Toys for Running

I'm two weeks into my training program for the Smokey Bear 10k run I'm doing at the end of September and it's going really well. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my runs. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I do the Shred workout.

Mondays I'm running at the gym. I'm going to work on interval training, so I can work on my pace. I'm also going to do some hill work to get ready for Bass Lake. Wednesdays I've been running a three mile loop with Camie and that's awesome, because she has a Garmin watch that actually can track our run and show us our mileage and pace. She's a bit faster than me, so it gives me incentive to pick up my pace. Wednesday I actually ran at a 12.2 pace if I remember correctly. That's amazing! I ran the half-marathon at a 14.45 minute pace, so that's a huge increase. Today I increased my run to four miles and was able to do it without stopping (except for lights). I slowed down to a 14 minute mile, but that's ok because Friday are for endurance, not speed. Randy told me about mapmyrun.com. The have apps you can download for your smart phone. I've been using the app the last two runs and it gives me my mileage, speed and shows a map of my run. All of the data is uploaded onto their website and then you're able to track your workouts. Really cool.

My goal for the Bass Lake run is to: 1. finish  and 2. complete it at a quicker pace than 14.45.

My next goal is to run around Central Park in NYC when we go visit Maddie and Dan in November. It's about six miles around, so I just need to continue my training and I should be fine. The NYC marathon takes place the day after we arrive, so that will be really exciting to watch. Can't wait!

Now Reading...

I have been residing most recently in J.R. Ward's world. Her series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood, is filled with six warrior vampires who will do anything to keep their partner safe from their adversaries. Ward spins a great tale full of drama, stealth, intrigue, passion and romance. Each book takes one of the six brothers as it's main focus, but she weaves stories of one or two of the other brothers in at the same time. That way as one story concludes she has set you up for the next brother and his story.

I have been dodging reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson for over a year. I've picked it up and put it down so many times at Costco. I borrowed the book on cd to listen in the car and just finished it. The book does not start well. In fact, it wasn't interesting until you meet the character Lisbeth Salander. She really moves the story along as she's a fascinating character. We find out some of her secrets in the first book, she might have Asperger's disease, she has a photographic memory, is a genius computer hacker and has had a significant life altering event occur when she was around 12 or 13. She is horrible at developing relationships and has virtually no friends. She meets Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist who has been tasked to solve a 40 year old mysterious disappearance of a wealthy industrious' niece. Together they solve the mystery and develop a relationship in the process.

This is not a book for everyone as there are some very mature themes. Larsson states horrific Swedish statistics regarding women and abuse, which is one underlying theme. What captured my attention was the interaction between the two main characters and how Salander's character and her secrets were revealed. There were times when I shut off the cd, because I guessed what was going to happen and I became mad at how a character was treated. When I calmed down enough to listen again, I found out I was right in the direction the storyline took, but there was one or two twists I didn't see coming that made the book enjoyable. Bottom line, if you can handle intense subject matters and are willing to get past the first section until you meet Salander, you might enjoy the book as I did.

I started listening to the second book, which continues the story of Salander and Blomkvist and it's very intriguing, but with stronger themes.

Continuing the Year of Movement

Post surgery workouts are nothing short of miraculous! No leakage, no worries and I'm loving it! This coming week I begin jogging again and training for a 10k run in Bass Lake on September 25. Only two months to get ready, but I'm hoping it will all work out. The Shred DVD that I've been doing has gotten my legs so much stronger, that when I ran before my surgery it was much easier than when I was training for the half-marathon. I did the DVD this week and I'm hoping when I run on Monday it will be doable. Wish me luck! :)

Scootering Along

We bought Spencer a scooter to enable him to cover more distance than his bicycle for school and work. He is soooo excited!

Old Pictures are Simply Adorable!

Mom and Dad at the ranch

Posing in front of the rock at the ranch

Mom's pretty dress

Cutting the anniversary (I think) cake

Grandpa Jarvis, Mom, Dad & Grandma Jarvis

Carey, Mom & Me all dressed up

 Love old pictures!