Tuesdays on the Run: Ups and Downs

February 27, 2018February 27, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

The theme for last week is “ups and downs.” It was one of those weeks that had a few good days (two outdoor runs), but then there were some bad days due to lack of sleep and massive headaches. Here’s where it ended up:

This week’s running highlights:

The ups: I got outside two days for a run and those days the weather was pretty good.

The downs: Those were the only real runs this week.

I’ve been plagued recently by some serious headaches. They started slightly last weekend, but have been getting worse as the days go on. On Wednesday’s run, about 1.5 miles in, I felt one come on; let’s just say it was a painful run home. Thursday, I opted to walk a little bit to see if this would help – I started out painfree but about a mile or so in, started feeling the pain again. The same thing happened Friday. And Saturday, I didn’t even attempt to run – I pretty much woke up with the headache. I’m thinking I have a sinus infection, since the pain is pretty much only in my sinuses, but I’m sick of them! I can’t wait to get out and run without a headache again.

Some questions for you:

Any headache or sinus infection cures?
If you’re not running, do you try to get in walks?

Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!

A Typical Weekend At Home

February 25, 2018February 25, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 7 Comments

There’s just something wonderful about a weekend at home with nothing planned. In looking ahead at our calendar and realizing that pretty much our whole March and first few weeks of April were booked with activities (pretty much all fun stuff!), I was looking forward to a weekend of relaxing and not doing much.

So, what did our weekend at home entail?

Friday night meant some Indian food. We had eggplant, cauliflower, fish and naan. SO good!

(Grilled cheese for FW)

We also started a movie – The Girl With All the Gifts. I had read the book before and was wanting to see the movie. We didn’t make it through Friday night, because I decided I wanted something lighter.

Saturday morning, B took FW to his cousin’s soccer game, so I got to (sorta) sleep in! Meaning I woke up at 7, went back into bed at 8:30 and relaxed until they came home around 9:30. I’ve been under the weather, and woke up Saturday with a massive headache, so resting in a dark bedroom was what I needed.

Later in the morning, we made some peanut and almond butters.

Saturday afternoon, the rainy weather let up for a little bit, so we went for a short family walk to a bakery for lunch. FW fell asleep for a short while in the stroller. But he woke up for some bread when we got to the bakery!

We hung around the house for a while, reading and relaxing as it rained some more.

It cleared up just in time for us to head out again- this time for some shopping. We made the trip to the West Side Market to pick up goodies for the week.

That evening, B made a pretty amazing meal – veal osso bucco. I had never had it before, but he had picked up some veal shanks at the Market and it turned out pretty good.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, the three of us took a walk to a new donut shop that just opened a few miles away – Daylight Donuts. It was a beautiful day (finally no rain!) and great to get outside. FW walked for all of .5 miles before hopping in the stroller for an hour nap, which I didn’t mind.

That afternoon, we hit up a wood warehouse so B could see what kind of inventory they had. He is thinning about making us some porch furniture. This place takes down trees, etc. and cuts them into wood for customers; the guy also makes custom projects and sells them. He had so much raw wood/tree stumps, etc. in the warehouse, and then cut out designs started in his showroom.

Afterwards, we drove to the beach and park to run around for a bit. It was chilly but sunny! And felt great to be outside.

We finished the day with dinner to celebrate my sister-in-law’s birthday at B’s parents house. A pretty busy weekend for having nothing to do – but tons of fun!

Some questions for you:

Do you like donuts?
What do you do if you have nothing planned for the weekend?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Training Tuesday- Back Outside Again!

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

I’m not going to lie- I’m a little sore. Why? Because I had two days in a row of outside runs!

Two outdoor runs, a few treadmill walks and and some indoor walk/runs, and I hit 22ish miles for the week. Here’s what it looked like:

Some highlights:

The weather warmed up a bit this week, and all of the ice and snow melted Thursday off the sidewalks. So when Friday morning rolled around and it was clear and 30°, I got bundled up and went for a run outside. It was hard – I’m getting bigger and bigger (see the bump pic, below!) and haven’t been running, but I’m glad I made it out.

Saturday, B took FW in the BOB and I followed along on another run outside! Again, it wasn’t easy but it felt so so good to be outside.

