Spring Bike Racing

One of the things I look forward to most in the spring is bike racing.

 

This past weekend, we went to the San Tan Crit in Mesa to watch Lance race.

 

He worked hard and placed 7th, but it just wasn't Team Jetset's day.

(He made up for it the next day, placing 2nd in the Hungry Dog Crit.) 

 

Even the kids got in on the action by racing in the kids' race.

 

And, Max managed to get the win in his first bike race.

 

 

 

 

 

On the podium!

 

 Even little Ruby Reedy got into racing!

 My niece, Lila, brought her stylish self out to cheer on her dad and uncle.

Phoenix Marathon 2013

For the last 4 month, I have been training with the Las Sendas Run*Bike*Tri group...My new best friends!

 

I had my sights on a PR(personal record) and a BQ (Boston qualifying time). I was fully confident that I'd prepared perfectly.

 

I had trained hard.

 

I had eaten right.

 

I had taken every precaution to avoid the dreaded colds and flu running rampant.

 

I was ready.

 

On Friday afternoon, I woke from a nap and felt something was off.

 

I was getting sick.

 

By 9:00pm, I was feeling awful. I sent Lance to the store for some non-drowsy cold medicine.

 

I woke up at 3:45am Saturday morning determined to finish the race if it killed me.

 

Before leaving, I took Tylenol Cold Medicine for my misery, Excedrin Migraine for my pounding headache, and Aleve for my nagging sore leg.

 

In retrospect, too many drugs! But, I was desperate and miserable.

 

As I stood at the start line and yawned, I questioned my decision to continue.

 

Well, the at this point the race is sort of a blur. I remember feeling happy and then, it just hurt.

 

I crossed the finish line in 3:54, tying my PR.

 

I got my medal.

 

Enough said.

(The best support team a girl could ask for)

 (Not happy. Crossing the finish line)

 

 (My great friend, Keisa... The fastest girl in town)

 

(Las Sendas Run*Bike*Tri group. Great training partners)

 

(Nycole and Brenda... We ran most of our long training runs together and at a few donuts!)

My Pre-teen

As of February 24, I have a pre-teen in the house!

 

Max turned 12 years old.

 

My energetic and inquisitive boy has made me proud in so many ways and as he grows up,

 

I am reminded how much he is like his momma!

 

Sensitive, anxious, and introspective... no question he is mine.

 

 

 (Queen Creek League Champs, Winter 2013)

Holiday Photos

This year for Christmas cards, I chose to just take some photos of the kids while we were at a Runyan family photo shoot.

 

I decided Lance needed another year to wrap his head around professional photos with the kids.

 

That first one after we were married was a little traumatic for him.

 

So, I quickly just snapped a few of the kiddos on my own.

 

(what a tiny family I married into...)

 

 

A Big Day

On November 24th, Lance and I were sealed in the Mesa Temple.

It was a very personal and special moment for the both of us...

quiet, simple, & perfect.

Las Vegas Ragnar 2012

 My last Ragnar!

We competed under the name "You've Been Chicked!"

Terrible winds and cold temperatures made my legs of the course less than enjoyable.

Still, the company made it worth it!!

Women's Half 3:44

     On November 4th, I ran the Women's Half Marathon from downtown Scottsdale to Tempe Town Lake. With Boston in my sights, I've been really focusing on getting faster. Months ago, I shed the Garmin and started letting my body tell me how hard and fast to run. I joined a running group which has pushed me beyond what I would ever be willing or able to do on my own. So, going in, my goal was to PR. In the end,  I shaved 2 minutes off of my last half marathon time and I'm totally happy with that. 3:44

24 Hrs. of Fury

Last weekend, Lance competed with his 3 buddies in 24 Hrs. of Fury Mt. Bike race at McDowell Mountain. 

 

Each team was made up of 4 riders and they took turns taking laps throughout the 24 hrs.

 

His team impressively defended their title!

 

Halloween 2012

Oh, Halloween seems to get extended longer and longer every year around here.

The amount of candy gathered over the several days of trunk-or-treating, trick-or-treating, and church/school/family parties is obscene.

