I Like Food.

Happy Tuesday!

Well, I hope its a happy one for you! Its a good Tuesday so far for me, except I woke up with a headache. I don't even mind the rain because its not freezing out. I think its the new Dunkin' Donuts Coconut flavored coffee I bought that is making my morning so good. (Its a MUST try)

I took my lunch break yesterday afternoon around 4:15 and went for a run in the park across the street. It is so nice to run somewhere that you don't go every day. I ran 2.53 miles at an average pace of 11'42. I'm pretty excited about that because most of the route is going up hill. So I'm giving myself a little pat on the back. (Last time I went to the park I didn't go as far and I didn't run as much. Yay for improvements!)

I saw this on one of my favorite websites this morning (theBerry.com) and it pretty much sums up my days at work:


Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your day, I have to make it short since I'm at work!

Cranky Monday

Want to know why I started running? I feel stuck. Stuck everywhere else in my life and its the one time no one can tell me I am doing something the wrong way or even talk to me. There are no words, only thoughts. And I like that. Its a quiet break from everything else that is just sitting.

For the most part, most days, I enjoy my everyday life. I love watching my daughter grow up and my job is good with people I like to work with. I have accomplished things like quiting smoking and I've gotten some college courses under my belt. But there are some days that I get restless and angry, mostly because my life didn't quite turn out the way I expected to. That doesn't necessarily mean its bad, its just not what I expected. Some ways its better, in some ways its not.

When I run I feel like I am experiencing something new everytime. Especially outside, I get to see other people going about their lives, I get to enjoy nature in different elements and even enjoy time with our dog (who I think feels a little left out since Willow was born).

Hopefully one day when Willow is old enough she will want to be active with me, I know she loves being outside already and she is pretty speedy so I think its a good possibility. But for now, I'm enjoying the silence of the run.

=======================================================================

The weekend was mostly filled with play time. I went for a 3 mile run on the treadmill while willow took a nap and then we had a play date with a friend of mine and her daughter who is around Willow's age.

Saturday we left early and went into town. We did some shoping at target (duh), played at the mall play area with her Grammy (AKA my Mom) and then we went to Battlefield park with my bestie Jessica to play at the playground and go for a walk.

It was a nice, sunny weekend! I swear it seemed shorter than usual, and more than just the hour we lost!

Also- I returned that pair of tights with the skirt attached. It seemed to get looser the more you wore them and I really don't have a butt as it is to hold up pants!


Pictures from Battlefield Park, Willow loves the swing! (if you look hard enough, you can tell she doesn't have any socks on. She did that right before we got there. I don't know why she insists on not wearing any socks)

Its Friday!

Good morning to the 1 or 2 people that read this!

Today is going to be a good day because its Friday, and after all the snow Wenesday it should be in the 60's this weekend. (Virginia is crazy like that.)

Last night my dog and I went to the garage for a run on the treadmill. Well, he just sat next to the dog statue and stared at it while I ran. It was a rought start, the dvd I put in kept skipping and then once I got that going GUN SHOTS started happening outside. Let me paint a picture for you. I live in the middle of nowhere. Really, the only gas stations that are near me are 10 minutes away and thats driving fast. We have a horse pasture in our back yard, sans horses. Even a big red barn. We have neighbors but one is on the other side a privacy fence and the other is a good acre away.

Its a good thing no one could see me when I heard the gun shots because I ducked down like an idiot and the dog barking just freaked me out more. I called Josh on my phone and asked if it was him, it wasn't. Luckily I could text the neighbor and she said it was her. She saw a coyote. Like I said...We live in the middle of nowhere.

Anyway, after all that I ended up running a little bit over 2.5 miles. Which is awesome for me. The shorter strides are really making a difference, before I would feel like finishing after 1 mile.

I think I will look at jogging strollers tomorrow. When spring comes I would really love to take Willow to a park and get her in on the action too. Any suggestions for jogging strollers? I will probably try for a used one.

I hope you all have a great weekend! I am going to have a long run this weekend (for me thats about 3 miles) and Sunday is rest day!

My new shoes (sorry for the blurry shot!):



I am absolutely in love with them! Best Valentine gift ever! :)

Short Strides, Longer Distance?

Good Morning!

I hope its warm and sunny where you are, because here in VA its cold and snowy. Yesterday we all stayed home from work/daycare and watched the snow fall. Why watch the snow fall you ask? Well, the power went out for the better part of the day so we had the woodstove going and enjoyed the scenery instead of the TV. I didn't venture out in it though, 30 mile per hour wind mixed with snow/rain is not my cup of coffee. We ate too much and I did some strength training to attempt to counter act all the eating, but really it was just me being optimistic. My sides do hurt from all the side planks though. So theres a plus.

Tuesday night I ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill. I used the newer-to-me treadmill this time and it actually helped me with my running style. I think before I was running too heavy and too long of strides. With this treadmill if you hit it too hard with your feet it will stop a little bit and almost make you trip up. So I practiced short, light strides and I was amazed at how less fatigued my legs were! Also, my knees didn't hurt so much. I can not tell you how excited I am about this new discovery! I can't wait to hop on it tonight!

