Today’s post on Answering Oliver is called The Only Thing You Need to Run, and it’s gotten some GREAT comments so far. I love hearing what people think about my crazy ramblings!

Seattle Do Lifer Kimberlee left this comment that’ll have me smiling for the rest of the day: “I shall fling myself out the door today and run more than walk, because I care enough to try!”

Click here to read the post.

Psst… if my random Tumblr links aren’t enough, you can also subscribe to Answering Oliver via RSS feed or email… just check out “Subscribe” and “Follow By Email” in the right sidebar. Wheee!

I kind of rocked at life last night.

First, I ran a mile to the gym (8:39).

Then, I knocked out this strength workout with free weights — 3 sets of 12 reps for each move:

– Push-ups (on knees)
– Upright rows — 10 lb. weights (yes, 10 lb. each)
– Shoulder press — 10 lb. weights
– Hammer curls — 10 lb. weights
– Bent-over fly — 5 lb. weights (this was hard!)
– Dips

A great workout. Check out Carrots ‘N’ Cake for links that explain all those moves.

Afterward, I ran a half-mile to the grocery store (4:29), then walked another half-mile home.

I made roasted eggplant baba ganoush and seared lemon-pepper salmon for dinner. Yeah, actual cooking, like a real grown-up! It was super delish.

As for the lovely shoes you see above, those are the Brooks Ghost 4s (as in the next generation after my Ghost 3s), and I ordered them today because I realized that by the time I run through my 480-something-mile marathon training plan, I’ll be long overdue for replacing my shoes to run the marathon itself!

I got 25% off on these for being a Road Runner Sports VIP (they were having an extra sale for members)… can’t wait to test ’em out!

Progress

This was last night’s 3-mile run:

My route ended at the gym and I hit the free weights. Did 3×8 moves with some heavier weights (10, 12.5, 15, 20). Yayyy, strength training!

This was tonight’s 3-mile run:

Is there anyone still around who read this blog back when I was running 10:30 miles? What’s. up. now??

I’ve had to move some workouts around, but I’ve gotten everything in per my training plan so far.

I’d say marathon/half-marathon/triathlon training is going swimmingly bikingly runningly.

Charlie “Benjamin” Blocker

Aaron’s latest infant shoot.

Look. At. All. The. CUTE!!!

aaronpass:

Charlie “Benjamin” Blocker

Here are my favorites of the shoot last weekend. Took me a while to get them up but I am happy with how they turned out. He only liked looking left and loved putting his hands in the air. Super cute kid. Only a few weeks old in these photos.

The last photo explains the nickname.

First ride last night! Aaron and I did about 8 miles, including at least a half-mile of riding in circles in an empty parking lot to practice shifting, braking, not dying, etc.

Then we rode on the Burke-Gilman Trail, constantly dodging runners and other cyclists since it was a beautiful, sunny evening and everyone was out. When the trail was emptier, we rode FAST(er) and it felt awesome! I’m gonna like this biking thing!

My clipless pedals are in the mail.

And THEN… then we devoted three hours to The Bachelorette. OMG, guys. I’ve loved JP for Ashley from the beginning and I’m so happy for them! I’m not usually super optimistic about these relationships, but I think they’ll last. Yup.

I ain’t ashamed. : D

“Congratulations, you are now registered for the Cottage Lake Tri & Tri Again!”

As Courtney said on Twitter, I better start working on my doggy paddle!

Here’s what’s OFFICIALLY going down on September 10:

– 0.25 mile swim
– 9 mile bike
– 1.6 mile run

Not too bad, right?? Remember that I’m also gunning for a half-marathon PR four days before this…

I tip-toed around signing up for this race for a few weeks. What finally pushed me over the edge?

I watched a blind cancer survivor named Barbara Oswald compete in the triathlon that Aaron did a few weeks ago. She swam, biked and ran with another person helping to guide her. It was her 10th triathlon since this article was written about her in 2007.

Sight, good health, mobility, you name it – they are all incredible gifts. I signed up for my first triathlon in celebration of those gifts. I never want to feel like I’ve squandered them.

Aaron’s going to suit up once again and celebrate with me. Here we go!!!

Did I mention we match?

Aaron’s bike is like good Spiderman and mine is evil Spiderman. Mwahahaha!

I got clipless bike shoes, cushy-butt-pad cycling shorts, a water-bottle holder (flat black) and water bottle today. Gonna get the clipless pedals from Amazon.

World domination is imminent.