Neighbors and Home

Chris installed our new dishwasher last Thursday night.  It is very quiet and actually gets all of food off the plates.  It's amazing having somethign that works so well, when you are used to such a crumby machine. 

I took the box the dishwasher came in over to my neighbor's house so they could use it for either a spaceship or a boat or something like that.  The kid's next door had their own idea, I saw this in the backyard yesterday morning:

They made it into their very own clubhouse.  I love the kid's next door!!

I also have been doing some work on my garden, and my peas have made a grand entrance into the world.
I also have spinach and kohlrabi planted right now.

I have the shingles set down so I can walk across them, and the straw is for mulching (weed control and compost).

A lot going on...

So its been awhile since I posted but here's the skinny on what's been going on:

I signed up, and have been training for a 100-mile race (more like run to see if I can finish than race).  that's September 10 and 11th in Wellsboro, Pa. That's the grand canyon of PA, and its on rail to trail.  so it should be nice and flat and I know that its beautiful.  I went for a 40 mile run on Sunday.  It was certainly an adventure.

The first 30 miles were fairly smooth.  Just beautiful scenery surrounding me.  I had the Lehigh River on side and either waterfalls or trees or rhododendron on my other.  It took about an our for the "monkey" voice in my head to calm down, but when it did it was about 8 hours of nothingness on my brain.  The last hour was a bit sketchy, and I walked the last 6 miles as that tear drop muscle on the interior side of you knee (vastus medialus) was DONE.  I shuffled for a bit, but I couldn't convince my legs or any other part of me to pick up the pace beyond a walk.  My dad surprised me and walked in about 3 miles to meet me with hydration and most importantly talking.  As soon as we began to talk about kayaking my last few miles went by quickly an peacefully.  I love to run, I love the outdoors.  It brings a peace to me.  I am so grateful I found this lovely way to spend my day. 

Chris got a new job!! He is now working a similar position, but he is doing more techinical stuff, which he really seems to like and his schedule is simply AWESOME.  He works 6 AM to 6 PM so we are both getting up at 4:30 everyday.  Its not so bad, and I really feel like I"m thriving on this new schedule of early rising.  I so happy that he actually gets to sleep every night.  I really think his health will benefit dramatically from this.

He also had just over a week off of work between his jobs, so he worked hard to put in new floors in the entire downstairs.  We repainted the walls in the living room and we are in the process of putting in new dishwahser.  Its going to look sweet when its all in.  I'm pretty pumped, but at the same time I hold a bit of anxiety with this project dragging on, with him working all the time.

Chris and I also legally got married on April 3, 2011.  We just went out to eat McCoole's joined by our closest friends and family.  the License was filled out by my nana, and Hayely and Rossini signed it.  It was truly a special occasion. 

Me and Chris signing ourselves over to each other while I hold our nephew.  

Rossini witnessing our "Love Contract": (marriange certificate)

We have just over two weeks until we head out to Mexico for our lovely wedding.  So I'm super excited about that as well. 

O I planted my garden and my peas are starting to stretch out of the ground and are looking lovely.  My apple tree has beautiful flowers on it, and my orange and purple tulips greet me every day when I walk through my front door.  Its such lovely time of year!!

I've been neglecting yoga, but I know I will go back after we get back from Mexico.

Well, there's the summary of my life over the past few weeks!!

On the Road Again...

I only got 6 miles under my belt for running this week (82 miles for the year).  I'm okay with that though...

I actually got out on my bicycle out on the roads and I LOVED IT!! Satruday I did 17 miles and Sunday I did 23 for a total of 40 miles over the weekend, and 115 for the year.

Seeds of Yumminess

So I ordered my seeds online today for my garden.  I ordered spinach, red beets, white and purple kohlrabi, red romaine lettuce, arugella, carrots, cucumbers and sweet peas.  I forgot to order zuchinni, but I'm also planning on getting tomotoes and peppers (to try to start inside), so I will get the zuchinni seed then.  I'm very excited to get my garden going again.  The joy of bringing in a fresh tomato that has been warmed by the sun and eating it.  YUM!!

