Herein Lies the Problem

If you eat things in mini-denominations, it doesn't count, right?

I have been trying to move more and eat less. However, nobody tells middle school students that. They know my weak points and are constantly bringing me snacks and gifts. I reach in my drawer to file something...I grab a couple mini peanut butter cups. I open my drawer to get something out of my files...I grab a couple mini peanut butter cups. I get stressed by something at work...I grab a couple mini peanut butter cups. AND when I ripped open the package the first time, I *accidentally* ripped through the nutritional info, so I don't even know what damage I am doing. Whoopsy Daisy.


I have done a bit better this week in the moving department.

• Saturday -- went on a 3.5 mile run with Sprocket. It felt good to get out, but I had some pretty negative self-talk, which led to a few walking portions. It was also really windy, so pushing the sail stroller made it more difficult. Plus, my shoes didn't feel right. Plus, the seam in my sock was not in the right place and bothered me. Plus, my hair kept blowing in my eyes. Plus, I didn't eat a good breakfast and felt it on the run. Plus, it wasn't sunny enough. Plus, I didn't *feel* like running. Plus, the front wheel kept rubbing on the stroller. You get the point. I was full of excuses...but, I still ran, dammit.
• Sunday -- needed to get on the road and think for a while. So, I did another 3.5 mile run. This one had less negative talk...but the same amount of walk breaks.
• Monday -- was a shit show of a dead car battery, a Sprocket doctors appt, a meeting that B had to drive me to, and Sprocket vomiting Goldfish paste in the car. That crap was disgusting.
• Tuesday -- bugged out of school early-ish and squeezed in a 2.5 mile run in capri tights and short sleeves. It was amazing. Sprocket loved chillin' in the stroller and I loved the warm weather.
• Thursday -- had grandiose plans to run after school at the gym...just didn't happen. However, my running clothes are still in my car, so maybe I can make something happen today after school.

Registration for the Pikes Peak Ascent is coming up next week on the 15th. Beware, the ides of March.

Adventures in Parenthood

Something I never thought I would say to my 13 month old:

"No, no. We don't put our mouth on the dog's penis."

Heh.

Frozen Foot 5K Race Report

I was feeling like a slug this past week, so I decided to do what any sleep deprived person would do when they feel like a slug...I signed up for a 5K. It was put on by the University of Colorado Tri Team and it was only 20 bucks AND race entry included a free pair of gloves, so I recruited a friend from school. As I was perusing the race website, I saw a pic of a bunch of guys running it shirtless. I decided that we should do it in short sleeves, shorts, and fun socks. I was regretting that decision this morning when I noticed it was a balmy 29 degrees.


Sprocket was awake off-and-on from 4-ish to 5-ish, so I was pretty tired when the alarm went off at 7:30. I got dressed, got Sprocket dressed, and B and I ran around like chickens with our heads cut off worked together to pack the car with all the essentials. We were on the road by 8:05, which was only 5 minutes later than the plan. Whenever we are a bring-the-kid-along-shit-show we call ourselves the "walking garage sale." Not sure where the term came from, but it perfectly captures the chaos that is going anywhere quickly with a 1 year old.


We got to CU Boulder and walked to the Physics building, where the start line was located. KStruck had already picked up my packet and even scored me a free t-shirt. We made some wardrobe decisions and went with our original plan of short sleeves and shorts with fun socks. I got a pair of fun socks from B's sister for Christmas and KStruck was able to borrow an identical pair from another teacher at my school.

We made our way to the start and chatted about goals. KStruck wanted to run the whole thing without stopping (apparently my random invitation the previous weekend had catapulted her into running at all...so it was a stretch for her given her current lack of training). I decided that I wanted to catch up and pass a male runner, since they were starting 5 minutes before us. B interjected that we should go for "not last" since everyone looked super fit.

We're in there somewhere...look for my green headband.

Finally, it was time to start and KStruck and I were off. It was a nice winding course around campus with some small uphills. I was my usual spastic self and was cheering on the guys that were doubling back by that point as well as any volunteers that were marking the course. It's kind of fun to see their reaction when you start cheering for them. It always makes me giggle. KStruck and I ran together and even chatted a little bit. I normally don't run with anybody -- so it was a nice change of pace.


I was pushing...but not as hard as I did at the Turkey Trot. There was a lady running near us for most of the race that was breathing really hard. It kind of annoyed me to hear her breathing so hard because I hate being reminded of how hard I am working. We lost her for a while, but then she caught up with us again. So, at about 3 minutes from the end, I just had to leave her behind. I started to push and KStruck decided it was a bit too much. She ended up finishing about 5-10 seconds behind me.

Getting ready to come around the last corner

White. Pasty. Having Fun. Plus, you can see KSTruck behind me in the yellow/green shirt.
 Heavy-breathing-lady is in the far back in the bright green shirt.

