Friday!

Finally... time flies but it's always nice when it's Friday. Lots to do this weekend but happy to do them!

Work was good today, had a great time although we worked really hard... nice atmosphere, great coworkers... that really makes a difference!

Kids are good... Paula's a champ and is doing great... no temperature, no more sore throat... atibiotic's really kicking in! Went to gym and loved it... she's improving so much... I'm happy!

And I got my training in today... 15' run and then 10x100... slow 100s but hey... I did them, and each one was slightly faster too!

Hoping to be able to do all I have to do this weekend and have lots of fun with my kids!

Ugh...

Paula's sick... she had been complaining of a sore throat for a few days... today she was bawling and I decided to take her to the docs although she didn't have a temperature... well... she's got strep throat and is on antibiotics... she had every right to complain... she's such a trooper. She's now sleeping. Hopefully resting will do her good!

So we got home at around 10pm which means... no running/training for me today... scheduled called for a 15' warmup and then 10x30 seconds doing stairs... will have to be done another day I guess... first things first!

I have just signed up for another 10K, in Empúries... should be fun! It's on May 2nd...quite a few races ahead for me!

Wednesday already... time flies!!!!

Argh... time goes by just to quick for me... I seem not to have time for anything -sigh- but oh well, such is life!

Went out for my run last night... I was very tired, we were running late with the children and I was exhausted. For a split second I thought of resting yesterday and going out today but I was very stressed and thought that if I didn't get out there I'd end up bitting someone, so I went out... it was past 9:30pm... I walked to the starting point and set off for my scheduled 30 minutes non-stop... well... I did it and it felt great... wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be but I am enjoying my day off today! So far so good... got all my training in. Told my trainer I've signed up for a 10k on March 21st and he said ok. Then told him of all the races I want to do and he said ok too but to take it easy. I agree!

So, rest day today, at it again tomorrow... 15 minutes easy run/warmup and then 10 times going upstairs for 30 seconds... will be tough I think but can't wait to try... hoping it takes me where I want to!

Pol's better... he got a rash all over yesterday... doc said to stop the antibiotic as his ear was ok. He's been doing good but is very tired. He's a sweetheart! Paula says she's got a sore throat but seems to be doing ok, we'll see. Jan's ok. Full of a cold but seems to be under control so far.

Early bed for me today... I'm pooped!

Monday gone...

Doesn't time just fly!

I was lucky enough to get... drum roll please... 10 hours of sleep last night, woohoo!!! Pol slept and I didn't even move... everything hurt this am, LOL!

Pol's feeling a lot better, no more fever, thank goodness! Jan and Paula are doing good too! Work was good... a nice day!

And another run... went out on my training, according to plan... walked 16' and then run 17'38" and then did 5x100meters, walked home and that's it... tomorrow calls for 30' easy running. Weds is a rest day... yay!

Going to the nutritionist tomorrow... weigh in day... I have lost some so I hope all goes well!

And that's it... hoping we all keep healthy!

Another race under the belt!

What a great day! Well... couldn't go and spend the weekend in Barcelona as the boys are not well. Little Pol's got an ear infection and his fever is sky high, poor little thing... he's really having a hard time. So, after a sleepless night because Pol was whining all the time and Paula came twice, I got up at 6:30, took a shower and off I went to Barcelona. Got there at 8, had breakfast with my brother and headed to the race. Over 3,500 runners, a great atmosphere as usual, no rain (although forecast called for it) and not too cold... perfect!

Off we set and I started running but soon (after 12 minutes approximately) stopped to walk... I run/walked all of the race and it was great... never felt tired or like giving up or I couldn't do it... I just kept going and loving every step of it. I shaved 5'4" off my previous 10K time (done on 11/29) finishing in 1:12:07... still slow and needing improvement, but a lot better than the 1:17:11 on my 1st 10K! And it'll keep getting better... I'm working at it and will keep doing so! After the race we went back to my brother's to get my bag and stuff and headed home... nothing hurt... on 11/29, I remember having problems getting off the underground, LOL! Didn't get any blisters either! It is now 8:27pm and I can start feeling my calves but have been great all day... wonderful!

