In Photos

This was part of my Christmas

Allentown airport. My sis wouldn't let me take my nephew :-(
New bag from Mom fit all my Christmas gifts!

Family workout time. Baby jumping, toddler bouncing,
Mom and Dad skipping, Aunt taking pictures

Lehigh Valley on a sunny day. This is not normal and I loved it.

Another photo of this part of the valley

My nephew loved this tow truck gift. I think it's
because it didn't require tracks in order to roll on carpet.

It's a stocking. That means feet go in it!

Big headband...baby has some growing to do to
fit into this handmade one.

Grandpa and toddler cutting a birthday cake
for Jesus on Christmas Eve

Ugly sweater / outfit. You can't see my socks or designs
on the sweater, but it's OK, I wasn't the winner

Toddler and baby by the tree

New Christmas ornament!

Chilling with both kiddos

All Smiles

Race days and rest days make me happy!

Hillview and Forest Acres

Monday was a rest day. My fave :-) Tuesday I rode into work and then rode home.

Atop one hill...headed to the one on the right...

In case there was a question where I was headed...
I saw two of these signs during today's ride!

Here's my route to and from work. Same end point, different route, though you can't really tell from this map. One of the best parts was exploring the Forest Acres Road, just to the west of Franklin Road. Forest Acres Court is the hill at mile 36.01 on the map, and it was just as bad as it looks. But it wasn't even designated "Hill" like Lakemont and Hillview were.

NC.Com Crit #6

Tuesday's recovery ride

Monday was a rest day; I walked 2 miles at lunch and 4 miles in the afternoon but did nothing else besides a few push ups. Tuesday was a recovery day. I walked 3 miles at lunch and then rode for 93 minutes what turned out to be a GREAT ride. The weather was perfect, my legs felt great, and I went exploring. Turns out Pleasant Hill Road really is pleasant :-) Also, Sunset Road and Ragsdale Road are two of my favorite roads on the east side of I-65. Considering I rode on all 3, it had to be a good ride!

Shannon, me, and AJ. We wore the stripes today for the holiday

Wednesday I hit the True treadmill for 5K in the morning, and my legs felt really good. This is always my indicator for the evening race, and I was encouraged. We had a fairly large field (18 ladies) for our race that night, but it was only Shannon, AJ, and me from Team Belladium. Usually we are very aggressive because we have the numbers; tonight we played a very different game.

SVMIC, I AM Racing, and Belladium were the three main teams, and our lead group was Jes/Katie (SVMIC), Jess/Rachel (IAR), and AJ/Shannon/me (Bd). Shannon covered the first attack while AJ and I sat back to see what else would happen. When we caught them, AJ covered the next attack. We caught her and either Jes or Katie (I forget who), and I countered. That wasn't necessarily the plan, but I felt like Jes, Katie, and Jess were all significantly compromised that it would be worth it. I got caught, but it still felt like a good attack.

At some point (from my Garmin it looks like 18:30 in to the 30-minute race), I realized that Jess C was no longer with us. She is one of the top 3 overall, so it would have benefited us immensely if we had been able to create separation between her and us. I went to the front for a couple laps to drive the pace and never saw Jess. Then, with 6 to go (min 22), I saw her coming out of the wheel pit to join us. I should have known where she was and didn't, and I definitely should have known she was in the pit. Had I known, I wouldn't have done so much work. But it is what it is. I continued hard but started thinking about the finish.

I could tell that the other girls were getting tired, and I knew Shannon could attack and force the hand of at least one SVMIC girls and possibly Jess. However, the message didn't get to her as clearly as I'd hoped, and she didn't attack. Instead, she waited until just before the bell and started to pick up the pace for a leadout. I had found AJ's wheel when 3 to go and stayed there, and when she moved around Shannon I was right where I needed to be. Just after the 6th of 8 turns I came around her for the sprint finish. I knew at the bell that we'd have it, but it seemed afterward that she was more concerned than I was :-)

I finished in 1st, Jess 2nd, Jes 3rd, Katie 4th, AJ 5th, and Shannon 6th. It was a pretty leadout and exactly as hard as it should have been, so I was happy. I know the girls would have hoped for higher placing, but sometimes after you do your job (lead out) it's hard to do someone else's job too (sprint). I'm proud of them for a good hard effort, and I'm especially happy with a win!

