Cola :(

I got a call from my husband while I was at work yesterday.  He told me Cola got hit by a truck while they were out moving the horses around.  He didn't see what happened, but I do know that Cola isn't very careful about getting in front of moving vehicles and when I am out running with him I have to really watch him when a car or truck comes along.

 

 Good news is Cola survived the accident.

 

Bad news is that Cola is pretty banged up and super stiff.  He managed to run half a mile back to the house and is able to go under fences and climb stairs but is in  a lot of pain.

 

We got some pain medicine and antibiotics from the vet to help him.

 I am glad I am home from work today so I can take care of him and make sure he is eating and drinking all right. 

I am pretty sad for my little running buddy and wonder if we will ever do 20 mile runs again together or if this will leave him to stiff to run that far again comfortably and happily. 

He is only 2 so he does have youth on his side.  I think Rocky feels bad for him too since I found Rocky snuggled up to him, of course by the time I grabbed my camera Rocky was done snuggling.

Motivation Monday

What is better than running in a hurricane.. lots really, like running in Montana on a 55 degree fall day with just a slight breeze and lots of sunshine!

Hope all the East Coast runners are staying safe and dry and warm.  and really even though the feeling you get from a good run is better than not running, being safe is pretty key too.

Random Bits:

I am currently waiting for my little sis to get done running so I can go. 

My little cowgirl had a rough night of bad dreams and then puking on my bed at four this morning.  She is chilling on the couch watching Black Beauty. 

Rocky Ballerina One Dot is playing a cat and mouse game with a dirty sock.  He also found a new favorite place to sleep.  Right under the kitchen cupboards by the heat vent.

Anyone race over the weekend?  Not me, AGAIN!

 

What is motivating you today? This awesome weather!

Like I had a fire in my pants..

I have not done much speedwork since June really.  I ran Hood to Coast in August and had some fast runs then, but for the most part I have done no intervals, no tempo runs, no 5ks, just pretty relaxed running.  When I headed out on my run yesterday, I knew I wanted to do at least 5 miles and I also had less than 45 minutes to get it done.  Totally doable at a just under 9 minute pace.

I did the first mile in 6:52 and felt amazingly good.  I couldn't believe how good it felt and I just felt like I could keep going.  I ended up averaging 7:40s for the run. I obviously I slowed down,  I don't know if it was the sense of urgency to get back, the stress I have been under or just one of those days.  Usually my first two miles are warm up miles and are a struggle to get them under a 9 minute mile. Today not an issue, it was like someone lit a fire in my pants!

My mileage this last month and a half has also been really really low for me, but I think my body just needed some downtime.  I am loving my runs again.  I never want to NOT run, but for awhile it was feeling like a bit of a chore to get out the door so I cut back on my mileage and have been cross training more.

Yesterday we all went up to Bozeman (which is why I had to get my run done so fast) and took the kids to their very first Bobcat Football game.  So much fun, the weather was a touch on the chilly side but not too bad. A guy I worked with hooked us up with some tickets and my mother in law bought us all sweathshirts and hats for the game.

FUN TIMES! and Bobcats won :)

Three Things Thursday: The Pumpkin Edition

1.  We carved pumpkins last weekend.  Somehow I always end up being the one who does it.  I don't have the patience for intricate designs, but I don't think they turned out too bad and the kids loved them so yay!

2. I saved the pumpkin seeds and roasted them in the oven with a little soy sauce, garlic, and sea salt. The kids weren't impressed but I really like them.  I guess that means I don't have to share with them.

pre-roasted


 

3.  Apparently this wasn't enough pumpkin because then I whipped up two different batches of pumpkin muffins.  One with cream cheese frosting and one with a cream cheese filling.  Since I had a lot of frosting left over from the first batch they all got frosted.  The were more like cupcakes than muffins and I ate a lot of them. 

I may have to make some more.  I got the first recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  You can find it HERE.  This was my favorite recipe of the two.

The other one I got from allrecipes.com and was also  my favorite of the two. If you want to check that one out you can find it HERE.  The cream cheese filling in it with the frosting on top was really heavenly!

Yes I loved them both.  Maybe I should make them both again so I can really decide which one is my favorite!

 4.  oops yes I am doing four things (shh don't tell)  My little sister discovered pumpkin oil when she lived in Slovenia and was awesome enough to bring us some.  It is so good on salad with a little sea salt.  or noodles.  or to dip bread in.