I bought a pair of these at Target the other day...I LOVE THEM...but I feel a little dorky wearing them at the same time. Have you tried the Skort/Legging deal yet? (p.s. Can I wear these all day? I feel like I want to)

  My happy toddler yesterday, enjoying a cinnamon roll dipped in yogurt.


I hope everyone enjoys their day today! I am so happy to see the sun shine and the snow melt! :)

Rest Night

Last night's Run  Rest Night turns out to be well needed.

I had full intentions of going home and jumping on that treadmill last night once Willow went down for the evening. Turns out she had different plans. I got home and she was in a pleasant, talkative (her language of course) mood that we were very much enjoying. She even helped me cook and taste tested the spaghetti sauce with me, saying "mmmm num!" with every bite.

After dinner I wanted to make sure I had enough water in me before running so I filled up my new pink water bottle (I have a weird thing about all cups. I'm obsessed) with ice water. Willow apparently has the same weird obsession over cups because she wanted the cup. I am trying to not give in to every little thing with her because it is becoming a slight issue...spoiled. So I didn't give it to her.

Bad Idea.

That set the mood for the rest of the evening which included crying, hyperventilating, snot, and this wanting-to-be-held-but-don't-touch-me thing she does. Once she was finally asleep I carefully put her in her crib and got in gear to do my thing.

(Venturing out into the cold, detached garage in the dark is NOT my thing. I make the dog come out with me so I feel more protected and less of a weenie. )

The damn treadmill would not turn on. I guess I had too many things plugged in out there and it wouldn't reset. Damn you electricity and my woman brain that knows nothing about you.

And of course Josh's back was hurting so he was no use. So last night resulted in a glass of wine in bed and watching the show "The Following". Oddly enough, I feel like I've done sit ups all night and I didn't even do strength training last night. Complete rest night. Maybe my body needed it. It hasn't had one of those in a few weeks.

How often do you take complete rest nights?

Post Run Shake and Weekend Run

Happy Monday?


Saturday when I finally got Willow down for a nap, I went for a run around our horse pasture and yard. I'm going to be honest here, I went 2.30 miles and it took me 30 minutes. I was really hoping that by now I could get to at least 2.5 miles in that time. So this week my goal is to go AT LEAST 2.30 miles per run. I would like to do that in less than 30 minutes. So wish me luck! Hopefully my new Brooks Adrenaline 12 shoes will come in today or tomorrow. I can't wait for that.

Yesterday while grocery shopping at target with Willow (Target is pretty much my weakness...and now that it has a grocery section I am done for!) and I picked up some unsweetened vanilla almond milk while we were there. Have you tried this stuff?? I am so surprised about how tasty it is! I made an iced coffee in the afternoon with it for a pick-me-up and last night I made this little number after my work out:

Banana-Almond-Chipper Shake (catchy name right?):

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 frozen banana (cut up)
1 spoonful of peanut butter
1 spoonful of nesquiks no sugar added chocolate powder
1 handful of ice

I put it in the blender and BAM instant heaven. 1 cup of almond milk is about 30 calories with more calcium than regular milk. Peanut butter is always great for protein and everything else is tasty as well. I highly recommend trying this!

Tonight is a run night, and its going to be on the treadmill which I am starting to dread. The garage is a mess and both treadmills don't always function properly. Hopefully I can set a movie up out there, if I can get Josh's help!

What is your favorite post work out snack?

In the Begining...

Happy Friday!

I have a little over an hour left before my weekend officially starts and I am STARVING.

I usually eat small breakfast/snack/lunch/snack/snack/dinner. I promise its not as bad as it looks. Snacks are usually 1 of the following: Special K cereal, 90 Calorie Fiber One bars, Coffee, etc.

See. Not so bad. Anyway, I forgot my afternoon snacks today so I am eating one of my emergency protein bars I have in my desk drawer. I'm not going to lie, it tastes awful. Unfortunately, if I don't eat something now I will eat EVERYTHING later.

Has anyone else ever noticed that many long term runners do not always explain how hard it was for them when they first started? I have. Mostly because I am waiting for someone to say "when I first started I couldn't go more than 2 miles walking/running". I have yet to hear that. They always change the subject. Boo.

So I am telling you, in the hopes that one day I will be a long term, long distance runner, that I cannot go more than 2.5 miles, and I am still not running the entire time. I realized the other day however, that this is not necessarily a bad thing, that I have to work myself up to it. well, I am as impatient as they come. My knees hurt and I think its because of 2 things: 1-my shoes and 2-my inexperience.

I ordered new shoes today, (Brooks Adrenaline 12), and started doing hip-strengthening exercises (as of last night) to help with knee pain. Apparently if your knees hurt it may be a sign of weak hips. (you try carrying a 8.9 lb baby for over the allotted time and gaining 50lbs while doing so....almost 2 years later my hips still aren't normal!)

I'm hoping these help, because I am planning on running my butt off! Hopefully tonight I can get in 2 miles, and tomorrow go for a walk with Willow during the day.

When is your favorite time to run? or the most convenient?

TGIF!


From theBerry.com's Daily Motivation (AKA My Hero):