Race #6, 7-03-13: 31:05, 11.98 miles, 23.1 mph, 184 bpm, 1/18 and 1/5 Cat 2s
Race #5, 6-26-13: 29:26, 10.92 miles, 22.3 mph, 183 bpm, 6/23 and 4/5 Cat 2s
Race #4, 6-19-13: 29:48, 11.89 miles, 23.9 mph, 186 bpm, 5/19 and 3/4 Cat 2s
Race #3, 6-12-13: 28:48, 10.73 miles, 22.3 mph, 189 bpm, 2/18 and 1/3 Cat 2s
Race #2, 5-29-13: 30:39, 11.31 miles, 22.1 mph, 2/18 and 2/4 Cat 2s
Race #1, 5-22-13: 35:36, 12.88 miles, 21.7 mph, 4/14 and 2/3 Cat 2s (incorrect time and mileage)

Push Up Count (and finally, a long-for-me swim!)

After the three days of the Tour of America's Dairyland that I did, I needed a rest day, so Sunday was it. It helped that I was driving all day and didn't have time to ride or run! On Monday, I'd hoped and planned to swim, but with rain threatening and chances of lightning, I couldn't get in the pool when I wanted to, so instead I spent some time on the elliptical at my apartment complex's workout room (all the while wishing we had a step mill there and then wondering why I didn't go to the Y where I knew there'd be at least one).

Tuesday early morning I got on the bike for an early morning recovery ride. I'd hoped to ride a little harder than I did, but I needed the slow-ish spinout and just a little bit of time enjoying riding. Here's my route:

Tuesday morning east/west ride

Although I didn't ride them, I found a few new roads that I will be trying out...love me some adventures on the bike! Tuesday afternoon I got in the pool at MFY and swam a GREAT 1600m. That tripled my average monthly "mileage" and it was pretty slow (~2:09/100m; 34:24 total)), but it was longer than I've swam in a long time and I really didn't get tired during the swim at all. I'm contributing that to the push up challenge I started with Will and Iron Will Sports and Fitness at the beginning of this year: On January 1, I did 1 push up; on January 2 I did 2 push ups, on January 31 I did 31 pushups, on February 1 I did 32 push ups, and so on through the year. Except that I made it to June 15** before I simply couldn't continue adding 1 push up per day while riding my bike well -- my arms were getting more and more tired every day (stronger, yes, but tired as well), and I wasn't able to use all my strength to hold my handlebars while climbing because they were achy/sore/tired-tired-tired. So my plan to continue for the year is to go by month: On July 1, I'll restart at #1 and continue through #31, and then I'll restart on August 1. Thirty-one is still quite a challenge, so it's not easy!

Also I've finished a few more books on my reading list, but I still have a few to go to complete 2013's list. Of course, I keep adding to it, but there's nothing wrong with that! I recently finished The Winner's Brain, Firehouse, and The Penny; I recently added How to Be a Best Friend Forever and How to Get a Date Worth Keeping (both sound like fun books, huh? :-)

** June 15, although day #167, was my day 165; I didn't check a calendar every day to see what day of the year it was; instead, I went by months and date in that month. So June 15 would have been 5 x 30 + 15 =  165 even though it was really day #166. In total through June 15, given that I skipped a couple, I completed 13,208 push ups (some military style, some girl style, some wall push ups, some railing push ups, but all push ups). Had I completed all 166 days' worth and not skipped any days, it would have been 13,861 pushups ([166 x 167] / 2).

What are you currently reading?

What's on your 2013 reading list?

Big Publix Trip

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a shopping trip, mainly because I haven’t made any good trips. But Friday I found some good sales at Publix and paid $45 for $90 worth of groceries (lots of real food, too, including veggies, chicken, and prepared lasagna, and also the essential TP and sandwich bags), and Saturday I found a couple things on clearance at Kroger, so here’s what I got, saving almost 50% at both Publix and Kroger.