Besides delicious here are a few health benefits to pumpkin seeds and oil

• good for prostate health (for all the men in your life)
• high in magnesium
• good source of zinc
• contain phytosterols (inhibit absorbtion of cholesterol, and can help lower cholesterol levels in the body, also can help prevent cancer)
• can help prevent a certain type of kidney stone
• contain L-tryptophan which is an anti-depressant
• In many cultures throughout the world, pumpkin seeds are used as a natural treatment to parasites that invade the body, such as tapeworms.

What is your favorite thing about pumpkins?  I would have to say eating them in cupcakes disguised as muffins right now.

I'm drawing a blank

Sorry I drew a complete blank on a title for today.. maybe I will think of one later.

 Yesterday I knew it was supposed to snow or rain in the afternoon so I knew I wanted to get my run done in the morning.  Cold rain is not my ideal running situation.  Call me crazy.

I ran about a mile and a half on the road and then decided that was boring and took a cow trail instead off into the hills.  My pace was crawling along at 10 minute miles.

in case you needed to see the cow trail, looks like a trail!

As soon as I got to this gate, I stopped to rest for a minute and decide which way to go next, I turned around and then realized why my pace had been so slow.

and it looks like a gate.

I had been running more uphill then I realized.  Needless to say the way back was a lot faster!  My average for the 8 mile run ended up being 8:43 pace.  Not bad when the first four miles were right about 9:56 average.

I wonder if there are any mountain lions in those trees.  (bad running thoughts)

YAY ME!  I'm on top of the world!

 yes, I am a bit of a nerd. 

 When I started on my run I was worried I was a little over dressed and got pretty warm.  A storm started to blow in though and by the end I was fine, if not on the chilly side wishing I had my gloves.

It rained all afternoon, yay for moisture in the ground and another awesome fall run done on a new route.  I think with all the cow/ deer trails around here I could do new routes for quite awhile.

In racing news.. I think I will be doing a 5k in November, maybe even two.  That should be interesting considering the COMPLETE lack of speedwork since... August?  June maybe?

 My hips are feeling good, not 100% but on their way to it.  My right hammy is still not super happy, it seems to have moments of being aggravated.  I don't think all the hills I do help much, but I am still only running three times a week and my mileage is half of what it was.  I am okay with this and am just loving every run.

Motivation Monday My Top 5 Cold Weather Running Excuses

It is 32 degrees out this morning and later this week we are looking at highs in the low thirties.  BRR.
I often get people asking me if I run outside when it is cold.  I do.  I don't have a treadmill or a gym membership.  Here are my top 5 excuses I give people about why I do run outside.

1. Running in 30 degrees is so much easier than running when it is 90 degrees.   If I feel really cold before I even start I over layer and either do a  half mile out and back to shed the extra layer or just shed it as I go.  I find it usually takes me about three quarters of a mile to get warmed up to the point where I want to shed the layer.

2. Getting outside is always a mood booster for me.  The more I get outside and moving the less affected by SAD (seasonal affective disorder) I am.  One study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology found that people who exercised outdoors reported increased energy, decreased feelings of depression, and were more likely to repeat their workouts. 
3.  Helps stave off winter weight gain.  This whole time of year can be tough.  All of the Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years parties, goodies, meals, etc.  It's everywhere you go and so hard to resist!  Everyone is giving you yummy homebaked goodies, they are bringing them in to work and comfort foods just feel good when it is cold out.

4. It helps build mental toughness.  I know I can go out and run in 10 degree weather and have a great time doing it.  I don't shy away from it, that toughness can help pull me through on the last part of a tough run.  The same way I tell myself I am not a wuss so get out and run is the same way I tell myself I can finish a race strong even when I want to slow down.

5.  People think you are pretty bad ass when you run outside and it is below zero.  Although usually zero is my cutoff point unless it is sunny and not windy.  I did run outside last winter with windchills of  minus forty.  Running with the wind was fine and I was dressed great.  It was when I turned around and ran into the wind that I had issues with my eyelashes freezing together.  I ended up doing most of the run backwards.

What are your best cold weather running excuses?

ZYM Product Review

I had the opportunity to try out ZYM recently. 

They were great and not only sent me two tubes to try but also a green water bottle. and a sticker that my daughter promptly claimed as her own.  As far as I am concerned I can't have enough water bottles.  My husband doesn't agree with me on this one. 

So.. what is ZYM? It is a electrolyte replacement drink for athletes like runners and cyclists.  They also add B vitamins and are super low in sugar.  The lemon-lime has 1 gram and only 7 calories, while the berry has 4 calories and no sugar.  You can check out the product comparisons HERE.

