Nerves

I hate to admit it, but this week did not go so well in the running/working out realm of things.

One 10 mile run is all I got in, and while I am proud of running 10 miles after work (especially on a Monday), it also frustrates me that I didn't get any other runs in. I had my gym bag packed at least 2 mornings this week and just didn't get up early enough to go.

This was my dinner after my 10 miler. I had just enough time to take a quick shower and dry my hair before heading out to watch The Boyfriend's soccer game. I ate this while watching. I felt like a little kid.

So, this weekend's mileage is 16. I'm nervous. I haven't run that far since the middle of February.

I'm trying to psych myself up for it today. Any suggestions on how you get yourself ready for a long run?

I might even talk The Boyfriend into dinner at the Mellow Mushroom tonight. One opened a few weeks ago pretty close to us and we haven't tried it yet. We LOVE pizza...especially pizza with mushrooms on it!

It's going to be a busy weekend - lots of fun things on the agenda. Hopefully I survive the 16 miles and can tell you about the more exciting things on Monday!

I'm In Love

Or obsessed. 

Sometimes they are interchangeable!

 The days of the week rundies totally crack me up!

All of these beauties can be found at www.oiselle.com.

A Cabin in the Woods

Saturday's Workout: 4 miles of hiking in Red River Gorge
Monday's Workout: 10 mile run

The last several weeks have been long and stressful, so it was time for a little R&R weekend getaway. 

Our good friends allowed us to stay in their cabin in Red River Gorge for the weekend. Aren't they THE BEST?

The cabin is amazing.

The view is beautiful.

The weekend was perfect.

We hiked. We played games. WE enjoyed some wine. We relaxed. We ziplined.

Racing for 2000 feet 350 feet above the Gorge!

Me zipping!

We are both frightened of heights, but we had an absolute BLAST! The zipline tour was part of The  Boyfriend's birthday present from me. I think he enjoyed it :)

Especially since he just called and told me he found some cabins for sale in the Gorge...

We can't wait to go back and explore more trails and enjoy some more relaxation!

Time for Fall

Wednesday's Workout: 4 mile run

Fall sunrise

The leaves may not have changed yet, but the weather sure has! Wednesday was a goooorgeous day for a run. Sunny skies and cool temps = perfection for running!

Capri tights =  perfect fall running attire

 
Ben ended up not being able to run after work, but i went ahead and did the route alone. I decided to run from work so that I wouldn't have time to convince myself not to on the drive home (isn't the carpet in the gym at work lovely?).

I forgot my Garmin, but tried to push myself harder the second half of the run. It felt like I did, so we'll go with it!

I feel like I'm getting back in the groove after all the chaos...hopefully that continues!

It's That Time of Year Again!

Monday's workout: 3.2 mile run
Tuesday's workout: Running around the parking lot with GOTR

We ended the weekend at the Bengals v. Browns game. It was nice to have something fun to look forward to. We had a great time and enjoyed an exciting Bengals win!

Monday's run felt hard. I was still exhausted from the previous week (and very busy weekend), but i was glad I at least got a few miles in. Sometimes I feel like any run less than 6 miles isn't worth it, but that's not a very good way to think. And that is definitely not what I would tell my friends if they asked me.

Tuesday was my first day coaching GOTR for the season. It actually started last week, but with all the family stuff going on I was unable to make it.

These girls just know how to make your day!

We have several girls returning from previous seasons. I think some of them have grown a foot since I last saw them!

This is going to be an amazing season, I can tell already!

I have plans to run with my friend Ben after work. Hopefully he forces me in to running some "fast" miles - if I can keep up with him!

On a completely different note...

Via

My company announced today that associates that are tobacco users (if they are enrolled in our benefits program) will have to pay a surcharge starting January 1, 2013. Anyone else have a similar policy at their company? Personally, I think it's brilliant, however, do you think associates will be honest?

Celebrating Life

Friday's workout: 4 mile run

This morning's run was my first in over a week. It felt good to get out and sweat.

The past week has been a blur leading up to this weekend's celebration of life.

Grandpa and I in Chicago this summer

Today is my grandpa's 90th birthday. 90! 

He is amazing. He still lives independently.  I even think he was taking his time mowing the lawn when I talked to him earlier this week. He is still active in his walking group and church. I hope I am as full of life as he is when I reach that age!

