Still Recovering...

20 miles is WAY harder than 18.
Previously I had done 2 18 mile runs. I felt good after the 2 runs like I could keep going. I wasn't tired, dehydrated, or defeated. I was confident about this 20 mile run.
It didn't work out. My Achilles hurt from step 1. I had some stomach issues from miles 8-12. After I got that taken care of (around mile 12) I was never able to find my groove. Also, when I get tired I tend to run harder (not harder as in faster, harder as in it seems like I'm almost stomping) that does a number on my quads. It was rough, my total route was closer 20.5 miles.
My legs still hurt. I have a 15k on Sunday.
I thought it would be a great tempo run distance. I don't feel like even attempting to run more than a half hearted jog.
I'm tired. It's been a long week.
I should have taken an extra day off running.
I shouldn't have attempted speed work.
I just have it in my headed that I can't take a lax approach this week.
I'll be out of town next week from Fri - till Tues (late Tues). I know my run's aren't going to exactly be quality while I'm gone.

Do you feel like if you take an extra day off it will ruin your entire training plan?
I do

How do you adjust to changes in your training, do you make up miles? or, just let them go and move on?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

I'm going to run 20 miles this morning...

Even though I would rather sleep.

But I posted it so now I HAVE to do it!

Tips and Tricks on how to save money from someone who CANNOT coupon.

I'm jealous of my friends who go to the grocery store, walk out with a cart full of groceries, and end up spending $5.00. I just can't do it, I've tried, I'm not nearly organized enough. I usually lose my coupons in the grocery store before I get to check out.
I am the least organized person in the world I have 2 children under 4 and have never owned a diaper bag. I am NOT the mom with a sippy cup and snacks.
I work from home and that requires a certain level of organization, I think every ounce I have is devoted to that.
I'm passionate about healthy, quality food for my family and myself, but also can't afford to spend $200/week on food.

So without further adieu, how I (an unorganized, non-couponer) saves money:

I plan meals in advance and buy enough food for the week. We are literally out of food on Saturday, but there's no waste.

I cook in batches
I make large portions and we eat the same dinner for 2 days.
We go meat free most of the week, beans are way cheaper than meat.
I make lunch. For instance I buy whole wheat pizza dough and saute spinach and onion wrap in the dough and bake. I get 10 "pies" (we call 'em spinach pies) for each 1 pound of dough, I buy 2 doughs and that's lunch for all 4 of us for the entire week, for like $10 worth of ingredients.
I buy some things in bulk. Like my 3.5 lb bag of organic spinach, it's $7.00, but that equals like 5 bags of regular size spinach and it's organic. I use it for the spinach pies, salad every night, and in my smoothies. Grains (oatmeal, bulgur, rice, quinoa), nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts), dried fruit (cranberries), and beans are all in bulk. Not like huge portions but from the bulk section at a whole foods like store (I get mine from Dekalb Farmer's Market, but that's only local).
Also, you know those bagel thins? Just buy regular whole wheat bagels, they're pre sliced, take a half and slice it in half. You have double the bagels for like half the price. Plus, it's easier for and better portioned for the littles.
I plan our dinner's around vegetables. Whatever is in season and was the best price that week.
Right now were eating lots of zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, asparagus, and broccoli.
In the winter we'll eat sweet potatos, squash, and turnips (my fave).
We eat lots of fruit, but stick 100% to only what is in season, plus bananas. I've got 3 lbs of plums and 3 lbs of peaches in my fruit basket, mangoes ripening on the counter, and grapes in the fridge.
I buy very few prepackaged items and the snacks that I do buy are whatever is bogo at Publix.
I also don't spend money on drinks. We drink water. I never buy soda. I used to buy a bottle of 100% juice for the kids and add a touch to their water, but I got lazy and don't do that anymore.
They don't care.

Latley, we've been eating a lot of fish, and it ain't cheap, so if you know how to save money there please let me know! I've tried frozen fish but it changes the texture and it's expensive too.
Oh well, I'm thinking about making the switch and just going vegetarian. I don't think vegan because my kids eat a lot of dairy, but I could definitely do meat-free.
I just ordered peasandthankyou the cookbook and I can't wait to get it!

I've got new running shoes coming too! Hopefully tomorrow!