So, a great day despite having a sick baby. Next race is on 3/7... just a short 6.5K but will be great, I just know it!

Sick boys...

Well, it's Saturday. I had to work this am so I did. It was fun. I work with really nice people so it wasn't a big deal at all!

But... I woke up to a sick baby... he woke up at 38.5 already... gave him Dalsy and was happy as could be but his temp was back 4 hours later and hasn't gone since... Took him to the docs, ear infection, so we're on antibiotics. My poor little man... Jan's not well either... a rough cold with a slight temp although not too bad (yet). Hubby's got a terrible tooth ache so my men are under the weather.

So... no Barcelona :( We've had to stay, there was no way we could go over with a sick baby, he's feeling so miserable, poor little soul. So... early bed for me (its 20 to 10 so I better get moving...) as I have to get up at 6:30 to be in Barcelona by 8 to have breakfast with my brother and head to the race start. I so wanted to have my family over but oh well... they'll be over next time I'm sure!

Don't know if I'll be able to get much rest... baby's restless and moaning... no wonder... I'd be too with a temp and an ear ache... poor little fella!

Gotta get everything ready so it's up and go in the am! Forecast calls for rain, if it is... let it be!

I'm going to give all I have... I know it's not the best of times but that doesn't mean I have to give up... I'm going to fight til the end!

Blah...

Where do I start? Let's see... I had a stomach bug yesterday... so no training for me... I felt horrible but woke up great this am :) Went to work and had lots of energy. I think it was my best day teaching so far... I was so happy, I could tell the kids were enjoying it. It was fun.

Got home after work, took Pol and went to see Christine. Her daughter had her baby Arnau yesterday at midnight! Came back home, changed Pol and got kid's dinner ready. Got changed (after thinking about it...) to go running... interval running today called for 10' slow, 5' fast + 5' easy, twice with 5' recuperation inbetween. First interval was ok but I struggled through the second. Everything hurt, specially my butt. It's frightening to see that my injury pain was back... I hope it doesn't come back again... I didn't stop and finished the run but feeling really bad. I fear being last again on the race on Sunday. I don't know I don't feel ready and that makes me sad... I know I had the flu last week and had the tummy bug yesterday but I just seem to be running a lot slower that I did just a few weeks ago :( Hopefully I'll see things in a different light tomorrow.

I am not quitting and I'm getting out there (unless another virus hits me) and doing whatever I can. I'd just like to feel normal, like a real runner... maybe some day...

Another run!

Well... second day into my training. Today was set for 20' walking followed by 20' slow and 10' at a faster pace. I was surprised that after sort of struggling to run 4 minutes yesterday I did my 20 today no problem... they were indeed veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery slow, but still I never felt like I'd have to stop :) I shortly stopped after the 20 minutes, loo stop, and then took to the last 10 minutes. I felt like I was pushing it more, and I was but I wasn't that fast at all :p Silly me... but hey... I got out there and run for over half an hour... felt soooooooooooo good! I then walked 11 minutes back home. I did over 3.3k walking (before and after) and 4.23k running... slow but running nontheless!!!!

Got home showered, stretched, had dinner and it is now 11:45pm and should be in bed but only just finished my dinner like 15 minutes ago, argh... I need my rest, I really do!

Supposed to rest tomorrow. I emailed my trainer to see if I do the toning exercises he sent for the day after tomorrow, tomorrow and then do what was planned for Jan. 18th on Thursday and what was planned for Jan 21st on Friday resting Saturday to do the race (not actually race) on Sunday. We'll see what he says... my guess is no, LOL!

So, everthing is sort of ready for Saturday... working in the am (not that much fun...) and then coming home, having lunch, and heading for Barcelona when Pol wakes up from his nap. Get to the city, feed kids snack, meet my brother, go get the chips and bibs, spend some time together (cousin time!), dinner, bed and Sunday am... breakfast with my brother at the hotel, race, shower and then, walking around Barcelona and having lunch with bro, SIL and kids... should be fun!

