My shorts stink!

I got back into running after my daughter was born and was overweight at the time. So, I have always worn either pants or capris to run in. I am finally within about 6 pounds of being out of the overweight category and thought that I would give shorts a try. My legs are finally looking decent enough that I am comfortable being in shorts.

So...I found a really cute pair of Adidas shorts at TJ Maxx and a cute matching tank top. I planned a 3 miler in the neighborhood this evening. I got dressed in my new cute outfit and headed out the door.

Almost as soon as I started running, the shorts started riding up in the front in the crotch area. I started pulling down at them with ever step that I took...it was AWFUL! I headed back home, changed into workout capris and headed back out.

What's a girl to do? Should I just stick with the capris? They are a stretchy black material and fit well and are comfortable. But, in the 90 degree weather we have been having, it would have been nice to be wearing something cooler. I am considering a running skirt....anyone out there have one? Any problems with it when running??

What happenned to spring??

Here in upstate NY, the weather seems to have gone from winter to summer. It was 80 degrees today! Since I am not a fan of the heat, I was missing spring. My favorite weather would be 55-65 degrees....just right for running.

I went out this morning for a 7 mile run and was very unprepared for the heat. After the first 4 miles, I was hot, sweaty and starting to get a little light-headed. I had only had a little bit of water before I started. So, instead of a quick water break and back to running, I decided to take a little break. I found a lovely bench in the shade and sat there with my water bottle. After about 10 minutes I was feeling much better and went back out and finished the last 3.

I hate to stop in the middle, but I was not feeling well enough to continue. The 10 minutes in the shade with water did the trick though. This week I am planning on getting a hydration belt. I would have loved to have had my water with me. I am going to get the one with 2 smaller bottles.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

My little town

I grew up on Long Island in a town with a population of over 35,000. The town I live in now has a population of around 8,000. My town is small and friendly and just right for our family. I am constantly reminded of the lyrics to "Little Town".

Well, the stars, they just seem brighter,
An' the pace is nice an' slow.
An' families stay together.
God must be smilin' down here on little town.
Aren't you glad we settled down here in little town?

Friday was an absolutely gorgeous day here. Poor hubby had to work, but MissyMiss was out of school for spring break.

There is a wonderful family-run ice cream place here. It is a little tiny building with 2 windows to get your food. The seating is outdoor picnic tables. They have 2 big swingsets. It is one of our family's favorite places to go.

I took the kiddies there for lunch on Friday. In addition to ice cream, they have a small kitchen and do hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. You really just can't beat the prices. A grilled cheese sandwich and small bag of chips is less than $2.00.

It is the kind of place where the owner knows my kids by name. It closes for the winter and just re-opened. On Friday as the kids walked up to the counter, the woman said hi to them by name and remarked on how much they had grown over the winter. This is the kind of town that I live in.

This ice cream place is just a part of my family's history. We go every year on opening day for the season. Sometimes it is raining on opening day, even snowing. We have run out in the snow, grabbed our ice cream and then run back to the warm car to eat it.

When MissyMiss was only a few days old, I was desperate to get out. We drove there for milkshakes. It will MissyMiss's first time. Bubby also went as a newborn.

We still do down to NYC at least once a year to visit. This is where both Hubby and I grew up. But for now, this little town is just right for my family.

My B-day

Oh my gosh...I just realized that it has been almost a week since my last post...it has been busy here! MissyMiss is out of school this week and the weather has been beautiful, so we have been playing outside a lot.

I have been meaning to share some birthday pics.

On my birthday I started out watching some cartoons with the kiddies. Once they remembered it was my birthday, they ran to get my presents.

MissyMiss got me a purse last year for my birthday and wanted to continue the tradition...yeah! I picked it out, but she wrapped it and told me it was from just her.

At Christmas, my husband had taken Bubby shopping with him when they got me a box of Godiva chocolates...my favorite. So, when Bubby found out it was going to be my birthday he kept saying "I get you chocolates!"

After presents, I went out shopping for the morning and part of the afternoon. I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket.


When I came home, I found these on the counter.






Hubby had taken the kids out for errands and MissyMiss insisted on getting me flowers and she chose exactly which ones.

We then all went out to dinner. It was a wonderful and relaxing day!

A Wonderful Day

On January 6 I started my own weight-loss challenge. I challenged myself to lose a pound a week, which would total 13 pounds by my birthday. Well...today is my birthday! I stepped on the scale this morning and am happy to say I have lost a total of 12.4 pounds!!!!! This is so close to my goal and I am just thrilled!!!

I went shopping this morning with some birthday money and was so happy to be buying a size smaller than before I lost the weight. It was so much fun! I will post some pics of what the kids got me as soon as I get myself organized.

The running forum that I am a member of started a biggest loser challenge 2 weeks after I started my own challenge. I joined the team challenge, which continues until May. The bad news is that tomorrow is my weigh-in day for that and I had a lovely birthday dinner and dessert tonight. :( I will have to get started working that all off....tomorrow.