I also plan on signing up for a CSA, community supported agriculture.  I think I will go to this one:  http://www.bloomingglenfarm.com/
A woman that does yoga with me works there.  I give them $780 and 4 hours of my time over the summer and in return I get fresh, local produce once a week.  Sounds good to me!!  I just have to make sure that I have money in my account before I sign up.

I haven't run over the past two days, and won't have time to run tonight due to class.  but Saturday I logged 10 miles and Sunday I logged 12, so I'm up to 76 miles for the year.  Its slow, but I'm getting there.  The summer is when I really plan to rack the miles up.

Oh and the wedding!!  We have decided to have the reception on June 25th.  I have to call to book the place.  Hayley, my mom and I are making the cake.  I think it will be fun-fetti flavored iwth butter cream icing.  I don't know what we're doing about food.  I don't really care about food.  I care about desserts more.  So perhaps brigning some cookies, and some cereal treats in?  I don't know yet.  But the date of the reception has been selected, and that makes me HAPPY!

Kayaking, running, and warm weather, Oh MY!

Today, the weather men are calling for an extremely beautiful day with a high around 50 degrees!!  I am loving the beginning of spring!! 

On Super Bowl sunday, Chris and I went to his parents for a party.  His sister and sat and talked about babies, and how good Chris seems to be at about everything he does.  She then said "  you think that's bad, Doug (her hubby) can go out and run a half marathon , or a marathon without training",  Which I said "Yeah, I can do that, too" which she said, "yeah but you train all the time". 

Now there are a few problems here.  One of which, is that I don't think running a half marathon is that big of a deal.  I also don't think that Doug is that impressive, and it takes A LOT to impress me with running.  So while I was out on a run yesterday (after not running for over two weeks), I felt pretty goo.d .  And I decided to test my theory out to see if a half marathon really isn't that big of a deal.  So I ran 15 miles, on three girl scout cookeis (lemonades, to be exact) and half a glass of water.  I was only planning on being out for an hour or so. So I have proven my point to myself.  I have shared this with my parents and Chris.  This was STRICTLY for my own knowledge.  So I'm pretty happy.

So where am I with my goals?
Running - add another 15 miles.  I'm at 54 miles for the year
Biking I'm still at 75 miles. 
I am making it to my yoga 3 or more times a week.

This weekend, my dad and I went kayaking at the pool.  He's doing really well at learning his roll.  I think its so neat that he's trying this.  He'll have it in no time at all!!. 

Warmer Weather, Happy thoughts

Weather on the East coast is starting to warm up.  I'm really i such a better mood.  I really think the weather has been keeping my mood down for awhile.  As soon as one storm would pass, another would roll in.  Well, today, at 8 am the temperature was 35 degrees.  That means the snow is melting and the roads are clearing up!!

I spent two hours on the trainer last night.  Two hours = twenty miles, so I'm up to 75 miles on the bike this year.  slow and steady. 

On Sunday, we belayed for my sister-in-law's step son's birthday party.  And then we climbed on our own. I did awesome, and had a great time.  I feel like I'm really starting to come into my own as a climber. 

 And the three muskateers.  This is after my climb and I was so excited to have finished the climb, I felt the need to show off my muscles.

On Saturday, we went to a pool session.  we worked on a roll called a butterfly roll and my honey put together a video

:

Inside cycling...

I have been using my trainer inside due to all the snow.  We got over foot overnight.  I used my trainer for 2 hours last night (I planned on three but my back tire got a flat so I stopped at two).  Chris will fix the tire for me and get out whatever has been popping my tube.  So add another 20 miles to my 35 miles and I have 55 miles for the year so far.  On my way.  I'm planning on getting most of my mileage in during the warmer weather.

