Picnic at the lake

Saturday-rest
Sunday- 5mile run(43min, 53sec) I had a good run pushing my cute 2yr old in the jogging stroller.


My guy has been gone hunting since Thursday.  
I am a very spoiled lady so when he is gone, I notice.  Big time.  I miss his help and adult conversion.


I have learned that the best way to survive is to drink heavily get the kiddies and I out of the house.  Keeping them busy and tiring them out is the key to success when it is 4 against 1.
Tired kids are much easier to duct tape to their beds put to bed.

Saturday we hit up one of my favorite restaurants and headed to Tempe town lake.

Pita Jungle rocks.  Todd and I have loved this place since we moved here 12 years ago.  Their kids menu is amazing.  Check it out Here.  Could you imagine if all kids meals looked like that?  Heaven.

After we ate we cruised around the lake on scooter, skateboards, and bikes.

We had a blast exploring all the sites around the lake.

Running your hands down a fence, that is what being a kid is all about. 

The Tempe Art Theater sits right on the lake.  It looks so amazing at night.  

 

Things got a little weird so we headed home. :-)
The kids were perfectly tired by the time they returned.
My Blue Man group slept like babies.


The great hunter returned today.  Thank goodness!!

Sunscreen and paper plates

29mile bike (1hr, 27min) It was a beautiful morning for a ride. 

I feel so blessed to be able to get out on my bike and enjoy the great outdoors.  I pray I never take it for granted.
We rode pretty easy heading out of town.  Then we got a carrot (another rider you want to try and catch) in our sights and decided to see if we could catch her.  We did eventually, but man she made us work for it.  It was a leg burner for sure.  
On our way back we took a little detour.

Steph and I found this road one day when we were running.  It takes ya down closer to the river.  It is a neat little spot.  

I always strive for the ugliest tans lines possible.  I think today was a success. 
I have lived in Arizona for 12 years.  I know you never leave home with a coating of SPF 4000.  
Rookie mistake.

I saw this ad in the magazine I was reading today.
I love it.  
We all get so busy that we forget to spend real face to face time together.
I think I need to text, Facebook, Tweet or call up someone and have them over for some real social time.
I may or may not use Chinet.

Running in the rain.....or not

Run-5mile run (47min, 23sec) 

Legit cloud cover this morning.  I dig this pic.
We get pretty excited around here when it gets cloudy.  JoDee and I were really hoping we would get to run in the rain.

This drop almost hit me.
We didn't get wet but we had a lots of fun running into the wind the storm brought.(sarcasm) 
I would have rather gotten wet.
I'm not gonna lie.  I hated this entire run.  I wanted to stop about every half mile.  My legs felt like lead and I just didn't have the energy that I normally do.  Blah.  Some runs are like that.  
I was grateful when it was over.  

Cause we had a yard sale to attend!!! Stoked!
Hahaha
We dorks and we know it.

We didn't get rained on during the run but we did have a full on thunderstorm around lunch time.  It was incredible.  Thunder, lightning, pouring rain, the whole bit.
I love a good storm and here they are few and far between.
It made my day and I forgot all about my dumb run.


Do you like running in the rain?

Walking on a Wednesday

Bike-18.5miles (1hr, 10min) Good ride.  We took 2min off our time from last week. Getting back our speed.  Slowly but surely.
Could my sentences get any choppier? 
Probably.
Circuit training- (1hr, 20min) Tonight was tough.  We hit our core hard and as always, our legs and booty.  
I scared for how sore I'm gonna be.


Walking on a Wednesday.

My little guy and I went on a mission today. 
Two missions actually.
1- find some pretty flowers in the neighborhood.
2- wear out anyone under the age of 3 so they take a good nap.  
I'm not sure he was made aware of the second mission.
Here is what we found.

The last two oranges of the season.  Way to high to reach.

Mission accomplished! 
I really love this time of year.  Gorgeous.  Those purple trees are my favorite.  They remind me of lilac bushes back home.
I miss lilacs.
Oh, and he slept like a rock. 

Celery and peanut butter is an old school snack that rocks!
I always keep it classy with my celery stalk and spoon o' peanut butter. 


What's your favorite afternoon snack?


Do ya keep it classy?

Running with friends, swimming with icebergs

Monday-rest day!
Tuesday- 4mile run (36min, 32sec), swim 1600yds I had a good solid run with some of my peeps.  I love running alone but running with friends just makes the miles fly by.  I relish having time with my friends early in the morning.  
I'm pretty sure they love it too.

Or not. 
Fakers.  They loved every stinking minute of it.

See.  I payed them to smile. 
It was a beautiful morning for a run and we saw a lot of fluffy bunnies on the path.  
Awww sweet.

My swim was glacial.  
I was actually kinda stoked to see this sign. The pool had been so hot lately that it was uncomfortable to swim.
So I was sure the temp would be much better.  How cold can an indoor pool get, really?
Apparently, toe stinging cold.  
I don't mind swimming in cool water, you usually will warm up after a few laps.  
Today, I was still cold after 1000yds.  I was freezing and dodging all those icebergs made it hard to find my groove so I did another 600 and headed to a hot shower.  I stayed in there a long time.  It felt soo good.