Publix

Food (quantity)	Regular price	Sale price	Coupons	Final price
Celery (2)	2.99 (5.98)	2.69 (5.38)	--	5.38
Broccoli	2.99	2.50	--	2.50
Cauliflower	2.99	2.50	--	2.50
Carrots	1.89	--	--	1.89
Bananas	0.59/lb (2.47 lb)	--	--	1.46
Publix zip-top bags (2)	1.59 1.93	-- --	-- --	3.52
Cottonelle TP	9.19	6.49	$1/1 MQ	5.49
Breyers ice cream (2)	4.99 (9.98)	2.49 (4.99)	2 x $1/1 PQ	2.99
Motts Snack and Go applesauce (2)	2.79 (5.58)	2.00 (4.00)	2 x $1.10/1 MQ	1.80
Stouffers meals (2)	6.99 (13.98)	3.99 (7.98)	2 x $1.50/1 MQ	4.98
Barber chicken	13.99	9.99	$1/1 MQ	8.99
Santitas chips	2.00	--	--	2.00
Hershey’s Simple Pleasures	3.69	1.85	$1.50/1 MQ	0.35
Publix whole sub combo	9.09	7.49	$2/1 PQ	5.49
Green Giant veggies (2)	2.59 (5.18)	1.29 (2.59)	2 x $1/1 PQ	0.59
Extra Qs	--	--	$5/$50 Kroger CQ $1/1 Produce PQ $1/1 Deli PQ $2/$10 Produce CQ –9.00	49.90
Totals	90.05	63.17	8.70 MQ 8.00 PQ 7.00 CQ –23.70	40.90 + 4.49 tax 45.39 (saved $44.66 or 49%)

Kroger

Food (quantity)	Regular price	Sale price	Coupons	Final price
PowerBars (10)	1.00 (10.00)	0.49 (4.90)	2 x $1/5 MQ	2.90
Kroger pint ice cream	2.19	1.25	$0.40/1 MQ	0.85
Kroger sweet peppers	5.99	3.49	--	3.49
Tortilla chips	2.69	--	--	2.69
Kroger cookie cake	10.99	4.99	--	4.99
Coke 6-pack	3.99	2.00	--	2.00
Donuts (2)	0.65 (1.29)	--	--	1.29
Totals (17)	37.14	20.61	–2.40	18.21 + 1.65 tax 19.86 (saved $18.93 or 49%)

Tragedy

Support for Boston and all the runners

A few people have suggested wearing blue and race t-shirts today to show support for Boston, the Boston Marathon, the marathon runners, and all those affected by the tragic bombings on Monday during the race. My own city's race shirt was the best one for the job. I have no good words to describe how disheartening this is. AJ and I had been watching the entire elite race, and I felt like I'd been there all morning. SR shared this Chicago Tribune News link, which tells more about what happened. Obviously authorities are still trying to figure out what happened and who caused it. All I know is that it's unthinkable, devastating, and senseless.

It also makes me wonder what is going on on the running world. The New York Marathon was canceled by a so-called "Act of God" (all things are acts of God, but natural disasters like hurricanes tend to be referred to as that because they can't be better explained). This marathon was stopped due to ridiculous and heartless acts of men. God is allowing us to make our own decisions and do our own thing, and we are choosing to not follow Him. There are always consequences for that!

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18–32

My dear friend Anna's birthday presents

Newly planted poppies

I planted tomatoes and strawberries back on March 23. The tomato plants were over 3 inches tall and required replanting, so I bought a larger 3-pot planter and replanted both. Then I got a third plant, flowers, to fill the third pot once they start growing. Hopefully the two I moved still grow!

What's on sale at Kroger this week...

Weekend Pics

Had to sample...

I finally made time this weekend to decorate the cookies my mom sent me for Valentine's Day. This is one of them. And then I read the nutrition facts and laughed at the serving size. Though it is about what I ate of that cookie.

What a strange  serving size...

I did run to Kroger and Publix a few times: Publix for the Qs ($0.50/2 Cadbury Eggs MQs, which double) and Kroger for the sale (2/$1). So all these cost me only $0.50 in tax, and of course I have a plan for them that does not involve me eating them all.

Why yes, I did buy a couple dozen
Cadbury Eggs and rewrap them

Friday I ran a few miles on the treadmill, Saturday I rested, and Sunday I rode for 2 hours on the trainer. It snowed all day Saturday and although nothing stuck at all, it was cold and I couldn't make myself ride outside.

Did you know they make chocolate Cadbury Eggs?

I did not so I tried one, but I did not like it nearly as much as the original.