Tell me! What are your budgeting secrets?
The more money I save the more running related things I can do!

I wish...

I were a better blogger. *sigh*
My problem is 3-fold.

1. I LOVE all of the other blogs I read and learn so much, I feel I have nothing to contribute.
2. I don't have the time and/or computer skills to commit to this blog
3. I think of great topics and than draw a blank as soon as I sit down and I cannot take pictures, I'm bad at it and forget to take them.

Oh well...
So begins another month...
Time to recap August!

Total Miles: 168
Days Run: 20
Highest mileage week: 45
Highest mileage run: 18 (x2)

Marathon training is going good.
I have a 15k on September 18th that I'm really excited to run.
I'm going to Orlando the week after for 5 days, running will be tricky, but I'll get it done!My baby started school (pre k3) I can't believe it!!!
He's such a big boy.

Friday Fav's

My 10 year high school reunion is next month.
I am soooo excited to go, and were turning it into a 2 part vacation!
After the reunion were going to stay at the beach one more time before summer is officially over and going to a YANKEES game!!!

I'm happy with my running. I've been increasing my mileage slowly and am feeling really good.

I finally got a BOB! For those of you non-mama's that's a jogging stroller!
I can't wait to run outside this fall with my daughter in tow.

Earlier this week I made mushroom quesadilla's...best. decision. ever!
Sauteed baby bellas, onions, mexican blend shredded cheese, whole wheat tortillas.
They will definitely be making a reappearance in my house, very soon!

Greek salad. There are no words. It's amazing.

As for shoes I think I'm going to go with the Mizuno Wave Precision 12's.
We will see...

What are your weekend plans?
I have a kiddie bday party, long run, and lots of rest planned.

Marathon Training Thus Far...

So far, my runs have gone well, not great.
I've been getting in 4 runs each of the last 3 weeks.
I'm striving for 5, but something seems to always come up at least once.
I've only done speedwork once so far... oops.
The new treadmill is great, better than great actually, my legs feel good.
The shock absorption makes a huge difference. I haven't figured out any of the ifit features or attempted to use the internet or watch t.v. yet, I'm too impatient. Those features will have to be reserved for when my husband runs.
My runs have been between an 8:20 and 9:15 pace.
I'm starting to feel very comfortable running for long periods at an 8:30 pace, and that's my goal.
My longest run to date is 18 miles, that was this past Saturday. It was a good run, and I wasn't even tired afterwards, which is good because my kids were antsy and ready to be on the move!
I can't wait until Fall, running in the crisp Autumn air is going to be AMAZING.

I'm almost in the market for new shoes. Right now I have the Saucony Pro Grid 3's and while they don't hurt my feet, I don't love them. The heel is very thick and I would like a little more flexibility.

What shoes do you wear?
Pro's? Con's?

Thanks for any input!

The best thing since sliced bread...

I have been working very hard and saving for a long time for this:


Oh my gosh! I love it soooo much. It was delivered to our garage meaning my husband and I had to transport 350 lbs inside a too tiny doorway at 9pm on Friday. After 3 hours and 2 doors taken off the hinges it was finally inside!
Sooooo exciting.
I played with the computer for a little, decided it was way too advanced for me and made it to sleep around 2 am. I woke up at 6:30 the next morning for my first run on the new tread!
I ran 16 miles @9:15 pace. The fan is amazing as you speed up, it speeds up. It has a port for your iphone/pod and really good speakers, my family loves hearing me blast Pitbull and Kesha at 7 am! This thing has an incline up to 15% (didn't make it nearly that high) and a 3% decline. Holy quads batman!
It came with a heart rate strap, which I used, it gave continuous feedback of my heart rate on the screen, I loved that. I didn't use the internet at all or any of the cool ifit features, I've yet to figure all of that out.
So other than finally getting my treadmill, not much is going on.
I've been working non-stop. My kids are going a bit stir crazy. By the time it's cool enough to play outside, it's literally bedtime. I've got plans to take them to the children's museum this week, I think they will love it.
My running has been o.k. I'm getting my runs in (for the most part) but they feel much harder than they should.
Oh and the Yankees blew it in the 9th than the 10th last night! Not a good way to start the week.

What running shoes do you wear? I'm almost in the market for new ones.

Are you a neutral runner, overpronater, underpronater?