We found our family outlet

On our way to breakfast.

Grace is super excited!

I'm not sure which of her parents she gets her nutty enthusiasm from.

This is our favorite little breakfast diner. Tough to beat a good old fashioned joint like this.

The waiting is always fun. The games we come up with can be so creative.

But, thanfully, we didn't have to wait too long. Grace LOVES her Mickey pancake, the restaraunt's signature "dish" for kids. DIG IN!!
Here Grace is eating butter. With her finger. Can you see the look of nausea on my face?
Ah, nothing like a full belly!
Time to hit the road. The weather is beautiful to enjoy a fall day. But what best way to enjoy a day like this?
Ah, the outlet mall. Fun for the whole family! (just not all at the same time)

I think Grace is wondering what's about to happen

And for the Marcy and Lisa, here's a shot of the changing room in the Polo store

Thank goodness that's over!
Grace fought a good fight, but eventually was overcome

And here's the haul for the day

Thanks for coming along with us on a family Saturday! Hope you all had great weekends, and spent less money.

Stagnation

Well, after the great gains I had seen last month in pace for running and swimming, I seem to be at a plateau. I guess it should be noted (here, and in my mind) that I am trying some refined techniques in both areas, attempting greater efficiency. While the running seems to be less draining, it's not speeding up. The swimming, however, is working different muscles harder, so I'm tired in all new and exciting ways! The short of it: for running I'm trying a shorter stride with focus on forefoot action, and for swimming I'm trying to reach full or near full extension before my hands enter the water. Both seem much more efficient, but the change is causing me to step back a bit in progress I suppose. Stats from last 2 days:

Wed:
Brick - bike 14.18 miles in 40:24 @ 21.06 mph
transition 1:05
run 2.4 miles in 16:36 @ 6:55 mile
10 mph wind & 82 deg

Thur:
swim 1750 yds in 30:07 @ 1:43/100 yds
run (non-brick) 4.25 miles in 29:01 @ 6:49/mile

Strangely enough, the brick run seems to be easier than the regular run, since I would expect a significant difference between the two paces. In fact, it seemed like an easier run, with more speed available had I wanted. It's possible my legs were still recovering from the great ride and good run yesterday, but the didn't feel like it. Oh well, speed work should fix it I guess.

I'm looking forward to the 5K this weekend, but I fear I won't do as well as I hope to. Of course I want a PR (duh!), but I want it to be by a minute or more. My last 5K was in January I believe, and it was a PR by about 4 minutes, but I trained a lot in the 9 months between those two races. I'm probably over thinking it, really. It's 3 freakin miles, for goodness sake! Okay, that settles it: I'm blowing the doors off of it!

Come on Friday! Work has been a drag lately, and I live for the weekends. Just like that old Loverboy song. Yeah, you know the one... (now just try to get it out of your head, ha ha ha!) Since I shouldn't really do a long ride Saturday morning, perhaps we'll have a big family breakfast instead! Man, I love doing that. Reminds me of special times as a little guy, and I want Grace to have those memories also. Of course, Grace doesn't get to experience the super unhealthy crap I used to enjoy (sausage, fatty bacon, regular eggs, instant pancakes, etc...) I hope she grows up without the need to find a healthy diet, though. If things go as I plan, it will be ingrained in her. Well, with some pizza thrown in, but only in moderation. Right? :-)