Step away from the vodka...

I need to make a shirt that says...

Quick Mom needs her Vodka and Kettle Chips to calm her down! 

(BTW, I love vodka! especially absolut) 

Today was one of those days where I was trying to get work done and well, the kids are fighting. Most likely because they just want my attention. I thought working from home meant you get to play with your kids more? Boy was I wrong. 


Well Saturday I did get my 20 miler. My husband gave me a great piece of advice, "In a month, you won't remember how horrible this run was but you will reap the benefits of it in a month. Just get it done." I held onto that as mile 18 turned to a 9: 22 pace and mile 19 was a sad 9:45. Having said that it was 20 miles at 8:55 pace, not fast but not bad since I have not been longing long runs lately. 


Sunday I jogged out a 6.44 miler with 3 of them with a friend chatting. Yesterday I enjoyed a 3 miler with two friends and my two boys in the stroller and then a short 3 miler of negative splits with another friend. 


I notice that I run with my friends, a lot. I like to run with them, it's a great way to catch up on how they are doing and long my miles at the same time. That being said, I also enjoy solo runs once in a while. What about you do you like to run solo or run with friends? 


On the work front, check out the cute new hair-do's I've come up with. 

Being a mom inventor and self employed.

So  I invented a product called Hair Thingz. Most of my free time is working on that.

Back to the training part. I did get a 10 mile run in last night. It was cold, I had chest pains (from a cough I have had for the last week), a sinus infection, and a desire to stop after 7 miles. I pushed through and finished it. It may not have been pretty but it was done.

1-8:30 

2-8:42 

3-8:43 

4-8:40 

5-8:45 

6-8:59 

7-9:14 

8-8:49 

9-9:17 

10-9:10

Peacock!

Check out this cool necklace I managed to get as a free gift when I purchased my red dress at Charlotte Russe store. 

It was the perfect match to a dress I found at Goodwill last week for $3.49. I paired it with a tank and black leggings. Cuteness!

I managed my run last night. Eight miles at 8:54 pace. I was supposed to run 8 at 9:10 pace so that was close enough. Ran with my good friend Ed, he pops into town about once a month and we run and catch up on what the kids have been up to. It's an on going joke in our house that Ed is one of my many running boyfriends. It's great to have such a solid marriage you can joke about such things. I think one of the reasons that is the case is because I take such good care of my husband and he in returns takes such good care of me. So do you take care of your spouse? 

Running is fun!

That's right I said running is fun. Oh and it makes me happy, too. I've been back running for two weeks now. My husband say's I'm so much nicer and the kids are happy to be running, too. Today while the hubby ran his 5 miles, I took the kids on a walk/run. Alexis, Avery, and Alexander ran 1 mile. Ayden ran at least 1.25 miles if not more. He would run ahead and then run back, run ahead and then run back. When we turned around at the 1/2 mile mark he said he was not done. He declared he wanted more miles. The other kids clamored that they wanted at least 3 miles. I smiled and had to break their little hearts with a, sorry we only have time for 1 mile. Whoever thought I would have to argue with my kids that they can only run a mile today? When we arrived back at the car, Ayden demanded that he needed more miles. I relented with you can do hill repeats on that .10 hill while we wait for dad. That kids never stopped. Then when dad came back he ran another one just to show dad how fast he was. Cute.

(If you look in the distance you will see my oldest three way ahead of the baby)

I'm spoiled. My mom plays with the kids while I run or get my workouts in. My husband and I have arranged our whole schedule so I can pace lead in Portland on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. Vancouver on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings. How spoiled am I? So when asked what I want for Christmas all I can say is... to run with my family. That's all I need and want. I'm very blessed. My kids beg me to have one more minute reading. Or they beg me to go workout with me. Or they beg hubby and I to run with us. Yep I have a rough life. NOT!

Let's talk about breast's baby....

(singing to the tune of 'Lets talk about Sex, Baby by Salt 'N' Peppa)


Let's talk about breasts baby

Let's talk about you and me

Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that maybe

Let's talk about breasts

Let's talk about breasts for now to the people at home or in the crowd

They keep coming up anyhow

They bounce, flounce, and try to escape

Cuz that bra ain't gonna stop them

Now we talk about breast on the blogs and tube

Many will know anything goes

Let's tell how to keep them trapped

and how they should be

How they should be two boobs not one

Those who think it's dirty have a choice

OK, that's enough of that. Trust me I should not sing! Unless you are drunk then I sound like Pink!