To drink it, just add one tab to 16- 20 ounces of water depending on your preferred sweetness level. I prefer not sweet, so I tend to go more for 20 ounces.  Those 4 ounces really do make a big difference.

The Endurance is Lemon-Lime flavored and was the one I thought would like the least for the simple reason that I am usually not a lemon-lime fan. Turns out it was my favorite flavor.  I loved that it was not overly sweet tasting.

The berry or Catapult was a lot sweeter, but then I realized I only mixed with 16 oz vs 20 the first time I tried it.  I like it better with 20 ounces.  I like lighter not sweet flavors when I am running. The Catapult is different because it also has 100 mg of caffiene and 200 mg of guarana for added pep to your step.

For me, this also means I can only drink it in the morning. I am very sensitive to caffiene and if I drink it after lunch I don't sleep good that night.

I have found it on Amazon.com for as low as $6.60 a tube.  Not bad and comparable to what I usually use.

I have used it on runs of up to 8 miles so far for the past 2 weeks.  I give it a two thumbs up.  I wish there were more flavors because I do enjoy these two a lot but also know that I like variety.  They do make an orange flavor that is sweetened with stevia and has zero calories.  I think I shall try that next.

If you want to check them out, they are on Facebook HERE,

or you can follow them on Twitter HERE

Anyone else tried ZYM? The question I have is..how do you say it?  Does it rhyme with time or tim?  My vote with time.

I was sent ZYM to try out free and was in no other way compensated for this post.  The opinions within are mine. 

Three Things Thursday

1.  I have offically become a 4-H mom.  My son joined the same 4-H club I was in for 7 years.  He is very excited about it, although he isn't a full fledged 4-H member until he is 8 and is instead a Cloverbud, which is like pre 4-H.    We went to our first meeting Tuesday night, my daughter went along and managed to make a new friend.

4-H has so many great things for kids to do and learn about as well as really awesome travel and leadership opportunities.  Cade thinks he wants to do archery, shooting sports, and show an animal at the fair. 

Me.. I am a little nervous about all of the committees and meetings they kept talking about and wanting everyone to do.  YIKES, pretty much sounds like it could be a full time volunteer gig if you let it.  I think we are going to do a minimum and not get bunrt out too soon. 

I took sewing, cooking, market steer, market swine, cat, vet science, and a few other projects.

2. Today was another awesome fall day run.  I even got my little sister to run with me for a little while.  We ran together for 2 miles, than I did another 5 and she went back home.  She is just getting back into running after a bit of a break so it was only three miles for her today.

SO fun to have someone to run with and talk to for a short while.  I think I could get used to it. 

3. The worst thing about fall besides winter coming..FALL BACK.  I hate time changes.  I have been waking up at 4:30 every morning lately and am not looking forward to that being  3:30..  and bet I go to bed early for awhile until I get adjusted! 

I like being up early in the morning, but anything before 4 am is just too early!

What do you think is the worst thing about fall?
Time changes...love em, hate em or don't even notice it?

Motivation Monday

I am not training for anything right now and have to admit to enjoying that, but sometimes it makes it hard to find the motivation to run.  The thought of running up the road from my house especially bores me to tears.  I run from my house the most so it it natural that those are the routes I am most bored of.

To help keep things exciting right now I am working on running a new route at least once a week, which is actually pretty easy since there are lots and lots of places to run on the ranch.  For some reason, I have stuck mostly to the main roads, but lately have started to run on the smaller "roads" and cow trails. 

I am loving it.  Saturday's run was two miles of mostly uphill followed by three of mostly down and two more of slightly uphill, but most of it, was on "roads" and trails I haven't run on in a very long Most of it I probably have only rode on a horse, or been in some type of farm vehicle on.  Good memories on the run.   More like a trail run.

 Sometimes I just left the trail and ran through the sagebrush just for fun.  I think it drives Cola a little nuts when he can't predict just where I am going and I zig zag around.

 

I ran by some electric fence my sister, brother and I helped my Dad put in when I was high school.  I lost track of how many gates I passed through and fences I crossed. 

It has been such a dry summer, you can see in all the pictues how yellow and brown everything is.  The grass is all crunchy under my feet.  Here was a little green Cola and I found at the little creek bottom. Cola was more interested in the water.

A nice 7.3 mile loop.  Perfect weather and fresch scenery. Today I am not sure exactly what my route will be but I am planning to make it a new one too.  I have a bit of a loop in mind.

