The Color Run & Zombie 5K

Our past 2 weekends have been pretty awesome and busy.  I ran in 2 5ks within 2 weeks.  A 5k is approximately 3.1 miles.  I'm glad that I signed up for each of these runs, because they were so much fun and gave me an actual motivating reason to get out and run more on a regular basis.

The first one was The Color Run, also known as "The Happies 5K on the Planet."  There were no times, or no awards, just people running/walking/strolling getting doused in color.  I was allowed to bring the boys to this race, and it was their first 5k.  I did actually run with them, and they loved it.  



The comments I would hear while running with the boys were hilarious.  Some people would just applaud me, I heard some "Yeah Momma, you're awesome!"  or "OK guys, we need to run faster...there is a mom pushing two babies who just ran past us!"  And then there was Katrina not far behind me who would occasionally scream, "Tucker! Slow down!"

So we all started the race out wearing all white.  At different points throughout the race, there would be checkpoints of color to run through.  People with bottles of colored powder would throw their color at you.  It was awesome.

I think most people were scared to throw color onto the boys, for fear of scaring or upsetting them.  So they didn't get quite as colored as they could have, but they had a blast anyhow.

You can see clouds of color behind me...everyone had a huge color throwing party at the end of the race.

Color post race clothes.

So then this past week, I ran in another 5k, called The Zombie Buffet 5k.  This one was just as awesome.  It wasn't known as the happiest 5k, but probably actually the creepiest.  So this was how it worked:  There were runners, and there were zombies.  Runners run a 5k like normal, but are wearing flag-football type flags on their waist.  Zombies were also running, and met up with the regular runners at some point on the trail, and chased the runners to take their tags.  

CHASED BY ZOMBIES.  

Once you got both your flags pulled, you then could become a zombie and pull other runners flags.  I wanted to get chased and then chase, so I started out as a runner, happily gave up my flags pretty after the 1st mile, and then chased people down for the remainder of the race.  

SO. MUCH. FUN!

These were our costumes...I found an old style dress at Goodwill, and tore it up.  Jeremy made some homemade blood, so with that, and a $6 Walgreens make up kit, we became zombies.  

The fake blood turned out really well.  It was a mixture of chocolate syrup, corn syrup, corn starch, cocoa powder and red food coloring.  We made a whole bunch of it, took it to the race and ended up sharing with some zombies that were parked next to us.  

We did put a little bit of face paint on the boys, but you can't tell very well from this photo.  I didn't take them on this run, since pulling flags, getting chased and running through the woods would all be significantly more challenging with a stroller (and I don't think strollers were allowed).  But the boys came out to the race to meet me us the beginning and end.  

Chasing people was so much fun.  I'm a pretty quiet runner, so people didn't know I was trailing behind them, and then I'd just speed up, grab their flag and run to the next person.   Sometimes I'd throw a creepy scream or growl in there for fun. 

At the end!

Definitely will be running both of these again next year!!!  

Running Update week 2 - trail running!

So this week I got back into trail running.  I used to run trails a while back, before the boys were born.  I think I even ran some while I was pregnant with them.  (It was a funny site to see, I assure you.  Huge belly running around through the woods.)  Anyway, I had forgotten how much I love trail running and how much better it is than running on a road/sidewalk/treadmill.  

I can run so much longer and I don't think about the pain in my side/legs/feet.  Instead, I enjoy feeling the soft earth under my feet, listening to the birds in the trees and the ruffling of leaves on the ground, and seeing lots of deer and squirrels along the way.  It totally takes my mind off of what I'm doing and focuses on my surroundings instead.  Even running up the hills that you hike while on the trails, sure they're hard, but not near as hard as it would be if I was just on pavement.  It's fun to run/jump up over the rocks and branches and things.  The woods is totally my element.  I'd live there if I could.  

I ran 4 times this week, 3 of those being on trails in the woods (got out my Vibrams!)  Once I ran after work on the treadmill (blah).  Treadmill running is my WORST.  I constantly feel like I'm going to fall off and flat onto my face, and all I think about while running on there is how hard my feet pound each time I take a stride.  The other few times were on trails through the woods.  My treadmill days I ran for about 30 minutes straight.  My trail days I ran 3-ish miles one day, then 4 the next and yesterday I ran 6.    I felt amazing!

I'm really excited that I rediscovered trail running.  I would love to be able to do some trail races, but haven't heard of any around the Nashville area.  But I also haven't done a lot of searching for them either.  So maybe I'll find one soon!

I hope to continue to run trails like I did this week, and increase my distance also.  I have a few 5K's coming up soon!  And I'd like to do a half marathon by the spring...and actually run it in a decent time.

*Linking up with Krystle today for the weekly Run Mama Run! that she hosts.

Running *Link Up week 1

It's done.  Over.  I'm finally cracking down.  I'm going to get back to a regular running routine.  

I miss it, and I've missed for a long time.  Even though I miss it, I somehow always found an excuse.
"I'm too tired."  "I've lost all my baby weight, so I really don't need to go run." "I don't have enough time." "I have to work tonight, so I should rest instead." "I need to give Jeremy a break from watching the boys."  "I need to spend time with the boys instead of going running.".  Those are all excuses that I have made for myself for the past few months.