A good bra is important... more important than a good pair of running shoes. Today I must implore my comrades in breasts. Large breasts. Listen, I like a friendly wave while running as much as the next gal, but really I prefer you use your hands to wave hello. Oh, don't look at me like that. You know when you see a woman running and you want to run with her to the closest running store to shell out the dough for a good sports bra. She looks like she is holding a pack of squirrels in her bra, fighting to get out. But here's the thing... running stores... we love you. You provide great shoes, cute running clothes, and gels galore. You suck in the bra department. Now I say that as a friend. It's great if you have a smaller chest. The handful bra is the best freaking bra for A/B cups. The best! But why when you get into C/D/DD you end up with iron maiden bras from some medieval time? Really. Why can't we have cute bras, too? Heck yeah, I want it all. Support, comfort, and cuteness! Is that so wrong? NOPE!

So I found this fantastic company that makes sports bras for the well-endowed runner. I present Kalyx bras.

This picture was taken by my 5 year old, Alexis.

I'd say ignore the stretch marks, but I don't really care. I had four kids and am proud of those stretch marks. (Sticking tongue out!)

The back of the Kickstart Bra

But back to the boobs.

I measure a 34C or 34D in some bras for 36C or 36D in other bras. Drives me nuts, why can't they all measure the same? Same thing with pants. Whoa... rant coming on... must focus on breasts... OK

This Company Kaylx, makes amazingly cute bras. They were kind enough to send me a bra to test and well, I had to order another. I am so happy I did. Today I am going to provide a review on the kickstart bra.

Here's what they say about the Kickstart bra:

Athletic Training Bra - the "Kickstart" sports bra

Get Sweaty, Betty in this cute comfort bra...also great for Pilates, yoga, rollerblading and fun in the sun!

Wonderful teen bra, great for California girls, too!

Now here's what I think:




I FREAKIN' LOVE THIS BRA!

This maybe labeled for lighter activities, but I disagree with that limitation. I used this bra for a workout in the House of Pain, yoga, Pilates, and for a 4 mile HARD run. I did 1/4 mile pick ups at 6 min pace and my boobs stayed put! It was a warmer day and I loved how freaking cute the back of the bra is. I work hard on my back and want to show it off. Now granted I wasn't thinking about the bra during my run at all. To me that means a fantastic bra. If you don't notice it and you can still breathe....hey folks, we have a winner.

So the next important question is, did I have to fight my way out of the dang thing? Oh, you know what I'm talking about. It's the half pee pee dance half drunken monkey act we do to get out of a sweaty sports bra. Listen guys... jock strap is a walk in the park to take off. Trying to take off a sweaty sports bra makes a mammogram feel like a cup of tea. (OK, nothing makes a mammogram feel easy, even 6 shots of gin. I'm just saying) I was able to take it off with ease. I highly recommend this bra for lifting, yoga, Pilates, and running. I might not recommend it for you lucky gals blessed with Full D's or DD's, but they have bras for you. (More on that in the next review)

The other bonus to this bra is...no uni-boob. This is nice to have that...um... cleavage alley open to ventilate. For some reason sports' bra manufactures think smashing the boobs together makes for a 'secure' package by making them immovable. Yeah, guys it doesn't work that way. Sometimes segregation can be a good thing. Let's also admit that the Kalyx is a flattering bra. I don't feel like my gals are waving to everyone I pass.

So if you gals are looking for a cute, comfortable bra, check out Kaylx. I am going to be ordering this Kickstart bra in the two other colors because I LOVE IT. Now go to their web site and tell them Angela sent you! Laugh and run on, my friends!

Eye candy!!

Here are some of my favorite running gear must have's:

Gymgirl ultra from http://www.skirtsports.com/

Kendall Kollection. LOVE this skirt

Wondergirl Tank Black.

Asics Arm Warmers

Today a great run. Met a friend for a quick four mile run. Not my fastest, but I can see my times getting down. I am hoping my 5K will be 7:30 pace by my May race. We will see. Pace leading is over for a few weeks, so I get to work on my pace for two extra runs.

