I officially registered for my first ever marathon!!! I am getting excited and also a little nervous! I am so happy that my sweet husband will be there to see me do it and also possilbly my mom and doug and kids. My sister Sam and brother-in-law Dave are doing the half marathon and I will love having family to do the race with. Then, my sweet friend Becky is doing her first marathon too, with me. It will be a very exciting weekend and one that I know will be here before I know it. We did our long 12 mile run this Sunday, and although it was tough I was able to run 4 miles this morning. Now, my legs are pretty tired so I plan on letting them rest at least one day and then do some good stretching before my next run. Even though, I am feeling good about my runs, I have not been feeling so good about my clothes. For whatever reason, which I can only assume is ice-cream at night making it's way into a bowl, onto a spoon and into my mouth,... my pants have been tight around the middle. Maybe, running makes you build bigger muscle around your middle....yeah that's it! I wish!! Anyway, other than that negative side note.....I have been feeling pretty good about keeping up with my training. So, the marathon journey continues......
Coming soon.......pictures of Landon's first school project and Addi's 5th Birthday Party which is coming up this weekend! She is literally counting the days!! She really is!!! :)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monster Jam 2011
Saturday night was Monster Jam night for the entire Griner family. Landon and Addi were so excited when they finally realized that the monster trucks were real and it was a real monster truck show. They were also a little overwhelmed as it was very big and crowded, but they had a great time! We all had a good time and made a great memory. We all agreed it was so special to watch Landon truly enjoy one of his great loves......monster trucks!!!
The first picture you see is the one I took when he first saw the monster trucks down on the arena floor. He had a reserved, super happy and slightly overwhelmed reaction. Then, the pics go on from everything to Addi's thumb's up (or should I say sideways), the trucks themselves, racing lawnmowers (who knew?), ATV's, all of the Griner kiddos, the view from our seats, stickers, Addi gettin' bored, headphones, happiness and snowcones! What more could you want?
The first picture you see is the one I took when he first saw the monster trucks down on the arena floor. He had a reserved, super happy and slightly overwhelmed reaction. Then, the pics go on from everything to Addi's thumb's up (or should I say sideways), the trucks themselves, racing lawnmowers (who knew?), ATV's, all of the Griner kiddos, the view from our seats, stickers, Addi gettin' bored, headphones, happiness and snowcones! What more could you want?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A Fun Saturday for Me.....
My day started with the first running race I have done since last May 2010. I did, however, have the opportunity to do the Avon Walk in October and that was awesome!!! I kept up with running the end of last year and then the new year brought on training for the Atlanta run, so when my good friend e-mailed me and said, "We're supposed to do 9 miles anyway this weekend, and there is a 10 mile run race Saturday morning, what's 1 more mile?", I said let's go for it. So we did! She picked me up at 6:15 in the 20 degree weather and we headed out for a 10 mile running adventure through Knoxville. Suprisingly, I felt pretty good the entire time. There were way more hills than I am used to, but I am proud to say I kept running the whole time and finished in 1hr.41min. averaging right at a 10 min mile. It was a fun way to get in my long run this weekend, feel a good sense of accomplishment, be inspired by other runnners and get a T-shirt. Great way to start my weekend!
But, the real fun will start tonight when we surprise the kids by taking them to their first Monster Jam! Landon is such a truck freak that it is sure to be a great family adventure and memory! I am so excited and will have pictures to come! So......on to MONSTER JAM!!!
But, the real fun will start tonight when we surprise the kids by taking them to their first Monster Jam! Landon is such a truck freak that it is sure to be a great family adventure and memory! I am so excited and will have pictures to come! So......on to MONSTER JAM!!!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sad to Say....and Some "Me" Thoughts.....
So, Addi got her 3rd, yes 3rd black eye in 4 years. She is ok, but Mike says she need to wear a helmet! I took pictures of it, because what's a mom to do?, and then I accidently ERASED them off the computer after I had already erased them off the camera. To say I felt sick is an understatement. It makes me sad to have erased any pictures of the kids accidently, especially pictures I had hoped to keep. Oh well, I literally have to talk to myself about not letting it get to me too much. Stinks....
Oh well......I was thinking of blogging about my training for either a half or whole marathon (haven't completely decided which one I am going to do). I know my runs are probably not too interesting to other people, but running is kind of my "thing" or hobby right now and I like to talk about it. So forgive me, if I start rambeling on about it. I was talking to my husband last night and was telling him that I have learned I really like to have a challenge or something I am working on in my life. Throughout my life it has been different things such as....my education, playing a particular role in a play, having a side business and now running races. I really LOVE having a feeling of accomplishment and achievement and I get to have that feeling after tackling and conquering a run. I LOVE that feeling!!!