Running outside feels so much better than the treadmill to me these days. On the treadmill, I’m only really able to walk/run, and outside there’s much more running than walking going on.

I’m 27 weeks pregnant this week, and hopeful that I can continue this level of activity for the next few months. I know it’s not going to get easier on my body, and that bump pictured above is only going to get bigger, but at least the weather will be getting nicer! AND I have the Cleveland Marathon 5k/10 to train for. If you’re planning on running the Cleveland Marathon or any of the events this May – half marathon, 5k, 8k 10, 1 mile (new!) or kids run – use the code MCCLE10 for 10% off your entry fee. I’m an ambassador for the race, so I get to have fun discounts AND I’ll have a giveaway coming up!

Some questions for you:

Any tips for running while pregnant?
Do you do better running on a treadmill or outside?

Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!

Chinese New Year, Doughnuts, Grandparents, Oh My!

February 18, 2018February 19, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

This was definitely one of those weekends that felt like 3 weekends in one. We did quite a bit of fun things, that it felt like we packed a few different weekends in – which was fine with me!

We started off Friday night with a Chinese New Year dinner. One of our friends had organized a dinner to celebrate the Year of the Dog at a local Chinese restaurant and it was great. She ordered a bunch of things off the menu for us and it was so much fun to try out some new dishes!

I loved the sweet dish that ended the meal – it was like candied sweet potato!

The dinner was next to an Asian bakery, so we did have to stop off and get a pastry after dinner – we opted for the coconut tart. Even FW liked it.

Saturday morning started off with a family run! B pushed FW in the stroller, while I tried to keep up with them. Running is getting pretty hard for me these days, but I was glad we were able to get out as a family and go for a run.

After our run, we had plans to have some brunch with Dave and his two kids. FW is friends with Celia and used to go to the same school as her before we moved, so he was super excited to see her.

B made us some amazing avocado toasts.

And Dave brought over local doughnuts from near his house – Jack Frost! Look at all that frosting.

And the kids all played for a while. They all get along, which is great.

That afternoon, since it was still so nice out, B, FW and I went for a walk. We walked to a nearby coffee shop and chocolatier. FW (and I) like their chocolate if you can’t tell!

And later in the afternoon, my parents got into town. They were in town for two nights – FW loves spending time with them. And I’m so lucky to have them visit.

We had to keep up our weekly streak and got pizza for dinner.

Sunday morning started with brunch! We walked to a nearby diner-ish type place for food.

My mom and I spit two entrees – eggs Benedict and lemon ricotta pancakes. Their lemon ricotta pancakes are the best.

We went for another walk in the afternoon and FW took a nap.

We also got in some FaceTime with my brother, who lives in Berlin .

Sunday night included the usual- dinner with B’s family. FW enjoyed some time with his cousins.

It was a pretty good weekend, but as usual, not enough time with my parents. I’m hoping that when baby #2 is born, they’ll be able to spend more than a day with us and we can enjoy some warm weather activities!

Some questions for you:

Do you like chocolate cake?
Did you get in some good outdoor time this weekend?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Sick Week= Little Running

February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Welp- if you couldn’t guess from the title of this post, I got in nearly no miles running this week as I’m down for the count.

This cold has got me breathing through my mouth and barely sleeping. And since FW has it too (who do you think I got it from?), I’m not only tired from being sick and tired from being 25+ weeks pregnant, but I’m tired from him being sick too!

I know, enough first world problems. I’m just super glad that B is home this week and it’s *fingers crossed* just nasty cold for us.

So- don’t be surprised by the lack of runs here. And truth be told – the two “running” days here were actually run WALKS with the emphasis on the walk.

Here is how the week panned out:

I’m still sick so this week probably won’t be much better. Plus- the idea of going for a run in the cold and ice when I can’t breathe well doesn’t sound too appealing. Maybe if it were humid out 😁 #excuses

Some questions for you:

Do you run when sick?
Do you consider a walk/run a run?

Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs

Another Wintry Weekend In the CLE

February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

Is anyone else sick of this winter? It has been cold and icy and snowy here for weeks and I’m so ready for warm weather and sunshine and a clear sidewalk to walk and run on!

Okay – enough complaining I suppose. Because despite the weather, it was still a good weekend spent with B and FW. I was sick most of the weekend, so it was pretty laid back and low key.