It's my party....

Tomorrow is my birthday...the big 3-1!! Last year I was a little sad to turn 30. I just liked being able to say that I was "in my twenties"...even if I was 29. I didn't want to say that I am "in my thirties". Although, I am sure that when I am 39 I will be happy to say that.

But...I have accepted the fact that my twenties are a thing of the past and I am embracing my age...kinda. :)

Hubby took the kids to get me a birthday gift the other morning. He had taken Bubby Christmas shopping last year and they got me a box of Godiva chocolates. (My favorite!) So, when Bubby heard it was my birthday he kept saying "I go get Mama chocolate!". He brought them home later in the morning and the first thing Bubby said was "I get you chocolate!". So much for a secret. :)

My plan for the day is to go out shopping for a few hours...quilt store, shoes, clothes...all the good ones. Then, out to dinner with hubby and kids. Sounds like a great day to me!

How do you all like to celebrate your birthday?

I'm back, baby!!

It was almost 2 weeks ago that I hurt my back and thankfully it is pretty much fully resolved...thank goodness! I was going crazy not being able to run. I waited about 10 days until the pain was completely gone before getting back to running. I did 3 miles on Sunday and 3.5 today without a problem, so I think I am good to go.

Here are my stats for March:
Run: 54.9 miles
walk: 170 minutes
Bike: 335 minutes

Not too bad. My mileage is up from Jan and Feb, due to the nicer weather. While I love long runs outdoors, I hate them on the treadmill. The longest I can manage on the treadmill is 4 miles, then I run out of things to think about.

Week 13 and where I have been...

I have been missing in action this past week because it was MissyMiss's birthday week, which means lots of parties!!

Here she is the day of her birthday. I appliqued a "6" on her shirt for her to wear to school. She was thrilled with it.

For her kiddie party, we rented out the local skating rink. The older kids could skate or ride their bike and the younger ones brought ride-on toys. Here is Bubby with his ride-on rocket. He had a ball!




Here is MissyMiss cruising around the rink. Daddy taught her to rollerblade last year and she is quite the pro now.




We had pizza and then the 6 dozen cupcakes that I baked. Here they are...talk about temptation! There is nothing better than homemade frosting. I had to stop myself from eating it by the spoonful.

This weekend we went to breakfast with the Easter Bunny and then had family over to celebrate her birthday.




So...it was a fun, but exhausting week. I made 6 dozen cupcakes for the party, 2 dozen for Open House at school and 2 dozen for her to bring to school on her birthday...a total of 10 dozen cupcakes in one week, all with homemade buttercream frosting.

I am fairly shocked to say that I lost .2 pounds this week. I had been planning on a gain and was very happy to see a loss, even if it was small.

My personal weight loss challenge ends on Saturday, my birthday. I had planned to lose 1 pound a week, for a total of 14 by my birthday. Right now I am at just over 11. So, while I may not reach my goal, I will have come close and be keeping at it. My biggest loser competition runs until May, so I will still be weighing in for that one.

A Weekend Trip

We traveled down to NYC this past weekend to take in some sights and visit family. It was a fun and fattening trip.

We started our trip with Lunch at Gray's Papaya. It was my first time there and the hot dogs were delish!!! I love the movie "You've Got Mail" and the two main characters eat there in the movie and I just had to try it. Hubby, kids and I all loved the hot dogs.

Then it was off to The Museum of Natural History. We have gone there every spring for the past 3 years. Usually we focus on the dinosuars. MissyMiss has recently discovered "Night at the Museum" and LOVES it. I went on to the museum's website and they had a page listing where you could find the things from the movie. This was a hit with the kids. Their favorite was the Easter Island head....DumDum want GumGum!!

Bubby's favorite part was the Hall of Marine Life. He kept saying "That not real....that not real...". I think he was trying to reassure himself that the huge whale hanging from the ceiling was "not real".

We headed to Central Park and FAO Schwartz. It was the kids first time there and it was fun...just a bit overwhelming for them. MissyMiss took her picture with the soldier outside, but Bubby was too scared.

The kids also had their first taxi ride. I think it was MissyMiss's favorite part of the trip.

We brought back dessert from Crumbs bakery. I am a true cupcake lover and was not disappointed....they were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. They were ginormous. I could only eat a half.

It was a wonderful little trip and we can't wait to go back next year! I have been spending this week trying to work off all of the extra calories!

(In the interest of full disclosure I must also admit that while in NYC I had roasted peanuts from the guy on the corner and a delicious slice of pizza. There are just some things that I must eat while I am there. You just can't get it quite the same anywhere else. The only thing missing was a good NYC bagel with schmear...how I miss living on Long Island. :( )

In running news, my back injury is coming along. I am continuing with my back stretches and exercises. I have gotten back to walking and back on the bike, but feel like I should wait a few more days for running. I am really missing it and can't wait to get back to it.