Tomorrow we will celebrate his fabulous 90 years with friends and family.

Tomorrow we will also celebrate another life. A life taken too young. The Boyfriend's sister lost her long and hard fought battle against breast cancer last Saturday morning. She was the first member of his family I met.  

I am so grateful that I was able to meet her and spend the amount of time with her that I did. I've learned a lot more about her this past week. So many pictures have been shared and stories told that make me sad that I only knew her for such a brief time.

This weekend we will lay her to rest and then celebrate her life with those that love her.

Life may be long, or it may be far too short. Either way, why complicate it?

The Last Weekish...

The past week has been a blur.

And that's all I am going to say about that for now. 

So, here are some random pics from the past week or so. Enjoy!

Clockwise: The Boyfriend playing football with the nieces and nephews, USA v. Jamaica world cup qualifier match, my e.l.f. makeup obsession, the Barbie version of the Lost plane crash, and my energy source for staying awake for 30 hours.

Running Under The Stars

Wednesday's Workout: 3.1 mile hilly run

Oh, what a looong day it was. But I think it ended just the way it needed to.

It began with a trip to the BMV. Everyone's favorite place, right? I hope you are sitting down, but the lady helping me actually smiled!

After visiting with the family, we decided to head out for a run. Yes, at 9:20 p.m. Definitely not my favorite time to start a run. I might have been a little cranky at first.

Via

It was so peaceful and quiet in the neighborhood at this time of night. Only a few cars went by. The clouds had cleared out so you could see the stars. It was the perfect ending to the day.

Nighttime running must work for The Boyfriend, because he set a PR! Fastest 3.1 ever! I think he was racing me at the end but forgot to tell me!

West Virgina, Here We Come!

It's official! 2012 will not come and go without me doing a marathon (if all goes well of course)! 

Phew! I was worried about that for a while.

After every PR (best time, furthest distance run, etc.) you get a treat, right? Well, The Boyfriend ran 11.5 miles on Saturday (in super humid weather) so he deserved a treat. 

So I registered him for another half marathon!

I think I win Girlfriend of the Year for that one! Don't worry, we also went to Coldstone for an ice cream treat!

That's right, The Boyfriend and I will be traveling to West Virginia to take on another race. I'll be running 26.2 and he'll be running 13.1. I'll get to check off another state!

There are several great things about this race:
1. The medal is pretty cool (I have a strange affection for buffalo)

2. They honor the victims of the plane crash in 1970 with flowers carried by the runners for 200 yards then  placed in a basket at the memorial fountain. *The Boyfriend's father was good friends with one of the victims. There's a rumor The Boyfriend may run the half in his jersey.

3. The marathoners get a Brooks running jacket yes I still run for the accessories!

4. You can carry a football the last 100 yards of the race in the football stadium

5. Some of my most favorite people will be there too!

I am excited and nervous to get another 26.2 under my belt. I know this won't be a PR, but it will be good to get my mileage up and prepare myself for the spring marathon season!

Labor Day Weekend

Saturday's workout: Run 12.5 miles

The rest of the weekend was lazy, lazy, lazy. I think it was just what the doctor ordered! I am pretty sure I slept more this weekend than I have in the last few weeks combined.

Saturday's run was super humid. The forecast was for rain pretty much all weekend, but we actually got very little rain until Monday. It was so humid though Saturday that I think we looked like we ran in a downpour. And this is why there are no pics of our run!

The new season of Dexter is starting soon, so we decided to get The Boyfriend caught up so we can watch the new season in real time.

Via

We started watching Friday night and have 2.5 episodes left (out of 12). I told you we were lazy!

Sunday we had a very princessy 3rd birthday party to attend. I wish I had a pic of the birthday girl - she was head-to-toe a pink princess with the attitude to match!

Monday I decided to try a few new recipes I found on Pinterest to take to my sister's house for dinner. The first one only required 2 ingredients:

It looked pretty after I mixed it together...

But then it sunk after I took it out of the oven and it wasn't so pretty, but it did taste pretty good!

The other recipe was roasted green beans and mushrooms. I coated the veggies in balsamic vinegar and olive oil before roasting. They were pretty yummy too!

Why is the day after a 3 day weekend so rough? You would think I'd be all re-energized after all that sleep this weekend!