Sunsets Are Addicting

The past few nights I have run, just to see sunsets...I love sunsets.  They are breath taking, and I just want to keep looking at them.  Sunsets keep me going!

Last night I was getting ready for a run, and Shaun asked if I would mind going on a walk with him instead.  Running through my head, my subconcious screamed, "wait, what, that means these miles won't count! If I do use the walking miles that will mess up my yearly time average, CRAP!!" I talked myself down when I saw the look on Shaun's face, then he said, "I really just want to walk and talk and enjoy the outdoors tonight"  CRAP, walk it is then.  We had a great walk, I really enjoyed getting out with him, and I talked him into meeting me at the gym tonight after work, to workout and get a swim in.

This morning instead of watching the sun set, I watched the sunrise.  I hate morning running, but man it's nice to be done!  I am still meeting Shaun at the gym tonight, I will do a short run, weights and swim, welcome to WORKOUT Wednesday!!!  Let's do this!

June 25, 2012, 5.42 miles, 54:16 (average per mile 10:00). June 27, 2012 3.38 miles, 32:45 (average per mile 9:40) (it's still early, I may add more miles before the day is over) Year to date 245.78 miles, average time per mile 10:34.

Is Summer Over Yet?

I need summer break to be over!! Jacob has been at his Dads for 2 weeks now, and Jaylee has been there for a week.  The kids came home Friday night, and it was great.  Summer is rough for me, since I am so used to having the kids around, and love them being home.  With them at their Dads house Monday through Friday, and some weekends in the summer time, life is not as fun.  I love spending alone time with Shaun, but he and I also thrieve on the hussle and bussle having the kids creates.  We love running them to and from thier sports, Shaun coaching Jacob's baseball team, and having all of their friends running in and out of the house.  When the kids came home this weekend, Jacob rushed in to watch the Giants game, and Jaylee ran to see all of her neighbor friends.  As bedtime neared, Jaylee asked if she could spend the night next door with Kiley....this is where I have to be less selfish with my kid time, and remember that the kids didn't ask for a divorce, they didn't ask for the custody arrangement they were thrown into, nor did they ask for their Dad to move 2 hours away.  I have to remind myself that is this schedule was not in place, they would still get to go to sleepovers and hangout with thier friends.  I let Jaylee go to Kiley's and she had a great time.  Saturday we were able to spend a nice morning at home with the kids, and then we headed to watch Jacob's friend Gavin play in one of his All Star baseball games.  We watch a few innings, then left Jacob in the care of Gavin's family, so he could hang with Gavin for the day, and have a sleepover with him.  We then took Jaylee shopping to get a birthday gift for her friend Tatum.  After the shopping trip, we headed to Tatum's party at the park, and left Jaylee there, as she was set to have an all day/evening playdate with Tatum, while Shaun and I shot a wedding.  Sunday morning I headed to the baseball field to pick Jacob up from another one of Gavin's game, and we came home and had a productive Sunday.  Last night when the kids were picked up I was sad, as I won't be seeing them for 12 more days, and the weekend I have them, we have another wedding to shoot.  OH SUMMER, BE OVER PLEASE!!

June 21, 2012, 3.28 miles, 28:45 (average per mile 8:45) (YES!!!). June 22, 2012 5.74 miles, 66:05 (average per mile 11:31) (shins booo!!).  Year to date 236.98 miles, average time per mile 10:36.

Running Update

Just a quick update for my last 2 runs.....sorry nothing exciting here.

June 18, 2012, 3.86 miles, 38:05 (average per mile 9:21). June 19, 2012 4.02 miles, 39:29 (average per mile 9:48).  Year to date 227.96 miles, average time per mile 9:52.

Graduation and Updates

Tyler graduated!! This weekend we went to Santa Cruz to watch Tyler graduate from UCSC.  This was a very proud moment for Shaun, and I am so glad that we were able to be there, to watch him walk with his class, and receive his degree.  This kid was able to push through Jr. College at Sierra, take all the classes he needed, and was able to transfer to UC Santa Cruz after 2 years.  At Santa Cruz he was able to again take all the classes he needed and get out of there, so in just 4 short years after graduating high school, this 21 year old now has a bachelors degree.  GREAT JOB TYLER, we are very proud, and graduating on Father's Day is the best gift your Dad could receive.

