Busy, busy, busy.

We've had a busy week. We've been doing some of this....

And some of this....

While watching this....

We also spent a lot of time on this....

And finally ended the week with this.....

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 86

Actual Miles Last Week: 9

Training Goal This Week: I have set no goal because of the marathon last Sunday. I'm taking a few days to rest and recover. However I do have a 10+ mile walk scheduled for Saturday. So, between the two, I'll still be logging over 35 miles this week.

The Flying Pig

We've returned home, and have somewhat recovered, from the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. It was a great (but hilly) course and a wonderfully planned race. The city seems to really get behind the event and the directors must think through every last detail. We had a rainy/drizzly start, but for the rest of the race the weather was acceptable. Not only does the race have aid stations at every mile, but the aid stations have themes and the volunteers dress the part. Check out Margaritaville at mile 18.

We went through many neighborhoods and the residents were out with their grills, radios and pig costumes having a blast and cheering us on. We heard that once you've 'Done the Pig' you wind up being a little disappointed in the other Ohio marathons because of how well you're cared for in Cincinnati. Once we check out some of the other events, we'll let you know if that rumor is true.

Adam ran the half marathon in a little under 2 hours, and I walked the full marathon in 6hrs and 20mins. Give us a few more days to recover (and to attempt to walk up and down our stairs) and we'll let you know if we'll do it again next year.

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 93

Actual Miles Last Week: 20.5

Training Goal This Week: 9

Fundraising Update: I've raised 53% of my fundraising goal. Yay! I have 10 weeks left to raise a little over $1,000. Thank you again to all of you who have already contributed. You are able to make any online donations by clicking here.

Wordless Wednesday

Baskin Robbins' 31 cent scoop night....

Should We Talk About the Weather...?

I've been frantically checking the online weather reports for Cincinnati's Sunday forecast. As the marathon approaches I'm hoping the weather cooperates. It has been close to 90 degrees here the past three days. The summer weather has been a nice break from the rainy spring, but I really do not want to log 26.2 miles in 90 degree heat. Nor do I want to log 26.2 miles in 40 degree thunderstorms. Of course, everyday the forecast seems to change, and I don't think we'll know for sure until a few days beforehand, but right now it is looking like lovely marathon weather. Keep your fingers crossed.....



Sunday, May 03
Mostly Cloudy
Hi: 66° Lo: 49°
Mostly Cloudy. High 66F and low 49F. Winds SW at 10 mph. Air Quality: NA, UV Index: NA
Precip: 0%

Discovery Walk

This weekend I'm missing one of my favorite things about Vancouver, Washington. The Discovery Walk. Each year Vancouver hosted an international walking festival, and for three days the city was full of walkers. Over the years, I logged countless miles on Vancouver streets during the events by finishing two different marathons, a half marathon, and many 5ks and 6ks. In order to celebrate I'm wearing my Discovery Walk t-shirt today.

I found some old pictures on their website....
Alex and I running the 5k in 2008.
Finishing the marathon in 2007.
Family 6k in 2007.

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 100

Actual Miles Last Week: 21.5. I skipped a day. Such is life.

Training Goal This Week: 20

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 107

Actual Miles Last Week: 38

Training Goal This Week: 25 miles. This week I begin my taper for the Cincinnati Marathon, so my mileage will begin to decrease dramatically until after that event. Although this will still be a tricky week because Adam isn't around to help (more on that later), the kids had Monday off of school, and two of the four days they do attend school I will be spending my mornings (my main walking time) in their classrooms as the parent helper. I'll be logging quite a bit of miles on the basement treadmill. Not my favorite option, but it works nonetheless.

Training Walk Leader: I also mentioned in my letters that I have been trained to be a Training Walk Leader for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. My main responsibility is planning walks in our area by calculating the distance according to our training plan and arranging a meeting place for everyone to begin. I've also been able to impart some distance-walker wisdom (the little that I have) for such questions as...How can I alleviate the swelling in my hands when I walk? What type of shoes do you recommend? What's the best stretch for this muscle, etc. I've planned nearly a dozen walks. I've had a great time on the walks and have begun to meet even more people in the Cleveland area, as well as our little suburb. I've made a new walking friend who lives only a few streets away. I've also walked with another gal, a few times, who is a six-year survivor of breast cancer. This is her third 3-day walk. I once told her she should be training me........

