Weekend What's Up!

Another weekend logged in the books!

I am guilty of wishing time away, y'all...
In less than 2 weeks, I'll be back up in PA again!
I can't wait to see a TON of my favorite people, but more specifically, my nieces!!
The only thing better than being a mommy is being an auntie!! :)

Ignore the freak on the right...isn't my niece, Camdyn, gorgeous?!?!

Sweet, sweet baby Claire

And this little cutie, I haven't seen since the first weekend in March. 
              :( #sademoticon
And when I do see her in 2 weeks, she'll officially be 11 months.
              :( :(  #doublesademoticon
Almost a year old!!!
(Make sure y'all are following my super creative sister's blog cos with a Panda-themed first birthday party, there's sure to be a post about all things DIY panda decor!!)


Anywho...back to the weekend that was...
Friday evening we went to my husband's little cousin's (as well as some other sweet little 4 and 5 year-olds that are in our life!!) Pre-K graduation.
I, however, took no pictures because my 20 month old had me chasing him around in the back!


Saturday morning, I woke up, did the 30 Day Shred and then woke my boys up.
We headed down to the trail that is seriously like 2 minutes by our house where the local hospital had organized a 5k.
It was a free event (just bring items to donate to the food pantry) and they organized it to promote healthy living.
I loved the idea...a free 5k to get people out there!
There was a very small crowd and it was a very low key event, but I think they have potential to grow it into something!

I actually finished 5th!
Since it was so informal, and since a lot of us depend on our GPS through our phones, when I finished it said it was only 2.91 miles. Oh well!! At least we all got out there and got active!

My husband ran it and pushed Royce too and he finished 8th! I was quite proud of him (them)!

After the race, we went to the spring fest our little town was having then spent the rest of the day hanging out!
It was a nice little day with my nice little family!


Sunday, I woke up, shredded, then wrote on diapers.

We were throwing a dear friend a baby shower and her baby-on-the-way has some medical issues.
So they have a long road ahead of them when the sweet little boy finally arrives, and my friend has hung tight to God's word to get her through all of these unknowns.
So, my sister-in-law and I looked up some verses/words of encouragement to write on the diapers so it's like a little pick-me-up when you least expect it!! :)

Then, we went to church.

Is it sad that I got more out of watching a church service on TV than I have out of the last couple of churches I've visited this past month?!?
Well, I did...
And it was so cute to see Royce clapping and swaying to the worship songs.
In his diaper.
While da-da and ma-ma laid on the couches in their PJs.
Don't judge us.

Then it was time to get ready for the shower.

I didn't take any pictures at the shower, but we decorated it up nice, y'all! ;)
And she got lots of stuff!
And speaking of stuff...I totally STUFFED my face!!

And because I only ran not even 3 miles on Saturday I had planned to run some time on Sunday.
But when I got home, the couch was calling my name.
So I didn't run.
And then I read this status on Facebook

Slap in the face!

Oh well!! It was a great little weekend!!

Make it a great Monday!!

3 weeks in!!

First things first...
Thank you to all the sweet comments from yesterday's post reassuring me of my running ability.
I'm often too hard on myself when it comes to my time/pace/distance...
Sometimes I need to just forget about all of that and just enjoy the ride!!

Yesterday, I tried my hand at Yasso 800s for my speed work.
I intended to do 4 intervals of a half mile in 4 minutes followed by a slow jog/walk for 4 minutes.
I only completed 3 intervals!

Perhaps it was the 84 degree weather.
Or perhaps this was pretty intense!!
I DO NOT like to have to walk when I go for a RUN.
So, I fully intended to slow jog on the 4 minute recover intervals.
But I had to walk...twice!

I was slightly bummed that I didn't complete the intended 4 intervals.
This is where a running group or at least a dedicated partner would have pushed me to get that last interval done.

But I was also super proud of those 3 completed intervals!
It was tough!
Which tells me it's worth it!! :)

Side note...I need your help!
I bought a pair of shorts from the Victoria's Secret VSX line and they're ok, but I have tree trunks for thighs, so I haven't found a pair of shorts that don't ride up my thicky thick thighs.

Please impart to me your wisdom on running shorts!!


Now, on to the #4MChallenge.
I'm sure we could all agree that Ms. Michaels does not like to wait!