Now onto the boring running update....It's been hot, so I have not done a long run in a few weeks, but I have managed to get out there and run 3 out of the last 4 days.  I am also really learning to like my hill!!

June 14, 2012, 4.57 miles, 46:13 (average per mile 10:06). June 16, 2012 3.10 miles, 32:09 (average per mile 10:21). June 17, 2012 3.01 mile, 40:42 (average per mile 13:30...Shaun went with me) Year to date 220.08 miles, average time per mile 9:52.

These Days....

Now that school has wrapped up, and Jacob has been shipped off for the majority of the summer to his Dads, (Jaylee goes tomorrow), my time has been freed up a little.  What have I been doing with my time this week besides working....Reading and Running!


On Monday night I finally sat down to start reading Fifty Shades of Grey.  Everyone on Facebook has been buzzing about this series, I go to the gym, and everyone laying out by the pool is reading it, I go to Target and see that they are out of stock, time for me to finally read it.  Shaun bought the first book for me a few weeks ago, when conversations on Facebook were really heating up about this book.  I hadn't gotten past the first 10 pages, as I just didn't have time to read.  Monday night was the big night, and WOW...now almost every thought I have has to do with Christian Grey!  I have had two sleepless nights in a row now, as I can't put this book down.  I feel a little dirty reading it, especially when I read it at work during my lunch break, but dang it, I am captivated by the characters, I just love it!!


Monday night I also needed to get a run it, it was going to be tough since I would have to put the book down to get on the street and run.  What made the transition from reading to running a little easier was the Facebook comment on a picture I received, from my favorite Virginia girl Jesika!  Her comment was on a picture of Jacob, and the very sweet Gabriella.  She posted, "wait a minute. Stop the bus! I know that little girl!!! Wow, surreal.  I'm bloggy mommy friends with her mom! Wow. Trippy."  Jesika is a friend I have known forever, as we went to school and church together growing up.  She has an awesome life, and 2 years ago, moved herself and her kids across the country to Virginia, got a job at the National Archives in D.C. and moved in with a wonderful man that she is going to marry in just over a week.  I love this girl and her life.  Anyway, Jesika became blog friends with cute little Gabriella's Mom.  Gabriella is a Rocklin girl in Jacob's class, and via Virginia, I am not getting to know her Mom.  So strange that I meet someone that lives a few miles away via a girl that lives 3000 miles away.  I love it.  This isn't the first time I have met someone with a connection to Jesika either.  When we first moved back to California in 2007, we were living in North Natomas.  I took the kids to the park every afternoon, and the same Mom, and her 2 kids were there everyday.  The family was a Muslim family, so the Mom dressed fully covered, all I could see of her were her eyes.  After a few days of watching our kids play, we started chatting it up.  She seemed super nice.  Within the next few days we became friends, I found out that she was originally a catholic girl that grew up in private schools in Sacramento.  I also found that she went to Sonoma State for a few years, and low and behold, turns out she was Jesika's suite mate at SSU.  Small world.  Ok, anyway back to my story of Monday night.  As I was messaging with Jesika about Jacobs little friend, I found the Mom on facebook and we became facebook friends.  My head was spinning at this point, here I am reading all about the lovely Christian Grey, chatting with Jesika about this Mom and little girl, reading the Mom's blog...she is a Mom of 9...yikes, and getting excited about meeting one of Jacob's friends parents, I love making new friends.  I decided with all of this going on, I better go run, at least my mind will be occupied with things to make this dreaded run a little more bearable.  As I round the corner by my house I see a slow moving car roll through a busy intersection and smash into a fence and open field....what the heck, this isn't how my runs normally start.  A few people nearby and myself run over to the vehicle.  There is an elderly man in the drivers seat, with his head down and eyes semi closed....oh crap is he dead....finally someone opens the car door and the man wakes a little.  After the police came we found out that the man had taken a strong medication and was trying to drive to the casino.  CHP told me that pill popping is becoming a huge issue with the elderly in the area...weird.  Anyway I start my run a again a few minutes later and have a decent run.  I was glad when I was done, so I could read more....until 3am!


Last night I had to tear myself away from the book as well, but had a really good 4+ mile run once I tore myself away.


I woke up this morning and got on the scale as I do every morning, I know this is a bad habit, but this morning, I had a nice surprise...down 2lbs!! I haven't lost any weight in months, so this was a fantastic surprise!!