I am planning on doing either a half or whole marathon on 3/20/2011 in Atlanta. My sister and brother-in-law are doing it too, and I also love that! I like when other people run with me or we are training for the same thing b/c then I have someone to talk to about it. I have plenty of time to train for the 1/2 and have done one before so know I could do it. I, of course, would want to set a new PR but feel pretty good about it. Then, I got the idea of why not just doing the whole schabang (did I spell that right?) and get it done!! Running a marathon is on my bucket list for sure! I have only 11 weeks to train (two of them I have already done so 9 left) so that makes my increase in mileage pretty drastic each week. The shortest marathon training schedule I could find was 12-16 weeks so I just tweaked it to fit 11 weeks. Not sure if that is the best idea, but I really am not shooting for any particular time for my first marathon just want to finish it!!! I know I run the risk for injury with "too much too fast" in running, but so far (knock on wood) I have yet to ever have an injury.
So, my plan is to go by the marathon training plan and "just see how it goes" and then make a decision. This week my long run was 8 miles and I must say it wasn't as bad as I thought. It took me 1 hr and 23 min so I averaged a little over a 10 min mile and I think that was b/c I had to walk through the snow patches so it slowed me down. But, I did NOT want to fall!!
I am feeling ok tonight so far (knees are a little sore on the stairs)...am sure I will be a little sore tomorrow. Tomorrow is my "off" day but will try to do some stretching. I am wondering about the compression leg sleeves and if anyone who may look at this blog has tried them and what they think? Have heard some pretty good things about them helping with post exercise soreness.
Eight miles done today and a great feeling of "I DID IT!"
If there are any other women, specifically mothers, who are runners too, I highly reccommend the book Run Like a Mother. It is full of practical advice for the novice runner up to the experienced runner and it is very down to earth and funny too! One of my favorites and after reading it made me realize that I can call myself a "runner", something I was always hesitant to do b/c I don't look like the women on the cover of Runner's World. I can now proudly say that I am a runner :)
Also, these other two runner sayings really apply to me right now and I can totally relate to them. I am blessed to have a great group of fellow running girlfriends! You know we like to run together when we ran last week in the snow and 21 degree temperatures. It was tough but we were able to pull out 4.5 miles. Love those girls! It definitely helps get my boodie out of bed when I know they are going to be waiting on me at 5:30 am! And then, of course, who doesn't love cake??? Or at least the icing!!!! :)
Oh well......I was thinking of blogging about my training for either a half or whole marathon (haven't completely decided which one I am going to do). I know my runs are probably not too interesting to other people, but running is kind of my "thing" or hobby right now and I like to talk about it. So forgive me, if I start rambeling on about it. I was talking to my husband last night and was telling him that I have learned I really like to have a challenge or something I am working on in my life. Throughout my life it has been different things such as....my education, playing a particular role in a play, having a side business and now running races. I really LOVE having a feeling of accomplishment and achievement and I get to have that feeling after tackling and conquering a run. I LOVE that feeling!!!
I am planning on doing either a half or whole marathon on 3/20/2011 in Atlanta. My sister and brother-in-law are doing it too, and I also love that! I like when other people run with me or we are training for the same thing b/c then I have someone to talk to about it. I have plenty of time to train for the 1/2 and have done one before so know I could do it. I, of course, would want to set a new PR but feel pretty good about it. Then, I got the idea of why not just doing the whole schabang (did I spell that right?) and get it done!! Running a marathon is on my bucket list for sure! I have only 11 weeks to train (two of them I have already done so 9 left) so that makes my increase in mileage pretty drastic each week. The shortest marathon training schedule I could find was 12-16 weeks so I just tweaked it to fit 11 weeks. Not sure if that is the best idea, but I really am not shooting for any particular time for my first marathon just want to finish it!!! I know I run the risk for injury with "too much too fast" in running, but so far (knock on wood) I have yet to ever have an injury.
So, my plan is to go by the marathon training plan and "just see how it goes" and then make a decision. This week my long run was 8 miles and I must say it wasn't as bad as I thought. It took me 1 hr and 23 min so I averaged a little over a 10 min mile and I think that was b/c I had to walk through the snow patches so it slowed me down. But, I did NOT want to fall!!