The clock started when the men started 5 minutes before us.

I finished in 29:50, which was about 2 minutes slower than my Turkey Trot time, but that race was balls to the wall the whole time. I am happy with my performance and I had a lot of fun.I got 12th out of 35 in my age group and 101st out of 187 for females. Sah-weet.


We headed back to the Physics building to stretch and warm up before heading back to the parking. By that point, Sprocket was OVER sitting in the stroller, so we made our way back to the car. We went out for a late breakfast where I ate a delicious Mexican Omelet and drank way too much Diet Coke. DEE-lish.


We got home, put Sprocket down for a much overdue nap and I am now vegging out on the couch with Tuque and B snoozing next to me.


I love running races for many reasons, but the best one is that you feel the greatest sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day...even if I only ran 5K.


K Struck and I decided that we should try to run a 5K every month. I found one on March 17th that starts and finishes at Odell Brewing Company. Hopefully, we can make it work. Jealous, Normie?

Do This...Not This

After teaching all day and then chasing the rugrat all evening I just want to veg out on the couch and watch some TV.


However, this week I decided that if I want to get any workouts done -- they need to happen at one of three times. 1) In the morning before going to school 2) Right when I get home with Sprocket in the BOB or 3) After he goes to bed. Our twilight torturer cute baby didn't sleep very well for two nights early in the week, which sent me into a sleep deprived spiral of death. So, option 1 was a no-go. I have been SUPER busy at school (hopefully things will calm down soon), so option 2 didn't happen because I didn't really get home this week until 4:30 or 5, which is when I need to start dinner. Option 3 it is!


So, when I really wanted to do this after putting Sprocket to bed....

I drug myself downstairs to ride on the trainer. Thirty minutes while watching Grey's Anatomy online. I stood up and pushed through the commercial breaks (anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute).

Yes -- that is a laptop on top of a Mr. Beer brewery kit. That's how we roll.

On Wednesday night, when I really wanted to do this...

Substitute Sunshine Wheat for Bud Light

I layered up and went out for an awesome night run.

It got a little sketchy when I ran through the underpass tunnel that was kind of Rapes-R-Us-y, but then the hollow echo of my sneakers hitting the pavement in the silence of the night made it refreshing.


Of course, I took my pepper spray just in case -- although its expired by now and I am not even sure it would work. I think I have had that same bottle for about 3 years.

Eye Discomfort in a Bottle.

Halfway through my run, I saw this box and really wanted to open it, but was afraid of something creepy or explosive being inside. The last thing I needed on my creepy night run was to find an ear in a box -- which is one step above finding a box in a box. :)

Would You Have Opened It?

I have decided that I need to work in some more intense workouts. I am thinking of joining the rec center and going to some classes. Running and spinning is great, but I think I need something more to really burn some calories.

The Road to Weight Loss is Paved with Pink Puke Buckets

During our stay in the hospital a year ago with Sprocket we often used the standard issue pink buckets. These buckets were used for everything from baby baths to ice baths for urine collection jugs to pump supply containers to packing boxes when it was time to haul all of our stuff back home.

My swollen face and two of the pink buckets

Once discharged, these buckets have become and integral part of the Smither's household. We have two of the pink buckets -- one that is still in good condition and used for toy sanitizing or baby comparison shots...

Then

Now

...and one that has been chewed on by Tuque and is used for other household needs. Most recently, it was used to hold newspaper strips while B sprayed them with water for the worm bin. I know this because I had a chance to study every small detail of it up close over the course of three days.


Mr. Smitty and B's sister were in town for Sprocket's birthday and we all went out to Beau Jo's pizza on Saturday night. We shared a Firecracker Chicken pizza and it was delicious. I suddenly woke up at 3 AM, ran to bathroom and...um...excavated my intestinal contents from both directions. At first, I thought it was just the pizza not agreeing with me, but after it stuck around I realized it was a stomach bug. And. No. I am not pregnant.


The nausea and other uncomfortable symptoms lasted from Sunday through Tuesday. On Sunday night, I didn't even have the energy or ability to concentrate long enough to write sub plans. I ended up using my emergency sub plans (plans that I wrote at the beginning of the year that can be used last minute at any point throughout the year), which I had, ironically, named "Upchuck Plans." I tried to go into work Tuesday morning, but by the time I got there I was dry-heaving over the trash can. I quickly founds some busy book work for the students to work on and called a sub. I was back home by 8:45 and slept till 12:30. Over the three days, I pretty much ate about 200-400 calories per day and most of that came back up. B did a great job taking care of Sprocket and kept me quarantined most of the time.


I felt better Wednesday morning, not 100%, but better. I was able to eat a bit more and keep it down. I went in to school and made it through the entire day plus a staff meeting. I was a little congested all day and a little hoarse by the evening. I woke up on Thursday with pretty much no voice and was down to a whisper by last night. Apparently, not eating or sleeping well for three days had worn down my immune system, and I caught a cold.