But for now... work tomorrow... day trip in the am to the museum of art! Should make the day go by quick! Planning on taking Pol and Jan to have a hair cut tomorrow afternoon. Hope I make it, they really need it!

Back to normal

Well... things seem to getting back to normal... Paula's back at school and I'm back at work but most important of all... I'm back running... woohoo!!!

I went for a run... first of my scheduled training from my trainer. It was hard at the beginning... I've been off for a week and congested but I did it and felt better with every interval. I loved it! Can't wait for tomorrow although it'll be hard... 20'walk, 20' easy jog and 10' a bit faster... I don't know about running half an hour straight... 4 minute intervals were hard today... we'll see... I've thought about not running my race on Sunday but that's out of the question. I'm not a quitter. I'm not giving up. I'm going out there and giving it all I have and if I'm last again, I'm last... better dead last than did not finish and better did not finish than did not start so... Sant Antoni... here I come!!!!!!

Paula went on a day trip today. She said it was a bit boring. Jan wet his pants at lunch time, say what? But as usual, he couldn't care less about it, took it as something normal (when it's not, he's not wet himself in over 2 years!) and Pol's growing fast. Was exhausted today so he was in bed by 7:30pm, poor soul, had been crying since 7 to be put to bed. Gave him a bath with Jan and finally put him down, just as he wanted! He's a sweetheart! So are my other two!

On the mend

So... went to the docs on Weds evening and it so happens I had the flu. She said it would last 8-10 days... say what??? I don't have such time... I'm racing next weekend!!!!! But even worse, after taking Paula to the ped on Monday and only having a cold, she had a temperature again on Weds evening so I took her to the docs (yes, with my flu...) on Thurs am and... she had pneumonia, say what???? She was ok on Monday, her chest was clear and Thursday am she's got pneumonia? No wonder she was so run over and so low... my poor little girl. So we started her on antibiotics and from the first dose things changes, she was so much better! We've been locked at home all these days. Went out today for like 20 minutes to see how that felt and she's now back to herself 100%, thank goodness for that!

So... we're on the mend and I'm going back to work tomorrow and Paula's back at school tomorrow, on a day trip to Barcelona!

We, the girls never get sick at home but as you can see, when we do it, we do it big time!

Had a great weekend. Never left the house on Saturday and all kids were great. Pol was soooooo good and he's growing so fast and learning so fast... he loves being able to play with his siblings, makes him feel all grown up. Today we were home except for the 20-30 minutes at the park and it was great too. They love it when we're all together and it's great to see how well they get along. Pol was super today and is really really smart and growing by the minute... amazing how he wants to talk and he's so proud of things he does and how he wants to share all he does with us. I love being a mom, even when sick!

Flu

Yes... it finally hit me. Don't know if it's A, B or C, but I've got the flu :( I've had a fever for 3 days, only in the evenings and decided to see the doc today since my whole body had been aching all day, I was shivering and had a fever in the evening.

Timing couldn't be worse. Doc said it usually takes 8-10 days... hello???? I don't have that time... I've got a race on the 24th! Hoping these last 3 days count or else...

I know I should be thinking about my health and not my race but I've been soooooooooo looking forward to it... plus I got my personal training plan from my personal trainer. I had to start today :(

Oh well... surely there's a bright side to it... so far, tomorrow and Friday I get to stay home and skip work :)

Paula's got a fever too so I'm taking her to the ped in the am. She said she had an ear ache, so hoping it's "only" an ear infection... poor soul, she's my doll!

Coming down with something?

Paula had a temperature last night and also when she woke up in the am, so she stayed home with daddy. At midday I started feeling weird, back ache, coughing, legs aching... I took an ibuprofen and did great but I'm starting to feel the same way again. I don't have a temperature (at least just yet) but I'm definitely not feeling well... this illness comes at a really bad time... my race is in 12 days. I will have my personalized training program from my personal running trainer today or tomorrow... I am hoping that a good night's sleep does it, fingers crossed!