Wordless Wednesday

From Alex

Alex has a first grade pen pal at a neighboring elementary school. The other day he brought home a copy of a letter than he penned to his pal. I loved it, so I thought I'd share....

Dear (friend):

Thank you for writing me back. I like your letter. My favroite hobby is tie kwon do. We are counting money. I have a math club on Tuseday. Sometimes when I go home I play on the computer. I read a lot after school. I do not play video games a lot (only) sometimes when my uncle comes over. That's why I read a lot. My favroite food is watermelon. My birthday is Semptember 26. I hope you write me back.

From: Alex

Happy Easter!

20-Miler

I walked 20 miles today. In marathon training a 20-miler is 'key'. Its at this point in your training you realize that you more or less could finish the entire 26.2 miles in a few weeks. Any novice marathon training schedule has you completing at least one 20-miler in your training. Ideally, I'd do at least two 20-milers, but since I've been training through the winter in northeast Ohio, I worked only one 20-miler into the schedule. If I was training through the summer the weather would allow for more. I felt lucky to at least get one in this winter. Today was a perfect day for 20 miles. Very sunny. Low 40's. A little windy but not overbearing. Armed with my MP3 player, in a little over 5 hours (and a stop for a bagel and lemonade at Bruegger's), I completed my longest training walk for the Cincinnati Marathon.

It has been a long time since I walked 20 miles. My last marathon was in April of 2007, so technically I walked 20 miles that day. However, I was lazy with my training that spring, and didn't complete a 20-miler before that marathon. If I remember correctly, I did two 20-milers in August and September of 2006, before the 2006 Portland Marathon.

A 20-miler in southeast Cleveland is quite different that a 20-miler in Portland or Vancouver, Washington. Suburbs are different, and either non-existent or quite larger, out west. You see, if I walked 20 miles in Portland (usually 10 miles out and back, or something similar), I would still be in Portland. If I walked 20 miles in Vancouver, I'd still be in Vancouver. (I never walked long-distance while I lived in Las Vegas, but if I had, after 20 miles, I'd still be in Las Vegas). Today, I walked through South Euclid, Lyndhurst, Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights (again), University Heights, and finally back to South Euclid. I actually planned my route to take me down some fabulous historic roads in both Shaker and Cleveland Heights, where I walked by the BIGGEST. HOUSES. EVER. Seriously. And, I say this after living in Vegas. And Portland. And, spending significant time in Lake Tahoe. Alex and Allison love it when we drive down these roads. They often ask if the houses are hotels. Or castles.

The Cincinnati Marathon is 3 weeks from tomorrow. After my 20-miler, I'm feeling ready.....

Opening Day

It's been over ten years since we've lived in a city with a Major League Baseball team. For those ten years, we were usually unaware of when baseball season begun. No longer. I'm not sure how you could live in Cleveland and miss the fact that today is opening day at Progressive Field. Unfortunately the Indians began their losing streak on Tuesday when they played in Texas. Already they've lost three games, and are currently losing their home opener in the 5th inning. Let's hope the entire season isn't like this....

Computer Update: Mike from Dell returned today, for the second time, and all is well with Adam's laptop. Thankfully!

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 114

Actual Miles Last Week: 33.5. I fell short of my 35 mile goal. I had planned on walking 15 miles on Saturday. The weather was horribly windy. For a few miles I had Sierra with me, who was starting to drive me crazy. I walked home at 13.5 miles.

Training Goal This Week: 38. This is my heaviest week (mileage-wise) until the Cincinnati Marathon on May 3rd. This is also extremely tricky because the kids are on spring break. We'll see if I log all these miles while I'm busy rushing to Chuck E. Cheese and dying Easter eggs......

Total Miles for March: 125.6

Wordless Wednesday

These photos aren't of the best quality because I took them through our kitchen window and the screen. I was afraid if I moved down into the family room, and open the patio doors, I would disturb this great scene. If you look to the far right of the first picture, right where the treeline starts, you can almost make out the deer that is debating cruising through our yard. Sierra had her eye on the deer the entire time.