<center> <a href="http://statigr.am/tag/4MChallenge" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/K_Fievel/4MChallenge_button3_zps63db381b.png" width="300" /></a></center>
I'm going strong on every day and still enjoying it!

Sure, the past couple of mornings have been difficult to get out of bed, but I have to remind myself of how I feel when it's done and I manage to drag myself out of bed!!

Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred is delightful.
Jillian tells me my "shoulders should be burning right now" and dammit if that ain't the truth!

I don't know what my measurements are to this point, but I feel like I see some muscle definition/smaller love handles in certain areas! :)
Yeah, B&A's!!!

That's all for today, my dears!!
TGIF!!

Let's get back to Running, Shall we?!?

I. Am. Tired. Y'all!
Now hold on...Don't even go there!
I know the pregnancy bug has been going around, but it has not hit this girl!
I'm not entirely sure why I'm so gosh darn tired.

Sure, I've been getting up at 6am every single morning.
But I've been going to bed at 10pm.
I've been working out like a haus but isn't that supposed to give you more energy?
Meh! I guess some days we're just more tired than others.

Let's move on, shall we?!?

I haven't blogged about running in quite some time.
I've still been running.
I just haven't been running well.

I was really starting to pride myself in an average sub 9 minute mile.
And then I came to the realization that the My Fitness Pal app I have been using is pretty inaccurate.

So I switched and tried Run Keeper and Nike +
I would run both of these apps simultaneously and they were tit for tat as far as distance and pace goes.
I asked for your advice on IG and Nike + won out by like one vote.

So I've been using Nike + as of late.

(P.S. I want to add more of you!! My only friend on the app is Miss Sparklin One and I want more friends!! It totally motivates me when it shows me that "my friend" has worked out. Gets my butt up and running! So tell me how to find you or look for me "KyraTanner")

Anyway, I was pretty devastated to learn that I wasn't as fast as I thought I was.

 Remember...I was consistently getting under 9 minutes per mile no matter what distance I ran on MapMyRun

I was constantly comparing my time to anyone that was faster.
I wrote this post about how I wanted to beat all these people in my next race.
My arrogance was taking over.
And slowing me down.

I'm a very competitive person.
I am constantly trying to be faster...
Trying to beat my previous times.
And that's OK.
It's OK to push myself to be better and better each time.
It's OK to make goals and strive to achieve them.

It's not OK when that competitiveness starts getting out of hand.
When I start comparing myself...my running ability...to others.
When I want to beat this person or that person's time.
When I see a faster time of someone else and get mad or upset or bummed that I didn't go that fast on a certain day.


I am here today to tell you, I am working on that pride and competitiveness when it comes to comparing myself to others.
My time compared to your time does not define me.

What defines me is my effort to push myself further and faster and harder because that's only helping to mold and create a better ME.

I'm not gonna lie and say this will be easy.
I will constantly have to remind myself that my progress is my progress and is not measured by anyone else's progress.
I've compared myself to others my whole life.
I've never felt like I was good enough.
Always thinking if I were skinnier, prettier, richer, faster, stronger, more popular, funnier...the list goes on...
then I would have finally made it in life.

Guess what?!?!
I have made it in life.
Because I am Me.

Wow, that was pretty deep for someone so exhausted!! 
:)

I've already started adopting this attitude and I had a great run on Tuesday!

This is 6 seconds slower than my fastest 5k time!
I was stoked because I felt like the speed training and cross training I've been doing this month are actually working!!
On my training schedule for this month I've set up Tuesday's to run 3.1 miles (5K) at pace (meaning the pace I would like to run in an actual race).
And Thursday's are set up to be Speed Work.

Today, I am excited to try Yasso 800's in which Elle Noel so kindly explained in this post the other day!
My goal marathon time is 4 hours as well, so I will be running a half mile (800 meters) in 4 minutes, followed by a slow jog for 4 minutes and repeat for a total of 4 rounds.



Now, allow me to brag on my husband for a hot minute.
He's been walking fairly regularly and last night about 8:30pm he decided he was gonna go out for a brisk walk/jog.
He came back after 2 miles and this pace...

I was pretty amazed and proud of him!
That's a great pace for someone who kind of "just started" running!

Here's to a fabulous day, folks!