BTW, took Paula to the pediatrician in the evening. He said it's only a cold but she's really low. She was at 38.5 and started crying she was dizzy, pour soul, she NEVER complains... my pour little girl!

Going to have a little warm soup and off to bed, hoping I wake up "new" in the morning!

Awesome run!

Woohoo... finally got out there... did quite a few things of what I listed before... 3rd washing machine is doing its cycle, fed Pol and put him to bed, went out for my run and had my lunch (shower is coming shortly), so pretty good all in all!

So yes... I went running. Last running day was 1/6, King's Day and it was a crappy run. Today, I walked a long way as a warmup and then took it from there. I run 15 minutes, walked 5 and then run 15 (15:29) more. Even with the walking my pace was good. I did 5.319 in 35:29, that's a 6:40 m/km pace. I'm sooooooooooooo happy. Plus it felt so good all the way! My new shoes are great, my new socks worked awesome and my sports bra is top of the pops, LOL! So happy I got out there and did it. A nice sunny although cold day. Without the walking I did 4.750 in 30:29... really lowering my 5K pace which is amazing. Never thought the run/walking system could be so good. I will surely use it in my next 10k in Barcelona on 1/24. It won't be 5 minute breaks, rather 2-3 minutes but will use it for sure!

So that's that, I'm back and needed that run for motivation... I feel I can do it now!

Back to work tomorrow :(

Well... holidays are over... been off since Dec. 23rd, time to go back tomorrow... not looking forward to it although routine will do us plenty of good! Always looking for the bright side of things :)

The thing is that my colleague, my coworker and friend with whom I get along really well won't be there for a month at least. She's undergone knee surgery and is having therapy so... I'll have to deal not having her around although I'll have my other wonderful coworkers there :) I just hope she recovers soon so that she feels better and has no pain anymore. Go Anna Go!

It is Sunday, first Sunday since the Sales are on, so everything is opened today. Got to get some bread, so I'll go later. The plan is:

1. Feed Pol his lunch around noon (almost time...) or 12:30, he seems a lot more awake and less cranky today... amazing what 45 more sleep minutes can do :)

2. Go for a run in MY NEW SHOES once he's down for his nap. In the mean time, hubby can feed Paula and Jan.

3. Have a shower, eat lunch and take kids to the park while Pol's napping. It'll be the warmest part of the day (although still cold for sure) and hit the store on the way back home to get the bread and little odds and ends.

4. (And this needs to be done now!!!) Put a washing machine on, and then another and after another... maybe a 4th too :/ I always manage to pile up the washing... I need to do a course on organization!!!!!

5. Enjoy, have fun and love my family :))) (I ALWAYS do that, so that'll take no effort!)

So hoping for that run... my leg and back feel funny... I think it's from the preassure change, the weather's changed and it's very cold. Hoping for a perfect fit of my shoes. Only 2 weeks to my 10k race in Barcelona... better get running!

Off I go... washing machine's calling me...

New shoes!

Yes! I went to Barcelona today as I had the day off (back to work on Monday...). I went to 2 specialty running stores and got 2 new pairs of shoes, I couldn't help it! They just fit so well!

I got 2 pairs of Brooks too. A pair of Brooks Launch, bright yellow with purple laces and a pair of Brooks Glycerin, white, red and silver... they just fit so well! Tried also a pair of Saucony's at the first store that felt great too! Then tried a pair of Asics, a pair of Nikes and a pair of New Balance but they didn't feel as good as the Brooks. The Asics were too tight, the Nikes were good but just a tad tight and the New Balance didn't feel right, so, there you have it... can't believe it... new, proper running shoes!

The guy at the second store told me my Asics Gel Stratus 3 were good.They were medium shoes but a good pair (at least), but they feel tight, just like the Asics I tried at the store, my Brooks are perfect! Hoping to be able to log lots of miles in them and... injury free!

