Double Digit Week!

Tonight I just completed my third run in 7 days putting me into double digit mileage! Woo hoo!  Folks, this is huge! I've been running a couple miles here and there but not this much in a week stretch since last November. Seriously, that's just as exciting as embarrassing.  So what triggered this week's motivation? We're well into swimsuit season, but we still have those 100* days to look forward to very soon. You would think that my upcoming race schedule would start "some" training, but not so much. Actually, this week we officially cancelled our Disneyland Avengers race for November. (We are going on an AMAZING family vacation and both trips would have Kinnick missing too many school days). So I can thank my Mom's Run This Town (MRTT) running group to get me back into running as well as writing my blog to stay accountable!

 

We had a blast celebrating the 4th of July.  I started the day off with a wonderful, local 5k scoring a cute medal, tech shirt, and a chance to wear my RunDisney Mickey NB shoes. Running through a muddy tunnel is as close to an obstical race as I'll get!  Later, I enjoyed more calories than I burned while celebrating with friends smoked BBQ, swimming, silly string, sparklers, and fireworks!

Besides running this week, I stayed busy as my newest role "swim mom" and loving it! Our kiddos got to swim at their first divisional's swim meet on Kyron's birthday.  We all had so much fun; I'm pretty sure I was just as, or more, excited than they were!  The day ended with lots of smiles while trying out some new gluten free favorites... Blaze Pizza and Unrefined Bakery- both off Preston and Warren in Frisco.  Yummo!

That's all for now- HK

eat, sleep, run, swim, and repeat

Last week was filled with eat, sleep, run, swim, and repeat!  Kinnick and Cooper have been swimming so much- loving every last minute of summer swim team.  Not only are they making friends, keeping active, and getting tan... They are tired by bedtime!  Me too!

Somebody didn't make it through Peppa Pig :)

Besides being a semi- stay at home mom, I really wanted to prove to my non handy husband that I could easily fix our leaking toilet flapper thingy (using my technical terms).  So... browsing the Lowe's plumbing section I quickly learned more than I really wanted to know, but as Mother Runners say, "Go big or go home!"  Our tank "hardware" was old, rusted, and I could replace it all for only a few more dollars than just buying a new flapper thingy.  I called my parent's for their DIY advice and I'm pretty sure that I could hear their chuckles from Iowa.  Challenge accepted.

Long story short, "Jules" from the company's YouTube video said that it would take around 20 minutes start to finish.  Days later our household's half bath is still out of commission.  There's a small leak from the filter valve that connects to the water source. What? Why is that last sentence part of my vocabulary?  Kyron's surprise was not successful but we have enjoyed learning together!

Just because they're cute...

Something that I do know a little more about are: running and fashion.  I am in desperate of new running shoes.  Currently I run in my favorite Newtons but they have many tracked marathon training miles on them.  I have a new found love for Under Armor workout swim mom wear; so I figured that I would have the same interest in their shoes.  They look great.  As for the feel?  Three short miles into my track night run and I'm ready to find my local running store and stick to "running shoes" not so much for fashion.

I'm sweating but the kids found the sprinklers.  Growing up in Iowa I have pranced around in sprinklers with grassy feet lots more than swimming in subdivision pools!

My Fish and Finisher's Jacket

Well, I survived week one of summer break and our kid's first swim meet.  This week will hopefully be a bit less crazy.  On the checklist for the week: VBS with lots of friends, a Swim meet, swim team practice, flag football practice, and lots of call at work.  Ok, so maybe not an easy week.  I am already looking forward to next weekend celebrating Father's Day and being off of work!

Cooper competing with backstroke (his new favorite)

Kinnick reaching long during the relay team

All of this fitness motivated me to change from my flip flops into my running shoes.  Wow!  I am not in shape!  I will stay positive while thinking about running a half marathon in a few months and my second full marathon next winter.  And check out this incentive out!  After completing a lively 26.2 miles I get to walk away with an amazing jacket.  Hopefully, I will be with praise after a sub 5 hour time versus my initial full marathon well over 5 hours (including a roller coaster ride, pictures with Disney characters, and lots of bio-gel stops for my brother).   I will be wearing that jacket with pride!

Lastly, I am loving my pebble smartwatch.  You can check it out here: getpebble.com

On this watch you can add apps to fit your lifestyle.  I enjoy Runkeeper, twistie (for taking pictures), and Misfit.  The app below is from Misfit; tracking my daily steps, activities, and sleep.  What a terrible night of sleep!  I did get a full 8 hours but not very restful.  Next up, in my spare time, I'll have to check out how fall and stay into a deep sleep.  As for now cutting back on Monster Energy drinks might do the trick. 