I am feeling ok tonight so far (knees are a little sore on the stairs)...am sure I will be a little sore tomorrow. Tomorrow is my "off" day but will try to do some stretching. I am wondering about the compression leg sleeves and if anyone who may look at this blog has tried them and what they think? Have heard some pretty good things about them helping with post exercise soreness.
Eight miles done today and a great feeling of "I DID IT!"
If there are any other women, specifically mothers, who are runners too, I highly reccommend the book Run Like a Mother. It is full of practical advice for the novice runner up to the experienced runner and it is very down to earth and funny too! One of my favorites and after reading it made me realize that I can call myself a "runner", something I was always hesitant to do b/c I don't look like the women on the cover of Runner's World. I can now proudly say that I am a runner :)
Also, these other two runner sayings really apply to me right now and I can totally relate to them. I am blessed to have a great group of fellow running girlfriends! You know we like to run together when we ran last week in the snow and 21 degree temperatures. It was tough but we were able to pull out 4.5 miles. Love those girls! It definitely helps get my boodie out of bed when I know they are going to be waiting on me at 5:30 am! And then, of course, who doesn't love cake??? Or at least the icing!!!! :)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Our Biggest Snow Yet! 2011
Our first big snow of 2011 and it is sooo pretty!!! The kids were out of school today, and I won't be surprised if they are out again tomorrow either, and I must say I LOVE snow days as much as them. It seems as though it is the only time in life when life just stops for a while. We are able to stay home from school, Mike can usually work a shorter day and if it's a day I don't work then it's perfect. That day is today. We have all been home with no school, dance, work or any other place we HAVE to be and it is great!
After sleeping in we all woke up to a nice big and hot breakfast by Chef Mike, and then not too long after that, began the bundling up process. It takes a while to get everyone bundled up at the same time so that no one is left being all bundled up waiting and soon burning up while the others get ready. Finally, we all made it outside and headed over to the "hill" behind our neighbor's house. We do not have a sled so Mike rigged up our old plastic pool. When we got to the hill, there were lots of neighbors and kids and they were nice enough to share their sleds and they had fun with the pool too. It was so much fun!!! All of us had a blast, but we knew it was time to come in when Landon and Addi could barely walk themselves back up the sledding hill to go down again. So, we bid farewell, took our pool, and headed home for a warm lunch of left over pizza.
Now, we'll just hang out and enjoy being nice and warm all together (missing our Johnny Boy, of course) for the rest of the day, all the while, realizing how blessed we are!
Some of our snow fun......
After sleeping in we all woke up to a nice big and hot breakfast by Chef Mike, and then not too long after that, began the bundling up process. It takes a while to get everyone bundled up at the same time so that no one is left being all bundled up waiting and soon burning up while the others get ready. Finally, we all made it outside and headed over to the "hill" behind our neighbor's house. We do not have a sled so Mike rigged up our old plastic pool. When we got to the hill, there were lots of neighbors and kids and they were nice enough to share their sleds and they had fun with the pool too. It was so much fun!!! All of us had a blast, but we knew it was time to come in when Landon and Addi could barely walk themselves back up the sledding hill to go down again. So, we bid farewell, took our pool, and headed home for a warm lunch of left over pizza.
Now, we'll just hang out and enjoy being nice and warm all together (missing our Johnny Boy, of course) for the rest of the day, all the while, realizing how blessed we are!
Some of our snow fun......
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A New Year's Eve Christmas and Snowball Fun!
This past Wednesday we had some unexpected snow that was truly beautiful!! The snowflakes were HUGE! Honestly, I can't remember a time that I have ever seen them so big. We finally made it outdoors when Daddy got home and even though it was already dark, the snowmen went up and Landon and Addi had their first snowball fight. They LOVED both! It was a fun night!!
New Year's Eve weekend was Christmas with my family at the river house in TN. Everyone was there for the entire weekend and it was truly a special time. I am so thankful for each time we have together as a family and for the memories we make.
A look at our fun Koppe Christmas at the River House.....it was such a wonderful weekend in so many ways. I am so blessed!!!!
New Year's Eve weekend was Christmas with my family at the river house in TN. Everyone was there for the entire weekend and it was truly a special time. I am so thankful for each time we have together as a family and for the memories we make.
A look at our fun Koppe Christmas at the River House.....it was such a wonderful weekend in so many ways. I am so blessed!!!!
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