I've already signed up for a few 5Ks this fall.  I'm doing the Color Run, and the Zombie Run.  I'm so excited for each of them!

In the color run, all the runners where an all white outfit.  At each kilometer, there are tons of people ready to squirt/throw all kinds of color all over you.  The point is to get as colorful as possible!  You're like a human coloring book on the run.

The Zombie run is going to be just as awesome, but also very terrifying.  It works like this:  You have 2 types of runners.  Zombies, and runners.  As a runner, you have flags around your waist, and you are trying to make it to the finish line with your flags still in place.  You will be chased by zombie runners.  As a zombie, you are running the race, but you are chasing the runners and trying to grab their flags.  If a runner gets his/her flags ripped off, then he/she then becomes a zombie and gets to chase down other runners!




So.  Back to my plan.  I've just decided to do it and make myself run.  I feel so much better afterwards and in general, getting started is just the problem!  Solutions for my excuses:

"I'm too tired." - I've been way more productive and way less sleep before.  suck it up.

"I've lost all my baby weight, so I really don't need to go run." - maybe, but I'm definitely not near as toned as I used to be!  And weight loss isn't why I like running.

"I don't have enough time." - yes you do.  Make time.  Let Jeremy make dinner one night.  Get off Facebook and Pinterest and Blogger and go run.

"I have to work tonight, so I should rest instead." - You'll be ok.  That's what coffee is for.  Plus, running will probably give me an extra energy boost.

"I need to give Jeremy a break from watching the boys."  - This one doesn't apply as much anymore since Jeremy now has a full time job and isn't stay at home daddy.  I'm sure he would actually like some quality time with just him and the boys.

"I need to spend time with the boys instead of going running." - run while they sleep, or when they're at daycare. Or better yet, take them with me.  Better workout, and they love being outside.

So that's it.  Excuses are no more.  Running is going to come back as a regular routine in my life.  I've already been a few times the past week or so.  I ran for 45 mins straight one day, did 3 miles another day, did 2.5 miles another and ran for 1 hour yesterday.  I hope to do a half marathon in the spring, and then maybe by next fall step it up and do a full.



**I hope to write a running update post each week, and I'll be linking up with Krystle over on her blog, 3 Little Men & A Mommy!  I'm looking forward to linking up and reading about other running mamas!

How We Do What We Do Everyday.

You get asked a lot of questions when you have twins. 

One of the most common as of late has been "How do you do all of these things you like to do, and take care of 2 babies?"

Well friends, here is a detailed answer and look into our everyday life of how we manage mundane tasks while keeping 2 little boys healthy and happy.

1.  "How do you take the boys around on errands?"

-If I need to go to a store or somewhere big enough where I will be there for while, I take our double stroller.  The boys love going anywhere so they're pretty content just hanging out in the stroller, flashing smiles at everyone.  If I need to take them both into somewhere that is not so double-stroller-friendly (Baja Burrito for example), I simply put one of them in a carrier/wrap/sling, and carry the other on one of my arms, which then leaves me with one free arm.   Like so...

It works nicely.  And I feel a little like superwoman.

And now that they can sit up just fine on their own, grocery shopping with both boys is much easier also. I put one of them in the cart-seat, and one of them in a carrier or sling!

2.  "How do you find time to keep up with this blog, your food blog, reading and whatever else your hobbies are?"

-It really helps that my boys go to bed around 630-7 every night.  Jeremy and I usually don't go to bed until 11 or so, which gives us plenty of time to ourselves each night.  This is when I can be found on the computer, in the kitchen cooking/baking, playing wii, reading, or scrapbooking.  

3.  "How are you able to cook at home as much as you do?"

-Time management is big here.  If you know anything about my cooking style, I don't really like pre-made meals or throw-everything-from-a-can-in-a-pot-and-bake-it type of cooking.  I like to start from raw ingredients.  This is usually more delicious and nutritious, however, it is definitely more time consuming.  You have to find time to chop all the fruit and veggies.  You have to find time to make/cook the pasta.  You have to find time to knead the bread dough and let the yeast rise.  Meal planning is also big.  Last minute throw together meals work out occasionally, but I usually have better luck if I know what I'm going to make on which day.  This also lets me plan ahead to have dinner ready before 9 pm.  Throughout the day, whenever babies nap or are self-entertaining, I take the opportunity to go chop some veggies that I will use for dinner that night.  Sometimes, I'll prepare everything the night before, and all I have to do the day of is actually cook it.  It's also nice having a husband that knows a thing or two about food, because he will occasionally cook or help out with the cooking when things are really busy.  And for those days when babies are not self-entertaining and refuse to do anything except be held...

Sometimes you have to cook one-handed and/or with a baby or 2 on your hip.  

4.  "How do you have time to work out and stay healthy?"

-Make it a priority.  Since we have adapted our way of eating, our diet has become very important to us, as has exercise.  Running outside is my preferred method of exercise.  However, since I'm working 4 12-hour shifts a week from now until April, I feel like the days that I am home need to be spent with my boys only.  I don't like to leave them to go on a run.  So, I opt for other methods of working out.  If it's nice enough outside, I do take the boys for a run in our double jogging stroller.