No more streak...

It's been raining ALL day... hadn't I been on the internet in the am, I would have gone to Banyoles and maybe got my run in, but I didn't so, that's that. It's even snowed a little!

Too cold and wet... went out but it was too slippery... in 100 meter I had slipped and fallen twice. Can't risk injury again... I guess it wasn't meant to be. Hoping tomorrow's better. Supposedly going to Barcelona tomorrow to be fitted for proper running shoes. Let's see what happens!

10pm... time to go to bed... I'm exhaused... kids back to school tomorrow... welcome back routine!

January 7th!

Well... here I am again, home alone... feels wonderful!

The 3 Kings came yesterday... it was soooooooooooo much fun to watch the kidlets! They were so happy with their presents and they were soooooooooooooo good all day long... they're really great kids... I'm so happy! So that's done... went out for lunch with IL's and was fun, kids were super well behaved, all of them! Even little 14 month old Pol, happy and jolly as usual! Although I had a healthy lunch (veg+grilled meat) I somehow overdid it and almost 24 hours later I'm still stuffed :(

Anyway, time to get back into a routine. Purging with fruit today, high time too! I haven't been that bad over the holidays, as in holiday food eating... it's just that I got going and wouldn't stop. Weighed myself the other day and I'm exactly the same, so haven't lost but haven't gained either, wich is great!

I've been running every day since Jan. 3rd. Trying to keep a streak although I'm finding it really hard at times :( Last night, my belly was so full/stuffed I couldn't even walk fast... Only ran 1.144km and thought I'd die... hoping for a better one today. It's drizzling out there but my intention is to go to Banyoles and run around the lake, an 8k loop... we'll see what happens. Really cold out there too. Supposed to snow at some poing... eek!

2010 is going to be the year (I hope) I finally get in shape, lose my extra weight FOR GOOD and enjoy being healthier and fit. I've started back on my green tea, which I believe is what helped me a lot last time around... we'll see... 2/3 glasses a day, not that much either...

Last day of camp for the kids, back to school tomorrow! I'm having the day off tomorrow again, back to work for me on Monday! Looking forward to the routine but not being so many hours away from home. Will have to fin my workouts in too, no missing one!

2 more races on my schedule!

Ok, so there we go... 1/24 and 4/18... not saying there won't be anymore in between but so far I've got them two!!! Woohoo!!!

I've run 2 days in a row... let's see if I can get the streak going!

Off to the 3 King's parade... running later... when the kings are visiting the houses... exciting!

January 4th, time for an update!

So... 2010 is finally here... woohoo!!! The year started well, no aggro!

Getting down to business... went for my first run of 2010 yesterday, January 3rd. I had to take walk breaks as I couldn't keep up. It was cold but don't think that had anything to do with it... Anyway did almost 6ks in over 42 minutes slow, but considering I walked in between it's an ok pace for me I'd say. What counts for me is that I got out there and did it. It was midday, hardly anyone on the bike path, lovely! I also did a BC video and some core work (300 abs, 100 back, lunges and squats)

I've decided to try and start a streak so I went running again today. The intention is to run short little runs in between days just to keep the streak going. Getting out there even if it's only for 1k. I did 2.5ks today in 16 minutes. I felt strong from beginning to end... such a wonderful feeling! Didn't feel tired or that I was pushing it... it was perfect. It was also running. Got to the street ready to go running and saw it was raining but I went anyway. I loved the feeling too! Hardly anyone about either... a little cold but got warm in no time, LOL!

I also went ice skating with Paula today for an hour. We had a blast! We then stayed at the Christmas park and the kids had the most wonderful time. I just love seing them so happy and jolly!

Went to Banyoles yesterday am to feed the ducks. It was cold, chilly, but we had a great time. I went for my run when we got back. Supposed to go to Ikea tomorrow. We run our last minute errands today... the 3 kings are coming tomorrow night!