Thriving on Routine! Running, Motherhood, Life!

Sitting here after a shower, kids in bed, buzzing with that runner's high that you get from pushing yourself hard.  
Satisfied,
Inspired,
Thankful.  
Happily tired! And so glad that school has begun and we are all on a schedule around here!  I'm that kind of person.  I do so much better with routine! At least right now.  


Running
Something about school starting again and settling into a routine that has made me really excited about training more seriously again.  Tonight I did a workout from week 15 of a 20 week half-marathon plan.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I have not been following this plan very well.  In fact, I've only done a handful of workouts from it over the last 15 weeks.  Considering my fitness level and lack of dedication to training, I am very pleased with my workout tonight. Since it was in the high 90's today, it was a little too hot for me to do this workout outside so I went to the gym and hit the dreadmill.  


1 mile warm-up
2x 2k @ Half marathon pace (I did 7:03 pace for this workout)
3 min active recovery
1 x 1 mile @ 6:44
3 min active recovery
1x 1k @ 6:22/6:30 pace (started at 6:22 pace and then slowed to 6:30 pace after about .3)
3 min active recovery
1x800 supposed to be 3k pace but I wimped out and did 6:58 pace.  So tired!
1 mile cool down.


Total mileage was only about 7 miles but dang I feel good!  Good enough to feel like I earned this as I type this post:

At this point I don't have a goal for my half marathon in October.  I want to have fun, run hard and enjoy meeting up with Girlfriends!  I don't think it will be the half marathon that I try to break 1:30.  I'd be happy with a 7:15/7:30 pace but I think I have it in me to run faster.  We shall see.  My best friend Jenny is doing it with me so this makes me really excited.  She's the reason why I met Waylon! 

Motherhood
This week has been a reminder of why I love being a mother!  It has affirmed my decision to be a SAHM and, for the first time in a few weeks, I have felt like I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing...being a mother!  Thank you for school!  For routine!  Having my oldest daughter in school all day is not only good for her but it is proving to be good for all of us.  The energy has changed so much. I have time to THINK!  I'm inspired again!  


Today, I actually had a moment to pick up one of my books on literacy instruction (one of my greatest passions) and read about teaching kids to write poetry.  And I SAT DOWN to read it.  My younger two play so well together and there has been NO fighting!!  I even have alone time with my middle daughter when my son naps.  Today we even went to the zoo by 9:30 and practically had the place to ourselves.  I strapped them in the double jogger and I jogged from animal to animal and then let them out at each stop.  We saw SO much and still made it home in time for nap and picking up my oldest daughter.  This would NOT have been nearly as easy or fun with all three kids together!  


And when my oldest daughter comes home, I have plenty of energy to focus on her! Since the other kids have had attention all day, this works well for everyone. She's also a kid that thrives on routine so by the time she comes home, she is so much more enjoyable to be around! It is a win, win, win situation!  


Artsy Fartsy
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, this whole art contest...some of you are rolling your eyes. I get it.  No hurt feelings.  Hey, it isn't for everyone!  But you have to go check out Lindsay's post today.  She's hilarious.  And creative!  And a fast runner!  She explains this whole thing SO much better than I do.  And with WAY less words.  Easy on the eyes.  Thanks Lindsay!  You crack me up.
So, go check Lindsay (from Chasing the Kenyans) out and read her to 10 SUAR facts that explain this picture. Lindsay, you Rock!

  
1.  Mom's are you happy to have school back in session or more of a routine in place if you homeschool?  
2.  Do you like having routines or a schedule for your days?  Right now I do.  However, I also find it enjoyable to have times in my life where I have NOTHING planned or expected of me.  Similar to the seasons...I'm usually ready for the season when it comes and ready to be done with it when it is time to move on to the next.  


Amanda