Mel On...The Breakdown Before the Break-Through (hopefully)

Ok, not going to lie, last week was rough.  I just felt completely BLAH, my kids were sick, I was dodging it back and forth all week, my head wasn't in the game, I ate like crap, didn't have the energy to exercise, it was just rough.

I went from 4-hrs of cross-training and a 28-mile week to a 2-hr of cross-training and a .5-mile week!  It really hit my conscience and I honestly think the lack of exercise coupled with a week of crappy eating is what made me feel so blah...anyway...this week I AM IN IT TO WIN IT!

Mel On...A Maddy Run

My little girl loves going on runs with me (and by running I mean me pushing her 40 lb body in what feels like an 80 lb stroller).  Every time I go out the door, "Mommy, can I go with you?!"  I love taking her but it is KILLER trying to get around the hills in our village with that darn stroller.  SOOOOO...I kicked her out of it.

Not really, not really...but really. 

Mel On...The Trail Less Traveled

Went on another trail run with Sarah today!  We started off going through the trails near my daughter's school...then decided to "veer off the beaten path."  Adventerous, we are.

The weather was perfect this morning, in the mid-40's and sunny.  Unfortunately though, neither of us were "feeling" it.  We kept it at a nice, easy, conversational pace with no other expectations than running about 7 miles...good thing because we had to walk, leap, and crawl for part of our "run!"

Mel On...Um...YUM! (Spicy Sausage Mushroom Soup)

My husband surprised me with The Runner's World Cookbook last month (he loves me!) so I've been trying new recipes out the past few weeks!  One of my FAVS is this Spicy Sausage Mushroom Soup recipe:

Mel On...3rd Annual Cuddeback Memorial 5K

Today was the 3rd Annual A1C Zachary Cuddeback Memorial 5K.  This is the second year I have ran this race and it just keeps getting better!  There were hundreds of runners, supporters, and volunteers who came out to remember the life of a fallen Airman and raise money for an amazing cause!

A1C Zachary Cuddeback was an outstanding invidiual who was tragically taken from us on March 2, 2011 at Frankfurt International Airport, Germany by a misguided individual targeting the United States military.  A1C Cuddeback was one of the two Airmen who lost their lives during the shooting, while two additional Airmen were critically injured and had to undergo numerous surgeries to recover from the incident.  A1C Cuddeback served as a vehicle operator/ dispatcher for the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron (VRS) for over a year and was an integral part of the VRS family.  He is survived by his mother, father, and brother in America. -- 86th VRS