Cookies for breakfast?
Ok, sign me up.
Well, only if I have a coupon and they are on sale.  I am to cheap skeptical to pay full price.

You all know I have a sweet tooth but when it comes to breakfast I really gravitate toward the savory side of things.  I live on breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches.  But every once and a while I like a little cinnamon toast or pastry with my coffee so I picked these up.
I liked them.
I'm not so sure getting your breakfast from the cookie isle is a good idea but it is a tasty one. 


Do you do sweet or savory breakfast? 

What's you favorite breakfast after a morning workout?

Berry Bruschetta

42 mile bike(2hr, 22min)  It was nice ride this morning.  We took a flat route.  The boys were pushing the pace a bit but it felt good.  

I love when the whole gang can hook up for a ride.  Even if the boys make us work hard.

Berry Bruschetta would be a great way to thank some hard working boys.  Or  your mom on Mother's day.  Or your best friend.  It would be great anytime.
I made this for Easter but I have used it for showers, parties, and such.
It is easy and fast but most importantly it's delicious.


Berry Bruschetta
Adapted from Light & Tasty

Challah bread-1pound (12 slices)
3 tsp powdered sugar
8oz fat-free cream cheese
3/4 tsp almond extract
1-1/2 cups fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries) 
1/4 slivered almonds, toasted
extra powdered sugar for dusting the top


Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet; broil 3-4in from the heat for 1-2min or until lightly browned.
In a small bowl beat cream cheese, sugar and extract. Spread over bread.
Top with berries  and almonds; dust with confectioners sugar.
Serve immediately.


Missy's notes
If you can't get your hands on some Challah bread, french bread works too.  Spray the slices with cooking spray and lightly sprinkle with sugar before broiling.
Use whatever mix of berries you have on hand.  They all work well.
You can make the cream cheese mixture ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.


Enjoy!

Shaved Ice Sports Drinks?

Holy cow, I haven't blogged in 2 days!!
Ya miss me?
I'm still working out.
Thursday- 4mile run(35min) Flat canal run with music.  I picked up the pace each mile and finished the last mile at a good fast pace. It was a great run!
Friday-18.5mile bike(1hr, 9min) A good ride with Steph.  We hit the hills.  Misery is better when shared with friends. :-)

Saturday-4mile run(36min, 19sec) I over slept this morning.  It felt so good.  That is until I went for my run at 7:30am.

76 isn't really that hot for an AZ girl but I haven't had to run in those temps yet so it felt pretty steamy.

Sweaty Betty.  I hammered out some hills today.  I told ya I was gonna start running more hills.  I'm gonna try and make sure I run hills at least once a week.  I'm tired of them kicking my butt.

I laid down right there to stretch.  I thought you should know.  Journalism at it's finest.

Before the desert turns into hell's hot box it shows you all it's beautiful colors.  I think it is a dirty trick.  It was a very colorful and pretty run, even if it was warm.

It got really warm today.  
That's a lie.  It got really hot today.
When the desert hands you a day like this there is only one thing you can do.

Eat shaved ice with an umbrella stuck in it.

I kinda hope I have to go back tomorrow.
Wonder if they can make me a shaved ice with my sports drink?
I might be onto something.

I look like Ryan Hall when I run.....I think

Tuesday- 3mile run (27min) Form work.
Wednesday-18.5mile bike (1hr, 12min) I got my butt kicked on three mile hill.  It has been a long time since I ventured up that hill.  It still sucks.  I think my thighs are still burning.


Back to Tuesday's run, I worked a bit on my form and technique.

 I have had a pair of Newtons(on the left) for about a year and I tried to really love them but they never felt comfortable on my feet.  However I do still wear them every now and again to help me to focus on proper running form.  The lugs on the bottom,

see them there, help to focus on landing mid foot.  You can  definitely tell if you are heal striking(not good) or landing on the lugs which is mid foot (good).
I will run a mile or so in the Newtons, then switch to barefoot(in the grass) for a bit and then finish in my normal shoes.  Plus throw in a few drills to help with my form.  I always try to make a conscious effort to check my form when I run but I know when I get tired my form goes.  When I make sure to do running drills things just seem to go more smoothly and I remember to check my form more often.
Since I am not a professional, shocking I know, here are a few websites to help with your form if you have questions.
Newton running
Runners World 
Ryan Hall  I like this video just because Ryan Halls form is amazing.  I just love watching him run.  
In my head I look just like that.

pinterest 

I know that pic went all around the internet forever but it still makes me smile.  
Cause it's true.
Maybe I should work on my form everyday?


Maybe my entire family should just wrap ourselves in bubble wrap and sit on the couch.

Remember that banged up knee?  Well by the next morning it was super swollen and not working.  It was another round of doctors and X-rays.  
Praise the Lord it wasn't broken or dislocated but she still couldn't walk today.  Poor thing.
I pray that tomorrow she will be on the mend and we can put this craziness behind us.

Until then we ain't taking any chances.