We of course had to start the weekend by celebrating National Pizza Day with my favorite pizza- Marottas!

Saturday, B made FW and I some pancakes to kick off breakfast. Fun fact- I never used to like pancakes or sweet stuff for breakfast- I was much more of a savory breakfast food lover – until pregnancy.

We spent some time later that afternoon at the West Side Market; we used to shop there all the time when we lived downtown, but now we only make it there maybe once every other month or so.

And of course we had to visit Rising Star for some coffee and chocolate milk (tea for me from Cleveland Tea Revival).

After the Market it was time to hit up the Great Big Home and Garden Show! I had won tickets in an online giveaway from Cleveland Magazine and it was a great way for us to get in some running around time and get Francis moving even with the cold weather.

Saturday night, B made us dinner – spaghetti, meatballs and homemade sauce.

Sunday morning we decided it was warm enough and finally not snowing/icing/raining/sleeting/etc. to go for a walk, so we walked to brunch!

FW got tired of walking, so B carried him. He then fell asleep in the carrier

We split some eggs and a lemon crepe. FW was suspicious of the crepe until I told him it was like a cookie 🙂

Sunday afternoon after our walk was pretty lazy. I got in some rest, some baking and some peanut butter making.

I realize I can’t remember the last time I bought any nut butter at the store! I got my Vitamix about a year ago and it has been the only way we’ve been doing peanut or almond butter. I LOVE having it and need to use it more!

Sunday night included dinner with B’s family and that was about it. We watched the Olympics with them for a little bit – it was the first time I’ve watched any of the events! I need to start getting into them.

Some questions for you:

Are you watching the Olympics?
What type of nut butter(s) do you like?

I’m linking up with the weekly wraps!

Tuesdays on the Run: Running for TWO

February 6, 2018February 4, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

Yes, in case you missed last week’s announcement or were still unsure by the title, I’m pregnant with baby #2 and trying to keep up my running. We’ll see how it goes, but if anything, I’ll be sharing the journey again here!

Here’s how last week went:

The week’s running highlights:

The week started off STRONG! I got in my longest and fastest (in a while) run on Sunday with B and FW. It was SO great being outside with the 2 of them, while B pushed FW in the stroller. We had plans to do 3-4 miles, and then when we got to 4, I told B that I hadn’t run 5 miles in a long time, so he suggested we just keep going. So we did.

We ran around some local lakes and then found another path that I’d never been to before and ran through there.

Miles 1-1.5 were okay, miles 1.5-3 were rough but I got a second wind a little after mile 3 and felt good enough to finish strong.

The rest of the week was just so-so in terms of running. Pregnant running his time around has been much harder, not sure if it’s because I’m so tired with FW or because this winter has been so cold and snowy, or a combination of the both. The rest of the week I mostly walked/ran on the treadmill. I’m hoping to get outside again though soon.

I definitely need to raid B’s drawer for some workout tops!

Some questions for you:

Are you running any races this spring?
Do you like running on your birthday?

Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!

Cousin Weekend – One Sentence Per Photo Style

February 4, 2018 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

It was another cold weekend in Cleveland, filled with plenty of fun indoor activities to keep us busy. Here are some of the highlights – and let’s see if I can keep it to one sentence per photos.

First, FW started a new daycare – he enjoyed snacktime as you can see!

We did some baking this weekend – starting with cookies.

And of course some more spinach muffins; this time they had zucchini.

Some Vietnamese food takeout for dinner.

Out to breakfast Saturday morning!

FW’s cousin came up from Columbus, so we seen some time indoors.

The Natural History Museum was a great place for two toddlers to run around and scream/growl at dinosaur bones.

And look at lots of big animals!

And yes, we did play a little bit outside.

Sunday was a little “warm” (36 degrees!) so it included a mid-morning walk – we went to the bakery and FW fell asleep.

We picked up lunch and brought it over to Celia’s house, where FW played with the new baby Maura.

And of course, we watched the Super Bowl – but it mostly meant FW got to hang out and play with his cousins (yes, more cousins!).

And, that’s a wrap! Another winter weekend is in the books. Can’t believe it’s February – 2018 is flying by. I hate when time goes by fast, but I wouldn’t mind warmer weather soon!

Some questions for you: