Happy December!

This little guy is so excited it's Christmastime. He's been asking about the snow constantly ("Looks like snow out there, Mom?"). I think his wish of snow is (finally) going to come true in the morning!

Cowtown Countdown - 13 Weeks to Go + Turkey Trot 5k

For my tempo run this week, I did a Turkey Trot 5k here in Ann Arbor on Thanksgiving morning. My parents stayed home with the kids so Brian could come support and take pictures.

Here I am coming into the finish line! I love being new to running, because every time I run, I get faster and stronger and I feel like I'm accomplishing something amazing. It's a great feeling.

Crossing the finish line with a new personal record of 21:46! My pace was 7:01.

Division Place: 5 out of 103

Sex Place: 13 out of 534

Overall Place: 78 out of 969

I was really excited because based on my 5k time, I'll qualify for Boston! There's a cool online calculator that takes your best race time and projects it out to a variety of distances. So, for example, given my 5k time (and all things being equal) I'd run a marathon in 3:32:12 (a pace of 8:06 / mi). That's qualifying time, baby! I'm on my way!

The rest of the week went well, too. I ran my Saturday 14-miler by myself since Jonelle was out of town for the holiday. It went really well though! I never thought I would ever be motivated enough - or have the capability - to just go out and run 14 miles by myself, but I did! And - most shocking thing of all - I kind of enjoyed it! It's very cool.

Weekly Goals

Monday: 5 miles at 8:53 / mi

Tuesday: 5 miles at 8:53 / mi

Thursday: 3 miles at 7:37 / mi

Saturday: 14 miles at 8:53 / mi

Outcome

Monday: 5 miles at 8:22 / mi

Tuesday: 5 miles at 8:06 / mi

Thursday: 3 miles at 7:01 / mi

Saturday: 14 miles at 8:27 / mi

tHANKSgiving 2009 and Ford Rouge Factory

This year we kept with our tradition from last year and had the Hoopers over for Thanksgiving dinner. However, this year my parents took the place of the German couple who were with us last year.

Andrea, Tyler, me, Mom, and Dad. The Hoopers and us split up the work on the food. Normally I make Brian do the turkey, but my mom volunteered to do the turkey and dressing so Brian got a break this year!

Hayden, Sydney, and Wes. It was so fun to have a kids' table this year! It's a lot more relaxing for Moms and Dads that way!

Grandpa Swensen helping Sydney try pumpkin pie for the first time!

Wes enjoying his ice cream for dessert.

On Friday morning, we went up to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour in Dearborn. Sydney, Mom, and I are on the bus from the Henry Ford Museum to the factory.

The tour was actually really cool and there weren't very many people there which was nice for us. Pictures aren't allowed on most of the tour though, so I took this one of Brian by the twenty millionth Ford. Pretty exciting!

My mom and dad flew home Saturday morning, but we had to get a cute picture with the kids before they left. Mission accomplished!




Here we are together: Brian, Dad (Grandpa), Wes, Mom (Grandma), Sydney, and me. The kids had a blast with their Grandpa and Grandma Swensen.

We love spending time with family!

Baby Einstein

She sure is a cute little smarty-pants!

The Henry Ford Museum

On Wednesday, we all headed to The Henry Ford Museum.

This is the perfect museum for little boys. It has the history of all things motorized: planes, trains, and automobiles!

Sydney eating some K'nex wheels that she was supposed to be using for building her own car.




Wes was trying to kneel next to his dad, but he couldn't quite figure out how to coordinate it.

Brian sending off his airplane.

Brian and Wes with a replica of the Wright Brothers airplane.

The Hanks boys love airplanes!

A cool way to see the parts of the car.

Wes was so excited that he helped build a car!

There was a Lego Castle Adventure exhibit at the museum which the kids loved!

Sydney had a great time with these giant Legos!

Wes was a little scared of this Lego dragon.

Queen Sydney on her Lego throne.

The picture of the "perfect American family". We fit right in with our one boy and one girl!

Brian and me in front of the Wienermobile.

Motown

Grandpa and Grandma Swensen flew in Friday night for the Thanksgiving holiday. On Tuesday after Brian finished with his classes, we went into downtown Detroit - a first for all of us - to visit the Motown Historical Museum.

There were no pictures allowed inside, but one of the highlights was seeing Michael Jackson's sequin glove and black hat inscribed with his name in gold.

I think the kids enjoyed the outside more than the inside!

My mom and dad.

All of us outside of Motown/Hitsville, U.S.A.

Sydney and her mama.

Cowtown Countdown - 14 Weeks to Go

I've been a little slow at posting over the last week. I guess other things have just taken priority. I guess that happens sometimes. Last week's runs went well...except for Saturday. I didn't do a Saturday run this week. On Friday morning I started with some congestion that got progressively worse throughout the day. I got to bed late Friday night and when I got up Saturday morning I felt kind of weak and shaky. I kind of just felt exhausted all day, so I thought I'd better skip the run. By the end of the day, I decided it was a good decision. I still have cold symptoms, but I'm back to my training runs.

Tuesday's run is always a challenge. I think that's a good thing though! It's nice to feel like I pushed myself during a run. Once a week is probably good for that. :) Thank goodness Jonelle and I do our Tuesday runs together...I need the extra motivation!

Weekly Goals
Monday: 5 miles at 8:53 /mi
Tuesday: 2x1600's at 7:00 /mi (with 1x800 in between)
Thursday: 5 miles at 8:53 /mi
Saturday: 12 miles at 8:53 /mi

Outcome
Monday: 5 miles at 8:34 /mi
Tuesday: 1x1600 at 7:00 /mi; 1x1600 at 6:56 /mi
Thursday: 5 miles at 8:21 /mi
Saturday: 0 miles

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Any "Turkey Trots" on Thursday for anyone?

Preschool Punishment?

This is the "punishment" Wes got for not making it to the potty during preschool twice in one day: lavender stretch pants. He told me he didn't like them and actually asked me to get him new pants. Normally he's not very picky about his clothes, but he must have known there was something wrong with him wearing lavender stretch pants!