Why I Heart Publix

I went for a quick and pleasant hike at Radnor Lake, went home for dinner, and then went over to Publix for a few things. Bought a bit, saved a lot!

Publix Trip (2-25-13)

Item (Quantity)	Regular Price  (multiplied)	Sale Price	Coupons	Final Price
Coke 12- packs (3)	5.49 (16.47)	B2G1 (10.98)	2 x free MQ	$0.00
Green Giant veggies (2)	2.59 (5.18)	BOGO (2.59)	2 x $1/1 MQs	$0.59
Planters PB (2)	3.69 (7.38)	3.39 (6.78)	2 x $0.80/1 MQ BOGO PQ	$1.79
Skippy PB (2)	3.79 (7.58)	BOGO (3.79)	2 x $1.25/1 PQ	$1.29
Almond Breeze milk (2)	2.99 (5.98)	2.49 (4.98)	2 x $0.55/1 MQ $1/any dairy PQ (baby)	$2.88
Sundown vitamins (2)	3.79, 3.99 (7.78)	--	2 x $2/1 MQ 2 x $3/1 PQ	-$2.22
Bananas	0.59/lb (0.55)	--	$1/any produce PQ (baby)	-$0.45
Apples	1.29/lb (2.04)	--	--	$2.04
Tangerines (4)	0.40 (1.60)	--	--	$1.60
Totals: 16 items	$54.56	$41.09	$19.68 in MQs, $13.89 in PQs $2.00 Kroger Q	+$3.08 tax $8.62 total (saved $45.94, or 84%)

Basically I paid for the milk and the tax and got the rest for free. These are the best shopping trips!

Publix and Birthday Card

Inside: You couldn't do anything about
it, could you?

This card is for my mom for her birthday. I hope she appreciates it as much as my sisters and I do!

What I paid for. Yep, those are
peanut butter Oreos. YUM!!

What else I got, basically free with Qs

Publix Trip (2-18-13)

Item (Quantity)	Regular Price  (multiplied)	Sale Price	Coupons	Final Price
Oreos (2)	4.19 (8.38)	2.50 (5.00)	2 x $1/1 MQ	$3.00
EAS bars (2)	1.39 (2.78)	--	2 x $1/1 PQs	$0.78
EAS protein (1)	20.99	--	$3/1 MQ $3/1 PQ	$14.99
Hallmark Card (1)	2.79	--	--	$2.79
Hallmark tissue paper (1)	2.99	--	BOGO PQ	$0.00
Colgate toothpaste (2)	2.99 (5.98)	1.99 (3.98)	2 x $0.50/1 MQ (doubled)	$1.98
Yakisoba noodles (2)	0.99 (1.98)	BOGO (0.99)	2 x $0.50/1 MQ (doubled)	-$1.01
Hormel sides (4)	3.99 (15.96)	2.50 (10.00)	4 x $1/1 MQ	$6.00
Naked juice (1)	3.99	2.50	$1/1 MQ	$1.50
Totals: 16 items	$65.84	$52.02	$14 in MQs, $7.99 in PQs	+$4.35 tax $35.38 total (saved $30.46, or 46%)

Today was a much-needed rest day, so I walked a couple miles at lunch and then spent the rest of my training time rolling and stretching.

Happy 4th of July!

Tuesday hill ride, a day late

From the Kona, HI, parade

This is the first year I've lived here that I've skipped the Maryland Farms Y Firecracker 5K (2011, 2010, 2009). I just didn't want to get up early on a holiday. I woke up early anyways, walked a bit, and then met Anna for a hike at Percy Warner – my favorite hiking trail. We went fast today, too: it took us 1:20 to walk the 4.5 miles, and we usually do it in about 1:30. The main differences were we went the opposite direction (which is actually the slower way in my opinion because of some of the rocky places you have to go down) and we took water with us (which was definitely a good decision). Then we spent some time at the pool.

Crockett Park – I think all of Brentwood was there!

The sunset – the fireworks were there later

Later I went to Crockett Park for a concert by the Kadillacs and the Brentwood city fireworks. Thankfully there was a breeze and it cooled down to about 90* by the time the fireworks started (it was still hot!). I ended up walking 15 miles today...not sure I can consider this a rest day, but I didn't ride or lift, so rest it is.

AM walk

PM walk
The rest of the miles came from PW Park