!  “This past Sunday 11/12/17- I ran the Cypress Half Marathon here in Cypress, TX where I live.  It is the 3rd year of the run and also my 3rd time running it.  This was also my 15th half marathon.  When I ran it last year I ended up with a time 22 seconds off from my PR of 1:54:03… I was so close!!!  Coming in to the race this year I was so full of nerves wondering if I could go faster than last year (I had given it my all last year and it was tough).  I decided my plan would be to go out with a good pace but not too fast (previous year I was too fast in the beginning and started falling off at the end).  I did this until about mile 9-10 then started picking up the pace.  I really didn’t think I was going fast enough to beat my PR.  However, as I crossed the finish line and looked at the clock I knew I had a new PR!  I got my medal and just bent over almost in tears.  My final time was 1:53:09.6- almost a minute faster than my PR.  I never thought I would be fast again after my Lupus diagnosis in Sept 2012 (2012 was when I had my last half marathon PR that I referred to here), but then last year I proved that it was within my reach.  Now, here I am today with a new PR and I am so proud, I cannot stop smiling.”

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Katie!!! “This past weekend I ran my second marathon in Richmond, Virginia!  My main goal was just to have fun and enjoy the race, and it was so much better than my expectations!  The course is beautiful and the crowd support is amazing.  My wonderful parents and amazing boyfriend flew down to cheer for me at multiple spots on the course which made the miles fly by.  I can’t wait to do another one!”

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Have any fun Friday night plans? 

-We are going to start one of our Christmas traditions tonight;)  We will miss a bunch next month so why not start early this month!

What was your best run this last week?  Hardest run?  Are you on a training plan during the holidays or do you take a break from specific workouts during this time of year?

In what city was your last race?

What did you have last night for dinner and who has tried Cafe Rio?!