How often do you try to find a new running route?

Silent Sunday

Three Things Thursday

1. Way back in June I won a giveaway from Holly at the Pioneer Apron for a long sleeve stretch flex bamboo shirt from Running Chics.   I got the black one with the Marathon chics on it, since by the time I would get it in the mail I would have run my first marathon by then. 

I really love this shirt. It is so soft and stretchy.  I have been wearing it about once a week since the weather turned cooler.  As soon as I get it washed, I put it back on.  It gets bonus points for being naturally anti-bacterial and made out of 57%  bamboo.  Not that I am obsessed with bamboo it just is fun telling people my shirt is made out of bamboo.


The only thing about it I would change is to add thumbholes.  I seem to be obsessed with having thumbholes on running shirts though. 

They also sent me this great little tote bag.  I love getting bonus prizes!

I was not in any way even asked to do this review I just wanted to share a shirt I am loving right now.

2.   I got my flu shot yesterday.  OW!  I am really a big wuss about getting shots.  In my defense..THEY HURT!    I have no problem giving shots to others though.  Much funner that way. 

3.  Running... it is going to happen today, but not this morning.  It is cold, windy, misting, foggy and well.. cold. 

Since it is supposed to be nicer out this afternoon I am going to wait a bit.  In the meantime I will be drinking my tea, playing with kids and maybe doing a ZWOW, Bodyripped workout or an old Bodyrock workout. 


Are you a wuss about getting shots too?
If you know the weather will improve do you wait it out or just get it done?  For me usually depends on childcare.  Today I will have the wait it out luxury.  :)

Skunk + Dog = Stink

This is Montana and October so really it could snow any day and last Wednesday we got our first snow of the season.  It of course melted but it did get really foggy and cold Saturday morning and left the plants coated in frost.  It was really pretty.

I had a beautiful run and with the sun shining, barely any wind, and temps on the high thirties it was nearly perfect running over the weekend.  Yesterday I ran in the wind and the rain for 6 miles but then the rain went away and I had five more miles of running with the wind that felt really good. Felt strange to run in mud after such a dry dry summer.  Being a farmers daughter I know better than to complain too hard about rain. :)

 The hard  part about this time of year is trying to figure out how to dress.  A little wind can make a big difference as well as whether or not the sun is out.  I prefer to start out over vs under layered so that I can shed as I go. I really hate being cold.  I tend to just drop clothes as I go if I am doing an out and back and then pick them back up on the way back.  I usually end up shedding my coat before the first mile.  I love that I can drop it and know it will be there when I get back.

Last Friday night Cola managed to have a run in with a skunk.  I am not sure of the details as I was inside cleaning and he was out in the dark.  I just know that as I was vacuuming I started to catch a whiff of skunk. 

My husband let Cola inside and eww!  Cola spent a few nights out in the doghouse!

What?  It looked like a cat to me.

Motivation Monday

 I was playing with PicMonkey again this morning :)

Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

I had a great run Saturday with nearly perfect (cold) weather and then a less than great bike ride Sunday in really high winds, which wasn't very fun, but I did get 9 miles done. very slowly on the way back as it was into the wind.

What is motivating you today? or tell me one great thing about your weekend.

Skinnybits Review: A product I just can't buy into.

I felt it was a little hard to do a good review of the product based on the sample size that was sent to me, but I will do the best I can with what I had!

I loved everything I read about Skinnybits, although I do feel like I need to insert a bit of a disclaimer here.  Skinnybits is for people who want to lose weight easily.  I do not feel like I need to lose weight.  Sure I wouldn't mind a pound or two, but it is nothing I worry or obsess about.  I am happy with my weight!  I wanted to try it more to see how it helped control hunger since winter is coming on and that is when I tend to gain weight if I don't try to curb my eating a little.

Here is what they look like.  My kids thought they smelled terrible and I would have to agree..not an appetizing smell.

Small and easy to swallow.  They also say you can chew them or add them to salads, yogurt, smoothies, really whatever you want.  Personally I can't imagine adding them to a salad or yogurt.  Smoothies, maybe.

I recommend not chewing them.  They are chalky and they taste bad.  I felt like they got stuck in my teeth and turned my  whole mouth green.  I only chewed 5 tabs.

Swallowing them was much better.  

I did feel like they helped provide me with good energy on a run, but not too sure since I took them for a long run that I can attest to Skinnybits controlling hunger.