So, far, I am loving the first 3 days of summer!!!

OH, and yesterday I was able to sign up for the 2nd annual Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon.  I am so excited to run this race again!!

June 11, 2012, 3.11miles, 28:08 (average per mile 9.02). June 12, 2012 4.05 miles, 37:42 (average per mile 9:18). Year to date 209.4 miles, average time per mile 9:49.

The Last Day Of 1st and 2nd Grade!!

The babies did it.....they successfully completed another school year.  I am so proud of the little people they are becoming.  The kids have grown academically and socially by leaps and bounds this year.  I love seeing Jacob's excited face every time he brings home a "blue ribbon" from school.  Twice this year he brought home blue ribbons for being a Quiet Carpet Sitter....how many parents can brag about that?  The kids have made wonderful friends this year, and I have noticed all the friends they have chosen for themselves are involved in sports.  Sports are very important to Shaun and I, and to the kids.  I love seeing how they are able to balance their sports with their academics, its wonderful to watch.

Last night Jaylee had her gymnastics awards ceremony, and guess who received an award?  This girl did!!!  I received the "Most Supportive Mom" award.  I was shocked to receive this, since Jaylee is dropped off at gym by daycare, some of the meets I have had to miss because of the photography business, but here I am receiving this award.  It was explained to me after the ceremony, that I received the award for being the coaches "rock".  They were happy with how supportive I am of the coaches, and the gym.  That almost made me cry....good thing I don't get too emotional!

Jaylee the great received the award for most dedicated gymnast on her team.  She may not be the best, but she tries her hardest, or at least gives the appearance that she tries her hardest :).

After dropping the babies off at school yesterday, I headed out for a morning run.  I don't like morning running unless it is a race, I have never been able to pinpoint why I dislike it, but I just do.  It may have something to do with the suns position, I am not sure, I just know I don't like it!  I did feel great after my run though, and that's what matters.

June 7, 2012, 3.19 miles, 30.20 (average per mile 9.29). Year to date 202.24 miles, average time per mile 9:50.

Yay For Fit Kids!!!

Yesterday the kids were presented with their physical fitness awards.  Jacob achieved Presidential Level, which is the highest level, and Jaylee received the second highest level, National Level.  In Jacobs first grade class only two kids received the highest award.....you would never know that this was the same kid that two years ago always cried and said his legs were broken and he couldn't walk....

Last night, I set out for a short 3 mile run.  When I ran past the Rocklin Pony field, I realized this was going to be more than 3 miles.  I ran all the way to a different town :).  My run turned into a 5.75 mile run!! Yay me!!!!!

This is what happends when you wake Jacob up from a nap and make him go out to dinner with us and Jaylee's friend....poor guy!

June 5, 2012, 5.75 miles, 54:55 (average per mile 9.32). Year to date 199.05 miles, average time per mile 9:51.

June! 75.71 miles to go.....

 Last night was hill night.  I hate doing hills, I am not good at hills, but one day I would like to love hill, and be good at them.  Last night in an attempt to achieve my goal of running the Twelve Bridges hill with under a ten minute pace, I decided to start my run just before sunset.  This would achieved two things for me. One, I wouldn't be running in the dark like the last time I tackled this hill, which would make it a little less likely that I would get plowed over by a car, and two, I can run and look at the sunset.  Yesterday we had storms, and I hoped that would been a beautiful sunset....it did.

I ran the hill, didn't throw up, didn't die, averaged under a ten minute pace, and saw a super super super pretty sunset.  Thanks Hills!!!

June 4, 2012, 4.29 miles, 42:05 (average per mile 9.48). Year to date 193.3 miles, average time per mile 9:51.

I Think I Did It!

I ran 50 miles this month, and didn't run the first week of the month.  On Tuesday nights run, my shins were killing me the entire time, hence the super slow time.  Last night I forced myself to run.  I ran at the gym because my shins were still a little tender, and it was hot and still outside.  I also have a massive sunburn from the first grade field trip yesterday, so I needed a cooler environment. 

Next month lets see how 80 miles feels!! 6 weeks until the Davis Moo-nlight half!!

oh, I will admit it....the ecard picture...yes, that's me :(

May 29, 2012, 3.42 miles, 35:29 (average per mile 10:22) May 31, 2012 5 miles, 49:30 (average per mile 9:53) Year to date 180.59 miles, average time per mile 9:51.