Couch to 5K

I've been absent from the blogging world lately, and I have had a few people remind me of this. With the nice summer weather and two vacations in a row, I just haven't had time or the motivation to keep up with blogging. Vacation pictures and details will have to wait. Today I want to record my latest exercising adventure.

I am not a runner. I never was a runner. Not even in high school. When it came time for the dreaded mile run in PE class, I just felt sick. I never could run the whole thing. Heck, I don't think I could run one whole lap around the track. So when I heard a few of my friends had started training for 5K, 10K, and marathon races, I was a little intrigued. Back in the day, I wouldn't have classified either of these friends as "runners." And so to hear that they were running, I developed a desire to give it a try.

A few weeks back, I researched the Couch to 5K program. It's a 9 week program that starts off with walking and running a few minutes at a time and at the end you should be able to run 3 miles or 30 minutes solid. It's a 3 days a week program, but we run 5 days a week.

I asked my sister-in-law, Kim, if she had any interest in being my running partner, and we both decided to give it a try. The first few nights were really hard for me, but I can honestly say that each night gets easier. We are currently on week three.

Week one: 5 minute warm-up walk. Then run 1 minute, walk 1.5 minutes. Repeat the running/walking for 20 minutes.

Week two: 5 minute warm-up walk. Then run 1.5 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat the running/walking for 20 minutes.

Week three: 5 minute warm-up walk. Then run 1.5 minutes, walk 1.5 minutes. Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Then repeat the running/walking one more time.

Week four: 5 minute warm-up walk. 3 minute run, 1.5 minute walk. 5 minute run, 2.5 minute walk. 3 minute run, 1.5 minute walk. 5 minute run.

Week five: 5 minute warm-up walk each day.
Day 1: 5 minute run, 3 minute walk, 5 minute run, 3 minute walk, 5 minute run.
Day 2: 8 minute run, 5 minute walk, 8 minute run.
Day 3: 20 minute run.

Week six: 6 minute warm up walk each day.
Day 1: 5 minute run, 3 minute walk, 8 minute run, 3 minute walk, 5 minute run.
Day 2: 10 minute run, 3 minute walk, 10 minute run.
Day 3: 25 minute run.

Week seven: 5 minute warm-up walk. 25 minute run.

Week eight: 5 minute warm-up walk. 28 minute run.

Week nine: 5 minute warm-up walk. 30 minute run.

I'm so proud of us for doing this. I could barely run for 1 solid minute before starting C25K. Now I'm up to running for 3 minutes straight. That's a huge accomplishment for me. Hopefully I'll make it to the end!

Beach Time

We had a great time at the beach the other morning. We went with some friends and had lots of fun. The first thing Orin did, before I could set down any of our stuff, was run right into the water with his shoes and clothes on. He knew what we were there for! The water was warm and the sun was out which made for a beautiful morning at the beach.

Toy Box King

Here is Orin's new favorite thing to do as of a few days ago. Instead of reaching in to pull out toys, he climbs into the toy box to play. And when he's done, he climbs back out.

Mr. Ornery

We have one ornery little boy on our hands! Can you tell? Ryan asked me the other day, "Do you think you could love him anymore if you tried?" No, I'm one hundred percent positive that I couldn't!

July 4th

We were tempted to go to my hometown's celebration for the 4th of July, but when we realized that traveling for that weekend would mean that we would be traveling every weekend in July, we decided to celebrate at home.

I'm so glad we did, because we ended up spending a very relaxing few days at home just as the three of us. Saturday, we packed up and went shopping for a few things and to enjoy a lunch out at Red Robin. It was Ryan's first time, and I think he plans to go back sometime. We also went to Old Navy and picked up flip flops for $1. All three of us got new flip flops to wear!

Sunday, we went to church in our red, white, and blue. I couldn't resist when I realized that it was possible for us all to coordinate. I couldn't figure out the timer on my old camera (my good camera is getting repaired), so we had to skip the family picture. This is what we got:


And Monday, we went to fireworks. It was Orin's first time seeing fireworks, and we weren't sure what he would think about them. We hoped he wouldn't get scared with the booms. He loved them! He would point at the sky each time he saw a new firework light up. The poor kid was so confused on why he was getting drug out of bed at 9:30. He held tight to his blanket and pacifier the whole time we were gone. And he conked out as soon as we got out of the parking lot to come home. He was one tired boy!

Father's Day 2010

Ryan and I were away from our little man for a short vacation a while back, and it just so happened to fall over Father's Day weekend. We had a great time with all our friends, 8 couples to be exact, but we missed our little boy tremendously!! I wanted to make sure to do something special for Ryan as soon as we got home as a way to celebrate him being a great daddy to Orin.

Orin and I made up a bunch of clues and placed them all over the house. We gave Daddy the first clue and sent him off on the hunt.

Orin wanted to help Daddy look and gather the clues.




We found the presents!!


I'll help you open them!


This looks like a good place to plop down.


First Daddy opened the coffee mug from Orin:


Then he opened a very special painting:


I think it is safe to say that he enjoyed the hunt for the treasures!