They recommend taking 20-40 tabs at a time up to 300 a day.  A bag of 1000 tabs will set you back $115.

No kidding.  With prices like that I can guarantee I won't be taking anymore of those, fabulous health benefits or not.

You can read more about what Skinnybits are HERE

Touted health benefits do include:

Source

another thing I can't figure out.  There are twelve tabs per serving.  You are supposed to take 20 to 40 at a time.  best results are at 40-100 a day but you can take up to 300.  The minimum amount suggested is just over a serving a a half.  Why don't they just make 20 a serving size? Seems neater that way.

Nutritional stats look great, but this is one product fabulous or not I just can't afford.  I really wanted to like this, but I just couldn't overall.  Feels like a product for the rich and famous neither of which is me.

Anyone else tried Skinnybits or Energybits?

I was sent a sample of Skinnybits to try and review free of charge.  The opinions expressed here are my own. I was not compensated in monetary form for this post.

Three Things Thursday

1. My little sister came up for pizza last week and promised to introduce us to a Tunisian style pizza.  I was a little skeptical since it was going to have tuna in it.  Surprisingly it was really good.  Sorry no pictures.  We ate it all.  It wasn't even bad the next day when I ate it cold right out of the refrigerator. We did leave off the egg.  I could handle tuna, but not so sure I could handle tuna and an egg cracked on top of the pizza.

It also had a spicy red pepper sauce on it called harissa.  The ingredients listed were :  a mix of red hot peppers, caraway, coriander, garlic and salt.  It was really good, but I don't recommend trying it plain.  Very spicy HOT!  It can also be be added to a little olive oil and then used as a bread dip.

The label had the writing in Arabic, French and English

2. I broke down and ordered a new Lulu skirt.  Not really the right time of year to be doing that, I should be thinking tights, coats and hats, but well I had a weak moment one morning one the computer.  It is black just like three others that I have, but I was just thinking the other day I really wanted another black one... Now I don't have to think that anymore :)

I think it is pretty cute, and simple.  and I probably won't be able to wear it until April.  I am so not ready for winter.

Source

3.  I haven't wrote anything about Rocky Ballerina One-Dot lately, but he is doing good and is fully in pouncy crazy kitten mode.  Your feet are not safe in this house.  We have a lot of fun laughing at his antics.  My husband keeps asking when I am going to transition the cat outside.  ... (flies buzzing sound)

He's like my baby, I can't just throw Rocky outside with my wildcats!

Remember when he was little and helpless?!

 Look how big he is now!

 What is the strangest pizza you have tried?  Would you eat it again?

Wonder What I Was Thinking Wednesday

I have been seeing on the weather for about a week or so now that Wednesday we are supposed to get chilly temps and the possibility of rain and snow.  I was elated.  Excited.  Enthusiastic! Ecstatic!

I couldn't wait for today to get here so that I could get bundled up and go for a run.  In the chilly air.

I woke up to no snow first thing in the morning 43 degrees and a little bit of wind.  Pretty soon it started raining, temps started falling and then it was sleeting.  By the time I got ready for my run it was 29 degrees out, windy, and snowing!

Goody!

I dropped off my daughter to play with her cousins and headed out.

My sunglasses fogged up.

I couldn't run without them as the snow was blowing right into my eyes.

If I put my baclava down my nose froze, put it up glasses fogged over.

Pretty soon all the cold wet snow blowing on my forehead gave me an ice cream type headache.  You know the one you get from eating ice cream too fast.

Half a mile in I realized, this was not what I had envisioned.  Snow...yes.  Cold...yes.  Wind with wet cold snow, not being able to see and an ice cream headache..NO!

I wussed out.  I turned around and ran home blindly in the driving snow.  I stripped out of my layers, into some shorts and hopped on the elliptical.

and this was only after a mile.

I would have been fine with just the wind or just the heavy wet snow, but the combination of the two was kicking my mood about running in the cold and snow right into the ditch and piling manure on it.

My flowers, which have been flourishing, finally, weren't so impressed with the snow.

My daughter was so excited to go out and make a snow ball.  She wanted me to take a picture of it, but then she dropped it right before I took the picture.

well, I am over the whole snow thing, good thing the weather is supposed to be nice again this weekend.  Hard to believe two days ago I was running like this

I just had the best running day of the year Monday, I guess I couldn't expect perfect winter weather today too.

What is your favorite thing about winter running?
I like it when it is sunny and in the mid to low thirties.  Snow on the ground and hardly any wind. Not like today.