Bridget's First Ride to Pre-School

My little Bridget totally rocks. She biked 2 miles to pre-school with only 4 water breaks! Go Bridget Go!

What Piece of Clothing Defines You

For me, it's the black turtleneck. Ask my family and they will all roll their eyes and say that I can't live without at least two black turtlenecks each fall/winter season. The other day, I ran into a lady at the grocery store wearing a black turtleneck. Megan looked at me and belted out very authoritatively that it's too soon to be wearing one. I have to agree with her, reluctantly. But I can't wait till the temps drop into the low 60s and the chilly fall air enters my wardrobe...because that one defining piece of clothing will appear.

So what piece of clothing defines you?

A Bad Case of the Mondays

Love It When A Plan Comes Together

On a whim, and thanks for low airfare out of Pittsburgh, my girls and I will be hitting up the great state of Massacusetts for a weekend 5k. And yes, that will be state #34! But the best part is how we gave this weekend getaway a theme - Boston Authors.

Since the race isn't till Sunday, we'll spend Saturday bouncing around Concord to visit Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, Nathaniel Hawthorne's Old Manse, and Thoreau's Walden. We'll also check out the Minutemen National Park. Best of all, the weekend we're there is a special reenactment - costumes and everything! Both Meg and Bridget are excited - bonus! The race is in Cambridge, which is truly beautiful in the fall. Can't wait. Oh, and did I mention it's an Oktoberfest race and they award prizes for the best costumes. Looks like I have a little sewing to do...

To prepare for this trip, I've decided to polish up on my Boston Authors. Time to reread Little Women, read Scarlett Letter (for the first time, I know, right?), and reread Civil Disobedience. So much fun.

A Week of Firsts for Meg

Thursday, my wonderful pumpkin started her first day of her senior year and Friday was her first football game where she got to "paint up" and not sit in the marching band section. A great first week as you can see from her smiles!

Long Runs Are Back

I've missed having a long run on my weekend list of things to do. But that changed today as I knocked out an 8-miler as my half marathon training is amping up. Even with the punishing, never-ending humidity, I was thrilled. I got lost in my thoughts all over again, made to-do lists in my head, let my mind wander aimlessly on such topics as whether Jennifer Aniston is pregnant (I think it was just a blousy top), will Daniel Craig just keep getting sexier as Bond (hell yes he will!), and will the reprisal of Dirty Dancing fail (on the fence on this one)?

An 8-miler on Sunday and a 14-mile bike ride hauling B in the trailer made for an awesome weekend of workouts! Bring on Monday!

OST Begins Today

Operation Strength Training (OST) officially begins today. In my quest for fall PRs, I know I have to strength train. In my past training plans, I have always made sure I log in my log runs. But I've been lax in building up arm and leg strength, both of which are key to building speed. Fortunately, I have found two different 15-20 minute plans, one incorporating weights and medicine ball and the other incorporating yoga moves using your body as resistance. And I like doing both of them. So I have penciled in four weekly sessions, alternating between the two plans. Since each plan is short in time, I can do them while Bridget is watching a Strawberry Shortcake or My Little Pony and never be missed!

So what's your secret to fitting in strength training?