Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Undisciplined. -Amy

So to follow up Brady's blogpost, I have to say that I have been completely opposite recently. Because I am NOT running Grandma's Marathon in Duluth in June, the Mini Marathon was my Everest. I have completed my running goal (as of now) and have no desire to feel the extra pain of doubling that distance like my crazy (and completely admirable) sisters and bro-in-law.

So, after the Mini I decided to take a little breather from long runs. I took a week off from running all together and opted for Turbo Jam (a cardio kickboxing workout) that I loved while I was in college. This week, I picked up running again, but only short distances. My longest run since the Mini has been 4 miles.

I am eager to sign up for another race because I like the structure of having a schedule that I need to stick to. However, I also think it's important to give myself a little reward when I do meet goals. So, my reward is to do whatever workout I want to do. No structure. No discipline. Just listening to my brain and my body and letting those things decide what exercise I'm going to do that day. My options are running, strength training, Turbo Jam, and Zumba. I've only done Yoga once, but who knows? Maybe now is the time to try it! As long as I do something active everyday, I'm ok with it for now.

So until I sign up for my next race (which will actually probably be a shorter race so I can work on improving my time)... I will continue to work out spontaneously!

And Brady, it IS fantastic. You will love it once you are done with the Marathon!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Discipline - Brady

Kevin and I just got back from a 14 mile training run. We (and Kelly) are prepping for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota on June 18. We ran 18 miles last weekend and will run 20 this coming weekend. After 20 we taper our mileage down to get rested and ready for the big day.

Since these last few weeks have required a lot of running, we've had to stick to a pretty strict schedule in order to fit workouts in. It's been a really unique experience for me to be so disciplined - to have such a set routine every day of the week. Here's how we do it:

- Mondays I usually wake up early and lift weights or do yoga. Off to work (or working from home) from 8:30 or 9 - 5 or 6. I usually have a cocktail when I get home, Kevin makes dinner around 7:30, we eat, I clean up, and then we either watch TV or read in bed. I'm generally under the covers by 9:30.

- Tuesdays I set my alarm for about 4:15 a.m. We (Kevin and me and sometimes Kelly when her busy schedule allows it) have to run early to get it in before work, and I need at least 45 minutes to eat something and wake my body up before we head out. I make green tea and peanut butter toast before we go. Tuesdays are usually 5 mile runs. We're done, home, and out the door by 7:45. Class/Work - 6 or so. Cocktail. Dinner. Clean up. Read in bed. Asleep by 9:30ish.

- Wednesday is a repeat of Tuesday except we run 9 or 10 miles in the morning, so we wake up even earlier.

- Thursday is an exact repeat of Tuesday except sometimes we do something fun on Thursday nights because we have a "rest day" on Friday. This past week we went to a really good and new (to us) restaurant in our neighborhood called Erwin. We had Manhattans, split an onion and blue cheese tart, chatted with the bartender, and listened to some jazz. Funny how much I appreciate a little outing like this during such a structured week.

- Friday means no working out! HOWEVER, our long runs are on Saturday, so we stick to lots of water and healthy food all day long. We usually have some sort of carb-heavy dinner and then go to bed early. Last night we were asleep by 10:15.

- Saturday mornings we get up around 6 and do our long run on the Lakeshore Trail. (Ha. I say that like it's no big deal.) We come home, stretch, take ice baths, shower, hobble around, and then do something fun in the afternoon. I look forward to Saturday nights all week - even more than I did before training for this race. I'm more lenient with myself about food on Saturdays, too, so it's all around pretty awesome.

- Sundays are usually rest days. Or we sometimes do yoga. If we're in Chicago, we usually spend the day catching up on chores around the condo or work that we didn't get done during the week.


I've really loved this process. It's cool how calm I feel all the time, what with the constant running and never having to make any decisions because I know EXACTLY what I should be doing at any given moment, EXACTLY what I should be eating at each meal, EXACTLY how many hours of sleep I'll need to feel good on my run the next day.

