School Vacation Review--Boston, Fisherman's Festival, Boston. Phew!

Hey there!  I'm back!  I've been so busy with life and work that I haven't had a single moment to sit down and post at all.  I really have nothing running related going on, other than I'm still running pretty regularly, so this post is mostly about other stuff.

Last week we had school vacation and this is the first year in 4 years that we haven't taken a trip to a warmer place.  Figures.  The one winter that was/is from hell and I didn't plan to go to somewhere warm.  #fail  Some years you just don't have the extra money for that and this year was one of them.

We took one day and went to the New England Aquarium.  Apparently, everyone else had the same idea because line to get in looked like a waiting line for a Disney ride.  Fortunately, it didn't take too too long to get inside.

waiting in line selfie

And when we finally got in, we saw all kinds of cool fish.

selfies at Faneuil Hall

$10 if you catch a pigeon.  she didn't.

We saw so many Boston Marathon jackets that the kids made a new game--who could find the most Boston Marathon runners.  Then the question came up whether you had to be a runner to get the jacket or could anyone buy one.  I wasn't sure.  I know they were for sale at the expo and people were buying them before they actually ran the marathon, so maybe you could get one without having a bib?  Anyone know the answer to that?

Next day we wanted to go to Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park, but they were all booked up at the times that we could go.  Damn.  So off to the mall we went.  It was surprisingly empty and I was shocked since it was school vacation.  We found an 8th grade graduation dress, visited the American Girl doll store, I browsed Athleta and was totally bummed that they didn't have a sale rack, and of course we tried on ridiculously high heels that neither one of us could walk in.  Which is too bad because I think the high heels make me look a little thinner.  Completely impractical for Maine.  We are not hip or stylish here.  Well, at least I'm not.

And finished the day with dinner at The Melting Pot.  Crazy-stupid expensive fondue restaurant.  So fun, but there is no way our family of 5 was walking out of there for less than two bills.

we like to eat

Oh, and a trip to Massachusetts would not be complete without a fender bender.  Thanks dude for ramming into the back of my car while we are stopped at a red light.  Way to pay attention.  ugh.

Then because we are crazy and/or stupid we drove 2 hours back home the next day so the kids could participate in Fisherman's Festival.  Fisherman's Festival is a local thing where we celebrate all things fishing.  It starts off with the Miss Shrimp pageant for girls aged 9-12.  On Saturday morning my oldest needed to be down at the waterfront for 8 a.m. to do the cod fish relay.  Of course, her 8th grade team won!  woot!

 Who doesn't want to run with a fish?

Then the bait shoveling.  Yes, this actually happens in Maine.  I just wish there were smells through the computer.  The smell of bait is like no other.

 shovel the bait from the bucket into the bait trays and drag to the other end

yes, they beat the boys

A little tug-of-war.  Little kids and bigger kids.

 manimal in all black

Princess tugging like a boss

Oh, and the women's tug-of-war.

 yours truly.  fine form, I might add

  Winners!

Later that day we turned around and headed back to Boston for the final field hockey tournament of the year.  Sissy's team which was the C team for our club, ended up in second place.  How?  I have no idea but it was a nice way to end the season.  Great job girls!!

notice they are all wearing under armor under their skirts.  Seriously.  Where the f**k is spring?

Were your kids on school vacation?  Did you do anything fun?

Don't forget to sign up for my Spartan Race giveaway. Ends May 1.  

Five for Friday

1.  I have some more pictures for Throwback Thursday but didn't get a chance to post them yesterday.  11 and 12 year old me.

6th grade cheerleader--Go Veazie Vikings!

2.  6th or 7th grade soccer--there was no date with this one.

3.  My favorite holiday cartoon ever.  Happy Easter everyone!

4.  Then there's this:

I so much want to do this relay.  Check the link out HERE and let me know if you are interested in doing it.  I'm trying to see if I can get on a team or set one up.  It's organized and put on by the man behind the Great Cranberry Island Ultra which was voted the Best Race Ever by Runner's World magazine.  The same guy who ran 500 miles in 10 days to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  Gary Allen.  So guess what?  It's going to be epic.  And I mean epic like the word is supposed to be used.  Not like--my sundae was epic.

me, Gary and Sara when I found them on Day 3 of his run

5.  Our YMCA is closed today for Good Friday.  Not the other Y's in Maine, just ours.  It's a little annoying because the schools are still open, I am still working and banks are even open!  I would still like to swim, but I'm just going to go with it and go for a run instead.  It's sunny, warm-ish so running will be just fine.

 this may just be my new life mantra

Happy Easter to everyone!

Don't forget--there's still time to enter the Spartan Race giveaway!  Click HERE to enter. 

10 Photos for Spring--Listicles Style

I forget about Listicles for awhile and then I'll see Stasha on tv (cause she's so dang famous now!) or one of her brilliant photos with her handsome dogs and kid will show up on Instagram and then I remember to join in again.  This week it's 10 photos for spring which will also give you a bit of a recap on the past couple of weeks in my life.

If you don't follow her on instagram, you should.  She takes some fabulous photos.  northwestmommy

Here are my 10 photos for spring 2014.

1.  Find the cat.

2.  My lilac survived winter.  Me?  Just barely.

3.  Surrounded by fish at LLBean.

4.  Zero Gravity Northern New England 8th basketball champs!

5.  My new friend and soulmate.

6.  Oh wait, this is my new friend too.  Not sure if she's a soul mate yet, but time will tell.

 7.  Still running.  Still not super warm out.

8.  Going to pick up my taxes from the accountant.  The news was not good.

9.  Christmas present finally able to be put together and used.  If the insurance asks, it's my neighbors.

10.  Nothing says spring like "cat on a leash".  Next door to my office.

Spartan Race Giveaway!