This last two weeks here is what I have done:

Today:

 4 mile run. 1-8:00 2-7:44 3-8:49 4-8:53

Saturday:

2.75 miles Pacing one of my gals. 9 min pace

Friday:

10.5 mi / 01:36 09:08 pace Did first 6 miles at 8:28 pace, then met a friend for the rest. Felt ok until mile 8 then ouch...cramps...cramps..oh heck where is the bathroom cramps. At least the miles are in the bank.

Wednesday:

Swam in the am for an hour.

I took one of my son's to track with me. Ran about a mile or more with him, but only ran 1-400 (1:27) which is what was on tap for track. Oh well, at least time spent with my cute Ayden.

Tuesday:

House of Pain – 01:00 hour~ 

120 calf raises, 300 situps in sets of 50, hamstring curls 20 each leg, 3x 1 min wall squats holding 10lb weight with legs (think squeeze the 'no no' muscles), Ladder lunges. 30 second to do 1 lunge each leg. Then 30 second to do 2 each leg. Your rest is how much time you have left. After 10 lunges each leg you get 1 min to complete. I got upto 20.

Monday:

6 mi / 00:52 ~ 08:39 pace  Slow, calf sore. One really big hill slowed me way down. Good run with a friend, so it went really quickly as we chatted like old bitties the whole way

Saturday:

April 3

Pace lead run – 11 mi

Sometimes it hurts to run slower. My gal had a rough time holding the pace, we had to slow way down. I did have her at 9:13 pace for the 8 miles, then she tanked with those dread 'I'm gonna poop myself' cramps. So we cut the miles short. Oh well, I'll just have to go back to running extra miles before pace leading.

Friday:

April 2

House of Pain – 01:00 Arms, press, lat press, bench incline and on flat bench. Ouch my pecks hurt. Then 1/2 hour of massage/stretching from my coach. I cried like a little baby. But my calf and hammy doesn't hurt as bad.

Thursday:
April 1

First Thursday Run – 6.5 mi / 00:50 07:41 pace First Thursday run. It's fun to run with friends and hubby. I always push myself harder. Kicked ASS! But had stop breaks at lights and crossings so could catch my breath.

Wednesday:

March 31

track – 3.5 mi 12x200 with 200 rec jog

Tuesday:

March 30

great4 x .25 mile hill repeats. – 3.1 mi 4 x .25 mile hill repeats with 1 short hill repeat (1:36-1:31-1:36-1:42~~:40)
House of Pain for 1 hour

Monday:

March 29

Swim – 01:10 freestyle for 1 hour 10 mins. Must learn to pace in pool. first 1/2 hour was fast, slowed way down rest of swim. Great workout.

Saturday:
March 27

Pace leading run. – 11 mi / 01:42 09:16 paceTrying to get my gal to run 9:20 pace, she did really well. Proud of her

Friday:

March 26

12 mile Bike ride to mark course for Saturday's run

4 mile run with hubby

Thursday:

March 25

House of Pain – 01:00 45 hamstring ups on step each side-45 double hamstring ups-45 lunge lifts each leg-45hamstring with ball- calf raises foot straight, foot in, foot out and then single leg straight, in and out. Total of 270 calf raises (my arch cramped) 2-1 min chair po... read more

45 hamstring ups on step each side-45 double hamstring ups-45 lunge lifts each leg-45hamstring with ball- calf raises foot straight, foot in, foot out and then single leg straight, in and out. Total of 270 calf raises (my arch cramped) 2-1 min chair pose knees in perfect par to gound (ouch quads pissed here) 50 twist lunges each leg with 20lbs-50 8count bodybuilders-50 push ups Now that's how we do it in the House Of Pain. Now you know why I call it that.

Wednesday:

March 24

Swim in am for an hour

Track Did 30x`00's and 2x800's 4 miles ish? more?

Tuesday:

March 23

Hill repeats – 3 mi 1.25 mile warm up. 2 long hill repeats and 2 short hill repeats.

1:36-1:34 -:39-:44-:39-:37 1.25 mile cool down. I would love to be done with this broncitis. Any day now.
Then House of Pain – 01:00hour 21 curl ups-15# ~300 sit ups~50 ab swing legs w/ partner throwing them~recline curls w/ 25# 45 of them~10-8-6 pull ups with partner help~10#'s row ups, v ups, and snatch 45 of them~30 side leg lifts with partner help in side plank

Monday:
March 22-freaking broncitis.

There that should give you an idea of my workouts.