Pittsburgh Ikea

The kids and I headed over the Pittsburgh Ikea yesterday for Day #2 of their spring break. (They had last Friday off also, and we spent that day in Columbus with my family). I was hoping to pick up a couple pedestal tables at Ikea that match one we bought last spring in Portland. Of course, they were completely out of stock and won't be receiving a new shipment for awhile. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a few other things that made our trip worth it. (That's not hard to do at Ikea). The kids absolutely love the Ikea playlands and miss not being able to visit one regularly.

Computer Update: Dell Technician should be here sometime early afternoonish to work on the laptop. Fingers are still crossed.....

Computer Woes

We have three computers in our house. At the moment, not one is working properly. Our most important one, Adam's laptop, has a defective motherboard. He has all his school work saved on that computer, most of which is due in the next 7 days. A technician is supposed to schedule an appointment with us later this week for service. Keep your fingers crossed....

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 121

Actual Miles Last Week: 31.5

Training Goal This Week: 35 miles

Of course, I also need to mention that in order to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, I need to raise $2300 in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. I'm thrilled to report I've raised a little over 25% of my goal. I am grateful for my supporters! However, I am hoping to raise all of my money by June. In order to be a part of my journey, you can donate online by clicking here. Or, if you would prefer to mail a check, please email me (Anne.Huminsky@gmail.com) for the mailing address. Thank you!

Wordless Wednesday

Allison started Tae Kwon Do this week. She LOVES it!

The Ocelot

Allison loves to recite poetry while I video her. This is a poem she knows from school called, The Ocelot. (They've been learning about the rainforest this month). We have several other videos, but I won't overwhelm you by posting them all in one day!

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

Allison has been tying her shoes for over a month now. Problem is, she doesn't wear very many 'tie shoes'. She prefers shoes like this.....

Or this....
(I think this looks a bit like the legs stuck out under Dorothy's house once it touched down in Oz).

Or any of these....

However, she has done a great job practicing on mine.

Bicycle Pics

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

Update: No more training wheels are needed at the Huminsky household. Yesterday, Allison rode over a mile-and-a-half, on her two-wheeler, to and from the park.

She claims, '...this is the MOST FUNNEST thing I've ever done!'

Pictures to come.....

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 128

Actual Miles Last Week: 31.5

Goal Miles This Week: 30

Wordless Wednesday

I had intended to post some recent pictures on here today. But, for some reason, I can't get to my shutterfly account. I'm hoping its a problem with the site as a whole, and not just my pictures. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy these from March 2004.

7 Daily Chores

Occasionally I visit the blog Totally Together Journal. The blog features tips on how you can organize your busy household. (Is that an oxymoron...?). The author has 7 Daily Chores for a Highly Successful Household. I've only posted the steps below, but she goes into a detailed outline on her site. I've found the list to be useful. Of course all these chores should be obvious to me, but for some reason I find them easier when they're in outline form.

Number 1: Make Beds Right Away
Number 2: Do One Complete Load of Laundry
Number 3: Empty All Garbage Cans
Number 4: Keep Your Kitchen Sink Empty
Number 5: Clean Up After Yourself and Help Children Do the Same
Number 6: Bathroom Wipe-Down
Number 7: Before Bed 10-Minute Clean Up

I'm still not sure your house will be completely organized, but I guarantee it will be less chaotic.

My mom is....

I had fun asking the kids the following questions.

1. What is something Mom always says to you?
Alex: After breakfast, go brush your teeth.
Allison: Go do something else instead of bothering everybody.

2. What makes Mom happy?
Alex: Clean rooms.
Allison: Us being good.

3. What makes Mom sad?
Alex: When she has to yell.
Allison: Us not listening.

4. How does Mom make you laugh?
Alex: Saying stuff that’s funny.
Allison: Tickling me.

5. How old is your Mom?
Alex: 34
Allison: 34

6. What is Mom’s favorite thing to do?
Alex: Running/Walking.
Allison: Sleeping…and laundry. (Hmmm....I'm not sure she understood the question. Sleeping, maybe. Laundry, definitely not).

7. What does Mom do when you’re not around?
Alex: Clean up the house.
Allison: Walk Sierra. Clean up the house and do the laundry.

8. What is Mom’s job?
Alex: Cleaning the house and working at my school.
Allison: Cleaning the house. (You would think for as much as my children think I clean, that our house would be a whole lot cleaner).