My three kiddos managed to finally come up with costumes at the last minute (Max alternated between two).

 

 

Utah Getaway

In September, Lance and I made our way up to Utah for one of Lance's best friend, Tim's wedding.

 

We didn't waste any time and got in our fill of biking and running.

 

I even met up with an old high school friend, Brandon. And, we did a gorgeous trail run along the Utah mountains.

 

Some Day

Today it's been 5 years since I lost my mom to cancer.

This year she would have turned 63.

I miss her everyday, but the anniversary of her death always seems to bring about more pain than all of the other 364 days of the year.

I wish she were here.

I wish she could see how my kids have grown.

If she were here today, she would be sitting with them and gushing over their progress reports, explaining how important school is, and surprising them with treats and rewards for their hard work.

If she were here today, she'd be in the stands at the boys' basketball games cheering louder than anyone.

She'd be able to see the loving mothers that my sister and I have become because of her.

She'd be able to know my husband and be happy I finally found a really good guy.

I know she knows these things, but I want to see her joy and I want to see her smile.

Some day.

Some day.

Friday Favorites

I just finished a substitute Kindergarten job. It was 2 1/2 weeks with some little cuties.

But, I'm tired and ready for some r&r. I have a weekend to look forward to including a nice trail run, basketball games, and dinner with my husband, who I haven't seen enough of lately.

 

Time for some of the things I'm loving right now...

 

Friday Favorites

These are new and amazing! The blueberry graham cracker is yummy, too!

 

 With all the trail running I've been doing, one of these has become necessary!

 

 

The conventions! I love everything politics and American History & national conventions are a significant part of our election process. Whichever side I'm sitting on, I watch it all.

 

Educational websites! I love the endless number of school help websites out there today. I used handwritingworksheets.com to make personalized practice sheets for kindergarten and love mathaids.com to help my kiddos with math concepts and test preparation.

 

I have limited my soda intake, but I'm not a water drinker. So, how do I get several glasses down a day? Lots & lots of ice and splashes of unsweetened juice. R.W. Cherry juices and Fresh & Easy unsweetened juices are my favorites.

Someone really should save me from InSession. I am convinced I should have been a prosecuting attorney! ...or Constitutional Law attorney! Hmmm.

 

I loved these as a kid and unfortunately picked up a box over the weekend. I have been through 3 boxes this week. Darn all-American candy.

 

Happy Weekend!

I'm Subbing!

I'm doing a long term substitute job right now in a kindergarten classroom.

I have 21 of the most adorable, precocious little 4 and 5 year olds.

The thing is, I'm exhausted.

My legs hurt from standing all day

and

my throat is raw and sore from talking for six hours at a time.

I've said it before and it's worth repeating...

TEACHERS HAVE ONE OF THE HARDEST JOBS IN THE WORLD!

Lunch Box Jokes

I have found several school lunch box notes online and love to hide them in the kids' lunches. I came across these cute lunch box jokes to drop in their lunches as well.  Here they are...

To get them, click here!

Winning Stuffed Mushroom Recipe

Artichoke Spinach Dip Stuffed Mushrooms

I found this recipe on Thin Eating Well, Living 's website. Lance and I are serious mushroom fans and probably eat a few lbs of them a week, so I was immediately drawn to a recipe that paired cheese (another favorite) with mushrooms!

I altered the recipe a bit and the results are so yummy!

Enjoy...

20-25 crimini or white mushrooms
4 ounces (1/2 pkg)  cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup mayonnaise
One 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, squeezed to remove excess liquid and finely diced
1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan (not shredded – the powdery fresh from the deli-cheese case)
Pinch cayenne pepper

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wipe mushrooms clean; remove stems and gently scoop out the gills to make room for the filling.

-In a large bowl combine the cream cheese, mayo, diced artichoke hearts, spinach, garlic, sugar, Parmesan, and cayenne. Fill each mushroom cap with 1 tablespoon of dip mixture. Place on a baking sheet (with sides, as the mushrooms will release liquid) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and the filling is golden. Serve warm. Makes approx 10 servings of 2 pieces each.