But I will not lie to you. Come June 19 when this thing is over, I'll be ready for some spontaneity.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Rule for My Life - Brady



When something really historic is happening, even if it throws off your schedule (which it will), GO ANYWAY. You'll always remember being at Rahm Emanuel's inauguration. You won't remember the routine stuff you would have done instead. You'll get your grad school reading done somehow, sometime. But Chicago only gets a new mayor about once a generation.

(Picture via)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

My Mini Marathon Account -Amy

As Brady stated in the last post, we all finished the Indy Mini Marathon. We all survived. We all ran the whole time. Considering those were ALL of my goals, I would have to say it was a success. Not only did I reach those goals, but my time per mile was 1 min and 20 sec faster than my time per mile at the 15k that we ran in November. That must mean I'm improving somewhat! I am definitely planning to do this race again next year, and I might even do a few other races in the meantime!

Like Brady said, it was a fun but difficult race. I was fine (and by fine I mean sore and tired, but still in good spirits) until about mile 10 or 11. After that, complaining and maybe even some light swearing started to occur. My favorite quote of my own happened as I was crossing the 11 mile marker. The only words I could manage to get out were, "I don't wanna!" Very mature, I know.

The lunch afterwards was delicious and amazing! I love the feeling of knowing that you can eat whatever you want because you earned it. And boy, did I take that feeling to heart! Here's a picture of my ridiculous lunch:



In case you are wondering, that's a burger with cheese, bacon, a fried egg, and a hashbrown patty.

Any meal that involves both hashbrowns and french fries was made for me.

It was a great day, and I'm feeling beyond accomplished!

Now... what's next for me?

Monday, May 9, 2011

Indianapolis Mini Marathon - Brady




We all survived and all finished it running the whole way.

I'm especially grateful to our relatives Reed and Holly for hosting us. They took us out to a fantastic Italian dinner the night before, got us into comfy beds early (enough), and sent us on our way with detailed directions in the morning. They were so thoughtful. To give you my favorite example - Reed asked me what I usually eat in the morning before a run. I told him coffee and toast with peanut butter. Guess what two items were waiting for me, already prepared, when I woke up at 5:15?

I'm hoping my sisters will add their accounts of the day, but for me it was a nice but difficult (of course!) run. My legs were hurting for the last five miles or so, but crossing the finish line and celebrating with a beer and (veggie) burger afterward (while wearing my medal, clearly!) made it all worth it.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Happy 31st Anniversary! -Amy


Today is our amazing parents' 31st Wedding Anniversary! In honor of this special occasion, here is a run down of some things that Mom and Dad have managed to squeeze into the last 31 years:

3 kids:
Brady, born in 1982
Kelly, born in 1984
Amy, born in 1987

2 son-in-laws:
Kevin, established 2005 via Brady
Roger, established 2010 via Amy

2 dogs:
Spanny, (official name Jack Spaniels... can you tell my parents got him in their 20's?) who was the awesome childhood pet of the the 3 above mentioned daughters. Buckner, the newest, chubbiest, and most likely to lick you addition to the family.

2 cats (I think only 2):
Dodge, given to Brady circa 1997... just passed away this winter.
Harold, given to the family circa 2000 who is still going strong at home.

1 Granddog
Lucy, established 2009 via Kelly

Countless Family Vacations:
Siesta Key
Disney World
Lake Wawasee
A famous "Wander Indiana" trip which was an excuse to visit all of their old college friends (an idea that I plan to copy someday).
Weekends in New Castle

Various work places:
L.S Ayres
Town Crier
Laporte Community Schools
Laporte County Realty
MTM Realty

Countless friends and family who love them so much!

We are so lucky to have such great parents who are always willing to give advice when asked, but are never overbearing. They are an example to all three of us of what life should be like! Happy Anniversary!