9. What is Mom’s favorite food?
Alex: Vegetables. (Poor Alex is fooled into thinking I clean, and eat vegetables, all day).
Allison: Pizza.

10. What do you and Mom do together?
Alex: Go to the dollar store. Walk the dog. Go to the park.
Allison: Read books. Go shopping. Go to the mall and the movie theatre.

11. Where is Mom’s favorite place to go?
Alex: Shopping.
Allison: To the Candy Land place.


I recently came across a similar interview that Alex did for Mother's Day in his very first preschool class. I posted it below.....

Mother's Day 2006

Alex's answers (in italics) from 3 years ago....

My mom is Anne.
Her favorite color is orange.
Her favorite food is almonds.
She is 32 years old.
She weighs 32 lbs.
She is 34 feet tall.
My mom likes to play books with me.
In her spare time she likes to lie down.

Facebook

Three years ago Adam and I signed up for Facebook, and no one we knew was on it. I guess, now we all know what it it.....

3-Day Thursday

As many of you know by now, this summer I'll be participating in the Cleveland Breast Cancer 3-Day. The 3-Day is truly the greatest distance I can go in the fight against breast cancer - 60 inspirational miles, three heroic days of celebration and determination. Joining the ranks of the Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers, I've become part of something much bigger than a simple stroll down a stretch of road. I'm now part of a movement that is putting an end to breast cancer. (I've posted a quick video below for anyone who is unfamiliar with the 3-Day).

I'm 135 days away from my journey, but I've already begun my training. I figured I would use Thursdays to give you brief training updates. Honestly, for the first time in my life, I'm actually ahead of the training schedule. (To anyone who has ever followed a marathon/half-marathon plan, etc. you know what an accomplishment this is. Usually, we are all trying to 'catch up'). I'm only ahead because of our training for the Cincinnati marathon this May. The Breast Cancer training has me logging 17 miles this week, with a 6-mile walk being the longest. I'll really be logging about 30 miles this week, with a 16-miler being my longest. For once, it feels great to be ahead of the game. However, what's new to me this time, is I'll be logging two long walks back-to-back each weekend. One on Saturday, one on Sunday. It is going to take a little planning and organization on our part, but I'm looking forward to it!

3-Day Video

Wordless Wednesday

Cleveland's Irish Parade

Today, around 12:15pm I discovered that Cleveland not only has a St. Patty's Day Parade, but that its the fourth largest in the nation. The parade started at 1pm downtown, but most people arrive at the crack of dawn for parking. I decided, due to the time, not to check it out this year. Most parents take their kids out of school, and Adam said his classes were half empty. We'll check it out next year. Although, today, its been sunny and in the high 60s. It would have been a great day for a parade. Next year, it will most likely be snowing.

One Year Ago Today...

....we placed our Vancouver home on the market. It is easy to remember the date. A lot has happened in the past year. We're very grateful.

West Side Market

On Saturday we finally ventured over to the West Side Market. Impressive. We've heard about the Cleveland West Side Market since we arrived in town, and we have been meaning to check it out for awhile. This is how its always described by others...

"You've got to check out the market. The market is so cool. Its almost like the one in Seattle (Pike Place)....but I've never been to Seattle. That's just what I've heard."

Well, after moving here from the Northwest, we had high expectations. Portland had a wonderful Farmer's Market, and even Vancouver's was great in its own way. And, we have been to the Pike Place Market, so we could make a fair comparison. Cleveland definitely has a well put together market. I was amazed at the amount of meat vendors there. I will be eager to return when more produce and flowers are in season. However, what impressed me the most were the prices. I always found the prices at the markets in the Portland area a little higher than what one could find at the grocery store. Granted, the quality was better, but sometimes the price wouldn't allow us to partake. However, at the market, I found the prices to be, on average, either the same as the grocery store, or even lower. Quality, freshness and price! We'll definitely be returning with many more sacks to carry our purchases home.

Red Rock Half Marathon

Last weekend Adam and I traveled to our old stomping ground of Las Vegas, NV to participate in the Red Rock Half Marathon. We had a great time! The Red Rock National Conservation Area sits in the desert mountains to the west of Las Vegas. We always loved making daytrips out there when we lived in Las Vegas. The park has a 13-mile one way loop road that travels throughout the canyon. When we lived in Las Vegas we weren't the runners/walkers that we are now, and we have always regretted not traveling by foot along the 'loop' road. Fortunately, we had the opportunity last weekend.