The dogs (Mya and Tuxy) playing outside:

Quick Milage update

I want to quickly update my mileage, so I don't get too far behind and forget.  On Friday, I ran for 1.5 hours, 9 miles.  This updates my 2011 mileage to 39 miles.

Also, I've been spending some time on my trainer.  I don't have my odometer hooked up to the back wheel, and my front wheel remains stationary as I pedal.  I average about 15 mph when I'm outside over the summer, but I think it may be best to figure 10 mph while on the trainer (no hills, no wind?).  And I figure that mileage should be figured into my total, so I'm up to 35 miles on my bike in 2011. 

Every miles counts.

Eight Minutes and Thirty Seconds...

I decided not go to the ultra I signed up for.  The snow had melted and turned to ice, and I didn't feel prepared for such an ultra.  Instead of going to the ultra, I ended up attending a Kundalini workshop featuring Mahan Rishi. This workshop could actually be considered life altering. Mahan Rishi actually stated that 99% of all thinking is a waste of time and energy.  and I think that's true.  I waste my energy thinking about the impressions I leave and the impressions other leave, and useless judgments on others I make, which do nothing to make me happier. For the second time in my life, I was able meditate so deeply, I felt as though I left my body.  It was only a moment, but the moment was luminous.  I'm ready for this new year, and excited to see what possibilities become uncovered.

Here's a picture of my mom and myself before the beginning of the workshop:

I went to the gym today because I didn't feel like running outside.  I was on the stairstepper for a total of 8:30.  Less than ten minutes and I couldn't take it!!  I just wanted to be outside to run free and frolick.  to enjoy nature (even if that is around the parking lots by my house), and to have an experience.  So after my 8 min 30 sec workout I came home and went for an hour run.  and low and behold, I had an experience.  An older gentleman stopped his car to give Petunia a biscuit (or four).  He told me about all the dogs in his neighborhood, and how his son and daughter-in-law have a dog.  Even if it was chillier than the gym, it certainly was many times better.  I think my gym membership may be a thing of the past.
So lets figure another six miles today, added on to my additional 24 for the year, and I'm up to 30 thus far in 2011. 

I also reached my 3x/wk yoga goal.  I went Thursday, Friday, Saturday's workshop and today.  No bike riding, kayaking or rock climbing, but I'm okay with that.

to quote a Kundalini yoga teacher:
Peace to all, Light to all, Love to all.

How Tough am I, really?

So, Sunday, as I previously posted, I ran 12 miles, and then on Tuesday, I ran an additional 12. 
Wednesday, I ran none, and I haven't run any today yet, but I plan to.  So far the year the I have accumulated 24 miles.  I'm on my way to my 3500 mile goal!!

I'm having second thoughts about this 50k on Saturday.  Its supposed to snow, and I'm getting cold feet (pun intended).  We're supposed to get a snowstorm right before the race.  I'm very tenative about running my second 50k on trails in the snow.  I may be being a weenie.  Actually, the more I process it, the more I think i'm being a weenie.  They are only going to be getting 3-6 inches.  I'm going to continue to watch the weather, and make a determination later.  But at this point, ITS ON!!

I haven't been doing Yoga or Rock Climbing as much as I had envisioned for myself, but I'm really enjoying life right now, and that's the most important thing.

I forgot to post up and show my excursion on January 1st.  We all went kayaking and had a great time.  There was a rolling contest, that I lost.  The game was to see who could stay over the longest in these frigid temps.  The winner stayed underwater for a chilly 44 seconds. 
Here's a picture of that (i'm the one in the pink helmet):

So Far...

Yesterday, I went for a 2 hour run, so I'm guesstimating my milage to be about 10 min / mile.  I'm thinking on average, it all should even out. So I'm giving myself 12 miles of credit, thus far in 2011.  I felt good except for a little twinge in my knee.  It went away as soon as I stopped, so in my foolish mind, I don't have to worry about any injuries. 

Today, I won't be doing anything but work and school.  but tomorrow I plan on doing yoga and running (and perhaps some rock climbing after yoga?) We will see.