Wonderful Weekend and a Winner!

Good Monday morning, my people!!
I am in a stellar mood!!
I think I'm still reeling from a really great Mother's Day yesterday!
Or just a really great weekend in general!

On Saturday, I woke up at 5:40 am....no alarm!!
I got up and got my sweat sesh on with Ms Michaels.
I then proceeded to cuddle with my baby boy, foam roll, and get in 6 miles all before lunch time!

So, since I did all that, I sat and watched and took pictures of my boys getting our garden all set up for summertime!

I'm so excited!
This year we'll have Watermelon, Squash, Zucchini, Green Beans, Butter Beans, Banana Peppers and Tomatoes!

After naps and showers we got our redneck on for a 9-year-olds Duck Dynasty birthday party!!

I may or may not have participated in a doughnut eating contest in which I tied for the win by eating 4 doughnuts... #dietfail


Sunday morning, my baby boy was up bright and early at 5:30 am.
He must have wanted to spend EXTRA time awake with his mommy on Mother's Day!

I got my shred on and went to church with my guys!
(Where I won a little gift for being the youngest mother. You know it's mostly and older congregation when the youngest mother there is 30!!)

And oh yeah, I got my Mother's Day gift!

I've been talking about wanting a fire pit for at least a year now!
I love it! And it was absolutely perfect out yesterday to enjoy it and make s'mores!!

I took a much needed nap with my baby boy then got up and cleaned since the in-laws were coming for dinner.
My husband cooked us some steaks and potatoes and it was delicious!!
(So delicious, hungry girl didn't even think to take a picture to give props to my hubs!!)

I then got a sweet gift from my in-laws

I've been eying some Oragmai Owl for a few months now!
I was shocked to get one.
I've already started thinking about more charms I want to add to it!

The night was complete by sitting out by the fire, drinking a Summer Shandy and eating S'mores.
It was truly a perfect day.
Aside from all the crying!
I was extremely emotional yesterday.
I was so overcome with emotional joy of how blessed I truly feel to be this little guy's momma!

He's the best thing.
My world.
And I couldn't love him anymore than I already do.
I love being a mom.
Being his mom.
And I truly felt appreciated and know that I have the best "job" in the world.
There's nothing else I'd rather do!

Which reminds me....
Thank you to everyone who entered the Mother's Day Giveaway!
We have a winner, folks!!

Kristie P at PG Sisters!!!!!
I had to be sure to post pictures showing I didn't rig this!!!

Seeing as how I kind of called Kristie out in the initial post about the giveaway...comparing her to Mrs. Duggar.
Kristie is supermom to 4 sweet little kids!!
Well deserved!
Email me, Kristie, so we can figure out how we're gonna fit 19 kids on one pendant! ;)


Hope everyone has a great Monday!!

Level 1 Complete

It is May 10th, my friends!
Which means I have 10 days of the 30 Day Shred under my belt.
Dunzo.
Complete.
Moving on to Level 2!



I've woken up every week day by 6 am and put in the work.
Which means I've also been in bed every week night by 9:30 pm.

I made time throughout my crazy whirlwind, last minute trip to PA last weekend to get it done.

I can't lie though...
Last Sunday, I contemplated missing that day. But I kicked those nasty thoughts cos baby got back and got my shred on at 7pm.
Monday morning, Royce was up at 5:40am screaming and crying. (teething is the devil!) So I brought him out to the couch with Mickey on the iPad so I could get my date with Ms. Michaels in.
On Tuesday morning, I contemplated sleeping in and getting to it later. But I knew that when "later" came, I wouldn't want to do it then.
Yesterday morning I wasn't as eager to get out of the bed, but I got out. One foot on the floor at a time!

You know what slaps me out of the don't wants?
Sure, I want the results.
And I know how awesome I feel when it's done.
But putting that gold star on my completed day...THAT'S what makes my ass stick to it every day.

That 3.6 miles instead of 5 on Wednesday was due to the thunderstorm. I plan to make up for it on Saturday!

 

That sense of accomplishment when I put that sticker on my calendar is really monumental for me.
(Ok, and I'm a total nerd that loves checking off items on a to do list!)
The pride of knowing that I'm making the effort and working for the results that I want.

I LIVE for a goal to work towards.
Something to train for.
It's what gets me moving.
What gets me to wake up in the morning!

