Mountain Momma Runner: Are we there yet?

Thanksgiving week! Hunting season, Turkey Trots, and driving hours for a large meal and tons of family. I don't know what I'm most excited about!

Tomorrow I embark on my 6 hour drive to the NY/NJ Metropolitan area with 3 little kids and no husband (poor man has to work). :( No worries, I've done the drive before by myself a million times, just not with 3 kids. In my head I have it all planned out.. stop every two hours to stretch our legs, get some air, and change diapers. Travis will be able to watch a DVD in the truck for the first time. Eileen is a little too young for the DVD's, but she should be fine, and I'm hoping Tyler just sleeps the whole way.
Now, here is how it's really going to go. Travis will get car sick watching the DVD's, but will insist on watching them because the kid would watch videos until his eyes bled. Eileen will have a major pooptastrophy and require multiple changes of clothes along with being cranky and whiny the whole day, and Tyler will scream for at least half the trip. I might bring some ear plugs just in case!

On to the Turkey Trotting....
This past weekend I rode in my first ever cyclocross race. I haven't ridden my bike in a very long time, and my sit bones were sore just from riding one lap on Friday, but I think I did ok, and I'm glad I did it. It felt really good to be on my bike again, and you have to take the opportunity when you get it. This race was at our house, so I didn't have to pack the kids up and take them to a baby sitter.
On Sunday I did have to pack the kids up and take them to the babysitter. When I thought I had everything ready and I was going to put the kids in the car, Eileen with a poopy diaper. Never Fails! I still made it in plenty of time. I ran the Rowlesburg 5k and got my ass kicked by a high school kid. I knew it was going to happen, but it didn't make it any easier to take. What do I expect though, I'm still carrying 10 extra pounds and I haven't done any speed work, in fact, that was my speed work. On Thursday I will run a 5 miler which will be my second hard run postpartum. I'm hoping the plan of going out more conservatively this time will help with the hurt.

Paleo during the holidays....
The past week or so I've been pretty good with my diet. It is a team challenge, after all, so I feel I have to bring it! But this is Thanksgiving week, and I'm just saying right now that I will be eating everything in sight on Thursday, it's only right. That's the problem with being on a "diet" this time of year. I have three parties this weekend, then the Holiday party season will be in full swing in the coming weeks. I believe our challenge ends on Christmas Eve, I have a feeling I'll have many cheats between now and then!

Recipes....
Last week I made Paleo Beef Stew. I made mine with deer meat and it was awesome! I would highly recommend it! Unfortunately Travis is in a picky eating phase, so of course he wouldn't even try it. Eileen will eat just about anything though, so it only makes my life slightly harder when I have to make something else for Travis.
I can say I've eaten mostly bacon, sweet potatoes, eggs, chicken, salmon, and deer meat so far, and of course lots of veggies. Everything I've made has been great though. I highly recommend sweet potato hash with eggs on top, cooked in bacon fat of course!