Wondering about the "not sleeping well" part? Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Sprocket had developed a cough, runny nose, and was vomiting after coughing. Not the stomach bug kind of vomit, but the I am full of drainage and don't know how to get rid of it kind of a vomit. His night time sleeping had also gone downhill, fast. The problem with sleep issues is that you do what works in the moment, even though you know its totally going to screw you over later. I slept with Sprocket on the couch for two nights, because snuggled up against me is the only thing that would get him back to sleep at 2 in the morning. So, we made an appt for Tuesday afternoon and found out that he has another double ear infection. He has been on stronger antibiotics for the past three days, and his sleeping is getting a bit better. However, we have had to go back to sleep training methods to break him of the expectation that he can just crash with me on the couch if he screams loud enough in the wee hours of the night.


The last few days haven't been pretty in the Smither's household -- but we are holding it together. Things are looking up...I lost 5 pounds (due to my pink bucket shenanigans), we got a new TV, and last night's huge snow storm resulted in a snow day for BOTH me and Brad. We have a snow walk planned for today once Sprocket wakes up from his morning nap and my voice is slowly coming back. Life is good...even when pink buckets are involved.

Slowly Increasing Mileage is for Losers...Who Probably Have Non-Irritated IT Bands

Saturday is always such a promising day in the Smither's household. Still a full day away from the Sunday night dread and it feels like the world is my oyster.


Sprocket had a little trouble sleeping through the night, but was bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. Apparently Sigg bottles with strings attached are very "in" with the 1 year old crowd right now.

After some scramb-y eggs and a bagel, I started the process of rounding up all my cold weather gear to head out for a run in the crisp 28 degree air. I could have waited until later when it warmed up, but I find that waiting significantly decreases my motivation and, therefore, ability to have a good run. It took some searching to find my Smart Wool headband and get Sprocket ready, but about 20 minutes later we were heading out the door.


I wanted to do a nice loop that included a packed trail, but any loop options were over 4 miles and I just didn't think I was ready to jump from my usual 2.5 miles to above 4. So, I decided on an out-and-back loop that included the trail, but was within a healthy range of mileage increase.


Within 5 minutes of getting on the road, Sprocket was completely zonked out. I got to my turn around point on the trail and without thinking twice...I just kept going. I decided to take a page from Normie's book blog, and approach this run with some fearlessness. It had warmed up a bit, I had a great view of the mountains, Sprocket was happy and snoozing...and it was Saturday.  A great time to push myself.

Sigh.

Missing all of Mommy's Fearlessness

I pushed down the trail and then turned on Ogallalla Dr. I haven't really ran a lot since living at our new house, so I don't know the conditions of all the nearby roads. Apparently, "Drive" really meant slicked/hardened dirt road that smelled like manure.

Ogallalla "Drive"

Five minutes down the road, I found the source of the manure smell. Hey Cow!

It was much smoother than the trail, which had some ruts, but was a little rough with the Bob stroller. I started to doubt my decision of choosing the long route, but figured it was better to finish the loop than go back on the rutted trail. I forged on.


I turned on the main road to head back home and tried to cut over through a housing development to avoid any traffic. I ended up getting through the development, but felt very lost in the myriad of dead-ends, "no outlets" and windy streets of suburbia. Finally, I turned on the homestretch and with the usual tightness that accompanies soon-to-be sore IT Bands I made it home. I mapped it to find it was 5.26 miles. Nice.


Then, I erased all the benefits of my run and gorged myself on buffalo wings, potato wedges, and an obscene amount of Diet Coke.

This was taken milliseconds before he threw it on the floor for the 256th time.

Maybe soon I can make some headway in the weight department by eating clean AND working out in the same day....

Smither's Guide to Resistance Running and the Vampire Baby

How can you make a measly 2.5 mile run a bit harder?


Take a baby. In a Stroller. Through the Snow. With a flat tire.

Fuh-Lat.

 

 

I schlepped out of school as early as I could and picked up Sprocket from our sitter at 4 after changing into several layers of running clothes. It was cold and windy and there were patches of sidewalk with snow and ice still on them. Sprocket was nice and cozy in the Bob with the rain cover over it.


About halfway into the run, I turned into the wind to go through a nearby park and hit some patches of snow. I just kept thinking, "why is this so dang hard?!?" I finally stopped to check the stroller and found the flat tire. I didn't really have any other options, so I just plugged away to get home.

Sprocket Had Fun.

After dinner, I was playing with Sprocket, when I noticed that my whole body was pretty sore. Apparently, my muscles were not used to this new extreme running.


In other news...
We are pretty sure that Sprocket is cutting his first tooth. Is it the bottom teeth that 80% of babies get first? Nope. It's his upper canine tooth. We'll see if it actually breaks through, but we may have a vampire baby for a while :)