Adventures in Sweets and Cross Training

Last week wasn't a great eating week for me. I still continued eat pretty healthy meals for the most part, but between meals I digressed quite a bit. Monday our neighbors came by with Girl Scout cookies and we were not going to turn them down. They are great neighbors, so we bought 4 boxes. Since I am at work more than I am at home, fortunately I haven't taken too big of a calorie hit because of this.

Tuesday was Valentine's Day, and our truly awesome office manager baked us the most adorable cupcakes. Of course I had to have one!

My husband took me out to dinner for Valentine's Day, the meal was a fixed menu, and came with this dessert which was lovely. It was a French restaurant, so I'm sure our meal was full of all the fatty, caloric goodness that makes French food good. Fortunately the portions were small.

 Then on Wednesday, I had another cupcake. Damn. For breakfast!

Thursday, our partner's daughter came in, and guess what? She was selling Girl Scout Cookies! I somehow managed to limit myself to 2 boxes and promptly opened one and put it in the office kitchen so other people (not me) would eat them. The other box is stashed away in one of my desk drawers.

So....about that cross-training. I have finally decided to sign back up at the CRC. I went this weekend and I realized how much I missed it! My boys went to Kids Club and had fun playing. I did 50 minutes of circuit training and ran over 2 miles on the treadmill. My body was not used to doing weights so I am a little sore still but I feel great. I figure I can workout there some Fridays when I work from home, and on the weekends when I am not running with Scrappy Mama. Also this week the kids are out of school, so instead of getting them ready and shuffling them out the door I can get up early and work out! OR, I can sleep in. We'll see.

I have a couple weeks until I do the Montara Trail Run and want to be as strong as I can. There is no doubt I will finish it, and no doubt I will have a great time. I am really looking forward to it! This past weekend I took my family out to Harvey Bear Ranch Park so they can see where I have been training. The kids had a blast,  and it was good to get my sore legs out and moving. I think Chip was somewhat shocked and impressed that I run out there. It was a great family activity and a wonderful, long weekend!

How have you been doing in the food department? Keeping it clean and lean? Hope your Presidents Week is going well!  Stay fit and fabulous, friends!

Amazing Trail Run

Civilization over yonder

Well so, its winter right? Where I live in the Bay Area, we have been begging for rain. Our beloved Sierras, which are about 4 hours north of us are no good for skiing weekends if we don't get some snow. We were fortunate to get a few days of rain recently and many folks anxious for snow sports even headed to the mountains last week. It was short lived, and by this past weekend we were experiencing mid-60's and sunny! Friday I went on a 3 mile walk with my ex-running buddy and Saturday Scrappy Mama and I hit the trails at Harvey Bear Ranch Park.

Beautiful scenery

It was a gorgeous Saturday and we were happy to be out. The previous weekend the trails were closed due to the rain so we only managed a pretty wet, flat 4-miler. This time we decided to check out some new terrain. We checked out the map before we started but besides having a good idea of where we were and where we were going, we had no idea what the trail was going to be like. It was super fun cresting peaks and turning corners not quite sure what we were going to find. While there were some nice vertical climbs most of it was a decent grade and it wasn't too challenging to run the whole thing. The distance was 6 miles so I have a pretty good idea of what to expect when I do the Montara Trail Run in March. Although, that race is just south of San Francisco so I do anticipate it will be less  sunny, cooler, and perhaps even wet! I am very, very excited!!

Friends we encountered on the way

Thank goodness my phone had service up there because I was late getting home in time for Chip to head to Monkey's baseball meeting. Fortunately he was able to take the boys and wasn't upset in the slightest. Another key to a successful fitness plan when you are a working mom...a good support system! I feel pretty fortunate that my husband is encouraging when it comes to exercise. Now if only we worked the same type of schedule, wouldn't that be nice?

I was on a runners high all day but that night and the next day I was beat. My legs were a little sore, and I did some stretching and yoga. It was a truly fun running adventure!

Can you think of any super fun runs or workouts you've done lately that stand out? What made them so awesome?

Making The Most of Outdoor Exercise in Winter

Pretty view on our descent

I know I have lamented the loss of my regular running buddy due to a foot injury many times here, and okay, okay, I won't do it again. I have also mentioned Scrappy Mama who is someone I knew through work many years ago that happens to live in the same town. We started meeting up over a month ago to run, and I was very excited! But like all new relationships/friendships, you never know how its going to turn out. I wondered, Will I slow her down? and also, Will she be reliable? It turns out that yes, she is in a bit better shape than me - and also almost 10 years younger, might I add - and she IS reliable! I know that committing to run with someone early in the morning on the weekend may sound good but when you are cuddling with your babies and the internet is telling you its 40*, you may start to change your mind. Well, she's been great. And I wouldn't say I hold her back that much. Just when we are doing crazy trails at Harvey Bear Ranch Park, the vertical climb kills me and I do ask to stop and walk when the need arises. I love feeling challenged like this, and my goal this year to is to keep up!

This is before we came up on 3 wild boars!

I have registered for a trail 10K in March! All by my lonesome. It is about an hour away, and I plan to make a weekend of it with my family if I can move afterward! I could not be more psyched, although a little scared. I've done 10K's plenty of times but never a trail 10K. It's going to be so awesome!

My old running buddy is not completely out of the picture. We are actually still meeting up, but for walks instead. The cool thing is we are actually hiking, so its more challenging than your typical walk and we can still talk and catch up. I love that I have so much nature so close to me! I feel very fortunate.

Hiking above the clouds at El Toro Mtn

 I have even been getting my family "off road". This past weekend Chip, Monkey, Buddha and I went to hit the trail I normally run on by my house, which I have posted many-an-asphalt photo before. This time, at the suggestion of Monkey we took the road less (paved) traveled and explored many of the other trails that are off the beaten path near Coyote Creek Trail. It was fun!

The boys really enjoyed being little explorers

So while I have not been getting outdoors to run alone in the dark before work, I have still managed to make the most of my weekends and not be all about the treadmill and DVDs. But those have their place as well. Stay tuned for my thoughts of Bethenny Frankel's new Skinnygirl Workout DVD.

Do you manage to get out much for exercise in winter? Or do you hit the gym when the temperatures drop? I'm sure my California "winter" pictures make some of you roll your eyes!


Stay fit and fabulous! 


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