Monday, March 21, 2016

St. Patrick's Day!

Did you wear green on St. Patrick's Day last week?! We did! Well, everyone except Andrew because "he's not Irish and doesn't celebrate that holiday". I snapped these photos while the kids were making a fairy house outside.
Avery didn't have green so she wore a couple shamrock stickers on her shirt. Her hair is covering them up. Isn't Zara looking so grown up here?!
Elliot with his green shorts.^^
We even had green waffles and sausage for dinner. 
Yes, even I had some green on! This was a Target sale last year so I'll probably bring it out every year now. :) What do you do/make on St. Patrick's Day?

Friday, March 11, 2016

Rock climbing date

This year Andrew and I made weekly date nights more of a priority. I'm not sure, but I think we haven't missed a week yet this year. We've taken the kids rock climbing twice with pogo passes and had a blast. Tonight it was our turn.
The kids are a lot stronger and braver than I gave them credit for. It's a great workout! I'm just proud we made it to the top once. My arms were shaking from the exercise as well as nerves. I'm scared of heights!
It was a great date we hope to repeat soon!

Friday, March 4, 2016

Happy weekend

It's the weekend! Every Friday Elliot and Avery have early release so it's the perfect time to go to the park or have some friends over. Today I took them to the small splash pad in front of Cinemark in Riverview. We drove right where I finished my race last weekend and I got all sentimental. It was a great way to start the weekend! 
Love these guys!

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

PHX Half Marathon

I ran my second half marathon on Saturday!  It's so satisfying to say that.  It's been 5 years since my last half marathon, which means I've had two kids since then, I'm five years older, 20 lbs. heavier...  I wrote about my last one here.  Last time I had the advantage of training and running the race with my cousin, Liz.  Since she currently lives in Tucson that wasn't an option this time.  Fortunately I was able to run with friends in my ward during the week.  I loosely followers this 26 week training schedule.  This article was also very helpful leading up to the actual race.
Since December Dad and I have been training hills in Las Sendas.  Dad on his bike and me running.  This picture was from our first or three 11 mile Saturdays.  It was so hard but helped me so much mentally and physically train.  The last two weeks before the race I tapered down my runs, but the week before that I made a new PR(personal record) of miles run in a week.  Previously I ran 30 but this time I ran 31!  To do that I ran 11 miles Saturday morning and 2 miles that night.
I've been using the the app Runkeeper which maps my run.  During the run it tells me my average pace and current distance every 5 minutes.  I can also compare my pace for each mile and look at the elevation.  I highly recommend this app if you are a runner.  Plus its free.
Dad and Mom drove Daniel McKay and me to the buses that took us to the finish at 4:15 in the morning!  The race started at 6:30, and my hands were shaking out of nerves the last few minutes.  All the anticipation! Dan encouraged me to sign up so it was cool starting the race together.  His wife, Brooke, and I are good friends and are even in the Primary Presidency together right now.
We started near the front so there were a lot of people passing us but I told myself to keep a steady pace but push myself so I could enjoy the race and have a good overall time.
Dan didn't give up on and and we were able to run the whole race together and sprint at the end!!!  It was such a good feeling.  Andrew was sad to have barely missed me but Brooke was at the finish with her boys and mom and even snapped this photo of us.  We did it!
This happened to be my 150th activity recorded.  I also use it for biking.
I was hoping to run in around 2:10-2:20 so it was exciting to see it at 2:06:45.  About 5 minutes slower than last time but it was just right for the training I did.
There were so many people i knew who ran the whole, half, or 10k including Jonny and Amy.  They ran the half too!
Here are my little cheerleaders!  Elliot did the traditional #1 that Andrew normally does and Avery had the cutest sign. 
This is the start of a 5 year thing the race is doing where each year represent one of Arizona's 5c's.  The 5 medals put together make a star.  This year is copper.  Can't say I'm not tempted to run all 5 years.  In fact, yesterday I signed up to run the full marathon next year!  Hard to believe but now it's official.  Well, i guess nothing as official until i actually run the race!
I know this is gross ^^^ but this is my battle would, so I'm a little proud.  Turns out I wore a hole in my sock that chaffed most of the race.  Lesson learned: where new socks next time.  :)