I cannot say thank you enough to you ladies (Love you, Team KLM!!) that got this challenge up and going.
For getting the ball rolling by saying you'd do this with me so I could be held accountable!

And I'm stoked to have everyone else along for the ride getting their workout on and getting those results!!

So tell me, cos I'm dying to know...

How is the #4MChallenge going for YOU?!?!

And don't forget, you have till Saturday night to enter our Mother's Day Giveaway!

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Now accepting Half Mary recommendations

I feel like it should be Friday.
But alas it's just Thursday.
I know you all have seen this ecard one hundred ninety-seven bazillion times, but it cracks me up every.single.time I see it!

All the cool kids are linking up with Holly and Jake today.
I just can't do it.
Seriously...you peoples come up with some great answers and I feel like I can't think of how I'd finish one of the sentences let alone be witty with it.
(And now some old school Will Smith be stuck in my head...nah nah nah nah nah-nah nah...gettin' WITTY wid it!)

So, instead, I am now calling on your expertise!
I want/need to do another half this year.
I mean, 2013 is the year of the Half

I am a diva, so here are my stipulations:

I don't want to run it by myself. (Or let's be honest....I just want to run it with at least one of or all of my fave bloggers!)
I want a fun one with a lot of exciting components/experiences/opportunities.
And I want it to be flatter than Kelly Ripa's chest.
- Limited effing hills! (I prefer no hills at all, but that's just not entirely realistic!)
I'd prefer the Half to be before November of this year. (but by the end of the year FOR SURE!!)

I realize that in order to possibly run one with any of you ladies that would require travel and if I'm looking for a bigger-scale race than that is all gonna up the price.
So, while, I don't want to drop a lot of dolla dolla bills, I'm prepared that that might be part of the deal.


I already can't do the one in September in Indiana that EVERYONE is doing. :(

PG Sisters mentioned the Nike Women's Half in San Fran (October 20th). - This would probably be hilly as F, but possibly worth it for the Tiffany necklace...

Mel mentioned the GO! Halloween Half in STL on October 13th. And, #stalker, I saw she has the Rock N Roll Half  in STL on her "race calendar" for October 27th. - I have seriously always wanted to visit St. Louis and since that seems to be the place that all the awesome blog ladies congregate and gather...um, count me in!!


There is one in Richmond, VA on November 16th. - This is close to me, so for any of you that would want to travel... ;)

There's also one in Hershey, PA on October 20th - This is close to my hometown back in PA. Again, for any of you that would travel AND get to smell chocolate while you run!

So, send me your ideas, kids!!

And don't forget about the Mother's Day Giveaway going on from now until Saturday!

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All about the NSV for Weigh In Wednesday

Well, Wednesday, we meet again!

I am still weighing in at 149.
Which I'll take.
It's PMS week and that means shoveling in every possible morsel of food into my mouth from sun up to sun down!
I seriously hate this week!
I just cannot stop.

So, I'll take the scale staying the same after these last few days!

And today, I'd rather celebrate an NSV (Non Scale Victory)...
Heeeeeeeeeey, size 6 jeans!!!

On a completely crazy and wild whim, I thought, why not try them on to see how they fit!
It's obvious they haven't been washed in a very long time cos they buttoned up just fine!
With, dare I say, some room!!
I'll take it!


And since we're in the celebratory spirit, I'd like to wish my brother and sister-in-law a very Happy 3rd Anniversary!!!!!

(which also means it's been 3 years since I was 137 pounds!)

And heck, while we're still celebrating, it's Teacher Appreciation week and that beautiful blonde lady on the left in the pic above is a lovely Special Education teacher!! She teaches a classroom of children with Autism and her heart and patience for them is remarkable! Thanks for being a great teacher, Shannon.

(And a big shout out to my mom who's been a teacher for 35 - give or take - years!)

So not only is my sister a wonderful teacher, she is a superb mother and an insane crafter!

Go check out her blog and give her some love and prepare to be inspired to craft!

And oh yeah, don't forget to enter our Mother's Day Giveaway that we're teaming up to do!

One lucky reader will win a personalized Initial Birthstone necklace fashioned for you by the incredible lady herself!

Check out all the details here and allow me to make it easier for you to enter right here:

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