The Spartan Races are gearing up again for another year of obstacle racing!  I have yet to compete in a Spartan Race but plan on doing so this year.

I think I'm going to sign up for the race at Fenway next November.  Anyone care to join me?

Here's a description of the Spartan Race taken from their website:

Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active, healthy, excited about change, and return to our ancient roots where running through woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was part of everyday life. Our events are all about challenging today’s perception of normal.

Our events challenge the familiar, today’s perception of normal living and getting you out of your comfort zone! At Spartan Race, we do this everyday and it shapes everything we do.

Having experienced many different racing events, we wanted to make adventure racing more accessible to everyone, but do not be fooled by the word ‘accessible’, as our events have a challenge for everyone’s needs.

Spartan Race now introduces a level for everyone beginning with the entry level Spartan Sprint, intermediate level Super Spartan, the advanced Spartan Beast, and the ‘99.9% need not apply’ extreme level Death Race.

Whatever your level, Spartan Race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humor.

Spartan has also developed a shoe specific to this type of obstacle racing that is now available!

The Reebok All-Terrain Series is strategically designed with drainage ports that drain water quickly and easily and 360 degrees of traction to shed mud.  This shoe sounds like it would be a great trail racer as well as an obstacle course shoe.  And if the colors stayed pretty in all that mud, well, that would be a bonus!

So, if you think this kind of racing is for you, or if you are up for a challenge, or like me, you just want to say you raced an obstacle race at Fenway, here's your chance!

The folks at Spartan have graciously given me a race entry to giveaway to my readers!  Follow the instructions below and I will draw a winner 5/1.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The founder of the Spartan Race, Joe DeSena, also has a book that will be available in May called Spartan Up, A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life.  Joe’s message of inspiration and personal transformation makes him a popular speaker for a variety of business groups, including Pepperidge Farms, the Association of Corporate Growth (twice), Florida Venture Forum, and the independent TedX BeaconStreet.

In the book Joe touches on topics such as:

• Finding the will to succeed: The first half of a race you run with your legs; the second half you run with your mind. Turn your pain into an outboard motor to drive you forward.
• Tossing your cookies: The Cookie Test can teach you how to overcome the need for immediate gratification and help you prosper in the long term.
• Getting Spartan fit: Survival of the Fittest means training outside the gym for strength, endurance and flexibility for your entire body—and don’t forget those burpees!
• Moving mountains: Whether metaphorical mountains or the ones on which Spartans race, what you think of as your limitations can actually be a mere starting point for transformation.

Look for the book to be available on May 13, 2014.  Pre-order now on Amazon.com.  I have one coming and I'll let you know what I think once I get a chance to read it.

Have you ever done a Spartan Race or obstacle course race?

Not a Spartan but I have done the Warrior Dash and the Tough Mountain Challenge.

Want to do it at Fenway with me?

March Review

Time to review my activities for March.

Run--41.47 miles.  A bit better than February but not the 50/month I'm shooting for.  The weather wasn't exactly cooperative this month with temperatures averaging in the low 30's when we are supposed to be in the mid 40's.  Not a good excuse but I'm just so sick of it being 10* in the morning.  Who wants to run in that in March??  Answer: NO ONE.

Spin--195 minutes

Tennis--9 hours

Swim--6000 yds

Weights--15 minutes

Yoga--155 minutes.  The Y was offering free yoga classes to gauge interest in the class so I went to one.  The instructor spent a lot of time talking and explaining.  Somehow, I thought yoga was quiet and calming....  I think she was trying to teach like everyone was brand new to yoga, but I wish she had moved it along a little with less explanation and more doing.  The other attempt at yoga was home alone doing the P90X version.  Which was all about moving it along and left me more sore 2 days later than any other exercise I have done in the past year including a half marathon and an olympic tri.  Not sure what that says about my level of stretchiness....  As my brother-in-law said, it's telling you More Yoga!

Races--No races to speak of this month but I have signed up for a bunch of races for later in the year.  I got into the Beach to Beacon 10K for the third year in a row.  This race is easily the highest profile race in Maine and thus sells out super quickly.  Like 6000 spots in 4:52.  Thankfully, my fingers and my browser didn't fail me and I got in before it filled.

my first year running b2b

The other race I signed up for, well actually a series of races, was the Bradbury Mt. Trail Series.  Danielle and I have been talking about this series for a bit now and we are both excited to finish it and get the Badass Hoodie.  There are 3 trail races on Bradbury Mt.--6 miles in July, 9 miles in August and 12 miles in September--and if you complete all of them, you are an official Badass and get the Badass hoodie.  We are both in it for the hoodie.  Sarah is joining us for the 9 miler and another friend of mine, Kayla, is also going to attempt all three.  I've never done a trail race before so this will be a first.

I have also signed up for the Color Me Rad run in Brunswick.  This isn't an actual race but still will be a lot of fun with the kids and their friends.  It's kinda cheap (comparatively cheap because if you wait until July to sign up it will be closer to $60!) at $29 and with the discount code YMCA, you get 10% off and 15% of the registration fee goes to area YMCA's.  The price goes up on 4/4 so sign up now and use the code to get the best price.


What I'm Loving--Life continues to be challenging right now and the weather didn't help things during March so I guess I'm not loving anything in particular.

What I'm Hating--not planning a vacation for this spring.  Super duper #FAIL.

How was your March?  

Did you meet your goals?  Get a PR?  See the sun?