The half marathon was one of the most difficult courses we have ever done. The starting elevation was around 3000 feet, and then we climbed another 1000 feet in the first few miles. Mile 4 was entirely uphill. I mentioned in an earlier post that we are training for the Cincinnati Marathon this spring. We've heard there are some 'killer hills' on that marathon course, but I guarantee you there is no hill in Cincinnati that compares with the mountains of the desert southwest. Despite the intensity of the course, we were both somewhat impressed with our performances.

We've been training throughout the winter here in Cleveland, and part of the reason we planned a trip to Las Vegas, is because we thought we'd log some weekend miles in warmer weather. However, Vegas had unseasonably cold weather last weekend, and I think it was warmer in Cleveland than it was in Vegas Saturday morning. But the sun was out, and the scenery was perfect, so we're not complaining. And, we're feeling even more prepared for our next Marathon in May.

We moved to the Portland area from Las Vegas in the spring of 2003. The city is probably twice as big now as when we left. During our time in Las Vegas we used to hear rumors that the city was running out of room to build. Well......they're still building.

Wild donkeys in the Canyon.

This is one of the things we miss the most about Las Vegas. The sky looks like this nearly 365 days a year!

Super Alex

Here are a few highlights from Alex's busy February....

Another Tae Kwon Do belt testing. This time it was for his Green Tip.

Alex had a science fair at his school a few weeks ago. He chose the 'tornado in the bottle' experiment. I've heard this is a very popular one, but fortunately there were only two (his included) this year.

And, once again, Alex was honored for his reading steps on the 100 Book Challenge. He was the first student in the entire school to reach 500 steps, so as a prize, he received a journal and a pen to begin writing his own stories. (Right now Alex is sitting on the couch across from me reading a children's version of King Arthur. He just reached step #700).

Where We've Been....

Ever since Alex and Allison were babies, we've kept track of their travel adventures. Recently, we were once again looking at the map and indicating the states they've visited. I thought you'd like to see.....

ALEX - 23
Washington
Oregon
California
Nevada
Montana
Idaho
Wyoming
Utah
Arizona
New Mexico
Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
Texas
Missouri
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio
Kentucky
Florida
Pennsylvania
New York
Michigan

Allison - 21
Washington
Oregon
California
Nevada
Montana
Idaho
Wyoming
Utah
New Mexico
Colorado
North Dakota
South Dakota
Missouri
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio
Kentucky
Florida
Pennsylvania
New York
Michigan

We're planning a New England trip this summer, so that will add quite a few more. Those states are quick to pop in and out of in a day. That was not as easy with those giant western states.

FYI - I'm at 42, and I believe Adam is at 47 (but I need to double check).

Past Due...

I must admit, the reason I'm so far behind in posting is because, right now, there is over 700 photos on our camera. I'm slowly getting them off the camera, and as I do, I'll get some up here....

The Ballerina and her Baby....

More Snow...

Allison Reads!

This is waaaaaay past due......

You may remember a few years ago when we talked about teaching Alex to read using a great home teaching method. If not, you can read about it here. Well, of course, over last year we took Allison through the same curriculum. We began in early 2008, and had completed about 80% of the lessons by the time we made our move to Ohio in late June. By the time a child is to the point where Allison was at that time, they are reading at a very advanced first grade level. Because of that, sometimes it is difficult to finish the lessons, since the child now knows how to read. During and after our move, our lives became hectic, and since Allison was already reading, I shelved the book for awhile. However, it was important to us that she finish the lessons. Later in the fall, we revisited the book to finish the last 20 lessons. Allison had lost motivation by that point, and we had a few arguments during our lessons. In order to encourage her to keep with it, I bought her a new outfit and hung it in the kitchen. I told her she could have the outfit (in the picture) when we finished lesson #100. Well, she was motivated! We finished 20 lessons in about 6 days! This was close to 2 hours of reading per day for her. We completed our last lesson the Monday before Thanksgiving. She was eager to wear her new outfit to school before her Thanksgiving break!

Since then her reading has continued to improve greatly. It's quite impressive. She has a natural sing-songy tone to her voice, so her expression when she reads out loud is amazing, far above average for most primary students.

Way to go, Allison!