Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

Checking in on 1000 Hours

One of our goals this year is be outside more than 1000 hours (and even exceed last years’ total). So it’s time to check in on this years progress so far.

Winter is by far the hardest time for us to get lots of hours outside. It’s dark, and cold and just not as easy and that’s ok! Last year we also clocked the least hours outside in January/February, I know that we will make up for it in the summer months.

If we split the time up evenly between all 12 months we would need 84 hours a month to get to 1000 hours outside. We only got to 53 hours in January and in 2021 we only hit about 43. The good news is we are focused on getting outside more and that is what matters.

I highly recommend the 1000 hours outside podcast to learn about the benefits and inspiration.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1000-hours-outside-podcast/id1448210728

Are you trying to spend 1000 hours outside?

Time For a Cut + What’s Better?

We don’t have very much going on today other than Cannon got a hair cut.

I can’t believe how big he is getting! Emmy wanted in on the pictures too.

I have long questioned training by time or by distance, I have done both but much more by distance.

https://www.trailrunnermag.com/training/whats-better-training-by-time-or-by-distance

I loved this article and how it broke down the pros and cons! https://www.trailrunnermag.com/training/whats-better-training-by-time-or-by-distance

Do you train by time, distance or both?

Road Trip Tips With Kids

It’s almost spring break season and I know a lot of people are considering road trips. We LOVE road trips!

Some of our most favorite trips have been by car even when the kids were tiny.

Some of our tips for road tripping with kids:

  • 1. Start them young! We took long road trips with both kids starting when they were about three months old. They are pretty used to long car trips now.
  • 2. Stop for breaks at playgrounds. We love finding new playgrounds on trips and have the best time playing and getting our energy out. Sometimes we eat at our stops but usually we have the kids play as much as possible then have them eat when we get back on the road.
  • 3. We bring little lunch boxes for kids to eat out of that helps them not spill and eat while driving. Also we have the kids keep water bottles at their seats.
  • 4. Drive while they sleep! We try to get lots of miles in while the kids sleep so they feel like we aren’t in the car as long.
  • 5. Screen time! We do give the kids and other things to do in the car but we also don’t shy away from screen time. Both of our cars have DVD players so we rent shows and movies from our library so they have new things to watch. We also bring the kids’ Fire Tablets so they can play games for something different.
  • 6. When we aren’t traveling with our RV we bring a little travel potty. Our kids sometimes wait until the last minute to tell us they need to go and there isn’t always a bathroom near. We also pack lots of garbage bags and wipes so we aren’t stuck in a bad situation.

Some of our favorite road trips include:

  • Oregon
  • Yellowstone
  • Disneyland
  • Arizona
  • New Mexico
  • Utah National Parks
  • All over Colorado!

What are your favorite places to road trip?

I Love it Here + Winter Training for Summer Trails?

We went to the Community Center Pool this morning.

Their smiles just make me so happy. In the summer we go to the pool many times a week so we have been missing this so much.

We love this pool!

Later in the day the kids took us for a walk while the were on their scooters. I love it here!

also loved THIS article about how to train for trails in the winter.

Anyone have any summer trail races planned?

Something We Haven’t Done in Forever

We decided to go to the Children’t Museum in Denver, somewhere we have never taken the kids before.

They loved it so so much, it made me sad about how much they have missed out on in the last two Covid years, but so excited to share it with them now. There are so many fun things to do there, especially in the summer so we got a membership.

Who doesn’t love to learn and explore through play?!?

The outside part might be my favorite, I can’t wait to go back when the water feature is on!

February Goals + Soaking It Up

It is always really fun to get pictures from Cannon’s teacher,

I love how much he loves school.

We have been getting some beautiful afternoon sun so Humphry has been soaking it up.

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It’s February so I thought I would set some little goals for the month:

  • PT every day of February – PT is the focus this month, I am not worried about running right now the most important thing is rehab.
  • Spin Class twice a week (at home on the Peloton App)
  • Get outside as much as possible with the kids, at least one hike a week to meet our 52 kids hike challenge and 1000 hours outside

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Any goals for February?

A Few February Friday Favorites

We have been working on putting together Valentine’s for Cannon’s class and some of Emmy’s friends. It’s so fun to do these little projects with them.

We also broke out more of our Valentines favorites.

Including our Heart Waffle Maker.

One of my favorite BOOKS that we read to the kids often. It’s so important that they understand their emotions and know that all their feelings are okay.

And this is the perfect Valentine’s gift for your favorite running mama!

What are some of your recent favorites?

Snow Day Essentials

We got plenty of snow, again, and school was cancelled so we were excited to have a snow day.

We started the day waffles and happy faces.

Apparently waffles taste better while wearing heart sunglasses.

We got our snow gear together because it’s important to enjoy time outside!

In the afternoon we enjoyed another snow day essential of popcorn and a movie. Frozen felt appropriate for our day.

What are some of your snow day essentials?

Valentine’s Baskets

While I am waiting to hear back about my MRI results I was happy to put together some little Love Baskets for the kiddos.

It’s officially love season and it’s so fun to turn up the love a little and give the kids some little Valentine’s themed goodies.

Emmy’s Basket
Cannon’s Basket

They loved getting up to find a surprise and they LOVE celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Past Holiday Baskets:

I almost always include a book, craft, holiday themed clothes and a treat. Lately they are both super into bath bombs so we have been throwing those in too.

Here’s to celebrating all the little things!

Time to Take it Seriously

I have been dealing with a pretty significant knee injury since July 2020. I would rest my knee, it would get somewhat better, I would jump back into running, it would hurt, I would have to step back then start again. It got REALLY bad when we went on our Christmas Cactus trip where I could barely walk and daily tasks were hard. It is time to really take this seriously and go see the professionals.

I saw an orthopedic Surgeon to see what kind of damage we were dealing with at CUs Sports Medicine facility. Being back on campus made me miss the days I was there everyday for work. It is really beautiful there.

I got X-Rays and met with the doctor. There was nothing concerning to see on the x-ray so we decided to follow up with an MRI to really see what we are dealing with in there. I had to leave, wait for them to check in with my insurance.

I went home to play with the kiddos, it was cold but we still love a park visit.

Always outside as much as we can!

We have a lot of snow coming for us so we will play outside while we can, snow is fun but not at -6 degrees.

In the afternoon I was back at CU to get my MRI done, this was my first time so it was definitely an experience. I have a little claustrophobia so I was concerned, luckily I went in feet first and my head was outside the machine.

I am not sure I could handle a head in MRI, hopefully I won’t need one!

I was happy to get home and cuddle the babes. I am really hoping that I can heal up enough to walk around Mexico without pain and hike lots of miles over the summer.

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