National Running Day

It's officially summer!!!  No more party planning... 5 parties in the matter of a month can be a bit stressful.  We (my kids) still stayed busy this week with starting practicing for swim team and flag football.  Lets just say I'm already getting a great summer tan! I loved matching my daughter, Kinnick, at church today!  #Lillyfortarget

We also matched yesterday with similar ponytails! After her dance recital we celebrated by going out to eat for brunch.  The hostess and lots of the waitresses commented on how pretty Kinnick was since she was still in her costume, makeup, and curly hair. (Hey, she only wears that costume for one day so she should wear it the whole day!)  Kinnick quickly commented with, "Thank you!"  And with a flip of her pony she giggle, "My hair is fake!"  Just as quick the hostess responded with, "Oh, sweetie!  So is MINE!  She went there!  And so did I!"  We were rolling!!!

Enough about being Kooky!  I know this blog is about running so let me try to get on topic... Running!  Last Wednesday was National Running Day!  Did you run?  I was browsing Facebook Tuesday night and found out that there was an organized run at Cooper Aerobics in less than 7 hours very close to our house.  I quickly messaged my favorite running partner, Judith, to see if she was interested in joining in on the fun.  She was!  And we did!  Starting at 5:30am, we completed a quick 3.1 miles followed by some yummy pancakes.  We didn't even plan to wear the same color!

Throughout the day I was tempted with all of the National Running Day race deals.  You know I love a great sale!  So I'm registered for my second FULL marathon.  I still can't believe it!  Next February, we are traveling to New Orleans for the Rock 'n Roll Marathon Run.  My racing calendar is slowly filling back up and now I need to focus on my training calendar!  Anyone want to join me for a run?

July 4th Red, White, and Blue Run

July 18th  Hawaiian Falls 5k

November 14th Captain America 10k

November 15th Disney Avengers Half Marathon

February 28th (2016) New Orleans Rock'n Roll Full Marathon

Happy Half New Years!!!

Okay, here I go!  I have taken a break from too many things in my life and I need to get back onto track!  Where do you start on your "to do list" when everything needs to happen, like, now?!?!  It's June 2nd and it seems as the past couple years I have reflected on June 1st as an excellent "Ready, Set, Go!" date.  Already half way through 2015 and where are my new year's resolutions?  Ut-oh...

For the remainder of 2015 I want to just be. Be a good mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend... Be a better follower of Christ. Be content (this has been an ongoing prayer request and it's working).  Be healthy. What's your list?

By the time 2016 rings in: I will have finished a half marathon with Kooken (more about that soon)! Celebrating Christmas, New Years, and Christmas break with a 1st grader and my last preschooler. Visiting Iowa more.

I originally started this blog to spread my love for running.  I haven't been running... Let alone working out!  So help me please! I'm going to keep writing more and more to help with my accountability.  My mumbles of writing will be unfiltered, honest, funny, and hopefully relatable.  I'm not the only kooky mama around Frisco/McKinney! Enjoy the reading! :)

To Do Lists and Not To Do Lists

Well looky there... I wanted to blog regularly and then life happens.  Since my last post our family rang in the new year and headed into 2015 healthy and happy.  Social media makes it real easy for you talk yourself into commitments... January 1st I really thought that with the help of two other runners we could conquer 2,015 miles (672 miles each).  Then flu bug made its rotation through our house and I was hit hard.  Last month I barely ran out of the house let alone around the block.  I was feeling the loss of running physically and mentally.  January stats: 5 runs, 21 miles

February was quickly approaching with a countdown in my head to a race that I have been looking forward to for a long time.  The Dallas Hot Chocolate 15k would be a great distance with a great friend, amazing swag including the hoodie, chocolate, and a medal!  I was very hesitant up to the day of the race being under trained and with knee pain.  All-Star Judith, my race partner, shared with me that I motivated her to start running... little did she know that race day she motivated me!  We had a goldilocks race with great weather; running the whole time except through the water/whiskey stations and maybe a couple hills.  Would this race be what I need to motivate me to get back out there?  I thought so, but my runkeeper app says something else.  February stats: 1 run, 9.52 miles

On a different note I was blessed to attend an amazing gathering of women through our church.  The IF Gathering from Jennie Allen was also the weekend of the Hot Chocolate race.  I loved listening to how God has worked and transformed the women at the conference as well as the personal gathering that I attended.  Wow!  I was convicted of so many things but I know that I'm broken with sin  and with Jesus I'm forgiven.  The prayers and worship are still so fresh in my heart.  Now, IF continued to IF Equip- a women's Bible study online with daily scripture and web chats.

Stick with me and hear me out...

  

We are studying Hebrews, specifically 4:1-13.  We are instructed to rest.  Coincidentally my blog is named "Running Kooky,"  not from my hobby of running but from my life.  I am running through the days and not maturing my faith (Hebrews 5:14).  Wow!  The study has by wheels turning.  My heart is filled with joy that I receive from moments in my life.  Though, I want to grow more in His word.  Is my faith hidden within my "stuff?"  I'm going to keep running and trying to be healthy but I'll probably will not run 672 miles this year (sorry Amanda).  I probably will not schedule myself so many call days next month.  I love being busy and checking off my To Do list items.  Have you ever started a Not To Do list allowing you more time with your loved ones, with our Lord, in his word?

http://www.ifequip.com/