Otherwise, I  workout either while the boys nap, after they go to bed, or while they are awake and happy playing with each other. Sometimes they will sit there and watch me workout, and laugh.

5.  "How do you get them to nap/wake/sleep at the same time?"

-I don't feel like we've really done much to make this happen.  The boys just sort of do it on their own, and pretty much always have.  They usually get tired around the same times, and nap together during the day (they can get a little off here and there, but not drastically).  They don't wake each other up during naps, so sometimes one will wake before the other.  As far as bedtime, we do the same routine each night, and they both take to it well, and go to sleep (usually) without a fuss.  They sleep straight through the night, and usually wake up around the same time together in the morning.  We just got lucky here I guess.

6.  "How do you have time to wash and prepare cloth diapers for your twins?"

-I actually just posted about this a few days ago:  Cloth Diapers.  Washing really isn't that much work.  We throw wet cloths into the bag, we spray out the poops in the toilet.  When we have a full bag (about every other day), throw them in the wash, dry them overnight, and stuff them later that night or the next morning during downtime (or one or two as needed if there is no time to stuff all at once).  

7.  "How do you get ready in the mornings and get to places on time?"

-Babies wake up.  They come into bed with us.  We snuggle.  We get up and start getting ready in our room.  Babies watch the ceiling fan, play with each other, or fall back asleep on our bed.  All while we are showering and getting ready.  Then, we change, feed, and go!

And that's how we do things 'round here.  If you would have asked me these questions while I was pregnant, I would have no answers.  I had to figure it out.  Sometimes, you just have to do what you have to do.  I figure out more and more things that work for us every day, and I'm still learning.

Anyone have any other questions that I didn't answer?

It's about time...

Alright.  The boys are 5 months old, and I'm still carrying around some of their baby weight.  It's time to crack down and lose it.  Jeremy has also put on a few pounds, and so we have decided to do things a little differently around here.  First thing that we are changing is the way we eat.  I'm not a big fan of "diets" because they're restrictive.  They don't let you eat things you want to, and therefore you are more likely to eat them, because you are forbidden to have them.  Instead, we are just going to eat healthier, with a huge lists of things that we should be eating everyday.  That way, it's concentrating on foods that we can eat, instead of foods that we cannot eat.  Jeremy originally suggested this "diet", as he had gotten it from his favorite chef, Alton Brown.  Alton has completely changed his way of eating and lost around 50 lbs in 9 months.  We are going to give this thing a try. 

This will be my "before" picture...All my extra weight is concentrated in my hip/belly area, and I have about 15-20 lbs to lose.  (I debated a long time about whether or not to post these pictures... they make me pretty self conscious, but I think it's good...it'll motivate me.  knowing that they have been put out there, for everyone to see.)

We are also each starting our own exercise routines.  Running is my passion, but I don't like to go out running while the boys are awake, I feel like I should be spending time with them instead.  I still take them out on runs occasionally, but it's sometimes hard to find a good time when I don't think that either of them will get pissed and start screaming when I get halfway around the block, and also, it's starting to get too cold outside to take them out in the wind for that long anyway.  I would go when they nap, but their nap times are so unpredictable, that I never know if I would have time to finish my run before they wake up.  SO I have a different strategy that I'm going to do for a while.  I got a few different Jillian Micheal dvds, as I've heard and read that they are uber good work outs.  I plan to do those (rotating through 3 of them) for 5 days a week, and then P90X yoga one day a week.  I can easily do these while the boys nap because the Jillian Micheal work outs are only 20-30 minutes (we're almost always guaranteed that amount of nap time), and the yoga I can do after they go to bed at night.  

Here is the AB lists of foods to eat that we are now following:

Eat everyday:                     Eat 3x a week:                         Eat 1x a week:                Never eat:

        Fruits                                 oily fish                                  red meat                          fast food

   whole grains                            yogurt                                     pasta                               soda

   leafy greens                            broccoli                                 dessert                        processed food

       nuts                                  sweet potato                            alcohol                        canned soups

      carrots                                 avocado                                                                  "diet" anything

    green tea

 *I'm not calling this our "New Year's Resolution" because those always get broken, and we started it before the New Year anyway.  We started this on Christmas, and have each lost 3 lbs so far. Hooray for progress! 

In other news...We have made a few new decor changes to our home...

My awesome friend Amanda sewed this really cool design for us before the boys got here.  I recently got it framed and it's now hanging in our family room.  (notice the empty leaf...for future children!)

I often get groupon deals for pictures that can be turned into canvases.  I am a sucker for them, and have gotten a few for the boys' room:

Vote for us?

Thanks² Day 03

I am very thankful that I am healthy enough to go on runs through my neighborhood and also that my boys love going with me!

It has been beautiful outside the past few days, and I have loved taking the boys out for stroller runs.   It's a good way to get out of the house, get some vitamin D, enjoy the fall colors and get some exercise while my babies laugh and look around in awe.